Summary:
No one ever claimed it would be easy.
Running away from his messy divorce did not bring Ira Fragale the peace he sought. If he's going to get his life together, he needs to pull up his big-boy pants and take care of business. He's been hiding out in Skagit, licking his wounds, for two years now. Keeping his head down, except for the trail of twinks he's left behind. Something's gotta give.
Bartending at the Loft is easy, and Cameron McCulloch likes the friendships he's developed since his family rejected him, but he wants more. To get that, Cam needs to knock Ira off the pedestal he's placed him on. Ira's older, but that doesn't mean he has any clearer handle on life and the universe than Cam. Cam needs to focus on his own needs and forget about Ira, but he can't.
Ira didn't choose Skagit at random; decades-old events set him on the path he is on today. The mystery of his father's murder may never be solved, but Ira would like to lay his spirit to rest.
None of this explains why Cameron is suddenly the target of a series of hate crimes. The small town of Skagit has its share of trouble, but someone has it in for the LGBTQ community, and Cameron is directly in their crosshairs.
Summary:
Rod Beton and Travis Walker have known each other almost all their lives; since the third grade when Rod was the new kid in town and Travis befriended him with Pokémon trading cards and a fruit snack. Apparently Rod’s easy. Since that day they've had each other's back's, bread and butter, biscuit and gravy...and so on.
Along the way, Rod fell in love with Travis. He's been hoping for some kind of signal from Travis that he returns Rod's feelings. When Travis announces his surprise engagement over Thanksgiving dinner Rod decides he's done waiting for the impossible. He packs his belongings and heads for Skagit and a new life. Even if Travis suddenly decided Rod was the man for him would Rod be able to put aside his insecurities?
Travis always knew he was destined to take over the family business. As the only boy he’s expected to take the helm of the Walker farming operation, and he’s good at it. An engagement to a local girl he’s pals with seems like the perfect solution, gets him mom off his back and ensures the family line -- eventually. When his best friend abruptly leaves town Travis’s eyes are finally opened to the difference between what is expected of him and what he could expect for himself.
I would have to say that there is less of the mystery aspect to this entry in the Accidental Roots series than in the previous installments but its no less heart-grabbing. Skagit, Washington is definitely an interesting place to live.
Part of you will want to hate Ira Fragale for leaving his wife and son behind but he's really not a bad guy because his actions are more about punishing himself than any level of abandoning them. Cameron McCulloch on the other hand makes you want to wrap him up in a bear hug from his first appearance and never let go. On first inspection these two don't appear to fit on any level but truth is the more you know them the more you realize not only are they a perfect fit they really are made for each other. I found myself rooting for these two from beginning to end.
As I said above, the mystery aspect is not as forefront in Unforgivable as with earlier books but there is still a level of wanting the truth to come out that had me on the edge of my seat. I didn't read this in one sitting but that was down more to outside forces than want, had I no interruptions then I definitely would've read this from cover to cover in one go.
For those wondering about the reading order of Accidental Roots, well for the most part these are standalones especially these later ones but personally I'm glad I read them in the order they were written. Would I have been lost had I started with Ira and Cam's story? No, not at all but there are a few previous characters popping up that I'm glad I knew who they were and what they went through but I wouldn't have been lost in anyway or carrying a feeling of missing something had I not known the first five entries in the series.
His Best Man #7
In His Best Man we finally get to see Rod Beton and Travis Walker, who we briefly met in Unforgivable when they came into the bar where Cam worked, have their story told. As you can imagine it isn't all roses and rainbows for the pair(it would be a pretty dull and short pamphlet if it was easy😉).
Poor Rod has long since been in love with his friend Travis and just as he's worked up the courage to talk to him about it he finds himself being asked to be Travis' best man. You just want to bundle Rod in bubblewrap to keep his heart safe and I'll admit I wanted to throttle Travis on more than one occasion but there has to be some drama in the seventh entry in Accidental Roots series or it wouldn't fit the Skagit, Washington crew we've come to know and love.
His Best Man is definitely a tale of timing, acceptance, and being who you were born to be. Whether Rod and Travis came find that right timing is something you'll have to read for yourself. Again, this entry has even less to no mystery crime-wise than the previous entries but that lack of who-done-it didn't keep me from devouring the boys' journey. You'll cry, you'll laugh, you'll cry some more, but most of all your heart will be warmed by that last page.
Once again, this entry is a standalone but personally I am glad I read them in order. Mostly its just some secondary character mentions and cameos from the earlier stories that made it flow better for me knowing where their journey took them but if you start with His Best Man you won't be lost. However you choose to read Accidental Roots, I highly recommend giving this series the time because they are all wonderfully written tales that keep you entertained from beginning to end.
Saturday's Series Spotlight
Thanks for stopping by, I’m Elle Keaton and I hail from the northwest corner of the US where we are known for rain, rain and more rain. I write the Accidental Roots series, set here in the Pacific Northwest featuring hot mm romance and the guarantee of a happy ending for my men. They start out broken, and maybe they end up that way too, but they always find the other half of their hearts.
I started writing way back when but only began publishing about two and a half years ago and now have nine books out. Each features a couple in my little universe, sometimes there is added mystery and suspense.
Thank you for supporting this Indie Author,
Elle
Find me, follow me, friend me.
EMAIL: elle@ellekeaton.com
Unforgivable #6
His Best Man #7
Storm Season #1
B&N / KOBO / BOOKS2READ
No Pressure #2
Spring Break #3
As Sure As The Sun #4
River Home #5
The Northstar #7.5
When It Rains #8
