Long Tall Drink by L.C. Chase

A classical western romance starting in a most classical way: a wealthy rancher welcomes in his household a drifter in need of a place to stay. Only that this time the drifter is not a damsel in distress, but another handsome cowboy, and he is also an expert horse trainer and by chance he was right heading to Ray’s ranch. And Ray would prefer that was not the case, since he has heard the rumor around Travis, he prefers “the company of men”, and for someone so deep in the closet like Ray that is something he cannot allow himself. Being near Travis is too much temptation, but renouncing to the chance to hire the best horse trainer of the country is also unthinkable.

I like that the tension between the two men didn’t burn immediately into sex; Ray has issues he needs to work at his own pace and also Travis has been scared a lot in the past, so much that he is not easy to trust strangers. This novel is not about the sex, it’s more about the possibility of building a relationship between two men who need to trust not only each other but also the society around them. This is another point I liked, this was not a pink glasses perspective, they are not living in “utopia” and it will not be easy for them, but on the other hand, they also need to trust more the people they love, and be aware that, if you do good, you may well receive good back.

There is also a slight hope in this novel that times are changing, and what could be true 20 years ago, is maybe no more, and that two men can be in love; maybe they cannot be totally open, and perhaps they are not yet allowed to marry, but at least they can be together, and be open with their friends and the beloved ones.

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Amazon Kindle: Long Tall Drink
Publisher: Loose Id LLC (August 2, 2011)

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