2.5 stars

Read as part of [b:Saddle Up 'N Ride|9912184|Saddle Up 'N Ride|J.P. Bowie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1360572239s/9912184.jpg|14804715] Anthology. ( )

A Fistful of Emmett is a short story about two men, thrown together by circumstances, who fall for each other. There is only one problem: Kit isn’t gay. Or, that was what he thought before hiring Emmett as the new foreman on his ranch.

Emmett knows what is going on from the start. Not surprising, since he’s known that he’s gay for a long time and is very comfortable with it. He rather selfishly pushes for more, despite knowing that Kit is at the very least hesitant. It’s a sign of how secure he is as a man, but also how little he understands the psychology of someone whose world just got turned upside down. He is determined and steadfast, and those are very useful characteristics.

Kit, on the other hand, is attracted to a man for the very first time in his life – and he panics. Not able to resist the temptation, he quickly falls into bed with Emmett – and panics even more. Coming to terms with what has happened isn’t easy, but Kit approaches it with an open mind. I liked the way he reasons everything through. After all, his body knows what’s going on, it’s his mind that is a little behind the events.

The details of ranch life and the careful ‘dance’ of the men as they get to know each other are very well described. But the emotions both were going through was what made this story work for me. If you like short stories with stubborn characters who go through a journey of self-discovery, and if cowboys and ranch life are your thing, this is a good story for you.




NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online. ( )