The fourth book in the Clean Ranch series, Lucky Break is a touching m/m story of heartbreak, hope and love. I enjoyed the characters and the found the story engaging and will be looking to read more by this author.

Another enjoyable read by A.M. Arthur. This is Robin and Shawn story. Some of the subjects talked about in the book makes it more real and enticing. Shawn is young, homeless, leaving in his car. He had a very traumatic experience in his past. Robin is a bit older, a widower. He also had a very traumatic experience in his past. The first time the two meet, there was no big fireworks but it came slowly. For fan of M/M cowboys stories, this is a good one to read.
I voluntarily reviewed this ARC and the opinions expressed here are all mine. Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.

This was good, not great, and certainly not the best book in the series. But I still enjoyed it and found myself wanting to read to find out what exactly happened in their past to make them so skittish. I felt that Shawn and Robin kept a lot hidden from one another for too long in the book. I got that they were in a new relationship and had to build that trust. But it made the book drag on longer than I think was needed.

Robin came off more immature than Shawn at times, despite Robin being 8 years older. Maybe not so much immature, but rather oblivious or disrespectful towards Shawn's feelings. Like the club scene where his go-to booty call shows up and they start dancing. Or the part where he just completely ignores Shawn in favor of spending time with his old best friend Levi. He could have at least invited him along or made him not feel so cast aside.

In the end, I liked both guys a lot and think that once they opened up about their pasts, they were finally able to move forward in both their relationship with each other and their friends.

Another issue I had was the editing in this ARC - it still has some work to go. I read the same sentence multiple times on different pages more times than I could count (or phrased in an eerily similar manner). It got to the point where I was confused and thought that maybe I had somehow hit the back page button instead of advancing.

If you've read the other books in the series, then it will come as no surprise that there are a lot of gay couples living their HEA out at Clean Slate Ranch and more men working there that are gay/bi and likely to partner up in the future. So for me, that wasn't as bothersome as some other reviewers will note. I just got use to it. Is it realistic? Absolutely not, but it's still enjoyable. I listened to the audio versions of the first 3 books, so I was very excited to get an ARC for this one and can't wait for Levi/Hugh's story next (or I hope it's them).

the clean slate ranch series continues with lucky break, and i am happy to see these guys again. i'd thought the series was over after the last book, but there's definitely room for more lonely cowboys to find love here.

shawn matthews isn't used to people helping him out. his past has taught him that. so when he has no choice but to live out of his car, he does his best to survive without getting caught. unfortunately, it's only a matter of time, but his bosses at the clean slate ranch are happy to offer him a roof over his head. and for the first time in a long time, shawn has a place he can call home.

the roof over his head and running toilets aren't the only things appealing about this home. he's got a great view into the porch of robin butler's cabin. after a rocky start—robin is shocked by shawn's resemblance to his late husband when they first meet—the mutual attraction that blooms between them is achingly sweet.

but they both have baggage from their past that they need to confront, because only by letting those ghosts go will they be able to forge a future on the ranch.

**lucky break will publish on october 21, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/carina press in exchange for my honest review.

Shawn is sleeping in his car but working in a ghost town diner, dealing with a painful past. Robin lost his husband 3 years ago and is still trying to grieve that and the way he fell apart afterward. But when Shawn and Robin meet at Clean Slate Ranch sparks fly. This m/m romance is wonderfully plotted. The characters are real and sympathetic. This is a true love story between two men overcoming personal tragedy and building an affirming and sexy as hell life together.

I would recommend this book to my patrons.

Another enjoyable read, visiting Clean Slate Ranch is like visiting with old friends and making a couple of new ones. I liked both of the main characters, Shawn and Robin, they both had plenty of issues to deal with from the past in order to move on with the future, but both were willing to face those and deal with them, talking things through when there were misunderstandings. At times I felt that there needed to be a bit more conflict, that misunderstandings were dealt with and forgiven a little bit too easily. I enjoyed the chemistry between these two and liken the way Robin was willing to wait until Shawn was sure of what he wanted. I loved seeing how the other three couples were travelling and catching up with other people at the ranch. I hope I get the chance to visit the Clean Slate family again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Carina Press for providing me with a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

Third-person POV
Age-gap (approximately 8 years).
Possible triggers: Widower, death wish, sexual contact with a minor, homelessness, traumatic flashbacks

Former rodeo star, Robin, left the circuit and his nomadic family behind after a tragic accident took his husband's life. Consumed by guilt and grief, Robin was near death himself when the ranch owner and foreman found him and brought him to Clean Slate for a second chance at life.

Shawn does all he can to cut expenses so he can help provide for the grandparents that mean so much to him. Living out of his vehicle for the past few years has been his secret to bear, one not even his good friend knows.

An unfortunate accident and a timely discovery create a fateful circumstance that will allow two wounded souls to slowly and carefully begin forming a bond that neither seems to realize they've been needing.

This is a big story. All the former cast members are present of mentioned so for maximum enjoyment, I'd recommend the series be read in order. Slow burn. Sweet and sexy. Dramatic and Dynamic.

A solid ending. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.


Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.3 ~ Stars: 4

⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

Lucky Break is a perfectly nice, fluffy holiday story about two men suffering streaks of bad luck who finally find happiness by being around one another.

Shawn Matthews has just finished his first season as sous chef for the Tango Saloon, situated in Bentley Ghost Town.  The town is about to shut down for the holiday season to give everyone a break to be with their families, and Shawn – who’s been dealing with homelessness for the better part of two years and is currently living out of his car – has nowhere to go. His family  - especially his beloved grandparents, to whom he sends the majority of his salary in gratitude for their having raised him – is too far away to see.  When his co-workers offer him companionship, he fears they’re asking out of pity, and declines to spend time with them outside of work.

When his car’s transmission chokes, he walks to the cabin of his co-worker, Mack.  Mack has always looked out for Shawn and had already invited him to stay at his house over the holiday, so he’s happy to put him up until his car’s back on the road.

Photographer, ex-rodeo star and ranch worker Robin Butler is Mack’s neighbor, and he loves the outdoors and outdoor living on the Clean Slate Ranch. Estranged from his own family, he considers himself responsible for the ranch’s elderly den mother, Patrice, who’s been having spills and falls lately, the latest of which lays her up, meaning she won’t be able to cook for the ranch’s upcoming holiday season.

Patrice’s injury also means that Shawn’s talents as a chef are required on the ranch.  Soon he and Robin are flirting up a storm, seeing one another all the time, which causes both men to develop hearty crushes. Shawn is embraced eagerly by the men of the Clean Slate and he in turn embraces ranch living.  By the time Christmas rolls around, Shawn finds himself fitting in – and crushing on Robin.

But for Robin, looking at Shawn is like staring straight into the past – literally.  Shawn looks exactly like Xander, Robin’s late husband, who died three years earlier when he was thrown from his horse.  Even without the complication of Shawn resembling Xander, Robin has been deeply scarred by losing him.  How can he trust himself to keep another man safe?  And how will Robin react when he finds out about the depth of Shawn’s poverty?

Lucky Break is a big old fairytale of a romance where sweet things happen to deserving people after long periods of suffering.  Lots of good food is eaten, bulls are ridden, souls are bared, and happy endings are guaranteed.  It’s a nice mental vacation.

Robin and Shawn are interesting contrasts. Shawn is more of a good boy, and Robin has been around some, a romantic, still stuck in the past and on his husband.  Both have been through a lot, and both manage to do the work necessary to grow past their scars.

Some readers may not be able to get past the fact that Shawn resembles Xander – a plot point that’s very awkward, although if you can climb past it,  you should be able to enjoy the book.

The book feels a hair overlong, and many of the supporting characters fail to pop out and stand up on their own.  A late-book jealousy subplot might have best been cut.

But Lucky Break is a very nice romance with a very nice couple that feels very Christmassy.  You could do worse than enjoy an afternoon with it.

Note: The book contains elements of homophobic violence and sexual assault.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
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I love this series. This one was just as great as the previous titles. We got glimpses of previous characters but they did not take away from Shawn and Robin's story. Each man knows the other has secrets, but they are both willing to see if they can work them out. Very interesting characters with real life issues.

If you know me by now, I don’t read books out of order, even when they’re “standalone”. So of course I read the first 3 in the series (and I really enjoyed them, too), first.

Lucky Break is about Shawn Matthews, a twenty something man, a pastry chef in training, getting a chance in life after have a string of bad luck since he was a child.

Shawn works in a kitchen at the ghost town saloon. But now that the season is over, he’s got two months of sleeping in his car with no income. No one on earth knows his situation. Not even his grandparents who are on the receiving end of his hard earned money.

But when the cook at the dude ranch associated with the ghost town breaks her collar bone and is out of commission for weeks, he’s in the right place at the right time to save the day. The only thing everyone at the ranch doesn’t know is that this is his chance, his reprieve, from doing nothing for two months.

Robin Butler is a horseman at the dude ranch. His past is unknown to anyone but the dude ranch owner, and he likes it that way. But when he’s introduced to Shawn and is shocked to his core.

Shawn and Robin’s journey in this book is one that had me nearly in tears and I couldn’t put it down. I loved how their insecurities and fears were faced head on, how they drew strength from each other, but dealt with their s@#$ on their own. How they love each other so completely.

Loved!

It is well written by a talented author,but for me it did not do much.
The setting is not real,the story is told before by others and not really much of a surprise.
It is nice,low on angst,drama or even steam.It is a nice lovely story in second chances
and believe again in yourself,and taking a chance in friendship,trust and even love again.
A sweet story,well written and enjoyable.



arc was given by netgalley

Although this isn't my favorite by the author I did mostly enjoy it. Shawn and Robin were likable characters and I enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve, even though there was pain and loss in their past the storyline was not really angsty. This is the first book I've read in the series but that did't stop me from enjoying it.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley*

I had a really hard time getting into this book. Although the characters were likable, everything just seemed way too easy and the writing made it very hard for me to engage. Everyone in the book are super communicative and open about their thoughts to the point that it seemed very unrealistic. Beyond that, every internal thought and interaction was explained by the author to be sure that the reader understood EXACTLY why the character said or did what they did. It left me feeling like it was a story being told to me rather than one I was experiencing.

As far as the story, it was very sweet and the relationship between Shawn and Robin was very tender. Even the side characters were likable. Readers who enjoy a very simple, straightforward romance will enjoy this book, but it was a little too pat for me.

I had a very difficult time getting into this book, and I suspect that I am not the Target demographic. I did like how patient Robin was with Shawn, and I liked the reality presented of Shawn living on the economic edge. I found it quite difficult to tell the secondary characters apart; they all seemed to have the same personality, they were all partnered and emotionally healthy relationships, they were all very emotionally expressive. I couldn't keep all of the names apart. another reviewer used the phrase "Gay Disneyland", because all the characters are gay, partner, and living happily ever after. and just like Disneyland, while it's a fun place to visit, it's definitely not reality. As that other reviewer noted, I find it difficult to suspend my disbelief when surrounded by such an obviously fictional context and setting.

In general, it was okay but not one I will be recommending.

I had mixed feelings about this book. I really liked the main character, Shawn. He was a lovely guy who had been through a hell of a lot. One of the biggest challenges I had with the story was that nearly everyone was gay! I refer to these kinds of books as "Gay Disneyland'. When most of the ranch hands turned out to be gay and all partnered in healthy relationships ... I began to find it difficult to suspend my disblief.

I also had trouble with the fact that every character in the novel was open, caring and very emotionally expressive whenever they spoke to each other. It just didn't come across as 'real' to me. Now, that being said, I know this is a romance so the point is for people to be partnered up.

I just like a little bit of realism in the stories so I'm probably not the right audience.

The book is well-written and the author fully committed to the characterizations!

Meh. It was not great, and it was not horrible. It was just okay.

I felt the story dragged and lacked a true "catch" of my attention/emotions. I was drawn to Robin. His character was better developed than Shawn. The general storyline is fine, but the constant "you don't have to tell me" caused barriers continuously. I appreciated Robin's patience with Shawn and the communication regarding sex in a relationship -- there's no one RIGHT way for anyone.

I did enjoy all of the ancillary characters. I had not read the previous books in this series, but I always enjoy when there is continuity in a series. I might look at that earlier books in the series now.

Because I enjoyed most of the characters, I would read another book by this author.

I enjoyed this M/M romance, although I have not read the previous three books in the series. Shawn and Robin were both appealing main characters with complicated backstories, despite there being perhaps too much miscommunication and misunderstanding between them. But I will look for the other series entries and will be anticipating the next installment.

Lucky Break was my first book by A.M. Arthur and I loved it. Shawn and Robin were so real and amazing together. I loved the story and the writing. I really want to read the first 3 books now and certainly the next one!

I really like the setting of AM Arthur's Clean Slate Ranch series, the found families and friendships between the men and women involved are joyous to behold.

The series has been mostly a hit for me and this fourth book is no exception to the rule. However, I also found both of the characters frustrating at times and I simply couldn't understand why Robin had such a sticking point over telling people how his husband had died.

I mean, I totally got the trauma of his husband's death, the guilt over thinking it was his fault, but when a similar situation arises with the person you're trying to build a new relationship with, not talking about it just felt utterly alien to me.

Anyways, that aside, both men had issues with communication which skirted on becoming too much for me to enjoy the read but AM kept things tightly controlled without too much internal monologuing or introspection which mean this was a really good slow burn romance in the end.

I liked how they took their time to get to know each other, there's an eight-year age gap which, while small, was actually pretty huge in terms of life experience. Shawn's past (which he also refused to talk about!) played a big part in the time Robin took to move things beyond just kissing and heavy petting.

This really made the book shine for me, the care between both of them, even as their lack of communication (on the previously mentioned two specific issues only) - the rest of the time it was beautifully expressed dialogue about their fears and hopes - frustrated me.

There are great guest appearances from all the previous couples in this series, and Miles and Reyes remain my favourite of them all, and a few hints are dropped as to where things might go next and I'm excited to find out more about Levi, Hugh and the rest.