He gave me my first kiss. I never expected he might be my last.
Lawson
Ever since Oakley Beaumont skipped town, it feels as if my life has gone off the rails. Even worse than my divorce and moving back into my childhood bedroom at the Darling Ranch is the fact that I’m learning there’s a whole lot about myself I simply don’t know.
Like whether or not I’m straight.
And why the sudden absence of my best friend left a hole in my chest I haven’t been able to fill in the three years he’s been gone.
First things first: I need to bring Oakley home.
Then maybe I can tackle the matter of my love life. After all, I’m ready to get back in the saddle.
And who better to help me than the cowboy who once promised me forever?
Saddle to Sunup is a friends-to-lovers romance set in small town Montana, with a queer awakening for a single dad in his forties, a reunion that feels a lot like a second chance, playful banter, a bit of rope, and one very HEA. It’s book 3 in The Darling Brothers series but can be read as a standalone.
THE FACTS
📕Friends to lovers with HEA
📘 usual Darling family vibes: chaos, love, support
📙 a bit unclear regarding ace sexuality of character
📘 Very spicy cowboys!
THE GOOD BITS
“Saddle to Sunup” is the third book in the Darling Brothers series by Emmy Sanders. The first book, “Sweet Like Whisky” was Jackson Darling’s story, the second was his younger brother Colton Darling and now we can read about oldest brother Lawsons journey.
The book opens with one of the most moving scenes I’ve read in a while. Lawson has arrived on the doorstep of his best friend Oakley. He’s bringing him home. He’s not taking no for an answer. And thus begins the journey of these two men.
Oakley and Law were close when they were children, they grew up together, they promised to always be best friends, to be there for one another. Lawson got married. Life happened. Oakley … left to begin a new life with a partner.
But when Lawson hears that Oakley’s relationship has ended, he immediately knows what he must do and heads out to retrieve his friend.
While Oakley has been away, Law has been on a journey. He’s been attempting to understand himself, figure out why he is the way he is, what he wants and where he belongs in the world. He adores his daughter Wendy and seems relieved to be out of his marriage even if it’s left him a bit adrift.
When Oak returns, it’s as though the pieces of their lives just slot back into place. Just as though no time has passed, they are together again, friends, and more. They’re each other’s person. But what does that mean to them now they are so much older?
Law wants to explore his sexuality and asks Oak if he will help – I’m sure you can see where this is going. I’m always up for some exploration between friends that becomes a bit complex and leads them down a convoluted path! There are some ups and downs on this journey and it’s not always easy.
I was a little bit confused by the ace representation. But I recognize that the spectrum of sexuality can be vast and varied. I just found that there were some specific things stated and then it seemed the character acted very differently. As I said though, sexuality is complex and perhaps that was just the character working it out for himself.
A lovely tale about best friends, they are each other’s person, but they have some journeying to do before they can even understand if they can be more to each other.
While this book is a stand-alone, there are cameos throughout by the other Darling brothers, their partners and various animals that are a delight. I lived for the appearances of the Darling family, in particular the shenanigans they get up to.
Emmy’s writing is always beautiful, lyrical and engaging. She really is one of my favourite authors in the genre.
THE LINKS
Book 3: Saddle to Sunup
Book 4: coming soon
🖊 Author
I bought a copy of Saddle to Sunup. This is my review.
Kinzie Things 