Colby, The Broken Horn Ranch #1 by R.M. Neill

Second chances, found family and all the feelings in Colby, the first from The Broken Horn Ranch, a new series by R.M. Neill.

From the blurb:

Colby

I never meant to fall in love with my stepbrother, but Dante cared for me in ways no one ever had before.

Then, he vanished without a trace.

For five years I’ve wondered how he could walk away so easily, leaving our hopes and dreams behind. I never thought I’d see Dante again, then my world is turned upside down when he reappears. I want to push him away, but I can’t. Not when he tells me the truth behind his disappearance.

Now, I’ll do whatever it takes to help him right these wrongs... even if it costs me everything.

Dante

I did what I had to in order to protect my family.

Never would I allow Colby to suffer if there was any way I could prevent it. He deserved the very best in life, even if that meant I had to leave to make that happen. But the five years of silence was too much. I need to see him and explain that I never stopped loving him, even if he already moved on.

Yet when I find out the person I was protecting him from broke all their promises, I’m prepared to fight for the life I left behind.

No way in hell am I walking away a second time.

Welcome to the Broken Horn Ranch Series, where a colorful crew of hardworking ranch hands work to claim their own happily-ever-afters!

Sheena's Review:

This is the first in a new series, but as I read on I realized it's set in an existing world (although it's not necessary to have read the other series. This is low-medium heat, medium angst and ALL THE FLUFF you can handle.

I will admit that going in, I wasn't sure about how a stepbrothers romance would be, but I do like R.M. Neill's writing so I went in with an open mind. It was wonderful. Colby and Dante were just a delight. I loved them together, they truly were two halves of a whole. They were so utterly devoted to each other and you can just feel that coming through the pages.

When they see each other again, it is EVERYTHING. Both are shattered by events, neither can move on or forward with their lives and watching them get past and work towards a future together had me feeling everything. It should be sickly sweet, but honestly I just rooted for these two all the way. I never wanted a bad guy to get his comeuppance as much as I did dastardly Brian. I'm glad he got what was coming for him, although poor sweet Colby getting hurt along the way was not great :(

I loved the found family feel at the ranch, and there are more stories there, I just know it. I'm in.

Rating: 5 Stars

Reedkaye's Review:

This is a heart breaker and heart warmer all in one.   Stepbrothers that find they more than like each other but don’t get the chance to carry out their plans for college and beyond.  

Colby and Dante’s find as stepbrothers they have feelings for the other.  They are afraid of being caught by their parents and hoping when they go away to college, they will be able to carry out their plans for the future.  Those plans get changed quickly when Dante’s dad steps in and forces Dante into leaving, doing things he would never think to do just to survive and ending up in prison.  

In the meantime, Colby is upset because Dante just left without a word.  He doesn’t know what happened and as life goes on Colby goes to college and starts his own business.  During the five years Dante is in prison, Colby has no idea what happened to him.  He is heartbroken because he still has feelings for Dante.  

After Dante serves his time and is released, he finds people that go out of their way to help him.  This is a big part of the story, the kindness of others.

This story just tore me apart that this can happen to kids.  The author kept me page turning till the end.  I think the outcome was handled pretty good.  The only part I didn’t like was I didn’t feel the villain in this story got what was coming to him.  

Rating: 5 Stars

Angel's Review:

Colby by RM Neill was a terrific redemption read. 

I really enjoyed the characters RM created in this story. Colby and  Dante are in love with each, they have plans to come out to their parents after they graduate. They are ready for that next step. But Dante's dad finds out and chooses to punish the both of them instead of being supportive. 

5 years is a long time to be apart, especially if you don't quite understand why you had to be separated from each other. Colby has his horse Babe, his best friend Landon and his candy shop Lick It Up... The only thing his heart longs for is Dante. 

Dante has been in prison for the last few years due to an unsavory character. Once he gets out he's determined to explain to Colby what happened. Will Colby hear Dante out and forgive him? You'll have to read to find out! 

I highly enjoyed these characters, Colby was a bit more sure if himself and steady; while Dante was shy, romantic, and thoughtful. Not to mention protective. I also love the settings this book was taking place in. The ranch and the candy shop were described so well and very detailed. I wish I had a friend who brought me surprise candy bags!! 

All of the guys at the ranch really became a family and rallied around Dante and Colby when they needed help. The plot was really fleshed out and the romance was very sweet. I'm glad these two men  got the ending they deserved.  I also have to add that I adored the llama scenes! They made me smile!

Rating: 5 Stars

Heather's Review:

What a delicious start to a new series!  Torn apart from their first love, each other, both Colby and Dante struggle for five years - in different ways, only to be re-united with the added layer of continued intrigue haunting them!

I love that the romance, complicated by what Colby sees as betrayal, is really the purest and simplest part of this book... while they have to deal with the stepfather/father who tore them apart and other suspenseful pieces.

I read this book in one sitting because it was too wonderful to put down!  I can't wait to see how the other men from Broken Horn Ranch find their HEA!

Rating: 5 Stars

Tatted_book_freak's Review:

There aren't enough words to replicate the appreciation or adoration of this story. The tragedy family lays down, the domino effect said tragedy has on other members, along with the second chance given to two more than deserving characters was absolutely sensual!  

𝐼'𝒹 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝐿𝒾𝓀-𝒶-𝒮𝓉𝒾𝓍 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹 𝒾𝒻 𝒽𝑒'𝒹 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒.

Colby and Dante were to die for!! Their relationship was celestial, what dreams are made of, and fiercely perfect! Witnessing their growth, both personally and together, while furthermore learning to lean on extended family, will keep the reader intrigued until the last word. 

"𝓝𝓪𝓱, 𝓲𝓽'𝓼 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓫𝓼. 𝓞𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾."

Rating: 5 Stars 

Colby is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.