Cruz: An MM Daddy Romance by Jacki James

"Cruz was such a great book, and I loved returning to River Gorge." Reds Book Reads.

From the blurb:

This lost boy needs a Daddy to take the reins...

Nolan Carter is incredibly successful and wealthy. On paper, it seems he's gotten everything he could want. But he's lost himself along the way.

When Nolan retreats to a Texas ranch he bought on a whim, hoping to figure out who he is without the influence of life coaches and socialites, he meets foreman Cruz Coban. Cruz is everything Nolan isn't: self-assured, comfortable in his skin, and commanding.

And he wants to take charge of Nolan too. Because Cruz is a Daddy.

Nolan has never had a Daddy before, but when Cruz takes the reins, Nolan feels accepted for who he is inside: a geeky boy who wants to be loved.

But keeping Cruz means riding off into the sunset of an entirely different life. And take charge or not, Daddy can't make this decision for him. Their happy ending is in Nolan's hands, and for once, this lost boy knows exactly where he belongs.

Reds Book Reads Review:

Nolan is just so adorable and I loved seeing him come into his own and finally become happy within himself. Cruz is such a great character and his patience with Nolan is just so beautiful. 

I always enjoyed the River Gorge books, and it was really great to go back and learn more about some of the newer inhabitants. The only downside for me is that the book ended - I could have happily stayed at the ranch with those two for much longer!!

Rating: 5 Stars

SNik's Review:

First in series (The Daddies of River Gorge), it is a spinoff from the author’s Men of River Gorge series with cameos with characters from that series. Daddy/boy. Slow burn. Dual POV. 

Cruz is the newly hired ranch manager for Nolan the absentee billionaire owner and is just starting to get a handle on the ranch when Nolan decides to visit. Nolan is a video game creator and developer that is trying to navigate his newfound wealth and people’s expectations of him, and he’s hoping a visit to the ranch will give him some peace and time to think. 

Attraction is immediate but Nolan and Cruz slowly grow a relationship that goes beyond employee/employer as Cruz appreciates Nolan’s curiosity and intelligence and Nolan is comforted by Cruz’s patience and caring nature. 

Cruz soon realizes Nolan is just the boy he has been looking for and Nolan is ready and willing to learn, and both men are likable, have their own individual passions but easily prioritize each other as their affection builds. 

This was a sweet read, with steamy times, honest communication and no angst in the relationship.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Heather's Review:

I have to admit that I had a harder time getting into this book than any of Jacki James' previous ones, but once I saw Nolan interacting with a horse for the first time, I was sold on his boyness and his need to stay in River Gorge and on his ranch!

This was a different kind of Daddy/boy story and the characters acknowledge that within their story, which was nice to see!  This book was slow build, sweet, steamy and honest and once it took hold of me, a great read.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Cruz is available to buy as an ebook or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.