The Cowboy and the Hacker by Jackie North (Farthingdale Valley Book 5)

We're back in Farthingdale Valley and this time the hacker has so much more going on than just his parole...

From The Cowboy and the Hacker blurb:

Will you go with me? Yes, to the ends of the earth and back again.

Cal

Cal made a coding mistake that got him arrested and far away from Preston, his horrible boyfriend.

After over a year in jail, he’s touch-starved and afraid. Not of doing his parole in the wilds of Wyoming, but that Preston will come and force him back to Denver.

In the valley, when Cal is assigned to Zeke Malloy’s team, his luck starts to change because Zeke is patient and kind, both with the horses and with Cal.

Cal doesn’t trust anyone now, except Cal’s crush on Zeke starts with a single word of kindness. A warm touch. And the smile in those green eyes.

Zeke

After a horse fell on him, Zeke’s bronc riding days are over. His girlfriend wants a buckle-wearing man, not a broken one, and leaves him.

Zeke finds he doesn’t care that he’s alone now. But he can’t stop thinking about the time Galen Parnell asked him out, as if there was something Galen saw in Zeke.

Was he gay?

When Zeke starts to work with Cal Tamalin, the only parolee on his team, he begins to think maybe Galen had been on to something.

Getting close to Cal can only spell disaster, and surely Zeke’s had enough of those, right?

He shouldn’t take the risk, but doesn’t think his heart can resist the biggest blue eyes Zeke has ever seen.

The Cowboy and the Hacker is a story of forbidden love with hurt/comfort, bi-awakening, mutual rescue, only one tent, moccasins, a bear, maybe two bears, two men and three ponies on a long, lonesome ride, and of course an HEA. It is book 5 in the Farthingdale Valley series but can be read as a standalone.

Heather's Review:

Cal is absolutely adorable and you'd hardly believe he'd commit the crimes he's been convicted of, but alas it's true.... 

This is another slow burn, slow build romances that Jackie is so great at writing - add in a little forced proximity, an ex that doesn't understand no and some wild mustangs and you've got a sweet bi-awakening that brings out Zeke's protective nature and Cal's need for someone to be in his corner.  I love how these two become friends and bond over the horses they care for.  I love how trust builds and also love watching as Zeke starts to become more aware of Cal as a romantic partner.

While I agree that this book can be read standalone, it does benefit from previous knowledge of some of the side characters so I recommend starting at the beginning of the Farthingdale Ranch series before starting the Farthingdale Valley series.

The Cowboy and the Hacker is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription