When Denver’s long-term partner breaks up with him, he flees his life, his career, and his bright future as one of the country’s leading trauma surgeons. Ditching everything but his dog, Denver returns to the quiet town of Cooper’s Ridge and his parents’ ranch. Leaving twelve years earlier, Denver knew he would never be accepted as a gay man in an unaccepting town. So, when he meets Kes—an old … old school friend—in the bar he owns, he is shocked to find him in an openly gay relationship. Something he never thought would happen here.
What surprises him even more is the instant, mutual attraction the three men have. Accepting a job in Kes’ bar, they dance around each other, wanting them but not believing he would ever fit in with a couple so obviously in love. But, they want him. And they are not prepared to let him go.
Denver takes a risk and accepts their offer of a night out, finding a side of himself he never knew existed. Not trusting himself to be enough for the two men, the desire blooming in him is unprecedented and he can’t deny it: he wants them as much.
He finds his life falling into place, all because of two men. Is it possible he found his forever in a place he never expected it?
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Denver’s Calling is the first book in the Cooper’s Ridge series by author JJ Harper. This is Tri POV. It did help to keep track of everyone in the story. So I liked it for that. I have mixed feelings on this story. It’s great in places and not so great. I would read more from the series to see if maybe once this series is established things go smoother. I just had a hard time with the chemistry. Each man is important. And Denver really does find his calling. But there is a disconnect that lingers in this story.
Denver is coming off being dumped by his long-term lover. He is going back to his hometown to start over. He is now working in the local bar.
He is a good soul he has a ton of heart and soul. He just needs time to heal.
East and Kes. They are an established couple. They are adventurous. Very loving. They both have had crushes on Denver for a long time.
Here is the disconnect for me. These two are just fine without Denver. And the way Denver’s love is played out just doesn’t sit well with me. I had a hard time with it.
Overall an okay story. The writing is good, it is the chemistry that is off for me. Each person in a menage should feel essential, I just didn’t get that here.
We will be what he doesn’t even know he needs. Denver, arrives home from a conference to find his boyfriend, Alec packed to move out and ready to marry a fellow doctor. Denver returned to his hometown, where his parents still lived to regroup and heal. There he ran into Kes, his first kiss, owner of a bar and East’s boyfriend. East will be working on renovating Denver’s Dad’s place. Denver was wary of the men, considering he was just cheated on. He questioned Kes’ and East’s intent. There is an intense immediate mustual attraction between the three men. On an intense level, Denver realized, he wasn’t in love with Alec. Do the three men act on their attraction? Will Denver stay at the bar, or find a job as a doctor? Will they become a dedicated thruple? How will the town react? Excellent story. Denver, East and Kes are amazing individuals and as a team. The supporting characters add grace and love to the story. There is excitement and drama and a little intrigue in the story. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this story of Denver coming home after being dumped only to find the loves of his life there in a town he thought he’d never be accepted in. All the characters fit together so well, their relationship develops at a nice pace and the angst level is low.
I enjoyed this story overall. I love a good MMM menage with steamy sex scenes, and this book had plenty of those. The trouble with a threesome, especially when an established couple adds a third, is that sometimes it never gets to the point of full equality for all in the relationship. This book takes a while to get there, but it eventually does. There is plenty of angst and uncertainty, especially from Denver who has suffered a terrible break-up and is resettling in his old (formerly homophobic) town, and there are lots of ups and downs. Just when you think they are settled, something happens that sets them off-kilter again. For me, it became a little frustrating. I got to a point where I just thought, ‘Enough, already.’ Still, Denver, Kes, and East were good characters, and I enjoyed their journey overall.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
Denver comes home after he leaves a cheating ex. He’s dragged to the local bar where he meets a friend from high school, Kes and his boyfriend East. The three are attracted to each other. I love how the author creates and build a story, but this felt a little long to me. I did love the descriptive prose the author gave us thou. I really enjoyed the characters building. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
This is the 2021 edition of this book
I enjoy JJ Harper’s books. I find her writing style almost lyrical at times. I find the length of this novel well, long. I could have used a quick trip to epilogue land. This book is deep dive emotionally, sexually, and creating family.
Coming home after Denver is dragged out to the local bar, where he meets up with high school friend Kes and his boy friend East. Denver is shocked that in his small town that being out was an option. There is a bit of wrench, all three a attracted to each other.
Enough of the plot. I really enjoyed the edges of the plot the sticker subplot were not for me. I think I wanted to focus on building their relationship. That’s why I enjoy her books, because they are relationship building. I would recommend this for a read, but it is a bit long.
I received an ARC copy of this book by Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This book was originally published in 2017, I’m reviewing the newer version, which has been updated and extended.
Denver returns home after his partner of 5 years decides he wants someone else. Meeting Kester and East again sends him into a tailspin. Kes and East are a committed couple, have been for years, so why does seeing Denver make them both so tingly?
I was enjoying this, immensely, I really was and it was heading for a full 5 star rating, but somewhere towards the last third of the book, something changed, and it slipped back one star for that last third. I’m not entirely sure WHAT changed, but as I type this review, it might come to me: I do have an inkling though!
I love reading about established couples; I love M/M; I love M/M/M and since this book encompasses the whole lot, I settled in for a great read.
I loved that all three men, independently of each other, had the thought that they could work as a 3 way. I loved that Kes and East TALKED about Denver and how they could make it work. I loved the LOVE between those two, that never wavered, not once. I loved that very quickly they knew this was not going to be a short term thing, and they were committed to make it.
I did not like that, sometimes, the communication level between the THREE of them was lacking. Mostly because someone overheard a comment and blew it all out of proportion, or someone else felt they couldn’t talk about a MAJOR part of their life (I really struggled with that concept!) So better communication all round, with the THREE of them. Between Kes and East though, I can’t fault their communication!
I *think* the thing that let it down towards the end was this: it felt like every scene ended with “let’s play” and by “play” they meant getting down and dirty! It just seemed too much of the smexy stuff, you know?? And this is ME talking: she who loves the dirtier books! This book could have been a good 100 pages shorter, but infinitely better, by cutting some of the smexy stuff out.
So, all in all, a great read, let down by (and I shudder as I type this) too much smexy stuff!
4 good stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Wonderful start to a new series! I loved Denver, Kes and Easton! Very emotional story with great complex characters! This story has twist and turns that makes this a true page turner and great chemistry! I read an advanced copy of this book and this is my unbiased review! I loved it!
Beautifully crafted story of love and healing. I really enjoyed how this relationship between an existing couple, Kes and East, grows into an awesome throuple as they include Denver. Together these guys really create a partnership as adults and talk through their issues as they create a story and powerful love. The story-line is solid and the pacing is great.
Kes, East and Denver are wonderful together and they grow to trust and have real intimacy… really see each other. I also enjoyed how steamy their relationship was and how each man brought their uniqueness to the relationship and that made it strong and resilient,
Highly recommend it!!
This is the first book in the Cooper’s Ridge series. This book was originally published in 2017 and the sequel, about Carter, Here Without you the next year, Both books are wonderful and so worth reading.
I was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review
(Review of 2021 re-release) 2.5 Stars – When Denver finds out his boyfriend of 5 years has been cheating, he packs up and moves home. When his brother drags him to the local bar one night, he’s reunited with an old high school friend, Kes, and his boyfriend East. There’s an instant attraction between the three men, but with their baggage, not to mention living in a small town, can they really have a relationship?
I actually really enjoyed the main plot of this book. It’s a little generic, but the main storyline is done well. Unfortunately, that’s about all that was done well. A lot of the subplots really don’t make sense and are not needed, and there’s one that goes absolutely nowhere which was really annoying. The prose, and the dialogue especially, was very stilted and cheesy. The book is written in first person POV, alternating between all 3 main characters. The characters don’t have distinct voices, and I had to keep going back to see who’s view I was reading or use the process of elimination when they are talking about their partners. I did like that we got to see certain scenes from multiple points of view, but it was done inconsistently and I was usually at least halfway through a scene before I realized it was a different POV for a previously seen scene, and not a continuation of the story. There were A LOT of steamy scenes in this book. It was the characters’ go to for pretty much every situation, and frankly, it got a bit boring for me. The dirty talk during these scenes was painful to read. The characters weren’t bad. I didn’t love them, but I did feel a connection to them. They showed vulnerability, growth and actually communicated with each other which I always appreciate.
Overall, this was a pretty quick read with a decent main plot and characters. Unfortunately, it left a lot to be desired in terms of subplot and writing style.
(I received a free ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.)
This was everything I wanted and so much more. I mean come on we knew it was going to be good. It’s JJ Harper. We knew it would be sexy, hello three hot guys(let me be in the mix please lol). What got me was all the emotions and fleshed out characters with in depth backstories. Add to that, the way the author gave us those details without air dragging the story nor confusing us on how we should feel. In fact it was that kind of attention to detail and story flow that made it easy to fall in love with Denver, Kes, and East. All of that with the adorable Ellie and Phoebe to really make me swoon. Now I want more from the town of Cooper’s Ridge. There are some guys there who want their HEA’s and I want to know what happened to bring Carter there.
*UPDATE*
I read this again after it had been re-edited and extended. Let me tell you it’s so much more. I remember getting emotional before but it was even more powerful this time. Even though I knew how things went I still cried my eyes out during this misunderstanding and got so angry I was shaking at a few places. One thing that was consistent was my feelings on Denver. His personal growth from the beginning to end was so amazingly beautiful that it was my favorite part of the story. A perfect example of someone going from being completely shattered to whole snd happy. Just wait until you read how he gets his emotions out. I literally had chills snd tears.
I love MMM romance when done right, when all 3 MCs are equally involved in the relationship. And Ms. Harper definitely did it right. We get all 3 POVs, all of the MCs are truly invested and represented in the relationship, and the chemistry is sizzling hot. Denver returns home to heal his broken heart and runs into his first kiss, Kes. The attraction is still there but Kes is in a relationship with East. But then he meets East and the attraction is just as strong. Luckily Kes and East are just as strongly attracted to Denver and want a relationship. It has its rocky beginning due to Denver needing to relearn to trust again. He made me want to slap him a couple of times upside the head, lol. But Kes and East are there with him every step of the way and help him heal. And when they’re together…wowsers…fanning myself. They’re so sexy together.
I also recommend reading the 2nd book “Here Without You”. It’s another really good MMM romance about Carter, Kes’s bar employee.
This is a wonderful book!
The characters are amazing together and their differences make their relationship strong and true.
Conflicts and misunderstanding weave through their daily lives, adjustments are made and a family is built.
JJ has demonstrated once again why she is such a highly rated author! She has written a book with a plot that has twists and turns you’re mesmerized by, wonderful men (and town folks) who demonstrate that love comes in many forms, and an ending that is wonderful.
Be prepared for some steam, some miscommunication, flashes into the past, and new beginnings that inspire you to believe in the good in everyone.
This review is for the version released in August 2021
After a bad breakup Denver returns home from the city to his family’s ranch. The only thing he brought with him was his beloved dog Missy and his truck.
Kes was a classmate of Denver’s but he stayed in town and now twelve years later he owns the local bar. He is also in a loving, out relationship of three years with East. East is a contractor who has been called to the ranch to work on some projects. Later that same night when East heads to the bar to help Kes, Kes is stunned to see the one guy he fanboyed on at the bar. When East reached in for a kiss, Kes feels someone watching him and he looks up to see it is Denver.
Very quickly things heat up between the three and Denver tries to stay away from the happy couple. Can Denver give in to the draw? Will there be jealousy between East and Kes? How long can they hold back from each other? Will the town and families accept this? When things are overheard can they be explained before it is too late?
I really enjoyed this book and hope the series continues…
I am huge MMM fan and I really enjoyed the uniqueness of this threesome. Poor Denver was a hard working, honest and trusting man whose long time partner cheating on him and left him. Denver is a surgeon, but he leaves his job to go back to his hometown to heal. There we meet our lusty dirty talking and deeds couple Kes and East! Kes owns a bar and East works in construction. My favorite part about these two is how dirty and sensual they are while still being a sappy sweet pair! Denver was Kes’s first kiss back when they were kids, so needless to say Kes knows he wants Denver! I will leave it to you to read about how they all form their relationship! But I will say this is a very Steamy Story with a lot of lusty encounters that develop into way more!!! I received an ARC of this story and I recommend for those who love a very sensual story full of steamy scenes, but still has quite an underlying sweetness!
“You saved me, Kes. You and East brought me back to life, not just the shit that Alec laid on me. You and East have made me want and need more in my life. You’ve given me more. You’ve made me human again.”
This book was soooo good. I just can’t say enough. It pulled on my heartstrings and made me want to cry, both the sad and joyful kind. Denver is trying to find healing and hope again in his life after being horribly betrayed. He moves back home to try and get his feet back under him and figure out where he wants to go from here. He certainly wasn’t expecting Kes and East. Kes remembers Denver from high school and he thought the man was hot then. Things haven’t changed much except Denver seems more sad and tired, while Kes is in a loving committed relationship with East. East is working to get his construction business off the ground while he helps his life partner Kes with his bar. When Denver walks into their life, they instantly want to fix his broken heart and bring him into their little family. This triad has its ups and downs. They find that no relationship is easy, especially between three people, but they find a way to make it work. One of the things I loved about this book was the honest representation of a poly relationship and the struggles that are present in ANY successful relationship, not just a triad. They all have trust to work through between the three of them, but especially Denver having been hurt so badly before. This was an amazing book and I would highly recommend it! It has its very sweet healing moments and its sexy times too.
This is 5 Hot Inferno Flames!! When Denver gets his heart shattered he returns to COOPER’S RIDGE to gain a new perspective. He finds old acquaintances. East is a contractor and Kes owns The Last Drop Inn. East and Kes have a committed loving relationship. In Denver, they see a beautiful, broken man that needs a new direction. As the three of them fall in love they learn what love and commitment really mean. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!
I loved these guys! I think East is my favorite, but Kes is so sweet. And Denver, I want to listen to him play! Ok, ok, they are all my favorites! I loved this story, it had so much going on that just reflects what the reality of that type of relationship would entailed. And I cried! That poor baby! I enjoyed every minute with this book, my only complaint is that I wanted more! Thanks for my arc copy JJ! Can’t wait to read about Carter!