Hart Jarrett was only supposed to be passing through Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He wasn’t supposed to get involved, no emotional entanglements to tie him down. Setting down roots was never part of the plan, not until he opened himself up to love. Too bad the man he bet on bailed and left Hart holding the ranch. There were two choices after that: run away, or stay and build something real from nothing. nothing.
Nearly six years later, Hart has created a home and a life he never expected, with the help of his best friend and foreman, Morgan Brace. The ranch is thriving thanks to its loyal men and strong ties to the community. But there’s a snake in the garden, and it takes many forms. There’s a dead man on Hart’s property, a man he knows, and the questions are piling up. As if that weren’t enough, his ex has reappeared out of the blue, with plans to reclaim what he willingly gave.
And, to make matters worse, it appears Morgan is finally taking his dating life seriously.
Everything Hart has built is unraveling.
The life Hart wants doesn’t work without Morgan in it. Imagining a future without Morgan, him turning elsewhere for love and coming in second to someone else in Morgan’s heart—as well as his bed—is almost unbearable. So maybe, just maybe, the answer lies in Hart confessing that he loves Morgan more than life itself.
If Hart gambles and loses, will he even still want the life he’s worked so hard to build?
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More Than Life by author Mary Calmes is an emotionally charged read. One of the reasons I pick up Ms. Calmes’ books is I know the story is going to be memorable and one I will want to re-read over and over again. This story is no exception. I love the pure love in this story. Hart comes full circle in this book, and I am really glad to have read his story.
Hart: he starts off as the boyfriend of the son of a rancher. The boyfriend has a ton of issues. Almost beats Hart to death. Leaves him and gives him the best gift ever. The ranch. I felt for everyone in this part of the story. But Hart was never alone. He had his best friend to help him.
Morgan is the foreman on the ranch. He loves Hart. And he nurses him back to health. Not only that he nurses the ranch back to health.
These two make a formidable team. They are perfect for each other. When the past comes back to try to bite them, they band together and fight. I loved them together.
This book has a lot of emotions in it. I am so glad to see a happy ending. I also think there is potential for many side stories. I think this could be the start of a beautiful series.
Five Shooting Stars and Stardust Award
Mary Calmes delivers again!
When Hart is assaulted by his boyfriend, Hart ends up with something worth far more than the worthless man who hurt him – Lee left Hart his ranch by way of clearing out most of their accounts and bailing. Now years later, Hart has made the ranch into a successful, profitable enterprise, all with an awesome crew of guys by his side, most notably, his best friend, the growly alpha to the core Morgan.
Morgan and Hart have long held feelings for each other, and when they finally explore them? Whew, smokin!! And they finally have something beautiful within their grasps, if the jerk who hurt Hart so badly, and an ongoing homicide case do not get in the way.
Though this is only the second book by this author that I’ve read, I can already see that she’s going to become of my favorite MM writers. Hart and Morgan are a wonderful couple. Their story is super hot, emotionally substantial, and I love the whole crew they’re surrounded by. I may have wanted Hart to keep his inner thoughts to a minimum and wanted him to be less forgiving of those who hurt him, but generally speaking, I loved this story.
What can I honestly say about this story? I am totally in love with it! I love Hart and I love Morgan, so so much!
I love their chemistry, sweet and growly combined! The banter between the two MCs are witty and funny! I love the family Hart, Morgan and Wes have made with the ranch, how everyone is so protective of Hart and each other. How they brought the ranch from near/almost bankruptcy into something innovative, energy- infused and breath new life into it!
This story started out very strong. The backstory of Hart with his then lover, Lee, who beat him badly before walking out of Hart’s life, giving him the ranch broke me with its intensity. The way Morgan and Wes rallied around him and supported him after made me fall in love! Almost seven years later, Lee is back. But Hart is smart, he learned a lot since that fateful night and he will not be fooled ever again!
Thank you so much Ms. Mary Calmes, I love this so much!
Oh man I loved More Than Life. It was just so fantastic. These men are so dear, all of them, but especially Hart and Morgan. They were so wonderful. I loved watching their romance build and then when it reached the climax, just wow. And hot and sexy, so much. I also loved the mystery and all the other workings of the story. I love how Hart’s mind works, I definitely think like him and it’s fun reading all the ways his brain goes and how he manages everything happening sometimes all at once. The story was such a great building of a new ranch world. I can’t wait to read more in the series and definitely will be re-reading this one. I absolutely recommend it.
Hart has a beautiful and prosperous ranch with a great team of ranchers. The story takes you through his heartbreak before the ranch landed on his hands and then that past coming back into his life. There is suspense as there is a murder unsolved and people trying to take the ranch from him. All in the midst of his love life unfurling. I loved Morgan’s story, as tragic as it was and the gentleman he became, broody and strong but kind hearted. It’s a great story, happy ending on all fronts.
I’ve never read a Mary Calmes book and holy lawd YAAAS!! There really is nothing like a sweet southern romance to perk me up and get me feeling all the feels!!
Hart and Morgan were the perfect MC’s. While Hart is a little more outgoing, Morgan is a bit more reserved and quiet except when it comes to Hart. Their banter is adorable and everyone at the ranch is what you would expect of laid-back cowboys. This was not heavy on the steam factor which I was okay with because the story was sweet and perfect the way it was.
I’ve read several reviews that people said they didn’t like how much was going on with the story, but I actually loved it. The story was fast passed and enough romance to make you swoon.
Original review: https://myshelfbooks.wordpress.com/2020/08/03/review-more-than-life-by-mary-calmes/
Mystery: that is the strongest part of this book, but it is sadly ignored most of the time. This book needs better pace to get better mark.
Angry: the romance starts suddenly and with such force that it knocks the reader unconscious. That is not a compliment. The behaviour of the main couple is absurd and deeply annoying.
Cowboys: plenty of them to go around. So many and so good friends among each other that I thought there was going to be an orgy or three. I wouldn’t have minded…
Murderer, Ex-Con: those details about Morgan are just a weak attempt to make him a suspect. It doesn’t work. It is better to ignore that part of his past…
Great cover: a yummy one
Hart came to this ranch as someone else’s plaything. Since his lover left, he has been working hard to make the ranch a money maker that can support all who make it happen. If only he hadn’t fallen for the hard Morgan. If only he were someone to keep.
Morgan has been pining secretly for Hart all along. Has never thought the fun and cheerful owner would need him beyond the ranch. With all the murder investigating and surprises going on – will there ever be the right time to tell Hart how he feels?
I fell in love with everyone on this ranch. Well, almost. When you read you will understand. This story takes you to all the crazy lows, then lifts you so high you do not think you can come down. I could not put it down. I am hoping the author will bring us back here for more characters. They just seem so charming and sexy.
I loved this character driven book. Great banter and chemistry between the two MC’s. Lots of interesting side characters that seemed poised for their own books
This is a typical Mary Calmes book and in this particular book that isn’t a compliment. You have the perfect, gorgeous, naturally tanned, smart guy who happens to be an airhead that can’t stay focused (Hart Jarrett). He constantly needs saving from himself. Who was viciously beaten by the ex-boyfriend but can’t seem to make the ex pay for his actions. Then there’s the strong, rugged, gorgeous alpha who everyone counts on to keep everything going and is saving the airhead from himself (Morgan Brace). There’s a mystery of a dead man on the ranch property, the ex showing back up with his current in tow and a whole cast of supporting characters half of which are a waste of space. The mysteries of the dead body and the ownership of the ranch are solved rather anti-climatically. There’s pain and suffering in both MC’s background that was hard to read. I would have given this book a 3 star if not for the callous way the domestic violence was handled. Hart was viciously beaten and the ex wasn’t made to pay for the crime. No beat down of his own, no criminal charges, nothing. Just a lot of posturing with no action. Domestic violence is not just something to throw into the story for filler. I’m thoroughly disgusted by this story line. Not Calmes worst book but definitely not good. Can’t recommend this to even Calmes fans.