Romance Book Review: Carol Lynne's Alone in a Crowd

Author: Carol Lynne
Series Connection: Cattle Valley
ISBN eBook: 978-1-78184-029-0
Genre: Gay MM/ Contemporary
Publisher: Total-E-Bound

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In the 27th installment in the Cattle Valley series, readers get the chance to delve into Ryan Blackfeather's background. Ryan is one of the first characters in the Cattle Valley series. He is the partner of Rio and Nate.

Ryan receives a phone call that his mother has died and he needs to clean out her home so that the landlord can lease her space. Ryan hasn't had anything to do with his parents since he was 17 years old and doesn't want to have anything to do with them now. However, he goes by himself to Oklahoma without telling his partners that his mother has died.

When he comes home he finally tells Rio and Nate his background and it isn't a pretty one, but to deal with his future he must deal with his past.

In other stories going on in Cattle Valley, Smokey decides to come home. He needs to make amends with Ezra and Wyn and hopes that he can also get grocer Elliot to pay some attention to him and make amends for not treating him well either before he left town.

There is a lot going on in this novella. Almost too much, but it continues the story, meeting and getting to know past characters better for future stories.

Description:
For years, Ryan Blackfeather prided himself on maintaining his composure no matter the situation. He has built a life around his desire to be needed, to feel important to those around him. His job as sheriff and the love of his partners, Nate and Rio, not only fulfil him they give him purpose. So why when he receives a phone call with tragic news does their love and support not comfort him?

The more Rio and Nate pressured him to talk about his sudden surly mood, the more Ryan began to resent them. The answer came at the height of a heated argument, it was time to return to the place and the people who first made him feel like he had nothing to offer. Only then would he figure out why he’d spent a lifetime searching for the acceptance of those around him.

Insisting he tackle his past on his own terms, Ryan returns to Oklahoma to face the demon, the one man in the world he could never please.