Rating: 4.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Red Dirt Heart 2 is the second book in a series and is likely best enjoyed when read in order. Sometimes, when I buy books, I get overwhelmed with all my selections, and that’s what happened to Red Dirt Heart. This whole series has languished on my iPad for more than a year. So, I dusted it off for TBR Pile Week of Challenge Month. I personally adored the first book (while it might not please others) and couldn’t stop when that book ended.
Charlie Sutton is a 27-year-old Australian man who inherited an enormous cattle ranch, over a million acres called Sutton Station, from his father just over three years ago. Charlie was a closeted gay man, fully expecting to live a celibate life, because really, what are the odds that a sexy gay man would turn up at his isolated home three hours drive from the nearest town? Well, six months ago, sexy, young, out, gay, and single Texan Travis Craig came to Sutton Station, and he found Charlie so attractive that he couldn’t help chasing after him. And, filing for an extended visa so he could continue living with Charlie—even if it is undercover.
Charlie didn’t “come out” with Travis. He was inadvertently outed to his ranch hands during a rough patch. That said, Charlie’s still not very comfortable with displaying any affection to Travis in the presence of others, excepting Ma, beloved cook and second mother to Charlie. Charlie feels bad about forcing Travis back in to the closet. He’s also afraid to love Travis too much and risk all of his heart; he expects Travis will get tired of the isolation and Charlie’s moodiness and leave—just like Charlie’s mother did when he was a small boy.
Charlie’s inability to discuss his fears leads to his self-isolation and damages his relationship with Travis. Enough so that Travis is getting the vibe that he ought to leave. Soon, however, that decision isn’t up to Charlie or Travis. Nope. The Australian government has begun proceedings against Travis, stating that his visa paperwork was misfiled and he has mere weeks before he must leave the nation. It’s a cruel twist, for both Travis and Charlie; that they may patch everything up and yet still become separated.
The second book is far different from the first in that it’s addressing the struggle of maintaining a relationship. First love and deep attraction are easy and fun and have issues that are quickly resolved. Continuing love stories are often dominated by doubt, struggle, and grand gestures to reassure one or both partners. That’s the case here, for sure.
Charlie has a lot of amends to Travis for his aloofness, but he does this well. Their struggle with the Immigration Board is not a quick fix, however. It’s not simply something Charlie can apologize away. He’s unwilling to lose the man he loves without some serious fight, though. If it means caring for an abandoned joey, or facing down bigots on the Cattleman’s Association Board, than that’ll be part and parcel of Charlie’s battle to keep Travis. I honestly can’t describe how touching I found the climax of this book. Seriously, both Charlie and I were sobbing.
That said, there is such a sweet bit of humor here, and Travis is a man I’d love to know. Charlie’s personality, unfortunately, is too much like my own for me to expect we’d be friends. The ending is tender and fun, with the right balance of love and humor. I can’t wait to get back into the series—as soon as my schedule allows. In the next few weeks, mind. Not waiting another year to visit my friends at Sutton Station!!
This review is part of our September Reading Challenge Month for TBR Pile Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win one of this week’s fabulous prizes from NineStar Press. One lucky winner will receive a copy of all the NineStar Press releases for six months in ebook, and another will win a collection of seven print books. Commenters will also be entered to win our amazing grand prize sponsored by Dreamspinner Press. You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on TBR Pile Week here. And be sure to check out our prize post for more about the awesome prizes!
This is a great series which I’ve read all of the books and a good introduction to the writing of NR Walker. Highly recommended.
Agreed! I’ve read a bunch of her books, including the Cronin’s Key series and Thomas Elkin books…so I knew I’d get a satisfying series when I bought RDH.
Like you, Veronica, I enjoyed the first Red Dirt Heart book. I’d wondered how Travis and Charlie’s story would continue, so I was happy to see your review. I’ll be on the lookout for more of your reviews in this series (and “In the next few weeks, mind”!)
Ha! I’m not sure if I’ll be reviewing them here… But I will get back them soon!!!
I loved this entire series! Was sad when I read the final book – although the series ends beautifully, but I do miss Travis and Charlie and the rest of the “cast.” I hope you enjoy the next books!
I feel safe that I will. These guys have a piece of my heart by now…
Read this 2 years ago – NR Walker is one of my favourite authors and I loved the series.
I liked this book a lot, more than the first, as the relationship developed and there were more tugs on the old heartstrings! I enjoyed their banter and Ma is great. The star of the book is Matilda though!
Enjoy reading the rest of the series
Oh Matilda!! Charlie didn’t know what to do with her, or Trav!
It sounds like you’re glad you picked it up. I enjoyed this series, especially the feeling of it being somewhere completely alien to my city life.
Definitely loved the setting. It felt like I was out there in the wind and sun, red dirt ground into my skin and hair.
I really enjoyed this whole series. I haven’t read a whole lot of books set in Australia so that was a welcome change. So many great secondary characters and animals in this series as well.
I’ve been reading good things about this series for quite a while. I’d love to start reading it but I have soooo many unread books that I really should read first… 🙂
That’s the trouble with my life!! TOO MANY BOOKS. I should have read these ones ages ago. Glad I tried them now, though.
I’ve enjoyed NR Walker’s books, but I’ve only read the ones that take place in office settings (the Thomas Elkins series, and my favorite enemies-to-lovers so far, SIXTY-FIVE HOURS). For some reason I haven’t read many Westerns (I’m debating whether to do one for week 4), but this sounds really good!
This one is definitely a cowboy romance, even if it’s not “western” exactly. I do think there’s a bit of twang to Aussie English, too!
I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it but I didn’t continue for some reason. I’ll have to pick this up. Thanks for the review!
I haven’t read this series — unfortunately, N.R. Walker is not my top-read author *sheepish smile*. But I totally know the feeling on having series swept under virtual dust and realized after a while that you never read the sequel even if you enjoy the first book. Thanks for the review!!
It’s definitely hard to go back and pick up books that have languished when I want to read all the new releases people are crazy for!
I haven’t read any of N.R. Walker’s books, but I’ve heard good things about this one. I’ve had it on my library’s wishlist for so long, but I just haven’t felt the pull to tackle it yet. That’s just the way it is sometimes, but I appreciate reading your thoughts. I do like a nice established couple read, and my favorite kind of series is one where we keep following a relationship. Like Lou Sylvre’s Vasquez and James.
I’ve been meaning to give this series a read. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it. Thank you for the review it certainly piques my interest. I’ve enjoyed a few of the authors other books and this looks like a sure winner.
I’ve loved N.R. Walker’s books in the past, but somehow I’ve not hit on this series yet. It must go on my TBR now!
I’ve read this book 2 years ago and liked the whole series very much. N.R. Walker is one of my favorite writers.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was very sweet and the angst was minimal too.
I’m like you. I stopped after the first book. Now reading your post, I’m not sure why I did that. I do need to get and read the rest of the series. Thanks for sharing a great review.
Thank you for the great review, Veronica. I really like books that keep a balance between anguish and humour, and Red Dirt Head sounds exactly like it. I haven’t read any book by N.R. Walker yet, so this series is going to be the first addition to my TBR pile. I have a question, though. What’s wrong with the first book in the series? Why do you say some people would not like it?
I loved it, it was a 4.5 star read for me, but when I looked up the original review on Joyfully Jay, that reviewer was less taken by the book and gave it 3.5 stars. I did understand that reviewer’s points, but I didn’t share the opinion. In any event, I felt I should mention it, because other readers may have agreed with the initial review.
For my part, I’d say: get it, and read it, you won’t be sorry!
I just adore this serie, it is my all time favorite m/m serie (so far) i just love Charlie and Travis, and George and Ma and don’t forget Mathilda and Nugget 😉
And to all of you who haven’t read this serie yet or stopped at book one go read this and fall in love with the Boy’s, Australia and the Red Dirt!!!!
Agreed! 😀
This is definitely an awesome series! I pretty much read them all within a week. I haven’t read an NR Walker book yet that I haven’t liked.
I’m in your camp. Love her stories.
I haven’t read this series yet, but it’s def. on my wishlist. Thanks for your review!
I absolutely loved the first two books in this series and then gave up on Book 3 part way through… You’ve reminded me how much I enjoyed the earlier books so maybe it’s time to try again!
I haven’t gotten to that one yet, but it’s going to happen. I need to find out what happens with Nugget…
This sounds like fun. I really don’t see a lot of mm books set outside the US or UK so it’s nice to see one set in Australia!
Ooh we have a HUGE list now! Check it out here: https://joyfullyjay.com/2016/08/favorite-international-books
And just wait until Around the World Week!
It’s been a while since I read this series. I have to say that I read the whole series and thoroughly enjoyed it. To me, each book was better than the last and watching the relationship develop over time was immensely satisfying. Highly recommended.
I LOVE that. It’s why I’m drawn to series romance.
I’ve been interested in this series since I read “Cronin’s Key” because it just sounds so different from that. I appreciate an author who tries different styles/genres, even if sometimes it doesn’t work too well.
Yes, it’s very different. Less danger, more romance, and lots of sexytimes.
I liked this book, but it is not one of my favs. Perhaps because it was a cowboy/ranch setting which is not one of my favorite settings.
I enjoyed NR Walker’s Red Dirt Heart series. (Always have been a big cowboy fan). These books are on my “paperbacks to buy list”, even though I already own the ebook series.
I could totally imagine picking them up in a decade and falling in love all over again.