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Wild Horses
Wyoming, 1971
Always having preferred the company of his animals to that of his peers, Kit, a shy, young farmer, most enjoys spending his sparse free time horseback riding and taking photographs of the breathtaking wilderness surrounding the farm.
Michael, who just goes by Mick, a law student from Chicago, is on a more or less involuntary road trip, trying to leave the past behind, when his car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
A chance encounter with Kit, who is the sole soul to offer him help on the lonely highway, ultimately leads to life altering decisions, and Mick learning lessons that law school could never teach...
[Wild Horses is a gay, slow-burn sweet romance novel. It contains period-typical racism and homophobia.]
Always having preferred the company of his animals to that of his peers, Kit, a shy, young farmer, most enjoys spending his sparse free time horseback riding and taking photographs of the breathtaking wilderness surrounding the farm.
Michael, who just goes by Mick, a law student from Chicago, is on a more or less involuntary road trip, trying to leave the past behind, when his car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
A chance encounter with Kit, who is the sole soul to offer him help on the lonely highway, ultimately leads to life altering decisions, and Mick learning lessons that law school could never teach...
[Wild Horses is a gay, slow-burn sweet romance novel. It contains period-typical racism and homophobia.]
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2023
4 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Caleb L. Ambrose
4 books13 followersAbout the author: Caleb is a queer author of LGBTQ+ slow burn sweet romances. Encouraged by their schoolteachers, they have been writing fictional stories from an early age on. Although first choosing an entirely different career path to make a living, involving numbers and statistics rather than words and books, now they want to make this childhood dream become a reality.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 17, 2023
Wild Horses is a fantastic debut novel that is a wonderful slow-burn, emotional friends-to-lovers story. I was so intrigued by the setting and the dynamic between these vastly different characters. Kit is a small-town farmer who has a rather simple life, while Mick goes to law school in Chicago.
Mick's fun summer road trip immediately changes when a car issue brings Kit into his life and the rest is history.
What makes this story work so well is the characters. Together, Mick and Kit have a thriving friendship due to their trusting bond with one another. They both feel a strong connection, but it isn't until later that they begin to suspect that something more could be possible. I loved the slow-moving romance of this story and once that eventually develops, the connection between these two only intensifies.
Overall I loved this strong debut. It has a variety of emotional moments, but one of my favorite aspects is the time and patience spent with these two characters. I enjoyed getting to see their relationship blossom so naturally and beautifully.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Mick's fun summer road trip immediately changes when a car issue brings Kit into his life and the rest is history.
What makes this story work so well is the characters. Together, Mick and Kit have a thriving friendship due to their trusting bond with one another. They both feel a strong connection, but it isn't until later that they begin to suspect that something more could be possible. I loved the slow-moving romance of this story and once that eventually develops, the connection between these two only intensifies.
Overall I loved this strong debut. It has a variety of emotional moments, but one of my favorite aspects is the time and patience spent with these two characters. I enjoyed getting to see their relationship blossom so naturally and beautifully.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
June 22, 2023
Not sure how to rate this. I was very close to a dnf, but for some reason I wanted to find out if things got any better.
They didn’t.
So I’ll sit on it for a little longer.
2,5 stars.
I was quite excited about this book. Excited enough to pre-order, which is something I rarely do. But I couldn’t resist the blurb, since it says: Wyoming 1971. I was sold. Because historical! And I did like the premise of the story of Mick and Kit. A city slicker and a cowboy. It always makes for an interesting story. That is if it is executed well. And this unfortunately wasn’t.
Oh, it’s a sweet love story all right. But it didn’t meet my expectations for several reasons.
It started off ok. But then it went downhill quite fast.
The writing is one of the reasons. I’m a total sucker for dialogues. Real life dialogues. Up to the point that they can make or break a book for me. And with this book it was the latter one. First off there’s not a lot of dialogue, which means there is a lot of telling in this story. I don’t always mind telling, but it has to be done in a certain emotional and captivating way. That wasn’t the case here. The dialogues that were there, were annoying me terribly. There doesn’t seem to be a normal way of communicating. A lot of ‘uhm’, stopping mid-sentences and repeat what’s already been said. The sentence ‘Uhm, can I ask you something?’ is used repetitively which annoyed me as well. Look, I understand when people are shy and have difficulty with talking to a complete stranger. Not everyone is a smooth talker, I get that. But when you are supposed to become close friends who are falling fast for one another, communicating shouldn’t be that hard, should it? I’m not talking about deep conversations because I know sometimes people need time for those too. But just the usual daily conversations. Kit and Mick didn’t seem able to have those and it made their friendship and the fact they were growing closer very unbelievable to me. There seemed to be a wall between them that didn’t allow them to talk properly to one another. It’s my main reason for rating this lower than I hoped. It made reading unpleasant and I couldn’t connect with them at all.
There’s also the fact that I thought both Mick and Kit sounded and acted much younger than they actually were. For a city guy who is supposed to become a lawyer, Mick sounded very insecure and young. Kit might have lacked some life experiences but still he sounded like a high schooler at times.
So yes, the disappointment was real. Other readers might find this a sweet, endearing story and I can see that. But I couldn’t get passed the things that got on my nerves quite quickly. Too bad, because I do believe it had potential.
They didn’t.
So I’ll sit on it for a little longer.
2,5 stars.
I was quite excited about this book. Excited enough to pre-order, which is something I rarely do. But I couldn’t resist the blurb, since it says: Wyoming 1971. I was sold. Because historical! And I did like the premise of the story of Mick and Kit. A city slicker and a cowboy. It always makes for an interesting story. That is if it is executed well. And this unfortunately wasn’t.
Oh, it’s a sweet love story all right. But it didn’t meet my expectations for several reasons.
It started off ok. But then it went downhill quite fast.
The writing is one of the reasons. I’m a total sucker for dialogues. Real life dialogues. Up to the point that they can make or break a book for me. And with this book it was the latter one. First off there’s not a lot of dialogue, which means there is a lot of telling in this story. I don’t always mind telling, but it has to be done in a certain emotional and captivating way. That wasn’t the case here. The dialogues that were there, were annoying me terribly. There doesn’t seem to be a normal way of communicating. A lot of ‘uhm’, stopping mid-sentences and repeat what’s already been said. The sentence ‘Uhm, can I ask you something?’ is used repetitively which annoyed me as well. Look, I understand when people are shy and have difficulty with talking to a complete stranger. Not everyone is a smooth talker, I get that. But when you are supposed to become close friends who are falling fast for one another, communicating shouldn’t be that hard, should it? I’m not talking about deep conversations because I know sometimes people need time for those too. But just the usual daily conversations. Kit and Mick didn’t seem able to have those and it made their friendship and the fact they were growing closer very unbelievable to me. There seemed to be a wall between them that didn’t allow them to talk properly to one another. It’s my main reason for rating this lower than I hoped. It made reading unpleasant and I couldn’t connect with them at all.
There’s also the fact that I thought both Mick and Kit sounded and acted much younger than they actually were. For a city guy who is supposed to become a lawyer, Mick sounded very insecure and young. Kit might have lacked some life experiences but still he sounded like a high schooler at times.
So yes, the disappointment was real. Other readers might find this a sweet, endearing story and I can see that. But I couldn’t get passed the things that got on my nerves quite quickly. Too bad, because I do believe it had potential.
December 8, 2024
Nope ...
DNFed @15% ...
already struggling with the abysmal writing ...
grammar, sentence structure,
incomplete sentences, constantly changing tenses
(even in the same paragraph), etc. ...
just nope! 😣
DNFed @15% ...
already struggling with the abysmal writing ...
grammar, sentence structure,
incomplete sentences, constantly changing tenses
(even in the same paragraph), etc. ...
just nope! 😣
June 4, 2023
This book will be on my mind forever. I am just utterly blown away by how absolutely beautiful it is, and how sweet and endearing the characters are!! 😭💕 This is definitely one of my favorites of all time, I can't wait to read it again and again. Wild Horses really is something magical.
Mick and Kit are two young men who come from different walks of life, growing up with different views on the world, but when they come together they share those parts of themselves with each other, fitting together so effortlessly and perfectly. One fated encounter of them meeting by chance catapulted them both on a journey of self discovery and finding true love.
The writing style in this book is seriously so unique and beautiful, I want to cry because I am just feeling all the emotions every character is feeling so vividly!! 🥺💕 That's what makes this book so special, I hope everyone gets a chance to read this!! 💖
Mick and Kit are two young men who come from different walks of life, growing up with different views on the world, but when they come together they share those parts of themselves with each other, fitting together so effortlessly and perfectly. One fated encounter of them meeting by chance catapulted them both on a journey of self discovery and finding true love.
The writing style in this book is seriously so unique and beautiful, I want to cry because I am just feeling all the emotions every character is feeling so vividly!! 🥺💕 That's what makes this book so special, I hope everyone gets a chance to read this!! 💖
March 23, 2025
It was such a sweet ranch love story
Despite everything they went through on their personal life or together.
This was such a great take on a gay story for someone like kit who's oblivious and don't know that two men can love each other it was just heartwarming
Despite everything they went through on their personal life or together.
This was such a great take on a gay story for someone like kit who's oblivious and don't know that two men can love each other it was just heartwarming
April 13, 2023
"He was so sweet and endearing, and Mick was painfully aware that he was starting to hopelessly become enamored with him."
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual, Third Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 2/5 🔥🔥
"Mick was utterly captivated by him, smitten..."
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
I want to begin by mentioning just how completely honored I feel to have been given the opportunity to read and review this masterpiece for the author. How does one begin a review that left them speechless and utterly blown away? This was Caleb's debut novel and to say it was utterly amazing would be a criminal understatement. It was everything I could want in a book and more: swoony characters and gorgeous setting, great plot and an almost unworldly writing style! From the very beginning where we meet Mick stranded on the road and Kit rescuing him, we are immersed in 1970s rural Wyoming, where life is more simple and people are more friendly. I felt completely like I was in the story with them! It is a slow burn but it didn't feel like it was dragging at all, and whilst it wasn't crazy steamy, it didn't need it for the story to be amazing. The author did an amazing job weaving a story that will stay with you for a long time, and I definitely am looking forward to rereading it many many times! I also want to give a shout out to Kit's awesome grandparents for loving him unconditionally and not batting an eye once!
Read if you like:
❣️ MM Romance
❣️ 1970s Wyoming
❣️ Small Town
❣️ Gay Awakening
❣️ Strangers to Lovers
❣️ Opposites Attract
Trigger and Content Warnings: Parental abuse, death from overdose (not MC), homophobia, racism, violence.
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual, Third Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 2/5 🔥🔥
"Mick was utterly captivated by him, smitten..."
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
I want to begin by mentioning just how completely honored I feel to have been given the opportunity to read and review this masterpiece for the author. How does one begin a review that left them speechless and utterly blown away? This was Caleb's debut novel and to say it was utterly amazing would be a criminal understatement. It was everything I could want in a book and more: swoony characters and gorgeous setting, great plot and an almost unworldly writing style! From the very beginning where we meet Mick stranded on the road and Kit rescuing him, we are immersed in 1970s rural Wyoming, where life is more simple and people are more friendly. I felt completely like I was in the story with them! It is a slow burn but it didn't feel like it was dragging at all, and whilst it wasn't crazy steamy, it didn't need it for the story to be amazing. The author did an amazing job weaving a story that will stay with you for a long time, and I definitely am looking forward to rereading it many many times! I also want to give a shout out to Kit's awesome grandparents for loving him unconditionally and not batting an eye once!
Read if you like:
❣️ MM Romance
❣️ 1970s Wyoming
❣️ Small Town
❣️ Gay Awakening
❣️ Strangers to Lovers
❣️ Opposites Attract
Trigger and Content Warnings: Parental abuse, death from overdose (not MC), homophobia, racism, violence.
April 28, 2023
So, true story. I came across the cover of Wild Horses and it just pulled me right in. I needed to know the story behind those two silhouettes on that horse. So I liked the post… and forgot all about it because my mind is strange that way.
But then you, Caleb, reached out and I’m so grateful that you did 💛 I’m so grateful that you trusted me with your wonderful boys. Because while my weird brain forgot about the book momentarily, I will never forget your boys.
Their names are forever imprinted in my heart. Kit & Mick. Just as that horseback ride is forever part of my soul. And their shy looks and gentle touches will flash through my mind when I look at an orange sunset or a starry sky.
Caleb’s spectacular story of Kit & Mick is a whisper across your skin, a song in your blood stream that won’t go away. Caleb made me listen to music, I hadn’t listened to for 20 years 🥹
To say that I loved Wild Horses is the Understatement of a decade. For four days, I was Kit & Mick and I’ve never been a 21-year-old guy experiencing his sexual awakening. But that’s not the point.
The point I’m trying to make is that there’s a universal feeling of the loneliness of our youth in this story. There’s a cord between the heart and soul of these amazingly innocent, brave and shy boys which is connected directly with my heart and soul now. And that, my friends, is the greatest gift a book can give you. 🩵
So thank you, Caleb. Thank you, Kit. And thank you, Mick.
I hope that Wild Horses will get the love it deserves. It is by no means a perfect book, but I don’t want fucking perfect. I want to FEEL something! So if you want to FEEL something too, then read this book!
And then tell Caleb how much you loved it, because it’ll make his day. I know it will 🩷🩷
*I rcvd an ARC from the author and this is my honest review
*Check TWs 🩵
May 14, 2023
ARC review
I was offered an ARC for my honest opinion.
Wild Horses is Caleb L. Ambrose's debut novel.
Trying to get my thoughts together after reading this beautiful book because I fell heart first into this wonderful melody.
The setting is Wyoming, 1971. Mick, on his way from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park, ends up stranded after his car breaks down. Kit will find him, help him fix his car and offer him a place to stay for a while. He will show him around the farm all the while building a wonderful friendship with the other man.
The plot was simple, but the emotions were big. I was captivated by Kit's vulnerability and by Mick's patience. The way the attraction was felt through the little moments between the two MCs was delightful. The scenery was magnificiently written, I felt totally submersed, like I went back in time.
Seeing Kit slowly discovering his sexuality was so touching, especialy because Mick was there to guide him without any pressure. It was just so amazing to witness. I loved how both men brought something to the other.
A wonderful and sweet (very) slow burn that got me singing, smiling and shedding multiple tears.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I was offered an ARC for my honest opinion.
Wild Horses is Caleb L. Ambrose's debut novel.
Trying to get my thoughts together after reading this beautiful book because I fell heart first into this wonderful melody.
The setting is Wyoming, 1971. Mick, on his way from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park, ends up stranded after his car breaks down. Kit will find him, help him fix his car and offer him a place to stay for a while. He will show him around the farm all the while building a wonderful friendship with the other man.
The plot was simple, but the emotions were big. I was captivated by Kit's vulnerability and by Mick's patience. The way the attraction was felt through the little moments between the two MCs was delightful. The scenery was magnificiently written, I felt totally submersed, like I went back in time.
Seeing Kit slowly discovering his sexuality was so touching, especialy because Mick was there to guide him without any pressure. It was just so amazing to witness. I loved how both men brought something to the other.
A wonderful and sweet (very) slow burn that got me singing, smiling and shedding multiple tears.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
August 14, 2023
So poorly written.
N-word’s never needed. Dumb—
Ranch? Jazz? Shy kisses?
N-word’s never needed. Dumb—
Ranch? Jazz? Shy kisses?
April 30, 2023
3.5* rounded up
Disclaimer: I received a free arc from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Wild Horses is a slow burn romance story set in 1970s about a chance encounter between two young men. Mick, a law student is on a road trip, when his car breaks down. Kit, a you g farmer, offers him a help and lets him stay at his farm.
As they grow closer, Mick has to decide what he wants.
I really liked the characters of Kit and Mick, and was rooting for them the whole book. It was great to see Mick taking control of his life and to see Kit slowly coming out from his shell.
If there’s one thing I didn’t enjoy, it’s that especially at the beginning, you have multiple pov changes happening during one chapter. I had to reread the beginning, because I was really confused at first.
There’s not really any warning of it happening apart of small gap between the paragraphs. I would like, if there were some headings to indicate pov change. It always took me out of the story and it was bit distracting. The chapters were quite long so I think they could even be split into shorter chapters with the pov changing in each one.
That’s my only critique, otherwise I quite enjoyed it.
Disclaimer: I received a free arc from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Wild Horses is a slow burn romance story set in 1970s about a chance encounter between two young men. Mick, a law student is on a road trip, when his car breaks down. Kit, a you g farmer, offers him a help and lets him stay at his farm.
As they grow closer, Mick has to decide what he wants.
I really liked the characters of Kit and Mick, and was rooting for them the whole book. It was great to see Mick taking control of his life and to see Kit slowly coming out from his shell.
If there’s one thing I didn’t enjoy, it’s that especially at the beginning, you have multiple pov changes happening during one chapter. I had to reread the beginning, because I was really confused at first.
There’s not really any warning of it happening apart of small gap between the paragraphs. I would like, if there were some headings to indicate pov change. It always took me out of the story and it was bit distracting. The chapters were quite long so I think they could even be split into shorter chapters with the pov changing in each one.
That’s my only critique, otherwise I quite enjoyed it.
May 22, 2023
Wild Horses is Caleb L. Ambrose’s debut novel and it’s incredibly sweet and pretty low angst.
Kit and Mick meet when Mick’s car breaks down somewhere in rural Wyoming and they hit it off right away. What starts as a friendship full of Kit showing Mick how things work around the farm and Mick showing Kit what it’s like to have a true friend. They start to develop feelings for each other beyond friendship, even though Kit has never considered loving a man before. Their relationship is overall really sweet but has its own hardships that they face together. It just brings them closer together and helps them create a life together in Wyoming.
I wanted to rate this higher - I mean, who doesn’t love a cowboy falling for a city boy? But I thought this dragged in places and there were a few points where it felt like Mick adopted Kit’s speech patterns which was a little confusing for their characterization. This story was good and I”m looking forward to seeing what Caleb L. Ambrose writes next.
Kit and Mick meet when Mick’s car breaks down somewhere in rural Wyoming and they hit it off right away. What starts as a friendship full of Kit showing Mick how things work around the farm and Mick showing Kit what it’s like to have a true friend. They start to develop feelings for each other beyond friendship, even though Kit has never considered loving a man before. Their relationship is overall really sweet but has its own hardships that they face together. It just brings them closer together and helps them create a life together in Wyoming.
I wanted to rate this higher - I mean, who doesn’t love a cowboy falling for a city boy? But I thought this dragged in places and there were a few points where it felt like Mick adopted Kit’s speech patterns which was a little confusing for their characterization. This story was good and I”m looking forward to seeing what Caleb L. Ambrose writes next.
April 20, 2023
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Wild Horses is the debut novel of indie author Caleb L. Ambrose. An MM small town romance set in the 1970's between a city boy and a cowboy.
I really, really wanted to love this one. Our main characters, Mick and Kit, are both endearing. Their love story is a sweet one filled with the two young men which an instant kinship, getting to know each other and becoming fast friends. Mick knows his sexuality and is forever patient and supportive when Kit discovers that two men can be together. The intimacy between them has a slow progression to it that just as sweet as the two of them. Their time together is spent with day to day farm life, horseback rides, jam session just the two of them, dancing, and date nights. Towards the end the two do have to deal with the harsh reality of homophobic violence but are giving a darling happily ever after in the end.
Unfortunately there are two things keeping me from giving this a higher rating. The writing didn't flow for me which took me out of the story. Also, while the use of ellipses made sense in the dialogue for Mick since he was shy and struggled with talking, it did not make sense for it to be used in Kit's dialogue. It was overused in the majority of the dialogue and felt odd to read.
Wild Horses is the debut novel of indie author Caleb L. Ambrose. An MM small town romance set in the 1970's between a city boy and a cowboy.
I really, really wanted to love this one. Our main characters, Mick and Kit, are both endearing. Their love story is a sweet one filled with the two young men which an instant kinship, getting to know each other and becoming fast friends. Mick knows his sexuality and is forever patient and supportive when Kit discovers that two men can be together. The intimacy between them has a slow progression to it that just as sweet as the two of them. Their time together is spent with day to day farm life, horseback rides, jam session just the two of them, dancing, and date nights. Towards the end the two do have to deal with the harsh reality of homophobic violence but are giving a darling happily ever after in the end.
Unfortunately there are two things keeping me from giving this a higher rating. The writing didn't flow for me which took me out of the story. Also, while the use of ellipses made sense in the dialogue for Mick since he was shy and struggled with talking, it did not make sense for it to be used in Kit's dialogue. It was overused in the majority of the dialogue and felt odd to read.
July 14, 2023
"Wild Horses" is a beautiful debut by Caleb L. Ambrose, following two lovers who meet by chance in 1970s Wyoming. I will admit it took me a while to get into the novel as it's a very slow burn, but the romantic tension was REEEEEALLLL and it was a wonderful fluffy read!!
There are only a couple things that stop this review from being 5 stars. A lot of the time, it seemed like the author used dialogue tags for every little thing that was said, which felt kinda unneccessary and tell-y, especially as it seemed they were going out of their way to avoid the word "said". The phrase "[X] wanted to know" was used a lot. The other thing was that often character's actions were explained, which again was unneccessary because I could usually infer that reasoning!
But that aside. It was an absolute joy to watch the characters of Mick and Kit grow closer together, whilst also overcoming the barriers that stood against them. The slice-of-life aspect of the novel was particularly endearing. I highly recommend this to people who are looking for a fluffy, vintage romance!
There are only a couple things that stop this review from being 5 stars. A lot of the time, it seemed like the author used dialogue tags for every little thing that was said, which felt kinda unneccessary and tell-y, especially as it seemed they were going out of their way to avoid the word "said". The phrase "[X] wanted to know" was used a lot. The other thing was that often character's actions were explained, which again was unneccessary because I could usually infer that reasoning!
But that aside. It was an absolute joy to watch the characters of Mick and Kit grow closer together, whilst also overcoming the barriers that stood against them. The slice-of-life aspect of the novel was particularly endearing. I highly recommend this to people who are looking for a fluffy, vintage romance!
October 26, 2024
A lovely and sweet, maybe a little too naive given the times and circumstances, debut book about two boys in 1971s Wyoming. I expected the horses to be a little wilder and dialogues could have been more polished but other than that, a very heartwarming slow-burn.
May 2, 2023
Ahhhhh I can't gush enough about how sweet this book was! 🎉
From the very first page, I was hooked. It's definitely one of my favourite reads of the year!
Set in a very small town in 1971, we're introduced to Kit, who lives with his grandparents on the farm they all run together. A bit of a social recluse, thanks to years of bullies picking on him for his social awkwardness, Kit is perfectly content to spend time alone with his animals.
Until he meets Mick...
Mick, a law school runaway from Chicago, breaks down on the side of the road, and is relieved when Kit offers to help him fix his car. One night staying at the farm turns into one week while they wait for a car part (oh no, what a shame!).
The slow-burn tension was on FIRE 🔥 as poor Kit battles to make sense of his developing feelings and Mick tries to respectfully introduce Kit to a brand new world. Their relationship unfolds in the sweetest way.
Even when these two boys were just chilling on the farm, doing mundane jobs, I loved every second of it. The author did a great job of transporting us back to farm life in 1971; it was adorable watching Mick grow to love it. The pair bond over their shared love of Blues music, which wasn't something I'm familiar with, but their excitement over it rubbed off on me!
The rural setting was richly and beautifully described in vivid detail - the picturesque landscapes were clear as day in my mind.
This book is third person dual POV, swapping POV frequently in the middle of chapters with scene breaks. I think the author really pulled it off, and I loved swapping back and forth to get Kit and Mick's different insights on things.
Recommended to anyone who wants to feel ALL the feelings. 💕
Book contains period-typical racism and homophobia.
Thanks so much to the author for letting me read this special book early.
Out May 31st - Preorder now! 🎉🎉🎉
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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From the very first page, I was hooked. It's definitely one of my favourite reads of the year!
Set in a very small town in 1971, we're introduced to Kit, who lives with his grandparents on the farm they all run together. A bit of a social recluse, thanks to years of bullies picking on him for his social awkwardness, Kit is perfectly content to spend time alone with his animals.
Until he meets Mick...
Mick, a law school runaway from Chicago, breaks down on the side of the road, and is relieved when Kit offers to help him fix his car. One night staying at the farm turns into one week while they wait for a car part (oh no, what a shame!).
The slow-burn tension was on FIRE 🔥 as poor Kit battles to make sense of his developing feelings and Mick tries to respectfully introduce Kit to a brand new world. Their relationship unfolds in the sweetest way.
Even when these two boys were just chilling on the farm, doing mundane jobs, I loved every second of it. The author did a great job of transporting us back to farm life in 1971; it was adorable watching Mick grow to love it. The pair bond over their shared love of Blues music, which wasn't something I'm familiar with, but their excitement over it rubbed off on me!
The rural setting was richly and beautifully described in vivid detail - the picturesque landscapes were clear as day in my mind.
This book is third person dual POV, swapping POV frequently in the middle of chapters with scene breaks. I think the author really pulled it off, and I loved swapping back and forth to get Kit and Mick's different insights on things.
Recommended to anyone who wants to feel ALL the feelings. 💕
Book contains period-typical racism and homophobia.
Thanks so much to the author for letting me read this special book early.
Out May 31st - Preorder now! 🎉🎉🎉
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Follow me on Instagram!
June 1, 2023
This was such a sweet love story that really focused on how the relationship develops between two characters in 1970s Wyoming. It’s a very slow burn story with lots of coy smiles but both characters are just figuring things out and I appreciated that the author took the time to delve into who these two are and how their relationship truly blossoms.
I thought the characters were very well done - a lot of work on character development and you get a sense of what makes them tick. I think this really worked well particularly for Kit’s character. He’s not very talkative, seems extremely shy without very many friends in town and it just made sense to get into his head and in his thoughts. Kit is sweet and he has faced cruelty from people for being slightly different than others, it’s been this small universe with his grandparents and his friend Richie until he meets Mick and his flashy Thunderbird. Although Mick is from Chicago, it’s Kit who opens a whole new world to him. Something slower, more laid back in a way than the pressures of law school and the hustle of the city. Part of the story is Kit’s self discovery of who he is but also for Mick as well. Realizing what makes him happy as a person and what he wants from life.
The author has listed the content warnings so take note. It takes place in the early 1970s and there is racist and homophobic language and behavior typical of the time period along with an incident of physical violence.
I thought this was a great debut novel from this author and I am looking forward to reading more in the future. I read a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
I thought the characters were very well done - a lot of work on character development and you get a sense of what makes them tick. I think this really worked well particularly for Kit’s character. He’s not very talkative, seems extremely shy without very many friends in town and it just made sense to get into his head and in his thoughts. Kit is sweet and he has faced cruelty from people for being slightly different than others, it’s been this small universe with his grandparents and his friend Richie until he meets Mick and his flashy Thunderbird. Although Mick is from Chicago, it’s Kit who opens a whole new world to him. Something slower, more laid back in a way than the pressures of law school and the hustle of the city. Part of the story is Kit’s self discovery of who he is but also for Mick as well. Realizing what makes him happy as a person and what he wants from life.
The author has listed the content warnings so take note. It takes place in the early 1970s and there is racist and homophobic language and behavior typical of the time period along with an incident of physical violence.
I thought this was a great debut novel from this author and I am looking forward to reading more in the future. I read a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
July 1, 2023
▪️ Thoughts:
Wild Horses is written in third person dual POV, Kit and Mick. Kit is a 21 year old who lives in Wyoming on a farm helping his grandparents with the animals, farming, and selling their products. He is reserved likes to keep to himself and doesn't have many friends, expect for his best friend Richie and Allen. When he went to school he was bullied which why he mainly prefers the company of animals.
Mick, who is also 21 years old, is driving to Yellowstone National Park gets stranded after his car breaks down. He is taking this trip to gather his thoughts about his future and overall avoid confrontation with his parents. Luckily passing by Kit stops to aid Mick and drives him to his grandparents home.
This book is a slow burn so be ready and patient. Their relationship is very sweet and endering to read about especially when Kit slowly begins to understand what he is feeling for Mick. They begin to open to each other in ways they haven't to other people, telling each other things about their life that have either impacted them or hurt them.
As like in every book I have read, I enjoy reading about side characters that really make the book better. In Wild Horses it was Kit's grandparents especially his grandmother and also his best friend Richie. They are kind and understanding and love Kit and Mick very much.
Wild Horses does end in a HEA and as I mentioned about it does have triggers and I highly encourage you to read them before reading.
▪️ Trigger Warnings: Racism, slurs, and homophobia, mention of death by drug overdose, violence and verbal abuse
Wild Horses is written in third person dual POV, Kit and Mick. Kit is a 21 year old who lives in Wyoming on a farm helping his grandparents with the animals, farming, and selling their products. He is reserved likes to keep to himself and doesn't have many friends, expect for his best friend Richie and Allen. When he went to school he was bullied which why he mainly prefers the company of animals.
Mick, who is also 21 years old, is driving to Yellowstone National Park gets stranded after his car breaks down. He is taking this trip to gather his thoughts about his future and overall avoid confrontation with his parents. Luckily passing by Kit stops to aid Mick and drives him to his grandparents home.
This book is a slow burn so be ready and patient. Their relationship is very sweet and endering to read about especially when Kit slowly begins to understand what he is feeling for Mick. They begin to open to each other in ways they haven't to other people, telling each other things about their life that have either impacted them or hurt them.
As like in every book I have read, I enjoy reading about side characters that really make the book better. In Wild Horses it was Kit's grandparents especially his grandmother and also his best friend Richie. They are kind and understanding and love Kit and Mick very much.
Wild Horses does end in a HEA and as I mentioned about it does have triggers and I highly encourage you to read them before reading.
▪️ Trigger Warnings: Racism, slurs, and homophobia, mention of death by drug overdose, violence and verbal abuse
June 5, 2023
I have such mixed feelings about this book.. on the one hand it’s a beautifully written slow burn between a shy/sheltered country boy (who doesn’t realise being gay is even an option for half the book!!) and an openly gay city boy who doesn’t want to live the life his parents have set up for him. It’s set in 1970s Wyoming. The chance meeting when city boy Mick’s car breaks down was a fun beginning and him being stranded and forced to stay with Kit while the part his car needed got ordered was a great setup for a romance!
I just felt like it moved too slowly and was repetitive in parts. So much internal dialogue could’ve been cut to make it flow better. I think I was also waiting for something big to happen (an event or some passion or some drama) there was a bit but it mostly read very slice-of-life-y for me. Lovely and sweet but lacking a bit of substance.
If you like romances that are sweet instead of spicy (and to be fair the dates they went on were really freaking cute!!), super slow burns, friends to lovers, with lots of internal emotional angst this might be for you!
I received an advanced copy for review - all opinions are my own.
I just felt like it moved too slowly and was repetitive in parts. So much internal dialogue could’ve been cut to make it flow better. I think I was also waiting for something big to happen (an event or some passion or some drama) there was a bit but it mostly read very slice-of-life-y for me. Lovely and sweet but lacking a bit of substance.
If you like romances that are sweet instead of spicy (and to be fair the dates they went on were really freaking cute!!), super slow burns, friends to lovers, with lots of internal emotional angst this might be for you!
I received an advanced copy for review - all opinions are my own.
June 9, 2023
A very slow burn story set in 1971.
Mick, escaping from Chicago, breaks down in Wyoming to be rescued by Kit. He takes him back to the farm he lives on with his grandparents and after trying to repair the car, needs to order a part so Mick is left staying with Kit for a week or so.
During this week, he throws himself into working on the farm.
I liked this authors style of writing. Kit was quite niave. Even though these guys are in their early 20s and Mick knows he is gay, Kit doesn't although he does start to wonder.
We get some of Mick's backstory. With him falling out with his parents and staying on in Wyoming.
The epilogue is in 1982. Mick and Kit are still together in Wyoming as a couple, however I did wonder what happened with his parents as there is no other mention of them. I also did think throughout what Mick was doing for money. At the start I assumed his father was giving him money but after they fell out, what did he do? A little thing but it niggled.
Mick, escaping from Chicago, breaks down in Wyoming to be rescued by Kit. He takes him back to the farm he lives on with his grandparents and after trying to repair the car, needs to order a part so Mick is left staying with Kit for a week or so.
During this week, he throws himself into working on the farm.
I liked this authors style of writing. Kit was quite niave. Even though these guys are in their early 20s and Mick knows he is gay, Kit doesn't although he does start to wonder.
We get some of Mick's backstory. With him falling out with his parents and staying on in Wyoming.
The epilogue is in 1982. Mick and Kit are still together in Wyoming as a couple, however I did wonder what happened with his parents as there is no other mention of them. I also did think throughout what Mick was doing for money. At the start I assumed his father was giving him money but after they fell out, what did he do? A little thing but it niggled.
June 2, 2023
Wild Horses is the first novel by Caleb Ambrose. It was a slow-burn set in Wyoming, 1971. We meet Kit, who lives on his grand-parents farm, and Mick who is stranded on the side of the road after leaving home for a road trip under difficult circumstances. Kit offers to help Mick out and give him a place to stay while he repairs his car.
They first built a friendship that turned into more and it was the sweetest story. They enjoyed spending time together playing the guitar, singing, horseback riding and doing chores on the farm. Mick already knew he was attracted to men, and I loved seeing Kit discover his sexuality and reevaluate his past experiences, albeit brief, with girls. Mick was patient, supportive and oh so enamoured with Kit.
I enjoyed the story and seeing these boys build a relationship. I would have maybe liked a quicker pace in certain parts of the book where there was a little too much description for my liking.
They first built a friendship that turned into more and it was the sweetest story. They enjoyed spending time together playing the guitar, singing, horseback riding and doing chores on the farm. Mick already knew he was attracted to men, and I loved seeing Kit discover his sexuality and reevaluate his past experiences, albeit brief, with girls. Mick was patient, supportive and oh so enamoured with Kit.
I enjoyed the story and seeing these boys build a relationship. I would have maybe liked a quicker pace in certain parts of the book where there was a little too much description for my liking.
August 25, 2023
The story of Kit and Mick are set in rural Wyoming during 1970s when they meet after Mick's car gets broken during a road trip. Their relationship, which develops slowly and naturally, is sweet and heart-warming. Mick was so supportive and understanding of Kit whose past experiences play a very important role in his personality and how he relates to others. The writing is evocative, the description of the natural environment and daily farm life added something extra to their stories: it was the perfect balance between overtly detailed (I mean The wheel of time minute details which was so dragging) and vague. This book left me with such cosy, good-feelings!
June 6, 2023
This was so cute.
Loved the writing and I loved both characters. Loved the location where the story was unfold and some side characters were great too. The feelings were 🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️
A bit less repetition would make this book perfect. Nevertheless, looking forward to reading read more books from this author. The writing was 👌🏻👌🏻
Loved the writing and I loved both characters. Loved the location where the story was unfold and some side characters were great too. The feelings were 🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️
A bit less repetition would make this book perfect. Nevertheless, looking forward to reading read more books from this author. The writing was 👌🏻👌🏻
August 17, 2023
I loved this book!! It's such a sweet, sweet story with adorable characters and a beautiful cottagecore setting, the worldbuilding was done very well! I felt like I was there on the farm with Mick and Kit! And those two are some of the sweetest characters you'll ever meet, they care so much about each other, it's heartwarming <3
March 17, 2025
such a sweet cozy mm romance. small town wyoming, a farm boy and a city boy. slow burn and plenty of fluffy moments. the yearning, realization, fear. coming to terms with being queer. i just want them to be happy together
June 10, 2023
4,5 ⭐️
August 14, 2023
I basically devoured this. Such a sweet romance, adored the characters and the scenery, it was very sweet! For everyone who enjoyes slow-burns!
December 8, 2024
picked this up for free a few weeks ago. Such an endearing read, very sweer characters, loved the way they were falling in love!
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