On the Mountain

I went in knowing absolutely nothing and was delighted.

Crow was raised in a cult and bought into the idea that people wanted to hurt him and keep him from his home. Then, when he was bounced through foster care, I mean, he was kind of right. So he became the silent hot guy that lives on the mountain and won't talk to anyone. Cyrus ends up being really into that.

This book had a bunch of fun things that made reading this a breeze. Brooding in the woods, primal play, a little light breaking and entering, a fist fight in a grocery store, romantic clock warming (minus the l) . Be still my heart.

I am 3 hours into this 8hr 20min audiobook. Mmmm. Not sure why I'm continuing.

I'm all for 'The Outsider' characters, but these guys - the hardware store assistant Cyrus, and the abused and tortured cult leader's son, Crow - are so aggressively on the outside of society, particularly Crow.

When I think back to Riley Hart's Crossroads, these guys are so alienated, alone, shunned, outcast, compared with the Crossroads guys who were mainstream - men next-door types. They were also emotionally brave ... and they have that in common with the men in On The Mountain.

(Later) After 4 hours, there is some relief for the characters and the reader ... hopefully a HEA is possible for these PTSD sufferers. In a misguided gesture that is born out of show more hope for a different future, Crow collects Cyrus's things to bring to his mountain house. What follows is heartrending and healing - at least neither of them has to cope with their PTSD on their own, and that is far from nothing.

Narrator Zane Daniels has a strong voice. He gives Cyrus and Crow distinctive voices and uses exactly the right tone in the dialogue.

(Later) Six hours in - I am still dipping into this novel - it has been interesting. Cyrus and Crow's relationship is intense and different, both physically and psychologically. Most of it is Cyrus's POV and he talks often about his mental illness, depression. He's insightful and honest, and intuitive about Crow. Crow adores him, but isn't talky, let alone able to use the word "love". It is in sharp contrast to Cyrus who doesn't stop talking, and spills his soul as easily as he talks about anything. It's admirable.

This book is very brand new - released in January this year (2024). It didn't feel contemporary. Perhaps because I associate the cult setting with a different era. But Crow is the victim of the cult era - he's been away from it for 10 or 15 years - and of course the ghastly effect the cult had on his upbringing still rules his life. Cyrus could be his salvation, once they've talked it all through.

I feel a little guilty giving this only 3.5 stars as parts of it are beautiful, but I just can't stand the cult stuff ... so the backdrop is a downer. show less

The lives of our two main characters...Crow and Cyrus, were interesting and fascinating. You just wanted to know more about them...who they were, what they dreamed of in a desired life...more than just what they were to each another, although that was also interesting and fascinating. From the very start we get a look at their lives and how they react to each other. This is a complex story, with complex men. Actually, that alone may be too much and come "too close to home" for some, as there are some serious issues below the surface. It is a gay, M/M romance so there are kinks that are meaningful and personal to the two characters...things that work for them but may border on "too much" for some readers. The story also deals with the show more topic of mental illness. Riley Hart has broached this topic in some of her other books, and as always, she has again handled the topic perfectly. It was a key element to Crow and Cyrus's relationship. While it was boldly brought out in the story it wasn't by any means, overwhelming. show less

I liked the idea behind this one but the instant nature of the connection between the two MCs was way too fast for me. The mental health rep was good to read.

I found many of the interactions in the book to be completely unbelievable, couldn't suspend my disbelief.

This one was just fine. Usually I love Riley hart but it was fine. I'm not into the instalove and also learned that I'm not into primal play stuff.