Finn (The Moore Men Book 1)

Finn by author Ashley James is the first book in the new Moore Men series. It’s exciting and fast-paced and super steamy and often funny, but at heart it’s a love story, romantic and tender. It’s about family and feelings and having the courage to see right what’s in front of you, to be who you are and take a risk to go after what you want.

The story opens with Finn – big, rough cattle rancher Finn, a cowboy through and through – losing his nanny for his 4-year-old son Tucker with almost no notice. Cassie’s been with them for a while; she’s reliable and Tucker loves her. But her boyfriend Danny just got a job offer too good to refuse and she’s got to go. No hard feelings, but as a single dad this is a big problem for show more Finn. He can take Tucker to work on the family ranch with him but that’s not a long-term solution. How can he get someone as good with the little guy on short-notice. Interviews, checking references – this is a big deal.

So when his girlfriend Violet’s twin brother Ash’s life falls apart hiring him as the new nanny seems the perfect answer to Finn’s problem. Ash has been teaching children in Portland, Oregon but he’s been laid off. No job, no money for rent, so it’s back to Wolf Creek, Texas. Hopefully only for a short while; he was happy to leave and hasn’t looked back much.

Compared to grumpy Finn, Ash is downright goofy, but he’s qualified, talented, good-natured and Tucker takes to him immediately. Problem solved, right? Well, not exactly. Finn and Violet’s idea of what their relationship is is definitely not on the same page. To him, it’s casual: they only see each other once a week, she hasn’t really spent any time with his family and he’s not interested in anything for the long haul. Had enough of that when his wife took off when Tucker was still a baby. But Violet apparently has a much different plan for them: he’s the love of her life, her soulmate, just hers. She’s prickly, often hard to get along with, often demanding. Not sure he’d pick her if he was even looking long-term. But since it’s casual in his mind he hasn’t thought too much about breaking it off. Which isn’t a problem until he realizes he’s taking a lot of long looks at Ash, is starting to feel very comfortable around him, to really like him and to feel something else he can’t quite explain, which baffles him. This is his son’s nanny, which would be off limits anyway, but this is a guy he’s so fascinated with.

Beneath that happy exterior Ash has a lot of anxiety and worry. His parents never paid much attention to him. His twin sister is close, but not always kind. She’s selfish and pampered and fully believes she deserves the princess treatment. Ash didn’t want to admit defeat and come back to Wolf Creek where he was never very comfortable, but he had no choice. And he can see Finn’s attraction to him. And that attraction is mutual. And that might be a problem.

Watching them acknowledge and then act on that attraction is sweet and heartwarming. Ash loves Tucker and is welcomed by Finn’s family. Watching Finn work through his feelings and decide to go after what’s most important is fascinating and touching. Violet is a problem but Finn knows what he does – and doesn’t – want. Finn’s family is close and supportive. And Tucker is absolutely adorable.

I was lucky enough to receive both advance reading and advance listening copies of Finn. Narrators Gregory Salinas and Alex Kydd were new to me, and they were fantastic. Salinas has a big, booming, deep voice and portrays all of Finn’s emotions and moods perfectly: cranky, confused, determined, and in love. Alex Kydd’s slow, breathy, whispery delivery shows Ash’s emotions, fears, hurts as well as his anger and determination. These narrators brought Finn and Ash to life and made a very enjoyable book even more so. I recommend this book without hesitation and can’t wait for the next book in the series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

Listen, I LOVE a single dad, I OBSESS over Nannies, and then you throw in a messy girlfriend’s brother situation, and you have just found my kryptonite. Ash is animated, full of life, and freaking sassy! I love Ash’s relationship with Finn’s son, Tucker. Finn is as dry as they come, but my god, does that man deserve a standing f’ing ovation! The way he provides validation and reassurance without being asked, along with his protective nature- I am on my knees