McFarland's Farm

Hope, Book 1

By: Cardeno C.

Narrated by: Paul Morey

Wealthy, attractive Lucas Reika treats life like a party, moving from bar to bar and man to man. Thumbing his nose at his restaurateur father's demand that he earn his keep, Lucas instead seduces a valued employee in the kitchen of their flagship restaurant, earning himself an ultimatum: lose access to his father's money or stay in the middle of nowhere with a man he has secretly lusted over from afar. Quiet, hard-working Jared McFarland loves his farm on the outskirts of Hope, Arizona, but he aches to have someone to come home to at the end of the day. Jared agrees to take in his longtime crush as a favor. But when Lucas invades his heart in addition to his space, Jared has to decide how much of himself he's willing to risk and figure out if he can offer Lucas enough to keep him after his father's punishment is over.

©2014 Cardeno C. (P)2014 Cardeno C.

Sweet love story

Would you listen to McFarland's Farm again? Why?

Yes. It is a sweet love story between a damaged man and a spoiled rotten brat.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jared, he is such a sweet kind loving man. he cares about everyone and everything.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Lucas finally realized that he wanted to stay with Jared and he was falling in love with him.

If you could rename McFarland's Farm, what would you call it?

Can't Judge A Book...

Any additional comments?

Liked the reader and thought it was very well performed.

it was okay

Well... okay. I guess this is one of the least interesting books of Cardeno C.'s that I've ever read. Usually this author can pack a lot into a short novel, but this one wasn't very effective. Insta-love and a huge about face by one of the MC's didn't work for me.

I did the audio version and I'm getting spoiled by all the amazing narrators I've been enjoying lately. Sorry to Paul Morey, he didn't do anything wrong, he just didn't wow me with his performance. Though in his defense he didn't have all that much with which to work. (ouch, sorry about that)

City Meets Country

Jared's all but given up on love, and Lucas wouldn't know a real connection if it hit him across the face. Which is kind of what happens. Lucas is deprived of his father's money after demonstrating his utter lack of respect and maturity. His isolation is compounded when he's sent to Jared's farm for time to think and reflect. They share an undeniable attraction for each other and the enforced proximity challenges Lucas to build emotional intimacy in ways he usually avoids life the plague. Together both men struggle to figure out what they want from each other and themselves, and what they're willing to risk.

Short, Sexy and Steamy!

What made the experience of listening to McFarland's Farm the most enjoyable?

The relationship that developed between Jared and Lucas, and Paul Morey's fantastic narration.

What did you like best about this story?

Again, the relationship between Jared and Lucas. So many things could have gone horribly wrong, but CC managed to blend everything together well.

Which character – as performed by Paul Morey – was your favorite?

Jared. The lonely farmer that just wants to be loved, to have someone to come home to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not extreme, no, but it was well worth the short time to listen to it. An oddly romantic little love story.

Any additional comments?

Jared McFarland lives a lonely life, secluded at his farm just outside of Hope Arizona, only venturing to town for groceries and an occasional meal at the local diner. While Jared longs for a companion, someone to share his life and heart with, he is content in the life he leads. When his ex-wife calls in a favor, asking Jared to take in her ungrateful little brother, Jared is wary but he can’t say no. After all, he has lusted after young Lucas from afar for years, at least now he will be able to lust after him up close and personal. You guessed it, very bad idea!

Lucas Reika lives his life no holds barred on his Father’s dime. After being caught in one of father’s restaurants in a compromising position with the head chef, Lucas is cut off from his bank account and credit cards and exhiled to Hope Arizona with his sister’s ex husband, the man he has longed to love since he knew the meaning of the word. He does a fantastic job of masking the attraction behind a bad attitude and characteristics of a spoiled rotten brat. But living in close quarters with a man you want so bad he makes you quiver, and to learn the attraction is mutual, well that proves to be more powerful than Jared or Lucas and their combined efforts to not act on their attraction.

Neither of them planned on falling in love, and it’s a shock to the system when they put a word with their feelings. The question is, can a young man of money and privilege truly be happy on a farm with a distinctly different older man?

I am a huge fan of Cardeno C’s books and this latest story did not disappoint! Just the right balance of angst, romance and a love story that took a little effort on the part of both characters to succeed in the end. There is an age gap between Jared and Lucas, and the twist of Lucas being Jared’s ex brother in law, either of these things could have gone way wrong in the story, but CC managed to pull off all the details and descriptives flawlessly. And you will not find a better narrator than Paul Morey, he is the master of subtle nuances and tone inflections when re-telling a story.

Short, Sexy and Steamy was the finished product with the marriage of CC’s writing and Morey’s story telling. I highly recommend this read for those that love a passionate love story. Can’t wait for the next book in this new series!

Really nice story

Author knows how to write some hot stories. Will get more from this author in future.

sweet and short

Cardeno C. is always good for some sweet romance and this short story is no exception - still because its a short story, it isnt very deep and i think he could have made it novellength by adding some more background material. But if you are looking for something short to entertain you for a couple of hours, this migth be a good bet. Narrator is, as always, good and one of my favorite narrators in audible.

Lucas and Jared

4.5 stars. Lucas struck me as is he was putting on a facade with his rich, snotty brat routine when he's first introduced. Removing him from his uber rich life and friends brought about a much needed change. I liked watching him become a man. Jared is shy and awkward. It appeared that he'd isolated himself using the farm as an excuse. I liked that Lucas was willing to reach out and connect in a romantic way with Jared. When they encounter Todd's flirting, I was impressed by Lucas's adult thinking and more impressed by Jared putting Todd in his place.

Audiobook: good narration

B rating...

My Review:
Overall.... 3.5
Performance... 3.5
Story.... 3.75

This was a sweet little audiobook and I really enjoyed it. I especially like that it was under 3 hours so it wasn't a huge time commitment, although it still felt like a fairly complete story.

Lucas is a guy floundering. He's a trust-fund baby and as a result is a bit spoiled and self-indulgent. His father is a huge restaurant mogul who's very goal-driven and doesn't quite understand his son. But when Lucas seduces the flag-ship restaurant's chef...in the kitchen...that's the final straw for Lucas' father and he sends him to Jared.

Jared is a rough, big farmer. He was married to Lucas' sister until they both agreed that although they loved one another, Jared was gay and their's wasn't any great passion for the long haul. They work better as best friends.

What neither of these guys realize is that they've both been harboring a secret attraction for each other over the years. But they have to work through all those boundaries they've developed before they even have a chance with one another.

Like I said, I enjoyed this one. While I would have liked it to have just a bit more depth, that's part of the price for having that short time commitment which I loved. Overall, I was happy with it though. I liked the foodie element to the story and liked how opposite the guys are. I love Jared's relationship with his ex-wife and really wish I could have seen her reaction to the guys' new status together.

This is the first in a new series and I liked it. I can't wait to see what else Cardeno C. plans to do with the books.

love the story but it really needed to be longer.

the vocal performance was good...only a few characters in the story and distinct sounds for each of them. the voices for lucas and jared were spot on for their personalities.

i didn't like lucas at all when we first meet him. i couldn't believe jared wanted anything to do with such a whiny little b!tch. he is a spoiled child that has always gotten everything he's ever asked for...except the love of his father. as the story unfolds you realize that since the loss of his mother, lucas has been starved for attention and never got it from his father. he is a bit bitter about that and was happy to just live the extravagant lifestyle his father allowed him. i liked his transformation but thought it should have been more developed and in depth.

i love jared's shy awkwardness. he's absolutely adorable. his story was a bit heartbreaking and sweet at the same time. he really just wanted someone to love him. he had been crushing on lucas for a while and somehow became even more awkward around him than normal. when he feels self confidence, his dominance of the situation is super hot!

i didn't like how quickly their relationship advanced. the last couple of chapters felt super rushed. if you're looking for a super quick, cute read you'll love this story!

Opposites Attract

Would you listen to McFarland's Farm again? Why?

Yes, great characters, good narrator

What did you like best about this story?

The character's attraction to each other despite their differences

Which scene was your favorite?

The kitchen scene in the middle of the night

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

City boy finds love on the farm!