Heartsong (Vino and Veritas)

Another great story in the Vino and Veritas universe. The painful reality of gay conversion therapy in this one is heart rending. Love the way it resolved itself.

Loved Cooper and Sean! Sean had so much personal trauma to deal with and come to terms with. Glad Cooper and Stumpy could help him!

This is a pleasing insta-attraction story, somehow making first person written as if in third work really well. That's rare.Parts of the book needed a closer edit, for consistency (like puppy inclusion) and tracking actions. But you know, by the time I got to Sean returning to WV, none of that mattered. And the scene with his mom is nothing short of brilliant. A three-star 'fine' becomes a five-star 'wow.'Particularly during Pride month, this one's a solid five stars, and it is great for its disabled vet character, too.

Sean and Cooper’s story warmed my heart so much. I loved how effortless their relationship seemed to form despite Sean’s struggles. These two were so careful and caring with each other and I loved how they were always there for each other. This book was so good!

Sean is ready to escape his conservative small town in West Virginia. He's off to finish his college degree, staying with his uncle's retired army buddy to do so. A gay man who has hidden himself for years, he feels ready to take control of his life and try new things. Cooper, injured during his service, is fresh out of the military and starting over as well. He's bought a home and is excited to live on his own for the first time in his life.The sparks between Cooper and Sean are immediate and intense. Cooper is dazzled by the intelligent and quirky Sean, despite their age gap. Sean feels the pull, too, but is conflicted about actually living as a gay man. Despite wanting to connect with Cooper on a level deeper than just friendship, trauma he has faced in the past (homophobia, being sent to a conversion camp, PTSD) is difficult for him to overcome. Cooper has faced some of the same challenges, having lost a limb and can understand Sean's struggles perhaps a bit better than Sean himself.The relationship between these two men is emotional and left me feeling a bit melancholy at times. Both have been through so much and continue to struggle to live their best lives. The struggle is a bit painful to read, but rest assured that the author doesn't leave you in anguish. Sean and Cooper together have a relationship that is both intense and playful. The humor in their conversations is quite enjoyable. Cooper, mostly comfortable in his own skin, uses his experience to support and protect Sean. He's a beautiful, protective soul. I see in Sean a world of possibilities, just waiting to be realized. He will have to learn to deal with his trauma and come out the other side to start realizing just what he is capable of. Both Cooper and Sean make a lot of progress in leaving their past behind and beginning to build a new life with each other.The characters of Cooper and Sean are well developed and relatable. The age difference is incorporated as just one facet of their relationship, without belaboring the issue. Their relationship shows mutual respect and support, humor and love. The only thing I didn't like about the story was that there seemed to be some loose ends. We are left with Cooper trying to figure out what he wants to do with his post-military life and Sean is still in school and potentially estranged from parts of his family. I would have liked a bit more of the book to resolve these open storylines.Four stars for this emotional M/M romance.

An a really sweet story dealing with some hard topics. Inexperienced/experienced, age gap, close proximity, and first time tropes along with the heavier stuff of conversion therapy and PTSD. The relationship felt a little fast to me and maybe Sean didn’t have enough time to develop into his own person but I never doubted Cooper and his support for him. Lovely ending.

I'm so glad I saved this one for last to read in the series.It's a great, emotional but not angsty, romance between two men who are starting over. Sean is in a new place, starting at a new university, and exploring what it means to be gay. Cooper is starting over after an injury that ended his Army career. The bulk of the story is just them, so will work as a standalone. I want a follow up scene at V&V that brings together Sean's poetry, Cooper's music, and Molly's singing.While we don't get flashbacks, Sean's experience at a conversion-therapy program is referenced which may be triggering.I normally only give 5 stars to books that I've already reread, but I know I will reread this since I've reread most of the author's previous books. For fans of her earlier books, it's wonderful to see Troy and Dmitri pop up as important secondary characters.

This book made me smile from almost the first page all the way to the end!As I have learned to count on, Amy Wasp delivers a beautiful, funny, at times teary, picture of 2 Amazing guys!!! Cooper - in his 30s, former army, unaware how much he has to offer - and wide eyed, truly innocent Sean - 23 and just beginning to explore "himself". Their love pouuuurs off the page, their sexy times are hot, and they are both just such great guys!I love the writing style, it just flows so naturally. Add to all of this a dog, and the Another dog, And a 10 year old kid........ I was alternating between truly laughing out loud, and melting into a pile of goo.I would Love to live in Burlington, so that I could hang out at V & V with these guys!!!😎😎😎

I just happened upon this book yesterday when looking for something to read and I am so glad I did as it was so much more than I could have expected! Sean is 23 and has had a difficult life the past 10 years since he realised he liked boys and it would never be acceptable to his family. He had a horrendous experience when his dad had him sent to a conversion therapy camp, that still gives him nightmares. Even so, he goes to college to study English. His uncle Troy gets hums a room to stay at with an old army buddy of his, Cooper.When the first meet there are sparks felt by both men. Cooper is 15 years older and is an amputee. Sean not only comes from a small town where there aren’t any gay people to look up to, he is also a virgin and suffering from undiagnosed PTSD from his teenage years. He has so many questions for Cooper once he learns he is living as a gay man and so starts this beautiful and sad at times story of living free and feeling safe and family found.Cooper was an amazing man, so supportive for Sean. Sean was so strong and suffered so much, I was so happy they found each other. This was a real eye opener and I am glad that we got to hear Sean’s story and that he got to vent all of his anger and sadness to those who should’ve been there for him.

Reading the Vino and Veratas series which I've loved but this is a beautiful story certainly tugs at the heart my heart broke for Sean and his pain. Well worth the read

This story is centered around Cooper an older ex army and Sean a younger man who is learning self acceptance.This book was three tropes in one - age gap, virginity, and hurt/comfort. The author did a very good job with all three.This is my first book in the Vino and Veritas series and I highly recommend it. I will definitely be buying and reading other books in this series.

This book really made me think. It took a while to get my head around the characters *spoilers* because of the pain and trauma they had experienced, especially Sean, but as the book drew towards its conclusion, I felt more and more for both Sean and Cooper and was really pleased they got their happy ending.

Story of love with an age gap. Dealing with how to accept yourself for being gay. Loved them and their dog.