Narrated by Gary Furlong
Tamarillo Tart is an opposites-attract romance between a snarky, out-and-proud city dweller who hates getting dirty and one not-quite-out backcountry tour guide. It’s the second book in the Southern Lights series, but it’s not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one. We met Stefan Hamilton (Stef) in Powder & Pavlova when he gives his best friend Tanner some dubious relationship advice while wondering aloud how anyone can live outside a big city. As this book opens Tanner’s boyfriend, Ethan, hopes to get on Stef’s good side by giving him and Tanner a weekend horse trek though the area where The Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. Stef is a big LOTR fan so he decides, with a bit of grumbling, to endure the dirt in order to see those sites. When Tanner has to bail out at the last minute, he persuades Stef to try it on his own. Stef is still ranting to Tanner on the phone when he catches sight of the sexy as sin “cowboy” and decides that it just might be worth the dirt to spend a little time in his company while also seeing the sights.
Cassidy (Cass) Martin, the owner of Martin Stables Tours, is amused and intrigued by his new client. Since he’s standing only a few feet away, he can’t help but overhear the snarky phone call between Stef and Tanner. It’s not a spoiler to say Cass isn’t as straight as everyone assumes, and the interest sparks between the two men early on. Cass eventually manages to get Stef off the phone and they head back to the farm, picking up two brothers along the way. It doesn’t take long before we know one is a homophobic jerk who isn’t happy about having a newbie on the trip.
Back at the stables, Cass coaxes Stef onto his horse by assuring him he’ll be on a lead line until Cass thinks he can handle the horse on his own. Even with the one brother griping about the delay, they get off to a decent start and Stef finds himself enjoying the ride and the scenery, including the handsome cowboy.
Once up at the cabin for the night, Stef and Cass get some alone time to explore the spark of attraction between them. Both men are wary, since they have each experienced past heartbreak, Cass by someone who left him to return to the city, and Stef by someone who made him doubt his worth. Still, they sit by the fire sharing parts of their lives they’ve rarely shared with other people and acknowledging the connection between them. Both come away feeling like there might be something here worth exploring. Things change rapidly when an unexpected storm blows in close to morning and Cass is badly hurt while trying to help one of his horses. In the middle of the chaos, Stef finds he isn’t as afraid of a little dirt and mud, or horses, as he’d imagined. I love this part of the story as Stef pushes through what he sees as his limits and finds himself rising to the challenge. As scared as he is, he takes charge and tries to figure out how to get Cass to safety.
While overall an enjoyable and emotional story, there are a few pacing issues in the first part of the book. In the first scene, Stef is on the phone with Tanner and Cass is waiting. The banter is amusing, but the dialog and reactions repeat a few times and go on too long. A few scenes later Cass is getting the horses ready and talking to the woman who provides provisions, and again, the scene goes on for a longer than necessary. Ditto the scene where Cass is coaxing Stef onto the horse for the first time. While I know these scenes tell us something about Cass and Stef, it seems like they circle back on themselves a few times before there is forward motion.
Gary Furlong is a favorite of mine already, and I enjoyed his narration here as much as I expected to. The leads are well differentiated. Stef’s voice is pitched slightly higher and with a campy edge, which fits his character perfectly. Cass has a lower-pitched voice that oozes sex appeal and humor. Gary is very effective at interpreting the characters’ emotions and delivering that in his narration. The playful banter, the snarky sass, the fear, anger, and tensions are all believably expressed, adding realism to the listening experience. The relatively small cast of side characters are all given distinct voices, as well. The only thing that felt off was a few times when the word “his” sounded like “her.” I stopped and relistened, but even with the Kiwi accent, it definitely sounds like “her” to my ears.
Tamarillo Tart is a well-written story with heart and humor, and with enough emotional weight to give the story some heft. Cass and Stef are an engaging couple who overcome past hurts and other people’s misconceptions to find their future. The excellent narration only adds to the experience, and I’m pleased to recommend it.
Carrie
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This is my favourite of the Southern Lights series.
I’ve read it, but not listened to the audiobook, and I didn’t notice the bits that dragged for you. I tend to prefer actual dialogue to internal monologues. I’ve criticised some other of the author’s books for having too much of those!
Internal monologuing can definitely be an irritation for me, too! And, in fact, a bigger one that this quibble. The things I pointed out here did feel similar to me, they went on too long and slowed down the pacing. Still, overall a minor issue and I enjoyed the story.
Great review, Carrie! I read this when it came out and enjoyed it, although I liked P&P a bit more. i believe we’ll be getting books 3 and 4 later this year.
Thank you! I will definitely be picking up the next two when they are out. She such a strong writer and get such great narrators that it’s a no brainer! :-)