Black Dog Inn Series by Kris T. Bethke, Tia Fielding

One day at a time, one cupcake at a time, I was determined to win him over. Charlie Caldwell has hit a breaking point. With more than just his mental health on the line, he makes the decision to move across the country to work for his best friend, leaving his brother and niblings behind. A new start isn’t going to fix him. His dysmorphia isn’t going to magically go away. But his hope is that being in a new place and going no contact with his toxic mother will at least allow him to breathe... moreOne day at a time, one cupcake at a time, I was determined to win him over. Charlie Caldwell has hit a breaking point. With more than just his mental health on the line, he makes the decision to move across the country to work for his best friend, leaving his brother and niblings behind. A new start isn’t going to fix him. His dysmorphia isn’t going to magically go away. But his hope is that being in a new place and going no contact with his toxic mother will at least allow him to breathe. Teague Mulligan might look like a lumberjack, but he’s really a marshmallow. And he likes it that way. He’s a doer, a fixer, and his wide shoulders are big enough to handle any problem. He’s always going to put himself between the world and the people he loves. But when he first meets Charlie, Teague doesn’t make a great first impression. Fortunately, he gets a chance to apologize and explain. Though Teague is immediately attracted to Charlie, he recognizes the other man has built walls around himself. Teague vows to go at Charlie’s pace, even if friendship is the only thing he can have. The more they get to know each other, the more the attraction blooms. But Charlie’s past trauma keeps him from leaping. As much as he likes Teague, he knows the road blocks his mental health puts in the way. But Teague is as patient as he is kind, and as the days go on, trust is built. Slowly and surely, Charlie lets Teague in. Neither Charlie nor Teague were looking for love, but day by day, and cupcake by cupcake, love is exactly what they find. less

Sometimes it seemed the only way I’d get that kind of loving forever was if I stepped through one of the fairy doors I’d collected. Law Caldwell knows his life needs an overhaul. With his ex-wife accepting a job across the country and his brother living far from home, he’s focused on making sure his three children have the best life possible. But when his mother takes things a step too far, it’s the final straw for Law... moreSometimes it seemed the only way I’d get that kind of loving forever was if I stepped through one of the fairy doors I’d collected. Law Caldwell knows his life needs an overhaul. With his ex-wife accepting a job across the country and his brother living far from home, he’s focused on making sure his three children have the best life possible. But when his mother takes things a step too far, it’s the final straw for Law. He realizes the best thing for him and his kids would be to pack up,move to Fairville, take a job at the Black Dog Inn, where there’s a loving support network. Oakley Young is settling into his new life, finding his place and himself in the process. Including changing his name. Oak Mulligan is who he wants to be, and it’s the first step to healing. He still has a lot of trauma to unpack but he’s working on it. When his bestie Charlie informs him that his brother Law and the kids are moving in, Oak is just as excited as everybody else. The Caldwell family will fit right in. But Oak isn’t prepared for the instant attraction to spark between him and Law. He knew the older man was hot, but their first meeting a few weeks before didn’t equip him for the lust. Or for the way Law would keep him at arm's length. Law has only been attracted to a few men in his life and he misinterprets the affection and protectiveness he feels for Oak as brotherly at first. But as he realizes how deep his feelings run, he knows there’s too much in their way. The age gap and their familial connections are enough to push down his growing feelings. But Oak is too enticing to ignore, and the closer they become, the deeper the attraction goes. One kiss changes everything and sets the two men on a path with bumps they have to navigate. It’ll take work on their communication, and figuring out how to fit their lives together, but there’s no doubt that the love growing between them is the kind to last a lifetime. Please check out the preview for content warnings. less

When it inevitably got too much and he left, I’d be crushed. Maybe even devastated. But I’d be vindicated too, and that was a powerful enough emotion to get me through. One bad decision five years ago means Felix Decker lives with chronic pain. It’s a challenge he’s learned to deal with and he’s content with his life. And more importantly, resigned to being alone. But all that gets turned upside down when a favor to a friend leads to Kellan Huntley entering his inner circle... moreWhen it inevitably got too much and he left, I’d be crushed. Maybe even devastated. But I’d be vindicated too, and that was a powerful enough emotion to get me through. One bad decision five years ago means Felix Decker lives with chronic pain. It’s a challenge he’s learned to deal with and he’s content with his life. And more importantly, resigned to being alone. But all that gets turned upside down when a favor to a friend leads to Kellan Huntley entering his inner circle. Kellan is tall, beautiful, and sassy…and someone Felix thought he’d never see again. It’s all he can do to keep Kellan at arms length. Felix doesn’t need, or want, the reminder of who he used to be. Someone he can never be again. Kellan chose to teach in Fairville on a whim and never expected to come face to face with the weekend hookup he can’t forget. Felix isn’t who he remembers and the new, grumpy jerk is upsetting to say the least. But that doesn’t stop Kellan from wanting to help the man who so clearly needs it. The attraction between them is still as strong as ever. Kellan is determined to show Felix that his disability doesn’t diminish him in any way. Felix, for all that he craves Kellan’s touch, is just as determined to push Kellan away. But Kellan’s gentle persistence breaks through Felix’s walls, and what started as animosity soon gives way to affection. It takes time and communication, and a few bumps along the way, until Kellan can help Felix restore his belief in happily ever after. Please check out the preview for content warnings. less