Genre/Tags: LGBTQ+/ MX Romance, Contemporary Romance 

Author: Emmy Sanders

Story Rating: 4 Stars

Narrator: Blake Lockheart

Narrator Rating: 5 Stars

Length: 9 hours and 17 minutes

Audiobook Buy Links: Audible

Mr. Right wasn’t expecting Mx. Tall, dark, and beautiful.

Being out and proud as a nonbinary person didn’t come easy, but I’ve finally found my place. I have an amazing work family at the cabaret bar where I perform, Chicago fits me better than my Texas hometown ever did, and I’m truly happy.

Especially once Jameson walks into my life. Our new bartender accepts me effortlessly for who I am, and the man is more than easy on the eyes. In fact, the way he looks out for me is giving me all sorts of ideas, even though those cuddles were purely platonic. Weren’t they?

But I have more on my mind than finding Mr. Right. My brother Diesel won’t stop hounding me, which means it’s time to face the very thing I’ve been avoiding for years.

I need to return to Plum Valley and confront my past.

I’ve never met anyone quite like Bo. Every time they’re up on stage in their makeup and heels, I watch them. When that shy blush spreads over their cheeks off-stage, I stare. And when I find them crying in the storage room after a difficult conversation with their brother, I can’t help but soothe away their tears.

I always assumed I was only attracted to women, but suddenly, I’m questioning everything. Including my reaction to the sight of Bo in lingerie. I might have a lot to figure out, like whether or not Bo is interested in me. But I think it’s fairly safe to say…I’m not as straight as I thought I was.

Courageous Hearts is an MX romance between a man and the enby he adores, with show tunes, love bites and lace, a pan-awakening, one jealousy-inducing bull ride, and a very HEA. It’s book five in the Plum Valley Cowboys series, but can be listened to as a standalone.

Review: 

This was a sweet book. It ties into the overall series because, although Bo lives in Chicago these days, they grew up in Plum Valley. Apparently they were a bully at school because of their family. It was a means to deflect away from themselves. I’ve only read series books 1, 6, now 5. I missed the others. Bo mentions the bullying in reference to their difficult relationship with their bio brother and father. That they have another half-sibling, Cooper, and that ties into Will, Cooper, and Tru’s book, book #3, which I didn’t read. 

Jameson is the new bartender at Gerties, a cabaret club in Chicago, where Bo is a performer. Jameson has always seen himself as liking females, although he hasn’t had lengthy relationships, but Bo grabs his attention pretty quickly. There’s something magnetic about Bo and Jameson seems to like them more than just a friend. Where most of Bo’s family is problematic, Jameson’s family is loving. His father died 11 years ago but his mother and father were a love match, and she loves her children. Grant, Jameson’s twin, isn’t always pleased about Jameson’s career but they can talk about anything in an adult way. This helps when Jameson feels increasingly attracted to Bo. Jameson wonders whether he’s confused by Bo’s femme side. Their gorgeous blue eyes. The outfits they wear. How gorgeous they look in garters, suspenders, eventually in lacey panties, so he turns to his brother for advice.

“Women don’t own femininity,” my brother says, giving me pause. “It’s a social construct more than anything. If this person…”
“Bo,” I fill in.
“If Bo likes expressing their femininity, I can’t imagine they’d take offense at being appreciated for it. But, of course, I can’t speak for them. Maybe that’s a conversation to have with Bo,” Grant adds…

Jameson really wants to find his someone. He wants to have what his parents had and his family support him. Bo is more and more filling up his thoughts. At the same time, Bo would certainly like to find Mr. Right. Given that Jameson’s last name is Wright, and there’s a play on that, could it be a sign? They both get along well and are curious about one another but Bo doesn’t want to be a queer experimentation if Jameson is confused. Understandable. However, Jameson is doing so much right. 

Maybe I simply had crappy boyfriends in the past, but no one from my limited repertoire has compared to Jameson. He’s like a comforting, weighted blanket, and I want his presence around me always.

Jameson reads up on on what being nonbinary means. He talks to Bo about any discovery he makes. Anatomy. Preferred pronouns. Relationship descriptor – partner or joyfriend – something Bo really appreciates. Jameson increasingly and happily makes it known he wants more with Bo without ever being pushy. And bonus, Jameson is a cuddler!   

So, there’s nonbinary rep in this series book but there’s also the fact that Jameson discovers something about himself as well. That pansexual actually best describes him. Not straight, as he originally thought. Not gay. Not bi. I think it was pretty apt – Jameson definitely came across as a ‘hearts not parts’ guy. There’s respect given all the characters but Bo’s older brother is problematic, dead naming and mis-gendering Bo. Thankfully Diesel isn’t on page much. 

I enjoyed the well named Courageous Hearts. I always like found family stories but I’m also happy when someone’s family is awesome. I get both here. I liked the backdrop of a cabaret bar where I got to hear cabaret/theatre songs mentioned. I especially love that Cell Block Tango gets a nod. I love (the musical) Chicago, and Cell Block Tango is one of the best songs of all time, in my opinion.

I enjoyed this book but books 1 and 6 remain my favourites. They’re hard acts to follow – Wyatt and Easton. Harrison and Sammy. Adore them. However, this is a nice addition. It’s upbeat with well written diversity. It’s also such an easy listening experience. Blake Lockheart narrates this series perfectly. 4 Stars!