Hanging the Stars

Hanging the Stars is the second suspense-laden installment in Rhys Ford’s Half Moon Bay series. While this newest release can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend the first book the series as well.

After moving around from place to place with his con-man father, Angel Daniels returned Half Moon Bay to set down roots. Now raising his eleven year brother, Roman, he owns a bakery and manages a rundown motel that is home to several down on their luck residents. Angel is extremely patient and loving as he tries to ensure Roman has a stable home life and reassure him he will always be there for him.

West Harris runs a highly successful business but he is not close to his twin brother Lang nor does he have very many close friendships. He is socially awkward, standoffish and finds it hard to trust anyone. West kind comes across as a little callous and unfeeling but he is making progress in overcoming the effects of his dysfunctional childhood.

West and Angel have history together but they have not seen or spoken to each other in several years. Given how their relationship ended, Angel is pretty unhappy that West is trying to buy his bakery and force him out of the only home he and Roman have ever had. Even worse, instead of approaching Angel directly, West is letting his best friend handle the transaction. All of that changes when separate attempts are made on both men’s lives and West returns to Half Moon Bay. The sparks fly between the two men right away and despite the painful ending to their relationship years earlier, both of them still have feelings for one another. Their reconciliation occurs without them hashing out their unresolved issues from their break up but there is no shortage of angst as West and Angel continue to targeted by their unknown assailant(s).

West and Angel have absolutely no idea who is behind the attempts on their lives and they can only assume the events are somehow connected. A shocking murder reveals a stunning betrayal and West’s reaction threatens to derail the men’s still fragile romance. While things continue to be a little shaky with Angel, West and Roman instantly bond and their relationship is rock solid despite the danger surrounding them.

Hanging the Stars is an action-packed mystery with a cast of likable characters. The first few chapters are a little confusing since the novel starts right in the middle of the action but it does not take long to get up to speed on what is happening. The romance between West and Angel is surprisingly conflict free considering their history but they do have to overcome a few bumps on the road to happily ever after. The mystery element is full of twists and turns and Rhys Ford brings this part of the storyline to an adrenaline fueled conclusion. All in all, an excellent addition to the Half Moon Bay series that old and new fans will enjoy.

There is little more that I appreciate in a book that could ever be added by Rhys Ford. I loved this book from the first page to the last. The pages flew by as the pace was absolutely frenetic in some places, but the cuddles were awesome in between. As a second in a series, all of my favorite characters were revisited and the overall arc of the universe progressed and grew with the addition of the characters in Hanging The Stars.
OMG Angel and West are instant faves. And I dont think I have ever had a secondary character ever introduced like Justin was. It is so clever I just have to share. "For most people , the sight of a six -and - a- half- foot- tall golden- skinned, bright penny-haired man in curlers and a leopard-print onesie would be unique, perhaps even alarming. For Angel , it was simply Tuesday."
Seriously I read this book hand to mouth at times to smirk and giggle and chew on my knuckles at the shock and drama. It was riveting.
In all fairness I won an ARC in a contest so I have had time to read this book a couple of times now, and as I read it so quickly the first time....I needed the re read to fully absorb all of the wordsmithery that is on these pages. Go out and buy this book. It is just great.

Reviewed by Erin for Diverse Reader

To say I was excited to go back to Half Moon Bay is like I saying I only kind of like cheesecake. Way, way big understatement. Rhys Ford takes us on another adrenaline filled ride with her newest Half Moon Bay book, Hanging the Stars. For fans of the series, and if you're not, omg, what is wrong with you, I'm sure you'll agree West Harris isn't number one on anyone's favorite person list. He's definitely not as likable as his twin brother, Lang, from the first book, Fish Stick Fridays, but he sure made an impression. I was so interested in finding out more about him and luckily for us, Rhys has given us a spectacular book filled with everything we've all come to love and expect from her.

As with all of Ford's book, Hanging the Stars is a mystery, so I'll tread carefully as to not spoil anything. And since it's Rhys Ford, you know you're going to be in for a hell of a journey, and Hanging the Stars is all that and more. Filled with emotion and angst and so many feels, this one is sure to hit you right in the heart. What I loved most about West and Angel Daniels is the history between the two. Unlike with Deacon and Lang, these two go way, way back and because of that, the book is rich with a back story and a connection that you feel right from the very beginning. West isn't everything he's portrayed to be and it was so much fun watching all of his layers being carefully and skillfully ripped away. Like with most characters in a Rhys Ford book, he's complex and flawed and this makes him all the more irresistible. The relationship between him and Angel will surely hit you right in the heart. And speaking of ... can I just say his soft spot for the prickly but endearing Zig is meltingly gooey.

The plethora of side characters made Hanging the Stars all the more fun. I loved Angel's brother, Roman, not to mention Angel's best friend, Justin was all kinds of awesome. Add in Marzo, Frank, and some very brief appearances by Deacon and Lang and this book was a roller coaster from beginning to end. There's a mystery and explosions and gun shots of course, but there's also love and family and such a sense of hope and joy that made going back to Half Moon Bay everything I wanted and more. I hope there's more to this series, like maybe Justin getting his own book? A girl can hope. Be sure to check this one out guys, it's Rhys Ford so you KNOW it's going to be fantastic!

Gave 3.5 stars but rounded to 4 for this review
Angel has had a hard life, growing up the way he did with the father he had, I was so glad to see how he turned out. He is a independent person who without a doubt is trying to better himself and the life he has with is brother. Roman was dropped on Angel's doorstep by their father and Angel took him in with no questions asked. To me that said alot about how Angel wanted to live his life.
When he was younger Angel fell in love with West. West taught Angel that he could be loved and Angel taught West how to love. They were torn apart when Angel left Half Moon Bay. They both thought about each other over the years but never tried to find each other .
Angel moved on with this life and now owns a bakery in the town where he met West. Strange things keep happening and Angel thinks it is someone who wants to take over his business. West owns the company trying to buy his property but hasnt ever come to town to confront Angel. Eventually West has no choice but to see Angel. Sparks fly from their first meeting and they both dont know what to do with each other. They arent sure if they want to love or kill each other. The chemistry was good between them but I felt they fell back into a relationship too quickly. I would have like more build up and trying to concur their fears first. While West and Angel are starting their relationship again some one is still out to hurt them. When West finds out someone betrayed him , he hides behind his hurt and Angel wants nothing to do with it. Angel isnt sure if West and him could be a couple since he has to think of his brother as well. The ending is good and I wish we got to see more of the relationship. Received an ARC from publisher for a honest review. Reviewed by Jodi for Alpha Book Club.