Title: The Students of Barrenmoor Ridge
Series: The Barrenmoor Series Book Two
Author: Jackson Marsh
Genre: Contemporary, YA, Coming Out
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay
Publisher: Self
Pages: 239
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Book two in ‘The Barrenmoor Series’ of MM romance stories with a mountain rescue theme.
Liam has set himself a goal. To come out to his best friend, Casper, before his 18th birthday while hiking at Fellborough in the Yorkshire Dales.
Things don’t go according to plan, and when a violent storm hits, the camping trip takes a potentially fatal turn. Local mountaineers, John Hamilton and his husband Gary are called to help, but it soon becomes apparent that the rescue is more than physical. Liam and Casper both have secrets that when known, have the potential break or mend their hearts.
A mix of YA, romance and adventure, ‘The Students of Barrenmoor Ridge’ brings back popular characters from the first Barrenmoor book in a familiar setting with love, mountaineering and the dangers of both.
‘The Mentor of Barrenmoor Ridge’ is the first book in the Barrenmoor Series of MM romances with a mountain rescue theme. ‘The Students’ takes place two years later, and it is better, but not vital, to read the stories in order.
The Review
“The Students of Barrenmoor Ridge” is an incredible, romantic and adventurous novel created by Jackson Marsh. Marsh takes the art of music and combines it with the dangerous and amazing world of mountaineering. He provides a very descriptive view of the beautiful land, rugged mountains and treacherous weather conditions of Fellborough. There’s also an abundance of information on mountaineering, the training and demands of being on the MRT (Mountain Rescue Team).
Marsh also brings his characters to life with an in-depth, clear and concise description of their personalities and lives. There’s so much anxiety and heartrending moments between George “Casper” Spectre and Liam “Mozart” Dent. In order for Casper and Liam to move forward they discover they need to reveal their secrets to each other. But the fear of destroying a valuable friendship stands in the balance.
Marsh also brings back two wonderful characters in John Hamilton and Gary Taylor from the first novel “The Mentors of Barrenmoor Ridge”. John and Gary bring their own special love, caring and humor to the story. They truly become mentors for Casper and Liam as they face their worries and fears.
John and Gary can almost be portrayed as detectives as they have to piece together the information that they gather from Casper and Liam after a very life threatening ordeal.
As in “The Mentors of Barrenmoor Ridge” Marsh also brings danger with the return of Gary’s nemesis, Mark Ward. I also, have to mention a secondary character that stands out for me. Sergeant Betty, she supported John and Gary and encouraged them to give each other a second chance.
I highly recommend both these books: “The Mentors of Barrenmoore Ridge”, to learn more about John Hamilton and Gary Taylor, as they play a big role in “The Students of Barrenmore Ridge”. Looking forward to the next adventure in the “Barrenmoor Series.”
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
