I was slightly apprehensive about this one to begin with. I honestly didn't like Jim that much in the previous book and I was a little worried that I couldn't warm up to him.

However, I was just so wrong! Jim, as the narrator of the story, was a joy to get to know. It's not an easy story. There are heavy elements in this. Coming to terms with alcoholism, accepting that he is one, in his own way. Coming to terms with being himself: a gay cowboy. And finally realising that you don't really know everything you need to know about your best friend or your relationship with him.

But as always in a ZAM book, it's not bogged down. It's not light and fluffy either. It's a brilliant mix of light and dark. Heavy and fluff. Her characters are real and flawed and multi-dimensional. And the addition of Don brings something to the whole and makes it even more than it would have been otherwise.

I ended up rooting for Jim. I needed him to have his HEA. I love the way that Z.A. Maxfield brings me cowboys with a twist. And I can't wait to read the next one in the series. ( )

The second installment in Z.A. Maxfield's The Cowboys series, My Heartache Cowboy is full of strong emotions that don't just tug on the heartstrings. Nope, it's a full-fledged yank that pulls the reader headlong into the story from the very first word. This deeply moving novel pretty much breaks your heart as Eddie Molina tries to help his longtime Jimmy Rafferty overcome his addiction to alcohol.

Jimmy and Eddie have been best friends and working partners for nearly 15 years. They have shared a lot of life's ups and downs, but after Malloy and Crispin (from My Cowboy Heart) unexpectedly find love, they discover how little they know about one another. Eddie finally admits that he is gay and well, Jimmy, about the only thing that becomes obvious is he has a serious drinking problem. Facing an uncertain future, Eddie and Malloy know that it is time to take drastic steps to help Jimmy but Jimmy is in deep denial and he fights Eddie every step of the way. When Eddie finally admits Jimmy needs more help than he can provide, he turns to his close friend and sometime lover Don. Jimmy's jealousy of Don quickly turns to desire and soon the three men are indulging in a very hot threesome while Don guides Jimmy through the intricacies of Alcoholics Anonymous. When Jimmy and Eddie return to the J-Bar, their newfound bond will be tested as Jimmy tries to maintain his sobriety and they try to figure out what is next for their fragile new relationship.

Jimmy and Eddie both personify the "strong, silent type", but Jimmy is definitely the less open of the two. Since My Heartache Cowboy is written in first person from his perspective, readers experience firsthand Jimmy's inability to express his fears, needs and desires. What he thinks and what he says are often two different things and while his inner monologue is humorous, it is also heartbreaking. Jimmy's childhood was extremely dysfunctional and he is still dealing with guilt from long ago events. He stubbornly maintains he is not an alcoholic, but he wants to make Eddie happy, so he does work diligently at staying sober but doubts and uncertainty still plague Jimmy once they return to the J-Bar.

Eddie is rock solid, patient and steady as a rock during Jimmy's recovery. He talks freely about his past with Don but once the three of them become involved, he is a little more reticent with Jimmy. This awkwardness becomes more apparent with their return to the ranch and their relationship is soon on shaky ground. Despite his openness about his past, Eddie still harbors a few secrets that will play a crucial role in the future of their relationship.

Eddie and Don are close friends and occasional lovers and their open affection for another catches Jimmy by surprise. Eddie, Don and Jimmy are soon burning up the sheets with some very sexy threesomes and while Jimmy and Don grow closer, an emotional distance begins to grow between Eddie and Jimmy. Their return to the J-Bar adds to Jimmy's confusion when his and Eddie's relationship reverts back to friendship.

My Heartache Cowboy is a poignant and emotional romance that will make you laugh and cry as Eddie and Jimmy finally recognize the truth about themselves and their relationship. It is a journey of self-discovery and recovery for Jimmy as he faces the demons of his past. It is an absolutely breathtaking story of love that Z.A. Maxfield's fans are going to love. ( )

I always enjoy Z A Maxfield - another enjoyable read. ( )

OK, you may find me shallow for my reasons for skipping this one, but with a giant backlog of books to read, I guess I figure I have a right to be picky right now. Reasons are under a spoiler tag, just in case.

These cowboys are in their 40's and 50's and that age group is just a tad older than I am interested in ATM. In digging a little deeper to figure this story out before deciding to read it, I found out it was going to include a threesome. While I do enjoy threesomes, I am very picky about them and need to be properly prepared for them. If this would have surprised me while reading this book, I probably would have stopped reading and shelved it DNF. I just don't like surprises like that. And finally, a good portion of this book deals with alcohol addiction recovery, which is fine and an interesting topic, but it is done cold turkey in an isolated cabin by a non-professional. I just don't wanna go there. It sounds awful.

If you do end up reading it, I hope you enjoy it! Given it's current average rating over well over 4 stars, people are loving this.