Love Means…Family by Andrew Grey
Farm, Book 7
Dreamspinner Press
Gay Contemporary
ISBN: 978-1-61372-256-5
Reviewed by Cassie

The loss of his sister, her husband, and her children months earlier tore the family of Robert Edward “Arie” Hawkins apart. His grieving parents are putting a lot of pressure on him—his father tells him to marry in order to carry on the family name, despite knowing he’s gay, and his mother has become clingy and dependent on alcohol to get through her days. Desperate to get away for a while, Arie heads to Geoff and Eli’s farm to spend some time with his friend, Robbie. There he meets sheriff’s deputy Duane Keenan. Their attraction is immediate, and mutual, but family issues on both sides may drive them apart before they can get together.

Love Means…Family is another sweet installment of the Farm series. I wouldn’t recommend that new readers to the series begin with this book, although it could stand alone well enough, because it’s nice going into the book knowing who all the characters from the previous books are. They’re all here in this installment, and I enjoyed getting an update on how they were all doing.

As for Love Means…Family’s central couple, Duane and Arie, they are both likeable, average-guy types. Arie, a musician, is a sweet and family-oriented man, yet he also wants his independence from his grieving, smothering mother. Duane is the perfect type of man to be a police officer. He’s protective, kind, and fiercely loyal. Sparks fly between Duane and Arie right away, but it’s not all smooth sailing. Someone’s threatening Geoff’s farm, leading to several scares for everyone. Arie’s mother, still lost after her daughter’s death, clings to Arie. Duane’s relationship with his own mother takes a new turn.

On the whole, Love Means…Family is a sweet read. I guess I was in the mood for something with a bit more conflict and drama, but I still enjoyed the book. The likeable characters and easy-going storyline fit into the series well, and will be sure to entertain anyone who likes the Farm books.