This story is absolutely wonderful!! Marsh and Data have so much shared history and such a soul deep connection. This story starts with broken hearts and separation; I found their journey towards a new chapter in their lives very moving and beautifully written. Highly recommend and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Five stars

ndependent reviewer for Neon, I was gifted my copy of this book.

What this is, right, is a perfect example of battling your demons and winning!

I mean, not just for Marsh and Marshall (Data) but for me too. Cos this book is first person, present tense AND multiple point of view. If you follow my reviews, you'll know that this is a personal dislike of mine and I have dumped many MANY books, cos I just cannot.

This one, though?? Is a wonderfully written tale of actually realising what you had, before you messed it all up, and finally deciding that you cannot live without the love of your life.

Marsh and Data (love the explanation of the nickname!) split 6 months ago, and are getting ready to sell their mountain cabin. Enter snow, stage left. Enter hot break up smex, stage right. And jobs a good un!

I really REALLY found myself rooting for both of them, once Marsh gets his point as to why he split with Data. But he should've trusted Data and their love. Once Data gets that, they both talk, really talk and finally, they are on the make up smex!

It's emotional, deeply in some places, but full of lighter, funnier moments. Marsh is, afterall, a stand up comic and much of that comes over here and I really needed those lighter moments.

It's smexy, cos these two have been together for 8 years, they know each other's tells and spots and what to do and say to get the other hot under the collar!

But what I loved most about this was, that these guys are NOT perfectly bodied guys! They have bellies, and moobs, and not washboard abs, and perfectly sculpted chests and I loved it!

First I've read of this author, I think. I'd like to read more!

4 very VERY good stars (only because it IS written this way!)

*same worded review will appear elsewhere

This book is about two sweet men, finding their way back to one another. AJ Truman and MA Wardell have done a marvellous job. This book is full of love, food and friendship - all the necessary ingredients of a good life!

Marshall Kaplan (Data) has been dumped by the love of his life, and boyfriend of eight years, without any warning. Devastated he tries to move on with his life.

Marshall Goldberg (Marsh) decided he ‘needed time’ to process things going on in his life, so instead of turning to his boyfriend to help half the problems, he dumps him, thinking he will be better if with out him.

Data and Marsh own a cabin in the woods together, affectionally called Marshmallow Mountain, and now they have split up, they need to sell the property. After being separated for six months, they both head to the cabin to pack up all their belongings, ready to sell.

They are only meant to be there the weekend, but thanks to the ‘chickens’ correct predictions, snow falls and traps them in the cabin, together.

These two men who are both such wonderful, heartwarming characters, quite frankly need their heads banging together. They are both so obviously still in love with each other, but neither seem to want to address or admit it. Once they face uncertainty, they finally talk.

I loved the two Marshalls, their character development is perfect. I adore the way both M. A. Wardell and A. J. Truman write, and them writing together is a match made it heaven. They both have a unique and wonderful writing styles. I loved this book, even if I was tearing my hair out and shouting at them both.

Oh and I need to try mallomars.

A second chance story for two men who obviously never stopped loving one another. We join them as they prepare to spend a weekend together in their jointly owned cabin to pack up and sell their remaining string tieing them together. What could possibly happen when the chickens predict heavy snow and there's unfinished business. Of course it isn't jumping straight back into things, neither wants to talk about the elephant in the room: that they both still love and want one another. Turns out second time around you can be 100% truthful, even the deep rooted feelings need to come out this time so everything is laid out. Marsh needs to stop hiding behind his comedy and learn that he can be vulnerable.

There is maturity to the book, this is expected with having had a pre existing relationship but also their roles as a couple are well defined. Data is the practical one, who can deal with a broken window and chopping fire wood, Marsh is the homemaker, making the warm meals for them both. These two men have a domesticated chicken and a snow storm to thank for their rekindled relationship and they had a big trip down memory lane. The end is a whirlwind of happiness and I loved how Data helped with Marsh's dad. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A.J. Truman and M.A. Wardell have written a story that is heartwarming, hilarious and spicy. There were so many moments where my heart was full of love and there were moments that made me cry. Both authors write so beautifully that this was inevitable.

‘Just because something ends doesn’t mean it’s gone. We carry pieces of it, memories.’

I love Data and Marsh. They both buried themselves into my heart. From the beginning, I felt for Data. I just wanted to give him the biggest hug. I understood the reasons why Marsh made the choices he did, but I just kept hoping for him to explain himself to Data. The banter between Data and Marsh is relatable and made me chuckle. They are both so sweet towards each other and supportive of each other’s dreams. I love that Marsh was will willing to challenge Data to go after what he really wants. Since they had been together for a long time, it was lovely to read how well they knew each other and how they offered each other reassurance.

‘Marsh always knew what I needed. He had a way of forcing me to relax, rubbing my shoulders and nipping at my neck, the stress of life melting away under his touch.’

Preeti and Bryce are wonderful side characters, who both made me laugh out loud. Preeti’s goodbye to the customers at the gym had me howling. I really warmed to them both and I liked the support they each provided for Data and Marsh.

I love the body inclusivity in this book. They are both beautiful men, who appreciate and love each other just how they are and that was wonderful to read.

‘Marsh sees me. All of me. He always has. And he’s always made me feel like the sexiest, most desirable man on the planet.’

Finally, I loved the concept of them having somewhere to escape to and I feel like Marshmallow Mountain provided that escape from the real world for a little while for myself. The book made me reflect and it also made me feel hopeful. It’s easy to be swept up in adulting and forget about the things that matter. This book made me consider what matters to me. I feel like Data never lost the hope that they would work things out. This is such a special story that I feel grateful to have read. I thoroughly loved this book, and I honestly cannot wait to read Bryce’s story!

CW: one of the MC has a parent with Alzheimer’s, a MC with asthma and experiences symptoms and asthma attacks, and a mild car accident.

- second chance

- forced proximity

- snowed in

I'm not going to lie, I had high hopes for this one, even though I haven't read M.A. Wardell before I'd heard great things and I'm very familiar with A.J. Truman's stories. I was not disappointed. I was hooked from the instant I met Marshall and Other Marshall. I haven't read a story before where the two MCs have the same name and I loved it, it really added to the story and wasn't confusing at all. Honestly, this is such a sweet story, as sweet as Marshmallow itself, really. Marshall and Other Marshall were a delight, and I loved reading them taking their second chance, getting past all the hurt and confusion of the initial breakup and finding each other again.

I love that they're both older, both bigger guys too and this was also pretty hot, they can't keep their hands off each other, but also they're the missing piece of each other and the joy of the story is them rediscovering that over a weekend together snowed in. Honestly, if you ever need a pick-me-up feelgood story, pick this up because it's wonderful. I adored it, and can't wait for more.

Do you know what a book about exes doesn't have? A third act break up 🤩🤩

Marshall (Marsh, MMC), and Marshall (Data, MMC) were together for 8 years when Marsh called it quits because he needed time and space (🍅🍅🍅). Data is built different - I think I’d just cry in his situation. Break up out of the blue because he needs time and space after 8 years to end up in a forced proximity situation where I’m meant to act perfectly okay with everything? Lol, no

When I realised that the MCs have the same name, I thought I'd be heavily confused reading this book but I wasn't. The nicknames helped but the characters also have distinct personalities, it was easy to tell them apart based on the 'voice' of the narrator.

I liked getting to learn more about the characters, how each of them are dealing with the breakup, the reasons behind why Marsh wanted the breakup in the first place and you kinda just want to wrap the both of them in a hug.

I enjoyed this read and I'm excited for the next 🤩

Okay, so this is my first book co-written by these authors. I've read some books by A.J. that I loved and have some books by M.A. in my TBR list, so the fact I read the blurb and had to read this book, which I could not put down, is everything! I'm a big Eminem, aka Marshall Mathers, fan, so that intro hooked me, but then I read more, and Marshall and Marshall (Data) stole my heart and kept the pages turning. They were wholesome, sassy, sexy and so in love. The story starts with these two men who have been together for eight years going through a break up that happened 6 months before. Marsh breaks up with Data in a vague way that doesn't do the love they shared all those years justice, so when Data randomly gets a call from Marsh after all these months he harbors a bit of hope that maybe he's calling to get back together since he's still in love with Marsh and is hurt by the break up. But when the call is about packing up and selling their cabin in the mountains, Data realizes that maybe it's time to move on for real. What Data doesn't know is that Marsh is just as much still in love with him as well, which should make this an interesting weekend. What neither expects is to be snowed in halfway through that weekend. Things are tense with hurt feelings and nostalgia and cause both men to look deeper into their relationship. Data's hurt is still very much there, but there's also Marsh's insecurity and his dad's declining health swirling around. Some big truths and talks happen, and they both realize that being apart makes no sense when they're meant to be together, and no obstacle is meant to keep them apart forever. It isn't easy to go through what they have since being apart, but their weekend in their cabin gave them a chance to confront hard things that only make these two stronger than they've ever been. Reading their banter and instasible lust and sweet love for each other was beautiful and hilarious to read. I so enjoyed these soulmates getting a second chance at love, and I can't wait for more from this series.

A very sad read at first as two men sort out the pots and pans of their ended life together, one wanted the separation the other didn't, for him it was like a bullet to the heart. It's an intense, painful read but has its funny moments as they reminisce. I did find it a touch drawn out now and then but on the whole it's a lovely read with, as far as I'm concerned, one total sweetheart and one idiot. As they are packing up stuff and settling who wants what, each item holds a memory, and that is where this tenderly written tale may make you cry a little bit. A beautiful tale worth reading.

Here is the thing you need to know about 'Marshmellow Mountain'.

This is my first read/ listen by this writing combo M.A. Wardell & A.J. Truman and I am sure I am coming back for more.

In my opinion it is a book about every day men who try to live the best life they can. Yes it can get messy at times. Yes you can change your mind/ opinion and status of relationships. My overall feeling that I tookt away from this book is; To get the life you want, it needs work, you may stumble, but itis all about the getting up again and finding the guts to try another time in all aspects of life.

Did I mention spice? Overall I would say it is pretty. spice. It has a hea/ hfn for the men on more than one level. 4*

Audiobook

The dual narration by Ryan H. Reid and Kirt Graves gives both mc's very varied voices and for me there is no possibility to mix them up. Ryan is a new to me narrator and I like finding new (to me) voices, to mix it up with the well known names I appreciate and enjoy. Kirt is an established narrator, for me, his voice has the pro and con of being very recognizable and delivers once again. Both narrators do a very good job with the colouring and intonation of each man.

Honestly I am not always a fan of dual narration, when it is done right, it works really well like this time.

5*

Overall 4,5*

This was a pretty good book although I thought it was a little too long and was, in no way, low angst. It took me a long time to warm up to Marsh after the cruel way he dumped Data. However, by the end of the book I was really into these two characters and actually enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward to Bryce's story.

Love both these authors and really enjoyed this book. Good character development and growth, angst wasn’t too drawn out. High heat, interesting sexy times, easy read. Looking forward to the next book.