This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.






Genres: Contemporary Romance
Published by Forever
Released on May 29, 2018
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
She has goals involving bright city lights and this cowboy is big country all the way. Will a month on the ranch that feels like down home and eight disadvantaged kids change her mind? Another new series by a great author of heartwarming cowboy romance and I was all in for that.
Review
Retta left home after high school for college, her business degree, her hard-earned bank position, but then ended up putting her ambition to make VP and bank branch president on hold to take care of her dad back home and then sell the old family ranch. Between heading back to the city to hire back in and pick up where she left off, she takes a job of summer counselor on a ranch to work with a group of kids from the city.
Cade tried something with a woman with big city lights in her eyes and it got him nothing, but a note and a returned ring on his wedding day. He might feel all sorts of sparks coming from an attraction to Retta, but there is no way he’s going to let his heart get crushed a second time by a woman who won’t stay.
This was a gently-paced, heartwarming story about more than the romance. I loved how these kids with high risk-factors were brought out to the ranch and given an opportunity to learn new skills, be praised, and cherished, and learn to trust in others again. Each had their own individual personalities.
And, it was fun being introduced to the people at Longhorn Canyon Ranch. Cade, of course, his brother Justin, their friend Levi, along with semi-retired Skip and Mavis. Oh, and let’s not forget all the stray animals that Levi brings home to keep whether it is an old turtle with a cracked shell, a little donkey with a gimpy leg, a bunny, cat, or dog.
The story was told in a back and forth sharing of the narrative between Cade and Retta. Much of the conflict in the otherwise easy-going romance is Retta having this life plan that she stubbornly clings to no matter what even though its obvious to her and everyone else that what she wants is right in front of her face. But, she’s going through a tough time and is just realizing that she never grieved her mother’s death from years before and is still raw from losing her dad. That plan of hers has been a life raft when she was nearly drowning in it all so it kind of made sense. Cade has to weather his own fears when he knows that things have gotten real. Will he let her walk out of his life to go after what she thinks she has to have or will he try to smother her to keep her close because the last woman left him? I confess to some impatience with her because they were obviously a great pair and I loved them together.
The banter and sass, daily life, and heartwarming little moments are what make the story so good. I love this down home style for a change of pace now and then and can’t recommend the author’s books enough to those who enjoy contemporary cowboy romance.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges
Romance Roundabout #178 CR
New Release #89
Books N Tunes #25 Alabama’s Born Country Tune:
Recommendations
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yeeha! 😉
Saddle up, sister!
everyone is reading this one.I have a book by the author but I still need to read it
LOL! Yeah, she’s a fun writer and puts out so many. Hope you like the one on your shelf. 🙂
I keep meaning to start one of her series. Maybe I should grab this since it is book one..lol
Yeah, good plan. Just jump into a new series to get into her books. There are a ton. I’ve got about ten still left to read on my Kindle and a couple on my actual and I still get in three or four new ones each year.
I need to try her books on audio , everyone is posting reviews for this one today heh
Haha! She’s popular. I’ve only listened to one of her books and had a good time with it.
I’ve always liked stories on ranches. This sounds really good.
This was so sweet. I love her ranch stories, too.
I have enjoyed Carolyn Brown. I don’t read lots in this category but I’ve liked the ones of hers I have read. Anne – Books of My Heart
I’ve tried a few others in this category, but found them meh. I do love her sassy, whimsical style.
It sounds like this was a slow pace story, which is okay when you’re in the mood. I totally get your comments on the heroine and how she kinda got in your nerves LOL
You caught that, did you? LOL
I do love these a few times a year to hit the spot.
I really need to pick up a copy of her books. Great review.
They are some fun reading, Nadene! 🙂 Hope you get the chance!
I loved the stray animals in the story! Forgot to mention that in my review! I really liked the whole setup here with the camp for kids. Funny and touching! Carolyn Brown does write some good down home cowboy romances. Wonderful review, Sophia Rose! 🙂
We are stray collectors, too, so that was a hit with me. 🙂 It was a great set up for a series about the guys on the ranch. Thanks, Rachel!
Oh, man. I LOVE that you put an Alabama song up for this book. They remind me of my childhood. My brother and I text each other anytime we hear a song from them. LOL
This book sounds really good! I love an emotionally scarred cowboy. Is this the one we were chasing yeseterday? 😉
Great review!
Sure is!
Oh, that is fun. I grew up on Alabama and it was my gran that I shared a love with.
I loved this one and the kids. I’m hoping they’ll show up as the series progresses 🙂
That would be so neat if they do bring back all the kids. I know the next book is a winter setting based on that chapter sample they included so probably not in that one, but maybe book three?
I’d even be okay with just letters or calls or something. I was saying earlier a spin off series that focused on them a few years down the line would be awesome, too. Would be nice to see their HEAs
Oooh, I like the idea of a spin-off second generation thing. It would only need to be fifteen years or so in the future so we could get a look in with the adults, too.