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
About Carolyn Brown
Hi! I’m twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can’t trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who’ve made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He’s even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio’s box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it’s about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn’t changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter… all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I’ve touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it’s brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They’ve also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN’S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there’s enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I’m writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I’m telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I’m very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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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.