Jen Gilroy

The Cowgirl Nanny is a sweet escape that I enjoyed immensely. I craved to pick up this book time and again and get lost in the picturesque Montana scenery, charming characters, and affectionate moments. It helped me get through a rough week and I am so grateful.

This novel has a great pace and perfect flow and, though I don’t particularly know much about ranch life or rodeos, I do know about loss and trying to pick up the pieces with two children that rely on you, and I think the author show more nailed it. Fear keeps us all frozen at times, and this was a good reminder about what can happen when you finally let that fear go and step out in faith. It is obvious that Bryce is trying to move on but seeing another woman where his late wife should be would’ve been jarring for anyone. Carrie is very respectful and kind to Bryce and the kids, especially when Ally or her memory come up. While I was reading, I thought about all of those widowers out there, and my heart goes out to each and every one of you. I cannot even begin to imagine how painful and difficult it is to continue life without your partner.

I loved all the scenes with Bryce and Carrie interacting with the kids. I am a sucker for cute little kids and this novel has two that captured my heart. I love how perfectly Carrie fits in with the Carter family. It’s truly like she was meant to be there. Seeing them interact was like a breath of fresh air.

The only thing that continuously bothered me while I was reading was the characters dialogue and how at times it felt unnatural, especially the children’s dialogue, which often felt too mature for their ages. I understand they had to grow up quickly with losing their mother, but I still feel like the language felt out of place. Other than this, The Cowgirl Nanny was a pleasure to read and truly did help me escape in the best way possible.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. show less

Life hasn’t turned out the way Cole or Mel had envisioned it. An injury and and accident respectively has sidelined these equestrian lovers, and now they are trying to again find that spark that will bring their passions back alive, and will direct their uncharted paths.

I love when a character in a story falls in love with a ready-made family, taking up a parental roll that is needed in that child’s life. It shows a strong character and always endears me to that person, and this is what show more I found in Cole. I was struggling to connect with these characters for some unknown reason, especially at the beginning of the narrative, but seeing Cole interact with sweet, precocious Skylar, and fall in love with both her and her mother, really captured my heart.

Friendships are at the heart of this novel, so it’s no surprise that The Sunflower Sisterhood was one of my favorite parts. There is nothing better than seeing women supporting one another, while also supporting their community, and this groups camaraderie was inspiring, and a delight to read. I also loved Joy Carter, Cole’s widowed mother, and getting to hear her heart throughout the story as she navigates widowhood and being a single mom and grandmother.

I also have to add this random little tidbit that I found truly charming. One of the horses on the Cole ranch is named Daisy-May, which so happened to be one of my nicknames in high school! Very cute and further endeared me to this story.

Though it did take me a bit to get into this story, and connect to these characters, once I was in I was hooked. The sweet, small town feel mixed with lovable characters and chill vibes made this a delectable escape.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. show less

"That's the thing, isn't it? Women sacrifice but the stories of their sacrifices usually aren't part of the formal historical record. Women's lives might veer off course for a while but then they get back on track and do what's expected of them and, well, it's still not much different, is it?"

After Willow takes a DNA test, she receives some unexpected results. She has always believed that she is mostly English, but the test results have strong French, Jewish and Italian ancestry as well. show more Willow asks her mom for details, but she is quick to change the subject. Willow takes a trip to England to look into her family history and the heirloom sweetheart locket that she thought represented her grandparents, Maggie and Will's, great love story. In London, Willow begins to learn about her grandmother, Maggie and the many secrets that she kept during World War II.

The Sweetheart Locket is a sweet historical romance with many unexpected twists and secrets revealed. I absolutely love dual time stories, so the two points of view between Maggie in World War II and Willow in the present day worked well for me. At points, it seemed like the points of view switched back and forth too quickly, but I was never confused about who I was reading about. I was drawn into the story immediately as Willow received her unexpected DNA results, I wanted to know what stories were hiding behind the unknown ancestry. I loved learning about Maggie's story. Her strength and fortitude for staying in England to do her bit and her meaningful friendships made her a wonderful character to follow. I was very interested in learning about her time in the Special Operations Executive as many of the stories of those women are lost to time. Willow's story in the present was equally engaging as she researched her family history with help from a new friend and uncovered more secrets than she was looking for. Willow's romance was engrossing to watch form as she figured out who she was and who she could be.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less

Something I've always liked about this author's writing is her ability to pen a story that draws you in from the start, encircling you with small town charm. They invite you in for a spell while they work their magic, and though the stories are more life than fantasy driven, it doesn't mean that the characters wishes can't come true. Take today's story...

From the moment I cracked the cover, I already felt like I had known Annie and her sister for years. You could feel their connection, their show more familiarity with the town and the people that call it home, making you a part of that community in an instant. When the tall, dark, and handsome stranger strides in, you can feel your own heart race for a moment, while understanding that his real purpose there was for something more than the "zing" reaction caused...yet you're content in the knowledge that though semi-tabled, it is a topic of conversation that will be pursued (*giggle*). As things progress and the potential for changes builds, you can't help but wonder what the future will bring for them all, and yet you're still so consumed with the present, you simply can't let it go.

In the end, I adored the charming setting of Irish Falls, and the magic that this little town holds not only in natural beauty, but the beating hearts within its boundaries. There is much to learn regarding second chances, following dreams, and letting others into your heart, and many of those lessons can be carried right off the page into the real world...but then again, why hurry back? show less