Enjoyable but safe
3 stars

I always love an enemies to lovers story - especially when that animosity is thinly disguised love, lust or both. With Colt and Sadie, there’s a little more avoidance of each other than full on hatred of any kind. And after the classic “I don’t want you - but I don’t want anyone else to have you” backfires and the pair give in to their attraction - they’re quickly into a relationship, pretty much forgetting everything that’s gone on before.

What fell a little flat for me was the whole reason that Colt felt he couldn’t be with Sadie was because of a promise he made to her father about staying away from his daughter(s). On one hand, I understand the loyalty and devotion to not break a promise - especially to someone that you credit with making you the person you are… However, surely that respect goes two ways? You’re young and you bolt - but as an adult, shouldn’t you suck it up and just have an adult conversation about how to deal with this perfectly fixable “problem”.

As others have said, it’s really the setting that gives the cowboy angle - rather than Colt himself. I liked him, though. It’s a strange thing that I always want my heroes to be manly, confident and damn near perfect yet also want them to be ‘real’. So that’s why my issues with Colt’s lack of self-worth are also a bit muddied. Completely understandable but also maybe not what makes the ideal (idealistic?) hero.

Sadie - well, I just felt she was a bit bratty and juvenile for me. I don’t know what it is about Nicole Helm’s heroines that I seem to always have this complaint. She wasn’t my favourite although thankfully it wasn’t hatred that I felt towards her.

This was a sweet book and the writing was good - it just never blew my mind. It was a bit safe in all aspects and I can only give it 3 stars. ( )

This was a sweet romance and was easily read in a few short hours. I just felt like the whole story line of the ranch being renovated and opened to the public was pushed to the side for the romance and we don't ever find out what happens with that. I wish the book was a little bit longer in order to tie up all the loose ends. ( )

Good start to the new series. Colt is one of three boys with troubled childhoods that Fritz Martin and his wife Susannah took into their home and raised along with their three daughters. Colt was grateful for the opportunity and determined to prove his worth. He eventually left the farm and made a name and a fortune for himself in real estate. When Fritz asked Colt to come home and help save the farm, he did so, but with deep reservations. As a teen, Colt promised Fritz he would "stay away from his daughters." That promise became harder to keep, as Colt was drawn to Sadie until he left the farm to avoid the temptation. Now he's back and afraid that he won't be able to keep his long-ago promise.

Sadie is Fritz's middle daughter and the one most like him. She loves the farm and her goats and her father. She is the one that Fritz has depended on to "do the right thing," i.e. follow his lead and instructions. She knows the farm is in trouble, but she can't get a straight answer from her father, and her ideas to help are ignored. Fritz's antiquated ideas on the roles of women and men frustrate her to no end. When Colt suddenly returns to partner with Fritz, Sadie is furious. She and Colt have butted heads since they've known each other and she wants nothing to do with him.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Colt and Sadie. Colt has a head start because he already knows he has feelings for her. Sadie is disturbed by the feelings that Colt's return stirs up in her and initially increases her antagonism toward him. It doesn't take long for her to realize that she's going to have to adjust her attitude to have a successful work relationship with him. Once she lets go of the anger, she discovers that all those roiled up emotions were caused by her attraction to him. There are obstacles to overcome, mainly Colt's belief that he isn't worthy of her and his reluctance to break his promise. I loved Sadie's reaction to that promise and her determination to confront Fritz with their intentions. An unexpected complication arose and caused some more angst on Colt's part. I ached for Colt and his belief that he is at fault and loved Sadie's efforts to break through his walls. Though Fritz eventually sees the light, I'm not entirely convinced that he's changed. I liked the ending though it felt a little anti-climactic after all the problems that came before it. ( )

Not a bad read. Quick and enjoyable with some nice characters. ( )

Nice, easy read. It kept my interest and I finished it in only a few hours. I enjoyed the characters and the struggles they faced. I wish the book went into more detail about the past of the characters, it seems like that could be a whole book itself. I would be interested to read more books in the series. ( )