Rochelle Alers

Good book. Garrett returned to Bronco after the end of his ten-year marriage, determined to put down roots and protect his heart. He'd married his high school sweetheart, then moved with her to New York City. While Faith took to city life like a duck to water, Garrett missed Montana's wide-open spaces and his ranch life.

Brynn is a member of the Hawkins Sisters rodeo group. She and her sisters have been involved in the rodeo all their lives, traveling all over the country. They recently decided to make Bronco their headquarters after Brynn's sister Audrey fell in love with Bronco native Jack Burris (In the Ring with the Maverick). Brynn is ready to cut back on her rodeo time and settle down, and Bronco looks like an excellent place to do it.

I enjoyed the first meeting between Brynn and Garrett. Garrett is taken by her beauty and skill as a barrel racer. Brynn notices his good looks, but something else she can't name draws her to him. She impulsively offers Garrett and his family tickets to the upcoming rodeo. Each finds themselves thinking of the other often. Garrett is a little disturbed by his fascination with Brynn, who he believes is far too young for him. He also has no intention of getting involved with anyone after being burned by his marriage. However, their connection cannot be denied, and it becomes more evident during the post-rodeo dinner at DJ's restaurant.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Garrett and Brynn, but it also frustrated me. Their connection and attraction were clear, but Garrett was so hung up on his failed marriage and the age difference between himself and Brynn that he refused to consider a relationship with her. He worked hard to convince himself that friendship was the only option. Brynn is also not interested in a relationship. She has rodeo commitments that would make it difficult to sustain a relationship, and her craft business also keeps her busy. She's agreeable to Garrett's proposal of friendship.

But the more time they spend together, from Brynn giving him cooking lessons to Garrett playing tour guide, the deeper their connection grows and the stronger their attraction becomes. Their feelings deepen, and they want more than friendship, but each is wary of opening their hearts. Garrett allows his fears to push Brynn away. I loved seeing her call him out on his inability to let go of the past and ached for the pain she felt as he pushed her away. Garrett earned every bit of the misery he felt at losing her. I enjoyed seeing his brothers rip into him because of his idiocy. Seeing his brothers and Brynn's sisters conspire to get them back together was also fun. The ending was terrific, with Garrett finally seeing the light. I loved his reunion with Brynn and hope to see more of them in future books.… (mer)

Cherie Renee Thompson has finally decided that it is time for her to make a change including selling her condo in CT and moving to Coates Island where for the last two years she has vacationed and made two very special friends in her Book Club. While waiting to start school, she works at the Café of one of her friends but one afternoon is attacked and nearly killed. Fortunately, the local deputy sheriff was coming to pick up an order and rescues her. The resulting story is heartrending as well as joyful.

This is the ending of the Book Club trilogy where each member finds friendship, love and redemption for errors in the past. I love these kind of stories and this one was well-written and the characters believable.… (mer)