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desertlover's review
3.0
I finished this book over a week ago, and still can't decided how I feel about it. There were certain aspects I liked and others that had me cringing. Harlan wasn't the guy I thought he would be after his small role in book 2. At the end of the day, there was so much was going on and none of the plot lines were fulfilled. I loved the first two books in the series and hope the next installment finds it more in tune with those.
jigsawgirl's review
5.0
This was a story so full of emotion. Rosalind James, as usual, did not disappoint.
Harlan and Jennifer were so in tune to each other. The attraction was immediate, but it could not have been called instalust. Jennifer, who didn't know what her future held, who was trying to juggle and keep all the balls in the air, still reached out, unselfishly, to provide Harlan comfort.
I loved the way Harlan took care of Jennifer and Dyma. I liked the way he always thought about making sure she was comfortable or being where she needed to be. I liked Dyma's character. I liked Owen, and I am hoping that he and Dyma get a book of there own.
There are a couple of interesting and unexpected twists in this book. There is a ton of raw emotion. Some sadness, helplessness, anger, anxiety and fear. I also found friendship, love, happiness, loyalty, respect, support, and a strong showing of inner strength.
Harlan and Jennifer's relationship had steamy, sexy moments, and they were also surrounded by a level of romance and sensuality that is not often found in some books.
This is not to say that Harlan or Jennifer was perfect. I feel like that is part of what made this such a good book. They were both very down to earth people with very real issues. Harlan did not let his notoriety or success go to his head. It was easy to forget he and Owen played for the NFL.
I often judge a book by the way I feel when reading it and the way I feel when it ends. This book had me experiencing many emotions. It provided me with an HEA. It left me with a smile. It left me satisified, and it just made me feel good.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book, but I also purchased it.
Harlan and Jennifer were so in tune to each other. The attraction was immediate, but it could not have been called instalust. Jennifer, who didn't know what her future held, who was trying to juggle and keep all the balls in the air, still reached out, unselfishly, to provide Harlan comfort.
I loved the way Harlan took care of Jennifer and Dyma. I liked the way he always thought about making sure she was comfortable or being where she needed to be. I liked Dyma's character. I liked Owen, and I am hoping that he and Dyma get a book of there own.
There are a couple of interesting and unexpected twists in this book. There is a ton of raw emotion. Some sadness, helplessness, anger, anxiety and fear. I also found friendship, love, happiness, loyalty, respect, support, and a strong showing of inner strength.
Harlan and Jennifer's relationship had steamy, sexy moments, and they were also surrounded by a level of romance and sensuality that is not often found in some books.
This is not to say that Harlan or Jennifer was perfect. I feel like that is part of what made this such a good book. They were both very down to earth people with very real issues. Harlan did not let his notoriety or success go to his head. It was easy to forget he and Owen played for the NFL.
I often judge a book by the way I feel when reading it and the way I feel when it ends. This book had me experiencing many emotions. It provided me with an HEA. It left me with a smile. It left me satisified, and it just made me feel good.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book, but I also purchased it.
sianm75's review
5.0
Perfect Story
This is my favourite of the series so far. Harlan & Jennifer's story was intimate and loving. A great read
This is my favourite of the series so far. Harlan & Jennifer's story was intimate and loving. A great read
miaev's review
5.0
Thor aka Harlan Kristiansen meets his match when he meets Jennifer Cardello at a rustic inn at Yellowstone. And due to a lot of misconceptions and perceptions, the antics start. Harlan doesn't really introduce himself properly leading to some interesting assumptions on Jennifer's side. And sine initially Harlan thinks Jennifer's daughter is actually her sister, things get interesting fairly fast.
I am not going to go into the plot other than to say it is well written, convoluted at times but not in a tiresome way, well developed characters, fantastic scenery that plays a plot in moving the storyline along. In other words, a normal book by Rosalind James. This book is longer than most people are used to these days since most novels I have been reading are really novellas, aka it is longer than 200 pages. Yes, there is a difference and it matters. Novels have well developed characters and storylines and move along sometimes at a little slower pace than a novella but they draw you in and engage your mind. Ms. James is a master at this skill.
I highly recommend her books due to the fact that she has developed and continually works on her skilcraft in her novels. She takes the time to do her research and plot things out. Think about the classics and various novels you were required to read in school, those authors were/are highly skilled and Ms. James belongs in this group. She takes her time with her writing and one key thing is she has it read at various stages along the way and her novels are proof read. One thing that will turn me off an author's writing is a lack of proofreading and poor character development. And Ms. James' skills are why I will read anything she publishes.
Take the time to set aside time to enjoy this novel.
I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the author in exchange for a fair and unbiased reviewed.
I am not going to go into the plot other than to say it is well written, convoluted at times but not in a tiresome way, well developed characters, fantastic scenery that plays a plot in moving the storyline along. In other words, a normal book by Rosalind James. This book is longer than most people are used to these days since most novels I have been reading are really novellas, aka it is longer than 200 pages. Yes, there is a difference and it matters. Novels have well developed characters and storylines and move along sometimes at a little slower pace than a novella but they draw you in and engage your mind. Ms. James is a master at this skill.
I highly recommend her books due to the fact that she has developed and continually works on her skilcraft in her novels. She takes the time to do her research and plot things out. Think about the classics and various novels you were required to read in school, those authors were/are highly skilled and Ms. James belongs in this group. She takes her time with her writing and one key thing is she has it read at various stages along the way and her novels are proof read. One thing that will turn me off an author's writing is a lack of proofreading and poor character development. And Ms. James' skills are why I will read anything she publishes.
Take the time to set aside time to enjoy this novel.
I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the author in exchange for a fair and unbiased reviewed.
bananatricky's review
4.0
Jennifer Cardello got pregnant at 15. Now, eighteen years later, she is the property manager for former NFL quarterback Blake Orbison's Wild Horse resort, now that the resort is finished Blake doesn't need her anymore. Blake is a good guy, he's offered Jennifer jobs elsewhere or to set her up with some of his former teammates who need a personal organiser, to help her think through her options he offers her a holiday in Yellowstone Snow Lodge with her boyfriend, but Jennifer chooses to take her daughter Dyma instead.
Harlan Kristiansen is an NFL wide receiver. He's spending time with Owen, one of his younger teammates, rather than with his family or friends in the run-up to the Superbowl after flubbing a catch which means his team is sitting out this year's game.
Harlan and Owen, Jennifer and Dyma are all staying at the lodge when their paths cross, practically literally, whilst skiing. There's an instant attraction between Jennifer and Harlan and between Dyma and Owen, but motherhood and caution and all that good stuff could get in the way.
This was such a satisfying romance: plenty of angst and drama, lots of steamy scenes (phew were they steamy! As Alan Bennett would say, I had to go and make some scones), mother and daughter tension, real-life versus NFL fantasy, chasing your dreams, learning to listen to your heart all the good stuff. I honestly can say I would happily read a novel featuring any of the side characters from this book: Owen; Dyma; any of Harlan's sisters.
I can't articulate how this series differs from her New Zealand Ever After series other than to say it feels grittier. Both series feature some fundamental life-changing events and yet for some reason this series feels bleaker, as though their lives are somehow darker. Maybe it's because the townsfolk are less kind?
Anyway all I know is that I got a banner notification on my iPhone at just gone midnight on Friday that the book had been delivered to my Kindle and I just had to start reading immediately.
Loved it.
Harlan Kristiansen is an NFL wide receiver. He's spending time with Owen, one of his younger teammates, rather than with his family or friends in the run-up to the Superbowl after flubbing a catch which means his team is sitting out this year's game.
Harlan and Owen, Jennifer and Dyma are all staying at the lodge when their paths cross, practically literally, whilst skiing. There's an instant attraction between Jennifer and Harlan and between Dyma and Owen, but motherhood and caution and all that good stuff could get in the way.
This was such a satisfying romance: plenty of angst and drama, lots of steamy scenes (phew were they steamy! As Alan Bennett would say, I had to go and make some scones), mother and daughter tension, real-life versus NFL fantasy, chasing your dreams, learning to listen to your heart all the good stuff. I honestly can say I would happily read a novel featuring any of the side characters from this book: Owen; Dyma; any of Harlan's sisters.
I can't articulate how this series differs from her New Zealand Ever After series other than to say it feels grittier. Both series feature some fundamental life-changing events and yet for some reason this series feels bleaker, as though their lives are somehow darker. Maybe it's because the townsfolk are less kind?
Anyway all I know is that I got a banner notification on my iPhone at just gone midnight on Friday that the book had been delivered to my Kindle and I just had to start reading immediately.
Loved it.
allenfarm's review
4.0
Jennifer Cardello and Harlan ‘Thor’ Kristiansen are vacationing at the same lodge when they run into each other, quite literally, while skiing. Jennifer is just out of a job and thinking about next steps. Harlan lost his team their chance to go to the Super Bowl and is there licking his wounds. What follows is a book with plenty of angst and drama and lots of steamy scenes. There is family tension, hardships, anxiety, and the usual follow your dreams vs living in fear. There is also a lot of loyalty, respect, and bravery. This book is darker than a lot of the New Zealand books written by Rosalind James, but still has the same integrity and honor from her characters. She writes real characters with real life scenarios and it draws you quickly in and keeps you engaged the entire story. This is an author worth every one click purchase of her books. You won't be disappointed.
aimee70807's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The usual good, deep characters with complicated, important families. There's a lot of pregnancy stuff, which is probably why I docked half a star. On the other hand, I enjoyed the tidbits of Taoist philosophy.
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