kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Hearth Stone is the first heartwarming installment in Lois Greiman's Home in the Hills series. This charming novel is a lovely story of new beginnings for Sydney Wellesley when she impulsively purchases a dilapidated ranch nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Leaving behind a life of privilege is only the first of many changes for Sydney as she finds love and friendship while forging a new life for herself in the wake of a devastating accident.
Sydney is the only daughter of a wealthy but cold and controlling businessman. Following the accident that ends her promising career as equestrienne, she breaks off her engagement to her cheating fiancé and escapes to the Lazy Windmill Ranch. She falls in the love with surrounding area and purchases a neighboring property which she plans to turn into a training facility for other equestrians. When her father demands she return home, Sydney stubbornly defies him, but she quickly discovers she might have bitten off more than she can chew when he cuts off her access to her credit cards and checking account. Luckily for her, Hunter Redhawk is the type of person who cannot in good conscience leave her to fend her for herself, so against his better judgment, he agrees to help her make some much needed repairs on the ranch.
Sydney has spent her life trying to live up to her family's impossibly high standards and she is somewhat distant and cold when she first arrives in SD. She is also rather helpless since she has never had to take care of anything on her own. Lacking even the most rudimentary skills, Sydney is out of her depth, but she refuses to give up her dream. Working side by side with Hunter, she begins to warm up to him and she strikes up an unlikely friendship with Vura Lambert and her young daughter, Lily. But most surprising is the kinship Sydney feels for an injured Mustang she rescues. Her vision for her ranch transforms during the horse's recovery but will she let her need for father's approval alter her plans?
Hunter is a somewhat mysterious man who reveals little about his past. There is no doubt he is a decent, kindhearted person, but he is the epitome of the strong, silent type. He is not easily ruffled and he has a quiet, reassuring presence. He also expects Sydney to pull her share of the weight and he is willing to teach her what she needs to do to help him. While Hunter shares affectionate anecdotes about his family and his childhood on the Rosebud Reservation, it soon becomes clear that there is a tragedy that haunts him.
The relationship between Hunter and Sydney develops slowly over the course of the novel. Sydney is sometimes unintentionally offensive but Hunter takes her prickly attitude in stride and with good humor. It is easy for him to see how sheltered and out of depth she is, but he cannot help but admire her plucky approach to achieving her dream despite the odds not being in her favor. At first reluctant co-workers, their friendship grows as they let down their guard with one another and begin to exchange confidences. There is also a growing attraction that smolders under the surface of their comfortable friendship but in the aftermath of a fiery kiss, an unexpected distance springs up between them.
Hearth Stone is a very touching beginning to the Home in the Hills series. The characters are richly developed and although flawed, they are sympathetic and likable with believable issues to overcome. The novel's setting is distinctive and adds to the story's overall appeal. Lois Greiman does a wonderful job keeping the storyline fresh and unique.
Although a spin-off from the Hope Springs series, Hearth Stone easily stands on its own.
Hearth Stone is the first heartwarming installment in Lois Greiman's Home in the Hills series. This charming novel is a lovely story of new beginnings for Sydney Wellesley when she impulsively purchases a dilapidated ranch nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Leaving behind a life of privilege is only the first of many changes for Sydney as she finds love and friendship while forging a new life for herself in the wake of a devastating accident.
Sydney is the only daughter of a wealthy but cold and controlling businessman. Following the accident that ends her promising career as equestrienne, she breaks off her engagement to her cheating fiancé and escapes to the Lazy Windmill Ranch. She falls in the love with surrounding area and purchases a neighboring property which she plans to turn into a training facility for other equestrians. When her father demands she return home, Sydney stubbornly defies him, but she quickly discovers she might have bitten off more than she can chew when he cuts off her access to her credit cards and checking account. Luckily for her, Hunter Redhawk is the type of person who cannot in good conscience leave her to fend her for herself, so against his better judgment, he agrees to help her make some much needed repairs on the ranch.
Sydney has spent her life trying to live up to her family's impossibly high standards and she is somewhat distant and cold when she first arrives in SD. She is also rather helpless since she has never had to take care of anything on her own. Lacking even the most rudimentary skills, Sydney is out of her depth, but she refuses to give up her dream. Working side by side with Hunter, she begins to warm up to him and she strikes up an unlikely friendship with Vura Lambert and her young daughter, Lily. But most surprising is the kinship Sydney feels for an injured Mustang she rescues. Her vision for her ranch transforms during the horse's recovery but will she let her need for father's approval alter her plans?
Hunter is a somewhat mysterious man who reveals little about his past. There is no doubt he is a decent, kindhearted person, but he is the epitome of the strong, silent type. He is not easily ruffled and he has a quiet, reassuring presence. He also expects Sydney to pull her share of the weight and he is willing to teach her what she needs to do to help him. While Hunter shares affectionate anecdotes about his family and his childhood on the Rosebud Reservation, it soon becomes clear that there is a tragedy that haunts him.
The relationship between Hunter and Sydney develops slowly over the course of the novel. Sydney is sometimes unintentionally offensive but Hunter takes her prickly attitude in stride and with good humor. It is easy for him to see how sheltered and out of depth she is, but he cannot help but admire her plucky approach to achieving her dream despite the odds not being in her favor. At first reluctant co-workers, their friendship grows as they let down their guard with one another and begin to exchange confidences. There is also a growing attraction that smolders under the surface of their comfortable friendship but in the aftermath of a fiery kiss, an unexpected distance springs up between them.
Hearth Stone is a very touching beginning to the Home in the Hills series. The characters are richly developed and although flawed, they are sympathetic and likable with believable issues to overcome. The novel's setting is distinctive and adds to the story's overall appeal. Lois Greiman does a wonderful job keeping the storyline fresh and unique.
Although a spin-off from the Hope Springs series, Hearth Stone easily stands on its own.
aprilk's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Wow, what a powerful story! I loved getting to imagine the beautiful countryside through Sydney's eyes. The scenery and cast of lovable characters immediately drew me in to this emotional and captivating story. But what really had me head over heels for this book was Sydney and Hunter's chemistry. Hunt as he's called by his friends is such a hoot! He had me giggling uncontrollably quite a few times throughout the book. He doesn't let Sydney get away with being snobby, distant, or cold and between him and the wild mustang she's fighting so hard to save, no wonder all her walls get broken down. I felt like they were the perfect match, not as in they suited each other but they challenged and supported each other.
I loved when Sydney named the mustang. It was so perfect! I believe Sydney took one look at that horse and saw herself injured and hoping someone could still love her and that was that. No turning back until she knew she'd done everything she could. I admire that determination and bravery and it's one of the things that made me really like her despite her backtracking to old habits of throwing up her stoney walls.
I definitely am looking forward to more books in this series and can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
** I received this book from the publisher in exchange for honest review **
Wow, what a powerful story! I loved getting to imagine the beautiful countryside through Sydney's eyes. The scenery and cast of lovable characters immediately drew me in to this emotional and captivating story. But what really had me head over heels for this book was Sydney and Hunter's chemistry. Hunt as he's called by his friends is such a hoot! He had me giggling uncontrollably quite a few times throughout the book. He doesn't let Sydney get away with being snobby, distant, or cold and between him and the wild mustang she's fighting so hard to save, no wonder all her walls get broken down. I felt like they were the perfect match, not as in they suited each other but they challenged and supported each other.
I loved when Sydney named the mustang. It was so perfect! I believe Sydney took one look at that horse and saw herself injured and hoping someone could still love her and that was that. No turning back until she knew she'd done everything she could. I admire that determination and bravery and it's one of the things that made me really like her despite her backtracking to old habits of throwing up her stoney walls.
I definitely am looking forward to more books in this series and can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
** I received this book from the publisher in exchange for honest review **
kle105's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Sydney is feeling lost and broken after an injury, until she finds a ranch with lots of land to hopefully trains some other Olympic hopefuls. The house should be teared down to start fresh but Hunter Redhawk convinces her the house is worth saving. She tries to hide that her funding was drying up, but he is willing to work in trade. The house attracts all those who need saving including a mustang, an autistic child, and her relationships. The banter between Sydney and Hunter are witty and a test of wills, keeping the story moving. My heart tore for Sydney as she began to rebuild her life. Well developed, and hope was restored. I am so happy this is the first in the series so I can find out what happens to the secondary characters.
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