Branded

With a book that begins with one of the main characters in a jail cell, you know you're going to be in for an interesting ride and this book definitely did not disappoint! Callie finds out right before summer break that she has failed her Finance class and is now on academic probation. This wouldn't be that big of a deal if she wasn't meant to take over her grandfather's business when he's ready to retire. How can she possibly tell her family that she's not meeting their expectations? Cole has too much on his plate filling in as foreman for his injured uncle and taking care of his teenage sister. He knows that the boss's granddaughter is 100% off limits, even if he did have the time. Too bad the chemistry between these two missed the memo. For as much as these characters thought they were completely different, they had more in common than either would realize. They both are intelligent, strong, and selfless. Once they gave up trying to fight the pull between them, they were able to help each other with the obstacles facing them. This was my first book by this author but it definitely won't be the last. I was immediately connected to the characters and wanted to see both achieve all of their goals and dreams. Fingers crossed that Bethany gets her own story!! *I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

I really enjoyed this one! Sweet romance, sizzling hot chemistry, nice pace and interesting characters. Callie was a bit whinny for my taste but overall she wasn't too bad. Cole more than made up for her! It was interesting to see how their first impressions of each other were disproved as they got to know each other. He had her pegged as a rich girl who never worked a day in her life while she marked him as a no goals cowboy, happy to spend his life on the ranch. Reality was far different and once they were being honest with the people around them it became clear how perfect for each other they really were. A great read and one I would definitely recommend.

For me the draw of a first person narrative is the opportunity to get inside the head and feel what space an individual is in when they make some of the most important choices of their lives. With Callie and Cole, Ms. Havens gave her readers a sense of insecurity but Branded is not just a romance. It is about confronting fears and becoming a better and stronger version of who a person is meant to be. Outwardly, Callie has a great life. People who love and encourage her, a career path waiting for her and the means to hone her smarts and skills. Underneath the pluses in her life lies the guilt and insecurity that she can never succeed and will let down the people who mattered most to her. When she meets Cole, she sees someone with a chip on his shoulder but willing to work hard for himself and the people who rely on him. Branded tackles social prejudice, the value of being true to yourself and the wisdom gained from some of life's many lessons.