Spring at Saddle Run

Talk about having the deck stacked against you! The opening immediately grabs your heart and makes you want to bleed for Joe and Millie. Her husband and his wife died on the same day. In the same car accident. In the same car. The scandal is still going strong, nearly two years later, when Millie is assigned to research the life history of Joe's wife as part of the town's ongoing history project. To say that their mutual attraction to each other "is complicated" is quite possibly the biggest understatement in literary history. These two don't know what to do with all the heat they're generating, but they certainly can't ignore it any longer, regardless of the inevitable gossip. This is a wonderful small town story, filled with an inventive assortment of characters who bring tremendous life to this complex story. The writing style feels like a best friend dishing all the dirt over drinks, hitting a perfect balance between snark and brutal honesty, with a strong undercurrent of heartwarming emotional depth. I truly did not see the ending coming, but it was brilliantly executed, poignant, and cathartic for all involved. This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be the last. I usually read books rather quickly, but this was one that I had to slow down with and savor every delicious scene. There was plenty of steam, lots of laugh out loud moments, and a very satisfying HEA. Truly a unique reading experience, this story stands out as one of my favorites of this year. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

After almost two years, Millie Parkman Dayton is still dealing with the aftermath of the crash that left her a widow. A crashed that not only killed her husband Royce, but also Ella, the wife of now single dad and rancher Joe McCann. This gives the town of Last Ride, TX, a great deal to gossip about and leaves both spouses shocked . Were Ella and Royce having an affair? If so, why and for long? Betrayal and hurt is crushing them both. To add insult to injury, Millie draws Ella’s name in one of the town’s meeting which assigns her to write a report of Ella’s life. Dara, Joe’s daughter, wants to help Millie write the report never realizing that she be instrumental in the unexpected relationship between Millie and Joe. But life is full of surprises. Amidst discoveries, a town that loves to gossip, unexpected twists and turns with family and the truth , feelings develop. Feelings neither Millie nor Joe expected or wanted. The reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions in this wonderful story about losses, trust, family , life and let’s not forget, love. This well developed story is filled with complex main and secondary characters and one that will keeping you engaged from the first page to the last. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and HQN Books. The opinions expressed are solely my own.