Susan's Review of Only A Cowboy Will Do by A. J. Pine

A small-town woman is swept off her feet by a caring stranger in this charming western romance.

Forty candles, and one for luck. Jenna Owens wants one thing for her birthday this year: a fairy-tale ending of her own and a little relaxation at a quaint California ranch. What she didn’t want was to get caught in a storm on her way to Meadow Valley. Or to get stuck with a ridiculously hot, too-charming-for-his-own-good cowboy—one who makes Jenna reconsider her “I don't date younger guys” rule. But a little vacation flirtation might be just what she needs.

Colt Morgan isn’t interested in long-term relationships. Not since his last one crashed and burned after his fiancée found out he wanted a big family. So when he learns that Jenna has a list of items to accomplish on her trip—including having fling—Colt is all too happy to oblige. Yet the more he and Jenna get to know each other, the more Colt starts to wonder if maybe they have a chance at a real future. But when Jenna’s past upends everything Colt thought he wanted, are all bets off? Or will they find a way to make both their dreams come true?



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Only A Cowboy Will Do is a captivating story of second chances. It’s the third book in A. J. Pine’s Meadow Valley series.

The characters drew me into the story. Jenna Owens has devoted herself to raising her three nephews who have gifted her a two- week vacation to the Meadow Valley Guest Ranch. Jenna realizes that this vacation is the perfect opportunity for her to create her own happily ever after. Loved the items on her bucket list—they might seem ordinary to most people—these words represented Jenna’s hopes, dreams and wishes.

Colt Morgan is what dreams are made of—he’s sexy, sweet and an honest to God cowboy. I adored that he was immediately attracted to Jenna and he offered to help her with the bucket list. Loved his relationship with his sister and Delaney and Sam.

A.J. Pine creates a special journey for Jenna and Colt. I enjoyed reading how Colt and Jenna fell in love as they checked off the items on the bucket list. My favorite scene was when they shared beers and toffee bars underneath the stars as it was so romantic. The characters are relatable and the storyline unfolds at a perfect pace. I felt for Jenna; she stepped up and raised her nephews putting their needs above her own. Colt’s relationship with his sister gave me insight to his strength of character. Colt and Jenna desire the same thing—unconditional love and a family of their own. I rooted for this couple’s happiness as I read each page of this novel.

If you are looking for a heartwarming story filled with love and laughter —pick up a copy of Only A Cowboy Will Do. I know you will enjoy Colt and Jenna’s journey as much as I did.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the Publisher

Susan's Review of The Widows of Champagne by Renee Ryan

Champagne, 1939

Champagne, 1939
Gabrielle Leblanc Dupree is taking her family’s future into her hands. While she should be preparing for a lavish party to celebrate two centuries of champagne making, she secretly hides Chateau Fouché-Leblanc’s most precious vintages behind a fake wall in the cellar in preparation for the looming war. But when she joins the resistance, the coveted champagne isn’t the most dangerous secret her cellar must conceal…

A former Parisian socialite, Gabrielle’s mother, Hélène, lost her husband to another war. Now her home has been requisitioned by the Germans, who pillage vineyards to satisfy the Third Reich’s thirst for the finest champagne. There’s even more at stake than Hélène dares admit. She has kept her heritage a secret…and no one is safe in Nazi-occupied France.

Josephine, the family matriarch, watches as her beloved vineyard faces its most difficult harvest yet. As her daughter-in-law and granddaughters contend with the enemies and unexpected allies in their midst, Josephine’s deep faith leads to her own path of resistance.

Across years and continents, the Leblanc women will draw on their courage and wits, determined against all odds to preserve their lives, their freedom and their legacy…

The Widows of Champagne is a compelling novel which takes place during the Nazi occupation of France during the Second World War. The courage and determination exhibited by the three generations of Leblanc widows drew me into the story immediately.

The novel employs the alternative narrative technique which allows the reader to understand the characters thoughts and emotions. Renee Ryan’s descriptive writing depicts the family matriarch Josephine’s decline perfectly. Josephine struggles with her memory but, she’s clever enough to figure out that the Germans are stealing valuable paintings and family heirlooms. The Germans ignore Josephine believing that she is senile which enables her to pass on important information to the résistance.

Helene choses to fight for her family’s heritage in an unorthodox way as she believes she has the most to lose as the Nazi’s invade Reims. The author crafts Helene perfectly as she chooses to align herself with the German officers who occupy the chateau. Can she be trusted?

Gabrielle is the vineyards winemaker. She is determined to preserve her family and their heritage—the vineyards. I admired Gabrielle’s strength of character, her sense of duty and her determination to survive all of the obstacles in her path. Each of the three woman faced difficult choices and they remained steadfast in their beliefs.

The Widows of Champagne is a thought provoking novel of bravery, faith and sacrifice. The suspenseful storyline drew me into the story immediately and kept me on the edge of my seat with its unexpected twists and turns. I could feel the despair when France surrendered to the Germans, the tension when the chateau was occupied and the very real sense of danger that the widows faced every day. This poignant story has made a lasting impression on me. Through the characters of Josephine, Helene and Gabrielle, the author depicts the war in occupied France from a woman’s point of view -- this resonated with me.

The Widows of Champagne is a must read for historical fiction readers—it’s a beautifully written story of the Leblanc’s courage to preserve their heritage.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the publisher

Susan's Review of the Summer Sisters by Sara Richardson Juniper Springs #2

The Buchanan sisters share everything—including their inherited Juniper Inn. But when their mother won’t let go of a decades-long feud with their Aunt Sassy to attend the inn’s grand re-opening, the sisters decide a family reunion is long overdue.

Youngest sister Rose is determined to put together an extravagant celebration. Only she needs to convince a certain surly hardware store owner to help finish the inn’s renovations.

After a heartbreaking end to her marriage, Dahlia and her kids are just starting to rebuild their lives. Dahlia’s even considering opening herself up to love again, but will that upset the stability she’s worked so hard to give her children?

Sassy McGrath has never stopped missing her sister, Lillian, and though they’ve both been too stubborn to reconcile, some shocking news might finally change everything. As family bonds are tested, will these two very different generations of women find the strength to believe in themselves and each other?

Sarah Richardson’s Home for the Holidays was one of my favorite holiday reads last year. I loved the Buchanan sisters and their delightful Aunt Sassy! The Summer Sisters is the second book in the Juniper Springs series – and FABULOUS is the best way to describe it!

The Summer Sisters continues the storyline from Home for the Holidays. Rose and Dahlia Buchanan have relocated to Colorado and are restoring the cabins at the Juniper Inn. Loved the scene when Sassy and Colt returned from their vacation to find Rose with her leg stuck in the roof of a cabin! I enjoyed the heart-to heart conversations between Dally and Rose as they worked together to make each cabin special.

Sara Richardson creates charming, entertaining and relatable characters. I adored Sassy McGrath - her affection for her family and community fills the pages of this novel. Sassy agrees to be the mayor of Juniper Springs because her community needs her and this decision opens up a new chapter in her life.

Dahlia needs a fresh start after her divorce and welcomes the opportunity. Dahlia’s journey resonated with me; she saw herself as a wife and mother but wanted a chance to be happy to find love again. Rose immersed herself in the renovations to put distance between her broken engagement and to figure out her feelings for Colt. I admired Rose’s determination to finish the inn renovation and rooted for her romance with Colt.

The Summer Sisters is a heartwarming story that celebrates sisters. Sarah Richardson illustrates the bonds, the love and the complex relationships between two generations of sisters. Each sister is tested during the novel—this kept me engaged because I wanted to see how they would respond to their challenges

The Summer Sisters is a well-paced novel with character growth and development—with the perfect amount of laughter, romance and forgiveness!

I highly recommend this book—it’s the perfect vacation read. I can’t wait to read Sara Richardson’s next novel!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book provided by the publisher