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ninjareader's review against another edition
3.0
Method: ebook
Rating: 3/5 stars
H rating: 4/5 - Braxton
h rating: 4/5 - Sophia
Drama: 3/5
Thoughts: Good read, will add to review later...
alexhz's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kindlebibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
3,5/5 stars
This is the first in a small town romance series following Sophia who’s coming back to her hometown for the funeral of her grandma after not having been back for over 20 years. I absolutely loved the setting of the ranch, the family dynamics and side characters that were working on the ranch and all the fun small town activities they would do. But it took me a while to love the romance. The male main character was a bit annoying in the beginning because he was really quick to jump to conclusions and make assumptions about Sophia for being a big city girl without taking the time and effort to try to understand her motivations and feelings. He did warm up to her eventually and I started to like him more, but I felt like the romance between them was mostly based on a physical attraction and I didn’t feel a strong emotional bond developing until the very end, which is something that I need to root for a romance. It did keep me invested throughout the entire book and I had a fun time so I will be giving the other books in the series a shot.
This is the first in a small town romance series following Sophia who’s coming back to her hometown for the funeral of her grandma after not having been back for over 20 years. I absolutely loved the setting of the ranch, the family dynamics and side characters that were working on the ranch and all the fun small town activities they would do. But it took me a while to love the romance. The male main character was a bit annoying in the beginning because he was really quick to jump to conclusions and make assumptions about Sophia for being a big city girl without taking the time and effort to try to understand her motivations and feelings. He did warm up to her eventually and I started to like him more, but I felt like the romance between them was mostly based on a physical attraction and I didn’t feel a strong emotional bond developing until the very end, which is something that I need to root for a romance. It did keep me invested throughout the entire book and I had a fun time so I will be giving the other books in the series a shot.
jennifermarie119's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this small town romance from Amber, this was my first book from her and I am invested in the town of Poplar Falls. Sophie and Braxton’s story is full of secrets, lies and healing and I enjoyed their journey to find their happy ending. I enjoyed the narration from Robin Verne and Noah Michael Levine. Can’t wait to check out more from this story.
janfromnj's review against another edition
5.0
A slow burn, enemies to lovers, beautiful telling of coming home and finding forgiveness even after two decades of hurt.
Sophie and Braxton are an unlikely pairing (city girl vs rancher). She’s been dealing with so much hurt and feelings of abandonment by her dad for almost 20 years. Braxton is a rancher whose aunt took him and his sister in as children when they lost their parents. Then, his aunt married Sophie’s father and Braxton grew up in Sophie’s childhood home.
His aunt. Her dad. Their family. Her childhood home. When Braxton and Sophie meet there’s definitely animosity between them.
As the story progresses, it’s apparent that Sophie’s mom has been hiding things from her and lying about past events ever since she spirited Sophie to New York as a child. Now Sophie has gone back to Colorado to attend her grandmother’s funeral and see her dad and family for the first time in 20 years.
It’s a lot. And this is a definite page turner. There’s some painful revelations and it’s all a stunning, emotional, heartfelt story.
A slow burn, enemies to lovers, beautiful telling of coming home and finding forgiveness even after two decades of hurt.
Sophie and Braxton are an unlikely pairing (city girl vs rancher). She’s been dealing with so much hurt and feelings of abandonment by her dad for almost 20 years. Braxton is a rancher whose aunt took him and his sister in as children when they lost their parents. Then, his aunt married Sophie’s father and Braxton grew up in Sophie’s childhood home.
His aunt. Her dad. Their family. Her childhood home. When Braxton and Sophie meet there’s definitely animosity between them.
As the story progresses, it’s apparent that Sophie’s mom has been hiding things from her and lying about past events ever since she spirited Sophie to New York as a child. Now Sophie has gone back to Colorado to attend her grandmother’s funeral and see her dad and family for the first time in 20 years.
It’s a lot. And this is a definite page turner. There’s some painful revelations and it’s all a stunning, emotional, heartfelt story.
A slow burn, enemies to lovers, beautiful telling of coming home and finding forgiveness even after two decades of hurt.
kdani36's review against another edition
4.0
A small town romance about love, family and forgiveness. It'll have you hooked from the beginning. I loved reading Braxton and Sophia's story. It's worth the read and doesn't disappoint. Definite page turner with a fantastic storyline.
sarahluvsromance_1201's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Good start to a small town series! Loved meeting all the characters and the families. Pretty slow burn on the spice level, but I did love the premise of who the hero was to the heroine!
Good start to a small town series! Loved meeting all the characters and the families. Pretty slow burn on the spice level, but I did love the premise of who the hero was to the heroine!
obsesswithmandy's review against another edition
4.0
This was the light fluffy book I needed right now. Loved it.
agirlacatandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
** 4.5⭐️. I love small town romances so much. Sophia abruptly left her hometown to move to New York with her mom at the age of 12, and had many unanswered questions. When she returns to the family ranch after the sudden death of her grandmother, her emotions are everywhere and she meets her stepmother’s nephew Braxton. He is a down to earth ranch hand, and hottie. At first he thinks Sophie is a stuck up city girl, but then things unfold, and he becomes protective of her.
I’m not a city girl, so small town settings like this really pull me in. I loved the family feeling in this, and how everyone had each other’s backs. I kind knew what was going to happen in the end before it happened though. Even then, I still enjoyed this so much and can’t wait to dive into the next book!
I’m not a city girl, so small town settings like this really pull me in. I loved the family feeling in this, and how everyone had each other’s backs. I kind knew what was going to happen in the end before it happened though. Even then, I still enjoyed this so much and can’t wait to dive into the next book!
midnight_pageturner's review against another edition
4.0
Rustic Hearts made me fall in love with Stoneyridge Ranch and the charming small town of Poplar Falls. Everyone at the ranch is part of a big, welcoming family that loves no matter what, regardless of how much time has passed and what happened in the past.
Sophie is back for her grandmother's funeral after being away for 20 years. She is now a New Yorker, and it's fun to see her adapting to the life of a small town. While her grandad and her aunts welcome her with open arms, Sophie is weary of her dad and the family he now has. After all, she is still grieving the family she lost as a 12-year-old.
Braxton's dislike for Sophie is well-known. He sees her as a spoiled woman who, in 20 years, never took the time to visit her family. But, the more Braxton knows Sophie, the more intrigued and protective of her he gets.
It was endearing to watch them fall in love. My heart broke a little for Sophie as she discovered what had happened all those years ago. Sometimes, things do not seem what they seem. The whole family dynamics were spot on.
Kudos to Noah Michael Levine and Robyn Verne for bringing Sophie and Braxton to life. Their narration added an extra layer of awesomeness to the story.
Sophie is back for her grandmother's funeral after being away for 20 years. She is now a New Yorker, and it's fun to see her adapting to the life of a small town. While her grandad and her aunts welcome her with open arms, Sophie is weary of her dad and the family he now has. After all, she is still grieving the family she lost as a 12-year-old.
Braxton's dislike for Sophie is well-known. He sees her as a spoiled woman who, in 20 years, never took the time to visit her family. But, the more Braxton knows Sophie, the more intrigued and protective of her he gets.
It was endearing to watch them fall in love. My heart broke a little for Sophie as she discovered what had happened all those years ago. Sometimes, things do not seem what they seem. The whole family dynamics were spot on.
Kudos to Noah Michael Levine and Robyn Verne for bringing Sophie and Braxton to life. Their narration added an extra layer of awesomeness to the story.