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bookloverchelle's review
3.0
I realize that having short stories available and free is a great way to introduce new readers to a series but I felt that this story was just too short. At only 40 pages I don't think I got a good feel for how the remainder of the series would pan out. It didn't leave me wanting more from the story. Ms. Thompson was able to cram a lot of story in such a short period and I have previously enjoyed her paranormal romances. Because of that I may pick up the other books in this series, but if I was just starting with this book I'm not sure I would.
nighteyes82's review
1.0
this novella was pointless.
the H/h were just for each other for old time sake. I can't see how they will ever have a HEA. their relashionship is meaningless. they are stuck in teenagehood/land
the H/h were just for each other for old time sake. I can't see how they will ever have a HEA. their relashionship is meaningless. they are stuck in teenagehood/land
ccgwalt's review
3.0
This is an enjoyable short story, more escapist that believable. It ends rather abruptly and I guess we have to read the rest of the series to find out if the HFN becomes a HEA.
cranberrytarts's review
2.0
Said it was 48 pages, but 12-13 of those are an except another of VLT's Last Chance series. If the story had been 12-13 pages longer it may have been a good short story. As it stands, the resolution felt forced and the characters came across as a bit silly and immature. It wasn't a bad story, but it wasn't real good, either.
turophile's review
4.0
If you read my other reviews of romance short stories/novella, you’d see that I often take issue with how most authors treat the format. It’s tricky for authors who’re used to writing full length novels to adjust to the shorter format. You run into too much telling, not showing; plots that are too ambitious for the format, underdeveloped stories, etc. So even though I’m not a huge fan of Western-set romance, big thumbs up to an author who understands the limitations of the short-story format and works within the limitations.
The storyline is simple and familiar – our hero Langford Hutchinson is back home helping out his recently widowed dad run the family feed store. He’d been hoping for a short trip so that he can get back to his life as a high-flying videographer. Tending the store front, in walks Katrina Bledsoe who’s in town for a few days and that lust he’d felt as a teenager rears it head. He couldn’t act on it then because she was the younger sister of his best friend. But now . . .
She too had felt the heat way back when, but also knew the impossibility of dating her brother’s friends way back when. (As a younger sister, I’ll attest that dating an older brother’s friend when in high school is a hard barrier to overcome). But older brother’s no longer in town, while the two of them are here.
So some flirting over dinner at the bar, and then the awkward question of where to retreat since they’re both staying with their parents. And that decision leads to more awkwardness, and a story resolution that was really refreshing – so I won’t give it away until the end of this review.
One reason I’m not crazy about Westerns is the heroes tend to be of the annoying old-school “I’m the guy so I’ll protect you even though you don’t need it” type. The stereotypical gender roles drive me up a while.
The author recognizes that expectation of the genre, but plays with it. Katrina asks Langford out for a beer but as they’re heading over, he insists that he’s the one buying.
“You’ve been back East too long, little lady. You’re in the West, now, and in these parts, the men do the buying.”
I love Katrina’s reaction. She doesn’t overreact, but makes it’s clear he’s being ridiculous. Free beer after all. Staying true to herself, without causing a scene.
The story proceeds forward with brisk pacing and good humor. The best may be Katrina and Langford’s discovery when she tries to sneak out the next morning.
{spoiler alert} The author’s skill with this short format shines through best in the story’s resolution. Falling in love in 50 pages can be challenging, and relationship development usually feels truncated. Ms. Thompson seems to get that and resolves the story in an unexpected way. They’re really attracted to each other, but they know that their families would look down on a casual fling which could create problems for both even though they’re adults. And they both have careers and lives they love located on opposite coasts. Finally, they recognize there’s some strong attraction between them, but neither is willing to ask the other to give up everything to be with each other esp. for a new-found relationship. But, oh the attraction – so they decide to give it a go in a non-traditional way. They’ll try a long distance relationship on terms to be determined to see if they truly belong together before making any life altering decisions. Wow! Who saw that coming. Seems like a mature way of addressing crazy attraction.
Good job Ms. Thompson.
The storyline is simple and familiar – our hero Langford Hutchinson is back home helping out his recently widowed dad run the family feed store. He’d been hoping for a short trip so that he can get back to his life as a high-flying videographer. Tending the store front, in walks Katrina Bledsoe who’s in town for a few days and that lust he’d felt as a teenager rears it head. He couldn’t act on it then because she was the younger sister of his best friend. But now . . .
She too had felt the heat way back when, but also knew the impossibility of dating her brother’s friends way back when. (As a younger sister, I’ll attest that dating an older brother’s friend when in high school is a hard barrier to overcome). But older brother’s no longer in town, while the two of them are here.
So some flirting over dinner at the bar, and then the awkward question of where to retreat since they’re both staying with their parents. And that decision leads to more awkwardness, and a story resolution that was really refreshing – so I won’t give it away until the end of this review.
One reason I’m not crazy about Westerns is the heroes tend to be of the annoying old-school “I’m the guy so I’ll protect you even though you don’t need it” type. The stereotypical gender roles drive me up a while.
The author recognizes that expectation of the genre, but plays with it. Katrina asks Langford out for a beer but as they’re heading over, he insists that he’s the one buying.
“You’ve been back East too long, little lady. You’re in the West, now, and in these parts, the men do the buying.”
I love Katrina’s reaction. She doesn’t overreact, but makes it’s clear he’s being ridiculous. Free beer after all. Staying true to herself, without causing a scene.
The story proceeds forward with brisk pacing and good humor. The best may be Katrina and Langford’s discovery when she tries to sneak out the next morning.
{spoiler alert} The author’s skill with this short format shines through best in the story’s resolution. Falling in love in 50 pages can be challenging, and relationship development usually feels truncated. Ms. Thompson seems to get that and resolves the story in an unexpected way. They’re really attracted to each other, but they know that their families would look down on a casual fling which could create problems for both even though they’re adults. And they both have careers and lives they love located on opposite coasts. Finally, they recognize there’s some strong attraction between them, but neither is willing to ask the other to give up everything to be with each other esp. for a new-found relationship. But, oh the attraction – so they decide to give it a go in a non-traditional way. They’ll try a long distance relationship on terms to be determined to see if they truly belong together before making any life altering decisions. Wow! Who saw that coming. Seems like a mature way of addressing crazy attraction.
Good job Ms. Thompson.
kboc923's review
2.0
I should have looked at how long this book was before I downloaded it. I have enjoyed many of her books before but this 5 chapter 'novella' left much to be desired. The story had a lot of potential but was too short and not fleshed out enough.
sparkingjoyinreading's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0