A review by jessread_s
Rope the Moon by Ava Hunter

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Review: Hunter’s writing and the chemistry between her characters is sheer perfection! 

 

“Rope the Moon” follows Dakota McGraw, who flees her bakery in the middle of the night to escape her abusive boyfriend and protect the baby she is carrying. When Davis Montgomery, her first love, finds out what happened to her, he comes to her rescue in the middle of the night and moves her onto Runaway Ranch to keep her safe. It doesn’t take long for the attraction between them to come back even stronger, but second chances don’t come easy, especially with the past looming overhead.  

 

I really enjoyed the pacing of Davis and Dakota’s relationship and the way it developed. The two have a lot of history together and Hunter does a great job providing a snapshot of their past in the prologue and sharing details throughout the novel to show why it wasn’t the right time for their relationship to progress forward at that time. As they found their way back to each other in the present, I became wholly invested in Davis and Dakota as a couple and was rooting for them to find their happily ever after! 

 

Dakota is stubborn and strong, yet vulnerable (especially with all that she has gone through). Davis steps up for her by claiming and loving her baby as if it were his own. He buys her all the baby supplies, drives her to every doctor’s appointment, downloaded an app so he can learn about her baby’s development, and essentially becomes the man she needs (*swoons*). Dakota also takes care of Davis, who grapples with PTSD as a former marine. She is methodical in helping him recover from his wounds and is always by his side to comfort him through his nightmares. I have never read about a couple more meant for each other than Davis and Dakota! They help each other get back on their feet and my heart melted the more that I read. I could not get enough and truly did not want this book to end. “Rope the Moon” is my happy place and I hope Dakota and Davis make a cameo in the next installment!