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A review by katemc7
Alive and Wells by Bailey Hannah
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I felt the pull for a cowboy book and this one delivered! I enjoyed these characters and thought this was a great debut book. I also liked the added suspense element in it. This was a true grumpy to sunshine, city girl with a country boy, woman in trouble situation. I liked the dynamics and how much these characters brought the best out of each other. I also secretly love it when these FMCs get tired of the grumpy men not giving in- so what do they do? They go out with said grumpy man's friends in a cute AF outfit and then grumpy man goes caveman. EVERY TIME YALL LOL.
Cecily is at a breaking point. She has lost everything. Her confidence. Her family. Herself. She has finally drawn the line with her husband's abuse. He finally crossed it and with the help of this network she had been in touch with, she has a plan. She is going to be a ranch hand. It doesn't matter that she knows NOTHING about ranches, or cattle, or farming. She wants to start over. She wants to be more than a survivor. She wants to be happy and thrive. She doesn't need a man to help her get there, BUT she can't help notice the cowboy who stops to help her change her tire on the way to said ranch. The same cowboy who happens to be the owner/manager of said ranch. Austin Wells of Wells Ranch. Does he ever smile? Cecily doesn't think so and yet she finds herself going out of her way to try to make him do so. She finds herself wondering what his big hands would feel like on her. She finds herself thinking like a single woman when she isn't even officially separated or divorced yet. And then she feels shame. But her ex has taken up enough of her life. This is her time and she is going to be as alive as she can. She is hoping that Austin will catch up but maybe not.
Austin knows what Cecily represents as soon as he sees her. Someone who could hurt him. Everyone he cares about leaves except for his brother's, but that is only because they HAVE to be here. She is a true city girl. She could get herself hurt. She has no idea how to navigate the treacherous waters of a working ranch OR the workers of said ranch. Austin finds himself wanting to protect her while keeping his distance. He has already gone down the road with a city girl thinking they were on the same page when they weren't. Is Cecily any different? It sure seems like it. She starts hinting at planting some roots. She hints at wanting things with him. She seems to be enjoying herself. But is it all real? Or has he fallen for another person who will leave him? Is he ready to open up and find out?
Cecily came to the ranch broken and within a few days, it was like she shed a skin and became her old self. It was hard reading her justification of her husband's behavior at the time. It gave me more insight into this thought process of what the line is and when to leave. Read the trigger warnings before this one- there is on page domestic abuse. I liked her instant attraction to Austin and then of course how much he fought it and failed in the best way. The spicy scenes were HOT! I also liked the side characters and am looking forward to learning more about them and who they end up with. Once again great debut Bailey!!
Cecily is at a breaking point. She has lost everything. Her confidence. Her family. Herself. She has finally drawn the line with her husband's abuse. He finally crossed it and with the help of this network she had been in touch with, she has a plan. She is going to be a ranch hand. It doesn't matter that she knows NOTHING about ranches, or cattle, or farming. She wants to start over. She wants to be more than a survivor. She wants to be happy and thrive. She doesn't need a man to help her get there, BUT she can't help notice the cowboy who stops to help her change her tire on the way to said ranch. The same cowboy who happens to be the owner/manager of said ranch. Austin Wells of Wells Ranch. Does he ever smile? Cecily doesn't think so and yet she finds herself going out of her way to try to make him do so. She finds herself wondering what his big hands would feel like on her. She finds herself thinking like a single woman when she isn't even officially separated or divorced yet. And then she feels shame. But her ex has taken up enough of her life. This is her time and she is going to be as alive as she can. She is hoping that Austin will catch up but maybe not.
Austin knows what Cecily represents as soon as he sees her. Someone who could hurt him. Everyone he cares about leaves except for his brother's, but that is only because they HAVE to be here. She is a true city girl. She could get herself hurt. She has no idea how to navigate the treacherous waters of a working ranch OR the workers of said ranch. Austin finds himself wanting to protect her while keeping his distance. He has already gone down the road with a city girl thinking they were on the same page when they weren't. Is Cecily any different? It sure seems like it. She starts hinting at planting some roots. She hints at wanting things with him. She seems to be enjoying herself. But is it all real? Or has he fallen for another person who will leave him? Is he ready to open up and find out?
Cecily came to the ranch broken and within a few days, it was like she shed a skin and became her old self. It was hard reading her justification of her husband's behavior at the time. It gave me more insight into this thought process of what the line is and when to leave. Read the trigger warnings before this one- there is on page domestic abuse. I liked her instant attraction to Austin and then of course how much he fought it and failed in the best way. The spicy scenes were HOT! I also liked the side characters and am looking forward to learning more about them and who they end up with. Once again great debut Bailey!!