Review: Maggie's Montanta

Maggie's Montana

About the Book:

Maggie Abernathy, best friend Judy, and Judy’s two young sons travel cross country to visit John McIntyre and daughter Chloe at their Montana ranch. Maggie’s convinced herself that she’s only making the trip to fulfill her promise to visit Chloe, but once there she can’t help but fall in love with the horses, the land, the ranch, and the Montana ways of life. With Chloe’s loving antics, Winston’s gift, and a handful of wranglers showing her the ropes, will Maggie have the heart to say goodbye?

My Comments:

The story started with Maggie's Way which followed Maggie through a summer of breast cancer treatments, coupled with a divorce from a husband who came out as gay.  That summer she met Chloe, the seven year old who lived next door, and Chloe's dad.  

Maggie's Fork in the Road lets us know that Chloe and her dad are moving to Montana, and that they would like Maggie to move too.

Now, in Maggie's Montana, Maggie and a friend who has two boys who are friends with Chloe drive from Michigan to Montana to spend time on the ranch with Chloe and her dad.  Maggie realizes she has a choice to make.  She can give up what little is left of her earlier life and move to Montana with people she loves, or she can stay in Michigan with her mother, a job she likes less every day, and a gay ex-husband.  Guess which choice she makes?

As the third book in a series titled "Montana Bound" is it easy to predict the ending, yet I can see how hard the decision must have been for Maggie.  I'm at the stage where my chicks are poking their heads out of the nest.  I know that leaving the nest is normal, yet one thing I've enjoyed about today is having my table full with all members of my family.  Change is a normal part of life and I've never considered myself to be afraid of it, yet the older I get, the more I like comfort and routine.  Even going with those I love, I think a move to another community would be much harder now that it was in my twenties.  

One thing I really liked about the series is that it featured a woman about my age.  The book mentions Maggie's hot flashes but also mentions that they were brought on by her breast cancer treatment, so her exact age is difficult to discern.  However, she is the mother of a twenty-something, who suffered from infertility prior to having him, so she must be close to 50.  

If it is important to you, John and Maggie are intimate, but the scene is not graphic.  

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade;  B.  

RaeAnne Thayne's The Holiday Gift

The Holiday Gift

About the Book:

With two kids and an active life, widow Faith Dustin only wants peace and quiet for Christmas. But her snowy Pine Gulch ranch is nothing but chaotic. All that keeps Faith going is her helpful neighbor, cowboy Chase Brannon. He's always been "good ol' Chase," her faithful friend. Until he kisses her under the mistletoe… 

Years ago Chase blew his chance with the woman he's loved since childhood. Now he's determined to step out of the friend zone…and into the role of husband. But the scared and stubborn Faith won't let herself fall. With Christmas just days away, Chase will need all the magic of the season—and the help of her two matchmaking children—to unwrap a second chance at love.

My Comments:

Can you remain friends when one of you wants to be lovers?  That's the question in this book.  Chase has always loved Faith, but she fell for his best friend.  Since his friend died Chase has tried to be there for Faith but she is afraid to get hurt again.  She likes their relationship the way it is.  At times Faith came across as selfish and uncaring, and Chase was almost too good to be true, but in the end...

This is the third book in the series--we've already married off Faith's sisters and it nice to visit with old friends in this beautiful Christmas setting.  I'm not sure new readers would "get" the parts of the  story brought forward from the other books.

As with Thayne's other books, this is sqeaky clean.  

I'd like to thank the publisher for makinga review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade: B. 

A Second Christmas Wish

A Second Christmas Wish

About the Book:

Do you believe in Father Christmas?

For Melissa, Christmas has always been overrated. From her cold, distant parents to her manipulative ex-husband, Lawrence, she’s never experienced the warmth and contentment of the festive season with a big, happy family sitting around the table.

And Melissa has learned to live with it, but it breaks her heart that her seven-year-old son, William, has had to live with it too. Whilst most little boys wait with excitement for the big day, William finds it difficult to believe that Father Christmas even exists.

But then Daniel McCormick comes into their lives. And with his help, Melissa and William might just be able to find their festive spirit, and finally have a Christmas where all of their wishes come true …

My Comments:

What could be sweeter than a little boy learning to believe in Santa?  Maybe his mother learning to believe in love?  

Melissa's ex wanted her, but he didn't want competition for her love.  When she got pregnant, he insisted on an abortion and when she refused, he refused to love the child. Eventually they split and Melissa went from being a  model to being a fashion designer. Then she met Daniel.  She didn't want to love him, she didn't want to let him get close, but....he loved her boy and what woman can resist that?  

The title refers to her son, William's visit to Father Christmas (the story is set in England).  William doesn't believe, but tells Father Christmas two things he wants.  What are they?  Will he get them?  Read the book--it is an inexpensive ebook and definitely worth it. 

Thanks to the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade:  B.