Mariah Callahan was a big time wedding planner in Chicago, and then her boss fires her. She is at loose ends when she receives a call that her estranged cowboy dad has died and has left her his ranch. Not having a job or any prospects she heads to Jubilee, Texas.

Joe Daniels is a horse man who was best buds with Mariah’s dad, Dutch. When Joe lost his wife two years ago, Dutch saved him from himself. Joe has some opinions about the daughter who never contacted her father. He doesn’t want to like the big city girl who comes off as cold and aloof at first, but it takes him all of about five minutes to see past her cool demeanor.

Mariah and Joe are both battling their ghosts. Mariah is trying to overcome the bitterness of a father who seemed to be so well loved, but left her when she was so young. Just when Joe is coming to grips with his wife’s death, his best friend dies. These are two people with very broken hearts.

Although this story gets hokey at times, I really enjoyed it. I blew through this book in a day getting totally wrapped up in Mariah and Joe’s wounded hearts mending together. There is so much more than meets the eye with both characters and as they get to know one another more, their characters become more appealing to each other and to the reader.

I could have done without all the Sleepless In Seattle references, it was just too much for me. I thought the comparison unnecessary and it really didn’t add any validity to the tale, I think it actually made the story seem less real. Joe and Mariah didn’t need the extra drama or comparisons, the author was doing fine on her own establishing their story, adding the movie into it just distracted me.

This book was surprisingly light and refreshing despite the heavy emotional content. The characters are wonderful, the town inviting, and I think the series is off to a great start!

Cherise Everhard, February 2012