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Beneath the Texas Sky
Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas creates an epic story of a land, a family, and an unforgettable love in this searing tale of passion, perseverance, and a strong woman's fight for her heart's desire.
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1988
215 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Thomas
124 books2,466 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 21, 2023
Jodi Thomas's first book (1988). Definitely an 80's book. I still enjoyed it.
April 19, 2016
This book's plot hooked me right away. Cinderella meets handsome Texas Ranger. He's going to save her from her verbally abusive aunt and pervy uncle. I was totally into the story, even though some of the writing style was awkward, and there was a cringe-worthy, way-too-long molestation scene with the uncle right before the heroine (Bethanie) escaped. I could forgive all that, because I cared about Bethanie and wanted her to succeed.
And then, things went awry.
First of all, the Texas Ranger ended up not just taking Bethanie with him out of San Antonio, but a whole posse of tag-alongs, including the mean aunt, cute girl cousin, a friend dressed like a priest, and the stable boy, just for good measure. So now he's not just smuggling out Bethanie, he's got this whole crew going with him. Okay, I can live with that.
But then they get out on the trail and notice an Apache stalking them, and figure there's going to be an attack. The Ranger (Josh) tells Bethanie that the two of them are going to take off riding away as fast as they can if the Apaches attack, in the hopes that the attackers will follow them and leave the other two women, the priest, and the little boy alone. I'm not sure I get that logic, but okay. I'm still with you.
So yes, the Apaches do follow Josh and Bethanie, and try to kill them, but then decide to leave them alive because of Bethanie's red hair. Okay, whatever.
But THEN, right after enduring this horrible, long, drawn-out attack, as soon as the Apaches leave, Josh and Bethanie have this huge make out session that includes heavy petting, telling each other things along the lines of "I can't live without you" and stuff. 20% of the way into the book. Suddenly they are in love??? Why??? And how are you going to hold my attention for the other 80% of the book?
I just can't go on with this novel. The writing is awkward and downright confusing at times, to the point that I would have to go back and re-read a few paragraphs to see if I missed something, because the action seemed to jump ahead to something that no longer made sense. Based on other people's reviews, I don't have confidence that it's going to get better. Sadly, because it started out so good.
And then, things went awry.
First of all, the Texas Ranger ended up not just taking Bethanie with him out of San Antonio, but a whole posse of tag-alongs, including the mean aunt, cute girl cousin, a friend dressed like a priest, and the stable boy, just for good measure. So now he's not just smuggling out Bethanie, he's got this whole crew going with him. Okay, I can live with that.
But then they get out on the trail and notice an Apache stalking them, and figure there's going to be an attack. The Ranger (Josh) tells Bethanie that the two of them are going to take off riding away as fast as they can if the Apaches attack, in the hopes that the attackers will follow them and leave the other two women, the priest, and the little boy alone. I'm not sure I get that logic, but okay. I'm still with you.
So yes, the Apaches do follow Josh and Bethanie, and try to kill them, but then decide to leave them alive because of Bethanie's red hair. Okay, whatever.
But THEN, right after enduring this horrible, long, drawn-out attack, as soon as the Apaches leave, Josh and Bethanie have this huge make out session that includes heavy petting, telling each other things along the lines of "I can't live without you" and stuff. 20% of the way into the book. Suddenly they are in love??? Why??? And how are you going to hold my attention for the other 80% of the book?
I just can't go on with this novel. The writing is awkward and downright confusing at times, to the point that I would have to go back and re-read a few paragraphs to see if I missed something, because the action seemed to jump ahead to something that no longer made sense. Based on other people's reviews, I don't have confidence that it's going to get better. Sadly, because it started out so good.
May 8, 2020
I didn't realize until after reading this, that this was Jodi Thomas' first book. Boy has she improved since. She is one of my favorite authors, but if I had read this book before any of her others, well, I wouldn't have ever read any more of her books. The beginning was pretty good. But then Bethanie and Josh made love (?) after barely knowing each other, in a cave. A bit too much sappy conversation. I was still ok with it until he left her at his ranch and then disappeared for a week in which time Bethanie gave up on him (wow, true love) and married his wheelchair-bound brother. Then Josh comes back and since she married his brother, he's like "I'm out of here." And then suddenly three years pass. The brother is killed so Bethanie heads off to see Josh. They get married in a blink and then you turn the page and it's 20 years later and it's all about her daughter Mariah. WHAT?!
March 6, 2009
It was too saga-y and had too much drama for me. I hate to say I gave away a Jodi Thomas book, but in this case, it wasn't to my taste. But I'm sure there was a happy reader out there when they saw my copy on the bookshelf at the used bookstore.
December 13, 2009
This was probably one of her ealier writings, because it didn't have the same impact as many of her other books that I have read. It was first published in 1988. I loved her Whispering Mountain series, this didn't have that same level of writing. She has definately improved over the years.
January 19, 2022
Omg….. this book. This is probably the best book I’ve read in years. The plot twists that move along with the character development as well as the multiple romances is what puts this book above the rest in my opinion. The unexpected twists and turns kept my jaw on the floor, but looking back to the beginning from the end, the characters grew so so much and it tugs at my heartstrings. The very end tied all the twists together SO. WELL. I held myself back from reading the last 50 pages because I genuinely didn’t want it to end. To all my friends reading this: PLEASE BORROW THIS BOOK FROM ME.
June 25, 2024
I loved the first part of the book, however the author then switched to the daughter of the protagonists. I wish they were separate books.
August 7, 2014
I have never been disappointed in Jodi Thomas until now. I didn't hate the book but it was more of a saga and contained certain thematic elements that I personally don't care for. It started out with great promise but then turned in a different direction that didn't work for me.
August 4, 2015
Was not a fan...but to be fair insta love and on going saga's are not my thing, Neither is women who lie.
February 7, 2024
3.5⭐
0-1🌶️ lots of euphemisms. Her "mounds" and "curls"
WTF was this book.
Girl strikes a deal to escape her uncle and go work on a ranch. They get attacked by Indians, almost die. They get stuck in a cave by a thunderstorm. They do the deed, proclaim love. He leaves her with his (wheelchair bound) older brother, goes to corral the herd, gets swept away by the river.
Her nasty uncle shows up to take her cousin home, wants her too. The brother proposes and marries her, so she can't be forced to go with.
A week later, the brother shows up, deed #2, then she's like hey I married your brother, we thought you were dead.
So brother heads to Colorado, bc he can't stay with his brother married to his girl.
She figures out she's pregnant, so hops into bed w new husband, so he won't know it's not his baby. She starts to see how deeply he loves and cares for her. Baby is born. They are deeply in love.
Indians show up, massacre everyone, women hide in cave. 12yo boy survives. Ranch is left to daughter and the boy.
FMC goes with herd, daughter and new ranch guy to CO to tell MMC that his brother is dead.
He still loves her. She still loves him. They hook up again, get married.
Skip ahead, part 2 is the daughter, traveling to the ranch. She's 20, the boy is now early 30s. He's holding on to the ranch but she wants to sell and go to medical school.
- the ranch hand that's stayed with the family all these years was FMCs dad.
- the neighbor that's been sabotaging them all these years is the guy that caused older brothers paralysis. He was the bank robber that got away, after brother killed his two brothers.
Daughter and boy marry. The end.
Why we gotta have all this presumed dead, marry, wrong baby daddy, strung up by Indians garbage. Ugh. Highs and lows.
0-1🌶️ lots of euphemisms. Her "mounds" and "curls"
WTF was this book.
Girl strikes a deal to escape her uncle and go work on a ranch. They get attacked by Indians, almost die. They get stuck in a cave by a thunderstorm. They do the deed, proclaim love. He leaves her with his (wheelchair bound) older brother, goes to corral the herd, gets swept away by the river.
Her nasty uncle shows up to take her cousin home, wants her too. The brother proposes and marries her, so she can't be forced to go with.
A week later, the brother shows up, deed #2, then she's like hey I married your brother, we thought you were dead.
So brother heads to Colorado, bc he can't stay with his brother married to his girl.
She figures out she's pregnant, so hops into bed w new husband, so he won't know it's not his baby. She starts to see how deeply he loves and cares for her. Baby is born. They are deeply in love.
Indians show up, massacre everyone, women hide in cave. 12yo boy survives. Ranch is left to daughter and the boy.
FMC goes with herd, daughter and new ranch guy to CO to tell MMC that his brother is dead.
He still loves her. She still loves him. They hook up again, get married.
Skip ahead, part 2 is the daughter, traveling to the ranch. She's 20, the boy is now early 30s. He's holding on to the ranch but she wants to sell and go to medical school.
- the ranch hand that's stayed with the family all these years was FMCs dad.
- the neighbor that's been sabotaging them all these years is the guy that caused older brothers paralysis. He was the bank robber that got away, after brother killed his two brothers.
Daughter and boy marry. The end.
Why we gotta have all this presumed dead, marry, wrong baby daddy, strung up by Indians garbage. Ugh. Highs and lows.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2025
This book was written in 1988 and per one reviewer was the author’s first. Another reviewer said they liked this “despite the fact that it was an 80s book.”
The good: lead character Bethanie rolls with the punches - and she is dealt quite a few- to survive. She respects those who work hard and treat people well. She had a focus on taking care of people, being grateful for what she had and taking her marriage vows seriously (to say more would be a spoiler). She can ride, shoot, nurse, cook and clean - so even if our male characters hadn’t found her red hair and quiet manner a draw, she was a good fit for frontier life. Given cattle rustlers and “Indian attacks” (some paid as a means to intimidate) she can hold her own.
Less good: way too many pages describing sexual intimacy (I flip through looking to regain the plot-line) but also a strange set of moral codes -instantaneous attraction and a rush to sex and intimacy). Not sure how realistic the rush to act on physical attraction with such immediacy is for this era.
The good: lead character Bethanie rolls with the punches - and she is dealt quite a few- to survive. She respects those who work hard and treat people well. She had a focus on taking care of people, being grateful for what she had and taking her marriage vows seriously (to say more would be a spoiler). She can ride, shoot, nurse, cook and clean - so even if our male characters hadn’t found her red hair and quiet manner a draw, she was a good fit for frontier life. Given cattle rustlers and “Indian attacks” (some paid as a means to intimidate) she can hold her own.
Less good: way too many pages describing sexual intimacy (I flip through looking to regain the plot-line) but also a strange set of moral codes -instantaneous attraction and a rush to sex and intimacy). Not sure how realistic the rush to act on physical attraction with such immediacy is for this era.
July 7, 2018
This is one of those eighties saga-type romances, so if that's what you're expecting, that's what you're getting. The characters have names like Bethanie, Allison, and Mariah; the first heroine ; anything involving native Americans is best skipped; but on the plus side . Like, if you're reading it, you should know what you're getting, so I'm not giving it two stars, but at the same time, it's not actually something I'd necessarily recommend.
May 16, 2022
this kept me reading, but it was definitely a lot. there were sort of 3 love stories in the book, none of which felt really fully realized to me. bethanie plus each of the brothers' stories were sort of superficial, and then Mariah and Dusty's story seemed tacked on at the end and was so over the top with action and melodrama that it seemed like a different book. anyways, I still more or less enjoyed reading it, but I wouldn't say it was a super great book. it really just made me want to go and read (yet again) my most favorite historical western ever, Ellen O'Connell's Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold. now that is a million star book.
April 8, 2018
Bethanie Lane is a young girl staying with her aunt/uncle and helping care for the hotel they owned. Texas Ranger Josh Weston came to stay at this hotel and he can't help but notice Bethanie. However, she struck a deal with him to take her to his family's ranch near Ft. Worth, for several reasons.
I loved reading Bethanie's story though I didn't like a few things in here that she did, but I can't mention them,as that would be a spoiler.
This is a true love story.
I loved reading Bethanie's story though I didn't like a few things in here that she did, but I can't mention them,as that would be a spoiler.
This is a true love story.
October 25, 2022
This book is a two for one. 2/3 of the book is Part one and takes place in the 1860’s. I loved this story. The plot was very clear and the characters had a lot of depth. The final third of the book takes place 20 years later and was too much insta-love for me and felt very rushed. I didn’t care for Mariah as an adult. Her character was very bitchy and spoiled.
July 12, 2025
DNF @ 9% - She described the villain uncle as fat by using every descriptor in the thesaurus. He has fat fingers, pudgy fingers, porky fingers, thick round fingers. Even his mouth is fat.
I'm glad I've read other Jodi Things books before this one because normally I love her style. This was apparently her first book so it's got some cringe 😬.
I'm glad I've read other Jodi Things books before this one because normally I love her style. This was apparently her first book so it's got some cringe 😬.
November 7, 2017
Set in Texas in 1865, Bethany Lane escapes her uncles unwanted advances. She makes a deal with Texas Ranger Josh Weston offering to be a cook at his ranch, if he will take her with him. Things don't quite work out as they had planned. However, years later, they get a second chance. A good read.
November 14, 2020
Always a great read from Jodi Thomas. The heroine doesn't always do what I want, what a surprise! But she knows what she wants, and that's what she works for. Good action, messy drama and love gone wrong. What else can you ask?
February 10, 2024
Engrossing read
From the 1st page I was drawn in by the characters Wanting to know what would happen next And each time I was happy to see a situation resolved there was always something still waiting to find out about around the corner
From the 1st page I was drawn in by the characters Wanting to know what would happen next And each time I was happy to see a situation resolved there was always something still waiting to find out about around the corner
June 9, 2024
I really liked this book, but I wish the relationships between the characters developed a little more. They all just seemed to fall in love instantly. I also didn't care too much for the jump ahead in years, but I did like that in the end it all came together for some closer.
February 2, 2025
Great Book
Jodi Thomas is a talented author. Beneath The Texas Sky is a great book. The author has a reader interest in the first sentence. Highly recommend the author and all of her books. Enjoy!
Jodi Thomas is a talented author. Beneath The Texas Sky is a great book. The author has a reader interest in the first sentence. Highly recommend the author and all of her books. Enjoy!
July 30, 2025
Far too ambitious. There were some good ideas but the execution was a bit of a hot mess. We had multiple cases of instalove. And inexplicable flips to instahate. And back again. Plus the whole Josh then Ben then Josh again thing was kind of icky.
June 14, 2018
ehh. i wasn't expecting much so i wasn't disappointed. it DID bother me that it was basically TWO love stories in one...
July 9, 2018
It was hard to get into at first but then I flown through all those pages. Love it!
September 18, 2018
Spellbinding
The story of the Weston Brothers is spellbinding, loaded with excitement, adventure and romance. Bethanie adds her touch of a strong feminine presence.
The story of the Weston Brothers is spellbinding, loaded with excitement, adventure and romance. Bethanie adds her touch of a strong feminine presence.
September 13, 2019
Not my favorite
I couldn't read it all. I ended up skipping alot of it. Didn't care for Ben, Josh was a gushy man but I liked him. Not the best work of my favorite author.
I couldn't read it all. I ended up skipping alot of it. Didn't care for Ben, Josh was a gushy man but I liked him. Not the best work of my favorite author.
November 5, 2021
3+ stars. Yes it had a dramatic feel along with some insta-love with the main characters but knowing this was one of Jodi Thomas’ early work I feel it had the basis for an entertaining read.
January 27, 2022
This is my favorite book by this author! I have been looking for it for years.
May 19, 2022
Romances moved really fast. Would have liked more build up
December 28, 2022
Actually, I only read half. Meh.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews