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Sawtooth Mountains #3
Anywhere
Gigi Mackenzie left home in a hurry ten years ago, and she hasn’t looked back. She’s spent the decade traveling the world, moving fast, never landing anywhere long, chasing something she’s never been able to find, or even define. In all those years, there’s only one thing, one person, she’s truly missed—the one person she hadn’t been running from at all. The person she hurt most when she left.
When she gets word of trouble at home, she knows she has to go back. Tragedy sent her flying, and tragedy brings her back to the nest.
Like his father and his grandfather before him, Reese Webb runs The Apple Jack Saloon. In more than forty years of life, he’s hardly crossed the Idaho state line, and he has no need or intention to go anywhere. Jasper Ridge, and the Jack—that’s his home. He’s a man who likes things to stay the way they are.
Ten years ago, he meant to bring the love of his life home to these familiar, well-worn walls. But the night before their wedding, she ran away.
Now Gigi is back, and Reese realizes there’s a reason he’s been standing in place all this time. He’s been waiting.
But has too much time, and too much pain, filled the space between them?
When she gets word of trouble at home, she knows she has to go back. Tragedy sent her flying, and tragedy brings her back to the nest.
Like his father and his grandfather before him, Reese Webb runs The Apple Jack Saloon. In more than forty years of life, he’s hardly crossed the Idaho state line, and he has no need or intention to go anywhere. Jasper Ridge, and the Jack—that’s his home. He’s a man who likes things to stay the way they are.
Ten years ago, he meant to bring the love of his life home to these familiar, well-worn walls. But the night before their wedding, she ran away.
Now Gigi is back, and Reese realizes there’s a reason he’s been standing in place all this time. He’s been waiting.
But has too much time, and too much pain, filled the space between them?
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2019
34 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Susan Fanetti
84 books1,418 followersI was born and raised in the Midwest, but I was transplanted into the dusty soil of Northern California and have apparently taken root there. An inveterate geek and gamer, I am a fan of many things considered pop culture and maybe even lowbrow.
As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I've found my home in romance--or perhaps it's better to say simply "love stories." I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.
I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that's just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.
I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.
Likewise, I want my stories each to be distinct from the others. Once I’ve told a story, I don’t want to tell it again. So even within a series, one of my books might be very different from the next. Some might be very dark, others equally mild.
That isn’t to say there aren’t trends and recurrences in my work. I’m drawn to certain themes and settings, and my muse has her favorite toys and tools. But I guard against those tendencies becoming a formula.
Find my blog at www.susanfanetti.com
Find my FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanf...
A note: I don't spend much time here on Goodreads. I try not to read any reviews of my own work. Besides, this is a site for readers, but since I write at a fairly manic pace, and read and edit for other writers, I don't have much time to read recreationally. Mainly, I log on to update my info. So if you message me here, it might be a while before I see it.
As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I've found my home in romance--or perhaps it's better to say simply "love stories." I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.
I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that's just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.
I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.
Likewise, I want my stories each to be distinct from the others. Once I’ve told a story, I don’t want to tell it again. So even within a series, one of my books might be very different from the next. Some might be very dark, others equally mild.
That isn’t to say there aren’t trends and recurrences in my work. I’m drawn to certain themes and settings, and my muse has her favorite toys and tools. But I guard against those tendencies becoming a formula.
Find my blog at www.susanfanetti.com
Find my FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanf...
A note: I don't spend much time here on Goodreads. I try not to read any reviews of my own work. Besides, this is a site for readers, but since I write at a fairly manic pace, and read and edit for other writers, I don't have much time to read recreationally. Mainly, I log on to update my info. So if you message me here, it might be a while before I see it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 19, 2020
I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it.
I. LOVE. IT.
I. LOVE. IT.
July 25, 2024
5++ "Talk it out with me." Stars
The Sawtooth Mountains stories reign as a selection of my favorites from this brilliantly gifted storyteller. This newest installment has become my favorite of the series. It has all of Fanetti's signature romance elements: loss, grief, and heartache matched so acutely with hope, love and growth.
Fanetti structures Anywhere by separating it into parts, each part told from the third person perspective of each main character. Those parts building to connect the past in a profound present. There is such a vital awareness and vulnerability to each of the characters as these separate parts so honestly and concisely represent development and forward motion for each of them while maintaining such a strong hold on the power of their connection and the intensity it incites.
This newest Fanetti book also showcases important issues in the most enlightening of ways creating purpose for her characters. The brilliance of that purpose is how they come to understand what it means for them as individuals, as the people they want to be. Anywhere is rich with purpose of all kinds. It's insightful and meaningful. Susan Fanetti digs to the hearts of her characters giving readers people to cherish and respect.
The story takes themes of loneliness and helplessness and exploits them to provide keen depth and honest insight to her characters creating intimate connections between them, the ongoing plot of the story, and the reader. It juxtaposes the ideas of roots versus wings and how acknowledging those two parts of everyone's true self opens each of us up as more compassionate and present human beings.
Much like the book itself and the understandings of the characters, the themes are simple yet so profound. Much like the storytelling of Fanetti. There is only honesty, through the pain and through the love.
The Sawtooth Mountains stories reign as a selection of my favorites from this brilliantly gifted storyteller. This newest installment has become my favorite of the series. It has all of Fanetti's signature romance elements: loss, grief, and heartache matched so acutely with hope, love and growth.
Fanetti structures Anywhere by separating it into parts, each part told from the third person perspective of each main character. Those parts building to connect the past in a profound present. There is such a vital awareness and vulnerability to each of the characters as these separate parts so honestly and concisely represent development and forward motion for each of them while maintaining such a strong hold on the power of their connection and the intensity it incites.
This newest Fanetti book also showcases important issues in the most enlightening of ways creating purpose for her characters. The brilliance of that purpose is how they come to understand what it means for them as individuals, as the people they want to be. Anywhere is rich with purpose of all kinds. It's insightful and meaningful. Susan Fanetti digs to the hearts of her characters giving readers people to cherish and respect.
The story takes themes of loneliness and helplessness and exploits them to provide keen depth and honest insight to her characters creating intimate connections between them, the ongoing plot of the story, and the reader. It juxtaposes the ideas of roots versus wings and how acknowledging those two parts of everyone's true self opens each of us up as more compassionate and present human beings.
Much like the book itself and the understandings of the characters, the themes are simple yet so profound. Much like the storytelling of Fanetti. There is only honesty, through the pain and through the love.
June 22, 2020
I absolutely adored this second chance romance. Wow. Gigi aka Mac and Reese made my heart sing. They got back together rather soon in the story and I feared it would affect my enjoyment but it didn’t. These two grew and learned so much. Individually and as a couple.
Especially Mac. Her reason for leaving Reese in the first place and then returning. Them finding their way back to one another and making it work the second time around. It all came down to them communicating and evolving. No unnecessary drama. This story was all about Mac and Reese. About Mac’s Native heritage and how important it was to not only her but also him. Mac struggled a lot with herself and finding her place. It was well explored and I was deeply invested in her and Reese. This couple learned to lean on another when it mattered!
Anywhere is the third book in the Sawtooth Mountain series and definitely my favorite. The Cahill family made appearances and played an important role in this story as well as the previous ones.
Now knowing there’s a fourth book I can’t wait to read it. This series keeps getting better.
4 Home Stars
Especially Mac. Her reason for leaving Reese in the first place and then returning. Them finding their way back to one another and making it work the second time around. It all came down to them communicating and evolving. No unnecessary drama. This story was all about Mac and Reese. About Mac’s Native heritage and how important it was to not only her but also him. Mac struggled a lot with herself and finding her place. It was well explored and I was deeply invested in her and Reese. This couple learned to lean on another when it mattered!
Anywhere is the third book in the Sawtooth Mountain series and definitely my favorite. The Cahill family made appearances and played an important role in this story as well as the previous ones.
Now knowing there’s a fourth book I can’t wait to read it. This series keeps getting better.
4 Home Stars
January 29, 2022
Reread 2022. I think this is more 4 stars for me. But still enjoyed it a lot!
4.5 stars. I loved Reece and GiGi’s story. This was the best of the Sawtooth stories so far for me. A true second chance story. I really appreciated the deep look at the effects of alcoholism, poverty and hopelessness among native peoples. Seeing the familiar faces of friends from the other books was nice, although this reads well as a stand-alone too. Complex, heartfelt, beautiful story.
4.5 stars. I loved Reece and GiGi’s story. This was the best of the Sawtooth stories so far for me. A true second chance story. I really appreciated the deep look at the effects of alcoholism, poverty and hopelessness among native peoples. Seeing the familiar faces of friends from the other books was nice, although this reads well as a stand-alone too. Complex, heartfelt, beautiful story.
February 21, 2020
3 "Some that wonder are lost." Stars.
This one was a little tough for me. Mainly because I couldn't figure out what this book was about for a long time and I just didn't connect with Gigi, the h. The second half was better for me than the first. But I didn't really start to connect with Gigi until literally 85%. That's way too long. Especially for a 475 page book (that's what my Kindle page count was). But I did like Reese and again the back half was better, and SF still wrote an interesting story, so 3 stars. Happy reading.
This one was a little tough for me. Mainly because I couldn't figure out what this book was about for a long time and I just didn't connect with Gigi, the h. The second half was better for me than the first. But I didn't really start to connect with Gigi until literally 85%. That's way too long. Especially for a 475 page book (that's what my Kindle page count was). But I did like Reese and again the back half was better, and SF still wrote an interesting story, so 3 stars. Happy reading.
June 7, 2022
Only 2stars for my favourite author. Looking forward to love it unfortunately almost DNF but still pushed it through till the end.
Phasing was too slow. Repetitive descriptions from each chapter exhaust me. The storyline pull me in but execution just make me bored alas not going to continue this series.
Phasing was too slow. Repetitive descriptions from each chapter exhaust me. The storyline pull me in but execution just make me bored alas not going to continue this series.
September 9, 2019
"Talk it out with me."
I really enjoyed this addition to the series so much. It centers arounds a 2nd chance love story, however, there are a lot of additional layers and themes throughout, some that are heavy and complicated but are told with a lot of heart, compassion and sensitivity.
One of the themes that stuck out to me and one to which I really related was Gigi's search for a deep purpose in her life and trying to find what was "missing," which can be difficult for many people, but on top of that, she was trying to figure out how to do that and stay true to herself while also trying to navigate her life in a direction that honors her family, culture and heritage, yet without going down some of the same destructive paths others close to her already had. I felt and ached for so many who were suffering in this story, and I know this is not just an issue in a fictional book, and it genuinely hurts my heart that so many Native people struggle.
The love story felt more real and true than many you read about, and I admired how hard these 2 worked to get their HEA. It means more when it's not easy - true love, commitment and devotion takes time, effort, understanding, compromise and communication. I loved how these two figured that out, and I was rooting for them the entire time. ❤
I really enjoyed this addition to the series so much. It centers arounds a 2nd chance love story, however, there are a lot of additional layers and themes throughout, some that are heavy and complicated but are told with a lot of heart, compassion and sensitivity.
One of the themes that stuck out to me and one to which I really related was Gigi's search for a deep purpose in her life and trying to find what was "missing," which can be difficult for many people, but on top of that, she was trying to figure out how to do that and stay true to herself while also trying to navigate her life in a direction that honors her family, culture and heritage, yet without going down some of the same destructive paths others close to her already had. I felt and ached for so many who were suffering in this story, and I know this is not just an issue in a fictional book, and it genuinely hurts my heart that so many Native people struggle.
The love story felt more real and true than many you read about, and I admired how hard these 2 worked to get their HEA. It means more when it's not easy - true love, commitment and devotion takes time, effort, understanding, compromise and communication. I loved how these two figured that out, and I was rooting for them the entire time. ❤
September 17, 2019
I love this series. So many feels <3
November 24, 2019
The amount of care and consideration Susan Fanetti pours into her books is simply beautiful! Anywhere is absolutely gorgeous and my favorite in the series thus far!
October 29, 2019
Fanetti is brutal getting to her HEAs and I love it.
Mac and Reece are high school sweethearts, engaged and on the brink of starting their lives together. That is until Reece drives the love of his life to the airport on their wedding day so she can travel the world. Gigi MacKenzie (yes, they have westernized names because it was illegal to keep and use their Shoshone birth names) grew up on a Shoshone reservation with alcoholic parents and sister. Once her beloved father dies in an accident related to his alcohol abuse, she feels empty and trapped. Worst of all she feels she and her remaining family and their problems will drag Reece down with them. Hence her 10 years of traveling and finding something more. Mac returns to her small home town when her Grandmother dies. Her reunion with Reece is town fodder as she struggles to help her mother, sister and her toddler nephew.
Now the brutal road to their HEA.
dAdditionally, Fanetti gives her readers a brief lesson in the settling Europeans horrific treatment of the United States indigenous people, she lays it out there. Manifest Destiny everyone! Fuck, I felt white shame and I’m not even 100% caucasian. I guess when you come from an European country where colonialism has been practiced for hundreds of years, well the stink will rub off on you too.
Another fantastic and thought provoking read from Susan Fanetti
Mac and Reece are high school sweethearts, engaged and on the brink of starting their lives together. That is until Reece drives the love of his life to the airport on their wedding day so she can travel the world. Gigi MacKenzie (yes, they have westernized names because it was illegal to keep and use their Shoshone birth names) grew up on a Shoshone reservation with alcoholic parents and sister. Once her beloved father dies in an accident related to his alcohol abuse, she feels empty and trapped. Worst of all she feels she and her remaining family and their problems will drag Reece down with them. Hence her 10 years of traveling and finding something more. Mac returns to her small home town when her Grandmother dies. Her reunion with Reece is town fodder as she struggles to help her mother, sister and her toddler nephew.
Now the brutal road to their HEA.
dAdditionally, Fanetti gives her readers a brief lesson in the settling Europeans horrific treatment of the United States indigenous people, she lays it out there. Manifest Destiny everyone! Fuck, I felt white shame and I’m not even 100% caucasian. I guess when you come from an European country where colonialism has been practiced for hundreds of years, well the stink will rub off on you too.
Another fantastic and thought provoking read from Susan Fanetti
September 8, 2019
Five ++++ stars. Susan Fanetti has done it again. I’ve spent the last few days in Jasper Ridge, rereading the first two books so I would be ready for Anywhere and I’m so glad I did. I love the Cahill family and always had a soft spot for Reese and am so happy that we get to know more of him. Mac / Gigi is perfect. Her story is sad and happy and moving and so very inspiring.
I’m not sure if this is the last book in the series, but really would love to know more about Morgan and Serena (a prequel story maybe).
Susan provides some relevant podcast and reference links of interest at the start of the book and I’m going to follow them up now I’ve finished this book.
I think I might have to reread another of Susan’s series next because, as always when I finish one of her books, I’m just not ready to leave her world of beautiful writing and find myself unable to focus on another author’s work while Susan’s characters are still with me.
I’m not sure if this is the last book in the series, but really would love to know more about Morgan and Serena (a prequel story maybe).
Susan provides some relevant podcast and reference links of interest at the start of the book and I’m going to follow them up now I’ve finished this book.
I think I might have to reread another of Susan’s series next because, as always when I finish one of her books, I’m just not ready to leave her world of beautiful writing and find myself unable to focus on another author’s work while Susan’s characters are still with me.
September 14, 2019
“Entwicklungsroman” and interracial love story
*contains spoilers*
What an exceptional story; it lingered long after I had finished reading it. Susan Fanetti is such a gifted storyteller, and this book is no exception. Anywhere is a deeply poignant love story, but it is so much more than that: it is also the story of personal growth, an “Entwicklungsroman”, and it is an incisive critique of the past and present treatment of Native (American) tribes by the US government and by many Whites. Anywhere is the third book in Fanetti’s Sawtooth Mountains stories, but it also works as a standalone.
Our heroine, Georgia “Gigi” Mackenzie is born into the Shoshone tribe and grows up on the (fictional) Sawtooth Jasper Shoshone Reservation. Both her parents are alcoholics and they live in abject poverty, although there is a strong bond of community on the rez. When she is still in her teens, her father, to whom Georgia is very close, lays down his bike while driving home in a drunken stupor. Despite all this Georgie does well in school and she falls in love with an older man, Reese Webb, who is the owner of the only bar in town and she is set to marry him and live happily ever after. But hers is a restless spirit, so on the eve of her marriage she leaves town, never to return until 10 years later, when the news of her grandmother’s passing belatedly reaches her, realizing that she still carries with her whatever she thought to escape…
I have to admit that I had some issues with (identifying) the heroine. I get that she finds the squalor and despair of her life constricting and that, despite being in love with Reese, she wants, or rather needs more than the limiting life he imagines for both of them. So, she goes out into the world to find herself and her purpose and I can understand that. What I really had trouble with is the way she treats Reese, who has been nothing but supportive and that seems to create an imbalance in their love. She professes to love him, but not only does she leave him with the fallout of a cancelled wedding, but she does not definitively break up with him, but just gradually stops writing to him and though leaves him without even closure. So, Reese lives in kind of a limbo, forever missing her and unable to sustain any lasting meaningful relationship with another woman, because although she broke his heart, he will always only love her.
During her years wandering and travelling to even the most remote parts of the world, Georgie has come to realize that she cannot escape the bonds of her family and her tribe and that she carries the feelings of unrest and helplessness wherever she goes. But she has also learnt to see the problems of her community from another perspective and this finally enables her to take steps to help alleviate them.
“Writing the Other” is always a dicey business and I can only speak to it from the perspective from a white European reader who has spent some time studying Native American Literature and History. I do feel that Susan Fanetti has acquitted herself well by and large. She has avoided providing a monolithic view and falling into well-used tropes like “The Noble Savage” or “The Vanishing Indian” that appear frequently in 19th and early 20th century writing (The Last Mohican, for example). Having said that, I was a bit troubled by the mostly negative portrayal of almost all the Shoshone characters that got any page time, except for the heroine. Both her parents are alcoholics, also her sister, who didn’t even stop drinking during her pregnancy and as a result has a son suffering from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, complete with symptoms of delayed development. Then there is Evan Hall, whose isolationist ideals (which are not entirely without merit) are devalued by the fact that he cooks meth on the rez, is a drug dealer and has a sexual relationship with an underage girl that is half his age. And the chief of the band, Chief Job Black Eagle appears ineffective and fails to provide the leadership his community needs. Sort of the only positive attributes described were the sense of family and strong social cohesion of the Sawtooth Jasper Shoshone community.
On the one hand I understand where Fanetti is coming from with this portrayal that reflects the reality of Native American communities across America, where many live in abject poverty, have the highest rate of alcoholism among any ethnic group, the lowest life expectancy, are more likely to be shot by police than even African Americans, and are at the top of a number of other negative statistics. This is the result of decades old, if not centuries old government policy that aimed not only to annihilate the Native American tribes, but also to eradicate their cultures.
On the other hand I am afraid that such a mostly negative portrayal of a Shoshone band reinforces stereotypes of Native Americans of being poor and drunks when that is not the only reality. There are writers and artists, teachers and lawyers, activists and community leaders that fight for and sometimes succeed in keeping their culture alive.
Despite all this – or maybe rather because of all this – I love Anywhere. It made me think and examine my own preconceptions. Also, I didn’t like Gigi very much in the beginning, especially because of her treatment of Reese. But in the course of the novel she undergoes a process of personal growth, which starts with the recognition how she not only wronged Reese, but also her family. I really like how Georgia and Reese redefined the parameters of their relationship. And even though the novel ends on a Happy For Now for the two main protagonists (like most of Fanetti’s stories), it also opens up the possibility of a Happy Ever After.
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*contains spoilers*
What an exceptional story; it lingered long after I had finished reading it. Susan Fanetti is such a gifted storyteller, and this book is no exception. Anywhere is a deeply poignant love story, but it is so much more than that: it is also the story of personal growth, an “Entwicklungsroman”, and it is an incisive critique of the past and present treatment of Native (American) tribes by the US government and by many Whites. Anywhere is the third book in Fanetti’s Sawtooth Mountains stories, but it also works as a standalone.
Our heroine, Georgia “Gigi” Mackenzie is born into the Shoshone tribe and grows up on the (fictional) Sawtooth Jasper Shoshone Reservation. Both her parents are alcoholics and they live in abject poverty, although there is a strong bond of community on the rez. When she is still in her teens, her father, to whom Georgia is very close, lays down his bike while driving home in a drunken stupor. Despite all this Georgie does well in school and she falls in love with an older man, Reese Webb, who is the owner of the only bar in town and she is set to marry him and live happily ever after. But hers is a restless spirit, so on the eve of her marriage she leaves town, never to return until 10 years later, when the news of her grandmother’s passing belatedly reaches her, realizing that she still carries with her whatever she thought to escape…
I have to admit that I had some issues with (identifying) the heroine. I get that she finds the squalor and despair of her life constricting and that, despite being in love with Reese, she wants, or rather needs more than the limiting life he imagines for both of them. So, she goes out into the world to find herself and her purpose and I can understand that. What I really had trouble with is the way she treats Reese, who has been nothing but supportive and that seems to create an imbalance in their love. She professes to love him, but not only does she leave him with the fallout of a cancelled wedding, but she does not definitively break up with him, but just gradually stops writing to him and though leaves him without even closure. So, Reese lives in kind of a limbo, forever missing her and unable to sustain any lasting meaningful relationship with another woman, because although she broke his heart, he will always only love her.
During her years wandering and travelling to even the most remote parts of the world, Georgie has come to realize that she cannot escape the bonds of her family and her tribe and that she carries the feelings of unrest and helplessness wherever she goes. But she has also learnt to see the problems of her community from another perspective and this finally enables her to take steps to help alleviate them.
“Writing the Other” is always a dicey business and I can only speak to it from the perspective from a white European reader who has spent some time studying Native American Literature and History. I do feel that Susan Fanetti has acquitted herself well by and large. She has avoided providing a monolithic view and falling into well-used tropes like “The Noble Savage” or “The Vanishing Indian” that appear frequently in 19th and early 20th century writing (The Last Mohican, for example). Having said that, I was a bit troubled by the mostly negative portrayal of almost all the Shoshone characters that got any page time, except for the heroine. Both her parents are alcoholics, also her sister, who didn’t even stop drinking during her pregnancy and as a result has a son suffering from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, complete with symptoms of delayed development. Then there is Evan Hall, whose isolationist ideals (which are not entirely without merit) are devalued by the fact that he cooks meth on the rez, is a drug dealer and has a sexual relationship with an underage girl that is half his age. And the chief of the band, Chief Job Black Eagle appears ineffective and fails to provide the leadership his community needs. Sort of the only positive attributes described were the sense of family and strong social cohesion of the Sawtooth Jasper Shoshone community.
On the one hand I understand where Fanetti is coming from with this portrayal that reflects the reality of Native American communities across America, where many live in abject poverty, have the highest rate of alcoholism among any ethnic group, the lowest life expectancy, are more likely to be shot by police than even African Americans, and are at the top of a number of other negative statistics. This is the result of decades old, if not centuries old government policy that aimed not only to annihilate the Native American tribes, but also to eradicate their cultures.
On the other hand I am afraid that such a mostly negative portrayal of a Shoshone band reinforces stereotypes of Native Americans of being poor and drunks when that is not the only reality. There are writers and artists, teachers and lawyers, activists and community leaders that fight for and sometimes succeed in keeping their culture alive.
Despite all this – or maybe rather because of all this – I love Anywhere. It made me think and examine my own preconceptions. Also, I didn’t like Gigi very much in the beginning, especially because of her treatment of Reese. But in the course of the novel she undergoes a process of personal growth, which starts with the recognition how she not only wronged Reese, but also her family. I really like how Georgia and Reese redefined the parameters of their relationship. And even though the novel ends on a Happy For Now for the two main protagonists (like most of Fanetti’s stories), it also opens up the possibility of a Happy Ever After.
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December 26, 2021
2.5 stars! This book started off really strong. I was convinced this would be a favourite, but the excitement died down and it became quite tedious in the second half. :/
September 14, 2019
3.5-4 stars
Anywhere.
Georgia (more affectionately known as Gigi or Mac) left the reservation she called home 10 years ago. She didn’t just leave home, she left him. When tragedy strikes, she returns, but still hasn’t quite filled what’s been “missing” within her that she left to figure out.
Reese Webb. The him she left behind. 10 years later and “he’s a little more worn, a few more memories, but otherwise exactly the same as she’d left him. He’d been waiting”.
Fanetti has a way of creating stories unlike others. This story delves into a lot: poverty, alcoholism, Native American heritage and more. Fanetti shows you the hard, and pushes your comfort level. She shows the struggles, fear, insecurities and pain. Because let’s face it, life isn’t easy. Her characters endure, and become stronger for it. They get to feel the hope, and see the difference, and take the action. They get to experience the love and know that it’s meaningful.
The part I struggled with was the second chance. I felt like I didn’t get what I needed to make me believe that their love was strong enough that they would “wait” for each other for 10 years.
Overall, I adored Mac and Reese together. I loved how they were able to talk through everything and were able to gain a better perspective of each other. And the title of the book perfectly wraps up the premise of the story ❤️
Anywhere.
Georgia (more affectionately known as Gigi or Mac) left the reservation she called home 10 years ago. She didn’t just leave home, she left him. When tragedy strikes, she returns, but still hasn’t quite filled what’s been “missing” within her that she left to figure out.
Reese Webb. The him she left behind. 10 years later and “he’s a little more worn, a few more memories, but otherwise exactly the same as she’d left him. He’d been waiting”.
Fanetti has a way of creating stories unlike others. This story delves into a lot: poverty, alcoholism, Native American heritage and more. Fanetti shows you the hard, and pushes your comfort level. She shows the struggles, fear, insecurities and pain. Because let’s face it, life isn’t easy. Her characters endure, and become stronger for it. They get to feel the hope, and see the difference, and take the action. They get to experience the love and know that it’s meaningful.
The part I struggled with was the second chance. I felt like I didn’t get what I needed to make me believe that their love was strong enough that they would “wait” for each other for 10 years.
Overall, I adored Mac and Reese together. I loved how they were able to talk through everything and were able to gain a better perspective of each other. And the title of the book perfectly wraps up the premise of the story ❤️
October 11, 2019
Not as interesting as the first two books in this series ... H was nice but more beta than alpha which is not really this authors usual H ... h comes across as someone who grows up late ... Maybe a bit too late ... But this is SF ... She writes beautifully and I enjoyed reading the book ....
August 24, 2020
Это какое-то недоразумение. Что это вообще за странная героиня? Нафиг она такая нужна? И почему герой такой тряпка?
Короче, десять лет назад девушка по имени Гиги сбежала в день свадьбы из родного города. Любимый женишок пытался всё понять и простить и сам отдал ей на побег деньги, изначально предназначенные на их медовый месяц. Думал, дурь из её бошки выверится и через пару месяцев эта помешанная вернётся. Помешанная же, оставив мать и сестру алкоголичек с дорогой сердцу бабулей и со всеми проблемами дома, стала колесить по свету. На емейлы от любимого перестала отвечать, после чего он аж бедный нанял сыщика, чтобы узнать вообще, жива ли эта кукушка. Кукушка жива и здорова, живёт постоянно в разных частях света и уж не знаю, на какие шиши разъезжает, работала вроде максимум официанткой. В романе правда об этом не сказано, но наверное она находила других придурков и разводила их на бабло.
Проходит десять, мать его, лет. Из емейла от матери (который она прочитала спустя недели три после отправления) та узнает, что любимая бабуля умерла. Героиня расстроилась, любимая же бабуля, на которую ей было начихать последние десять лет. Решает прилететь домой.
Дома все уныло, как и раньше. Встречается с любимым бывшим, который продолжает по ней сохнуть. По этой швабре. Швабра вновь мутит с героем, правда ей вечно что-то не нравится, на все его вопросы отвечает "не знаю". Выносит ему мозги нытьём. Дома ей плохо, в путешествиях хорошо, но тоже сердце не на месте. И героя снова кидануть не может, вроде бы и любит этого свяого мужчину, да и вроде как пообещала обсуждать все проблемы и не сбегать просто так. Но глазом косит. Герой это видит и понимая, что скоро эта курица вновь его опрокинет, предлагает ей уехать путешествовать в Европу. Они это делают, и страниц 50 путешествуют, героя пучит от испанской кухни и он много спит.
Потом они возвращаются, происходит какая-то дичь и хэппи энд.
Меня аж колбасит, зачем такое писать? Это при том, что автор классно пишет. Ну зачем нам читать про таких женщин? Все мы не очень-то хотим сталкиваться с проблемами и желаем порхать по жизни. И ладно в 20 лет, но и в 30 эта дама не стала зрелой и твёрже стоять на ногах не стала. Герой ей просто решил все же охамутать, а так она бы моталась и дальше.
В общем, полная дичь.
Короче, десять лет назад девушка по имени Гиги сбежала в день свадьбы из родного города. Любимый женишок пытался всё понять и простить и сам отдал ей на побег деньги, изначально предназначенные на их медовый месяц. Думал, дурь из её бошки выверится и через пару месяцев эта помешанная вернётся. Помешанная же, оставив мать и сестру алкоголичек с дорогой сердцу бабулей и со всеми проблемами дома, стала колесить по свету. На емейлы от любимого перестала отвечать, после чего он аж бедный нанял сыщика, чтобы узнать вообще, жива ли эта кукушка. Кукушка жива и здорова, живёт постоянно в разных частях света и уж не знаю, на какие шиши разъезжает, работала вроде максимум официанткой. В романе правда об этом не сказано, но наверное она находила других придурков и разводила их на бабло.
Проходит десять, мать его, лет. Из емейла от матери (который она прочитала спустя недели три после отправления) та узнает, что любимая бабуля умерла. Героиня расстроилась, любимая же бабуля, на которую ей было начихать последние десять лет. Решает прилететь домой.
Дома все уныло, как и раньше. Встречается с любимым бывшим, который продолжает по ней сохнуть. По этой швабре. Швабра вновь мутит с героем, правда ей вечно что-то не нравится, на все его вопросы отвечает "не знаю". Выносит ему мозги нытьём. Дома ей плохо, в путешествиях хорошо, но тоже сердце не на месте. И героя снова кидануть не может, вроде бы и любит этого свяого мужчину, да и вроде как пообещала обсуждать все проблемы и не сбегать просто так. Но глазом косит. Герой это видит и понимая, что скоро эта курица вновь его опрокинет, предлагает ей уехать путешествовать в Европу. Они это делают, и страниц 50 путешествуют, героя пучит от испанской кухни и он много спит.
Потом они возвращаются, происходит какая-то дичь и хэппи энд.
Меня аж колбасит, зачем такое писать? Это при том, что автор классно пишет. Ну зачем нам читать про таких женщин? Все мы не очень-то хотим сталкиваться с проблемами и желаем порхать по жизни. И ладно в 20 лет, но и в 30 эта дама не стала зрелой и твёрже стоять на ногах не стала. Герой ей просто решил все же охамутать, а так она бы моталась и дальше.
В общем, полная дичь.
April 3, 2020
I LOVED this book. This isn't the first time Susan Fanetti has had Indigenous characters in her books. She writes these characters so well and with such care and class. You can see that she does it with such respect. As someone who is Native, Diné aka Navajo, I really appreciate these characters and the way she wrote them.
However, I do have to say that most tribes I know of would never allow liquor at a Pow Wow or anywhere there was a ceremonial dance, as liquor is not welcome where tradition and respect for culture are. Yes, there are parties with booze (if outside, we call them 49's), but I haven't seen a multi-generational party/pot luck with booze since the 80's. Too many people have died and it's just not the thing we Natives do anymore. I guess there may be some tribes out there who still might, but as a majority, we don't.
However, I can allow the author some leeway as I am not 100% sure about all Natives. It's always really touchy when writing the alcohol into the story, but then how can you not? It's part of our story.
She did such a good job as a whole depicting indigenous people in this book as strong, honest and stalwart but suffering with problems as a community that seem almost unending. Which is the truth on many reservations.
I love it when Susan writes books like this.
However, I do have to say that most tribes I know of would never allow liquor at a Pow Wow or anywhere there was a ceremonial dance, as liquor is not welcome where tradition and respect for culture are. Yes, there are parties with booze (if outside, we call them 49's), but I haven't seen a multi-generational party/pot luck with booze since the 80's. Too many people have died and it's just not the thing we Natives do anymore. I guess there may be some tribes out there who still might, but as a majority, we don't.
However, I can allow the author some leeway as I am not 100% sure about all Natives. It's always really touchy when writing the alcohol into the story, but then how can you not? It's part of our story.
She did such a good job as a whole depicting indigenous people in this book as strong, honest and stalwart but suffering with problems as a community that seem almost unending. Which is the truth on many reservations.
I love it when Susan writes books like this.
March 12, 2021
4 stars
- her past and origins - rezervation, drowning in poverty and alcoholism and the whole wide world she witnessed during her roaming stage.
I am as far from the world of ranchers and Native Americans as one can get, but still the story and characters felt so relatable it's uncanny. It's a sign of a truly good writing.
I sympathised with the heroine who is torn between 2 worlds:- her past and origins - rezervation, drowning in poverty and alcoholism and the whole wide world she witnessed during her roaming stage.
And then there's another dimension - her life with Reese at Jasper Ridge. No wonder she is lost and confused. She has all this experience and is stuck in a very simple stagnant place. If it wasn't for Reese she wouldn't be able to fit in.
And I looooved Reese by the way. He is strong, reliable, mature, supportive and loving without being sappy. Treasure of a man! :)All in all - I loved the book, it felt real. And even though sometimes it got really depressing and distraught, there was still a silver lining.
December 28, 2020
4 stars really enjoyed this second chance romance. Both the hero and the heroine learned the whole way through the book about the mistakes they made they first time around and tried to improve upon them.
Their love was really heartwarming to see and I loved the initial few chapters when they were dancing around each other but were absolutely beside themselves to see the other after ten years. Excellent writing as always by SF.
Their love was really heartwarming to see and I loved the initial few chapters when they were dancing around each other but were absolutely beside themselves to see the other after ten years. Excellent writing as always by SF.
Read
December 11, 2020I stopped this read a little over 50% in due to boredom and have read a few books in between. I’m shelving this one until the urge to pick it up again strikes me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2019
I wasn't too sure I would be able to sympathise with the heroine in this story, maybe because we have read a glimpse of how her actions affected the Hero in the previous books.
So when they were young they were going to get married and she leaves, the day before the wedding.
It's not as bad as it initialy seems, she told her him she needed to run and he reasoned with her, saw she needed to escape and helped her leave.
But he hoped she'd come back in a few weeks, she does return but it's 10 years later.
When she returns, the Hero has been dating a local woman, who we met in previous books, Ellen, they were dating for three months and things seem to be going well.
That relationship ends almost as soon as Gig returns, Ellen bows out until Reese can sort himself out.
Reese is amazing to Gigi.
She has her reasons for leaving, she was young her family are a nightmare and it's not easy to help them.
There is a lot of reservation culture, customs and celebrations which was interesting.
I would have liked the ex drama to be a bit more but it's a good story, well written.
Lots of appearances from previous characters and couples.
HEA.
So when they were young they were going to get married and she leaves, the day before the wedding.
It's not as bad as it initialy seems, she told her him she needed to run and he reasoned with her, saw she needed to escape and helped her leave.
But he hoped she'd come back in a few weeks, she does return but it's 10 years later.
When she returns, the Hero has been dating a local woman, who we met in previous books, Ellen, they were dating for three months and things seem to be going well.
That relationship ends almost as soon as Gig returns, Ellen bows out until Reese can sort himself out.
Reese is amazing to Gigi.
She has her reasons for leaving, she was young her family are a nightmare and it's not easy to help them.
There is a lot of reservation culture, customs and celebrations which was interesting.
I would have liked the ex drama to be a bit more but it's a good story, well written.
Lots of appearances from previous characters and couples.
HEA.
September 26, 2019
I think this is my favourite of the series so far! Loved Gigi and Reese, and I also appreciate the careful research that Fanetti has done in an attempt to be true to her characters. I can't judge how accurately she's portrayed Gigi and her family, but it certainly felt authentic to me.
5 ★
5 ★
January 20, 2024
Not going to lie… I was bored shitless reading this book. I thought I was reading a romance but really I was reading history book. And that’s not what I wanted to read.
I am beyond interested in Native American history. I understand the struggles of minority race groups having experience it myself and being part indigenous (not Native American). I empathize and I do what I can in my own community. But this book just bored me to freaking tears.
I wanted more of their story. Not history of Europe and America. Some would argue and say their story IS that history. It’s who Gigi is. And they would be right. But I felt this book heaved on the heavier side and was less romance and them and more about Gigi. Let’s be honest. This is Gigi’s story not Gigi and Reese’s story. And to be frank had that been clear on the blurb I would not have read this book. Maybe someday I would have but certainly not today.
This book was extremely heavy on the documentary side and inner monologue. It was super repetitive. I counted no less than three monologues about Evan Hall. Each time saying the same thing. Each time extending many pages. I got it the first time, I didn’t need to read it three times. Same with the reasons why Gigi left and her despair. I think that was written about 100 times. I think if you condensed the actual dialogue between characters would not make one chapter. So in effect I read a doco. A doco I would not have read had that been clearer about this book. And damn it started out strong I thought it was going to be a winner.
It gets 2-stars purely because it’s Susan Fanetti and I love her as an author.
I am beyond interested in Native American history. I understand the struggles of minority race groups having experience it myself and being part indigenous (not Native American). I empathize and I do what I can in my own community. But this book just bored me to freaking tears.
I wanted more of their story. Not history of Europe and America. Some would argue and say their story IS that history. It’s who Gigi is. And they would be right. But I felt this book heaved on the heavier side and was less romance and them and more about Gigi. Let’s be honest. This is Gigi’s story not Gigi and Reese’s story. And to be frank had that been clear on the blurb I would not have read this book. Maybe someday I would have but certainly not today.
This book was extremely heavy on the documentary side and inner monologue. It was super repetitive. I counted no less than three monologues about Evan Hall. Each time saying the same thing. Each time extending many pages. I got it the first time, I didn’t need to read it three times. Same with the reasons why Gigi left and her despair. I think that was written about 100 times. I think if you condensed the actual dialogue between characters would not make one chapter. So in effect I read a doco. A doco I would not have read had that been clearer about this book. And damn it started out strong I thought it was going to be a winner.
It gets 2-stars purely because it’s Susan Fanetti and I love her as an author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2020
First time in a long time I’ve read a book in a day and stayed up until 1.30am to finish. Absolutely brilliant book, more of a review to come, but better get some sleep now.
October 18, 2021
Incredible, moving, and heart-warming.
October 9, 2023
How can this have only 29 reviews???People, this is fricking beautiful, brilliant writing! Oooo fingers crossed, I bagged myself a new author, maybe new series. Mama always said, dream big!🙏👑😀💙
August 11, 2025
3 boring stars
I love second chance and i loved the premise it just wasnt executed properly
I love second chance and i loved the premise it just wasnt executed properly
May 28, 2020
Loved this story!
A love that last through anything.
Great story, awesome strong characters.
A love that last through anything.
Great story, awesome strong characters.
Read
February 22, 2021Started it in 17/1
25/1 Put on hold cos there’s one book I can not wait to begin.
DNF’ed. Could not get back into this book. My mind won’t allow it atm but I’m sure I’ve missed out.
25/1 Put on hold cos there’s one book I can not wait to begin.
DNF’ed. Could not get back into this book. My mind won’t allow it atm but I’m sure I’ve missed out.
September 12, 2019
Blown away
If you bought this book expecting a romance, you were satisfied. Gigi and Reese waited more than ten years for their happily ever after. The lesson to pack light was a good one. Gigi left Reese the night before their wedding and traveled the world searching for exactly what she had left behind. Reese was firmly rooted in his role and his home. But it was only when they were rejoined that they had the strength they both needed. But like a lot of Ms Fanettis books there's a deeper part. Learning about indigenous people from a different point of view isn't an easy thing. I doubt I'll stop making Thanksgiving dinner for my family but I'll never look at it in quite the same way. And isn't that exactly what reading is about? Putting yourself in the place of someone else for a small amount of time and learning from it. Ms Fanettis gift of imparting hard knowledge in an easy way is unparalleled. as always, I highly recommend this book.
If you bought this book expecting a romance, you were satisfied. Gigi and Reese waited more than ten years for their happily ever after. The lesson to pack light was a good one. Gigi left Reese the night before their wedding and traveled the world searching for exactly what she had left behind. Reese was firmly rooted in his role and his home. But it was only when they were rejoined that they had the strength they both needed. But like a lot of Ms Fanettis books there's a deeper part. Learning about indigenous people from a different point of view isn't an easy thing. I doubt I'll stop making Thanksgiving dinner for my family but I'll never look at it in quite the same way. And isn't that exactly what reading is about? Putting yourself in the place of someone else for a small amount of time and learning from it. Ms Fanettis gift of imparting hard knowledge in an easy way is unparalleled. as always, I highly recommend this book.
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