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A Taste Of Heaven
Libby Ross fled betrayal and heartbreak in Chicago when she headed to Montana expecting a new start, children, and a good place to raise them. Instead she learned that she has been duped again by the cowboy who made her his mail-order bride. He died, leaving her with no money, nowhere to go, and no resources but her own ingenuity. Then she learned about the Lodestar Ranch and its owner, Tyler Hollins.
Besides a lifetime of painful memories, Tyler had his hands full with immediate problems. Half his cattle were lost during the worst winter on record and his cowhands were about to quit if he couldn’t find a decent cook. Libby Ross fit the bill. She had never seen a man so attractive with such a sour disposition. But she sensed desire behind the wall Ty erected to keep everyone at a distance . . . a wanting so fierce it nearly broke her heart.
They locked horns from the outset, but they could fight each other, or fight together to see their dreams come true . . .
Besides a lifetime of painful memories, Tyler had his hands full with immediate problems. Half his cattle were lost during the worst winter on record and his cowhands were about to quit if he couldn’t find a decent cook. Libby Ross fit the bill. She had never seen a man so attractive with such a sour disposition. But she sensed desire behind the wall Ty erected to keep everyone at a distance . . . a wanting so fierce it nearly broke her heart.
They locked horns from the outset, but they could fight each other, or fight together to see their dreams come true . . .
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
70 people are currently reading
1485 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Harrington
18 books184 followersI've been a self-employed working novelist for the past twenty years. Of all the books I've written I've had just one foreign sale, and that was THE IRISH BRIDE, which was translated into Norwegian, where I understand it was a big hit.
I also make jewelry and I'm a fine needlework artist, specializing in embroidery, thread crochet, and sewing. I love to cook, read, entertain friends, decorate, and pursue various crafts.
I live in the Pacific Northwest near the Columbia River, still within 10 miles of my old high school. I have a Great Pyrenees dog, one cat, a finch, and three chickens who all seem to want to be in my small office while I'm trying to work (except the chickens, although they'd be thrilled to get into the house if I let them). Getting up to step around them is like maneuvering an obstacle course, but they are my children and so dear to me. My hours are kind of goofy--I'm just not a morning person and tend to be up late when the rest of the world is sleeping--and QUIET. No phones, faxes, distractions. Just the kids and me, candles burning, and the elevator music coming out of my CD player.
Before I made the leap to full-time writer, I spent about 12 years working for consulting civil engineers. Riprap, anyone? How about a nice detention pond?
I also make jewelry and I'm a fine needlework artist, specializing in embroidery, thread crochet, and sewing. I love to cook, read, entertain friends, decorate, and pursue various crafts.
I live in the Pacific Northwest near the Columbia River, still within 10 miles of my old high school. I have a Great Pyrenees dog, one cat, a finch, and three chickens who all seem to want to be in my small office while I'm trying to work (except the chickens, although they'd be thrilled to get into the house if I let them). Getting up to step around them is like maneuvering an obstacle course, but they are my children and so dear to me. My hours are kind of goofy--I'm just not a morning person and tend to be up late when the rest of the world is sleeping--and QUIET. No phones, faxes, distractions. Just the kids and me, candles burning, and the elevator music coming out of my CD player.
Before I made the leap to full-time writer, I spent about 12 years working for consulting civil engineers. Riprap, anyone? How about a nice detention pond?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
May 7, 2015
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this one. Libby has had a hard life. After a betrayal in Chicago she left for Montana to start a new life. But it did not turn out as planned.
She ends up as a cook on a ranch owned by Tyler Hollins, a gruff, surly cowboy.
They clashed. His life was fine and dandy just the way it was. He didn't need any woman on his ranch ... or so he thought.
We got to see life on the ranch and on the cattle run. Time's were not always easy. Over time Tyler started to thaw and saw Libby as the beautiful, strong, brave young woman that she was.
Libby Ross fled betrayal and heartbreak in Chicago when she headed to Montana expecting a new start, children, and a good place to raise them. Instead she learned that she has been duped again by the cowboy who made her his mail-order bride. He died, leaving her with no money, nowhere to go, and no resources but her own ingenuity. Then she learned about the Lodestar Ranch and its owner, Tyler Hollins.
I enjoyed this one. Libby has had a hard life. After a betrayal in Chicago she left for Montana to start a new life. But it did not turn out as planned.
She ends up as a cook on a ranch owned by Tyler Hollins, a gruff, surly cowboy.
He said "city-bred" in a way that made it sound as though she wouldn't even have the wits to come in from a rainstorm
They clashed. His life was fine and dandy just the way it was. He didn't need any woman on his ranch ... or so he thought.
He needed every man's mind on the business in hand, not on this woman with honey-colored hair and big gray eyes.
"It's a wild prairie rose ...
We got to see life on the ranch and on the cattle run. Time's were not always easy. Over time Tyler started to thaw and saw Libby as the beautiful, strong, brave young woman that she was.
After a moment he reached out and gripped the knob. It was cool and metallic beneath his touch. He wished he had the right to open her door and go to her, to leave the burdens of his heart out here. But he had no right at all ...
He felt like a man who'd been allowed a taste of heaven
June 20, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great story! A very good mail-order bride story, brooding hero... actually all of the characters are written well and I found them to all be likeable.
When the hero and heroine had an argument, I felt that it was so realistically written. I could imagine myself responding as they did and I never found myself saying, "ya, right!".
All around a great western romance story.
When the hero and heroine had an argument, I felt that it was so realistically written. I could imagine myself responding as they did and I never found myself saying, "ya, right!".
All around a great western romance story.
March 22, 2017
1.5 stars. One star for the easy to read writing and half a star for a heroine who makes lemonade out of lemons.
This book missed the mark for me. As cliche as it was, the plot had potential. I liked the dual povs and the easy to read writing. Unfortunately a confluence of elements that I normally don't enjoy killed my enjoyment. I can't really get into why I disliked this book without spoiling it, so please read on only if you're looking for spoilers.
.
.
.
.
.
.
What didn't work for me:
1) The secrets are drawn out for too long. The revelation and reaction to said secrets are a little OTT.
2) Someone feels a lot of guilt over a dead spouse. The dead spouse thing generally makes me twitchy.
3) There's a madame, Callie, that the H has been visiting on a regular basis for three years and she's a part of this story. The H thinks about her and how empty their interactions are. The fact that the author has him thinking about her often enough bugs me. And he still goes and visits her even after he starts developing feelings for the h. He doesn't feel deserving of the happiness he knows he could have with the h so he goes to Callie to try and forget about his loneliness. The fact that he can't be aroused around her any more is supposed to signify that he's in love with the h and I guess to some it might be oh so romantic, but not to me. The fact that he still goes to her to scratch an itch, all the while thinking of the h and comparing her to Callie killed the romance for me.
4) There's eavesdropping and jumping to conclusions.
5) The H is too handsome to be believed so the h constantly thinks about how good looking he is and how it's not fair for someone so ornery to be so handsome. We get it. He's hot.
6) The push and pull dance happened too often. The H who is a cold jerk is hard to execute well if you still want the reader to root for him. I could take or leave this H and that's not a good sign of book enjoyment.
7) The h was a little insipid. She was strong in certain areas, but when it came to how she viewed herself, it was sad how easily she accepted what she perceived as being shoved aside. I suppose that was what part of this story was about, the change in how she viewed and valued herself, but the telling of it was sort of boring.
Overall, this was an ok historical western. I didn't care for it much, but others might really enjoy it. It really was easy to read, but fell short of the mark for me.
This book missed the mark for me. As cliche as it was, the plot had potential. I liked the dual povs and the easy to read writing. Unfortunately a confluence of elements that I normally don't enjoy killed my enjoyment. I can't really get into why I disliked this book without spoiling it, so please read on only if you're looking for spoilers.
.
.
.
.
.
.
What didn't work for me:
1) The secrets are drawn out for too long. The revelation and reaction to said secrets are a little OTT.
2) Someone feels a lot of guilt over a dead spouse. The dead spouse thing generally makes me twitchy.
3) There's a madame, Callie, that the H has been visiting on a regular basis for three years and she's a part of this story. The H thinks about her and how empty their interactions are. The fact that the author has him thinking about her often enough bugs me. And he still goes and visits her even after he starts developing feelings for the h. He doesn't feel deserving of the happiness he knows he could have with the h so he goes to Callie to try and forget about his loneliness. The fact that he can't be aroused around her any more is supposed to signify that he's in love with the h and I guess to some it might be oh so romantic, but not to me. The fact that he still goes to her to scratch an itch, all the while thinking of the h and comparing her to Callie killed the romance for me.
4) There's eavesdropping and jumping to conclusions.
5) The H is too handsome to be believed so the h constantly thinks about how good looking he is and how it's not fair for someone so ornery to be so handsome. We get it. He's hot.
6) The push and pull dance happened too often. The H who is a cold jerk is hard to execute well if you still want the reader to root for him. I could take or leave this H and that's not a good sign of book enjoyment.
7) The h was a little insipid. She was strong in certain areas, but when it came to how she viewed herself, it was sad how easily she accepted what she perceived as being shoved aside. I suppose that was what part of this story was about, the change in how she viewed and valued herself, but the telling of it was sort of boring.
Overall, this was an ok historical western. I didn't care for it much, but others might really enjoy it. It really was easy to read, but fell short of the mark for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2016
3 I want my own Tyler stars
I am thinking about how to review this way too long, my reviewing muscles still atrofied.
Western is usually my choice when I need a break, even from my own line of reading, time to sort my thoughts out for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it works like a charm. In the best occasions it moves me deeply. There is just something about the vastness of the lands and the extreme life conditions of both Indians and colonists that pulls something in me behind the visual imaginary I grew up with. A taste of heaven doesn't fall in the best category, it is not particularly well written or gripping, though it tries hard to be. But something is lingering and I fell for the nature it depicts all over.
There are a lot of tropes in the book, a lot: rough but goodhearted cowboys, judgemental and hypocritical rich city families, leads with painful pasts and broken hearts, bashful but strong heroine, a moody, cold hero hiding a tender, self-doubting man, marriage of convenience and virginity, range wars, teenager kiddo trying to be a man, chatty emporium store owner...you name it, it probably has it. A lot of it worked but it would have worked even better without all the editing errors and a quicker, straight-lined pace. The author chose to disclose the leads' thoughts and past traumas bit by bit, with hints here and there, short remembered images and facts, never complete flashbacks and all of it, combined with the fact that the timeframe of the whole story was not linear either and the relationship between the MCs went back and forth all the time, made for a tiring pacing, sometimes downright dragging. Both Tyler and Libby were skittish characters, for different reasons, they also kept changing idea over what they wanted and what they felt.
This is meant to be a tale of redemption and healing, fortitude and faith, a man with a massive guilt complex and a lonely girl with a lot of loss and abuse in her past saving each others, unfortunately I seldom felt the depth of emotions the author so hard tried to convey. The balance between what irked me and what drew me kept tipping this way then that. I felt more than once that both characters were stuck in their psychological development. Libby endured a lot and her perseverance and hard-working attitude were really admirable. She was built to inspire protection instincts and I am a bit allergic to endearments as 'angel'. I got tired of her blushing but I was happy that, once they finally got to it, she fully embraced her own desire and Tyler's without holding back and accepting/asking for her pleasure. The constant reference to her being timid or inexperienced tired me and it took her a bit too long to let go of her 'superior' city views. I also believe the eavesdropping expedient, with the inevitable misunderstandings and drama, was used too often.
Tyler was my weakness, his body type (broad shoulders, narrow hips, long lean and strong limbs), his physicality and aura are really my thing, so I had some kind of drooling pavlovian reaction whenever his POV was on, even though he's unnecessarily brusque and unapproachable for most of the book, with just the right amount of glimpses of his warmth here and there. He also had a few stalkerish-peeping moments, that should have bothered me more than they actually did. He is so much more than a cowboy, he's so very caring and responsible. He's also a very generous and attentive lover for Libby, even though I had my doubts on his defloration tecnique. His internal doubts and self-deprecation should have been solved much quicker, after a while the way he kept pushing and pulling Libby was truly aggravating. Again I don't understand why communication has to be such a sore point in romances. At least in this case they do apologise and move on, every time. Some of the drama was really uncalled for. Despite not having problems with couples fighting and lashing out, these two needed less of it. And even though the final incident that ties all the loose ends and allows the final reconciliation of Tyler with himself is well set, I was surprised by the way the author made it sound like emotional manipulation by Libby.
There were things that puzzled me. Like Libby sleeping a few doors from her employer in the main house. She was so concerned with propriety, was that even possible at the time without raising raging gossip? I was really surprised by Callie, the saloon Madam. Brothel life holds a lot of interest for me and I haven't met a lot of Madams or even convincing prostitutes so far. She's not a hateful character, but we're subtly pushed to dislike her anyway, for her insincere, manipulative ways. She's had Tyler for herself every Saturday for a good three years before Libby shows up. The perfect arrangement for a man unable/unwilling to love anymore but with no qualms about his needs, including the need to take his mind off everything with meaningless sex. I don't believe it was only empty sex for her, even if she made him pay every time. While I really liked the fact that this aspect of male lives (visiting prostitutes) was clearly presented and aknowledged as normal for the times, and I have nothing with the profession either, I could still taste a floating judgement, especially when Tyler ends up feeling bad and low for it and keeps comparing tender, shy Libby to powdered, shameless Callie. Callie was never a romantic competition for Libby as Tyler really went there for the sex solace alone, but it was an obstacle, a cause of jealousy and heartache. And on this theme, another surprising thing was the mention of impotence: Tyler might be slow in admitting his own feelings, but his body suddenly doesn't get aroused by Callie anymore. Clever trick or not to illustrate his heart being taken, I'm glad to read about a man who has normal erectile problems when he's really not into it anymore. It didn't deter from his hotness.
I loved the land and all ranching descriptions, the cooking of Libby (even though she refused to make rattlesnake stew), the cattle trail trip, Charlie, Rory and John, the UST and the sex scenes towards the end, despite some purple prose that had me grinding my teeth, HARD, the sense of appreciation, belonging and contentment the ranch life and people provide to the couple. The HEA is really on every possible aspect, so I'm sure A taste of heaven will work for a lot of people. I lusted after Tyler, but I didn't really connect.
I am thinking about how to review this way too long, my reviewing muscles still atrofied.
Western is usually my choice when I need a break, even from my own line of reading, time to sort my thoughts out for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it works like a charm. In the best occasions it moves me deeply. There is just something about the vastness of the lands and the extreme life conditions of both Indians and colonists that pulls something in me behind the visual imaginary I grew up with. A taste of heaven doesn't fall in the best category, it is not particularly well written or gripping, though it tries hard to be. But something is lingering and I fell for the nature it depicts all over.
There are a lot of tropes in the book, a lot: rough but goodhearted cowboys, judgemental and hypocritical rich city families, leads with painful pasts and broken hearts, bashful but strong heroine, a moody, cold hero hiding a tender, self-doubting man, marriage of convenience and virginity, range wars, teenager kiddo trying to be a man, chatty emporium store owner...you name it, it probably has it. A lot of it worked but it would have worked even better without all the editing errors and a quicker, straight-lined pace. The author chose to disclose the leads' thoughts and past traumas bit by bit, with hints here and there, short remembered images and facts, never complete flashbacks and all of it, combined with the fact that the timeframe of the whole story was not linear either and the relationship between the MCs went back and forth all the time, made for a tiring pacing, sometimes downright dragging. Both Tyler and Libby were skittish characters, for different reasons, they also kept changing idea over what they wanted and what they felt.
This is meant to be a tale of redemption and healing, fortitude and faith, a man with a massive guilt complex and a lonely girl with a lot of loss and abuse in her past saving each others, unfortunately I seldom felt the depth of emotions the author so hard tried to convey. The balance between what irked me and what drew me kept tipping this way then that. I felt more than once that both characters were stuck in their psychological development. Libby endured a lot and her perseverance and hard-working attitude were really admirable. She was built to inspire protection instincts and I am a bit allergic to endearments as 'angel'. I got tired of her blushing but I was happy that, once they finally got to it, she fully embraced her own desire and Tyler's without holding back and accepting/asking for her pleasure. The constant reference to her being timid or inexperienced tired me and it took her a bit too long to let go of her 'superior' city views. I also believe the eavesdropping expedient, with the inevitable misunderstandings and drama, was used too often.
Tyler was my weakness, his body type (broad shoulders, narrow hips, long lean and strong limbs), his physicality and aura are really my thing, so I had some kind of drooling pavlovian reaction whenever his POV was on, even though he's unnecessarily brusque and unapproachable for most of the book, with just the right amount of glimpses of his warmth here and there. He also had a few stalkerish-peeping moments, that should have bothered me more than they actually did. He is so much more than a cowboy, he's so very caring and responsible. He's also a very generous and attentive lover for Libby, even though I had my doubts on his defloration tecnique. His internal doubts and self-deprecation should have been solved much quicker, after a while the way he kept pushing and pulling Libby was truly aggravating. Again I don't understand why communication has to be such a sore point in romances. At least in this case they do apologise and move on, every time. Some of the drama was really uncalled for. Despite not having problems with couples fighting and lashing out, these two needed less of it. And even though the final incident that ties all the loose ends and allows the final reconciliation of Tyler with himself is well set, I was surprised by the way the author made it sound like emotional manipulation by Libby.
There were things that puzzled me. Like Libby sleeping a few doors from her employer in the main house. She was so concerned with propriety, was that even possible at the time without raising raging gossip? I was really surprised by Callie, the saloon Madam. Brothel life holds a lot of interest for me and I haven't met a lot of Madams or even convincing prostitutes so far. She's not a hateful character, but we're subtly pushed to dislike her anyway, for her insincere, manipulative ways. She's had Tyler for herself every Saturday for a good three years before Libby shows up. The perfect arrangement for a man unable/unwilling to love anymore but with no qualms about his needs, including the need to take his mind off everything with meaningless sex. I don't believe it was only empty sex for her, even if she made him pay every time. While I really liked the fact that this aspect of male lives (visiting prostitutes) was clearly presented and aknowledged as normal for the times, and I have nothing with the profession either, I could still taste a floating judgement, especially when Tyler ends up feeling bad and low for it and keeps comparing tender, shy Libby to powdered, shameless Callie. Callie was never a romantic competition for Libby as Tyler really went there for the sex solace alone, but it was an obstacle, a cause of jealousy and heartache. And on this theme, another surprising thing was the mention of impotence: Tyler might be slow in admitting his own feelings, but his body suddenly doesn't get aroused by Callie anymore. Clever trick or not to illustrate his heart being taken, I'm glad to read about a man who has normal erectile problems when he's really not into it anymore. It didn't deter from his hotness.
I loved the land and all ranching descriptions, the cooking of Libby (even though she refused to make rattlesnake stew), the cattle trail trip, Charlie, Rory and John, the UST and the sex scenes towards the end, despite some purple prose that had me grinding my teeth, HARD, the sense of appreciation, belonging and contentment the ranch life and people provide to the couple. The HEA is really on every possible aspect, so I'm sure A taste of heaven will work for a lot of people. I lusted after Tyler, but I didn't really connect.
August 22, 2020
3.5 "western romance" Stars
This has been on my kindle for quite a while. I originally picked it up because it sounded similar to The Heart Breaker and Duncan's Bride two of my all-time MOB favorites… and there’re similarities, but this book has a much slower-burn/relationship-build flow.
I found it on an arranged marriage/mail order bride list, and while technically she’s a mob… it’s to an old dude that dies before the book starts. Libby came to Tyler a desperate widow looking for a job, and is hired as a cook, so it starts as a boss/worker relationship without a ton of contact. That slowed the coupling down A LOT compared to the other two books, who were interacting romantically almost immediately. The “getting into a relationship” is pretty balanced; they are both dealing with baggage, and neither is quick to desire/start a love connection, which did erase all the “unrequited love” angst, but it was also a refreshing change.
There’re a couple parts that could bug a few readers; they’re talked about a lot in spoilers, so I’m just going to lay it out emotion-free, so you can decide for yourself.
Bottom Line- Good story, both characters were quite likeable. Like I mentioned above, this is paced super slow, so you’ll need to be patient. To give you a reference it takes…53% for a kiss, and takes about 80% to get any real forward movement in the relationship. IMO, Tyler’s baggage was pushed way to long, and the “treading water” got old. The good thing is that we do get some page time with them as a couple, (it’s such a disappointment when you sit through a slow burn only to end as soon as they connect) and we get a cute little epilogue.
This has been on my kindle for quite a while. I originally picked it up because it sounded similar to The Heart Breaker and Duncan's Bride two of my all-time MOB favorites… and there’re similarities, but this book has a much slower-burn/relationship-build flow.
I found it on an arranged marriage/mail order bride list, and while technically she’s a mob… it’s to an old dude that dies before the book starts. Libby came to Tyler a desperate widow looking for a job, and is hired as a cook, so it starts as a boss/worker relationship without a ton of contact. That slowed the coupling down A LOT compared to the other two books, who were interacting romantically almost immediately. The “getting into a relationship” is pretty balanced; they are both dealing with baggage, and neither is quick to desire/start a love connection, which did erase all the “unrequited love” angst, but it was also a refreshing change.
There’re a couple parts that could bug a few readers; they’re talked about a lot in spoilers, so I’m just going to lay it out emotion-free, so you can decide for yourself.
Bottom Line- Good story, both characters were quite likeable. Like I mentioned above, this is paced super slow, so you’ll need to be patient. To give you a reference it takes…53% for a kiss, and takes about 80% to get any real forward movement in the relationship. IMO, Tyler’s baggage was pushed way to long, and the “treading water” got old. The good thing is that we do get some page time with them as a couple, (it’s such a disappointment when you sit through a slow burn only to end as soon as they connect) and we get a cute little epilogue.
July 18, 2015
I had three reasons to pick this book: many positive reviews, I was on my little "western historical romance binge", and I read and liked couple of other books by the author. Well, it turned out to be very predictable, run of the mill, sugary-sweet story. We have our destitute mail-order bride coming from Chicago to the Montana frontier with one variation. Turned out, her husband was a very old man, who lived on the small isolated ranch 15 miles from a nearest town and needed a nurse more than a wife. Our heroine, Libby, diligently nursed him but after a short time he died. Libby was done with a wilderness and wanted to go back to Chicago but needed money, so she became a cook for a rancher. Tyler, the rancher and our hero, is a handsome, troubled, moody alpha-man who has respect of his crew and, of course, secrets buried in his past. Both characters are reluctantly attracted to each other but resisted acting on it due to her perceiving him as a boor and him swearing not to have a woman too close due to ..(you guessed it) a secret past. Our Libby turned out to be a little angel who was just nauseatingly perfect and was loved by all male population of the ranch. She is beautiful in a fragile sort of way but has a strength to cook three big meals for a crew of hungry cowboys in a primitive kitchen, has time to dream, to observe, to participate in the cowboys' conversations, to go to town and still have these meals ready on time in the primitive kitchen. We led to believe that she could do it because of her experience as a cook for a wealthy Chicago family of four. Well, at least she was not cleaning a house or doing a laundry at the same time. (who did this was never mentioned). Curiously though, nobody on the ranch nor in the small town had any problem accepting our characters' living arrangements- sleeping in rooms next to each other in the house where they were the only inhabitants. Not being married and still no question about her respectability in the late 19th-century America. Oh, well , add it to another suspend believe moment among plenty in the story.
June 19, 2014
This is a story about forgiveness, acceptance, second chances at love and building a family and a happy life.
What I loved about this story:
1. Good pacing.
2. Dual POV.
3. There was more story after the couple became a couple.
4. A little humor.
5. I loved the whole cast of characters.
6. Libby. She had a backbone and wasn't a wimpy, weak heroine. She had a good balance about her and was very likable.
7. Tyler. He was broody and standoffish for a bit but I really liked how he was written too.
8. This book sucked me in. I only put it down because I passed out in the wee hours of the early morning from staying up too late to read it.
9. I loved this story so much that the cast felt real and I didn't want to stop reading about them.
10. Mostly clean story with a little bit of steam thrown in later in the book.
11. Joe. He's Tyler's good friend and works for him. I liked him a lot and wouldn't mind having a story all about him.
I've been on a kick of western romances lately. However, finding one that sucks me in hasn't been easy. This story sure did it's job. I will gladly pick up another story by this author.
What I loved about this story:
1. Good pacing.
2. Dual POV.
3. There was more story after the couple became a couple.
4. A little humor.
5. I loved the whole cast of characters.
6. Libby. She had a backbone and wasn't a wimpy, weak heroine. She had a good balance about her and was very likable.
7. Tyler. He was broody and standoffish for a bit but I really liked how he was written too.
8. This book sucked me in. I only put it down because I passed out in the wee hours of the early morning from staying up too late to read it.
9. I loved this story so much that the cast felt real and I didn't want to stop reading about them.
10. Mostly clean story with a little bit of steam thrown in later in the book.
11. Joe. He's Tyler's good friend and works for him. I liked him a lot and wouldn't mind having a story all about him.
I've been on a kick of western romances lately. However, finding one that sucks me in hasn't been easy. This story sure did it's job. I will gladly pick up another story by this author.
August 7, 2021
Re-read, quite borring, first time 5 stars, now- only 3.
Boring, skipped a lot,
naive silly heroine, angry with life hero
not safe
hero went to his current fuck buddie (a prostitute) several times after meeting heroine.
Boring, skipped a lot,
naive silly heroine, angry with life hero
not safe
hero went to his current fuck buddie (a prostitute) several times after meeting heroine.
November 22, 2021
Overall book rating: 3.8
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3
I had a great time with Miss Libby and Ty.
I think it’s because life is so crazy these days, and I just absolutely enjoyed the hell out of this one. I was in the mood for it and that has a big impact on one experiences a story.
To me the easiness of the story did it.
I loved the everyday life, the guys on the ranch, I cried for Charlie.
Just about the whole thing was just enjoyable and sweet.
I can read MF like this.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3
I had a great time with Miss Libby and Ty.
I think it’s because life is so crazy these days, and I just absolutely enjoyed the hell out of this one. I was in the mood for it and that has a big impact on one experiences a story.
To me the easiness of the story did it.
I loved the everyday life, the guys on the ranch, I cried for Charlie.
Just about the whole thing was just enjoyable and sweet.
I can read MF like this.
December 3, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Both the hero and heroine were very likeable. I loved the fact that the heroine was strong, smart and hard-working. What I loved the most was the build up, wistful gazes across the room, glowering, fleeting brushes of hands,... Sometimes, I find that hotter than the hottest sex scene.
P.S. There is no rape or attempt of rape by anyone. Cheating? Decide for yourself whether this is cheating
P.S. There is no rape or attempt of rape by anyone. Cheating? Decide for yourself whether this is cheating
September 28, 2014
Me están gustando mucho las historias de esta autora. Logra decir mucho en su forma de narrar las cosas.
En esta oportunidad tenemos a Tyler y a Libby. Ambos no son lo que el otro esperaba, pero se llenan de una forma que ninguna otra persona hubiera podido haber hecho.
Tyler al principio, se resiste tanto a tener a Libby cerca que resulta fácil ver el cambio que se da luego en él. Su mente está llena de recuerdos y remordimientos del pasado y no quiere a ninguna mujer que le haga pensar en ello. Es muy poco lo que sabemos de él, ni siquiera el porqué se comporta de esa forma o qué tanto es lo que le remuerde la consciencia. Esos importantes datos se revelan a cada paso que da la novela hasta el final.
Libby, es una chica que se tuvo que formar a sí misma, y lo hace con gran valentía y esperanza. Se encuentra sola y perdida, pero deposita su corazón en este nuevo trabajo que se le oferta. Aunque la amenaza de despido pende sobre su cabeza continuamente, no deja de mantenerse fuerte y no se deja amedrentar por las piedras que encuentra continuamente en su camino.
Ellos hacen una pareja muy entrañable. Libby saca a relucir al Tyler que llevaba mucho tiempo escondido en su interior y Tyler hace de Libby una persona mucho más feliz y libre. Se complementan de una manera maravillosa.
Una de las cosas más bonitas es el ver el desarrollo de este romance que empieza con mal pie pero a medida que pasa el tiempo encuentran formas para estar cerca el uno del otro a pesar de que no es eso lo que querían originalmente.
Pero en fin, es una linda historia, con un ritmo muy tranquilo, con romance que empieza a formarse de a poco.
En esta oportunidad tenemos a Tyler y a Libby. Ambos no son lo que el otro esperaba, pero se llenan de una forma que ninguna otra persona hubiera podido haber hecho.
Tyler al principio, se resiste tanto a tener a Libby cerca que resulta fácil ver el cambio que se da luego en él. Su mente está llena de recuerdos y remordimientos del pasado y no quiere a ninguna mujer que le haga pensar en ello. Es muy poco lo que sabemos de él, ni siquiera el porqué se comporta de esa forma o qué tanto es lo que le remuerde la consciencia. Esos importantes datos se revelan a cada paso que da la novela hasta el final.
Libby, es una chica que se tuvo que formar a sí misma, y lo hace con gran valentía y esperanza. Se encuentra sola y perdida, pero deposita su corazón en este nuevo trabajo que se le oferta. Aunque la amenaza de despido pende sobre su cabeza continuamente, no deja de mantenerse fuerte y no se deja amedrentar por las piedras que encuentra continuamente en su camino.
Ellos hacen una pareja muy entrañable. Libby saca a relucir al Tyler que llevaba mucho tiempo escondido en su interior y Tyler hace de Libby una persona mucho más feliz y libre. Se complementan de una manera maravillosa.
Una de las cosas más bonitas es el ver el desarrollo de este romance que empieza con mal pie pero a medida que pasa el tiempo encuentran formas para estar cerca el uno del otro a pesar de que no es eso lo que querían originalmente.
Pero en fin, es una linda historia, con un ritmo muy tranquilo, con romance que empieza a formarse de a poco.
September 2, 2022
I’m always on the hunt for great MOB books. The h was a former MOB to an old geezer cowboy who catfished her. She’s destitute and abandons the ranch after he passes away to end up as the H’s cook. The H pulls away and is surly, but the h is such an asset that he keeps her on and feelings slowly start to develop. There’s quite a bit of steam at the end and an HEA.
I enjoyed this story and the author’s writing style.
I enjoyed this story and the author’s writing style.
May 21, 2020
My guilty pleasure is a brooding, moody cowboy! I really enjoyed this story. It follows Libby and Tyler, Libby's first (70 year old) husband has just died and she is penniless and alone in the world. She ends up getting a job as a cook on Tyler's ranch and he is none too happy to have her there. So their story continues in that light but all along you get both POV's so that when Tyler is being mean you get his internal musings on how much he wants her.
I didn't know that he had a dead wife when I first picked up the book and I struggle with this as a plot if it isn't done right or more importantly if I feel the heroine plays a second choice but it didn't detract from the book. Tyler also has a regular thing with a local hooker (Cassie) but once he has the heroine at his ranch he doesn't want the hooker any longer except
This is my first historical romance since March (pandemic related couldn't face historical) and I really enjoyed it and looked forward to picking up where I left off each time. It has a HEA.
I didn't know that he had a dead wife when I first picked up the book and I struggle with this as a plot if it isn't done right or more importantly if I feel the heroine plays a second choice but it didn't detract from the book. Tyler also has a regular thing with a local hooker (Cassie) but once he has the heroine at his ranch he doesn't want the hooker any longer except
This is my first historical romance since March (pandemic related couldn't face historical) and I really enjoyed it and looked forward to picking up where I left off each time. It has a HEA.
September 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 4 stars
A Taste of Heaven is about Libby Ross, who escapes betrayal and heartbreak in Chicago hoping for a fresh start in Montana — a new life, children, and a safe place to raise them. But instead of the new beginning she dreamed of, she finds out she’s been lied to again by the cowboy who made her his mail-order bride. What follows is her journey of rebuilding, finding strength, and discovering unexpected love out on the Montana frontier.
I really loved this book. I really loved Libby, and everything she went through was heartbreaking. I really liked Tyler too — their dynamic and the enemies-to-lovers storyline were great. I thought the author did a wonderful job with world-building and developing each character, and I was definitely close to tears a couple of times.
There were a couple of things about the story that bothered me. I love a slow burn, but there were many times when I wished it moved just a touch faster. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I did love that we got to see the love between Libby and Tyler grow. I just wish Tyler’s story had been developed earlier on so we could get to know him a bit sooner — it felt a little rushed toward the end. And while I adored Libby, there were moments when I wished she stood up for herself a little more and was a bit more headstrong, especially given everything she had been through.
All in all, I really liked it. I loved the plot and the adventures Libby went on with the cowboys, and overall it was such an emotional, heartfelt read.
A Taste of Heaven is about Libby Ross, who escapes betrayal and heartbreak in Chicago hoping for a fresh start in Montana — a new life, children, and a safe place to raise them. But instead of the new beginning she dreamed of, she finds out she’s been lied to again by the cowboy who made her his mail-order bride. What follows is her journey of rebuilding, finding strength, and discovering unexpected love out on the Montana frontier.
I really loved this book. I really loved Libby, and everything she went through was heartbreaking. I really liked Tyler too — their dynamic and the enemies-to-lovers storyline were great. I thought the author did a wonderful job with world-building and developing each character, and I was definitely close to tears a couple of times.
There were a couple of things about the story that bothered me. I love a slow burn, but there were many times when I wished it moved just a touch faster. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I did love that we got to see the love between Libby and Tyler grow. I just wish Tyler’s story had been developed earlier on so we could get to know him a bit sooner — it felt a little rushed toward the end. And while I adored Libby, there were moments when I wished she stood up for herself a little more and was a bit more headstrong, especially given everything she had been through.
All in all, I really liked it. I loved the plot and the adventures Libby went on with the cowboys, and overall it was such an emotional, heartfelt read.
August 10, 2021
3.5*
A slow-burn romance set in the 1800s, in America. She is a destitute mail-order bride coming from Chicago to Montana, for a better life, only to find out that her soon to be husband is 70 and he needed a nurse more than a wife. 4 months later, the husband dies, and she tries to go back to Chicago, but she needs money so she finds a job as a cook at a ranch.
Tyler, the owner has a troubled past and he doesn't like changes. He acts badly with her at the beginning but after a while, they start to develop feelings for each other.
The plot was good, but the plot had a lot of fillers and the actions were a little dragged. In the end, we find out about Tyler's past and the heroes get their HEA.
A slow-burn romance set in the 1800s, in America. She is a destitute mail-order bride coming from Chicago to Montana, for a better life, only to find out that her soon to be husband is 70 and he needed a nurse more than a wife. 4 months later, the husband dies, and she tries to go back to Chicago, but she needs money so she finds a job as a cook at a ranch.
Tyler, the owner has a troubled past and he doesn't like changes. He acts badly with her at the beginning but after a while, they start to develop feelings for each other.
The plot was good, but the plot had a lot of fillers and the actions were a little dragged. In the end, we find out about Tyler's past and the heroes get their HEA.
October 29, 2018
Hay novelas románticas que están llenas de la historia de sus protagonistas, me refiero a su relación, desde que se conocen, hasta que terminan juntos y casi siempre tenemos un felices para siempre.
Pero hay otras que además de regalarnos eso, que obviamente, es lo que nos gusta de la literatura romántica también nos cuenta algo diferente, fuera de lo que conocemos normalmente o que aveces estando tan trillado en el cine, no le damos mucha importancia.
Alexis Harrington escribió una historia de amor, bien contada, bien planteada, personajes complejos y reales, situados en una época donde, sobrevivir era mas importante a cualquier cosa.
Libby Graisson llega a Montana para casarse con su novio por correspondencia, viene de ser una sirvienta en Chicago y sale de ahí con la ilusión de casarse, tener hijos y rehacer su vida con su nuevo marido; las cosas no son como parecen, se lleva un chasco y al cabo de algunos meses se encuentra enterrando a un marido que no era lo que esperaba, mas pobre que cuando llego y con la esperanza de poder regresar lo mas pronto posible a su Chicago natal.
La situación es que no tiene dinero, hay pocas probabilidades de encontrar un trabajo decente y cae en el rancho Estrella Polar para trabajar como la cocinera; ha sido un duro invierno en Montana, hay pocos cocineros disponibles y por lo tanto al dueño de la Estrella Polar Tyler Hollins, quien realmente no quiere mujeres en su rancho, distraen y no tienen lo suficiente para poder encajar en una vida dura, aislada y difícil, tiene que aceptar que Libby se quede, con la consigna de que se irá en cuanto consigan un sustituto.
Así pues es como comienza esta historia, donde Libby nos demuestra que con determinación se sale adelante hasta de las situaciones mas difíciles y a un Tyler que sale de su caparazón de ranchero hostil para mostrarnos un hombre fuerte y decidido a salir adelante, responsable de todos los que trabajan para él, un buen hombre que por una situación difícil en su vida, decide ser un solitario vaquero de Montana.
Honestamente me gustó mucho la historia, la forma de contarlo, el conocer como se vivía en esos lugares cuando todo estaba en contra, la época de finales del siglo IXX, que podremos situar fácilmente en las películas del viejo oeste norteamericano, pero aquí no hay matones ni indios ni nada parecido, así que por lo tanto me pareció todavía mas real.
Cada personaje tiene su peso, desde el pequeño trabajador del rancho, hasta la madamme del saloon del pueblo.
Si les gusta la novela romántica, realmente les recomiendo este libro.
Pero hay otras que además de regalarnos eso, que obviamente, es lo que nos gusta de la literatura romántica también nos cuenta algo diferente, fuera de lo que conocemos normalmente o que aveces estando tan trillado en el cine, no le damos mucha importancia.
Alexis Harrington escribió una historia de amor, bien contada, bien planteada, personajes complejos y reales, situados en una época donde, sobrevivir era mas importante a cualquier cosa.
Libby Graisson llega a Montana para casarse con su novio por correspondencia, viene de ser una sirvienta en Chicago y sale de ahí con la ilusión de casarse, tener hijos y rehacer su vida con su nuevo marido; las cosas no son como parecen, se lleva un chasco y al cabo de algunos meses se encuentra enterrando a un marido que no era lo que esperaba, mas pobre que cuando llego y con la esperanza de poder regresar lo mas pronto posible a su Chicago natal.
La situación es que no tiene dinero, hay pocas probabilidades de encontrar un trabajo decente y cae en el rancho Estrella Polar para trabajar como la cocinera; ha sido un duro invierno en Montana, hay pocos cocineros disponibles y por lo tanto al dueño de la Estrella Polar Tyler Hollins, quien realmente no quiere mujeres en su rancho, distraen y no tienen lo suficiente para poder encajar en una vida dura, aislada y difícil, tiene que aceptar que Libby se quede, con la consigna de que se irá en cuanto consigan un sustituto.
Así pues es como comienza esta historia, donde Libby nos demuestra que con determinación se sale adelante hasta de las situaciones mas difíciles y a un Tyler que sale de su caparazón de ranchero hostil para mostrarnos un hombre fuerte y decidido a salir adelante, responsable de todos los que trabajan para él, un buen hombre que por una situación difícil en su vida, decide ser un solitario vaquero de Montana.
Honestamente me gustó mucho la historia, la forma de contarlo, el conocer como se vivía en esos lugares cuando todo estaba en contra, la época de finales del siglo IXX, que podremos situar fácilmente en las películas del viejo oeste norteamericano, pero aquí no hay matones ni indios ni nada parecido, así que por lo tanto me pareció todavía mas real.
Cada personaje tiene su peso, desde el pequeño trabajador del rancho, hasta la madamme del saloon del pueblo.
Si les gusta la novela romántica, realmente les recomiendo este libro.
March 4, 2025
Me encantan los libros con vaqueros fuertes y gruñones que en realidad por dentro son un algodón de azúcar y esto describe perfectamente a Tyler Hollins, los primeros capítulos quería golpearlo por lo grosero que era con mi pobre Libby pero a medida que su corazoncito se fue descongelando y nos mostró su lado tierno y protector no demoré ni un segundo en enamorarme de él😍
Y la dulce Libby es de las protagonistas más valientes y luchadoras de las que he leído, su voluntad por seguir adelante y no dejarse vencer a pesar de las dificultades me robó el corazón. Adoré que todos los trabajadores de Lodestar la aceptaron desde el primer momento y la hicieran sentir que al fin había encontrado la familia que tanto anhelaba🥹❤️
Y la dulce Libby es de las protagonistas más valientes y luchadoras de las que he leído, su voluntad por seguir adelante y no dejarse vencer a pesar de las dificultades me robó el corazón. Adoré que todos los trabajadores de Lodestar la aceptaron desde el primer momento y la hicieran sentir que al fin había encontrado la familia que tanto anhelaba🥹❤️
February 6, 2011
Liberty Ross has just buried her husband on the desolate Montana plains. She’d traveled out from Chicago as a mail-order bride, and a mere four months later, her husband has succumbed to pneumonia. Now she must drive the rickety wagon to the nearest town to catch a train back to Chicago. But when she arrives, she discovers she hasn’t enough money to buy a ticket.
Her dilemma is solved when two ranch hands overhear the situation and ask her to come back to the ranch. Seems their cook was fired and they can’t find another. As fate would have it, Libby worked as a cook for an upscale household in Chicago, so she decides to go with them until she can earn enough to buy her ticket.
One problem: ranch owner Tyler Hollins doesn’t want a woman on the ranch, never mind whether she can cook or not.
However, Tyler is in a real bind, and after a meal or two, the ranch hands think Libby is a bit of heaven herself.
Libby is unaccustomed to the rigors of the west, but she proves her mettle in various ways and begins to earn Tyler’s grudging respect. However, Tyler has a history of pain and loss that consumes him and which keeps his heart locked up with no key.
Tyler and the hands drive the herd of cattle to Billings and Libby drives the chuck wagon, enduring hardships without complaint, even saving her hard-headed boss’ life. As the days lengthen, she finds herself falling in love with Tyler, and in turn, he is finding Libby a huge distraction. Her plan is to board a train in Billings and return to Chicago, however, plans go awry and she returns to the ranch thinking just maybe there’s a chance for happiness with Tyler.
This is a well-crafted story of two damaged people who must move beyond their pasts to achieve a happily ever after. This is easier for Libby than Tyler who blames himself for his wife’s death.
Ms. Harrington has told a story of life on a late nineteenth-century Montana ranch with all the ruggedness one would expect. Her secondary characters are superb, and Libby is a gem. I liked Tyler but wanted to kick him when he kept throwing up the same obstacle to his future happiness. Also, I found myself growing a little weary of the lengthy love scenes and wanted to get back to the plot. However, this is a fine read and well worth the price. Ms. Harrington does an excellent job on research and has presented believable ranch life. Very well done.
Her dilemma is solved when two ranch hands overhear the situation and ask her to come back to the ranch. Seems their cook was fired and they can’t find another. As fate would have it, Libby worked as a cook for an upscale household in Chicago, so she decides to go with them until she can earn enough to buy her ticket.
One problem: ranch owner Tyler Hollins doesn’t want a woman on the ranch, never mind whether she can cook or not.
However, Tyler is in a real bind, and after a meal or two, the ranch hands think Libby is a bit of heaven herself.
Libby is unaccustomed to the rigors of the west, but she proves her mettle in various ways and begins to earn Tyler’s grudging respect. However, Tyler has a history of pain and loss that consumes him and which keeps his heart locked up with no key.
Tyler and the hands drive the herd of cattle to Billings and Libby drives the chuck wagon, enduring hardships without complaint, even saving her hard-headed boss’ life. As the days lengthen, she finds herself falling in love with Tyler, and in turn, he is finding Libby a huge distraction. Her plan is to board a train in Billings and return to Chicago, however, plans go awry and she returns to the ranch thinking just maybe there’s a chance for happiness with Tyler.
This is a well-crafted story of two damaged people who must move beyond their pasts to achieve a happily ever after. This is easier for Libby than Tyler who blames himself for his wife’s death.
Ms. Harrington has told a story of life on a late nineteenth-century Montana ranch with all the ruggedness one would expect. Her secondary characters are superb, and Libby is a gem. I liked Tyler but wanted to kick him when he kept throwing up the same obstacle to his future happiness. Also, I found myself growing a little weary of the lengthy love scenes and wanted to get back to the plot. However, this is a fine read and well worth the price. Ms. Harrington does an excellent job on research and has presented believable ranch life. Very well done.
June 10, 2013
This book could have been so much better, but it read as a very amateurish venture. It's like the author was just trying to hit all the elements someone told her to, but didn't think about how those elements worked in her plot.
Libby is an orphaned cook from Chicago who made the mistake of thinking the young master of the house loved her. She got caught while he was in the process of sexually assaulting her and was kicked out of the house. So she answers a fraudulent mail-order bride ad from a 70-year-old man who says he's 30 and looking for a wife. Once she arrives in Montana, she has no way to return to Chicago upon discovering the fraud because neither she nor her new husband have the money for the return fare. A harsh winter hits the area and old man dies.
Libby has $10 to her name and tries to leave Montana, only to find that she can't.
Tyler Hollins grew up on his ranch, left for the city to become a doctor, then returned home upon his dying father's wish. There, he met and fell in lust with his wife Jenna, who hated the ranching life and died in childbirth. Although Tyler is a trained doctor, he couldn't save his wife so now he has issues.
Out of necessity, Tyler is forced to keep Libby on as a cook and the two grow closer as they work together on a cattle trail.
The book could have been good, only it kept pausing and restarting. There was no continuous forward movement through each character's secrets, past, and issues. Rather, they would move forward one step, then two steps back, forward one, two steps back, repeat. After a while, it got really old. By the time the ending came, it didn't make sense why the two characters were suddenly able to "see the light." This made for an unsatisfying ending overall.
Libby is an orphaned cook from Chicago who made the mistake of thinking the young master of the house loved her. She got caught while he was in the process of sexually assaulting her and was kicked out of the house. So she answers a fraudulent mail-order bride ad from a 70-year-old man who says he's 30 and looking for a wife. Once she arrives in Montana, she has no way to return to Chicago upon discovering the fraud because neither she nor her new husband have the money for the return fare. A harsh winter hits the area and old man dies.
Libby has $10 to her name and tries to leave Montana, only to find that she can't.
Tyler Hollins grew up on his ranch, left for the city to become a doctor, then returned home upon his dying father's wish. There, he met and fell in lust with his wife Jenna, who hated the ranching life and died in childbirth. Although Tyler is a trained doctor, he couldn't save his wife so now he has issues.
Out of necessity, Tyler is forced to keep Libby on as a cook and the two grow closer as they work together on a cattle trail.
The book could have been good, only it kept pausing and restarting. There was no continuous forward movement through each character's secrets, past, and issues. Rather, they would move forward one step, then two steps back, forward one, two steps back, repeat. After a while, it got really old. By the time the ending came, it didn't make sense why the two characters were suddenly able to "see the light." This made for an unsatisfying ending overall.
April 25, 2017
Libby hasn't had an easy life and it doesn't look like it's going to get any easier. Her husband is dead and no one to turn to, she makes the decision to return to Chicago but doesn't have the funds. Working at the local brothel isn't something she wants to consider. When the opportunity to work as a cook at a local ranch comes up she takes it. Nice little romance between Libby and the ranch owner, Tyler. Both Libby and Tyler have a few issues they must deal with. There are a few heart-wrenching moments included.
May 3, 2021
I fully intended to go back and finish reading the last chapter of this book but I got bored with it and started another book and just never opened it again. And I'm okay with that, I guess that's how you know something isn't for you. It just kinda faded into forgetfulness...
This read was sweet and slow and easy, the romance in it was the same. Low angst, few misunderstandings, slow burn. 🐌🔥
This read was sweet and slow and easy, the romance in it was the same. Low angst, few misunderstandings, slow burn. 🐌🔥
February 25, 2011
The book starts out strong but sort of fizzles. I would give this 3 1/2 stars if possible. It was an entertaining read, the romance was good, characters well defined, good steamy scenes... but there was just something missing in the middle of the book that fell flat for me.
June 27, 2014
Me encanto esta historia, relatada de una manera clasica, sus protagonistas me enamoraron desde las primeras páginas.
August 28, 2015
Great read!
March 1, 2025
Cooking!!!! More chores
February 3, 2025
Overall: 4 stars.
Yeehaw! Another delightfully tropey cowboy romance from Alexis Harrington. Here, the hero is an actual cowboy with a ranch to run, and there's plenty of scenes of cow-wrangling and horse riding to let Travis show off his manly prowess on the frontier. Our hero, Libby, also gets to shine: cooking, cleaning, driving buggies, learning to shoot. There's lots of cozy scenes of domesticity on the prairie, and Libby being a badass by running a kitchen and a chuck wagon, and it's honestly pretty cool to see traditional feminine things celebrated in a historical romance (not all women would have been the "I'm not like other women!!" type). The writing is good and sets a quick pace, and the author makes great use of some classic tropes.
The smooching and sex scenes are little old school and purple-prosey, but honestly they were super sweet and a little swoony. It fits the vibe.
My only real complaint is that the plot contrivances to keep them apart seemed a little silly after a while, and I got tired of some of the "well shucks" side characters, but these are minor niggles.
Overall, as someone who loves cowboys and boss/maid romances, this was a really fun Western romance romp. And I don't use the word "romp" lightly.
Yeehaw! Another delightfully tropey cowboy romance from Alexis Harrington. Here, the hero is an actual cowboy with a ranch to run, and there's plenty of scenes of cow-wrangling and horse riding to let Travis show off his manly prowess on the frontier. Our hero, Libby, also gets to shine: cooking, cleaning, driving buggies, learning to shoot. There's lots of cozy scenes of domesticity on the prairie, and Libby being a badass by running a kitchen and a chuck wagon, and it's honestly pretty cool to see traditional feminine things celebrated in a historical romance (not all women would have been the "I'm not like other women!!" type). The writing is good and sets a quick pace, and the author makes great use of some classic tropes.
The smooching and sex scenes are little old school and purple-prosey, but honestly they were super sweet and a little swoony. It fits the vibe.
My only real complaint is that the plot contrivances to keep them apart seemed a little silly after a while, and I got tired of some of the "well shucks" side characters, but these are minor niggles.
Overall, as someone who loves cowboys and boss/maid romances, this was a really fun Western romance romp. And I don't use the word "romp" lightly.
January 29, 2021
A truly down and out heroine who had fled her life in Chicago as a cook for a prominent family after the son tried to seduce her, only to find herself forced to marry an old man who lied about his age - by more than half - as a mail order bride. She had no money, having been a servant who was primarily paid for her services by room and board. The old man basically wanted a nurse so he could die easier. The prologue is pretty awful, he died halfway through winter and she had to store him on the porch because the ground was frozen.
Then it gets pretty cute, but this is not a Cinderella story. She gets a job cooking for a bunch of cowboys on a ranch, and she works hard. The H is a grumpy guss, doesn't believe a city girl can hack ranch life in Montana, there is some push/pull and of course she wins him over. The three-week cattle drive was intense, her travelling all day and still having to cook meals out of a chuck-wagon, those sure were hard times. I appreciate all of our modern conveniences!
Then it gets pretty cute, but this is not a Cinderella story. She gets a job cooking for a bunch of cowboys on a ranch, and she works hard. The H is a grumpy guss, doesn't believe a city girl can hack ranch life in Montana, there is some push/pull and of course she wins him over. The three-week cattle drive was intense, her travelling all day and still having to cook meals out of a chuck-wagon, those sure were hard times. I appreciate all of our modern conveniences!
January 7, 2018
Muy linda historia, del estilo de Lorraine Heath y Lavyrle Spencer. Recomendable para quienes quieran leer una historia dulce con un leve toque sexy. Tyler y Libbie son personajes con historias tristes pero que logran salir adelante gracias al amor y la amistad.
January 16, 2019
I cannot put her books down when I get ahold of one.
March 10, 2021
4.5 stars. Because she talked of making peanut butter cookies. Peanut butter wasn't around yet.
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