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Home on the Ranch #4

His Country Girl

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To fulfill a sick boy's wish, rodeo star Tucker Granger surprises little Owen in the hospital. But no one is more surprised than single mother Sierra Baker. She figures the carefree champion for a different kind of man. One who doesn't spend hours talking "cowboy code" with a hospital-bound child. One who can't have her dreaming of a second chance at love. Somehow, Tucker ropes her heart and fills it with hope. Hope that this country girl and her son can lasso the roaming bronc rider into their family forever.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2010

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About the author

Jillian Hart

191 books602 followers
Jillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.

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5 stars
157 (41%)
4 stars
126 (33%)
3 stars
68 (18%)
2 stars
22 (5%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Kate.
1,995 reviews80 followers
July 7, 2015
Another light, good book from Jillian Hart. I've said it before, and I stick by my assessment. Her books are like a mug of cocoa on a cold day: sweet, warm, comforting, and ultimately satisfying.
I really liked getting to know Tucker in this book. I liked how he took the injury and related trauma that happened to him and allowed it to help him become a better person. I did want to shake some sense into Sierra from time to time, but she got it right in the end, so hooray! :)
As always, really enjoyed the developing storyline between Frank and Cady!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
192 reviews10 followers
February 3, 2011
I love the Grangers! The story of brokenness and healing for Tucker and Sierra is battle that I think most of deal with at one time or another. Owen is adorable and I fell in love with him from the previous book. The continuing side story of Frank and Cady also keeps you intrigued, as well. Frank deserves to be loved by a good woman. God first, Family second, work third..that's something Tucker has learned since his accident. I think we can all learn from that as well. Sierra learns that she can't keep hiding behind Owen and truly learns to put her faith and trust in Tucker and God when she finally comes to grips with how she needs Tucker in her life.There are so many characters I want Jillian to write about! I can't wait to see what happens next in the Granger Family.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,992 reviews
January 14, 2011
Owen, the child in this story, will totally steal your heart, and the relationships he has with his mom, Sierra, and his new friend Tucker Granger, are amazing. Many of the characters in this book have been through heartbreak in the past that makes them fearful of what the future holds, and their reactions seem very genuine and plausible. Jillian Hart has a true gift of creating characters that seem like they are your friends, and that makes the story very enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Charline Bonham.
638 reviews
May 17, 2017
Tucker is just fulfilling a wish for a very sick little boy. He has no intersion of getting involved with Owen's mother, Sierra. Sierra has learned a hard lesson from her ex-husband and is not about to let another man sweet talk her into believe he will put her and her son first. Tucker will return to the rodeo as soon as he heals and she will be left with a broken hearted little boy.
Profile Image for Debbie Sue.
240 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2020
Tucker was a sweetheart so was Owen. Sierra not so much Tucker deserved better
Profile Image for Sandy Richardson.
79 reviews5 followers
February 27, 2021
This book had everything in it, in a good way. A sick boy recieved his make-a-wish rodeo cowboy. It is set in the mountains with lots of horses. Great book.
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,744 reviews
May 31, 2022
Wonderful and heart warming read!
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,327 reviews68 followers
March 14, 2012
Hmm, glad to be back amongst the decent romance novels again. Its amazing how you can get into a streak of bad ones. But anyways, I digress. This romance was pretty enjoyable. Sure it had a few flaws, but they weren't enough to spoil the book at all.

Sierra Baker is a nervous wreck. Her little boy is due for surgery and since he's all she has after her husband left both of them, she can't really contain what she feels. So she has mixed emotions when little Owen gets his miracle wish fulfilled in the form of Tucker Granger, a rodeo cowboy she grew up with. But Tucker turns out to be a surprise. He's excellent with Owen and she finds herself becoming very attached to him. But that's not what either of them want because Sierra doesn't want upheaval in her life and Tucker isn't the type to settle down. But there is an attraction there, regardless of what they want to feel.

I think Tucker was my favorite character in all of this. He seemed like a good down to earth guy who wasn't afraid to just be himself. And he had believable emotions and motivations. Sierra, I haven't quite decided on her yet. She was very very skittish. Which is somewhat understandable, but she changed her mind so easily on everything that she wasn't as believable as Tucker. Owen, the kid, was ok too. He bounced around the book in a cheerful haze for the most part and was genuinely kid-like.

The sick kid theme is actually one I haven't read before. I'm sure there are plenty of books out there that involve that theme, but since this was the first one I read it was unique. And I liked it. Although I think a little more drama could have been squeezed in. The romance was satisfactory. Since this is a Love Inspired it was kind of slow going and tame. But at least this one wasn't very preachy like some from that romance line can be. In fact it was very tolerable. And the romantic parts were pretty tame as well, maybe a few sneaky kisses. The ending was kind of rushed, but that was probably the most noticeable problem with the book, and still not a huge deal.

A nice smooth read with likable characters. This is a romance that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to fans of the genre.

His Country Girl
Copyright 2011
218 pages

Review by M. Reynard 2012

More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Amber.
1 review1 follower
February 6, 2015
His Country Girl by Jillian Hart is a heart-throbbed romance that deals with falling in love with low expectations. The character Tucker Granger captures the heart of Sierra Baker, the mother of a sick boy in need of surgery. Sierra Baker, a single mother with a young son, Owen cannot bring herself to trust men, after her husband abandoned her and their boy. The book goes in depth of their personal backstories along with the suspenseful moments of the surgery. The reader will most definitely get attached to Owen Baker, the little boy. He lights up when he sees his favorite rodeo star, Tucker, and is fascinated with every word that he says. Tucker Granger, the youngest of the Granger family who is seriously injured in a competition, who returns to his family home to heal; little does he know that God plans to heal his heart, too. The Granger Family Ranch series reflects some of the true values needed to have a strong, committed relationship. Tucker, regardless, honors the boy's wish, and that starts the three of them on a new path together; however, the path to love is not an easy one. The love that is shared from being the man with a hard heart after being abandoned by his mother as a child and the woman with a hard heart after being abandoned by her ex-husband, leads to a story that everyone would want to remember. The setting starts out in the middle of winter at a hospital in this small town. We are also given a preview of a potential romance between Frank and Cady. Jillian Hart is an amazing author. Each of her characters are so personable and by the end of the story you feel as if you are part of the family. Little Owen is so cute, yet very rambunctious. It was great to see Sierra, that although she was protective of Owen, she didn't smother him. Sierra and her son had it all but did not know it even though she worked hard to pay the bills. Overall this is an excellent book about devotion to family and community. I loved the characters in this book. I was pulling for Tucker throughout the whole thing because I could see his potential as a father and a husband. It took Sierra about 200 pages to come to her senses as she tried to suppress her feelings for much of the book. The things Tucker did for Owen and Sierra made him the perfect guy. As much as Sierra pushed him away, he kept coming back. I, for one, would not have said no when she did.
Profile Image for Adrienne.
291 reviews
August 9, 2015

HIS COUNTRY GIRL
-----------------------
Meh.

First, the positives: While several other reviewers mentioned that they thought the story dragged or that they simply did not like the storyline, I actually liked most (not all) of it. (There are technically several stories here, but that is another matter.)

However, as I have mentioned in previous reviews, I seem to be more bothered than others by errors, bad writing, etc.

In the case of His Country Girl, in addition to multiple, story-level errors--see examples in Scoutrmom's review--the writing pounds you with adjectives and adverbs.

In building a piece of furniture from scratch, a carefully selected, well-hidden nail can add structure without disturbing the beauty of the overall piece. So it is in writing. Selective use of words can add structure without disturbing the story, but placing too many adjectives and adverbs is akin to using too many nails. Eventually they start to stick out, and in some cases, can even make a piece more unstable, not less.

So, while the story is sweet (one of the most overused words in the book), everything in this tale is the MOST. PERFECT. INFINITE. FOREVER. Etc.

For example:
"Frank watched her with a resplendent intensity..." (p. 234, large print edition).

How is intensity, in this case of a gaze, bright and attractive? And why bother adding that word at all? The word "intense" carries enough meaning without modification.

"Not the darkest night or the heaviest snow could disguise from her the dependable strength of his shoulders or the confident swagger..." (p. 264).

This is not the best example, but I am a little low on time to dig for a better one. If you count the number of modifiers in just this partial sentence and then multiply it across the novel, you will get a general idea of what I mean by being “pounded” by adjectives.
Profile Image for Virginia Campbell.
1,282 reviews352 followers
May 2, 2012
"His Country Girl", by Jillian Hart, is a really lovely romance read. Sweet and sentimental, with just-right poignant touches, the story line will capture your heart. Sierra Baker is a single mom with a sick little boy waiting to undergo heart surgery. Owen Baker's "wish" comes true when his hero, rodeo star Tucker Granger, visits him in the hospital just before the operation. Sierra and Tucker had gone through school together, with the precocious Tucker unable to resist teasing the bookish and shy Sierra. Reunited at the hospital after many years apart, Tucker and Sierra are no longer children, and they experience a most grown-up awareness of each other. After to trust her heart after a disastrous marriage and abandonment by her husband, Sierra tries to resist Tucker's cowboy charm. She tries to tell herself that he will never settle down and will always be restless and on the move. Tucker has never committed to one woman, always avoiding the chance that a woman could let him down the way his own mother hurt his beloved father, Frank Granger. However, he is captivated by Sierra and her son, and he comes to realize that he has always loved her, even when they were very young. He campaigns to win her heart, but her hurt and fear run deep. Owen gives his heart completely to Tucker, but will his mother be able to follow his lead and take a leap of faith? Tucker is a really enjoyable character whose personal growth and heart's awakening make this story line a very special treat for romance fans. "His Country Girl" is book four in Jillian Hart's "The Granger Family Ranch" series.
Profile Image for Paula Hrbacek.
Author 6 books8 followers
July 6, 2011
Rodeo star Tucker Granger surprises a little boy named Owen who is in the hospital for open heart surgery. His mother, Seirra Baker, knows Tucker from her childhood. He used to pull her pig tails to get her attention. But when she grew up, she married another man who left her after seven years to raise her son on her own, working as a waitress to make ends meet. She has promised herself never to fall in love again, to risk another heartache, and has built her world around her son.
Tucker is shy of commitment, too. His mother left his father when he was just a child because she wasn’t happy living on a ranch. His father raised five kids by himself. Tucker is just as handsome and witty as his father, but not ready to settle down.
The story is well written and compelling. The ending has a false lead, thinking Tucker will do one thing, and then he does another. The ending makes perfect sense and has a touch of suspense as well.
The only criticisms are that the point of view changes too often in the beginning of the book, without chapter breaks or line breaks to indicate that the focus has shifted to another person’s thoughts. The ending could have been better with another chapter showing Tucker having problems catching his flight, but it was satisfying none the less.
This is an enjoyable, easy to read book that anyone with a little “country” in their blood will enjoy.
Another enjoyable book is Stars Shine After Dark, available in paperback, Nook and Kindle versions.
Profile Image for Rachael.
199 reviews15 followers
September 20, 2011
This book was okay. Usually I enjoy the Love Inspired books, but this one just wasn't my cup of tea. It felt like it was both dragging and rushed at the same time. Like most Harlequins it was predictable, which I don't usually complain about, but this one felt moreso.

There is a chance that my entire experience reading the book was messed from the beginning because of poor editing. When Sierra is telling Tucker about how she used to have a horse, the first or second sentences of the paragraph says that the horse lives at her parents and she hasn't had a chance to ride since she graduated high school, which was a few years ago (obviously, but that's beside the point). Then, near the end of the very same paragraph, she says the horse died a few years ago--which allowed the conversation to continue on as Tucker mentioned the first horse he ever lost. I read the paragraph 10 times at least, because I was positive I was misreading something. I get that books have mistakes, I just hate when they are on the same page or especially the same paragraph.

I enjoyed the subplot of Tucker's father. I think this book is part of a series and hope that that character and Cady are explored further in another book.

Why do the titles for these stories rarely match the actual subject of the book? It seems like "His Country Girl" is not very fitting at all.
Profile Image for Tori.
113 reviews8 followers
October 30, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. It was so exciting! The passion between Sierra and Tucker is electric, almost as if you can feel it yourself. I can’t believe how inspiring it was, and how each character just seems so very alive. There is no small character in this book. Every character has a shining personality that just emanates off the pages. As a mother I can greatly relate to Sierra Baker, especially her unmatched love for her son Owen. My sons always come first to me, and just like Sierra I try to process how everything no matter how big or small will affect them. All the words are so visual and I think all in all it was a wonderful book! I think we could all learn a little something from this book about loss, love, faith, and perseverence. It also shows how we can't let past hurts faze our future. If we allow our past hurts to stand in the way, there will be no future. But if we follow God's path for us, even if we aren't sure of where it leads, we will end up exactly where we want/need to be.
This book is part of a series, but it does very well as a stand alone book. You also get a glimpse of another romance going on in the novel which is just as endearing. I would tell you who, as I would love to rave on and on about this book, but I would rather leave it up to you to find out! I definitely recommend this.
Profile Image for Ashley.
83 reviews12 followers
November 18, 2011
This is a very clean romance. This story is pretty cute. Although there were a few things I didn't like. There were a few parts in the book when I couldn't figure out who was talking. It was like they moved on to something else and I didn't know about it. Another thing that got me was all the back and forth. I love you, I hate you, you haven't really changed, but maybe you have, either way it won't work. The end kind of took me by surprise. Usually you get a chapter or two of a happily ever after, but in this one you get a couple pages. Maybe because its a part of a series, and you'll get to hear about them later? I don't know.

The main thing I loved about this book was the love Sierra had for her son. Every action she even though about doing, ran through a process in her, making sure it wasn't going to hurt owen in any way. Which I can relate to. My son comes before any thing else.

Overall this was a good book. I think it can be read as a stand alone book, but you would get more out of the story if you started at the beginning of the series.
Profile Image for Ausjenny.
416 reviews
January 6, 2011
First thanks to Jillian for my copy of this book. Another great read, I have loved all in the series and this was no different. I fell in love with Owen but I don't think that is hard to do he's an adorable little boy. I love how he and Tucker and Owen bonded in the book. I love how Jillian weaves the story and how we see what both are thinking. I also have to say I love the background stories in this series. If you have read the previous two books you will know what I am referring to if not I will leave it for you to discover. What I also love about this book and the whole series is the country feel. The book is set in a small rural community and on the ranch and we see what life on the land is like. Also we see the effects of the current economical climate on the town also which is happening not just in America but across the world to small rural towns.
Great book.
Profile Image for Angief.
400 reviews
October 21, 2011
I would like to thank Jillian Hart for the complimentary copy of this book.

From the Publisher:
To fulfill a sick boy''s wish, rodeo star Tucker Granger surprises little Owen in the hospital. But no one is more surprised than single mother Sierra Baker. She figures the carefree champion for a different kind of man. One who doesn''t spend hours talking "cowboy code" with a hospital-bound child. One who can''t have her dreaming of a second chance at love. Somehow, Tucker ropes her heart and fills it with hope. Hope that this country girl and her son can lasso the roaming bronc rider into their family forever.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book. After a long, hard day it is nice to sit down and read a book that just makes you smile.
Profile Image for Mollie *scoutrmom*.
938 reviews38 followers
November 6, 2011
Horrible. Avoid at all costs.

In one paragraph, the girl's horse is both living at her parents house and long deceased. In another scene, a little boy has his sneakers' shoelaces retied, then his boots are stomping on the porch, then his sneakers are being removed at bedtime.

For a while the author forgets that she's wrinting an 'inspirational romance', then she seems to remember and puts in several references to the Lord and prayer before forgetting again.

This was a freebie from the publisher, someone included it free with a book I'd traded for.

The price was far too high, they should pay me tons to spend time reading this drivel.

The only reason I finished it was because I wanted to know what happened with the heroine's little boy.
Profile Image for Kame.
804 reviews39 followers
February 28, 2012
Tucker is Owen's charity wish. The little boy wants to meet his rodeo hero. Tucker is recovering from a bad injury - one he almost died from, and it is making him think about his rambling ways. He has known Owen's Mom Sierra since he was 6 years old - and he has realized he has loved her the whole time. The problem - Sierra's husband abandoned Sierra and Owen and she is determined not to give another man a chance to abandon them again. Tucker finally put his heart out for Sierra and she told him Love was not enough.

This book is a common theme for romance novels and even someone not wanting to risk breaking their heart again is familiar in the Granger series from Jillian Hart.

The unique part is how animals played in this book.
Profile Image for Judy.
3,332 reviews
November 23, 2010
Another excellent Granger Story.

Tucker is back home in White Horse, Wyoming. He is still recovering from a rodeo fall he had. Tucker is looking at life differently after his near death experience.

Sierra Baker is a single mom. In the previous Granger Book we found out that her son, Owen, had a heart problem. She had thought it was asthma.

The Children's Charity asks Tucker to visit Owen in the hospital the day before his heart surgery. Tucker is Owen's hero.

This book continues on the secondary story of Frank Granger and Cady Winslow as well.

The last few chapters had me pretty teary eyed.

Great story.
Profile Image for Susan Hollaway .
36 reviews15 followers
June 16, 2011
Jillian is one of my favorite Love Inspy authors! I just recently had the opportunity to read this book. Love Inspired books are sold through Harlequin's Steeple Hill line, which means they're typically only out on store shelves for a month or so as well as through their book club. But do not despair -- you can still find it online -- and I recommend that you do!

I fell in love with the Granger Family Ranch Series. Sweet, sweet love stories that share the love of God. God can do the impossible to us, because all things ARE possible with HIM!

I felt this story gripped my heart and wouldn't let go until I turned the last page. Well done, Jillian!
Profile Image for Paula-O.
558 reviews
July 11, 2011
Jillian Hart has another good story in this book which is in a series but can be read along as I have done #4 in Granger family Ranch series "His Country Girl". I enjoyed this quick read about a young woman who has been hurt and afraid to take a chance on Love again. She is a single Mom and works hard to support her little boy so HE wont be hurt again as he was when his daddy walked away from his responsibilities and family. I like the fact that Tucker and she had roots from when they went to school together and he had gone on to have celebrity status but was still just a "Home-Town boy" and he and his family showed Sierra that she COULD learn to trust and love again....
Profile Image for Denise.
415 reviews31 followers
September 24, 2011
I received this book through the Harlequin Ambassadors' program. I liked the book but can't say that I loved it. One thing you know about a Harlequin romance is that it will end happily ever after. This book just took too long to get there. From the beginning of the story the two main characters were attracted to each other. Why Jillian Hart felt the need to take 213 pages to get them together is beyond me. I guess I didn't feel that the story line was robust enough to last 213 pages. It got to the point of being irritating that the protagonist kept fighting her obvious love for the male lead.
Profile Image for Jane.
383 reviews9 followers
September 22, 2011
A story of starting over and two romances featured. The stuggles a person feels when a mate leaves them are dealt with by several. As I watched my oldest daughter struggle with pain when her marriage broke up and finding love again, I truly felt the pain of Sierra Baker.
Tucker Granger thinks he is fulfilling a young boy's wish as the lad faces heart surgery. But instead he gets way more than he bargained for.
Owen, the small boy, wrestles with his Dad walking out on him. Tucker can relate as his Mom walked out on him when he was little.
A story of circumstances that come together to fulfill God's plan.
Profile Image for LaQuita.
116 reviews5 followers
February 22, 2012
I adored this book from beginning to end. It's a love story. I loved how as the reader I felt really connected to Sierra. The love she has for her son, Owen, is very well written. As a mother, I can relate to always thinking ahead on how whatever action you take and the effect it has on your children. This book made me smile, tear up and made me want more. I'd love to know how the characters are doing now. (lol)

http://www.justusgirlsblog.com/2011/1...
Profile Image for Harlequin Books.
18.4k reviews2,812 followers
Read
December 24, 2014
Miniseries: The Granger Family Ranch

"This is an emotional, warm, romantic, and heartbreaking read. It's beautiful to see the Grangers deep family ties and the love of the community." From a review posted by an eHarlequin.com member, to read more go here.
Profile Image for Harlequin Books.
18.4k reviews2,812 followers
Read
December 24, 2014
Miniseries: The Granger Family Ranch

"This is an emotional, warm, romantic, and heartbreaking read. It's beautiful to see the Grangers deep family ties and the love of the community." From a review posted by an eHarlequin.com member, to read more go here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews