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Lonesome Way #3
Blackbird Lake
From New York Timesbestselling author Jill Gregory—a heartwarming, romantic novel of a rodeo champion who returns to his hometown and unexpectedly falls in love—with a beautiful young woman and her tiny daughter.
When rodeo champ Jake Tanner returns to Lonesome Way, Carly McKinnon may be the only one not happy about it. The last thing she wants is Jake finding out about her daughter—or rather, their daughter. Since their one-night fling years ago, Carly has been a great parent on her own. And the footloose Jake isn’t the sort of father she wants for little Emma.
But once Jake learns the truth, he wants to be a part of Emma’s life even if he’s not going to be a part of Carly’s. Even though the pair agrees to try to be friends, they soon find that being “just friends” isn't so easy. The red-hot attraction between them sets off sparks they thought they had left behind. Despite their rocky past and uncertain future, can Carly and Jake find their way into each other's arms—and hearts?
When rodeo champ Jake Tanner returns to Lonesome Way, Carly McKinnon may be the only one not happy about it. The last thing she wants is Jake finding out about her daughter—or rather, their daughter. Since their one-night fling years ago, Carly has been a great parent on her own. And the footloose Jake isn’t the sort of father she wants for little Emma.
But once Jake learns the truth, he wants to be a part of Emma’s life even if he’s not going to be a part of Carly’s. Even though the pair agrees to try to be friends, they soon find that being “just friends” isn't so easy. The red-hot attraction between them sets off sparks they thought they had left behind. Despite their rocky past and uncertain future, can Carly and Jake find their way into each other's arms—and hearts?
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
39 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Jill Gregory
63 books201 followersNew York Times and USA Today best-selling author Jill Gregory is the award-winning author of more than thirty novels. Jill has been awarded the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence and her novels NEVER LOVE A COWBOY and COLD NIGHT, WARM STRANGER were honored with back-to-back Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice awards for Best Western Historical Romance.
Jill Gregory's novels have been translated and published in Japan, Russia, Norway, France, Taiwan, Sweden, Italy, and Germany. Jill grew up in Chicago and received her bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Illinois. She currently resides in Michigan with her husband.
Jill Gregory's novels have been translated and published in Japan, Russia, Norway, France, Taiwan, Sweden, Italy, and Germany. Jill grew up in Chicago and received her bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Illinois. She currently resides in Michigan with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 14, 2015
Good book about second chances and coming home. Carly is a recent addition to Lonesome Way, moving there after the death of her foster mother to be near her foster mother's cousin. Carly also has a toddler girl, the product of a one night stand, and wants to raise her in the stability of a small town. What she hasn't told anyone is that little Emma is the daughter of hometown rodeo star Jake Tanner. She never told Jake either. Jake comes back to Lonesome Way once in awhile to visit his brothers and their families, before he heads back out onto the rodeo circuit. He firmly believes that settling down is something that isn't in his future at all.
When Carly hears that Jake is back in town, she panics. She doesn't want a man in Emma's life who will show up maybe once or twice a year, creating hope of a relationship and then letting her down. She'd rather have no father in Emma's life at all. When Jake discovers that Emma is his, he makes it clear to Carly that he will be involved in Emma's life on a regular basis. She isn't sure that she can trust what he says, based on his reputation and what he had told her himself the night they spent together.
Jake isn't happy that he's missed almost two years of Emma's life, but once he gets over the shock he understands why Carly did what she did. That doesn't mean that he's going to do what she wants and step back, he wants to be a daddy to his little girl. He knows better than to get involved with Carly. She's willing to be friends for Emma's sake, but she won't fall for a man who avoids commitment.
Both Carly and Jake have issues from their pasts that make them reluctant to risk a relationship with each other. Besides her issue with her father's abandonment, Carly had fallen in love with a man who turned out to be the worst kind of liar and cheat. This added to her distrust of men. When Jake was nineteen he had made a promise to a young woman to protect her from her abusive father, and when he wasn't able to, he blamed himself. He swore that he would never allow himself to be responsible for another person. So they promise each other that they will be friends only, with their focus on being the kind of parents that Emma needs. Of course, they aren't able to keep that promise.
I loved the slow growth of their relationship. Because they were determined to be friends, they kept a lid on their attraction and spent time getting to know each other. I loved the way that Jake was determined to earn Carly's trust. It was fun to see him interact with Emma and make sure that Carly knew she could depend on him. What he didn't expect was the way that he found himself wanting to cut back on his time away from them, and it freaked him out a lot. He tried pulling away and going back to his old ways before he realized that he had undergone some real changes and wasn't afraid any longer. Carly tried very hard to keep the walls up around her heart, afraid of what would happen if she let herself trust Jake and then he were to go back to his old ways. She slowly began to believe in him when he would put she and Emma ahead of his rodeo commitments. When she felt threatened by a break in, his immediate protectiveness went a long way toward making her believe in him. The mystery of who was behind the break in and who was following her babysitter was not what I first suspected, so it made an interesting twist to the story. It also gave Jake one more opportunity to shine in Carly's eyes. I loved how Jake was finally able to show and convince Carly how he felt, and that she was ready to believe.
There was also a nice secondary romance between Carly's babysitter and a young man who was trying to come back from some mistakes he had made. Madison and Brady had been friends as kids until she did something that wrecked their friendship. But she was one of the few people in town that believed in him, and was willing to give him the second chance he wanted. I loved seeing how he was determined to watch out for her too. There were some very sweet scenes between the two of them as they renewed their friendship and more.
I also enjoyed the support that both Jake and Carly received from his brothers and their wives. His brothers didn't have any trouble dispensing advice, whether he wanted it or not. And I loved how none of them held any anger against Carly for keeping Emma a secret. I especially loved the girls' night with the ice cream, cake and wine. The dog was pretty darn adorable, too. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
When Carly hears that Jake is back in town, she panics. She doesn't want a man in Emma's life who will show up maybe once or twice a year, creating hope of a relationship and then letting her down. She'd rather have no father in Emma's life at all. When Jake discovers that Emma is his, he makes it clear to Carly that he will be involved in Emma's life on a regular basis. She isn't sure that she can trust what he says, based on his reputation and what he had told her himself the night they spent together.
Jake isn't happy that he's missed almost two years of Emma's life, but once he gets over the shock he understands why Carly did what she did. That doesn't mean that he's going to do what she wants and step back, he wants to be a daddy to his little girl. He knows better than to get involved with Carly. She's willing to be friends for Emma's sake, but she won't fall for a man who avoids commitment.
Both Carly and Jake have issues from their pasts that make them reluctant to risk a relationship with each other. Besides her issue with her father's abandonment, Carly had fallen in love with a man who turned out to be the worst kind of liar and cheat. This added to her distrust of men. When Jake was nineteen he had made a promise to a young woman to protect her from her abusive father, and when he wasn't able to, he blamed himself. He swore that he would never allow himself to be responsible for another person. So they promise each other that they will be friends only, with their focus on being the kind of parents that Emma needs. Of course, they aren't able to keep that promise.
I loved the slow growth of their relationship. Because they were determined to be friends, they kept a lid on their attraction and spent time getting to know each other. I loved the way that Jake was determined to earn Carly's trust. It was fun to see him interact with Emma and make sure that Carly knew she could depend on him. What he didn't expect was the way that he found himself wanting to cut back on his time away from them, and it freaked him out a lot. He tried pulling away and going back to his old ways before he realized that he had undergone some real changes and wasn't afraid any longer. Carly tried very hard to keep the walls up around her heart, afraid of what would happen if she let herself trust Jake and then he were to go back to his old ways. She slowly began to believe in him when he would put she and Emma ahead of his rodeo commitments. When she felt threatened by a break in, his immediate protectiveness went a long way toward making her believe in him. The mystery of who was behind the break in and who was following her babysitter was not what I first suspected, so it made an interesting twist to the story. It also gave Jake one more opportunity to shine in Carly's eyes. I loved how Jake was finally able to show and convince Carly how he felt, and that she was ready to believe.
There was also a nice secondary romance between Carly's babysitter and a young man who was trying to come back from some mistakes he had made. Madison and Brady had been friends as kids until she did something that wrecked their friendship. But she was one of the few people in town that believed in him, and was willing to give him the second chance he wanted. I loved seeing how he was determined to watch out for her too. There were some very sweet scenes between the two of them as they renewed their friendship and more.
I also enjoyed the support that both Jake and Carly received from his brothers and their wives. His brothers didn't have any trouble dispensing advice, whether he wanted it or not. And I loved how none of them held any anger against Carly for keeping Emma a secret. I especially loved the girls' night with the ice cream, cake and wine. The dog was pretty darn adorable, too. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
April 17, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
June 17, 2016
Ok, wow! I loved this novel! This was the third in this series and my favorite so far. Jake is the youngest Tanner brother and my favorite brother as well. He was sweet, alpha and sexy. Jake's demons of the past keep him on the road at rodeo visiting his family just a few times a year, only on special occasions. Whether he wants it or not, Jake won't allow himself the HEA of wife and kids because if someone depends on him, he believes he will let them down. Things slowly change for Jake when he returns home for his niece's birthday only to find out he is a father. I liked Carly even though she kept her daughter a secret. She was afraid and I understood her reasoning. Jake and Carly didn't become a couple right away. I liked there their story as their relationship grew over time. Blackbird Lake was a page turner for me. There was an element of suspense that started almost at the beginning and damned if I could figure it out. Believe me I guessed, and nearly skipped ahead because the suspense was making me so curious but I didn't. It was almost the end before I guessed and even then I wasn't sure. This book had all the "feels" I look for and I really enjoyed it. Jake is definitely a book boyfriend! There are a couple of secondary stories going on that I loved as well. I did not feel that because of those other stories, Jake and Carly's were lessened. There is one more novel in this series to go and I can't wait to read it! 5 Stars!!!
April 16, 2018
I think I am finished with this series. I do enjoy the side stories, kids and dogs, but find the main characters stories are so predictable. They always seem go from 0-60 in the relationship. Seems forced.
Oh dear the next book is about Wes, the wayward brother from the first novel. Shoot I am too nosey not to see what she does with him. sigh...
Oh dear the next book is about Wes, the wayward brother from the first novel. Shoot I am too nosey not to see what she does with him. sigh...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2021
2.5 Stars
Not bad at all, but not my favorite, the heroine felt very demure and usually I prefer a strong female lead, not to mention I don’t really get taken in by the whole cowboy thing. But I did enjoy it plus it had a bit of suspense. I haven’t however rented any other books by this author, so that’s a telling point.
❤️ : 4/5
🔥 : 1/5
Not bad at all, but not my favorite, the heroine felt very demure and usually I prefer a strong female lead, not to mention I don’t really get taken in by the whole cowboy thing. But I did enjoy it plus it had a bit of suspense. I haven’t however rented any other books by this author, so that’s a telling point.
❤️ : 4/5
🔥 : 1/5
May 22, 2019
Good series. Easy reading. Feel good books.
May 28, 2021
This sweet romance is a lovely escape into a cowboy rich environment somewhere in Montana. I loved the happiness in this story.
November 1, 2021
A one night stand results in pregnancy. Jake comes home for his niece's birthday and runs into the lady of the one night stand. There is someone stalking the ladies of the town.
June 22, 2020
This novel was amazing!
I would recommend it to every contemporary romance reader. I love how Jake reacts to the news that he's a father and how he's not afraid of his responsibilities.
I really appreciate Jill Gregory's strong independent women.
I would recommend it to every contemporary romance reader. I love how Jake reacts to the news that he's a father and how he's not afraid of his responsibilities.
I really appreciate Jill Gregory's strong independent women.
November 8, 2013
OK, let me be very clear up front, I really liked this story, I have loved this series from the start. My only issue is that he seemed to be "ok" really quickly about not being in his daughters life. I get that he apparently understood why it was hidden, but still, I would think he would have had more of a temper tantrum. That being said, I really did love the story. I like how the other family member were already in love with her and her daughter before there was ever a couple. I can't wait to see what is next.
June 19, 2016
Another great book in the series. This time it centers around Jake, the rodeo rider who doesn't want to settle down. Or at least that is what it seems to his older brothers. But they are wrong. Jake has been thinking about a change for awhile and when he learns he has a daughter it is just the excuse he needs to stay home for awhile. Can he convince everyone he is serious? You'll just have to read it to find out.
August 9, 2013
Something in this story felt "off." I do not know if it was Jake's instant acceptance of his parenthood, or too many subplots. I generally like Jill Gregory's books, and it did keep me reading as on the whole the characters were interesting. There were a few too many plotting weaknesses for me to embrace the whole story.
November 13, 2013
Like... Its part of a series, I like revisiting characters, its reliable light romance, The best story line of the series. I liked the two secondary romances more than the primary.
Dislike...being reminded
Recommend for lovers of light romance
Dislike...being reminded
Recommend for lovers of light romance
December 7, 2013
ohhh yes, I loved this story. I am waiting for the next in the series. grins
July 12, 2013
Another wonderful story in the Lonesome Way series. Jake and Carly make a great couple as the last Tanned finds his way back home. Highly recommended.
July 19, 2013
Loved the book. The love story that developed was so sweet.
July 31, 2013
third book in the Lonesome Way Novels. Jake and Carly reconnect after he discovers that Emma is their daughter. Great characters.
September 19, 2013
Loved this!
March 16, 2014
Great readable story of the Tanner family.
September 22, 2014
Loved the dual storyline. 4.5 stars!
April 27, 2015
enjoyed this one too. a nice series.
February 23, 2021
Really enjoyed the first 2 in the series. This one was good, but not as good as the others.
September 24, 2014
Excellent, I like that there were two other love stories building along with the main one!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews