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Dakota Hearts #1
Her Dakota Man
Everyone knows that the Dakotas didn't get the name Badlands for nothing. Harsh weather and rough living are a way of life. But single dad, Logan McKinnon, had seen more than his share of bad times after the death of his wife a year ago. The last thing he needs is Poppy Ericksen, an old flame and his late wife's best friend, showing up unannounced to help after devastating floods nearly washed away their hometown. With no place to stay in town, he has no choice but to offer her a bed at his house. But can he live under the same roof with a woman he'd once loved passionately without feeling he's betraying his late wife?
Poppy Ericksen had spent the year wondering how all their lives might have been different after hearing the death bed confession of her childhood friend. She'd left South Dakota years ago because she couldn't bear to watch the man she loved loving another woman. But now she knows the truth. She'll keep the promise she made to a friend, but will Logan understand when he learns the truth? More important, can they again recapture the passion that had been between them all those years ago?
188 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2013
1925 people are currently reading
2517 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Mondello
106 books543 followersUSA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, Lisa Mondello, has held many jobs in her life but
being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring!
She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing
novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first
book, All I Want for Christmas is You won Best First Book in the Golden Quill.
Her books have finaled in the HOLT Medallion, and the Colorado Award of
Excellence contests. In 2011 she re-released her award winning book All I Want
for Christmas is You along with a re-issue of her romantic comedy, The Marriage Contract, with a new contemporary romance called The Knight and Maggie's Baby.
In 2012 she reissued the first 3 books of her popular Western Romance Series
TEXAS HEARTS including Her Heart for the Asking, His Heart for the Trusting and
being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring!
She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing
novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first
book, All I Want for Christmas is You won Best First Book in the Golden Quill.
Her books have finaled in the HOLT Medallion, and the Colorado Award of
Excellence contests. In 2011 she re-released her award winning book All I Want
for Christmas is You along with a re-issue of her romantic comedy, The Marriage Contract, with a new contemporary romance called The Knight and Maggie's Baby.
In 2012 she reissued the first 3 books of her popular Western Romance Series
TEXAS HEARTS including Her Heart for the Asking, His Heart for the Trusting and
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
July 14, 2014
******My Rant May Contain Spoilers******
Oh my, I don't find pleasure in leaving a bad review but in this case I had no other choice. I found this book to be a very poor read and I really wish I had not read it at all. I don't like the dissatisfied, disgruntled feelings it left in my gut.
Logan...could he have been any more of an ignorant fool? Why would he take a woman's word as the gospel truth when he had no relationship with her but friendship and no proof of anything she was telling him? Why would he take her word that the only woman he loved was in love with someone else without ever contacting her, Poppy, to see if it was true. He was a bit sickening with all of the crazy mistakes and lies he took to be the gospel truth. Can we say gullible??
I absolutely despised Kelly, Logan's lying conniving dead wife. She was pure evil!! End of story! She ruined Logan's life and that of her best friend, Poppy. Poppy and Logan had been in love forever and Kelly was on a course to ruin everything and they both let her. BLAH!!!!
After Logan finds out about the lies, deceit, trickery, and manipulations that his dead wife was responsible for he wants to make sure Poppy knows he still loves his dead wife (over and over and sickeningly over again) and always will because she gave him a son after she lied that she was pregnant to get him to marry her without any confirmation whatsoever! During the telling of this story it was plain and clear that Logan was unhappy in his marriage and was not in love with his wife. It was stated more than once that he had died inside long before she passed away. His life was zip without Poppy. But...don't forget he will love his dead wife forever because without her he would not have a son. So, let me see if I understand this mess. He has no regret that he missed the last ten years of his life with Poppy after they were both deceived? He was glad he married a witch with a B. Please!
I think this is one of my biggest reading disappointments. It was so extremely frustrating to read. I need to quit because I am getting revved up again with disgust at the stupidity of the H/h.
Oh my, I don't find pleasure in leaving a bad review but in this case I had no other choice. I found this book to be a very poor read and I really wish I had not read it at all. I don't like the dissatisfied, disgruntled feelings it left in my gut.
Logan...could he have been any more of an ignorant fool? Why would he take a woman's word as the gospel truth when he had no relationship with her but friendship and no proof of anything she was telling him? Why would he take her word that the only woman he loved was in love with someone else without ever contacting her, Poppy, to see if it was true. He was a bit sickening with all of the crazy mistakes and lies he took to be the gospel truth. Can we say gullible??
I absolutely despised Kelly, Logan's lying conniving dead wife. She was pure evil!! End of story! She ruined Logan's life and that of her best friend, Poppy. Poppy and Logan had been in love forever and Kelly was on a course to ruin everything and they both let her. BLAH!!!!
After Logan finds out about the lies, deceit, trickery, and manipulations that his dead wife was responsible for he wants to make sure Poppy knows he still loves his dead wife (over and over and sickeningly over again) and always will because she gave him a son after she lied that she was pregnant to get him to marry her without any confirmation whatsoever! During the telling of this story it was plain and clear that Logan was unhappy in his marriage and was not in love with his wife. It was stated more than once that he had died inside long before she passed away. His life was zip without Poppy. But...don't forget he will love his dead wife forever because without her he would not have a son. So, let me see if I understand this mess. He has no regret that he missed the last ten years of his life with Poppy after they were both deceived? He was glad he married a witch with a B. Please!
I think this is one of my biggest reading disappointments. It was so extremely frustrating to read. I need to quit because I am getting revved up again with disgust at the stupidity of the H/h.
August 28, 2018
What makes me read these books? I keep hoping for that perfect balance of guy done girl wrong and grovels just right. Call me weird I guess. But you won't find that here. Even an epilogue would've helped!
I read this one on 'skim' mode. It was just that irritating. I really need to avoid these premises in future... seriously!
what with all the little errors in timeline I wonder if the author couldn't have rethought other things as well.
You know the worst part.of this book?
They decide to stay living in the house he lived in with Kelly.
REALLY????
You really want to taint your second chance in a home where he f*cked the woman who tried to ruin your life???
Every nook and cranny of that house, the OW was there first.
Gah, remembering this book just pisses me off all over again.
I've never met anyone who would act like these people. Ridiculous.
I wish I could give it a negative rating!
I read this one on 'skim' mode. It was just that irritating. I really need to avoid these premises in future... seriously!
what with all the little errors in timeline I wonder if the author couldn't have rethought other things as well.
You know the worst part.of this book?
They decide to stay living in the house he lived in with Kelly.
REALLY????
You really want to taint your second chance in a home where he f*cked the woman who tried to ruin your life???
Every nook and cranny of that house, the OW was there first.
Gah, remembering this book just pisses me off all over again.
I've never met anyone who would act like these people. Ridiculous.
I wish I could give it a negative rating!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2014
A rather sweet story, but there were several paces where I had to pause and re-read.
It made no sense to me and it's the tiny details that I find important. (Yes. I admit that I am anal.) I found myself pulled out of the story several times because of conflicting events, and I wasted a lot of time re-reading and checking.
A good editor should surely have noticed these points?
It made no sense to me and it's the tiny details that I find important. (Yes. I admit that I am anal.) I found myself pulled out of the story several times because of conflicting events, and I wasted a lot of time re-reading and checking.
A good editor should surely have noticed these points?
July 12, 2016
Even with lying OW dead from cancer could not redeem her or the weak H in this one IMHO.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2020
3 "I hate Kelly" Stars
I’m torn with this one. My “bitchy” side is totally at war with my “mature” side, and shockingly the MC’s are the ones actually being mature.... UGH... Her Dakota Man is a short (190 pgs.) second-chance romance for Poppy & Logan. I liked that we knew the “guts” of the story going in, so we could get down to it, straight away. P & L grew up together and were BFF’s secretly in love which each other. Unknown to them, P’s other BFF Kelly, also had the hots for Logan, and went to GREAT lengths to keep the 2 apart.
The book starts out 1-year after Kelly’s “death bed confession” w/ Poppy returning home (South Dakota) to Logan and his son, after being gone for 10 years. She intends to tell him the truth, and see if they have a future. They find they are still attracted to each other, but they have a lot of ground to cover to get to their long awaited HEA.
I struggled because IMO, Kelly is a TOTAL BITCH , and both Poppy and Logan excuse her behaviors and almost try to make her “good”. I rationally understand that she’s dead, and neither could really hate the bitch, and be fair to the kid… but COME ON…I wanted to throat punch Logan, and I felt really bad for Poppy, because she was the only real loser with the betrayal.
Bottom Line The book is short so it moved pretty quickly, but I wish Logan knew the truth earlier. He doesn’t find out the until 61%, so IMO, the pacing was off, and the ending felt rushed. I would have preferred for more pages of them hashing it out, and a nice epilogue for Poppy. I waffled on the rating; I’m going w/ 3 stars even though parts frustrated the absolute crap out of me… and I hated that Kelly got credit for reuniting them, when there’d be no need if she wasn’t a lying manipulative bitch….BUT... I did inhale it… and I’m trying to be a better, more understanding person. 😊
I’m torn with this one. My “bitchy” side is totally at war with my “mature” side, and shockingly the MC’s are the ones actually being mature.... UGH... Her Dakota Man is a short (190 pgs.) second-chance romance for Poppy & Logan. I liked that we knew the “guts” of the story going in, so we could get down to it, straight away. P & L grew up together and were BFF’s secretly in love which each other. Unknown to them, P’s other BFF Kelly, also had the hots for Logan, and went to GREAT lengths to keep the 2 apart.
The book starts out 1-year after Kelly’s “death bed confession” w/ Poppy returning home (South Dakota) to Logan and his son, after being gone for 10 years. She intends to tell him the truth, and see if they have a future. They find they are still attracted to each other, but they have a lot of ground to cover to get to their long awaited HEA.
I struggled because IMO, Kelly is a TOTAL BITCH , and both Poppy and Logan excuse her behaviors and almost try to make her “good”. I rationally understand that she’s dead, and neither could really hate the bitch, and be fair to the kid… but COME ON…I wanted to throat punch Logan, and I felt really bad for Poppy, because she was the only real loser with the betrayal.
Bottom Line The book is short so it moved pretty quickly, but I wish Logan knew the truth earlier. He doesn’t find out the until 61%, so IMO, the pacing was off, and the ending felt rushed. I would have preferred for more pages of them hashing it out, and a nice epilogue for Poppy. I waffled on the rating; I’m going w/ 3 stars even though parts frustrated the absolute crap out of me… and I hated that Kelly got credit for reuniting them, when there’d be no need if she wasn’t a lying manipulative bitch….BUT... I did inhale it… and I’m trying to be a better, more understanding person. 😊
January 7, 2022
Warning: spoilers and a "stream of conscious" ie; grammatically challenged review.
So..........this was free. I think it was free as a loss leader to get you hooked on the series. But, well, I'm not really hooked. First things first, I tagged it cheating but I don't really think it was cheating. It was more a premise of two lovers being kept apart by a scheming frenemy by the old drunken hookup that results in a fake pregnancy that the stupid H doesn't bother to check if true, awful marriage to said frenemy that lasts a llooonng time, but hey the H has to at least say he loves the chick bc she does eventually have a child (yes, yes run on sentences are really irritating, but so's this book, so suck up) that's been done better by other writers. If you can set aside your hate for the dead witch of a wife, believe the H when he says he loves said dead wife (even though we are told many times that he was dead emotionally long before she dies) and a very forgiving (patsy MS) of a h that was the real victim in all of this, accept there really isn't any redemption for the stupidity of the H, then this will give you a couple hours of entertainment shouting "oh come on!" at your reading device. But, we don't have many good choices these days for angsty reads, the price is right (free ~ Lordy don't pay for it. The three star rating is bc it's free) and you're ok with being a teensy (horrendosly) frustrated with the characters, you might check it out. The worst that could happen is you delete it from your kindle in disgust. I mean, it's free right? (I really meant it when I said don't buy it)
So..........this was free. I think it was free as a loss leader to get you hooked on the series. But, well, I'm not really hooked. First things first, I tagged it cheating but I don't really think it was cheating. It was more a premise of two lovers being kept apart by a scheming frenemy by the old drunken hookup that results in a fake pregnancy that the stupid H doesn't bother to check if true, awful marriage to said frenemy that lasts a llooonng time, but hey the H has to at least say he loves the chick bc she does eventually have a child (yes, yes run on sentences are really irritating, but so's this book, so suck up) that's been done better by other writers. If you can set aside your hate for the dead witch of a wife, believe the H when he says he loves said dead wife (even though we are told many times that he was dead emotionally long before she dies) and a very forgiving (patsy MS) of a h that was the real victim in all of this, accept there really isn't any redemption for the stupidity of the H, then this will give you a couple hours of entertainment shouting "oh come on!" at your reading device. But, we don't have many good choices these days for angsty reads, the price is right (free ~ Lordy don't pay for it. The three star rating is bc it's free) and you're ok with being a teensy (horrendosly) frustrated with the characters, you might check it out. The worst that could happen is you delete it from your kindle in disgust. I mean, it's free right? (I really meant it when I said don't buy it)
May 29, 2021
Absolutely upsetting & disgustingly shortsighted *spoilers*
One of the most treacherous things a novel can do, in my opinion, is end on a shortsighted and completely unresolved note. An unrealistic note. I do not like romance novels that end in happily ever after -- forsaking the heartache that was caused by someone's betrayal. And that betrayal having impacted many lives for several years. I don't care if this person is eventually forgiven, because they are the mother of one's child or because they have died. That is not how human living works. And so I cannot get behind this story, it is so upsetting. Because of the lack of authentic acknowledgment and realistic resolution. I get so frustrated with stories that are so afraid of demonstrating ongoing pain and repercussions that last a lifetime due to someone's selfishness. This woman lied to her husband and best friend for several years, and they act like that it didn't happen. I can't go for that. I will not. And that is what I will remember about the story.
One of the most treacherous things a novel can do, in my opinion, is end on a shortsighted and completely unresolved note. An unrealistic note. I do not like romance novels that end in happily ever after -- forsaking the heartache that was caused by someone's betrayal. And that betrayal having impacted many lives for several years. I don't care if this person is eventually forgiven, because they are the mother of one's child or because they have died. That is not how human living works. And so I cannot get behind this story, it is so upsetting. Because of the lack of authentic acknowledgment and realistic resolution. I get so frustrated with stories that are so afraid of demonstrating ongoing pain and repercussions that last a lifetime due to someone's selfishness. This woman lied to her husband and best friend for several years, and they act like that it didn't happen. I can't go for that. I will not. And that is what I will remember about the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2013
ENA'S INITIAL THOUGHTS
As I have previously read a book by Lisa Mondello I was looking forward to slipping into this book. I felt quite confident that I would enjoy the book.
ENA'S REVIEW
My daughter received this e-arc from the authors publicist free in exchange for my reading, reviewing and putting my Guest Review on my daughters blog today.
So the cover is showing the rather fit looking torso of a man, whom I would say is probably Logan Kelly. So would I pick the book up in a store? Yes but to be totally honest it would be the authors name that would attract me to the book.
So now to the review without giving away the plot! This book is a romance story, it has a fairly steady pace that is fast enough to keep me interested right to the last page. The main characters are Poppy Erickson and Logan McKinnon. Logan is a single dad to his son Keith. His wife died and things have been on a downward turn for him ever since. Logan has had a previous relationship with Poppy many moons ago and really doesn't want to jump into another relationship with her.
Poppy learnt something important from a dying friend about Logan. Poppy also promised this same dying friend that she would revisit Dakota and see Logan again. Poppy ends up staying at Logan's house and their love re-ignites though Logan is at times filled with the guilt, of feeling he is betraying his late wife by offering Poppy a place to stay whilst she is in the area.
So Poppy and Logan re-kindle a relationship but it's not as straight forward there are plenty of ups and downs. At times there seems to be more downs and negatives to their possible relationship than there are positives.
I've been asked to not give away anything more than is said in the blurb and I feel I have said enough.
I really loved the ending of the book.
So did I enjoy the book? Yes, I really did enjoy the book. It lived up to my expectations well. Would I recommend the book? Yes to those who like a good romance story. Would I want to read more in this series? Yes I would like to very much. Would I read other books by this author? Yes, I enjoy Lisa Mondello's writing/story telling style.
As I have previously read a book by Lisa Mondello I was looking forward to slipping into this book. I felt quite confident that I would enjoy the book.
ENA'S REVIEW
My daughter received this e-arc from the authors publicist free in exchange for my reading, reviewing and putting my Guest Review on my daughters blog today.
So the cover is showing the rather fit looking torso of a man, whom I would say is probably Logan Kelly. So would I pick the book up in a store? Yes but to be totally honest it would be the authors name that would attract me to the book.
So now to the review without giving away the plot! This book is a romance story, it has a fairly steady pace that is fast enough to keep me interested right to the last page. The main characters are Poppy Erickson and Logan McKinnon. Logan is a single dad to his son Keith. His wife died and things have been on a downward turn for him ever since. Logan has had a previous relationship with Poppy many moons ago and really doesn't want to jump into another relationship with her.
Poppy learnt something important from a dying friend about Logan. Poppy also promised this same dying friend that she would revisit Dakota and see Logan again. Poppy ends up staying at Logan's house and their love re-ignites though Logan is at times filled with the guilt, of feeling he is betraying his late wife by offering Poppy a place to stay whilst she is in the area.
So Poppy and Logan re-kindle a relationship but it's not as straight forward there are plenty of ups and downs. At times there seems to be more downs and negatives to their possible relationship than there are positives.
I've been asked to not give away anything more than is said in the blurb and I feel I have said enough.
I really loved the ending of the book.
So did I enjoy the book? Yes, I really did enjoy the book. It lived up to my expectations well. Would I recommend the book? Yes to those who like a good romance story. Would I want to read more in this series? Yes I would like to very much. Would I read other books by this author? Yes, I enjoy Lisa Mondello's writing/story telling style.
February 1, 2014
Her Dakota Man by Lisa Mondello is a 2013 pubication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When Poppy's best friend Kelly makes a startling death bed confession, it takes Poppy a year to bring herself to fulfill Kelly's dying wish. But, she knows it has to be done, so she leaves New York City and heads home to South Dakota. She has no idea how Kelly's husband, Logan will react to her just showing up unannounced. Logan has his hands full as it is with a young son and trying to repair major flood damage. Having the girl who was once his best friend and the girl he loved deeply suddenly pop back into his life sets his teeth on edge. He is mad at Poppy for so many things. Leaving and never coming back for one, not being around when Kelly was sick for another and now here she is making him remember their teenage years and for making him see how much he still wants her.
Well, my goodness! What a story. I read a great many novels so I seldom have a VERY strong emotional response to a story. This story had me choked up. It is a really difficult situation. Poppy and Kelly were best friends. Poppy and Logan had been in love, but Logan married Kelly. I can't tell you too much more than that, except that of course Poppy fulfills Kelly's dying wish by coming home to South Dakota and trying to explain to Logan why she left home and never came back until now. I CAN tell you that you should read this story! This is a novella with just about 115 pages so it won't take you long to finish it. While technically this book could be placed in the Western Contemporary genre, it will appeal to all contemporary romance lovers. I am now out to find more books by this author. A+
When Poppy's best friend Kelly makes a startling death bed confession, it takes Poppy a year to bring herself to fulfill Kelly's dying wish. But, she knows it has to be done, so she leaves New York City and heads home to South Dakota. She has no idea how Kelly's husband, Logan will react to her just showing up unannounced. Logan has his hands full as it is with a young son and trying to repair major flood damage. Having the girl who was once his best friend and the girl he loved deeply suddenly pop back into his life sets his teeth on edge. He is mad at Poppy for so many things. Leaving and never coming back for one, not being around when Kelly was sick for another and now here she is making him remember their teenage years and for making him see how much he still wants her.
Well, my goodness! What a story. I read a great many novels so I seldom have a VERY strong emotional response to a story. This story had me choked up. It is a really difficult situation. Poppy and Kelly were best friends. Poppy and Logan had been in love, but Logan married Kelly. I can't tell you too much more than that, except that of course Poppy fulfills Kelly's dying wish by coming home to South Dakota and trying to explain to Logan why she left home and never came back until now. I CAN tell you that you should read this story! This is a novella with just about 115 pages so it won't take you long to finish it. While technically this book could be placed in the Western Contemporary genre, it will appeal to all contemporary romance lovers. I am now out to find more books by this author. A+
February 13, 2016
I was expecting a bit more romance from this story, instead it's a bit depressing and quite honestly I wasn't invested in the two main characters. Poppy returns to her home town after 10 years, Logan who had been her heart but had married another woman after Poppy had left town. Logan's wife is now dead. As the story unfolds all the secrets of what happened 10 years previously are revealed, lies and betrayal were at the root cause of Poppy and Logan's separation. It's well written it's just not my cup of tea.
November 15, 2015
A distraction, but I found the premise to be annoying in what separated this couple to begin with. But, that wasn't half as annoyed as I was when I heard the parsimonious stance Logan was taking on why he felt he couldn't offer Poppy everything. Thank god that passed.
Honestly you aren't supposed to despise the dead, but I can't understand any of the majors forgiving her. You reap what you sow.
Honestly you aren't supposed to despise the dead, but I can't understand any of the majors forgiving her. You reap what you sow.
Want to read
March 24, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/24/2021)! 🎁
July 21, 2020
Poppy, Kelly, and Logan had once been inseparable, but that was a lifetime ago. Poppy made a life for herself in New York, and Kelly and Logan made a life for themselves together, contrary to everything Poppy and Logan had planned when they were young and in love. A year has passed since Kelly died, and Poppy's returned to South Dakota, to the home Logan once shared with Kelly, to make things right again. But Logan doesn't know what Poppy knows about his marriage, and he wants nothing more than for Poppy to leave, just like she did before, and never look back.
The Verdict: Ugh. I had such high hopes for this one, but it just didn't pan out for me. But I think that's more a reflection of me than it is of the writing. The chemistry between Poppy and Logan was great, and I was even okay with all that anger he harbored over her leaving so many years ago — or rather over her staying gone. But as their past was revealed and the truth came out about his marriage to Kelly, I just began to lose interest.
Poppy and Logan had been in love, determined to make a go of it even after her parents moved her to New York, and Kelly — the quiet, sweet best friend — turned out to be a scheming, manipulative liar. I get that teenage girls who think they're in love can do and say some pretty awful things, but to pull what she did? Unforgivable. It made the story something I just didn't want to read about, which sucks, since the writing was pretty great.
Anyhow, I'm guessing most people who love romance novels will also love this one. I guess maybe I was just looking for and expecting something different, and the back-story put a different shine on things than what I normally enjoy. I think I might keep on with the series, though. Like I said, the writing was good, so here's hoping that the next books are more my cup of tea.
February 12, 2016
I think I am being generous with giving this book two stars. I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis was what pulled me in. And Lisa Mondello could have done so much with a storyline like that. And I did want to like the characters. I think in someone else's hands, I would have. I feel bad for them because they just didn't get the chance to really let people see who they were. They were flat two dimensional caricatures of what they could have been. There was no depth, no feeling. I didn't believe, nor feel, anything they were going through or how they were feeling.
And everything was so repetitive. I don't know how many times I read about one thing or another. This book could have done with some serious editing, IMO. I don't even want to know about the supporting characters in the books to follow, although they seem like they would have good stories to tell.
I could go on, but I am not going to. Doesn't seem to be a reason to.
I am not usually so harsh in a review... but I just so much wanted to like this book, that I just feel so disappointed.
And everything was so repetitive. I don't know how many times I read about one thing or another. This book could have done with some serious editing, IMO. I don't even want to know about the supporting characters in the books to follow, although they seem like they would have good stories to tell.
I could go on, but I am not going to. Doesn't seem to be a reason to.
I am not usually so harsh in a review... but I just so much wanted to like this book, that I just feel so disappointed.
August 18, 2014
The story was okay, but it was a little flat. Also, there were terrible jumps in the story that made no sense. For instance, in one scene the main character is in bed and gets up, puts her robe on, and walks to the closet. Then in the next paragraph, she's suddenly back in bed and wraps the blanket around herself to rush to the closet. Apparently the writer forgot she had already gotten the character out of bed and to the closet. That's one of many such errors.
August 19, 2017
There's so much potential to the story and it pains me that it's not explored. I didn't really feel the connection between Poppy and Logan who supposedly loved each other for ages, and I did feel the pacing is kinda off? The book is a bit on the short side so it feels like the relationship development is too fast. Also I'm not really big on the whole lying thing.
June 20, 2024
The MMCs in this book may have been able to forgive Kelly, but I sure in the hell couldn't. I felt nothing knowing she died with regret. Good! Oh my little black heart. And authors please listen. I beg you. No epilogue is a different kind of torture and not in the good way. The ending was abrupt and I was like, " that's it?" It was indeed it 🤷
August 13, 2017
Whew! That was way more angsty than I was prepared for!! Currently free on Amazon but still a pretty good read. If you're looking for a nice second chance romance with a melancholy undertone this book is for you. It's pretty short so you won't be completely devastated once you've finished plus there are more brothers to read about!!
May 28, 2018
Honestly the hero is an idiot. I maybe could have gotten over it if he groveled a little for all his "mistaken" beliefs but nope he's basically giving his dead wife a pass for everything because she is the mother of his child. So unrealistic - it would have been better if he was furious and didn't know quite how to handle his anger and bad feelings about his wife.
Want to read
August 13, 2017AMAZON FREEBIE 8/12/17
March 26, 2018
It was okay!! the no communication part just drove me nuts
September 13, 2021
Her Dakota Man
is the first book in the series Dakota Hearts and my first read by the author.
Poppy, Kelly, and Logan have been friends since childhood. It was known to everyone that Poppy and Logan were meant for each other. But for an incomprehensible reason, it was Kelly who ended up married to Logan as Poppy left town. When Kelly died, Poppy returned to South Dakota to confront the past and make things right again. But Logan doesn't know the truth about his marriage, and he wants nothing to do with Poppy and wants her to leave town and never come back.
I only gave this book three stars because of Poppy and Keith. I adored their relationship. I liked the immediate connection she had with Keith and her unselfishness and willingness to show love and forgiveness despite being dealt a hand of betrayal by the one person she should have been able to trust the most.
As for Logan, well, I don't know. He was definitely stubborn, and I’d like to have thrown some sense into him. Honestly, I was beginning to like him as the story progressed, but the way he kept throwing to Poppy about his love for his dead wife even after knowing the truth. Argh! It's a big no-no for me! I don't know. I mean, it was crystal clear how unhappy he was in his marriage and that he was not in love with his wife. But he always made sure Poppy knew he still loved his dead wife over and over and that he always will because she gave him a son. How sick is that?! If I were Poppy, I would leave him in a heartbeat and never come back. Let him mourn his dead wife.
And speaking of his dead wife, Kelly. I absolutely despised her to the point that I wanted to bring her to life to kill her personally. She was so unbelievably selfish who ruined two lives. For me, it was unforgivable.
But don't get me wrong, I actually liked it, and the writing was pretty great; maybe I'm just looking for something different when I decided to read this one. And since I already started with the series, I might read the other books too. And I was hoping that it would be better since the writing was pretty good.
Poppy, Kelly, and Logan have been friends since childhood. It was known to everyone that Poppy and Logan were meant for each other. But for an incomprehensible reason, it was Kelly who ended up married to Logan as Poppy left town. When Kelly died, Poppy returned to South Dakota to confront the past and make things right again. But Logan doesn't know the truth about his marriage, and he wants nothing to do with Poppy and wants her to leave town and never come back.
I only gave this book three stars because of Poppy and Keith. I adored their relationship. I liked the immediate connection she had with Keith and her unselfishness and willingness to show love and forgiveness despite being dealt a hand of betrayal by the one person she should have been able to trust the most.
“No. I was angry—crazy angry, in fact. But I never hated her. Especially after she told me why she did it, Kelly was and will always be my best friend. What she did was wrong. But I forgave her. And I’ll always love her.”I don't what I would do if I were in her position, but I'm pretty sure that I won't be forgiving as she was.
As for Logan, well, I don't know. He was definitely stubborn, and I’d like to have thrown some sense into him. Honestly, I was beginning to like him as the story progressed, but the way he kept throwing to Poppy about his love for his dead wife even after knowing the truth. Argh! It's a big no-no for me! I don't know. I mean, it was crystal clear how unhappy he was in his marriage and that he was not in love with his wife. But he always made sure Poppy knew he still loved his dead wife over and over and that he always will because she gave him a son. How sick is that?! If I were Poppy, I would leave him in a heartbeat and never come back. Let him mourn his dead wife.
And speaking of his dead wife, Kelly. I absolutely despised her to the point that I wanted to bring her to life to kill her personally. She was so unbelievably selfish who ruined two lives. For me, it was unforgivable.
But don't get me wrong, I actually liked it, and the writing was pretty great; maybe I'm just looking for something different when I decided to read this one. And since I already started with the series, I might read the other books too. And I was hoping that it would be better since the writing was pretty good.
January 9, 2014
Passionate and Adventurous meets Don't Rock the Boat! Loved this story of high school friends (who wanted more) meeting again. Plus our hero, Logan, has lots of brothers ... I foresee many more books in the future! The setting is Rudolph, South Dakota - in a small town where everyone knows your name. The way the story is told, you feel as though you are there and it is happening to you - I think I felt the mud fly up and hit me when Poppy was racing across the pasture on Logan's ATV. And now a bit about the story...
Poppy has been struggling over a year to fulfill her best friends dying wish. A horrendous storm and flood wiping out part of her hometown gave her a purpose to return. And the courage to face Logan. Both the physical changes to her hometown and the emotional changes to Logan are drastic. He used to live life to the fullest, now he can't even take a break to play pirate with Keith, his 4 year old son. Poppy is a force to be reckoned with though, she may not be as tough as mother nature, but she is close. Watch her try her best to find the teenage Logan she left behind - the loving, fun, happy Logan she has been in love with her whole life.
Favorite passages:
- Hearing Poppy's musical laugh as she drove through the fields, spitting up mud all around them, it was hard to feel anything but happiness.
- With each step she took upstairs, her feet dragging behind letting the happiness she's felt all day slip away. And her world had shattered all over again.
- She turned and walked out of the barn. Rounding the corner, she placed a hand on the barn door and listened, waiting. She drew in a slow breath of cold March air. Nothing. Logan hadn't said another word. And he didn't come after her. Again.
- "I want to live every day as if it was the last day, ... you never know when that last day will come."
Poppy has been struggling over a year to fulfill her best friends dying wish. A horrendous storm and flood wiping out part of her hometown gave her a purpose to return. And the courage to face Logan. Both the physical changes to her hometown and the emotional changes to Logan are drastic. He used to live life to the fullest, now he can't even take a break to play pirate with Keith, his 4 year old son. Poppy is a force to be reckoned with though, she may not be as tough as mother nature, but she is close. Watch her try her best to find the teenage Logan she left behind - the loving, fun, happy Logan she has been in love with her whole life.
Favorite passages:
- Hearing Poppy's musical laugh as she drove through the fields, spitting up mud all around them, it was hard to feel anything but happiness.
- With each step she took upstairs, her feet dragging behind letting the happiness she's felt all day slip away. And her world had shattered all over again.
- She turned and walked out of the barn. Rounding the corner, she placed a hand on the barn door and listened, waiting. She drew in a slow breath of cold March air. Nothing. Logan hadn't said another word. And he didn't come after her. Again.
- "I want to live every day as if it was the last day, ... you never know when that last day will come."
November 12, 2013
Charming! Without doubt this story is the epitome of the word. Dissect the life of a man who has tried with everything in him to love a woman he is honor bound to love, but does not, and you are certainly going to come up with an emotionally evocative tale that will pull at the heart strings and jerk more than a single tear to roll unchecked down the cheek. Logan Is all earthy goodness, he is your typical robust farm boy, but with a heart of gold. Poppy, is the maligned love of Logan's life, but their unity has been divided by a woman they were both friends with, who has sadly passed from the world leaving only secrets, betrayal and a tiny innocent boy in her wake.
Kelly, Logan's dead wife, and Poppy's ex-bestfriend, had a dying wish--she begged Poppy to go back to her home town from her fast paced New York lifestyle to face the only man she has ever loved, but Kelly harbored a dark secret. The suspense built around this hidden knowledge is brilliantly handled by the author. The book insists on being devoured for this reason alone, nevertheless, it is by far and away not the only thing that makes this read a thrilling page turner. No! The relationships between the main protagonists and the sub-characters are well developed and realistic enough to pull the reader in unbidden. This is a slow burn romance with all the good bits a tale of its genre should have with a whole spade more. A very enjoyable old fashioned romance with loads of modern infused into the fabric of the work to render it an entirely current, un-put-downable book.
Kelly, Logan's dead wife, and Poppy's ex-bestfriend, had a dying wish--she begged Poppy to go back to her home town from her fast paced New York lifestyle to face the only man she has ever loved, but Kelly harbored a dark secret. The suspense built around this hidden knowledge is brilliantly handled by the author. The book insists on being devoured for this reason alone, nevertheless, it is by far and away not the only thing that makes this read a thrilling page turner. No! The relationships between the main protagonists and the sub-characters are well developed and realistic enough to pull the reader in unbidden. This is a slow burn romance with all the good bits a tale of its genre should have with a whole spade more. A very enjoyable old fashioned romance with loads of modern infused into the fabric of the work to render it an entirely current, un-put-downable book.
August 12, 2014
This was a nice emotional romance that makes you think of what could have beens, lost dreams, and lies that tear it apart.
Poppy, Logan, and Kelly were inseperable as kids and teens the best of friends always togehter. Poppy loved Logan, Kelly loved Logan, Logan loved Poppy. However Poppy ended up in New York and Kelly and Logan wound up married and have a son named Keith.
How did all that happen? Lies of course by the one person the both loved and didn't espect to betray that trust.
Ten years later Poppy is back, Kelly died and Logan still harbors guilt over loving Kelly while never letting go of his love for Poppy.
Now a romance that never happen is stuggling under all the lies that kept them apart and all the drama, feelings, emotions and everything that goes with it.
It was a nice read. I enjoyed it to a point but I kept wanting to smack both Poppy and Logan upside the head and say, "get over it you love each other. .move on." but then again that would have been too quick of a story and they wouldn't have gotten to where the are now. Anyway that is why I read books and don't write them.
I got this ebook from Amazon most likely as a freebie or during free ebook day. Honestly I have forgotten, and if you'd see the amount waiting to be read you'd understand.
Poppy, Logan, and Kelly were inseperable as kids and teens the best of friends always togehter. Poppy loved Logan, Kelly loved Logan, Logan loved Poppy. However Poppy ended up in New York and Kelly and Logan wound up married and have a son named Keith.
How did all that happen? Lies of course by the one person the both loved and didn't espect to betray that trust.
Ten years later Poppy is back, Kelly died and Logan still harbors guilt over loving Kelly while never letting go of his love for Poppy.
Now a romance that never happen is stuggling under all the lies that kept them apart and all the drama, feelings, emotions and everything that goes with it.
It was a nice read. I enjoyed it to a point but I kept wanting to smack both Poppy and Logan upside the head and say, "get over it you love each other. .move on." but then again that would have been too quick of a story and they wouldn't have gotten to where the are now. Anyway that is why I read books and don't write them.
I got this ebook from Amazon most likely as a freebie or during free ebook day. Honestly I have forgotten, and if you'd see the amount waiting to be read you'd understand.
January 10, 2022
This was my first read by this author.
I was hoping for hot cowboys (ranchers) but what I got was Logan McKinnon. Now, he is hot I will give you that but dang he needs to get his head and heart out of the sand! Stop living in the past and more forward with a future!
Poppy – girl what are you waiting for. Go and get your man!
This story is one that is filled with lies, betrayal, hurt and love. I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between Logan and Poppy – maybe we could have dumped a few chapters of the “if this” and “what if” storyline – we could have had more chemistry.
Both Logan and Poppy were friends with Kelly. Kelly was jealous and wanted Logan to herself. After Poppy moves away (family decision) – Kelly starts the lies and kept then going until she was on her death bed and revealed everything to Poppy. Not Logan – the husband, who got played the most.
The secrets take FOREVER to be revealed. I can’t believe that both Logan and Poppy bought everything Kelly said – to the dime. If they had such a great relationship in the first place, don’t you think they would have talked to each – instead of through Kelly?
Not sure if I will continue on with this series. Going to let this book sink in for a bit and go from there.
I was hoping for hot cowboys (ranchers) but what I got was Logan McKinnon. Now, he is hot I will give you that but dang he needs to get his head and heart out of the sand! Stop living in the past and more forward with a future!
Poppy – girl what are you waiting for. Go and get your man!
This story is one that is filled with lies, betrayal, hurt and love. I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between Logan and Poppy – maybe we could have dumped a few chapters of the “if this” and “what if” storyline – we could have had more chemistry.
Both Logan and Poppy were friends with Kelly. Kelly was jealous and wanted Logan to herself. After Poppy moves away (family decision) – Kelly starts the lies and kept then going until she was on her death bed and revealed everything to Poppy. Not Logan – the husband, who got played the most.
The secrets take FOREVER to be revealed. I can’t believe that both Logan and Poppy bought everything Kelly said – to the dime. If they had such a great relationship in the first place, don’t you think they would have talked to each – instead of through Kelly?
Not sure if I will continue on with this series. Going to let this book sink in for a bit and go from there.
August 9, 2014
This was well written with only a few editing errors. I felt a connection with the characters and will be looking for all of the brothers stories.
***Spoilers***
I loved the story and growth in the characters. Now having said that, I feel like this was not a keeper for me because of Kelly. I know there are people in this world who are selfish and nauseating in just how awful they are, but I don't want to read about them. Poppy and Logan seemed like intelligent well rounded people, yet even as kids they didn't even get a hint of the kind of person Kelly was? And how could they both forgive her so easily, I understand looking on the bright side and moving on, even telling good memories to Keith but to completely forgive like Poppy did was off putting for me. Personally I hope there is a heaven and hell for book characters and that Kelly will burn for a long time.
So in the end I loved the book and the characters but the only feeling I'm left with as a write this is what a despicable person Kelly was.
***Spoilers***
I loved the story and growth in the characters. Now having said that, I feel like this was not a keeper for me because of Kelly. I know there are people in this world who are selfish and nauseating in just how awful they are, but I don't want to read about them. Poppy and Logan seemed like intelligent well rounded people, yet even as kids they didn't even get a hint of the kind of person Kelly was? And how could they both forgive her so easily, I understand looking on the bright side and moving on, even telling good memories to Keith but to completely forgive like Poppy did was off putting for me. Personally I hope there is a heaven and hell for book characters and that Kelly will burn for a long time.
So in the end I loved the book and the characters but the only feeling I'm left with as a write this is what a despicable person Kelly was.
March 5, 2015
I was really captured by this story and I didn’t quite expect to be. Poppy comes home to help out her old town, after a horrible flood reeked havoc on it. More specifically, she comes home to help Logan, her old friend and teenage crush. The first meeting started a little rocky and continues to be rocky until all the truth (and there is a lot of truth) and passion explodes from these two characters.
The other secondary characters were pretty great. Keith (more on him later), and all of Logan’s brothers (who I really hope make more appearances in the rest of the series) kept the tension light and fun.
Keith, Logan’s son, was insanely adorable. I could see a four year old acting just the way that Mondello wrote his character. Plus, Keith put this cuter edge onto the story with his adorableness. It was nice that Poppy had already won over Keith through the weekly phone calls so it was quite easy for them to click into a sweet role together. However, watching her work at winning over Logan is a whole other story. ~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
The other secondary characters were pretty great. Keith (more on him later), and all of Logan’s brothers (who I really hope make more appearances in the rest of the series) kept the tension light and fun.
Keith, Logan’s son, was insanely adorable. I could see a four year old acting just the way that Mondello wrote his character. Plus, Keith put this cuter edge onto the story with his adorableness. It was nice that Poppy had already won over Keith through the weekly phone calls so it was quite easy for them to click into a sweet role together. However, watching her work at winning over Logan is a whole other story. ~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
February 13, 2020
I GOT THIS BOOK FOR FREE BUT I STILL RETURNED IT. IF AT ANY POINT THIS BOOK COSTS MONEY AGAIN DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS GARBAGE.
The author was probably on the lack-of-common-sense drug when she came up with the idea to this story. The hero is a dumb piece of crap who still loved the evil woman even though they cheated together and backstabbed the heroine. The heroine was a dumb doormat who pathetically clinged to the hero despite the way he treated her to the very end, it was worse than a consolation price. HE TREATED HER LIKE SLOPPY SECONDS.
The author was probably on the lack-of-common-sense drug when she came up with the idea to this story. The hero is a dumb piece of crap who still loved the evil woman even though they cheated together and backstabbed the heroine. The heroine was a dumb doormat who pathetically clinged to the hero despite the way he treated her to the very end, it was worse than a consolation price. HE TREATED HER LIKE SLOPPY SECONDS.
March 19, 2020
Umm it's a no for me
The main character of the book is dead. You know more about his late wife's life and motivations than you do theirs. There are no hopes or dreams shared. No detail about her life that she spent building, and all of the life altering events have already happened. Better would have been a prologue of the last meeting. Then her showing up before the flood and them facing things as nature wrecked the outside world.
The main character of the book is dead. You know more about his late wife's life and motivations than you do theirs. There are no hopes or dreams shared. No detail about her life that she spent building, and all of the life altering events have already happened. Better would have been a prologue of the last meeting. Then her showing up before the flood and them facing things as nature wrecked the outside world.
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