Dakota Born

Dakota #1

by Debbie Macomber

Buffalo Valley, North Dakota. Like so many small Midwest towns, it's dying. Stores are boarded up, sidewalks cracked, houses need a coat of paint. But despite all that, there's a spirit of hope here, of defiance. The people still living in Buffalo Valley are fighting for their town. Lyndsay Snyder is a newcomer. She's an outsider, even though she spent childhood vacations here. Now she returns to see the family house again, to explore family secrets and to reevaluate her life. To her own astonishment, she decides to stay, to accept the vacant position of teacher. Her decision marks a new beginning for Buffalo Valley and for Lyndsay, who discovers in this broken little town the love and purpose she's been seeking.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only bigger group of male chauvinists than the one in this book is made up of the men currently in the US Congress.
I wanted to take these dudes out of their lil podunk North Dakota town, transport them to an active volcano, and throw them in.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a native North Dakotan, I encourage you not to read this book, which is so full of mistruths about the North Dakota experience.

The plot is outraqeous. North Dakota may be viewed as backward by the rest of the nation, but our State Board of Education would never allow ONE SINGLE teacher to teach all of the the subjects that would ordinarily be taught in a ND high school, no matter how remote. That is an affront to the intelligence of the people of my state. The book cover is even more insulting. The illustration shows a one-room GRADE school. As a matter of fact, I attended a one-room school through grade six, but no ND one-room school EVER offered classes beyond grade eight. People, take your blinders off!

Macomber claims to have roots in ND. If so, she should have done more research out of respect for her roots.

I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend from North Carolina, who of course knows nothing about North Dakota. Yes, it it true, we have had difficulty keeping our rural schools open. But when we do close them, we consolidate the schools so that our students still receive the best possible education, on par with the national level.

For shame on you, Debbie Macomber.

[Alejandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

¡Menudo chasco el Rita de este mes! Este libro es estúpido, absurdo, no tiene argumento ninguno y los personajes, tanto protagonistas como secundarios, son imbéciles. Es una puñetera tomadura de pelo.
Gage es un granjero de Dakota del norte que pareciera no haber mojado el churro en sus treinta y cinco años de vida.
He sido yo la que ha dado ánimos a mi mente calenturienta para imaginarlo como un agricultor sexy y así tener un aliciente, o mejor dicho, los santos ovarios de continuar leyendo. 😂
Lindsay es una tontalculo obsesionada con casarse, como si eso fuera lo único para lo que ha nacido en su vida.
La madre de él, Leta, es una alcahueta que se pasa casi todo el libro haciéndole de celestina al hijo. Y los demás habitantes del pueblo me han parecido igual de idiotas, no hay a quién salvar aquí.
El argumento (por llamarlo de alguna manera😂) se desarrolla en un pueblo muy pequeño de nombre Buffalo Valley, aunque a mi me parecería mucho más apropiado llamarlo Fool Valley, ya que a todos sus habitantes les falta un hervor.😂
No sé en qué estaría pensando la Macomber cuando escribió semejante cagada (desubicada ya os digo yo que estaba seguro), pero como dirían las Haggards, este libro tiene todas las papeletas para ingresar al club del porro.
No tiene una trama sólida, ni romance, ni personajes atractivos, ni la subtrama del misterio de la tía perdida se sostiene por ningún lado y, para colmo, ni siquiera hay escenas guarrindongas que disfrutar.
Vamos, que el libro es una joyita 😂

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually give this a 3.5. It would have gotten 4, but it bugged me the way the couples love and kiss each other with almost uncontrollable passion, then 2 seconds later they are fighting with such zeal that they never want to see each other again. That wore me out. Still, Debbie writes another compelling read, and I will continue onto book 2.

[Lori (on hiatus, life is crazy busy)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book! I enjoyed all the character's and felt like I was a small part of their lives. Great story that gets you thinking about what is really important in life.

[Wordsworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This was nice in some respects (especially in getting to know the town), quite slow, and the relationships were a drag through bad matches. Even Gage and Lindsay were a bad pairing-- he's so high-handed I couldn't believe they didn't have any knock-down blowout fights. Given that he made her miserable 90% of the time, and they don't even have a physical relationship, what could she really see as an inducement into marriage?

[Cat Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Mama sure was right on this one! My mom has been a Debbie Macomber fan for years, and it has taken me until now to give her a fair shot. I don't usually {or ever} read things that are strictly contemporary romance, but I had been curious about Ms Macomber, and after seeing Dakota Born on a Goodreads Penpals TBR list, I chose it.

I have to say, I really did enjoy it. I knew how it would end, though not how it would get there, but I was okay with that. Sometimes it's nice to get emotionally invested in a story with the confidence that you're not going to get your heart broken in the telling. A lot of the books I read, the same cannot be said for. So it was kind of a refreshing change of pace.

The book was predictable, as far as knowing basically how it was going to end, but I felt like there were some surprises and interesting plot developments throughout. Just because you know where it's going doesn't mean it needs to march there in a straight line, and I felt like there was a lot of wandering around through the woods in this one, in the very best kind of way.

This isn't high brow literary reading, or spectacularly high quality writing, but it is a well written, entertaining story that let me just relax and get lost in the town and in the characters. It was a fun, fast read that kept me turning the pages, always bummed to get to the end of our next 3-chapter section to email my PenPal.

I won't say I'll be tossing out all the more serious stuff I own and love, and devoting myself to reading fluffy romance novels... but I WILL say I'll be reading the second in this trilogy!

4 stars

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[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macomber always intrigues me with her emotional and realistic look at the lives of small town characters. DAKOTA BORN was no exception. She breathes life into this town that she`s created. I felt as if I were able to walk the street alongside the characters. All the while, she develops a story with intertwining plotlines, none outshining the others, but with one definitely taking centre stage.

The Gage/Lindsay dynamic was riveting. Their interactions were so real. The way that Macomber develops it, so that you experience both sides, gave me the full picture of their relationship while also allowing you to get to know them as individuals. Their strong personalities really drew me in. I love how intricate these characters are, without ever feeling like you`re in information overload. At the same time, Macomber goes so much further with her characters than just these two. The entire town comes to life in a big way. Joanie and Brandon broke my heart. Getting to know many of the other budding couples was fun as well.

This was a cute, fun small town romance with lots of heart. Macomber melds emotion with real life in a way like no other, creating a world that definitely puts her in the running for the queen of the quill.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this book was published in late 1999, it didn't seem dated. It's hard to believe that only 18 years ago, most people didn't have a cell phone and smart phones were only a dream of the future.

In this first book of Debbie Macomber's Dakota series, she managed to capture the plight of the American small farmer. During that time, I remember Willie Nelson using his influence to start Farm Aid, making the country aware of what was happening to the small farmers of America.

Though "true love" does prevail in Debbie's books, she also paints a realistic picture of the challenges in relationships. I definitely recommend this book and I look forward to reading the second book in Debbie Macomber's Dakota series.

[S T · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters in this book were very frustrating. It seemed like throughout the entire book, one person out of every romantic couple treated the other person like crap, then only longed for them when that person reacted to being treated so poorly. Characters continued to make the same stupid mistakes the entire time, and "depth" and "realness" was attempted to be added through just about every character experiencing tragedy and hardship in their pasts. The likeable characters were treated poorly by those who claimed they loved them, then accepted them back as soon as that person came back to them. The main character was rarely treated nicely by Gage and yet seemed to be head over heels for him. Didn't make any sense and was frustrating to read.

[Lee-Anne Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to this in audio format and for the life of me I don't know why I didn't just stop! Thoroughly unpleasant lead male characters with interpersonal dynamics between so-called 'love interests' that waved more red flags than red roses. I know perceptions about what constitutes healthy conflict resolutions and equity in relationships has changed over the past 18yrs but I can't remember EVER considering explosive anger, fragile ego and inept reasoning being attractive in a partner! I respect the literary skill of the author but don't think I'll attempt to connect with any more of her work seeing as this was the third or fourth book I have tried.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the characters and the small town - that is why I finished the book.

The main characters fall for each other after speaking 3 times. During those 3 times, all the toxic Male does is yell and sneer at the Female. It was wholly unbelievable that she wouldn't be scared, let alone do something like make out with the asshole.

Most of the Male characters problems were of the "my pride is too large" to do something reasonable.

I give this 10 eyerollls.

[Erica Chaillot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet start to a new series. I felt that a lot of the relationships took a long time to develop and their were a lot of secondary characters that were oftentimes hard to keep up with. I will continue reading the series.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reason I'm laying out big bad three stars to the Debs is that I was amused until the very end. This book was what I expected out of her and more.

I'll give her credit for more cuss words. "Gnat's ass" Oooh, Debbie, you naughty thing you...

The book starts with Lindsay returning to her grandparents' home town and to find it barely clinging to the brink of life. She uses the teacher's position to run away from her problems with her ex-boyfriend, Monte, since he can't put a ring on it with her, but only wants her for his convenience. I liked how the town engaged with each other and wasn't bored with the drama in the slightest. But you have to remember that one's reaction to problems in life and how they handle them takes a huge consideration with the story.

I wouldn't call this a romance since no one knows how to keep their temper in check or enjoy jumping to conclusions with their love interests. I don't think any man in that one horse town wouldn't know how to work on their relationship like a grown up with the woman they supposedly claim they're in love.

Let's start with Bitch Number One: Gage Sinclair. We know right off the bat he doesn't have any experience with love or relationships since all his life he has been working all of his life and trying to keep a farming community from choking to death. That's all fine and dandy. But you would think Leta would drill better manners into him and managing to keep them. Understanding he's seeking a wife that can handle the farm life, you would think he would take the time to observe a woman's personality and behavior before jumping to conclusions. But that would be too boring and mature of him. So, he manages to insult Lindsay while sticking his tongue down the throat and insinuating that she's gumming up the works with him and trying to make him jealous.

Where the fuck does he get off saying that to her? He doesn't even bother to get to know her and it takes Hassie and Leta to jam it in his thick skull that isn't the case. If I was Lindsay, I would have taken those loose bricks from my fireplace and smash it over his head. He doesn't deserve to be with her if all he's going to do is act like a hurt little boy.

Bitch Number Two: Brandon Wyatt.
If you thought someone you married wasn't cut out for farming, don't you think you wouldn't have married her in the first place? Joanie is a struggling mother and wife trying to help her husband, but he's too stupid with pride to allow that. When your farm is on the brink of bankruptcy and you are in debt with eyeballs in a town that is going to collapse, you don't exactly have many options of having your wife stay at home while you're working ungodly hours that won't even bother keeping the bill collectors away. She offered to work, but no. That's too much for his manly pride. I can understand how he feels about losing his livelihood, but when someone is offering to make it a little easier, you take up on that option.

He thinks that Joanie's parents don't like him because he isn't some rich folk who could offer her ten washing machines. I think by then, her parents would have gotten over it, but are more pissed at Brandon for pushing their own daughter away and caring for his pride more than her needs. He treats Joanie like shit and I wouldn't have been surprised if she did decide to divorce him instead of the other way around.

Bitch Number Three: Heath Quantrill.
Oh, I had high hopes for this one, but he fucking blew it half way through the story. He decided to live up to his rich boy attitude and assume that every girl would fuck him on the first date. Instead of accepting it one night without sex with grace and keep seeing Rachel which would have led to hanky panky, he decided to throw it all back into her face and run away like a wounded animal. I get that he doesn't think he's a saint and he's right. No one is. Another man assumes he knows what she's thinking and accuses her of the worst.

This is close to Facebook where skeevy dudes go online and sexually harass and threaten girls for not giving them what they want. These are signs of misogyny right here and somehow I would have figured the women would be doing this towards the men and having no trust with them. But it's the men who are more emotionally vulnerable than the women in this story. They can't handle their problems at all and assume the worst whining like a little fuck boy.

Oh. My. God. I suppose Debbie did a phenomenal job at exposing this social issue and showing that men can be pathetically weak creatures in romance novels. Boy howdy! That's why I kept reading. Most of the women in these stories were emotional, but they kept pushing forward. They fucking had to! There was hardly a man around to give them the support. Buffalo Valley was saved by the very few women while the men crawled back on their bellies.

Lindsay knows how to save a school from falling, Rachel knows how to run a business and make it grow, Hassie is in control of the town despite her health problems, Leta is there to help in any way she can, Sarah puts up with a bratty teenage daughter and is trying to help her brother recover, Joanie manages to stand up for herself and keep her kids happy, Lily Quantill knows how to control her stupid grandson and make him do what's right, and Maddy is going to come along and find a way to make things right in the future.

Do you understand that this is what I am inspired by? I don't know if Debbie realized what she created, but she unknowingly proved that women can pick up a failing town without much help from a man as well live without romance. In the end, I get bored by the half-ass apologies from the men and being all lovey dovey.

I thought the Hansens were pretty negative and glad they blew out of town. I couldn't put up with their petty weakness and pessimism. Even that was too down in the dumps or me. I liked Buffalo Bob and found it stupid that Merrily treated him like dirt.

[Kaitlin Jundt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros:
1. The scenery portrayed put me right back in my hometown and on the farm in Eastern ND.

2.Farm life was portrayed to the tee. Grain markets and weather are literally EVERYTHING to a farm family. Vacations and simple luxuries do not happen if weather and markets are not in favor.

3.Small town communities pull together in desperate times of need.

4.Small town life revolves around everyone knowing your business even before you do. (Cue my hometown bakery gossip table)

Cons:
1.The men in this book had major anger management issues. Farming is tough but oof man, breathe.

2.The drama in this book was a bit over the top. One minute there's all this sweet romance and literally seconds later they are screaming at eachother.

3. I predicted pretty much almost everything in this book.

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a light read and this book entirely fit the bill. I just happened to have it on my shelf from an old library book sale. I very much enjoyed watching Lindsay's growth from a city girl to a small town country girl who also finds out that she loves teaching. The impact she has on this small community is wonderful. I also loved that Debbie Macomber brings to light the hardships our farmers must endure.

[Hannah Prince · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know that thing in “whose line is it anyway?” Where the points don’t matter? This is what this romance novel is. I gave it two stars bc I was entertained but honestly I found the relationship between the love interests obnoxiously rocky and he was constantly yelling at her for trying to help. Meh. Dump his ass.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really fun start to the series! I thought all of the relationships were complex and pretty realistic and I loved the main character, Lindsay. I liked getting to know all of the town and found each storyline engaging enough that I'm excited to read on with the series. My only complaint was Gage. He was extremely grouchy and resentful from the beginning for no good reason and I thought he was kind of an ass. Overall, I would recommend this book and I'm excited to read on.

SPOILERS AHEAD:
The main storyline in this book is about Lindsay and Gage. It's set in Buffalo Valley, ND, a town that is struggling to survive. Gage (30ish) is a farmer who lives with his mom and half brother (in HS) named Kevin. Lindsay lives in Savannah, GA but she has a memory from childhood of her grandma in Buffalo Valley. She visited her grandparents there every summer and one summer she saw her grandma moving a brick in the fireplace and hiding something there. So, she and her girl friend Maddy take a trip to Buffalo Valley. Lindsay had just broken up with her long time boyfriend, Monte, because he did not want to get married or have kids and she did. He was a HUGE prick- yuck! When they get there they see that the town is about to fall apart because the teacher just died so they have no school left. Businesses are struggling and crop prices are low so the town is really in need of rejuvenation. She goes home with Maddy but then decides to take the job as high school teacher in Buffalo Valley for one year. She moves there and lives in her grandparents old house and tries to figure out whats hiding in the fireplace. Long story short, she finds out that her grandma and Gage's grandpa were in love. Theres a locket in the fireplace that has their picture. However, when the war came he was taken as a POW and presumed dead. She was pregnant with his baby and she chose to give her up for adoption and married Lindsay's grandpa instead. Lindsay and Gage argue about it because he thinks they shouldn't try to find this gal (who would be both of their aunts) but she does it anyway and in the end the aunt (Angela Kirkpatrick) comes to find them. We don't know if Lindsay stays or goes after her year in ND, but we'll find out in the next book!
Other characters in the story--
Brandon and Joanie. Brandon is Gage's BFF and a rancher. They got married younger and have been married for 2 years with 2 kids. They have drifted apart and he's a big jerk in the face of such hard financial times. She ends up leaving with the kids to go to her parents (she never liked the farm life) but she's accidentally pregnant again. They have no money and their marriage is dissolving so she decides to keep it secret from him. In the very end, they work through some of their stuff, but Joanie and the kids are still living separate from him.
Rachel and Heath. Rachel owns the pizza shop and Heath is a wealthy banker. They have a relationship starting but it's still early. He tries to push her into sex before she's ready and we'll see if they work it out. Lily is Heath's grandma and was a friend of Regina (Lindsay's grandma). She's the one who gives her a lot of information necessary to find out the secret of the fireplace.
Sarah and Dennis- Dennis owns the gas station and Sarah makes quilts. She's the son of the town Mr. Fix It, Jacob, and she has a daughter named Calla. She doesn't really want commitment because her 14 year old daughter is being really resistant and she's just gun shy after her last relationship going bad. The girls dad is in and out of their life and the daughter idolizes him, even though he sucks.
Hassie- Lindsay's best friend is the town optimist, Hassie. She owns the pharmacy and she's a sweet older lady that everyone comes in to for medical and life advice. She has a heart attack near the end of this book and she sort of loses her will to live if it means going to a nursing home. Hopefully she will fully recover and come back to the pharmacy with the help of Leta, Gage's mom, and others.
Buffalo Bob owns the local bar and grille and he has a girlfriend named Merrily but she comes and goes a lot because she is scared of commitment, but Bob is patient and lets her do her thing.
Kevin is Gage's half brother. He's a senior in high school and he's really talented in art, but he knows it won't go anywhere because he has to take over the family farm. When the dad died, Kevin was just a kid so Gage had to come take over the farm, even though it was willed to Kevin because it was his dads. So as soon as he graduates high school, he's going to run the farm so Gage can buy his own land or do whatever hew wants. Lindsay sees his gift and applies to a bunch of art schools for him and he gets in to the top 2 with full ride scholarships so in the end, he decides to go and gifts all of the land to Gage so it will finally be his.

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in this well written trilogy. I could have given it 5 stars but Lindsay, who moved away from I’ll never marry you Monte, falls for farmer Gage. Their relationship reminded me of a past affair with a boyfriend from long ago—Tempestuous! It was more off than on and thus annoying, bringing back memories that should have remained buried. I’m still deciding if I want to read books 2 and 3. Possibly?

[Jenee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did NOT like three of the main/lead men in this book. They were self-centered, a*******... who BARELY redeemed themselves at the very end, and who ultimately ruined the story for me. I don't plan on continuing this series.
(It was also the first risqué book I've read -or skimmed over- by Ms. Macomber. Yikes! I guess I will stick to her most recent books; which seem to be lighter on the romance.)

[Jessy D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not feel any emotion towards the character since the book kept jumping from one person to another and then jumping further in time. Made it so that you didn’t get attached to anyone. Seems like North Dakota is still Set in 1930, which I doubt is the case. I don’t understand how Lindsay and Gage get married if they basically hate each other and don’t seem to spend much time together. I was very disappointed in this book and Macomber’s writing style.

[Jolene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed Macomber's books but this one was miserable. The men is this book are all portrayed as angry jackasses and the women as helpless victims that succumb to the jerks. I have lived in ND all my 45 years and this book offended me. These characters were all portrayed as poor, uneducated farmers. Macomber might want to actually spend a little time in ND to get to know our state.

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a dying rural community, A young woman looking for roots and a man who didn't know he was looking for love.

[Joann M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems like a cute little town

[Stacey Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I want to give this book a higher rating I cannot in her books the women can do no wrong the treat the men poorly, but that ok that means they are strong women. Marriages that work are about being partners NONE and I mean NONE of the women ever change to make the relationship work it always the men I find that sad! Her writing is awesome she paints a story better than most, but not having any faults is not a strong person it a deluded person, I do not want reality or I would be reading nonfiction, but if one person in the relationship is always right and the other never that is not going to work. Being a bitch is not being a strong person you can treat each other nicely and still have inner strength!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, i will be reading the other part of the trology. I like the way the community come to gether to build the town up and help the school teacher. No the state probley would not allow one teacher to teach all the kid at one time. I have come from a small community, and the school i went too had 3 grade groups in one class. It took me back to that time.

[Kali · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted a quick romance book to read, and I found one. I didn't really enjoy it too much. The men were written as horribly immature oafs. I just could not find one man in this entire book that I could even barely tolerate. The women were fine, when they weren't falling all over themselves to do whatever the men demanded. I really wish I could invest myself more in the series, because I want to know what happens to Maddy, but I think I'm tapping out from this series. The writing was fine, it was the actual characters I didn't like.

[Cindy Heaton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but the men were such boorish idiots that I couldn't get past their behavior. The women were always right (even when they were wrong, hiding a pregnancy from your husband? Did she really think he wasn't going to find out?). I'll try one more from this author because I was charmed by another book of hers though.

[Janice · Rating 1 out of 5]

I selected this book for it being the first in a trilogy. I enjoy reoccurring characters and locations found in serials. It didn't take but a few pages to uncover the characters to be sappy and simplistic, with a predictable, repetitive narrative, and juvenile in its attempts at romantic tension. No need to open book two or book three.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waited a year to rent this from the library. Wasted a years worth of holds on other books for this book. Could not get into the story, way to much back story with too many characters to follow who was who.

Don't waste your time.