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The Other Fork In The Road
After being publicly humiliated in the worst possible way, New York socialite and Magnolia Hotel heiress, Madison Clark, pours out her woes to a psychic. She’s given a “to-go” bag of calming tea that promises rest and relaxation, but instead Madison wakes up in an unfamiliar crappy apartment with a wallet full of maxed-out credit cards and a bank account with a zero balance.
Convinced she’s the victim of identity theft, Madison returns to the psychic’s shop, only to learn the universe – and that freaking cosmic tea – is responsible for the change. She is now living the (poor) life, and the only way to get her (rich) life back is by righting some wrongs, starting with a reconciliation with her estranged father, who is inconveniently about to get married in Montana.
Cue up the good times, because even though she’s got nothing to wear and a pathetically small amount of bills in her wallet, she has to be at the wedding because there’s no time to waste.
But things get even more upside-down when she lands in Montana and is picked up from the airport by the annoyingly attractive Jax, who seems to loathe her at first sight. He’s expecting the party girl he’s seen all over social media and is taken aback when Madison bounces out of the airport sporting neon overalls and fishing boots. In addition to the many roadblocks of her new life, Madison suddenly finds herself outrunning cows and competing in beer-chugging competitions while attempting parental bonding.
The more time she spends in Montana, and the more time she spends with Jax, the more she questions her “good life”. Just when things are starting to become clear someone shows up unexpectedly, and all bets are off.
Convinced she’s the victim of identity theft, Madison returns to the psychic’s shop, only to learn the universe – and that freaking cosmic tea – is responsible for the change. She is now living the (poor) life, and the only way to get her (rich) life back is by righting some wrongs, starting with a reconciliation with her estranged father, who is inconveniently about to get married in Montana.
Cue up the good times, because even though she’s got nothing to wear and a pathetically small amount of bills in her wallet, she has to be at the wedding because there’s no time to waste.
But things get even more upside-down when she lands in Montana and is picked up from the airport by the annoyingly attractive Jax, who seems to loathe her at first sight. He’s expecting the party girl he’s seen all over social media and is taken aback when Madison bounces out of the airport sporting neon overalls and fishing boots. In addition to the many roadblocks of her new life, Madison suddenly finds herself outrunning cows and competing in beer-chugging competitions while attempting parental bonding.
The more time she spends in Montana, and the more time she spends with Jax, the more she questions her “good life”. Just when things are starting to become clear someone shows up unexpectedly, and all bets are off.
- GenresRomance
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2024
20 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
June 13, 2025
˗ˏˋ꒰𝟯.𝟮𝟱⭐꒱ 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
playιng: [𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙] - [𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿]
1:35 ──────ㅇ───────── 3:47
↯
˗ˏˋ꒰💵꒱ 𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
➵ 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱: arc copy
⇒ i need to start being better with my arcs because i am so behind! i'm happy to jump back into reading because college has put me in a big reading slump. hopefully this arc will help me get out of it. wish me luck!
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰🤠꒱𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕
➵ madison finds her boyfriend cheating on her and everything changes. she goes to a physic for comfort and is given tea that will make her a new person. the next morning, she wakes up with none of her wealth, in a rundown apartment, and is forced to go to her father's wedding in order to gain all her wealth back. while in montana trying to rebuild a relationship with her father, she meets jax who just might be the true love she has been looking for.
⇒ i really enjoyed the first few chapters of this story! i could feel jax and madison's chemistry and loved their banter. that changed after the first few chapters though because they didn't build an emotional connection, and their attraction was all physical. the big plot line of building a relationship with her father and trying to get her wealth back was pushed to the side to focus on the romance itself. however, i liked how the title actually played a role in the story. this is the plot line that would happen if madison wasn't caught up with wealth in new york city and i found this really cool.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰💵꒱𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
➵𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻: i didn't have a problem with her. before she lost her wealth, she was really sweet and not snobby at all. i loved that about her, that she didn't let her wealth make her money crazy and that she was still kind to others. the only reason her life changed was because she wanted to be a different person, because of her horrible taste in men.
⇒𝗷𝗮𝘅: he was okay and wasn't anything special. we know he was in the foster care system and that he was adopted by his previous foster mother and also about him just breaking up with his girlfriend a week prior. other than that, we don't really see his fears and desires. i was really excited when i saw that this book was dual pov because i thought we would get to see that.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰🤠꒱𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
➵ the other characters were wholesome. i liked daisy because she just seems like a nice lady to hang out with! she also knows how to use a gun so if anyone messes with you, she has you covered.
⇒ i didn't really like the child in the story because i don't know a seven-year-old that talks like him. the other characters were also flat and didn't really have anything special going on with them. they were just there for the plot.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰💵꒱𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔:
➵𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀: neutral
⇒ i liked how the story was going in the beginning but after the first few chapters, i lost interest. i liked madison and daisy and that was about it. the other characters and the love interest were flat. i wished the story wasn't so heavily focused on madison's romance with jax. overall, this was a good romance novel and i would recommend it to people who like cozy ones.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
↯
˗ˏˋ꒰💌꒱𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰! 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆!
playιng: [𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙] - [𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿]
1:35 ──────ㅇ───────── 3:47
↯
˗ˏˋ꒰💵꒱ 𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
➵ 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱: arc copy
⇒ i need to start being better with my arcs because i am so behind! i'm happy to jump back into reading because college has put me in a big reading slump. hopefully this arc will help me get out of it. wish me luck!
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰🤠꒱𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕
➵ madison finds her boyfriend cheating on her and everything changes. she goes to a physic for comfort and is given tea that will make her a new person. the next morning, she wakes up with none of her wealth, in a rundown apartment, and is forced to go to her father's wedding in order to gain all her wealth back. while in montana trying to rebuild a relationship with her father, she meets jax who just might be the true love she has been looking for.
⇒ i really enjoyed the first few chapters of this story! i could feel jax and madison's chemistry and loved their banter. that changed after the first few chapters though because they didn't build an emotional connection, and their attraction was all physical. the big plot line of building a relationship with her father and trying to get her wealth back was pushed to the side to focus on the romance itself. however, i liked how the title actually played a role in the story. this is the plot line that would happen if madison wasn't caught up with wealth in new york city and i found this really cool.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰💵꒱𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
➵𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻: i didn't have a problem with her. before she lost her wealth, she was really sweet and not snobby at all. i loved that about her, that she didn't let her wealth make her money crazy and that she was still kind to others. the only reason her life changed was because she wanted to be a different person, because of her horrible taste in men.
⇒𝗷𝗮𝘅: he was okay and wasn't anything special. we know he was in the foster care system and that he was adopted by his previous foster mother and also about him just breaking up with his girlfriend a week prior. other than that, we don't really see his fears and desires. i was really excited when i saw that this book was dual pov because i thought we would get to see that.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰🤠꒱𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
➵ the other characters were wholesome. i liked daisy because she just seems like a nice lady to hang out with! she also knows how to use a gun so if anyone messes with you, she has you covered.
⇒ i didn't really like the child in the story because i don't know a seven-year-old that talks like him. the other characters were also flat and didn't really have anything special going on with them. they were just there for the plot.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰💵꒱𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔:
➵𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀: neutral
⇒ i liked how the story was going in the beginning but after the first few chapters, i lost interest. i liked madison and daisy and that was about it. the other characters and the love interest were flat. i wished the story wasn't so heavily focused on madison's romance with jax. overall, this was a good romance novel and i would recommend it to people who like cozy ones.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
↯
˗ˏˋ꒰💌꒱𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰! 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆!
November 14, 2024
I started off really enjoying this book because it was pretty funny but funny quickly turned into cheesy which then turned into cringe.
The writing is goofy and seems almost juvenile. I feel like the goofy inauthenticity I found in this book is common with insta-love, which I just hate.
Here are examples of goofy writing:
"The thought of his perfect butt cheeks in my hands made my tummy feel all wiggly."
"I had the urge to bite him, so hot was he. Rharr."
"...felt a tightness in my nether regions"
"My hands slid around to that perfect rear."
frequent mentions of "orgasmic cologne"
"They looked like two muscley dudes who should be doing a TikTok dance or strip tease thing. So much testosterone in one place. Whoa."
"But as I looked back at the sexy man, leaning against his sexy truck, running his sexy eyes down my body..."
"...fit together like Captain Morgan and Coke, gin and tonic, or copy and paste; things that make you go hmmm."
"Her iddy biddy smile rattled something in my chest."
The writing is goofy and seems almost juvenile. I feel like the goofy inauthenticity I found in this book is common with insta-love, which I just hate.
Here are examples of goofy writing:
"The thought of his perfect butt cheeks in my hands made my tummy feel all wiggly."
"I had the urge to bite him, so hot was he. Rharr."
"...felt a tightness in my nether regions"
"My hands slid around to that perfect rear."
frequent mentions of "orgasmic cologne"
"They looked like two muscley dudes who should be doing a TikTok dance or strip tease thing. So much testosterone in one place. Whoa."
"But as I looked back at the sexy man, leaning against his sexy truck, running his sexy eyes down my body..."
"...fit together like Captain Morgan and Coke, gin and tonic, or copy and paste; things that make you go hmmm."
"Her iddy biddy smile rattled something in my chest."
September 14, 2024
5⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Melange Books for an advanced copy of The Other Fork In The Road.
Madison has been humiliated by her boyfriend in front of a group of there friends and while she is drowning her woes her and her sister Zoey visit a psychic. That night when she gets home she drinks the tea the psychic gave her and in the morning she wakes up as not the New York socialite with the wonderful apartment but in a dump with none of her belongings. She tracks the psychic down and finds out the universe is giving her a chance to find out who she really is and to make some changes in her life. One being reconciling with her dad. She decides to go to Montana for his wedding and meets Jax the son of her father’s soon to be wife. The connection is instant and Madison soon has to choose her path in life.
This book was so good! The writing was fabulous, the characters were great and easy to connect with, and the story got my attention from the beginning!
Madison has been humiliated by her boyfriend in front of a group of there friends and while she is drowning her woes her and her sister Zoey visit a psychic. That night when she gets home she drinks the tea the psychic gave her and in the morning she wakes up as not the New York socialite with the wonderful apartment but in a dump with none of her belongings. She tracks the psychic down and finds out the universe is giving her a chance to find out who she really is and to make some changes in her life. One being reconciling with her dad. She decides to go to Montana for his wedding and meets Jax the son of her father’s soon to be wife. The connection is instant and Madison soon has to choose her path in life.
This book was so good! The writing was fabulous, the characters were great and easy to connect with, and the story got my attention from the beginning!
September 13, 2024
AHHHHH!!!!!
amazing, spectacular, show stopping, brilliant, phenomenal.
i have so many words and yet none that would do this justice! getting an arc of this book was a special feeling cause it was my first arc ever and this book did not disappoint!!
this city girl meets kind of small town/barn guy fall romance was everything i needed in my life. i loved every bit of this book and madison was an incredible female main character and jax has scored his way on my book boyfriend list!
they were amazing main characters and i fell in love with both of their povs. mary lee painter has done a brilliant job! i can't wait to read more of her work.
amazing, spectacular, show stopping, brilliant, phenomenal.
i have so many words and yet none that would do this justice! getting an arc of this book was a special feeling cause it was my first arc ever and this book did not disappoint!!
this city girl meets kind of small town/barn guy fall romance was everything i needed in my life. i loved every bit of this book and madison was an incredible female main character and jax has scored his way on my book boyfriend list!
they were amazing main characters and i fell in love with both of their povs. mary lee painter has done a brilliant job! i can't wait to read more of her work.
June 25, 2025
3.70 stars!
I absolutely enjoyed the start of this book. I was fun and extracted a couple of smiles and giggles from me in the beginning. The middle floundered a bit but I was invested to see it to the end!
I absolutely enjoyed the start of this book. I was fun and extracted a couple of smiles and giggles from me in the beginning. The middle floundered a bit but I was invested to see it to the end!
September 15, 2024
2.5 🌟
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book!
I loved the premise and I love a cowboy romance vibe 🤠
The writing could have been more detailed - a lot of scenes felt quite rushed, I think conversations, descriptions, and the plot could have been a bit more developed! There wasn’t much scene setting and we also didn’t see much character development. I feel like the main character hated her new life for about 5 minutes but then just seemed to totally fit in and not care about anything?
This definitely has potential!
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book!
I loved the premise and I love a cowboy romance vibe 🤠
The writing could have been more detailed - a lot of scenes felt quite rushed, I think conversations, descriptions, and the plot could have been a bit more developed! There wasn’t much scene setting and we also didn’t see much character development. I feel like the main character hated her new life for about 5 minutes but then just seemed to totally fit in and not care about anything?
This definitely has potential!
September 18, 2024
Remember "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock in it? Well, if you do, you might be getting a bit old girl. You and me both. :D Sorry, let's do this again: if you enjoyed that movie, this book might be right up your alley!
Madison is a rich-turned-poor & out-of-her-depth kind of character - a trope loved by many. She's also a little mean, spoiled and shallow at the beginning just like Sandra Bullock's character and we get to see her change and grow because of the unusual circumstances life puts her in.
Jax, our other main character, is a stud. I mean, he's also sweet, caring, smart and hard-working real life cowboy but mostly, he's a stud. Of course he is, this is a romance book! He's definitely swoon-worthy.
Tbh, I didn't really like Madison character that much but there were other sweet characters in the book, and there were also so many forks in the road of the plot (pun intended, of course), so many adventures the author brings her characters on that it really makes for a light, fast paced, easy read and leaves you feeling good at the end, just like a typical 90s/2000s romantic comedy would. And for that, I applaud the author. It might not entirely have been my cup of tea, but it was a good palate cleanser, and in general, I think I am a bit difficult to please when it comes to romantic comedy genre books. Therefore, I celebrate anyone who dares to venture into writing one. :)
Thank you to Booksprout for the arc! I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Madison is a rich-turned-poor & out-of-her-depth kind of character - a trope loved by many. She's also a little mean, spoiled and shallow at the beginning just like Sandra Bullock's character and we get to see her change and grow because of the unusual circumstances life puts her in.
Jax, our other main character, is a stud. I mean, he's also sweet, caring, smart and hard-working real life cowboy but mostly, he's a stud. Of course he is, this is a romance book! He's definitely swoon-worthy.
Tbh, I didn't really like Madison character that much but there were other sweet characters in the book, and there were also so many forks in the road of the plot (pun intended, of course), so many adventures the author brings her characters on that it really makes for a light, fast paced, easy read and leaves you feeling good at the end, just like a typical 90s/2000s romantic comedy would. And for that, I applaud the author. It might not entirely have been my cup of tea, but it was a good palate cleanser, and in general, I think I am a bit difficult to please when it comes to romantic comedy genre books. Therefore, I celebrate anyone who dares to venture into writing one. :)
Thank you to Booksprout for the arc! I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 17, 2024
I lovedddd this book!! So much!!! It’s definitely one of my favourite romances. I loved all the characters and the plot. Madison and Jax were the cutest and them with Grant as well, I loved him!
I thought the plot was interesting, I liked the mystery aspect of it too. As much as I loved the ending I would’ve really liked if there was more closure. At least another chapter or two because it felt a bit incomplete with the plot especially with the start of the book being mostly about the psychic.
Honestly I was a bit scared to read this because i’ve never read a book with one of the main characters having my name. It wasn’t as weird as I thought and it was really enjoyable.
I highly recommend this book for any small town rom-com enjoyer with a city girl fmc and a small town mmc, with found family!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Satin Romance for an arc in return for a free review!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 (rounded up)
I thought the plot was interesting, I liked the mystery aspect of it too. As much as I loved the ending I would’ve really liked if there was more closure. At least another chapter or two because it felt a bit incomplete with the plot especially with the start of the book being mostly about the psychic.
Honestly I was a bit scared to read this because i’ve never read a book with one of the main characters having my name. It wasn’t as weird as I thought and it was really enjoyable.
I highly recommend this book for any small town rom-com enjoyer with a city girl fmc and a small town mmc, with found family!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Satin Romance for an arc in return for a free review!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 (rounded up)
January 29, 2025
3.75 stars!! this book was soo cute. such a good book to read in between series. the only thing was that i don’t really connect with the characters as much. but i still had such a fun time reading it!!
September 14, 2024
Five stars aren't enough for this book.
Madison and her older sister, Zoey, come from a broken home. Their mother is heiress to the Magnolia Hotels, and their father was a struggling artist from Montana when they met and married. Their marriage was doomed from the beginning. Finally they divorced, and Jim returned to Montana. Madison and Zoe felt that he had chosen cows over them, especially when they barely ever heard from him nor seen him since he left. He's been trying to reestablish contact with them. Zoe visited him the previous summer, but Madison isn't ready. Especially since he's getting married again. His bride, Daisy, wants the girls in the wedding.
Daisy's sons, Jax and Austin, along with Jim, all work alongside her on the ranch. Daisy is flamboyant, swears like a longshoreman, has a heart of gold, and is often armed.
Jim loves the ranch life but regrets the choices he made that cut his daughters out of his life. He wants them back.
Madison has no plans to allow any such thing, until on the night of her greatest public humiliation, she visits a psychic, at Zoe's insistence. She was given tea to drink before going to bed.
The next morning, she awoke not in her luxurious apartment but in one that should be condemned. The clothes in her "for now" closet wouldn't be accepted as donations by any charity, not even for cleaning rags. Most importantly, her credit card accounts have been closed, and her bank balance is zero!
When she finally gets the psychic to answer the door at her shop, she's told the meaning for what has happened to her life. To get her life back, she must go to her father's wedding and get to know him again. Until she does so, she can only use the money in her billfold and the one thousand dollars deposited into her checking account. Until she straightens out her life, that's the only money she'll have. So, it's off to Montana, but she's forced to fly in coach rather than first class or on the hotel's private jet. She has the joy of experiencing being locked in the plane's lavatory with a broken door lock during turbulence... Then the driver waiting for her is not only the best-looking man she's ever seen but also some sort of a gigolo.
Jax was expecting the spoiled, bratty socialite pictured in all the celebrity reports. She'd never fit in in Montana. But this Madison does. She's even made a fool of herself in public and laughed about it.
Jax was ten when he came to live with Daisy as a foster child. He's always had an inner shell to protect himself as he waits for someone else to hurt him. She adopted both him and Austin, another foster child. Jax is a licensed foster care parent. He asked his girlfriend to marry him. He pictured their life on the ranch with a foster child they could adopt and raise with their children. Instead, she ran off to Minnesota to be the lead anchor on a TV news program...
But for now, his other dream has come true. Grant, a seven-year-old, becomes his foster child. Grant may be on the small size, but he stands up for himself when Austin teases him. Grant is a bright, caring, loving, and happy kid. It doesn't take him long to join the "Keep Madison in Montana" club. And not many could ever resist this boy! He even convinces Jax to build her a she-shed.
They should be like oil and vinegar. Madison is a haute connoisseur, while Jax is an off-the-rack kinda guy. She's fine wine, he's canned beer. She lives in NYC and loves it, he lives on a ranch in Montana and doesn't think anywhere else could top that. They have nothing in common, except maybe love?
I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Madison and her older sister, Zoey, come from a broken home. Their mother is heiress to the Magnolia Hotels, and their father was a struggling artist from Montana when they met and married. Their marriage was doomed from the beginning. Finally they divorced, and Jim returned to Montana. Madison and Zoe felt that he had chosen cows over them, especially when they barely ever heard from him nor seen him since he left. He's been trying to reestablish contact with them. Zoe visited him the previous summer, but Madison isn't ready. Especially since he's getting married again. His bride, Daisy, wants the girls in the wedding.
Daisy's sons, Jax and Austin, along with Jim, all work alongside her on the ranch. Daisy is flamboyant, swears like a longshoreman, has a heart of gold, and is often armed.
Jim loves the ranch life but regrets the choices he made that cut his daughters out of his life. He wants them back.
Madison has no plans to allow any such thing, until on the night of her greatest public humiliation, she visits a psychic, at Zoe's insistence. She was given tea to drink before going to bed.
The next morning, she awoke not in her luxurious apartment but in one that should be condemned. The clothes in her "for now" closet wouldn't be accepted as donations by any charity, not even for cleaning rags. Most importantly, her credit card accounts have been closed, and her bank balance is zero!
When she finally gets the psychic to answer the door at her shop, she's told the meaning for what has happened to her life. To get her life back, she must go to her father's wedding and get to know him again. Until she does so, she can only use the money in her billfold and the one thousand dollars deposited into her checking account. Until she straightens out her life, that's the only money she'll have. So, it's off to Montana, but she's forced to fly in coach rather than first class or on the hotel's private jet. She has the joy of experiencing being locked in the plane's lavatory with a broken door lock during turbulence... Then the driver waiting for her is not only the best-looking man she's ever seen but also some sort of a gigolo.
Jax was expecting the spoiled, bratty socialite pictured in all the celebrity reports. She'd never fit in in Montana. But this Madison does. She's even made a fool of herself in public and laughed about it.
Jax was ten when he came to live with Daisy as a foster child. He's always had an inner shell to protect himself as he waits for someone else to hurt him. She adopted both him and Austin, another foster child. Jax is a licensed foster care parent. He asked his girlfriend to marry him. He pictured their life on the ranch with a foster child they could adopt and raise with their children. Instead, she ran off to Minnesota to be the lead anchor on a TV news program...
But for now, his other dream has come true. Grant, a seven-year-old, becomes his foster child. Grant may be on the small size, but he stands up for himself when Austin teases him. Grant is a bright, caring, loving, and happy kid. It doesn't take him long to join the "Keep Madison in Montana" club. And not many could ever resist this boy! He even convinces Jax to build her a she-shed.
They should be like oil and vinegar. Madison is a haute connoisseur, while Jax is an off-the-rack kinda guy. She's fine wine, he's canned beer. She lives in NYC and loves it, he lives on a ranch in Montana and doesn't think anywhere else could top that. They have nothing in common, except maybe love?
I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
September 8, 2024
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🎯🌄 **The Other Fork in the Road** by Mary Lee Painter 🌄🎯
*After being publicly humiliated in the worst possible way, New York socialite Madison Clark finds herself in the middle of nowhere with nothing but maxed-out credit cards and a cosmic twist of fate.*
🌟💸 **Review:** 💸🌟
In *The Other Fork in the Road*, Mary Lee Painter delivers a delightful fish-out-of-water rom-com about Madison Clark, a New York socialite who goes from the lap of luxury to the lap of a surprisingly bumpy, cashless life after a misadventure with a psychic’s tea leaves. Waking up in a dingy apartment with no money and no way to get her glamorous life back, Madison is thrust into an unexpected journey—one that will change her perspective on life, love, and what it means to be truly rich.
Convinced she’s the victim of identity theft, Madison returns to the psychic, only to be told the universe (and that pesky tea) has decided she needs to “right some wrongs.” The first step? Reconciling with her estranged father, who’s inconveniently about to get married in Montana. Despite her complete lack of funds, Madison makes her way to the wedding, where she’s picked up by Jax—a rugged, annoyingly attractive Montana local who seems to dislike her immediately.
What ensues is a hilarious and heartfelt journey as Madison attempts to navigate country life, estranged family dynamics, and a growing attraction to Jax. From beer-chugging competitions to dodging cows, Madison’s attempts to fit into her new life make for some truly laugh-out-loud moments. But as she spends more time in Montana, she begins to question whether her old “rich” life was really as fulfilling as she thought.
Painter weaves in themes of personal growth, forgiveness, and rediscovering what truly matters. Madison’s character transformation from spoiled socialite to someone who sees the world with new eyes is both funny and endearing, and her romance with Jax adds a sweet layer to the story. The setting of rural Montana, with its stark contrast to Madison’s high-society life, provides the perfect backdrop for this charming rom-com.
---
🌟 **Highlights:** 🌟
- **City-to-Country Charm**: Madison’s humorous and heartfelt journey from socialite to small-town girl is full of comedic misadventures and touching moments.
- **Opposites-Attract Romance**: The dynamic between Madison and Jax is full of tension, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry.
- **Heartwarming Themes**: Themes of family, forgiveness, and finding what truly matters are beautifully woven into the narrative.
---
💌 **Favorite Quote:**
*"Just when things are starting to become clear someone shows up unexpectedly, and all bets are off."* - A perfect teaser for the twists and surprises that keep the plot engaging.
---
🌟 **Rating:** 🌟
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
---
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy a fun, feel-good rom-com with a side of personal growth and a dash of unexpected romance. *The Other Fork in the Road* will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even rethink what it means to be truly rich.
See more reviews at:
Casla Reads
---
🎯🌄 **The Other Fork in the Road** by Mary Lee Painter 🌄🎯
*After being publicly humiliated in the worst possible way, New York socialite Madison Clark finds herself in the middle of nowhere with nothing but maxed-out credit cards and a cosmic twist of fate.*
🌟💸 **Review:** 💸🌟
In *The Other Fork in the Road*, Mary Lee Painter delivers a delightful fish-out-of-water rom-com about Madison Clark, a New York socialite who goes from the lap of luxury to the lap of a surprisingly bumpy, cashless life after a misadventure with a psychic’s tea leaves. Waking up in a dingy apartment with no money and no way to get her glamorous life back, Madison is thrust into an unexpected journey—one that will change her perspective on life, love, and what it means to be truly rich.
Convinced she’s the victim of identity theft, Madison returns to the psychic, only to be told the universe (and that pesky tea) has decided she needs to “right some wrongs.” The first step? Reconciling with her estranged father, who’s inconveniently about to get married in Montana. Despite her complete lack of funds, Madison makes her way to the wedding, where she’s picked up by Jax—a rugged, annoyingly attractive Montana local who seems to dislike her immediately.
What ensues is a hilarious and heartfelt journey as Madison attempts to navigate country life, estranged family dynamics, and a growing attraction to Jax. From beer-chugging competitions to dodging cows, Madison’s attempts to fit into her new life make for some truly laugh-out-loud moments. But as she spends more time in Montana, she begins to question whether her old “rich” life was really as fulfilling as she thought.
Painter weaves in themes of personal growth, forgiveness, and rediscovering what truly matters. Madison’s character transformation from spoiled socialite to someone who sees the world with new eyes is both funny and endearing, and her romance with Jax adds a sweet layer to the story. The setting of rural Montana, with its stark contrast to Madison’s high-society life, provides the perfect backdrop for this charming rom-com.
---
🌟 **Highlights:** 🌟
- **City-to-Country Charm**: Madison’s humorous and heartfelt journey from socialite to small-town girl is full of comedic misadventures and touching moments.
- **Opposites-Attract Romance**: The dynamic between Madison and Jax is full of tension, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry.
- **Heartwarming Themes**: Themes of family, forgiveness, and finding what truly matters are beautifully woven into the narrative.
---
💌 **Favorite Quote:**
*"Just when things are starting to become clear someone shows up unexpectedly, and all bets are off."* - A perfect teaser for the twists and surprises that keep the plot engaging.
---
🌟 **Rating:** 🌟
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
---
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy a fun, feel-good rom-com with a side of personal growth and a dash of unexpected romance. *The Other Fork in the Road* will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even rethink what it means to be truly rich.
See more reviews at:
Casla Reads
---
January 18, 2025
A great debut romcom by Mary Lee Painter! A story about a riches to rags city girl whose only hope of returning to the extravagant life she has always known is to make some reconciliations in her past. I read this city girl/small town boy, single dad with a twist romance book in a single sitting. Aside from the occasional cringy sentence and a few too many "OMG"'s, I really enjoyed the authors writing style. It was past-paced, engaging, and playful and had me laughing out loud.
The FMC, Madison, had me hooked from the first page with her witty comments and her down-to-earth personality. Her sense of humour and go-with-the-flow temperament definitely added to her charm. I really appreciated that when she first woke up with nothing, she didn't throw a pity-party, and instead adapted, and tried to make the best of her now 'poor' situation. Some may say that this was a downfall as she seemed indifferent to what happened to her; however, I saw it as a breath of fresh air that a FMC wasn't spending the first half of the book wallowing and sulking around, and instead accepted what had happened to her and accommodated accordingly.
The MMC, Jax, had my heart from the moment that he was introduced. With the perfect balance of protectiveness and compassion, he was easy to love. And hello? A man who wants to be a father? GREEN FLAG. I would have liked if I got a little bit more emotion from him and, in turn, some character growth, but I'll take what I can get. Jax's lively personality definitely had its time to shine *ahem, don't eat unlabelled candy*, and I was thoroughly entertained.
The dynamic between Jax and Madison was so fun and flirty, and the banter had me kicking my feet. Even the side characters in this book were vibrant and quirky in the best way. I look forward to seeing more of them in future books!
Now despite how much fun I had with all the characters, I don't rate books high based off of vibes alone. The main reason that I did not rate this book higher was the plot itself. It felt underdeveloped at times, and some scenes felt rushed and could have used some more descriptions to help with choppiness in the flow of the story. There were also a few too many conveniences and coincidences to be believable (but then again it is fiction). Romance books especially have a hard time becoming 5 star books in my opinion, as it can be hard to capture the emotional depth required for a five star book. A little more detail and a little more sentiment to the characters interactions and The Other Fork in the Road would have the potential to be rated higher in my books.
Nevertheless, this book was a great lighthearted romcom, and I look forward to more of Painter's books in the future!
The FMC, Madison, had me hooked from the first page with her witty comments and her down-to-earth personality. Her sense of humour and go-with-the-flow temperament definitely added to her charm. I really appreciated that when she first woke up with nothing, she didn't throw a pity-party, and instead adapted, and tried to make the best of her now 'poor' situation. Some may say that this was a downfall as she seemed indifferent to what happened to her; however, I saw it as a breath of fresh air that a FMC wasn't spending the first half of the book wallowing and sulking around, and instead accepted what had happened to her and accommodated accordingly.
The MMC, Jax, had my heart from the moment that he was introduced. With the perfect balance of protectiveness and compassion, he was easy to love. And hello? A man who wants to be a father? GREEN FLAG. I would have liked if I got a little bit more emotion from him and, in turn, some character growth, but I'll take what I can get. Jax's lively personality definitely had its time to shine *ahem, don't eat unlabelled candy*, and I was thoroughly entertained.
The dynamic between Jax and Madison was so fun and flirty, and the banter had me kicking my feet. Even the side characters in this book were vibrant and quirky in the best way. I look forward to seeing more of them in future books!
Now despite how much fun I had with all the characters, I don't rate books high based off of vibes alone. The main reason that I did not rate this book higher was the plot itself. It felt underdeveloped at times, and some scenes felt rushed and could have used some more descriptions to help with choppiness in the flow of the story. There were also a few too many conveniences and coincidences to be believable (but then again it is fiction). Romance books especially have a hard time becoming 5 star books in my opinion, as it can be hard to capture the emotional depth required for a five star book. A little more detail and a little more sentiment to the characters interactions and The Other Fork in the Road would have the potential to be rated higher in my books.
Nevertheless, this book was a great lighthearted romcom, and I look forward to more of Painter's books in the future!
January 11, 2025
Thank you to Melange Books & NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. I want to state up front that I did DNF this book at the 35% mark because I found that I was not enjoying this book as I’d hoped to & that I may not be the right audience for it.
The Other Fork in the Road is a dual POV romance that follows Madison, the socialite daughter of a wealthy hotelier family (think the Hiltons) & Jax, the small town man just wanting to pursue a simple life that he can build with a family. At the start of the book, Madison’s life implodes, leaving her confused & angry & lost as to what is next. With the help of a psychic who turns out to actually have magic powers, Madison winds up in a Christmas Carol-type situation where she wakes up in her same life but as a different version of herself. Madison & Jax are then thrown together thanks to a family wedding & close-proximity.
What I Liked: I always love a magical realism element, in fact it’s one of the things that first drew me to the book. I also appreciate the layered family dynamics, including foster families & a strained father-daughter relationship - this always adds depth to a story & its characters. If you’re looking for a fun, light, & easy romance story with a small town setting, cowboy elements, & an opposites-attract couple, it could be worth a peek!
But while I tried to stick through this book, I really wasn’t enjoying myself & I firmly believe that life is too short to spend time reading something that isn’t enjoyable. The largest issue that I had was the writing style - it was a bit juvenile & choppy, so I never felt like I could hit a reading flow; it felt like my brain was fumbling to take in what I was reading. I also never fully became invested in the main characters - to me, they were not relatable. There were also many instances where I felt that I was being forced to see Madison as a very unlikeable character, but I just didn’t really see her as ‘bad,’ only as a flawed human who is a lot a bit spoiled, but not a horrible person in need of an intervention. Overall, this books was just a little too chaotic & inconsistent for me & my brain that is already chaotic & inconsistent on its own; I come to Romance for escapism but this just turned out not to be the right vacation destination for me.
The Other Fork in the Road is a dual POV romance that follows Madison, the socialite daughter of a wealthy hotelier family (think the Hiltons) & Jax, the small town man just wanting to pursue a simple life that he can build with a family. At the start of the book, Madison’s life implodes, leaving her confused & angry & lost as to what is next. With the help of a psychic who turns out to actually have magic powers, Madison winds up in a Christmas Carol-type situation where she wakes up in her same life but as a different version of herself. Madison & Jax are then thrown together thanks to a family wedding & close-proximity.
What I Liked: I always love a magical realism element, in fact it’s one of the things that first drew me to the book. I also appreciate the layered family dynamics, including foster families & a strained father-daughter relationship - this always adds depth to a story & its characters. If you’re looking for a fun, light, & easy romance story with a small town setting, cowboy elements, & an opposites-attract couple, it could be worth a peek!
But while I tried to stick through this book, I really wasn’t enjoying myself & I firmly believe that life is too short to spend time reading something that isn’t enjoyable. The largest issue that I had was the writing style - it was a bit juvenile & choppy, so I never felt like I could hit a reading flow; it felt like my brain was fumbling to take in what I was reading. I also never fully became invested in the main characters - to me, they were not relatable. There were also many instances where I felt that I was being forced to see Madison as a very unlikeable character, but I just didn’t really see her as ‘bad,’ only as a flawed human who is a lot a bit spoiled, but not a horrible person in need of an intervention. Overall, this books was just a little too chaotic & inconsistent for me & my brain that is already chaotic & inconsistent on its own; I come to Romance for escapism but this just turned out not to be the right vacation destination for me.
October 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this story, this is my objective review. Madison is a rich New York socialite who helps run the PR side of her family's chain of hotels. After a messy break-up with her jerk boyfriend, she impulsively goes to a psychic wanting a new life. Be careful what you wish for! On the directions of the mysterious psychic and in order to get her old life back, she goes to Montana to reconcile with her estranged father, who's getting remarried. There she meets Jax, the handsome adopted son of her new stepmother. Predictably, sparks fly in their short time together and Madison starts to reconsider how she wants the rest of her life to look. Be warned, the suspension of disbelief is very necessary here for optimal enjoyment. It's the kind of story where the nonsensical makes sense to the main characters and the reader absolutely shouldn't ask too many questions. (If you're looking for realism, this ain't it.) This book is perfect if you're looking for a quick and light read with touches of humor. The writing style is straightforward and a bit over-the-top at times. Personally I found it a bit difficult to connect with either character, both of them seemed a bit shallow and judgmental in the beginning. The story was cute enough but throughout the book they both seemed fairly immature for adults who are supposed to be almost 30 years old, especially since Jax was qualified by the state to be a foster parent (also, in this day and age I was surprised by the unprotected sex after zero discussion both pre- and post-sex about birth control or STDs). Speaking of foster parenting, Grant was sweet and an enjoyable addition to the plot. This wasn't quite the book for me as I couldn't stop questioning some of the plot devices (and I had a little difficulty with Jax's slightly aggressive sexuality, not to mention Grant's easy acceptance of his changing foster situations) but overall it was entertaining. This is the perfect book if you're looking for an opposites-attract, insta-lust/insta-love, open door romance, low-risk love story with an HEA. Published 9-17-24.
September 23, 2024
Mary Lee Painter’s debut novel, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘢𝘥, is a hilarious, sweet, and heartwarming rom-com that had me hooked from start to finish! I couldn't put it down and found myself wishing for more as soon as I reached the last page.
Madison Clark, a New York socialite, finds herself in an embarrassing situation while throwing a surprise birthday party for her boyfriend. Public humiliation leads her to a psychic, where she makes a wish for her life to be different. But what happens next is beyond anything Madison could’ve imagined. Instead of the glamorous lifestyle she's used to, she wakes up in a rundown apartment, with no money, a completely different wardrobe, and challenges she’s never had to face before.
In order to reclaim her life, Madison must embark on a journey to Montana for her estranged father’s wedding to mend their relationship. This leads her to meeting the very attractive cowboy, Jax – her father's fiancée’s foster son. He is immediately caught off guard when he sees her for the first time. She looks nothing like the glamorous fashionista he was expecting. She is actually funny and quirky, always seeming to get herself into hilarious and embarrassing situations. The sparks between them are undeniable, and their relationship slowly evolves from teasing and tension to something deeper, especially as Madison starts to realize that material things aren't the only things that matter in life.
Painter’s writing is both witty and engaging, bringing the characters and their experiences to life in a way that kept me entertained throughout. The supporting characters added so much depth and richness, and I'm hoping to see more from Austin and Zoey in the future. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘢𝘥 is a must-read for anyone who loves a fun fish-out-of-water, opposites-attract rom-com!
𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘮 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢��𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
Madison Clark, a New York socialite, finds herself in an embarrassing situation while throwing a surprise birthday party for her boyfriend. Public humiliation leads her to a psychic, where she makes a wish for her life to be different. But what happens next is beyond anything Madison could’ve imagined. Instead of the glamorous lifestyle she's used to, she wakes up in a rundown apartment, with no money, a completely different wardrobe, and challenges she’s never had to face before.
In order to reclaim her life, Madison must embark on a journey to Montana for her estranged father’s wedding to mend their relationship. This leads her to meeting the very attractive cowboy, Jax – her father's fiancée’s foster son. He is immediately caught off guard when he sees her for the first time. She looks nothing like the glamorous fashionista he was expecting. She is actually funny and quirky, always seeming to get herself into hilarious and embarrassing situations. The sparks between them are undeniable, and their relationship slowly evolves from teasing and tension to something deeper, especially as Madison starts to realize that material things aren't the only things that matter in life.
Painter’s writing is both witty and engaging, bringing the characters and their experiences to life in a way that kept me entertained throughout. The supporting characters added so much depth and richness, and I'm hoping to see more from Austin and Zoey in the future. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘢𝘥 is a must-read for anyone who loves a fun fish-out-of-water, opposites-attract rom-com!
𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘮 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢��𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
September 26, 2024
I loved the premise of this book, an embarrassed hotel Heiress Madison goes to a psychic after being cheated on in front of everyone she knows. She wakes the next morning no longer a rich heiress but "poor". To get her old life back she might reconcile with her father while attending his wedding in Montana. There she meets Jax, a former foster kid who was raised by a women named Daisy and Daisy is now marrying Jim, Madison's father.
This part was confusing because Jax talks about "Jim and Daisy" and that Daisy's first husband died and Jax called Jim "the father I never had". However I wasn't sure when Jim came into Jax's and Austin's life since he left when Madison and Zoey where kids. When Jax talks about being fostered he only says he and Austin ended up with Daisy. Anyways Madison and Jax meets and while trying to mend her relationship with her dad, Madison lives the "poor country life" and with Jax trying to decide which life is better, rich or poor.
The premise is great. the execution however was a little clunky for me. Madison goes to the Psychic who tells her she needs to show "altruism". But then the Psychic tells her she can do that by reconnecting with her father. So why didn't the Psychic just tell her that from the rip. Reconnecting with her father isn't even altruistic because it benefits her in the end even if she does want to do it. Also the way "poor" is shown as a dirty "biohazard" apartment with a bum sleeping by the dumpster and tie dye shirt and fishing boots as clothes. And then Madison goes to Montana, poor was Jax, the foster kid on the farm with cows and guzzling beer. I just felt this depicting to be so different than Madison's rich life was too heavy handed.
This part was confusing because Jax talks about "Jim and Daisy" and that Daisy's first husband died and Jax called Jim "the father I never had". However I wasn't sure when Jim came into Jax's and Austin's life since he left when Madison and Zoey where kids. When Jax talks about being fostered he only says he and Austin ended up with Daisy. Anyways Madison and Jax meets and while trying to mend her relationship with her dad, Madison lives the "poor country life" and with Jax trying to decide which life is better, rich or poor.
The premise is great. the execution however was a little clunky for me. Madison goes to the Psychic who tells her she needs to show "altruism". But then the Psychic tells her she can do that by reconnecting with her father. So why didn't the Psychic just tell her that from the rip. Reconnecting with her father isn't even altruistic because it benefits her in the end even if she does want to do it. Also the way "poor" is shown as a dirty "biohazard" apartment with a bum sleeping by the dumpster and tie dye shirt and fishing boots as clothes. And then Madison goes to Montana, poor was Jax, the foster kid on the farm with cows and guzzling beer. I just felt this depicting to be so different than Madison's rich life was too heavy handed.
April 23, 2025
- better than a standard 3 stars but falls short of a 4 star rating
- how sucky would it be to find out that your bf was cheating on you when you're about to throw him a surprise birthday party?
- kind of weird how the author referenced Godfather's and The Old Market but in a New York City setting
- same thing in Montana: she had Stella's, the Sarpy County Fair, and Highway 370 as landmarks in Montana?
- the drinking of the special tea that changes Madison's lifestyle felt a bit silly but it was a creative approach and set the stage for the events and funny situations in Montana
- Madison's character actually didn't come across as that spoiled to me: her kind, patient, and fun loving nature could make you overlook her jet setting lifestyle
- Spaghetti O's (:
- liked Jax's character too (him being a former foster kid added a special element and humane aspect to his persona)
- Jax acted so sweet towards his temporary foster kid (who later became his and Madison's adopted son in the 6 months later epilogue)
- 2 favorite parts: them all going to the state fair and eating all of the deep fried sustenance and when Grant and Jax built and furnished Madison's she-shed to try to convince her to stay
- Madison's worry about staying long term in Montana was justified. Her whole life and social circle was in NYC
- Jax pulled off the stay-posal of all proposals
- now, Madison can be with Jax, Grant, and can reconnect with her dad again
- maybe Madison's sister Zoey and Jax's adopted brother Austin will get together too?
- the 3 short sentences at the end about Madison's bank account being restored, her going back to the tea shop but the shop being dark, and no one there felt rushed and abrupt but it was a HEA for her none the less
- how sucky would it be to find out that your bf was cheating on you when you're about to throw him a surprise birthday party?
- kind of weird how the author referenced Godfather's and The Old Market but in a New York City setting
- same thing in Montana: she had Stella's, the Sarpy County Fair, and Highway 370 as landmarks in Montana?
- the drinking of the special tea that changes Madison's lifestyle felt a bit silly but it was a creative approach and set the stage for the events and funny situations in Montana
- Madison's character actually didn't come across as that spoiled to me: her kind, patient, and fun loving nature could make you overlook her jet setting lifestyle
- Spaghetti O's (:
- liked Jax's character too (him being a former foster kid added a special element and humane aspect to his persona)
- Jax acted so sweet towards his temporary foster kid (who later became his and Madison's adopted son in the 6 months later epilogue)
- 2 favorite parts: them all going to the state fair and eating all of the deep fried sustenance and when Grant and Jax built and furnished Madison's she-shed to try to convince her to stay
- Madison's worry about staying long term in Montana was justified. Her whole life and social circle was in NYC
- Jax pulled off the stay-posal of all proposals
- now, Madison can be with Jax, Grant, and can reconnect with her dad again
- maybe Madison's sister Zoey and Jax's adopted brother Austin will get together too?
- the 3 short sentences at the end about Madison's bank account being restored, her going back to the tea shop but the shop being dark, and no one there felt rushed and abrupt but it was a HEA for her none the less
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2025
🄱🄾🄾🄺 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ꜰᴏʀᴋ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴀᴅ
ʙʏ ᴍᴀʀʏ ʟᴇᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴᴛᴇʀ
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 𝟧
This hilarious, sweet, heartwarming rom-com had me hooked from the beginning to end. I honestly didn’t want it to end. Jax loves his life in Montana and knows exactly what he wants to do in his life. He recently went through a breakup and has sworn off women.. until he meets Madison. The daughter of the man who his adopted mother is marrying. Madison lives the high life in New York City. After experiencing one of the worst days of her life, she happens upon a psychic and makes the comment that she hates her life and wishes it could be different. The next day when she wakes up, she realizes she is definitely not in her apartment. She goes back to the psychic and realizes she has changes to make in order to get her old life back. One of these changes is getting her relationship back with her father. So to Montana she goes for his upcoming wedding. She meets Jax once she gets off the plane where she thought he was the Uber driver who’d be taking her to her father’s home. The two get off on a rocky start, but the more they get to know each other, the more they realize their chemistry cannot be ignored. Besides the sweet moments like when Jax and his son build Madison a she-she’d, I was literally laughing out loud throughout it this entire book. For example, the Sarpy County Fair Animal Scramble.. IYKYK. Painter’s sense of humor is quirky and amazing. I loved these two main characters as well as the side characters. If you love small town romantic comedies, then this is a must read!
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 @maryleepainterauthor 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌. 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝟐!
#bookreview #theotherforkintheroad #maryleepainter #bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookish #bookaesthetic #booksta #booksbooksbooks #books #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #booklover #bibliophile #bookworm #booksaremagic #bookishlife #bookishpost #romcombooks
ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ꜰᴏʀᴋ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴀᴅ
ʙʏ ᴍᴀʀʏ ʟᴇᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴᴛᴇʀ
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 𝟧
This hilarious, sweet, heartwarming rom-com had me hooked from the beginning to end. I honestly didn’t want it to end. Jax loves his life in Montana and knows exactly what he wants to do in his life. He recently went through a breakup and has sworn off women.. until he meets Madison. The daughter of the man who his adopted mother is marrying. Madison lives the high life in New York City. After experiencing one of the worst days of her life, she happens upon a psychic and makes the comment that she hates her life and wishes it could be different. The next day when she wakes up, she realizes she is definitely not in her apartment. She goes back to the psychic and realizes she has changes to make in order to get her old life back. One of these changes is getting her relationship back with her father. So to Montana she goes for his upcoming wedding. She meets Jax once she gets off the plane where she thought he was the Uber driver who’d be taking her to her father’s home. The two get off on a rocky start, but the more they get to know each other, the more they realize their chemistry cannot be ignored. Besides the sweet moments like when Jax and his son build Madison a she-she’d, I was literally laughing out loud throughout it this entire book. For example, the Sarpy County Fair Animal Scramble.. IYKYK. Painter’s sense of humor is quirky and amazing. I loved these two main characters as well as the side characters. If you love small town romantic comedies, then this is a must read!
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 @maryleepainterauthor 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌. 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝟐!
#bookreview #theotherforkintheroad #maryleepainter #bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookish #bookaesthetic #booksta #booksbooksbooks #books #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #booklover #bibliophile #bookworm #booksaremagic #bookishlife #bookishpost #romcombooks
September 20, 2024
The Path We Choose . . .
You need to be careful what you wish for, as the reader discovers when wealthy socialite Madison Clark throws an elaborate surprise party for her boyfriend, only to be humiliated in front of the 40 guests when the elevator door opens and the whole crowd watches Steve cheating on her as he kissed and fondled another woman. Zoey, Madison’s wonderful sister, immediately grabbed an umbrella to beat him over the head, but was held back by several of the male guests. And Steve tried to convince everyone that he thinks the woman drugged him to make him do this! Finally Madison had enough of this loser and punched him in the face.
As Zoey walked Madison down the sidewalk, she spotted a Psychic shop and insisted that Madison go inside. Zoey insisted Madison tell the psychic what happened. After a calming cup of tea, Madison wakes up in a strange shabby room and about to begin a definitely changed lifestyle where her new circumstances truly challenge her. No longer wealthy, and barely getting by, she is sent in another direction to reconcile with her father who is about to be married and whom she has been avoiding. His fiancee Daisy’s adopted son, Jax, is tasked with picking her up at the airport . Her life is now very different from the wealth she came from. Can she get back to her “other” life? Does she want to? Or will her experiences in this new role allow her to find what is even more important -- love, family, and forgiveness?
You need to be careful what you wish for, as the reader discovers when wealthy socialite Madison Clark throws an elaborate surprise party for her boyfriend, only to be humiliated in front of the 40 guests when the elevator door opens and the whole crowd watches Steve cheating on her as he kissed and fondled another woman. Zoey, Madison’s wonderful sister, immediately grabbed an umbrella to beat him over the head, but was held back by several of the male guests. And Steve tried to convince everyone that he thinks the woman drugged him to make him do this! Finally Madison had enough of this loser and punched him in the face.
As Zoey walked Madison down the sidewalk, she spotted a Psychic shop and insisted that Madison go inside. Zoey insisted Madison tell the psychic what happened. After a calming cup of tea, Madison wakes up in a strange shabby room and about to begin a definitely changed lifestyle where her new circumstances truly challenge her. No longer wealthy, and barely getting by, she is sent in another direction to reconcile with her father who is about to be married and whom she has been avoiding. His fiancee Daisy’s adopted son, Jax, is tasked with picking her up at the airport . Her life is now very different from the wealth she came from. Can she get back to her “other” life? Does she want to? Or will her experiences in this new role allow her to find what is even more important -- love, family, and forgiveness?
December 9, 2024
The Other Fork In The Road by Mary Lee Painter is a romance novel and the story of Madison and Jax.
Madison is a rich city girl and the heiress to the family’s hotel business. She is a socialite like every other who pretends to have the perfect life. She is way too focused on appearances and materialistic things and takes everything for granted. At some point her relationship is in shambles and her ex publicly humiliates her and she flees to Montana. This would have been the perfect opportunity for her to question her lifestyle, but she is way too pretentious and stuck in her way and can’t deal with the “poor” life in the country. I didn’t like her at all, and she is the cliche of a rich and dumb person who can’t see what’s right in front of her.
Jax works on the ranch in Montana, and he is keeping an eye out on Madison. He is attractive and sweet and has a lot of good qualities, but I feel like I didn’t see enough of him in the book. I liked what I saw of him, but I wish we had more from his perspective.
The concept of this book sounded great, and the cover is gorgeous as well and I was so excited for this book. But unfortunately, it was a total let down and the romance was lackluster, and the characters stayed shallow, and I couldn’t feel the story at all. Madison should have changed for the better earlier and it was so unrealistic that Jax gave her chance after chance because she acted like a total fool.
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me, and I couldn’t connect to the characters or the plot. 2 stars.
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)
Madison is a rich city girl and the heiress to the family’s hotel business. She is a socialite like every other who pretends to have the perfect life. She is way too focused on appearances and materialistic things and takes everything for granted. At some point her relationship is in shambles and her ex publicly humiliates her and she flees to Montana. This would have been the perfect opportunity for her to question her lifestyle, but she is way too pretentious and stuck in her way and can’t deal with the “poor” life in the country. I didn’t like her at all, and she is the cliche of a rich and dumb person who can’t see what’s right in front of her.
Jax works on the ranch in Montana, and he is keeping an eye out on Madison. He is attractive and sweet and has a lot of good qualities, but I feel like I didn’t see enough of him in the book. I liked what I saw of him, but I wish we had more from his perspective.
The concept of this book sounded great, and the cover is gorgeous as well and I was so excited for this book. But unfortunately, it was a total let down and the romance was lackluster, and the characters stayed shallow, and I couldn’t feel the story at all. Madison should have changed for the better earlier and it was so unrealistic that Jax gave her chance after chance because she acted like a total fool.
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me, and I couldn’t connect to the characters or the plot. 2 stars.
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)
September 18, 2024
Apparently writing great romance runs in the family! I enjoyed this book SO much and I just couldn’t put it down. I stalled a little bit to start, but once I did, I read it all in one go.
The story is about Madison, a rich woman who after a terrible night goes to a psychic and wishes her life was different, and when she wakes up, she has to live up to her wishes to get her old life back, and start mending some fences and being a better person in order to get there.
I loved how we could see Madison’s development so clearly and how she truly grown at the end of the book. This book has everything: forgiveness, acceptance, romance, family, simplicity. It’s a deep layered journey and I dare you not to fall in love with the characters and sweet Jax.
At first, I thought it was going to be more of a story about a rich girl having to go through a “poor life”, and value her money and her good life but I was surprised when I saw the character realize everything that is expensive is not necessarily the best. Reading it felt like seeing the story of a dear friend of mine finding her place in the world - not just physically, but emotionally.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
PS: Is it too much to ask for a Zoey / Austin sequel?
The story is about Madison, a rich woman who after a terrible night goes to a psychic and wishes her life was different, and when she wakes up, she has to live up to her wishes to get her old life back, and start mending some fences and being a better person in order to get there.
I loved how we could see Madison’s development so clearly and how she truly grown at the end of the book. This book has everything: forgiveness, acceptance, romance, family, simplicity. It’s a deep layered journey and I dare you not to fall in love with the characters and sweet Jax.
At first, I thought it was going to be more of a story about a rich girl having to go through a “poor life”, and value her money and her good life but I was surprised when I saw the character realize everything that is expensive is not necessarily the best. Reading it felt like seeing the story of a dear friend of mine finding her place in the world - not just physically, but emotionally.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
PS: Is it too much to ask for a Zoey / Austin sequel?
November 27, 2024
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
Spoiled New York socialite Madison Clark is having a bad day. Her life gets turned upside down when her boyfriend humiliates her in front of her friends at a party she is throwing for him. As the night goes on, Madison ends up at a psychic's asking if her life is always going to be this way. The psychic tells her no, and sends her on her way with a tea to help calm her down. She gets home, drinks the tea, and passes out. The next morning, she wakes up in a dump of an apartment with clothing that looks like it came from a dumpster. Thinking that she's being punked, she goes back to the psychic who lays out the rules. She needs to fix the past to make the future work and get back her money.
Madison sets off for Montana. Her dad, who she is estranged from, is getting married in a week. She needs to make amends and reopen her heart. While there, she meets Jax, a hot cowboy that is closer to home than she realizes. Can she right all the wrongs and still get everything she wants?
I loved this book. There were so many scenes where I was literally laughing out loud as they were things I could picture happening in my own life. I look forward to more books by this author.
Spoiled New York socialite Madison Clark is having a bad day. Her life gets turned upside down when her boyfriend humiliates her in front of her friends at a party she is throwing for him. As the night goes on, Madison ends up at a psychic's asking if her life is always going to be this way. The psychic tells her no, and sends her on her way with a tea to help calm her down. She gets home, drinks the tea, and passes out. The next morning, she wakes up in a dump of an apartment with clothing that looks like it came from a dumpster. Thinking that she's being punked, she goes back to the psychic who lays out the rules. She needs to fix the past to make the future work and get back her money.
Madison sets off for Montana. Her dad, who she is estranged from, is getting married in a week. She needs to make amends and reopen her heart. While there, she meets Jax, a hot cowboy that is closer to home than she realizes. Can she right all the wrongs and still get everything she wants?
I loved this book. There were so many scenes where I was literally laughing out loud as they were things I could picture happening in my own life. I look forward to more books by this author.
February 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
“i guess the old saying is true: what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” ok so that quote is the perfect one for this book. When city girl Madison gets brutally heartbroken, she decides to visit a psychic. Madison, in her heartbroken messy state, told her that she hated her life. so the psychic decided to show her the other fork in the road. Where she must reconnect with her father in order to get the life she said she hated back. But it turns out, life isn’t so bad when u take a different route. ok so let me start off by saying i just think i wasn’t the target audience for this book. i thought some dialogue was cringy and the MC are step siblings (kinda) which i am not a fan of. HOWEVER. i loved the feeling of growth this book gave me. how even the most unexpected things can turn out to be the best. i also loved the montana scene. it made the book feel much more like a hug from the mountains. all in all i laughed a lot and enjoyed the fun moments from this book. thank you so so much to the sweet Mary Lee Painter who sent me the EPub! you are seriously amazing and i can’t wait to see what story you come up with next!!!
Song i thought of while reading:
Reckless Driving - Lizzy McAlpine and Ben Kessler
“i guess the old saying is true: what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” ok so that quote is the perfect one for this book. When city girl Madison gets brutally heartbroken, she decides to visit a psychic. Madison, in her heartbroken messy state, told her that she hated her life. so the psychic decided to show her the other fork in the road. Where she must reconnect with her father in order to get the life she said she hated back. But it turns out, life isn’t so bad when u take a different route. ok so let me start off by saying i just think i wasn’t the target audience for this book. i thought some dialogue was cringy and the MC are step siblings (kinda) which i am not a fan of. HOWEVER. i loved the feeling of growth this book gave me. how even the most unexpected things can turn out to be the best. i also loved the montana scene. it made the book feel much more like a hug from the mountains. all in all i laughed a lot and enjoyed the fun moments from this book. thank you so so much to the sweet Mary Lee Painter who sent me the EPub! you are seriously amazing and i can’t wait to see what story you come up with next!!!
Song i thought of while reading:
Reckless Driving - Lizzy McAlpine and Ben Kessler
February 18, 2025
This was such a fun read! It begins with Madison, who lives the high life in New York City, having one of the worst days of her life. She happens upon a psychic that evening and makes the comment that she hates her life and wishes it could all be different. When she wakes up somewhere that is definitely NOT her apartment, she quickly comes to realize she has some changes to make in order to get her old life back. Jax, on the other hand, knows exactly where belongs and loves his life in Montana. He just went through a breakup and has sworn off women, so meeting the daughter of the man his adopted mom is marrying is no big deal to him. Madison and Jax get off to a rocky start, but the more they get to know one another, the more they realize that the chemistry between them is something that can’t be ignored. However, when Jax’s runaway fiance’ shows up, everything they’ve built is on the line. Oh my goodness, this is one of the funniest, laugh out loud, books I’ve read in a while. Painter’s sense of humor is great and the things that happen to poor Madison throughout this book are hilarious! By the end of the book, though, I loved these characters so much, and it was heartwrenching to see them question everything. I ended up loving every funny, quirky bit of this book!
October 2, 2024
3.5/5 ⭐
2/5 🌶️
Rounded to four stars for NetGalley and Goodreads.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
As a debut novel, this story is quite good, and the premise immediately caught my attention! The plot is highly original—I've never read a novel where the FMC goes through what this character experiences at the beginning. It’s a unique hook that drew me in.
That said, there were a few elements that didn’t quite work for me. (This is all subjective, of course.) I felt there were too many 'humorous' asides during the FMC's POV, which sometimes disrupted the flow and made it difficult for me to fully connect with her. I ended up not liking the FMC as much as I had hoped to.
On the other hand, I liked the MMC and the action-packed narrative the author crafted. There was never a dull moment, which I truly appreciated!
While the book wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, I still believe it’s a truly good debut and, in many ways, a refreshing read. I’m excited to see where this author goes from here!
2/5 🌶️
Rounded to four stars for NetGalley and Goodreads.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
As a debut novel, this story is quite good, and the premise immediately caught my attention! The plot is highly original—I've never read a novel where the FMC goes through what this character experiences at the beginning. It’s a unique hook that drew me in.
That said, there were a few elements that didn’t quite work for me. (This is all subjective, of course.) I felt there were too many 'humorous' asides during the FMC's POV, which sometimes disrupted the flow and made it difficult for me to fully connect with her. I ended up not liking the FMC as much as I had hoped to.
On the other hand, I liked the MMC and the action-packed narrative the author crafted. There was never a dull moment, which I truly appreciated!
While the book wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, I still believe it’s a truly good debut and, in many ways, a refreshing read. I’m excited to see where this author goes from here!
October 30, 2024
What an amazing book this is 😍.
This story follows Madison, a wealthy hotel heiress/socialite. She just broke up with her boyfriend, after he cheated on her while a room full of friends invited to his surprise birthday party could witness that, and she goes to a psychic for advise. Not knowing that said psychic would put on hold all of her money, forcing her to visit her dad who she hasn't seen or spoken to in years. He is getting married to Daisy, who lives on a ranch with her 2 adopted sons (Jax and Austin).
I always laughed when I saw people ravishing about their book boyfriends, but now I get it. I just found mine 🤣. Jax is the dreamiest, funniest, most loving MMC there is. He is perfect for Madison, who made the most of a shitty situation and deserves all the love that she can get.
I am in awe of Mary Lee's writing, I fell in love with every single character. Especially Daisy now holds a special place in my heart, this beautiful, sweet, loving and bad ass woman made me laugh out loud through out the book. And Grant is just the cutest boy.
If you love small town romantic comedies, please read this one.
This story follows Madison, a wealthy hotel heiress/socialite. She just broke up with her boyfriend, after he cheated on her while a room full of friends invited to his surprise birthday party could witness that, and she goes to a psychic for advise. Not knowing that said psychic would put on hold all of her money, forcing her to visit her dad who she hasn't seen or spoken to in years. He is getting married to Daisy, who lives on a ranch with her 2 adopted sons (Jax and Austin).
I always laughed when I saw people ravishing about their book boyfriends, but now I get it. I just found mine 🤣. Jax is the dreamiest, funniest, most loving MMC there is. He is perfect for Madison, who made the most of a shitty situation and deserves all the love that she can get.
I am in awe of Mary Lee's writing, I fell in love with every single character. Especially Daisy now holds a special place in my heart, this beautiful, sweet, loving and bad ass woman made me laugh out loud through out the book. And Grant is just the cutest boy.
If you love small town romantic comedies, please read this one.
September 14, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Melange Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.
The Other Fork In The Road has a premise I find myself not getting enough of, someone whose fortunes (at least temporarily) change and make them a bit of a fish out of water. I enjoyed it here though I do wish we spent more time understanding Madison, our heiress’s current position in life and how painful her perception of her father’s estrangement was, so we could understand how the leap to being poor and forced in a situation of reconciliation might be. As it stands the romance was adorable with a side thread involving Jax, the love interest and MMC’s, fostering was heartfelt.
This is absolutely brain candy and enjoyable at that but we gloss over some pieces of the story that could resonate a bit more if explored, or just make a bit more sense in context or the situation that played out. I’d pick it up for the heart of this story, which is the romance and the belief in caring for others, which was charming and sweet.
The Other Fork In The Road has a premise I find myself not getting enough of, someone whose fortunes (at least temporarily) change and make them a bit of a fish out of water. I enjoyed it here though I do wish we spent more time understanding Madison, our heiress’s current position in life and how painful her perception of her father’s estrangement was, so we could understand how the leap to being poor and forced in a situation of reconciliation might be. As it stands the romance was adorable with a side thread involving Jax, the love interest and MMC’s, fostering was heartfelt.
This is absolutely brain candy and enjoyable at that but we gloss over some pieces of the story that could resonate a bit more if explored, or just make a bit more sense in context or the situation that played out. I’d pick it up for the heart of this story, which is the romance and the belief in caring for others, which was charming and sweet.
September 15, 2024
When Lynn Painter posted that her sister, Mary Lee Painter, had a book coming out next week, I ran to request it!! I was so excited to get my hands on it; so thank you, NetGalley, for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is 🧑🍳 💋 !! The premise of the book and what takes Madison to Montana is quite fun. I loved seeing her character growth, her quirkiness (she is unapologetically herself, and I love it!), her heart (it's so big!!), her truly living; it was a breath of fresh air. Jax, the MMC, is swoony and goes after what he wants and is open and honest; his heart for his adopted mom, his adopted brother, the farm, and to be a foster parent is so heartwarming. I loved the wit and banter between Madison and Jax; the sexual tension is 🔥. I laughed out loud too many times to count; just fun all around. The side characters are all fabulous, I especially loved Grant, the foster boy. If you can write a believable kid character, I'm all in.
I so look forward to more books from Mary Lee! Also, I think I want a she-shed more than ever now. 🤭😂
This book is 🧑🍳 💋 !! The premise of the book and what takes Madison to Montana is quite fun. I loved seeing her character growth, her quirkiness (she is unapologetically herself, and I love it!), her heart (it's so big!!), her truly living; it was a breath of fresh air. Jax, the MMC, is swoony and goes after what he wants and is open and honest; his heart for his adopted mom, his adopted brother, the farm, and to be a foster parent is so heartwarming. I loved the wit and banter between Madison and Jax; the sexual tension is 🔥. I laughed out loud too many times to count; just fun all around. The side characters are all fabulous, I especially loved Grant, the foster boy. If you can write a believable kid character, I'm all in.
I so look forward to more books from Mary Lee! Also, I think I want a she-shed more than ever now. 🤭😂
September 18, 2024
A great story . Madison is a wealthy young woman who just finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her while she throws a surprice birthday party for him in front of 40 close friends . She visits a psychic and she wants an other life . The next morning she wakes up in a tiny apartment with few dollars and awful clothes . When she visit the psychic and demand to make everything back to normal she tells her she must go to her estranged father wedding in Montana . Her father lives in a ranch with his fiancee and her two adoptive sons Jax and Austin . Jax is the one who must pick her up from the airport and he realises that she is not the woman he thought she was . There is chemistry between them but they hold themselves because she will only stay for a week . Jax is also is fostering Grant a seven year old boy and together they try to win Madison heart . Will madison stay with her two men ?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 6, 2024
First of all I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This was fun!
You can clearly see Madison (fmc) evolving, and it was so cute to read how she coped with her situation 🤭
The plot was really something 🤭 interesting actually, it kept me going through it all. Sadly it didn’t work out well for me, I just think it lacked some sense.. as we don’t actually develop in the whole physic theme. I just think the plot got lost in the first chapters and we never got to it again.
The banter was so funny tho.
I would’ve loved to see more, it all happened too fast and I wasn’t able to enjoy a lot of the relationship between the main characters.. the chemistry felt a bit forced, and the whole third act at the end was a bit unnecessary and awkward and it didn’t make any sense for it to happen in my opinion 🥲
I did loved Grant, that kid was amazing. And Daisy too (so freaking funny) 😂💖
This was fun!
You can clearly see Madison (fmc) evolving, and it was so cute to read how she coped with her situation 🤭
The plot was really something 🤭 interesting actually, it kept me going through it all. Sadly it didn’t work out well for me, I just think it lacked some sense.. as we don’t actually develop in the whole physic theme. I just think the plot got lost in the first chapters and we never got to it again.
The banter was so funny tho.
I would’ve loved to see more, it all happened too fast and I wasn’t able to enjoy a lot of the relationship between the main characters.. the chemistry felt a bit forced, and the whole third act at the end was a bit unnecessary and awkward and it didn’t make any sense for it to happen in my opinion 🥲
I did loved Grant, that kid was amazing. And Daisy too (so freaking funny) 😂💖
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