What do you think?
Rate this book
Carrigans of the Circle C #2
Good Together
Some love stories have to begin with a falling-out-of-love story...
Mattie Carrigan's been helping her rodeo cowboy husband Wes Bishop run his family's Tennessee Walking Horse operation since they were married nineteen years ago. Blessed with twin daughters who've recently left for college, Mattie is looking forward to this new stage in her and Wes's life.
But when she finds a strange key in her husband's jacket, she's forced to admit that Wes has been quiet and distant lately. Turns out he has been keeping secrets. And he's not the only one. Even the rancher next door, Nat Diamond--a friend Mattie could always count on in the past--seems to be holding something back from her.
Good Together is for anyone who has ever pondered what it means to be married. Or had to reinvent her life when one breaks down. It's about having your heart broken but being strong enough to survive and love again.
Mattie Carrigan's been helping her rodeo cowboy husband Wes Bishop run his family's Tennessee Walking Horse operation since they were married nineteen years ago. Blessed with twin daughters who've recently left for college, Mattie is looking forward to this new stage in her and Wes's life.
But when she finds a strange key in her husband's jacket, she's forced to admit that Wes has been quiet and distant lately. Turns out he has been keeping secrets. And he's not the only one. Even the rancher next door, Nat Diamond--a friend Mattie could always count on in the past--seems to be holding something back from her.
Good Together is for anyone who has ever pondered what it means to be married. Or had to reinvent her life when one breaks down. It's about having your heart broken but being strong enough to survive and love again.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
480 people are currently reading
1162 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Carmichael
107 books832 followersUSA Today bestselling author C. J. Carmichael has written over 50 novels, including two mystery series, as well as romance and women’s fiction. Three of her novels have been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award, including A Bramble House Christmas. A film version of A Bramble House Christmas premiered as a Hallmark Mystery movie in 2017.
Married, with two grown daughters and some adorable grandchildren, C. J. and her husband and their Welsh Springer Jazz divide their time between their home in Calgary, Alberta and the family cottage on Flathead Lake, Montana. C.J. enjoys giving workshops to aspiring authors--her talk on writing a Christmas story is a favorite.
Visit C.J.'s website at http://CJCarmichael.com
For information on C. J.’s new releases and giveaways please sign up for her newsletter.
https://cjcarmichael.com/contact/#sub...
Married, with two grown daughters and some adorable grandchildren, C. J. and her husband and their Welsh Springer Jazz divide their time between their home in Calgary, Alberta and the family cottage on Flathead Lake, Montana. C.J. enjoys giving workshops to aspiring authors--her talk on writing a Christmas story is a favorite.
Visit C.J.'s website at http://CJCarmichael.com
For information on C. J.’s new releases and giveaways please sign up for her newsletter.
https://cjcarmichael.com/contact/#sub...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
March 13, 2016
*** SPOILERS - you have been warned. ***
I wanted to love this book about an older (40ish) heroine who finds herself single when her daughters go off to college and her husband leaves her for another woman. I wanted to read about a strong woman who told him not to let the door hit him on the way out. I wanted to read her story of finding herself outside the wife/mother role and have her become even stronger than before.
Instead, I read a book about a woman who cried nonstop for a week and refused to leave her house. I read a book about a woman who let her life revolve around her kids and husband and when she found that they were gone, had absolutely no idea who she was. I read about her emotionally distant father and her dead mother, who turned out not to be the saint she always believed her to be. I read about the "movie star handsome" neighbor who played ridiculous games with her for most of the book. (I want you but you need better than me. *eye roll*)
And finally, I read a book about the heroine and the neighbor FINALLY getting together, only to learn he has been diagnosed with an incurable disease. But never fear, she won't leave him! She's in it for the long haul. The End.
I hate to leave a bad review, but this is not a romance. By the time I was done with the story, I had a good idea why her husband left her.
I wanted to love this book about an older (40ish) heroine who finds herself single when her daughters go off to college and her husband leaves her for another woman. I wanted to read about a strong woman who told him not to let the door hit him on the way out. I wanted to read her story of finding herself outside the wife/mother role and have her become even stronger than before.
Instead, I read a book about a woman who cried nonstop for a week and refused to leave her house. I read a book about a woman who let her life revolve around her kids and husband and when she found that they were gone, had absolutely no idea who she was. I read about her emotionally distant father and her dead mother, who turned out not to be the saint she always believed her to be. I read about the "movie star handsome" neighbor who played ridiculous games with her for most of the book. (I want you but you need better than me. *eye roll*)
And finally, I read a book about the heroine and the neighbor FINALLY getting together, only to learn he has been diagnosed with an incurable disease. But never fear, she won't leave him! She's in it for the long haul. The End.
I hate to leave a bad review, but this is not a romance. By the time I was done with the story, I had a good idea why her husband left her.
February 23, 2015
buddy read with my beautiful hopeless Glam <3........ NOT! by the time she started, I finished and my email to her how I am bored with this book made her run LMAO
It's not the book, it's me.... my taste in books has changed since I am on GR....
If I knew I would be reading about how will she be dealing with her divorce, and only about that 95% of the book.... yeah... I wouldn't have picked it up. Started ok... but then I just got lost and bored....
It's not the book, it's me.... my taste in books has changed since I am on GR....
If I knew I would be reading about how will she be dealing with her divorce, and only about that 95% of the book.... yeah... I wouldn't have picked it up. Started ok... but then I just got lost and bored....
March 15, 2014
Originally published at Reading Reality
I absolutely read Good Together in one sitting. I couldn’t put the story down, because I had to find out what was going to happen next. Although I could guess where the story was going to end up, I empathized with Mattie’s journey, even when I wanted to shake her about how she got into some of her pickle.
Good Together isn’t so much a romance as it is women’s fiction. The real meat of the story is in Mattie finding out that her newly empty nest is only the beginning of the number of ways she needs to re-invent herself.
Mattie always thought that when her twins went to college, she and her husband would have more time together. As much as she hated the thought of her girls leaving home, she was the one who encouraged them to explore new worlds. It was time for them to leave the nest and spread their wings.
But Mattie believed that the nest would always be there whenever they came home. Instead, almost the minute Mattie leaves her daughters at the airport, she discovers that her husband is leaving her for another woman. That’s not all, he’s selling everything--the ranch, the horses, the house. And he can do it, too. It’s his family’s place, and Mattie never got her name on anything.
It turns out that Mattie loved the place a LOT more than her husband did. He wastes absolutely no time in selling her beloved horses, and putting the ranch on the market.
Mattie doesn’t merely withdraw, she downright collapses. It takes her a while to pick herself, and even longer to “lawyer up”. She gets a lot of excellent help from Nat Diamond, her nearest neighbor. Once upon a time, he was in close to the same bad place that Mattie is now; he knows how she feels.
But Mattie doesn’t have a clue about the way that Nat feels about her. And has always felt. He tries to keep his feelings under wraps, because Mattie needs a friend, and he doesn’t want to be merely a rebound.
Just when Mattie is ready to think about forever with someone other than her ex, Nat decides that he no longer has a forever to give. It's up to Mattie to change his mind.
Escape Rating B+: Although the side-characters are terrific, Good Together is Mattie’s story. The title is just a bit ironic, because Mattie first has to figure out how to be “good alone” before she’s ready to be “good together” with anyone else.
We’ve met Mattie’s family before, not her kids so much as her birth family. Mattie is the sister of Sage Carrigan, the heroine of the lovely Promise Me, Cowboy. Sage’s happily ever after was also a second-chance at love story. It seems like the Carrigan girls need a couple of tries to get it right.
The way that Mattie left herself legally unprotected after her ex leaves broke the willing suspension of disbelief for me a bit. I could understand (barely, I admit) why she hadn’t gotten her name on everything back when they first married, but after he left and started selling their stuff, not so much. Even as devastated as she was, that lack of self-preservation seemed more 20th century than 21st.
Although Nat is incredibly helpful, even at the beginning, it’s the women in this story that stand out. Seeing the girls becoming women who are strong and can help their mother find her strength again was awesome. Even better, the way that the Carrigan sisters pull together and support each other was the heart of the story for me. I’m looking forward to seeing how the other two sisters reach their happily ever after.
I absolutely read Good Together in one sitting. I couldn’t put the story down, because I had to find out what was going to happen next. Although I could guess where the story was going to end up, I empathized with Mattie’s journey, even when I wanted to shake her about how she got into some of her pickle.
Good Together isn’t so much a romance as it is women’s fiction. The real meat of the story is in Mattie finding out that her newly empty nest is only the beginning of the number of ways she needs to re-invent herself.
Mattie always thought that when her twins went to college, she and her husband would have more time together. As much as she hated the thought of her girls leaving home, she was the one who encouraged them to explore new worlds. It was time for them to leave the nest and spread their wings.
But Mattie believed that the nest would always be there whenever they came home. Instead, almost the minute Mattie leaves her daughters at the airport, she discovers that her husband is leaving her for another woman. That’s not all, he’s selling everything--the ranch, the horses, the house. And he can do it, too. It’s his family’s place, and Mattie never got her name on anything.
It turns out that Mattie loved the place a LOT more than her husband did. He wastes absolutely no time in selling her beloved horses, and putting the ranch on the market.
Mattie doesn’t merely withdraw, she downright collapses. It takes her a while to pick herself, and even longer to “lawyer up”. She gets a lot of excellent help from Nat Diamond, her nearest neighbor. Once upon a time, he was in close to the same bad place that Mattie is now; he knows how she feels.
But Mattie doesn’t have a clue about the way that Nat feels about her. And has always felt. He tries to keep his feelings under wraps, because Mattie needs a friend, and he doesn’t want to be merely a rebound.
Just when Mattie is ready to think about forever with someone other than her ex, Nat decides that he no longer has a forever to give. It's up to Mattie to change his mind.
Escape Rating B+: Although the side-characters are terrific, Good Together is Mattie’s story. The title is just a bit ironic, because Mattie first has to figure out how to be “good alone” before she’s ready to be “good together” with anyone else.
We’ve met Mattie’s family before, not her kids so much as her birth family. Mattie is the sister of Sage Carrigan, the heroine of the lovely Promise Me, Cowboy. Sage’s happily ever after was also a second-chance at love story. It seems like the Carrigan girls need a couple of tries to get it right.
The way that Mattie left herself legally unprotected after her ex leaves broke the willing suspension of disbelief for me a bit. I could understand (barely, I admit) why she hadn’t gotten her name on everything back when they first married, but after he left and started selling their stuff, not so much. Even as devastated as she was, that lack of self-preservation seemed more 20th century than 21st.
Although Nat is incredibly helpful, even at the beginning, it’s the women in this story that stand out. Seeing the girls becoming women who are strong and can help their mother find her strength again was awesome. Even better, the way that the Carrigan sisters pull together and support each other was the heart of the story for me. I’m looking forward to seeing how the other two sisters reach their happily ever after.
April 3, 2015
This Book Was Too Frustrating Focusing on all the Negativity.
Sadly, I didn't care much for this story. I will try and explain why I feel this way. In my opinion there was way too much about Mattie and Wes and the demise of their marriage. It went on and on about their situation and it became a dull downer for me. He was completely unlikeable and since he was it would have been nice if this story had placed less focus on him. I found myself frustrated each time he was featured and it caused me to want to skip those parts and pick back up when he was out of the picture.
Another problem for me, and this is a common occurrence in the romance genre that I feel is way overused, is that Nat and Mattie did not come together as a couple until the last couple of pages. I patiently waited and waited and waited for the pair to be featured together and get a better glimpse of their relationship. Watch it develop and watch their bond strengthen etc. and that just did not happen. After I completed the book it did not leave me feeling good or satisfied with the conclusion and I had to ask myself want in the world did I just read. I didn't feel happy, pleased, joyful, or all those good thoughts and feelings after reading a 'love story' that just didn't seem to happen. There is a twist later in the book where Mattie finds out why Nat avoids her and although it very well could be a real life situation, this story was sad enough without adding that into the mix.
Would I recommend this book? No, I would not...unless you don't mind feeling depressed and sad afterwards. I read to escape, not to be brought down emotionally. Now I do understand that the book was somewhat realistic but it just wasn't the type of book I enjoy spending hours with.
Sadly, I didn't care much for this story. I will try and explain why I feel this way. In my opinion there was way too much about Mattie and Wes and the demise of their marriage. It went on and on about their situation and it became a dull downer for me. He was completely unlikeable and since he was it would have been nice if this story had placed less focus on him. I found myself frustrated each time he was featured and it caused me to want to skip those parts and pick back up when he was out of the picture.
Another problem for me, and this is a common occurrence in the romance genre that I feel is way overused, is that Nat and Mattie did not come together as a couple until the last couple of pages. I patiently waited and waited and waited for the pair to be featured together and get a better glimpse of their relationship. Watch it develop and watch their bond strengthen etc. and that just did not happen. After I completed the book it did not leave me feeling good or satisfied with the conclusion and I had to ask myself want in the world did I just read. I didn't feel happy, pleased, joyful, or all those good thoughts and feelings after reading a 'love story' that just didn't seem to happen. There is a twist later in the book where Mattie finds out why Nat avoids her and although it very well could be a real life situation, this story was sad enough without adding that into the mix.
Would I recommend this book? No, I would not...unless you don't mind feeling depressed and sad afterwards. I read to escape, not to be brought down emotionally. Now I do understand that the book was somewhat realistic but it just wasn't the type of book I enjoy spending hours with.
July 23, 2014
C.J. Carmichael's Good Together was so compelling I could not put it down...even when my kindle died, I stood in the kitchen reading it while it was plugged in.... Mattie and Wes Bishop were married for 19 years with beautiful (and different) twin daughters who just went off to college. Mattie is blind-sided when Wes tells her he is not only quitting the rodeo life, but also their marriage and he is selling everything and moving on. Carmichael takes us through Mattie's emotional journey as she starts over and begins to see neighbor Nat Diamond in a different light. He is always their for her, and obviously loves her, so why is he pushing her away?
I love Mattie and I love the way Carmichael draws us through her long emotional journey from the days of tears to her strength in finding who she is in her new life. No matter what is going on, Nat is always there for her, but they have things to work through because despite his feelings, he is determined Mattie find someone better for her...
This book made me feel like I was going through the process with a friend, and, like a friend, I not only cried with Mattie, but cheered her on.
Another great thing about Good Together is that it not only focuses on Mattie and Nat, but also re-introduces us to the rest of the Carrigan family, especially Sage from Promise Me, Cowboy. We see how the sisters rally around Mattie and it gives us more to look forward to when we again visit the Carrigans of the Circle C.
I love Mattie and I love the way Carmichael draws us through her long emotional journey from the days of tears to her strength in finding who she is in her new life. No matter what is going on, Nat is always there for her, but they have things to work through because despite his feelings, he is determined Mattie find someone better for her...
This book made me feel like I was going through the process with a friend, and, like a friend, I not only cried with Mattie, but cheered her on.
Another great thing about Good Together is that it not only focuses on Mattie and Nat, but also re-introduces us to the rest of the Carrigan family, especially Sage from Promise Me, Cowboy. We see how the sisters rally around Mattie and it gives us more to look forward to when we again visit the Carrigans of the Circle C.
July 24, 2015
Saw the blurb on this one and grabbed it. I was curious to read the story of a middle-aged woman who thought her life with husband, children, and ranch was perfect until her husband just walks away from her telling her that he doesn't love her anymore and he doesn't want to work the ranch. She has to pick up and start over and there is a handsome, good man on the next ranch over who has been in love with her for a long time. For some reason, I had the wrong end of the stick when I got this story because I was expecting a strong romance, but instead got something different. I had to adjust not just my expectations, but adjust for the very different mood of the story. Basically, it was the difference between reading Contemporary Romance and Women's Fiction.
This is book two in a series about four sisters, but it can easily be read out of order or as a standalone. There are scenes with the sister from the previous story, but the plot is independent.
Mattiie Bishop is at a new bend in the road of life. She has just sent her twin girls off to college and her husband is set to leave the rodeo life to work quietly on the ranch with her, even take off for some much needed time together. This would be good because lately she has felt a distance open up between them and she is sure it has to do with Wes processing the death of a younger friend in a rodeo accident.
Knowing this still doesn't prepare her for the hits that come when Wes returns and tells her that he is selling out and leaving. He doesn't want to ranch and never did. The biggest blow was to learn that he is leaving her because he doesn't love her any more. Mattie is devastated and hits a really low point when her kind, understanding neighbor, Nate, helps her pick herself up and go on. Nate had his wife leave him, too, so she knows he understands.
The blows keep coming. Wes is silent to her refusing to give her a why or share his plans, but is quickly liquidating everything and pulling her very life out from under her. Mattie relies on Nate up to a point and as time goes on even learns to appreciate and accept her attraction to him, but Nate is reluctant to take her up on what she is offering. She can't understand what holds him back, but assumes he only wants a friendship. In the meantime, she works through the loss and change to come out on the other side a stronger woman.
Alright, so this was definitely not what I was expecting and the change wasn't welcome on some levels. I didn't expect it to be light since its the story of a woman whose husband leaves her and leaves her in a cruel way because he's dealing with his own demons. That said, I wasn't expecting that 90% of the story would be about her emotional journey of healing and recovery and just a little bit romance with a rushed ending. In fact, several times during the story, I wondered if she was meant to get back with her husband or move on with Nate the way things didn't develop with the romance and quite a ways along she was still hoping to heal her marriage. If I mistakenly picked up a fiction story, I would say this disappointment and confusion was on me, but since its a romance then not really.
Beyond the disappointment of wanting more romance in my romance book, I will say that this is a fantastic story. I can't imagine going through what Mattie went through and getting up, dusting off, and moving on like she did. Granted, she had too, but still she didn't rant to her daughters about their dad and she didn't go running home to her family. She had her moments of pain and sorrow, but she recovered. A few times Nate got the narration and so the reader understood why he was holding back from Mattie even though he loved her dearly and had for years.
I think knowing Mattie and Nate were both such wonderful characters is exactly why I was disappointed by the lack of romance and then that rushed ending for them. Just to be clear, these two didn't cheat. They did nothing wrong before Wes left. In fact, Mattie was a faithful and good wife and Nate never let his feelings cause him to do or say anything inappropriate. They were two tough yet tender people who loved ranching and the land. They might be middle-aged, but their passion was still burning bright and they felt it.
A strong piece to this book was all the lessons Mattie had to learn as a result of her marriage ending and how it opened her eyes to her relationships. Mattie is a product of her own upbringing. She put her mother on a pedestal and refused to believe that her dad might have had reasons for being emotionally distant and strict with his children. In the course of the story, she learns to reach out socially and have friends and other interests. She learns to value her family particularly her sisters as well as see her daughters as grown women. I loved watching her come through all she has to learn and be better for it.
I had an interesting reaction to Wes. I didn't end up hating him. Get really angry at him, most definitely. I think my reaction was pity for him and disappointment. He was in crisis and nobody seems to realize this not even him. It felt like a soldier who engaged in combat and saw a buddy killed. The soldier returns from war different and even broken in some ways. This was Wes. He had the symptoms of PTSD and this was allowed to stew for a year when everyone went on with their lives and pretended that he would just get over it. Mattie knows he was affected, but she stays busy with the ranch. He distances himself emotionally and she stays busy with the ranch. He finally broke and it resulted in a mess for his wife and daughters. I got the feeling that if he ever recovered that he would definitely have regrets and that is why I pitied him.
In conclusion, this was a fantastic story if you pick it up and treat it like women's fiction, but not so enjoyable if you are looking for Contemporary Romance. There is emotional depth, nice description, strong characters, and growth. I would definitely read more from this author.
This is book two in a series about four sisters, but it can easily be read out of order or as a standalone. There are scenes with the sister from the previous story, but the plot is independent.
Mattiie Bishop is at a new bend in the road of life. She has just sent her twin girls off to college and her husband is set to leave the rodeo life to work quietly on the ranch with her, even take off for some much needed time together. This would be good because lately she has felt a distance open up between them and she is sure it has to do with Wes processing the death of a younger friend in a rodeo accident.
Knowing this still doesn't prepare her for the hits that come when Wes returns and tells her that he is selling out and leaving. He doesn't want to ranch and never did. The biggest blow was to learn that he is leaving her because he doesn't love her any more. Mattie is devastated and hits a really low point when her kind, understanding neighbor, Nate, helps her pick herself up and go on. Nate had his wife leave him, too, so she knows he understands.
The blows keep coming. Wes is silent to her refusing to give her a why or share his plans, but is quickly liquidating everything and pulling her very life out from under her. Mattie relies on Nate up to a point and as time goes on even learns to appreciate and accept her attraction to him, but Nate is reluctant to take her up on what she is offering. She can't understand what holds him back, but assumes he only wants a friendship. In the meantime, she works through the loss and change to come out on the other side a stronger woman.
Alright, so this was definitely not what I was expecting and the change wasn't welcome on some levels. I didn't expect it to be light since its the story of a woman whose husband leaves her and leaves her in a cruel way because he's dealing with his own demons. That said, I wasn't expecting that 90% of the story would be about her emotional journey of healing and recovery and just a little bit romance with a rushed ending. In fact, several times during the story, I wondered if she was meant to get back with her husband or move on with Nate the way things didn't develop with the romance and quite a ways along she was still hoping to heal her marriage. If I mistakenly picked up a fiction story, I would say this disappointment and confusion was on me, but since its a romance then not really.
Beyond the disappointment of wanting more romance in my romance book, I will say that this is a fantastic story. I can't imagine going through what Mattie went through and getting up, dusting off, and moving on like she did. Granted, she had too, but still she didn't rant to her daughters about their dad and she didn't go running home to her family. She had her moments of pain and sorrow, but she recovered. A few times Nate got the narration and so the reader understood why he was holding back from Mattie even though he loved her dearly and had for years.
I think knowing Mattie and Nate were both such wonderful characters is exactly why I was disappointed by the lack of romance and then that rushed ending for them. Just to be clear, these two didn't cheat. They did nothing wrong before Wes left. In fact, Mattie was a faithful and good wife and Nate never let his feelings cause him to do or say anything inappropriate. They were two tough yet tender people who loved ranching and the land. They might be middle-aged, but their passion was still burning bright and they felt it.
A strong piece to this book was all the lessons Mattie had to learn as a result of her marriage ending and how it opened her eyes to her relationships. Mattie is a product of her own upbringing. She put her mother on a pedestal and refused to believe that her dad might have had reasons for being emotionally distant and strict with his children. In the course of the story, she learns to reach out socially and have friends and other interests. She learns to value her family particularly her sisters as well as see her daughters as grown women. I loved watching her come through all she has to learn and be better for it.
I had an interesting reaction to Wes. I didn't end up hating him. Get really angry at him, most definitely. I think my reaction was pity for him and disappointment. He was in crisis and nobody seems to realize this not even him. It felt like a soldier who engaged in combat and saw a buddy killed. The soldier returns from war different and even broken in some ways. This was Wes. He had the symptoms of PTSD and this was allowed to stew for a year when everyone went on with their lives and pretended that he would just get over it. Mattie knows he was affected, but she stays busy with the ranch. He distances himself emotionally and she stays busy with the ranch. He finally broke and it resulted in a mess for his wife and daughters. I got the feeling that if he ever recovered that he would definitely have regrets and that is why I pitied him.
In conclusion, this was a fantastic story if you pick it up and treat it like women's fiction, but not so enjoyable if you are looking for Contemporary Romance. There is emotional depth, nice description, strong characters, and growth. I would definitely read more from this author.
April 20, 2014
Title: Good Together
Author: CJ Carmichael
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group
Series: The Copper Mountain Rodeo #4
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4.5
Review:
"Good Together" by CJ Carmichael was one of those stories that after you read it will leave you saying wow! By being a book reviewer I have read some of it all and I found this novel lead me on a very emotional tense ride of the heroine being so blindsided from it all from guess who...her husband. I did love how this author was able to take the reader on a journey of showing how strong a person can be in the mist of all the hardships that one goes through. The read was somewhat long taking you through a lots of other characters and showing their emotions and strengths. What I really loved about this read this author was able to convey that when you are down and out how there can be someone to come in and help you through and with your most difficult time in your life as it was for Mattie Carrigan. For Mattie's end of a marriage brought in to her a friend, a neighbor who was their for her through her hard times. I simply loved how this author brought it all together for Mattie. "Good Together" was definitely a enlightening read that may have you in tears but in the end you will be given a amazing well written read that I would recommend to you.
February 5, 2014
Imagine waking up to find your husband no longer loves you and is leaving, he's selling your home and business out from under you, selling your favorite horses, your daughters are away at college, and you have to pick up the pieces of your life to start over. It happened to Mattie.
The one bright spot in her life is her neighbor, Nat. He's been a lifelong friend and is there for her. As she starts accepting and moving on with her life, she realizes she might have feelings for Nat, and they might be mutual. But he's holding back and she can't figure out why. The closer they get, the more he pushes distance between them, but it's the little things he does that gives her hope.
Starting over and finding love again is just the right thing! I really enjoyed this story!
The one bright spot in her life is her neighbor, Nat. He's been a lifelong friend and is there for her. As she starts accepting and moving on with her life, she realizes she might have feelings for Nat, and they might be mutual. But he's holding back and she can't figure out why. The closer they get, the more he pushes distance between them, but it's the little things he does that gives her hope.
Starting over and finding love again is just the right thing! I really enjoyed this story!
March 14, 2016
Well I loved this book, I read the first one at lunch and was delighted to find I had bought it already...
Mattie is the mother of twin daughters, the wife of a rodeo man and the daughter of a rancher. There are mysteries concerning her family, but the story in this one was about her brach of the family with some interaction with her sisters...
Matties husband wants a divorce, he has left her abruptly and she thinks has taken up with someone else. Her neighbor is Nat he is like the best man EVER, he always has her back and supports her, but for some reason is being a "bit distant" there is a heartbreaking reason ... but..... Mattie is a heroine worth rooting for and Nat is worth fighting for....... no spoilers...
Mattie is the mother of twin daughters, the wife of a rodeo man and the daughter of a rancher. There are mysteries concerning her family, but the story in this one was about her brach of the family with some interaction with her sisters...
Matties husband wants a divorce, he has left her abruptly and she thinks has taken up with someone else. Her neighbor is Nat he is like the best man EVER, he always has her back and supports her, but for some reason is being a "bit distant" there is a heartbreaking reason ... but..... Mattie is a heroine worth rooting for and Nat is worth fighting for....... no spoilers...
April 7, 2025
Good Together by CJ Carmichael (2014)
Carrigans of the Circle C #2
7h 20m narrated by Emily Cauldwell, 246 pages
Genre: Western Romance
Featuring: Fictional Small-Town Montana, October, Empty Nesters, Rodeo Cowboy, Midlife Crisis, Marital Issues, Missoula, Montana; College Freshmen, Twins, Sisters, Ranchers, Neighbors, Seattle, Washington; Colorado, Halloween, Sorority, Border Collies, Thanksgiving, Horses, Billings, Montana; Christmas, Sex - Low Details, Quadragenarians
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Jolene" by Mindy Smith, "In Between Dances" by Pam Tillis, "Baby, Now That I've Found You" by Alison Krauss, "The Mountains Win Again" by Blues Traveler, "All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix, "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" by Reba McEntire
Books and Authors mentioned: Plato, Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery,
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½🤠👢💔🐴🐎
My thoughts: So I have 10 hours to read 3 books. I'm up for the challenge. It's been over a year since I read Book 1, but that's fine with me as these are different characters, I did remember the sister and dad's story from Book 1 as it was mentioned. Anyway, this was a decent story; it has a nice plot about a split but doesn't get into a lot of emotional details, so it was just okay for me. On to Book 3
Recommend to others: Sure. It's a typical Western Romance, not very dramatic, so good for a palate cleanser.
Carrigans of the Circle C
1. Promise Me, Cowboy (2013)
2. Good Together (2014)
3. Close to Her Heart (2014)
4. Snowbound in Montana (2014)
5. A Cowgirl's Christmas (2014)
6. A Bramble House Christmas (2015)
7. Carrigan Christmas Reunion (2019)
Carrigans of the Circle C #2
7h 20m narrated by Emily Cauldwell, 246 pages
Genre: Western Romance
Featuring: Fictional Small-Town Montana, October, Empty Nesters, Rodeo Cowboy, Midlife Crisis, Marital Issues, Missoula, Montana; College Freshmen, Twins, Sisters, Ranchers, Neighbors, Seattle, Washington; Colorado, Halloween, Sorority, Border Collies, Thanksgiving, Horses, Billings, Montana; Christmas, Sex - Low Details, Quadragenarians
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Jolene" by Mindy Smith, "In Between Dances" by Pam Tillis, "Baby, Now That I've Found You" by Alison Krauss, "The Mountains Win Again" by Blues Traveler, "All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix, "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" by Reba McEntire
Books and Authors mentioned: Plato, Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery,
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½🤠👢💔🐴🐎
My thoughts: So I have 10 hours to read 3 books. I'm up for the challenge. It's been over a year since I read Book 1, but that's fine with me as these are different characters, I did remember the sister and dad's story from Book 1 as it was mentioned. Anyway, this was a decent story; it has a nice plot about a split but doesn't get into a lot of emotional details, so it was just okay for me. On to Book 3
Recommend to others: Sure. It's a typical Western Romance, not very dramatic, so good for a palate cleanser.
Carrigans of the Circle C
1. Promise Me, Cowboy (2013)
2. Good Together (2014)
3. Close to Her Heart (2014)
4. Snowbound in Montana (2014)
5. A Cowgirl's Christmas (2014)
6. A Bramble House Christmas (2015)
7. Carrigan Christmas Reunion (2019)
June 30, 2015
story was good but I did not care for the way the ending was written.
June 20, 2022
This story is gut wrenching, emotionally compelling and it often brought tears to my eyes as a 20 year marriage shatters and a family is left devastated by the inexplicable actions of a husband and father of 2. It’s also a tender love story that is healing and heartwarming and satisfied my romantic heart as Mattie tries to cope with losing everything she loved about her life with Wes. The story and the characters are riveting and I really enjoyed the audiobook narration performance of Emily Caldwell who gave a nuanced and brutally emotional portrayal of the loss and heartbreak of Mattie and her two college aged daughters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2017
I was really excited to read this book because of the subject matter. I felt terrible for Mattie and understood her crying and not wanting to see anyone. She was married for 19 years and her husband walks in and doesn't want to be married anymore. He then states their home is his, and he will sell all their assets and he would give her some money. Talk about being blindsided!
Yes, she went through what all of us go through. After a few days of crying she picked herself up and went back to work. She lost her children to college and her husband walked off, and yes to another woman. Only guess what, she has a knight in shining armor that is handsome and rich down the street that has always been attracted to her. He is always there to help...
Then we go through the girls to visiting their father. I didn't understand how they showed such little emotion or anger with him. He walked on their mother and them for many months. Then he visits them bringing his new live in girlfriend. Then they felt bad for the woman as her husband was killed recently. They could see she was hurting. OK, that mean this relationship will not last as she still is not over her husband's death. I wanted the author to go much deeper into this situation. The girls are in college, not grammar school. Seriously, they had no problem with all this? Their dad gave them some money for school and laughed a bit and they knew in time all would be well with their dad. I don't see it being that easy. Felt very let down at that part of the story-line.
Then we see Mattie and her neighbor falling for each other. Yes, we knew that would happen. He was such a great guy. He was having trouble walking and limping, etc. and she was so selfish she didn't even notice. Hello, you have know him for years and you don't see anything wrong. Well, in the end she sees ramps built at his home and finally figures it out. Then they fall into each others arms and get married. Just like that. There was no plot about this whole situation that was the biggest built up in the book.
Yes, I did enjoy the book. Yes, I felt it very much lacking in major parts of the story-line.
Yes, she went through what all of us go through. After a few days of crying she picked herself up and went back to work. She lost her children to college and her husband walked off, and yes to another woman. Only guess what, she has a knight in shining armor that is handsome and rich down the street that has always been attracted to her. He is always there to help...
Then we go through the girls to visiting their father. I didn't understand how they showed such little emotion or anger with him. He walked on their mother and them for many months. Then he visits them bringing his new live in girlfriend. Then they felt bad for the woman as her husband was killed recently. They could see she was hurting. OK, that mean this relationship will not last as she still is not over her husband's death. I wanted the author to go much deeper into this situation. The girls are in college, not grammar school. Seriously, they had no problem with all this? Their dad gave them some money for school and laughed a bit and they knew in time all would be well with their dad. I don't see it being that easy. Felt very let down at that part of the story-line.
Then we see Mattie and her neighbor falling for each other. Yes, we knew that would happen. He was such a great guy. He was having trouble walking and limping, etc. and she was so selfish she didn't even notice. Hello, you have know him for years and you don't see anything wrong. Well, in the end she sees ramps built at his home and finally figures it out. Then they fall into each others arms and get married. Just like that. There was no plot about this whole situation that was the biggest built up in the book.
Yes, I did enjoy the book. Yes, I felt it very much lacking in major parts of the story-line.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2014
This was a really emotional story. Mattie has been married to Wes for 20 years, their twin daughters have gone off to college; you would think that now that their daughters have left they would have more time to do the things they used to talk about.
But, Wes blindsides her by telling her, he's leaving; just like that, no why no, nada. After 20 years of marriage, Wes acts like a coward and just leaves. Mattie is heart broken and in pain, she believes that things will work themselves out, that Wes is just going through a midlife crisis. After Thanksgiving when Wes doesn't show, Mattie has to tell their daughters that Wes has left her.
Mattie eventually learns why Wes the Weasel really left and is furious and shattered. Worse, Wes has the nerve to act like Mattie hunting his lying ass down is an inconvenience. Through all this Mattie has the support of Nat, a friend and neighbor, and really the best and sweetest guy ever. Mattie and Nat's friendship evolves and eventually they do get their happy ending, even if Mr. Such a Sweet Guy needs to be knocked up the head.
I also like that towards the end we learn Wes has had it rough and somehow I got the impression that he had a lot of regrets for ending his marriage.
What really bugged me about this book is how long it took Mattie to lawyer up, especially after all the cheap shots Wes took. Remember ladies, if your husband says he's leaving you that you guys can talk later, don't believe him, run to the best divorce lawyer you can find, hell's, speak to every divorce lawyer you can find. Even if not hired, once you consult with an attorney there is a conflict of interest if your ex tries to go to them.
The story was very realistic and therefore made it enjoyable. Things like this often happen and I felt that Ms. Carmichael did a great job in capturing these types of events. She did a great job of creating relatable characters and life events.
Rating 5 out of 5
Read@Book
But, Wes blindsides her by telling her, he's leaving; just like that, no why no, nada. After 20 years of marriage, Wes acts like a coward and just leaves. Mattie is heart broken and in pain, she believes that things will work themselves out, that Wes is just going through a midlife crisis. After Thanksgiving when Wes doesn't show, Mattie has to tell their daughters that Wes has left her.
Mattie eventually learns why Wes the Weasel really left and is furious and shattered. Worse, Wes has the nerve to act like Mattie hunting his lying ass down is an inconvenience. Through all this Mattie has the support of Nat, a friend and neighbor, and really the best and sweetest guy ever. Mattie and Nat's friendship evolves and eventually they do get their happy ending, even if Mr. Such a Sweet Guy needs to be knocked up the head.
I also like that towards the end we learn Wes has had it rough and somehow I got the impression that he had a lot of regrets for ending his marriage.
What really bugged me about this book is how long it took Mattie to lawyer up, especially after all the cheap shots Wes took. Remember ladies, if your husband says he's leaving you that you guys can talk later, don't believe him, run to the best divorce lawyer you can find, hell's, speak to every divorce lawyer you can find. Even if not hired, once you consult with an attorney there is a conflict of interest if your ex tries to go to them.
The story was very realistic and therefore made it enjoyable. Things like this often happen and I felt that Ms. Carmichael did a great job in capturing these types of events. She did a great job of creating relatable characters and life events.
Rating 5 out of 5
Read@Book
November 25, 2014
4.5 stars! This story is about so much hurt. I really felt for Mattie as Wes deals her a series of awful emotional blows. He does not come out of this story remotely well, and I spent a lot of my reading time absolutely furious with him. Some of the things he does are downright cruel, and I wanted someone to punish him somehow (I can be quite vindictive when it comes to fictional characters). Poor Mattie.
True, she does have her hunky neighbour Nat on hand. In fact he’s been there throughout most of her marriage, quietly in the background, ready to lend a hand whenever Mattie needed it and her husband was away at yet another rodeo. I like Nat, he’s a nice guy and he does some wonderful things for Mattie throughout this story, although there were a few things about him that were only explained quite late, which I think would have been nicer to have been hinted at more strongly throughout the story.
But really, at heart, this story is about Mattie. About coping with a broken heart, a disrupted world and falling out of love… only to fall in love all over again. This is, to use a well-worn talent show cliché, a real emotional journey. Mattie’s a strong woman, but some of the things she has to go through alone here are so sad, I really enjoyed reading about how she overcame them and kept standing on her feet. There’s also a fiendishly cute puppy to provide happy moments, whenever things get too sad.
Filled with emotional highs and lows, with the occasional horse or puppy thrown in, this is an emotional tale of loss, disillusionment and finding love in unexpected places. A well-told tale with a truly sympathetic main character. All right, so perhaps the ending felt a little abrupt, but it did make me smile. You may need the tissues for this one.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
True, she does have her hunky neighbour Nat on hand. In fact he’s been there throughout most of her marriage, quietly in the background, ready to lend a hand whenever Mattie needed it and her husband was away at yet another rodeo. I like Nat, he’s a nice guy and he does some wonderful things for Mattie throughout this story, although there were a few things about him that were only explained quite late, which I think would have been nicer to have been hinted at more strongly throughout the story.
But really, at heart, this story is about Mattie. About coping with a broken heart, a disrupted world and falling out of love… only to fall in love all over again. This is, to use a well-worn talent show cliché, a real emotional journey. Mattie’s a strong woman, but some of the things she has to go through alone here are so sad, I really enjoyed reading about how she overcame them and kept standing on her feet. There’s also a fiendishly cute puppy to provide happy moments, whenever things get too sad.
Filled with emotional highs and lows, with the occasional horse or puppy thrown in, this is an emotional tale of loss, disillusionment and finding love in unexpected places. A well-told tale with a truly sympathetic main character. All right, so perhaps the ending felt a little abrupt, but it did make me smile. You may need the tissues for this one.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
February 12, 2014
Mattie Carrigan, the oldest of four sisters, married, two daughters – twins – loves living on husband’s family ranch and running a horse breeding business. Twenty years she’s been with Wes, over half of her life. When they sent the girls off to college this year she knew things would change, she just wasn’t sure how or really to what degree.
Nat Diamond is the Carrigan’s neighbor. Always there when Mattie or the girls needed something and Wes was gone with the rodeo or with something for the business. He had been married once, till she ran off. Nat saw Mattie’s world shifting and changing and was there for her, the problem was he was holding onto some serious secrets. Would he continue to hold back? Or would the saying hold true “the truth will set you free”?
This is the story of Mattie, of finding your way when the world caves in on you. First and foremost it’s about a woman who is learning her own strength, one where a woman learns to be herself, and learns who and how to rely on others. Mattie and Nat have a wonderful friendship that has taken many routes over the years and is about to take yet another path, not always filled with sunshine and roses.
I look forward to reading about the rest of the girls from the Circle C ranch, not just about their love lives but about them. CJ Carmichael really has a way of making you feel as if you are a part of the family and as such can feel the love, the pain, and the stress that they all go through. I would recommend this book, but will say you get more out of it than a romance.
Nat Diamond is the Carrigan’s neighbor. Always there when Mattie or the girls needed something and Wes was gone with the rodeo or with something for the business. He had been married once, till she ran off. Nat saw Mattie’s world shifting and changing and was there for her, the problem was he was holding onto some serious secrets. Would he continue to hold back? Or would the saying hold true “the truth will set you free”?
This is the story of Mattie, of finding your way when the world caves in on you. First and foremost it’s about a woman who is learning her own strength, one where a woman learns to be herself, and learns who and how to rely on others. Mattie and Nat have a wonderful friendship that has taken many routes over the years and is about to take yet another path, not always filled with sunshine and roses.
I look forward to reading about the rest of the girls from the Circle C ranch, not just about their love lives but about them. CJ Carmichael really has a way of making you feel as if you are a part of the family and as such can feel the love, the pain, and the stress that they all go through. I would recommend this book, but will say you get more out of it than a romance.
February 6, 2014
Mattie met Wes at a rodeo when she was just eighteen, and in the next couple of years they were married living on a ranch with stables and horses and they had twin daughters.
Now the twins were off to college and something was changing in Mattie's life. She and Wes had always been a team raising thier girls and running the ranch, telling each other everything, but now in the last year Wes had been growing distant. And then comes the morning Wes tells her he has decided to sell the ranch and all thier horses without even talking it over with her, and when she asks if hes leaving her he tells her he is and just like that he is gone, so is all her security and the life she has known.
This book has you needing tissues, and then there are the good parts that just warm your heart, and there is a puppy to help with that and make the read all the more enjoyable.
I think most everyone would enjoy this book, the only part I didn't like it ended to soon, I wanted more of the new chapter in Mattie's life, alot more, at least one more chapter. I had just got my drink and snack and settled in thinking I still had aways to go and it ended on the next page.
I was given an advance copy of this book, but I will be buying at least one copy for a gift.
Now the twins were off to college and something was changing in Mattie's life. She and Wes had always been a team raising thier girls and running the ranch, telling each other everything, but now in the last year Wes had been growing distant. And then comes the morning Wes tells her he has decided to sell the ranch and all thier horses without even talking it over with her, and when she asks if hes leaving her he tells her he is and just like that he is gone, so is all her security and the life she has known.
This book has you needing tissues, and then there are the good parts that just warm your heart, and there is a puppy to help with that and make the read all the more enjoyable.
I think most everyone would enjoy this book, the only part I didn't like it ended to soon, I wanted more of the new chapter in Mattie's life, alot more, at least one more chapter. I had just got my drink and snack and settled in thinking I still had aways to go and it ended on the next page.
I was given an advance copy of this book, but I will be buying at least one copy for a gift.
February 8, 2014
Mattie's just getting used to it being just her and her husband of 19 years, Wes, in the house. Their twin daughters have flown the coop to different colleges. Mattie's finding that things between Wes and her aren't as smooth as she remembers but thinks it'll be alright with time. Wes suddenly pulls the rug out from under her feet when he tells her he's finished with the marriage and everything that comes with it. Mattie's left reeling.
I recall reading a little about Mattie and Wes in the book starring her sister Sage. I have to tell you when I read about what Wes had done to Mattie my heart hurt. What a callous cruel man. Even though I spent most of the book feeling angry and sad, I wasn't able to put the book down. I wanted to know how Mattie fared in this new direction of her life. I liked Nat for supporting and helping Mattie when she needed it. The way he was hot and cold drove me crazy though.
C.J. Carmichael has written a book that will hook you and take you on an emotional roller coaster. She writes amazing characters and you're in for a treat.
I recall reading a little about Mattie and Wes in the book starring her sister Sage. I have to tell you when I read about what Wes had done to Mattie my heart hurt. What a callous cruel man. Even though I spent most of the book feeling angry and sad, I wasn't able to put the book down. I wanted to know how Mattie fared in this new direction of her life. I liked Nat for supporting and helping Mattie when she needed it. The way he was hot and cold drove me crazy though.
C.J. Carmichael has written a book that will hook you and take you on an emotional roller coaster. She writes amazing characters and you're in for a treat.
March 6, 2014
I absolutely adored Good Together!! I am a big fan of CJ Carmichael so I went into this expecting to like it but I could have never guessed how very much!! I loved the characters, well except for Wes! ;) This was a thoroughly wonderful book that I am so glad i had the pleasure of reading! A heartwarming, emotional read that Im sure anyone would like!!
November 20, 2015
I am loving this series by C.J. Carmichael! I never realized cowboys could be so much fun to read about! I started with "Promise Me, Cowboy" and moved on to this book. The author's writing is terrific and I am completely in love with the series!
April 8, 2015
Nice forty something romance.
I enjoyed a light romance with a little older characters. So often romances are written about the young. A feel good ending.
I enjoyed a light romance with a little older characters. So often romances are written about the young. A feel good ending.
April 15, 2016
Well written, a bit slow; it's good to read a story with older characters, but the better part (the romance) is in the final pages, what a pity...
January 23, 2022
2.25 Stars for me!
My rating range of this story... 1.5 - 3.75
If significant, why? The h drove me crazy as she continually lets everything happen to her with little to no fight. She also gave her husband extreme latitude and a pass for everything.
Main Character Ratings...
H = 7/10
h = 3/10
Narrator Rating(s)
M = n/a
F = 7/10
If below 5/10,why?
Was cheating involved? Yes - H
Any major triggers to be aware of? Is doormat a trigger?
If Comedy... Type? n/a
Genuinely Funny
Cringe Inducing
Just No!
Angst Level? Heavy
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
3 Stars for me!
Internal Monolog? Heavy
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Scenes with heat... Not really
Heat Rating... 2/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
The back story... The h's husband of nearly 20 years decides that he needs a break and moves out. The neighbor, and a sort-of friend of her husband figures out something is wrong and helps the h out.
The Romance... They are both interested in each other but there was very little romance.
The drama explosion... The H drops a bomb on the h.
Did it feel Real, OK or contrived? Head-scratching for a romance.
Was it OTT? Yes
Separation involved? No
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Unresolved
Light spoilers below...
.
.
.
.
.
Final Notes... The h allows her wayward husband to completely control everything, sell off her horses without a fight, sell her house and even to delay telling their kids about the separation. She never stood up for herself or involved friends or an attorney. Ugh!
HEA or HFN? Don't really know!
My rating range of this story... 1.5 - 3.75
If significant, why? The h drove me crazy as she continually lets everything happen to her with little to no fight. She also gave her husband extreme latitude and a pass for everything.
Main Character Ratings...
H = 7/10
h = 3/10
Narrator Rating(s)
M = n/a
F = 7/10
If below 5/10,why?
Was cheating involved? Yes - H
Any major triggers to be aware of? Is doormat a trigger?
If Comedy... Type? n/a
Genuinely Funny
Cringe Inducing
Just No!
Angst Level? Heavy
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
3 Stars for me!
Internal Monolog? Heavy
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Scenes with heat... Not really
Heat Rating... 2/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
The back story... The h's husband of nearly 20 years decides that he needs a break and moves out. The neighbor, and a sort-of friend of her husband figures out something is wrong and helps the h out.
The Romance... They are both interested in each other but there was very little romance.
The drama explosion... The H drops a bomb on the h.
Did it feel Real, OK or contrived? Head-scratching for a romance.
Was it OTT? Yes
Separation involved? No
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Unresolved
Light spoilers below...
.
.
.
.
.
Final Notes... The h allows her wayward husband to completely control everything, sell off her horses without a fight, sell her house and even to delay telling their kids about the separation. She never stood up for herself or involved friends or an attorney. Ugh!
HEA or HFN? Don't really know!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2023
Not what I was expecting but loved the book
What would you do if your husband of nineteen years walked out with no warning or explanation and you find out he has had a girlfriend for six months? Then he starts selling everything including the land and house? Mattie is so heartbroken that she didn't leave her house for over a week and left the hired hand to take care of the horses and chores by himself. She wouldn't even let him in the house when he wanted to check on her. Finally Nat her neighbor and friend for almost twenty years won't leave until he sees her. Nat has had feeling for her since he first met her but kept them hidden. Now he is sending mixed signals and Mattie is confused. Months later Wes shows up with signed divorce papers and tell her he sold the farm to Nat and she has sixty days to move out. Then Nat comes by to say she can stay for ax long as she wants to live there. Why did he do that? Why did he have renovations done to his already perfect house?
What would you do if your husband of nineteen years walked out with no warning or explanation and you find out he has had a girlfriend for six months? Then he starts selling everything including the land and house? Mattie is so heartbroken that she didn't leave her house for over a week and left the hired hand to take care of the horses and chores by himself. She wouldn't even let him in the house when he wanted to check on her. Finally Nat her neighbor and friend for almost twenty years won't leave until he sees her. Nat has had feeling for her since he first met her but kept them hidden. Now he is sending mixed signals and Mattie is confused. Months later Wes shows up with signed divorce papers and tell her he sold the farm to Nat and she has sixty days to move out. Then Nat comes by to say she can stay for ax long as she wants to live there. Why did he do that? Why did he have renovations done to his already perfect house?
November 6, 2019
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Tule Publishing for an honest review**
Sadly, this book missed the mark for me. It stayed more on the negative path and Mattie spent 95% of the book crying over her failed marriage, with the other 5% missing her children and wanting her neighbour Nat.
Lots of negativity in this book and Mattie was not the character i thought she was. For a lady who spent the majority of her time being an all but single mother most of her married life it was disappointing to see her act like a lost puppy.
The sides of the story from the daughters lives also seemed pointless. The story should have just focused on Mattie and Nat, but it seemed like the daughters side was just space filler and the ending did seem more than a little rushed.
I did however enjoy that the story focused on a more mature woman, even though this one acted like she had been completely sheltered her whole life.
Sadly, this book missed the mark for me. It stayed more on the negative path and Mattie spent 95% of the book crying over her failed marriage, with the other 5% missing her children and wanting her neighbour Nat.
Lots of negativity in this book and Mattie was not the character i thought she was. For a lady who spent the majority of her time being an all but single mother most of her married life it was disappointing to see her act like a lost puppy.
The sides of the story from the daughters lives also seemed pointless. The story should have just focused on Mattie and Nat, but it seemed like the daughters side was just space filler and the ending did seem more than a little rushed.
I did however enjoy that the story focused on a more mature woman, even though this one acted like she had been completely sheltered her whole life.
June 3, 2021
This is the second book in the Carrigans of the Circle. Once again I always love cowboys!! This book is about the second Carrigan daughter and her cheating husband. Once he moves out and she realizes that he is unfaithful her neighbor who has always been there to help the family continues to be there for her. Her two daughters are in college come home as usual for Thanksgiving and Christmas but she is now home alone the rest of the time. Her husband puts their ranch up for sale and of course the neighbor buys them so she can stay with out having to move out of the home she has lived in for her entire adult life. When she realizes he has done this just to save her and not because is helps him she realizes that all of his life he has been in love with her and she has feelings for him also.
November 26, 2019
I kept waiting for Mattie to get some self respect and a backbone to stand up for herself, but she never did. I have no patience for any woman who leaves all property in their husband's name only and have no access to the bills, etc. Mattie was a pitiful example for her daughters. She let her husband do anything he wanted - even cheat on her, leave her, sell her horses, her home, etc. Months after he left with virtually no explanation, she finally got the courage to confront him - I was ready for her to get mad & get even.......and Mattie did nothing.....again. She was a pathetic doormat. Even in the end, the way she moved forward was to rely on another man yet again.
June 23, 2017
Heartbreak and Recovery,Cowboy Style
Best book I have read for a while. Mattie had some big lessons to learn. We all do but what matters is that we learn as we go, grieve as needed, learn the necessary lessons, and love again. Sometimes things just change even when we do our very best. The ranch and horse aspects of this story were enjoyable. The editing and the interaction between the characters was well done.
Best book I have read for a while. Mattie had some big lessons to learn. We all do but what matters is that we learn as we go, grieve as needed, learn the necessary lessons, and love again. Sometimes things just change even when we do our very best. The ranch and horse aspects of this story were enjoyable. The editing and the interaction between the characters was well done.
October 9, 2017
I downloaded this book for free on my Nook. The story kept my interest and was heartwarming. I found it a nice change to have the main characters be a little older. The story was easier to relate to at some points for that reason. I didn't really get into the whole cowboy thing, the way they spoke and the clear differences in writing to sound like they were from Montana. But overall, I liked the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews