My Ellie is the first book in the Perfectly Paired series written by H. Mitchell. I have never read a cowboy romance before this book, but I can honestly say My Ellie was the MOST PERFECT book to kick off my cowboy romance era. When I saw that gorgeous, bright, and pastel cover, I knew I had to get my hands on this book immediately because y'all should know by now that I'm a sucker for a pretty cover, but anyway I'm so happy I read this book because it truly brought out so many of my emotions, who would have ever known that a cowboy romance could make you cry? The characters felt so relatable and real to me. I love when an author can knock the mental health representation out of the ball park. It's hard to describe my emotions and why I felt this way if you haven't read this beautiful yet heart breaking yet, but I smiled, I laughed, I wanted to pull my hair out, I swooned, I was angry, I cried, it's like I had so many different emotions, it was unreal. My Ellie written by H. Mitchell was honestly the most realest and perfect debut novel. If you are looking for a cute, lighthearted, and fluffy romance, this book isn't for you, yes, it was cute and had fluffy moments, but it deals with very sensitive topics, which I will include in my review, so be sure to check out the trigger warning's before grabbing this beautiful love story. I can't recommend this book enough, please please, I'm begging everyone to read this book at some point because it was just too amazing to pass up.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND VICTORY EDITING NETGALLEY CO-OP FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!
TRIGGER WARNING'S
Reader discretion is advised. For the brave souls with scarred minds and open hearts❤.
~Explicit Sexual Content~
~Abuse From a Parent~
~Mental Health Struggles~
"🏡😭It's strange to call a place home when it's never really felt like yours🏡😭".
"😍💅This friend wouldn't happen to be a beautiful British babe, would she😍💅?"
"💯Failure is not an option. It is a stranger to you and will remain that way💯".
"👯💖Friends are safe, anything more than that could be a complication that might be difficult to recover from👯💖".
"💗I don't want you to have to be anywhere near anyone that makes you feel like you are anything less than perfect💗".
Twenty-seven year old Colton Brooks is the youngest rodeo rider to be inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame at just twenty-four years old. Colton has been a rodeo rider ever since he was fourteen years old, just trying to make his parents happy and proud before they pass away due to a horrific car accident. Colton has never left the United States before, but his first trip out of the US is to the United Kingdom leaving his Meemaw and his brother Wyatt back at their cottage in Texas. Colton had to stop barrel racing due to a knee injury that needed surgery. Colton is offered a job for two months at the Tewkesbury Estate by Mr. Lord Chamberlain teaching his two sons Edmund who is eleven years old and George who is thirteen years old how to barrel race, ride western pleasure, and most importantly how to be cowboys. During his stay, Colton feels homesickness, regret, and guilt for leaving his Meemaw and brother behind. I thought it was so sweet how despite Colton having a job so far across the country, yet he still made time to Facetime his family back him, it was just the sweetest ever. Ladies, please take notes, Colton Brooks is the type of man that you want in your life. 👑Don't ever let a man treat you any less than the queen that you are👑.
Eleanor "Ellie" Stirling is a twenty-four year old British Equestrian rider. Ellie has been dreaming of winning an Olympic gold medal since her mom planted that dream in her young mind and heart fourteen years ago. As a member of the British National Equestrian Team and dressage rider, Ellie arrives at the Tewkesbury Estate for a last minute summer training camp. Ellie's horse Remi was just the cutest horse ever, I loved meeting that baby and learning his personality. Ellie has natural blonde hair and green eyes and she's British, Ellie is just absolutely gorgeous. Ellie's mom, Edith was a world class dressage rider, she competed at every level and has even won an Olympic medal until a life altering injury changed the course of her life. I hated Edith so much, the way she spoke to Ellie was just disgusting and heart breaking to witness. Edith expects Ellie to be her legacy, she resembles a hawk, always watching Ellie's moves and constantly telling her what to do. I understand mom's only want the best for their children, but the way Edith treated Ellie was just so foul and there was no need to constantly be a helicopter mom. I just wanted to reach into my kindle and give Ellie the biggest hug ever.
The way Colton and Ellie met for the first time was so cute and absolutely hilarious. Ellie and Colton first meet when Remi escapes his stable and Colton has to lasso him back in, Ellie said, "I'll thank you not to play strange cowboy rodeo games with my horse next time". During their stay at the estate, Colton and Ellie spend time together and get to know each other better, both of them don't drink because of their medications. It was so wholesome when Ellie was stressed and Colton would make her banana bread with vanilla ice cream, ugh where's my personal chef? Ellie and Colton both struggle with their mental health. At twenty-seven years old, Colton struggles with the grief of losing his parents and feeling like he's not enough. At just twenty-four years old, Ellie suffers from a generalized anxiety disorder and takes three different kinds of anxiety medications. Ellie thinks Colton is a handsome cowboy with a heart of gold, which let's be honest is so true. I absolutely adore that both characters bonded over their mental health struggles, they both had each other to confide in. As Colton and Ellie talked about their struggles, I just wanted to reach into my kindle and hug both of these beautiful souls, I couldn't help but cheer them on throughout the entire book.