Love Me Through the Grief

by J.S. Tazwell, Derek Moreland (Editor)

A heartfelt small-town romance about unexpected love, second chances, and finding the courage to heal.

Veterinary student Lucy Campbell hasn’t been home to Montana in six years. But when her father’s health declines, she returns to White River…only to arrive too late to say goodbye.

Heartbroken yet determined, Lucy steps into the whirlwind of family tensions, an inherited ranch, and a legacy that feels too heavy to carry. Enter Connor Lochland—her childhood crush, her best friend’s older brother, and the cowboy who’s always been steady when everything else falls apart. Loyal, rugged, and quietly grieving his own losses, Connor soon becomes the anchor Lucy didn’t realize she still needed.

As they navigate ranch life, old wounds, and unexpected laughter, Lucy and Connor discover that love isn’t simple—and grief never walks alone. Between playful banter, tender second chances, and the breathtaking Montana ranch country, Lucy begins to uncover not only her father’s legacy but also the truth about her own strength, her future, and her heart.

Love Me Through the Grief is an emotional yet uplifting slow-burn contemporary romance that blends laughter, friendship, and swoony chemistry with an honest exploration of love, healing, and resilience. Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Rebecca Yarros, and small-town romance with depth, this debut will make you laugh, cry, and believe in love after heartbreak.

✨ If you’ve ever grieved, loved deeply, or longed for a second chance—this story is for you.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2025

About the author

J.S. Tazwell is an indie romance author with a love for heartfelt stories that balance grief, healing, and the beauty of second chances. Her debut novel, Love Me Through the Grief, is the first in the White River Romance series and introduces readers to a small-town Montana setting filled with family, community, and slow-burn love.

A former educator and children’s publisher, Tazwell has always been passionate about storytelling. She made the leap from children’s books to adult contemporary romance, weaving together emotional depth, realistic family dynamics, and swoony romance that lingers long after the final page.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found reading fantasy and romance, sipping coffee, playing with her Labrador Retriever, or spending time with her husband and two sons.

She lives in North Carolina, but her heart often wanders to the mountains of Montana—where her stories find their roots.

Connect with J.S. Tazwell at www.jstazwell.com.

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite authors, are Indie Authors. They put their heart and soul into their stories. The emotions, the plot, the charisma of the characters are all relatable and beautiful.

When you read their books you can tell how much love, sweat, tears, go into their writing. You know they had late nights, and early mornings, squeezing in what writing time they could get. They want it perfect, so they take their time, crafting beautiful stories to share with anyone who will read them.

And my Favorite part is, they arnt afraid to share other authors work. They are always another Indie Authors cheerleader, because they know and have been there.

I found j.s.tazwell through one of my Favorite indie authors. And I was so drawn to the title, I had to scoop this book up. As someone who’s been in the trenches multiple times with grief, I needed this story.

This book is beautiful. It is heartbreaking. It is relatable. It is a marvelous perfection. I cried, I laughed, and I Swooned over Connor of course. I never wanted this book to end, and I’m kind sad this part of the story is over.

This book broke me, and put me back together in a way, I don’t believe any other book can. I will carry it with me forever.

If you’re looking for a beautiful second chance love story. Go ahead and read this book. You will not be disappointed.

[LaBrie James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe this is a debut novel — the author did such a great job for her first book! It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I’m really hoping there’s more to come in this series. I especially want to hear more from Connor; I definitely wished for more of his perspective.

This story gave me Bridgerton vibes if Bridgerton were set in Yellowstone — with a hometown feel, small-town gossip, and maybe even a touch of Virgin River. It’s got that country charm mixed with emotional depth and just the right amount of steam — not overwhelming or explicit, but perfectly romantic.

It’s a heartfelt Western romance that beautifully explores grief, love, and healing after loss. You can tell the author poured her heart into this story. I’m genuinely excited to see what she writes next!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only have great things to say about this book! The picture of grief described in this novel was raw, real, and emotional. You could feel Lucy’s pain as well the other characters who were grieving alongside her.

And in the depths of grief, she is enduring the same bully she did in high school. I hated her bully so much, but also loved seeing Lucy and Connor face it together. They let those old feels blossom into something beautiful just in time for her to leave for a while.

I’m excited to read more of Lucy’s story as she works towards healing her trauma.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely swept me away! From the very first page, I was hooked—not just by the chemistry between the characters, but also by the way the author captured the beautiful setting in Montana in such vivid detail that I felt like I was right there.

The romance itself was everything I love—sweet, passionate, and rooted in real emotion. The characters were so well-developed, each with their own struggles and growth, making the love story feel authentic and deeply satisfying.

[DH · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.S. Tazwell’s debut novel grabbed a hold of me from the first page and never let go. Set against the sweeping backdrop of rural Montana, the novel beautifully blends themes of loss, love, and healing into a slow-burn romance that feels both tender and emotionally raw. Tazwell does such a masterful job of balancing the devastation of grief and loss with the power of love, hope and self discovery. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written debut series really captured my heart. So many relatable emotions. Great drama. You root for Lucy, you want to smack Conner, and the best friend vibes are on point. I’m so excited for this series to continue and see more small town emotion’s.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this debut romance novel! It is filled with heart warming moments, characters you will love and personal growth. If you enjoy romance books that have more in their plot this is the story for you. Lucy is learning to process her grief and trauma, while standing up to mean girls in her past. I really enjoyed this the storytelling. You will love Conner and want to strangle him. And OMG Sam is just an amazing human that can be flawed but you root for him. Just soo much love for all the cast of characters.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully tender story of love, loss, and healing

Love Me Through the Grief by J.S. Tazwell felt like a breath of fresh air amidst the popular wave of “bad boy” and “enemies-to-lovers” romances (which I enjoy too!), offering something quieter and more grounding.

Set in a small town, this story follows Lucy as she returns to settle her father’s affairs after his passing. But this isn’t just a second-chance romance — it’s a story about loss and navigating the messiness of grief while finding love through the grief.

Lucy’s character was a standout for me: strong, deeply human, and trying her best to navigate the emotional tangle left in the wake of her father’s death. The way Tazwell writes about grief is powerful and deeply personal. I recently lost someone close to me, and reading these words felt like watching my own grief unfold through someone else’s story.

That said, this book isn’t just all sorrow. It had me laughing out loud, gobsmacked in places, and cheering by the end. It’s tender without being overly sentimental, sharp without being cynical. A second-chance love story that feels honest and real.

If you’ve ever loved, lost, or tried to make peace with either — this one’s worth reading.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heathers Lit Voyage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Me Through the Grief delivers a heartfelt small-town romance packed with emotion, messy family dynamics, and the kind of second chances that make you root for the characters from the start.

Lucy’s return home from London doesn’t go as planned, landing only to learn of her father’s passing in the worst possible way. My heart broke for her in those first few chapters, and it never stopped tugging as she navigated grief, complicated family relationships, and unresolved wounds from her past.

Connor shows up immediately as her safe place, steady, supportive, and the chemistry between them is palpable. I loved how their connection felt both comforting and electric, building slowly while honoring the hard realities of grief and healing.

This story offers so many layers:
🐎 Small-town ranch setting with all the cozy vibes
💔 Grief and healing journeys that feel raw and real
🥰 Found family moments and genuine friendships
✨ Second chances with just enough angst and sweetness
👏 Strong female lead who faces her past head-on
🔍 Touch of mystery and a high school bully turned small-town mayor drama

Tazwell’s writing balances the heaviness of loss with hope, growth, and heartfelt moments. If you love emotionally complex characters with real-world struggles and a satisfying slow-burn romance, this one is absolutely worth reading!

[Harriet Ashford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Lucy and Connor clung to each other when things got hard. nothing quite like trauma bonding! Can't wait to read more from Tazwell.

[Deborah Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Me Through the Grief is a gentle, yet passionate story reminding us that in grief, love and connection are what hold us, even when we feel like letting go.

I am a fairly new romance novel reader, and while I don’t read them often, I was captivated by Lucy and Connor’s boundless love for one another and their commitment to one another as each processed their own individual griefs. The steaminess was also just enough—a perfect blend of passion and playfulness.

While reading this book, I chose to only read it in the sunshine ☀️ (it’s true!)—a testament to the brightness and warmth with which the story always filled me.

I feel so fortunate to have been one of the first to read this book, especially knowing the personal touches J.S. Tazwell interwove throughout its pages. My first cowboy romance novel complete! Highly recommend the read! 📖

[Rachel Tignor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ate this book up in a day. Cannot wait for the next book!

[Kate Kropp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Love Me Through the Grief by JS Tazwell

Love Me Through the Grief is an emotional, slow-burn romance that had me hooked from the first page. Set against the rugged beauty of Montana, this story beautifully captures the ache of grief, the longing for home, and the unexpected healing power of love.

Lucy’s return to her family’s ranch after the devastating loss of her father is both poignant and empowering. A born-and-bred cowgirl, she hasn’t set foot on Montana soil in six years—but the second she does, her connection to the land, her roots, and her old crush, Conor, come rushing back like a wildfire.

JS Tazwell does a masterful job weaving tension, heartache, and chemistry throughout the story. The emotional weight Lucy carries is palpable, and the toxic forces trying to undermine her only make her journey more compelling. Watching her reclaim her identity and fight for what she loves—her home, her legacy, and ultimately, her future—was deeply satisfying.

And then there's Conor. The cowboy love interest, loyal to a fault, quietly strong, and fiercely protective, makes this story shine with a classic romance charm. Their chemistry simmers under the surface until it inevitably boils over in a way that’s both heartfelt and hard-won. He’s not just a romantic partner—he becomes Lucy’s anchor, her teammate, and her safe haven.

This is more than just a romance—it’s a story about coming home to yourself, standing your ground in the face of adversity, and finding love that doesn’t try to fix your broken parts but chooses to stand with you in the wreckage.

For fans of heartfelt, western-set romance with emotional depth, passionate tension, and resilient heroines, Love Me Through the Grief delivers in every way.

[Michelle Doute · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opens in a who are these people, you have to stay to get to know them style. Then once you know rhe characters, they are your friends and you want to know more. Each chapter is engaging and builds.
Yes, it has your typical mf and mm lead story, but with enough twist and turns to keep it going and you hooked! As a woman, who survived a SA, the growth and realizations of the lead is both inspiring and almost face slapping to realize how much of her (my) past affects future (previous to now) relationships.
Cannot wait for the next!!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t believe this is a debut —Tazwell absolutely nailed it.
It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I’m really hoping this turns into a series.
I especially want more from Connor; I found myself wishing for more of his perspective throughout.
The way grief is portrayed in this story is raw, honest, and deeply emotional.
You can truly feel Lucy’s pain, as well as the grief carried by the characters around her.

“Eventually you’ll let yourself feel happiness again. Until then I’m here. I’ve got you.”

[Myka Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love me through grief was phenomenal! Once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down as you will cry, laugh out loud, get angry and cheer on the characters as they grow throughout the book. The author does a great job developing each character and makes each one relatable. It’s not just a steamy love story as it also embraces different stages of life, friendships, heartache, family differences, community and self development. Can’t wait to read more from J.S Tazwell!!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally have a hard time finishing books, whether that be because of the length, getting bored, not having time, etc. But this book I finished as soon as possible. It was the perfect length, always had me on the edge of my seat, and I found myself actually making time to read. Overall just such a fun read!

[Deborah K. Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, emotionally stirring, at times exciting and spellbinding, very well written, impressive, and a great read. Can’t wait to read more from this incredibly talented author.

[Derek Moreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind the sharp prose, fully-realized characters, and kinetic story, lies a gentle and touching examination of grief. Writing about the pain of losing a loved one is an especially difficult task, even with the fig leaf of fiction to cover the very real hurt the author is brave enough to express. Tazwell's open and honest examination of her own grief through Lucy, Connor, and even Sam, gives real weight and pathos to this wonderful story.

Not that grief is the only emotion Tazwell captures! The book is also laugh out-out-loud funny, sweetly sensuous, and thrilling with excitement in turns. I'm sure it's been mentioned by others here, but the karaoke battle of the sexes is one of many highlights.

This novel is an absolute marvel, and one of the strongest debuts I've ever read from an emerging talent. I wait with bated breath for the sequel!