Return to Yellowstone with the next generation of our beloved characters from the original series.
Saddlehorn, MT
Ashton Anderson, former town sweetheart and prodigal son of rancher Clint Anderson, has finally returned home. Where has he been for the last ten years, you ask? Apparently, working a smaller rodeo circuit up north. With his strength and skill, he should have done well, but he has returned battered, bruised, and grieving the loss of his faithful gelding, Dusty. As for the girlfriend who turned down his marriage proposal all those years ago . . .
Kelsey Winters has left her less-than-idyllic past behind. She now helps others as a therapist at the therapeutic riding center outside of town, although her own personal life seems to be a solid mess. She’s tried to be a good older sister to her brother, Darren, but she can’t protect him—or herself—from his poor choices. They’re one bad decision away from homelessness when they’re robbed and Darren is put in jail for possession of a controlled substance.
Due to circumstances beyond their control, Kelsey and Ashton’s long-ago romance resurfaces. But will it leave the gate running, or suffer a colossal wreck?
Anne Perreault was born and raised in Germany. Her family moved to a very obscure city in the Middle East by the name of Dubai, where she spent the next ten years on and off. During this time, she discovered her passion for ice skating, trained, rode, and fell off high spirited Arabian horses, and collected an assortment of stray cats that found their way into their yard. She attended an American boarding school in Austria. After graduating, she moved to England for a year to start her college education. After meeting her husband, she moved to the US and finished her undergraduate degree in Biology in NH. The couple married and moved to CT to start a family. During the next fifteen years, Anne was busy raising three wonderful children, teaching horseback riding, homeschooling her kids, starting a therapeutic riding center with a group of church friends after becoming a certified instructor, and gaining her masters in teaching secondary education. Because she wasn't busy enough and didn't have enough going on, she prayed for an adventure. God stirred the pot of her comfortable life by first sending her husband to Iraq for two years. After his return, the family moved to VT where they are building a little house in the woods together. Anne started writing late in life when she heard God's suggestion. It took a while to obey but she's enjoyed writing stories that point that God cares, that He is available for anyone - no matter what they have done.
What drew me to this book, in addition to it being Christian fiction, were the reviews that mentioned it was loosely based on the Prodigal Son. It's a wonderful story about people who make mistakes, but through the grace of God and His guidance, they learn from them and come out on the other side with stronger faith and character. It's about forgiveness and relationships and it's filled with romance, love, romantic tension and some really good mystery and suspense that kept me guessing till the end. Anne's style of writing kept me thoroughly engaged. I really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
When I heard that the author was going to write a series based on the Descendants from her original Yellowstone series, I was ecstatic, to say the least! I love, love, love that series and this first Descendants book based on Ashton’s life does not disappoint!
This is a story loosely based on the prodigal son from the Bible. It includes life lessons, lost love and many trials and truths learned along the way.
Here are some quotes from the book, used with permission from the author.
“God is merciful. He turned a horrible mistake into something beautiful.”
“You are my son,” his father whispered into his ear, “and I am well pleased with you.”
Then there is also some fun banter that just cracked me up. Here’s an example:
“And if you still doubt that I can take care of myself, meet Babe Ruth.” She pulled out her trusty baseball bat from beside her bed. Ashton grinned. Then he took a step backward when she took a swing at him. The tip of the bat missed him by a few inches. “You might want to choke up a bit on that bat. That was always your weakness.”
I highly recommend this read and although it has many familiar characters from the original Yellowstone series, it can be read as a stand alone. This book and the original series are all deserving of a 5 star rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This story is a medium-paced, character-and-plot-driven blend that’s emotional, hopeful, and inspiring, with just enough suspense to keep you guessing.
I know this is a continuation of the family saga from the Yellowstone series, but even though I didn’t read the original books, I never felt lost. Ashton is the long-lost prodigal son returning home, and his attempts to reconnect with Kelsey, whose struggles aren’t of her own making, drive much of the heart of this story.
Overall, I found the novel charming. It’s rich in family history, deep in connections, and filled with love. At its core, it’s a story of forgiveness and godly love, one that highlights surrendering fully to the Lord’s will. There’s also a thread of suspenseful drama and crime-busting that adds excitement beyond the family reunions and rekindled romance.
Anne Perreault always delivers a heartfelt story, and this is no exception. I’m excited for the next book in the series, which follows Ryley, Ashton’s cousin, who already plays a big role in Ashton's story. I also want to go back and read the first series to catch up on the original family saga.
I received a copy of this book from the author, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Trigger Warnings:teen pregnancy, mention of abortion (does not happen), miscarriage, drug abuse/addiction, rehab/relapse, racism, birth/c-section, hostage situation, gun violence.
We met Ashton years ago when he was just a little boy. Now he is a grown up rodeo cowboy. One that has toured all over and is now coming back with his proverbial tail between his legs. He is coming home a broken and bruised man. One that has grown and changed. But has he changed enough? Will his family take him back? Will the town? Can he do it? Can he stay? And then there is Kelsey. She grew up being told she wasn't good enough. And the voice in her head telling her that was a big reason as to why she made a choice years ago that changed her life. But was it the right choice? She's ready to move on from it. But can she? This book takes us on a journey where both Ashton and Kelsey have a lot of growing up and healing to do. And they have the help of family, friends, each other and God to help them through. The peace of small town living is wonderful. But is there really peace happening? I definitely enjoyed this book and love that the author is bringing us the story of the children we met in The Yellowstone series. I'm already excited for the rest of this series.
The story reminds me of The Prodigal Son from the Bible only with side stories to go with it. Ashton returns after 10 years of no contact with his family for a few reasons, one to heal from injuries and two to work on the family ranch with his horse that he hopes to breed. His former girlfriend still lives in the community and has issues of her own with her brother who has a drug addiction. This book is about redemption, forgiveness, healing, and second chances. I really enjoyed it and the characters and am looking forward to the second book.
Very enjoyable story with great characters and an interesting storyline. Ashton is so strong, even with running when his proposal went bad, he still took care of himself and his horses. I know Kelsey is harder to warmup to, but she is a very strong and capable character as well. Love there is faith in God that bad things can lead to good things and God knows what he is doing. So worth the tinpme to read.
A great story that includes crime, drugs, seeking & forgiveness. She grew up loved by her mother who was now dead. Her father went to jail & her grandmother appeared to be heartless. He ran when things got too emotional. He had been gone 10 years but now was back with his family. Faith leads & guides people to be better.
I really enjoyed this book. It has forgiveness, love and friendship. It will keep you wanting to read more to find out what happens to the two main characters. It follows their love story and leaves you in suspense at times. Definitely a page turner. I highly recommend this book.
Ashton, at age 17, after asking his lifelong girlfriend to marry him, (she says no) leaves and doesn’t show back up for 10 years! His family didn’t know whether he was dead or alive. This book is so exciting, heart-wrenching, inspirational, witty, snarky, loveable, just everything you want to find in an excellently written book. I cannot spoil it for you by giving away the secrets. This author has put much hard work into this novel and it shows. I highly recommend it to everyone I know!! 🙏📕♥️
I always know I am in for a treat with this author, yet she surprises me with every new release, and this was no exception! Twists and turns? The unexpected? Danger lurking in the shadows? All of this and so much more, yet with every plot pointing to the Master of the universe, the only answer to every dilemma, every heartbreak, every challenge. Hope is instilled, faith is inspired as the story unfolds, reuniting with the familiar and beloved citizens of Saddlehorn MT as they stand strong against evil!