Montana Pines New Beginnings

by Jill Haymaker

The last thing Harper Barlowe expected was to walk out of the divorce courtroom with nothing but her son. How had her husband fooled her so badly all these years? When it came time to divide their assets, there were none, only debts. Fearful that she and her son will end up on the streets, she calls the only person left—her estranged father. When he agrees to take them in for the summer, they travel to his ranch near Pine Meadows, Montana. The small town of Pine Meadows may seem like just another quaint, peaceful place, but for Harper Barlowe it becomes a place of unexpected change and new beginnings. Desperate to save some money and get out of there as quickly as possible, she takes the first job offered to her by the local sheriff, Rafe Monroe.

Rafe has been the sheriff in the small town for five years. He is a simple man with only his German shepherd, Max, and his horses to keep him company. He likes it that way. But when, he first sees his friend’s daughter in the local coffee shop, he is so drawn to her that he creates a job for her as his office manager.

What starts as a simple job becomes much more as Harper and Rafe's relationship deepens. Her son also finds happiness in this new town, forming friendships and discovering a love for horses. However, as the summer nears its end, Harper must decide if she can leave her past behind and start a new life in Montana. And when Rafe's intentions raise doubts from her past, Harper must choose between the safety of her old life or taking a chance on a future with Rafe.


Can he convince her that her future is with him or will she retreat to her former life? Come home to the majestic Pine Mountains in Western Montana where everyone feels like family.

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2026

About the author

Jill Haymaker writes contemporary romances centered in her home state of Colorado. After growing up in Indiana and Ohio, she moved to Colorado and feel in love with the beautiful mountains. She writes about adventurous women and the rugged cowboys they fall in love with. She currently has published 25 novels in her three series that take place in Peakview County, Colorado: The Peakview Series, The Aspen Ridge Series, and The Peaktop Dude Ranch Series. She is currently working on her new Montana Pines Series.

Reviews

[Priscilla Mayne]

book

Good clean read. Loved it. Good positive story made you feel you were there in beautiful Montana. Good good good