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Laurel Falls #1
Leaving Yesterday
If you love Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, or Rachel Gibson, don’t miss the start of this captivating small-town romance series! Laurel Falls, Montana, features spectacular mountain scenery—but it takes a rugged cowboy to convince one woman to slow down and enjoy the view.
Rafferty Hamilton doesn’t plan on putting down roots anytime soon. With her divorce final, the hotel heiress has left Manhattan behind to scout new locations for her family’s chain of resorts. Which is why it’s so frustrating to be stranded in Laurel Falls while a good-looking, slow-talking, Stetson-wearing mechanic takes his sweet time with her overheated coupe.
A decorated vet who paid his dues in Afghanistan, Trace Black can fix anything with an engine and get it revving—even Rafferty’s ridiculous sports car. He’s couldn’t say the same for the knockout driver, who looks like she’s never gripped a gear shaft in her life. Women like Rafferty don’t usually stick around in Laurel Falls, but Trace finds himself showing her everything his hometown has to offer before she cruises on down the road.
As the days pass, Rafferty finds herself charmed by the pace of life and the openhearted warmth of the residents. She’s even tempted to trust again—and it’s all thanks to Trace. He’s not the kind of guy she’s used to falling for, but he just might be the man she needs.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Rafferty Hamilton doesn’t plan on putting down roots anytime soon. With her divorce final, the hotel heiress has left Manhattan behind to scout new locations for her family’s chain of resorts. Which is why it’s so frustrating to be stranded in Laurel Falls while a good-looking, slow-talking, Stetson-wearing mechanic takes his sweet time with her overheated coupe.
A decorated vet who paid his dues in Afghanistan, Trace Black can fix anything with an engine and get it revving—even Rafferty’s ridiculous sports car. He’s couldn’t say the same for the knockout driver, who looks like she’s never gripped a gear shaft in her life. Women like Rafferty don’t usually stick around in Laurel Falls, but Trace finds himself showing her everything his hometown has to offer before she cruises on down the road.
As the days pass, Rafferty finds herself charmed by the pace of life and the openhearted warmth of the residents. She’s even tempted to trust again—and it’s all thanks to Trace. He’s not the kind of guy she’s used to falling for, but he just might be the man she needs.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2016
11 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Dawson
110 books2,850 followersNewsletter sign up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
Zoe Dawson, the author of 40+ books had always dreamed of becoming a full-time romance writer. Her other passions include traveling the world, owning a beach house (she believes she was a mermaid in another life), and seeing her books in movies. When she’s not writing, she’s painting or killing virtual MMORPG monsters in World of Warcraft. She lives in North Carolina with her two grown children and one small, furry gray cat.
Zoe Dawson, the author of 40+ books had always dreamed of becoming a full-time romance writer. Her other passions include traveling the world, owning a beach house (she believes she was a mermaid in another life), and seeing her books in movies. When she’s not writing, she’s painting or killing virtual MMORPG monsters in World of Warcraft. She lives in North Carolina with her two grown children and one small, furry gray cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
February 9, 2016
4.5 - "For however long it lasts." Stars!
An absolutely outstanding start to the Laurel Falls series by Zoe Dawson, this is my first work by this author, and I have to say I cannot wait for the next book Maybe Tomorrow which is due for release in October (sigh)!
There is a huge amount going on in this book, what with story-line and characters going in lots of different directions. We are introduced to many of the residents of Laurel Falls a sleepy, tired town, as the book progresses. A town that is slowly dying due to a drop in tourist trade, which has caused businesses to close and people to seek employment and accommodations elsewhere. But the town certainly still has a huge amount of charm, and the residents were really great to get to know.
"I don’t think I’ll be able to let you go for a while."
Although the synopsis indicates that the book mainly deals with the relationship between Trace Black and Rafferty Hamilton, this is certainly not the only story playing out, as a reader you are also introduced to, and given the backgrounds of the rest of the Trace family, not to mention quite a few other prominent townsfolk.
"You’re laying on the cowboy a bit thick."
This is where my only gripe really comes in, in that the book comes at you from many POVs and at points on many occasions I had to go back and re-read paragraphs to work out and be sure of who’s head I was actually in at the time. This may be because the version I read was an ARC, and I hope the publisher gives suitable paragraph breaks and indicators so that paying readers don’t have the struggles that I did working out when we had moved from one characters mind to another.
"I knew you were trouble the moment I laid eyes on you."
I really look forward to seeing where Zoe takes this series in the next book, she has picked a character for the continuation that I find surprising and I am interested to see how the arrival of another out of towner has to the continuation of everybody’s story dynamic.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was an absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
An absolutely outstanding start to the Laurel Falls series by Zoe Dawson, this is my first work by this author, and I have to say I cannot wait for the next book Maybe Tomorrow which is due for release in October (sigh)!
There is a huge amount going on in this book, what with story-line and characters going in lots of different directions. We are introduced to many of the residents of Laurel Falls a sleepy, tired town, as the book progresses. A town that is slowly dying due to a drop in tourist trade, which has caused businesses to close and people to seek employment and accommodations elsewhere. But the town certainly still has a huge amount of charm, and the residents were really great to get to know.
"I don’t think I’ll be able to let you go for a while."
Although the synopsis indicates that the book mainly deals with the relationship between Trace Black and Rafferty Hamilton, this is certainly not the only story playing out, as a reader you are also introduced to, and given the backgrounds of the rest of the Trace family, not to mention quite a few other prominent townsfolk.
"You’re laying on the cowboy a bit thick."
This is where my only gripe really comes in, in that the book comes at you from many POVs and at points on many occasions I had to go back and re-read paragraphs to work out and be sure of who’s head I was actually in at the time. This may be because the version I read was an ARC, and I hope the publisher gives suitable paragraph breaks and indicators so that paying readers don’t have the struggles that I did working out when we had moved from one characters mind to another.
"I knew you were trouble the moment I laid eyes on you."
I really look forward to seeing where Zoe takes this series in the next book, she has picked a character for the continuation that I find surprising and I am interested to see how the arrival of another out of towner has to the continuation of everybody’s story dynamic.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was an absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
April 19, 2016
Leaving Yesterday is the first book in Zoe Dawson's new Laurel Falls series, and it's everything I love about small town contemporary romance. The people of Laurel Falls are down-to-earth, hard working, and loyal. They've got hopes and dreams, trials and triumphs and, no matter what, they will always have your back! All this makes them people I can't help but cheer for and care about.
One of the things I most enjoyed about the story - and there are many things to enjoy - is Trace's unshakable devotion to his family, especially his youngest brother, Harley, who suffers with PTSD, the result of his time in the Marines and a mission gone very wrong. Trace feels the guilt of of Harley's illness, blaming himself because Harley was following in Trace's footsteps when he enlisted, wanting to be like his big brother. There's a lot of poignancy throughout the book, but this... this really tugged at my heart.
Another person to love is Rafferty. Sure, she's a product of her upbringing, but she is - without a doubt - her own person. This becomes crystal clear when she sets aside her 'assignment' and opens her eyes to the beauty of the people and the town she found herself stranded in. She might be a wealthy, big city girl, but she's not ostentatious, nor is she foolish enough to let a good thing pass her by!
The bottom line... Leaving Yesterday is a wonderful start to this series which promises to be an amazing one. If you love Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, or Rachel Gibson, you won't want to miss out on the romantic, passionate, captivating world and people of Laurel Falls.
An ARC was generously provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.
About the book:
Print Length: 268 pages
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: February 9, 2016
One of the things I most enjoyed about the story - and there are many things to enjoy - is Trace's unshakable devotion to his family, especially his youngest brother, Harley, who suffers with PTSD, the result of his time in the Marines and a mission gone very wrong. Trace feels the guilt of of Harley's illness, blaming himself because Harley was following in Trace's footsteps when he enlisted, wanting to be like his big brother. There's a lot of poignancy throughout the book, but this... this really tugged at my heart.
Another person to love is Rafferty. Sure, she's a product of her upbringing, but she is - without a doubt - her own person. This becomes crystal clear when she sets aside her 'assignment' and opens her eyes to the beauty of the people and the town she found herself stranded in. She might be a wealthy, big city girl, but she's not ostentatious, nor is she foolish enough to let a good thing pass her by!
The bottom line... Leaving Yesterday is a wonderful start to this series which promises to be an amazing one. If you love Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, or Rachel Gibson, you won't want to miss out on the romantic, passionate, captivating world and people of Laurel Falls.
An ARC was generously provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.
About the book:
Print Length: 268 pages
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: February 9, 2016
February 8, 2016
4.5
This is an amazing start to a new series! Set in a small town in Montana, Rafferty is passing through while looking at some land for her family's next resort. When her custom car breaks down outside of town, she needs the help of sexy mechanic Trace to fix her car. He doesn't have the parts he needs to fix it so she is stuck in the small town of Laurel Falls for a few weeks until her car is fixed. The thing is, Rafferty doesn't feel stuck and falls in love with Laurel Falls and the people that live there.
There was honestly so much to love about this book. Trace was amazing - the love he had for his family and the way he took care of everyone, he was just the sweetest. Raffterty was kind and generous, she had such a big heart and was the perfect match for Trace. I loved the people of Laurel Falls! The only issue I had with this book was at first it was a bit hard to follow with all the various characters and 3rd person pov. I really ended up loving this book and I can't wait to read more in this series!
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
This is an amazing start to a new series! Set in a small town in Montana, Rafferty is passing through while looking at some land for her family's next resort. When her custom car breaks down outside of town, she needs the help of sexy mechanic Trace to fix her car. He doesn't have the parts he needs to fix it so she is stuck in the small town of Laurel Falls for a few weeks until her car is fixed. The thing is, Rafferty doesn't feel stuck and falls in love with Laurel Falls and the people that live there.
There was honestly so much to love about this book. Trace was amazing - the love he had for his family and the way he took care of everyone, he was just the sweetest. Raffterty was kind and generous, she had such a big heart and was the perfect match for Trace. I loved the people of Laurel Falls! The only issue I had with this book was at first it was a bit hard to follow with all the various characters and 3rd person pov. I really ended up loving this book and I can't wait to read more in this series!
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
February 10, 2016
4.5 stars
LOVED Leaving Yesterday, great start to Laurel Falls series.
The storyline was entertaining, the main characters Rafferty & Trace were fun, lovable and very relatable. The secondary characters also added to my enjoyment of this story.
Leaving Yesterday captured my interest from the first page until the end, I didn't want to put it down.
Highly recommend this book & I'm looking forward to the next book Maybe Tomorrow.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for the advance copy.
LOVED Leaving Yesterday, great start to Laurel Falls series.
The storyline was entertaining, the main characters Rafferty & Trace were fun, lovable and very relatable. The secondary characters also added to my enjoyment of this story.
Leaving Yesterday captured my interest from the first page until the end, I didn't want to put it down.
Highly recommend this book & I'm looking forward to the next book Maybe Tomorrow.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for the advance copy.
November 19, 2025
Quirky town meets hotel heiress looking to make a name for herself by acquiring property for her family’s hotel chain.
Rafferty, recent divorcee, wants to make her family proud by making the perfect acquisition for their hotel chain when her car breaks down stranded her in Laurel Falls. Rafferty is immediately taken by the opportunity and possibility she sees in this town in need desperate need of a big pick me up. One of those possibilities being the hot mechanic fixing her car, Trace Black. But she quickly finds friends, a curious town pet and people that welcome her and want to make her feel at home.
Trace knows Rafferty’s type, they never stick to a town like Laurel Falls. Trace is a decorate vet, who came home take care of his siblings, a spunky teen sister and a brother suffering with PTSD. But something about Rafferty just clicks and he can't resist.
Dawson pulls you into this town with a writing style that made me feel like this could be my home town with neighbors and friends that you can’t wait to get back and check in on. The slow building romance, with social aspects coming into play, just gives the meat to a story with wonderful personalities as the dessert. I really enjoyed spending time getting to know these characters and look forward to further installments in the Laurel Fall series.
A strong story with heart and soul, dont' miss Leaving Yesterday.
I received this ARC copy of Leaving Yesterday from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept for a honest review. This book is set for publication Feb. 9, 2016.
Rafferty, recent divorcee, wants to make her family proud by making the perfect acquisition for their hotel chain when her car breaks down stranded her in Laurel Falls. Rafferty is immediately taken by the opportunity and possibility she sees in this town in need desperate need of a big pick me up. One of those possibilities being the hot mechanic fixing her car, Trace Black. But she quickly finds friends, a curious town pet and people that welcome her and want to make her feel at home.
Trace knows Rafferty’s type, they never stick to a town like Laurel Falls. Trace is a decorate vet, who came home take care of his siblings, a spunky teen sister and a brother suffering with PTSD. But something about Rafferty just clicks and he can't resist.
Dawson pulls you into this town with a writing style that made me feel like this could be my home town with neighbors and friends that you can’t wait to get back and check in on. The slow building romance, with social aspects coming into play, just gives the meat to a story with wonderful personalities as the dessert. I really enjoyed spending time getting to know these characters and look forward to further installments in the Laurel Fall series.
A strong story with heart and soul, dont' miss Leaving Yesterday.
I received this ARC copy of Leaving Yesterday from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept for a honest review. This book is set for publication Feb. 9, 2016.
February 15, 2016
I have officially fallen in love with the town of Laurel Falls. Seriously. This story was utterly heartwarming. Trace is a hard-working family man who always puts his needs last. He's got a big heart and is sexy as hell to boot. He made me fall in love right along with Rafferty. Rafferty is a wounded woman trying to find her way. She is great with his family and the town, keeping an open mind and absorbing all the goodness the people around her had to offer. She has a generous soul, giving a piece of herself, that fits right in. I didn't want to put it down. The pacing was perfect, bringing the love to a boil at just the right time. The whole town is amazing in their own unique ways and they all have their own story to tell. The author did a fantastic job setting up interesting plot lines for future books. I have been utterly captivated and can say that this is my best read of the year so far. It'll be very hard to supplant. The author is officially on my auto-buy list.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2016
A Laurel Falls Novel
Leaving Yesterday (Book 1)
Maybe Tomorrow (Book 2) *coming October 2016
Leaving Yesterday is the first book in Zoe Dawson's new Laurel Falls series. This series is set in a little, run-down town in Montana where their residents are warm, friendly, and trying to save their dying hometown. This is my first book by Zoe Dawson and I'm excited to read more from her!
Rafferty Hamilton needed to get away after signing her divorce papers from her cheating husband. She needs to regroup and discover herself again. So rather than fly, she decided to drive cross-country to scope out possible new locations for her family's chain of luxury resorts. When her custom car breaks down right outside Laurel Falls, she meets sexy ex-Marine/town mechanic Trace Black. But Mr. Fix-it doesn't have the parts needed to fix her car and they won't arrive for a couple of weeks, so Rafferty is stuck in town until then.
Trace Black is dedicated to his family. He knows Laurel Falls is just a stop for city-girl Rafferty. And he also knows better than to fall for someone that is wealthly, thanks to his mother's desertion. But that doesn't stop him from trying to show this city-girl what a small town like Laurel Falls has to offer and getting to know her in the process.
Rafferty is quickly charmed by this little town and the residents there. But she isn't in Montana to make friends OR fall in love with a certain man. So what will happen when her "real" life catches up with her in Laurel Falls...
...and will Trace forgive her for keeping it from him?
Rating: 4 out of 5
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME:
Blog: http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
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Leaving Yesterday (Book 1)
Maybe Tomorrow (Book 2) *coming October 2016
Leaving Yesterday is the first book in Zoe Dawson's new Laurel Falls series. This series is set in a little, run-down town in Montana where their residents are warm, friendly, and trying to save their dying hometown. This is my first book by Zoe Dawson and I'm excited to read more from her!
Rafferty Hamilton needed to get away after signing her divorce papers from her cheating husband. She needs to regroup and discover herself again. So rather than fly, she decided to drive cross-country to scope out possible new locations for her family's chain of luxury resorts. When her custom car breaks down right outside Laurel Falls, she meets sexy ex-Marine/town mechanic Trace Black. But Mr. Fix-it doesn't have the parts needed to fix her car and they won't arrive for a couple of weeks, so Rafferty is stuck in town until then.
Trace Black is dedicated to his family. He knows Laurel Falls is just a stop for city-girl Rafferty. And he also knows better than to fall for someone that is wealthly, thanks to his mother's desertion. But that doesn't stop him from trying to show this city-girl what a small town like Laurel Falls has to offer and getting to know her in the process.
Rafferty is quickly charmed by this little town and the residents there. But she isn't in Montana to make friends OR fall in love with a certain man. So what will happen when her "real" life catches up with her in Laurel Falls...
...and will Trace forgive her for keeping it from him?
Rating: 4 out of 5
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME:
Blog: http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AlyseNovakBlog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alyseypoo21
Bloglovin': https://www.bloglovin.com/alyseypoo21
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AlyseNovak
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/alyseypoo21
February 8, 2016
Sometimes you run across a book you just know is going to be great from the beginning scene. When it opens with a smoking hot guy and the heartstrings are already tugging, you know it's going to be good.
That's exactly what happened with this book. From the first scene through the entire story, I just felt the love and passion created between these two characters, Rafferty and Trace. The author did an amazing job developing their connection.
Throughout the entire story the author introduces you to a whole cast of characters you know are going to be the basis of more books. And I, for one, have to say I can't wait. I enjoyed every character in the book and I know subsequent stories are going to be just as great as this one.
Well it is a typical ebook length, it is completely fulfilling although I do wish we got in a little longer glimpse of the happily ever after. But I think knowing that this is only book One in the series, we're going to be seeing a lot more of these two to come.
Yeah, I'm totally all in for the heat and passion between Trace and Rafferty. It makes me happy thinking about a deep connection two people can feel when you know it's right. Definitely a book to check out. I know I'll be looking for sequels on this beautiful series. Zoe Dawson is a master of romance!
That's exactly what happened with this book. From the first scene through the entire story, I just felt the love and passion created between these two characters, Rafferty and Trace. The author did an amazing job developing their connection.
Throughout the entire story the author introduces you to a whole cast of characters you know are going to be the basis of more books. And I, for one, have to say I can't wait. I enjoyed every character in the book and I know subsequent stories are going to be just as great as this one.
Well it is a typical ebook length, it is completely fulfilling although I do wish we got in a little longer glimpse of the happily ever after. But I think knowing that this is only book One in the series, we're going to be seeing a lot more of these two to come.
Yeah, I'm totally all in for the heat and passion between Trace and Rafferty. It makes me happy thinking about a deep connection two people can feel when you know it's right. Definitely a book to check out. I know I'll be looking for sequels on this beautiful series. Zoe Dawson is a master of romance!
January 22, 2016
***3.5 stars***
The last paragraph of the description is what caught my interest. I’m a sucker for well written secondary characters that help to bring the world the author has created to life, so I decided to take my chances and found that I really enjoyed the inhabitants of Laurel Falls. The downside to this, if one can say it’s a downside, is that I found that I enjoyed and was more interested in the supporting cast of of characters more than I was in Trace and Rafferty and their road to their HEA.
The fact that my interest wasn’t more focused on Trace and Rafferty doesn’t mean that I didn’t like them because for the most part I did. Trace is the guy that has kept his family together throughout the years. He’s had to put some of his dreams aside because of it, but keeping his family happy, healthy and together was more important, so he does what he has to do. He’s got that good ‘ole boy charm in spades and though he does have his hang ups, he is also able to be honest with himself when he’s allowed them to cloud his judgement.
Rafferty is dealing with the fallout of her failed marriage and trust is a huge issue for her, but even though she hedges on truly opening herself up to anyone there is a sweetness and openness to her. Part of that comes from what her position in her father’s empire is, but the other is just inherent in her personality. Though she had some reservations about the town of Laurel Falls, she still kept an open mind when she met the inhabitants and saw beyond the rundown exterior of the town.
The progression of their relationship was more on the sweet side than the steamy side of the coin, which didn’t bother me in any way. Their bantering was cute and I liked how they called out each other on their presumptions about each other, but in a way that wasn’t combative. The huge complication in their relationship presents itself early in the story, so when that bomb was dropped it wasn’t unexpected, but there is a part of me that wishes there had been more to it than what we had gotten. But, overall their HEA was sweet and I’m happy that they ended up together in the end.
But while I liked Trace and Rafferty, they were simply overshadowed by the inhabitants of Laurel Falls. While I’m pretty sure I would have liked them based solely on how Trace and Rafferty viewed them, the fact of the matter is that they became more real and interesting because we get to see things from their own POV’s as well as get to know a bit about their pasts as well as what is currently going on in their own heads during the book. Having so many mini storylines going on gave depth to the world, but it also pulled my interest away from the main MC’s. The good thing though is that I am interested to see what is in store for them as the series progresses.
I enjoyed the book, though tended to focus on the supporting cast more than the MC’s, but it happens sometimes.The multiple 3rd person POV’s may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it worked for me though there were times where it took awhile to figure out who’s head we were in. The romance was sweet as was the sex, so if you like your sex gritty this probably isn’t the book for you.
The Bottom Line: This was a sweet romance and I’m really interested to see how the characters grow throughout the series.
~ ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~
The last paragraph of the description is what caught my interest. I’m a sucker for well written secondary characters that help to bring the world the author has created to life, so I decided to take my chances and found that I really enjoyed the inhabitants of Laurel Falls. The downside to this, if one can say it’s a downside, is that I found that I enjoyed and was more interested in the supporting cast of of characters more than I was in Trace and Rafferty and their road to their HEA.
The fact that my interest wasn’t more focused on Trace and Rafferty doesn’t mean that I didn’t like them because for the most part I did. Trace is the guy that has kept his family together throughout the years. He’s had to put some of his dreams aside because of it, but keeping his family happy, healthy and together was more important, so he does what he has to do. He’s got that good ‘ole boy charm in spades and though he does have his hang ups, he is also able to be honest with himself when he’s allowed them to cloud his judgement.
Rafferty is dealing with the fallout of her failed marriage and trust is a huge issue for her, but even though she hedges on truly opening herself up to anyone there is a sweetness and openness to her. Part of that comes from what her position in her father’s empire is, but the other is just inherent in her personality. Though she had some reservations about the town of Laurel Falls, she still kept an open mind when she met the inhabitants and saw beyond the rundown exterior of the town.
The progression of their relationship was more on the sweet side than the steamy side of the coin, which didn’t bother me in any way. Their bantering was cute and I liked how they called out each other on their presumptions about each other, but in a way that wasn’t combative. The huge complication in their relationship presents itself early in the story, so when that bomb was dropped it wasn’t unexpected, but there is a part of me that wishes there had been more to it than what we had gotten. But, overall their HEA was sweet and I’m happy that they ended up together in the end.
But while I liked Trace and Rafferty, they were simply overshadowed by the inhabitants of Laurel Falls. While I’m pretty sure I would have liked them based solely on how Trace and Rafferty viewed them, the fact of the matter is that they became more real and interesting because we get to see things from their own POV’s as well as get to know a bit about their pasts as well as what is currently going on in their own heads during the book. Having so many mini storylines going on gave depth to the world, but it also pulled my interest away from the main MC’s. The good thing though is that I am interested to see what is in store for them as the series progresses.
I enjoyed the book, though tended to focus on the supporting cast more than the MC’s, but it happens sometimes.The multiple 3rd person POV’s may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it worked for me though there were times where it took awhile to figure out who’s head we were in. The romance was sweet as was the sex, so if you like your sex gritty this probably isn’t the book for you.
The Bottom Line: This was a sweet romance and I’m really interested to see how the characters grow throughout the series.
~ ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~
January 12, 2016
NetGalley provided a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Leaving Yesterday by Zoe Dawson is an enjoyable read for a snowy afternoon.
Hotel heiress Rafferty Hamilton is healing from her recent divorce. She has decided to take a road trip and car troubles unexpectedly stand her in remote Laurel Falls. Trace Black is the small town mechanic. Instant chemistry. And the story begins…
Her new British import needs extensive work and Rafferty decides to stay while the car is repaired. This big city girl begins to reconnect in a most unlikely setting. Zoe Dawson explores many topics including but not limited to bereavement, bullying, and PTSD to name a few. Trace is a natural caregiver and his family dynamics are truly touching. Rafferty is drawn into his world but she knows that her time in Laurel Falls is temporary. Or is it?
The author has clearly defined her primary characters. Rafferty and Trace are likeable and well defined via their individual voices. The secondary characters add depth to this quick read. The author has set the stage for sequels.
Leaving Yesterday by Zoe Dawson is an enjoyable read for a snowy afternoon.
Hotel heiress Rafferty Hamilton is healing from her recent divorce. She has decided to take a road trip and car troubles unexpectedly stand her in remote Laurel Falls. Trace Black is the small town mechanic. Instant chemistry. And the story begins…
Her new British import needs extensive work and Rafferty decides to stay while the car is repaired. This big city girl begins to reconnect in a most unlikely setting. Zoe Dawson explores many topics including but not limited to bereavement, bullying, and PTSD to name a few. Trace is a natural caregiver and his family dynamics are truly touching. Rafferty is drawn into his world but she knows that her time in Laurel Falls is temporary. Or is it?
The author has clearly defined her primary characters. Rafferty and Trace are likeable and well defined via their individual voices. The secondary characters add depth to this quick read. The author has set the stage for sequels.
February 9, 2016
Kitty's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
I seriously had a hard time getting into Leaving Yesterday. I am glad that I pushed through and finished since it ended up where I hoped it was going. But, getting there, unfortunately, had me putting the book down and then picking it back up again. It was a nice, well-written story but, I felt that it took a long time to get where it needed to go.
Rafferty confused me. In the beginning, I thought that this would be a story about a woman finding herself, finding her way, after a divorce. There were times that I thought that’s just what she was going to do and then she would just disappoint me. I didn’t understand her reasoning for keeping her occupation a secret or her reasoning for not being truthful with her father, Greg and Susan. She flipped back and forth between the high-class New Yorker and wanting to be a down-home girl. Trace, on the other hand, totally opened up and told her of his past, of what he had to do to keep his family together. Even then, knowing how hard it was for him to tell her everything, she couldn’t tell him or trust him. I love reading about strong woman who own who and what they are. Maybe that was my problem with Rafferty, she didn’t own it. Don’t get me wrong, she did have her moments when I really started to like her … her talk with Anzu, how she handled Cadie, the things she did with Harley, showed me a totally different side of her, one that I liked.
Trace, at first, just turned me off with his red-neck attitude, with pretending to be someone he really wasn’t and the way he constantly compared Rafferty to his mother. But, then he grabbed me and made me really like him, respect him. He was a strong character that carried much of the story. Honestly, if he turned out to be a backwards, shit-kicking character, I probably wouldn’t have pushed my way through the story. He made it for me … his openness, his reliability, his trust, his sense of family really turned me on.
Then, we have the minor characters and the off-chute stories. The PTSD with Harley … Reese and his firefighting and “possible” feelings for Eden. Yes, Eden and Anzu are a whole other mystery and I’m not sure just where they fit in here. Then there was Cadie. I’m still a little bit amazed that she took her where she did and I am not sure where it really fit into a story that was supposed to be, I thought, about Rafferty and Trace. Greg, Trinity, Brooks, Clem … there were so many characters and other story lines that I started getting confused and had to re-read some parts to understand exactly what was happening.
I have read Zoe Dawson before and I have enjoyed her other works. My only thought on all the characters that were introduced is that she is setting up the series and showing us where she’s bringing everyone? I seriously do not know. The story didn’t flow for me because of all of the other story lines being developed and interrupting Rafferty and Traces story. I hope, in the future, to again read Zoe Dawson, I’m just not sure if it will be one of the Laurel Falls novels.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
I seriously had a hard time getting into Leaving Yesterday. I am glad that I pushed through and finished since it ended up where I hoped it was going. But, getting there, unfortunately, had me putting the book down and then picking it back up again. It was a nice, well-written story but, I felt that it took a long time to get where it needed to go.
Rafferty confused me. In the beginning, I thought that this would be a story about a woman finding herself, finding her way, after a divorce. There were times that I thought that’s just what she was going to do and then she would just disappoint me. I didn’t understand her reasoning for keeping her occupation a secret or her reasoning for not being truthful with her father, Greg and Susan. She flipped back and forth between the high-class New Yorker and wanting to be a down-home girl. Trace, on the other hand, totally opened up and told her of his past, of what he had to do to keep his family together. Even then, knowing how hard it was for him to tell her everything, she couldn’t tell him or trust him. I love reading about strong woman who own who and what they are. Maybe that was my problem with Rafferty, she didn’t own it. Don’t get me wrong, she did have her moments when I really started to like her … her talk with Anzu, how she handled Cadie, the things she did with Harley, showed me a totally different side of her, one that I liked.
Trace, at first, just turned me off with his red-neck attitude, with pretending to be someone he really wasn’t and the way he constantly compared Rafferty to his mother. But, then he grabbed me and made me really like him, respect him. He was a strong character that carried much of the story. Honestly, if he turned out to be a backwards, shit-kicking character, I probably wouldn’t have pushed my way through the story. He made it for me … his openness, his reliability, his trust, his sense of family really turned me on.
Then, we have the minor characters and the off-chute stories. The PTSD with Harley … Reese and his firefighting and “possible” feelings for Eden. Yes, Eden and Anzu are a whole other mystery and I’m not sure just where they fit in here. Then there was Cadie. I’m still a little bit amazed that she took her where she did and I am not sure where it really fit into a story that was supposed to be, I thought, about Rafferty and Trace. Greg, Trinity, Brooks, Clem … there were so many characters and other story lines that I started getting confused and had to re-read some parts to understand exactly what was happening.
I have read Zoe Dawson before and I have enjoyed her other works. My only thought on all the characters that were introduced is that she is setting up the series and showing us where she’s bringing everyone? I seriously do not know. The story didn’t flow for me because of all of the other story lines being developed and interrupting Rafferty and Traces story. I hope, in the future, to again read Zoe Dawson, I’m just not sure if it will be one of the Laurel Falls novels.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
February 15, 2016
"Leaving Yesterday" (Laurel Falls) is my first Zoe Dawson book and it did not dissapoint .
Rafferty Hamilton, having just finalized her divorce decided to travel via car to scout out Hamilton Holels newest site ,but when her new custom car breaks down she finds herself stranded in small town Laurel Falls, Montana. Being stranded could be worse, but not with a car mechanic like Trace Black around, or his eclectic family. Rafferty may be a big city rich girl but she is finding Laurel Falls to be a quaint if not slightly run down , but Rafferty sees a small town , with close knit residents that can be brought back to life, but she has to keep reminding herself that she will only be there for a few days.
The sexy cowboy Trace insist he can fix anything on wheels but as the hours pass it becomes obvious that her car will not be up,and running anytime soon . Laurel Falls is a very welcoming town and since there is no longer a running hotel in the town she finds herself taken in by the local town doctor.
As the days pass , Rafferty develops feelings for Trace what's not to like, he is sweet, wonderful caretaker of his family and sexy as all hell, plus she is experiencing feelings with just one kiss form him that she never felt with her husband. These two develop a relationship fighting their feelings all the way.
I loved how the author developed the story, included and expanded the secondary characters and took her time developing the relationship between Trace and Rafferty and threw some road blocks in along the way!
To spite it all the roadblocks , she managed to give us a happy ending and leave you looking forward to the next book in the series !
Arc graciously supplied via Netgalley for an honest review.
Rafferty Hamilton, having just finalized her divorce decided to travel via car to scout out Hamilton Holels newest site ,but when her new custom car breaks down she finds herself stranded in small town Laurel Falls, Montana. Being stranded could be worse, but not with a car mechanic like Trace Black around, or his eclectic family. Rafferty may be a big city rich girl but she is finding Laurel Falls to be a quaint if not slightly run down , but Rafferty sees a small town , with close knit residents that can be brought back to life, but she has to keep reminding herself that she will only be there for a few days.
The sexy cowboy Trace insist he can fix anything on wheels but as the hours pass it becomes obvious that her car will not be up,and running anytime soon . Laurel Falls is a very welcoming town and since there is no longer a running hotel in the town she finds herself taken in by the local town doctor.
As the days pass , Rafferty develops feelings for Trace what's not to like, he is sweet, wonderful caretaker of his family and sexy as all hell, plus she is experiencing feelings with just one kiss form him that she never felt with her husband. These two develop a relationship fighting their feelings all the way.
I loved how the author developed the story, included and expanded the secondary characters and took her time developing the relationship between Trace and Rafferty and threw some road blocks in along the way!
To spite it all the roadblocks , she managed to give us a happy ending and leave you looking forward to the next book in the series !
Arc graciously supplied via Netgalley for an honest review.
January 7, 2016
It's so rare to find a good romance novel that when I do, I cling onto that author b/c I know how hard it is to find one I love.
This book had potential and it wasn't bad but it could've been really good.
First, the heroine, Rafferty is filthy rich but she's carrying a fabulous Kate Spade bag. I like Kate Spade but if I have money, I'd carry a Lanvin, Saint Laurent or Chloe handbag instead b/c that's what it's like to have money. Kate Spade is for the average middle class American woman.
Second, our hero, Trace says words like reckon. I'm a sucker for a southern accent but do people in the rural west have southern accents? Since I'm not sure, I can only assume, maybe? I don't know...it just didn't feel authentic.
In general, the dialogue even felt forced. For example, the stepmom, her eyes became wet with un-shed tears b/c she asked for a favor. *rolls eyes* Unless she's going through menopause, I'm not buying it.
Too many supporting characters were introduced at once and I'm assuming they'll be MC's as the series continues. However, with the introduction of so many it made the story feel disjointed.
Oh well, onto the next book.
*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
This book had potential and it wasn't bad but it could've been really good.
First, the heroine, Rafferty is filthy rich but she's carrying a fabulous Kate Spade bag. I like Kate Spade but if I have money, I'd carry a Lanvin, Saint Laurent or Chloe handbag instead b/c that's what it's like to have money. Kate Spade is for the average middle class American woman.
Second, our hero, Trace says words like reckon. I'm a sucker for a southern accent but do people in the rural west have southern accents? Since I'm not sure, I can only assume, maybe? I don't know...it just didn't feel authentic.
In general, the dialogue even felt forced. For example, the stepmom, her eyes became wet with un-shed tears b/c she asked for a favor. *rolls eyes* Unless she's going through menopause, I'm not buying it.
Too many supporting characters were introduced at once and I'm assuming they'll be MC's as the series continues. However, with the introduction of so many it made the story feel disjointed.
Oh well, onto the next book.
*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
do-not-finish
January 15, 2016DNF-ed at 22%
I rarely DNF-ed a book, and this one actually had nice beginning.
Told from multiple POVs, the portions felt rather off for me. First started with the hero, then the heroine for a few chapters, then from someone else's POV who wasn't mentioned anywhere on earlier chapters.
Not only that, there's quite a lot of annoying editing or writing style issues (or both), that really bugged me. Added to that, I felt something's off in the character's consistency, and I'm still in pretty much early phase of the story.
So, no. Continuing this would have me giving low rating of the book and I'm trying not to do that.
I liked the idea behind the story, but just couldn't bring myself to go through the chapters and got headache over it.
ARC is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the exchange of fair and honest review.
I rarely DNF-ed a book, and this one actually had nice beginning.
Told from multiple POVs, the portions felt rather off for me. First started with the hero, then the heroine for a few chapters, then from someone else's POV who wasn't mentioned anywhere on earlier chapters.
Not only that, there's quite a lot of annoying editing or writing style issues (or both), that really bugged me. Added to that, I felt something's off in the character's consistency, and I'm still in pretty much early phase of the story.
So, no. Continuing this would have me giving low rating of the book and I'm trying not to do that.
I liked the idea behind the story, but just couldn't bring myself to go through the chapters and got headache over it.
ARC is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the exchange of fair and honest review.
January 16, 2016
This is the first book I have read by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. It was full of engaging characters that will hopefully get their own books in the future. Rafferty is a city woman who unexpectedly found herself stuck in a small town. Normally Rafferty doesn't stay in an area long enough to get connected with the town, she merely does her father's will and moves on. But being stuck waiting for her car to get fixed, Rafferty realizes just what is missing from her life. Trace Black is everything that Rafferty was never looking for but everything she needed. The only negative I had to this book was actually Rafferty's name, I kept thinking the name should belong to a guy and not the heroine. I know it was supposed to be a family name but I had to force myself to remember who it was. Even so I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
ARC provided for an honest review.
ARC provided for an honest review.
February 5, 2016
This one is a solid 3.5. I loved the main characters and the setting but at times I felt bogged down with too many different characters and I had to re-read the beginning of a paragraph to figure out who was speaking. I would read the next in the series.
***copy provided by NetGalley
***copy provided by NetGalley
April 18, 2017
3.5 Stars
Special thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing an e-ARC for review
This was an enjoyable story about enjoyable characters. I would gladly revisit Laurel Falls to see what happens for those secondary characters as well as to see how things are going with Trace and Rafferty. (I really hate her name by the way. But it is the perfect trust-fund baby name.)
Full Review on The Blog
www.carolineandrus.com/blog
Special thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing an e-ARC for review
This was an enjoyable story about enjoyable characters. I would gladly revisit Laurel Falls to see what happens for those secondary characters as well as to see how things are going with Trace and Rafferty. (I really hate her name by the way. But it is the perfect trust-fund baby name.)
Full Review on The Blog
www.carolineandrus.com/blog
January 23, 2016
I've long been fascinated with the great state of Montana. Never been there, but I've read enough books to know that's where all the hot cowboy/mechanic/Marine types are. Right? Books wouldn't lie to me…would they? I sure hope not, because I'd love to head to Big Sky Country and find me a man like Trace Black…
When Rafferty Hamilton’s car breaks down, leaving her stranded in the small, rundown town of Laurel Falls, she doesn't expect to find herself falling in love—with the town, the people, or with the very sexy mechanic who’s helping get her back on the road.
Trace Black knows that a woman like Rafferty isn’t designed for a town like Laurel Falls. A wealthy New Yorker, she's only in town as long as it takes to fix her custom sports car, and yet, he can't help but want to get to know her…and maybe let her in a little.
But how can they possibly make it work when the clock is already ticking?
I felt this one deep in my chest. With handsome Trace having more than just his delicious looks to recommend him, I soon found myself head-over-heels for him. He was caring and loving, and he stood up when he was needed to take care of his own. He was an alpha man with a squishy center, and those are just about my favorite thing. Especially when you slap a Stetson on them.
And clearly, Rafferty agreed with me. She was just as taken by him—and by the town. And the town, in turn, was taken by her. With good reason. She was a good, strong character. Full of wise words and a little bit of sass, she was really very easy to like—which isn't always the case with female characters—and I found myself loving when she loved and hurting when she hurt.
And oh man, that hurt… There were times when I was concerned I might spill some tears over this book. Some moments that kind of gut-punched me, and made me want to wrap the entire town of Laurel Falls into a giant hug. Harley, Brooks, Anzu, Reese, Cadie…I could go on. There were just so many characters and elements to this book.
Too many, one might say. There were times I found myself wondering at the sheer number of secondary characters/stories that Zoe Dawson was creating for her new series, but there again, each one of the characters in this small town were so utterly likeable and engaging in their own way, I quite quickly found myself trying to match them all up. Which, of course, ensures that I'll be back for more of this series. And more of Montana… ~ Beth, 4.5 stars
When Rafferty Hamilton’s car breaks down, leaving her stranded in the small, rundown town of Laurel Falls, she doesn't expect to find herself falling in love—with the town, the people, or with the very sexy mechanic who’s helping get her back on the road.
Trace Black knows that a woman like Rafferty isn’t designed for a town like Laurel Falls. A wealthy New Yorker, she's only in town as long as it takes to fix her custom sports car, and yet, he can't help but want to get to know her…and maybe let her in a little.
But how can they possibly make it work when the clock is already ticking?
I felt this one deep in my chest. With handsome Trace having more than just his delicious looks to recommend him, I soon found myself head-over-heels for him. He was caring and loving, and he stood up when he was needed to take care of his own. He was an alpha man with a squishy center, and those are just about my favorite thing. Especially when you slap a Stetson on them.
And clearly, Rafferty agreed with me. She was just as taken by him—and by the town. And the town, in turn, was taken by her. With good reason. She was a good, strong character. Full of wise words and a little bit of sass, she was really very easy to like—which isn't always the case with female characters—and I found myself loving when she loved and hurting when she hurt.
And oh man, that hurt… There were times when I was concerned I might spill some tears over this book. Some moments that kind of gut-punched me, and made me want to wrap the entire town of Laurel Falls into a giant hug. Harley, Brooks, Anzu, Reese, Cadie…I could go on. There were just so many characters and elements to this book.
Too many, one might say. There were times I found myself wondering at the sheer number of secondary characters/stories that Zoe Dawson was creating for her new series, but there again, each one of the characters in this small town were so utterly likeable and engaging in their own way, I quite quickly found myself trying to match them all up. Which, of course, ensures that I'll be back for more of this series. And more of Montana… ~ Beth, 4.5 stars
December 5, 2015
This is my first book by Dawson and I was impressed how much this book captured all my attention. This is a small town romance about Rafferty who is recently divorced and heads on a trip across country. When her car dies she meets the sexy Trace.
Trace has been taking care of his three siblings for years so when Rafferty comes to town he knows he should stay away but there is something about her that calls to him. She gets along with his family which has him falling for her even more.
This is a cute small town romance that touches on so many topics such as bullying, ptsd, and more. I don't think there was one character in this story I didn't like and that right there says a lot.
Although this book didn't have a major conflict like a jealous ex or someone mysteriously trying to sabotage someone I was never bored.
One of the things I liked about this book was that we got to get into more then just the two main characters heads. Each person is dealing with there own issues which I think is just setting them up for future books. If that's the case I am really excited to read more of this series.
If you love small town romances as much as I do I highly recommend reading this new series and getting lost in Montana like I did.
Trace has been taking care of his three siblings for years so when Rafferty comes to town he knows he should stay away but there is something about her that calls to him. She gets along with his family which has him falling for her even more.
This is a cute small town romance that touches on so many topics such as bullying, ptsd, and more. I don't think there was one character in this story I didn't like and that right there says a lot.
Although this book didn't have a major conflict like a jealous ex or someone mysteriously trying to sabotage someone I was never bored.
One of the things I liked about this book was that we got to get into more then just the two main characters heads. Each person is dealing with there own issues which I think is just setting them up for future books. If that's the case I am really excited to read more of this series.
If you love small town romances as much as I do I highly recommend reading this new series and getting lost in Montana like I did.
January 14, 2016
I have actually been so very moved by these characters...not one of them is a flat two dimension...they are all so very three dimensional. The build up between Rafferty and Trace is completely sigh worthy...the author does a superb job of drawing the reader into caring about these two characters; not to mention the remaining supporting characters. It is so heartwarming how all the characters intertwine to bring so much depth to the story.
This is the first book by this author I have read, but now find that I must read her earlier works as well. I truly feel as if I have a new favorite author.
This book was provided by the Author/Publisher through Netgalley for my honest review. The above review is my own opinion.
This is the first book by this author I have read, but now find that I must read her earlier works as well. I truly feel as if I have a new favorite author.
This book was provided by the Author/Publisher through Netgalley for my honest review. The above review is my own opinion.
Read
February 11, 2016Cross posted at: What's Detetiv Doing Now?
Found the opening scenes on the lost bra pretty funny, same when Trace and Rafferty meet. My heart goes out to Harley and Anzu. Not sure I enjoy how her aunt & Greg sidestep her verdict on not flying back, a bit of strong arming. Hahahaha, I was not expecting the mountain goat and getting blocked by family during a steamy scene. The story flows great even with side characters dealing with love. The ending was great just enough closure for the side characters. Can not wait to read the next book about Greg.
Did not get paid for this review. Thank you Loveswept via netgalley.
Found the opening scenes on the lost bra pretty funny, same when Trace and Rafferty meet. My heart goes out to Harley and Anzu. Not sure I enjoy how her aunt & Greg sidestep her verdict on not flying back, a bit of strong arming. Hahahaha, I was not expecting the mountain goat and getting blocked by family during a steamy scene. The story flows great even with side characters dealing with love. The ending was great just enough closure for the side characters. Can not wait to read the next book about Greg.
Did not get paid for this review. Thank you Loveswept via netgalley.
February 25, 2016
I have been looking for an everyday read that would get me in nowhere USA and still allow for me to feel like I was home in a contemporary romance. I found that slice of nowhere USA with an infuriating wealthy woman and a very sexy hot vet. This is my first read by Zoe Dawson and I must say that I will come back for more. I wait patiently for the next book in this series just to see where it will go. I had a 4star Home Feeling.
**This ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
**This ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
January 25, 2018
This is the first book in the Laurel Falls series by Zoe Dawson, and the start of a great series I think! Zoe Dawson draws you in to Laurel Falls and makes you feel right at home.
Rafferty has just signed her divorce papers and is need of a break to clear her mind. She decides to take a drive and try to find some new locations for the family's resorts to go. Rafferty has an custom car that has been good to her but breaks down on her trip. Rafferty finds herself right outside of Laurel Falls. In comes local mechanic and ex-marine Trace. With Rafferty's car being a custom car, Trace doesn't have the parts that they need to fix her car and won't get them in for a couple of weeks. So, Rafferty finds herself stranded in Laurel Falls for awhile.
Trace is approaching Rafferty with caution. He is a devoted family man that knows how rich people are. His mother was one of those and she deserted him early on. Trace is going to make use of the time that he and Rafferty have though and show her around Laurel Falls and what all their town has to offer.
The chemistry between Trace and Rafferty is unmistakable. Rafferty falls in love with the town of Laurel Falls, but what will happen when her real life catches up to her? Will Rafferty have to go back and face her real life or is she going to stay in Laurel Falls with Trace? You have to read this one to find out!
I loved the small town and all its good old kind folks. Makes you feel right at home. I am anxious to see what is next for us in the Laure Falls series. This was a good start to something good I think!
Rafferty has just signed her divorce papers and is need of a break to clear her mind. She decides to take a drive and try to find some new locations for the family's resorts to go. Rafferty has an custom car that has been good to her but breaks down on her trip. Rafferty finds herself right outside of Laurel Falls. In comes local mechanic and ex-marine Trace. With Rafferty's car being a custom car, Trace doesn't have the parts that they need to fix her car and won't get them in for a couple of weeks. So, Rafferty finds herself stranded in Laurel Falls for awhile.
Trace is approaching Rafferty with caution. He is a devoted family man that knows how rich people are. His mother was one of those and she deserted him early on. Trace is going to make use of the time that he and Rafferty have though and show her around Laurel Falls and what all their town has to offer.
The chemistry between Trace and Rafferty is unmistakable. Rafferty falls in love with the town of Laurel Falls, but what will happen when her real life catches up to her? Will Rafferty have to go back and face her real life or is she going to stay in Laurel Falls with Trace? You have to read this one to find out!
I loved the small town and all its good old kind folks. Makes you feel right at home. I am anxious to see what is next for us in the Laure Falls series. This was a good start to something good I think!
February 5, 2016
I fell in love with the Outlaws in Ms. Dawson's Perfect Mess series, so when I was presented with the opportunity to read this first book in a new series from her, I grabbed it. What happens when you take the city slicker out of Manhattan and strand her in Big Sky country only to be rescued by one seriously sexy cowboy? Grab a copy of Leaving Yesterday to find out!
Trace may be the second oldest out of a family of four children, but he is the rock, chief provider and caregiver of the group. When his father passed away, Trace left the Marines and came home to keep his family together and their business running. He doesn't have a lot of time for anything more than a passing fling, and he lives in a small town where everyone is in everyone else's business so he is more than happy to focus all his attention on his high school aged sister Cadie's laundry mini-crisis of the moment, his injured brother Harley's medical care, and keeping the mechanical items of the Laurel Falls residents running smoothly. When a tow call brings him to a highly priced British coupe owned by a beautiful seemingly high maintenance woman stuck on the highway, his body is intrigued but his mind shuts that down pretty quickly.
One of the things I enjoyed about Rafferty was that although she appeared high maintenance based on her clothes and lifestyle, she really was a pretty down-to-earth, take-no-BS woman. The ridiculously overpriced car she is driving is a product of a crisis of confidence after her divorce was finalized. Her ex-husband made her question everything about herself and the life she thought she loved, so a cross country road trip to check out a new prospect for her dad's hotel chain seemed like the ideal opportunity to get herself back together until her car decided to intervene to strand her in a small fading town miles from her destination. Little did she know, her car did her a favor as she discovered a beautiful locale with some wonderful people. Despite the fact that her discovery is pretty much the exact opposite of what her father is looking for, she takes a chance on opening her eyes to everything around her and re-evaluates the important things in life.
Trace is an unexpected perk of the unexpected detour in her eyes, but he is torn between his need to do what he thinks is right to protect his family and town and what he really wants. Family history skews his view of Rafferty's life and it doesn't take much to make him question her intentions even as the UST between them wins out.
In the midst of it all, there was a LOT going on, to the point where I found it pretty distracting actually. As the first book in a new series, I understand the need to lay a foundation for future stories to come, but I felt as if there was a little too much going on here. Between Trace's firefighter older brother Reese who is an enigma I have yet to figure out, younger siblings Cadie and Harley, the town mayor and her son, the town doctor Eden and her daughter Anzu, and Rafferty's friend/ pseudo-brother Greg, their stories being set up tended to encroach on Trace and Rafferty's arc at times in my opinion. I am still looking forward to finding out more about those characters in future books, but I found myself wishing for a little more focus on the 2 main characters and a little less on the supporting characters.
If you are looking for a great little contemporary romance with a lot of sweet, a little bit of heat, a yummy military man turned full time cowboy and mechanic, and a no nonsense business woman with a lot of love to give, check out Leaving Yesterday and the world of Laurel Falls, Montana.
Trace may be the second oldest out of a family of four children, but he is the rock, chief provider and caregiver of the group. When his father passed away, Trace left the Marines and came home to keep his family together and their business running. He doesn't have a lot of time for anything more than a passing fling, and he lives in a small town where everyone is in everyone else's business so he is more than happy to focus all his attention on his high school aged sister Cadie's laundry mini-crisis of the moment, his injured brother Harley's medical care, and keeping the mechanical items of the Laurel Falls residents running smoothly. When a tow call brings him to a highly priced British coupe owned by a beautiful seemingly high maintenance woman stuck on the highway, his body is intrigued but his mind shuts that down pretty quickly.
One of the things I enjoyed about Rafferty was that although she appeared high maintenance based on her clothes and lifestyle, she really was a pretty down-to-earth, take-no-BS woman. The ridiculously overpriced car she is driving is a product of a crisis of confidence after her divorce was finalized. Her ex-husband made her question everything about herself and the life she thought she loved, so a cross country road trip to check out a new prospect for her dad's hotel chain seemed like the ideal opportunity to get herself back together until her car decided to intervene to strand her in a small fading town miles from her destination. Little did she know, her car did her a favor as she discovered a beautiful locale with some wonderful people. Despite the fact that her discovery is pretty much the exact opposite of what her father is looking for, she takes a chance on opening her eyes to everything around her and re-evaluates the important things in life.
Trace is an unexpected perk of the unexpected detour in her eyes, but he is torn between his need to do what he thinks is right to protect his family and town and what he really wants. Family history skews his view of Rafferty's life and it doesn't take much to make him question her intentions even as the UST between them wins out.
In the midst of it all, there was a LOT going on, to the point where I found it pretty distracting actually. As the first book in a new series, I understand the need to lay a foundation for future stories to come, but I felt as if there was a little too much going on here. Between Trace's firefighter older brother Reese who is an enigma I have yet to figure out, younger siblings Cadie and Harley, the town mayor and her son, the town doctor Eden and her daughter Anzu, and Rafferty's friend/ pseudo-brother Greg, their stories being set up tended to encroach on Trace and Rafferty's arc at times in my opinion. I am still looking forward to finding out more about those characters in future books, but I found myself wishing for a little more focus on the 2 main characters and a little less on the supporting characters.
If you are looking for a great little contemporary romance with a lot of sweet, a little bit of heat, a yummy military man turned full time cowboy and mechanic, and a no nonsense business woman with a lot of love to give, check out Leaving Yesterday and the world of Laurel Falls, Montana.
January 4, 2016
Rafferty Hamilton is struggling to pick up the pieces of her dismantled life after a devastating divorce, and has decided it's time for her to focus on herself for a change. First up on her list is a cross country business trip to scout new locations for her families resorts, and while she could easily fly, she has selfishly decided to make a little personal vacation out of it, and drive state by state, and do a little exploring. But her exploration is put to a unexpected halt, when her sporty little coupe overheats and leaves her stranded in Laurel Falls and in great need of a mechanic. After taking in her surroundings she is quite certain a old country bumpkin will be coming to her rescue, but she is pleasantly surprised when a tall, dark, and handsome cowboy steps out of the tow truck. Not only does he have her looking at cowboys in a whole new light, but he also has her reconsidering her recent decision to become celibate...
Trace Black has his hands full...not only with being the man of the house and taking care of his siblings, but also taking care of all the folks in Laurel Falls, and making sure their vehicles remain in good working condition. With so much going on in his day to day life, he is left with very little time for a personal life, which breaks the hearts of all the single ladies in Laurel Falls that are begging the handsome cowboy for a date. Trace has no interest in one night stands, he is more so focused on finding the right woman to settle down with, and so far she hasn't come along. But after receiving a call from a stranded driver, and discovering that call came from a stunningly beautiful women that was waiting especially for him has him thinking his luck is about to change... that is if he can find a way to charm her with his small town cowboy ways and convince her to stay.
This was my first experience with Ms. Dawson's work, and I have to say if left a pretty memorable first impression, those handsome cowboys really lured me in, and had me looking forward to a return visit. I thoroughly enjoyed Trace and Rafferty's story, it instantly grabbed my attention, and had me flying right through the pages, and staying up well past my bedtime just to see them find their well deserved happy ending. I've got to say it is definitely one of the most enjoyable first reads I have had in a while!!
If you like small town romance, and charming smooth talking cowboys then this book is right up your alley!! Highly recommend you acquaint yourself with the Black men from Laurel Falls, they are sure charm their way into your heart, and satisfy every last one of your reading needs... and then some!
ARC requested through NetGalley, and kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.
Trace Black has his hands full...not only with being the man of the house and taking care of his siblings, but also taking care of all the folks in Laurel Falls, and making sure their vehicles remain in good working condition. With so much going on in his day to day life, he is left with very little time for a personal life, which breaks the hearts of all the single ladies in Laurel Falls that are begging the handsome cowboy for a date. Trace has no interest in one night stands, he is more so focused on finding the right woman to settle down with, and so far she hasn't come along. But after receiving a call from a stranded driver, and discovering that call came from a stunningly beautiful women that was waiting especially for him has him thinking his luck is about to change... that is if he can find a way to charm her with his small town cowboy ways and convince her to stay.
This was my first experience with Ms. Dawson's work, and I have to say if left a pretty memorable first impression, those handsome cowboys really lured me in, and had me looking forward to a return visit. I thoroughly enjoyed Trace and Rafferty's story, it instantly grabbed my attention, and had me flying right through the pages, and staying up well past my bedtime just to see them find their well deserved happy ending. I've got to say it is definitely one of the most enjoyable first reads I have had in a while!!
If you like small town romance, and charming smooth talking cowboys then this book is right up your alley!! Highly recommend you acquaint yourself with the Black men from Laurel Falls, they are sure charm their way into your heart, and satisfy every last one of your reading needs... and then some!
ARC requested through NetGalley, and kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.
July 4, 2016
I can definitely see this being made into a movie! There is so much going on in the little town of Laurel Falls, so many interesting people, a bit run down, but as charming and welcoming as you could hope for. Zoe Dawson does a great job with cultivating her characters that you just don't want the story to end. I will anxiously be awaiting the release of Maybe Tomorrow to see what happens next in this breathtaking town.
Rafferty Hamilton is driving cross country to clear her head, instead of just flying out to Montana to scope out some land her father is interested in, when her car breaks down just outside of Laurel Falls. Little did she know her car breaking down would be the best thing to ever happen to her.
Trace Black is the town mechanic amongst other things, but the thing that makes him stand out the most, other than his beautiful eyes and oh so fine body, is the fact that he is the glue that holds his family together, he is the most loving brother that anyone could ask for. He is dealing with his Brother Harley that has just come home from being injured in combat as a POW and he is suffering from some terrible PTSD, as well as a teenage sister that is going through her own teenage angst, as well as the oldest brother Reese...well lets just say there is something about the firefighter that makes me wonder....
Trace and Rafferty have instant chemistry, when he shows up to tow her broken down custom ordered imported car sparks are flying and there not coming from the car either. I absolutely love the secondary characters and cannot wait to see how each of their stories play out.
***I have received this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept through netgalley in exchange for my honest review*** https://www.netgalley.com/
Rafferty Hamilton is driving cross country to clear her head, instead of just flying out to Montana to scope out some land her father is interested in, when her car breaks down just outside of Laurel Falls. Little did she know her car breaking down would be the best thing to ever happen to her.
Trace Black is the town mechanic amongst other things, but the thing that makes him stand out the most, other than his beautiful eyes and oh so fine body, is the fact that he is the glue that holds his family together, he is the most loving brother that anyone could ask for. He is dealing with his Brother Harley that has just come home from being injured in combat as a POW and he is suffering from some terrible PTSD, as well as a teenage sister that is going through her own teenage angst, as well as the oldest brother Reese...well lets just say there is something about the firefighter that makes me wonder....
Trace and Rafferty have instant chemistry, when he shows up to tow her broken down custom ordered imported car sparks are flying and there not coming from the car either. I absolutely love the secondary characters and cannot wait to see how each of their stories play out.
***I have received this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept through netgalley in exchange for my honest review*** https://www.netgalley.com/
March 26, 2016
Reviewed on Musings and Ramblings.
Okay ladies, first off, who wouldn't mind seeing him poking around under your hood? And I bet he looks just as fine from the backside. Just sayin'. I have said it before, and I will say it again, a good cover can totally hook me into reading a book. Then there's the blurb. We have a Montana setting with it's big skies, a former Marine and a woman who is nearly his exact opposite. It's big city meets small town country. Let's the sparks begin!
The book started good, but it wasn't long before it felt more like an ensemble piece. The story was about so much more than Rafferty and Trace. The beginning of a series of interconnected stories all appear to have their roots here in this one. I normally am very big on series and stories that flow from one book to another. However, at times, I felt like this might have been just a bit too much going on for the first book. After all, I have seen secondary romances in stories before, but I counted the potential for 5 couples stories. It felt almost like the author was making sure to get them all set up for something further down the line... Oh, wait, maybe she is... Hmmm. I will definitely have to wait and see what transpires in the next book.
I liked that the author didn't turn Rafferty into a snobbish socialite who gets taken down a peg or two by the country bumpkin. But she also didn't make Trace the muscle bound alpha male who comes along and "saves" the little woman. Rafferty was an intelligent, thoughtful and surprisingly funny woman who goes head to head with Trace, a stubborn proud man doing his best to keep his family together. Together they find they have more in common than they realized, and that sometimes, you have to let go of yesterday to find the promise of tomorrow.
There was a few spots that were a little slow for me, but it held my attention pretty well. Overall, I enjoyed the read and plan on picking up the next book in the series, Maybe Tomorrow, featuring one of those 5 side couples I mentioned earlier. I gave this book a solid 3 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Loveswept for the opportunity to read and review the book.
Okay ladies, first off, who wouldn't mind seeing him poking around under your hood? And I bet he looks just as fine from the backside. Just sayin'. I have said it before, and I will say it again, a good cover can totally hook me into reading a book. Then there's the blurb. We have a Montana setting with it's big skies, a former Marine and a woman who is nearly his exact opposite. It's big city meets small town country. Let's the sparks begin!
The book started good, but it wasn't long before it felt more like an ensemble piece. The story was about so much more than Rafferty and Trace. The beginning of a series of interconnected stories all appear to have their roots here in this one. I normally am very big on series and stories that flow from one book to another. However, at times, I felt like this might have been just a bit too much going on for the first book. After all, I have seen secondary romances in stories before, but I counted the potential for 5 couples stories. It felt almost like the author was making sure to get them all set up for something further down the line... Oh, wait, maybe she is... Hmmm. I will definitely have to wait and see what transpires in the next book.
I liked that the author didn't turn Rafferty into a snobbish socialite who gets taken down a peg or two by the country bumpkin. But she also didn't make Trace the muscle bound alpha male who comes along and "saves" the little woman. Rafferty was an intelligent, thoughtful and surprisingly funny woman who goes head to head with Trace, a stubborn proud man doing his best to keep his family together. Together they find they have more in common than they realized, and that sometimes, you have to let go of yesterday to find the promise of tomorrow.
There was a few spots that were a little slow for me, but it held my attention pretty well. Overall, I enjoyed the read and plan on picking up the next book in the series, Maybe Tomorrow, featuring one of those 5 side couples I mentioned earlier. I gave this book a solid 3 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Loveswept for the opportunity to read and review the book.
December 22, 2015
What a wonderful novel!! A heart-warming and fun story about a New Yorker on a road trip to scout out land for her family company which specializes in site and town specific resorts. When her car breaks down near Laurel Falls her scouting trip is out on hold.
When Trace Black arrives with his tow truck to tow Rafferty's cat to his shop and to give her a ride to the shop she is immediately taken by his good looks and manners but is a bit worried when he seems to intimate that there may be trouble with her foreign uniquely built car.
Rafferty is originally put off at having to spend the night in Laurel Falls until she wakes up the next day and sees try beautiful view of the falls out her window. She becomes a bit more interested in exploring Laurel Falls and the adjacent town where she was to be scouting its appropriateness for the planned resort.
As each day goes by while she waits for the parts for her custom transmission, Rafferty begins to fall in love with the people in Laurel Falls, the beauty of it, and the town and families. She begins to reevaluate her life and needs. And starts thinking of living a different type of life. Yes, Trace and his family and others play a role, as does an abandoned inn and her desire to help revitalize the town of Laurel Falls.
A wonderful story of losing and finding oneself, love, friendship, a purpose and a place to belong. The descriptions of the surroundings, the characters and the story line are very in-depth and makes it so easy to visualize that area of Montana, the relationships between individuals, their thoughts and actions so that the reader truly feels they are a part of the novel.
Woven I to the novel are two very different individuals struggling with PTSD. In addition there are cultural and diversity issues which the author brings into the story.
This is a novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading. One you will want to read again and again. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Zoe Dawson has outdone herself with "Leaving Yesterday."
When Trace Black arrives with his tow truck to tow Rafferty's cat to his shop and to give her a ride to the shop she is immediately taken by his good looks and manners but is a bit worried when he seems to intimate that there may be trouble with her foreign uniquely built car.
Rafferty is originally put off at having to spend the night in Laurel Falls until she wakes up the next day and sees try beautiful view of the falls out her window. She becomes a bit more interested in exploring Laurel Falls and the adjacent town where she was to be scouting its appropriateness for the planned resort.
As each day goes by while she waits for the parts for her custom transmission, Rafferty begins to fall in love with the people in Laurel Falls, the beauty of it, and the town and families. She begins to reevaluate her life and needs. And starts thinking of living a different type of life. Yes, Trace and his family and others play a role, as does an abandoned inn and her desire to help revitalize the town of Laurel Falls.
A wonderful story of losing and finding oneself, love, friendship, a purpose and a place to belong. The descriptions of the surroundings, the characters and the story line are very in-depth and makes it so easy to visualize that area of Montana, the relationships between individuals, their thoughts and actions so that the reader truly feels they are a part of the novel.
Woven I to the novel are two very different individuals struggling with PTSD. In addition there are cultural and diversity issues which the author brings into the story.
This is a novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading. One you will want to read again and again. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Zoe Dawson has outdone herself with "Leaving Yesterday."
February 2, 2016
Her is divorce is final and Rafferty Hamilton has no plans to put down roots anytime soon but while scouting new locations, she finds herself stranded in Laurel Falls with a good-looking, sweet-talking, Stetson wearing mechanic in this captivating romance.
Trace Black can fix anything with an engine, even Rafferty’s ridiculous sports car but he while he knows that women like Rafferty don’t stick around, he can’t help showing her everything his hometown has to offer and the readers can’t help but become caught up in this captivating romance as Rafferty finds herself charmed and tempted to trust again. The attraction between Trace and Rafferty sizzles with lots of heat but the romance is slow building due to some trust issues on both sides which has sparks flying not only from the chemistry but from some heated encounters as well. These strong compelling characters demand reader’s attention from the very beginning while the steady to fast paced plot captivates readers with suspense and romance.
The romance itself builds lots of anticipation throughout the story as Rafferty and Trace decide to take advantage of the time Rafferty has to spend in Laurel Falls which results in some hot and steamy passion along with some inner emotional distress and expectation builds because Rafferty keeping secrets from the town and there is also lots of emotional turmoil flowing from the pages as all the family and friends surrounding Trace and Rafferty adds depth and a sense of community to the story. The scenes are well written with great details that capture the imagination and bring the story to life while the suspense draws the reader in and refuses to let go.
Laurel Falls has quite a bit going for it, some beautiful mountain scenery that the author brought to vivid life making it easy to picture and some intriguing and sexy characters that have captured my attention and I can’t wait to for my next trip to Laurel Falls, not only for the next characters story but also to find out how Rafferty’s revitalizing plans are coming along.
4 ½ STARS
Trace Black can fix anything with an engine, even Rafferty’s ridiculous sports car but he while he knows that women like Rafferty don’t stick around, he can’t help showing her everything his hometown has to offer and the readers can’t help but become caught up in this captivating romance as Rafferty finds herself charmed and tempted to trust again. The attraction between Trace and Rafferty sizzles with lots of heat but the romance is slow building due to some trust issues on both sides which has sparks flying not only from the chemistry but from some heated encounters as well. These strong compelling characters demand reader’s attention from the very beginning while the steady to fast paced plot captivates readers with suspense and romance.
The romance itself builds lots of anticipation throughout the story as Rafferty and Trace decide to take advantage of the time Rafferty has to spend in Laurel Falls which results in some hot and steamy passion along with some inner emotional distress and expectation builds because Rafferty keeping secrets from the town and there is also lots of emotional turmoil flowing from the pages as all the family and friends surrounding Trace and Rafferty adds depth and a sense of community to the story. The scenes are well written with great details that capture the imagination and bring the story to life while the suspense draws the reader in and refuses to let go.
Laurel Falls has quite a bit going for it, some beautiful mountain scenery that the author brought to vivid life making it easy to picture and some intriguing and sexy characters that have captured my attention and I can’t wait to for my next trip to Laurel Falls, not only for the next characters story but also to find out how Rafferty’s revitalizing plans are coming along.
4 ½ STARS
January 9, 2016
A broken down car leaves Rafferty Hamilton stranded in the town of Laurel Falls, Montana. The smart, wealthy and confident high powered business woman from New York has just gone through a divorce and decides to drive her fancy, foreign car across the country for her latest business trip to clear her head and heal her heart.
Coming to her aid is mechanic Trace Black. A lifelong resident of Laurel Falls, a run down town of mostly ranchers, Trace has a strong distrust of wealthy women and with good reason.
Fixing Rafferty's car is going to take some time as Trace has to order parts from overseas to fix her car. This puts them in close contact with a strong attraction between them, which they both fight because Rafferty will be leaving as soon as her car is fixed. Meanwhile Rafferty hasn't told Trace or any of the people she's befriended while she was actually in Laurel Falls in the first place. Once they find out she knows she won't be welcome any longer in their tiny town that she's finding she likes very much.
The story, as unrealistic as it is, is a touching story about a close knit family that is going through some hard times emotionally and could really use a woman to help them through their struggles.
I liked all of the characters but sometimes the storyline was confusing to me and the author occasionally jumps around between plots without any warning. The one thing that bugged me (a personal pet peeve) is all of the oddball names she has for her characters. I like some unusual names but to have almost every character have an odd name, especially Rafferty is a turnoff for me.
All in all a pleasant re.ad. The scenery of the location is beautiful and Trace's family dynamic is heartwarming.
I would recommend this book to those who like a sweet love story as long as the price of the book is not too high.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Coming to her aid is mechanic Trace Black. A lifelong resident of Laurel Falls, a run down town of mostly ranchers, Trace has a strong distrust of wealthy women and with good reason.
Fixing Rafferty's car is going to take some time as Trace has to order parts from overseas to fix her car. This puts them in close contact with a strong attraction between them, which they both fight because Rafferty will be leaving as soon as her car is fixed. Meanwhile Rafferty hasn't told Trace or any of the people she's befriended while she was actually in Laurel Falls in the first place. Once they find out she knows she won't be welcome any longer in their tiny town that she's finding she likes very much.
The story, as unrealistic as it is, is a touching story about a close knit family that is going through some hard times emotionally and could really use a woman to help them through their struggles.
I liked all of the characters but sometimes the storyline was confusing to me and the author occasionally jumps around between plots without any warning. The one thing that bugged me (a personal pet peeve) is all of the oddball names she has for her characters. I like some unusual names but to have almost every character have an odd name, especially Rafferty is a turnoff for me.
All in all a pleasant re.ad. The scenery of the location is beautiful and Trace's family dynamic is heartwarming.
I would recommend this book to those who like a sweet love story as long as the price of the book is not too high.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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