What do you think?
Rate this book
She’ll do anything to get him to see her as a woman...
Feisty, fearless Ellie McFarlane has tried forever to get cattle station manager, Rick Drummond, to notice she’s not another cowhand. So when her gal pals talk her into glamming up for an Outback Bachelor and Spinster ball she’s eager to prove she’s all woman, all the time, and leave her boneheaded cowboy eating dust.
Sexy wrangler Rick is crazy about Ellie just as she is but her father – his boss – told him long ago that his daughter was off limits. Even though she’s all grown up now, Rick still feels it’s his job is to protect her, not seduce her. Plus, he’s finally got an opportunity to buy back his family farm, which means moving far away.
Ellie’s transformation from Cinder-Ellie to belle of the ball has Rick’s jaw dropping – and all the other cowboys falling at her feet. Ellie tries to revel in her new-found sex-pot status but without Rick it’s a hollow victory. Has Rick left it too late to claim the only woman he’ll ever truly love...?
Don't miss the rest of The Outback Bachelor series, Woo Me by Karina Bliss (Book 2) and Wait For Me by Sarah Mayberry (Book 3)
Feisty, fearless Ellie McFarlane has tried forever to get cattle station manager, Rick Drummond, to notice she’s not another cowhand. So when her gal pals talk her into glamming up for an Outback Bachelor and Spinster ball she’s eager to prove she’s all woman, all the time, and leave her boneheaded cowboy eating dust.
Sexy wrangler Rick is crazy about Ellie just as she is but her father – his boss – told him long ago that his daughter was off limits. Even though she’s all grown up now, Rick still feels it’s his job is to protect her, not seduce her. Plus, he’s finally got an opportunity to buy back his family farm, which means moving far away.
Ellie’s transformation from Cinder-Ellie to belle of the ball has Rick’s jaw dropping – and all the other cowboys falling at her feet. Ellie tries to revel in her new-found sex-pot status but without Rick it’s a hollow victory. Has Rick left it too late to claim the only woman he’ll ever truly love...?
Don't miss the rest of The Outback Bachelor series, Woo Me by Karina Bliss (Book 2) and Wait For Me by Sarah Mayberry (Book 3)
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2015
21 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Joan Kilby
66 books102 followersJoan Kilby is the award-winning author of thirty contemporary romance novels. Originally from Canada, Joan studied to be a marine biologist and worked for many years in the field of environmental biology. In mid-life she returned to her first love--writing--and never looked back. These days Joan lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and three children. She loves to cook and grows her own herbs, fruit and vegetables. Other interests include hiking, yoga and travel. She once spent six months sailing the South Pacific on a fifty-five foot sailboat built and skippered by her father. Joan belongs to Toastmasters International and is an accomplished speaker--teaching romance writing and giving talks to community organizations. When she’s not working on her latest book she can often be found in a sidewalk café, sipping a latte and indulging in her favorite occupation--people watching.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 36 reviews
November 19, 2025
Three friends, down on their luck with men, return to Australia for the Outback Bachelor and Spinster Ball. Ellie is also returning home to the family ranch and the man that she could never have, Rick.
Rick is the sexy ranch hand/manager that was forbidden to pursue Ellie, the ranch owners daughter. He's always admired her but kept as it friends. But now Ellie's back and he really doesn't think he can keep away from the spirited spit fire that has come home.
This is an absolutely adorable, fun and fresh romance right off the cattle ranch.
If you are looking for a wonderfully entertaining, highly enjoyable contemporary romance, check out Win Me by Joan Kilby.
Can't wait to see what befalls the other two friends. Going to the ball in a cow costume...
I received this copy of Win Me from Karina Bliss in exchange for a honest review.
Rick is the sexy ranch hand/manager that was forbidden to pursue Ellie, the ranch owners daughter. He's always admired her but kept as it friends. But now Ellie's back and he really doesn't think he can keep away from the spirited spit fire that has come home.
This is an absolutely adorable, fun and fresh romance right off the cattle ranch.
If you are looking for a wonderfully entertaining, highly enjoyable contemporary romance, check out Win Me by Joan Kilby.
Can't wait to see what befalls the other two friends. Going to the ball in a cow costume...
I received this copy of Win Me from Karina Bliss in exchange for a honest review.
October 7, 2015
Cute - 3.5 stars. Thought the end marriage proposal felt rushed but nice friends to lovers story. Review coming.
October 20, 2015
This is the first in a trilogy, each book written by a different author but all concerning three friends who went to boarding school together and have been best friends ever since. They may live in different countries, but they are still there for one another. After a particularly traumatic time for them all, they decide to meet up and go tot the Outdoor Bachelor and Spinster Ball, not realising that this event will change all of their lives - for the better!
It actually doesn’t matter what order you read these novellas in, they each focus on the events from the point of view of one of the friends and this one concentrates on Ellie McFarlane, who had left her home ranch to go to College and then work in the US but is now going home again, back to the ranch where she grew up to her Dad and the man she’s always loved and never forgotten despite their six years apart.
Rick Drummond is the love of Ellie’s life but he promised her father to stay away from her when they were both teenagers. Now she’s coming home and he’s still just as attracted to her. When he hears she’s going to the Ball he can’t resist going to keep an eye on her and to keep her safe. There are other considerations too, as his old family ranch is going to be for sale, should he buy it and move back there? When he see’s Ellie all dressed up and the belle of the ball, will he be able to resist? If he does, who might she meet? If he doesn’t, life will never be the same for either of them!
This may be a novella but it is still packed with angst, turmoil, misunderstandings and romance. The characters are well written, complex and superbly portrayed making them easy to relate to. The details of events are shared in a manner which brings them to life in the imagination of the reader - as if they are watching events unfold in front of them.
Needless to say, I highly recommend these to anyone who enjoys their romantic reads with strong young ladies, handsome Aussie heroes and an excellent plot in an action packed novella. I really enjoyed this quick read and can’t wait to read the two other books in this series!
Thanks to the authors for letting me read an ARC of this series in exchange for this, an honest review.
It actually doesn’t matter what order you read these novellas in, they each focus on the events from the point of view of one of the friends and this one concentrates on Ellie McFarlane, who had left her home ranch to go to College and then work in the US but is now going home again, back to the ranch where she grew up to her Dad and the man she’s always loved and never forgotten despite their six years apart.
Rick Drummond is the love of Ellie’s life but he promised her father to stay away from her when they were both teenagers. Now she’s coming home and he’s still just as attracted to her. When he hears she’s going to the Ball he can’t resist going to keep an eye on her and to keep her safe. There are other considerations too, as his old family ranch is going to be for sale, should he buy it and move back there? When he see’s Ellie all dressed up and the belle of the ball, will he be able to resist? If he does, who might she meet? If he doesn’t, life will never be the same for either of them!
This may be a novella but it is still packed with angst, turmoil, misunderstandings and romance. The characters are well written, complex and superbly portrayed making them easy to relate to. The details of events are shared in a manner which brings them to life in the imagination of the reader - as if they are watching events unfold in front of them.
Needless to say, I highly recommend these to anyone who enjoys their romantic reads with strong young ladies, handsome Aussie heroes and an excellent plot in an action packed novella. I really enjoyed this quick read and can’t wait to read the two other books in this series!
Thanks to the authors for letting me read an ARC of this series in exchange for this, an honest review.
Want to read
February 4, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/4/2020)! 🎁
April 2, 2016
This is the first of 3 concurrent novellas, all about three young women who met at boarding school and have reunited for a little R&R together, including attending the Outback Bachelor and Spinster ball in hopes of meeting some men to sweep them off their feet (or at least out for a sexy evening).
This story features Ellie, a cowgirl who grew up on a ranch in Australia and Rick, her father's right hand man. She's had a crush on him since they met when she was 14 and he was 19. Now 14 years later, she's all grown up and hopeful that if she transforms herself into a sexy siren, Rick might finally see her as the woman she is. I really liked Ellie in this story and her desire to have someone see her more feminine side, something that is often hidden in the day to day life of working on a cattle ranch. Rick came across as a loyal and dedicated farm hand, and a man still struggling with the grief of his father's passing several years earlier and the loss of their family sheep farm. He's torn between trying to revive his family's legacy and his attraction to Ellie. The two of them together share a sexy love scene but it's going to take more than that for them to trust each other. Rick comes across sometimes as a bit dense when it comes to women, in particular in revealing his true feelings to Ellie. But it all comes out right in the end, and they get their happy ending. It was a sweet, easy read. 3.5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided for review.
This story features Ellie, a cowgirl who grew up on a ranch in Australia and Rick, her father's right hand man. She's had a crush on him since they met when she was 14 and he was 19. Now 14 years later, she's all grown up and hopeful that if she transforms herself into a sexy siren, Rick might finally see her as the woman she is. I really liked Ellie in this story and her desire to have someone see her more feminine side, something that is often hidden in the day to day life of working on a cattle ranch. Rick came across as a loyal and dedicated farm hand, and a man still struggling with the grief of his father's passing several years earlier and the loss of their family sheep farm. He's torn between trying to revive his family's legacy and his attraction to Ellie. The two of them together share a sexy love scene but it's going to take more than that for them to trust each other. Rick comes across sometimes as a bit dense when it comes to women, in particular in revealing his true feelings to Ellie. But it all comes out right in the end, and they get their happy ending. It was a sweet, easy read. 3.5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided for review.
dnf
February 26, 2019DNF at 48%. This wasn’t working for me from the get-go because unrequited love that could solved by a converstaion is really not my bag. I also didn’t connect with either main character and found both of their POV narrations continuously tread the same ground over and over again.
November 30, 2015
DNF @ 80%
Late Review to be posted when my life get's a little bit under my control
Late Review to be posted when my life get's a little bit under my control
February 29, 2020
DNF. Lost interest at 19% because I've seen this story so many times before. Nothing original. Not even the characters.
November 4, 2018
It is really cute friends-to-lover romance. I have one quibble: the characters spent too much time telling themselves why they shouldn't be together.
November 13, 2015
SERIES review
‘The Outback Bachelor Ball’ is a contemporary rural romance novella series from Canadian Joan Kilby, New Zealander Karina Bliss and one of my favourite Aussie romance authors, Sarah Mayberry. The novellas can be read out of order as stand-alones, but they are probably best read as a trilogy – with first novella ‘Win Me’, followed by ‘Woo Me’ and concluding with ‘Wait For Me’.
Confession: I don’t particularly like rural romances. I know, I know – stone the flamin’ crows, and after I wrote a whole spiel about why people should read New Adult romance and not reject the entire subgenre out of hand too! I know. I can’t help it – but when I think “rural” I’m more likely to go to a ‘Wolf Creek’ place than a men of ‘McLeod’s Daughters’ headspace. Luckily, the ‘The Outback Bachelor Ball’ wooed me with Joan Kilby’s first instalment, ‘Win Me’ – in which we’re introduced to the series’ three heroines, who are as dubious about rural Australian courtship as I am;
Amused, Ellie and Beth exchanged glances. Jen was always efficient and super organized. Ellie clicked on the link and the first photo that came up was of a naked, drunken cowboy gyrating with an empty beer can on his dick. They all howled with laughter.
“Now there’s your Prince Charming,” Jen said.
“Oh, yuck. It’s all drunken yobs, wet T-shirt competitions and if you’re lucky, a quick fuck in the back of a truck.” Beth said, checking out the site. “Even the title sucks – Bachelor and Spinster Ball. I’m not a dried-up old spinster, I’m a highly desirable…” She hunted for the right term.
“Spachelor?” Jen suggested and they dissolved into fits again.
— 'Win Me' by Joan Kilby
Ellie McFarlane is our first heroine – she’s coming home from America where she’s been learning all about cattle ranch management, and though she’s excited to take charge of the family business, she can’t deny that returning home to her long-time crush and station manager Rick Drummond is another plus. But Ellie has to contend with Rick’s sense of proprietary when it comes to his feelings for his boss’ daughter (the man who is also his mentor, and more of a father to him).
Second novella ‘Woo Me’ is about Jen Tremaine; prickly and disillusioned with love – until she turns up to the Outback Bachelor and Spinster Ball with her two best friends, and keeps running into sexy security guard Logan Turner … he’s an ex-Special Forces soldier and their chemistry is electric.
Third and final is Sarah Mayberry’s ‘Wait For Me’, about Beth Walker who is coming off heartbreak and scandal after it was revealed that her country music star husband had been cheating on her, and for a long time. She’s leaving America and coming home to Australia, and her two besties – Jen and Ellie – who are keen to help Beth mend her broken heart. But the person who really ends up helping is an old friend called Jonah Masters, rising country music star and someone Beth shared a connection with many years ago …
Tying all three novellas together is the women’s friendship, and the B&S ball that acts as the setting to their ‘Stella Got Her Groove Back’ moments;
He didn’t trust himself to speak, so he simply pulled her close, tightening his arms around her and resting his cheek on the top of her head. No woman had ever felt so right, so at home in his arms and he figured he would be chasing this feeling for the rest of his life, always trying to find the same sense of peace and belonging.
— 'Wait For Me' by Sarah Mayberry
I rather enjoyed these rural romance reads – some a little more than others – but I do think that each one had a hand in chipping away at my rural romance hang-ups. I liked that the women’s friendship was the foundation for the series, and that the authors went into the more ludicrous aspects of the famed B&S ball – arguably, that dose of reality didn’t endear me to rural romance settings, but I appreciated the honesty.
Sarah Mayberry’s ‘Wait For Me’ was my favourite of the novellas – arguably because it has that cheating spouse storyline I weirdly like (I’m in the romance-reading minority on this one, trust me – I know) and probably because it had that hint of a ‘Nashville’ storyline with the country music scene (I admit: I went to a Keith Urban place … not a bad place to be, at all). I loved that Mayberry drew out Beth and Jonah’s complicated history, and I always love a good ‘Sliding Doors’ second chances romance.
‘The Outback Bachelor Ball’ is a pretty great little bundle of rural romance – and I’m saying that as someone for whom this is not her go-to subgenre! My overall rating probably more reflects that I thought the first two books were okay, but Mayberry's was more of a 4/5 for me ... so I'm splitting the difference.
3.5/5
‘The Outback Bachelor Ball’ is a contemporary rural romance novella series from Canadian Joan Kilby, New Zealander Karina Bliss and one of my favourite Aussie romance authors, Sarah Mayberry. The novellas can be read out of order as stand-alones, but they are probably best read as a trilogy – with first novella ‘Win Me’, followed by ‘Woo Me’ and concluding with ‘Wait For Me’.
Confession: I don’t particularly like rural romances. I know, I know – stone the flamin’ crows, and after I wrote a whole spiel about why people should read New Adult romance and not reject the entire subgenre out of hand too! I know. I can’t help it – but when I think “rural” I’m more likely to go to a ‘Wolf Creek’ place than a men of ‘McLeod’s Daughters’ headspace. Luckily, the ‘The Outback Bachelor Ball’ wooed me with Joan Kilby’s first instalment, ‘Win Me’ – in which we’re introduced to the series’ three heroines, who are as dubious about rural Australian courtship as I am;
Amused, Ellie and Beth exchanged glances. Jen was always efficient and super organized. Ellie clicked on the link and the first photo that came up was of a naked, drunken cowboy gyrating with an empty beer can on his dick. They all howled with laughter.
“Now there’s your Prince Charming,” Jen said.
“Oh, yuck. It’s all drunken yobs, wet T-shirt competitions and if you’re lucky, a quick fuck in the back of a truck.” Beth said, checking out the site. “Even the title sucks – Bachelor and Spinster Ball. I’m not a dried-up old spinster, I’m a highly desirable…” She hunted for the right term.
“Spachelor?” Jen suggested and they dissolved into fits again.
— 'Win Me' by Joan Kilby
Ellie McFarlane is our first heroine – she’s coming home from America where she’s been learning all about cattle ranch management, and though she’s excited to take charge of the family business, she can’t deny that returning home to her long-time crush and station manager Rick Drummond is another plus. But Ellie has to contend with Rick’s sense of proprietary when it comes to his feelings for his boss’ daughter (the man who is also his mentor, and more of a father to him).
Second novella ‘Woo Me’ is about Jen Tremaine; prickly and disillusioned with love – until she turns up to the Outback Bachelor and Spinster Ball with her two best friends, and keeps running into sexy security guard Logan Turner … he’s an ex-Special Forces soldier and their chemistry is electric.
Third and final is Sarah Mayberry’s ‘Wait For Me’, about Beth Walker who is coming off heartbreak and scandal after it was revealed that her country music star husband had been cheating on her, and for a long time. She’s leaving America and coming home to Australia, and her two besties – Jen and Ellie – who are keen to help Beth mend her broken heart. But the person who really ends up helping is an old friend called Jonah Masters, rising country music star and someone Beth shared a connection with many years ago …
Tying all three novellas together is the women’s friendship, and the B&S ball that acts as the setting to their ‘Stella Got Her Groove Back’ moments;
He didn’t trust himself to speak, so he simply pulled her close, tightening his arms around her and resting his cheek on the top of her head. No woman had ever felt so right, so at home in his arms and he figured he would be chasing this feeling for the rest of his life, always trying to find the same sense of peace and belonging.
— 'Wait For Me' by Sarah Mayberry
I rather enjoyed these rural romance reads – some a little more than others – but I do think that each one had a hand in chipping away at my rural romance hang-ups. I liked that the women’s friendship was the foundation for the series, and that the authors went into the more ludicrous aspects of the famed B&S ball – arguably, that dose of reality didn’t endear me to rural romance settings, but I appreciated the honesty.
Sarah Mayberry’s ‘Wait For Me’ was my favourite of the novellas – arguably because it has that cheating spouse storyline I weirdly like (I’m in the romance-reading minority on this one, trust me – I know) and probably because it had that hint of a ‘Nashville’ storyline with the country music scene (I admit: I went to a Keith Urban place … not a bad place to be, at all). I loved that Mayberry drew out Beth and Jonah’s complicated history, and I always love a good ‘Sliding Doors’ second chances romance.
‘The Outback Bachelor Ball’ is a pretty great little bundle of rural romance – and I’m saying that as someone for whom this is not her go-to subgenre! My overall rating probably more reflects that I thought the first two books were okay, but Mayberry's was more of a 4/5 for me ... so I'm splitting the difference.
3.5/5
January 13, 2020
What a combination: a cowboy, a soldier, and a country music star. Add to the mix three fun loving women and hey presto, you have The Outback Bachelor Ball series; a simply scrumptious trilogy.
The first in a three book serial written by three different authors: Joan Kilby, Karina Bliss and Sarah Mayberry, this opening instalment sets the scene as three friends are reunited for the Outback Bachelor & Spinster Ball. One recently separated from her husband (Beth), one jilted by her long term lover (Jen) and the other ready to return home to face the man she has always loved but failed to capture (Ellie), we get the feeling early on that this is going to be a fun if albeit emotional ride.
As the ball nears, and dares are set and accepted, the story speeds up as the two girls and “cowderella” aka Jen set off for fun and frolics and you can only fear for the men they are going to cross paths with!
Brought up alongside Rick, her father’s farm hand, Ellie is determined to finally either win his heart or get over him once and for all. Rick has known Ellie since she was 14 and once warned off her by her father, he has kept his distance, until now. Rick still sees her, in Ellie’s eyes, as a little sister but she makes it clear from the point of returning home after 6 years in Wyoming that she is all woman. Although it is clear that Ellie and Rick still have strong feelings for one another they are each hesitant to move forward with them. Knowing her mind however, Ellie decides to take things into her own hands and the little cowgirl suddenly becomes a temptress and Rick is done for.
I really enjoyed this story. The premise intrigued me and the concept of three tantalising alphas convinced me to give the series a read. Having read book one, I am now heading to read Jen’s story and with Logan on the scene, things are going to get interesting, if only she can see beyond her broken heart.
These books can be read as stand-alone stories but I would recommend reading them in order in order to full enjoy the characters and the romantic path they take.
Copy provided by the author in return for an HONEST review.
Review Requests: http://www.jezabellgirlandfriends.com...
Email: jezabellgirlandfriends@gmail.com
Web: http://jezabellgirlandfriends.com
FB: http://facebook.com/jezabellgirlandfr...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Jezabell_girl
Google+: http://google.com/+JezabellGirl
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/JezabellGirl
TSU: https://www.tsu.co/Jezabell_Girl
The first in a three book serial written by three different authors: Joan Kilby, Karina Bliss and Sarah Mayberry, this opening instalment sets the scene as three friends are reunited for the Outback Bachelor & Spinster Ball. One recently separated from her husband (Beth), one jilted by her long term lover (Jen) and the other ready to return home to face the man she has always loved but failed to capture (Ellie), we get the feeling early on that this is going to be a fun if albeit emotional ride.
As the ball nears, and dares are set and accepted, the story speeds up as the two girls and “cowderella” aka Jen set off for fun and frolics and you can only fear for the men they are going to cross paths with!
Brought up alongside Rick, her father’s farm hand, Ellie is determined to finally either win his heart or get over him once and for all. Rick has known Ellie since she was 14 and once warned off her by her father, he has kept his distance, until now. Rick still sees her, in Ellie’s eyes, as a little sister but she makes it clear from the point of returning home after 6 years in Wyoming that she is all woman. Although it is clear that Ellie and Rick still have strong feelings for one another they are each hesitant to move forward with them. Knowing her mind however, Ellie decides to take things into her own hands and the little cowgirl suddenly becomes a temptress and Rick is done for.
I really enjoyed this story. The premise intrigued me and the concept of three tantalising alphas convinced me to give the series a read. Having read book one, I am now heading to read Jen’s story and with Logan on the scene, things are going to get interesting, if only she can see beyond her broken heart.
These books can be read as stand-alone stories but I would recommend reading them in order in order to full enjoy the characters and the romantic path they take.
Copy provided by the author in return for an HONEST review.
Review Requests: http://www.jezabellgirlandfriends.com...
Email: jezabellgirlandfriends@gmail.com
Web: http://jezabellgirlandfriends.com
FB: http://facebook.com/jezabellgirlandfr...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Jezabell_girl
Google+: http://google.com/+JezabellGirl
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/JezabellGirl
TSU: https://www.tsu.co/Jezabell_Girl
February 6, 2017
Review posted on Got Fiction?
This is the first book in a 3 book series where each book has a different author. It’s really cute and fun, and at the moment, each book is $.99!
I read them out of order, and even though each book has the same main event (The Bachelor and Spinster Ball) at its center, and each book has overlapping scenes, they stand alone, and you won’t be confused.
This friends-to-lovers story is a cute and fun one. Rick hired on to Ellie’s family’s ranch when she was just a teen, and she’d known from the moment she saw him that he was it for her. But her dad warned Rick away from his daughter, and Rick took it to heart. It didn’t matter that when she was eighteen she’d tried to kiss him. He knew her dad wouldn’t want this, and the man had been a mentor and second father to him. He respected him too much to ruin that. No matter how much he might want Ellie.
That was the one thing that bothered me the most about this story. This was my favorite of the three, but I got so sick of Rick waffling between I want her, but I’m not good enough for her. She’s going to inherit all that land and the ranch, and I have nothing to offer her. He really waiting until the last minute to realize how to handle that. And Ellie’s dad should have done something sooner to show Rick he was more than just a hired cowhand.
After her failed attempt at seducing Rick, Ellie went off to college, then moved to Wyoming to work a ranch there. Coming back home to Australia was a spur of the moment decision that had never felt more right, and when she suggested she and her friends go to the Bachelor & Spinster Ball, she knew it was going to be a night to remember. Either Rick would see her, finally see her, or she’d get over him. But whatever happened, she knew this ball was the turning point.
That being said, I liked Ellie, I liked Rick, and I liked Ellie and Rick together. Their story was cute and fun, and I loved their history together.
This is the first book in a 3 book series where each book has a different author. It’s really cute and fun, and at the moment, each book is $.99!
I read them out of order, and even though each book has the same main event (The Bachelor and Spinster Ball) at its center, and each book has overlapping scenes, they stand alone, and you won’t be confused.
This friends-to-lovers story is a cute and fun one. Rick hired on to Ellie’s family’s ranch when she was just a teen, and she’d known from the moment she saw him that he was it for her. But her dad warned Rick away from his daughter, and Rick took it to heart. It didn’t matter that when she was eighteen she’d tried to kiss him. He knew her dad wouldn’t want this, and the man had been a mentor and second father to him. He respected him too much to ruin that. No matter how much he might want Ellie.
That was the one thing that bothered me the most about this story. This was my favorite of the three, but I got so sick of Rick waffling between I want her, but I’m not good enough for her. She’s going to inherit all that land and the ranch, and I have nothing to offer her. He really waiting until the last minute to realize how to handle that. And Ellie’s dad should have done something sooner to show Rick he was more than just a hired cowhand.
After her failed attempt at seducing Rick, Ellie went off to college, then moved to Wyoming to work a ranch there. Coming back home to Australia was a spur of the moment decision that had never felt more right, and when she suggested she and her friends go to the Bachelor & Spinster Ball, she knew it was going to be a night to remember. Either Rick would see her, finally see her, or she’d get over him. But whatever happened, she knew this ball was the turning point.
That being said, I liked Ellie, I liked Rick, and I liked Ellie and Rick together. Their story was cute and fun, and I loved their history together.
October 15, 2015
The twoing and froing between Ellie and Rick had this reader rapt. Both of their characters were likeable and both had there fair share of challenges in the story. The dynamic between them was a nice read. The additional characters of Jen, who was a hoot and Beth too were a great addition in the story :)
4 stars
Review copy received from the Author
4 stars
Review copy received from the Author
February 4, 2017
Such a fun premise, even if the romance itself wasn't entirely my jam. I'm not against pining, but when you go from years of pining to marriage proposal in days, it's not always something I'm going to believe, and frankly I could have used a little more actual relationship development. But I liked it and I'm excited to read the other books by Karina Bliss and Sarah Mayberry.
November 3, 2015
Eh. Okay. Definitely needed another editing pass. But cute enough.
January 16, 2016
Pov: male and female (main characters)
Main characters: Ellie and Rick
Minor Characters: Beth and Jen (her best friends since childhood)
My thoughts:
This was another good quick story. The main conflict came from a lack of communication and some misunderstandings. It could have been cliche but it felt very natural and real. The words Rick says make sense when you get his thought process, but at the same time it's easy to see why Ellie didn't understand.
I understood Ellie's insecurities and they felt believable. There are stories where the main character feels awkward or unfeminine and is constantly informing the reader they feel that way. This story wasn't like that. It was casually thrown into Ellie's thoughts or in the way she's shocked by the attention. It all felt really believable.
It was a great short story that had a lot of emotion in a small amount of pages. I liked that Jen's story was subtly intertwined with Ellie and Rick. I'm interested in her story even though I don't really know her yet.
This series felt well planned, even though it was written by different authors. It's more impressive.
Synopsis:
Ellie grew up on a cattle farm. When she was 14 her dad hired 19 year old Rick. She developed a crush immediately. When she was 16 her mother passed away. Rick helped keep the farm going and helped the family get through it.
When she was 18 she decided to make a move in Rick. She went to a ball and her dad sent Rick to watch out for her. She got drunk and came onto him. He rejected her and said she was too young and he thought of her as a sister.
She was embarrassed and ended up going to college and getting a job in America. She was gone for 6 years. She decided she missed home and she needed to move past Rick so she went home.
Rick grew up on a sheep farm. There was a severe drought and his father thought maybe cattle would save them. It didn't and they went bankrupt. His father saw no way out and killed himself, hoping the insurance money would save his family. It didn't and they lost the farm.
He eventually got a job at Ellie's family farm. Her dad warned him to keep away from Ellie. As she got older he became attracted to her but out of respect for her father didn't pursue it. He was sad when she moved away for college, but he was happy and proud also. When she came home for good he decided to keep resisting her.
Ellie's friends know she's hung up on Rick, and that it's not happening, so they decide to go to the Outback ball. They decide to dress her up in a sexy dress with full hair and makeup. She's always felt like a country girl and is uneasy about the dress. Rick asks what she's going as and she snaps and says "a woman."
He doesn't realize his reaction to her comment sounded insulting to her. He was just shocked because it's obvious she's a beautiful woman.
Ricks old family farm is up for sale and he wants to buy it. He thinks he can restore his family legacy. He tells Ellie and she's sad he'll move away. She's also concerned the farm won't do well and that he'd be giving up everything he worked so hard to build at her family farm.
He goes to visit his family farm and can't stop thinking of Ellie at the ball. He's concerned men might take advantage of her. His friend sees he's distracted and Rick tells him he's worried about Ellie at the ball.
His friend asks if Rick is interested in her and Rick says no. His friend tells him that's great because now he can ask her out. Rick is not happy and decides to go to the ball.
Ellie sees Rick getting to the campgrounds around the ball and thinks her dad sent him to watch her. She's furious.
She goes to the ball and Rick and his friend find her. Ricks friend asks her to dance and they have a nice time. She sees Rick dancing with a girl and gets overcome with jealousy. She dances over there to pull the girl away but realizes what she was doing and stops herself.
She tries to play it off that she wanted to thank him for introducing her to his friend. She kisses his friend and he pulls his friend away. He pulls her away and they argue. She tells him she can take care of herself. She realizes he's jealous and asks him. He leaves the party.
He realizes he's acting jealous but he can't help it. Ellie comes looking for him and they talk. She asks about the type of women he goes for (blonde, busty, put together) and realizes they're all the opposite of her. He realizes she's insecure about her looks and tells her she's beautiful. He kisses her.
They get carried away and he tells her she should wear dresses like that more often. She thinks he's only interested now because she's made up to look like one of the girls he dates. She knows he's not interested in the normal her but decides to ignore that for one night. She pulls away from the kiss and asks him to go back inside with her.
He dances with her and asks if she wants to share his tent. His friend comes to dance with her and she accepts. She decides Rick needs to come to her.
Rick's confused because she seemed into him earlier but left him easily to dance with someone else. When they all sit she's surprised at all the attention she's getting. Rick can't take it and leaves.
He goes back to his campsite and sits in misery. Ellie comes to find him. They sit in his truck bed to watch the stars. He realizes he took her for granted and decides he wants to be with her.
They talk about his family farm and he knows he couldn't figure out where he and Ellie are going if he moves away. She tells him he should go for it if it's something he wants. He tells her he wants her and she kisses him. They end up sleeping together.
In the morning she asks if they're together now. He starts to tell her how important she is to him and she assumes he's trying to let her down easy. He asks her opinion of him buying his family farm. She thinks he doesn't care about her feelings and she's hurt. He's asking her because he wants to start a life with her and wants to know if she'd go with him.
She makes an excuse and gets ready and leaves quickly. She packs up her campsite and Beth comes to tell her she's leaving with a guy (book 3). Jen comes and Ellie can tell she's upset. They cry together and they know they each had rough nights with a guy.
They leave and Jen tells Ellie about a guy she met the night before. The guy wanted her to meet him in the morning to talk about a future but she doesn't see a point since she's moving away. At the last second she decides to give the guy a chance. Ellie gives Jen her phone and tells her to call later when she figures things out so Ellie knows she's safe.
When Jen leaves Ellie sees Rick trying to flag her down but she ignores him and leaves. Rick sees Jen and asks where Ellie is going and she tells him Ellie had to get home. She runs off saying she had a date with destiny. (Book 2).
He's hurt Ellie left without saying goodbye. He thought they were starting something together but realizes he didn't let her know he felt the same way she did. He tries calling Ellie but Jen has her phone.
He runs into his friend and his friend asks if he's going to put an offer on the farm property. He asks for more time.
Jen calls him and asks him for a ride. When she finds him she starts crying. She tells him her date stood her up. They drive home.
He makes a stop at his old family farm and nothing feels right. He realizes he was trying to prove something but he didn't need to. He decides he wants to be with Ellie on her family farm, that he's proud of what he's done there.
When Ellie gets home she's sad. Her dad finds her and she tells him Rick is leaving. She tells her dad they got into a fight and it can't be fixed. He asks what happened and she tells him they kissed.
He tells her he always thought they'd get married. She's shocked because Rick told her her dad asked him to keep away from her. Her dad tells her she was too young when Rick first came. He wanted her to get a little older and gain some life experience before she settled down with Rick.
Rick comes and talks to them both. He tells them he turned down his family farm and that he wants to invest in theirs. He tells them he wants to build a house for him and Ellie on the property. He tells her he wants to marry her and that they can turn the farm into the best cattle ranch in the country.
Ellie tells him no, but his plans for the farm sound great. She leaves and he doesn't know what's wrong. Her dad tells him that was a terrible proposal. He tells Rick she has land and a farm and a legacy. That she needs something only Rick can give her. Rick realizes he didn't tell her he loved her. He knows he messed up and hurt her feelings.
Ellie is hurt that Rick proposed to her like a business deal.
Rick finds her and apologizes. He gives her a scrapbook that he made of her and her life. He saved newspaper clippings, photos, emails.
He tells her he saved the book for them. He tells her he loves her and wants to marry her. He tells her he's been in love with her forever he was just resisting because of their age. She says yes and he gives her his grandmothers ring.
Main characters: Ellie and Rick
Minor Characters: Beth and Jen (her best friends since childhood)
My thoughts:
This was another good quick story. The main conflict came from a lack of communication and some misunderstandings. It could have been cliche but it felt very natural and real. The words Rick says make sense when you get his thought process, but at the same time it's easy to see why Ellie didn't understand.
I understood Ellie's insecurities and they felt believable. There are stories where the main character feels awkward or unfeminine and is constantly informing the reader they feel that way. This story wasn't like that. It was casually thrown into Ellie's thoughts or in the way she's shocked by the attention. It all felt really believable.
It was a great short story that had a lot of emotion in a small amount of pages. I liked that Jen's story was subtly intertwined with Ellie and Rick. I'm interested in her story even though I don't really know her yet.
This series felt well planned, even though it was written by different authors. It's more impressive.
Synopsis:
Ellie grew up on a cattle farm. When she was 14 her dad hired 19 year old Rick. She developed a crush immediately. When she was 16 her mother passed away. Rick helped keep the farm going and helped the family get through it.
When she was 18 she decided to make a move in Rick. She went to a ball and her dad sent Rick to watch out for her. She got drunk and came onto him. He rejected her and said she was too young and he thought of her as a sister.
She was embarrassed and ended up going to college and getting a job in America. She was gone for 6 years. She decided she missed home and she needed to move past Rick so she went home.
Rick grew up on a sheep farm. There was a severe drought and his father thought maybe cattle would save them. It didn't and they went bankrupt. His father saw no way out and killed himself, hoping the insurance money would save his family. It didn't and they lost the farm.
He eventually got a job at Ellie's family farm. Her dad warned him to keep away from Ellie. As she got older he became attracted to her but out of respect for her father didn't pursue it. He was sad when she moved away for college, but he was happy and proud also. When she came home for good he decided to keep resisting her.
Ellie's friends know she's hung up on Rick, and that it's not happening, so they decide to go to the Outback ball. They decide to dress her up in a sexy dress with full hair and makeup. She's always felt like a country girl and is uneasy about the dress. Rick asks what she's going as and she snaps and says "a woman."
He doesn't realize his reaction to her comment sounded insulting to her. He was just shocked because it's obvious she's a beautiful woman.
Ricks old family farm is up for sale and he wants to buy it. He thinks he can restore his family legacy. He tells Ellie and she's sad he'll move away. She's also concerned the farm won't do well and that he'd be giving up everything he worked so hard to build at her family farm.
He goes to visit his family farm and can't stop thinking of Ellie at the ball. He's concerned men might take advantage of her. His friend sees he's distracted and Rick tells him he's worried about Ellie at the ball.
His friend asks if Rick is interested in her and Rick says no. His friend tells him that's great because now he can ask her out. Rick is not happy and decides to go to the ball.
Ellie sees Rick getting to the campgrounds around the ball and thinks her dad sent him to watch her. She's furious.
She goes to the ball and Rick and his friend find her. Ricks friend asks her to dance and they have a nice time. She sees Rick dancing with a girl and gets overcome with jealousy. She dances over there to pull the girl away but realizes what she was doing and stops herself.
She tries to play it off that she wanted to thank him for introducing her to his friend. She kisses his friend and he pulls his friend away. He pulls her away and they argue. She tells him she can take care of herself. She realizes he's jealous and asks him. He leaves the party.
He realizes he's acting jealous but he can't help it. Ellie comes looking for him and they talk. She asks about the type of women he goes for (blonde, busty, put together) and realizes they're all the opposite of her. He realizes she's insecure about her looks and tells her she's beautiful. He kisses her.
They get carried away and he tells her she should wear dresses like that more often. She thinks he's only interested now because she's made up to look like one of the girls he dates. She knows he's not interested in the normal her but decides to ignore that for one night. She pulls away from the kiss and asks him to go back inside with her.
He dances with her and asks if she wants to share his tent. His friend comes to dance with her and she accepts. She decides Rick needs to come to her.
Rick's confused because she seemed into him earlier but left him easily to dance with someone else. When they all sit she's surprised at all the attention she's getting. Rick can't take it and leaves.
He goes back to his campsite and sits in misery. Ellie comes to find him. They sit in his truck bed to watch the stars. He realizes he took her for granted and decides he wants to be with her.
They talk about his family farm and he knows he couldn't figure out where he and Ellie are going if he moves away. She tells him he should go for it if it's something he wants. He tells her he wants her and she kisses him. They end up sleeping together.
In the morning she asks if they're together now. He starts to tell her how important she is to him and she assumes he's trying to let her down easy. He asks her opinion of him buying his family farm. She thinks he doesn't care about her feelings and she's hurt. He's asking her because he wants to start a life with her and wants to know if she'd go with him.
She makes an excuse and gets ready and leaves quickly. She packs up her campsite and Beth comes to tell her she's leaving with a guy (book 3). Jen comes and Ellie can tell she's upset. They cry together and they know they each had rough nights with a guy.
They leave and Jen tells Ellie about a guy she met the night before. The guy wanted her to meet him in the morning to talk about a future but she doesn't see a point since she's moving away. At the last second she decides to give the guy a chance. Ellie gives Jen her phone and tells her to call later when she figures things out so Ellie knows she's safe.
When Jen leaves Ellie sees Rick trying to flag her down but she ignores him and leaves. Rick sees Jen and asks where Ellie is going and she tells him Ellie had to get home. She runs off saying she had a date with destiny. (Book 2).
He's hurt Ellie left without saying goodbye. He thought they were starting something together but realizes he didn't let her know he felt the same way she did. He tries calling Ellie but Jen has her phone.
He runs into his friend and his friend asks if he's going to put an offer on the farm property. He asks for more time.
Jen calls him and asks him for a ride. When she finds him she starts crying. She tells him her date stood her up. They drive home.
He makes a stop at his old family farm and nothing feels right. He realizes he was trying to prove something but he didn't need to. He decides he wants to be with Ellie on her family farm, that he's proud of what he's done there.
When Ellie gets home she's sad. Her dad finds her and she tells him Rick is leaving. She tells her dad they got into a fight and it can't be fixed. He asks what happened and she tells him they kissed.
He tells her he always thought they'd get married. She's shocked because Rick told her her dad asked him to keep away from her. Her dad tells her she was too young when Rick first came. He wanted her to get a little older and gain some life experience before she settled down with Rick.
Rick comes and talks to them both. He tells them he turned down his family farm and that he wants to invest in theirs. He tells them he wants to build a house for him and Ellie on the property. He tells her he wants to marry her and that they can turn the farm into the best cattle ranch in the country.
Ellie tells him no, but his plans for the farm sound great. She leaves and he doesn't know what's wrong. Her dad tells him that was a terrible proposal. He tells Rick she has land and a farm and a legacy. That she needs something only Rick can give her. Rick realizes he didn't tell her he loved her. He knows he messed up and hurt her feelings.
Ellie is hurt that Rick proposed to her like a business deal.
Rick finds her and apologizes. He gives her a scrapbook that he made of her and her life. He saved newspaper clippings, photos, emails.
He tells her he saved the book for them. He tells her he loves her and wants to marry her. He tells her he's been in love with her forever he was just resisting because of their age. She says yes and he gives her his grandmothers ring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2020
Cute Story
Elle has had a crush on Rick forever but he runs the other way. She has been in Wyoming for the last 6 years, but it's time to go home to Australia. But she gets there he still treats her like his little sister, but with the help of her two friends she work it out.
Elle has had a crush on Rick forever but he runs the other way. She has been in Wyoming for the last 6 years, but it's time to go home to Australia. But she gets there he still treats her like his little sister, but with the help of her two friends she work it out.
February 7, 2020
An easy enough predictable read. Thing that annoyed me though given the book is primarily set in Australia, was the overuse of American words/phrases.
February 8, 2020
Part of an overlapping series, involving three friends and one party. Cute, light, short, and well-written friend to lovers story.
July 8, 2020
What a great lighthearted love story. Looking forward to reading the 2nd book in the series
October 27, 2015
Originally posted on my blog: Tangled Up In Books
I received a copy of this book, from the author, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating.
Joan Kilby was nice enough to send me eARCs of all 3 books in this series. The blurb sounded interesting and fun for Win Me and the only other book I read by her, while I didn't love it, I liked it well enough to be curious about trying another one of her other books and felt like this was the perfect opportunity to give that a go. I find myself in the same position that I was with the previous book. I didn't love it, but I most definitely didn't hate it. It was fun and kinda quirky but I had a really hard time connecting with the characters.
The concept behind the Outback Bachelor and Spinster Ball, which is a real thing by the way I looked it up, was so interesting and cool. I liked the idea behind why it started way back when, how it was an event for people who lived out in the country to get together and meet potential partners. You camp out, there's alcohol, live bands, dancing. Sounds like a lot of fun for young people and it was a fun setting full of possibilities for romantic antics.
Like I said in the beginning, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Actually individually both Ellie and Rick were good solid characters and I thought I was going to like them a lot more than I did. However, most of the time, when they were together, I just wasn't feeling either of them and they became less likable. Ellie became a bit childish in a way, in that I felt like she was purposely trying to make Rick jealous. Plus once she was all "glammed up" and in the slinky dress she was wearing to the ball and not just a tank top and cutoffs like normal, she got kind of conceited. She'd talk to Rick and it'd be like "I'm so hot tonight and I'm gonna take advantage." I didn't like the Ellie that was trying to appear more bold and confident. Because on the inside she really wasn't 100% feeling it. I liked the sweet, down to earth Ellie way better.
Rick wasn't that bad either and I definitely liked him more than I did Ellie throughout the book. I feel like the issue I had with him was the fact that he was just so bad with the whole communication thing. He would be thinking one thing but when he would talk to Ellie, what came out of his mouth was a whole other story and then I felt like he'd be confused as to why she's all bent out of shape over their conversation. Totally clueless. But with that aside I loved how much he cared about Ellie and her dad and how protective he was over her even at the expense of suppressing his own feelings. Or how passionate he was about the farm and the work he did. He had a lot of admirable qualities.
One thing I didn't waver on, believe it or not with everything I've said so far, was the fact that I really did want Ellie and Rick to work things out and end up together. When they were good and not misunderstanding or trying to show the other one up, they were just so sweet and playful and absolutely adorable. Oh and steamy like you wouldn't believe. I mean there was one brief scene towards the beginning of the book where there was no kissing involved or anything like that, it only involved the grabbing of a shirt and it was probably almost as hot, if not even more heated than when there was actual physical contact. Lots of yummy sexual tension that's for sure.
So, true, it wasn't perfect but I really did have fun reading the first book in this series. I liked both of Ellie's friends and I'm so curious as to find out what exactly happened when they both disappeared on the night of the ball. Interesting start to the series!
Thanks to Joan Kilby for the opportunity to read and review this book!
I received a copy of this book, from the author, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating.
Joan Kilby was nice enough to send me eARCs of all 3 books in this series. The blurb sounded interesting and fun for Win Me and the only other book I read by her, while I didn't love it, I liked it well enough to be curious about trying another one of her other books and felt like this was the perfect opportunity to give that a go. I find myself in the same position that I was with the previous book. I didn't love it, but I most definitely didn't hate it. It was fun and kinda quirky but I had a really hard time connecting with the characters.
The concept behind the Outback Bachelor and Spinster Ball, which is a real thing by the way I looked it up, was so interesting and cool. I liked the idea behind why it started way back when, how it was an event for people who lived out in the country to get together and meet potential partners. You camp out, there's alcohol, live bands, dancing. Sounds like a lot of fun for young people and it was a fun setting full of possibilities for romantic antics.
Like I said in the beginning, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Actually individually both Ellie and Rick were good solid characters and I thought I was going to like them a lot more than I did. However, most of the time, when they were together, I just wasn't feeling either of them and they became less likable. Ellie became a bit childish in a way, in that I felt like she was purposely trying to make Rick jealous. Plus once she was all "glammed up" and in the slinky dress she was wearing to the ball and not just a tank top and cutoffs like normal, she got kind of conceited. She'd talk to Rick and it'd be like "I'm so hot tonight and I'm gonna take advantage." I didn't like the Ellie that was trying to appear more bold and confident. Because on the inside she really wasn't 100% feeling it. I liked the sweet, down to earth Ellie way better.
Rick wasn't that bad either and I definitely liked him more than I did Ellie throughout the book. I feel like the issue I had with him was the fact that he was just so bad with the whole communication thing. He would be thinking one thing but when he would talk to Ellie, what came out of his mouth was a whole other story and then I felt like he'd be confused as to why she's all bent out of shape over their conversation. Totally clueless. But with that aside I loved how much he cared about Ellie and her dad and how protective he was over her even at the expense of suppressing his own feelings. Or how passionate he was about the farm and the work he did. He had a lot of admirable qualities.
One thing I didn't waver on, believe it or not with everything I've said so far, was the fact that I really did want Ellie and Rick to work things out and end up together. When they were good and not misunderstanding or trying to show the other one up, they were just so sweet and playful and absolutely adorable. Oh and steamy like you wouldn't believe. I mean there was one brief scene towards the beginning of the book where there was no kissing involved or anything like that, it only involved the grabbing of a shirt and it was probably almost as hot, if not even more heated than when there was actual physical contact. Lots of yummy sexual tension that's for sure.
So, true, it wasn't perfect but I really did have fun reading the first book in this series. I liked both of Ellie's friends and I'm so curious as to find out what exactly happened when they both disappeared on the night of the ball. Interesting start to the series!
Thanks to Joan Kilby for the opportunity to read and review this book!
February 12, 2018
Win Me is the first of a trilogy set in rural outback Australia where a group of three girlfriends suffering from unrequited love and broken hearts go to a Bachelors and Spinsters Ball to kick back, have fun and celebrate being strong independent women who can have any guy they want. These stories are each written by a different author.
This first book is the story of Ellie and Rick.
Ah, unrequited love. It's kind of a sad thing to me. It simply makes me sad when two people who love each other cannot or are not together.
This story is about Ellie who has been carrying a torch of unrequited love for Rick for as long as she can remember. She even leaves the country for six years to avoid him though it doesn't stop her from loving him.
Rick loves Ellie too, only he has demons he needs to face and a warning from her overprotective father about Ellie being off limits to him.
This story was sweet and sad. Sweet because of Ellie carrying a torch for Rick. Sad because there's so much coming between them, probably most of all, themselves - getting in their own way, keeping them apart for far longer than I would have liked.
Ellie is your typical tomboy, girl next door who's never been thought of herself as feminine or pretty. She's got confidence issues about the way she looks and her appeal as a woman. It doesn't help her confidence either that she's always been treated as one of the guys and Rick keeps her at arms length, treating her more like a kid sister than a desirable woman. Ellie needed to find her courage to show Rick how she feels about him, and Rick needs to put his past to rest in order to move forward.
Along the way, misunderstandings take place, Ellie bolts and Rick gives chase. I must say, I was a little put out with Ellie bolting. I really don't like it when heroines run instead of standing and fighting for what they want. Fortunately for us, Rick comes to his senses and gives chase really quickly and the misunderstandings are resolved in a very timely manner. There's no faffing around for Rick. Once he knew what he wanted and made up his mind, he went after it.
I love Rick. Rick is your all around good guy. He's the kind of guy you'd bring home to meet your mother because he's husband material. He's hardworking, honest, trustworthy, honorable and noble. Okay, perhaps his nobility did make my teeth ache for the better part of the book since he held back on his own desires so much because of the warning he received from Ellie's father but I can understand it. Fortunately, he's also seriously hot and once the floodgates open on his desires and he knows Ellie wants him too, he doesn't hold back. I love a guy who goes after what he wants.
All round, an enjoyable read. I look forward to seeing what happens to Jen and Beth and how they find love and heal their hearts.
See more from Deanna's World
This first book is the story of Ellie and Rick.
Ah, unrequited love. It's kind of a sad thing to me. It simply makes me sad when two people who love each other cannot or are not together.
This story is about Ellie who has been carrying a torch of unrequited love for Rick for as long as she can remember. She even leaves the country for six years to avoid him though it doesn't stop her from loving him.
Rick loves Ellie too, only he has demons he needs to face and a warning from her overprotective father about Ellie being off limits to him.
This story was sweet and sad. Sweet because of Ellie carrying a torch for Rick. Sad because there's so much coming between them, probably most of all, themselves - getting in their own way, keeping them apart for far longer than I would have liked.
Ellie is your typical tomboy, girl next door who's never been thought of herself as feminine or pretty. She's got confidence issues about the way she looks and her appeal as a woman. It doesn't help her confidence either that she's always been treated as one of the guys and Rick keeps her at arms length, treating her more like a kid sister than a desirable woman. Ellie needed to find her courage to show Rick how she feels about him, and Rick needs to put his past to rest in order to move forward.
Along the way, misunderstandings take place, Ellie bolts and Rick gives chase. I must say, I was a little put out with Ellie bolting. I really don't like it when heroines run instead of standing and fighting for what they want. Fortunately for us, Rick comes to his senses and gives chase really quickly and the misunderstandings are resolved in a very timely manner. There's no faffing around for Rick. Once he knew what he wanted and made up his mind, he went after it.
I love Rick. Rick is your all around good guy. He's the kind of guy you'd bring home to meet your mother because he's husband material. He's hardworking, honest, trustworthy, honorable and noble. Okay, perhaps his nobility did make my teeth ache for the better part of the book since he held back on his own desires so much because of the warning he received from Ellie's father but I can understand it. Fortunately, he's also seriously hot and once the floodgates open on his desires and he knows Ellie wants him too, he doesn't hold back. I love a guy who goes after what he wants.
All round, an enjoyable read. I look forward to seeing what happens to Jen and Beth and how they find love and heal their hearts.
See more from Deanna's World
October 24, 2015
I love friends-to-lovers stories, especially when combined with a touch of the unrequited on one or both sides, so this one looked like a win-win. Plus, already having a past will make the "it all happened in a weekend" part that much more plausible. Throw in there the idea of three lifelong friends heading off for a weekend of fun and double dares out on the Outback? At a "ball" in the middle of nowhere? Now it's even better!
I loved the three friends, Ellie, Jen, and Beth--this is going to be a fun series to read. (All group Skype calls should involve alcohol. I wonder if my graduate school project groups would go for that idea? Must remember to ask. ;)) I loved, loved, LOVED Rick--the ranch station manager with a tragic past who's driven to do better than his dad did--AND who's been warned off of the boss's daughter since day one.
But of course he's drawn to her like no one's business, and vice versa.
Saw that coming, right?
The ending was adorable--a little rushed, but again the whole "with a past" part made it easier to swallow.
What drove me a little bonkers, though, was the heroine's seeming need to completely misunderstand every. Single. Thing the hero said or did. Seriously--things would finally appear to be good between them, all is cuteness and light, then bam! she decides that he didn't mean it or his feelings are completely opposite of what they appeared to be thirty seconds ago, or...well, you get the idea. Over and over and over again she decided that he meant something other than what he actually did, got mad, and took off in a huff. Frustrating.
To be fair, Rick definitely had his share of clueless moments, but he makes up for them in the end--and it never felt as willful as Ellie's did.
Still--all's well that ends well; and I do like the two of them together, when they finally manage to make it stick.
On to book two!
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the three friends, Ellie, Jen, and Beth--this is going to be a fun series to read. (All group Skype calls should involve alcohol. I wonder if my graduate school project groups would go for that idea? Must remember to ask. ;)) I loved, loved, LOVED Rick--the ranch station manager with a tragic past who's driven to do better than his dad did--AND who's been warned off of the boss's daughter since day one.
But of course he's drawn to her like no one's business, and vice versa.
Saw that coming, right?
The ending was adorable--a little rushed, but again the whole "with a past" part made it easier to swallow.
What drove me a little bonkers, though, was the heroine's seeming need to completely misunderstand every. Single. Thing the hero said or did. Seriously--things would finally appear to be good between them, all is cuteness and light, then bam! she decides that he didn't mean it or his feelings are completely opposite of what they appeared to be thirty seconds ago, or...well, you get the idea. Over and over and over again she decided that he meant something other than what he actually did, got mad, and took off in a huff. Frustrating.
To be fair, Rick definitely had his share of clueless moments, but he makes up for them in the end--and it never felt as willful as Ellie's did.
Still--all's well that ends well; and I do like the two of them together, when they finally manage to make it stick.
On to book two!
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2015
Pretty Standard Story, But I Never Liked the Heroine
FINAL DECISION: I liked the setup for this novella, but the heroine annoyed me because she insisted on misunderstanding the hero's intentions.
THE STORY: Ellie McFarlane has returned to Australia and the man she has wanted for years. Six years apart have not dimmer her attracxtion to Rick Drummond, but Ellie is determined to get over this hopeless love. Along with two friends, Ellie decides to attend an Outback bachelor and spinster ball which can get pretty wild. The three women hope that they can get over the men who have broken their hearts. Rick has wanted Ellie for years but after being warned off by her father, he has treated her like a younger sister. When she returns to Australia, he finds out that he doesn't have sisterly feelings for Ellie.
OPINION: I liked the setup for this story. The plot itself was pretty standard stuff, but I really liked the idea of these three women hooking up with the men who can heal their broken hearts at the ball. Unfortunately, I never really liked Ellie. She seemed detemrined to me to purposely misunderstand Rick's behavior and words. Worse, her reaction is to behave like a child, retaliate or run away. While this extended the drama in the story, it did not make me think this twenty-eight year old woman was acting her age. On the other hand, I thought that Rick was incredibly sweet. He sometimes acted clueless toward Ellie, but he always showed his carning nature. This was an adequate novella, but the heroine made it difficult for me to really like it.
WORTH MENTIONING: All three of the novellas in the series take place simultaneously and there are hints of the other stories in this novella.
CONNECTED BOOKS: WIN ME is the first of three interconnected novellas in The Outback Bachelor Ball.
STAR RATING: I give this novella 3 stars.
FINAL DECISION: I liked the setup for this novella, but the heroine annoyed me because she insisted on misunderstanding the hero's intentions.
THE STORY: Ellie McFarlane has returned to Australia and the man she has wanted for years. Six years apart have not dimmer her attracxtion to Rick Drummond, but Ellie is determined to get over this hopeless love. Along with two friends, Ellie decides to attend an Outback bachelor and spinster ball which can get pretty wild. The three women hope that they can get over the men who have broken their hearts. Rick has wanted Ellie for years but after being warned off by her father, he has treated her like a younger sister. When she returns to Australia, he finds out that he doesn't have sisterly feelings for Ellie.
OPINION: I liked the setup for this story. The plot itself was pretty standard stuff, but I really liked the idea of these three women hooking up with the men who can heal their broken hearts at the ball. Unfortunately, I never really liked Ellie. She seemed detemrined to me to purposely misunderstand Rick's behavior and words. Worse, her reaction is to behave like a child, retaliate or run away. While this extended the drama in the story, it did not make me think this twenty-eight year old woman was acting her age. On the other hand, I thought that Rick was incredibly sweet. He sometimes acted clueless toward Ellie, but he always showed his carning nature. This was an adequate novella, but the heroine made it difficult for me to really like it.
WORTH MENTIONING: All three of the novellas in the series take place simultaneously and there are hints of the other stories in this novella.
CONNECTED BOOKS: WIN ME is the first of three interconnected novellas in The Outback Bachelor Ball.
STAR RATING: I give this novella 3 stars.
February 19, 2017
This was okay. I'm not a huge fan of the years of longing turned true love overnight romance so it was going to be difficult for this to win me over. I mostly read it for the set up to the following two books. It was entertaining though and good for what it type of story it was.
November 10, 2015
Full review here: http://bookbinge.com/2015/10/review-w...
I struggled a bit with Ellie’s seeming lack of maturity when it came to Rick. She was a worldly woman who had traveled extensively and advanced well in her career. Yet she chooses to quit her job just as she lands the position she wants. Then, rather than communicating to her crush – a man she’s close with and has known her whole life – her feelings, she sets out to make him jealous and then blows hot and cold. When he hurts her, she doesn’t explain that or call him on it, just runs away and internalizes all her feelings.
What saved her for me was the way she was away from Rick. She was who she was and, aside from a few moments of self-consciousness about her lack of style, that was that.
For Rick’s part, he was such a bonehead sometimes. His saving grace was that he was quick to realize when he stuck his foot in his mouth and correct the mistake. Which was good, since there was no way Ellie was telling him what was going on in her head.
I absolutely loved the relationship between the women. They were friends in the truest sense of the word. I also enjoyed the romance. Despite my frustrations with their lack of communication, I was pulling for them as a couple. They were friends first and foremost, which came across well.
I struggled a bit with Ellie’s seeming lack of maturity when it came to Rick. She was a worldly woman who had traveled extensively and advanced well in her career. Yet she chooses to quit her job just as she lands the position she wants. Then, rather than communicating to her crush – a man she’s close with and has known her whole life – her feelings, she sets out to make him jealous and then blows hot and cold. When he hurts her, she doesn’t explain that or call him on it, just runs away and internalizes all her feelings.
What saved her for me was the way she was away from Rick. She was who she was and, aside from a few moments of self-consciousness about her lack of style, that was that.
For Rick’s part, he was such a bonehead sometimes. His saving grace was that he was quick to realize when he stuck his foot in his mouth and correct the mistake. Which was good, since there was no way Ellie was telling him what was going on in her head.
I absolutely loved the relationship between the women. They were friends in the truest sense of the word. I also enjoyed the romance. Despite my frustrations with their lack of communication, I was pulling for them as a couple. They were friends first and foremost, which came across well.
October 25, 2015
She fell in love with him when she was barely fourteen years old. He was nineteen and he was hired as a ranch hand at her father's cattle ranch. They had always been friends through all the ups and downs of the last fourteen years. And now it is time to "fish or cut bait" ... is this a love that is shared by two or is she the only one with these feelings.
This is an entertaining and delightful story of Ellie and Rick. It quickly draws you in to the emotions that have been simmering below the surface all this time. The cowboy has to finally make up his mind as to what his future is going to look like. Ellie is very independent, but she is solid about her feelings and willing to give Rick a last chance. Loved this delightful story!
This is an entertaining and delightful story of Ellie and Rick. It quickly draws you in to the emotions that have been simmering below the surface all this time. The cowboy has to finally make up his mind as to what his future is going to look like. Ellie is very independent, but she is solid about her feelings and willing to give Rick a last chance. Loved this delightful story!
October 26, 2015
Review Posted at HarlequinJunkie.com
Ellie McFarlane has been pining for a certain cowboy for years, but to him she’s just the boss’s daughter. Now though, she’s returned home, determined to move on and forget all about him. And what a better way to start than allowing her best friends to choose her outfit, for the Bachelor and Spinster Ball they plan to attend. Except getting over her cowboy isn’t so easy, and instead she finds herself doing whatever it takes to get him to notice her. Read More
Ellie McFarlane has been pining for a certain cowboy for years, but to him she’s just the boss’s daughter. Now though, she’s returned home, determined to move on and forget all about him. And what a better way to start than allowing her best friends to choose her outfit, for the Bachelor and Spinster Ball they plan to attend. Except getting over her cowboy isn’t so easy, and instead she finds herself doing whatever it takes to get him to notice her. Read More
January 23, 2017
Fast and fun read, though I do wish there was a glossary of Aussie slang terms! In a happy coincidence, an episode of Expedition Unknown last week taught me that "swag" = sleeping bag, and I know from Top Gear that a "ute" is a coupe/pickup truck hybrid vehicle.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 36 reviews