Always Dakota

Dakota #3

by Debbie Macomber

Buffalo Valley, North Dakota. A few years ago, this was a dying town. Now it's come back to life! People are feeling good about living here again-the way they used to. They're feeling confident about the future. Stalled lives are moving forward. People like Margaret Clemens are taking risks on new ventures and on lifelong dreams. On happiness. Margaret is a local rancher who's finally getting what she wants most. Marriage to cowboy Matt Eilers. Her friends don't think Matt's such a bargain; neither did her father. But Margaret is aware of Matt's reputation and his flaws. She wants him anyway. And she wants his baby…

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Contemporary, Adult

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book as much as I liked her other books - Montana, Blossom Street series, etc. I think my dislike stemmed from the Axel subplot and the handling of Shelley's pregnancy.

Having friends/family who have endured the adoptive process, I really disliked the way Axel was taken from the couple. I work as a volunteer GAL, and the first mandate is to keep the child feeling stable. Unless the home was truly unfit (and this would be determined by a caseworker as WELL AS a CASA volunteer), the child most likely would have stayed in that very loving home he already knew. I also didn't like the way it was 'wrapped up' so neatly with him adjusting so easily - again, personal experience.

I am also a stepmother, and my DH's ex is a lot like Shelley - used the children for personal gain, vindictive, hateful and spiteful. I can guarantee you that she will never give up her rights like that - no matter how much she would like. In fact, most stepmothers that deal with vindictive exes have pretty much the same experience - even when mothers abandon their young (one moved to England with no visits) they still play victim and refuse to give up their rights. The hate runs too deep.

I also know that the strain on the marriage would have been nearly unbearable once the baby was on the EOW schedule and the women were interacting (which would be inevitable). It would not have been so easy to just pack him off to the hospital for that first visit, and it's never that easy to just "forgive, move on and love another woman's child" - trust me. Again, the ending for this part of the book was too "neat and tidy" to align with my personal experience.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

She was raised like boy
Falls for neighboring rancher
He's a real A-hole

Ongoing side plots
Didn't love these characters
Good end to series

[Margie Gundelach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - read it in less than one day! You'll probably ejoy it more if you read th first two books of the trilogy first. These are the first Debbie Macomber books I've - I am now a fan!

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Character U - Dennis Urlacher
Secondary Character Q - Heath Quantrill

Set in North Dakota.

Engaging, small town contemporary romance perfect escapism in these difficult times.

[Erica Chaillot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is like extended family and friends. They are so realistic, the town endearing, and their growth inspirational. I’ve already started the next.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

WAlways Dakota by Debbie Macomber
376 pages Paperback
Dakota #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Westerns, Relationships, Family, Adult Fiction

Featuring: Death, Golddigger Trope, Babies, Sex - Detailed, Weddings, Troubled Teen, Adoption, Pregnancy, Drugs

Rating as a movie: R

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

My thoughts: 📖 Page 93 of 376 Ch. 5 - This gold digger trope is everything, I can't wait to see how it plays out, the rest is mostly tying up lose ends but I already have the unexpected 4th book so I wonder about that.
📖 159 Ch. 8 - Sarah needs to learn to throw Will under the bus, she wouldn't be having all of these problems if she was honest with Calla. I'm tired of funerals. This series already reminds me of Virgin River so it better not have the ex plot I'm thinking of.
📖 329 Ch. 17 - Had me hopeful for a minute but both ex tropes from Virgin River combined, smh. I'm going to finish. I also don't get the boyfriend swap.

Despite some questionable storylines I really enjoyed this story and would be happy to read it again. I starting Buffalo Valley right away, I need to know what's next. FYI This series predates Virgin River by several years.

Recommend to others?: Yes. This was the best book of the series so far. It easy to understand why a 4th book was written for this planned trilogy.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this audiobook out to satisfy my North Dakota book for a reading challenge, and it was ok for me. The way it swapped focus from one couple's drama to another, made me feel like I was watching an actual soap opera, and it had the level of drama I expect from a soap as well. It amazed me how many babies were born/conceived in this book, but I did like how everyone received a happy little wrap up to their sub-plot.

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[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care for this book. It was slow in the beginning and had too many sub-plots. It did get better toward the end.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This book was better than #2 but this isn't my favorite series of hers. This one mainly follows Margaret and Matt and their unlikely love story. Margaret is the daughter of a rancher and she's a major tom boy. He's the grouchy neighbor farmer and a huge jerk. He's dating a bimbo girl named Sheryl and she tells him to marry Margaret in order to inherit the farm (her dad just died) and then leave her and go back to Sheryl after a year of marriage. He's crappy enough to marry her for money but doesn't plan on leaving and then we see their love story unfold. We also get bits and bobs from the rest of the townspeople's lives, especially the ones we've met in previous books. I liked the storyline with Buffalo Bob because it wasn't typical and as predictable as the others, but I thought what happened in the end was SUPER messed up. You cannot replace a child and it seemed like thats exactly what they did. Yuck. The whole adoption process was handled inappropriately in my opinion. I also hate how all of these stories end up in pregnancies and babies like that is the only way to equal happily ever after.

SPOILERS AHEAD:
Margaret and Matt- He's such a jerk I didn't like him from the beginning but I did think that their romance was appropriately paced. He fell in love with her gradually and not because of one big event (like the 2nd book), but he's also got his ex girlfriend, Sheryl, there in the background. Both women end up pregnant (SHOCKER) and so that causes a little rift but Margaret is totally understanding and welcomes the little girl into their lives. They have a son and all is well in wedded bliss.
Rachel and Heath-Heath's grandma dies and the town builds a park with the money. Hattie is involved in making a memorial for lost soldiers because she lost her son.
Sarah and Dennis- Calla continues to be a pain in the ass. She comes back and lives with her grandpa but she gets mad at him because he tells her she's being a brat. Theres a big showdown between Calla and Dennis where both are super immature and it made me not love Dennis. SHOCKER Sarah gets pregnant too. She goes into labor early and Calla takes her to the hospital and its a big bonding experience where everything ends up great and they have a healthy son (after a month in the NICU).
Buffalo Bob and Merrily- They decide to get a lawyer and fight for Axel. He gets taken from them and put in a foster home then adopted by other people. Both Bob and Merrily have arrests in their pasts so they don't think its a fit home. Then SHOCKER she gets pregnant to replace Axel. Yuck.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two tales dominate this book. We learn more about Buffalo Bob and his Buffalo gal. Then there's Margaret who decides she's going to marry the bad boy in town because she knows she can give him what he wants: her ranch passed on to her after her father's death.

[katinameow · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to finish the trilogy, and I wasn't expecting the likes of Austen or Shakespeare, but, man, was this terrible! It seems like everyone drank schizophrenic-bipolar juice, or was down with a case of the crazies. Atrocious.

[Lucy McLaurin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cosy visit to Buffalo Valley to learn the latest going-ons.

It’s lovely to see the progression of characters we’ve met before and how their lives are working out. And then to follow new stories of characters we’ve seen from afar … bliss and contentment.

Again Debbie Macomber feeds that hunger for a cosy family read.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 of her Dakota Series. Will be looking into getting the last book

[Margaret Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story of small town with lots of interesting characters and lives .

[Garnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere in this world people are going through what is in this book. Excellent portrayal of teenage daughter.

[Cindy Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. Loved it

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story I listened to driving to/from work. I really liked how there are three books to the series and it just kept going. This is not earth shattering fiction, just simple and fun. I found myself looking forward to my drives so I could hear more.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rarely go looking for a Debbie Macomber book, but when I happen to pick one up, I always seem to enjoy it. They aren't overly serious or thought-provoking, but they provide a nice dose of escapism when you are in need. What I always enjoy about Macomber's books is that she makes you believe that people tend to be good at heart, and that life doesn't have to be overly complicated, if you just stick to what is important. I also enjoy that her books tend to run in series or trilogies, so you get to see a lot of different characters in different times/settings over and over again. So....I wouldn't say these books are going to change your life, but they will probably be enjoyable. The Dakota series is pretty typical Macomber fare, and if you are looking for a little brain-candy, I recommend them.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointed, the story of Matt and Margaret was a very small part of the book, there was not enoug h detail of her finding out his screw up and it went from one story to another and I was so confused most the time I could not enjoy it. The story I was interested in was a failure in that I did not remotely think Matt was redeemed and found the whole nasty woman surrendering her kid a token plot device of trying to clean up that horrid relationship and Margarets willingness to take all the crap that came with matt made me feel she was weak and needy and not a survivor....

Matt was a d&ck period... he had one..he was one... I wanted to understand how Margaret would be able to hold her head up in that town where everyone knew matt married her for financial gain while whoring with the vile mistress...

[Connie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd in the Dakota series started out slow, but I really liked it by the end. I didn't think I was interested in reading about Margaret and Matt since they hadn't appealed to me as interesting characters in previous books, but as their relationship developed, so did their personalities. Actually, this whole book seemed to deal with various people living good lives despite setbacks in their pasts. They had to mature and deal with the consequences of their histories. Calla...Bob and Merrily...Sarah and Dennis...Margaret and Matt...lots of good story lines here. I'm definitely moving on to the next in the series.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say, I was pretty disappointed with how much of the book was actually about Margaret and Matt. I felt like their story line was pretty much finished before the book was halfway done, and there were just little tidbits about them later that were neatly wrapped up. That being said, I did like "visiting" Buffalo Valley again.

[Jane(Janelba) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully written end to this trilogy. I loved every page of this series.

[Catherine Flusche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extra star for Margaret slugging Matt...twice.

[Nancy Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved what I thought was the final book in the series. Imagine my surprise to find out there is a 4th one, which I am reading now.

[Mindy Cossins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these three books and this last one was unexpected as I did not anticipate what was going to happen to Bob and Merrily and Axel.

[Abby Stopka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series just keeps me hooked.

[Miriam Childs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good ending to the trilogy.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY

This third book set in Buffalo Valley, North Dakota focuses mainly on Matt and Margaret Eilers.

Before Margaret’s father passed away, he spoke with Matt and told him his daughter was in love with him.

Whatever his daughter went after she got, and he wanted to warn Matt if he hurt his daughter he would probably haunt him from the grave!

In the meantime, Matt didn’t have the best reputation. At the moment, he was seeing Sheryl Decker.

She came up with the idea if Matt married Margaret, he could divorce her and get half of her money and cattle. Matt really didn’t like that idea, though.

Three weeks after Margaret’s father passed away, Matt finally got around to giving Margaret his condolences.

As time passes, Margaret grows to love Matt even more, and asks him to marry her. Matt is shocked, but after thinking about it, he accepts.

Everyone thinks Matt is only after Margaret’s money and he doesn’t love her at all. But eventually, Matt actually does grow to love Margaret.

They have a lot in common, and she does have a womanly side. But soon any love is squashed when Sheryl tells Matt she’s pregnant with his child.

Matt even gets a DNA test and it confirms he’s the father. Margaret is devastated and wants Matt to leave.

Matt is angry at Sheryl because he knows she is just using the baby to get money from them and to make them miserable.

To make matters even more complicated, Margaret is pregnant too.

By the time Sheryl has her baby, Hailey Faith, Matt and Margaret are back to living together.

Margaret has accepted that Matt’s daughter is her step-daughter and she will accept her in her life.

Sheryl still thinks she can get Matt to leave Margaret, but is wrong. Eventually, Sheryl gives up custody of Hailey to Matt and Margaret, and they gladly accept raising Hailey and their son, David.

Sarah and Dennis become parents with their son, Josh. But this pregnancy has been a stressful one for Sarah.
Her daughter, Calla, has moved back to Buffalo Valley after living with her father. But she still doesn’t like Dennis, and it’s like walking on eggshells with her mother.

Calla moves in with her grandfather, and even he gave her a good talking to about her attitude.

Not until Sarah goes into labor when she’s only 7 1/2 months pregnant does Calla realize she loves her mother and needs to not only forgive her for the way she acted, but also Dennis.

Bob and Merrily are having a rough time after giving up the toddler Merrily saved from abusive parents to authorities.

Even though they did all they could to adopt Axel, the judge awarded him to another couple who didn’t have criminal records and had a better home environment. But things are looking much better when Merrily gets pregnant.

Rachel and Heath get married. Unfortunately, Heath’s grandmother, Lily Quantrill, passes away soon after. But with her passing, a new park in town is dedicated to her, and Heath moves the bank’s central offices to Buffalo Valley. The couple are going to have a house built in town, another example of how the town is continually growing and prospering.

Joanie and Brandon Wyatt opened a video rental/craft store. Harvey Hendrickson opened a hardware store. Sarah’s quilt store has many employees.

Lyndsay and Maddy continue to be great friends with everyone and are a big part of the community.

[Anne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book set in Buffalo Valley, North Dakota focuses mainly on Matt and Margaret Eilers. Before Margaret’s father passed away, he spoke with Matt and told him his daughter was in love with him. Whatever his daughter went after she got, and he wanted to warn Matt if he hurt his daughter he would probably haunt him from the grave! In the meantime, Matt didn’t have the best reputation. At the moment, he was seeing Sheryl Decker. She came up with the idea if Matt married Margaret, he could divorce her and get half of her money and cattle. Matt really didn’t like that idea, though. Three weeks after Margaret’s father passed away, Matt finally got around to giving Margaret his condolences. As time passes, Margaret grows to love Matt even more, and asks him to marry her. Matt is shocked, but after thinking about it, he accepts. Everyone thinks Matt is only after Margaret’s money and he doesn’t love her at all. But eventually, Matt actually does grow to love Margaret. They have a lot in common, and she does have a womanly side. But soon any love is squashed when Sheryl tells Matt she’s pregnant with his child. Matt even gets a DNA test and it confirms he’s the father. Margaret is devastated and wants Matt to leave. Matt is angry at Sheryl because he knows she is just using the baby to get money from them and to make them miserable. To make matters even more complicated, Margaret is pregnant too. By the time Sheryl has her baby, Hailey Faith, Matt and Margaret are back to living together. Margaret has accepted that Matt’s daughter is her step-daughter and she will accept her in her life. Sheryl still thinks she can get Matt to leave Margaret, but is wrong. Eventually, Sheryl gives up custody of Hailey to Matt and Margaret, and they gladly accept raising Hailey and their son, David.
Sarah and Dennis become parents with their son, Josh. But this pregnancy has been a stressful one for Sarah. Her daughter, Calla, has moved back to Buffalo Valley after living with her father. But she still doesn’t like Dennis, and it’s like walking on eggshells with her mother. Calla moves in with her grandfather, and even he gave her a good talking to about her attitude. Not until Sarah goes into labor when she’s only 7 1/2 months pregnant does Calla realize she loves her mother and needs to not only forgive her for the way she acted, but also Dennis.
Bob and Merrily are having a rough time after giving up the toddler Merrily saved from abusive parents to authorities. Even though they did all they could to adopt Axel, the judge awarded him to another couple who didn’t have criminal records and had a better home environment. But things are looking much better when Merrily gets pregnant.
Rachel and Heath get married. Unfortunately, Heath’s grandmother, Lily Quantrill, passes away soon after. But with her passing, a new park in town is dedicated to her, and Heath moves the bank’s central offices to Buffalo Valley. The couple are going to have a house built in town, another example of how the town is continually growing and prospering.
Joanie and Brandon Wyatt opened a video rental/craft store. Harvey Hendrickson opened a hardware store. Sarah’s quilt store has many employees.
Lyndsay and Maddy continue to be great friends with everyone and are a big part of the community.

[Jack Vasen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book in the Dakota series tells a complete story and could stand alone. I'm sure there were things from earlier books that I missed, but I couldn't tell exactly what they might have been.

Too many people, too many stories. This might have been where I missed out, but I don't think so. There were just too many things going on, too much jumping around.

Legal issues. This is just me, but I hate stories that involve courts and/or DCFS. I have no faith in our court systems. The one legal story capitalized on just that - people in authority making decisions based on information on paper. I wish I could say that I thought these decisions were totally unjustified, but there was some rhyme to the reasons. And that just makes it worse.

Stupid people doing stupid things. Oh boy, this is what really bothered me. Right off the bat we find that Margaret is in love with Matt and even she knows that's a bad idea. There really is no good reason. She barely knew him. It turns out her affection was based on her observation of one instance of kindness. I can understand the intangible that leads to infatuation, but this really bothered me. Matt is weak willed and does things which he knows he shouldn't. We all do, but that doesn't mean I want to read about it in the protagonist. Some bad decisions early on would be one thing if he learned, but they carry though past half the book. Merrily has a similar pattern and it mixes with blind rage causing irresponsible behavior.

The one stupid person that actually made sense was Calla. She was a teen acting like a teen. Yes a little self-centered, but that's the definition of a teen.

I didn't finish. I got about 2/3rd through and couldn't take the nonsense and slow pace any longer. I skipped to the end. Based on the epilogue, I don't think I missed much.

Mature themes: there is some slightly explicit sex. There is discussion of child abuse without much detail. There is alcohol abuse.