Accounting for Love

Long Valley #1

by Erin Wright

There is an alternate cover edition for this ASIN here and here

Is she the answer to his dreams … or the person who will be forced to destroy them?
He’s a farmer, dammit, not a bookkeeper

When Stetson Miller inherits his father’s farm in Idaho, he’s too focused on crops and yields to pay attention to the financial side of things. The next thing he knows, he’s got a stack of unpaid bills, the bank is threatening to foreclose … and the auditor who’s come to examine his accounts is the sexiest thing he’s ever laid eyes on.

But she’s a city girl, just like the last one who left him at the altar. He'll guard his heart -- but he can't help wanting her.

She’s checking him out ... in more ways than one

Jennifer Kendall doesn’t mind a tough job, but the handsome Stetson is trouble of a different kind. When he isn’t making her mad, he’s filling her head with all sorts of forbidden fantasies.

The sparks between them fly even faster when the road washes out and Jennifer has to spend the night on the farm. But passion alone won’t pay the bills. Can Jennifer find a way for Stetson to save his farm?

And if she can’t, will he ever forgive her?

"Accounting for Love" is a standalone novel in the Long Valley world, has some strong language, and oh my, sexy times. Enjoy!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Westerns, Contemporary, Amazon, Audiobook, Ebooks

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2016

About the author

USA Today Bestselling author Erin Wright has worked every job under the sun, including library director, barista, teacher, website designer, and ranch hand helping brand cattle, before settling into the career she’s always dreamed about: Author.

She still loves coffee, doesn’t love the smell of cow flesh burning, and is currently living out her own love story in a tiny town in rural Idaho.

Reviews

[Dodo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A little bit too fairy tale for my taste, but I enjoyed the author's style.

[Janja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short,insta lust-love and one hot cowboy and a pretty city girl.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh god. Do you ever read a book to the end because you honestly can't imagine how much worse it will get? This was one of those. It was a fast read, if it were longer it would have been a DNF.

Honestly, I liked the premise and I liked the potential of the characters, but it was all so shallowly executed. So much potential wasted. Both characters were kind of two dimensional and little time was spent trying to flesh them out. They know each other all of two three days then they split and there's crying, and a week later he's proposing and she's moving in? I still don't know if they've ever actually spoken to one another more than an 'oh, that's what you do?' There is about ) development of their relationship. I still have no idea what they saw in one another. Their motivations are entirely driven by plot, rather than serving the plot. There is a whole subplot of brothers who dislike one another, which would have been fine, but there was no point to adding it in other than to add length and it wasn't even resolved or addressed in the end.

Like I said, I just kept reading because I kind of wanted to see just where it would go. It is the kind of book that makes me want to re-write it because it is ripe for all sorts of UST and pining and glances. Instead we get chemistry-less insta-fucking. *le sigh*

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jennifer is an accountant and she is looking into Stetson’s account after he missed a payment on his farm loan. The tension between Stetson and Jennifer was very aptly dealt with Carmelita, who is the housekeeper of Stetson’s house.
Carmelita is a wonderful character and one that stays in my mind long after the book is over.
Overall, the way the two characters got together was great fun. But it seemed a little hurried.
But nonetheless, it was enjoyable all the way through.
Lovely romance.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/21/2020)! 🎁

[Eve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh no, that was so so so so dumb. Okay, they’d barely had two whole conversations by 40%, they were in love by 60%, the big drama came at like 97% and they were married and pregnant by the end??? No. This is even worse when you consider that this happened in a span of around a week or two (the engagement, not the wedding). Ugh, it’s so dumb. Not to mention they had absolutely no chemistry. They’d just met each other, he was a dick and apparently hated her, but all that time that could have been spend with them actually getting to know each other was instead spend on them pining and denying with absolutely nothing to back up their reasons to do so.

It also felt like there was a lot of underlying sexism in this. When was Stenton not raging on about that darn woman coming in and ruining things. Just, everything about this felt so cheap and dirty and it just wasn’t great. The only reason it gets 2 stars is because I didn’t absolutely hate it. Yikes.

[Lyn Sweetapple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great characters. I am looking forward to Wyatt's story.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional Roller-coaster does not begin to describe the sparks flying between these two. This story of love found when you are so not looking for it was both entertaining and engaging all five senses at the same time kinda read.

One head strong rancher with two brothers that have moved on with their own ranches but still see him as the baby of the family. (I was an unexpected late baby too) One strong minded city dwelling female with a calculator that she is not scared to use .. (Crazy ex-boyfriend that has problems understanding the word "No" to boot) with a Boss that has his own not so nice plans for the ranch in question. A Family Ranch that is generations old hanging in the balance.

This all makes for one exciting, actively fun, entertaining read. Looking forward to the next Long Valley Visit.

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book made me laugh out loud because it was a bit stupid at times. Also, any book that ends with them getting married after like 2 weeks always makes me laugh as well. The lovebirds themselves were a bit dull; didn't care a thing for either of them. Carmelita, the housemaid, deserved better than taking care of the main guy Stetson. Also, a cowboy/farmer name Stetson... c'mon now.

[Janet Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my review on the first part of the book. I’m really close to stopping and not finishing it. Ooh this story and that’s not entirely ooh in a good way. The first part of it frustrated me to no end. It was slow so I felt like I had been reading forever only to find out that I was only a quarter of the way in. I liked Stetson but did the author have to make him dumb. I mean really how very naive of him to think that he could run any business and not do paperwork. He repeatedly kept saying that everyone knows that you don’t do paperwork. How ridiculous is that. The author wrote a hot cowboy with nothing upstairs. Jennifer isn’t must better. Who quits an entire profession that you worked hard to complete for a man? Couldn’t she move and find another nursing job? Then to incur more student loan debt to learn a completely different profession. It seems to me that she has created unnecessary problems because of a man. Ok I’m more than half way through and it is boring. The blurb was interesting and it lead me to believe that I was in for a trick. I feel hoodwinked because it wasn’t bad just boring therefore I can’t even give it a 1 review.

[Ambersreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to make me happy: give me a really good love story ❤ definitely want to read more of these

[JL Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Kinda slow rolling, nothing really exciting going on. Quick read, with meh characters. Just couldn't get into the story or the characters.

[Lisa Tetting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 3.5 stars and since I always round up, it get last a 4.

The book started out a little slow and it took me a while to get into the story. The gist of it was Stetson was a rancher whose land is in danger of being taken by a bank because he was unable to make a payment on a loan. He had to take out the loan when his father turned ill. Cancer treatment was expensive, causing Stetson to make the choice to try and save his father's life. He couldn't afford the treatment and the bank payment so he was in default.

Jennifer is a forensic accountant hired by the bank to audit the financials at the ranch. She sees her job as a way to help people find a way to pay their loan, whereas her boss just wants her to see the property owners unfit and foreclose.

Once Jennifer and Stetson stop arguing, on it was all Stetson and his stubbornness, they get together and burn he sheets up. Eventually, Jennifer finds a way to save the ranch, but Stetson refuses causing a riff between the lovers. They eventually get their HEA.

[Laronda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enough

This book had a longer version available but I opted for the shorter one thinking I could always read the longer one if I wanted more. Nah, I am good. Skimmed about half of this one.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Rellim]

12/11/2021 - ebook is free & audio is 99¢ on Kobo (I think ebook is free all the places…)

[Curly Bibliophagist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a rewrite of Erin Wright's original Accounting For Love. I love her books and her writing skills have grown since she wrote the original version if this book. Doing this rewrite was a great opportunity to make Accounting For Love even better.

Stetson is raises cattle and is a row crop farmer. He also has a big chip on his shoulders. Stetson inherited the farm when his father died. Stetson is the youngest of threee sons. Typically, the farm would pass to the oldest son, hus brother Wyatt. When Stetson inherited the farm, his brother was not happy about it. Wyatt always held a grudge against Stetson, even though his father signed for the financing on Wyatt's farm, enabling him to have his own farm, long before his father passed. Stetson was an oops baby, coming along years after Wyatt and their other brother, Declan. Stetson and his dad were very close. Needless to say, Wyatt was a little jealous.

Fast forward to a year or so after his father passed. Stetson is struggling. He has missed the yearly payment on the farm's operating loan. The bank is threatening forclosure and has reason to want to forclose over Stetson making the payment. Unfortunately for the bank, the loan calls for an audit of the farm to see if forclosure is really necessary. That's where Jennifer comes in. She is an accountant, tasked with going through the farm's books. When she arrives, Stetson is not happy that she is there and doesn't hesitate to let Jennifer know it. There is a lot of tension there, buffeted by Stetson's wonderful housekeeper, Carmelita.

As the story plays out, we learn a lot about both Stetson's and Jennifer's past. We see the relationship grow. It becomes a race against time for Jennifer to finish tge audit and find a way to save the ranch that has been in Stetson's family for over 100 years. Will the ranch be saved? Will Stetson and Jennifer have a happily ever after? Can Carmelita be an even more awesome character?

I received a copy of this rewritten book and I am providing this review by my choice. I also purchased this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca A. Bamford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Romantic Read



This was a great romantic read. Characters are well developed and engaging. Stetson has inherited his father's farm, never one to pay attention to paper work and paying bills. He gets a letter saying they will foreclose i 31 days. The bank informs him they will be sending out an auditor to look at his books and he is not too happy about someone being in his space until he meets her. When the roads flood out and she is forced to stay overnight sparks fly between the two. Jennifer needs to find a way to save the farm, or lose everything, including the relationship building between her and stetson. I loved this love story. Highly recommended.

[Jordy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book a little hard to read. The writing style I didn't hate, but the plot layout and character development I did. The initial chemistry/sexual tension between Stetson and Jenn is quite good, but then it just goes down hill and feels rushed. The timeline is way too quick; the story happens over the period of two weeks and by the end Stetson is proposing and Jenn is giving up her career... Also, when Paul rocks up at the Miller Farm after more than a year (if I recall correctly) - this was just bizarre. To be honest, I only finished the book because it was quite short (and free on Amazon).

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked Jennifer and Stetson’s cute moments. When he was talking sweet to her I wanted to be on the receiving end. But I hated when he was such a dickhead, and it was too often. I get he was in a situation but it was his own fault. For him to not say sorry until the last chapter, I wanted to punch both of them. Why was she letting him get away with that bs? For a girl who claims to be the “new Jenn” not letting people treat her like dirt, she sure let him do it over and over again. At times the writing made the emotions of the characters hard to follow. They would switch so fast and it was giving me whiplash. Carmelita was an absolute sweetheart, she was absolutely the best addition.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a Kindle freebie and the title caught my attention due to my own profession. I wondered what the author would do with this story line. There was very little actual Accounting going on in this book. I kept thinking "Woman, if you would just get to work you might save his farm!". I know...I ask too much. I liked Stetson and his housekeeper. He could be in a longer more in depth story. Otherwise this was a rushed world-wind romance that wraps up in a happy ever after in a weeks time.

[Maranda Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

There isn’t much to the book. It’s not a story with much detail as to who the characters are or what makes them. It’s shallow and not very pulling. It’s a simple cowboy sees girl and falls in love within a couple days, the next week they are getting married. That’s pretty much the story with a little sex. There could be some great sub context and side stories, but the author glancing over it and never returns. Leaving you in the dark and not wanting to finish. Only finished because I have OCD and leaving it unread completely would drive me nuts.

[Angala Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author and voluntarily chose to review.
This was a great cowboy romance with interesting characters and a wonderful story. Erin Wright did a great job writing this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you like hot cowboys and tough girls, pick up a copy.

[Jeannie Grainger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars.
Absolutely loved it.
Well crafted story and scenes.
The sensual scenes really flowed with the story and really worked for me.
Great work Erin Wright.
I will be purchasing more of your stories.
I acquired this story in a large collection of "small town" stories called Hometown Hope. I recommend the whole collection. This was among the best of the stories.

[Jo Hurst · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible book. Plot line could have been great but failed dismally. The characters had no substance and were sex starved clearly. This tried to be 50 shades of cowboy and was simply awful. More sex ( and not even nicely written sex) then storyline. Wasted my last day on holiday with this sadly.

[Bill Megenity · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read

I very much enjoyed Accounting for Love. It was fast enough for keeping me immersed but leave me behind. I would enjoy more of her stories but I am limited financially to the kindle free books. Thanks for writing it.

[Tiff Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost didn't finish this one. It was difficult to force myself to. The main characters are pathetic and insufferable. The storyline had potential but I felt like a lot was missing. It built things up to be important to the plot and then fell flat.

[Raquel · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Yeah, it’s bad, but it can’t get worse, can it?” -me, convincing myself I shouldn’t DNF this book at the end of every single one of its chapters.

Reader, it did. It did get worse.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stetson Miller looked around at the extensive clutter in his deceased father’s office. He need to get this organized if he intended to save the farm! He had been given 31 days to bring the loan current or the bank would foreclose. Mumbling about what he would do to the low-down banker/thief who was coming, he ignored his housekeeper’s throat-clearing and finally turned around. Behind her was a woman sent by the bank, so he verbally attacked her too for her cowardly boss not coming here himself! In anger, he gave her a list of requirements on how this audit would be done, the hours, one sandwich for lunch, etc. He made it plain she was not getting any hospitality. He was so rude that Carmelita, the housekeeper, made it a point to reprimand him that evening.

Jennifer Kendall began organizing the mass of papers into something that made sense as she began her audit. Stetson continued to be brusque, although Carmelita’s words helped a great deal. Jennifer asked him about the large amounts of money going into his personal checking account, and he told her it was to pay for his father’s chemo. The last treatment was why he didn’t have the money to make the loan payment. He ran out of the office, angry with himself for revealing so much to her. But it made Jennifer resolve to find a way to save his farm!

At the end of the day, her boss called her, angry that she didn’t have a recommendation yet. He wanted that foreclosure to happen! He screamed that the Board wanted options – was foreclosure still an option? She responded, “Foreclosure is always an option,” just as Stetson stepped up on the porch and heard her! Devastated and angry, he stormed past her and even yelled at Carmelita. In tears, Jennifer ran to her car and – as she sped off in the blinding rain and slick mud – she didn’t feel how her little car was sliding recklessly. And then she lost control as she went off the road!

This book is a rewrite of the original story of the same name. The author did a fine job fleshing it out and matching it to her current writing style. The characters were very realistic and believable. Stetson had a great deal of pressure on him to be successful as the youngest of three sons. He didn’t want to go to his brothers for help, but he had been funding his dad’s treatments before his death and did not stay on top of his loan payment. His failure angered him and he took it out on Jennifer. The bank wanted the land for its own purposes and was pushing for foreclosure. Fortunately, Jennifer is an honest, caring person who is good at her job. She wants to find a way to make things right. But is it enough to save the farm? The reader will enjoy following this story line with its twists and turns. Don’t miss this one!!