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Nerds of Paradise #1
Opposites Attract
Haskell, Wyoming has a rich and vibrant history, dating back to the Old West. But with the opening of Paradise Space Flight, an aeronautics company and brain-child of Howard Franklin Haskell IV, the entire town is looking to the future. All except cowgirl, Casey Flint. Daughter of one of the original Paradise Ranch families, Casey is reeling from all of the change in her hometown. Even more so when project manager Scott Martin moves into town and turns her world upside down.
Scott is more than ready to embrace the quieter pace of life that Haskell represents while helping a new and exciting company to launch…in more ways than one. His life gets even better when he meets and falls hard for local girl, Casey. But Casey proves to be more of a challenge than he anticipated when she seeks to block his efforts to buy land from her father. Scott and Casey rub each other the wrong way, but the sparks they create are irresistible.
But just as the two rivals are tempted to give in to attraction, the infamous Bonneville family causes trouble for both Scott and Casey’s family. When they threaten to buy out Casey’s family’s ranch, everyone’s futures are in jeopardy. Hearts are on the line as the cowgirl and the engineer must work together to preserve the past and protect the future.
The Nerds of Paradise series take place in the modern-day world of Haskell, Wyoming. Want to read about the founding and history of the town? Check out The Brides of Paradise Ranch historical western series!
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam Level – Very Hot
Scott is more than ready to embrace the quieter pace of life that Haskell represents while helping a new and exciting company to launch…in more ways than one. His life gets even better when he meets and falls hard for local girl, Casey. But Casey proves to be more of a challenge than he anticipated when she seeks to block his efforts to buy land from her father. Scott and Casey rub each other the wrong way, but the sparks they create are irresistible.
But just as the two rivals are tempted to give in to attraction, the infamous Bonneville family causes trouble for both Scott and Casey’s family. When they threaten to buy out Casey’s family’s ranch, everyone’s futures are in jeopardy. Hearts are on the line as the cowgirl and the engineer must work together to preserve the past and protect the future.
The Nerds of Paradise series take place in the modern-day world of Haskell, Wyoming. Want to read about the founding and history of the town? Check out The Brides of Paradise Ranch historical western series!
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam Level – Very Hot
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2017
593 people are currently reading
1550 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
February 26, 2025
Ah, Casey. You're a flat, one-dimensional heroine. If you do the financials on your ranch, you know that there's no money for improvements. You're a lean operation. There's no way you'll survive without an influx of cash. Five acres of your heritage is better than losing the whole chalupa. You feel me? So stop stomping your feet and being a raging bitch to Scott. He's a great dude.
Scott, she's an abuser. Seriously. If she's in her 20's and goes from "Hi there" to ignoring you once she learns your name, then tries to hatch a plot to get close to you so she can hurt you because you legally and with approval bought some of "her" ranch from her father? She's an immature user. Run.
Scott, she's an abuser. Seriously. If she's in her 20's and goes from "Hi there" to ignoring you once she learns your name, then tries to hatch a plot to get close to you so she can hurt you because you legally and with approval bought some of "her" ranch from her father? She's an immature user. Run.
August 12, 2017
For starters the cover is ghastly! But the story unfolded nicely at first, before the heroine turned rather spiteful and unpleasant. I honestly can't imagine any real man wanting to pursue a woman who treated him that way. But this is 'fiction', so we had the predictable sex and then the even worse small-town-America shenanigans with the town council doing their own thing and making up laws as they go along. Please, as a Brit, can someone tell me if that sort of thing really happens??
The story was okay, and would have merited 3 stars, but for the rush at the end where the fake angst over the planning laws was solved in a couple of pages without any of the other hinted-at problems being brought to a conclusion.
Some of the characters were so fake and cliched that I cringed. Luna Clutterbuck?? If she'd been a man she'd have been arrested for sexual molestation ,but hey! She's a woman so it's okay!! (No. It isn't)
The story was okay, and would have merited 3 stars, but for the rush at the end where the fake angst over the planning laws was solved in a couple of pages without any of the other hinted-at problems being brought to a conclusion.
Some of the characters were so fake and cliched that I cringed. Luna Clutterbuck?? If she'd been a man she'd have been arrested for sexual molestation ,but hey! She's a woman so it's okay!! (No. It isn't)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 13, 2017AMAZON FREEBIE 8/12/17
August 13, 2017
I can't really make up my mind on this one... It was cute and all, and there was a real issue that had nothing to do with the romance, but it was also kinda dragged on, and it eventually got a bit boring.
Also, Casey was so self-sabotaging, I just wanted to strangle her at times!
Also, Casey was so self-sabotaging, I just wanted to strangle her at times!
August 27, 2017
She was a basket case and he was dumb
Scott was a barely researched piece of drivel. He's building a green house. A green house is more than solar panels, a wind turbine, a septic tank and well. There is passive heating and cooling that can be explained, grey water recycling, recycled insulation and building materials, insulated glass windows, green roofs, and all kinds of other things that can and should be part of a green house built by an aerospace engineer. And the fact that the aerospace aspect of the research is saved for another book was not lost on me. I have issues with her female lead as well.
Her grief felt very real to me, but the love story not so much. The timetable didn't help either. They knew each other six weeks, a few months at the max. So she has to run an emotional gauntlet in weeks, that probably takes years, so that it sounds like and feels like a mental breakdown. I'm surprised that she didn't get professional help because she went through denial, anger, guilt, sadness, and acceptance at breakneck speed. It read like watching a crazy person. I liked the setting, secondary characters, and beginning story arc/subplot but not enough to make me like this book.
Scott was a barely researched piece of drivel. He's building a green house. A green house is more than solar panels, a wind turbine, a septic tank and well. There is passive heating and cooling that can be explained, grey water recycling, recycled insulation and building materials, insulated glass windows, green roofs, and all kinds of other things that can and should be part of a green house built by an aerospace engineer. And the fact that the aerospace aspect of the research is saved for another book was not lost on me. I have issues with her female lead as well.
Her grief felt very real to me, but the love story not so much. The timetable didn't help either. They knew each other six weeks, a few months at the max. So she has to run an emotional gauntlet in weeks, that probably takes years, so that it sounds like and feels like a mental breakdown. I'm surprised that she didn't get professional help because she went through denial, anger, guilt, sadness, and acceptance at breakneck speed. It read like watching a crazy person. I liked the setting, secondary characters, and beginning story arc/subplot but not enough to make me like this book.
August 22, 2017
Opposites Attract is Book One of Merry Farmer's Nerds of Paradise series. The back story is good and certainly one I would normally be drawn too. However, I really didn't like Casey. Very shallow. Obviously has a lot of issues.
Despite the fact that her father and brother approved the sale of land, she's still doing everything she can to get Scott to change his mind and trying to put a guilt trip on him to {I don't know what} sell the land back to her family maybe?? Not sure what she thought the outcome was going to be. If she was going to be ticked off at someone, I would have thought her brother and father. I really don't understand why Scott put up with her. He was too much of a push over.
This was the first book I've read by this author and it was certainly well written. While I didn't care for the heroine in this particular story, I will definitely be giving her other stories a try.
Despite the fact that her father and brother approved the sale of land, she's still doing everything she can to get Scott to change his mind and trying to put a guilt trip on him to {I don't know what} sell the land back to her family maybe?? Not sure what she thought the outcome was going to be. If she was going to be ticked off at someone, I would have thought her brother and father. I really don't understand why Scott put up with her. He was too much of a push over.
This was the first book I've read by this author and it was certainly well written. While I didn't care for the heroine in this particular story, I will definitely be giving her other stories a try.
August 28, 2017
I was looking forward to reading about a sexy nerd. I like smart guys and it's refreshing to read about someone who isn't an athlete, billionaire, or bad boy etc. I enjoyed the writing and the overall story was ok. I just couldn't get on board with Casey. I found her to be extremely irritating, immature and selfish. I just didn't care of her childish personality and going out of her way to make it difficult for Scott and running around the town trying to get sympathy points from friends without even thinking about her family and their financial situation. All she did was whine, imagine a 5 year old kicking and screaming because they didn't get their way. And another unfortunate character is the main male lead... I didn't think Scott was nerdy enough.
May 3, 2017
3.5/5.0
“Opposites Attract” is a solidly written story of two people fighting over a piece of land, but it represents more than just land to both of them.
Read full review in the 2017 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“Opposites Attract” is a solidly written story of two people fighting over a piece of land, but it represents more than just land to both of them.
Read full review in the 2017 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
November 22, 2025
Boring
Skipped half the book. Just so damn boring. Disappointed because Casey was annoying and Scott was a pushover even though he didn't give up on his dream. Just plain blah.
Skipped half the book. Just so damn boring. Disappointed because Casey was annoying and Scott was a pushover even though he didn't give up on his dream. Just plain blah.
June 3, 2018
This is the first book in the Nerds of Paradise series. Nerds of Paradise looks like it’s going to be a quick, fun, and light series. That’s perfectly fine for summer reading, or really, anytime reading. I doubt it will evolve into one of my favorite series, but it does have some entertaining moments.
Casey is too one-dimensional. She’s so bent about her father and brother selling off five acres of a far portion of their ranch that she’s willing to give up the whole darn thing. Sort of the “I’ll cut off my nose to spite my face” syndrome. Her family, like many other ranching families in Haskell, WY, are having difficult times. In order to ensure they’ll be able to operate until beef prices pick up, the five acres is sold for a premium price to one of the new PSF engineers. That engineer, Scott, has had a decade’s long dream of designing/building a totally green house. His building will have minimal impact on the ranch. Over half of the book is spent on Casey trying to get Scott to give up his dream so that the ranch stays intact. It gets tiring. You want to shout at her to get her head out of her backside and realize the predicament they’re in. She, especially, should be able to figure that much out. She does the finances for the ranch, after all. She should also be one of the first to realize the lowest impact on the ranch is selling those five acres out on the back forty. She’s like a spoiled kid who isn’t getting what she wants.
Like I said, this is a very light read that’s entertaining and quick to get through.
Casey is too one-dimensional. She’s so bent about her father and brother selling off five acres of a far portion of their ranch that she’s willing to give up the whole darn thing. Sort of the “I’ll cut off my nose to spite my face” syndrome. Her family, like many other ranching families in Haskell, WY, are having difficult times. In order to ensure they’ll be able to operate until beef prices pick up, the five acres is sold for a premium price to one of the new PSF engineers. That engineer, Scott, has had a decade’s long dream of designing/building a totally green house. His building will have minimal impact on the ranch. Over half of the book is spent on Casey trying to get Scott to give up his dream so that the ranch stays intact. It gets tiring. You want to shout at her to get her head out of her backside and realize the predicament they’re in. She, especially, should be able to figure that much out. She does the finances for the ranch, after all. She should also be one of the first to realize the lowest impact on the ranch is selling those five acres out on the back forty. She’s like a spoiled kid who isn’t getting what she wants.
Like I said, this is a very light read that’s entertaining and quick to get through.
August 16, 2017
Less than a year after her mother dies, Casey learns that her father and brother have agreed to sell 5 acres of their ranch to a man who wants to build a green house. She's livid, but financially it will help to sustain the ranch longer.
One of the small town's grand families has invested in a space flight company which has build its HQ in Haskell, flooding the town with new nerdy citizens. At a mixer, Casey meets a new nerd and they're instantly attracted to each other.. until she finds out he's the one who bought the land.
From there, it's Casey trying to prevent him from building but also getting to know him. It's also really clear that Casey is still grieving and has severe emotional issues regarding this. BUT, the account here of her character is so shallow that it was hard for me to get into the story. And don't get me started on Mr. Nerd who was so forgettable that I can't remember his name and I read the book two days ago.
One of the small town's grand families has invested in a space flight company which has build its HQ in Haskell, flooding the town with new nerdy citizens. At a mixer, Casey meets a new nerd and they're instantly attracted to each other.. until she finds out he's the one who bought the land.
From there, it's Casey trying to prevent him from building but also getting to know him. It's also really clear that Casey is still grieving and has severe emotional issues regarding this. BUT, the account here of her character is so shallow that it was hard for me to get into the story. And don't get me started on Mr. Nerd who was so forgettable that I can't remember his name and I read the book two days ago.
October 7, 2017
Eventually a heartwarming book
I almost quit several times as the main female character is just too whiny, annoying, self-involved and idiotic. She’s still so wrapped up in grieving the loss of her mother (and yes, I get that that’s the point) that she refuses to live or face reality. Her reaction to her father selling five acres of land from their ranch is completely over the top and ridiculous. It’s made even more so when her father explains the cash infusion is necessary to save the ranch she purports to love. Since she is involved with running the ranch she should realize the reality of this. Instead she takes out her irrational ire on the man who bought the land who of course becomes the love interest.
He has the patience of a saint and of course eventually there is a HEA but the main female character is just so ridiculous that it’s hard to move past.
I almost quit several times as the main female character is just too whiny, annoying, self-involved and idiotic. She’s still so wrapped up in grieving the loss of her mother (and yes, I get that that’s the point) that she refuses to live or face reality. Her reaction to her father selling five acres of land from their ranch is completely over the top and ridiculous. It’s made even more so when her father explains the cash infusion is necessary to save the ranch she purports to love. Since she is involved with running the ranch she should realize the reality of this. Instead she takes out her irrational ire on the man who bought the land who of course becomes the love interest.
He has the patience of a saint and of course eventually there is a HEA but the main female character is just so ridiculous that it’s hard to move past.
September 8, 2017
I wanted to like it
As a nerd myself, I really wanted to love this book, but I was quickly disappointed. The grief-rationalized insanity of the h was such a turn off, though, I almost didn't get past the first scene when the H and h met. I don't understand why either of them even got past that, but somehow they did. I soldiered through the rest and it eventually mostly redeemed itself, hence my review not being lower stars.
There's potential in the series, though, since the other ladies seem a bit wiser and more rational, so I might consider reading more.
As a nerd myself, I really wanted to love this book, but I was quickly disappointed. The grief-rationalized insanity of the h was such a turn off, though, I almost didn't get past the first scene when the H and h met. I don't understand why either of them even got past that, but somehow they did. I soldiered through the rest and it eventually mostly redeemed itself, hence my review not being lower stars.
There's potential in the series, though, since the other ladies seem a bit wiser and more rational, so I might consider reading more.
August 14, 2017
I liked this book primarily because I could read it without much thinking. It is an easy beach or poolside read. Cassey doesn't want to like the new boy in town. He has purchased part of her father's farm and plans to build a house. She is still not recovered from her mother's death a year ago, and just can't find a way to be happy. But, like most of this genre of book, good and love triumph in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2017
Opposites Attract by Merry Farmer is a totally fun read. Ms Farmer has given us a book that is loaded with humor, drama, sizzle and suspense. I loved the characters in Casey and Scott's story, they are a perfect fit in this book. I enjoyed reading Opposites Attract and look forward to reading more from Merry Farmer in the future. Opposites Attract is book 1 of the Nerds Of Paradise Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
January 4, 2018
Haskell Wyoming.. current day. If youve ready any of Merry's Historicals you will be familiar with this town. And you will also recognize some of the characters here.. well their descendants actually lol What do you get when you cross a broken hearted ex barrel racer with an aeronautical space flight project manager... you get heated sparks of course. Definitely read this for a spicy romance that will keep your attention to the end.
May 4, 2018
It Takes a Community
To accomplish all the important things in life. In Opposites Attract it takes the input of the entire community to finally convince Casey to move along with her life. It is that same community that is almost babboozeled by the swindling mayor in town, but Casey’s love interest and the brains behind the new thoughts in town help all sorts of new ideas come into full bloom eventually.
To accomplish all the important things in life. In Opposites Attract it takes the input of the entire community to finally convince Casey to move along with her life. It is that same community that is almost babboozeled by the swindling mayor in town, but Casey’s love interest and the brains behind the new thoughts in town help all sorts of new ideas come into full bloom eventually.
December 7, 2024
Casey is a rancher who has lost her mother a year ago. She has it in her head that she cannot be happy and needs to preserve her family ranch. When Scott buys five acres from her father (brother agreed) she goes in the combat mode to try and get Scott not to build his house on the land. She has it in her head that everything should remain the same. When she meets Scott her competitiveness kicks in and she tries to get him to sell the land back to her family. The story was good and fast.
March 14, 2018
Opposites Attract(Needs of Paradise Book1)
I really enjoyed reading this book . It was kind of different from the other western books 📚 that I've ever read but when I got started in to reading it I didn't want to put it down . This really is a must read book . That's the reason I am not giving away anything. Get your copy today you will not be sorry you did 😂
I really enjoyed reading this book . It was kind of different from the other western books 📚 that I've ever read but when I got started in to reading it I didn't want to put it down . This really is a must read book . That's the reason I am not giving away anything. Get your copy today you will not be sorry you did 😂
April 29, 2018
Very disappointed that a brat over the age of 21 can't understand the sale of five acres of land would save the rest of the ranch for over five years. This book had great potential, but given the ten pages of lame sex thrown in at the end of the book, and the horrible bratty main character. I find myself not interested in reading any more of these.
March 2, 2020
So this book was just okay for me. It was something to pass the time honestly. I didn't feel like the "nerd" male character was very believable but the female (Casey) was especially with her grief of her mother's passing. I might plan on reading the 2nd book because it's free on Nook but I definitely wouldn't have bought it had there been a cost. Hopefully the next one is better!
August 23, 2017
New series
This book, the first in a new series, introduces some interesting characters that I enjoyed. However, the most interesting part of the book to me was the small town political portions, specifically historical protection versus the rights of the property owners.
This book, the first in a new series, introduces some interesting characters that I enjoyed. However, the most interesting part of the book to me was the small town political portions, specifically historical protection versus the rights of the property owners.
September 10, 2017
Ok book. Very predictable .
Her mom died. Move on amd quit whimming. Very hard to finish as id lost interest halfway through. Only finished this book because wild ride cowboy was not out yet.
Her mom died. Move on amd quit whimming. Very hard to finish as id lost interest halfway through. Only finished this book because wild ride cowboy was not out yet.
September 30, 2017
Very interesting story
This was a different plot than other books I've read. I was pulled in to the town of Haskell immediately. Cheering for the townspeople and booing for the Bonneville's. Loved reading bout the history of the town. I'll definitely read more of this series!
This was a different plot than other books I've read. I was pulled in to the town of Haskell immediately. Cheering for the townspeople and booing for the Bonneville's. Loved reading bout the history of the town. I'll definitely read more of this series!
May 30, 2018
Had to make myself finish this book which is unusual for me. Casey, the main female character was so annoying and aggravating that I just wanted to slap her. More power to Scott for the unbelievable amount of patience he possessed because I'd have kicked her to the curb pretty quick.
December 8, 2018
Moving
Book one in the series gives a nice background to the town and inhabitants of Haskell. I enjoyed reading about Scott and Casey’s journey to love and acceptance. Moving story.
Book one in the series gives a nice background to the town and inhabitants of Haskell. I enjoyed reading about Scott and Casey’s journey to love and acceptance. Moving story.
February 10, 2021
A fun read!! Scott is a great nerdy (not the stereotypical nerd) character. Casey did get on my nerves with her immaturity, but it works with the story so no big deal. I am going to continue the series.
July 28, 2017
Good
the story that shows how a two groups of people ha e to learn to work to getter to safe a ranching community
the story that shows how a two groups of people ha e to learn to work to getter to safe a ranching community
August 14, 2017
Too funny
Horses, houses and Bonnevilles. This is the start of a great series with love being the first prescription. Delightful and delicious!
Horses, houses and Bonnevilles. This is the start of a great series with love being the first prescription. Delightful and delicious!
August 21, 2017
It was a good read though the female lead was too emotional for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews