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Prairie Hearts #1
Innocent Hearts
Kate Beecher, a young woman from Boston, looks ahead with a sense of restless longing to the life her family and friends expect her to embrace. She doesn't know what she wants, or who, until she moves with her family to the wild Montana Territory of the 1860's. Just eighteen and quietly struggling against the social constraints of the era, Kate meets a woman who fires first her imagination, and then her dreams. Jessie Forbes, a fiercely independent but touchingly tender rancher, finds in Kate the passion she had unknowingly sought all her life.
This is the story of their struggle to love in a land and time as cruel as it was beautiful.
This is the story of their struggle to love in a land and time as cruel as it was beautiful.
216 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2015
28 people are currently reading
1313 people want to read
About the author
Radclyffe
142 books1,668 followersRadclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 26, 2017
This book is sweet, if not a little stereotypical for a Western. But, you'll notice I gave it five stars because I don't give a damn. In fact, the clichés and the predictability made this enjoyable. It's all too often that lesbian novels are some art project. They're married, there's a huge age gap, they're going to end up dead or miserable because this book has to mean something really deep, and so on. Or, it's one of those lesbian novels where it is just a lighthearted and/or simple story to be enjoyed, but the characters are often horribly unlikable. I didn't want to immerse myself in some avant-garde piece of crap, nor did I want to read about some secret agent who speaks 30 languages have lots and lots of unrealistically hot sex with a half robot model set in the distant future. I wanted to read a simple, sweet, clichéd Western with characters I could root for, without necessarily taking into account the rampant homophobia that would have existed in real 1860s Montana. And you know what? I got that. Thanks, Radclyffe.
September 20, 2017
4.5*
I really enjoyed this story so much more than some of her recent books being released. It was a sweet story and for a Radclyffe romance I would say a slow burn as in it took more than two weeks for the characters to say "I love you."
Also, I found it free online. Whether it is significantly different from the published version I don't know, but free is always good in my book.
I really enjoyed this story so much more than some of her recent books being released. It was a sweet story and for a Radclyffe romance I would say a slow burn as in it took more than two weeks for the characters to say "I love you."
Also, I found it free online. Whether it is significantly different from the published version I don't know, but free is always good in my book.
November 16, 2025
*** 4 ***
A much happier ending for this Les historical romance than I was expecting. Good for me 😃👍!
A much happier ending for this Les historical romance than I was expecting. Good for me 😃👍!
September 15, 2021
4,25 stars
This was fun. Cute, cheesy, a bit melodramatic (there was an awful lot of crying out) and well written. I was happy.
This was fun. Cute, cheesy, a bit melodramatic (there was an awful lot of crying out) and well written. I was happy.
May 16, 2015
So, I came to this novel after reading Kicker's Journey, Backwards to Oregon, Hidden Truths, and Jae's collected short stories in the Oregon series, hoping to find another historical lesbian romance of similar quality. This is not that. There is very little period detail here of any kind, aside from the occasional mention of Levi's, and this version of 1860 Montana appears to exist in an alternate reality where most people are just totally A-OK with queer romance. I'm all for sexual orientation/gender identity not being a Big Deal™, but sometimes it is; denying it without explanation makes suspension of disbelief nearly impossible. That's not the novel's biggest problem, though.
Essentially, this is a Radclyffe mad-lib romance novel, where the names and outfits are changed, a few descriptive adjectives are switched, everything is condensed (or, in the case of world-building, outright excluded) to get it down to around 200 pages, and voila! If you're looking for a forgettable beach read with some horses in it, this may be exactly what you're looking for, but I just couldn't find anything at all here to merit recommendation.
The writing was mediocre at best, making everyone and everything feel like a cardboard movie prop. Literally everything was underdeveloped. Point-of-view problems were rampant, switching multiple times within a scene without any demarcation. As for emotional content, the only emotion this novel successfully kindled in me was disappointment. This work is all fluff, with none of the substance required to elevate it into anything meaningful or memorable.
_____________
I wish Jae would spend more time on her Oregon series, because she seems to be one of the very few authors in this sub-genre (lesbian Westerns) who can successfully create expansive landscapes, realistic problems and conditions, and authentic, loveable characters with deep internal lives. But, at least Radclyffe has a decent proofreader. One star.
Essentially, this is a Radclyffe mad-lib romance novel, where the names and outfits are changed, a few descriptive adjectives are switched, everything is condensed (or, in the case of world-building, outright excluded) to get it down to around 200 pages, and voila! If you're looking for a forgettable beach read with some horses in it, this may be exactly what you're looking for, but I just couldn't find anything at all here to merit recommendation.
The writing was mediocre at best, making everyone and everything feel like a cardboard movie prop. Literally everything was underdeveloped. Point-of-view problems were rampant, switching multiple times within a scene without any demarcation. As for emotional content, the only emotion this novel successfully kindled in me was disappointment. This work is all fluff, with none of the substance required to elevate it into anything meaningful or memorable.
_____________
I wish Jae would spend more time on her Oregon series, because she seems to be one of the very few authors in this sub-genre (lesbian Westerns) who can successfully create expansive landscapes, realistic problems and conditions, and authentic, loveable characters with deep internal lives. But, at least Radclyffe has a decent proofreader. One star.
January 10, 2025
It was good because it was a lesbian cowgirl romance so like duh, but if it had been a straight romance I would definitely have thought it was meh.
The writing is nothing to write home about, and there’s minimal character development. However, I’m aware this was a short form romance so it’s not exactly realistic to expect poetic deep characters whose souls are tied together.
If anyone knows of a lesbian cowgirl romance that DOES check those boxes PLEASEEEE let a girl know 🙏
The writing is nothing to write home about, and there’s minimal character development. However, I’m aware this was a short form romance so it’s not exactly realistic to expect poetic deep characters whose souls are tied together.
If anyone knows of a lesbian cowgirl romance that DOES check those boxes PLEASEEEE let a girl know 🙏
February 21, 2020
Really excellent historical romance - loved the characters and the story. Superb.
September 15, 2018
I happen to have read the 2nd book in the series before and my love for that made me search for this. Still loving the old western lifestyle depiction but the intensity of love wasn't as rooted as the 2nd book. That said I still applaud Radcliffe and have a growing respect for her multifaceted stories.
September 23, 2020
A nice basic historic feel-good romance. Jessie is a competent rancher, and Kate is a new arrival in town from Boston, towed along by her well-meaning but very proper parents.
It's fairly insta-love, but almost innocent in a lot of ways until they realize what eachother means to the other, and how deep their affection goes.
There's a bit of drama and angst with someone getting shot, a possible engagement/forced marriage, an illness and the parents trying to dissuade the young lovers - but ultimately ends in a HEA.
I just don't think it is very memorable or enthralling.
It's fairly insta-love, but almost innocent in a lot of ways until they realize what eachother means to the other, and how deep their affection goes.
There's a bit of drama and angst with someone getting shot, a possible engagement/forced marriage, an illness and the parents trying to dissuade the young lovers - but ultimately ends in a HEA.
I just don't think it is very memorable or enthralling.
February 10, 2018
5 “oh my God, my heart” stars. I ship Kate and Jessie soooooo hard and also I’d let Jessie teach me how to ride at her ranch anytime. Did I just write that? Yes I did. This ain’t Shakespeare but omg the romance, the drama, the steamy love scenesssssss. 🤯🤯 10/10 can imagine secret lesbians in 2003 reading this and having it blow their minds. What a time to be alive. 😏😂
May 16, 2013
I'm so glad I read this book! It made me feel all warm and fuzzy in a drinking chocolate while playing with kittens sort of way. It's a tender romance between two people who respect each other and a total breath of fresh air for me.
June 8, 2015
Very sweet love story!
Radclyffe knows how to describe the magic of first love.
Romance at its best. Also the beautiful and sensual love scenes make this book a pleasure to read.
Radclyffe knows how to describe the magic of first love.
Romance at its best. Also the beautiful and sensual love scenes make this book a pleasure to read.
January 2, 2022
4.5 ⭐️ low angst historical western
Believe it or not this is a bit of a slow burn especially when you consider it’s from the queen of instant chemistry herself. And while they do have instant chemistry, they have “Innocent Hearts” and so don’t really understand what’s happening between them for awhile. Their growing friendship and attraction is fun the watch. I found this to be an enjoyable read.
Believe it or not this is a bit of a slow burn especially when you consider it’s from the queen of instant chemistry herself. And while they do have instant chemistry, they have “Innocent Hearts” and so don’t really understand what’s happening between them for awhile. Their growing friendship and attraction is fun the watch. I found this to be an enjoyable read.
July 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book, as I do all of Radclyffe's books. Yes, it was campy, but it was a nice read.
October 30, 2022
Really enjoyed listening to this book.
July 12, 2008
Reading this book I was full of anxiety. It's set in the 1850's. The Beecher's, Martin (father), Martha (mother), Kate (18 year old daughter) head out west to Montana for a new life away from the city (Boston). Martin and Kate are happy to go and look forward to the new adventure. Soon Kate meets Jessie, a young woman who runs her own ranch, and they fall in love. This presents problems mostly with Kate's parents. I was afraid for these girls and there was a part where I teared up and maybe a tear fell. I usually don't cry over books. Though I did cry while reading HP 7. Any way, these two, the way they love each other, well, I can't help but wish for a (reciprocal) love like that.
I've read a bunch of lesbian romances in the last two years and this one really got to me. The only problem with Radclyffe is that she writes love/sex scenes the same and they're a bit vague and somehow not really satisfying. Nobody takes their time. They're too consumed with passion, lol. I imagine it's hard to write sex though.
It's more than worth reading. I really loved the time and setting of the book. I was hoping for a happy ending. Read it and see if they got one.
I've read a bunch of lesbian romances in the last two years and this one really got to me. The only problem with Radclyffe is that she writes love/sex scenes the same and they're a bit vague and somehow not really satisfying. Nobody takes their time. They're too consumed with passion, lol. I imagine it's hard to write sex though.
It's more than worth reading. I really loved the time and setting of the book. I was hoping for a happy ending. Read it and see if they got one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2020
I really wanted to like this more than i did. Great setting, likeable characters, unique storyline...with not enough story. I got bored with the repetitive ruminations of the main characters and thought we could have read half of the ruminations and have gotten a little more of the story instead. I really don't think my expectations are high for a romance, but this book needed just a little more.
February 17, 2010
I have been looking for a lesbian romance for a really long time, but I could never really get into the plots. I really enjoyed this book. Radclyffe covers really sensitive subject matter in a very conservative time and still manages to create a believable love story. It also helps that I love historical fiction. I would definitely recommend this book.
July 18, 2012
This is one of the few Radclyffe books I've truly enjoyed. It's a western (extra points for that), self-contained, and the characters are unique and believable. There's an actual romance in this book that builds rather than her trend of the lead characters jumping each other the first chance they get. This was a great, quick summer read.
August 25, 2017
Radclyffe seems to have a habit of writing around action. We as the reader don't get to see a lot of the important events in her books, we only get to see the emotional fallout afterwards. It seems we are not meant to have our own feelings about what happens to these characters, we are only meant to experience the emotions of those watching. It's frustrating.
April 21, 2013
Not one of her best. Radcliffe seems to gloss over the issues of coming out in all her books, but this one the characters sexuality was being examine closely and she didn't treat it realistically.
December 23, 2013
Very cheesy romance novel, overuses the word "beautiful".
April 21, 2019
This is a nice straight-forward romance novel which I read as a wanted a different take on a western. Really likeable characters and well written if a little overly dramatic in parts.
January 26, 2021
I read this book because someone on FB said, that it is similar to "Backwards to Oregon" from Jae.
I laughed out loud, when the one MC Kate Beecher passes through Independence, Missouri where Luke & Nora Hamilton met in "Backwards to Oregon" :)
Now to the book itself: Especially the main characters were fantastically written. Their mutual attraction was palpable. Their coming to terms with those feelings that they didn't recognize first was very believable and their struggle to be together was written very suspenseful.
I couldn't put this book down and hated when I got to tired to continue reading. This will be a new favorite and I am going to continue with book #2 in the series right away!
I laughed out loud, when the one MC Kate Beecher passes through Independence, Missouri where Luke & Nora Hamilton met in "Backwards to Oregon" :)
Now to the book itself: Especially the main characters were fantastically written. Their mutual attraction was palpable. Their coming to terms with those feelings that they didn't recognize first was very believable and their struggle to be together was written very suspenseful.
I couldn't put this book down and hated when I got to tired to continue reading. This will be a new favorite and I am going to continue with book #2 in the series right away!
May 13, 2022
Love’s Mantra (spoilers)
Such a beautiful story between two brave and courageous women. It was good to read a story of this era whereas the woman donning “male” clothing was not trying to pass. I don’t mind those stories, but it was good to see parents working it out as a woman loving another woman.
It is hard going against convention. It’s still hard in the year 2022. You wouldn’t think so. But these old fights and social mores still exist. But knowing these two women were ready to face the town, family, and friends in order to be together openly and not as “companions” is liberating.
This story was just beautiful from beginning to end. Although I felt so much angst while reading about Jessie and Kate. But they left my heart filled and overjoyed.
Such a beautiful story between two brave and courageous women. It was good to read a story of this era whereas the woman donning “male” clothing was not trying to pass. I don’t mind those stories, but it was good to see parents working it out as a woman loving another woman.
It is hard going against convention. It’s still hard in the year 2022. You wouldn’t think so. But these old fights and social mores still exist. But knowing these two women were ready to face the town, family, and friends in order to be together openly and not as “companions” is liberating.
This story was just beautiful from beginning to end. Although I felt so much angst while reading about Jessie and Kate. But they left my heart filled and overjoyed.
March 8, 2023
This book has been on my TBR for so long and I don't know why I waited to read it until now. I loved the sweet story that developed between Kate and Jessie, as is usual with Radclyffe books the writing was phenomenal and you could feel the chemistry between the two characters from the very first meeting. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer, but there's another in the series that I'm reading now so I suppose that makes up for it.
January 24, 2022
A great book in itself but it really feel like the 80s style romances. The story didn't hold me in a way of what happens next so much as a lets get through this. Other characters in the book made me eager for the second in this series for sure in hope of it improving. A good book if lesbian westerns are your thing, but there are others out there that I would read first.
November 7, 2024
Innocent Hearts
I love a lot of sapphic romances, but I am a sucker for cowgirls. This was a period piece, so it definitely adds to the taboo of wlw. It was so good though! Jessie and Kate didn't even know what hit them, but they fell in love anyways. Aaannnddd.... there's another book! I've stumbled onto a series 🥰
I love a lot of sapphic romances, but I am a sucker for cowgirls. This was a period piece, so it definitely adds to the taboo of wlw. It was so good though! Jessie and Kate didn't even know what hit them, but they fell in love anyways. Aaannnddd.... there's another book! I've stumbled onto a series 🥰
November 26, 2017
Nope. Nope. Nope.
I didn't like it at all. Both characters did not have the chemistry I expected. There was nothing wrong with the writing, the story was just boring. I was disappointed, plain and simple.
I didn't like it at all. Both characters did not have the chemistry I expected. There was nothing wrong with the writing, the story was just boring. I was disappointed, plain and simple.
November 29, 2017
Absolutely loved this, just finished reading it for the second time :) Kate & Jessie's story is beautiful, and wonderfully written. Highly recommended! Definitely one of my top 5 Romance novels of all time :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews