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Holder County #1
Oklahoma Sky
Callie Monroe is leaving California and not just because it’s ridiculous for a girl named Callie to live in a state with the same nickname. If only that were the stupidest thing she’d done lately. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t even make the very bottom of the list.
When she stumbles into the local honkytonk in her hometown and lays eyes on hot-blooded, cattle rancher Ford Holder, she begins to think her return trip home is one of her smartest moves yet.
The ink isn’t even dry on Ford’s divorce papers, but he’s done. Done with the lying, with the cheating, and with women in general. Until the girl with the broken smile and curves for miles needs a little help getting over her ex.
Callie never expected to find the healing she needs in his capable arms.
Ford knows she’s way too young for him, but she’s also everything he never even knew he wanted.
Callie understands that he is the answer to every question she was never allowed to ask and the fulfillment of her every fantasy.
His ex-wife wants revenge.
Her family wants her gone.
Their long-drawn, lusty nights set Holder Ranch ablaze, but that same heat threatens to destroy everything Ford holds dear—his land, his reputation, and his family.
Can either of them survive apart?
Will anything survive if they remain together?
When she stumbles into the local honkytonk in her hometown and lays eyes on hot-blooded, cattle rancher Ford Holder, she begins to think her return trip home is one of her smartest moves yet.
The ink isn’t even dry on Ford’s divorce papers, but he’s done. Done with the lying, with the cheating, and with women in general. Until the girl with the broken smile and curves for miles needs a little help getting over her ex.
Callie never expected to find the healing she needs in his capable arms.
Ford knows she’s way too young for him, but she’s also everything he never even knew he wanted.
Callie understands that he is the answer to every question she was never allowed to ask and the fulfillment of her every fantasy.
His ex-wife wants revenge.
Her family wants her gone.
Their long-drawn, lusty nights set Holder Ranch ablaze, but that same heat threatens to destroy everything Ford holds dear—his land, his reputation, and his family.
Can either of them survive apart?
Will anything survive if they remain together?
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2019
35 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Neal
31 books228 followersBestselling author, Jillian Neal, was not only born 30 but also came accessorized with loads of books and adorable handbags in which to carry them, at least that’s what she tells people. After earning a degree in education, she discovered that her passion could never be housed inside a classroom. A vehement lover of love and having maintained a lifelong affair with the awe-inspiring power of words, she set to turn the romance industry on its head. Her overly-caffeinated, troupe-spinning muse is never happy with the standard formula story. She believes every book should be brimming with passion, loaded with hot sexy scenes, packed with a gut-punch of emotion, and have characters that leap off the page and right into your heart.
Her first series, The Gifted Realm, defines contemporary romance with a fantasy twist. Her Gypsy Beach series will leave you longing to visit the sultry shores of the tiny bohemian beach town, and her erotic romance series, Camden Ranch, will make you certain there is nothing better than a cowboy with some chaps and a plan. The sheer amount of coffee required to keep all of those characters dancing in her head would border on lethal, so she unleashes their engaging stories on page after page of spellbinding reads.
Jillian lives outside of Atlanta with her own sexy sweetheart, their teenage sons, and enough stiletto heels, cowgirl boots, and flip-flops to exist in any of the fictional worlds she brings to life.
Her first series, The Gifted Realm, defines contemporary romance with a fantasy twist. Her Gypsy Beach series will leave you longing to visit the sultry shores of the tiny bohemian beach town, and her erotic romance series, Camden Ranch, will make you certain there is nothing better than a cowboy with some chaps and a plan. The sheer amount of coffee required to keep all of those characters dancing in her head would border on lethal, so she unleashes their engaging stories on page after page of spellbinding reads.
Jillian lives outside of Atlanta with her own sexy sweetheart, their teenage sons, and enough stiletto heels, cowgirl boots, and flip-flops to exist in any of the fictional worlds she brings to life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 10, 2022
"Try not to hate the things that turned you into the man you are."
"Why?" he grunted.
"Because I'm pretty sure I love the man you are."
"Nobody gets to get out of this life unbroken. That just ain't how it works. So, if you get lucky enough to find the person who has the broken pieces that fit yours then you hold on tight and kind of put each other back together."
- Who is the Hero? Ford Holder, Age: 42, Occupation: Rancher
~ Ford is finally divorced from his witch of a wife and he couldn’t be happier.
~ ”He'd signed divorce papers in the courthouse at noon to finally bring an end to the entire debacle that was his life. He swore his pride ached worse than his ass that had been on that hard barstool since the blessed event that afternoon.”
Meritt had been cheating on him for a long time and she tore down his confidence over the many years they were married. He’s not the same man he was before he met her and he just wants people to stop talking about him and stop feeling sorry for him.
- Who is the Heroine? Calico Anna Monroe (aka Callie), Age: 28, Occupation: wants to be a photographer
~ Callie is unhappy. She has a boyfriend who takes advantage of her and she’s constantly roped into taking dog photographs for his pushy mother’s friends.
~ “She refused to photograph any more of his mother's friends’ dogs. Most of the time the animals were more miserable than she was, and that was saying something. Dogs did not want to be in tuxedo ties nor did they want to wear family crests and be posed for photos.”
This isn’t the existence she wants, so she heads to her grandparents farm in Oklahoma to make a clean break and reassess her life.
~ “Going back to the farm would be good. She missed her grandparents so much she swore the pain held a physical mailing address in her chest.”
Plot overview:
Ford didn’t want to go home to an empty house, so he went to Rusty’s to have a couple beers. When he noticed the blonde in the corner, he couldn’t take his eyes off her because he knew what she was feeling.
~ “He recognized defeat in her eyes because he'd seen it in his own for the past year and a half, minimum.”
When he goes over to her table, Ford finds Callie is a bit drunk so he puts some food in her belly and takes her home so she can sleep it off . In the morning, over some coffee and eggs, Ford offers Callie friendship and it’s the start of something neither expect.
~ “If you were going to sleep on the couch, why did you bring me here? I don't know you.”
“You seemed like you needed a...friend."
"And you want to be my friend?"
“If you need a friend, I'm game. But that's up to you."
~ “Everyone needs someone to catch them when they fall because at some point everyone falls.”
.
** The following are my thoughts about this book: **
* * If his marriage was bad from the start, I guess I didn’t understand why Ford didn’t divorce Merrit a long time ago. Why spend twenty plus years with her? They had no children, so I never really got why he stayed with her if he knew right away he should’ve never married her.
* * uncle Gentry had some good advice 😀
~ "Cows are gonna shit. People are gonna talk. Most of it's worth about the same."
~ "People don't leave because they've got something in their blood. They leave because there isn't anything left worth fighting for.”
~ “No matter how flat you fry a pancake, it's always got two sides.
~ “I'll tell you this though—there is one problem with asking the universe to tell you what to do." "What's that?" "The way the universe tends to speak ain't in our native tongue."
* * thanks to a couple bad prior relationships, both Ford and Callie had some confidence issues. But I really liked the way they were honest with each other and the way they were able to build each other up, offer support and ultimately gain that confidence back.
* * I liked the close knit Holder family. Callie’s family….not so much.
* * the mother’s appearance at the end of the story was a disconnect for me. It just seemed out of left field.
* * Granny was judgy and hypocritical and I actually didn’t care much for her. I thought she would be one of those cantankerous old grannies who say outrageously offensive things (in a funny way), but she wasn’t like that at all. I felt bad for Callie that she had a critical grandma rather than one who offered unconditional support.
* * Ford and Callie were very relatable. They had lots of good insight regarding relationships and life in general.
~ "I think sometimes it's hard to remember that you deserve better. It's not just this one big, bad decision that you made one time. It's a thousand small, insignificant things that we chose not to see. The lens was out of focus, and we never corrected it."
~ “"I've pretty much figured out that the truth almost always sounds fucked-up. It's easier to lie to yourself. Then we get so used to our own lies that when we're really real we don't recognize it."
~ “Once you get accustomed to something, even if it's bad, it's what you know. You get to thinking that's how life is supposed to be because you can't see it being any other way. You figure a shaky foundation is better than no foundation at all, so you just keep trying to stay on your feet and make it through the next day.”
* * I read through this pretty quickly. Ford and Callie captured my attention from the very start and I couldn’t put down their story until I was sure they would get their HEA. So it was a very engaging book for me.
**Overview:**
- Content Warning: cheating in marriage (off page), bad relationship with parents, granny is a bit religious (mild christian references)
- Setting: Holder County, Oklahoma
- POV: Dual POV
- Tropes: cowboy, age gap (not a big deal). This was about the only thing mentioned regarding their age difference: "Sunrises matter. How you spend a day matters. Minutes matter. Sometimes even whole hours matter. What you've been through matters. Years don't.”
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 22%
- First time they sleep together: 51%
- Safe sex? Yes. Condoms were used and /or being clean was discussed
- First time they say I Love You 65%
- steamy? Yes. Descriptive bedroom scenes
- Chemistry? they have good chemistry.
- OW/OM drama? Yes. There is an ex who is in the picture - purely to add some drama. Nothing romantic.
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? No
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? No
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? No
- Did I swoon🥰? Yes.
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? Yes
- Epilogue? Five years later
- Recommend? Yes
Quotes:
“I hate for you to go so soon. I haven't even got to hear about that boy who ain't even worth yesterday's weather report."
“I decided that it's better to sleep alone than with someone who'd rather be sleeping with someone else."
"Some people aren't loves, sweetheart. They're lessons.
"This is the first date I've been on in something like twenty years, so bear with me while I fuck it up because I'm surely going to.”
“If I've learned anything in the last few years, it's that small minds and big mouths have a way of hooking up.”
“Hanging on to who you thought you were supposed to be ain't worth it if you lose the only chick on this planet who clearly gets the guy you really are.”
"Why?" he grunted.
"Because I'm pretty sure I love the man you are."
"Nobody gets to get out of this life unbroken. That just ain't how it works. So, if you get lucky enough to find the person who has the broken pieces that fit yours then you hold on tight and kind of put each other back together."
- Who is the Hero? Ford Holder, Age: 42, Occupation: Rancher
~ Ford is finally divorced from his witch of a wife and he couldn’t be happier.
~ ”He'd signed divorce papers in the courthouse at noon to finally bring an end to the entire debacle that was his life. He swore his pride ached worse than his ass that had been on that hard barstool since the blessed event that afternoon.”
Meritt had been cheating on him for a long time and she tore down his confidence over the many years they were married. He’s not the same man he was before he met her and he just wants people to stop talking about him and stop feeling sorry for him.
- Who is the Heroine? Calico Anna Monroe (aka Callie), Age: 28, Occupation: wants to be a photographer
~ Callie is unhappy. She has a boyfriend who takes advantage of her and she’s constantly roped into taking dog photographs for his pushy mother’s friends.
~ “She refused to photograph any more of his mother's friends’ dogs. Most of the time the animals were more miserable than she was, and that was saying something. Dogs did not want to be in tuxedo ties nor did they want to wear family crests and be posed for photos.”
This isn’t the existence she wants, so she heads to her grandparents farm in Oklahoma to make a clean break and reassess her life.
~ “Going back to the farm would be good. She missed her grandparents so much she swore the pain held a physical mailing address in her chest.”
Plot overview:
Ford didn’t want to go home to an empty house, so he went to Rusty’s to have a couple beers. When he noticed the blonde in the corner, he couldn’t take his eyes off her because he knew what she was feeling.
~ “He recognized defeat in her eyes because he'd seen it in his own for the past year and a half, minimum.”
When he goes over to her table, Ford finds Callie is a bit drunk so he puts some food in her belly and takes her home so she can sleep it off . In the morning, over some coffee and eggs, Ford offers Callie friendship and it’s the start of something neither expect.
~ “If you were going to sleep on the couch, why did you bring me here? I don't know you.”
“You seemed like you needed a...friend."
"And you want to be my friend?"
“If you need a friend, I'm game. But that's up to you."
~ “Everyone needs someone to catch them when they fall because at some point everyone falls.”
.
** The following are my thoughts about this book: **
* * If his marriage was bad from the start, I guess I didn’t understand why Ford didn’t divorce Merrit a long time ago. Why spend twenty plus years with her? They had no children, so I never really got why he stayed with her if he knew right away he should’ve never married her.
* * uncle Gentry had some good advice 😀
~ "Cows are gonna shit. People are gonna talk. Most of it's worth about the same."
~ "People don't leave because they've got something in their blood. They leave because there isn't anything left worth fighting for.”
~ “No matter how flat you fry a pancake, it's always got two sides.
~ “I'll tell you this though—there is one problem with asking the universe to tell you what to do." "What's that?" "The way the universe tends to speak ain't in our native tongue."
* * thanks to a couple bad prior relationships, both Ford and Callie had some confidence issues. But I really liked the way they were honest with each other and the way they were able to build each other up, offer support and ultimately gain that confidence back.
* * I liked the close knit Holder family. Callie’s family….not so much.
* * the mother’s appearance at the end of the story was a disconnect for me. It just seemed out of left field.
* * Granny was judgy and hypocritical and I actually didn’t care much for her. I thought she would be one of those cantankerous old grannies who say outrageously offensive things (in a funny way), but she wasn’t like that at all. I felt bad for Callie that she had a critical grandma rather than one who offered unconditional support.
* * Ford and Callie were very relatable. They had lots of good insight regarding relationships and life in general.
~ "I think sometimes it's hard to remember that you deserve better. It's not just this one big, bad decision that you made one time. It's a thousand small, insignificant things that we chose not to see. The lens was out of focus, and we never corrected it."
~ “"I've pretty much figured out that the truth almost always sounds fucked-up. It's easier to lie to yourself. Then we get so used to our own lies that when we're really real we don't recognize it."
~ “Once you get accustomed to something, even if it's bad, it's what you know. You get to thinking that's how life is supposed to be because you can't see it being any other way. You figure a shaky foundation is better than no foundation at all, so you just keep trying to stay on your feet and make it through the next day.”
* * I read through this pretty quickly. Ford and Callie captured my attention from the very start and I couldn’t put down their story until I was sure they would get their HEA. So it was a very engaging book for me.
**Overview:**
- Content Warning: cheating in marriage (off page), bad relationship with parents, granny is a bit religious (mild christian references)
- Setting: Holder County, Oklahoma
- POV: Dual POV
- Tropes: cowboy, age gap (not a big deal). This was about the only thing mentioned regarding their age difference: "Sunrises matter. How you spend a day matters. Minutes matter. Sometimes even whole hours matter. What you've been through matters. Years don't.”
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 22%
- First time they sleep together: 51%
- Safe sex? Yes. Condoms were used and /or being clean was discussed
- First time they say I Love You 65%
- steamy? Yes. Descriptive bedroom scenes
- Chemistry? they have good chemistry.
- OW/OM drama? Yes. There is an ex who is in the picture - purely to add some drama. Nothing romantic.
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? No
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? No
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? No
- Did I swoon🥰? Yes.
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? Yes
- Epilogue? Five years later
- Recommend? Yes
Quotes:
“I hate for you to go so soon. I haven't even got to hear about that boy who ain't even worth yesterday's weather report."
“I decided that it's better to sleep alone than with someone who'd rather be sleeping with someone else."
"Some people aren't loves, sweetheart. They're lessons.
"This is the first date I've been on in something like twenty years, so bear with me while I fuck it up because I'm surely going to.”
“If I've learned anything in the last few years, it's that small minds and big mouths have a way of hooking up.”
“Hanging on to who you thought you were supposed to be ain't worth it if you lose the only chick on this planet who clearly gets the guy you really are.”
January 6, 2020
I loved Oklahoma Sky. The complicated relationships that both Callie and Ford have with each other and the closest people to them are both really maddening and amazing at the same time. I was totally surprised by the age difference between Ford and Callie too. I never would have guessed in the beginning that he was so much older than her. I totally love Ford's family though. They remind me so much of the Camdens in Nebraska. They are a very close-knit and loving family. Who could ask for a better family than that? I know if I were related to them that I couldn't find anyone better. As for Callie, it is so sad that her grandmother is so uptight, fortunately, though we find out in the end why that is, which is a good thing. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever warm up to that woman. The ending though was a total surprise. I was totally thrown off course for sure. I won't ruin it for you though. I just know that when you read this book you will love, love, love it. I really hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. I could hardly put it down, it was that amazing. Cheers!
January 3, 2020
Folks- the 2020 bar has been set exponentially high, thanks to Oklahoma Sky and the musings of author Jillian Neal! Girl- what you do to me, time and time again!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again because it still rings truer than ever. Saddling up with one our author’s stories is like meeting up with an old friend you haven’t seen in ages, and still being able to pick up like no time was lost. Family, warmth, loyalty & truth meets sexy-rexy cowboy saving his fair maiden :) In the case of Callie and Ford, it’s no different. They literally jump through the pages from their very first scene together- a perfect literary match. She desires the love and stability that Ford delivers heaps of, and he needs to finally know his ability to protect and sustain are honored and valued... which Callie happily reinforces. Plus- who doesn’t love to have a few characters thrown in that shake things up?!? Enter Merrit and Abe, the dynamic duo.
Friends, brew a cuppa something hot- cuddle up with a blanket- go pee (because you won’t want anything tearing you away from this one!)- and settle in for a fabulous start to your new year!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again because it still rings truer than ever. Saddling up with one our author’s stories is like meeting up with an old friend you haven’t seen in ages, and still being able to pick up like no time was lost. Family, warmth, loyalty & truth meets sexy-rexy cowboy saving his fair maiden :) In the case of Callie and Ford, it’s no different. They literally jump through the pages from their very first scene together- a perfect literary match. She desires the love and stability that Ford delivers heaps of, and he needs to finally know his ability to protect and sustain are honored and valued... which Callie happily reinforces. Plus- who doesn’t love to have a few characters thrown in that shake things up?!? Enter Merrit and Abe, the dynamic duo.
Friends, brew a cuppa something hot- cuddle up with a blanket- go pee (because you won’t want anything tearing you away from this one!)- and settle in for a fabulous start to your new year!
December 27, 2019
Oklahoma Sky is a wonderful, blazing hot start to a new series from the fabulous Jillian Neal. When I grab one of her books, I know my sleep will be impaired, my emotions will be tossed around, and I will be fanning myself from the hotness. This book checks all these boxes and more! The characters will charm you and draw you in and the storyline will captivate and entertain you from beginning to end. Neal has a flair for writing that snags your attention with her down to earth, relatable characters and small town, homey, delightful settings packed full of drama, family, fun, romance, and let’s not forget the sexy cowboys. Y U M M Y!!!
Ford and Callie are both a hot mess. They each have so much baggage and emotional turmoil to deal with and are so messed up from their ex’s that they have a hard time trusting themselves with life decisions, including those of the heart, and then toss in the pile the nosey busybodies in town, unsolicited family advice, those set out for revenge, and other family drama and they definitely have some challenges ahead. Each stolen kiss or secret rendezvous is setting them up for epic failure but when the heart wants what the heart wants, consequences be damned, who are they to argue? However, when everything comes crashing down around them and their happiness will they survive or be torn apart for good?
Ford, Callie, and the rest of the characters in this book are fantastic and the interaction and dialogue are steady paced and believable with funny scenes and laugh out loud moments thrown into the mix. Oklahoma Sky is a great new series not to miss. Heartwarming, emotional, and full of family, drama, fun, and love. Win-win!!
Ford and Callie are both a hot mess. They each have so much baggage and emotional turmoil to deal with and are so messed up from their ex’s that they have a hard time trusting themselves with life decisions, including those of the heart, and then toss in the pile the nosey busybodies in town, unsolicited family advice, those set out for revenge, and other family drama and they definitely have some challenges ahead. Each stolen kiss or secret rendezvous is setting them up for epic failure but when the heart wants what the heart wants, consequences be damned, who are they to argue? However, when everything comes crashing down around them and their happiness will they survive or be torn apart for good?
Ford, Callie, and the rest of the characters in this book are fantastic and the interaction and dialogue are steady paced and believable with funny scenes and laugh out loud moments thrown into the mix. Oklahoma Sky is a great new series not to miss. Heartwarming, emotional, and full of family, drama, fun, and love. Win-win!!
January 4, 2020
Oklahoma Sky is a wonderful start to a new series.I loved this book. I understand Callie so much her insecurities and her constant need to say sorry and I love Ford making Callie feel secure enough to where she doesn't need to. Their chemistry was off the charts and just so sweet.
I really can't wait now for more adventures in love for the remaining of the Sevens.
If you are looking to read this please know this is book 1 in the Holder County Series.
Like all of Jillian's books I highly recommend you giving this series as well as her other series a try.
Jillian has 4 other book series you might want to check out, they are The Realm Series, and her Gypsy Beach Series (Brock and Hope’s story starts in the 4th Gypsy Beach series- Gypsy Hope), The Camden Ranch Series and The Broken Halo Series. All of Jillian's books leave me wanting more and believing in true love.
I really can't wait now for more adventures in love for the remaining of the Sevens.
If you are looking to read this please know this is book 1 in the Holder County Series.
Like all of Jillian's books I highly recommend you giving this series as well as her other series a try.
Jillian has 4 other book series you might want to check out, they are The Realm Series, and her Gypsy Beach Series (Brock and Hope’s story starts in the 4th Gypsy Beach series- Gypsy Hope), The Camden Ranch Series and The Broken Halo Series. All of Jillian's books leave me wanting more and believing in true love.
December 29, 2019
Any other cowboys up your sleeve Jillian ??
Another great book to loose yourself in. Holder County OK. May be as full of those hot cowboys as Camden Co Nebraska. Jillian characters really come to life as she writes. She takes you into the confidence and the conflict of each of their lives. Plus...they are ALL VERY HOT !!
Another great book to loose yourself in. Holder County OK. May be as full of those hot cowboys as Camden Co Nebraska. Jillian characters really come to life as she writes. She takes you into the confidence and the conflict of each of their lives. Plus...they are ALL VERY HOT !!
April 21, 2020
This was my first book by Jillian Neal. Because I’ve gotten spoiled by Kindle Unlimited there are only a select few of my favorite authors I will pay to download their books, because I read too many and there are so many available through K.U. paying for them just isn’t cost effective. Neal being an unknown author to me and the fact that I’m not a fan of older man/younger woman romances I almost didn’t buy this book. But because it had such glowing reviews on Goodreads and contemporary romances set in ranching communities are my favorite (don’t know why since I’m city born and raised and straight so it’s not the cowboys?) I bought it anyway. And I’m glad I did. Since my most critical measure of how to rate a book is the ease or difficulty I have in putting it down to attend to my real life responsibilities and I literally couldn’t put this book down, I had no choice but to rate it 5 stars.
Our male lead is Ford Holder,42 year old, oldest member of his generation of the Holder family for which the township and county of Holder Oklahoma are named after. Holder with his parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins run the Holder Ranch, the largest cattle ranch in Oklahoma. As the book opens Holder has just signed off on his divorce papers making his divorce from his absolute bitch of a wife of 20 years, Merritt final. He’s sitting on a bar stool in the Rusty Spur nursing a beer.
Our female lead is Calico “Cali” Monroe, 28 year old only daughter of two highly dysfunctional parents. She hasn’t seen or heard from her mother Willow since she turned 18 and graduated from high school and her father Abe, who lives on her maternal grandparents land, she tires to avoid at all costs. Cali’s beloved grandparents Nana and Pops live on a farm in Holder where she spent her summers growing up. Cali has just broken up with her rich, spoiled, slacker boyfriend of 4 years Derrick whom she lived with in his parents pool house in L.A. and returned to stay with her grandparents while she tries to put her life back together and waits to hear about an internship with a famous photographer in New York City.
Cali is sitting at a table in the Rusty Spur reviewing her grandparents bank statements and absentmindedly getting drunk when she gets Ford’s attention. Now as I said, normally I’m not a fan or younger woman/older man tropes because the younger women tend to be in their early twenties and I’m old enough to believe that even though you’re legal at 21, most of us still aren’t full fledged adults. We’re certainly not the people we’re gong to be in a few years after finishing school and living in the real world. But since Cali is close to 30 years old the 14 year age difference between she and Ford didn’t really bother me. I can sort of understand why a young Cali might waste four years of her life with a tool like Derrick but I really found it difficult to believe that Ford would waste 20 years of his life living with a cheating bitch like Merritt since she got him to marry her under false pretenses, they didn’t have any children and she was a bitch from the day they married. Anyway, Ford approaches Cali’s table and realizing she’s drunk offers to drive her home. The bartender who knows Cali and her Nana says he can’t take her home or her grandmother will be crushed. So he takes her back to his place and lets her sleep it off. When she wakes up the next morning in Ford’s bed (he slept on the couch) they meet formally for the first time and become friends. Their friendship quickly turns into more. But Cali still has plans to go to NYC if she wins the internship and she has doubts as to whether her feelings for Ford are real or if she’s just using him as a port in the storm like she did with Derrick. Although Ford is concerned about their age difference, he has no such concerns about his feelings for Cali. He’s sure he’s in love after about the first 48 hours of knowing her. Cali’s Nana who is old school religious has serious concerns about her granddaughter being sexually involved with the just divorced Ford. Cali’s father Abe is just a first class A-hole and a crooked snake. Ford’s ex Merritt is still trying to find ways to shake him down for more alimony. Ford’s younger brother Jamie and his cousins are concerned he’s going to fall too fast and too hard for Cali and get his heart broken. Despite this our two protagonists quickly accept they are in love. Which was a nice change from so many contemporary romances where couples are having lots of sex, sometimes cohabitating and still not sure they’re in love.
This is a fairly fast paced story with decently developed characters, likable leads, plenty of steamy sex and enough tension to keep it interesting until the very end.
Our male lead is Ford Holder,42 year old, oldest member of his generation of the Holder family for which the township and county of Holder Oklahoma are named after. Holder with his parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins run the Holder Ranch, the largest cattle ranch in Oklahoma. As the book opens Holder has just signed off on his divorce papers making his divorce from his absolute bitch of a wife of 20 years, Merritt final. He’s sitting on a bar stool in the Rusty Spur nursing a beer.
Our female lead is Calico “Cali” Monroe, 28 year old only daughter of two highly dysfunctional parents. She hasn’t seen or heard from her mother Willow since she turned 18 and graduated from high school and her father Abe, who lives on her maternal grandparents land, she tires to avoid at all costs. Cali’s beloved grandparents Nana and Pops live on a farm in Holder where she spent her summers growing up. Cali has just broken up with her rich, spoiled, slacker boyfriend of 4 years Derrick whom she lived with in his parents pool house in L.A. and returned to stay with her grandparents while she tries to put her life back together and waits to hear about an internship with a famous photographer in New York City.
Cali is sitting at a table in the Rusty Spur reviewing her grandparents bank statements and absentmindedly getting drunk when she gets Ford’s attention. Now as I said, normally I’m not a fan or younger woman/older man tropes because the younger women tend to be in their early twenties and I’m old enough to believe that even though you’re legal at 21, most of us still aren’t full fledged adults. We’re certainly not the people we’re gong to be in a few years after finishing school and living in the real world. But since Cali is close to 30 years old the 14 year age difference between she and Ford didn’t really bother me. I can sort of understand why a young Cali might waste four years of her life with a tool like Derrick but I really found it difficult to believe that Ford would waste 20 years of his life living with a cheating bitch like Merritt since she got him to marry her under false pretenses, they didn’t have any children and she was a bitch from the day they married. Anyway, Ford approaches Cali’s table and realizing she’s drunk offers to drive her home. The bartender who knows Cali and her Nana says he can’t take her home or her grandmother will be crushed. So he takes her back to his place and lets her sleep it off. When she wakes up the next morning in Ford’s bed (he slept on the couch) they meet formally for the first time and become friends. Their friendship quickly turns into more. But Cali still has plans to go to NYC if she wins the internship and she has doubts as to whether her feelings for Ford are real or if she’s just using him as a port in the storm like she did with Derrick. Although Ford is concerned about their age difference, he has no such concerns about his feelings for Cali. He’s sure he’s in love after about the first 48 hours of knowing her. Cali’s Nana who is old school religious has serious concerns about her granddaughter being sexually involved with the just divorced Ford. Cali’s father Abe is just a first class A-hole and a crooked snake. Ford’s ex Merritt is still trying to find ways to shake him down for more alimony. Ford’s younger brother Jamie and his cousins are concerned he’s going to fall too fast and too hard for Cali and get his heart broken. Despite this our two protagonists quickly accept they are in love. Which was a nice change from so many contemporary romances where couples are having lots of sex, sometimes cohabitating and still not sure they’re in love.
This is a fairly fast paced story with decently developed characters, likable leads, plenty of steamy sex and enough tension to keep it interesting until the very end.
August 23, 2021
The HOLDER RANCH tattoo on Ford's bicep should tell you he is tied to his heritage. Calico Anna Monroe has very little heritage, if any, to hold onto. All she has is the ranch of her maternal grandparents where she found her peace every summer when she was growing up. That is, if her dad stayed away she found her peace.
Now she is back to Holder County, which was founded by Ford's ancestors, trying to find her peace, since she has left her boyfriend, Derrick, in California. Derrick won't answer her texts, messages or phone calls for her to tell him this. He just thinks she is on an "extended vacation. What a tool he is. How she ever got hooked up with him had to be some strange cosmic entity plying tricks with her.
So now, she is back in the home she loved: the home of her grandparents. She knows something is going on between the bank and the grandparents. She ends up at the local watering hole and the stress of their problem has caused her to drink WAY MORE than normal. This is where Ford steps in nd the story begins and what a good story it is.
Now she is back to Holder County, which was founded by Ford's ancestors, trying to find her peace, since she has left her boyfriend, Derrick, in California. Derrick won't answer her texts, messages or phone calls for her to tell him this. He just thinks she is on an "extended vacation. What a tool he is. How she ever got hooked up with him had to be some strange cosmic entity plying tricks with her.
So now, she is back in the home she loved: the home of her grandparents. She knows something is going on between the bank and the grandparents. She ends up at the local watering hole and the stress of their problem has caused her to drink WAY MORE than normal. This is where Ford steps in nd the story begins and what a good story it is.
May 6, 2020
“He was more of a bad habit than anything else.” When I read this sentence, I suspected this was going to be a really good book, because I could tell I was going to like the writer’s style. The He to whom Callie refers is the boyfriend she leaves behind in California when she returns to her Oklahoma roots. It is there that she meets Ford.
Oklahoma rancher Ford is a simple guy at heart. He wants to take care of his ranch and be somebody’s hero. He is deliciously dirty in all the right ways, and simultaneously a gentleman in all the right ways. Callie is still trying to figure out where she wants to be in the world, and what feeds her soul. I really enjoyed this story, and because of the writer’s skill it was a very easy read. There was a good amount of heat, authentic emotion and believable villains, plus a very satisfying HEA. Looks like Holder County is going to be a great source for a lot of good stories!
Oklahoma rancher Ford is a simple guy at heart. He wants to take care of his ranch and be somebody’s hero. He is deliciously dirty in all the right ways, and simultaneously a gentleman in all the right ways. Callie is still trying to figure out where she wants to be in the world, and what feeds her soul. I really enjoyed this story, and because of the writer’s skill it was a very easy read. There was a good amount of heat, authentic emotion and believable villains, plus a very satisfying HEA. Looks like Holder County is going to be a great source for a lot of good stories!
October 12, 2021
Warm and fuzzies.
This book gave me the warm and fucking fuzzies.
However It also reminded me of how much I just love LOVE.
Oklahoma Sky was written in third person POV, focusing obviously on Callie’s and Ford’s perspectives. And while Callie is a pretty decent female character, Ford is hands down one of my top favorites. I am a sucker for an Alpha male not afraid to love and fucking cherish his woman and Ms Neal… you wrote that personality down to a T!!! I’ve read quite a few books written by this author and she’s quickly becoming my go to.
But another reason why I loved this book so much is because, not only did it have me saying “aww” about 45 goddamn times for every sweet thing Ford did or even thought, the sex scenes were A1. It was a perfect blend of sweet and fucking hott (and I mean damn hot).
I cannot wait to binge read all of Ms. Neal’s books ! (P.S baby/ baby girl is quickly becoming my favorite term of endearment)
This book gave me the warm and fucking fuzzies.
However It also reminded me of how much I just love LOVE.
Oklahoma Sky was written in third person POV, focusing obviously on Callie’s and Ford’s perspectives. And while Callie is a pretty decent female character, Ford is hands down one of my top favorites. I am a sucker for an Alpha male not afraid to love and fucking cherish his woman and Ms Neal… you wrote that personality down to a T!!! I’ve read quite a few books written by this author and she’s quickly becoming my go to.
But another reason why I loved this book so much is because, not only did it have me saying “aww” about 45 goddamn times for every sweet thing Ford did or even thought, the sex scenes were A1. It was a perfect blend of sweet and fucking hott (and I mean damn hot).
I cannot wait to binge read all of Ms. Neal’s books ! (P.S baby/ baby girl is quickly becoming my favorite term of endearment)
October 20, 2021
Callie and Ford’s story gave me all the feels. At the start of the book, Ford Holder is in a bar, sober, having just gotten divorced that day. Callie just returned to Oklahoma to get a life reset by staying with her grandparents. She is also in the bar, most definitely not sober, trying to puzzle out her grandparents financial documents. Their eyes meet across the bar, the earth moves, and thus starts the journey to their HEA. There is growth for both of Callie and Ford as they deal with their pasts, their insecurities, and their beliefs in order to take their relationship from friends only to all in forever. This book has a little bit of everything - sweet moments, strong friendships, laughs, messy families, fan your face sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, and so much love. This was at its core a heart warming story about love, loss, family, and damaged but not broken people. I will definitely keep reading this series.
December 30, 2019
Another winner from the Holder Ranch!! 4.5 stars
Callie is taking a breather at her grandparents’ home. She is waiting on a response for her photography internship and trying to move on from her cheating boyfriend. Ford Holder just divorced his cheating wife and was working hard on his family’s cattle ranch.
Finding the right person at the right can be magic – but will they remain physically in the same place once Callie continues the pursuit of her photography career.
Complicated relationships; both family and personal. Where a man might disappoint, this cowboy has everything she needs. A beautiful journey of two people moving forward from unfortunate circumstances.
**I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book**
Callie is taking a breather at her grandparents’ home. She is waiting on a response for her photography internship and trying to move on from her cheating boyfriend. Ford Holder just divorced his cheating wife and was working hard on his family’s cattle ranch.
Finding the right person at the right can be magic – but will they remain physically in the same place once Callie continues the pursuit of her photography career.
Complicated relationships; both family and personal. Where a man might disappoint, this cowboy has everything she needs. A beautiful journey of two people moving forward from unfortunate circumstances.
**I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book**
April 22, 2020
What a nice change to read about two adults who talk to each other and share their feelings. There's no misunderstandings, no running away, or thinking the worst of a situation that's not there. I loved both Callie and Ford. They didn't care what others thought of their relationship and stood up for it instead of hiding away or letting others break them apart or thinking the other can do better. As for the chemistry? It's off the charts hot! This is an author who knows how to write a hot, steamy and very sexy novel. Ride 'em cowboy!
December 23, 2019
With the ink barely dry on his divorce papers, Ford never thinks that the hot mess he meets in the bar will turn into so much more. Callie is returning to her grandparents home, licking her wounds and figuring out what she wants to do with her life. Spark fly and passion ignites, but can the two who could not be more opposite really be the soulmate they have been waiting to meet? With loads of passion, ton of emotions and sections that made me laugh out loud, this was once again another fabulous book from Jillian Neal. Ms. Neal has a unique way of drawing the reader into the world of her characters and making them so lovable they absolutely need a HEA.
April 30, 2020
I am not a huge “cowboy/southern” romance fan but I read one book by JN in her Camden Ranch series and fell in love!! I’ve now burned through the entire Camden Ranch series and the first two books of Holder County. They have me swooning! For some reason the Hero’s seem far more authentic and the descriptions of their way of life, their slang, dialogue all rings so so real. Does this author live on a cattle ranch bc it just feels so genuine!! I hope she continues this genre because she has converted me to a cowboy fan and I will read every book of hers!
January 6, 2020
4.5 stars! Hot and Addicting!
Jillian Neal definitely knows how to tell a story that sucks you right in. This is a wonderfully, sexy, steamy start to a new series. With characters you absolutely love. Oklahoma Sky is an exciting story that does not disappoint.
I’m anxiously waiting for the next one!
Jillian Neal definitely knows how to tell a story that sucks you right in. This is a wonderfully, sexy, steamy start to a new series. With characters you absolutely love. Oklahoma Sky is an exciting story that does not disappoint.
I’m anxiously waiting for the next one!
January 10, 2020
OMG Jillian. You did it again. I love Holden and Callie so much. The book holds the story all the way and it is well written. It's one of the best stories I have read for a long time and looking forward to the next ond <3
August 30, 2020
Fantastic story! Characters that will steal your heart. A storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat and glued to your kindle! For me it was a love- hate deal as the characters face their demons. You will feel their emotions and struggles. A definite must read.
September 15, 2021
This my first read from Jullian Neal. This first book in the new series Holder County is about a fascinating family of ranchers. Callie and Ford show us how beauty, love and home are found under the Oklahoma Sky. Don't miss this one, it is a grand HEA.
April 14, 2022
DNF, sorry but just could not connect with the story... Girl ended with her boyfriend but not really, but at same time was crazy hot for the good cowboy she just met but still felt that attachment with the inmature ex? Like really? #Annoying
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2022
Got surprisingly emotional at the commentary on divorce, religion, family and hypocrisy (especially since my family is going through a similar situation) but sadly knocked a whole bunch of stars off for poor pacing
January 1, 2020
ARC for honest review with no compensation
Oklahoma Sky is book 1 in the new series Holder County by Jillian Neal and a great start to this series.
Callie Monroe leaves California and her stale relationship to come back home and try to figure out her life and what will make her happy.
Ford Holder just signed the divorce paperwork from his cheating wife and decides he need a drink but what he doesn’t expect is curvy, beautiful woman who sparks something in him he never felt before...Callie Monroe...but she is way to young for him.
Can these two find what is really missing in their lives or will the gossip mongers keep them from find what might be the HEA they both have longed for in the past??
Oklahoma Sky is book 1 in the new series Holder County by Jillian Neal and a great start to this series.
Callie Monroe leaves California and her stale relationship to come back home and try to figure out her life and what will make her happy.
Ford Holder just signed the divorce paperwork from his cheating wife and decides he need a drink but what he doesn’t expect is curvy, beautiful woman who sparks something in him he never felt before...Callie Monroe...but she is way to young for him.
Can these two find what is really missing in their lives or will the gossip mongers keep them from find what might be the HEA they both have longed for in the past??
January 3, 2020
Great read, can’t wait for the next book!!
January 5, 2020
Great book!!!
I could not put this book down it is that good!! I'm pretty much in love with Ford. 😉 Jillian you've outdone yourself! Bravo!!!
I could not put this book down it is that good!! I'm pretty much in love with Ford. 😉 Jillian you've outdone yourself! Bravo!!!
January 8, 2020
Terrific!
Ford and Callie’s book was awesome just the right amount of hot cowboy and sexy loving. Absolutely loved it! Can’t wait for more!
Ford and Callie’s book was awesome just the right amount of hot cowboy and sexy loving. Absolutely loved it! Can’t wait for more!
June 24, 2020
Love this story
This had me from the very beginning. They were like two souls destined to meet. Such a great love story.
This had me from the very beginning. They were like two souls destined to meet. Such a great love story.
August 19, 2020
Great story I loved reading it... Didn't want to put it down...
September 9, 2020
Wow!
This is just hot hot hot! Callie & Ford are a beautiful couple to watch come together & this story is STEAMY!
This is just hot hot hot! Callie & Ford are a beautiful couple to watch come together & this story is STEAMY!
September 21, 2020
Amazing!!
This is probably the most realistic ranch love story I have ever read. The terminology, the work, the explanations are super relatable! I love, love, love this book!! Callie and Ford are perfectly imperfect and I love their love! Sweet, crazy sexy, and amazingly real these two are the perfect May-December couple! Give me more! 😍
This is probably the most realistic ranch love story I have ever read. The terminology, the work, the explanations are super relatable! I love, love, love this book!! Callie and Ford are perfectly imperfect and I love their love! Sweet, crazy sexy, and amazingly real these two are the perfect May-December couple! Give me more! 😍
Read
October 27, 2020Luv, luv, luv the story, oh to meet a man like Ford!
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