“This journey was about searching for a real life. The life money couldn’t buy.
I wanted the things I’d never had.
Family. Love. Peace.”
Characters
Easton (33, manages the family ranch in Montana):
The following words/phrases were used to describe Easton: rugged, rough, sexy, authentic rancher, gorgeous, infuriating, overwhelming
Something to know about Easton:
- he is supposed to be in charge of the ranch, but his dad and his grandpa just can’t seem to let go and they constantly undermine his authority. This has created a great amount of friction between the men on the ranch.
- “I’d been put in charge of this ranch but Granddad hadn’t read the memo. He reminded me daily of how he’d done things in my day.”
Some quotes about Easton:
“There was something comforting about physical labor that soothed my soul. Something relaxing about being on a horse.
It was in my blood. Working here called to my soul.”
I was a Montana rancher who loved the land, my family and a marbled, medium-rare steak.”
Gemma (30 , recently sold her cosmetics company to Procter & Gamble for $12M):
The following words/phrases were used to describe Gemma: ambitious, has an air of sophistication, sad, lost, numb, empty, fearless, wild, scared, guarded, smart, driven, beautiful, loving, fierce, strong
Something to know about Gemma:
-
"I used to be impulsive and adventurous. Money and success were to blame for the caution that had invaded my life. A month ago, I’d had hundreds of employees counting on me to make the right decisions. They’d needed me to take care with my actions to ensure they had jobs. In worrying about them—for hours, days, years—I’d lost myself.”
- Gemma also has real estate holdings, she owns interests in restaurants and a luxury auto dealership and is a partner in a fashion design company.
Some quotes about Gemma:
“I was on a new path now. Where it was going, I wasn’t sure. But the excitement, the freedom, was something I hadn’t felt in a long, long time.”
“Give me a dollar and I’d turn it into ten through sheer will and determination. I worked hard and fast, something I’d been doing since running away from home at sixteen.”
“I’d broken a promise to a close friend. I’d ditched her, choosing money over that promise and the decision had haunted me since.”
“my mother was certifiably insane. No one rescued me from her. So I rescued myself. And part of that meant shutting out the world.”
The Story:
“This car’s look was different but the inside would always feel like Londyn’s home. As an old, abandoned wreck destined for the scrap pile, Londyn had chosen this Cadillac as her shelter in a junkyard we’d called home. The junkyard in Temecula, California, where Londyn, four other kids and I had lived after running away from our respective homes.”
Six teenage kids run away from home and end up at a junkyard living in cars (a Cadillac) and tents. Bonds form, but ultimately they go different directions.
There will be six books in the series (at least I’m assuming so) where each kid will get their well deserved HEA. This is Gemma’s story and it starts out with her mission to return the fixed up Cadillac to Karson in CA. She takes a detour along the way and ends up at a ranch in Montana where she worked 11 years ago. She has lots of good memories of the ranch, including an incredible night she shared with Easton before she left without saying goodbye. Easton is still holding a grudge for being deserted.
My Thoughts:
The following are my thoughts about this book:
- Not sure I really bought into Easton’s 11 year grudge. It’s not like they had a long standing relationship and Gemma left him. They had a one night stand and the next day she was gone. Get over it dude.
- Good chemistry between Gemma and Easton. Doesn’t matter if they are arguing or getting busy between the sheets. They sizzle.
"I’m going to take you into the bedroom and make sure you know that the reason I fucked you against that wall and in my garage was not because you don’t deserve the bedroom.” He bent and brushed his lips against mine. “But because when it comes to you, I have no control."
- Gemma...oh my. I wanted to hug her 💔❤️
- Easton comes from a very loving family, and I would have liked to see him sit down with his dad and grandpa and talk ranch management. I felt bad for him. They all deserved to be happy in their respective ranch duties and I didn’t like to see them fighting each other for control. 😕
- Small town story. Primarily takes place at the ranch in Montana.
- The supporting cast was Easton’s family and Kat who was one of the kids from the junkyard. I thought they all added layers that enhanced the story
- as much as I liked this book, I’m taking a point off for unoriginality. I’ve read the basic plot in countless romance books and nothing was a surprise or unexpected. What I did love was the runaway kids element and the bonds they have.
- It’s a pretty short book
- I definitely can't wait to read Cash and Kat's story in the next book. This book sets up nicely for the next one.
Overall:
- Do you need to read previous books in series?:No. I thought the author did a good job of recapping the important things from book 1.
- POV: dual POV
- Tropes: second chance
- H likable? Yes. But, he was a tiny bit of a jerk in the beginning. By the end I definitely loved him though.
- h likable? Yes
- h virgin? no
- First time they kiss: 54%
- First time they sleep together: 55%
- steamy? Yes
- OW/OM drama? not really anything significant
- H/h cheat? they had a one night stand 11 years ago, so they have definitely been with others during this separation. There was never any commitment to stay together after their one night. Once they are together again, no cheating.
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? Not really. Gemma’s past is hard for her to speak about, but it’s not a secret or a lie that impacts Easton
- Did I cry? Gemma has some heart tugging revelations about her past, but I didn’t cry.
- Did I laugh? Not really
- Cliffhanger? not for this couple.
- Epilogue? 6 months later
- HEA? Yes
- Recommend? yes
Quotes
“That woman had me twisted as tight as the braid on a bullwhip.”
“The black and soundless night only made it more obvious I was alone.
That there was only one heartbeat in the car. There were only one set of footsteps in the fresh snow outside the cabin. There was only one jacket to hang on the coat hook.”
“Once again, Mom was right.
When it came to women, I was thick as a brick wall. Someday, I’d remember that my mother was always right.”
“I’d been dealt a miserable set of cards for the first part of my life, but now I was getting straight aces.”
“Are you asking me to marry you?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Did I ask?”
I laughed and stood on my toes to brush a kiss to his lips. “Let’s pretend you did and that I said yes.”