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Catoctin Creek #1
Sunset at Catoctin Creek
Hidden in the mountains of western Maryland lies the little village of Catoctin Creek. It’s home to farmers and shopkeepers, dreamers and schemers. And it’s the perfect place to fall in love.
Rosemary Brunner’s life might look small to some, but she has things arranged just the way she likes them. She’s turned her family farm into a sanctuary for troubled horses. She has dinner once a week with her elderly neighbors. And if she needs a little company and gossip, her best friend Nikki can swing by with dinner from the Blue Plate Diner and plenty to say. For a country girl with a heaping helping of social anxiety, she has things figured out just fine.
Then Stephen walks into her life, and her careful little world falls apart.
Stephen Beckett can’t understand why his father retired to sleepy Catoctin Creek. The days are too quiet, the nights are too dark, and everything moves too slowly for his high-octane lifestyle. The sooner Stephen can get his life back in order and head back home to Manhattan, the better.
Then Stephen meets Rosemary, and a bolt of lightning seems to set the dark country night aglow.
With opposite intentions, their chances at a happy ending don’t look great. But Stephen and Rosemary might not be able to help falling for each other…if Stephen’s ambitions and Rosemary’s traditions aren’t too much for this budding romance to bear.
Rosemary Brunner’s life might look small to some, but she has things arranged just the way she likes them. She’s turned her family farm into a sanctuary for troubled horses. She has dinner once a week with her elderly neighbors. And if she needs a little company and gossip, her best friend Nikki can swing by with dinner from the Blue Plate Diner and plenty to say. For a country girl with a heaping helping of social anxiety, she has things figured out just fine.
Then Stephen walks into her life, and her careful little world falls apart.
Stephen Beckett can’t understand why his father retired to sleepy Catoctin Creek. The days are too quiet, the nights are too dark, and everything moves too slowly for his high-octane lifestyle. The sooner Stephen can get his life back in order and head back home to Manhattan, the better.
Then Stephen meets Rosemary, and a bolt of lightning seems to set the dark country night aglow.
With opposite intentions, their chances at a happy ending don’t look great. But Stephen and Rosemary might not be able to help falling for each other…if Stephen’s ambitions and Rosemary’s traditions aren’t too much for this budding romance to bear.
Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2020
299 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Keller Reinert
53 books536 followersNatalie Keller Reinert is the award-winning author of more than twenty books, including the Eventing series and Briar Hill Farm series. Drawing on her professional experience in three-day eventing, working with Thoroughbred racehorses and mounted patrol horses, therapeutic riding, and many other equine pursuits, Natalie brings her love of equestrian life into each of her titles. She also cohosts the award-winning equestrian humor podcast Adulting With Horses.
Natalie lives in north Florida with her family, horses, and cat.
Natalie lives in north Florida with her family, horses, and cat.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 10, 2020
Like most readers, I'm familiar with Natalie's equestrian fiction, but this venture into the contemporary romance genre was a delightful surprise.
It was so nice to read a contemporary romance with believably flawed, yet basically kind protagonists with jobs and lives that weren't just being used as props to make the romance happen. I particularly appreciated Rosemary's social anxiety wasn't so paralyzing she wasn't able to function, I think this trait can sometimes be exaggerated in some popular fiction, as many people with the condition can still get by, even though it limits them. There are horses in the book, of course, but also lovely descriptions of local foods and nature that really give you a sense that the characters are in a very particular world--a world that you as a reader would like to visit!
It was so nice to read a contemporary romance with believably flawed, yet basically kind protagonists with jobs and lives that weren't just being used as props to make the romance happen. I particularly appreciated Rosemary's social anxiety wasn't so paralyzing she wasn't able to function, I think this trait can sometimes be exaggerated in some popular fiction, as many people with the condition can still get by, even though it limits them. There are horses in the book, of course, but also lovely descriptions of local foods and nature that really give you a sense that the characters are in a very particular world--a world that you as a reader would like to visit!
November 8, 2020
I don't usually read romance novels, but I really like Natalie Reinert's equestrian books so I decided to give this book a try. I figured there would be some horse connection--and there is. As it turned out, I was totally entertained by the story, which has characters that are finely crafted (par for Reinert's work) and a lively plot. I think anyone who's been in love can identify with the vulnerability it brings. These two people--an unlikely match--have a lot of trouble with mixed signals and second-guessing their feelings. I'm eagerly awaiting the new books in Reinert's various equestrian series, but this romance has been a rewarding read, and I will definitely read the other books in the series.
July 27, 2021
This book was pure comfort to me, such a lovely read! If you want an easy to read, small town romance then this is for you🥰 If you enjoyed the layout of Beth O' Learys books then you'll love this, as each chapter is written from the different perspectives. A easy read, fairly predictable in parts but I actually really liked that which I wouldn't normally in other books.
The descriptions of Catocin Creek made me feel like I was sitting on Rosemary's porch myself watching the sun set.❤
Now on to the next!
The descriptions of Catocin Creek made me feel like I was sitting on Rosemary's porch myself watching the sun set.❤
Now on to the next!
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September 29, 2020I spent all summer in Catoctin Creek, and I truly never want to leave! Every time I started editing this book, I found more reasons to rewrite instead of just letting it go to readers. Because once I'm done, I'm back out in the real world, and I don't like it here!
But there's more Catoctin Creek to come, as you'll definitely realize whilst turning the pages. I hope that readers love this little town, this beautiful corner of Maryland, and these lovely people as much as I do. When you need a small town escape, consider Catoctin Creek. With sweet romance and beautiful vistas, it's the kind of place that we're all craving in 2020.
But there's more Catoctin Creek to come, as you'll definitely realize whilst turning the pages. I hope that readers love this little town, this beautiful corner of Maryland, and these lovely people as much as I do. When you need a small town escape, consider Catoctin Creek. With sweet romance and beautiful vistas, it's the kind of place that we're all craving in 2020.
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December 5, 2024Rating: 4 Stars
Highlights:
⭐️ As a horse girl, I loved all the equine aspects of this, but even if you aren’t super into horses, but you enjoy small town romance, I would recommend giving this a try.
⭐️ This was both humorous and heart-felt which is something I always enjoy in my contemporary romance.
⭐️ Steven and Rosemary definitely had their fair share of obstacles, but I do love a boy city guy and small town gal romance, and this one did it well.
⭐️ For my horse girls, Natalie Keller Reinert always bring all the accuracy, which is something that we all know is hard to find in fiction!
Highlights:
⭐️ As a horse girl, I loved all the equine aspects of this, but even if you aren’t super into horses, but you enjoy small town romance, I would recommend giving this a try.
⭐️ This was both humorous and heart-felt which is something I always enjoy in my contemporary romance.
⭐️ Steven and Rosemary definitely had their fair share of obstacles, but I do love a boy city guy and small town gal romance, and this one did it well.
⭐️ For my horse girls, Natalie Keller Reinert always bring all the accuracy, which is something that we all know is hard to find in fiction!
December 10, 2020
I DEVOURED this book. I’m a romance book-a-holic and this one for sure stands up there at the top of ones I’ll remember reading this year. I can’t believe I held it off this long.
Natalie has such a way of developing characters (something I love in all her novels). They’re real and it’s so easy to develop your own feelings over them and to understand them as well.
I also need a road trip to Western Maryland to see those sunsets. I found myself looking at Google Maps of the Catocin Mountain area to visualize that road trip. The description of the fictional town of Catocin Creek had me yearning to visit the areas that inspired the setting of the story.
Do yourself a favor and purchase a copy to read then join me in waiting for Nikki & Kevin’s story to be published.
Natalie has such a way of developing characters (something I love in all her novels). They’re real and it’s so easy to develop your own feelings over them and to understand them as well.
I also need a road trip to Western Maryland to see those sunsets. I found myself looking at Google Maps of the Catocin Mountain area to visualize that road trip. The description of the fictional town of Catocin Creek had me yearning to visit the areas that inspired the setting of the story.
Do yourself a favor and purchase a copy to read then join me in waiting for Nikki & Kevin’s story to be published.
April 4, 2021
A lovely country romance. Have read this author’s horsey books which I have enjoyed, this one isn’t so much horsey themed, but there are definitely horses in it.
City boy meets stubborn country gal who rescues abused horses. She lives by herself in the family home, her parents are now both deceased. She struggles with anxiety and being with most people. She has a small but loyal circle of people who look out for her - is she ready to open her heart for this city boy?
Enjoyed this story, want to read book 2 in this series.
City boy meets stubborn country gal who rescues abused horses. She lives by herself in the family home, her parents are now both deceased. She struggles with anxiety and being with most people. She has a small but loyal circle of people who look out for her - is she ready to open her heart for this city boy?
Enjoyed this story, want to read book 2 in this series.
October 31, 2020
This is a well written lovely story about two people who seem to have very little in common, especially when it comes to how they envision their future. The author has a fantastic command of descriptive writing that allowed for the scenery to literally appear in my mind as I was reading the book. It’s a wonderful sweet, cute romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2021
Like the author
I enjoy reading this author’s books because she knows horses. Both the H/h had a coming of age story about their life.
This book was calming but some would say it was slow. Both the H/h were mature and reasonable. The descriptions of the country and horses put you in the moment.
The characters were developed well. I found the heroine a little alarming how introverted she was. Overall I liked it. I gave it a 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
I enjoy reading this author’s books because she knows horses. Both the H/h had a coming of age story about their life.
This book was calming but some would say it was slow. Both the H/h were mature and reasonable. The descriptions of the country and horses put you in the moment.
The characters were developed well. I found the heroine a little alarming how introverted she was. Overall I liked it. I gave it a 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
October 11, 2020
The first book in the Catoctin Creek series a well written story by an new Author to me. I want to read more in this series. I enjoyed reading Stephen Beckett and Rosemary Brunner’s story and watching her let people in and fall in love. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2020
This is the 1st book I've read written by Natalie Keller Reinert; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
April 7, 2023
This was a great story about a girl who was a horse rescuer who lived alone in the country. She meets a guy from the big city and they eventually fall in love. The descriptions of the country and the people were very well done and made it hard to put down. I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good romance.
October 22, 2020
Such a fun and uplifting read!
Natalie's descriptive way of writing put me right in with the characters throughout the story. I love a happy ending. Does not disappoint. Can't wait for the sequel!
Natalie's descriptive way of writing put me right in with the characters throughout the story. I love a happy ending. Does not disappoint. Can't wait for the sequel!
November 27, 2020
A lovely escape from 2020 lunacy
Getaway to a quiet small town occupied by characters that act and feel like real people. An easy breezy cheering read!
Getaway to a quiet small town occupied by characters that act and feel like real people. An easy breezy cheering read!
February 6, 2021
Another great read by this author. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
November 25, 2021
Great book
March 31, 2022
V boring read, could not finish - was way too mushy & predictable
April 9, 2022
3.5
Liked the way it was written, although a little slow paced. Not sure I was convinced by the heroine's characterisation.
Would try something else by this author.
Liked the way it was written, although a little slow paced. Not sure I was convinced by the heroine's characterisation.
Would try something else by this author.
July 11, 2022
A sweet romantic story in a beautiful bucolic setting. The ending certainly leaves you eager to read the next book(s) in the series!
July 15, 2022
Slow, boring and predictable.
I nearly gave up on this book several times but stuck it out so that I could give a proper review of who book.
Main character is wishy washy at best
I nearly gave up on this book several times but stuck it out so that I could give a proper review of who book.
Main character is wishy washy at best
August 12, 2022
Dragged
Not a particularly interesting story line. I didn't feel there was a climax or build up that held my interest. Pretty bland.
Not a particularly interesting story line. I didn't feel there was a climax or build up that held my interest. Pretty bland.
December 26, 2022
A sweet story of loneliness and love set against the backdrop that comes to live on the page.
January 24, 2023
DNF Did not finish reading; I had barely begun reading the second chapter when I was done due to foul language. Would not recommend.
February 4, 2025
Ready for the next one!
Already ready to read next one! My favorite author by far. I’ve read some of all her series and I love them.
Already ready to read next one! My favorite author by far. I’ve read some of all her series and I love them.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews