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Country At Heart
Falling in love was the last thing on Holly Moons’ mind when she moved from the city to the country, but after reuniting with an old childhood acquaintance, she discovers that fate has other plans. The more that Holly gets to know Brayden Sampson, the more she starts to change her feelings about love. But, as she starts to fall for the handsome farmer down the lane, Holly discovers that Brayden has secrets that will challenge them both.
A cozy story set in a small country town with residents who don’t always accept anything outside the norm and the people who do.
A cozy story set in a small country town with residents who don’t always accept anything outside the norm and the people who do.
- GenresTransgender
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2021
4 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Char Dafoe
28 books192 followersThe Kitten series will always remain my shining star. Rae and her family is what got me into writing and what's kept me going. As I venture off towards new characters and storylines, one thing that will stay the same is the butch/femme dynamic. I have even dabbled with butch/soft butch non-binary characters. I love masculine women and everything about them, from their charm, chivalry, style and everything else in between.
This past spring I happily signed a contract with Painted Hearts Publishing for my new book, A Jade's Diamond, that will be released in the new year. I hope to continue working with the lgbtq publisher for more great stories I write.
I look forward to hearing your opinion toward my older books and my newer books that will be published in the near future.
This past spring I happily signed a contract with Painted Hearts Publishing for my new book, A Jade's Diamond, that will be released in the new year. I hope to continue working with the lgbtq publisher for more great stories I write.
I look forward to hearing your opinion toward my older books and my newer books that will be published in the near future.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 30, 2021
There's a lot going on in this heartfelt tale of love, loss and acceptance in the American heartland.
Holly is a city girl who always loved her vacation spent on her Aunt and Uncle's farm. Brayden is a country boy with a heart of gold. When Holly realises her dream of leaving the city she meets Brayden who works on the farm where she is staying while saving for a place of her own, and they are immediately attracted to one another.
It is no secret to the reader, or to Holly, that the two had met before when she was eleven years old and Brayden, who was then known as Amanda, was fifteen.
As an adult, Brayden lives as a man and is accepted as such by most members of the local community. This book follows the couple as their attractions develops into something more, and along the way Holly learns of the hardships Brayden has endured, and they both are affected by the prejudice and closed-mindedness of a select few in their lives.
I loved seeing Holly discover her strength through the story, as Brayden learns to love and to accept love. Author Char Dafoe takes her characters through a lot, including issues of gender identity, discrimination, depression, drug abuse and suicide, and I was right there with them feeling it all, and feeling the joy, triumph and passion as these challengers are met and if not always overcome, at least understood and accepted.
Bottom line: I loved this book. I loved the love and the lust and the pain and the sorrow and if you're not put off by the issues I've alluded to then maybe you'll love it too.
Holly is a city girl who always loved her vacation spent on her Aunt and Uncle's farm. Brayden is a country boy with a heart of gold. When Holly realises her dream of leaving the city she meets Brayden who works on the farm where she is staying while saving for a place of her own, and they are immediately attracted to one another.
It is no secret to the reader, or to Holly, that the two had met before when she was eleven years old and Brayden, who was then known as Amanda, was fifteen.
As an adult, Brayden lives as a man and is accepted as such by most members of the local community. This book follows the couple as their attractions develops into something more, and along the way Holly learns of the hardships Brayden has endured, and they both are affected by the prejudice and closed-mindedness of a select few in their lives.
I loved seeing Holly discover her strength through the story, as Brayden learns to love and to accept love. Author Char Dafoe takes her characters through a lot, including issues of gender identity, discrimination, depression, drug abuse and suicide, and I was right there with them feeling it all, and feeling the joy, triumph and passion as these challengers are met and if not always overcome, at least understood and accepted.
Bottom line: I loved this book. I loved the love and the lust and the pain and the sorrow and if you're not put off by the issues I've alluded to then maybe you'll love it too.
August 31, 2021
I needed to take a couple days to distance myself from this book before writing a review because I was SO DAMN FLOORED by how amazing this story is. This book deals with some heavy and dark stuff so you’d think the story would be an angst-filled uphill read but it isn’t. Not at all.
This novel is sweet and fresh, with a genuinely heartwarming love story and some cute/funny moments that had me smiling like a dumbass at my screen.
First I fell in love with Holly. She is just the sweetest and kindest girl you could ever hope to meet with a heart of pure gold. She isn’t perfect, she makes mistakes and does things she shouldn’t but she is willing to communicate. She accepts when she is wrong and she stands up for herself when she’s right. Holy is a pure soul and I can see why Brayden fell for her.
Then we have Brayden. Oh my! Oh dear *fans self* Brayden is a perfect gentleman in some ways and a flaming train wreck in others. Even though they are negotiating a minefield, Holly and Brayden are super cute together.
They tease each other and exchange banter in a loving and genuinely fun way. The chemistry between them is sizzling hot too!
The story moves fast and I got sucked into Holly and Brayden’s world. I loved the journey with them and cherished every step of the way. There are some hard issues that are dealt with in a realistic way. I think Dafoe reached the perfect balance of light and dark.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the love scenes. I admit I was a bit apprehensive about them, but I shouldn’t have worried! They are written in a beautiful, respectful way and are actually really hot. Dafoe is one of the few authors who writes incredibly erotic and emotional love scenes that are unique to the characters in them. The choice of words is exquisite and I was never jarred out of the scene.
This is one of the most powerful reads I’ve experienced ever. It made me think, laugh, tear up at times, and okay I admit I real-life did a fist pump and said: YEAH! in that scene…no spoilers except for the fact that Mr. Long SUCKS and Holly ROCKS.
I highly recommend this book, but please read the TW at the beginning.
My rating: five stars darlin’
I received this ARC from the author by request and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This novel is sweet and fresh, with a genuinely heartwarming love story and some cute/funny moments that had me smiling like a dumbass at my screen.
First I fell in love with Holly. She is just the sweetest and kindest girl you could ever hope to meet with a heart of pure gold. She isn’t perfect, she makes mistakes and does things she shouldn’t but she is willing to communicate. She accepts when she is wrong and she stands up for herself when she’s right. Holy is a pure soul and I can see why Brayden fell for her.
Then we have Brayden. Oh my! Oh dear *fans self* Brayden is a perfect gentleman in some ways and a flaming train wreck in others. Even though they are negotiating a minefield, Holly and Brayden are super cute together.
They tease each other and exchange banter in a loving and genuinely fun way. The chemistry between them is sizzling hot too!
The story moves fast and I got sucked into Holly and Brayden’s world. I loved the journey with them and cherished every step of the way. There are some hard issues that are dealt with in a realistic way. I think Dafoe reached the perfect balance of light and dark.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the love scenes. I admit I was a bit apprehensive about them, but I shouldn’t have worried! They are written in a beautiful, respectful way and are actually really hot. Dafoe is one of the few authors who writes incredibly erotic and emotional love scenes that are unique to the characters in them. The choice of words is exquisite and I was never jarred out of the scene.
This is one of the most powerful reads I’ve experienced ever. It made me think, laugh, tear up at times, and okay I admit I real-life did a fist pump and said: YEAH! in that scene…no spoilers except for the fact that Mr. Long SUCKS and Holly ROCKS.
I highly recommend this book, but please read the TW at the beginning.
My rating: five stars darlin’
I received this ARC from the author by request and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
August 24, 2021
All the feels!! Emotive but masterfully written. A heart warming story so beautifully raw and powerful you just can’t stop feeling …everything. Wonderful story. Balled my eyes out for most of it.
We know from the preface this story has a very personal connection for the author and I just can’t imagine how difficult this was to write for them. Thank you for bringing depression, self harm and gender identify out into the open in safe place to educate, support and heal hearts and minds going through similar circumstances.
May all those walking Brayden’s path, find their own Holly x
We know from the preface this story has a very personal connection for the author and I just can’t imagine how difficult this was to write for them. Thank you for bringing depression, self harm and gender identify out into the open in safe place to educate, support and heal hearts and minds going through similar circumstances.
May all those walking Brayden’s path, find their own Holly x
October 15, 2021
Hmmm... 2.5
This book covers a few hot topics from depression to gender identity to suicide. It deals with a lot of heavy stuff but I don't know if I felt like it really dealt with it.
I also felt as if the characters were living in a bubble of sorts and were very tunnel vision oriented in how things were are at least written that way. What I mean is there was no depth to the characters.
Holly visits her aunt and uncle every summer up until college. Her relationship with them far exceeds anything with her actual parents and her parents really played no role in the story. I feel that as soon as she met Bray that's all her world became and it kind of annoyed me.
Bray was an alright character and I think had the most depth of anyone. Although he identifies as he/him, I didn't like how he kept getting referred to as she/her constantly especially by people who know.
The supporting cast didn't really add anything to the story and their interactions didn't always feel natural.
I cant say I liked the the story much and if it was a kU I might be inclined to rate it higher but I bought the book because butch/femme is one of my favorite troupe to read.
This book covers a few hot topics from depression to gender identity to suicide. It deals with a lot of heavy stuff but I don't know if I felt like it really dealt with it.
I also felt as if the characters were living in a bubble of sorts and were very tunnel vision oriented in how things were are at least written that way. What I mean is there was no depth to the characters.
Holly visits her aunt and uncle every summer up until college. Her relationship with them far exceeds anything with her actual parents and her parents really played no role in the story. I feel that as soon as she met Bray that's all her world became and it kind of annoyed me.
Bray was an alright character and I think had the most depth of anyone. Although he identifies as he/him, I didn't like how he kept getting referred to as she/her constantly especially by people who know.
The supporting cast didn't really add anything to the story and their interactions didn't always feel natural.
I cant say I liked the the story much and if it was a kU I might be inclined to rate it higher but I bought the book because butch/femme is one of my favorite troupe to read.
September 12, 2021
This was my first book that I read by Char Dafoe, and I am 100% thoroughly impressed!
First, I want to commend Char on helping to fight the stigma attached to mental health, especially its effects on the LGBTQIA+ community. I also want to thank her for including transgender, genderqueer/genderfluid, and non-binary characters in her works of literary art. Being genderqueer myself, I very rarely feel as perfectly seen amongst the lesbian/wlw/sapphic community as I did in 'Country at Heart'. That means more to me than words can express!
Char put so much heart and soul into the characters of this book, and the mountains in which they had to climb at times seemed too much to handle. The ranging emotions I felt sometimes so raw and intense, that I had to take breaks from the book--not only for general processing, but emotional processing as well. The chemistry/sparks (and the sex/lovemaking scenes are HOT AF), unconditional love, and understanding between Holly and Brayden give me hope that I'll soon (and I possibly already have, buts he lives in a different country) find my own Holly. :)
Yes, there are multiple triggers (please read the warning at the beginning of the book, do not skip over), but it is one of those books that you just have to read, one that you keep being drawn to --one that you feel as though you cannot put down. It is also one of those page turners that when you get to the end, you're like, "That's all? I want more!" I was even thinking about the book for the next few days, wondering what was next for Holly, Brayden, and their friends and family. Even coming up with my own variations of possible scenarios. haha.
I still want more! (hint, hint...lol!) Pretty please? 0:)
Rating: 5 stars
I received an ARC in return for an honest review.
First, I want to commend Char on helping to fight the stigma attached to mental health, especially its effects on the LGBTQIA+ community. I also want to thank her for including transgender, genderqueer/genderfluid, and non-binary characters in her works of literary art. Being genderqueer myself, I very rarely feel as perfectly seen amongst the lesbian/wlw/sapphic community as I did in 'Country at Heart'. That means more to me than words can express!
Char put so much heart and soul into the characters of this book, and the mountains in which they had to climb at times seemed too much to handle. The ranging emotions I felt sometimes so raw and intense, that I had to take breaks from the book--not only for general processing, but emotional processing as well. The chemistry/sparks (and the sex/lovemaking scenes are HOT AF), unconditional love, and understanding between Holly and Brayden give me hope that I'll soon (and I possibly already have, buts he lives in a different country) find my own Holly. :)
Yes, there are multiple triggers (please read the warning at the beginning of the book, do not skip over), but it is one of those books that you just have to read, one that you keep being drawn to --one that you feel as though you cannot put down. It is also one of those page turners that when you get to the end, you're like, "That's all? I want more!" I was even thinking about the book for the next few days, wondering what was next for Holly, Brayden, and their friends and family. Even coming up with my own variations of possible scenarios. haha.
I still want more! (hint, hint...lol!) Pretty please? 0:)
Rating: 5 stars
I received an ARC in return for an honest review.
February 7, 2023
I was blown away when I recently read Char Dafoe's novel Country At Heart. It tells the story of Brayden and Holly, two people from different backgrounds who find love in a small country town. The characters are well-developed, and their relationship is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The story is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you on your toes until the end.
The writing style is beautiful and engaging, making it a pleasure to read. Char Dafoe has an amazing ability to capture the emotions of her characters in such a vivid way that you feel as if you're right there with them. She also does an excellent job of conveying the beauty of small-town life, which adds to the book's charm.
Overall, Country At Heart is an incredible novel that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a good read. It's a perfect mix of romance and drama that will leave you feeling satisfied.
The writing style is beautiful and engaging, making it a pleasure to read. Char Dafoe has an amazing ability to capture the emotions of her characters in such a vivid way that you feel as if you're right there with them. She also does an excellent job of conveying the beauty of small-town life, which adds to the book's charm.
Overall, Country At Heart is an incredible novel that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a good read. It's a perfect mix of romance and drama that will leave you feeling satisfied.
August 23, 2021
A non-judge mental heart
A sign of a good book is when you get really involved in the characters of the book. That is the case with this book. Holly moon meets Amanda when she is 12 years old and Amanda is 15. They meet again 12 years later after Holly com our grandparents farm. Amanda is now Brayden. There is a lot to cover than this book including gender types, depression, suicide, and love.
I found the book is a very good book and a very interesting read. The question of gender identity and the stigma that comes with it is throughout the book and really plays a big part of this love story. I recommend this book for all who like a good love story which is very heartwarming and loving. The author did a very good job.
A sign of a good book is when you get really involved in the characters of the book. That is the case with this book. Holly moon meets Amanda when she is 12 years old and Amanda is 15. They meet again 12 years later after Holly com our grandparents farm. Amanda is now Brayden. There is a lot to cover than this book including gender types, depression, suicide, and love.
I found the book is a very good book and a very interesting read. The question of gender identity and the stigma that comes with it is throughout the book and really plays a big part of this love story. I recommend this book for all who like a good love story which is very heartwarming and loving. The author did a very good job.
August 27, 2021
It's incredibly difficult to read such a bittersweet novel.
Because on the one hand my heart is heavy with sorrow and at the same time I am moved to tears with joy and warmth.
I love the way Char Dafoe relentlessly portrays her characters.
In this case and in Brayden‘s case extremely realistic and ruthlessly honest.
I have enough experience and can identify with Holly.
At some point I had to stop reading because of my own fears and insecurities.
As the wife of a depressed partner, realistic stories like this are often hard to take but I am grateful that they are written!
Brayden‘s gender struggle is an enormous burden on his entire life, his identity and his place in the world.
It's sad because if the world were a more loving, open and accepting place there would be much less depression and suffering.
Char has shown it honestly and realistically that parents or even strangers can often make your life hell even though they have no right to do so.
In the case of his parents it is heartbreaking that they are, among other things, the cause of his drastic step ... I don't want to write any more about it and spoilers.
Parents do not think that first and foremost they are creating and giving birth to a person who has the right to change.
Unconditional love is the key here and should be taken for granted. In many cases, however, it is not.
As a non-depressed person, I still suffer from my parents rejection of my sexual orientation. The struggle of a depressed person is far more difficult and cannot cope with it in the long run. That’s all too easy to understand.
Sweet and beautiful at heart, Holly loves unconditionally and this Unconditional Loving is Brayden's safe place.
I am so glad that Love is a safe haven for Brayden in this wonderfully written story.
After “A Jade’s Diamond” I was aware that Char Dafoe writes exceptionally and creates characters and stories like that.
This book Opened my eyes even wider, captured my heart and it will keep me thinking about it for a long time.
Exceptionally beautiful!
Because on the one hand my heart is heavy with sorrow and at the same time I am moved to tears with joy and warmth.
I love the way Char Dafoe relentlessly portrays her characters.
In this case and in Brayden‘s case extremely realistic and ruthlessly honest.
I have enough experience and can identify with Holly.
At some point I had to stop reading because of my own fears and insecurities.
As the wife of a depressed partner, realistic stories like this are often hard to take but I am grateful that they are written!
Brayden‘s gender struggle is an enormous burden on his entire life, his identity and his place in the world.
It's sad because if the world were a more loving, open and accepting place there would be much less depression and suffering.
Char has shown it honestly and realistically that parents or even strangers can often make your life hell even though they have no right to do so.
In the case of his parents it is heartbreaking that they are, among other things, the cause of his drastic step ... I don't want to write any more about it and spoilers.
Parents do not think that first and foremost they are creating and giving birth to a person who has the right to change.
Unconditional love is the key here and should be taken for granted. In many cases, however, it is not.
As a non-depressed person, I still suffer from my parents rejection of my sexual orientation. The struggle of a depressed person is far more difficult and cannot cope with it in the long run. That’s all too easy to understand.
Sweet and beautiful at heart, Holly loves unconditionally and this Unconditional Loving is Brayden's safe place.
I am so glad that Love is a safe haven for Brayden in this wonderfully written story.
After “A Jade’s Diamond” I was aware that Char Dafoe writes exceptionally and creates characters and stories like that.
This book Opened my eyes even wider, captured my heart and it will keep me thinking about it for a long time.
Exceptionally beautiful!
September 5, 2021
Char Dafoe is a consistently fantastic author, taking readers on a journey that doesn't follow the typical romance formula. Country At Heart is a little bit country with a lot of heart. So many scenes hit my heart strings. I would label this book within the LGBTQIA umbrella not WLW. Brayden was born as Amanda and now identifies as male and uses he/his/him pronouns. Holly identified as lesbian but is very attracted to the rugged masculinity of Brayden.
While reading this story, I simply allowed Brayden and Holly to be themselves. I struggle along side them as they discovered themselves and their relationship. The pace is on point. The sex scenes are hot and show the passion and love that Brayden and Holly have for each other. I loved the last few chapters. I can't give too much away. I highly recommend this book. I feel it provides a story that needs to be heard.
Trigger warnings/spoilers:
family disownment
depression
There are mentions of suicide in a few different situations: attempt, leading in death, attempt on pages
I received this as an ARC for an honest review.
While reading this story, I simply allowed Brayden and Holly to be themselves. I struggle along side them as they discovered themselves and their relationship. The pace is on point. The sex scenes are hot and show the passion and love that Brayden and Holly have for each other. I loved the last few chapters. I can't give too much away. I highly recommend this book. I feel it provides a story that needs to be heard.
Trigger warnings/spoilers:
family disownment
depression
There are mentions of suicide in a few different situations: attempt, leading in death, attempt on pages
I received this as an ARC for an honest review.
August 30, 2021
Loved this latest release. I was hooked by page 3 and couldn’t put it down.
Heartwarming love story covering some diffiuclt topics but proving love prevails.
Braydens character has been well thought out and portrayed brilliantly through the book!
Heartwarming love story covering some diffiuclt topics but proving love prevails.
Braydens character has been well thought out and portrayed brilliantly through the book!
October 8, 2021
All the feels!
Country at Heart is one of those books that will tug at every heart string and flirt with every emotion. Every character is relatable or like someone many of us have encountered in life, and makes a lasting impression. This was a very deep, engaging read. Another job well-done for Miss Dafoe!
Country at Heart is one of those books that will tug at every heart string and flirt with every emotion. Every character is relatable or like someone many of us have encountered in life, and makes a lasting impression. This was a very deep, engaging read. Another job well-done for Miss Dafoe!
April 9, 2022
Hard to describe how that book made me feel.
I had a hard time relating to Holly. She is a mentally healthy, cisgender, feminine woman - and I'm not any of the above.
She is quite emotional, sexual and romantic. Her love for Brayden is very strong. She respects and fights for his right to be himself even when she clearly doesn't know a lot about transgender people, gender dysphoria or depression. I admire her, she is a strong, kind person.
You get to know Brayden through Her eyes, and he really got to my heart. His struggles and life experiences were pretty bad, but he still finds the strength to be kind to and help others around him. He cares so much about everyone. It's impossible not to care about him too.
The book handled depression and suicide in what I feel is the best way possible. It's a tough subject to discuss, and I appreciate not backing out of talking about the struggles and triggers and everything else that comes with it, down to describing explicit scenes and procedures.
I loved that the story is about a trans man who doesn't go through any surgeries or hormonal treatments, it's not a very common representation.
Overall the book is 5 stars amazing, although I personally had some trouble with the story being told from Holly's POV.
I had a hard time relating to Holly. She is a mentally healthy, cisgender, feminine woman - and I'm not any of the above.
She is quite emotional, sexual and romantic. Her love for Brayden is very strong. She respects and fights for his right to be himself even when she clearly doesn't know a lot about transgender people, gender dysphoria or depression. I admire her, she is a strong, kind person.
You get to know Brayden through Her eyes, and he really got to my heart. His struggles and life experiences were pretty bad, but he still finds the strength to be kind to and help others around him. He cares so much about everyone. It's impossible not to care about him too.
The book handled depression and suicide in what I feel is the best way possible. It's a tough subject to discuss, and I appreciate not backing out of talking about the struggles and triggers and everything else that comes with it, down to describing explicit scenes and procedures.
I loved that the story is about a trans man who doesn't go through any surgeries or hormonal treatments, it's not a very common representation.
Overall the book is 5 stars amazing, although I personally had some trouble with the story being told from Holly's POV.
January 20, 2025
Beautiful and heartfelt
This is one of the more beautiful love stories that I have seen that involves a trans guy. I can't describe how many emotions I felt on this small roller coaster of a book. The characters feel like somebody I should know, maybe even some that I should be. If anyone in your life is transmasculine or transgender, this may very well be one of the best books that I can recommend to someone who doesn't understand what love looks like when one half of a couple is a trans guy.
This is one of the more beautiful love stories that I have seen that involves a trans guy. I can't describe how many emotions I felt on this small roller coaster of a book. The characters feel like somebody I should know, maybe even some that I should be. If anyone in your life is transmasculine or transgender, this may very well be one of the best books that I can recommend to someone who doesn't understand what love looks like when one half of a couple is a trans guy.
October 19, 2023
great read
I really enjoyed this book. Some very sad bits in it. But it was really interesting to read Bray’s story.
How hard life must be if you simply want to feel like your true self.
Being a lesbian can be hard some places, but this is a whole nother level.
Wow
I really enjoyed this book. Some very sad bits in it. But it was really interesting to read Bray’s story.
How hard life must be if you simply want to feel like your true self.
Being a lesbian can be hard some places, but this is a whole nother level.
Wow
November 20, 2024
Wonderful book. A great job with the characters. Loved Holly and may have fell for Brayden too. I hate it that the book is over.
I feel like I'm a better person meeting these characters ❤️
I feel like I'm a better person meeting these characters ❤️
March 18, 2023
Loved it
The characters are compelling and for me different. I loved the story and without giving g anything away, I will say that it was different from most of what I read. Not a bad thing, thanks Chad for another beautiful tale, you never disappoint in your writing or stories.
The characters are compelling and for me different. I loved the story and without giving g anything away, I will say that it was different from most of what I read. Not a bad thing, thanks Chad for another beautiful tale, you never disappoint in your writing or stories.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews