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Sanctuary #1
Lost and Found
According to Grant Holiday there are two kinds of people in the world: those who follow the rules and those who should stay the heck out of his forest.
Alone in the woods with forest ranger Grant Holiday scowling down at me is not the way I prefer to start my day. So what if he’s lean and fit and his eyes are this gorgeous shade of…
It doesn’t matter because he’s making my tough week, heck my tough month, worse. It might be true I spent half the night at a campsite without paying, but I didn’t even sleep. Shouldn’t star gazing be free?
But Grant insists on making me pay even though it’s his day off and I don’t have a cent to my name.
When I get lost in the woods and Grant saves my life, I joke that our souls are now forever bonded. He doesn’t laugh. It’s not apparent he has a sense of humor.
A smart woman would lie low, try to follow the rules, and avoid Grant Holiday, but he just keeps showing up and pointing out every rule I’m breaking, whether I’m rescuing an injured skunk or accepting a job at his brother’s bookstore.
He’s the last person I want to see every day until… he isn’t.
I’ve got trust issues, and he’s still in love with his ex. We should never work as a couple, but I can’t deny the attraction brewing between us. An attraction that might just go soul deep.
Alone in the woods with forest ranger Grant Holiday scowling down at me is not the way I prefer to start my day. So what if he’s lean and fit and his eyes are this gorgeous shade of…
It doesn’t matter because he’s making my tough week, heck my tough month, worse. It might be true I spent half the night at a campsite without paying, but I didn’t even sleep. Shouldn’t star gazing be free?
But Grant insists on making me pay even though it’s his day off and I don’t have a cent to my name.
When I get lost in the woods and Grant saves my life, I joke that our souls are now forever bonded. He doesn’t laugh. It’s not apparent he has a sense of humor.
A smart woman would lie low, try to follow the rules, and avoid Grant Holiday, but he just keeps showing up and pointing out every rule I’m breaking, whether I’m rescuing an injured skunk or accepting a job at his brother’s bookstore.
He’s the last person I want to see every day until… he isn’t.
I’ve got trust issues, and he’s still in love with his ex. We should never work as a couple, but I can’t deny the attraction brewing between us. An attraction that might just go soul deep.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 2023
About the author
Katharine Sadler
48 books123 followersKatharine Sadler lives with her husband in North Carolina. She’s been writing since she was ten and has wanted to be a writer even longer. When she’s not writing or otherwise gainfully occupied, she reads like it’s an addiction, exercises, skis whenever she gets the chance, and adds more books to her Amazon wish list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
Did Not Finish
February 17, 2025DNF at 20%.
I'm not interested in reading a romance where the guy is in love with his ex who he thinks of as his soul mate and the love of his life.
It just is one more nail in the coffin when he already came off as a pretty big jerk to the heroine.
I'm not interested in reading a romance where the guy is in love with his ex who he thinks of as his soul mate and the love of his life.
It just is one more nail in the coffin when he already came off as a pretty big jerk to the heroine.
January 21, 2023
Lost and Found is a cute light easy to read enemy's to lovers story. There is some comedy and tears but also shows the support of a small town. Dani has a love for helping animals while Grant is the local forest ranger. When you have someone who strictly follows the rules and someone who breaks them with no issues, it can be hard to learn how to navigate through their relationship.
Did Not Finish
February 23, 2024I just don't think this was for me and that's alright.
February 27, 2024
This had so much potential...but a 360 from hate to SOULMATE was a bit too much whiplash to be enjoyable. Shame.
Want to Read
January 28, 2025Free on Kindle
Read
January 17, 2023A brand-new small town romantic comedy set in the world of Catalpa Creek! This enemies-to-lovers romance will feature characters from the Catalpa Creek series, but it is primarily about the five Weston sisters (cousins of Brittany Oakley from The Lone in my Marriage Pact).
Available in Kindle Unlimited!
Available in Kindle Unlimited!
January 25, 2023
"Lost and Found" by Katharine Sadler is the first book of a new series featuring the five Weston sisters. It's set in the same town as the Catalpa Creek series and a few of the characters from those books return in supporting roles, but it reads as a standalone.
Dandelion "Dani" Weston recently moved to the small town of Catalpa Creek with three of her four sisters in order to fulfill the terms of their late father's will, which requires them to live there for a year to receive their inheritance. For Dani, at least, it's a good time for a fresh start; her former best friend and business partner recently cheated her out of her share of the bakery they started together, and she lost everything. Unfortunately, living with her sisters and their constant arguments brings back bad memories from childhood, sending Dani fleeing into a nearby national park for a night under the stars. The next morning, she's discovered by park ranger Grant Holiday, who threatens to cite her for failing to pay the fee for use of the campsite. On further acquaintance, Grant's impression of Dani does not improve; he's convinced that she's the type of person who believes rules don't apply to her - and he's a stickler for the rules. It becomes impossible to avoid her when she starts working as a barista in his brother's bookstore, and after he tastes her homemade cherry danish, he's not even sure he wants to. Is it possible that these opposites could actually attract?
I loved this laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, and heartwarming story. Grant and Dani may have been complete opposites, but they were completely perfect for each other. Their banter was a ton of fun, and I particularly enjoyed the way Dani teased Grant. I also appreciated how layered each of their characters was; every time something new was revealed, it was like another puzzle piece clicked into place, and I could actually see how well the two of them fit together.
I highly recommend "Lost and Found" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book of the series.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
Dandelion "Dani" Weston recently moved to the small town of Catalpa Creek with three of her four sisters in order to fulfill the terms of their late father's will, which requires them to live there for a year to receive their inheritance. For Dani, at least, it's a good time for a fresh start; her former best friend and business partner recently cheated her out of her share of the bakery they started together, and she lost everything. Unfortunately, living with her sisters and their constant arguments brings back bad memories from childhood, sending Dani fleeing into a nearby national park for a night under the stars. The next morning, she's discovered by park ranger Grant Holiday, who threatens to cite her for failing to pay the fee for use of the campsite. On further acquaintance, Grant's impression of Dani does not improve; he's convinced that she's the type of person who believes rules don't apply to her - and he's a stickler for the rules. It becomes impossible to avoid her when she starts working as a barista in his brother's bookstore, and after he tastes her homemade cherry danish, he's not even sure he wants to. Is it possible that these opposites could actually attract?
I loved this laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, and heartwarming story. Grant and Dani may have been complete opposites, but they were completely perfect for each other. Their banter was a ton of fun, and I particularly enjoyed the way Dani teased Grant. I also appreciated how layered each of their characters was; every time something new was revealed, it was like another puzzle piece clicked into place, and I could actually see how well the two of them fit together.
I highly recommend "Lost and Found" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book of the series.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 29, 2024
Amazing!!
This is the first book in a new series and this is Grant and Dani's story.
This is a well written story which has emotions , engaging and realistic characters, family, friendships, drama, humour, witty banter, romance, intrigue, and love which all leads to an entertaining and thrilling page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
This is the first book in a new series and this is Grant and Dani's story.
This is a well written story which has emotions , engaging and realistic characters, family, friendships, drama, humour, witty banter, romance, intrigue, and love which all leads to an entertaining and thrilling page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
October 9, 2024
Cute and feel good book. The main characters both had quirks and just seems something was missing but over all really liked it.
November 9, 2024
Mis escenas favoritas fueron aquellas donde aparecían animales.
June 4, 2025
Ended too quick, but LOVED 🥰
October 15, 2025
was it a book? yea. did i like it? not particularily!
i think i'm entering a slump :( because why did this 300 page romance take me 5 days to finish??? turnaround time is getting longer and longer. i hope freida mcfadden can yank me out of this one!
i think i'm entering a slump :( because why did this 300 page romance take me 5 days to finish??? turnaround time is getting longer and longer. i hope freida mcfadden can yank me out of this one!
July 28, 2026
Cute! He has his dream job and she’s adjusting hers. She starts a sanctuary farm cause she’s really good at making friends with wild animals.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2023
I loved going back to Catalpa Creek and getting to know the Weston sisters. Their circumstances are all different and I’m excited to see how they all manage to spend their year waiting for their inheritance. Dani is strong, but has been betrayed and beat down by everything. Grant is a bit overbearing in wanting to help and doesn’t realize where he’s going wrong. I love when he finally realizes what he’s doing. So far this is my favorite Katharine Sadler book.
August 24, 2025
0.5 ☆
Yikes. Should've DNF'd this when I found out the characters' names.
Yikes. Should've DNF'd this when I found out the characters' names.
October 1, 2026
Didn’t finish after chapter 24. I had to skim to get to that point. I just couldn’t stand Dani any longer.
She started out fine. And I really liked how Grant was portrayed. Many authors shy away from making the guy truly have any flaws or anything. And not that Grant necessarily had flaws but he was a rigid rule follower persona. And he judged Dani unfairly. Which I liked because it gives characters somewhere to go and makes them feel more real to me. I don’t love perfect. I liked that he wasn’t going to let Dani get away with skirting the rules.
But it went downhill after that. Grant started liking Dani for no real reason. He shifted way too fast from dislike to like and changed toward her in an unnatural way. It was done very clunky. Most authors struggle with this to be fair. I rarely see authors show two characters falling for each other in a tangible way. It always just ✨happens✨. I am glad we didn’t have insta lust though, that’s why I kept going. I just wish the author would have taken more care to show reasons that grant would go from dislike to like instead of it just happening after only a few short meaningless conversations.
Also the author was in too big a hurry to get to the sex. It felt unnatural when it happened. It was so abrupt. They’d barely even talked much before they were straight to third base. It felt like sex so the author could get her sex scenes in, not because it fit the story.
The whole plot line of Dani and the rescuing of animals also felt very unnatural and forced. And over the top.
But this is also why I just couldn’t not stand Dani anymore.
She has absolutely nothing. She doesn’t own her home, she is completely bankrupt. She is barely able to take care of herself and can’t even afford 3 meals a day, yet she takes in two wild animals that require extra medical care! I love that she is loving toward animals, but it’s not good for an animal to go to someplace so ill equipped. That just becomes selfish. Dani is thinking of herself and what she wants more than what is best for animals that need this round the clock care. They needed to be going to actual shelters or sanctuaries. And yeah it’s probably hard to find that, but if she is that determined she would be able to find somewhere that could better take care of their needs than Dani can at this point in her life.
And here is where I drew the line though. As stated before she literally has nothing. She has no education and a minimum wage job. She knows nothing about taking care of any animal, let alone a variety and what each needs. Yet she wants to open a sanctuary. Okay fine. HOWEVER her entire personality is the fact that she gets pissed if anyone questions her idea or asks how she is going to possibly do any of this. All extremely valid questions. Yet apparently if you ask her these things or question her she gets pissed because how dare you not believe in her and her abilities!
She’s a moron honestly. I would absolutely be questioning her 100 percent. She is set to inherit a large sum of money in a year’s time. So if she was actually intelligent, she would get everything ready BEFORE trying to start this sanctuary. Start getting permits and funding and staff and knowledge of animals. Write up your business plan and crunch numbers. And then once you get your inheritance you will be in a much better position to take on this business. That is the responsible, intelligent thing to do.
But fine I guess she’s kind of doing all that as we read even though she already has several animals in her care already with absolutely no business plan in place, no vet, no permits, no knowledge, etc. so I was trying to get past her thoughtlessness in regards to get business, but then she did something I could not get past.
I cannot stand women who get offended over the dumbest stuff. Apparently there is no limit to what women can think of to be offended over because this was a new one for me even though I’ve read many romance where women are offended over many different dumb things. But Dani gets mad at Grant for, get this, wanting to help her without asking her if she wanted his help. Yep. That’s it.
Every time he would do something to like support her sanctuary idea or get her help with it, she was always on edge about it and so freaking defensive, getting mad if he, or anyone really, tried doing anything for her without her express permission. she would say things like ‘I don’t need your help I can do it myself’ to people throughout the book. Like girl what???? Do it yourself? How? You have nothing. You can do absolutely none of this yourself and she hasn’t been. Her family all had to come build a fence for her animals. They had to build a barn for her. The vet had to offer his services for free. Her sister has to babysit her skunk all the time, grants sister is helping her with a bunch of the business stuff. She literally can do nothing by herself. She wants to do this nice thing but she’s putting the burden on everyone else and then complaining about it.
But I guess the trick with Dani is that it has to be her idea to get help. She has to be the one to tell you what she needs. Heaven forbid you see her needs yourself without her telling you and bring it upon yourself to help.
I mean, I know i just love telling my husband every single thing he can do to help me all the time. I love it when he can’t see things for himself or take it upon himself to help where he sees the need. It’s so nice when he has to ask me every time he sees something he could help me with🙄🙄
Seriously she gets so pissed at Grant for seeing her needs and wondering how he can help her. In fact, he hadn’t even done anything yet to help her with this one issue she was having, she just overheard him tell his brother that he wanted to help her with this thing that she clearly had no idea how to handle (of course) and she was so mad she basically breaks up with him. And literally five minutes later grants brother was like, hey can I help you with that problem and she was like oh yes thank you because I do actually need help. Again like I guess it’s okay to help her as long as you ask every single time or if she tells you she needs help.
It’s just annoying like why are you so offended over something like that. She should know how incapable she actually is and accept any and all help and use her shortcomings as opportunities to learn and grow. Instead she’s stubborn and stupid And will only take help if it’s her idea.
So yeah I was over her. I did not want Grant to be with her at all. So I didn’t finish and I’m pretending he walked away from her and found someone fun and cool.
She started out fine. And I really liked how Grant was portrayed. Many authors shy away from making the guy truly have any flaws or anything. And not that Grant necessarily had flaws but he was a rigid rule follower persona. And he judged Dani unfairly. Which I liked because it gives characters somewhere to go and makes them feel more real to me. I don’t love perfect. I liked that he wasn’t going to let Dani get away with skirting the rules.
But it went downhill after that. Grant started liking Dani for no real reason. He shifted way too fast from dislike to like and changed toward her in an unnatural way. It was done very clunky. Most authors struggle with this to be fair. I rarely see authors show two characters falling for each other in a tangible way. It always just ✨happens✨. I am glad we didn’t have insta lust though, that’s why I kept going. I just wish the author would have taken more care to show reasons that grant would go from dislike to like instead of it just happening after only a few short meaningless conversations.
Also the author was in too big a hurry to get to the sex. It felt unnatural when it happened. It was so abrupt. They’d barely even talked much before they were straight to third base. It felt like sex so the author could get her sex scenes in, not because it fit the story.
The whole plot line of Dani and the rescuing of animals also felt very unnatural and forced. And over the top.
But this is also why I just couldn’t not stand Dani anymore.
She has absolutely nothing. She doesn’t own her home, she is completely bankrupt. She is barely able to take care of herself and can’t even afford 3 meals a day, yet she takes in two wild animals that require extra medical care! I love that she is loving toward animals, but it’s not good for an animal to go to someplace so ill equipped. That just becomes selfish. Dani is thinking of herself and what she wants more than what is best for animals that need this round the clock care. They needed to be going to actual shelters or sanctuaries. And yeah it’s probably hard to find that, but if she is that determined she would be able to find somewhere that could better take care of their needs than Dani can at this point in her life.
And here is where I drew the line though. As stated before she literally has nothing. She has no education and a minimum wage job. She knows nothing about taking care of any animal, let alone a variety and what each needs. Yet she wants to open a sanctuary. Okay fine. HOWEVER her entire personality is the fact that she gets pissed if anyone questions her idea or asks how she is going to possibly do any of this. All extremely valid questions. Yet apparently if you ask her these things or question her she gets pissed because how dare you not believe in her and her abilities!
She’s a moron honestly. I would absolutely be questioning her 100 percent. She is set to inherit a large sum of money in a year’s time. So if she was actually intelligent, she would get everything ready BEFORE trying to start this sanctuary. Start getting permits and funding and staff and knowledge of animals. Write up your business plan and crunch numbers. And then once you get your inheritance you will be in a much better position to take on this business. That is the responsible, intelligent thing to do.
But fine I guess she’s kind of doing all that as we read even though she already has several animals in her care already with absolutely no business plan in place, no vet, no permits, no knowledge, etc. so I was trying to get past her thoughtlessness in regards to get business, but then she did something I could not get past.
I cannot stand women who get offended over the dumbest stuff. Apparently there is no limit to what women can think of to be offended over because this was a new one for me even though I’ve read many romance where women are offended over many different dumb things. But Dani gets mad at Grant for, get this, wanting to help her without asking her if she wanted his help. Yep. That’s it.
Every time he would do something to like support her sanctuary idea or get her help with it, she was always on edge about it and so freaking defensive, getting mad if he, or anyone really, tried doing anything for her without her express permission. she would say things like ‘I don’t need your help I can do it myself’ to people throughout the book. Like girl what???? Do it yourself? How? You have nothing. You can do absolutely none of this yourself and she hasn’t been. Her family all had to come build a fence for her animals. They had to build a barn for her. The vet had to offer his services for free. Her sister has to babysit her skunk all the time, grants sister is helping her with a bunch of the business stuff. She literally can do nothing by herself. She wants to do this nice thing but she’s putting the burden on everyone else and then complaining about it.
But I guess the trick with Dani is that it has to be her idea to get help. She has to be the one to tell you what she needs. Heaven forbid you see her needs yourself without her telling you and bring it upon yourself to help.
I mean, I know i just love telling my husband every single thing he can do to help me all the time. I love it when he can’t see things for himself or take it upon himself to help where he sees the need. It’s so nice when he has to ask me every time he sees something he could help me with🙄🙄
Seriously she gets so pissed at Grant for seeing her needs and wondering how he can help her. In fact, he hadn’t even done anything yet to help her with this one issue she was having, she just overheard him tell his brother that he wanted to help her with this thing that she clearly had no idea how to handle (of course) and she was so mad she basically breaks up with him. And literally five minutes later grants brother was like, hey can I help you with that problem and she was like oh yes thank you because I do actually need help. Again like I guess it’s okay to help her as long as you ask every single time or if she tells you she needs help.
It’s just annoying like why are you so offended over something like that. She should know how incapable she actually is and accept any and all help and use her shortcomings as opportunities to learn and grow. Instead she’s stubborn and stupid And will only take help if it’s her idea.
So yeah I was over her. I did not want Grant to be with her at all. So I didn’t finish and I’m pretending he walked away from her and found someone fun and cool.
May 11, 2024
Not For Me
This year I am attempting to venture out and try new to me authors. Sometimes it’s works, and unfortunately like this time, it doesn’t. I’m not sure if this was a debut novel, or that this author writes in this style each time. The story itself wasn’t bad but I’m not a fan of constant back and forth arguing or miss communication as it not only makes my eyes roll, it also shows the characters immaturity. The fmc was one that seemed to be able to do it all. She was a baker, a caring animal lover, she was sassy as well as vulnerable. It was like the author threw in every component a character can be to make her lovable but it only made me not like her because it felt unauthentic. As for the mmc, I felt for him at times with the mood swings and change of direction Dani had him going. Her relationship with her sisters felt conflicting at times, they got on well but argued repeatedly. They supported each other but then didn’t. I wasn’t sure how to take it. Lastly, I really enjoy reading along to listening to the audio. This is the first time I have tried a virtual recording instead of an actual narrator. I didn’t hate it, but I now know I do prefer a person who can hit all the emotions and tones while telling a story and not just someone reading it to me. I didn’t like that every character sounded the same, main or secondary all had the same sound. I won’t be seeking out the other books in this series, this was a once and done experience.
This year I am attempting to venture out and try new to me authors. Sometimes it’s works, and unfortunately like this time, it doesn’t. I’m not sure if this was a debut novel, or that this author writes in this style each time. The story itself wasn’t bad but I’m not a fan of constant back and forth arguing or miss communication as it not only makes my eyes roll, it also shows the characters immaturity. The fmc was one that seemed to be able to do it all. She was a baker, a caring animal lover, she was sassy as well as vulnerable. It was like the author threw in every component a character can be to make her lovable but it only made me not like her because it felt unauthentic. As for the mmc, I felt for him at times with the mood swings and change of direction Dani had him going. Her relationship with her sisters felt conflicting at times, they got on well but argued repeatedly. They supported each other but then didn’t. I wasn’t sure how to take it. Lastly, I really enjoy reading along to listening to the audio. This is the first time I have tried a virtual recording instead of an actual narrator. I didn’t hate it, but I now know I do prefer a person who can hit all the emotions and tones while telling a story and not just someone reading it to me. I didn’t like that every character sounded the same, main or secondary all had the same sound. I won’t be seeking out the other books in this series, this was a once and done experience.
January 22, 2023
Dani and Grant don’t like each other, but when he saves her from falling off a cliff, their souls become bound and they become each others souls mates! That is just the start of their relationship with plenty of laughs and steamy moments along the way!.
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.
February 8, 2023
It's so refreshing to read about a couple that aren't perfectly obsessed and in love right from the get-go! At first, Grant and Dani don't like each either much, but can't help but be drawn together. Their feelings grow and they both have quirks and baggage to work through which makes this story so much better for it! I love that it's not just about the blooming romance between the main characters, but the disfunction and navigating through sisterly issues that spread out to other family members. They start to understand and accept each other how they are. I liked and disliked everyone at different points in the story and it was a refreshing change from the usual romance book. I can't wait to hopefully read the stories for the other sisters!
May 13, 2025
Almost dnf but I stayed for the animals & Lazy
Honestly Dani’s freak outs about her insecurities were insufferable, she came across so immature it was painful to read. And she didn’t really have any character development, she just kind of stopped? The “breakthrough” moment with her sisters was flat, and there was no other resolution or mention of how toxic their dad was. Y’all need therapy
Grant’s storyline of still being into his ex was boring and Kaia’s only purpose for being in the story was to have that conversation with him at dinner, which was weird af.
The irrational rage I felt whenever Goldy spoke or was mentioned. I would rather use her book as kindling than read another word about her.
Honestly Dani’s freak outs about her insecurities were insufferable, she came across so immature it was painful to read. And she didn’t really have any character development, she just kind of stopped? The “breakthrough” moment with her sisters was flat, and there was no other resolution or mention of how toxic their dad was. Y’all need therapy
Grant’s storyline of still being into his ex was boring and Kaia’s only purpose for being in the story was to have that conversation with him at dinner, which was weird af.
The irrational rage I felt whenever Goldy spoke or was mentioned. I would rather use her book as kindling than read another word about her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2023
It was hate at first sight for both of them . He is a Forest Ranger and she is trespassing into the woods and she is denying to pay the fee . She is having the week from hell but it might turn out good because she got a job at a bookshop as a barista and she will bake whatever she likes . Her boss brother happens to be the strict Ranger which happen to love her goods . Will the love and hate relationship continue ? I loved all about the theory about soulmates that he believes . She has a connection with all animals and that gift will make her open an animal sanctuary .
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.
February 7, 2025
he believed an ex girlfriend was his soulmate just because his parents and grandparents had cute love stories (that weren’t even true) and she hit a skunk and then spent an entire chapter at the vet with it and is gonna take care of it (and has no money whatsoever but forced the vet to do anything they can to save the animal????) and also apparently she has a ✨gift✨ of talking to animals. and they go from ‘enemies’ to soulmates ……. ok
ALSO STOP TAKING IN FUCKING ANIMALS YOU HAVE NO ABILITY TO CARE FOR AND IT JUST GOES ONTO YOUR OLDEST SISTER’S SHOULDERS NO WONDER SHE DOESNT WANT TO BE AROUND YALL
ALSO STOP TAKING IN FUCKING ANIMALS YOU HAVE NO ABILITY TO CARE FOR AND IT JUST GOES ONTO YOUR OLDEST SISTER’S SHOULDERS NO WONDER SHE DOESNT WANT TO BE AROUND YALL
May 29, 2025
This was a fun and easy read and I enjoyed getting to know the characters.
September 6, 2026
Boring and trying too hard to be funny, ended up feeling forced. Everything's too messy and chaotic, while it's also too boring to read. The characters were too irritating and juvenile. There's too many names just thrown in. The characters are so contradictory with their nature's, their thoughts and their behaviours. Gave up at 80%, only got that far because it's a short read but it was just a mess of misunderstandings.
There's no emotion in this, except the heroine crying often with her constant irritating insecurities. She was like three different people in one. Leaving everyone else to do her work for her with the animals and she doesn't even look into what she need to do on the practical side of things to make an animal sanctuary work, leaving all that to the H's sister to do, all made ger not likable.
And there isn't much likable about the H either, he does a complete 180 from being in love with his ex, for even the 5 years she was gone and living in another part of the country, to wanting the heroine, a woman who irritates him. And their constant misunderstandings were irritating. Her sisters aren't the nicest either.
It didn't read like an enemies to lovers, it all happens too quick between them. There's no chemistry between them. The sex scenes, which there were two of by the time I gave up at 80%, read like someone who's never had sex wrote them, or a guy wrote them, thinking the first one is what a woman would want and the second one was what a guy would want.
With her able to climax three times in a row from oral in the first scene, standing up, while he's on his knees yet her demanding "more". In reality she'd be long done and he'd be in pain in his knees, lips and tongue, and more likely to walk away if that's what she expected as normal before giving him his in return. Then the second scene, he just lays there, watching while she does all the work, even after she climaxed. Really wasn't good.
I prefer sex scenes in my reads, even in smalltown romance, but the scenes here were unsuited to the smalltown theme of the story. I want to say they felt vulgar, while also basic and flat without any actual detail or feelings, but maybe that's because the cgaracters were written as vulgar.
I'm not a prude when it comes to cursing, dark romance is my favourite genre, but even in those books I've never read an author writing so much cursing. Using the search tool showed the author F bombs 45 times, has a weird obsession with peeing, written 15 times, and used the word 'sh*t' 30 times, including the heroine saying to a guy, a complete stranger, "I'm not going to take a sh*t in the woods", Disgusting and vulgar.
It was completely out of place and unnecessary with this being a supposedly sweet smalltown romance. In short, even though it sounded like this would have the elements of a smalltown, big family, outdoors, enemies to lovers, that I normally enjoy in these kinds of stories, I didn't like this and I didn't like the characters. The writing made it both too chaotic yet boring to read and it was unpleasant and immature. First time reading this author and my last. Didn't finish it.
There's no emotion in this, except the heroine crying often with her constant irritating insecurities. She was like three different people in one. Leaving everyone else to do her work for her with the animals and she doesn't even look into what she need to do on the practical side of things to make an animal sanctuary work, leaving all that to the H's sister to do, all made ger not likable.
And there isn't much likable about the H either, he does a complete 180 from being in love with his ex, for even the 5 years she was gone and living in another part of the country, to wanting the heroine, a woman who irritates him. And their constant misunderstandings were irritating. Her sisters aren't the nicest either.
It didn't read like an enemies to lovers, it all happens too quick between them. There's no chemistry between them. The sex scenes, which there were two of by the time I gave up at 80%, read like someone who's never had sex wrote them, or a guy wrote them, thinking the first one is what a woman would want and the second one was what a guy would want.
With her able to climax three times in a row from oral in the first scene, standing up, while he's on his knees yet her demanding "more". In reality she'd be long done and he'd be in pain in his knees, lips and tongue, and more likely to walk away if that's what she expected as normal before giving him his in return. Then the second scene, he just lays there, watching while she does all the work, even after she climaxed. Really wasn't good.
I prefer sex scenes in my reads, even in smalltown romance, but the scenes here were unsuited to the smalltown theme of the story. I want to say they felt vulgar, while also basic and flat without any actual detail or feelings, but maybe that's because the cgaracters were written as vulgar.
I'm not a prude when it comes to cursing, dark romance is my favourite genre, but even in those books I've never read an author writing so much cursing. Using the search tool showed the author F bombs 45 times, has a weird obsession with peeing, written 15 times, and used the word 'sh*t' 30 times, including the heroine saying to a guy, a complete stranger, "I'm not going to take a sh*t in the woods", Disgusting and vulgar.
It was completely out of place and unnecessary with this being a supposedly sweet smalltown romance. In short, even though it sounded like this would have the elements of a smalltown, big family, outdoors, enemies to lovers, that I normally enjoy in these kinds of stories, I didn't like this and I didn't like the characters. The writing made it both too chaotic yet boring to read and it was unpleasant and immature. First time reading this author and my last. Didn't finish it.
May 6, 2023
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: opposites attract.
Part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Plot:
Dandelion (Dani) is one of the daughters of a deceased con artist whose will states his daughters must live together in a big house for 1 year to get their inheritance.
Dani has been screwed over by a past bestie/ business partner, in a partnership where she was the maker and they handled the business side. This saw her blackballed and led to gross unemployment and low confidence.
Dani has a huge, caring heart, and is not one for the rules.
Enter Grant, a park ranger who is a stickler for the rules, and has a closed off heart since being left at the altar.
Grant is the brother of her new boss, and he has a problem with the fact that she brings the skunk that she takes care of (after she hits with her car, whose injuries lead to rear leg amputation and “the little skunk is now attached to a wheeled contraption”), in to her workplace, a bookshop where she sells baked goods.
“You can’t be soul mates with a skunk”. She shrugs “first, Skidmark is a cat. Second, I saved his life, so our souls are bonded”.
“Can I get one of each? I’m starving”
“Sure”, she’s clearly still flustered, but trying to cover it up. “One of each of what?”.
“ of everything “, I say. “I want to try everything”.. “Sure, just admit Skidmark is a cat”.
I don’t want to give in and go along with this farce, but I really want those cherry flavoured doughy bits of goodness”.
“Did you meet our bookstore cat?”
“Not a cat”.
“Worried I’m going to spit in your coffee?”
“No.” Yes. One hundred percent certain she’d spit in my coffee. Probably because I wouldn’t be able to resist pointing out that her ‘cat’ is a skunk.
Dani’s big heart see’s her wanting to turn the property she is living in into a sanctuary for animals. Sam’s cousins come to help her build a fence and barn, the infrastructure she requires for her animal sanctuary. And, in true crazy, competitive extended family style, “decided they needed a day of Scottish Highlands games to break up all the hard work”.
“What the hell?”. Another man shouts as he emerges from the mud. “Is there glitter mixed in with the mud? Glitter is permanent, people.”
“Honestly, this isn’t remotely sanitary”.
Meanwhile, Grant is dealing with his ex, who is wanting to build a resort, and coinciding Bigfoot sightings, which turn out to be a woman trying to protect a marijuana crop started by her grandfather, that is in danger of being discovered if the resort goes ahead.
This author is new to be and I love the small town, quirky, strong female characters. All characters are well written, strong and flawed.
If your looking for romance, all you find here is a slow burn romance with plenty of sexual tension, sensuality, but heavily veiled, fade to black sex.
Trope: opposites attract.
Part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Plot:
Dandelion (Dani) is one of the daughters of a deceased con artist whose will states his daughters must live together in a big house for 1 year to get their inheritance.
Dani has been screwed over by a past bestie/ business partner, in a partnership where she was the maker and they handled the business side. This saw her blackballed and led to gross unemployment and low confidence.
Dani has a huge, caring heart, and is not one for the rules.
Enter Grant, a park ranger who is a stickler for the rules, and has a closed off heart since being left at the altar.
Grant is the brother of her new boss, and he has a problem with the fact that she brings the skunk that she takes care of (after she hits with her car, whose injuries lead to rear leg amputation and “the little skunk is now attached to a wheeled contraption”), in to her workplace, a bookshop where she sells baked goods.
“You can’t be soul mates with a skunk”. She shrugs “first, Skidmark is a cat. Second, I saved his life, so our souls are bonded”.
“Can I get one of each? I’m starving”
“Sure”, she’s clearly still flustered, but trying to cover it up. “One of each of what?”.
“ of everything “, I say. “I want to try everything”.. “Sure, just admit Skidmark is a cat”.
I don’t want to give in and go along with this farce, but I really want those cherry flavoured doughy bits of goodness”.
“Did you meet our bookstore cat?”
“Not a cat”.
“Worried I’m going to spit in your coffee?”
“No.” Yes. One hundred percent certain she’d spit in my coffee. Probably because I wouldn’t be able to resist pointing out that her ‘cat’ is a skunk.
Dani’s big heart see’s her wanting to turn the property she is living in into a sanctuary for animals. Sam’s cousins come to help her build a fence and barn, the infrastructure she requires for her animal sanctuary. And, in true crazy, competitive extended family style, “decided they needed a day of Scottish Highlands games to break up all the hard work”.
“What the hell?”. Another man shouts as he emerges from the mud. “Is there glitter mixed in with the mud? Glitter is permanent, people.”
“Honestly, this isn’t remotely sanitary”.
Meanwhile, Grant is dealing with his ex, who is wanting to build a resort, and coinciding Bigfoot sightings, which turn out to be a woman trying to protect a marijuana crop started by her grandfather, that is in danger of being discovered if the resort goes ahead.
This author is new to be and I love the small town, quirky, strong female characters. All characters are well written, strong and flawed.
If your looking for romance, all you find here is a slow burn romance with plenty of sexual tension, sensuality, but heavily veiled, fade to black sex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2023
This was a small town enemies to lovers romantic comedy.
Totally enjoyed this book. The characters were relatable and well developed. The story was funny, heartwarming and original. Highly recommend!
Dandelion/Dani Weston and her four sisters have moved to Catalpa Creek, Virginia in order to get their inheritance. Per their father's will they need to live in his mansion in the small town for 1 year before they can inherit. Dani is unemployed, broke and has had her confidence destroyed. She and her friend Abby owned a bakery in Atlanta with Dani baking and Abby managing. Abby kicked Abby out of the business after destroying her spirit and lying to her then blackballed her throughout Atlanta. Dani does not handle conflict well and goes hiking and camping in the woods to get her balance back.
Grant Holiday is a forest ranger for the National Parks service. He comes across as a hard line rule follower. His brother Lazarus/Lazy owns the local bookstore.
They meet when he finds Dani camping illegally on park land. He writes her a fine and thinks she is an entitled tourist. She cops a major attitude with him and refused to give her name to him. After taking a private moment in the woods she walks to a cliff overlooking the scenery, he accidentally startled her then saved her from falling. She later goes into town to apply for jobs and is hired by Lazy to bake goodies and be a barista for the bookstore.
Meanwhile the five sisters are trying to find their way back to being a family and are trying to see if they can do anything with the mansion and land as a business. Dani finds herself rescuing injured animals and taking them back to the house. She and her sister Honey, the potter, toss around the idea of opening a sanctuary farm. Their extended family come out to help build a fence and barn then have a Highland Games competition which Grant participates in. The two of them have a steamy encounter behind the barn. Their relationship changes as they can't stop thinking about each other. Grant asks her out but she says they are only booty call friends. They eventually realize their feelings and get their HEA. Must read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Totally enjoyed this book. The characters were relatable and well developed. The story was funny, heartwarming and original. Highly recommend!
Dandelion/Dani Weston and her four sisters have moved to Catalpa Creek, Virginia in order to get their inheritance. Per their father's will they need to live in his mansion in the small town for 1 year before they can inherit. Dani is unemployed, broke and has had her confidence destroyed. She and her friend Abby owned a bakery in Atlanta with Dani baking and Abby managing. Abby kicked Abby out of the business after destroying her spirit and lying to her then blackballed her throughout Atlanta. Dani does not handle conflict well and goes hiking and camping in the woods to get her balance back.
Grant Holiday is a forest ranger for the National Parks service. He comes across as a hard line rule follower. His brother Lazarus/Lazy owns the local bookstore.
They meet when he finds Dani camping illegally on park land. He writes her a fine and thinks she is an entitled tourist. She cops a major attitude with him and refused to give her name to him. After taking a private moment in the woods she walks to a cliff overlooking the scenery, he accidentally startled her then saved her from falling. She later goes into town to apply for jobs and is hired by Lazy to bake goodies and be a barista for the bookstore.
Meanwhile the five sisters are trying to find their way back to being a family and are trying to see if they can do anything with the mansion and land as a business. Dani finds herself rescuing injured animals and taking them back to the house. She and her sister Honey, the potter, toss around the idea of opening a sanctuary farm. Their extended family come out to help build a fence and barn then have a Highland Games competition which Grant participates in. The two of them have a steamy encounter behind the barn. Their relationship changes as they can't stop thinking about each other. Grant asks her out but she says they are only booty call friends. They eventually realize their feelings and get their HEA. Must read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 27, 2023
Lost & Found was a delightful read with so many laugh out loud moments in the interactions between Grant and Dani that I am still smiling thinking back on their story. Grant is a `By The Book` Ranger who knows not just the value of the forest but also the ease at which it can all be lost. Dani is more a `The Rules are a Guideline` kind of girl and since she is living with her sisters, all who clash, she needs her escape to the forest to get away from everything. After a particularly trying night of fighting, squabbling, and misunderstandings running rampant through the house she and her sisters are ‘forced’ to live in, Dani grabs a sleeping bag and packs the essentials for a night of stargazing in the forest behind her house. Early the next morning, Grant on his morning wilderness run literally trips over her and as the sparks fly these two become instant enemies and Lost and Found is off to a great start. This is an enemies to lovers Rom Com exploring the age old dilemma of “what will it take to make a Rule Follower see that flexibility has value?”. It simultaneously explores “what will have to happen to cause the Rule Breaker to see the virtue and sense of why rules are there in the first place”? We know a laugh riot of miscommunications and conflicting worldviews will occur … all of which helps make for a great Comedy of Errors.
Building on the wonderful characters and setting of Catalpa Creek, this self contained HEA and Book One of a new series following Dani and her sisters, you’ll find yourself looking for the next adventure. A good clean romance with a great concept of learning to look and find the real story behind misunderstandings and preconceptions, this story brings out all the best of fiction. I can see the way that Sadler is designing this book and there are already hints of who will be next to fall in love and I am also looking forward to seeing how the relationship amongst the sisters develops and grows over time. Each character is beautifully drawn with a unique personality. And don’t forget to look for Skidmark… the scene stealing skunk!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Building on the wonderful characters and setting of Catalpa Creek, this self contained HEA and Book One of a new series following Dani and her sisters, you’ll find yourself looking for the next adventure. A good clean romance with a great concept of learning to look and find the real story behind misunderstandings and preconceptions, this story brings out all the best of fiction. I can see the way that Sadler is designing this book and there are already hints of who will be next to fall in love and I am also looking forward to seeing how the relationship amongst the sisters develops and grows over time. Each character is beautifully drawn with a unique personality. And don’t forget to look for Skidmark… the scene stealing skunk!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 22, 2026
Enemies to soulmates
This is a thoroughly enjoyable story. Grant and Dani are oil and water from their first encounter. No one who heard them bickering would ever think they'd end up together. He's the consummate rule follower; her name in his phone is "RuleBreaker". It's only when life shakes things up that they begin to mix well.
He'd been waiting for his soulmate, the one who got away, but that dream was laid to rest when his ex returned with another's ring on her finger. Dani sneaks into his good graces without even trying, her sweet, fiery, sometimes reckless, nature a lure he can't seem to resist.
She's just trying to make ends meet until her inheritance is released. Getting a job is her priority, the mansion she lives in a huge contrast to her bank balance. Despite her personal penury, she takes in foundling animals and takes better care of them than she does herself. Who takes an injured skunk for a pet? Dandelion Weston, that's who. A sweetheart through and through, even if it means breaking a rule or twenty. Her attraction to Grant isn't going to change her.
It's no slow burn for these two, but a flaming passion once they finally dive into each other's arms. It was supposed to be just fun, but he claimed her for his own with a seriousness she had never known. A last act break-up is resolved before the ultimate HEA, but it's worth the time spent to get there.
A bevy of flower-named sisters, Weston and Holiday kin and friends, and foundling animals make up the cast of this wonderful story. It's a fun, wild roller coaster ride from beginning to end, and I can't wait to see what's next for the Weston sisters. The AI narrator didn't take much from the story. The editing could have been better.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable story. Grant and Dani are oil and water from their first encounter. No one who heard them bickering would ever think they'd end up together. He's the consummate rule follower; her name in his phone is "RuleBreaker". It's only when life shakes things up that they begin to mix well.
He'd been waiting for his soulmate, the one who got away, but that dream was laid to rest when his ex returned with another's ring on her finger. Dani sneaks into his good graces without even trying, her sweet, fiery, sometimes reckless, nature a lure he can't seem to resist.
She's just trying to make ends meet until her inheritance is released. Getting a job is her priority, the mansion she lives in a huge contrast to her bank balance. Despite her personal penury, she takes in foundling animals and takes better care of them than she does herself. Who takes an injured skunk for a pet? Dandelion Weston, that's who. A sweetheart through and through, even if it means breaking a rule or twenty. Her attraction to Grant isn't going to change her.
It's no slow burn for these two, but a flaming passion once they finally dive into each other's arms. It was supposed to be just fun, but he claimed her for his own with a seriousness she had never known. A last act break-up is resolved before the ultimate HEA, but it's worth the time spent to get there.
A bevy of flower-named sisters, Weston and Holiday kin and friends, and foundling animals make up the cast of this wonderful story. It's a fun, wild roller coaster ride from beginning to end, and I can't wait to see what's next for the Weston sisters. The AI narrator didn't take much from the story. The editing could have been better.
January 31, 2023
Grant and Dani's Story . . .
Grant Holiday and Dandelion (“Dani”) Weston are so good together as antagonists, primarily because their interactions kept me laughing – or at the very least, smiling! Grant, a forest ranger, is hung up on rules. And obviously Dani doesn’t let them bother her. She’s a sweet soul who just does what makes sense to her. The forest is her retreat to keep her sanity when her four sisters start bickering and fighting. And, of course, navigating the forest is absolutely full of rules. Sure, it’s for your safety. But it takes all the fun out of an impromptu night under the stars.
Needing a job – especially if Grant is going to be levying fines on her for infractions – Dani talks to Grant’s brother who owns a bookstore and he hires her to bake and provide coffee for the bookstore patrons. In the meantime, the sisters are living in a big mansion which they must stay in for a year to get their inheritance. Dani, who loves to rescue animals, was considering using the land for an animal sanctuary. How will Grant react to all these changes? What rules will be broken? Or will he learn to relax a little as he and Dani get closer? Could they possibly work on overcoming their issues together?
This was a fun story, well-written and full of interesting characters. Be sure to grab your copy and enjoy the lively action.
Grant Holiday and Dandelion (“Dani”) Weston are so good together as antagonists, primarily because their interactions kept me laughing – or at the very least, smiling! Grant, a forest ranger, is hung up on rules. And obviously Dani doesn’t let them bother her. She’s a sweet soul who just does what makes sense to her. The forest is her retreat to keep her sanity when her four sisters start bickering and fighting. And, of course, navigating the forest is absolutely full of rules. Sure, it’s for your safety. But it takes all the fun out of an impromptu night under the stars.
Needing a job – especially if Grant is going to be levying fines on her for infractions – Dani talks to Grant’s brother who owns a bookstore and he hires her to bake and provide coffee for the bookstore patrons. In the meantime, the sisters are living in a big mansion which they must stay in for a year to get their inheritance. Dani, who loves to rescue animals, was considering using the land for an animal sanctuary. How will Grant react to all these changes? What rules will be broken? Or will he learn to relax a little as he and Dani get closer? Could they possibly work on overcoming their issues together?
This was a fun story, well-written and full of interesting characters. Be sure to grab your copy and enjoy the lively action.
October 10, 2026
The outdoorsy vibes were calling me but at the end I think this book wasn’t for me.
The first few chapters were interesting but once the sisters were introduced, something about their dynamic felt a little off.
Now, Grant and Dani… oh boy, where do I start?
To be fair, some of their interactions were actually kind of sweet and funny. There were moments when I thought, maybe this isn’t so bad after all…
But .. Never mind. I take it back. Dani spent the whole book testing my patience 😂 She came across as so immature, constantly throwing tantrums like a giant toddler. I tried to give her a chance, I really did, but by the end? GIRL, PLEASE!!!! 😩
And Grant.. Not gonna lie, I felt a little *a lot* satisfaction when his “soulmate” showed up and shattered his delusions 🤷🏻♀️ He was kind of a jerk, so I can’t say I felt too bad for him.
At some point, everyone started acting like they were 10yo, and Goldy was the only one who seemed to have some sense. Girl, RUN!🏃🏻♀️
Why didn’t I DNF? Oh well..
Overall, this just wasn’t for me. I can see little moments of potential, but the characters and their dynamics made it difficult for me to enjoy the story.
Except for Goldy, I really liked Goldy!
With Love,
MnM✨
The first few chapters were interesting but once the sisters were introduced, something about their dynamic felt a little off.
Now, Grant and Dani… oh boy, where do I start?
To be fair, some of their interactions were actually kind of sweet and funny. There were moments when I thought, maybe this isn’t so bad after all…
But .. Never mind. I take it back. Dani spent the whole book testing my patience 😂 She came across as so immature, constantly throwing tantrums like a giant toddler. I tried to give her a chance, I really did, but by the end? GIRL, PLEASE!!!! 😩
And Grant.. Not gonna lie, I felt a little *a lot* satisfaction when his “soulmate” showed up and shattered his delusions 🤷🏻♀️ He was kind of a jerk, so I can’t say I felt too bad for him.
At some point, everyone started acting like they were 10yo, and Goldy was the only one who seemed to have some sense. Girl, RUN!🏃🏻♀️
Why didn’t I DNF? Oh well..
Overall, this just wasn’t for me. I can see little moments of potential, but the characters and their dynamics made it difficult for me to enjoy the story.
Except for Goldy, I really liked Goldy!
With Love,
MnM✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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