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Hayden Family #4
The Calamity
I’ve made a mess of things again. Not that anybody is surprised.
After I’m politely asked to withdraw from college for my antics, I return home to my family’s cattle ranch.
The sweeping views, the towering pine trees, and the whisper of the wind remind me I belong on this land. My heart is in the alpine air, my soul mixed into the soil.
All I’ve ever wanted is to run the ranch alongside my oldest brother, but my family refuses to see me as anything but a walking disaster.
If I’m going to show them what I’m capable of, I have to prove myself.
Lucky for me, I’m a Hayden through and through. I’ll dirty my hands in more ways than one.
That includes the man who showed up in town again after all these years. Sawyer Bennett. I’ve heard the stories about his family, and they don’t scare me. Our attraction is undeniable, and the best part? Sawyer looks at me with fresh eyes. When I’m with him, I get to be the woman I’m fighting to become.
And I’m learning just how much I want to be that woman.
But then I make the ultimate mistake: I utter the word perfect. I should've known better. There’s nowhere to go but down after that.
And down we go, until we hit rock bottom.
Sawyer unearths a long-buried secret, and challenges everything my brothers and I grew up believing.
Nobody is surprised I’ve brought disaster to our doorstep again, but it’s not over.
Because when it rains out on the ranch? It pours.
After I’m politely asked to withdraw from college for my antics, I return home to my family’s cattle ranch.
The sweeping views, the towering pine trees, and the whisper of the wind remind me I belong on this land. My heart is in the alpine air, my soul mixed into the soil.
All I’ve ever wanted is to run the ranch alongside my oldest brother, but my family refuses to see me as anything but a walking disaster.
If I’m going to show them what I’m capable of, I have to prove myself.
Lucky for me, I’m a Hayden through and through. I’ll dirty my hands in more ways than one.
That includes the man who showed up in town again after all these years. Sawyer Bennett. I’ve heard the stories about his family, and they don’t scare me. Our attraction is undeniable, and the best part? Sawyer looks at me with fresh eyes. When I’m with him, I get to be the woman I’m fighting to become.
And I’m learning just how much I want to be that woman.
But then I make the ultimate mistake: I utter the word perfect. I should've known better. There’s nowhere to go but down after that.
And down we go, until we hit rock bottom.
Sawyer unearths a long-buried secret, and challenges everything my brothers and I grew up believing.
Nobody is surprised I’ve brought disaster to our doorstep again, but it’s not over.
Because when it rains out on the ranch? It pours.
Paperback
Published October 26, 2021
423 people are currently reading
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About the author
Jennifer Millikin
26 books2,152 followersJennifer Millikin is a two-time recipient of the Readers Favorite award. She writes contemporary fiction with elements of romance, emotion, and hard-learned lessons. Her characters are flawed and authentic, and some parts of her stories are more fact than fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
October 7, 2025
4.5/5 this was amazing and i cried like a baby 🥹💜
October 28, 2021
Every book by this author is better than the last, but I am continually amazed by her storytelling. The title of Calamity has been Jessie’s nickname since book one, but then knowing her story, it fits. Jessie and Sawyer are a good pair, and their story is full of emotions. Although each book in the series brings a special couple to light, I am still debating who is my favorite Hayden.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
October 19, 2021
Once again Jennifer Millikin has her Hayden family consuming me. Jessie Hayden, the baby of the Hayden family has an exceptional story. It is a beautifully written story full of love and heartache. It is emotional and will have you all up in your feels. The author hits you right from the opening pages… my emotions were all over the place as I read this one. It is a story that I highly recommend but trust me when I say that it’s a series you should start from the beginning. The author has you so enthralled by the town and characters that you feel like you are part of the story. Calamity deserves all the stars!!
May 7, 2024
[3 stars]
this book pissed me off quite a bit and felt very slow. the whole beau + sawyer’s mom storyline made me feel sick- they literally covered up her death and didn’t think twice.
this book pissed me off quite a bit and felt very slow. the whole beau + sawyer’s mom storyline made me feel sick- they literally covered up her death and didn’t think twice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2025
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Tropes:
- Small Town Romance
- Age Gap
- Widower
- Strong Heroine
- Family Secrets
I’m so sad this series is over! I’m going to miss our characters so much!! 😭
This book, like the others was super easy to binge. (I would have finished in 1-2 days, but had some ARCs to read 😅) The plot in The Calamity was definitely different than the other three books, as this one involved a family secret that upturned quite a few things.
Character wise, I LOVE JESSIE! She is so strong-willed, determined, feisty and best of all, doesn’t take crap from anyone (not even her “rough around the edges” cowboy older brothers). She is tied with Jo right now for being my fave FMC of the series!
Then there is Sawyer, bless that man’s heart for what he has gone through in this entire book! He is kind-hearted and determined, but also has some “demons” he needs to work through.
Lastly, the found family in this series was so good! I loved that in each book we got tiny snippets of the other couples still.
Overall, I definitely recommend the Hayden Family Series!
Tropes:
- Small Town Romance
- Age Gap
- Widower
- Strong Heroine
- Family Secrets
I’m so sad this series is over! I’m going to miss our characters so much!! 😭
This book, like the others was super easy to binge. (I would have finished in 1-2 days, but had some ARCs to read 😅) The plot in The Calamity was definitely different than the other three books, as this one involved a family secret that upturned quite a few things.
Character wise, I LOVE JESSIE! She is so strong-willed, determined, feisty and best of all, doesn’t take crap from anyone (not even her “rough around the edges” cowboy older brothers). She is tied with Jo right now for being my fave FMC of the series!
Then there is Sawyer, bless that man’s heart for what he has gone through in this entire book! He is kind-hearted and determined, but also has some “demons” he needs to work through.
Lastly, the found family in this series was so good! I loved that in each book we got tiny snippets of the other couples still.
Overall, I definitely recommend the Hayden Family Series!
February 10, 2022
Overall I liked this book. Jessie has to come home from college. She wants to help run the ranch. Of course the family won't let her. She ends up falling in love with Sawyer. The problem is their families have history. Luckily in the end everything works out and they get their happy ending.
October 31, 2021
My favorite of the series and a remarkable ending! I don't want to say goodbye to the Hayden family! If you love smalltown romance, cowboys, and poignant storylines, you NEED to read this series! LOVED IT!
October 28, 2021
I generously received this book as an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Blown. Away. There is no other way to describe it. this was hands down the best book of the Hayden family (I think the last in the series??) So many things ran through my mind after finishing this. This book made me laugh, cry, and internally scream. There is a list of reasons this book is without debate 5 stars. I would honestly love to explain why that is but in the interest of spoiler-free reviews, I shall not. Just know that this book made me wish for what I have never had and hope for a way to experience it. Yes, cryptic, I know. Also, my name is Jessie, so can I be Jessie? This girl is a Calamity in the best way and I am here for it. It was just so good, I couldn't put it down. I really couldn't and every time I had to , in order to, ya know, go to work. I wanted to read this book. J. Millikin does it again!!!!
Blown. Away. There is no other way to describe it. this was hands down the best book of the Hayden family (I think the last in the series??) So many things ran through my mind after finishing this. This book made me laugh, cry, and internally scream. There is a list of reasons this book is without debate 5 stars. I would honestly love to explain why that is but in the interest of spoiler-free reviews, I shall not. Just know that this book made me wish for what I have never had and hope for a way to experience it. Yes, cryptic, I know. Also, my name is Jessie, so can I be Jessie? This girl is a Calamity in the best way and I am here for it. It was just so good, I couldn't put it down. I really couldn't and every time I had to , in order to, ya know, go to work. I wanted to read this book. J. Millikin does it again!!!!
October 17, 2021
The Calamity by J. Millikin is athe fourth book in the series of stand-alones, Hayden Family.
After the brothers found their hey, now it's Jessie's story.
And girl what a complicated thing that is.
Jessie was just let go from her college and she's back home.
Sawyer is a widower who loved his wife very much. He's back on the family's ranch to grieve and there he meets the spunky 21 year old. She's like a breath of fresh air.
Put a 22 year old affair and an accident into the mix and you have a complex stor, excellent written, unputdownable. A read in one sitting read, literally unputdownable.
After the brothers found their hey, now it's Jessie's story.
And girl what a complicated thing that is.
Jessie was just let go from her college and she's back home.
Sawyer is a widower who loved his wife very much. He's back on the family's ranch to grieve and there he meets the spunky 21 year old. She's like a breath of fresh air.
Put a 22 year old affair and an accident into the mix and you have a complex stor, excellent written, unputdownable. A read in one sitting read, literally unputdownable.
October 30, 2021
The last book of the Hayden family and I enjoyed Jessie's story. The only girl among her brothers, I loved how fierce and determined she is about the ranch and helping her brothers with it. I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. Then come Sawyer to heal from his wife's death and to seek answer about his mother's death. His comeback make a lot of secrets unveiled as a result.
Tbh, the first half of the story was a little slow for me. But once it picked up, it really did and I couldn't put it down. Especially towards the end and that unexpected twist at the end. Beau and Gramps definitely caught my attention that I did not anticipated. In the end, I really enjoyed it.
Tbh, the first half of the story was a little slow for me. But once it picked up, it really did and I couldn't put it down. Especially towards the end and that unexpected twist at the end. Beau and Gramps definitely caught my attention that I did not anticipated. In the end, I really enjoyed it.
December 31, 2025
This book shot straight to the top of my favorites. Jessie is an absolute powerhouse and I swear I wanted her as my best friend. She is tough, loyal, hardworking, and full of heart, and watching her chase her dream role on the Hayden ranch was such a thrill. Sawyer completely stole the show with his quiet strength and wounded heart, and every scene with him had me swooning. Their chemistry crackles from the start and builds until it practically bursts off the page. Gramps Hayden adds the perfect mix of humor and wisdom, making his moments unforgettable. This story kept me glued from beginning to end and I loved every second of it.
PS: holy plot twists! 🫣
PS: holy plot twists! 🫣
October 28, 2021
Wow! This story is a bit wild and elicits all kinds of emotions. I have a sappy smile on my face thinking about it. Even though this is the first book I have read from this author, she has a thoughtful and impressive writing style.
Jessie and Sawyer are unique characters that bring an interesting flavor to this story. Calamity is the perfect name and descriptor for our heroine. She is Fiery and a bit of a brat, in a fun and hilarious way. I just want to say, “you go cray cray girl”. Sawyer (sigh) our hero has a tortured soul element and combining with his beautiful heart kept me intrigued. He has experienced such loss. His reason for returning to his childhood home town, as well as the responses from others brings all kinds of feelings and surprises.
I won’t say this this story always flowed well for me. It felt like the storyline had some gaps a couple of times. Having said that, it didn’t stop me from submerging myself in the story.
The dual POV was good but color me shocked when a couple voices were added. I wasn’t sure what to think at those time. I don’t want to give anything away but holy heck, my mind was blown. I want talk about it all. OMG I want other’s opinions. What do you think? What are your emotions? Is it believable to you? Ugh I have twenty zillion more questions. I might need to go find a spoiler room.
Ok enough said. Eeeekkkk. I am biting my tongue so I don’t say more. Happy Reading Everyone! XOXO.
Jessie and Sawyer are unique characters that bring an interesting flavor to this story. Calamity is the perfect name and descriptor for our heroine. She is Fiery and a bit of a brat, in a fun and hilarious way. I just want to say, “you go cray cray girl”. Sawyer (sigh) our hero has a tortured soul element and combining with his beautiful heart kept me intrigued. He has experienced such loss. His reason for returning to his childhood home town, as well as the responses from others brings all kinds of feelings and surprises.
I won’t say this this story always flowed well for me. It felt like the storyline had some gaps a couple of times. Having said that, it didn’t stop me from submerging myself in the story.
The dual POV was good but color me shocked when a couple voices were added. I wasn’t sure what to think at those time. I don’t want to give anything away but holy heck, my mind was blown. I want talk about it all. OMG I want other’s opinions. What do you think? What are your emotions? Is it believable to you? Ugh I have twenty zillion more questions. I might need to go find a spoiler room.
Ok enough said. Eeeekkkk. I am biting my tongue so I don’t say more. Happy Reading Everyone! XOXO.
October 20, 2021
What a wonderful story! I loved it! It’s well worth the recommendation and the five stars. I just love this series.
October 30, 2021
This book will give you ALL THE FEELS!!
This heart wrenching story will tug at your heart strings and make you fall in love with all the Haydens...
But Sawyer and Jessie are perfect for eachother in every way! She is the light to his darkness and he calms her wild spirit!
Sawyer and Jessie are my favorite couple! I love their story and all the struggles and obstacles they have to overcome.
These characters are ones that you can get attached to and never get enough! I love this family that Jennifer created.
This is a truly wonderful written story! You get to feel every emotion when reading this book.
When reading this book, I didn't want it to end.. It made me want more of the Haydens and their family that they build.
This heart wrenching story will tug at your heart strings and make you fall in love with all the Haydens...
But Sawyer and Jessie are perfect for eachother in every way! She is the light to his darkness and he calms her wild spirit!
Sawyer and Jessie are my favorite couple! I love their story and all the struggles and obstacles they have to overcome.
These characters are ones that you can get attached to and never get enough! I love this family that Jennifer created.
This is a truly wonderful written story! You get to feel every emotion when reading this book.
When reading this book, I didn't want it to end.. It made me want more of the Haydens and their family that they build.
July 15, 2025
This is not a romance and it shouldn't have been marketed as one. This is a family drama with a romantic subplot.
It was interesting enough - but ultimately, not what I signed up for. And to be honest, the romance didn't really hit AT ALL. I've seen dead fish with more chemistry.
It's not that there aren't sweet moments between Jessie and Sawyer. But they're so lackluster, and so interspersed between other non-relationship events it's almost pointless. For 65% of this book, there's NOTHING happening between the couple. And then they start sleeping together and STILL there's no fireworks.
All of the attention is placed on the other events in the story. The history between the Bennetts and the Haydens. The boys and their wives and their children. The weird poacher subplot that's a flash-in-the-pan point of interest. Sawyer confronting his mother's death. Jessie losing her horse. Jessie earning her spot as a partner on the ranch. And then, of course, the revelation about Sawyer's mom and Beau drops. Add a bit of a natural disaster at the 90% mark and an unexpected death and, well.
Don't misunderstand me - the book is interesting. It's just not a romance in the strictest sense of the word. It's mostly a tapestry of many different kinds of grief. And if it WASN'T trying to be a romance, I think that might have been kind of beautiful.
There is one pretty significant thing I cannot go without mentioning. It's the biggest part of why this book is getting the rating it is.
I realllllly don't appreciate the infidelity apologizing that happens 85% of the way through this book, when everybody finds out that Beau carried on an affair with Sawyer's mother 20 years ago. The chapter from "Gramps" and then Sawyer's father's explanation just...rankles. Cheating is a hard limit for me. And I know it's not happening between the main couple - but I REALLY hate the messaging that's going on in this book.
While it's not inherently false that someone can grow and learn from their mistakes, the way Gramps specifically explains to his grandchildren that their father (his son) is flawed but still "a good man" got under my skin.
Because Beau is really, really NOT a good person. Neither is Beau's father, for that matter - and neither are the boys, given the way they "get rid of problems" by doing away with the people who come up against them - we're just supposed to accept that they freely kill people and make it look like accidents.
And fine, I guess I have, considering I read all 4 of these books. But at the end of this series, I can't help it - it all leaves a foul taste in my mouth.
It's not like a mafia series where we all know the characters are killers, where they're open and unapologetically on the wrong side of the law - it's the fact that this family has a shiny gleaming reputation that bothers me. They're just the sort of people we'd all loathe in real life - rich, privileged, white, and able to get away with heinous crimes because they're important in the town and they know the sheriff.
Does it matter that the people the Hayden men "do away with" are mostly bad men set doing bad things? I don't know. Looking back, it makes it VERY difficult to root for the Hayden family.
It actually sits sort of ill with me that I read this entire series. And I don't quite know what to do about that.
It was interesting enough - but ultimately, not what I signed up for. And to be honest, the romance didn't really hit AT ALL. I've seen dead fish with more chemistry.
It's not that there aren't sweet moments between Jessie and Sawyer. But they're so lackluster, and so interspersed between other non-relationship events it's almost pointless. For 65% of this book, there's NOTHING happening between the couple. And then they start sleeping together and STILL there's no fireworks.
All of the attention is placed on the other events in the story. The history between the Bennetts and the Haydens. The boys and their wives and their children. The weird poacher subplot that's a flash-in-the-pan point of interest. Sawyer confronting his mother's death. Jessie losing her horse. Jessie earning her spot as a partner on the ranch. And then, of course, the revelation about Sawyer's mom and Beau drops. Add a bit of a natural disaster at the 90% mark and an unexpected death and, well.
Don't misunderstand me - the book is interesting. It's just not a romance in the strictest sense of the word. It's mostly a tapestry of many different kinds of grief. And if it WASN'T trying to be a romance, I think that might have been kind of beautiful.
There is one pretty significant thing I cannot go without mentioning. It's the biggest part of why this book is getting the rating it is.
I realllllly don't appreciate the infidelity apologizing that happens 85% of the way through this book, when everybody finds out that Beau carried on an affair with Sawyer's mother 20 years ago. The chapter from "Gramps" and then Sawyer's father's explanation just...rankles. Cheating is a hard limit for me. And I know it's not happening between the main couple - but I REALLY hate the messaging that's going on in this book.
While it's not inherently false that someone can grow and learn from their mistakes, the way Gramps specifically explains to his grandchildren that their father (his son) is flawed but still "a good man" got under my skin.
Because Beau is really, really NOT a good person. Neither is Beau's father, for that matter - and neither are the boys, given the way they "get rid of problems" by doing away with the people who come up against them - we're just supposed to accept that they freely kill people and make it look like accidents.
And fine, I guess I have, considering I read all 4 of these books. But at the end of this series, I can't help it - it all leaves a foul taste in my mouth.
It's not like a mafia series where we all know the characters are killers, where they're open and unapologetically on the wrong side of the law - it's the fact that this family has a shiny gleaming reputation that bothers me. They're just the sort of people we'd all loathe in real life - rich, privileged, white, and able to get away with heinous crimes because they're important in the town and they know the sheriff.
Does it matter that the people the Hayden men "do away with" are mostly bad men set doing bad things? I don't know. Looking back, it makes it VERY difficult to root for the Hayden family.
It actually sits sort of ill with me that I read this entire series. And I don't quite know what to do about that.
October 22, 2021
Epic and emotional end (it brought me to tears!) for the Hayden Family Series
If it were possible to rate this book higher than 5 stars I would in a heartbeat. The Calamity (Hayden Family Book 4) by Jennifer Millikin is like watching Mother Nature. It can be calm and serene or calamitous and disturbing. The Hayden Family, have many moments of serenity, but it’s really the calm before the storm as this author unfolds the story between Jessie and Sawyer.
These characters captured my attention and my heart from the onset. As Jessie and Sawyer interact, while (as the reader) knowing a bit about the backstory of Beau Hayden, this book is continually building tension and throwing off vibes of imminent destruction of what the Hayden children know about their father. The calamity that ensues, is not Jessie-inspired impetuousness, but full on spontaneous combustion of epic proportions. You will want to settle in and get comfortable for this wild ride you will not want to stop reading or end!
Jessie is best described by her best friend, Marlowe. She ‘runs at life head on, with her heart leading…loves out loud, and does big things for those she loves’. Jessie is also seen as impetuous, spontaneous, stubborn and wild. Going after things or doing something that is just for herself without thought or care for others around her. Having read the previous books in this series, one could see these traits from the outside, but it’s only surface level. The Calamity truly puts Jessie into perspective and no one does this better than Sawyer.
Sawyer flips all those negative connotations of Jessie into positive characteristics, building up her sense of value, propping her up and supporting her wants and desires for the ranch she loves so very much. Adding positive characteristics such as determined and driven in place of stubborn and headstrong. I knew Sawyer was going to completely steal my heart from the beginning, but when he shows Jessie another perspective, it was so perfectly perfect. He is suffering and hurting, completely confused when he finds that Jessie is actually helping to heal rather than fueling the hurt as he had expected. Sawyer is careful and purposeful, cognizant of the state of his feelings and heart as well as considerate of how his actions affect Jessie’s feelings and heart.
In addition to the plot of Jessie and Sawyer’s burgeoning love, all the feels are within it and all the subplots; soft and sweet, hard and disappointment, calm and accepting, loss and longing, warm and nostalgia, harsh and disturbing, hot and combustible, lost and found, peace and fear, confused and clarity, then ultimately hurt and healing. What I found most profound of all, is an undeniable realization that the boxes we place others in, even in our own families, the box of negative script we have written about them can be flipped. Remove the blinders and look below the surface to see all of ones we love. This is so true for the Hayden Family and all their complexities. Perception is funny that way no matter how much or little we know.
Overall, The Calamity is all that and so much more. I laughed and I hoped and I cried tears of anguish and joy along with each character. Jessie and Sawyer, along with the whole Hayden Family went to hell and back, but rise up stronger in family, love and futures full of all the best promises and hope than ever before. Thank you, Jennifer Millikin for gifting us with an all-powerful and healing HEA (even though, or maybe especially because, you made me cry).
I read an ARC of this book via Hidden Gems and voluntarily share my review.
If it were possible to rate this book higher than 5 stars I would in a heartbeat. The Calamity (Hayden Family Book 4) by Jennifer Millikin is like watching Mother Nature. It can be calm and serene or calamitous and disturbing. The Hayden Family, have many moments of serenity, but it’s really the calm before the storm as this author unfolds the story between Jessie and Sawyer.
These characters captured my attention and my heart from the onset. As Jessie and Sawyer interact, while (as the reader) knowing a bit about the backstory of Beau Hayden, this book is continually building tension and throwing off vibes of imminent destruction of what the Hayden children know about their father. The calamity that ensues, is not Jessie-inspired impetuousness, but full on spontaneous combustion of epic proportions. You will want to settle in and get comfortable for this wild ride you will not want to stop reading or end!
Jessie is best described by her best friend, Marlowe. She ‘runs at life head on, with her heart leading…loves out loud, and does big things for those she loves’. Jessie is also seen as impetuous, spontaneous, stubborn and wild. Going after things or doing something that is just for herself without thought or care for others around her. Having read the previous books in this series, one could see these traits from the outside, but it’s only surface level. The Calamity truly puts Jessie into perspective and no one does this better than Sawyer.
Sawyer flips all those negative connotations of Jessie into positive characteristics, building up her sense of value, propping her up and supporting her wants and desires for the ranch she loves so very much. Adding positive characteristics such as determined and driven in place of stubborn and headstrong. I knew Sawyer was going to completely steal my heart from the beginning, but when he shows Jessie another perspective, it was so perfectly perfect. He is suffering and hurting, completely confused when he finds that Jessie is actually helping to heal rather than fueling the hurt as he had expected. Sawyer is careful and purposeful, cognizant of the state of his feelings and heart as well as considerate of how his actions affect Jessie’s feelings and heart.
In addition to the plot of Jessie and Sawyer’s burgeoning love, all the feels are within it and all the subplots; soft and sweet, hard and disappointment, calm and accepting, loss and longing, warm and nostalgia, harsh and disturbing, hot and combustible, lost and found, peace and fear, confused and clarity, then ultimately hurt and healing. What I found most profound of all, is an undeniable realization that the boxes we place others in, even in our own families, the box of negative script we have written about them can be flipped. Remove the blinders and look below the surface to see all of ones we love. This is so true for the Hayden Family and all their complexities. Perception is funny that way no matter how much or little we know.
Overall, The Calamity is all that and so much more. I laughed and I hoped and I cried tears of anguish and joy along with each character. Jessie and Sawyer, along with the whole Hayden Family went to hell and back, but rise up stronger in family, love and futures full of all the best promises and hope than ever before. Thank you, Jennifer Millikin for gifting us with an all-powerful and healing HEA (even though, or maybe especially because, you made me cry).
I read an ARC of this book via Hidden Gems and voluntarily share my review.
October 26, 2021
The author has done it again! I swear I would read anything and everything she writes. Her stories always make me feel like I've just come home, her words wrapping around me with the comfort and ease. It's magical!
Jessie (Calamity) would love nothing more but to be a Second Chief in command on Hayden ranch. She knew she had some big shoes to fill. And if there was anything she had learned from her family it was to be tough, persistent, hard working and honorable. She was stubborn enough, as real as she could be, with a heart of a gold.
Sawyer did not disappoint, he was an absolute perfection and had me swooning all over the place, with his gentle but shattered heart. Knowing all that he went through and everything that inevitably turned him into the man he was, made me quite emotional.
The connection the two of them had was undeniable. I could feel it like a whispering buzzing! Page after page, until it got so intense it couldn't help but to flare. Get ready to fall head over heals over these two!
Gramps Hayden played a big role throughout this series, but somehow made the biggest impact right here in Calamity. The old champ who slept a lot, and dropped those eff's like they escaped his mouth vigorously. Somehow he knew it all and he also knew when to leave his family to learn from their own mistakes.
This book was a total page turner. I didn't want to set it down and I loved every minute of it!
I'm so going to miss the Haydens!
Jessie (Calamity) would love nothing more but to be a Second Chief in command on Hayden ranch. She knew she had some big shoes to fill. And if there was anything she had learned from her family it was to be tough, persistent, hard working and honorable. She was stubborn enough, as real as she could be, with a heart of a gold.
Sawyer did not disappoint, he was an absolute perfection and had me swooning all over the place, with his gentle but shattered heart. Knowing all that he went through and everything that inevitably turned him into the man he was, made me quite emotional.
The connection the two of them had was undeniable. I could feel it like a whispering buzzing! Page after page, until it got so intense it couldn't help but to flare. Get ready to fall head over heals over these two!
Gramps Hayden played a big role throughout this series, but somehow made the biggest impact right here in Calamity. The old champ who slept a lot, and dropped those eff's like they escaped his mouth vigorously. Somehow he knew it all and he also knew when to leave his family to learn from their own mistakes.
This book was a total page turner. I didn't want to set it down and I loved every minute of it!
I'm so going to miss the Haydens!
October 31, 2025
Well this one took a left turn…I didn’t see any of that coming.
First Sawyer and Jessie were so sweet and I loved the contentment I felt while reading about the relationship growing and unfolding. It just felt so organic and real. It did feel a bit odd at the beginning when he’s so heartbroken over his late wife, and immediately started having feelings for Jessie. I don’t remember how long it said since she passed, I think 6 months?! That felt a bit weird to me. But they worked so I guess alls well that ends well.
Now on to the family secrets!!! WTF. I did not see an affair coming out. In the prologue I was dumbfounded and angry. Juliette is a much better woman than me. Also when it all comes out, again the kids are better than me. I was spewing all the things in my head. And the way Bennett’s mom’s death was covered up…I really wish Beau or Gramps would have told the truth. At least to the family. I didn’t love that Sawyer never knew the truth. Also GRAMPS?! One I love and was mad at him. Him dying was not on the bingo card. But his last chapter and the revelation…I cried. I kept it together until he admitted she wasn’t dead and that he unintentionally killed her. Like WHAT?! I have so many feelings about this one. I loved it, but am hurt and angry all at once. I’m sad to see this series end.
Read: Audible 🎧
MMC: Sawyer Bennett
FMC: Jessamyn (Jessie) Hayden
Spice: 2🌶️
Tropes: Small Town, Cowgirl, Forced Proximity, Widower, Forbidden, Slow Burn, Age Gap, Family Secrets
First Sawyer and Jessie were so sweet and I loved the contentment I felt while reading about the relationship growing and unfolding. It just felt so organic and real. It did feel a bit odd at the beginning when he’s so heartbroken over his late wife, and immediately started having feelings for Jessie. I don’t remember how long it said since she passed, I think 6 months?! That felt a bit weird to me. But they worked so I guess alls well that ends well.
Now on to the family secrets!!! WTF. I did not see an affair coming out. In the prologue I was dumbfounded and angry. Juliette is a much better woman than me. Also when it all comes out, again the kids are better than me. I was spewing all the things in my head. And the way Bennett’s mom’s death was covered up…I really wish Beau or Gramps would have told the truth. At least to the family. I didn’t love that Sawyer never knew the truth. Also GRAMPS?! One I love and was mad at him. Him dying was not on the bingo card. But his last chapter and the revelation…I cried. I kept it together until he admitted she wasn’t dead and that he unintentionally killed her. Like WHAT?! I have so many feelings about this one. I loved it, but am hurt and angry all at once. I’m sad to see this series end.
Read: Audible 🎧
MMC: Sawyer Bennett
FMC: Jessamyn (Jessie) Hayden
Spice: 2🌶️
Tropes: Small Town, Cowgirl, Forced Proximity, Widower, Forbidden, Slow Burn, Age Gap, Family Secrets
November 9, 2025
grief and bad decisions
I really enjoyed this book. It had many ups and downs emotionally. Our girl Jessie is in her coming of age era. She not only made some pretty dumb choices at the beginning, but she redeems her self and also grows up during this book. I cannot fully understand how many months this book goes over but it’s several. So tha part I was confused on.
There’s a subplot that is also the plot twist with a side of heartbreak. You don’t see it coming either.
Sawyer is not your typical broody rugged guy , no this man has depth and a crushed soul. A tortured heart that just wants to be happy again. His grief is palpable and he actively seeks out Jessie because she makes him smile. Something he hasn’t done for some time.
I really enjoyed how many scenes we got where they built and created a foundation between them verses just hot lust. They shared lots of moments that just seemed to connect them while he supported her finding herself and not portraying the “baby” of the family. He saw her as a grown adult. He trusted her unlike the family. And he gave her space to make her own choices and decisions.
This is the definition of slow burn. And given he’s a recent widower it is more tasteful that way. More rewarding when they see that he can realize holding that loyalty is not cheating and moving forward was not a bad thing. Spice was a 1 out of 5 chili peppers.
I really enjoyed this book. It had many ups and downs emotionally. Our girl Jessie is in her coming of age era. She not only made some pretty dumb choices at the beginning, but she redeems her self and also grows up during this book. I cannot fully understand how many months this book goes over but it’s several. So tha part I was confused on.
There’s a subplot that is also the plot twist with a side of heartbreak. You don’t see it coming either.
Sawyer is not your typical broody rugged guy , no this man has depth and a crushed soul. A tortured heart that just wants to be happy again. His grief is palpable and he actively seeks out Jessie because she makes him smile. Something he hasn’t done for some time.
I really enjoyed how many scenes we got where they built and created a foundation between them verses just hot lust. They shared lots of moments that just seemed to connect them while he supported her finding herself and not portraying the “baby” of the family. He saw her as a grown adult. He trusted her unlike the family. And he gave her space to make her own choices and decisions.
This is the definition of slow burn. And given he’s a recent widower it is more tasteful that way. More rewarding when they see that he can realize holding that loyalty is not cheating and moving forward was not a bad thing. Spice was a 1 out of 5 chili peppers.
October 27, 2021
The author has done it again! I swear I would read anything and everything she writes. Her stories always make me feel like I've just come home, her words wrapping around me with the comfort and ease. It's magical!
Jessie (Calamity) would love nothing more but to be a Second Chief in command on Hayden ranch. She knew she had some big shoes to fill. And if there was anything she had learned from her family it was to be tough, persistent, hard working and honorable. She was stubborn enough, as real as she could be, with a heart of a gold.
Sawyer did not disappoint, he was an absolute perfection and had me swooning all over the place, with his gentle but shattered heart. Knowing all that he went through and everything that inevitably turned him into the man he was, made me quite emotional.
The connection the two of them had was undeniable. I could feel it like a whispering buzzing! Page after page, until it got so intense it couldn't help but to flare. Get ready to fall head over heals over these two!
Gramps Hayden played a big role throughout this series, but somehow made the biggest impact right here in Calamity. The old champ who slept a lot, and dropped those eff's like they escaped his mouth vigorously. Somehow he knew it all and he also knew when to leave his family to learn from their own mistakes.
This book was a total page turner. I didn't want to set it down and I loved every minute of it!
I'm so going to miss the Haydens!
Jessie (Calamity) would love nothing more but to be a Second Chief in command on Hayden ranch. She knew she had some big shoes to fill. And if there was anything she had learned from her family it was to be tough, persistent, hard working and honorable. She was stubborn enough, as real as she could be, with a heart of a gold.
Sawyer did not disappoint, he was an absolute perfection and had me swooning all over the place, with his gentle but shattered heart. Knowing all that he went through and everything that inevitably turned him into the man he was, made me quite emotional.
The connection the two of them had was undeniable. I could feel it like a whispering buzzing! Page after page, until it got so intense it couldn't help but to flare. Get ready to fall head over heals over these two!
Gramps Hayden played a big role throughout this series, but somehow made the biggest impact right here in Calamity. The old champ who slept a lot, and dropped those eff's like they escaped his mouth vigorously. Somehow he knew it all and he also knew when to leave his family to learn from their own mistakes.
This book was a total page turner. I didn't want to set it down and I loved every minute of it!
I'm so going to miss the Haydens!
October 1, 2025
Spoilers!!!!
I was so looking forward to Jessie's book... and while it was good there were things that threw me for a loop..
it felt like here at the end there were so many ideas and plot twist that instead of choosing one she chose them all
*the baby cant hear
*he's a rival family
*Shes kicked out of school for the poker
* and oh yeah there is an affair with a professor
*and she gets in fights with her family
* oh wait Beau has an affair too!
*oh and she dies and they cover it up
* and there is a drought
* and his wife dies and maybe its suicide maybe its not
* and shes deaf too
* and now him and jessie are in love
*and his step mom is awful
* and then there is a flood
* and the baby almost gets hurt
* and gramps dies
It was just too much... All of those things would have been great in their own right for sure. But all togehter it seemed scattered..
i loved the other books and was set up for some great conclusions at the end but it just felt like too much.
A little sad too... the Beau cheating thing just threw me for a loop.. like whyyyyyyyyyyyy
Anyway.... sorry :(
I was so looking forward to Jessie's book... and while it was good there were things that threw me for a loop..
it felt like here at the end there were so many ideas and plot twist that instead of choosing one she chose them all
*the baby cant hear
*he's a rival family
*Shes kicked out of school for the poker
* and oh yeah there is an affair with a professor
*and she gets in fights with her family
* oh wait Beau has an affair too!
*oh and she dies and they cover it up
* and there is a drought
* and his wife dies and maybe its suicide maybe its not
* and shes deaf too
* and now him and jessie are in love
*and his step mom is awful
* and then there is a flood
* and the baby almost gets hurt
* and gramps dies
It was just too much... All of those things would have been great in their own right for sure. But all togehter it seemed scattered..
i loved the other books and was set up for some great conclusions at the end but it just felt like too much.
A little sad too... the Beau cheating thing just threw me for a loop.. like whyyyyyyyyyyyy
Anyway.... sorry :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2021
Oof! Keep the tissues handy, this story is a highly emotional read. Jessie and Sawyer didn’t seem like the right kind of match at first. I thought they were too different. Then I got to see them interacting when it was just the two of them and it all started to make sense. Jessie’s wild spirit freed many of the restraints Sawyer had placed upon himself to avoid getting hurt again. And Sawyer’s unflinching belief in her gave Jessie the opportunity to consider for a moment before jumping in with every crazy plan she came up with. This was not the ending I was expecting. Even as I followed along with the book, I still didn’t see that twist on the horizon. And now that it’s over, I hate that I have to say “goodbye” to these characters. They’ve become like a part of my family and I don’t want to let them go.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
November 9, 2021
Wow! This was an emotional ride and had tears flowing at different times. These two, Jessie and Sawyer, have a past family connection that they weren't even aware of. I loved the story, Jessie's strength and her absolute determination to not be second guessed and that she was capable. Sawyer's story twisted my heart and I loved him, his sweetness and how pulled he was to her. I love the closeness of the family, and how that adds to each character. I was able to be pulled in to the story, felt like I was there on the ranch and a part of the family. It's a great read!
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
May 30, 2024
this was absolutely by far my favourite of the series. i love it. and way to go out with a bang. the bond between this family is fucking strong and i adore them. the bond between sawyer and colt??? the ending??? damn near teams man that was beautiful tragic.
jessie was everything i expected and more, i love a strong fmc and a strong cowgirl surrounded by people that underestimate her??? inject it thank you x
and sawyer? dude needed a hug the whole time he hurt my heart so much. the grief and loss but the willingness for more i love him.
now that i know this family i can go back and read the book i actually started but saw that the hayden’s feature in.
jessie was everything i expected and more, i love a strong fmc and a strong cowgirl surrounded by people that underestimate her??? inject it thank you x
and sawyer? dude needed a hug the whole time he hurt my heart so much. the grief and loss but the willingness for more i love him.
now that i know this family i can go back and read the book i actually started but saw that the hayden’s feature in.
October 28, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS
I loved everything about this book! Jennifer Millikin penned an amazing conclusion to the Hayden Family series! I was so looking forward to Jessie's story and how it would play out with Sawyer, the author delivered it all and then some. I definitely experienced a whole bunch of different emotions when reading this book. If you haven't started this series, you definitely should. The Calamity by Jennifer Millikin is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
I loved everything about this book! Jennifer Millikin penned an amazing conclusion to the Hayden Family series! I was so looking forward to Jessie's story and how it would play out with Sawyer, the author delivered it all and then some. I definitely experienced a whole bunch of different emotions when reading this book. If you haven't started this series, you definitely should. The Calamity by Jennifer Millikin is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
November 9, 2025
Great way to end a series. This is such an interesting, twisted tale that intertwines families and really explores somewhat of a Romeo & Juliet situation (no one is dying here, but there is a lot of heartbreak). Both Sawyer & Jessie are such wonderful characters - both have great growth & strong character arcs that make them relatable & compelling. Their chemistry is perfect & the friends-to-lovers progression balances out their individual growth. The prologue really sets up the story & had me questioning when the shoe was going to drop (that reveal is heartbreaking & just loved how the story turns). This might be my favorite in the series.
🏡 Small Town
💋 Age Gap
🛌 Forced Proximity
🤠 Cowgirl Romance
🤐 Family Secrets
✌🏻 Dual POV in Dual Narration
🏡 Small Town
💋 Age Gap
🛌 Forced Proximity
🤠 Cowgirl Romance
🤐 Family Secrets
✌🏻 Dual POV in Dual Narration
November 3, 2021
Definitely saved the best for last
Goodness, Ms. Millikin sure put my heart through the wringer with this one! I don't think you could have done Jessie's story justice without all the emotion. I loved her and Sawyer together. He is so good to her. I really enjoyed having the few chapters from the other character's POV. I think this ended the Hayden Family series nicely. I wouldn't mind a little glimpse into their future though. 😉 Hint, hint!
Goodness, Ms. Millikin sure put my heart through the wringer with this one! I don't think you could have done Jessie's story justice without all the emotion. I loved her and Sawyer together. He is so good to her. I really enjoyed having the few chapters from the other character's POV. I think this ended the Hayden Family series nicely. I wouldn't mind a little glimpse into their future though. 😉 Hint, hint!
November 3, 2025
Jessie’s story. The only girl, the baby of the family. But, don’t underestimate her! She takes no crap from anyone! I loved seeing her fight for and come into her role on the family ranch. I really enjoyed The Hayden family as a whole. But, the family secrets that came to light in this one! WHEW! I was NOT ready. Such a good read! I will say, the author is gonna break your heart towards the end. Good grief! But, don’t worry, it’s still a HEA. Definitely recommend this entire series, friends!
October 19, 2021
I have not read the other three books in this series, but had no problem with any of the side characters.
I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the back stories of Sawyer, Beau and Gramps.
Jessie is a headstrong Hayden and isn’t afraid to show it once in a while. Sawyer seemed hesitant most of the time, but tried hard to get away from the grief and opened up his heart.
The last 10% in the book, broke my heart!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Valentine PR. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the back stories of Sawyer, Beau and Gramps.
Jessie is a headstrong Hayden and isn’t afraid to show it once in a while. Sawyer seemed hesitant most of the time, but tried hard to get away from the grief and opened up his heart.
The last 10% in the book, broke my heart!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Valentine PR. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 5, 2024
5 stars for the whole series.
All of these books were so much fun to read. I love how the Hayden family became more prominent in each book. I was really skeptical of Sawyer being the MMC, but he was perfect. Obviously from the first chapter you can see where it's going and it added sooooo much to the family dynamic. Gramps 😭
I think these books deserve a genre of their own. Family drama romance?
All of these books were so much fun to read. I love how the Hayden family became more prominent in each book. I was really skeptical of Sawyer being the MMC, but he was perfect. Obviously from the first chapter you can see where it's going and it added sooooo much to the family dynamic. Gramps 😭
I think these books deserve a genre of their own. Family drama romance?
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