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黒い羊
"SO THE BLACK SHEEP HAS RETURNED TO THE FOLD."Willa Ross knew she wasn't welcome in her hometown of Cascade, Wyoming. Especially not by Clay Cantrell--who still held her responsible for the accident that caused the death of his sister five years before.But when her aunt took ill, and desperately needed her to look after the failing family ranch, Willa couldn't say no--not to the woman who'd raised her.Willa's presence stirred up painful memories for Clay. So she'd vowed to keep out of his way. Yet they were drawn to each other--this time not as love-struck teenagers, but as man and woman... .
Paperback Shinsho
First published September 1, 1988
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About the author
Susan Fox
134 books45 followersThere is more than one author with this name. When entering books for this particular Susan Fox. The name needs to be entered with only one space between the first and last name.
Susan grew up with her sister, Janet, and her brother, Steven, on an acreage near Des Moines, Iowa, where, besides a jillion stray cats and dogs, two horses, and a pony, her favorite pet and confidant was Rex, her brown-and-white pinto gelding.
Susan has raised two sons, Jeffrey and Patrick, and currently lives in a house that she laughingly refers to as the Landfill and Book Repository. She writes with the help and hindrance of five mischievous shorthaired felines: Gabby, a talkative tortoiseshell calico; Buster, a solid lion-yellow with white legs and facial markings; his sister, Pixie, a tri-color calico; Toonses, a plump black-and-white; and the cheerily diabolical, naughty black tiger Eddie, aka Eduardo de Lover.
Susan is a bookaholic and movie fan who loves cowboys, rodeos, and the American West, past and present. She has an intense interest in storytelling of all kinds and in politics, and she claims the two are often interchangeable.
Susan loves writing complex characters in emotionally intense situations, and hopes her readers enjoy her ranch stories and are uplifted by their happy endings.
Susan grew up with her sister, Janet, and her brother, Steven, on an acreage near Des Moines, Iowa, where, besides a jillion stray cats and dogs, two horses, and a pony, her favorite pet and confidant was Rex, her brown-and-white pinto gelding.
Susan has raised two sons, Jeffrey and Patrick, and currently lives in a house that she laughingly refers to as the Landfill and Book Repository. She writes with the help and hindrance of five mischievous shorthaired felines: Gabby, a talkative tortoiseshell calico; Buster, a solid lion-yellow with white legs and facial markings; his sister, Pixie, a tri-color calico; Toonses, a plump black-and-white; and the cheerily diabolical, naughty black tiger Eddie, aka Eduardo de Lover.
Susan is a bookaholic and movie fan who loves cowboys, rodeos, and the American West, past and present. She has an intense interest in storytelling of all kinds and in politics, and she claims the two are often interchangeable.
Susan loves writing complex characters in emotionally intense situations, and hopes her readers enjoy her ranch stories and are uplifted by their happy endings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 6, 2018
Another one where the h is awesome and the H needed to be dumped off a cliff and left to suffer. The h's family is absolutely hideous and that includes the Aunt who just refused to accept reality until the very last minute.
The H should have been dumped at curbside like the trash he was, but the h loved him, so I kinda barely tolerated the HEA. At least she got what she wanted, tho she will totally come to regret that later I am sure.
And that whole town should have burned to the ground, with all the townspeople in it, by a random meteor strike.
The H should have been dumped at curbside like the trash he was, but the h loved him, so I kinda barely tolerated the HEA. At least she got what she wanted, tho she will totally come to regret that later I am sure.
And that whole town should have burned to the ground, with all the townspeople in it, by a random meteor strike.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2018
Can't add much to the reviews except to say the heroine was awesome, really awesome, the hero was lacking, the busybody townspeople needed a skillet or two, and the rotten to the core evil woman needs to be stoned.
The evil woman, spiteful spawn doesn't get the comeuppance she deserves on page, but we can all fantasize how the town will treat her when they find out she was evil-doer all those years ago and has been Miss Butter Won't Melt in Her Mouth since.
If there had been more of a resolution in those areas definite 4 stars.
The evil woman, spiteful spawn doesn't get the comeuppance she deserves on page, but we can all fantasize how the town will treat her when they find out she was evil-doer all those years ago and has been Miss Butter Won't Melt in Her Mouth since.
If there had been more of a resolution in those areas definite 4 stars.
December 27, 2025
Heroine is thought to have killed the hero’s sister in a car accident. (All lies spread by the actual driver - heroine's evil cousin).
When she returns for her uncle's funeral five years later, hero fights his attraction. Over the top townspeople and her aunt's heart condition add to the heroine’s angst. She never feels she can set the record straight because it would hurt her aunt to acknowledge what a pathological liar her daughter is.
When cousin tells one lie too many, the hero finally wakes up. The truth sets everyone free and the cousin is advised to go to therapy. (!) HEA all around.
When she returns for her uncle's funeral five years later, hero fights his attraction. Over the top townspeople and her aunt's heart condition add to the heroine’s angst. She never feels she can set the record straight because it would hurt her aunt to acknowledge what a pathological liar her daughter is.
When cousin tells one lie too many, the hero finally wakes up. The truth sets everyone free and the cousin is advised to go to therapy. (!) HEA all around.
August 4, 2020
"The Black Sheep" is the story of Willa and Clay.
Our heroine is "the black sheep" of her hometown, Cascade, Wyoming. Five years ago, her manipulative cousin had caused the death of her best friend, and put the blame on her. This led to the hero, her friend's brother brutally condemning her and her uncle kicking her out.
Now that the uncle has passed away, she returns to pay her last respect. Her aunt, the only person who has loved her spots her and requests that she helps them manage their dwindling ranch. The heroine does not tell anyone that she has now made a name for herself as a successful rancher, but out of gratitude decides to help them.
But her life is made extremely difficult by her evil and manipulative cousin, the censuring hero, the shunning townfolk and the failing ranch. Can the heroine survive these trials and tribulations?
Honestly, 8/10 on angst scale. Loads of heartbreak and sadness in this book to keep me hooked. What made me mad was
1. How she refused to tell anyone about her success despite them wanting her to fail
2. Her not calling out her POS cousin despite the latter doing everything in her arsenal to bring the heroine down
3. Us not getting a big showdown at the end where the heroine is finally vindicated
All that buildup, so that I could see someone finally bitch-slapping the cousin never happened. What we got was a rushed ending.
BOOOO!
Safe/SWE
3/5
Our heroine is "the black sheep" of her hometown, Cascade, Wyoming. Five years ago, her manipulative cousin had caused the death of her best friend, and put the blame on her. This led to the hero, her friend's brother brutally condemning her and her uncle kicking her out.
Now that the uncle has passed away, she returns to pay her last respect. Her aunt, the only person who has loved her spots her and requests that she helps them manage their dwindling ranch. The heroine does not tell anyone that she has now made a name for herself as a successful rancher, but out of gratitude decides to help them.
But her life is made extremely difficult by her evil and manipulative cousin, the censuring hero, the shunning townfolk and the failing ranch. Can the heroine survive these trials and tribulations?
Honestly, 8/10 on angst scale. Loads of heartbreak and sadness in this book to keep me hooked. What made me mad was
1. How she refused to tell anyone about her success despite them wanting her to fail
2. Her not calling out her POS cousin despite the latter doing everything in her arsenal to bring the heroine down
3. Us not getting a big showdown at the end where the heroine is finally vindicated
All that buildup, so that I could see someone finally bitch-slapping the cousin never happened. What we got was a rushed ending.
BOOOO!
Safe/SWE
3/5
November 19, 2021
This book is a cuddle.
So angsty and emotional!
The heroine was wrongly accused at 17 of driving in a car accident where the hero's sister died.
Of course it was her evil cousin who was driving.
The hero believed evil cousin, so as her uncle and all the town.
The heroine had to go away because her uncle threw her out, even if she was so young.
Five years later she's back for her uncle's funeral, all the town hates her, the hero hates her but her aunt wants her to stay to re- organize her ranch. Her uncle is the only one who wants her.
The hero is cruel and wants her to go away and I really hated the man: even if the heroine was drining a car, accidents happen and it wouldn't have been her fault anyway. She was young and an inexperienced driver.
As time goes by the hero is attracted to the heroine, who is brave and capable, and eventually he understands he made a mistake.
But evil cousin manages to get rid of her, so the heroine goes back to her house and to her ranch, which she owns with another young woman.
The hero will go back to her and will apologizes.
Too easily forgiven, though.
I loved this heroine, she was really proud and brave, while the her disappointed me very much because he didn't believe her and hated her even after 5 years.
Then again, it would have been too much grudge even if she was driving.
Whatever.
Anyway, the book was full of angst and I recommend it to every poor sould who is, like me, addicted to angst.
So angsty and emotional!
The heroine was wrongly accused at 17 of driving in a car accident where the hero's sister died.
Of course it was her evil cousin who was driving.
The hero believed evil cousin, so as her uncle and all the town.
The heroine had to go away because her uncle threw her out, even if she was so young.
Five years later she's back for her uncle's funeral, all the town hates her, the hero hates her but her aunt wants her to stay to re- organize her ranch. Her uncle is the only one who wants her.
The hero is cruel and wants her to go away and I really hated the man: even if the heroine was drining a car, accidents happen and it wouldn't have been her fault anyway. She was young and an inexperienced driver.
As time goes by the hero is attracted to the heroine, who is brave and capable, and eventually he understands he made a mistake.
But evil cousin manages to get rid of her, so the heroine goes back to her house and to her ranch, which she owns with another young woman.
The hero will go back to her and will apologizes.
Too easily forgiven, though.
I loved this heroine, she was really proud and brave, while the her disappointed me very much because he didn't believe her and hated her even after 5 years.
Then again, it would have been too much grudge even if she was driving.
Whatever.
Anyway, the book was full of angst and I recommend it to every poor sould who is, like me, addicted to angst.
February 11, 2016
This is one of those frustrating read I really hate however the fact that I was so pissed is reason enough to give it 3 stars. I just saw this cover and the whole story came back to me. The hero was a dick and her family was the worst and she was an angel who just took and took. Soooo madding! Why did she not say anything about the sister bitch!!!! Omg and she kept going on about it was only her that was good blah blah blah. Bitch supreme. Slap that bitch upside her head and no good grovel scene!!!! Ahhhh!!!!!
June 14, 2013
4 Stars ~ When Willa was 17 she'd been in a horrible car accident that took her best friend, Angie's life, and while she was unconscious in the hospital, her cousin had claimed it was Willa that had been driving. No one believed Willa when she woke up and said that Paige had been driving recklessly. Having to face the ostracization of the whole community had been bad enough, but losing the bond she'd had with Angie's older brother Clay had gutted her. Willa had been orphaned and then living with her aunt, uncle and cousin, Paige, so when she turned 18, her uncle turned her out and told her never to come back. Now almost 23, Willa has used her inheritance from her parents to share ownership in a horse ranch. Her partner, Ivy, comes back from an auction and tells her she read an obit for her uncle. Shaken, Willa decides that maybe now with her uncle gone she may have a chance to find some way to clear her name with her aunt and Clay. Attending the funeral, Willa is again made the puriah when her aunt, having noticed her there, collapses on her way to talk to Willa. Her aunt insists on seeing Willa, and she asks her to stay on and take charge on her failing ranch. Willa's can't say no, but the task of turning the ranch around is a difficult one in it's own right, with the whole community unwilling to help Willa, it's nearly impossible. It's not until Clay sees Willa weeping on his sister's grave and hearing her anguish that she'd been unable to reach Angie to pull her to safety that he understands that no matter what had happened the night of the accident, Willa had never meant any harm to his sister. When he witnesses Willa having a nightmare of the accident, he sees the extent of her suffering and how his own bitter rejection has contributed to it. Paige is determined to see Willa gone, because the longer she stays, the more precarious her own position may become if anyone should suddenly realize that Willa had been telling the truth years ago.
I'm such a sucker for these "wrongfully accused" themes. Ms Fox has a talent for writing deeply emotional stories with heroines who have faced tragedy in their teens. Willa is just such a heroine. She'd loved Clay with all her teenage heart and when she lost Angie she lost Clay too which left her totally alone. Clay, having lost his parents, had been devastated when his sister had died. He's a fair man and when he realizes the depth of Willa's suffering, he's shaken, and all the old feelings for her come back. These two were meant for each other. This is one of those compelling reads that you just can't put down.
I'm such a sucker for these "wrongfully accused" themes. Ms Fox has a talent for writing deeply emotional stories with heroines who have faced tragedy in their teens. Willa is just such a heroine. She'd loved Clay with all her teenage heart and when she lost Angie she lost Clay too which left her totally alone. Clay, having lost his parents, had been devastated when his sister had died. He's a fair man and when he realizes the depth of Willa's suffering, he's shaken, and all the old feelings for her come back. These two were meant for each other. This is one of those compelling reads that you just can't put down.
January 7, 2020
Really hated the antagonist Paige and honestly wished the our h had more backbone to stand up to her. That was the only downside.
Otherwise very lovable h and H.
Otherwise very lovable h and H.
May 2, 2023
Incredibly the H had become aware of her innocence by himself!
March 30, 2011
Excellent Awesome read
Willa-Paige were cousins and Clay-Angela were brothers -sisters,Willa-Angela were best friends,Clay-Willa both ahve attraction for each other share few kisses until one day a accident happened killing Angela n injuring Willa badly,since Paige was driving the car she was scared n afraid her life would be ruined as she had big ambitions whereas Willa wanted to live in ranch n enjoy the works so Paige said to everyone it was Willa who was driving,Paige's parents believe their dotty over Willa n her uncle throw Willa out and Clay he also believes what Paige says so Willa is heart-broken n leaves the town
Fast Forward 5 years Willa's uncle has dies,she comes to attend the funeral n talks to her aunt Tess but she has stroke once again Paige blames Willa,Clay hates Willa ,the twon has outcast Willa but Aunt Tess asks Willa to stay n look after the ranch so she stays and from there on Clay-Willa journey starts to forgiving
it was a good read though i hated the fact Willa always thought how the truth abt accident will hurt her Aunt Tess n keeps quiet and when again Paige manupalates accounts n makes it look like Willa was stealing from them ,Willa again thinks of her Aunt's misery n keeps quiet however this time Clay does'nt believes Paige still Willa leaves again and Caly comes for Willa this time
i was very disappointed Paige got away with only being sent for counselling
Good read
Recommend it
Willa-Paige were cousins and Clay-Angela were brothers -sisters,Willa-Angela were best friends,Clay-Willa both ahve attraction for each other share few kisses until one day a accident happened killing Angela n injuring Willa badly,since Paige was driving the car she was scared n afraid her life would be ruined as she had big ambitions whereas Willa wanted to live in ranch n enjoy the works so Paige said to everyone it was Willa who was driving,Paige's parents believe their dotty over Willa n her uncle throw Willa out and Clay he also believes what Paige says so Willa is heart-broken n leaves the town
Fast Forward 5 years Willa's uncle has dies,she comes to attend the funeral n talks to her aunt Tess but she has stroke once again Paige blames Willa,Clay hates Willa ,the twon has outcast Willa but Aunt Tess asks Willa to stay n look after the ranch so she stays and from there on Clay-Willa journey starts to forgiving
it was a good read though i hated the fact Willa always thought how the truth abt accident will hurt her Aunt Tess n keeps quiet and when again Paige manupalates accounts n makes it look like Willa was stealing from them ,Willa again thinks of her Aunt's misery n keeps quiet however this time Clay does'nt believes Paige still Willa leaves again and Caly comes for Willa this time
i was very disappointed Paige got away with only being sent for counselling
Good read
Recommend it
April 2, 2021
Some serious angst in here and it’s a fair read if you’re in for it. I guess the time SF wrote her books people were much in control of their emotions and spent years in agony without ever clearing out any family feuds. There is the best friend’s older brother trope which is my favourite but the romance was missing.
Willa is wrongly convicted of a crime and banished from her family and small town in Oklahoma. They were the only family she had so the only option Willa had was to run away. She creates her own independent life far from home and forgets all about her past.
At her uncle’s passing, Willa has to go back home where she meets with the same people who still hold a strong grudge against her. She also meets Clay, the older brother of her best friend. This best friend had passed away in the accident for which Willa was made the scapegoat.
Clay already hates her and is quite hostile to her return. There is that vicious cousin who keeps planning to keep the truth from coming out.
The plot was redundant. Willa would weep and wallow but wouldn’t face the elephant in the room. Her martyrdom also included being so strong willed that she could deal with a snake bite on her own and didn’t need a man to rely on.
The mc’s have a short HEA. The H comes crashing on the h with a sorry case of “sorry baby”. Willa accepts before the words are out of his mouth. Rolling my eyes. I’m done with SF for now.
Willa is wrongly convicted of a crime and banished from her family and small town in Oklahoma. They were the only family she had so the only option Willa had was to run away. She creates her own independent life far from home and forgets all about her past.
At her uncle’s passing, Willa has to go back home where she meets with the same people who still hold a strong grudge against her. She also meets Clay, the older brother of her best friend. This best friend had passed away in the accident for which Willa was made the scapegoat.
Clay already hates her and is quite hostile to her return. There is that vicious cousin who keeps planning to keep the truth from coming out.
The plot was redundant. Willa would weep and wallow but wouldn’t face the elephant in the room. Her martyrdom also included being so strong willed that she could deal with a snake bite on her own and didn’t need a man to rely on.
The mc’s have a short HEA. The H comes crashing on the h with a sorry case of “sorry baby”. Willa accepts before the words are out of his mouth. Rolling my eyes. I’m done with SF for now.
June 19, 2011
At a cursory level, the title is a perfect fit because black sheep is how the hero and the whole community in Wyoming regarded the heroine.
Background story: At 17 years, she was wrongly blamed for killing her best friend -- and the hero’s younger sis – by driving recklessly. Her cousin was the real culprit but as she (the heroine) was badly injured in the accident and hospitalized, she couldn’t deny the story. When she came out of the hospital and tried to tell H the truth, he was too sickened with grief to believe her. Her guardians, her uncle and aunt, obviously took the side of her cousin. She left town to start on her own.
Fast forward five years later. Now, a successful part-owner of a ranch in Colorado, she’s attending her uncle’s funeral but keeps away from the crowd. Her aunt sees her and collapses. Hero hounds her out of town; she leaves but her ailing aunt asks for her and she returns. Her aunt pleads for a favor: to help save their mismanaged ranch from foreclosure. Against all good reasons of self-preservation, she gives in. And the real story begins.
...Which leads me to think that a more subtle title for this book is The Queen's Pass. The overriding motivation for the actions of the heroine was to protect the “Queen” or the aunt. The heroine gave her a pass on all the hard truths to protect her from ever knowing the viciousness of the daughter (h's cousin).
The heroine's acts of martyrdom could easily have become insufferable had it not been for her small acts of independence and defiance.
She didn’t back down when she was mistreated at the hospital, supply store or the restaurant. She wasn’t at all tongue-tied around the hero; she had good stinging comebacks. She made him guilty enough to offer his help and only accepted his assistance on her terms. She could have bragged about her ranch but she refused to reveal any info about her current life – as if drawing an invisible defensive line around her that says "I let you get to know this of me but no further".
So, despite this blind spot for her aunt -- inconceivable to me -- , this sense of quiet dignity and self-sufficiency protected her like a mantle.
Fortunately, too, the hero here is not your typical Harlequin Present or Diana Palmer alpha-jerk. (But then I like most of Susan Fox’s heros.) He must, understandably, hate the sight of her but the readers got the sense that he is basically a decent guy. Despite his animosity, he is beginning to see again the real girl that he was almost halfway falling in love with before the car tragedy struck. The thawing of relationship between the two of them wasn't hurried and was spot-on. He knew that she was slipping away from him and her departure was inevitable.
My only discontent: with such a deliciously angsty lead-in, the resolution could have been drawn out to more pages. If I were the editor, I would have cut out that bit of introspection with her friend to allow for more heart-searching for the H/h.
Overall, an excellent tear-jerker.
Background story: At 17 years, she was wrongly blamed for killing her best friend -- and the hero’s younger sis – by driving recklessly. Her cousin was the real culprit but as she (the heroine) was badly injured in the accident and hospitalized, she couldn’t deny the story. When she came out of the hospital and tried to tell H the truth, he was too sickened with grief to believe her. Her guardians, her uncle and aunt, obviously took the side of her cousin. She left town to start on her own.
Fast forward five years later. Now, a successful part-owner of a ranch in Colorado, she’s attending her uncle’s funeral but keeps away from the crowd. Her aunt sees her and collapses. Hero hounds her out of town; she leaves but her ailing aunt asks for her and she returns. Her aunt pleads for a favor: to help save their mismanaged ranch from foreclosure. Against all good reasons of self-preservation, she gives in. And the real story begins.
...Which leads me to think that a more subtle title for this book is The Queen's Pass. The overriding motivation for the actions of the heroine was to protect the “Queen” or the aunt. The heroine gave her a pass on all the hard truths to protect her from ever knowing the viciousness of the daughter (h's cousin).
The heroine's acts of martyrdom could easily have become insufferable had it not been for her small acts of independence and defiance.
She didn’t back down when she was mistreated at the hospital, supply store or the restaurant. She wasn’t at all tongue-tied around the hero; she had good stinging comebacks. She made him guilty enough to offer his help and only accepted his assistance on her terms. She could have bragged about her ranch but she refused to reveal any info about her current life – as if drawing an invisible defensive line around her that says "I let you get to know this of me but no further".
So, despite this blind spot for her aunt -- inconceivable to me -- , this sense of quiet dignity and self-sufficiency protected her like a mantle.
Fortunately, too, the hero here is not your typical Harlequin Present or Diana Palmer alpha-jerk. (But then I like most of Susan Fox’s heros.) He must, understandably, hate the sight of her but the readers got the sense that he is basically a decent guy. Despite his animosity, he is beginning to see again the real girl that he was almost halfway falling in love with before the car tragedy struck. The thawing of relationship between the two of them wasn't hurried and was spot-on. He knew that she was slipping away from him and her departure was inevitable.
My only discontent: with such a deliciously angsty lead-in, the resolution could have been drawn out to more pages. If I were the editor, I would have cut out that bit of introspection with her friend to allow for more heart-searching for the H/h.
Overall, an excellent tear-jerker.
January 11, 2021
This was a meh for me. I find it shocking because some of the reviewers I look to rated it much higher(🤷🏻♀️). For some reason this missed the mark. I think it had all the components to be a really angsty read, but I felt like a pot of water that is just starting to show some signs it might boil and someone takes it off the flame. The hero might have been cruel but he wasn’t Diana Palmer rancher cruel. I kept reading it waiting for it to get better, only to find I was at the end of the book with a tepid romance.
June 19, 2020
Not bad, but irritating in a number of ways:
- Hero was a total Mary Sue. Yeah, he was mad/unwelcoming at beginning, but understandable thinking that He did have a certain appeal if you like the big, caring (he wants to talk about their emotions), cardboard-cutout "tender cowboy" heroes. Not my cuppa (I like the cruel bastards in my vintage Harleys), but may be yours.
-The heroine annoyed me unbearably with her ridiculous sacrifices for her horrible family. I mean, who would go to those lengths? To take on all that blame in order to not upset her shaky aunt or eeeevil OW cousin was a joke, just totally unrealistic and it made me seriously despise her. Everytime she was tempted to tell the truth, her cousin would make crazy eyes at her and she'd back off. It was ridiculous.
-The townspeople were (1) vile and (2) cliched. Everyone says "I reckon" and talk like spaghetti western extras.
-The stuff about ranching was semi-interesting.
I dunno, I just couldn't warm up to these characters or this book. All the angst came from the heroine wanted the hero to magically believe that she hadn't lied even though she KEPT TAKING THE BLAME FOR EVERYTHING and refused to set the score straight. Also: the whole "no one will believe she wasn't responsible" main premise is SO WEAK!
For fans of martyred heroines, suspicious but besotted Mary Sue heroes, and flimsy misunderstandings as an underpinning of angst, go for it.
- Hero was a total Mary Sue. Yeah, he was mad/unwelcoming at beginning, but understandable thinking that He did have a certain appeal if you like the big, caring (he wants to talk about their emotions), cardboard-cutout "tender cowboy" heroes. Not my cuppa (I like the cruel bastards in my vintage Harleys), but may be yours.
-The heroine annoyed me unbearably with her ridiculous sacrifices for her horrible family. I mean, who would go to those lengths? To take on all that blame in order to not upset her shaky aunt or eeeevil OW cousin was a joke, just totally unrealistic and it made me seriously despise her. Everytime she was tempted to tell the truth, her cousin would make crazy eyes at her and she'd back off. It was ridiculous.
-The townspeople were (1) vile and (2) cliched. Everyone says "I reckon" and talk like spaghetti western extras.
-The stuff about ranching was semi-interesting.
I dunno, I just couldn't warm up to these characters or this book. All the angst came from the heroine wanted the hero to magically believe that she hadn't lied even though she KEPT TAKING THE BLAME FOR EVERYTHING and refused to set the score straight. Also: the whole "no one will believe she wasn't responsible" main premise is SO WEAK!
For fans of martyred heroines, suspicious but besotted Mary Sue heroes, and flimsy misunderstandings as an underpinning of angst, go for it.
September 21, 2025
Gue udah baca ini sebanyak 3 kali karena gue sesuka itu sama novel ringan begini. Semacam comfort book yang gue baca berulang-ulang gitu deh.
Willa yang pergi dari selama lima tahun kembali lagi ke Cascade untuk menghadiri pemakaman pamannya. Melihat kehadiran Willa, Tess (bibi Willa) memintanya untuk mengurus peternakannya yang diambang kebangkrutan. Willa yang sayang dengan bibinya mau membantu walau dia harus ketemu Clay dan penduduk kota itu yang sangat nggak bersahabat sama Willa. Ditambah lagi Paige, sepupunya itu ngerecokin kerjaan dia mulu dan ketakutan melihat kembalinya Willa akan membongkar kecelelakaan lima tahun lalu yang menewaskan Angie, adik Clay.
Si Paige ini kampret beut njir ye. Dia ini tanpa ragu ngefitnah si Willa ampe si Willa diusir dari rumah mereka dan satu kota benci sama Willa. Bahkan setelah lima tahun berlalu satu kota masih benci ama Willa ya gara-gara kelakuan si Paige ini. Willa ini juga baeknya udah kebangetan kek karakter utama di sinetron, dia biarin aja tuh si Paige fitnah dia untuk yang kedua kalinya, gara-gara dia gak mau penyakit jantung Tess kambuh. Untungnya ceritanya happy ending ya, karena si Clay ini sadar kalo fitnah yang sekarang ama yang dulu tuh mirip banget dan akhirnya si Paige ngaku kalo dia yang menyebabkan kecelakaan dan ngefitnah Willa nyolong duit peternakan.
Baca ini kek bikin roller coaster emosi ama si Paige. Kemaren minta maap, terus diulangin lagi. Najis beut dah kalo kenal orang begini.
Willa yang pergi dari selama lima tahun kembali lagi ke Cascade untuk menghadiri pemakaman pamannya. Melihat kehadiran Willa, Tess (bibi Willa) memintanya untuk mengurus peternakannya yang diambang kebangkrutan. Willa yang sayang dengan bibinya mau membantu walau dia harus ketemu Clay dan penduduk kota itu yang sangat nggak bersahabat sama Willa. Ditambah lagi Paige, sepupunya itu ngerecokin kerjaan dia mulu dan ketakutan melihat kembalinya Willa akan membongkar kecelelakaan lima tahun lalu yang menewaskan Angie, adik Clay.
Si Paige ini kampret beut njir ye. Dia ini tanpa ragu ngefitnah si Willa ampe si Willa diusir dari rumah mereka dan satu kota benci sama Willa. Bahkan setelah lima tahun berlalu satu kota masih benci ama Willa ya gara-gara kelakuan si Paige ini. Willa ini juga baeknya udah kebangetan kek karakter utama di sinetron, dia biarin aja tuh si Paige fitnah dia untuk yang kedua kalinya, gara-gara dia gak mau penyakit jantung Tess kambuh. Untungnya ceritanya happy ending ya, karena si Clay ini sadar kalo fitnah yang sekarang ama yang dulu tuh mirip banget dan akhirnya si Paige ngaku kalo dia yang menyebabkan kecelakaan dan ngefitnah Willa nyolong duit peternakan.
Baca ini kek bikin roller coaster emosi ama si Paige. Kemaren minta maap, terus diulangin lagi. Najis beut dah kalo kenal orang begini.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2023
Pluses:
Well-written
Characters are developed
Clean
Minuses:
* Back story and plot are obnoxious. Our h was so eager and willing to play martyr to Auntie's health and her love for her daughter (h's lying cheat cousin) that she threw away her happiness, H's happiness, her reputation and her Aunt's trust.
* I'm not crazy about ranch settings although Susan Fox writes them very well.
* H not only believed the lying cheat 6 years ago, he apparently believed that h deliberately drove a car into a bad crash that killed his sister, the girl that was the h's best friend. I don't quite see how someone could figure anyone would deliberately cause a car crash. That should have put his trust in the lying cheat on red alert. (We don't ever learn quite what the lying cheat cousin said, but H muses that he no longer thinks h deliberately hurt her best friend.)
Well-written
Characters are developed
Clean
Minuses:
* Back story and plot are obnoxious. Our h was so eager and willing to play martyr to Auntie's health and her love for her daughter (h's lying cheat cousin) that she threw away her happiness, H's happiness, her reputation and her Aunt's trust.
* I'm not crazy about ranch settings although Susan Fox writes them very well.
* H not only believed the lying cheat 6 years ago, he apparently believed that h deliberately drove a car into a bad crash that killed his sister, the girl that was the h's best friend. I don't quite see how someone could figure anyone would deliberately cause a car crash. That should have put his trust in the lying cheat on red alert. (We don't ever learn quite what the lying cheat cousin said, but H muses that he no longer thinks h deliberately hurt her best friend.)
January 3, 2021
How the hell did this book get 4stars?
This the most the stupidest trash I have ever had the misfortune of reading.
H need to be killed off, h is a another dormat, stupid girl with no backbone who let's everyone ride over her till the end.
I felt like breaking something while reading, kept expecting her to grown some bone and stand up for herself but no, the author thought it was fun to write trash all in the name of novel.
The author need help.
This the most the stupidest trash I have ever had the misfortune of reading.
H need to be killed off, h is a another dormat, stupid girl with no backbone who let's everyone ride over her till the end.
I felt like breaking something while reading, kept expecting her to grown some bone and stand up for herself but no, the author thought it was fun to write trash all in the name of novel.
The author need help.
March 26, 2024
This story is half good...but then half not written or finished. There isn't much romance going on. The cousin....NOPE, she needed the biggest kick in the pants, which she doesn't get, 'off the page' doesn't count. The town, wow, I would have like to see them making amends to the heroine, but we get nothing. Ugh could have been a great one! But fumbles the execution. So skip it.
September 24, 2025
Good ol fashioned betrayal and ostracized heroine from not only her family, her beloved, but the whole damn town. Written delightfully angsty. I thought the comeuppance was done deservedly appropriate for the time. Just the exposure of "who dunnit" was the vindication needed. Kept me glued to the pages.
February 2, 2020
Ih mudah banget selesainya! Dan masih ga terima si jahat itu ga membayar kejahatannya! Ngeselinnn.
Mayan sweet sih ceritanya, tapi ga yg sampe menggetarkan. Sayang sekali mereka gagal bobo. Lol.
Endingnya cute juga yaa, Clay rela mencari setengah kota Colorado untuk nemuin Willa. Kyung~
Mayan sweet sih ceritanya, tapi ga yg sampe menggetarkan. Sayang sekali mereka gagal bobo. Lol.
Endingnya cute juga yaa, Clay rela mencari setengah kota Colorado untuk nemuin Willa. Kyung~
October 9, 2017
And to think I used to devour these!!
March 3, 2021
The book had potential but felt rather bland.
I can’t say it was an emotional reading because I didn’t feel that much. Something was missing here.
I can’t say it was an emotional reading because I didn’t feel that much. Something was missing here.
January 8, 2024
One of my favorite books by this author
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2024
Silly little book. Super easy to read, fun plot, nothing crazy. The amount of times Clay was described as "male" and "masculine" was a bit much.
June 26, 2025
3.25 🌟
November 4, 2025
"Czarna owca"
February 16, 2011
4,5stars.
Bener-bener cerita yang bagus. Mengenai seorang gadis bernama Willa, yang disaat umurnya beranjak remaja harus menerima kepahitan atas ketidakadilan yang terjadi pada dirinya. Ibaratnya,Sudah jatuh, tertimpa tangga pula.
Pernah bayangin gak sih, ketika kita kehilangan sahabat baik kita untuk selamanya, kita malah dituduh sebagai penyebab kecelakaan itu, dan tragisnya kita bahkan tak memiliki kekuatan untuk membela diri kita karna semua orang yang semula dekat dengan kita tiba-tiba saja berbalik memusuhi kita? Itulah yang dialami Willa. Seakan tak cukup akan hal-hal buruk itu, ia harus menerima kenyataan kalau orang yang ia cintai, Clay, kakak dari sahabatnya yang harus meninggal dalam kecelakaan yang tak diperbuatnya, juga membencinya. Marah dan tak ingin melihatnya lagi seumur hidupnya. Pamannya pun mengusirnya dari rumah. Willa yang sejak kecil adalah anak yatim piatu tak tau harus pergi kemana.
Lima tahun berlalu semenjak kecelakaan itu, Willa yang sudah berdikari di kota lain harus kembali sejenak ke kota lamanya setelah mendengar kematian pamannya. Semua orang memusuhinya, menganggapnya sebagai wabah atas kecelakaan yang tak pernah diperbuatnya. Ia terlalu lelah untuk menceritakan semuanya, dan bahkan ia sangsi apabila orang akan mempercayai ceritanya. Karna dalang dibalik smua ini adalah orang yang paling dekat dengan bibinya. Dan ia terlalu takut untuk memberitahu bibinya karna takut akan mempengaruhi kesehatan bibinya yang kurang baik.
Bibinya memintanya untuk mengurusi peternakan milik pamannya. Dengan sikap enggan karna takut smuanya akan menjadi sangat sulit baginya, ia pun menyetujui permintaan bibinya. Clay yang semula tak setuju, perlahan menjadi lembut padanya. Dan Paige, sepupunya semakin gencar melancarkan aksinya untuk memulangkan Willa ke asalnya.
Pada akhirnya, kebenaran pun terungkap. Sayangnya bagian akhirnya P tidak terlalu banyak menderita seperti halnya yang harus dirasakan Willa atas perbuatan yang tidak diperbuatnya. Satu-satunya alasan mengapa aku tidak menberi bintang 5 untuk ini. ==*
tapi overall, bukunya bagus banget. Susan Fox is a good writer indeed! :)
Bener-bener cerita yang bagus. Mengenai seorang gadis bernama Willa, yang disaat umurnya beranjak remaja harus menerima kepahitan atas ketidakadilan yang terjadi pada dirinya. Ibaratnya,Sudah jatuh, tertimpa tangga pula.
Pernah bayangin gak sih, ketika kita kehilangan sahabat baik kita untuk selamanya, kita malah dituduh sebagai penyebab kecelakaan itu, dan tragisnya kita bahkan tak memiliki kekuatan untuk membela diri kita karna semua orang yang semula dekat dengan kita tiba-tiba saja berbalik memusuhi kita? Itulah yang dialami Willa. Seakan tak cukup akan hal-hal buruk itu, ia harus menerima kenyataan kalau orang yang ia cintai, Clay, kakak dari sahabatnya yang harus meninggal dalam kecelakaan yang tak diperbuatnya, juga membencinya. Marah dan tak ingin melihatnya lagi seumur hidupnya. Pamannya pun mengusirnya dari rumah. Willa yang sejak kecil adalah anak yatim piatu tak tau harus pergi kemana.
Lima tahun berlalu semenjak kecelakaan itu, Willa yang sudah berdikari di kota lain harus kembali sejenak ke kota lamanya setelah mendengar kematian pamannya. Semua orang memusuhinya, menganggapnya sebagai wabah atas kecelakaan yang tak pernah diperbuatnya. Ia terlalu lelah untuk menceritakan semuanya, dan bahkan ia sangsi apabila orang akan mempercayai ceritanya. Karna dalang dibalik smua ini adalah orang yang paling dekat dengan bibinya. Dan ia terlalu takut untuk memberitahu bibinya karna takut akan mempengaruhi kesehatan bibinya yang kurang baik.
Bibinya memintanya untuk mengurusi peternakan milik pamannya. Dengan sikap enggan karna takut smuanya akan menjadi sangat sulit baginya, ia pun menyetujui permintaan bibinya. Clay yang semula tak setuju, perlahan menjadi lembut padanya. Dan Paige, sepupunya semakin gencar melancarkan aksinya untuk memulangkan Willa ke asalnya.
Pada akhirnya, kebenaran pun terungkap. Sayangnya bagian akhirnya P tidak terlalu banyak menderita seperti halnya yang harus dirasakan Willa atas perbuatan yang tidak diperbuatnya. Satu-satunya alasan mengapa aku tidak menberi bintang 5 untuk ini. ==*
tapi overall, bukunya bagus banget. Susan Fox is a good writer indeed! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2013
Pertama, thanks to Diajeng yang udah ngasih buku ini buat adikku. Jadi aku kan bisa nebeng ke Jeng Santy, hehe.. Dan, secara khusus, dia udah titip pesen, supaya aku baca Dilema Cinta Willa ini.
Kubaca deh, sekali duduk, waktu nunggu giliran nyuci di rumah tadi pagi :p Cukup 1 jam saja (kek judul lagu, dah)
Dilema Cinta Willa ini ceritanya tentang Willa, yg saat berusia 18 th diusir dari rumah Paman Cal dan Bibi Tess. Willa diusir, karena setahun sebelumnya, dia dituduh menyebabkan kematian Angie, sahabatnya dalam kecelakaan mobil bersama dengan Paige, sepupunya. Kakak Angie, Clay, yang semula menyayanginya, berbalik jadi membencinya.
Lima tahun kemudian, saat mendengar berita tentang kematian Pamannya, Willa memutuskan kembali ke kampung halamannya untuk memberikan penghormatan terakhir dl pemakaman Pamannya. Bibi Tess yg melihat kehadirannya, terkena serangan jantung. Dan di RS, dia meminta Willa untuk mengurus peternakan Circle H, peninggalan Pamannya yg nyaris bangkrut.
Ternyata, penduduk kota tersebut masih membencinya karena kesalahannya yg tidak dilakukannya. Mereka berusaha mempersulit Will. Tapi Clay, yg meskipun masih membencinya, membantunya.
(.. To be continued, deh .. Ngantuk saia, hihi)
Kubaca deh, sekali duduk, waktu nunggu giliran nyuci di rumah tadi pagi :p Cukup 1 jam saja (kek judul lagu, dah)
Dilema Cinta Willa ini ceritanya tentang Willa, yg saat berusia 18 th diusir dari rumah Paman Cal dan Bibi Tess. Willa diusir, karena setahun sebelumnya, dia dituduh menyebabkan kematian Angie, sahabatnya dalam kecelakaan mobil bersama dengan Paige, sepupunya. Kakak Angie, Clay, yang semula menyayanginya, berbalik jadi membencinya.
Lima tahun kemudian, saat mendengar berita tentang kematian Pamannya, Willa memutuskan kembali ke kampung halamannya untuk memberikan penghormatan terakhir dl pemakaman Pamannya. Bibi Tess yg melihat kehadirannya, terkena serangan jantung. Dan di RS, dia meminta Willa untuk mengurus peternakan Circle H, peninggalan Pamannya yg nyaris bangkrut.
Ternyata, penduduk kota tersebut masih membencinya karena kesalahannya yg tidak dilakukannya. Mereka berusaha mempersulit Will. Tapi Clay, yg meskipun masih membencinya, membantunya.
(.. To be continued, deh .. Ngantuk saia, hihi)
January 31, 2010
cerita yang mengharukan dimana bertaon2 ce nya di tuduh mengakibatkan kematian sahabatnya sendiri ....terkucilkan dari kota kelahirannya dan terusir sampai dia harus kembali ke kota ini karena kematian pamannya...
gak ada yang percaya dia enggak melakukan nya karena sebenernya pelakunya sepupunya sendiri yang nyetir sambil mabuk ( nih gak spoiler ya..dari awal juga di kasih tau kok hehehe..)
hmmmmmm...akhirnya si ce bakal ketemu dengan kakak co si sahabatnya itu....
ternyata dari kecil si ce suka ama co itu...dan co nya sebelum kejadian kematian adiknya juga suka sama ce ini tapi gak pernah bilang karena merasa lebih tua...
yah gitu deh...bacanya sampe nangis...khas susan fox banget...( i love susan fox ;D )
yang penting endingnya hepi khas another hq ^^
semoga di terjemahin sama gpu deh ya...
gak ada yang percaya dia enggak melakukan nya karena sebenernya pelakunya sepupunya sendiri yang nyetir sambil mabuk ( nih gak spoiler ya..dari awal juga di kasih tau kok hehehe..)
hmmmmmm...akhirnya si ce bakal ketemu dengan kakak co si sahabatnya itu....
ternyata dari kecil si ce suka ama co itu...dan co nya sebelum kejadian kematian adiknya juga suka sama ce ini tapi gak pernah bilang karena merasa lebih tua...
yah gitu deh...bacanya sampe nangis...khas susan fox banget...( i love susan fox ;D )
yang penting endingnya hepi khas another hq ^^
semoga di terjemahin sama gpu deh ya...
October 1, 2010
Nggak bisa berhenti ngebaca ceritanya sampai halaman terakhir...
Ceritanya ngebuat perasaan haru biru ngeliat kesendirian dan perjuangan Willa Ross yang diasingkan oleh keluarga dan warga kampungnya...
Yang ngebuat bintangnya kurang satu karena konflik Willa dengan Clay Cantrell nggak terlalu heboh trus Claynya juga gampang luluh hanya karena "kecelakaan" kecil yang dialami Willa dan karena waktu Clay tu tau siapa sebenarnya yang ngebuat adiknya meninggal, emosi Clay nggak terlalu jelas. Mungkin kalo emosi Clay-nya lebih keliatan (misalnya kayak saking emosinya sampe hampir ngebunuh yang ngebunuh adiknya ) ceritanya bakal lebih seru....
Ceritanya ngebuat perasaan haru biru ngeliat kesendirian dan perjuangan Willa Ross yang diasingkan oleh keluarga dan warga kampungnya...
Yang ngebuat bintangnya kurang satu karena konflik Willa dengan Clay Cantrell nggak terlalu heboh trus Claynya juga gampang luluh hanya karena "kecelakaan" kecil yang dialami Willa dan karena waktu Clay tu tau siapa sebenarnya yang ngebuat adiknya meninggal, emosi Clay nggak terlalu jelas. Mungkin kalo emosi Clay-nya lebih keliatan (misalnya kayak saking emosinya sampe hampir ngebunuh yang ngebunuh adiknya ) ceritanya bakal lebih seru....
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