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skylarmarkayanna's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
When Wes Hayden, the one meant to run Hayden Cattle Company once his father retires, first sees Dakota again at a business meeting to sell off some of the ranchland after he ghosted her 5 years ago. When she sticks around to oversee the project, Wes sees a way that both he and Dakota can get what they need.... and so a deal was struck.
I really enjoyed the angst and suspense in this one! He was so broken and she was so lost, both with their own brands of guilt....
I really enjoyed the angst and suspense in this one! He was so broken and she was so lost, both with their own brands of guilt....
reader_trish's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
meghanfeen's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bookishbyrenee's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
4.0
The Patriot by Jennifer Millikin
-Hayden Family Book 1-
4/5⭐️
•My Thoughts•
Solid cowboy romance with with some suspense vibes, lots of heart and a strong sense of family. This definitely brought me back to the “old west” where family ties are strong and people take the law into their own hands. I loved it! I thought this story was set up so well and even enjoyed Wes and Dakota’s instant connection and their back story. This dealt with PTSD and trauma with beautiful care. I loved how the MCs were a safe space for each other and were able to encourage and see the best. I love a marriage of convenience story and this delivered on every level. This series follows siblings and I will absolutely be coming back for more!!
-Hayden Family Book 1-
4/5⭐️
•My Thoughts•
Solid cowboy romance with with some suspense vibes, lots of heart and a strong sense of family. This definitely brought me back to the “old west” where family ties are strong and people take the law into their own hands. I loved it! I thought this story was set up so well and even enjoyed Wes and Dakota’s instant connection and their back story. This dealt with PTSD and trauma with beautiful care. I loved how the MCs were a safe space for each other and were able to encourage and see the best. I love a marriage of convenience story and this delivered on every level. This series follows siblings and I will absolutely be coming back for more!!
darkfae84's review
5.0
I really liked this book. I love the small town hero, the ranch life, and breathing life back into so many different things.
ashleyspehar's review
3.0
I actually did enjoy reading this but the end felt so rushed… loved that it was set in the Verde Valley in Arizona though! It felt close to home.
bookish_dustjacket's review
4.0
This book was honestly a really enjoyable read. This wasn't my first book by Jennifer Millikin, but I liked this one more than the other book I've read from her, and I'm honestly looking forward to what the rest of this series has in store for us.
I really enjoyed both Wes and Dakota as individual characters, but I really liked how their relationship developed over the course of the book. I liked how they first met years prior to the start of this story and I loved how that history played a part in the present. I loved how Dakota supported Wes through his PTSD and never made him feel less than because of it. I loved Wes's character development and how he opened up about his PTSD, not necessarily with Dakota, but definitely as a result of her accepting him completely. Overall, I liked this one and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good romance with a light touch of suspense.
✔️ One Night Stand
✔️ Second Chance
✔️ Fake Relationship
✔️ Small Town
✔️ Ex-Military Hero
✔️ First Person Dual POV
I really enjoyed both Wes and Dakota as individual characters, but I really liked how their relationship developed over the course of the book. I liked how they first met years prior to the start of this story and I loved how that history played a part in the present. I loved how Dakota supported Wes through his PTSD and never made him feel less than because of it. I loved Wes's character development and how he opened up about his PTSD, not necessarily with Dakota, but definitely as a result of her accepting him completely. Overall, I liked this one and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good romance with a light touch of suspense.
✔️ One Night Stand
✔️ Second Chance
✔️ Fake Relationship
✔️ Small Town
✔️ Ex-Military Hero
✔️ First Person Dual POV
sambailey96's review
5.0
There is nothing I love more than a good cowboy romance and oh boy did this deliver. Wes and Dakota were more than perfect for each other, and it took a twist I wasn’t expecting towards to end! Also no third act break up, THANK YOU
cala_p's review against another edition
3.0
ARC received from The Next Realm PR . Voluntarily reviewing and all opinions are objective and my own.
I really wanted to enjoy this book. I think the premise made for the perfect contemporary romance. I was really enjoying the characters and their situation. I haven’t read a cowboy romance in what feels like forever, so I was really gearing up for this one.
...But I wasn’t loving it completely. I enjoyed the story itself. Again, no issues with any of the characters or the plot, but I wasn’t enjoying the writing. I can go into specifics, but I’ll leave it simple and say it just took me away from the story itself more often than not and I wasn’t fully able to get into the book.
I really wanted to enjoy this book. I think the premise made for the perfect contemporary romance. I was really enjoying the characters and their situation. I haven’t read a cowboy romance in what feels like forever, so I was really gearing up for this one.
...But I wasn’t loving it completely. I enjoyed the story itself. Again, no issues with any of the characters or the plot, but I wasn’t enjoying the writing. I can go into specifics, but I’ll leave it simple and say it just took me away from the story itself more often than not and I wasn’t fully able to get into the book.
thebookishbesties's review
5.0
This was a great example of a classic cowboy romance. I fell in love with Wes and Dakota almost immediately. They are both flawed and recognize it. It didn’t take much coaxing to get each of them to progress and grow as characters. For that I was thankful. I have recently been reading a lot of high angst, high emotion series and this one unfolded so fluidly and took me on a smooth lazy ride down a river. This was exactly what I needed.
The writing was beautiful and I loved the take of the “one night stand”. This was my first solo book by Jennifer (previously read a co-authored book —loved it) and I’m so glad I tried this series. I can’t wait for more of the Hayden family!
The writing was beautiful and I loved the take of the “one night stand”. This was my first solo book by Jennifer (previously read a co-authored book —loved it) and I’m so glad I tried this series. I can’t wait for more of the Hayden family!