1972 – Vietnam, the pill, upheaval, hippies. Wyoming rancher Cooper Byrnes, deeply attached to the land and his way of life, surprises everyone when he falls for vagabond hippie Cassie Halliday. Fascinated and baffled, he cannot comprehend his attraction–or say the words she wants to hear. Cassie finds Coop intriguingly different. As she keeps house for him and warms his bed at night, she admits … admits to herself she loves him but she misinterprets Coop’s inability to express his feelings. Parted, each continues to think of the other, but how can either of them reach out to say, “You were ‘always on my mind’?”
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It’s 1972, the time of hippies, Vietnam and free love. One of those hippies found herself in Wyoming without a ride to California. A farmer there, Cooper by name, took her in. She cooked and cleaned for him. Occasionally she helped outside too. This hippie, Cassie, knew she was falling in love with Cooper. She had no idea Cooper would continue to be in her life for many years. Though she leaves the farm, Cooper never leaves her mind. Life goes on.
This is a different kind of love story. Well written, this story brings you in immediately. The characters are well defined. The type of characters you may find in your own life. Ms. Downing tells the story in such a way you are in a quandary over whether or not to put the book aside. Each page reveals a little more. It’s just enough to begin that quandary. I can tell you, you will be rooting for Cassie. This book is perfect for everyone. Even those who may not be into romance, get this book. It’s that great! It’s a perfect gift for anyone.
I found no issues in this one.
I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it’s written so well. copy of book provided by author and I voluntarily reviewed it.
Trigger warning: There is an attempted rape scene that could be hard for some to read.
Ground-breaking in terms of romance writing. No romance in the past can compare to this work.
There is a definite connection between Coop and Cassie from the moment they set eyes on each other. The truism, opposites attract, is redefined here. The two of them could be cast in the remake of the Bickersons if Hollywood wants to take it in a western approach. It was remarkable how the two of them could go from arguing to snuggling to yelling, to cuddling to arguing to lovemaking. One raised to not realize love is a four-letter word and the other too young to realize that either can use the word first.
A tumultuous relationship that shows real heat can come from combustion. In the theme of the Western, it can be shown that once more, in this case, the lass gets her man. Compelling, a very easy read. Will keep the reader on edge of their seat and tug on their heartstrings.
A book recommended to all the fans of today’s conflict-filled bestsellers that are hotter than ever today.
My Rating: 5 stars
Ah, the 70’s. I remember them well. Andrea Downing’s trip down memory lane pinpoints a dichotomy in society at that time. While a woman like Cassie Halliday searched for adventure, Cooper Byrnes hunkered down running his family ranch. The young happy “hippie” meets a gruff, hard-working “hick,” in a bar. One bumpy road ahead! A delightfully-told story about opposites-the risks and the rewards.
I am a huge fan of the ’70s, hippies, and ranchers so I jumped at the chance to read this book. There just isn’t enough good ’70’s stories or with hippies as main characters. Cassie was so sweet and adorable. She sure as heck endured more from Coop for nine months than I would have.
Coop on the other hand was arrogant a**. At first, I would have marked him antihero but I think he is more misunderstood. I love unique not run of the mill romantic interests and Coop sure was that. Many times, I wanted to shake him, and a few times punch him in the mouth. (That is good… it means the story evokes emotion lol).
I think this is one of the most realistic books I have read this year. It also sucked me in and held me. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next especially a little over midway with the line. On blank day Coop married Barbara. I was like what the heck and had to read on.
So, as you can see from this… no not your formulaic romance. There are lots of twists and turns that kept me wanting more. I fell in love with Larry and Gary an older gay couple almost as much as Coop. Don’t worry, though this is different it’s an amazing story with a very good ending. I cried happy tears.
This book took me back to the good old days that perhaps weren’t all that good. I shudder to think what we survived. Andrea Downing brings all that to the forefront of conscience. Fabulous story. Could not put it down!!
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
This historical romance set in the 1970’s is perfection. It was a time of great division in America and the two main characters, Coop and Cassie, come together with all the tension swirling around that era. He’s a stoic western rancher and she’s a free-spirited flower child, and the reader just aches for them to overcome their differences.
Always on My Mind is not your ordinary romance. The characters, complex and sometimes flawed, read like real people, and the plot is unpredictable. The big payoff comes at the end, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next!
As with all of Andrea Downing’s stories, she does an excellent job with painting such a picture of the settings, you feel you’re right there. The reader who lived through those turbulent times will feel the nostalgia, and younger readers will get a sense of what it is like to live in a decade so close in some ways, but so remote in others.
I highly recommend this book!