After the circus she works for goes bankrupt, Jillian Powell takes advantage of a dubious family connection.
The little farm in Pennsylvania that belongs to her “cousin” is a safe haven for Jillian, and she’s sure no one will ever uncover the incriminating truth she’s hiding… control officer, McKoy Rodning, is thrown for a loop when an elephant crashes his best friend’s wedding.
He’s even more confused when the exotic Jillian evades all of his questions about permits and regulations. All he knows for sure is that she’s emphatic about reuniting the depressed animal with her elephant sister.
McCoy finds himself uncharacteristically bending the rules to help Jillian, risking both his job and upcoming promotion. When her secret is exposed, he’s faced with following the rules or following his heart.
If you like Lori Wilde, Diane Holiday, Liz Isaacson, and Hanna Hart, you’ll love this sweet and heartwarming romance!
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Anything for you by Jessie Gussman (Sweet Haven Farm book 4)
Story: 5 stars
This was a romantic, sweet story of two star-crossed people: an animal control official and an illegal woman with an illegal elephant.
She starts out wary and cautious of this handsome, reliable, duty-bound government official. And he struggles against breaking the rules for the most beautiful, kind-heated woman he’s ever met.
Both are insecure in the relationship that starts to form until all the secrets are out in the open. Then the relationship takes off.
The elephant has a big role to play in the decisions that follow…
No spoilers here! Just know that this is a romantic, enjoyable book complete with an HEA!
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
The characters in this story of Jessie’s, are quite unusual. When they say opposites attract, the really meant it in this story. A totally different take on things than normal, but of course, another wonderful story written by Jessie like only she can. Wonderful story. I received this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review.
Jessie Gussman is one of my favorite sweet and clean writers. I always feel better after reading one of her stories and I almost always fall in love with the characters.
I picked this story to read as an ARC for City Owl Press. They seem like a pretty cool group of authors and publishers.
Anyway, I chose this story to read because of the blurb. I love elephants and I think it would be really cool to be an elephant trainer, and I also love the circus. My grandparents would take my brothers and I to Baraboo, WI to see the Ringling Brothers when their circus came home. I was excited to read about an elephant trainer finding love. The story itself was good. It did have a tendency to be a little slow in the first half that I almost set it down, but then it picked up steam after the 60% mark. Jillian had smuggled her way into the States where she found a place to open a boarding kennel; while, McKoy was the animal control officer in town. She had to overcome her distrust of authority figures; even though, he had been a complete gentleman the whole time. He had abandonment issues and never thought himself interesting enough to catch a girl like Jillian. But this is a romance, so we all know how it ends. Without giving the story away, there were enough plot twists and surprises thrown in once you got halfway through the book to keep me turning the pages.
I would say that usually Jessie has an underlying theme in her stories, and some are more subtle than others. The struggles of people trying to get into the States for a better life was front and center throughout the story. It lent a heavier feel to the book than what she normally has.
Overall, this was a good story. It is very different than her ranchers in North Dakota as it’s tone is not as carefree and happy as they are. I did enjoy it and can’t wait to read the rest in this series.
Anything for You by Jessie Gussman was a sweet story of a very unlikely couple (as many of her stories are)- very different and yet perfectly suited. I thought the characters were three dimensional and interesting. The plot was unusual and complex. It was perhaps wrapped up a tad easily but very satisfyingly. I really enjoyed this story.
An elephant at a wedding? Jillian is an illegal former circus performer and the elephant was dropped off without her knowledge. McKoy is an animal control officer who follows the rules. McKoy is attracted to Jillian but feels she is hiding something. Jessie Gussman always brings you a fantastic story – even involving an elephant at a wedding in Pennsylvania! This is a must read!
I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.
She had so many reasons to hide and not be seen then it all goes south. An unexpected surprise turns up on her door step and now she’s scrambling to get everything under control. He is naturally suspicious, I mean come on it goes with the job. But what doesn’t go with the job is how she makes him feel. A little gun shy due to his lifestyle and previous relationships he’s cautious but interested. Both of these two have reasons to put up the guard but the heart wants what the heart wants and sometimes you have to do whatever it takes, anything, to have all of the desires of your heart. I can’t say enough how much I love this authors style and characters. Always a deep seated lesson but never by preaching. This author reminds us that there is beauty in ashes, sometimes it takes some work to see it.
This was an interesting story about Jillian and McKoy. Jillian is working on the farm illegally and McKoy is an animal control officer, who follows the rules very carefully. Throw them together at Avery and Gator’s wedding along with an elephant and you have a very interesting story , especially since Jillian is harboring the elephant, Heidi with illegal papers too, but maybe they have both misjudged each other. I really enjoyed finding out about each character and what brought these opposites together to make such an interesting story I enjoyed reading. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
A uniquely powerful story full of charm, wit, and romance; with a narrative voice that is both unique to Gussman and unique among her narratives; this story quickly pulls you into the plight of Julian, a woman who grew up in Mexico, living a somewhat gypsy life. Though she believes that too many rules are unnecessary, she has a strict code for compassion and hard work. When one of the elephants (that she worked with in the circus, as a child) ends up at the dog sanctuary where she works, Jullian is determined to find out how Heidi-the-elephant was separated from her twin.
Straight-laced McKoy, called the dog catcher is mesmerized by Jullian, but he can tell that she is hiding something. When faced with choices that leaves what is right and what is convenient in the gray, does following his heart preclude what is correct?
I received an ARC copy of this book and I am leaving a voluntary review.
It has been a while since the last Sweet Haven book, but it was worth the wait! Anything For You begins with an elephant trumpeting outside a wedding. Wait, what? But it works. I really enjoyed Jillian and McKoy’s characters. This is a sweet romance between opposites. I loved the development of the story and the way Ms. Gussman pulls it all together. I could not put the book down and was very sorry to reach the end.
This is the story of Jillian, a beautiful circus performer who crossed illegally into America when her circus closed and of McKoy, the local animal control inspector who believes that all women view him as “boring” because of his rule-following and homebody ways. The two meet when McKoy comes to the farm where Jillian lives to inspect an elephant that she is caring for. They both feel a strong attraction but how are they going to make a life together work? That is what kept me turning the pages! I was entrusted with a copy of this book by the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.
He is a boring man who always plays by the rules. She is an exotic woman currently out of the law. Can they help each other in a difficult situation to find love, happiness a a better life in Love, Pennsylvania? A sweet love and life story
The story starts out with a wedding and an elephant trumpeting. Jillian wasn’t expecting to see an elephant in her barn – and an elephant that she knew from her days in the circus. She is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, but has found a home in America and has started a dog kennel and a dog training service. McKoy is a stick to the rules kind of animal control officer. They are attracted toeeach other and he helps her build a fence for the elephant.
They have complicated lives. He’s hoping for a promotion and she is hoping to build her business and pay off the men who smuggled her into the country. Her secrets weigh heavily on her and his history with women has scarred his psyche.
I hadn’t read the previous books in the series, but I had no trouble reading this free standing story. It’s one of the most fun books of Jessie’s that I’ve read. Definitely a recommended read.
This book is so well written that I hurt for Jillian.
That she grew up in a circus was an interesting twist.
I liked the way her and McKay’s relationship developed.
I really enjoyed this book.
Another great book in a great series by Jessie Gussman. I loved Jillian and McCoy’s story. I really enjoyed the story and the characters and look forward the next book.
This Sweet Haven Series is what introduced me to author Jessie Gussman. I fell in love with the quirky and unusual characters. The laugh out loud witty sometimes sassy banter. I got pulled in by the vivid way she tells the story. Anything For You is the fourth book in the Sweet Haven Farm series but proves Jessie still has the touch! Jillian is an ex-circus performer with a gift for animals and hiding a secret. McKoy is a by-the-book kind of guy working towards a promotion. Heidi the Elephant throws both their worlds upside down. This was a flat out fun book in every sense of the word. I love how past characters popped in the storyline. You get a glimps of their life moving forward. This was a pure joy to read. Grab your copy you will not be disappointed you’ll become a fan too! I highly recommend this book and this series!!! I was given this ARC as a gift but these are my own thought and opinion.
Take an elephant, a former circus performer illegal alien, and an animal control officer, and you have the makings of a fresh love story. Add a wedding and another elephant (missing) and you have a little mystery. This is an enjoyable read for those who like clean, sweet reads. Jessie Gussman makes it all believable.
This ARC reader is happy to leave an unsolicited review.
This was a really fun book by Jessie Gussman. I loved how there were elephants and the circus! I loved how the main characters had to overcome some really big issues in order to be together. I also liked that they had to change the way they saw the world in order to have a relationship. I loved how even though Mckoy and Jillian came from such different worlds, those differences made them perfect for each other. I loved how they both worked really hard to be together because they knew it was what would make them both happy. Wonderful book!
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I loved this story. I really enjoyed the prominent role of the elephant. I liked learning some about that majestic creature. I enjoyed the romance and how Jillian had some preconceived notions challenged. I can’t wait to see what Gussman comes up with next!
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Talk about opposites attract, McKoy is a law abiding, by the book, animal control officer. Jillian has illegal possession of a circus elephant. She cannot obtain the necessary permit to appease McKoy since she entered the country illegally. McKoy knows she is hiding something. Can he get Jillian to trust him? Jessie Gussman always creates unique storylines with intriguing characters. She works her magic to keep you engaged and guessing until the end.
I received this copy free from the author and am under no obligation to leave a review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am freely sharing my opinion.
This story had me laughing, crying, and sitting on the edge of my seat at various times. I loved the characters and situations…
Odd that he had it in his head that he was too boring and the girl, like me, thought he was dependable and trustworthy… respectable… responsible. Not at all bad things to be known as.
I love the characters see ALL there is to see in each other. They recognize the faults but feel the good qualities… and the chemistry… outweigh them.
Glad McKoy called Gator and asked how they worked out the long-distance relationship thing. Great advice.