A small-town judge meets her match in a rodeo star troublemaker, but soon they may both end up targets of the town’s matchmakers in this delightful and heartwarming tale of romance. Darcy Jones Harper is thrilled to have finally shed her reputation as the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. The people of Sunshine Valley have to respect her now that she’s the new town judge. But when the bad … But when the bad boy who broke her heart back in high school shows up in her courtroom, she realizes maybe things haven’t changed so much after all . . . because her pulse still races at the sight of him.
Jason Petrie wants to make amends for the mistakes of his youth–starting with the woman he never stopped loving. Darcy may not believe that he really intends to quit the bull riding circuit and stick around this time but Jason vows–with the help of the matchmaking Widows Club–to pull out all the stops to convince her that they both deserve a second chance.
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I have read all the books in this series, and loved all of them. I think this one is my favorite! I laughed so much while reading it and during this time of living in a stressed filled Covid virus world, I need laughter. Melinda Curtis has fast become one of my favorite authors since I discovered her a few years ago. She has the perfect blend of (clean) romance, humor and compassion in her books.
This book deals with many topics, but the main one is forgiving yourself before you can move forward in life. That is sometimes a difficult thing to do. Luckily, the Sunshine Valley Widows Club is very willing to help resolve difficult situations. The women of the widow’s group definitely have a place in my heart. I have went along with them on several quests in this series and I hope that the series will continue with more of their charm, wit and crazy plans.
I cannot write a review without mentioning the adorable little dog, Stogey, who is a central character and brings a lot of happiness to the story. A little unconditional furry love always is a blessing and he definitely lightens the mood of several scenes.
I preordered this book and also was very fortunate to receive the advance reader’s copy, so I was able to read before the publish date! I want to thank NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.
3.5
Darcy Jones Harper has always felt like an imposter. With a family known for swindling, stealing, and cheating, Darcy is the sole member who went in the opposite direction by studying to become a lawyer. Now, as the newly appointed judge in Sunshine, she fears people will see through the visage, especially since she was given the position by her deceased husband, whom she also married on a whim when she caught her long-time boyfriend, Jason, in a compromising position with another woman. As Darcy battles with her own self-worth and town rejection, she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to give Jason another chance as well as giving herself a chance as happiness.
Jason Petrie is a three time bull-riding champion who, after an injury, is starting to re-evaluate his future. A future, until recently, that he thought included Darcy – until she unexpectedly married her mentor George Harper. Now, Jason has a lot to make up for, and possibly just a little bit more growing up to do if he wants to convince Darcy to give him a second chance along with making sure she realizes how much she’s worth it all.
I did not read the first two books in this series. I felt like there were definitely some places where I maybe missed a bit of character setup – at least I hope that was the case because I definitely wanted a bit more from the Darcy and Jason relationship. They have supposedly been together since practically childhood – so a long time – yet in a somewhat rash decision Darcy marries someone else after she sees Jason kiss another woman on television after one of his shows.
When the book opens Darcy is a widow and Jason is trying to get her back. So all the conflict that happens between them has passed already. I don’t know if things unfolded more in a previous book or if it all happened off page. If the latter, if kept me from really feeling a connect between the betrayal that Darcy obviously felt enough that lead her to marry a much older man out of the blue. The other reasons behind the marriage are kind of strung along and just felt a bit…odd, I guess. Like we didn’t have so long to learn the full reasons for Darcy’s marriage or how her appointment to judge really kicked her imposter-syndrome into high-gear. But instead of maybe coming to the point on some of these matters a little more quickly we are strung along, and I felt like that meant there was less focus placed on Jason and Darcy really figuring out their relationship. They both obviously have things to work on individually in order for them to work out together, but I felt like enough focus wasn’t placed on getting them to that point. There were too many other things added to the mix, that in the end, to me, didn’t really change the story one way or another for better or worse.
I will say the shining point of the book for me focused on Bitsy, a member of the Widow’s Club – a group of widows who like to play matchmaker around town – and one of Darcy’s nemeses, Rupert. I really don’t think that there are enough romances that highlight finding love – or having crushes, or having romantic feelings – for older women – or men. Bitsy has been widowed three times and she’s starting to feel the “twitch” to get into a new relationship, but she’s also scared because she’s lost too many men that she’s loved. Plus, there’s the “unconventionality” that she’s an older women interested in a younger man. I enjoyed so much seeing Bitsy and Rupert kind of dance around each other. I would have gladly had them be the featured pair of the story, but I was so happy they were at least secondary, and I loved every point of view we got from Bitsy.
Despite feeling like the story got bogged down with too much going on, it really had some wonderful moments and when it got it right, boy, did it get it right. I loved seeing both Darcy and Jason grow up – for all intents and purposes. Seeing them really figure out what they wanted their lives to look like, and whether or not their lives could include each other. Working through their misgivings about themselves and their fears. Those were such highlights of the story and when Melinda Curtis hit these topics, she did so with such poignancy. I’m looking forward to going back and reading the other books in the series and acquainting myself more with the characters I met in this book. And I’m very interested to see who will feature next.
This was a really cute book. The Widows Club characters are an amusing group that never fail to make me smile with their antics. Sunshine is such a great setting with so many interesting secondary characters. Darcy and Jason were well developed characters, and I enjoyed them figuring out what their happily ever after should look like. My favorite character in this book though was Stogey. I laughed many times at Stogey and his issues, he provided a lot of comic relief in this book! Looking forward to more books in this series! This is an honest review of an ARC I received from netgalley.
More of a 3.5 stars
We are back in Sunshine Valley and the WIdows Club. A group of matchmaking ladies that whether it’s true or not, credit themselves for bringing together a few of the couples in town.
In this third book in the series, the story belongs Darcy Jones Harper and Jason Petrie .
These two have a long history but when things were looking up, a televised kiss with the wrong woman destroyed the relationship.
After that , Darcy, who grew up on the wrong side of the track with parents that were less than stellar, accepts the marriage proposal of her much older mentor. A man well respected and the town’s judge. Few knew that it was mainly to help the man in his final hours. Now a widow, she is shocked when she is appointed the new judge in town. A town she feels doesn’t respect her.
Nowadays, Jason, a three time world champion bull rider, is back home recovering , expanding his business but mostly trying to get back the woman he loves. Plus he has unexpected news for Darcy. If it’s true, how will this news affect their professional and personal future?
I have to confess that whileI enjoyed the previous books in the series, this one just didn’t work for me. Though at times entertaining, it didn’t grasp my interest as the others did.
For me, the plot was ok, and Jason was I character I enjoyed , but I never warmed up to Darcy.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Second Chance for Childhood Sweethearts.
Darcy Jones is devastated when her bull riding long term boyfriend kisses another woman on prime time television and promptly marries her mentor, a man old enough to be her grandfather. After his death a year later, she unexpectedly finds herself made interim judge of the town and facing a hostile crowd of townspeople, more experienced lawyers and court officials. The last thing she needs is her ex telling her she might have unknowingly committed a crime and her con artist mother showering her with approval.
This small town romance is a lot of fun, with lots of interesting characters and muddles that need to be straightened. Whilst one in a series it can be read as a standalone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dream A Little Dream by Melinda Curtis is the third book in her Sunshine Valley series. The Sunshine Valley Widows Club board members have a reputation of matchmaking. They have been known to go to some crazy lengths to make their planned match. I’m not so sure the Women’s Club board should get the credit with Darcy Jones Harper and Jason Petrie. I’d give them second place since they did help a lot but I feel Jason should take first place. He was determined to win back Darcy. I loved the conflict in this story and the resolution was spot on. The shenanigans of the Widows Club board members were fun to read about. Those women are quite the characters. I liked the way Darcy realized her self-worth which had been an impediment to her relationship with Jason. Jason’s determination to win Darcy was sweet. This is a fun series. I look forward to more matchmaking by the Widows Club.
The Matchmaking Widows Club is at it again. I really enjoy a good matchmaking book and this was definitely one! Darcy Harper finds herself as the new town judge and crosses paths with her old high school flame. It’s a sure bet the matchmakers will get involved with this one!
This is a really engaging story and I found myself quickly and totally absorbed in all the goings on including Darcy’s deceased husband George, who seems to be actively involved in Darcy’s life.
It is a very enjoyable book that keeps you turning pages to see what happens next. If it isn’t already on your TBR pile, it definitely should be. Lots of good reading here.
I received an ebook copy from the author. All thoughts are my own.
We are back in Sunshine Valley and the Matchmaking Widows have their sights on Darcy and Jason. Of course the path to love isn’t smooth though! For one thing, Darcy’s life is a mess! She’s just been appointed judge on the recommendation of her dead husband (the former judge who she only married because he was her mentor and he was near death) but no one respects her, especially her stepsons, and she’s completely shocked at this appointment! Not only that, she has a ton of other things going on, including a needy dog! Jason only wants Darcy – it’s been that way since their youth – so he’s totally on board with the Widows! Bringing Darcy around to his way of thinking will be a challenge but he’s not a champion bull rider for nothing – he’s going to do this! Come meet the crazy characters in Sunshine Valley. You never know what’s going to happen!