Bright Star Ranch led him to her–but will he stay?Josh Lake is forced to head home for the holidays after he’s suspended from his job in the city, but running into Paisley Sheridan could be exactly what he needed. Not only does she board him at her ranch in exchange for his advertising expertise, but spending the Christmas season with her in Big Sky, Montana, brings more joy than he’s felt in a … felt in a long while. Is he willing to give up the lavish lifestyle he’s worked for in exchange for the gift of love?
The last thing Paisley wants for Christmas is to spend time with Josh Lake—the guy who broke her heart in high school—but until her bank loan goes through, she has to take all the free help she can get. Unfortunately, Josh seems to want back in her life again, and the town’s quirky coffee shop owners don’t help by hanging mistletoe at every opportunity. Will Paisley succeed in driving him away, or will she find the healing needed to have hope for a future together?
more
Soul-satisfying romance, laugh out loud humor, and characters so real they visited me in my dreams! The comebacks and the cast of minor characters probably gave me the most laughs, but the main characters really had that toe-curling chemistry I expect from this author’s books. Loved it!
This story has everything a romance reader wants: lovable characters, a breathtaking setting, and a real-life problem that threatens to steal any chance of a happily-ever-after. Paisley and Josh are both recovering from broken engagements and life challenges. But although Josh is transparent about his problems, Paisley hides her secret in the hopes of protecting her heart.
I really appreciate how Strong doesn’t gloss over these characters’ problems or try to patch them up with an easy 1-2-3 fix. The truth is that we live in a broken world, and sometimes, our dreams won’t look the way we had initially hoped. But the story presents the hope that even still, God is good and wants good things for His children.
I love everything about this book! Paisley and Josh, and every character in the town, are people I would want to know in real life. The emotions & struggles are real, and are a huge part of why this story is so great. Even the way they choose to live life is realistic, rising above their own circumstances. Paisley is amazing! Knowing what she’s been through and reading how she continually picks herself up & keeps going forward is inspirational. Each book in this series is uplifting and I want to savor the parts that speak directly to my soul.
Lies, either told to us by others, or by ourselves, can be very damaging. They create emotional wounds which can last our whole life if we allow them to.
In this story, the main characters deal with lies and self-doubt. They both feel unworthy because of situations in their pasts.
The author, Angela Ruth Strong, has written a beautiful story set in a very picturesque snow-covered place. It takes us to the hills and farmlands of Montana. In a time of the year which brings out the warm cuddly feelings – Christmas time.
However, in this tale, things aren’t as warm and cuddly as the main characters would like. They come up against some strong feelings and must fight to truly see what a treasure they are to each other. They also learn to finally see God’s “bright star” and direction for their lives.
This book had many fun humorous parts and some very deep parts. There were times I cried and times I laughed out loud. I loved all the banter between Josh and Paisley, and the fun antics of Sam the younger brother. Two other characters who were a delight to read about were Dot and Annabel. Oh, to be like them as I grow older! They are rich in life and God’s goodness.
This book is part of a series of books of, “Finding Love in . . .” Now I can’t wait to read all the other books in this series.
Angela Ruth Strong is a wonderful author and has written many delightful books. Check out her other books. Some recent ones will leave you wanting more coffee!
I received this book from the author for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
A favorite among Angela Ruth Strong’s Finding Love series. A strong female lead and a man with a big heart. Quirky extras and a romance as big as the Montana sky.
Paisley and Josh are great protagonists in Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana! You will admire Paisley as she tries to get a camp for kids going on the property she inherited from her grandfather. Josh doesn’t start out so great but you may fall in love with him before the book is over! Paisley learns she may be loveable after all! The quirky older ladies at The Coffee Cottage add to the fun. Winter, snow and romance are on the way! I recommend Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana to others. I received a complimentary e-book from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana by Angela Ruth Strong
Could the very thing she was running from be the very thing she needed?
My rating is 4.5 stars
Josh spent years of his life looking for the “perfect” woman. He had finally settled for good enough when his fiancée pulled the rug out from under his feet and dumped him. That and the fact he had lost his job had him heading home from Chicago with his tail between his legs.
I really liked Josh, despite my initial impression. Well, Paisley’s impression that I accepted as fact. Sort of. Yes, he was a little overconfident in his charm. Yes, he had been a bit of a player – or so it seemed, but his heart was big and he was so kind. Not many men would surrender their condo to the woman who dumped them because she didn’t have anywhere else to stay.
My heart ached for Paisley. She had been rejected by her father in the worst possible way and she dealt with his verbal abuse for most of her life. He was a real jerk – only to her, though – everyone else thought he was wonderful. As an only child with her mother and grandparents dead, she felt very much alone and longed for a close friend. She had a big secret that added to her sense of not being valuable. . . Josh was a thorn in her side. She had loved him when they were teenagers and when he started flirting with her now, she was terrified of giving in to him. Afraid he would break her heart again.
I loved the cheesy pickup lines he used, especially at the beginning of the story. And the way they were woven throughout. My favorite was the one he used at the end – which I can’t tell you about, because it would be a spoiler. Just believe me when I tell you it was good.
The story dealt with some serious heart issues yet sprinkled with humor I cracked up when Paisley and Josh first went horseback riding. Oh, and at their “ice-skating” competition on the pond! Dot and Annabel, the elderly women who owned the cafe, were quite eccentric and so much fun!
Read at AmongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Angela Ruth Strong for giving me a copy of this book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
It’s been a long time since an author has made me laugh so much and for so long. I was immediately drawn in by the antics of Dot and Annabel, sweet coffee shop proprietors who have a knack for brewing up laughs as well as love. Each time they made an appearance I felt guaranteed a giggle due to their mischievous attempts at playing matchmaker for Paisley Sheridan and Josh Lake.
High school acquaintances, Josh and Paisley meet again at a time in their lives where they are both in transition. Paisley has inherited her grandfathers ranch which she plans to turn into a Christian retreat and kid’s camp. Josh having been temporarily suspended from his successful career as an ad agent, finds himself with little money and a lot of time. Together they begin marketing the ranch, hosting birthday parties, sleigh rides, and ice skating events. Strong gives her readers everything they need to envision a wintry Montana wonderland. While the book opens as a light-hearted contemporary romance, she gradually introduces more profound messages about healing emotional scars and discovery our true worth in the eyes of God.
As a new reader, I couldn’t help but notice Strong’s affinity for 2 and 3 word sentences. This tended to create a staccato cadence as I read. Written in the third person point of view, readers are always in tune to what her character’s are thinking. Never was this more apparent than in chapters 22-24 when Josh and Paisley wrestle with major decisions about their futures. Overall, Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana is a heart-warming, and at times hilarious, contemporary romance with nice tie-ins to the Advent season.
Christian Shelf-Esteem received a book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255 Guidelines, concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.
“Jesus was the answer. And focusing on the answer always made the problems seem smaller.”
Josh Lake has just lost his high powered marketing job and has come to Big Sky, Montana on his way to his family’s home. He runs into Paisley Sheridan, who runs a ranch left to her by her grandfather. She has big dreams for the ranch and having Josh hanging around is not one of them. He kissed her at a prom and disappeared, acting like it meant nothing. She definitely doesn’t need him hanging around. But…Josh is broke and needs a job. She needs help on the ranch because she wants to open it up for sleigh rides and other activities for kids. She ‘does’ need a ranch hand. Josh can do much more than just be a ranch hand. His marketing background gives Paisley’s ranch a jump start. Paisley still doesn’t want him around, but she is trying to be nice.
Watching these two skirt around each other was so much fun. They have feelings for each other but neither will admit it. Both have been searching for something and have no idea that it was each other! I loved this book. I purely loved it. And the two quirky sisters who run the local coffee shop were absolutely precious! Loved those gals.
The spiritual aspect of this book was great and was not hidden, either. I love it when an author is not afraid to show Jesus to her readers. Bravo!
*My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. My opinions stated here are entirely my own.
Our lives can change in an instant. Some relationships can be forgotten and then, renewed again later in life. This is a beautiful, touching story of love lost, love found and God’s love for all of us. Paisley and Josh go through many trials and find each other again. A love story that made me laugh, cry and cheer on the characters. Author Angela Ruth Strong has written another heartwarming story.