Happy Trail

The main characters of Happy Trail, book one in the Park Rangers series, couldn’t be more different, not only in terms of the kind of lives they lead but also when it comes to their personalties and the situations they find themselves in when it comes to their respective family’s expectations.

Ranger Jay Daniels prefers silence over noise, nature over city life, solitude over chaos. He keeps to himself and revels in the quiet beauty of the Appalachian Trail and the peacefulness it provides him and the hikers who venture out on its trails.

Olive Perry has to be one of the most unlucky in love women around…case-in-point, the predicament she has to contend with, on her own, when her now ex-boyfriend ditches her on their hike, forcing her to venture on her own in an environment that’s unfamiliar, which is only compounded by the snow storm that forces her to bunk down with the intriguing but illusive park ranger.

I love a good slow burn romance…the build-up, the tension, and the attraction makes for great reading and pushes readers forward as quickly as possible, so they can witness when these two finally give into their chemistry and their feelings for one another that seemed to be present since their first interaction. Jay and Olive’s back and forth made for some humorous scenes and the fact that as soon as Olive was done with men, she would find someone who both frustrates her and makes her heart beat faster seems to be the kind of luck she has.

Amidst the pages of Happy Trail, readers will find societal issues explored that will definitely resonate with them; Jay’s struggle to truly fit in due to his mixed ethnicity and the pressure Olive feels when it comes to finding a man who her family approves of are two topics that many readers understand and perhaps even know firsthand those exact complications of life, and while I would have liked them to be fleshed out just a bit more, I love the fact that they’re addressed in the first place.

Any chance I get to return to Green Valley is one trip I’ll gladly take over and over again, and I’m so glad that SmartyPants Romance allows readers a plethora of those opportunities with the new series created in the Pennyverse. And, I’m excited to see which park ranger is up next and what kind of situation he finds himself in, both in nature and their personal lives as well.

4 Poison Apples

Favorite Quotes:

My parents each have four siblings. Big families are like living inside a circus run by the monkeys…

Tye had a strong aversion to the South, based solely on watching the movie Deliverance when he was nine during a sleepover with his older cousins. He also hated all banjo and fiddle music. Made me wonder if his cousins were also musical sadists.

Is there some sort of chemical stored in testicles, that compels men to explain things to women?

He has a drawl I automatically want to mimic. The slow pace of his words is molasses and I’m a housefly with a sugar addiction.

“You can keep the mayo, AKA the devil’s mucus.” Her eyes widen. “No, you’re one of those people.” “Exactly which kind of person am I?” I challenge, my tone playful. “The kind who hate mayonnaise.”

Smugness rarely looks good on anyone, but I think I wear it well.

My Review:

Happy Trails was a slow-burn romantic comedy with weather and hygiene challenged, mosquito-bitten, sore-footed, and socially awkward characters. Hikers are an odd breed and definitely not one I share a gene pool with, as I likes my creature comforts such as running water, ice, and high thread count sheets. While I wouldn’t have lasted for even a few miles or an afternoon of the intrepid Olive’s trek, I was well entertained by her adventure. Written in my favorite dual POV, the storylines were original and insightfully penned with well-crafted layers of angst, clever levity, and complicated yet endearingly quirky characters with a love of pop-tarts, a predilection that I also share.

Happy Trail was such a sweet and adorable read by Daisy Prescott. And believe it or not, this was my second read ever by Daisy and it was well overdue.

I loved sooo many elements of Olive and Jay’s story like the great outdoors, hiking, and punny bird jokes. My mister loves bird watching, so I was elated to share some of the jokes with him, he found them pheasantly amusing Cheesy, I know, whatever!

I gotta say that Olive was a bit tough for me to come around, I definitely wasn’t a huge fan of her in the beginning. But that all quickly changed as she continued solo-ing on the Appalachian Trail, which is is no easy feat! She changed sooo much by the end and I gained a new appreciation for her.

Ranger Jay, gotta love that man! A bit of a grumpy bear at first, but I loved his bit of quirkiness and his charm! I think it was insta-love for me!

With the few books that I’ve read for spin-offs in Penny Reid’s universe, they’ve been sweet and enjoyable reads. Happy Trail is more on the chill side of things and I didn’t mind one bit.

I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the Park Ranger series.

**I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY READER’S COPY FROM SOCIAL BUTTERFLY PR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR CONTENT OF MY REVIEW**

Daisy Prescott

Once I saw Daisy was writing in the Smartypants Romance and in Green Valley I might of jumped up and down but then I found out it was AT hiking and a park ranger, well I swooned hard core before I even opened this book. Also, I had super high expectations for this book as its my field on top of Green Valley. Well, ladies and gents this book knocks it out of the park (Great Smoky Mountains that is) and all the stars!

Olive starts the AT as her boyfriend wants to do it for the gram, and she follows along. But after some horrible moves on the boyfriend part, Olive starts to solo hike the AT. I was a little worried as well rich kid, no training but Daisy did so well writing this character I loved her for all the starting of the AT, she was super witty, smart, fell in love with birds, and went solo hiking. As a short trip female solo hiking she won over my heart!

Jay is a park ranger for the Great Smoky Mountains park and is sent out to get hikers off the trails for an upcoming snow storm. We learn he is biracial–half Japenese/ half white and fights with his whiteness compared to his sister and mother over the years. THANK YOU Daisy, for writing this character as its so needed not only in books but in the outdoors, it’s a talked about problem but not a lot of effort–a little bit lately is to get more people into the outdoor activities and especially into jobs in NPS/land base management as it has a race/economic/ect problem. Jay is so much like a ranger sometimes his comments just made me laugh; radio, not wanting to talk with people, his love for the outdoors and birds aka park geek! Even though he was a little rough around the edges, I so loved this man, I mean Book boyfriend times ten!

I just loved this story, I know some people don’t believe the 3 days stuck in a cabin and in love but trail magic people, it’s all that fresh air, nature, and I mean sleeping bag in front of a fireplace- oh it’s soo going to happen! But really it wasn’t fast it was an overall slow burn romance and just loved it! I mean the postcards!!! Olive is seriously one of my favorite characters in a while and had many laugh out loud moments while reading this. Daisy does an amazing job of bringing in Green Valley people and the feel of the place. GV aka the place that breeds bearded Hemsworth mountain men! I can NOT wait to see more of this series, and truly hope it’s like 10 books long! This book is one of my favorites of the year!!

4.5 Stars
This is the first book in a new series and it has me hooked. I gobbled this one right up. For what Olive goes through on the trail, more power to her because I don’t think I could have pushed on like her. I loved Olive and Jay. They may be opposites, but they fit each other like a puzzle. They have great chemistry and their banter was one of my favorite parts of the book. You feel for Jay because he feels like he doesn’t belong because of his heritage, but he does a lot of self growing in this book. This is a must read and I’m so looking forward to the next book in the series.

A funny, engaging and refreshing story that made me want to drop everything, pack a bag and filling this trail to happiness.

Daisy Prescott knows how to transport you into another place, with the vibrant scenery scenes, that breath of fresh air, when Olive would find that something meaningful above the material and crossing paths with the charming and sexy ranger, Jay Daniels who enjoyed the quietness and solitude of his life. Until her.

Olive was a woman who had some difficulties finding a balance in her love life. Seeing as a woman who couldn’t keep a relationship, she was trying to get out of that public image she couldn’t get rid of. The pressure of her family to keep their social status and reputation above her happiness. I liked this character who knew to be resourceful in every situation, who had such strength and stubbornness. A bit noisy and also so endearing.

Jay Daniels didn’t know what to expect with Olive, the snowbird that stumbled into his life, his peaceful and uncomplicated life. No strings attached, a wonderful job and keeping his feelings for himself not wanting to express them.

He had everything under control until he wasn’t really. Olive gave him some wildness to his planned life. That little something more he wasn’t aware of.

I adored their banter, from knowing perfectly how to push the buttons to flirting. The chemistry was off the charts and delightful. I liked how their differences bring them closer and also bringing the best in each other, to reveal their true colors and letting go. And that slow burn… oh my!

That trail wasn’t an easy one for sure for both of them, challenging and showing something unexpected along the way. A home and person they could rely on, a self discovery journey full of surprises, with endearing and charming characters.

I loved this book. It fit perfectly in with the Pennyverse (Penny Reid books). I liked Olive and Jay quite a bit. What happened to Olive made me upset but I guess if it didn’t happen things wouldn’t have turned out the way they did. I loved going on this heartwarming journey of discovery with them.
Definitely a must read.

I absolutely fell in love with this book. Ranger Jay Daniels, and Olive/Snowbird have such an incredible connection. Daisy Prescott’s writing was impeccable, she has such a lovely way with words. I don’t think I’ve even highlighted a book so much. I re-read passages, just savoring the words. This was a romantic comedy, with a slow burn aspect of it. Jay and Olive, might not have spent a lot of time together, but it was meaningful connection, and it felt true to their characters.

‘”It can be difficult to be authentic when you feel like an outsider among the people who are supposed to be your community.” “Any advice?” “Be true to yourself.” “Easier said than done.” I give him a weak smile. “Better than the alternative of leading a false life to appease the people whose opinions shouldn’t matter.” ‘

“Love is what gives our journey meaning. How we travel this winding trail of life and who walks beside us makes all the difference.”

I can’t wait to see where the next book in the series takes me. This book is another shining example of what Penny Reid and the Smartypants Romance group embodies. Inclusion, smart romance, diverse characters, love is love. Bravo!!

Overall Grade:

In a world where everything is categorized and posted on social media, where does one fit? How do we transcend the expectations of others? How do we find our space? Honestly, we do this by choosing ourselves over labels and societal expectations. This truth runs like a thread through fabric in Daisy Prescott’s Happy Trail: Park Ranger Book 1.

To begin with, as an author, Daisy Prescott is new to me. When I signed up to read ARCs for the SmartyPants books, I was most excited at the prospect of reading new authors. I was familiar with two of the other authors in the series. Their writing is some of my favorites, so I thought Penny Reid’s collection of authors would fall in the same vein as them. And I wasn’t wrong and I wasn’t disappointed by Daisy Prescott. From the outset of her newest book, I connected immediately with her storytelling. There is a flow to her words that grabs you and pulls you into the story of her hero and heroine. Even more, she crafts Park Ranger Jay and Olive as mysteries needing a slow unveiling. This pacing keeps the reader engaged, even though quite a bit of it is Jay and Olive simply talking and getting to know each other. Quite frankly, these two don’t physically connect until much later in the story. Prescott is careful to build their chemistry, heightening her readers’ interests in their happy ending. This is the gift of her story-telling.

Beyond Prescott’s craftsmanship of her storytelling, why should you read this book? Why did I love this book?

*Honestly, I learned from this book. I’m a West Coast gal. I live in California, and I have traveled, but there are parts of this nation that I have little information on. The Appalachian Trail is one of those places. I had no idea that people hike it over the course of several months. As I was reading Prescott’s story, I researched and followed along with Olive’s journey. I even thought about adding the feat of hiking the trail to my bucket list. Books should entertain us, but, more importantly, they should teach, engage, and challenge us. Happy Trail did this for me.
*Park Ranger Jay. Yep, I said it. The hero of Prescott’s story is a bit dreamy, albeit fairly crotchety. He has skills in nature that would make any reader swoon. Who doesn’t love a handsome, protective, nature adventurer/lover? Those are Jay’s outer qualities, the appearance of him. What makes his character important is his internal struggle. As a biracial man whose outward appearance allows him access to societal privilege, Jay is conflicted. He feels guilt over fitting into society as a white male while his mother and sister encounter judgment, and he fails to find his space in his Japanese heritage. Instead of creating his own space, Jay hides. He forgoes society to a large extent for nature because it allows him an escape from his battle. Prescott’s creation of Jay Is the depth of her storytelling. She illustrates the difficulty of finding your space when you don’t quite fit the societal box. Jay’s conflict is profound.
*Olive. Prescott’s heroine exemplifies the challenges of Millenials. Olive comes from a privileged affluent family. She has grown up with everything she’s ever wanted. With that, however, comes expectation. Her parents, her peers, her former loves require her to live a certain way. And she struggles with that, so much so that she becomes engaged six times and quickly breaks those engagements because they don’t fulfill a need deep in her soul. A boyfriend asks her to hike the Appalachian Trail, and she agrees because his offer entails hiking it comfortably. As their hike progresses, Olive feels like a fraud. When her situation changes, she decides to hike the trail with integrity, embracing the challenges of it. She adheres carefully to the trail life, forgoing the expectations of her society. In doing so, it’s freeing to her. When she meets Jay, he continues to challenge her, creating a connection between the two of them that is developed in their own expectations of each other. Prescott uses Olive’s character to challenge us to live our lives off the grid and away from societal notions.
*Olive and Jay together. These two find their own space in a short period of time. There is clear chemistry between the two of them from their meeting. What begins as disdain from Jay towards Olive quickly becomes admiration and physical electricity between the two of them. As much of their story unfolds, they grow this deep connection. It’s this connection that holds Prescott’s story together. These two struggle against the binds of their world, and, in doing so, they build a future together. Their happily ever after is one of the bests I’ve read recently because its images are stunning.

We all want to fit somewhere. Life is easier if we connect with someone who “sees” the real us. When we contend with someone else’s expectations about our lives for reasons beyond our control, life becomes harder. Daisy Prescott’s Happy Trail shows us the harmony that comes from creating our own space based on our own expectations. It beautifully reminds us that finding the person who accepts us as we are is the best type of love.

3.5 stars. Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott is the first book in the Park Ranger series, which is a spin off of the Winston Brothers series by Penny Reid and part of the Smartypants Romance world. This book focuses on Jay and Olive. Jay is a forest ranger in the Green Valley, TN area, where Drew Runous works. Olive is a rich socialite who has never been very outdoorsy, but when her boyfriend convinces her to hike the Appalachian trail with him, she’s game. But her trip goes wrong when her boyfriend dumps her, leaving her alone but determined to finish her months-long trek. Olive soon finds peace and an inner strength on the trail. At one point, a winter storm comes through and part of Jay’s ranger duties it to warn hikers of the weather and escort them to safety. He finds Olive and the storm has them spending time together in the woods, getting to know each other and finding a connection.

I liked Olive. She was found herself and matured as she hiked the trail. Jay was a little harder for me to like, at first. He was prickly and gruff, with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. I did like him by the end as his character grew some. Overall, I enjoyed this story. I just found that the first half was too slow. I understood why it needed to start off slowly, so that we could understand the characters, but it made it hard for me to connect to the story. Still, I liked the second half of the book much more. Once the story picked up and the couple started to get together, I thought they made a good match. There is a long separation that I didn’t totally love, but I was okay with the way everything wrapped up. I would have liked a little more concrete HEA and more resolution, as well. But I did enjoy the hiking tidbits included and learning about the Appalachian trail. I also enjoyed the glimpses of Green Valley and characters we already know from there.

Overall, Happy Trail was a pretty good book, if not my favorite by Ms. Prescott. I was happy to see Olive and Jay find happiness with each other. I like the idea for this series and I look forward to more from the rangers in the future!