An emotional friends to lovers romance full of risky secrets and late-night lessons in seduction.
Dylan is my best friend, and the only person in my life who understands me. He doesn’t mind my social awkwardness or my weird history. The only glitch? He doesn’t know that I’ve been hopelessly, desperately in love with him since the first day we picked apples together in his family’s orchard.But I … family’s orchard.
But I know better than to confess.
Now that I’ve joined him at college, I’m seeing a new side of him. This Dylan drinks and has a lot of sex. None of it with me.
Until the moment I foolishly ask him to tutor me in more than algebra…and he actually says yes.
One crazy night sets our friendship on fire. But now my heart lies in ashes, and nothing will ever be the same again.
Heartland is a standalone college romance set in the True North world. Expect: a young, broody farmer, a giant crush, tasty caramels, cute goats and late night confessions.
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REVIEW: 3.5+ STARS
“I feel evil every time I notice her curves, or have the urge to taste her smile.”
I have loved the True North series since the very first one I picked up. With each one, I’ve been lucky to fall in love with not only the characters, but the writing as well. Sarina Bowen is definitely an author I enjoy and this series sits high on my recommend list. Chastity and Dylan’s story was all sorts of innocence and mistaken communication, learning and fumbling. It was also an exercise in patience as well as understanding….for me.
Once again, I’m reminded of how an innocent love can blossom in a seemingly improbable world. With me enjoying the angsty side of a story more than a sweet side, this one sat comfortably on the sweet seat. When I wanted to hurry it up and soak in their attraction and revel in their chemistry, they kept the pace slow and cozy and made their way that best fit them. Equally frustrating yet satisfying. But very important.
“In my heart I’ve always been a rebel.”
Chastity had a very basic, almost rudimentary understanding of the outside world based on where she came from, so she was very innocent, but knew what she was feeling – I liked that about her. That strength in who she was and what she felt was liberating. She had an honest level of immaturity – and it fit for her circumstance, which allowed a lot of her curiosity to play out accordingly. I did have a hard time reconciling some of her naivety with her actions, but nothing that wasn’t easily explained.
“Talking about sex is probably my fifth favorite hobby.”
Dylan, my gosh – poor Dylan. His world held such a heavy breath that I wasn’t too sure how he held his head up. I loved him. His actions and reactions all fit in accordance to his pain he held, which in turn explains how this whole thing went down. He is such a playful young man and I loved his demeanor and the way he carried himself in the world.
When they were together – FIRE. Their chemistry seriously rocked the pages. It was definitely a sweet, sweet romance with lots of reward and discovery between them, so that was very satisfying to read and it’s what kept me in the book. I loved their story. but when they were not together or not having actual discussions….I was bored out of my mind. I hate saying that because I absolutely love her writing, but I just struggled with the lack of flair that the words carried throughout the first half of the book. This one felt more stiff. She usually has more of a ‘lean’ to her words; a more relaxed flow. I am not saying this was a forced narrative, because in the entire time I’ve been reading her, she has never once had a forced story, but it just felt more stiff. I love her voice, I love her canter, I love the way she writes. This one just felt different. I honestly loved their story and enjoyed watching them fall in love.
Communication, or the lack thereof, was a key source of frustration. While I can understand why it happens in this scenario, the noncommunication is overplayed and underwhelming and I struggled with it the most. It added a sense of *drag* to the story for me, which was difficult because I LOVE her words and they are usually alive with emotion. This one didn’t have that flair, and it felt pretty one dimensional but I will admit, this story took a tremendous leap around 66% and it was smooth sailing from there on out. I think the part that kept me going was the fact that Chass and Dylan had palpable chemistry. It was amazing when they were on the page together, talking or working together, because that electricity was alive and I couldn’t stop soaking in their attraction.
This was a very slow, very paced read. I admit to having a hard time with slower reads, but I know that is solely a me thing. I need to keep in mind that this is truly their world and I’m just a visitor. So these two, they take things slower. Their pace in life is more relaxed and chill, so it would do me good to recognize that for what it is. And Sarina is good at giving me a pretty accurate read in a book. So the speed set aside, I really enjoyed their love story. The joy they gave me, the love they showed me, it all worked in the end and I walked away with a smile.
Bowen’s words always dance and tell me a story, so even if this one seemed to lack her usual flair for me, it still worked. I’m not sure if it was a me-mood thing, or the actual writing, but it wasn’t as exciting. Not bad! I promise, but it wasn’t the norm for me. This is not a negative review by any means. It was so close to being a full 4 stars, but with the struggle from the beginning, it just made me sad. It’s so hard to feel this way, especially when I loved the characters individually, and the story as a whole and usually enjoy the author.
I loved catching up with the entire Shipley family, and seeing their dynamic play out over the pages was definitely a trip down memory lane. Putting all their stories together in the outline of this one was fun. The nice thing is, once again, she effortlessly tells a standalone story within a series and you are not missing a thing. Bowen’s always good for a guaranteed entertaining story ripe with quality family time, lessons learned, and a love worth exploring. Oh, and I want Rickie’s story!!!
“Kissing her makes me feel wild.”
~BEE
Dylan Shipley. We all remember him from his siblings’ stories!
And Chastity – we remember her too. Two years ago – with only 19 – she escaped the same cult that the Shipley’s neighbors Leah & Isaac escaped from some years before.
Now both Dylan and Chastity are away at college.
Chastity has kinda been in love with Dylan forever. But Dylan is not one for relationships. He’s twenty and away at college – and he wants to live like that too. Girls, booze, pot.
Chastity is his best friend and his new business partner too. And she’s incredibly pretty. But what would she want with a player like him. Plus they’re both still way too young for something serious! Right?
What will happen to Chastity & Dylan?
Will there be a Happily Ever After?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
Chastity & Dylan!
This book was just as beautiful and adorable and funny and sweet and sexy and heartbreaking and farmish and Vermontish as the other books in this amazing series!
I adored Dylan and Chastity.
The poor girl missed out on so much growing up in that horrible cult!
And she wants allll the things now. Chocolate. Netflix. Sex. Dylan.
And poor Dylan wants all that too – but he wasn’t thinking about a serious relationship with his best friend from back home. He’s too young and she’s his best friend. His family would kill him!
Adorable!
I loved this book. I loved alll the people – the Shipley’s and the neighbors and Dylan’s roommate Rickie! I so need to read his book next please!
(Did anyone else get massive Win from the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben vibes from Rickie??)
I never want this series to end!
What more can I say. I just love this series. I loved this 7th story. And I need these books to be on Netflix asap! PLEASE!
If I had to find something I didn’t love? The cover. That guy is way too muscly for my tastes! And that face does not fit the body. Dylan is muscly, yes, and yes, he is only 20, but this face looks like that of a 14 year old little boy and the young Schwarzenegger body plus that face is just too much in my opinion. I don’t like it at allll! Most of the covers in this series look like these books are shapeshifter vampire romances!
BUT – I ADORE this series! I love the books, the characters, the stories. Just not the covers. I really love the different colors for each book, but most of the people on it and the dark woods – not my thing! But that’s just my personal opinion – don’t mind my weird taste – most readers will either love the covers or they just don’t care about book covers at all!
HEARTLAND was such an adorable & beautiful & funny & sexy & collegy & vermonty & farmy & goaty love story! I adored every little thing about it! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Dylan – he’ll be sold out in no time!!!
I love the True North series by Sarina, and Dylan Shipley’s story was well worth the wait! Definitely a must read!
OH my, to be back at Shipley Farm … *happy sigh*
This series has been a hit for me from the beginning. I’ve read some of these books on more than one occasion. Some have reviews and some don’t but who cares LOL I’ve loved them all in their own way. Heartland sits in my heart because Chastity ran right to it and sat herself down on it and never got up! What a great character Sarina developed for us. Her story is real. It may not be relatable to me, but it’s a reality to a lot of people out there and she was developed with respect to the plight. Her growth throughout the story was exponential and her journey with Dylan was emotional with just about as much drama as I can handle LOL << That's on Dylan. He tested me repeatedly for a good while at the beginning of this story but I stayed with him and it was worth it! I want to be clear about something tho, Dylan's character was exactly who he was supposed to be. It was age appropriate, if you will. That age just happens to grate on every cell of my being LOL If you've read this series from the beginning, you know that some of the stories are not as emotionally driven as others. This one was Indy 500 emotionally driven for me. Some may not find it as emotional as I did, but you're gonna need some tissues regardless! If you're looking for a story of growth and family and acceptance and moving past and forward ... go forth and enjoy!!
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So, “Welcome” to another book in the True North Collection. I think this is book eight in this series of stand-alone’s. (Whispers) I have only read three of the stories. Oops! After this one I plan to go back and fix that… Wink! u2063
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*Big Breath* Ok Chastity, our heroine, is so wonderfully real. She has this inspirational fragile yet resilient feel to her. Yes maybe that sounds like a oxymoron but if you read this story you would agree. She has come from a cult and works hard at trying to let go of that past. The abusive scripts she was raised hearing and living are something she fights against often. u2063
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OMG poor misunderstood Dylan kept me intrigued. He keeps his heart hidden frequently though his friendship and care of Chastity is special to experience. His dynamic with his siblings and mom add such flavor to this story. u2063
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Both of these characters are in college together and try to support each other. Chastity crush on Dylan is sweet. Dylan’s quiet interest in her is yummy. Haha.u2063
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This story has so many layers and I feel like I am rambling. I don’t want to say much more about the storyline. The beauty is in experiencing it yourself. It is filled with family, friends, romance, and strong emotion in all the right places. u2063
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Let me give you some words that show the beauty but keep the vagueness I want you to have in my review. (Did I mention I hate spoilers) u2063
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Sigh! So amazing. Don’t mind me as I sit here reliving this book’s telling. u2063
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Love this five star storyline. Happy Reading Everyone! XOXO.
I don’t know what it was about this book but god it had drawn into the story and i loved being back in Vermont with our favourite farmers.
I loved learning more about Dylan and the heartache that he carried around regarding his father and reading what made him tick he was a fun loving guy who lived one day at a time, but he just needed to grow up that little bit more and of course Chastity was the perfect person.
I loved that Chastity was innocent but not as innocent as you thought she would be, being that she escaped a cult she had a lot to learn but one thing she didn’t have to learn was her feelings for Dylan.
I loved this story of friends to lovers with a few moments where i waited to shake the crap out of Dylan but i really loved how this story unfolded. Sarina Bowen’s writing again was amazing and i loved the fact we got the Shipley family all in there sticking their noses in and making us laugh.
If your a fan of this series you will not be disappointed absolutely loved it and if you haven’t started this series yet get in to it it’s so awesome.
The Dylan Effect will melt your Heart
Every time I read one of Sarina Bowen’s books I feel happiness. It doesn’t even matter if it’s for the first or the eleventh time. I find myself rereading them often because her kind of magic can’t be found anywhere else. I love her words so much. They are so beautiful and carry so much weight but seem also light. Her stories are the kind of awesome you want to devour as fast as possible and hope they never end at the same time.
Heartland is the 7th book in The True North Series. It’s a complete standalone, so it can be fully enjoyed without reading the previous books in the series, though I encourage everyone to read them, because they are freaking awesome and so worth reading.
Everything about Heartland is perfect, starting with the title. It’s definitely full of Heart—heartfelt, heartbreaking, and heart-melting. I loved the relationship between Chastity and Dylan as friends, and how it evolves from there. I enjoyed their banter, their chemistry, and the story itself. I also appreciate the secondary characters, some of them brand new, and how much they add to the story.
I also really enjoyed the family aspect of the story. I love the Shipley family, they’re great people and it’s always fun to spend time with them, but they have as many issues as other families have. In this case, the relationship between Dylan and Griffin added layers and complexity not only to Dylan’s character, but also the story. And you could say the same about the bond between Chastity and Leah.
All in all, Heartland is a beautiful story about friendship, family, love, and loss. As always, the writing is flawless, fluid, and compelling, and it will leave you spellbound and breathless. It’s definitely an emotional story with some angst, lovable and relatable characters, fun banter, and intense and explosive chemistry. It is completely unputdownable and it will—without a doubt—leave you wanting more. And just between us, I can’t wait for whatever happens next.
Heartland is Sarina Bowen at her best, so I would give it all the stars in the sky because I loved it so much. It is that good.
So, welcome back to Vermont!
Another great addition to this series. I want to move to Vermont and start brewing cider, whipping up caramel, making goat cheese, and (most of all) snag me a Shipley after reading every one of Sarina Bowen’s books in the True North series. Keep them coming!
God I love going back to Vermont and catching up with the Shipley siblings. I think Sarina Bowen has just got me so hooked on this whole series. Every single time I pick one of these books up my mind just races in all of these different directions while my heart just melts.
I honestly can’t really remember much about Dylan. No offense to him but he was just one of the background characters in his siblings stories and I was so invested in their story I overlooked him back there. I do remember Chastity but only because I was so impressed with the bravery it would take to flee the only home she’s known and flee into the unknown.
And my opinion of her bravery was only reinforced in this book. She was so inexperienced in the world but she was determined to live her life and not wallow in the past. I loved that she wasn’t afraid to be different but she didn’t want sympathy she just wanted to live life happy and free.
Dylan was a little harder for me. I loved him even when I wanted to slap him. He was such a clueless idiot but he wasn’t thoughtless and for me that made all the difference. He went through his own tragedies but he dealt with them by laughing and having a good time so no-one knew how deeply everything affected him until he couldn’t deal with it.
And while I loved their story and their connection I also loved the rest of the story just as much. I can’t believe Leah and Isaac are leaving and going back to Wyoming. I need more of that story. I need the cult escapees and an update on the people still at Paradise Ranch. I also need Rickie’s story yesterday but I am hoping we will get all of that in Daphne’s story.
I hate to get to the end of this book and have to wait to get my next installment even if they are seriously worth the wait.
I just adore all the books in Sarina Bowen’s True North series and Heartland is no different. There’s a swoony hero, a leading lady you’ll want to be best friends with, descriptions of amazing food that will have your stomach growling, and a love story for the ages.
Dylan, the youngest of the 4 Shipley siblings, is away at college. He is loving his new fond independence, but is still under the stress of responsibility from his family’s farm. And feeling the weight of guilt that might not even be his to carry. So what if Dylan likes to make himself feel better by partying it up with beautiful women?
Chastity hasn’t had the easiest- or most normal- life. She grew up in a religious cult. After finally escaping a few years earlier, Chastity was taken in by Isaac and Leah, and is just starting to live her life. She’s struggling in school, but is fortunate enough to have the support of her best friend, Dylan. Unfortunately, Chastity has been in love with Dylan since she first laid eyes on him. So while she’s loving being closer to him while they are away at college, she also has to watch Dylan drink and smoke and be intimate with girls that are not her.
Because there is no way that Dylan feels the same way. Right?
First and foremost, I LOVE the friendship the two of them have. Dylan is very overprotective about Chastity, and puts her in front of everyone else. They just have this effortless connection. They simply get each other like no one else does. And when they finally cross that line from friends to more- get ready for fireworks. Serious fireworks. It’s a delicious slow burn that is steamy, romantic, angsty and may cause your kindle to melt just a little bit.
And of course, it was great to see everyone else from previous books. Going back to the Shipley farm kind of feels like going home. I particularly love the evolving relationship that Dylan has with his brother, Griffin.
All in all Dylan and Chastity’s book was everything that I hoped it would be, and more!
Note: Every book in this series can be read completely as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading them all!
Heartland was such a good read.
Even if it is the seventh book in the True North series it is just as good as the previous ones.
Sarina Bowen’s writing is always wonderful and she has such a beautiful way wording also the most despicable actions, and in this series you can feel all her love for Vermont and its landscapes.
Dylan and Chastity are friends but their lives experiences couldn’t be more different.He lived at his family farm sorrounded by love and attentions, while she grew up in a religious cult where women especially young girls were useful to serve their fathers and get ready to be one of the wives of the older men. But now after she ran away from the compound and found some peace helped by other runaways Chastity is ready to start College with her friend and crush Dylan Shipley.
I loved these characters and their journey from friends to lovers,even if it takes Dylan some time to realise that he has to stop avoiding responsibility and to take some risks in order to be happy and to get Chastity.
I hope there is an eighth book in this series because I’d like to know more about a certein twin sister and a psychology student.
This is another emotional rollercoaster with all the feels, just like the other True North books are. I bawled a bit at one point. You know that ugly kind of crying involving snot. But luckily, there’s a happily ever after in the very end.
I loved this story. And it had me quite emotional since I was immediately invested in the characters. But then again, pulling readers in is the trademark of talented authors and Bowen is a fantastic storyteller.
Basically, Heartland is the perfect friends-to-lovers story. There’s the first love, and… lots of other firsts as well. Meaning, there’s steam and delicious sexytimes. For a farm-boy, Dylan has a surprisingly dirty mind. Which is awesome of course. The beginning of the story was a bit angst-y though. The minor detail of Dylan already having a girlfriend in the start of the book was quite unsettling.
I stand by my opinion that you’re never too old for a great College romance. However, as I’m now well passed that age myself, I tend to notice aspects of a story that I probably wouldn’t have when I was younger. So I can’t possibly write this review without mentioning the dichotomy of Dylan’s behaviour. He’s a 20-year old, highly sexed dreamboat who keeps messing up and putting his foot in his mouth whenever he’s talking to Chastity. But he has these long, very mature and insightful discussions with his roommate. So Dylan acting stupid when he clearly isn’t was really frustrating. Disturbingly so. But then again, that’s what happens when you’re engaged in a story.
And also, two College-aged guys talking about feelings, love and whatnot? It lowers the realism if you know what I mean. Not that it matters one bit of course. It’s still an awesome read!
So to sum things up. Heartland is a warm, fuzzy, sexy, angst-y romance with a happily ever after. So very, very readable!
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blog.se/
* A review copy was provided by the author *
This is my first Sarina Bowen novel and I truly enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more of this series and her other books out there.
I love a good friends to lovers story and this one was a truly entertaining one.
The only thing I didn’t really like about this story, was that it reminded me why I am not a huge fan of the New Adult set in a college setting book. There were some behaviors by some of the characters and especially Dylan that I couldn’t help rolling my eyes over. It’s the normal stuff we see in this genre of book…..excess drinking, drugs and the typical playboy. I felt that some of this was a little over the top. There were some times I almost gave up on this book, but I am really glad I didn’t. It turned out to be a really great story.
Now that I got what I didn’t really like about the story, I will go on and tell you what I did. Like I said even with my above statement, I enjoyed this book. There were some funny moments, sweet and swoony moments and some really HOT moments. I love when a book can draw out all of my emotions and this story did just that. I loved the unique bond that Chastity and Dylan had. They truly saw each other for who they were, they complete understood each other. Even if at times, it was heartbreaking.
Heartland is the 7th book in the True North series by Sarina Bowen, but it can be read as a complete standalone. Like I said this was the first book I have read by this author and I didn’t feel lost at all starting this series with book 7. Sarina did a fantastic job filling in the blanks from the past books in regards to the Shipley family. This book is told in Dual POV. I thought the flow and pace worked well for Chastity and Dylan. This story moved right along, which I really liked.
We follow Chastity and Dylan in this story. Chastity is a social awkward 21 year who is just starting college. She had a weird and heartbreaking past, but Dylan was ok with it all and accepted her for who she is. Dylan is college playboy who has struggled with some past regret and guilt, so he is not one for long term commitment and showing serious feelings. He likes to keep things casual. What he doesn’t know is that Chastity is secretly in love with him. So color him surprised when Chastity makes a move and goes for what she wants….Dylan. Can these two friends really get out of the friend zone?? Can Dylan finally move past his guilt and open his heart to Chastity? Will they get their HEA?? Read this book to find out.
I would recommend this book to all lovers of a friends to lovers romance and if you are a fan of the New Adult genre, then this is one that would be right up your alley. I look forward to reading more of this series and more of Sarina’s books.
**4.5 Stars**
This has always been my favorite series by Sarina Bowen and Heartland has continued that with a lovely friends to lovers romance between Dylan and Chastity.
Dylan Shipley doesn’t really know what he wants to do in the future and is more focused on the here and now, and long-term relationships really aren’t his thing. In fact, he is currently in his very first relationship and it is still somewhat casual.
Chastity escaped a cult when she was seventeen and traveled across the country alone where she found refuge with another couple who had previously escaped. Her life until now has been sheltered to say the least, but she wants to experience normal college things and normal teenaged things and she wants that with her best friend Dylan.
I really enjoyed the slow burn, friends to lovers aspect of this book, and reading about both Dylan and Chastity’s struggle with whether to move out of the friend zone. The chemistry between them was definitely of the charts STEAMY!!! I really enjoyed the scenes with the others in the Shipley family as I have really enjoyed this whole series. I would definitely recommend this book. I really enjoyed these characters and this story line.
4.5 stars
Fans of the True North series have been waiting for Dylan Shipley’s story since we have basically watched him mature into a young man. He is in college now and having to split time between helping at the family farm on weekends and living the college party life. At home, he is a hard worker, and at school, he lets loose with alcohol, pot, and lots of women.
Chastity has been his friend for a few years when she ran away from a cult and moved in with neighbors, Isaac and Leah. He has enjoyed introducing her to mainstream life and has been supportive of her while she has also started attending college with him. And of course, she has a hidden crush on him.
Due to some circumstances, she finds herself getting more jealous. And then as they spend more time together in close quarters, some impure thoughts start surfacing on his side. But Chastity is his friend, a family friend, his new business partner, and innocent. He knows he has no business treating her like other women and he knows he does not deserve her. But will that stop him from acting on his urges? And would she want him to stop?
I liked that even though Chastity was sheltered and innocent, she was also curious, smart, and wanted to try new things. She had a mind of her own, but also had some insecurities. Dylan had a lot of unresolved issues causing him guilt and pain and used poor coping mechanisms. They had a lot going for them, but also several challenges working against them. But I loved these two together.
This series always feels like coming home. We get to visit with the Shipleys and Leah and Isaac in Tuxbury. There are some family issues also adding layers to the plot. We also meet their friends at college. I really loved his quirky but intelligent roommate, Rickie and am interested in seeing more of this college crew. I am also looking forward to Dylan’s snarky twin, Daphne’s story as well.
description
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Dylan Shipley is your typical twenty-year-old guy away at college, he wants to booze it up and hook up. Chastity is trying to learn to live away from the cult she escaped from a few years ago. Dylan is her best friend, and also her algebra tutor. What Dylan doesn’t know is that Chastity has harbored a crush on him for years, but he’s never given her the time of day. One-night Chastity puts herself out there and asks for Dylan to ‘tutor’ her in other ways, and when he agrees she is more than willing. However, when daylight hits and the reality of what they’ve done sets in, they both have to ask themselves, was what they did worth the risk to their friendship? But more importantly, what happens for them next?
This is one of my favorite series from Sarina Bowen, and I’ve read every book that she has published. I love the family aspect of this series and how tight knit they all are. I love watching the relationships evolve between the members of the Shipley family as they all find the one, they are meant to love. I think that Dylan and Chastity’s book is my favorite in the series, to watch Chastity come into her own and blossom at college was pretty amazing considering her background, and to watch Dylan finally stand up for himself with Griff and to watch him mature was fantastic. Sarina Bowen wrote an amazing story with this one, and I felt like I could feel Dylan and Chastity’s chemistry jump off the pages. I don’t know that I could have asked for a better book to help me kick off 2020 with! I hope these books keep coming!
I loved this book!!! I was so glad to see that Dylan would get his book. And adding Chastity to it, even better! Dylan Shipley is a playboy who does not settle down, and his best friend is a girl. That girl would be Chastity. A girl who hasn’t experienced much as a normal freshman college student has. Dylan is always looking out for her. Making sure she knows her Algebra and always makes sure she has eaten. He’s a bit protective of her. Thinking she is just a friend when really he was denying his actual feelings for her. Chastity has harbored feelings for Dylan since she arrived to the farm two years ago. But never thought that those feelings would be reciprocated. These two decide to start a business together. They begin spending much more time together. Will their attraction to one another become more? And can Dylan do anything right in his brother Griff’s eyes? Yes, I said Griff. I love how all these books have the Shipleys as a close knit family. They are in all the books! I feel you should read all the True North books in order. Because they all build on one another and have all the Shipleys in them. You will not be disappointed with this book!
Oh Dylan Shipley, you sure grew up so fine! I love Dylan and Chastity’s story so much. Chastity is so sweet, naive and inexperienced on the outside but on the inside there is a tigress waiting to be set free. She wants Dylan to be the one to free her but much to her dismay they seem to be firmly planted in the friend zone while he sows his wild oats. She divulges a plan to get him to spend even more time with her. I love that we get to see her grow and blossom away from that horrible cult. Dylan turns out to be romantic and sweet but at first he ticked me off a bit because of his ways, but luckily he finally has a very necessary realization, he has more than friendship on his mind with Chastity. This was a sweet, fun and sexy NA romance, that I think because it was Sarina Bowen’s writing and the Shipley family who I’ve come to love, held a lot more meaning than some of the other NA romance does for me. I just adore Chastity & Dylan as a couple and their journey towards that status, and of course I love getting more of the other Shipley’s in the process. I certainly hope there is more to come in this series!!! I absolutely love it!!
ARC received for an honest review.
Like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally… yes, yes ,YES we are back in Vermont and the Shipley family.
Little Dylan Shipley is all grown up, and boy oh boy has he grown up!
Chastity is finally living life after escaping the cult, and I loved being along with her as she is finally living her life. And that living includes wanting Dylan – oh, so bad!
I had a love hate relationship with Dylan in this story. I loved how he cared for Chastity, I loved how he looked out for her, however I hated how he made her feel a lot of the time. He might not have wanted to act like a d!ck to her, but he did do it and it hurt my heart along with Chastity’s.
It was wonderful to get back to the Shipley farm and all the people who now live and work there.
And oh my, did I freaking LOVE Dylan’s roommate. I am hoping that his is the next story in the series.
I did find that Heartland was a lot more emotional to me than the previous books in the series. I found myself reading through tears a couple of times as things happened.
I never want this series to end, and I can’t wait for more.
*5 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
Oh man, I loved this book! Dylan and Chastity were awesome. For a girl who escape from a cult and has only been living a normal life for two years, Chastity is independent and strong, and even with the voices in the back of her heard that remind her of what she was taught at the cult, she is learning to overcome those things and speak her mind.
Dylan carries around a lot underneath that happy go lucky exterior, and he is just such a sweetie. I love the Shipley boys and their extended family, and whilst I haven’t read the complete series yet (silly me has read all over the place for this series), I have always wondered what the twins books would be like. So reading Dylan was lots of fun and a bit of an eye opener as well.
I love the way the and Chastity are together. They just fit so well. They’re sweet, fun, hard-working, sexy, they’re just everything together.
Some of the secondary characters are really interesting in this one too. There are a couple that I wasn’t too fond of, but there were others that I really loved. I think the next book will be about Daphne, but I would love a book about Chastitys friend Ellie at some point too.
Highly recommend this one, I can’t get enough of this series!