Sometimes it takes an outsider to force us to see who we are. The real struggle is accepting what we learn.For Beverly Townsen, nothing could be closer to the truth. Virtually a shut-in, Beverly has pulled backfrom Green Valley’s community, preferring the isolation of her farmhouse and her daily routine ofviewing home improvement television shows. When the opportunity arises for her own home… for her own home
improvement and a personal re-assessment, she’s not so excited about the reality of real life versus DIY
programs.
Jedd Flemming understands physical pain and personal loss, but it’s never stopped him from bucking
forward in life. A former military man and rodeo star, his life as a nomad comes to an end with false
accusations and a family matter back in the Valley. It’s been a long journey to find his way home and
once there, there’s nothing he wants more than to reclaim what he’s lost…and maybe the elusive female
reclusive who holds a sliver of his past.
With an unprecedented proposition, Beverly finds a stranger living in her barn, raising horses on
borrowed pastures, and plowing his way into her vacant heart. Old hurts linger, but sometimes love in
deed is louder than words.
‘Love in Deed’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #6 in the Green Valley Libary series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
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We have Beverly and Jedd as the 2 main characters of this book. We met them previously in “Love in Due Time”. NOW, we get to learn more and explore with them. Beverly Townsen is practically a recluse, dependent on her daughter and haunted by the sins of her past. Jedd Flemming comes to her with a proposition and his own haunted past to contend with. Together they grow and eventually the past and present collide to give an unknown promise about their future.
It is very rare to find books about characters over 40 who aren’t ex-loves and spend the whole time rehashing their shared trauma/past. Or they are not aware of the possibilities within them and their lives. This book is ALL about how life is chapters and you are never done living until you die. This is just a new chapter for them. It is so refreshing to read about genuine connection and how to bring 2 very different people back together.
Another wonderful part of this book is the difference abilities & challenges that they each have. Jedd has to contend with a prosthetic hook and yet he still finds a way to do virtually everything. He’s confident, masculine, and yet aware of how he’s perceived and has to deal with his own insecurities there and how to woo Beverly and walk such a fine line. Beverly is still healing emotionally and physically from her accident a decade ago and the use of elbow crutches and loss of use in her left leg. She truly has allowed her inside to be reflected in her outside and yet the memory of who she once was still remains. I appreciate that her marital issues weren’t the standard “drunken & abusive husband” trope. She battles with psychological trauma and regret. I love how the author utilizes her characters abilities and brings them forefront and is a vital part of the story.
This book was truly a satisfying journey through human growth, loss, and love. It is empowering and really beautiful. This is perfect for a stand alone and a brilliant addition to this growing world. I adore Bev & Jedd and truly love the representation of character who aren’t “late 20s looking for love & need a hero”. These are fully-fleshed out people in their own right who can stand before us and make the reader want to learn more and delve into their lives. I can’t recommend this enough.
I love this book and want to read it again right now! Jedd and Beverly are two people in their forties, wanting something more, both flawed and broken, both incredible people. This story is a different and refreshing romance. Jedd is super sexy, sweet, confident and a sweet talker with a great sense of humor. Beverly hides her sweetness underneath her bitterness however Jedd is determined to cut through it and get to know her. I love how their relationship builds and blossoms and Beverly truly shines once she lets him in. Fantastic book.
I read an arc and willingly posted my review.
Love in Deed
I cannot remember the last time I finished a book and thought “I can’t wait to re-read this, actually, I want to read it again right now!” And that’s pretty much the best way to sum up ”Love In Deed”. I could not set it down and I cannot wait to read it again.
This story was everything.
I feel like I’m going to fail to effectively review it, I could never cover all the things that made this story so touching, but I will try.
Beverly Townsen has lived a hard life. A verbally abusive husband who leaves her and her young daughter and an accident have left her damaged and scarred in more than one way. She’s a shut in living on a large dying farm and relying on her daughter to care for her.
Jedd Flemming is a former military and rodeo man. He has a prosthetic arm and a big stinking heart and his heart clings to the grumpy Beverly. He brings out the best in her in every way. He is everything a big, hulking hero should be. I just swooned and swooned again. His belief in her was absolutely epic. He initially seeks to rent land from her to raise horses and the rest as they say, is history.
There is an element of intrigue trickling through the story, along with steamy sweetness, encouragement, and a healthy dose of just what it means to trust in and believe in other people. Sisterly love and family obligation. The reminder that words leave their marks, both the positive and the negative. This is a multifaceted smart romance in the true sense of the word. I know I will read this one again and again.
Love in Deed is another captivating and heartaching silver fox romance from the master, L.B. Dunbar. Beverly and Jedd’s heartbreaking and tormented journey to happily ever after will make you cry and swoon.
Beverly has seen some really awful things. She is broken and she is hopeless. She doesn’t feel she can get over the pain. But fate has some other plan for her. And that includes Rodeo Star Jedd infiltrating her boring and serene life. He has own list of issues and it won’t be easy.
L.B. Dunbar always writes mature, realistic and relatable love stories. Her characters are deeply flawed and so incredibly human. This story is no exception. I have a love-hate relationship with Beverly. I admire her strength and how she tries to overcome her past. But sometimes it becomes exhausting. And a bit overwhelming. Same goes for Jedd. He is gorgeous with an edgy vibe but he is not all rainbows and sunshine. The slow pace is sometimes a bit difficult. I didn’t fall in love with their chemistry instantly. They had to work through a lot of negativity and heartbreak. And it was a challenging path for the readers. I would ask you to be patient and wait for all the incredible emotions to claim your heart.
Love In Deed by L.B. Dunbar was a beautifully written silver fox romance. It’s an inspiring and mesmerising story of new beginning and taking chances.
Received ARC for honest review
This series is one of the few that keeps getting better by the book. Dunbar uncaps her mighty pen and writes a book that hits bullseye straight on readers hearts. Sensitively handling a touchy subject, she has created characters that you sympathize with and then fall in love with ultimately.
We met Beverly as Naomi Winter’s immobile sister in Love in Due Time. She’s dejected, broken, scarred and abandoned and stuck in the rut of Shattered life. Her stick is firmly in the mud.
“If a person screams with no one around to hear it, is there really a sound?”
She’s silent cause there’s no one to hear her anymore.
A Left Behind woman. Her husband not only ruined her life, he ruined her for everybody else, crushing her trusting heart under his feet before leaving. Now she’s tied in her rocking chair, left to see the world from behind the curtains.
“I am not happy. I have not been happy for years. But it runs deeper than admitting my failing emotion. I didn’t know how to be happy.”
Her land is soon tresspassed and then borrowed by Bronco Rodeo Star Jedd Flemming. He gets her, is akin to her pain and empathetic to her ability. Talk about birds of a broken feather…
The story floats on a cloud of hope, even if the mood sometimes drags you down and the dejected hearts fumbling on the loop of a stuck record of self doubt and beaten psyche. Dunbar pops Love right in the midst like an entity. It holds both their hands and brings them together.
“She’s been a chrysalis waiting out a too-long winter season to morph into a beautiful butterfly.”
Beautiful is inadequate to describe this emotionally agitated story. There’s rage and frustration billowing like a cloud saturated with guilt and anger. There’s acceptance of fate and resignation to a point of disability. Status quo seems to have become a milestone of life, No movement, no growth, no life.
Fields lay fallow, plants die and Bee just gets bitter and stingy.
“You’re full of sting, Bev-er-lee, but you don’t fool me. Your tongue is sharp, but it’s only words. Nothing long-lasting. Sticks and stones and stuff.”
Jedd draws honey from her and it’s bee becomes functional Pollinator.
Awesomely inspiring story with a clear message to never accept stagnancy, but get up and change the course towards progress and productivity.
“Bloom where you’re planted”
Salute to Dunbar for making silver foxes a sought after trope in romance. Love doesn’t have a sell by date, maturity brings sensible romance so pick up this wonderful book, the entire series and come live in Green Valley.
5 stars for Jedd’s wood in Bee’s Pasture
I don’t know how I can properly describe how fantastic this story is. I absolutely loved every moment I spent immersed In L. B. Dunbar’s corner of the Pennyverse.
During the first launch of Smartypants Romance novels, L. B. Dunbar brought us the story of Naomi and Nathan, the book “Love In Due Time.” As I said then and still say now… Oh My Goddess that book is so good!
I was ecstatic to find out that Naomi’s sister, Beverly’s, was getting her own story, L. B. Dunbar’s second Smartypants book (this beautiful one I’m reviewing right now, “Love in Deed”)! I have a soft spot for romance novels that follow the stories of different siblings. Plus, I absolutely loved that there were a few cameo’s by characters we were introduced to in the first book. “Love in Deed” has the perfect amount of overlap with “Love in Due Time.”
We got an in depth view into Beverly’s current life and her feelings regarding her past. L. B. Dunbar did such a wonderful job of developing the characters in this story and making it incredibly easy to follow their thoughts and opinions. You aren’t left confused and wondering why a character would make a certain decision because every scene and point of view is so well described.
Beverly and Jedd were such great characters. They complemented each other so well, pushing each other yet building each other up as well. I couldn’t get enough of the interesting dynamic between them! Any reader will be thoroughly entertained by these two. I read the entire story in one sitting, I just couldn’t put the book down! Definitely another 10/10, 5 star read from this amazing author!
I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I will say, in the back of this book we also get a quick peak at L. B. Dunbars next Smartypants story. Sister number three gets her story! I can’t wait to learn more about Scotia! I’m so looking forward to reading more of L. B. Dunbar’s writing.
I thought I had found my favourite of “season 2” of the Smartypants Romance releases. Then Love In Deed came along and said, “hold my earrings”
This book was so beautifully written that it hurt me. In all the best and most lasting of ways I am hurt.
This is a book as much about loving oneself as about loving someone else.
There was beauty and pain on many of the pages and I felt so deeply not only for Beverly and her struggles but for Jedd.
Oh my Marx Jedd. He was dreamy.
READ THIS. I BEG YOU .
**I received and ARC of this from Smartypants Romance on behalf of the author. I volunteered to leave an unbiased review**
Arc, for an honest review.
And LB does it again! It keeps getting better and better. Jedd takes the pieces that she gives him and he turns it into fragments, until they become one.
Beverly learns to fight for herself with Jedd’s help. She is stronger than she realizes.
Gahhhhh, I fell in love with them. Head over heals in love.
Brilliant!
I don’t know if I can even put into words how much I loved this story. Beverly & Jedd both have past pain in their lives. They’ve had to learn to over come their disabilities…well, Jedd has been able to move on but Bev hasn’t really begun to until she meets this man. He helps show her she’s much more than her disability and can do whatever she sets her mind to. It’s a beautiful love story and so much more! Thank you for an amazing story.
I really enjoyed the latest Smartypants Romance release by LB Dunbar. The Green Valley Library Series is definitely a favorite of mine at this point, and not just because I love the Pennyverse setting. It’s because the writers that they are picking for Smartypants Romance releases are really top notch and the writing is high-level intelligent romance.
We first met Bev and Jedd in Love in Due Time, and it was great to see them get their own happily-ever-after! And what a fun, emotional, funny and rewarding trip they had to that HEA. Boy, oh, boy, is Bev carrying around a lot of baggage, and it sure does show. I loved how Jedd was able to help her open up and unpack that baggage. Jedd didn’t exactly have an easy life, either, but he’s not willing to let it hold him, or Beverly, down. Communication is not this couple’s strong point, but once they get that worked out, things go a little bit more smoothly. A bump ride, for sure, but definitely a worthwhile ride!
***4 Stars***
After meeting Bev and Jedd in Love in Due Time, I was hoping they’d get their own HEA at some point down the road, so I was thrilled when it was announced that they were the focus of this book and boy did they take me on one hell of a ride. All the feels happened and then some, some of which had me wanting to reach through the Kindle and Gibbs smack both Bev and Jedd a time or two dozen. But, regardless of which emotion they were pulling out of me, they kept me turning the pages to see what it would take for them to get their HEA.
Going into this book I “knew” how Beverly was thanks to Love in Due Time, but damn, even I wasn’t expecting all the baggage she was carrying around. It was like every non-happy moment of her life bundled up in her heart and turned her bitter, not that I can fully blame her considering all that she had gone through. So it took a bit to see that she was simply stuck in her own head with the belief that this was all her life would ever be, so watching her work her way out of it ~ with a few shoves from Jedd ~ was a thing of beauty. I really liked Jedd. He hasn’t had an easy life, but he has made it his own and now has a vision of what he wants his future to be. He’s sweet and considerate and isn’t afraid to tackle any obstacles in his way. But as much as I liked the guy, he had a few moments where even I was like “Oh, no he didn’t”.
Their journey to their HEA was a rough one, enjoyable and quite satisfying when all was said and done, but rough. The push/pull between these two was real and the communicating while not communicating got a little much for me, but they ended up working for me because despite all the crazy going on around them, they did see who the other was beneath the surface and found comfort in it. The issues they were both dealing with were intense and while there were some I would have liked a little more on, I really like where they were at with each other in the end.
This was a great addition to the Green Valley World/Pennyverse and I enjoyed watching all the twists and turns of the story unfolded. But while I was good with how most of the issues were resolved, there were a couple that I felt needed more time spent on because they were brought up, but never really worked out ~ at least not to my satisfaction. But outside of that, I loved catching up with Naomi and Nathan, definitely want more of Tower and cannot wait for Scotia’s book!
~ Copy provided by SBPR & voluntarily reviewed ~
L.B. Dunbar constantly makes me fall in love with her books & characters. In ‘Love in Due Time’ we’re introduced to Beverly, and that was when my curiosity was peaked about her. I was dying to find out what had made her so bitter…and reading ‘Love in Deed’ my heart just about broke for her.
Beverly hasn’t had it easy. Living with a verbally abusive & unfaithful husband would crush anyone’s spirit. I have to say that watching her rediscover the joyful things about life was just so dang uplifting. I was just so excited to see her slowly open herself up to all of what Jedd has to offer.
Jedd….I seriously love a silver fox of a cowboy. He too has a tough past, but I loved how he showed Bev that he saw the beauty within.
There was the perfect amount of suspicion & mystery to keep the pages turning. I’m so in love with this book and I can’t wait to see what L.B. creates next to make me fall in love!!!
I have absolutely loved the “after 40” books written by Author L.B. Dunbar and that’s what I was expecting when I offered to read LOVE IN DEED. And I did get that, but it was different too. And sadly, this was the first I was aware of “Green Valley Library series.
LOVE IN DEED had some great characters, some questionable characters and a secret character and they all made up a believable story with heart break, hard times, handicaps, strong wills and determination! I enjoyed the initial meeting of Jedd and Beverly and the slow growth of their relationship. I also enjoy as the story unfolded so did the relationships and enteractions of several of the people. I smiled at the ending! There was healing and an HEA! I also love when the title is a perfect fit!
Love in Deed – L.B. Dunbar
I can’t sing the praises of Love in Deed from L.B. Dunbar, any louder.
An incredibly powerful story of determination and resilience but also of the power of love between two broken souls.
Beverly has seen her fair share of heart ache and disappointment, after all, when you are a teen mother, forced to marry a philandering rake, what choices do you have in life. Beverly and her daughter have survived no end of heartache and hard times, with nothing more than hope, love and a lot of stubborn determination but when a tall dark stranger steps foot on her front porch, she’s forced to take a long hard look at herself.
Jedd Flemming has been through so much physical pain and personal loss, but this former military man and rodeo star has had enough of this wanderlust life. He’s ready to follow his passion for horses in order to put down some roots and reclaim what has been taken from him, his home and his purpose in living, until his personal resurrection plan is completely thrown off kilter by the white haired, sharp tongued Beverly.
Beverly and Jedd are wonderful characters that will touch your heart and warm your soul and their story blends so beautifully into the Green Valley Library Series.
The supporting characters, as usual, are strong and an integral part of the storyline, bringing together a wonderful mix of personalities and predicaments for a reader to be absorbed by.
L B Dunbar just goes from strength to strength with her writing and I’m very pleased I had the opportunity to read and review this latest work from her. A definite one-click.
Love in Deed was a great book in deed! What I love about L.B. Dunbar’s writing is that every character has a different story to tell and in doing so every book is unique in it’s own way. As you can see from the story blurb Beverly hasn’t had a picture perfect life. Unloving parents, married the wrong type of man when she was way too young, injured in an accident of her own making. She has been wallowing in depression and self pity for almost 20 years. Her one bright spot is her 27 year old daughter Hannah but even that isn’t enough to fill her heart any longer. Jedd has led a very different life. Let down by his mother and step-father, injured during his military service, fleeting fame in the rodeo has led him to realize that it is time to return home and pursue his passion. Jedd’s problem is Beverly’s land is his passion and he needs to work around her to get it. These two are very complex characters because they aren’t kids but a 45 year old woman and 48 year old man. They are both set in their ways even if their ways aren’t healthy for either of their souls. Love in Deed is going to take you on the journey of these two fractured people repairing their hearts and minds bit by bit. If you are looking for a lighthearted piece of fluff, this is not that book. It is raw and real in a lot of respects even though it is set in the fictional town of Green Valley. I loved every bit of the emotional journey it took me on and I recommend it completely. It was told from dual POV and it has heat and heart, grit and grief, laughter and love!
I am a big fan of L.B Dunbar’s books and she has out done herself with Love In Deed. This wonderful story and her beautifully broken characters truly touched my heart!
We met Beverly in Love in Due Time, the first book by L.B. Dunbar in this series. Now we have a chance to see what makes Beverly tick. She has been damaged both physically and emotionally, so trusting people and letting them into her life is risky because as her past dictates, they will hurt her. Jedd has his work cut out for himself if he thinks getting to know her will be easy, but as he sees the cracks in her hard exterior starting to show he finds himself drawn to her and makes putting her broken pieces back together again his new task. Add in the twist that as he is helping her, giving her the wings she needs to fly, he is also finding peace and happiness in his life too. Secrets, however, have a way of coming out and his secrets may have everything blowing up in his face.
Jedd has struggled finding his way after a life altering injury and now he is looking to finally settle down back in his hometown. He just didn’t start out with the right intentions. Beverly has changed all that but can he put his past behind him in order to find the future with Beverly that they bother deserve?
This story will give you hope that everyone, no matter their past or present situation can find friendship, companionship and love.
Amazing story about a woman, Beverly, who’s had a rough go at this thing called life. Her husband has stepped out on her more times than she can count, and one day finally left her to raise their daughter alone. When Jedd comes to town, and asks to use her land for raising horses, she refuses at first, but her daughter Hannah has other ideas.
Read along as these two get to know each other and heal one another. 4 1/2 stars for this one! Grab it asap!
It took me a few chapters to get into this book, but then I couldn’t put it down. Jedd is everything in a man. He’s strong, patient, thoughtful, and kind. Beverly is a hot mess when she meets Jedd. She’s barely functioning due to injuries from an old accident and she lets her daughter do everything for her. Jedd thinks she is beautiful and he wants more for her. In this book we see Bee’s metamorphisis into a living, breathing, and loving human. To say their relationship is touching doesn’t begin to describe it. Jedd saves Bee in more ways than one. Even though Jedd only has one arm, he sweeps his Bee off her feet. I enjoyed touching base with other Green Valley characters. This story was a beautifully written love story and fits perfectly in the Green Valley “universe.” Two imperfect people can find true love. I ALWAYS enjoy reading L.B.’s books and I loved this one! 4.5 stars
Beverly is a woman scorn and broken emotionally. In walks Jedd with the proposal to raise horses on her farm. Beverly slowly comes out of her shell and Jedd is the reason. Now can she learn to trust and love. So enjoyed their story!
I liked this book, but had a hard time connecting to it. I found myself really having to push through it. I had sympathy to all that Jedd and Beverly have gone through and understand having guards up. However I felt Beverly was extremely unlikeable in the beginning, towards Jedd and her daughter. I didn’t trust Jedds motives. I felt like the storyline just kind of dragged along too.
Overall I liked the concept of the book and would recommend it to others. Jedd and Beverly did win me over but it wasn’t until near the end. I will absolutely do a reread later at some point just to see if I feel the same way and update my review accordingly.
Received an arc for an honest review