Can he forgive himself, move on, and let love in?Mason Calhoun is still trying to shrug off the label of bad boy, even though he’s proved his worth to the town. But his penchant for fast cars and Harleys makes it difficult for the town to forget the accident that killed his youngest brother, Mitch. It’s hard for him to forget when the girl responsible for him losing his head is back in town, … back in town, hotter than ever, swinging spanners at his father’s garage, Calhoun Customs.
When Paige Drew loses her job at the track, she takes it as a sign to come home to Bigfork and make peace with the past before she takes the next step in her life. She’s been on Trinity Calhoun’s pit crew ever since that fatal night that changed her life forever. She’s hidden behind the scenes at the racetrack for too long, ignored by her family for causing a scandal in their otherwise perfect lives.
But coming home means confronting Mason Calhoun, the reason she ran in the first place.
more
When a tragic accident takes a life of a loved one, these two young lives blames themselves for the life lost. Mason runs away from Paige to the mountains in his grief and she leaves town to work as a pit crew mechanic. Six years later brings these two lost lovers back together, will they forgives themselves and find their future together or go their separate ways.
I recommend this series which this author has created a story about a strong family and friends who has experienced grief, hardship and love which will draw you into their stories and keep wanting more…….
How this series, ‘The Calhouns of Montana‘, has tugged on my heart since the very first story. We’ve been building up to Paige and Mason for some time now, and their love story is full of second chances, dealing with the past, figuring out the future, a bit of a mystery as to why her father has such a grudge against the Calhoun family, and perhaps most poignant of all, forgiveness… of themselves for what happened so long ago that affected so many lives.
‘Montana Son‘ gives us Mason’s story as he lived it through the most difficult, painful time of his life. He hides his guilt, his pain behind the hard work of losing his bad-boy reputation, earned or not. He lost his brother and the love of his life at the same time, and nothing can change the past. When Paige returns to Bigfork they have a chance to heal old wounds, understand reactions, and perhaps bring the love that has never left either heart back into full bloom. More importantly, perhaps there is forgiveness, something neither ever expected to find again.
I not only loved ‘Montana Son‘ but was also completely satisfied by how the story strings were tied, how Mason and Paige have grown, and how right it felt to have them reunited again. It wasn’t easy for either of them to get to this point, and it certainly wasn’t easy putting that relationship back together again – but it was worth it in all the ways that mattered. We get a chance to catch up with the rest of the Calhoun clan and people we’ve come to care about in this series. I needed that, needed to have everyone on board with the forgiveness that this couple needed to love again, to move on to a future full of possibilities again. Sure, there were potholes, no second chance at getting love right is ever without them – but their love was strong enough (and they were stubborn enough) to work through the hard parts to get to the happily ever after part.
In all, I had such a good time with this story, this series. And if you love a really good love story with realistic characters and a storyline to get caught up in then you’d love all of the stories in ‘The Calhouns of Montana‘ series.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Mason Calhoun has lived with regret and sorrow for many years. He has not let himself move on. He can not let himself go from the fact he was the one driving the truck when his youngest brother was killed in an accident years ago.
Paige Drew was in the truck with Mason when the accident happened. Her way of dealing with it was to leave Bigfork, Montana and escape to working the race car circuit. She never went back until she lost her job. But she wanted to talk to Trinity Calhoun and that meant going home. She hasn’t even spoken to her parents since she left town either.
Paige’s father was and still is the sheriff of the town. He also has some rather twisted ideas of justice as well. He is planning to step down as sheriff and to run as mayor. He has a very large grudge against anyone named Calhoun but an even bigger one against Mason Calhoun.
Coming home for Paige means confronting her father and more importantly, facing Mason Calhoun. Mason, the boy she loved still. The man she has never gotten over.
Paige and Mason have a second chance at love if they can find a way to overcome their history and learn to accept what has happened and look forward. Plus they have to pull together and fight her father and figure out who is behind the mysterious things happening in town that seem to be linked to her father.
This is a wonderful book and conclusion to the series. Find a shady spot and your favorite chilled drink and plan to spend an enjoyable afternoon reading this novel.
This is the final chapter in this wonderful series by Juanita Kees. Each book can be read individually but it is worth reading all of them in order.
I did receive a copy of this novel from the publisher in advance in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
In book 3 /3 of the “Calhouns of Montana” Juanita Kees gives us “Montana Son” which is Mason and Paige’s story. It can be a read alone but I recommend the first two books in this series: ” Montana Baby” and “Montana Daughter.” It is an enjoyable read that gives us the story and background between these two and the heartache that pulled them apart. This is a sweet romance with very little explicit sex. I found at the ending of the book I wanted the story to continue. It was really good.
I enjoyed revisiting the Calhouns.
What I liked:
The writing style
Part of a series: Calhouns of Montana
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
This is another well written book in this wonderful series While you don’t have to read the previous two books as the back story is well explained I definitely think you will enjoy it more if you have read them
This is Mason Calhoun and Paige Drew’s they where school yard sweethearts and had their whole life in front of them till one tragic night when a car accident in which Mason was driving killed his brother and drove these young lovers apart Now six years later Paige has just lost her job on Trinity Calhoun’s pit crew (see Montana Daughter book 2) and she has decided to return to Bigfork. There she reconnects with mason most of the town have forgiven him his youthful accident and he now works at his fathers business a place where Paige gets a job With him unable to stop blaming himself for the accident and her blaming herself as she felt she distracted him can they have any chance Throw in the fact that her father is the sheriff and he has it in for the Calhoun’s do they have any chance at a future together. You will have to read to see
Montana Son by Juanita Kees
Can he forgive himself, move on, and let love in?
Mason Calhoun is still trying to shrug off the label of bad boy, even though he’s proved his worth to the town. But his penchant for fast cars and Harleys makes it difficult for the town to forget the accident that killed his youngest brother, Mitch. It’s hard for him to forget when the girl responsible for him losing his head is back in town, hotter than ever, swinging spanners at his father’s garage, Calhoun Customs.
When Paige Drew loses her job at the track, she takes it as a sign to come home to Bigfork and make peace with the past before she takes the next step in her life. She’s been on Trinity Calhoun’s pit crew ever since that fatal night that changed her life forever. She’s hidden behind the scenes at the racetrack for too long, ignored by her family for causing a scandal in their otherwise perfect lives.
But coming home means confronting Mason Calhoun, the reason she ran in the first place.
This is Paige Drew and Mason Calhoun’s story.
Paige gripped the arms of the brown leather chair, torn between regret and disbelief. She’d given the last six years of her life to the track.
Traveled too many miles to count, slept in weird and wonderful places along the road, sweltered in the heat of track garages, and felt the bite of the wind and the sun many a time in the alleyways of pit lane.
And now it was all over. Done. Dusted. A checkered flag on another chapter in the life of Paige Drew.
Mason, whose penchant for fast cars and steel horses had often given him good reason in the days when they’d been young and fearless. But that was in a time before seemingly harmless fun had turned into a never-ending nightmare that had changed their lives.
He didn’t need another black mark against his name. Especially a trumped-up careless driving charge for a traffic offense he didn’t commit. Not when he’d been working so hard to shake off the reputation he’d earned from his wild days.
Montana Son by Juanita Kees is a 3 star book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Juanita’s Books with Tule:
Montana Baby
Calhouns of Montana
Montana Daughter
Calhouns of Montana
Montana Son
Calhouns of Montana
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I’ve read by Juanita Kees and its the third book in the series. Even though I didn’t read the first two books in the series I wasn’t lost. Juanita did a great job at providing back story for the featured couple as well as information about the other characters in their orbit.
Montana Son is the second chance story of Mason Calhoun and Paige Drew. Page had worked at a race track for 6 years and just lost her job. We learn that she and Mason had been in love and after an accident where he was driving and his brother died, they split up. He had to serve his punishment under house arrest and she left for the race car circuit. Page’s parents were cold, demanding people and they didn’t approve of her career choice or of Mason. Her dad was the sheriff and he was always trying to stick it to Mason Calhoun, his dad and siblings. Page had a very loving relationship with Mason’s family so when they split up, she didn’t keep in touch with most of his family.
Paige returns home to Bigfork, Montana after her job ends. She is hoping to make amends with her parents and work at Mason’s family’s garage like she used to do. Mason’s dad has Parkinson’s and she wants to help him and spend time with him. She also still has feelings for Mason and would like to see where it goes but also blames herself for distracting Mason and causing the accident. Mason is also still blaming himself for the accident and doesn’t feel he’s good enough for Paige even though he still is in love with her. Initially his reaction to her returning doesn’t make Paige want to stay. In addition, her parents disown her and her dad tries to cause trouble for the Calhoun family. This is a book that draws you in and you don’t want to put it down.
There is some suspense and a rebuilding of relationships eventually. I enjoyed the love story of Paige and Mason as well as watching Mason fight his demons to work his way back in his family and with Paige. I look forward to future books by Juanita and recommend this book to those liking second Chance and return to home romance themes.
Life is hard. But it apparently is particularly hard for Mason and Paige. Not really ever recovering from a family tragedy, Mason lives his life as only a shell of his former life. Paige had been busy but living far, far away since those events. So when she comes back, everyone, but especially these two, have to come to grips with what happened.
The story is full of deep-seated prejudices, anger, hurts, turmoil, and mourning. And family drama. Heavy family drama. This sort of theme is not my usual topics I lean to in my books but it’s good to break out of the mold now and then. Upon finishing the book, I found myself emotionally invested in the Calhoun family and all that had happened. This is book 3 in a series but not likely I’ll read any of the rest. Interesting read just too heavy subject matter for me.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher in exchange for my volunteer review.
I have been waiting for this story I think since this entire series started. I knew that Paige and Mason had a troubled past that also included her brother. In the first two books in this series we have heard both of these two mentioned and the incident “ghosted” by. Now we are finally going to get down to the nitty gritty and Paige and Mason are forced to meet things head on. This book, like in real life shows us the ugliness in some families but it also breaks open the earth and exposes the beauty that can be down below for people if they will simply allow themselves the opportunity to be loved by those of heart not of blood. Thanks author Juanita Kees for reminding us that family is not always born of blood but from the heart.
Montana Son is the third Calhouns of Montana books by Juanita Kees. This is Mason’s story, which includes the heartache of the past with his brother’s death as well as the heartache of the present with his father’s illness. After years of guilt and self-punishment, Mason finally finds the grace and strength to deal with it.
It is also Paige Drew’s story of struggles too. The past torn Mason and Paige apart but the present is trying to make sure that they stay apart. There are revelations and twists concerning Paige’s family that I did not see coming. While this was surprising I found that really these events made the story much more interesting with more substance. I did feel that the ending was rush, wishing to see more of how it panned out in the town and with Mason and Paige. Overall, it was still a wonderful story.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am loving this series, I love the setting and the Calhoun family this time we see Mason and Paige get their HEA after a tragedy that tore them apart years before, bad boy, rebel daughter and a second chance at true love but not before there is forgiveness and a lot of emotions to deal with.
Paige Drew has returned to her home town of Bigfork Montana she is out of a job and wants to see if she can mend some bridges with her parents and catch up with the Calhoun family the family that always made her feel loved and the man that she has loved forever, she is not sure that her and Mason will ever be lovers again but maybe they can be friends if he can forgive her for the part she played in the death of his younger brother.
Mason Calhoun is not sure that having Paige back in town is a good thing for him, yes he has come a long way since that dreadful accident all those years ago but the love that he has for Paige has never gone away he has just buried it deep in his emotions and now seeing her again those feelings are coming to the surface and wanting her in is arms is becoming a must, but there has to be a lot of talking and understanding first.
MS Kees has pulled on the heartstrings with this fabulous story, shown the depth that love can go and pulled Paige and Mason back together in a beautiful story, a journey that is not always easy with all of the other problems that are being thrown their way but true love wins out and Mason and Paige are back together where they should be with a fabulous future ahead. It was awesome catching up with the other members of the family and I do hope that there are more books to come in this series. This is a story that I do highly recommend, filled with love and emotion, a page turner.
Very much enjoyed Mason and Paige’s angsty story of strength and forgiveness. Lots of raw emotion and heartbreaking, difficult circumstances for these two to work through. But their journey is well worth it! Look forward to reading the rest of the series!
Second chances are one of my favourite genres, and Mason and Paige’s story has one of the most challenging ‘break ups’ I’ve read. Both take responsibility for causing the accident that killed Mason’s young brother, Mitch. Six years apart, and with Mason having served his sentence (he was the driver at the time of the accident) and neither of them seem to have been able to forgive themselves.
Then Paige returns home to Bigfork. She’s only staying in town long enough to try to make things right with her parents and visit Mason’s dad, who was more of a father to her than her own. But when she meets Mason again, the sizzle that was always part of their relationship flares.
While Mason’s truck, the one that he was driving when the accident occurred, is in the final stages of restoration at the Calhoun’s custom garage, Mason and Paige must work through six years of guilt and find self-forgiveness if they are to move forward.
With an intriguing side story revolving around corruption and a local election, and with the stunning Glacier Park as a backdrop to one of my favourite moments in the story, Mason and Paige’s story is a beauty.
Highly recommended.
Love, loss, family drama and romance. This book has it all.
Mason Calhoun is still haunted by the accident that claimed his brother’s life. He worked hard to get his life back on track and lose his bad boy reputation. But when Paige Drew shows back up in Bigfork, he is faced with another part of his past; one he was never able to get past.
When Paige lost her job on the NASCAR circuit, she decided it was time to head back home to Montana. After six years, she was ready to face her ex-boyfriend Mason, and she was ready to make amends with her controlling parents, whom she always seemed to disappoint. But things don’t always go as planned. Paige seemed to be hitting roadblocks every where she turned. She was confused around Mason, not knowing if they should try to pick up where they left off or leave their relationship in the past. Her career was still up in the air and her family was another issue all together. With the help of her friends, the Calhoun family, Paige just might be able to find her happy place once and for all with Mason right there by her side.
I have been anxiously waiting for the next installment of the Calhouns of Montana series. So, when I got this book, I dove right in. I think this is my favorite of the series. Although this book can be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading the books in order.
Going home is a happy event unless you are Paige Drew. Home equals unforgiving parents and facing the terrible event that changed her life and drove her away. She has to face Mason Calhoun, her high school love and the one person she is afraid to see. Their chemistry has not changed and flows from their relationship that is fraught with regrets and sorrow.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Beautiful second chance romance.