“You and me are a bad idea, Hollywood.” She’s a former beauty queen, former reality TV star and the former wife of a former Sexiest Man Alive. And now Bree Mathews has been forced into hiding on this godforsaken farm in the middle of Nowhere, North Carolina…all because some deranged stalker wants her dead. That grumpy farmer next door isn’t enough to chase her back to Malibu, even with his … Malibu, even with his dark and scary PTSD episodes from his army days and his lack of respect for all things Hollywood. Always up to a challenge, she sets out to prove to Cole “Plowboy” Caldwell that you can never judge a celebrity on the lam by her cover!
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This is a beautifully written story about a former beauty Queen, reality star and famous actor’s ex wife who finds herself plopped down in a hick town of North Carolina. She is hiding from a stalker that has decided that he wants her. Her cousin Amanda’s best friend Caroline tells her to go stay with her mother on a farm. There’s no way her stalker can find her there. Since she has no direct connection to Caroline or her mother it sounds like a great idea. She just doesn’t realize how small of a town Russell North Carolina really is. Caroline said once she gets to Russell to ask for directions to Miss Nell’s farm. The thing is how would she know if whoever she asks would even know who Miss Nell is? Once she sees the welcome sigh she realizes how they would know! The sign says welcome to Russell population 249! Holy cow that is a small town!
Cole is sitting at a table in The Hide-Away drinking his lunch when in walks a gorgeous red head that is obviously very lost. She’s wearing expensive clothes and driving a Ruby red Mercedes. He can’t help himself from laughing at the “lost” woman that walks in.
This book is about personal growth, love, forgiveness and acceptance. This book has some interesting twists and turns and it will leave you very happy and satisfied with this author’s beautiful writing. The characters were so real I could easily picture them. I had a hard time putting this book down! I highly recommend this book!
Jo writes meaty, realistic stories where the romantic characters have to contend with the worlds around them, i.e. their families and friends, just like we all do. I love her books.
Oh my, all the emotions that this story brings forward just nearly burst my heart and it was impossible not to make a commitment in my mind to do anything I can, to work to better the world that awaits veterans when they arrive back home after their service.
But have no fear, this story is not filled with angst and turmoil, even though both of those emotions are involved. But the author has managed to intertwine joy and humor in a subtle way even to the direst scenes where your heart is aching to the characters, you have tears in your eyes, yet you are smiling because, in midst of it all, there’s pride, bliss, and wonder of life.
Bree Mathews comes through a transformation that can only be admired. Though she is completely out of her element and comfort zone, she makes the best of it, is open to the changes in her and around her, and flourish as the story unfolds. Yes, it took a little push from her new friends to get her towards the right direction, but resistance was minimal, and the whining just token.
Cole Caldwell really won my heart. With his broken soul, he still tries so hard to fit into the old life, he tries to find the peace of his mind, yet the PTSD is making a havoc and no matter what he tries, there’s no stopping it, there’s no calm in his mind.
I loved the unity and support of the military brothers, as well as Cole’s family and friends. The PTSD affected all their lives, and they were all willing to make the sacrifices it would take for Cole to get better.
The connection between Cole and Bree was tangible. I laughed with them at their banter and play, I swooned from the intense passion their shared, I was in tears from the torment and hurt they had to go through, and I cheered for them to find their ‘home’, their place in the world, their peace of mind, and ability to move on with life.
I love it when a book takes you on a journey you were not expecting. When it takes you into the dark, deep, muddy waters where you have to stop and take a breath. Where it makes you want to stand up and make a difference. This story is definitely worth losing some sleep over, the impact it made on me will carry on and will make me take action. I adore books that influence or challenge my view of the world and this one surely accomplished just that. To be read with an open mind and heart to let the message register…
~ Five Spoons