New park ranger Daphne Baum is a reformed good girl. Breaking free from her overbearing family as soon as she turned eighteen, she’s been on her own ever since. The life of a park ranger, moving from park to park, suits her just fine. Though still a rule follower, she’s okay with a little sin in her life.Every generation of Hill men has its black sheep. The general consensus among the family is … family is that Odin Hill is the lucky bastard this go around. At seventeen, he blew out of town like an angry tornado only to return fifteen years later withdrawn and secretive. Living like a recluse in the hollows in the Smoky Mountains, he’s happy to keep to himself and is content to let locals believe he’s the town weirdo. Odin prefers the company of his pet pig to the nosy citizens of Green Valley.
When Daphne discovers Odin might be committing nefarious deeds on park land, she vows to find out the truth behind the handsome, yet chaotic, loner. Will the stranger help the ranger discover the difference between being good and doing the right thing? Or will they find themselves on opposites sides of love?
‘Stranger Ranger’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #2 in the Park Ranger series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
more
I love this small town, slow burn romcom. This author does an amazing job of diving into our beloved Green Valley and bringing to life characters we can love, weaving their stories seamlessly into the Smartypants world.
“I didn’t know how much I craved her touch until this moment.
I didn’t know how much she could affect me with a single kiss.”
Daphne Baum is a ‘by the books’ good girl, rule follower. She meets her opposite in black sheep, Odin Hill, a quirky vegetable farmer and his pet pig Patsy.
“I dismiss her wild suggestion by making a funny face.
“You’re weird, Odin Hill.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
I love how this author sneaks emotional moments in while we are distracted with her quirky humor. All while revealing little secrets like breadcrumbs throughout the story.
-5 Stars!-
Thoroughly enjoyed Daphne and Odin’s story.
“I’m actually paid to talk to people, yet every time I see him, my mouth-to-brain connection short-circuits.”
Daphne Baum is a relatively new ranger in Green Valley. She grew up sheltered until she left home when she was eighteen, and has moved around a lot for jobs at different national parks around the country. When Odin Hill catches her eye, she’s awestruck by the Thor-like man touting his strange-looking vegetables at the local farmers’ market. However, is there more to him than meets the eye?
“I belong to these mountains. I can breathe deeply here in a way I can’t anywhere else.”
Odin is something of a black sheep in his family. He couldn’t wait to escape Green Valley before he even graduated high school. After a wild life out in the big wide world, he came back home to live a quiet life with his pet dog and pet pig, and grow curious veggies. No one has struck his fancy until he meets Ranger Baum. There’s just something about the young ranger that pricks his interest, but he suspects that there’s more to her than meets the eye.
“There’s something wrong with me because I find her obstinance a turn on.”
Odin and Daphne were so good together! Daphne is sweet, adorable and funny. Even though she escaped her strict upbringing, she’s still something of a stickler for the rules, and still trying to make sense of life. Odin is quirky by design. He just wants a quiet life but he holds some closely guarded secrets. I really enjoyed the growth of their friendship and attraction. They gelled together so naturally. A really lovely heartwarming novel.
Stranger Ranger is the next book in the Park Ranger series and is just as wonderful and fun to read as Happy Trails if not more so. This slow burn romance is one with all of the feels, I mean who doesn’t love a man who will walk his pig around town and take care of you while you are sick? I’ll take Odin Hill any and every of the week. Daphne and Odin are two unique characters that are drawn to each other and their one of a kind personalities. I loved every minute of reading this book and just want more Odin and Daphne.
I absolutely adored this story!! Daphne and Odin are full of quirks, full of secrets and full of attraction for the other. Once again Daisy Prescott takes us on a journey into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ranger Daphne is a bit of a loner, having been a bit of a nomad as she tries to find a permanent ranger gig. Odin is the strange farmer guy with a pet pig he takes for walks. But these two just seem to keep crossing paths, and when they finally connect? Yeah it was kinda everything I wanted. I loved this couple. Loved Patsy Swine and Roman the bougie dog. Loved all the other characters we get more glimpses of, and can’t wait to go back.
I adored Daphne and Odin’s story. It was full of humor and sweet moments. The two are truly great characters. They’re easy to relate to and care about.
I would definitely recommend taking this journey with them.
I’M IN LOVE WITH VEGETABLE THOR!
Daisy Prescott nailed it with Stranger Ranger.
It’s fun, witty, and so swoony!
The banter, and humor is perfect and so much fun.
Daphne and Odin are absolutely incredible!
Stranger Ranger is a definite must read.
I really liked Stranger Ranger even if it took me a while to get into the story, I didn’t know where Daisy Prescott would lead me. After a few chapters and seeing the dynamics between the main characters, I was totally in.
This story had such a powerful soothing effect, like a piece of quiet and peacefulness.
When Daphne met Odin (thank you daisy for writing this delightful and odd hero), she was challenged in every way, when everyone said he was a recluse, she kept meeting him, attracted like magnets. When she’s been told he didn’t talk much to people, they were having conversations turning into flirting with her, the new park ranger.
These two could have the most awkward moments, somewhat hesitant.
It was an interesting and fun interaction, about two people who might be out of practice with socializing and also dating.
Daphne stuck to the rules and as a park ranger she had to check that one one would break them. She could be a bit judgmental at times and also being the kind of woman who only believes in what she sees, a man like Odin with this strange attitude and secretive personality was up to something or hiding something. Mysterious, blond and handsome, who could make her confused with his attitude. Above all, he was such an endearing character to me, being true to himself with a heart of gold… just swoon.
I could feel the connection between these two and the slow burn vibes, being wary of each other, building up a charged sexual tension, but also sweet and tender.
There was no huge drama between Odin and Daphne and I loved how upfront they were and arguing sometimes but always listening to each other. The dual POV was pretty great and once they went past their assumptions (especially Daphne), it just clicked.
A story that took time to fall in love with the characters and scenery, focusing on what really matters and eliminating the unnecessary.
Another 5 star read by Daisy Prescott! A slow burn romance between the newest park ranger Daphne and the town “weirdo” Odin will make you laugh and fall in love with them just as much as they fall for each other. This book has it all: smiles, laugh out loud moments, great quotes, a new appreciation for food and even a pet pig named Patsy Swine! Do yourself a favor and take a trip over to Green Valley and make it a point to read this story!
Stranger Ranger by Daisy Prescott is book 2 in the Park Ranger series. Daisy Prescott has a gift of making me fall in love with the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s officially on my list of places I need to visit because of the beauty she portrays not only in her characters, but in the descriptions of their environment. It’s the perfect place for Daphne and Odin to meet and fall in love. The history and landscape adds to them learning about each other and giving in to their emotions.
Odin Hill is the black sheep of his family having left home at a young age and getting a bit out of control. He worked his way to becoming a famous chef, but choose to leave it all behind. He has come back to Green Valley to start fresh and plant his roots. Odin has embraced his family’s history and the knowledge that this is what is best for him. Daphne Baum is new to the area as she has been all over the US as a seasonal ranger for most of her career. She is finally promoted and ready to settle down, giving her the opportunity to develop relationships and a community. Daphne like Odin left home at a very young age, but has never looked back. She has fought her way to becoming the independent women she is now. Together Odin and Daphne complement each other and bring out the best in one another.
Odin and Daphne fall quick and hard for each other. It’s an immediate attraction and pull. It was great to see a rough around the edges character like Odin melt around this woman he can’t resist wanting to be around. Both of them have a past they are trying to move forward from. They have more in common than they could have ever imagined and are able to open up in ways that makes them feel free to be themselves.
Odin the demigod is irresistible! I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Hoping it’s going to give silly Griffin and Chief Ranger Gaia a happily ever after.
I really liked this story it was funny and sweet! thank you Miss Prescott for helping me out of my book funk!
Stranger Ranger by Daisy Prescott
* Daphne Baum is a park ranger at the national park. She has been living and working in Green Valley since a few months now and is hoping for a permanent position. One day at farmer’s market Odin Hill catches her attention. Odin is the town recluse, always framed as the weird one for having a pet pig whom he walks on a leash around the town. He tries his best to stay away from the people but when none of his cousin could cover his stall he was forced to come out of his den.
* These two cross paths a few times and even though Daphne was wary of him in the start, with the pig and roaming around the park, she assumes he is doing nefarious deeds on government property. Though she soon learns there is more to the guy and it’s not the bad stuff that she was expecting. Soon enough they become close but we learn that Odin isn’t the only one keeping secrets.
* I liked the writing and if you are a fan of Smartypants Romance books you will enjoy this one too as it had the familiarity that all SPR books share. The character development and plot needed a bit more work for me to like it completely but that’s probably just me.
* The start of the book was rather slow. There wasn’t much happening until after 30% or so and it took time for me to get invested in the story. The story after 40% felt rather rushed as it wasn’t a case of instant love but felt like it as they went from being strangers to lovers in no time. They were so comfortable with each other, the kind of comfortable that comes after being in the relationship for a while and seeing that in the first date made it seem not real.
This book starts off a little slow, but once it got going I couldn’t put it down. I love the characters, they are quirky and adorably awkward. Makes me want to go back to the smokies.
Really enjoyed this quirky, fun, sexy and action packed adventure filled with intriguing and engaging charters, witty banter, heart racing twists and undeniable passion. Was a great read and it was so hard to put down once I started this emotional journey.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was another fun offering from the Smartypants Romance spring line up. The main characters both have some baggage from their past, leaving them both a little socially awkward. We have Odin the farmer who keeps to himself and walks his pig on a leash through town, but he also looks like the Viking god he is named for. Then we have Daphne, the newest park ranger who lets whatever she is thinking come right out of her mouth, is a picky eater, and wants to see the world. When Daphne suspects that Odin might be up to nefarious activities in her beloved park, she checks into him and finds out that there might be some skeletons in his closet. Odin and Daphne keep running into each other at the park, and when she finds herself in need of a friend he’s there to take care of her. As they get to know each other, they realize that there is more than just a physical attraction between them.
I really enjoyed these characters together. They had great banter, and the more time they spent together the more they opened up. There were some really funny parts, which balanced out the more serious personalities of Daphne and Odin. It takes almost the entire book, but eventually we learn about each of the character’s backgrounds.
This was a feel good story with two great main characters. I highly recommend it.
I love how Daisy Prescott writes her books her words flow with such beauty, she sucks you and keeps you to the very end.
Will Odin and Daphne get their happily ever after or will Isaac showing up ruin it all?
***4 Stars***
This was a fun slow burn read with a cast of quirky, yet loveable characters set in a setting that I may never willingly visit in real life (I don’t really do the whole hiking nature thing ~ give me a beach any day) but love hanging out in when it comes to the Green Valley world.
Daphne and Odin were a lot of fun. Daphne is a rule follower and just a tad bit awkward, but she comes by it honestly. She’s sweet, quirky and encompasses it all. Odin is a self professed weirdo, and the blacksheep of his family, but he is a good man who feels deeply about more than just his weirdness.
Their journey was slow burn awkward fun ~ on both sides of the coin. I loved watching as they both stumbled a bit through getting to know and trust each other and come to find out that while they were opposites in some ways, they actually had a lot more in common than they thought. What I liked the most about them together was that, while they did keep some things close to the vest, they were quite honest with each other when it came to their relationship. The roadblock in their journey was an interesting one, one I do kind of wish more time was spent on, but I can’t say that I was disappointed with how it all turned out for them in the end.
This was a fun read that was low on the drama and angst, but high on smiles and quirkiness. I loved catching up with the rest of the rangers and am crossing my toes that my guess as to who the next book will be about is correct. As for the newbies, I loved Kacey and Lena and Nannie Ida was amazing! So, if you’re looking for a fun, quirky, light read, then this is a must read for you.
~ Copy provided by SBPR & voluntarily reviewed ~
Oh how I love a small town romance. Daisy has written the heck out of Odin and Daphne and I am swooning for them.
Odin is a an enigma. He is the black sheep of his family and quite the loner. Leaving Green Valley many years ago but returning under the radar. He has so many hidden talents and is such a caring intellectual man.
Daphne is a rule follower and has quite the interesting back life . She was home schooled and very sheltered but also was ruled with an iron fist . She may not appear it on the surface but she has many secrets that she has buried.
A chance meeting puts Odin on Daphne’s radar and she begins to form her own opinions of him. When he makes her question her own preconceived notions and shows a soft side to the as Daphne calls him vegetable Thor it is a new ballgame .
This is a slow burn that starts as friendship, to letting someone in, to taking down your walls to reveal your past and then to beautiful romance.
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Once again Daisy Prescott gave us a slow burn romance that she writes so well. Odin and Daphne were not always smooth sailing as is the case of many relationships. The visuals given just make these characters come alive. My favorite is Odin the vegetable Thor walking his pig on a leash. I loved getting to know these new characters and personally hope we get more backstories for both Odin and Daphne. I am loving the ranger series.
4.5 stars
Daisy Prescott has once again written an amazing story set it in the world of Green Valley Tennessee.
Odin and Daphne were endearing characters who I enjoyed reading about. I especially liked the chapters narrated from Daphne’s perspective. She is awkward and funny with a love of nature and the National Parks.
There were moments I felt for both Odin and Daphne and their past experiences. They both have reasons for ending up where they are. Him as a farmer who is a bit of a hermit, and her as a Park Ranger who lives simply.
The Smoky Mountains National Park is a character of its own, and the descriptions of it are wonderful. Just like after reading Happy Trail, I feel compelled to get outside and enjoy nature.
Fans of Penny Reid will love the little kids throughout the story to her books and her Penny Tries video series. Daisy sprinkled a few of them in perfectly.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Stranger Ranger by Daisy Prescott cast a spell on my heart and soul. The author’s incredible writing is nothing less than a powerful magic. The emotions were breathtaking. I lost myself in the Appalachian mountains with Odin and Daphne and their very special love story .
Daphne is the new ranger of the park working in the interpretation centre. She is shy and generally avoids people mingling. And then her path collides with Odin Hill. Like his namesake, this bearded hunk of a man is outrageously gorgeous. Also with an aura of indifference. Daphne keeps on hearing about his reputation as black sheep and his life into the hills almost like a hermit where he does foraging and organic farming. But she is intrigued by him. Just like Odin cannot stop thinking about the quirky woman who has snagged his attention in many many years. Will these two oddballs find love in the mountains and trails? Will their secrets become a barrier?
I love the author’s unique ability to suck me into the story completely from the beginning. The hero and heroine are not what you can typically expect. And I simply love that. They are so much relatable with their very real flaws and imperfections. At the same time, they are irresistible and unforgettable. I got invested in their story so deeply! I also admire how the author uses the mountains with the trails, the forest, the locals and the wild animals to give the story a different kind of personality. The small and fascinating details made me transport to the scene itself. Like a virtual trip. The nature isn’t only the backdrop. It’s very much part of the story.
The chemistry between Odin and Daphne was built very slowly and with precious care. They start as strangers not trusting about each other’s motives. But then the circumstances kept on bringing them together and they become confidantes. They both love the peace and silence of the mountains. They both don’t really care about society’s expectations. Behind their withdrawn and calm life, they have a rebellious soul. Their fight is for individuality and for being free. They have this magnetic connection that I could feel in my heart. Like electrical sparks under my skin. They have a very different and powerful kind of love that’s equally intense, swoonworthy and life changing.
I love how Daisy Prescott takes me to a whole new world in her stories! If romance is an escape, Stranger Ranger is the best kind. This story created the most beautiful emotional storm in my heart!
Received ARC for honest review