Review: 3.5 Stars
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 25, 2014
I started reading the author's books years ago, before she even had an editor. I like almost all of her stories, but I have to say that this is one of her weakest efforts.There are several things I like about S. E. Smith's books (including this one): The world building is interesting and the characters likable. The heroes are strong alpha-males without being jerks, and the heroine is strong and smart and definitely has a backbone. Also, the author doesn't use the `big misunderstanding that could be cleared up with one good talk' to create tension between her characters. There are definite challenges that the heroes and the heroine have to overcome, but they're `external' challenges that aren't due to a lack of communication.For me, S. E. Smith's books are like cotton candy: light, sweet, and fluffy. Something I indulge in every now and again. That being said, this book (and the previous two) were too sickly sweet for me. I know, I know - I read these books for the romance, that's true. But at some point it's just too much. There are pages upon pages where the characters swear their eternal love and devotion. I felt like I was intruding on their privacy and should leave them alone for a while.This is one book where I wish I could give a review with half a star. I give the four stars because I'm going to buy the author's next book. Three stars, for me, mean that I'm not going to buy the next book in the series. But it was definitely a borderline case.This is the second novel in a series but can be read as a standalone. The storyline is completely disconnected from the first book,Lily's Cowboys.