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Lost & Found #1
Lost & Found
There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling.
After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing.
Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded.
Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn’t care, the harder she falls.
When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.
After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing.
Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded.
Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn’t care, the harder she falls.
When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.
353 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2013
726 people are currently reading
25263 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Williams
52 books9,598 followersNicole is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author who got her humble start dictating books to her parents at the age of three and her big break nearly three decades later when she signed her first publishing deal. She grew up an avid reader and writer who majored in Economics because a Creative Writing degree was lofty and impractical, not to mention a pipe dream. Irony, you wily fiend.
When she isn’t embroiled in a book, she spends her time playing wife and mom to her two favorite people in the world, and referee to their three rescue pets/wildlings. Nicole lives in the Evergreen State on the quieter side, ideal for an admitted recluse who enjoys the diversity of outdoor endeavors the Great Northwest offers.
Nicole loves hearing from her readers. You can connect with her on:
Facebook: Author Nicole Williams
Instagram: author_nicole_williams
Twitter: nwilliamsbooks
When she isn’t embroiled in a book, she spends her time playing wife and mom to her two favorite people in the world, and referee to their three rescue pets/wildlings. Nicole lives in the Evergreen State on the quieter side, ideal for an admitted recluse who enjoys the diversity of outdoor endeavors the Great Northwest offers.
Nicole loves hearing from her readers. You can connect with her on:
Facebook: Author Nicole Williams
Instagram: author_nicole_williams
Twitter: nwilliamsbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,651 reviews
March 15, 2017
'Lost and Found' was a sweet, heartwarming story that ended up being a pretty good way to pass some time. This book tells the story of Rowen Sterling, a troubled teenage girl that has spent years acting out. She has used drugs, alcohol and sex to try and get her deadbeat mother's attention to no avail.
When Rowen's mother has finally had enough of Rowen's antics, she sends her to the home of an old friend in Montana. Rowen has never met the Walker family before, but she will be spending the summer on their ranch. It is about as far from Rowen's normal life in the city as possible, but she begrudgingly agrees to go or else her mother will not pay for her to attend art school in the fall.
Right from the start, I noticed that there was a contradiction between who Rowen was supposed to be and who she actually was. From the moment that she arrived on the ranch, she was considerate and respectful. She immediately fell into the routines of the Walker family and pulled her own weight. She was a far cry from the rebellious hell-raiser that she was supposed to be.
In very little time, Rowen and the Walker's son, Jesse, have caught each others' attention. While Rowen was supposedly the "bad girl", Jesse was a total sweetheart. He was hardworking, good looking and the type of guy that parents want their daughter to date. It was hard not to love Jesse.
As Rowen and Jesse's summer romance takes off, Jesse's past comes back to haunt them. His ex-best friend and his ex-girlfriend add a little drama to this story. Both Jesse and Rowen have to fight their insecurities at every turn.
When Rowen's mother shows up on the scene, all hell breaks loose. To say that her mother is nurturing is putting it mildly. Rowen's mother has spent years selfishly placing the needs of her revolving door of boyfriends above the needs of her own daughter. She is selfish and shallow. Suddenly, it becomes very apparent why Rowen had been acting out at home.
Overall, this was a nice, sweet story. If you're in the mood for a heartwarming, YA type of romance, this is a pretty good choice. This can easily be read as a standalone, although it is part of a series. You won't be left hanging. It will leave you with warm fuzzies.
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
When Rowen's mother has finally had enough of Rowen's antics, she sends her to the home of an old friend in Montana. Rowen has never met the Walker family before, but she will be spending the summer on their ranch. It is about as far from Rowen's normal life in the city as possible, but she begrudgingly agrees to go or else her mother will not pay for her to attend art school in the fall.
Right from the start, I noticed that there was a contradiction between who Rowen was supposed to be and who she actually was. From the moment that she arrived on the ranch, she was considerate and respectful. She immediately fell into the routines of the Walker family and pulled her own weight. She was a far cry from the rebellious hell-raiser that she was supposed to be.
In very little time, Rowen and the Walker's son, Jesse, have caught each others' attention. While Rowen was supposedly the "bad girl", Jesse was a total sweetheart. He was hardworking, good looking and the type of guy that parents want their daughter to date. It was hard not to love Jesse.
As Rowen and Jesse's summer romance takes off, Jesse's past comes back to haunt them. His ex-best friend and his ex-girlfriend add a little drama to this story. Both Jesse and Rowen have to fight their insecurities at every turn.
When Rowen's mother shows up on the scene, all hell breaks loose. To say that her mother is nurturing is putting it mildly. Rowen's mother has spent years selfishly placing the needs of her revolving door of boyfriends above the needs of her own daughter. She is selfish and shallow. Suddenly, it becomes very apparent why Rowen had been acting out at home.
Overall, this was a nice, sweet story. If you're in the mood for a heartwarming, YA type of romance, this is a pretty good choice. This can easily be read as a standalone, although it is part of a series. You won't be left hanging. It will leave you with warm fuzzies.
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
May 16, 2013
“Sometimes we just have to cut off the dead branches in our life. Sometimes that’s the only way we can keep the tree alive.”
Books like this one are the reason why I love reading. There is nothing more exhilarating than finding a rare gem of a story that holds you captive from beginning to end, makes you smile so much your jaw hurts by the time you turn that last page, and leaves you so delightfully enthralled by the characters, you wish the story never ended. This book quite simply stole my heart.
Rowen is a young woman desperately in need of a wake-up call in life. For the past five years, she has been spiralling down an angry hole of self-destructive behaviour, rebelling against everything and everyone around her. But behind the provocative black clothes, the dark contact lenses and the black lipstick, hides a broken-hearted young girl whose life has hurt and disappointed her so badly, that she has convinced herself not to expect anything but further pain.
“Instead of trying to get to the bottom of why her daughter was floundering through life, she sent me off to ranch boot camp to “prove” myself worthy of art school.”
After being shipped off by her emotionless mother to a ranch in the middle of nowhere with the directive to prove herself as responsible, hardworking and worthy of trust, Rowen finds herself sticking out like a sore thumb in wholesome countryside Montana. But for the first time in her young life, instead of fingers being pointed at her and being labelled a freak, people are actually taking their time to get to know her and seeing past her appearance. From barely having a parent who never showed her any love to suddenly being part of a large family where small demonstrations of love are a daily occurrence, Rowen is truly out of her element.
“Every morning we get a chance to be different. A chance to change. A chance to be better. Your past is your past. Leave it there. Get on with the future part, honey.”
At this point I think there should be a drumroll or some trumpet playing somewhere because lo and behold, prepare your hearts for the divine Mr Jesse Walker! Jesse is the ranch owner’s son and he is nothing like the guys Rowen is normally attracted to. He is cheerful, positive, affectionate, he pays her compliments and asks nothing in return, and he seems to see the person she so desperately tries to hide. The more she pushes him away, the more he gently pursues her, with nothing more than kindness and understanding. And a heart-melting smile.
“Why don’t you want to know that I like you, Rowen? Why don’t you want me to tell you I’m so damn attracted to you, I almost don’t trust myself to be alone with you like we are right now? Why don’t you want to know that I care about you so much…?”
Once her walls start crumbling and one very delicious cowboy gets under her skin, Rowen begins her journey of self-discovery.
“…when I looked into those eyes of his that saw everything, those eyes that saw me, I knew the fight would be worth it. The struggle to let him in when I wanted to barricade the windows and lower the gates would be a battle I’d never regret fighting.”
What is possibly one of the most enchanting and heart-warming romances I have read in a very long time, this is as much of a love story as it is a beautifully written and flawlessly developed tale of finding oneself and accepting that life is not just a string of negatives. Rowen is a complex character – her past has made her emotionally weary and afraid to let herself accept affection from others. She is hungry for it, starved for even the smallest sliver of unconditional love, but she has also been programmed to believe that she is unworthy of the kind of love Jesse is offering her. She perceives him as a ray of sunshine that her hang-ups would only end up clouding, but she ultimately fights their connection because she sees herself as undeserving to be loved, something her mother had ingrained into her with continuous neglect and grave lack of positive affirmations.
“You think you deserve this. You think you deserve to be alone and suffer. You’ve convinced yourself you’re so worthless that you’ve gone to the extreme to punish yourself. You think you deserve a life of misery.”
We watch the romance between Jesse and Rowen take root, blossom, weather the storms, as this young woman finds herself and learns that every woman deserves to have a ‘Jesse’ in her life. There is something very special in the way Nicole Williams gives her characters ‘life’, it is evident that they come from her heart and she somehow makes us love even the most imperfect of them.
It has been two days since I finished reading this book and my heart is still bursting at the seams!! A stunning book with a positive message – it was just what I needed, it was totally not what I expected, and it was simply perfect.
“We all want to open up to someone, Rowen. The hard part is finding someone we trust enough to open up to. That person we’re not afraid to let into the darkest parts of our world.”
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May 13, 2013
4.5 Stars!
This was one of those books that hooked me from the beginning. I loved both Rowen and Jesse- I just connected with them from the start. It is just one of those stories, that when you are finished reading, your heart is happy!
One of the first thing she sees when she gets off the bus is the ranch hand that is there to pick her up. Or rather the backside of the ranch hand.
I have to say, I have never had a thing for cowboys/country boys. Just not particularlty my thing. Jesse Walker may have changed all that for me. I just loved this boy. When he first meets Rowen, he talks to her like she matters. Not like she’s a freak. Thats how she is used to being seen.
She feels an automatic connection with Jesse. When she gets to the ranch, she meets Rose, her moms friend. Rose couldn’t be more different than her mother- in the best way. Rose has three daughters, who all treat Rowen like she is one of them. And to top it all off, the ranch hand Jesse is Rose’s son. The more time she spends with the Walkers, the more she learns about acceptance and love. Two things she has seriously been lacking. Jesse and Rowen become friends, but there is more there. The two of them share a connection. Even though they appear to be opposites, there is something pulling them together. Jesse wants to know all about Rowen.
Rowen has trouble forgiving herself and forgetting her past. Rose is always there to talk to her, encourage her like the mother she never had.
Jesse really likes Rowen. The first time he asks her out, she says maybe sometime...
For the first time in a long time, Rowen feels happy. Safe. Loved.
Rowen grows so much that summer. Learns about herself. The most important lesson she learns, is to love herself. No one can fix her. She has to be able to fix herself.
I really enjoyed this one. Rowen was a strong female lead. She was broken, hiding behind her makeup, clothing etc. It took the right person to open her up. To get her to talk, to heal. Jesse was just that person. We learn Jesse’s past isn’t as wonderful as it seems. But Jesse made choices Rowen didn’t. He chose to be the person he is today... and that person is wonderful! Jesse was the sweetest guy ever!
“No. I was waiting for you.”
He had his hot moments too- his ass in a pair of tight wranglers? Yes please! And I just loved their first time together...
“That was one hell of a dance.”
I can guarantee after reading this one, you will fall in love with this country boy! The advice given in this book is just phenomenal. It gives such a great message. My only complaint... as much as I enjoyed the ending, I could have really used an epilogue! Overall, a really good read!
This was one of those books that hooked me from the beginning. I loved both Rowen and Jesse- I just connected with them from the start. It is just one of those stories, that when you are finished reading, your heart is happy!
My secret? I’d simply accepted that life was pain.Meet Rowen Sterling. Rowen is a ‘troubled teenager’. After making some mistakes with boys, drugs, alcohol etc, and barley graduating high school, her mom is fed up. Rowen has an ultimatum. She can go to her mom’s childhood friends ranch in Montana and work for the summer, prove she is responsible, or her mom won’t pay for art school. Rowen and her mom have a very complicated relationship. Her mother is not a loving caring person. All Rowen wants to do is get away, follow her dreams of art, so she hops on a greyhound and heads to Montana.
One of the first thing she sees when she gets off the bus is the ranch hand that is there to pick her up. Or rather the backside of the ranch hand.
I have to say, I have never had a thing for cowboys/country boys. Just not particularlty my thing. Jesse Walker may have changed all that for me. I just loved this boy. When he first meets Rowen, he talks to her like she matters. Not like she’s a freak. Thats how she is used to being seen.
He didn’t study me like I was something different and scary. He looked at me like I was a human being, no different from himself, and yet unique just the same.
She feels an automatic connection with Jesse. When she gets to the ranch, she meets Rose, her moms friend. Rose couldn’t be more different than her mother- in the best way. Rose has three daughters, who all treat Rowen like she is one of them. And to top it all off, the ranch hand Jesse is Rose’s son. The more time she spends with the Walkers, the more she learns about acceptance and love. Two things she has seriously been lacking. Jesse and Rowen become friends, but there is more there. The two of them share a connection. Even though they appear to be opposites, there is something pulling them together. Jesse wants to know all about Rowen.
“We all want to open up to someone, Rowen. The hard part is finding someone we trust enough to open up to. That person we’re not afraid to let into the darkest parts of our world.”
Rowen has trouble forgiving herself and forgetting her past. Rose is always there to talk to her, encourage her like the mother she never had.
“Every morning we get a chance to be different. A chance to change. A chance to be better. Your past is your past. Leave it there.”
“You define you. Stop playing the victim and live your life.”
Jesse really likes Rowen. The first time he asks her out, she says maybe sometime...
“I’ve never been so excited for sometime.”Jesse is so swoonworthy. One of the most adorable characters ever! He cares for Rowen. He knows about her past, and he doesn’t care. He only cares about who she is now. He sees the real her.
“I see the real you, Rowen. And I like who you are.”That summer isn’t always smooth for the both of them. There are misunderstandings, complications, but eventually, they work it out and are able to be together. Rowen finally lets down her walls and lets Jesse in.
For the first time in a long time, Rowen feels happy. Safe. Loved.
After five years of feeling like I was suffocating, I could breathe again.
Rowen grows so much that summer. Learns about herself. The most important lesson she learns, is to love herself. No one can fix her. She has to be able to fix herself.
The only person who could fix Rowen was Rowen.
I really enjoyed this one. Rowen was a strong female lead. She was broken, hiding behind her makeup, clothing etc. It took the right person to open her up. To get her to talk, to heal. Jesse was just that person. We learn Jesse’s past isn’t as wonderful as it seems. But Jesse made choices Rowen didn’t. He chose to be the person he is today... and that person is wonderful! Jesse was the sweetest guy ever!
“No. I was waiting for you.”
He had his hot moments too- his ass in a pair of tight wranglers? Yes please! And I just loved their first time together...
“That was one hell of a dance.”
I can guarantee after reading this one, you will fall in love with this country boy! The advice given in this book is just phenomenal. It gives such a great message. My only complaint... as much as I enjoyed the ending, I could have really used an epilogue! Overall, a really good read!
“We shouldn’t spend our time trying to avoid falling. We should spend it finding someone who will help us up.”
May 15, 2013
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Jesse
Rowen
Rowen is not average teenager.She wants to be eccentric and push away all those who care for her.Her mum is so tired with her rebellious behaviour ,as Rowen used to be a trouble , and she is not willing to pay her tuitions for the university unless she spends her summer at the Walker's ranch.
The city girl has to live in the countryside for a WHOLE summer!!
Yet she never thought that the Walkers would turn out to be a very interesting family.
Their older son , Jesse , is a hard working boy who loves nature and his horse.
We are also introduced Garth.
He is the jerk of the story.Garth in the beginning seems to interested in her but his only purpose is to get in her pants.
However when he understnads that Rowen is not this type of girl anymore he gets disappointed and starts being an a@@hole towards her.
He discourages her and hurts her feelings.
Rowen's mum is an examlpe of how awful parents can be.This woman was annoying to death.She has no faith to her daughter and she was never there when she needed a mum.
All in all this was an average read for me. This book started really well.They were both of them sarcastic and it was so funny.Unfortunately, as their relationship had its ups and downs this happy mood was lost occasionally.Also,the book wasnt mind blowing even if the author tried to convulse us . At least I wasnt shaked by the revelations.The ending was a bit confusing to me.It left me with many questions and I have to say that I expected something different.
I wanted to say more about the book but I dont have free time to type my review so maybe full review to come later.
Jesse
Rowen
Rowen is not average teenager.She wants to be eccentric and push away all those who care for her.Her mum is so tired with her rebellious behaviour ,as Rowen used to be a trouble , and she is not willing to pay her tuitions for the university unless she spends her summer at the Walker's ranch.
The city girl has to live in the countryside for a WHOLE summer!!
Yet she never thought that the Walkers would turn out to be a very interesting family.
Their older son , Jesse , is a hard working boy who loves nature and his horse.
We are also introduced Garth.
He is the jerk of the story.Garth in the beginning seems to interested in her but his only purpose is to get in her pants.
However when he understnads that Rowen is not this type of girl anymore he gets disappointed and starts being an a@@hole towards her.
He discourages her and hurts her feelings.
Rowen's mum is an examlpe of how awful parents can be.This woman was annoying to death.She has no faith to her daughter and she was never there when she needed a mum.
All in all this was an average read for me. This book started really well.They were both of them sarcastic and it was so funny.Unfortunately, as their relationship had its ups and downs this happy mood was lost occasionally.Also,the book wasnt mind blowing even if the author tried to convulse us . At least I wasnt shaked by the revelations.The ending was a bit confusing to me.It left me with many questions and I have to say that I expected something different.
I wanted to say more about the book but I dont have free time to type my review so maybe full review to come later.
September 15, 2014
I don't know if maybe I'm just over the entire new adult genre or what, but I thought this book was terrible. It was free on Amazon and so many of my friends thought it was great, but I hated it.
It started out okay, but the melodrama VERY quickly escalated until it was almost like the whole book was a big joke that I wasn't in on.
We've got Rowen (so tired of these stupid names), the emotionally damaged girl who can't hide her overwhelming beauty with make-up, hair dye, and black clothing no matter how hard she tries because she's just so pretty that nothing can stop the gorgeous from shining through.
Rowen has a bad relationship with her mom, she drinks, dabbles in drugs, and is over-sexed. Her mom sends her to a ranch in Montana to prove that she deserves to go to art school despite her bad grades. At the Greyhound station when she arrives, Rowen meets Jesse. Jesse is the most gorgeous adonis of a cowboy to have ever lived. Apparently. The way he is described is like he walked off of the set of a gonzo porno film. He's 19, but all man. Because everyone knows that 19 year old boys are super manly and physically mature. Obviously.
On the car ride to the ranch the author makes it apparent that every single character in this book thinks that are either the second coming of Gandhi, Aristotle, Plato, or some other dead person that people used to quote in their AIM away messages. I don't know about you, but reading about teenagers waxing poetic about their lives and damages like they have all of the answers makes me want to stab sharp objects in my eyes.
"We all have secrets, Rowen. Every last person on the planet. And you know what else? We all experience the same kinds of things. We just go through them at different times and to different degrees [..] If we just were to accept we're not so different from each other, we wouldn't feel so alone."
STFU Jesse. You're 19. You don't know about life.
BUT ANYWAY...
So Jesse is this perfect looking cowboy who is also perfect in every other way. So of course he inexplicably likes Rowen for no reason. As does the rest of his family and the rest of the town. I guess because this small town in Montana is a haven for superheroes whose secret power is to see the "real you" regardless of your bad attitude or the weirdo clothes you wear. That's the only explanation I can come up with as to why these small town country people seem to like her. They don't know her, she looks like a criminal, and she has a bad attitude, but they automatically know that deep down she's a good person. No hate crimes or prejudice in small town Montana! So obviously they have special abilities that the rest of hillbilly America lacks.
Jesse's ex-girlfriend also loves Rowen for no reason. Josie is obviously still in love with Jesse, but wants to be friends with Rowen and isn't mad when she and Jesse get together.
The rest of Jesse's family is perfect. Rose seems to have quit her day job as the mom on 7th Heaven to raise a family and work on a ranch. She is inexplicably best friends with Rowen's god-awful mom though because it's obvious that Annie Camden likes to run with the wrong crowd sometimes.
The dialogue in this book is ridiculous. I could never say the things these characters say out loud without laughing. If a man said the things Jesse said to Rowen to me, I would have to bite my tongue off to keep from laughing in his face.
Up until about 79%, I would have given this 2 stars, but the last 20% made me want to do this:
The thing with the mom's boyfriend.. Oh my gawdddd.... Too much. I died laughing.
&
Rowen is suddenly such a great horseback rider after 3 months that she goes on a rescue mission, in the rain, that men who have been riding for 20 years think is too dangerous to attempt.
This book. It was just absurd. I can't.
As always, this review is also posted on my blog: Crazy Something Maybe
September 25, 2013
"If we were to just accept we’re not so different from each other, we wouldn’t feel so alone."
For five years Rowen has numbed her pain with alcohol and boys. After she barely graduated high school, Rowen finds herself in the middle of nowhere for the summer. She has to work at Willow Springs Ranch and she has to prove to her mother that she deserves to go to her dream art school.
Meet Rowen Sterling
"People had never ignored me, but they wished they could. They wished people like me would just disappear or fall off the face of the earth so they wouldn’t be reminded their little lives were so fake and full of shit."
Rowen thinks she is a failure, a lost cause and a disappointment to her mother and she hops that this summer in a ranch she can redeem herself and prove to her mother that she isn't a failure she thinks she is.
"A long time ago, I’d learned I was good at “handling” life. I didn’t excel at it, and I certainly didn’t thrive at it, but I could handle life and everything it had thrown at me. My secret? I’d simply accepted that life was pain."
Rowen has to work hard in the ranch, waking up at 4 AM and cooking all day for the dozen ranch hands is not easy, but Rowen believes that she deserves it. She thinks she deserves to be alone and suffer. She has convinced herself that she is worthless and working hard is one of the ways she is punishing herself. She has build walls around herself to not let anyone in, but Walkers see thought her walls, especially Jesse Walker, who from the moment he met her had her figured out.
Meet Jesse Walker (gotta show you the dimples)
"In fact, if I had to pick two words to describe Jesse, those would be the ones: warm and welcoming. And attractive. There was no denying that."
Jesse is honest, hard-working, sexy cowboy. Who isn't scared to say what he sees and how he sees it. I cant remember another 19 year old fictional character who was so thoughtful, so considerate and so understanding. The things that come out of him were just so insightful, well, lets just say I had to highlight a lot.
"We all want to open up to someone, Rowen. The hard part is finding someone we trust enough to open up to. That person we’re not afraid to let into the darkest parts of our world."
I loved Jesse and Rowen together, with Jesses clever and funny comments and Rowens smartass attitude they made a perfect couple. I had to laugh a lot. I liked that Jesse figured out Rowen pretty quick and that he was talking to her straight, like when Rowen got all annoying about he just told her to stop with that shit. I need more heroes like that, than maybe heroines wouldn't irritated the shit out of me.
"He was healing the wound that had been opened so long ago, I’d almost forgotten it was still there. I’d distracted myself with things that numbed my mind and body just enough I could continue to forget."
I loved this well-written book, with all its story developments and characters, including secondary. It was another beautiful story written by talented Nicole Williams I couldn't put down. I liked that the characters in this book were so different from characters in her other books. However usually I am not the fan of the golden boy, but in this book I fall in love with Jesse instantly. Jesse just warmed my heart with his sweetness and kindness and he was so smart and considerate ahh *sigh* just the perfect combination. Lastly, I really enjoyed getting to see how Rowen changes in this story from the lost girl that arrived to...
"Every morning we get a chance to be different.
A chance to change.
A chance to be better."
For five years Rowen has numbed her pain with alcohol and boys. After she barely graduated high school, Rowen finds herself in the middle of nowhere for the summer. She has to work at Willow Springs Ranch and she has to prove to her mother that she deserves to go to her dream art school.
Meet Rowen Sterling
"People had never ignored me, but they wished they could. They wished people like me would just disappear or fall off the face of the earth so they wouldn’t be reminded their little lives were so fake and full of shit."
Rowen thinks she is a failure, a lost cause and a disappointment to her mother and she hops that this summer in a ranch she can redeem herself and prove to her mother that she isn't a failure she thinks she is.
"A long time ago, I’d learned I was good at “handling” life. I didn’t excel at it, and I certainly didn’t thrive at it, but I could handle life and everything it had thrown at me. My secret? I’d simply accepted that life was pain."
Rowen has to work hard in the ranch, waking up at 4 AM and cooking all day for the dozen ranch hands is not easy, but Rowen believes that she deserves it. She thinks she deserves to be alone and suffer. She has convinced herself that she is worthless and working hard is one of the ways she is punishing herself. She has build walls around herself to not let anyone in, but Walkers see thought her walls, especially Jesse Walker, who from the moment he met her had her figured out.
Meet Jesse Walker (gotta show you the dimples)
"In fact, if I had to pick two words to describe Jesse, those would be the ones: warm and welcoming. And attractive. There was no denying that."
Jesse is honest, hard-working, sexy cowboy. Who isn't scared to say what he sees and how he sees it. I cant remember another 19 year old fictional character who was so thoughtful, so considerate and so understanding. The things that come out of him were just so insightful, well, lets just say I had to highlight a lot.
"We all want to open up to someone, Rowen. The hard part is finding someone we trust enough to open up to. That person we’re not afraid to let into the darkest parts of our world."
I loved Jesse and Rowen together, with Jesses clever and funny comments and Rowens smartass attitude they made a perfect couple. I had to laugh a lot. I liked that Jesse figured out Rowen pretty quick and that he was talking to her straight, like when Rowen got all annoying about he just told her to stop with that shit. I need more heroes like that, than maybe heroines wouldn't irritated the shit out of me.
"He was healing the wound that had been opened so long ago, I’d almost forgotten it was still there. I’d distracted myself with things that numbed my mind and body just enough I could continue to forget."
I loved this well-written book, with all its story developments and characters, including secondary. It was another beautiful story written by talented Nicole Williams I couldn't put down. I liked that the characters in this book were so different from characters in her other books. However usually I am not the fan of the golden boy, but in this book I fall in love with Jesse instantly. Jesse just warmed my heart with his sweetness and kindness and he was so smart and considerate ahh *sigh* just the perfect combination. Lastly, I really enjoyed getting to see how Rowen changes in this story from the lost girl that arrived to...
"Every morning we get a chance to be different.
A chance to change.
A chance to be better."
March 15, 2017
BR with Nancy❤️the❤️Bookaholic
4 Sweet Hearts!
This book kept me enraptured throughout. I was so enveloped by all of the characters in this.
Rowan loads a bus from Portland to go to Montana after she graduates from high school. This was a stipulation from her mother, if Rowan wanted her mom to pay her tuition to her desired art school. Her mom wanted Rowan to "prove" herself and see if she could shape up before she dished out. So off she goes to show her mom she's not a f*ck up.
”I’d been labeled a goth, emo, a druggie, a loser and my personal favorite only because it showed just how ignorant people were: freak.”
When she gets to Montana, she meets Jesse Walker.
Jesse is there to pick her up so she can be of some help to Rowan's mom's childhood friend, Rose. Rose and her husband Neil own a cattle ranch. With real cows. Talk about culture shock.
The Walker Family was uncharted territory for Rowan. All her life, she was known as a screw-up. Untrustworthy and unreliable. But the Walkers took her in, day by day. Not by first impression.
Being on a ranch, she had to work. Day by day, Rowan started not caring about her grungy appearance anymore. She started seeing who she really was. During her stay at Willow Springs Ranch, she developed a relationship with Jesse.
Jesse. What can I say? He is just such a good person. Just like everybody else in the Walker family, he doesn't judge. He takes everything in with a smile. Even if its sometimes an awkward smile.
I completely enjoyed and loved the relationship that Rowan developed with Jesse, as well as the whole Walker family. It was endearing to see Rowan's transformation. I completely loved this story and am currently enjoying the second book in this series, Near and Far while I'm writing this review! :)
I hope you enjoy when/if you decide to read this. Nicole Williams has yet to let me down!
Oh, and just a little something, something extra...
Garth Black - he's one of the supporting characters ;-)
4 Sweet Hearts!
This book kept me enraptured throughout. I was so enveloped by all of the characters in this.
Rowan loads a bus from Portland to go to Montana after she graduates from high school. This was a stipulation from her mother, if Rowan wanted her mom to pay her tuition to her desired art school. Her mom wanted Rowan to "prove" herself and see if she could shape up before she dished out. So off she goes to show her mom she's not a f*ck up.
”I’d been labeled a goth, emo, a druggie, a loser and my personal favorite only because it showed just how ignorant people were: freak.”
When she gets to Montana, she meets Jesse Walker.
Jesse is there to pick her up so she can be of some help to Rowan's mom's childhood friend, Rose. Rose and her husband Neil own a cattle ranch. With real cows. Talk about culture shock.
The Walker Family was uncharted territory for Rowan. All her life, she was known as a screw-up. Untrustworthy and unreliable. But the Walkers took her in, day by day. Not by first impression.
Being on a ranch, she had to work. Day by day, Rowan started not caring about her grungy appearance anymore. She started seeing who she really was. During her stay at Willow Springs Ranch, she developed a relationship with Jesse.
Jesse. What can I say? He is just such a good person. Just like everybody else in the Walker family, he doesn't judge. He takes everything in with a smile. Even if its sometimes an awkward smile.
I completely enjoyed and loved the relationship that Rowan developed with Jesse, as well as the whole Walker family. It was endearing to see Rowan's transformation. I completely loved this story and am currently enjoying the second book in this series, Near and Far while I'm writing this review! :)
I hope you enjoy when/if you decide to read this. Nicole Williams has yet to let me down!
Oh, and just a little something, something extra...
Garth Black - he's one of the supporting characters ;-)
May 8, 2013
4 ~ 4 1/2 Cowboy Tight Pants Stars
Saddle up and be prepared to join Rowen Sterling, a recent high school barely graduate on a summer of self-discovery.
Rowen’s horrible mother has sent her to an old friend’s ranch to prove that she is worthy of her mother’s money to attend art school in the fall.
”I’d been labeled a goth, emo, a druggie, a loser and my personal favorite only because it showed just how ignorant people were: freak.”
Rowen has let others define her including her peers and her mother. No one trusts her, no one loves her and no one believes in her.
Rowen boards a greyhound bus for Montana to spend the summer and right from the get go we meet Jesse Walker. Jesse is a hot cowboy, who all the girls in the town swoon over.
Jesse likes Rowen from the get go. He sees past her walls and they have some pretty funny banter and hot chemistry.
Problem is…Rowen feels unworthy of the county’s golden boy.
”A girl with my past doesn’t deserve a guy with your future, Jesse.”
This story gradually brings Rowen into the “best her” she can be. Whether her mother acknowledges this another matter.
I loved the horse rides, the porch swings, the rodeo, the dance and I loved Jesse and Rowen’s first time!
My only complaint was the depth in which Jesse and the Walker’s offer advice. The advice was always wonderful just a bit over the top for regular folk.
Nicole Williams does a wonderful job telling this story and adds a great cast of characters along the way including some of my favorites Garth and Jose.
Overall, a sweet ya read!
Saddle up and be prepared to join Rowen Sterling, a recent high school barely graduate on a summer of self-discovery.
Rowen’s horrible mother has sent her to an old friend’s ranch to prove that she is worthy of her mother’s money to attend art school in the fall.
”I’d been labeled a goth, emo, a druggie, a loser and my personal favorite only because it showed just how ignorant people were: freak.”
Rowen has let others define her including her peers and her mother. No one trusts her, no one loves her and no one believes in her.
Rowen boards a greyhound bus for Montana to spend the summer and right from the get go we meet Jesse Walker. Jesse is a hot cowboy, who all the girls in the town swoon over.
Jesse likes Rowen from the get go. He sees past her walls and they have some pretty funny banter and hot chemistry.
Problem is…Rowen feels unworthy of the county’s golden boy.
”A girl with my past doesn’t deserve a guy with your future, Jesse.”
This story gradually brings Rowen into the “best her” she can be. Whether her mother acknowledges this another matter.
I loved the horse rides, the porch swings, the rodeo, the dance and I loved Jesse and Rowen’s first time!
My only complaint was the depth in which Jesse and the Walker’s offer advice. The advice was always wonderful just a bit over the top for regular folk.
Nicole Williams does a wonderful job telling this story and adds a great cast of characters along the way including some of my favorites Garth and Jose.
Overall, a sweet ya read!
October 22, 2015
♥♥♥ 3.5 STARS ♥♥♥
Lost and Found is about an eighteen year old girl, Rowen, who aspires to go to art school in Seattle. Unfortunately, that may not happen, until she proves herself to her mother that she isn't the troubled girl that she has been growing up. That was the deal. Spend the summer working at her mother's friend's ranch sans pay. Rowen was kind of goth-ish, with her dyed black hair, dark lipstick, and dark revealing clothes. She's use to people thinking she is a freak. But that changes completely when she meets Jesse. He is a young gorgeous cowboy who sees her as the person she is.
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The only person who could fix Rowen was Rowen.
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
I really liked Rowen, in that she didn't care what people really thought of her. At least that is how she seemed in the surface, really she had an entire fortress built around her so that she could never get hurt. She had alot to move on from, her mother was never supportive of her. She doesn't know what it's liked to be loved by her mother because her mother never showed her affection. I felt so bad for her and how she thought she was undeserving of love. I absolutely hated her mother, she was a horrible woman. I can't believe she was so selfish and uncaring about her ONLY child. I was so happy she found what she never had in her mother's friend, Rose. Now, that woman was wonderful. I loved her.
Jesse Walker is Rose's nineteen year old son and he is the one that picks Rowen up from the bus station. Their connection is immediate. I loved reading their funny banter. It was quite adorable. It was interesting how well they got along considering how opposite they were. Jesse was hard working charming young man. He is very positive with a sunny personality and dimpled grin. He sees the person not the 'freak' people think of when they see Rowen. He pursues her until she finally agrees to go out with him. Throughout their summer together, he shows her what a great person she is.
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
“We don’t deserve anything Rowen. We don’t deserve punishment, we don’t deserve happiness, life owes us nothing. Realize that.” His voice wasn’t gentle anymore; it was as strong as I’d ever heard it. “So we have to take what we want because life sure as shit isn’t going to freely hand it over.” He kissed the skin just above my collar bone. “And I want you.”
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
I LOVED Jesse. He was such a sweet and a wiser-than-his-years guy. I seriously loved him so much and how well he complimented Rowen. And of course, I loved his skin tight jeans that showed off his great ass. He was super supportive and understanding towards Rowen in making sure her dreams came true, with or without her mother's financial help. He knew she could do it. He was determined to make her see herself of a worthy person of love and not believe everything bad people would say to her, her mother included. I loved how he would comfort her when she needed it and protect her. He was just the most awesome and perfect character. It makes me wish I had a Jesse growing up, especially when I was in my insecure teen years. I can't say enough how much I loved him and how much he made me swoon with his sweet words. *sigh*
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“I love you so much it scares me.”
"Are you done?"
It seemed the flood had come to an end, for the moment so I nodded.
"Good," he said, his breath warm against my neck. "Because I love you too."
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
The storyline it self was quite interesting. I loved watching the transformation in Rowen as the book progressed. She was still herself, she just became more open. I loved any scene in which Rowen would talk with the sweet woman that is Rose. I loved all the advice she had for Rowen and how much faith she had in her. It was beautiful to see her have a mother figure in someone when her own mother was pretty much non-existant, even when she was there. I loved Rose's daughters as well and how they showed Rowen alot of kindness. Even Jesse's ex-girlfriend was super nice, which was refreshing. But of course my absolute favourite was seeing her with Jesse. I was just awesome! As much as I liked the relationship and character growth, some of the scenes were a bit predictable. I knew a few times just what was going to happen next and it did. It was a sweet light read, which was just what I needed after reading such a dark book. Still, the ending could have been better with an epilogue. If your looking for a great inbetween book, this one is it.
July 6, 2013
For more reviews, visit Jacqueline's Reads
4.5 Honky Tonk Stars
Lost and Found was rootin’ tootin’, yippee ki yay, dern fantastic!
It was the kind of kiss a girl would forever measure against. It set the bar for all future kisses
Okay Okay, I should have a little disclaimer. Husband is a southern boy, he actually grew up on a farm, which I have visited and yes, there’s a barn, cows and trackers oh-my. So, I really really really appreciated this sweet, light-hearted country theme story.
[Summary]
It’s the summer before Rowen goes to college for art school. Because of Rowen’s past poor behavior, her mom offers her a deal, if Rowen spends the summer with a family friend in the country, then Rowen’s mom will pay for art school. This is a no brainer for Rowen, she gladly goes to the country, with steel toe boots, black hoodies and dyed black hair and all. Jesse is your typical sexy cowboy, he’s sweet, strong and the ladies love him, but despite complete differences he’s very intrigued with his new house guest.
[Rowen]
I wouldn’t call Rowen Goth, I think she’s just a little dark and damaged. Based on her attitude and how she’s dressed, you know there is something bothering her and she definitely has low self-esteem. You also know there’s a reason why she acts the way she acts. I liked Rowen, even though she’s kind of edgy, but overall she’s really sweet! Yes, there were times I was kind of ticked off with some of her actions, but hey no Heroine is perfect.
Guys like Jesse didn’t say those kinds of things to me. They didn’t look at me the way he was now. No guy said or felt those kinds of things for me, because I wasn’t the kind of girl who deserved to be adored.
[Jesse]
Oh.My.God. Jesse, oh how I love you. Yes, I love your Levis’ , your truck, your sexy boots and your sexy cowboy hat. You can take me horseback riding any time of the day. If you have a thing for cowboys or country boys, then Jesse is it.. Can we say SWOON? I loved Jesse, he was sweet, level headed and just all around a standup guy. You will love him too. I promise.
I’m a cowboy, remember? I’ve got steel running through my veins
I wanted to be that girl that deserved the way he was looking at me. I wanted to be that girl that deserved him… but I wasn’t that girl.
[Overall]
Yes, this is a light-hearted read, but there are also issues. I mean Rowen is just a ball of issues and throughout the read, we see her struggle with them. So, there’s plenty of depth. I also, absolutely loved the side characters. Rowen basically stays with Jesse’s family and his whole clan is freaking awesome. I enjoyed Lost and Found so much because there was the right balance of “sweetness” to “tension”. I wasn’t annoyed and I wasn’t bored, everything just worked.
Every morning we get a chance to be different. A chance to change. A chance to be better. Your past is your past. Leave it there. Get on with the future part…
Finally, if you hadn’t noticed, I LOVED the scenery. The read just screams “SOUTHERN” and being from TEXAS, you can see where I am coming from.
Lost and Found is a treat and you will not be disappointed!
I know, she doesn’t have black hair, but this is what I was envisioning. :D
**LICK**
4.5 Honky Tonk Stars
Lost and Found was rootin’ tootin’, yippee ki yay, dern fantastic!
It was the kind of kiss a girl would forever measure against. It set the bar for all future kisses
Okay Okay, I should have a little disclaimer. Husband is a southern boy, he actually grew up on a farm, which I have visited and yes, there’s a barn, cows and trackers oh-my. So, I really really really appreciated this sweet, light-hearted country theme story.
[Summary]
It’s the summer before Rowen goes to college for art school. Because of Rowen’s past poor behavior, her mom offers her a deal, if Rowen spends the summer with a family friend in the country, then Rowen’s mom will pay for art school. This is a no brainer for Rowen, she gladly goes to the country, with steel toe boots, black hoodies and dyed black hair and all. Jesse is your typical sexy cowboy, he’s sweet, strong and the ladies love him, but despite complete differences he’s very intrigued with his new house guest.
[Rowen]
I wouldn’t call Rowen Goth, I think she’s just a little dark and damaged. Based on her attitude and how she’s dressed, you know there is something bothering her and she definitely has low self-esteem. You also know there’s a reason why she acts the way she acts. I liked Rowen, even though she’s kind of edgy, but overall she’s really sweet! Yes, there were times I was kind of ticked off with some of her actions, but hey no Heroine is perfect.
Guys like Jesse didn’t say those kinds of things to me. They didn’t look at me the way he was now. No guy said or felt those kinds of things for me, because I wasn’t the kind of girl who deserved to be adored.
[Jesse]
Oh.My.God. Jesse, oh how I love you. Yes, I love your Levis’ , your truck, your sexy boots and your sexy cowboy hat. You can take me horseback riding any time of the day. If you have a thing for cowboys or country boys, then Jesse is it.. Can we say SWOON? I loved Jesse, he was sweet, level headed and just all around a standup guy. You will love him too. I promise.
I’m a cowboy, remember? I’ve got steel running through my veins
I wanted to be that girl that deserved the way he was looking at me. I wanted to be that girl that deserved him… but I wasn’t that girl.
[Overall]
Yes, this is a light-hearted read, but there are also issues. I mean Rowen is just a ball of issues and throughout the read, we see her struggle with them. So, there’s plenty of depth. I also, absolutely loved the side characters. Rowen basically stays with Jesse’s family and his whole clan is freaking awesome. I enjoyed Lost and Found so much because there was the right balance of “sweetness” to “tension”. I wasn’t annoyed and I wasn’t bored, everything just worked.
Every morning we get a chance to be different. A chance to change. A chance to be better. Your past is your past. Leave it there. Get on with the future part…
Finally, if you hadn’t noticed, I LOVED the scenery. The read just screams “SOUTHERN” and being from TEXAS, you can see where I am coming from.
Lost and Found is a treat and you will not be disappointed!
I know, she doesn’t have black hair, but this is what I was envisioning. :D
**LICK**
May 13, 2013
Buddy reading with Kristina :D
May 10, 2013
4.5 stars
”A long time ago, I’d learned I was good at “handling” life. I didn’t excel at it, and I certainly didn’t thrive at it, but I could handle life and everything it had thrown at me.
My secret? I’d simply accepted that life was pain.”
Rowan is young woman who puts up a front for the world. On the outside she looks strong, uncaring, dark, or a “freak” as many call her. She has gotten into her fair share of trouble and her mother has never known how to deal with her. All Rowan wants is to go to art school, so to “prove herself” to her mother, she must go work on The Walker’s family ranch in Montana.
Once she gets to Montana, Rowan meets Jesse Walker. Oh. My. God. Jesse Walker… he is the epitome of a hot cowboy in his hat, boots, and tight wranglers. He’s described as Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall… ummm yeah, I can be down with that. So anyways, Jesse is intense, honest, and confident and immediately I liked him. He isn’t just the typical southern gentlemen type that can get boring with the calling everybody “ma’am” all the time. He’s snarky and funny and really keeps Rowan on her toes with their constant banter. Their romance is so beautiful; I just absolutely adored them together.
Besides Jesse, the whole Walker family is really awesome. Rose, Jesse’s mom was definitely one of my favorite parts of the story. Since Rowan’s mom really sucks and has never been much of a mother to her at all, she is in desperate need of some motherly love and guidance. Rose really gave that to her throughout the story, but the best part was, it was completely natural. She doesn’t force anything on Rowan or demand she act or do something a certain way, she just makes Rowan think.
The characters are really what make this book so special. I felt a connection to Rowan, Jesse, Rose, and many of the others. The development is steady and believable and just perfect. Rowan comes off dark, but she really does have so much light in her and I love how that is revealed little by little. She was a phenomenal narrator for this story and I loved going through her journey to know herself better. Jesse and his family really help to heal her and give her the love that she so desperately needed. Although I wasn’t surprised by the events that transpired as I read them, I was surprised by the way this book made me feel. I wasn’t expecting what I got and it was in the best possible way. This book just left me with such a good feeling. I loved it!
"I was done with labels. I was done with letting them define me. I was Rowan Sterling."
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
For more reviews go to Reality Bites! Let's Get Lost!!
Check us out on Facebook too!
”A long time ago, I’d learned I was good at “handling” life. I didn’t excel at it, and I certainly didn’t thrive at it, but I could handle life and everything it had thrown at me.
My secret? I’d simply accepted that life was pain.”
Rowan is young woman who puts up a front for the world. On the outside she looks strong, uncaring, dark, or a “freak” as many call her. She has gotten into her fair share of trouble and her mother has never known how to deal with her. All Rowan wants is to go to art school, so to “prove herself” to her mother, she must go work on The Walker’s family ranch in Montana.
Once she gets to Montana, Rowan meets Jesse Walker. Oh. My. God. Jesse Walker… he is the epitome of a hot cowboy in his hat, boots, and tight wranglers. He’s described as Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall… ummm yeah, I can be down with that. So anyways, Jesse is intense, honest, and confident and immediately I liked him. He isn’t just the typical southern gentlemen type that can get boring with the calling everybody “ma’am” all the time. He’s snarky and funny and really keeps Rowan on her toes with their constant banter. Their romance is so beautiful; I just absolutely adored them together.
"I’ve only known you a couple of days. That’s not that long at all. I don’t know you well enough to pretend like I know you and your problems. But I want to know you. I want to know your problems. That is… if you want to know me.”
Besides Jesse, the whole Walker family is really awesome. Rose, Jesse’s mom was definitely one of my favorite parts of the story. Since Rowan’s mom really sucks and has never been much of a mother to her at all, she is in desperate need of some motherly love and guidance. Rose really gave that to her throughout the story, but the best part was, it was completely natural. She doesn’t force anything on Rowan or demand she act or do something a certain way, she just makes Rowan think.
“But you’re wrong about one thing. This summer isn’t your chance to prove yourself to your mom.” Leaning back just far enough my face was in front of hers. Rose’s eyes locked on mine. “This summer is your chance to prove yourself to you.”
…
“You’re no more a freak than I am. You’re just as much a freak as I am, too. Don’t let some ignorant name you’ve heard directed your way define you. You define you.” She pressed her finger into my face. “Stop playing the victim and live your life.”
The characters are really what make this book so special. I felt a connection to Rowan, Jesse, Rose, and many of the others. The development is steady and believable and just perfect. Rowan comes off dark, but she really does have so much light in her and I love how that is revealed little by little. She was a phenomenal narrator for this story and I loved going through her journey to know herself better. Jesse and his family really help to heal her and give her the love that she so desperately needed. Although I wasn’t surprised by the events that transpired as I read them, I was surprised by the way this book made me feel. I wasn’t expecting what I got and it was in the best possible way. This book just left me with such a good feeling. I loved it!
"I was done with labels. I was done with letting them define me. I was Rowan Sterling."
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
For more reviews go to Reality Bites! Let's Get Lost!!
Check us out on Facebook too!
Want to read
April 8, 2013
Release date: May 7, 2013. NA Contemporary Romance.
BLURB: There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling.
After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing.
Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded.
Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn’t care, the harder she falls.
When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.
October 18, 2015
3.75
This is free on Amazon
------> Link: http://amzn.com/B00CODYP5C
This book surprised the hell out of me. My feelings at the beginning were totally changed by the end. I thought the beginning was really silly, and I just knew I wasn't going to be able to stand either the main character or that of the main male character.....wrong.
This story was so heartwarming, and sweet, and also, quite serious. It was funny, and had its sad moments - it was pretty much everything I like in my books. I really ended up loving the main character, and her struggles with figuring out who she is. Jesse, was just so sweet and silly, and HIS FAMILY! Omg, I want his family. I love his mom, she was the best.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel to this. I felt like I didn't get near enough of Rowen and Jesse, or the rest of the Walker family <3
come find me:
www.facebook.com/ReadsAsh
IG: ash.reads Twitter: @ReadsAsh
This is free on Amazon
------> Link: http://amzn.com/B00CODYP5C
This book surprised the hell out of me. My feelings at the beginning were totally changed by the end. I thought the beginning was really silly, and I just knew I wasn't going to be able to stand either the main character or that of the main male character.....wrong.
This story was so heartwarming, and sweet, and also, quite serious. It was funny, and had its sad moments - it was pretty much everything I like in my books. I really ended up loving the main character, and her struggles with figuring out who she is. Jesse, was just so sweet and silly, and HIS FAMILY! Omg, I want his family. I love his mom, she was the best.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel to this. I felt like I didn't get near enough of Rowen and Jesse, or the rest of the Walker family <3
come find me:
www.facebook.com/ReadsAsh
IG: ash.reads Twitter: @ReadsAsh
August 4, 2014
FREE ON AMAZON 6/13/14
http://amzn.to/1qvDWcR
http://amzn.to/1qvDWcR
October 28, 2015
4.5 stars!****
Cowboyyyyyyys! In tight jeans. With hats!
But besides cowboys it was a gripping, heart-breaking, hope inducing book.
Rowen just barely graduated highschool. She's a mess. She did drugs, skipped classes and slept with too many guys.
Her mother send her to a ranch in the middle of nowhere so that she could "prove" herself. Also if she didn't go, her mother wouldn't have funded her art school.
She lives with a big, loving family. A completely strange concept to her since her mother is one coldhearted bitch. They accept her how she is, her humor, the way she dresses..
Jesse is a typical cowboy. He rides a horse, drives an old car, listens to country music and wears too small jeans. When he drives to a bus station to pick up a girl who'll stay with them for the summer, who he finds is not what he expected.
This closed off girl with too many secrets who speaks sarcasms as her native language and hides beneath her snarky attitude touched something inside of him.
He'll have to fight her to let him inside her head and inside her heart.
I enjoyed reading this book so much. It was very well written, it was gripping and kept me on my toes most of the time.
Seeing Rowen step out of her comfort zone was so damn satisfying. It took some time and a lot of work until that happened, but when it did happen it was like reading about almost a different person. Who was still sarcatic.
Rowen's and Jesse's relationship did progress fast, but I didn't mind. Sometimes I even wished for them to finally to stop going around it and be together.
Her relationship with Jesse is something we (or at least me :D) all want. It isn't based on chemistry only (they have it all right) but on mutual feelings and respect. They knew each other well, they knew what made the other tick before they bacame physical. And the result is amazing.
Rowen's mother is one of the worst mothers I've ever read about. She's so self-centered and egoistic and unwilling to see or even try to see beneath the facade Rowen had build around herself.
Jesse's family took their time and saw beneath it and they basically adopted her. And not only because their son was dating her.
I'm glad that there are sequels of this couple because I've not had enough of Jesse yet!
For more reviews visit my blog
Cowboyyyyyyys! In tight jeans. With hats!
But besides cowboys it was a gripping, heart-breaking, hope inducing book.
Rowen just barely graduated highschool. She's a mess. She did drugs, skipped classes and slept with too many guys.
I’d worn so many different labels I lost count. People liked to label things; it made them feel like the world made some sense. Like, if I was one thing, they were the other.
I’d been labeled a goth, an emo, a druggie, a loser, and my personal favorite only because it showed just how ignorant people were: a freak.
Her mother send her to a ranch in the middle of nowhere so that she could "prove" herself. Also if she didn't go, her mother wouldn't have funded her art school.
She lives with a big, loving family. A completely strange concept to her since her mother is one coldhearted bitch. They accept her how she is, her humor, the way she dresses..
Jesse is a typical cowboy. He rides a horse, drives an old car, listens to country music and wears too small jeans. When he drives to a bus station to pick up a girl who'll stay with them for the summer, who he finds is not what he expected.
This closed off girl with too many secrets who speaks sarcasms as her native language and hides beneath her snarky attitude touched something inside of him.
He'll have to fight her to let him inside her head and inside her heart.
“We will all, at some point in our lives, fall. Every single one of us. We shouldn't spend our time trying to avoid falling. We should spend it finding someone who will help us up.”
I enjoyed reading this book so much. It was very well written, it was gripping and kept me on my toes most of the time.
Seeing Rowen step out of her comfort zone was so damn satisfying. It took some time and a lot of work until that happened, but when it did happen it was like reading about almost a different person. Who was still sarcatic.
Rowen's and Jesse's relationship did progress fast, but I didn't mind. Sometimes I even wished for them to finally to stop going around it and be together.
Her relationship with Jesse is something we (or at least me :D) all want. It isn't based on chemistry only (they have it all right) but on mutual feelings and respect. They knew each other well, they knew what made the other tick before they bacame physical. And the result is amazing.
We don’t always need to know the answers. We shouldn’t get hung up on the questions we can’t answer because life, by definition, is confusing. We’re never going to have all the answers. Never. We should focus on the questions we can answer and make peace with the ones we can’t.
Rowen's mother is one of the worst mothers I've ever read about. She's so self-centered and egoistic and unwilling to see or even try to see beneath the facade Rowen had build around herself.
Jesse's family took their time and saw beneath it and they basically adopted her. And not only because their son was dating her.
I'm glad that there are sequels of this couple because I've not had enough of Jesse yet!
For more reviews visit my blog
March 5, 2015
Title: Lost and found
Author: Nicole Williams
Rating: 2.5 stars
POV: first person heroine
HEA:
Heat/Steam low
Cliffhanger: . No.
Intolerable Heroine .No.
Über Douchebagery .No.
Taboo Subject Matter .No.
Cheating:
Love Triangle
I really wanted to like this one because it's the perfect recipe of things I enjoy in a romance. Unfortunately I spent most of the book bored out of my mind. There's a major case of instalove that unfortunately didn't work so well in this book because it felt like it just came out of nowhere. There's not development in their relationship and it just goes from meeting each other to being in love and inseparable. I didn't connect to the story because quite frankly nothing all that interesting happens for more than half of the book. When we do get some kind of drama it was completely predictable and unoriginal.
I did like the hero but not enough to save the book for me.
May 3, 2016
Reviewed by: Hello Beautiful Book Blog
Free on Amazon!
Potential for the story, but some aspects fell flat... or annoying... or just plain strange.
Rowen is on her way to work on a ranch for the summer to prove to her mom she is worthy of going to art school in the fall despite her terrible grades and behavior. She meets up with a cowboy to take her back to the ranch and that’s when the story starts to get weird… and dumb. Jesse is apparently a 19 year old philosopher and totally mature. Yeah… That’s not the weird part though, it’s how rude and snarky she is to him when they literally just meet and he’s totally cool with it – doesn’t phase him at all. He’s doing her a favor by picking her up and all she has for him is bitchiness. I think that’s what threw the book into a tailspin for me. It just started on my nerves and never stopped.
Also, apparently everyone is Montana is some saint. Everyone understands Rowen and doesn’t judge her. I’ve never been to Montana, but I can guarantee the kids who wear black clothes and heavy makeup, also known as “goth” are judged and made fun of. I will put money down.
Another down fall is main character, Rowen, is so annoying.”Oh I hate Garth, he is terrible, but yes I would totally love to go to the rodeo with you. Blah, blah, blah.” Jesse would be a good main love interest if she didn’t put him on some pedestal to sainthood.
I’m sorry to everyone who loved this book, I just can’t. I wanted to, but I can’t. I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because I was able to finish it and it made me smile one time, but other than that, total bust.
Now I kind of feel like I was harsh. It wasn’t a total disaster, I did enjoy some parts. I just needed to clear my thoughts.
Aside from everything, Rowen and Jesse’s relationship was sort of cute and Rowen was funny at times. Jesse’s mom was sweet and I liked all of Jesse’s sisters. So, there’s that.
Free on Amazon!
Potential for the story, but some aspects fell flat... or annoying... or just plain strange.
Rowen is on her way to work on a ranch for the summer to prove to her mom she is worthy of going to art school in the fall despite her terrible grades and behavior. She meets up with a cowboy to take her back to the ranch and that’s when the story starts to get weird… and dumb. Jesse is apparently a 19 year old philosopher and totally mature. Yeah… That’s not the weird part though, it’s how rude and snarky she is to him when they literally just meet and he’s totally cool with it – doesn’t phase him at all. He’s doing her a favor by picking her up and all she has for him is bitchiness. I think that’s what threw the book into a tailspin for me. It just started on my nerves and never stopped.
“If we were to just accept we’re not so different from each other, we wouldn’t feel so alone.”
Also, apparently everyone is Montana is some saint. Everyone understands Rowen and doesn’t judge her. I’ve never been to Montana, but I can guarantee the kids who wear black clothes and heavy makeup, also known as “goth” are judged and made fun of. I will put money down.
Another down fall is main character, Rowen, is so annoying.”Oh I hate Garth, he is terrible, but yes I would totally love to go to the rodeo with you. Blah, blah, blah.” Jesse would be a good main love interest if she didn’t put him on some pedestal to sainthood.
I’m sorry to everyone who loved this book, I just can’t. I wanted to, but I can’t. I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because I was able to finish it and it made me smile one time, but other than that, total bust.
“Sometimes we just have to cut off the dead branches in our life. Sometimes that’s the only way we can keep the tree alive. It’s hard and it hurts, but it’s what’s best.”
Now I kind of feel like I was harsh. It wasn’t a total disaster, I did enjoy some parts. I just needed to clear my thoughts.
Aside from everything, Rowen and Jesse’s relationship was sort of cute and Rowen was funny at times. Jesse’s mom was sweet and I liked all of Jesse’s sisters. So, there’s that.
May 11, 2013
Lost and Found by Nicole Williams is one book you MUST read ~ Once I started reading this one I was literally ............................
Rowen has always found herself outside of the "traditional" roles in society marching to the beat of her own drum ~ She also was very good at doing this when someone became too close to her...................
well that all changes when she meets Jesse ~ Jesse with the "too tight" pants, white shirt, straw cowboy hat and cowboy boots. Yes ladies Jesse is the complete "cowboy package" and you will...........
with him the minute he's on the scene. Jesse isn't Rowen's usual type but Jesse really is AMAZING even for a pierced eyebrow combat boot wearing wild girl from the "city". Rowen & Jesse's first meeting had me.................................................................
and then before the end of the book I was so........................
for the two of them. This book definitely has moments that had me....
and then moments where I was.....................................
by some of the things that were said to Rowen and about Rowen but nothing tops Rowen's mother who I so wanted to.....................
Rowen's been through enough the past 5 years and this trip out to Montana was her mother's promise to "work" for art school she desperately wanted to go to but I think Rowen was a little..........
by the love the entire Walker family showed her as well as the acceptance and one hell of a valuable lesson to love yourself ~ Yes Rowen definitely needed some clean country living!!!! There were times where I was.......................................................
and there were far to many times where I was........................
at situations, people and I wanted to wrap my arms around both Jesse & Rowen and just......................................................
Nothing was more beautiful than watching Jesse's & Rowen's relationship evolve ~ there was some.................................
some times where I sat back and .....................................
and times where the ever so wise Jesse would dish out a little piece of wisdom for Rowen and I was.......................................
but the golden boy who seemingly has lead the charmed life with a very loving family, good looks, and friendly attitude will leave you......
by one little revelation proving once again how wise this guy is! By the end of this one I was............................................
Lost and Found is a beautifully written story about letting the past go and finding yourself and being happy with whatever self that may be. This was a 5+++++++++ star read that I gobbled up quickly and couldn't put down. I immediately wanted to jump right back into the book once I finished it ~ IT IS THAT AWESOME! The book is told from Rowen's perspective and that worked just perfect for me even if I was head over heels in love with Jesse and wanting to find myself a cowboy with a big heart and tight pants by the end of the book.
I highly recommend you make this one your NEXT read ~ I think I have a little book hang-over going on after finishing this one and I need to pick up another Nicole Williams book ~
Rowen has always found herself outside of the "traditional" roles in society marching to the beat of her own drum ~ She also was very good at doing this when someone became too close to her...................
well that all changes when she meets Jesse ~ Jesse with the "too tight" pants, white shirt, straw cowboy hat and cowboy boots. Yes ladies Jesse is the complete "cowboy package" and you will...........
with him the minute he's on the scene. Jesse isn't Rowen's usual type but Jesse really is AMAZING even for a pierced eyebrow combat boot wearing wild girl from the "city". Rowen & Jesse's first meeting had me.................................................................
and then before the end of the book I was so........................
for the two of them. This book definitely has moments that had me....
and then moments where I was.....................................
by some of the things that were said to Rowen and about Rowen but nothing tops Rowen's mother who I so wanted to.....................
Rowen's been through enough the past 5 years and this trip out to Montana was her mother's promise to "work" for art school she desperately wanted to go to but I think Rowen was a little..........
by the love the entire Walker family showed her as well as the acceptance and one hell of a valuable lesson to love yourself ~ Yes Rowen definitely needed some clean country living!!!! There were times where I was.......................................................
and there were far to many times where I was........................
at situations, people and I wanted to wrap my arms around both Jesse & Rowen and just......................................................
Nothing was more beautiful than watching Jesse's & Rowen's relationship evolve ~ there was some.................................
some times where I sat back and .....................................
and times where the ever so wise Jesse would dish out a little piece of wisdom for Rowen and I was.......................................
but the golden boy who seemingly has lead the charmed life with a very loving family, good looks, and friendly attitude will leave you......
by one little revelation proving once again how wise this guy is! By the end of this one I was............................................
Lost and Found is a beautifully written story about letting the past go and finding yourself and being happy with whatever self that may be. This was a 5+++++++++ star read that I gobbled up quickly and couldn't put down. I immediately wanted to jump right back into the book once I finished it ~ IT IS THAT AWESOME! The book is told from Rowen's perspective and that worked just perfect for me even if I was head over heels in love with Jesse and wanting to find myself a cowboy with a big heart and tight pants by the end of the book.
I highly recommend you make this one your NEXT read ~ I think I have a little book hang-over going on after finishing this one and I need to pick up another Nicole Williams book ~
May 10, 2013
I don’t think I’ve smiled or been giddy as much as I was while reading Lost and Found. I absolutely loved this book!! I was sold when I saw the word cowboy’s, but the story hooked me from the very beginning. Then there is Jesse Walker, the delicious cowboy in tight tight ass hugging jeans. I had butterflies in my stomach and was swooning over him throughout the book. Here is a small sample of why I loved him so much. This does include a tiny spoiler.
I loved this book so much but I was a little disappointed with the ending. It does end all nice and happy but I needed more to it, like an epilogue or maybe even a novella. I’m just one of those people that have to know how everything works out. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a swoon worthy romance with a sexy cowboy added in.
-Rolling my eyes even though he had his back to me. “I forgot you all are invincible gods.”
“Nope, we’re even better than that.” I could see his smile gleam. “We’re cowboys.”
I loved this book so much but I was a little disappointed with the ending. It does end all nice and happy but I needed more to it, like an epilogue or maybe even a novella. I’m just one of those people that have to know how everything works out. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a swoon worthy romance with a sexy cowboy added in.
-Rolling my eyes even though he had his back to me. “I forgot you all are invincible gods.”
“Nope, we’re even better than that.” I could see his smile gleam. “We’re cowboys.”
May 13, 2013
Realllllllyyyyy loved this book
It reminded me a little of Chasing McCree; If you loved Chasing McCree by J.C. Isabellaby, you will love this too~
It reminded me a little of Chasing McCree; If you loved Chasing McCree by J.C. Isabellaby, you will love this too~
May 28, 2017
So I just wanna start by saying this series is one of my absolute favourites and the first time I read them a couple years ago I was absolutely shit at leaving reviews. So I'm excited to be back here leaving a review for this baby. Ok, now to my review.
Jesse Walker was one of my first book boyfriends and well, you never forget your first, am I right? Of course I am. So when I seen this book on my bookshelf I had to bury myself in the land of Jesse Walker *sighs*
Jesse is everything one could possibly want in a book boyfriend, he's absolutely stunning and a damn cowboy for goodness sake. He's caring, loving and 100% loyal to his family and especially towards Rowan, the girl who stole his heart quicker than you can say Rowan. She was an unexpected surprise in his life and it's just so damn beautiful to watch. Throughout the book Jesse' backstory is told and you just can't help but hurt for him.
Rowan is an amazing woman who takes shit from no one. With those sold walls she's built up around her heart, nothing will be able to penetrate them until the. Right spark named Jesse enters her life. Rowan is a strong but troubled woman, after dealing with everything she has throughout her life has made her become strong and slightly cold hearted so when Jesse steps in, she soon realised there's another side to her, a side she's becoming to love.
There's so much emotion put into this book and damn, you feel every single one of them. You fall so hard for these two characters they just take over your life, I'm so glad I picked up this book again.
Nicole Williams is one of the reasons I fell back in love with reading. Her gorgeous cowboy stole my heart wishing the matters of minutes. The storyline captured my attention quicker than anything ever has and opened up the book world again for me, I'll forever be thankful for that. Reading this book the second time around was just as amazing as the first time.
Jesse Walker was one of my first book boyfriends and well, you never forget your first, am I right? Of course I am. So when I seen this book on my bookshelf I had to bury myself in the land of Jesse Walker *sighs*
Jesse is everything one could possibly want in a book boyfriend, he's absolutely stunning and a damn cowboy for goodness sake. He's caring, loving and 100% loyal to his family and especially towards Rowan, the girl who stole his heart quicker than you can say Rowan. She was an unexpected surprise in his life and it's just so damn beautiful to watch. Throughout the book Jesse' backstory is told and you just can't help but hurt for him.
Rowan is an amazing woman who takes shit from no one. With those sold walls she's built up around her heart, nothing will be able to penetrate them until the. Right spark named Jesse enters her life. Rowan is a strong but troubled woman, after dealing with everything she has throughout her life has made her become strong and slightly cold hearted so when Jesse steps in, she soon realised there's another side to her, a side she's becoming to love.
There's so much emotion put into this book and damn, you feel every single one of them. You fall so hard for these two characters they just take over your life, I'm so glad I picked up this book again.
Nicole Williams is one of the reasons I fell back in love with reading. Her gorgeous cowboy stole my heart wishing the matters of minutes. The storyline captured my attention quicker than anything ever has and opened up the book world again for me, I'll forever be thankful for that. Reading this book the second time around was just as amazing as the first time.
Want to read
December 17, 2014FREE TODAY 12-17-14 on Amazon
U.S. Buy Link: http://amzn.com/B00CODYP5C
U.S. Buy Link: http://amzn.com/B00CODYP5C
Want to read
December 30, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/30/2017)! 💝
May 23, 2014
Amo a Jesse eso es lo primero que tengo que decir. Aunque al principio tenia mis dudas sobre leer el libro porque a pesar de que habia leido muchas reseñas positivas la sinopsis no me terminaba de convencer, pero decidi darle una oportunidad porque habia leido la saga Crash de la autora y me encanto!pero debo decir que me alegro de haberlo leido porque ame completamente el libro.
Jesse es un amor y Rowen realmente se gano mi cariño, fue una protagonista que me gusto mucho y queria saber mas de ella y de porque actuaba asi.
No me esperaba para nada que Jesse fuera virgen pero me dio mucha ternura, siempre es la chica la que no tiene esperiencia pero me gusto el cambio en este libro.
A pesar de que me hacia una idea sobre e secreto que ocultaba Rowen, odie que le pasara algo tan duro; Ademas odio a la madre es una zorra insensible espero que se pudra en el infierno.
5 Estrellas!!
Jesse es un amor y Rowen realmente se gano mi cariño, fue una protagonista que me gusto mucho y queria saber mas de ella y de porque actuaba asi.
No me esperaba para nada que Jesse fuera virgen pero me dio mucha ternura, siempre es la chica la que no tiene esperiencia pero me gusto el cambio en este libro.
A pesar de que me hacia una idea sobre e secreto que ocultaba Rowen, odie que le pasara algo tan duro; Ademas odio a la madre es una zorra insensible espero que se pudra en el infierno.
5 Estrellas!!
May 9, 2013
Oh she knows how to write a YA she does!
Bad Girl meets Good Boy....
18 year old Rowen Sterling – Goth/Emo/Freak, used to enjoying time skipping school and making out with bad boys, is sent to Montana to work hard on her mother's friend's cattle ranch for the summer. She is prove to her mother that she can be responsible before attending Art School. After stepping off the Greyhound bus she is picked up by 20 year old Jesse Walker – Golden boy, Ranch hand, Cowboy extraordinaire, honest, gorgeous, dimple wearing philosopher. Rowen believes she doesn't deserve Jesse, and so does resident bad boy Garth Black.
This book has loads of witty banter, adoration for Jesse and smiling to yourself moments.
Bad Girl meets Good Boy....
18 year old Rowen Sterling – Goth/Emo/Freak, used to enjoying time skipping school and making out with bad boys, is sent to Montana to work hard on her mother's friend's cattle ranch for the summer. She is prove to her mother that she can be responsible before attending Art School. After stepping off the Greyhound bus she is picked up by 20 year old Jesse Walker – Golden boy, Ranch hand, Cowboy extraordinaire, honest, gorgeous, dimple wearing philosopher. Rowen believes she doesn't deserve Jesse, and so does resident bad boy Garth Black.
This book has loads of witty banter, adoration for Jesse and smiling to yourself moments.
May 13, 2013
I loved this book the only reason I've given it 4 stars is because I don't feel like the story has ended there is no epilogue or a promise of another book but there could be so much more to say, I really hope we hear more about Jesse and Rowen
May 13, 2013
4.5 amazeballs stars!!!
I loved loved loved this book…it was heart wrenchingly emotionally beautiful. I couldn’t put it down and was gutted when I saw “The End”…however, Nicole if you are reading this that seriously cannot be the end…I hardly ever relish having to wait for a sequel but this book NEEDS a sequel in fact it DEMANDS a sequel…it was a sort of HEA ending but nowhere near enough…no epilogue and a story so open ended that it needs Nicole to start pressing some keys that says…the continuation of Rowen and Jesse…thanks and breatheeeeeee….right where was I???
Oh yes, Rowen…misunderstood because of her appearance you could call her trouble, goth, druggie or as most call her “a freak” she uses her clothing etc as a disguise to hide the true Rowen… underneath all that black there is a lovely girl just waiting to escape… she lived with her “mum” very loosely called that as she is never there for her..and after having suffered something that happened when she was younger Rowen became a virtual recluse within herself and used drugs, alcohol and boys as a way of forgetting..her grades slipped and her mother has all but given up on her. Rowen however finds her release through art and badly wants to attend art school, it does cost a lot but Rowen’s mum is not prepared to pay for it unless Rowen can prove herself worthy. Her mum packs her off to her old school friends ranch to play cowboys for the summer, she has to prove that over the summer she can work her butt off and clean up her act.
Rowen has just endured a tortuous journey on the Greyhound bus and is waiting for one of the ranch hands to pick her up…in strides Jesse Walker…a cowboy with the tightest pair of Wranglers, that show off the tightest arse….she is in lust/love!!! Jesse is a 19 year old cowboy..he works for his parents on the ranch..he is nothing like her usual attractions, he is gorgeous, he has a positive attitude, he works hard, he loves his family, he is affectionate, he sees the real her, he pays her compliments she is totally screwed!!
She is put to work on the ranch with 4am starts, but she throws herself in and gives it her all, she actually relishes her time there enjoying being part of a family, something that she has never felt for a very long time…slowly but surely Jesse begins to eat at the walls that she has carefully constructed around herself…
“Why don’t you want to know that I like you Rowen??? Why don’t you want me to tell you I’m so damn attracted to you, I almost don’t trust myself to be alone with you like we are right now???? Why don’t you want to know that I care about you so much????”
This starts a beautifully written story about a girl with such low self esteem that it would take years of drilling to find it beginning a journey of self discovery..not only about how to love others but to also love herself..the Walker family are extremely tight and no matter what they treated Rowen as one of her own, Jesse’s mum knew what Rowen’s mum was like and she always gave her the most heart felt and best advice she could..slowly but surely Rowen came out of her shell and began to find herself.
Jesse was just adorable, I loved him so much…he too had his past, one that meant he hadn’t lead the ideal life that Rowen once thought he had. He had overcome his obstacles and demons and could see the same with Rowen..he had also had his heart broken with his first true love so he also had his worries with regards to a new relationship, but they had this chemistry that was not going to go away…the sort of chemistry whereby they knew each other was close…they could tell what each other was thinking and they both eventually realised what they had was special.
Eventually they both opened up to each other and Jesse’s family and whilst Rowen thought that the family would be mortified that their only son would fall in love with her, they didn’t..they could tell before Rowen and Jesse that there was something there, so it came as no shock.
“We don’t deserve anything Rowen. We don’t deserve punishment, we don’t deserve happiness, life owes us nothing. Realize that” His voice wasn’t gentle anymore; it was as strong as I’d ever heard it. “So we have to take what we want because life sure as shit isn’t going to freely hand it over” . He kissed the skin above my collar bone……..”and I want you”.
This book was so emotional, it dripped off the page…the swoon factor with Jesse was huge he was just such a darling…oh and a virgin!!!! How refreshing that the male lead has the big “V”…they do a lot of kissing and I mean a lot of kissing and even that got me hot under the collar..but the tenderness in losing the big “v” was beautiful..I just loved it all..loved it loved it loved it!!!!!!
Have you 1clicked yet???
If not, why not????
Fab read!!
www.theromancecover.com
I loved loved loved this book…it was heart wrenchingly emotionally beautiful. I couldn’t put it down and was gutted when I saw “The End”…however, Nicole if you are reading this that seriously cannot be the end…I hardly ever relish having to wait for a sequel but this book NEEDS a sequel in fact it DEMANDS a sequel…it was a sort of HEA ending but nowhere near enough…no epilogue and a story so open ended that it needs Nicole to start pressing some keys that says…the continuation of Rowen and Jesse…thanks and breatheeeeeee….right where was I???
Oh yes, Rowen…misunderstood because of her appearance you could call her trouble, goth, druggie or as most call her “a freak” she uses her clothing etc as a disguise to hide the true Rowen… underneath all that black there is a lovely girl just waiting to escape… she lived with her “mum” very loosely called that as she is never there for her..and after having suffered something that happened when she was younger Rowen became a virtual recluse within herself and used drugs, alcohol and boys as a way of forgetting..her grades slipped and her mother has all but given up on her. Rowen however finds her release through art and badly wants to attend art school, it does cost a lot but Rowen’s mum is not prepared to pay for it unless Rowen can prove herself worthy. Her mum packs her off to her old school friends ranch to play cowboys for the summer, she has to prove that over the summer she can work her butt off and clean up her act.
Rowen has just endured a tortuous journey on the Greyhound bus and is waiting for one of the ranch hands to pick her up…in strides Jesse Walker…a cowboy with the tightest pair of Wranglers, that show off the tightest arse….she is in lust/love!!! Jesse is a 19 year old cowboy..he works for his parents on the ranch..he is nothing like her usual attractions, he is gorgeous, he has a positive attitude, he works hard, he loves his family, he is affectionate, he sees the real her, he pays her compliments she is totally screwed!!
She is put to work on the ranch with 4am starts, but she throws herself in and gives it her all, she actually relishes her time there enjoying being part of a family, something that she has never felt for a very long time…slowly but surely Jesse begins to eat at the walls that she has carefully constructed around herself…
“Why don’t you want to know that I like you Rowen??? Why don’t you want me to tell you I’m so damn attracted to you, I almost don’t trust myself to be alone with you like we are right now???? Why don’t you want to know that I care about you so much????”
This starts a beautifully written story about a girl with such low self esteem that it would take years of drilling to find it beginning a journey of self discovery..not only about how to love others but to also love herself..the Walker family are extremely tight and no matter what they treated Rowen as one of her own, Jesse’s mum knew what Rowen’s mum was like and she always gave her the most heart felt and best advice she could..slowly but surely Rowen came out of her shell and began to find herself.
Jesse was just adorable, I loved him so much…he too had his past, one that meant he hadn’t lead the ideal life that Rowen once thought he had. He had overcome his obstacles and demons and could see the same with Rowen..he had also had his heart broken with his first true love so he also had his worries with regards to a new relationship, but they had this chemistry that was not going to go away…the sort of chemistry whereby they knew each other was close…they could tell what each other was thinking and they both eventually realised what they had was special.
Eventually they both opened up to each other and Jesse’s family and whilst Rowen thought that the family would be mortified that their only son would fall in love with her, they didn’t..they could tell before Rowen and Jesse that there was something there, so it came as no shock.
“We don’t deserve anything Rowen. We don’t deserve punishment, we don’t deserve happiness, life owes us nothing. Realize that” His voice wasn’t gentle anymore; it was as strong as I’d ever heard it. “So we have to take what we want because life sure as shit isn’t going to freely hand it over” . He kissed the skin above my collar bone……..”and I want you”.
This book was so emotional, it dripped off the page…the swoon factor with Jesse was huge he was just such a darling…oh and a virgin!!!! How refreshing that the male lead has the big “V”…they do a lot of kissing and I mean a lot of kissing and even that got me hot under the collar..but the tenderness in losing the big “v” was beautiful..I just loved it all..loved it loved it loved it!!!!!!
Have you 1clicked yet???
If not, why not????
Fab read!!
www.theromancecover.com
October 14, 2020
Rowen has dreams of attending a top art school once she graduates high school but her mother wants her to prove that she can buckle down before she agrees to pay for it. She sends Rowen to her friend’s family ranch for the summer so she understands what hard work really is. Rowen is going through a phase of dyed black hair, dark clothing and quite a few piercings so she will not quite look like the average Montana teenager.
Rowen has no idea what to expect as she arrives in Montana after a long ride on the greyhound bus, meeting Jesse Walker was something completely unexpected. He has the all american
ranch worker look going on - Wrangler jeans that look painted on, a tight white t-shirt, cowboy boots & hat and a killer smile.
Rowen is quickly swallowed into the Walker family and made to feel like she is one of them. As well as Jesse, they have three lovely daughters who soon feel like her own sisters. Rowen has to adjust to getting up before the sun each day and falling into bed exhausted each night and then repeating that seven days a week.
Within a few days of being at Willow Springs Ranch Jesse makes it clear to Rowen that he likes her. His flirting begins to ramp up a notch and Rowen isn’t sure if he is just kidding around or seriously into her. She is not used to guys being so sweet to her, Jesse compliments her, opens car doors and makes her feel - safe. He is simply irresistible but she also fears that if he really knew all of her truths he would probably run a mile. It all feels too good to be true.
However, Rowen completely underestimated the tenacity and determination of this gorgeous man who seems hell bent on proving to her that she is worthy of love. She just needs to work through some things in her head before she can accept that. The assumptions she has made about Jesse’s perfect life are just that and she soon finds out she has more in common with him that she realised.
Another fun read that I found in the depths of my TBR patiently waiting 7 years for me to read it!
This story came at the perfect time for me. I’d just finished reading a particularly dark story and needed some light in my life :) This sweet romance set in the backdrop of a family ranch gave me just what I needed.
Rowen has no idea what to expect as she arrives in Montana after a long ride on the greyhound bus, meeting Jesse Walker was something completely unexpected. He has the all american
ranch worker look going on - Wrangler jeans that look painted on, a tight white t-shirt, cowboy boots & hat and a killer smile.
Rowen is quickly swallowed into the Walker family and made to feel like she is one of them. As well as Jesse, they have three lovely daughters who soon feel like her own sisters. Rowen has to adjust to getting up before the sun each day and falling into bed exhausted each night and then repeating that seven days a week.
Within a few days of being at Willow Springs Ranch Jesse makes it clear to Rowen that he likes her. His flirting begins to ramp up a notch and Rowen isn’t sure if he is just kidding around or seriously into her. She is not used to guys being so sweet to her, Jesse compliments her, opens car doors and makes her feel - safe. He is simply irresistible but she also fears that if he really knew all of her truths he would probably run a mile. It all feels too good to be true.
However, Rowen completely underestimated the tenacity and determination of this gorgeous man who seems hell bent on proving to her that she is worthy of love. She just needs to work through some things in her head before she can accept that. The assumptions she has made about Jesse’s perfect life are just that and she soon finds out she has more in common with him that she realised.
Another fun read that I found in the depths of my TBR patiently waiting 7 years for me to read it!
This story came at the perfect time for me. I’d just finished reading a particularly dark story and needed some light in my life :) This sweet romance set in the backdrop of a family ranch gave me just what I needed.
July 8, 2014
While I enjoyed this book, there's no escaping that many of its aspects are pretty idealized. It's not that I don't know people like the Walkers, I do (though all of them are actually explicitly religious, unlike the Walkers). And it's not that I don't know people like both Rowan and Jesse. But things did fit together rather conveniently, really, and the "I love yous" were pretty quick, all told, and there was enough chance (and even the occasional mystical "feeling") that it all added up to skirting the edge of believability. Indeed, if I hadn't been so charmed by the characters I'd have probably had a much more negative reaction towards the book.
As it stands, it was a very pleasing read on a personal level. Just unfortunately not one I'd care to recommend to anybody else because the parts I liked really were very personally engaging and the bad were much more universal...
A note about Steamy: One actual sex scene with some heft to it and some fooling around. So a light steam level, really.
As it stands, it was a very pleasing read on a personal level. Just unfortunately not one I'd care to recommend to anybody else because the parts I liked really were very personally engaging and the bad were much more universal...
A note about Steamy: One actual sex scene with some heft to it and some fooling around. So a light steam level, really.
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