🐂 🎀 👣 💕 “The Bull Rider’s Fresh Start” (Merritt’s Crossing #3) (2021) 💕 👣 🎀 🐂 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Love Inspired (August 24, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 133575878X
ISBN-13: 978-1335758781
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“This cowboy can charm almost anyone…
except the mother of his surprise baby girl.
Former bull rider Landon Chambers has made mistakes. Big ones. But discovering that he's the father of a sweet little girl might be the best thing ever. Now Landon just has to convince her mother, navy diver Kelsey Sinclair, that his wild, troubled cowboy days are over. But Kelsey’s not quite sure she can trust Landon with her little girl…or her cautious heart.”
Thank you in advance to author, Heidi McCahan, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was definitely not required or requested in any way; all words are my own.
It was this author’s book, Their Baby Blessing (2019), that re-introduced me to the Love Inspired line. I have some from 2003 when the line was published by Steeple Hill and still haven’t read them (the endless TBR stack). T Their Baby Blessing was also courtesy of JustRead.
While not listed as a series by name (I’m going to use Merritt’s Crossing as come have done), this is the third book of the series:
#1 – Their Baby Blessing (2019) [Gage, Skye, Connor]
#2 – An Unexpected Arrangement (2020) [Laramie, Jack, Charlotte, Macey]
#3 – The Bull Rider’s Fresh Start (2021) [Landon, Kelsey, Adeline]
While the books seemingly act like standalone reads, it is MUCH better to read them in order and together if possible. I do have book #2, but haven’t read it yet. I have read from the reviews that Landon is in or mentioned in that book.
Gage, Skye, Laramie, and Jack all make appearances. The other kids are either mentioned or seen at at the end.
This is indeed, as some readers of book #2 have hinted, Landon’s story.
In addition to Landon, we have his ADORABLE daughter Adeline, and her mother, Navy diver, Kelsey.
The plot? Definitely not light fare in certain cases. There is mention of drug addiction, namely an opioid. Those sensitive to the issue will want to exercise EXTREME caution. This was at some point or another: annoying, inspirational, infuriating, adorable. McCahan didn’t hold back and tackled this story with a surprise realistic approach. And, she didn’t sugar coat it either. This is a serious story with themes of second chances, redemption, and introspection when it comes to grace.
Having read the first book, and seeing this cover – I HAD to read this. I mean, babies and cowboys? Who can resists?
As the book begins, poor Landon is trying to soothe baby Adeline who won’t stop crying. Landon’s friend and wife – Wade and Maggie, the tot’s “caregivers” (Kelsey’s stepbrother and step-sister-in-law), were killed in an accident. Kelsey’s mother called Landon and begged him to take Adeline. Thus, leaving him to care for this infant. He has no idea he’s her father or who her mother is.
Kelsey, after learning her mother and stepfather gave Landon the baby after the accident, is rushing to Colorado. Knowing his past, she doesn’t trust him with HER baby.
By the time she arrives, the little one is asleep and she is tired. Landon makes some logical suggestions that she temporarily agrees to. This practical man is nothing like the one who left her in a hotel room years ago. He’s changed – or has he?
Kelsey, who just wants the baby, has to come clean about the child. Adeline is hers and his. Landon is stunned, but wants to be a part of the baby’s life.
Right off, despite his history, I liked Landon’s pragmatic approach. He wasn’t perfect, but willing to be patient and learn.
Kelsey wants to take Adeline back to Wyoming to her mom and stepdad which isn’t possible. They cannot care for the baby. Kelsey has 60 days to re-file a care plan with her commanding officer or face dismissal and losing her benefits.
She imagines a different reunion with her almost 9-month-old baby. She hasn’t “parented” her in five (5) months because of her commitment to the Navy, so Kelsey is having an adjustment as is Adeline.
After learning of Kelsey’s predicament, Landon offers a solution – but it is one Kelsey wants nothing to do with.
Landon’s family, namely his sister Laramie, and her brother-in-law Drew stop by, and Kelsey is uncomfortable with them staying for any length of time.
Landon comes up with a temporary solution so he can “convince” Kelsey he has changed and can care for Adeline. She agrees, but refuses to be convinced.
She stays at Laramie’s old residence. She wants to leave ASAP and doesn’t like the “fussing” from the community.
Landon solicits Gage’s advice. Gage was in the Navy and knows what the commitment is like. He keeps it simple – show up and keep showing up to show commitment.
Just when Landon thinks he is making progress and Kelsey is nice to him – she does a 180° and reverts back to her cold, standoffish demeanor. Landon learns it is because of her own childhood.
Kelsey is stunned to learn her parents might not ever be capable to care for Adeline. She doesn’t trust Landon and seems to find every minor slight as a sign he’s incapable. One incident involves a hat Adeline should be wearing but doesn’t want to. And, Kelsey storms off with the baby.
At around 50%, the two go out to dinner to discuss Adeline. Kelsey gives up a bit of herself. Landon empathizes, but Kelsey sees it as an attack. She feels insulted, judged, and criticized. At this point I was thinking she needed more help than the care plan. She overreacted to a lot of minor things. She didn’t confide in anyone and desperately needed to talk with someone – legal or otherwise.
I truly admired Landon’s calm, steady, and reliable approaches – one day at a time. No matter how awful Kelsey was to him, he kept coming back while struggling with pain and addiction. Talk about a hero.
Laramie brings Kelsey some flowers on behalf of Landon. At one point while they’re talking, Kelsey thinks these people know too much about each other’s lives. She even knows she is cynical and jaded. This is all before chapter 6.
While Kelsey comes to terms that there is no reason for her behavior and tries to apologize, those old doubts creep up and she runs.
This continues throughout the book – Landon tries to make progress, Kelsey relaxes until something causes a concern, she retreats and treats Landon badly as a result. Often times she is cruel when she points out his addiction and past mistakes. She truly will not let it go no matter how much Landon shows he has changed.
I definitely didn’t want to put this down – namely because I wanted to see how this was going to get resolved. And, the author kept me going until just about the end. Most everything is wrapped up by the end leaving little doubt as to what happened. There was a plot point with a fire (slight spoiler) and I was curious as to how it started. Perhaps the next book might address it.
McCahan’s writing kept me reading and engaged at every part of the story. It certainly moved along at a realistic pace and didn’t lag. It was also so descriptive that I wanted some cobbler and that crusted, oven-baked mac & cheese.
The sense of community and charity that Kelsey found distasteful or annoying, I would’ve loved. It was genuine, but at no time did she show gratitude to anyone involved. There is an incident in which she admits throwing some food away. That annoyed me given how much these people gave to her. Had she not wanted it, why not offer it back with an explanation or given it to Landon?
I definitely didn’t like Kelsey until the ABSOLUTE end. For being in the Navy and having such an important job, I felt she had too many issues that needed addressing or at best therapy. She was impatient, immature, aggressive, annoying, definitely unforgiving towards Landon who was patient as he took her repeated attacks. While I understood and empathized with her protectiveness of her baby, she was horrible to Landon due to her own insecurities and anxiety. I worried more about Adeline in her care than Landon’s.
Landon’s addiction to pain medication was slightly understandable. Anyone with chronic pain can empathize. I’ve had chronic pain for 30 years. When other medications or remedies don’t work – you want something else, sometimes it is needed.
But, as with all romance book, this does have the redemption point and the “happily-ever-after”. It’s getting there that is tedious but worth it.
As of note, single parents CANNOT enlist in the military at all. The reasoning is sound – the mission comes first and foremost. I researched it for the review, and one of the resources was from the Navy legal services office – Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i. And, the “instruction” I found was accurately portrayed in this book, as far as the time-table as in this case – that was unclear. One thing that was clear – Landon would have rights to Adeline.
McCahan’s realistic presentation definitely merits an accolade and made this a stunning read. McCahan did a superb job with it. And, despite my feelings about Kelsey, I truly enjoyed this read.
Love Inspired is the more inspirational line of Harlequin’s books. This will be a clean read (no intimacy mentioned or alluded to, no foul language). There are references to God and prayers. Faith is an essential theme to some characters. Unlike some books, the romance isn’t almost until the very end.
I have to try to carve out some time to read book #2, but I definitely want to return to Merritt’s Crossing to see what’s coming next … maybe Drew’s story?
Those who read the previous two (2) books definitely need to read this.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – BookBub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other books in the series:
Publisher: Love Inspired (May 21, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335479244
ISBN-13: 978-1335479242
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“The navy prepared him for anything…except an instant family.
When navy veteran Gage Westbrook promised to
look out for his late best friend’s son, he never imagined he’d bond with the
baby boy. And he definitely didn’t plan to fall for Connor’s gorgeous temporary
guardian, Skye Tomlinson. But weighted by guilt for the accident that took
Connor’s dad, can Gage find the courage to forgive himself and embrace the
chance at a family?”
Publisher: Love Inspired (May 21, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335488642
ISBN-13: 978-1335488640
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“Changing your life is never simple…
He needed a fresh start,
but twin babies weren’t part of the plan…
Hoping to start over, Jack Tomlinson intends
to leave his hometown—until twin babies are dropped on his doorstep. He needs
help, and the best nanny he knows is Laramie Chambers. As they bond over the
babies, Jack can’t help but feel drawn to Laramie. But proving he’s not just
her friend’s irresponsible brother could be a bigger challenge than suddenly
becoming a dad…”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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