Engaged at The Chatsfield and Her Cowboy Hero - Reviews

Engaged at The Chatsfield by Melanie Milburne

Rating: 2 Stars

Description:  Juliet Montague isn't looking forward to a Bachelorette Party for a school friend especially since she's the only one without a diamond on her finger.  That is of course until she invents one after an uncomfortable run in with a so-called friend.  The situation gets worse when the made up fiance, Marcus, who happens to be a friend of Juliet's brother actually shows up and forces the charade to actually become real.

Genre: Romance

Why I Picked This Book: Really it was the picture of London at the bottom of the cover.  Also, I was intrigued by the upscale hotel setting.

My Impression:
Cons: It was hard to take Juliet seriously as a 29 year old woman.  She seemed so immature and insecure that I would've believed 19 but definitely not 29.  The length of this book was also definitely a negative.  There were so many characters and so much setup that the book really felt disjointed.

Pros: I love a friend turned more than type romance and it really worked given the length of this book. If this had been an insta-love subplot that took place over the weekend it would've strained credibility to the breaking.  However, since Juliet and Marcus already had some established history it worked.

Overall: This is the novella to setup a series that takes place at The Chatsfield Hotel and it definitely felt like it with the names that get thrown around at random.  While I didn't care for Juliet's character for most of the book the ending worked out nicely.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: I might read more of both but I think I'd look for a longer novel.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Maybe if you have read The Chatsfield series and enjoyed it this would be a good one to go back for.  Otherwise, this is one I would search out.

Her Cowboy Hero by Tanya Michaels

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  After an emotionally crippling loss Colin Cade really just wants to be alone and not have to think.  However, he also needs to eat so he takes a job with the "Widow Shaw" to help her turn her falling down ranch into a B&B.  The problem in "Widow Shaw" isn't the frail old woman he expected but a young determinedly optimistic single mother.  Both have experienced trauma and both have handled it in completely different ways but could it be possible that they could help each other?

Genre: Romance

Why I Picked This Book:  I'm not usually drawn in by the cowboy thing and I almost passed by this book because of that.  Luckily I saw the fixing up the B&B in the summary and decided to give it a try.

My Impression:
Pros: I didn't have high expectations going into this one as I had just finished a Harlequin series novel that I felt was mediocre.  However, this was a read in one sitting, sigh when finished and look at the clock and be surprised it's 2AM kind of read.  I loved Hannah and the fact her good attitude was an active decision.  I loved how she and Colin talked about their losses.  It seemed natural and realistic. I loved seeing Colin open up slowly.  It happened without him realizing it and it was nice to get a look at who he was.  The relationship between him and Hannah felt real even when obstacles were presented.  I normally don't care for children in romance novels but Evan was a small enough presence and vital enough to the story that it worked.

Cons: With such strong characters and a well done relationship the end felt a little hokey.  I thought they both deserved better.

Overall: I really loved Hannah and Colin.  I thought both the characters and the relationship felt very real.  This was a couple that you really hope everything works out for.  There was enough mention of Colin's brother and sister that I will be looking for their books as well.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes definitely!  I plan on reading Justin and Arden's stories and look forward to any new releases from Michaels.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes! This was a lovely romance full of thoroughly nice characters who you really root for.