Review - - Help Wanted, Cowboy

Help Wanted, Cowboy

by Nan Reinhardt

Juniper Falls Ranch, Book 3

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: July 7, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

When a family emergency brings cowboy Rory Pearson home to Marietta, he hires on to Juniper Falls Ranch for seasonal work. He’s hoping to explore an intriguing family legend. Armed with research and his grandfather’s stories, Rory thinks he’s ready, but nothing goes as planned. Then a sweetly sexy nurse propositions him.

Nurse Millie Sparks is tired of playing it safe. She’s been too focused on her education and career and romance and adventure have passed her by. Staying on the ranch to care for a patient with a tricky pregnancy, Millie’s interest in Rory is immediate. He offers to teach her to ride, and she wonders if the lessons could extend to something else she’s been hiding.

It’s a game of flirtation and fun. Feelings can’t be serious. But as the clock ticks down, hearts interfere, and saying goodbye just got way more complicated.

PJ's Thoughts:

Sweet Western romance with plenty of plenty of heart. Nan Reinhardt's new series is building another community of characters I'd be happy to hang out with, on paper or in real life. I love how realistic they all are, with charm, flaws, and believable life challenges. I laugh with them, shed tears with them, and experience those deep emotional connections that keep me coming back for more.

Help Wanted, Cowboy brings readers the story of Rory (a bull-riding, kitchen-savvy cowboy) and Millie (a midwife working for Rory's boss). What fun these two are! I fell hard for Rory. He's such a sweet, honorable, family-loving guy who falls first and hard. Millie's journey take a bit longer (she doesn't believe in love) but is all the more satisfying for it. The banter and flirting between these two is pure gold.

Secondary characters are spot on, filling in the story with humor, wisdom, and emotional depth. There's even a bit of a mystery surrounding a lost family heirloom that may be fact or fiction. It all weaves together to form a story brimming with friendship, romance, and heart set on a working ranch under the vast, blue Montana sky. I'm all in and already looking forward to the next installment in the series. 

 

 

 

Review - - Forever Cowboy

Forever Cowboy

by Nan Reinhardt

Montana's Rodeo Cowboys - Book 4

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: September 25, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

It was supposed to be just a vacation fling…

43-year-old Beth Dykeman’s life is spiraling—her 20-year marriage is over as is her career in Nashville’s Chamber of Commerce. Now back home in River’s Edge, Indiana, she’s grieving the end of her dream to have a family. Hoping to restart her life, she books a relaxing long weekend at a spa in beautiful Montana. But Beth arrives only to discover she accidentally booked a stay at a working dude ranch in the middle of Marietta’s 87th Copper Mountain Rodeo celebration weekend.

When he’s not competing, 36-year-old bronc rider Del Foster works at the Aspen Springs Ranch. He’s ready to hang up his spurs. This rodeo will be his last competition before he finally settles down and buys his own small spread to train cutting horses.

Their instant chemistry shocks them both, and on her last night, Beth indulges the attraction, knowing she’ll never see Del again. But fate has a way of changing plans and challenging assumptions. Can Beth and Del both have what they never knew they always wanted?

PJ's Thoughts:

Whether the book is set in charming River's Edge, Indiana or under the wide open skies of Montana, if it's written by Nan Reinhardt it's on my must-read list. Sometimes, a mistake isn't just a mistake. Sometimes, it's an opportunity to take a new path. Beth is adrift after the end of her 20-year marriage. Del is struggling with a close friend's devastating rodeo injury as well as when - and how - to end his own successful rodeo career. A booking error lands them together on a Montana ranch and a journey of healing, growth, self-discovery, and love follows. Reinhardt packs this book with an immersive setting, multi-layered characters, relatable issues, and a realistic happy ending. I laughed and cried (this author's characters always tug at my heartstrings) before turning the final page with a happy, heartfelt sigh. If you're looking for a feel-good western romance with heart, humor, and emotional depth, give Forever Cowboy a try. I hope Nan Reinhardt has plans for more Montana books because while I love her River's Edge community (and fingers crossed for more books there), I am all in with her new Montana community of characters too!

While Forever Cowboy is listed as book four, it's a standalone story in a multi-author series. You'll be fine jumping in here or at any other point in the series. 

Review - - Five Alarm Love

Five Alarm Love

by Jillian David

Yukon Valley, Alaska Hospital Series - Book 3

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Release Date: August 7, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Lives—and hearts—are on the line in Yukon Valley, Alaska.

Yukon Valley Fire Chief Tuli Sampson has spent years protecting his hometown, but the only thing he’s ever wanted to save is Louise Wright’s heart. His childhood best friend has always been his anchor, steady and unyielding like the Yukon River. Now, with his career thriving and his charm earning him fame as a tourist influencer, Tuli is ready to risk it all for the woman who’s been his forever girl.

Louise Wright, a shy and dedicated medic, has spent her life dreaming of more—more courage, more love, and maybe even Tuli. He’s always been her secret wish, the one man who could make her heart race faster than a snowstorm. But just as their undeniable chemistry sparks into something real, Lou receives devastating news that threatens to shatter their future.

Caught between her own happiness and Tuli’s, Louise chooses his. But in a town where matchmakers never quit and love runs deeper than the salmon-filled rivers, can these childhood friends turn years of longing into a lifetime together?

PJ's Thoughts:

I've thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series but admit that I've been eagerly anticipating Tuli's story the whole time. Happy to say it did not disappoint. 

If you enjoy small-town, friends-to-lovers romance with a good-hearted hero (with a Golden Retriever personality), a shy heroine who has been publicly humiliated by her ex, meddling friends and family, and a twisty mystery (seems like someone is out to derail the whole town), all set in beautiful - but treacherous - rural Alaska, give Five Alarm Love a try. Then circle back and get the first two books in the series too. I enthusiastically recommend them all.

Review - - Paging Dr. Breakup

Paging Dr. Breakup

by Jillian David

Yukon Valley, Alaska - Book 2

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Widow Deirdre Steen has spent the last five years making sure she’s the best chief nursing officer Yukon Valley Hospital has ever seen. It cost her a personal life—and protected her heart. But now her childhood friend, Dr. Calvin Garrett—the one who got away—is temporarily lending his emergency medicine skills to their rural hospital in Alaska’s interior. The community’s relentless matchmaking network loves a challenge, which leaves Deirdre with one viable option: a fake dating pact with Calvin until the spring Breakup Festival and his inevitable departure to his regular job and his life in Seattle.

Calvin moved away years ago rather than watch his best friend marry Deirdre. Now, amazingly, she’s in Calvin’s bed and the center of his world. Yet a woman like Deirdre deserves forever—as well as a man who didn’t finish as runner-up the first time around.

Can an Alaskan spring thaw help two wounded healers thaw the ice surrounding their hearts and fulfill this second chance at love?

PJ's Thoughts:

Jillian David takes readers back to small-town Alaska with a new story in her Yukon Valley, Alaska series. This time, it's a second-chance romance between Deidre and Calvin, former best friends with some hefty emotional baggage between them.

I really enjoyed this book. Reading it was like taking a trip to Yukon Valley, experiencing all rural Alaska has to offer, and catching up with good friends. The author does an excellent job of staging, within the hospital, in the town, and in the wilderness. 

I love the foundation of friendship between Calvin and Deirdre. Even with the cracks in that foundation formed by their years of separation, it still provides a solid basis on which to build. David explores deeply emotional facets of both characters as they grapple with feelings of desire, guilt, grief, and hope without allowing the story to get too heavy. 

As with book one, the citizens of Yukon Valley play pivotal roles in this second book, especially of the meddling matchmaking type. Well meaning, yes, but also hilariously nosy in their attempts. 

If you like a story that explores second chances with the one who got away, moving forward after a spouse's death and best friends-to-lovers, all wrapped up in a charming small-town romance with humor, a bit of danger, community spirit, fake dating, hospital situations, and a hard-won happy ending, pick up a copy of Paging Dr. Breakup. It's a humorous, heart-tugging, enjoyable read. 

Review - - What They Don't Know

What They Don't Know

by Susan Sands

Moonshine - Book 3

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

When the past comes to call…

Following the death of her mother and the breakup with her cheating fiancé, clinical therapist, Bree Hawthorne, has built a new life for herself and her pup, Tiny, in the mountains of Moonshine, Georgia. Her practice is thriving, and occasionally, she consults with law enforcement, calling on her insights into human behavior to profile and catch criminals. She finally feels happy, and then the body of a former patient is discovered.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s agent, Mitch Calloway, is investigating the death of a woman who disappeared two years ago. When he meets Bree, Mitch inadvertently offends the blonde bombshell therapist. Though a skilled investigator, his social skills are beyond rusty, but Bree can forgive much if pie is involved.

Through her experience with cults and unfortunate family ties, Bree is dragged into the investigation, and soon she and the handsome, though seriously awkward GBI officer go undercover as man and wife at a suspicious nature retreat where several women have gone missing. For Bree, it’s a chance for closure on her unconventional past—if she and Mitch can survive the investigation.

PJ's Thoughts:

Susan Sands takes readers back to the small town of Moonshine, Georgia for another chaste romance brimming with emotion. This time, it's clinical therapist, Bree Hawthorne in the spotlight. Bree has been instrumental in offering both therapy and friendship to other characters in this series but now she's the one in the crosshairs of a murder investigation and the handsome agent leading the charge. 

I enjoy Sands' stories, her well-developed characters and the communities with which she surrounds them. In this book, that community includes characters from the first two books of the series. Fans of the series should enjoy catching up with them while readers new to the series should have no trouble reading this book first. 

The romance in this book unfolds alongside the suspense but in a gradual, more gentle fashion. Mitch's neurodivergence contributes to that. I found Sands' handling of his character respectful, caring, and realistic for someone on the Spectrum. Bree is also an intriguing character with hidden layers that slowly reveal themselves as she and Mitch dig deeper into the murder mystery that brings them together. I liked and admired them both and rooted hard for their happy ending.

Other books by Sands have had elements of mystery/suspense but it's stronger in this book and more central to the core of the story. I was drawn into the suspense facet of the book almost immediately and held captive as the author skillfully dropped clues even as she ramped up the tension, including a number of twists along the way. Some I figured out quickly while others were a complete surprise. I love when that happens. 

If you enjoy small-town romance with a healthy dollop of mystery/suspense, intriguing well-developed characters, a strong sense of community, and happy endings, I recommend adding What They Don't Know by Susan Sands to your reading list. I'm glad I did.

Review - - A Georgia Christmas

A Georgia Christmas

by Susan Sands

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Release Date: February 20, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Christmas in Moonshine, Georgia is salon owner Merilee Bell’s favorite season. She might still be single in her mid- thirties, but she’s finally content, proud of her business and herself as she’s made strides to make peace with her past. And then just at closing time, a tall, dark and handsome new deputy enters her shop, and everything seems poised to change.

Weeks before Christmas, Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, Randy Slade arrives in Moonshine posing as Moonshine’s newest deputy for an undercover sting to catch a group of high-tech property thieves. Only the sheriff is aware of his true identity, but from the moment he meets Merilee, who trades a haircut for free parking, he’s smitten by her smile and warm, friendly manner. Unfortunately, she also has a rental property perfectly suited for his undercover operation.

Randy doesn’t want to lie, but he has a duty to keep citizens safe, including Merilee. Can he do his job and still celebrate a small town southern Christmas, and maybe more with his dream girl?

PJ's Thoughts:

Looking for something to read this weekend? If you enjoy small-town contemporary romance with a strong sense of community, well-developed characters, a bit of suspense, complicated family dynamics, a realistic redemption arc and a happily ever after, I recommend A Georgia Christmas by Susan Sands. It's a quick read with characters who were easy to root for and a charming town I'm eager to revisit.

This novella follows Her Missing Pieces, book one in Sands' Moonshine series (read my review here) but can be fully enjoyed as a standalone. However, if you prefer reading a series in order, I also highly recommend Her Missing Pieces, a full-length novel that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish.

Review - - Made to Love You

Made to Love You

by Nan Reinhardt

The Walkers of River's Edge - Book 4

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: January 23, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

She’s not looking for love, but a handsome veterinarian and a lost puppy have other plans…

Gorgeous and gifted,Annabelle Walkeris a force of nature. A talented architect who has brought new designs and concepts to her family’s construction firm, Anna’s happy and doesn’t feel anything’s missing from her life, even as her siblings have all fallen in love this year. And then she finds an injured puppy on a bike ride.

Veterinarian Sawyer Braxton is lost while driving to his first day at Price Veterinary Clinic. He stops to ask directions of a bicyclist on the side of the road, and discovers three things: She’s beautiful, stranded with a flat tire, and holding an injured puppy. Sawyer’s fascinated, and it feels like fate as he offers the intriguing and vibrant woman a ride to the vet clinic.

It’s a meet-cute, and Annabelle’s definitely attracted, but she’s determined that this time, she really will take a break from men. Sawyer’s as stubborn as he is sexy, and he hits on a plan for a date—they’ll both foster the pup while it heals.

PJ's Thoughts:

Made to Love You brings readers another heart-tugging visit to River's Edge. At this point, each new book in Nan Reinhardt's long-running series feels like a visit to my hometown where good friends - and a few new friends - await. As a fan of the series, it's fun to catch up with favorite characters while at the same time, Reinhardt has written each of these books in such a way that new readers can jump in at any point without missing a beat.

I enjoyed Anna's and Sawyer's story very much. Reinhardt takes them on a realistically gradual journey of growth, self-discovery, and love. It was especially satisfying to watch Sawyer - and Trixie, the abandoned puppy - help Anna slowly lower the walls around her heart that had been solidified by heartbreak and betrayal and even more so, to watch Anna confront those emotional obstacles in person and hold her own. Yes, I may have been enthusiastically, and vocally, cheering her on. 

Sawyer is such a sweetheart - kind, caring, a bit of a cinnamon roll, and the perfect counterpart for take charge Anna. I really loved these two together and am hopeful that we'll see more of Anna, Sawyer, Trixie, and Sawyer's dog, Otis in upcoming River's Edge books.

If you enjoy feel-good stories with humor, emotional depth, relatable characters, and happy endings, give this one a try. 

Review - - Made for Mistletoe

Made for Mistletoe

by Nan Reinhardt

The Walkers of Rivers Edge - Book 3

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Release Date: October 24, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

This Christmas he has big plans until he meets a beautiful distraction….

Army reservist Cameron Walker loves everything about the holidays in River’s Edge—celebrating with his big family and carving out more time to work on his custom design furniture in his studio. But when he meets a visiting artist and niece of a family friend, he’s eager to break his work plans for play. He knows first-hand life’s short.

Teacher and artist Harper Gaines is bowled over by the handsome and friendly finish carpenter she meets during her vacation. His admiration for her art and his enthusiasm for life light her up, and remind her of how much she’s been missing since her soldier husband’s death. But when she discovers Cam’s also a soldier, she retreats, unable to risk another loss.

Cam has never felt such a strong connection, and he won’t give up without a fight. But will Cam’s persistence and the magic of Christmas be enough to convince Harper to take a chance on them?

PJ's Thoughts:

Nan Reinhardt's River's Edge books are always hopeful and heartfelt but those set during the holidays seem to have that extra punch of emotion. Made for Mistletoe has all the feelings. 

I adored Cam. How could I not? He's like a Golden Retriever puppy with his huge heart, kind soul, over-the-top love of all things Christmas, and dedication to helping others. Harper really has no chance against all that sweetness, charm, and sex appeal, except...

Harper Gaines is stuck, mired in grief, and unable to move forward. Reinhardt's depiction of her is so realistic, so relatable. My heart bled for her. I could feel her pain so acutely, moved to tears more than once. I appreciate the journey that was crafted for her, the time and patience given as she navigates the incredibly difficult process of moving on with life and courageously opening her heart a second time. 

I enjoyed the gradual evolution of the friendship between Cam and Harper that slowly deepens into more, the respect and support they give to one another, and the sizzle of attraction that, while always there, waits patiently on the back burner until the time is right. I love the connections that are forged between Harper and other women in River's Edge, how each one opens a pathway toward healing. And I love the layers within Cam that give his character unexpected depth without losing that special light that shines from his heart. 

River's Edge really is a magical place. I wish it was real. I wish I could visit and spend time with all of the wonderful characters who inhabit Nan Reinhardt's fictional world. They feel real to me. I'm emotionally invested in their lives, their well-being, their happiness.

If you're looking for heart-tugging, small-town, contemporary romance with a strong sense of community, emotional depth, a sprinkling of humor, feel-good romance, and a hard-won, happy ending, check out Made for Mistletoe. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. If you're new to River's Edge, don't worry. You can jump in with Made for Mistletoe and do just fine. 

Review - - Her Missing Pieces

Her Missing Pieces

by Susan Sands

Moonshine - Book 1

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: August 27, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

Showing up from the dead is best done in person…

Thirteen years ago, teenager Sadie Brubaker disappeared from her small Georgia town without a trace. Sheriff Chase Blackburn was a young deputy who worked the case diligently, refusing to give up even when others did. Her disappearance haunts him still, making him question the town and his law enforcement skills. Then one afternoon, astonishingly, Sadie, still heart-breakingly beautiful, arrives with no memory and a suitcase full of questions.

When her mother dies, Sadie discovers her entire life is a lie. Her “mother” found her traumatized and injured at a bus stop—a teen with no memory and created an instant family. Sadie knew she had amnesia but never why, so she sets out for the town she doesn’t remember, determined to dig up the answers.

Sadie and the sheriff work together to solve the puzzle pieces of her life so she can understand who she was, decide who she wants to be, and if they can have a future together.

PJ's Thoughts:

I enjoy Susan Sands' small southern towns, well-developed characters, closed-door romances, and complex family dynamics. Her Missing Pieces gave me all that and more. The two-page Prologue teed it up and then Sands aimed for the fences. By the time I got to page three - three! - I was well and truly hooked. I already knew I would not be putting this book down until all my questions - and Randi/Sadie's - had been answered. 

I enjoy the immersive quality of Sands' writing. Her stories so easily pull me into her characters' lives and Sadie's is more compelling than most. Sands does a good job of unveiling complicated, and traumatic, family dynamics as Sadie's memory begins to return. There are so many layers to be explored, within the family, the community, and within Sadie herself. 

And then there's Chase, a man who has a few layers of his own. I love his honor, his goodness, and his determination to keep Sadie safe as he helps her navigate the challenges her returning memory brings into her life while also tentatively exploring feelings that begin to blossom between them.

Sadie's amnesia is resolved in the first half of the book which then opens her character to other issues which surface in the wake of the revelations of her first sixteen years of life. Sands takes her time with Sadie as she explores the multitude of emotions that flood in when she begins to realize the ramifications of the actions - and inactions - of the people in her life who were supposed to protect her. There's emotional healing, forgiveness, growth, acceptance, love, and new beginnings, many of which are not quick or easy. I appreciated the realistic nature of Sadie's evolution.

This is the first book of a new series from Susan Sands. I'm eager to discover what she has planned for the residents of Moonshine, Georgia and looking forward to hopefully learning more about some unexpected revelations at the end of Her Missing Pieces. 

Content warning: domestic abuse, child abuse, amnesia