West of Forever by Corinne Michaels is live!

The first book in a new series by Corinne Michaels, this is a small town, single dad, enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance with no strings and all the chemistry, and I loved this book!

 

Amazon

 

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Blurb

Tristan Stone is off limits.

It doesn’t matter that the grumpy, single dad did nothing wrong. He’s a cowboy and his last name means I’m bound by blood to hate him. My family would never be okay with me having feelings for our enemy.

When he stops—in the pouring rain—because I have a flat tire, the last thing I expect is for him to help me.

I do my best to ignore the water sliding off his hat and how he fills out those jeans. My best, however, is not good enough. Each night I close my eyes and dream of a future we can never have. And after he defends me at the bar and we share a magical dance? It only gets worse.

I know I should forget about him, but when I find him alone one night, I offer up a no-strings attached relationship that we both promise to keep secret. Sidelong glances across property lines morph into clandestine meetings under the stars wrapped up in each other’s arms.

Never mind that our families will never approve or that he told me he can never love again, I crave him.

Soon our no feelings agreement is in tatters, and my heart belongs to that broken cowboy. Will he break it or will he defy them all and choose us instead?

 

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Review

4 stars

The first book in a new series by Corinne Michaels, this is a small town, single dad, enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance with no strings and all the chemistry, and I loved this book!

Tristan and Lark are from rival families. The animosity goes back generations, and the hatred is real, but when Tristan saves Lark from trouble, they both start seeing more in each other than the enemy they have been taught to hate. Their attraction is strong, and as they tease, flirt and banter, sexual tension builds and their interactions sizzle with lust and longing.

“Listen, you’re the one who can’t help but look at me. I get it. I’m a good-looking guy – at least I’ve been told that.”
I scoff. “They lied to you.”
He shrugs. “That may be, but again, you were staring with that dreamy look.”
My lips part and I suck in a breath. “You! You are so full of it. If I was looking, which I wasn’t, it was to make sure you haven’t grown horns yet. Since you are evil.”
His grin does not make me feel gooey inside. Not at all. Not even a sliver of goo. I’m all solid.
Lies.

Their families would never be ok with them being together, and on top of that, Tristan has already loved and lost once, and he’s terrified of risking his heart again. So, they agree to hook up in secret to satisfy their wild attraction and then move on. The problem is, their connection is way more intense than either of them expected, and they quickly find that they can’t get enough of each other.

We’re not dating – in that sense of the word. We’re just…casually friends who happen to have a deeper connection that I’m sure as fuck not thinking about.

I love the forbidden element in this story. The secrecy is exciting and romantic, and the sneaking around creates something really special. The emotion between them develops naturally and realistically, and I loved watching these two fall so hopelessly for each other.

“Nothing about loving you is hard. Hell, it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

But even though their feelings come easily, the practicalities of their situation are a challenge. Not only because of their families, but Tristan’s reluctance to fully commit is a huge hurdle. I could understand his fears and I hurt for him, but Lark shines as a woman who stands strong for what she wants. The conflict is minimal, but brings emotion, and watching these two work through their issues to find their happy ending is so, so beautiful!

“I love you. Without permission, you stole my heart, and I never want it back. It’s yours, as is my love.”

*dreamy sigh*

There’s a lot of family interaction in this book. Both Tristan and Lark’s families are super close, and most of their siblings still live at home in their 20s and 30s, working on their family farms. We get to see lots of fun family dynamics, and a definite highlight is Tristan’s 12-year-old daughter, Sadie. She’s a total scene stealer, and I absolutely adore her.

While the rivalry is a cornerstone of the story, it does feel exaggerated at times, and the siblings’ immaturity and bickering are a bit over the top, especially from Lark’s brothers, though it’s still entertaining.

It looks like the series will continue with Tristan’s sisters – and maybe they’ll cross over with Lark’s brothers again? I’m excited to explore more of this world, and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

A fun, beautifully romantic read. 4 stars.

An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

 

Heartstone Ranch

 

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Meet Corinne 

Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed–reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.

 

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