Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book. Max is one of seven brothers, each of whom received odd bequests from their father upon his death. For Max, he was puzzled when he received the deed to a Kentucky horse farm. As a former SEAL and current security operative, the last thing he needs is a horse farm. He plans to go to Kentucky when he can, check the place out, and sell it to raise the money he needs to start his own security firm.
Ellie is the last living Applegate on the farm that's been in her family for four generations. She's doing her best to keep the farm going, helped by a loan from an old friend of her mother's. She has big plans to pay off the loan, but it's going to take a little time. Time that may have just run out.
I liked both Ellie and Max. Ellie is hard-working, determined, and caring. Her farm and the horses mean the world to her. I loved seeing her with those horses, from the pregnant mare to Champ, the horse who holds all her hopes and dreams. There are times when it seems that she works 24 hours a day. Ellie also has a big heart. I loved seeing her friendship with Lacey and the fun they had together. Ellie also watched out for Lacey, who had issues with an obnoxious ex-boyfriend. I liked Max, too, though there were a few times I wanted to shake him. Max has a tremendous protective streak that started when he was a kid. Even though he's a middle brother, he felt he had to watch over them, especially after their mother died. That protectiveness grew stronger when he was a SEAL and later as he worked security is world hotspots. Max has some commitment issues thanks to the way his father withdrew from the family after his wife's death. He doesn't believe in love, despite seeing four of his brothers fall.
There were sparks between Max and Ellie from the beginning. He arrived expecting a farm of racehorses that he could sell for big bucks, and instead found a bunch of "prancers." This attitude did not endear him to Ellie. He made it clear from the start that he wants to sell and move on. Ellie does not just roll over and accept his offer. She is determined to keep the farm, but that means she has to keep Max from selling it before she can complete her plans. It was fun to see Ellie push back against Max and to see his amusement at her misunderstandings of the type of person he is. I enjoyed watching the attraction build as they learned more about each other. It wasn't long before they went from adversaries to friends, and from there to lovers. Max was a bit freaked out by his attraction to Ellie. He has no intention of sticking around; watching the grass grow would drive him nuts, but he keeps picturing himself in her future. Ellie knows he doesn't plan to stay and tries to protect her heart, but her feelings can't be denied. I ached for both of them at the end as Max tried to run from his emotions. I had to laugh at his "aha" moment as he finally realized the truth. I liked the ending and seeing that hint of vulnerability in him as he faced Ellie.
Like his brothers in the other books, Max discovers that the off-the-wall inheritance wasn't so odd after all. Each son has been given something that their father believes will help them avoid making the mistakes he did. Finding out about his mother's connection to Applegate Farm helps Max see a different side of his father. Seeing Ellie's commitment to the continuation of her family's traditions also makes him look at the farm from another angle. I liked seeing the changes he went through as all of these things caused him to re-examine his life and his plans.
Ellie is the last living Applegate on the farm that's been in her family for four generations. She's doing her best to keep the farm going, helped by a loan from an old friend of her mother's. She has big plans to pay off the loan, but it's going to take a little time. Time that may have just run out.
I liked both Ellie and Max. Ellie is hard-working, determined, and caring. Her farm and the horses mean the world to her. I loved seeing her with those horses, from the pregnant mare to Champ, the horse who holds all her hopes and dreams. There are times when it seems that she works 24 hours a day. Ellie also has a big heart. I loved seeing her friendship with Lacey and the fun they had together. Ellie also watched out for Lacey, who had issues with an obnoxious ex-boyfriend. I liked Max, too, though there were a few times I wanted to shake him. Max has a tremendous protective streak that started when he was a kid. Even though he's a middle brother, he felt he had to watch over them, especially after their mother died. That protectiveness grew stronger when he was a SEAL and later as he worked security is world hotspots. Max has some commitment issues thanks to the way his father withdrew from the family after his wife's death. He doesn't believe in love, despite seeing four of his brothers fall.
There were sparks between Max and Ellie from the beginning. He arrived expecting a farm of racehorses that he could sell for big bucks, and instead found a bunch of "prancers." This attitude did not endear him to Ellie. He made it clear from the start that he wants to sell and move on. Ellie does not just roll over and accept his offer. She is determined to keep the farm, but that means she has to keep Max from selling it before she can complete her plans. It was fun to see Ellie push back against Max and to see his amusement at her misunderstandings of the type of person he is. I enjoyed watching the attraction build as they learned more about each other. It wasn't long before they went from adversaries to friends, and from there to lovers. Max was a bit freaked out by his attraction to Ellie. He has no intention of sticking around; watching the grass grow would drive him nuts, but he keeps picturing himself in her future. Ellie knows he doesn't plan to stay and tries to protect her heart, but her feelings can't be denied. I ached for both of them at the end as Max tried to run from his emotions. I had to laugh at his "aha" moment as he finally realized the truth. I liked the ending and seeing that hint of vulnerability in him as he faced Ellie.
Like his brothers in the other books, Max discovers that the off-the-wall inheritance wasn't so odd after all. Each son has been given something that their father believes will help them avoid making the mistakes he did. Finding out about his mother's connection to Applegate Farm helps Max see a different side of his father. Seeing Ellie's commitment to the continuation of her family's traditions also makes him look at the farm from another angle. I liked seeing the changes he went through as all of these things caused him to re-examine his life and his plans.
