I typically love cowboy stories but I just couldn't get into this one. So much back and forth. I couldn't connect with the characters. I feel bad leaving a bad review about a book. I know authors put so much of their hearts and souls into them. But this book just wasn't my cuppa.

Initially, I wasn't going to leave a review because of how I felt but I accepted an ARC and decided to honor my commitment.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This was a nice read. I did read the first book and was glad to have the wedding in this book. I did enjoy this book, it had the dual POVs that I like. I can understand the characters' actions so much better. Grey was a darling (yes, I love cowboys!!!) Shadow was iffy for me. I liked that she was strong in character but she seemed to go back and forth. There were some editing issues that I would have to re-read a section to figure out what was intended.

Overall it was a nice read and I enjoyed it. I hope Ms. Riker can see doing a fourth book (on maybe Finn and Jenna?)

After reading and really enjoying the first book in the series, I could not wait to read this one and what a super read it was. If you enjoy a good cowboy romance then this series is for you it had a good plot and I really liked both Grey and Shadow and enjoyed watching their relationship develop. A super read for a quiet afternoon

NOTE TO SITE: THIS WAS A DUPLICATE TITLE ON MY LIST. I SUBMITTED A REVIEW FOR THE BOOK.

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This is the second in the trilogy. Really liked this one, since I liked the characters and the set up of the story. Only thing that got tiresome was the harping about Shadow's brother who died years ago. Even for the ones who were there, there is not a lot of details, and no one was ever charged with the death. Stressed throughout the book, but not a lot shown to the reader to make it seem as important. Liked the character of Ava, and nice to see little Nicky having a new friend and cousin. Would recommend this book and series.

I wanted to like this story more but I'm sorry to say it just didn't draw me in. Oh, the emotions were there as were the struggles for both of the main characters. They both had a lot on their plates separately even before the Big Secret gets revealed.
Shadow's family was dysfunctional to the max and for a lot of the story I didn't like her mother at all. At one point I thought, "Geesh , she's useless". For the longest time she was so deliberately helpless and was just another anvil on her daughter's shoulders. And although Shadow didn't get everything right, she did the best she could from a very early age.
Grey has been battling the silent and not so silent accusations of murdering Shadow's brother. And the pile just kept getting higher with the rustling that was going on.
I guess one of the things that dragged the story down for me was all the repetition of the regret and angst of their past. It just felt like it went on way too long and often. I will say that it is a clean read with touches of romance.

DNF - I just could not finish this book, unfortunately....I managed to read up to 28% and decided not to continue. There was nothing about the characters that captured my attention and urged me to spend more time with them.

i liked the story, if you like cowboys and second chances you will like the story

I am in love with cowboys (at least the ones in books) and when I saw this one on NetGalley I couldn't help myself. I had to give it a go. This is the second book of the Kansas Cowboys miniseries and it can be read as a standalone but it makes you curious about the first book.

Grey has been having troubles with his ranch and with the people of small-town Barren, Kansas because of an accident ten years prior that killed a young man. Even though he was cleared of any wrongdoing he was still blamed for it.

Shadow is the sister of the man that was killed and she was Grey's sweetheart until the shooting. Shortly after the death of her brother Shadow left town and didn't come back for ten years and when she came back was to revealed to Grey some things she's left hidden for so long.

This is like the publisher says a heartwarming story of second chances and forgiveness. But it was a quick read that left me wishing for so much more.

That more that I was looking for includes a better storyline as it was kind of repetitive. Better editing as there were parts where something happens; like Grey taking off his vest; and a paragraph or two later he takes it off again and it is worded the exact same way as the first time you read it.

Other things that bother me where the fact that Shadow and Grey kind of stayed on that time ten years before and sounded young and uncertain and at times annoying.

Good book with interesting Characters. Enjoyed the community in this tale and the journey to the relationship. Will be checking out the rest of the series.

ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

A very interesting, non-romanticized vision of the realities of hard ranch living and working made this story an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed reading about Grey and Shadow’s second chance at love and Grey’s relationship with Ava.
It’s so refreshing to have a heroine, Shadow, that does not come from a privileged background, having instead a history of poverty and difficulties and the need to work hard to climb the social and economic ladder.
There was a lot about family issues and drama going on in the story giving it a realistic touch and some depth that I really liked.
Grey is a complex character, strong yet feeling insecure sometimes and I loved his interactions with Ava.