I absolutely loved The Patriot! Wes and Dakota were perfect together, and I really enjoyed their story. I can't wait to return to Sierra Grande to see what Jennifer Millikin has in store for the rest of the Hayden siblings.

From the synopsis I knew this was a typical romance with a cliche plot, but I was in the mood for a ranch setting so I read it.

I’m so glad I did, I totally enjoyed it.

Wes came back after 12 years of serving in the army a different man, he is suffering from BTSD but he is not letting any one in.
He loves nothing more than the family ranch and now his dad is ready to hand it over but there is a condition and Wes can’t meet it.
Dakota is trying to rebuild her life and prove herself to her Dad, so when he asks her to take over a project she agrees.
Only problem is the Lake Guy from five years ago is a part of it, he ghosted her before what is she going to do now.

What I loved about this book is the family dynamics, I loved how both their families where involved in the story and I loved the ranch setting.
I loved the relationship development between Wes and Dakota, they grew cosy and comfortable with each other it was very nice to read.
I like it when I feel with the characters.

I really like that there was no misunderstanding, they actually talked about it.

Yes there were those cliche moments, but the overall feel of the book was so good that I didn’t mind much.

Also the writing was good and Dakota was a very interesting character.

I’m actually looking forward to continue with the series.

This is 100% your small town cowboy romance with two characters who both have struggles and demons in their past. The story is well thought out the characters and have a purpose in he story more than falling in love.

The author tells a predictable yet well written story romance readers will fall in love with.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Jennifer Millikin The Patriot.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I was hooked from the first page.  There was an instant connection between the two main characters, Wes and Dakota, when they first met.  You could feel how they were drawn together, and it was sad that it was just a one night stand.  But as fate would have it, they were brought together several years later when her father's firm is vying to purchase a portion of the Hayden Family land for development.  

I loved how the story unfolded in regards to Wes and Dakota's relationship, getting our first look at the rest of the Hayden family and their dynamics, the community of Sierra Grande, and discovering Wes's and Dakota's take on their initial meeting.  There is a good mix of humor and some suspense in the story.  It is always a pleasure to discover a new to me author whose stories are well-written and complete.  I'm definitely looking forward to reading the remainder of this series.

Honestly, I was a little worried with the slower start of this book, but I’m so very glad I stuck with it. The story really picked up about 40% in and I couldn’t put it down. 

Dakota and Wes have such a great story. I loved the dynamic of all of the Hayden’s and can’t wait to see what happens with the rest of the family.

This story is an emotional rollercoaster ride to healing an love. When Wes got back from his military service now out of the military he really doesn't want to be around anyone but when a friend an former part of his team he decides he'll go to friends party but when he gets there he stays in his car at first unable to get out the last thing he wants to do is be at a party but then she walks buy an he knows he'll do anything to meet her.Dakota sees the gorgeous guy sitting all alone an when their eyes meet he's so taken to her he can almost feel like electrical current flowing. Between them.Dakota has never been the kind of girl to take to orders but when the gorgeous guy looks at her as if she's all he's ever dreamed of they spend a passionate night together an when she wakes up he's gone so many things they shared but he leaves without a word.Now five years later Dakotas father decides he needs her to take lead on planning a idea to make a big rancher sell to them.She never expected to see Wes there an now she has to work with him.What she wants is answers.There are so many twists an turns to this story will keep you riveted til the very last page an leave you begging for more. I can hardly wait to see what's next by this multi talented author.

This is the 1st in a new series and is Wes and Dakota’s journey. Wes is the eldest of the Hayden family and is a veteran who spend 12-years fighting for his country and understandably carries baggage and is struggling to settle back into life as a civilian. Dakota has her won demons, and she want to but 20-acres of Hayden land to develop it. These two are drawn to each other and spend a night together. They strike a deal which is one the land, and second to mutually benefit them both and which will ensure all their problem go away. This is a beautifully written story which is an emotional roller coaster, unconditional family love and support, suspense, twists, and love. I was totally enthralled throughout this riveting and addictive page turner, and I cannot wait to read more from this talented author whose work I recommend for all readers.

Wes Hayden had one night with the woman of his dreams five years ago, but now she is here on his ranch. The oldest Hayden brother and heir to the Hayden Cattle Company, he is still recovering from his time in the military. In order to inherit the ranch, he must be married, but until he is able to deal with his PTSD, he will not inflict his issues on a wife. When Dakota Wright and her father show up on the ranch to purchase land, for development, he will ensure that they get the bid and hopefully there will be another chance for him. Dakota remains on site to ensure the development is exactly what the community wants and needs. A beautiful romance between two people who are both struggling with their pasts, but are given a second chance for their future and love. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Overall I enjoyed this book. Both main characters were ;likeable, the story moved along at a good pace. There was drama, romance and good chemistry.

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
Drugs, Trauma and Sexual Harrassment/Contents


𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭

The Patriot which is the 1st book for the Hayden Family series starts with a bang. Another typical romance stories route that I’v e read many times on wattpad and just recently with my last read also started like this.

The story is pretty much fast paced, it’s easy to get into as it doesn’t seemed to make the story longer just for the sake of making it long. The storyline is very well written, I would say and isn’t really that heavy that for me. The setting reminded me a bit of Costa Leona and Alegria series written by Jonaxx, and also because of the cowboy  and ranch thing and the route the story took.
Most of the events in the book seemed to be cliché, and predictable, I didn’t have problem with that as at first I didn’t thought that the sort of a one night stand- seeing each other again after many years- in the beginning would take place and fake engagement would happen at first and even if it did happened it wasn’t a problem as the author did well in executing it. 

With that being said, because of the fact that it seemed cliché and predictable, it wasn’t that exciting anymore. Along the way, as the story goes on, some of it felt a little drag.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐩

The characters were written good. I adore West’s and Dakota’s relationship with their parents, it was so precious even at times of sadness, especially on West’s side as he is suffering PTSD-from serving the military.

I would really say that halfway of the book, the story depended on  West and Dakota’s relationship which in some scenes I find cute, they really behaved like a teenage couples which is they are not.

Along the way, as the plot progress, I just felt that Dakota and West’s relationship really  just need a little push to have me wowing but it didn’t get there, I was underwhelmed by the route their relationship have taken and the half the  excitement I was feeling for them just went down.

𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥, I didn’t mind that it seemed cliché and predictable. What I just didn’t like is that there’s a lot of potential and route that would make this story much better. I wasn’t really expecting and was hoping that the story wouldn’t take the fake engagement route when I already had a gist that it would lead to that. I also thought that the last 30% felt dragging. I didn’t enjoy that part and towards the very end of the book that much.

Despite that, I was definitely thankful that the characters were atleast written well, because if they weren’t, the route would definitely be a disaster.

Since this is the 1st book of the story, I really hope and is expecting that the later books will even be  more well written.

𝙄 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮.

ARC received from The Next Realm PR . Voluntarily reviewing and all opinions are objective and my own. 

I really wanted to enjoy this book. I think the premise made for the perfect contemporary romance. I was really enjoying the characters and their situation. I haven’t read a cowboy romance in what feels like forever, so I was really gearing up for this one. 

...But I wasn’t loving it completely. I enjoyed the story itself. Again, no issues with any of the characters or the plot, but I wasn’t enjoying the writing. I can go into specifics, but I’ll leave it simple and say it just took me away from the story itself more often than not and I wasn’t fully able to get into the book.

Wowza!!  The Patriot was everything I didn't know I wanted in a book!  Actually, I did know I wanted it, but you rarely find it.  Wes is the eldest of the four Hayden children.  He fought for his country for twelve years and is still carrying the battle scars from it.  Their family owns a huge ranch.  I loved the cowboy/veteran combination.  It's my "book catnip."  A cowboy with all the ruggedness combined with emotional trauma of a vet who saw horrible things.  Truly, this gave me a little of a "Yellowstone" vibe and I absolutely was in heaven while I read it.

Wes meets up with Dakota.  They shared a one night stand.  However, what they each brought away from that night was very different.  When they meet up again, Wes is enamored and Dakota is upset.  They have to work through the misunderstanding surrounding Wes' reasons for leaving that night before they can move ahead.  

Of course, Dakota is carrying her own hurts.  She blames herself for two heartbreaking events in her life and is punishing herself and trying to do some type of penance.  This heartbreak makes her a prisoner of her pain as her actions continue to hurt her over and over.

This book is definitely a perfect mix of wonderful characters, a fantastic setting and emotional storyline.  I enjoyed every bit of it and cannot wait for the next book in the series!!

4.5 Stars

A new series from Ms. Millikin!  A great beginning to a small-town romance, featuring Wes and Dakota.  She is from Colorado, and her family buys a piece of the Hayden Ranch to develop.  The Hayden’s are royalty in Sierra Grande, yet it takes Dakota to show him the town.  The layers to the characters are complex, and both Wes and Dakota have their own struggles.  They both live with guilt and grief. As they spend time together as part of their arrangement, all can see how they feel.  Will they figure it out in time?  

Thank you to NetGalley and the Author for an advanced copy for my voluntary review

This is the first book I have read by Jennifer Millikin, and it won't be the last.  I always enjoy books about close families and the bonds that last generations - call me old fashioned, but we do not have enough of these values today.  With that in mind, I also enjoy stories of our men and women of the military and how hard they work to rebuild their lives when they come home.  For me, this was a very enjoyable read.  The only thing I would like to call out is about 2/3 of the way through the book, the writing seemed choppy and did not flow like the remainder of the book.  Other than that, it was a very good book and I look forward to reading the other books in the series when they come out.

Fake engagement anyone? 
This story is so much more than what the eyes can see. It’s packed with everything from all the ups and downs of a big farm family to the ptsd moments and life after the army for our hero and of course, the chance at a beautiful romance that it’s not missing all suspenseful twists and bumps in her way to that happily ever after.

A beautiful sweet small town romance that was so much more A new author for me and I am so glad that I grabbed it as Jennifer will definitely become a reader whose work I look for in future

Wes Hayden as returned from his time in the military to take over the running of the family ranch but there is an outdated rule in the family he needs to be married to take over thee running of the ranch. Meanwhile  Dakota Wright shows up anting to purchase a small piece of the ranch so she can fulfil her dream These two have history five years earlier they met at a party at a lake. Wes sees the perfect opportunity he will let her have the land if she will marry him for at least a year seem like a win win situation. Things become much more complicated when they start to fall in love Will their marriage become more than a convenience

Dakota and Wes meet again after spending an amazing night together five years ago, neither have moved on relationship wise since then. He needs to marry to get ownership of the family ranch and she needs to get out of debt. They agree to solve each other’s problems by marrying for a year, but in true romance style they need forever.
Lovely sweet story with a few surprises along the way.

Good story about family love and friends helping each other.  Love comes to Wes and Dakota while they
work on helping each other solve their problems,

I decided to try a new author, and since this was a new series, I knew it was the perfect time to give both a try. Glad I did.
Wes Hayden is back home ready to take over his family’s ranch. But things are not easy.
Dakota Wright shows up at the ranch wanting to purchase 20 acres of the Hayden land. Imagine her shock to see the guy she met 5 years ago .
Both have their agenda and strike a deal, but what happens when feelings develop and what they thought they wanted, might not be what they really want?
The plot was engaging and the characters complex and perfect in their imperfections. 
A series that promises to be a real winner.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Good book ! It took me a little bit to get into this book but once I did , I did enjoy it! Its not my all time favorite but definitely worth reading! It had lots of heartache and heartbreak! It had a little steam to it too. Some suspense , some drama! All and all it was a decent read! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!