Thanks to Netgalley for an amazing ARC from author Davalynn Spencer. Unfamiliar with her writing, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the preliminary reviews were positive, so I thought I’d give it a try. I was so impressed by the story and the writing that I’m now a fan of this author. By the way, this is a clean Christian romance, but the religious aspects of the story fit so well into the time frame that it doesn’t come across as overbearing or didactic. The Huttons are a good family who look out for one another, while Helen (their live-in caretaker) tries to instill positive values. Ella Canady has had her faith shaken by unfortunate events, but ultimately, believes God has a plan for her.

Ella and Cale Hutton meet under less-than-ideal circumstances, and at first, we have very little understanding of either of them. As the story unfolds, we discover that Ella lost someone and something very special to her and has come to town with a film company in an effort to lose herself and escape her sorrow. Her efforts are constantly thwarted by Mabel Steinway, the co-star of the movie, who is jealous for unknown reasons and insults Ella and chips away at her confidence at every opportunity. Thank goodness for Cale, who sees Ella’s potential despite her efforts to hide.

Cale has seen his twin brother Hugh lose his wife and become a bitter, unlikable curmudgeon, as a result. He tries to make up for the loss of, essentially, two parents by being a positive influence on his young nephews. Growing up in a small town where everybody knows one another, Cale has about given up on ever finding a wife of his own. Until he meets Ella.

Ty, Jay, and Kip, Hugh’s sons are described in vivid detail that smacks of reality. Some of the phrases used to describe them are wonderful: “Hugh’s boys were itching for excitement and jostled each other as they ran to meet him… Ty hollered over the back of the middle boy who outran him with his longer legs…Jay dashed to the barn and halfway back by the time Cale shoved his hat up and squatted to address his nephews eye to eye… The youngster had a hard time stopping his feet, and he slammed into Kip, who hollered like a scalded dog… Arms shot up like firecrackers in July… Three heads bobbed and the youngest would have gotten away if Cale hadn’t snagged his shirt collar… He chuckled as the wild bunch headed to the house….the boys stampeded out and down the road…” The beauty of the descriptions of these boys is that care was taken to differentiate each from the other, while still making them into a unit, a bundle of enthusiastic energy getting into mischief and stirring up trouble everywhere they went, but still being lovable and childlike.

After dinner one night when the boys are told to go clean up, Jay complains that it’s women’s work, and as he realizes his mistake, “Two dark eyes stared at the pile of plates while his siblings shed him like thick hair in summer on their way to the kitchen.” How can you not love a simile like this one?

And this made me crack up. When the boys need to spread out their bedrolls in the dining room so Ella could sleep in their room, there’s a misunderstanding.
“You boys are spread out in here like a week’s wash.” Helen’s tone belied her frown.
Kip’s lower lip sagged. “I don’t like squash.”
“Whatever brought that on?” Helen planted her hands at her hips.
“And I ain’t weak.”
“Land sakes, boy. I didn’t say you were weak.” She ruffled his hair. “A week’s wash. A week’s worth of washing. Not a weak squash.”

Helen is an older, widowed woman who took on the responsibility when Jane, Hugh’s wife, died because they were friends from church and she felt, rightly, that this house of boys/men needed a woman to care for them. When Ella confides in Helen about how she injured her leg, Helen replies, “We all have a wound that makes us limp, dear. Some more than others, like Hugh who is crippled in spirit. That’s a much more difficult injury to deal with than a hitch in your gait.”

Ella fights her attraction to Cale for a variety of reasons. She feels damaged and unworthy, which has been compounded by Mabel’s constant taunts, and she thinks they’re too different. She loves Helen and the boys, clashes with Hugh (who, let’s be honest, seems to clash with everyone), and cannot face how she feels about Cale. When Jay tells her he wouldn’t mind if she got left behind and stayed with them at the ranch, “ He smelled of sweaty little boy and broken heart, and all her longings for a husband and family rushed to the surface.” When she senses the same sentiment in Cale, “He smelled of grown-up man and hopeful heart, and she reminded herself that nothing awaited the two of them together. They came from opposite worlds, and she’d be returning to hers as soon as” they finished their job in Canon City.

Every time Cale tries to tell Ella how he feels, he puts his foot in his mouth. Whether it’s him saying something stupid or Ella misinterpreting what he says, it’s a constant struggle for him to say the right thing. At times, he just can’t find any words. “Ella.” Her name slipped out on a whisper with a rope attached and dallied to his heart.” Eventually, though, love requires a leap of faith and just saying what’s on your heart.

There’s a lot in this book about forgiveness, healing, compassion, sacrifice, self-love, and love of others. And yes, there’s faith involved as an undergirding for the rest of it. Without their faith, none of these other things would be possible. Cale and Ella both need to navigate this winding road, with blind curves, and ups and downs, to their ultimate happiness. It’s a beautifully told story with wonderful characters.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good women's fiction Western novel. I highly recommend.

A Change of Scenery by Davalynn Spencer

Ella has had a lot of heartbreak in her life. She decides to do something about it before her wealthy father recreates her into an invalid. She makes some drastic appearance changes and heads out West, hoping to heal her aching heart and prove to herself, that she is worthy.

Cale has had some heartbreak in his life, he does what he can to help the situation, including being available for his three young nephews who are starving for positive attention. He is a rancher, there are always mountains of work to be done.

Cale meets Ella in town, then sees her again, when she comes out to his ranch, with the film crew she works with. She's a seamstress, her job is to keep everyone's costumes looking their best. Cale is mystified from the very first, he knows there is a mysterious air about Ella and he vows to unravel the mystery.

Greatly enjoyed this novel. It has earned its place on my favorites' shelf. I will read it again and again.

Many thanks for the complimentary copy from #NetGalley and #achangeofscenery I was under no obligation to post a review.