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This is a good fit for readers who crave emotional, slow-burning romances that explore the complexities of grief, vulnerability, and the power of love to heal and transform, with a focus on lyrical prose and uplifting stories.

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I have read Tess Thompson before and i loved this book. I cannot wait for the next book by Tess,, She is an auto buy for me.

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This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. great read from start to end.

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A lovely story of rebirth and reconnecting. Adrift after her husband’s accidental death Crystal seems an unlikely candidate for love. Olympic skier Garth has been burned and discarded and vows to only use women as he was used. The love gods see differently for both these characters and we are better for the match. A series of incidents throw these two in each other’s path and what happens is the stuff of romance dreams.

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Sweet story of Garth and Crystal. The story continues after the fire that burn the homes of many, including Garth home and escaping he rescues Crystal from her home. Both have been living with Brandi and Trapper (previous book) and became “friends with benefits “. Both have issues, Garth, being divorced and feelings of always being second best. Crystal, a widow who lost the love of her life.
There are several storylines and a predictable outcome, but a enjoyable read.

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This is the second book in a series and there are many references to events in the first book that I have not read. Otherwise I enjoyed this book about Crystal and Garth. Due to a wildfire in the previous book, they are both staying at a friends house until their homes can be rebuilt. Due to her famous husband dying in an accident and the social media attention on her, Crystal had moved to Emerson Pass to start over and was not interested in a new relationship. Garth is still recovering from his divorce. Sparks fly between them amid other challenges going on in their lives.

I received a copy of this book to review through NetGalley.

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Another wonderful book in the Emerson Pass series by Tess Thompson.

This book follows the relationship of Garth and Crystal. Crystal was marred to a very wealthy, powerful tech mogul named Patrick. When Patrick was suddenly killed in a tragic helicopter accident, Crystal retreated to Emerson Pass and pretty much gave up on any possibility of a future relationship.

Garth, a family law attorney who was an Olympic skier, lives close enough to Crystal to see her regularly. When a fire breaks out, threatening both of their homes and surrounding forest, Garth goes to her rescue and brings Crystal to safety. They begin a physical relationship that night, but while Crystal is determined to keep it light, Garth wants more.

I don't do spoilers, so I won't tell you how or whether these two manage to find a happy compromise, you'll need to read it yourself to find out. Its a fast-moving read, and well worth the time. Highly recommend.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

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I read The Patron by Tess Thompson after finishing a dark story about the Holocaust. I was excited to dig into a Tess Thompson book because she writes incredible stories. Her descriptions of the locations and the depth of the characters put you in the middle of the plot. You are there! I needed to get my mind to a brighter place and it worked! I enjoyed The Patron so much!. The Patron is the second in the Emerson Pass Contemporary series. If you are familiar with the Emerson Pass books then you understand what I mean. This story, likes the others, focus on two characters, In this case, Crystal and Garth, that are introduced in a previous book. But you can read this as a standalone. Although why you would want to miss out on any of these books is questionable. The Patron adds another layer to Emerson Pass. It is familiar characters, family, love and the past mixed with the present. I loved it!
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

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Crystal and Garth are two souls brought together by tragic circumstances. Crystal has lost the love of her life and Garth has been burned by the one he thought loved him. Crystal is afraid of betraying her lost husband and even more afraid of giving her heart to someone in fear of losing them, too. Garth has felt a connection to Crystal almost immediately. He can't deny his feelings for her. "Quite by acciedent I'd fallen in love with her. Tragically, she was in love with a ghost. If that doesn't sound like a country song, I don't know what does." This is the perfect premise to set up this book.

I have loved each book in The Emerson Pass series. Ms. Thompson has built up a cast of characters that become friends and family and with each novel it's like returning home. The characters are all so emotionally developed and well written that I become involved in their lives and circumstances. That's so true with Garth and Crystal's story. They have pasts to overcome, fears to conquer, and and events that will either make or break their path together. Thrown into the mix are parents who are all dealing with pasts of their own. Ms. Thompson weaves these stories all together to make a novel that touched my heart, had me yearning for outcomes and breathless with the hope that second chances can be in lives that have endured so much.

I love to spend time in the Emerson Pass world, with the people who live there and the promise of more amazing stories from the talented writing of Tess Thompson. It's a wonderful escape and a wonderful way to spend time in a book! I want to thank Ms. Thompson for the privilege and honor of reading another great book. I loved it! And I so look forward to the next novel in the series. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.

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Your life never ends up like you think it will.” When one of the characters in this story uttered these words, I thought it brilliantly summed up this story. The Patron is an enchanting story about Garth and Crystal, two people trying to move on from their past relationships. They are both closed off and afraid to take a chance on love, until a fire destroys both of their homes.

Tess Thompson is one of my go to authors and I especially love reading her small town romances. She does such a great job of writing this feel good story about small town life. I easily connected to Garth and Crystal. They are easy to like, well developed and both of them have a voice in this story, so I always knew what they were both thinking and feeling.

The plot isn’t complicated but it flows nicely and I loved being in Emerson Pass, right along with the characters in this story. This story has a sweet and magical feel to it and love is in the air, for not only Garth and Crystal, but some of the other characters included in this story.

This is a heartwarming story about forgiveness, new beginnings, moving on from grieving and learning to trust again. I liked all the characters In this story, but I especially loved Garth and Crystal. They are easy to like and connect with and I thought they were great together. If you like small town stories, that will put a smile on your face, give this a try.

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I really enjoyed this book. The characters were engaging and I quickly became invested in knowing how their stories would end. This book explores loss. It also reminds us that giving our heart can be scary, but it’s so worth it in the end. I also cannot wait to try out the recipes in the back of the book. Yum!

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I always enjoy Tess Thompson ‘s books and this was no different. The story was well written and heartwarming. I was drawn into the characters from the start. This book will pull you in with the story of love and also about loss and overcoming it. The story moves right along and keeps you interested.

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I really enjoyed this book. Character development was good. The plot was very interesting. Not a lot of typos.

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Garth and Crystal are two characters that are broken in different ways but you can't help but want them to find their happily ever after. He moved to Emerson Pass after a divorce and has never wanted anything serious. She moved to Emerson Pass to help her best friend and start over after her husband died. When tragedy, in the form of a fire that destroys both of their houses, forces them together, they quickly comfort each other. They both agree that it is temporary and fun, until he wants more.

I liked how he wore his heart on his sleeve and let her know that he wanted something serious. Unfortunately, she wasn't ready for more and pushed him away. Throughout their journey, many secrets are revealed and you learn about the hurts they both have suffered. Both of them learn what it is like to worry about the other, in similar situations, at different times in the book.

The secrets are so old and hurt deep down that they threaten to ruin the lives of those involved. I really enjoyed the personal growth that both Garth and Crystal experienced. The supporting characters were wonderful and I liked how their stories were interwoven with the rest of the story. I wish her mom and Jack would have had more of a conclusion, but maybe we will get more of them in another book. God, and faith play a big part in this book but it isn't over done or too preachy. The horrible tragedies Garth and his family endured. as well as Crystal, made them the people they are. Emerson Pass and the people who live there have wormed their way into my heart and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book in the series.

There is at least one trigger in this book that might be hard for some to read, but it doesn't go into a lot of detail. A wonderful heartwarming story about family, faith and second chances. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

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This was a nice heartwarming story about love and overcoming loss. The book is the second in a series, but can also be read as a standalone book. Tess Thompson has a way of pulling you right into the story, and you feel you actually know the characters.

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This book grabbed me at the start and kept me reading and turning pages till I reached the end. It moves along at a good pace making for an enjoyable read. The characters are amazing seem so real that you feel as though you know them. The story keeps you interested and reading till the end. This is a must read book that needs to be on your TBR list, you will not be sorry that you did.

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The Patron by T. Thompson, published by bookbuzz.net is book two in the Emerson Pass Contemporaries.
Crystal Walden is a widow and wary, when the next tragedy comes her way.
Garth Welte is a divorced Olympic medalist. A bitter thrillseeker and housemate of Crystal.
The Patron is an ok read with just the right amount of drama and just the right pace to keep me intrigued.

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Beautifully Woven Complex Romance. This was the first time I'd actually read this author, despite being in similar orbits for a few years now - virtually since I first began this book blogging/ "review absolutely everything I read" adventure. But as I told her privately, when she puts a book directly in the very channel I make no secret of the fact that most of my current reading comes from (NetGalley, though technically this book was published *before* I got it)... it kinda sounds like a beacon "READ THIS BOOK, JEFF!". :D

And seriously, this was an absolutely beautifully woven tapestry that mixes in long family lore (with many references to her "Emerson Pass Historicals" ongoing series) along with not just one, but *three* second chance romances and a very developed town and surrounding characters. All of the characters feel fully "human" - there aint a single one of them that is wholly monstrous or wholly innocent, and that is a refreshing change of pace from so many books, even within the same genre, that have less complicated characters.

One note, just because I know it itself is a clarion call both directions for different people, is the frequent-yet-not-preachy calls to God, prayer, faith, etc. Having grown up in the Southern Baptist Church and lived my entire life in the exurban or even rural Southern United States, this is the level that people actually talk down here - not the preachiness that so many politicians or celebrities pound on, but just the honest, heart felt, "natural" level of people who genuinely believe what they say. Some of y'all are going to love that, I know other readers who will 1* a book the instant they come across that. So consider yourself prepared either way. ;)

I've bought many of Thompson's books in the time that I've known of her, mostly on the strength of being around her and having several common friends that *rave* about her books. And now I call tell you straight up: If you're looking for something deeper, something more complex with various threads going all over the place and making a book world feel like a true community rather than just a series of barely-joined books... you're going to want to check out this author. And this particular book isn't a bad place to start, despite being labeled Book 2. (Though yes, it does give several details of what - presumably - happened in Book 1.) Very much recommended.

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Another great Emerson Pass book by Tess Thompson.
I actually devoured this one. It started out strong and kept on going. The chemistry between the two characters in this book was so good. So real. You feel both of their fears. Fear of rejection and fear of loss. In Emerson Pass love seems to always prevail though.

Crystal and Garth were just neighbors. Until they weren't. Until the fire. Sparks started to fly in more ways than one between these two. They are both sort of broken from being hurt and yes burned. Not physically burned but emotionally. Crystal is trying to get over the loss of her husband and her unborn child. She blames herself and doesn't think she deserves to move on. Garth was hurt by his first wife and is afraid of being hurt again. Though he is finally willing to jump back in with Crystal and wants them to be together in every way. He fell in love. She's still afraid.

Two accidents bring these two back to reality in every way. People from their pasts seem to give them the strength to move forward and have the life they both deserve. The happiness and love they both want and need. Secrets are revealed in this book also. I do admit to figuring out rather quickly the secret Crystal's mother kept for years. But still it was great to find out for sure.

I think there will be at least two more love stories from the characters in this book. Also the birth of a new baby. Brandi and Trapper are expecting and Brandi is on bed rest. There will be happiness there I know.

The letters at the end of this book took me back to other books by Tess Thompson that were wonderful. The recipes sound delish and I will be trying a few of them. This book was such a relaxing read for me. I usually read thrillers so this was truly a breath of fresh air.

Set in Emerson Pass, Colorado, it has such beautiful scenery. Written in a way that makes you feel it. Then the accidents of course. You feel that ice and the slide. The crunch of metal. The cold. It's written in a way that you feel everything.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #TessThompson, #Independentlypublished for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

A big 5/5 stars and high recommend. If you like romance that is not to mushy this is the book for you. I loved it!

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I received The Patron as part of a NetGalley giveaway.

Wealthy widow Crystal Whalen is living with her best friend and her husband following a devastating fire that has destroyed large swathes of Emerson Pass, her adopted hometown. Also bunking there is Garth Welte, an attorney and former Olympic skiier. The two have a magnetic, sexual attention, but when Garth wants more, Crystal shies away, scared to move on following the sudden death of her beloved husband and subsequent miscarriage. But a series of events--returning families, serious accidents, and long-kept secrets coming to light--begin to change Crystal's perspective on both her past and future.

I thought it started out strong--I was intrigued by a romance novel in which the two leads were already sleeping together and then having to reevaluate their relationship--but as it went on, I became less interested. There were a lot of sexist attitudes with regard to men's approaches to love and parenting: that a single father, for instance, couldn't be a nurturing parent to his young son simply because he's a man. I didn't love all the side stories of parents getting together and ghosts visiting their dead relatives, as hey were repetitive, predictable, and detracted from the main storyline. It all felt a bit too saccharine sweet for my liking.

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