A new to me author KJ Dell'Antonia that I haven't read before. In Her Boots. Sorry to say this book I just couldn't get into it might have been my mood. It seemed to a good storyline when I first requested the book but it was only an okay book for me and it seemed to drag a little bit. I might give her boots a try again in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC.

Overall, I'm not sure what to make of this book. On one hand, it has lots of things I love, a well written, New England farm setting, complicated relationships, a romantic view of farming and living off the land. On the other hand, I found the main character and her decision making to be so irritating that I was constantly feeling angry while reading the book. A lot of the time, I don't mind flawed narrators or main characters but something about the way Rhett turned every situation in to a referendum on her own character was so annoying.

Overall, 3 stars. The parts I loved did not necessarily outweigh the parts I loathed, but Rhett Smith was just not my kind of girl.

Rhett and Jasmin have certainly gotten themselves into a bit of trouble. The way these two work together to solve their problems, even if they brought some problems on themselves, is definite bestie goals. As Rhetts life implodes, so does Jasmins. They have to be there for each other all while going through their own dirt. It's a pretty easy read I would definitely recommend to others.

In Her Boots has a lot going for it. The plot is fun and unusual - a popular (and anonymous) woman writing under a pseudonym, Maggie Strong aka Modern Pioneer Girl (MPG), is asked to go on the Today Show to reveal her identity and speak to viewers about her values. Rhett is MPG. She is forty and reeling from her beloved grandmother’s recent death. Rhett’s best friend Jasmine encourages her to go on the show and own her beliefs. Rhett initially agrees but gets stage fright begging Jasmine to impersonate her as no one knows who Maggie Strong really is. Cue the antics as Jasmine’s version of Maggie Strong becomes a viral sensation.

The book focuses on Rhett’s friendship with Jasmine, Rhett’s strained relationship with her mother, and Rhett’s determination to make the family farm a success. There is also a bit of romantic tension thrown in for good measure as Rhett’s college sweetheart is living in town and is as handsome as ever. I enjoyed reading this but felt it would have been stronger as more of a self-discovery, mother-daughter dynamics book without the romantic subplot. I adore romance and it is often my favorite part of a story even when it isn’t a primary feature. However, in this case, there wasn’t enough chemistry or build up between Rhett and her love interest. Still, there is plenty of charm and sweet moments throughout the book. I did love that the farm animals have names like “Darcy” and “Bingley” Recommended to readers looking for a cute, feel-good story about going back to your roots and leaning into what and who makes you happy. 3.5 stars.

Thank you very much Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC via NetGalley.

What’s wrong with choosing your own path in life? We all do it whether we choose the path with the least, or the most, resistance. As. Rhett learns we have to have the confidence to believe in the path we choose even in the presence of those who choose to deride it the most. Supported by her best friend Jasmine, she returns to the farm she believes she inherited on the death of her grandmother Bee only to learn that her mother inherited half and intends to sell it. This is a story of missed opportunities for connection and second or even tenth opportunities to change direction enough to fulfill your promise even against the odds. A charming tale about maturation at 40 and the ability to survive a do-over until you thrive.

This was a cute little book but honestly, I was back and forth was being into it and I’m not entirely sure why. Thank you for the gifted Arc.

Rhett Gallagher has lived a life filled with adventure and has channeled it into writing a hugely successful book, The Modern Pioneer Girl’s Guide to Life. She’s also amassed a large online following in the process. The thing is: she’s kept her identity a secret and used a pen name while doing so. When her pseudonym, “Maggie Strong” is approached to be on The Today Show and reveal her identity, she hesitantly accepts but then quickly changes her mind. Her best friend, Jasmine, unexpectedly and very publicly becomes the face of The Modern Pioneer Girl instead and everything quickly gets out of hand.

I enjoyed this book immensely and was so invested in this story and its characters. This story was centered around so many important life lessons and realistically depicted different types of familial, romantic, and platonic relationships.

The setting was one of my favorite parts - KJ Dell’Antonia did a wonderful job painting such a vivid description of the Pioneer Hill farm and made me truly wish it was a real place so that I could visit. I’ve always wanted to live on a farm or at least many acres of land (hopefully one day!), so reading a story mostly set on one was extremely enjoyable for me. I especially loved reading about the animals - a miniature horse named Brownie?! SO CUTE! 🐴

The friendship aspect was the driving force of this novel and I adored every minute of it. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside and I couldn’t get enough. The romantic storyline played a role too but it was not the focal point, which I appreciated, since more time could be spent focused on the driving force of this story.

Rhett, the Modern Pioneer Girl and the main character, is so awesome and I relate to her so much. I’m very private person and hide a lot of who I am on social media for both privacy reasons and because I’m quite shy, so I can completely understand where Rhett’s mindset is by keeping her online identity a secret.

Jasmine, or Jas, is Rhett’s longtime bff and is my favorite character. Loyalty is incredibly important to me, so finding a character that will truly go to the ends of the Earth for her best friend makes my heart very happy. She’s also a very talented baker and hearing about all of the delicious food she baked made me very hungry and had me itching to get into the kitchen to whip up a sweet treat! 🍪🥧🧁

I wholeheartedly recommend this book and LOVED IT!

Read this if you love:
👩‍🌾 Farm life (complete with adorably named farm animals!)🐴🐓🐑
📱 Social media & Instagram
💕 Female friendships
👨‍👩‍👧 Family dynamics

A big thank you to KJ Dell’Antonia for reaching out and providing me with an eARC of this book. Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley as well. It was such a wonderful surprise to get to read this story early!

In Her Boots takes Rhett from Argentina back home to her small town college community after her grandmother Bee dies and plants her square in a battle with her mother and her ex. Rhett, after fighting with her mother for most of her life and then feeling abandoned by her, creates alter ego Maggie Strong, the Modern Pioneer Girl, to vent her feelings and demonstrate there's an alternate path to success than her mother's rigid and structured plan. And that goes well for her until she's asked to be on the Today Show and chickens out and convinces her best friend Jasmine to stand in for her when she finds out that her mom will be on the show. But wait, the fun isn't over yet! Her mother holds the farm Rhett wants to run in trust and plans to let the local college buy them out, leaving Rhett to dig her heels in even further. Rhett recruits Jasmine, who's having issues with her spouse, to come help her out, but quickly finds herself dealing with a lot of hiccups. Including Mike, her ex, who may not be the same guy she remembers, his daughter Louise, who she quickly comes to like a lot, and Louise's mother Emily - who has a relationship all her own with Rhett. Rhett is incredibly stubborn, and convinced at every turn that her mother is out to get her, which makes the dynamic between mother and daughter one of the strongest points of the book. This is especially true as the reader gradually gets to see Margaret's side of the story, and is a poignant reminder of how impressionable children are and how much damage adults can do. Rhett can definitely be frustrating - she definitely doesn't always practice what she preaches, and in trying to micromanage everything she can be hurtful to friends who are trying to help her, but the overall story is good. I will confess that it could get difficult to keep names straight for Rhett; her given name is Margaret like her mother, her pseudonym is Maggie, and she goes by Rhett. So depending on who she's communicating with decides on which name she is referred to, but one character with three "names" gets confusing at times. I can't say that I liked this one as much as Dell'Antonia's first book The Chicken Sisters, but it was a solid sophomore effort. A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

My favorite books, especially when I’m reading women’s fiction, are those where the main character grows and evolves. The metamorphosis of Rhett, the main character, would have been enough for me to love this novel. Add to that a story filled with humor and warmth, with a cast of characters who were equally lovely and frustrating, including farm animals bursting with personality—this book is a solid 5-star read. In Her Boots is a poignant story about forgiveness, second chances, and being true to who you are and what you want, even when being who you really are leads to hurt and disappointment. There are many levels to this compelling book, with a fast pace that kept me turning pages.

I liked that the focus in this one was female friendship and mother-daughter issues versus romance, but Rhett was very immature and naive for being nearly 40 years old. A lot of the drama could have been avoided easily by just talking. I think the best part was the Emily twist. I was really looking forward to this one, but it was a little too predictable and I found it dragging.

Thank you Penguin Group, NetGalley and KJ for this early gifted copy of In Her Boots.

When I stumbled upon this book, and received a copy, I was excited to jump into it as I loved KJ’s other book The Chicken Sisters.

This book was far different than I anticipated in a few ways. I think the biggest thing for me, that was honestly hard to come to terms with and remember, was the age of the characters. I had a hard time picturing these characters in their 40’s, solely based on how they interacted with each other, acted in general and spoke. In my head they were maybe late 20’s or early 30’s, and it threw me for a loop most of the book.

Other than that, I thought it was a good book with a well written storyline, likable characters and a well balanced plot. I liked the relationship between characters, although there were some who I thought would have more of a role than they did.

Rhett is the author of a wildly successful book called the The Pioneer Girl. She wrote this book using. Pseudonym. When one day she receives a message online from the Today Show to appear to promote her book. She begs her best friend, Jasmine to film the today show slot. Jas will have to become the face of her book.

This is a great follow up book to the authors first hit book, Chicken Sisters. Great summer read. This book is expected Cato be released July 5, 2022

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group/Putmman for the electronic (kindle) edition of this novel in exchange for a review

This was absolutely delightful. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were charming and witty. I highly recommend this fun and quick read! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Rhett is a thirty something woman still afraid of her mother's opinion. Their complicated relationship shapes this narrative of Rhett's insecurity, trust issues and broken relationships.

I didn't care for Rhett - she was immature, self centered for the first half of the book. But as she found her footing on her grandmother's farm, she became more appealing. She wor,Ed through some hard Truths and grew into someone you'd share a cup of coffee with.

This was my first read by KJ Dell'Antonia. I'm so glad I found her,! I've already downloaded another of her books.

This one Has it all! Family drama, deep friendships, a ton of soul searching and personal growth for more than a few characters. It's one of those stories you really don't want to end. Strong character development and the descriptors of the area involved took you right there with them. The authors unique ability to interweave everyone together made the story so easy to follow. I would highly recommend this one

Many thanks to NetGalley for this advance read in exchange for my honest opinion

Rhett Gallagher has not followed the plan that her College Dean mother set for her life. She dropped out of college and followed her own path. While her friends were attending college or managing their family farms, she was manning a billionaire yacht overseas. She's become the Pioneer Girl--and even wrote a book to prove it. She's never needed structure or money and follows a mantra of "pluck" to get through life's challenges. But when her Grandma Bee passes and leaves her the farm she packs her bags and heads to her hometown.

Rhett aka "Pioneer Girl" moves into her Grandma Bee's farm with her friend Jasmine and tries to takeover running the farm. But it's not easy caring for a llama and horses and chickens in a farm that has been neglected for years. Meanwhile her estranged Mom (who owns half of her grandma's farm) has a lucrative offer to try to sell it. Suddenly she is faced with deciding whether she wants to build her roots or keep her wings -- a challenge she is not quite ready for.

When I learned that the author of "The Chicken Sisters" had a new book out I couldn't wait to pick it up. "In Her Boots" was all I expected and more. I loved the dynamic of not only starting over, but deciding on roots versus wings. There was also a theme of the Pioneer Girl and not being afraid to ask for what you want, sometimes needing to ask for help, and not being afraid of becoming the person you were meant to be. This book also focused on the importance of family and friendship, and second chances. Overall it was a great read that left you feeling that you want to hug your bestie and possibly try a hand at a new adventure. Definitely pick this one up.

I loved “The Chicken Sisters” and so I was excited to be given the opportunity by net galley to read and review this book. While it doesn’t quite measure up to the author’s previous book, it was still a delight to read. “In Her Boots” had similar themes of a strained mother/daughter relationship, true friendship, and lost love. After twenty years away as the “Modern Pioneer Girl” and being dumped by her boyfriend, Rhett Smith is looking to settle someplace safe. Rhett Smith is now a best-selling author but returns home to the family farm following the death of her grandmother with the presumption that it is now hers. Imagine her surprise when it is not. Joining her is her best friend Jasmine, who also is looking for a change in her life. Just before going home to the farm, Rhett was asked to appear on the Today Show as the Modern Pioneer Girl but pushed Jasmine to step in for her when she found out her mother, a university professor, would also be on the show and she could not face her. In her mother’s presence, Rhett goes back to the mindset as a young child who felt she could never measure up to her mom’s expectations and become whom her mother felt she should be. MPG is the anti-thesis for everything her university mindset mother represents. From there, and yes readers you guessed it, the identity switch spiraled and chaos ensued. Rhett must face her estranged mother who has plans to sell the family farm to the local university. Together Rhett and Jas want to save the family farm and rediscover who they are in hopes of inner happiness. After the Today Show interview where Jas as MPG humiliated Rhett’s mom, everyone in Rhett’s hometown think that Jas is Maggie Strong, the Modern Pioneer Girl, including Rhett’s mom. To add an additional layer, Maggie’s college love lives in town and is the architect hired by Rhett’s mom to build the new University welcome center on Rhett’s farm. He’s also the father to a teenage girl who idolizes everything Maggie Strong stands for and has another connection that is revealed later becoming a twist.
This was a light read and enjoyable. I liked the connection Rhett made to Laura Ingalls Wilder and her belief in herself that she could do anything she put her mind to. The total friendship between Rhett and Jasmine was a highlight, while the romance angle was a bit weak. Not as well developed as I would like, but still, I found myself reading along without putting it down because I wanted to know what happened next. This book gave me hope with the relationship between Rhett and her mother, that there’s always more to the story and sometimes you have to sit back and listen. If you enjoyed “The Chicken Sister”, you will enjoy this book too about the promise and possibility of second chances and strong friendships.

Many thanks to #netgalley #inhershoes #penguingroupputman for the opportunity to read and review this book.

In Her Boots is a fun take on the popular 'getting back to one's roots' trope in women's fiction-- with the added conflict provided by the push-pull of one's own, completely constructed, social media personality.
I really liked that the book focuses so much on a female friendship, rather than just a romance, and about how to authentically live your life-- and how, in constructing a persona online, you often wind up shaping your own life as well as comparing yourself to some ideal that doesn't exist. I also liked that Rhett's driving force throughout the book was her desire to live up to her mother's expectations, while also resenting said expectations. Dell'Antonia does a great job exploring that complex relationship. However, the portrayal of the mother also was the biggest thing that threw me off with the book. It seemed so plotted and so much of the drama of the book could've been solved by mature communication. In that way, Rhett was very frustrating (as are many characters in books like this).
I think it's exciting to see so many books coming out about farm life and rural environments, and if you're into getting a little country, you'll likely enjoy this book.

I read the author's previous book The Chicken Sisters and did not really like it, but the premise of this one intrigued me so I thought I would give the author another shot. I'm so glad I did! I read 90% of the book in one setting. I could not put it down. I thought the main character Rhett was really believable, especially the relationship with her mother (I had a complicated relationship with my own mother, so I know what I'm talking about here). Everything wrapped up in a very satisfying way at the end. What can I say, I'm a sucker for quirky small-town fiction.
I would recommend this book to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

I am going to shamelessly steal a quote from the conversation with the author for my review:
Who would write a book like Eat, Pray, Love and then really, really wish she hadn’t?

I loved In Her Boots! If you liked Chicken Sisters or just enjoy books about friendships, mothers and daughters, growing up, animals, farms, or cookies, you will enjoy this book. There's even a little comedy of errors and second guessing life choices that gives it a slightly sharp edge. Great follow up by the author!

Some of my favorite quotes follow (very slight spoilers!)

“Laura.”
I put my right hand on top of Jasmine’s.
“Zora.”
Jasmine’s left hand. “Frida.”
My left. “Gloria.”
Then, together, lifting our pile of hands and dropping it at every word: “Ruth. Bader. Ginsburg. Go.”

"I don’t really want to be me right now. And you’re a badass.”
“Some badass,” I said. “I’m just doing my best not to give up.”
“Isn’t that what badasses do?”

“We’re good together,” she said. “Like that stuffed bunny in the book. Maybe we make each other real.”

"...no matter how hard you tried to convince yourself that it was better for everyone if you just pretended to fit their expectations, all it really did was turn the roles we were playing into walls that became harder and harder to tear down."

"If you can’t be who you are when you get there, don’t go."

"...raisins are an abomination of nature and their presence in baked goods should be punishable by law"