I enjoyed listening to this memoir of Lynn's life in Montana.
The beauty of the wild life and the wilderness.
I loved Lynne and Willows beautiful relationship, how companionship come in so many different forms.
This is a great summer listen full of romance and tranquil vibes.

The author of Elk Love, Lynne Spriggs O'Connor, writes a beautiful memoir. Lynne escaped her life on the east coast to start over in Montana, the rural farming area in the west.

Post arrival Lynne meets Harrison who is widowed and a recluse. Lynne details their relationship from disjointed until their marriage. Who said fairytales don't happen in reality? They lied. This memoir is proof.

New to living on the land Lynne learns what is involved in the farming life. She is an animal lover and struggles with some aspects, including calving and hunting. However, her overall experience makes an interesting and delightful memoir.

Lynne narrates her story well on the audiobook. The pace is good in both narration and storyline.

Thankyou Netgalley and She Writes Press for the free copy of Elk Love in exchange for an honest review

I enjoyed this audiobook a lot. I don't typically read memoirs, especially from people I have never heard of before, but this is really good. The title caught my attention, and upon reading the synopsis, I was sure I could get something from O'Connor story since we share some commonalities like moving deep in the country.

The memoir highlights the author's connection to nature, art, and history, as well as how humans bond with one another and form relationships, including unexpected ones. With the sound of an elk's call, the audiobook transports the listener to Montana, where the author's perspective is profoundly shaped by the environment, resulting in personal transformation. O'Connor story is about resilience, isolation, and living in harmony with nature.

What stood out to me the most was O'Connor connection of Native American history to her personal life. As she continues to learn, she applies this knowledge to her new and past experiences. I love how she also applies anthropological principles, like trying to avoid judgment, as she meets people who hold different values and standards than she does. It is this that leads her to open her heart to so much growth and ultimately to finding love.

The audiobook quality is good. O'Connor's narration feels like listening to an old friend read aloud from her diary. The pauses between chapters were too long, so that the bugle sound might give you a jump scare, or maybe that's just my nerves. All things considered, the audiobook is perfect for listening during a reset day, while doing chores, or just out for a walk.

I definitely recommend this to nature lovers and for anyone who dreams of having an off-the-grid romance.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksForwardPR for introducing me to Lynne O'Connor.

Looking for a way to refresh her life in her early forties, Lynne moves to central Montana. She spent ten summers on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation near Glacier National Park conducting research for her PhD, and she fell in love with the area.

I really appreciated how much focus was given to the indigenous people. You can tell the deep appreciation she has for the people and their culture, bringing it into her own life. The connections she was able to make because of the openness of strangers is incredible. Seemingly, in Montana, the residents are always willing to stop to help someone in need, especially if stranded on the side of the road. The various stories were interesting and incredibly well written, but I wasn’t able to personally connect to them. I also found the romantic relationship to be very confusing, but I appreciate how open the author was about everything.

The author narrates the books, which is always my preference for memoirs. It makes the listening journey much more enjoyable.

Elk Love AUDIO by Lynne O’Connor is a romance, a romance with the wilds of Wyoming. After deciding a big change was necessary, our heroine decides to accept a position in a small museum in Montana, returning to the place she had spent years living on a Native American reservation. She meets a man who stops to help her when her car breaks down and they develop a friendship. He comes and goes from the area, but shares her love for the country. It is a long book and the author chose to be her own reader, which might have been a mistake. Without the dramatic training necessary, the listener feels the length of the book with every word. It contains lovely descriptions of the landscape but gets wearing after a while.

I was invited to listen to Elk Love by Books Forward Audio Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BooksForwardAudioBooks #LynneOConnor #ElkLove

3.5
Finding home in the wild heart of Big Sky Country
This memoir reads like a slower-burn Hallmark movie, but with genuine emotional depth that surprised me. O'Connor's journey from East Coast museum curator to Montana rancher's partner unfolds with the unhurried rhythm of prairie seasons. Her prose beautifully captures both the vastness of the landscape and the intimacy of falling in love later in life.
What struck me most was how O'Connor navigates the tension between her academic background and Harrison's ranching world. Sometimes her naivety about farm life felt a bit much—especially given her previous Montana experience—but her vulnerability in documenting this life transformation was genuinely moving. The nature writing is exquisite, particularly her descriptions of elk and seasonal ranch rhythms.
While I occasionally found myself wanting Harrison's perspective on their relationship, O'Connor's honest portrayal of middle-aged love and reinvention resonates deeply. It's an imperfect but heartfelt exploration of finding where you belong.
Vibes We Are Tracking:
🌾 Second-chance romance
🦌 Nature awakening
🏔️ Fish-out-of-water transformation
💕 Opposites attract

Elk Love is a story of leaving the city, and starting over in the plains of Montana with a touch of romance thrown in. The descriptions of the country, the animals, and the historical facts were very interesting. I found the storyline hard to follow as I felt that it was disjointed. There were some facts of her life that were too personal, added nothing to the story and should have been left out.
The audiobook that I listened to was narrated by the author herself. In this case, this was not an asset. There was no emotion as she read making the story flat. It felt as she was just reading a book, not telling a story.
I think the actual book would be a good read for someone who is interested in the Montana lands, animals and the people who live there.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook.

This just wasn't for me. The story dragged and I worked incredibly hard to finish this book. I didn't find it interesting at all and I almost DNF'd this 4 times. What was supposed to be a memoir and love story read more like a nature and hunting guide.
The author does her own narration and normally I love to see this. However, in this case it was a bad idea. Her voice was flat, she sounded extremely detached and bored, and this made an already unbearable book even more unappealing. I honestly cannot think of anything positive to add to this review.

Elk Love reminded me so much of growing up on the prairies, the wild life, cattle, bison, indigenous.

I enjoyed Lynne’s story of self discovery, falling in love and love for animals.

The narration was done well and loved the elk calls on the audio.

If you've ever wondered what would happen if a romance novelist accidentally wandered into a nature documentary and decided to stay, "Elk Love" has your answer. Lynne Spriggs O'Connor's memoir reads like someone fed a Hallmark movie script through a meat grinder, seasoned it with organic kale, and served it on reclaimed barn wood.

O'Connor, a city curator who apparently packed nothing but thesauruses for her Montana adventure, discovers the American West through the lens of a woman who describes a man's attractiveness as "smelling salts" – which, let's be honest, sounds more like a medical emergency than romantic awakening. Her prose style suggests she's being paid by the adjective, particularly when describing her Croatian wheat farmer love interest, whose "finally honed libido" sounds less like a romantic attribute and more like a woodworking project that's been sanded to perfection.

The book promises to be both memoir and love story, and delivers on this threat with the subtlety of a moose in a china shop. O'Connor approaches Montana wildlife with the same breathless enthusiasm she reserves for describing her beau's "astonishing good looks," creating a reading experience where you're never quite sure if she's about to kiss the rancher or the elk.

To O'Connor's credit, she does capture the genuine appeal of Montana's landscape, even if she occasionally sounds like she's dictating copy for a luxury outdoor gear catalog. Her journey from urban curator to rural romantic is charming in its earnestness, though readers may find themselves wishing she'd occasionally dial down the purple prose to let the actual story breathe.

"Elk Love" succeeds as a guilty pleasure read for anyone who enjoys their nature writing with a heavy dose of middle-aged romance novel sensibility. Just don't expect Thoreau – expect more like "Fifty Shades of Hay."

Perfect for: Montana tourism boards, romance readers who enjoy their cowboys with advanced degrees, anyone who's ever wondered what happens when Jane Austen meets Field & Stream.

**Review: Elk Love: A Montana Memoir* by Lynne O’Connor**
Format: Audiobook (narrated by the author)
**Summary:**
*Elk Love* is Lynne O’Connor’s personal reflection on leaving behind a busy life for the rugged, romanticized landscapes of Montana. Through her lens, we witness the transition from urban disconnection to rural enchantment, infused with poetic admiration for nature, a burgeoning relationship with a cowboy-academic, and quiet introspections on solitude, love, and personal reinvention.

**What Worked:**

* O’Connor’s love for Montana’s wildlife, especially elk, shines brightly. Her observations about the natural world feel authentic and reverent.
* The memoir excels when focusing on the land, the animals, and the contrast between fast-paced city life and slow rural rhythms.
* The emotional vulnerability is evident; O’Connor opens up about her longing for connection and healing.

**What Didn’t Work for Me:**

* The prose leans heavily into overly romantic, almost indulgent territory. At times, it felt less like a memoir and more like a travel brochure-meets-diary entry.
* The pacing is slow, and the narrative structure lacks tension or clear arcs. I often found myself disengaging.
* The audiobook, narrated by the author, had an uneven cadence and flat delivery, which made an already slow story feel even slower.
* The romantic subplot lacked complexity or stakes, and some moments felt idealized to the point of cliché.

**Final Thoughts:**
This memoir will likely resonate with a specific audience: readers who love romanticized nature writing, stories of starting over in midlife, and vivid rural settings. But for general memoir readers seeking depth, narrative tension, or sharp insight, this may fall short.

(2.75 rounded off to 3.)

This memoir is, at its heart, a love story—set against the stunning backdrop of Montana’s natural beauty. I appreciated the writer's honest reflections on life as a cattle farmer, especially her inner conflict about the treatment of animals.

Her thoughts on horses particularly resonated with me:

"Being with a horse has a lot to do with energy; yours, theirs, and everything around you. Horses have no interest in spending time with someone who is distracted or hurried. They have little tolerance for an agitated mind. To approach a horse, to speak to them and be with them, one must be calm and gathered—more focused and gentler than normal. Present.”

The inclusion of elk sounds was a lovely touch—I was genuinely amazed by the eerie, beautiful noises they make.

I also loved the storyline about Dollar, and how much time and care went into giving this dog a second chance at a happy life.

At times, it sounded like the author was slightly out of breath while narrating. However, this improved as the story progressed, and in a way, it added to the authenticity—it didn’t need to be polished to feel real.

Seeing this title available on NetGalley, I was drawn to the cover then the title, Elk Love. I have visited this area of the country and loved watching the pronghorn and bison roam, so I was game to read about another person who fell in love with the area and moved there. While reading memoirs, I try to set aside my opinions since they are their own thoughts and memories of a place, but this one was just dull to me. Having the author's read their work is important, but at the same time, not all are skilled at the same level. This one was a less successful listening experience to me. This was such a slow burn read that I would put it aside and then forget to get back to listening. I am of similar age, enjoying many like things, but in the end wasn't drawn in to her story. Thanks for allowing the review of the audiobook, all opinions are my own and your reading might be different.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lynne Spriggs O'Connor, and She Writes Press for the advance audiobook copy. All opinions are my own.

I appreciated hearing Lynne’s story of relocating from bustling Atlanta, Georgia, to the wide-open spaces of Great Falls, Montana. The culture shock and steep learning curve made for a compelling and honest account of such a major life transition.

My favorite parts of the book were her vivid descriptions of the stunning Montana landscape and the wildlife that inhabits it. Her observations about animal behavior, sounds, and seasonal patterns offered a unique perspective that will stick with me on future visits to Montana. These moments were both informative and heartfelt, offering a glimpse into the physical and emotional toll of ranching life.

Lynne’s passion for art and museum work added another layer to the narrative. It was interesting to see how that passion helped her build meaningful connections with Native communities and others in her new surroundings.

That said, there were sections that felt a bit too personal or overly detailed—what some might call “TMI.” These moments could have benefited from tighter editing. Still, readers curious about life in rural Montana will find value in this reflective and often beautifully written memoir.

I usually read fiction but I lived in Montana and Wyoming for 15 years so I was interested in reading this.

This is a love story of the land, of nature and most importantly live between a man and a woman. It was a slow burn relationship but I found Harrison to be fascinating and Lynne just the person he needed in his life.

The audiobook was narrated by the author which was really nice.

I received a copy of the audiobook as an ARC from NetGalley. I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to listen to it. My review is voluntary.

A beautiful and spiritual memoir. As a Caucasian woman who is wife and mother to Indigenous peoples this is a story that deeply struck a chord with me and I love the traditions that were spoken about and explored. Vividly descriptive. Told with so much love and ease, a mostly gentle read. Triggering warning: does have graphic descriptions of gutting animals during branding and branding animals, an art piece involving pubic hair and pretending to burn it - as well as the real situation that inspired this - as well as a baby calf with blood in its feces.

I listened to this memoir narrated by the author, art historian Lynne Spriggs O’Connor. O’Connor moved to a small farming town in Montana and fell in love with the land, the animals, and a certain farmer. The narrative arc is not as strong here as in many of the memoirs I’ve loved, but if you’d like to get a feel for what it’s like living in a Montana farming community, the author’s lovely descriptions will give you a good sense of that.

Much of the story involves her slow-paced romance and adjusting to life on a farm, but my favorite parts are actually her interactions with friends and discussion of the work she does at the local art museum.

The audiobook production was good, and the author did a fine job with narration since the majority of the story is told in her own words. Her narration was well-paced and easy to understand, and she conveyed the mood and emotions of each scene effectively. The recording of a bull elk screaming that played between sections was chilling.

I received a free advanced review copy of the audiobook through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.

It was an insightful look into the authors life with a background in busy cities of diversity and art and the transition to a smaller more secluded area out west with minimal diversity but beautiful landscapes and how she adjusted to that culture shock, as well as the relationships build along the way.