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Griffith Brothers #1
Dust Storm
—Christian—
Rule Number 1: You ride in my truck; you let me open the door.
Another problem was the last thing I needed. Unfortunately, Cassandra Parker was mine.
But the biggest problem of all?
It wasn’t the beautiful stranger sticking her nose in my operations.
It wasn’t the bulldozer she was driving over my way of life.
And it definitely wasn’t the fact that she was living in my house.
My biggest problem? The engagement ring on her finger.
—Cassandra—
Rule Number 1: If you’re going to kill someone, make it look like an accident, cry at the funeral, admit to nothing, and deny everything.
To be clear, I didn’t want to be Christian Griffith’s problem. But there I was: exiled from New York, stranded on a cattle ranch, and desperate to salvage what was left of my career.
Living with a single dad and his children was a downgrade from my high-rise office and city comforts, but I agreed to it for one simple reason: to save my job.
A hot cowboy wasn’t going to lasso me into staying a second longer than necessary.
Rule Number 1: You ride in my truck; you let me open the door.
Another problem was the last thing I needed. Unfortunately, Cassandra Parker was mine.
But the biggest problem of all?
It wasn’t the beautiful stranger sticking her nose in my operations.
It wasn’t the bulldozer she was driving over my way of life.
And it definitely wasn’t the fact that she was living in my house.
My biggest problem? The engagement ring on her finger.
—Cassandra—
Rule Number 1: If you’re going to kill someone, make it look like an accident, cry at the funeral, admit to nothing, and deny everything.
To be clear, I didn’t want to be Christian Griffith’s problem. But there I was: exiled from New York, stranded on a cattle ranch, and desperate to salvage what was left of my career.
Living with a single dad and his children was a downgrade from my high-rise office and city comforts, but I agreed to it for one simple reason: to save my job.
A hot cowboy wasn’t going to lasso me into staying a second longer than necessary.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2024
About the author
Maggie C. Gates
17 books793 followersMaggie Gates writes raw, relatable, romance novels packed full of heat and humor. Maggie calls North Carolina home. In her spare time she enjoys daydreaming about her characters, jamming to country music, and eating all the barbecue and tacos she can find! Her Kindle is always within reach due to a love of small town romances that borders on obsession.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,037 reviews
March 13, 2024
This book would’ve been better if instead of falling in love, the two main characters bare knuckle boxed
June 11, 2024
3.5-3.75*
I really wanted to love this book, but still there was something that didn’t click for me. It was enjoyable and a nice read, however I couldn’t actually connect with the main characters for most of the story. It was like there wasn’t enough depth at some points that ended up making the story quite shallow when it could have been much more. Considering the synopsis, I thought it had everything to be a big hit, but it didn’t deliver as I expected.
The main characters were somewhat entertaining and their dynamics were fun. However, there was still something else missing that I couldn’t quite out my finger on it. There were moments that I felt like time passed too fast and others it was too slow. It didn’t have a proper rhythm to the pace of the story and the developments between the characters, so it kind of felt scrambled and confusing in some parts.
It wasn’t my first read by Maggie Gates and I know I actually adored the previous read I had from her. So, this wasn’t a complete miss for me, but I still felt like it could have been better. I will most likely give her another shot, because I know she can be a good author. And besides, this book ended on a somewhat cliffhanger for one of the side characters and I’m very curious about his story. It might not be the best, but I’m still looking forward to the next installments in this series.
Book 2 review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I really wanted to love this book, but still there was something that didn’t click for me. It was enjoyable and a nice read, however I couldn’t actually connect with the main characters for most of the story. It was like there wasn’t enough depth at some points that ended up making the story quite shallow when it could have been much more. Considering the synopsis, I thought it had everything to be a big hit, but it didn’t deliver as I expected.
The main characters were somewhat entertaining and their dynamics were fun. However, there was still something else missing that I couldn’t quite out my finger on it. There were moments that I felt like time passed too fast and others it was too slow. It didn’t have a proper rhythm to the pace of the story and the developments between the characters, so it kind of felt scrambled and confusing in some parts.
It wasn’t my first read by Maggie Gates and I know I actually adored the previous read I had from her. So, this wasn’t a complete miss for me, but I still felt like it could have been better. I will most likely give her another shot, because I know she can be a good author. And besides, this book ended on a somewhat cliffhanger for one of the side characters and I’m very curious about his story. It might not be the best, but I’m still looking forward to the next installments in this series.
Book 2 review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 19, 2024
Was this absolutely horrible and a nightmare of a rom-com? Yes.
Did I stay up way too late reading it and then finish it on my lunch break the next day? Also yes.
Booktok duped me AGAIN. It's honestly on me at this point. The FMC was a raging bitch, the MMC was weird and poorly written, there was ZERO chemistry and I don't think the author actually knows what a publicist does. I just wanted a small town romance for a fun and light read, but I got this dumpster fire instead.
ROSE 🌹: ...
I legit can't think of anything good about this book. I like that the cover isn't just a shirtless man I guess?
THORN 🗡️: FMC, ZERO CHEMISTRY, PACING
Listen, I love a complex and bitchy female character. The narrator in My Year of Rest and Relaxation is one of my favorite book girls of all time. But in a book like this?? The FMC, Cassandra, is a RAGING bitch, and she's not fleshed out well-enough for it to make any sense. Why are you being mean to kids? Why are you being mean to a sweet old lady? Why are you doing anything girl? She was so insanely unlikeable and had zero motivations to be the way she was.
There was also zero chemistry between her and the MMC, Christian. He was also poorly written, and there were so many contradictions within his character. Their chemistry would've worked better for some sort of buddy cop book in all honesty.
The pacing was also just crazy. I don't even want to describe it further.
BUD 🌷: LOOKING FORWARD TO READING SOMETHING THAT ISN'T THIS
That's all.
Did I stay up way too late reading it and then finish it on my lunch break the next day? Also yes.
Booktok duped me AGAIN. It's honestly on me at this point. The FMC was a raging bitch, the MMC was weird and poorly written, there was ZERO chemistry and I don't think the author actually knows what a publicist does. I just wanted a small town romance for a fun and light read, but I got this dumpster fire instead.
ROSE 🌹: ...
I legit can't think of anything good about this book. I like that the cover isn't just a shirtless man I guess?
THORN 🗡️: FMC, ZERO CHEMISTRY, PACING
Listen, I love a complex and bitchy female character. The narrator in My Year of Rest and Relaxation is one of my favorite book girls of all time. But in a book like this?? The FMC, Cassandra, is a RAGING bitch, and she's not fleshed out well-enough for it to make any sense. Why are you being mean to kids? Why are you being mean to a sweet old lady? Why are you doing anything girl? She was so insanely unlikeable and had zero motivations to be the way she was.
There was also zero chemistry between her and the MMC, Christian. He was also poorly written, and there were so many contradictions within his character. Their chemistry would've worked better for some sort of buddy cop book in all honesty.
The pacing was also just crazy. I don't even want to describe it further.
BUD 🌷: LOOKING FORWARD TO READING SOMETHING THAT ISN'T THIS
That's all.
March 15, 2024
How am I reading so fast damn... EITHER WAY! Dust Storm was everything. It literally features so many things I adore: rich city girl goes to a small town, cowboys, single dad, a heroine who loves high heels and prefers that over anything, a hero who is down bad for the heroine from the very first moment he sees her, and forced proximity. You see? It's impossible that I wasn't going to love this book.
I've never read Maggie C. Gates but I have a feeling I need to now. I loved this one and had so much fun reading it, I mean... it took me like a day to read it all. I couldn't stop! It's so easy to get into, the flow of the book grabs you instantly and you want to keep reading chapter after chapter.
The story follows Cassandra who is exiled from NYC to a ranch in Texas after a very public thing with one of her clients. This ranch is something she definitely doesn't expect. She is a high-heels-wearing girlie who has never used sneakers or boots and I love that even though she now lives in a farm with grass and mud everywhere, she still uses those heels lmao. I love Cass, she just wants to be loved but doesn't know how to do it or how to let someone in. Her stupid cheating fiancé breaks more of her and it's rather hard for her to believe that someone could love her.
Enter Christian. Christian is a single dad of two girls and he's basically the boss in this ranch. This woman comes and disrupts his whole life instantly. He invites her to live with him because the cabins she was supposed to stay at are not serviceable/livable so now there's forced proximity because they're living under the same roof! ♡ THINGS START GETTING INTERESTING ♡
I loved seeing Cass open up. With Christian, but also with the girls. They adore her but she finds it hard to connect with kids so she comes off as abrupt and doesn't hold back in her honesty and word delivery to them. But that's the way she is. Even though she has a hard time connecting with kids, the relationship progress and development between her and the girls is adorable. I craved them connecting and her just remembering stuff about them and getting nervous about things and caring for their safety. Every time Christian saw or heard her protecting them or saying something that led him to believe that Cass was going soft for them... it was amazing. That man's heart is so big.
There's no third-act breakup, not really. They have some issues to talk about, about how this relationship will work and what they want from each other. But they talk it out and that's basically it! Don't worry about a third-act breakup, because it won't happen.
I've never read Maggie C. Gates but I have a feeling I need to now. I loved this one and had so much fun reading it, I mean... it took me like a day to read it all. I couldn't stop! It's so easy to get into, the flow of the book grabs you instantly and you want to keep reading chapter after chapter.
The story follows Cassandra who is exiled from NYC to a ranch in Texas after a very public thing with one of her clients. This ranch is something she definitely doesn't expect. She is a high-heels-wearing girlie who has never used sneakers or boots and I love that even though she now lives in a farm with grass and mud everywhere, she still uses those heels lmao. I love Cass, she just wants to be loved but doesn't know how to do it or how to let someone in. Her stupid cheating fiancé breaks more of her and it's rather hard for her to believe that someone could love her.
Enter Christian. Christian is a single dad of two girls and he's basically the boss in this ranch. This woman comes and disrupts his whole life instantly. He invites her to live with him because the cabins she was supposed to stay at are not serviceable/livable so now there's forced proximity because they're living under the same roof! ♡ THINGS START GETTING INTERESTING ♡
I loved seeing Cass open up. With Christian, but also with the girls. They adore her but she finds it hard to connect with kids so she comes off as abrupt and doesn't hold back in her honesty and word delivery to them. But that's the way she is. Even though she has a hard time connecting with kids, the relationship progress and development between her and the girls is adorable. I craved them connecting and her just remembering stuff about them and getting nervous about things and caring for their safety. Every time Christian saw or heard her protecting them or saying something that led him to believe that Cass was going soft for them... it was amazing. That man's heart is so big.
There's no third-act breakup, not really. They have some issues to talk about, about how this relationship will work and what they want from each other. But they talk it out and that's basically it! Don't worry about a third-act breakup, because it won't happen.
April 15, 2024
There were multiple moments in this book I thought the FMC was going to physically fight the children in this? Sigh
April 23, 2024
edit: and if i told yall i re-read this in the hours of 3-7 am after bingeing the entire beaufort poker club series in a week?? what then??)
tall (6ft), cold and "heartless" city girl who had bad relationship and doesnt believe in love x small town girl dad with a heart of gold and more importantly EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. need i say more?? she has never had a home and he gives her a place to belong, a place to return to. she just wants to be loved and he loves her like breathing. the lines had me GIGGLING like a preteen girl with a crush and i am now going on a maggie gates binge
also, he was not ripped with an eight pack and i LOVED THAT. strong dad bod lovers RISE UP. 🙌🙌🙌
he also had a man bun bc he needed to be able practice hairstyles for his girls like oh my GOD THATS SO ATTRACTIVE 😩
"he was warm and comforting. i was usually described as prickly, but i was beginning to understand why a cactus thrived in sunshine."
"i want to be the person that people go to when there's a problem. i want to be the person who gets calls in the middle of the night to fix something thats going wrong. i want to be the one that holds everything together. i want to be irreplaceable."
"are you flirting with me?"
"yes. that should be obvious. now shut up and let me do the talking"
"kings, tyrants and gods couldn't resist you, darling. how could i?
"princes are overrated. i always liked the beast better."
"i know a few things. i know the sun's going to rise tomorrow, i know that my brother's gonna wake up. and i know that you're going to have my last name. im just letting you try it on for size."
READ THIS BOOK.
tall (6ft), cold and "heartless" city girl who had bad relationship and doesnt believe in love x small town girl dad with a heart of gold and more importantly EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. need i say more?? she has never had a home and he gives her a place to belong, a place to return to. she just wants to be loved and he loves her like breathing. the lines had me GIGGLING like a preteen girl with a crush and i am now going on a maggie gates binge
also, he was not ripped with an eight pack and i LOVED THAT. strong dad bod lovers RISE UP. 🙌🙌🙌
he also had a man bun bc he needed to be able practice hairstyles for his girls like oh my GOD THATS SO ATTRACTIVE 😩
"he was warm and comforting. i was usually described as prickly, but i was beginning to understand why a cactus thrived in sunshine."
"i want to be the person that people go to when there's a problem. i want to be the person who gets calls in the middle of the night to fix something thats going wrong. i want to be the one that holds everything together. i want to be irreplaceable."
"are you flirting with me?"
"yes. that should be obvious. now shut up and let me do the talking"
"kings, tyrants and gods couldn't resist you, darling. how could i?
"princes are overrated. i always liked the beast better."
"i know a few things. i know the sun's going to rise tomorrow, i know that my brother's gonna wake up. and i know that you're going to have my last name. im just letting you try it on for size."
READ THIS BOOK.
Shelved as 'dnf'
March 19, 2024yeah..... main girl is irritating and stuck up and I sense no chemistry. it's just not for me. I like a prickly main girl every now and then but she was too much for me. I think i'll definitely still check out the other books in the series though because I liked the writing.
March 15, 2024
Cass is mostly insufferable
March 12, 2024
Loved it!!
-Widowed dad (with a dad body), and the way he loved his girls. He was such a constant and steady presence for everyone.
-I loved the heroine. People will call her brash and abrasive, but I loved that she was a ball buster. She didn’t apologize for who she was, and I love that even as she acclimated to ranch life, she maintained who she was.
-I loved their banter and chemistry. It was sweet and endearing but also electric in the bedroom (and other places)
-I loved the secondary cast as well. Felt like a real home.
-Loved the bits of cowboy wisdom sprinkled throughout.
The set up for the next book was so good! Can’t wait to read it!
-Widowed dad (with a dad body), and the way he loved his girls. He was such a constant and steady presence for everyone.
-I loved the heroine. People will call her brash and abrasive, but I loved that she was a ball buster. She didn’t apologize for who she was, and I love that even as she acclimated to ranch life, she maintained who she was.
-I loved their banter and chemistry. It was sweet and endearing but also electric in the bedroom (and other places)
-I loved the secondary cast as well. Felt like a real home.
-Loved the bits of cowboy wisdom sprinkled throughout.
The set up for the next book was so good! Can’t wait to read it!
June 16, 2024
Single dad and small town cowboy romance?? My all time favorite I must say.
This is my first Maggie Gates book and let me just say I absolutely loved every minute of it. The flow is perfect and grabs you till the end!
Cassandra is definitely a grow to like her type of person she annoyed the living daylights out of me in the beginning but then as she slowly started to open up and let her feelings show it became pretty clear the type of person she is and why she has such a hard exterior. Also he ex fiancée is a piece of hot garbage and glad he is gone!
Then we have Christian who is a single dad that was widowed and has two girls who are the sweetest and most adorable. He invites cass to live with him and with time they start to develop a lot of chemistry and feelings for each other.
I loved how patient Christian was with cass and how open she became after realizing how safe and trusting she was of Christian. And I have to say the relationship between cass and the girls melted my heart. I love how she learned to become a kid person and helped them gain their own confidence as well.
I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series!
This is my first Maggie Gates book and let me just say I absolutely loved every minute of it. The flow is perfect and grabs you till the end!
Cassandra is definitely a grow to like her type of person she annoyed the living daylights out of me in the beginning but then as she slowly started to open up and let her feelings show it became pretty clear the type of person she is and why she has such a hard exterior. Also he ex fiancée is a piece of hot garbage and glad he is gone!
Then we have Christian who is a single dad that was widowed and has two girls who are the sweetest and most adorable. He invites cass to live with him and with time they start to develop a lot of chemistry and feelings for each other.
I loved how patient Christian was with cass and how open she became after realizing how safe and trusting she was of Christian. And I have to say the relationship between cass and the girls melted my heart. I love how she learned to become a kid person and helped them gain their own confidence as well.
I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series!
February 26, 2024
ARC REVIEW
Y’all know I’m a Maggie Gates fan already, but then she gave us an emotionally mature cowboy with a dad bod?! YES PLEASE
The Parent Trap vibes? IMMACULATE
The main characters couldn’t be more different but didn’t have to change to belong together and I love that so so much.
And the set up for the next book? I’m dying already and absolutely cannot wait to read it.
Y’all know I’m a Maggie Gates fan already, but then she gave us an emotionally mature cowboy with a dad bod?! YES PLEASE
The Parent Trap vibes? IMMACULATE
The main characters couldn’t be more different but didn’t have to change to belong together and I love that so so much.
And the set up for the next book? I’m dying already and absolutely cannot wait to read it.
May 8, 2024
4/5
Це було просто добре
Те,як Касс взаємодіяла з дівчатами,як залишилась зухвалою протягом цілої книги і йшла по головах в стилі нью-йоркської дівчини - 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Кріс - це тупо тато,який потрібен дочкам, які втратили матір.
«Успіх не ��арантований. Щастя не гарантується. Вічне щастя теж не гарантоване, але вони це вже давно засвоїли. Єдине, чого я чекаю від них, - це щоб вони намагалися в житті»
Його сімʼя - це те,що «книжка пиш��». Як вони один за всіх, як мама провела супер розмову з Касс
Жарти про злу мачуху мене посмішили
Але ця книга не така стала сильна, як інша серія даної авторки
Хоча цікаво, яка буде наступна історія
Це було просто добре
Те,як Касс взаємодіяла з дівчатами,як залишилась зухвалою протягом цілої книги і йшла по головах в стилі нью-йоркської дівчини - 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Кріс - це тупо тато,який потрібен дочкам, які втратили матір.
«Успіх не ��арантований. Щастя не гарантується. Вічне щастя теж не гарантоване, але вони це вже давно засвоїли. Єдине, чого я чекаю від них, - це щоб вони намагалися в житті»
Його сімʼя - це те,що «книжка пиш��». Як вони один за всіх, як мама провела супер розмову з Касс
Жарти про злу мачуху мене посмішили
Але ця книга не така стала сильна, як інша серія даної авторки
Хоча цікаво, яка буде наступна історія
June 23, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
Це було дуже мило. Головні герої повна протилежність один одному, але утворюються ідеальний тандем.
Крістіан - самотній татусь двох дівчат. Він втратив дружину. Головний герой не боїться проявляти свої почуття, бажає захистити всіх важливих для нього людей. Його спокій ідеально вписався в "божевілля" Касс.
Касс - дівчина, яка добивається свого, говорить все що думає, має свої кордони. Але при цьому вона хоче бути потрібною. При цьому, вона як і Кріс захищала важливих людей. Тому вона стала найкраща зла мачуха для дівчаток Кріса.
Другорядні персонажі цікаві, родина Гріффіт прекрасна. Корова Міккі заслуговує окрему згадку у відгуці
Обов'язково буду читати інші книги серії.
Це було дуже мило. Головні герої повна протилежність один одному, але утворюються ідеальний тандем.
Крістіан - самотній татусь двох дівчат. Він втратив дружину. Головний герой не боїться проявляти свої почуття, бажає захистити всіх важливих для нього людей. Його спокій ідеально вписався в "божевілля" Касс.
Касс - дівчина, яка добивається свого, говорить все що думає, має свої кордони. Але при цьому вона хоче бути потрібною. При цьому, вона як і Кріс захищала важливих людей. Тому вона стала найкраща зла мачуха для дівчаток Кріса.
Другорядні персонажі цікаві, родина Гріффіт прекрасна. Корова Міккі заслуговує окрему згадку у відгуці
Обов'язково буду читати інші книги серії.
March 7, 2024
“We might have a whole lot of differences, but I see your value here, and I appreciate your work. I’m not just putting up with you.”
When complete opposites attract!! Christian and Cassandra couldn't have been more opposites. I absolutely loved it! Together, they were a perfect power couple!
Christian was an emotionally aware teddy bear raising his two girls as a single dad after losing his wife years ago! Christian wasn't afraid to let his feelings show. And follow his heart. Also, who doesn't love a dirty talking cowboy?
“You’re a walking sedative! Mr. Never-Raises-His-Voice. I’m sure I look fucking crazy to you! Of course I’m angry, you serene fucking horse whisperer!”
Cassandra was incredible I absolutely loved her character so much! The things she just let fly out of her mouth without batting and eye of feeling self conscious over it! She was unapologetically herself. She was a total bitch in the best way. Fiercely protective over the ones she cared about. And didn't let anything hold her back! One of my favorite tropes is a female grumpy main character and Cassandra was exactly that! Hilariously grumpy!
“Just because I don’t sugarcoat things doesn’t mean I’m a heartless bitch. I’m only a b**** for good causes,” she said, her words on tempo with the tip tap of her shoes. “I’m a vigilante b****.”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed this about me,” Cassandra said as she inspected her nails. “But I’m not a kid person.”
“You’re not much of an adult person either,” I added.
“Or an animal person.”
These two were hilarious together! And their banter was incredible!!
I loved the way that Christian took charge even though Cassandra, who was always used to controlling every part of a situation, and the way she would let him! It was so sweet!!
“There’s a difference between wanting to be needed and needing to be in control. I like being in control.” I bet Cassandra thought she liked control, until she finally let someone else take it."
Christian's little girls were also so cute. I adored the way he was raising them to be respectful yet strong. And the way he grew his hair out just so he could learn how to do theirs properly. It only added to his loveable charcter. Their conversations with Cassandra were some of my favorite parts of the book!
I absolutely LOVE Maggie's writing! Her witty humor and her ability to make you connect with the characters is one of my favorite things about her books! I connected instantly with both characters and felt so much while reading this book! Exactly like I have in other books she's written! I seriously can't wait for Ray's story.
•Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Plot:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Humor: 🙃🙃🙃
•Spice:🌶🌶
•Pace: Pretty fast
•Ending: HEA
•Tropes: reverse grumpy/sunshine, protective cowboy, cutthroat FMC, hilarious banter, workplace romance, cute kids, single dad
When complete opposites attract!! Christian and Cassandra couldn't have been more opposites. I absolutely loved it! Together, they were a perfect power couple!
Christian was an emotionally aware teddy bear raising his two girls as a single dad after losing his wife years ago! Christian wasn't afraid to let his feelings show. And follow his heart. Also, who doesn't love a dirty talking cowboy?
“You’re a walking sedative! Mr. Never-Raises-His-Voice. I’m sure I look fucking crazy to you! Of course I’m angry, you serene fucking horse whisperer!”
Cassandra was incredible I absolutely loved her character so much! The things she just let fly out of her mouth without batting and eye of feeling self conscious over it! She was unapologetically herself. She was a total bitch in the best way. Fiercely protective over the ones she cared about. And didn't let anything hold her back! One of my favorite tropes is a female grumpy main character and Cassandra was exactly that! Hilariously grumpy!
“Just because I don’t sugarcoat things doesn’t mean I’m a heartless bitch. I’m only a b**** for good causes,” she said, her words on tempo with the tip tap of her shoes. “I’m a vigilante b****.”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed this about me,” Cassandra said as she inspected her nails. “But I’m not a kid person.”
“You’re not much of an adult person either,” I added.
“Or an animal person.”
These two were hilarious together! And their banter was incredible!!
I loved the way that Christian took charge even though Cassandra, who was always used to controlling every part of a situation, and the way she would let him! It was so sweet!!
“There’s a difference between wanting to be needed and needing to be in control. I like being in control.” I bet Cassandra thought she liked control, until she finally let someone else take it."
Christian's little girls were also so cute. I adored the way he was raising them to be respectful yet strong. And the way he grew his hair out just so he could learn how to do theirs properly. It only added to his loveable charcter. Their conversations with Cassandra were some of my favorite parts of the book!
I absolutely LOVE Maggie's writing! Her witty humor and her ability to make you connect with the characters is one of my favorite things about her books! I connected instantly with both characters and felt so much while reading this book! Exactly like I have in other books she's written! I seriously can't wait for Ray's story.
•Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Plot:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Humor: 🙃🙃🙃
•Spice:🌶🌶
•Pace: Pretty fast
•Ending: HEA
•Tropes: reverse grumpy/sunshine, protective cowboy, cutthroat FMC, hilarious banter, workplace romance, cute kids, single dad
April 1, 2024
3⭐️
Мило, не тупо. Герої не сильно бісили. Дякую за те що Кас так і не народжувала дітей, амінь. Хоч тут їх не впихнули і дотримали декілька інших принципів жінки. Подобалась ця атмосфера ранчо, нарешті я відпочила коли читала книгу🫡
Мило, не тупо. Герої не сильно бісили. Дякую за те що Кас так і не народжувала дітей, амінь. Хоч тут їх не впихнули і дотримали декілька інших принципів жінки. Подобалась ця атмосфера ранчо, нарешті я відпочила коли читала книгу🫡
March 19, 2024
It’s so refreshing to read the tropes you love but with whole new twists to make it interesting.
Single dad/cowboy/widow Christian who doesn’t have a 6 pack
Exiled New York publicist Cass who is not a kid person
And I loved her!
Forced proximity
A house cow with pool noddled horns
Texas ranch in small town nowhere
I’m super excited for the rest of these brothers (one I will be going back to read his book now, the stars above us)
Single dad/cowboy/widow Christian who doesn’t have a 6 pack
Exiled New York publicist Cass who is not a kid person
And I loved her!
Forced proximity
A house cow with pool noddled horns
Texas ranch in small town nowhere
I’m super excited for the rest of these brothers (one I will be going back to read his book now, the stars above us)
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 26, 2024DNF 18%
Yeah not my thing. 🤷
Yeah not my thing. 🤷
March 16, 2024
Sweet and sexy
I'm rounding up my rating, because I liked it, and I binged it, and I'm definitely coming back for more. The things that bugged me were pretty minor, and this is the closest I've found to something that gives me Elsie Silver vibes and backs it up with a solid story. The best part for me was the hero, this gruff caveman of a cowboy who was incredibly mature emotionally. He's a single dad who has been raising his girls on his own for the last ten years, and he is all about therapy and empowerment and making sure his girls know that they're loved. Just... absolute swoon. He's a big teddy bear of a man (dad bod and all), and I loved how easily he learns how to handle the prickly heroine. She's a definite fish out of water and won't be to every reader's tastes, but I liked the combination of her blunt honesty and his easy acceptance of it all. It made for a very solid series starter and a great introduction to this new-to-me author's work, so I'm bumping up my rating.
The story follows Cassandra, a PR rep who needs to get out of the public eye for a while. After she takes the blame for something she didn't do, her boss/fiancé requires her to take a consulting job at an isolated ranch - the last place this city girl would ever want to be. The situation makes Cassandra re-evaluate her relationship, especially when she gets to know the loving, close-knit family living on the ranch. Christian may be a bit of a caveman around her, but he's nothing but gentle with his daughters. The two have instant friction that feels like it might be attraction, but there are a few problems with that. Number one, Cass is engaged to another man. Number two, she hates kids. And number three, she has no intention of sticking around. But being welcomed into Christian's family feels better than Cass could've expected, and that complicates things.
I started reading this after a few failed attempts to get out of a book hangover, and it was the first book that held my attention - with ease. The writing is exceedingly easy to binge, and I loved the vibes. Cassandra and Christian have chemistry right away, even when they were bickering. I loved Christian more and more as I got to know him better, and it was so refreshing to read about a rugged cowboy who is so in tune with his emotions and so good with his daughters. He lost his wife over a decade ago, and he's worked through those feelings to the point that he's come out stronger because of it. I kinda loved that, and it also made him understand Cassandra so quickly. There's the forbidden aspect, since she's engaged, but her fiancé was clearly a jerk from page one and he was out of the picture soon enough. The only reason I was torn between four and five stars is because there were a few little things that took me out of the story. For example, Christian's family was making bets on how quickly he'd start hooking up with Cass, even when she was engaged. He was perhaps a little too cavemanish in some of his physicality, and seemed to jump from "it's just a fling" to "she's mine" very quickly. But none of those things were major roadblocks, and I'm already excited about the next Griffith Brothers book, so I can't call this anything other than a success.
I'm rounding up my rating, because I liked it, and I binged it, and I'm definitely coming back for more. The things that bugged me were pretty minor, and this is the closest I've found to something that gives me Elsie Silver vibes and backs it up with a solid story. The best part for me was the hero, this gruff caveman of a cowboy who was incredibly mature emotionally. He's a single dad who has been raising his girls on his own for the last ten years, and he is all about therapy and empowerment and making sure his girls know that they're loved. Just... absolute swoon. He's a big teddy bear of a man (dad bod and all), and I loved how easily he learns how to handle the prickly heroine. She's a definite fish out of water and won't be to every reader's tastes, but I liked the combination of her blunt honesty and his easy acceptance of it all. It made for a very solid series starter and a great introduction to this new-to-me author's work, so I'm bumping up my rating.
The story follows Cassandra, a PR rep who needs to get out of the public eye for a while. After she takes the blame for something she didn't do, her boss/fiancé requires her to take a consulting job at an isolated ranch - the last place this city girl would ever want to be. The situation makes Cassandra re-evaluate her relationship, especially when she gets to know the loving, close-knit family living on the ranch. Christian may be a bit of a caveman around her, but he's nothing but gentle with his daughters. The two have instant friction that feels like it might be attraction, but there are a few problems with that. Number one, Cass is engaged to another man. Number two, she hates kids. And number three, she has no intention of sticking around. But being welcomed into Christian's family feels better than Cass could've expected, and that complicates things.
I started reading this after a few failed attempts to get out of a book hangover, and it was the first book that held my attention - with ease. The writing is exceedingly easy to binge, and I loved the vibes. Cassandra and Christian have chemistry right away, even when they were bickering. I loved Christian more and more as I got to know him better, and it was so refreshing to read about a rugged cowboy who is so in tune with his emotions and so good with his daughters. He lost his wife over a decade ago, and he's worked through those feelings to the point that he's come out stronger because of it. I kinda loved that, and it also made him understand Cassandra so quickly. There's the forbidden aspect, since she's engaged, but her fiancé was clearly a jerk from page one and he was out of the picture soon enough. The only reason I was torn between four and five stars is because there were a few little things that took me out of the story. For example, Christian's family was making bets on how quickly he'd start hooking up with Cass, even when she was engaged. He was perhaps a little too cavemanish in some of his physicality, and seemed to jump from "it's just a fling" to "she's mine" very quickly. But none of those things were major roadblocks, and I'm already excited about the next Griffith Brothers book, so I can't call this anything other than a success.
May 22, 2024
I've read two other books by Maggie Gates, and I loved them both. This one was promising, a single father cowboy with a dad bod? sign me up, but I was disappointed by the end of this book. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.
Let me start by saying what I enjoyed: Christian, his family and the spice That's it.
Now for what I didn't like. Cassandra. She was my major problem with this book. First, she showed up to a cattle ranch wearing a white pantsuit and heels, who does that? Second, there was one moment besides the ending where she was kind to Christian's daughters, but every other interaction I felt like she was so disrespectful to them, and the way she spoke to them. Having them call her my queen is weird, sorry.
I also did not believe Christian and Cassandra's chemistry in the entire book. There's being opposites, and then there's whatever these two were. In no world would I see Cassandra leaving the city to live on a cattle ranch, being a stepmom for the rest of her life.
Christian and his daughters deserved better.
Let me start by saying what I enjoyed: Christian, his family and the spice That's it.
Now for what I didn't like. Cassandra. She was my major problem with this book. First, she showed up to a cattle ranch wearing a white pantsuit and heels, who does that? Second, there was one moment besides the ending where she was kind to Christian's daughters, but every other interaction I felt like she was so disrespectful to them, and the way she spoke to them. Having them call her my queen is weird, sorry.
I also did not believe Christian and Cassandra's chemistry in the entire book. There's being opposites, and then there's whatever these two were. In no world would I see Cassandra leaving the city to live on a cattle ranch, being a stepmom for the rest of her life.
Christian and his daughters deserved better.
March 26, 2024
2.5🌟 one day I’ll stop reading books based off one quote I saw on tiktok but today is not that day
June 4, 2024
Dust storms happen. It’s okay to close your eyes and stumble through.
First off: either the author or I don't know what a "publicist" does. (Hint: I think I do know. 😁) Anyway, in this book, Cassandra as a supposed publicist is a project manager, consultant, controller, accountant, chaperone and babysitter all in one - a real all-rounder.
However. The story started out well and entertaining, but lost me about halfway through. For once, in this book the FMC is grumpy (to the point of being borderline rude and unprofessional) and the MMC is sunshine, so there's some banter and funny scenes. Ultimately, both main characters are rather shallow and I couldn't feel their chemistry or love. Christian's kids are quite cool, though.
The highlight of the book was the drama at the rodeo – and that's exactly why I will read volume 2 of the series.
Overall rating: 3
Story: 3/5
Emotion: 3/5
Christian: 3/5
Cassandra: 3/5
P.S.: If anyone wonders (as I was) if there’s a book about Christian’s oldest brother Nate and his wife Becks – the answer is YES. It's The Stars Above Us.
First off: either the author or I don't know what a "publicist" does. (Hint: I think I do know. 😁) Anyway, in this book, Cassandra as a supposed publicist is a project manager, consultant, controller, accountant, chaperone and babysitter all in one - a real all-rounder.
However. The story started out well and entertaining, but lost me about halfway through. For once, in this book the FMC is grumpy (to the point of being borderline rude and unprofessional) and the MMC is sunshine, so there's some banter and funny scenes. Ultimately, both main characters are rather shallow and I couldn't feel their chemistry or love. Christian's kids are quite cool, though.
The highlight of the book was the drama at the rodeo – and that's exactly why I will read volume 2 of the series.
Overall rating: 3
Story: 3/5
Emotion: 3/5
Christian: 3/5
Cassandra: 3/5
P.S.: If anyone wonders (as I was) if there’s a book about Christian’s oldest brother Nate and his wife Becks – the answer is YES. It's The Stars Above Us.
March 20, 2024
DNF @18%
If I could give this book negative 5 stars I would. The mc Cassandra is a huge bitch. She shows up to a cattle farm wearing fancy clothes, complains when she sees farm animals, and she’s super rude and disrespectful to Christian and his family. The way she treats Christians kids is so disgusting it pissed me off. And her fiancé was almost worse than she was. I hated Cassandra and Tripp they ruined the book for me. Also Cassandra having Christian’s kids call her “my queen” is so fucking weird. Go to therapy.
Don’t waste your time on this shitty book unless you want to be pissed off and disgusted the whole time.👎🏻👎🏻
If I could give this book negative 5 stars I would. The mc Cassandra is a huge bitch. She shows up to a cattle farm wearing fancy clothes, complains when she sees farm animals, and she’s super rude and disrespectful to Christian and his family. The way she treats Christians kids is so disgusting it pissed me off. And her fiancé was almost worse than she was. I hated Cassandra and Tripp they ruined the book for me. Also Cassandra having Christian’s kids call her “my queen” is so fucking weird. Go to therapy.
Don’t waste your time on this shitty book unless you want to be pissed off and disgusted the whole time.👎🏻👎🏻
March 7, 2024
I enjoyed the idea of the book and even some moments but I couldn’t stand the main characters. I found her rude and selfish and mean towards the kids. Her development wasn’t shown well
March 16, 2024
„It’ll clear, you know,” Christian said out of nowhere.
„What will?”
He slowed and looked over at me. „The dust storm.”
I stared at the chestnut hairs of Dottie’s mane. „What are you talking about?”
„All the shit that gets stirred up and clouds your mind. Eventually it’ll settle. You’ll be able to breathe easier.” He looked ahead. „Doesn’t make it better in the moment. Dust storms happen. It’s okay to close your eyes and stumble through.”
i loved the scene where cassandra stood up for christian’s daughter. she went off on the principal for essentially bullying bree over her clothes? golden. or she explained to gracie that it was not her job to put up with some kid’s shit, just because the teacher thought she’d be a good influence and had a GREAT idea to sit them together.
„I know you didn’t have enough whiskey in your ice cream to give you a hangover, so this attitude you have with my girls? Cut it out.”
Cassandra made eye contact with me as she wrapped her hand around mine and yanked the coffee pot out from under the machine. „I don’t have an attitude.”
„My house. My rules. If I say your attitude sucks, then it sucks. Fix it.”
her being constantly portrayed as cold towards kids and very bitch-y could get annoying for some of the readers, i can totally see it happening. wasn’t that big of a deal in my case.
Bree sat stock-still as I sectioned her hair and started weaving flat strands, one on top of the other. Braids were easy. It was that fucking curling iron that was the death of me.
What kind of father encouraged his kids to go to therapy like an emotionally available, self-aware parent? Didn’t Christian know he was supposed to ignore all expressions of personal feelings like the rest of the dads out there? Or at least like mine had.
christian. what a great father. the one sibling that likes to take care of people. yeah, i think i’d call him a prime example of a care taker personality. AND PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION that this man has long hair, so he can practice hairstyles on himself first so he knows how to do his girls' hair and also learns how to maintain healthy hair, so he can also teach them how to take care of their hair. 🥹
other things i liked: definitely the whole family. oh, and the fact i got cassandra and chris riding a horse together (it’s swift and saddled’s fault for putting the image in my head and not delivering, at least i got it here). and when christian got cassandra those stiletto protectors for walking around the ranch in high heels. OH AND THE COVER IS SO PRETTY TOO!
„It’s tradition. We always color in Uncle Ray’s tattoos.”
„He got them for us,” Gracie said with a grin.
what happened to ray. heart breaking. NO. HEART WRENCHING. i’m not sure if i’m stable enough for his book, if i’m being honest, because what he will have to go through. and the fact that his name is ray. like a ray of sunshine. oh my god i want to CRY!!! that man… i’m literally getting teary eyed what in the hell.
the griffith brothers:
dust storm 3.5 🌟
downpour coming spring/summer 2024
March 14, 2024
5 ⭐
4.5🌶
We all know I love reading about a dark man, who would burn the world down for them. However, every time I read a cowboy romance it always reminds me just how much I love cowboys especially when they are raised to be gentlemen. I loved every minute of this book. Sure there were a couple of errors, but I will look over them because of the book as a whole. I adored Gracie and Bree of course, but the other characters rounded out the story. I honestly cannot wait to read more of Maggie's books. This book hooked me. I finished the book feeling giddy. I never use that word, but that is how I felt, downright giddy.
"I can get my bags," she insisted. I stepped closer. "Just because you can doesn't mean you should have to."
"Rule number one. You ride in my truck; you let me open the door."
"Posture like a princess, hips like a whore" (apparently this is how to properly ride a horse in case you needed to know.)
" You wanna be irreplaceable? Let people love you."
"Don't run away from me, princess. Not without leaving a glass slipper."
4.5🌶
We all know I love reading about a dark man, who would burn the world down for them. However, every time I read a cowboy romance it always reminds me just how much I love cowboys especially when they are raised to be gentlemen. I loved every minute of this book. Sure there were a couple of errors, but I will look over them because of the book as a whole. I adored Gracie and Bree of course, but the other characters rounded out the story. I honestly cannot wait to read more of Maggie's books. This book hooked me. I finished the book feeling giddy. I never use that word, but that is how I felt, downright giddy.
"I can get my bags," she insisted. I stepped closer. "Just because you can doesn't mean you should have to."
"Rule number one. You ride in my truck; you let me open the door."
"Posture like a princess, hips like a whore" (apparently this is how to properly ride a horse in case you needed to know.)
" You wanna be irreplaceable? Let people love you."
"Don't run away from me, princess. Not without leaving a glass slipper."
March 2, 2024
i had sooo much fun with this one! new york princess x cattle rancher single dad!
the way cassandra was with christian's daughters quite literally melted my heart
and the chemistry and spice in this damn book?! yesss i freaking looveeed it!
the way cassandra was with christian's daughters quite literally melted my heart
and the chemistry and spice in this damn book?! yesss i freaking looveeed it!
April 14, 2024
why does this have to be over??? 😭😭
i loved this book so much and it was such an enjoyable easy read for me.
• forced proximity
• small town
• city girl x cowboy
cassandra and christian’s banter throughout the whole book was so fun! i found myself actually laughing and kicking my feet multiple times. *screams* i am in my cowboy era i think and i’m here for it.
i cant wait for book 2 🤩🤠
i loved this book so much and it was such an enjoyable easy read for me.
• forced proximity
• small town
• city girl x cowboy
cassandra and christian’s banter throughout the whole book was so fun! i found myself actually laughing and kicking my feet multiple times. *screams* i am in my cowboy era i think and i’m here for it.
i cant wait for book 2 🤩🤠
March 24, 2024
this was such a cute read
May 19, 2024
my dream scenario is a quiet ranch and two kids with cowboy who loves me. please god how much do i have to beg.
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