| Title | : | Learning to Love (Carson Hill Ranch #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 112 |
| Publication | : | First published November 13, 2013 |
Miranda steps off the bus to find the man of her dreams waiting for her, only he doesn't know it. His elderly father, concerned that his six sons are isolated on their highly prosperous 800,000-acre ranch signed up one of his oldest boys and did a little matchmaking behind their backs.
Now Miranda and Casey have a choice to make, but will they be willing to put aside their mistrust and give this a shot, or go their separate ways?
Learning to Love (Carson Hill Ranch #1) Reviews
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Casey and Miranda. A nice low angst short love story.
3.5 stars
I received this for free in exchange for a fair review from Audio Boom.
Valerie Gilbert is the reader and does a fine job.
Casey's dad is getting on in years and wants grand babies. SO he puts his older son's profiles onto an online dating website. Miranda has been struggling with her abusive boyfriend and her parents death and taking in her little sister. Her sister signs her up for the same website dating service and when things become too dangerous to stay with her boyfriend, they run to Casey as much for the promise of love as of safety. Casey doesn't learn about Miranda til she and her sister are already on their way and does his best to be an unlovable asshat when they arrive. Things happen though and they decide to treat each other with respect as they gradually get to know each other.
The story had an odd feel, as though it was historical, if not for the satellite phones and emails. It's pretty PG (fade to black and without much detail) although neither is a virgin and he isn't a manho. No OW stuff and OM stuff isn't much either. Action/danger isn't OTT, but just enough to spice up the story a bit. The setting is believable so the author isn't writing off the top of her head.
I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by this author! -
Ok so I was given this book by a friend since I am interested in learning to write romance, and boy is there a lot to learn from this book. Here are my complaints:
1) There is basically no description of anything. I have no idea what anything, including the people, look like at all. I don't even know what color hair they have! The two leads are both described in pretty general terms as being good looking, but that tells me nothing.
2) Characters have little to no personality. The male lead has 5 brothers. They are basically interchangeable except ONE of them is described as being too small and sickly to work outside on the ranch. He is the best described character in the entire book.
3) There are a lot of plot threads that build to nothing and the structure of this book is a disaster. We hear hints of interesting things happen and then they resolve with no work from the main characters. For example, what you think will be the main conflict of the story is wrapped up almost entirely off screen. Other similar conflicts that seem like they should be huge plot points also fizzle out.
4) The author does not seem to have a good grasp of time and distance. Some of the timelines seem a little inconsistent and characters travel at weird rates. The ranch is huge and in the middle of nowhere, right? Well two characters walk there from wherever the nearest town is in the span of a few hours.
5) The chemistry between the characters goes from zero to let's get married. They have a bad first meeting and then after their first conversation, they're in love. Great.
6) Side characters show up and do whatever is convenient for the plot. They don't seem to have any real motivations.
7) The female lead, Miranda, is awfully comfortable having everyone tell her she is a stranger's future wife and that she is there to have lots of kids. Like, she isn't put off AT ALL? And even the male lead, Casey, who isn't originally into this idea at all also accepts this language and refers to her as his wife before they even get along. Hate it.
In summary, I do not recommend it. -
I LOVED this book. Sure, it's escapist, never-gonna-happen romance, but isn't that the point of reading it? If it was completely true to life, it wouldn't be a book!
The premise had me a little confused at first, because there were six brothers...so why was the dad harping on ONE of them to get married? Then it clicked...this is a series, duh. It didn't take a crystal ball to figure out that the brothers will find true love one by one.
As a self-proclaimed treehugger, I LOVED the concept that the dad runs this 800,000 acre ranch in Texas (which even for Texas seemed really, really big until I Googled it), but still runs these old fashioned cattle drives and makes his ranch hands ride horses when they're working with the herd, all because it makes for healthier, happier cows. It was an interesting way for the author to get the "old fashioned cowboy" motif in place, but again, it was just fun.
I usually like my romance with a little more...um...heat? But this book basically leaves the sexy parts to the imagination rather than throwing them out there in your face.
Fun, quick read, can't wait to see what happens to the rest of the brothers! -
Bernard Carson lost his wife years ago and is now running his ranch with his six grown sons. Thinking that the ranch is missing a feminine touch he sets up his boys on an internet dating site with an ad to find them a wives. Miranda answers the ad to meet Casey Carson because she's in an abusive relationship and trying to get herself and her younger sister away.
I really did't care for this novella too much. It at times felt more like a historical story but then they would mention the internet or wifi etc. I can somewhat understand the boys on the ranch being raised out there alone that they may be a bit old fashioned but everything in the story just seemed a bit beyond old fashioned. I was fully expecting Miranda to come in and be a more modern character but even when she arrived she seemed to not feel quite right to me either. Just wasn't one that worked for me.
Overall, didn't enjoy the characters or romance, wouldn't really recommend it. -
Just finished
Learning To Love
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. The h's little sister signs her up for online dating with a cowboy. And the H father signs his son up. So the sister and father decide they should leave NJ and travel to TX to marry.
The h is in a bad relationship where her boyfriend tries to rape the little sister and she beats him with a bat and runs to TX.
It has a HEA and now I am going to read the next brothers story. -
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a sweet novella. In the few short pages you live the life of a rancher that still holds the ideals of an older generation somewhat to a woman who was emotionally and physically abused. The characters were endearing and you were pulling for them from the start. WARNING: Once started you will not put it down until you have finished the entire novella. Looking forward to the next installment!! -
The author touches on abuse, getting out of it and starting over. Casey’s father is ready for his boys to settle down but none of them seem to be in a hurry. He isn’t going to live forever, he has worked so hard to make a good living on this piece of dirt he calls home. He wants grandkids why he is still young enough to enjoy them plus he wants to see he name to live on. His father decides to place an ad for a mail order bride on a dating site hoping it works out as good as it did years ago. What you end of with is one surprised groom to be and one lady that feels all alone.
I loved the humor this story brings with it and a few twists. I would have liked to have known what happen to her ex. Miranda isn’t your normal abusive women she may have been meek and mild at one time but with leaving her ex she grow a backbone. The last straw for her gave her the strength to stand tall and move her sister right out of that life style.
I have slowly but surely fell in love with this narrator she gives so much of herself to her performance with such passion and emotion. This audio isn’t one of her best performances but it is right up there at the top. The only problem I have when she does Mr. Carson voice it doesn’t flow as natural as it should. Beside that this is a top of the line audio with a powerful performance of real emotion giving the listen a totally delightful listen. You can hear the fear in her voice, along with the caring, happy and sad that comes along with life. If any breaks where taken I could not tell, there are not any background noises or any places where the audio volume changes. I enjoyed her different character voices with strong sexy male to her sassy women who won’t back down. I did not have any trouble picturing the scenes in my minds that way laid out before me by the author and narrator. This is a clear, clean audio that hooks you from the start.
Miranda thought she had been getting to know her groom to be but finds out it was his father. The son isn’t too happy about all that has been done behind his back. Having listened to book 3 first and getting to know Mr. Carson I can easily picture him doing what he did. My heart really went out to Miranda and all she has gone through. The author touches on this but doesn’t go into a lot of detail just enough to give you the true meaning of it. Her little sister plays a big role in her taking the steps she needs to walk away from the bad relationship. On meeting Casey doesn’t show his best side he thinks if he is mean maybe she will leave. His father isn’t willing to give up that easy and makes her a deal that will insure she stays at least for a little while. Slowly the story builds up it is a case of I don’t want her but I don’t want anyone else to have her. This makes for some very interesting read.
I thought this was a very cute read not one of the best of this author but very good. I think I enjoyed the audio more than reading it but still both are fun reads. I loved the baiting between the brothers and the slow build up of the relationship between these two. Once it took off there was not stopping them it moved pretty fast. The author gives you a great build up for the books to follow with some wonderful characters I can’t wait to get to know better. This was a very enjoyable list. I can’t wait to start the next one. -
Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars...
Wow! What do I say? I was glad for the happy ending, however, I didn't like this book too much. This book was a novella so for that reason alone I don't expect a lot of detail and backstory. But there was really not enough detail to help me connect to characters and scenery. For example, I didn't even know the H had light brown hair until 67% and THAT was all that was said about his appearance (except of course that he was gorgeous). I have no clue what the h looked like or even their ages for that matter. I know as readers we're supposed to use our imagination but I wasn't given enough to form imagery. I think if I was at least able to make better connections, visual or otherwise, I might have enjoyed this more. I'm glad this was a free download. That being said, I will read the next two in the series because I already downloaded them. (Damn I should have waited instead of buying 3 books at once). Since I'm not comfortable writing bad reviews, the next two books will be rated by stars only. Bottom line??? I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. -
I loved this story! Miranda's younger sister signs her up for on-line dating and Casey's elderly father does the same for him. Miranda is in a bad relationship so when she finds her boyfriend trying to rape her little sister, she beats him with a bat and takes off for Texas to her online connection.
I was impressed the way the author wove old time ranch running with modern problems of managing a ranch. The characters were well developed and very likable. The father was pretty old to be involved with the ranch but his sons loved and admired him so did whatever it took to make him happy. Even agreeing to marry a woman he found for one of them. I had to feel sorry for Casey. He rarely left the ranch so didn't date but he was attracted to Miranda immediately and fought it. Poor guy. He could handle cows but not women. -
A little romance on the prairie. Hard to get a real good feel for when this story took place, or maybe I just can't grasp the concept of anyone being so far off the beaten path these days.
Brought to the ranch via internet dating site, the heroine wins the reluctant groom and they all live happily ever after.
This is a fairly short story, about a hundred pages. The story could/would have been more fully developed if it had been a full on novel. That is the downside. Upside is that it is a good story, very sweet. And pretty tame for those who like their romance rated G. -
I gave up at the end of Chapter 2. I cannot cope with stories where the facts or details don't add up.
Bernard is nearly 70. His wife died ten years ago shortly after the difficult birth of the last child to follow Seamus and Jacob
BUT we then learn that he has six very eligible sons living on the ranch. Apart from the younger twins, there were a set of older twins as well, with two single brothers in between.
So what happened to the last child? (and I spent WAY too long trying to work out ages and dates. Somehow the timeline never seemed 'right' to me.)
Anyway, the next thing is the mention of a cattle drive to Wyoming with ten thousand cattle. WTF??
The 'ranch' aspect was poorly researched and had it not bee for the mention of the internet etc I might have thought this was a historical western with a 'mail order bride' plot line.
Meh -
A good story overall. The characters are likeable if not relatable as well. I had a problem with feeling torn between it being a contemporary western vs. historical. I mean who takes a train then a bus to get somewhere? It is not cost effective overall and there are not many buses that go to remote areas like this one. The way the letter was worded was awkward for today. After the way Casey treated Miranda to begin with the couple's turn around was so sudden with nothing supporting the change. After the turn around, the story evened out and became more plausible.
Valerie Gilbert did fabulous job narrating.
I recieved a free Audible copy of this story in exchange for a honest review. -
Good start to the series
I really enjoyed Casey and Miranda's story. He wasn't thrilled about his dad's meddling and didn't hide it. He was quite the lout at times. She couldn't believe the online sweet-talker was a wily old man. Basically, she was catfished! But what a great story to tell their kids. A sweetly romantic story with enough Wild West drama to keep the pages turning, though the editing could have been better.
And I love the hogtie scene with Miranda's ex. I wish she had had a bat at the ready though. Down and out and still flapping his gums. Casey should have at least popped him one. -
I really liked the start to this series!! Casey did come as an ass at first but who wouldn’t when your dad did that to you! Miranda had to have a lot of courage to one cross the country to start fresh in a new place and two to stick out with Casey being such a jerk. It was hilarious when they first met and he made her sit in the back. I thought she was going to punch him right there. The dad was so awesome! I just loved him! I am looking forward to seeing how each of the brothers get paired up and who Bernard pairs them up with.
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Learning to Love(Carson Hill Ranch Book)a good book
I must admit ,this book started off a little slow but finally picked up and turned out to be a good book.
A modern day mail order bride by email meets one of several sons the father is determined to marry off! At first she didn’t realize the son had no idea what the father was up to,but soon,after looking at her beauty and her grace,he was all twitterpated as well!
So do yourself a favor and read this book,I think you’ll like it as I did. -
What did I just read?
When I first got this, it was free on Amazon so I thought I’d take the plunge and get it. I never expected it to be this bad. The plot was absolutely wack and when it was starting to get interesting either the situation in the middle, it died out too fast. That plot point could have made this book so much interesting. Instead what happened throughout the book ultimately made it worst. -
Not at all what I expected
The blurb for this book made it sound like a modern romance, but the characters talked like they were from the 1800's. The father referred to his sons as "my sons" when he was talking to them when most fathers would say "my boys". It was also hard to read because it rambled and jumped around. One minute the scene is set on the ranch and the next was outside the local whorehouse. Nor a good read. Will not read this author again. -
The writing style is sophomoric, the characters were cardboard cut outs, there is zero passion and absolutely nothing happens in the bedroom. Most of the characters are interchangeable and only pop in when needed to move the plot along. The blurb sounds much better than the book, but for the most part, I blame the amateurish writing style and not the plot for it being a boring and stilted read. I will not be reading anymore by this author.
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A good series starter.
This story is my first read from this author. I have recently started reading Cowboy story and liking them. This first book is good, there are surprises, suspense, danger and of course romance. What's not to love?
I love my sex scenes steamy and this is missing, but that is my preference, it still an enjoyable read and I recommend it.
I received audio copies of books 2 to 12 free and I am going to enjoy listening to them all. -
Learning To Love(Contemporary Cowboy Romance)
A sweet and heart warning book,it show what length a sister will go to to protect her younger sister and in the process find love for herself, PS I was happy the ex boyfriend got his from the cowhands. -
This book reads like it was intended to be set in the old west, but then takes a contemporary turn. Not like a time travel book; like the author changed her mind a few chapters in. Slow start and never really gains momentum.
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Lost my faith in the book when the male protagonist acted poorly to the arrival of the deputy sheriff . Why should he be surprised when she had already told him about bashing her ex with a bat after he had tried to rape her sister.
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This is the quintessential romance. Cowboy. Girl trying to escape danger. Father who wants grandchildren. I loved it. It was a great start to this series. It is an easy read as I call it. It is a good read.
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Liked this modern take on a mail-order bride tale. While his 6 sons are busy running the ranch, dad decides to go online and find the oldest a bride. Miranda comes with her sister, Gracie to Carson Hill Ranch hoping for a better future. Liked the ending!
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alright
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Great story!
Love the characters. The cowboys, the story line, the whole package. Exciting and funny just a great read! Advise this to anyone wanting a loving wonderful story!
