Country Hearts by Cindi Madsen

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Title: Country Hearts
Author: Cindi Madsen
Published by: Hallmark Publishing
Release Date: January 21st 2020
Format: eARC
Pages: 300
Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Source: the author
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2020 New Release Challenge, Lenoreo's COYER With Friends
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Kobo ✩ iBooks ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:

Blurb:

She shouldn't get involved with the cowboy next door...

Laid off from her teaching job in the city, Jemma Monroe takes a job teaching in a tiny town and rents a house on the outskirts. A visitor soon shows up at her door—a horse. His owner, a handsome neighbor in boots and a cowboy hat, comes by to collect him.

When single dad Wyatt Langford meets Jemma, it’s the first time he feels interest in a woman since his wife died. But she’s his daughter’s new teacher, so they both know they should keep their distance.

Nonetheless, Wyatt keeps finding excuses to spend time with Jemma, and Wyatt’s daughter becomes more and more attached to her. With them, Jemma discovers the good things about country life, from starry skies to s’mores cooked over a fire. But she still misses her past life in the city. Is there any reason for them to dream of a future together?

My Review:

I received a free copy through the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

3.5 stars — This was an adorable romance, and if you’re a fan of Hallmark movies, then I think you’re going to love this one.  It played out exactly as the movies do, giving me the same sweet feelings.  Honestly, the only reason I didn’t rate it higher is that while I enjoy the occasional Hallmark movie, I wouldn’t call myself a big fan…so that’s on me, not on the book.  But it did give me sweet smiles, some giggles, and the requisite satisfying HEA.

I’m probably going to use the same words to describe the characters in this one as I just did the whole story in general.  Jemma was sweet, easy to like, and I loved how she was initially nervous, but the town and the people in it helped to bring her out of her shell.  They were just what she needed to spread her wings.

Wyatt was adorably gruff, reticent from being burned in the past, but when Jemma starts bringing smiles out of him, you can’t help but smile along.  And even though he was slow on the uptake, he gets himself there (with the help of one incorrigible daughter), and I understand his fear of heartbreak.

And their friendship and more chemistry was totally sweet as well.  I’m really not trying to sound like a broken record, it truly was.  I loved the way they interacted with one another.  It’s a bit of a slow burn, but those are nice sometimes.

Honestly, not being a kid person, I was surprised at how some of my favourite parts were watching Jemma interact with her class — I just loved those scenes.  I also loved watching her connect with Bailey Rae, and I loved seeing how much Wyatt loved his daughter and would do anything for her.

As is needed in any good Hallmark movie, there was a colourful cast of nosy townspeople, and I loved the friendship Jemma developed with Camilla.  I can see more stories in this town.  And then there were the incorrigible animals.  I ADORED Casper, he killed me.  And while Senor Fluffypants was not a realistic pet rabbit (was more dog/cat-like), he was pretty cute himself.

So yeah.  I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a sweet predictable read that will give you all the good feels.