Review: Daisies in the Canyon by Carolyn Brown

Title: Daisies in the Canyon by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 274 pages
Book Rating: A

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She’s here to claim her birthright…

Ex-army sergeant Abby Malloy feels no loss after the father she never knew passes away. Still, part of Ezra Malloy’s ranch belongs to her, and if the stubborn blonde has to live there for a year with two half-sisters who are strangers to her, so be it. Nothing could stand in the way of her inheritance…except a local sheriff wrapped in snug blue jeans and a sexy grin.

He’s here to claim her heart…

Cooper Wilson, the local sheriff and rancher next door, is having his world turned upside down. Abby is all straight talk and sweet, lush curves—the kind of woman who gets under his skin in just the right way. Whereas Cooper has roots in Palo Duro Canyon, Abby’s got wings. But he knows she belongs here. If she can stop running from her past, he’ll happily lead her to a brighter future, one hot cowboy kiss at a time.

The Review:

Daisies in the Canyon by Carolyn Brown is an exceptionally well-written, engaging and heartwarming romance. This wonderful novel set in the Palo Duro Canyon is a beautiful love story between Abby Malloy and Cooper Wilson. It is also a healing story about making peace with the past and embracing the unexpected as Abby and her newfound half-sisters, Shiloh and Bonnie, begin a new life on the ranch left to them by the father they never met.

Fresh out of the Army, Abby has lived a transient life for so long that the thought of putting down roots is a foreign concept. But to inherit the ranch left to her by her absentee father Ezra, she has to stay on the ranch for one year. Abby is reluctant to commit to the entire year, so she decides to stay until spring, then she will re-evaluate whether or not it is time to move on. But when she begins to fall for Sheriff and neighbor Cooper Wilson, Abby must decide if she is ready to risk her heart despite not knowing what the future holds.

Abby is a strong, capable woman and she is more than up to the task of learning the ins and outs of ranching. Although she had a stable, happy childhood, Ezra’s abandonment left its mark and she has struggled with commitment issues and a sense of not belonging for most of her life. Her time on the ranch provides the opportunity for Abby to gain a better understanding of herself and some of the choices she has made. But it is not until Abby begins to fall for Cooper that she realizes how deeply Ezra’s rejection has affected her.

It is not at all difficult to understand why Abby is drawn to Cooper. He is deliciously sexy, dependable and hardworking. Between his Sheriff and ranching duties, he has been too busy for a serious relationship but that does not stop him for pursuing Abby once she catches his eye. For the most part, Cooper is content to patiently wait while she works through her problems, but he does gently nudge her towards staying both in the canyon and with him.

Cooper and Abby’s relationship heats up really fast, but the two quickly step back once they realize they have very different plans for the future. However, their paths cross fairly frequently and they become friends all the while trying to ignore to ignore their simmering desire. Cooper and Abby decide to explore their attraction but a misunderstanding and Abby’s fear of commitment threaten their blossoming romance.

The one area of Abby’s life that is relatively trouble free is the unanticipated bond she finds with Shiloh and Bonnie. There is little animosity between them and although their backgrounds are diverse, the three find common ground as they settle into their new lives. Their individual strengths offset one another’s weaknesses and they are surprised by how compatible they are. When Abby’s fears about the future jeopardize her relationship with Cooper, Shiloh and Bonnie are a welcome source of advice and comfort.

Daisies in the Canyon is a sweet, humorous and sometimes poignant novel that is quite captivating. The cast of characters is beautifully developed, appealing and very easy to root for. Carolyn Brown’s love for the Palo Duro Canyon is always apparent and her descriptive prose brings the picturesque setting vibrantly to life. The storyline is refreshing with very little angst or drama. All of the necessary ingredients for a heartfelt, feel good story that I absolutely loved and highly recommend!