Kristen Proby

Quickie Review:

I really had a good time with Seducing Lauren. It wasn't as good as the first book, the pacing in the book was on and off. The first half started off really really strong and I didn't want to put it down. But in the second half, it was much more challenging to stay into the story and be truly invested. I did love the idea of a lawyer hero with a romance author for a heroine who is also at risk of being in danger from her ex. I found the dynamic between them interesting, loved their soft filled relationship. I do find Proby's writing style in how the pair doesn't fight too long what they feel, but seem to embrace their connection. I did find the plot aspect of the ex and how its portrayed throughout the story. I loved the endearing connection that they had together. Really beautifully done despite the issues on the pacing of the story growth.… (more)

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨

“You take me to a place that no one else can. You own me.”

First Impressions
Loving Cara was such an adorable read and I had such fun with this one. I was recommended by a Bookstagram friend, to try out Proby's other Montana themed books and I really had a fun time. If it wasn't for how the third act was done, it probably would have resulted in a higher rating. The story between Josh and Cara was beyond endearing. The ways in which their relationship develops was poignant and full of sweet charm which is what you want to get from a cowboy romance. And this author definitely knows how to write wonderful atmospheric reads. We also see the ways in which this author brings in the plot dealing with the nephew and it was so impactful!

“You destroy me, Cara.” Just like that, I’m thrown. I can only stare up at him as he tries to pull his thoughts together. “You. Destroy. Me.” He swallows hard and cups my face gently in his hands. “I love you and respect you so much.”

First Line
The cell phone on my belt vibrates against my hip, and I pull it from my holster, register my dad's name on the called ID and answer.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Josh King
The Heroine: Cara Donovan

Summary
Josh King is the head of his family in running their family ranch in Montana. He is the leader and the one that makes all the tough decisions. When his nephew arrives on his doorstep, with his mother abandoning him and hating his father, Josh is determined to connect with his nephew and prove to Seth that family takes care of each other. But Seth is struggling in ways that Josh can't help him on. So he hires on the school teacher, for the summer, to help tutor Seth and hope that her soothing nature will be able to connect with Seth. But along the way, Josh and Cara build a connection and chemistry together and Josh wants to prove to Cara what a great team they make together....

Its too much. Its not enough. Its this moment.....It's everything.

What I Loved
So many aspects of the story I fell hard for. The first was how engaging this book was. Both the book itself and the audio narration captivated me from the beginning and I just sped through it because I just didn't want to put it down. Then we have the actual stories in here that we see develop. There are two important plots that will really tug at your reader's heart. The first was the plot dealing with Josh's nephew, Seth. This poor boy, you see how horrible his mother treats him, his father being away fighting war in Afghanistan and battling his only family trying to help him. Josh is so patient with him but determined to connect with him. Cara really adds so much to the table in assisting Seth, and she bonds with this boy who just needs some firm but kind and patient.

" You brought me to your happy place. "
"It seems anywhere you are is my happy place. These days, so I thought the person who makes me happy to my happy place. "

Then we have the actual romance that builds between Josh and Cara. And boy these two...they have such powerful chemistry from the beginning. Proby is always so talented in writing such beautiful connections but this one might take the cake. I just loved how they interacted with each other. They didn't fight their attraction at all, they truly embraced it and it had such a refreshing air about it. And even though there was a grovel needed, it was just right. It wasn't overkill. (which is what I like about older contemporaries, they aren't so focused on the grovel, but the relationship itself) They have so many sweet smexy moments and love the ways they bond with each other and fight for each other in simple small ways but are so impactful to the overall intimacy in the relationship.

My eyes are glued to his lips and I’m mortified to realize that I want him to kiss me.

And not just a sweet thank-you-for-teaching-my-nephew kiss, but a long, slow kiss that lasts forever and I can’t even remember to breathe.

What I Struggled With
The only thing I struggled with was how the third act was handled. Just wasn't a fan in some of the misunderstandings that happened. And the heroine completely running away and especially what it does to Seth, I just didn't care for that aspect of the story at all. I get that Josh hurt her, as he lashes out in a way he doesn't realize he does, but she should have been patient and not run away when things get tough especially with what we see is happening with Seth who is still very vulnerable.

Narration
AMAZING! I can't recommend this narration enough, it was so so good. It really delivered and it sucked me immediately into the story. So much so that I didn't want to do anything else but listen to it.

Overall View
Loving Cara is an impactful romance that will dig deep into your heart. Its a poignant but sweetly sexy in a very endearing way that left me with a soft smile on my face! A TRUE WINNER!

“What I feel for you is so big, Cara. No more doubts.” He tips my chin up to look me in the eye. “You’re with me because there’s nowhere else I want you to be. Got it?”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Alpha Male, Teacher Heroine, Cowboy Hero
Themes: Small Town, Groveling Hero, Heart/Emotional, Western
Tropes: Instant Love Connection, Forced Proximity

Book Perspective
Duo Pov

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict---Lower end

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Samantha Youong
Melissa Foster
Laura Pavlov

Song This Book Inspires
At the Beginning-Cartoon Band

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes but you can read these as a standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Narrators:
Deacon Lee, Elizabeth Louise… (more)

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.25

First Impressions
Chasing Wild is the second book in the "Wilds of Montana" and its also the second in this wonderful series. I will say that you can read these books as standalone, but understand that you will see characters from her other books. But I don't think you need to read those books to read these. My first impression from this story is that it was endearing and sweet. I loved the growth between these two and it was such a blast to be back into this town and this group of friends and family.

First Line
I'm so freaking tired.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Chase Wild
The Heroine: Summer Quin

Summary
Chasing Wild is a story of Summer coming back to her hometown and she sets up a floral shop in town. Its been a few years and she has really settled into her life with her dog. But then sparks start to fly between her and Chase Wild, when a series of events is putting her as a target for someone who is showing signs of stalking her. Chase seems to be the only man that she trusts. There is a strong connection that begins to form between them. But when the danger escalates for Summer, they are in a forced proximity situation that only builds their connection with each other.

What I Loved
This story was so endearing, I truly love these books the most from this author. There is something about them that so easily works for me and NO THIRD ACT BREAKUPS which she is well known for, so its really refreshing to see her write books that don't have those elements but are more suspenseful focused, so she is doing some things differently with her plots that I am really enjoying. I also have found that the romances are just so much more connecting than I remember her other books being. I am able to get into these stories so much easier.

What I Struggled With
I think the aspect I didn't like was the focus on feminism in this book. I get women want to be independent but the way it was portrayed just seemed like overkill to me.

Narration
SUPER BRILLIANT! These two are such a good team when they get together and they really brought this story to life. You really get sucked into the setting so well and the way that you want to fight for these characters is so wonderful in how they capture it just right.

Overall View
Chasing Wild was a endearingly sweet romance that delivered some solid feels and had much heart that made an impact! If you love small town romance, you need to give this series a try!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Cowboy, Law Enforcement, Protector
Themes: Small Town, Stalker, Danger elements
Tropes: Return to Hometown, Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Protector

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Catherine Cowles, Katy Evans, Sarina Bowen

Recommendation For Reading Order
Read as a Standalone if needed

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Narrators:
Stella Hunter
Connor Crais… (more)