Between the Reins by Liz Isaacson

Series: Gold Valley Romance # 4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: AEJ Creative Works
Released: May 16, 2017
225 pages

About the Book:

 

Twelve years ago, Owen Carr left Gold Valley—and his long-time girlfriend—in favor of a country music career in Nashville. With one platinum album and a number one hit single under his belt, he returned after things went wrong with his manager and his record label. When he suddenly becomes a father to his eight-year-old niece, he’s in way over his head.

 

He needs a nanny to care for Marie so he can keep up with the demands of his busy job at Silver Creek—and Natalie Ringold is a godsend. She can cook, she cleans, Marie loves her—and she just so happens to be the long-time girlfriend that Owen hasn’t made amends with. Yet.

 

Married and divorced, Natalie teaches ballet at the dance studio in Gold Valley, but she never auditioned for the professional company the way she dreamed of doing. With Owen back, she realizes all the opportunities she missed out on when he left all those years ago—including a future with him. Can they mend broken bridges in order to have a second chance at love?

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 (4 stars) 

 

“God loved him. God had no abandoned him. God would support him through this next week, this next year, and all the years to come.”

This is the fourth book in the Gold Valley series, but can easily be read as a standalone. Owen is looking for a nanny to take care of his 8 year old niece, Marie, who he has recently become the guardian of. Natalie, his high school girlfriend applies for the job and connects with Marie right away. Owen is unsure if he can handle being around Natalie after how he treated her 12 years ago. Natalie still has feelings for Owen and wonders if they can rekindle the romance they once had with a happier ending. I really liked the banter between the two though, and Marie added cuteness to the story. However I did feel like Natalie forgave Owen a little too easily. I also felt that Owen didn’t share everything that happened in Nashville to Natalie. Pastor Palmer’s comments not only challenged the characters but also readers to think about their faith, I especially liked this aspect of the book. All the characters felt like separate individuals and there were definitely some sweet moments in the story making it very enjoyable.

“He didn’t have to have all the answers, didn’t have to have perfect belief, didn’t have to be everything to everyone.”

 

(I received an ARC of this book from the author; opinions expressed in this review are
my honest opinion and completely my own.)