The Quick Cut: A NYC princess is sent packing to her Aunt & Uncle's ranch in Wyoming after trashing her parent's house during a party. She finds that the family she's never been around before may be just the thing she's been looking for her entire life.
A Real Review:
Thank you to Victory Editing for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's always interesting to see these fish out of water stories because you never know how someone is going to respond once they are taken out of their natural environment. When it comes to Kensington, known through most of the book as Kensi, this is especially true when her life is ripped out of her hands and sent to the middle of knowhere Wyoming. It's punishment from her parents after a party gone awry that cost a quarter million dollars in damages and nearly caused some legal ramifications.
At first, Kensi hates the whole situation. Doing chores, sharing a bedroom, and with meals that are prepared by the people in the house instead of by first rate chefs. How could this ever be an acceptable way of life? However, the longer that she's out there - the more she realizes that maybe the NYC state of living isn't everything its cracked up to be and that Wyoming has far more to provide than at first sight.
Javier is one of the family on the ranch. Adopted by Kensi's aunt and uncle, he lives in a small trailer by himself - consistently stating how he would rather earn everything he has and do the work himself. In many ways, he's the antihesis of Kensi. However, while the rest of the family is writing her off and saying she's someone to write off as a waste of time - he's the one saying there's more to Kensi and spending time getting to know her. He sees some good in her and wants to bring it out rather than write off that exterior that she so boldly forces everyone to see.
These two are an interesting combination with very different pasts. Kensi's is one of wealth, but with parents who have zero interest or involvement in her life (along with no siblings). Javier is one of very little with a checkered past and a whole pack of brothers that he is desperate to get back. Although everything says that they shouldn't get along or be able to see each other's perspectives, these two have a great way at getting through to one another. Kensi learns that her Aunt, Uncle, and cousin aren't as bad as they seem; life at the ranch is quite enjoyable and filled with love if you just let go of your pre-conceived notions. Javier learns that sometimes its okay to accept a helping hand to get what you need to get what you've earned.
Although its fun to watch these two bounce off each other, the story can get really slow at certain points. While there is a connection between Kensi and Javier, these two are being sold as a romantic couple and they really don't have the chemistry needed to pull it off. Friends is far easier to believe than a romantic future. However, the story is cute and a fun read - worth a read through if you want something light.
My rating: 3.5 out of 5