| Title | : | The Cowboy's Brand (The Brands of Montana, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 155 |
| Publication | : | Published September 21, 2017 |
A bold, outgoing cowboy is exactly what shy, introverted Alayna needs to bring her out of her shell. But after an unforgettable night ends up being memorable for all the wrong reasons, Patterson has to prove that he's much more than just a good time if he wants to capture her heart.
When Alayna and Patterson find themselves working together, Alayna realizes that moving on from that night might not be as easy as she thought. And Patterson? He discovers reputations are sometimes hard to live down.
First published as “Branded with a Kiss”
The Cowboy's Brand (The Brands of Montana, #2) Reviews
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Patterson Campbell is one of the town manwhores. Alayna is the youngest in her family and very sheltered, also a virgin. When she lands Patterson for one night things go a little, ok a lot, off track and she quickly leaves. A year later she is back and Patterson wants to explain plus have a second chance because he thinks she might be the one.
I enjoyed the back and forth between Patterson and Alyana. I liked the way he pursued her, the story is fun, entertaining and a decent read, but there was just something missing for me. I still can't put my finger on exactly what it was, maybe the length of time it took them to be intimate again and then the seemingly rushed ending. If you like an easy to read quick romance I do believe you will enjoy Branded With A Kiss.
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DNF
Hero is not likable at all. He had to assess his chances of asking the heroine to dance because she was sitting next to a "plump" girl and one in boring khakis and that would be he may have to dance with them too.
The horror.
Ugh.
Then the heroine is a virgin and her innocent routine was weird.
Not for me. -
This was my first Paula Altenburg book and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I love the whole ‘player into hero’ trope so this was right up my alley. I loved how relatable Patterson was which really surprised me. It typically takes me time to like the male player character but I liked Patterson immediately. And Alayna is a great character as well – it took me awhile to warm up to her but ultimately she was really fleshed out. I liked the glimpses into running a cattle ranch. The story felt real as did the relationship between the couple. Really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more of Paula Altenburg’s work!
NOTE: I received this Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. -
Alayna is embarrassed she’s held on to her virginity for so long so she decides to get the whole thing over with and finally loose it. But she figures she might as well enjoy it and that’s where her hometown hottie, Patterson comes in. His reputation as a ladies’ man is widely known and Alayna counts on that when she decides he’ll be the one.
Patterson has never noticed his friend’s younger sister until she pursues him and what should have been a great night, ends in awkwardness and disappointment (for her) and embarrassment for him.
She ends up avoiding him and we fast forward one year later. Alayna is back from college and gets hired to work at Patterson’s family’s dude ranch and there’s no way they can avoid each other now that their working together.
What I liked:
This had a few cute/sweet/romantic moments and the author’s writing style was flawless. There was no choppy dialogue or OTT drama. Both MCs were fleshed out characters and it wasn’t catty or intentionally hurtful. It’s a second chance romance with two characters that have to learn to grow from their mistakes and take a chance at love, even when they weren’t expecting it.
What I didn't like:
9 out of 10 times, I’ll always side with the heroine in romance. That’s just how I’m wired. But Alayna’s back and forth feelings when it came to handling/accepting Patterson with his horndog past became too drawn out. First, she didn’t want to be another notch on his belt …. . . she’d gotten jealous. The she’d realized exactly how many other women likely looked at him that way too, and she wasn’t planning to join that particular parade.
Then she was worried about what others would say if she did openly start seeing him . . .She couldn’t bear to end up as nothing more than another number, and for everyone in Sweetheart to know how awkward, nice Alayna Brand had set her sights naively high.
She is obviously not comfortable with all the “well meaning” warning from her friends and family, she feels jealous and hurt every time one of his past lovers makes an appearance and is adamant for 95% of the story, that she only using him for the sex. But then she admits that she’s actually not ready to be with him openly because she doesn’t think she’s good enough for him!… she couldn’t’ quite shake the feeling that ultimately, she was no different to him than any other woman he’d known – except that, since he’d been her first and they’d gotten off to such a rocky beginning, she was a novelty.
She didn’t see she bought anything to the table. She didn’t feel at all equal to him.
These were all valid points but, in the end, her lust wins out because she does end up sleeping with him and after all the back and forth angst over his ladies’ man reputation, it gets swept away. She never brings her conflicting feelings up with Patterson and although he knows that his reputation is one of the big obstacles keeping Alayna wary of a real relationship with him, Patterson never addresses it either. He basically admits his reputation as a horn dog is well deserved but doesn’t expect Alayna to hold it against him because it was in the past.
My thoughts: The past wasn’t all that distant so I wanted to see more commitment and more proof (through actions and words) that Patterson was ready to settle down with one woman and it needed to be believable. I never felt that 100% assurance from him and wondered why skittish Alayna fell for it so easily after all the internal drama she experienced over it.
Would I recommend? This trope of the man-whore Hero and the virginal heroine is a tricky trope to write, especially for me. I need to be left with zero doubts that the hero is reformed and will stay committed to the heroine. I didn’t get that here but others, less bothered by the back and forth wishy-washy characters may enjoy this one. I have a lot of pet peeves so it was touch and go for a while.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO: -
**ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for a voluntary, honest review**
Usually there isn't anything I love more than a small-town cowboy romance read, but unfortunately this book was not enjoyable.
Alayna Brand is an introverted, skittish, self- conscious, early 20's college student looking to lose her virginity to her childhood crush and town lothario Patterson Campbell. It doesn't take much until Alayna has him right where she wants him. Except she forgot to mention the whole virgin detail. Its only when its too late that Patterson realises what has just happened and he's not happy. Patterson Campbell is the town player, looking to have some fun, not to settle down. He barely remembers Alayna from when he was younger and is stunned by her ugly duckling to swan transformation. Its only when he has her in his bed, past the point of no return that he realises that she's a virgin. After a few harsh words from him, Alayna disappears for a year only to turn up as one of his employees for the summer tourist season. Patterson is desperate to make up for his mistake, but Alayna wants no piece of him. He then vows to spend the summer begging for forgiveness and showing Alayna that he's a changed man who wants nothing but a future with her.
The premise for the story was promising. Playboy cowboy chases shy, virgin girl, however the story was just too rushed and I felt both characters to be extremely unlikeable. Alayna was not just shy and meek but had no spine or personality, I found it hard to see things from her perspective because her emotions and thoughts were not consistent. Patterson was arrogant and also lacked personality. Usually a character such as his redeems himself throughout the book but he just didn't. I didn't want to see him get the girl and his HEA. He didn't work for it and he certainly didn't deserve it.
The book as a whole, I found, was too rushed. The first 70% was decent but the last 30% felt like a race to the finish line. One second she is still refusing him and the next he's promising her forever. There was no natural transition, just a flip of a switch and *boom* HEA.
Personally, this book reminded me of a Harlequin/Mills and Boons romance book my mum used to read in the bath. So if thats what you're after than this book is for you. -
Patterson Campbell’s love’em and leave’em attitude has lost its luster and yet the people in his small town think he is still the play boy type, not the case. His father would like for him to take over the ranch but he would also like for his son to be married. Now as the night in the bar moves along the woman that has caught his eye is none other than Alayna. She is home from college for the summer and the shy woman is nothing like he remembers. The youngest of her family her two brothers and sister have always looked after her and their mother after their father died suddenly when she was younger. Now looking for some excitement and someone close to her 6’ in height. Patterson fits the bill being 6’5’’ after a few dances and a little flirting they call it a night only for her to show up at his place a few nights later. That night starts off real good but does not end real well. The story will explain. The book then picks up a year later and now she back at the ranch but this time for a summer job because she has one more year of college and it is time for her to earn more money so she does not rely on her brother. Seeing Patterson still gives her a feeling that she does not know what it is and for Patterson he thinks he is finally looking at the person who he wants to settle down with. The time at the ranch is a good part of the story and really adds to this book. Along with her doing tricks with whips which sounded cool especially at night and starting a fire. The time with Patterson and Alayna turns out to be much growth for both of them and though he wants to be with her he also knows she must leave to finish her last year of college. You most definitely have to wait until the end of the book to see want happens between the two of them. A good story with a lot of good characters to help this book along. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at
www.1rad-readerreviews.com -
I really enjoyed this one! Both the main characters are interesting and unforgettable. Alayna is a shy, introverted 20 something that desperately wants to break out of her shell. More specifically she wants to know what it's like to be with a man and lose her virginity. Patterson is actually a bit of a jerk at the beginning and ready for whatever Alayna has to offer. Too bad the night is memorable for all the wrong reason. After that night Patterson realizes what a jerk he was and wants to make it up to Alayna but she isn't going to make it easy for him!!
A fun quick read I think you will enjoy. I recommend it. -
I’d won a mobi.file copy of this book through a LibraryThing giveaway and the following is my honest opinion.
What is a heretofore town playboy, Patterson Campbell, to do when he needs to do when his reputation still plagues him. People still look at him at only looking at women for nothing more than a good time [in bed]. However, playboys know they can’t go on forever, because with age comes a new way of seeing things, especially where women are concerned, and this guy’s no exception.
So, whose better to totally change this extroverted cowboy way of thinking than a shy, introverted and still a virgin woman named Alayna.
If you’ve ever been in a one-night stand, you know how unforgettable they can be; unforgettable, yes, but for the inappropriate reasons. Reasons for which Alayna finds haunting her and hindering her ability to move on with her; and for Patterson needing to prove to both Alayna and himself, that night had been far more since she had stolen his heart like no other woman has ever done before.
A year later, with this night still fresh in their memories, Alayna has returned to town and is now on Patterson’s range and working for him. If a true love experience is one which is hard if not impossible to get rid of, then he would be a perfect example of it, for he’s still strong-minded to see her. However, at the same time, she’s wants him to remain a mere memory from her past. Yet, despite these differences, they unexpectedly wound up loving in love with each other even though each one feels the other is the most aggravating individual they know.
I love stories where the two protagonists find they need each other more than what is trying to keep them apart. So, via la difference; which is why I’ve given Ms. Altenburg 5 STARS. -
Branded with a Kiss by Paula Attenburg
Sweetheart Brand #2
Simple virgin takes on lothario and the experience is not what she had hoped for…you know…great pleasure, fireworks, etc… but then a year later they have a second chance and manage to do a better job as she works on the ranch he and his father own. Somewhat predictable with both H/h people I had trouble relating to. If I had realized that it was a New Adult genre romance I probably would have given it a miss. That said, if you enjoy this genre and cowboys and virgins as the main character and like old fashioned Harlequin/Mills & Boon romances this book might be a perfect fit for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.
2-3 Stars -
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
It’s often said, be careful what you wish for you might just get it. Alayna discovered that truth the hard way. Sure she had set out one goal for this night – and she accomplished that. But somehow it all went sideways when she failed to mention one tiny, teeny detail.
Patterson is no longer the town’s playboy. Oh, sure he has the reputation still, but he’s changing his attitudes and beginning to see life a bit differently. Alayna hit him out of the blue. She’d grown up into a beautiful young woman, and he’d been tempted that’s for sure. Giving in to that temptation however brought one unexpected surprise and a boat load of guilt. To say he worded his reaction a bit badly would be an understatement. Exit the girl, hold on to the guilt for a long time.
A year later Alayna is back in town and working on his ranch for the summer. He’s still determined to see her, she’s still determined to put it and him in the past. Too bad neither expected to fall in love with the most frustrating person on the planet.
I liked Branded With A Kiss, although I did have to keep reminding myself of Alayna’s age. For this one, I was definitely more in Patterson’s corner. An enjoyable romance, likable characters and a fun story. I’d recommend this story to any Romance reader.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.* -
What do you get when you cross a hot cowboy (player) with a shy virgin? The makings for a contemporary romance full of misunderstandings, and this is just what this story provides.
Patterson Campbell sees Alayna, the younger sister of his friend, across a crowded tavern, but she is all grown up. Home from college, she is in town with friends when they meet again. She gives off vibes of shyness and flirtiness, but she decides she wants him to be her first. He's all for spending time with her because he is no longer the ladies man (Love 'em and leave 'em) everyone believes him to be, and when she comes on to him as if she has plenty of experience, he reacts...and when he figures out she's not quite the person he thought, he scolds her for not being more forthcoming.
A year later, and he still regrets and she's still angry, but can they get over it? They are working together now, and he wants a real relationship and she wants nothing to do with him. Is it possible? Can he win her over; can he show her he is not player she believes he is?
Only one noticeable WTT trend (Patterson's eyes are green) and few if any typos, and even a correct plural (lungsful)--thank you, Paula Altenburg. -
I loved this book!! A childhood crush leads shy Alayna to take a bold move with cowboy-player Patterson, a move that backfires spectacularly for both of them. They've got a lot of ground to make up with each other after that and what a journey it is! Paula Altenburg gives readers a funny, sexy, highly emotional and deeply satisfying read in the second of this entertaining series. I hope there will be more Sweetheart Brand books, and soon.
"She'd come here to be wicked. To be daring. To be bad. In short, everything the world thought she wasn't. The way his eyes wandered over her said he didn't find her dull in at least one regard, so what was she waiting for?" -
Branded With A Kiss is the second in Paula Altenberg's Sweetheart Brand stories. Set on the Bar No ranch near the imaginary town of Sweetheart Montana, this sweet contemporary western is perfect weekend reading.
I loved lead characters Alayna and Patterson and the fact that the story was set on a ranch was a bonus for me. Alayna’s skills with a whip were an eye opener as I’ve never seen somebody doing tricks with a bull whip.
The story has an easy pace about it, nice and relaxed, which I really enjoyed. Not that it’s a slow story. Far from it, but this one takes you away from the bustle of busy weekdays and I found that soothing. -
A sweet romance and quick read. Patterson Campbell has always been a Ladies' Man, but lately the fun has gone out of it. When he spots Alayna Brand at a bar one night and he has to approach her, despite being a good friend's baby sister. Alayna has had a crush on Patterson all her life, and now that she is all grown up she still has a hard time seeing herself as more than the tall, gawky girl she was. After a disastrous encounter, Alayna heads back to school, determined to put it behind her. Now, back for the summer before her final year in college, she ends up with a summer job at the Campbell family dude ranch. Patterson figures this is his chance to fix what went wrong and see if Alayna is "the" one. All he has to do is convince her.
Alayna and Patterson are two people that really need to figure out who they are and what they want. Alayna has always been the one to do as she's told, while Patterson has always been the one pople never took seriously.
It was fun to watch these two come together and figure things out with an entertaining cast of secondary characters.
This is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone.
**I received an advanced copy from the Publisher via NetGalley. My opinions are my own and freely given. -
OH My Goodness I loved this book. There were times I thought I would not stop laughing at some of the things that were going on behind the scenes . Some of the things that were implied and you knew were happening at Sweetheart's Bar-No Ranch. Patterson oh Patterson my goodness he is one lady killer of a cowboy that is for sure. BUT when he sets his mind on changing I have no doubt, he knows what he is doing and plans to follow through.
Sweetheart, Montana is just that a Sweetheart of a town that you will fall in love with. In this book we get to meet Damon's little sister Alayna Brand and boy oh boy she is not so little any longer.She used to be the ugly duckling but she is now the swan.
Little does Patterson the (horndog) know but Alayna has had a major crush on him since she was a teenager and followed him around with her brother. Now is no different except they are both adults and well you can image what might happen since they meet for the first time as adults at a BAR and her girlfriends tell her to stay away from Pax as he is no good for her. Like waving a red flag at a bull. I tell ya.
Of course you know I can't share with you all about this book other than to tell you this IS about Second Chances and this IS Sweetheart. So it gets the happy ending but things don't come easy I tell you....just like in real life. I am looking forward to more from Sweetheart and more from Paula Altenburg. Sweetheart is my second favorite town in Montana. -
Alayna is Patterson's friend's little sister, and she used to be off-limits, but she's a grown woman now, and that changes everything. But one night of disaster because of some serious communication problems may doom them forever. Neither can deny the attraction, and both need to talk, forgive, and actually date a little. Patterson is no longer the man of his reputation and Alayna is more mature. Working together forces them to be together on a daily basis. Do they have enough love in their hearts to get beyond the past and find a future together? Great read!
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Branded With a Kiss, book two in the Between the Sheets series, by Paula Altenburg is a falling for a friend’s little sister after she grows up. Patterson Campbell has had no problems when it comes to women. He has tried to be up front about not getting serious with them. That is until one night when he sees Alayna Brand at a bar. Alayna is shy and introverted, maybe an outgoing, sexy cowboy is what she needs to get out of her shell. An unforgettable night becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons, Patterson finds he needs to prove he is more than just a good time if he wants Alayna to believe she is “the one” for him. When these two spend a summer working together on the Campbell’s ranch, Alayna struggles with moving on from that night and Patterson learns that reputations can be difficult to live down.
I enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down, reading it in one day. Ms. Altenburg is a great story teller able to draw her readers into her stories. I definitely recommend this book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. -
Branded with a Kiss is a sweet, second chance romance, but it left me mostly unsatisfied with the story and some of its characters. I'll be honest and say I had issues with it and that's why I didn't rate it higher. It's not bad or badly written, but it is a little old fashioned, the pacing is rather slow, the characters lack depth, and the ending, the last 1/4 of the story, is rushed.
Alayna is a really shy, introverted 22-year-old woman when she spends a night with the town's playboy, Patterson. She's tired of her family and her friends treating her as a dull homebody, so she takes Patterson up on his offer to have some fun. Only, she conveniently forgets to let him know that she's a virgin, so he doesn't adjust his skills in the bedroom to take her inexperience and innocence into consideration. Let's just say the night ends terribly for both of them and they're left with bad memories of a night that could have been really hot if Alayna had gotten her naive head out of her ass and had been truthful and open with Patterson in the beginning. Now, a year later, Alayna's being forced to earn her keep and get a full time job for the summer, as her new sister-in-law has laid down the law that Alayna's older brother Damon can no longer afford to keep paying Alayna's way in life. When Damon arranges for her to interview at a local ranch as their head dude wrangler (it's a dude ranch), she's not thrilled, especially when she sees Patterson at the ranch when she drives up.
As for Patterson's part, he's thrilled to see Alayna. He's always wanted a second chance to talk to Alayna, but she had never answered any of his hundreds of calls since that night. Now that she's here on his ranch, and interviewing for a job, he knows she'll be unable to avoid him any longer. But, he doesn't realize just how good at holding a grudge Alayna is. Nor does he realize how badly that night scarred her. Of course, most of it is her own fault for not having been open with him in the first place, but Alayna is self-absorbed, along with carrying loads of insecurities, so she doesn't see things from anyone's perspective but her own.
And that is my main problem with Branded with a Kiss - Alayna is pretty unlikable. She's not only shy, which I could have handled, but she's ridiculously self-absorbed and immature, and really lacks any positive or likable character traits. I like Patterson, he turned out to be more than the playboy he had been branded as. Yes, his reputation was mostly deserved, but he hadn't played around in awhile even before their ONS, and he hadn't since that night either. And yet, Alayna, in all her self-absorption, couldn't see past his reputation and give him a second chance, even just to talk things through. Finally, though, she sort of saw things his way and gave a little, and that's where the story picked up a little. Still, though, up until that point, I was pretty bored, and thinking of not finishing. Thank God the pace picked up a bit. But then it raced to the finish and I was left pretty unsatisfied.
Had Branded with a Kiss been more fleshed out with a more likable heroine, a more substantive storyline, and better pacing, I probably would have been able to rate it higher. As it's written, though, I couldn't muster up enough enthusiasm for it, so can't justify more than 3 stars. 3 is probably pushing it actually, but I really dislike giving 2 or 1 stars unless I really dislike something, and I didn't dislike it, I just felt unsatisfied with it.
I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review. -
I voluntarily read a advanced reader's copy of this book.
Book two in A Sweetheart Brand series. I enjoyed the character development between Patterson and Alayna. Great dialogue and storyline. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series and more by this author. -
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Alayna Brand had a crush on Patterson Campbell years ago, but knowing he's the 'love 'em and leave 'em' type doesn't mean she isn't going to see what all the hype is about. However, their one night together doesn't go as planned. But when Alayna applies for a job, which puts her working alongside Patterson, will she be able to handle being near him or will their happy ever after be impossible if she can't forgive him for the past?
It was hard to judge this book because there were moments that I loved and moments where I just wanted to give up on the book, but I'm glad I did end up finishing it. The way this story started had me thinking Patterson and his friend Ben were judgmental jerks when it came to Alayna's friends and whether he was going to pursue the heroine. However, Patterson did win me over throughout this story, as he makes things right with Alayna once they begin to work together.
Both the main characters had their moments where I wanted to put this book down, especially when Patterson was doing everything he could to find a way to get Alayna to forgive him and she's not sure whether she'll ever be able to. Then there's Alayna's jealousy when it came to Patterson and him interacting with other women. If she didn't want to forgive him, then why couldn't he be able to talk to other women. Maybe even flirt with them. She didn't have a right to be jealous. However, in saying that, I liked that when she did begin to forgive him for what happened between them on the night they were together, I found myself really enjoying this story. Besides, there's nothing better than a devious parent determined to help their son get the woman he wants. Surely, rules are meant to be broken.
Overall, I did like this book, but couldn't find it in me to be able to give it more than three stars. Certainly, there was plenty of chemistry between this couple that I enjoyed; Alayna was very talented when it came to her skills with a whip; and the secondary characters definitely made things interesting, especially Alayna's sister-in-law with her need to offer advice and trying to intimidate Patterson because she knew what happened between them, but it wasn't enough to give this story any more stars than I gave it. I would recommend Branded with a Kiss by Paula Altenburg, if you enjoy the brother's friend trope or books by authors Jeannie Watt, Eve Gaddy, Barbara Ankrum and Kate Hardy. -
Branded With A Kiss is my first book by Paula Altenburg, but hopefully not my last. Ms. Altenburg has delivered a well-written book. The characters are fantastic. Patterson works the family ranch, knowing it would be his someday, but not in any hurry to take over from his father. Alayna has one year left of college when her brother insists that she try to work the summer on the Bar-No Sweetheart Ranch. Patterson and Alayna's story is part drama, part sizzle, part humor and oh my, there may be whips involved. I enjoyed reading Branded With A Kiss and look forward to reading more from Paula Altenburg in the future. Branded With A Kiss is book 2 of The Sweetheart Brand Series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
