Publisher: HQN
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: NetGalley
Locked in an unexpected land dispute, Rafe Stryker is trapped in the one place he vowed never to return to – the Castle Ranch in Fool’s Gold, California. He made millions facing ruthless adversaries in the boardroom, but nothing could’ve prepared him to go head-to-head against stubborn, beautiful Heidi Simpson. No one is more surprised than Rafe to discover that he’s finding Heidi – and life as a cowboy – much more compelling than he wants to admit. For Heidi, the Castle Ranch is the home she’s always wanted. After a life on the road, the vivacious blonde has finally put down roots. She won’t give that up without a fight, not even for a man whose late-night kisses make her yearn to be a little less…wholesome. As the two turn from passionate adversaries to passionate, period, they’ll discover that summer love can last a lifetime.
*Blurb from Goodreads*
When I first read Susan Mallery I was an instant fan. Her books are full of friendship, family and such sweet and wonderful romances that I often find myself turning the pages till the very end, and wishing for more. The Fool’s Gold Series, in my opinion, keeps getting better and better!
Heidi, the goat girl, has finally found a home. She has a place she can go to at the end of the day, a place to raise her goats, and make her cheese and soap. But her grandfather has made a huge mistake, one that could end up costing her everything she has worked so hard for. Especially when Rafe barges into the situation and takes her to court.
Rafe has been providing for his family since he was a boy, now that his mother has been conned, he wants to do anything and everything to get her the ranch she has always considered home. But with the court ordering Heidi and his mother to come to an understanding, Rafe is put in the situation when he might not be able to win this one. Not without breaking the heart of either his mother, or the one woman who has managed to get under his skin like no other had before.
I adored Heidi from the first moment we saw her walk into Fool’s Gold. She was simple and sweet and loved her goats. She made me smile, and getting to see her get her happily ever after was just wonderful. I really enjoyed everything about her: her backstory of having grown up as a carny, her sweet and innocent ways, and even her dedication to making sure that she did everything possible to keep her grandfather out of trouble.
I had a harder time connecting to Rafe, especially since he was so wishy-washy on what he wanted. It was obvious that he loved working on the ranch, loved being in the small town. Yet at the same time, his words indicated he hated everything about Fool’s Gold He complained about the memories, he complained about the town and the people within it. There were times I wanted to shake him, wanted Heidi to shake him, and make him either leave and go back to his big city life, or quit the complaining. Once he came to terms with Fool’s Gold and how much he really loved it, I felt better about him.
One of the things I loved about this story was the romance between Rafe and Heidi. They had such incredible sexual chemistry and tension throughout the first portion of the book. They danced around each other, they flirted and teased and by the time they sealed the deal, it was smoking hot to read! The drama with the legal proceedings with having to share the house just added another dynamic to their relationship that I couldn’t get enough of. I just wish they didn’t have to go through so much crap at the end in order to be together.
I am also super excited for the next two books in this mini-trilogy. Heidi’s girlfriends Annabelle and Charlie are the kind of girlfriends I would love to have in real life, and watching them get paired up with Rafe’s two brothers is going to be a hoot, especially when we get to tomboy Charlie and the youngest Stryker brother, the underwear model.
All in all Susan Mallery continues to be a must-read author for me, and the Fool’s Gold series remains one of my favorite contemporary romance series. I thought that Heidi was such a wonderful heroine, one I could really get behind and cheer for. And although Rafe had some real d-bag moments that had me alternately loving and hating him, their romance was so well done I couldn’t help but fall in love right along with them.
I give Summer Days a B+
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I love the Fool’s Gold series by Susan Mallery. All of the books are different–some are more serious, and some are downright hilarious! It keeps the story line fresh and I don’t feel like “Oh, I’ve read this before; this is just like the last one.” Rafe and his siblings lost their father at an early age and Rafe had to become the “man of the house”. He’s never been able to let that responsibility go. Heidi is so glad to finally have roots, after traveling most of her life, she’ll do anything to stay there. I really enjoyed getting to know this new family and can’t wait to meet the other siblings. Now, I just wish there was a real Fool’s Gold!
I love the Fool’s Gold series too! I was hooked with the first in the series, Chasing Perfect, but the newest one, Summer Days, is great too. Your review is well-written, but I didn’t find Rafe wishy-washy so much as conflicted. I can understand how hard it is to let go of your preconceptions about your hometown that you formed during your childhood, accurate or not.
@AngieMac: I am super excited for the chance to meet Rafe’s brothers!!! 🙂
@Deb: I think Pia’s story might still be my favorite! Just because I did a happy dance to see the grown up Raoul!!
Susan’s Fool’s Gold series is my absolute favorite. Not only do you wish the town and characters were real, you feel like it all is. Susan goes above and beyond other authors by giving us updates between the stories and after the HEA through her website http://foolsgoldca.susanmallery.com/ I really enjoyed Rafe and Heidi’s story. Their love bloomed gradually and they were both really real characters. I look forward to reading more about our favorite fictional town this summer 😀
@Kendra O: ME TOO! I’m super anxious for more!
Agree 100% with your review. I love Heidi. I even loved her before she had her own book. I’m so glad that she has a happy ending. I was very curious about Rafe’s friend, Dante, and even asked Susan on her FB page if he would be featured later. I was so glad to find out he’s going to be a christmas novella! I wish there were a real fool’s gold out there!
@Claire: Oh I didn’t know that about Dante! I’m super excited!! I enjoyed him!!!
Goat Girl is so cute and a great original character
SUMMER DAYS is the perfect beach read. It’s funny, romantic, sexy, and it’s light both in tone and in actual weight – you can toss the paperback into your beach bag and go. It should be on everyone’s must read list!
I loved Summer Days. In Summer Days, Rafe & Heidi has a great chemistry together even though they are both stubborn. I feel so bad for Heidi, who finally has a home of her own. Rafe swore he would never go back to Fool’s Gold, but he did it for his mother. I love May. She was something else! If you are looking for a good romance book, then this is it! You won’t be disappointed!
Great review! Summer Days was such a fun story. Made me LOL several times. I loved Heidi and Rafe!
@Melissa:
Since June, I have also read Summer Nights. It has became my favorite of all of the Fool’s Gold books. Summer Nights is another great summer read. Annabelle is caring, a great friend, & so sweet! I love that Annabelle wanted to learn how to ride a horse for her fundraiser for her bookmobile. There is 1 thing that I absolutely love a lot & it has to do with Shane, but I am not going to give it away. In Summer Nights, we find out more about Heidi & Rafe’s story!! I am looking forward to the next 2 books! =)