Cows and horses and bunnies, oh my! Stories with kids and animals hit all my squishy buttons, and when you add in a reluctant hero and a perky heroine...it’s pretty much a given that I’ll love it.
While Jemma and Wyatt’s relationship was a slow burn, from neighbors to friends to possibly more, Madsen wove a sweet and believable story full of new friends, small town matchmakers and the inevitable conversion of dreams. Bailey Rae was written so vividly that I could hear her voice in my head, and she was a spot on portrayal of a nine year old girl.
Sweet with a lot of sass, Country Hearts will warm your heart.

For the past three years, Jemma Monroe has been teaching at a school where she thought she had a future, both personally and professionally. Due to budget cuts, she’s been laid off from her teaching job. And it turns out her “boyfriend” was really just a friend, hanging out with her. With all of this happening in the middle of the school year, she's lucky she's able to find another teaching position. Too bad the position isn't in Denver but in the small farming/rural community of Haven Lake. Jemma keeps telling herself that she needs an adventure, and an adventure is definitely what she’s in store for. This city girl is about to get a crash course in country living from a visiting horse, a snake falling out of the ceiling, driving on unplowed snow-covered roads, and the sexiest cowboy she’s ever seen.

Wyatt Langford was living his dream, running his family farm, being married and having a little girl. His dream turned into a nightmare when his wife decided she didn't like small-town farm life or being a parent. When she left, Wyatt not only had to pick up the pieces of his shattered heart, but also that of his daughter as well. Wyatt since vowed that his farm and daughter were all he needed. Wyatt's carefully constructed life starts to spiral out of control again when the temporary 3rd-grade teacher moves in next door. Jemma turns his life upside down and makes him laugh and be more social. But he's afraid a city girl would never truly love and want to stay in a small spec of a town like Haven Lake.

Jemma and Wyatt are both characters who were easy to relate to and understand. Bailey Rae, Wyatt’s eight-year-old daughter was a charming little spitfire. She’s smart and funny. She definitely knew how to keep Wyatt on his toes. More importantly, she sees and understands more than people think she does. “Sometimes I worry that he gets lonely.” Bailey Rae wants to have a complete family with two parents. “More than anything in the world, I want to play Cupid.” When Bailey Rae gets her chance she goes all out and the town of Haven Lake is there to help when needed.

I like reading small-town romances because generally the people are nice and welcoming. What I don't like at times, is the meddling in people's lives or sticking their nose in people's business. I hate that they think they know what's best for someone. I mean let’s be honest, if the shoe was on the other foot, they wouldn’t appreciate someone saying they needed to move on and have a girlfriend or wife. But that’s just want they did to Wyatt.

Country Hearts was an enjoyable book. I think I spent most of the time reading it trying to picture it as a Hallmark movie. I loved that Cindi Madsen made this book truly personal by using the names of family members. This book will definitely make you laugh and leave a smile on your face.

This book is the perfect sweet romance, full of fun and just in time for Valentine’s Day.

I loved every page of this book. Jemma’s “city girl” adventures of living in the country for the first time made me laugh. The crazy/sweet things that happen in her third grade classroom brought back memories of my own years of teaching elementary school, including the “critter” that unexpectedly visited her class. Wyatt and his eight year old daughter are the other characters that give this story its shine, especially Bailey. Her efforts to “play cupid” and match up her dad and Jemma were fun. This book is from Hallmark, so you know there’s going to be a happily-ever-after ending, but the efforts of almost everyone in the small town to bring them together made this ending just that much sweeter.

So if you are looking for a feel-good, make-you-smile romance, don’t miss this one. It’s the kind of story you’ll want to read and smile your way through it again.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Country Hearts-I can’t say enough about this book. I was so glued to the pages. The children are delightful, especially Bailey. I loved Jemma’s spirit and heart. The towns people are so close knit and out to help each other when ever they can. This is just a wonderful story. A person can not help but love it!

Country Hearts will likely appeal to readers who are looking for a small town, very slow paced, light hearted Hallmark Channel romantic read. It features a sugary, sweet heroine and handsome, well liked by the community, but at times a “Mr. Grumpy Bear” hero. He’s a single cowboy daddy with a lot on his plate, at least that’s what we are repeatedly told. When you include a rabbit owned by Jemma, the heroine, named Mr. Fluffy Pants, I couldn’t help but think she would likely give Watt, the hero, that nickname for being grouchy towards her when they first met.

I’m a huge fan of sweet, folks. I don’t need steamy pages to feel chemistry/a romantic connection between the main couple. I am an emotional, avid at heart romance reader. Hallmark and I go way back, and I’m a fan. What I do need is an engaging plot/writing that feels original. I just didn’t feel that I found that consistently here. Here’s to hoping it was just me and others really enjoy it. I wish this author continued writing success. I do believe she has stepped outside her normal steamy romance genre. She wowed me with Nailed It, The Bad Boy’s Baby (Hope Springs), and The Wedding Deal. The back and forth banter in those were great but not so much here. This book just didn’t have that something special I need to win me over. By 50%, I found myself very bored and still waiting for anything significant to happen. At 65%, it still had not and the awkward, too shy/afraid to admit their feelings/attraction combined with overly drawn out dialogues and mental musings were enough reason for me to stop reading altogether.

Title: Country Hearts, Author: Cindi Madsen, Pages: 300, stand-alone, Hallmark Publishing

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a post release copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

This is a sweet story of a city girl with a country heart who met a country boy whose heart had been broken by his ex-wife. I liked everything about this story from the characters, the charming cottage that Jemma rented to the coffee shop to her pet rabbit and the horse that knocks on her door for carrots. I especially liked the cowboy and his daughter that lived next door to Jemma.

There were many funny moments in the story that made me laugh as I fell for Jemma, Wyatt and Bailey Rae along with the small town of Haven Lake , Colorado. Thank goodness Jemma had a good sense of humor or she would have been packing after her first day as a third grade teacher.

This is a great story by Cindy Madsen. I can easily see myself reading this story again! I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

3.5 stars.

This was super cute!

We have Jemma and Wyatt; they meet through Wyatt’s daughter, who’s a student of Jemma, the new substitute teacher.

Sparks fly from the start, but since they are in an awkward situation, It’s not easy for them to get involve, particularly if Jemma is there temporarily.

I liked both these characters, they both had issues with love in their pasts, but as the attraction grew, all those reservation started to feel weak. I loved seeing Wyatt with his daughter, such a sweet relationship. And of course, Jemma was also great with kids.

The rest of the characters were funny and meddlesome, lol, as you would expect for a small town. ;-)

All in all, this was a lovely story. <3

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy for which I’m giving my honest opinion*

Loved this one! I was really unsure if I would like it based on the title and cover, I know, don't judge a book by its cover. Country boy Wyatt, single dad to Bailey Ray has a new neighbor, city girl Jemma. She is full of life and way out of her element in the country. Despite claiming to not be interested in one another, fate keeps bringing them together.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Country Hearts is a sweet small-town country romance that is full of smiles, emotions and a bit of conflict. It was just Wyatt’s luck that he’s falling for a city girl that probably will break his heart once more when she goes back to those city lights, just like his ex-wife did. Maybe this time he can shield his heart, maybe this time he can show Jemma that location doesn’t mean a thing when the right person is at your side, maybe this time she’ll stay.

Jemma and Wyatt’s romance is full of the emotions that will tug at my heart every time. It’s obvious that Jemma fits right into this small community full of nosy townsfolk who mean no harm. Yet, she’s a city girl and this is a temporary assignment. One precocious tween, a seemingly matchmaking horse, (I loved Wyatt’s horse, silly as that sounds) and a man who could fulfill all those unspoken dreams are slowly wearing her down. It’s time to take a risk and let herself fall in love, the forever kind.

I loved Country Hearts, it’s a lighthearted romance full of everything that makes up Hallmark Romance – and this one is well worth your time and emotions spent on it.

*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.*

Country Hearts is feel good kind of heartache. Madsen knows how to bring out the smiles even while drawing a few tears. Jemma and Wyatt are life lesson about falling in love. Sometimes the road we choose to ignore can hold a reward we'll never regret.

I don't read a ton of cowboy romance but that will definitely change if I can find more like Country Hearts. I love Cindi Madsen's books so I knew I had to give this one a chance. I am so glad I did! I loved Jemma and Wyatt and watching their relationship change and blossom. I definitely recommend this for romance fans!

Country Hearts by Cindi Madsen is a heartwarming, sweet romance filled with people you'll want to invite home for dinner. I loved everything about this book, from the small town setting to Jemma's struggles to adapt to country life, to Wyatt's care and concern for his young daughter. Senor Fluffypants and Wyatt's horse add terrific humor to a lovely story. I' look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you Hallmark Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC of Country Hearts. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

How can a horse lead to romance
Best-selling Cindi Madsen combines a horse and romance in "Country Hearts. A cowboy romance from Hallmark Publishing". Jemma Monroe lost her job at the previous school due to budget cuts and accepted a temporary position in Haven Lake, Colorado. She tries to consider it as an adventure, an adventure that starts out with a storm and with Casper, the horse, at the door of the cottage which she is renting looking for carrots. Through Casper she gets to know Wyatt Langford, is owner, and single father of the eight year old, precocious Bailey Rae. Jemma's encounters with Wyatt seem to be "special" whereas Señor Fluffypants, Jemma's rabbit, is liked by Bailey Rae and her other third grade students. But there are also surprises, such as the fact that Jemma is responsible for the Valentine play that she is supposed to present with them. Ultimately there comes the question if there are enough reasons for her to stay in Haven Lake or does she need to return to her urban apartment and start her administrative job in the city.
This was the first book by Liz Talley which I read. I highly recommend it with its believable characters. It is funny, emotional, and offers some unexpected surprises. The Christmas romance is clean and wholesome, easy and fast to read. The author underlines the importance of home, family, and friends. Lastly, Hallmark Publishing included the recipe for
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#CountryHearts #NetGalley

City girl and country boy all grown up in Country Hearts by Cindi Madsen. Along with adulthood comes career instability, single fatherhood, divorce and second chances at love. Jemma Monroe has moved to a small town as a local schoolteacher while Wyatt Langford is a hometown boy who is raising his daughter alone after his wife leaves.

Written in dual POV so that it is easy to see and understand where Jemma and Wyatt are at in their lives which affect their perspective. Wyatt’s daughter steals every scene that she is in; insightful, precocious and just plain too cute for words. This is a sweet romance with some wonderful small town supporting characters. Like the Hallmark movies this leaves you will a smile. Being a treat to read, this is a story that would fit perfectly on the channel.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What happens when you take a city girl and plop her down in the middle of a small country town? You get a great sweet romance! If you’re not a fan of Hallmark type stories, stop reading right now and move on. If you’re a big fan of them like I am, you may continue….

Jemma Monroe takes a temporary job in a small country town when she’s laid off from her teaching job in the city. It’s an adventure, right?

Once burned by a city girl, Wyatt Langford doesn’t want to risk his heart––or his daughter’s––on this spunky, beautiful breath of fresh air. Things are just fine the way they are. Aren’t they?

What I like about this book: It’s a slow burn. I love Cindi Madsen’s romcoms with their sexy times, but I also crave a good sweet romance with a handsome, yet tortured hero and sweet but sassy heroine. Country Hearts checks all of those boxes and then some. There are some lighthearted moments and there are some very emotionally charged moments and everything in between. Watching Jemma form lasting friendships beyond her relationship with Wyatt was another element to this book that spoke to my heart. The animals with big personalities was also a huge plus, as well as the budding romance between Wyatt’s daughter and her classmate.

NICUnurse’s Rating: I love small towns. I love books set in small towns. I’m a country girl at heart, and I love Hallmark movies. So when you combine all of those into a book, I’m going to grab that sucker up pretty quickly! Plus, I’m a huge fan of Cindi’s writing style, so this was a no-brainer for me. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…I’ve yet to be disappointed in any Cindi Madsen book and happily recommend them a LOT! If you’re a fan of sweet romance, you’re going to love Country Hearts. Now to wait (not so) patiently on her next book from Hallmark Publishing!

I give Country Hearts by Cindi Madsen 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Jemma Monroe gets laid off from her teaching job in Denver, CO and decides to take a temporary long term sub job in the little town of Haven Lake, CO. Never having lived in a small town, Jemma looks at the change as an adventure and moves her and her bunny, Senor Fluffypants, to the new town where she quickly meets Wyatt Langford. Wyatt is a single dad to Bailey Rae who is in 3rd grade. Since Jemma and Wyatt are neighbors, they seem to keep running in to each other. It also doesn't help that Jemma turns out to be Bailey's new teacher. For the first time since his divorce Wyatt finds himself attracted to someone....too bad it is his daughter's teacher.

The more time Jemma and Wyatt spend together, the more they cannot deny the attraction sizzling between the two of them. As Jemma's temporary job is winding down, she needs to decide what it is she truly wants for her future and if that future includes Wyatt and Bailey. At the same time Wyatt has to figure out if Jemma is worth taking a chance on and if he can finally let his past demons rest.

Overall this was a sweet, romantic story that had such fun characters. Jemma and Wyatt are just two sweet people who deserved to find their happy ending.

Country Hearts by Cindi Madsen was a sweet and charming small town romance with all kinds of feels. When Jemma needs a new job, she finds herself in a small town. Wyatt is a single father who loves his daughter more than anything. It’s just the two of them since his ex-wife left them for city life and yet, his relationship with his daughter was sweet. Now they are neighbors, two people who may be worlds apart, but just may be what they need. Wyatt is not willing to open his heart again, especially to a woman like Jemma. Jemma was sweet and caring. Country Hearts was an adorable and charming read with some delightful characters and will leave you feeling happy.

Happy reading!

Loved it. City girl and country boy meld into a wonderful and charming couple. The young daughter is adorable and so are all the various critters. While it may be a typical romance, I have to admit to shedding a few tears near the end. Sweet and heart-warming. Small town added its own character.

Sweet, heartwarming, and filled with wonderful characters. It’s a feel good read.
Watt is raising his daughter on his own after his divorce from a city loving woman who couldn’t take living in a small town. So when he meets Jemma, his daughters new temp teacher, he fights the attraction knowing she’s a city girl with dreams that don’t involve a country life. It’s hard to fight the attraction when even his horse is trying to play matchmaker forget about the whole town. A perfect romance.

I have only read one book from Cindi which I loved. So when I saw that she was bringing out this book I just knew I had to request it.

I absolutely loved Jemma & Wyatt's story. I swooned all the way through, giggled in parts and even had a tear or two.

Gotta love a handsome cowboy ♡ in books xx