Cute but angsty small-town story featuring a mom trying to find a way for her son to walk again, and the doctor she's hoping can help.

Interesting characters, a slow-burn romance, and an engrossing storyline makes this book worth reading. This is the first book I've read set in the town of Nugget (cute name), but I was able to follow along without any problems.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

Choosing You by Stacy Finz is the newest in Finz' Nugget Romance series. Ethan Daniels is a surgeon, a researcher, a rancher, and a dad, with an ex-wife. Brynn Barnes is a widow of only a few months with a son who may never walk again, all due to her husband who had been killed in the same accident. He had been an adrenaline junkie who took his eight-year-old with him. She was alternately sad, angry, and worried about her son. The only thing left for him was an experimental surgery, Dr. Daniels, that may use stem cells to make his bones grow back together again. She had to try. What she hadn't anticipated was how appealing Dr Daniels would be, or that she would be living in a cabin on his ranch for the eight weeks the process took. He was pushing the bounds of medical ethics even noticing how beautiful she was, let alone anything else.

Their relationship grew slowly, as slowly as eight weeks would allow. There was plenty going on to distract both of them. Brynn was the owner and creative in a huge marketing firm in New York City. She hadn't really worked for the time she'd been being a mom but she's kept her foot in the door. It was who she was. She was working remotely now and would resume leadership when they returned home. But the closer that time got, the less she saw herself in that role. Ethan had already been before the medical review board after being used by his ex-wife; he couldn't afford another breach. This was a satisfying love story between two mature adults. They were not 22. They dealt with it all well, even the kids. It was interesting to watch each of them fight their own demons, and still come out on top. I would recommend you read it if you like cowboy romance, although the cowboy part was played down.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Choosing You by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #choosingyou

Brynn and Ethan’s story is a sweet, slow-burn romance that will warm even the coldest heart. Both have had marriages that disintegrated. Hers ended abruptly with an accident that killed her husband and crippled her young son. Ethan’s marriage ended in divorce long after things between he and his ex started to go south. The breaking point had been her drug addition that put their young daughter in danger and nearly ended his career as a surgeon. Brynn is determined to find a way to get her son, Henry, walking again, and to that end she has come Ethan in Nevada to enrol her son in his stem cell trial. Ethan admires her determination, her strength of will and her mothering skills. Being from New York, Brynn and Henry are staying in a guest house on his ranch for the duration of his treatment. No matter how many times he tells himself to be professional, to stay away from her, Ethan finds himself drawn toward the beautiful and vulnerable widow as well as her son. Brynn also feels the spark and pull between them. But both are aware that any lapse in judgement could effect his career, young Henry’s place in the clinical trial, and worse their children who have become fast friends. Besides that fact that she has a life and business to run in New York, they also have to contend with his newly sober ex who wants both her daughter and Ethan back in her life. Read this expertly written and very engaging book to see how Ethan and Brynn story unfolds.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is the 11th novel in the Nugget, California series by Stacy Finz. As far as I can find Nugget, California is not a real place, but towns like it exist everywhere in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains to the point where I’m sure one that looks just like it must exist. I’ve visited many tiny towns along the California/Nevada border and could easily picture the entire setting from my own memories. The author did a fantastic job of describing the setting as well, so even if you have never seen a picture or had any prior experience, you could easily imagine everything in your mind. As this is the 11th in a series, it is important to note that you do not have to read the first 10 to read this one. The series surrounds the town of Nugget and characters may cross over from one book to the next in the background, but the main characters in each novel are different every time.

The Nugget Romance series is described to be about a “small mountain town that has a strange way of giving people unexpected reasons to start over – and find the most irresistible chances to fall in love.” Although this is my first novel in the series, I can safely say that this novel aced this description with our two main characters each having their own reasons to start over and finding each other to form a romantic connection. If the other ten (or more as I believe the author is still adding to the series) is anything like this novel, then I have easily found a new go-to series for an entertaining and romantic read.

Brynn Barnes is a New York advertising executive from a well-known corporation that she owns with her late husband. Unfortunately, he passed away unexpectedly during an off-roading accident that killed him on impact and left their 8-year-old son, Henry, paralyzed in the spine and partially in his legs. Brynn not only is dealing with the sudden loss of her husband but now she has her son to take care of and is desperate to find a solution to help him walk again. She has been from doctor to doctor trying to find one that can help and is finally referred to Dr. Ethan Daniels, an orthopedic surgeon in Reno, Nevada, who is experimenting with stem cells, who might be the answer to her prayers.

Ethan examines Henry and determines that he is a candidate for his new trial, but it will take time, which means that Brynn and Henry must stay locally to complete the procedure. The medical group owns multiple housing for patients, but unfortunately, they are all full at the moment. This leaves Brynn and Henry to stay at the newest addition to the medical housing, which is a cottage on Ethan’s property on the other side of the border in Nugget, California. Life in a small town is different than anything she expected and she might experience some healing along the way as she tries to continue to help her son. Their journey is very heart-warming and I love the bond that Brynn and Henry share. Henry is a very well-written character as he fits his age and emotional journey, where you can picture him and feel for him as if he is non-fictional.

Ethan not only has the daily pressures of being a doctor, but he also has his own personal turmoil that he is working through. His ex-wife, Joey, just came back into the picture after a needed break (I don’t want to spoil too much, but know that it is all explained in the story). She wants to get back together as she wants them to be a family together and be more involved in their six-year-old daughter, Veronica’s life. Veronica lives with Ethan full-time, but Joey wants more time with her and eventual shared custody if Ethan does not want to try again and be a family together. Ethan struggles a lot as he has everything with Joey and Roni, while also having an attraction/connection with Brynn, who is the mother of his patient, and ethically speaking, would not be a good idea to pursue. He feels very torn with these obstacles and the author does a great job of taking the reader through his journey and his eventual conclusion once he works everything out.

The story shifts being told from three different points of view, Brynn, Ethan, and Joey. Honestly, I could have lived without Joey’s side of the story as she was not my main interest when reading. I understand what she was going through, but I do not think that entire chapters needed to be dedicated to be told from her side of events. Instead, I would rather have the novel focusing on Brynn and Ethan’s sides as there was enough going on in each of their heads that it seemed too crowded to add Joey’s inner thoughts. I understand that the reader should understand why Ethan is struggling between choosing Joey or Brynn, but there were too many pages dedicated to Joey and, personally, I did not need them as I could have felt the same amount of struggle even if many of Joey’s pages were removed.

Overall, I absolutely loved how the single parent was portrayed as every decision that they make involves their child and not just themselves so it takes more thought compared to only thinking about yourself. Nugget was portrayed a very welcoming small town that is perfect for anyone trying to get away from all the noise of the city and just relax with nature. Ethan and Brynn have excellent chemistry and they communicate well with each other. Neither is perfect, but they think through their mistakes to learn from them in order to make better decisions in the future. This was definitely a novel that followed through with its description and you walk away feeling satisfied overall that the time it took to read it was well-spent.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC to read and review. The opinions expressed are completely my own.**

This book made me fall in love again with Nugget, California and made me want to reread the other books in the series. I enjoyed this book about Brynn Barnes and how her son, Henry had ended up in a wheelchair. She was definitely a warrior for her son. I admired her strength with everything she had been through.

I also admired Ethan Daniels and how he was raising his six year old daughter, Veronica along with his stepmother's help. The contrast between his ranch and his being an orthopedic surgeon in Reno at a Children's Hospital made for an interesting story. When the ex-wife, Joey played a more prominent part in the story, oh my.

I really liked the town of Nugget and how the residents were always there for each other, One of my favorite parts has to be the last chapter and the epilogue. This was truly a great story that I would gladly reread. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

I am so happy that we are back in Nugget. I read this series back to back right after my first Christmas without my mom. I needed something easy and well written enough to keep my attention and this series worked. I read it at the same time as my niece so it meant even more to me to have that connection.

It also made me a huge fan of Stacy Finz. I now read everything she writes. I just love her books.

Like so many of her other books, this one is a little heartbreaking. Finz is so good at pulling the heartstrings. I felt so bad for Brynn and her son. It broke my heart for her. I really felt like I was going through it all with her and held my breath at times. I so badly wanted everything to turn out okay for her son.

Ethan is a great guy who truly loves those around him. He works hard on taking care of those that need him. You won't be able to not fall in love with him a little yourself.

These two don't have an easy road to romance. They have so much going against them. I understood why at times Ethan worried. He has an unhappy ex that could have at any time gotten him in trouble but didn't She's a little nicer than you think.

This is a very enjoyable story that you'll really love reading. Since it's been a while since we've been in Nugget the author does a great job of bringing you back but for first-time readers introducing you to this new town. I always like starting a series by the first book and suggest that always. But, if you want to try this one and read it and get a feeling for the series that would work too. After you fall in love go back and read it all in order.

For all the Nugget fans you are going to be so happy to be back. For those new to Nugget jump on and enjoy the ride!

This is my first read in the Nugget series by Stacy Finz and it centers on Brynn (a recent widow whose son suffers effects from the horrific crash that killed her husband) and Ethan, the surgeon who is treating him.
I really enjoyed the description of the town and its inhabitants. It felt very homey and warm and I wanted to visit. I also felt very empathetic towards Joey, Ethan’s ex-wife. I could get a sense of her struggles and grit to do and be better and I hope she gets her HEA soon.
What I didn’t enjoy as much was the love story. Not because it was a slow burn, but because I simply could not get over the ethical squickiness of how the story started. Ethics and rules are made because of reasons, and the fact that there was no consequence to their actions simple didn’t sit right with me. It ended up coloring my entire perception of their romance. Another quick note is that the dog on the cover barely featured in the novel itself. LOL.
I look forward to reading more books by the author because while this one left a bad taste, I really enjoyed other aspects in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC.

Brynn has brought her son Henry to Nugget California to see world famous doctor Ethan Daniels. They have come to see if he can help her son walk again after a terrible accident that took the life of his father. Brynn and Ethan are attracted to each other. But her life is in New York and he is having issues with his ex. Sweet sorta steamy small town.

I received this arc from Kensington books from an honest review.

A story about a doctor cowboy Ethan who is working at helping himself and most importantly his daughter through his divorce and working at their ranch with horses he feels is the ticket. Also wanting to help others with therapy through horse therapy.
Brynn who lost her husband in a car accident is looking for anything that will help her son heal from his two broken legs. She leaves New York going across the country to try horse therapy. Neither of these adults is looking for love and the story comes across that way. Just a slow love story with wonderful characters and where the story about healing becomes more than the love story. Really about parents loving their children willing to do anything to help them recover. A very good story. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

Henry was in an accident with his dad. Unfortunately, his dad died and Henry’s legs were crushed. Seeking the best care for her son, Brynn goes to Reno. There she meets Henry’s orthopedic surgeon, Ethan.
Ethan is fresh from a divorce and has his daughter to look after as well as his busy practice. He has no time for live, especially with a patient’s mother.
Fate has different plans.
Opinion
This is a part of the Nugget series. Though it could be read as a stand alone, it is much more enjoyable if read as part of the series.
Overall, I found the book charming. This is two souls looking for love after their first one has gone. The recurring characters from previous books makes it seem like you live there because you know them so well. The kids are drawn to each other as playmates and Ethan and Brynn are drawn for more than that.
This is a sweet, slow burning romance that will leave you ready for the next book in the series.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This book has a cute rom com cover and it's marketed as romance. But the tone is dark and depressing, kind more like a sad women's fiction. It's just not for me. DNF.

Two families torn apart. One by drugs, the other because of a fatal accident. Recovery issues. Many heart-warming moments. Well told story. Terrific ending. How have I missed this series? I am eager to read more of the tales of Nugget, California.

I have to admit I requested this book based solely on the cover art. I actually thought it was part of a different series by a different author. So that being said, this book just wasn’t for me. It was well written and the romance was realistic in its growth. However sweet small town romances just aren’t my thing. Others will probably enjoy it more.

In the peaceful beauty of Nugget, California with a supportive community healing and recovery s a clarity can happen. Brynn Barnes has high hopes that cutting edge research in nearby Reno will provide the help that her accident injured young son needs. She never counted on such a compassionate, approachable, and lovable doctor to be the one to handle the case and provide a place to recover too. Ethan Daniels is not without his own pain to overcome from a messy divorce now with a young daughter to protect and raise. He has his hands full along with his research. Neither expected to find love at this time in their lives but do so in this slow building romance. Of course they are not perfect but flaws are pretty normal, maybe even ones that would be expected.

I especially liked that the stepmother is portrayed as loving and much loved. Kudos for that. I would like to know what she is up to on her trips to Reno. Maybe there is a romance to be told there for this young fifty-nine year old. Then I also was all revved up to hate the ex-wife, Joey. She is flawed and self-absorbed but she is the one character that shows the most growth in the book. Perhaps she will be ready for her own book in the future. Not sure about that truck driver.

Lots to enjoy in this medical drama with more than its share of angst along with the push and pull between the two main characters. I recommend Choosing You to all those small-town cowboy romance readers out there or anyone who enjoys see the good guy get the right girl in the end.

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

This book could best be described as a realistic romance, in that it took the main characters quite a while to establish their relationship. The kinds of difficulties they faced along the way are common to a lot of people in their 30s and 40s - emotional baggage in the form of previous spouses as well as balancing the needs of their children. I loved the setting of Nugget, which was beautifully described, but personally would have preferred some touches of humour to offset the deep emotional stuff and lighten the mood.

A mother looking for a miracle to help her son walk again, falls for the surgeon caring for him. Choosing You is a cute small town romance that had me hooked from the first page. I enjoyed the supporting characters as well.

Finz brings readers back to Nugget, California with wonderful new characters and old favorites. The latest from the Nugget series has a great storyline that engaged my interest and kept me wondering until the very last chapter. This book has all the feels and will be devoured by fans of the genre. I highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Choosing You by Stacy Finz was a sweet small-town romance in the town of Nugget, CA.

Dr Ethan Daniels- renowned pediatric surgeon and Brynn Barnes- Manhattan ad agency extraordinaire meet each other when she travels from Manhattan, with her son Henry, to see if Dr. Daniels can help her son regain the use of his legs after an accident.

While this was a romance, I felt the author did a really good job of world building and incorporating many characters. This was Ethan and Brynn’s story, but I feel like I got to know the townspeople of Nugget just as well as the two main characters.

I loved that this book dealt with real life issues and that the romance wasn’t an effortless one. Also, despite this being book 11 in the series, I don’t feel like I missed out on anything by not having read the previous books-although I do plan to read them all in the future, because I fell in love with this town and the people who live there.

Choosing You is a well written romance. Good plot, believable characters and a beautiful setting. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Another fun read from Stacy Finz in the Nugget series. As a big fan, I love seeing my old favorite characters as well as the new entrants to the community life. Finz gets the medical facts right (I am a pediatric nurse) as well as the issues with addicted medical professionals.

I didn’t need Brynn to be quite such a 1%er but I did enjoy the book overall, it was a very quick read. Mostly, it is so much fun to revisit this town and it’s cast of characters.