First story: The crime subplot was resolved too quickly and seemed kind of pointless, like the author forgot about it as soon as she was done using it to give the MC a backstory. Also, the characters were bidimensional and uninteresting, they had no personality. Butch’s issues with Esther’s money were ridiculous and there was no reason for them.
Second story: I liked Beth and Connor. They just read like good, honest people who were hard working and had had a difficult like, but still tried their best. Connor didn’t act like an idiot after he decided he liked Beth and that’s also a plus in my book.
Third story: This one plays with the alpha male trope which I found a little annoying at first, but I got over it and it became funny. Hallie was a sweet girl if a little oblivious, but I liked her. The dynamic with Trent’s brothers was really interesting and honestly, I’d be down for a full series about them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I especially liked that it gave me a glimpse of each author’s writing style, so I can see if I’d like to read more of their work in the future.

I'll admit it is hard for me to resist cowboy stories - and a collection of cowboy stories always makes me happy! This collection of stories is a great one to read - I liked them all - but I loved the last story by Rebecca Zanetti - when is that series coming? Can I read it now please???

Each story in this collection focuses on independent people letting others in - and finding their way. In some respects the stories are all about letting down your guard and moving forward with love. Diana Palmer, the queen of western romance, writes about Butch and Esther. Butch has appeared in other Diana Palmer stories and I have always wanted him and his wolf two-toes to find someone special. Esther is such a sweetheart. She's lived a sheltered and crazy life all at the same time. But she and Butch are clearly meant for each other.

Kate Pearce writes about Beth Baker and Conner O'Neill. Beth is a resident in a town Kate Pearce has written a lot about. Her brother Ted had a short story of his own recently. Beth is a single mom to two young adult men - and still struggling with rebuilding her life after the terrible abuse from the boys father. Conner is a retired Navy Seal who is also still struggling with PTSD and finding his feet after the military. I loved them together and had been hoping to find out more about Beth. I loved that Kate Pearce didn't give Beth and Conner and immediate HEA in the short story (even though you can see them getting there). It was more of a happy-for-now ending, but I was totally on board with that!

Rebecca Zanetti introduces us to a group of 12 ex-military cowboys that I am now DYING to know more about. Please Rebecca Zanetti - write more about these boys ASAP. The guys have a cowboy version of an Motorcycle Club - filled with retired military of many different varieties. The pacing of the relationship between Trent and Hallie is just right - and I was totally invested in finding out more about this crew.

Overall - these are good stories that connect into larger universes (or at least I really really hope Rebecca Zanetti's book connects to one eventually) - but you don't have to read any of those to enjoy these stories.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

I enjoyed the book each of the stories were sweet, interesting, and the characters were enjoyable. The storylines i found were a bit fast but well written. I did find the first story in the book to be a bit to youngish but well worth the read. Over all the book was very good it is definitely worth a read.