Merry Anna (that’s not a typo) has taken a leave from the family business following a rocky divorce from a cheating husband. She stops in the small town of Antler Creek, North Carolina to get gas. On a whim, Merry Anna decides to stay. She rents an old bunkhouse from her new boss, Krissy. The property used to belong to Adam Locklear. He runs the local feed store and has a degree in sports medicine. But his passion is rodeo. In fact, he’s got his eye on this year’s rodeo championship. And nothing else.

Determined to put her ex-husband and that past behind, Merry Anna just wants to remain anonymous. Adam is smarting over a family rift. Neither is looking for a relationship. Both have secrets. In fact, one shows up on Adam’s door step, unannounced. But then…

Oh, wait. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens next.

And what a delicious read this is! Heartfelt and homespun, this tale of loss, regrets, and another chance at true love will make you want to stand up and cheer. It’s a vibrant and vivacious kind of “baseball, hot dogs, apple and Chevrolet” kind of story, with plenty of warmth and whimsy. Also the most dangerous eight seconds in sports. (You’ll get that if you know rodeo. If not, kindly look it up.)

A robust storyline, idyllic settings, and rich characterizations saturate this dynamic story that has more twists than Rocket Fuel (you’ll still get that if you read the book.) It’s replete with characters we want to know better. Sit down and set a spell and chat over a glass of sweet iced tea.

There’s a family rift between Adam and his parents. Their stonewall of silence make it clear just how much they disapprove of his rodeoing. He’s a whiz in the kitchen. But he’s also not the “borrow a cup of sugar kind of neighbor.”

Wait. Is that a strawberry pie?

Scene stealers: Shorty, Adam’s indomitable Corgi. Chips, Adam’s beautiful buckskin trail horse who loves tortilla chips. Also Tara, Merry Anna’s neighbor and geriatric dynamo.

This gently faith-flavored story and clean romance took me back to days of bits and bridles. Manes and tales. The creak of saddle leather. The tangy pungence of fresh hay. And a welcoming whinny. Loved it!

Set in Antler Creek, North Carolina, What Remains True is a heartwarming, emotionally rich story. This well-crafted, well-researched narrative features engaging characters, a smoothly flowing plot, a gentle faith element, and a sweet slow burn romance. I loved Merry Anna, and five-year old Zan captured my heart. I would love sequels featuring Krissy and Tara. However, to me Adam was a less than honorable hero especially in regard to the life-changing sin in his past that he was repeatedly trying to justify instead of showing repentance. On a lighter note, Ms. Naigle brings the rodeo to life with detailed descriptions that stimulate the senses. Her depiction of small town life is authentic and delightful. I think you will find this to be an inspiring, satisfying read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another winner from Nancy Naigle. She sure knows how to hook you in the first couple pages and keep your attention until the end but also leaves you wanting more. This is a great story involving a new person in town that is making friends everywhere including the handsome rodeo rider aka neighbor. With the struggles of their choices in the past and a surprise visitor will they admit that they should give into their feelings or go on denying they are not interested in a relationship. Sometimes you just have to let your guard down, have some faith, and just go with the flow.
I read this as an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

This story had all my emotions going. It’s about two people that are changing the path in their life. They open their hearts and learn what pleasures life can really have. I loved little Zan!

Merry Anna stops at Antler Creek and ends up staying. This is her new life post divorce and she couldn’t be happier.
She meets handsome rodeo star Adam and sparks fly.
This was an easy enjoyable book. I liked the characters and the story kept me turning the pages.
Thanks to the author for the early copy

A book written by Nancy Naigle never disappoints and this one was no different.
A beautiful story of figuring out how to find the path meant for you, while finding new beginnings.
I love the small town charm of Antler Creek. Her descriptions help me picture it all.
Wonderful characters, heartwarming and emotional story that will tug at your heart.

Thank you NetGalley and WaterBrook/Multnomah Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Nancy Naigle writes the sweetest stories. This one doesn't disappoint. As always, her descriptions are so well woven that you can picture the sweet little town and all the colourful characters. A perfect curl up in your chair on a rainy-day kind of book. No spoilers from me. I would most definitely recommend this one


As always, Many thanks to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

A refreshing story of learning to follow your dreams. Merry Anna is new to town and is looking for a break from her old life. Adam is a champion bull rider who lives life on his own terms. Both are shocked when their paths are changed. A sweet romance, this book was a page-turner.

In What Remains True by Nancy Naigle rodeo cowboy Adam Lockwood meets Merry Anna Foster and they become friends. As time goes by their relationship deepens. As each one faces their issues they come to realize how much they care for each other. I enjoyed this book. It has wonderful characters and a super small town feel. Ms. Naigle tells this story in such a way that I felt connected to the characters and felt like they were my friends.

Merry Anna stops for gas in Antler Creek and ends up staying. It becomes her safe haven from the job she no longer wants and the ex who wants more alimony and is too lazy to get a real job. She rents a small bunkhouse and falls in love with the town and its inhabitants.

Adam is drawn to his new neighbor, Merry Anna, but he has big plans for his future and doesn’t have time for a relationship. He also wasn’t expecting the arrival of Zan, the daughter he never knew he had. How can he raise a child while her mother is recuperating and follow his dreams at the same time? Will a change of plans leave him resenting what he might have to give up? Can Merry Anna and Adam find happiness together?

A small-town story with gossipy but well-meaning citizens, family healing, new friendships, new beginnings, and a chance at a HEA.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a beautiful story of new beginnings and finding the path you are meant to follow. Merrie Anna never planned to stay in the small town she stopped in for gas, but she found so much more than expected. The life that is hers and a love she never expected

What Remains True by Nancy Naigle

This is the first book I have read by Nancy Naigle and it sure won't be the last. First I always love books set in a small town and a cowboy only makes it better. The cowboy is bull rider Adam Lockwood whose mind is set on winning it all this year. Merry Anna Foster ends up in Antler Creek after her divorce is final and decides to stay for a while to find her way. She gets a job in a little shop in town and is living in Adam's old bunkhouse. All the characters in town are wonderful and Merry Anna fits in and has never felt so free. When things are heating up between Adam and Merry Anna - one of his old girl (Carly) friends show up with a precious five year old (Zan) and she claims he is the father. Carly leaves Adam's and leaves Zan behind. There is danger, angst, deception, mistrust, laughter, growing affections all getting us to a very HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Tear-jerker Funny Unpredictable Happily Ever After Scary Easy-to-read Romantic Entertaining Action-packed Wonderful characters Page-turner

A well written heartwarming
& emotional book that will pull
at all your heart-strings.
I truly enjoyed reading it.
Merry Anna, was passing through
Antler Creek. Something stopped
her from leaving. Adam, a bull
rider, is ready for the next step in his life. Both were not looking
for anything more than friendship.
Wonderful characters & small town charm.
You will fall in love with Zan!
A story of love, hope, forgiveness & understanding. I adored it from
the first page to the last.
A Must Read!!

This is my first book from this author and boy was it a good read. This story is about a recent divorcée who moves to a small town and falls in live with a rodeo star.

I received a complimentary copy of this book however these are my opinions.

This is a book of love and romance…secrets abound…the protagonist is starting her life anew in a small town where everyone seems to know everyone else and their business…a handsome rodeo rider added to the equation makes for a fun quick read…will they end up together? That is the question…a daughter no one knew about…family and work relations…family business…new homes to decorate and bring back to life…this author has woven a story that keeps the interest of the reader…enjoy this…this book was sent to me electronically for review from Netgalley.

Wow !! What can I say. I really loved this book. Merry Anna and how she ends up un Antler Creek. Adam who is a bull rider at rodeos, Krissy who owns the store Hardy House , where Merry Anna finds a job and Tara who is restoring an old home that belonged to Adam's grandfather. A very friendly town that helps each other. I do not write spoilers. I really loved this story and it most definitely is a MUST READ,

What Remains True by Nancy Naigle. I have been reading Nancy Naigles books since Dear Santa. I love her stories each book about love and Kindness. This one is beautiful about Christianity and kindness even in a town where everyone gossips. There is so much love. Read it you will love it.

Loved it. Delightful characters with flaws and difficult back stories. Charming small town. Rodeo star meets store clerk with no expectations from either of them. A darling girl and a dog add sweetness to the tale. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

I usually love Nancy Naigle's writing and would normally give her books 4-5 stars. However, I was torn on this one...

I was intrigues by the young woman, fresh out of a divorce and relationship she has been in since high school, moving to a new city to "start over". I loved the feel of the small town and the various characters. Honestly a place we would all love to live.

Girl meets boy in new town and starts to like him. Boy has a dangerous job (and goal) of being a rodeo star. Naturally as a reader, once they start spending more time together, you can guess where the story goes.

I enjoyed the "twists and turns" thrown in and it kept me wanting to read more to see how it turned out.

However, I did feel like the main character, Merry Anna, was judgmental regarding situations she had not experienced or knew anything about. I was also really bothered by the way her parents treated her (and her ex) and why she never confronted them and told them the truth. Also, she needed to stand up to her ex WAY earlier than she did!

All in all, the story kept my attention and the plot twists made it interesting, but I couldn't get past the judgmental side of Merry Anna and then her quoting scripture the next minute.

Really it was a 3.5 star. My NetGalley book of the week. The story of Merry Anne and Adam who don't want to fall in love because of life circumstances but can't help being drawn to each other. Life happens, Adam is a bull rider and discovers he is a father of a 5 year old and Merry Anne wants to help but is he using her for help or does their friendship mean something more? I really like the book minus the ending. I felt the ending rushed but the book in general was fun to read. Both characters were written well along with the supporting characters. You really feel for Merry Anne wanting to start over and becoming apart of the community. Yes, I did get frustrated with Adam. He is a Christian but admits of having many sexual relationships one leading to a 5 year old little girl. This is a Christian book and th is is reality for many but it was written as a normal thing all Christians do. So I did find this frustrating. But in general a fun romance that I would highly recommend!