This book has not been a standard or typical romance, I doubt that it can be qualified as romance at all, which does not mean that it has not been interesting. But it definitely hasn't been a romance in my opinion. That's why my not totally positive review.

The story reflects the inner struggle of two women who, due to different circumstances, are going through a low moment. Dolores because she has suffered a tremendous emotional blow that has made her an inmate within herself, she barely leaves her room inside the ranch where she raised and trained horses for dressage. Gloria arrives at the ranch hired by Dolores' husband, to see if she can retrieve the horses and, incidentally, help Dolores out of her shell. Gloria comes from Australia and she herself intends to take this opportunity to separate herself from a sentimental situation for which she was not prepared.

Dolores does not react very well to Gloria's arrival at the ranch, but neither does she reject her completely, let's say that she tolerates her and gradually agrees to open up to her, although this opening is mutual, the two women becoming the therapy they are needing at the moment.

For me, the book has too many parts in which the author extends too much in trying to show the feelings and thoughts, mostly of Gloria, since as far as Dolores is concerned, her afflictions are offered to us through other protagonists or facts. There are no concrete situations, everything is facts of the past, unclosed wounds, and a lot of pain.

Pain and Glory, this is the Spanish translation of the names of the two protagonists and reflect quite well the path they travel through this story.

Gloria Grant arrives in Wyoming with a job to work with horses on a mountain ranch. Delores Ballantyne didn’t know her husband Peter hired Gloria and gives her less than a warm welcome. Delores is depressed and being reclusive after suffering a tragic loss. She doesn’t want Gloria near her or the horses she is ignoring. But Gloria pitches in with the two ranch hands in caring for the ranch and the horses. Slowly, sometimes very slowly Delores walls come down a little at a time allowing her to talk and spend time with Gloria. Gloria is unsure what to do with her crush feelings she has towards Delores. And when her veterinarian fiancé/boyfriend of several years show us from Melbourne to bring Gloria home their time together is ending.

If you are a horse person you are going to like this more than me. I like horses, my next door neighbors have them, but true horse people appreciate and elevate the ability of horses to know a person and help in healing. (I’m a dog person.) I like this story and truly felt for the Delores personal tragedy. But parts of this book moved very slowly for me. It is probably realistic for how withdrawn Delores is but at times I just wanted something to happen. I loved when the two main women would talk to each other but those moments are only here and there. Instead there is working with the horses along with other ranch hands and lots of inner thoughts. The book is set 1998 and my guess is that is to explain the choice of closeted living. The story could be contemporary and the author doesn’t explain or show why the time period is important otherwise.

One thing that really bothered me was giving them similar names. Gloria is sometimes called Lo at home and Glo-worm by her boyfriend. Delores is known as Lo through most of the book but also Lola, Dolly, Doll-Lo. I know it is cute that they could have similar nick names but it is confusing. Anytime I took an extra moment to have to think who is actually speaking it took me out of being immersed in the story. It is a minor thing but it was very distracting to me.

This is a very slow-burn, only a few kisses shared, romance. It is beautifully descriptive of the horses, land and inner feelings. But I felt I was told some of the story more than shown. I never see Gloria stand up for herself to her fiancé. Her decisions are told after the fact as narrative. I recommend reading especially if you enjoy books about grief and healing. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.