Member Reviews

The third installment in the Coyote Canyon series follows Tallulah and Ellen's friend, Jane, as she embarks on her unconventional quest for a baby, and a closer peek into Averil's character is also revealed. Will it be for further revenge or will Averil seek redemption? As Jane's story unfolds, her "messy life" draws the reader deeper into the family and friendships of this small town in Montana. Truly recommended for fans of the latest series from Author Brenda Novak!

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Drama and love go hand-in-hand in the third installment of Brenda Novak's Coyote Canyon series! I love this group of strong natured women who have forged a caring friendship as life delivers happiness to all in this small Montana town. It's nice to see the couple's from the past two books playing a strong part in carrying on the set up of the town. I felt like the development of Jane and Kurt's relationship lacked development once they truly decided to be together, but I enjoyed them as a whole throughout the story. I'm hoping to see more in the series down the road, because we all know redeeming Averil and Charlie for a couple more books could add some true challenge and drama into the mix.

I recommend this book as well as the rest of the series to anyone who enjoys a small town romance filled with a strong support system of family and friends as drama surrounds the current couple trying to weave their way towards a satisfying happily ever after.

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Perfect title for the story. Jane’s life isn’t going exactly like she planned, and she yearns to explore out of her small town. Her dedication to her ailing grandfather keeps her from leaving. What she is missing in life has been in front of her for years, she just didn’t recognize it. Novak writes of the slowly decline state of Jane’s grandfather with compassion and reality. Add a wonderful cast of friends and family. I loved the healing of friendships and family (though was not a fan of her sister Kate). Complications and ups and downs as the two main characters have to work through what they want out of life and how to get there. Good read and recommend this story as well as the

Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (January 13, 2024)
ARC provided by publisher/reviewer bought copy via Brenda Novak Monthly Book Box (March)

Review will be posted to booksellers/social media/blog on release day

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The final book of the Coyote Canyon series, The Messy Life of Jane Turner, Brenda Novak brings us Jane’s story. She wants what her girlfriends have – a baby! But what does a woman do when there’s no man in her future and her biological clock seems to be ticking louder and louder by the day? She just has to wing it and come up with a unique plan and put it in motion. But dealing with complicated family dynamics can get frustrating and could keep Jane from finding the one thing in life she thinks she needs more than anything else. I enjoyed reading it!

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Another great story in the Coyote Canyon series by Brenda Novak. I love the way this series still involves all of the characters from former books.,This story has so many emotions running through it and it is those emotions, the trials and tribulations that pull you into the book. I'm not sure if there will be more books to this series but I sure hope their will be as all of them have been uplifting and enjoyable.

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I really enjoyed the third and final book in the Coyote Canyon series. It was fun to follow Jane as she attempts to fulfill her life’s dreams and the trouble it causes along the way. You should check it out!

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This is a sweet story about a woman who went for her dreams and ended up getting them, along with a lot of confusion. I loved the variety of characters and the conflict some experienced. The author really made them all come to life in a way that made you feel you truly know them! Really enjoyed it!

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Love this series, love this installment! The Messy Life of Jane Tanner is the 3rd novel in the Coyote Canyon series but can be read as a standalone. It always amazes me how Brenda Novak creates fresh and original storylines EVERY. SINGLE. TIME! I adore the characters in this series and they are so well developed you feel as if you know them in real life! The Messy Life of Jane Tanner had me feeling the whole gamut of emotions and I was completely invested the entire way through! I recommend this 5 star read to everyone and I am keeping my fingers crossed Brenda Novak keeps this fantastic series going!

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The mess-iness of this book makes it a good read. I enjoyed the plot and pacing although some of the characters are truly not nice - but that adds some realism to the plot. I didn't care for the sister and her "boyfriend" - their storyline really bothered me (don't want to give anything away) but these things do happen. I absolutely loved the interaction and storyline with the grandfather - this, in my opinion, was one of the best parts of this book. The romance between Jane and Kurt was an interesting mix of twists, turns, misunderstandings, and just plain lack of self-awareness but I think this added to the sweetness. I couldn't help but root for them. I hope that this series continues and look forward to many more from this author. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my review. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.

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All of Jane Tanner's friends are finding love and settling down and Jane is still stuck in the same small town she grew up in. She has dreams of living in a big city but with her grandfather's dementia getting worse she feels she owes it to him to help him live at home and not a facility. Her antique gift shop is doing well, but it's just not enough. She's 35 and losing time to have children of her own. Her friend Kurt offers to help her get pregnant one drunken night, but things would just be complicated. He's five years younger and used to date her sister... and he's been secretly pining for her for years. But what's life without complications?
Ok, maybe five years is a bigger thing in a small town, but anytime someone brought up the age gap it left me so confused! And the whole Kate/Kurt drama had me so frustrated. She left her fiance for a day and was texting and pressuring Kurt to go out with her. They had a few dates in high school over a decade ago. How does that give her the rights of eternal dibs on him when he's sooo clearly not interested?! I loved the friends to lovers slow burn between Jane and Kurt and I get there wouldn't be a story without the Kate drama (hence the title) but I really hated Kate's spoiled and entitled character. Overall cute story and I like the small town feel and all the boys on the ranch.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Perfect ending to the Coyote Canyon Trilogy by Brenda Novak. This is Jane and Kurt’s story. If you like small town romance with strong, independent female characters, this series is for you. I highly
recommend this book as well as the first two books in the trilogy.

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THE MESSY LIFE OF JANE TANNER
by Brenda Novak
Release date February 20,2024

This is the third book in Brenda‘s Coyote Canyon series. I personally like to read books in order and this one doesn’t come out till February 20 2024 so you have plenty of time to read the first two books.

I really loved this one Brenda.
Jane is so devoted to her Grandpa and Kurt is so devoted to Jane.

Kurt and Jane have such a rough start but Kurt would not give up .

This book has just so much going on. I couldn’t put it down!
Family dysfunction, businesses, merging after being rivals, family, secrets, and most definitely romance.

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This is the third entry in the Coyote Canyon series, and the heroine and hero have a tortured path to their happy ending! Jane wants a baby but also hopes to spread her wings and try living in a big city. Kurt is five years younger and happy living and working on his family's ranch, plus he had a bit of a prior relationship with her younger sister, Kate.. But Kurt has hoped for a relationship with Jane for a long time, and Jane finds herself with conflicting feelings for him once he agrees to help her have a baby. Coyote Canyon friends and family are quick with opinions and suggestions, but it's up to Jane and Kurt to find their own way. Recommended.

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Janes life is going to become even messier than she could imagine. She is already running her own vintage items shop in Coyote Canyon, taking care of her grandfather who is now slowly but surely challenged by dementia and her closest friends are moving along with their own lives getting married starting a family. In this small town the pickings are slim, but online dating wasn’t worth the effort. Jane would love the connection and love that could be hers if she were to have a child. You don’t necessarily need a husband for that. All you really require is a sperm donation.

Jane readily admits that she has always played by the rules. Which is why her friends are all concerned when this levelheaded, caring person takes such a giant leap. Becoming a single parent by design. Big step. And her friends are very aware that Janes plate is already full, in fact overflowing with her business and her grandfather.

Kurt is one of the Elway brothers. A few years younger than Jane. All the brothers are top notch guys and Jane has been spending a lot of time with Kurt. Just as friends. Going out for a drink at the local spot. Playing pool with their friends. Jane had absolutely no sense that Kurt felt more than just friendship toward her. He had hidden it well since it was absolutely not reciprocated.

But Kurt could offer Jane the one thing she wanted, a baby. Supposedly no strings attached, well you know the phrase about best intentions. So in THE MESSY LIFE OF JANE TANNER we watch her life get more complicated than ever. Hopefully, all’s well that ends well. Brenda Novak has included some of the best characters to be Jane support. These characters have a lot of mess of their own to deal with and somehow poor Jane gets involved in that as well.

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“When you’re young, so many things seem to be important. you get old like me, you realize that there’s only one thing that matters in the end. And that’s people…those you love and spend your life with.” from Papa to Jane. Some great advice don't ya think? But will Jane take it?
I liked this story in many ways. I enjoyed the friendship between Jane Tululah and Ellie and Adveril.
What I didn't like was Kurt and Jane being stupid and couldn't see what was right in front of them. Ugh I didn't care much for that. Their stubbornness.
I didn't really like Kate either. She was too jealous ans selfish in my opinion. Others may like her but not me.
Overall great story and I loved Jane who was a little crazy in using someone to get what she wanted.
No wonder this title matches the story inside. The author did a great job with that.
I loved all the characters really. It was a good story and I enjoyed it.
5 stars for some excellent writing. I recommend it.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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This is the third book in the coyote canyon series. Jane and Kurt who start off as friends. She asks him to help her with something that will change both of their lives. His brother warns him not to do it. Jane’s best friend warns her not to But it’s too late. Complication’s arise with their relationship and Jane keeps pushing Kurt away. I really loved this story. Lots of ups and downs. I really hope Brenda writes another in this series and gives Avril her own story.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

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The Messy Life of Jane Tanner by Brenda Novak. Entertaining and fast paced read. Enjoyed the romance that slowly blossomed between Jane and Kurt.
Thank you to the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing , and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

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Welcome to Coyote Canyon, Montana - where nothing goes according to plan, but it all works out in the end!

This is the final installment of the Coyote Canyon trilogy. It begins with Talulah’s Back in Town, continues with The Talk of Coyote Canyon, and ends with The Messy Life of Jane Tanner. Each book features strong, independent businesswomen who struggle to keep afloat in a small town.

Talulah runs a dessert diner, Ellen has a well-digging enterprise and Jane owns a vintage gift store. Each woman has her struggles and relies on the support of the friendship circle to balance happiness in their personal life as well as in their businesses.

Book three is Jane’s story. As the title suggests, her life is messy. It wasn’t what she had planned for herself and in trying to align it closer to her goals, she ends up making it worse. Her drive is a two-edged sword and is the cause of her tunnel vision. She wants to spread her wings and everyone around her is settling down. She harbours bitterness at being forced into a life she hadn’t planned through no fault of her own. The angst and the courage complement each other well and the sprinkling of hope/love rounds off the story well. They say opposites attract, and Kurt Elway is just that. He is cautious whereas Jane is spontaneous, but they both stand tall for what they want. Novak has written a fantastic trilogy that gives readers pause to consider choices and consequences and encourages embracing the mess.

I enjoyed the friends-to-lovers trope and appreciated the focus on daring to make one’s dreams come true….even if it makes life messy.

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

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The third instalment in this fabulous series. I wish it wasn’t the last book. Loved the characters and the story was realistic if a little unconventional. So happy the way things turned out. Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

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Emotional story!

The Messy Life of Jane Tanner is the 3rd book in Brenda Novak's new series.
I haven't read the previous stories, so I felt a little lost with all the characters. The story is well written and well crafted, her characters endearing. To start, we follow Jane and Kurt who fall in love, and who want to start a family. It’s a story filled with tenderness but also intrigue and dreams. The complexity of the characters is truly evident. Will their dreams come true? And at what cost?

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

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