Review: Earning the Mountain Man's Trust by Misty M. Beller

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

About the Book

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Naomi Wyatt has finally given up on the man who once promised to love her for the rest of his life—then disappeared after a business trip, never responding to her letters. She’s now alone with a beautiful baby to provide for, a daughter whose red hair reminds her daily of the man she gave her heart to. She has to move on, though, and she did, going west with her sister. When Jonah Coulter asks for her hand in marriage, she knows she would be hard-pressed to find a better father for her sweet child. He’s a Coulter, after all, and he’s proven to be a good friend during her darkest hours.

Eric LaGrange thought he’d lost Naomi forever. But when he finally gets word that she’s in the Montana Territory, he drops everything to go after her…and their daughter? How could Naomi have kept their beautiful child from him? And how could she move on so quickly that she’s already engaged to another man? He loves Naomi so much that he’ll accept whatever choice is best for her, but is that him…or this settled rancher who clearly cares for them? No matter what, he’s determined to know his daughter and become the father he always wanted to be.

With Eric’s sudden appearance, Naomi’s heart is shredded once again. She barely has time to catch her breath before a new threat appears on the horizon. This time she has far more at stake than her heart, and only a Divine hand can turn this disaster for their good.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain family saga filled with a second chance romance, love triangle, hidden treasure, and faith that heals wounded hearts.

My Review

I've enjoyed this series so far and love the premise of an isolated ranch of brothers (reminiscent of Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer), but I struggled with the love triangle in this book. I want to root for Jonah as a Coulter brother, but he really gets the short end of the stick. It was difficult for me to be sympathetic to Eric, and I didn't always relate to Naomi's attitude. I think it was the non-communication that contributed, and the secrets Naomi kept that prohibited those around her from giving the support she needed in the aftermath of her trauma. Her silence also caused some of the later danger and conflict, and speaking up would have given Eric vital information that would have protected him and helped him make safer choices. I was glad for her to have a happy ending and look forward to more in the series focusing on the Coulter brothers finding love.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series