Books & Spoons Review HIGH COUNTRY BABY by Joanna Sims

All Taylor Brand wanted was a baby of her own 

But at nearly forty and recently divorced, embarking on a "solo" trek on the Continental Divide Trail, her time was tight and her options slim. Maybe the curt cowboy who'd been charged with watching out for her was her best shot. After all, Clint McAllister was shadowing her on a high-country horseback trip for the money. Would he be up for being hired for something else? 

Classy ladies like Taylor didn't normally give a rough rodeo-rider like him a second glance…much less ask him to father a baby. And while Clint didn't need an excuse to take Taylor to bed, he did wonder if this plan was perhaps the wisest. Who knew what would happen once he got to taste the forbidden?

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An incredible story, a story about life, the joy and pain, the love and loss you can encounter in one lifetime, not to mention in a one unexpected year. The story takes the reader into the deep emotions, the feelings of utter loneliness you face with a loss and sorrow, leaving the reader raw, and gasping. But it also shows the beauty and delight of life, the humbleness the nature, the wildlife leaves with us, the glee of falling in love, the awe you feel when your deepest dreams comes true, and you hold your child for the first time. 
The characters are not the normal, 'cookie-cutter' cast of romance novels. Clint and Taylor both are middle aged, they have seen some good times in their lives, but lately, nothing is going on either of their favor. But they find a tune together, they first and foremost form a friendship, as they get to know each other. I adored how the story is more focused on the development of the fragile friendship they are forming, instead of being head over heals attracted to each other. And they take their time to get to know each other, the bond between them getting stronger and more involved. 
This story took me by surprise, by the depths of the life, and loss, it took me. It is nothing like a typical category romances are, it is so much more, not just by the subject matter, and the characters,  but the events in the plot are so life like, and not everyone get's the expected happily ever after. 
The author pulled me into the story, I was there every moment of it, rejoicing with love, laughter, life, and wonder, and mourning, with the loss, sadness, and loneliness, of those empty hours of silent tears. I am completely emotionally spent, but it was worth every moment of it, this is one of those stories, those rare ones, that will stay with you, and you will process it for awhile, and ponder on it, and you will learn from it, and cherish the moments you spent with it. 
~ Five Spoons

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