Title: Happy Trail Author: Daisy Prescott
Series: Park Ranger #1
Release date: October 22, 2019
(Sub)genres: Contemporary Romance
Buy: Amazon US ~ Amazon UK
Rating:
I received this book from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A man of few words, Ranger Jay Daniels values the calm, quiet solitude of the Great Smoky Mountains. Never quite fitting in with either side of his family, he prefers the company of birds and trees to people.
Yeah, he’d most definitely prefer a bird—any bird, any bird at all, take a vulture for instance—to the human-tornado hybrid that just blew onto his peaceful stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
The path of true love never has run smooth for Olive Perry. After getting dumped and promptly abandoned in the middle of her multi-month hike, Olive swears off men. Determined to finish the long trek by herself, she doesn’t need a prince—or broody and taciturn ranger—to save her.
Yet, when an early snowstorm threatens the mountains, and Ranger Daniels is charged with getting hikers to safety, that includes hot-tempered Olive Perry. Snowed in and forced to share an abandoned cabin, can Olive’s heated intensity melt Jay’s cool reserve?
And if so, will this happy trail lead to true love? Or will their time together be just another bump in the road?
‘Happy Trail’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Park Ranger series.
Evaluating your life and the choices you make. Is there a better way to do it, while hiking through forests and mountains all by yourself? Happy Trail tells slow-burn romance of Olive and Jay, I simply adore their story.
Olive and Jay can’t be more different; she’s a true city-girl, he’s a nature guy who loves the quiet surroundings of mountains and forests. Under normal circumstances Jay and Olive wouldn’t have met, but when Olive starts hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) ‘by accident’, she and Jay cross paths. It’s not love at first sight, but there comes a moment they both realize they’ve found The One.
Olive is a sweetheart who doesn’t know what she truly wants. She goes with the flow, trying to please other people. I love how she takes back control of her life, and how she doesn’t give up. Hiking is not really her thing, but the new Olive wants to finish what she has started. Jay has his own issues. I love that for once the Hero of the story wasn’t the most popular guy in school, that he had (and still has) some insecurities. Olive and Jay are amazing individuals, and I love them as a couple.
Happy Trail is my very first book by Daisy Prescott, and I just love it. Olive and Jay are real people (with both an interesting background) who talk and act realistically. The author has written an attractive picture of the AT and everything involved, it makes me a bit curious (don’t worry, I won’t start hiking the AT with hubby!). This certainly isn’t my last book by this author!
I love Happy Trail; I give the sweet story of Olive and Jay 5 stars.
Excerpt
“Can we drop the pretense of not being trapped on the wrong side of the fence with whatever bloodthirsty beast is making such a sound?” I squint into the distance, hoping narrowing my eyes will give me super strength vision.
It doesn’t. I step behind Ranger Daniels for protection.
“What are you doing?” He twists his neck to look down at me.
“Hiding. I believe you took an oath to protect and serve.”
“Pfft. You’re confusing me with a police officer. I’m here to engage, educate, and empower.” He moves so he’s beside me.
“You carry a gun, don’t you?”
“Sometimes. Do you see a holster now?”
I scan his hips and shake my head, allowing my eyes to linger on the tight fit of his uniform pants over his strong thighs and the thick belt at his narrow waist. Ranger Daniels is packing heat, but not of the pistol variety.
Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
A distinct braying reaches my ears.
“Is that a donkey?” I tip my head.
“What would a donkey be doing up here? Makes no sense.”
“Ask him. Or her.” I point at the gray beast moving toward us. “I’m a city girl, but I’m pretty sure that’s an ass.”
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Jay removes his hat.
Maybe he plans to shoo away our attacker with it?
The gray form ambles toward us, letting out a loud bray and revealing large teeth.
“Should we be worried?” I’m standing behind Jay again.
“About a donkey? They’re mostly docile. He’s probably just curious.” Shifting his attention forward, he addresses our new friend. “Hey there. Where’d you come from?”
The donkey halts.
“See? He’s fine. Probably thinks we’re bringing treats.”
“And what will he do when he realizes we’re showing up to his house empty-handed?” I’m half mocking. In my world, not bringing a hostess gift is an unthinkable breach of etiquette. I have no idea about the social decorum for equines.
“Let’s go.” Jay encourages me forward with a sweep of his hat.
We take several steps and the donkey does the same without breaking eye contact, like we’re about to duel. There’s definitely a challenge, a mild threat in the eyes of our new foe.
“Should we slowly retreat to the fence?” I whisper at Jay’s back.
“Nah, we’re fine.”
“Maybe he’s a guard donkey.” I slide a glance over my shoulder toward safety. We’re a dozen or so yards away, but it isn’t too late to make a quick escape.
Jay’s eyes meet mine. “You know guard donkeys aren’t a thing.”
“I’m a stranger in a strange land—anything’s possible.” I wait until he faces forward to stick my tongue out at him.
He’s shaking his head and clearly not paying attention to me anymore as he stomps across the squishy field.
Left with no choice, I follow after him.
My boot slips in the mud, or donkey poop—it’s impossible to tell the difference. I squawk and flail my arms as I tumble forward in an awkward motion resembling the mating dance of an emu.
The donkey’s ears prick up before flattening against his head.
“Uh oh,” I murmur as I straighten up.
“It’s fine,” Jay says for the dozenth time.
Only he’s wrong.
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