Synopsis

Tyler McQuaid has been too busy managing his family’s luxury ranch resort to think about love. But when his dad gets sick and may not have long to live, Tyler begins to question what is truly important. He’s already failed once at love and marriage, but how can he say no to his dad’s sickbed wish that he try again?

Kinsey Wingrove, a traveling nurse, prefers to keep her relationships short and sweet, and yes, even shallow. With the losses she’s already experienced in life, it’s just easier that way. When she arrives at Healing Springs Ranch, she clashes with her new patient’s son, the handsome cowboy who runs the place and doesn’t think she’s the right nurse for his dad.

As sparks fly between Tyler and Kinsey, the meddling, matchmaking McQuaid family sees that more can exist between the two than they will acknowledge. Can Tyler accept and move beyond the mistakes of his past to allow for the McQuaid legacy of love—a fast, furious, and forever kind of love? Or will he let Kinsey’s fears push him away forever?

(via Amazon)

Review

‘Spurs and Sparks’ was another one of those short and sweet romance books I found myself struggling to put down. The setting was gorgeous, and the characters were enjoyable and understandable in their own stubbornness. This was the first book I have read of Jody Hedlund, and I hope it is not the last.

This book has a romance-focused storyline with some contemporary western themes throughout. There are some small nods to Christianity, but that only occurs a couple times and is hardly a focal point. The POV switches between Kinsey’s and Tyler’s which adds some extra drama and swoon worthy moments throughout. It is a story about two people who have become disillusioned with finding true love due to their own traumas of the past. As they get to know each other and grow closer, it is up to them to either welcome their budding romance with open arms or close themselves off from love altogether. Unlike most books I have read, I feel as though both love interests had an equivalent amount of development in the book

The story takes place mainly on Healing Springs Ranch which is a family-owned and operated luxury resort, nestled among the mountains of Colorado. The author did a fantastic job of putting enough detail into the background that it took me back to my own travels through the beautiful state. The property as a whole, shares a rustic, country aesthetic, down to the furniture and decorations of the various cabins, to the horse corral. As the reader, you get quite a bit of information of the various activities one could engage in while taking a load off on the property. The romantic story being the main focal point of the book, I was surprised at how much we got to experience outside of the main plot. It made me want to check myself and explore as well.

Kinsey Wingrove is the stubborn travel nurse with 10-feet walls around her heart. Having lost someone quite close to her previously, she diverts the pain she felt into motivation to be the absolute best nurse for all her patients. One such patient includes Tyler’s father and current owner of the ranch. She instantly, jumps into her role and takes accountability for his healthcare. She rarely ever leaves his side, even neglected in her own needs in the process. Kinsey’s parents did not have a great relationship, so she has been putting off getting into another relationship. Her opinion of Tyler did not start on the right foot, but she starts accepting his rugged personality as time goes on. The decisions she makes throughout the book may unnecessarily add to or create drama, but knowing her reasonings and character, it is hard to be aggravated by them.

Tyler McQuaid is the eldest son and current property manager of the ranch. He had a rough end to his relationship with his son’s mother. Due to this, he has also built a mote around his heart convincing him to exude this rough exterior, causing potential love interests to stay away. In the beginning, he was quite judgmental towards Kinsey, as she was too young and too pretty to be considered a good enough nurse for his father. It was this attitude that began the animosity between Kinsey and Tyler to begin with. As he began witnessing Kinsey’s true nature and how devoted she truly was, his opinion of her changed. Being a father, he was on guard for his son’s sake as well since he did not want the next woman to up and live like his ex. That being said, he began witnessing how close his son was growing towards Kinsey which was assisting the positive light he was shining on her. As time went on, he figured out his true and passionate feelings towards her, causing him to eventually drop that rough facade. He remains loyal to not only his father but his whole family in general.

Kinsey and Tyler’s relationship was at times enemies-to-lovers. They begin thinking they were incompatible for each other when everyone around them knew they were perfect for each other. It felt slow pace for the majority of the book, culminating in some heart fluttering moments between them. They both grew into the people they should be pretty simultaneously, leading to a touching and inspiring love story of moving away from the past and being honest with your own heart. Definitely one of the sweetest and genuine romance novels I have read.

All in all, if you are in the mood and have a day to commit to reading a sweet romance, this is one for you. This is the first in the ‘Healing Springs Ranch’ series. Similarly to the ‘Brothers of Sapphire Ranch’ series, the books follow a different sibling and their romantic escapades. The sequel seems to be written in the perspective of the famous country singer brother so that will be very interesting to read.