Being with Dawson had made me feel like myself for the first time since I was eight.
Marie Johnston
King’s Country
Format:
5/9/2022 – ebook
8/17/2022 – updated for audio
Publisher’s Synopsis:
I’ve been the wicked witch of King’s Creek since I was eight years old, from my angry red hair down to my ball-busting boots. With a mean drunk for a daddy who left nothing but insults and unpaid bills in his wake, was there ever any other fate? Now his passing has left me one bad turn, from losing my land to the neighbors my family’s been feuding with for generations.
So of course it’s Dawson King who comes to my rescue in the middle of a snowstorm. But I don’t care how good he looks in a pair of Wranglers, or how much he spoils my horse, or how great of a cook he is. The Kings already have everything—money, looks, and charm. Dawson’s not getting my heart too.
*********
I’m living my dream, I admit it. I took over the family ranch from my dad and grew it into the envy of Montana. I have the best views, the best employees, and the respect of the entire town. The only thing I don’t have is someone to share my dream with. So when my neighbor breaks her leg and nearly freezes to death, I all but kidnap her back to my place to recover.
We grew up less than a mile apart, but we couldn’t be in more different places now. Bristol’s had nothing but pride for so long, it’s hard to get close to her. And I want to get very close to Bristol.
I don’t care if the whole town loves me, I’m only interested in earning the love of one woman. But for a guy who’s got the world at his feet, Bristol’s heart might be out of my reach.
Point of view:
1st person. Alternating between Bristol & Dawson’s perspectives.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
This is the fourth book in the Oil Kings series. The relationship arc of Dawson & Bristol is completed in the book. However other themes/events carry through the series and these are best enjoyed in order, starting with King’s Crown.
I couldn’t wait for audio after binging the first three books of the series, so I read this one. Oh my heart! This ties with the first book for being my favorite of the series. Bristol – prickly, focused, misunderstood, and heartbroken. Johnston had me in tears over and over for Bristol. Dawson was perfect for her. He starts by just trying to do the right thing to really getting to know and love her. I just adored how they had wildly different upbringings but had so much in common as well. Their mutual love of animals and ranching shown through.
Dawson finds himself in a horrible catch-22 where he’s fallen in love with and wants to marry Bristol but that means telling her about the trust and why it’s been kept from her all this time. I really liked the way Johnston handled this and how Dawson and Bristol worked things out. These two are absolutely perfect for each other.
So excited to move on to Aiden’s book.
Narration:
I loved this when I read it in May – but I wish I could add stars for this fantastic audio. Alas, I’m maxed out. Chloe Ryan and Tyler Darby brought to life the love, laughter, and emotions. Ryan was exactly how I imagined Bristol would sound and Darby made Dawson particularly swoony. Such a great listen. I know this series is going to be one I listen to over and over.
While I own the ebook, I did receive a copy of the audiobook from Home Cooked Books and am leaving an honest review.
About the author:
Marie Johnston is a RITA® Finalist, and a best-selling and award-winning writer of paranormal and contemporary romance – and an avid reader of them both.
Several years ago, when kids started outnumbering adults in the house, Marie Johnston left her job as a public health microbiologist to stay at home. Settling into working part-time and shuttling kids around gave Marie the opportunity to think about what she wanted to be when she grew up. A die-hard science geek, she explored her previously thought to be non-existent creative side after much time spent making snowman crafts and coloring princesses. Having entertained thoughts of writing a book one day then subsequently deciding it would be too hard, she finally put the figurative pen to paper and began to type – and fell in love with story telling.
The Sigma Menace is the first series by Marie with Fever Claim being her first book EVER. She is humbled by the fact that people are willing to read to her books and looks forward to keeping readers entertained for many years.
Marie lives with her husband and four kids in the Upper Midwest where the summers are gorgeous, the winters are brutal, and spring and fall are luxuries.
You can connect with Marie Johnston here:
About the narrators:
You can connect with Chloe Ryan here:
You can connect with Tyler Darby here:
My Favorite Quotes
I wasn’t all right. I was in the middle of nowhere, tangled in barbed wire, with a broken leg and a storm on the way. The cow wasn’t the only one in trouble. – King’s Country by @mjohnstonwriter #Audiobook narrated by @ChloeRyanReads & @TylerDarby #OilKings #Romance #Cowboy #EnemiesToLovers
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Women might want a cowboy, but they didn’t want the cowboy life. – King’s Country by @mjohnstonwriter #Audiobook narrated by @ChloeRyanReads & @TylerDarby #OilKings #Romance #Cowboy #EnemiesToLovers
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For fuck’s sake. Dawson King liked to cuddle. – King’s Country by @mjohnstonwriter #Audiobook narrated by @ChloeRyanReads & @TylerDarby #OilKings #Romance #Cowboy #EnemiesToLovers
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People make decisions that can hurt another person when they’re only trying to protect themselves. – King’s Country by @mjohnstonwriter #Audiobook narrated by @ChloeRyanReads & @TylerDarby #OilKings #Romance #Cowboy #EnemiesToLovers
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I didn’t people well. I only knew how to be a Cartwright, and I didn’t want to default to that. – King’s Country by @mjohnstonwriter #Audiobook narrated by @ChloeRyanReads & @TylerDarby #OilKings #Romance #Cowboy #EnemiesToLovers
Tweet
Being with Dawson had made me feel like myself for the first time since I was eight. – King’s Country by @mjohnstonwriter #Audiobook narrated by @ChloeRyanReads & @TylerDarby #OilKings #Romance #Cowboy #EnemiesToLovers
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Rellim Reads 