Montana Cherries

Written by Kim Law

Narrated by Natalie Ross

After her mother’s tragic death, Dani Wilde had no choice but to abandon her dreams. She left Columbia University and returned to her family’s Montana cherry farm, intent on being a maternal figure to her brothers. Now the kids are grown, and it’s finally her time to fly. Her sights are on New York City, and nothing will stop her—not even an old flame with gorgeous green eyes.

Celebrity photographer Ben Denton hasn’t seen Montana in years—and hasn’t spoken to Dani since “that night” so long ago. When he discovers he’s a dad to a four-year-old—and the child’s mother refuses to care for her—Montana and the Wilde farm spring to mind. The orchard is the only place that’s ever felt like home, but will the warmth of the Wilde family be enough to help Ben figure out how to be a father?

As the Wilde family gathers for the yearly cherry harvest and Dani struggles to figure out what she really wants in life, she discovers the shocking truth about her own mother—and learns that following her heart may lead her to her dreams after all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jul 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781491598894

Kim Law

As a child, award-winning author Kim Law cultivated a love for chocolate, anything purple, and creative writing. She penned her debut work, “The Gigantic Talking Raisin,” in the sixth grade and got hooked on the delights of creating stories. Before settling into the writing life, however, she earned a college degree in mathematics and worked as a computer programmer. Now she’s pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels. She has won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award, has been a finalist for the prestigious RWA RITA Award, and has served in varied positions for her local RWA chapter. A native of Kentucky, Kim lives with her husband and an assortment of animals in Middle Tennessee. Visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kimlawauthor, her website at www.kimlaw.com, or find her on Twitter @kim_law.

Reviews for Montana Cherries

[Alex Stratford · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book has some of my favorite tropes, brother’s friend and friendship to love.

Dani has taken care of her family every since her mom passed away. Her life changes when her brother’s friend, Ben comes back to town.

I enjoyed the relationship that Ben and Dani have. Yes, there is chemistry and flirting. Ben makes Dani a priority in a way her family doesn’t. He takes time to learn more about her. He looks past her “I’m fine” attitude.

[Tamye Whitener · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! Intense Listen.

Great characters. Very relatable, even if I wanted to smack them upside the head a time or two.

I completely understand why Dani had to leave. As well as how hard it was for both her and Ben. Not that it was done we'll. But then love hurts. All I can say, is tissues are needed.

Great story. I'm off to read the next in the series.

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars.

Montana Cherries by Kim Law is an emotional, poignant and ultimately uplifting novel of healing. Although there is also a romantic element to the storyline, the main focus is on Dani Wilde's struggle to come to terms with the wounds from her past.

Following her mother's death, Dani gave up her dream of attending college to return home and care for her younger siblings. Fast forward fourteen years, and she is on the verge of making her long awaited move to New York. She is finalizing her plans to leave in a few weeks when the cherry harvest is over and the last thing she needs is a relationship. So when good friend (and one-time lover) Ben Denton returns to the farm with his four year old daughter, Haley, Dani tries to keep her distance from both him and his daughter. But as they resume their once close friendship, their mutual attraction is impossible to ignore and they embark on a no strings fling. After a shocking family secret is revealed, Dani retreats from her loved ones in order to heal.

In the beginning, Dani seems to be happy, well-adjusted and eager to begin the next phase of her life. But as she continues to pack her belongings, she runs across a few items that bring up some unsettling feelings about her relationship with her mother, whom she has long idolized. Unable to face these distressing memories, she pushes them to the back of her mind and keeps busy with her family and the upcoming harvest. When the rest of her brothers return home to help with the annual harvest, Dani's foundation begins to crumble when she learns they have been keeping a huge secret from her. After their stunning revelation, she feels betrayed by her family but it is the disturbing memories that comes rushing back that destroy her. Although Ben is at her side every step of the way, Dani cannot consider a future with him until she takes the necessary steps to process the emotional damage from her past.

Ben also has a somewhat troubled past but he has come to terms with most of it. His main issue is learning how to care for his newly discovered daughter. He is definitely out of his depth, but with Dani's guidance, he and Haley finally begin to sort out their new relationship. Their relationship is fragile at first but he gradually gains Haley's trust and their scenes are quite touching.

The relationship between Dani and Ben is a nice blend of sweet and steamy. Despite their ten year separation, they easily pick up their friendship where it left off and they quickly put the lingering issue of their one night stand to rest. Their transition from friends to lovers is gradual and although they try to keep things casual, it is easy to see their growing affection for one another. It is also quite refreshing that Ben is willing to put his heart on the line for Dani.

Montana Cherries is a heartbreaking journey of self-discovery and healing. The storyline is quite unique and touches on a little about talked mental illness that has devastating and long reaching effects. Kim Law's research is extensive and her depiction of the actions of the person who has the disorder is incredibly accurate (unfortunately I have personal experience with someone who has this particular illness). All in all, a beautifully rendered and achingly realistic novel that will touch readers' hearts and remain with them long after the last page is turned.

[bette_hansen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An incredible story of a woman looking for balance in her life. Balance between the needs of her family and her own personal needs as well as balance between her memories of her deceased mother and the harsh reality of how things really were. To add to the crazy that has become her life is the rekindled feelings she has for Ben Denton. He has recently returned to Montana with his young daughter. While her feelings for Ben are strong, can she give up her dream again??

A wonderfully written story that is incredibly emotional and heartwarming while it takes a look at the emotional turmoil the family of the mentally ill contend with. While only touching on the tip of the iceberg of that issue, it is beautifully done and definitely gets one thinking.

This is a book that needs to be on everyone's must read list. I highly recommend it!

[ethel55_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This began with such a sweet, almost, old fashioned feel. Dani Wilde was off at her freshman year at Columbia, but had to return home after the death of their mother to help her dad raise her younger brothers and work at the family cherry orchard business. But soon, Law digs much deeper into the family dynamics and secrets that have been at work during this past decade or so. Dani, with a successful independent marketing firm that includes the family orchard, has at last made plans to return to New York. And the book is a set at that perfect time, when the cherry harvest is set to be picked and Dani's departure will cap off all the year’s hard work. Ben Denton has returned to Montana a successful photographer, but with a 4 year old daughter in tow who has essentially been abandoned by her mother for her father’s ‘turn’ to raise her. Dani's caring nature, for both her niece and Ben's daughter Haley was so heartwarming. This was a much more emotional read than I was expecting and depth of the family’s feelings for one another were rewarding. The publisher provided a free copy of this book for review.

[willowone_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dani Wilde has lived in a fantasy world for years. Her whole family knows it yet they chose not to tell her because they thought they were protecting her from the truth. This book walks through the stages of repressed memory and what it can do to a persons life both in the unknowing and when the memories come back. Dani goes from having what she thought was a good life to not knowing who she is as a person, how to love herself or love anyone else. As Dani comes to grips with her family's past she is able to rebuild her life in the real world knowing what truly matters and who truly matters. This is a wonderful story, I thoroughly enjoyed it.