Member Reviews
All Roads Lead to You is the third book in Jennifer Probst's Stay series. This book follows Harper, a rescue farm owner and the last single Bishop sibling, and Aidan O'Connor, a horse trainer on vacation after a disagreement with his business partner.
We met Harper and many of the secondary characters in the first two books. We also met Phoenix, a thoroughbred horse seemingly made for racing. This story follows Harper, Aidan, and Phoenix's journeys. It was definitely moving and I thought it was much more emotional than the first two books. All of the books in this series have been beautifully written and All Roads Lead to You is no exception. If you haven't picked up this series, definitely do!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Aidan O’Connor has arrived in New York from Ireland, to seek refuge from a career that has gone so horribly wrong. He was making a name for himself as a horse trainer in Ireland when he was betrayed in the worst way by people that he loved and trusted. A couple of weeks staying in a quaint little inn on a farm is just what he needs to reset and decide his next move. Maybe he can begin again in the USA.
Harper Bishop’s family farm is her solace. In particular she loves taking in rescue animals and rehabilitating them - giving them the love and attention they had been missing. She also likes to name them after Disney characters like her dogs, Bagheera and Baloo, her cat Figaro and her chicken Hei hei. One of her rescue passions is horses and she recently acquired one at an auction that she feels has real potential to be a racehorse - Phoenix.
Phoenix was not in a good way when he arrived in her stables but will lots of love and time his conditioning has improved and she feels like he was born to run. There is just something about this shy, skittish horse that has her dreaming of big things in his future. When Aidan meets Harper she is very stand offish with him, as she is with most men. When he also sees the potential in Phoenix, Harper begins to believe that her dream for him might come true.
Aidan wasn’t looking for work when he arrived on this farm but something about Phoenix has him very excited and his gut tells him not to ignore his intuition about this magnificent creature. In the back of his mind he also sees this as an opportunity to redeem himself and show the people who lost faith in him that he is a talented trainer. One day he will return home a champion with his pick of the jobs he chooses - okay he is getting a bit ahead of himself now…
As Aidan and Harper begin to work together on getting Phoenix prepared to race a bond forms between them. Harper’s passion for rescuing animals is rubbing off on him, that’s how a goat dressed in a chicken suit called Captain Hoof joins the farm as the latest addition :-) Things between Aidan and Harper have shifted into something more than either of them expected and they not only spend their days shovelling hay but their nights rolling in the hay - I mean tangled sheets.
Phoenix begins to prove himself to have all the potential they knew he had and more but alongside this is a lot of publicity and offers that Aidan was not expecting. His time in the US is coming to an end anyway, he only planned on it being a short term thing. Harper knew that and is prepared to let him go - even if she doesn’t want him to leave. However, she would never want to hold him back from his dreams of success in his homeland. What about what she wants though? Is the grass really greener in Ireland?
I learnt so much about horses reading this story. I enjoyed the way the relationship between Harper and Aidan evolved slowly. I adored all the lovely animals in this book too :)
Ok, I will be honest, the first part of this book just seemed to drag on and on for me. I mean, not bad enough to not finish or anything but I thought I had just a so-so book on my hands. Then I hit about the half way mark and oh boy did things turn around. We got horse racing, a goat dressed in a chicken costume named Captain Hoof and two people who started being real with each other. It was nice to see the chemistry come alive for Harper and Aidan and watching them slowly heal from past hurts. Overall I really enjoyed this book.
This is my first ARC from Ms. Jennifer Probst but not my read. I have some of her paperbacks in my shelf. I got this ARC from NetGalley. The Marriage Bargain and The Marriage Trap were two of my fave books of hers.
This is the story of Aidan and Harper. He is an Irish horse trainer and she runs a farm that rescues and shelters abused animals... and they developed a relationship because of their love for animals... and so on.
I don't know if it's just me but I wasn't really able to connect with the story at the beginning. It took me about 3 days to finally finish the book and usually when I get excited and connect with a story I'd devour it within a day. I always love a good build-up towards a swoon-worthy love-story but I think it took much time for the characters to evolve? I don't know... For me, it only picked up around the middle.
The writing was good—of course, duh... but the pacing was much slower than I would've preferred. Maybe this book wasn't just for me.
This was a bittersweet book to read because it’s the last book of a wonderful series....or is it? I hope Jennifer Probst continues this series because it’s one that will bring tears to your eyes- either from
laughing at the witty comebacks and animal antics or crying because of tough decisions and heartaches.
The story follows Harper- a strong, confident, witty female who knows how to take charge and speak her mind. Aiden is a headstrong Irish man who has a heart the size of Texas. Their love story, while predicting, was a pleasure to watch unfold. I hope this isn’t the end of the Stay series because the Bishop sisters and their significant others’ lives are fun to be a part of!
Wow - I was so excited to get my hands on Harper's book and then we met Aiden and I became even more excited! I absolutely fell in love with Harper and Aidan's story from beginning to end. Its perfect in every way set in the most wonderful backdrop of horse racing - what a great way to fall in love for these fantastic characters.
Harper Bishop loves her life - she has her family but more importantly, she has her animals. Running an animal rescue on her family's farmer is rewarding and when Phoenix a horse that needs her love she knows she has also found a true winner. Now she just needs someone to train him. Enter the dashing Aidan with his Irish accent and good looks she knows that she needs to stay far away from him but when she realizes that Aiden loves animals just as much as she does Harper doesn't know if she can keep up her walls and maybe she really doesn't want to.
Aidan O'Connor came over to American to prove to himself and Ireland that he is a winner. Running from his past he just needs to find the right opportunity and really the right horse to give him that. When he comes upon the Bishop farm and sees Phoenix for the first time he knows he has found his opportunity - but its Phoenix's owner that really has turned Aidan's head. Together can they build a winning run for the Triple Crown and keep their hearts intact?
Jennifer Probst is so good at telling stories about complicated characters and wonderful locations. Harper has always been a mystery since we first met her and once we learn more about her we get to see why. I also love Ms. Probst's writing style - the third person can be a challenge for the writer and the reader and she does it flawlessly. We get to see some old friends from the previous books and meet some new "characters" both 2 and 4 legged which is beyond fun but make no mistake this is Harper and Aidan's book through and through.
So amazing! I'm a big fan of Jennifer Probst and she's done a brilliant job on this one. Great details on horse racing, animal rehabilitation and Ireland. I loved the ending to this trilogy. She brought all characters together and made them shine! Really looking forward to the next release she puts out.
I received a copy of All Roads Lead to You by Jennifer Probst from NetGalley to enjoy and review. And enjoy I did!!! I’ve loved each book of the Stay series, this being the third. It’s not necessary to have read the previous two, although you will want to! It was fun to reconnect with previous characters while watching the relationship grow between Aiden and Harper. From Phoenix the abused rescue thoroughbred to Captain Hoof the chicken suit wearing rescued goat, this story was a delight. A heartwarming page-turner I highly recommend!
I have loved this series from the first book. This is Harper's book and I think she found her perfect match in Aiden. It takes them awhile to give a go but they find it in the end. This book has a lot of information about horses and racing. Which is not my normal type of reading but with Jennifer's type of writing that part of the story isn't a hindrance to the story. I do fall more in love with Phoenix in this story and wait until you meet Captain Hoof. This book has all the feels you are looking for. You will fall in love all over again with the inn and animals. You will root on Phoenix. You will also root for Harper and Aiden to get it right. It is wonderful to see all the siblings get this happily ever after.
*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
I have absolutely loved this series by Jennifer Probst and yet each book can be read as a standalone. I’m glad I read each one, and I may have said this after reading each book, but I swear, this book was the best! I loved Harper and Aidan, but more importantly i loved the story of Phoenix, the abused horse who carries the plot and Captain Hoof, an abused goat. This book centers on Harper running the farm for abused animals and this was portrayed beautifully. A fully complete storyline that was wonderfully told. I loved all three books, and frankly would love to live more in this world!
All Roads Lead to You is a journey your heart won't soon forget! Harper and Aidan are two very hard-headed characters that have built up walls around their hearts. The animals are often scene-stealers, and will run off with your heart as well. They're the perfect buffer between the characters and very well portrayed.
ARC for honest review with no compensation received from NetGalley
All Roads Lead To You is book 3 in the Stay series by Jennifer Probst and a great addition to this series.
Harper Bishop runs a B&B with her siblings and also an animal rescue farm. This is her happy place, working with rescued horses, particularly Phoenix. She sees so much potential and hopes to train him for the Triple Crown but she lacks experience....but when an unexpected guest comes to the B&B, namely Aiden O’Connor a well known horse trainer from Ireland will she accept his help to train Phoenix?
What happens next will keep you turning the pages to see if these two can work together without letting feelings enter into the equation as it’s only for a short time or will they both open their hearts to something worth fighting for??
Favorite Quotes:
Harper’s animals were like a bunch of moody teenagers, hating when their sleep was interrupted even though they got about eighteen hours per day. Harper counted herself lucky if she scored five.
He smiled. Surprise flickered over her face, and then she smiled back. “If this is the way you say you’re sorry, we’re gonna be doing a lot of fighting,” he drawled. She laughed. “Don’t get used to it. I truly doubt I’ll be wrong again.”
My Review:
I’ve frequently noticed Ms. Probst’s name yet All Roads Lead To You was my first time to personally experience her work. I found it to be a pleasantly engaging and easy to follow story that was cast with likable characters, a strong and sassy heroine, and a farm filled with precious and precocious rescue animals including a potential racehorse with a history of abuse and lingering trust issues. The entertaining storylines featured relatable issues for all animal lovers, licks of humor, and a slow build-up to a deliciously steamy romance. Being an animal lover I perked up at each mention of the antics of the comical baby goat Captain Hoof, as well as the phenomenon of Hei Hei, the Polish chicken. I became so curious I felt compelled to Google Polish chickens to get the full effect and found them quite fetching.
All Roads Lead to You is a sweet, heartwarming, fun to read romance! You will fall in love with the characters, the animals and this story!
“Wounded souls recognizing each other” seems to be the theme of this book. From the humans to the animals, fate seems to have brought them all together and given them an opportunity to be healed by each other.
Harper runs a animal rescue farm and that is where Aiden ends up on his travels. He finds it filled with a wonderful family, a beautiful woman named Harper and a bunch of crazy animals. The one animal that catches his eye is a horse named Phoenix. Harper has been working on healing this beautiful horse for a while now, but Aiden realizes that this horse has the talent to be an amazing race horse. He was a horse trainer before he showed up here and now with Harpers help he has a chance to train a potential champion! It also gives him a chance to get to know Harper and bond with her while caring for and training this horse and he is pleased to find the feeling is mutual.
The added bonus of this book is the enjoyable antics of a crazy chicken and the taming of an ornery horse who finds friendship from goat dressed up in a chicken costume and loves it!
JPro is really a master when it comes to stories like this one -- tight-knight series wherein you wouldn't feel lost even if you've not read it in order.
This is the third book in interconnected series and having not read the first two books made me doubt if I should read in order or start with this series. I have decided to start with this one on this series and I think that it was the right decision for me, I didn't get lost in this world and it made me want to read the first two -- which I'm doing now!
I love everything about this book -- characters (human and animals alike), story-phase, and the romance feel!
The big plus is how JPro always has a lovable animal character in all her books (that I can remember of), and this one did not have a lack of it.
Although Harper loves her family and they love her because of her past she has always felt like she is on the outside looking in. She manages the farm side of the family business and puts her heart and soul into her animals, and they are all she needs in her life. She has recently brought Phoenix, a thoroughbred, to her farm as she senses a kindred soul.
Aiden has a painful past and he is hoping some time away will give him the clarity he needs to move forward with his life. He is a horse trainer and he senses the beautiful spirit of Phoenix and he feels that he can be the one to train him to be the success that he is destined to be and he may be just what Aiden needs in his life.
As Harper and Aiden work together the start to develop feelings with each other that run far deeper than their work with Phoenix, but can two damaged people help each other heal?
This is beautiful romance that at your heartstrings and has you believing that everything happens for a reason.
Very touching story about strength, determination and abounding love. Loved the story line and the characters, human and animal, have amazing interactions throughout. I was drawn in from the start and could not put this book down. I highly recommend it.
I've enjoyed this entire family-centric series by the amazing Jennifer Probst, and All Roads Lead to You is a great conclusion. If you are an animal lover, you'll love every bit of Aidan and Harper's story. It's an endearing enemies-to-lovers romance with a sigh-worthy happily ever after!
Harper, Aidan, and, of course, Phoenix captured my heart from the moment they all appeared on the page together and never, ever let go until that final word. I didn’t think I could love the Stay series more, but ALL ROADS LEAD TO YOU just upped the emotional impact of this series for me.
Harper has been a part of this series from the start, in the background, but we got a feel for her through the other couple’s romances. I think I’ve been waiting for her story, to see the hidden parts that she covers up with her devotion to the animals she rescues and trains. Her compassion is obvious, her love for any creature is without doubt, but now she’s going to be faced with the one man who truly, deeply “gets” her and accepts her just as she is without needing to change a thing. I’ve waited for Harper to shine, and she blew me away.
Aidan has his own demons to battle, perhaps that’s part of why he understands Harper so well. I fell in love with this horse trainer with a compassionate heart and a fighter’s soul. If any two people can bring Phoenix back to what he could have always been, it is this couple. Professional respect is obvious but beneath that is a growing attraction that will not be denied. Yet, at the end of the day, a choice has to be made. Can they trust each other enough to make the right choice for them?
I loved ALL ROADS LEAD TO YOU on so many levels. The details of every aspect of this story are amazing, I learned more than I ever expected to through their story. It’s always a delight for me when the couples from earlier books make their way into the current one as well. It was so good to see old book friends once again. And let us not ever forget the unique animals that live at this B & B – priceless, hilarious, precious and I was so glad to see each and every one of them again.
I had a blast with Harper and Aidan, I’ve no doubt that you would as well. There is also a 1001 Dark Nights novella coming out in the Fall of 2019 to keep an eye out for entitled SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS. If you love a really good love story with believable characters, a solid storyline that will touch your heart then you’ll want to pick up ALL ROADS LEAD TO YOU. I’d not hesitate to recommend this one to any Romance reader.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
This is the third installment in this series but you can easily read this book without reading the others. What a wonderful journey of freeing the demons of your past and welcoming the future.
Harper and her siblings are keeping their mothers dreams alive by running the B&B and animal rescue that she started so many years ago. Harper like to keep to herself and the animals the best she can. Sure she loves her brother and sister, she has a few acquaintances in town but she has never really put herself out there. Her heart belongs to the animals and she is not prepared to put then second in line. When the handsome Irish fella shows up at the B&B and begins to show an interest in the farm she is warry.
Aidan is on a mission to rebuild his life after the betrayal of the worst kind. Not only his business partner but his best friend. Taking his career that he worked so hard to build since a you boy trying to survive. Leaving Ireland for the US was hard but it was his only chance. Just about at his last stretch he finds himself at a small B&B, where the people are wonderful, giving anyone hope for a chance at happiness. When he gets restless and finds the barn and the horses, he suddenly feels much more at home. Recognizing the gem of a racehorse in Phoenix, he brings forward a suggestion and a plan. He is concerned that the owner will be an issue though.
The chemistry and attraction between Harper and Aiden has been there from day one. But they both tried very hard to ignore it for the benefit of their business relationship. There were other factors as well but ... sometimes no matter how hard you fight you just can't stop love from happening. Will this end in heartbreak?
A wonderful series.
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review.***