This is a solid contemporary romance, but with a lot of horse and cow ranching involved.

Our MC Seneca is an ex army Seargeant, dealing with her trauma, by staying on the road, going from place to place, never really settling down. She comes to a small town in Idaho, and finds work as a farm hand and more, and truly integrates into the town and its people. She's impressive at all she does, but damaged in the typical ways, where love interest Robyn is drawn to her.

Robyn is the daughter of one of the ranch-owners, and a Doctor of psychology, who helps youths in an equine therapy program. There was lots of little side elements and threads to really create a fuller picture of the community, but I do wish for a few threads to have been more hashed out, and resolved.

There's nothing particularly ground-breaking in the story, but it's solidly setup and described, good descriptions and insights into the ranch, the characters and their motivations, which makes all the difference to a story, and in an audience connecting to the players involved.

You feel frustrated along with Robyn, at the way Seneca tries to flee her emotions, despite the obvious attraction and home being spun all around her. But it felt realistic to the character and you really root for both women, and the found family vibe of the story overall.

So I'd recommend giving it a go, if you like damaged war vets, finding their place in the world, opening up to love, and also some fun banter too. There's also some great animal moments, here, too!

Imagine it’s a cold, dark night and you finally get home to your warm house where your family is waiting for you so everyone can start supper. That in essence is Broken Fences.

Senaca is on a walking journey across the country, trying to escape the sadness of her past. She never stays anywhere long because the best way to keep from getting hurt is not getting attached to any one place or person. But short on money, she hires on as a temporary ranch-hand in Idaho and there she begins making connections again.

The book is a straightforward romance between Seneca and Robyn, the psychologist at the center. They do a dance of longing and fulfillment because Seneca is so guarded but Robyn is equally patient. What I liked best about the book is that this story is not just about falling in love with one individual but about finding your found family, the place and people that need you as much as you need them.

Overall, the writing was enjoyable and I liked Seneca very much. Solid debut.

I do want to add some people carry firearms in the story and there is some gun violence that is a small part of the storyline. Ordinarily, I do not mention but since this is a romance and not a thriller, I wanted to note.

Broken Fences by Jo Hemmingwood features cross country backpacker, Seneca Twist, who is trying to forget some tough times and loss of her “brother’s” life in the same military unit where she also served, She is walking from Alabama to Washington State and is currently making her way through Butterbean Hallow in Idaho. She stops in this small, tight knit community to earn some money to continue her trip. But it’s getting close to chilled weather where surviving overnight in the elements is unrealistic. She is hired at a ranch where her riding and outdoor skills come in handy. The ranch is a boy’s ranch where she meets residential psychologist Robyn Mason. There’s an immediate attraction between Robyn and Seneca.

The book plays out that attraction, life on the ranch, and explores whether Seneca can forgive herself, stop her wandering and commit to something and someone again. 4 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Broken Fences" by Jo Hemmingwood is a poignant and beautifully written novel about family, forgiveness, finding hope amidst tragedy, and the impact of past trauma. Hemmingwood's writing is engaging, and her characters are fully realized with rich backstories and unique personalities. I loved every minute of the slow burn romance between Seneca and Robyn, even the push & pull they go thru as a result of Seneca's past trauma.

The whole storyline is both heartfelt and lyrical, and Hemmingwood's exploration of complex themes is both sensitive and insightful. I highly recommended for fans of contemporary sapphic fiction. ARC provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books. This review is completed voluntarily.

This story was about Army veteran Seneca Twist who is suffering from PTSD and extreme guilt over her friend dying in Afghanistan. She sets out walking cross country to keep her nightmares at bay and find some peace. She drifts from town to town staying only long enough to earn enough money to eat and then move on to the next place. She finds herself in a small Idaho town that has a dude ranch for boys with behavior problems. Robyn Mason is the resident director and psychologist who runs the ranch along with her family.

Seneca and Robyn have an instant attraction and Robyn tries hard to further their relationship. Seneca is reluctant to become involved.

This book read like a Hallmark movie and it had a simplistic and predictable plot. However I enjoyed it. Hemmingwood made a good start for her debut book. Sometimes it’s nice to read a feel good book without slot of drama and with a HEA.

ARC received from NetGalley for a voluntary and honest review.

I’m a huge fan of novels that feature characters who served in the military. This story/plot did not let me down. Seneca stopped in Idaho on her trek from Alabama to Washington State. She takes a position (was meant to be temporary) at a ranch where she meets Robyn (father owns the ranch). I enjoyed the slow burn romance as their relationship and plot developed. Highly recommend!

Thank you Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

After returning home from the army Seneca was restless so she started a quest to walk from Alabama to Washington State. She’s a skilled survivalist so camping outdoors and nature are an easy task. However she does need money so she takes short term jobs along the way.
She’s now landed in Idaho on a cattle ranch.
She’s a hard worker and they like having her around especially Robyn whose father owns the ranch.
There’s an instant attraction but Seneca keeps pulling back.
Robyn will be patient as she learns about Seneca’s flashbacks and PTSD. But Seneca doesn’t plan to stay long she’s too restless, so what happens next for them?
I enjoyed this story and the ranch setting. Don’t miss this one.

Thank you #NetGalley and #BoldStrokesBooks for this ARC

Seneca is an ex-soldier who lost her brother to an IED while she survived. She is full of guilt at what she sees as her fault. She takes to the road to try to find some meaning in her life. Stopping occasionally for short stays in order to earn some money to keep her going. One of her stops is in the town of Butterbean Hollow where she meets Robyn and her friends and relatives. It’s almost winter in the wilds of Idaho so she is forced to stay longer than planned because of the weather. Seneca becomes involved in the running of the ranch and all it entails.
An unwanted admirer of Robyn’s causes trouble and results in some hair raising moments before Seneca finally realises what she has been looking for all along.
I enjoyed this book very much. Although (apart from towards the end) this story is mainly about the everyday lives of those involved it is quite interesting and, I think, well written.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Seneca is having survival guilt because she blames herself for her brother Hunter being killed in Afghanistan. She loves her brother but felt jealous of him growing up which is why she signed up for the army and her brother follow her. While trying adjust she packs up her bags and starts walking winds up in a small town in Idaho where she gets a job at a ranch. Seneca meets Robyn who is a doctor psychologist that’s uses the ranch to help trouble boys with responsibilities and to give them a start in life. Seneca and Robyn grow closer despite the fact that Seneca isn’t staying she feels that she has to keep moving because she riddled with guilt but she starts to feel at home with Robyn and the ranch and it’s scares her. This was a good read deals with grief finding your place. I love all the characters Win JD etc… how they were subtle into trying keep Seneca from running.