Review: When I’m With You (Big Prairie Romance #3) by Jennifer Rodewald

About the Book

He wants what he deserves, and this time he won’t walk away without it.
Meeting Daisy Hopewell shouldn’t change a thing.

Lane Carson is sick of living like a wandering homeless man. When he receives a text message from a woman claiming to be his brother’s fiancée, nothing short of meeting her will convince him his reclusive older brother has worked up the courage to talk to a woman, let alone propose. And since he’s returning to Big Prairie, he’s determined to claim the inheritance that should have been his. As long as no one expects him to live up to his brother’s impossible standards.

Daisy Hopewell has found refuge in Big Prairie working as a hired hand at the Carson Ranch—an opportunity to prove that her worth goes much deeper than being a rich man’s daughter. Her haven is shaken, however, when the boss’s brother shows up. Lane Carson is nothing like his reserved, serious brother. And Daisy knows from experience that when you add massive flirt to good-looking, the result is heartbreak.

Meeting Daisy sidetracks Lane’s plans, especially when she turns out to be irritatingly immune to his charm. But after being caught with her in a devastating flood, Lane suddenly finds himself reevaluating his approach to everything. Daisy’s stubborn determination and unflappable kindness feed his burgeoning desire to be more than a reckless, selfish man, but the last thing Lane needs is to be deemed unworthy by yet another person in his world.

Daisy is discovering a depth to Lane she hadn’t expected, and with Daisy, Lane finds himself believing he could be a better man. But by the time he figures that out, it might be too late, because she’s determined never to play the fool again.

Can Lane and Daisy release the resentment they cling to from the disappointments of their pasts and step toward the possibility of being different—better—together?

Small town Christian stories of romance and redemption, begin the Big Prairie Romance series today!

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved this book! As I've come to expect from Jennifer Rodewald, this was another stellar and poignant read that went deep and pulled at my heartstrings. Tender, at times, yet hard-hitting when it needed to be, I ran the gamut of emotions. I felt the highs and the lows and was right in the thick of things with these realistic characters.

Lane had a lot of rough edges to him. It took me a little bit to fully connect with him, but, gosh, when I did, he became one of my favorite characters ever. Him and his brother Lance weren't on the best of terms. He felt slighted and hurt, so he lashed out with sarcastic remarks and sharp barbs. Not gonna lie, he was a bit of a jerk sometimes. It was painful to watch the struggle, but it was such a powerful journey to redemption and healing. I loved getting to know the real Lane, the man he tried to hide from everyone. He's a real good guy underneath it all.

Daisy was easy to like and easy to root for. She's an all-around good and hardworking young lady. She's feisty, doesn't back down from a challenge, and goes toe-to-toe with the best of them. She's the perfect match for Lane. She's got some trust issues, though, after being wronged recently, so her guard is high.

I seriously can't recommend this book highly enough. It's fantastic. And while it is book three in the series, it stands alone just fine. 

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.


Favorite Quotes

“I have learned – over and again, and sometimes with great difficulties – that maintaining a label on others based on their failures is selling everyone short. Those particular people and myself. More importantly, the Redeemer who washes stains until they are white as snow.”


“...while reputations are earned, God's grace is not. Perhaps along with that, people may not be able to change on their own, but God's redemption and transformation are often woven together.”


“I can't help but wonder at God's timing. You are here to begin again. And here Lane arrives after years of being gone. Suppose he wants a clean start too? You came partly because no one here was witness to your great disappointment. What if we allow Lane such an innocent audience as well?”


If he stayed, he could reinvent himself so that every day he wouldn't have to take a shovel to the shame.


“...I've walked a path of reckless rebellion. But God has littered the path with nuggets of grace, with tokens that have whispered His faithful love into my selfish destruction. That kind of love – it leaves me breathless.”

Five Stars