An Unexpected Cowboy (Sutton’s Place #2) by Shannon Stacey brings us a slow burning romance that 
comes in the most unexpected —excuse the redundancy— way. A camper appears surprisingly in Stonefield, driven by a cowboy from Montana, to visit his friend and spend a few weeks in town. Tall, sexy…every girl’s dream. But Mallory Sutton is a woman with her hands full: a single mother who deals alongside her mother and sisters in the family business. However, she can’t resist Irish’s allure, the handsome cowboy. And Irish is not indifferent to the young single mother. This is how little by little the two begin to do things together for the business, and they become more intimate. Irish’s stay drags on for a month longer than planned, during which time the couple becomes more involved in their relationship. Is it possible that Irish decides to stay in Stonefield? Or will what he and Mallory have end up being just a passing romance, breaking Mallory and her kids’ hearts?
“They were building a sandcastle together, molding and shaping a relationship that was making her feel things she hadn’t thought she’d feel again. She’d even dug a moat around them, keeping everybody else out.
But eventually a wave was going to sweep him out of her life.”
The conflict in this story lies in Irish’s past. A man who never knew what it was like to live in a family filled with love and human warmth, especially after his mother’s death when he was a child. He always lived in fear of his father, a severe and intimidating man. He’s used to hide his emotions in order to survive. A strategy that prevents him from opening up to others; he doesn’t even allow himself to smile openly. Slowly, but in a very short time, Mallory manages to penetrate his heart in an easy way. Despite knowing what’s happening to him with Mallory, a strong, determined, loving woman who’s committed to her family (especially her children), he still thinks that he has nothing to offer her and her two children. Above all, because he knows that Mallory has had bad experiences with the father of her little ones (totally removed from their lives) and she’s the rock of the Sutton family. Mallory deserves a man who loves and “sees” her in all her glory.
This book has turned out to be very simple in terms of its writing; the Stonefield Gazette’s Facebook page posts as introductions to the chapters are a great tool used in a clever way, which I loved. However, I found myself somewhat disconnected from the plot in the first six chapters. Once we get to chapter seven, the story flows naturally to its end. It also helps that the scenes are well developed and that the romance between Mallory and Irish is believable. Although I think the author’s insistence on letting us know how much Mallory desired Irish sexually was a bit excessive…
On the other hand, the supporting characters were interesting and somewhat colorful. Personally, I loved Mallory’s sons, Jack and Eli. Lovely guys these two! In addition, they gave a funny note to the plot, while there is a heartwarming depth. Regarding the rest of the secondary characters, we were also able to appreciate something of what could be the next book in this series, which is promising (Evie, what the heck are you doing!?).
A book with many unexpected moments (not in vain its title was very appropriate) and a love without extravagance.
Book Info:
Publication: March 29, 2022 | Harlequin Special Edition | Sutton’s Place #2
He’d been told home is where the heart is
He never believed it until now
Lone-wolf cowboy Irish is no stranger to long, lonely nights. Some might say he even prefers it that way. But somehow Mallory Sutton tugs on his heartstrings. The feisty single mom is struggling to balance it all—and challenging Irish’s perception of what he has to offer. She shows the guarded cowboy everything a family—and real love—can be. But will their unexpected connection keep Irish in town…or end in heartbreak for Mallory and her kids?
From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Sutton’s Place
Book 1: Her Hometown Man
Book 2: An Unexpected Cowboy
Book 3: Expecting Her Ex’s Baby
