REVIEW: Mulberry Moon by Catherine Anderson

Mulberry Moon by Catherine Anderson: Ben returns home to Mystic Creek to settle down after years traveling on the rodeo circuit. He is starting to feel lonely and is ready to commit if only he could find a woman who didn’t want to change him. Finding women isn’t the problem, but they want to change how he dresses or can’t stand the animals on his ranch.

Sissy came to Mystic Creek to run her aunt’s cafe and she’s made it quite successful. Sissy runs the cafe by herself, so she has no time for romantic entanglements. After a horrific childhood and teen years, Sissy left home and never looked back. She’s determined to remain independent and has a very difficult time trusting, especially men.

Ben would love to get to know Sissy better, but she’s held him at arm’s length ever since he started coming to her cafe. She avoids chatting with him at any length and definitely comes across as icy and standoffish. But all that changes when Ben comes to her rescue over some chickens. He makes himself useful while catering to her strong affinity with and concern over her animals.

“Don’t bring Finnegan up here. He may snarl at Snickers and terrify him.”
The dog might frighten the rat. Give me patience. “I didn’t think about that. Finn is in the truck, and he might go into ferocious mode when he sees Snickers. How about if I put him in the laundry room? He’ll be fine in there with a bowl of water while we’re gone.”

Ben certainly takes advantage of the opportunity to get to know Sissy better. They strike a bargain that keeps Ben around for a while, which he loves but she wishes she could ignore the feelings he invokes in her. With their ongoing interactions, Ben is able to show himself as a good man who is worthy of her trust.

“That is romantic,” was all she could think to say.
He looked at her as if she were not a member of his species. “What?”
“It’s romantic that you’re willing to throw the strap out the window. It’s romantic that you care about me more than you care about yourself.”

Mulberry Moon is a sweet and endearing small town romance. Sissy’s past justifies her actions and mindset towards Ben, but her past didn’t need to be quite so tragic. Catherine Anderson had a good variety of interesting (human and animal) secondary characters. Mulberry Moon can be read as a standalone in this series. Fans of Jamie Beck and Kat French will enjoy Mulberry Moon.

Book Info:

Publication: Published January 3rd 2017 | Jove | Mystic Creek #3

The New York Times bestselling author of New Leaf returns to Mystic Creek, Oregon, where a wounded heart finds a place to call home. . . .

After a career on the rodeo circuit, Ben Sterling longs to settle down on his farm and start a family like his brothers. He’s searched all over for the woman of his dreams. Yet the only one to spark his interest is the new owner of the local café. Getting her attention, however, won’t be easy.

Sissy Sue Bentley has worked hard to make it on her own, and she doesn’t need another man in her life. From her alcoholic father to the men she’s dated, who were after only one thing, they are nothing but trouble. Except Ben keeps showing up whenever she really needs help. Sissy struggles to deny her growing feelings for him—but soon Ben’s tender concern has her hoping for a happier future. Then her past comes barreling back into her life, and it will take more than the love in Ben’s heart to hold them together.