Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews 
 5++++ Stars 
 This is probably the hardest review I've ever had to write because this is a huge release into a wildly popular series and it's about someone who until two years ago didn't even know he had this crazy, huge, but loving family. It's hard because we are nearing the end of this series and because of that I read this book with a different eye and had such a difficult time not crying through the whole thing. It's hard because I want to make sure my thoughts are coherent enough to give this book the justice it deserves and it deserves a lot. While I've always been vocal about my favorite McKay man and couples, and those haven't changed with this story, this book is probably my favorite overall book in this series. This is the longest book in the series to date and it by far has the most complex plot, yet I still finished it and was ready for more. Don't get me wrong, it has a very satisfying ending but as always Lorelei leaves me wanting more and that my friends is the mark of one of the best authors out there. Even my husband who has enjoyed every one of Lorelei's Rough Riders books and everything she's written as Lori Armstrong commented that he appreciates the details and character development she puts in every story. Something he believes is lacking more often than not in books these days. Gone Country steps beyond the norm in a Rough Rider book, this story is about relationships of many different kinds and it was easy to read this book and reflect back on the entire series. Seeing the McKay family from "outsider" eyes, is interesting, hysterical, heartwarming, heart breaking, and cathartic. I loved every minute of it and despite knowing there are two more books to go, I'm at peace with this part of the series coming to a close because I feel like the missing pieces to the McKay family puzzle are in place; Gavin and Sierra are where they have always been meant to be; in the bosom of the McKay family. 
 Gavin Daniels has fascinated me since he first appeared on the scene in Chasin' Eight. I will admit though at first I worried about what this outsider might do to shake up the McKay family and their ranching empire. I'm highly protective of the McKay family so I didn't trust Gavin, I found myself worrying what this could mean for everyone involved. But when he flew to Wyoming for the "intervention" with Ben in Cowboy Casanova, I decided right there and then Gavin was a stand up guy. In this book he proves over and over what a stand up guy he is and while he has his moments where I threw up my hands and shouted "quit acting like a typical McKay." It dawned on me that despite being raised in a totally different environment, the whole nature versus nurture argument comes into play because when he's mad or upset, he takes on the pissy man McKay attitude and says things that are totally out of character for him. However, he's generous to a fault, he's a fantastic father (despite making some mistakes), he a caring lover, and he's really trying to be a brother, son, nephew, uncle, and cousin to people he didn't even know existed two years ago. I honestly can't imagine all the issues he's dealing with and there are some pretty wonderful moments in this book as he works through all the changes in his life. 
 I admire Rielle Wetzler for the choices she's made in her life. She works hard and despite some financial troubles in the past, she's a smart business woman. When she first appeared on the scene, I didn't like her much but that had more to do with the fact that she was kind of mean to Ainsley. Once I realized her motivations for that though, I forgave her and it's been interesting uncovering the layers of this complex woman. I really love the parallel lines between Rielle and Vi (Gavin's birth mom). I also applaud her for raising her daughter on her own despite the odds and making sure her daughter had the best upbringing she could provide no matter how hard she had to work for it. I will forever be grateful for the way she embraced both Gavin and Sierra and how she always listened to them without meddling. I'm not sure there are many women who would have seen fit to play the role of sounding board without giving her opinion. 
 Something every interesting in this book is we see part of it from Sierra's eyes. As a 16 year old girl who was moved from a big city into the wild of Wyoming, she has some pretty damn insightful moments. There are also a lot of very realistic teenage girl moments that left me shaking my head one minute and thanking the Lord I had a son the next. Everyone thinks Sierra is shallow, spoiled and self centered but we learn there is a lot more depth to this young woman and I can't help but wonder where life will take her. 
 We also get to see a lot more of Rielle's daughter Rory in this book and some of her scenes make me realize that no matter how old children are, they still expect to be the center of your universe. At 24, she's not happy about her Mom finally getting a life and she doesn't handle it well. She makes some of Sierra's outbursts look really minor. I did however enjoy the budding relationship between Rory and Sierra. Rory really stepped up into a big sister role and Sierra was there to remind Rory to take a good, hard look at herself when she was being particularly bitchy. 
 Throughout this book we get to see Gavin learning to deal with his extended family but also forging bonds with his brothers, and his birth parents. This isn't always neat and pretty but the scenes will forever hold my heart. Gavin's reaction to so many of the things he is dealing with is so real that I often found my eyes leaking. We also get to see Sierra finding her place in this huge family and learning about the family's history. Sierra also experiences a changing crush but I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil it for you. 
 As you can tell many different kinds of relationships are explored, but this story is about Gavin and Rielle moving from friends to lovers. Once they finally figure out there is no way to ignore the passion that is between them, they move quickly and their intimate scenes are scorching hot. Watching Gavin take the reins in their relationship and them both realizing that it takes the right partner and the right chemistry for great sex, they leave no stone unturned and no surface untouched! While I have loved watching each and every McKay man fall in love, Gavin and Rielle have a very mature relationship that comes from them being at very different places in their lives compared to the previous couples. That's not to say they are boring, they are far from that, but with 16 and 24 year old children in and out not to mention business to run and extended family nearby they have a lot on their plates. 
 Every day I thank Lorelei James for opening my eyes and making me realize that just because you are comfortable in your relationship doesn't mean you can't spice things up and make it new again. With Gone Country, if she helps one single parent realize that they deserve a life outside of being a parent then in my opinion, her work is done. I can almost guarantee when Lorelei set out to write this series she had no idea what great marriage, sex, and life therapy they would be. But the truth is, they are and Lorelei James is a master at her craft. This book is more than a story about two single parents finding love. Gone Country is the story of people finding their way in this big world, learning to deal with everything life throws at them and then being lucky enough to find that one person that makes them feel like no one else can. It's truly a masterpiece and while I've enjoyed every story in this series, this is without a doubt the best overall story to date and one that I feel will top the bestseller charts and should remain there for a good, long time. Congrats Lorelei on a job well done, consider me overwhelmed and overjoyed. This book is 5 stars only because we don't have anything higher! 
 Review copy provided for an honest review.