Fields of Forever

by Camille Mackenzie

Grey Dawson has spent his life in solitude, tending to his Texas farm and keeping the world at arm’s length. Haunted by a violent past and the fear of becoming the man who raised him, he convinces himself that love is something he can never have.

Nola Whittaker is a passionate chef with a thriving restaurant, a bright spirit, and a heart big enough to fill an entire town with warmth. She has built her dream from the ground up, focusing on her career and ignoring the whispers of loneliness that creep in at night.

When an unexpected barter for fresh produce turns into late-night conversations, slow-burning attraction, and undeniable connection, Grey finds himself drawn to the one woman he knows he doesn’t deserve. And Nola, despite every warning, can’t help but fall for the rugged, broken man who makes her feel safer than she ever has before.
But love isn’t easy. Not when past traumas linger and the ghosts of childhood wounds threaten to tear them apart.

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2025

Reviews

[Disgusted Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pacing of this story needs work. The first half of the book took so long to get off the ground & there was nothing but fleeting interactions between the two main characters. I didn’t find anything romantic about them either. Then its like the author put the pedal to the metal & next thing you know they are in love. Not sure how that happened when there was nothing on page to witness. Combined with a third act “break up,” this really was not my cup of tea.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance about a chef and her troubled Cowboy. Both MCs and extremely likable and you just want to see them be happy together.

Now Nola’s sister Karly? Really wasn’t feeling her. I know she was supposed to be looking out for her sister although going about it the wrong way, but she really irked my nerves. She came off kind of bitter and like she was trying to push that onto her sister and Grey’s relationship.

Check this one out!

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and heart wrenching love story. I like that the characters connection and hearts recognition is instant, but they are both guarded and feeling like they may yearn for something different but be better off alone. What they create is something wonderful and I love how this author can lay out a character past trauma but demonstrate that it is ok to love, open your heart and go to therapy to help make yourself a better partner for your loved one. I just love the slow build and tentative friendship to breathtaking love ending. I was not an immediate fan of Karly, but I knew she had been deeply hurt, and I want to know her story with Levi. I also respect that she admitted that she was wrong and was such a source of support to her sister Nola when she was needed. I also love the connection and other half of the characters Grey can grow and nurture anything on his land and in his gardens while he thinks he is not worthy of love and Nola loves to cook and remember her grandmother and has built a successful business when there were a lot of haters they complete each other and as a foodie I loved the farm and table business and restaurant the couple was able to build and I loved the descriptions of food and love put into the produce and preparation. I love that the couple was not rich but so relatable as hardworking people trying to find their place in this world and make something of themselves and the future, they originally saw for themselves changed, expanded, and was enriched because of their love for each other. 5 stars love story.

[BreakingtheEpigraph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Love That Heals

Camille Mackenzie’s latest release delivers a heartfelt cowboy romance filled with emotional depth and redemption. Grey Dawson is a man tormented by his past, living a solitary life shaped by old wounds. His world is predictable and closed off until Nola Whitaker steps in. She is warmth and light, the kind of person who makes you believe in second chances. But love alone may not be enough to heal a man who has spent years running from his fears.

I was drawn in by the chemistry between Grey and Nola. Their connection felt genuine, and I loved watching their relationship unfold. Nola’s strength and patience made her an easy character to root for, while Grey’s internal struggle added complexity to the story. The emotional tension kept me invested, but I found the pacing slow at times, particularly in the middle of the book. Some scenes felt drawn out, making it difficult to stay fully engaged. However, the emotional payoff and satisfying conclusion made up for it.

Overall, this is a beautifully written story of love, healing, and the courage it takes to face the past. If you enjoy slow-burn romances with deeply emotional storylines, this one is worth picking up.

[CLorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fields of Forever by Camille Mackenzie is her first book in several years. Ms. Mackenzie gives us a slow burn romance between two very different people. Due to his dysfunctional and abusive childhood, Grey is hesitant to start a relationship for fear that he will mirror the behavior of his father. Nola is fairly new to town; she has opened up a thriving and popular restaurant but has no time for romance. Nola is personable and like a ray of sunshine while Grey moves as if he is under a dark cloud. The couple slowly come together as friends as they get to know each other. But will Grey’s insecurities interfere with their ability to make a life together? I enjoyed this story and was glad to see new work from this author. My one quibble was the manner in which Grey handled his trauma, instead of accepting Nola’s help he pulled away. I did like the construction of the story, there were several narrators, and it appears that Nola’s sister may be up next.
https://theretiredreader.com/f/fields...

[Mae Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grey and Nola

My heart broke for Grey, he needed love but first and foremost he needed healing. Nola was exactly what he needed to give him hope, understanding and love. What she couldn’t give him was complete peace of mind, walking away from her temporarily to seek help to heal his pain and inner suffering was just what the doctor ordered. Loved their love story!

[Nene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed!

I enjoyed the storyline and the main two characters. The sister got on my last nerve projecting het experiences on her sister relationship. Although I enjoyed the storyline but something was missing just my opinion. 3.5 stars

[CM · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a slow book. I felt myself really not feeling much for the main characters relationship. Karly really annoyed me the most with her antics and I felt like the author didn’t do the best job fleshing out why she acted out the way she did to help us understand.

[J P · Rating 1 out of 5]

.

It was ok. Alot of repetitiveness that wasn't needed. The story dragged in some places. It seem like the author forgot some things then had them be surprised when they already had the information. It was weird.

[Alicia Pressey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. Nadia story line dragged too long she took up most of the story. Grandpa and Lennox was was better, I hope all 7 of the give grandpa exactly what he deserves

[Ianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

made me cry a little

This was a great book it made me cry a little but totally worth it. Won’t regret reading this one