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Sutton's Place #2
An Unexpected Cowboy
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?
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?
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2022
23 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Stacey
141 books2,641 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shannon Stacey lives with her husband and two sons in New England, where her favorite activities are writing romance and really random tweets when she’s not riding her ATV. She loves mud, books, football & watching way too much TV.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 29, 2024
This would get a B+ from me, so 4.5 stars. When I saw this month’s theme for TBR Challenge, my mind immediately went to the packs of dukes and marquesses who find love in various British-set historical series. While I’ve enjoyed many of these (Sarah MacLean’s
Rules of Scoundrels
series is a favorite), I just wasn’t in the mood for a historical this time around. On the contemporary side, Shannon Stacey’s books tend to feature not only family ties, but also strong friendships. Such was the case with An Unexpected Cowboy.
A Montana cowboy randomly showing up in small-town New England might seem to be a stretch, but Ms. Stacey makes it work. We learn that the mysterious Irish met Lane, one of the main characters in this series, in a bar when Lane was getting his forestry degree in Montana. After losing a job, Irish plowed his savings into buying a camper and decided to see the country a bit. Since Lane said to look him up if he was ever out East, Irish ends up coming to Sutton’s Place for a visit, which soon turns into a job at the family brewpub.
While Irish hadn’t planned on romance of any kind, something about single mom Mallory Sutton clearly gets under his skin. Not only does he find her physically attractive, but he also admires how she manages her family and raises her young sons.
In some ways this book is a bit of a fantasy for every middle child who felt lost in the shuffle. Mallory is the middle child of the three Sutton daughters. Everyone sees her as dependable, strong – and perhaps easy to take for granted. Throughout the story, one of the things that comes up again and again is that Irish sees Mallory independently of the roles she plays for everyone else in the family. He finds her attractive and interesting in her own right, and there’s something irresistible about that.
This is not a high-action story, but the plotting works. We get a glimpse into daily life in Sutton’s Place and the decisions that go into running the fairly new brewpub and thrift store that various family members are involved with. The author does a wonderful job of showing the close friendships that the characters have without idealizing them. Mallory and her sisters are close friends to each other, but they get on one another’s nerves as well, just as Mallory and her best friend Molly can rely on each other, but sometimes Mallory isn’t ready to have Molly up in all her business.
I also liked that this book showed the men actually having good friendships. Irish may have had a difficult past and he may be a bit of a loner, but over the course of the story, we see his previous friendship with Lane grow deeper as they reconnect. We also see him starting to make new friends and tentatively put down roots. All of this is a big development for a man who was very clearly a lone wolf when he came into town.
Irish keeps his secrets from Mallory a tad too long for my tastes, but he’s clearly a decent guy. I did like seeing the two of them fall in love. If you like a slow burn romance, you will probably enjoy this one. It’s part of a series but stands alone quite well.
A Montana cowboy randomly showing up in small-town New England might seem to be a stretch, but Ms. Stacey makes it work. We learn that the mysterious Irish met Lane, one of the main characters in this series, in a bar when Lane was getting his forestry degree in Montana. After losing a job, Irish plowed his savings into buying a camper and decided to see the country a bit. Since Lane said to look him up if he was ever out East, Irish ends up coming to Sutton’s Place for a visit, which soon turns into a job at the family brewpub.
While Irish hadn’t planned on romance of any kind, something about single mom Mallory Sutton clearly gets under his skin. Not only does he find her physically attractive, but he also admires how she manages her family and raises her young sons.
In some ways this book is a bit of a fantasy for every middle child who felt lost in the shuffle. Mallory is the middle child of the three Sutton daughters. Everyone sees her as dependable, strong – and perhaps easy to take for granted. Throughout the story, one of the things that comes up again and again is that Irish sees Mallory independently of the roles she plays for everyone else in the family. He finds her attractive and interesting in her own right, and there’s something irresistible about that.
This is not a high-action story, but the plotting works. We get a glimpse into daily life in Sutton’s Place and the decisions that go into running the fairly new brewpub and thrift store that various family members are involved with. The author does a wonderful job of showing the close friendships that the characters have without idealizing them. Mallory and her sisters are close friends to each other, but they get on one another’s nerves as well, just as Mallory and her best friend Molly can rely on each other, but sometimes Mallory isn’t ready to have Molly up in all her business.
I also liked that this book showed the men actually having good friendships. Irish may have had a difficult past and he may be a bit of a loner, but over the course of the story, we see his previous friendship with Lane grow deeper as they reconnect. We also see him starting to make new friends and tentatively put down roots. All of this is a big development for a man who was very clearly a lone wolf when he came into town.
Irish keeps his secrets from Mallory a tad too long for my tastes, but he’s clearly a decent guy. I did like seeing the two of them fall in love. If you like a slow burn romance, you will probably enjoy this one. It’s part of a series but stands alone quite well.
July 10, 2022
I cannot tell you how much I adore Mallory and Irish together. She’s a harried, busy, and loving single mom with a lot on her plate. He’s a loner whose only family is gone, and good riddance. To Irish, family means pain and disappointment. He learns a whole new way of thinking seeing Mallory with her kids and the rest of the Sutton family all together.
Back when Mallory’s brother-in-law, Lane, went away to college, he met Irish at a local bar and they hit it off. Through the years they’ve kept in touch even with Lane moving back home and Irish staying where he was comfortable, in Montana working as a ranch hand. Circumstances have Irish getting a camper and finally going to see the ocean, he figured he may as well stop off and see his old friend Lane while he’s in the area.
There are sparks from the moment Mallory and Irish meet, even before she knows who he is and why he’s on her property. Mallory has been single for a long time and hasn’t even been thinking of looking for a relationship. Her young kids have lost too much with their dad leaving, their grandfather unexpectedly passing away, and one long term relationship not working out. She’s not looking to give them another male role model only to have him snatched away, so she’s concentrated on helping to build her family’s new brewery business as well as her mom’s more established business. But a quick fling with a cowboy who is just passing through? That she can do.
It’s a lot of fun and super sexy when these two finally give in and then realize it’s not so easy to hook up when you live with your mom, sister, and kids with another sister across the street. Especially since they want to keep everything on the down low. Kind of hard to do when the air crackles with electricity when they’re in the room together. But, for the most part, everyone pretends they don’t know what’s going on while letting them do their thing.
Even with the off-the-charts chemistry, this relationship happens in subtle shifts along the way. Irish’s thoughts on family, Mallory’s feelings about letting another man into their lives, all of it can’t stand up to what this couple can have together. It’s a beautiful thing.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
Back when Mallory’s brother-in-law, Lane, went away to college, he met Irish at a local bar and they hit it off. Through the years they’ve kept in touch even with Lane moving back home and Irish staying where he was comfortable, in Montana working as a ranch hand. Circumstances have Irish getting a camper and finally going to see the ocean, he figured he may as well stop off and see his old friend Lane while he’s in the area.
There are sparks from the moment Mallory and Irish meet, even before she knows who he is and why he’s on her property. Mallory has been single for a long time and hasn’t even been thinking of looking for a relationship. Her young kids have lost too much with their dad leaving, their grandfather unexpectedly passing away, and one long term relationship not working out. She’s not looking to give them another male role model only to have him snatched away, so she’s concentrated on helping to build her family’s new brewery business as well as her mom’s more established business. But a quick fling with a cowboy who is just passing through? That she can do.
It’s a lot of fun and super sexy when these two finally give in and then realize it’s not so easy to hook up when you live with your mom, sister, and kids with another sister across the street. Especially since they want to keep everything on the down low. Kind of hard to do when the air crackles with electricity when they’re in the room together. But, for the most part, everyone pretends they don’t know what’s going on while letting them do their thing.
Even with the off-the-charts chemistry, this relationship happens in subtle shifts along the way. Irish’s thoughts on family, Mallory’s feelings about letting another man into their lives, all of it can’t stand up to what this couple can have together. It’s a beautiful thing.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
October 26, 2022
3.5 stars.
FULL REVIEW HERE:
https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-an...
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?
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.
FULL REVIEW HERE:
https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-an...
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?
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.
March 8, 2022
I loved this book. I had not read book one in the series, and have to say that though I am definitely going to read that one as well, this was a stand alone.
Mallory Sutton is a single mom of two adorable boys doing all she can to she can keep them happy, working two family businesses and trying to stay afloat. She has no interest in having a man in her life, especially since it would affect her boys.
What she never expected was meeting a stoic, handsome cowboy who has parked his RV in their yard.
Irish, just Irish, is that man. A man whose childhood was one no child should have. A childhood that has made him the unsmiling, quiet man he is today. One that doesn’t think he deserves love.
But fate interferes and what was suppose to be a short term fling becomes more.
Will they risk their hearts for something more, or will fear keep them apart?
This was at times heartbreaking as well as a heartwarming story. The main and secondary characters were well developed and in the end all you’ll want to do is walk into the pages of the book and give Irish and Mallory a hug.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Harlequin. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Mallory Sutton is a single mom of two adorable boys doing all she can to she can keep them happy, working two family businesses and trying to stay afloat. She has no interest in having a man in her life, especially since it would affect her boys.
What she never expected was meeting a stoic, handsome cowboy who has parked his RV in their yard.
Irish, just Irish, is that man. A man whose childhood was one no child should have. A childhood that has made him the unsmiling, quiet man he is today. One that doesn’t think he deserves love.
But fate interferes and what was suppose to be a short term fling becomes more.
Will they risk their hearts for something more, or will fear keep them apart?
This was at times heartbreaking as well as a heartwarming story. The main and secondary characters were well developed and in the end all you’ll want to do is walk into the pages of the book and give Irish and Mallory a hug.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Harlequin. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
April 2, 2022
I loved returning to Sutton Place! It was everything I expected and more!
Mallory has had it rough with becoming divorced with two young boys and then when finally ready to get into a relationship again, turns out he only wanted someone to help him when he had his kids. So she turned her back on dating. She didn't really have the time, with the boys, the thrift store, and now the taproom that the family started. She didn't think that a mysterious cowboy would waltz into her life and change it for the better.
Irish had a very rough upbringing and doesn't show his emotions very well. He is very much a loner and likes it that way, however Mallory is just what he needs. She brings out the best in him and he just loves her boys. He falls more and more in love with them each day he is there and knows this is how family is suppose to be. He wants it, very deeply. But does Mallory want him just as much as he wants her?
I loved Irish and Mallory's story. It was a great joy to return to Sutton Place and what feels like catch up on some old friends. I can't wait for Evie and Lane's story. It is going to be a good one! I can just feel it.
Mallory has had it rough with becoming divorced with two young boys and then when finally ready to get into a relationship again, turns out he only wanted someone to help him when he had his kids. So she turned her back on dating. She didn't really have the time, with the boys, the thrift store, and now the taproom that the family started. She didn't think that a mysterious cowboy would waltz into her life and change it for the better.
Irish had a very rough upbringing and doesn't show his emotions very well. He is very much a loner and likes it that way, however Mallory is just what he needs. She brings out the best in him and he just loves her boys. He falls more and more in love with them each day he is there and knows this is how family is suppose to be. He wants it, very deeply. But does Mallory want him just as much as he wants her?
I loved Irish and Mallory's story. It was a great joy to return to Sutton Place and what feels like catch up on some old friends. I can't wait for Evie and Lane's story. It is going to be a good one! I can just feel it.
September 13, 2022
An Unexpected Cowboy (Sutton’s Place #2) by Shannon Stacey follows Mallory Sutton, a single mom. Her whole life Mallory has been the one who keeps things together. She stepped in and took care of her mom when he father passed away and she’s taking care of her two young boys since their father split. Between those responsibilities and the taproom and the thrift stop she and her mother run, she has no time for herself, much less time for a romance. She isn’t really even tempted, until Irish, a friend of her ex-brother-in-law’s parks his 5th wheel in their yard. That cowboy is hard to resist….
Irish isn’t ready to settle down, but a temporary fling with a hot single mom might be just what they both need. But once he gets a taste of Mallory, convincing himself he still has to pack and leave may turn out to be harder than expected.
I really like the Sutton family and I’m glad we got Mallory’s story. I liked how she and Irish connected and how he came to care for her boys and the rest of her family. I’m really looking forward to Evie’s book.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Irish isn’t ready to settle down, but a temporary fling with a hot single mom might be just what they both need. But once he gets a taste of Mallory, convincing himself he still has to pack and leave may turn out to be harder than expected.
I really like the Sutton family and I’m glad we got Mallory’s story. I liked how she and Irish connected and how he came to care for her boys and the rest of her family. I’m really looking forward to Evie’s book.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
October 15, 2022
Mallory devotes all of her time to her family. She’s a single mother to two young sons and she splits her time working at her mother’s second hand store and the family brewer/taproom. When Irish, a cowboy and friend of the head brewer, comes to visit and help out by bartending, an instant attraction between him and Mallory is evident. She, however, fears getting attached, worried how a breakup will affect her kids.
Irish makes a great hero. He sees Mallory, who is often overlooked by her family, as special. His own rough family history and his kind heart make his happy ever after extra satisfying.
I would have liked to see a bit more of Molly in this book as she is Mallory’s best friend, making it seem odd that she didn’t play a bigger role in some of the significant scenes.
Irish makes a great hero. He sees Mallory, who is often overlooked by her family, as special. His own rough family history and his kind heart make his happy ever after extra satisfying.
I would have liked to see a bit more of Molly in this book as she is Mallory’s best friend, making it seem odd that she didn’t play a bigger role in some of the significant scenes.
June 7, 2022
Good story in the series. Irish has left his last ranching position due to conflict with the new owner. So he heads from Montana to New Hampshire to visit his college friend, Lane, who is running the Sutton Brewery. And there he meets Mallory Sutton, and immediately falls. And not just for her, but her two boys. And Mallory has felt it, too. But Irish is just here for a short visit, and doesn't feel he can be a family man due to the abusive home he grew up in. But everyone wants him to stay, including Lane, who wants to offer him part ownership in the brewery. The question is, does Mallory want him to stay?
April 4, 2022
Another winner from Shannon Stacey!!!! I really loved Mallory and Irish's story. She is a mom and single, he just arrived in town to see his friend, Lane. The story is well played and couldn't put it down! Looking forward to next story!
July 6, 2022
I really like the Sutton family and I'm glad we got Mallory's story. I liked how she and Irish connected and how he came to care for her boys and the rest of her family. I'm really looking forward to Evie's book.
September 12, 2022
Love heals a heart
Mallory and Irish's story is my favorite so far. I enjoy when a man discovers love after living a life without it. Oh yes, his mother loved him, but due to his father's abusive nature they couldn't share the emotion or punishment would follow.
Mallory and Irish's story is my favorite so far. I enjoy when a man discovers love after living a life without it. Oh yes, his mother loved him, but due to his father's abusive nature they couldn't share the emotion or punishment would follow.
Read
March 1, 2022Western Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Sutton's Place (Book #2)
Miniseries
Sutton's Place (Book #2)
Read
March 30, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Child abuse recounted
Death of a mother recounted
Child abuse recounted
Death of a mother recounted
April 3, 2022
Irish is an ideal book boyfriend.
April 11, 2022
Charming addition to the series, enjoyed the sweetness of Mallory and Irish’s romance.
April 12, 2022
So very good!!
April 19, 2022
Loved the story and can't wait for the next book in the series.
May 17, 2022
Such a good read. Love this author!
June 30, 2022
***1/2
October 26, 2023
3.5 stars
January 2, 2025
So if the first book in this series felt by the numbers for me this one is Shannon Stacey at her best. I ended up absolutely falling in love with Irish and Mallory and especially her two kids. This was Stacey's usual "one's only here temporarily" trope but she mixed things up and added so much emotion and heart I actually got a little misty eyed at the end, which has happened only a handful of times with a book in my life. The first one was good, this one was great. Give this series a try!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews