A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue

9 reviews for A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue

1. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Dee – June 3, 2019:

   4.25 stars.

   Wow, the title is so fitting. Nina has the biggest heart ever. Although I’m not exactly a fun of horses or the country lifestyle, I was routing for Banksia farm, Nina, and Phoebe from the get-go.

   I loved the setting, the Aussie dialogue, and the slow burn. Given the lawyer/client relationship, it totally fitted the story. I loved Nina and Leigh, but I did struggle a little with Phoebe’s about face when it came to Leigh.

   I had a fair idea who the baddies was all along, but couldn’t be 100% sure so that by no means detracted from my enjoyment.

   This is one I’ll certainly recommend to others. Then again, I recommend all readers give Cheyenne’s books a shot. I lover her Girl meets Girl series.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Karola – June 5, 2019:

   ***free ARC
   Another great one by Cheyenne Blue, if you like / love her Girl meets Girl series, this one‘s for you, too. I liked the way Nina goes after Leigh first as client/lawyer and then falling for each other. Phoebe, Ninas daughter, is a great part in this book, without her it wouldn‘t be that good.

3. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Bugs – June 5, 2019:

   I had been waiting for Cheyenne Blue’s next novel in anticipation since “Code of Conduct.” The wait was over when I had a chance to read her newest, “A Heart This Big!” Yup, I was already curious about it ever since reading its blurb and reading its excerpt reminded me of why I always enjoyed Blue’s writing. So naturally, when the entire story became available to me, I read it in one sitting. What a delightful, sweet romance, indeed! A rich girl/poor girl, city girl/rural girl, single mum country romance, Blue’s writing style allowed the story to flow ever-so smoothly and the romance between the two MCs, Nina and Leigh, to develop organically all throughout the story that I was immediately invested. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride from start to finish!

   Blue opened the story with a slice of farm life with Nina, the owner of her inherited farm, and her 12-year-old daughter, Phoebe. Then I was immediately introduced to two characters, Stella and Billy, who’d play a pivotal role in not just turning Nina’s life upside down but also responsible for bringing Leigh into Nina’s world and vice versa! Fate really works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it? Anyway, Stella was a very shy, quiet single mum to her very eager and energetic 7-year-old son, Billy, who was enamoured of one of the horses, Mr. Petey, in Nina’s farm. Nina ran a kids’ programme at her farm primarily catered to paying city kids so they could learn about rural life but also accommodated underprivileged kids who couldn’t pay like Billy. In order to offset the costs, Nina also ran a volunteer programme where people could volunteer their time to help with the farm maintenance, contribute to farming various produce that’d be sold in the farm shop where they’d get their own share of profits. Parents of kids who couldn’t afford to pay for the kids’ programme were also encouraged to volunteer in return for their kids’ participating in the programme.

   I was immediately intrigued by Blue’s portrayal of Stella – shy, reluctant, quiet, tentative and uncomfortable around people (aka a loner), obviously cash-strapped, struggling to provide for her son, but indignant enough to not show her desperation. She was clearly not averse to farm work but practically forced herself to do so just so Billy could spend time with his favourite horse, taking riding lessons and practices, and the all-around farm chores which he loved very much. I thought there was much to be explored and discovered about her life, her back story, imo. I wonder if Blue would write Stella her own story in the future. I, for one, would be thrilled to delve further into her life story – young, single mum, struggling desperately to provide for her son who may or may not be in the spectrum. I decided that she was gay – basically in a similar situation to Nina’s in terms of how their single motherhood came about, but obviously in a much worse position, financially speaking. Oh, now that I’m typing this, I’m feeling more and more hopeful that Blue WILL write her a story! Besides being very interested in Stella, her incredibly adorable, energetic son, Billy, practically stole my heart from the start, what with his exuberant attitude and adoring behaviour! Oops! Apologies for going way off-tangent there with Stella and Billy!

   Anyway….

   Nina and Leigh’s story kicked off when a terrible accident with Billy and Mr. Petey led to Nina ending up in Leigh’s office, trying to convince the less-than-keen young partner in a prestigious law firm to take her case, after being served a claim by Stella for injuries incurred by Billy after his accidental fall from the horse. Blue’s description of Nina’s “fish out of water” demeanour and appearance was utterly effective in showing just how uncomfortable and out-of-her-league she was in the midst of Leigh’s world of high-flying, expensive, corporate, city lifestyle. Both Leigh and Nina’s first impression of each other was depicted with acute realism. I was delighted that Blue’s portrayal of Leigh, being this obviously much-sought-after young law firm partner from the city who wouldn’t have time for the Ninas of the world, was not someone who was immediately taken to Nina and her predicament, despite taking notice of her attractiveness. It made their story believable and the subsequent development flow organically.

   Obviously, I loved Leigh’s character. Yes, call me a sucker for aloof ice queens, which Leigh defo was, at least on the surface! Besides that, I loved that she was career-orientated, confident, not afraid to own up to her deficiencies or mistakes. I utterly enjoyed all her discomfort and squeamishness when not only was she coerced into taking on Nina’s case pro bono but to her horror, she actually had to step foot into the muddy grounds of the farm, too! Oh, city slickers, eh? I so relate! In fact, I was learning, exploring and discovering Nina’s farm from Leigh’s vantage point and mindset as Blue’s meticulous description of every nook and cranny of the farm and the hectic farm life was ever-so visually captivating! I felt like I was there alongside Leigh, taking in everything Nina was doing with her farm!

   Another thing that captivated me when it came to Leigh was her initial contentious relationship with Phoe, Nina’s 12-year-old kid….a grown up, more like! I immediately was taken by Phoe’s character – her utter maturity, her fierce independence and deep sense of responsibility, her quiet contemplative persona, at the same time contrasted with all the stereotypical attitudes that only teenagers exuded! Blue’s authentic display of Phoe’s subtle emotional and non-verbal nuances just made her even more endearing to me! Due to certain factors/assumptions involved related to the claim that was threatening not just the farm but the community’s future especially the kids, and more frightfully, Nina and her own livelihood, and her being the ever-astute child that she’d always been, Phoe’s doubts about Leigh and/or her intentions, at least in the early stages, were depicted so genuinely by Blue’s wordings that I could feel her indignant rebellion mixed with quiet vulnerability. Tugged at my heartstrings, good and proper! Leigh’s logic, emotional response and reaction to Phoe during those trying times was absolutely spot-on, utterly relatable! Hence, it was such a heartwarming experience to explore Leigh and Phoe’s relationship development and growth from initial distrust, then tentative comfort to the eventual, ever-so critical and crucial ultimate trust forged in organic stages throughout the story.

   As for Leigh and Nina’s relationship, I loved the fact that they were worlds apart, not just because of their contrasting lifestyle – city vs rural – but also their socio-economic disparity – rich girl/poor girl. Despite such differences, Blue’s depiction of their mutual growing interest in and attraction to each other was grounded in realism and authenticity. There were no idealistic, pie-in-the-sky stipulations. Just pure emotional instincts, feelings of desire and allure which crept up on them that neither could deny as their professional relationship veered more into the personal as time went by. This magnetic pull that Nina seemed to have on Leigh slowly but surely tugged her out of her comfort zone insofar as her lifestyle went – immersed in the upper echelons of the society including dating professional people. I loved how Blue slowly peeled off every layer of Leigh’s protective armour, Nina’s insecurities, both of their deepening emotions toward each other, their growing mutual trust as their slow-burn romance took shape at every developing and growing stage of their relationship. Their entire journey felt real, sensual, alluringly genuine and honest. I could see them both as real people tackling their undeniable attraction toward each other, teetering toward a powerful energy called love. Whilst their growing romance was utterly compelling, I was gratified by the fact that Blue stayed true to Leigh’s character. However much Leigh felt for Nina, even to a point where she knew she had fallen for her client, Leigh was always steadfastly conscientious because that was who she was – honest and decent, scrupulous, honourable, with a strong moral compass. The attorney/client conflict was evident, obviously, but Leigh, the consummate professional, never crossed the line. I would have been a little dismayed had Leigh suddenly dropped all her principles just to accommodate the “romance” trope! It’d have been very out-of-character for her to do so. Needless to say, I was elated and endeared toward Leigh’s character even more! Thank you, Ms. Blue!

   Back to the case on hand, the claim that would hang over Nina and Leigh’s heads in their entire journey, as I’m sure that was Blue’s intention, I must say, had me constantly on-edge as I sifted through every page, because as long as the case was still open, not to mention, this horribly unsavoury character who kept hovering around Nina like a human fly, knowing that something was brewing, I kept anticipating what would happen next, worst case scenarios and all! It was an unnerving journey for me as a reader. Very effective, indeed, because when everything finally fell into place, I found myself heaving a huge sigh of relief before continuing with Nina and Leigh’s ultimate ending. The seemingly impossible situation between these two endearing souls because of reasons you simply have to read to discover, was eventually resolved in a way that I was utterly satisfied, thanks to Blue’s commitment to telling an authentic love story against all odds.

   All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was such a refreshingly delight to explore how two people from opposite ends of the socio-economic spectrum, slowly fall in love, with obstacle after obstacle hauled at them mercilessly, be it professionally or personally, finally, but finally found their way toward a lasting togetherness against all odds. Love really endured for these two captivating women. Just wait ’til you read how their union came to be. For me, I was utterly pleased that Blue depicted their ending that way – the who, the what, the how. Cheers, Ms. Blue! Much obliged! In the end, I have one word to describe this story: Family. In all its representation – blood-ties, camaraderie, friendship, community but in the end, it was LOVE. Love that united two worlds. Love that bound together everyone and everything. Love that endured against all odds, in more ways than one.

   I’d defo recommend this to all fans of romance! This one has an added bonus of exploring the power of love and conviction between two people from polar opposite worlds, lifestyles, worldviews, in the midst of a threat, who, against all odds, found a soul mate in each other. You can’t help who you fall in love with, can you? And you’d do whatever you can to be with each other, wouldn’t you? That’s the message that Blue relayed in this sweet, adoring, delightful and beguiling love story, imho. Read it!

   p.s. Will we have the luxury to explore Stella’s own story in the future, Ms. Blue? Just asking!

   **I was given, with much thanks and appreciation, an ARC of this book, by Ylva in return for an honest review.

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Karen Reno-Cobb – June 9, 2019:

   Last summer I was bowled over by Code of Conduct, so I was extremely excited for this book. And I wasn’t disappointed at all. First of all, I love this author’s word choices – her writing is so smooth and natural and just lovely. This is an opposites attract story with a lowgrade ice queen, and I was hooked instantly. The buildup/explanation of how Leigh and Nina meet was exactly the right length; lots and lots of details that were totally needed to give good backstory but not too long. The farm scenes were described perfectly and the daughter just added to the “family” aspect of the story. I loved the chemistry between the mains and couldn’t wait for them to finally get together. The epilogue left me with tears in my eyes and a need to decompress before moving on to my next read. Cheyenne Blue has become a member of my read-immediately favorites authors.

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Betty Harmon – June 21, 2019:

   Cheyenne Blue has a permanent place in my list of favorite authors. Her books are always enjoyable with strong characters, intriguing plots and stunning settings, usually in Australia. When I heard that her newest novel, A Heart This Big was about to be published, I made sure to get a copy as soon as I could, and I am very glad I did.

   This is the story of Nina Pellegrini, a farmer with a small farm on the outskirts of Sydney, which she uses as a place for young city children to learn about animals and farm life. Though Banksia Farms is technically run as a business, she never turns away a family who can’t pay for their child to be part of the program. She also has a young daughter named Phoebe who helps on the farm and with the children’s program. When a young boy is hurt on the farm and his mother sues for damages, Nina tries to find the best lawyer she can to help her keep the farm she loves so much. This is when she meets Leigh Willoughby, a very successful lawyer who is definitely a city girl and knows nothing about life on a farm. She does know her way around this type of litigation though. Nina can’t afford to hire Leigh, but Leigh finds out fairly quickly that it is very hard to say no to Nina and Phoebe, and she eventually agrees to take on the case pro bono. There is chemistry between Nina and Leigh, but complications surrounding the case and their very different lives keep them from acknowledging as well as acting on their feelings, at least for a while.

   This is definitely a slow-burn romance with the push-pull you expect through most of the book. It is a beautiful story and I really enjoyed the parts with the children on the farm. The characters, both main and secondary, are well developed and likable. The settings, both city and farm are realistically drawn. While this is not my favorite Cheyenne Blue novel (It’s hard to beat the books in the Girl Meets Girl series), A Heart this Big is a solid slow-burn romance that I think you will enjoy.

   I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Henriette – July 7, 2019:

   This is another wonderful slow-burn-romance by Cheyenne Blue set in Australia. I loved the difference between the high-strung lawyer and the laid-back farmer girl. The kids were a wonderful addition and above all the down-under vibe is simply great. Well written, well edited (Kudos to Ylva).
   Cheyenne Blue is on the top of my must-buy list.

7. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   stephasselin – July 29, 2019:

   A heart this big by Cheyenne Blue.
   I was excited to get the chance to review A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue. Luckily for me, it wasn’t my first read of her novels, but this one was on top of the list.
   Nina Pellegrini owns and runs a farm. She doesn’t roll on Gold and knows how hard you must work to get what you want in life. Happens something horrible and tragic and she must fight as best as she can with all that she has. Her comes her lawyer, Leigh Willoughby.
   To be honest, I hated Leigh’s character in the beginning for her condescending way of acting. As the story grows and she loosens up a bit, I get to enjoy her true personality and it seems to me as a good thing.
   What got me hooked at first was the farm itself. How Nina and her daughter work hard to keep it going giving it the best they have. I think the romantic aspect of the book comes in the right place, at the right moment.
   I loved how both characters know how to draw lines between their hearts and how the story is unfolding. I’m not going to say more than that, but I loved how it was written and how beautifully both characters grow.
   I would recommend this book without a doubt. It is a slow build romance that’s worth reading.

   @RainbowMReviews
   *I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.*

8. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Velvet Lounger – October 10, 2019:

   4.5 stars

   This is an absolutely charming story of two worlds colliding and making a much brighter whole.

   Nina runs a small farm she inherited and is determined to keep going, despite increasing pressure from a bullying property developer. When a child is injured riding as part of her program for disadvantaged kids both the farm, her livelihood and her daughter, Phoebe’s, self confidence are threatened.

   Fighting for everything she holds dear Nina approaches a well known attorney, literally begging for her help. Leigh is the archetypal city girl with no knowledge and little interest in farm life. But Nina’s passion for her program draws her in and Phoebe makes it hard to walk away.

   The farm and the program are a heart-warming backdrop for this romance. The cast of volunteers adds depth, the menagerie adds colour and the threats and intrigue add just the right amount of suspense and angst to pull us in. Even the supposed baddie is fleshed out into a very real person despite her very human failings.

   But what makes this an outstanding read is the main characters (all three) and their interactions. They are worlds apart in every way, but when the spark of interest ignites Cheyenne Blue slowly and gently reels them in. It’s slow burn, they have plenty of time to get to know each other, time to bond and grow into something you just believe will last.

   Well written, well paced and totally adorable. I genuinely loved this story in all its parts.

9. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   payanke_ – October 24, 2019:

   🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤️‍👩📚👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩👩‍🎓👩‍👧🐎👩‍👩‍👧⚢📖👭🏳️‍🌈

   That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of « A Heart This Big » …

   So, here it is !!

   1st of all : Thank you so much Ylva Publishing for providing me this book.

   I’m familiar with Cheyenne Blue’s work since I’ve read the entire « Girl Meet Girl » series and « Code of Conduct ». I loved all of them so I didn’t hesitate to pick this book. & I’m glad I did, I deeply enjoyed it !!! 😍

   My rating : 4.5 ⭐️

   The story is (mainly) located in a suburb near Sydney ( New South Wales – Australia) and focuses on :
   ° Nina Pellegrini, a country girl & single-mother who owns « Banksia Farm » and runs a program for city kids to experience a taste of rural life. All this while rising Phoebe, her twelve-year-old daughter.
   &
   ° Leigh Willoughby, a twenty-nine-year old top-notch lawyer, whose city world is far from the farm’s chaotic mix of kids and animals.
   Leigh is the best in what she does so when a child is hurt and a lawsuit threatens, Nina is determined to find the best legal assistance to help her save the farm and contacts Leigh. A small case that doesn’t pay & farm visits that wreck her cool—and her clothes are not really Leigh’s cup of tea but once she starts to discover her country heart by spending time volunteering at « Banksia Farm », she realises that, while being her total opposites, warm-hearted Nina and her offspring are awfully hard to say no to …

   The Pros :
   ° the settings : I really appreciated my trip in Australia … I could become an Aussie addict very quickly.
   ° the fact that the romance is not in the « insta-love » category is highly appreciated and, unlike what we could think when the MCs meet the 1st couple times, there’s a great chemistery between them
   ° the realism of the pace both for how long it actually takes to deal with a lawsuit & for the MCs to get to know one another & develop their « opposites-attract » relationship.
   ° the realism of the rhythm of the farm life 🤠 (something I know well since I grew up in a farm)
   ° Nina’s goodhearted nature, her huge human side and her kindness & the way Leigh is transformed at heart by her meeting with Nina.
   ° the good secondary characters like Grizz, the farm volunteers, the Barn Kids and even the animals … They all add a depth to the story.
   ° the good style and wording & the emotional and realistic side of the dialogues

   The Cons :
   ° Nina is very smart most of the time but, sometimes, about important stuff the acts like a dumb (for example : when there’s a break-in in the farm shop one night … Seriously, who on earth will omit to call the police and clean up the place right away ?),
   ° Quite often I had the feeling that the MC’s were a lot older than the late twenties that they are supposed to be…

   If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
   Did I enjoy this book? => Yes …
   Did I find the characters believable? => Yes …
   Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Yes
   Will I purchase the paperback? => Yes, ASAP
   Would I read another book by this author? => Definitely yes
   Would I recommend this book => Yes … to everyone but espcecially to those who like romance, ranchers/ farms/ animals themed stories ; lawyers stories, « opposites-attract » relationship stories.

   Guys and gals, now it’s your turn to travel in Australia… So … Grab your own copy and make your own opinion about the trip to the roos and koalas’ country…

   Enjoy (or not) your reading …

   🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤️‍👩📚👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩👩‍🎓👩‍👧🐎👩‍👩‍👧⚢📖👭🏳️‍🌈