A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer: Book Review

Details

• Genre: Historical fiction
• Series: No, but does have a connected novella (The Husband Maneuver)
• Length: 354 pages (Ebook edition)
• Publication Date: May 26, 2015

Tropes

• Forced proximity
• Enemies to lovers

My Rating

Book Description

“Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts. 

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan’s Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care. Charlotte promised Lily’s mother she’d keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily’s legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he’s been led to believe. Is she villain or victim? Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he’s ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte’s heart.”

— from Goodreads

My Review

This was such an engaging, yet sweet Western romance!

Bounty hunter Stone Hammond is gruff but heroic and protective, a perfect match to motherly and determined former schoolteacher Charlotte Atherton.

Their relationship had shades of enemies to lovers in the beginning (which is one of my all time favorite tropes). But once they trusted each other, that trust remained solid. 

The healthy communication between Stone and Charlotte was a breath of fresh air. In situations where a misunderstanding could have happened, they actually discussed things instead.

I really liked how Charlotte used her piano playing to express her emotions.

Stephen, John, and Lily were delightful. Each one of them had distinct personalities, skills, and interests that would ultimately play a role in the plot of the book.

Favorite Moments

🎹 tending to Stone’s wounds
🎹 Charlotte playing the piano 
🎹 Texas sunset
🎹 explaining the plan
🎹 Charlotte telling Stone she loves him 
🎹 epilogue

Favorite Quotes

“Mr. Hammond might have a rock-hard exterior, but hard shells were known to harbor soft insides, and he’s just given her a glimpse of his. It was reason enough to hope.“

Karen Witemeyer

“As his lips met hers, he thanked God for the circumstance that had set him off in pursuit of this woman so many months ago. She’d turned his life upside down, filling it with music, a ragtag bunch of kids, a grizzled gnome, and a love so profound he’d be forever changed.“

Karen Witemeyer

“No longer was he the hardened man who lived from bounty to bounty. No longer was he the orphaned boy who craved only a piece of land and enough money to keep it. He’d learned the joy of pursuing a greater prize. The prize of love, family, and a woman who would hold his hand through good times and bad and never let him go. A most worthy pursuit.“

Karen Witemeyer

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