Sigh. I just love Jesse. He’s my favorite nice boy/cowboy (okay, so he’s the only nice boy/cowboy I know, but whatevs). I had just finished reading book 1, Lost and Found, when luck would have it that Near and Far was released! I was so, so glad that Jesse and Rowen’s story wasn’t quite over yet. And I love that in Near and Far, we get alternating chapters of Rowen and Jesse’s POVs. WE GET TO BE IN JESSE WALKER’S HEAD!!! AHHH!!! *SWOONS*

Ahem, where was I… yes, so you can be sure that I was SO excited to be reading Lost and Found’s sequel, because I LOVED that book, and I needed more Jesse! And I knew that I wouldn’t wouldn’t be disappointed, because it’s Nicole Williams (whom I adore) and hello, Jesse! I am definitely not one to turn down a sweet and sexy cowboy. And while I can’t say that I LOVED Near and Far (at least as much as the first book), I absolutely enjoyed reading it and thought it was a great way to end Rowen and Jesse’s story.

So summer is over and Rowen has to leave the ranch and Jesse, and has to start college. Jesse is still working at the ranch, and rarely has time to visit Rowen, so they have to deal with having a long distance relationship. Throw in a TA who might have a thing for Rowen from her art class and a new working girl at the ranch who definitely has her eyes on Jesse, and the drama unfolds.

Most of the book is about the main couple dealing with their long distance relationship. It’s not easy. As much as they love each other, and they do, very much, time away from each other takes its toll on both of them. Both Jesse and Rowen become a little insecure about themselves and about their relationship. Neither of them thinks they are good enough for the other. They don’t see that they are perfect for each other, and their relationship gets a little strained. It was mostly because of this that I couldn’t put my full attention to Near and Far. It’s not that I was bored-more like the book just couldn’t hold my attention. And because of that, I couldn’t love the book fully.

The best thing about Near and Far, besides Jesse of course, is seeing how much love Jesse and Rowen have for each other. No matter how much their relationship gets battered, their love for each other is strong and unwavering. I was swooning so hard every time Jesse talked about Rowen, because you just know that that girl is everything to him. And the same goes for Rowen.

We never really got to read about Jesse’s past in full detail in Lost and Found, but it’s all out there in Near and Far. And it was horrendous. We finally find out the full extent of how neglected and abused Jesse was during his childhood, and my heart went out to him. But it just makes it all the more incredible that despite Jesse’s terrible upbringing, he has found the ability to love and is loved in return, and he has such a heart of gold. He tries to see the good in everyone even knowing that some people are so bad they are unredeemable.

The second best thing in the book was GARTH! I totally fell for this dark, bad boy, his sarcasm and his inner goodness. Because underneath his bad boy facade lies a good guy underneath. He cares about Jesse and Rowen, as much as he pretends he doesn’t, and I absolutely CANNOT WAIT for his book, Finders Keepers.

I loved the ending of Near and Far. It was so sweet and heartfelt, and even a bit sad since Rowen and Jesse’s story has come to its end. But I’m hoping we get to see glimpses of them in Garth’s book! I highly recommend reading this series, or anything by Nicole Williams. Her books are just fantastic, and never disappointing!

4 hearts!

Ladies, I present to you, Jesse Walker (or his back at least):

Just LOOK at that sexylicious back. Like, hot damn. I can’t even handle it. *fans self*

Reading Order: Lost and Found series

#1 ~ Lost and Found: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Near and Far: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Finders Keepers: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Losers Weepers: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Heart and Soul: Goodreads (June 16, 2015)