Talk about uptight. Montana Dreams is ripe with characters that just won't open themselves up for love. Tough cowboy and gritty single mother are in the battle of their lives and hearts. Talk about the battle of the sexes -- Hart came up with a winner.

You can't make someone love you and often you don't want to settle for less. Millie needs to be loved. She misses the love she shared with her mother who died unexpectedly leaving her with a father who closes off his heart and as years passed became harder and harder. It really was no surprise that he reacted so harshly when she discovers she is pregnant. Instead of being supportive he basically casts her aside.

Unfortunately Millie doesn't fare any better with her then boyfriend Hunter McKashin. Hunter vehemently doesn't approve of love, marriage or anything else that has to do with a lifelong commitment based on feelings. He compares himself to his hard, uncaring father and in his eyes came up wanting. He can't even reach out and be happy for his siblings as they discover life mates and love. No it isn't jealousy, it truly is that Hunter doesn't get it and more important he fears it.

Simple dreams of love and happiness are something Millie wishes for with all her heart and Hunter avoids like the plague. He is sure he isn't worthy or capable of it and avoidance hurts less. Millie suffers greatly living with a judgmental father and has left Prospect Montana to forge a life for herself and her unborn child. Now years later she returns to help her father in his last days only to find their dairy farm in terrible condition both physical and financial. Her father has become even more cantankerous as his illness slowly robs him of life. The farm hands have left to find jobs that actually pay leaving Millie pretty much alone and at odds in running the place. Too much to do, not enough time or hands pretty much sums up the position she is in.

To her dismay the source of relief and help comes uninvited from their neighbor Hunter. He seems determined to help even though fighting to keep his distance emotionally. How do you crack through such a tough veneer. Funny how Hunter is hesitant to acknowledge how desperately hurt he had been when Millie left. It was easier to believe that she has gone on to another man but that isn't being truthful and honest. Hard to admit but her leaving devastates Hunter but true to type he stoically hides that hurt. And now Millie returns along with her son Simon, even more for Hunter to digest and to regret. If he had acted differently Simon could have been his. Evidentially Hunter's going to realize that he fathered Millie's son. The biggest question is would he embrace this truth or as in the past run from it.

Montana Dreams is obviously part of a series by Hart featuring the McKashin clan but not to worry it stands on its own. Rather scandalous central theme of a teenage unwed pregnancy considering this is a love inspired book but happily it did not come off preachy in the least. Instead of pity the resiliency of the young mother is inspirational and uplifting. Her stature as a single mother is elevated by the remarkable child she has raised single handedly albeit with a little help stemming from her faith. Optimism is the true theme of this delightful story.