Courage

A Big Sky Novel (Heroes of Big Sky, Book 1)

By: Kristen Proby

Narrated by: Stephen Dexter, Erin Mallon

Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Kristen Proby comes an all-new novel in her Big Sky series, Courage. This is the first story in the Heroes of Big Sky, all about men in uniform in Cunningham Falls!

Natasha Mills feels like she’s loved firefighter Sam Waters her entire life. Since she first met him during middle school, she’s harbored a secret crush on her best friend’s big brother. It’s just something she lives with every day - too bad he doesn’t notice her. To Sam, Tash is his little sister’s best friend, and that’s it. 

Disaster strikes the Waters family, leaving Sam’s sister and her husband dead, and their young children in the hands of Sam and Natasha. Suddenly, these two are navigating the loss of people they loved, while trying to figure out parenthood together. The grief is devastating, and raising twins is harder than either of them bargained for. But in working together, and leaning on each other, Sam and Tash learn that family comes in all different shapes and sizes. 

The more time he spends with Natasha, though, the more Sam realizes just how sweet and sexy she really is. He finds himself slowly but surely falling for her. But when the time comes for him to let her go - will he be able to walk away from the family he’s helped build?

©2021 Kristen Proby (P)2021 Kristen Proby

meh

the story itself was not bad. just found the whole thing to be lacking. i know you need a nice happily ever after and not all stories need to be drama filled and angsty but this was just too unrelatable to me as a mom of 2 who has been working from home for the last five years and can still get all her stuff done and not be a total wreck all the time. maybe its just the headspace i'm in personally but this was just not as exciting as i'd hoped. Love me some Stephen Dexter though.

They Drove Me Crazy in a Good Way

Natasha and Sam suffered a tragic loss of two very important people. Her best friend and Sam’s sister, Monica and her husband, Rich. As a result, Sam and Natasha took over the care of their twins. Still reeling from the loss, Sam and Tash had to figure out how to manage their feelings from their loss and how to raise two children. They decided to coparent. While doing so, they started developing feelings for one another. All seems well until Sam is offered an opportunity. Will he go and break up their happy home or will he say no and have the courage to stay?

These two drove me nuts. They had a lot of things to wade through. It was hard for them to find a balance. Often times miscommunication was the cause of their issues. But they found their way and got their happily ever after. But man getting there was not easy. I loved Sam and his optimism. Tash, poor thing had a lot on her plate and had to learn that she wasn’t in it alone. She got there and I am
so glad she did.

This is a wonderful small town romance beautifully performed by Stephen Dexter and Erin Mallon. It has a great cast of characters. The storyline will pull you in and won’t let you go. Can’t wait to continue on with the series.

Sweet and charming

This is my first Kristen Proby book, so I wasn’t familiar with the characters mentioned but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I was a bit surprised that with the very emotional plot that starts the book off, the rest of it is not heartbreaking and instead leans more towards fun and sexy with low angst. Sam and Natasha started a relationship almost immediately after becoming an instant family. Personally, I prefer a book with lots of angst and I kept thinking how amazing this could have been with more angst and more heart breaking emotions. But if you are looking for a sweet and fun story then this will be a delightful read. Stephen and Erin brought out the fun and lightheartedness of the story and Sam and Tasha came to life with their narration.

Courage

I loved Courage by Kristen Proby! Sam has been a favorite of mine since the original series (Love Under the Big Sky) when he was an EMT. Now, he's a fireman and tasked with raising his niece and nephew, along with Tasha, his sister's best friend.

Stephen Dexter and Erin Mallon brought Sam and Tash to life in a wonderful way! This is a series that I will definitely listen to again and again!

Kristen Proby is a Master!

Cunningham Falls! One of my very favorite fictional towns to visit. I always feel like I'm going home to visit my family when I read a part of this series. I could not be more excited that it’s evolving into the next “generation” of this wonderful town. (Hello Seth ;), I can’t wait for his story!)

I was so happy to get Sam’s story. After seeing him throughout this series It was nice to see him and Natasha get their love story. I have to say this one hit all the emotions for me. I don’t want to give too much away, but the events that begin this story just wrecked me and made for such an emotional listen. I haven’t really experienced a storyline line close to this before. It made for such a real connection to these characters.

My heart broke for Kevin and Kelsey. Sam and Natasha were thrown in the deep end, I loved watching them grow in this story and become so strong and great family.

I loved them, I ranted at them, I rooted for them. This is a great listen and it didn’t disappoint even if you’ve never read any Big Sky before, you will love this story. I can’t wait for more.

Loved This One!

Natasha and Sam. A perfect couple in a perfect love story. No angst, no drama, just sweetness and love. Stephen Dexter and Erin Mallon do a great job of narrating. I loved the characters and the storyline. 2 people taking on the responsibility of raising her best friend and his sister’s kids after there is an accident. It all works and it’s worth a credit.

4 Stars

Emotional and heartwarming.


Suffering the loss of a loved one is hard enough as it is but then having parenthood rusted into your hands it’s a bit more than anyone could possibly ask for. Finding a delicate way to balance your emotions while raising twins is almost impossible. Natasha and Sam are doing all the can to support, help and get this co parenting thing down. Both have had secret feelings for the other for years, the time spent together and all the emotions broke a barrier and they both gave in. As they navigate the waters and start to become a family parts of life that were put on hold leave a choice lingering.


Courage is an emotional ride of a story that leaves you feeling so good at the end. I got choked up so many times while listening. The amount of emotions that come through the words of the story are unbelievable. Natasha and Sam I have a unique situation that they try to make the best of. Feelings that they’ve had for one another for years come to the surface which is only natural considering the situation that they are now in. They came together as a family, And made a new family of their own. I have to give amazing credit to the narrators. Their talent through the audio narration of this book truly gives another layer of emotion to this Hit you hard in the heart story.

Another great Big Sky novel.

If you are familiar with and in love with the characters and community of Cunningham Falls, Montana (and even if you aren’t) this is another fantastic addition to the Big Sky family. Although the initial premise of the book is sad and tragic, Kristen Proby adeptly and gently weaves a story around loss into one of love and new beginnings. She doesn’t sugar-coat the hard, real-life issues that Natasha and Sam encounter, but she does it with a heartwarming attention to the emerging love story that is at the heart of the book. Erin Mallon and Stephen Dexter are superb and bring all the emotion and heat that these characters require and deserve. Well done all around!!

Great story, great narrators!

This is another great book from this author! She is so talented when it comes to world building—awesome characters, witty banter, lots of appearances of old friends from previous books! I loved Sam and Natasha, hot chemistry, so much love! Be prepared for lots of emotions with this one—tissues required!! The kids steal the scene sometimes. I can’t wait to see Gage’s book unfold. As far as the audio, both narrators were great, and I really enjoyed the experience!

another 🔥❤️❤️

I love everything that Kristen writes and this was just another that was amazing. I love that she threw in a twist of her story line right off the go. I love the changeup and the story and the characters. 10/10 recommend

One of Favourites

I love all Kristen Probys’ books, but this has to be a favourite. Big Sky is such an amazing universe and this adds in perfectly. Would recommend this and all her other books.

More than the normal romance

Natasha and Sam are thrown into parenthood through tragic circumstances. Sam’s sister and Natasha’s best friend die leaving them joint custody of her twins. Natasha has a crush on Sam and the feeling is reciprocated, but now they’ve got instant parenting brought into the mix. This book is more than your standard romance because it not only features the evolution of a relationship, but how they each evolve as parents. I loved the twins and how they dealt with grief and eventually moving on. All in all this was a good read, and best of all I enjoyed catching up with the rest of the Big Sky series characters. I enjoyed listening to this book. Both narrators are excellent and really bring the book to life.