Stalled lives are moving forward. People are taking risks—on new ventures and lifelong dreams. On happiness. And one of those people is local rancher Margaret Clemens, who's finally getting what she wants most. Marriage to cowboy Matt Eilers. Her friends don't think Matt's such a prize, but Margaret's aware of his reputation and his flaws. She wants him anyway. And she wants his baby.…

The main characters, Margaret Clemens and Matt Eilers aren't exactly a love match. Margaret fell for him five years ago when Matt first came to town, but her lack of feminine grace prevents even a second glance. Raised by her widowed father and his six brothers, Margaret knows cattle as well as any ranch hand, but doesn't know her way around a kitchen or pantyhose.

The townsfolk of Buffalo Valley haven't take much to Matt, viewing him as shallow and conceited, despite his good looks. Margaret doesn't blind herself to his faults even when she proposes marriage, and knows that he accepts for the ranch they will share. Margaret knows there've been other women, but she underestimates the depths of deceit previous girlfriends might represent.

Matt's former girlfriend Sheryl proposes he marry Margaret just long enough to secure their financial future before he divorces her and they marry. Although Matt declines the plan, neither he nor Margaret realize the manipulations they are about to meet.

In addition to these terrific characters, other secondary characters create a wonderful depth. Axel, the little boy rescued from an abusive situation who will be torn from his rescuers and thrust into the foster system. Axel's parents who have their own secrets and flaws. Calla, the senior in high school, who plays one parent against another, not understanding what love really is. Calla's mother, who is pregnant and torn between the man she loves and the daughter who won't share. As characters emerge with their own story, the tapestry becomes rich, imaginative, and a marvelous reflection of life, in its most joyous aspects, as well as most painful.

ALWAYS DAKOTA is a deftly woven tapestry that is at once delicate with subtle nuances and bold with harsh realities. Like life, the resolutions aren't always what we want, but the realities and consequences of our choices are resolved with compassion, at times bringing tears to the eyes. Author Debbie Macomber threads are brilliant, beautiful, tawdry, and ugly, representing the beauty of life, as well as its baser counterpoint. Poignant, moving, compelling, ALWAYS DAKOTA comes very highly recommended.


always macomber   June 3, 2001
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

As always Ms. Macomber has written a story that is not only believable but entertaining at the same time. This book is definitely five stars plus.

Always Dakota really doesn't focus on just Margaret and Matt. While they are suppose to be the main characters in this book equal time is given to Rachel and Heath, Sarah and Dennis, and Bob and Merrily. There are also the other towns people we have grown to love such as Maddy and Jeb, Hassie, and Joshua McKenna, just to name a few.

I found the storyline between Margaret and Matt to be extremely touching. There were tears in my eyes through much of their story. [...]

I was somewhat sad while reading this book, knowing it was the last in the trilogy. The folks in Buffalo Valley have become friends and I hated to see them go. It amazes me each time I read a Debbie Macomber book how I get to feeling as if these people and their problems really do exist in real life. Ms. Macomber writes with such life-like attitudes in her characters. This trilogy would definitely be a great movie. Please read!!!!!


Creative storytelling   April 29, 2001
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Buffalo Valley rancher Bernard Clemons, knowing he is dying, meets with cowboy Matt Eilers. Bernard discusses his beloved daughter Margaret with Matt informing the latter that she loves him and plans to marry him. Matt says he will never marry Margaret and though Bernard does not believe the man is good enough for his only child, he knows differently.

After Bernard dies, a grieving Margaret offers Matt an opportunity to own a ranch, a dream he has had since he ranched with his deceased father in Montana. They marry, but his past haunts them as his ex-girlfriend claims he left her pregnant, something he does not deny.

The third and final installment in Debbie Macomber's warm Buffalo Valley series is a fine addition to the trilogy. ALWAYS DAKOTA is an entertaining tale that showcases realistic people living and dreaming in a small ranching community in North Dakota. The M&M couple consists of two independent individuals whose relationship seems a bit tepid when compared with that of the townsfolk. Still, Ms. Macomber has written another winning wholesome novel that will send fans of contemporary romance seeking the two previous books (see DAKOTA BORN and DAKOTA HOME).

Harriet Klausner


Excellent read....   August 29, 2001
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

I have been reading Debbie Macomber for years and I enjoyed the Dakota series very much. Even though this book can stand alone I would recommend also reading the first two to get to know the secondary characters, the other members of the town. This was the best book in the series, even though I loved all three. I recently read all three in a row and I have to say that I am going to miss the characters of Buffalo Valley. I can't wait until next month when Buffalo Valley is released so that I can continue reading about these characters. I commend Ms. Macomber for creating a town and characters that you feel you know after reading about them. I highly recommend this series.


Always Dakota   December 17, 2001
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful

I quickly read all 3 books. The anticapation of the third killed me. This was my first experiance w/ this author and have now read most of her books. Always Dakota wrapped up everything you learned about everyone in this quaint little town of Buffalo Valley. A town I enjoyed so much i longed for a Buffalo Valley of my own! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Im sure they will leave you longing for the series to continue. They are a great escape into an imaginary town with people I wish I knew.