The Past (Bluegrass Empire 4) by Sawyer Bennett-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 3, 2025

Before ascending the throne of the Blackburn Empire in Kentucky horse country, they were just Tommy and Fiona, two teenagers from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Young love bloomed during an Irish summer set amidst the rolling green hills and lush pastures of Tipperary County.

Fiona Conlan grew up sheltered by her overbearing parents and vibrating with the need for something more. In the summer of 1978, she found exactly what she needed. Ready to test the boundaries set for her, Fiona trained in the exhilarating and dangerous sport of steeplechase, and in an even more rebellious move, started secretly dating a young and brash American she knew her parents would never approve of.

Too much partying and not enough studying during his sophomore year of college had Tommy Blackburn’s parents desperate to get the future heir of the family business to take life a little more seriously. What better way to do that than to send him to Ireland to work at Glenhaven, a massive thoroughbred and breeding operation run by a family friend. But Tommy’s wild ways followed him across the pond and he couldn’t help but pursue the beautiful redhead with fire in her eyes and a wild spirit just waiting to break free.

Tommy and Fiona fell hard and fast, a secret love built from stolen moments. Rife with drama and disapproval, they overcame it all to set the stage for a new generation of Blackburns to run their American Empire. Their epically romantic journey was anything but easy, but you can’t get to the present without The Past.

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REVIEW:THE PAST is the fourth instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult BLUEGRASS EMPIRES: THE BLACKBURNS romance series. This is Tommy Blackburns, and Fiona Conlan’s story line. THE PAST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty . Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives , set in 1978, THE PAST focuses on the introduction and meeting between Fiona Conlan, and Tommy Blackburn, the current matriarch and patriarch of Kentucky’s Blackburn family. Tommy Blackburn was a bit of a wild child, and the summer following his sophomore year at college, his parents sent him to Ireland, to work for a family friend but Tommy would find more than discipline at the Glenhaven operation, he would find his future in the guise of seventeen year old Fiona Conlan. Fiona Conlan is the eldest daughter of Seamus Conlan, and her future has all but been set in stone until the day she meets our story line hero.

The world building follows Tommy as he ventures to Ireland where he will meet the young woman who will steal his heart but as beautiful as land is, there is a darkness that threatens Tommy and Fiona’s future happiness.

The relationship between Fiona and Tommy begins as a friendship. Tommy is working for Fiona’s uncle Rory and his girlfriend Kathleen but a forbidden affair is about to change the direction of their lives. There are no $ex scenes.

We are introduced to both Tommy and Fiona’s parents; Fiona’s uncle Rory, his girlfriend Kathleen, and Fiona’s siblings Siobhan and Paddy.

THE PAST is a story of family and friendships, power and control, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is revealing and captivating; the characters are determined; the romance is subtle.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Feud
The Forbidden
The Tryst

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

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