After serving eighteen months in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Dalton Cardwell is looking for a fresh start. What better place than Whitcomb Four Star Ranch? He doesn’t regret the decisions of his past–he’d choose the same roads again. But now all Dalton wants is to keep his head down and focus on the horses–and on Raney Whitcomb.
Raney is outraged when she learns her mother hired an ex-con. Raney has worked hard for the ranch, sacrificing her personal life for the dream of building on her family’s legacy. But as Dalton breaks down every misconception and even wins the good opinion of her sisters, Raney is forced to rethink her stance–and finally free herself to explore the heart-pounding tension that simmers between them.
Release Date: Jul 7, 2020
Series: Brides of Rough Creek Texas
Book: 1
Heat Level: Warm
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $7.99
Dalton has returned home after doing a brief stint in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Everything has changed. His parents are relocating to provide a better life for his younger brother. His woman left town for a better life and Dalton has to find out what is his next step as an ex-con.
Raney loves her ranch. She is like the son her parents should have had. She takes pride in running things for her mother now that her father is deceased. Her mother is tired and wants to travel a bit but she needs a new horse trainer and Dalton is a good one.
Immediately I liked Dalton. He is a solid man. He is honorable and does the right thing. I love how he wanted to be there for his brother, Tim who is mentally disabled. He is pretty straight forward but Raney took a bit more time to warm up to. She puts up barriers left and right.
I think the slow burn to this romance took too long. I get it the whole notion of slow burn but nothing really happened outside of Dalton’s attraction to Raney. It took entirely too long for Raney to come around. Yes, she has issues but there was excuse after excuse and not enough romance. I’m not sure.
There are plenty of side characters to keep the series going. I admired how most of the people in the town rallied behind Dalton and knew he was as good man who was innocent. I wish Raney treated him better at times instead of with so much caution.
I know I haven’t read a western romance in a while but this one seem a bit dated in the writing style. I wanted to love it since I had love the author’s previous work but this miss the spot.
~ Samantha
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