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Men of the Double-C Ranch #1

by Allison Leigh

WELCOME HOME, STRANGER

After ten long years Jefferson Clay was back. But now he was a different man. Leaner. Mysterious. Pained. Something else had changed, too. The pint-sized tomboy who'd tagged along after him at his family's ranch had matured into a beautiful woman…

Emily Nichols had been hopelessly in love with Jefferson ever since she could remember. And now this gorgeous, enigmatic man was sending her heart further into a tailspin, awakening her woman's passion as no other man could. but would Emily's love be enough to bring Jefferson's deepest, darkest secrets into the light and convince her wounded hero to stay…with her…forever?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Hqn, Category Romance

251 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

A frequent name on bestseller lists, Allison Leigh's highpoint as a writer is hearing from readers that they laughed, cried or lost sleep while reading her books. She’s blessed with an immensely patient family who doesn’t mind (much) her time spent at her computer and who gives her the kind of love she wants her readers to share in every page. Stay in touch at www.allisonleigh.com.

Reviews

[Saly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5

This was such a sweet book, I totally loved it. The hero is home almost after three years, he's injured badly and no matter how much he tells himself that he isn't there to see her, he is, the heroine Emily.

Emily came to live with his family when she was orphaned at seven but she was never a sister to him, as she grew she was more, but he never acted on his feelings even when he knew Emily felt the same, because he had honor, was older than her and his father would have killed him.

For Emily seeing the hero walk in and out of her life has become a habit and no matter what or how much he hurts her by pushing her away, she loves him.
Yes, they go back and forth but the love between them is never in doubt. The hero is secretive, about his feelings, life and job but Emily just breaks through by being her. She is someone who adores him and their love was just so sweet.

Now, I can't wait to read about the other brothers.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, very emotional. Jefferson is back, but still just as emotionally distant to Emily as he's ever been. She has been in love with him for as long as she could remember, and those feelings haven't diminished at all. She can tell he feels something for her too, but he keeps pulling away. They return to his family's ranch when his father has a heart attack, and they are thrown together even more. Emily can see that something has put a world of pain in his eyes, and she keeps trying to help him. Jefferson has loved Emily for years, but he feels that he is not good enough for her. He has done things in the course of his work that he is sure would disgust her, and he doesn't want to hurt her. I loved the way that Emily tried so hard to be there for Jefferson, and refused to give up on him. It took a lot of persistence and stubbornness on her part before he would start to open up to her. I cried a lot in this book because I could see the pain they were both going through. I loved some of the things Jefferson's brothers did to try to help and the scene in the kitchen when she told off the guys was great. I will definitely have to read more of the early books in the series.

[Bea Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really struggled to rate this book. As a *book* it was a solid five - the writing, characters, spacing etc were all amazing. I was glued to this book, glued I say!

But as a romance... good lord... it was *bleak*. The two main leads were so mentally and emotionally damaged, and they spend the entire book being *utterly miserable* and hurting either themselves or each other. Her love for him was obsessive, self-destructive and truly awful to behold. His need to push everybody away, and to run, caused so much hurt and pain and resentment that I wondered how on earth any good feelings could be left in their world. I spent the entire time reading this book with a suffocating feeling of depression clogging up my chest. I felt *bad* reading this, and the HEA felt more like a HFN (until he leaves her again).

So as a romance I would give this minus one, but as a book it was damn good shit and I could not give it less than a five.

[Holley · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing style was actually pretty good, it's just that the plot was one I hate. An intelligent, accomplished woman, spends 14yrs of unrequited love instead of moving on with her life. UGH!! Add an emotionally "broken" man that love saves and I am out.

[Maddux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent summer read. I am interested in reading the rest in this series. 3.5 stars.

[Maureen Hubley · Rating 5 out of 5]

New author for me but I loved the story. Will look for more of her books.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutw

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pa g e burner, couldn't put it down! Big ranch and close family. Hope this is start of series!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simply put, this is about the power of family and how one lucky girl got to grow up surrounded by five boys, who were not her blood brothers, but were brothers nonetheless. And how the love she felt for one of the boys would never fade away, no matter how hard her "father" tried to keep them apart. Flash forward twelve years and you find the same girl now a strong and capable woman face to face with the man she has loved for a very long time.

I don't know what it is like come from a family with multiple siblings. I just had one older brother and I was the only girl. However if it were me in the story and I wasn't really a blood sister to five very handsome boys, I probably would be drawn to one of them. Would it be because we had something in common or a closeness in age? Who's to say?

I found some intrique in the storyline so it kept me engaged. Maybe I should pick up the rest of the books in the series, "Men of the Double C Ranch". I think I will...and you should too.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I first read this book a couple of years ago and couldn't remember much about it so decided on a reread. The Clay brothers are brought together when there father suffers a heart attack along with their surrogate sister who was brought into the family as a child when her parents died. Jefferson Clay the middle son has long denied his feelings for Emily and distanced himself from his family in order to stay away from Emily. The attraction between the two can no longer be ignored but Jefferson is harbouring secrets of his life that has left him with injuries that could be critical. He has to face his demons of his past and consider his future when he can no longer avoid his feelings for Emily. I really enjoyed this more the second time around and bumped up it's rating. It was strange reading a book that was written only a little under twenty years ago and the mobile phone was a new fangled thing and landlines were the norm ( this made me feel really old :)).

[Susannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is nice, quick read, without too much drivel-laden emotional chaos. i like my characters strong, not stupid. there are very, very few romantic writers i can bear reading (and none who can wrap my heart around a story like the one and only Jennifer Blake!). the characters are mildly predictable but still interesting enough that i think i'll probably read more of this 'verse by ms. leigh.

[April Suter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book One in the Clay family books:

Emily was raised by the Clay family after her parents passed away, but never considered Jefferson as a brother. After ten years he returns home after being hurt to be there after Squire, his father, is in the hospital. As the five brothers rally together to help at the ranch Emily finds her rightful, permanent place in the family.

[Dee Schwinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good escape book. The author created a great family of characters brought together by a family emergency. She does a good job of filling in answers to the questions at the appropriate times. There was of course the love story, the "family" story, and mysterious actions by several characters. It was a quick read and, as I said, a good read.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this read. I had never heard of Allison Leigh. So I will definitely have to check out the name. The storyline was beautiful. I am kind of glad she did not go into the actual details of what poor Jefferson must of gone through. One thing I must admit however, is that I never could picture Jefferson as a blonde :( ....

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this one! It was fun to see them get together after so many years and learn to trust each other.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Page-turner that will leave you breathless... I hope there are more stories about the Clay family in the future!!!

(Read 01-03 to 01-04)