A Second Chance in Bent Creek

Harker Brothers Ranch #1

by Catie Cahill

He broke her heart. Now he's back in town. Bent Creek will never be the same . . .

Larkin:
Nick Harker left me without a word eleven years ago when his family fell apart. And now he's back. He says he's here to help his brother buy back the ranch their family lost when his dad went to prison. But I know what he really wants. He wants the one thing he can never have--a second chance with me. I won't let Nick disappoint me again. Especially now that I have a son to think of. But Nick keeps doing everything right, so when I start getting anonymous texts hinting that he's keeping secrets from me, I don't want to believe them. Even when the texts grow more threatening.

Nick:
I swore I'd never come back to Bent Creek. This town and the Nobles took everything from me. But my brother needs help, and he's the one person I won't let down. Even though his mission to buy back the ranch is a terrible idea, I won't leave town until I make him see sense about Marybeth Noble and the danger he's in with her. The one thing I didn't count on was falling for Larkin again. One look at her, and I can't leave. I don't deserve to have her back, but I refuse to let anyone hurt her again. No matter what this town thinks of me and my family, I'll protect Larkin and her son.

Marybeth:
Gabe and I are happy. All of the bad blood between our families is in the past--and that's where it should stay. But Nick doesn't trust me. Which is fine. After all, I don't know if I trust him not to break Larkin's heart all over again. My best friend was devastated when he left, and I'll be the one to pick up the pieces when it happens again. Nick might never forgive my family, but all I want is to move on with Gabe and run my shop in peace. Until Nick drops a secret that I never expected.

With Nick Harker back in town, Bent Creek will never be the same.

This is a story of family, romance, and friendship told through 3 viewpoints--Larkin, Marybeth, and Nick. If you love cowboys, Yellowstone-style drama, big families, small western towns filled with secrets, and sweet romance with a touch of suspense, this book is for you! A Second Chance in Bent Creek is the first full-length book in the Harker Brothers Ranch series. For Marybeth and Gabe's story, be sure to check out the prequel novella, A Bent Creek Christmas.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2023

Reviews

[Sierra Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lowkey don’t know if this book is even worth 3 stars. I have such mixed feelings on this book. I honestly feel as if I was thrust into a huge conflict that I needed lots of backstory on. This was marketed as a small town romance but it felt as if it was like a very deep family rivalry.

One of the thing I had the biggest problem with was that I couldn’t visualize the characters at all. Like I always can see who people are in books and I just couldn’t see anyone, all I could see were like hand movements and people going inside places.

Also the timeline was terrible, I honestly couldn’t tell you how long this book took place over because everything was happening so fast. And a lot of things were just very confusing and didn’t really even mean to happen.


Will not be continuing on with this series sadly. I hoping for a good romance but just no.

[Sue Welstead · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dont bother!

Shallow story, past history is not explained, the story of the ranch is not told, no depth to the characters, repetitive and boring.

[Sherrie Gallegos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with some grammatical errors leading into another story.

[Clara Haessig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book to read. To me it was a little confusing at 1st, but then I finally caught up in the characters. Now I want to read more books in this serious.

[Lillian noble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehh

I was hoping for more action and more romance. A story was there, I just wish there was more to it.

[Stox4story · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery and intrigue keeps you wanting to turn the pages. This is a true second chance book, and not only a second chance for love. Reputations need rebuilt. Mysteries need uncovered. More than one love life is in danger.

🤔 OBSERVATIONS

➡️ This moved slowly at first but it builds making you want to know what is going to happen and how all the puzzle pieces will fit together.

➡️ There’s a stalker, a kidnapper and two families at odds. Is there a connection or are these things unrelated?

➡️ This is a standalone with redemption playing a big role. I appreciate how the author is able to write a clean storyline and making it interesting while remaining true to the plot.

➡️ It does leave a lingering mystery for future books to explore and solve.

[Louis D.Gargarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean Interesting Read

Two families torn apart by one father doing wrong by his business partner. A few years later Nick comes back to town to help his brothers get their family ranch back. Before that he wants to win his former high school girl friend back. Nick soon has Larkin wanting the same, she still loves Nick. Gabe, Nick's brother, is also winning the love of his life, Marybeth, back. The trouble begins when Larkin starts getting texts from an unknown person threatening her and her two year old son. And when Marybeth's brother Luke, interferes with her and Gabe, because of the two families dispute. Read this story to find out if everyone one will finally get their happy ever after.

MK

[Rhonda Sledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and it just gets better and better! How long will your mistakes haunt you? This is something Nick is struggling with after he returns to Bent Creek. No matter what he does, he is confronted over and over with his past. Even though he wishes the citizens of Bent Creek wouldn't judge him for the man he used to be, he finds himself doing the same thing and causing problems between his brother Gabe and Gabe's girlfriend. As he tries to build trust with his highschool sweetheart, he has to face many obstacles. Just when things seem to be working out, there's always a new twist in the story.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick and Larkin have a past that takes a lot to overcome. Nick’s reputation from when he lived in Bent Creek ten years ago is following him and it will take time to change the town’s impression of him. The storyline held my interest from the beginning. Even though this is basically Nick and Larkin’s story, it includes a lot about Gabe and Marybeth. Diego is a real cutie. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the rest of the series.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fasten your seat belts, I can already tell that the Harker family is going to be ‘interesting”. So much pain. Catie Cahill has outdone herself with this story. Interesting characters, interesting family dynamics, small town memories (good and bad), humor, and a mystery. Who is buying up the ranches and why. Oh, and just to keep it interesting throw in a surprise twist. I can’t wait for Book 2.

[Christine Mallett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Second Chance in Bent Creek: A Closed Door Small Town and family Saga Romance. By Catie Cahill

I absolutely loved getting to know these 2 families. The love they find all around is just great. I am off to the next book to find out more about the secrets that have been kept for so long. Thank you to the Author for catching my eye to your books. Keep writing. This Series is a must read.

[Terry Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story. I can’t wait to read all of the books in this series to find out who purchased the ranch and what all happens. I also love to know all the back stories of all of the characters. Different readers say that certain questions weren’t answered, like the ranch and so on. I believe by the time you read all of the books the questions will be answered. I love that it keeps me interested and wanting to know more. Great job by this author.

[Pat Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ebook

He’s back in town to help his brother get their ranch back. She’s the one he left behind. His history isn’t t good and she’s not ready to begin again. A stalker and a kidnapper changes everything.

[Delbora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story Has Everything

This story has mystery, intrigue and romance, the only thing missing is humor. I have read some Harker brothers stories before and reading this was a great return to the family.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second chance in Bent Creek-Book 1

I really enjoyed this book. I like the fact that it was clean romance and no swearing. Little mystery had me thinking about who it could be that was sending the text messages to Larkin. I would recommend this book to others.

[Kasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story and yet it was so well balanced and exactly what I needed.
There was a small town, cowboys and some dark past lurking despite the years.
I totally loved that and couldn't put it down. The writing style and the storyline definitely motivated me to grab the second book.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second chance

Somewhat of a drifter with nowhere else to go, Nick Harker tries to get back together with high school sweetheart, Larkin, ten years later. She has a two year old son. There is much hatred for him in Bent Creek, where he was a teenage drug dealer.

[Lanae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe the marketing strategy of leaving a lot -and I mean a lot- of things uncovered was to get us to tune into the rest of the series? Honestly though, it pushed me further away from enjoying the book fully. I think the ending was pretty obnoxious as well.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd brother

Beginning of stories of how brothers reclaimed ranch that had belonged to family after father destroyed the family
Sith his illegal activities. Violence is make character. Lowest point in character's lives portayed

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dramatic

A lot of people have messed up childhoods but this group takes the cake. It really was interesting reading about them taking back their adulthood and moving on. Going to be a good series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once A Harker

Nick Parker had left town without saying a word to Larkin and broke her heart. Now he's back seeking forgiveness from her and the whole town. Can she do it? And what about her son?

[Sandra Sorola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book. The Author has great character development and her story line is wonderful. I highly recommend the book.

[Vickie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy and fun

There was some mystery, characters grew and evolved throughout the story line. Trust and rebuilding relationships were also part of the plot.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Excellent writing, The author keeps you turning the pages with twists and turns. Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Linda Baron · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting story - a bit of mystery on why can't et ranch back

[Emaira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and cute read. This is a perfect book to get you out of a reading slump there are no slow parts and leaves you wanting more from the story and characters.

[Sharon]

Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.

[Jenni Bearden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still somewhat enjoying the series. In addition to the romance, there’s some interesting intrigue with limited information given about the past connecting to present events. The writing is pretty simplistic, and the Instalove isn’t terribly believable, but they’re still kind of fun. Three stars.