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Hometown Roots: A Small-Town, Opposites-Attract Romance
"He blinked several times, reminding himself why he was here. It wasn’t to fall for a cowgirl in Montana."
Lainey Evans takes a no-nonsense approach to running Lost Canyon Ranch. With a to-do list a mile long, that’s the way it has to be. Her top priority—open a horse training facility with Grandpa.
But when he passes away, her plans, and the fate of the ranch, are hurled into uncertainty. In his final letter to Lainey and her estranged sisters, Grandpa expresses a daunting stipulation to keep the ranch. To make matters worse, a determined, albeit handsome, businessman proposes to buy the property. If she takes the offer, her dream of starting a horse training business would be possible. And yet, it would come at a greater price—giving up the only home she’s ever known.
At Mt. Point Development, Knox Bennett doesn’t take no for an answer. He’s acquired more properties than any of his colleagues. That should be enough to earn the promotion at the start of the New Year. But it’s not. Knox must work his magic on one more project. All he has to do is convince the Evans sisters to sell their ranch before Christmas.
Lainey refuses to make a decision anytime soon. Their conversations grow heated, igniting anger and undeniable attraction. As they fight against their feelings and for ownership of the land, they are forced to confront another a vicious saboteur causing havoc on the ranch. Can Knox and Lainey set their differences aside to discover what truly matters…before it’s too late?
Author’s
Opposites attract as a sassy cowgirl takes on a handsome developer in this small-town Christmas romance. Hometown Roots is the first novel of the Lost Canyon Ranch series, which takes place at the base of the Pryor Mountain Range in Montana. It’s filled with flirtatious banter, strained sisterhood, a cast of quirky townsfolk, a vicious saboteur, and a heartwarming love story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and remind you that miracles really do come true.
Lainey Evans takes a no-nonsense approach to running Lost Canyon Ranch. With a to-do list a mile long, that’s the way it has to be. Her top priority—open a horse training facility with Grandpa.
But when he passes away, her plans, and the fate of the ranch, are hurled into uncertainty. In his final letter to Lainey and her estranged sisters, Grandpa expresses a daunting stipulation to keep the ranch. To make matters worse, a determined, albeit handsome, businessman proposes to buy the property. If she takes the offer, her dream of starting a horse training business would be possible. And yet, it would come at a greater price—giving up the only home she’s ever known.
At Mt. Point Development, Knox Bennett doesn’t take no for an answer. He’s acquired more properties than any of his colleagues. That should be enough to earn the promotion at the start of the New Year. But it’s not. Knox must work his magic on one more project. All he has to do is convince the Evans sisters to sell their ranch before Christmas.
Lainey refuses to make a decision anytime soon. Their conversations grow heated, igniting anger and undeniable attraction. As they fight against their feelings and for ownership of the land, they are forced to confront another a vicious saboteur causing havoc on the ranch. Can Knox and Lainey set their differences aside to discover what truly matters…before it’s too late?
Author’s
Opposites attract as a sassy cowgirl takes on a handsome developer in this small-town Christmas romance. Hometown Roots is the first novel of the Lost Canyon Ranch series, which takes place at the base of the Pryor Mountain Range in Montana. It’s filled with flirtatious banter, strained sisterhood, a cast of quirky townsfolk, a vicious saboteur, and a heartwarming love story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and remind you that miracles really do come true.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2024
About the author
Crystal Joy
9 books17 followers"She's a stay-at-home mom in Iowa with a heart for people. Loves getting to know them, writing about them, and inventing them. When not hanging out with her hero and heroine in her latest romance, she enjoys watching movies with her husband, being silly with her little ones, and drinking endless amounts of coffee."
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 3, 2025
This book is amazing! It hooked me in from the very beginning, and created character depth quickly. I am excited for the other books in the series. If you are looking for a romance book with some mystery and suspense woven in, this is the book for you!
February 18, 2024
A wonderful small town romance set in the beautiful mountains of Montana! Lainey struggles to keep her ranch after her grandpa's death in the face of developer Knox's attempts to purchase it. If you love strong heroines, isolated settings, a touch of Christmas, and a bit of sabotage, then you'll love this first book in the series. I highly recommend it!
May 11, 2024
I have followed along Crystal Joy’s career and she has truly outdone herself this time! There is a little something for everyone in this novel: romance, action, miracles, suspense, rivalry, family conflicts, and on and on. I love a book that with each chapter leaves me eager to find out what happens next. This book will not disappoint!
April 12, 2026
As a girl who loves Montana and has been there many times, Crystal Joy did an incredible job setting the scenes to replicate Montana.
I don’t know if she did it on purpose, but there was a particular scene that reminded me of a minor scene from my favorite childhood movie, Beauty and the Beast.
Love the Romance, mystery and drama all in one.
I don’t know if she did it on purpose, but there was a particular scene that reminded me of a minor scene from my favorite childhood movie, Beauty and the Beast.
Love the Romance, mystery and drama all in one.
March 9, 2024
A great read. Well developed characters. Some mystery. I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading the next books in the series when they are published.
I am looking to explore other books by this author.
I am looking to explore other books by this author.
March 29, 2024
Such a fun good read.
I love reading something that’s quick and uplifting. I don’t always have time to dive deep in books but I still wait a quick break. This book does that for you.
I love reading something that’s quick and uplifting. I don’t always have time to dive deep in books but I still wait a quick break. This book does that for you.
July 10, 2024
Wonderful storyline that quickly captured my attention and that I couldn’t put down. I loved the thoughtful and creative details that were put into the story. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! Great job stepping out of your comfort zone and writing something new to you!
January 18, 2026
Beautifully written! Love how well this story is portrayed, it made me feel like I was there alongside the characters every step of the way 💓
So excited to see what Crystal Joy has in store for us in the future!
So excited to see what Crystal Joy has in store for us in the future!
May 3, 2024
This was recommended by my sister & I’m typically not a romance girl, but enjoyed the read! I like that it had a little mystery twist in there & now I really want to go to Montana 😭
August 8, 2024
I LOVED this book. it was a refreshing read and the author is the sweetest, if ur a fan of small town romance and a heart warming book, read it.
December 3, 2024
The book was a perfect amount of small hometown book feel with a great storyline. Keeps you wanting to read what is going to happen next!
February 9, 2026
I was hooked from the beginning and very much enjoyed it. Can’t wait to start book two from the series.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews