What do you think?
Rate this book
Sunset Ledge
Jack Armstrong lives like a recluse on his Texas ranch. In the difficult years after his wife’s death, he goes through the motions of life and wants to be left alone.
Caroline Tate, a widowed ecology professor, arrives at the ranch for a much-needed break and to take nature photos for her sabbatical project. But relaxing is a challenge when she finds herself at odds with the curmudgeonly cowboy who owns the place.
Jack generally steers clear of the guests, but this time, it’s not so easy. Vivacious Caroline doesn’t fade into the background. This city gal comes with pearls around her neck, a big red flower on her floppy hat, and way too many questions. Her self-assured, adventurous spirit gets under Jack’s skin, and she soon stirs feelings long dormant inside him.
Caroline Tate, a widowed ecology professor, arrives at the ranch for a much-needed break and to take nature photos for her sabbatical project. But relaxing is a challenge when she finds herself at odds with the curmudgeonly cowboy who owns the place.
Jack generally steers clear of the guests, but this time, it’s not so easy. Vivacious Caroline doesn’t fade into the background. This city gal comes with pearls around her neck, a big red flower on her floppy hat, and way too many questions. Her self-assured, adventurous spirit gets under Jack’s skin, and she soon stirs feelings long dormant inside him.
- GenresRomance
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2024
10 people want to read
About the author
Darlene Deluca
14 books222 followersBooks . . . chocolate . . . tea.
These are a few of my favorite things. Combine them with a sunny summer day, and perhaps a beach or pool, and call me happy!
Books have always been a part of my life, and reading has always been a favorite pastime. In my childhood bookworm days, I'd hide away for hours with Trixie Belden or Laura Ingalls Wilder. These days, I read as much as I can, making it a priority to carve out time for my latest book club read. I love curling up with a cup of tea and getting lost in a good story.
A few years ago I decided to sit down at my computer and give voice to some stories that have been rattling around in my head for a long time. That launched me into the world of fiction writing, specifically the world of romance. So far, my completed novels and works-in-progress fall into the genres of women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and mainstream with romantic elements.
My novels are about people and their relationships – what brings them together, what keeps them apart, what brings them joy or annoys the hell out of them. My intent is to bring to life interesting and ‘real’ characters that you, the reader, can relate to in real-life situations that combine a little fun, plenty of drama (with perhaps a tear or two), and big helpings of friendship, love and self-discovery, and will leave you either cheering or sighing with a satisfied smile as you turn the final page.
And just so you know . . . I like a happy ending.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 24, 2024
Awesome later in life love story
This is my first read from this author and I really loved this story. I really liked how the story dealt with loss of a spouse and finding love again. I enjoyed that you saw their relationship build from initial attraction. Have some tissues ready bc I definitely had some happy tears at the end.
I will definitely read more from this author.
This is my first read from this author and I really loved this story. I really liked how the story dealt with loss of a spouse and finding love again. I enjoyed that you saw their relationship build from initial attraction. Have some tissues ready bc I definitely had some happy tears at the end.
I will definitely read more from this author.
July 3, 2024
So many romance novels involve couples that are fairly young and new to relationships and love. Even characters who have been hurt in the past are generally in their 30s at their very oldest. Sunset Ledge is a little different, it tells the story of Jack and Caroline, both of whom have been happily married for many years, but then lost their partners and have been left as widow and widower respectively. Now, alone, but not looking for love, something slowly develops between them when they meet.
I enjoyed this later-in-life romance. I loved seeing Jack slowly almost come back to life as Caroline woke him up to the possibilities of life after losing your long-term love.
I loved reading about the setting for this book too. I've always known that ranches in Texas were both big and potentially dangerous, but I think this story brought that to life. The idea that you might have to drive between different buildings on the ranch (the house, the cabins and the barn) rather than just walk surprised me.
There is, as is often the case in this genre of book, a point of conflict that nearly drives this couple apart. I don't want to spoil what it is, or how the characters dealt with it here. I'm not sure that I would have been able to accept it.
It was such a refreshing change having characters who were that bit older and had lived more of life than you often see. I'm all for later-in-life romances if they are like this one, although I think you might have to go quite a long way to find one that comes close. A highly recommended read.
I enjoyed this later-in-life romance. I loved seeing Jack slowly almost come back to life as Caroline woke him up to the possibilities of life after losing your long-term love.
I loved reading about the setting for this book too. I've always known that ranches in Texas were both big and potentially dangerous, but I think this story brought that to life. The idea that you might have to drive between different buildings on the ranch (the house, the cabins and the barn) rather than just walk surprised me.
There is, as is often the case in this genre of book, a point of conflict that nearly drives this couple apart. I don't want to spoil what it is, or how the characters dealt with it here. I'm not sure that I would have been able to accept it.
It was such a refreshing change having characters who were that bit older and had lived more of life than you often see. I'm all for later-in-life romances if they are like this one, although I think you might have to go quite a long way to find one that comes close. A highly recommended read.
May 2, 2024
This story is a charming read. Both widowers, Jack and Caroline, aren’t looking for love but their connection is undeniable. The characters are well-developed and interesting. The secondary cast is enjoyable and adds an element of family connection. The reader gets a great visual of the story through the author’s descriptive voice and Caroline’s camera lens. Sunsets on a ranch and a set-in-his-ways cowboy equals a win-win read.
June 24, 2024
This slow-burn romance took me by surprise. I expected a cute tale of second-chance romance set in Texas. Instead, by the end of the story I was reading about powerful emotions that had me crying.
A love story of two individuals in their sixties, Caroline and Jack’s story tugged at my heart from the beginning. Caroline is a biologist, a professor of ecology at Vanderbilt University. The new dean is hinting she’s ready for retirement. She’s a widow.
Jack is a ranch owner in Texas and while he’s been a widow for a while, he still wears his wedding ring. His life is his ranch. Especially since his wife’s death, he never leaves it.
In the process of helping Jack step out of his self-imposed isolation, Caroline discovers that maybe she’s been hibernating too.
Ms. Deluca has created characters who are so much more than just names on a page. Because of her writing skill and her sensitivity, I felt Caroline’s vibrancy, her readiness to seize the moment, and her anticipation for her next adventure. Then she showed me Jack’s quiet manner, his melancholy (whether he realized it or not), and his searching his heart for the feelings that simmer within in.
Rounding out the story is a cast of friends and family who listen, encourage, worry, and rejoice with the main characters throughout their journey. I especially felt the ferocity of the love Lauren had for her mom, Caroline.
Sunset Ledge is not only a humorous, touching story of two older individuals finding love again, but also navigating new chapters in their lives, wondering whether they’re still relevant and if they still matter.
Regardless of your age, you’ll fall in love with all the people in Sunset Ledge. Just remember when you visit them, bring some tissues.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Terry
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
A love story of two individuals in their sixties, Caroline and Jack’s story tugged at my heart from the beginning. Caroline is a biologist, a professor of ecology at Vanderbilt University. The new dean is hinting she’s ready for retirement. She’s a widow.
Jack is a ranch owner in Texas and while he’s been a widow for a while, he still wears his wedding ring. His life is his ranch. Especially since his wife’s death, he never leaves it.
In the process of helping Jack step out of his self-imposed isolation, Caroline discovers that maybe she’s been hibernating too.
Ms. Deluca has created characters who are so much more than just names on a page. Because of her writing skill and her sensitivity, I felt Caroline’s vibrancy, her readiness to seize the moment, and her anticipation for her next adventure. Then she showed me Jack’s quiet manner, his melancholy (whether he realized it or not), and his searching his heart for the feelings that simmer within in.
Rounding out the story is a cast of friends and family who listen, encourage, worry, and rejoice with the main characters throughout their journey. I especially felt the ferocity of the love Lauren had for her mom, Caroline.
Sunset Ledge is not only a humorous, touching story of two older individuals finding love again, but also navigating new chapters in their lives, wondering whether they’re still relevant and if they still matter.
Regardless of your age, you’ll fall in love with all the people in Sunset Ledge. Just remember when you visit them, bring some tissues.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Terry
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
May 23, 2024
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story. It’s different from your usual romances in that both main characters are older (60s), widow/widower, with families. Caroline is a college professor on sabbatical who is looking for “what’s next” in her life – but she wasn’t planning on a relationship. Jack is a stoic, no-nonsense rancher who is set in his ways. Somehow, the two of them manage to figure out that they might be able to work together.
I liked Caroline’s nature. She’s a mixture of stubbornness and independence that rankles Jack. But she’s also good with animals and nature. Jack is almost a stereotypical old rancher. He’s a gentleman who wants nothing to do with softer emotions. I would have liked to have seen maybe a scene with the townspeople changing and the nature preserve go through – but those are minor things. But the description of the scenery is really well done—especially since Caroline is a photographer, so we get to see things through her eyes – like facing down a rattlesnake!
Recommended.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
I liked Caroline’s nature. She’s a mixture of stubbornness and independence that rankles Jack. But she’s also good with animals and nature. Jack is almost a stereotypical old rancher. He’s a gentleman who wants nothing to do with softer emotions. I would have liked to have seen maybe a scene with the townspeople changing and the nature preserve go through – but those are minor things. But the description of the scenery is really well done—especially since Caroline is a photographer, so we get to see things through her eyes – like facing down a rattlesnake!
Recommended.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
June 28, 2024
Can a college professor from Nashville find common ground with a reclusive Texas rancher?
Caroline has taken to traveling since losing her husband several years ago, after their only child left home. When she finds herself on sabbatical from work, and looking for a place to reset and unwind she finds herself on a ranch in the wilds of Texas. Not sure what to expect, she sets out taking nature photos for a book she’s working on and ends up making quite the impression!
Jack Armstrong has only ever known ranch life, and that suits him just fine, thank you! Yet, when when he finds himself running into the renter of one of his ranch cabins, he can’t seem to shake the feeling that she’s different from the other women he’s met. The two quickly spark a unique friendship and take readers on a fun adventure of their own!
The characters in this one were fun and the small town near the ranch offered a unique glimpse of small town life along with the fun ranch life experiences Caroline gets to enjoy in her time on the Armstrong Ranch. Things like the snickerdoodle cookies and the town dance added another layer to the charm in this one!
The romance was well paced and fit well with the story. Both Jack and Caroline were previously married and had lost their spouse giving them a bit of common ground, and a more matured sense of what they wanted in a relationship, should they choose to take the risk. Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read.
Caroline has taken to traveling since losing her husband several years ago, after their only child left home. When she finds herself on sabbatical from work, and looking for a place to reset and unwind she finds herself on a ranch in the wilds of Texas. Not sure what to expect, she sets out taking nature photos for a book she’s working on and ends up making quite the impression!
Jack Armstrong has only ever known ranch life, and that suits him just fine, thank you! Yet, when when he finds himself running into the renter of one of his ranch cabins, he can’t seem to shake the feeling that she’s different from the other women he’s met. The two quickly spark a unique friendship and take readers on a fun adventure of their own!
The characters in this one were fun and the small town near the ranch offered a unique glimpse of small town life along with the fun ranch life experiences Caroline gets to enjoy in her time on the Armstrong Ranch. Things like the snickerdoodle cookies and the town dance added another layer to the charm in this one!
The romance was well paced and fit well with the story. Both Jack and Caroline were previously married and had lost their spouse giving them a bit of common ground, and a more matured sense of what they wanted in a relationship, should they choose to take the risk. Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read.
June 24, 2024
I enjoyed this contemporary romance for several reasons. It is set in Texas, the characters are older, there is a curmudgeon cowboy, and it is a second chance at love for Jack and Caroline.
Both of the main characters are widowed, with their spouses dying in tragic ways. Caroline has moved on with her life to some degree, but Jack is definitely holding on to the past. But can his interest in Caroline change that?
I enjoyed the slow buildup of their relationship. It wasn't rushed or didn't feel rushed. They took their time getting to know one another, but that doesn't mean everything is smooth sailing. They have their bumps in the road like most couples. There are times when they do not communicate, and miscommunication causes other problems. I liked that Caroline has her own life. She isn't looking for a man to fill a hole in her life or make her complete; she is accomplished in her own right.
There is a great moment near the end where Jack has to make a stand for what he wants. I won't spoil it, but it was a sweet gesture, and it might be what wins Caroline over.
I also enjoy seeing the ranch and the area through Caroline's camera lens. I could envision the images she captured from the descriptions. I can imagine the book she wants to create with these images surrounding nature.
I enjoyed this book, and we give it 5 paws up.
Both of the main characters are widowed, with their spouses dying in tragic ways. Caroline has moved on with her life to some degree, but Jack is definitely holding on to the past. But can his interest in Caroline change that?
I enjoyed the slow buildup of their relationship. It wasn't rushed or didn't feel rushed. They took their time getting to know one another, but that doesn't mean everything is smooth sailing. They have their bumps in the road like most couples. There are times when they do not communicate, and miscommunication causes other problems. I liked that Caroline has her own life. She isn't looking for a man to fill a hole in her life or make her complete; she is accomplished in her own right.
There is a great moment near the end where Jack has to make a stand for what he wants. I won't spoil it, but it was a sweet gesture, and it might be what wins Caroline over.
I also enjoy seeing the ranch and the area through Caroline's camera lens. I could envision the images she captured from the descriptions. I can imagine the book she wants to create with these images surrounding nature.
I enjoyed this book, and we give it 5 paws up.
June 23, 2024
This is a sweet romance involving two mature (50s-60s) characters who have both lost their spouses to death. Jack is a rancher who has become set in his ways and used to his daily routine. Caroline has come to the ranch to take photographs for a potential book while also contemplating her future career. Her outgoing nature draws Jack out of his reclusiveness.
I loved these characters and seeing the progression of their relationship throughout the story, especially as they both came to the realization that they were lonely at times. There is a great mix of secondary characters, and the story takes you on a journey of many emotions from joy to sorrow and even outrage at one point. This would definitely make a good beach read.
I loved these characters and seeing the progression of their relationship throughout the story, especially as they both came to the realization that they were lonely at times. There is a great mix of secondary characters, and the story takes you on a journey of many emotions from joy to sorrow and even outrage at one point. This would definitely make a good beach read.
July 15, 2024
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Darlene Deluca's books, but I think her latest, Sunset Ledge, is one of my favorites! It is lovely to share in the romantic journey between the two main characters, who are both "of a certain age." Both Caroline and Jack have been through much in their lives that many will relate to: loss of a spouse, pending retirement, concern for adult children & grandchildren, etc. As these two contemplate taking their lives in different directions from where they've spent a number of years, I was really rooting for them to find love and fulfillment in their lives. Highly recommend this latest from Darlene!
July 25, 2024
Never Too Late For Love
By the time you reach sixty, you carry lots of baggage including ways so set they’ve left deep ruts on your road through life. Such is the case for Jack Armstrong when charming, attractive college professor Carolyn Tate rents a cabin on his ranch to take photographs. I especially appreciated author Darlene Deluca’s sensitive presentation of Jack and Caroline’s feelings as they travel the rocky road towards love.
By the time you reach sixty, you carry lots of baggage including ways so set they’ve left deep ruts on your road through life. Such is the case for Jack Armstrong when charming, attractive college professor Carolyn Tate rents a cabin on his ranch to take photographs. I especially appreciated author Darlene Deluca’s sensitive presentation of Jack and Caroline’s feelings as they travel the rocky road towards love.
April 23, 2024
Wonderful story of Jack Armstrong, a reclusive rancher and Caroline Tate, an ecology professor, both widowed and not looking to change that. Is it fate? Is it luck? Or is it the sunset watching on the cliff ledge on Jack's ranch? Loved these characters, felt for their struggles and cheered for their HEA. Very realistic, heartwarming story that will have you wishing for your own adventures.
October 22, 2024
Book provided by the author.
Sunset Ledge by Darlene Deluca is a beautifully crafted romantic tale that centers around an older couple.
The story follows Caroline Tate and Jack Armstrong, both of whom have been widowed for several years. Each has established their own life and routines. Caroline, taking a sabbatical from her work, embarks on a journey for a project and finds herself at Jack's ranch. As she spends time there, she grows fond of Jack and the ranch lifestyle. However, their budding relationship faces a challenge: their differing personalities and dreams. The question arises—can their deepening feelings help them bridge the gap between their contrasting aspirations?
This narrative unfolds in a charming and engaging manner, starting with the introduction of the two protagonists—a city woman and a cowboy—who appear to be polar opposites. Yet, their chemistry is undeniable and magnetic. The story delves into their pasts and the emotional struggles they have endured, which have shaped them into the people they are. Watching their relationship blossom is heartwarming, especially during their moments on the ranch. The blend of tender romance and subtle drama makes for a compelling read.
For those who enjoy small-town romance stories featuring older couples, Sunset Ledge is a must-read. I highly recommend it and give it a glowing five stars!
Sunset Ledge by Darlene Deluca is a beautifully crafted romantic tale that centers around an older couple.
The story follows Caroline Tate and Jack Armstrong, both of whom have been widowed for several years. Each has established their own life and routines. Caroline, taking a sabbatical from her work, embarks on a journey for a project and finds herself at Jack's ranch. As she spends time there, she grows fond of Jack and the ranch lifestyle. However, their budding relationship faces a challenge: their differing personalities and dreams. The question arises—can their deepening feelings help them bridge the gap between their contrasting aspirations?
This narrative unfolds in a charming and engaging manner, starting with the introduction of the two protagonists—a city woman and a cowboy—who appear to be polar opposites. Yet, their chemistry is undeniable and magnetic. The story delves into their pasts and the emotional struggles they have endured, which have shaped them into the people they are. Watching their relationship blossom is heartwarming, especially during their moments on the ranch. The blend of tender romance and subtle drama makes for a compelling read.
For those who enjoy small-town romance stories featuring older couples, Sunset Ledge is a must-read. I highly recommend it and give it a glowing five stars!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews