Willing to Wed the Rancher

High Country Ranch #2

by Jody Hedlund

In the high country of Colorado, falling in love at first sight is not only possible, it’s likely to happen.Assistant schoolteacher Clarabelle Oakley has a hard time saying no. When Eric Meyer, widowed father of two of her young students, proposes to her, she botches her effort to tell him no and that she wants to marry for love, not convenience. Only days later, the unthinkable happens, and Clarabelle learns she’s been given charge of Eric’s children and his farm.Professor Franz Meyer arrives in Summit County, Colorado, to make peace with his estranged brother but discovers Eric is gone, leaving too many unanswered questions. One thing he knows for certain, however, is that he’s fallen in love at first sight with Clarabelle and is determined to win her heart.As Franz investigates what happened to his brother, danger closes in. He wants to keep Clarabelle and the children safe, but she resists the relationship because her twin sister has staked a claim on Franz. Will Clarabelle choose to say yes to love before Franz is taken from her forever?Twin sistersLove triangleLove at first sightMysteryWealthy foreignerFish out of waterEstranged family*All of the books in the High Country Ranch series are sweet, closed-door romances with plenty of sizzle. The inspirational themes are light, and the romance is the main focus of the books.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Westerns, Romance, Historical, Christian Fiction, Christian, Historical Romance

292 pages, Paperback

Published June 24, 2024

About the author

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

Reviews

[Rose | Adventurous Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good one.

Reread: Maybe I’m not in the right mood, but I just wasn’t feeling it this time.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in High Country Ranch series and was just as fun, romantic, and entertaining as the first book!

It’s a great blend of a tender and passionate romance, and a suspenseful murder mystery. The chemistry between Frantz and Clarabelle, and the fast-paced plot with its twists and turns made for a real page turner.

Willing To Wed The Rancher is a quick read, and another example of Jody’s wonderful storytelling skills and ability to create characters that come to life. I loved it!

Many thanks to the author for an advanced copy!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I simply adored this story! Poor Clarabelle found herself engaged to a man that she didn’t love and didn’t intend to marry, simply because she had trouble standing up for herself. While it was a bit frustrating that she couldn’t find the nerve to clearly state that she did not want to marry Eric, it ended up being a very good thing for his children and eventually for Clarabelle when she was named their guardian upon Eric’s death.

Enter the swoony love interest in the story, Eric’s brother, Franz. I couldn’t help but feel for him with his heartbroken back story. I loved seeing his reaction to Clarabelle right from the start and the way he began to feel a love and attraction for her to a degree that he had never felt before.

These two were such a great pair and their chemistry was off the charts! They clearly belonged together and I loved the way Franz finally learned to be direct and intentional in the way he communicated his feelings to Clarabelle. They still had quite a few hurdles to overcome before they could be together, including Clarabelle having to realize that she did not need to allow her twin sister to manipulate her into feeling guilty about her feelings for Franz. I loved this story from start to finish!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how but I liked this book better than the first one! It was good to see how Maverick and Hazel were and also great to get to know Clarabelle. The addition of Dieter and Bianca was great and the reader is sure to fall in love with them. Franz was also a delightful character, he would be someone you would want for a teacher for your kids as he makes learning fun!

Thanks to Bookfunnel and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willing to Wed the Rancher, the second in Jody Hedlund’s newest series, is a perfectly enjoyable historical romance set in the high country of Colorado. While it can be standalone as a great read, I did enjoy having the backstory of the other characters from the first book. I am not normally a fan of love at first sight, but the development of this relationship drew me right in. Clarabelle is the shy half of a twin set. Growing up in the shadow of her charismatic sister has left her struggling to say no this anything. While this may be generally accepted as someone who is flexible and easy going, it creates plenty of difficulties in this story. Franz is portrayed as a nobleman with plenty of charisma of his own and I adored his passion to teach in all things. There is a mystery to be solved and poignant truths of forgiveness that add layers of depth. The romance does indeed sizzle with chemistry while remaining closed door. I really enjoy this family and can’t wait to read about the other siblings!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

We briefly met twin sisters Clarabelle and Clementine in the previous story, but did not get well acquainted. Their brother Maverick was the leading male character. Now he is in the background and the focus is primarily on Clarabelle. Their mother has died, and Clarabelle is now working as an assistant to the teacher in town. A widower, who has two young children in the school, has decided that he wants Clarabelle to marry him and become the mother of his children. Clarabelle has a huge problem. She cannot bring herself to say no to anyone. If she cannot find an escape or somewhere to hide, she often finds herself in situations that she never expected or wanted. She only wants to marry when she finds someone she can love like her mother loved her father. She does not feel a thing for the widower, although she loves his children. Before she has time to figure out how to respond to him, she finds him dead in his garden, and his lawyer tells her that he left the children and all his possessions to her. Wow! Can things get any more difficult? Well, read on and find out. The story is exciting with various twists and turns and life-changing decisions beyond a simple marriage proposal based on convenience. For a person who has trouble saying no, she is forced into making decisions that will make other people unhappy. Hang on for a wild ride in the high country of Colorado. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Audrey Colman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarabelle has a problem with saying no and standing up for herself. She struggles to say no to even her beloved twin sister.

I loved watching Clarabelle and Franz work together not just to solve the mystery of Eric’s death, but working with the children, especially Bianca’s nightmares, as well as the added stress of Clementine’s claim on Franz.

Clarabelle must learn to stand up for herself and value love over friendship.
Franz must face the ghosts of the past and learn to let God and trust that God has a plan and allows things for a reason.

Another page turner by Jody! I love how this series gives you a sneak peek into the next story in the series at the very end of the book! I’m looking forward to Ryde and Tanner’s stories — Clementine, I’m still mad at you! It’ll be interesting to see how Jody turns her into a likable character when it’s time for her story! 🤭

[The Squeaky Clean Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eekkk so much suspense and swooniness

Excuse me um Franz has no business being so swoony.

Seriously though, this was love at first sight at its absolute finest. Adored every second of this book and the mystery involved, the romance, and the emotional growth for both characters.

Sooo well done. I just want to read it again for the first time so I can feel all the feels again.

💋Descriptive Makeouts
⚠️Murder, both of their parents are deceased, mentions of infidelity in past relationships by off screen side characters

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like a good clean romance!

[Deneé Arledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was an ARC reader for this book. The following words convey my own opinions.

This was such a good book! I loved Clarabelle and Franz’s chemistry and how well their personalities suited each other. The chemistry was nicely written without being “spice” or smut. I was still giggling during a few scenes. Heehee! ;)
I also liked that the mystery part of the book was not too serious, but it wasn’t lighthearted either. It was just the right amount for the plot. I was mainly in it for the romance than the mystery, but I was pleased to read the conclusion where the mystery is solved.

Since I read the first book, I did not expect this second one to be a Christian fiction story. It did have themes of forgiveness, self-sacrifice, and love of family, which I also enjoyed. However, there are still only a few mentions of God in the book itself, similarly to the first one.

The only thing about this story was that I had a problem with was the “love at first sight” trope used for this story. While I think it was written well for the story and was not creepy, I’m personally not a fan of the trope itself. However, the story was very sweet and had a genuine heart to it.

Overall, if you’re looking for a clean historical romance story, I highly recommend this book!! I definitely want to read more of Jody Hedlund’s books now! HAHA!

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be still my beating heart!!! I loved coming back to this series and reading about Clarabelle and Franz's sweet love story! I devoured the first book and had to instantly dive into my arc of the second book! Now I'm trying to be patient for the next book. I need to know more about what happens with all of the characters in this series. They are fabulously written and developed. And I love that due to it being a series, we get to keep seeing them and learning more and more about them as the series progresses. Woohoo!!!

I loved the suspense that was woven into this sweet love at first sight story! Holy Cow! Those first moments of setting eyes on each other, and each subsequent one if I'm being honest, were wonderful! Let's just say the sparks are blindingly brilliant and the chemistry is off the charts! There is some spice but it doesn't cross the line between clean and not clean.

I loved watching Franz and Clarabelle work together to solve the mystery and danger, all while caring for and loving Dieter and Bianca, who are Franz's nephew and niece. They are pretty adorable kids.

Add in some family drama in the form of a twin sister who has set her sights on Franz and gives Clarabelle and good reason to stand up for what she wants and who she loves. *Happy Sigh*

Lovely story that I didn't want to end!

Content: Clean but there are several kisses that are a little more spicy. But like I said earlier, doesn't cross any lines. This is a Christian fiction novel. There are some mild moments of peril.

I received a copy from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Sabrina Trejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word! I’m pretty sure I loved this second book more than the first. Jody Hedlund has done it again! The perfect “cowboy” romance to sweep you off your feet.
Franz is so wonderful, he’s hardworking, intelligent, intuitive, and genuinely understanding. He’s coming to America from his prosperous life in Germany to make amends with his estranged brother. Hoping to mend broken bridges and move forward, he shows up in Colorado with high hopes. When he arrives, nothing is as he expected it to be. He is thrust into a lifestyle he’s never experienced and learning new things and people. Thankfully he has the sweet and caring Clarabelle to help him.
I absolutely adore Clarabelle! I relate so much to her character, spirit, and personality. Like me, she has a hard time telling people “no” and putting her foot down, a people-pleaser through and through. She is so kind and willing to take on everything that is thrown at her at the very beginning of her story. She works hard and tries her hardest to do what’s best.
These two were completely fantastic main characters. Their strength, determination, and simple goodness made this story a million times better. Together they learn new things, open up their hearts, and even try their hardest to solve a mystery. The chemistry between these two is dangerously explosive and I love it even more that there’s love at first sight.
Basically I 100% love this book. From the very beginning it pulled me in and kept me engaged page after page. This is the perfect western romance with the strapping hero and tender hearted heroine.





I received an eARC from the author, all thoughts and opinions are my own. A positive review was not required, but happily given.

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willing to Wed the Rancher is a touching addition to the High Country Ranch series. Set in 1879, this compelling story continues the saga of the Oakley siblings—Maverick, Clarabelle, Ryder, Tanner, and Clementine—of Summit County, Colorado. It is great historical romance where the focus is on romance—steamy but clean. This is Clarabelle’s story. The fast-paced plot with its twists and turns kept me reading expectantly to the satisfying end. I adore intelligent, steadfast hero Franz and sweet, kind-hearted heroine Clarabelle and how their love at first sight relationship develops, but it is the two adorable children Dieter and Bianca who stole my heart! A bit of danger and mystery added to the mix adds excitement and suspense to the sweet romance and family dynamics. I love this book and highly recommend it. I can’t wait to continue this series with Ryder’s story coming up next.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I miss the older Jody Hedlund books. I loved her similar German hero from A Noble Groom, but this one fell a bit flat. Nothing wrong with him, just a bit flat.

I also think the spice has gone up (and I did find them a bit spicy already), and some word choices make me uncomfortable, though they are technically clean.

The story is a bit simple, too - this one didn’t even put me in a near death experience, which I’ve grown accustomed to!

I don’t regret reading it, but the older books were better. I would not recommend this for a teenager.

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh! I loved this 2nd book in the High Country Ranch series. Jody Hedlund delivers another unforgettable, sizzling Western romance in Willing to Wed the Rancher. There was so much to love about this book: twin sisters, love at first sight, a well done love triangle, & mystery! All the makings for a great read.

I quickly fell in love with Franz & Clarabelle. Clarabelle’s a sweet, lovely young woman who was pressured to marry Eric Meyer, a widower with two small children. But, Clarabelle wants to marry for love. Before she can tell him no, he’s murdered & willed her his home & custody of his children.

Eric’s wealthy brother Franz has just arrived in Colorado from Germany & immediately finds himself falling in love at first sight with Clarabelle. Franz’s a handsome, intelligent professor & secret nobleman. Not knowing Clarabelle’s a twin he ends up flirting with her sister before he realizes his mistake. As he & Clarabelle try to unravel the mystery of Eric’s death, Clarabelle has to decide if she’ll give in to her feelings for Franz or hurt the sister she loves so dearly.

Clarabelle’s such a kind person & self sacrificing to a fault, definitely more quiet & subservient than her outgoing sister, Clementine. Her chemistry with Franz is off the charts & I was hoping throughout she’d choose Franz & listen to her feelings. There are definitely some amazing swoon-worthy, close proximity situations with all the feels, yet kept appropriately closed door.

Franz was so much fun! I loved how he interacted with his cute niece & nephew & tried to relieve some of the burden placed on Clarabelle’s shoulders. I enjoyed learning more about his backstory & his desire to mend fences with his brother.

The mystery kept me guessing. There’s plenty of danger & suspense as Clarabelle & Franz get closer to the truth. While I had an inkling as to who might be involved, it was fun to see how everything played out.

Highly recommend this must read for Western romance fans! While part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone though I recommend reading the first book. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

[Meagan Myhren-Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

illing to Wed the Rancher
High Country Ranch #2
By Jody Hedlund

Deary, deary, the Oakley siblings certainly have a whole passel of trouble when it comes to matters of the heart. This time, Clarabell is caught up in a mess when neighbor Eric Meyer pops the question she's been dreading. Clarabell has no intention of being a bride of convenience, no matter how drawn she is to his children. Now, she just needs to convince him of that fact, but she just hates to say no to anyone. She's spent a lifetime letting her twin sister Clementine get her way just because of that.

But when Eric is murdered, Clarabell finds herself mother to two young children and looking over her shoulder in case the murderer is still around. Well, when Eric's younger brother Franz arrives, she's relieved that he wants to help out. She never expected to have feelings for him, nor that her sister too would be drawn to him. Can you see the trouble ahead? Oh, yeah, it happens, and then there is Franz and his feelings are thrown into the whole mix.

Let's just say someone is going to be feeling pretty bad when all is settled. It's just a question of who and how many. Because sister issues can prove to be not-so-pretty at times.

For fans of Jody Hedlund's Colorado Cowboys series, here's a little fun fact: Jericho Bliss is in this book. And he's in it in an official way. But anyone who's enjoyed her previous book should enjoy this second book in the High Country Ranch series, which is a mix of mystery and romance in a historical setting.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarabelle and Franz have a fantastic romance! Their connection is instant and then forged through mutual interests and trials. The way they both take care of the cabin and teach and care for the children, made for a strong foundation. They are both trapped in situations where their downfall is not speaking out when hard emotions are involved. Clarabelle and Franz learn a lot throughout the story. Clarabelle learns how to speak up for what she wants, and Franz learns how to forgive and let go of the hard times in his past. The tale starts off dramatically with Eric’s murder and leads to more intense occurrences throughout. I was thinking there would be another direct attack on the Meyers toward the end, but I like all the intrigue with the information Eric found out and how it worked out to take down the bad guys in the end. The story really moves along, keeping a fast pace that is easy to book through in a day. I can’t wait to see how Clarabelle and Franz’s new living situation plays into the next books. Where everything left off with Clementine is not ideal, but I hope eventually we get to see the reconciliation of this storyline in future books. Willing to Wed the Rancher brought the beauty of 1800s Colorado, fiery (clean) romance, murder mystery, and so much more together to make an enjoyable tale. I received an advanced reader copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Angeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This was a lovely book. I wasn’t sure what to expect since I am not really a fan of love triangles but it ended up really well. Willing to Wed the Rancher is the second book in Jody Hedlund’s High Country Ranch series.
Clarabelle and Franz were perfect together. It was more of an insta love but I think that it fit the characters and the situation. I did like how Clarabelle and Franz got to know each other better as they cared for Franz’s niece and nephew. I enjoyed reading about them falling in love and the way that the love triangle was written.
Clarabelle and Franz both had to grow before they were ready to be together. Franz had to learn to let go of his bitterness and guilt. Clarabelle had to learn to stand up for herself and fight for what she believed in. I liked how they pushed each other to be better.
The plot was interesting and I didn’t want to put the book down as I tried to figure out what happened to Franz’s brother. The children were very sweet and I liked their easy relationship with both Clarabelle and Franz. I am super excited for the books to come.
Willing to Wed the Rancher is a sweet closed door historical romance. I would definitely recommend it!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

[Hannah Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Jodi book down! While I will admit it wasn’t my favorite I did still enjoy reading it. I’m not really a fan of love triangles and so I was glad it wasn’t the whole plot of the book but I will admit to that being a reason it’s not my favorite. However it only took me around a day to finish it because love triangle notwithstanding Jodi is a phenomenal writer!. I do like that Clarabelle was able to finally do something for herself and say no when it was sooo hard for her. And she also realized that thought sometimes saying no seems to hurt people it’s for your best interest and you can’t feel guilty. I can’t say much more without spoiling a good portion of the story but I am glad Jodi showed that sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes others make them that hurt us in the process we never know if we’ll get a chance to make things right before it’s too late. Both Franz and Clarabelle learned those lessons with their siblings. I did love Franz falling fast and hard for her and showing her what it was like to be taken care of when she was used to putting others needs before hers more than was necessary.

Overall it was a good story and I loved seeing Jericho again! I am excited for Ryders story because Catherine and Dylan’s story from the Colorado Cowboys series was one of my favorites!!!

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re off to another High Country Ranch story involving the Oakley family. This is Clarabelle’s story. She is the more quiet and reserved of the twins. She doesn’t have a very high self-esteem. She has always been compared to Clementine, as she is definitely more outgoing, people consider her prettier and she is quite the flirt. Clarabelle Is content to become a schoolteacher, and hopefully one day fall madly in love. But today is not that day. When a recent widower, Eric Meyer comes looking determined Clarabelle knows he’s going to propose. This is such a fun and touching sweet romance. I can see myself in Clarabelle by not knowing how to say no and always wanting to do what’s right for others. But this really got her into some predicaments. This is a very creative story. It did not go in the direction I thought it would, which was a nice surprise. I love the characters and their chemistry, and the children were delightful. This book is a clean wholesome romance with a bit of sizzle but nothing that brought offense. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Connie Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy her Western stories, so I was especially eager to read this new book from author Jody Hedlund. Believe me, it didn't disappoint! It has beautiful twin sisters, two young children who've just lost their father, and an uncle who's come to rescue them. Franz Meyer has every intention of taking his orphaned niece and nephew back to Germany, but he doesn't count on being immediately entranced by Clarabelle Oakley. What follows is a sweet, sizzling, take-your-breath-away romance that's riddled with misunderstandings, a love triangle, and a troubling mystery.

I loved watching Clarabelle and Franz become friends as they worked to help the children but the chemistry between them was apparent from the beginning! A beautiful Colorado setting and a return visit to the High C Ranch add to this captivating story, and there's even a teaser for the next book in the High Country Ranch series. Grab a copy of Willing to Wed the Rancher if you're looking for Western action filled with clean, swoon-worthy romance!

I received a copy of this book from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so loved this story. A second sister who thinks that her other sister is more beautiful and more of everything is always wondering where she will fit in. Clarabelle Oakley always accepts what is given to her and is always willing to help anyone. She feels that in life she is always going to be a burden to her family and so when Eric Meyer, a widower who has two small children proposes that she marry him to help with his kids and homestead she doesn't say no outright but tries to let him down gently. Of course, her letting him down gently is not exactly saying no so she is kind of in a quandary.
Something awful happens and she is left to take care of the two children. Someone has broken into Eric's house and she is wondering what exactly is going on. A stranger arrives causing more concerns until it is discovered to be Eric's brother Franz Meyer who Clarabelle is drawn to immediately.
Come along on the adventure that only Jody Hedlund can take us on as we are privy to the relationship that builds between Franz and Clarabelle. Will they be able to put the past behind them and more forward and where will they live? So many questions and concerns to work out.

[Jimnlori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willing to Wed the Rancher by Jody Hedlund is the second book in the new High Country Ranch series and definite must read if you love inspirational historical romances.
When Eric Meyer, a widowed father of two young children approaches assistant schoolteacher Clarabelle Oakley at her mother's funeral to ask her to marry him she botches telling him no. Days later he is found dead and Clarabelle is named caregiver of his children and his home.
When Eric's estranged brother, professor Franz Meyer arrives to find his brother gone and his brother's children and home under the care of Clarabelle he is shocked and saddened, but does all that he can to help Clarabelle care for the children and farm along with trying to find out what happened to his brother. His investigation turns up with more unanswered questions than answered ones and brings danger even closer than before, but Franz will do everything he can to keep those he loves safe.
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more books in this series in the future.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

[Linda R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarabelle Oakley, the younger sister of Maverick (Book 1), has just returned to the classroom as the teacher's assistant after the death of their mother. Eric Meyer wants to make Clarabelle the mother to his two children, but she wants to marry for love.

Franz Meyer, a professor at a prestigious university in Germany, has come to Colorado to finally make amends with his brother, Eric, after a falling out years ago. Unfortunately, upon his arrival, he learns that Eric has been murdered and his farm and children have been left to Clarabelle.

It's love at first sight for Clarabelle and Franz but Clementine, Clarabelle's twin, also fancies herself in love with Franz. Not wanting to hurt her sister, Clarabelle is willing to sacrifice her own happiness.

Willing To Wed The Rancher is the second book in the High Country Ranch series by Jody Hedlund. I liked how sweet and kind Clarabelle was and how Franz was always there to help her. Wrapping up the story with an appearance by Jericho Bliss from the Colorado Cowboys series was a treat. I'm looking forward to Ryder's book next.

I purchased a paperback copy of this book. 

[Life of Literature · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of the characteristic Jody Hedlund sizzle, this novel allows the romantic relationships to shine amongst the historical western setting. Clarabelle is so sweet and kind, and it was easy to like her from page one. Her romance with Franz is complicated by her twin sister, which adds a bit of conflict to their relationship. I really liked the element of danger and mystery in this novel as well. The suspense kept my attention and added to the depth of the plot. This book can be read as a standalone, however, the series has been so good and I am hoping we get to read more about Clarabelle and Franz in the next book as well. It’s so easy to love Jody’s writing, the words flow seamlessly with intriguing plots and steamy but closed-door romance. I am always eager to delve into her newest novels and I once again greatly enjoyed her latest release! Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the High Country Ranch series which I enjoyed just has much or more then the first book in the series. This tells the story of Clarabelle Oakley.

Clarabelle found herself engaged to Eric even though she didn’t want to because she had trouble standing up for herself and say “No” to people but in the end I guess it was a good thing because Eric named her the guardian of his children Dieter and Bianca and before they could get married Eric was murdered.

Eric’s brother Franz arrives from Germany to try and repair their relationship only to find out that Eric had passed away. As Franz and Clarabelle work together to find out who killed Eric and also dealing with the nightmares that Bianca has been having since her Dad’s death, they start falling in love with each other.

You will have to grab a copy of the book to find out how everything works out. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. The review expressed here is my honest opinion.

[Terri Harr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two did not disappoint! I enjoyed getting to know Clarabelle better. Her situation was quite unusual and the fact that she has a very difficult time saying no to people for fear of making them upset actual was for the better in many ways. She would have never found her future otherwise.

Franz is a caring man who let the past come between someone he loved deeply, his brother. It kept him from being there and knowing his niece and nephew in their younger years. He came into the story showing love to them and connecting right away.

This story contains some danger, a murder, and trauma from that for the youngest child. She starts having horrible nightmares. It’s not told in graphic detail but it is there. It’s done very simply.

Sweet romance. Wonderful family dynamics. Sibling conflict. Characters from past books making an appearance.

Highly recommend buying all the books in this series and the other two “cowboy” series that have ties to these families.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Country Ranch series continues with Willing to Wed the Rancher, book two. Again, another book that was so hard to put down. Willing to Wed the Rancher zeros in on the twin sisters of Maverick. Besides the unexpected romance that starts to brew, there is a mystery afoot! The mystery is also attached to danger in the high country. Wow!

I do believe you can read this book on it's own. I loved this series, so would recommend starting with books one, Waiting for the Rancher. And would even encourage historical fiction lovers to go back to the previous Colorado series. They're just so good!

This one has mystery and romance as I mentioned previously. But it also has family dynamics of siblings - the Oakleys and the Meyers. I am so looking forward to the next book in the series. I would also put in a request to hear more about the Meyer family. I am so fascinated, Miss Jody!

Reviewed from an eARC. Thank you, Jody!
All opinions are my own.

[Sara Cardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this couple—their relationship is my favorite! Quiet Clarabelle tries to say no to a proposal from a persistent widower, with little success. Franz travels from Germany to reconcile with his brother, but ends up investigating his murder.

I love it when Franz meets his niece and nephew—he is darling with these kids and they are so fun! He meets Clarabelle who is caring for them and is immediately taken with her. I love how his academic mind tries to explain this connection.

I love how Franz teaches and plays with the kids. The creative play—pulling in shy Clarabelle—is so so cute!

Between comforting grieving children, caring for the farm, searching for answers to the murder, and a community very interested in the newcomer—Clarabelle finds herself in more than one tricky situation and decisions only she can make. This is such a sweet story and romance!

[Alyssa Amey Madjeski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in Jody Hedlund’s High Country Ranch series was just as good as the first! Poor Clarabelle can’t seem to say no to anyone… from her twin sister to a widower with two kids who wants to marry her! When the unthinkable happens, not giving an emphatic no to Eric Meyer at least allows her to be the guardian to his two children… but she never expected their (ridiculously handsome) uncle to show up all the way from Germany! This story has an abundance of romantic chemistry, two fun kiddos, and a murder mystery. Tons of sizzle but still a clean romance, with a lot of character development and a couple who learns what it means to make a relationship work amidst adversity.

Recommended! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

I received a complementary copy of this book from the author. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.