Saving the Rancher

by Tanya Agler

Will she save his ranch…

And steal his heart?

How dare Amanda Fleming score a free vacation from his trusting grandparents under the guise of rebranding their Lazy River Dude Ranch? Or so manager Seth Virtue thinks at first. When a family secret reveals just how much the ranch needs Amanda’s expertise, she becomes a lifeline. And Amanda herself is a breath of fresh air around Seth’s beloved ranch. But the Phoenix-based marketing maven has no plans to stay in small-town Violet Ridge, the only home Seth can imagine. Which makes mixing business and getting to know Amanda better a tricky idea…

A Violet Ridge Novel

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Harlequin Books]

Western Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
A Violet Ridge Novel (Book #2)

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Fleming just got a free working vacation for a wonderful older couple who wants her to help them with rebranding their Lazy River Dude Ranch, without talking to their grandson, Seth Virtue who runs it and is the manager. Seth isn’t happy but seth and Amanda seem to have come to an agreement of sorts. The more time he spends with her, he realizes that this just might help. She makes him feel things he hasn’t felt in a long time. Not since he was hurt by his ex fiancé. Amanda can see the wonderful place that it is. She’s enjoying the fresh air. If she doesn’t watch it she’ll fall in love with the place and that sexy cowboy. Will these two mix business with pleasure? Will he accept what she has worked out for the ranch? He knows she won’t be staying. She’s only doing a job and she can’t wait to buy her first home in Phoenix. Will she walk away from her feelings for Seth? Can she? She knows he won’t leave because he wants to continue working the ranch his family had work for generations. She has never had a home of her own. They always moved around. Can this cowboy, the ranch and his family change her mind? The characters are wonderful. Every last one of them. Worth the read. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.

[Tara Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely fell in love with Saving the Rancher!! A very sweet, heartwarming, heartfelt story with second chances, friendship, love, family, small town, secrets and hope!! This makes three books I've read in the Violet Ridge series. This one is one of my very favorites!! I enjoyed reading about the wonderful characters. Amanda Fleming is hired to help with a marketing campaign to help save the ranch. The manager, Seth Virtue isn't too happy with his grandparents for hiring her. Amanda and Seth's personalities clash. They have differences of opinions. I loved meeting Sami, Amanda's sister and Crosby, Seth's brother. I highly recommend this feel good story!! I was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about finding home with your heart. I loved both Seth and Amanda. They had a connection from the start, but both were careful where their hearts were concerned. Amanda wants to have a place she can put down roots, and everything seems to be falling into place for her before she meets Seth on a working vacation at his family's ranch. Seth knows to guard his heart, especially when it comes to people like Amanda who he knows are only in his life briefly. But the more time he spends with Amanda, the more he realizes that he can't let her presence in his world be a temporary one. With a charming cast of characters (both human and animal), this book is a must-read for anyone who loves romance.

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the Violet Ridge series, in which Amanda Fleming is sent to the Lazy River Dude Ranch to rebrand the business. But will manager Seth Virtue accept what she plans to suggest? And will she do the kind of job her boss wants her to accomplish?

Complications arise when Amanda begins to fall for Seth, the very reason she was fired from a previous job. Then her boss brings in her niece to take on the position, but not necessarily the work, Amanda has. And then Amanda's sister shows up. What will happen now?

At least a happy ending results. I only wish copy editing had cleaned up the text at lot better.

[Anna Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge Tanya Agler fan and this book did not disappoint! Another wonderful, uplifting romance that makes me want to visit Violet Ridge!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My completer review originally posted at https://novelsalive.com/2025/04/01/4-...

I was so excited to see a request to review Saving the Rancher by Tanya Agler come through my email. I enjoyed the first book in the Violet Ridge series and her previous series set in this same town, and I couldn’t wait to return to Colorado. Saving the Rancher did not disappoint.

This book follows Seth, who runs the family dude ranch alongside his grandparents. The ranch has been falling upon hard times since the opening of a fancy resort in town has been taking staff and guests.

Unbeknownst to Seth, his grandparents hire Amanda to come to the ranch and help with marketing. As this is a romance, we know what will ultimately happen, but getting there is so much fun.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Seth and Amanda. They started on the wrong foot due to a misunderstanding, but watching them circle each other, find common ground, respect each other, and ultimately love was a joy. I kept turning the pages, often with tears in my eyes, just waiting for the happily ever after payoff.

The dude ranch setting was so fun. It allowed for a diverse cast of supporting characters as well as interesting activities to help along with the romance. The Lazy River Dude Ranch sounds like such an amazing location for a vacation. I lived vicariously through the visitors and could vividly envision all the events happening as the story unfolded.

Tanya Agler has quickly become a favorite Harlequin author of mine. I eagerly anticipate her newest releases and devour the books as soon as they’re in my hands.

Saving the Rancher is another winner, and I highly recommend it to fans of clean, contemporary romance.