Rugged

Wolf Ranch #8

by Renee Rose, Vanessa Vale

PACK RULE #8: NEVER LIE TO YOUR MATE.
I broke that rule the day I showed up on her doorstep.
I’m sworn to protect my kind from any kind of threat.

As a human, she thought I was there on friendly business.
Didn’t know I meant to take down her shifter boss.
I didn’t know she’d flip my world upside down.

One whiff of her scent, and I was lost. No–found.
I couldn’t leave without her. So, I spent the night. Made her fall for me.

But she doesn’t know what I am. What I’ve done.
I’m not just a ranch hand–I’m a shifter enforcer.
The clock is ticking before I have to finish the job.

I must win my mate’s heart and claim her before the lies catch up to me.
Before she finds out what I am and what I have done.
Or what I will do to keep her safe.
And mine.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Fantasy, Omegaverse, BDSM

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2025

About the author

15-Time USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR RENEE ROSE loves a dominant, dirty-talking alpha hero! She's sold over five million copies of steamy romance with varying levels of kink. Her books have been featured in USA Today's Happily Ever After and Popsugar. Named Eroticon USA's Next Top Erotic Author in 2013, she has also won Spunky and Sassy's Favorite Sci-Fi and Anthology author, The Romance Reviews Best Historical Romance, and has hit the USA Today list with her Chicago Bratva, Bad Boy Alpha, and Wolf Ranch books as well as various kinky anthologies.

For FREE RENEE ROSE BOOKS, go to this page: https://subscribepage.com/alphastemp

**Visit her blog at www.reneeroseromance.com
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WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT RENEE'S BOOKS:

"I savor Renee Rose's books as if they were the finest of champagnes" ~USA Today Bestselling Author Sierra Cartwright

"Renee Rose has an ability to write the most captivating, most intriguing, and the hottest books around." ~ USA Today Bestselling Author Alta Hensley

"A sexy tale for modern women that's as steamy as a locker room shower." ~Kirkus Reviews

"I've been completely blown away by this series" ~The Romance Reviews

"Nobody writes a bad boy hero like Renee Rose" ~USA Today Bestselling Author Cara Bristol

"If you are looking for a romance you can lose yourself in and think fondly of for days after, look no further. This is a Renee Rose book and this author is very good at what she does." ~USA Today Bestselling Author Maren Smith

"Hands down Renee Rose writes the sexiest, naughtiest, set your Kindle on fire romance." ~USA Today Bestselling Author Natasha Knight

"If you love your men dominant alphas and get considerable pleasure out of watching them have their lives turned upside down by the women in their lives on the way to their happily ever after, then you'll love this story." ~The Romance Reviews [TOP PICK]

"Rose always delivers with her erotic stories. It's hot, it's sexy, & don't forget the icy drink & fan when you read this one." ~Manic Readers

"I have yet to read a book by Renee Rose that I don't enjoy so much as to read it again and again." ~Bottoms Up Book Reviews

Reviews

[~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

So this review will cover the book itself as well as the free bonus chapter you get once you complete the book... If it had not been for the bonus chapter, I think my book rating would have landed at the 3.5 star mark..

Now, make no mistake this was a hot, quick and intense read. I am IN LOVE with Johnny! I could not be moved from my Kindle until I absolutely had to be... Which I hated.. I also feel that Johnny and Emma have great emotional and physical chemistry, so that works well for this particular story. This was crazy inta-love, (span of 3 days) but we are dealing with wolf shifters here, so that's expected..

Also, my catnip has always been Cowboys and Wolf Shifters.. I've never read these two combined together before, though, so you know I was all over this! I LOVED it!

This is a very simple, cut and dry tale of a Rancher Cowboy/Wolf Shifter who unexpectedly finds his human mate while attempting to work a job. All heat and hell breaks loose after that. IMMEDIATELY.

There is a small plot here, regarding that Emma's "boss" is involved in some gruesome unsavory activities, which leads to Johnny meeting Emma in the first place. Though these activities are spoken through Johnny and his pack, none of these things are actually expounded on or shown. So it keeps this story in the very light plot realm, even though this secondary plot is attached to a very real and very dark theme. You don't witness any of this play out. It's not even spoken on in explicit detail when you're told about it... So those who may have a trigger with this theme, no worries on witnessing things you don't want to see or read about..

Also, Johnny's background and history was heartbreaking to hear about, but again, it does not go deep within it. Just enough to give some context and texture to Johnny and to also pull at your heartstrings a bit, but not enough to completely destroy you in the process.

Now, what kept this from hitting the 5 star mark for me, was Emma and her stupidity when it came to her telling Johnny a very simple truth about herself. I felt this was just silly and should have been mentioned and squashed early on in this story.. Especially when you realize that Emma never actually tells Johnny the truth. He just finds out at the end of the book, in the run of things that are now occurring. So this was #LAME and it annoyed the absolute hell out of me for the whole of this story. Especially since we have to hear Emma whine and obsess over it in her inner monologue several times in the book.. Which was why my initial rating was going to be 3.5 stars.. But then I read the bonus chapter and this set my world right with them somewhat. It appeased me enough to give this book a 4 star rating.

I enjoyed this read overall and would recommend it to those who enjoy this genre.

This series clearly can be read out of order, since I started with book 8, and I was not lost on anything at all.. You do see some of the characters from previous books enough to make you curious about their stories... But you do not need to read books 1-7 first, in order to understand or be entertained by what occurs here. This series appears to have a different couple for each book and a different plight to overcome with them.

I'll definitely be reading some of the other books in this series..

At the time of this review this series was currently on Kindle Unlimited.

#HotCowboys
#WolfShifters
#IAmThereForIT

[Danielle's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lies, secrets and a fate for mates.

Rugged is Renee Rose and Vanessa Vales new release. It’s the eighth book in the Wolf Ranch series, however can be read as a standalone. It’s the first book I’ve read by these authors and other than the setting obviously being linked to the other books i enjoyed it as a one off story.

Emma is given the opportunity to escape her life and pretend to be her sister. No one was supposed to find out but when a stranger comes knocking on her temporary homes door the lies keep piling up. Posing as her sister makes it easier for her to have fun and her mystery man is all in. Maybe a little too all in.

Johnny is the new pack enforcer and is running some errands to shut down a criminal organisation. When he finds Emma on enemy territory he wants to take her away to safety. He instantly feels connected to her and the pair easily fall into bed together. Like Emma he has a few secrets of his own. His biggest being that he’s a shifter and she’s his mate.

Can these two untangle the lies and will they understand why the other withheld the truth?

Rugged is a fun, quick read. I liked the creative way different elements where woven into this book. It’s a shifter and a cowboy theme. Johnny has a dark-side he’s afraid of, but underneath he just wants to love his mate. Overall it was all fun and games in getting their happy ever after.

✅ Fated mates
✅ Insta love
✅ Shifter romance
✅ Cowboy
✅ Wolf and human combo
✅ Steamy

Reading for RARE. It’s available on KU.

[Kate V · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3.5 shifter smut-scale stars! Similar to the other books in this series and just an overall fun and smutty read.

[Anca A · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Review: *Rugged* - Renee Rose, Vanessa Vale - ARC [21+]
4/5✨
4/5🌶️

I was pretty curious about this book and decided to give it a try. Thank you Vanessa Vale for accepting me to receive this early copy!

Johnny is a shifter enforcer, who was looking for some bad guy of his kind. That's when he found Emma, who decided to pretend to be her twin sister, Lyssa. But that wasn't a factor in Johnny senses, because he instantly felt that she was his fated mate. But how can he handle her, knowing she is a regular human and he needs to destroy his boss's life?

This book was super spicy, being like 85% full of fire scenes. Even from their first encounter they consumed the tension that was between them, both feeling that sense of belonging to one another. Emma used her twin's way of thinking and name, being pretty unsure about herself. She doubted that she was enough and believed she could be feistier and more spontaneous if she thought like Lyssa.

Johnny was blinded by Emma, being happy to have found his fated mate and did some things a bit recklessly, being keen on keeping her satisfied and safe. He struggled with how he could come clean about himself to Emma, but before, he needed to be sure she could understand everything and stay with him for life.

This was a bit spicer than I thought and captivated my attention a little slower than usual, but I liked the suspense from the last part of the book. Also, the relationship between Johnny and Emma was so raw and unfiltered, that you just couldn't be curious about how they would handle things in the end. Recommend it for adult readers, because of its level of steaminess.

✨Tropes
#InstaLove
#StrangersToLovers
#FatedMates
#SmallTown
#ShifterEnforcer
#ProtectiveMMC
#MistakenTwin
#ForcedProximity

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I inhaled deeply and learned two things at once. She wasn't a shifter. She was human. And, condsidering my body's instantaneous reaction to her scent--this beautiful human was my mate.

4.25 stars

I was so happy to be back in the Wolf Ranch world as I just love these characters so much! I loved Johnny's charming and obsessive personality; he knew he wanted his mate in his life permanently but realized that he had to navigate their courtship with finesse. Emma was completely ignorant of the shifter world but cherished the connection and sense of safety she felt with Johnny. They were both keeping secrets from each other when they first met, but the pull of the mate bond forced them to confront their hidden truths and acknowledge their undeniable attraction. I loved how sweet yet domineering Johnny was towards Emma. He seemed to know exactly what she needed even when she was being deceitful, while Emma trusted Johnny implicitly. I adored seeing all of the other members of Wolf Ranch again, and I cannot wait for the next book🖤

Tropes: fated mates, mistaken identity, charming obsessed hero, shy heroine, touch her and die, forced proximity, insta-lust, pack politics, opposites attract, fast-burn, found family, STEAMY🔥

[Maria McNamee-Hirt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun conculsion

Read the other books first. Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale are a good team. The writing is very solid technically and creatively. The world they built is unique and yet familiar. I hope the story continues in the Two Marks series as this one marks the end of the Wolf Ranch collection.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

PACK RULE #8: NEVER LIE TO YOUR MATE

It is another great addition to the Wolf Ranch Series, and yet, it is a fresh new story with a few people from previous stories. What happens when a human female and male wolf shifter meet by happenstance and he knows immediately she is his mate? Not only is she his mate, but the man she works for is a rogue shifter whom the Shifter Council has sent out enforcers to bring in.

Emma has left her job in Hollywood and traveled to Montana to be with her twin sister, Lyssa. Only when she arrives, Lyssa is off jet-setting with a Sultan. Emma will make herself at home since Mitch Chapman is away. What a shock to open the door to a hot cowboy who is looking for Mitch. Emma will tell him she is Lyssa his caregiver.

Johnny has been sent by his Alpha, Rob Wolf, over to the Running Waters Ranch owned by Mitch Chapman to bring him in to face charges of trafficking—shifters and humans. He will meet a young woman who says she is Lyssa—but more than that, she is his fated mate.

The story will have Emma saying she is Lyssa, because, in her mind, Lyssa is the fun, outgoing, twin. She decides to live vicariously as Lyssa for a little while with Johnny. Within just a short time of knowing each other, Johnny and Lyssa/Emma are tangled in the sheets. Johnny will talk her into going back to Wolf Ranch with him since Mitch isn’t around.

The story is mystery, suspense, secrets, lies, and revelations. Emma has so much fun and adventures posing as Lyssa—telling herself that whatever she tries, it is something that Lyssa would do. Being with a wolf shifter is shocking, and something she needs to wrap her head around. Racing back to Running Waters will take her back to her sister, and share what has happened—but then danger comes calling. How will Lyssa and Emma handle this new development? Will Emma be able to accept Johnny and be his mate? What about Lyssa? Has she met her match too?

[morganinpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely so cute and fun! I loved Johnny and Emma from the very beginning and thought their relationship was so special. It was so cute to see their little meet cute and it definitely had me giggling and kicking my feet. The storyline of this was so refreshing and definitely something new that I haven’t read before. I’m a sucker for a good omega verse book so adding in the cowboy aspect was absolutely everything. I ate this book up in a day and loved it. The only thing that kinda made me annoyed was Emma comparing herself to her sister the whole time. Like I understand that was the whole part of the book, but it felt a little excessive at some points. Other than that I absolutely devoured this book and thought it was such a fun book. If you love instalove, omegaverse, cowboy MMC meets shy FMC, then you should def give this book a read! I’m excited to read about Lyssa and her men!

[Matthew Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a whole I really enjoyed this book , it was very fast paced , the chemistry between Emma and Johnny is amazing especialy Emma coming out of her shell and trying lots of things only her sister would do , there was one thing about Emma that I a fan of her lie about being Her sister Lyssa , I get how at first , the way she reacted to Johnny I got it , like her sister she wanted to be adventurous and brave and do some thing she would do but from the moment she really did knew she liked him , went to wolf ranch I think she should have told the him trough, especially feeling the way she was feeling as time went on and each time he said Lyssa's name in moments of passion and it hurt her , witch in turn would have helped Johnny tell his truths to her and that moment when she thought he was using her when he was being way more forth coming about what had happened in the past

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series

[Felicia's Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Wolf Ranch series. We now get Johnny’s story. This book had me laughing and yelling at my book saying TELL THE TRUTH!!! Emma has the chance to escape her life and pretend to be her twin sister. When she opens the door to Johnny the chemistry is there for both of them. Johnny is lying about why he is there aka after her sister's boss who is a rogue wolf. While Emma is lying about being her sister. I loved how this book ended. I can’t wait for more from Wolf Ranch.

[Rachel Pickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I say I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting I am not exaggerating!

I have loved the Wolf Ranch series since the beginning and I hope the series never ends!

Johnny and Emma were the perfect pair! Johnny helped bring out Emma’s adventurous & spontaneous side and Emma helped Johnny realize what it was like to find his mate. I loved we got to see some characters from previous books and spin series!

If you have enjoyed the previous Wolf Ranch stories - make sure you get your copy of Rugged today!

[Pernilla Samuelsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love jumping right into the world of these amazing cowboy shifters and this isn’t anything diffrent. I wish this series would never end because it litterly is that good that have you hooked from the start and refusing to let go.

This story has lies and secrets, fated mated,mysterious suspense, of cours amazing spice you litterly cannot miss out on this amazing story.

The connection between them is so amazing and top it off with the mate bond between them just makes it so much better. It seem as natural as breathing that neither of them really bats an eye once the truth starts spilling out giving you a great shifter read.

[Eva Blr · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was fun !
And they finally introduced the spin-off ! I'll read it when Wolf Ranch is done

[Mandyloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series it’s one of my favorite shifter romance stories! Great plot great characters I loved the chemistry between the two main characters the push and pull was delicious this was everything I love about a shifter romance! Definitely recommend!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turned out to be good, but not as good as the others. There was surprise, intrigue, darkness and all the smut. I would even say a little too much smut, which is why I gave this a 4. That, and on top of Emma’s poor me attitude and nobody would want me. This got old real quick and I got tired of reading about it. The only things I enjoyed was learning about the Two Marks pack, which is now on my list to read and some of the scenes with Johnny and Emma were intense, passionate and emotional. I would have just kept with those moments and forgo the more smutty scenes. I also would have liked Johnny to be less intimidating and angry but that’s how he is. In this book, I also felt like Renee and Vanessa reverted back to not having deep discussions or getting to know each other. The majority of this book just had Johnny and Emma having sex and not talking. I would have liked that kind of connection more between them as it started to feel oversaturated. Don’t get me wrong, the ones I did enjoy you got to witness Johnny’s vulnerability and tenderness with the good kind of intensity. Aside from that, I pictured the truth bombs to happen differently. I was happy with the results of that, though I wasn’t expecting it. From the way Johnny is revealed as a wolf, to the way Emma broke pack rule by telling her sister Johnny is a wolf as well as the other ranch heads, to the moment Johnny finds out about the real Lyssa and comes to terms that his mate’s name is Emma. I pictured this all going down differently. I guess in the grand scheme of things, Lyssa was prepared from the time the two wolves from the Two Marks pack barged in as wolves and took down another, it got rid of Lyssa’s shock value. Everything I thought would happen involved more heartbreak and betrayal. Maybe this would have been one of the things to push me to rate it a 5 but instead of getting that, it’s like both Emma and Johnny accepted the lies they told each other and forgave them like it was nothing and they were all good. This was not what I was expecting and this to me was my shock value. Usually this gets embellished and both the hero and heroine jump to conclusions and think the worst. While Emma did think the worst, she got over it shortly after she storms off and away from Johnny. Overall, entertaining read, a good story but too much oversaturated sex scenes and not enough emotional connection. Then you have Emma feeling sorry for herself most of the book. A good read if you are fans of Renee and Vanessa, the supernatural and lots of smut. Either way, I can’t wait for the remaining pack members to get their stories.

[Daisy Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder

I never get enough of this series and the latest couple from Wolf Ranch is no exception. Emma is the good twin, the responsible adult and hard worker who pays all her bills on time and never has any fun. She considers herself the boring twin compared to her free-spirited, nomadic sister. When Emma realizes that her work environment is toxic and she deserves better, she quits, leaving LA to join Lyssa in Montana, just as her twin suggested. But when she arrives, Lyssa is jetting off to paradise with a hot sultan, so Emma decides to hang around, pretending to be her twin, who is the caretaker for the ranch.


It seems like a harmless enough little white lie. After all, she’s doing exactly what Lyssa does at the ranch, which is practically nothing aside from bringing in the mail each day. Emma has no idea “her” boss, the billionaire owner of the ranch, is a very bad man, a wanted man. When a hot cowboy appears on the doorstep looking for her absentee boss, the attraction between them is off the charts. For once, Emma doesn’t want to be the predictable good girl, she wants to be the impulsive siren having the best night of her life, so she throws caution to the wind and rides this cowboy. After all, he’s a stranger and this is just a fling, so she’s happy to let him think she’s Lyssa because posing as her adventurous twin is just the thing Emma needs to let loose.


Johnny knows instantly that this gorgeous stranger is his mate, but he also knows that, as a human, she has no idea about fated mates or shifters. He has to tell her everything but must do it without scaring her away since he needs to keep her safe above all else. Their story is super steamy and full of hot cowboys and even includes a spicy cameo from the men of the Two Marks pack. All that is to say, I loved everything about Emma and Johnny’s story.

[Book_Whisp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shifter romance always gets me going

This book was recommended by my book group, and honestly, all I needed to hear was "Shifter" and "Cowboy"—I was ready to saddle up for this ride.

Part of the Wolf Ranch series, this story follows Emma and Johnny in a short, steamy Omegaverse romance with a classic insta-love twist. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.

Why not five stars? A few things held me back. I found myself skimming some of the descriptive passages, and Emma’s behavior grated on me for more than half the book. The plot also didn’t offer any big surprises—it followed a well-worn path typical of this genre.

We meet twins Emma and Lyssa—polar opposites in both personality and lifestyle. Emma, our main character, is the quiet and insecure one. In an attempt to feel more confident, she impersonates her bold sister, “channeling her inner Lyssa.” This deception continues through most of the book, and while I understood her motivations, it became frustrating. The reveal doesn’t happen until the very end, and the prolonged dishonesty was a key reason I docked a star.
Johnny, our alpha cowboy, has secrets of his own—not just personal ones, but those involving his community and work. He eventually comes clean, but only after marking Emma, which didn’t sit well with me.

Despite that, Johnny and Emma share undeniable chemistry, and I did enjoy the fated mates trope. There’s just something swoon-worthy about the idea of soulmates destined to find each other.

The story reaches its climax when Emma flees and reconnects with her sister. This turning point felt a bit forced and predictable, though it did tie everything up neatly. As mentioned earlier, it’s a standard plot for this type of romance, but still enjoyable in its comfort and familiarity.

If you love shifter romance with a cowboy twist, this will definitely hit the spot—just don’t expect too many surprises.

[Diane G · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Rugged” is book 8 in the series Wolf Ranch written beautifully by Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale! The Wolf Ranch series never fails to deliver, and Rugged is another fantastic addition! As someone who has read every book in this series, I always look forward to returning to the world of these fun-loving, fiercely loyal wolf shifters. Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale once again prove their storytelling brilliance, weaving an irresistible tale of passion, suspense, and romance.
This time, we fall in love with Johnny and Emma. The characters are compelling, and the plot is not only well-written but refreshingly original. One of the joys of this series is seeing familiar faces from previous books—every visit to Wolf Ranch feels like reuniting with family. While each book can be enjoyed as a standalone, reading them in order adds depth to the experience, making it even more rewarding.
The story kicks off when Emma, tired of her toxic job in L.A., heads to Montana to visit her sister, Lyssa. But just as she arrives, Lyssa jets off to paradise with a hot sultan, leaving Emma to hold down the fort at the Running Waters Ranch. Enter Johnny, a rugged cowboy and wolf shifter on a mission to bring in Mitch Chapman, a shifter and human trafficker. When Emma opens the door, Johnny instantly knows—she’s his fated mate. But with secrets between them and danger lurking, will Emma accept the undeniable bond they share?
This book is packed with steamy, pulse-pounding romance, sizzling tension, and a thrilling plot that keeps you hooked. From gorgeous alpha males to heartfelt connections, Rugged has it all. Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale continue to dazzle with their creativity and skill, making this a must-read for fans of the series. If you love shifters, suspense, and scorching chemistry, this book—and the entire Wolf Ranch series—is for you!

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sexy shifter romance where he's got blood on his hands and a body count that's only going to get higher but he absolutely knows how to treat his mate like a queen and she's got secrets but her heart was his the second she laid eyes on him, and it's a hot, possessive, heck of a good time read! It's got a lie that makes every touch the best most painful thing ever, a shifter with a temper and a dark side that burns white hot if he even thinks a man is hurting a woman, and lots of little lies by omission and a few that are totally blatant that make this read feel like a powder keg ready to explode but is tempered by a mate bond she doesn't know she has and the pull to each other that neither of them want to deny. It's so good and just one more couple that makes the Wolf Ranch series completely irresistible.
If you at all like that rugged, sexy, shifter thing this is the read for you and Johnny packs one flaw in the eyes of his pack that makes him even hotter and that's that there is no line he won't cross if he needs to protect someone and particularly women, the face fanning is definitely real here. Loved the twin thing, it not only added to the plot but it made you adore Emma, who just wants to finally live a little and know what it's like to follow her wants and desires instead of being mired in her usual responsible life. The connection between them is great with the mate bond between them written well and in a way that makes it seem as natural as breathing that neither of them really bats an eye once the truth starts spilling out giving you a great shifter read that's perfectly swoony and all kinds of wonderful.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm at Wolf Ranch again tonight with Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale, who brought Johnny, Emma, Lyssa, and Mitch Chapman as part of the story.
Johnny came to Wolf Ranch as a ranch hand after he violently defended his sister from an attack, an act that cost him his pack and ultimately led to his banishment from his family. Now, he has worked his way up to become the Pack Enforcer. His latest assignment? To locate and bring in Mitch Chapman, who has been trafficking women.
Emma and Lyssa are twins. Emma, the responsible and overthinking one, is a set designer in L.A. She works long hours—14-hour days—with no friends, little gratitude, and no days off for six weeks. Lyssa, the younger sister, is a free-spirited partygoer who enjoys a charmed bohemian lifestyle filled with adventures and romantic escapades. When Lyssa, currently a caretaker for a wealthy rancher in Montana, calls to tell Emma she is leaving for Ibiza with a Sulton she just met, she overhears Emma's boss yelling at her again. Lyssa urges Emma to quit her job. She suggests that Emma could move to Montana, take her place at the ranch, and heal while figuring out her next steps.
This is when the two situations collide. Johnny arrives at the Chapman ranch in search of Mitch and meets Emma, who introduces herself as Lyssa. There is an instant attraction. Johnny realizes immediately that she is his mate, while Emma thinks her feelings for Johnny stem from her mentally adopting Lyssa's persona.
Both characters are emotionally damaged and are keeping secrets from each other. With the full moon approaching in just a few days, Johnny is under orders from his Alpha to resolve his situation with Emma before then, or risk losing control of his wolf.
Overall, this is a fun, exciting, and steamy read.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf Ranch: Rugged delivers an exciting mix of mistaken identity, shifter intrigue, and sizzling romance set against the rugged backdrop of Montana. Emma, a hardworking and underappreciated graphic designer, finds herself stepping into her twin Lyssa’s wilder shoes when she trades her Hollywood struggles for life on a billionaire’s ranch. What she doesn’t expect is Johnny—a dangerously sexy wolf shifter enforcer—knocking on the door and shaking up her world in more ways than one.

Emma’s transformation is both entertaining and empowering. Stepping out of her comfort zone forces her to embrace confidence and spontaneity, which makes her an instantly likable heroine. Johnny, on the other hand, is pure alpha male—intense, protective, and unwavering once he realizes Emma is his fated mate. His internal struggle between duty and desire adds depth to his character, making their relationship more than just insta-love.

The tension builds as Johnny tries to uncover Emma’s true role at the ranch while protecting her from the dangers tied to his investigation. Their chemistry crackles, blending humor, passion, and just the right amount of drama. The mistaken identity trope adds a fun twist, while the shifter world politics introduce an element of suspense that keeps the plot moving.

Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale have crafted another engaging, fast-paced romance that blends the best of steamy shifter lore with a heartfelt love story. If you love fated mates, strong heroines stepping into their power, and protective yet smitten alpha wolves, Wolf Ranch: Rugged is a must-read.

[Erin Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨🔮🌞🌕🍄🌕🌞🔮✨
ARC REVIEW

Rugged - Vanessa Vale

5/5⭐️

📚📚📚
Oooo Vanessa Vale!! You have made Cowboy Shifter Romances my new favorite thing! Instantly I was grabbed by this book until I finished it. This book is filled with lies, hidden truths, identities that may not be them, HOT SPICE, and hot protective cowboys. Emma decides to quit her horrible job in LA while on the phone with her sister and travel to Montana. Well her sister ends up going on a trip when she gets there. So in a moment Emma will introduce herself as Lyssa to Johnny. But all Johnny could think was he just found his mate and forgot about the job he was there to do. After a very short moment Johnny brings “Lyssa” back to Wolf Ranch. The falling happens quick with a few bumps along the way. Thankfully by the end it all ended up okay when all the truths came out. The way Emma found out he was a shifter my mouth dropped like damnnn. Overall I totally recommend this one!

📚📚📚
If you like to read:
- OTT cowboy shifter
- Fated mates
- Small town romance
… You should definitely check this out

📚📚📚

Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words. #giftedcopy

✨What’s a small town romance you’re enjoyed? If not what’s your current read?

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[Mary Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rugged is another enjoyable entry in Rose and Vale’s Wolf Ranch series, this time focused on a ranch hand and a special effects programmer. His anger-management issues have caused him problems in the past; her self-abnegation has led to her current professional and personal frustration. So when Emma’s identical-twin sister asks her to cover a cushy house-sitting job for a couple of weeks, Emma takes it as a means to reset her life—including by pretending to be her more free-spirited sister.

This is an insta-love romance, as Johnny knows Emma is his mate from the moment he lays eyes on her, while she is surprisingly—and lustily—drawn to him. But they both make major mistakes. Johnny ignores sound advice, both from others and even from himself, and ends up making things risky for Emma with a boss she has no idea is dangerous. And Emma’s pretense may be freeing for her, but it creates a tangle of difficulty in addressing the situation she’s in.

I was frustrated with some of the dumber moves Johnny makes—he is definitely not the brightest bulb on the Wolf Ranch Christmas tree. I was also surprised that Johnny’s wolf pack didn’t do more to help him avoid some of the more general problems of a wolf stymied in claiming his mate (like going on runs). And Emma dragged on in her pretense for a bit too long—it made it seem like she wasn’t trusting Johnny’s emotions for her.

But Rose and Vale keep things moving briskly in Rugged, so these issues didn’t seriously impact my overall enjoyment. Rose and Vale continue to find new ways to approach the shifter romance in Rugged.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Renee Rose & Vanessa Vale brings another thrilling and steamy installment to the Wolf Ranch series with Wolf Ranch: Rugged. This paranormal romance delivers an irresistible mix of passion, danger, and emotional depth as two broken souls find solace in each other.

Johnny, an Enforcer for the Council, has lived his life as a known killer, convinced that his dark nature makes him unworthy of love. Emma, the sweet and self-sacrificing twin, struggles with her own insecurities, believing herself to be unremarkable and undeserving of passion. When she impersonates her twin, Lyssa, she unknowingly sets off a chain of events that leads her straight into Johnny’s arms—breaking the sacred rule of honesty between mates from the start.

Despite the deception, their chemistry is undeniable, an electrifying force that neither can resist. The authors craft their connection with intense heat and raw emotion, making every interaction between Johnny and Emma pulse with desire. Their journey is filled with tension, self-discovery, and healing, as both characters confront their inner demons and learn to embrace the love they never thought possible.

With fast-paced action, shifter intrigue, and scorching romance, Wolf Ranch: Rugged is a captivating escape into a world where fated mates find their way to each other, no matter the obstacles. Fans of alpha males, strong heroines, and sizzling paranormal romance will devour this one in a single sitting.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

PACK RULE #8: NEVER LIE TO YOUR MATE…… although technically is it really a lie if you’re just economical with the reason why you pay a visit to a neighbour and when the woman who answers the door turns out to be your one and only fated mate then surely you’re allowed a little leeway especially when our mate appears to play hard and fast with the truth as Johnny’s wolfy senses pointed out. Johnny was the enforcer - think sanctioned hitman – for his pack. His duty was to protect his kind from exposure to humans and also police other shifters especially those involved in trafficking, but duty went right out the window when he met Lyssa. But is Lyssa who she seems. Is she involved in her boss’s dirty dealings? It seems like both have a lot of explaining to do

What girl doesn’t love a cowboy and when you combine that with him being a shifter with an overprotective streak as in ‘will end any man who looks at his woman’ then I was a goner for Johnny. Lyssa/Emma was a bit of doormat who only grew in confidence when she was pretending to be her twin but that probably appealed to Johnny’s dominant side. In a quick and easy read with a lot of secrets just waiting to be revealed and a whole lotta loving, toys and spice, Rugged was a great addition to the series. you’re a fan of steamy, shifter romance, I strongly recommend the Wolf Ranch series. On a side note, would love Lyssa’s story, the lucky girl who hit the mother lode with two cowboys!

[Heather Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma has left her job in Hollywood and traveled to Montana to be with her twin sister, Lyssa. Only to find out that her sister, Lyssa has already left to go jet setting on her next adventure with a Sultan. Emma has made herself at home, she is ready to start a relaxing job, where she's not totally stressed out and being yelled at 24/7. Emma is now house sitting one of Mitch Chapman properties. Lyssa told her she last saw him a few weeks ago and nothing since.

Johnny is the new pack Enforcer for the Wolf Ranch. When he goes over to the Chapman ranch he doesn't pick up any scents for Chapman. He does find a scent for a human, a pretty human. Once he knocks on the door he finds Emma, and is instantly taken with her. Johnny realizes that she is to be his mate, within a second of meeting her he realizes this. Once he and Emma have talked for a little while, Johnny makes a move on her. They wind up in the bedroom. Emma is trying to be more assertive like her sister Lyssa.

Johnny & Emma really hit things off an head back to Johnny's Wolf Ranch, a few hours away. Emma isn't sure where this guy came from, but, she is all for sexy cowboy. Johnny is hiding the wolf part from her as he doesn't want to scare her away. Emma is keeping her name a secret from him, and doesn't want to scare him away. Will they be able to open up to each other?


I did receive a free ARC Copy of this book. I am freely leaving an honest review.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnny is the new Enforcer for the Wolf Pack. He knows he has blood on his hands from an incident in the past. When he is tasked to find Mitch Chapman and bring him in. When he finds a beautiful woman answering the door, he is shocked. Not just by her beauty but the fact that she is his mate. Emma has dealt with long hours and nothing to show for it. Taking her sister Lyssa’s advice, she quits. She heads to her sister’s location in Montana. However, when she is house sitting for her, she certainly didn’t expect the hottie at the door. Lyssa is the adventurous one. She will be Lyssa since no one knows she is here. And Emma is the boring one.

Why do we always think the grass is always greener? Johnny had to get some control over his wolf. I do understand the blinding rage he gets when somebody hurts someone he loves. They are both have secrets. I don’t think either is worse than the other. The chemistry defiantly burned hot with these two. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. There were always in bed and even adding a little kink. Of course, things get a bit complicated towards the end but it gets cleared up. And what a surprise to have Travis and Knox from Two Marks pack to show up. I was thrilled. {clapping} Everyone found their mate and love.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Poulton-Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you asked me which fictional place I'd want to live, Wolf Ranch will always be my answer. I cannot get enough of these possessive, claiming, scenting wolf shifters. RR and VV always know how to deliver the shifter trope and their alphas are always out of control for their mates.

When Emma quits her job she needs a timeout. She takes over her sister's caretaker job on a ranch for an absent businessman. When the opportunity to have a quick fling with a cowboy presents itself, she decides to throw caution to the wind and take on her twin, Lyssa's, carefree and fun persona. What she doesn't consider is that she might fall for the cowboy and her untruth might catch up with her.

The cowboy in this scenario is Johnny, the new pack Enforcer. He is sent to the ranch to bring in the absent businessman. He doesn't count on scenting his mate while there. He is instantly all in. But needs the time to persuade her to get on board too. He is a dirty talking, dominant, 'good girl', possessive shifter. He also has a darker side that he has to keep on short leash. Johnny is afraid that if he lets his true self show, Emma will run and his abandonment insecurities will come to the fore.

These two are so much fun. I could not put this book down. This is a steamy shifter love story with plenty of appearances from the other Wolf Ranch couples (and the authors even throw in a little Two Marks for good measure *swoon*). These two cannot keep their hands to themselves and I adored every twist and turn.

[Janine - The World Was Hers for the Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Emma can’t take it anymore, she quits her job and takes off to visit her twin sister, who is currently the caretaker for a millionaire rancher who is never home. Only, Lyssa isn’t there when Emma arrives. So, Emma decides to take the hot cowboy looking for her “boss” for a ride, but instead of being herself, decides to take a page from their past and act like her more adventurous, spontaneous and up for anything twin sister.

With just one scent, Johnny knows that this woman is his mate . . . but first he has to track down her criminal boss. He also has to share his secrets that he is a shifter and enforcer and that she is his mate for life. With mistaken identities, missed communications, insta-lust and plenty of emotions, Johnny will need to figure out how to keep Emma safe without breaking her heart.

Rugged was fun and sexy! I really enjoyed the twin aspect as Emma grappled with wanting to be more like her sister, but being perfect the way she was for Johnny. I also loved Johnny trying to balance out all of his feelings with the fact that Emma had no idea how mates work, or that they even exist, and being unable to trust in his instant devotion. It’s always fun to be back in this world and Emma and Johnny were a whirlwind romance with a lot of heat and some sweet moments as well. 4 stars!

[Liz Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded up

TROPES
🐎 Fated Mates
🐎 Dual POV

The Wolf Ranch series combines two genres I haven’t been able to get enough of at the moment: western romances and shifter stories. Emma is a human watching a ranch in her sister’s place, and Johnny is an enforcer tracking down a shifter accused of trafficking his own kind.

I love that we get to see everything from both sides. Johnny immediately knows Emma is his mate, but since Emma is human, she doesn’t understand why she’s pulled to him so quickly. Their story happens over like, 72 hours, so it’s definitely one of the quickest timelines I’ve read in a while, though it feels like more time has passed. This is why the dual POV is so effective, because I think if it had just been through Emma’s, the short timeline would not have worked.

At times, I just wished there had actually been more time for Emma and Johnny to connect. I can always have a bit of suspension of disbelief, but I think you needed just a bit more than feels realistic here. I had a great time reading it, and it kept my attention well, I just found myself questioning Emma’s feelings at times, since it felt like maybe Johnny’s were prioritized a touch more.

As a whole, this was a fun series to dive into. This is the eighth book, but if you are a fan of either genre, there’s a book for you in this series.