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The Cowboy's Temporary Solution: The Men of the Delta O Ranch
The curvy little historian seated next to me on the plane looks like she's never been out of the city. With her tight little skirt and high heels, she's about as out of place in Slow River's ranch lands as it gets-- and she's exactly what I need.
As I step on the plane that'll take me back to the life I walked away from over a decade ago, I know I'm heading back for good whether I'm ready or not. That means making things right with my brothers and stepping up to run the family's cattle ranch alongside 'em like our father expected me to. It also means breaking my mama's heart when I have to explain that her match-making isn't much appreciated.
What I need is a good, old-fashioned, pretend girlfriend. A woman who'll charm my family while hanging off my arm looking at me like I hung the stars just for her. Someone who'll fool Mom into thinking I'm ready to settle down so she'll stop hassling me till I can get settled in.
Too bad Serenity only agrees to the ruse to get first-hand access to the local history that will help her score a job promotion back in the city, because when I say she's what I need, it turns out, I mean forever.
***
Welcome to Slow River Valley and the historic ranches that made men rich when their search for gold in the nearby mountains didn't.
You'll find the men here are as rugged as the land their cattle graze in, with loyalties-- and rivalries-- that run as deep as the river that defines this valley.
Protective, possessive, totally obsessed, the men of Slow River Valley know what they want when they see it and won't be swayed from claiming what's theirs. A woman who wins the heart of one of these cowboys can count on getting her ride into the sunset with a happily ever after that stands the test of time.
Set in the same world as Moonshine Ridge; The Slow River Valley Ranches books contain a lot of insta-love, some swearing, some steamy scenes, zero cheating, and a lot of swoon-worthy happy endings. They're interconnected with recurring characters but can be read as stand-alones in any order.
As I step on the plane that'll take me back to the life I walked away from over a decade ago, I know I'm heading back for good whether I'm ready or not. That means making things right with my brothers and stepping up to run the family's cattle ranch alongside 'em like our father expected me to. It also means breaking my mama's heart when I have to explain that her match-making isn't much appreciated.
What I need is a good, old-fashioned, pretend girlfriend. A woman who'll charm my family while hanging off my arm looking at me like I hung the stars just for her. Someone who'll fool Mom into thinking I'm ready to settle down so she'll stop hassling me till I can get settled in.
Too bad Serenity only agrees to the ruse to get first-hand access to the local history that will help her score a job promotion back in the city, because when I say she's what I need, it turns out, I mean forever.
***
Welcome to Slow River Valley and the historic ranches that made men rich when their search for gold in the nearby mountains didn't.
You'll find the men here are as rugged as the land their cattle graze in, with loyalties-- and rivalries-- that run as deep as the river that defines this valley.
Protective, possessive, totally obsessed, the men of Slow River Valley know what they want when they see it and won't be swayed from claiming what's theirs. A woman who wins the heart of one of these cowboys can count on getting her ride into the sunset with a happily ever after that stands the test of time.
Set in the same world as Moonshine Ridge; The Slow River Valley Ranches books contain a lot of insta-love, some swearing, some steamy scenes, zero cheating, and a lot of swoon-worthy happy endings. They're interconnected with recurring characters but can be read as stand-alones in any order.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2025
About the author
Rocklyn Ryder
386 books270 followersRocklyn prefers her romance reads to be short, cute, and dirty; low drama and a little over-the-top: extra points for growly, alpha heroes with beards.
Originally from the farms and ranches of Central California, Rocklyn grew up in the lap of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Those small towns will always be home, but Rocklyn was born to roam.
These days she spends her days exploring America's back roads in her camper trailer, writing steamy happily-ever-afters while looking for internet.
Follow Rocklyn here, on Amazon, find her on social media, or drop by the website (rocklynwrites dot net) and keep in touch when you join the (mostly) weekly newsletter and never miss updates on what's in the works-- and what's working and not in a life full of adventure and shenanigans.
***
And what do I read? Total smut, the kind with over-the-top chemistry that gets characters to lose their minds and their clothes as soon as possible-- they can work out the kinks on the way to happily ever after later!
Originally from the farms and ranches of Central California, Rocklyn grew up in the lap of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Those small towns will always be home, but Rocklyn was born to roam.
These days she spends her days exploring America's back roads in her camper trailer, writing steamy happily-ever-afters while looking for internet.
Follow Rocklyn here, on Amazon, find her on social media, or drop by the website (rocklynwrites dot net) and keep in touch when you join the (mostly) weekly newsletter and never miss updates on what's in the works-- and what's working and not in a life full of adventure and shenanigans.
***
And what do I read? Total smut, the kind with over-the-top chemistry that gets characters to lose their minds and their clothes as soon as possible-- they can work out the kinks on the way to happily ever after later!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 12, 2025
The author's novellas are fast, sassy reads, usually in less than an hour. I first discovered the Matchmaker series, which is still my favorite, but have continued reading through the subsequent series. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone knew at first sight who their perfect mate was (like in Christine Feehan's Carpathian series?). It would save people a lot of grief. Rocklyn Ryder's heroes and heroines do just that, but in a lighter atmosphere and a lot fewer pages. Ranger O'Leary has come back to Slow River for his father's funeral and fulfill the promise that he made to him. However, he wants to avoid his mother's match making between him and his friend Bernadine, who had involved him in her failed marriage. He is entranced with the little cutie waiting with him for their plane to arrive. Serenity has come to Slow River as a field researcher for Historic Vault. When they are sitting side by side on said plane he makes her an offer she can't refuse- pretend to be his girlfriend and he will introduce her to all the founding families, who have ignored her requests to meet. Soon enough they aren't pretending.
I don't especially care for age gap romances (they creep me out), but apparently a lot of reader's do, or the genre wouldn't exist. I read a gifted Advanced Reader's Copy as part of the author's review team. This is my honest, voluntary and unbiased review.
I don't especially care for age gap romances (they creep me out), but apparently a lot of reader's do, or the genre wouldn't exist. I read a gifted Advanced Reader's Copy as part of the author's review team. This is my honest, voluntary and unbiased review.
March 13, 2025
Ranger O'Leary is the oldest of the O'Leary brothers. Having a vision different from his father's, he moved to Houston and had been living a life of his own calling. Before his father's death, he promised his dad that he would return to the ranch for good and help his brothers. While heading home for the first time in years to attend his father's funeral, he meets Serenity in SeaTac airport.
Serenity is a genealogy field researcher with History Vault. She is heading to Slow River to document the history of the area, as well as interview members of it's founding families. Ranger is feeling the pressure of his mama's match making. Serenity is learning that small town residents are not quick to open their doors and mouths to strangers. Ranger comes up with a proposition that is mutually beneficial to them both.
Will they both get what they want, or will joining together show them both what they've been missing this whole time? Each other and a happily ever after.
"The Cowboy's Temporary Solution" is yet another fun, quick read by author Rocklyn Ryder. The many families of the greater Slow River area are sure to make you smile as they one by one find their insta- forever loves. The perfect read while curled up next to a fire or on the beach.
Serenity is a genealogy field researcher with History Vault. She is heading to Slow River to document the history of the area, as well as interview members of it's founding families. Ranger is feeling the pressure of his mama's match making. Serenity is learning that small town residents are not quick to open their doors and mouths to strangers. Ranger comes up with a proposition that is mutually beneficial to them both.
Will they both get what they want, or will joining together show them both what they've been missing this whole time? Each other and a happily ever after.
"The Cowboy's Temporary Solution" is yet another fun, quick read by author Rocklyn Ryder. The many families of the greater Slow River area are sure to make you smile as they one by one find their insta- forever loves. The perfect read while curled up next to a fire or on the beach.
March 20, 2025
i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the second book in the Slow River Valley Ranches series. In this book, Ranger is returning home to his family's ranch after his father passed away and he doesn't want his mother to try matchmaking to get him to settle down. While waiting for the connecting flight, he notices a young woman who is overdressed to be going to the ranching town waiting for the same flight. He decides to sit next to her in hopes of talking to her and learns she is a historian who is trying to document the history of small towns for her bosses. Serenity tells him she isn't having much luck getting anyone to talk to her, so Ranger offers her access to the families, if she will pretend to be his girlfriend in hopes of avoiding his mother's matchmaking. Serenity is very attracted to Ranger, so she agrees and thinks it will be an interesting week, She will get the information her bosses want, while spending time with Ranger. I really liked this story. I liked how possessive Ranger was of Serenity and how he knew from the beginning he wanted her to stay with him and be his wife, he only had to convince Serenity. I laughed at parts of this story and really thought they had an instant love. Another great one from Rocklyn.
March 13, 2025
This is book two in the author’s Slow River Valley Ranches series and features Ranger, kind of the black sheep of the O’Leary family since he ran off to Houston and left the running of the ranch to the rest of his brothers.
Knowing EXACTLY what he’s into with his mother when he gets home, Ranger sweet talks a curvy young beauty in the airport to act as his girlfriend so he can avoid his Mom’s matchmaking attempts.
Serenity jumps at the chance when the gorgeous older man offers to help her with her research in return for pretending to be his girlfriend and attend his father’s funeral with him. If only it wasn’t pretend…
I loved this book! Ranger was so sweet, not at all the jerk we got from Gunner’s point of view in book one (The Cowboy’s Close Quarters Claim). There was a teensy bit of OW drama but it didn’t amount to much as Ranger wouldn’t allow it. It might’ve been pretend but Seri was HIS pretend woman dammit!!! 5 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Knowing EXACTLY what he’s into with his mother when he gets home, Ranger sweet talks a curvy young beauty in the airport to act as his girlfriend so he can avoid his Mom’s matchmaking attempts.
Serenity jumps at the chance when the gorgeous older man offers to help her with her research in return for pretending to be his girlfriend and attend his father’s funeral with him. If only it wasn’t pretend…
I loved this book! Ranger was so sweet, not at all the jerk we got from Gunner’s point of view in book one (The Cowboy’s Close Quarters Claim). There was a teensy bit of OW drama but it didn’t amount to much as Ranger wouldn’t allow it. It might’ve been pretend but Seri was HIS pretend woman dammit!!! 5 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 4, 2025
I enjoyed this one. It was an easy one to read and was lighthearted. I enjoyed the fake dating and how that ended up coming about. They run into each other in the airport and on the plane ride on the way to Slow River and Ranger ends up offering Seri a deal, he will introduce her to the big players in the small town and get her inside information if she will play his girlfriend. There is instant genuine chemistry between them though they don't initially plan on acting on it. Seri doesn't think he would be interested in her and Ranger quickly figures out that he wants more and has that possessive feelings with her but he has to figure out how to show her and convince her to give them a real shot. This doesn't has some instalove and instant connections going on so things move in a fast pace due to that. I enjoyed watching things develop between them and getting to see more on the Delta O ranch. I am excited to see what is coming next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
March 18, 2025
Excellent and entertaining contemporary cowboy romance. Ranger is heading home to help with his family’s ranch. He’s been gone for many years. On the flight back he meets Serenity a young, pretty historian that is researching all the families of Slow River Valley. Serenity didn’t dress right for small town farming towns. Ranger makes her a pack, if she acts as his girlfriend he’ll introduce her to all the old families that have lived there for generations. The book has laughter, anxiety, drama and a possible budding romance. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by Ms Ryder.
March 12, 2025
In the words of city girls everywhere, “save a horse, ride a cowboy.” So cute. So fun. So much angst in this little book. With a little bit of forced proximity, a little bit of a fake relationship, and a whole lot of chemistry, Ranger and Serenity took me for a ride. I loved their instant connection, but I hated the missed communications that almost destroyed what they were building. I’m pretty sure I’ve fallen in love with all the men of the Delta O Ranch, and I can’t wait until we come back to do this again.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
March 15, 2025
When Ranger returns home to Slow River he comes up with a fake girlfriend, Serenity, he meets on the plane. It’s been years since he’s been home and his mom still wants to set him up, thus the fake girlfriend and in exchange he will introduce Serenity to the folks in town for her job….what can go wrong….or right in this case.
A great short read with steam, surprises, great characters and a read that will have you smiling from ear to ear by the end.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
A great short read with steam, surprises, great characters and a read that will have you smiling from ear to ear by the end.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
March 14, 2025
Well, hello there, pretty little lady..
Ranger wastes no time in checking out Serenity in the airport. By the time they are on their little prop plane to no where cow town, he’s announced he is her boyfriend.
It’s a ruse and the hook for Serenity is access to historical records. Seems like the little librarian has the much older dude on reeled in.
Fun and over the top.
Just go with it.
Recommend.
Ranger wastes no time in checking out Serenity in the airport. By the time they are on their little prop plane to no where cow town, he’s announced he is her boyfriend.
It’s a ruse and the hook for Serenity is access to historical records. Seems like the little librarian has the much older dude on reeled in.
Fun and over the top.
Just go with it.
Recommend.
March 10, 2025
This is a quick read novella that may be short in length, but it's packed with plenty of details and romance for an enjoyable read. It may start out as a fake relationship, but it doesn't take long for it to become more. There is old family drama, small town gossip and of course, the typical meddling mom. Great story for a cozy afternoon.
March 13, 2025
Slow River Valley Ranches book 2 Ranger
Serenity studies and writes about historical families and she is flying out to talk to the people she hopefully gets to write about. But sitting in a little airport waiting for her last flight, she meets Ranger a Cowboy that keeps staring at her. Ranger asks her to be his fake girlfriend. This is a very good read.
Serenity studies and writes about historical families and she is flying out to talk to the people she hopefully gets to write about. But sitting in a little airport waiting for her last flight, she meets Ranger a Cowboy that keeps staring at her. Ranger asks her to be his fake girlfriend. This is a very good read.
March 13, 2025
Getting to know the brothers of the Delta O is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.
Oldest Ranger is the focus in the second book involving the ranches in Slow River Valley.
Historian Serenity gets a crash intro when on the same plane with plans to document the local lore of families there.
Wonderfully quirky residents and downright sexy cowboys make for a very entertaining read!
Oldest Ranger is the focus in the second book involving the ranches in Slow River Valley.
Historian Serenity gets a crash intro when on the same plane with plans to document the local lore of families there.
Wonderfully quirky residents and downright sexy cowboys make for a very entertaining read!
March 23, 2025
Loved
Ranger and Serenity are down to earth people who just happen to meet each other at an airport. She needs his ties to his small town and he needs her to get certain people to stay away. I've always loved how fake relationships start with some sort of attraction already and lead to their forever person. Loved thier story.
Ranger and Serenity are down to earth people who just happen to meet each other at an airport. She needs his ties to his small town and he needs her to get certain people to stay away. I've always loved how fake relationships start with some sort of attraction already and lead to their forever person. Loved thier story.
June 19, 2025
Temporary or Forever
I enjoyed book 2 in this series. A cute plotline that was somewhat based.on a real life situation. Going from fake to real was a plus also. In the scene after the funeral "celebration", I almost fell off my chair laughing at what happened (read it and see). As with all her books it ends with a HEA.
I enjoyed book 2 in this series. A cute plotline that was somewhat based.on a real life situation. Going from fake to real was a plus also. In the scene after the funeral "celebration", I almost fell off my chair laughing at what happened (read it and see). As with all her books it ends with a HEA.
March 13, 2025
Fantastic reading!!
I'm a huge fan of Rocklyn Rider and her insta-love stories and this one definitely did not disappoint! Loved how everything developed and the direction the characters went. Totally recommend it!
I'm a huge fan of Rocklyn Rider and her insta-love stories and this one definitely did not disappoint! Loved how everything developed and the direction the characters went. Totally recommend it!
March 14, 2025
A fun over-the-top insta read. Told in dual POV, the reader gets just enough information to understand both characters’ backgrounds and feelings. A good choice to wile away an hour or two.
I received a free copy from the author. This is my unbiased review.
I received a free copy from the author. This is my unbiased review.
March 31, 2025
Hot cowboy
Serenity is here for research for her job. She's tired and her shoes are killing her. But one look at the sexy cowboy sends her flying. He says wanna be my fake girlfriend? His names is Rodger. Oh and she's in love.
Serenity is here for research for her job. She's tired and her shoes are killing her. But one look at the sexy cowboy sends her flying. He says wanna be my fake girlfriend? His names is Rodger. Oh and she's in love.
May 21, 2025
From Pretend to Forever
She wants to learn the town history for a work article on history and genealogy. He needs a buffer to keep his mom from matchmaking. The agreement they make is just the beginning! I love this story!
She wants to learn the town history for a work article on history and genealogy. He needs a buffer to keep his mom from matchmaking. The agreement they make is just the beginning! I love this story!
March 14, 2025
Arc review For a honest review in my own words on a book I read. Wow your going to enjoy this love at first sight chemistry driven fake to real life drama.
May 16, 2025
Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews