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Sunset Ridge #2

My Favorite Moosetake

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A sous chef with her life in limbo, the Army veteran who broke her heart, and their second chance at forever.

Sous chef Tessa Whitmore has always had it all figured out, and she’s never been afraid to go after what she wants. When she’s selected to be a contestant on the reality cooking competition show Order Up: Las Vegas, it never occurs to her that she won’t take first place.

Or that she would be betrayed.

Instead of winning the chance to run her own kitchen in a highly respected chef’s restaurant, she’s booted from the competition. Disqualified for cheating, Tessa is too mortified to do anything but hide until her innocence is proven. Unannounced, she flees to Sunset Ridge to the lodge she and her sisters inherited earlier in the summer.

But everything turns sideways when she discovers Liam is back.

Army veteran Liam Davies has never stopped loving Tessa. Eight years, three deployments, and thousands of miles of distance was not enough to erase what they had. Tired of running and ready to settle down, the only thing that made sense was to move back home.

He always knew she’d come back someday. But he didn’t expect her to show up so soon after the Whitmore sisters reopened the lodge. Now that she’s back in his life, he has no plans of letting her go a second time.

But there’s something Tessa isn’t telling him. Liam’s determined to get to the bottom of it, even though the truth might destroy their second chance at happily ever after.

Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2020

611 people are currently reading
310 people want to read

About the author

Jacqueline Winters

27 books141 followers
Jacqueline Winters has been writing since she was nine when she'd sneak stacks of paper from her grandma’s closet and fill them with adventure. She grew up in Small-Town Nebraska, and spent a decade living in beautiful Alaska. She writes contemporary sweet romances and contemporary romantic suspense.

She’s a sucker for happily ever after’s, has a sweet tooth that can be sated with cupcakes, and firmly believes sangria was possibly the best invention ever. On a relaxing evening, you can find her at her computer writing her next novel with her dog poking his adorable head out from beneath the desk.

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5 stars
330 (42%)
4 stars
295 (38%)
3 stars
131 (16%)
2 stars
17 (2%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for romancejunkie.
390 reviews87 followers
April 9, 2020
This was a sweet and tender small town romance that warmed my heart. I loved seeing Tessa and Liam finding their way back to each other and having a happy ending.
Profile Image for Kathy Jo.
780 reviews144 followers
March 24, 2023
Confession. Alaska has never been on my list of places to visit. Something about the below freezing temperatures doesn't appeal to this girl. But the more time I spend in Sunset Ridge, the more I want to visit one day... as long as it's in the summertime.

I'm not going to lie, I was a bit hesitant to start Tessa's story. The woman is stubborn, set in her ways and kind of scary. She was so focused on her career that she didn't realize, until the reality TV show, life was passing her by. She had forgotten about the 17 year old girl who not only fell in love with but planned out her entire life with the handsome Liam. She forgot about the girl who used to be close to her sisters. She forgot about the adventurous girl who knew how to live life to the fullest. She might not know how to get all of that back, but she sure is going to try.

Liam never forgot his first and only love. Making the decision to join the Army so Tessa could live out her dream was one of the hardest decisions he has ever made. But he knew it was the right one. He didn't want her to resent him later on in life. He knew, if it was meant to be, fate would bring them back together one day. When he heard that the Whitmore girls had reopened the lodge after their aunt's death, he knew it was time to put his plan into action. The man pulled out all the stops and didn't spare any expense when it came to winning back the woman he loves.

*dreamy sigh*

My advice? Grab some chocolate, curl up in your comfy reading spot and let yourself be transported to Sunset Ridge Lodge. This was a fun one! I can't wait to read it again.

And I just have to say... gotta love that Ed! He made their first meeting in 13 years very memorable. If fate was an animal, it would be Ed the moose! Haha. And Raven! I loved that sweet girl! I've never owned a dog because I am not a poop picking up kind of person but I wanted her to snuggle up to me while I was reading. I'm hoping that we get to meet more dogs in this series.

Y'all, I absolutely adored this book. It was a great addition to this series. I loved seeing old characters and meeting new ones. I can't wait to read Sophie and Denver's book next! I have a feeling theirs is going to be my favorite of the series.

After only reading two books, Ms. Winters has joined my autobuy list. I'm really looking forward to reading her other books. And I'm still wondering why it took me so long to read them. Silver lining? I now have several of them to read!

And no review of mine would be complete without my casting. What do you think? Personally? I think they're perfect!

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Profile Image for Amanda .
666 reviews27 followers
December 19, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ did I enjoy this? Yes. Will I read the next one? Also yes. I really liked the plot, the setting, the side characters, but…. I really don’t like the fmc Tessa. She seemed selfish and cold. I couldn’t quite believe Tessa & Liam were together just one summer at age 17 and it was so magical that 13 years later at the age of 30 they were still in love. Most of the story she sure never acted like it.

I find it hard to connect with characters on a personal level when it is told in 3rd person pov.

Looking forward to sister Sophie’s story next. I still recommend, I just struggled some with this one.
Profile Image for Susan Peterson.
2,005 reviews380 followers
June 28, 2025
sweet romance

This book is a heartwarming, sweet romance. Tessa and Liam are an endearing couple and their second chance love story made my heart happy.
Profile Image for Jamie Bee.
Author 1 book122 followers
May 1, 2020
Fun, Second-Chance Romance

This book is my first introduction to this author, and I am happy to have found her and this charming book. This is a story of second chances, actually on a couple of different fronts. The hero and heroine were high school sweethearts, but their relationship dissolved, as those kinds of relationships often do. But our hero knew that it wasn't over; he wanted to give her space to grow and follow her ambitions before she decided if they really were meant to be together. Coming back isn't easy for our heroine as she has just been disgraced on a cooking TV show, though she is innocent. So she wants to bide her time with her sisters. She is greatly disturbed that her ex is literally the first person she meets when she comes back to town. Having to see him would be difficult in any circumstance but now adds to her already stretched nerves. But our hero is not about to let her slip out of his grasp, even though he is concerned that she might have changed too much in the intervening years.

This is a sweet and charming romance. At times, our hero is absolutely swoon-worthy. I loved how in the first scene he actually gets her to have lunch with him at one of their old haunts even though she clearly does not want to do it. The animals in this story deserve a shout out. Our hero owns a former sled dog, Raven; she and the heroine immediately bond. And of course, we can't forget Ed the Moose, who is the one who actually brought these two together in their meet-cute. The sense of place in this story is fantastic, too. The author was able to weave in the setting in multiple ways, making it feel even more realistic.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
Profile Image for Candice Waite.
542 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2020
Tessa rocks

I was really happy to find this next book in the series and read more about these three sisters and the adventures they experienced in finding love.
Tessa is the oldest sister and is used to taking care of her sisters and being responsible. She was participating in a reality TV cooking competition when she was accused of cheating and kicked off. She is sure her ex Derek was the culprit but the producers sent her away so she decided to head back to Alaska and her sisters at the sunset ridge lodge to wait for redemption.
The story starts out with humor as she ends up in a ditch after swerving to avoid Ed the moose in her rental car. Who could imagine that her rescuer would be her former sweetheart Liam. They fell in love when she was younger and living with their aunt up in Alaska. Then Liam enlisted and she decided to pursue her dream as a chef so they lost touch. But the feelings were still there and with a little help from family, food and a pesky moose they reconnect. I won't spoil the ending but let's just say it's worth the wait.
Such a fun read, highly recommend!
3,221 reviews4 followers
April 8, 2020
Tessa's been kicked out of the cooking competition, thanks to a dirty trick from her idiot ex boyfriend. She heads home to Alaska, but can't tell anyone what happened - she signed an NDA. Liam came home after the service a couple of years ago, and runs the garage that his grandfather left to him. Tesse crashes her rental car trying to avoid hitting Ed, who's blocking the road. Liam happens along and gets her to her family lodge, then tows her car to his shop. And realizes that he wants her back. For good. She'd like to stay., but her contract with the TV competition might force her to leave. This is my first read from this author, and it won't be the last. The book isn't terribly long, but the story feels complete. Tessa left town when Liam broke her heart - I would have as well. But when I found out why he left... I love that he's never given up hope that she'll come back to him. Ed the moose is just too much, between simply standing in the road, and snitching blueberries.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Penny Leidecker.
2,678 reviews26 followers
April 7, 2020
This is the first book I’ve read by Jacqueline Winters, but it won’t be my last. I’ll be reading Moose Be Love before Sophie’s story is published. This story centers around the oldest Whitmore sister, Tessa. Thirteen years ago, Liam Davies joined the Army and broke Tessa’s heart. He had his reasons and we’ll learn what they were. Tessa returns to Sunset Ridge to await the decision of what‘s going to happen with the Order Up: Las Vegas cooking competition reality show. She was framed to make it look like she cheated. As she’s headed to the Lodge, her sisters and her own, she swerves to avoid Ed, the moose, and ends up in the ditch. Her rescuer is none other than Liam. No spoilers, so grab your copy and get ready to fall in love with these amazing characters and Ed, the matchmaking moose. I bet you’ll love Raven, Liam’s husky too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Victoria.
4,701 reviews
April 7, 2020
I'll be honest and say I wasn't sure how Tessa's story would play out and if I would feel a connection to her based on how she was in book one, I'm happy to say that whilst reading this book I finally got to meet the real Tessa and I liked her! I liked that she rediscovered who she was and was brave enough not to hide from that, that she could take a good look at at who she used to be and who she had become and decided on who she wanted to be in light of that all.

I did think that there might have been a bit more drama and angst with everything that went on, but to be honest I was happy with how it all played out and thought it was great the foundations of her relationships with her sisters and Liam were strong enough to work through any issues and show love, support and understanding.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for ANA GARCIA.
87 reviews2 followers
April 7, 2025
I picked this book up because the title made me smile and the cover drew me in—and I’m so glad it did. I’d never read anything by Jacqueline Winters before, but now I’m a fan.

This is such a sweet, heartwarming love story. Tessa and Liam were once in love, and in a selfless act, Liam left to let Tessa chase her dreams. Now she's back, and he’s quietly working on making their old dreams a reality—without her knowing.

The tension between their past and present is emotional, real, and beautifully written. Tessa's journey, torn between her successful city life and the pull of her hometown (and Liam), makes for a touching read.

It’s a second-chance romance with just the right amount of warmth, nostalgia, and happy ending goodness. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for something sweet and satisfying.
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,354 reviews46 followers
September 6, 2025
Though enjoyable and the storyline was different and going back to visit the lodge was fun, it just fell flat for me. Lacked needed background information and actual conversations.
I found Tessa a bit of a cold fish, especially towards her sisters, though she warmed up a little bit.
These two were childhood sweethearts, but Liam enlisted to force Tessa to follow her dreams. This is without any discussion at all. But there is no talking this big hurt out.
And I couldn’t believe these two were just still in love 13 years later without even getting to know how the other had grown or changed.
Liam obviously has some issues from his time in the forces, but we never get told.
I do want to read the next book but I hated Tessa’s interference between Denver and Sophie. She has no right to say anything.
Profile Image for Fleur.
3,737 reviews31 followers
April 10, 2020
Solid 4.5 star
I haven't read the first book in the series but i will be going back to do so now as I thorough enjoyed this book, the characters are great, they are real and flawed, you get a great mix of feeling to go through including plenty of laughs and some sadness. Tessa is trying to be strong after everything she has gone through and coming home unexpected is the perfect chance for her to re connect with her family along with do some soul searching, having the delicious Liam there as well makes her have to deal with her past as well as future and makes it the perfect read and want to move to Sunset Ridge!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,926 reviews5 followers
Read
January 15, 2024
Soo good

Tessa has always handled everything that has happened to her herself. She wouldn't tell her sisters. She was the oldest.
When the show accused her of cheating, thanks to her ex, she heads to Alaska to the lodge. She meets Ed on her way.
Liam is running his grandpa's garage after it was left to him. He is also building the dream house that him and Tessa talked about.
Tessa and Liam had been together when she was in Alaska for the summer. Liam knew Tessa wouldn't go for her dreams if he was there so he joined the army.
Tessa has tried to stay away from Liam but its not working. As they are getting closer, she is called back to the show.
Will Tessa win? Will Tessa come back to Liam?
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews360 followers
April 7, 2020
Sous chef Tessa Whitmore went on the reality cooking competition show, Order Up: Las Vegas, with a dream of winning enough to open her own kitchen in a well-known restaurant. She gets kicked off the show, disqualified for cheating. Embarrassed, she heads for Sunset Ridge to the lodge she and her sisters inherited.

Army veteran Liam Davies has always loved Tessa. After eight years in the military, he is back and wants another chance with her. But there are secrets that might prevent this. Will they trust each other and face whatever it is together? Will they get their second chance?
Profile Image for Nic.
114 reviews
September 20, 2025
Despite the fact that the MMC bugs and follows around the FMC the entire book to try and "win her back", in the writing it comes across that he hates her. Like in his POV he talks about her rather negatively. Jibes about her being not practical with her shoes and car and thinking she'd never get her hands dirty and how she probably doesn't even know how to hold a screwdriver. Like eww. "Tessa wasn’t normally so coy around anyone, especially someone showering her with positive attention" just comes across not positively. And hiding her necklace from her? Not cool dude.
4,942 reviews31 followers
April 8, 2020
This is the second book in the Sunset Ridge series and this one is as good as the first. Tessa heads home in disgrace when she gets setup as cheating in a cooking contest in Vegas. Once she arrives Ed the towns well known moose causes her to run into a ditch and she gets rescued by her long lost love Liam. They fell in love in high school but he joined the military and she went on to become a sous chef but not that they are reunited could they have the happy ever after they once dreamed about.
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,230 reviews219 followers
February 12, 2024
4 star review My Favorite Moosetake (Sunset Ridge #2) by Jacqueline Winters
AUDIO REVIEW:
Both the author and narrator are relatively new to me. This was an entertaining romantic story that ticked several boxes for me. Well written, the narration by Taylor Harvey was good and the narrators were easy to listen to. They brought the story to life for me. I quickly became invested in the story and I really liked the characters.
Profile Image for Lindsey.
1,232 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2024
I enjoyed Tessa and Liam’s story.
Tessa is done wrong by her ex because he is trying to win a competition.
Liam made a mistake many years ago and is trying to win Tessa back.
It was nice to see Tessa fall in love again with Sunset Ridge and realize how much she misses it.
Liam is making this second chance count and trying to get Tessa to fall in love with him again.
There are fun town events and of corse Raven and Ed are fun too.
473 reviews2 followers
April 7, 2020
Liam and Tessa fall in love in high school, but both leave their small town in Alaska. Tessa has become the Sous Chef that she had dreamed of being. But does she really want Liam and a second chance at love more? Ed, the moose, gets into the middle of her life and makes her pause enough to think.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,352 reviews19 followers
April 8, 2020
The title alone will grab your attention, the story line and the characters will keep your attention. An enjoyable and entertaining read to add to your summer reading list. Small town, second chance romance at its best. Characters you can't help but love as you cheer them on in the story.

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

873 reviews7 followers
April 17, 2020
Good story

A fun story with a funny moose & dog.
The girl's ex tried to sabotage the cooking competition they both had entered. The show claimed not to have any camera evidence & booted her. The mystery gets solved & the girl found her inner strength. She stood up to the bullies with her sisters' support.
A clean story.
Profile Image for Barbara Olaewe.
191 reviews3 followers
June 13, 2020
Happy

Happy is how this book made me feel! There were troubles but nothing that caused real trouble! More like intended accidents! An accident is exactly how this book begins. It picks up a month after Sunset Ridge Book 1. I love the characters. There is an adorable dog! Too cute! I recommend this cute Alaskan story.
31 reviews
August 15, 2020
A determined work driven woman is forc d to take time off in a small Alaskan town where her sisters are running an inn. Having spent time there in her youth, she reconnects with the boy she loved. Ms. Winters characters are varied and endearing. Imaginative plots. This book brings smiles and giggles as well as causing you to shed a tear. Can’t wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for Melinda Heitz.
14 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2023
This book was full of telling us how much these characters cared for each other with practically no scenes showing it. They were in very few scenes together. And when they recalled their past, that was supposed to be so intense, we didn’t even get any flashbacks. I feel like a read an outline of the book instead of the actual book.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Mars.
168 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2024
4.25!

Again, an adorable hallmark style romance! This second chance romance between Tessa and Liam is so cute. I'm so happy that Tessa got to be next and settle in for her happy ending in Sunset Ridge at the lodge with her sisters and Liam. It was cute, fun, and fast paced.

Can't wait to see the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,700 reviews76 followers
April 7, 2020
I was super excited for Tessa’s story next. Small town Alaska, is there a better setting for a series?! I love these characters and this was a wonderful second chance romance. I can’t wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Marianne.
7,215 reviews85 followers
April 7, 2020
This is a lovely small town romance.. I loved it! It is fun and sweet, with wonderful characters and great storyline.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,629 reviews
April 9, 2020
A sous chef with her life in limbo, the Army veteran who broke her heart, and their second chance at forever.
It was a lovely small town read with sweet characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,843 reviews20 followers
April 9, 2020
Review of My Favorite Moosetake

I absolutely loved this book and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. She keeps you involved from page one until the end.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.2k reviews8 followers
April 10, 2020
The second book in the A Sunset Ridge Sweet Romance series a well written story of a second chance for Sous chef Tessa Whitmore and Army veteran Liam Davies. I loved Ed the moose. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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