Rule #2 Keep Calm and Carry On

by E.B. Silva

My son and I came to Ouray to celebrate our friends' marriage. But I never thought romance would be on the ticket…

Randall “Rugged” Collier is the last man I thought I’d have a romantic connection with. A horse trainer and farrier at Heart’s Desire Ranch, we first meet at the wedding of our friends, Luna and Ledger—a magical moment never to be repeated. But fate has other plans when the cowboy rescues my son, Gregory, and me after our Jeep gets stranded on a muddy backcountry road outside of the high-elevation ghost town Animas Forks.

The horse-riding, cowboy-hat-wearing, ex-military hero couldn’t be more different than my husband, Daniel, who died overseas in Afghanistan. But Rugged’s got a quiet, patient way that disarms me and heals my heart and soul in ways I didn’t know I needed.

And he’s magical with my son. But am I ready to risk loving again? Or letting Gregory get attached to a man he increasingly envisions as a father figure? And does an inveterate bachelor like Rugged really see himself leaving the bunkhouse for a ready-made family?

If you like sweet, small-town, cowboy romances where grumpy meets sunshine, opposites attract, and a single mom gets a second chance at forever love, you’ll adore this short, closed-door, heartwarming read.

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Gwen Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good and I enjoyed getting to read it and I know you will too. We start out with Portia and her 10 year old son, Gregory going to a friends wedding. They came out a week before the wedding to help out and got to enjoy the ranch that her friend, Luna's future husband Ledger owned. They got to ride horses and just enjoy all of the things that the ranch has to offer. The name of the ranch is Heart's Desire.

While they were there Portia noticing one of the cowboys. His name was Randall Collier. He was so good looking and such a nice man. He kept watching her as well.
There was an instant attraction there but she was still in love with her husband, Daniel. Unfortunately Daniel had died 8 years ago in Afghanistan. She felt guilty paying attention to another man. Randall was a horse trainer and farrier at the ranch. He was great with my son and Gregory thought he was wonderful especially since he was a "real cowboy". Gregory was having so much fun that he did not want to leave the ranch and go back home.

Would Portia get over the feeling of betrayal and acknowledge what she was feeling with Randall? Would Portia and Gregory go back home? What would the future bring?

[Praline 99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cowboy romance.
Portia has been a single mother since her husband died during a mission in Afghanistan. While she and her son are celebrating her best friend's wedding, she meets Randall, a handsome cowboy and best man at the wedding. The more time her son spends with this cowboy, the more he sees him as a father figure, and the more Portia falls for him.
Randall is an Army veteran who has returned to live on the family ranch. While planning the wedding of a veteran friend, he meets the beautiful Portia and her son; it's love at first sight. But when he learns he was married to a former soldier, he chooses to distance himself for fear of betraying a brother in arms.
Can Randall and Portia put their past aside to live a beautiful story, or will they go their separate ways after the wedding….

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

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 4 1/2 Stars!

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a clean romance book and part of the series Rules For Dating A Single Mom. The main characters are Portia and Randall. Portia is a single mom to Gregory. Portia and Randall meet the week before their friends wedding. During that time they fall for each other. The problem is Portia lost her husband eight years earlier and still hasn’t fully moved on. Will she finally realize it’s okay to move on with someone else? That it is okay to have a man be a father to her son when he lost his when he was only two? I loved how Randall treated Gregory and Portia. I did get frustrated with Portia at times. Overall, this was a great book. I can’t wait to read her next book.

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fab detox book, it felt mellow and relaxed, while having a good plot line. For a closed-door, this showed intimacy between our characters in a genuine, beautiful way. Christian books tend to be a personal turn-off for me, but I was rooting for this couple so much that I barely noticed that part. I love the single parent trope, and like that this story addressed the issue of new partners 'replacing' the original. The background characters make the series feel like it'll be amazing for found family, can't wait to read more!.

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

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in this book overlap with other books by Silva. It's also part of a multi author series. Reading in order recommended. She's there visiting friends and for a wedding. Falling for a cowboy wasn't in her plans.
He knows that she's still struggling with her past but he can't ignore the sparks flying between them.
Will he be able to get past her walls of protection? What does it take for her to be ready to try again?.

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

[Maggi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight years ago, Portia had lost her husband in the war and since she’s been raising her son alone. Attending the wedding of her friends Ledger and Luna, she meets Randall “Rugged” Collier at the ranch. Her son is taken in by the cowboy and her attraction is heart stopping. She is so torn by her attraction and the feeling of guilt. A wonderful story and awesome characters.

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

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Great characters with strong personalities and emotions. Portia is hung up on moving forward after the death of her husband eight years ago. Randall is attracted to her at first sight. Their relationship moves quickly as Portia is scheduled to leave soon. Gregory is adorable and I love his interactions with Maddie.

I received this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming and tender romance, this story follows single mom Portia and her young son Gregory as they attend a friend’s wedding. There, they meet Randall 'Rugged', a cowboy with a kind heart who instantly connects with Gregory and soon falls deeply for Portia. Packed with heartfelt emotion and sweet moments, this is a charming read for romance lovers.

[Cheran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rugged melted my heart.

Wow this book was an emotional read. The emotions Portia felt jumped right off the page thanks to the beautiful words of the author. The descriptive words really made me feel like I was there, I could visualise every scene. I’m left wanting to know what happened to Portia, Rugged & Gregory next.
Review written as part of E.B Silva’s ARC team.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Portia has loved and lost and does not know if she will ever be ready for another man. Randall has always been hoping that the woman for him will be there one day. Such a sweet romance novel with lots of heart and trust. Amazing characters that will make you dream.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Portia and Randall, she's a single mom who lost her husband and seeks to protect her son and be strong. He's a gentle loving cowboy, who is just what they need, even if it's hard to admit she needs help and doesn't have to do it all on her own.

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

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a fantastic read. The storyline was wonderful from start to finish with great characters. Recommend this book.

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

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great feel good quick read. Randall is such a gentleman- respectful, patient, and understanding. I loved the connection between the main characters and their undeniable attraction.

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

[Carrie McCauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, cowboy small town love story with the twist of a child and a deep loss of a loved one. This one has all the feels including patience. Easy to read and hard to put down.