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Hicks Creek #5
Ashes of the Past
I’ve got a daughter, a flower shop, and a cattle ranch barely holding together—and that’s before the brooding cowboy shows up. Jack Renfrew may have been hired to help, but from day one, he’s been nothing but a thorn in my side.
Running Bloom & Vine by day and the Casting Ranch by night has pushed me to my limits. Add in my dad’s worsening memory and the weight of a secret mortgage my mother left behind, and most days I feel like I’m one breath away from breaking. The townsfolk think I’ve got it all handled—grace under pressure and all that—but they don’t see the quiet unraveling behind my carefully arranged bouquets.
Then Jack storms into my world—arrogant, stubborn, and annoyingly good with cattle. He’s been burned by love and doesn’t hide his disdain for small-town life—or me. I think he’s a control freak with trust issues. He thinks I’m an emotional landmine with something to prove. And unfortunately, we’re stuck working side by side if we have any hope of saving the ranch from a brutal drought and a wave of sick cattle.
As sparks turn to something dangerously close to desire, our shared nights checking fences and whispered talks after Olivia falls asleep start to blur the lines. But secrets—his, mine, and my father’s—lie just beneath the surface, waiting to ignite everything we’ve built. And when Jack uncovers the truth I’ve been hiding to protect my family’s legacy, everything explodes.
Now I’m facing the one thing I’ve always losing the ranch, losing control... and maybe losing my heart to a man who swore he’d never stay. But sometimes love isn’t found in the grand gestures—it’s in the quiet strength of someone who chooses to stay when everything else falls apart.
Running Bloom & Vine by day and the Casting Ranch by night has pushed me to my limits. Add in my dad’s worsening memory and the weight of a secret mortgage my mother left behind, and most days I feel like I’m one breath away from breaking. The townsfolk think I’ve got it all handled—grace under pressure and all that—but they don’t see the quiet unraveling behind my carefully arranged bouquets.
Then Jack storms into my world—arrogant, stubborn, and annoyingly good with cattle. He’s been burned by love and doesn’t hide his disdain for small-town life—or me. I think he’s a control freak with trust issues. He thinks I’m an emotional landmine with something to prove. And unfortunately, we’re stuck working side by side if we have any hope of saving the ranch from a brutal drought and a wave of sick cattle.
As sparks turn to something dangerously close to desire, our shared nights checking fences and whispered talks after Olivia falls asleep start to blur the lines. But secrets—his, mine, and my father’s—lie just beneath the surface, waiting to ignite everything we’ve built. And when Jack uncovers the truth I’ve been hiding to protect my family’s legacy, everything explodes.
Now I’m facing the one thing I’ve always losing the ranch, losing control... and maybe losing my heart to a man who swore he’d never stay. But sometimes love isn’t found in the grand gestures—it’s in the quiet strength of someone who chooses to stay when everything else falls apart.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 3, 2025
4.5 stars
Another great book to add to this excellent series. Brynn has taken everything on her shoulders, her business, her daughter, the ranch and thought she was doing a good job. Until her father hires Jack Renfrew as the Ranch Manager. She does not want to give up control to him.
Where she is keeping the piece, he is stirring the pot. As staffing issues arise, the lack of rain, other surprises, and secrets, Jack is by her side. Her dad is also slipping into his mind as dementia takes hold, adding yet another item to her full plate. Is she shutting out the one she should be relying on?
As threats continue to keep the reader guessing, the ending leaves us with smiles.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Another great book to add to this excellent series. Brynn has taken everything on her shoulders, her business, her daughter, the ranch and thought she was doing a good job. Until her father hires Jack Renfrew as the Ranch Manager. She does not want to give up control to him.
Where she is keeping the piece, he is stirring the pot. As staffing issues arise, the lack of rain, other surprises, and secrets, Jack is by her side. Her dad is also slipping into his mind as dementia takes hold, adding yet another item to her full plate. Is she shutting out the one she should be relying on?
As threats continue to keep the reader guessing, the ending leaves us with smiles.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
November 10, 2025
Brynn has a lot of responsibility and doesn't like asking for help. However, her father hires Jack as the new ranch manager and he starts making decisions that worries Brynn. Its not long before sparks fly between them and things get very complicated. Jack wants to take some of the burden off of Brynn and make things easier for her. Yet when things come to ahead it will take them both to stand together. Will this be the beginning if something between them? Can they beat they threat against them?
This is an amazing story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for Bad Boy Update.
This is an amazing story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for Bad Boy Update.
October 25, 2025
This is part of the Hicks Creek Series but can be read as a standalone. Brynn and Jack will keep you in stitches with their hilarious banter. They're at each other's throats most of the time. She's a single mom struggling to keep her flower shop and cattle ranch afloat. Not to mention she's caring for her dementia ridden dad and dealing with the secret mortgage he mother left behind. Enemies to lovers with a lot of secrets exposed. A great book that keeps you guessing. An HEA with a double surprise and an epilogue you'll love. No cliffhanger. I read a free arc via Bad Boy Updates and voluntarily chose to review it.
November 5, 2025
Goodness me these two have been through a lot, it was a tough road for them both but worth it in the end. I liked that their connection and chemistry was so strong they couldn't stay away from each other, seeing them get to know one another properly, to explore what was between them and to start to trust in each other was lovely to see. My heart broke a few times in this, there was so much going on, so much to overwhelm, to hurt, to make you doubt, but with with their families and friends, they were able to fight, to believe, to survive and stand stronger together. I am voluntarily leaving this review after receiving an ARC.
November 5, 2025
Beautifully written story and a wonderful addition to this series. Brynn and Jack were a great match. Brynn is a strong woman who is trying to stand alone and hold everything together. Even though Jack likes to get her going he stands by her side. It is a drama filled, funny and heartwarming read you do not want to miss. Highly recommend. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 10, 2025
Brynn helps her dad, John run the ranch, owns the flower shop in town and takes care of her daughter, Olivia. John hires Jack Renfrew as the new ranch manager. Brynn is not happy since Jack worked for them in the past and left. Both Brynn and Jack have had bad relationships in the past. Can Jack show Brynn that he sint going anywhere? What happens when mysterious things start happening around the ranch? Great story!!
October 26, 2025
What a great addition to this series. Brynn and Jack were perfect for each other, even though it took some time to figure things out. When someone is mean to you or betrays you, it takes a lot to move forward especially if a child is involved. This book was written really well and brought a lot of hope to Hicks Creek. Very enjoyable.
November 8, 2025
Brynn has had a hardbpast with her ex jack left town years ago and she feels he left them in the lurch with the ranch. Now he is back and she is not hapoy about that but she will start to see that he is not who she thought and definitely not like her ex. Can they make things work with all the issues going on with them and the ranch
November 4, 2025
Arc review For a honest review in my own words on a book I read. Brynn casting is trying to hold everything together, then the man from her past is back and he shows her he's going to help her to stand stronger with him. Beautiful awesome story you'll love
November 7, 2025
She is trying to keep the ranch going and hiding what his father has done. She has so much on her plate but then he arrives as hired help and things quickly go downhill. Life is going to get complicated very quickly so see just how it will all go
November 9, 2025
absolutely loved this book. Jack first came to the casting ranch years ago but then left now he's back at the ranch as the Manger but when brynn remembers him she will do anything to get him to move on. can Jack show her his is a good man?
January 20, 2026
Great addition to this series! Painful pasts and current day drama entwine Brynn and Jack. Can they now work together to do what's best for the ranch, and maybe what's ends up being best for them? Loved it! I received this ARC from Bad boy Updates.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews