What do you think?
Rate this book
Blue Creek Ranch #1
Take a Chance
To say Mal Trevino is down on his luck might be an understatement. Out of work and the sole parent of his young son, he’ll do whatever it takes to get back on his feet again. But his luck seems to finally be turning when he applies for, and lands, a job at Blue Creek Ranch. The Harringtons seem too good to be true but he’s not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He takes all that they offer and works hard, while also trying to avoid getting too attached. Mal knows all too well that the good things in life can be taken in a blink.
Crew Harrington’s mission in life is to keep his family ranch thriving. Hiring Mal quickly proves to be a good decision. Mal is competent, capable, and shows a lot of talent. The only downside? That's Crew’s kryptonite. Getting involved with an employee is a recipe for disaster. But there’s no denying the chemistry between the two men. All they have to do is figure out how to make it work.
It starts out as a bit of a rough ride. Crew’s missteps reinforce Mal’s walls. But as the days pass and the more time they spend together, the harder it is for them to stay away from each other. As Crew and Mal learn to communicate, and let each other in, love isn’t far behind. All Crew wants is for Mal to take a chance; on him, on their future, and on happily ever after.
Crew Harrington’s mission in life is to keep his family ranch thriving. Hiring Mal quickly proves to be a good decision. Mal is competent, capable, and shows a lot of talent. The only downside? That's Crew’s kryptonite. Getting involved with an employee is a recipe for disaster. But there’s no denying the chemistry between the two men. All they have to do is figure out how to make it work.
It starts out as a bit of a rough ride. Crew’s missteps reinforce Mal’s walls. But as the days pass and the more time they spend together, the harder it is for them to stay away from each other. As Crew and Mal learn to communicate, and let each other in, love isn’t far behind. All Crew wants is for Mal to take a chance; on him, on their future, and on happily ever after.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2025
3 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Kris T. Bethke
64 books63 followersKris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as long. An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her head. She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or knitting/crocheting her latest project. Her biggest desire is to find a way to accomplish all three tasks at one time. A classic muscle car will always turn her head and weekend naps are one of her greatest guilty pleasures. She lives in a converted attic with an aquarium full of tropical fish and the voices in her head. She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a pretty good deal.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 3, 2025
Oh my god, this book!
I love a squishy romance, and this just ticked all my boxes. Not for readers who are looking for smut. TAKE A CHANCE is more of a romance. It's a love story! ✨️baby, just say yes!✨️
Other plot points: single dad that's down on his luck, a big family run ranch, a pansexual foreman/co-owner, and so many horses!
When I tell y'all I ate this book up, trust me! Mal and Crew delivered big feelings and such a sweet romance *still dreamily sighing over them, honestly*
I don't usually like kids in books because I don't like kids, lol, but Payton was adorable and such a little sweetheart.
Mal was trying so hard and just needed a little help. Crew was a dreamy idiot. The Harringtons have so many kids this series could go on forever... I mean Bodhi & his childhood best friend, the country singer. Hawk and the rich horse buyer. I just need more of these people.
This book was such a surprise, and I found it exactly when I wanted it. I was craving a sweet cowboy romance, I got one!!
Book two comes out at the end of this month, and I have zero information about it. I really hope it's Bodhi's book. Update: it is, in fact, not Bodhi's book. It's Hawk's! I'm still excited, September 25th!
I've read this author collab before, and the vibes continue to be ✨️chef's kiss✨️ The Black Dog Inn series was great, and so is Blue Creek Ranch!
I love a squishy romance, and this just ticked all my boxes. Not for readers who are looking for smut. TAKE A CHANCE is more of a romance. It's a love story! ✨️baby, just say yes!✨️
Other plot points: single dad that's down on his luck, a big family run ranch, a pansexual foreman/co-owner, and so many horses!
When I tell y'all I ate this book up, trust me! Mal and Crew delivered big feelings and such a sweet romance *still dreamily sighing over them, honestly*
I don't usually like kids in books because I don't like kids, lol, but Payton was adorable and such a little sweetheart.
Mal was trying so hard and just needed a little help. Crew was a dreamy idiot. The Harringtons have so many kids this series could go on forever... I mean Bodhi & his childhood best friend, the country singer. Hawk and the rich horse buyer. I just need more of these people.
This book was such a surprise, and I found it exactly when I wanted it. I was craving a sweet cowboy romance, I got one!!
Book two comes out at the end of this month, and I have zero information about it. I really hope it's Bodhi's book. Update: it is, in fact, not Bodhi's book. It's Hawk's! I'm still excited, September 25th!
I've read this author collab before, and the vibes continue to be ✨️chef's kiss✨️ The Black Dog Inn series was great, and so is Blue Creek Ranch!
June 28, 2025
TAKE A CHANCE
by Kris T. Bethke & Tia Fielding
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an E-book ARC edition of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It is available NOW on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited!
www.amzn.com/B0FBHK9PGH
This is a 317-page fast-paced Single Father, Hurt/Comfort, workplace, MM Romance. This is book 1 of the Blue Creek Ranch Series about a huge family that runs a Horse Breeding & Training/Cattle Ranch in Colorado. The temperature has a slight slow burn, but the big found family ensemble and Double Spectrum Representation keeps the story moving at a gallop.
---There was something special about two men riding side by side. I liked having him right there with me.--
Written in alternating chapters duel POV, we learn of Malachi (bi) and his 4 year old son, Payton/Pay/Tony (go with it, its so cute!), and their heartbreaking history of why they are pinching pennies and on a hunt for the perfect job to call home. The plot is counterbalanced so well by Payton's characteristics since he literally makes any dull and depressing moment glow. Crew (pan) is Forman of his family’s ranch. He has 9 siblings, but don’t worry, there won’t be a test on who they all are. Their family dynamic is actually written to be easily followed, which shows the talent of the authors right there. When Crew's mom, Jenn, sets up an interview behind his back to hire Mal, he's not only struck by how gorgeous he is but the surprise of his really cute and highly intelligent kid that’s immediately obsessed with the loud and obnoxious ranch donkey Juanpablo.
--My son might've been a well-intentioned little smart-ass without meaning to. I appreciated it.--
Each character has very specific personalities that are all very different, which shows the thought process and planning of the authors since there are so many family members and ranch workers. Crew is a caregiver to the ones he loves. Once he makes a connection, there is no stopping him which Mal has a bit of an issue with as he is a proud individual that still blames himself for his family problems and the position they are in. Payton, with his Raven comfort Stuffie, loves to read and be indoors, which isn’t ideal for a rancher father. He has some sensory issues that they are trying to grow on, including being around animals and getting dirty. The family unit is chaotic but organized. Everyone has their job and they work as a team at all times. With so many members & characters, the series could go anywhere from this point. There are so many possibilities of love with no real hint of WHOS NEXT.
--"Well. I'm not gonna be able to sit on a horse today.”--
The spice is good. 2.5/5🌶. Every relationship has intimate time, but this story does not center around those actions, which really worked for the plot in this case. I mean, the downfall of being a single father is finding personal time, but the content we do get is passionate and full of first times. Add in a surprise mild biting fetish to jazz it up.
--There was just something about the man that caught my attention. Held it fast.--
This is my first time reading anything from these authors. I found them by mistake when the ARC was offered. I will be revisiting them! This was written beautifully. It grabs you from page one with the perfect mix of emotion and humor. The authors don’t even give you a chance not to love Mal & Payton. You immediately become obsessed with them. I also love the authenticity in detail they wrote of ranch life. They used realistically and hardcore terminology. Most authors try to simplify their writing for the readers' benefit, but in this case, they make you work for it. Have your highlighter on Kindle ready and Google on standby to help yourself learn like you are really there. I love that I now know how to measure a horse properly (plus more). I have so much respect for the writers for adding in Spectrum Representation, not only for one character, but two! The care they showed to mildly detail those characteristics for the plot without being too heavy was phenomenal. My nephew was just like Payton when he was younger and it really pulled my heartstrings. And I don’t know how they did it, but they crammed sooo much in a 300-page novel, it felt like it was 500 pages, but without it being too busy. Talent! I can’t wait for the next in the series!
💜Happy Reading🫶
by Kris T. Bethke & Tia Fielding
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an E-book ARC edition of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It is available NOW on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited!
www.amzn.com/B0FBHK9PGH
This is a 317-page fast-paced Single Father, Hurt/Comfort, workplace, MM Romance. This is book 1 of the Blue Creek Ranch Series about a huge family that runs a Horse Breeding & Training/Cattle Ranch in Colorado. The temperature has a slight slow burn, but the big found family ensemble and Double Spectrum Representation keeps the story moving at a gallop.
---There was something special about two men riding side by side. I liked having him right there with me.--
Written in alternating chapters duel POV, we learn of Malachi (bi) and his 4 year old son, Payton/Pay/Tony (go with it, its so cute!), and their heartbreaking history of why they are pinching pennies and on a hunt for the perfect job to call home. The plot is counterbalanced so well by Payton's characteristics since he literally makes any dull and depressing moment glow. Crew (pan) is Forman of his family’s ranch. He has 9 siblings, but don’t worry, there won’t be a test on who they all are. Their family dynamic is actually written to be easily followed, which shows the talent of the authors right there. When Crew's mom, Jenn, sets up an interview behind his back to hire Mal, he's not only struck by how gorgeous he is but the surprise of his really cute and highly intelligent kid that’s immediately obsessed with the loud and obnoxious ranch donkey Juanpablo.
--My son might've been a well-intentioned little smart-ass without meaning to. I appreciated it.--
Each character has very specific personalities that are all very different, which shows the thought process and planning of the authors since there are so many family members and ranch workers. Crew is a caregiver to the ones he loves. Once he makes a connection, there is no stopping him which Mal has a bit of an issue with as he is a proud individual that still blames himself for his family problems and the position they are in. Payton, with his Raven comfort Stuffie, loves to read and be indoors, which isn’t ideal for a rancher father. He has some sensory issues that they are trying to grow on, including being around animals and getting dirty. The family unit is chaotic but organized. Everyone has their job and they work as a team at all times. With so many members & characters, the series could go anywhere from this point. There are so many possibilities of love with no real hint of WHOS NEXT.
--"Well. I'm not gonna be able to sit on a horse today.”--
The spice is good. 2.5/5🌶. Every relationship has intimate time, but this story does not center around those actions, which really worked for the plot in this case. I mean, the downfall of being a single father is finding personal time, but the content we do get is passionate and full of first times. Add in a surprise mild biting fetish to jazz it up.
--There was just something about the man that caught my attention. Held it fast.--
This is my first time reading anything from these authors. I found them by mistake when the ARC was offered. I will be revisiting them! This was written beautifully. It grabs you from page one with the perfect mix of emotion and humor. The authors don’t even give you a chance not to love Mal & Payton. You immediately become obsessed with them. I also love the authenticity in detail they wrote of ranch life. They used realistically and hardcore terminology. Most authors try to simplify their writing for the readers' benefit, but in this case, they make you work for it. Have your highlighter on Kindle ready and Google on standby to help yourself learn like you are really there. I love that I now know how to measure a horse properly (plus more). I have so much respect for the writers for adding in Spectrum Representation, not only for one character, but two! The care they showed to mildly detail those characteristics for the plot without being too heavy was phenomenal. My nephew was just like Payton when he was younger and it really pulled my heartstrings. And I don’t know how they did it, but they crammed sooo much in a 300-page novel, it felt like it was 500 pages, but without it being too busy. Talent! I can’t wait for the next in the series!
💜Happy Reading🫶
June 28, 2025
3.5⭐️
I enjoyed the second half of this book much more than the first half. It was very slow to get going, and I think that’s because this story is predominantly a ranch life story, and there just happen to be queer couples working it. The romance is not front and centre, and in fact, 40% in, and nothing had happened between Crew and Mal. We’re only just getting some notions from Crew that he likes Mal’s smile. Then from about 55%, things seem to take off fast, and I don’t think the blend from nothing to more was smooth enough.
Also, for us not in the know about ranch life and/or horses, there’s quite a bit of jargon in there with no explanation. It makes it a tad on the boring side in parts when you have no idea what is what, and that’s for the first 50% of the book.
Both characters are nice. Payton is super cute, the parents and siblings are all nice, as is Russ. There’s not really any angst or animosity. There’s a nebby git at the library, and that’s about as dramatic as it gets. They have a nice little life going and reading them learn to love each other and for Mal to move past his dad’s mistakes was nice.
Like I said though, the second half was best, cute even. Their relationship builds, future plans are made, and they get a lovely ending. So I’m marking it off the second half of the book.
——————————————
I received an ARC of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.
I enjoyed the second half of this book much more than the first half. It was very slow to get going, and I think that’s because this story is predominantly a ranch life story, and there just happen to be queer couples working it. The romance is not front and centre, and in fact, 40% in, and nothing had happened between Crew and Mal. We’re only just getting some notions from Crew that he likes Mal’s smile. Then from about 55%, things seem to take off fast, and I don’t think the blend from nothing to more was smooth enough.
Also, for us not in the know about ranch life and/or horses, there’s quite a bit of jargon in there with no explanation. It makes it a tad on the boring side in parts when you have no idea what is what, and that’s for the first 50% of the book.
Both characters are nice. Payton is super cute, the parents and siblings are all nice, as is Russ. There’s not really any angst or animosity. There’s a nebby git at the library, and that’s about as dramatic as it gets. They have a nice little life going and reading them learn to love each other and for Mal to move past his dad’s mistakes was nice.
Like I said though, the second half was best, cute even. Their relationship builds, future plans are made, and they get a lovely ending. So I’m marking it off the second half of the book.
——————————————
I received an ARC of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.
October 3, 2025
Mal and his four year old son Payton have had a rough go of it lately, but when Mal gets a new job on a family ranch, things start to look up…especially when sparks fly between Mal and the foreman, Crew!
This is such a sweet story. I finished it in a day. Payton is by far the sweetest fictional kid. Loved the slow burn that is Mal and Crew. Appreciated Crew’s support even with all of Mal’s walls up. Their love felt inevitable. And all of the Harrington kids AND the parents? I so enjoyed the small town feel and family owned farm scenario. A perfect cozy summer read. Low stakes. Not too angsty. And just enough spice!
Can’t wait for all the love stories for these Harrington kids!
READ FOR
- single dad
- hurt/comfort
- small town
- strangers to lovers
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review
This is such a sweet story. I finished it in a day. Payton is by far the sweetest fictional kid. Loved the slow burn that is Mal and Crew. Appreciated Crew’s support even with all of Mal’s walls up. Their love felt inevitable. And all of the Harrington kids AND the parents? I so enjoyed the small town feel and family owned farm scenario. A perfect cozy summer read. Low stakes. Not too angsty. And just enough spice!
Can’t wait for all the love stories for these Harrington kids!
READ FOR
- single dad
- hurt/comfort
- small town
- strangers to lovers
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review
October 7, 2025
ARC Review
*mild spoilers ahead*
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️,5
I had a lot of fun reading this book. It’s a fresh take on cowboy romance, sweet, easy to follow, and just really enjoyable.
The main characters are genuinely likable, and the side characters, especially the whole Harrington family, are just adorable. There are ten Harrington siblings, and they either play a role in the plot or at least get mentioned, so yeah, it’s a lot of names to keep track of, but they really make the story feel lively and set it up for a bigger series down the road.
The whole thing takes place on their horse and cattle ranch, so if you’re into horses, there’s a lot to dig into. But if you aren’t really into that farm life, all the ranch talk might get a little overwhelming. I won’t lie, I had to use my Kindle dictionary a bunch because the farm lingo left me a bit lost at times.
But overall, I really enjoyed the ride (see what I did there? 😉). It totally gave me the same vibes as those old Harlequin paperbacks my mom used to read.
Mal, the main guy, is a single dad starting over after his family farm was lost thanks to his late father’s poor decisions. After a long job hunt, he and his adorable four year old son, Payton, end up at Blue Creek Ranch, where the family welcome them with open arms. Mal is very jaded, so he has a hard time trusting that things can actually work out for him, and it takes him a while to really settle in.
Then there’s Crew, one of the oldest Harrington siblings and the foreman of the ranch, therefore Mal’s boss.
Mal and Crew have this natural connection, but they both try to ignore it at first. There’s a bit of tension about the power dynamic in their relationship, but it’s handled in a way that feels real, no over-the-top drama, just some insecurity and honest feelings. Their romance grows into something really beautiful and genuine.
The whole found family vibe is one of my favorite parts. I loved how everyone welcomed Mal and his son. Payton especially is such a sweet, precocious kid. The way he bonds with the family, especially Crew, is heartwarming.
I’d totally recommend this book. Sure, it’s not perfect, the farm/horse talk could’ve been toned down a bit, but it’s super entertaining and sets up a great start for the whole series.
---
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
*mild spoilers ahead*
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️,5
I had a lot of fun reading this book. It’s a fresh take on cowboy romance, sweet, easy to follow, and just really enjoyable.
The main characters are genuinely likable, and the side characters, especially the whole Harrington family, are just adorable. There are ten Harrington siblings, and they either play a role in the plot or at least get mentioned, so yeah, it’s a lot of names to keep track of, but they really make the story feel lively and set it up for a bigger series down the road.
The whole thing takes place on their horse and cattle ranch, so if you’re into horses, there’s a lot to dig into. But if you aren’t really into that farm life, all the ranch talk might get a little overwhelming. I won’t lie, I had to use my Kindle dictionary a bunch because the farm lingo left me a bit lost at times.
But overall, I really enjoyed the ride (see what I did there? 😉). It totally gave me the same vibes as those old Harlequin paperbacks my mom used to read.
Mal, the main guy, is a single dad starting over after his family farm was lost thanks to his late father’s poor decisions. After a long job hunt, he and his adorable four year old son, Payton, end up at Blue Creek Ranch, where the family welcome them with open arms. Mal is very jaded, so he has a hard time trusting that things can actually work out for him, and it takes him a while to really settle in.
Then there’s Crew, one of the oldest Harrington siblings and the foreman of the ranch, therefore Mal’s boss.
Mal and Crew have this natural connection, but they both try to ignore it at first. There’s a bit of tension about the power dynamic in their relationship, but it’s handled in a way that feels real, no over-the-top drama, just some insecurity and honest feelings. Their romance grows into something really beautiful and genuine.
The whole found family vibe is one of my favorite parts. I loved how everyone welcomed Mal and his son. Payton especially is such a sweet, precocious kid. The way he bonds with the family, especially Crew, is heartwarming.
I’d totally recommend this book. Sure, it’s not perfect, the farm/horse talk could’ve been toned down a bit, but it’s super entertaining and sets up a great start for the whole series.
---
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
June 29, 2025
Cowboy romance
Take a Chance is a lovely start to a new series set on a family-owned ranch in Colorado. There's lots of potential here as there are several unattached members of the Harrington family. This book focuses on Crew main manager since his father semi-retired and Mal, a single dad looking for a new job after having to sell his family farm after the death of his father.
Mal and his son, Payton, both are slightly neurodiverse, mostly that they can get extremely focused on a topic. Payton is an extremely intelligent 4 year old but seems advanced but still authentic as an actual kid.
The other Hartingtons and hands are generally well-drawn with several possibilities set up for later books.
I liked the romance between Mal and Crew. The power imbalance between boss/employee was discussed and handled. The attraction seemed authentic and made sense. I really look forward to future books in the series.
Take a Chance is a lovely start to a new series set on a family-owned ranch in Colorado. There's lots of potential here as there are several unattached members of the Harrington family. This book focuses on Crew main manager since his father semi-retired and Mal, a single dad looking for a new job after having to sell his family farm after the death of his father.
Mal and his son, Payton, both are slightly neurodiverse, mostly that they can get extremely focused on a topic. Payton is an extremely intelligent 4 year old but seems advanced but still authentic as an actual kid.
The other Hartingtons and hands are generally well-drawn with several possibilities set up for later books.
I liked the romance between Mal and Crew. The power imbalance between boss/employee was discussed and handled. The attraction seemed authentic and made sense. I really look forward to future books in the series.
June 29, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Mal is a single father who lost his farm due to his father's mismanagement, but he is carrying the guilt with him. He's unemployed and has only a couple of months of savings left. Jobs aren't that plentiful where he's living. He expands his search farther out and sends a resume out to Blur Creek Ranch. It's a shot in the dark. To his surprise, he lands the job.
Crew is the ranch's foreman and the son of the owners. His mother sets up the interview with Mal, but he gets the notion that his mother is scheming. The interview goes well, and Mal is hired. But things begin to turn into something more between Mal and Crew.
Payton, Mal's son, is a hoot. He's too smart for his britches for a four-year-old and funny. Enjoy the book.
Mal is a single father who lost his farm due to his father's mismanagement, but he is carrying the guilt with him. He's unemployed and has only a couple of months of savings left. Jobs aren't that plentiful where he's living. He expands his search farther out and sends a resume out to Blur Creek Ranch. It's a shot in the dark. To his surprise, he lands the job.
Crew is the ranch's foreman and the son of the owners. His mother sets up the interview with Mal, but he gets the notion that his mother is scheming. The interview goes well, and Mal is hired. But things begin to turn into something more between Mal and Crew.
Payton, Mal's son, is a hoot. He's too smart for his britches for a four-year-old and funny. Enjoy the book.
July 26, 2025
4 Stars ⭐️
100% feel good read, everything from the setting to the characters was spot on!!! I will absolutely recommend this one, I still have the warm & fuzzies.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
100% feel good read, everything from the setting to the characters was spot on!!! I will absolutely recommend this one, I still have the warm & fuzzies.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
October 26, 2025
This is a beautifully written story that immediately draws you to Mal—you just want to wrap him up and cherish him.
Mal is a devoted father doing his best to find a job that will support both him and his son. When he applies to a family-owned ranch and gets hired by Jenn, things finally start looking up. His son is loving life among the animals, and it seems like a fresh start… until Mal meets his boss, Crew.
That’s when everything takes a sharp, unexpected turn. The attraction between them is undeniable, but Mal isn’t ready to go down that road again so easily.
The story pulls you in with its warm, real characters and the daily antics of life on the ranch. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Mal is a devoted father doing his best to find a job that will support both him and his son. When he applies to a family-owned ranch and gets hired by Jenn, things finally start looking up. His son is loving life among the animals, and it seems like a fresh start… until Mal meets his boss, Crew.
That’s when everything takes a sharp, unexpected turn. The attraction between them is undeniable, but Mal isn’t ready to go down that road again so easily.
The story pulls you in with its warm, real characters and the daily antics of life on the ranch. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
September 27, 2025
Mal & Payton are really good together. It is slow going at first but after they realize their mutual attraction, things heat up fast. I really liked that there was no miscommunication and no stupid 3rd act breakup.
angst 1.5/5
heat 2/5
story 3.5
POV dual
breakup no
angst 1.5/5
heat 2/5
story 3.5
POV dual
breakup no
October 5, 2025
Love, Love, Love this book.
The story centers around Malachi ‘Mal’ Trevino who feels like he has lost everything. After his father dies, he finds out they are in debt they cannot repay. This leads to having to sell the family farm, loss of employment, home for him and his son (Payton/Tony/Pay), and his beloved horse, Jaina. With no job prospects and only enough money left to last a couple of months, Mal takes a chance and sends his resume to a ranch he finds online that he believes would be a good fit for him and Payton. Though the ranch is technically not hiring, Mal is ultimately hired by Crew and the story begins to unfold.
Crew is the second oldest of 10 children and is accustomed to life with everyone being included as family; whether by blood, heart or friendship. Having been raised in a family of love and acceptance, he is at the opposite spectrum of what Mal has experienced.
Mal and Crew get off to a bit of a rocky start as Mal does not want to be a charity case for anyone. Unaccustomed to being around a large group of people; especially people who care, it is difficult to believe in the goodness shown to him and his son by Crew and his family. Once he lets down his guard and allows things to happen organically and accepts them for what they are, both he and Payton begin to flourish.
There are some spicy scenes in the book but they are placed where it feels they should be with nothing feeling overdone. The lack of numerous scenes of this nature does nothing to diminish the book. If quick and smutty is what you are after, this book is not for you.
Let’s talk about Payton. Payton is an extremely intelligent little one with the capacity to see and understand things beyond his years. As he has not been around many children, he has the mannerisms of a little man and does not attach to others easily. His character was written perfectly as he is not a whiny child, but rather inquisitive, open, honest and once comfortable, loving.
The love story develops slowly, which I really appreciated, as most single parents do not automatically jump into a relationship and trust being around their children. The way Mal, Crew and Payton become a family within a family is totally sweet and heart fluttering.
This was my first time reading these authors but I am so glad I came upon them. As there are other siblings that identify as LGBTQIA+, it will be interesting to read their stories as well.
This one is definitely worth the read if you enjoy stories around second chances, starting over and finding love in unexpected ways.
The story centers around Malachi ‘Mal’ Trevino who feels like he has lost everything. After his father dies, he finds out they are in debt they cannot repay. This leads to having to sell the family farm, loss of employment, home for him and his son (Payton/Tony/Pay), and his beloved horse, Jaina. With no job prospects and only enough money left to last a couple of months, Mal takes a chance and sends his resume to a ranch he finds online that he believes would be a good fit for him and Payton. Though the ranch is technically not hiring, Mal is ultimately hired by Crew and the story begins to unfold.
Crew is the second oldest of 10 children and is accustomed to life with everyone being included as family; whether by blood, heart or friendship. Having been raised in a family of love and acceptance, he is at the opposite spectrum of what Mal has experienced.
Mal and Crew get off to a bit of a rocky start as Mal does not want to be a charity case for anyone. Unaccustomed to being around a large group of people; especially people who care, it is difficult to believe in the goodness shown to him and his son by Crew and his family. Once he lets down his guard and allows things to happen organically and accepts them for what they are, both he and Payton begin to flourish.
There are some spicy scenes in the book but they are placed where it feels they should be with nothing feeling overdone. The lack of numerous scenes of this nature does nothing to diminish the book. If quick and smutty is what you are after, this book is not for you.
Let’s talk about Payton. Payton is an extremely intelligent little one with the capacity to see and understand things beyond his years. As he has not been around many children, he has the mannerisms of a little man and does not attach to others easily. His character was written perfectly as he is not a whiny child, but rather inquisitive, open, honest and once comfortable, loving.
The love story develops slowly, which I really appreciated, as most single parents do not automatically jump into a relationship and trust being around their children. The way Mal, Crew and Payton become a family within a family is totally sweet and heart fluttering.
This was my first time reading these authors but I am so glad I came upon them. As there are other siblings that identify as LGBTQIA+, it will be interesting to read their stories as well.
This one is definitely worth the read if you enjoy stories around second chances, starting over and finding love in unexpected ways.
July 7, 2025
I love a good slow-burn romance that really builds the tension between the characters and exposes the challenges they may have to overcome. To me, that's what makes an HEA feel truly earned. 'Take a Chance' doesn't disappoint in this regard, but what really set it apart for me was the way the single dad trope was handled. It's so easy to veer into cliches with the single dad thing, and it's so easy to write children like they're cartoon sidekicks. This book does neither of those things, and that's such a refreshing change of pace.
Mal will steal your heart from page one. He's not just a single dad struggling financially, he's also trying to reconcile the grief he feels over losing his dad with the anger he feels at what he learned about his dad after his death. Mal tries so hard to create a normal, stress free life for his son, but it's taking a toll on him. He stays quietly strong, doesn't ask for help, and just hopes that one of the many applications he's submitted will turn into a job.
On the other side of the couple is Crew - ranch foreman and one of the owners, along with his parents and NINE siblings. Crew is steady and kind, and he truly embodies the mission of the ranch. His biggest struggle is how to mix business with pleasure, and he definitely makes some mistakes and oversteps. But, that made it feel more realistic.
Watching Mal and Crew go from strangers to friends to partners who choose each other over and over again was sweet. Mal has his struggles, but Crew's patience and willingness to stand still while Mal works through them was beautiful to watch. Theirs is a journey filled with bumps and grace and growth, and they truly earned their happily ever after.
Blue Creek Ranch is cozy and full of heart. The Harrington family made me wish they were real. Their unwavering and loud support for each other would definitely be overwhelming, but you would also be certain of your place in that world. If you like your queer romance with heart, healing and the charm of a ranch setting, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
Mal will steal your heart from page one. He's not just a single dad struggling financially, he's also trying to reconcile the grief he feels over losing his dad with the anger he feels at what he learned about his dad after his death. Mal tries so hard to create a normal, stress free life for his son, but it's taking a toll on him. He stays quietly strong, doesn't ask for help, and just hopes that one of the many applications he's submitted will turn into a job.
On the other side of the couple is Crew - ranch foreman and one of the owners, along with his parents and NINE siblings. Crew is steady and kind, and he truly embodies the mission of the ranch. His biggest struggle is how to mix business with pleasure, and he definitely makes some mistakes and oversteps. But, that made it feel more realistic.
Watching Mal and Crew go from strangers to friends to partners who choose each other over and over again was sweet. Mal has his struggles, but Crew's patience and willingness to stand still while Mal works through them was beautiful to watch. Theirs is a journey filled with bumps and grace and growth, and they truly earned their happily ever after.
Blue Creek Ranch is cozy and full of heart. The Harrington family made me wish they were real. Their unwavering and loud support for each other would definitely be overwhelming, but you would also be certain of your place in that world. If you like your queer romance with heart, healing and the charm of a ranch setting, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
July 10, 2025
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
HORSES 🐎 HORSES 🐎 HORSES 🐎
🐴I am so soft for everything Take a Chance had going on! There were H O R S E S, and cowboys who love cowboys, and a gimongous SUPER LOVING family, and an amazing ranch that saves all the lives!
1 Was this book flawless? No. But it made my heart sing and i swooned and sighed a lot so that's all that really matters when you get down to it!
2 Was all of this Blue Creek Ranch loveliness too good to be true? Maybe...but i'm ✨manifesting✨ because THIS VIBE is everything the world needs more of right now, and i want every single book in this series in my brain like yesterday!!!
3 Was Mal primo emo and had me shaking my head in some mad ways because babe, please take a breath? Yeah, he was a touch squirmy. But i also get that he'd been navigating a world of inherited financial trouble all alone, as well as all of the complicated joys of being a single dad at 21 to a super wee 4mo baby. A hypervigilant 4 years will work a human over, and so when gifts like Blue Creek Ranch show up it's tough to give in to the easy stuff when it's been lean years filled with heartache, instability, and worry.
Happy Mal and Payton landed some place where the love was next level and they could both thrive and live in peace!
4 Was Crew THE cowboy who makes dreams come true...who spoils his bae (and his son) with whatever whenever just because he can? YES! And let's have 4278567826% more of that energy please and thank you! Honey, you can buy me all the horses you want i don't care what Mal's beef is!
So this was cute and smushy and swoony, and there was a donkey and a bunch of cats, and the bestest massive family who i hope all get installments because i loved them all!
This also had me watching a ton of "collected canter" videos, but dressage is like a foreign language and the stream of instructions sent me down a rabbit hole of learning and longing.
So yup Take a Chance has me ✨✨ ✨🐴manifesting🐴✨ ✨✨ and i very much love that for me!
HORSES 🐎 HORSES 🐎 HORSES 🐎
🐴I am so soft for everything Take a Chance had going on! There were H O R S E S, and cowboys who love cowboys, and a gimongous SUPER LOVING family, and an amazing ranch that saves all the lives!
1 Was this book flawless? No. But it made my heart sing and i swooned and sighed a lot so that's all that really matters when you get down to it!
2 Was all of this Blue Creek Ranch loveliness too good to be true? Maybe...but i'm ✨manifesting✨ because THIS VIBE is everything the world needs more of right now, and i want every single book in this series in my brain like yesterday!!!
3 Was Mal primo emo and had me shaking my head in some mad ways because babe, please take a breath? Yeah, he was a touch squirmy. But i also get that he'd been navigating a world of inherited financial trouble all alone, as well as all of the complicated joys of being a single dad at 21 to a super wee 4mo baby. A hypervigilant 4 years will work a human over, and so when gifts like Blue Creek Ranch show up it's tough to give in to the easy stuff when it's been lean years filled with heartache, instability, and worry.
Happy Mal and Payton landed some place where the love was next level and they could both thrive and live in peace!
4 Was Crew THE cowboy who makes dreams come true...who spoils his bae (and his son) with whatever whenever just because he can? YES! And let's have 4278567826% more of that energy please and thank you! Honey, you can buy me all the horses you want i don't care what Mal's beef is!
So this was cute and smushy and swoony, and there was a donkey and a bunch of cats, and the bestest massive family who i hope all get installments because i loved them all!
This also had me watching a ton of "collected canter" videos, but dressage is like a foreign language and the stream of instructions sent me down a rabbit hole of learning and longing.
So yup Take a Chance has me ✨✨ ✨🐴manifesting🐴✨ ✨✨ and i very much love that for me!
Read
September 19, 2025“Our lives improve only when we take chances”. ~ Walter Inglis Anderson
Malachi (Mal) Travino, of ‘Taking Chances’ by Kris Bethke and Tia Fielding, is at his wits' end. A devoted, single father raising his four-year-old son, Mal, is struggling. After his father's death left him with an ocean of debt, he had to sell the family farm, leaving him and his son jobless and homeless. Despite searching locally, no jobs turn up, so he expands his search. He finds an intriguing ranch online; even though they're not hiring, Mal takes a chance and emails to ask for a meeting.
Crew Harrington's mother invites Mal and his son to their ranch, despite there being no open positions. Impressed after meeting Mal, Krew trusts his mother's judgment and offers Mal the job, along with a cabin to live in.
Mal proves himself quickly, and he and his son find a sense of stability. Crew admires Mal’s resilience, and although he knows it’s a bad idea, since Mal is his employee, he quickly becomes attached. Meanwhile, Mal is grateful for the job, but he is confused by Crew’s generosity, for instance, finding and buying Mal’s ‘heart horse,’ but even more confounded by his growing feelings for him.
I experienced many emotions while reading ‘Take a Chance’. Mal’s plight was heartbreaking. He was a good father, with lots of love and patience to care for his autistic son, especially since he was doing it alone. Crew’s affection for his family was heart-warming. It was heartening to see that, despite his rough exterior, Crew had a generous and loving heart. Thanks, Chris and Tia.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was purchased by the reviewer.
Malachi (Mal) Travino, of ‘Taking Chances’ by Kris Bethke and Tia Fielding, is at his wits' end. A devoted, single father raising his four-year-old son, Mal, is struggling. After his father's death left him with an ocean of debt, he had to sell the family farm, leaving him and his son jobless and homeless. Despite searching locally, no jobs turn up, so he expands his search. He finds an intriguing ranch online; even though they're not hiring, Mal takes a chance and emails to ask for a meeting.
Crew Harrington's mother invites Mal and his son to their ranch, despite there being no open positions. Impressed after meeting Mal, Krew trusts his mother's judgment and offers Mal the job, along with a cabin to live in.
Mal proves himself quickly, and he and his son find a sense of stability. Crew admires Mal’s resilience, and although he knows it’s a bad idea, since Mal is his employee, he quickly becomes attached. Meanwhile, Mal is grateful for the job, but he is confused by Crew’s generosity, for instance, finding and buying Mal’s ‘heart horse,’ but even more confounded by his growing feelings for him.
I experienced many emotions while reading ‘Take a Chance’. Mal’s plight was heartbreaking. He was a good father, with lots of love and patience to care for his autistic son, especially since he was doing it alone. Crew’s affection for his family was heart-warming. It was heartening to see that, despite his rough exterior, Crew had a generous and loving heart. Thanks, Chris and Tia.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was purchased by the reviewer.
July 12, 2025
I absolutely loved this story. In fact, I stayed up late into the night to finish it. Mal and Payton grabbed my heart as a single father trying to make his way the best he can for himself and his precocious 4 year old. Payton is an old soul and Mal is burdened under guilt for circumstances not of his making. Mal, his son and mother have had to sell the family farm after his father's death because his father's unknown debt left them vulnerable. He needs a job and just applies without a job posted to places where he thinks his skillset could be a good fit. He winds up applying to the Blue Creek Ranch and it is the beginning of a new and better chapter in his life that has seen lots of hard work and of late hard luck. Crew Harrington was not planning for a new hire when his mother makes an appointment for him to interview Mal but he finds himself impressed with Mal's skillset, open to his mother wanting to help out someone in need of a break and when Mal arrives drawn to this skittish man. Their story is well written as Crew and his family open their arms to Mal and Payton and integrate them into the family while Mal acclimates to the job. This was emotional, hopeful and paced just right given where Mal is at when they meet.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 15, 2025
4.25 stars
“Take a Chance” by Kris Bethke and Tia Fielding is the first book in the ‘Blue Creek Ranch’ series and centers around single father Mal, who is desperate to find a way to support himself and his young son and winds up at a remarkable ranch where Crew is an integral part of running the various enterprises. There are many reasons why they should not act on their mutual attraction, but somehow they need to find a way past the obstacles.
This adult contemporary western romance is a great introduction to a lovely series peopled by wonderful human beings. I was immediately drawn into the story and invested in seeing Mal find a way to succeed. The secondary characters are intriguing, and there is a slight thread to encourage readers to continue the series. The backdrop is vividly portrayed, and I love that the extended family is distributed around the land, able to pursue their own interests while contributing to everyone’s success. I was so entertained by this story that I immediately read the sequel and then began looking for other works by these authors. I look forward to reading many more of their engaging stories, and I hope this series continues on and on.
A copy of this title was provided for review
“Take a Chance” by Kris Bethke and Tia Fielding is the first book in the ‘Blue Creek Ranch’ series and centers around single father Mal, who is desperate to find a way to support himself and his young son and winds up at a remarkable ranch where Crew is an integral part of running the various enterprises. There are many reasons why they should not act on their mutual attraction, but somehow they need to find a way past the obstacles.
This adult contemporary western romance is a great introduction to a lovely series peopled by wonderful human beings. I was immediately drawn into the story and invested in seeing Mal find a way to succeed. The secondary characters are intriguing, and there is a slight thread to encourage readers to continue the series. The backdrop is vividly portrayed, and I love that the extended family is distributed around the land, able to pursue their own interests while contributing to everyone’s success. I was so entertained by this story that I immediately read the sequel and then began looking for other works by these authors. I look forward to reading many more of their engaging stories, and I hope this series continues on and on.
A copy of this title was provided for review
July 1, 2025
This is a very nice romance between a rancher who has lost his farm, and one of the sons of the ranch he goes to work for. It's found family, medium spice, low angst. There's even a well-written child.
There are a lot of people in this book. A LOT. The Blue Creek Ranch crew consists of the mom and dad, 10 adult siblings, numerous significant others and their children, as well as a few ranch hands and townsfolk. I think the authors are introducing us to all these folks so they can have different books based on some of the other siblings. There are also a lot of horses. And there is a lot of discussion about where each horse came from, who its dam/sire are, and what work it performs on the ranch. This might be boring if you're not into horses. I really want to emphasize that these authors know what they are talking about when it comes to horses - this is just so NICE because it's really rare.
I found all the characters well-written and interesting (despite the fact that there were so many of them, I had no problem remembering who was who). I will be looking forward to the next book.
There are a lot of people in this book. A LOT. The Blue Creek Ranch crew consists of the mom and dad, 10 adult siblings, numerous significant others and their children, as well as a few ranch hands and townsfolk. I think the authors are introducing us to all these folks so they can have different books based on some of the other siblings. There are also a lot of horses. And there is a lot of discussion about where each horse came from, who its dam/sire are, and what work it performs on the ranch. This might be boring if you're not into horses. I really want to emphasize that these authors know what they are talking about when it comes to horses - this is just so NICE because it's really rare.
I found all the characters well-written and interesting (despite the fact that there were so many of them, I had no problem remembering who was who). I will be looking forward to the next book.
July 11, 2025
Mal is a single dad looking for a new job, and after a long search he lands in a farm, where not only his working life will change, but his love life too. Both thanks to his attracting new boss, Crew.
First of all, I love modern cowboys, so I couldn’t lose the chance to read this book, which I enjoyed very much.
Setting and location apart, I loved the characters. Mal and Crew were great, as individuals, and as a couple. Mal had to fight against some odds in his life, and Crew was like the angel put in his path to help him through his struggles.
Mal is not only a sweet and hard-working man, but also a lovely father of a son, Payton, a 4-year-old child very smart for his age. Crew is not only the perfect boss, but also the perfect partner to share a life with, protective and loving.
A special mention deserves Jenn, Crew’s mother, since everything starts because of her. She has a sixth sense to catch people who need help and a very big heart. I adored the whole ranch family in general, they are a little bit chaotic at times, but always ready to give a hand.
Looking forward to reading the next book to see who will get a new well deserved HEA.
First of all, I love modern cowboys, so I couldn’t lose the chance to read this book, which I enjoyed very much.
Setting and location apart, I loved the characters. Mal and Crew were great, as individuals, and as a couple. Mal had to fight against some odds in his life, and Crew was like the angel put in his path to help him through his struggles.
Mal is not only a sweet and hard-working man, but also a lovely father of a son, Payton, a 4-year-old child very smart for his age. Crew is not only the perfect boss, but also the perfect partner to share a life with, protective and loving.
A special mention deserves Jenn, Crew’s mother, since everything starts because of her. She has a sixth sense to catch people who need help and a very big heart. I adored the whole ranch family in general, they are a little bit chaotic at times, but always ready to give a hand.
Looking forward to reading the next book to see who will get a new well deserved HEA.
October 17, 2025
Mr. Raven, demonic Juanpablo, snip-snip, Mr. Crow?, painted cow restaurant, 'Don't canoe!', fetch, bottle cap, chest candy
This story is worth reading just for Juanpablo, the guard donkey, and Payton, Mal's adorable and amusing 4 year-old son with his amazing stuffie, Mr. Raven. Luckily, Payton plays a big role.
To Mal everything about the Harrington family and their Blue Creek Ranch seems to good to be true. It's thanks to Jennifer, matriarch of the family that Mal ends up working there to begin with. At last things are looking up for Mal and Payton.
Crew, the 2nd eldest son and ranch foreman ends up unwillingly interviewing Mal for a ranch hand job. Crew knows better than to question his mother and her motives. Crew is mystified by all the accommodations his mother makes for the single dad and his son.
All the characters are wonderful and extremely lovable. They are warm, so accepting, and loving. It does seem too good to be true. But hey, it's a fictional story. And it's engrossing and entertaining. I relished reading it very much. I have no problem with recommending this.
This story is worth reading just for Juanpablo, the guard donkey, and Payton, Mal's adorable and amusing 4 year-old son with his amazing stuffie, Mr. Raven. Luckily, Payton plays a big role.
To Mal everything about the Harrington family and their Blue Creek Ranch seems to good to be true. It's thanks to Jennifer, matriarch of the family that Mal ends up working there to begin with. At last things are looking up for Mal and Payton.
Crew, the 2nd eldest son and ranch foreman ends up unwillingly interviewing Mal for a ranch hand job. Crew knows better than to question his mother and her motives. Crew is mystified by all the accommodations his mother makes for the single dad and his son.
All the characters are wonderful and extremely lovable. They are warm, so accepting, and loving. It does seem too good to be true. But hey, it's a fictional story. And it's engrossing and entertaining. I relished reading it very much. I have no problem with recommending this.
July 13, 2025
4.25*s
Take a Chance is all about the slow burn & slow angst as there isn’t a ton of drama or issues with others. Just a bit of miscommunication and some troubles caused by Mal’s history. It’s handled well by Crew as he gets to know Mal and his absolutely adorable son. He is so supportive and understanding, but that makes sense based on his amazing family. They all opened their doors, arms, and hearts to Mal and Payton.
Mal has some issues with trust and letting people in. As much as he wants to believe the Harrington’s are truly as caring as they seem, he struggles. People haven’t been as accepting of him and it’s left some scars. But it doesn’t take long for them to wear him down, tho it does take a little longer for him to be as sure of Crew.
Found family is one of my fav tropes and this delivers in spades. I’m looking forward to getting know the rest of the siblings as we get more books in this series. And hopefully get more of Mal and super cute Payton!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Take a Chance is all about the slow burn & slow angst as there isn’t a ton of drama or issues with others. Just a bit of miscommunication and some troubles caused by Mal’s history. It’s handled well by Crew as he gets to know Mal and his absolutely adorable son. He is so supportive and understanding, but that makes sense based on his amazing family. They all opened their doors, arms, and hearts to Mal and Payton.
Mal has some issues with trust and letting people in. As much as he wants to believe the Harrington’s are truly as caring as they seem, he struggles. People haven’t been as accepting of him and it’s left some scars. But it doesn’t take long for them to wear him down, tho it does take a little longer for him to be as sure of Crew.
Found family is one of my fav tropes and this delivers in spades. I’m looking forward to getting know the rest of the siblings as we get more books in this series. And hopefully get more of Mal and super cute Payton!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
July 13, 2025
Set on a Colorado ranch that is owned by a family, Take a Chance is a beautiful beginning to a new series. Many members of the Harrington family are single, so there's a lot of room for growth here. In this novel, we follow Mal, a single parent who lost his farm in his father's death and is now seeking employment, as well as Crew, the main manager since his father semi-retired. Payton, Mal's son, and Mal himself are a little bit neurodiverse; the main symptom is that they can't switch gears very quickly. Even though he's just four years old, Payton has a mind that's exceptionally developed for a child his age. Several possibilities are set up for later novels, and the other Hartingtons and hands are generally well-drawn. Mal and Crew's romance was cute. An equal distribution of power between boss and employee was addressed. It seems like the attraction was genuine and rational. I can't wait for more installments in the series.I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
October 24, 2025
Thanks so much Kris T. Bethke and Tia Fielding and Gay Romance Reviews for the book. I was given this book as an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review completely voluntarily.
Okay, confession time - I accidentally read book 2 first. 😅 But honestly, I liked Take a Chance just as much.
This one follows Malachi (Mal), a single dad doing his absolute best to hold things together for his young son. His son seems to be somewhere on the autism spectrum, though it’s never directly stated. After Mal’s fathers death, Mal discovers the man left behind a mountain of debt, leaving him and his son struggling. The Harrington family at Blue Creek Ranch offers him an unexpected opportunity - a job and a place to live. That’s where he meets Crew, one of the ranch owners and where things slowly start to change for both of them.
I really loved how real these two men were not idealized or overly dramatic. They're dealing with genuine issues: trust, boundaries, fear, and the weight of past pain. Both Mal and Crew have to learn how to open up and take emotional risks again. The romance is definitely a slow burn, but it fits their story. Every step forward feels earned.
The book also has amazing found family vibes. You can feel the warmth and safety of the ranch community wrapping around them.
Happy reading friends,
~ Maebae 💚
I’m a fellow book lover reviewing the good, the bad, and everything bookish in-between. All thoughts, opinions, and reactions are completely my own. I wasn’t paid, sponsored, or influenced in any way.
Okay, confession time - I accidentally read book 2 first. 😅 But honestly, I liked Take a Chance just as much.
This one follows Malachi (Mal), a single dad doing his absolute best to hold things together for his young son. His son seems to be somewhere on the autism spectrum, though it’s never directly stated. After Mal’s fathers death, Mal discovers the man left behind a mountain of debt, leaving him and his son struggling. The Harrington family at Blue Creek Ranch offers him an unexpected opportunity - a job and a place to live. That’s where he meets Crew, one of the ranch owners and where things slowly start to change for both of them.
I really loved how real these two men were not idealized or overly dramatic. They're dealing with genuine issues: trust, boundaries, fear, and the weight of past pain. Both Mal and Crew have to learn how to open up and take emotional risks again. The romance is definitely a slow burn, but it fits their story. Every step forward feels earned.
The book also has amazing found family vibes. You can feel the warmth and safety of the ranch community wrapping around them.
Happy reading friends,
~ Maebae 💚
I’m a fellow book lover reviewing the good, the bad, and everything bookish in-between. All thoughts, opinions, and reactions are completely my own. I wasn’t paid, sponsored, or influenced in any way.
July 10, 2025
Brilliant !! Absolutely loved it !!! Down on his luck (and single dad), Mal gets a job at the 11th hour ... and those Harringtons. What a family - just beautiful how they are with each other and for anyone (and animal) .... could certainly do with a few of them around the world !! Anyhoo, great story - had me in tears, swooning and laughing (stop buying him horses !!! bahahahahaha) ... I couldn't put the book down. The main characters are great - hurt/comfort galore !! And the rest of the family / found family - **chefs kiss** . It's sweet and romantic and quite steamy ...... but it's also got this thread of honesty and open-ness from the characters that just gave it that extra emotional depth - drew me right in and I couldn't put it down. Loved the setting and the story behind it all .... there's a quite a bit of information but it's not dumped on you. Woven into the storyline very nicely. Fantastic start to new series and I'll definitely be continuing it - bring on # 2 !!
July 12, 2025
Sweet, low angst story
I do love a romance on a ranch and this had that in spades. This was very sweet and filled with a truly beautiful family ranch (and I include the family itself in that). There’s a lot of good feeling amongst the people who make up the family; they care about the land, their animals and other people and it shows in how they live their life. Poor Mal was so hesitant to believe that but I’m glad that after everything he landed somewhere safe where he and Payton could rest and grow. Crew and Mal were very sweet together and there was pretty much zero angst. I will say, the pacing of their relationship was a bit weird. I thought it was a slow burn but it kind of went from 0 to 60 in a flick of the page around halfway which was a bit odd. The romance wasn’t bad, just a little jarring, but once you got used to the change of pace it was all good again. It was a good book and I’m hoping to see more from this lovely group of characters.
I do love a romance on a ranch and this had that in spades. This was very sweet and filled with a truly beautiful family ranch (and I include the family itself in that). There’s a lot of good feeling amongst the people who make up the family; they care about the land, their animals and other people and it shows in how they live their life. Poor Mal was so hesitant to believe that but I’m glad that after everything he landed somewhere safe where he and Payton could rest and grow. Crew and Mal were very sweet together and there was pretty much zero angst. I will say, the pacing of their relationship was a bit weird. I thought it was a slow burn but it kind of went from 0 to 60 in a flick of the page around halfway which was a bit odd. The romance wasn’t bad, just a little jarring, but once you got used to the change of pace it was all good again. It was a good book and I’m hoping to see more from this lovely group of characters.
September 29, 2025
I fell completely in love with Take a Chance. This story has all the warmth, heart, and cozy small-town charm I crave in a romance. Mal is a wonderfully relatable single dad trying to navigate life and love, and Crew is that perfect mix of dreamy, stubborn, and endlessly sweet. Watching them slowly open up to each other was a delight, and the chemistry between them genuinely made me sigh more than once.
The ranch setting, the pansexual foreman/co-owner, and the adorable Payton oh, that little guy! all added layers of heart and charm that made this story feel like coming home. The Harrington family is a treasure trove of potential future romances, and I’m already counting down the days for the next installment.
If you’re craving a heartfelt, swoony, slow-burn romance with a touch of small-town magic, this book is everything. I ate it up and I’m still daydreaming about Mal, Crew, and all the horses. ✨
The ranch setting, the pansexual foreman/co-owner, and the adorable Payton oh, that little guy! all added layers of heart and charm that made this story feel like coming home. The Harrington family is a treasure trove of potential future romances, and I’m already counting down the days for the next installment.
If you’re craving a heartfelt, swoony, slow-burn romance with a touch of small-town magic, this book is everything. I ate it up and I’m still daydreaming about Mal, Crew, and all the horses. ✨
October 17, 2025
Malachi is a single father of a four year old land trying to give his little boy a good life. A past full of heartbreak, down on his luck, and looking for a job Malachi ends up finding an opportunity on a ranch.
Crew hires Malachi and he’s everything he’s hoped for as an employee, but he’s also so much more, for crew. It was practically love at first sight, but Malachi was more reserved due to his past and has built a wall around his heart. As they get to know each other and learn to work together, a friendship begins to blossom. Even when things are looking gray Payton always finds a way to put a smile on everybody’s face, he is the most adorable and funniest four year old ever.
Unfortunately, crew makes some mistakes and their relationship starts on the rough side, but he does everything in his power to not only earn his trust, but also earn his love. In the end they get their happy ending and it was well worth the wait. ❤️😁
Crew hires Malachi and he’s everything he’s hoped for as an employee, but he’s also so much more, for crew. It was practically love at first sight, but Malachi was more reserved due to his past and has built a wall around his heart. As they get to know each other and learn to work together, a friendship begins to blossom. Even when things are looking gray Payton always finds a way to put a smile on everybody’s face, he is the most adorable and funniest four year old ever.
Unfortunately, crew makes some mistakes and their relationship starts on the rough side, but he does everything in his power to not only earn his trust, but also earn his love. In the end they get their happy ending and it was well worth the wait. ❤️😁
July 14, 2025
Sweet romance! This is what a smooth romance story should be like. Mal, has had a few shocks since his Dad, David died and left him reeling. Single Dad of his son, Pay is his best heart job, but ranching is in his soul. Through what can only be fate, he ends up on the Blue Creek Ranch, which he can hardly believe every day of his life. Ranch foreman is Crew, one of 10 children and a sweetie. The entier family is what families should always be. Both men notice each other, but the whole power dynamics thing is a big red light. Then Crew buys Mal a horse. The fun begins and everyone of the families on both sides has something to say. Funny, fun delightful story. All the characters are fun and sweet and I look forward to getting to know them better in future books. Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarly leaving a review.
June 30, 2025
This book is almost a fantasy.
The Harringtons are a perfect family.
They rescue animals and people.
They put family above anything else.
The Harringtons run a rescue ranch for animals that don't fit anywhere else.
Their employees become family.
When Mal is hired, by Crew, to work with the horses he brings his son, Peyton, with him.
The matiarch, Jenn, watches Peyton while he is works.
All but 3 of the 10 siblings work on the ranch.
Mal and Crew grow closer while Mal works on trusting everyone.
Building an agility course brings them closer, and Peyton's acceptance of Crew into their small family.
This is a low angst story which is a pleasure to read. I hope that Bodhi gets his story next.
Thanks to GRR for this ARC
The Harringtons are a perfect family.
They rescue animals and people.
They put family above anything else.
The Harringtons run a rescue ranch for animals that don't fit anywhere else.
Their employees become family.
When Mal is hired, by Crew, to work with the horses he brings his son, Peyton, with him.
The matiarch, Jenn, watches Peyton while he is works.
All but 3 of the 10 siblings work on the ranch.
Mal and Crew grow closer while Mal works on trusting everyone.
Building an agility course brings them closer, and Peyton's acceptance of Crew into their small family.
This is a low angst story which is a pleasure to read. I hope that Bodhi gets his story next.
Thanks to GRR for this ARC
September 29, 2025
There were many things to like about this book, but in the end, the weird things stuck in my mind. Like the sudden glorification of the military. Also, while there was brief lip service given to the idea of not wanting children, for the most part it was babies, babies everywhere (and everyone thrilled about it). Ugh.
I did appreciate the acknowledgments of trans/gender-nonconforming people, bi/pan people, etc.
Also—I'm going in reverse order here—the insta-attraction felt off to me. I didn't buy that these people knew each other well enough to be that interested.
Maybe the next book in the series will be more to my taste, or maybe this just isn't the author for me.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for a complimentary copy of this book.
I did appreciate the acknowledgments of trans/gender-nonconforming people, bi/pan people, etc.
Also—I'm going in reverse order here—the insta-attraction felt off to me. I didn't buy that these people knew each other well enough to be that interested.
Maybe the next book in the series will be more to my taste, or maybe this just isn't the author for me.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for a complimentary copy of this book.
November 18, 2025
DNF @ 35%
Idk why the author decided that Crew needed nine siblings, but it was not fun getting bombarded with names and personalities during their first daily brunch, even with like four of them not present.
Idk if I like this author's writing style considering this is the third book I've read from them with the same issue. The romance takes way too damn long to get started. I'm 35% of the way in (109 pages) and there's only been set up and exposition (thankfully minimal expo dumping, though the amount of just nothing paragrahps make it almost as bad). No, Crew getting Mal's horse back doesn't count as romance because he literally did it for a stranger and there was no romantic undertones.
TL;DR: 100+ pages of no romance in a romance novel. No thank you.
Idk why the author decided that Crew needed nine siblings, but it was not fun getting bombarded with names and personalities during their first daily brunch, even with like four of them not present.
Idk if I like this author's writing style considering this is the third book I've read from them with the same issue. The romance takes way too damn long to get started. I'm 35% of the way in (109 pages) and there's only been set up and exposition (thankfully minimal expo dumping, though the amount of just nothing paragrahps make it almost as bad). No, Crew getting Mal's horse back doesn't count as romance because he literally did it for a stranger and there was no romantic undertones.
TL;DR: 100+ pages of no romance in a romance novel. No thank you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews