Austin's Answer

by Julie Ranseth

On Shifter Ranch, the cowboys always claim their mates.

Coming home with my veterinary degree should have been triumphant. Instead, I find my father’s health failing and my brother wielding control of our family ranch like a weapon. Pushed out, I start my new job with a local vet clinic while I decide how to handle the problems at home. But that took me to Shifter Ranch. The last place I wanted to be.

Austin, the devastatingly charming tiger shifter next door, shattered my young heart once, and I’m determined to keep my distance. But that restless boy who left me crying is gone. In his place is a grown man focused on me with an intensity I’ve never felt before. He claims I’m his mate. His everything. I’m not so easily convinced.

Just as I'm weakening to his seductive pursuit, I uncover a family secret dark enough to destroy everything. It’s a secret someone will kill to protect, but it’s a truth I need to expose. Even if it tears apart my second chance at love.

Austin’s Answer is a short, steamy, instalove romance with fated mates. Featuring a protective, charming tiger shifter, a stubborn veterinarian resisting fate, and a second chance at true love that’s worth the fight. Fall in love today with Austin and Emily’s story.

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2025

About the author

Julie Ranseth has been writing stories in her head all her life. Her stories contain elements of fantasy, the paranormal, and romance. She loves happy endings and likes nothing better than escaping to worlds of make-believe, whether of her own or others’ creations. Her writing is overseen by her ever-present furry companions (one of whom believes he’s in charge).

Reviews

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming home isn’t always sweet—especially when the place you once loved feels more like a battlefield. Emily returns with her veterinary degree in hand, only to find her father’s health failing and her brother’s heavy hand pushing her out of the family ranch. Starting over at the local clinic feels safer… until her work brings her face-to-face with the one man she swore she’d never forgive.

Austin was her first heartbreak, the boy who left her in tears. But the man standing before her now isn’t the reckless teen she remembers. He’s a powerful, grounded tiger shifter with eyes only for her, and a determination that makes her pulse race. When Austin claims she’s his mate, Emily isn’t ready to believe—at least, not right away.

Their reunion is fiery, tender, and complicated. Just as the old spark begins to reignite, a family secret comes to light—one dangerous enough to unravel everything Emily thought she knew. Between betrayal at home and a love she’s afraid to trust, Emily has to decide what’s worth fighting for.

Austin and Emily’s story is a beautifully emotional ride—full of longing, redemption, danger, and that irresistible mix of fated-mate passion and second-chance sweetness. It’s about finding the courage to face the past, protect what matters most, and open your heart to love that was always meant to be.

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

[Lenna Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

New author for me so I came in blind.

That being said, I had no problem following along with this story. This wis the 4th in the Shifter Ranch series, seems that Austin's parents were bears and adopted 6 shifter cubs needing homes mostly bears but Austin is a Tiger and his brother Luke is a wolf.

Can Emily look past the hurtful words that Austin stated when she was 17??? Or should have Austin waited ???

Austin, ex rodeo clown (bullfighter) first met Emily, the girl next door and his brother's best friend sister, when he was 14 and she was 13 and they were inseparable since until he turned 18 and needed to push her away so he can find his fated and not be hooked on the girl next door and left to be a bullfighter.

Emily, newly degreed Vet, came home to help the local vet but she didn't expect to be thrusted in Austin's path so soon and her knowledge to help horses nor what she learns from her family and from Austin.

[Nancy Koske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin had been friends with Emily for several years,but he broke up with her when she was 17 since she was leaving for college to become a veterinarian. As a tiger shifter, he knew that he would be very attached to his 'fated mate' when he discovered her. Emily hadn't returned in 8 years until she graduated as a veterinarian. Image Austin's surprise when she has to pay a professional visit about 6 sick horses; her scent identifies her as his Mate! Fated mate's scent doesn't show until after 18. Shifter Ranch has been targeted for sabotage for several years; will Emily help to discover who is behind it? Emily's dad had a stoke while she was away.Her brother, Vince, told her that he was handling it. Why is her dad not recovering as fast as he should have? Who threats Emily? Will Austin be able to rescue her? Will they have a future?.

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

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily has returned to home after obtaining her veterinary degree, it should be a happy time but her father had a stroke and her brother has gotten more inflexible. She is not happy when she is sent on her first call to the Shifter Ranch, the last person she wants to see is Austin.

Austin never felt good about hurting Emily, he had feelings for her but he was waiting for his fated mate. When he sees her for the first time in years, she is his fated mate but she is angry with him. Will he be able to convince her to give him a second chance?

This is steamy read but like the others in the series, there is still someone not happy with shifters in the area. Austin will have to protect his girl.

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

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin is a tiger shifter, which Havoc the bull always seems to try to rile up. Havoc was a mean one. The brothers knew better than to deal with him alone, they usually only dealt with him as a group, if they could. Their dude ranch has been dealing with sabotage at several stages of their opening of the dude ranch without much help or clarity as to who or why it has been happening.
Austin’s Answer is part of Shifter Ranch series where the cowboys always claim their mates. I love this series and am always excited to read the next installment and this book was no exception to that. Another five-star read and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

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

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily comes home to pursue her veterinary career. Austin had returned to the ranch because following the rodeo wasn't home. After he broke her heart when they were teenagers, Emily had no intention of seeing Austin. Luckily her first case was on shifter ranch. I love seeing all the brothers again and their mates. I love how Austin and Emily move forward. I also love learning some of the things behind the sabotage these brothers have been dealing with throughout this series. I can't wait for the next book to see if we get more answers to the mystery of why they were attacked. I also want Luke and Mason to find their mates.

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

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin and Emily
Second chance, instalove, fated mates, shifter- human romance, danger, drama, steamy, and happily-ever-mated.
Austin rejected Emily when they were young and ran off to join the rodeo. Now years later, Emily is the vet treating the Shifter Ranch horses from sabotaged feed illness. When they were younger, Austin was very drawn to Emily but she was still under 18, so he didn't know she was his fated mate. When she showed up at their place as their vet, he know instantly she his fated mate. He'll now have to prove to her he's worth the risk of her heart.

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

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Austin and Emily
Heat- slow burn
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- animal endangerment, violence, arson
Tropes- Fated Mates, Childhood Crush, Cowboy, Tiger Tiger Burning Bright, Shifters, Found Family, Dysfunctional Family FTW, Secrets and Lies
Mewsings
The plot twists were not exactly a surprise, not gonna lie. The book was a bit clumsy with the hints. But overall, it was entertaining. Definitely more plot than hot.

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

[Jenia Tortora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily returned home to discover things were wrong and there are secrets everywhere. Taking an emergency vet call brings her face to face with the man who broke her heart years ago. Austin was shell shocked to learn the woman he never forgot and pushed away is his fated mate. It’s a race against time to win her heart and navigate the danger at the ranch. The way they come together is sweet and their future is bright as they get their HEA.

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

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Austin’s and Emily’s second chance at forever. Liked that you learn all the history between them and the possibilities of a future relationship. This addition to the series finally gets to reveal the saboteurs, but there is still more to learn. This series is getting interesting as each brother finds their mate.

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

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another shifter Ranch romance. Austin and neighbour Emily get a second chance when she comes home as a licensed vet. The ranch gets more sabotage but the brothers and their mates get through in this must-read series.

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

[A Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin's Answer is book 4 of Shifter Ranch Mates series. This was a fun book to read. it is a short, steamy tiger shifter story that was interesting, entertaining and enjoyable to read. The characters were great as well. I can't wait to read more of the series.

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

[Cyndi Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the shifter ranch crew. They are all distinct characters with their own voices. Their decisive nature and willingness to compromise are both refreshing in these sorts of books. Austin is great. His mate is smart and fights for what she wants.

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

[Hart's Reader Group · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I felt like it was missing some angst and a bit of chemistry between the fated mates. I DID like how she pushed back in the beginning, and didn't even let him speak. I love it when the wronged make those who wronged them work at least a little harder for their attention.

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

[Ela La1978 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never forgetting his first love Austin realized that he was a dumb teen back in the day.
Trying for his second chance it takes all of him and his tiger to get a bit of breathing room in his quest.
Loved reading Asher‘s and Emily‘s story and it reveals a secret no one saw coming.

[Wanda Grier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it💘

I really enjoyed reading this short novella book📙 from this series. It is filled with family, friendship, loyalty, drama, action, romance and love💖.

[Nicole Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only second chance romance scenario I'll accept.

[Escapist Romantic · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️