Love, Luck, and Lone Star Nights

by Lyndsy Rachele

Bonnie Palmer thought she left heartbreak behind when she traded small-town Cedarwood, Texas, for college and a fresh start. Ten years later, after a failed relationship and a lot of unanswered questions, she’s back home and ready to start over as the town’s new vet.

She didn’t expect to find Collin O’Grady—the boy who once meant everything and then broke her heart—working on her family’s ranch. He left without a word, and now he’s standing on her porch, full of regret and determined to win her back.

Just as Bonnie starts to let go of the past, Alex, the man she once thought she’d marry, shows up asking for forgiveness and offering the closure she never thought she’d get.

With two men from her past vying for a second chance, Bonnie has to decide if she’s ready to forgive or whether she’s willing to risk her heart all over again.

Set under the wide Texas sky, Love, Luck, and Lone Star Nights is a heartfelt small-town romance about healing, homecoming, and the kind of love worth fighting for.

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2025

Reviews

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a debut novel, this is very well done, but it is still a debut novel. While there is a story there within the pages, it still suffers from a lack of deep editing. I'm not referring to misspellings or bad grammar, I'm talking specifically about the fact that the pacing was slow. It didn't necessarily meander through the relationship building because there didn't feel like any significant building done. There was also an issue I had with time jumps, either next day kind of situations or flashbacks that just happened. It was so jarring and half the time, I wasn't even sure what was happening because there was little indication that we were in a different time from the sentence before.

Our main characters, Bonnie and Collin, were separated for a decade because Collin left to return to Ireland without saying anything to Bonnie. They were best friends in high school and about to broach into romance when he took off. Collin essentially ghosted Bonnie and after graduating high school, Bonnie leaves the small town to attend veterinary school. In the 8 years that Bonnie is gone, she's moved on from Collin. She was engaged. She had a life.

After they both return to the small town, Cedarwood, Collin is determined to fix his wrongs and start the relationship back up with Bonnie. The rub for me came from the fact that after having an actual conversation, and Collin not taking off, that was it. The issues were basically resolved. There was not enough angst for the pacing to be set like this. 39% of the way through and both MCs admitting they're in love and also not sure how they feel about each other? Honestly, the romance suffered from the telling, not showing issue. We're told they love each other. We're told that there is heartbreak. But I couldn't feel it because it wasn't shown thoroughly.

I think the lack of real tension and the weird pacing is what made the book less of a win for me. The writing is there. Lyndsy Rachele has writing ability. But the fact that the book could have been wrapped up at 170 pages and leave me with no questions (I mean, we don't learn the reason she wasn't married but, to me, that was non-issue), was a problem.

I'm certainly not writing off Rachele in the future. I am interested to see how Kayla and Jake work out as well.

[Logan Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a slow burn, but sooooo worth it. I don’t normally take a week to read a single book but life happened. Anyway, without giving spoilers, the plot is amazing, the storyline is captivating and I didn’t want to put it down (although clearly I had to). I loved this so much, I immediately wrote the author saying it needs to go to audible and then to like a Netflix movie. I’m invested in these characters. The spice 🌶️ is at a 3 I’d say nothing too crazy but there are some moments that were…hello, yes thank you. I highly recommend this amazing book.

[Shayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Love, Luck, and Lone Star Nights

If you love:

🔹Small town, western romances
🔹Hallmark movie vibes
🔹Second chance
🔹Irish Cowboy MMC
🔹Sweet romance

✨ This story felt like it could step right off the page and onto the Hallmark Channel screen. It’s a sweet, wholesome second-chance romance set against a small-town western backdrop. The focus is heavy on character development and heartfelt plot, with just a hint of closed-door spice to keep things warm.

💖 It’s the perfect pick for readers who love tender, feel-good romances filled with charm and innocence. While I usually lean toward stories with a bit more heat alongside the plot, this one shines in its gentle storytelling and emotional depth.

Genre/Type: Contemporary
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 337
Rating: 4🌟
Spice: 1🌶️
Series or Stand Alone: Cedarwood Ranch Series, Book #1
Tropes or themes: Second chance; small town; Texas western romance; cowboys; emotional past trauma
Check Triggers ⚠️ Emotional trauma; heartbreak, grief, anxiety✨

[Bre · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS AN ARC REVIEW:

Do you love a second chance romance? What about cowboys? If you answered yes then you will love this book!

Love, Luck, and Lonestar nights is a second chance, IRISH cowboy romance, and it’s the first book of the Cedarwood Ranch Series.

Collin O’Grady and Bonnie Palmer have been best friends since they were kids, but one night Collin got a phone call and had to rush back home to Ireland.

10 years go by and he is ready to face what he left behind and try to mend the bridge between him and his best friend.

Collin’s love for Bonnie is an all consuming kind of love. He is willing to do anything and everything to prove he is there to stay. Thick and thin, hard times and long nights, he will stay.
I personally think everyone should have the kind of love they have. It’s pure and safe.

The book does have some spicy scenes but I would rate them 2/5 on the spicy scale. They were well written but I would say they weren’t inherently

This was such an easy read for me. There were some times where I wish there was more in depth character development, a slightly slower pace, and a little more suspense as far as the “slow burn”. However overall I think this was a very good debut novel, and I am so excited to read about Kayla and Jake’s story in the second book of the series!

TROPES
* Second chance romance
* Slow burn
* Small town romance
* Found family
* Enemies-to-lovers
* Forced proximity

[Steffi Piot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ARC review:
For a debut novel I was impressed with Lyndsy’s writing style.

Personally I couldn’t really connect with the characters as I didn’t have the feeling I knew them very well. The story has a lot of potential, but I would’ve loved it if there was more overall depth to the book and would’ve loved to read how they reconnected and rediscovered each other as adults. I would not class this as a slow burn, as it lacked the build up and tension for me personally. I liked the dual POV’s and the fact that it started with his POV which does not happen very often. I felt the storyline of the prologue held no merit to the story, maybe it should have been of an earlier moment?
The epilogue had a different writing style as it switched to a 3rd POV and had time jumps, which were confusing for me.
Also spotted a few grammar and editorial mistakes.

Overall not bad for a debut novel as it was a light and easy read.

[Jenny Mervyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

There will be spoilers, proceed with caution.
I read this book, as an ARC. If I could give half stars, I would have given 3 1/2 stars.
I wanted to love this book, however, it didn’t have tension between characters and plot thickening.
What it DID have was romance.

This is a story of Collin and Bonnie. Collin comes from his homeland of Ireland, to Texas and his mother’s best friend and her family. Collin was on a road of destruction and his mother wanted to put him on a better path. Enter Bonnie, the daughter of said best friend. Collin and Bonnie become close friends and at the threshold of a romantic relationship, Collin goes back to Ireland. No explanation made to Bonnie. What confused me was why didn’t her mother tell her? Why the big secret that this guys dad died?

Collin comes back 10 years later and all is revealed as to why he left. Romantic relationship ensues. I would have loved to have more of a build up, more tension and plot thickening. I love a plot where you see the romance building and I just didn’t see that here.

Some books I’ve read before this one, were of a heavier content. So this was a good reprieve from that. What I like to call a palate cleanser, which I do like having. Palate cleansers are needed in the literary world.

As a debut novel, this is good. I see a future in this authors work, as she hones her techniques. I wouldn’t say no to reading any other future works by this author.

[Hannah Elders · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Love, Luck, and Lone Star Nights by Lyndsy Rachele
I read this book as an ARC. It was a sweet and heartfelt debut novel. The romance is the main focus, and while I personally would have liked more build-up, tension, and depth in the plot, it was still a fun read. The characters were likable, and the story had a comforting quality to it.

I think this book would be a great read after a heavier book. It was light, easy to follow, and gave me exactly what I needed—a softer story with romance at its core. This is also a slow-burn romance story.

For a debut, I think the author did a great job laying the foundation of her writing style. I can see her craft only improving with time, and I’d definitely be interested in reading more of her future works.

[Nessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who loves an Irishman who is a cowboy and is a general walking talking green flag? Let me introduce you to Collin who is a lovely human who just wants to love and care for the women of his dreams.
Do you love a head-strong, animal loving, knows what she wants…kinda… girly?
This is Bonnie, she has (reasonable) abandonment issues which Collin takes his time and works on with her.
This story really has such a sweet undertone which I loved! There’s no cheating or anything of that nature in this story. Such a great read!

[Anah Grindrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story between Collin and Bonnie, Collin comes back from Ireland after 10 years to get Bonnie who he had left the night of prom with no call or note, he was determined to give her the truth and to prove he had changed.

Bonnie is moving back home, she has experienced hurt and abandonment not once but twice, she has her walls very much up and Collin works patiently to break all those walls down.

I struggled to initially get into this book but once i got over the first few chapter i was hooked.

[Yola84 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to move to Ireland and go and get a man like Collin. This book felt like a warm hug and had me in tears. Brought out all emotions that I felt for their love. Great story I enjoyed it.

[Kristina Parrish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya'll!!! This book was written beautifully! It's a story about Collin, an Irish lad who is sent away to a ranch on texas, and that is where he meets Bonnie. Beautiful, sure of herself, and everything he never knew he needed.

This book gives a wonderful mix of that slow burn and second chance romance...with a good amount of forced proximity and enemies to lovers. And its def giving found family.

If you love a good slow burn and you are looking to add a beautifully written love story to your tbr. Follow this author, grab her book, amd dive in! 4/5 recommend!!

[Karena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, Luck, and Lone Star Nights

I enjoyed this book. It had a homey feel to it. High school friends who missed their chance to see what could have happened get a second chance and find their happy ending. Although I had some issues, for instance, I felt there was a lot of repetitive writing, things that didn't need to be said. However, because this was the first in the series, it was a good start.

[Stephanie Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my the Irish and Texas ties in this were so romantic. This made me want to eventually experience Dublin myself one day! Collin and Bonnie have so much backstory and so much pull to each other! I loved the banter between friends and family but also the raw emotion in the words! I received this as an arc read and I can’t wait to get a physical copy to put on my shelf!

[Aris|chaptersinacardigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc Review:
This is a second chance western romance book. It follows the story of Bonnie and Collin who were childhood friends hoping to start a relationship in their teens when fate steps in and they go their separate ways. There is a big time jump and now they are adults coming back to their beloved Texas farm. Collin never got over her and has a plan to win her back. Bonnie is not sure if she can trust him. I feel like the pacing is a little off it can be slow at some parts of the story and other parts it jumps. I would have like to have seen more glimpses of their love. I want to know how and why they fell in love. Overall, if you are here for the Irish/Country vibes it is a cute romance that show love is persistent and you can’t escape it.

[Grace Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review. For a debut novel it is a very cute story. It was slower in some parts that didn’t need to be I feel like. Bonnie and Collin’s relationship was understandable and swoon worthy. If you can get over how slow the build is at times, the book is a great romance read.

[shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Fable and Fern Literary Co. for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Collin O’Grady is an Irishman living in Texas. Bonnie grew up in Texas and moved back to start something new. She’s also leaving a horrible past and a horrible fiancé.

Overall, I liked the characters and the side characters. While they weren’t that flawed, they were all written, in my opinion, as good people. They didn’t have many demoralizing qualities, and their character flaws were not anxiety-inducing. It was nice to see a book that centered characters around their good, positive flaws. Around character that I could root for. We also got a lot of insight into their hopes and dreams.

I also liked that Collin and Bonnie had a good relationship with their parents and or their siblings. I am used to reading books where absent parental relationships are used as a plot point or are a staple of a character's personality—so this was refreshing to read.

I felt this novel stalled around the 140-page mark. After the characters hook up, nothing else happens. There is no other conflict—they visit Ireland, the FMC starts her veterinary practice, and then they get married. Everything seems easy peasy. I felt that there is no additional conflict and that brings Collin and Bonnie closer or pulls them apart for a bit to really make the happy ending happy.

Page 140 is also when we get the first love scene. This is approximately 40 percent into the novel. This was also a no from me because the characters fall instantly in love again after this. They think about it for the rest of the novel and we get a lot of internal thoughts about their relationship. Having characters connect like this so early into the novel ruined the pacing, in my opinion.

The structure of this novel was also a miss for me. On page 50, Collin is convincing Bonnie that she still feels something between them. This is like 13 percent into the book. They first met in high school and have not seen each other in a while. This should have happened at the 70/80 percent mark. They should have met again, run off to Ireland (while hating each other), come back to Texas, and fallen in love.

Additionally, about a quarter way into this novel, there is one primary conflict between the ranch, the characters, and the wild animals. Collin shoots and kills a mountain lion. (There is no trigger warning in the book, so be prepared if you are sensitive to animal death.) This death brings Collin and Bonnie together because Collin saves the other horses from potentially being wounded. Personally, this confuses me. Bonnie is a vet and wants to open her practice. I know wild animals aren’t pets; however, if your character is a vet, they probably inherently love all animals. I felt that killing a mountain lion was a poor plot point for a character with this type of job.

Overall, this book was fine. If the structure had been a little different, I would have enjoyed it more. I would read another novel by Lyndsy Rachele because I can’t say no to a cowboy romance.

[Tiffany Barnhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m absolutely love this book. It is written really well. The author did a great job telling the history of the characters without it being confusing or it bouncing back and forth. You could feel the chemistry between them from the start. The whole story kept my attention from start to finish. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good second chance book.