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Second Chance Ranch #3
Need You Close
Need You Close is book three in beloved author Annabeth Albert’s small-town Colorado cowboy romance series with Yellowstone meets Schitt’s Creek vibes. This return to the ranch features an unlikely friendship between a highly capable horse veterinarian and a newly injured military vet turned ranch hand. Hurt/comfort, new friends-to-lovers, mature main characters, disability rep, mental health rep, found family, and big feels with a standalone HEA guaranteed!
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2026
90 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Annabeth Albert
105 books3,774 followersFrequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 8, 2026
~3.5~
Need You Close is my favorite of the three Second Chance Ranch books.
The hurt/comfort trope is very prominent; everyone needs fixing: Carson, on full military medical discharge due to a severe TBI; Jude, the lonely veterinarian who has leftover trauma from his stint in the Army; Linus, an injured horse; and Lucky, a stray dog (I wanted more Lucky!).
When done well, which it is here, the pain/healing motif can be transformative. Both MCs grow as people during the story.
Admittedly, I liked Carson more than Jude. He was more open with his emotions (or at least attempted to be) and worked hard to make a life for himself at the ranch. Jude, on the other hand, was a bit of a coward when it came to relationships (for a rather unconvincing reason), but he saved animals, so I forgave him.
The story faltered toward the end when the MCs stopped communicating (such a tired relationship trope, ugh). Thankfully, the pseudo separation didn't last long, and the HEA was just right.
This one can be read as a standalone. Besides Colt, Carson's brother, there's barely any mention of previous MCs.
Rounding down, because despite all the positives, there's something underwhelming about this book. I can't quite put my finger on it (maybe the redundant conversations and rote sex scenes?), but it's not a story that will linger in my mind.
Need You Close is my favorite of the three Second Chance Ranch books.
The hurt/comfort trope is very prominent; everyone needs fixing: Carson, on full military medical discharge due to a severe TBI; Jude, the lonely veterinarian who has leftover trauma from his stint in the Army; Linus, an injured horse; and Lucky, a stray dog (I wanted more Lucky!).
When done well, which it is here, the pain/healing motif can be transformative. Both MCs grow as people during the story.
Admittedly, I liked Carson more than Jude. He was more open with his emotions (or at least attempted to be) and worked hard to make a life for himself at the ranch. Jude, on the other hand, was a bit of a coward when it came to relationships (for a rather unconvincing reason), but he saved animals, so I forgave him.
The story faltered toward the end when the MCs stopped communicating (such a tired relationship trope, ugh). Thankfully, the pseudo separation didn't last long, and the HEA was just right.
This one can be read as a standalone. Besides Colt, Carson's brother, there's barely any mention of previous MCs.
Rounding down, because despite all the positives, there's something underwhelming about this book. I can't quite put my finger on it (maybe the redundant conversations and rote sex scenes?), but it's not a story that will linger in my mind.
Review of advance copy
I think this is probably my favourite in the series and definitely the pairing which resonated the most for me.
This book takes a very measured approach to how people deal with traumatic brain injury and with unresolved guilt acquired during military service.
There's a bit of the typical men not communicating their feelings but it doesn't drag on and it does make sense for the situation that Carson and Jude are in.
Most of the tension comes from Carson's situation and him having to adjust to being at the ranch and dealing with his brother's over-protective nature and finding his way through the frustrations of his TBI.
Jude's hangups mostly come from fears that the people he loves will leave him alongside a lot of repressed guilt over an incident while he was serving in the army. He does go to veteran meetings but never reveals any of his own issues.
Together their relationship begins very much as friendship and support but it's clear there are feelings developing the more time they spend doing veterinary related tasks with the horses, Carson's got a touch of the horse whisperer which makes Jude's job easier and he begins to relax the more time he spends with the other man.
I found them a sweet pairing and the way they grew closer also felt completely organic and believable, I was rooting for them both from the off and I liked that Carson gained more confidence the more he adjusted to how his TBI was going to affect his life.
Jude eventually also wised up to the knowledge that he had to deal with his unresolved guilt issues and his fears about being left alone, they started to communicate their concerns and eventual wishes about how they wanted things to go.
Alongside we get to meet some amazing animals and Annabeth shines a light on the work that places like Second Chance Ranch do for horses that need a little bit of extra care.
I loved seeing Carson gain confidence through his work with the horse, and Linus in particular, as well as the help he gave Jude on his veterinary runs.
I'm not sure if this is the final book in the series but, it it is, then it ends on a great note.
#ARC kindly received from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review
This book takes a very measured approach to how people deal with traumatic brain injury and with unresolved guilt acquired during military service.
There's a bit of the typical men not communicating their feelings but it doesn't drag on and it does make sense for the situation that Carson and Jude are in.
Most of the tension comes from Carson's situation and him having to adjust to being at the ranch and dealing with his brother's over-protective nature and finding his way through the frustrations of his TBI.
Jude's hangups mostly come from fears that the people he loves will leave him alongside a lot of repressed guilt over an incident while he was serving in the army. He does go to veteran meetings but never reveals any of his own issues.
Together their relationship begins very much as friendship and support but it's clear there are feelings developing the more time they spend doing veterinary related tasks with the horses, Carson's got a touch of the horse whisperer which makes Jude's job easier and he begins to relax the more time he spends with the other man.
I found them a sweet pairing and the way they grew closer also felt completely organic and believable, I was rooting for them both from the off and I liked that Carson gained more confidence the more he adjusted to how his TBI was going to affect his life.
Jude eventually also wised up to the knowledge that he had to deal with his unresolved guilt issues and his fears about being left alone, they started to communicate their concerns and eventual wishes about how they wanted things to go.
Alongside we get to meet some amazing animals and Annabeth shines a light on the work that places like Second Chance Ranch do for horses that need a little bit of extra care.
I loved seeing Carson gain confidence through his work with the horse, and Linus in particular, as well as the help he gave Jude on his veterinary runs.
I'm not sure if this is the final book in the series but, it it is, then it ends on a great note.
#ARC kindly received from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review
March 7, 2026
No one wanted to love this book more than me, I truly tried everything. This is all of my favourite tropes rolled into a book and I was so excited to read it but it ended up being really hard for me to stay invested in the story. But it had all of my favourite things so i’m going to assume it was just an issue because I was in a bad mood when I tried to read it and blame it on that!
Review of advance copy received from Author
There's something especially satisfying about a hard won happy ending. And Carson and Jude have a lot going against them. Carson just left the army with a TBI and is struggling to put his life back in some semblance of one piece, and while Jude has been out of the army for years the ghosts of it haven't left him yet.
It was, overall, a very sweet book, and I think it has to be my favorite from this series so far.
It was, overall, a very sweet book, and I think it has to be my favorite from this series so far.
March 15, 2026
Need You Close is the third book in Annabeth Albert’s Second Chance Ranch series and features a romance between Jude, the local vet and Carson, the brother of Cole from book one,
Want You Back
. As a long-time fan of the author’s it pains me to say that I found the book a slog to get through, easy to put down and hard to pick up again.
It’s a very low-angst, low-drama romance with a hurt/comfort theme; large-animal vet Jude is carrying lingering trauma from his time in the military and Carson, who is recovering from a TBI. has received a full medical discharge; Jude has spent most of his life in short-term or casual FWB relationships with people who eventually leave him, while Carson has only experienced a series of furtive hookups with guys in the service and is still in the closet. Jude is lonely; Carson isn’t quite sure what he wants, although seeing his brother happily coupled up is making him start to think about what he might want for himself.
The characters are well-drawn and likeable but not especially memorable, and the romance lacks chemistry and is kind of bland; there’s nothing really keeping them from being together other than Jude, who, for no good reason, is a bit of a wuss where relationships are concerned. Carson works hard to make a life for himself at the ranch and is much more self-aware and willing to take that necessary leap of faith in order to be with Jude. There’s a nice secondary plotline about a traumatised horse that Carson takes under his wing, but it’s a bit hit-you-over-the-head, and the late-book communication issues feel both contrived and too easily resolved.
Need You Close just didn’t hit the spot for me; it’s well-written and sugary-sweet, but is ultimately a bit uninspired.
It’s a very low-angst, low-drama romance with a hurt/comfort theme; large-animal vet Jude is carrying lingering trauma from his time in the military and Carson, who is recovering from a TBI. has received a full medical discharge; Jude has spent most of his life in short-term or casual FWB relationships with people who eventually leave him, while Carson has only experienced a series of furtive hookups with guys in the service and is still in the closet. Jude is lonely; Carson isn’t quite sure what he wants, although seeing his brother happily coupled up is making him start to think about what he might want for himself.
The characters are well-drawn and likeable but not especially memorable, and the romance lacks chemistry and is kind of bland; there’s nothing really keeping them from being together other than Jude, who, for no good reason, is a bit of a wuss where relationships are concerned. Carson works hard to make a life for himself at the ranch and is much more self-aware and willing to take that necessary leap of faith in order to be with Jude. There’s a nice secondary plotline about a traumatised horse that Carson takes under his wing, but it’s a bit hit-you-over-the-head, and the late-book communication issues feel both contrived and too easily resolved.
Need You Close just didn’t hit the spot for me; it’s well-written and sugary-sweet, but is ultimately a bit uninspired.
March 8, 2026
This is a friends to more small town romance, featuring Jude and Carson, and is book two in the Second Chance Ranch series.
Veterinarian Jude forms a close friendship with Carson, a wounded veteran who has just returned to town. As their connection grows into something more, Jude must overcome his fears and risk their friendship for love.
This is a heartfelt story and I really enjoyed it. Jude and Carson are so frigging sweet together, there is this caring and supportiveness between them, and I loved how the friendship moves into something deeper and heartfelt.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 3 in series
MM romance
Small town
Friends to more
Best friend’s brother
Veterinarian x ranch hand
Both military veterans
Both crushing hard
Pan rep
Closeted MC
Forced proximity
Road trip
Spicy times
All the firsts
Secret relationship
Coming out
Found family
HEA
Veterinarian Jude forms a close friendship with Carson, a wounded veteran who has just returned to town. As their connection grows into something more, Jude must overcome his fears and risk their friendship for love.
This is a heartfelt story and I really enjoyed it. Jude and Carson are so frigging sweet together, there is this caring and supportiveness between them, and I loved how the friendship moves into something deeper and heartfelt.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 3 in series
MM romance
Small town
Friends to more
Best friend’s brother
Veterinarian x ranch hand
Both military veterans
Both crushing hard
Pan rep
Closeted MC
Forced proximity
Road trip
Spicy times
All the firsts
Secret relationship
Coming out
Found family
HEA
March 10, 2026
Rating: 4
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: friends to lovers, hurt / comfort, found family
A swoony and slow burn friends to lovers romance! I loved the chemistry between Carson and Jude, and their mutual crushing and pining was so well written!
RTC
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: friends to lovers, hurt / comfort, found family
A swoony and slow burn friends to lovers romance! I loved the chemistry between Carson and Jude, and their mutual crushing and pining was so well written!
RTC
March 11, 2026
Dang! The life lessons in this one really hit home. As someone who married her best friend almost 50 years ago, it doesn't seem possible that HB is still the same caring a$$hole he was when I married him. Growing old with him has been a privilege that I try not to take for granted.
I think if I were to say what my one takeaway from this series was, it would be that showing kindness is never the wrong answer. It can't fix everything, and it can't solve every problem, but it can give hope when hope is needed most. And, sometimes, all we need is a little hope to find our own way through a difficult situation!
I think if I were to say what my one takeaway from this series was, it would be that showing kindness is never the wrong answer. It can't fix everything, and it can't solve every problem, but it can give hope when hope is needed most. And, sometimes, all we need is a little hope to find our own way through a difficult situation!
March 14, 2026
Another perfectly fine book in this series. There wasn't really anything egregiously wrong with it, but the characters and storyline just never managed to hold my interest, despite some promising set-up. I just didn't really care, and it took ages for me to finish because I wasn't really invested.
March 6, 2026
Need You Close beings to military vets together on ranch as they bond over trauma and horses. A small town romance with a slow burn, friends to lovers and low drama that will leave you with a smile on your face .
March 9, 2026
4.5 stars
Carson Jennings is coming home after a military career ending with an injury and a complete change in his life. He is coming to work on the ranch with his brother and new brother-in-law, and to rebuild his life. He hates his new challenges and does not like to get special treatment or be underestimated or coddled.
Jude is a local large animal vet who is also a military veteran so he does have some understanding of Carson's plight. He is patient, kind, and friendly, but has been lonely himself.
Jude tries to get Carson in touch with support groups and honestly enjoys spending time with him.
Carson likes assisting Jude with his work, and how he treats him with respect and does not focus on his challenges.
A new friendship. Companionship. A skittish attraction. They are initially not sure how the other feels and are afraid to mess up their new friendship with misconceptions.
I really liked these two together. They balance each other well, and both were so in need of finding a person who would accept them for who they were. Jude was so patient, kind, and didn’t treat Carson like he had a disability. He just saw the man whom he likes spending time with. And Carson opens up more and more as he’s able to feel safe with Jude in order to explore more of life and intimacy. But bless their hearts, they both had some baggage, fears, insecurities, and survivors guilt. They worry about messing up their friendship or getting hurt or of not being enough. So there’s also a real hurt-comfort aspect as they build this friendship and feel their way towards a relationship. I loved seeing them both grow individually, begin to heal, improve their feelings of self-worth, and find hope and relief their loneliness. It brings back the other couples from the first two books in the ranch setting.
It's a slow burn, hurt-comfort, new friends-to-lovers, friend's-younger-brother, found family, ranch/small town romance. It is low angst, but has enough depth. Both have opportunities for emotional growth. It brings back the other couples from the first two books and the ranch setting. I also really liked Carson's growth as a ranch hand and his love for the horses.
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Carson Jennings is coming home after a military career ending with an injury and a complete change in his life. He is coming to work on the ranch with his brother and new brother-in-law, and to rebuild his life. He hates his new challenges and does not like to get special treatment or be underestimated or coddled.
Jude is a local large animal vet who is also a military veteran so he does have some understanding of Carson's plight. He is patient, kind, and friendly, but has been lonely himself.
Jude tries to get Carson in touch with support groups and honestly enjoys spending time with him.
Carson likes assisting Jude with his work, and how he treats him with respect and does not focus on his challenges.
A new friendship. Companionship. A skittish attraction. They are initially not sure how the other feels and are afraid to mess up their new friendship with misconceptions.
I really liked these two together. They balance each other well, and both were so in need of finding a person who would accept them for who they were. Jude was so patient, kind, and didn’t treat Carson like he had a disability. He just saw the man whom he likes spending time with. And Carson opens up more and more as he’s able to feel safe with Jude in order to explore more of life and intimacy. But bless their hearts, they both had some baggage, fears, insecurities, and survivors guilt. They worry about messing up their friendship or getting hurt or of not being enough. So there’s also a real hurt-comfort aspect as they build this friendship and feel their way towards a relationship. I loved seeing them both grow individually, begin to heal, improve their feelings of self-worth, and find hope and relief their loneliness. It brings back the other couples from the first two books in the ranch setting.
It's a slow burn, hurt-comfort, new friends-to-lovers, friend's-younger-brother, found family, ranch/small town romance. It is low angst, but has enough depth. Both have opportunities for emotional growth. It brings back the other couples from the first two books and the ranch setting. I also really liked Carson's growth as a ranch hand and his love for the horses.
March 8, 2026
FR- Alors alors.... alors j'aime énormément cette série et je dois dire que ce troisième tome est toujours aussi bon.
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'histoire de Jude et Carson, ces deux personnages abimés par la vie qui vont petit à petit se reconstruire grâce à l'autre. J'ai aimé le fait que se soit principalement leur amitié qui les aide à se reconstruire et que la romance ne soit au final que la suite logique de cette forte amitié.
Le thèmes abordés une fois de plus sont très forts et très bien abordés. On sent qu'Annabeth Albert a, comme toujours, pris grand soin de se documenter sur le sujet.
L'alternance de point de vue apporte énormément à l'histoire.
Je sais que c'est quelque chose de très courant voir d'incontournable aujourd'hui en romance mais j'ai particulièrement aimé avoir le point de vue des deux personnages qui sont vraiment différents l'un de l'autre. J'ai aussi beaucoup apprécié qu'il n'y ai pas de drama inutile entre eux et qu'ils communiquent rapidement en cas de malentendu.
Les obstacles viennent de leurs passés et de leurs blessures.
Mais leur relation n'est jamais un obstacle et Carson et Jude communiquent, échangent et s'écoutent. Ils s'apportent énormément l'un à l'autre et on le voit guérir au fil des pages.
En résumé, un très très bon troisieme tome d'une très très bonne série.
ENG-So, so... so, I love this series so much and I must say that this third volume is just as good.
I really enjoyed Jude and Carson's story, these two characters scarred by life who gradually rebuild themselves thanks to each other. I loved that it's primarily their friendship that helps them heal, and that the romance is ultimately just the logical continuation of this strong bond.
The themes explored are, once again, very powerful and very well handled. You can tell that Annabeth Albert, as always, took great care in researching the subject.
The alternating points of view add a great deal to the story.
I know it's very common, even essential, in romance novels these days, but I particularly enjoyed having the perspective of both characters, who are so different from each other. I also really appreciated that there wasn't any unnecessary drama between them and that they communicated quickly when there were misunderstandings.
The obstacles stem from their pasts and their wounds.
But their relationship is never an obstacle, and Carson and Jude communicate, share, and listen to each other. They bring a great deal to each other, and we see him heal as the story unfolds.
In summary, a very, very good third volume in a very, very good series.
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'histoire de Jude et Carson, ces deux personnages abimés par la vie qui vont petit à petit se reconstruire grâce à l'autre. J'ai aimé le fait que se soit principalement leur amitié qui les aide à se reconstruire et que la romance ne soit au final que la suite logique de cette forte amitié.
Le thèmes abordés une fois de plus sont très forts et très bien abordés. On sent qu'Annabeth Albert a, comme toujours, pris grand soin de se documenter sur le sujet.
L'alternance de point de vue apporte énormément à l'histoire.
Je sais que c'est quelque chose de très courant voir d'incontournable aujourd'hui en romance mais j'ai particulièrement aimé avoir le point de vue des deux personnages qui sont vraiment différents l'un de l'autre. J'ai aussi beaucoup apprécié qu'il n'y ai pas de drama inutile entre eux et qu'ils communiquent rapidement en cas de malentendu.
Les obstacles viennent de leurs passés et de leurs blessures.
Mais leur relation n'est jamais un obstacle et Carson et Jude communiquent, échangent et s'écoutent. Ils s'apportent énormément l'un à l'autre et on le voit guérir au fil des pages.
En résumé, un très très bon troisieme tome d'une très très bonne série.
ENG-So, so... so, I love this series so much and I must say that this third volume is just as good.
I really enjoyed Jude and Carson's story, these two characters scarred by life who gradually rebuild themselves thanks to each other. I loved that it's primarily their friendship that helps them heal, and that the romance is ultimately just the logical continuation of this strong bond.
The themes explored are, once again, very powerful and very well handled. You can tell that Annabeth Albert, as always, took great care in researching the subject.
The alternating points of view add a great deal to the story.
I know it's very common, even essential, in romance novels these days, but I particularly enjoyed having the perspective of both characters, who are so different from each other. I also really appreciated that there wasn't any unnecessary drama between them and that they communicated quickly when there were misunderstandings.
The obstacles stem from their pasts and their wounds.
But their relationship is never an obstacle, and Carson and Jude communicate, share, and listen to each other. They bring a great deal to each other, and we see him heal as the story unfolds.
In summary, a very, very good third volume in a very, very good series.
March 17, 2026
This has been my favorite of this series so far. And, better yet, it can easily be read as a standalone. There has been something I cannot quite put my finger on that is missing in this series. That doesn’t mean the books aren’t good, because they are. But I am used to being fully locked in from the beginning with this author’s books. While I am engaged and look forward to reading the stories, it’s not to the same level as their previous series.
That all being said, I fell hard for Carson and Jude. They have a quiet romance, building a strong friendship before finally giving in to their deeper feelings for each other. Jude doesn’t believe his life as a big animal vet, who is often called out for emergencies at inconvenient times, is conducive to having a romantic relationship. He’s not one to be intimate with someone he’s not close with, so Jude’s life is pretty empty. Carson has just returned home after being medically discharged from the military with a traumatic brain injury. He hates how everyone is hovering over him and dictating what he should and should not be doing. Jude gives Carson space to judge where he is with his recovery, and that is worth more than gold to Carson.
The relationship, even the early friendship in some ways, between Carson and Jude is a bit of a secret. Again, Carson doesn’t want speculation or opinions from his family. They mean well, but he needs to live his life on his terms. Jude is friends with Carson’s family and doesn’t want to rock the boat. The couple being in their own bubble for much of the time opens up so many opportunities for them to share things and get to know each other on a deep level. They are fantastic at communication.
As much as it can annoy me when characters can have a conversation to solve their problems, it’s also how real life seems to work. And it struck true that as soon as Jude and Carson start defining their relationship as romantic, the easy communication they had starts to break down. There is more at stake now, and they’re both afraid. Thankfully, it doesn’t drag on when they have their issues, and they are able to dig even deeper once they get beyond their hangups.
The hurt/comfort of this story was handled perfectly. Both Jude and Carson had their times to be the comforted and the comforter, and both handled the job well.
That all being said, I fell hard for Carson and Jude. They have a quiet romance, building a strong friendship before finally giving in to their deeper feelings for each other. Jude doesn’t believe his life as a big animal vet, who is often called out for emergencies at inconvenient times, is conducive to having a romantic relationship. He’s not one to be intimate with someone he’s not close with, so Jude’s life is pretty empty. Carson has just returned home after being medically discharged from the military with a traumatic brain injury. He hates how everyone is hovering over him and dictating what he should and should not be doing. Jude gives Carson space to judge where he is with his recovery, and that is worth more than gold to Carson.
The relationship, even the early friendship in some ways, between Carson and Jude is a bit of a secret. Again, Carson doesn’t want speculation or opinions from his family. They mean well, but he needs to live his life on his terms. Jude is friends with Carson’s family and doesn’t want to rock the boat. The couple being in their own bubble for much of the time opens up so many opportunities for them to share things and get to know each other on a deep level. They are fantastic at communication.
As much as it can annoy me when characters can have a conversation to solve their problems, it’s also how real life seems to work. And it struck true that as soon as Jude and Carson start defining their relationship as romantic, the easy communication they had starts to break down. There is more at stake now, and they’re both afraid. Thankfully, it doesn’t drag on when they have their issues, and they are able to dig even deeper once they get beyond their hangups.
The hurt/comfort of this story was handled perfectly. Both Jude and Carson had their times to be the comforted and the comforter, and both handled the job well.
March 6, 2026
Beautiful Romance 😍
My favourite of the series so far. Annabeth delivers a poignant and emotional read, using a powerful hurt/comfort dynamic. The story is slow burn and explores the development of trust and healing between two men suffering from trauma: Jude, is a horse veterinarian, and Carson, a veteran living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Their connection is instant, yet both are wary of becoming too close, and avoid any physical connection. As you would expect from Annabeth, there's no easy fix, instead she describes the painstaking growth of trust between Carson and Jude, both of whom have suffered too much to fall easily.
While the beginning is heartbreaking, their bond evolves into something incredibly sweet and heartwarming. There's also a mutt and a horse involved in the healing, I love animals in stories, they just make me so happy!
Annabeth is so good at writing about characters who lack both confidence and self belief. Though their journey is heart rending and initially pretty angsty, the payoff is worth it. I particularly loved Carson’s devotion, and once he was all in, he never pressured Jude or issued ultimatums. He simply stayed by his side, demonstrating his love quietly until Jude was finally ready to accept it.
I was hooked on this story from the very first page. The storyline is wonderful and felt so real. I couldn't get enough of these guys, I fell in love with both of them immediately. It’s a beautiful, quiet, and deeply emotional love story that shows Annabeth at her best, she really knows how to pull at the heartstrings. So good! 😊
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
My favourite of the series so far. Annabeth delivers a poignant and emotional read, using a powerful hurt/comfort dynamic. The story is slow burn and explores the development of trust and healing between two men suffering from trauma: Jude, is a horse veterinarian, and Carson, a veteran living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Their connection is instant, yet both are wary of becoming too close, and avoid any physical connection. As you would expect from Annabeth, there's no easy fix, instead she describes the painstaking growth of trust between Carson and Jude, both of whom have suffered too much to fall easily.
While the beginning is heartbreaking, their bond evolves into something incredibly sweet and heartwarming. There's also a mutt and a horse involved in the healing, I love animals in stories, they just make me so happy!
Annabeth is so good at writing about characters who lack both confidence and self belief. Though their journey is heart rending and initially pretty angsty, the payoff is worth it. I particularly loved Carson’s devotion, and once he was all in, he never pressured Jude or issued ultimatums. He simply stayed by his side, demonstrating his love quietly until Jude was finally ready to accept it.
I was hooked on this story from the very first page. The storyline is wonderful and felt so real. I couldn't get enough of these guys, I fell in love with both of them immediately. It’s a beautiful, quiet, and deeply emotional love story that shows Annabeth at her best, she really knows how to pull at the heartstrings. So good! 😊
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
March 6, 2026
Oh man I loved these guys.
In the previous books, Carson was the brother off fighting in the military and Jude was the big animal vet we wanted to know more about. And now we have it.
Carson is home after suffering a TBI and being medically discharged. Seeing the back and forth of people who care and want to help and the solitary military guy who just wants to be treated like everyone else was something we've all seen or felt at one time or another. The only person who doesn't coddle Carson is Jude. In fact Jude has more confidence in Carson's abilities than Carson does.
The men become close friends before taking that next step. Carson is not only still in the closet, but he doesn't think anyone would want to deal with the effects of the TBI that plague him. Whereas Jude is out (pan) but he is still nursing a broken heart from losing his parents. And he doesn't believe anyone would put up with his crazy hours as a vet.
I loved having them become friends first. Because, be honest, making friends as an adult is hard. So when they became such quick friends it was obvious that they were meant to be.
My only quibble is that Carson had big speech problems at the beginning that mostly disappeared without it being acknowledged. Carson also couldn't drive and that was brought up many times. To go from really tripping over words and forgetting words to full sentences without a mention was a bit much.
But still, this book was really good. I liked that we touched base a bit with previous main characters but they were definitely in the background.
In the previous books, Carson was the brother off fighting in the military and Jude was the big animal vet we wanted to know more about. And now we have it.
Carson is home after suffering a TBI and being medically discharged. Seeing the back and forth of people who care and want to help and the solitary military guy who just wants to be treated like everyone else was something we've all seen or felt at one time or another. The only person who doesn't coddle Carson is Jude. In fact Jude has more confidence in Carson's abilities than Carson does.
The men become close friends before taking that next step. Carson is not only still in the closet, but he doesn't think anyone would want to deal with the effects of the TBI that plague him. Whereas Jude is out (pan) but he is still nursing a broken heart from losing his parents. And he doesn't believe anyone would put up with his crazy hours as a vet.
I loved having them become friends first. Because, be honest, making friends as an adult is hard. So when they became such quick friends it was obvious that they were meant to be.
My only quibble is that Carson had big speech problems at the beginning that mostly disappeared without it being acknowledged. Carson also couldn't drive and that was brought up many times. To go from really tripping over words and forgetting words to full sentences without a mention was a bit much.
But still, this book was really good. I liked that we touched base a bit with previous main characters but they were definitely in the background.
March 8, 2026
NEED YOU CLOSE is the third book in the Second Chance Ranch series. It is a standalone and can be read that way but reads so much better if you read in the order that the author intended.
What to expect:
🐎Slow Burn
🐎Hurt/Comfort
🐎Slow Burn to Sizzling Chemistry
🐎Friends to Forever
🐎Sensual Exploration
🐎Disability Rep
🐎Mature Main Characters
🐎Found Family
🐎Deep Emotional Growth
🐎Low-Angst
Carson Jennings is Colt's brother. (Want You Back) Carson has come back to Lovelorn CO and to Second Chance Ranch after a TBI he received while in the Army. Carson knows he can never had the life he once did but he refuses to be a burden either. He's capable of working and being a farm hand and helping with the horses. When he meets the vet, Jude he feels almost at peace since he's the only one not babying him. Jude understands Carson on level the other don't since he was in the army too. The more time the men spend together the closer they become. Carson wants more but Jude is scared since everything he's ever loved was taken from him. Is he willing to let Carson all the way in? And deal with the guilt he has over his time in the Army?
This is a very sweet read. Carson and Jude were perfect for each other in every way. The grew so much during the course of this book. Both finally realizing they were more than what the Army left them as. I can't wait to see what's next in this series.
I was given a free copy of this book to read and review by the author.
What to expect:
🐎Slow Burn
🐎Hurt/Comfort
🐎Slow Burn to Sizzling Chemistry
🐎Friends to Forever
🐎Sensual Exploration
🐎Disability Rep
🐎Mature Main Characters
🐎Found Family
🐎Deep Emotional Growth
🐎Low-Angst
Carson Jennings is Colt's brother. (Want You Back) Carson has come back to Lovelorn CO and to Second Chance Ranch after a TBI he received while in the Army. Carson knows he can never had the life he once did but he refuses to be a burden either. He's capable of working and being a farm hand and helping with the horses. When he meets the vet, Jude he feels almost at peace since he's the only one not babying him. Jude understands Carson on level the other don't since he was in the army too. The more time the men spend together the closer they become. Carson wants more but Jude is scared since everything he's ever loved was taken from him. Is he willing to let Carson all the way in? And deal with the guilt he has over his time in the Army?
This is a very sweet read. Carson and Jude were perfect for each other in every way. The grew so much during the course of this book. Both finally realizing they were more than what the Army left them as. I can't wait to see what's next in this series.
I was given a free copy of this book to read and review by the author.
March 8, 2026
This is the third book in the Second Chance Ranch. This is the story of Carson Jennings and Jude. Carson has come to the ranch after being medically discharged from the military for a TBI. He is going to find his new normal here where his over protective big brother lives. Jude is the veterinarian for the ranch. He too is ex military. He has come home after both his parents died and Jude is still working his way through the grief. They both meet on Carson's first day when Jude requests help with a horse. Jude offers to bring Carson to the next veteran's support group in Durango if he is interested. This is their story. The book is well written and easy to read. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review. I really liked how Jude respected Carson right from the very beginning. He didn't coddle him nor did he make decisions for him. He seemed at times to have more confidence in Carson than Carson did in himself. Both men treated the other with kindness and respect. Another great read by this author.
March 8, 2026
i like this story but the ,main issue i have is- I feel like this author sets up so many metaphors in the story it's starting to feel like I'm being force fed the emotional process each character goes through.
Jude has his own issues and set of internal beliefs and Carson is like a prescription made to order to solve all of them. And normally that's what I like about books and this author, but it just feels like there are so many "echoes" of the same thing in the story.
Like Carson is being "echoed" by the rescue horse, with the same physical difficulties he faces after his injury. And him being a veteran and Jude facing similar things from his army days...
I felt like I was constantly being TOLD instead of SHOWN through the story and character ARC. It got me out of the story a bit, like I got it, the meanings and similarities and how they heal each other you don't have to keep telling me. I also felt like they were interoperating too much in the others eyes- how can you tell so many complex emotions from someone's eyes? Again, being TOLD emotions and not SHOWN them through actions.
Its was predictable and sweet, the steam was good, just not her greatest story yet....
Jude has his own issues and set of internal beliefs and Carson is like a prescription made to order to solve all of them. And normally that's what I like about books and this author, but it just feels like there are so many "echoes" of the same thing in the story.
Like Carson is being "echoed" by the rescue horse, with the same physical difficulties he faces after his injury. And him being a veteran and Jude facing similar things from his army days...
I felt like I was constantly being TOLD instead of SHOWN through the story and character ARC. It got me out of the story a bit, like I got it, the meanings and similarities and how they heal each other you don't have to keep telling me. I also felt like they were interoperating too much in the others eyes- how can you tell so many complex emotions from someone's eyes? Again, being TOLD emotions and not SHOWN them through actions.
Its was predictable and sweet, the steam was good, just not her greatest story yet....
March 9, 2026
I felt like I was sitting on my front porch drinking a cold lemonade and my new friends Carson and Jude told me their story and I was engrossed to say the very least. Carson, back in his hometown after a military career ending injury left him with a TBI, is trying to find his place in Lovelorn, Colorado. He finds work on his brother-in-law's ranch working with the horses. He falls in love with the underdog horses while also working on his own recovery.
Jude is the local vet and works his tail off. He is loved by all but in reality is really lonely. It was totally a surprise to me that Jude kept his heart so locked up tight. He and Carson quickly build a connection based on their time in the military and their love of horses.
I loved the evolution of their relationship and how Carson may have been skittish at first but went all in pretty quickly. Carson and Jude definitely are friends first and foremost but also have a very evident connection with one another. If you are in need of a low angst book that delivers on all of the feels, found family, and a really great connection this book most definitely needs to be on your kindle.
Jude is the local vet and works his tail off. He is loved by all but in reality is really lonely. It was totally a surprise to me that Jude kept his heart so locked up tight. He and Carson quickly build a connection based on their time in the military and their love of horses.
I loved the evolution of their relationship and how Carson may have been skittish at first but went all in pretty quickly. Carson and Jude definitely are friends first and foremost but also have a very evident connection with one another. If you are in need of a low angst book that delivers on all of the feels, found family, and a really great connection this book most definitely needs to be on your kindle.
March 12, 2026
Need You Close by Annabeth Albert is the third book in the Second Chance ranch series. The two main characters are Carson a ranch hand who is recovering following a traumatic brain injury and has recently been medically discharged from the Military, and Jude, the local vet who looks after the Ranch horses and is also good friends with Carson's older brother. A mutual love of animals and a shared understanding of Military life brings these two together, which ultimately leads to feelings developing in this slow burn hurt/comfort romance. Carson was a really interesting character and we followed his journey as he had to rediscover himself following his injury and when others didn’t, Jude really gave him the space to do that and process how his life had changed. In return, it was really beautiful to watch Carson help Jude move on from carrying a lot of pain and guilt to ultimately heal. It really was a beautiful story, although the pacing was a bit slow for me. When they decided to get together it was hard fought HEA. It would been have nice to have spent a bit more time with them as a couple, but overall I would recommend this book. 4.2/5
March 16, 2026
Need You Close is the third book in the Second Chance Ranch series by Annabeth Albert. I really loved this series and these characters. Carson is Colt's brother and Jude is the town vet. Carson is recovering from a TBI and struggles to get the right words out at the right time. He's working on the ranch and has a way with the horses. Jude and Carson become friends. They have real conversations and spend time together off the ranch, just as friends. Carson is getting better and stronger and Jude enjoys his company. There's attraction simmering between them, but neither wants to make the first move. Once Carson let's Jude know he wants more, it is on. It's sweet and hot and they vow to stay friends, but really want what they share behind closed doors. Jude has things in his past that hold him back and Carson is trying to move on from his injury. Together they learn they need each other and want more. I love Jude! He's so friendly and smart and caring. Carson is tough and sweet and together they are hot! I enjoyed their romance and this series. Looking forward to what Annabeth has up next for us!
March 7, 2026
“Need You Close” by Annabeth Albert was exactly the book I was hoping for after reading the first two Second Chance Ranch stories. I’ve been waiting for Carson and Jude, and this delivered in the best way. As a double hurt/comfort romance, it’s deeply centered on learning to accept support, naming your needs out loud, and letting yourself be loved even when that feels terrifying.
I really appreciated getting chapters from both perspectives. Jude may be the steady, highly capable veterinarian, but he’s also lonely in a way that sneaks up on you, and it made his yearning feel quiet and real. And I loved that Jude is the more experienced one, which adds a refreshing dynamic to their relationship. Carson, meanwhile, is dealing with so much, and every time he pulls away, from his family, the ranch hands, even Jude, it feels heartbreakingly understandable. Watching him take small, hard steps toward connection and trust was incredibly satisfying.
What impressed me most is how invested I became in a relatively short number of pages. I kept telling myself I’d stop at the next chapter and didn’t. By the end, I was up late, teary, and completely in it. Annabeth Albert has a gift for weaving emotional tenderness, growth, and found family into a story that hits you right in the chest.
I really appreciated getting chapters from both perspectives. Jude may be the steady, highly capable veterinarian, but he’s also lonely in a way that sneaks up on you, and it made his yearning feel quiet and real. And I loved that Jude is the more experienced one, which adds a refreshing dynamic to their relationship. Carson, meanwhile, is dealing with so much, and every time he pulls away, from his family, the ranch hands, even Jude, it feels heartbreakingly understandable. Watching him take small, hard steps toward connection and trust was incredibly satisfying.
What impressed me most is how invested I became in a relatively short number of pages. I kept telling myself I’d stop at the next chapter and didn’t. By the end, I was up late, teary, and completely in it. Annabeth Albert has a gift for weaving emotional tenderness, growth, and found family into a story that hits you right in the chest.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jude and Carson have become my fave couple in the series. They both have struggled enormously since their time in the military - Carson with a TBI and Jude with his own internal struggles. These two wonderful men worked hard to find the right balance for their relationship and I loved their emotional growth as their situation morphed from friends to more. Theirs is a low angst journey but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have some minor difficulties to overcome before getting their HEA. I applaud the author for her sensitivity in exploring the physical and emotional scars that veterans face on a daily basis. This was very evident in the veterans support group scenes. I loved the balance of the slow burn romance with the struggles faced by Carson and Jude. There’s sweet and steamy moments, equine therapy for both the horse and human, a great cast of side characters for added interest and a dog that chooses its reluctant human!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Third in series (Second Chance Ranch), but can be read as a standalone. Friends to lovers. Mature characters. Hurt/comfort. Disability representation. Mental health representation. Slow burn. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.
Carson has returned home after being injured in the military and is still rehabbing while working as a ranch hand. Veterinarian Jude reaches out to Carson as a fellow veteran and enjoys the easy friendship they have building, but the mutual attraction may be too hard to resist.
This story was full of supportive characters and men fighting their own battles with as much strength as they can muster. Both Carson and Jude were likable characters and have personal struggles, but together they ease into a relationship that is sweet, kind, and steamy. I appreciated the different disability representations, the peek into veterinary work, and that these two men find their special someone in a very organic way.
Carson has returned home after being injured in the military and is still rehabbing while working as a ranch hand. Veterinarian Jude reaches out to Carson as a fellow veteran and enjoys the easy friendship they have building, but the mutual attraction may be too hard to resist.
This story was full of supportive characters and men fighting their own battles with as much strength as they can muster. Both Carson and Jude were likable characters and have personal struggles, but together they ease into a relationship that is sweet, kind, and steamy. I appreciated the different disability representations, the peek into veterinary work, and that these two men find their special someone in a very organic way.
March 6, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Need You Close is the final book in the Second Chance Ranch series and y'all, please hear me when I say this whole series is GREAT, especially if you're looking for cowboy stories or romances with mature mcs. ✨️chef's kiss✨️
• age gap (a small one)
• veterinarian/ranch hand
• both are military vets
• TBI/and some guilt & PTSD
• lonely mc
• friends with benefits to...
• first times
• communication!
• hurt/comfort
• healing together
Carson and Jude were great. I love reading mature mc romances & seeing Jude and Carson get their happily ever after while healing was just the absolute best.
Jude is the town veterinarian and lives a very lonely and work centered life. Carson is healing from a medical discharge from the army, a TBI, and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while working on his brother in law's ranch.
These two were sweet and low drama. A lovely story taking place on ranches and homesteads and truck rides.
Need You Close is the final book in the Second Chance Ranch series and y'all, please hear me when I say this whole series is GREAT, especially if you're looking for cowboy stories or romances with mature mcs. ✨️chef's kiss✨️
• age gap (a small one)
• veterinarian/ranch hand
• both are military vets
• TBI/and some guilt & PTSD
• lonely mc
• friends with benefits to...
• first times
• communication!
• hurt/comfort
• healing together
Carson and Jude were great. I love reading mature mc romances & seeing Jude and Carson get their happily ever after while healing was just the absolute best.
Jude is the town veterinarian and lives a very lonely and work centered life. Carson is healing from a medical discharge from the army, a TBI, and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while working on his brother in law's ranch.
These two were sweet and low drama. A lovely story taking place on ranches and homesteads and truck rides.
March 15, 2026
Hurt/Comfort can hurt to read but I needed a good cry too
This was such a good book. It was a little hard for me to start at first because I just wasn’t in the right mindset. But once I got into it, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down.
This book was heartbreaking and emotional at times, but also really beautiful. Usually when I cry while reading, it’s because I can relate to what the characters are going through. In this case, I couldn’t personally relate to their situation, so it was a different kind of emotional experience for me.
I felt sad for them, but also happy for them at the same time. It takes really strong writing to make you feel that much empathy for characters, and this book absolutely did that.
This is the first book I’ve read in this series, and now I feel like I’ve been missing out. I’m definitely going to check out the rest because I can’t wait to see what happens next.
This was such a good book. It was a little hard for me to start at first because I just wasn’t in the right mindset. But once I got into it, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down.
This book was heartbreaking and emotional at times, but also really beautiful. Usually when I cry while reading, it’s because I can relate to what the characters are going through. In this case, I couldn’t personally relate to their situation, so it was a different kind of emotional experience for me.
I felt sad for them, but also happy for them at the same time. It takes really strong writing to make you feel that much empathy for characters, and this book absolutely did that.
This is the first book I’ve read in this series, and now I feel like I’ve been missing out. I’m definitely going to check out the rest because I can’t wait to see what happens next.
March 9, 2026
I went for this book because Jude is a veterinarian( my field of work). And I always love these, but can't help reading with a critical eye. The author got almost everything right, except for two things, so a win in my book. There must have been a lot of correct research, especially at the veterinary school.
The story was awesome and touched my heart with Carson's TBI and all the different ways he had to find the strength to keep moving forward. And Jude learning right along with him.
They really became a support team for each other and it became that way so naturally, it just made sense.
The food, the support group and the found family were all a great part of this story, but the animals will always be my favorite. And of course mad respect to those who rescue, especially horses, but all the other abandoned and abused sweet souls in this hard world of ours.
The story was awesome and touched my heart with Carson's TBI and all the different ways he had to find the strength to keep moving forward. And Jude learning right along with him.
They really became a support team for each other and it became that way so naturally, it just made sense.
The food, the support group and the found family were all a great part of this story, but the animals will always be my favorite. And of course mad respect to those who rescue, especially horses, but all the other abandoned and abused sweet souls in this hard world of ours.
March 9, 2026
3-3.5 stars...I really enjoyed the first 2 books and although I do love Carson and Jude's characters, the way in which their story was written was I don't know, slow/repetitive? I can't really say..I put this book down a lot because each chapter was basically the same..at some point I just needed to push through...I just didn't feel an intense need for each other, something I do love in my books...it may be because Carson has speech issues and it was harder to write? I can't really say what it was...the sex didn't even really express their need for each other...sex can be written with intense feelings even without speaking be it in the looks or touches etc and it just wasn't there....onwards and upwards...
March 24, 2026
This was a great story: slow burn romance between Jude, a horse ranch vet, and Colt's younger brother, Carson, injured in the line of duty, TBI - traumatic brain injury that impedes his movements and his speech. A slow road to friendship, romance, and ultimately their HEA, there's plenty of time for the men to get to know each other. They are good for each other, both having past military issues that impact them today. Carson is healing in both body and spirit but he finds his place in helping with the rescue horses at the ranch and with being Jude's assistant on several rural vet cases where they travel and work together and become closer.
It's lovely and different and I loved every minute of reading this.
It's lovely and different and I loved every minute of reading this.
Review of advance copy received from Autore
I have come to the sudden realisation that I really like fictional cowboys, and horses both fictional and real even if they scare me and it's better if we don't have close encounters.
But reading about life in a ranch, and a veterinarian specialised in large animals, gave me much more appreciation towards the jobs.
Then you mix in two men with baggage, who struggle, who are not sure are letting others too close to avoid hurt, and you get a really great small town romance that is slow burn, that has a tiny bit of angst because sometimes grown men decide avoidance is better than healthy communication. But those two are fighters and you know they'll find a way to get what they want.
But reading about life in a ranch, and a veterinarian specialised in large animals, gave me much more appreciation towards the jobs.
Then you mix in two men with baggage, who struggle, who are not sure are letting others too close to avoid hurt, and you get a really great small town romance that is slow burn, that has a tiny bit of angst because sometimes grown men decide avoidance is better than healthy communication. But those two are fighters and you know they'll find a way to get what they want.
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