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Ransom Canyon #3
Hjärtats vägskäl
Where family bonds are made and broken, and where young love sparks as old flames grow dim, Ransom Canyon is ready to welcome—and shelter—those who need it
With a career and a relationship in ruins, Jubilee Hamilton is left reeling from a fast fall to the bottom. The run-down Texas farm she’s inherited is a far cry from the second chance she hoped for, but it and the abrasive foreman she’s forced to hire are all she’s got.
Every time Charley Collins has let a woman get close, he’s been burned. So Lone Heart Ranch and the contrary woman who owns it are merely a means to an end, until Jubilee tempts him to take another risk—to stop resisting the attraction drawing them together despite all his hard-learned logic.
Desperation is all young Thatcher Jones knows. And when he finds himself mixed up in a murder investigation, his only protection is the shelter of a man and woman who—just like him—need someone to trust.
Ransom Canyon
Book 1: Ransom Canyon
Book 2: Rustler’s Moon
Book 3: Lone Heart Pass
Book 4: Sunrise Crossing
Book 5: Wild Horse Springs
Book 6: Indigo Lake
Book 7: Mistletoe Miracles
Book 8: Christmas in Winter Valley
With a career and a relationship in ruins, Jubilee Hamilton is left reeling from a fast fall to the bottom. The run-down Texas farm she’s inherited is a far cry from the second chance she hoped for, but it and the abrasive foreman she’s forced to hire are all she’s got.
Every time Charley Collins has let a woman get close, he’s been burned. So Lone Heart Ranch and the contrary woman who owns it are merely a means to an end, until Jubilee tempts him to take another risk—to stop resisting the attraction drawing them together despite all his hard-learned logic.
Desperation is all young Thatcher Jones knows. And when he finds himself mixed up in a murder investigation, his only protection is the shelter of a man and woman who—just like him—need someone to trust.
Ransom Canyon
Book 1: Ransom Canyon
Book 2: Rustler’s Moon
Book 3: Lone Heart Pass
Book 4: Sunrise Crossing
Book 5: Wild Horse Springs
Book 6: Indigo Lake
Book 7: Mistletoe Miracles
Book 8: Christmas in Winter Valley
368 pages, Paperback
Published July 14, 2025
571 people are currently reading
2141 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Thomas
111 books2,509 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
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May 29, 2019I dearly loved reading LONE HEART PASS!! As always, Jodi Thomas captivated me with her well-drawn characters and entertained me to the very end, which led me to buy another book in this series. I recommend LONE STAR PASS as a Must Read! It is an absolutely fabulous story! You can't go wrong with Jodi Thomas.
November 17, 2017
3.85 stars
The 3rd book in the series that I have read back-to-back and I've reached my limits. Need to take a rest from Ransom Canyon for a while.
Unlike the first and second books where I knew which was the main story (and characters) and which were secondaries, this one makes me confused. Every substories were stronger than the main couple (should be Jubile and Charley, right?) and in a way, way more interesting. Throw in some murder-mystery cases, and our couple were overshadowed by almost everyone else.
I think Jubilee and Charley's story were not strong enough. The main conflicts also were about someone else. And I think Thatcher was the true star of this book.
And why were our past couples and most of other characters that made up Ransom Canyon's community didn't have any part in this book? This could be a stand alone except that it took place in Ransom Canyon. So, until now, I have to say that Harmony series is better in terms of community drama.
The 3rd book in the series that I have read back-to-back and I've reached my limits. Need to take a rest from Ransom Canyon for a while.
Unlike the first and second books where I knew which was the main story (and characters) and which were secondaries, this one makes me confused. Every substories were stronger than the main couple (should be Jubile and Charley, right?) and in a way, way more interesting. Throw in some murder-mystery cases, and our couple were overshadowed by almost everyone else.
I think Jubilee and Charley's story were not strong enough. The main conflicts also were about someone else. And I think Thatcher was the true star of this book.
And why were our past couples and most of other characters that made up Ransom Canyon's community didn't have any part in this book? This could be a stand alone except that it took place in Ransom Canyon. So, until now, I have to say that Harmony series is better in terms of community drama.
November 8, 2021
My favorite of the series thus far! This is a good story with some great young characters that steal the show. I look forward to seeing more of them in future books. Highly recommended!
April 29, 2016
Autry's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4.5 stars
Lone Heart Pass is a novel filled with warmth, hope, happiness, and a unique cast of characters. Ms. Thomas fills the third installment of her Ransom Canyon series, with a few familiar faces and a fresh new couple. Jubilee and Charley are not typical characters I would come to expect, they are truly partners against the world. Jubilee is a big-city girl grasping at straws to make a way in life, find her inner-strength and become an independent hard working rancher. Life has dealt Charley some pretty crappy cards, from seducing stepmother, being disowned by his family, and trying to raise a five year-old daughter alone. Based on personal histories alone would have made someone think, how will this work out…. will Jubilee fall in love with Charley or his daughter…. will Jubilee make an honest run of it. I thoroughly loved how Ms. Thomas weaved their relationship together; it was such a smooth and natural progression, it is truly the stuff fairy-tales are made of. Thatcher, what a down to earth, good-hearted, kind young man, he deserved to have his own story. Our favorite characters pulled through with some unexpected zing, the sheriff, Lauren, Tim, Polly and the town busybodies, the Franklin sisters. Each one providing a small side stories each one enhancing the main story of Charley and Jubilee. I can say for the first time ever while reading a Jodi Thomas novel, I was pulling for the high-school love to burn out and see a “best friends to lovers” approach, but I’m sure in the end I will be happier that it has not turned out that way. Lone Heart Pass, is not a roller coaster of emotions, it maintains the feeling of hope and love with a little laughter and drama rolled into a gripping novel. If you have read Jodi Thomas novels, trust me she delivers and leaves you wanting more. If you’re not an avid Jodi Thomas reader, become one…start with Lone Heart Pass, fall in love with the Charley and Jubilee.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4.5 stars
Lone Heart Pass is a novel filled with warmth, hope, happiness, and a unique cast of characters. Ms. Thomas fills the third installment of her Ransom Canyon series, with a few familiar faces and a fresh new couple. Jubilee and Charley are not typical characters I would come to expect, they are truly partners against the world. Jubilee is a big-city girl grasping at straws to make a way in life, find her inner-strength and become an independent hard working rancher. Life has dealt Charley some pretty crappy cards, from seducing stepmother, being disowned by his family, and trying to raise a five year-old daughter alone. Based on personal histories alone would have made someone think, how will this work out…. will Jubilee fall in love with Charley or his daughter…. will Jubilee make an honest run of it. I thoroughly loved how Ms. Thomas weaved their relationship together; it was such a smooth and natural progression, it is truly the stuff fairy-tales are made of. Thatcher, what a down to earth, good-hearted, kind young man, he deserved to have his own story. Our favorite characters pulled through with some unexpected zing, the sheriff, Lauren, Tim, Polly and the town busybodies, the Franklin sisters. Each one providing a small side stories each one enhancing the main story of Charley and Jubilee. I can say for the first time ever while reading a Jodi Thomas novel, I was pulling for the high-school love to burn out and see a “best friends to lovers” approach, but I’m sure in the end I will be happier that it has not turned out that way. Lone Heart Pass, is not a roller coaster of emotions, it maintains the feeling of hope and love with a little laughter and drama rolled into a gripping novel. If you have read Jodi Thomas novels, trust me she delivers and leaves you wanting more. If you’re not an avid Jodi Thomas reader, become one…start with Lone Heart Pass, fall in love with the Charley and Jubilee.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
June 12, 2016
3.5/5; 4 stars; B+
I almost abandoned this book near the beginning because the heroine was portrayed as such a pathetic mess that I didn't think I would be able to get behind her. But I did, and it was worth it. At the risk of being lame I will just say I found this story heartwarming and I am still invested in reading more about the people of Ransom Canyon.
I almost abandoned this book near the beginning because the heroine was portrayed as such a pathetic mess that I didn't think I would be able to get behind her. But I did, and it was worth it. At the risk of being lame I will just say I found this story heartwarming and I am still invested in reading more about the people of Ransom Canyon.
September 1, 2020
So far, this series just keeps getting better with each book. This was great and I will definitely be continuing on.
April 18, 2020
This book was an interesting one for me as I did not recognise or remember reading about Jubilee, Charley and Thatcher previously. I will be honest and say that this did throw me for a minute as the previous books were about characters that I had already read. I thought I had missed something here (and maybe I have?) but that didn't mean I enjoyed this less.
We follow Jubilee as she returns to town having inherited a farm. Being a city girl, it will certainly take her a lot of adjustment for her to run the farm but she was definately up for the challenge! Thatcher Jones in this book was my favourite character and one of those characters were you see a lot of growth in his personality.
If I were to be picky I would have loved to have seen a lot more of the usual community in this story but nevertheless this was a great read!
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
We follow Jubilee as she returns to town having inherited a farm. Being a city girl, it will certainly take her a lot of adjustment for her to run the farm but she was definately up for the challenge! Thatcher Jones in this book was my favourite character and one of those characters were you see a lot of growth in his personality.
If I were to be picky I would have loved to have seen a lot more of the usual community in this story but nevertheless this was a great read!
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
September 5, 2025
Jag älskar denna bok. Den är mysig och fin. Det är väldigt mycket vänskap av olika slag som tas upp och porträtteras på fint sätt.
Denna gång är det Jubilee som ärver en ranch och Charley som anställs för att hjälpa till.
Gillar du cowboy, småstad och nära relationer så är detta boken för dig. Men läs gärna de två tidigare delarna i serien.
Denna gång är det Jubilee som ärver en ranch och Charley som anställs för att hjälpa till.
Gillar du cowboy, småstad och nära relationer så är detta boken för dig. Men läs gärna de två tidigare delarna i serien.
June 20, 2025
Lone Heart Pass # Ransom Canyon
3✨
3✨
February 26, 2016
– Jubilee Hamilton and Charlie Collins are the next two lost souls to find love and happiness at Ransom Canyon, the Harlequin series by Thomas. I loved how Jubilee and Charlie start out working for a common goal but determined to stay away from romance and love. There was not rush to romance here. Just an interesting and sweet work up to a HEA. Jubilee’s self-adsorbed sister is a nice comic relief to the story. Both Charlie and Jubilee have big hearts and by the end of the book they have grown to a family of four. There is a mystery attached that adds danger and tension to the story.
July 27, 2022
Lone Heart Pass
4 Stars
The third installment in Jodi Thomas's Ransom Canyon saga introduces several new characters, but also provides updates on familiar faces. The primary thread focuses on a newcomer to town, Jubilee Hamilton, who is determined to make a go of the ranch she inherited. She hires Charley Collins, an abrasive cowboy whose problematic past with women has left him wary of the opposite sex. This unlikely pair is joined Thatcher Jones, an old soul in a 14-year-old body, who finds himself knee-deep in a murder investigation. Finally, changes are afoot for Lauren Brigman and Tim O'Grady now that they have graduated from college and must make plans for the future.
The strength of this series lies in Thomas's characterization. Each and every character, whether major or minor, comes alive on the page, but my favorite in this installment is definitely Thatcher Jones - this kid is a scream!
Jubliee and Charley's opposites attract romance is delightful. Jubilee initially comes across as selfish and conceited, but as readers learn more about her relationships, it becomes clear that her prickliness is a defense mechanism. Underneath her façade lies a strong and caring woman looking for a place to belong and a family to share her life with. Likewise, Charley's abrasiveness conceals a loving yet lonely heart just waiting for its perfect match. It is wonderful to watch these two realize that they are better off together than apart.
While the mystery surrounding the death of the Burlap Map appears to be on the periphery for much of the book, it ultimately draws all of the characters together, and the climax and resolution are intense and exciting if somewhat of an afterthought.
The weakest aspect of the book is, unfortunately, the change in direction for Lauren Brigman and Lucas Reyes. It is difficult to see how these two can get past their differences, especially considering the fact that Lucas has become exceedingly unlikeable over the past two books. To be honest, Lauren deserves better, and I am not sure if any amount of groveling on Lucas's part could ever make up for his selfishness and appalling attitude toward Lauren.
In sum, Ransom Canyon is rapidly becoming my favorite series of the year and I look forward to visiting it again in the next installment.
4 Stars
The third installment in Jodi Thomas's Ransom Canyon saga introduces several new characters, but also provides updates on familiar faces. The primary thread focuses on a newcomer to town, Jubilee Hamilton, who is determined to make a go of the ranch she inherited. She hires Charley Collins, an abrasive cowboy whose problematic past with women has left him wary of the opposite sex. This unlikely pair is joined Thatcher Jones, an old soul in a 14-year-old body, who finds himself knee-deep in a murder investigation. Finally, changes are afoot for Lauren Brigman and Tim O'Grady now that they have graduated from college and must make plans for the future.
The strength of this series lies in Thomas's characterization. Each and every character, whether major or minor, comes alive on the page, but my favorite in this installment is definitely Thatcher Jones - this kid is a scream!
Jubliee and Charley's opposites attract romance is delightful. Jubilee initially comes across as selfish and conceited, but as readers learn more about her relationships, it becomes clear that her prickliness is a defense mechanism. Underneath her façade lies a strong and caring woman looking for a place to belong and a family to share her life with. Likewise, Charley's abrasiveness conceals a loving yet lonely heart just waiting for its perfect match. It is wonderful to watch these two realize that they are better off together than apart.
While the mystery surrounding the death of the Burlap Map appears to be on the periphery for much of the book, it ultimately draws all of the characters together, and the climax and resolution are intense and exciting if somewhat of an afterthought.
The weakest aspect of the book is, unfortunately, the change in direction for Lauren Brigman and Lucas Reyes. It is difficult to see how these two can get past their differences, especially considering the fact that Lucas has become exceedingly unlikeable over the past two books. To be honest, Lauren deserves better, and I am not sure if any amount of groveling on Lucas's part could ever make up for his selfishness and appalling attitude toward Lauren.
In sum, Ransom Canyon is rapidly becoming my favorite series of the year and I look forward to visiting it again in the next installment.
July 9, 2025
Lone Heart Pass by Jodi Thomas
Ransom Canyon #3
Rating: 4.6⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 0.3/5
Cursing: none
Format/Source: audio from Hoopla
Genres/Tropes: romance, small town, cowboy, mystery
Audience: Adult
Setting: TX
Characters: Jubilee, Destiny, Charley, Thatcher, Lauren, Dan, Lucas, Tim, Lilly
👍 short chapters, multi POV, multi love stories, cowboys, mystery, small town, no cursing, feel good
👎 none
Ransom Canyon #3
Rating: 4.6⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 0.3/5
Cursing: none
Format/Source: audio from Hoopla
Genres/Tropes: romance, small town, cowboy, mystery
Audience: Adult
Setting: TX
Characters: Jubilee, Destiny, Charley, Thatcher, Lauren, Dan, Lucas, Tim, Lilly
👍 short chapters, multi POV, multi love stories, cowboys, mystery, small town, no cursing, feel good
👎 none
June 26, 2017
This story finished with some exciting action and the hero's daughter was cute but I didn't like the multiple threads going on. They were not secondary romances with HEA but seemed like chick-lit filler. I struggled to stay interested in the main romance. Jubalee loses her job and boyfriend so she goes to a farm she inherited where she hires single father Charley as her ranch manager.
November 1, 2025
My favourite book of the series so far.
May 5, 2016
Originally posted at SmexyBooks-http://smexybooks.com/2016/04/review-...
Jubilee Hamilton is a former campaign manager whose last three clients lost their elections. Her boyfriend has left her and now she is being evicted from her home. She dreads having to go home and face her critical parents-or worse-her older sister. When she receives notice she is the sole inheritor of her great-grandfather’s ranch, she hightails it to Texas, determined to make it on her own. She begins to wonder what she’s getting into though when she hires a grumpy cowboy to help her run the ranch.
Charley Collins had it all as a rich rancher’s son but a couple of bad decisions cost him his family and his inheritance. As a single father trying to survive the weight of a town’s disapproval of him while he raises his daughter, he finds himself both annoyed and intrigued by his new boss. But trust is a rare commodity for a man and woman who has both been betrayed by family, friends, and loved ones.
Lauren Brigman, the sheriff’s daughter, is on spring break from college. Unhappy she is stuck at home rather than on the beach in Cancun, Lauren has plenty of time to reflect on her relationship with her mother, an unrequited crush, and an old childhood friend whom she is reconnecting with. When her father is injured in the line of duty, Lauren takes a step back and discovers the only person who can make her happy is herself.
Fourteen-year-old Thatcher Jones keeps to himself, doing a little of this and that in order to survive. When he is unwittingly pulled into a murder mystery, he finds his survival depends on a man and woman whose journey towards trust and forgiveness mirrors his own.
Jodi Thomas’s small town contemporaries are a favorite indulgence of mine. Smoothly written with appealing characters, Thomas weaves a cozy tale that digs deep beneath the facade of small-town living; examining the love, laughter, pain, and heartbreak that exists there. Though I haven’t read the first two in this series, I was able to read this one with no issues in comprehension of the character histories or the arc. As with her Harmony series, (which I have reviewed here), each book tends to focus on one couple’s relationship while advancing other character’s stories.
Lone Heart Pass has a healthy dose of mystery, suspense, and quite a few humorous surprises as it builds a solid base on which to reveal the main conflict. Told from four points of view, strong opinions and emotions hold sway as you watch these people deal with the matters at hand in a world that doesn’t really hold them in high esteem. Three main storylines circle around each other, intersecting at key points as their ties to one another become visible. Each character’s personal journey is a lesson in the strong hold the past can have on you and how learning to forgive and let go can free you for an incredible future.
Strongly character driven; the steady narrative and witty dialogue keeps you entertained throughout the book. Ms. Thomas excels at creating characters that dig deep into your heart. She infuses a sense of realism into their personalities and situations; allowing you to connect intimately with them. They make bad decisions, say the wrong things, and act inappropriately at times. Not one of them is perfect though each one is a strong presence that takes command and dominates the scenes they are in. I like that everyone featured isn’t guaranteed an instant happily ever after. Each story always leaves off with the promise of more to come, allowing for Thomas to build strong lasting relationships that aren’t always based on romance but also on friendship.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series and plan on reading the first two if only to get some background on the characters of Ransom Canyon I met in here. Thomas’s writing continues to delight me and I recommend her to everyone who enjoys small town contemporaries with intriguing characters, charming romances and strong friendships that will have you waiting anxiously each new visit.
Grade: B
Jubilee Hamilton is a former campaign manager whose last three clients lost their elections. Her boyfriend has left her and now she is being evicted from her home. She dreads having to go home and face her critical parents-or worse-her older sister. When she receives notice she is the sole inheritor of her great-grandfather’s ranch, she hightails it to Texas, determined to make it on her own. She begins to wonder what she’s getting into though when she hires a grumpy cowboy to help her run the ranch.
Charley Collins had it all as a rich rancher’s son but a couple of bad decisions cost him his family and his inheritance. As a single father trying to survive the weight of a town’s disapproval of him while he raises his daughter, he finds himself both annoyed and intrigued by his new boss. But trust is a rare commodity for a man and woman who has both been betrayed by family, friends, and loved ones.
Lauren Brigman, the sheriff’s daughter, is on spring break from college. Unhappy she is stuck at home rather than on the beach in Cancun, Lauren has plenty of time to reflect on her relationship with her mother, an unrequited crush, and an old childhood friend whom she is reconnecting with. When her father is injured in the line of duty, Lauren takes a step back and discovers the only person who can make her happy is herself.
Fourteen-year-old Thatcher Jones keeps to himself, doing a little of this and that in order to survive. When he is unwittingly pulled into a murder mystery, he finds his survival depends on a man and woman whose journey towards trust and forgiveness mirrors his own.
Jodi Thomas’s small town contemporaries are a favorite indulgence of mine. Smoothly written with appealing characters, Thomas weaves a cozy tale that digs deep beneath the facade of small-town living; examining the love, laughter, pain, and heartbreak that exists there. Though I haven’t read the first two in this series, I was able to read this one with no issues in comprehension of the character histories or the arc. As with her Harmony series, (which I have reviewed here), each book tends to focus on one couple’s relationship while advancing other character’s stories.
Lone Heart Pass has a healthy dose of mystery, suspense, and quite a few humorous surprises as it builds a solid base on which to reveal the main conflict. Told from four points of view, strong opinions and emotions hold sway as you watch these people deal with the matters at hand in a world that doesn’t really hold them in high esteem. Three main storylines circle around each other, intersecting at key points as their ties to one another become visible. Each character’s personal journey is a lesson in the strong hold the past can have on you and how learning to forgive and let go can free you for an incredible future.
Strongly character driven; the steady narrative and witty dialogue keeps you entertained throughout the book. Ms. Thomas excels at creating characters that dig deep into your heart. She infuses a sense of realism into their personalities and situations; allowing you to connect intimately with them. They make bad decisions, say the wrong things, and act inappropriately at times. Not one of them is perfect though each one is a strong presence that takes command and dominates the scenes they are in. I like that everyone featured isn’t guaranteed an instant happily ever after. Each story always leaves off with the promise of more to come, allowing for Thomas to build strong lasting relationships that aren’t always based on romance but also on friendship.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series and plan on reading the first two if only to get some background on the characters of Ransom Canyon I met in here. Thomas’s writing continues to delight me and I recommend her to everyone who enjoys small town contemporaries with intriguing characters, charming romances and strong friendships that will have you waiting anxiously each new visit.
Grade: B
April 28, 2016
4.5 stars. Lone Heart Pass - #3 in the Ransom Canyon series and it just gets better with each one. The characters are fun, they have depth and it was easy to just fall in love with them. There is a bit of crime and mystery, along with a ranch that needs taking care of and some romance. We meet some new characters and catch up with a couple of the earlier ones.
Jubilee has had a tough past, her family has never really loved or accepted her and now she finds out the only relative she loved is dead. Yet he has left her his ranch, a place where she has been happy in the past. Yet she is a bit of a city girl and so she is going to need help.
Walk in Charley Collins, a man who has his own family problems and has been cast out by his father. He has a delightful daughter - aged five, and he will do anything for her. When he is offered a job at the ranch he accepts and so the journey begins to bring the ranch back to life.
Thatcher is a young fourteen year old, pretty much with no family, he eventually finds his way to the ranch as well and it is wonderful to see the caring relationship that develops between the little five year old and the rough and ready Thatcher. What a fun hero he is.
We also catch up with Tim O'Grady, Lauren and the Sheriff. Tim is bent on being an author, and is keen to experience life so as he can write about it. Lauren is finishing college and wondering what is next for her. And the Sheriff is caught up in sorting out shootings and murder.
I really enjoyed the story, chuckled away at the characters and some of their responses to events and generally hoped all would be well for each of them.
Jubilee has had a tough past, her family has never really loved or accepted her and now she finds out the only relative she loved is dead. Yet he has left her his ranch, a place where she has been happy in the past. Yet she is a bit of a city girl and so she is going to need help.
Walk in Charley Collins, a man who has his own family problems and has been cast out by his father. He has a delightful daughter - aged five, and he will do anything for her. When he is offered a job at the ranch he accepts and so the journey begins to bring the ranch back to life.
Thatcher is a young fourteen year old, pretty much with no family, he eventually finds his way to the ranch as well and it is wonderful to see the caring relationship that develops between the little five year old and the rough and ready Thatcher. What a fun hero he is.
We also catch up with Tim O'Grady, Lauren and the Sheriff. Tim is bent on being an author, and is keen to experience life so as he can write about it. Lauren is finishing college and wondering what is next for her. And the Sheriff is caught up in sorting out shootings and murder.
I really enjoyed the story, chuckled away at the characters and some of their responses to events and generally hoped all would be well for each of them.
April 28, 2016
Lone Heart Pass is a story about people who’ve been cast away by people who should have loved them. Whether by parents or partners each one had their trust abused so it’s no wonder they’re reluctant, no, determined not to let anyone get that close to them again.
One of the things I love about Jodi Thomas’s books is that her characters, though flawed like us all, are usually kind. Their feelings are recognizable because the reader can identify with many of them. I think that’s what makes her books comfort reads for me. Lone Heart Pass is no exception. It’s a great addition to the Ransom Canyon series. There’s romance, mystery and drama – and I enjoyed it all.
Recommended to fans of Jodi Thomas, contemporary romance and the Ransom Canyon series. I can’t wait for the next book. *I received a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
One of the things I love about Jodi Thomas’s books is that her characters, though flawed like us all, are usually kind. Their feelings are recognizable because the reader can identify with many of them. I think that’s what makes her books comfort reads for me. Lone Heart Pass is no exception. It’s a great addition to the Ransom Canyon series. There’s romance, mystery and drama – and I enjoyed it all.
Recommended to fans of Jodi Thomas, contemporary romance and the Ransom Canyon series. I can’t wait for the next book. *I received a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 18, 2016
Great story about people who have never had family, not really. Not anyone who loved them just because without condition. Somehow they find each other and make their own family. There's also bad guys causing trouble and the good guys take care of it, even though some of them get hurt. It's just good stuff, as you always get with Jodi.
February 3, 2019
Progres membaca buku ketiga dalam seri Ransom Canyon ini terbilang sangat lambat. Sejak Oktober 2018 dan baru selesai di penghujung Januari 2019.
Mungkin karena di awal cerita, tokoh yang diceritakan belum dimunculkan di buku kedua sehingga aku harus beradaptasi kembali dengan karakter tokoh2 utamanya.
Jubilee dan Charley bekerja sama di ranch warisan kakek Jubilee. Proses kedekatan mereka pun berjalan cukup lambat karena masing2 memegang komitmen untuk tidak saling tertarik satu sama lain. Namun ternyata hubungan bos-pekerja dan pertemanan mereka memang berlanjut k arah yang spesial. Bukan tipe percintaan yang menggebu2 tetapi kenyamanan dan saling pengertian setelah pengalaman d masa lalu membuat Jubilee dan Charley menjadi dekat. Keberadaan Lily, anak Charley pun menjadi salah satu faktor perekat hubungan keduanya.
Tokoh lain yang diceritakan adalah seorang remaja yang ditelantarkan ibunya, Thatcher. Rasa keingin tahuannya yang tinggi membawanya terlibat dalam sebuah kasus penemuan korban pembunuhan. Pertemuan tidak sengajanya dengan Lily membawa Thatcher ke kehidupan Charley dan Jubilee, memberikan nuansa baru di ranch warisan Jubilee.
Kisah cinta remaja Lauren yang sejak buku pertama membuatku penasaran mengalami cukup banyak kemajuan di buku ketiga ini. Walaupun alasan yang sama kembali membuat Lauren yang sempat mengalihkan fokusnya ke orang lain lagi2 harus menahan perasaannya. Apalagi ayah Lauren sedang mengalani musibah yang membuatnya tidak ingin ditinggalkan begitu saja.
Hal yang membuatku kurang menikmati kisah di buku ini adalah ketidakjelasan korban kasus pembunuhan yang melibatkan Thatcher yang oenuh rasa ingin tahu itu. Perkembangan kasusnya menurutku terlalu sumir, hingga menjelang akhir cerita baru ad petunjuk yang terkesan mendadak muncul. Mungkin aku yang terlalu lama meninggalkan kisah Lone Heart Pass ini sehingga melupakan banyak detail ya.
3.5*/5 untuk kisah cinta manis Jubilee-Charley dan interaksi mereka dengan Lily dan Thatcher.
Mungkin karena di awal cerita, tokoh yang diceritakan belum dimunculkan di buku kedua sehingga aku harus beradaptasi kembali dengan karakter tokoh2 utamanya.
Jubilee dan Charley bekerja sama di ranch warisan kakek Jubilee. Proses kedekatan mereka pun berjalan cukup lambat karena masing2 memegang komitmen untuk tidak saling tertarik satu sama lain. Namun ternyata hubungan bos-pekerja dan pertemanan mereka memang berlanjut k arah yang spesial. Bukan tipe percintaan yang menggebu2 tetapi kenyamanan dan saling pengertian setelah pengalaman d masa lalu membuat Jubilee dan Charley menjadi dekat. Keberadaan Lily, anak Charley pun menjadi salah satu faktor perekat hubungan keduanya.
Tokoh lain yang diceritakan adalah seorang remaja yang ditelantarkan ibunya, Thatcher. Rasa keingin tahuannya yang tinggi membawanya terlibat dalam sebuah kasus penemuan korban pembunuhan. Pertemuan tidak sengajanya dengan Lily membawa Thatcher ke kehidupan Charley dan Jubilee, memberikan nuansa baru di ranch warisan Jubilee.
Kisah cinta remaja Lauren yang sejak buku pertama membuatku penasaran mengalami cukup banyak kemajuan di buku ketiga ini. Walaupun alasan yang sama kembali membuat Lauren yang sempat mengalihkan fokusnya ke orang lain lagi2 harus menahan perasaannya. Apalagi ayah Lauren sedang mengalani musibah yang membuatnya tidak ingin ditinggalkan begitu saja.
Hal yang membuatku kurang menikmati kisah di buku ini adalah ketidakjelasan korban kasus pembunuhan yang melibatkan Thatcher yang oenuh rasa ingin tahu itu. Perkembangan kasusnya menurutku terlalu sumir, hingga menjelang akhir cerita baru ad petunjuk yang terkesan mendadak muncul. Mungkin aku yang terlalu lama meninggalkan kisah Lone Heart Pass ini sehingga melupakan banyak detail ya.
3.5*/5 untuk kisah cinta manis Jubilee-Charley dan interaksi mereka dengan Lily dan Thatcher.
August 20, 2025
Oh wow! I loved this. Best one so far. I enjoyed getting to know Charley Collins and how his family have shaped him and seeing him with his daughter was beautiful. Jubilee was a great character too, she has such determination and the was Charley silently supports her when he sees how much she is doing and is invested in the ranch was so touching.
A special shout out has to go to Thatcher, what a kid. He really made the book for me, I felt for him with his upbringing and I could see just how much he was determined to succeed, even if it meant turning his back on the life that tried to claim him. I really hope we get to see him again.
It was great to see Dan and Lauren again, Dan is really turning out to be the glue that ties this series together, his character is so great and it’s a shame he’s over looked slightly in the tv series(fingers crossed for season 2).
I can’t describe how much I loved this book, the canyon with the moon view, the eavesdropping on meetings and the unknown gun fire, as well as the beautiful slow burn romance. This book had it all.
A special shout out has to go to Thatcher, what a kid. He really made the book for me, I felt for him with his upbringing and I could see just how much he was determined to succeed, even if it meant turning his back on the life that tried to claim him. I really hope we get to see him again.
It was great to see Dan and Lauren again, Dan is really turning out to be the glue that ties this series together, his character is so great and it’s a shame he’s over looked slightly in the tv series(fingers crossed for season 2).
I can’t describe how much I loved this book, the canyon with the moon view, the eavesdropping on meetings and the unknown gun fire, as well as the beautiful slow burn romance. This book had it all.
October 24, 2018
I absolutely loved the story of Charley and Jubilee! It was perfect. Everything about this book was perfect. Loved Thatcher!
The best part about Ransom Canyon series is the side story of Lauren, Lucas, and Tim. Those three give me all the feels and I hope Jodi gives Lauren her happily ever after.
The best part about Ransom Canyon series is the side story of Lauren, Lucas, and Tim. Those three give me all the feels and I hope Jodi gives Lauren her happily ever after.
July 20, 2025
Just loving these books!!! Theyre so cutie and sweet and refreshing little stories!!
November 23, 2017
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
3.5+
**
For Jubilee Hamilton, her inheritance comes at a most opportune time. She is unemployed with nothing and no one to keep her in Washington D.C. Her job was her world, even though she had a live-in boyfriend. It's that focus that leaves her alone and more than willing to head to Texas for a new start. Jubilee is very likable which may come as a surprise because she is not what I would call a "people person" except where it relates to her former job. But she is learning to be more open which is an enjoyable journey to take with her.
Charley Collins is, thankfully, nothing like his younger brother Reid. Charley hasn't had the easiest of times in his fairly short life. He is, in part, responsible for his current situation and thankfully he doesn't whine about his life but takes responsibility for it. He has also learned from his mistakes which shows his maturity. After finding out what has happened in his short life, he's twenty-five, I was happy to find he wasn't a complainer but instead a hard worker and truly a decent person. Definitely hero material!
The relationship between Jubilee and Charley is an odd one. He's the hired help and she's a little clueless as to how to run a ranch. Charley isn't too proud to work for a woman, even if she has no experience running a ranch. The thing I liked so much about Jubilee is she is more than willing to learn and not afraid to get dirty. Charley, a hard worker, comes to respect Jubilee and the two find they enjoy spending time together. It was a romance that didn't get rushed but started with friendship and respect which strengthened it. Ms. Thomas brought two people from different walks of life together to create a bond and eventually a family. There is a another new character, Thatcher. I adored this kid! He not only added comic relief to some serious situations but he also gave a unique perspective on life. His view may come across as "simple" or "backwoods" but he is honest and refreshing. It also worked to show how when someone is not enmeshed in the fast pace our highly technological world has become, their viewpoint becomes possibly more genuine.
**
Jubilee has had a tough past, her family has never really loved or accepted her and now she finds out the only relative she loved is dead. Yet he has left her his ranch, a place where she has been happy in the past. Yet she is a bit of a city girl and so she is going to need help.
Walk in Charley Collins, a man who has his own family problems and has been cast out by his father. He has a delightful daughter - aged five, and he will do anything for her. When he is offered a job at the ranch he accepts and so the journey begins to bring the ranch back to life.
Thatcher is a young fourteen year old, pretty much with no family, he eventually finds his way to the ranch as well and it is wonderful to see the caring relationship that develops between the little five year old and the rough and ready Thatcher. What a fun hero he is.
We also catch up with Tim O'Grady, Lauren and the Sheriff. Tim is bent on being an author, and is keen to experience life so as he can write about it. Lauren is finishing college and wondering what is next for her. And the Sheriff is caught up in sorting out shootings and murder.
**
Jubilee Hamilton is a former campaign manager whose last three clients lost their elections. Her boyfriend has left her and now she is being evicted from her home. She dreads having to go home and face her critical parents-or worse-her older sister. When she receives notice she is the sole inheritor of her great-grandfather’s ranch, she hightails it to Texas, determined to make it on her own. She begins to wonder what she’s getting into though when she hires a grumpy cowboy to help her run the ranch.
Charley Collins had it all as a rich rancher’s son but a couple of bad decisions cost him his family and his inheritance. As a single father trying to survive the weight of a town’s disapproval of him while he raises his daughter, he finds himself both annoyed and intrigued by his new boss. But trust is a rare commodity for a man and woman who has both been betrayed by family, friends, and loved ones.
Lauren Brigman, the sheriff’s daughter, is on spring break from college. Unhappy she is stuck at home rather than on the beach in Cancun, Lauren has plenty of time to reflect on her relationship with her mother, an unrequited crush, and an old childhood friend whom she is reconnecting with. When her father is injured in the line of duty, Lauren takes a step back and discovers the only person who can make her happy is herself.
Fourteen-year-old Thatcher Jones keeps to himself, doing a little of this and that in order to survive. When he is unwittingly pulled into a murder mystery, he finds his survival depends on a man and woman whose journey towards trust and forgiveness mirrors his own.
Jodi Thomas’s small town contemporaries are a favorite indulgence of mine. Smoothly written with appealing characters, Thomas weaves a cozy tale that digs deep beneath the facade of small-town living; examining the love, laughter, pain, and heartbreak that exists there. Lone Heart Pass has a healthy dose of mystery, suspense, and quite a few humorous surprises as it builds a solid base on which to reveal the main conflict. Told from four points of view, strong opinions and emotions hold sway as you watch these people deal with the matters at hand in a world that doesn’t really hold them in high esteem. Three main storylines circle around each other, intersecting at key points as their ties to one another become visible. Each character’s personal journey is a lesson in the strong hold the past can have on you and how learning to forgive and let go can free you for an incredible future.
**
The third installment of her Ransom Canyon series, with a few familiar faces and a fresh new couple. Jubilee and Charley are not typical characters I would come to expect, they are truly partners against the world. Jubilee is a big-city girl grasping at straws to make a way in life, find her inner-strength and become an independent hard working rancher. Life has dealt Charley some pretty crappy cards, from seducing stepmother, being disowned by his family, and trying to raise a five year-old daughter alone. Based on personal histories alone would have made someone think, how will this work out…. will Jubilee fall in love with Charley or his daughter…. will Jubilee make an honest run of it. Thatcher, what a down to earth, good-hearted, kind young man, he deserved to have his own story. Our favorite characters pulled through with some unexpected zing, the sheriff, Lauren, Tim, Polly and the town busybodies, the Franklin sisters. Each one providing a small side stories each one enhancing the main story of Charley and Jubilee. Lone Heart Pass maintains the feeling of hope and love with a little laughter and drama rolled into a gripping novel. You will fall in love with the Charley and Jubilee.
3.5+
**
For Jubilee Hamilton, her inheritance comes at a most opportune time. She is unemployed with nothing and no one to keep her in Washington D.C. Her job was her world, even though she had a live-in boyfriend. It's that focus that leaves her alone and more than willing to head to Texas for a new start. Jubilee is very likable which may come as a surprise because she is not what I would call a "people person" except where it relates to her former job. But she is learning to be more open which is an enjoyable journey to take with her.
Charley Collins is, thankfully, nothing like his younger brother Reid. Charley hasn't had the easiest of times in his fairly short life. He is, in part, responsible for his current situation and thankfully he doesn't whine about his life but takes responsibility for it. He has also learned from his mistakes which shows his maturity. After finding out what has happened in his short life, he's twenty-five, I was happy to find he wasn't a complainer but instead a hard worker and truly a decent person. Definitely hero material!
The relationship between Jubilee and Charley is an odd one. He's the hired help and she's a little clueless as to how to run a ranch. Charley isn't too proud to work for a woman, even if she has no experience running a ranch. The thing I liked so much about Jubilee is she is more than willing to learn and not afraid to get dirty. Charley, a hard worker, comes to respect Jubilee and the two find they enjoy spending time together. It was a romance that didn't get rushed but started with friendship and respect which strengthened it. Ms. Thomas brought two people from different walks of life together to create a bond and eventually a family. There is a another new character, Thatcher. I adored this kid! He not only added comic relief to some serious situations but he also gave a unique perspective on life. His view may come across as "simple" or "backwoods" but he is honest and refreshing. It also worked to show how when someone is not enmeshed in the fast pace our highly technological world has become, their viewpoint becomes possibly more genuine.
**
Jubilee has had a tough past, her family has never really loved or accepted her and now she finds out the only relative she loved is dead. Yet he has left her his ranch, a place where she has been happy in the past. Yet she is a bit of a city girl and so she is going to need help.
Walk in Charley Collins, a man who has his own family problems and has been cast out by his father. He has a delightful daughter - aged five, and he will do anything for her. When he is offered a job at the ranch he accepts and so the journey begins to bring the ranch back to life.
Thatcher is a young fourteen year old, pretty much with no family, he eventually finds his way to the ranch as well and it is wonderful to see the caring relationship that develops between the little five year old and the rough and ready Thatcher. What a fun hero he is.
We also catch up with Tim O'Grady, Lauren and the Sheriff. Tim is bent on being an author, and is keen to experience life so as he can write about it. Lauren is finishing college and wondering what is next for her. And the Sheriff is caught up in sorting out shootings and murder.
**
Jubilee Hamilton is a former campaign manager whose last three clients lost their elections. Her boyfriend has left her and now she is being evicted from her home. She dreads having to go home and face her critical parents-or worse-her older sister. When she receives notice she is the sole inheritor of her great-grandfather’s ranch, she hightails it to Texas, determined to make it on her own. She begins to wonder what she’s getting into though when she hires a grumpy cowboy to help her run the ranch.
Charley Collins had it all as a rich rancher’s son but a couple of bad decisions cost him his family and his inheritance. As a single father trying to survive the weight of a town’s disapproval of him while he raises his daughter, he finds himself both annoyed and intrigued by his new boss. But trust is a rare commodity for a man and woman who has both been betrayed by family, friends, and loved ones.
Lauren Brigman, the sheriff’s daughter, is on spring break from college. Unhappy she is stuck at home rather than on the beach in Cancun, Lauren has plenty of time to reflect on her relationship with her mother, an unrequited crush, and an old childhood friend whom she is reconnecting with. When her father is injured in the line of duty, Lauren takes a step back and discovers the only person who can make her happy is herself.
Fourteen-year-old Thatcher Jones keeps to himself, doing a little of this and that in order to survive. When he is unwittingly pulled into a murder mystery, he finds his survival depends on a man and woman whose journey towards trust and forgiveness mirrors his own.
Jodi Thomas’s small town contemporaries are a favorite indulgence of mine. Smoothly written with appealing characters, Thomas weaves a cozy tale that digs deep beneath the facade of small-town living; examining the love, laughter, pain, and heartbreak that exists there. Lone Heart Pass has a healthy dose of mystery, suspense, and quite a few humorous surprises as it builds a solid base on which to reveal the main conflict. Told from four points of view, strong opinions and emotions hold sway as you watch these people deal with the matters at hand in a world that doesn’t really hold them in high esteem. Three main storylines circle around each other, intersecting at key points as their ties to one another become visible. Each character’s personal journey is a lesson in the strong hold the past can have on you and how learning to forgive and let go can free you for an incredible future.
**
The third installment of her Ransom Canyon series, with a few familiar faces and a fresh new couple. Jubilee and Charley are not typical characters I would come to expect, they are truly partners against the world. Jubilee is a big-city girl grasping at straws to make a way in life, find her inner-strength and become an independent hard working rancher. Life has dealt Charley some pretty crappy cards, from seducing stepmother, being disowned by his family, and trying to raise a five year-old daughter alone. Based on personal histories alone would have made someone think, how will this work out…. will Jubilee fall in love with Charley or his daughter…. will Jubilee make an honest run of it. Thatcher, what a down to earth, good-hearted, kind young man, he deserved to have his own story. Our favorite characters pulled through with some unexpected zing, the sheriff, Lauren, Tim, Polly and the town busybodies, the Franklin sisters. Each one providing a small side stories each one enhancing the main story of Charley and Jubilee. Lone Heart Pass maintains the feeling of hope and love with a little laughter and drama rolled into a gripping novel. You will fall in love with the Charley and Jubilee.
May 9, 2016
Another lovely installment to the Ransom Canyon series. The story is told, like always in the series, by multiple points of view, with one couple, Charley and Jubilee in the front and center.
The story between Jubilee and Charley is a tale of survival, making your own destiny, finding your happiness at the moments you are in, and learning to love again, after life has kicked you to the curve too many times. Jubilee doesn't even believe she has a heart, so many times she has been left behind, and those bitter words have been thrown on her face.
But they find a tune together, even though so opposite of each other, in personality, they learn to work together, share their dreams, goals, and future hopes, and somehow, manage to build a new family, a family of a heart, and a pack that sticks together no matter what they face. I absolutely adore them together, and their story is touching, tender, and delicate, yet it has moments of pure passion and more strength, than most ever have.
Since the beginning of the series, Lauren, Lucas and Tim, as well as the sheriff, have part of the story, and one of the major draws to come back for more, has been following their life. I always wished for another kind of second chance for Lauren and her first love, but I guess it wasn't written in the stars, as I hoped.
The danger and life and death moments, that Tim, the sheriff and Thatcher bring to the tale, give extra spice to the story, and excitement, that nicely moved the story along.
The Ransom Canyon tales always pull me into that world, and it takes a while after I finish a book, to 'come back' again. The lovely small town, the lively characters, and their destinies, just take over and fill your mind. The stories are well written, with a natural flow in them, and after a wile, you feel like you are part of the town, visiting old friends, and getting to know few new ones.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
The story between Jubilee and Charley is a tale of survival, making your own destiny, finding your happiness at the moments you are in, and learning to love again, after life has kicked you to the curve too many times. Jubilee doesn't even believe she has a heart, so many times she has been left behind, and those bitter words have been thrown on her face.
But they find a tune together, even though so opposite of each other, in personality, they learn to work together, share their dreams, goals, and future hopes, and somehow, manage to build a new family, a family of a heart, and a pack that sticks together no matter what they face. I absolutely adore them together, and their story is touching, tender, and delicate, yet it has moments of pure passion and more strength, than most ever have.
Since the beginning of the series, Lauren, Lucas and Tim, as well as the sheriff, have part of the story, and one of the major draws to come back for more, has been following their life. I always wished for another kind of second chance for Lauren and her first love, but I guess it wasn't written in the stars, as I hoped.
The danger and life and death moments, that Tim, the sheriff and Thatcher bring to the tale, give extra spice to the story, and excitement, that nicely moved the story along.
The Ransom Canyon tales always pull me into that world, and it takes a while after I finish a book, to 'come back' again. The lovely small town, the lively characters, and their destinies, just take over and fill your mind. The stories are well written, with a natural flow in them, and after a wile, you feel like you are part of the town, visiting old friends, and getting to know few new ones.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
March 19, 2016
* I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
After Jubilee Hamilton hits rock bottom, she decides to escape to the run-down Texas ranch she inherited. Still reeling from loss and abandonment, she wants to make the ranch her second and last chance at life. To make a proper go of it, she jumps as the chance to hire rough and tumble Charley Collins as a ranch foreman. Charley Collins has been burned by family and women alike leaving him with a young daughter solely in his care. When offered a chance to do ranch work again, he jumps at getting a second and last chance to do the work he loves. Both weren’t looking for love, but somehow it manages to find them.
Verdict: Jodi Thomas always does such a fantastic job creating characters who manage to not only find themselves but find each other as well. Her stories are NOT about how fast you can get somebody into bed but all about friendship, home and hearth, and self discovery. It’s very easy to get lost in the journey which makes it all that much satisfying when you get to the end because you know that everything built IS NOT a happy for now, but IS a happy ever after forever and ever and ever. I just love her books and can’t wait for the next in the Ransom Canyon series.
After Jubilee Hamilton hits rock bottom, she decides to escape to the run-down Texas ranch she inherited. Still reeling from loss and abandonment, she wants to make the ranch her second and last chance at life. To make a proper go of it, she jumps as the chance to hire rough and tumble Charley Collins as a ranch foreman. Charley Collins has been burned by family and women alike leaving him with a young daughter solely in his care. When offered a chance to do ranch work again, he jumps at getting a second and last chance to do the work he loves. Both weren’t looking for love, but somehow it manages to find them.
Verdict: Jodi Thomas always does such a fantastic job creating characters who manage to not only find themselves but find each other as well. Her stories are NOT about how fast you can get somebody into bed but all about friendship, home and hearth, and self discovery. It’s very easy to get lost in the journey which makes it all that much satisfying when you get to the end because you know that everything built IS NOT a happy for now, but IS a happy ever after forever and ever and ever. I just love her books and can’t wait for the next in the Ransom Canyon series.
January 18, 2017
Such a good story. Jodi Thomas makes misfit characters find new lives and love better than any author I have read. Jubilee is a campaign manager. She is out of work after her 3rd candidate in a row loses an election. It is then she finds out she has inherited her great grandfather's ranch in Ransom Canyon. She hires Charley, a bartender with a young daughter trying to squirrel away money for a small ranch of his own. There is also Thatcher, a young teen boy mostly abandoned by his mother. The sheriff and his daughter are back, along with Tim.
May 15, 2016
Lone Heart Pass was fabulous. Jodi's has a true gift in writing, that captures the true emotions of all her characters. I've never been to Ransom Canyon, but I truly want to go visit. I swear everyone in this series would be waiting with open arms and a Texas welcome. This series is an amazing testament to the way Texans claim those they love, whether blood related or not. I'm a native Texan and this book just made me smile, Texas proud.
November 17, 2016
What a fantastic story! I cannot wait to go back and read stories 1 & 2. Jubilee, a failed campaign manager, moves into the Texas ranch she inherits and decides to make a go of it. She hires Charley as a foreman. This story is of second chances, the heart's unending capacity for love, love of the land and a little mystery will definitely draw you in.
May 18, 2016
Enjoyed it, but the ending was rushed. Really hoping for a great story for Lauren. In my opinion Lucas doesn't deserve her.
June 24, 2016
Another great book by Jodi Thomas.
This is her new series
Another small town with great characters
This is her new series
Another small town with great characters
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