The Family He Always Wanted

by Lisa Childs

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Born one dark and stormy Halloween night, Lisa Childs was predestined to write suspense novels. She loves spinning dark and twisty stories that keep readers awake because they’re either too busy turning pages or too scared to sleep. Lisa Childs is the prolific author of more than seventy published novels. In addition to romantic suspense, she also writes women’s fiction, paranormal and contemporary romance.

Lisa loves to hear from readers who can contact her on Facebook or through her website.

Reviews

[Julie Eichelberger-Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Family He Always Wanted is the 4th in the A Bachelor Cowboys Romance series but can be read as a stand alone, however I suggest reading the previous stories for a little character background as well as for the entertainment that is this series. Attorney Nolan Stokes has moved to Willow Creek with his three young children after his ex-wife deserted them to follow her dreams. He also has other reasons for moving to the area, which he explosively reveals during a dinner welcoming his former client, Trish, home. Realizing that his anger is misplaced and he just created more problems, he runs out of the house and Frankie Dempsey, Trish's cousin, follows him and calls him out for his "jerk" moves. As she is yelling at him, he receives a distressed call from his daughter and hops in his truck to leave. Frankie, not believing his excuse, jumps in the passenger seat and goes with him to his ranch where he comforts his three children. Frankie realizes that he is not the snake she thought he was and as they spend more and more time together, feelings begin to grow between them but Nolan is afraid of holding her back from her dreams of being a famous singer and she is afraid of loving and losing someone again. This story is full of heart, real emotions, adorable children and of course meddling, matchmaking seniors who want their family to find love and happiness. The character development was exceptionally well written and their problems were realistically heartfelt. This is a wonderful series that draws you in and makes you feel part of the family.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I love this series. I hope there is more to come.
Nolan Stokes has just opened up a can of worms with his announcement of who his biological parents are. It comes has a shock to everyone. He feels bad being this get together was for Trish his client that they were celebrating. When he cuts out Frankie Dempsey follows him out. He has to go, and she instants on going with him. What she finds are his children so upset she tries to help any way she can. They’re sweet children
Hope, Zoe, and Xavier. An incident happened, but she turns things around. It warmed my heart, and broke for those kids.
Nolan couldn’t believe Frankie came with him. He knew Frankie wasn’t staying in Willow Creek. He moved there to be closer to his family. The kids were thrilled to find out they had more family they knew about. Hope was thrilled that Sadie March Haven Lemmon was her grandmother. She knew she needed her help. If anyone could help her she could like she did her friends. Now they were her family too.
Nolan and Frankie were fighting an attraction that was so strong, but neither really wanted to admit it. Nolan didn’t want to hold her back. Frankie didn’t know what she wanted. A decision was made she felt was the right one. It was hers, and hers alone to make. Nolan’s children loved Frankie so much that they did something again that warmed my heart. It brought all the family together, and a big surprise between two people.
It was a perfect choice.

A must read as is the series! Well done Ms. Childs. Please write more. I don’t want this series to end.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the bachelor cowboy books are heartwarming with lovable characters and a quick-moving plot. This is my favorite so far because from the beginning I did not see how Nolan, a single father and a lawyer with a chip on his shoulder, could match with anyone. His match was a pleasant surprise and the story was a real delight to read. I fell in love with Nolan’s kids and their desire to have a family and be accepted. The trope is a mixture of enemies to lovers and friends to lovers because the couple makes a progression from enemies to friends to romance. The characters were easy to cheer for and the love story was satisfying and delightfully humorous at times. I really liked how the family all came together in times of crisis and how the sub-plot of Nolan’s parentage was skillfully woven into the story. This is a carefully plotted slam dunk in the romance department for me and I highly recommend the entire series although each can be read as a standalone.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Marie Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nolan Stokes/attorney is single parenting (ex wife walked away from the family) 3 young children Hope 9,Xavier 7 & Zoe 3. Frankie Dempsey is only in Willow Creek for a short period of time & then she wants to go back out on the road to pursue a singing career. Nolan reveals a huge secret about his adoption at a family gathering. He’s called home by a crying Hope & Frankie ends up going with him. Shortly after meeting the kids,sparks start flying between the 2 adults. Nolan really wants Frankie to stay,but not wanting his children,or himself to get attached to Frankie,only to have her take off ,like their mom did & possibly regret giving up a career & end up resenting them. I hope you grab a copy on release day 8-25 & enjoy it as much as I did. Even though it’s book #4 in the Bachelor Cowboy Romance series,it can easily be read as a stand-alone book. Thank you Lisa Childs for this heartwarming story

[DeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE FAMILY HE ALWAYS WANTED by Lisa Childs
Release date August 25, 2026

What an amazing read! This is book 4 of the bachelor, cowboy romance series. But they can all be read as a standalone.

Atty. Nolan Stokes has moved to Willow Creek. His wife left him and his three children! Hope is nine, Xavier is seven and sweet. Zoe is three. Nolan has secrets that get revealed in this story.

Frankie Dempsey is not a fan of Nolan‘s. He just so happens to be the lawyer that was trying to stop how the Will was settled. His client was Trish who just so happens to be Frankie’s cousin. It doesn’t take long for Frankie to change her opinion of Nolan.

Lisa always writes an amazing story. But this one really captured my heart and I think it will yours also. I highly recommend this read be added to your TBR list.

[Tammy Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family He Always Wanted
Lisa Childs

He is an attorney who helped settles the estate. Nolan and his kids live next to the farm. Nolan tells everyone the secret he has carried for many years. Frankie takes off after him and ends up going home with him because Hope calls him and is tears because she heard the babysitter said because there mom left and didn't come back that Nolan wasn't going to home either. His kids get really attached to Frankie.They got attached to there the farm and the Lemmoms , Havens, Cassidys and grandma and grandpa and great grandparents. The kids loved the pet zoo camp.
What happened to the kids one night ?
What happens to Nolan and the kids? Lisa write amazing books with great detail. She makes the characters makes each have there own personalities. I recommend this story to small town heartwarming books.

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. Nolan is a lawyer who has been helping Trish with her case. Frankie is Trish's cousin and doesn't like Nolan because she thinks he's trying to take the ranch from the her and the lemmon brothers who have been on the ranch for a very long time. Frankie finds out that's not true. Nolan has 3 children who like Frankie, Nolan likes Frankie. Will they fall in love or will Frankie pursue her music career.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely the best series.

Going back to willow creek,
It's home for so many wonderful families
The Lemmons are some of my favorites.

This time
Nolan Stokes story his Secrets come to light.
Absolutely phenomenal how this book played out.

Love always wins in the end.

I honestly didn't want this book to end.

A story full of family forgiveness love and kindness. Lisa Childs writes the Best Stories.