Surrendered: A Surprise Pregnancy, Enemies to Lovers Romance

by Leah Banks

Two pink lines. That’s all it takes to knock me flat.

I came back to Black Spruce Ranch with my tail between my legs—no job, no law license, no clue what the hell comes next. The plan was keep my head down, survive my old man’s temper, and try not to screw up again.

Then there’s Katie McArthur. The quiet vet I used to give a hard time in high school—except now she’s hot as hell, confident, and doesn’t take an ounce of my bullshit. One night with her was supposed to shut off the noise in my head, not tie me to a future I’m scared to want.

Now she’s carrying my kid, and working near her every day is its own kind of punishment. She’s too good for me—steady where I’m chaos, soft where I’m rough—I’ve already torched one life. I can’t afford to ruin hers too.

But every time she looks at me like I might be worth something, I start to believe it. That’s dangerous—because belief turns into hope.

And hope?
That’s how you get burned.

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

Reviews

[Virginia Danyow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wayne and Katie have known each other since high school. She was the shy, quiet, smart loner and she always had a crush on Wayne. He was one of the "cool kids" and part of the group that tormented her for years, even if he didn't actually say anything.

After losing his mom, Wayne left the quiet little town behind him. He became a lawyer and was fast tracking his way to partner at his firm. That is until he made another stupid mistake and the higher ups had enough. So he tucks tail and goes home for an extended "vacation".

Katie became a vet and works out at Black Spruce Ranch, which is owned by Wayne's family. She runs into Wayne one night out at the bar. He doesn't recognize her at first. Things get hot pretty quickly from there. They hit numerous bumps along the way, including their own insecurities and a crazy ex hook up of Wayne's.

I read the first book, Branded, and honestly thought book 2 would focus on Jenny, the sister. We only meet Wayne at the very end of that first story so I was a bit surprised that he became the focus of this book. That being said, I was not disappointed in this book at all. The emotional rollercoaster between Wayne and Katie is well written and I really liked seeing the character growth in Wayne over the course of the book. Now, let's see a book 3 for Jenny.

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

[Ruth R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wayne was fired from work because of his own actions,he tried to call many firms but all of them were ignoring his calls, his boss blacklisted him in Billings.
He decided to go back home in Windy River for a few days in his father Ranch .
Katie was a veteran, one afternoon she decided to have a drink, Wayne came into the bar where she was , she didn’t know what she felt because he was a bully that he was making fun of her braces in high school and she had a crush on him.
When he saw her he went to sit near her, he introduced himself but he didn’t recognize her.
She tells him who she was and he tells her how good looking she became, they talked when she noticed that time passed she said that tomorrow is another working day, he insisted to walk her to her house when he tells her it’s not far from his motel , they finished sleeping together .
The day after when he went to his father Ranch Katie was there,when he went to offer her another night together she rejected his offer and he was angry that a high school nerd rejected him.

Another amazing book of this author .
I love her writing and how she describes the story. Well done

[Karen J Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wayne Riggs needs to get his act together, as well as his life. His playboy lifestyle has gotten him into a mess. Not only has he lost his job, but his handling of the clients for his law firm has gotten him blacklisted. He doesn't know if going home to the family ranch is a good decision, given that he is not on the best of terms with his father or his sister. The only bright spot is meeting up with his old high school classmate, Katie. Always a nerd in school, Katie is now a veterinarian. Their one night together leads to major complications for both of them. She soon realizes that Wayne needs to grow up, and until he does, she can't see any type of future for the two of them, or should she say the three of them. While Wayne is trying to straighten out his life, will he possibly lose the best thing that has ever come along?.

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

[Karen "Kay" · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book this morning and could not put it down. Wayne, the MMC, is back to the ranch having lost his job at the law firm while he is looking for a new job. He was unsure how being home would go as he was not on good terms with his father or sister. There were some family surprises for him also when he arrived. Another surprise was Katie McArthur, a former high school classmate, now a veterinarian. He gave her a bad time in high school, but she is not the same person. She is confident and doesn’t put up with any of his bullshit. Wayne still had some growing up to do. A great story with heartfelt growth, forgiveness and second chances. I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you start to read this romance book there is nothing that is going stop you until you hit the end. I loved the way Wayne and Katie's characters in this storyline come together. Leah did a really wonderful job creating a small-town book that deserves a perfect 10 from me.