Cowboy Needed

Cowboy Wanted #4

by B.A. Tortuga

Ichabod Miller Johns needs a cowboy.

When his kids inherit their grandfather's ranch, Ichabod moves them lock, stock, barrel to Western Colorado, leaving the cityscape of Denver behind. Despite this being his deceased husband's family ranch, he knows he has to take this chance to get his teenager away from the bad stuff he's involved in and give himself some breathing space to work at his hardcore pottery business. It can't hurt the other two kids either. Except that he's now living on a run-down ranch that no cowboy in the area will touch with a ten-foot pole.

When he calls Cowboy Wanted, he ends up with Ellis McIntyre. Ellis has worked some major ranches and has ridden the rodeo, but he has an ulterior motive when he comes to Ichabod's place. Aside from needing the job, his half-brother Rick has asked him to look into whether or not Ichabod would be willing to sell the ranch, since Rick feels like he should have inherited it from his step-father.

As Ellis gets to know Ichabod and his kids, though, one thing becomes clear to him. This family needs this ranch, and he intends to help them keep it. Can he convince Ichabod he means no harm, and that he has no designs on the ranch for his half-brother? And can Ichabod open up and trust someone else in his life after so much loss?

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Westerns, Contemporary, Childrens, Christmas

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2025

About the author

Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy's Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her hounds and her beloved wife, texting her grandbabies, and eating Mexican food. When she's not doing that, she's writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting, and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. Following their own personal joys, BA and Julia heard the call of the high desert and they now live in the New Mexico mountains. BA's personal saviors include her wife, her best friends, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to cowboy daddies to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which is committed to giving everyone their happily ever after. With books ranging from hard-hitting BDSM, to fiery passions, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.

Reviews

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

Loved this one too, so good.
Ichabod was raising four kids alone after losing his husband but he wasn't afraid of the challenge. That man adored his sons and daughters and he would do anything for them.
Ellis thought he knew what he was gonna get himself into but boy was he wrong. He just fell in love with that family. All of them just fit together as if they had always been just one entity.
I loved the family moments and the moments they had together solo too

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ichabod and Ellis…

This author gives us another wonderful story!
Ichabod is thriving making pottery, raising 4 terrific children in varying ages and he needed help on the ranch the kids inherited.
Cowboy Ellis got the job and fit right in.
We see them all work and live, with all of the fun and perils. An outsider is causing trouble, but they rally together.
We see the interactions and daily challenges, plus the romance that comes with our men. Sexy timed happen later after flirting and long eye contact.
This takes place for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The story has heartwarming moments, lots of patience, and an abundance of love.
ENJOY !

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[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anyone has read any of BA's books, you'll know they're going to be about cowboys and families, and this one is no exception. It would've been nice if they were all connected. Ichabod and his four children move to a ranch that the children's grandfather has left in trust for the kids. Icabod is no rancher. He hires a cowboy, Ellis. Ellis doesn't intend to stay that long, but there is something about Ichabod and his children that pulls Ellis to him, and he wants to be in that family.

[ash-reads-romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Review! Cowboy Needed (Cowboy Wanted #4) by @batortuga

As a self-professed sucker for cowboy stories, I literally had to get this book because the cover reminded me of my home SO much. It literally looks like the skyline just outside my hometown of Calgary that I get all hearteyes whenever I look at it!

Even better, the blurb is so cute, and the book was so fluffy and precious. A total instafamily, Instalust matchup between a widowed potter whose children inherit a ranch and a VERY seggsy ranch foreman. *chef’s kiss*

So TL:DR Ichabod, our seggsy silver fox widow who moves out from Denver to the country to take over the downtrodden ranch that his kids have inherited from their grampa is at wits end. He has no skill at ranching and is barely managing his children, nvm his job… he can’t even think about the ranch or the animals that he’s definitely afraid of. So he puts an ad in with Cowboy Wanted but no one seems to want the job.

Until Ellis.

Granted, Ellis is wheedled into the position by his asshole brother who has a nefarious claim on Ichabod’d ranch and is telling all the cowboys to steer clear of working for the family. It’s a bunch of nonsense and Ellis is just looking for a steady job so he puts aside the drama and gives the family a chance, finding he loves the set up and the freedom he has to run the ranch how he wants to. Plus, Ichabod is pretty seggsy… and giving him some flirty vibes.

Time passes and things turn domestic real quick. Ellis feels more at home at this ranch than anywhere he’s ever been in his entire life. Even the children love him. He’s invited to family dinners. He’s mentoring the children in ranching. He’s watching the kids. It’s everything he’s ever wanted and Ichabod wants him in that special way that could have him staying for real long time.

If only he could solve his brother’s nonsense and make his dreams really come true, because he’d d1e for this lil family and this perfect ranch.

The domesticity and family cuteness all set during the holidays is so heartwarming like so fluffy and Ellis is the hottest cowboy. Such an easy, sweet, fluffy read. I can’t wait to devour the rest of the series.

4 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Leonie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful story. Ichabod is clinging to his sanity trying to keep his family of four kids together and happy. He's been a single parent for a few years now and he needs help with the farm his kids inherited. Ellis is the perfect applicant for the job and they have this immediate attraction. There is a trouble maker in the mix, Ellis is struggling with knowing what is being attempted behind the scenes. Love overcomes any and all obstacles for this wonderful group of characters. I loved it so much!!! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cowboy Needed by BA Tortuga is the 4th book in her Cowboy Wanted series. It is the story of a man who is over his head when he moves to a ranch his children inherited and the cowboy that not only saves the ranch but him as they fall in love. Ichabod Miller-Jones has 4 children: Zane, Michael, Allie, and Chrissy and has been widowed for 4 years when his husband died of leukemia. He makes his living making pottery and is well known for his designs. His husband’s father was somewhat of a curmudgeon and when he died, he left his ranch between Aspen and Snowmass in Colorado to his grandchildren. The cowboys who worked for him weren’t happy with that decision and left because they didn’t want to work for a greenhorn, and his stepson, Eric, was really mad because he wanted to inherit it so he could sell it to investors and make a lot of money. Ichabod was at his wit’s end after he moved to the ranch because it was in disrepair, plus he had the children to take care of as well as his business. And Zane didn’t make it any better because he had gotten in with the wrong crowd when they lived in Denver and was now lamenting living in the middle of nowhere without friends or anything to do as loud as he could. Ichabod had contacted Cowboy for Hire to see if he could get some help but so far no one had wanted to take the ranch on. Ellis McIntyre was Eric’s stepbrother and when he asked him to check out the ranch and see how the owner was doing and if he was willing to sell it, Ellis agreed. He answered the ad and took his dog, Mavis, and horse, Rio, with him to the interview. He saw the disrepair the ranch was in but he also saw the possibilities it had, and being a hard-working cowboy through and through he knew he could be a big help. And it didn’t hurt that Ichabod was a silver fox. After they talked it was agreed that Ellis would be the ranch manager but for now a jack of all trades to help get the house, barns, and pastures back in shape, and eventually they would get more horses and some cattle as well as ranch hands to help out. Once he starts working Ichabod is able to get more sleep as well as work done on his pottery. He also makes a deal with Zane where he can earn money and he’ll take him to town to the coffee house where he can make some friends before school starts. Michael is enamored with all the animals and Ellis takes him in hand and starts teaching him about them. The girls are still young and like being in the house and watching TV. Things are going well and there is an attraction between Ichabod and Ellis when someone drops some animals off at the ranch and Ellis thinks it could be a disgruntled cowboy that want to cause trouble for Ichabod. But he isn’t going to give up the ranch because it belongs to the kids and he will do everything he can to see that they get it. Ellis understands and is coming to love them and tells Eric that they have no intention of selling it and that he backs that decision. He also tells Ichabod about his relationship with Eric and what he wants so that is out in the open. Ichabod has never had feelings for anyone else but his husband but is feeling them for Ellis and his best friend Brian tells him to go snog him. So they kiss and have a hot love scene and eventually he brings some clothes from the bunkhouse so he can stay with him when the weather is bad. Things are going well with the kids as they start school and make friends and get involved in activities. They have a great time at Halloween and with Ichabod’s parents, but then something happens that infuriates both of them and has Eric’s fingerprints all over it. They both stand up to him and then say I love you. Ellis moves in and the kids are happy over this situation. They take their relationship slowly but both know the other one is it for them and they go on to make a family where love is the most important thing. I really enjoyed this book as I have all of the other ranch stories Ms. Tortuga has written. They all center around cowboys and men with children who form families and this one is the same. Ichabod is at his wits end wondering how he is going to make everything come together at the ranch when they move there. As a single parent it has been very hard and even harder with a teenager who wants to cause trouble. Ellis is a hard-working cowboy and loves ranch life and knew that he could make a difference in this ranch. He soon came to love the children as well as Ichabod and even when adversity came their way, they were able to handle it together. The children, their parents, and Eric also have a big part in the story and bringing them together. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like stories about a family in crisis and fighting to keep their ranch, a cowboy who sees them for who they are and wants to help, and then how they find the love they both wanted.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy this author’s cowboy stories and this one is no exception. It’s been four years since Ichabod’s first husband died, and since then he has had the raising of their four children alone, ranging in age from newborn to twelve. Now, four years later, the children have inherited a ranch from their grandfather and Ichabod has moved the family to a ranch in the Colorado mountains, upsetting fifteen year old Zane after leaving all his friends, while ten year old Michael loves the animals, and six year old Allie and four year old Chrissy are settling in.

Unfortunately, Ichabod hasn’t been able to find any cowboys to work on the ranch until Ellis shows up, having answered an ad through Cowboy Wanted, willing to work but also do some checking for his brother. The attraction between Ichabod and Ellis is instant and the development of their relationship is slow and natural. As the children settle into their lives on the ranch and Ellis takes care of the everyday tasks, Ichabod is able to work on his pottery business, and they all settle in together, working as a family. Ellis has bonded with the two little girls and Michael, and has a tentative relationship with Zane, as his personal relationship with Ichabod becomes more emotional and physically involved. There are out side pressures that disrupt things like blizzards, stray cattle, an unexpected visitor, and someone trying to cause trouble for Ichabod, but together Ellis and Ichabod face the challenges of four kids and the ranch, working as a team, heading for a HEA.
The characters are well written, realistic and relatable, the angst of a teenager definitely comes through, world building of ranch life creates great word pictures, and we see Ellis fit into the family dynamic seamlessly, supporting Ichabod, and quickly developing love for him, love which is returned. The book kept me engaged and interested in the relationship development between these two men while navigating the ups and downs of the children's lives and the realities and challenges of life on a working ranch when Mother Nature takes things into her own hands. Everything about the situation and dynamics between the characters rang realistic and true, and these was a great sense of satisfaction with the place all were at when the book ended. I found this to be an entertaining and interesting read, one I could recommend for a low angst, low spice read, but one with a lot of satisfying found family dynamic.
I received an advance reader copy of the book and this is my voluntary review.

[Sarah (missrelena) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful story of acceptance, family, learning to love, and learning to love again ranks up there as one of B.A. Tortuga's best. Every character in the cast was so well developed and believable, from cranky teenager with emotions that are too big to a cowboy giving his heart to not just the ML, bit to the entire family.

As a single parent and widower, Ichabod just wants to raise his four children away from the underbelly of big city life his teenage son is so determined to become involved with. When his kids inherit a ranch from their grandfather, he thinks it's a godsend. He is also wise enough to admit when he gets in over his head. All he wants in life is for his kids to be safe, healthy, and happy. . . and maybe a bit of help. He is earnest, caring, and always takes his kids into consideration when making choices in his life. Ichabod is the epitome of a good man.

Ellis first takes the job listed on Cowboy Wanted his motives are far from altruistic. He's supposed to scope out how dilapidated the ranch has become and try to convince the single father of the underage landowners to sell it to his half-brother, Rick. Rick believes he should be the rightful owner of the ranch, and has designs to sell it for a quick profit. However, it doesn't take long for Ellis to find the family to be a treasure his heart never knew it needed.

The romance between the two MLs is not rushed. Instead they have the chance to get to know one another, learn about each other, and communicate together. All things that are so very important when it comes to building relationships. This is especially true when children are involved. Rather than resenting Ichabod's need for his children to feel safe and loved before he is willing to move forward with what is growing between them, Ellis embraces it and his role in the kids lives. Green flags all around.

The exposition was a little slower to build than in other books in this series, but it sets up a beautiful love story. Once it builds, the pacing is quick without feeling rushed. The plot is easy to follow, but with enough intriguing twists to keep a reader engaged through to the very end. This is a fantastic addition to an enjoyable series.

* I received a free eARC through GRR in return for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and written without compensation. *

[Tara Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY OPINION: I love these cozy family stories with a cowboy. This is another one of those that make you feel warm and fuzzy in the end.

These two men are brought together by a strange family link. When the widower Ichabod ends up living on a ranch that was left to his children by their grandfather, he is way over his head. The choice to leave it to the grandkids created a problem for the stepson. But he is determined to make this work so his kids have a future.

Ellis finds himself on the ranch where most of the animals have been sold, the ranch hands have left, and the new owners are underage. Their father hires a foreman who falls in love with the ranch and the kids. When the two men become friends and realize there is so much more between them, they take things slow. This was grown-up stuff; there were kids involved.

The book is filled with these two men and them figuring out life with the kids. It’s a lovely family that is filled with the stories of how they adapt, how the kids get attached, and the men fall in love. One of the nice things is that expectations are set, and they have to take things slow when there are four kids in the house.

It’s so nice to see things handled like adults, no drama, and it was such a pleasure to read. I love all the books by BA Tortuga. This was a family story, a few spicy scenes, but not a lot. It was mostly about family and love. Healing from loss, and falling for the very first time. Being a cowboy and accepting someone who was nothing like you. In the end, it’s about a wonderful couple and a happily ever after. If you love great later-in-life family love stories, this is a good one. The books in the series don’t depend on each other to be good. I’ve read a couple, but I will fill out the series for sure. These are so good, great for a comfort read while it snows outside.

[Bluemoonchild · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this one more than I did. I adore this series as a whole and the setup for this installment had such great promise: a widower raising 4 kids from 15-3, small-town, ranch life, found family vibes and a cowboy with an ulterior motive. All solid ingredients for a good story.

Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. I struggled with the pacing of the romance between Ellis and Ichabod. Even knowing that that story covers a few months first, it seemed like they jumped very quickly from awkward, stilted conversations to jumping into bed with each other. It made their connection feel rushed and less believable than I wanted. There were also a few plot points that I felt weren't fully resolved. But the little kids were cute, Michael seemed to barely be part of the story, and Zane was portrayed perfectly as a typical teenager (though I would have like to know more about the trouble they left behind in Denver).

This book also hit a personal pet peeve of mine. I really hate the word "lover" used by characters to describe their significant other. It gives me an instant ick and, in this book, I had a hard time imagining either of these men actually using it. Unfortunately, it popped up several times, and it did yank me out of the story.

Overall, this wasn't a bad read, but it wasn't a favorite for me from this series. I still love the series as a whole and I will absolutely keep reading, but this installment didn't quite land the way others have.

[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]

[Flick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Cowboy Wanted series so much!

It's no secret that I adore BA's work and love the way she writes found family and families in general. So, I was far from surprised that I absolutely adored this book! I love that BA is so adept at transporting us into someone's life in a way that feels real. The ups, the downs, the hiccups and joyous moments - we get to see it all and we get to enjoy seeing the family grow and become rooted in a new home. I actually quite liked that Ellis came in with an ulterior motive but saw pretty quickly that the ranch was in the right hands and that Ichabod was a great guy with amazing kids and that they could be something truly special together. There's a background baddie (which I always enjoy because I know BA keeps her MCs and their families' safe) who gets his own but for me, the overarching joy of this book, is watching a family grow and settle. Getting to see them have the perfect little moments. I guess it's that realism to the story that makes me love it so much because it reminds me of the good in the world when it feels a bit like it's burning.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

“Cowboy Needed” by B.A. Tortuga is the fourth book in the ‘Cowboy Wanted’ series and features Ichabod, a man with a complicated family that has dealt with too much loss in a short amount of time and Ellis, the cowboy who hires on to help with the overwhelming tasks of getting their new home functional as a working ranch again.

This adult western gay romance is another poignant story by a talented author who excels at creating memorable characters. There are multiple examples of the challenges of dysfunctional family dynamics as well as vivid scenarios of the children with their distinct personalities. I adored the “stranger/danger” response of one of the youngsters and enjoyed all of the animal interactions even as I pulled for them all to cope with the upheavals in their respective lives and cheered for the blossoming relationship that evolves between the main characters and between Ellis and the kids. I’m always immediately drawn into this author’s stories, and this was no exception. I look forward to reading more stories that feature these folks who believe in the cowboy code.

A copy of this title was provided for review

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

With each book this author continues to raise the bar. As someone who cannot imagine writing a single book, I am in awe that each books is perfection, great characters, great story, fun but also has a message. A message in this one is about learning to trust, follow ones heart, and creating a sense of family. Ichabod moves his family to a ranch after his grandkids inherit it, leaving city life behind. His hope is the ranch will protect his children. He gets there to see a ranch in need to help as most of the ranchers left as they thought ranch would be left to someone else (the bad half step brother, Rick), Ichabod reaches out to Cowboy needed and gets Ellis to help him with ranch. Of course Ellis being his journey with another plan (per Rick) to get him to sell ranch. He soon realizes that is not gonna happen as he feels a connection to Ichabod and sees the ranch and Ichabod's family need one another. He just hs to convince Ichabod he is not playing him but really feels for him. Like ever book in this series I read it in one sitting, believing in love, and wanting more from this couple.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!

This book is amazing and I loved it! Ellis and Ichabod will meet when Ellis comes to the ranch for an interview. Ichabod’s children inherited it from his late husband’s father Vic and they moved out from Denver to live there. Things are a little rough in the beginning and he hires Ellis to do all the ranch things while he works on his pottery. Ellis is glad to be there and have a job but his half brother Rick wants the land and he wants Ellis to help him get it. Rick was Vic’s stepson and felt he should have gotten the ranch. Ellis and Ichabod get along very well from the beginning and Ellis even enjoys being around the children. He refuses to do what Rick is asking, he won’t mess things up for Ichabod and the children. Soon, Ichabod and Ellis give in to the chemistry between them and he folds right into the family. The two little girl are an absolute hoot and add quite a bit of joy to the story. Ellis and Ichabod will soon be together as a couple and it will pave the way to their happily ever after!

I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

[Sarita Chapdelaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboy Needed is a great addition to the Cowboy Wanted series and I really enjoyed it. It is a sweet and fun story with wonderful characters and an intriguing storyline. Ichabod needs a cowboy to look after the ranch his four kids inherited from his late husband's father. He is doing his best to raise the kids in a new environment and also keep up with his work but he needs help. Ellis is looking for a job but also willing to check out the situation at the ranch for his half brother. Soon after he arrives he is all in to help Ichabod and his kids as he falls for all of them. I love how their relationship evolves and that their main priority is always the kids and animals. They have a few tough things to deal with because of Ellis's brother and visits from friends and family to navigate but their strong connection and great communication get them through it all. The ending is great and I look forward to reading the next book in this exciting series.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

When his four children inherit their grandfather's rundown Coloradoan ranch, Ichabod Miller Johns takes the chance for a better life away from Denver and the gangbangers his eldest son fell in with. It's an overwhelming change for city dwellers. Cowboys Wanted sends him Ellis McIntyre and after a short conversation, Ichabod hires him.
The romance is rather sweet and slow starting, lots of eye lusting. It does move into hot and sweaty. There's some angst, it's only been four years since Ichabod lost his husband. There's relationship doubt, on both sides. Ellis' half brother feels the ranch should have come to him, and he causes trouble.
No one does cowboys like BA Tortuga. The men are hot; quite a few retired rodeo, ranchers, some broken, some broke in. There's always food, her Coloradons and Texans definitely wouldn't agree on whose state makes the better tacos! At least one MC can cook and bake, usually. Animals, working and pets. And then there's kids. I loved how Ichabod and Ellis interacted with the kids. One on one time and also acted as a united front.
A fun quick read. More cowboys please.
I received an advanced copy from GRR and this is my review.

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25*s

I’ve only read a few of Tortuga’s books but I’ve really enjoyed what I have read so far and I think Cowboy Wanted reminds me a bit of The Cowboy’s Bullfighter. Like with that story, there wasn’t a ton of angst or drama (although I would have expected more with the whole issue over the farm, although I’m kinda happy we didn’t go there) just characters that feel real with real issues, real connection. The romance is a little more at the forefront here but there’s still a good dose of the family feel. And I loved the little family they create when they bring Ellis into their group. It’s such a lovely thing that I would have loved even more of them together with the kids but I did appreciate the simplicity of it – two people who meet, spend time together, fall in love, and work towards a future together. With slow burn, feel good stories like this, I’ll definitely keep putting Tortuga on my TBR list.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Ichabod is a good dad and is willing to do what it takes to try to build a good and safe life for his children. When they inherit land from their grandfather he moves them to the ranch to give them a fresh start and to help his oldest child especially to stay away from things that could lead him in the wrong direction. But he needs help and the ranch is not in the best shape. That is where Ellis comes in. When Ichabod hires Ellis, he is hopeful that he has found someone to help him. When Ellis took the job he was checking things out at the behest of his half sibling Rick, not a great guy, but Ellis quickly realizes that this family and this ranch is a good place for him to land and to build up and help grow. Ellis and Ichabod work well together and they center the best interests of the children and work to build the life that this family needs to thrive. It turned out that this was a new start for them all that took them all to a good place for both the family and the couple - Ellis and Ichabod.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Families can be complicated! Ichabod, is a widower with 4 children. The kids inherit his deceased husband's broken down ranch. Ichabod, tries to make a go of the ranch, but knows he needs help, so he hires a cowboy. Ellis, is sent from Cowboys for Hire. He is qualified and skilled for the job, but he has a hidden agenda for his half brother, Rick who feels he should have inherited the land. Ellis' loyalties change once he meets Ichabod and the kids. Good story about two men who want to make a success of the ranch for what starts out as two different reasons. BA creates a story with depth, two good characters, 4 delightful children and choices and decisions that draw on committment, emotions and walking the walk and that need to be made for multiple reasons. Great characters, nice flow, the drama of can they save the ranch and can the family find and stay on their paths. Good story, nice cover art! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another enjoyable, feel-good book in the Cowboy Wanted series. In this book, Ichabod is a widower of four years with four children. The kids just inherited a ranch from their grandfather, held in trust for Ichabod to manage. One of his first steps is to hire a cowboy to run the ranch while Ichabod continues his work as a renowned potter.

Ellis is a single cowboy who has moved from place to place. Pressured by his half-brother to get a job on the ranch to spy on the owner, Ellis agrees, not to spy, but because he's interested in the job and to get a lay of the land, in case they''re considering a sale.

Ellis is immediately drawn to Ichabod and the little family of children who are still adapting and hurting. Still, it's slow going and the ranch also needs a ton of work. This is a story of love, family, passion, and a slow-coming forever love.

[CatOnABlueBackground · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ichabod moves his family of 4 kids to a Colorado ranch that the kids have inherited from their grandfather (who has passed). Ichabod is a widower of 4 years, and now with a ranch to take care of, he needs to hire a cowboy to help. He hires Ellis, who initially has an ulterior motive in taking the job, but before long falls in love with Ichabod and the kids.

There's lots of holiday activities going on - from Thanksgiving to Christmas. There's parents and friends to meet, and a half brother who tries to get them in trouble with CPS. But mostly there's just a lot of activity around setting up the ranch, getting the kids settled, and falling in love with each other.

It's an easy read with low spice, low angst, and no 3rd act breakup.

[Mandy Beyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way BA Tortuga writes single dads and cowboys, especially the way the cowboys are with animals, children, and solving problems. Ichabod is doing the most to keep his children safe and is not willing to dip into their trust, but doing his best to save it for them to grow up. I love how Ellis takes the job with one idea in his head, but quickly comes to realize that this is his missing piece - this place and especially this family. As the two men fall in love, they keep the children's well-being first and foremost, which is such a contrast to the book's villain (who is a total idiot for thinking his plan would even have the result he wanted). I am a total suburban-ite, but this author's books always make me wish I was more of a country girl.

[Rebecca Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellis is such a good man, he is loyal and always tries to do the right thing. Ichabod is a single father just trying to raise his children on a farm he knows nothing about but he’s trying to do right by his children.
Ellis and Ichabod are such a hoot together, I love the way they can be silly together and still be on the same page when it comes to the ranch and the kids. The trust they have in each other comes quickly but as the book goes on you can tell it’s earned and rightfully so.
I adored how much the kids grew to love Ellis, even Zane and the ending was such a beautiful scene to witness. BA is an amazing person and she always does amazing work, I can’t wait to see what she brings us next. ❤️😁

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a warm, heartfelt story about second chances, family and finding support when everything feels overwhelming. Ichabod’s move to the ranch with his children is messy and stressful, and that made his situation feel very real. Ellis arriving as the one person willing to take the job brings not just practical help, but a steady, calming presence that slowly changes everything.

I loved the way the ranch becomes a place of healing, not just for Ichabod but for his children too, and how the romance grows naturally alongside that. The found-family elements, small moments with the kids and the quiet strength of the love story made this a deeply satisfying read.

I received a free ARC copy and this is my honest review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ichabod's 4 kids (aged 15 - 2) have inherited a ranch from their grandfather. The problem? Ichabod knows nothing about running a ranch - but he does know he can hire a cowboy who does. Enter Ellis - a cowboy looking for a place to settle down who has an odd connection to the ranch. The two men hit it off, and quickly the family settles in with Ellis filling in the gaps effortlessly.

Low-angst and super sweet, with fantastic supporting characters this book was a delight. Perfect winter reading when you want to just enjoy the ride, love on the characters and see a family that really deserves it get their HEA. 

[Tracy Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the Cowboy Wanted series, but can easily be read as a standalone. Ichabod’s husband died 4 years ago. Now he and his 4 children have moved to a ranch that was left to the kids when their grandfather died. Ellis is a cowboy hired by Ichabod to run the ranch. Initially, he had an ulterior motive, but thankfully it doesn’t cause any issues.

Ellis and Ichabod are sweet together, but for me the best part was seeing Ellis become part of their family. It’s a low angst, quick read that left me with a smile on my face.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked where this story started. Ichabod is four years past losing his husband, so meeting Ellis isn't full of guilt and angst for either of them. I was impressed that Ichabod was willing to listen and give his teen son not only guidance and rules, but options. Pointing out that this was a new start for all of them seemed to be a turning point. Ellis's moral code made me happy. Stepping into a ready-made family, he doesn't push or try to parent but lets Ichabod and the kids steer him. I loved seeing into their future; it made the ending extra enjoyable.
Highly recommended author and series

[Mir Jak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lookit, most times, this book series (and related ones) are nice reads. This one I really enjoyed - we've a single Dad who is trying, really trying to keep his family moving forward. Then the new cowboy comes along to help....and a bit more. Loved how both of them interacted - yes there's the attraction but also its the honest and direct communication between. It does rub sometimes...but they work through it ....and from that.....swoon.....romantic and steamy for sure.....but also the found family vibe. Those family feels will hit ya ! Loved this one !!

[Dionne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. The set up for this book had the potential to be super angsty as Ellis came to work for Ichabod under false pretenses so that he could help his half brother try to gain control of the ranch that Ichabod’s children had inherited, but in true B.A. Tortuga style the book had a few ups and downs but was ultimately a happy low angst book. I love the way this author writes the children characters and the chemistry that her cowboys have with their significant others and I look forward to reading her next book.

[Dawn Siemer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboys, kids, and animals

This story is pretty low angst. The relationship is solid from the beginning. There is a little trouble from local cowboys and Rick. We never really learn what happened, except Rick thought he should get the ranch. Why wouldn't cowboys take a job at the ranch? Did other people try to discourage them? Who wanted to buy the place, and why were they talking to Rick and not Ichabod?

The pottery is fun, and the kids are adorable. There could've been more about the guys' relationship.