Luke-Rival Ranchers

by Olivia Kay

I moved back to save my father’s ranch… then I had one night stand with the infuriatingly hot cowboy whose family hates mine.

Coming back to River Bend wasn't the plan, but my father's prison sentence and his crumbling ranch didn't ask for my opinion.

My seven-year-old and I pack up Austin and move back anyway.

Enter Luke McCallister.

He’s the infuriatingly hot cowboy next door whose family has been feuding with mine since before I could spell “cattle.”

And apparently he’s decided it’s his personal mission to point out every single way I’m messing up ranch life.

One brutal day of broken fences and escaped cattle turns into one reckless night I absolutely cannot take back.

The kind we both agree was a mistake.

Then the drought hits, and suddenly we're sharing water rights, fixing fences side by side, and my daughter is following him around like he hung the Texas moon.

He teaches my daughter how to ride.

He makes sure we are taken care of.

And somehow the cowboy I’m supposed to hate is starting to look dangerously perfect.

Which would be fine.

But River Bend has a long memory, and if this town decides I'm nothing but my father's daughter, Luke might be the one thing I can’t keep.

395 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2026

Reviews

[Jean Katchmar]

Addie Griggs left her job and home in Austin to return to her family ranch in River Bend, bringing her daughter Emma with her. She feared rejection because her father was now in jail for cattle rustling. She plans to fix what she can, sell the ranch, and return to Austin. First to appear at the ranch is Luke McCallister. He assists her with the backup of her truck and trailer. As the days pass, Luke continues to "show up" to help Addie and show her she is not alone fixing the ranch. Emma finds friends in the McCallister cousins, children of the McCallister brothers' families. But when Luke and Addie have to move the cattle to higher ground before a storm hits, Addie she proves to Luke how much she can do when needed and can get things done. They start to feel the chemistry and she reminds Luke she has not decided to stay. Luke continues to show her he wants to help her fix things on the ranch and show her she is not alone. Another great story about trust, hope and love trying to show them their way to happiness.

[Kaylee Lynch]

Addie was selling luxury homes but now she's back on her family's dying farm as the owner. She was trying to back the trailer up, but so not succeeding, when Luke shows up. His land is next door and he decides to help her out and of course backs it up right away since he's been doing it his whole life. Addies daughter is immediately obsessed since Luke is a "real cowboy" Addies grew up on this ranch but she's more of a city girl now having to get her hands dirty again. I do love enemies to lovers so I was super excited to read this. It's more of a slower burn than I would prefer but I really enjoyed watching Addie learn to trust people and accept help. She's afraid everyone would think she's just like her father. 

[The Book Ssirren]

This was such a great slow burn cowboy romance. Addie was so sweet, as was her daughter. Feeling a little bit on edge since her father was in prison, she’s navigating life on the ranch. Enter Luke, a really great and hot guy. The two of them connect, share one night, and start falling for one another. He’s always there to help her and her daughter. But she still fears in the back of her mind, that if someone wants to see her as nothing more than her father’s daughter, then will Luke even want anything to do with her. But Luke doesn’t see it that way. This was a great sweet and spicy story. And Luke and Addie were so great together.

[Cathy Moir-Allen]

Book three of "McCallister Ranch" series. Addie Griggs comes back to River Bend to make a new life for her daughter Emma and to deal with the wreckage her father had left behind. Luke McCallister is a complication she doesn't need. They share a night together that both swear was a mistake, but every time Addie turns around, there's Luke helping, rebuilding and making her think that it might be good to stay. Luke knew Addie was a problem the minute their eyes met, but he just couldn't make himself walk away - from her, from Emma or from the ranch. A really good slow-burn romance !

[Debdutch]

“Luke” by Olivia Kay

-This slow-burn cowboy romance delivers plenty of heart, chemistry, and emotional healing. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Addie tries to rebuild her life for herself and her daughter, Emma, while carrying the weight of her father’s mistakes. Luke McCallister is protective, patient, and genuinely caring, making every moment between them feel sweet and meaningful.
With ranch life, found family vibes, and a balance of spice and tenderness, this was an enjoyable addition to the McCallister Ranch series.

[Jamie]

Luke - is.a story of rival Ranch's and the old owner of The Griggs has done the whole town dirty but most.of all the McCallisters. So when Afdie.comes.back to save the family ranch neither one of them expected their lives to flip upside down.  Its not easy righting all the wrongs your father did but Addie proves she is standing firm and ready to pick up all the pieces and make things right and that she is not made from the same cloth her father was.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster]

Oh goodness, where do I begin. This series tugged at my heart from the beginning. Each story pulls you in deeper and deeper. I love how small parts of the story are carried out through the next. So excited for Jace’s story next. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Michelle Heath]

Such a cute read! Just a good ol cowboy love story! Enjoy it

[Fearless]

Briggs Ranch, Delapadated, Drought

[Pamela Wagoner]

Great books!

I love all your books and your "cowboys" are sure handsome. My husband and I have been ranching all our lives and I enjoy reading good cowboy stories on rainy days. 😁

[Cliff]

to cityfide

To the author if you really want to write about ranching you really need to go live on a real ranch actually do real learn the language the dress the lifestyle