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Three Rivers Ranch #5

Fifth Generation Cowboy

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An Amazon bestseller in Contemporary Christian Romance and Western & Frontier Christian Romance!

Can Tom and Rose navigate their friendship to find a new brand of happily ever after?

The only thing Tom Lovell knows is ranching, having been raised by a single dad on a Montana cattle ranch before moving to Three Rivers Ranch. He's watched other men on the ranch get hitched one by one, but he's not sure he's the marrying type. His mother's abandonment when he was a child colors how he sees women, and besides, he's a fifth generation cowboy, and that's enough for him.

Rose Reyes has been raising her Autistic child, Mari, by herself for seven years. She's frustrated she doesn't have an adult to talk to after a long day at work, that her ex-husband seems to have moved on without a care about Mari while Rose is determined to wait until she's older before dating again. Though Mari's been improving due to her equine therapy, she's moody and sometimes explosive, and Rose just wants a break from it all.

She confesses to Tom that she feels completely out of control of her life. He doesn't judge her for her feelings or shortcomings, and instead offers to help fix her leaking kitchen sink and mow her overgrown lawn. As Tom and Rose spend more time together, Tom realizes his friendship with Rose could grow into something more--if he'd let it. Tom and Rose will need faith and love to navigate the road from friendship to something more, without risking Mari in the process.

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 19, 2016

1297 people are currently reading
479 people want to read

About the author

Liz Isaacson

360 books1,189 followers
★ USA TODAY BESTSELLER, AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR, and KINDLE ALL STAR! ★

Liz Isaacson writes inspirational cowboy romances. Her Three Rivers Ranch Romance series has multiple #1 bestsellers in half a dozen categories. She loves all things to do with contemporary cowboys, and will write romance in Texas, Montana, Vermont, Wyoming, and anywhere else she can find horses and mountains. Find out more at lizisaacson.com. Join her fandom by texting COWBOY to 801-618-2114 for exclusive sales and freebies.

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5 stars
847 (60%)
4 stars
400 (28%)
3 stars
116 (8%)
2 stars
22 (1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
47 reviews
April 12, 2017
Gorgeous story where everyone else can see what's happening. Rose and Tom's story is one of my favourites. The strong calm cowboy and I love the idea of a relationship where there are genuine difficulties to overcome, not billionaire heroes who can solve everything with a simple flick of their wallets.
Profile Image for ☆☆Hannah☆☆.
3,182 reviews46 followers
October 27, 2020
This was a good read. Tom and Rose have been friends. Both of them want more. However, Rose is trying deal with a lot and not sure a relationship is worth it. Then Tom leaves to help his father and decides not to come back. This is when Rose finally realizes what she truly wants and goes for it. They of course in the end get their happy ending.
Profile Image for Courtney.
4,298 reviews
August 13, 2017
I love Liz Isaacson, her novels are truly wonderful! It is hard to find an author who can distinguish between a Christian Romance Novel and a Contemporary Romance Novel, but Ms. Isaacson does it and she does it well! I highly recommend every novel that I have read, and I hope that every novel I plan to read in the future is of the same quality!

"Fifth Generation Cowboy" is a novel that struck outside of the norm for this series, at least to me. I felt like this novel by Ms. Isaacson was a step about from the homestead of Three Rivers Ranch, and into the lives that surround the community that makes these books so great. We find Tom and Rose in a new, up and coming friendship; one that's built on both not looking for love. Can they be what the other needs, even with them both fighting it? Will they find that happily ever after?

I recommend this ten novel series, each one is better than the last. Very well written, it's like a story coming off the pages before your very eyes.
Profile Image for Shae.
3,221 reviews354 followers
October 25, 2025
Adored this! Hallmark, seriously take notes!
Profile Image for Jill.
467 reviews
March 21, 2017
This is the fourth book of Ms. Isaacson's that I've read and I enjoyed it as much as the first three. She does a great job of writing sweet, clean romance stories. Tom & Rose's story is very romantic. His shy, gentle, cowboy manners are so sweet. His acceptance of and love for Rose's autistic daughter, Mari is touching! As an early childhood educator, I was especially impressed with how well Ms. Isaacson portrayed Mari as an autistic child. An accurate portrayal is not always found in similar - type novels. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books set in the contemporary West.
134 reviews1 follower
Read
April 12, 2017
Just loved Tom and Rose's story. It was sweet but not too sweet. It dealt with a sensitive story line very well. All Tom knows how to be is a cowboy and he needs to get back to his family. Rose has a daughter who needs special attention. Tom wants to ease Roses' burden but she has to discover for herself how she truly feels about him and accepting the help she needs. I love the length of the books and the speed at which they progress. Some people don't like the abrupt endings but the story has been told, the rest is immaterial. Enjoy these books for what they are, short sweet romances, not what they aren't.
Profile Image for Kimberley.
213 reviews1 follower
September 29, 2016
Tom found himself wanting to spend more time wth Rose. He did not know how to ask her out so he offered to help her fix things around her home. For a while Tom had felt like he was not meant to stay on the ranch and needed God to help him figure out what to do. Rose worked at a bank in charge of loans. When Tom offered to fix her kitchen sink he realized it had to be replaced. She was surprised how easy it was for him to convince her into doing other home remodeling. She was Leary at first but soon found herself looking forward to Tom spending time with her loved this book
Profile Image for Marie.
376 reviews
June 6, 2017
Wow

Strong, handsome, kind and loving is Tom Lovell. Nearly two years Rose has been his friend, he is Rose's daughters mentor at Courage Raines. Mari is Autistic and with the help of the horses and of course Tom she opens out of her shell. She doesn't like change in her life, except maybe this one. ......
Profile Image for Birgit.
1,336 reviews17 followers
March 12, 2018
Rose, divorced and looking after her teenaged autistic daughter, and Tom, a cowboy on the ranch where she brings her daughter for equine therapy, have known each other for a year - but suddenly there's a spark between them. When Tom's father falls ill, he feels he has to go back to Montana to help, but will Rose come with him?
A nice story, not badly told at all, and with interesting and, I would say, realistic characters. Unfortunately, Rose came over as quite self-centered and a bit egoistic; everyone seemed to cope better with her daughter than she as the mother, although her reasoning for not falling in love with anyone are her daughter's needs and care - quite contradictive. Tom on the other hand is described as a very patient and gentle person, although his way of running rough-shod over Rose's wishes just so he can help her makes him a bit less sympathetic - he should have respected her wish to cope herself, and not just make decisions over her head. Then we have Ed, Rose's ex-husband who regularly picks up their daughter for weekends, and wants to get married again. His remark "She's my daughter, too" was never quite explained afterwards - what did he want to express? That Rose only sees herself and her problems, and does not appreciate that he does see her regularly and worries about her? Did this remark make Rose see herself a bit clearer? There were some parts in this story where it would have been nice to have some in-depth explanation, or further development as reaction to something that seemed to have been worth mentioning.
On the whole, however, it was a nice story with an interesting plot, and a good entertainment for an evening.
Profile Image for Chris.
596 reviews3 followers
December 28, 2022
An Amazon bestseller in Contemporary Christian Romance and Western & Frontier Christian Romance!

Can Tom and Rose navigate their friendship to find a new brand of happily ever after?

The only thing Tom Lovell knows is ranching, having been raised by a single dad on a Montana cattle ranch before moving to Three Rivers Ranch. He's watched other men on the ranch get hitched one by one, but he's not sure he's the marrying type. His mother's abandonment when he was a child colors how he sees women, and besides, he's a fifth generation cowboy, and that's enough for him.

Rose Reyes has been raising her Autistic child, Mari, by herself for seven years. She's frustrated she doesn't have an adult to talk to after a long day at work, that her ex-husband seems to have moved on without a care about Mari while Rose is determined to wait until she's older before dating again. Though Mari's been improving due to her equine therapy, she's moody and sometimes explosive, and Rose just wants a break from it all.

She confesses to Tom that she feels completely out of control of her life. He doesn't judge her for her feelings or shortcomings, and instead offers to help fix her leaking kitchen sink and mow her overgrown lawn. As Tom and Rose spend more time together, Tom realizes his friendship with Rose could grow into something more--if he'd let it. Tom and Rose will need faith and love to navigate the road from friendship to something more, without risking Mari in the process.
Profile Image for Timothy Hendricks.
477 reviews6 followers
August 7, 2017
Liz Isaacson is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I love her books. I think I have bought all but I think the last one of this series. However, I know that I will. I am getting ready to start the next one in the series.

I really enjoyed this story about Tom Lovell, Rose Reyes, and Mari. I also enjoying the continuing influence of the other characters from previous books. I really feel for Rose Reyes and the burden she carries trying to do the best she can to raise an Autistic child.

I like Tom Lovell too. How he is able to not only love Rose; but love her daughter Mari too. And, how he is able to be positive about Rose's ex-husband. I think Rose's ex-husband does love Mari; but other things are more important. Rose's first priority has been Mari; but she has had to struggle to give her own needs some priority too. Rose is learning that Rose needs to be able to take care of Rose in order to really care for Mari.

Tom Lovell is proving to be a wonderful helpmeet for Rose. She needs someone to help her by loving her and loving her daughter too. And, Tom needs Rose and Mari too. He has often felt abandoned by the women in his life and he is needs a woman like Rose.
667 reviews
April 23, 2021
Rose, Mari and Tom

Rose is tired and now her ex-husband has spilled the beans he is going to be taking a job in Washington and he's engaged to his girlfriend and they are to be married in the fall! Which means instead of him taking his daughter every other weekend he doesn't know how visitation will work out for him to get to Texas. Mari is not dealing with this change very well with her autism and being a pre-teen. Thankfully Tom at Three Rivers is able to calm her down some with their Horse Therapy. Plus, Mari really responds to Tom well! Tom has been trying his best not to notice Rose, but, it seems that everyone else can see there's something between them. When she has a mini breakdown after dropping Mari off he decides to help her with some chores around the house. What neither expect is the attraction they feel for one another. Rose is more resistant about her feelings than Tom so he decides to go slow. However, when something happens to his father he knows what he needs to do. What happened? What does Tom do? How does Rose react? Mari? Only one way to find out, read this great story by Liz Isaacson and Elana Johnson.
Profile Image for Ballet in AK.
408 reviews
August 23, 2020
*I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Story: 5 stars

Here was a mom I could finally emotionally connect with and relate to: Rose Reyes. She is a single mom, has an autistic daughter and is struggling with daily life, including her patience. Tom is just what she and her daughter need. He's naturally calm, not afraid of hard work and has a heart big enough for them both.

I really appreciated the author's portrayal of the fact that not all mom's are perfect, that kids (autistic or not) can really try our patience, and that we can't always do everything alone and yet we are still good moms.

Tom does rescue them in more ways than one, but they also rescue him and give him the love and family he has been craving.

Narration: 4.5 stars

Ms. Doughty does a very good job with a Texas accent and her men sound like men. I truly enjoy listening to her. Her cadence, expression and tone are soothing to listen to. I look forward to listening to her again.

*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
Profile Image for Danielle Carpenter.
1,833 reviews11 followers
October 23, 2017
I love these stories about Three Rivers Ranch. Every story reflects difficulties that couples face and learn to overcome through their faith. Rose and Tom are no different. Rose is divorced and raising a daughter with autism. Tom is a cowboy who Mari likes immediately and works at a business called Courage Reins that is therapeutic horse ranch. Toms has his own fears and it takes a lot for him to extend himself. Which he does, because he likes Rose and she needs a friend. What develops from that friendship will be test, but what couple hasn't faced that test.  Liz Isaacson brings heart and hope to her characters and her readers.
Profile Image for Janet Graham.
2,506 reviews12 followers
November 17, 2017
Warm Modern Cowboy Romance
This is a sweet and clean romance in the Three Rivers Ranch Romance series. As with the other in the series, this is more of a character study; based in emotion instead of lust. The story has elements of faith, but does not beat the reader of the head with the Bible. This is a realistic story with personal baggage and personal flaws. I appreciated the realistic picture of dealing with an autistic teenager. I plan on reading all of this author’s work.
7,766 reviews50 followers
April 13, 2020
Tom being raised by his father, fifth generation rancher. Being abandon by his mother, keeps love away. We meet Rose,divorced and raising for 7 years Mari, an autistic child, Abandoned by her husband, father of Mari, and people in general. For the outburst of Mari keeps them away.
She is in equine therapy. Can there be therapy here for Pete and Rose also, beyond the handyman, and being at the ranch
Given book by author for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,696 reviews74 followers
September 8, 2020
I really enjoyed this romance and the autism emphasis. The great thing about binging series is that you remember all of the moments with minor characters when it comes time for them to star. Makes it that much better. I love seeing the different ranches and different families. A wonderful and interconnected world.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
1,436 reviews12 followers
August 15, 2022
Raised on a Montana Ranch, Tom Lovell is working at Three Rivers Ranch and interested in Rose Reyes local bank loan manager. She is resistant to dating him because of her special needs daughter. When Tom’s father falls and is put in the hospital he is called back to Montana. He decides to move back to help his family, and wants Rose to go with him. She must decide what she wants and what is best for her daughter. A heartwarming story and worth the read.
540 reviews
July 13, 2024
I have loved the other books in this series but this one holds a special place in my heart. Liz Isaacson does an excellent job of portraying the challenges of raising a special needs child. The isolation and the frustrations of dealing with emotional outbursts and the inability to be flexible can be debilitating at times. I love the fact that Tom was so willing to help out and so willing to open his heart to Mary as well as Rose.
Profile Image for Pam Potter.
73 reviews
August 2, 2017
As always, Liz Isaacson tells a story that hits some of us close to home. I have an Autistic granddaughter, so I understand some of what Rose was going through. It can be really tough, especially when you don't have backup. Tom proved to be just what she needed. Can they work out the logistics and become a family? A great read!
Profile Image for Cynthia Houser.
1,606 reviews9 followers
April 9, 2020
Fifth Generation

This is another good book by Liz. I enjoy her style of writing and sharing of her faith. The characters are interesting and engaging. Tom is a strong, kind and caring man. We saw Rose in the other books. She has a difficult time with her daughter who has Autism.
Profile Image for Jen Lewis.
26 reviews
April 24, 2020
Tom being raised by a single father from age of 7 knows how to show compassion,love and respect. But wondered would he ever find it. He falls in love with Rose mother to one of his riding students. But when he has to move back home to Montana due to his father's accident and needing help on the family ranch. He finds himeslf in a bind of loving and leaving.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tara.
1,194 reviews8 followers
August 10, 2020
Fantastic read for friemds to lovers trope. A single mom & a ranch hand are fast friends who try to deny their feelings for each other for some time. AN unexpected family emergnecy and a sudden move causes a few hiccups in their lives. Becky Doughty does a great job narrating the book & bringing the characters to life.
Profile Image for Lucia Valenzuela.
2,022 reviews11 followers
January 5, 2021
Tom’s unselfish love for Rose and her autistic daughter, Mari is a joy to read. I loved this book and highly recommend it. Got to catch up with all the other family at Three Rivers Ranch. Can’t wait to read the next one in this series.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
76 reviews
August 29, 2021
Timing Is Everything

Tom Lovell is one of the kindest, most considerate cowboys you could ever find. And if he loves you he will weed your garden, remodel your home, comfort your special needs child, kiss ypu under a star-studded sky. But Rose Reyes, the object of that affection, is unsure if what she feels is love or need or just gratitude.
1,142 reviews3 followers
November 20, 2024
Hyggelig feelgood roman.

Der er ikke de store overraskelser i denne roman, men hvad gør det, hvis man bliver tilpas underholdt.

Vi følger Rose, som er enlig mor til et autistisk barn. Livet er ikke nemt, når man har et barn med særlige behov. Rose har mistet forbindelsen til venner og bekendte i kampen om at holde skruen i vandet. Så hun er meget ensom. Men så er der jo Tom!
Profile Image for Rebecca White.
1,561 reviews8 followers
May 25, 2025
I enjoyed this romance between a single mom who desperately needs help in her life and a cowboy who doesn;t know how to trust a woman. I enjoyed the way that Tom was able to care for Lucy, Rose's disabled daughter. I really enjoyed how they both sought God when trying to decide what to do in the complications of life.
Profile Image for DayDreamer8912.
327 reviews11 followers
June 24, 2025
4.5/5

Awww...these two are just so sweet. Love the way, Tom help Rose with fixing her home and also getting along with her daughter who is autistic child, Mari. As they spend more and more time together their feelings grow. Will post my full review soon. Stay tuned for it.

You can purchase this on Amazon and it's available on KU.
1,460 reviews23 followers
August 3, 2017
Three Rivers Ranch romance

This is another excellent book by Liz Isaacson. If you like reading a good clean romance with characters who have obstacles in their lives to overcome then you will love this book as much as I did. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
489 reviews4 followers
November 5, 2017
A sweet read

Unrequited love, mutual respect and admiration, life changing decisions...they're all in this book combined with sweetness and humor that are always present in Liz's books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews

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