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River's End Ranch #14
Sarsaparilla Showdown
When your first two loves are books and ice cream (not necessarily in that order!) who has time to fall for something else? Sadie Mayfield has gotten really good at admiring handsome men from afar… After all, it’s not like they’d be interested in her, would they? But when Shawn starts frequenting her ice cream and soda shop at River’s End Ranch, she sets out to become his friend.
Shawn McAllister—father, war vet, piano teacher—could use a friend. For years he’s shuffled his daughter Violet from place to place, trying to make ends meet, and hasn’t managed to maintain any sort of relationships. Here at River’s End Ranch he has a chance to settle down, but only if he can win the annual Chamber of Commerce contest on behalf of his new job.
But when he finds out that his new best friend has entered her shop in the same contest, he knows that he has a problem. And the even bigger problem is that he’s beginning to suspect being “just friends” with someone as special as Sadie isn’t going to work, either.
Discover River's End Ranch, a gorgeous "destination" ranch and resort in Riston, Idaho, that is run by the six Weston siblings and their well-meaning, semi-retired parents. Five bestselling western romance authors have created a world like no other--full of fun outdoor activities, a huge family in need of love, and side characters you will never forget. Join us in a world where our characters learn, laugh and love.
Shawn McAllister—father, war vet, piano teacher—could use a friend. For years he’s shuffled his daughter Violet from place to place, trying to make ends meet, and hasn’t managed to maintain any sort of relationships. Here at River’s End Ranch he has a chance to settle down, but only if he can win the annual Chamber of Commerce contest on behalf of his new job.
But when he finds out that his new best friend has entered her shop in the same contest, he knows that he has a problem. And the even bigger problem is that he’s beginning to suspect being “just friends” with someone as special as Sadie isn’t going to work, either.
Discover River's End Ranch, a gorgeous "destination" ranch and resort in Riston, Idaho, that is run by the six Weston siblings and their well-meaning, semi-retired parents. Five bestselling western romance authors have created a world like no other--full of fun outdoor activities, a huge family in need of love, and side characters you will never forget. Join us in a world where our characters learn, laugh and love.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2017
296 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 26, 2018
Another wonderful visit to River's End Ranch. I have loved every installment in the series so far and I hope it goes on for many more books! I so wish RER was real!
May 20, 2017
Reviewed at Romance Is Ageless
Sarsaparilla Showdown is such an emotional roller coaster of a romance – and I mean that in a good way. It’s a story of loss and acceptance, despair and contentment, fear and hope. I’m certain that we’ve all had times when we felt like Shawn, perhaps not to this degree. But sometimes the simplest answer is that life sucks. Things happen for reasons that make no sense. And without something to fight for we stay at the bottom of our troubles without fighting. Bad, tough things have happened to Shawn, and now he and his daughter, Violet, travel the country in their old RV staying in a town only until the work runs out. Now they’ve found a place in Riston, Idaho on the River’s End Ranch property that might just give them more than a temporary home. In order for that to happen, Shawn has to recreate the summer camp experience that once was part of the ranch’s activities. He believes he can do that, and with the help of winning the prize money from the Chamber of Commerce’s business contest he’d have the publicity to make this project a true reality. But first he has to win.
Sadie is happiest when she’s in her kitchen at her coffee and ice cream shop mixing up a new, unique batch of ice cream. Or maybe with her nose buried in a book. She’s spent most of her life concentrating on her business, she’s upbeat but quiet except around those she feels are friends. And there is no special man in her life. But there could be… if the handsome stranger who comes in for one cup of coffee every few days wold look up from his paperwork and notice her.
Sarsaparilla Showdown is a complex story with emotional moments to bring you to tears. The story tackles some tough subjects with class and understanding. Two people who the world has overlooked find exactly what they need in each other. Yet Shawn has issues from his past that he must deal with in order to move on with Sadie. This is the chance for Shawn and Violet to stop moving, stick in one place and create a family worth fighting for… if only Shawn can be brave enough to see the truth. I liked this couple, I adored Violet. It’s a story that will entertain and perhaps make you think for a moment about what is truly important in life. And how fears can tie us down into a life that could be so much more.
Another excellent addition to the River’s End Ranch series. I’d recommend this series for any Romance reader who loves falling into a series to the point where the characters become old friends.
I read this story through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Sarsaparilla Showdown is such an emotional roller coaster of a romance – and I mean that in a good way. It’s a story of loss and acceptance, despair and contentment, fear and hope. I’m certain that we’ve all had times when we felt like Shawn, perhaps not to this degree. But sometimes the simplest answer is that life sucks. Things happen for reasons that make no sense. And without something to fight for we stay at the bottom of our troubles without fighting. Bad, tough things have happened to Shawn, and now he and his daughter, Violet, travel the country in their old RV staying in a town only until the work runs out. Now they’ve found a place in Riston, Idaho on the River’s End Ranch property that might just give them more than a temporary home. In order for that to happen, Shawn has to recreate the summer camp experience that once was part of the ranch’s activities. He believes he can do that, and with the help of winning the prize money from the Chamber of Commerce’s business contest he’d have the publicity to make this project a true reality. But first he has to win.
Sadie is happiest when she’s in her kitchen at her coffee and ice cream shop mixing up a new, unique batch of ice cream. Or maybe with her nose buried in a book. She’s spent most of her life concentrating on her business, she’s upbeat but quiet except around those she feels are friends. And there is no special man in her life. But there could be… if the handsome stranger who comes in for one cup of coffee every few days wold look up from his paperwork and notice her.
Sarsaparilla Showdown is a complex story with emotional moments to bring you to tears. The story tackles some tough subjects with class and understanding. Two people who the world has overlooked find exactly what they need in each other. Yet Shawn has issues from his past that he must deal with in order to move on with Sadie. This is the chance for Shawn and Violet to stop moving, stick in one place and create a family worth fighting for… if only Shawn can be brave enough to see the truth. I liked this couple, I adored Violet. It’s a story that will entertain and perhaps make you think for a moment about what is truly important in life. And how fears can tie us down into a life that could be so much more.
Another excellent addition to the River’s End Ranch series. I’d recommend this series for any Romance reader who loves falling into a series to the point where the characters become old friends.
I read this story through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
March 14, 2017
This is another fantastic story by Caroline Lee. I love this newest story in the River’s End Ranch series and another favorite of Caroline Lee’s stories.
I love the heroine Sadie who has a great infectious personality and runs the Coffee and Ice Cream shop in the Old western town on the ranch.
She meets Shawn a really great guy who has a great personality as well and a sweet daughter Violet. Only problem he seems to be hiding something that seems to be very hurtful to him. He is divorced with custody of Violet who is about to turn 7. He is at the ranch to set back up the summer youth programs they used to have but it dwindled with enrollment and he has to find away to advertise and make sure enrollments are up there before he can hire staff. He wants to try his chance at the Chamber of Commerce contest that has the money he needs to get this done. He wants this job badly and to stay in one place for a long time instead of having to move often. He is a piano teacher also and right now that is where he is barely making it. His daughter is new at school and kids are mean to her, and he wants some stable environment for her finally.
Sadie calls him Mr. Hottie and but has avoided waiting on him until her manager and best friend makes her go give him more coffee because she was too busy washing dishes.
Sadie does and finds him so hot with beautiful green eyes. They talk and he sees her as a beautiful woman.
Both have backgrounds that need to be accessed differently and both need to get over what their past has done to them or what they think people thought or in one case may think of him.
Caroline Lee creates complex characters and fun places to read about. I really love this story and can’t wait for her next one to see what happens further with these two.
This is really a beautiful story of redemption and forgiveness and what love can be when people think it isn’t.
I highly recommend this story even if you haven’t been reading the River’s End Ranch series by multiple authors. I also recommend you do read this contemporary series.
I was given an ARC by the author for my fair and unbiased review.
I love the heroine Sadie who has a great infectious personality and runs the Coffee and Ice Cream shop in the Old western town on the ranch.
She meets Shawn a really great guy who has a great personality as well and a sweet daughter Violet. Only problem he seems to be hiding something that seems to be very hurtful to him. He is divorced with custody of Violet who is about to turn 7. He is at the ranch to set back up the summer youth programs they used to have but it dwindled with enrollment and he has to find away to advertise and make sure enrollments are up there before he can hire staff. He wants to try his chance at the Chamber of Commerce contest that has the money he needs to get this done. He wants this job badly and to stay in one place for a long time instead of having to move often. He is a piano teacher also and right now that is where he is barely making it. His daughter is new at school and kids are mean to her, and he wants some stable environment for her finally.
Sadie calls him Mr. Hottie and but has avoided waiting on him until her manager and best friend makes her go give him more coffee because she was too busy washing dishes.
Sadie does and finds him so hot with beautiful green eyes. They talk and he sees her as a beautiful woman.
Both have backgrounds that need to be accessed differently and both need to get over what their past has done to them or what they think people thought or in one case may think of him.
Caroline Lee creates complex characters and fun places to read about. I really love this story and can’t wait for her next one to see what happens further with these two.
This is really a beautiful story of redemption and forgiveness and what love can be when people think it isn’t.
I highly recommend this story even if you haven’t been reading the River’s End Ranch series by multiple authors. I also recommend you do read this contemporary series.
I was given an ARC by the author for my fair and unbiased review.
March 18, 2017
Another great visit to River's End Ranch
I purchased this book because it was the next in a series and I have read them all. I really enjoy my visit to the ranch and enjoy reading about the Weston siblings and there friends. The whole River's End Ranch is written by a group of different authors. They do this so well that it flows as if a continuing long saga. It is also a way to find different authors that one may haven't yet. This book is about a disable divorcee single dad with a sweet daughter. They are barely getting by and he needs to win a town contest that will give him money to use toward the Weston's return of summer camp for children. He wants this so bad to give his daughter stability and her a chance to make friends. They have had to move frequently so he can find work as a piano player. He is attracted to the owner of the old west ice cream parlor and coffee shop. She is also entering the same contest as him. Both however are carrying "suitcases" as the local RV manager (who talks to fairies and gnomes) says. It is fun to see their direction toward HEA. It is a good visit and I can hardly wait until another book allows me a revisit.
I purchased this book because it was the next in a series and I have read them all. I really enjoy my visit to the ranch and enjoy reading about the Weston siblings and there friends. The whole River's End Ranch is written by a group of different authors. They do this so well that it flows as if a continuing long saga. It is also a way to find different authors that one may haven't yet. This book is about a disable divorcee single dad with a sweet daughter. They are barely getting by and he needs to win a town contest that will give him money to use toward the Weston's return of summer camp for children. He wants this so bad to give his daughter stability and her a chance to make friends. They have had to move frequently so he can find work as a piano player. He is attracted to the owner of the old west ice cream parlor and coffee shop. She is also entering the same contest as him. Both however are carrying "suitcases" as the local RV manager (who talks to fairies and gnomes) says. It is fun to see their direction toward HEA. It is a good visit and I can hardly wait until another book allows me a revisit.
January 27, 2018
Book 14 in River's End Ranch series. This is Sadie, Shawn & Violet's story
Sadie Mayfield figured she would be alone with her books & ice cream . Then Shawn McAllister started to frequent her ice cream, soda/ coffee shop. He's thinks he doesn't deserve love. Sadie intends to prove him wrong. This series just gets better & better.
Sadie Mayfield figured she would be alone with her books & ice cream . Then Shawn McAllister started to frequent her ice cream, soda/ coffee shop. He's thinks he doesn't deserve love. Sadie intends to prove him wrong. This series just gets better & better.
September 2, 2018
A STORYBOOK ROMANCE
A really cute story about a coffee and Ice cream shop owner who meets a quiet and silent man who is a single father to a young child. As their attraction grows so does their romantic relationship. They learn that each of their talents works better when they combine their efforts.
A really cute story about a coffee and Ice cream shop owner who meets a quiet and silent man who is a single father to a young child. As their attraction grows so does their romantic relationship. They learn that each of their talents works better when they combine their efforts.
February 14, 2022
Best Book In The Series So Far
Sadie and Shawn and Violet are the perfect family but it took them a bit of time to finally understand that!
The best part of the whole book was what Simon suggests to Sadie about the contest! Well and the ice cream birthday party and Shawn playing the piano.
Sadie and Shawn and Violet are the perfect family but it took them a bit of time to finally understand that!
The best part of the whole book was what Simon suggests to Sadie about the contest! Well and the ice cream birthday party and Shawn playing the piano.
March 18, 2017
Best one ever
I've loved Caroline Lee's books from the first one I read but this one tops them all. Maybe she's getting help from Princess Wiggles?
Whatever it is I could really identify with all the characters and understand them as well enjoy!
I've loved Caroline Lee's books from the first one I read but this one tops them all. Maybe she's getting help from Princess Wiggles?
Whatever it is I could really identify with all the characters and understand them as well enjoy!
August 26, 2018
Sadie & Shawn
As a retired army vet, single father, part time piano teacher and recently hired summer camp organizer possibly win the Chamber of Commerce prize when up against the ice cream and coffee entrepreneur of RER?
As a retired army vet, single father, part time piano teacher and recently hired summer camp organizer possibly win the Chamber of Commerce prize when up against the ice cream and coffee entrepreneur of RER?
July 24, 2021
Sweet romance
The River's End Ranch series is a delightful set of books about a wonderful ranch resort and the people that work there. In this sweet romance, second chances and healing are highlighted in a delightful manner.
The River's End Ranch series is a delightful set of books about a wonderful ranch resort and the people that work there. In this sweet romance, second chances and healing are highlighted in a delightful manner.
May 19, 2022
Loved the little girl Violet
The character of Violet was fantastic. Unfortunately the other characters were flat.; just not interesting of really likable. This is a story I should have loved. By chapter 5, I was forcing myself to finish the book.
The character of Violet was fantastic. Unfortunately the other characters were flat.; just not interesting of really likable. This is a story I should have loved. By chapter 5, I was forcing myself to finish the book.
March 14, 2017
FAVORITE!!!!
I am positive I have said that previous books in this series are my favorite BUT so far .......This one is! I absolutely loved Sadie I felt like I was being described thank you for another awesome read
I am positive I have said that previous books in this series are my favorite BUT so far .......This one is! I absolutely loved Sadie I felt like I was being described thank you for another awesome read
May 11, 2017
The Sweetest
This one was by far the sweetest yet! What a truly heartfelt story. Thank you for writing and sharing it with me.
This one was by far the sweetest yet! What a truly heartfelt story. Thank you for writing and sharing it with me.
November 6, 2017
Forgiving Love
This is a wonderful story of two people who first need to forgive themself and believe that they are worthy of love and so amazing ice cream too.
This is a wonderful story of two people who first need to forgive themself and believe that they are worthy of love and so amazing ice cream too.
June 2, 2020
Loved
Cant wait to read next in series, so far have not been disappointed in a ones that I've read. Would recommend this series to all.
Cant wait to read next in series, so far have not been disappointed in a ones that I've read. Would recommend this series to all.
March 22, 2017
Everyone Deserves to Be Loved
Three cheers for a great book! This book was a little different from the other RER stories, but in a good way. It had a deeper story line, with a military background. But it still has all the fun and spunk the others do! I enjoyed it very much. It deals with a lot of emotions and guilt that I'm sure people who have served our great nation deal with. Thanks Caroline Lee for this heartfelt story.
Three cheers for a great book! This book was a little different from the other RER stories, but in a good way. It had a deeper story line, with a military background. But it still has all the fun and spunk the others do! I enjoyed it very much. It deals with a lot of emotions and guilt that I'm sure people who have served our great nation deal with. Thanks Caroline Lee for this heartfelt story.
March 13, 2017
Another HEA to make your heart smile!
Caroline Lee writes stories that make you believe everything will work out. This story is about a hero who doesn't know he is a hero and a girl who dreams of getting him.
Add in a sweet daughter, a piano, and a scoop of peanut butter fudge ice cream and you have a great romance in Riston Idaho!
Caroline Lee writes stories that make you believe everything will work out. This story is about a hero who doesn't know he is a hero and a girl who dreams of getting him.
Add in a sweet daughter, a piano, and a scoop of peanut butter fudge ice cream and you have a great romance in Riston Idaho!
March 14, 2017
Love this book and this series.
This book and this series warm my heart and make me smile. Great storytelling that makes it hard to wait for the next book.
This book and this series warm my heart and make me smile. Great storytelling that makes it hard to wait for the next book.
March 15, 2017
Will bring tears to your eyes
Such a beautifully written and told story, of healing, love, forgiveness, and acceptance. Shawn has a troubled past, but with the help of his daughter Violet, and the beautiful and loving Sadie, love will heal his emotional wounds.
Such a beautifully written and told story, of healing, love, forgiveness, and acceptance. Shawn has a troubled past, but with the help of his daughter Violet, and the beautiful and loving Sadie, love will heal his emotional wounds.
March 13, 2017
I absolutely loved it!
I want to share this with all my military veteran friends. It's a cute funny story, small town romance, and very enjoyable read. BUT, it's also a very military friendly, highly encouraging, guilt removing book. I love Caroline's writings but I think this is my favorite. Bravo Zulu!
I want to share this with all my military veteran friends. It's a cute funny story, small town romance, and very enjoyable read. BUT, it's also a very military friendly, highly encouraging, guilt removing book. I love Caroline's writings but I think this is my favorite. Bravo Zulu!
March 14, 2017
Enjoyable story
I really enjoyed this latest story in the series. Characters were interesting and realistic. It was a timely story as we have so many veterans dealing with emotions and baggage left from their time in service. Well written.
I really enjoyed this latest story in the series. Characters were interesting and realistic. It was a timely story as we have so many veterans dealing with emotions and baggage left from their time in service. Well written.
October 11, 2017
Shawn McAllister--father, war vet, piano teacher and Sadie Mayfield -icecream flavor expert.
March 26, 2017
This time is the turn of Sadie and the mysterious guy that goes to her ice cream and soda shop to work. Both of them are full of issues, and their relationship is very complicated, but Sadie is not ready to give up and finds a way to make it work, which is what I like about her. Shawn's character was a little frustrating, but they worked his background very well, and it made his reactions and issues easier to understand.
March 29, 2017
Congratulations Caroline
Sarsaparilla Showdown was fantastic ! I read this book in one day! The ending was so perfect that I was crying while reading. This is most certainly a must read book. I know for sure that I'll be reading this again. I loved it! Thanks, Caroline.
Sarsaparilla Showdown was fantastic ! I read this book in one day! The ending was so perfect that I was crying while reading. This is most certainly a must read book. I know for sure that I'll be reading this again. I loved it! Thanks, Caroline.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews