The Rancher's Surprise Daughter

Colorado Grooms #1

by Jill Lynn

A reunion he never expected...
In this Colorado Grooms novel

Luc Wilder's surprised when his ex-girlfriend Cate Malory arrives at his Colorado guest ranch. And he's downright stunned when she introduces him to his three-year-old daughter, Ruby. Bonding with the bubbly little girl is easy--Ruby loves ranch life, just like her daddy. But after all the secrets, can Luc and Cate find a way to trust in each other again?

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance, Contemporary, Christian Romance, Fiction

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published July 17, 2018

About the author

Jill Lynn Buteyn is a co-author of Just Show Up with Kara Tippetts, and the author of inspirational romances (as Jill Lynn). A recipient of the ACFW Genesis award for her fiction work, she has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.
Connect with her on social media or at Jill-Lynn.com.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steaminess Rating:
❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
(Check my profile for my “Steaminess Factor Chart”)!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rancher's Surprise Daughter by Jill Lynn is a sweet contemporary Christian family romance. It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with its wonderful, warm characters and delightful storyline.
At its heart are the themes of trust, faith and fear. The past has a bearing on the present. We fear the sins of the parents visiting the next generation and this will always hold us back. "She'd clung to bitterness and fear, letting them dictate her choices." The sins of the parents are not destined to be on repeat. With God's help, we can break the pattern. God did not give us a spirit of fear. He wants us to trust Him with our one and only life. If we have faith we do not need to fear. We need to trust, put our lives in God's hands, and step into the future with faith.
God is the God of new beginnings and second chances. He covers each one of us with His grace. "We're all messes redeemed by God's grace." Our past is not who we are. We are all a new creation in Jesus.
Children are a gift from God no matter how or when they were conceived. There is a beautiful three year old in the story whose presence will just melt your heart. I loved her turn of speech and mannerisms.
I loved the inclusion of a pet cat. It was good to see that I am not the only one who talks to their cats.
There is power in prayer. We can trust that God is in control and will take care of our most precious children but it never hurts to cover them in prayer.
The Rancher's Surprise Daughter was a charming read just perfect for any afternoon. I loved it.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Amy Leigh Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once burned, twice shy; trust comes hard for Lucas and Catherine in this beautifully drawn second-chance love story. Luc is a man who needs to be seen as good as his word, and Cate, always fought over and never fought for, has little trust for face value and empty promises. Torn apart by insecurities, lies, and pride, the two wounded halves have tried to forget each other, and yet an unexpected blessing and an extra special heart tie them irrevocably back together. Jill Lynn dazzles again with her signature wit, eloquent word-weaving, and grace-filled gumption to tackle the best and worst of us with genuine emotion and endearing authenticity. Organic, yet unexpected, this author knows just how to simultaneously pluck your heart strings and charm your socks off! Clear your afternoon... you’ll devour this in one sitting!

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucas Wilder is thrown for a mighty big loop when his ex girlfriend, Cate Malory, shows up at his ranch with a 3 year old she says is his. But the little girl is so precious Luc can't help but love her.
But distrust drove Luc and Cate apart four years ago. Have their hearts healed? Can they trust each other again?

Jill Lynn has once again written a delightful story populated with very likeable and well fleshed out characters. I read this one in only one day. Looking forward to the next in this Colorado Grooms series.

*My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet and enjoyable read from one of my favorite Love Inspired authors. Ruby is adorable and getting to know Cate and Luc made for a great read. They both had a lot to overcome and Jill weaves a great story for them.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this contemporary reunion romance story! It was a great way to start the brand new Colorado Grooms series.

The two main characters were easy for me to like. I felt for them both and how they had each changed from the people they used to be, before they came to know Christ.

Both Luc and Cate struggled with issues related to trust. This led to a break up years earlier. It was interesting to watch their journey in this story and see if they would be able to rise above their individual fears a second time around.

And, of course, there was great chemistry between these two! This author always does a good job of creating realistic attraction between her characters. Plus, there was the sweetness of the little girl they shared. She added a special touch to this story, as well.

I loved this book from start to finish and look forward to reading the next in the series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Jordann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter by Jill Lynn is book one in her new Colorado Grooms series. This book is definitely one that will tug on your heartstrings, so get ready!

The one thing that I love about Jill’s books are the relatable characters that live inside. Though completely fictional there is something about the way she brings them to life. Though you might not relate to the actual circumstances surrounding the characters, the emotions that they feel are what makes them real.

If you enjoy the Love Inspired line of books definitely check out The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter! You will no be disappointed in this sweet story!

* I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute read. I really enjoyed it. The ending may have left me a little teary, but the good kind of tears.

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read and reviewed Jill's last release and absolutely loved it! So I was thrilled to review this book this go round.

I really enjoy Jill's writing style, she paints a beautiful scenery and beautiful characters.

I really really liked the Wilder crew! The family dynamic was so great and well rounded. I really enjoyed the Wilder sister, Emma and McKenzie. Their personalities were complete opposites, but again...it was a well rounded family and they worked well together.

Throughout the book Lucas and Cate's past unfolds. You meet two very immature young aduts who don't really know how to love someone else since they truly don't love themselves yet.

Lucas completely changed in the four years since they had last spoke. His character and maturity level had increased. He was a great guy! Yes he was angry when he found out Cate had kept Ruby a secret for so long, but he NEVER let that affect how much he LOVED that little girl! Or how hard he tried to make things work with Cate. He wanted to work together and be a family from -- pretty much -- day one.

Cate on the other hand...I was NOT her biggest fan!! She never believed or trusted Lucas, even when there was proof he was telling the truth. She was SO quick to lay blame and was VERY slow to forgive. She had a really hard time letting Lucas get anywhere close to Ruby and honestly I just had a really hard time with her!!

I got stuck about half way into the book because I was getting so annoyed with Cate and decided it was best if I cooled off before continuing. 🙈😅

Overall it was a 3/5 stars. I REALLY loved Lucas, and I really hope Emma & McKenzie have stories, but Cate really put a damper on the story for me.
I still enjoy Jill's writing and will be keeping my eyeballs peeled for all of her work!

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review**I was not required to write a positive review**All opinions are my own*

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I can say is I really wish the Jill Lynn would not write Love inspired books, they are to short for good authors, you never get enough.
I need a full length book by her some kind of bad.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

[Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading Love Inspired books, but I sometimes find they can be kind of hit or miss. However, this beautiful, sweet romance by Jill Lynn was definitely a hit, and I found myself enthralled with the story unfolding between the pages that focuses around second chances, overcoming insecurities, and how all things are possible when our full trust is placed in our Heavenly Father.

I really found both Luc and Cate to be characters that were both easy to like, and easy to relate to. Cate shows up at Luc's doorstep to finally let him know about the daughter he fathered a few years earlier, and it throws him for a loop. She's sensitive about whether or not she could trust him to be the type of father that her daughter deserves, especially with the way he ended things before she found out she was pregnant. Luc struggles with forgiving Cate for keeping his daughter from him, and also the way she struggled to believe him back when they were dating, and the way she struggles to believe him now when he claims that he only wants whats best for their daughter.

Jill Lynn's portrayal of faith in this particular Love Inspired book is probably my favorite portrayal from any of these type of books. It felt authentic, and honest, and exactly like how it should be. Cate and Luc both have made mistakes in their past, and have now come to know Christ. However, they both struggle with some of the insecurities they've carried from their past, and a big part of the story is them learning, with God's help, how to finally overcome these. I loved how she portrayed the Christian walk, and how learning to trust and rely on our Heavenly Father is such a big part of it.

Cate and Luc's romance was also completely believable. The Rancher's Surprise Daughter stays completely clean, and yet still makes the chemistry completely believable to the reader. We see the romance re-developing between these two main characters, and it really had me invested in them and their story, and even though Love Inspired endings are often predictable, I really loved the way this one all came together, and was completely happy with how everything wrapped up.

One aspect that usually makes books stand out to me is when they have a really good cast of secondary characters, and I loved the Wilder clan in this one. Emma and Mackenzie were both fabulous, and I'm so glad that this is a series and that we will hopefully get both of these ladies' stories in the future.

This is definitely a new favorite for me, and I can't wait to continue on with the next book in the series.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Thanks so much to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this novel to read and review.


I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kate (The Shelf Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to start of by saying, that I have heard some fun things about Jill Lynn, and I'm sad I haven't read any of her previous stories before this one. The Rancher's Surprise Daughter was a sweet story, but one that has a real feel, and touched on very real topics. I appreciated that!

Jill has a very nice way of writing a story that just flows and keeps you reading till before you know it, the story is over.

This second chance, contemporary, reunion story was just fantastic. From my personal experiences, I could see both sides of the story from Cate and Lucas and could argue both of their sides with them, and could sympathize. Lucas is a man who is all about keeping his word and being the man of the area. Cate is a woman, who has been a single mom for a while and know how to handle things her way. Both of their lives are thrown for a loop when a medical issue comes up for Ruby, their daughter.

I appreciate the steps that went into this story. It really is a shock for Lucas, he does everything right at the beginning of the story in my eyes. I'm glad he wanted to verify. He is a character that wants to help, but he doesn't want to get dragged into something without full knowledge.

Cate is woman who comes off as strong and highly independent, but when it comes to Ruby, she needs to put what she wants aside and do what is best for her kiddo.

Even though Cate and Lucas made decisions in the past that left consequences, they changed and grew and found faith that shaped them into who they are now.

Jill Lynn offered up some very well developed characters. I enjoyed following them on this journey. I honestly can't wait to go and read some more of Jill's books!


Thank you to the author, Jill Lynn, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

The review for this book was originally posted @ http://www.readwithkate.com/2018/07/r...

[Rissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW | Last summer I read one of this author’s romance novels (Falling for Texas) and found it as sweet as its title would suggest. Similar to ‘Texas,’ The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter is a cute little story that fans of wholesome romantic-comedies will enjoy.

Cate and Lucas are character’s walking a journey we care about. We cheer for them, and hope for the best. As the reader, we can feel a bit like a “third party” who sees what our characters cannot, so in this sense, we do dread the other shoe drop, which we “see” coming a mile away. Because of this, there’s a kind of dread we have on behalf of these two. This is because they are people whom we want to see happy. That said, and contradictory to this statement, this doesn’t ruin the charm that is the majority of this novel.

With a short page count (no complaints from this girl!), this novel is the perfect “pocket” read to take with you on a road trip or for that lazy weekend read. There are miles of smiles in The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter. Readers will easily come to love the chatter-box Ruby; and if you’re a romantic at heart, you’ll fall under the sway of the “reunion romance” between two stubborn hearts.

Sincere thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book; all opinions are my own.

[Melony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always delighted to read a Jill Lynn book. The Love Inspired inspirational romance series is a perfect one day escape and I loved every second of The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter.

Jill Lynn knows how to make her heroes a perfect mix of swoony hunkiness and flawed human being. Luc is no exception, but while he hides physical scars, Cate (short for Catherine) is grappling with some hefty emotional baggage. Their first time around as a couple did not work, and now, they have a second chance. Of course, you know that there are twists and turns in the plot, ones that have me cheering, yelling, and gripping the edge of my seat. And, I loved getting a taste of being on a guest ranch at the same time.

Ruby, another pivotal character, steals the show. But can I just say, I want to know more about Mackenzie and Gage…..just saying Jill Lynn….not so subtle hint here.

The ending was…well, not to give any spoilers away, but it was PERFECT!

If you need a summer escape read, a story that will leave your heart soaring, grab your copy now!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, my opinions are my own.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, young love. So intense and so unpredictable, a whirlwind like no other. Luc and Cate got swept up in love and when things ended it was a hard fall. That would've been the end of the story but when Cate walked out of the relationship she was carrying a secret with her: Luc's baby.

Fast forward a few years and Cate is raising a beautiful daughter named Ruby on her own. Cate has recently made another important step in her life, giving her life to the Lord. With this decision she knows she has to make things right. It's time to tell Luc that he's a father.

The Rancher's Surprise Daughter is the story of a family struggling to move past the pain of the past, and find a new normal, all for the sake of a spunky, spirited four year old. Love, forgiveness, and living by faith flow through the pages which weaves a beautiful tapestry. The ranch setting is idyllic, and you really feel like you know the characters.

Despite it being a sweet story, the pace is incredibly slow, and it did take me a bit to get through the entire book. If you're in the mood for a slow paced story about family, faith, and forgiveness then this is the perfect book for you!

[Becky of Becky's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter by Jill Lynn Is a fantastic read. The book follows Luc Wilder and Cate Malory and their sweet daughter Ruby. Cate arrives at Luc’s guest ranch after not seeing Luc for four years with his three-year-old daughter. He is surprised. How will this work? Both of them have become Christians since the last time they saw each other.

Jill’s characters are always interesting and real. I feel like they are real people who struggle with problems but allow the Lord to work in their lives through their hardships. I enjoyed stepping into Luc and Cate’s story and seeing how they both learned to depend on the Lord in new ways. Luc is someone who you can not help, but love. Cate is someone who you would love to have coffee with.
I highly recommend The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter by Jill Lynn. I was given the book by the publisher and was not required to write a review.

[Maryann Skaritka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four years ago Cate Malory and Lucas Wilder parted ways and left young love behind after accusations of cheating and distrust in their relationship tore the couple apart.

Cate shows up at the Wilder ranch with sweet three year old Ruby who she claims is Luc's daughter.

Throughout the story the couple has to learn if they can forget past hurts while trying to reestablish a friendly relationship for their daughter's sake.

Cate is beyond an overly protective mom. Her own parents were divorced and she wants to protect Ruby at all costs. I did find that character trait a little annoying in parts of the story but it also showed how Cate was a single mom who was doing her best while being fiercely independent.

Luc's two sisters Emma and Mackenzie were great secondary characters who made the story that much more enjoyable.

This was a sweet romance where faith wins over fear, pasts are forgiven and love deserves a second chance.

A great new series you'll truly enjoy!

[Anna Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went downstairs to my (Family video) shelves to choose from 1500+ Love Inspireds that I've been collecting, and realized that I have the entire 'Colorado Grooms' series. Six books - that'll keep me busy for a while!

I was surprised at how WELL this Jill Lynn writes. She actually uses similes and metaphors, descriptive writing, and there's PERSONALITY to the characters. There's even internal dialogue! For a Love, Inspired book writer? She's A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

I was delighted. The story was... not my favorite (overdone LI literary theme of surprise child), but it was done better than most, and I really enjoyed being on the Wilder Ranch. Looking forward to Emma and Mackenzie's stories... and whatever else might come along!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter ( Colorado Groom #1 )
By: Jill Lynn
The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter is book one in Colorado Groom by Jill Lynn. This name is just right for this book. I love the story and the characters. This is Lucas and Cate’s story. This is a fantastic Love Inspired story and the author knows just how to grab your attention to keep you turning the pages and keep you reading. Big surprise coming for Lucas. How will he take the news that he is a daddy? Is he the father of this beautiful little girl? I fell in love with her right away. Great read.
I was given a complimentary copy off this book , but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luc and Cate didn’t part well. In fact when she told him to get lost, he did what she wanted and let her go. So when Cate shows up at Lucas’ family ranch with a surprise in tow, he is to say the least a little shocked to see her. Can Lucas find a way to hold on without scaring Cate off again?

The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter was a fun summer read. It’s a great sit beside the pool and soak up a good story kind of book. The characters are really well developed and the plot is reminiscent of a good ol’ chick flick. I’ve always wanted to visit a working ranch and see the ins and outs of ranch life so the ranch setting of the book was charming. This story was heartwarming. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend this wonderful book. I’m thinking it would be a great stocking stuffer this year if you are already shopping for the holidays.

I received a free copy of this charming book for my honest review. But I would have read it anyways!

[Joan Arning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four years ago Cate accused Luc of seeing another woman and he left! Now Cate's three year old daughter needs heart surgery and Cate shows up at Luc's ranch! Is Luc the father? Luc and Cate try to get along for little Ruby's sake but can they forgive each other? They both have a relationship with God that was lacking when they first fell in love. Luc is a wonderful main character as he tries to trust God to work things out for the best. I recommend The Rancher's Surprise Daughter to people who enjoy contemporary romance. I received a complimentary e-book from the author. This is my honest opinion.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rancher's Surprise Daughter is a Harlequin Love Inspired inspirational book by Jill Lynn. It tells the story of Lucas Wilder and Catherine Malory. They last saw each other four years ago. Now Cate tells Luc about Ruby, the daughter he didn't know he had. Ruby needs an operation to fix an atrial septal defect. After the operation, Luc convinces Cate to live at Wilder Ranch for a few weeks so he can get to know Ruby. The difficult thing is that they need to learn how to share Ruby. This book is about second chances. I liked these characters especially Ruby. They leaned on their faith to help them move forward as a family.

[Mishael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the last book in this series first and had to go back and and read all the others. I started with the beginning this time, and I'm glad I did. Awesome story, and really, really well-written. Jill Lynn is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors. I laughed, I (almost) cried, I cringed ... really, this book just had all the feels. Can't wait to see what happens in Book 2, because that's sweet Emma and Gage's story - although I had kind of hoped (from the first book; I knew they didn't end up together from the last) that Gage would get paired off with Mackenzie. I guess it just wasn't meant to be ...

[Cristy Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rancher´s Surprise Daughter is easily one of my favorite novels by Jill Lynn. I fell in love with Cate, Luc and Ruby from the get-go, but seriously, what´s not to love about each of them?
Even though you know what is bound to happen by the end of the novel, the details of the unfolding story are helplessly romantic and wonderfully surprising (especially in the epilogue!)
Simply put, The Rancher´s Surprise Daughter is as delightful as a romance novel can be.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rancher's Surprise Daughter by Jill Lynn. Luc Wilder's ex-girlfriend comes to his ranch to let him know about the daughter she has is his. She is three now. She needs a heart operation to close a hole in her heart. Cate Malory figured he should know about his daughter. Cate doesn't trust easily. Luc doesn't lie and don't like it when someone does. Cate and Luc try to renew the feelings they had in the past. A good read.

[Barbara M. Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel about a rancher who meets his daughter for the first time when she is four years old. The daughter, Ruby, is a delight and Jill Lynn certainly makes sparks fly between Luc and his ex-girlfriend (and Ruby's mother) Cate. While I liked seeing this family united, I feel there would have been more feelings to overcome regarding the secret of a child. I love happily-ever-after stories and this one doesn't disappoint.

[Sandra Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice to see or believe others go through things everyday that would make our hearts stop.

Yes it’s just a story but what if? There could be someone in this world going through this at this time. And what if they find their faith and love of God?

I do believe that what was once a “story” could be real for someone out there. You’ve given them a way to hopefully have peace.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet book full of redemption and second chances. I loved how Luc and Cate are able to move past their hurts, learn to forgive each other, and eventually fall in love again. Their daughter Ruby is too cute! This is the first Jill Lynn book I’ve read but I’ll definitely be reading more!

[Stephanie Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!! I so enjoy all of Jill’s books. This one centers around Luc and Cate and their adorable daughter Ruby. Luc doesn’t know she exists until she is almost four. It’s a great story all about forgiveness and trust. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Alessandra Hightower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet read. Relatable characters , Cate annoyed me but not bc I didn’t like her, but because she’s SO stubborn! I get it. Well written. Engaging. Will read more.
And as always, Jill Lynn points us to the One who matters the most, Jesus.