The Rancher's Twins

Return of the Blackwell Brothers #1

by Carol Ross

She’s not the country nanny he advertised forBut she could be perfect for him…Jon Blackwell needs a woman ready to tackle the duties of a cattle ranch and two lively, take-no-prisoners twin girls. But ever since Lydia Newbury showed up at his six-generation Montana spread, the frazzled single father is rethinking, well, everything. The Philadelphia dazzler is a marvel. What he doesn’t know is the secret that has Lydia on the run…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2018

About the author

USA Today and national bestselling author Carol Ross grew up in small-town America right between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, in a place where you can go deep sea fishing in the morning and then hit the ski slopes the same afternoon. The daughter of free-range parents, she developed a love of adventure and the outdoors at a very early age. She’s grateful for the “research material” that every questionable decision, adrenaline-charged misstep, and near-death experience has provided.
Stop by her website: http://www.carolrossauthor.com/
Or sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bB60jr

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rancher's Twins

Carol Ross


THE RANCHER'S TWINS is the story of Lydia who is on the run from her old life and hoping to hide out in Montana. She is a city girl from Philadelphia and thinks no one will find her out in the middle of nowhere. She is going to work as a nanny for rancher Jon Blackwell. She thinks her charge is a fourteen year old girl but when she gets there she finds out that they are five year old twins. Jon knows the city girl isn't going to work out, but Lydia can't go back to Philly so she convinces Jon to give her a two week trial. Hold on people, it's going to be a very bumpy but funny ride!


THE RANCHER'S TWINS is the first book in the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series. All of the books are written by different authors and I can't wait to continue this series. Carol Ross writes about characters that become real right before your eyes. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I've known them for a long time. THE RANCHER'S TWINS is a heart tugging and wonderful tale and I loved it. I loved how Jon was very judgmental of Lydia but she proved him wrong over and over again. I soon found myself cheering for her every time I turned the page.


I thoroughly enjoyed reading THE RANCHER'S TWINS. It is funny and heart warming and filled with so many different emotions. There is so much going on in this story, but Carol Ross does a wonderful job of weaving all the pieces together. All of the characters will have you feeling sad and then giggling on the same page. More than once I wanted to be on that ranch teasing the chickens and running from the horses! Once you finish devouring this story, you are going to want to tell everyone you know about this awesome book.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from Prism Book Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Wendy Keel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book because of the cover first and foremost. That Cover is just too adorable. Then I read the blurb and was intrigued. The story is wonderfully written and engaging. The characters realistic and believable in their actions. I did feel like the resolution to Lydia's past and what she's running from was a little too easy.....it didn't quite add up for me on that part. Otherwise I loved the book, that's why I'm giving it a 5, the little tidbit only concluded one small part. The true story is about Lydia and Jon. I loved all the secondary characters, I loved knowing there will be more stories so I'll get to see these characters again. I adored the twins and how protective Lydia ends up being. Fans of small towns, cowboys, awesome characters and a romance that feels believable are going to adore this story. Now to wait for more from the Blackwell family!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first in the Heartwarming series of Return of the Blackwell Brothers, it fits this group perfectly. Lydia is in hiding, and when her friend and lawyer, Tanner finds her the perfect place, a ranch in Montana where she can work as a nanny, she heads off. Lydia loves children, but 5 year old twins were not what she was expecting. She has to make this new career move work so that her ex-boss/ex-boyfriend doesn't find her. On the other hand, Jon, her new boss, isn’t so sure Lydia is the right candidate for the job though. He doesn’t want a city-girl to look after his children. He thinks Lydia will be too high maintenance and would leave as soon as possible. Can Lydia convince Jon she’s the right woman for the job? Can she get Jon to lighten up and give life in their community a chance? What will happen when Lydia's past comes calling?

Lydia feels at home at Jon’s ranch. She does everything he asks of her and more. Lydia has a lot of work experience, gained at a large variety of useful jobs, and she’s perfectly at ease managing Jon’s household. The twins have a reputation, they made things difficult for the last few people who looked after them, but Lydia knows exactly what to do to make them feel loved and secure. Is she the best thing that could have happened to Jon and his daughters? What will happen when Lydia's past catches up with her, will she lose everything she’s come to hold dear?

The Rancher’s Twins is a wonderful romantic story. Lydia is one of the kindest people I have read about lately. She is capable and smart, a great cook, can sew and is just a Jack of all Trades when it comes to taking care of a home and children. She doesn’t know how charming she is and that’s a quality that makes her endearing. Jon is difficult to read at first, he’s grumpy most of the time when Lydia is around, but he has his reasons. Lydia put in a lot of effort to win him over, yet it was not to romance him, it was to keep her job. They have plenty of chemistry and it’s clear from the start they would be perfect together, but there are many obstacles to overcome. And then, there are the twins. They have a reputation of being wild, and had been referred to as animals by others, but they are really cute and reading about them made me smile and even laugh out loud. I loved their dialogue. Lydia connects with them straight away and I kept hoping she'd find her place at the farm. Without realizing it, she falls in love with those little girls and is ready to go Mama Bear on anyone who speaks about or treats them with disdain. Discovering if she would be able to solve her problems kept me glued to the pages.

I loved Carol Ross' writing style. I loved how she makes the characters come to life. I wanted to be there in that Montana town and become friends with the characters. Her descriptions of the town and ranch are amazing, and I could easily picture every single detail. The Rancher’s Twins is a sweet story with just enough angst and mystery to make you cheer for the characters to overcome and find love. I highly recommend this captivating book and am looking forward to the next Return of the Blackwell Brothers book. The author generously provided me with a copy of this book at my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Get ready for some swoonilicious kisses, adorable kids, a delightful heroine, and a sexy rancher! The Rancher’s Twins by Carol Ross kicks off the multi-author Return of the Blackwell Brothers series with an entertaining story and a sweet-with-lots-of-sparks romance from start to finish. (And the stellar kisses – did I mention those yet?)

Jon Blackwell is the kind of cowboy/rancher who could walk in a room and grin and leave all the ladies with weak knees and palpitating hearts. He loves his little girls, despite the fact that they can be unholy terrors more often than not. He loves his ranch, despite the demands of the job and owning an enterprise like that. And he loves his family, despite the fact that he’s the only one who stuck around the land that’s been in his family for six generations. Including his grandfather, who took off with his much younger wife for places unknown & left behind a mess of things that Jon has to straighten out. Because of course he has all kinds of time to manage his grandfather’s wife’s new dude ranch idea, on top of the responsibilities of Jon’s own ranch and two twin spitfire daughters. Even though I allowed him some leeway for all the stress he’s under, I did want to shake some stubbornness out of him a couple of times… but then I got distracted by his swoony-ness and just sighed blissfully at him. So, yeah, he has his flaws, but he redeems himself in the end.

City girl Lydia Newbury is such an enjoyable character! She’s genuine and charming and I would love to have her as a friend in real life. You get the feeling that her smile and enthusiasm for life would be contagious to be around. She may not know her way around a ranch (yet)… and she may have a pretty big secret she’s hiding … but she jumps right in and invests herself in those little girls and everyone’s the better for it. Especially the girls. I really enjoyed watching her shape their character and talents while just loving on them, the motherly kind of love they’d really been missing out on in their young lives.

Bottom Line: There’s a lot more to both Jon and Lydia – and the two little girls – than first appears. Their characters are layered and fun to get to know in the process. Watching them fall in love is truly a pleasure – and those wowza kisses don’t hurt either! Along with giving readers an entertaining and heartwarming story, Ross also sets the stage nicely for the rest of the series and leaves us eagerly waiting to meet the next Blackwell brother!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Hallie (Hallie Reads)]

A handsome rancher, adorable twin girls, and a city-girl nanny… Carol Ross sets The Rancher’s Twins up to be a lot of fun, and I wholeheartedly enjoyed it from start to finish. I just couldn’t put the book down as I delved into the story and started getting to know the characters, the family ranch, and the town. The romance between Jon and Lydia develops with plenty of sparks and chemistry and made my heart so happy.

The Rancher’s Twins is the first book in the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series, and now, I can’t wait to keep reading more.

Thanks to Prism Book Tours, I received a complimentary copy of The Rancher’s Twins and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I simply loved this story from start to finish! It was packed with characters that I enjoyed reading about. The twin girls were so sweet and I enjoyed watching them blossom under the care of their new nanny, Lydia.

I really liked Lydia and Jon. Lydia was such a genuine person and worked so hard to do things for others. I liked her attitude toward the girls and the way she set out to do the best that she could in her job as nanny.

Many times, Jon reacted negatively to situations. He tended to jump to conclusions and they were always the wrong ones! However, these reactions showed exactly how much damage his ex-wife had done to him. I loved watching the attraction build between Lydia and Jon. Their relationship was so sweet and this book was an excellent start to a new 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...

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover and blurb is what gets me interested in a book. This book did not disappoint me at all.
Lydia is running from her past. She finds a job as a nanny far away from Philadelphia. She is expecting to be a nanny for an older child. Instead she finds a grumpy father and two adorable little girls. Jonathon doesn't have much time for women from the city. He is looking for a nanny who knows her way around a ranch. One look at Lydia and he wants her to go back where she came from.
Lydia is determined to stay and works very hard to prove her worth. I loved this story, its a worthy winner for 5 stars. The kids were so cute and Lydia really made them a family. Some times you don't know what you need, till its right in front of you. I look forward to reading more from this author, and cant wait to continue the rest of the series.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!! enjoy learning about new things when I read, and with this book I was able to get a glimpse of the difficult life of cowboys. They work hard from sun-up to sun-down. They have to keep those animals in line and cared for, assist with calving, mend broken fences, and the list goes on and on.
I loved so much about this book: the suspense of Lydia’s past threatening to catch up with her; Jon, the handsome, rugged cowboy; the farm animals and ranch dogs; the secondary characters. It all worked, and the story flowed seamlessly from beginning to end.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lydia needs to hide from her ex-boyfriend and has to leave as soon as possible. She’s found the perfect place, a ranch in Montana where she can work as a nanny. Lydia loves children and she's sure she can make this new career move work. Lydia’s new boss, Jon, isn’t so sure Lydia is the right candidate for the job though. He doesn’t want a city-girl to look after his five-year-old twins. He thinks Lydia will be too high maintenance and that would hurt both him and his daughters. Can Lydia convince Jon she’s the right woman for the job and will she be able to lighten his bad moods?

Lydia feels at home at Jon’s ranch. She does everything he asks of her and more. Lydia has a lot of work experience, gained at a large variety of useful jobs, and she’s perfectly at ease managing Jon’s household. The twins have a reputation, they made things difficult for the last few people who looked after them, but Lydia knows exactly what to do to make them feel loved and secure. Is she the best thing that could have happened to Jon and his daughters? What will happen when Lydia's past catches up with her, will she lose everything she’s come to hold dear?

The Rancher’s Twins is a wonderful romantic story. Lydia is sweet, capable and smart. She doesn’t know how charming she is and that’s a quality that makes her endearing. Jon is difficult to read at first, he’s grumpy to her most of the time, but he has his reasons. Lydia has to put in a lot of effort to win him over and I was curious to find out if he’d see how lovely she is eventually. They have plenty of chemistry and it’s clear from the start they would be perfect together, but there are many obstacles to overcome. Jon has his adorable little girls to think about for example. The twins are really cute and reading about them put a big smile on my face. Lydia connects with them straight away and I kept hoping she'd find her place at the farm. Discovering if she would be able to solve her problems kept me glued to the pages.

Carol Ross has a delightful heartwarming writing style. I loved how she makes the people she writes about come to life. It’s clear she’s incredibly fond of her main characters and that makes the story absolutely amazing. She combines this with a stunning setting. Her thorough descriptions are fabulous and I could easily picture every single detail of the ranch and the animals that are walking around there. The Rancher’s Twins is a fantastic story with plenty of beautiful love and some terrific suspense. I highly recommend this captivating book.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was super excited to read this book as I know there are others in the series and I wanted to get started reading about the Blackwell Brothers. I think the first story is always hard as it has to set up the entire premise for the rest of the books. Ms. Ross did a great job and I can’t wait to read about more from this family.

The story opens with Lydia Newbury taking a position as a nanny to Jon Blackwell’s two little spitfire twin girls. Both Lydia and Jon are expecting different things (Lydia thinks she’s heading for a teenager who needs some supervision; Jon thinks his nanny will be a ‘ranch girl’), however, due to a mix-up at the nanny agency, they each get the surprise of a lifetime. Lydia handles it better but John is extremely hesitant. I won’t go into details as you’ll need to read the story.

I loved, loved, loved the twins, although their transformation seemed pretty quick. No biggee; I totally enjoyed their storyline. Lydia should be nicknamed Superwoman because she whips this family into shape in no time at all. And Jon can be pretty clueless but at heart, he is a wonderful dad and a good person. And there are enough sparks between them to make it interesting!

I’d have to agree with another reviewer that how Lydia’s “issues” get resolved is a little too easy but it was refreshing to read and enjoy. I really liked the story and am looking forward to more of this family.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between the blurb for this book and the cover, I was hooked. Then I started reading and wow, I was so invested in this story! I loved it from beginning to end.

It's always an added bonus to me when there is a little bit of suspense lurking in the background. It's that hint of something coming that keeps me wondering when and how.

This story has the cutest twin girls, a kind hearted lady with so many special talents, and a duty bound, handsome rancher. It's the perfect set up for lots of personality and fun, especially when sparks are flying too! I loved how Lydia proved Jon wrong at every turn. And Jon was a big enough man to admit when he was wrong. It was awesome!

The set up for future books in this series has me SO interested. I can't wait to read the next book and see where this story takes me!

Content: kissing, mild peril

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

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rancher’s Twins starts an all new series, Return of the Blackwell Brothers. It, also, my first experience with Carol Ross’ books. She does not disappoint. I will definitely be looking for more by her in the future.
In this installment of the series, a reader is introduced to a handsome rancher and single father of two precious little girls, Jon Blackwell. He needs a nanny for his girls. But his idea of a nanny did not involve someone like Lydia Newbury. At first, I would have to argue with him. I was not sure what to think of her, but she quickly grew on me. She is surrounded with a little bit of mystery that gave the story some suspense. What could she be hiding?
I liked The Rancher’s Twins and recommend it for readers who are looking for a good, sweet and heartwarming read.
Five plus stars.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Deanna Vrba]

Lydia and Jonathon didn't like each other at first when she was hired to be his nanny and she was running from her past marriage. but sometimes fate bring you love when you aren't looking for it. sometime turned out to be the best love story that you ever had.

[Yaritza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story with a great plot and amazing characters. Lydia has a past she is running from. In hopes of staying hidden, she becomes a nanny for two twins. She falls in love with the girls. Jon is a hot single cowboy. What more can you ask for? This was a fun story because it has romance, secrets and a surprise solution to Lydia's troubles. Lydia is truly a hero. She did what she thought was right without thinking of the consequences. She loves to be helpful, caring and loving. Jon and Lydia are made for each other. A great heartwarming story.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 STARS!

Love when they least expected it! With the kick off to a new Harlequin Heartwarming series, Carol Ross brings us the story of the eldest Blackwell brother. He's the only one left in the town they grew up in, and he's still hard at work in the ranching life. The siblings are fairly estranged, and Jon finds himself missing the camaraderie they once knew, and the support system around him. Not only did this book bring us Jon and Lydia's sweet love story, but it also laid the foundation for the sibling stories to come. The characters we were developed and captured my attention quickly. The adorable girls had me smiling often, and the added intrigue of Lydia's past was an interesting twist. Really enjoyed and looking forward to the next brother's story!

Montana rancher Jon Blackwell is running out of steam! He's a single father to two rambunctious little girls, trying to run a cattle ranch at prime birthing season and pick up the slack at his grandfather's place while he's gone MIA ... he needs help! He's sure that the nanny agency he has sending him the perfect candidate will be the answer to his prayers ... and sanity! After all, they advertised that they could match him with whatever he needs ... and he needs a nanny that is familiar with life on a ranch.

Lydia Newbury is thrilled to have a job that will take her somewhere far away from Philadelphia, but she's familiar with teens, not toddlers so this might be a hard job to pull off. When Jon tells her that he wanted a country nanny who knows ranching life, she promises to learn everything she needs to learn quickly because she needs this job. She manages to pull off a miracle and make his more than a handful twins into well behaved angels, and Jon finds himself enjoying her more than he should ... but when her past catches up with her, what will the fallout be?

[Marcie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Rancher’s Twins” by Carol Ross is book 1 of Return of the Blackwell Brothers continuity. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to stop!

Jonathon Blackwell needs a nanny for his rambunctious five-year-old twins, Abby and Gen.
Lydia Newbury needs a place to hide and, with help from a friend, hires on for the job as nanny.
Jon isn’t interested in having another city girl on his ranch, but as Lydia works a miracle with his daughters, she also does with his heart.
While Lydia expects to stay in Falcon Creek for a short time, she doesn’t expect to lose her heart to a grim-faced rancher and his adorable girls.

“The Rancher’s Twins” is delightful and captivating and a wonderful introduction to the Blackwell Brothers.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
This was such a sweet beautiful story. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. It's one that just warms the heart. I loved Jon and his little girls. His girls were just too adorable. They were one of my favorite parts of the book. Their love of animals is something special. I also loved Lydia. My heart went out to her having to start over and thrown into an unexpected situation, but she's one heck of a trooper. She's exactly what Jon and his girls need. She brings so much light and happiness, but a surprise for Lydia they do the same for her. Except Lydia is keeping a secret of why she applied for the nanny position. Will it be a deal breaker for Jon? Jon already struggles from the hurt his ex did on him. Can he see past that hurt to grab the chance of a HEA he's always pictured? I would highly recommend this book. I can't wait to read more from this series.

[Beth Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Everything felt authentic, the setting, the plot, and the characters. And speaking of characters, who can resist a single father rancher who adores his twin daughters? Lydia is so perfect for Jon, all except for that ticking time bomb in her past...

And the best part? This is the first of a continuality with five different authors writing about five different brothers. So we get to return to this beautiful ranch again and again. Can't wait.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Rancher's Twins (Return of the Blackwell Brothers) by Carol Ross is Jon Blackwell and Lydia Newbury's story. Jon needs a Nanny for his twin girls, but they're rambunctious and he can't find someone who is good with them. Lydia shows up looking for a job and a place to hide. Jon has been burned in the past and can't seem to get past his hurt. Can he trust his feelings? When the truth comes out about his Nanny he just wants to shut down. This is a good, clean romance.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Lovin'A Cowboy Romance

The Rancher’s Twins started off the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series with a story that captured my heart, revved up my imagination and my curiosity, as well as giving me characters that I can care about as this series unfolds. There is little that will melt my heart more than kids, hellions or angels, and a father who is trying so hard to not only give his daughters his best but deal with the pain his ex-wife delivered. Add a touch of a mystery thread that will, it appears, flow throughout this series and I’m hooked from the very beginning.

The first story of any series is the one that matters in the sense of keeping me tuned in for the rest of the “story” being told. To be frank, if the first book doesn’t grab me and keep me needing to know more, then I’ll probably walk away. Every reader is different, but for me that beginning sets the stage for what will come, and is the reason I need to read a series from the beginning in order to understand the nuances of the people and situation I’m committing myself to. Ms Ross did an excellent job of building a world that is realistic, believable and that invites me in to learn more. The remaining books will fill in the nooks and crannies of this world, but the first has to set the stage.

First of all, I fell in love with a set of rambunctious, adorable little girls who mean the world to their daddy, but aren’t above being little hellions to other people. Jon needs help for he has a lot on his plate at two ranches, plus dealing with the aftermath of his missing in action grandfather. He’s asked for professional help and is depending on the new nanny, who has to be a ranching/country girl to be a real help to him. Except… things don’t quite go as planned.

Lydia is as city girl as they come. She’s also on the run from her life back in Philadelphia or specifically from her ex-boyfriend. Somehow through a glitch at the nanny agency she’s in the perfect place, the middle of nowhere, to hide but these cute little girls are not the teenager she thought she’d be working with. And their grumpy, silent, annoyed father certainly isn’t ideal either. But she can’t lose this job so being the capable and stubborn woman that she can be, Lydia sets out to prove over a two week trial that she is perfect for this family and can learn everything she needs to know to do her job beyond just good enough. And… maybe discover a treasure she wasn’t looking for as well.

Jon and Lydia set off sparks from their first meeting that only intensified throughout their romance. I liked them together, they fit, in spite of not being a “ranch girl”. Lydia’s past catches up with her and is dealt with in short order. Jon changes the most though as we start to see the man he once was, and the father he shows to his girls, come out and live again. I completely enjoyed The Rancher’s Twins and I’m diving into the next story immediately. Gotta love a binge read, right? If you love a Cowboy Romance, a couple of adorable, lively girls, one city girl with the heart of the country attitude then you’ll enjoy this series. I’d recommend this for any Romance reader who loves a good romance, opposites attract, a touch of mystery and two people who fit from the start.

I own a Kindle edition of this title.

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A combination of the tangles that both city and country life can bring, a sweet romance, a heroine trying to do what is right, adorable twins, and a handsome cowboy—that’s a winning formula for a non-formulaic Harlequin Heartwarming novel by Carol Ross. In the first book of the series, Return of the Blackwell Brothers, Ross introduces a plethora of characters and the many connections inherent in a small town. Because I was not reading an ebook version, with its built in search function, I took some notes on the characters and their relationships. It seemed like a good idea because, I assume, many of these characters will be in the books which follow in the series. (My desire for notes surely doesn't relate to the creep of age!)

I absolutely loved The Rancher’s Twins. As an educator, I found myself nodding approval as the main character, Lydia, applies practical techniques to teaching the almost kindergarten age twin girls, known to be a handful. She verbally prepares them for events, sets expectations, and makes learning fun and active.

Lydia is running away from a situation in Philadelphia that could cost her her life. Jon Blackwell is expecting a ranch-experienced nanny. When a city girl arrives on his doorstep, he can’t help seeing her through the distortion of pain left by his ex-wife. Lydia has no expectations of, or desire for, romance; she just wants safety and anonymity temporarily in Montana.

I kept turning pages in this book as fast as I could with some “oohs” and “ahs,” lots of nodding and smiles, a few chuckles, and, at the end, a few tears. Lydia is strong and nice and quite capable in many areas. What she doesn’t know, she is willing to learn. I never got bored watching Lydia grow into her position on the ranch and interact selflessly with her new acquaintances in town. Meanwhile, her boss, rancher Jon Blackwell, needs to come to grips with his own emotions as he decides whether or not to ask Lydia to stay on as nanny after a two-week trial period. As the storyline progresses we learn the backgrounds of Jon and Lydia that helped shape their characters.

I highly recommend The Rancher’s Twins and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series: The Rancher’s Rescue by Cari Lynn Webb. Just thinking about The Rancher’s Twins makes me smile. In this rough and tumble, stressful world, I think that is awesome!

I would like to extend my thanks to the author, Carol Ross, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[MJSH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fun, fun! This book by Carol Ross is such a sweet contemporary romance novel that takes place on a cattle ranch in Montana. The idea of the series is pretty neat - five authors are writing five separate novels about five brothers in a family that has effectively fallen apart. The Blackwell family has gone through a ton of ups and downs and the only one who has stuck around the vicinity of the family ranch is the oldest brother, Jonathon. While Jonathon tries to keep his head above water in running his own cattle ranch while single-parenting his twin daughters, his grandfather who owns the family ranch disappears and things spiral down even faster. This book is a great read and did an excellent job setting up the stage and whetting the appetite for the next books in the series.

The author's writing style is smooth and easy to follow. She sucks you right into the beauty of Montana as well as the hardships and bountiful rewards of the ranching life. Jonathan is a weary soul, trying his best to keep his ranch functioning while taking care of his five year-old twin girls. He's been hurt by his ex-wife and sports the grumpy grouchy rancher attitude to shield his heart. Still his loyal, devoted, tender heart shows through in his interactions with his daughters and friends and his determination and steadfastness shine in his management of his ranch. And he's such a romantic when his guard is down!
Lydia is a warm, fun, loving, and loyal woman unfortunately on the run from her ex-boyfriend. She gets hired as a nanny for Jonathon's twins through an agency and the rest is history.....until her past catches up with her. She's a city girl thrown into middle-of-nowhere America on a ranch of all places, but her fighting spirit, giving nature, and domestic skills help her fit right in. The dialogue between Jon and Lydia is so fantastic and the twins are incredibly cute.

Oh, I can't wait to pick up the second book in the series! I may end up reading all the released books in one sitting! The suspense of what the missing grandfather is doing is slowly killing me.....

I received the book from author/publisher via Prism Book Tours and was under no obligation to publish a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's everything he thought he didn't want

My rating is 4.5 stars

Though the rest of the town saw the twins as terrors, Lydia saw Abby and Gen as two girls needing some gentle guidance and a whole lot of love. If for no other reason, I adored the book for just that reason.

However, I did like the book for many other reasons. The handsome yet somewhat clueless rancher, Lydia, the practically perfect in every way nanny (with apologies to Mary Poppins), the mystery about the disappearance of Big E., the small town. . .

Speaking of small towns, Falcon Creek, MT really came to life for me. I felt like I had actually been there, getting to know the locals. While there were a heap of people introduced, it was done in such a way that I didn’t have trouble keeping track of them.

The Rancher’s Twins was a mix of romance and light humor with a little suspense and mystery mixed in, though it was more romance than the others. Knowing how and why Lydia ended up at the ranch, I kept waiting for her ex to find her. Knowing something would happen. As I was reading, I would think “oh, this is how he finds her”. And then he didn’t. I was kept on my toes until it happened and the ending surprised me.

The story stands alone, and yet it doesn’t. There are five books in this series, by different authors, each highlighting one of the Blackwell brothers. And I have a feeling the mystery of Big E. won’t be resolved until the last book. I have read at least one book by most of these authors and can vouch for them; they write books worth reading.


This review was originally posted on Among the Reads


I was given a free copy of this item. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jon Blackwell wanted a country nanny, someone who knows the ins and outs of a ranch but can also take care of his mischievous twins. When Lydia shows up at his door she is not what he expected. Lydia is on the run and found out that Jon needed a nanny to help take care of his teen daughter, not expecting TWIN daughters. She'll do everything she can to prove she can be the nanny he needs because she needs to stay off the grid and this can benefit both ways.

This book was such a nice contemporary read. I thought it was interesting the fact that Lydia was on the run and I was pretty curious what was the story behind that. TBH when it came to Jon he was sort of a jackass plenty of times. He was quick to judge and condemn certain things that he had no clue behind and I get it because of his ex but Lydia was clearly a different person and he didn't know her well to be doing comparison. I loved how Lydia was with the girls and how she was able to be there and help the girls, teach the girls in ways that were unexpected and fun. Catering to the girls needs knowing that they were hyper and not the type to just sit and learn but to apply it in different ways that made education more fun for them. I loved that connection between Lydia and Jon and how when Jon was being impossible she was able to explain things and like not yell at him when he was sort of spoiling for a fight she talked to him in a way. Instead of fighting or making him feel stupid she proved herself without making a fight about it. Not sure I'm explaining it right but I hope you get what I mean. Overall this book was really good i really enjoyed it.

[Busy Bumble Bee Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Ross is a new to me author. So I wasn't exactly sure what to expect going into this book. But the cover caught my attention and the fact in the description it said single dad. I love single parent books. There one of my secret favorite reads.



Lets start with Jon.... Jon is the oldest of the Blackwell boys, he runs his own ranch, he's raising his twin girls on his own. And he finds himself having to help out at his grandfather's ranch when his grandfather ups and disappears. I loved Jon to death and a lot rested on his shoulder. I thought he did the best he could with what he was given. I did think at times he seemed a bit judgemental, but I guess that's to be expected with what he went through with his ex-wife.



I liked Lydia.... I thought she was a likable character.... I felt like times though we only got bits and pieces about her..... Like she's on the run from her now ex-boyfriend.... Than at another part her parents had a nasty divorce.... And than another part she had a grandmother whom she seemed to love her dearly and was really the only one who had shown her warmth and love, had passed away a long time ago... I felt like the author kind of spaced out the information on Lydia to make her really just likable.



I did really enjoy this book. And thought that it was a sweet, likable, lighthearted read. I can't wait to read more about these Blackwell brothers.



I'm giving this book 4 Stars out of 5!!!!

***I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion***

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, after finishing the first book in the Return of the Blackwell Brothers, I’m ready to binge read them all. Unfortunately, I can’t fit them all into my schedule right now—probably works out because they aren’t all out yet, anyway.

So instead of my binge read, let’s talk about Carol Ross’s contribution. The Rancher’s Twins sets readers up for what’s coming well. We’re introduced to the town, the family ranch, and a few people I’m sure will be making appearances in future books.

And seriously, if you want to up the cowboy attraction factor, give the man adorable twin daughters. Girls who are a little wild due to being raised on a ranch but with hearts for girly things too (which we all know that cowboy dad has no clue about, right?).

Good thing the new nanny does! There is plenty of tension between Jon Blackwell and Lydia when she arrives. He makes plenty of assumptions about the city-girl based on his past experiences. But Lydia squares her shoulders and proves herself repeatedly until Jon’s distaste for city women is no longer.

I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Blackwell clan and find out how the other authors of this series (did I mention each book is written by a different author?) build on the foundation Ross has laid out so well. And I’ve got some guesses of which townspeople just might play a larger role in some of the Blackwell’s lives.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books written by various authors but all sharing a small town, family or organization. So I was thrilled when the first Blackwell Brothers book was released...and by Carol Ross, who's a familiar and loved author! The cover of this book is absolutely adorable, so even if the author is new to some, I think those cuties will grab readers attention!
Lydia is a city girl on the run, thinking she's found the perfect job and place to lie low. Jon needs a nanny for his rambunctious 5 year olds, but one who understands ranching life. Unfortunately, neither is what the other is looking for. Lydia is willing to learn but Jon is positive she's in over her head.
I love romance books with kids in them, if the kids are portrayed realistically and not used as props. Ross gets high marks from me in her characterization of Gen and Abby/ Their sweet and sassy personalities engaging and honest, as is their relationship with both Lydia and their father. Even Jon, who sometimes wear his "grumpy rancher" face, can't deny the positive influence Lydia has on the girls...and how much they love her.
This fun and well written book has it all...misunderstandings, interfering and endearing secondary characters, an underlying mystery (which looks to travel across all the books in the series) and a great hero/heroine pairing. Loved it!!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 9/4/18.

Cute story!

I liked the interplay between Lydia and the twins, Jon and his twins, Lydia and Jon, Lydia and Jon's friends/other employees, and Lydia and the townspeople--watching all those relationships develop was a whole lot of fun. And sign me up for that Family Ranch experience (supposing it ever does get off the ground...and oh, yeah, if it weren't fictional) because it really does sound awesome, despite Jon's negativity about the concept ;) (piglets! tiny donkeys! horses! cowboys! what there doesn't sound awesome?)

Overall, Lydia was a teensy bit too Mary Poppins-ish--it's like she worked some kind of magic on those twins (with zero kid experience prior? It really was pretty miraculous...the wonders of the internet, I guess...;)) Her on-the-run backstory was resolved fairly quickly and easily (though not totally unbelievably, it does stretch it a bit) and the HEA was very sweet.

I added the rest of the series to my TBR before I was even halfway done with this one...gotta find out what's going on with the rest of those Blackwell boys!

Rating: 4 stars / B

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I love the cover! That alone would draw me into reading this book! The "blurb" also was another draw. It was enough to whet my appetite. I wanted to see what Lydia was running from! I was not disappointed! In the end, her story was tied up a little too easily but it didn't diminish the overall enjoyment of the story for me! I still loved it! The twins were adorable and I especially liked how they were supposed to be "holy terrors" but after Lydia becomes their nanny, no one can believe how well behaved they are! It just shows you how one person can make a difference in the lives of children! Jon Blackwell wants a certain type of nanny and Lydia certainly isn't it! She's too much like his ex-wife and he wants her out of there, as soon as possible, except that everybody loves her, including his twins! I loved the interaction between Jon and Lydia. I wanted to slap Jon upside the head so many times! He wouldn't give Lydia the benefit of the doubt on anything! Fortunately, everyone around him saw that she wasn't like his ex-wife at all and thought she was great! This was just a great book and I loved it!
I received a complimentary copy from the author. My review of the book was not required and these opinions are my own!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Jon and Lydia. Jon is an organic rancher who has spread his wings from his family’s ranch to follow his beliefs. Lydia is on the run from a tough situation and being Jon’s nanny in the middle of nowhere, Montana suits her needs perfectly.
I really loved the characters in this story. They were realistic and interesting. Jon has a past that he is finding it difficult to overcome and he often finds it difficult to separate his past and his present. Lydia finds herself having to learn everything new on a two week timeline. I think her life is summed up by the cliche when it rains it pours. However, both of these characters also present a great aide of people. Jon makes time to help friends and family and Lydia makes herself many new friendships within the town.
While the plot had some events that I predicted early on, it was interesting enough that I would have liked to have skipped work to stay home and read! It also had some surprises at the end and I liked how it avoided unnecessary drama.
If you enjoy the employer-employee storyline or a good rural ranching story, you should take the time to read this story.
Thank you to the author for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest opinion.