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River's End Ranch #53

Stepdad Surprise

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This Fourth of July, there's all sorts of fireworks at River's End Ranch!  
 
A year ago, Jackie Novak looked into the eyes of her infant daughter and made the decision to run. She's spent months hiding at River's End Ranch, hoping and praying her violent ex won't track them down. There's certainly no space for romance in her life, not with sweet little Kalli Jo taking up all her love and attention.

But someone surprising is waiting for her to notice him.

Cooper Weston might be an all-American sweetheart, but he's had a crush on Jackie since he came back to the ranch to work near his family. She thinks they're just friends, but with a little effort on his part, he should be able to convince Jackie she's worthy of a real man's love.

With the Fourth of July celebrations heating up, it's looking like little Kalli might get a new stepdad... Until an unpleasant surprise threatens to ruin everything. 

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2018

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Caroline Lee

159 books665 followers

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5 stars
343 (62%)
4 stars
139 (25%)
3 stars
53 (9%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Jo-Anne.
1,768 reviews39 followers
July 14, 2019
Jackie knew she had to get away from her husband in order to keep herself and her baby safe. So she ran, changing her name and appearance. At a battered women's shelter, she met Father George who'd been a huge help. He even found her a job and place to live at Rivers End Ranch Resort in Idaho. She had a good life there but was always worried her ex would find her.

The last thing on Jackie's mind was romance so she was surprised when she was attracted to Cooper. He had been interested in her since she got to the ranch and loved her little girl but getting Jackie to trust him was not going to be easy.

I enjoyed watching Jackie's confidence grow as Cooper showed her that she was worthy of his attention and love.

This was a wonderful romance. If you enjoy romantic suspense with a HEA this is for you.
Profile Image for Jeffrey.
380 reviews25 followers
July 9, 2019
This story follows a pattern of many other romances: Down and out girl flees her dangerous and abusive boyfriend seeking shelter in a far-off place to start life anew with her infant daughter. Julie Novak doesn't intend to meet Cooper Weston, which complicates things immensely. Love has other plans though. Will Julie's dangerous criminal boyfriend find them? Meanwhile Cooper must work on Julie's shattered self-esteem. What sets this one off from the others is it is written by author Carolyn Lee, which elevates it to a superior level. The latest in the River's End Ranch collection, #53 and counting.
Profile Image for Lynn Smith.
2,682 reviews9 followers
July 9, 2018
Stepdad Surprise

A sweet and romantic story. Jackie is working at River's End Ranch after escaping her life in Chicago. Just her and her daughter. Always looking over her shoulder. Cooper really is attracted to Jackie but was nervous to ask her out.
Profile Image for Marsha Keeper Bookshelf.
4,290 reviews88 followers
July 5, 2018
Reviewed at Romance Is Ageless

It’s not easy to completely change a life around. No, not easy but so worth the effort and determination. Once Jackie lived a life that was violent, addicted and desperate. When she learned that she’d be bringing another life into the world Jackie got clean and got gone from that old life. Not without complications, and not without the fear of looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life. With a new name, a new daughter, and the will to survive, Jackie has found her place at River’s End Ranch Resort. She might find more than friendship if she can trust in her instincts, and maybe a fairy whisperer as well.

Cooper, Jackie and Kalli Jo’s story is full of the wonder of falling in love, and the fear of taking a risk. Cooper is handling his own kind of pain with a family crisis, but that doesn’t diminish his growing feelings for Jackie and her daughter, Kalli. He’s willing to listen and to take the time for her to trust him with herself, her daughter and her past. Jackie is afraid, and she has the right to be. Learning to believe in Cooper’s promise of love and protection isn’t easy, but it does feel natural. Just one glance at how much he already loved Kallie is proof. Watching this couple fall in love, overcome fears and face down the threat to their future was an enjoyable experience. And we get to watch some of River’s End Ranch’s finest jump into action when needed most. I had fun with Stepdad Surprise, and if you love a good romance I’m sure you would, too.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Profile Image for Dorothy Roller.
480 reviews3 followers
July 2, 2018
I think this is the best River’s End Ranch story that Caroline Lee has written and I have loved all the others. This one has more that you can imagine in it.
Our heroine has had a horrible past that has scarred her greatly and she feels so unworthy of anyone loving her.
Our hero is a cousin to the Weston’s and spent his youth summers on the ranch and is back living and working there.
He has fallen hard for our heroine but she certainly doesn’t feel worthy of his love or anyone else’s.
There is so much in this story that I haven’t read in other books in this series.
Sadness beyond what anyone can imagine unless you have been through it. A nasty villain who wants revenge and a mom who has cancer and is not going to make it.
Then there is the sweetest little baby that grabs our hero’s heart and he desperately want her and her mom in his life.
There is also fun, laughter and of course romance, but the worst danger imaginable and our hero is really a hero.

I recommend this story as it is really good, but you will laugh and cry and just have great emotions for these two.

I received this ARC but I gave this review because I wanted to and it is my own honest unbiased opinion. I didn’t receive any thing in exchange for this review.
1,006 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2018
My very first time reading this author and I was shocked by this book
Jackie the heroine had a rough life until she found out she was pregnant
She then knew things had to change for the sake of her child. She was into drugs and hung with the wrong people and her boyfriend manipulated her the whole time, never really caring for her, her past will pull at your heartstrings, but she does get help from a local priest whom knows of a small town that will be perfect for her and her baby.

But will danger follow her here?

Jackie has now been in town for a while and a local man Cooper a good ole boy
Finds himself interested in her. He gets along well with her daughter. He also help runs his family farm and has multiple cousins, siblings and friends.
Cooper wants to ask her out but can't get the nerve. Cooper is an all around good guy so different from what Jackie was used to.

Will Jackie reveal her secrets to Cooper? And does she really avoid her dangerous ex.
Can Cooper change her view on men and become an awesome step dad to her baby?

This was a definite must read for me.
I think anyone would enjoy this story. I also consider this story a clean one

Xoxo,

Meme Chanell
3,757 reviews20 followers
July 2, 2018
Jackie Novak has always felt like she wasn’t good enough. Her mother didn’t want her and left her with her great grandmother to raise. Her ex beat her up, got her hooked on drugs, and used her with his friends. She finds out she’s expecting Kalli and with Father George’s help decides to change her name, escape to River’s End Ranch, and create a new life for herself and her daughter far away from the horrors of her life Chicago. But she’s always looking over her shoulder wondering if her past life will catch up with her. Coop has been attracted her ever since she arrived and he loves her little daughter to bits. He has to work hard to help her overcome her feelings of inadequacy and help her realize that she does deserve to be loved. Sweet romance with plenty of humor and suspense about realizing that you can change and that your past does not define what you are today.
1,382 reviews10 followers
July 2, 2018
I loved reading this book!
It has a little bit of a different twist to it,
but it's still a heartwarming RER story.
Trish's life, for as she can remember,
has not been good. When she met
Ivan, Trish thought she found someone
to love her. She soon learned what a bad person he was. When Trish learned she was pregnant, she knew she had to change her life for her & her baby.
Her new life lead her to Riston, Idaho.
Jackie & Kalli were finally safe.
The minute Cooper Weston met Jackie, he was instantly attracted to her.
Just to nervous to ask her out. Cooper is crazy about Kalli. She is in his nephew's class at Kiddie Corner. Jackie & Cooper would see each other a lot, working at RER. But, will Cooper ever ask Jackie out?
I really enjoyed this story.
A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!!
1,197 reviews
July 7, 2018
Pull out the tissues

As a huge fan of this series I can undoubtedly say this is my new favorite. Jackie Novak is on the run from the sleazy Ivan. Thanks to Father George McVeigh she lands at Rivers End Ranch where she and baby Kalli live in the bunk house and while mom works, the baby goes to daycare. Cooper Weston is an all around good guy, a construction and demolition expert, cousin to the Weston clan and lover of children. He has admired Jackie for a while and loves Kalli Jo. It is purely magical to read Caroline Lee's love story. Pull out the tissues as Caroline weaves a story in which Cooper convinces Jackie she is beautiful even with her horrid background.
Profile Image for Barbara Van Zandt.
1,361 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2018
New beginning

She became pregnant and decides to get clean and with the help of a prist.he helps her to move just days after her baby is born. She leaves because of an evil hateful ex. Then she meets the nicest man she ever met over the months they get to know one another and he g or a to kiddie corral to vist h I s nephew and falls for Jackie babyy girl. He finally asked her out and from there their courtships blossums .she tells him the truth about her past and new start. The ex finds her everyone at the ranch helps out and cooper saves her. I just love this series, all the stories pull a you I n and you feel like you are t here.
Profile Image for Teri.
633 reviews
July 2, 2018
It took me all of 6 pages to cry at what Trish/Jackie had to survive, and how determined she was to change her future. But the bad parts were only a blip on the story radar. She got on the right path when she started took Jaclyn’s fairy-driven advice, and was helped along by hearing & believing a couple of wildly astute ministers (I love that a good priest was essential to the story!). But it took Cooper’s belief in her, and willingness to love her for exactly who she was, warts and all, to teach her how precious she really was. It was so sweet, and the perfect 4th of July addition to RER.
Profile Image for Renate Deutsche Oma.
1,433 reviews
July 2, 2018
Delightful Fourth of July read that will LIGHT UP your NIGHT with Fireworks. A single drug free mom with a new identity and her adorable daughter Kalli Jo leave Chicago by train and start afresh at River's End Ranch in Riston, Idaho. Action filled plot with some exploding unexpected twists, a fairy loving matchmaker and more. Great Beach or Summer Read. Caroline Lee brings a message of HOPE and Second Chances.
Profile Image for Radiant.
1,180 reviews30 followers
July 4, 2018
A year ago, Jackie Novak looked into the eyes of her infant daughter and made the decision to run. She's spent months hiding at River's End Ranch, hoping and praying her violent ex won't track them down. There's certainly no space for romance in her life, not with sweet little Kalli Jo taking up all her love and attention.

But someone surprising is waiting for her to notice him.
---------------------------
A very cute and nice read..
Profile Image for Liberty.
423 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2018
Can Jackie Novak escape her past and find love with a wonderful man? Cooper Weston sure hopes so. He loves babies and is immediately drawn to Jackie and her sweet baby girl. Will they find a future together or will Jackie's dark past come back to haunt her? Stepdad Surprise is a delightful story of family, forgiveness and starting over. It contains a wonderful balance of romance and mystery that creates a can't put down story.
Profile Image for Tammy Rolle.
361 reviews6 followers
July 3, 2018
A brand new life

Jackie ran from the he'll she had been living in when was given the chance to give her daughter a whole new life by coming to River's End. Cooper was head over heels for baby Kelli and her mama. Now he just needed to convince Jackie that they would be safe trusting him to protect them.
61 reviews
August 26, 2018
Cooper Weston / Jackie Novak
With the help of a kindly priest, a young mother escapes to a small town in Idaho leaving behind a life of drugs and an abusive boyfriend. With each passing day, a new name and new fiends, is it possible to look to the future and a new life free form fear? [ACG CAROLINE BOOK JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER]
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews102 followers
July 5, 2019
Great

Trisha/Jackie has to get away from the man that has so much control over her and would hurt her unborn baby. Fr. George helped her clean and helped her and Kalli Jo get away to Reston. Now she is doing good. Cooper is a cousin and is working at the ranch and loving all the new babies around. But Jackie's past is coming to harm her. But Cooper loved her and little Kalli Jo.
255 reviews
July 3, 2018
Outstanding book!

This was such an amazing story! One of the best recently! Can’t wait for the next book in this amazing series! Love they are on kindle unlimited. Get it and you can binge read 53 books!!!
Profile Image for Love.
1,747 reviews5 followers
July 4, 2018
Beautiful New Beginning And Sweet Romance

This is a refreshing and heartwarming romance with charming and adorable characters that will have you cheering for them and enjoying the journey to understanding and love.
Profile Image for Jenn (YeahOrNeighReviews).
1,883 reviews45 followers
July 5, 2018
Charming story of starting over!

This was a fast-paced read, but the characters are relatable with a storyline that'll keep you captivated. A wonderful, clean romance in the world of River's End Ranch.
388 reviews5 followers
July 19, 2018
Clean and enjoyable

Redemption from a scarlet past is only possible because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is a picture of that Hope and love from abuse to having worth and value
25 reviews
July 21, 2018
Great read for any day.

Stepdad Surprise had me laughing, crying, worried and then sighing. A woman on the run, a cute baby and a hunky funny guy. The perfect happily after ever book.
1,124 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2018
EASY GOING NEW ROMANCE

A cute love story. Young woman arrives at River's End to start a new life and hopefully stay hidden from her ex in order to protect her new daughter. While starting to develop a new relationship with Cooper her ex shows up and threatens her life
Profile Image for Tj Walker.
302 reviews4 followers
October 31, 2018
Great story!

Caroline Lee never disappoints! Her stories are always great and this is one of hers! Cooper and Jackie are great together. The surprise showing up of Ivan and the aftermath made for a wonderful story.
920 reviews7 followers
July 4, 2019
A Great story.....

A great story of a girl who decided to change her life & escape the old ways. She escapes with help from a nurse & a priest.
A guy chose to love her baby, along with nieces & nephews in the daycare. Then he chose to protect them both.
Profile Image for Mary Jane McLeod.
3,010 reviews7 followers
July 7, 2019
Great series/loved it

Another great book in a great series by one of my favorite authors. I absolutely loved Jackie and Cooper's story. I grabbed my attention from the beginning and left me with a smile.
957 reviews11 followers
August 19, 2019
A cute quick read. Cooper Weston falls in love with a single Mom at first sight. But she's hiding a secret past life. And cute little Kalli Jo also loves the tender-hearted man who's determined to marry her mom. Though a predictable story line, I enjoyed this clean read and recommend it.
1,487 reviews15 followers
October 25, 2019
Love arrives on the ranch once again...

It's a novella; it's a sweet romance; and, it's love on River's End Ranch. Loved the story and the baby who adds so much to the storyline. The author did a great job of writing and making us love the characters. Thanks.
Profile Image for Janet McMillan.
530 reviews
September 26, 2023
Secrets, Running Away and Romance

Great story! Characters and plot line were exceptional! Jackie (Trish) and is running with her newborn, away from a dangerous man. They end up at River's End Ranch and meeting Cooper.
33 reviews2 followers
July 2, 2018
Tears of sorrow, tears of joy¡

Caroline you have made my day! This story is gift & I have to think you! What joy in this beautiful story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews