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Wild Rose Ranch #2
Restless Rancher
If you like bad-boy heroes, western settings, and a sexy, sassy heroine you will love Jennifer Ryan's newest Wild Rose Ranch book! Perfect for fans of Diana Palmer, Linda Lael Miller, and Jodi Thomas.
One minute down-on-his-luck rancher Austin Hubbard slept soundly, the next, a sassy spitfire dumped a pitcher of water on his head and woke him up—in more ways than one. Hired to help him rebuild his ranch, Sonya Tucker ends up helping him put the tattered pieces of his life back together. The capable, all-business accountant is on a mission to get the ranch up and running, but can he convince the temptingly beautiful woman to take a chance on him?
Sonya was dismayed that Austin had lost it money, family, respectability. Things she—who’d been raised by her mother at Nevada’s notorious brothel Wild Rose Ranch—only dreamed about. But working with the long, lean cowboy shows her that Austin is honorable to his core. Together they slowly grow to see what the love between them might bring.
But then Austin’s powder keg of a family feud explodes, exposing long-buried secrets, and threatening their new-found love…
One minute down-on-his-luck rancher Austin Hubbard slept soundly, the next, a sassy spitfire dumped a pitcher of water on his head and woke him up—in more ways than one. Hired to help him rebuild his ranch, Sonya Tucker ends up helping him put the tattered pieces of his life back together. The capable, all-business accountant is on a mission to get the ranch up and running, but can he convince the temptingly beautiful woman to take a chance on him?
Sonya was dismayed that Austin had lost it money, family, respectability. Things she—who’d been raised by her mother at Nevada’s notorious brothel Wild Rose Ranch—only dreamed about. But working with the long, lean cowboy shows her that Austin is honorable to his core. Together they slowly grow to see what the love between them might bring.
But then Austin’s powder keg of a family feud explodes, exposing long-buried secrets, and threatening their new-found love…
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2019
488 people are currently reading
2657 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ryan
50 books1,885 followersJennifer Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted and McBrides Series, writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
Please visit her website at www.jennifer-ryan.com for information about upcoming releases.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
Please visit her website at www.jennifer-ryan.com for information about upcoming releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
August 31, 2022
This is a romance cowboy, and this is the second book in the Wild Rose Ranch series. This is the second book of the wild rose ranch series. This book was a great of heartache and great romance. I feel the characters where very developed and I really wanted to find out what was going to happen to the characters. This book had some twisted and turns that kept you wanting to keep reading. I won an arc of this book for a goodreads giveaway, but this review is 100% my opinion.
March 17, 2020
1.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Yes, he’d been humbled, going from living large with money overflowing his bank account to scraping by.
Second in the Wild Rose Ranch series, the troubled Austin is trying to get his life together. I haven't read the first book and I think that really hurt my enjoyment of this. I had no idea who these people were and our heroine, Sonya, with her sisters and family dynamics, seem to be play a big part in the underlining theme and emotion in the series. I think background knowledge on Sonya's family and Austin as a character would have helped my attachment to these characters. This starts with Austin trying to reform his party boy ways because his rich father has cut him off and his girlfriend has dumped him. Austin inherited a ranch from his grandfather but it is dilapidated and needs a lot of money and repair. Sonya comes into the picture because her sister (heroine from book one) is bankrolling Austin's ranch and she is there to manage and run the books for the ranch.
Numbers made sense to her. Everything lined up. People, the things they did, their capacity to hurt others and inflict such cruelties, boggled her mind.
This was a honestly a mess of storylines for me, the beginning focuses for a while on how Austin's grandfather was a hoarder and lingers on the emotional whys of it, Austin's father badly wants the ranch and now his ex-girlfriend is engaged to his father and his father wants the ex to trick Austin into impregnate her, and Austin working on trying to get his act together. Sonya has her own issues with her family, a mother who lived a harsh life, a job that passed her over for promotion, and dealing with her sisters and childhood. There was a scene where Sonya gets angered and in one paragraph spouts a plethora of trigger warning issues that happened to her mother and it felt like heaping awful traumas on a character just for shock or forced emotional value because of the lack of emotional foundation.
She’d stand by whoever she loved. She’d be a true partner. Adversity challenged her, it didn’t back her down.
The romance between the two is fairly instant and not something I completely believed in because of the lack of solid relationship groundwork. They have some good back and forth moments, made better because of the don't back down attitude of Sonya but the constant fluttering between story threads/plots didn't leave enough time for them to develop. The main plot of Austin's dad wanting his ranch so bad could have worked but Austin's forced mishandling of the situation, he didn't seem too curious as to why his dad would want the ranch in the beginning, and him never checking deeds or information about something inherited and carried so much about.
If you read the first, you'd probably enjoy this more then me but I felt disconnected from the characters, there were too many messy storythreads, and the romance moved too quickly without a strong enough foundation. I've other Ryan works before and enjoyed them, I'm going to just count this one as a one-off.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Yes, he’d been humbled, going from living large with money overflowing his bank account to scraping by.
Second in the Wild Rose Ranch series, the troubled Austin is trying to get his life together. I haven't read the first book and I think that really hurt my enjoyment of this. I had no idea who these people were and our heroine, Sonya, with her sisters and family dynamics, seem to be play a big part in the underlining theme and emotion in the series. I think background knowledge on Sonya's family and Austin as a character would have helped my attachment to these characters. This starts with Austin trying to reform his party boy ways because his rich father has cut him off and his girlfriend has dumped him. Austin inherited a ranch from his grandfather but it is dilapidated and needs a lot of money and repair. Sonya comes into the picture because her sister (heroine from book one) is bankrolling Austin's ranch and she is there to manage and run the books for the ranch.
Numbers made sense to her. Everything lined up. People, the things they did, their capacity to hurt others and inflict such cruelties, boggled her mind.
This was a honestly a mess of storylines for me, the beginning focuses for a while on how Austin's grandfather was a hoarder and lingers on the emotional whys of it, Austin's father badly wants the ranch and now his ex-girlfriend is engaged to his father and his father wants the ex to trick Austin into impregnate her, and Austin working on trying to get his act together. Sonya has her own issues with her family, a mother who lived a harsh life, a job that passed her over for promotion, and dealing with her sisters and childhood. There was a scene where Sonya gets angered and in one paragraph spouts a plethora of trigger warning issues that happened to her mother and it felt like heaping awful traumas on a character just for shock or forced emotional value because of the lack of emotional foundation.
She’d stand by whoever she loved. She’d be a true partner. Adversity challenged her, it didn’t back her down.
The romance between the two is fairly instant and not something I completely believed in because of the lack of solid relationship groundwork. They have some good back and forth moments, made better because of the don't back down attitude of Sonya but the constant fluttering between story threads/plots didn't leave enough time for them to develop. The main plot of Austin's dad wanting his ranch so bad could have worked but Austin's forced mishandling of the situation, he didn't seem too curious as to why his dad would want the ranch in the beginning, and him never checking deeds or information about something inherited and carried so much about.
If you read the first, you'd probably enjoy this more then me but I felt disconnected from the characters, there were too many messy storythreads, and the romance moved too quickly without a strong enough foundation. I've other Ryan works before and enjoyed them, I'm going to just count this one as a one-off.
May 24, 2020
Many thanks to Kayleigh at Avon for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
3.5 stars
To be completely honest, I don't have much to say. This review is gonna be real short. I listened to this more as background noise than anything but I'll do my best! But fair warning... I'm going to fill it with gifs to make it seem longer
I truly enjoyed this romance novel. Also, I would say it was 90% romance and 10% suspense because there were some thriller/legal drama aspects that really added to the depth of this book. I think that my only issue with this book (and it wasn't even an issue. It was more of a slightly unpleasant observation) was that it wasn't as steamy as I would have hoped. Ah well!
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lmao the update below kills me becuase that was back when I was just an innocent lil bean. review to come
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My first Mass Market Paperback romance with a hot guy on the cover! Yay! I'm so excited!
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dnf
December 12, 2019Dear author,
Two words, PROOF. READ.
Could you please make up your mind about if you are painting your hero as a monk or a ho? They’re two completely different paints or are you also fucking colour blind?
He was either going through a “sexual drought” or he was “indiscriminately playing the field since his fiancée kicked him out”. We are talking about just spam of months here not decades. Hell. Not even couple of years. How long of celibacy is a fucking sexual drought?
Two words, PROOF. READ.
Could you please make up your mind about if you are painting your hero as a monk or a ho? They’re two completely different paints or are you also fucking colour blind?
He was either going through a “sexual drought” or he was “indiscriminately playing the field since his fiancée kicked him out”. We are talking about just spam of months here not decades. Hell. Not even couple of years. How long of celibacy is a fucking sexual drought?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2023
Better than the first book for sure, but I don't have much to say about it. I liked Sonya and Austin better as a couple than Roxy and Noah, they had more chemistry and overall their story was more interesting. I'm hoping Drake and Adria's story will be even better.
3.5
3.5
November 12, 2019
Coffee Dates with Restless Rancher
First Date– Austin Hubbard has spent every penny paying the back taxes on the land and home he inherited from his grandfather after his own father turned his back on him. Roxy has offered to a silent partnership and things are looking up, but a setback in the form of his ex-fiancé leaves him passed out drunk on the front porch. And that is just how Sonya Tucker, the Wild Rose sister Roxy hired to help with Austin’s ranch finds him. From their first interaction I was all in! Fans of HGTV will love the renovation of the old homestead as these two sort through the Hubbard estate. While things may have started off rocky, the chemistry between these two wounded souls feels genuine.
Second Date– I liked the chemistry and camaraderie between Sonya and Austin. The two have a lot in common and slowly open up sharing old wounds. Austin’s Dad is the devil himself and his ex isn’t much better. The suspense angle was intense as Austin and Sonya worked to figure out why Austin’s Dad wanted the land. We also learn more about Sonya’s life and that of her mothers. Ryan offers some insight into brothels and I found it insightful. It is getting harder to ignore the growing attraction these two feel, and the anticipation builds with almost moments. Ryan has created flawed, honorable characters I cannot help but fall for.
Third Date– Mishaps, reveals and character growth pave the way as Sonya and Austin realize what is truly important. The storyline was intense at times but the drama was kept low by action scenes, danger and discovery. I really liked Sonya and even ended up liking someone I hadn’t expected to. So kudos to Ryan. This final date wrapped up nicely leaving me with a smile. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
First Date– Austin Hubbard has spent every penny paying the back taxes on the land and home he inherited from his grandfather after his own father turned his back on him. Roxy has offered to a silent partnership and things are looking up, but a setback in the form of his ex-fiancé leaves him passed out drunk on the front porch. And that is just how Sonya Tucker, the Wild Rose sister Roxy hired to help with Austin’s ranch finds him. From their first interaction I was all in! Fans of HGTV will love the renovation of the old homestead as these two sort through the Hubbard estate. While things may have started off rocky, the chemistry between these two wounded souls feels genuine.
Second Date– I liked the chemistry and camaraderie between Sonya and Austin. The two have a lot in common and slowly open up sharing old wounds. Austin’s Dad is the devil himself and his ex isn’t much better. The suspense angle was intense as Austin and Sonya worked to figure out why Austin’s Dad wanted the land. We also learn more about Sonya’s life and that of her mothers. Ryan offers some insight into brothels and I found it insightful. It is getting harder to ignore the growing attraction these two feel, and the anticipation builds with almost moments. Ryan has created flawed, honorable characters I cannot help but fall for.
Third Date– Mishaps, reveals and character growth pave the way as Sonya and Austin realize what is truly important. The storyline was intense at times but the drama was kept low by action scenes, danger and discovery. I really liked Sonya and even ended up liking someone I hadn’t expected to. So kudos to Ryan. This final date wrapped up nicely leaving me with a smile. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
November 14, 2019
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
*Contains Spoilers, Readers BeAware*
Restless Rancher is book two in our Wild Rose Ranch series by Jennifer Ryan. After loving book one, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book and boy I should have read this sooner because this book was simply fantastic for sure. Now, this didn't have quite the emotional intensity that I have normally felt in her previous books, but it definitely had plenty of feels just works the reader differently than you would normally expect and I found it refreshing actually that she switched things up a bit.
In Restless Rancher, our story begins with our hero Austin Hubbard, who is having a rough patch in his life. His grandfather has passed away and Austin is trying to do everything her can to keep the land from getting into his father's greedy hands, and his ex-girlfriend ran to her father's arms and our story starts with her trying to seduce him so she can have his baby under his father's insistence. But Austin is determined to stand up to his father. With the help of Roxy, he is sent help to refurbish his grandfather's home and get the place back in working order. Roxy sends him her sister "Sonya" to assist him and she is badass in getting him back into working and not drowning in self-pity and the bottle. As they start working together, there are sparks of chemistry that builds between them. And even though they aren't sure where their relationship is headed, they both feel how 'real' it is for both of them. But there is something more going on with the reasons why his father wants his land so badly and the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes...
This was a fantastic book and I truly loved every part of this book. It was so good in so many ways here and I couldn't get enough of it. It was quite different. But first I want to talk COVER. Now I love this cover, but my only complaint is how different it is from the cover of book one. They so don't match and I would have wish Avon had done a more focused job on making sure they matched better. Am I the only one that was bothered by this?
Now to continue on with the actual story. This was quite a mystery actually. At first, you don't connect the dots to the actual mystery of it all. But the further you get into the story the more the cards start to fall into place and you realize it. In the first half of the story, the focus is the romance between Sonya and Austin which is a mix of sass and sweet. They are refurbishing and doing lots of construction on his grandfather's home. What I appreciated about this aspect is seeing the emotional effect it has on Austin. Seeing someone he deeply loved and having to go through his things. But as the romance builds between these two is when things get even more interesting. His father is one mean piece of work that is for sure and we see how greedy he is. We see Austin and Sonya learn to figure out what they want in their relationship and find out what is really going on with the land.
Now for Sonya, her story is more side lined because of what Austin is going through. Now don't get me wrong, in most romances we see the heroine being the focus point so it was truly refreshing to see it be the hero at the focus point. But we see what her mother has gone through which is vastly different from what we see with Roxy's mother. We see the effects of abuse and trauma and it really broke my heart to see what Sonya and her mother go through. I was literally SOBBING at the end with the HEA her mother found, so beautiful and heartfelt.
Overall I found Restless Rancher to be a sexy yet heartwrenching read that tugs at those emotions in such a vibrant real way that is undeniable and true.
.
*Contains Spoilers, Readers BeAware*
Restless Rancher is book two in our Wild Rose Ranch series by Jennifer Ryan. After loving book one, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book and boy I should have read this sooner because this book was simply fantastic for sure. Now, this didn't have quite the emotional intensity that I have normally felt in her previous books, but it definitely had plenty of feels just works the reader differently than you would normally expect and I found it refreshing actually that she switched things up a bit.
In Restless Rancher, our story begins with our hero Austin Hubbard, who is having a rough patch in his life. His grandfather has passed away and Austin is trying to do everything her can to keep the land from getting into his father's greedy hands, and his ex-girlfriend ran to her father's arms and our story starts with her trying to seduce him so she can have his baby under his father's insistence. But Austin is determined to stand up to his father. With the help of Roxy, he is sent help to refurbish his grandfather's home and get the place back in working order. Roxy sends him her sister "Sonya" to assist him and she is badass in getting him back into working and not drowning in self-pity and the bottle. As they start working together, there are sparks of chemistry that builds between them. And even though they aren't sure where their relationship is headed, they both feel how 'real' it is for both of them. But there is something more going on with the reasons why his father wants his land so badly and the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes...
This was a fantastic book and I truly loved every part of this book. It was so good in so many ways here and I couldn't get enough of it. It was quite different. But first I want to talk COVER. Now I love this cover, but my only complaint is how different it is from the cover of book one. They so don't match and I would have wish Avon had done a more focused job on making sure they matched better. Am I the only one that was bothered by this?
Now to continue on with the actual story. This was quite a mystery actually. At first, you don't connect the dots to the actual mystery of it all. But the further you get into the story the more the cards start to fall into place and you realize it. In the first half of the story, the focus is the romance between Sonya and Austin which is a mix of sass and sweet. They are refurbishing and doing lots of construction on his grandfather's home. What I appreciated about this aspect is seeing the emotional effect it has on Austin. Seeing someone he deeply loved and having to go through his things. But as the romance builds between these two is when things get even more interesting. His father is one mean piece of work that is for sure and we see how greedy he is. We see Austin and Sonya learn to figure out what they want in their relationship and find out what is really going on with the land.
Now for Sonya, her story is more side lined because of what Austin is going through. Now don't get me wrong, in most romances we see the heroine being the focus point so it was truly refreshing to see it be the hero at the focus point. But we see what her mother has gone through which is vastly different from what we see with Roxy's mother. We see the effects of abuse and trauma and it really broke my heart to see what Sonya and her mother go through. I was literally SOBBING at the end with the HEA her mother found, so beautiful and heartfelt.
Overall I found Restless Rancher to be a sexy yet heartwrenching read that tugs at those emotions in such a vibrant real way that is undeniable and true.
.
July 17, 2021
A cowboy down on his luck?
A heroine with ties to a brothel?
Family feuds and secrets?
Restless Rancher is book 2 in Jennifer Ryan’s Wild Rose Ranch series and I thoroughly enjoyed it for the book soap-opera that it was, because I LOVE SOAP OPERAS!!!
I grew up watching soaps with my mom, so there’s some sentimental value tied into that (although, reflecting back, I’m not sure how appropriate that was considering the content but whatev). People may mind waiting in line at the grocery store but not me. It gives me time to read the headlines on Soap Opera Digest, Soap Opera Weekly and Soaps In Depth. *Don’t judge.* I was distraught when one by one, the soaps got cancelled from daytime TV. Now, all that remains, are a few (four that I can think of off the top of my head – Y&R and General Hospital being my favs). I don’t watch them regularly. In fact, years can go by before I turn one on, but within a few short episodes, I’m completely caught up because that is part of the beauty of soap operas – the writing is done to bring new viewers up to speed in record time.
ANYWAY, Restless Rancher reads like a soap opera. This book has lots of drama, insta-love, and very obvious telling-not-showing of feelings (seriously, like ZERO inferencing skills required to read this) in a completely OTT, cheesy-romance-kinda way.
And I LOVED IT!!!
But you gotta want to love it, ya know?
Like, you can't go into this book expecting literary gold (or sapphires, in this case). The bad stuff was totally predictable and everything gets tied up nicely in a bow at the end but DUN DUN DUN…. there’s a teaser at the end that entices reader to get the next book.
I will definitely be reading this author again when I’m in need of a soap-fix in print form. Also, her books are available at my library, so that’s a win.
And, I’m not really sure where this fits into my review, but my hands-down favorite line from the book is this gem:
”You like numbers. As I see it, you and me, we add up to forever.”
I mean, the cheese-factor is THICK, people. But you know what.... I ATE IT UP!!!
A heroine with ties to a brothel?
Family feuds and secrets?
Restless Rancher is book 2 in Jennifer Ryan’s Wild Rose Ranch series and I thoroughly enjoyed it for the book soap-opera that it was, because I LOVE SOAP OPERAS!!!
I grew up watching soaps with my mom, so there’s some sentimental value tied into that (although, reflecting back, I’m not sure how appropriate that was considering the content but whatev). People may mind waiting in line at the grocery store but not me. It gives me time to read the headlines on Soap Opera Digest, Soap Opera Weekly and Soaps In Depth. *Don’t judge.* I was distraught when one by one, the soaps got cancelled from daytime TV. Now, all that remains, are a few (four that I can think of off the top of my head – Y&R and General Hospital being my favs). I don’t watch them regularly. In fact, years can go by before I turn one on, but within a few short episodes, I’m completely caught up because that is part of the beauty of soap operas – the writing is done to bring new viewers up to speed in record time.
ANYWAY, Restless Rancher reads like a soap opera. This book has lots of drama, insta-love, and very obvious telling-not-showing of feelings (seriously, like ZERO inferencing skills required to read this) in a completely OTT, cheesy-romance-kinda way.
And I LOVED IT!!!
But you gotta want to love it, ya know?
Like, you can't go into this book expecting literary gold (or sapphires, in this case). The bad stuff was totally predictable and everything gets tied up nicely in a bow at the end but DUN DUN DUN…. there’s a teaser at the end that entices reader to get the next book.
I will definitely be reading this author again when I’m in need of a soap-fix in print form. Also, her books are available at my library, so that’s a win.
And, I’m not really sure where this fits into my review, but my hands-down favorite line from the book is this gem:
”You like numbers. As I see it, you and me, we add up to forever.”
I mean, the cheese-factor is THICK, people. But you know what.... I ATE IT UP!!!
November 9, 2019
Another good story by Jennifer Ryan, RESTLESS RANCHER will grab her old fans as well as newcomers to the series. I would recommend reading in order, which I didn't, so I am missing some of the timeline, but not enough to stop enjoying stories by this engaging writer. So I do plan on catching up with DIRTY LITTLE LIES in the near future.
Austin has been wallowing in pity, not that I blame him. He was really rocked when he was betrayed by his father and then his fiance. But that changes when Sonya shows up to help him rebuild the legacy from his grandfather-a legacy that his narcissistic father wants to steal from him no matter how.
Sonya is smart and tough, she's had to be since her mother works in a brothel. And her mom's story is heartbreaking. Sonya and three other women raised at the Wild Rose Ranch have become sisters of the heart. Roxy (from the previous story DIRTY LITTLE LIES) is the girlfriend of Austin's friend Noah and she sees Austin's potential, so she invests in Austin's ranch and sends in Sonya to manage the project. At first, they are butting heads, but soon the sparks are flying as they fall in love. It was so sweet how quickly Austin fell under Sonya's spell. I've enjoyed Ms Ryan's stories for a few years now and her stories continue to grab me with stories of love, humor, a bit of intrique and a hard won shot at forever.
Austin has been wallowing in pity, not that I blame him. He was really rocked when he was betrayed by his father and then his fiance. But that changes when Sonya shows up to help him rebuild the legacy from his grandfather-a legacy that his narcissistic father wants to steal from him no matter how.
Sonya is smart and tough, she's had to be since her mother works in a brothel. And her mom's story is heartbreaking. Sonya and three other women raised at the Wild Rose Ranch have become sisters of the heart. Roxy (from the previous story DIRTY LITTLE LIES) is the girlfriend of Austin's friend Noah and she sees Austin's potential, so she invests in Austin's ranch and sends in Sonya to manage the project. At first, they are butting heads, but soon the sparks are flying as they fall in love. It was so sweet how quickly Austin fell under Sonya's spell. I've enjoyed Ms Ryan's stories for a few years now and her stories continue to grab me with stories of love, humor, a bit of intrique and a hard won shot at forever.
November 4, 2019
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: https://romancingthereaders.blogspot....
This is a wonderful story of heartache, romance, love, and understanding. Your heart will break for Austin as he goes through most likely one of the roughest times in his life. If you've read the first book you know a little of Sonya's background so you'd think the story would be more about what she's going through. No, it's mostly Austin's pain.
It's one of the things I liked about Restless Rancher. Let Austin deal with the crap and Sonya be there to be the strong one. Love it!
Now I'm not saying that Sonya didn't have her own issues because she did. I'm just saying she handled them better than Austin who really got the short end.
Poor Austin gets hit from all sides. His life is falling apart, heck, he's falling apart but thanks to Roxy he has a chance to do something with his sad life. She gives him the means to bring back his grandfather's ranch and make something of it and himself. At first, he's slow on the uptake but once he meets Sonya his outlook starts to change.
I like how much they help each other out. They stand for each other even when they barely know one another. Yes, they have a few bumps in the road mostly caused by Austin's father but they learn to talk about them and understand them.
These two are wonderful to read about and I totally enjoyed their story. I like how it all trued out in the end and how it got there. There are a few surprises along the way that I enjoyed too. I think you will too! Even though you can read this as a standalone do yourself a favor and read Dirty Little Secret first. It's where both Austin's and Sonya's stories start. It's also a darn good book on its own.
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An ARC received for an honest review
This is a wonderful story of heartache, romance, love, and understanding. Your heart will break for Austin as he goes through most likely one of the roughest times in his life. If you've read the first book you know a little of Sonya's background so you'd think the story would be more about what she's going through. No, it's mostly Austin's pain.
It's one of the things I liked about Restless Rancher. Let Austin deal with the crap and Sonya be there to be the strong one. Love it!
Now I'm not saying that Sonya didn't have her own issues because she did. I'm just saying she handled them better than Austin who really got the short end.
Poor Austin gets hit from all sides. His life is falling apart, heck, he's falling apart but thanks to Roxy he has a chance to do something with his sad life. She gives him the means to bring back his grandfather's ranch and make something of it and himself. At first, he's slow on the uptake but once he meets Sonya his outlook starts to change.
I like how much they help each other out. They stand for each other even when they barely know one another. Yes, they have a few bumps in the road mostly caused by Austin's father but they learn to talk about them and understand them.
These two are wonderful to read about and I totally enjoyed their story. I like how it all trued out in the end and how it got there. There are a few surprises along the way that I enjoyed too. I think you will too! Even though you can read this as a standalone do yourself a favor and read Dirty Little Secret first. It's where both Austin's and Sonya's stories start. It's also a darn good book on its own.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
https://twitter.com/Romancingreader
An ARC received for an honest review
November 29, 2019
So good. Loved Austin and Sonya.
Can't wait til book 3
Can't wait til book 3
November 16, 2019
Restless Rancher
Another great story from Jennifer Ryan. Austin and Sonya's story kept me thoroughly interested and flipping pages until the end.
Another great story from Jennifer Ryan. Austin and Sonya's story kept me thoroughly interested and flipping pages until the end.
December 19, 2019
I met Austin in book 1 and it was not a pretty sight. That poor guy was messed up! His dad had thrown him out, cut of his funds and turned the town on him. Why? Well he was upset cos Austin had inherited a rundown farm with a house from an ep from Hoarders. That was it! Something else had to be behind it and it takes a while but the truth comes out.
We have Austin, a drunk who lives on his porch. His ex left him when he would not give in to his father. But then he met Roxy who said she would help ut. Fix his Hoarder's Hell and get the ranch going.
Sonia, a forensic accountant and listmaker, comes to help. She has baggage too, her mother works at a brothel, and she grew up there. Before that life was hell.
They fall in love fast, they remark on how fast it is, but sometimes you just want to believe and I do believe. I believe they truly fell in love fast, that they felt this was the one. True love and all that jazz.
There is of course drama. Her past haunts at times. His asshat of a father, his ex. His asshat of a father, oh did I say that already? Well his asshat of a father!
I enjoyed it and I especially liked another happy ending that also showed up at the end.
This is my second time listening to this narrator. I did not really like her Ex voice, but then it did fit in a way, so I guess it was the ex I did not like. His dad sounded like a total asshat. She did good with different characters and the feel of the book.
We have Austin, a drunk who lives on his porch. His ex left him when he would not give in to his father. But then he met Roxy who said she would help ut. Fix his Hoarder's Hell and get the ranch going.
Sonia, a forensic accountant and listmaker, comes to help. She has baggage too, her mother works at a brothel, and she grew up there. Before that life was hell.
They fall in love fast, they remark on how fast it is, but sometimes you just want to believe and I do believe. I believe they truly fell in love fast, that they felt this was the one. True love and all that jazz.
There is of course drama. Her past haunts at times. His asshat of a father, his ex. His asshat of a father, oh did I say that already? Well his asshat of a father!
I enjoyed it and I especially liked another happy ending that also showed up at the end.
This is my second time listening to this narrator. I did not really like her Ex voice, but then it did fit in a way, so I guess it was the ex I did not like. His dad sounded like a total asshat. She did good with different characters and the feel of the book.
November 18, 2019
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie
Jennifer Ryan’s Wild Rose Ranch series just got even hotter with the release of Restless Rancher. The touch of intrigue from the hero’s family secrets and the smoldering passion between our lovebirds had me so wrapped up that I couldn’t wait to see how it would all work out.
I’m having a blast with this series. It hovers on the edge of being controversial as each heroine (so far) grew up on the property of the Wild Rose Ranch, a brothel where their mothers work. But I love how Jennifer Ryan has handled that aspect as we’ve gotten to know the Wild Rose “sisters”: Roxy, Sonya, Adria, and Jules. Read More
Jennifer Ryan’s Wild Rose Ranch series just got even hotter with the release of Restless Rancher. The touch of intrigue from the hero’s family secrets and the smoldering passion between our lovebirds had me so wrapped up that I couldn’t wait to see how it would all work out.
I’m having a blast with this series. It hovers on the edge of being controversial as each heroine (so far) grew up on the property of the Wild Rose Ranch, a brothel where their mothers work. But I love how Jennifer Ryan has handled that aspect as we’ve gotten to know the Wild Rose “sisters”: Roxy, Sonya, Adria, and Jules. Read More
November 12, 2019
Down-on-his-luck rancher Austin Hubbard was awakened quite memorably from a sound sleep after a night of drinking by Sonya Tucker. Sonya has been hired to help him rebuild his ranch and to put the tattered pieces of his life back together. Her capable and all-business style leaves an impression on him.
Sonya finds it hard to understand how a man who had it all -- money, family, respectability -- loses it all. But once she starts working with Austin she learns to appreciate what an honorable man he really is. Together they slowly grow to see what the love between them might bring.
The feud with his father will explode and threatens what they have started between them.
Sonya finds it hard to understand how a man who had it all -- money, family, respectability -- loses it all. But once she starts working with Austin she learns to appreciate what an honorable man he really is. Together they slowly grow to see what the love between them might bring.
The feud with his father will explode and threatens what they have started between them.
December 10, 2019
This was everything I could have wanted and more. Thanks in large part to our hero, Austin. Austin is wayyyy down on his luck—with no money, a bitchy ex girlfriend, and scheming dad, it’s no wonder he hasn’t gone crazy.
Then Sonya steps in and dumps a pitcher of water on his head, and bam, Austin’s life changes right before our eyes. Sonya is that type of “take no shit” from anyone type of gal. She’s sassy and beautiful—our boy didn’t stand a chance!
“I quit my job and moved here to make all your dreams come true.”
"I can think of a dozen ways you can do that, sweetheart."
Sonya is there for one reason and one reason only—to hell Austin bring his ranch back to life. She didn’t account for the high and intense chemistry she would feel with the male lead. By the look of everything going on, Austin didn’t know it either.
Let me just say that I ADORED the interactions with the hero and heroine. It gave me butterflies! The drama was glorious and it kept me racing to get to the end. If you’re looking for a hot and sexy (and sometimes sweet) read, look no further!
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are subjective but my own.
Then Sonya steps in and dumps a pitcher of water on his head, and bam, Austin’s life changes right before our eyes. Sonya is that type of “take no shit” from anyone type of gal. She’s sassy and beautiful—our boy didn’t stand a chance!
“I quit my job and moved here to make all your dreams come true.”
"I can think of a dozen ways you can do that, sweetheart."
Sonya is there for one reason and one reason only—to hell Austin bring his ranch back to life. She didn’t account for the high and intense chemistry she would feel with the male lead. By the look of everything going on, Austin didn’t know it either.
Let me just say that I ADORED the interactions with the hero and heroine. It gave me butterflies! The drama was glorious and it kept me racing to get to the end. If you’re looking for a hot and sexy (and sometimes sweet) read, look no further!
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are subjective but my own.
November 10, 2019
Restless Rancher gives the story of Austin, who is having a terrible time lately. Sonya isn't about to let him wallow in self pity though!
Most of the story of Restless Rancher is focused on Austin's troubles. This creates some drama and mystery that keeps the story moving along briskly. Sonya is one of the most interesting heroines! She was raised on Wild Rose Ranch brothel by her mother. This has made her very strong and self assured. She is a hard working and doesn't take any BS. Sonya and Austin butt heads at first for sure-Austin has had all the things in life Sonya always wanted and she is not going to put up with his moodiness. It doesn't take long for Austin to realize how amazing Sonya is though.
Overall, Restless Rancher is a beautiful love story with a touch of mystery and lots of banter. I didn't read book 1, but I am certainly interested in the other women from Wild Rose Ranch!
Most of the story of Restless Rancher is focused on Austin's troubles. This creates some drama and mystery that keeps the story moving along briskly. Sonya is one of the most interesting heroines! She was raised on Wild Rose Ranch brothel by her mother. This has made her very strong and self assured. She is a hard working and doesn't take any BS. Sonya and Austin butt heads at first for sure-Austin has had all the things in life Sonya always wanted and she is not going to put up with his moodiness. It doesn't take long for Austin to realize how amazing Sonya is though.
Overall, Restless Rancher is a beautiful love story with a touch of mystery and lots of banter. I didn't read book 1, but I am certainly interested in the other women from Wild Rose Ranch!
November 14, 2019
Excellent
An intriguing storyline coupled with amazing characters made this a truly enjoyable read. Looking forward to more in this series. Recommended read.
An intriguing storyline coupled with amazing characters made this a truly enjoyable read. Looking forward to more in this series. Recommended read.
November 14, 2019
This is the second Jennifer Ryan book in her Wild Roses series about the young women, daughters of prostitutes working at the Wild Roses legal brothel in Nevada. If like me you’re a Jennifer Ryan fan I don’t have to tell you it’s a terrific book. We have a strong heroine Sonya, a forensic accountant by trade and a pretty good hero in Austin, a down on his luck rancher. I say pretty good because for all his strengths it’s Sonya who is the smarter, more intuitive of the two who more or less leads the way. Hey, it’s sort of women’s lit. so I get it and I’m not offended for my sex. There’re some great secondary characters. Of course, we have Roxy and Noah from the first book in the series. Roxy is Sonya’s sister of the heart and more or less the big sister of the group. She’s also Austin’s financial backer and partner in getting his late grandfather’s ranch up and running. Noah is Roxy’s significant other and Austin’s best friend. There’s Sonya’s mom June who has a back story and sweet, innocent personality that makes you just want to wrap her up and protect her. There’s Kelly, Austin’s ex-girlfriend and Walter, Austin’s evil father who owns the emerald mine and heat-treating plant that makes him the richest guy in town.
Sonya has left her dead end accounting job to work for Roxy, taking care of the books at the Wild Roses brothel, since Roxy’s late father surprised her by leaving her 90% controlling interest when she didn’t even know he was the owner (see their book) and for the huge ranch she an Noah run together. She asks Sonya to take over the renovation and restoration of Austin’s ranch and keep an eye on the budget which is apparently more than generous. Roxy realizes Sonya is a little lost, unsure of what she wants to do with her life and needs to be pushed out of her comfort zone. I love Roxy! I loved Sonya. She’s smart, organized and knows how to get things done. She’s also kind and sensitive and is a strong shoulder for Austin to lean on since he lost his beloved maternal grandfather and then his father disinherited him and made it impossible for him to find work anywhere in the area and his girlfriend Kelly dumped him when he no longer had the job working for his father making big money. If his dog had died it would sound like a country song. Working together to restore the ranch both Austin and Sonya come to respect each other and of course there’s an instant physical attraction to each other. Sonya not only helps him restore the ranch but she defends him against his father who is intent upon taking all that Austin has to his name, the ranch his grandfather left him.
It’s a typical Jennifer Ryan book. There’s some unsettling violence against a woman although in this book Ryan doesn’t go into great detail. There’s romance and sex and drama and danger. I only had two minor issues with the story. The first was Sonya’s former department head calling her and claiming she didn’t know and had nothing to do with a less qualified person being promoted ahead of her. How is that even possible if she’s the department head? The other As I said at the beginning, another great book by Jennifer Ryan. My biggest disappointment is the next installment in the series doesn’t come out until next Spring.
Sonya has left her dead end accounting job to work for Roxy, taking care of the books at the Wild Roses brothel, since Roxy’s late father surprised her by leaving her 90% controlling interest when she didn’t even know he was the owner (see their book) and for the huge ranch she an Noah run together. She asks Sonya to take over the renovation and restoration of Austin’s ranch and keep an eye on the budget which is apparently more than generous. Roxy realizes Sonya is a little lost, unsure of what she wants to do with her life and needs to be pushed out of her comfort zone. I love Roxy! I loved Sonya. She’s smart, organized and knows how to get things done. She’s also kind and sensitive and is a strong shoulder for Austin to lean on since he lost his beloved maternal grandfather and then his father disinherited him and made it impossible for him to find work anywhere in the area and his girlfriend Kelly dumped him when he no longer had the job working for his father making big money. If his dog had died it would sound like a country song. Working together to restore the ranch both Austin and Sonya come to respect each other and of course there’s an instant physical attraction to each other. Sonya not only helps him restore the ranch but she defends him against his father who is intent upon taking all that Austin has to his name, the ranch his grandfather left him.
It’s a typical Jennifer Ryan book. There’s some unsettling violence against a woman although in this book Ryan doesn’t go into great detail. There’s romance and sex and drama and danger. I only had two minor issues with the story. The first was Sonya’s former department head calling her and claiming she didn’t know and had nothing to do with a less qualified person being promoted ahead of her. How is that even possible if she’s the department head? The other As I said at the beginning, another great book by Jennifer Ryan. My biggest disappointment is the next installment in the series doesn’t come out until next Spring.
October 29, 2019
With each book she writes, Jennifer Ryan further solidifies her place on my list of favorite romantic suspense authors. Restless Rancher is another fast-paced story with snappy dialog, heart-tugging romance, well-placed humor, an intriguing mystery, and enough twists and turns to keep me guessing, and eagerly flipping pages, from beginning to end. I love a good redemption arc and Austin's evolution certainly fits that bill. I enjoyed the connection between him and Sonya, how their relationship slowly progresses, how they work together to restore Austin's ranch and solve the mystery of why his father's so desperate to steal his land. I love their fiery chemistry and the deep emotions that tie them together. I was all-in for their romance and happily ever after. Ryan excels at creating realistic, complex characters and she's on her game once again with Austin and Sonya. Ryan also excels at creating truly nasty villains and she's done so again in this book. She's also thrown in a surprise twist that I didn't expect, but thoroughly enjoyed.
Restless Rancher is the second book in Ryan's Wild Rose Ranch series. It stands well on its own but characters from book one play significant roles. While I think readers could enjoy this one without reading book one, that enjoyment deepens with the knowledge that's imparted in the first book.
4.5 stars
*ARC received from publisher. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Restless Rancher is the second book in Ryan's Wild Rose Ranch series. It stands well on its own but characters from book one play significant roles. While I think readers could enjoy this one without reading book one, that enjoyment deepens with the knowledge that's imparted in the first book.
4.5 stars
*ARC received from publisher. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
November 17, 2019
I love a good cowboy story.
Restless Rancher is the story of Roxy's sister, Sonya, and Noah's best friend, Austin. Austin is down on his luck. He has inherited his grandfathers house and land but has been disinherited by his father. With no money to his name how will he repair the house and purchase animals to make his ranch work? Roxy steps in and offers a partnership using the money from Wild Rose Ranch.
To protect her interest in the ranch Roxy has hired her sister Sonya to act as book keeper. Sonya grew up on the ranch just like Roxy fighting the same prejudices her whole life. Her existence is one derived from violence and abuse. Working with Austin they uncover a family secrets that his father has been keeping for years.
Can Sonya and Austin reveal the truth and save the ranch?
This story was a quick read. Most of the characters were introduced in the first book "Dirty Little Secret" so there was not a lot of need to go in-depth in character development. The chemistry between Sonya and Austin is immediate and intense. I look forward to the next installment.
Restless Rancher is the story of Roxy's sister, Sonya, and Noah's best friend, Austin. Austin is down on his luck. He has inherited his grandfathers house and land but has been disinherited by his father. With no money to his name how will he repair the house and purchase animals to make his ranch work? Roxy steps in and offers a partnership using the money from Wild Rose Ranch.
To protect her interest in the ranch Roxy has hired her sister Sonya to act as book keeper. Sonya grew up on the ranch just like Roxy fighting the same prejudices her whole life. Her existence is one derived from violence and abuse. Working with Austin they uncover a family secrets that his father has been keeping for years.
Can Sonya and Austin reveal the truth and save the ranch?
This story was a quick read. Most of the characters were introduced in the first book "Dirty Little Secret" so there was not a lot of need to go in-depth in character development. The chemistry between Sonya and Austin is immediate and intense. I look forward to the next installment.
January 30, 2020
Not good. The story was all over the place with instant love between the main characters. They knew each other a week and they’re getting married at the end?!? Insert eye roll. The subplots were filler and really pointless. The main conflict was a bit stupid. The antagonist was not that smart and kinda flew off the handle at the end. The hero didn’t check his own inheritance with the county before the heroine came to help him clean the place up? Especially when his father wanted it sooooo bad?!?!?! When you inherit land most people check for liens, etc. because you are now responsible for it. Not to mention transfer of deed and the recording of it...The guy came off stupid (though possibly lazy) and didn’t set up a redeemable image for his choices; he nearly slept with his ex, then got drunk because of her baby ordeal...actually the whole thing about the baby was annoying and if I hadn’t paid for the book I would have stopped reading. There are better books out there to spend money on.
January 23, 2020
This is the first time in reading this author which I really looked forward to getting into this one. Nothing like a good romance with drama to sink you teeth into and have it take you away for awhile. Austin and Sonya will be the one to take you through their story that starts out with a bit of spit to rev the engines. As we see this one growing we also see what begins to simmer and cook. The secrets though that come rolling in shake things up. Feuding will leave casualties but you have to follow this one to see whom they will be.
September 9, 2019
I had never read a book by Jennifer Ryan before I won this goodreads giveaway and I didn't realize how much I was missing out on. The characters drew me in from the very beginning and made me fall in love with the Wild Rose Ranch women and their strong supportive men. It is a well written book, I'm going to go back and read the first book in the series and can't wait for the next one.
June 5, 2021
Hooo boy, trigger warning the house. You're gonna need to find a member of the safety gang with all their tags and spoiler warnings to traverse all the triggers found in this one. But it was a damn good story.
November 15, 2019
Jennifer Ryan not only has a great way of telling a cowboy story but this lady rocks at Romantic Suspense too. Restless Rancher is a supreme example of Ms. Ryan's incredible talent. I absolutely loved the first book in the Wild Rose Ranch series and I was so excited to get this book in my hands so that I could devour it and devour it I did! I could not put down the Restless Rancher. The storyline is pivoting and so captivating. The characters are charismatic, easy to relate to and I remembered meeting them in Dirty Little Secret. So I settled in for a good read and I sure was not disappointed.
Austin Hubbard may have one day been looked upon as a spoiled little rich kid that had the world by the tail. Then his world fell apart. He was down on his luck, he was losing his grandfather's ranch and life was just about as low as it could get for Austin. His father wants something that Austin has and he will do anything and I mean anything to get what he wants. There is a lot of drama in Austin's life right now and he sure can use some really good friends by his side.
Sonya Tucker has led what some may say was a very unconventional life but she was raised with love, care, and "sisters" that would do anything for each other. You see Sonya grew up on the Wild Rose Ranch where her mother worked for a living in a brothel. Sonya and her sisters, daughters of the other ladies that worked in the brothel, grew up together in a safe environment, were looked after and were loved.
Austin is in need of help to save his ranch and his friends think that Sonya just might be the lady to put in charge of the project. I have to say their first meeting was off to an... interesting start might be the right words. I won't spoil it for you but Sonya has a way of getting Austin's attention.
Austin and Sonya click after that first meeting though. The chemistry is there, the friendship is growing quickly, and these two may have a whole lot more in common than meets the eye. I loved watching Austin and Sonya get to know each other. Their romance was fun and intense all at the same time. There are so many things that could stand in the way of these two being able to complete their project and there is a danger that is out there too. So many many things to handle and so many many fabulous pages for me to flip through quickly to see what might be around the next corner.
This is the second book in the Wild Rose Ranch series but it will stand just fine on its own. If you have had the pleasure of reading the first book, Dirty Little Secret, then you are going to love the chance to catch up with Roxy, Noah, and Annabelle. This is an intense series that shows what can or could happen to children of women that are in this profession. It also shows how these ladies end up being a professional at Wild Rose Ranch. Some of the stories really break my heart and it fills me with joy to see that some of these girls are able to get out there and get a job and make a great life for themselves. I truly love this series and I can't wait to see what Ms. Ryan comes up with for the next book in this series.
So if you enjoy a great Cowboy Story then you really must grab this one, if you love Ms. Ryan's work as I do, then you need to grab this book, if you love a great story with plenty of drama with some tough issues then you need to grab this book! Grab the first book while you are shopping, you are going to love them both!
I was given the opportunity to read this fantastic book and it has been my pleasure to share my thoughts with you.
Austin Hubbard may have one day been looked upon as a spoiled little rich kid that had the world by the tail. Then his world fell apart. He was down on his luck, he was losing his grandfather's ranch and life was just about as low as it could get for Austin. His father wants something that Austin has and he will do anything and I mean anything to get what he wants. There is a lot of drama in Austin's life right now and he sure can use some really good friends by his side.
Sonya Tucker has led what some may say was a very unconventional life but she was raised with love, care, and "sisters" that would do anything for each other. You see Sonya grew up on the Wild Rose Ranch where her mother worked for a living in a brothel. Sonya and her sisters, daughters of the other ladies that worked in the brothel, grew up together in a safe environment, were looked after and were loved.
Austin is in need of help to save his ranch and his friends think that Sonya just might be the lady to put in charge of the project. I have to say their first meeting was off to an... interesting start might be the right words. I won't spoil it for you but Sonya has a way of getting Austin's attention.
Austin and Sonya click after that first meeting though. The chemistry is there, the friendship is growing quickly, and these two may have a whole lot more in common than meets the eye. I loved watching Austin and Sonya get to know each other. Their romance was fun and intense all at the same time. There are so many things that could stand in the way of these two being able to complete their project and there is a danger that is out there too. So many many things to handle and so many many fabulous pages for me to flip through quickly to see what might be around the next corner.
This is the second book in the Wild Rose Ranch series but it will stand just fine on its own. If you have had the pleasure of reading the first book, Dirty Little Secret, then you are going to love the chance to catch up with Roxy, Noah, and Annabelle. This is an intense series that shows what can or could happen to children of women that are in this profession. It also shows how these ladies end up being a professional at Wild Rose Ranch. Some of the stories really break my heart and it fills me with joy to see that some of these girls are able to get out there and get a job and make a great life for themselves. I truly love this series and I can't wait to see what Ms. Ryan comes up with for the next book in this series.
So if you enjoy a great Cowboy Story then you really must grab this one, if you love Ms. Ryan's work as I do, then you need to grab this book, if you love a great story with plenty of drama with some tough issues then you need to grab this book! Grab the first book while you are shopping, you are going to love them both!
I was given the opportunity to read this fantastic book and it has been my pleasure to share my thoughts with you.
April 14, 2020
Wow, talk about a bad parent. Poor Austin, he’s such a good guy and has a great capacity for forgiveness but after finding out what his dad is capable of doing, he has to find the strength to do what has to be done. That is where the heroine, Sonya, plays a vital role. It’s also where Austin’s ex has a significant role to play as well.
The theme of good parenting versus bad parenting is highlighted in this novel. It’s messy, at times unconventional, but the difference between the two (good vs bad) is clear and well delivered.
Ms. Ryan created her hero with enough depth, caring and humor, and with a strong moral compass, I found Austin easy to like. Sonya was presented as smart, giving, loyal and who also had a strong sense of family that she made a wonderful partner for the hero. I enjoyed how the author played one off the other, showcasing their strengths and weaknesses in such a way that I was vested in their success.
Secondary characters, like Roxy, Noah, Kelly and June highlighted the theme of family, love and new beginnings. They all were part of an effective supporting cast that enriched the relationship and growing love between Austin and Sonya.
The funny thing about reading this story was my outbursts at key plot moments. My hubby was watching t.v. while I was reading near him. I shouted at the book a few times, “Oh no!” and he thought something bad was happening for real. What?!! What!!?!! -“Oh, you’re reading your book. *heaves a big sigh*. I thought something was really wrong”. I replied, “Well yes, there IS something really wrong, for the hero”. He just rolled his eyes at me. Of course it happened a few more times and each time, my hubby reacted to my reaction and then was disgusted because it was only about a ‘story’. Don’t others realize that to a reader vested in the characters, the crisis points, the suspense and ‘oh my gosh!’ moments ARE real? They wouldn’t be if the author wasn’t good at their craft. Ms. Ryan is very good.
The plot was a solid one, and even though I knew what would eventually happen, the how of it is what made this novel a good read – entertaining, engrossing and worth the time. It had a wonderful happy ever after times two, and a just ending for the man who could be awarded the ‘worst father of the year’ 1st place ribbon. It’s sad actually because there were other options, and any and all olive branches were brushed aside. Having Austin finally and completely happy at the end was so satisfying.
I recommend this book because Restless Rancher is a really good read and Austin and Sonya are worth spending an afternoon with.
The theme of good parenting versus bad parenting is highlighted in this novel. It’s messy, at times unconventional, but the difference between the two (good vs bad) is clear and well delivered.
Ms. Ryan created her hero with enough depth, caring and humor, and with a strong moral compass, I found Austin easy to like. Sonya was presented as smart, giving, loyal and who also had a strong sense of family that she made a wonderful partner for the hero. I enjoyed how the author played one off the other, showcasing their strengths and weaknesses in such a way that I was vested in their success.
Secondary characters, like Roxy, Noah, Kelly and June highlighted the theme of family, love and new beginnings. They all were part of an effective supporting cast that enriched the relationship and growing love between Austin and Sonya.
The funny thing about reading this story was my outbursts at key plot moments. My hubby was watching t.v. while I was reading near him. I shouted at the book a few times, “Oh no!” and he thought something bad was happening for real. What?!! What!!?!! -“Oh, you’re reading your book. *heaves a big sigh*. I thought something was really wrong”. I replied, “Well yes, there IS something really wrong, for the hero”. He just rolled his eyes at me. Of course it happened a few more times and each time, my hubby reacted to my reaction and then was disgusted because it was only about a ‘story’. Don’t others realize that to a reader vested in the characters, the crisis points, the suspense and ‘oh my gosh!’ moments ARE real? They wouldn’t be if the author wasn’t good at their craft. Ms. Ryan is very good.
The plot was a solid one, and even though I knew what would eventually happen, the how of it is what made this novel a good read – entertaining, engrossing and worth the time. It had a wonderful happy ever after times two, and a just ending for the man who could be awarded the ‘worst father of the year’ 1st place ribbon. It’s sad actually because there were other options, and any and all olive branches were brushed aside. Having Austin finally and completely happy at the end was so satisfying.
I recommend this book because Restless Rancher is a really good read and Austin and Sonya are worth spending an afternoon with.
July 27, 2021
Those that have read the first book in this series, Dirty Little Secret, already know all about the Wild Rose Ranch. The author didn’t have to delve as deeply into that part of the story this time around. Yet, if you haven’t read the first book, I feel she gave you enough information to enjoy this story without missing a beat.
Sonya is so no-nonsense, get things done, stay on schedule that even I felt I should be doing more than sitting and reading. She is a force to be reckoned with. And she’s exactly what Austin needs. Although Austin has realized he has to pull himself together and stop wallowing in self-pity, he’s not all the way there yet. Especially after a particularly heinous plot his dad tries to pull on him at the beginning of this story. I can’t blame the guy for floundering, his life has basically imploded over the last year.
There are instant sparks with Sonya and Austin, but both of them are smart enough to think they should explore their chemistry when they have so much to do. Austin is also respectful enough to realize Sonya’s help is a gift and he cannot take advantage of that. But sometimes chemistry trumps will-power. Truly, the relationship between these two is definite insta-love. I’m good with that, they both deserve the support and joy that comes from finding someone you can really count on to have your back.
I enjoyed seeing a different view of the Wild Rose Ranch. In the first book we saw Roxy grapple with an uncaring mother. Sonya’s mom is extremely kind and caring and loves Sonya more than anything. Her story will break your heart. The family that Sonya, Roxy, and their “sisters” who are yet to get their HEAs have made may be unconventional, but their bonds are stronger for the way they’ve come together.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
Sonya is so no-nonsense, get things done, stay on schedule that even I felt I should be doing more than sitting and reading. She is a force to be reckoned with. And she’s exactly what Austin needs. Although Austin has realized he has to pull himself together and stop wallowing in self-pity, he’s not all the way there yet. Especially after a particularly heinous plot his dad tries to pull on him at the beginning of this story. I can’t blame the guy for floundering, his life has basically imploded over the last year.
There are instant sparks with Sonya and Austin, but both of them are smart enough to think they should explore their chemistry when they have so much to do. Austin is also respectful enough to realize Sonya’s help is a gift and he cannot take advantage of that. But sometimes chemistry trumps will-power. Truly, the relationship between these two is definite insta-love. I’m good with that, they both deserve the support and joy that comes from finding someone you can really count on to have your back.
I enjoyed seeing a different view of the Wild Rose Ranch. In the first book we saw Roxy grapple with an uncaring mother. Sonya’s mom is extremely kind and caring and loves Sonya more than anything. Her story will break your heart. The family that Sonya, Roxy, and their “sisters” who are yet to get their HEAs have made may be unconventional, but their bonds are stronger for the way they’ve come together.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
September 19, 2020
It's easy to knock romance novels, as they adhere to a formula, and this one went heavy on the telling and little on the showing, not to mention enormous chunks of dialogue.
That noted, romance novels are the female equivalent of pornography, neither of which ground themselves in reality, which is the point. Romance novels, like porn, are fantasy---escapism.
The whore house angle here, described on the inside cover as "scandelous," was maybe Ryan's attempt at infusing fantasy with reality, but she glossed over the whore house thing to the point it felt well, glossed over, and therefore lacked any gritty realism. Maybe it felt cliched?
Cliches exist for a reason.
As an angsty cowboy with a hot bod and big heart, Austin Hubbard "ached" and "throbbed" all over the place like any good romance-novel cowboy should. I liked him. (And wanted to jump his bones.)
We begin the story from his perspective, and while I dig stories that offer multiple narrations or perspectives, I wanted to stay with Austin's. He interested me the most, and not because I wanted to jump his bones, but probably that, too, but because I wanted to be inside his head as he transformed himself from a penniless drunk to a purposeful millionaire, a.k.a beta to alpha dog.
Austin Hubbard doesn't transform and/or fix himself. Sonja Tucker transforms and/or fixes him.
Thus, Ryan perpetuates the female fantasy that a "good woman" can fix a "damaged man."
In reality, damaged men must fix themselves. (But this isn't reality.)
Also, aren't alpha dogs self-made? (Head scratch.) Who knows anymore.
It's easy to knock romance novels. This one did exactly what it was supposed to do. The story entertained me, allowed me to escape reality, and I wanted to jump the cowboy's bones.
XO.
That noted, romance novels are the female equivalent of pornography, neither of which ground themselves in reality, which is the point. Romance novels, like porn, are fantasy---escapism.
The whore house angle here, described on the inside cover as "scandelous," was maybe Ryan's attempt at infusing fantasy with reality, but she glossed over the whore house thing to the point it felt well, glossed over, and therefore lacked any gritty realism. Maybe it felt cliched?
Cliches exist for a reason.
As an angsty cowboy with a hot bod and big heart, Austin Hubbard "ached" and "throbbed" all over the place like any good romance-novel cowboy should. I liked him. (And wanted to jump his bones.)
We begin the story from his perspective, and while I dig stories that offer multiple narrations or perspectives, I wanted to stay with Austin's. He interested me the most, and not because I wanted to jump his bones, but probably that, too, but because I wanted to be inside his head as he transformed himself from a penniless drunk to a purposeful millionaire, a.k.a beta to alpha dog.
Austin Hubbard doesn't transform and/or fix himself. Sonja Tucker transforms and/or fixes him.
Thus, Ryan perpetuates the female fantasy that a "good woman" can fix a "damaged man."
In reality, damaged men must fix themselves. (But this isn't reality.)
Also, aren't alpha dogs self-made? (Head scratch.) Who knows anymore.
It's easy to knock romance novels. This one did exactly what it was supposed to do. The story entertained me, allowed me to escape reality, and I wanted to jump the cowboy's bones.
XO.
July 29, 2025
Another enjoyable read, a follow up to Dirty Little Secret.
Roxy Cordero had three sisters, by choice, not blood, they grew up together in a cottage on the grounds of Wild Rose Ranch, an extremely profitable brothel in Nevada, the place where all of their mothers worked. When Roxy inherited 80% of the ranch, she wanted to put the profits to good use, paying off the student loans of her sisters and offering Sonya a job, a chance to break free from her 60-hour work week, where she has just been passed over for promotion.
Sonya has been hired to keep the books for the Speckled Horse Ranch which Roxy shares with her "other" siblings, Wild Rose Ranch, and a special project, Roxy's brother's best friend Austin.
A year prior, Austin inherited the ranch of his maternal grandfather. His father had asked to buy the property, Austin declined, his father demanded, Austin declined, his father fired him from the family business and kicked off the family property. Subsequently, Austin lost his girlfriend, and he can't get a job due to veiled threats against anyone who employees him. Austin's grandfather had become a hoarder in his declining years and Austin has made little headway clearing out the house, so he sleeps on the porch or the stables. Roxy has offered to front him the money to get the ranch up and running and to be his partner after. Soyna is there to oversee the restoration.
With the two of them working so closely together they become close and because she cares, Sonya becomes curious, there has to be a reason that Austin's father is so adamant, and she's determined to find out why.
Roxy Cordero had three sisters, by choice, not blood, they grew up together in a cottage on the grounds of Wild Rose Ranch, an extremely profitable brothel in Nevada, the place where all of their mothers worked. When Roxy inherited 80% of the ranch, she wanted to put the profits to good use, paying off the student loans of her sisters and offering Sonya a job, a chance to break free from her 60-hour work week, where she has just been passed over for promotion.
Sonya has been hired to keep the books for the Speckled Horse Ranch which Roxy shares with her "other" siblings, Wild Rose Ranch, and a special project, Roxy's brother's best friend Austin.
A year prior, Austin inherited the ranch of his maternal grandfather. His father had asked to buy the property, Austin declined, his father demanded, Austin declined, his father fired him from the family business and kicked off the family property. Subsequently, Austin lost his girlfriend, and he can't get a job due to veiled threats against anyone who employees him. Austin's grandfather had become a hoarder in his declining years and Austin has made little headway clearing out the house, so he sleeps on the porch or the stables. Roxy has offered to front him the money to get the ranch up and running and to be his partner after. Soyna is there to oversee the restoration.
With the two of them working so closely together they become close and because she cares, Sonya becomes curious, there has to be a reason that Austin's father is so adamant, and she's determined to find out why.
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