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Brothers of Miller Ranch #1

Her Second Chance Cowboy

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When Ben accompanies his mother to an old friend’s funeral…the last person he expects to see is her.

As the eldest son of the wealthy Miller family, Ben Miller is content with helping his brothers run their family’s ranch in Montana. Well… mostly content. There’s a certain something missing from his life, and he’s done a good job denying it for the past decade. Until she rolled back into town…

After ten years fighting to make it in the Big Apple, full-figured Chastity finds herself heading back to the one place she vowed she’d never return. But a tragedy in the family forced her home, and she finds herself facing an uncertain future.

Ben and Chastity were high school sweethearts whose three-year relationship ended dramatically. But they were once in the head-over-heels, can’t-breathe-without-you kind of love. And now, they suddenly find themselves pushed into each other’s lives again in the most surprising of circumstances.

Author’s Note:
Her Second Chance Cowboy is a sweet contemporary western romance novel that is sure to sweep you off your feet! It’s the first book of a five-book series! Each book will be about the wealthy but humble brothers of Miller Ranch finding true love.

Brothers of Miller Ranch is based off a historical western romance series I wrote called Brides of Miller Ranch. And you’ll find stories from Ben and his brothers’ ancestors of the 1800s intertwined throughout this modern take off of Miller Ranch. That series can only be found in my Brides & Twins Mail Order Bride Compilation.

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 23, 2018

2210 people are currently reading
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About the author

Natalie Dean

111 books218 followers

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5 stars
1,069 (55%)
4 stars
495 (25%)
3 stars
262 (13%)
2 stars
65 (3%)
1 star
23 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
3 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2020
Honestly this book was kind of boring and the romance (if it can even be called that) felt childish, very under-developed, and flat. I felt like I was reading a "Miss Manners" how to book instead of a romance novel. Unfortunately, I bought the box set but will not be reading any further due to the lack of any type of excitement apart from the main character learning how to be an adult and that life isn't always fair. Very disappointing read.
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews216 followers
September 4, 2019
The great plot was well written and the characters were so well developed that as I turned each page the chemistry between the characters kept me totally hooked until the very last page!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kristi.
739 reviews
September 7, 2019
I know 2 stars may come across as not good but that's not the case here. It's a sweet story with sweet phrases throughout. I had a few issues with the flow of the story and the thought process of some of the characters. It's a clean and refreshing read. I just wasn't too impressed with certain parts of it.

I did skim parts of the book due to disinterest.

Rating: PG (for some of the kissing and sexual references that were made)
Language: the mother in her state of "confusion" made "colorful" remarks that were not in print, but implied - otherwise a clean read
Recommend: Yes
719 reviews
July 1, 2022
1,5. Far too much praying and Bible talk for my taste.
56 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2025
Stumbled across this book. Didn't know anything about the author but thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

It's a clean romance with some cowboy/western additions.
Profile Image for Lenna  Wright.
3,396 reviews35 followers
August 15, 2021
Christian romance which I wasn’t aware of that until I was reading this. Clean with nothing of the characters unicorns aka 30 years old virgins. It just seemed boring to me and I couldn’t connect but I should since she’s a BBW that can’t get a job of her dreams, Same here! Lost her father and a mother suffering from dementia, Same here too! But this story just seems so G rated it said t sucked me in.
Profile Image for Lis Carey.
2,213 reviews137 followers
January 9, 2019
Ten years ago, Chastity Parker, tired of the pressure to just marry and have babies from her parents, and assumptions about her because she was half Native from others, left her small Montana town for New York City to pursue her acting dreams. Her visits home got painful enough that finally she stopped going home.

Now her father has died, and she's back, to help her mother cope with the funeral and get settled into the new phase of her life.

Unfortunately, her parents' financial situation is worse than she realized--and there's something wrong with her mother, too. Sometimes she's clear, focused, and lucid--and sometimes she calls Chastity by the names of long-dead relatives, and wonders when her husband will be home.

Also, one of the first people Chastity meets at the wake is Ben Miller, her old boyfriend, who broke his promise to come with her, and in the process broke her heart.

But from his viewpoint, she's the one who broke his heart. The only girl he ever loved left town for no reason he can understand.

What follows is two people working their way through both their own mistakes and challenges, and their understanding of what the other is really thinking and feeling.

I really feel for Chastity, having myself had a mother who loved me, but had in many ways no understanding at all of what mattered to me and often made me feel undermined when she thought she was supporting me. I like Chastity and her mother, and Ben and his family. These are good, solid people, not always doing right, but doing their best.

This is a Christian romance, and unlike one I reviewed recently, it's the kind I like and enjoy. Even though their denomination is pretty far afield from mine, the substance of their faith is something I recognize. Unlike that other book, it doesn't have that smug certainty about who the Good People are, who is Saved and Not Saved. Their faith gives them strength and guidance, not a belief that theirs is the only right way.

So, okay, it still won't be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley from the author, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
Profile Image for Donna Feibusch.
1,765 reviews24 followers
April 13, 2020
An Awesome Read!!!

I loved reading Her Second Chance Cowboy: Contemporary Western Romance Novel(Brothers Of Miller Ranch Book 1). All about Ben Miller a thirty year old cowboy rancher & Chastity a waitress & the girl who left for an acting career on Broadway and his ex-girlfriend from high school. Chastity has come home to Blanchard Creek, Montana for her fathers funeral. She has not been back for three years, but nothing has changed, except with her Dad! It’s just her & her Mom now. The entire town came to the funeral, even her ex & his Mom Mrs. Miller came to pay their respects. Lots of things are different when you take a closer look, as Chastity soon discovers! The author wrote a story about a girl who think she wants to act and move far away to discover bigger & better things, when what’s she’s really looking for is in her own back-yard! Read about Ben & Chastity and see if the big city is where she belongs or right down the road at the Miller Ranch!!! This is the first book in this series, and I can not wait to read book 2! Take a chance and read about the five Miller boys all who share the same first letter in their names!!! It’s a family tradition, who doesn’t like a quirky tradition that involves Cowboys!!!
Profile Image for Robin.
Author 3 books29 followers
September 28, 2022
It Was Ok

I found this book in an email listing free. When I visited the Amazon page, I saw that books 2 & 3 were also free, so I got those. Then I read this one and must confess I'm wondering whether I'll enjoy them more. I hope so.
I had a whole lot of trouble relating to the heroine. She came across as obtuse and ridiculously, immaturely stubborn. If I was asked, I'd say the hero loved her more, and that his love for her was real and lasting. Also, there was mention of church and prayer, but God and serving Him was definitely more of a token thing than an actual life practice. Loved the moms of the MCs, as well as Keiko, but ended up not having a whole lot of respect for the MCs.
The book is technically clean, so that was a win. There were a few glaring typos, especially toward the end.
Overall, I've read better...but I've read far worse. And I will read the next two in the series. One of the heroes is a wounded warrior, so I'm looking forward to seeing how the author will craft his character.
Profile Image for PepperP0t .
5,108 reviews86 followers
February 13, 2021
Neither wealthy rancher Ben Miller nor Chastity Parker know exactly what’s missing from their lives since their painful 3breakup when Chastity left town to ply her skills as an actress and Ben joined his brothers working the ranch. But something is missing. Grieving over her father’s death, Chastity only hopes she won’t have to see Ben.

But the town is small and Ben’s at his mother’s side to pay respects and Chastity’s heart flutters back to life, despite the reason she’s returned and her growing worry over her mother. Both Chastity and Ben regret the way things ended and fretted over the other not giving into the disagreement that ultimately ruined their romance ten years ago.

The slowly paced, soft, clean, second chance romance seems to set the mood just right but for my taste the informative flashbacks ruined the flow and the lukewarm chemistry of the leads was boring. Also, this reader wasn’t a fan of the female lead.
Rating: 3stars
4,922 reviews30 followers
December 27, 2018
Chasity left for New York after high school with dreams of making it big but that didn’t happen and when she comes home for her fathers funeral she has to stay to take care of her mother since she has been diagnosed with dementia. She sees her high school boyfriend Ben at the funeral and he looks better than ever. They broke up when she left even after he promised he would go with her and broke her heart when he didn’t. He helps her take her mother with the doctor trips and somehow found out about the financial burden she has with her parents debts and goes and pays off everything. She wanted to return to the city but with her mothers health and now they are debt free she decides to stay. Can she and Ben both let go of their stubborn ways and see they are better together?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
697 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2019
Chastity left her hometown in Montana 10 years ago to peruse her dreams of an acting career in New York City. She left behind her high school sweetheart and her parents who were not completely supportive of her decision. Now Chastity is returning home for her father's funeral and to help her mother adjust to a new chapter in her life. She found her mother in financial difficulty and declining health. As Chastity helps her mother deal with her health issues as well as financial issues she reconnects with Ben, her High School Sweetheart. Will she return to New York to continue to peruse her dream of an acting career which still hasn't gotten off the ground or will she stay in Montana and reconnect with Ben and rebuild a deteriorating relationship with her Mother?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shebb.
773 reviews
June 30, 2020
This was my first Natalie Dean novel and I really enjoyed it! The story is well-written (a joy to read!) and the plot kept me interested the entire time.

Chastity was a feisty heroine with a bucket load of issues and baggage to deal with after the death of her father. Flawed and stubborn, it was fascinating seeing her work under pressure.

And Ben? Yikes, I think he's a top-level book boyfriend for me. A man of faith with a generous heart... I can take the broody, grumpy side of him any day! 😉

A sweet story, I appreciated the slight level up of heat in some of the kissing scenes... cos, yanno, that's what happens, people! 🙊☺️
4,720 reviews40 followers
December 27, 2018
I will be honest I was going to call it quits for 2018 reviews and get an early start on 2019 then I saw this one and knew I just had to pick it up. If you are looking for good stories that have amazing storylines, entertaining and clean Ms. Dean is the author to choose. This western is an example with a current day feel you look at how a young woman comes back home. All the things she went through what she lost is crystal clear in the story. Super book!! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
30 reviews
January 26, 2019
I wasn't sure about this story at first

This story started out differently i almost gave up it was kind of depressing at first but I realized that it was a good rendition of someone who lost her husband after many years and a daughter who comes home after being away for a decade and to deal with those emotions and with her mother who had some type of dementia, oh and then there is the high school boyfriend where of course they still care for each other but they don't communicate. So this isn't a light story.
244 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2019
Absolutely Great Story!

Chastity has just returned to her home town from New York. Her father passed away and she returns to help her mom with the funeral and make sure things are in order. But she didn’t count on running into Ben, her former boyfriend. Nor did she count on her mom getting sick or a lack of finances.

I started this book this morning. It was very engaging and I had to know what happened. One hour and thirty minutes later I had my answer. While I don’t usually read books straight through, it was that good. I’ll definite look for other books my this author.
2,364 reviews12 followers
April 10, 2019
4 stars
I purchased a copy of The Second Chance Cowboy: Brothers of Miller's Ranch book 1 by Natalie Dean and this review was given freely.
Chastity leaves New York and her struggles for a Broadway career to return to the town she grew up in and had hoped never to return to. A clean modern day western billionaire second chance at love romance between Chastity and her highschool sweetheart Ben combined with life with PTSD and life after the loss of a parent to death and another to dementia. I found this story a little slow and repetitive but the emotions and overall storyline were good.
1,124 reviews3 followers
May 8, 2019
FINALLY COMING HOME

Two people reconnect after a long separation. They were high school sweethearts , when she left town to pursue her passion of becoming an actress. Ten years later, her father dies, and she returns home to attend his funeral and care for her mother. While there, she struggles with her feelings toward her former love; learning that financially her parents were struggling; and finally her mother's failing health. Somewhat entertaining read but a cookie cutter ending.
140 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2020
Free to Love Again

This story of Ben and Chastity is about a young couple in love who allow dreams and hurt feelings separate them for 10 years. When we get our eyes on ourselves and our own dreams, it is a hard journey to get us in our knees and asking God to help. The Miller family is strong, rich, helpful, and kind. This book is recommended because it covers all emotions - anger, kindness, humor, sadness, and love. I received a complimentary copy and have chosen on my own to write an honest review.
Profile Image for Sherry Sias.
657 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2022
Sweet, loving second chance romance

I love the small town stories. Natalie Dean has done a fantastic job with conveying that small town feel throughout this story. Ben and Chastity are high school sweethearts. She went off to NYC to chase her dream of being an actress. A decade later she is back for her fathers funeral, not getting that big break, and feeling like a failure.
When they see each other, the love they both thought was gone comes rushing back. Can they get over the hurt and the new obstacles thrown their way for their HEA?
400 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2023
Montana bachelor cowboy reclaims his old high school flame.

Enjoyed being with this author again. Ben and Chastity story was one of reclaiming what they once had. It took her coming back to town for things to be rekindled. She had come back to take care of family matters. Not wanting to stay. But her moms mental state changed that. It gave Ben some hope that their romance could come back to life. They again had there ups and downs. But they worked through it all and love prevailed. Looking forward to the other Miller brother stories along with a love for Keiko too.
Profile Image for Karen Baney.
Author 42 books448 followers
August 3, 2023
I absolutely loved Ben's character and his struggle he faced when reunited with an old girlfriend. His part of the story was five-stars for me. I was not as fond of Chasity's character. I thought she was foolish, selfish, and I had a hard time connecting with her (her part of the story was more of 3-stars for me). Since I loved Ben so much, I kept reading and in the end enjoyed the book. I was glad to see Chasity mature in the end.

The author also included Easter eggs to her historical series. Some of those felt a little forced and not really relevant to this storyline. But I got over it. ;)
4,507 reviews38 followers
December 29, 2018
Her Second Chance Cowboy is an extremely well written romance between Chastity and Ben. This story delves into the concepts of trust, communication, being true to yourself, loving someone enough to set them free and so many other common issues that we all share. The story is so well written and the characters are so believable that I could not put down the book. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Pam Potter.
73 reviews
February 7, 2019
Aah, the pain of a lost first love, only to have her return years later. She wanted to be an actress. He wanted someone who loved the ranch as much as he did. When they finally see each other after so many years apart, they aren't quite sure what to do. He wanted a second chance, she wanted to go back to NYC, she thought. Can he convince her to stay? Or, will he follow her?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
3,411 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2019
The writing draws you in and keeps you involved throughout the whole story, I found myself in love with not only the characters but also the world that was created.

The descriptions of the characters and their feelings are so involved, you can truly picture it in your mind. Their attitudes toward the events that are happening makes the story even richer.

I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
Profile Image for Linda Lavoie.
1,186 reviews12 followers
April 8, 2020
First romance novel to make us discover the big Miller Family, Chastity and Ben were high school sweethearts and a misunderstanding left them both heartbroken but a few years later, they see each other and old feelings rises again but so much time have past , they have to start all over again but drama comes in their lives or will the strong characters will separated them for good. I cried and laughed so much, it was a very enjoyable read. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
667 reviews
May 4, 2020
Chastity and Ben

After 10 years Chastity is home, but, only for her father's funeral, or so she keeps saying. 10 years, Ben can't believe it has been 10 years since he last saw Chastity. Only his mother doesn't know she was going to be there when she asked him to accompany her to the funeral of her friends husband. Will these two be able to stop blaming each other for how things ended 10 years ago?
Profile Image for Barbara Olaewe.
190 reviews3 followers
September 4, 2020
Absolutely a great read

I really enjoyed this book. So much so I just bought the series set!
The story is reunion of sorts. But the depth of the writing was so much better than I had expected. There are no scary or nerve rattling chapters. I need that for books I read before going to sleep. There are chapter where you can't easily predict what happens next. And yet there are times you can. That did not take anything away from the story. I highly recommend this book.
78 reviews
October 2, 2022
Coming Home

I enjoyed this story about a young woman who reluctantly came home after her Father's death. She struggled with memories of bad treatment at school and expectations for her life she could not accept and then had to find a way to get her Mother out of debt and looked after. Fortunately there is a former boyfriend to get to know again, and a second chance for them both.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews

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