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Leanin' N #4
Come Back Around
Leaning N
Can two divorced dads get a second chance at a redneck wedding?
When Reid Porter agrees to be his best friend’s man of honor, he never considers that his ex, Mateo, will be there too. Which is ridiculous, because Jennifer is marrying Mat’s brother. Reid would never let Jen down, though, so he finds himself at the Leaning N Ranch with his two daughters and a whole lot of baggage about seeing Mat again.
Mat loves his baby brother and would do anything for him, including face the love of his life, whom he’s sure has moved on. When he and Reid come face-to-face after more than two years apart, they realize they’ve never let go. Now they have to do what they never could before—balance work, home, and children, while finding a way to come back around to each other’s love.
Dreamspun Desires #85
Can two divorced dads get a second chance at a redneck wedding?
When Reid Porter agrees to be his best friend’s man of honor, he never considers that his ex, Mateo, will be there too. Which is ridiculous, because Jennifer is marrying Mat’s brother. Reid would never let Jen down, though, so he finds himself at the Leaning N Ranch with his two daughters and a whole lot of baggage about seeing Mat again.
Mat loves his baby brother and would do anything for him, including face the love of his life, whom he’s sure has moved on. When he and Reid come face-to-face after more than two years apart, they realize they’ve never let go. Now they have to do what they never could before—balance work, home, and children, while finding a way to come back around to each other’s love.
Dreamspun Desires #85
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2019
112 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
B.A. Tortuga
384 books642 followersTexan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy's Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her hounds and her beloved wife, texting her grandbabies, and eating Mexican food. When she's not doing that, she's writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting, and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. Following their own personal joys, BA and Julia heard the call of the high desert and they now live in the New Mexico mountains. BA's personal saviors include her wife, her best friends, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.
Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to cowboy daddies to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which is committed to giving everyone their happily ever after. With books ranging from hard-hitting BDSM, to fiery passions, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.
Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to cowboy daddies to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which is committed to giving everyone their happily ever after. With books ranging from hard-hitting BDSM, to fiery passions, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 5, 2019
This is the fourth book in the Leaning N series, and a Dreamspun Desires title.
I do like second-chance-at-love stories quite a bit, so I was looking forward to what the author would do with these characters. I liked the setup, with the Leaning N Ranch being the backdrop for yet another wedding, and seeing Stoney and Ford still deeply in love. It was nice to visit with the ranch characters again, including Geoff, the Chef Extraordinaire, who really, really, REALLY needs his own book.
Reid Porter's best friend Jennifer is getting married, cowboy style, to Reid's ex-husband's younger brother. When Reid agreed to be Best Man for Jennifer, I guess he didn't realize that his ex-husband would also attend? Temporary brain fart, perhaps?
Mateo (Mat for short) is not looking forward to the wedding, and to seeing his ex-husband Reid, but hopes to see their two daughters for whom Reid has primary custody. There's currently a lot of bad blood between the two exes after an acrimonious break-up and divorce, primarily around who's taking care of the kids, after Mat finds out that Reid hired a nanny (*clutches pearls*).
It takes but one meeting between Reid and Mat to realize that even after two years apart and a divorce, the fire between them still burns brightly. Which, okay, that was fine, I was hoping for that, based on the blurb.
And from there, the book took a nose dive for me. The two men just got back together way too quickly for my liking, with tons upon tons of ILYs left and right and up and down, and it became way too sappy and unrealistic for me. What kind of moron decides to NOT see a doctor right away for a broken ankle? How do you fall into bed with your ex-husband without first talking about ALL the crap that went down between you that caused the divorce in the first place? Their getting back together felt rushed and superficial.
YMMV, of course. This just didn't work for me, and while they said and did lovey-dovey things, I never got the impression that they really resolved anything, other than the sexual tension. This didn't feel as if they were truly equipped to make another go of it, and that will, in the long run, only hurt their kids.
Overall, this is an okay story. I liked the supporting characters for the most part, including Mateo's mom, Jennifer and I'm hoping that Geoff the Chef gets his own book next. I'd really, really like for him to find someone special too.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
I do like second-chance-at-love stories quite a bit, so I was looking forward to what the author would do with these characters. I liked the setup, with the Leaning N Ranch being the backdrop for yet another wedding, and seeing Stoney and Ford still deeply in love. It was nice to visit with the ranch characters again, including Geoff, the Chef Extraordinaire, who really, really, REALLY needs his own book.
Reid Porter's best friend Jennifer is getting married, cowboy style, to Reid's ex-husband's younger brother. When Reid agreed to be Best Man for Jennifer, I guess he didn't realize that his ex-husband would also attend? Temporary brain fart, perhaps?
Mateo (Mat for short) is not looking forward to the wedding, and to seeing his ex-husband Reid, but hopes to see their two daughters for whom Reid has primary custody. There's currently a lot of bad blood between the two exes after an acrimonious break-up and divorce, primarily around who's taking care of the kids, after Mat finds out that Reid hired a nanny (*clutches pearls*).
It takes but one meeting between Reid and Mat to realize that even after two years apart and a divorce, the fire between them still burns brightly. Which, okay, that was fine, I was hoping for that, based on the blurb.
And from there, the book took a nose dive for me. The two men just got back together way too quickly for my liking, with tons upon tons of ILYs left and right and up and down, and it became way too sappy and unrealistic for me. What kind of moron decides to NOT see a doctor right away for a broken ankle? How do you fall into bed with your ex-husband without first talking about ALL the crap that went down between you that caused the divorce in the first place? Their getting back together felt rushed and superficial.
YMMV, of course. This just didn't work for me, and while they said and did lovey-dovey things, I never got the impression that they really resolved anything, other than the sexual tension. This didn't feel as if they were truly equipped to make another go of it, and that will, in the long run, only hurt their kids.
Overall, this is an okay story. I liked the supporting characters for the most part, including Mateo's mom, Jennifer and I'm hoping that Geoff the Chef gets his own book next. I'd really, really like for him to find someone special too.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
June 24, 2020
The Leaning N ranch in Colorado is owned and run by a set of quirky, lovable characters introduced in the previous three books. It is now a location for all kinds of events and has become a real destination for weddings. The Leaning N and its owners have proven to be the catalyst for second chances of all types and this time, the circumstances are particularly dire. Reid and Mateo are divorced with Reid having custody of their two daughters, the thought of seeing each other again is very painful, and only the wedding of Reid’s best friend to Mat’s younger brother has the power to ensure both are in the same place at the same time. As second chances go, this one is definitely an uphill battle, especially thanks to the upcoming custody battle initiated by Mat because he misses his daughters something awful and thinks that Reid has gone back on their original agreement. But delivered with hallmark BA Tortuga humor it becomes a very entertaining adventure of two hearts that have, in all honesty, never really stopped beating for each other.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
July 10, 2019
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the fourth book in the series - and it definitely adds to the background to have read the earlier books, but I think you could definitely enjoy it as a standalone too.
This is such a lovely story, with some of the funniest lines I have read in a book in a long time - sometimes due to their daughters making funny comments, but also the friends have a wicked line in banter. It was the perfect foil to what was a rather sad realisation that all the pain they had suffered over the last two years, and the times they had missed out on, was due to a terrible lack of communication.
Luckily, forced to be at the Leaning N for a wedding, Reid and Mateo get the second chance that they and their whole family want them take. And thanks to everyone being there, it gives them plenty of babysitters to give them time both to reconnect (and oh, do they reconnect!) and to talk.
Whilst their future together is the focus of the story, the wedding itself is fun, and the guys at the ranch that make everything happen are the perfect hosts. The cookery lessons are priceless.
A real feel good story, with family, passion and at least one HEA!
This is the fourth book in the series - and it definitely adds to the background to have read the earlier books, but I think you could definitely enjoy it as a standalone too.
This is such a lovely story, with some of the funniest lines I have read in a book in a long time - sometimes due to their daughters making funny comments, but also the friends have a wicked line in banter. It was the perfect foil to what was a rather sad realisation that all the pain they had suffered over the last two years, and the times they had missed out on, was due to a terrible lack of communication.
Luckily, forced to be at the Leaning N for a wedding, Reid and Mateo get the second chance that they and their whole family want them take. And thanks to everyone being there, it gives them plenty of babysitters to give them time both to reconnect (and oh, do they reconnect!) and to talk.
Whilst their future together is the focus of the story, the wedding itself is fun, and the guys at the ranch that make everything happen are the perfect hosts. The cookery lessons are priceless.
A real feel good story, with family, passion and at least one HEA!
June 25, 2020
The Leaning N ranch in Colorado is owned and run by a set of quirky, lovable characters introduced in the previous three books. It is now a location for all kinds of events and has become a real destination for weddings. The Leaning N and its owners have proven to be the catalyst for second chances of all types and this time, the circumstances are particularly dire. Reid and Mateo are divorced with Reid having custody of their two daughters, the thought of seeing each other again is very painful, and only the wedding of Reid’s best friend to Mat’s younger brother has the power to ensure both are in the same place at the same time. As second chances go, this one is definitely an uphill battle, especially thanks to the upcoming custody battle initiated by Mat because he misses his daughters something awful and thinks that Reid has gone back on their original agreement. But delivered with hallmark BA Tortuga humor it becomes a very entertaining adventure of two hearts that have, in all honesty, never really stopped beating for each other.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
July 4, 2020
* Book #4 at Leanin'N Ranch, with the usual guys who work there, and a wedding for the families of Reid and Mateo, divorced, but still in love, plus their two daughters. Jen and Alejandro, who have a secret to announce, are getting married and Reid is in the wedding party.
As soon as Reid and Mateo see each other again, they click, like the old days, and each man knows they are meant to get back together. Neither has touched another guy, and they want their little family whole again. A lot of activities, an injury, soul-searching, good talks, many interruptions, and heartwarming scenes, too.
The kids are great, realistic and fun. Our reunited lovers are scared but happy. The ranch is an awesome place once again.
ENJOY !
======
As soon as Reid and Mateo see each other again, they click, like the old days, and each man knows they are meant to get back together. Neither has touched another guy, and they want their little family whole again. A lot of activities, an injury, soul-searching, good talks, many interruptions, and heartwarming scenes, too.
The kids are great, realistic and fun. Our reunited lovers are scared but happy. The ranch is an awesome place once again.
ENJOY !
======
July 2, 2019
I really Like this series and was hoping for Geoff's story or even the wedding planner or Tiny, but we got Reid and Mateo a divorced couple with two daughters.
I'm a sucker for second chances so I didn't mind it being different characters. The story is sweet, sexy, and fun. My only issue is I felt like I knew Mateo and Reid but would have liked to know more in the beginning as to why they were divorced and more back story. As it was at first I saw Mateo as kind of an ass though I did feel sorry that he was separated from his kids, so I saw both men in a bad light and had to really work to like them and bond.
I finally did.
If you like second chance romances, wedding destinations, ranches, cowboys, cute kids and all in all a good romance this is for you.
I'm a sucker for second chances so I didn't mind it being different characters. The story is sweet, sexy, and fun. My only issue is I felt like I knew Mateo and Reid but would have liked to know more in the beginning as to why they were divorced and more back story. As it was at first I saw Mateo as kind of an ass though I did feel sorry that he was separated from his kids, so I saw both men in a bad light and had to really work to like them and bond.
I finally did.
If you like second chance romances, wedding destinations, ranches, cowboys, cute kids and all in all a good romance this is for you.
July 24, 2019
I really like the stories set at the Leaning N ranch and seeing Stoney and Ford again. Matteo and Reid getting back together again happened just a bit too easily, but it was still an engaging story with some great secondary characters.
July 19, 2023
A lot happens at this ranch lol. Cute kids in this one.
July 4, 2019
Absolutely love the Leaning N universe. only my 2nd read in the series, but it feels like home.
July 4, 2019
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`4 star second chance at love
After time away, I am back at the Leaning N, where I've discovered that family and love meant more than standing on your own. With cameos from the men of the ranch, this book focused on Reid and Mat, divorced parents who still longed for what they'd lost. It would take more than wishful thinking to succeed to happiness. A divorce tore them apart, a wedding brought them back together again. Two years of suffering could not prevent the emotions that coming back together had.
"He's my heartbeat."
For Reid, losing his marriage was a sacrifice he had to take to keep his sanity. He'd lost it all. But when his ex wanted even more in custody, he panicked and ran. But there was only so much running one man could do.
He wanted it to be two years ago, before he'd made the biggest, dumbest mistake of his life.
He missed his kids, he missed his husband. But Mateo wasn't certain they'd ever get back what was stolen. Accusations tossed, words unspoken, a family torn apart. But with his brother's wedding came the opportunity to right the wrongs.
The feelings were still there. Now the men only needed to get on the path to forgiveness and forever.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from Dreamspinner Press
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`4 star second chance at love
After time away, I am back at the Leaning N, where I've discovered that family and love meant more than standing on your own. With cameos from the men of the ranch, this book focused on Reid and Mat, divorced parents who still longed for what they'd lost. It would take more than wishful thinking to succeed to happiness. A divorce tore them apart, a wedding brought them back together again. Two years of suffering could not prevent the emotions that coming back together had.
"He's my heartbeat."
For Reid, losing his marriage was a sacrifice he had to take to keep his sanity. He'd lost it all. But when his ex wanted even more in custody, he panicked and ran. But there was only so much running one man could do.
He wanted it to be two years ago, before he'd made the biggest, dumbest mistake of his life.
He missed his kids, he missed his husband. But Mateo wasn't certain they'd ever get back what was stolen. Accusations tossed, words unspoken, a family torn apart. But with his brother's wedding came the opportunity to right the wrongs.
The feelings were still there. Now the men only needed to get on the path to forgiveness and forever.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from Dreamspinner Press
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
July 22, 2019
I received a free copy to read and review for Wicked Reads
I will have to say that I have not read any books in the series but I still enjoyed this book and didn't have trouble reading it so I am sure it can be read as a standalone. This book was so sweet and so funny. All the characters felt like family to me. I enjoyed Reid and Mateo, I wanted more back story and that is maybe where I need to go back and read the previous books to find that out. I loved the ranch family and the bantering and jokes. This was a book that gave you the warm fuzzies. I think I might just go back and read the previous books when I need a feel good book to lift my spirits.
I will have to say that I have not read any books in the series but I still enjoyed this book and didn't have trouble reading it so I am sure it can be read as a standalone. This book was so sweet and so funny. All the characters felt like family to me. I enjoyed Reid and Mateo, I wanted more back story and that is maybe where I need to go back and read the previous books to find that out. I loved the ranch family and the bantering and jokes. This was a book that gave you the warm fuzzies. I think I might just go back and read the previous books when I need a feel good book to lift my spirits.
October 4, 2022
This is another great trip to the Leanin' N Ranch with all of the great feels of the series. In this book, Reid and Mat are brought back together again by a wedding. They are divorced, share a 3 and a 5 year-old girl, and haven't seen each other in two years. They've never stopped loving each other, but miscommunications, fear, ego, and anger took hold. Now, they are two years wiser, know that they still love each other, and know that they are not happy apart. The wedding week gives them time to talk, hope, and tentatively plan for a future together. Can these two journey back to family and love? This low-angst, high-passion book has all the love.
July 3, 2019
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-h8z
From that review:The Leaning N series is a sweet, heartwarming series of contemporary romances centered around a family ranch that caters to events, especially weddings. There is a core couple and ranch "family" we have come to love, including chef Geoff that started with the first story, and they form a firm foundation for every book that follows. That would be when an event pulls together what will become the couple of the story. It's usually a wedding (Mason the wedding planner is another recurring character).
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-h8z
From that review:The Leaning N series is a sweet, heartwarming series of contemporary romances centered around a family ranch that caters to events, especially weddings. There is a core couple and ranch "family" we have come to love, including chef Geoff that started with the first story, and they form a firm foundation for every book that follows. That would be when an event pulls together what will become the couple of the story. It's usually a wedding (Mason the wedding planner is another recurring character).
July 7, 2019
You get the feel that both of these men are meant for the other. You can just tell that life seemed to get in the way and that both of them regret and missed the other. Because of this the getting back together happens early on. This story doesn't waste a lot of time on angst where one wants back but the other MC needs to come around. They still have stuff to deal with but both have matured and are ready to face it. It seems that maybe their biggest challenge will be dealing with their families. It's great to see older characters especially when they get the second chance at love.
July 26, 2020
Back together
This is kind of an unusual love story, because the 2 guys were married and divorced to/from each other. There is no "getting to know you" stuff. They know each other. It's hard to say there's an HEA when they were previously together and it didn't work out. The only conflict is convincing their families and each other that they can make it work again, and it isn't enough of a hurdle to really carry the story.
It might have worked despite all that because Tortuga is a good author. I read it to the end anyway. It was okay.
This is kind of an unusual love story, because the 2 guys were married and divorced to/from each other. There is no "getting to know you" stuff. They know each other. It's hard to say there's an HEA when they were previously together and it didn't work out. The only conflict is convincing their families and each other that they can make it work again, and it isn't enough of a hurdle to really carry the story.
It might have worked despite all that because Tortuga is a good author. I read it to the end anyway. It was okay.
December 26, 2022
Kids and romance - DNF 50%
I love this series, at least the last three books, but I just can’t push myself to finish this. It started off good, a wedding at my favorite ranch, and a second chance for the MCs. Now I’m a mother and I have nothing against kids. I understand they are the plot device here but I just don’t need them on every single page of the romance novel I’m reading. Good thing each book is kind of a standalone so I’m skipping to the next one.
I love this series, at least the last three books, but I just can’t push myself to finish this. It started off good, a wedding at my favorite ranch, and a second chance for the MCs. Now I’m a mother and I have nothing against kids. I understand they are the plot device here but I just don’t need them on every single page of the romance novel I’m reading. Good thing each book is kind of a standalone so I’m skipping to the next one.
December 6, 2021
it takes two
I love a great second chance story and very few authors write those as well as BA Tortuga. This book is all about talking and forgiving and learning to work together to make a relationship work. Mat and Reid get another chance and don’t take it lightly. Beautiful book! And I love the family at the Leanin’ N!
I love a great second chance story and very few authors write those as well as BA Tortuga. This book is all about talking and forgiving and learning to work together to make a relationship work. Mat and Reid get another chance and don’t take it lightly. Beautiful book! And I love the family at the Leanin’ N!
September 21, 2024
Marriage is always a work in progress.
Mateo and Reid were married but are divorced now. Reid has their two daughters and it's hard being a single parent. Mateo is married to his job. Mateo's brother is getting married to Jen and her best friend, Reid, is her man of honor. Will there be fireworks between Reid and Mateo? One only knows.
Mateo and Reid were married but are divorced now. Reid has their two daughters and it's hard being a single parent. Mateo is married to his job. Mateo's brother is getting married to Jen and her best friend, Reid, is her man of honor. Will there be fireworks between Reid and Mateo? One only knows.
April 6, 2021
Love this series
Second chance love is the theme for every couple in this series with the through line being all of the characters that work on the ranch. I’ve really enjoyed these.
Second chance love is the theme for every couple in this series with the through line being all of the characters that work on the ranch. I’ve really enjoyed these.
March 11, 2023
Rating: 4 stars
I love the Leanin' N series and this was another great addition. My only complaint is that I would be like to have had a chapter showing how the MCs got along after the wedding. Other than that the book was great.
I love the Leanin' N series and this was another great addition. My only complaint is that I would be like to have had a chapter showing how the MCs got along after the wedding. Other than that the book was great.
Read
January 18, 2021The book was great: perhaps could have moved bit faster but all in all a good read
June 13, 2025
Matteo and Reid get together a the wedding
Have the two divorced men found the capability to reunite their family? Can they trust each other to work things out?
Have the two divorced men found the capability to reunite their family? Can they trust each other to work things out?
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews