Wishful Cowboy

Hope Eternal Ranch Romance #5

by Elana Johnson, Liz Isaacson

He needs a place where he can thrive without his past haunting him. She's been waiting for the cowboy to return so she can confess her feelings. Can Luke and Hannah make their second chance into a forever love?

Lucas Holt thought he'd be happy in Las Vegas with his family. He's glad to be with people who love him, but it turns out that he's too close to the life he had before he was convicted and sent to prison. He's watched his four best friends overcome their pasts, and he knows the best way to accomplish that is to stay far away from the activities that led to incarceration.

He returns to Texas and Hope Eternal Ranch, where everyone is thrilled to see him—especially Hannah Otto.

She's had a minor crush on the man for months, and before he left town, there were rumors that he was going to ask her out. He never did, though, and Hannah's been left to wonder if she should find someone else to date or wait for Luke. She wishes he would just come out and say how he feels.

As they reconnect, Luke doesn't know how to talk about what landed him in prison. He doesn't know how to tell Hannah what she wants to hear. He wishes he were better at communicating, better at knowing what he should to with his life, and a better man for Hannah. When his past follows him to Hope Eternal Ranch, Luke wishes he knew what to do.

But he doesn't. His life didn't come with a how-to guide, and he turns to Hannah for help, hoping, praying, and wishing with everything inside him that he's not putting her in danger in the process.. Can Hannah and Luke build a relationship on more than wishes? Or will he end up leaving town to save her—and breaking both of their hearts?

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Audiobook, Fiction, Ebooks

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2021

About the author

3-time USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson writes adult contemporary beach romance. She is the author of over 130 books across two names, and there's nothing better than sun, sand, and swoon-worthy kisses! Unless it's a sweet-and-sexy cowboy - read those under her pen name of Liz Isaacson. Or an emotional, heartfelt women's fiction novel - read those under her pen name of Jessie Newton.

Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com

Reviews

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from BookSprout

Wishful Cowboy is book 5 in the Hope Eternal Ranch series by Elana Johnson is the last story for the Mulbury Boys.

Up next is Lucas Holt and Hannah Otto.

Lucas is trying to find where he fits in after leaving prison, working at Hope Eternal ranch, and trying to put the past to rest but his past keeps haunting him. Thinking he should leave, he goes to Vegas where his family is but after months that’s not the answer either and he misses his best friends and the ranch so he moves back.

Hannah has been crushing on Lucas since he came to the ranch but he doesn’t seem interested so she tries to move on. When Lucas returns she finds he was interested but was frail it wasn’t mutual...

Can these to find their way to each other, find forgiveness, redemption, second chances and a happy ever after?? Only time will tell…

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading all the books in the Hope Eternal Ranch series, and this book is no exception. The characters are strong, resilient and determined to move forward in life after pain-filled pasts. The men became friends, no family, during their stints in prison and the ranch has helped them all find some form of peace and redemption, as well as the women who love them as they are now, regardless of their pasts. The stories are about a family, not the one you are born with, but one formed with those who have supported and loved each other unconditionally through periods of deep pain or joy, through transition and change, and when no one else would do so. This book features Luke and Hannah’s story.

Though Luke and Hannah have been attracted to each other from the day they met, Luke has never asked her out. The reasons he wouldn’t do so include her dating someone else, him not feeling worthy of her and the fact that once his period of parole is over, he intends to leave the ranch. As soon as he is able, Luke does leave the ranch leaving Hannah behind, unsure if he will ever return. Months later Luke returns to the ranch, dissatisfied with the job he had tried to do with his father and after realizing the only place he felt at peace was at the ranch. Hopeful to at last date Hannah, Luke is dismayed to find her dating someone else. The fierce attraction is still their between them and is obvious to everyone else at the ranch as well. Hannah decides to let go of the relationship with a man she doesn’t love to pursue a relationship with Luke who stirs heart. Their relationship is at first tentative, cautious and platonic, both afraid to show too much of themselves. Then their passionate kisses convince them both that perhaps they can find the loving connection and relationship their friends have all found. But Luke’s past weighs heavily on him, and the pain and guilt cause him to pull away from Hannah. He realizes that he must deal with his demons before moving forward, but will Hannah be waiting for him after he does?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Natward1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost didn’t finish after chapter 2. It felt like the whole romance has already happened just in the first 2 chapters. We hear slates pov and he tells us he thinks Jill is pretty and likes her. Then we hear Jill’s pov and she tells us all about how hot she thinks slate is and how she feels all the sparks with him when she looks at him. And by the end of chapter 2 they are already holding hands and saying they like each other.

There was just zero build up. No tension, no wondering. No mystery. It felt so abrupt. I just have nothing to compel me to read really. Nothing intriguing or alluring. I just feel like the best part happened so instantly and I’m not really interested in continuing.

Also I don’t like when the author makes it so obvious that other characters in the story have their own books. I can tell what sort of author this is and what her books will be like when they write this way. I get that a lot of people like to see the little cameos from past books. But it is just not needed to the extent this type of author portrays. I mean it wasn’t anything crazy but enough to take me out of this story because I’m thinking about all these other characters and their books.

Their romance was sweet and extremely quick with nothing to it. Very shallow. Jill wasn’t even concerned in the slightest that slate was an ex con. Like I want her to be open minded and forgiving but she could have at least have some hesitation at first about getting into a relationship with him before she really knows him. But she seemed like she would be totally fine with anything he did in his past before she even gets to know him. And then once she did know him and his back story she was like okay great. No problem whatsoever. The romance just felt so easy.

It wasn’t a horrible book but I had to skim a lot most of the book and didn’t miss a single thing.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishful Cowboy is a story of Luke, one of the Mulbury Boys that could not put his past life behind him. He and Hannah were dating and getting closer but, something was dark inside Luke. Nate tells him he had not accepted his fault in the death of Robert that he was boxing with and his continuing to hit Robert caused him to die and have to go to prison. Luke thought he had. One morning he leaves for a day he tells Ginger but he tells Hannah nothing. Finally he talks to Hannah and tells her he is wrapping up his past. Hannah tried to be patient, but then it turned into weeks. And he was not returning texts or calls from Hannah. When she finally gets to talk to Luke she breaks up with him, her patience had ran out. Weeks later he shows up at Hannah's door asking for another chance. Luke was a different man after he came back to Hope Eternal. He finally gets married to Hannah and she was 8 months pregnant when Ursula comes running up to Hannah whining. She thinks something is wrong with Luke but it was her. She falls down going to find Luke and Axle and Ursula's barking causes Slate and Luke to see what was going on. They find Hannah lying on the ground passed out and in labor. When she wakes up she has had baby Robert and Luke has been caring for him while waiting for Hannah to wake up.
That year for Thanksgiving there were so much to give thanks for. There were 5 babies of various ages, one for each new family and their "family" continued to grow with Fran and Matt that helped Emma raise Missy was now at the family gatherings as was Ben and Tammy that had forgiven Like and wanted to be part of his life. Hope Eternal seemed to be the name for these family's home.

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Excellent Series!

So, I am nearing the end of this heartwarming series by Elana Johnson, Hope Eternal Ranch Romance. Book five, Wishful Cowboy, continues the story of the Mulbury Boys, five men who met in a low-security prison in Texas and became friends. Wishful Cowboy is about the fifth member of the group, Luke. Unlike the rest of the men, Luke is not sure Hope Eternal Ranch is where he will find his happily ever after. Elana Johnson creates an emotional story about a journey to find a safe haven, where a broken man can discover a non- judgemental place to heal, and forgive himself. Luke's self-discovery trek is long and circuitous, ending at Hope Eternal Ranch again. What struck me was the truths Luke learns along the way about himself, the support and love of friends, and letting go of his past, are lessons we all can benefit from. As Luke finds his angel in Hannah and understands that family can be more than blood relations, Elana's wisdom found a home in my heart and soul, too!

Elana Johnson's wordcraft is beyond compare. Her empathy for troubled souls, combined with her incredible storytelling skills, is the reason she is one of my one-click Amazon authors. I was blessed the day I found the Feel-good Fiction book club and Elana Johnson!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hope Eternal Ranch Series is Great! All the characters in this series are more mature and they have flaws that they are working through while seeking God’s help. Luke was a boxer that went too far in a match. He came to Hope Eternal Ranch to finish his prison sentence. He felt like he was always searching for something and just didn’t fit in. When he could, he left to work with his father. But he still didn’t fit in and was missing Hannah, the woman he had almost asked out at the ranch. He returns to the ranch and begins dating Hannah but realizes he has to put his own demons to rest before he can get on with his life. This is a great story of love, redemption, and second chances. It’s always heartwarming to see how the “brothers” from prison support and take care of each other and it’s great catching up with the other family members. This is the last in the series and you will want to read the others, too! You will love this new sweet romance by Elana Johnson!

[Shelley Wahls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok this is what seems to be the last of this series. I have said after each book, I was not sure about this series, but I LOVED IT. Elana did a fantastic job on all of them, I recommend the entire series. This one is about Luke, he is a former boxer who has just been out of prison for a short time (this was what I was scared of, but don't be) and he and Hannah are drawn to each other from the start, this is mainly about how they can work through all their issues to see if they can be together. Their story is wonderful, but I LOVE the closure that the end of this book brings for all the characters at Hope Eternal ranch. This book, like the others has a little suspense and is clean. Each man is different and the bond that the group of men have is amazing and how she brings them all together to form this family at the ranch is just pure joy to read.

[Infosleuth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wasn’t sure about the ex-con idea when I first started reading this series. Instead, I’ve found it added one more layer to the characters, and I feel like I know them so much better because of it. The author packs a lot into this book, especially in the area of character development. This is Luke’s story. He’s the last of the 5 friends and ex-cons to put his life back together. Luke goes through an emotional rollercoaster and he receives closure and is helped to move forward in a very unexpected way. Hannah is also plagued with doubts and is also feeling left out as her friends have married and are now having children. She has a lot of soul-searching to do as well. Will they end up together? Plenty of crises happen but the ending is heartwarming and uplifting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke had wished he could find his way to inner peace and a place to call home ever since he was released from prison. He has wandered a bit and nothing seems to fit. Now he finds himself back a second time at Hope Eternal Ranch with his four closest friends that were all ex-cons who have found their homes, families, and lives there at the ranch. Luke, still a bit unsettled, wishes he could find a way to deserve the beautiful and kind Hannah, a woman employed by the ranch who seems to also have a crush on him. Do wishes ever come true? This book takes us on Luke's journey and it also wraps up the series with news of all of the Mulbury Boys. I enjoyed it right down to its nail-biting ending! I was entrusted with a copy of this book by the author and this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Michelle Ferrari-Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admitting Your Mistakes

Luke is the last of the Mulberry Boys to acclimate to society. He unintentionally killed a man he was boxing. Of course they found steroids in his system, most boxers used them. He wasn't prepared for the involuntary manslaughter charge. He had only survived in prison because Nate and his friends saw him through it all.

He has had eyes for Hannah for quite some time. Only problem, she always has a boyfriend. When she breaks off her recent relationship, Luke realizes she is his whole world.

Things go quite well, until he realizes he isn't good enough for her. He needs to come to grips with his past before he can further his future. He wants that to be with Hannah.

Can he figure things out before it's too late? ~

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, the story of Luke and Hannah. It was very, very easy to get captured into this story. As I continued to ready more about Luke and his struggles and how Hannah was dealing with her side of their relationship, they became more and more real. It was extremely refreshing to read a story and dig deep into their thoughts and personality. And also the back and forth, indecision with their thoughts made them that much more real and relatable. I recommend this story as a book that is not only a HEA, but also one that helps you understand that you are not alone in your thoughts. Others experience the same.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an Advance Readers Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Another interesting book in this series by Elana Johnson. Addressed in this series are the lives of men who served prison sentences at the same time and formed a family. These books follow them as they are released from prison and attempt to reenter society and the problems they have doing that including relationships with women. In this book. Luke, the main character in this book was a former boxer and must make amends with his past including being responsible for an opponent’s death. I would recommend reading this series and this book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Hope Eternal Ranch Romance series a well written Thanksgiving story that held my interest throughout. The story is well written with a very good storyline, the story flows freely from page to page. I enjoyed reading ex-con Lucas Holt and Hannah Otto's story of their second chance, when he returns to Hope Eternal Ranch in Texas. This is my favorite to date, and to me it feels like this is the last book in this series. There is drama, angst, lots of Prayers for Hannah and Luke, and love. I would recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of the readers that are already familiar with the series around HOPE ETERNAL, you already know the main characters of this book, Luke and Hannah..
Luke a former convict found life after difficult, despite his parents giving him a job, so he returns to Hope Eternal, where his friends and support group wait for him and his secret love - Hannah.
This book describes their way of finally coming together as a couple.
A lovely story, romantic but mixed in some realism about trust issues and difficulties of communicating..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another story in the Mulbury Boys series. I LOVED it! It's Hannah's and Luke's turn to rekindle what might have developed before Luke moved away from Hope Eternal Ranch. Both have insecurities--Hannah with her weight as well as her family issues; Luke with his past and the reason he went to jail. As they struggle through resolving those conflicts, the cowboys--and cowgirls--of Hope Eternal lend their love and support. I thoroughly enjoyed this clean cowboy romance. I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about Luke and Hannah. They had eyed one another for a while, but never dated. All that changed. Luke had many problems from his past and he finally had to leave to work through them. I love the way that Hannah would call him out when he was not being open with her. They make such a good couple. I especially loved the last few chapters. Some scary things happened, but it all works out beautifully.

(I received an arc from the author through bookfunnel. This review is entirely my own opinion.)

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully written story I felt their pain and their joy. I loved the character development in this and the many differences in backgrounds and experiences shown. This story had such a journey to it; understanding who you are and who you were, and accepting that and living with it. I really loved how in all the crazy, the pain, the lost moments, Luke and Hannah found their way. I've smiled and cried reading this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a wonderful conclusion to the series. A full romance with demons from the past and two characters that we’ve seen throughout the series and as we’ve watched them grow alongside each other and apart and together. Some tough stuff in this book, but haven’t all of these books had that? I was a bit wary of the ex-con angle when we first started, but I have grown to love these men. I love how much we get of all of our characters in this book. I cannot wait to see what Johnson comes up with next.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke's angel

The final book of the series and it is a very bumpy ride to a HEA for Luke and Hannah, Luke has a lot of soul searching to do and needs to find forgiveness and acceptance before he is whole enough to be the man he wants to be for Hannah.
In turn Hannah has a lot of emotional baggage and high expectations for herself, but should she expect herself to be perfect all the time or is that just asking for failure?
This may be the final book of the series but we get plenty of weddings, babies and crazy ranch gatherings.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I love most about this series is how it digs deep into the characters’ emotions. I had no idea there was so much going on below Luke’s surface and boy was there ever a lot of it. Even Hannah is wildly more complex than I’d begun to suspect. I really appreciate how this pair talk out their issues, or at least try to, and push each other to be their best selves. They’ve got a lot to work through in order to find their places in the world and in one another’s lives.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishful Cowboy

This is another good installment to the Hope Eternal Ranch series. Luke has not been able to settle down since getting out of prison. He plans to go to his family in Vegas and help his dad with the real estate business so he never did ask Hannah for a date. When Hannah ends up having to take him to the airport they seem to make a connection. Luke returns to the ranch and Hannah still struggling to come to terms with his life and what it has become. Will he be able to forgive himself for his mistakes and let Hannah into his life?

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke left prison and moved to Hope Eternal Ranch to decide what he was going to do with his life. Hannah works at the ranch, she's had several boyfriends but really likes Luke, trouble is she doesn't know what he wants. Luke is trying to find his place in the outside world, he doesn't think that he deserved his prison sentence and is finding it really hard to feel remorse.

Another good read about the Ranch from Elana

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series and will miss the cowboys of Hope Eternal Ranch. Elana Johnson has consistently given us well thought out story lines, interesting cowboys, humor, romance and thought provoking scenes. Luke is possibly the hardest of the men to settle down. He has a major issue that must be resolved, he really doesn’t think he deserved going to prison. Hannah needed lot of patience and understanding. I am sorry to see the series end.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas Holt, one of the Mulberry boys in prison, has served his time. At Hope Eternal Ranch he falls for Hannah, but he has to make peace with his past and understand God's forgiveness before he can start a new life. I love this series about young men who get a chance to remake their lives, once they understand that they are valuable to God and to others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know all good things must come to an end but I really wish this series wasn't one of those things. However if it has to end, this is definitely a good ending. Wonderful characters you instantly fall in love with, they're easy to relate to and feel like family long before you finish the book. It's well written, captivating and keeps you wanting more. You don't want to miss out on this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Norma Gorrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishful Cowboy

Another great book in this series on Hope Eternal Ranch romance. Luke a young man who was a boxer and had accidentally hurt another man in a boxing fight. The man dies and Luke spent 40 months in jail and on leaving he ended up at Hope ranch. Luke is very uncertain as to what he wants to do with his life. He meets Hannah a young woman who works at the ranch and who he falls in love with. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke and Hannah meet at the Hope Eternal Ranch where he and several other inmates finish out their sentences after prison. Their relationship is a hit or miss one until he returns , deciding that he really wants her and he will become the best he can be for her. Loved the characters, the series, and the endings for each couple. Very well done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional read as Luke Holt tries to accept his life after prison and that he really did do something wrong. He met Hannah at Hope Eternal Ranch, and he wanted to build a life with her, but something kept holding him back. He continued to search for answers until he found them in the most unlikely places. Only then could be move forward with Hannah to his happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marcus D. Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building a Life with Family and Friends

This was an interesting book. It started out slow and ended with a fast-paced story capturing all their friends, their children and the love of horses and dogs. Interesting because it involved the turmoil Luke was going through and his angel, Hannah, who waited for him. It brought in the parents who lost their son and the parents of Luke's and Hannah's and how they were raised. Just a good story with a great ending.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story and this was pretty good but what made me read it three stars instead of four was the inaccuracy with Hannah’s labor. It read like she gave birth in the ER. At one point, it was mentioned that the doctor had done one year of obstetrics. You better hope that your doctor has done more than one year of obstetrics if he’s doing a C-section! Things like that I think could be verified with ChatGPT or from Google or from asking a doctor and I just dislike that kind of inaccuracy