Yes… Maddox McBride gets his own story! Yee haw!
Although this is part 1 of The Devil’s Horn Ranch series, we’ve already met Maddox McBride in the Reckless Reunion story. And he’s also the son of two characters from one of Christy’s first series. If you’ve read all the series that Christy writes (which you really should!) you’ll know that she cleverly weaves the lives of her previous characters into her series.
This story centres around Devils Horn Ranch. Once owned by Maddox’s much loved grandmother, Vivian - who has recently died leaving her large, successful ranch to her son.
Maddox hasn’t stepped foot on the ranch since he was 15. He’s never forgotten the events of that last fateful day on the ranch, nor the young girl on her horse who stole his heart.
10 years later he finds himself back on the ranch staring back at the same beautiful girl only now she’s a veterinarian and even more stunning. The trouble is, Andie is already dating someone and Maddox is only staying on his grandmothers ranch until his father finds a suitable buyer. Despite their strong feelings for each other, they fight against how they feel because if their love is fated to be short lived then why risk a broken heart.
Not one for sitting around, Maddox soon finds himself learning to work the ranch.. right from the bottom. He’s always struggled to find his place in the world but the longer he spends on the ranch, helping the workers and gaining skills - the more he begins to love the sense of pride, loyalty and family that he discovers. He’s still trying to figure out his place and destination in life, but the more time he spends with the people at the ranch he comes to realise that this is his place in the world.
The trouble is… there’s trouble… and lots of it. As Andie and Maddox grow closer and ever more in love the extent of that trouble starts to become more apparent.
The vengeful and ruthless Thompson family have been vying for Devils Horn Ranch or rather the land it occupies and it appears that they will stop at nothing to get their hands on it.
There’s also the issue of Andie’s many suitors that keep popping up and throwing a curveball into Maddox’s plans. The problem is, even though they are enjoying a ‘no-strings’ casual physical relationship, neither will admit to the other that they want more. They are desperately in love with each other. No matter who offers their hand or their heart to Andie, there’s only one person she truly wants… and that’s the man who she thinks is about to walk away forever. But when disaster strikes and the chips are thrown down, Maddox needs to make sure his is the only winning hand. With his new ranch family firmly behind him, there’s no way he’s going to lose he love of his life.
Really enjoyed this story. There’s so much sexual tension between these two lead characters that it literally jumps off the page. All the way through you are willing them just to get on with it and admit their true feelings but they think they are on borrowed time. Of course, it’s pretty obvious what is going to happen… but honestly, even though I’d kind of figured it all out, the journey they take to get to their happy ending is so mesmerising. I actually liked the fact that they took things slow and didn��t jump into anything. It built the anticipation nicely.
Maddox is just the most gorgeous of men. He’s thoughtful, kind, generous and caring. He’s got that sweetness that makes your heart melt, that loyalty that makes your insides warm and tingly and that sex appeal that makes, well other things tingle. Love him.
Can’t wait to read the next instalment to see what happens to teenage tear away Aaron.
Yet another fabulous book to start what in an tell will be another amazing series.