Reece

Stud Ranch #4

by Stasia Black

I need a new man like I need a hole in the head.
The last one almost killed me. Literally.
I barely escaped with my life, and when I end up on a ranch in Central Texas, I’m just looking for a place to hide out and recover.
But then Reece Walker saunters in.
(Why, God? Do you enjoy torturing me like this? Is it fun for you?)
I tell myself it’ll just be one night. We’ll do the horizontal mambo and then I’ll have him out of my system.
… But it turns out Reece isn’t the kind of man you easily forget. Especially when I end up staying on at the ranch. Day in, day out, he’s there. Him and his big blue eyes, stupid muscles, dumb jokes, and searing gazes that hit me straight in the—
Ahem. Nope. Not falling for it. I’ve got way too much baggage and I gotta be moving on soon.
I can’t think about building a future when I never know if my past might catch up with me…

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Smut, Erotica

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2021

About the author

Stasia was born in Georgia, grew up in Texas, recently spent a freezing five-year stint in Minnesota, and now is happily planted in sunny California, which she will never, ever leave.

She loves writing, reading, listening to podcasts, and has recently taken up biking after a twenty-year sabbatical (and has the bumps and bruises to prove it). She lives with her own personal cheerleader, aka, her handsome husband, and their teenage son. Wow. Typing that makes her feel old. And writing about herself in the third person makes her feel a little like a nutjob, but ahem! Where were we?

Stasia’s drawn to romantic stories that don’t take the easy way out. She wants to see beneath people’s veneer and poke into their dark places, their twisted motives, and their deepest desires. Basically, she wants to create characters that make readers alternately laugh, cry ugly tears, want to toss their kindles across the room, and then declare they have a new FBB (forever book boyfriend).

Reviews

[Niki {Still a Widow but reading more} · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stud Ranch Twin Cowboys Stars!!

Finally Reece's story!!

I read this series awhile ago. I loved Reece and his laid back pothead sweetness. It took a few years but he finally got his story. It felt like I was missing info for the story in the beginning about how Reece and Jeremiah came to be leasing the ranch. I don't know if it was info that was given in one of the other books because like I said it's been awhile since I read them. So that caused just a little confusion.

Penny/Charlie is an abused wife. She's fed up with all the abuse and has been planning for a long time to make her escape from her hateful husband. On the run she falls asleep and someone cuts her backpack off of her stealing every possession she owns including her money. She doesn't know what to do so she hitches some rides with big rig drivers to try and get her to Austin where she thinks she'll start over again. One skeevy driver tries to make her pay with her body and she escapes and runs out into the wilderness. Eventually she ends up on a farm, where she meets Reece.

Reece and his twin brother Jeremiah are leasing and running a cattle ranch from their old boss Xavier. They show up to start the spring calving season and are overwhelmed by all the work that's needed to get the ranch running in tip top shape. When a skittish Charlie shows up on their porch, they offer her a hand up like Xavier did for them in the past.

Reece and Charlie are drawn to each other from the start. Charlie is dealing with all these new feelings of living without fear and actually feeling the attraction and connection that she does with Reece. Reece helps support her and prop her up while she tries to discover who she really is again. Reece is facing his own hidden demons and since Charlie has dealt with so much too she lends him an ear and advice to help him drop the guilt from his own past too.

As Reece and Charlie grow together and enjoy being with each other, they enjoy the freedom they have to let go and escape their pain, many times through little kinky fantasy interludes. As they build their trust and are able to be vulnerable together and open up, they have no idea the forces that are trying to tear them apart. Ol' hubby Jeff ain't letting go that easy that's for sure, but karma always comes around in ways I never saw coming.

This was emotional though steamy and sweet too. I loved these characters. I love how all the characters in this series are all broken in some way and they open their hearts and find love and acceptance. I just wish there was more of an cemented HEA in this one, it felt like I got only part of the story. I have a feeling Jeremiah and Ruthie will be next and I'm hoping it will solidify the HEA between Reece and Charlie.

Even though this is an ARC review, I will always shoot you straight. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was so thrilled to find 2 more books in this series. I was happy to be back on Stud Ranch.

This one had some heavy topics to cover. Domestic Abuse. Loss of a pregnancy. Attempted Suicide. Gaslighting. And more. Oh also animal death.

Role play is our kink of choice.

3.5 stars
3.5 on the spice scale

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and haunting story!
Penelope is living a nightmare and decides to finally do something about her situation.
She finds herself in Texas and considers it a reprieve and decides to stay for a while. Because the handsome twin, Reece, makes her feel safe.
Stasia's stories always fill me with hope as her characters find redemption and peace.
Beautiful story!

[Maria11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, but it just felt it was missing something, I think I was missing Reece’s POV. It’s named after him, but she only get his POV once. We never get his insight on how he feels for Charlie and why Jeremiah is so upset about him with her. The story was one of trying to find yourself after going through horrible abuse over a long time. It was heartfelt and touching. I think It just needed less ranching talk and more POV from Reece.

Received a copy from BookSprout for an honest review.

[Astra Astrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must say that this was a very pleasant surprise. I somehow found myself on Ms Black's ARC review team, and the last book I tried to read... well, let's just say I didn't get past the first chapter. I was going to unsubscribe, but procrastination got in the way.

And then the offer for this book arrived, and I figured I'd give her another shot. Writers can improve, right? Well, either Black has improved, or this was a fluke, because I actually enjoyed it. No really awkward dialogue, no incredibly unrealistic plot (except I have a hard time believing Jeff had the...clout... that was attributed to him, given that he was still fairly young and had no family connections.

Penelope's lack of self-esteem bothered me, but that's not because it was unrealistic; given her circumstances and experience, it was completely realistic. In fact, that's probably why I was so impatient with it - I wanted her to heal much too quickly. Which, of course, means I was invested in her.

I was a little disappointed at Jeff's comeuppence - it was far too quick and easy. I'd love to have seen him suffer for much longer. Along with his henchman.

There was even the odd well turned phrase:

"It was like being lifted out of my body and coming back into it for the very first time."

So, bottom line, if the description appeals to you, you'll probably enjoy the book.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope is on the run from her abusive husband and ends up working on a ranch. She meets Reece there and things heat up between them. They keep what's happening between them a secret so there's no complications. Reece and his brother have some trouble of their own when a person that wanted the ranch they bought starts messing with them. Penelope is just finally relaxing when her husband finds her yet again. Will she be able to handle her her husband without him causing her more harm? Will Reece and Penelope find a way to be together?

This is an amazing story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

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

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Charlie and Reece. She escapes her abusive husband and ends up working an a ranch where Reece helps run. The author shows how strong Charlie is and the support and patience Reece gives her to come to him. It's an emotional and steamy story and I loved reading. Highly recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grabs you From the First Page!!

An impossible situation; A controlling husband. Forced antidepressants, antipsychotic and tranquilizers. Severe consequences for not being precise. A daring escape.

A savior on a ranch. Learning to live “normally”, while still looking over her shoulder.

Gritty, touching, fabulous and romantic. Loved this from the first to the last page.

**I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book**

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope’s Brave Escape From Her Controlling Husband Is A Nail-Biter! Her Abusive Marriage Has Crippled Her & Her Arduous Journey To A Life Of Freedom Takes Real Bravery. The Open Range & Fresh Air On The Ranch Help Her To Gradually Begin To Find Herself. Reece’s Respect & Genuine Kindness Soon Have Her Feeling Things She Hadn’t Planned On Feeling. Fans Of Books Such As Nicolas Sparks’ Safe Haven Or The Movie Sleeping With The Enemy Starring Julie Roberts Will Enjoy This Story.


This is book four of the Stud Ranch Standalone series. It (obviously) reads as a standalone.

Penelope Chambers, twenty-nine, goes through life in disguise. She tries to please her husband Jeff by being the perfect trophy wife. She attends functions by his side and knows how to play her role well. At home she tries her best to please him by painstakingly meeting his fastidious demands. She has played this role for nine years now. She met Jeff almost as soon as she went off to college. Capturing the attention of the handsome TA made her feel special. Everyone knew he was going places, and soon he began law school. She married him at age twenty-one, and her life since has been nothing like she had anticipated.

After being raised by a narcistic mother, she had hoped for a life full of love but instead learned that her husband took narcissism to a new level. She had learned all too well how to please her mother and had been primed to fall into his trap, but Jeff took things so much further. Pleasing him was nearly impossible, and every so often his fury left her so damaged that she had to nurse her wounds out of the public eye for a time. She tried ending it all once, and she escaped their San Francisco home five years ago, making it as far as Portland, but she had paid dearly for that. She has been patiently planning for five years now, and her next escape attempt just has to work.

Penelope is all-in in a race for her life once she sets her plan into motion. Though everything is carefully planned, things eventually go off the rail. She scrambles to stay on course while her husband is on the chase, and her desperation makes her resourceful. She eventually finds herself stuck in the middle of nowhere just outside of Burnet, Texas – a little town about an hour outside of Austin. It is there that she comes upon Harshbarger Ranch and Reece Walker.

Reece Walker is nothing like Jeff. He gives Penelope space and respects her wishes. He is a real cowboy, unafraid of getting his hands dirty and putting in a hard day’s work. Everything about him is genuine. When he offers her a place to sleep for the night, Penelope decides she wants to break free from her past and be bold. She will be heading out the next day, so a one night stands seems safe. She hopes to rediscover herself, and a night with Reece is a step in that direction.

Reece and his twin Jeremiah are the new ranch managers and part-owners, and they have just arrived at the ranch themselves. Their boss Xavier had purchased the property from Ruth Harshbarger, but he had failed to read the fine print. She actually kept the home for herself, unwilling to entirely let go of the property that her father was supposed to have passed down to her. He died and left behind some debts as well as some enemies, leaving Ruth no choice but to give up her hopes of keeping it and running it herself.

Penelope is in desperate need of cash. Going by the name of Charlie, she ends up staying on the ranch and helping out during the calving season. With two thousand acres and nine hundred head of cattle, they have their work cut out for them, especially considering the ranch had fallen into disrepair. She, Ruth, Reece, and Jer soon settle into a routine. Penelope falls in love with the ranch and finds herself at peace for the first time in her life. She even begins to make friends. But she also finds that even a small town like Burnet has its own narcissists and troublemakers – men with big egos. Although Charlie and Reece agreed to leave their night of passion in the past, temptation eventually gets the best of Penelope. She and Reece each have their struggles as they work the ranch. They each have a past that haunts them. Eventually, though, they earn a happy ending.

Fans of books such as Nicolas Sparks’ Safe Haven or the movie Sleeping with the Enemy starring Julia Roberts will enjoy this story. Penelope’s brave escape from her controlling husband is a nail-biter, and her abusive marriage has crippled her. Her arduous journey to a life of freedom takes real bravery. The open range and fresh air on the ranch as well as working with the cattle help Penelope to both keep busy and to immerse in nature. She gradually begins to find herself there.

Penelope and Reece’s romance takes the reader into calving season in Central Texas. As Charlie, Penelope gets a new lease on life. Still, she must face her past if she hopes to become whole again and move forward. The story is nicely written. The plot is fairly simple. Penelope’s character is nicely developed. The story is written in first person in Penelope’s POV, with one chapter third person in Reece’s POV and one chapter third person in Buck’s POV. I rate this book four stars.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not good, could barely finish

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Reece” is the 4th book in the ‘Stud Ranch’ series by Stasia Black. I have not read any of the other books in this series and I was still able to completely enjoy this one.

I’m not revealing anything not already shared by the description when I state that Penelope is a woman on the run and in hiding from an abusive man. I thought the author did an excellent job conveying the insidious nature of abuse, and the destruction it has on the psyche of the victim. After a harrowing series of events, Penelope finds herself working at a ranch where she meets Reece under strange but exciting circumstances. Over a couple of months they gradually develop a co-workers with sexual benefits relationship that they have to keep secret. Penelope has huge secrets to hide, and n
it turns out that Reece has some of his own. The strong connection that develops between them gives them both a safe space to reveal some of their pain and work towards healing just a little bit at least. The intensity in the story keeps simmering and building until it really explodes. It definitely kept me involved and turning the pages anxiously.

I thought this story was well-written. The lead characters were engaging, the villains were suitably horrifying, and the secondary characters were varied and interesting. It was almost a five-star read for me, but I didn’t feel I connected enough to Reece. When we learned some of his back story it explains certain things, but I wish I could have seen the interactions with Penelope from his perspective more. I was also confused by how a key secondary character received a huge payment for the ranch land, yet couldn’t afford more than a tiny apartment when a catastrophe forced her to move. Plus, in my opinion, the circumstances around that move by her and Penelope could have benefited from another chapter instead of jumping straight to it. I apologize for being vague, but I really don’t want to spoil anything for you!

Overall, I definitely recommend this book. There are scenes that are potential triggers having to do with domestic violence. I do think those parts were handled as circumspectly as possible while still conveying how heartbreaking and terrible they were. I’m definitely going to go back and look for the previous books in this series, and I’m hoping there will be another book about Reece’s brother, Jeremiah.

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

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read, great characters and a plot that will have you hanging on every word!

Penelope had done it she finally had saved enough and plucked up enough guile to set her plan in motion to escape Jeff her abusive husband of ten years. She had tried numerous times before and with the help of his friend and lead attorney Buchanan they had tracked her down, she had been beaten, bones broken, put on an enforced drug regime all of his abuse his Attorney had covered up and convinced medical workers she was mentally deranged.

Then she ran she had everything planned and had got to Texas and had been robbed, nearly assaulted by a trucker which had led her to a beef ranch where a heifer was struggling with the birth of its calf, stuck firmly in its birth canal. She had stayed and helped with the cow’s birth, slept in the wrong bed and mistaken one twin for the other, however Jeramiah and Reece were identical, she had accepted the job offered to her and had called herself Charlotte, “Charlie” for short.

As the months passed, she made friends on the ranch and enjoyed the freedom working on the land and caring for the new-born calves gave her, she also found a friend and lover in Reece they had shared their life stories and it seemed that they had all encountered a hard and brutal side of life.

Imagine her horror when everything seems to be going fairly well apart from the constant broken fences who they believed was down to Trent, a vindictive man that hated the fact he had not been able to acquire Ruby Harshbarger land. She had instead sold to the owner that both Jeramiah and Reece were working the land that Ruby’s family had held for over for generations and she cleverly had held onto her little house where she still resided.

Unfortunately for Charlie her husband had access to a great deal of technology which had helped him to track her down especially with his faithful helper Buchanan, it may seem that perhaps the devil was still on her tail.

Read this wonderful book as you read this wonderful book, you will not be able to put it down until you reach the end.
I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.

[lf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story but not what I was expecting

Reece is the fourth book in the Stud Ranch Standalone series and is the story of Penelope and Reece. Penelope is twenty-nine years old and we find her plotting how to flee an abusive nine year marriage to a man who is a whole world of narcissism. She puts her plan into action and flees their house in San Francisco and heads to Austin, Texas. When things go not to plan she ends up having to hitch a ride with a trucker heading to Texas. When the first trucker isn't going all the way to Texas she gets a ride with a second trucker who is. While her first experience hitching was good, as it was with a female trucker, the second isn't as the man wants her to pay in a way she does not want to. So in the middle of the night she flees in the middle of nowhere. She ends up coming upon a ranch in Burnet, Texas. There she meets Reece and is invited to spend the night, just to sleep. She knows she is leaving the next morning to get to Austin and the man is "sex-on-a-stick" so she decides to really break free from her old life and they have a wild night of passion. But what happens with the rest of the story is not "a romance building to a HEA", which left me a bit confused and disappointed.
This books is well written and has an interesting story-line but just not one I was expecting. I really felt for Penelope and what she had been through, be warned as are a lot of abuse triggers. Reece is fighting his own demons and past also. There is a lot of emotion swirling around in this story that will take you on a ride, just not a romantic one.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own and I know that other readers will love this book.

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sexy, steamy romance about two broken individuals who find each other at just the right time. Penelope Chambers is escaping an abusive husband. She finally get enough courage to leave him and she takes off. She learned her lesson from her first attempted escape and she knows now she must cover her tracks in order to keep him from finding her. She criss-crosses the U.S. and continually changes busses and keeps her face hidden from the cameras. Things come to a head in a little bus station in Oklahoma City where she accidentally falls asleep and her backpack holding her life savings and id is stolen. She has to leave the bus depot and walks to a highway where she hangs out at a 24 hour service station. She has decided to start her "new" life in Austin. She hitches a ride with a female truck driver who drives her as far as Dallas. She attempts to hitch hike again but picks the wrong guy; she runs away from until she ends up on a ranch where she mets Reece Walker who is wrestling with a cow who is in the midst of breech birthing a calf. She helps him and he offers her a place to lay her head for the night. This is where I leave you, if you want to know the rest then get the book and read it. It really is a heart warming story about new starts and second chances. It has wonderful, strong characters that are resilient to the hardships life can toss at you. You will definitely feel for the characters and root for them throughout the book. The storyline is gripping and will have you speeding through the book to see what happens next. It is a book definitely worth having! A must have for romantics everywhere!!

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

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the run from an abusive marriage, Penelope Chambers finds herself in Central Texas hiding out with her new identity as Charlotte, Charlie for short. She meets Reece Walker while escaping from a hitchhike ride that had gone wrong and ended up helping him with the birth of a calf. He also provides her a place to sleep despite of not knowing what her circumstances were like and also didn’t feel right letting her sleep out in the cold. Here begins Charlie's healing process with the help of her new friends Ruth and Jeremiah and her newfound love with Reece.

I thought Reece was sweet at times and their smut scenes were hot, but in truth I wasn’t truly convinced of their chemistry/romance. I felt like their romance was lacking despite of all of the sex they were having. And I honestly wasn’t the biggest fan of Jeremiah. But I am happy Charlie was able to heal from her terrible past and was able to find peace with Reece. I’m also from the Bay Area so I love seeing bits of my home written in the book.

There isn’t any other women or other men but Charlie is still married to her abusive husband while she pursues a relationship with Reece. There are triggers of abuse. It was mentioned throughout the book and there was one scene that played out in Chapter 15 and end of Chapter 16-18.

The book is also written in first person POV with one Reece third person POV. Standalone with an okay happily ever after.

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

[Kelly DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking her life back, overcoming the odds, severe adversity and finding herself
Reece: A Stud Ranch Standalone Novel by Stasia Black is a wonderfully well written single POV and a truly compelling read. This author seamlessly combines dark suspense, psychological thriller, abusive relationship recovery, emotional healing and connection as well as romance into this novel. Charlie’s struggle is real and felt in every word.
The finer points of this 5 star read are plentiful! The female protagonist, Charlie, overcomes so much. This book shares equal time with her emotional and mental healing as well as the life, times and tribulations of the HB Ranch. All of the characters are very well developed, enriching the plot/subplots and wrapping the reader into each one. I loved how, from the very beginning, I was totally enveloped and invested in Charlie. The writing gave a sense of palpable urgency, fear, panic and at times devastation. Many times, I was leaning in, holding my breath or gripping the edge of my seat! On the flip side, there is also hope, healing, heat, heart, and belonging.
Overall, this book feels like a triumph, Charlie taking control and living the life she was always meant to have and with Reece championing her quietly and steadfastly by her side. All the feels and the promise of a HEA for these two. But best of all, karma came a knockin’ and it was glorious!
I read an ARC of this book and voluntarily share my review.

[Marlene Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope was a student when she met her husband, falling for him and marrying before she discovered the controlling beast he was...beating her for any minor offence or mistake, constantly berating her behavior, controlling her entire life, including giving her pills for depression, anxiety, mental health issues he caused....after 10 years she finally escaped him...she had saved a little money, took a few clothes Jeff didn't realize she had, went by cab to bus station, bought a ticket dressed as herself...then changed into her new self...purchased a ticket, boarded a bus for another city than previous ticket...and kept running, finally ending up in Texas...where she ended up stranded...at ranch run by Jeremiah and his twin brother Reece...they had just arrived there themselves and Reece convinced her to help him with breech-birth calf...after asking her name, she said Charlotte, and to call her Charlie...but could she find sanctuary in a one-street town in Texas or would technology help her abusive husband find her??? You will need to read the story to find out what happens...I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings us Reece Walker, his brother Jeremiah who now are new to running to ranch and land previously owned by Ruth Harshbarger's dad. She had hoped he would leave the land to her, but he didn't think that women knew much of anything. Ruth is a woman to be reckoned with! Along comes Penelope Chambers, (aka known as Charlie) is on the run after leaving her abusive husband. She changes her hair and her name, and is left with no clothes, money, or transportation as she was robbed at the bus station. She begins to walk and sees lights, and this is where she meets Reece. Reece is in the middle of trying to help deliver a calf, and Charlie arrives just in time to help him. She needs a place to stay for a while, and she agrees to stay on the ranch to help out the guys. In doing so, she and Reece start to realize the chemistry between them, and for the first time in maybe forever, she feels safe with him. It was so nice to see her blossom with friends like Reece, Jeremiah and Ruth. She really grew and finally stood up for herself. This is an amazing read and I HIGHLY recommend it. I did receive an arc for an honest review.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

No romance - no HEA? I have the first 2 stories in this series but I haven’t read them yet so I went into this book without any info one way or the other. I have read a few books by this author so I wasn’t worried and I hate leaving a less then 4 star review but I just felt disappointed with this read. The story follows Penelope aka Charlie, is running away from an abusive husband. She finds herself basically broke and stranded in Texas. She makes to the ranch where, Reece, Jerimiah, and Ruth who’s the previous owner of the ranch, does their best help her get back on her feet. Penelope is very smitten and attracted to Reece and I expected a scorching romance but unfortunately the romance is missing from this book and that I did not expect. In the end, Penelope get’s all she needs to move on but there was never a real romance between the H and h so there was no HEA either. I expected the book would be in dual POV’s but it wasn’t either. I don’t feel compelled to read the first two books now. The whole thing left me disappointed

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

[R Rais · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told from Pen/Charlie's pov when the tittle called Reece just make me go huh?? Why??

Good topic though. Abbusive marriage. Her fightlng to be free. Her strugle to find her self between the nightmares. Her emotional battle for standing free finally.
The little detail we sometimes ignore, the freedom of eating what we want, the freedom to just laugh, the freedom of wanting someone. The author done a good job in this part.

But, the romance part is just miniscule of the book. İ actually think this book need to be little more bigger to get to romance with Reece. Cause thats what happen. The romance come at the end and feel like a start for their love story.

But dont worry if you are like me who cant live without all the sexy times in books. Their play time actually are hot. Super sexy in fact with hearts flying and chemistry growing.

Overall a good read. Still going huh??? On the tittle when Reece only have one chapter of his pov.

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

[Irina Sarrió · Rating 3 out of 5]

La historia la va a contar Charlie, la gran protagonista. Que se va a topar con Reece, un sexy granjero muy educado y fogoso 🔥🔥. Los dos me parecen buenos personajes, sobre todo ella, pero sinceramente me esperaba un poco más, que fueran más impactantes. Él me daba mucha curiosidad por sus apariciones en los libros anteriores y me da coraje que su historia no me llegara tanto. Y en cuanto a Charlie, bueno, me parece una mujer fuerte y con aguante, pero siento que su psique es demasiado común.

La historia es entretenida, con momentos de acción y muuuucho fuego 🔥. Me ha mantenido atrapada, porque el libro es ligero y rápido de leer, pero me ha decepcionado bastante. Supongo que es por las altas expectativas que tenía. De hecho, al principio sentía estrés porque pasaron muchas cosas y veía mucho potencial en la trama, pero después decayó. En fin, me ha mantenido leyendo que es lo importante y me da paso al siguiente con ese epílogo que no esperaba. Espero que Jeremiah esté por encima de su hermano gemelo.

[Vonn Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the other three books this series a while ago.

This book has spousal abuse and miscarriage due to abuse in it, so fair warning!

Penelope (aka Charlie) runs away from her abusive husband after 10 years of marriage and hopes she can finally pull it off, as this isn’t her first attempt.

While trying to get to her goal city (Austin) she stumbles across a ranch in Texas that has two new ranchers.
She takes a breather from running and stays. But how long can she stay and finally let go of the baggage inside her head? Or how long until her past catches up with her…

I did like the plot of the story, but had a bit of trouble with the brother dynamic between Reece and his twin Jeremiah. Reece’s backstory was kind of an extra that just added fuel between the brothers. The last chapter was confusing and didn’t really add to the story as only a week had passed, but it seemed like nobody was injured anymore. The epilogue leaves it open for more books.

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

[Just G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a surprise - I thought I knew what to expect from the author. This story is about an abused wife, Penelope, and her journey to escape ten years of misery. After several attempts to escape, including self-harm, she finally manages to get far away from her narcissistic abusive husband. More roadblocks arise, but she perseveres and makes it to a ranch in Texas where she meets a ranch hand named Reece. She introduces herself as Charlotte (call me Charlie) and makes herself useful, ending up staying on as a ranch/ranch-house hand. The story builds from there, with excellent relationship building, developing friendships, and how Charlie works through her (well-earned) issues. The "Stud Ranch" label gave me an impression of what to expect, and I was totally wrong. Loved this story, loved the very Texan way it was resolved, and I appreciated the possibility of an HEA without wrapping it all up with a neat bow. I received a copy in exchange for my review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will grab you and keep hold until the very end. Penelope escaped her abusive husband after many tries and ended up on a Texas ranch as Charlotte/Charlie. She worked alongside Reece, his brother Jeremiah and a few other workers for a couple months, always wondering if he would find her. Things were tense between the brothers and her when a storm arrived with a twister. Reece took off in the truck to warn his brother as he was out rounding up cattle. She was to go into the house center and hide, but a doorbell rings and trouble arrives. All she wants to do is die but is alert enough to know she needs to get out of the car.
The characters have great depth and backstories, are strong and determined. The storyline is a roller coaster ride of suspense, drama, romance, deep feelings and so much more. Loved the bond Charlie forged with Ruth and Reece. The ending really proved it.

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

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope Chambers was an abused wife, Charlotte was a strong ranch hand and this is the story of the metamorphosis. That anyone could survive what Penelope went through is amazing enough, but that she had the strength to become a ranch hand and work with cows in all weathers and conditions is incredible. The characters in this story are diverse and it is their support that encourages Charle. Ruth and Olivia are amazing and bring a lightness to the story. Jeremiah is the serious one, but Ruth has her eye on him and I hope they get their story. Reece is in many ways Charlie’s saviour. Their magnetism is off the charts and the sex amazing and they both have demons that keep them awake at night. The epilogue was a surprise but it sets up the next book. I really enjoyed Charlie’s journey of discovery and healing and look forward to more of this series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reece is a different type of story than I have read previously by this author. I am more familiar with her darker works so this was an interesting change of pace. This book is engrossing and difficult to put down. Penelope/Charlotte is completely believable as an abused woman on the run who finds romance with Reece, a man with a lot of baggage himself. The scenes of abuse are chilling and heartbreaking. The characters are interesting and well-written. The story is emotional and absorbing but I was missing Reece's POV (of which there was only one brief chapter) and I would have loved an epilogue of Charlotte and Reece down the road. The actual epilogue we got gives a tantalizing hint of what might be coming in the next book and I can't wait to read it. 4.5 stars

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

[LeMiliere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope after surviving what from the outside looked like marriage to a perfect man has finally had enough and makes her escape. She hitched a ride with a female truck driver as far as Texas, but her next ride to Austin didn't work out so well so she jumped out of his truck in the middle of nowhere but fortunately for her came across a ranch run by two brothers Reece and Jeremiah they let her spend the night.

When asked what her name was she said Charlie, they offered her a job on the ranch which she accepted. But has she covered her tracks well enough? What will happen if or when her husband shows up and can the growing attraction between her and Reece amount to anything permanent.

I enjoyed this story which had shades of the Julia Roberts film Sleeping with the Enemy, I liked the characters and the way the story flowed although I would have liked more a definitive HEA.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penelope (Charlie) is on the run from an abusive husband and ends up stranded in Texas with no resources. She stumbles into the ranch and the brothers Reece and Jerimiah along with Ruth, the previous owner of the ranch, help her get on her feet. There is instant chemistry between Reece and Penelope and there are some steamy parts and plenty of action. The romance is missing from this book and although Penelope's issues are resolved in the end, there is no real romance or HEA between the two of them. Most of this book is told from Penelope's POV and you don't get Reece's side which was also disappointing. I will say that I loved Ruth and hopefully her story is next, I was very intrigued by what was hinted at for her.

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

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since this story is a standalone, I did not have to wait to get my HEA but due to many twists and turns, it was touch and go to find out whether Penelope/Charlie would ever get hers. Reese and his twin brother Jeremiah were sent out to Central Texas to run the ranch that Penelope/Charlie happens to stumble upon. There are many side stories going on at the ranch which I hope will be revealed in another book but the writing in this one as are all of Stasia Black's books always leave me anxiously awaiting the next release. This is part of a series BUT, you can enjoy this story even if you haven't read any of the others but will definitely want to go back and start at the beginning after reading this story.

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

[Michelle Carey Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sweetest Pretender

I was kinda confused and maybe disappointed for the first half of this story. I expected some of the previous story series characters to at least make an appearance. It was well into the book before I grasped that The super rich Xavier bought this ranch in Texas... and sent the Twins to run it... I guess I thought Xavier and Meg or one of the other Stud farm guys would visit.... but no. This seems to be Reece and his brothers spin off which is not a stud ranch but a cattle ranch. This story got exciting after the calf birth and it got much more intense after the other calf died. One other thing made it from the Wyoming series... the Tornado... its an intense and sweet Karma... it is very confusing the ending but apparently Ruth has her own baddie. It's an OK story...