Heart of a Wrangler

Cowboys of the Flint Hills #3

by Tessa Layne

What’s a guy to do when the girl of his dreams makes a pass at him?
Saying no to Hope Hansen was the hardest thing Ben Sinclaire has ever done. Despite their age difference and a family feud, he's loved her since grade school, but a romance between them was always forbidden. Now she’s back and the girl he loved has become all woman. He’s finally ready to make his move, but he’ll have to get around her brothers and a field of admirers to do it.

What’s a girl to do when faced with the worst mistake from her past?
Eight years ago, Hope took a chance on Ben and got shot down. Heart broken and mortified, she left town. A fiasco at veterinary school foils her plan to avoid him forever by forcing her to come home to Prairie. When her brothers meddle in her love life by placing a Cowboy Wanted ad for her in the back of Rancher’s Monthly, Ben becomes her unlikely ally. As all her feelings come crashing back, Hope isn’t sure if she can trust him… or herself

Ben comes up with a daring plan to win Hope, but when ice storms, weddings, and babies interfere, will it backfire? Or will Hope realize that true love has been waiting right under her nose the whole time?

A spicy hot second-chance romance that will have you staying up all night and cheering for Ben & Hope’s HEA.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Westerns, Contemporary, Western Romance, Amazon, Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2017

About the author

Tessa Layne is a five-time USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance across many genres. Known for her high heat "emotionally searing and uplifting" story lines, Tessa’s books take you on an adventure of the heart from the rugged and remote Kansas Flint Hills to the big-city boardroom. Additional pen names include TS Layne (billionaires) and coming in 2024, Tessa Snow (dark fantasy romance). Tessa lives in the heart of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, daughters, and two unruly cats. When she’s not writing, you can find her outside chatting up the bees in her garden, hunting for berries in the woods, or playing in the snow.

Reviews

[Diana Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW What a fantastic book! Couldn't put it down & read cover-to-cover! Tessa weaves her magic again in this story with Ben and Hope. Ben and Hope have a past but he's older than she & their families have been feuding forever. Hope confesses her feelings to Ben before she's due to go off to college to become a veterinarian however he rejects her advances & tells her she doesn't know what she is doing. Ben & Hope inevitably come back together when she drops out of college & comes back home. Now Hope has secrets. Can the two retain the friendship that they used to have all those years ago can Ben Show Hope just how much he loves her and has been a fool? Will Hope except Ben and open up sharing her secrets? Grab yourself a copy of this book today & see how their story unfolds. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. I voluntarily read this ARC and this is my honest review.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!! ! Exciting, hot a real page burner. Very easy to relate to characters.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet read.

A well written sweet, sexy, and fun book. The well developed characters are funny and sassy plus hot. Two people in love with each other for years but afraid to reach for that golden ring, spend years apart only to find each other again.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just let me marry a cowboy and move to a farm PLEASE

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (6/1/2023)! 🎁

[Wynofrappucino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Safe a horse….. An cute and smutty cowboy romance. I loved it because i am currently in my cowgirl era. But the book had to many words to make sense. Some parts were so detailled but did not make sense to me personally. I want my own Ben to be honest, ride a cowboy.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an advanced reader copy. I am giving my honest and voluntary review with no compensation from anyone.

Another incredible story that brings families together. Hope & Ben have been friends since they were young. They met secretly at their tree house they built. They swore they would never tell a soul about their place. As their friendship grew so did their love for each other. Things happen and they go their separate ways.

8 years later, Hope is home from college telling her family that being a Vet was no longer her dream. She couldn't tell anyone the real reason why she was home.

This story takes you through every emotion. You'll laugh, cry a little, get mad, and at one point I wanted to scream at them. This will also teach you how not being honest with yourself & others, & not allowing someone to tell their side can have devastating outcomes.

Please pick up this book. If you love watching cowboys get their cowgirls, you'll love this book. These families are so wonderful.

Thank you Tessa for another beautiful love story. I an honored to read them.

Tessa Layne
Prairie Desire: Cowboys of the Flint Hills
Prairie Heat
Prairie Passion

[Shelly Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pushing Hope away was the biggest mistake of his life. He could have been her first. The bar by which she measured every other male. Instead, the bar he'd given her was for heartbreak."

I am absolutely loving this series! I loved Ben and Hope's story - a true second chance romance!!

Ben Sinclaire has always been the steady one. The reasonable one. But he made one unreasonable choice years ago. He pushed her away. He'd known her since they were kids and they'd shared a secret tree house. When she made her crush known to him all those years ago, he walked away. But, now she's back and no longer the little girl he remembered. Can he right his wrong? Is there anyway he can make up for breaking her heart? Will she accept his? He saw what lies and deception did to his mother. Hope is holding something back - will it destroy him when he learns what it is?

Hope had the highest aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. Before she finishes her last year of school, she inexplicably returns home, telling everyone she just realized it wasn't the right path for her. When she runs into Ben, the feelings she harbored for him come rising back to the surface- or maybe they never left. Can she risk giving her heart to him again after he broke it all those years ago? Will he still want her once he learns the real reason she is home?

This was a great second chance story. A missed opportunity leading to a new one. There were heartfelt scenes, humor, "awwww" moments,heartbreak, and of course the steam!!

Can't wait to read more of the Sinclaires and Hensens!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book of the series and so far, my favorite. I loved Ben and Hope. They are so perfectly suited for each other. They are easy to route for as individuals, but together they are every romance readers dream.

Ben is the middle Sinclaire brother. He is the sensitive, responsible one who tends to try and fix all that is broken. Yeas ago Hope Hansen came into his life and they were friends and confided in each other their whole childhood. Then one day Hope tested his resolve and he turned away the best thing in his life.

Hope Hansen has done something unforgivable and now must come home to figure out the next steps of her life. She was all set to finish veterinary school and one action changed her future. She is coming home to her family, but also to face her past. Ben hurt her all those years ago and she is not sure how to handle seeing him again.

These two are amazing together. The romance, sexy time and overall relationship was so much more than the other two couples in the first books. These two had history and it made all of the difference. I really enjoyed them.

Only two issues with this book though: the secret she kept was not worth holding the entire book! Two: I feel like I got a rushed ending, so I am hoping we get to catch up with them in the series.

Overall this book is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Great couple and great secondary characters that are worked perfectly into the storyline.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation, another awesome read by Tessa Layne!!

Prairie Desire is about Ben Sinclaire and Hope Hansen and a childhood “love” that grows into an adult love but will it bring them back to each other or put them on a different path????

Hope has been in “love” with Ben since she was a young girl living across the river from Ben’s property. As young children they decided to become friends, shared secrets but not tell their families. They even built a tree house where they meet to discuss what it is they want when they grow up. When Hope turned 18 she finally told Ben she was in love with him but he spurred her and she left home for college and veterinary school. But alas she made some mistakes and decided to return home and figure out where her life needs to go…..

Ben wants to right the wrongs he did to Hope before she went to college because after she left he realized that maybe she was the “one” and now that his brothers have found happiness and love he wants that too…will the tree house help them to find their way???

This story has made me laugh out loud, shed some tears, worry if they find their way together or apart and love that has no end….once you begin you will not put it down until the last word has been read! !

Looking forward to the next book in this series….Prairie Storm.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t realize Kansas was large enough and strong enough to “hold” all the strong, handsome and talented cowboys found in Flint Hills. One look at this series and I was completely enamored with the quality of writing and depth of the storyline. Each character is so real to me, it is like they are here in my house. They live near me and “let” me be their friend. The last Sinclaire brother, Ben, can no longer hide his admiration, longing and love from his lifetime friend, Hope. In their young years, they were neighbors, shared childhood secrets while they skipped rocks in the creek and trusted each other more than anyone in their families. This all came crashing down around them as failures were exposed and plans for the future bit the dust. In this book, a baby is born, a wedding is planned, holidays are celebrated and devastation finds Ben and Hope’s lives. This story is filled with times that I smiled like a fool as I read chapter after chapter; tension gripped my heart at sadness; and, I felt a soulful joy at the heartfelt vows of love by two people bound to one another in a place held secret from the world around them. This is an amazing book and one that I will remember for quite some time. I was given this book and I thank the author for remembering me. I loved this story!

[Stacy J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been WAITING semi patiently for this book. I have really liked Ben in the other books and couldn’t wait to find out what was going on with him. I think I can relate to him the most being the peacemaker.

I bet every one of us made a decision as a kid that we wish we could go back and redo. Ben made a split-second decision concerning Beth and it has haunted him for the past 8 years. When Ben finds out Hope is coming home, he is going to do everything in his power to right his wrong and get the girl back.

Eight years ago, Hope put her heart on the line and after one hot kiss, Ben shut her down. Ben was Hope’s go to guy when life got too hard and when her overbearing but lovable family was too much. He was her home just as much as the tree house they built together was. When he turned her down, she was devastated.

Hope returns home to reevaluates her life after some choices were made while she was away. It is something she wants to keep close to the vest but everyone seems to want to know what is going on. With Ben looking for redemption, her brothers prank in the paper and Hope trying to decide what her next step in life is, we the readers are in for wild ride.

[Marichus Real · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben has always been in love with Hope but after he say not to her when she was nearly eighteen, she lost her. Now she is back home and he is going to do everything in his hands to win her over and this time he wants forever.
Hope tried to move on from Ben after being rejected by him but she never could. And after a bad experience that finishes with her studies to become a vet, she goes back home. It only took one look at Ben to fire her love back.
Another great reading by Tessa Layne where we find all the characters from the previous two books. I like Ben. He is a good man, honest, caring, and so in love with Hope, it hurts. Hope has always been an honest person too and now she is so insecure, she is afraid Ben doesn’t want her anymore if he knows what really happened to make her abandon her studies.
The author plays very well with the feelings of the characters and she is good at it. I could feel Hope’s deep sorrow, her solitude, her being lost and at the same time, the great love Ben and Hope feel for each other.
I like how everybody knows about them except them. And I laughed a lot with the idea of Hope’s brothers to help her get a boyfriend.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Sinclaire
Hope Hanson

Ben the middle brother of the Sinclaire brothers is stunned when he finds out Hope is moving back to Prairie after dropping out of Vet school in Kentucky. He has never stopped loving her and doesn't know if he can get her to start a relationship. Hope is coming back to Prairie with her head hanging, she is ashamed as to why she had to come back, and then there is Ben to add to it. Hope's brothers put an add in the singles section of the Rancher's monthly and Ben comes to Hope's aid getting the relationship started. This book is a nice finish to the Sinclaire brothers part of this series. I really liked Ben and Hope, both were carrying baggage and trying to work through everything. Hope's trying to find a new career since her Vet dream is gone. There has to be compromise along the way and lots of getting to know each other again. This book could be read as a stand alone, but it's fun to read the series in order so you get to know the other characters as they add to each story. I would definitely read more in the series. I expect the rest of the series will be just as good. Tessa writes a great story that will keep you reading and staying up late.

[Lisa Hemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Hansen and Ben Sinclaire are given a second chance at friendship and love in Prairie Desire, the third book in the Cowboys of Flint Hills series, by Tessa Layne. Hope left home 8 years ago for college and veterinary school. She returned home sad and defeated after dropping out. She is searching for what to do with her life, when she comes across Ben at their childhood treehouse. Can she forgive him for what he said all those years ago? Ben works on the family ranch and is envious of his brothers who have found happiness with their true loves. When he heard that Hope was coming home, he was determined to right the wrongs of his past. "He wasn't letting Hope Hansen get away a second time." Will the sanctuary of the treehouse bring Hope and Ben the answers they need to find love?
Tessa does an excellent job of describing the true feelings of her characters. I loved Prairie Desire and I am looking forward to the next book in the series, Prairie Storm. I received an ARC copy and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final Sinclaire brother, Ben and the only Hansen daughter, Hope get their second chance at love in this book. You know this is going to be a really great romance when Ben rebuilds the treehouse to show Hope how much she means to him...and it does not disappoint at all!

Their story is so touching that you crave for them to find a way to make all the theirs dreams and desires come true. The drama and pace of their story keeps you on the edge of your seat. You want to know what Hope is keeping secret. Could it be so bad that she feels no one will love her, especially Ben when the truth is revealed? Ben knows there's something that Hope keeps deep down inside herself and he is hurt and disappointed that Hope no longer confides in him like she did when they were younger.

I highly recommend this book as well as the series. Cowboy romances didn't really intrigue me until I started with this series and now I can't read them fast enough. I love the Sinclaires, Hansens and the town of Prairie!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Bobo's Book Bank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of this author! Once again, Tessa Layne delivers an impressive, well written and engrossing contemporary romance. I've been waiting for Ben's story because he's one of my favorite type of heroes...the strong, silent and handsome kind. I loved how he was possessive at times but also tender and charming! Hope wasn't mentioned too much in the first two books so I wasn't real sure what to expect but Ms. Layne NAILED her character! Hope was tough and tenacious (she had to be with two crazy big brothers!) but she also had a vulnerable and insecure side that was endearing. Ben and Hope together were an adorable complement to each other. Their story was a sexy, second chance, friends to lovers story. I'll continue to follow Tessa Layne as she expands on her seductive cowboys from Prairie! Told from dual POVs with a sweet ending. I received, read and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[BookSnuggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prairie Desire: Cowboys of the Flint Hills by Tessa Layne
This is Hope Hansen and Ben Sinclaire's story.

Hope and Ben were friends growing up. Right before Hope went off to school they came close to crossing the friendship line. Now, it's been eight years since that time. Hope is back but not under the circumstances she wanted. She isn't really telling everyone the real reason she is back home.

Ben regrets what happened between him and Hope eight years ago. He feels that he let the girl of his dreams get away and wants another chance.

I loved this story! Who wouldn't fall for Ben! He is wonderful and I loved the peace offering he did for Hope. You will have to read the book to find out what he did.

A fun and sexy second chance romance! Sit back and escape into Ben and Hope's story. They will have you laughing at times.

FYI, contains mature content. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben and Hope have big secret, they have been friends for years but never said a word to anyone because of the feud between their families.

As children they built a treehouse together, just out of sight of either family. When he hears she's coming home, Ben visits it he finds it destroyed. In that moment he decides to rebuilt it.

There was more there though, Ben had rejected Hope when she asked him to be her first lover. After reconsidering, he returned to hear her with someone else in their space and once again left.

Now it's going to take a lot to mend this but her brothers inadvertently help her when they do the unspeakable. They take out a personal ad for her in Ranchers Monthly.

Paybacks are a bitch and revenge is best served cold. I loved Hope's revenge.

She also is hiding something and that could ruin her relationship with Ben.

I laughed a lot, sniffled a little and enjoyed every page of this book!

[Stephanie Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was given as an ARC for an honest review.

Their secret childhood friendship has been held close to the vest for over twenty years.

Hope Hansen has returned home after eight years. With secrets from the past and present.

Ben Sinclair has waited for Hope to return home. After harshly rejecting her eight years earlier, he has never been able to move on.

Have both families learned their lessons from the family feud or will they continue to make mistakes.

With a little help from the wiley family members that we love to keep up with....

Ben's hoping for another chance to love Hope, can they make it work with all the secrets.

This second chance at love comes with many emotions. But you can't help to continue to love reading about the characters that Tessa Layne has brought forth.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible, emotional story of cowboys and family and second chances!!

Hope Hansen has not been home in years, and is not looking forward to explaining why she is no longer in vet school or looking forward to running into Ben Sinclaire. The Hansen’s and Sinclaire’s had a feud for years – but these two would meet at the border of their properties and built a tree house and became close friends. That is, until Hope kissed Ben and was summarily rebuffed.

When Ben hears Hope is returning home, he builds a new tree house as an olive branch. He has never found anyone like Hope and is determined to win her back. A compelling story of second chances, family dynamics, trust and relationships.

I grew up reading Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey; it is delightful to enter this world of sexy cowboys.

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

[💋Meme Chanell Book Corner💋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sexy cowboy of Flint Hills I read this book in two nights after work it's a second chance romance the two main characters Hope and Ben were childhood friends that built a secret treehouse together on the night before Hope leaves for college she puts the moves on Ben. He doesn't like her advances and Hope is left heartbroken since she is in love with Ben. Ben being older thinks Hope is too young for him. Hope leaves for college and returns eight years later after dropping out of school.
Ben rebuilds the treehouse as an apology to her hoping they can become friends again or even better more than friends. Can these two get a second chance at love after eight years?Read this book to find out. There also are some steamy love scenes if you are into that. I loved this book and know you would love it too can't wait for Axel's book the next in series he is one of Hope's brothers

[Janica Gómez Verea · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO MORE SECRETS.

Another fabulous Tessa Layne Book!! I recieved an ARC copy which I gadly volunteered to review.

In the midst of Jamey and Brodie's wedding preparations, Hope returns home with a secret, not knowing how to share a big secret...the reason why she left Vet School.

Ben, happy to have her back, does his best to help her and tries to get her to release the secret and fails. Unfortunately, he finds out through other channels and doesn't allow any explanations. He just explodes.

But life deals out big problems so solutions can be found and live as best as possible with them...Ben and Hope decide that life sucks and they need each other to continue.

A very well recommended book, the people that live in her town are so real and loveable...SIMPLY WONDERFUL !!!

[Christina Luberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

(OMGOMGOMG) Another book by Tessa Layne that is hard to put down. So many emotions show up. I even cried during parts. The sexual parts were so moving you felt their love not the lust you feel in other books. Ben and Hope have hid there friendship and love for each other from family and friends most of their lives. There is so much hurt before Hope goes to college and then more when she gets back. Can they get over it? The Sinclair's and Hansen got to love them. This book does leave you hanging a little at the end for the surprise and wedding from last book. Oh, please have it at the beginning of the next book. I recieved an arc copy for my honest review.

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series gets better with each book and Ms. Layne writes with so much love and emotion, the characters jump right off the page and into your heart. I loved the story of Ben Sinclaire, the sensitive brother, and his second chance romance with Hope Hansen, who came home after eight years of living in Kentucky. As soon as I started reading I knew I wouldn't be able to put the book down until I read the last word and then I wanted the book to continue. I can't wait to read book four in the Cowboys of the Flint Hills series.

[Coffee Chat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by this author. It is packed with love and emotion. I loved ready the story of Ben and Hope. This is a story that shows how important it is to be open and honest in a relationship. Ben seems so sensitive that I want to hug him, yet he is strong for Hope. She is a strong person yet keeps a secret that should have been told. The storyline is good and well written. I have read the other books in the series and cant wait to read the next one. I will be recommending this book and every book in the series that I have read so far.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope and Ben have so much chemistry and I love their story from childhood to adulthood. The banter between Hope and her brothers Gunnar and Axel was hilarious (those boys are ornery, especially when they take out the singles ad on Hope). It will be interesting to see Gunnar and Axel get knocked over the head by love! We get to know some of the other characters in Prairie a little more, which is always delightful. The marriage proposal between Ben and Hope and what happens after was so different, sweet and sexy. I really enjoyed this story.

[Conna N Condon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This starts out as a classic romeo and Juliet family feuding story. But she is 6 when they become friends. She takes his rejection of her advances prior to leaving for college as total rejection and the friendship is lost. Now she is returning from college just shy of graduating for a hidden reason. Their families are no longer feuding (see prior books for sibling’s stories) but they still hide in their treehouse. It is a complex reveal and dealing with issues to finally have a love story in which nobody dies. There is a lot of descriptions of sex and sex toys.

[Beth Scheiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Tessa delivers and emotional story. She shows how past hurts, doubts and secrets can destroy a relationship. Ben and Hope have something special but they both allow circumstances to encroach upon their feeling of trust. Ben becomes judgmental and Hope struggles with her failures. This story made me laugh and cry. We visited with old friends and learned about new. Can't wait for the next Cowboys of Flint Hills! Thanks Tessa!

[Maria Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book even from the cover page 🤭
A person who takes his time away from people its a fellow soul.
A guy who find you perfect even when he knows your flows is a man you ought to keep.
A man who wants to slay every dragon for his woman is a gem.

A strong woman doesn't have to face life and difficulties alone. If the people in your life can't bare the weight with you, throw them away.

The couple is perfect and the sex is hot and spicy (ohhhhh the sex toys 🔥....)