River Road

River's End #4

by Leanne Davis

AJ Reed meets fiery Kate Morgan and he isn’t quite sure what to do with her… even as she’s sure she knows exactly what she wants to do with him, until her heart gets in the way… and suddenly it all becomes more than either of them ever bargained for.

Taking a wrong turn along River Road, Kate runs into a big, muscled cowboy who seems to know horses and hard living… And works for her long-lost brother, Jack Rydell. She has come to the Rydell River Ranch after finding out she has a brother she never knew about. She quickly decides that Jack’s foreman, will be her hot, quick fling for the summer. In that time, no one realizes her connection to the ranch, until one explosive day when she might lose everything she never knew she wanted, but has found in the most unexpected of places.

Cowboy, bull rider, ranch foreman, and former convict, AJ Reed had a rough start to life that led to many bad choices when he rode the rodeo circuit. Seeking a quiet life now, his full loyalty resides with Jack Rydell, who gave him a job, home, and identity, when no one else would. AJ soon realizes that the woman he just might have feelings for is his boss’s sister, and she threatens the only real place he’s ever belonged.

But then out of nowhere, a state social worker brings AJ a mixed up, sullen, teenage girl, named Cami, who they claim is his daughter. Left reeling and uncertain, he turns to Kate for guidance, as she is the only person who seems to get a reaction out of the angry, rebellious teen left on his doorstep. But how can a man who’s never been accountable to anything or anyone hope to commit to not just a place, but a woman and a daughter?


Binge read this contemporary, western romance series, full of hot cowboys and family entanglements that is based around the Rydell River Ranch brought to you by small-town romance author Leanne Davis…

Recommended Reading Order for River's End Series:
River's End
River's Escape
River's Return
River Road
River on Fire
River's Lost
River of Change
River's Destiny
River's Rescue
River's Winter

Continue with the next generation with The Rydell River Ranch Series:
River in Darkness
River in Light
River in the Mountains
River at the Ranch
River to the Ocean
River from the City
River Through the Valley

Each book is a standalone with a happily-ever after but the journey getting there? Never easy and always epic! You’ll get to check in with beloved characters in this interconnected standalone series.

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Amazon

Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 2016

About the author

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Raw. Real. Emotional Romance. Writing provocative and darker themed romance that always finds its happily ever after!

With 50 plus, full length books there is a story for everyone!
Cowboy romance? Got it! Small town... yep. Big city rock star? Covered! You like a little suspense? Yep, got a few of those too.

Most of my books are standalone stories in connected series. Whether it's the setting, theme or family connections, my series are often multi-generational and span decades. While each book is a complete story, beloved characters will pop in and out of these sagas. I stick to new adult, contemporary and western romances, with tons of emotion and all the feels tucked into them.

I live in the rainy area of Western Washington, and spend as much time as I can traveling to destinations all across the state, where I do all things outdoors.
Many of these locations become the settings for my books.
I earned my business degree from Western Washington University, and worked for several years in the construction management field before turning to writing full time.

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Email me➜➜ leanne@leannedavis.net

My Books:
River's End
Rydell River Ranch Series
The Sister Series
The Zenith Series
The Seaclusion Series
Diversions
At the Next Table

Reviews

[Jacqueline J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was sort of a different kettle of fish. The heroine was pretty much a ball buster. I was not real fond of her but that was probably just personal preference. She wasn't stupid with it but she did seem to push the hero around a bit especially at first. The hero was pretty beta and hangdog. He didn't have much confidence in himself. So these two ended up together which seemed a bit weird since the author didn't really sell me on what they saw in each other except sex. Still it was a pretty decent addition to the series.

[Late To Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed a lot of this author’s books, which I have found a bit rough around the edges, but with compelling stories. This one didn’t quite do it for me- I found the heroine really really unlikeable and I also wasn’t convinced that she a successful business owner. She finds out that she is the half sister of Jack Rydell, the hero of a previous book, so she books into the farm accommodation and basically stalks Jack’s family. I was wanting to sing out “run, run away now” to the hero, a gentle self-effacing farm hand. I would have much preferred to read more of Jack and Erin, the couple from the first book. At this stage I’m not sure if I’m going to continue with the series.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Live her writing style

While I totally love her books, I had trouble getting into this book.
The main reason was that the rape of AK was nit addressed as such. We teach females "NO MEANS NO". Then a female forces herself on a nan even when he has said no it is not addressed properly. Kate's character should have been more in tune to his wishes. Instead this book TO ME portrays her asxa strong woman that has no concern for AJ's wishes and decides it's perfectly ok for her to take what was NOT offered freely.
If the scene had been reversed there would not have been a future relationship of the characters.
I hope this is the last book something like this happens in.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

River Road follows ranch foreman AJ and Kate (Jack’s half sister). Kate cones to the ranch looking for Jack after her mother recently died and she discovered she had abandoned Jack when he was only 2. I loved AJ’s character but only in the final few chapters did Kate grow on me. AJ discovers he has an unknown teenage daughter he needs to take in after her mother dies and it’s only them that I grew to like Kate. Or my favourite book in the series, simply because Kate grate on my nerves, but I think that was kind of intensional.

[Rebecca Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Morgan's mother has just died and she discovers that she has a half-brother, Jack Rydell, that she knew nothing about. Curious to learn more about him she heads to the Rydell Ranch to see the man he has become.

AJ Reed is the foreman out at Rydell Ranch after bouncing around for many years as an ex-bull rider and spending a brief time in prison. He has finally found a home at the Ranch although he still doesn't feel like he is entitled to any of it, no matter how much Jack treats him well.

When AJ and Kate meet sparks fly and Kate's boldness is somewhat intimidating to AJ. Yet Kate is able to convince AJ to give her a shot.

When secrets are revealed will Kate lose AJ and any chance at a relationship with Jack? When a surprise from AJ's own past comes back will he be able to do it on his own or will he finally accept the help that is being offered?

This is another great book in the series and I really enjoyed the focus on AJ.

At the beginning of the book I really did not like Kate at all. I was super mad at how she was trying to get info on Jack with sneaking around as I really like Jack after getting to know him in the previous books. She was a little manipulative and then I saw how she was going after AJ and I was worried.

AJ had cleaned up his life after what he went through in his past and I was definitely worried that Kate would corrupt him! He was so dedicated to Jack but I felt bad for him that he didn't feel like he deserved all the help and praise that Jack gave him.

The chemistry between AJ and Kate was hot and I was worried about how explosive things would get when the truth eventually came out.

The big reveal was huge and I was not disappointed at all in how everything went down!! That being said the next twist was just as good and I was wondering how AJ was going to handle everything.

When we first meet Cami she was absolutely awful and I think I liked her way less than what I thought of Kate. It was obvious she needed someone to set her straight, especially after the Joey incident. I understood why she was acting out but it was definitely worrisome!

I wondered what was going to happen with Kate's job but I liked how she eventually found a way for everything to work out and that AJ finally accepted some help!

Great series and I look forward to more!

[Amy Crull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say I am so excited that the author decided to write about AJ?! We get little glimpses of him throughout the other books and all we know is that he's the ranch foreman. He does all the dirty work on the farm. He has a story that just breaks your heart. He was in foster care and had a crappy dad who used him for his own personal gain. He was never taught the most basic things like carrying on a conversation. Meeting Kate changed his life in so many ways. I seriously fell in love with this man. He had his convictions that were set in stone until Kate. Kate jumbles up his life. She has attitude and a temper that could make a grown man cry. She is a no nonsense kind of woman. She knows how to run a business. She also doesn't know how to read people and comes on a little too strongly at times especially with AJ. She jumps a lot of conclusions; most are wrong and hurt people in the process. She's hiding a secret that throws everyone for a loop. There's also a huge surprise for AJ in this book. This book had me hooked and couldn't put it down! So much drama and excitement in this book! I will say that I love how Kate encourages AJ to do things he wouldn't normally do. They somehow balance each other out. AJ grew so much in this book and really he had no choice but to. He had responsibility.
This book was such incredible!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, full disclosure I skimmed the first 50% of this. I didn't like Kate much, it was downright weird how sho wanted to blame a kid who was two and a half for his mother leaving him, thinking there might have been something about him that drove his mother away, no, just no.
Kate and AJ's first sexual encounter felt pretty borderline on sexual assault from Kate on AJ, which was a bit icky.
I didn't really like the writing style at times but I started to appreciate it a bit more after the halfway mark and stopped skimming.
The characters come across very human, and you could understand how each of them behaved because of their backgrounds. I liked that, often books portray people who've had a shitty upbringing like AJ did making good and turning out fabulous, of course that happens, but AJ has had a tougher time making good.
Kate and AJ turn out to be good for each other, their strengths being what the other person needs.
Kate comes across as abrasive but she becomes AJ's fiercest defender and I liked her so much more for that.
These are people who stuff up, say the wrong thing, don't know what to say, but pick themselves up and keep going.
These books are in Kindle Unlimited so I may well give some others a whirl.

[Kitty Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ's the ranch foreman at Rydell ranch and he's virtually Jack's right hand man. And he liked his life just the way it was. It was a nice quiet honest work filled life with no drama compared to his brutal past growing up in foster homes and his stint on the rodeo circuit. Then Kate walks into his life and she is loud and brash and she is every bit the quintessential city girl and very forward in her lust for AJ. She's reeling from her mother's death and a deep dark secret her mother kept from her all her life that leads her to Rydell River Ranch. She's there to meet Jack, her long lost brother she never knew she had. AJ himself is dealing with the shock of a social worker dumping Cami on his doorstep, an emotional wreck teenaged daughter he never knew about.

I really enjoy this series. I'm inclined to keep following it as long as it keeps going. This series is so well written. The characters are well defined, the emotions are deep and the stories are real and relatable. This book seems longer than the rest or else I just got so into it that it just seems that way. I can't find any reason to give it any less than five stars.

[Dianne S · Rating 1 out of 5]

I get what the author was trying to do with the whole role reversal thing and it could have worked if the mcs were more likeable.

Twelve pages in the "hero" describes his best qualities as "having the arms of a gorilla, the back of a mule and the determination of a thoroughbred".
The author has him talk slow and constantly keeping his eyes downcast in order to make him sound shy and unsure of himself. Instead he just sounds like a moron. Literally, as in a person with a very low IQ.
His slavish devotion to the family he works for only added to the impression he was of very low intelligence. He's so eternally grateful to them for providing him with a permanent address by giving him a trailer to live in.

Then on page 25 when she catches him kissing a horse and talking to it he (quote) pointed the toe of one of his boots and drew a little circle in the sand (unquote). You can't be serious! what is he, a 5 year old boy?! He actually does this exact same thing again later, after the first time they have sex!

As for the female mc, she's supposed to be a strong, confident, independent person. Unfortunately she's just selfish, rude and obnoxious. Oh, and she pretty much forces him into having sex after he's told her no in very definite terms. No means no, for EVERYONE, not just women.

I skimmed most of the book just to see what happened with her brother and the book did improve towards the end. Unfortunately I just couldn't get the image of this hulking gorilla of a man drawing in the sand with his toe like a little kid out of my head. Ugh.

1 star for the last 50 pages.

[Mayhem-RW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Morgan is a no holds barred person. What she wants, she goes after, and after a wrong turn where she meets A.J. Reed, she knows what she wants for the summer. But then, she is here because her mom died not long ago, and she found out that she had a brother based on the birth certificate she found among her things. Now she could not understand why her loving mother abandoned her brother so long ago. So, she assumed a lot of things but was she wrong or right?

I like strong female leads, but at first, I thought Kate Morgan was over the top, but as we got to know her and how AJ was her opposite, her center, we could only hope her arrogance would not push him away. Well done, Mrs. Davis. I liked the dichotomy between the two main characters and how they came together when the bomb was dropped.

If you can get over an overbearing, know it all, who is the female lead character, you just might like Kate’s and AJ’s burgeoning romance. I give this read five stars out of five stars.

[Claire M · Rating 5 out of 5]

City girl meets country cowboy plus a whole lot more!

I love how even though this is book 4 in the series not one book is the same there is nothing repetitive each book is stand out! Yes all the books have the main stay characters but each new person introduced fits in.

AJ is the long time ranch foreman at Rydell ranch and willing to do everything Jack and his brothers ask him to. He seems shy and quiet but is it just that he needs the right person to talk to?
Kate has just learned she has a brother that her mother left behind before she was even born, how could she! Kate has to find him so she travels to Rivers End to find her brother Jack Rydell but when she meets AJ will she find something else to stay for?
There a few big bumps in the road for Aj and Kate but will they overcome them or will Kate return to her city life?

[Robyn Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book numbe four and every book is different and not the same. AJ is the farm hand and falls for the beautiful Kate who has come to find her brother. I’ve enjoyed a lot of this author’s books, but I found this book not what I expected. The heroine does not seem to be business savvy and stalks the Rydell family. I do like her style of writing but this one was kind out there for me. AJ was the ranch foreman and did all the work on the farm. I felt sorry for him because he was in foster care and had a bad father. Kate is rough with him, coming off to strong, so this displays hurt in her life. She hurt people too often. I won't say no more, but I will give the book a five, not my favorite book of the author, but she writes very well.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

River's Road has so far been my favorite book in the River's End series and I've read them all thus far! AJ and Kate, wow is all I can say! After her mother died Kate came to River's End in search of Jack, a brother she did know she had and found herself attracted to the ranch foreman AJ. Though AJ who has turned his life around and was doing a great job of it tried so hard to resist her advances she was persistent and he eventually gave in and their chemistry was off the charts.
Once all the secrets were revealed and out in the open things started to seem they were going great until AJ got another surprise he wasn't expecting.
I seriously couldn't stop reading! I'm now starting River's Fire and can't wait to see what happens with Joey!

[Loralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always fun returning to River's End to visit the Rydell family. You never know what they will be up to next. Learning more this trip about A.J. who is Jack's right hand man on the ranch. At first glance he is quiet, respectful, grateful and hard working. There's much more to him than expected, which is a little shocking, but he's determined to live a simple, but respectful life. And then in walks--or maybe blows-- in Kate. She's like a tornado determined to meet her long-lost brother and takes a liking to A.J. I really like Kate's character. She's her own woman and goes after what she wants with no regrets. She's a good match for A.J., helping him to enjoy life. The little twist to the story threw me for a loop, but it made the story much richer.

[Wanda Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cowboy and the city girl

I thought this book was exceptional. I fell in love with Kate and AJ even though I spent some time not liking Kate very much. Used to being in charge she goes too far with AJ. He is quiet and reserved and I felt sympathy for him when the reason was revealed. Kate came to River Road Resort looking for a half brother she had discovered existed after the death of her mother. Jack and his family are a major part of the story and I fell in love with them as well.

There were things I was not expecting that brought complexity to the plot. I liked that part of the book. I got involved in Kate and AJ's story and really connected with them. The ending was a little rushed but none the less satisfying. I recommend as a story you can really get into.

[Rebecca C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

River Road is another emotionally grounded, character-driven romance from Leanne Davis, blending rugged small-town life with heartfelt healing. The story follows protagonists shaped by past pain who find themselves drawn together on familiar terrain, each carrying wounds they’re hesitant to expose.
Davis writes with sensitivity and realism, letting relationships unfold at a natural, deliberate pace.

The small-town/ranch setting adds texture and warmth, while the emotional core—about trust, forgiveness, and taking risks on love again—gives the story its lasting impact. This isn’t a quick, carefree romance, but one that earns its tender moments through honest vulnerability.

Verdict: A heartfelt, slow-burn love story rooted in resilience and quiet hope, ideal for readers who enjoy emotionally rich contemporary romance.

[Tammy Deighan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say this book had a little bit of everything in it. Death, sadness, love, laughs and twists that you didn't see coming. I thought the whole shy cowboy and the get in your face city girl was just a messy situation. Then along with that there was life and when you throw unanswered questions and families that you never knew you had the story starts getting a lot less messy. I enjoyed the whole trying to start over and being tempted it made it real. I enjoy reading things that are like it really could happen not oh what a wonderful life and everyone is sooooo happy. Not saying you wont get there but its a struggle sometimes and I'm glad they take the time to make it real.

[Mary Fazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ Reed is the Farm hand on the ranch owed by the Rydell’s. He was a quite and a hard worker. Jack had rules about the Farm hands not to engage customers that stare on the ranch at that resort. Kate went to the resort to learn about part of her life that she never knew about. Kate lost her mom and found a secret that she needed to see for herself, but the one thing she didn’t know she would find is a family that needed her and she needed them. I’ve loved this series since the beginning and every book gets better and better. This is one that two different world combined to make things perfect for them.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rydell Ranch seems to be an island of misfits at the river's end. Amidst all the other orphans AJ has finally found a place that he truly belongs. However, he finds that peace threatened when not one, but two strange women show up at the ranch vying for roles in his life. Kate is a one-woman-wrecking-ball of personality and comes to the Rydell's safe haven with motives of her own, which did not involve getting involved with the sexy, self-conscious foreman. But maybe her hunt for family will turn up more than she bargained for. Leanne Davis has done it again with another emotional, riveting installment in the River's End series.

[Andrea Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting to know AJ better. I was not expecting him to be so shy! I'm really glad he met Kate she was exactly what he needed to restore him to himself. AJ thought he was happy keeping his head down and doing everything he was told. That is until he met Kate, who showed him it is ok to stand up for yourself and to voice an opinion when it involves you. I really enjoyed watching AJ grow and evolve and I loved the journey for both him and Kate. I cant wait to see how things are going in the next book!

[Black Butterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I TOTALLY DID ENJOY AJ, KATE, CAMI AND ALL THE OTHER CHARACTERS, I LOVED IT. THE STORY WAS WONDERFUL AND THE H/h WERE DIFFERENT AND SO LOVABLE. KATE'S WAY OF THINKING ABOUT BIRTHING AND LABOR WAS FAR FROM HOW IT REALLY FEELS, AT LEAST NOT FOR ME. AJ's UPBRINGING WAS HORRIBLE, I'M AMAZED HE WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME ANY OF IT. WHEN I STARTED READING THIS, I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH I WAS GOING TO LOVE THIS BOOK. I NEEDED MY TISSUE BOX, SOMETHING I HAVEN'T HAD TO DO FOR QUITE AWHILE. THIS WAS MAGNIFICENT. ;D

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rydell family have to deal with more conflict and emotional issues as a long lost sister appears at the River Ranch looking for Jack. What Kate Morgan, Jack's unknown sister from Seattle, finds is a big strong cowboy, AJ Reed, and plenty of confusing and misunderstood situations that just shatters the sibling's warm reunion. This warm hearted family once again pulls together to help another lost soul begin to heal and thrive in their care. It was a wonderful story and a pleasure to read with its collection of powerful characters and tender hearts. I Just Loved It. Great Read!!!!!

[Hannah Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

surprisingly good

Book 4 in this series didn’t disappoint. AJ and Kate’s story started off as a basic tale of city girl lusting after the hot cowboy. However it turned into so much more as the characters developed. AJ was always likeable but Kate showed her true kind heart as the story went on and their HEA was well deserved. Once again Leanne Davis has created a place that comes alive to the reader. I’m not normally a big fan of such long book series but every book so far in this one has been different to the last and totally worth reading

[Tracy Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be book 4 of the series but it made a great standalone read as well. AJ Reed is a cowboy through and through. His life growing up was anything but good and yet AJ managed to turn his life around and make a life for himself at the Rivers End Ranch. He meets his match in Kate Morgan a visiting city girl who just learned the owner is her half brother. This book has redemption, religion, romance, healing and a few surprises to keep you on the edge of your seat!

[Christine Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ works hard and he is trying to get his life back on track he's been attending church. he meets Kate when she is trying to locate her half brother jack who she just found out about. she doesn't tell that right away but she gets to meet his family. AJ and Kate are awesome together. AJ finds out about a daughter and he is going to step up to the plate Kate helps him what she can she has a business to run in Seattle i loved the ending.
this is my voluntary review of this book

[Samantha Waldow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the River Ends series. Dang, these books keep getting better and better.  This one takes us on AJ and Kates adventure. We have heard about AJ through the first 3 books. He's the ranch hand and just loves to be there. A place he can call home.  He meets Kate one hot day. He thought she was lost but she wasn't.  She was looking for her brother she just learned about. I really enjoyed reading this story. The twists in the this book were great.

[Bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate Morgan is searching for answers and to meet the brother she never knew she had. Arriving at Rydell River Resort is meets AJ Reed. AJ having grown up in foster care considers the Rydells' his family, learning that Kate is his boss's half sister makes him weary of starting a relationship and jeopardizing current "family" but he can't ignore how Kate and her daughter make him feel. Another good read in the Rydell dynasty.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haaaaated Kate

So this one was an interesting take on male/female alpha/victim dynamics. AJ is the self loathing victim and Kate is the alpha ball buster. Both kinda irritated me in these roles, but Kate really look the cake with her selfishness, self righteousness, and ‘craziness’. Not to mention, her whole purpose is to justify her mother leaving her son when he was TWO YEARS OLD. Nothing justifies that. He isn’t cruel or abusive as a BABY.

[Leeanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly riveting

So many stories being told in one book! The author continues her winning streak with the people of the Rydell River Ranch. A man working where he has always been welcomed, a woman reeling from a family secret which in turn may cause upset at the Ranch. Then we are introduced to an unknown daughter. Whew! Lots of different little parts that make the story truly riveting. You gotta read it to find out what happens! You know you want to!

[Gina Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have yet to read anything from Leanne Davis that didn't make me feel something.
Joy, love, anger, sorrow, compassion, forgiveness...you name it.
I have yet to read one of her books and not simply feel.
Her characters are raw and real. Refreshing and honest.
This is AJ and Kate.
This is love, at long last....when you feel you don't deserve it, is when you need it the most.
I'll read everything and anything she writes.