What do you think?
Rate this book
Texas Cattleman's Club: The Wedding #2
Designs on a Rancher
A cosmopolitan designer gets a taste of country life with Royal, Texas’s hottest rancher in the latest installment of Texas Cattleman's The Wedding by LaQuette!She’s willing to give him everything in bed But will she risk her career for passion? Keely Tucker knows designing a showstopping wedding dress for a movie starlet is the career-making opportunity of a lifetime. But Jacob Chatman has sent her focus into a tailspin! When a blackout leaves her stranded with a rancher she can’t resist, their passion practically sets the sheets on fire. Jacob admires her drive…but is their hookup worth Keely risking her hard-earned ambitions for a life in Texas?From Harlequin A luxurious world of bold encounters and sizzling chemistry.You’ll be swept away by this bold, sizzling romance, part of the Texas Cattleman's The Wedding Book 1: A Cowboy Kind of Thing by Reese RyanBook 2: Designs on a Rancher by LaQuetteBook 3: Four Weeks to Forever by Karen BoothBook 4: Make Believe Match by Joanne RockBook 5: Oh So Wrong with Mr. Right by Nadine GonzalezBook 6: The Man She Loves to Hate by Jessica Lemmon
224 pages, ebook
Published February 21, 2023
35 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
LaQuette
82 books567 followersLaQuette writes sexy, stylish, and sensational romance—the kind of sentimental-and-steamy stories that feel like Hallmark movies… if Hallmark suddenly ramped up the sexy and gave us the hawt love scenes we deserve. Expect big emotions, bold choices, and characters who strut through the pages like the book is their own personal runway.
A proud Brooklyn native, she crafts unapologetically bold, character-driven Black and interracial romances where Black women are joy-filled, desired, and absolutely treasured. These women know they belong on the page—and dare you to try telling them otherwise.
When this current Ph.D. student isn’t writing, reading, or studying, she’s probably trying on (or hunting down) her next must-have makeup find. And honestly? No one would be surprised if it’s yet another shade of red or pink lipstick. At this point, it’s basically a personality trait. Contact her at https://dot.cards/laquette.
A proud Brooklyn native, she crafts unapologetically bold, character-driven Black and interracial romances where Black women are joy-filled, desired, and absolutely treasured. These women know they belong on the page—and dare you to try telling them otherwise.
When this current Ph.D. student isn’t writing, reading, or studying, she’s probably trying on (or hunting down) her next must-have makeup find. And honestly? No one would be surprised if it’s yet another shade of red or pink lipstick. At this point, it’s basically a personality trait. Contact her at https://dot.cards/laquette.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 22, 2023
Designs on a Rancher places the reader back in Royal, Texas. Keely Tucker was born and bred in Brooklyn. She’s growing her designer business from B-list celebrities to A-list, thanks to a great opportunity to style a wedding gown for actress Ariana Romos. As Keely settles into her suite in Royal, the power goes out in most of the town. Ariana comes to the rescue and finds the perfect place for Keely to spread out and work on the gown.
Jacob Chatman owns the premier horse ranch in Royal. He’s also married to his work. He begrudgingly agrees to let Keely stay in one of his cabins. The original plan is to ignore Keely, however that is hard to do as Jacob notices that Keely is thick, curvy and sexy, which is how he likes his women. She’s not what he expected and is equally caught off guard. His deep voice rumbled through the night air. Jacob tried to make snarky comments to fight his attraction, but Keely wasn’t having it and prepared to go toe to toe with him. She felt he had no right to be so sexy and a pain in the butt at the same time.
The theme is definitely opposites attract on the surface. Keely is from the big city and Jacob is a cowboy through and through. However, they also have a lot in common. Their careers are their priority, and they don’t have time to cultivate a relationship. Keely wanted “friends with benefits” but had trouble getting the “friend” part satisfied in the past. They were blunt when it came to what they wanted, but they are also thoughtful and caring. They became in tune with each other pretty quickly and the physical scenes are steamy.
Curvy and confident women are a theme in Laquette’s books. I enjoyed this story and recommend it. I received an ARC from Netgalley, in return for my honest review.
Jacob Chatman owns the premier horse ranch in Royal. He’s also married to his work. He begrudgingly agrees to let Keely stay in one of his cabins. The original plan is to ignore Keely, however that is hard to do as Jacob notices that Keely is thick, curvy and sexy, which is how he likes his women. She’s not what he expected and is equally caught off guard. His deep voice rumbled through the night air. Jacob tried to make snarky comments to fight his attraction, but Keely wasn’t having it and prepared to go toe to toe with him. She felt he had no right to be so sexy and a pain in the butt at the same time.
The theme is definitely opposites attract on the surface. Keely is from the big city and Jacob is a cowboy through and through. However, they also have a lot in common. Their careers are their priority, and they don’t have time to cultivate a relationship. Keely wanted “friends with benefits” but had trouble getting the “friend” part satisfied in the past. They were blunt when it came to what they wanted, but they are also thoughtful and caring. They became in tune with each other pretty quickly and the physical scenes are steamy.
Curvy and confident women are a theme in Laquette’s books. I enjoyed this story and recommend it. I received an ARC from Netgalley, in return for my honest review.
March 7, 2023
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
Designs on a Rancher is the second title in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding multi-author series, and it delivers a sexy-as-sin couple with attitude galore because both believe they are completely in control of how their relationship will pan out… and they both would be wrong about that delightful fact.
Keely is ambitious, talented, and set to move to the next level in her business of creating magical, specific wedding gowns. She has moved to the top of the Hollywood tier when she is contracted to create a wedding gown for one-half of a powerhouse couple – that she’s as east coast as they come, and this wedding is taking place in cowboy country, is perhaps not exactly what she counted on, but it’s a major wedding featuring her designs so she’ll go where the couple goes. What she didn’t expect was a blackout that could prevent her from getting the dress finished on time… or the sexy cowboy who reluctantly comes to her rescue.
Jacob lives and breathes through his devotion to his ranch. It’s the one thing that is completely in his control, the thing that will never let him down, and he makes no excuse for his absolute focus on what brings him happiness. Although, his ranch might be in for some competition when he’s asked to allow an out-of-owner to use one of his cabins during the blackout. Keely is gorgeous, full of attitude, curvy, and stubborn. She’s got talent and isn’t afraid to state exactly what she wants and expects from any given situation. And the major situation they find themselves in is the strong, smoldering passion between them from that first introduction.
I enjoyed Designs on a Rancher so much. While Keely and Jacob might come from different backgrounds and have their hearts work in different areas they fit so well together in so many ways. Stubborn and determined, although not in a way that takes away from the thing they love beyond anything else – their work – or the work that used to be their top priority, now they’re learning how to compromise their passions in a way that can lead to a forever kind of love. I love when that “aha” moment comes along for any couple, and Jacob’s was so heartwarming, even though Keely’s panic was obvious. Watching this couple fight their inner demons, their belief that love won’t last or that business comes first, was an emotional journey full of underlying tensions, passionate moments, some compromise, and the discovery that love can work when two people want it badly enough. That’s often a hard lesson to learn that it is possible to “have it all” with a small amount of compromise tossed into the equation.
If you love a passionate couple with a few issues to work through, if stubborn is as sexy as sin, or if you simply love a well-written, realistic romance… then Designs on a Rancher is a perfect fit for you.
I own a Kindle edition of this title.
Designs on a Rancher is the second title in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding multi-author series, and it delivers a sexy-as-sin couple with attitude galore because both believe they are completely in control of how their relationship will pan out… and they both would be wrong about that delightful fact.
Keely is ambitious, talented, and set to move to the next level in her business of creating magical, specific wedding gowns. She has moved to the top of the Hollywood tier when she is contracted to create a wedding gown for one-half of a powerhouse couple – that she’s as east coast as they come, and this wedding is taking place in cowboy country, is perhaps not exactly what she counted on, but it’s a major wedding featuring her designs so she’ll go where the couple goes. What she didn’t expect was a blackout that could prevent her from getting the dress finished on time… or the sexy cowboy who reluctantly comes to her rescue.
Jacob lives and breathes through his devotion to his ranch. It’s the one thing that is completely in his control, the thing that will never let him down, and he makes no excuse for his absolute focus on what brings him happiness. Although, his ranch might be in for some competition when he’s asked to allow an out-of-owner to use one of his cabins during the blackout. Keely is gorgeous, full of attitude, curvy, and stubborn. She’s got talent and isn’t afraid to state exactly what she wants and expects from any given situation. And the major situation they find themselves in is the strong, smoldering passion between them from that first introduction.
I enjoyed Designs on a Rancher so much. While Keely and Jacob might come from different backgrounds and have their hearts work in different areas they fit so well together in so many ways. Stubborn and determined, although not in a way that takes away from the thing they love beyond anything else – their work – or the work that used to be their top priority, now they’re learning how to compromise their passions in a way that can lead to a forever kind of love. I love when that “aha” moment comes along for any couple, and Jacob’s was so heartwarming, even though Keely’s panic was obvious. Watching this couple fight their inner demons, their belief that love won’t last or that business comes first, was an emotional journey full of underlying tensions, passionate moments, some compromise, and the discovery that love can work when two people want it badly enough. That’s often a hard lesson to learn that it is possible to “have it all” with a small amount of compromise tossed into the equation.
If you love a passionate couple with a few issues to work through, if stubborn is as sexy as sin, or if you simply love a well-written, realistic romance… then Designs on a Rancher is a perfect fit for you.
I own a Kindle edition of this title.
February 24, 2023
Good book about two seemingly opposites who have more in common than they expect. I enjoyed this city girl meets country boy story.
Keely was born and raised in the Brooklyn projects. She took the drive and ambition she learned from her parents and applied it to her dream of a career in fashion. Her business is everything to her, and she puts it first in her life. After years of hard work, she will take her business to the next level with her custom-designed wedding dress for movie starlet Ariana. When the power goes out in her hotel and most of the town of Royal, Ariana finds a new place to stay.
Jacob is a rancher and horse trainer who is married to his work. He has no time to make nice with some city woman but agrees to let Keely stay in his guest cabin. He plans to ignore her, but that idea disappears when he meets her.
The sparks flew between Keely and Jacob from the moment they met. Some of those sparks were antagonism, but most were attraction. Fighting it doesn't work, and since neither is interested in a relationship, they decide to go for a short-term friends-with-benefits arrangement. Two or three weeks should be enough time to get it out of their systems.
I liked Keely. She knows what she wants and doesn't beat around the bush when going after it. She's confident in who she is, and her backstory adds depth to how she got there. I loved her focus, determination, and creativity evident in her collaborations with the other vendors.
I also liked Jacob. His goal of being a top-rated trainer is within reach, and nothing will get in the way of making it happen. He's driven but not obnoxious about it. He has a good relationship with the people who work for him, and it's obvious that they respect him.
I enjoyed seeing the development of their relationship. Keely and Jacob go into their affair with the clear understanding that their work comes first, and they aren't interested in anything permanent. Though they see themselves as opposites because of the city vs. country thing, they have more in common than they realize. I enjoyed some of their time together as they shared meals, rides, life stories, and fantastic chemistry. As they spend more time together, each realizes they want more than they agreed to.
A dinner engagement with a significant potential customer brings out Jacob's nerves, and he talks Keely into coming along for moral support. But that dinner opens their eyes to their growing feelings, which sends Keely scrambling to put distance between them. I ached for Jacob, who had no idea what had happened, and I liked how he called her out on it, leaving her to do some soul-searching. The ending was good as they realized that loving each other wasn't the hindrance they feared but a chance for their dreams to come true.
#netgalley
Keely was born and raised in the Brooklyn projects. She took the drive and ambition she learned from her parents and applied it to her dream of a career in fashion. Her business is everything to her, and she puts it first in her life. After years of hard work, she will take her business to the next level with her custom-designed wedding dress for movie starlet Ariana. When the power goes out in her hotel and most of the town of Royal, Ariana finds a new place to stay.
Jacob is a rancher and horse trainer who is married to his work. He has no time to make nice with some city woman but agrees to let Keely stay in his guest cabin. He plans to ignore her, but that idea disappears when he meets her.
The sparks flew between Keely and Jacob from the moment they met. Some of those sparks were antagonism, but most were attraction. Fighting it doesn't work, and since neither is interested in a relationship, they decide to go for a short-term friends-with-benefits arrangement. Two or three weeks should be enough time to get it out of their systems.
I liked Keely. She knows what she wants and doesn't beat around the bush when going after it. She's confident in who she is, and her backstory adds depth to how she got there. I loved her focus, determination, and creativity evident in her collaborations with the other vendors.
I also liked Jacob. His goal of being a top-rated trainer is within reach, and nothing will get in the way of making it happen. He's driven but not obnoxious about it. He has a good relationship with the people who work for him, and it's obvious that they respect him.
I enjoyed seeing the development of their relationship. Keely and Jacob go into their affair with the clear understanding that their work comes first, and they aren't interested in anything permanent. Though they see themselves as opposites because of the city vs. country thing, they have more in common than they realize. I enjoyed some of their time together as they shared meals, rides, life stories, and fantastic chemistry. As they spend more time together, each realizes they want more than they agreed to.
A dinner engagement with a significant potential customer brings out Jacob's nerves, and he talks Keely into coming along for moral support. But that dinner opens their eyes to their growing feelings, which sends Keely scrambling to put distance between them. I ached for Jacob, who had no idea what had happened, and I liked how he called her out on it, leaving her to do some soul-searching. The ending was good as they realized that loving each other wasn't the hindrance they feared but a chance for their dreams to come true.
#netgalley
March 16, 2023
LaQuette is an author I’ve had on my reading wishlist for a while now. In fact, her Devereaux Inc. series graces my bookshelf. Making her Royal, Texas debut with Designs on a Rancher, the standalone second book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding series is what moved her from my one-day read list to new to me author list.
In Designs on a Rancher, Brooklyn, New York native Keely Tucker who owns Low-Kee Designs is attempting to go from being a stylist to B-List celebrities to becoming a designer to the stars. Keely has been picked by actress Ariana Ramos to design her wedding dress when she marries Royal’s own best-selling author Xavier Noble in Royal. Keely is in Royal to get some ideas in order to incorporate some of Texas into the design.
Jacob Chatman is a name I think I’ve heard before. He’s a horse trainer and owner of Slick Six Stables. He has spent the last eight years working and sacrificing toward his dream of turning the ranch into the number one horse stable in the world. With sheer focus and determination, it’s just a matter of time before he reaches his dream.
The entire town of Royal is experiencing a blackout. Since Jacob is on a different grid than the rest of the town, he and his ranch are one of the few to still have power. Jacob’s good friend Tripp Noble, Xavier’s cousin who is helping out with the wedding asks Jacob to host Keely in one of his cabins. Jacob reluctantly agrees, not knowing that his life is about to change. Keely is unlike any heroine I’ve read before. Upon her first meeting with Jacob, she doesn’t mince words, which he definitely appreciates.
I loved Designs on a Rancher for a multitude of reasons. This is an opposites attract story where they each support and want the best for each other. Keely and Jacob understand one another to their core and don’t want to change them. I loved that Jacob is this big guy who doesn’t really like or want to interact with people, but he has such an amazing soft spot for horses. I love their passion and the way they challenge each other. Their banter is fun and they pull no punches with being honest with each other. What I really loved more than anything about this story was the way it made me feel. I’m a Texas girl and black rodeo and cowboys were literally within reach and I never understood the rich culture and importance of it. LaQuette via Jacob gave me that.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“Beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Never let anyone’s ignorance define who you are or who you want to be.”
“There’s no greater regret than the one of not trying at all.”
**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a paperback copy.**
In Designs on a Rancher, Brooklyn, New York native Keely Tucker who owns Low-Kee Designs is attempting to go from being a stylist to B-List celebrities to becoming a designer to the stars. Keely has been picked by actress Ariana Ramos to design her wedding dress when she marries Royal’s own best-selling author Xavier Noble in Royal. Keely is in Royal to get some ideas in order to incorporate some of Texas into the design.
Jacob Chatman is a name I think I’ve heard before. He’s a horse trainer and owner of Slick Six Stables. He has spent the last eight years working and sacrificing toward his dream of turning the ranch into the number one horse stable in the world. With sheer focus and determination, it’s just a matter of time before he reaches his dream.
The entire town of Royal is experiencing a blackout. Since Jacob is on a different grid than the rest of the town, he and his ranch are one of the few to still have power. Jacob’s good friend Tripp Noble, Xavier’s cousin who is helping out with the wedding asks Jacob to host Keely in one of his cabins. Jacob reluctantly agrees, not knowing that his life is about to change. Keely is unlike any heroine I’ve read before. Upon her first meeting with Jacob, she doesn’t mince words, which he definitely appreciates.
I loved Designs on a Rancher for a multitude of reasons. This is an opposites attract story where they each support and want the best for each other. Keely and Jacob understand one another to their core and don’t want to change them. I loved that Jacob is this big guy who doesn’t really like or want to interact with people, but he has such an amazing soft spot for horses. I love their passion and the way they challenge each other. Their banter is fun and they pull no punches with being honest with each other. What I really loved more than anything about this story was the way it made me feel. I’m a Texas girl and black rodeo and cowboys were literally within reach and I never understood the rich culture and importance of it. LaQuette via Jacob gave me that.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“Beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Never let anyone’s ignorance define who you are or who you want to be.”
“There’s no greater regret than the one of not trying at all.”
**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a paperback copy.**
January 9, 2023
Keely is a Brooklyn girl, an ambitious stylist on the verge of to realizing her dream of becoming a big name designer. Jacob is successful and quite firmly a Texas rancher. Though both are African American they are as opposite as can be in every other way. But their attraction to one another is off the charts.There’s no way they have the time, or inclination, to sacrifice their ambitions to a real relationship so they decide to hook up. That should get the desire out of their systems, right? Well…
Keely is a driven woman who is forthright in her speech. She says what’s on her mind and we, and Jacob, like her the more for it. She doesn’t have a lot of that simpering internal monologue you just want her to come out with. It is fun to see her internally processing her desire for Jacob, though. She is described as curvy and thick and full figured and I love a heroine who looks like me. She refers to her hips as ‘happy hips’! And she is driven to be the best in her business. She doesn’t have time for a relationship.
Jacob, aside from being a dreamy muscled hunk, really knows how to treat a woman. He can focus on them when he’s with them but simply doesn’t have time to hack away from his business to create a relationship.
There’s enough backstory on both of them to make each more multidimensional. Even though this is all happening within a few weeks there is enough time given to their attraction and their coming to terms with it. It doesn’t feel forced or slutty. But there are some dreamy steamy times!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Keely is a driven woman who is forthright in her speech. She says what’s on her mind and we, and Jacob, like her the more for it. She doesn’t have a lot of that simpering internal monologue you just want her to come out with. It is fun to see her internally processing her desire for Jacob, though. She is described as curvy and thick and full figured and I love a heroine who looks like me. She refers to her hips as ‘happy hips’! And she is driven to be the best in her business. She doesn’t have time for a relationship.
Jacob, aside from being a dreamy muscled hunk, really knows how to treat a woman. He can focus on them when he’s with them but simply doesn’t have time to hack away from his business to create a relationship.
There’s enough backstory on both of them to make each more multidimensional. Even though this is all happening within a few weeks there is enough time given to their attraction and their coming to terms with it. It doesn’t feel forced or slutty. But there are some dreamy steamy times!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 16, 2023
Fire!
First, I’d like to thank NetGalley for the advance reviewer’s copy of Designs On A Rancher by LaQuette, which is being released via Harlequin Desire under Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding.
From the first second, Keely Tucker sets foot on Jacob Chatman’s ranch, the sparks start to fly. She’s a no-nonsense, self-made, ambitious designer on a deadline. He’s a hardworking, horse-whispering big-time rancher that will let nothing get in the way of building his empire. The attraction between them is hard to deny, but neither of them has time for clingy relationships, so they decide to hook up. What transpires next is all heat and fire. The chemistry between these two characters is off the charts! Sexy.
LaQuette delivers smooth, realistic dialogue and chemistry between the two well-developed characters. She sets the stage perfectly for the story that unfolds. There is a little bit of angst, but in traditional Harlequin fashion, we don’t sit there too long.
Overall, this is a lovely opposites-attract story filled with passion and a definite must-read. My only issue is that the story felt rushed near the end, and several interesting supporting character arcs didn’t come to fruition. These have less to do with the author’s capability and, I suspect, more to do with the publisher and their parameters. Additionally, I received an advance reviewer’s copy, so edits still need to be made that I hope the publisher will fix before release.
If you’re looking for a steamy, feel-good opposites-attract story, Designs On A Rancher is it.
First, I’d like to thank NetGalley for the advance reviewer’s copy of Designs On A Rancher by LaQuette, which is being released via Harlequin Desire under Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding.
From the first second, Keely Tucker sets foot on Jacob Chatman’s ranch, the sparks start to fly. She’s a no-nonsense, self-made, ambitious designer on a deadline. He’s a hardworking, horse-whispering big-time rancher that will let nothing get in the way of building his empire. The attraction between them is hard to deny, but neither of them has time for clingy relationships, so they decide to hook up. What transpires next is all heat and fire. The chemistry between these two characters is off the charts! Sexy.
LaQuette delivers smooth, realistic dialogue and chemistry between the two well-developed characters. She sets the stage perfectly for the story that unfolds. There is a little bit of angst, but in traditional Harlequin fashion, we don’t sit there too long.
Overall, this is a lovely opposites-attract story filled with passion and a definite must-read. My only issue is that the story felt rushed near the end, and several interesting supporting character arcs didn’t come to fruition. These have less to do with the author’s capability and, I suspect, more to do with the publisher and their parameters. Additionally, I received an advance reviewer’s copy, so edits still need to be made that I hope the publisher will fix before release.
If you’re looking for a steamy, feel-good opposites-attract story, Designs On A Rancher is it.
February 21, 2023
This is the 2nd book in the “Texas Cattleman’s Club Series”. I have been reading about these super sexy alpha Texas Cattlemen for some time now and I have been truly enjoying reading about their journeys to romance. This is an entertaining read that is fast-paced, witty, action packed, a little drama, page turner, great characters and a plot that held me captive. Keely is in the fashion world and making a name for herself. She is designing Ariana’s wedding dress. She hails from the big apple NYC and finds herself in Texas doing the finishing touches on Ariana’s dress. Jacob is a rancher horse trainer. Keely ends up on Jacob’s ranch in his guest house when a black out occurs in the hotel she is staying in. Both Keely and Jacob both have demanding lifestyles leaving very little room for romance that is until they meet and their attraction for each other is mutual. Keely proposes a friends with benefits relationship and Jacob graciously agrees. As the two are spending time together in and out bed enjoying each-others company they find that they both want more than a friends with benefits relationship. I so loved the camaraderie between the two of them; they are so cute. I loved Keely’s bubbly personality, speaking her mind and Jacob was giving as good as he received. If you have never read a book by LaQuette I suggest you read “Designs On A Rancher” you will definitely enjoy it just as much as I did. Less not forget the book cover it is awesome.
Can these to workaholics find a happy medium and sit back and enjoy what is brewing between them?
I received an ARC via NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Harlequin Desire Romance and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Can these to workaholics find a happy medium and sit back and enjoy what is brewing between them?
I received an ARC via NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Harlequin Desire Romance and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
January 11, 2023
Quick Summary: A friends with benefits turned into a forever romance
My Review: Designs on a Rancher by LaQuette was a fast-paced Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding Series installment. It brought together Keely, a career-minded, plus-sized beauty with goals, and Jacob, a classic, lonesome cowboy who was driven to make a success of his ranch.
About the Book: This love story followed the friends with benefits trope. In this book, two strangers were brought together at the behest of mutual friends. As such, they were placed in temporary proximity to one another, due to a need for accommodation. During their time of close contact, an attraction for one another was acknowledged. Arrangements of convenience were established and BOOM, fireworks happen.
Other: While I did enjoy this book and its body positive emphasis, there were a couple of things that I count as other. The two issues didn't dramatically negate or take away from the story overall, however, they did make me pause a bit.
My Final Say: The Texas Cattleman's Club books have a way of enthralling the reader. Designs on a Rancher is no less captivating. I would recommend giving it a read.
Rating: 3.25/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
I voluntarily read this title via NetGalley. Thank you to the author and to the publisher for affording me an opportunity to review this digital ARC.
My Review: Designs on a Rancher by LaQuette was a fast-paced Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding Series installment. It brought together Keely, a career-minded, plus-sized beauty with goals, and Jacob, a classic, lonesome cowboy who was driven to make a success of his ranch.
About the Book: This love story followed the friends with benefits trope. In this book, two strangers were brought together at the behest of mutual friends. As such, they were placed in temporary proximity to one another, due to a need for accommodation. During their time of close contact, an attraction for one another was acknowledged. Arrangements of convenience were established and BOOM, fireworks happen.
Other: While I did enjoy this book and its body positive emphasis, there were a couple of things that I count as other. The two issues didn't dramatically negate or take away from the story overall, however, they did make me pause a bit.
My Final Say: The Texas Cattleman's Club books have a way of enthralling the reader. Designs on a Rancher is no less captivating. I would recommend giving it a read.
Rating: 3.25/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
I voluntarily read this title via NetGalley. Thank you to the author and to the publisher for affording me an opportunity to review this digital ARC.
February 26, 2023
4.5 Stars. Brooklyn fashion designer, Keely, has been hired to make the dress for a celebrity’s wedding that will take place in Royal, TX. When power goes out she ends up staying on the horse ranch of a friend of a friend, Jacob. The two are instantly attracted to one another but they both know that Keely is only in town for a few weeks. They agree to a situationship while Keely’s in town but neither want their relationship to end and must figure out a way forward.
This is the first book by LaQuette I have read and it was wonderful. I’m not usually one for “westerns” but this one worked for me, I adored both Keely and Jacob. Having read Beverly Jenkins books I know a bit of the history of Black cowboys but I enjoyed having that information reiterated in a contemporary romance. I loved that Keely was a full figured woman who loved her body and Jacob only found her more attractive because of it. The chemistry between the two was there from the first meeting and I just really enjoyed them on the page together. A warning to readers, this is the second book in a series of six interconnected stories from various authors, which meant that the overarching wedding plot line was not concluded within this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the digital ARC, and Harlequin for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book by LaQuette I have read and it was wonderful. I’m not usually one for “westerns” but this one worked for me, I adored both Keely and Jacob. Having read Beverly Jenkins books I know a bit of the history of Black cowboys but I enjoyed having that information reiterated in a contemporary romance. I loved that Keely was a full figured woman who loved her body and Jacob only found her more attractive because of it. The chemistry between the two was there from the first meeting and I just really enjoyed them on the page together. A warning to readers, this is the second book in a series of six interconnected stories from various authors, which meant that the overarching wedding plot line was not concluded within this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the digital ARC, and Harlequin for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2023
Making clothes for her sister's Cabbage Patch dolls is how she started as a designer. Now, Keely Tucker dress celebrities. Starting her own company means endless hours and not much time left for hobbies. Her latest project, creating a wedding dress for a movie star, bring her to Royal, Texas, for a few weeks. Unfortunately, almost as soon as she arrives at her hotel room, the power goes out and everyone have to evacuate the place because it seems to be a city problem.
Jacob Chatman is also an all work-no play man. Being his own patron and owner of a ranch. He doesn't mind his solitude so when a friend ask Jay for his help in lending his cabin on the property to Keely, he's not keen on the idea. But she's got spunk and after his welcome left much to be desire, she doesn't hesitate to tell him. This rocky start is only the beginning of a beautiful story to come.
It's my fourth of fifth time reading a book by LaQuette and she always create great pairing and sparks between her MC that makes their journey so interesting.
Jacob Chatman is also an all work-no play man. Being his own patron and owner of a ranch. He doesn't mind his solitude so when a friend ask Jay for his help in lending his cabin on the property to Keely, he's not keen on the idea. But she's got spunk and after his welcome left much to be desire, she doesn't hesitate to tell him. This rocky start is only the beginning of a beautiful story to come.
It's my fourth of fifth time reading a book by LaQuette and she always create great pairing and sparks between her MC that makes their journey so interesting.
Read
July 26, 2023If LaQuette writes it, I am definitely going to be reading it! My goodness, this woman can write steamy scenes…and hot as heck MMCs. Not to mention her female leads are always strong, independent women.
Designs on a Rancher was a fun enemies to lovers, opposites attract read.
Keely is focused on growing her fashion design business, and she travels to Royal, TX to finish designing the career-making wedding dress for a movie starlet. Jacob is a successful rancher - running a horse training ranch that takes up all of his time and focus.
The banter between Keely and Jacob was so much fun. And LaQuette brought me right to Texas and to the horse ranch, and the quaint small town of Texas.
I loved this book - the banter, the steam, the spark between characters.
This is book 2 in the Texas Cattleman’s Club series from Harlequin Desire, but I read it as a standalone no problem.
—Quick read (188 pages)
—Opposites attract
—Enemies to Lovers
—Forced Proximity
—Curvy Female Lead
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin Romance.
Designs on a Rancher was a fun enemies to lovers, opposites attract read.
Keely is focused on growing her fashion design business, and she travels to Royal, TX to finish designing the career-making wedding dress for a movie starlet. Jacob is a successful rancher - running a horse training ranch that takes up all of his time and focus.
The banter between Keely and Jacob was so much fun. And LaQuette brought me right to Texas and to the horse ranch, and the quaint small town of Texas.
I loved this book - the banter, the steam, the spark between characters.
This is book 2 in the Texas Cattleman’s Club series from Harlequin Desire, but I read it as a standalone no problem.
—Quick read (188 pages)
—Opposites attract
—Enemies to Lovers
—Forced Proximity
—Curvy Female Lead
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin Romance.
November 11, 2023
Things didn't go the way they thought it would
Jacob Chatman, the Slick Six horse ranch owner, and Keeley Tucker, a fashion designer to the stars, both are hard-working people with no time for romance. Their prospective careers have been a hindrance to any real love and romance. Women accused Jacob of being married to his ranch with no time for them and Keeley was desperate to prove to her family that her career is a real job that can support her. So, when they decided on a friends-with-benefits arrangement, they were taken by surprise when feelings got real. They both had good friends that made them realize that their feelings were real and that they should take a chance on love.
This was an easy-read story. I did not connect with Jacob and Keeley at first with their hook-up arrangement. It just seemed so clinical and cold. I didn't warm up to them until they started catching feelings and were in a mental battle on what to do about those feelings.
Jacob Chatman, the Slick Six horse ranch owner, and Keeley Tucker, a fashion designer to the stars, both are hard-working people with no time for romance. Their prospective careers have been a hindrance to any real love and romance. Women accused Jacob of being married to his ranch with no time for them and Keeley was desperate to prove to her family that her career is a real job that can support her. So, when they decided on a friends-with-benefits arrangement, they were taken by surprise when feelings got real. They both had good friends that made them realize that their feelings were real and that they should take a chance on love.
This was an easy-read story. I did not connect with Jacob and Keeley at first with their hook-up arrangement. It just seemed so clinical and cold. I didn't warm up to them until they started catching feelings and were in a mental battle on what to do about those feelings.
June 16, 2024
Keely Tucker knows designing a showstopping wedding dress for a movie starlet is the career-making opportunity of a lifetime. But Jacob Chatman has sent her focus into a tailspin! When a blackout leaves her stranded with a rancher she can’t resist, their passion practically sets the sheets on fire. Jacob admires her drive, but is their hookup worth Keely risking her hard-earned ambitions for a life in Texas?
I liked this contemporary romance. The two main characters were from totally different worlds but seemed to have chemistry with each other. I could feel their connection jump off the page. This was a simple and romantic tale. And I recommend it to anyone who loves a cowboy and romance! I would like to thank Harlequin and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.
I liked this contemporary romance. The two main characters were from totally different worlds but seemed to have chemistry with each other. I could feel their connection jump off the page. This was a simple and romantic tale. And I recommend it to anyone who loves a cowboy and romance! I would like to thank Harlequin and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.
April 18, 2023
This is the second installment in the TCC series The Wedding it gets off to a slow start but once you read it you want be able to put it down. It's about to workaholics who are devoted to their work. Keely Tucker and Jacob Chatman but when a blackout leaves Keely stranded on Jacob' ranch these two realize they have a lot more common. Jacob is attracted to Keely from the start and since for right now they both want the same thing they decide to have some fun with no strings attached thinking they want fall for each other they were so wrong. The HEA was sweet I'm looking forward to the next story in TCC series.
December 30, 2022
Keely has come to Royal Texas to work on making Ariana's wedding dress. The hotel she is staying in goes dark as there is a massive power outage..Her friend sends her to Jacob's ranch. They don't get off to the best start as he doesn't want her there to begin with.
While both working he on his ranch and she on the dress they start having fun together. They decide on a situation ship for the duration she is at the ranch.
Will feelings get in the way? Will they fight falling in love with each other when neither wants a relationship?
A good book in the TCC series!
While both working he on his ranch and she on the dress they start having fun together. They decide on a situation ship for the duration she is at the ranch.
Will feelings get in the way? Will they fight falling in love with each other when neither wants a relationship?
A good book in the TCC series!
February 13, 2023
3 1/2 STARS!
Tantalizingly addictive! With the second book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding series, we get dress designer Keely and rancher Jacob’s story and it’s deliciously steamy! The characters were intriguing and I enjoyed their connection, but it wasn’t one of my favorites in the TCC line up because the writing style and overuse of slang was distracting to a point but the chemistry that the couple had made them win me over regardless. The ending needed a little more to make it less abrupt and more fulfilling. I’m looking forward to more in the series!
Tantalizingly addictive! With the second book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding series, we get dress designer Keely and rancher Jacob’s story and it’s deliciously steamy! The characters were intriguing and I enjoyed their connection, but it wasn’t one of my favorites in the TCC line up because the writing style and overuse of slang was distracting to a point but the chemistry that the couple had made them win me over regardless. The ending needed a little more to make it less abrupt and more fulfilling. I’m looking forward to more in the series!
April 7, 2023
Loved the story 2nd in the series "The Wedding". I love this story, the hero and heroine are friends to the bride and groom with this big over-the-top wedding dress. A stubborn hero who has no time for relationships while trying to build the best horse ranch in Royal, Tx. Meanwhile, heroine is just as entrenched in building her design brand. Naturally, they work out a little friend-with-benefits connection. Is that all there is?
July 27, 2024
Jacob and Keely were both work alcoholics. They worked hard to build their empires and be successful. But, at what cost? Being lonely and alone. When there is a blackout in Royal, Keely needs a place with a lot of room to work on Ari’s dress. Jacob has his own electrical system and room. He grudgingly agrees but does not want anything to do with Keely.
Do you believe in love at first sight, soulmates, the impossible? Read on. Needed more deeper ending.
Do you believe in love at first sight, soulmates, the impossible? Read on. Needed more deeper ending.
February 8, 2023
The second book in The Lastest Texas Cattleman's Club Series is fire. Wedding Dress Designer Kylee Tucker finds herself homeless during a blackout and lands on Jacob Chatman ranch from the moment they lay eyes on each other they are hooked, but they but have chosen work over love before, but love is working it's magic.
Read
February 24, 2023Designs on a Rancher by LaQuette is a sultry romance that sees the characters pushing each other's boundaries. Both characters are given enough backstory to make them more three-dimensional. The story shares their devotion to their growing attraction and their eventual acceptance of it. It never feels contrived or tawdry, but some truly steamy moments will leave you dreaming.
November 25, 2023
This was a cute book! I definitely could have had more. I love how he talks. Show women appreciation!!! Come on sir. I also love the thickness of the main character, pencil thin! Also, I love how she is in tune with her body and knows what she wants. I hope we hear from them again. #cillasbookmaniacs
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2023
I loved this book! The story was on point. I really enjoyed reading the love story of Keely and Jacob. Two people from different worlds but the same understanding of life. This book was steamy and romantic. I didn't want to put it down. A must read! My first read from Laquette but not my last.
February 10, 2023
I loved this book! The story was on point. I really enjoyed reading the love story of Keely and Jacob. Two people from different worlds but the same understanding of life. This book was steamy and romantic. I didn't want to put it down. A must read! My first read from Laquette but not my last.
March 2, 2023
Two lonely people are thrown together because of a blackout. They're both married to their jobs. They try to deny their attraction to each other, so they agree to a friends with benefits relationship. This book had me laughing. Great story
December 16, 2023
Designs on a Rancher: A Flirty Opposites Attract Romance (Texas Cattle man's Club:The Wedding Book 2
I liked these two people smart good looking and entrepreneurs, of course people of color also. I will be letting my friend know about your books.
I liked these two people smart good looking and entrepreneurs, of course people of color also. I will be letting my friend know about your books.
Read
February 2, 2023Western Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, African American & Black Romance
Miniseries
Texas Cattleman's Club: The Wedding (Book #2)
Miniseries
Texas Cattleman's Club: The Wedding (Book #2)
March 1, 2023
Romance happens when you least expect it. Two very strong independent people find romance. I enjoyed this book.
March 23, 2023
Good book
April 27, 2023
Work isn't everything
Jay and Keely thought they had their whole life planned out. Together they found the missing ingredient to fulfill their lives. Good read.
Jay and Keely thought they had their whole life planned out. Together they found the missing ingredient to fulfill their lives. Good read.
January 6, 2024
Nice Interesting Story, And I Enjoyed It, But The Wrap And And Ending Really Fell Flat; Mainly I Just Can’t See An HEA Ending For This Couple. It Went Up And Came Down Fast And Flat Lined.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews