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The Ashford Brothers #1
Second Chance with My Cowboy Ex
She's a widow desperate for a second chance. He's always regretted letting her get away.
Heartbroken by secrets, betrayal, and the tragic car accident that took her husband, Lake Hollowell has no choice but to return to her small hometown of Blue Falls, penniless and jobless . . . and with two young daughters depending on her.
Cowboy and rancher Logan Ashford has always been reliable—the good guy who protects his family and herd. So when he has the chance to right his biggest regret, to be there for his high school sweetheart when she needs it most, he’s determined to do everything in his power. Starting by giving her a job.
The last thing Lake wants is Logan Ashford as her boss. Not only did he break her heart, but he fills out a pair of Wranglers way too well for her sanity. But she needs the money and without any other options, she takes the offered job. After all, it’s been years since high school and they’ve both changed.
But seeing each other daily flames the sparks of attraction that had lain dormant. And when Logan gets a front row seat to Lake’s sweet resiliency, while Lake is a recipient of the loyalty and dedication Logan gifts the people he loves, soon the wild pull of desire between them can’t be ignored.
But Logan was Lake’s husband’s friend.
And it’s only been months since Lake’s husband tragically passed.
They can’t rekindle what they once had.
But how can something that everyone says is so wrong feel so right?
Heartbroken by secrets, betrayal, and the tragic car accident that took her husband, Lake Hollowell has no choice but to return to her small hometown of Blue Falls, penniless and jobless . . . and with two young daughters depending on her.
Cowboy and rancher Logan Ashford has always been reliable—the good guy who protects his family and herd. So when he has the chance to right his biggest regret, to be there for his high school sweetheart when she needs it most, he’s determined to do everything in his power. Starting by giving her a job.
The last thing Lake wants is Logan Ashford as her boss. Not only did he break her heart, but he fills out a pair of Wranglers way too well for her sanity. But she needs the money and without any other options, she takes the offered job. After all, it’s been years since high school and they’ve both changed.
But seeing each other daily flames the sparks of attraction that had lain dormant. And when Logan gets a front row seat to Lake’s sweet resiliency, while Lake is a recipient of the loyalty and dedication Logan gifts the people he loves, soon the wild pull of desire between them can’t be ignored.
But Logan was Lake’s husband’s friend.
And it’s only been months since Lake’s husband tragically passed.
They can’t rekindle what they once had.
But how can something that everyone says is so wrong feel so right?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2022
78 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 15, 2022
I have never read anything by Julia Keanini, and when she asked me to read this, I was enchanted by the description. I love second chance romance books, and I love cowboy/ranching books.
After devastating loss, again and again, Lake moves back home to Blue Falls with her two daughters. Losing her husband first to another woman, and then in a crash, has changed her. She is angry, fearful, and needs answers, as well as a job.
When Logan hires Lake to be a companion of sorts to his widowed mother who is grappling with a surprise of her own, all of his feelings for Lake from years passed come running to the surface. He has never not loved her, even after she got married to his high school best friend.
Lake has some personal growth to go through before she can fully allow herself to give in to the feelings that are so prevalent for Logan. She has her daughters to think about, after all. Is it too soon? Or is it time for her to find happiness that she should have had for many years.
I loved the self exploration Lake goes through as she deals with her stages of grief. I appreciated the person Logan was. Not many men would give her the space she needed, but I think adding in his mother and her experiences in the book added that level of understanding and believability for Logan to be as willing and patient with Lake. I have enjoyed seeing how family is also the people you choose to be family in my own life, and to see it in this book was sweet. Some friendships are meant to be, even through all the years.
Thank you to Julie for a copy of this great book. I was hooked from the first paragraph, and that is actually quite unusual for me. It usually takes a few pages. But I didn't want to put this one down the moment I started.
After devastating loss, again and again, Lake moves back home to Blue Falls with her two daughters. Losing her husband first to another woman, and then in a crash, has changed her. She is angry, fearful, and needs answers, as well as a job.
When Logan hires Lake to be a companion of sorts to his widowed mother who is grappling with a surprise of her own, all of his feelings for Lake from years passed come running to the surface. He has never not loved her, even after she got married to his high school best friend.
Lake has some personal growth to go through before she can fully allow herself to give in to the feelings that are so prevalent for Logan. She has her daughters to think about, after all. Is it too soon? Or is it time for her to find happiness that she should have had for many years.
I loved the self exploration Lake goes through as she deals with her stages of grief. I appreciated the person Logan was. Not many men would give her the space she needed, but I think adding in his mother and her experiences in the book added that level of understanding and believability for Logan to be as willing and patient with Lake. I have enjoyed seeing how family is also the people you choose to be family in my own life, and to see it in this book was sweet. Some friendships are meant to be, even through all the years.
Thank you to Julie for a copy of this great book. I was hooked from the first paragraph, and that is actually quite unusual for me. It usually takes a few pages. But I didn't want to put this one down the moment I started.
April 17, 2023
A sweet romance with strong character development!
I loved that it was a clean storyline. With the mystery and deep emotional elements it could have been too heavy but Julia was able to keep it fun and entertaining while still having the characters overcome real life challenges. It felt very raw but with a beautiful HEA ending.
Lake has been dealt some horrible cards of betrayal and loss, but she is such a strong female character. I enjoyed watching her gain her confidence and find herself.
Logan is the epitome of loyal and loving. He gives off a hard grumpy exterior but he has such a soft gooey center and so much love to give. He comes from a big family and it took me a while to keep all of his brothers straight but I love their family dynamic and can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
Having read some of the Heathcliff Series it was fun to return to the town of Blue Falls and see a couple cameos from characters in the other series.
I’ve loved every book I’ve read by Julia so far and definitely recommend this one!
I loved that it was a clean storyline. With the mystery and deep emotional elements it could have been too heavy but Julia was able to keep it fun and entertaining while still having the characters overcome real life challenges. It felt very raw but with a beautiful HEA ending.
Lake has been dealt some horrible cards of betrayal and loss, but she is such a strong female character. I enjoyed watching her gain her confidence and find herself.
Logan is the epitome of loyal and loving. He gives off a hard grumpy exterior but he has such a soft gooey center and so much love to give. He comes from a big family and it took me a while to keep all of his brothers straight but I love their family dynamic and can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
Having read some of the Heathcliff Series it was fun to return to the town of Blue Falls and see a couple cameos from characters in the other series.
I’ve loved every book I’ve read by Julia so far and definitely recommend this one!
June 14, 2022
Lake seeks the familiarity of her hometown after the reading of her late husband’s will. Widowed, mother of two young girls with nothing, returns to her parents house to begin rebuilding her life. In the months before her husband died in a car crash, Lake had learned her husband had been having an affair with a lady from work. After his death, Lake learns that his mistress was in the car with him at the time of the crash. She also learns some hard truths about her nonexistent finances. Once she returns to her hometown she reminded of an ex that she’d never completely gotten over. When Lake starts working for Logan’s family, helping his mom around the house, her buried feelings for him rise to the surface. Needing time o figure out themselves and what they want, is more difficult that they each assume. Logan and his family are tight knit and prove they can weather any storm that one’s their way.
December 6, 2022
Sweet cowboy read
This was a sweet story with depth about accepting loss and finding a way to love oneself. I loved Julia Keanini's writing and look forward to reading more of her books. The epilogue was a great balance of giving a flash forward and connecting to the next book. This was a sweet read, I'd rate it PG for kissing, talk of infidelity, and themes of death and loss.
This was a sweet story with depth about accepting loss and finding a way to love oneself. I loved Julia Keanini's writing and look forward to reading more of her books. The epilogue was a great balance of giving a flash forward and connecting to the next book. This was a sweet read, I'd rate it PG for kissing, talk of infidelity, and themes of death and loss.
June 19, 2022
Great message in this story
I love the message in this story. Too often we love our neighbor more than ourselves. Julia reminds us to not be our own worst enemy. Logan and Lake have a tough but a lasting love story.
I love the message in this story. Too often we love our neighbor more than ourselves. Julia reminds us to not be our own worst enemy. Logan and Lake have a tough but a lasting love story.
June 9, 2022
I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend it. Looking forward to the next book in series.
June 19, 2022
Didn’t care for this story at all
To many boy names for girls and girl names for boys was a hard read for me. Glad this book was free
To many boy names for girls and girl names for boys was a hard read for me. Glad this book was free
June 25, 2022
Sweet, clean and a quick little read that kept me engaged!
January 12, 2026
It’s a really long, kinda weird title but I did enjoy the book! It’s a little wordy at times but a cute story and easy read.
January 25, 2026
Great story. Easy read.
January 25, 2026
Wholesome
Good read wholesome but slow burner...story near end really pulls you in but that's not till closer to 78% completw
Good read wholesome but slow burner...story near end really pulls you in but that's not till closer to 78% completw
June 23, 2022
Such great writing! Always something that will make you reevaluate your own life with this author! (In a good way 😉) Great story awesome characters! And it’s so hard to wait for the next book!
February 1, 2026
This book completely surprised me—in the best way. I’m not usually drawn to second-chance romance, but the way this story focused on growth, healing, and the present made it so enjoyable. The MMC was pure swoon, especially with how much he loved the FMC’s kids, and I adored that he had his own depth and storyline outside the romance. Emotional, sweet, and impossible to put down.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews