Lightning Strikes Twice

by Elizabeth Hrib

Stormy weather ahead…



He’s betting on friendship.

She’s banking on love.



Recently single, livestock vet Kate Cardiff is tired of risking her heart. So when an emergency calls her home to her family’s struggling ranch, Kate is ready to help—and definitely not looking for love. It’s dislike at first sight when she meets temporary ranch hand and storm-chasing photographer Nathan Prescott. He says he can win her over, but Nathan lives in the moment, not for the future. If Kate opens her heart to someone who lives on the edge, will taking the risk lead to another heartbreak…or a new beginning?

From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Hatchet Lake

Book 1: Lightning Strikes Twice

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Contemporary Romance

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2023

About the author

Elizabeth Hrib was born and raised in London, Ontario where she studied nursing at Western University. When she’s not working or writing, she can be found at the piano, planning her next Netflix binge, or attempting to keep her small, windowsill garden alive.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Romance, and this is the first book in the Hatchet Lake series. I had trouble getting into this book, and I almost DNF this book. I kind-of wish I did end up DNFing this book. The first half of this book moved so slow, and the pacing drove me crazy. The characters to me were just ok, and I did not connect to them really. I also hated the fact the characters just would not talk to each other. I did enjoy the last half of this book more, and the last half moved fast which I like. There was also a lot more happening. Overall, I think this book is just ok. It was nothing special or that I would read again. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[Bree Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The romance within this one moved a bit slow for me-I think it’s can be tricky to write a Category length romance between characters who don’t know each other. Obviously it’s done, and done a lot but I think it takes some serious pixie dust Magic and otherworldly skill. I kind of wish this had been a second chance of childhood friends who lost touch…the love interests and lack of chemistry and building of chemistry seemed to be the only aspect of the book that dragged a bit.
There is so much else to love though. Love the friendship between Kate and Sarah. Loved the found family aspect for both Nathan with Kate’s parents and for Kate with Rusty and Tara. Loved the storm chasing…definitely gave me a twister vibes. Think it’s a really good Spring read,

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread: Bumping my review from a four to a five. I reread this because the sequel is out and I want to binge them. Such a good choice! I annotated, I accidentally cracked the spine (it's a little mass market), and I had such a good time. With all the busy stuff happening rn, this book is such a perfect getaway. Plus Elizabeth Hrib is so good at writing. I'm so excited to read book two.

First read: I did not expect to love this as much as I did, but Elizabeth wrote such a charming story and I couldn't help but fall in love with it. We're dealing with a ranch, storm chasers, unexpected relationships, and a small town. I really loved the entire vibe of this story. It felt like watching a silly movie. I'm excited to see that this is part of a series...because I would very much like some more. I also really need to read everything else from Elizabeth Hrib.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was provided an arc e-copy by the publisher Special edition bythe author  

Elizabeth Hrib so I can give a honest review thank you so much so I can give a honest review.

 Lightning Strikes Twice I kept rooting for Kate and Nathan they were both driving crazy when they wouldn't admit what they felt for each other I was yelling come on guy's!!! I really didn't really care how the story would end 2 1/2 star's 




Happy Reading 

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate (aka Katie) heads home at the drop of a hat to be with her parents when emergency strikes. She expected to be helping out at her parents bustling ranch but what, and who, encounters is not what she expected. Nathan (aka Hotstuff) is a hired ranch hand who's been taken under her father's wing and into his mother's heart - but Kate is cool towards the new face - what does he know about mucking out stalls and taking care of horses?

Over the course of the novel we see their friendship (don't say it!) blossom and grow under rainy nights, horseback rides and banter in the barn. I really liked this book and can safely say it surpassed my expectations. I really liked Nathan's character and will be keen to read whatever comes next for these lovebirds (and their friends!).

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this absolutely amazing book by Elizabeth and I have to say it was so, so good I couldn’t put it down. Kate comes home to Hatchet Lake after a lengthy absence due to her dad’s medical emergency and she immediately feels put out by the handsome rancher Nathan who has not only moved into her guest house but also into her parents hearts. Kate is prickly and mean to Nathan, although she was hard to like early in when you get to know her and understand her you’ll love her. Nathan is a charming storm chaser who falls for stubborn Kate. I loved this book and all of the characters woven through it, Kate and Nathan’s story has its ups and downs but like life itself, nothing worthwhile is ever easy and these two certainty are complex but they ultimately get through it. Well written, fun and entertaining I can’t wait to return to Hatchet Lake for more.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy, good read!

This was a first-time author read for me, and I'll definitely be back for more. I enjoyed Kate and Nathan's story. When Kate shows up at home after her Dad's heart attack, she finds new (to her) ranch hand Nathan. She definitely has mixed feelings, there is some pull between them, but based on her recent breakup and some jealousy that Nathan has taken her place with her parents she is wary. Nathan is a nature photographer by trade, chasing storms around the world with his friends Rusty and Tara. Will Kate be enough for him to grow roots? Will Kate trust enough to let Nathan into her heart?

I don't write spoilers, so the questions will go unanswered until you pick up this book and read it! You'll thank me later!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

[Nancy Ku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lightning Strikes Twice by Elizabeth Hrib
I enjoyed this first book that I have read by Elizabeth Hrib. Kate Cardiff (livestock vet) has returned to her parent's farm for a family emergency. Nathan Prescott (storm chasing photographer) is working there. She dislikes him at first sight, and he plans to win her over, wonderful friends and family. There is angst, family money problems, some laughs and tears, strong feelings and storms, mix in some steam and we get to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Wonderful characters Easy-to-read Happily Ever After Romantic Scary Page-turner Funny Entertaining Tear-jerker Steamy.

[Nancy Ku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lightning Strikes Twice by Elizabeth Hrib
I enjoyed this first book that I have read by Elizabeth Hrib. Kate Cardiff (livestock vet) has returned to her parent's farm for a family emergency. Nathan Prescott (storm chasing photographer) is working there. She dislikes him at first sight, and he plans to win her over, wonderful friends and family. There is angst, family money problems, some laughs and tears, strong feelings and storms, mix in some steam and we get to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Wonderful characters Easy-to-read Happily Ever After Romantic Scary Page-turner Funny Entertaining Tear-jerker Steamy.

[Denise Kulesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from start to finish. I did not want to put this down ! Kate and Nathan were meant for each other but did not want to admit it at first.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate has been doing her own thing as a veterinarian when she gets up emergency phone call or the health of her aging parents. Home she realizes that the ranch is struggling that even the family had to hire storm chasing photographer Nathan as a temporary Ranch Hand. Katie's and happy that Nathan's here so in a light-hearted deal of being won over they start a friendship and possibly more.

If you're looking for a light-hearted kind of book that has Romance that isn't too out there the dramatics you'll like this one. I've been on a Non-Stop binge reading of action packed books and so this book was a slower pace from my normal reads and it was pretty enjoyable. I like getting to know the characters and seeing the romance as it starts from the friendship they were forming. Kate has a lot to think about I mean she's only home for a short while to check on her parents were but after seeing the family ranch struggle and meeting new people she has to decide what to stay. I mean overall this was a pretty good book I enjoyed it was pretty slow but enjoyable.

[Monae Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was quite good !!!!! This book reminded me of the movie “Twister”. It had a good love story and action and humor.

This story takes place in a small town of Hatchet Lake. In this small town is the Cardiff Ranch. There is a woman in the story named Kate Cardiff. She gets called home because her father falls ill. She got burned by a relationship.

At the ranch you also meet a guy named Nathan Prescott. He gets hired by her folks to be a ranch hand. He is also a nature photographer. Kate is a livestock vet. It’s dislike at first sight when Nathan and Kate first meet. Nathan is a storm ⛈️ chaser. You also meet some people that he drives around with. This book was filled with humor, action and people that you wanted to know more about. I was a huge fan of Kate’s friend Sarah who I hope will get a book as well. This book kept me reading from start to finish.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like sitting on a lounge chair by the beach, just looking at the sea, no pressure, no expectations, no rush, and it was a good thing. I enjoyed the slow burn romance between Kate and Nathan. Nathan, Sarah and Rusty were my favourite characters. Nathan was really patient and sweet.

Kate described the type of man Nathan is: 'Nathan hadn't asked her to compromise her life so they could be together. He just promised to be here, by her side, in whatever capacity she chose.'

The story had a touch of 'Twister', the movie, and that also was fun. Would like to read a book about Sarah.

[anie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate is a livestock vet. When her father has a heart attack she rushes back home and is ready to help in any way she can. She discovered that the ranch doesn't look all that good, there are bills to pay and fewer horses that she remembers. Most of all, she is not ready for the new ranch hand Nathan. He doesn't seem to know much about the working of the ranch. His true passion is in photography, but that doesn't stop him from trying.

They got off on a rocky start. But slowly over time, they go from annoyance to friendship and more.

I liked the storyline but had trouble getting into the book and relating to the characters.

I got the ARC, all thoughts are my own

[Becky Tatar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Veterinarian Kate Cardiff moves back home to her parents' ranch after her father has a heart attack, only to find that he's hired storm-chasing photographer Nathan Prescott. A frenemies to lovers story, as there is friction at first, but Kate and Nathan slowly grow together.

[Harlequin Books]

Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Hatchet Lake (Book #1)

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's good ideas in this book but I wasn't complety sold on the MC's chemistry and I also expected more from the storm-chasing scenes.

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

Lightning Strikes Twice is the opening novel in the Hatchet Lake series, and Kate and Nathan’s romance gives us an interesting overview of the series to come. I enjoyed myself here, but I will admit that it took me a bit of time to really warm up to Kate. She’s a large animal veterinarian who has been away from her small hometown for nearly a decade with school and work. She’s been called home after her father’s heart attack scare only to realize that the ranch isn’t as prosperous as she expected; there are fewer horse borders in the stalls, bills haven’t been paid, and a new ranch hand who doesn’t seem to know much about ranching has taken her place at the ranch. She might be overreacting; after all, she’s just called off a long-term relationship when her partner got caught cheating, she’s worked hard with little time off, and she’s terrified of what the future holds for her father’s health, and life suddenly got complicated.

On the other side, I absolutely adored Nathan from first sight onwards. Of course, he’s reacting when he finds a stranger in a stall with one of the ranch horses. He had no way of knowing that this stranger was Kate. But unfortunately, that protectiveness of the ranch has set Kate against him… along with apparently a bit of jealousy over his position, and the fact that he’s living in “her” guest house (besides the point to Kate that she’s only been home less than a handful of times to actually live in that guest house). I was definitely on Team Nathan for their semi-serious bet. But Nathan comes alive when his photography and storm chasing come into play. The difference in his personality between a ranch hand and a photographer of nature’s beauty is obvious… even to an annoyed Kate.

Theirs is a slow-burning romance going from annoyed strangers, reluctant friends, and into the “this could be forever” area of romance. I don’t know what’s ahead for this series, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever comes next… I have my suspicions so guess we’ll see if I’m right. If you enjoy a slow-burn romance with a lot of irritations before the love kicks in, then you’d love this one.

On a personal note: There’s nothing quite like reading about storm chasing and heavy storms… right when a huge thunderstorm is booming right outside my window. Realistic Reading? My own personal sound effects were provided by Mother Nature herself. *grins*

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent.*

Release date: April 25, 2023