Pete: Mission: Harvest Ranch Wedding

Black Ops Tag #4

by Lucy McConnell, Ellie Thornton

Enjoy this hilarious military romcom based around the wedding of the century from the dynamic writing duo of USA Today Bestselling Authors Lucy McConnell and Ellie Thornton.

When Elena Navarro agrees to her husband's plan to take out his buddy Andy, and win the ongoing game of Black Ops Tag, during Andy's wedding week; she didn't know it would involve not showering for three days, sleeping in a tent, and eating MREs.

Pete's gone loco and she might too if she doesn't get a warm shower.

Pete knows Elena is struggling. They've tried to have kids for over ten years and she's getting desperate. While they wait for the results from her latest round of tests, he does his best to take her mind off of her uterus by including her in a game of Black Ops Tag.

Except ... his attempts misfire--big time.

And when Elena moves into Brandon and Allie's guest room, he knows it's time to call in the special forces. If the guys can make Operation: Elena happen, Pete might save his marriage and have everything he's ever wanted. But, Elena's never been an easy target. Her fiery spirit might send them both up in smoke. Can these two rekindle the flame? Or will they fizzle out as the wedding winds down?

Don't miss the fireworks and the ultimate mission that brings this group of friends together and makes them family

Genres: Rom Com, Military Fiction, Clean Romance

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2023

About the author

Please hit the follow button. I'd love to keep in touch!

Lucy McConnell loves romance, chocolate, Christmas, horses, music, crochet, and fun!

She believes that romance books should:

Keep you up past your bedtime.

Make you laugh out loud.

Have happy endings.

With that in mind, she's written over 200 novels full of fun and flirty characters who navigate the turbulent waters of romance with open hearts and creativity.

If you enjoy closed-door romance, follow her on Goodreads.♥️

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete is the fourth book in Lucy McConnell and Ellie Thornton’s Black Ops Tag – Mission: Harvest Ranch Wedding series. Pete is a clean military romantic comedy, and it features a 10-year married couple dealing with infertility. It is highly recommended that you read the first book, Andy, before reading Pete so that you are familiar with the characters and their antics. Timewise, the events in Pete occur at the same time as Andy, Chris, and Joseph.

The first 20 percent of the book is a long prologue that occurs 11 years in the past when Elena meets the guys in the 76th Military Police team. Elena is a beautiful Argentina-American CIA agent that is sent to an army base to gather intelligence on a traitor. She is not a trained field operative but instead an assertive bombshell who connects her computer to wifi so the CIA hacks can collect the information they need and analyze it. Cuban-American Pete Navarro is dazzled by Elena and convinces her to go out with him.

Fast forward 11 years and a desperate/frustrated Elena Navarro agrees to her husband's crazy plan to take down his buddy Andy, and win the ongoing game of Black Ops Tag, during Andy's wedding week festivities. This involves Elena and Pete tent-camping with no showers and eating MREs instead of delicious meals prepared by a chef that the rest of the wedding party enjoys. Elena has just undergone another round of tests to try to discover the cause of their infertility and she’s at the end of her rope. She has decided that if the doctor says she is the problem, she will divorce Pete so he can start a family with another woman.

Pete knows Elena is struggling but isn’t ready to discuss the infertility issue and possible adoption alternatives with her. Instead he tries to distract her and put up with her hormonal outbursts. After three days, Elena moves into Brandon and Allie's guest room so she can sleep and take a bath. Allie is pregnant with twins and Elena mirrors her actions, although Pete is oblivious. There is a sub-plot involving the not-quite-professional security guards hired for America and Andy’s wedding.

Pete is my favorite story in the series because it is the funniest. Characters from the earlier Black Ops Tag – Mission: Harvest Ranch Wedding feature prominently, in addition to characters from the authors’ earlier books. Since both Elena and Pete are Hispanic, there are a lot of Spanish phrases sprinkled in their conversation.

I received an ARC two days prior to publication that was full of grammatical errors and was in need of editing. Every page of the story included descriptions of odors for the characters that was excessive, in my opinion. At the beginning of a scene Pete was described as having a cinnamon odor and then on the next page it was a citrus scent. Elena’s hair color changed during the book from brown to blonde. These kinds of discrepancies were confusing to me as a reader.

Overall, I enjoyed this Black Ops Tag – Mission: Harvest Ranch Wedding series and recommend it to readers who like clean romance, military romance, or rom-coms.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Manee Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance level: kissing 🔥.

I think this might be my favorite book in this series so far! There was action, drama, silly pick up lines, fights, love & pure friendship.

Their first meeting was epic 😂. He was gone, super smitten with her 😍. Pete was so straightforward!

The chemistry between Pete & Elena was off the charts🔥. This man met his match. He was flirty, passionate & a go getter. Elena was smart, fierce & strong. Seeing these two together was amazing👌🏻. I loved that you get how they started their relationship in the first few chapters.

✨
“You’re going to be a handful, aren’t you?” She shrugged. “Scared?”
“No, baby. Intrigued.”
✨

This plot is really deep. You have this couple of 10 years of marriage, struggling with infertility. It shows you how sometimes it can take a toll on things... But it was amazing to read about all the effort they put into making it work. It was more than lovely seeing Pete strategizing to show Elena how much he never stopped loving her.

All the activities he planned, the op, camping & how everything turned out as it should. It was easier for him to act as he would on a mission, rather than open up about his fears... however, I loved how they talked about it when the time came. These two were made for each other 😍.

I love the boy's friendship. They have been through so much together. The good, bad & ugly. I love how they've got each other's back. Through thick & thin. The connection between the stories is fantastic! They happen during the same timeline, so it's so cool having all the different perspectives from the main event.

I can't wait for what's to come next in the series! I can't wait! 💕

⚠️TW: infertility; military operations & aftermath; stalking (not MC).

🕶️
* I was kindly gifted a copy from the author through BookSirens. This doesn't influence in any form my review/opinion of the book*

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book in this series has been phenomenal with so much action and so may humorous situations. Each book can work as a stand alone story as they all are about the same event but coming from different characters perspectives. I love the Black Ops Tag that happens along the way in each story. Since all of the characters are in every book but each book focuses on one specific couple, we have already met Pete and Elena Navarro. I couldn't wait to read tyeir story since they had been married for ten years and were going through some bumpy situations in their marriage.

Elena & Pete Navarro have been trying to have a baby since they got married but after a few miscarriages and seeing an infertility specialist, they have had some strain in their marriage. Elena wants to know that Pete is in this with her no matter what happens. Pete is trying to follow the doctor's orders to keep his wife calm and happy so he doesn't talk about their problem. Everything will come to a head as they go to Andy and America's wedding.

Elena is having lots of emotions while camping out with Pete and eating MREs. She wants a soft bed, real food and a hot shower.

Pete knows he's failing his wife and that she may be making a decision to end their marriage so he has to call for the help of his team for Operation Elena.

This story was another wonderful addition to the Black Ops Tag Military Romantic Comedies. It was fast paced and totally satisfying.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laure · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way they met might have been unusual because Elena Delgado and Pete Navaro were both working the same assignment for different government organizations, but that didn’t stop them from falling in love. Elana and Pete have been married for ten years and have been trying to have children, but so far, they have had no luck. After seeing a new doctor and having more tests Pete is determined to take Elana’s mind off waiting for the results, so he convinces her to take part in a round of Black-ops Tag. She was willing to participate, but after a few days with no showers, sleeping on the ground, and eating MREs, Elana has had enough and goes to stay with friends and help with wedding preparations. Personal problems put aside but not forgotten, Elana has discovered some suspicious activities by personnel attached to the wedding and investigates.
These are wonderful characters. They are all well written, compelling, and the interacions between them is always fun and funny. Action, suspense, and surprising twist in a sweet and clean romantic comedy that kept me laughing from the first page to the last. I highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have wanted to know more about Pete and Elena since the very first book and, in a lot of ways, I feel like this is the story I've been waiting the whole series to read. I don't remember noticing it as much with the previous books, but it might just have something to do with Pete and Elena's unique perspective on the festivities, or it might be that their story feels more personal rather than operational, but it's been fascinating to view the wedding events through Pete's eyes. Their struggles with infertility left me nearly bawling for the unfairness, while Pete's antics had me almost crying with laughter. Their story was a rollercoaster of reactions for me with lots of big emotions. I don't recommend reading this in public unless you're used to strangers looking at you like you've lost your mind. I loved everything about this book, and it kills me just a little bit that it's over already. I'm so grateful to know that I don't have to say a final "goodbye" to these characters just yet.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing one event through multiple points of view has made for such an interesting series. This story featured Pete and Elena, a married couple for ten years. They love each other passionately but the past year has presented some real struggles for their marriage and it has strained their ability to communicate and be as free in their relationship as usual. I enjoyed reading about Pete's over-the-top antics, the love and support from the band of brothers in their military unit as they face personal problems and job-related danger together, and the sometimes heartbreaking but always loving marriage of Pete and Elena. It was satisfying to see a resolution to the danger surrounding America James and the town of Harvest Ranch that was teased out in earlier books and to see Pete and Elena's happily-ever-after come at long last. Very entertaining! I received an ARC and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elana and Pete’s story. They are all spending a week long vacation for Andy’s wedding when Pete partners his wife in a game of black ops tag. Him and Elana taking Andy out. The aim is to take her mind off the fact they have been trying for a baby for ten years without success and the results from the new doctor are imminent. He wants to bring them closer, how they used be when they first met. His plan backfires epically, and after a few days without showering or home comforts Elana decides she’s better off using the time at her friends to assist with wedding preparations. Pete is at a loss what to do and calls it . He needs help from his friends. This really is a very sweet story , the whole series has been good though the stories are each standalone they’re joined by their friendships. Very well written and good background.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed other Harvest Ranch books, but I honestly did not care for "Pete". Instead of being a "romantic comedy", I felt it was just plain silly and overly exaggerated. The behavior of Pete and his friends seemed unrealistic, and their back and forth banter seemed ridiculous and immature. Pete's wife Elena was moody, contemplating if she'd ever get pregnant (yet never considering adoption). Also annoying was Allie's and Elena's constant hoarding and food binging throughout and Pete's quick side trip with friends to break into the doctor's office. There were so many characters to keep track of, I was confused at times. Finally, I wondered (& still do!) why Peter says "Miercoles" (Wednesday in Spanish) all the time!?!
On a positive side, there was an exciting road chase & kidnappers, plus a bomb attached to a gas line about to explode.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good action-adventure romance. Pete and Elena have been unsuccessful at having a child for ten years. Her doctor does substantial testing before Andy's and America's wedding week. The doctor told Pete that he needed to help her relax. Pete decides that, rather than participate in the wedding week activities, he and Elena will work together to win B.O.T.S. against Andy. This decision frustrates and irritates Elena: sending the couple's relationship into a tailspin. Eventually, other influences distract Elena. The story does have a pleasant yet inadequate ending based on the first few chapters of the story.

Action-packed. Entertaining. Romantic. Scary. Tear-jerker. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.

[Noreen Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete and Elena's story finally.I absolutely love this series.This time it is told in Pete and Elana's point of view.I loved how they met and instantly fell in love,especially Pete.
It focuses on the problems and issues they are having in their marriage and the support they have from their families and from their friends.
Enjoyed this romantic comedy which dealt with sensitive issues and also made you laugh.Pete and Elana get their well deserved happily ever after.
I have really enjoyed this series where you have the bride and groom's version of events in the first book.Then each story follows a different couple and their version of events told differently,but attending the exact same events.
I hope Lucy and Ellie come up with another series together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Pete and Elena in Book 2, Chris' story. They were fun and authentic and I liked them. In this book, they have been married for 10 years and having some bumps in their relationship. They obviously love each other very much and want what is best for each other. When they come tougher in Harvest Ranch for the wedding of their friends, Andy and America, there is too much fun to go around. There is a happy ending and it is a clean, fun, story with lots of wit and banter. If you want to find out about B.O.T.S, you will need to read the book. I have read all but the first book in the series and I have enjoyed them all.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Talk about a fantastic story. I love a clean romance that grabs you like this series has. Pete and Elena are facing some really intense issues with fertility and communication issues in their relationship. Elena has put so much pressure on herself to fall pregnant after ten years of marriage and the miscarriages they have faced, not only that, but Andy and America’s wedding week is happening and there is an issue with her security team. Lots of action and a race against time to disarm explosives and rescuing Elena and Bree from danger. Not stop emotions and lots of love between this couple and eventually a happy ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! This is book 4 in McConnell and Thornton's Black Ops Tag Military Romantic Comedy series. While I will say that each can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the series in order as events and characters overlap. I love the level of romance mixed with the humor and comradery of these characters that makes this book and this series so special. If you've read the previous books, you've already met Pete and Elena Navarro and this is their story which is just wonderful. I couldn't wait for it and I loved every minute of it! A fun and humorous story that deals with some hard realities and is perfectly written!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anita Fuhrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved Pete and Elena's story! It was so good to be able to get the backstory to their relationship! They are the old, married couple in the group, and the benchmark that all the others strive to be like, but not all is well in marital paradise due to their difficulty in conceiving a child, and it is tearing them apart. The latest mission the guys take on puts Elena in danger, and the lengths Pete and the rest go through to ensure her safety is not only heroic but madcap, as only the members of the group seem to be able to manage! I loved this book! I thought nothing could top Joseph and Bree's story, but this sure gave it a run for the top spot, that's for sure!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book of the Black Ops Tag Mission series. I have enjoyed the previous books so far, and this one also did not disappoint. It is a clean, military romantic comedy. The story centers around Elena and Pete and their infertility issues, and the strain it is causing on their marriage. Though the story focuses on these emotional issues, it is a romantic comedy and will definitely give you plenty of laughs and leave you with a smile on your face when you are done. It is a well-written story with wonderful characters who I couldn't help but fall in love with. The series is great and this is a fantastic addition!

I received a complimentary copy from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Lori R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed returning to America and Andy's wedding festivities to find out more about Pete and Elana's point of views. Each book has focused on one of the characters in the wedding party.

Pete and Elana had been married for ten years and still wanted to have children. This book was full of funny moments, B.O.T.s antics, and wonderful characters. It was funny how the guys were very competent as the 76th special investigators, but often at a loss with how to take care of their women. This made for some funny moments in the book that I enjoyed reading. I liked the humor and the surprises.
I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

sometimes folks who serve together have really intense bonds - and sometimes those bonds reveal themselves in unexpected ways- and sometimes those ways are hilarious, and sometimes just befuddling

bringing a mate along on excercises that test skills under even simulated operational conditions is a questionable idea. not every gal really needs to experience, and SMELL, the team un-showered and at the ready and competitive

kinda funny, kinda bittersweet romance and cohesiveness drama, fun and adventures.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete and Elena’s story is fabulous! Love everyone in this Black Ops group. They are so different but meld together so well. Pete is such a good guy and Elena is such a strong woman and match for him in every way. When she started second guessing their future I was heartbroken and rooting for them to just sit down and talk. But the middle of wedding week is not an easy place to have some alone time. Will they get to before it too late to fix? I have every faith in their bond. I hope you enjoy their journey as much as I did. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Silke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete is the final story in the Harvest Ranch Wedding series, telling us events through Pete and Elena's eyes. Unlike the rest of the couples, they have already been married for many years when the wedding activities start. They're absolutely great together and I loved their banter and Pete's antics. But there is a very serious issue hanging like a cloud both over their relationship and the events. So the HEA is a different one for them, but just as heart-warming.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elena and Pete are ten years into marriage and the fight to have a baby is taking a toll on them. Two of the group are getting married and so much is going on around them. Love the characters, their tight knit bonds, expertise, revelations, sass and determination. The storyline has so many secrets, surprises, twists and rescues as the bad guys are dealt with. Totally action-packed, fun, steamy and finished with a perfect ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Struggling With Disappointment . . .

The authors did a good job of dealing with the fertility issue Elena and Pete had to resolve. The touches of humor were interspersed perfectly. Ten years of trying to have a child can amp up the tension when it doesn’t happen. It may be one of the most sensitive issues to deal with because your heart is so heavily involved. Pete’s distraction method leaves much to be desired, but the story line was effective. Will the two really emphasize honest communication and strengthen their relationship? Or will they give up and walk away?

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete Black Ops Tag ~ Harvest Ranch Wedding #4 by Ellie Thornton, Lucy McConnell

Totally in love with this series, not having read much from these authors before this Black Ops Tag Series. I hope they can add more to this series.

I found Pete's story to be brilliantly written, with strong characters and a fantastic storyline.

As with all of the Black Ops Tag books, the story is from a different member of the team, all taking part at the same time. Simply, Brilliant.

I highly recommend this book and the others in the series.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete: Mission: Harvest Ranch Black Ops Tag book 4 by Lucy McConnell and Ellie Thornton. I think that this story just might be my favorite of the series. I enjoyed the Prologue giving the back story of Pete and Elena. Fast forward about 10 years in marriage and their marriage is strained with infertility. The group is gathered for a wedding and everything that can go wrong does! I enjoy the characters and the closeness of the group. I felt this wonderful book had the perfect ending. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Heather Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this book. This is the 4th book in the series and should be read in order. Each book takes place during the same week but has a different character’s perspective and some different activities/events. This series centers around a group of guys who were in the military together and are now family. This book centers around Pete, who has been married the longest out of all the characters. However Pete and his wife have been trying and failing to have a baby for a long time, so that storyline is also in this book. I have come to love this group of friends so much that I wish they were real people and I could meet them. I read this book in one day and went straight to book 5 afterwards. I hope they continue to write books about these characters for a long time. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind a Netflix series on these books!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fun series gives the reader overlapping timelines and events from four different couples. It’s a great funny series. This final book is focused on the married couple, Pete and Elena. The previous books left plenty of their story to be explained in this book. It was lovely to see their sweet connection and the ups and downs as they dealt with real struggles. The Black Ops Tag adds a fun element to all the books. I suggest reading all the books in the series to get the full picture of everything.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these heroic men and their brave, feisty, fun women! The books in this series may be romantic comedies, but they are also so much more. I love the comradery, sense of family and love of country exhibited by this awesome group of heroes! It is interesting to read about the same wedding, and the revenge plot planned around said wedding, from each couples perspective. These amazing authors cannot write the next book fast enough!

[Genoveva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check CW and TW. I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I enjoy the diversity this author has infused in her books. this one tackled some issues that some women could relate to and did it in a beautiful way. Sometimes it's nice to read about someone dealing with some heavy issues and seeing how they learn to navigate life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn´t know wheter to laugh out loud or tell Pete to actually get himself a brain when I read about his attempt to distract his wife - military logic and sensitivity obviously do not mix and in this case meaning well just isn´t enough.
His buddies´mission to step in and salvage the situation is just as hilarious, there is a lot of "fireworks" going on, but in the end everybody´s happy with the outcome.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Reads lotsa stuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is set with ex CIA dragon lady Elena and her Military police man Pete. It begins with their meeting, throws in a little of the romance that brought them together then skips to 10 years in the future. Life isn’t quite what they imagined & they are on the way to a week worth of wedding festivities. There are several twists that don’t always end up where expected. It is a fun read to tie up the series.

[LizJ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete is the hilarious conclusion to this series, of all the antics that happened during wedding week. The Black Ops Tag family are a group supportive friends that have now found their special someone's to move forward with. I recommend this series it's funny, romantic with a lot of zany antics to leave you in stitches!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.