The Reluctant Rancher

by Jolene Navarro

Will his childhood nemesis

be the second chance he needs?

Despite the mess FBI agent Enzo Flores has made of his life, he’s still eager to help others—like his sister, Ana. But coming home to Texas to run the family ranch and take care of his nephew might be more than Enzo can handle. He enlists the help of Ana’s best friend, Resa Espinoza, who’s always been good at riling him up. This time, she might just help him heal…

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Lone Star Heritage

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Love Inspired

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2023

About the author

Living in the Texas Hill Country, with her four children, Jolene’s life, much like the stories she writes, is filled with faith, family, football, art, laughter, dirty dishes and all of life's wonderful messiness.

Jolene knows that, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heart-breakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that long kisses and dancing in the rain never gets old.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok story, Enzo and Lorenzo as main characters got confusing.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was happy to travel back to Port Del Mar, Texas, the setting of two series by Jolene Navarro. I love this town and the secondary characters aka busybodies who can’t help but meddle out of love. 🙂 And I do so enjoy a romance set in the midst of a close-knit family ’cause they never let you get away with anything. So, lots of interfering siblings and wise matriarchs bring equal parts substance and fun to this romance.

Enzo is a little bit moody and out of his comfort zone as he gives up chasing bad guys for a time so he can wrangle his five-year-old nephew while his sister’s on bedrest with a complicated pregnancy. And it irks him that his little sister’s best friend (and the kid who was always dragging Ana into trouble) keeps coming to his rescue where little Lorenzo is concerned.

Only Resa is no longer the annoying pest he remembers. Now she’s a beautiful, spirited woman who isn’t cowed by Enzo’s detached FBI agent demeanour. Cue the fireworks and laughter and be prepared to be entertained. Oh — and their meet-cute — hysterical!!!!! Really sets the tone for the push/pull of their relationship all the way through.

A vibrant romance filled with hope and grace.

https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/08/18/t...

[Elaine Applebury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story of FBI agent Enzo Flores. He tries to have control of his life at all times. Things haven’t gone so well this past year and he has a lot to learn about giving control back to God. Enzo comes home to the ranch to help his sister, Ana, and young nephew, Lorenzo. Ana is on bed rest until her baby comes. Her husband is deployed out of the country and her parents are in Peru on a mission trip. Enzo hasn’t done ranch work for a few years so Ana has her best friend and midwife, Resa Espinoza help out. Enzo doesn’t want another wife and definitely no children. Resa wants to be a wife and mother. Can these two work together?

[Harlequin Books]

Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Western Romance, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Lone Star Heritage

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline... With excellent characters

[Arlyn Strodtbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Seajay CORLEY · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay romance novel. Quick read, but nothing earth shattering happened within the novel... boy and girl reunite in adult life, realized that they loved each other in youth, and marry

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Read in 2024

[Janice Sisemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this first book I read by this author. I will definitely read more. Enzo came home to help his sister, meets Resa his sister best friend and midwife. I loved reading about the ranch life.

[Heather Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I love most about Love Inspired books is seeing what Bible verse the author shares at the beginning. In Jolene Navarro’s The Reluctant Rancher, it happened to be my favorite verse, Zephaniah 3:17. My favorite part of that verse is, “He will quiet you with His love.”
That is what happens to both Enzo Flores and Teresa “Resa” Espinoza in this book. Enzo is an FBI agent, home to help run the ranch, and take care of his young nephew, while his parents are on a mission trip and his sister is on modified bed rest. He has always been a man whose middle names should have been “planned” and “prepared”, but after a failed mission and a failed marriage, is emotionally flailing.
Resa is a midwife and Enzo’s sister’s best friend since childhood. While she loves her job, she dreams and prays for a husband and children of her own. She even has a list of candidates! Enzo coming back to town, even temporarily, awakens feelings she carried for him for years. But he’s made it clear he does not want the same things as she does.
But “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Can Enzo and Resa stop making their own plans and let the Lord “quiet them with His love”? Will He lead their divergent paths together into one heading for the same future?
I read this in one day and am confident you will, too. Plus it has my favorite, an epilogue! I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reluctant Rancher by Jolene Navarro is a sweet story about well a reluctant rancher. FBI agent Enzo Flores has come home to the family ranch to help while his sister is on bedrest. Their parents are in Peru on a missionary trip. Enzo always knew that ranching wasn't in his blood. He was destined to help people out in the world. But running a ranch and bonding with his 5 year old nephew isn't easy. Thankfully, Reza Espinoza is there to lend a helping hand, but there was always something about Reza that got him riled up when they were growing up. Maybe things changed, but then again maybe not.
This was such a beautiful sweet story. I loved watching Enzo and Reza has they came together to take care of the ranch and little 5 year Lorenzo. I also fell in love with The Flores family and the Espinoza family. This is what family should be like. There was an epilogue and I got all the feels. Crying at the end, but only happy crying! It's hard to not fall in love with these two families. This was my first book in the Lone Star Heritage series. I can't wait to read the next one. I was given a copy of the book, but all opinions are my very own.

[Tara Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo Flores comes home to take care of his sister. Ana is pregnant and on bed rest. Her husband's deployed. Ana's and Enzo's parents are in South America. Enzo is tasked with taking care of the family ranch and watching is five year old nephew, Lorenzo. He's not sure how he's going to manage the ranch and babysitting. Resa his sister's best friend steps in to help Enzo. This is a awesome, Christian sweet romance full of love, faith, second chances and hope.A must read.

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by author Jolene Navarro. It’s the first of her’s that I’ve read but won’t be the last. She did a great job of putting me right there, watching what was happening with Enzo, Resa, and Ana along with the other well written characters.

This story had what we all wish for our family; love and loyalty. But maybe someone took loyalty too far? It is possible as we’ll see.

A story of hope and second chances, I highly recommend it.

[Dawn Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with likable characters. This is the second book in the author's Lone Star Heritage series. It can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed the characters and their real life situations. Both Enzo and Resa are good at helping others and riling each other up. I also enjoyed the secondary characters of their families and friends.