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Lassoed in Texas #1
Petticoat Ranch
Sophie Edwards is doing just fine alone, until a strange-yet oddly familiar-man rides into her life, insisting on rescuing her and her four daughters. Can she find a way to love a headstrong mountain man? When Clay McClellan discovers his brother has been murdered, he's bent on finding the killers and seeing them properly hung. But first his Christian duty demands that he marry his sister-in-law. After all, Sophie needs someone to protect her - right? Faith and love help unruly wed newlyweds find common ground and a chance at love on the Texas frontier.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Mary Connealy
115 books2,569 followersMary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist.
She is the bestselling author of 65 books and novellas.
Her most recent three book series are: Braced for Love, A Man with a Past and Love on the Range for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers.
Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.
Find Mary online at:
Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Website
She is the bestselling author of 65 books and novellas.
Her most recent three book series are: Braced for Love, A Man with a Past and Love on the Range for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers.
Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.
Find Mary online at:
Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
March 1, 2009
Fantastic, hilarious - I've read it four times....and I'll read it again. The entire tete-a-tete relationship between strong-willed men and women take place in Mary Connealy's books and it's a wonderful ride.
August 5, 2018
Overall this was a fun and lighthearted story that I really enjoyed reading. I liked the marriage of convenience plot and watching as the dynamic of the story shifted as the characters became a family and grew to love each other.
There were quite a few funny moments, especially those that involved the four little girls. Sometimes, the heavy handedness of Clay could be annoying, however, his attitude about women showed the reader how little Clay actually knew about them. He really did have a good bit of growth by the end of the book.
Sophie had a tendency to be sneaky and feel that she had to go ahead with her plans, regardless of what her husband suggested. This came from the amount of responsiblity Sophie had carried on her shoulders throughout her marriage and the two years of her widowhood. She also grew a lot in the way she worked with her husband by the story's conclusion.
Men hearing Sophie's prayers from a distance? That really threw me. It got the men where they needed to be, but those moments required me to suspense reality as I read. But, even with that, I enjoyed this sweet story.
There were quite a few funny moments, especially those that involved the four little girls. Sometimes, the heavy handedness of Clay could be annoying, however, his attitude about women showed the reader how little Clay actually knew about them. He really did have a good bit of growth by the end of the book.
Sophie had a tendency to be sneaky and feel that she had to go ahead with her plans, regardless of what her husband suggested. This came from the amount of responsiblity Sophie had carried on her shoulders throughout her marriage and the two years of her widowhood. She also grew a lot in the way she worked with her husband by the story's conclusion.
Men hearing Sophie's prayers from a distance? That really threw me. It got the men where they needed to be, but those moments required me to suspense reality as I read. But, even with that, I enjoyed this sweet story.
March 28, 2026
I was smiling … and somewhere in the middle of that light, easy laughter, something deeper began to press.
Not loudly. Not heavily. Just clearly.
Love.
Petticoat Ranch carries a kind of joy that feels almost effortless … strong personalities, unexpected situations, a household that feels like it could tip into chaos at any moment. I settled into it quickly, amused, curious, enjoying the rhythm of it. And then, without warning, the story reached past the surface and touched something deeper … something with eternal weight.
“Love God. Love your neighbor. We have to find it in ourselves to love everyone.”
That kind of truth searches. It moves inward. It asks quiet questions that don’t disappear when the chapter ends. I felt that … especially in the moments where hating someone came more naturally,
where patience had to be chosen, where grace had to be given without being earned.
And then the words that don’t allow for any softening: “Don’t fool yourself that you can walk through life harboring hatred and still call yourself a believer in Jesus Christ.”
There’s a steadiness in that kind of truth … the kind that brings everything back into alignment with Jesus and God’s Word. It leaves no room for exceptions. It does not adjust itself to comfort. It simply stands … and invites full surrender.
“Love is what Jesus demands of us.”
Not when it’s convenient.
Not when it feels deserved.
Just … always.
In the middle of strong wills, close quarters, and more tension than comfort, that truth kept rising.
This story met me in the middle of something enjoyable … something even humorous … and quietly reminded me that following Jesus is never separate from how I love the people in front of me. Every conversation. Every reaction. Every moment where I have a choice to hold onto frustration or release it.
Mary Connealy created something full of life … and within that life, truth is present. Active. Transforming.
I closed this book fully aware that the Lord had used it to gently correct and realign something in my own heart.
I want my life to reflect that kind of love more faithfully.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit Publicity Group and also read it through Kindle Unlimited). I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
Not loudly. Not heavily. Just clearly.
Love.
Petticoat Ranch carries a kind of joy that feels almost effortless … strong personalities, unexpected situations, a household that feels like it could tip into chaos at any moment. I settled into it quickly, amused, curious, enjoying the rhythm of it. And then, without warning, the story reached past the surface and touched something deeper … something with eternal weight.
“Love God. Love your neighbor. We have to find it in ourselves to love everyone.”
That kind of truth searches. It moves inward. It asks quiet questions that don’t disappear when the chapter ends. I felt that … especially in the moments where hating someone came more naturally,
where patience had to be chosen, where grace had to be given without being earned.
And then the words that don’t allow for any softening: “Don’t fool yourself that you can walk through life harboring hatred and still call yourself a believer in Jesus Christ.”
There’s a steadiness in that kind of truth … the kind that brings everything back into alignment with Jesus and God’s Word. It leaves no room for exceptions. It does not adjust itself to comfort. It simply stands … and invites full surrender.
“Love is what Jesus demands of us.”
Not when it’s convenient.
Not when it feels deserved.
Just … always.
In the middle of strong wills, close quarters, and more tension than comfort, that truth kept rising.
This story met me in the middle of something enjoyable … something even humorous … and quietly reminded me that following Jesus is never separate from how I love the people in front of me. Every conversation. Every reaction. Every moment where I have a choice to hold onto frustration or release it.
Mary Connealy created something full of life … and within that life, truth is present. Active. Transforming.
I closed this book fully aware that the Lord had used it to gently correct and realign something in my own heart.
I want my life to reflect that kind of love more faithfully.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit Publicity Group and also read it through Kindle Unlimited). I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
November 5, 2021
I think I enjoyed this Mary Connealy book more than any of the others by her. =>
February 15, 2020
This was my first book by this author and with her great balance between romance, humor and suspense, it won’t be my last.
Sophie was such a strong, love able, take charge lady. I just loved all her booby traps.
Clay was a man who could come across hard and rude but he was actually just a big bear with a big heart. His attitude/dealings towards Sophie and the girls were so funny.
There was a lot of moments where I wanted to laugh out load (if it wasn’t in the middle of the night I would have) and loved the messages the pastor gave - especially about forgiveness and not taking things in your own hands wrt vengeance.
Highly recommended to fans of Karen Witemeyer - looking forward to the rest of the series.
Sophie was such a strong, love able, take charge lady. I just loved all her booby traps.
Clay was a man who could come across hard and rude but he was actually just a big bear with a big heart. His attitude/dealings towards Sophie and the girls were so funny.
There was a lot of moments where I wanted to laugh out load (if it wasn’t in the middle of the night I would have) and loved the messages the pastor gave - especially about forgiveness and not taking things in your own hands wrt vengeance.
Highly recommended to fans of Karen Witemeyer - looking forward to the rest of the series.
February 17, 2020
Historical fiction is my favorite Christian fiction genre I believe. It is how I got started reading Christian fiction, one problem with it, is that some how I seem to have started with the best and often have a hard time finding anything that really meets the par. Things are great and enjoyable, but not quite as exciting as those first Liz Curtis Higgs or Tracie Peterson and even Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love. Well, boy is that not the case with Mary Connealy! Welcome to my favorites' shelf! (Literally I do have a favorites' shelf, if my mom didn't have half my books from it, I'd post a picture). (Ugh, it was a library book... I'll have to get a copy to put on my favorites' shelf....)
Petticoat Ranch is everything that a good historical fiction should be, and I'm glad to have read it. I'm a southern gal through and through, and I'd like to think myself a Southern Belle. I'm really invested in my genealogy, and I have my family tracked for years to the late sixteen century in the Carolinas, and Virginia, and then later Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Texas. I guess one way to put it, is to say that I'm completely biased. I love the bumper sticker that says "North 1 South 0 Half Time". Not that I'm saying "yay to slavery", but I know the stories, and have read journals of my own family members and have seen how cruel some of the North was against them. Not saying the South were angels, but I'm partial to my rebels, as they are my own blood. With that said... It's often hard for me to ever feel much for a story with Norther ties and empathy.
Not at all the case with this book. I so feel for the characters, they are completely real to me, and I'm fully on their side! This book was incredible. I cannot count the times that I giggled, or rolled my eyes. I have no recollection of how many times I scoffed or said, "MEN!". I am quite unsure of how many times I snickered and had a little evil laugh, feeling I'm sure the emotions of Sophie and her girls. In all cases, it was plenty, and I definitely was smiling through out this novel. That is, when I wasn't scowling and wanting revenge for my own self. The sermons were perfect and powerful, and so true to how God works. The reactions of the characters was real, and the men were not overly flowery, but were such "men". (A problem often found with women authors, but not so with this book in my opinion. With that said, usually male authors have problems with their female characters in my mind too.)
Sophie is such a strong woman, struggling to keep it all together, and I just love her personality. The girls are fabulous, and I really giggle and evil giggle with Beth loving what she's up to. I really cannot praise this story enough, now that I think about it. So many different personalities are captured within the different characters, and the main two commandments of Love from Jesus Christ reverberate through the pages. Even the most stubborn of a person can see a little insight into themselves through these pages.
Petticoat Ranch is everything that a good historical fiction should be, and I'm glad to have read it. I'm a southern gal through and through, and I'd like to think myself a Southern Belle. I'm really invested in my genealogy, and I have my family tracked for years to the late sixteen century in the Carolinas, and Virginia, and then later Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Texas. I guess one way to put it, is to say that I'm completely biased. I love the bumper sticker that says "North 1 South 0 Half Time". Not that I'm saying "yay to slavery", but I know the stories, and have read journals of my own family members and have seen how cruel some of the North was against them. Not saying the South were angels, but I'm partial to my rebels, as they are my own blood. With that said... It's often hard for me to ever feel much for a story with Norther ties and empathy.
Not at all the case with this book. I so feel for the characters, they are completely real to me, and I'm fully on their side! This book was incredible. I cannot count the times that I giggled, or rolled my eyes. I have no recollection of how many times I scoffed or said, "MEN!". I am quite unsure of how many times I snickered and had a little evil laugh, feeling I'm sure the emotions of Sophie and her girls. In all cases, it was plenty, and I definitely was smiling through out this novel. That is, when I wasn't scowling and wanting revenge for my own self. The sermons were perfect and powerful, and so true to how God works. The reactions of the characters was real, and the men were not overly flowery, but were such "men". (A problem often found with women authors, but not so with this book in my opinion. With that said, usually male authors have problems with their female characters in my mind too.)
Sophie is such a strong woman, struggling to keep it all together, and I just love her personality. The girls are fabulous, and I really giggle and evil giggle with Beth loving what she's up to. I really cannot praise this story enough, now that I think about it. So many different personalities are captured within the different characters, and the main two commandments of Love from Jesus Christ reverberate through the pages. Even the most stubborn of a person can see a little insight into themselves through these pages.
April 22, 2013
I’ve never read a book by Mary Connealy before, and after slogging through this western romance, I probably won’t read another.
The book begins by introducing us to Sophie, a widow with four daughters. She hides out in a small run-down shack to avoid the man who killed her husband, Cliff. When another man rides past her shack and over a cliff (!) she and her daughters rescue him. Turns out, he’s Clay, Cliff’s identical twin brother. There’s a thing called willing suspension of disbelief. It doesn’t work her. In the span of 48 hours, Clay who fell off a cliff and survived rides into town. Why isn’t he bedridden with broken bones or a concussion? And how, in the span of only a few days, can Sophie give up her independence for a marriage of convenience to Clay? Clay buys back the family ranch in order to move Sophie and her daughters there, but then the vigilantes who killed Cliff return.
The characters are flawed and unlikable. The daughters are capable when under Sophie’s direction but otherwise are whiny and simpleminded. Clay is very naïve when it comes to marriage and dealing with women. Considering that he’s well-traveled, it seems strange that he doesn’t understand the first thing about women. Sophie vacillates from being dependent on Clay’s kindness and strength to being independent and wanting to take care of her daughters alone. The Christianity in this book isn’t subtle, and I’ve read other books that do a much better job at showing (rather than telling) the message that Connealy seems to be trying to get across. For fans of this author only.
The book begins by introducing us to Sophie, a widow with four daughters. She hides out in a small run-down shack to avoid the man who killed her husband, Cliff. When another man rides past her shack and over a cliff (!) she and her daughters rescue him. Turns out, he’s Clay, Cliff’s identical twin brother. There’s a thing called willing suspension of disbelief. It doesn’t work her. In the span of 48 hours, Clay who fell off a cliff and survived rides into town. Why isn’t he bedridden with broken bones or a concussion? And how, in the span of only a few days, can Sophie give up her independence for a marriage of convenience to Clay? Clay buys back the family ranch in order to move Sophie and her daughters there, but then the vigilantes who killed Cliff return.
The characters are flawed and unlikable. The daughters are capable when under Sophie’s direction but otherwise are whiny and simpleminded. Clay is very naïve when it comes to marriage and dealing with women. Considering that he’s well-traveled, it seems strange that he doesn’t understand the first thing about women. Sophie vacillates from being dependent on Clay’s kindness and strength to being independent and wanting to take care of her daughters alone. The Christianity in this book isn’t subtle, and I’ve read other books that do a much better job at showing (rather than telling) the message that Connealy seems to be trying to get across. For fans of this author only.
July 9, 2020
Well, this is the second book I've read by Mary Connealy. While I enjoyed much better than the first, I still found myself seriously sighing out loud at moments. Not the good sighing either. The more "I'm so frustrated that they said/did that stupid thing; what on earth where they thinking" type sighing.
Sophie was a widow raising 4 daughters in a hidden place in Texas away from town and people. Clay just happens to be the twin brother of her husband that she never knew about. Chaos ensue. They marry only hours after meeting and "get busy." While that is all off page, I would have thought since Sophie was so against marrying Clay, she would not have welcomed his advances, so to say. But nope, I was WAY wrong.
Clay has just landed in Texas looking for his twin's murders and finds himself horse-tied to Sophie and a gaggle of giggling & crying girls. Some of the things he did and said made me want to pull out my thick-curly hair. I could have tied him to a tree and left him there.
There were moments of fun and adventure. Even action since they were tracking down vigilantes. But the frustration won out.
Then there was the "help me" that two of the men heard from Sophie's prayers hundreds of miles away. Felt almost like fantasy aspects. I know for sure G-d can speak & He can allow you to hear others thoughts but this was just a tad far-fetched. It would have been fine if it were only a couple of times but it wasn't.
I'm not sure this author is for me. I know lots of people that love her and I am so happy she'll continue on successful without me!!
This was a clean read. And the women were strong. But the men were stupid!
Sophie was a widow raising 4 daughters in a hidden place in Texas away from town and people. Clay just happens to be the twin brother of her husband that she never knew about. Chaos ensue. They marry only hours after meeting and "get busy." While that is all off page, I would have thought since Sophie was so against marrying Clay, she would not have welcomed his advances, so to say. But nope, I was WAY wrong.
Clay has just landed in Texas looking for his twin's murders and finds himself horse-tied to Sophie and a gaggle of giggling & crying girls. Some of the things he did and said made me want to pull out my thick-curly hair. I could have tied him to a tree and left him there.
There were moments of fun and adventure. Even action since they were tracking down vigilantes. But the frustration won out.
Then there was the "help me" that two of the men heard from Sophie's prayers hundreds of miles away. Felt almost like fantasy aspects. I know for sure G-d can speak & He can allow you to hear others thoughts but this was just a tad far-fetched. It would have been fine if it were only a couple of times but it wasn't.
I'm not sure this author is for me. I know lots of people that love her and I am so happy she'll continue on successful without me!!
This was a clean read. And the women were strong. But the men were stupid!
December 15, 2015
3.5 stars
Sophie Edwards is recently widowed and now finds herself a single mother doing the impossible. Raising four daughters on her own, in the 1800's, in the state of Texas. She's an amazing mother, and a strong, capable, independent woman. Clay McClellan is on a mission to find his long lost twin brother and instead discovers his brothers widow along with a whole passel of little adorable girls.
This book had one of the most intriguing beginnings of any book I've read in a very long time. It definitely grabbed me from the start and I had a really hard time putting it down for the first half. I loved the story-line and the humor of our poor hero thrown into the family of a bunch of girls. So cute. Clay is completely clueless but it is entirely endearing. I absolutely adored the first half of this book and all of the characters. The second half did drag for me and I found it quite predictable, though still enjoyable. It does become quite preachy, but the author fits it in well with the story and it becomes pretty crucial to the ending. All in all I enjoyed the read.
Western/clean romance/marriage of convenience
Sophie Edwards is recently widowed and now finds herself a single mother doing the impossible. Raising four daughters on her own, in the 1800's, in the state of Texas. She's an amazing mother, and a strong, capable, independent woman. Clay McClellan is on a mission to find his long lost twin brother and instead discovers his brothers widow along with a whole passel of little adorable girls.
This book had one of the most intriguing beginnings of any book I've read in a very long time. It definitely grabbed me from the start and I had a really hard time putting it down for the first half. I loved the story-line and the humor of our poor hero thrown into the family of a bunch of girls. So cute. Clay is completely clueless but it is entirely endearing. I absolutely adored the first half of this book and all of the characters. The second half did drag for me and I found it quite predictable, though still enjoyable. It does become quite preachy, but the author fits it in well with the story and it becomes pretty crucial to the ending. All in all I enjoyed the read.
Western/clean romance/marriage of convenience
July 25, 2009
Sophie Edwards is living in Texas, taking care of her four girls on her own in a spunky, creative way. She enters in a marriage of convenience and the hunt is on for some outlaws who are terrorizing the area.
I thought it was a cute story, but it the way Sophie's prayers were heard and answered was very strange. That aside, I'm still smiling about the girls giggling and crying all over their new Pa.
I thought it was a cute story, but it the way Sophie's prayers were heard and answered was very strange. That aside, I'm still smiling about the girls giggling and crying all over their new Pa.
May 3, 2016
This was probably one of the first Christian Historical Fiction books I ever read, and I've re-read it plenty of times since 2010. Mary Connealy always has me laughing to the point of tears and hanging on the edge of my seat, biting my nails. Overall, if you're looking for an action-packed, faith based, laugh out loud story, look no further than
Petticoat Ranch
by Mary Connealy. Read my full review: http://faithlovebooks.blogspot.com/20...
November 7, 2019
I love this book. I laughed, cried, and sometimes I want to hit the men. It taught how to forgive, to love everybody. I love the girls and their mama but they also how they taught the men that women and young girls can do anything.
August 12, 2015
Such a great book! Laughed my head off at the wonderfully hilarious characters. Very enjoyable read!
January 29, 2018
A delightful read, exactly what I'm coming to expect from the few books I've read of Mary Connealy. It was an interesting turnaround for both main characters--one with no experience with females, one with some negative experience with males. Of course, the timeline shortened dramatically the amount of time both had to make the necessary changes to their hearts and minds, but it is amazing what one can do and how one can change when one determines to live life God's way.
I loved the relationship between the girls and their mother, and how they used their own imagination to expand upon what she was taught. I also appreciated the way the author dealt with the intense anger that would be normal in the circumstances she described without weighing down the entire story with heaviness and hopelessness. I can't wait to read more of this series.
I loved the relationship between the girls and their mother, and how they used their own imagination to expand upon what she was taught. I also appreciated the way the author dealt with the intense anger that would be normal in the circumstances she described without weighing down the entire story with heaviness and hopelessness. I can't wait to read more of this series.
June 18, 2020
I like marriage of convenience stories but this one I didn’t particularly love. But neither did I completely hate it. The main characters were very incongruous to me. One minute the heroine is a strong female with a backbone and intelligent independent mind and in the next second she’s doing whatever her husband wishes and forcing herself to be more obedient to him . I know that’s the era, but I didn’t like that. Honestly, the hero wasn’t much better. Bossy, mean, man of the house stance, spouting rules about crying females and other nonsense, and then in the next line it would be, it’s because I care so much and I’m so worried etc. etc. It felt very jarring to me and detracted from the entire story. And the romance between them was not built very well at all. So while it was an ok story I did have a few gripes.
September 4, 2011
The relationship between Clay and Sophie drove me nuts the whole entire book. The notion that Clay is in charge of Sophie and she has to obey him, and not question anything is absurd. Marriage is equal partnership. That is mainly why I didn't like this book, along with some smaller things.
May 6, 2022
I just couldn't finish this. I just didn't like the characters or how they just jump in bed together and its never talked about.... Weird.
March 10, 2026
Sophie Edwards lives in Texas and some days she feels like she is just surviving. After loosing her husband, she lives with her four daughters so as you can imagine, life is not easy. It had been a long two years, but she endures. During a thunderstorm, she helps a stranger, only to recognize him as Clay, the twin brother of her late husband. Clay is in Texas, seeking justice for his brother’s murder. The only way to achieve this is by teaming up with Sophie and trusting each other.
“Petticoat Ranch” written by Mary Connealy is an amazing story of love, family and surviving one of life’s greatest losses. I thoroughly enjoyed this story from cover to cover. Sophia was a wonderful and relatable strong character. She is witty and very determined to give her daughters the life they deserve, the best life possible. I highly recommend this wonderful read.
“Petticoat Ranch” written by Mary Connealy is an amazing story of love, family and surviving one of life’s greatest losses. I thoroughly enjoyed this story from cover to cover. Sophia was a wonderful and relatable strong character. She is witty and very determined to give her daughters the life they deserve, the best life possible. I highly recommend this wonderful read.
May 25, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. I thought Sophie and Clay were both likeable enough characters, but also flawed enough to seem realistic. One thing, though, that I really appreciated about both of them, is that even though they were both Christians from the get-go, they allowed themselves to let their sins convict them and then seek repentance, even though it was hard to let God have the final say-so in what they were facing with the vigilante band.
As with every Mary Connealy book I've read, the humour was on point and had me giggling out loud more than a time or two.
As with every Mary Connealy book I've read, the humour was on point and had me giggling out loud more than a time or two.
March 4, 2026
What fun to see this book republished again. I enjoyed it when it first released in 2006 and jumped at the chance to reread it once more. I loved the heroine, Sophie Edwards, as she works to protect herself and her four young daughters as they eek out an existence in the Texas wilderness.
Mary Connealy takes readers on a rip-roaring ride through this first book in the series. Throw in vigilantes, and an unexpected twin brother of her deceased husband, and you end up with a book you won't want to put down.
~While this book was provided free for review, I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review. (2026)
Mary Connealy takes readers on a rip-roaring ride through this first book in the series. Throw in vigilantes, and an unexpected twin brother of her deceased husband, and you end up with a book you won't want to put down.
~While this book was provided free for review, I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review. (2026)
December 20, 2023
This fluctuated between admirable, sweet, mildly amusing and lame. I did like the last couple of chapters: the fight with the bad guys and the birth.
June 12, 2025
Humor, mystery and love
what more could you ask for.
what more could you ask for.
March 10, 2026
Sophie has managed to survive in the west for two years since her husband was killed. Then one night during a rainstorm she rescues an injured rider. While cleaning his injuries she realizes he bares a striking resemblance to her dead husband.
This was an enjoyable story. Sophie is tough and resilient and has taught her daughters to be the same. It’s a nice clean romance and has a strong Christian theme running through it. Definitely recommend
This was an enjoyable story. Sophie is tough and resilient and has taught her daughters to be the same. It’s a nice clean romance and has a strong Christian theme running through it. Definitely recommend
April 2, 2026
This was a lovely western story! One of my favorite things was the family of all girls and the rough-and-tough cowboy dynamic. It was super comedic, which balanced out some of the suspense moments! The plot was compelling and I always enjoy when authors write the villain’s perspective or a secondary character’s POV, and this book had both! Looking forward to the next books in the series.
I received an early re-release ebook to read and review.
I received an early re-release ebook to read and review.
March 31, 2024
4.5 stars.
Sophie Edwards has been hiding and living on her own for two years in the thicket. One night a man rides by her home and over a cliff. Seconds before a flash flood threatens to kill her and the mystery rider she and her girls pull the man to safety. As they work to doctor the man up Sophia soon realizes he looks just like her husband. Problem is she buried him herself two years ago!! Clay wakes up and thinks he is surrounded by angels. Soon he finds out that Sophia is his late brothers wife. He plans to look after the family and has Sophia married to him before she can beat him senseless for such an idea! What follows is a hysterical love story filled with laughter, love and petticoats.
Last year I was lucky enough to read the series Sophie’s Daughters which is the three young girls(Mandy, Beth and Sally) in this book all grown up. I have wanted to go back and read how it all began and finally a few months back the Kindle version of the whole trilogy was released.
What I liked: Sophie and her girls are great you can’t help but fall in love with them. They are strong Texas ladies and letting a man into their life was quite fun to read. I also enjoyed meeting some of the side characters. Plus the story of Sophia praying to God for help which in turn had people coming from 100’s of miles away to help her was really neat and a cool way to show how God is always their for us.
What I did not like: The one thing that kind of bothered me was the rule Clay made with the girls about no crying. I know its part of the story line and parts of that carries over to the series about them, I just thought it was kind of stupid. But watching Clay run every time a girl cried was funny!
Over all this was a great book and I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the other two books in the series. I just love Mary’s writing style and how she tells her stories. I really can not get enough of her and can see myself going back and rereading her books at some point which is not something I do a lot. If you like Historical Fiction and Western Romance this is a great book for you.
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2012/0...
Sophie Edwards has been hiding and living on her own for two years in the thicket. One night a man rides by her home and over a cliff. Seconds before a flash flood threatens to kill her and the mystery rider she and her girls pull the man to safety. As they work to doctor the man up Sophia soon realizes he looks just like her husband. Problem is she buried him herself two years ago!! Clay wakes up and thinks he is surrounded by angels. Soon he finds out that Sophia is his late brothers wife. He plans to look after the family and has Sophia married to him before she can beat him senseless for such an idea! What follows is a hysterical love story filled with laughter, love and petticoats.
Last year I was lucky enough to read the series Sophie’s Daughters which is the three young girls(Mandy, Beth and Sally) in this book all grown up. I have wanted to go back and read how it all began and finally a few months back the Kindle version of the whole trilogy was released.
What I liked: Sophie and her girls are great you can’t help but fall in love with them. They are strong Texas ladies and letting a man into their life was quite fun to read. I also enjoyed meeting some of the side characters. Plus the story of Sophia praying to God for help which in turn had people coming from 100’s of miles away to help her was really neat and a cool way to show how God is always their for us.
What I did not like: The one thing that kind of bothered me was the rule Clay made with the girls about no crying. I know its part of the story line and parts of that carries over to the series about them, I just thought it was kind of stupid. But watching Clay run every time a girl cried was funny!
Over all this was a great book and I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the other two books in the series. I just love Mary’s writing style and how she tells her stories. I really can not get enough of her and can see myself going back and rereading her books at some point which is not something I do a lot. If you like Historical Fiction and Western Romance this is a great book for you.
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2012/0...
April 19, 2009
Sophie Edwards is used to taking care of herself and her four daughters after her husband's death. Her constant prayer is, "Help me, Lord" while she does what needs to be done in the small shack they live in. Then one night, a stranger shows up and almost dies. She and the girls rescue him and find out he is Clay McClellan, the twin brother of her deceased husband. Feeling obligated to care for the woman and children his long lost brother left behind, he corners her into marrying him. She puts up a fight but decides to go along with it in order to have her ranch back.
However, there's trouble brewing. Judd Mason wants that ranch and makes a plan to kill them in order to get it. Meanwhile, Clay feels inferior to his brother who seems to have done everything right while he (Clay) keeps messing things up. Sophie is determined to do the chores and fix up the place as she's always done, and her daugthers, who adore Clay, pretend to be helpless in order to soothe his ego. So Sophie and Clay constantly butt heads and argue, but even in the midst of it, there's humor.
Mary Connealy does a remarkable job with comedy, and this light-hearted book will be a fun read for anyone in the mood for a little romance and suspense.
However, there's trouble brewing. Judd Mason wants that ranch and makes a plan to kill them in order to get it. Meanwhile, Clay feels inferior to his brother who seems to have done everything right while he (Clay) keeps messing things up. Sophie is determined to do the chores and fix up the place as she's always done, and her daugthers, who adore Clay, pretend to be helpless in order to soothe his ego. So Sophie and Clay constantly butt heads and argue, but even in the midst of it, there's humor.
Mary Connealy does a remarkable job with comedy, and this light-hearted book will be a fun read for anyone in the mood for a little romance and suspense.
August 9, 2013
I just finished reading Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy.
Mary Connealy is absolutely one of my favorite authors. Everything she writes is heartfelt, awesome, and HILARIOUS.
Petticoat Ranch, her first published novel, is no exception.
Sophie Edwards and her family of four young daughters have a very nice life, living in hiding in a thicket outside town--they even have a disguise Sophie wears whenever they have "visitors" so everybody thinks a crazy old woman lives there.
Everything changes one night when a mysterious man who is being chased comes riding through their little home. He is thrown from his horse into a flooding river and Sophie and her girls rescue him.
What shocks the girls is that, once he is cleaned up, he looks exactly like Sophie's dead husband. Exactly.
Clay McClellan turns out to be Cliff's twin brother, a brother whom Cliff himself did not know about. Clay decides it is his duty to marry his brother's widow to support her, and he does just that.
Clay buys back his brother's ranch and moves the family back. He finds himself stuck in a world full of females--unlike any other he has seen before. When the bad guys who killed Sophie's first husband returns, a lot of great action ensues.
I struggled to put this book down. It is a must-read.
Mary Connealy is absolutely one of my favorite authors. Everything she writes is heartfelt, awesome, and HILARIOUS.
Petticoat Ranch, her first published novel, is no exception.
Sophie Edwards and her family of four young daughters have a very nice life, living in hiding in a thicket outside town--they even have a disguise Sophie wears whenever they have "visitors" so everybody thinks a crazy old woman lives there.
Everything changes one night when a mysterious man who is being chased comes riding through their little home. He is thrown from his horse into a flooding river and Sophie and her girls rescue him.
What shocks the girls is that, once he is cleaned up, he looks exactly like Sophie's dead husband. Exactly.
Clay McClellan turns out to be Cliff's twin brother, a brother whom Cliff himself did not know about. Clay decides it is his duty to marry his brother's widow to support her, and he does just that.
Clay buys back his brother's ranch and moves the family back. He finds himself stuck in a world full of females--unlike any other he has seen before. When the bad guys who killed Sophie's first husband returns, a lot of great action ensues.
I struggled to put this book down. It is a must-read.
March 2, 2026
Years and years ago I read Petticoat Ranch. I always remembered how much I enjoyed the premise of a man who grew up with no women around to become a husband and father to four daughters overnight. I probably enjoyed the story even more this time! This historical romcom has aged gracefully. It reminded me of everything I adore about Mary Connealy’s writing and why I have a shelf full of her books. Clay trying to navigate the mysteries of the universe (like… happy tears!?) had me snort laughing. I admired Sophie for always just doing what needed to be done, but I also appreciated her ability to learn to share the load… after some practice. Her daughters are a delight, and new readers will be glad to know there’s a whole series called Sophie’s Daughters where you get to find out where these lovable rascals end up with their own happily-ever-afters. There are vigilantes and ingenious traps and a whole lot of laughter and fun, written in Connealy’s clever and funny voice. I’m so glad this series is coming back into print for more readers to experience the chaos of the McClellen ranch.
I own the original paperback, but I was given a complementary ebook of this new addition from the author and publisher. I was not asked to leave a positive review and my opinions are my own.
I own the original paperback, but I was given a complementary ebook of this new addition from the author and publisher. I was not asked to leave a positive review and my opinions are my own.
March 14, 2015
Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy plunges you into adventure with a storm, a pursuit, and danger. Connealy bends the genre of historical romance, adding her own blend of non-stop action, imperfect though lovable characters, heartwarming comic relief, and the gritty details of real ranch life that this author does so well. Start with a can-do widow, forced to live in a thicket hideaway with her four fatherless girls, add a handsome cowboy on the run, throw in a bunch of mean bad guys, and you have a start. But top it off with the kind of page-turning, smile-a-minute action that you find in Mary Connealy's writing, and you'll be coming back for more. I definitely want to learn what happens to the young'uns of Petticoat Ranch as they grow up and have families of their own.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes fun, rollicking stories or watches Romantic Comedies. In fact, this should be a Romantic Comedy series, Hallmark!
Highly recommended for anyone who likes fun, rollicking stories or watches Romantic Comedies. In fact, this should be a Romantic Comedy series, Hallmark!
August 22, 2011
Others have reviewed it so I'll just tell you why I didn't care for this book. I hate to be the negative one here but I found it hard to believe that the strong widow and mother Sophie, who has managed on her own for several years can meet, marry, start a sexual relationship, and not communicate well with her new husband.... and this all happens in a span of a few days. And if Clay was as bad off from his injuries, how did he manage to suddenly ride into town when 48 hours before he was near death?
I really wanted to like this book. If you are looking for an appealing, old-fashioned love story try COURTING EMMA HOWE, a book that is more realistic of the times. Since it is out-of-print, try your local library first.
I really wanted to like this book. If you are looking for an appealing, old-fashioned love story try COURTING EMMA HOWE, a book that is more realistic of the times. Since it is out-of-print, try your local library first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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