Facing down one of her high school bullies didn't exactly go the way she'd planned... Instead of giving Darius Smith a piece of her mind and walking away knowing she'd had the last word, Brynnly somehow finds herself on a date with him. At Rawhide Ranch. Where Darius just accepted a job as a professor at the University. As if all of that wasn't shocking enough, Darius turns out to be everything Brynnly has ever wanted in a Daddy–strict but sweet, with a hand like a paddle he doesn't hesitate to use to turn her bottom bright red when she finally pushes him too far. But the wounds from Brynnly's past run deeper than either of them realize. If their budding relationship is going to stand a chance, she'll need to let go of all that pain and trust her heart to the one man capable of ripping it apart...
Tucked in the countryside with her family and numerous stuffies, Allie Belle writes the stories she has always wanted to read. She loves the idea of being a Little to a strong, stern Daddy and explores the dynamic in every way she can.
When not writing, you can find her snuggled under her princess blanket with her kindle or watching trashy reality TV.
A riveting read that you’ll love, a school crush and hurt and a jock are the main characters
Darius Smith was the Jock of his local school and he had gone on after school to excel in his now wanted to return back to his hometown.
He had heard that there was a job working at the well-known Rawhide Ranch where he would be training and helping the people that lived on the premises and also those that visited. As a Daddy Dom himself this was also somewhere he hoped that he would be able to permanently settle down if offered the position, ideally, he would love to build his own home on the ridge of the ranch but only time would tell.
Brynnly Martin was a teacher at the local school it was a job that she took extremely seriously and she was currently heading the committee raising funds to purchase new computers for the classrooms of the school. Imagine her surprise as she was working on the raffle when she spies Darius Smith a Jock from her own school days who had made her life a misery along with his girlfriend, something she had never forgotten of forgiven.
When he wins the raffle and gets to take Brynn to dinner he cannot explain how much he is looking forward to it without knowing how she sees him, he takes her to Rawhide Ranch and this is where their interaction with each other surprises both of them.
You will be blown away by the interaction between these two who are getting to know each other, they find out far more about each other than either could possibly have imagined.
I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read. I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
A Little Groundhog Day Gamble is part of the Holidays at Rawhide Ranch series. Darius has moved back to town, got a new job at Rawhide Ranch, and runs into Brynnly, a girl he knew from high school. While her reception to him is much cooler than expected, Darius takes a chance to win a date to see if they could be something more, but will Brynnly be able to forgive their past and see herself with her Daddy?
This book was cute and sweet, but there were a lot of hurdles that Brynnly and Darius needed to overcome to find any type of future together. Learning to be honest with their communication, facing fears and unknown, and building trust is hard work when you think you know who the other person is. Brynnly had a lot of internal work to do, boosting her own confidence, finding true forgiveness, but also facing who she might truly be inside too, and while she was scared, she was curious and willing to try. Darius was great for her because he was able to push her, get her to open up, and protected who she was. I liked that he constantly checked in with her, reminded her that she held the power to stop at any time, but was also willing to put in the hard work to make their budding relationship work. Sometimes I felt he might have been a bit too pushy or willing to see things from her point of view, but I also know they had limited time together and she needed pushed. I liked them together. I liked that this was low drama and focused primarily on the couple. Good book, and good addition to the series!
Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on 2 February 2023 I absolutely loved this book. I thoroughly enjoy reading about the Rawhide Ranch. Darius Smith was the star quarterback in his high school, Porter’s Corner High School, and college, he chose coaching instead of the big time professional football teams after college. He is now retired from coaching the college football team and on his way to the Rawhide Ranch as the fitness coordinator. Brynnly Martin is a teacher at the Porter’s Corner High School she had a crush on Darius and he has suddenly appeared at the high school fund raiser that she is in charge of.
Brynn has a lot of resentment towards Darius because of being bullied through her high school years and he seem to have been at the centre of it all. Darius had no idea, but he has always been interested in her and now he’s he’s going to see if she is what he wants in his life. This was a very interestingly exciting story about two people who had feelings for each other. There is a past that is getting between them. There’s only one way to discover what happens and that is to read this book and to enjoy it as much as I did.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Darius comes to Rawhide Ranch for a teaching job. Since he is back in his hometown, he goes to the school's fund raiser where he runs into Brynnly who he went to high school with. He does not recognize her but she recognizes him, bringing back bad memories of high school. She tries to ignore him but he's hard to ignore. He asks for a date. She counters by saying she gets to choose where, only to choose Rawhide Ranch where she thinks he cannot get a room. He gets the room. What happens now?
I liked this story. I understood Brynnly's apprehension when he shows up again. She has not resolved the issues of bullying from high school. When Brynnly and Darius meet, she has a meltdown. Darius is at a loss until he's told what happened. He gets into his Daddy mode and helps Brynnly get through her past. I do think Brynnly could use some professional help as well. Darius remembers the time as well but not as Brynnly remembers it. I liked that their memories are different. It is so realistic. I liked that Darius pushed Brynnly to open up to him so he could figure out what was happening in her mind. They open the lines of communication between them. It works.
Romance trope: Daddy kink; enemies to lovers Series: Holidays at Rawhide Ranch Length: 140 npages
Plot: Brynnly is hard at work arranging a fundraiser at the school when she runs into her high school nemesis, Darius. He never did anything personally to her, but his girlfriend was the leader of the mean girls that tormented her. Thus, he is enemy number one - he could have done something, but just let the bullying happen. But Darius doesn't even realize he needs to make amends and would like to get to know Brynnly better. He manages to trick her into a date, and she insists he take her to Rawhide Ranch, where he just happens to be a new employee. They have a lot to work out though before they can date in any way.
Commentary: It was so strange to me that he really had no memory of all the torment his girlfriend and her friends caused. It's like all he could remember is the trouble that he had with the girlfriend and how he broke up with her, but nothing about all the collateral damage. He really thought it was just "oh yeah, I was a jerk." I guess I wanted more of an apology. But the big man on campus type never really understands that other people legitimately suffered. He didn't, so everything must have been fine, right? He didn't seem like a bad guy, truly, but maybe just the kind that effortlessly floats through life with no opposition, no challenge, no struggle. I wanted a little more from him as a character.
This time at the Ranch we Get to meet Brynnly and Darius. For me This book feels like an enemy to lovers type of book. Darius was in Brynnly’s eyes a bully, and her feelings towards Darius is verry mixed. She hates him for her High school days, but she likes the way he looks and makes her feel now. After a sneeky raffle, he got her to go on a date with him and she chose the Ranch, thinking he couldn’t make it happen for a long time, if not at all. But here we are. Can Darius Get Brynnly to open up about her feelings about bouth Darius and what she feels at the Ranch? Will This really be an enemy to lovers book?
Im sad to say, This book disapointed me a little to be hournest. I was hoping for more of the other Littles at the Ranch, and there was just something that didn’t make me Connect with the story as the Ranch books normaly does, but it is a sweet addition to the series and a quick read that i know other graders Will love.
Darius Smith is back home. His marriage didn’t last. He has found a job teaching at the Rawhide Ranch. Perhaps he will finally find his little. The fact that this all happens during a Groundhog Day event makes it fun. Brynn is a teacher and loves what she does. Seeing Darius brings back old memories of all the cruel things Darius’ crew did to her in high school. But the past is just that, the past. Brynn had to let all that hurt go. Not only that but she had to confront him and let it all out. Darius didn’t know anything about what went on in high school. He did like Brynn and never could understand why the cold shoulder. Brynn had a lot to work out. She was so unsure of her feelings and of herself. I do love that Darius had the patience to walk her through everything. Even her learning about herself and if she even had a little side. She was new and had so much to learn. We all have to let go of the past when it brings about hurt feelings. Thank goodness that these two learn that the attraction was there and it was a new day.
I enjoyed this book, although it didn’t involve as much Littling as I had been expected, but that is not always a bad thing 😊 He was so surprised at her reaction when they met up, but she then decided to take that step and met up again, and what a good decision that was for her. I just love this series, and the fact that so many authors are involved means that the tales are all different—a great idea!
Merged review:
I enjoyed this book, although it didn’t involve as much Littling as I had been expected, but that is not always a bad thing 😊 He was so surprised at her reaction when they met up, but she then decided to take that step and met up again, and what a good decision that was for her. I just love this series, and the fact that so many authors are involved means that the tales are all different—a great idea!
I appreciate how these books tackle all sorts of issues and different types of littles and Daddies. The author tackles one of those issues in this story as Brynnly sees Darius as a bully from her past. She struggles with that as she likes who he is now. This story shows us that things may not always be as they seem because Darius didn’t realize how she was treated in school and why she has defenses up now. It also shows us that situations and people can change. Once again the magic of the ranch brings about a HEA. I love how the authors dialogue helps you to understand what the two main characters are feeling. There is a lot of emotion in this story and I could actually connect with the characters as I read it. It is well written and I really enjoyed this story. Solid 5 star read!
This book has two of my favorite tropes. Darius and Brynn have a history, although she looks at it quite differently than he does. Brynn has held a grudge for ten long years and is shocked when Darius wants to date her. A new job at Rawhide Ranch has brought Darius back to town and when he sees Brynn at a fundraiser he goes after her hard. The ranch provides the perfect backdrop for these two to build their trust and discover they are just right for each other. There were times I wanted to shake both of them, because of course no one is perfect and makes the best decision every time and I appreciated the realness of that part of the story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this little read. I related to Brynnly a lot because I came home crying alot in school from being bullied. I understood her fears and built up emotions upon seeing Darius again. It was a bit amusing in a way how Brynn thought the date would never happen and it backfired. Darius was a true gentlemen and patient for most part. I'm not sure how I felt about how quickly he took her over his knee first time. I'm not against insta love or things happening fast, it just seemed alittle too quick for a first time esp. Since it was all new to Brynn. That being said it was exactly what she seemed to need. Watching her find her true self and the daddy she needed was really special. Don't miss out on this addition to the Ranch!
Brynnly (love the name by the way!) is a teacher who was a quiet shy nerd in high school. Darius is a physical trainer working at Rawhide Ranch who was the popular quarterback in high school. Brynnly suggests a weekend date at the ranch to Darius and he agrees. Things start off rocky between them because Brynnly gets overwhelmed and she also doesn't belive she is a little. Darius sticks with her though and tries to make her see how things can be. He gets her to agree to stay and not give up on their weekend together. She finally starts to come around to the idea of him being her daddy. His romantic gesture in the cafeteria was so sweet and had me smiling big! ☺️ The last couple pages! 🥰
I am leaving my honest review for a complimentary copy of this book via the author.
I found this story to be insightful as well as a somewhat lighthearted read. As Brynn deals with her high-school baggage, Darius finds himself playing a larger part in her past hurts than he could ever imagine. Some of what is written, resonates as echoes of real life.
Although Brynn does not consider herself to have a Little, Daddy Dom Darius hopes to discover commonalities enough for a lasting relationship. However, Brynn is curious and how she finds a way inside Rawhide Ranch is entertaining, how she copes with what she discovers is enlightening. A likable couple, I hope to see cameos of them in future books.
Old high school “bully” turned love interest, Darius, comes back to town. Brynn has convinced herself of a few things that may not be true, simply because she’s never let herself go: she doesn’t like Darius, she’s not kinky, and she’s not a little. Darius pulls out all the stops to convince Brynn to give him a chance and acts as a tour guide of sorts too.
I enjoyed watching the mindset shift of Brynn through the story; as she learned more, she allowed herself the freedom to change her mind. I also loved how Darius was a good balance of patient and stern, all while reinforcing the concept of labels meaning whatever you want them to… “Daddy” doesn’t mean the same for everyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved this book it was awesome, the storyline was mesmerising because once you start you cannot stop and the characters were sensational. This story was about Darius and Brynn she needed to forgive to move on, listen to what people say and grateful that they can have a future. Will Brynn say what is on her mind she still hurts, will Darius explain to her and have plenty of patience as he is a Daddy Dom and now he needs Brynn to understand what it is to being a little.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Little Groundhog Day Gamble is another installment in the Rawhide Ranch series. Ms. Belle penned a charming age-play romance. The plot is character drive. She chronicles the romantic journey of Brynn and Darius, who met in high school. Theirs is a opposites attract relationship. She was a nerd while he was the high school football quarterback. Old emotional wounds haunt Brynn as Darius pursues her. Ms. Belle’s writing style is enjoyable. Her prose flows easily. She is skilled in creating both primary and secondary characters. The main characters have a chemistry between them. Readers cannot help but cheer them on. Way to go, Ms. Belle.
Sweet and engaging story. Brynn is formidably sweet and kind and Tasha the best friend we all want in our corner. Darius is definitely the daddy of her dreams even if..... won't spoil the story just read for yourself. The only downside I find with this book is that it is too short. At the end of the book Allie always seems to rush to fit the plot to its conclusion which never fails to feel less finished and more like she is only allowed to write so many words. But this aside I will be re-reading again and again as I love the Rawhide Ranch books. Thank you Ms Belle
In HS EVERYTHING seems larger than life, but then bullies can leave some PTSD feelings, too. Shy, quiet, and studius, Brynn had been tortured by football hero Darius' posse for all her 4 years of HS and assumed he was aware of it. When they meet years later, he helps her understand that he hadn't been, but he also should've been more aware of the hurtful people he hung with. As they explore the lifestyle together, they finally find the life and love they deserve all along. I only wish there were better physical descriptions and more background info, too.
Loved, loved, loved this story! I laughed, I cried and I fell in love with Darius and Brynn! I’m a big fan of the Rawhide Ranch stories and this was no exception. Darius comes back to town to teach at the Ranch and comes across Brynn, a girl he had a crush on in high school. But she thought he didn’t like her. When he asks her out, she is hesitant and he makes a bet he can’t lose. She’s sassy and funny and keeps Darius on his Daddy toes! These two have such perfect chemistry and their witty banter made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed the journey they took me on into their relationship and I didn’t want it to end. A definite must read!!
I enjoyed this next addition to the Rawhide Ranch books. The college is expanding and looking for a Phys Ed professor. Darius was a former high school football star in the nearby town. When he hears about the job, he interviews with Master Derek and gets the job. Brynn is a teacher at the local high school and a former classmate. Darius is attracted to Brynn, but first he needs to get through all her defenses from the h*ll that she went through while in high school. The two works things out while on a date at Rawhide Ranch. This was an entertaining read and I finished in one sitting.
Darius and Brynn make such a cute couple but Darius definitely has to prove himself. Apparently he was quite taken with Brynn in high school, but he was the football jock and she wasn't popular. Now that they are both adults, he wants her to be his Little Girl so he can be her Daddy. Their first date takes them to Rawhide Ranch where Brynn learns so much about herself, her kinky side, and Darius, her Daddy. You really need to read this!
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. These characters have some history together. It included hidden feelings and a rough patch of school age bullying. Brynnly and Jackson are now living and working in the same area. She doesn't like the memories he stirs up. They have a connection but she's going to fight it because of the past. Brynn grew on me and Jackson was a good character. Overall the story was about a chance at reconnecting and they find their way to do that. The storyline was good, but not a favorite
Darius and Brynn, two classmates that accidentally bump into each other 10yrs after high school and learn a few new lessons.
I loved that this was a little different than our usual Ranch Littles. Brynn isn't a Little and she's newer than new with the lifestyle. But time with Darius opens her eyes to him and a dynamic between them.
Darius truly knows how to apologize. He even swept me off my feet!
I enjoyed reading this book. It's well written and described. I loved sweet shy Brynnly. Darius is a determined and dependable Daddy. They fit. There are plenty of hot erotic sexy scenes and some disciplinary spankings. I enjoyed how their relationship developed and how they dealt with the past. I loved all the well done characters. I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and I recommend it. This is a full and nicely finished story.
Brynn was not a little, nope not her. Darius wanted Brynn for his little and he was offered a job on the Ranch. Life could not be better for him. Sadly, for me, it took me 4 days to read this story where I normally read one in a day! I don’t know why I really couldn’t get into this one. This is the first Ranch and Little story I just could not get lost in it.
I was a little bit disappointed we didn't get to see a groundhog inside Rawhide but the story was fun even without a naughty prank. I love the idea of old enemies having a second chance to do it again. I like that even though Darius wasn't really aware of what happened in the past he also took responsibility and apologized for his part. I'm glad that they were able to get past the past and start something new.
I enjoyed Brynn and Darius’ story. Brynn’s high school experience and the effect it had on her was very relatable. I liked that she got the chance to confront Darius and begin to let go of her past trauma, even if her view of Darius’ participation was skewed. Even though this had a different tone from many of the previous books, I think this book is an exceptional addition to the Rawhide Ranch series
I enjoyed Darius and Brynnly's romance. Their history adds a lot of depth to the fast-paced story and makes the emotions and feelings richer and more intense. Sweetness, cuteness and fun are blended with drama, heart, heat and kink to create an awesome little read that I thought was just terrific. This is my freely posted, frank review.
Allie Belle has written another fantastic Rawhide Ranch book. You will be rooting for Darius and Brynn to fall in love from the start because they are former classmates with a past history to overcome. The storyline is very well written and easy to follow. I read this book in one sitting because I just didn't want to put it down. Don't miss out on a great read!