Falling for a Devoted Cowgirl - Vargas Ranch 6 - by Karen Baney

 

About the book:

They’ve secretly loved each other for years. He’s hung up on their age gap. She can’t get him to see her as the woman she’s become. Will they let go of their fear to find true love?

When former pro bull rider, Adan Franco, discovers he’s been named the guardian of a twelve-year-old boy, his world turns upside down. He must head to New Mexico to settle the estate. As he fumbles through his new status as a single dad, he leans on the woman he’s secretly loved for years.

Solana Vargas is desperate for Adan to see her as something other than his best friend’s kid cousin. At twenty-five, she’s matured into a devoted friend and loyal member of the Vargas clan. If only Adan could come to see her as wife material, all her dreams could come true.

Will helping him settle into life as a single dad finally force him to see her in a new light? Will they ever take a chance on love together?

My review:

This was a sweet story about a mutual unrequited love that might have never gone anywhere but for the boy Adan's made guardian of.  Solana is a selfless person anyway but also thinks maybe spending more time with Adan will open his eyes to the woman she's become.  She ends up taking time off of work to travel with both of them to help pack up the mother's house.  She ends up bonding more with both Adan and the boy but starts to wonder if Adan likes her for her or is just looking for a mother for him.  Solana seemed very kind and caring and the only thing holding Adan back was their age difference.  Adan seemed like a very wise and caring guy, even letting his reputation suffer to protect the boy.  They both have a strong faith in God with many mentions of prayer and getting godly advice from friends and family.  There was some sweet romance to the story and also helping the boy deal with grief.  This story works well as a stand-alone even though it's book six.  I would recommend this story if you like a sweet romance, however I wasn't that crazy about the narrators as I listened to the audiobook.  I didn't really like their voices or the lack of emotion they portrayed.

I received a free audio copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Amazing Start to a New Series! 'Jack' - The Minnesota Kingstons 1 - by Susan May Warren

 

About the book:

There's Trouble in the North...

Meet Jack, a tracker with a past he’s trying to escape. The first epic book of the Minnesota Kingston series by USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren.

Her secret blew apart his life—and now she needs his help? If only he could say no…

Ten years should be long enough for Jack to forget the girl-next-door, his kid sister’s bestie and the woman—no, girl—who derailed his life. Now, he sort of likes his loner world as a missing person’s tracker. Well, mostly. But of course, when he returns home for his sister’s wedding, there she is…
Nope, not forgotten at all.

Of course Jack the Grump has shown up for his sister’s wedding, and by the way he looks at Harper, um, clearly her sins aren’t forgiven. So what—she’s sooo over her best-friend’s brooding, dark oldest brother. Really.

Then a bridesmaid goes missing.

And sure, Harper is a journalist who knows how to sniff out truth, but the clock is ticking and there’s only one person who can help…Perfect. No problem. She’s not going to fall for her childhood crush again. Promise.

Yes, Jack can admit that Harper’s not the girl he used to call Pigtails anymore. She’s all grown up…but he’s not going to get burned again. Still, what’s a guy going to do?

So, find her missing friend, get the bride down the aisle and ditch town before they find themselves in over their heads…or worse.

Dead.

Jack is a best friend’s brother, childhood crush, grumpy-to sunshine, sweet but sizzly romantic suspense about second chances and finding the family you always wanted…

My review:

I could not put this story down!  This has a couple of my favorite tropes plus I love the idea of Jack helping find missing people for a living.  You add in that one of my favorite authors is writing it and I knew I would not be disappointed!  I loved the romance and their history and the suspense was great as they worked together to find the missing bridesmaid, Penelope.  I also liked that the bridesmaid had a true crime podcast and they were trying to figure out if her disappearance was related to that or not.  There was some talk of God and faith and Jack had to look at his life and figure out some stuff about his past and his choices.  There was a hint of a romance brewing between Jack's brother and Penelope and the next book will focus on them.  There's also an intriguing subplot involving another brother and a woman he knew from his Navy Seal days as she sneaks around in disguises and believes she's trying to stop a terrorist plot and he doesn't seem to realize who she is.  I'm sure more will be uncovered in the next books!  It was such fun to see previous characters from other books but this book worked well as a stand-alone if you haven't read any of the other series.  I can't wait for the next installment!

I received a free ebook copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.