REVIEW: Once a Rancher by Linda Lael Miller

In Once a Rancher (The Carsons of Mustang Creek #1) by Linda Lael Miller, Grace Emery knows she’s doing the right thing caring for her ex-husband’s son, Ryder. He has no-one else in his life that cares about him as much as she does, but it isn’t easy when he keeps doing things that may someday lead to him being arrested. If she doesn’t do something to get him to stop acting out, she knows she’ll have failed him. However, when she makes Ryder apologize to Slater Carson, she finds it’s the best decision she’s ever made, because he’s willing to give the young man a second chance.

He grinned slightly. “Cuffs?” he inquired mildly, remembering Ryder’s statement a few minutes earlier.
She didn’t smile, but that spark was still in his eyes. “That was a reference to my former career,” she replied, all business. “I’m an ex-cop.” She put out her hand, the motion almost abrupt, and finally introduced herself. “Grace Emery,” she said. “These days I run the Bliss River and Spa.”
“Ah,” Slater said, apropos of nothing in particular. An ex-cop? Hot damn, she could handcuff him anytime.

Slater Carson believes people deserve a second chance, and is willing to help Ryder any way he can. Offering the kid a job on the ranch he owns with his brothers is a sure way of keeping Ryder out of trouble, or so he hopes. It’s also a way to help him get to know Grace a whole lot better, even knowing she’s probably not ready to enter another relationship. But when someone starts causing trouble for her, Slater will do anything to protect her and show her just how important loving the right person can be.

What a wonderfully written, fast-paced, engrossing start to this series Ms. Miller has penned, encompassing a heroine starting over in a new town and a hero willing to do anything to make it easier for her, by trying to solve her problems such as helping with Ryder and the trouble that someone is causing for her. I really liked the start, as I learned so much about the hero right away. He’s a businessman by day gallivanting around the country, but Texas will always be home. Truly, he’s a cowboy at heart.

As for the dialogue, I liked the relationship Grace had with Ryder. She’s certainly the most stable parent/guardian he’s ever had in his life, and he needs her just as much as she needs him. Then there’s the way Slater and Grace teased each other that made me smile. Slater is the right man for Grace, and proves it time and time again; especially when it comes to her ex and showing her that love is worth fighting for.

”I’m saying the fire isn’t all in your hair, Ms. Emery.” His eyes were amused as they met hers. “But you know what? I find that irresistible, although I haven’t quite figured out why.”
“I haven’t figured it out, either.”
“In other words, you find me irresistible, too.”
The man was way too full of himself. The worst part was that he was right. She contemplated smacking his shoulder again, but he homed in on that impulse and caught her wrist. His drawl was low and exaggerated. “No, you don’t sweetheart. Not unless you want me to retaliate like this.” The kiss was devastating.

I really liked both main characters, as well as the secondary ones, especially Slater’s brothers. The way they riled up Slater when it came to Grace had me laughing at their antics. Grace has been through a lot in her life as a cop and with her ex-husband. It’s hard for her to even think about entering a relationship with another man. Yet, I enjoyed how Slater never gave up, because she’s the one.

Grace is strong, brave and tenacious. She’s determined to provide a good life for Ryder, and Slater together with his family definitely help her do that. Because Ryder needs someone that will take care of him, instead of having someone that continues to ignore his existence like his dad does, as the man’s career in the military seems to be more important than his son. She also handles herself very well under pressure. The person causing trouble for her certainly does his best to make her life miserable. Yet, she handles every situation nicely.

While Slater, he’s hard-working, confident and very protective of those he cares about. I liked how he and Grace were together. Because the heroine seems to be a little bit of a control freak, and Slater sets her off balance; constantly making her question whether to give love, marriage and happiness a second chance. Then there’s the relationship he has with his family. They’re really close, and the way they easily accept Grace and Ryder into their lives was endearing, as the heroine deserves a shot at happiness again.

Overall, this was a really good book where the sex scenes were hot and illustrated the strong chemistry between Slater and Grace perfectly. Because even though the heroine has been hurt in the past, and isn’t ready for another relationship, the hero is just too hard to resist. I really liked how this author wrapped up the story with the words Grace utters to Slater on how she expects to be graded when it comes to her bedroom skills. They made me smile, because the heroine will definitely make sure their life together is never boring. I would recommend this book, if you enjoy the second chance romance trope, or a heroine that isn’t looking for love but finds it when she least expects it.

Book Info:

Publication: March 29th, 2016 | HQN Books | The Carsons of Mustang Creek #1

The Carsons of Mustang Creek: three men who embody the West and define what it means to be a rancher, a cowboy and a hero in this brand-new series from the queen of Western romance.

Slater Carson might be a businessman by trade, but he’s a cowboy at heart—and he knows the value of a hard day’s work under the hot Wyoming sun. So when he sees troubled teen Ryder heading down a dangerous path, he offers the boy a job on the ranch he shares with his two younger brothers. And since Ryder’s temporary guardian is the gorgeous new resort manager, Grace Emery, Slater figures it can’t hurt to keep a closer eye on her as well…

Grace Emery doesn’t have time for romance. Between settling in to her new job and caring for her ex-husband’s rebellious son, her attraction to larger-than-life Slater is a distraction she can’t afford. But when the past catches up to her in Mustang Creek, she’ll discover just how far Slater will go to protect what matters most—and that love is always worth fighting for.