Erin Fitzgerald

Jacob Larsen caught sight of a petite blonde in a yellow sundress, and little did he realize at that moment that his life would change forever. Emily is skeptical when Jacob offers her a ride home. Skeptical because experience has taught her men aren't to be trusted. Jacob introduces himself as the manager of the equestrian operation on the Branson ranch. Adding another quick comment combined with Emily's exhaustion from a day's work at the library, grocery shopping, and miles to walk before she even reaches home with a long evening ahead, she acquiesces. Little did Emily realize with that quick decision, her life would change forever.

I loved this captivating novel (even all the pages read by blinking through my tears)! In alternating chapters, Emily and Jacob open their doors to their lives in the present. As they slowly open windows for each other, simultaneously, the reader begins to receive the puzzle pieces of their past, each with fear, each carrying unspeakable trauma, keeping it hidden, buried deep inside. With each chapter, I was more invested in the outcome.

Erin FitzGerald writes slow-burn romance like no other. The characters are not flawless but human in every aspect as she reveals them. Writing that captures the heart. Secondary characters are as well-developed as the primary characters, each contributing to the whole, and without each of them, the story wouldn't be the same. Moments where nothing is as it seems, gripping suspense, laugh-out-loud humor (especially the phrases to tickle book lovers), and every emotion a reader can have while reading books, all tight in a perfect fit into one storyline, with all felt deep in my soul.

I highly recommend adding this beautifully written romance to your tbr. I'd give it more than 5 stars if possible. Book 3 may be read as a stand-alone, but after glimpses of Lana and Mark, and Ashley, I suspect you’ll want to read their stories in Book 1 (Lana and Mark) and Book 2 (Ashley and Travis). I also recommend reading the author's Afterword for exciting updates about future plans for Wolf Mountain Ranchers and the next series (delightfully related).… (meer)

Twenty-one years ago, Ashley accepted her best friend's invitation to enjoy time together at Lana's family ranch. Ashley had plans for her life that didn't include falling in love with Lana's brother. Travis had plans, too, knowing that Ashley would always have his heart. However, life took him in a different direction. Still, Ashley and Lana have always stayed friends. And there are times when it's easier to help your best friend's heart heal than your own. If Ashley and Travis have a second chance, will they take it, or will their timing always be out of sync?

I loved this novel! Erin Fitzgerald's writing is captivating. Ashley and Travis tell their story in alternating chapters. With the turn of each page, the reader feels the depth of their experience when they met, the twists and turns of their lives, and all the emotions that followed.

Another highlight of the author's writing of this series is revisiting some scenes from Book 1 but now reading the events and circumstances through the perspectives of Ashley and Travis.

Now it's your turn to armchair travel to Montana! A slow-burn, second-chance romance awaits you. I suspect this may become a reiteration during each review for the series, as I mentioned something similar at the end of my review of Book 1. I really liked Book 1, the love story of Mark Branson and Lana Webb, and I was enthralled by Book 2. It's the perfect new release to read to celebrate romance and love during Valentine's month.… (meer)

Mark Branson was expecting the arrival of a man named Stephen, aide to U.S. Senator Malcolm Gascomb. Mark's sizeable contribution to the senator's re-election campaign attracted the senator's attention. Stephen would be on-site at Mark's ranch in Montana for a week to discuss how to fight the fast-moving approval process of the tar sands pipeline that would bisect Mark's land holdings. However, the individual stepping out of the truck was not a man named Stephen. Even in partial view, Mark's eyes responded to the sight of this woman; truth be told, every particle of Mark's body was responding to the view of this woman. A woman named Lana Webb.

A contemporary cowboy romance with a slow burn. A slow burn that is tantalizing to Mark's core and for reasons unknown to Mark, Lana's slow burn started long before Mark's, as he's a man she's never forgotten.

There are multiple tropes beyond a light-hearted romance, as Mark and Lana each have their reasons to be wary of relationships. It's not that they are pretending the past happened, but in committing themselves to work, they've also developed self-protective behavior that may keep them apart forever.

Sharing the multiple tropes would divulge the intense storyline, and this reviewer prefers to delve into the storyline blind. I loved the author's writing, the dual POVs, the suspense, and look forward to continuing the series. If you haven't read a cowboy romance recently, it's time to armchair travel to Montana!… (meer)