*I received a free copy of Resisting the Rancher from Entangled : Bliss via Publisher. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Resisting the Rancher by Roxanne SnopekSeries: Three River Ranch #4
Published by Entangled : Bliss on 14 April 2014
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 259
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
She's his best friend's sister, but he's ready to break all the rules…
Country veterinarian Celia Gamble is in trouble. A misunderstanding from her past is rearing its ugly head and the only person she can turn to is Jonah Clarke—her family’s lawyer and, as it turns out, her brother’s best friend and her childhood crush. She always wanted Jonah to see her as a bona fide woman, but as a woman who’s being blackmailed for seducing a married man? Not on her life.
Jonah is happy to help Little CeeCee Gamble, if only she’d come clean about why she’s being blackmailed. But with his best friend Zach’s wedding on the horizon, and Zach’s fashionista fiancée Desiree giving CeeCee a makeover, the little duckling Jonah remembers is turning into a definite swan. And the unwritten law on sisters is clear—hands off. Jonah must resist or lose the only true family he’s ever known.
Cute story with a nicely done friends-to-lover trope, with a little side of mystery.
My Resisting the Rancher review:
CeeCee is happy to be back in her home town, especially because she is finally able to open her own veterinary practice and make one of her dreams come true. Her state of bliss doesn’t last very long, however, since she starts getting threatening letters about a secret that might just be brought to light by the sender. When she realizes the threat is serious, she goes to see Jonah, who is a lawyer as well as her brother’s best friend. Resisting the Rancher is all about how CeeCee needs help, even if she kind of wishes she could ask someone else than Jonah whom she has had a crush on since she was a girl.
The story is pretty straight forward, however, the mystery is good enough to make me feel involved in CeeCee’s troubles. Jonah is a good guy, and it is funny to read about how he really likes CeeCee, even if he is sure he should really keep his hands off her. It kind of made me feel sorry for women with big brothers everywhere. As the story unfolds, CeeCee is able to show Jonah that she is all grown up now, and that she can make her own decisions.
Resisting the Rancher has enough tension to satisfy me in many ways, but it is also a quite short read, and I would have gladly read more. CeeCee’s transformation thanks to Zach’s fiancee was humorous, and the way she would scheme to find herself alone with Jonah was, too.
If you are looking for a quick read with a sweet romance and a little mystery, Resisting the Rancher fits the bill nicely. Written in third person point of view from CeeCee’s perspective, and in past tense, the pace and the flow of the story was well done.
Some of my favorite Resisting the Rancher quotes:
The one-eyed cat sniffed her cautiously, as if unsure of his welcome. “Morning, Cyclops.”
They’d all come so far and now that she was finally an asset, able to care for the animals with a proper medical degree, instead of student loans, she intended to stay that way.
Anne-Marie smiled and shook her head. “There’s more to life than work, you know.”
I’ll grab it up soon! Great Review and thanks for not spoiling it! 🙂
Book Maniac Reviews
I always try not to spoil anything with my reviews, and I look forward to seeing what you think of this one, Kiran 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
I think some authors write short books on purpose to keep readers coming back for more. The romance and mystery elements sound like they were well executed, and I love that Snopek named the fictional cat Cyclops. LOL
LOL, yes that cat is the best! And I agree, sometimes, a short book in between is ust what we need in order to stay interested 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Carmel.
The mystery and satisfying tension sounds great.
Eh, sometimes short, sweet, and straightforward are good. I’m glad you enjoyed the story overall, Lexxie. It does sound sweet so I’m glad there was a bit of tension – otherwise, it might not have been as satisfying.
**BIG HUGS** my friend!! I’m really missing my Lexxie time! 😉
All of the Three River Rancher novels look really great :)!