Bad Boy Rancher by @KarenRock5 ‏ #Review #Romance #Contemporary #Series

Series: Rocky Mountain Cowboys #3

Title: Bad Boy Rancher by Karen Rock

Author: Karen Rock  

Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming, Harlequin US & Canada

Pages: 384

Published: April 3rd, 2018

Rating: 5/5

This is the third story in this series but I believe it would work well as a standalone, although reading it may well tempt you to read the earlier stories, too, as it is a very moving read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Justin Cade has never got over the death of his twin brother, Jesse. As children, the two had been inseparable but, as they grew up, Jesse became addicted to drugs and Justin still feels responsible for not being able to save him. Brielle has seen too much death in her role as an Army chaplain stationed in Afghanistan and is suffering from PTSD, as a result of which she has been given an honourable discharge. She hope to leave that experience well behind her and move on to a lighter, brighter, future….. Now Justin takes every opportunity to put himself in dangerous situations – that’s how he ended up having an accident with Brielle Thompson. Both are attracted to each other but their emotional turmoil makes them reticent to act on it.

The interactions between these two main characters are so moving, make sure you have tissues to hand when reading this superbly written story! Fresh Start is what actually brings them together and gives them both purpose in their lives and a reason to live life to the full, making the most of opportunities. Everywhere needs somewhere like Fresh Start – somewhere to give people struggling with PTSD, addictions, eating disorders and other such illnesses a place to heal and give themselves a second chance. I was so impressed with how the author incorporated the idea of such places and, through this emotive story, explained just why such places are so important for everyone to have access to when they need it.

It is a story of healing, accepting the past and happily looking forward to the future.  As well as these two, there are other members of the Cade family and their century old enemies, the Lovelands. The feuding families have so much history but there is also a secret romance – or two – Romeo and Juliet have nothing on these! Another delightful character is the youngest of the bunch, the son of Jesse, who has an endearing way about him that really helps his Uncle! I have no hesitation whatsoever in highly recommending this to anyone who enjoys heartwarming romances which also deal with difficult issues with care and consideration.

I requested and was lucky enough to be given a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it – actually, I didn’t wait until near release day as I usually do as this is one I just couldn’t wait to read!

Synopsis :

He’s not the only one who needs saving…But maybe they can save each other? Dark, brooding, dangerous…and possibly suicidal. Renegade rancher Justin Cade was exactly the kind of man former army chaplain Brielle Thompson needed to avoid after escaping the horrors of Afghanistan with an honorable discharge–and PTSD. The whole point of moving to the remote Rocky Mountains of Colorado was to leave the darkness behind, not fall back into it. But falling she is…

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