🎀🐎🏠 “A Nanny for the Rancher’s Twins” (2022) 🏠🐎🎀 – Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

 

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Books (October 25, 2022)

Language: English

ISBN: 1335585354

ISBN-13: 978-1335585356

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

“Returning to small-town Texas was her fresh start.

 

She never expected a ready-made family.

 

What could be better than running a rustic wedding venue? Event planner Laney Taylor has it all laid out…except for the serious renovations her inherited property needs. Rancher Ethan McCaw will help—but only if she’ll nanny his toddler twins. Laney’s all about planning weddings for others and shielding her own heart, but Ethan, Zoe and Tori might be just the ones to change her mind …”

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Heidi Main, for providing a complimentary review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

Main is a debut author with the Love Inspired line, however she fights right in.  What caught my attention was the super adorable cover of this book – those twins look like mischief, but they’re SO adorable!! (I wouldn’t mind watching them myself). I’ve always hoped (and still do) for having twins. [Of course, Laney’s first day with them isn’t what she’d call fun.]

 

The twins weren’t the only draw to this; the story is set in a small town in Texas – Serenity. Definitely need more of that in life. And, with it being set in my home state of Texas – added bonus.

 

And, who wouldn’t love reading a second-chance romance with a cowboy and twins? As a fan of the line, this checked off every spot for me.

 

Main introduces us to a cast of characters that could definitely show up in another book (which I hope they do):

 

💒 Laney

🐎 Ethan

🎀 Tori & Zoe (Ethan’s twins)

👒 Cora (Ethan’s mom)

👒 Autumn (Ethan’s sister, Laney’s childhood friend)

🐎 Austin (Ethan’s brother, also father of Eli)

🐎 Carter (Ethan’s brother)

 

After her aunt and uncle die in a car crash, Laney is left their property. She has her heart set on opening a wedding venue – something she and her aunt discussed.

 

To get it ready – Laney is going to need to do some renovated, but she has a limited budget. Because of her mother stealing her identity and “ruining” her credit, Laney doesn’t want to take a loan (more on that later).

 

Ethan is hoping Laney will honor the land grazing lease deal he had with her uncle, though Ethan regrets that he didn’t take advantage of an expansion deal some 10 years earlier when it was offered to him.

 

Obviously, there is going to be a problem right off. Ethan never heard about her aunt and uncle’s plans for the venue business, but he is willing to work with Laney on both the land deal and renovations – he just needs a nanny for the girls for a few hours per day.

 

Laney needs the “free” help to stay on budget, she just doesn’t want to help with the girls, but finally caves. It’s hard not to swoon over a guy with muscles and being so sweet with his kids as she finds out.

 

She’s not looking for a romance and doesn’t want to have kids of her own, and Ethan is still hurt from his wife leaving him and and the girls. Yet, Tori seems to have formed a connection to Laney.

 

Obviously, once they get some problems worked out – they’re both on the right track. Yet, the grazing lease is still an issue. Laney won’t renew until she knows which “areas” she wants for the ceremonies, and naturally Ethan needs to find alternative arrangements, and the deadline is looming. Of course, sharing the land is not ideal for Laney when a bull wanders into her land and eats her petunias! Cows and weddings? (Ya know, it could work …)

 

Laney is also asked by Autumn to help plan the wedding anniversary party for her and Ethan’s parents. And, it is clear Laney is good at her job.

 

Laney’s renovation dreams are slowing starting to unravel as her budget for renovations is reaching its breaking point. In addition, there is the “her dreams” vs the McCaw family’s farming needs. Ideally, she wants both to succeed, but finding the how. One of her preferred ceremony sites cuts into a much needed water source.

 

As they spend time together, Ethan’s plans for not getting remarried get dented as he thinks how nice it would be to have a partner with the twins. It’s pretty obvious how much the girls love Laney.

 

Despite the issues the two have, Ethan helps Laney and even shows up with the community for a barn raising. Laney also learns you can have multiple dreams and compromising isn’t sacrificing or giving in.

 

As usual, this has the happily ever after ending with the potential for a series. Yet, the author has the entire story wrapped up by the end in this endearing, sweet, and inspirational romance.

 

I definitely couldn’t put this down and really loved it. Ethan and the twins were the best part of the book while I struggled to like Laney for a while.

 

One issue I had was Laney and her obsession over her credit. While I get that her mom committed identity theft – Laney was not really responsible for the debt and should’ve had her mother prosecuted for it (given Laney’s type of business). At best, have a court determine Laney didn’t need to pay for the bulk, and she would’ve only been liable for $50 of the debt. Under most state laws she likely wouldn’t have been liable for any debt incurred on fraudulent new accounts opened in her name and without her permission. (Gotta love writers who make you do some research and learn stuff.)

 

It is apparent that Laney didn’t know this – but someone should’ve helped her out. When starting a business, it helps to have everything “settled”, as well as knowing one’s rights. I do have to admit, the identity theft story arc is one not too much explored in a romance. Definitely shakes it up (in a good way).

 

In a sweet moment, I almost cried when one of the twins asked her to be their mommy and it really highlights how much the twins thought of her, and how well she was doing her job as their “daytime” mommy; even if Laney had her own doubts.

 

The Love Inspired line is what I call “day reads” due to their size. Some can be devoured in hours. This is one of those that I couldn’t put down. The chapters were a bit shorter than normal for the line, and the easy flow and even pacing definitely kept the story going without lagging and without feeling rushed.

 

Those who enjoy cowboy romances, and especially ones with children, are sure to enjoy this read. Since this is from the inspirational line, readers can expect references and mentions of God and the Christian faith. These are not preachy in tone and readers will not feel as if they’re getting sermon.

 

I’m definitely looking forward to a return trip to the Triple C Ranch in the future.

 

 

RATING:

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Heidi Main writes sweet inspirational romance novels set in small towns. Though she lives in the central North Carolina’s suburbs, she dreams of acreage and horseback riding, which is probably why her novels include wide-open ranches and horses. Before starting her writing career, Heidi worked with computers and taught Jazzercise. A perfect Saturday is lounging on the deck with her husband and watching the many birds in their backyard. Learn more about her books at: https://heidimain.com.

 

You can find her on the following social media accounts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiMain/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidi.h.main/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiMain