💕 “Loving the Rancher’s Children” (Hope Crossing #3) (2023) 💕 – Book Review
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Loving the Rancher's Children by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Loving the Rancher's Children A short-term solution
Could lead to long-term love
When Alli Krenek returns to her hometown, she’s surprised to find herself agreeing to become a nanny to Jake Walker’s children. Seventeen years ago, Jake betrayed Alli’s trust, and she’s avoided him ever since. But the more time she spends with Jake, the more his two little ones melt her heart and Alli begins to see the man Jake has become. Is this their chance to finally heal old wounds?PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Christianbook | BookBub
More Books in this Series
My Review
Thank you in advance to the author, Mindy Obenhaus, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
The first book I read of the author’s was the fifth book of her Rocky Mountain Heroes series, Her Rocky Mountain Hope in January 2020. I was moved, to the point of tears, by her writing that I added the first four books in that series to my TBR list. They’re still on that list (I promise I’ll get to them … “someday”). But, I have since read all four books in the Bliss, Texas series and the first book in this series. The second book is on the TBR list as well.
As with any book series that has is set in the same town, and has reoccurring characters, it is ALWAYS best to read the books in order.
While this book centers on Alli Krenek, her father Bill and step-mother Francie return. Readers will recognize Francie as Gloriana’s mom (The Cowgirl’s Redemption). Also returning from book #1 is Kyleigh and Justin. Hawkins and Annalise from book #2 (A Christmas Bargain) return, along with a sweet wedding.
Like most of Obenhaus’ books, she doesn’t shy away from tough subjects. Giving Alli a former job as a CPS Case Worker definitely steps up to the difficult. Adding to that her perceived failure from a child’s death in an abusive situation, this already starts requiring readers to be handy with the tissues.
There are some triggers here: child death, drug addict father, kidnapping, and someone is drugged. These might be upsetting to some readers. Obenhaus doesn’t linger on them, and treats the subjects with reverence and respect. There is also mention of an “affair”. This involves a side character who is deceased prior to the events of the book
Obenhaus throws readers right into the story will Alli returning to Hope Crossing for a few reasons. Her old job being one of them.
But, Alli also has her own past to deal with – part of that soon becomes her present – Jake, widower and single father to two kids. The history between them is that he stood her up on a date in high school because of his friends – she’s never let him apologize, and hasn’t forgiven him. She absolutely won’t forget.
This becomes problematic when Alli is in the nursery at the church, reading to the children, and Jake’s daughter Maddy wants her to be the new nanny. I have to admit, the little girl on the cover looked mischievous.
Jake relents and asks Alli after two candidates don’t seem to measure up. Allie refuses, apologizes, accepts. Then, it is Jake who refuses. This prompts his mother to ask him “have you lost your marbles?”. I never laughed so hard. He apologizes and the two enter into an agreement.
It isn’t long until Jake wants to rekindle at least their friendship. Alli isn’t even sure of it, but finally forgives Jake. It is the forgetting that seems to be the issue. She doesn’t want to give me a second chance at breaking her heart.
It is clear the family and house needs structure.
Jake wants to re-earn her trust, but Alli can’t afford letting him back in.
She doesn’t judge the way they’ve been living, and as she notes – structure is the least of one’s worries when they’re in survival mode. Obviously, Jake and his mother have been in just that.
Seeing Alli’s “success” with not just the kids, but his house, makes Jake feel like a failure, but Alli is supportive of him as she understands what he has been through.
The two do get closer as friends. In honoring his pact to Alli to be truthful, Jake reveals a secret about his wife Bethany’s last few weeks alive. He isn’t the grieving widower the town thinks he is. Allie confides about failing a little girl – though in reality, it was the court system.
Alli’s past comes back to her when she runs into the mother of the little girl she failed. And, Jake has his own run-in when his in-laws want to visit. As it turns out, Jake’s father-in-law doesn’t know how to tell him about Bethany.
As any good story goes, especially a second-chance romance – there are the will they/won’t they moments, the “oh just forgive and kiss” moments, the natural disaster, a wedding, and even a “shock” incident in this read.
Obenhaus doesn’t hold back on evoking every emotion possible from the reader, keeping them reading until the very end. That made this, for me, literally a “day” read, and I couldn’t put it down.
I was drawn right in from the first page. The packing was such that it didn’t linger, but it didn’t feel rushed either. There was a slight “typo” towards the end of the book with “Maddie” instead of “Maddy”. That really didn’t hinder the story though. And, I’m definitely on board to read book #4 this fall/winter.
I did have a slight issue with the Tonya storyline. Without spoiling it, as soon as she showed up, I had a BAD feeling about her. I just KNEW there was going to be a problem. I didn’t know what it would end up being, but I had “that” feeling. Each time she showed up, I was really worried.
When the “incident” happened, I was left wondering what her real motives were and how long she’d planned. It did seem like a weak part of the story. Obviously, given the line, nothing sinister can happen – but, I was wondering what she really wanted. Her inclusion and the eventual “climactic event” was definitely an interesting part of the story though.
And, like she usually does – Obenhaus weaves a beautiful story that will move readers to tears with occasional laughs along the way. She makes the town and people feel like a place we all know, and friends we can’t wait to see.
Being from Texas, I loved the mentions of Blue Bell ice cream (which we got and lost for a while here in Nevada) and Whataburger. I haven’t had a burger from there since 2005. I kind of related to Alli eating three (3) pints of ice cream. Most I’ve EVER done was one (1) in a sitting – that was Häagen-Dazs’ Chocolate Chocolate Chip.
Since this is part of a Christian themed line, it will have references to the Christian faith and mentions of scripture along with other faith elements.
Fans of the author are absolutely going to enjoy this read.
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
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Loving the Rancher's Children and $20 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 24, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 31, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
I like series books where the characters tie into the other books although as you said it is always best to start with the beginning of the series. I really like when some of the characters are in multiple series.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your review!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your wonderful review of Loving the Rancher's Children, this sounds like a must read for me and I am looking forward to meeting all of the characters
ReplyDelete