🐕‍🦺💕 “Her Loyal Companion” (Triple C Ranch #3/K9Companions #22) (2024) 💕🐕‍🦺 – Book Review

MY REVIEW 

 

Series: Triple C Ranch (Book #3)/K9Companions (Book #22)

Paperback: 208 pages 
Publisher: Love Inspired (August 20, 2024) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1335936726
ISBN-13: 978-1335936721
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“To train these dogs
 
 They'll need time, patience...and love
 
 Training service dogs is Autumn McCaw's passion. She won't let anything jeopardize her business's chance of success, including her former love Wyatt Nelson. But with a looming deadline to prove herself capable, she has no choice but to hire the one man who hurt her years ago. Relying on the single dad is tough—especially since he has trust issues of his own. But can Autumn and Wyatt overcome their past to save her business...and open their hearts to love?” 

 

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.

This is my third visit to the Triple C Ranch. Not only was I looking forward to checking in on some of the other characters, but to read about Autumn’s Service Dog venture. Over the past few months, I’ve seen a lot of posts on social media about how there is not only confusion, but discrimination over emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals, or rather service dogs (SDs).  

 

It was also a unique storyline, and one that I don’t see in many stories. 

 

As this is the third in the Triple C Ranch series, readers should read the first two books in the series:

 

#1 – A Nanny for the Rancher’s Twins (Ethan & Laney)

#2 – A Family for the Orphans (Walker & Trisha)

 

Returning for this book: 

 

💒 Laney (married to Ethan) 

🐎 Ethan (mentioned)

🎀 Tori & Zoe (Ethan’s twins)

👒 Cora (Ethan and Autumn’s mother)

🐎 Wade (Ethan and Autumn’s father)

🐕‍🦺 Autumn (Ethan’s sister, Laney’s childhood friend)

🐎 Trisha 

🐎 Walker

🎀 Gabby (mentioned as playing with Harper; older siblings not mentioned)

 

Readers are then introduced to:

 

🐕‍🦺 Wyatt

👧🏻 Harper 

 

This is one of those “sweet” and inspirational, but heart-breaking and gut-wrenching reads. The author doesn’t shy away from reality. There are going to be some references that could be difficult for readers, and at times will be difficult. These are: prescription drug addiction, incarceration of a parent, cancer battle, infidelity, un-wed pregnancy, miscarriage, and potential PTSD.

 

The author gets right into the story without much lead in. Autumn has a goal of using rescue dogs for service animals, especially knowing how beneficial hers is – a Jack Russell terrier named Baby. 

 

But, while Autumn can do the obedience part, she needs a dedicated trainer for the rest – the medical alert portion. That’s where Wyatt comes into it. 

 

A former K-9 trainer with the Air Force (quite the credential), and a single dad, Wyatt is the LAST person Autumn wants to work with. Due to a misunderstanding, she feels he ignored her seven (7) years ago when she needed him. While she needs Wyatt to make her in-home dates a reality, the thought of working with him is not palatable. Yet, losing her business isn’t a viable option either.  

Wyatt needs the job, which comes with an apartment, because of the housing situation. His grandmother is in treatment for cancer, and he knows that Harper’s night terrors isn’t compatible. He also needs to get Harper “stabilized”.

 

After talking Autumn into taking a chance on him, he’s grateful. Though, she isn’t the same woman he remembers. She’s prickly, cold, and distant. He’s wondered what happened to her since the time they were together. Then again, he’s too busy focusing on his daughter. He also needs to heal and learn to trust. 

 

While Autumn is prickly to Wyatt, she is kinder to Harper, if not almost like a mother to the girl. So much so, Harper eventually expresses that desire. But, motherhood is a wound for Autumn. And, Wyatt is standoffish due to his ex-wife.

 

Eventually, Autumn tells Wyatt what the issue is. From there, their professional life comes together in sync. There are a few hiccups, especially when Wyatt is too honest about a dog’s potential. Yet, it is a reality when training service dogs – some just don’t work out. 

 

Autumn, after her confession, begins to wonder about a relationship with Wyatt, and he with her. It also begins to seep through to Harper who expresses multiple times how she wants Autumn to be her mother. Though, Wyatt’s ex-wife’s situation along with his father, makes it hard for Wyatt to trust. 

 

That won’t be the only hurdle the two will face. They have cause to worry when the barn they’re using is the subject of contention when a new owner takes possession. That leaves Autumn thinking her business might fail before it even launches. 

 

Main’s writing and stories dig into the reader’s heart and soul. One minute there is laughing, the next crying; yet can’t stop reading. I was drawn right in and didn’t want to put it down, but I needed my sleep. That was until closer to the end. I ended up staying up FAR past my bedtime to finish. This was one of those books that the further along it went, the faster it seemed to go. Not like the author was rushing it though. For a romance, it seemed like that didn’t get going until the very end to materialize. 

 

I have to admit, I was not fond of Autumn in the beginning. It wasn’t until she finally tells Wyatt what happened that I began thinking better of her. I did (and do) sympathize with her situation. It was a scary and traumatic event, and why I believe she suffered from PTSD, especially seven (7) years later. A few women I follow on social media have been through what Autumn went through. And, grief is different for all. That’s why it is essential to have a support system, something Autumn clearly needed. 

 

With regard to miscarriages and infertility issues – Samantha Busch (the wife of two-time NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Busch) is an inspiration. She has truly been a guiding force and light for women who have been through those struggles. 

 

Getting back to this story … 

 

In addition to Autumn’s ESA, I felt she also needed therapy as well. Even more so after seeing Wyatt again and being so angry towards him. Then, when confronted, she was always running away. This was something that she needed to tell Wyatt as soon as he applied for the job (or rather as soon as he approached her). It would’ve helped their professional relationship get off to a better start. She needed to realize that some things were beyond anyone’s control – even her own. And, Autumn needed to tell her family. There was a scene about how her guilt at keeping the secret (and shame from it) was eating at her – which, it will. She was feeling a divide between herself and her family that didn’t seem to exist. Her mother knew something, but didn’t know what.

 

Overall, Autumn’s maturity and growth is beautiful. 

 

I was also smiling at how far Laney had come since the first book, A Nanny for the Rancher’s Twins. And, how much she and Trisha were there for Autumn. 

 

The relationship Wyatt had with his daughter was so sweet. And, I LOVED how the little girl attached to Autumn, despite Wyatt’s concerns. I saw the Autumn/Harper relationship as a symbiotic one. They both desperately needed each other. One was healing from losing a child, and the other healing from losing a mother. 

 

The story serves as a reminder of how important service animals and emotional support animals are. I did want the author to delve into the difference between the two. Despite knowledge out there, some people still don’t know about the differences. Also, the story highlights the importance of communication, and that guilt, along with shame, can be disabling in their own way. 

 

Unlike the other two books, this wasn’t as light on the faith aspect. Given the storyline and topics – that is quite understandable. While present, it is not overwhelming. It was a soothing balance. Though, a prayer of mine was answered in reading … the slimy developers from book #2 didn’t return 🤭

 

I’m absolutely looking forward to my next visit to the Triple C ranch and see how Autumn’s business is doing, as well as Harper’s progress. I’m looking forward to seeing how some new land owners will fit in with the expanding McCaw family. I’m also wondering about a plot point in this story that wasn’t fully resolved.

 

 

 

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)  

 

 

Previous Books in the Series: 

Series: Triple C Ranch (Book #1)

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 …”

Series: Triple C Ranch (Book #2)
Paperback: 224 pages 
Publisher: Love Inspired Books (November 28, 2023) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1335597069
ISBN-13: 978-1335597069
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️ 

“Three little hearts have been broken.

 

Now they must find a way to heal them…

 

Tragedy turned Walker McCaw from bachelor cowboy to guardian of his late best friend’s three children. Now they’re living on a new horse farm—and it’s a disaster. Trisha Campbell’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time. Together, they’ll need to work to save the struggling farm. But it takes more than hard work to make a family. It takes courage and love…” 

 

 

 

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    

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