The Maverick Cowboy

Another good book from Kate Pearce The Maverick Cowboy is the second book in the Morgan Ranch series. It could be read as a standalone but you'll be missing some of the backstory about what's going on at the ranch. I strongly recommend reading The Reluctant Cowboy first as this is where Blue and Jenna are introduced. They didn't exactly strike the right kind of sparks off of each other when they met. Blue Morgan joined the Marines to get away from Morgan Ranch but now he's tired of taking orders and getting shot at. He's leaving the Marines and he welcomes being back on the ranch. He was mad at his older brother Chase for so many years he thought they'd never get along but now that they are working together on the ranch things are getting better. Jenna McDonald has never felt that she's lived up to her family's expectations but she loves what she does as a veterinarian in her uncle's practice. She spends a lot of time tending the livestock at the Morgan Ranch and soon she is having trouble resisting the cowboy who wants no part of a long-term relationship. While this book didn't move me emotionally to the same extent that book one did I still liked it a lot. It's not quite as hot in the romantic/sexy area but it did feel very realistic for these two characters. There is a continuation of the family drama that started in book one but there is also a new situation involving Blue that I didn't expect. I really feel like I shouldn't say much else because I don't want to spoil things. As in book one, the story line for the main characters is resolved but the mystery of the series isn't answered. We are also introduced to another Morgan brother, Ry, and his story is coming up next. There are other good secondary characters as well and I can see the potential for several more books set in this world; I hope Kate Pearce and her publisher have more coming. A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

ARC Review: The Maverick Cowboy (Morgan Ranch) by Kate Pearce In the past I have not been a fan of Ms. Pearce. Some of her historical romances have been a little extreme for my taste, but I have to say she may be redeeming herself in my eyes with contemporary romances. Particularly, the Morgan Ranch series. Her sexy cowboys with good hearts and tortured souls, toe the line between "wet dream" material and heartwarming entertainment. With an edge of suspense for good measure. The world is not always a pretty place as Blue and Jenna well know but if you can capture the beautiful moments it can be a bit easier to bear the painful ones. The Maverick Cowboy is a moment worth savoring.

So good! Blue Morgan returns to Morgan Ranch after his last enlistment in the Marines come to an end. After learning the truth of what really happened all those years ago and what his brother had actually done for the family Blue is ready to set things right and help to not only save the ranch but mend the riff in the family. Working with the prickly yet beautiful new vet will be as a big a challenge as everything else. Controlling his attraction to her will be almost impossible. Jenna MacDonald has her own set of problems to deal with. Getting the ranchers to trust a new vet is hard enough. Getting them to accept a female vet...almost impossible. Jenna is determined though and she won't let her attraction to Blue Morgan distract her. I liked this book even more than the first and I liked that one a heck of a lot. I highly recommend this one.