The Second Chance Rancher

Jackson and Daisy bring out the best in each other Jackson has returned home after the death of his father, and has some complicated issues to work out with his brother. Daisy left Silicon Valley behind, for the most part, but she's still got a secret that she isn't ready to share with her family. In order to have an alibi for this project, she turns Jackson's request for a date into a fake-dating arrangement that he reluctantly agrees to. Jackson starts off being a little flighty, almost shallow, but we quickly learn that this is a persona he's developed as a defense mechanism. I loved his steadfast devotion, even when it was costing him so much. Daisy's character goes through her own personal growth arc, too, as she comes to terms with a tragedy in her past and figures out just what risks are worth taking. We also get a lot of interaction with the Morgan and Miller families, including characters from previous books by this author as well as introductions to new folks who will probably be featured in future books. We're given quite a birds-eye view of the entire community as they work together to find the balance between the advantages of progress and the charms of their small-town life. This is the third book I've read in this fictional world, and it's every bit as wonderful as the others. The writing style makes it easy to feel right at home with these memorable characters. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This is the first book in a new series, however its setting is Morganville & characters from The Morgan Ranch series do feature. That said the book could be read without having read the previous series. We first met Jackson in The Rancher & I loved him then & was thrilled that he had his story. Jackson Lymond left the Air Force & is trying to start a new life helping his older brother on their northern California ranch, which their drunken father almost ran into the ground. Daisy Miller doesn’t really expect Jackson to remember her. Back in school she did her best to blend in—and pretend she didn’t have five brothers who’d hogtie any boy who even looked at her. These days though, she and Jackson might have more in common than just their ranching relatives. After all, they both left home only to return. Jackson & Daisy’s relationship gets off on the wrong foot but Daisy has a secret & asks Jackson if he'll act as her fake boyfriend. The author is a must read for me even though cowboys aren’t my favourite but her books are so well written with very strong characters. I loved the books about the Morgans & I’m so glad that the focus has moved to others in the valley. The pace of the book is good & I was once again drawn in from the start & held until the end. I loved the way the relationship between Jackson & Daisy developed & how her feelings gradually grew. A lovely sart to a new series & as there are five Miller brothers there's lots more to look forward to. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A great start to a new series. While The Second Chance Rancher technically begins a new series, The Millers of Morgan Valley Ranch, it's also kind of a continuation of the Morgan Ranch series, with characters from Morgan Ranch playing secondary roles. You don't need to have read any of the books from that series to enjoy this one but you might just be intrigued enough to want to read it (and they are great books). Jackson Lymond has left his military career in the Air Force behind to return to Morgan Valley to help his brother, Cuay, with the ranch he inherited. He seems to be pretty happy-go-lucky and not have a care in the world but, of course, that isn't true. He has emotional scars from his time in the service but he doesn't want to show that side to anyone. Daisy Miller runs the flower shop in Morgan Valley but she also has a secret that she's keeping from her family (five older brothers and their father). A few years ago, she returned to Morgan Valley a broken person and they helped heal her. She promised she wouldn't return to what broke her but she broke that promise and it's eating at her that she hasn't told them the truth. Jackson is attracted to Daisy but they kind of get off on the wrong foot. Once they come to an understanding Jackson agrees to Daisy's terms of a friends-with-benefits/fake boyfriend arrangement because she's not ready for a serious relationship. There's quite a bit going on in this story: a mystery about coins found in a silver mine, what Daisy is really doing other than running her flower shop, the feelings that Jackson has buried under the facade he presents to the world. We are also introduced to all of Daisy's brothers, who I suspect will each get a book in the future. I enjoyed this story very much and liked how the relationship between Daisy and Jackson wasn't always lovey-dovey. In real life partners argue and have misunderstandings and it was nice to see that represented well in this story and yet you know that they care for each other even as they are arguing. The set-up for additional stories was great but didn't leave me with a cliffhanger feeling at all. The romance between Daisy and Jackson is resolved but my appetite for additional stories was definitely whetted. 😊 A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.