The Rancher's Redemption by Kate Pearce is a complicated romance, full of memories and past deeds, both good and bad. Lizzie Taylor is the single mother of four-year-old Roman. Adam Miller was her best friend, 14 years earlier until her had fallen in love with her best friend, Louise. Adam and Louise had married, far too young, and were happy until Louise died of cancer at 21. After finding Adam at Louise's grave in the rain with a gun, Lizzie and Adam had had sex. It was simply for comfort, but both felt guilty and so hadn't spoken in over 10 years, until the day Roman had a reaction to a bee sting and Adam was right where he was needed and drive Lizzie and Roman to the doctor, where everything was made right with Roman with an EpiPen. Now that they were speaking, would they rekindle their friendship?

There is a lot going on in this book. Roman's father had wanted nothing to do with Lizzie, and later, Roman, but all of a sudden his great aunt, who lives next door to the day care Roman attended, is in her yard taking photos of Roman all the time, next comes a private investigator, and then Roman's paternal grandmother. All of this is making Lizzie a little crazy. Lizzie is the quintessential single mom at odds with the family that hadn't wanted her son and now does. This, sadly, is a scene played out regularly, not always with the best results for the child. Lizzie works hard, takes classes online, and has generally given her life over to her child. Adam's life is complicated by the return of his mother, who left 20 years earlier and brings confusion to Adam's emotions. The reality is, after Louise's death, he hasn't allowed himself to feel and emotions. Now, between Lizzie and his mother, her is feeling far too many. He is a good, stoic character, who has to learn to live again, even after hurts have made it difficult. This was a decent book with regular people fighting to have lives. The reader will know someone in nearly every situation this book presents. It brings it all home. I recommend this book.

I received a free ARC of The Rancher's Redemption from Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #the ranchersredemption

I had a really hard time getting into this book. I am not sure if it was just me and not connecting with the characters or what. It just seemed to be a very slow moving book in my opinion. Adam and Lizzie are both dealing with a lot of things that want to tear their worlds apart. And this brings them closer together but it can also tear them apart if they let it. It almost seemed like there was too much going on between not only the main characters but almost every single other character connected to them in some way. And because of this there was too much information that needed to be given and it slowed the story down. It's not a bad read. The characters are likable and I did like their interactions with each other and with Roman. It was just too slow going for me.

This is the second book in the Millers of Morgan Valley series. I really enjoyed this story! Old friends, Adam and Lizzie find themselves together because of a dire situation that Lizzie has been put in. I really like old friends finding something more in their relationship stories and this one was done really well. Recommended!

The Morgan Ranch Series has been my all-time favorite series by Kate Pearce but with The Rancher's Redemption the second in the spin-off Miller series, I may have a new favorite. The emphasis is still on love, loyalty and family in the new book but also loss, healing and forgiveness.

Adam is a heartbreaking character who is going through the motions of life without really living. He gets a wake-up call when Lizzie, former friend to him and his late wife, returns to town. Like the others Morgan books there is plenty of messy drama, unsavory characters that have their place but you don’t like, and angst enough for all. It also has hope, love and community. It is a book that once I started reading I did not want to put down.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Rancher’s Redemption by Kate Pearce is the second book in her spin off series called The Millers of Morgan Valley. Morgan Valley is a valley in the Sierras where ranches are a way of life and tall broad shouldered cowboys are found.

Adam Miller’s wife died years ago. Her battle with cancer ended Adam’s life as it was. He became closed off and reticent. Lizzie is a single parent. She is raising her son and moving forward with her life. Her baby’s father ran when he found out she was pregnant. Her best friend growing up was Adam Miller’s dead wife, but Lizzie nor Adam ever spoke about that time.
Adam helps out Lizzie and slowly their relationship builds. I like how Adam and Lizzie’s learn to speak with each other from the heart. I love how they worked through so much and found each other again.

The story was poignant and heartfelt. In fact more so than the prior novels by Kate Pearce. I found that I understood the feelings of the main characters. The Rancher’s Redemption by Kate Pearce was a great read.

Widowed for ten years, now running the family ranch, Adam Miller is no longer the fun-loving guy who married his high school sweetheart Louisa the moment they graduated. His bitterness in the aftermath of her death even alienated his closest link to her—Lizzie Taylor, her best friend.
A struggling single mom, Lizzie’s extremely wealthy ex ran out on her when she got pregnant. But now he and his family have decided to fight for custody of her young son Roman.
I just love the stories about the inhabitants of Morgan Valley we get to catch up with characters from earlier books. We met surly Adam in the previous book & I wondered if I would warm to him but from feeling lukewarm towards him at the start, I loved him by the end. I loved Lizzie who took everything thrown at her in her stride, she coped with being abandoned after a very brief affair on finding herself pregnant, she’s brought Ro up by herself & is holding down two jobs plus she’s always carried a torch for Adam. I loved how Adam gradually re evaluated everything & learnt how to let go & to begin to talk about his feelings. There is attraction between Adam & Lizzie, they want to be together however lack of communication nearly leads to disaster. I found it to be an engrossing read & the last couple of chapters had me in tears. I also loved the secondary second chance romance of Jeff & Leanne & then there’s Roman who was an absolute delight. I hope of the Miller siblings have their story especially Ben .
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Once childhood friends, a tragic loss and one mistake keeps them strangers for over a decade, but when Adam sees Lizzy again his discovers his life didnt end the day he lost his wife and he just might have another chance at living. For Lizzy life hasn't been easy but she is strong, independent and a great Mom. If she can keep herself from getting hurt by Adam again she will but it might be too late. Great story with strong personality characters and storyline. I do love that Lizzy is very upfront and her willingness to face the fact that her son needs know his other family, doesnt hide away. Romantic., great world building and an overall good read.

The Rancher’s Redemption by Kate Pearce
The Millers of Morgantown #2

Mired in loss and missing his young wife even fourteen years later Adam Miller is not ready for anything but being a loner. He works hard on the ranch, cares for his siblings, cooks and really doesn’t see much more in life than the lonely lifestyle he is existing in. Before the loss of his wife when he was twenty-one he has also experienced the loss of his mother who left the family when he was only twelve. That pain has lingered and the loss of his wife only compounded his estrangement from others.

Lizzie works hard to provide for her young son. Her best friend, Louisa, was Adam’s wife. She, Louisa and Adam had been friends for a long time only to have that friendship severed with the loss of Louisa. Lizzie works multiple jobs and cares for Roman without the baby-father in the picture...until some meddling relatives of said sperm donor show up wanting more than Lizzie is willing to give.

This is a story of loss, withdrawal, families, forgiveness and love. What has seemed true to Adam for so many years is suddenly being exposed as not 100% the way he has perceived it to be and it is shaking his foundation. Whether or not he will be able to grow out of the darkness and embrace a lighter brighter life is something I was hoping for as I read more of Adam’s story. And, Lizzie might be able to help him in more ways than one. I sometimes wished that Adam was not so stubborn and more able to open up but perhaps that will come over time and I will get to see Adam thrive as the series continues.

I am eager to find out who will have their story told next. I can’t wait to read Ben’s story as he was intriguing in this book.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes

Thanak you to NetGalley and Kensington – Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

You know that feeling you get after reading a series of really "meh" books and you finally hit on one that makes you sit up and take notice? The Rancher's Redemption was that book for me. I started reading it and didn't put it down until I finished it.

There were a few things going on at the same time in this book, but it caused no difficulty in keeping track of the characters or the subplots.

I liked Lizzie, who could be forgiving and patient, but also she stood her ground when needed. I liked Adam, but there were times when I wished he could just let it go. Ro, Lizzie's son was a good addition. I'm a sucker for a single dad or mom story. Adam and Lizzie had great chemistry, partially because at one time in life, they had been really good friends. They also had a few steamy scenes.

This book covered a range of emotions. Fear, anger, happiness, sadness, frustration, shock, and vulnerability just to name a few. It was about family, secrets, love, loyalty, and loss. It was about journeys you take in life that take you through darkness, and how you manage to rebuild to come out better on the other side.

The slowest parts of this book were about Adam trying to get his head together, whether it was about his wife, Louisa; his friend and his future, Lizzie; his mother, Leanne; etc. He just took way too long to come to terms with things. That had to do with his dad, who was not one of my favorite characters. The same goes for Roman's paternal side of the family, including his dad. There are also a few mentions about the Morgan Ranch, and some of those characters.

Eventually, Adam and Lizzie get their HEA. I wish there had been an epilogue. I am also hoping that Adam's other siblings get a book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book received via NetGalley.

Talk about an emotional read. Adam is the very definition of withdrawing from society and himself. He has so much emotional baggage over the death of his wife it is sometimes hard to read. Lizzie, on the other hand, wants to move forward with her life even though she has her own problems. Their working together to overcome their adversities makes this story a fantastic read. It moves along a little slower than other books in this and the related series, but I think it had to. You cannot rush into an affair of the heart even though it has been a while for each of the main characters. I thought the pace was well done.

I highly recommend this epic, western romance.

There's so much going on in this book, I hardly know where to begin. Adam and Lizzie have a lot of history, in that his late wife was her best friend, and even though more than a decade has past since her death, they're still trying to find a way to move on. Adam is slowing finding himself as he reconnects with Lizzie, while she is struggling not to lose herself in his arms. The return - after more than twenty years - of Adam's mother and the terminal illness of his father-in-law, along with the belated custody interest in Lizzie's young son from paternal grandmother, combine to make this a trying time for both our MCs.

These two both have multiple layers of anger and resentment to work through, which makes this a complex and at times heartbreaking story. I was drawn in right from the start, and read it straight through non-stop. Their love is beautiful in its simplicity even though they have more than their share of hurdles to complicate it all.

Leanne's return unpacks more baggage than anyone even realized was stored up, both figuratively and literally. This part of the story was gut-wrenching at times, yet it was important for all parties to work through all the decades of misunderstanding and blame. I have no doubt future books in this series about the Miller family will continue to address the much-needed healing and reconciliations for everyone.

After Adam and Lizzie's HEA is secured, the book gave us a bonus novella focusing on Billy Morgan and Bella Williams. Theirs is a sweet, after-50 romance that will appeal to anyone who's familiar with these characters from any of the Morgan Valley books. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Lizzie and Adam were once good friends. But, after Adam's wife and Lizzie's best friend passed away they drifted apart.
Lizzie is back working as a waitress while caring for her young son. Having to put up with the elderly great aunt snooping about her son.
Love reading about small towns revisiting old characters

How does one get over a broken heart? Losing the love of his life, Adam has closed himself off from everything barring working from dawn to dusk on his family ranch. The fact that his grief is laced with guilt only exacerbates the situation. Lizzie on the other hand, is carrying the responsibility of her own mistakes and whilst she does not regret her sweet son one bit, life is more complicated than she ever thought it would be. They had once been best friends, but Louisa's death has brought about a gulf of despair between them and there is no way of bridging it, until Lizzie is desperate for help and Adam is the only one who can provide it. This book is well written with complex personalities. It portrays so much pain that one cannot help but wonder whether Adam and Lizzie will ever manage to get beyond their mistakes. Although part of a series and characters from other books appear in this one too, this is a standalone and comes to a very satisfactory close. I received a copy of this novel through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Lots of interesting family back story issues and misunderstandings. Anger and stubbornness play keys roles in their lives. A few tears were shed, some sad, some sweet. I was able to skip many pages as I don't read the intimate details. Nice friend relationships in this small town.

Author Kate Pearce has become one of my go to authors for wonderful stories. Her books always grab me from start to finish & have me not wanting to put the book down until I'm done & then I'm wishing that there was more to read in the story. The Rancher's Redemption is no different. I loved Lizzie & Adam together, both have lost someone close to them; one a beloved wife, the other a best friend & their close friendship has suffered because of it. Adam & Lizzie are both very strong characters, both determined to live their lives on their terms & not let anyone tell them what or how they should feel. Their chemistry together is white hot & it brought an emotional roller coaster with it. The angst of their relationship dilemma & an untold secret had you holding your breath to see who would crack first. So many tears shed during this book but also so many laughs enjoyed when we see the interactions of Adam & Lizzie's 3 yr old son Roman. The Rancher's Redemption is a wonderful addition to this series. I also enjoyed the fact that this book had another short story at the end. In this one we get to see the Morgan patriarch Billy question his place on the ranch & fall in love with the feisty Bella Williams owner of the Red Dragon Saloon. We get a little better understanding of Billy in this short book & see his struggles with his place on the ranch & in his family. We also get a better look at his love for his family & the wonderful & talented man he truly is. We get to see his heroic side also when he protects Bella from a would be thief & assailant. I've often wondered about Billy's life & I got some answers in this book. Definitely recommend to read this book & the series as a whole.

Lizzie and Adam’s story is one of past friends that find each other again after a falling out. The book had a way of pulling you in with a little aloofness (Adam), a little independence (Lizzie), some intrigue and a cute little boy who loves the ranch. A very nice story to snuggle down with on a lazy weekend day!

There were so many things I liked about this book and a few I didn't.

I LOVED Lizzie!! She is an amazing mother, friend and coworker. She is a very understanding and forgiving person. I loved reading about the parts with her son. She truly only wanted what was best for him. Even putting the anger aside and trying to encourage her ex's family to get to know her son. She was very kind to her deceased best friends parents and making sure they were OK. It didn't seem like there were many people that didn't like her. I also think she is a really strong because of even the things Adam has put her through time and time again, she forgives him.

Adam is a man who has been hanging on to grief for too long. He has become grumpy and closed off. Meeting up with Lizzie and working through their issues, makes him come out of his shell and deal with the emotions he has been bottling up.

There were so many thing in this book that I liked, my only complaint was there were parts that dragged on. Everything in this book was needed to tell a good story, it just got a little wordy in parts.

It's always fun to get back to the characters of Morgan Valley. Even though this part of a larger series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone novel. However, if you've read other books by Kate Pearce, you are bound to recognize some characters. Adam Miller lost his wife ten years ago to cancer and ever since has been mourning. So much so that he lost touch with his wife's best friend and hasn't spoken to her since the funeral. But now he finds himself looking for reasons to talk with Lizzie and her young son. Is he finally ready to let go of the past or will a long held secret end things before they get started? This was an enjoyable contemporary romance with likeable characters.

I enjoyed this book it was like a a quick summer read. However sometimes the super broody guy in any book just makes me roll my eyes so hard. Like I get there are people like that out there but come on! Not every guy has to be this super broody guy with a huge chip on his shoulder.

This was such a heartwarming story. Adam lost his wife over a decade ago and he is still morning the loss of her. When he lost his wife he also cut out Lizzie who was best friends with both of them. My heart ached for all that both of these two had been through. Both must let go of the past in order to move on with the future. I loved how Kate Pearce told their story. The characters were well developed and the storyline was fantastic. There was romance, misunderstandings, drama and so much more. This book kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.