Having a husband that’s half there is what Lorri deals with. So when her husband gives her a puppy for Valentines she thinks he’s coming back to here, but boy is she wrong. When six months later he leaves them in the dust she decides to move and with changing herself, her and her business take off. Ryder Bolt owns a ranch near by with his son. Being a widow, love is the last thing he has on his mind but spending time. With Lorri opens his heart and hers again.

Ugh I love a good second chance, wholesome romance. I like the strangers, to friends, to lovers this book offers. It was very heartwarming and the characters were well written. It definitely had the Hallmark movie feel good vibe to it.

A must read! A great story of overcoming the past and finding happiness. Love the Characters and how I could feel their frustrations and happiness.

I don't like talking bad about books that didn't work for me because I think this book would be loved by other readers. That being said I had a hard time with the cutesyness of this book, it felt very hallmark to me and that is not my thing. I also think that the interwoven faith aspects just took me out of the story but again this is something I don't like in books but others do enjoy. This story follows Lorrie as she finds her place in her new neighborhood after she moves on after a divorce. Her she meets Ryder who has some things from his past that he is still dealing with. Their story centers around a place called The Wedding Ranch which Ryder's family runs and Lorrie does work for. If you enjoy small town romances than this one might work for you. Thank you St. Martin's Press for my #gifted copy, all opinions are my own.

Main Characters:
-- Lorri Walker – graphic designer whose husband of 15 years buys her a Mastiff puppy for Valentine’s Day and leaves her six months later for the dog trainer. She moves from Raleigh to Dalton Mill for a fresh start.
-- Mister – the Mastiff, well-trained and draws attention everywhere because of his size alone; Lorri keeps Mister in the divorce from her husband.
-- Ryder Bolt – rancher, largest landowner in the county even after his parents sold off much of their land for development; investor in his niece and nephew’s venue The Wedding Ranch.

Nancy Naigle’s The Wedding Ranch is a sweet small-town, Christian, second-chance romance. Neither Lorri nor Ryder have an interest in dating someone new. A year removed from her split with her husband, Lorri has settled into her new home and is flourishing as a work-from-home graphic designer. Ryder can’t imagine meeting anyone he could love more than he loved his wife and son, killed seven years prior in a car accident. Readers all know they’re going to get together.

When Lorri and Ryder meet, they both feel the chemistry but insist friends only. In fact, throughout the book, Ryder insists on saying “my friend, Lorri.” But as their friendship builds, neither of them can ignore the attraction. Mister creates a nice connection since Ryder’s sister is the town veterinarian, and Mister’s size makes him a topic of conversation.

There are also a couple of sub-plots here. Lorri and her friend Pam are childhood best friends with a country music star who happens to have booked his wedding at The Wedding Ranch that Ryder’s niece and nephew run. Lorri’s ex also plans to have his wedding at the Ranch. The first creates a bit of tension and the second creates an opportunity for the pair, but I felt like both were unnecessary.

The real sub-plot the author should have focused on is the “long-buried revelation” in the description. I won’t give it away, although I think it’s designed for us to figure out long before the characters do, but the author seems to miss the opportunity to really make this the focal conflict in the story. It comes to light with only about 15% of the book left, which leaves very little time to actually work through the issue. The characters pray about it, talk with their families, and then it’s just resolved. That’s one of the things that drops the rating.

The other thing that knocks it to 3 stars for me is that I didn’t feel the chemistry between the characters. They describe the chemistry, but the dialog falls flat for me. In fact, my favorite dialog occurs between Ryder and his sister.

All in all, this book isn’t bad. It’s a nice, light read…just a little dry at times in my opinion.

"The Wedding Ranch" by Nancy Naigle
Life is a Journey
Yes, this story has fun times and harder than hard, hard times, too! There were times when I smiled and chuckled and times when tears burst forth like Niagara Falls. The loss of loved ones just hurts so very much. There is some food for thought, as in forgiveness really does help ease the hurt the one doing the forgiving is feeling. I am glad I read this story. I stayed up more than half the night because again and again; I just had to read just one more chapter. It is a worthy read. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley.

A read that will touch your heart. Two hurting people, a very big dog, a small southern town, and throw in a bit of sweet romance. The author did a wonderful job of bringing this story alive, and making me want to visit this North Carolina town. A read you don't want to miss!
I received this ARC from NetGalley and reviewed it voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

What a great story with so many feels. I felt for the folks and what they had gone through. It was like I could feel their pain and their joy. I would love to live in a town like Dalton Mill. It sounded perfect to me. All these characters are wonderful and compliment each other well. Mister has to be a favorite. What a joy he is! I received this book from NetGalley and also won a copy from Goodreads, but my opinion is my own.

What a great read, it will tear at your heartstrings!
Two hurting people, a very big dog, a small southern town, and throw in a bit of sweet romance.
There is a rebirth for Lorri, moving into her beautiful new home, with Mister, her mastiff, and you feel her coming back alive with her move.
Enter Ryder, a man who loves his family and his land, but has suffered a great loss.
The author did a wonderful job of bringing this story alive, and making me want to live in this awesome North Carolina town, where everyone knows everyone, and are there for all.
Devastating decisions made by others and how those choices hurt so many others!
A read you don't want to miss!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher St. Martin's Press, and was not required to give a positive review.

The wedding ranch will enchant you. You'll enjoy meeting and getting to know these characters. They heal and learn to trust and maybe find happiness and love.

Lorri Walker was suspicious of her husband, but when he gifted her a mastiff puppy, she believes it will all work out. Until he leaves her for the dog trainer. Lorri decides she needs a clean break from the city and moves to small-town Dalton Mill, as she can work remotely anyway.

Ryder is still healing from the tragic death of his wife and son seven years ago. He is also frustrated that his father sold off a majority of his land when he retired, which has been turned into a subdivision. His biases about the people that have moved into that space has him suspicious of any that move in there.

When Lorri and Ryder meet, a friendship builds and even though the road is bumpy, they are able to help each other heal and look forward with hope.

Overall a cute story. The characters are sweet, the story is a strangers to lovers trope and even the supporting characters are enjoyable and memorable.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an advanced copy of those book. First time reading anything from this author.
About starting over .. second chances and fate.
The details in this book were just more than I can explain.
It should be made into a TV show or mini series.
Loved it!
4.5 ☆

The Wedding Ranch is a tender and heartwarming story about healing, forgiveness, and taking a chance on love. Ryder and Lorri both carry a lot of emotional baggage, and are wary of having their fragile hearts broken. They start out as friends, slowly and warily, as their feelings grow stronger and deeper. They are both kind and lovely, thoughtful and caring, and I was drawn to them from the beginning, hoping they’d find a happy future together.

For Lorri Walker, married bliss was a myth. Lorri wasn’t miserable in her marriage, but it wasn’t fun and games either. Her marriage to Craig was bordering on mundane. Until one day Craig brings home a mastiff puppy as an offer to repair their relationship. It worked for a while until Craig leaves Lorri for their puppy trainer.

Hoping to start anew, Lorri moves from bustling Raleigh to farm country, Dalton Mill. It was a stark contrast to what Lorri was used to. But it was what Lorri felt she needed — a new home on five acres for her pet mastiff, Mister, to run around in.

It didn’t take Lorri that long to enjoy what country style living had to offer. Friendly neighbors, farm fresh produce, and quiet. Lorri still needed to experience the county fair, though. And she vowed to experience it after her neighbor, Tinsley invited her.

Lorri mapped out her plan of attack at the fair. She wanted to experience everything that the fair had to offer — from the 4H competitions, craft and baking booths, and even cotton candy. Lorri was so engrossed in the activities around her that she failed to realize that a steer got loose and was headed straight for her. Luckily, Lorri was tackled to safety by her savior Ryder Bolt. And that tackle would be the best thing that ever happened to her.

The Wedding Ranch is a wholesome romance novel that is so refreshing. It’s faith based so it doesn’t have any steam or heat that would make it borderline erotic.

The narrative unfolds in the third person point of view and it’s fitting for the storyline. I loved how each character is revealed as the narrative progresses. Granted Lorri and Ryder were my favorite characters, but the minor players were just as good.

The plot is a strangers to lovers romance and like any good romance novel, there is the element of suspense — when will the two subjects realize they were MFEO, and what will it take for them to realize that? The Wedding Ranch is deserving of five outstanding stars.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Faith, forgiveness and family are all front and center in The Wedding Ranch. It is an amazing story of second chance love. I had the story all figured out by the end of the 4th chapter, but that did not stop me from enjoying this book.
Ryder and Lorri both carry a lot of baggage and heartache, but with the grace of God and some wise advice from their friends and family, they slowly begin taking steps towards a HEA. It was satisfying to see them work out their own internal anguish before even committing to a relationship.
A wholesome and heart warming read, The Wedding Ranch has all the elements for a Hallmark movie.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my eArc. All thoughts are my own.

The Wedding Ranch is a heartwarming story about second chances .
Lorri moves into a new neighborhood with her dog, Mister after she gets a divorce. She. Is ready to start over and do things she used to enjoy doing again.
Ryder helps his niece and nephew with their wedding business as he tries to find ways to cope with life after the loss of his wife and son.
The small town story draws you in and makes you want to visit . Thank you Netgalley and publisher for a copy for my honest opinion.

I have only read one book by this author previously and it was a Christmas story that I enjoyed. When I started this one, I did not connect with the characters or the storyline in any way. I could not read more than 13% because I was bored.

This book was amazing, seriously had the hardest time putting it down, and then when it was over I just wanted so much more. This book had so many emotions in it. The author also did an amazing job at making you feel like you were right there in the story the whole time. I really like Lorri, she had this big heart and she was so relatable but she also came off as putting people at arms length, but that felt like it was for the purpose of finding healing and forgiveness in the pain she face. Ryder was a big old grouch except when it came to family then he would do just about anything for them, His world stopped the day he lost his wife and son but his family and his small town was trying to help him find himself again. I loved Reece and Ross what amazing characters and they just felt so real. I really hope this is not then end of the story with these characters I am so ready for more. Overall I really could not say anything bad about this book it was worth the read hands down. I also liked that the author kept it clean so it would be suitable for all readers.

Placeholder - I’m almost finished with this book and absolutely loving it so far. I’ll be back soon with a full review.

A beautifully written story.

After Lorri Walker’s husband told her he found someone else and wanted a divorce, she decided to pick up the pieces of her life and start over in the small town of Dalton Mill. She loved her house and the town residents made her feel welcome. What Lorri didn’t expect was to find a new man.

Ryder Bolt was still grieving the loss of his wife and son. He was also still bitter about his parents selling part of their farm land to a developer and he refused to step foot in the new housing community. He became the town grump. But when he met Lorri, everything changed. He was finally able to move past the hurt and possibly see a future with Lorri. But there is more to this story and it might put a stop to the new relationship between Lorri and Ryder, if they don’t learn to trust their feelings and forgive what happened in the past.

I loved this book. It has strong family ties, friendships, new love, and is filled with hope and inspiration. It is a powerful story of forgiveness and learning to trust again. I highly recommend it.

I love Nancy Naigle writing abilities. Each book I read that she writes is better than the one before! This book hits it out of the park. It has it all, romance, trials, friendships, heartwarming healing of hearts. I love the characters. They are each well defined and true to life. I love Ryder and Lorrie and Lorries dog Mister. This is a must read. Have your hankies ready. I was given an advanced reader copy of this very well written book by NetGalley. I am freely leaving my review.