Title: The Wedding Ranch
Author: Nancy Naigle
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out 5

When Lorri Walker’s husband gifted her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine’s Day, she believed he was recommitting himself to their marriage after going astray. Six months later, he left both her and their dog for someone else. Since her recent move to Dalton Mill to unbraid herself from the past, Lorri’s graphic design business is now flourishing, her growing mastiff, Mister, has plenty of space to romp, and her ex in Raleigh can fade to a distant memory.

Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. Thankfully, ranching keeps Ryder busy, and spending time with his niece and nephew—whose venue, The Wedding Ranch, has become a popular tourist destination—keeps him from getting lonely.

When Lorri and Ryder met, love was the last thing they were looking for. When they’re together, smiles come easier and burdens feel lighter, and both are embracing the possibility of something deeper.

But when a long-buried revelation surfaces, the fate that brought them together threatens to tear them apart.

I enjoyed this sweet read, although Lorrie felt a bit distant and cool. I enjoyed the small-town feel and how sweet and thoughtful Ryder was—and The Wedding Ranch was a cool venue idea. I didn’t find anything surprising in this novel, but I loved how faith was woven throughout the story, and how much emphasis was put on forgiveness.

Nancy Naigle is a bestselling author. The Wedding Ranch is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

The Wedding Ranch is the first book I've read by Nancy Naigle. It was a sweet, heartwarming, small town romance. I can see the appeal it may have for romance readers. The characters were okay, the story was sweet. For me it was middle of the road, but I'm glad I read it. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital arc of this title.

The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle summed up in two words: sweet + charming! I realllllly enjoyed this low key, easy going, light romance. It's a story about a woman rebuilding her life, her view of herself and her happiness. There was a big moment in the story that I saw coming from a long ways off that set up the main conflict, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. I loved it all really... the small town, the barn, the niece and nephew, the horseback rides, the huge dog, the neighborhood of my dreams, the grump. This story was just what I needed in the frenzy of December!

(Trigger warnings: car wreck, death, addiction, divorce)

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my e-galley!

Lorri has been unsure about the status of her marriage. She suspects her husband of cheating, but when her husband surprises her with a bull mastiff puppy on Valentine’s Day, she feels that he is recommitting to their marriage. She’s very involved in her job, but Craig promises to take care of the puppy and his training. Fast forward six months – Lorri comes home to find a suitcase at the door. Her husband announces that he’s fallen in love with the dog trainer and is leaving her. She moves to Dalton Mill, a development with homes on five acres of land with a small-town feel. It’s a wonderful place to start over. She has no interest in dating but is very invested in becoming a part of the community and developing her business as a graphic designer. Reed is a widower whose wife and child were killed in a car accident. He is very bitter about the accident and the fact that is father sold the farm that the family has had for generations. This is the land that was developed into Dalton Mills. They have a chance encounter at the county fair and soon cautiously become friends. Sadly, they each have something in their past that involves the other and threatens their relationship.

Also reviewed on B&N under 1IrishEyes430 and Kobo under IrishEyes430

The heart warming story about second chances is just what I needed to read this week. This story of two people who have gone through their own versions of grief finding friendship and affection with each other really melts your heart. Seeing Ryder most past his grief towards the possibility of finding love again was just as hopeful and seeing Lorrie accept her new life after marriage and life without her brother.

Naigle hit it out of the ballpark with this second chance at love story. Such strong characters and she has a way of describing them and the scenes that you can see them with your minds eye. Sometimes married couples drift apart and one of them will decide to make a permanent parting. This is what happens to our heroine, but she makes a comeback with her life and finds out she can rebuild her life and start over. You will love this second chance at love and also the endearing canine.....I was gifted an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley and the review is my honest opinion of the book. I enjoyed it.Naigle hit it out of the ballpark with this second chance at love story. Such strong characters and she has a way of describing them and the scenes that you can see them with your minds eye. Sometimes married couples drift apart and one of them will decide to make a permanent parting. This is what happens to our heroine, but she makes a comeback with her life and finds out she can rebuild her life and start over. You will love this second chance at love and also the endearing canine.....I was gifted an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley and the review is my honest opinion of the book. I enjoyed it.

The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle is a sweet story of second chances. Lorrie Walker divorced her husband after many years of unfaithfulness. Ryder Bolt lost his wife and child many years ago in a car accident. They have both faced many heart breaks and are not looking for a relationship or love. They both live in Dalton Mill and meet by chance.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved the main characters, the quaint setting of Dalton Mill, and the support system each character had in many of the secondary characters. Lorrie has a large dog named Mister who is a Mastiff who added to the story and became my friend by the end. Dalton Mill is a wonderful setting and I enjoyed visiting. Beautiful scenery and wonderful folks.

This lovely story had characters with wonderful rapport, good banter, and it was a pleasure to watch them both grow and change. The beautiful setting and the themes of redemption resonated with me. I recommend this story.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

A*R*C for honest review with no compensation Received from NetGalley and St Martin Press 4.5 stars

The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle is a story of love, loss, picking up the pieces and moving forward. After her divorce Lorri decides to move along with her puppy Mister to the town of Dalton Mill.

Ryder lost his family years ago, so looking for love again is not what he wants except something about Lorri gets to him…

Past burdens, laughter, family, forgiveness, faith and so much more…read on to see where it all ends…

Thank you St. Martin's Press, Nancy Naigle, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was very slow to start and took me a while to get into, was pretty predictable, and a little Hallmark Christmas Movie, but overall is was a cute read.

Ryder is a country man and has suffered a terrible tragedy resulting in losing his wife. Lori has suffered a horrible heartbreak as well. The two meet and decide to build a friendship. This is a great story of forgiveness and moving on.

If you love wholesome, a bit cheesy typical Hallmark type stories this is it. Lorri is getting on with her life after her divorce. New start, new beginnings, new home and a lovable puppy Mastiff named Mister.
Ryder knows practically everyone in town but meeting Lorri as he rescued her from a runaway steer was the start of a friends only friendship. Ryder has still not gotten over the lost of his wife and son 7 years ago. He has not been able to let go of the past, but as the friendship develops both learn to move on and forgive.
The story is slow building Christian base romance, for me very predictable where the story was going. I enjoyed how the characters developed and loved Mister. If you like a sweet romance story you will love it. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheWeddingRanch

The Wedding Ranch is a quick Christian romance about a woman who moves from the city to the country after her marriage fails and meets a local country boy. I enjoyed the setting and Mister the dog, but there was too much angsting over the past heavy issues for me. Also, the large plot twist was quite obvious with the clues that the author was laying along the way. While this wasn't for me, I think some will love it. I have enjoyed other books by this author, and will continue to read her work. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy.

A small town setting with relatable and likeable characters in the state of North Carolina This was a lovely story of learning to forgive and being true to oneself along with hope and inspiration. Lorrie was a great character who I enjoyed reading and following throughout the story as she learns to navigate after her life took an unexpected turn. On her new adventure, she meets many welcoming neighbors, Ryder being one of them. They had a chemistry from the beginning that kept me turning the pages! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

A slow burn second chance romance story that fits into the Hallmark movie type of romance. This one wasn't one of my favorites and while it wasn't really for me. I think if this sort of genre is your jam you'll absolutely love it. For me personally it was a little too slow paced and moving.

Lorri Walker and her mastiff puppy named Mister are starting a new chapter in their lives. After an unsettling divorce, Lorri decides to move from the city to a small suburb in the country. She works from home, so this is the perfect place to begin her new life. Lorri is meeting friends and after being saved by a handsome stranger at the fair, things are really starting to look up. Lorri is not sure she is ready for a new relationship, but it is hard to resist Ryder Bolts charms. When a long-ago tragedy resurfaces, both Lorri and Ryder will have to make a choice to stay buried in the past alone or face the future together.

I adored this novel by Nancy Naigle. She is a fabulous writer and one of my favourite authors. She took a serious subject and wove it brilliantly into the story of second chances. I loved how the characters evolved throughout the story, teaching us about forgiveness and moving forward after sorrow. I would love to see a second book if this is going to be a series as there are quite a few characters that have their own story to share. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press who has gifted me a copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. A beautiful story and one adorable puppy friends.

Until now, I’d only read Nancy Naigle’s Christmas-themed books. I honestly love reading them more than watching cheesy Hallmark-type Christmas movies. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story, but I shouldn’t have been worried. This is a clean contemporary sweet romance with elements of faith, so if you’re looking for something a bit spicier, this may not be the one for you.

Ms. Naigle’s writing, as always, had me thoroughly engaged from the outset. The plot was a bit predictable, but the characters were so well-developed I felt like they were friends. Even the secondary characters. Then there was the emotion. She tackled some weighty subjects but did so with respect and integrity. With themes of loss, grief, addiction, family conflicts, cheating, and forgiveness, this book was full of the crazy ups and downs all of those bring about, as one would expect. Add to all of this an adorable dog, and it hits all the feels.

Nancy Naigle has a knack for descriptive writing. I could see the la escape she drew with her writing. Lorri’s marriage is over and she moves, along with her huge dog, to a small community and literally bumps into Ryder, local farmer and grieving widower.
As their stories emerged I drew the connection long before it was revealed. I speculated on how this kink would be worked out but had confidence in the author’s ability.
The story is tasteful and wholesome.
My favorite parts were the horseback riding scenes and the county fair. It felt as if I actually there with all the animals and displays.
It’s a restful read.

The Wedding Ranch is about two people who have experienced loss and the path to experiencing love again. While parts of it were well written, I felt Lorri felt too forced.

I struggled to like the main female character, Lorri. Ryder - everyone should have an uncle like him.

The book was set in Raleigh, NC and having lived there, it brought back fond memories. Ms. Naigle did a fabulous job of describing the beautiful countryside.

Thank you to St Martins Press and Net Galley for allowing me to read this book prior to publication.

This is a book about second chances and learning to love after heartbreak. Ryder is a simple man who is trying to move on after he lost his wife and young son tragically. Lorri is starting over after a divorce (from a man I don’t think ever loved her). When their worlds collide, literally, each decides they want to be friends and friends only.

Faith and forgiveness are big in this book and drive the characters a lot. The Wedding Ranch sounds beautiful and his family are supportive and great. Her friends are also supportive and help Lorri along the way. I really enjoyed this book, I just wish it would have moved a little faster.

I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

This is a really sweet story of two unlikely people who get to know each other. Both are hurting from the past and just are not ready for a relationship beyond friendship. In a lot of ways, I saw what was going to happen and knew trouble was ahead, but it didn't take away from my investment in their story. The author did a nice job of working things out. This is a great story of forgiveness and moving on beyond past hurts, intertwined with a faith thread and really likable main and secondary characters, set in a lovely background. The ending brought a happy smile to my face. Highly recommended. I received a complimentary from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All thoughts are mine only.

The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle
Contemporary romance. Slow build and closed door.
Lorri moves to a new subdivision after her divorce is final. It’s on five acres and perfect for working from home, farmers markets, county fairs and her huge mastiff dog, Mister.
Ryder is unhappy with his parents decision to sell parts of the farmland. Meeting Lorri has him thinking maybe it’s not such a bad thing.
The two don’t want a relationship. They get to know each other slowly and overcome obstacles as they come up.

An emotional story of love, lose and rebuilding. Sweet and charming.

🎧 I read this book first and then did a second reading by audiobook. The performance was nicely done by Lisa Larson. The tone and cadence is exactly as a soft and emotional romance should be. There are specific voices for the two main characters and changing from one to the other is smooth. Both reading and listening were pleasant and romantic. I think I preferred the audiobook just a smidge better for getting to know each character and what was in their hearts.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and St Martins Griffin and Dreamscape Media.