Kate has been doing her own thing as a veterinarian when she gets up emergency phone call or the health of her aging parents. Home she realizes that the ranch is struggling that even the family had to hire storm chasing photographer Nathan as a temporary Ranch Hand. Katie's and happy that Nathan's here so in a light-hearted deal of being won over they start a friendship and possibly more.

If you're looking for a light-hearted kind of book that has Romance that isn't too out there the dramatics you'll like this one. I've been on a Non-Stop binge reading of action packed books and so this book was a slower pace from my normal reads and it was pretty enjoyable. I like getting to know the characters and seeing the romance as it starts from the friendship they were forming. Kate has a lot to think about I mean she's only home for a short while to check on her parents were but after seeing the family ranch struggle and meeting new people she has to decide what to stay. I mean overall this was a pretty good book I enjoyed it was pretty slow but enjoyable.

Kate is a livestock vet. When her father has a heart attack she rushes back home and is ready to help in any way she can. She discovered that the ranch doesn't look all that good, there are bills to pay and fewer horses that she remembers. Most of all, she is not ready for the new ranch hand Nathan. He doesn't seem to know much about the working of the ranch. His true passion is in photography, but that doesn't stop him from trying.

They got off on a rocky start. But slowly over time, they go from annoyance to friendship and more.

I liked the storyline but had trouble getting into the book and relating to the characters.

I will be 100% honest about why I requested this title: to fulfil a bingo prompt 'rainbow on the cover' for a instagram book bingo challenge. I expected a quick, non-complicated read. What I got was a great story, deep characters (although it could have been deeper!), good steam, and just enough but not too many side characters.

Kate (aka Katie) heads home at the drop of a hat to be with her parents when emergency strikes. She expected to be helping out at her parents bustling ranch but what, and who, encounters is not what she expected. Nathan (aka Hotstuff) is a hired ranch hand who's been taken under her father's wing and into his mother's heart - but Kate is cool towards the new face - what does he know about mucking out stalls and taking care of horses?

Over the course of the novel we see their friendship (don't say it!) blossom and grow under rainy nights, horseback rides and banter in the barn. I really liked this book and can safely say it surpassed my expectations. I really liked Nathan's character and will be keen to read whatever comes next for these lovebirds (and their friends!).

Elizabeth Hrib was a new-to-me author with this new release, but this won’t be the last book of hers I read. When I read her bio and saw she was a nurse, I had to give this title a try. I’m always ready to support my fellow nurses who dive into writing romance.

I must admit, it was a little hard to connect with Kate as she seemed spoiled in many ways. Nathan is more down-to-earth and what I’d call “good people.” I eventually grew to appreciate Kate and enjoyed watching her character grow. Nathan was seriously swoon-worthy material, and his friends, even though they were secondary characters, totally made the last half of the story fun. The first part of the story is more enemies-to-lovers, and the second half had major Twister vibes.

All in all, my time spent between the pages of this book was entertaining, and I look forward to what’s next from this author.

NICUnurse’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭑

This is a Romance, and this is the first book in the Hatchet Lake series. I had trouble getting into this book, and I almost DNF this book. I kind-of wish I did end up DNFing this book. The first half of this book moved so slow, and the pacing drove me crazy. The characters to me were just ok, and I did not connect to them really. I also hated the fact the characters just would not talk to each other. I did enjoy the last half of this book more, and the last half moved fast which I like. There was also a lot more happening. Overall, I think this book is just ok. It was nothing special or that I would read again. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Special Edition) or author (Elizabeth Hrib) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Lightning Strikes Twice is the opening novel in the Hatchet Lake series, and Kate and Nathan’s romance gives us an interesting overview of the series to come. I enjoyed myself here, but I will admit that it took me a bit of time to really warm up to Kate. She’s a large animal veterinarian who has been away from her small hometown for nearly a decade with school and work. She’s been called home after her father’s heart attack scare only to realize that the ranch isn’t as prosperous as she expected; there are fewer horse borders in the stalls, bills haven’t been paid, and a new ranch hand who doesn’t seem to know much about ranching has taken her place at the ranch. She might be overreacting; after all, she’s just called off a long-term relationship when her partner got caught cheating, she’s worked hard with little time off, and she’s terrified of what the future holds for her father’s health, and life suddenly got complicated.

On the other side, I absolutely adored Nathan from first sight onwards. Of course, he’s reacting when he finds a stranger in a stall with one of the ranch horses. He had no way of knowing that this stranger was Kate. But unfortunately, that protectiveness of the ranch has set Kate against him… along with apparently a bit of jealousy over his position, and the fact that he’s living in “her” guest house (besides the point to Kate that she’s only been home less than a handful of times to actually live in that guest house). I was definitely on Team Nathan for their semi-serious bet. But Nathan comes alive when his photography and storm chasing come into play. The difference in his personality between a ranch hand and a photographer of nature’s beauty is obvious… even to an annoyed Kate.

Theirs is a slow-burning romance going from annoyed strangers, reluctant friends, and into the “this could be forever” area of romance. I don’t know what’s ahead for this series, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever comes next… I have my suspicions so guess we’ll see if I’m right. If you enjoy a slow-burn romance with a lot of irritations before the love kicks in, then you’d love this one.

On a personal note: There’s nothing quite like reading about storm chasing and heavy storms… right when a huge thunderstorm is booming right outside my window. Realistic Reading? My own personal sound effects were provided by Mother Nature herself. *grins*

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent.*

Release date: April 25, 2023

Quick, easy, good read!

This was a first-time author read for me, and I'll definitely be back for more. I enjoyed Kate and Nathan's story. When Kate shows up at home after her Dad's heart attack, she finds new (to her) ranch hand Nathan. She definitely has mixed feelings, there is some pull between them, but based on her recent breakup and some jealousy that Nathan has taken her place with her parents she is wary. Nathan is a nature photographer by trade, chasing storms around the world with his friends Rusty and Tara. Will Kate be enough for him to grow roots? Will Kate trust enough to let Nathan into her heart?

I don't write spoilers, so the questions will go unanswered until you pick up this book and read it! You'll thank me later!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Harlequin has been around for a while. You may have read a Harlequin book and not even realize it. The nice thing about this book publisher is the number of authors they have. On April 25th they are releasing a book by up-and-coming author Elizabeth Hrib. The book is called ‘Lightning Strikes Twice’ and is part of the Harlequin Special Edition line.

Here is a description of the book:

He’s betting on friendship.

She’s banking on love.

Recently single, livestock vet Kate Cardiff is tired of risking her heart. So when an emergency calls her home to her family’s struggling ranch, Kate is ready to help—and definitely not looking for love. It’s dislike at first sight when she meets temporary ranch hand and storm-chasing photographer Nathan Prescott. He says he can win her over, but Nathan lives in the moment, not for the future. If Kate opens her heart to someone who lives on the edge, will taking the risk lead to another heartbreak…or a new beginning?

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

This book is the first of the Hatchet Lake series, and I really can’t wait to see how this keeps going. There are for sure more stories to tell with all of these characters. And unlike other books where they have so many characters the only way to keep up is to have a road map to how each character proteins to the book that isn’t the case with ‘Lightning Strike Twice’. There is just the right amount and every character is one you will enjoy seeing on your page, and each one does help bring this story to life.

The two main characters Kate Cardiff and the ranch hand have chemistry jump off the page. Right after their first meeting I really couldn’t wait to see more of them. Elizabeth was able to take these two people and make the reader fall in love with their story and want more.

I don’t want to give much away but if you’re a fan of the movie ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ you’re going to be a fan of this book. This book had me hooked from page one and I just couldn’t put it down. This is on my very short list of books to re-read. I’m giving this book 5 stars and I really can’t wait to see how Elizabeth will keep going with the Hatchet Lake series

Lightning Strikes Twice by Elizabeth Hrib
I enjoyed this first book that I have read by Elizabeth Hrib. Kate Cardiff (livestock vet) has returned to her parent's farm for a family emergency. Nathan Prescott (storm chasing photographer) is working there. She dislikes him at first sight, and he plans to win her over, wonderful friends and family. There is angst, family money problems, some laughs and tears, strong feelings and storms, mix in some steam and we get to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Wonderful characters Easy-to-read Happily Ever After Romantic Scary Page-turner Funny Entertaining Tear-jerker Steamy.

I was provided an arc e-copy by the publisher Special edition bythe author
Elizabeth Hrib so I can give a honest review thank you so much so I can give a honest review.
Lightning Strikes Twice I kept rooting for Kate and Nathan they were both driving crazy when they wouldn't admit what they felt for each other I was yelling come on guy's!!! I really didn't really care how the story would end 2 1/2 star's



Happy Reading

I loved this book from start to finish. I did not want to put this down ! Kate and Nathan were meant for each other but did not want to admit it at first.