Book Review! Live, Ranch, Love by Emma Lucy

Live, Ranch, Love (Willow Ridge #1) by Emma Lucy
Genre: Adult Fiction (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: September 30, 2025
Publisher: Avon

She’s here to sell my ranch, but now I think she might steal my heart.

Rory Jones prided herself on the successful life she’d built as a wellness influencer and author - until she walked in on her boyfriend with another woman after a family funeral. Forced to run away to her late great aunt’s ranch in Colorado, Rory’s hoping that fixing up and selling the place will help her find her confidence and inspiration to write again.

But Wyatt Hensley, the grumpy head rancher, isn’t willing to hand over the reins to the job he gave everything up for. Especially not to a yoga-loving, manifestation guru who doesn’t even know how to ride a horse. Yet, with a past that’s taught him to not bother dreaming anymore, even Wyatt knows he can’t hold on forever.

Until one day they strike a deal that might just save both of their careers – help Rory turn the ranch into a wellness retreat and Wyatt can stay.

With Rory’s shattered self-confidence and Wyatt’s last drop of hope also on the line, staying professional is a must. But can they ignore the sizzling tension growing between them that could jeopardise it all?

Especially when the rocky path ahead seems a lot easier with the other riding beside them.

Live, Ranch, Love is the first book in the Willow Ridge series by Emma Lucy. Rory had her life set until her world got flipped. As a result, when she arrived at her newly inherited ranch, Wyatt's world flipped too. It started off enemies to lovers in the very beginning, but it changed to insta-love pretty quick once the characters plans started changing. Their story was cute. They were cute together. I love this kind of story, especially on a ranch setting. There was some repetition, which I can usually overlook unless it gets ridiculous, And for the most part, I did this time around too, but both characters liked to use the word GD about every other page. I'm definitely not opposed to cussing, but that one is one of my peeves. It makes me cringe internally. Especially, when it pops up every other page or so. The overall story was fun and entertaining, and I'd be curious which character's story gets told. Cherry & Duke?? There's gotta be a story there! 

Live, Ranch, Love by Emma Lucy was kindly provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley for review. The opinions are my own.

Emma Lucy is a romance author based in London who loves writing books that will make you swoon, blush, and hopefully learn to believe in yourself a little more. When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, listening to whatever new country music artist she’s obsessed with, or trying to convince her boyfriend to go to a bookstore with her. Live, Ranch, Love is Emma’s debut novel.

To learn more about Emma Lucy and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads & Pinterest.

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Book Review: My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

My Life with the Walter Boys (My Life with the Walter Boys #1) by Ali Novak
Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: May 14, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

From a fresh new voice on the contemporary YA scene, My Life with the Walter Boys centers on the prim, proper, and always perfect Jackie Howard. When her world is turned upside down by tragedy, Jackie must learn to cut loose and be part of a family again.

Jackie does not like surprises. Chaos is the enemy! The best way to get her successful, busy parents to notice her is to be perfect. The perfect look, the perfect grades-the perfect daughter. And then...

Surprise #1: Jackie's family dies in a freak car accident.

Surprise #2: Jackie has to move cross-country to live with the Walters-her new guardians.

Surprise #3: The Walters have twelve sons. (Well, eleven, but Parker acts like a boy anyway)

Now Jackie must trade in her Type A personality and New York City apartment for a Colorado ranch and all the wild Walter boys who come with it. Jackie is surrounded by the enemy-loud, dirty, annoying boys who have no concept of personal space. Okay, several of the oldest guys are flat-out gorgeous. But still annoying. She's not stuck-up or boring-no matter what they say. But proving it is another matter. How can she fit in and move on when she needs to keep her parents' memory alive by living up to the promise of perfect?

Ali Novak wrote My Life with the Walter Boys when she was just 15 years old. First a hit on the online community Wattpad, this debut novel has already been read over 33 million times and is loved by readers around the world.

My Life with the Walter Boys is the first book in the series by the same name by Ali Novak. This was a pretty good read. I found out about it through the TV series. I liked the show, but the book is much better… as they usually are. The characters were very believable, and there are a lot of them. I do get some of the younger boys confused with one another, but I don’t feel like it detracts from the story at this point. The epilogue from Cole’s point of view was nice too. It let’s you know where his head is at in the beginning. It also makes me wonder if that’s who Jackie ultimately ends up with since none of the other boys had their perspective shared. The TV show actually drags things out more and makes issues out of non-issues. There's already so much going on. Why add more? Anyway, yes, the book is the way to go. 

Ali Novak writes contemporary young adult romance and is a recent graduate of the University of Madison Wisconsin's creative writing program. She wrote her first full length novel, My Life with the Walter Boys, at the age of fifteen. Since posting the story online, it has received more than 33 million reads and is now published by Sourcebooks Fire.

To learn more about Ali Novak and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram, Wattpad, YouTube, and Twitter.

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Book Review: Girl in Luv by Jay Crownover & Rebecca Yarros

Girl in Luv (In Luv Duet #1) by Jay Crownover & Rebecca Yarros
Genre: New Adult Fiction (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: October 19, 2019
Publisher: Jay Crownover LLC

Langley Vaughn is in desperate need of a date.

But not just any date.

She’s looking for a date to the wedding from hell. It isn’t every day you’re forced to be in the bridal party while your first love marries your arch nemesis… otherwise known as the world’s worst stepsister. The entire situation is a nightmare, and Langley is sick and tired of taking orders and forcing a fake smile. She’s done being the bad guy when she was the one who was wronged.

She needs to find a date who’s not afraid of her family’s money and someone who is willing to shake things up. She needs someone outside of her normal social circle, someone ready to go to war with the well-to-do. She needs someone who won’t back down. Someone willing to play the complicated game of tug of war she’s been engaged in with her family for years.

Never in a million years did she think she was going to stumble across her very own heroic heartthrob when she set her crazy plan in motion.

Not only does Iker show up for her time and time again, he also forced her to finally fight for herself.

He says he’s only there for the money… but his actions speak so much louder than his words.

Iker Alvarez would do anything and everything to get his hands on some quick cash.

Not just any cash, but enough to make sure his younger brother gets into the college of his dreams.

Thank goodness for a desperate, pretty little rich girl with too much money and her heart set on an outrageous scheme. Being in the right place at the right time might just be the answer to both of their prayers — and this smart soldier has never let a golden opportunity slide by.

Iker doesn’t mind coming to Langley’s rescue and being her plus-one… as long as the price is right.

Only, he didn’t plan on liking the blonde socialite as much as he does. He is totally unprepared for the pull he feels toward her, coupled with his growing desire to protect her from the vultures and villains living under the same roof.

He wants to be the guy who keeps her safe and gives her the courage to fight back that she obviously needs… But someone else, someone far more powerful and influential than Langley’s wealthy family, has dibs on Iker’s time and on his future. He knows he isn’t the guy Langley can count on in the long run, but damn if he doesn’t want to do everything in his power to be that man.

Girl in Luv is book one in the In Luv Duet by Jay Crownover and Rebecca Yarros. I'm already a big fan of Rebecca Yarros and her Empyrean Series, so I was excited to check this book out. I liked Iker and Langley from the start. I don't envy Langley and her step family situation. I don't know that I'd be as nice as she is. As for Iker... I really liked him a LOT. Until the end! What the heck dude?! For such a quick, fun read, these characters were pretty believable. There's a lot of story packed in a small package with this one. I'm curious to see how things play out in the next one.  

Jay Crownover is the International and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point and Breaking Point Series, and the Loveless, Texas series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.

To learn more about Jay Crownover and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads and Twitter.

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and coffee addict. She is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels, including Fourth Wing, The Last Letter and The Things We Leave Unfinished. She’s also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence for Eyes Turned Skyward. Rebecca loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for over twenty years. A mother of six, she is currently surviving the teenage years with all four of her hockey-playing sons.

To learn more about Rebecca Yarros and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram,  Pinterest, and Twitter.

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Book Review: A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass

A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass 
Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Fantasy Romance)
Date Published: June 1, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen

#1 New York Times bestselling author of The Selection series Kiera Cass is back with her most epic novel yet—a sweeping enemies-to-lovers standalone romance.

“Love has a sound. It sounds like a thousand heartbeats happening at the same time.”

Princess Annika has lived a life of comfort—but no amount of luxuries can change the fact that her life isn’t her own to control. The king, once her loving father, has gone cold, and Annika will soon be forced into a loveless marriage for political gain.

Miles away, small comforts are few and far between for Lennox. He has devoted his life to the Dahrainian army, hoping to one day help them reclaim the throne that was stolen from them. For Lennox, the idea of love is merely a distraction—nothing will stand in the way of fighting for his people.

But when love, against all odds, finds them both, they are bound by its call. They can’t possibly be together—but the irresistible thrum of a thousand heartbeats won’t let them stay apart.

Kiera Cass brings her signature sparkling romance to this beautiful story of star-crossed lovers and long-held secrets.

A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass is an enemies to lovers stand alone novel. We get both Annika and Lennox's point of views, and I love that the dual perspectives give us the mindset of both main characters. You can really watch how their relationship changes. Both characters were interesting and came with baggage. They both have legitimate reasons to hate the other, so this wasn't a quick jump to romance. There were a lot of conflicting feelings on their emotional journey, not to mention they each have duties and obligations to their people. I enjoyed this one. There's something to be said for picking up a good ole stand alone story over a series every once in a while.

 

Check out my reviews of some other books by this author!

I am a graduate of Radford University with a B.S. in History. I grew up in South Carolina and currently live in the LA area with my family. Said family consists of a Seminary Student Hubby, a Video Game Wizard Son, a Experimental Artist Daughter, a Sun-Loving Dog, and a Family Assistant Turned Friend/Roommate! I'm a #1 New York Times bestseller, woohoo! I'm super into boybands, gluten free cake, and my collection of tiaras. In my free time, I like making my readers cry. Such fun.

To learn more about Kiera Cass and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter.

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