Can the prodigal cowboy…

Teach her to hope again?

Horse trainer Mateo Pavlic wants to buy back his family’s ranch.

But Haley Jansson isn’t interested in selling…or forgiving his twelve-year absence.

Mateo has loved Haley since they were kids, and he feels a deep connection with her sweet son, Jonah. Soon, Mateo wants to be all in with Haley and her adorable baby.

But can he convince her to risk her land, her child, and her heart? 

Titles in the A Ranch to Call Home series include — A Family for the Rancher —♥— A Family for Thanksgiving —♥—

This is a romance that includes no swearing, no violence, and no sexual content (beyond a few kisses).

Owned

Title:  A Family for the Rancher
Series:  A Ranch to Call Home
Author:  M. K. Stelmack
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  January 24, 2023
Publisher:  Harlequin Heartwarming
My Rating:  4

A Family for the Rancher begins the A Ranch to Call Home series with a romance that grabbed my heart early on… and won it over completely by one cowboy’s absolute love for another man’s child.  What is it about a rugged cowboy holding a cute baby that gets me (and most of us) every single time?

Mateo has one dream, to buy back the family ranch.  Unfortunately, he’ll have to convince Haley, a childhood friend, to sell it to him… and that’s not going to happen any time soon.  When Mateo left Haley was devastated at losing her friend.  It didn’t help that Mateo didn’t even try to keep contact while he was away.  Now, he’s back home thinking he can sweep in and take over.  No way, not going to happen.  His affection for and interactions with her son, Jonah, might be melting her heart just a bit.  But that doesn’t mean she’s forgiven twelve years of silence.  Or that he can just show up and win her heart once again.  Her ex-husband has shown her that trusting any man is a mistake, especially one who walked away from her once before.

Haley is… prickly.  She probably has good reasons for being that way, but her mistrust of Mateo, which went on way longer than it made sense to me, actually put me firmly on Mateo’s side of this romance.  I liked them both, but I could see and relate to his side easier.

This couple’s road to a happy ending is rocky and full of potholes.  Watching them navigate their past, deal with their present, and hope for their future made A Family for the Rancher a delightful, emotional journey.

If you love a well-written romance with major feelings of being left behind to be resolved, a couple who may argue but they really do belong together, or if simply a handsome cowboy holding an adorable little boy melts your heart… then you’re going to love this start to the A Ranch to Call Home series.  Can’t wait until the next one releases.

I own a Kindle edition of this title.

Available in print or for your favorite e-reader