Their families may be feuding

so they’re keeping their enemy very, very close…

From the moment he sees her, Nolan Thurston wants to know Chelsea Grandin. He tells himself it’s just to gain valuable intel in his family’s battle for oil rights. But he knows there’s more, and soon his obsession with her threatens to derail his plans…

To save her family’s ranch, Chelsea is tempted to snare Nolan in a seduction scheme of her own. But when attraction takes over, will her family loyalties fall by the wayside?  

Titles in the multi-author Texas Cattleman’s Club: Ranchers and Rivals series include — Staking a Claim by Janice Maynard —♥— Boyfriend Lessons by Sophia Singh Sasson —♥— On Opposite Sides by Cat Schield—♥— Rivalry at Play by Nadine Gonzalez —♥— Vacation Crush by Yahrah St. John —♥— An Ex to Remember by Jessica Lemmon —♥— Cinderella Masquerade by LaQuette —♥— One Christmas Night by Jules Bennett —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

Title:  On Opposite Sides
Series:  Texas Cattleman’s Club: Ranchers and Rivals #3
Author:  Cat Schield
Genre:  Contemporary Romance / Modern Western Romance
Published:  June 28, 2022
Publisher:  Harlequin Desire
My Rating:  4.5 stars

On Opposite Sides continues the Texas Cattleman’s Club: Ranchers and Rivals continuity series with a story that strikes straight to the heart.  You may call it an enemies-to-lovers trope, but the enemies part is on the surface, all because of the situation their two families find themselves in… for Chelsea and Nolan it doesn’t take long for schemes to be forgotten when staying enemies makes no sense at all.

Both Nolan and Chelsea have the bright idea to pretend an attraction to each other for the main purpose of intel gathering over the oil rights claims that the brothers have made.  But for Chelsea it goes a bit deeper, she’s also out to prove to her own family that she has worth, that she can protect the ranch even when they don’t believe in her capabilities.  For Nolan, it’s more of a way to make up for leaving his twin to travel the world for his own dreams instead of staying on the ranch.  Nolan has doubts about the reasons his brother is pushing so hard for the oil rights, and we’ll learn a bit more about that through this couple’s romance.

I loved how the “enemies” couldn’t stay that way for long as the attraction begins to turn into something more serious, more life-changing.  I found myself really rooting for Nolan and Chelsea to find a way beyond their family troubles to make their own future.  Watching them navigate these troubled waters while still hoping it wasn’t fake for the other kept me emotionally challenged.

There aren’t true villains in On Opposite Sides.  Nolan’s twin brother and Chelsea’s younger brother are (in this story) total jerks, especially Vic… I didn’t like either, perhaps one or both can be redeemed for me later in the series but for now, they annoyed and angered me.  Chelsea I adored, she is the sibling who gives her all to the family ranch yet is constantly overlooked and under-appreciated by her father for one simple reason… she’s female.  (and that made my blood boil)  When Nolan made the one move that was certain to destroy Chelsea my heart broke for them both.  Why? Because it’s obvious that these two are deeply in love even if they don’t know how to express that.

I had such a good time back in this world with all the complications that Royal, Texas will always bring to the Texas Cattleman’s Club continuity.  If you love a good story that will touch your emotions, has some family issues, definitely steamy moments, and two people who will stand together in the midst of the storm… then On Opposite Sides is perfect for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*

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