Georgia Shipley is known to be a heartbreaker and she wears that truth like a badge of honor.
Her father has ordered her to stay away from the new ranch hand—well, all of the ranch hands—but she just can’t help herself. This new one’s a hottie. Exactly her type.

Widower and single dad Hunter Kade needs a fresh start. And then some.
He has one priority right now—taking care of his daughter. To do that, he has to find a job. The ranch hand opportunity at Hickory Hollow is one he can’t afford to mess up.

Hunter has never met anyone like Georgia. She gets under his skin. It’s wonderful and terrible at the same time. But he’s worried about losing the job he desperately needs because of her. She’s a troublemaker and she doesn’t even seem to understand what’s at stake.

These two can’t get along yet they can’t seem to stay apart. The attraction, along with the snippy barbs, crackles in the air like electricity.

As they finally start to pull the layers back, will these two find that they’re more alike than they thought?

Titles in the Billionaire Ranchers Second Generation series include — Faking Her Engagement —♥— Protecting His Heart —♥—

And… is a spin-off of the Billionaire Ranchers series which includes — Impressing Her Billionaire Boss —♥— Keeping Her Cowboy CEO —♥— Saving Her Billionaire Cowboy Hero —♥— Loving Her Billionaire Cowboy Partner —♥— Arguing With Her Billionaire Cowboy —♥— Teaching Her Billionaire Cowboy Rookie —♥—

Title:  Protecting His Heart
Series:  Billionaire Ranchers Second Generation #2
Author:  April Murdock
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  June 30, 2022
Publisher:
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Protecting His Heart is the second title in the Billionaire Ranchers Second Generation series, and if anything this one broke my heart before finding it healed up again much like Hunter.  This series is also a spin-off of the 2020 series, Billionaire Ranchers.  I didn’t feel as though I needed the background from the first series to enjoy this spin-off, but it is certainly on my radar to dive into one day.

Georgia is a bit of a spitfire, definitely a flirt, and at first, somewhat entitled as well.  She firmly believes there isn’t a man on the ranch (or anywhere else) that she could not attract and have him wrapped around her fingers should she wish it.  I liked her, but also, again at first, she was rather indifferent to the feelings of others, knowing few boundaries that she could not get beyond with a flirty smile.  What Georgia wants, Georgia gets… and it could have been annoying if we didn’t have glimpses of a heart of gold within along the way, especially as we first got to know this woman.

Hunter is not recovering from a devastating event.  He has to keep dealing with life for his young daughter’s sake, but it is a daily uphill battle.  He’s moved them from their home and the constant pity he sees in the eyes of every person they encounter in that small town… and he could not deal with that anymore.  A fresh start, a chance to heal, and protect his daughter is what Hunter wants most, although he doesn’t see the healing part becoming reality any time soon.  Although he knows nothing of ranching, he’s been hired on as a ranch hand at Georgia’s family ranch.  And while she certainly is a stunning woman, Hunter isn’t looking for involvement.  Perhaps it’s a good thing that Georgia won’t let that put her off from offering at least friendship if not more.

Hunter has secrets.  Georgia has complications from a past relationship.  Each is exactly what the other needs in their lives.  Hunter needs Georgia’s lightheartedness, her openness.  Georgia needs Hunter’s ability to steer her away from trouble, to open her heart to permanent not just for the moment.  They will battle each other along the way, they will also hurt the one they’re beginning to love as well.  Watching this couple work their way to each other was an emotional journey, one with a very happy ending for all.

I enjoyed my time in this world, and even though I jumped into this world with Protecting His Heart, I will go back to read the earlier stories for I now need to understand more about this world.  If you’re looking for a romance that is full of surprises, secrets, chemistry, some not-so-nice folks, and some amazing ones as well – plus a couple that really does belong together, then you’ll want to pick this one up soon.

*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.*

Available for the Kindle as this series is currently in KU