Searching for forgiveness…and a future. Suddenly a husband…and a father?This bachelor is ready to claim his instant family. After learning his ex-wife isn’t so ex after all, rebel turned rancher Dan Whitlock is determined to prove he’s a changed man…but Bailey Quinn is just as set on finally ending their marriage. When tragedy makes Dan the guardian of little orphaned twins, he and Bailey … twins, he and Bailey are drawn back together. But can she forgive the past and open her heart to the family she’s always wanted?
more
I don’t read a lot of contemporary romances because my heart lies with the historicals, but I picked up a copy of this one and gave it a try. After all, who doesn’t like a handsome rancher hero, right? This story was fresh and engaging, not a rework of the same old tropes. The writing was very good. I had trouble putting it down!
Once again, a very special thank you to the author Laurel Blount and JustRead tours. I was provided a complimentary copy to review. A positive review was not required or requested. All words and thoughts are my own.
“A Rancher to Trust” is another great, Harlequin Love Inspired, stand-alone read in the author’s “Pine Valley, Georgia Series”. This is the fourth book in the series.
I was introduced to the author and the series thanks to JustRead publicity tours when I reviewed “Hometown Hope” – the third book in this series.
I later obtained “A Family for the Farmer” which is where Bailey Quinn makes her appearance and where we meet Abel Witlock and Emily Elliott. And, from what Santa’s elves told me, “A Baby for the Minister” is set to arrive in my stocking on Christmas Day.
Anyway …
This visit to Pine Valley involves Bailey Quinn who is still married to Dan Whitlock, despite them having not seen each other in about a decade.
She’s changed since their elopement which didn’t last long, and he’s had a long road ahead of him – finding sobriety namely one of them. He’s also changed from the man who he used to be.
Now, he’s looking to mend some busted fences and Bailey is looking to divorce him so she can move on with her life. And, there are certain people who hold grudges.
Dan wants to work things out, something Bailey is against. That is until Dan’s life is changed by a tragedy that leaves him the guardian of twin babies.
But, when Bailey changes her mind – Dan is skeptical as to why.
And, while Bailey thinks she knows what she wants, and what she doesn’t want – she learns God has his own plan.
As always, the Harlequin books have happy endings. The Love Inspired series promises uplifting, inspirational romance with new beginnings. These are also Christian themed, cleaner reads. This didn’t fail to deliver at all.
Beautiful, sad, devastating, endearing, hopeful, and inspirational – this novel didn’t disappoint. The author is right – get the tissues. This one gets you in the “feels”. Forgiveness and redemption themes are abundant.
Readers will be happy to see returning characters (if only in passing) such as:
Natalie Davis-Stone & Jacob Stone (A Baby for the Minister)
Anna Delaney-Bradley & Hoyt Bradley (Hometown Hope)
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see if the author returns to Pine Valley or if she starts something else.
This is an enjoyable stand-alone read. You do not have to read the others in the series, but I think it would be best enjoyed if read along with the other books.
When I see the Love Inspired logo with the words heartwarming inspirational romance, I know that I will be both inspired and entertained. This book certainly didn’t disappoint! I haven’t read the previous three books that Laurel Blount has set in Pine Valley, Georgia, but A Rancher to Trust makes me want to visit there. Since I am from a small town in Kentucky I’m sure that I would feel right at home.
A Rancher to Trust has a bad boy, the girl he left behind, and the classic plot twist of that bad boy trying to redeem his reputation. Dan Whitlock and Bailey Quinn were secretly married as teenagers but she was left alone when he left Pine Valley. When he returns several years later he faces town folk who don’t believe that he has changed and the surprising fact that he is still married! Further complications arrive in the form of twin orphans who are suddenly put in his care. Dan needs a lot of help but does he have the nerve, let alone the right, to ask Bailey for help? Especially when she is now ready to sign those divorce papers!
Blount realistically shows how Dan is completely thrown off by being responsible for not just one, but two small children! Who wouldn’t be overwhelmed? Bailey’s hesitation to forget and forgive is very understandable and her ability to trust him again seems unlikely. And, even though I sympathized that Dan was given the cold shoulder by some of the locals, I know that reputations are hard to restore when your hometown is such a small place. With a lot of hard work and by listening to the advice of some of his more understanding neighbors Dan does manage to change his image and public opinion. It just remains to be seen if Bailey will be able to see the new, improved Dan Whitlock.
A Rancher to Trust reminds us that we all have made mistakes but we all can be redeemed; true repentance and forgiveness are the keys! I recommend this book for all who enjoy Christian romance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy of this book that I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest thoughts.
‘Sometimes the Lord chooses to take us down roads we’d never have picked out on our own.’
I just discovered Laurel Blount two weeks ago and I love her writing! Seriously. Y’all need to give her a shot. She is very talented, creating believable characters, great settings (love this little town), and the plots are wonderful. I can’t wait till she writes another book.
Author Laurel Blount is a new-to-me-author, and she has written an emotional story that pulls at your heartstrings. Rebel turned rancher Dan Whitlock returns to his hometown as a prodigal son and changed man, but he is still judged for the wrongs done in his past. Bailey Quinn wants to move on with her life but can’t until she can finally end her marriage to Dan. He’s in for a shock and an event that will change both of their lives. I recommend tissues and absolutely reading this book.
He changed but would anyone believe it?
The problem with reforming is that very few people believe you have changed. It is so hard to overcome prejudices, especially when they were well earned.
Dan had a reputation as a teenager which was partly earned and partly inherited. So when he left Pine Valley, he planned on it being for good. Yet when Bailey called him, he couldn’t help but return and do whatever he could. He never dreamed she wanted a divorce!
If you’re like me, you read the synopsis and wondered how you could not know you were married. Really? Yet author Laurel Blount made this work. And as the details about Dan’s earlier years and his relationship with Bailey unfolded and the way he left things, I wanted so much for things to work out for them. There had already been so much heartbreak!
And speaking about reformation. . . Dan was a completely changed man. Yet few in the town believed it. When he tried to write a check at the building supply store, he learned that the hard way! Then there was his brother’s mother-in-law. Ouch! Talk about toxic.
Bailey had been hurt so badly by Dan’s leaving. She would have never contacted him if she could help it. While she was able to forgive him, trusting him was hard. I loved the way she struggled and the way she stood up for him in unexpected ways and places.
As I was reading and getting to know the folks in the story, I saw a few candidates for the being the parents of the twins Dan “”inherited”” which are spoken of in the synopsis and was dreading finding out who they were. I grieved with Dan at his loss and the resulting difficulties, not only with trying to care for the twins but the huge decision he had to make as a result.
On the lighter side was Lucy Ball, the delightful calf who acted more like a playful puppy. I loved reading about her antics!
If you enjoy heartfelt stories with romance and drawing closer to God, I can recommend A Rancher to Trust.
Read my review of A Rancher to Trust by Laurel Blount at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I love complicated stories with happy endings. Especially two people having a second chance at love.
The story was very relatable to me.
The character’s were stellar even the not so pleasant one.
Dan and Bailey’s life explores the undisputed fact that true love never dies and that if we could just learn to trust God and his plans we’d never go wrong
They had a part with each other which did not end well. A second time back together they had to make decisions of what was more important the past or the future God had for them. The twists the author wove to bring those points out were wonderful.
I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.
This story was such an emotional ride! It tugged on my heartstrings, especially toward the last section of the book, and I could feel the emotions that were flooding though the two main characters as they worked through the decisions they needed to make.
I really liked Dan and Bailey and felt so bad for the way so many people treated Dan. He was a character who had turned his life around in a big way. He demonstrated the kind of person he had become in the way he responded to hateful treatment from certain people.
Bailey was a great character, too. She had a lot to forgive, but also a lot to learn about what love really is and about what truly makes a home. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this clean romance ranch story set in Pine Valley, Georgia.
Shortly after their secret marriage, young adult Dan takes off to another state leaving Bailey behind in their small hometown of GA. After years of insecurities and questions left unanswered, Dan comes home to visit with Bailey and finds himself drawn to her and his family he left behind. Of course the small town does not welcome him with open arms because of the young man Dan use to be.
I loved the main characters Dan and Bailey and their very real emotions and hard questions about the present and future they both needed to figure out. It was heartbreaking at times but I liked how their worked thru their issues, especially relying on friends advice and God’s direction and faith. I absolutely loved reading about the daily struggles and joys of parenthood that Dan suddenly finds himself thrown into.
Abel and Emily are mentioned in this book, who are from the story “A Family for the Farmer” published in 2016.
I really enjoyed reading this feel good, ranch drama, love inspired romance story! Highly recommend!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
The characters are so well written that you quickly understand their viewpoints and their actions.
The Christian aspects are strong, but there’s no proselytizing.
My Review of A Rancher To Trust by Laurel Blount: I usually stay away from Love Inspired books but I saw the tour for this one and signed up, it is a cute book, has enjoyable characters that are life-like. My copy did go missing for a while when my baby brother found it and carried it around saying, “Baby, baby!” In a soft loving tone, he loved looking at the cover, which I agree is quite cute.
Rating: 3 stars.
Recommendation: 17/19 up due to past mistakes.
Verse: Psalm 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. (King James Version.)
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.