Wrangled (A Spruce Texas Romance Book 4)

I listened to the audio book and loved the story and the reader. The reader made Chad sound so sexy. All in all, Wrangled is a fun romance with a HEA. I will read more Daryl Banner. 🙂

Wrangled is definitely my favorite in this series of Spruce Texas standalones. Daryl Banner crafts a story that is filled with an underlying angst as Lance Goodwin comes back to his hometown for his 10 year high school reunion. Seeing one Chad Landry was something he’d have to face one way or another, but never in his wildest dreams, and to be honest here, he did dream about the sexy cowboy, did he ever think that he and the rancher could ever end up in each other’s arms.

I loved that Banner decidedly kept the story focused around the reunion and all the drama that would undoubtedly occur. Using the fact that Lance had been mercilessly bullied for most of his high school years, gave the successful clothes designer an edge that he was able to use wisely as he encounters those who made his life miserable. His preconceived notions that his hometown was still full of clueless bumpkins managed to render him speechless a bit as he came to realizations not only about Spruce but himself as well.

It’s almost as if Lance transforms before our very eyes as he suddenly sees not only Chad but so many others in a different light. Maybe it’s the maturity at 28 vs 18 or maybe it’s just that the phrase, ‘people change’ is abundantly clear. Who knew a hesitant trip back home could give Lance the courage to finally be himself.

The incredible sexy trysts had a deep kind of feel about them, using the god-awful bullying once thrust upon Lance from Chad as a sort of erotic foreplay now occurring between them. The demands from both men both in and out of bed were filled with a promise of amazing experiences as they laid to rest the previously held animosity once and for all. Both understanding just what the high school occurrences were really about.

The secondary characters, most former classmates, added the right touch of reality and provided the jaded Lance a chance to decidedly slay some of his demons. A few like Jo and Owen stole the show more than once and I really enjoyed their perspective and support. This book is truly about finding your way and coming to the realization that the path you choose can have a detour or two. Just stay true to yourself.

Lance and Chad find themselves at a crossroads a few times in this story but all the angst and indecision make the ending all the more sweet. I really enjoyed how it all concluded, with the hope that more is still around the corner for not only our couple but many others in the little town of Spruce, Texas. I happily give Wrangled a solid 5 stars!

Wrangled is book four in the Spruce Texas series by Daryl Banner. This is a M/M, enemies to lovers romance that can be read as a stand alone. I did read the first book in this series some time ago, Football Sundae, but did not read the next two books. This book is told entirely from Lance’s point of view.

It’s been ten years since Lance Goodwin left his home town of Spruce, Texas after high school graduation. He followed his dream, went to Los Angeles and enrolled in design school. Fashion was his life and he wanted to be a famous fashion designer some day. But following his dreams wasn’t the only reason he couldn’t get out of Spruce fast enough. He’d been bullied all through high school by one of his classmates. He had made his life miserable. Now it’s time for their ten year reunion and Lance is going back to Spruce to face his high school demon. To finally put his past to rest. Only things didn’t go as planned.

“What is it with soft eyed, strong jawed country boys that makes the fierce focus they give everything so sexy?”

Chad Landry lives and works on his family’s ranch in Spruce. Lance had hoped that Chad had let himself go like so many others in their class. But no, if anything, he got sexier. The time has been good to Chad. And it seems as though Chad has a few things to say to Lance. He wants to make what he did right. He also has a secret he’s been keeping all these years that he wants to share with him.

“He’s a striking vision of rancher godliness. A man ripped right out of my deepest darkest fantasies.”

Chad and Lance finally realize as adults what they missed as teenagers. That they have a connection. That there is something between them that is undeniable and beautiful and wonderful. But Lance’s life is in Los Angeles. Chad’s is in Spruce on his ranch. They live completely different lives. There is no way they could make this work long term. Is there?

“Love is the secret.”

Okay! (big deep breath) I enjoyed this book so much. I loved both Chad and Lance. I was prepared to probably rate it five stars. Until the epilogue. Until the ending. I was just so disappointed. I don’t want to spoil anything. So basically I can’t say anything! I just couldn’t believe that the author left it like that. I wish I could say more but I can’t. I suppose some might think it’s a happy ending. But I didn’t at all. I’ll rate it four stars but the way I’m feeling at this moment, it really should be less. I’m trying to be honest though because I really did love the book up until that point when I didn’t.

Wrangled is a MM romance that is intended for readers 18+ since it is steamy and contains adult language. This is the fourth book in the series and characters from previous books do make appearances. While I think you can read it as a stand- alone, you might enjoy the backstory of the town and its inhabitants.
I’ve read all the books in this series and was so excited to read this one too. I love the interactions of characters in Daryl’s books and the little town of Spruce, Texas.
Let me preface this by saying I’ve never been bullied and I’m not sure how I’d be a decade after the fact either. I can’t say I understand why Lance wants to even come back to Spruce for his tenth high school reunion. He seems so angry and bitter at everyone, even the town itself. I must admit, it took a little while for me to warm up to him. I spent most of the first book wavering between disliking him and feeling sorry for his childhood. Eventually, I feel some empathy toward him.
Chad, I understand somewhat. I’ve never been a bully either, so his actions of trying to make up to Lance and how he treated him in high school seem sweet. I get why he did that (internalized self-hatred), it still bothers me that he thinks Lance should just look over it and forgive him.
While I’m not a big fan of angst, (something this book is full of), I liked this book. I’ve also never read a book that was told from one character’s perspective, but I liked how the story unfolded. I also love the growth of the characters, the pacing, and the humor laced throughout.
If you aren’t into angst, this is a pass for you, but you should definitely read the first three books of the series. Daryl Banner is an exceptional author and the town of Spruce just comes alive, along with the colorful characters.

Another amazing saga in Spruce Texas.

Wow…… a fun and hot return to Texas with all those cute and hunky guys. It is always interesting to see what happens at a ten year high school reunion, and Lance definitely wasn’t expecting what happened with his bully crush Chad. Daryl always writes some fun and sexy M/M romances. Check them out!

Every time I read a new Dark Banner story, especially a Spruce, Texas story, I find myself saying, “This is my favorite”. But yeah, THIS one IS my favorite. There is so much to love. You have small town bullies, small town minds, something in the water that grows these big beautiful gay men. You have redemption, secrets, wonderful friendships-new and old. You find forgiveness and beauty around every corner. Lance made me smile. Chad is just….yeah just sigh. Jo made my head spin but I loved her so much. There was a whole lot of growing up done here and every word was magical. “The world’s as big or as small as you want it to be. Makes no difference in the end. What matters is what you do with what you got, and how much happiness you find in it, don’t you think?”

Chad made Lance’s high school years a living hell. He bullied him mercilessly. When Lance decides to got to his 10 year class reunion he wants to tell him off. Chad regrets the way he treated Lance and wants to make amends.

This was a great enemies to lovers romance. I loved how everyone had a different perspective on high school. Set in the fabulous Spruce, TX we got to touch on the lives of a few of our past friends. A great feel good book of redemption.

I loved this story! Always happy to go back to Spruce Texas!! Jordan was the perfect book model for this book. I’m sure he is smiling down on Daryl and Eric (photographer). I love this series of standalones. You will want to read them all when you get to know the characters.

The Laugh out loud moments, the moments you feel sad or angry at a character but most of all it makes you want to be in Spruce Texas hanging out with all the characters

Thank you Mr. Daryl for taking me away from reality to spend some time in your wonderful setting with your amazing characters

I love this enemies to lovers story! Spruce Texas is always one of my favorite places to be when I read. I enjoyed getting to know Spruce from someone else’s perspective instead of just the immediate group that we’ve come to know and love. I’m really looking forward to the possibility of Harrison getting his story.. and I wonder if there might be a story out in Brady also?
The cover model was definitely a perfect choice to represent Chad!