She fell from grace… Before falling for himWhen her husband defrauded the town of Hollydale, now-divorced mom Lucie Decker went from being the town darling to total pariah. Now she’s launching a new business and needs ranger Caleb Spindler’s help. And her twins adore Caleb. After all, he’s a genuine hero–even if he is hiding a secret. But while Lucie’s heart has forgotten how to trust, it … trust, it still remembers how to fall in love…
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Author Tanya Agler’s second book in the Hollydale series, A Ranger for the Twins, explores a theme not often seen in fiction—the collateral damage of another’s poor decisions.
Lucie Decker’s ex-husband—now in prison—has left a trail of financial destruction is the quaint hamlet of Hollydale. Through no fault of Lucie, most of the town believes her to be complicit in the fraud making it difficult for her to start over with her children, Mattie and Ethan.
In walks hero Caleb Spindler who has returned to his hometown and once best friend, Lucie. Except, he’s also on a mission to discover how involved Lucie was with her husband’s crimes. He has a vested interest because his parents were one of the victims of the fraud.
Tanya has written a wholesome book that is not afraid to explore real emotions and real repercussions after a betrayal. Her writing is wonderful and her characters believable. Lucie’s children are a real hoot! And the menagerie of animals, the topping on the cake.
I highly recommend this book for teens to adults.
A RANGER FOR THE TWINS BY Tanya Agler is the wonderful heartwarming story of Lucie Decker, her adorable twins – Mattie and Ethan, Caleb Spindler and the town of Hollydale.
Lucie decided to stay in the town she loved after divorcing her husband who had cheated most of the people in town of their life savings and now serving time. She loved the town she grew up in and could think of no other place else she wanted to raise her children. The problem is that the townsfolk feel and treat her as if she was a co-conspirator in the illegal and financially draining shenanigans of her former spouse. She is determined to keep her head held high and prove them wrong. Despite all odds and with a bit of financial backing from her aunt and a friend of her Mom’s, she’s keeping her family’s legacy alive by revamping the families business into the soon to be opened Hollydale Training and Wellness Center, a corporate training and trust-building center.
When Lucie contacted Caleb about help, she never dreamed he would show up. She had thought with his recent notoriety for saving three boys in his capacity as a park ranger, that his endorsement would go a long way in advertising. Caleb was more than happy to transfer back to his hometown. The slower pace and less demanding work load would help with the physical limitations his back had on him. However, one reason for returning was to find out for his parents, who had lost a large chunk of their hard earned money in Lucie’s ex’s activities, if they had any recourse to get their money back from Lucie.
Little did either know that their getting back in touch with the other would stir up old feelings of deep friendship or that those feelings would grow. After her last fiasco in the romance department, Lucie is determined to go life alone, to provide a loving home for her kids and to lavish any extra affection on the cast off pets that seemed to find a way to her front porch. Caleb, suffering from a recent broken heart after finding out that the woman he had great feelings for was only using him to pacify her family, isn’t ready or willing to become part of a couple any time soon.
Will Lucie make her vision for an independent life, a financially sound business, proving to the townsfolk that she is as innocent and as much a victim in her ex’s dealings as they were, and make a loving home for her kids come true or is it even possible? Does she need anyone in her life? If so, is she willing to even give Caleb a shot? Or did that disappear when he ex caused her heart to close itself off?
Will Caleb be able to find the answers he is looking for? Or will he find more questions than answers on where and how he wants his life to go forward? Will a bird play a part in keeping them apart? What will be Lucie’s reaction be when she finds out the real reason he answered her message? Will his previous back issues stop his career as a park ranger in its tracks? Will he be able to find the life he’s always wanted, but only dreamed about and only seen fulfilled by others?
Mattie and Ethan may be twins, but they are different yet they complement each other. They both worm their way into your heart making you wish only the very best for them making you understand Lucie’s desire to provide and care for them as she does. Will it be these two little bundles of questions and energy be what opens the eyes to the adults on what is really important?
Will it take an emergency to opens the eyes of the people of Hollydale to truly see Lucie’s true nature and giving heart? Will they open their arms up to one of their own welcoming her into the family of community?
Tanya Agler does a fabulous job writing this story that has you turning pages as fast as you can read them while holding out hope for love to find a way to make not only this town a family again, but that a true friendship can have a second chance to make a love connection that’s really been there for years. Love the way she shows that whether animals or people, there are no mutts, just those that haven’t found their “home” yet. After all, all we really need is for someone to show us that we are valued, needed and loved to bloom!
A RANGER FOR THE TWINS is a book that will lift your spirits and have you believing in true love again. It most definitely gets a high recommendation from me to anyone that loves a feel good story that will leave you smiling and walking with a little lift in your step. It gets a big 5 STARS from me!
A cute and sweet romance. Lucie is rebuilding a life for herself and her twins in their hometown after her ex-husband goes to jail for swindling several of the local citizens. Despite local suspicions, she’s using the properties inherited from her parents to establish a new wellness center, all while raising rambunctious twins along with a motley collection of strays including two miniature pigs. Her old friend, Caleb, is back in town, and there’s a definite attraction. But what Lucie doesn’t know is that Caleb’s parents were her ex-husband’s victims as well, and that he has an ulterior motive for seeking her out which may very well doom their budding relationship.
I truly enjoyed A Ranger for the Twins. Caleb, the hero, is back in his hometown, recovering from an injury and wondering what direction his life will take next. Lucy is trying to single-parent her twins, repair her reputation, and transform an old lodge into a conference center. I felt for Caleb and Lucie and was cheering for them to find their way to a life together. And I especially loved the way the author wrote about the forest setting around the lodge. I was sure I could hear the birds and smell the fresh air! With her realistic characters and beautiful descriptions, Tanya Agler creates a sparkling small-town setting and a vivid, heartfelt romance.
An uplifting story of enduring friendship, with the hope of a deeper relationship!
As a mother of active twins Mattie and Ethan, Lucie Decker is a busy lady. On top of that, her ex-husband swindled money from many of the hometown residents of Hollydale, North Carolina, leaving Lucie to face the distrust of some townsfolk and needing to provide for her children. When Park Ranger Caleb Spindler returns to Hollydale, they both have a chance to move from friendship to something more…..if they can resolve the issues of trust which threaten to keep them apart.
Since I’m a hiker, I loved the Great Smoky Mountain forest setting of the story where Lucie is working to open her training and wellness center. Small-town romances are my favorite because of the warmth and helpfulness of the communities. The characters in this book are all such fun, especially the twins with their typical sibling antics and ALL the precious pets. Caleb is a great hero as he encourages Lucie by his faith in her honesty and abilities.
If you like small-town friends to more stories, I’m sure you’ll enjoy author Tanya Agler’s uplifting book, filled with beautiful scenery, warm characters, and sweet romance.
A favorite quote: “We can’t ignore what life hands us. We have to deal with what we’re given and adjust. Events change us. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.”
A Ranger for the Twins was such an enjoyable story! It was nice to see both of these main characters get a chance at real love. Lucie and Caleb were nice, caring people and it was hard to see that some of the citizens of Hollydale hadn’t forgiven Lucie for the crimes of her ex-husband.
Lucie was a side character from the novel, The Sheriff’s Second Chance, and it was great to get to know her and her twins better in this book. But, don’t worry, A Ranger for the Twins can be enjoyed as a stand alone, even if you haven’t read the previous story.
There were times that Caleb was nervous and didn’t open up about potential problem situations knowing that they would upset Lucie. I kept wanting him to just tell her everything so there would be no surprises, yet, there were some very enjoyable scenes that were set in motion because of his hesitancy about certain events.
I thought that these two had great chemistry together and that Caleb was an excellent fit for Lucie’s family. The author did a good job of writing believable children and it was fun to see how the twins related to each other. I hope to read more stories set in Hollydale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
A Ranger for the Twins is one filled with frustration and then hope even in the direst of circumstances. Lucie, her heart broke and her reputation ruined, returns to her home town to find most of the
townspeople are against her and blame her for what her ex-husband did.
Trying to rebuild her life and give her children stability, she starts the Hollydale Wellness and Training Center. Then she gets reunited with Caleb Spindler and her life gets more complicated.
Learning trust, forgiveness, and how to love again are all lessons learned in the storyline. The characters are real to life. Lucie is a down-to-earth loving mother of twins and is determined. Caleb is loving, caring, and steadfast, standing behind Luice giving her support just when she needs it. The twins Ethan and Mattie are sweet and entertaining children.
The ending wrapped up everything nicely. A very sweet and uplifting story. Highly recommended.
Peeps I found a new author in the Heartwarming line to love. Ms. Agler has my heart now. I found her refreshing, her characters popped off the page, and couldn’t help but smile the whole time I read this book. Lucie and Caleb have my heart. The twins, Mattie and Ethan, too. Plus, come on there are pigs named Fred and Ethel and a bulldog that is welcome on my feet anytime. Yes, there is a menagerie of animals that factor in the book, too. Ms. Agler does an excellent job of giving all of the characters, humans or animals, distinct personalities. Even the townspeople that treat Lucie badly are excellent.
I love a good friends to lovers story. Lucie and Caleb were best friends in school and Caleb even introduced Lucie to her now ex-husband. I enjoyed listening to them talk about his surgery that he had in school and how their relationship evolved after that. Ms. Agler took her time with them as a couple to establish how great of friends that really were in the end. Being romantic with each other is just a bonus to their relationship. Mattie and Ethan are adorable but not overly done. Ethan has the hero worship and Mattie is a bit more reserved, which I liked. She is very formal when she first meets people and its hilarious.
The minor plot arc of the woodpeckers is good. It really established Caleb’s role in the new business that Lucie is trying to establish. Plus, I learned a few things. Never too old to learn new things. Caleb’s mother is a hoot. She has a great heart and when it came to Lucie, she never batted an eyelash. She has forgiven the past and has moved on. Caleb’s dad not so much but he does come around.
Ms. Agler doesn’t spend too much time on the ins and outs what Lucie’s ex-husband does, the town talks for her. But then Lucie decides to talk back. She’s got spunk but she also has a heart. In my opinion, Caleb could have been a bit more aggressive when it came to Lucie but in the end it worked out.
Peeps, if you are looking to sit down and a read a fantastic friends to lovers story with one spunky heroine and an ordinary guy turned hero, then this book is for you. You will fall in love with them, the kids and especially the animals. I know what a bulldog. Just don’t tell my husband.
3.5 stars.
I had my review written and it was ready to go … But my page was reloaded, oh horror of horrors it was gone when the page reloaded … Which means I have to start over.
It took me a little time to get into “A Ranger for the Twins” by Tanya Agler, but around the fiftieth page I was pulled into the plot and my interest was held until the end. I found the story to be sweet, warm, and satisfyingly healing for both the hurting Lucie and Caleb. The twins were absolutely adorable and I really loved getting to see all of the characters changing and growing throughout the story.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Lucie has moved back to her hometown, this once town darling is now looked at with suspicion as her ex-husband defrauded many people out of their money. Using her late parents property, she has a solid business plan, if only people would give her a chance to get her business off the ground.
Turning to once upon a time friend and now returned town hero, park ranger Caleb has come back with a dual purpose. To find out what Lucy needs and to help his parents regain their hard earned money.
I cannot imagine how hard it would be to be judged for the criminal doings of your spouse. Even though Lucie was not aware of her ex’s criminal activities and was cleared of any wrong doing, it is going to take a lot to get the townspeople to ever accept her again. This was a story of starting over from the very bottom.
Caleb is in a peculiar situation as well. He is falling for Lucie but he does have loyalty to his parents. They themselves have had a hard time of it and I completely understood his love and protectiveness for them. In fact the author did not sugarcoat anybody’s pain. And the pain of losing their life long savings was palpable. As well as Lucie’s pain of being judged unfairly. Caleb balanced out the story well.
Throw in Lucie’s adorable twins and the menagerie of pets they have picked up along the way, well Caleb can’t help but feel at home with Lucie. Now what to do about a pesky woodpecker which also poses some serious problems?
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
A Ranger for the Twins is a sweet, slow smolder friends-to-lovers romance, and my first read from this author. It’s Tanya Agler’s second set in Hollydale (after The Sheriff’s Second Chance ), but it works just fine as a standalone.
Lucie and Caleb both grew up in Hollydale and are both trying for a new start in town, but their experiences as townspeople couldn’t be more different. Way back then, Lucie was the town’s darling and Caleb’s illness often kept him sidelined. Now, she’s suffering the stigma of being the ex-wife of a notorious swindler, and Caleb’s returning as a hero. People are practically standing in line to cover his tab all over town, but coming up to Lucie in public to berate her life choices. Their own personal goals appear to be in opposition to each other, and Caleb’s efforts to take Lucie and the kids out for a nice dinner have a tendency to end in disaster–can these two possibly survive as a couple?
(The answer is, of course! It’s a romance! but goodness, does Ms Agler make them work for it…)
Lucie and Caleb were a good match–it didn’t hurt that they were such good friends growing up, either. Though the fact that he was the one who introduced her to her ex definitely helped to make things awkward, it wasn’t a non-starter. I loved that Lucie’s place had become the sanctuary for all kinds of “unwanted” animals (a cat, two dogs, three rabbits, and two pigs so far–sadly, not the bat) and how Caleb accepted the entire menagerie without batting an eye. Ladybug almost has me wanting a bulldog 😉 The twins are adorable, and of course seeing Caleb with them was all kinds of cuteness.
There were some aspects of this book that felt like they needed some work–the biggest being the amount of repetition. A lot of it is in the character’s heads–the author spends a lot of time telling us Caleb’s and Lucie’s thoughts–and they go over and over the same ground an awful lot, which got frustrating at times. I couldn’t help but think that some of those passages could have been cut to give us a more rounded picture of Caleb and Lucie’s lives when they weren’t mooning over each other–maybe showing us more of the time Caleb spends with his family, for example, or Lucie with her friends. There’s small inconsistencies throughout, like how many different people are Lucie’s “best friends”–Georgie? Natalie? Caleb?–and other aspects that felt rather glossed over, like the actual work Lucie and Caleb did and their lives when they weren’t together. Ms Angler’s a newer author, so I assume she’ll smooth out these rough edges as she continues to write.
Just when I’d begun to despair of the townspeople ever coming around to accepting Lucie for herself again, Ms Agler has them come together wonderfully when it really matters, bringing everyone that much closer to an HEA. And that epilogue? Sweet perfection! Everything manages to come together at the end with HEA achieved and Lucie, Caleb, Mattie, and Ethan’s situations all coming out better than they went into the book, which I closed with a happy sigh.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Sweet story
My rating is 3.5 stars
How can you not admire a woman who remains in the small town she has always lived in despite the animosity of the townsfolk towards her?
Determined to hold on to her parent’s heritage and provide for her twins after her husband’s (excuse me, ex-husband’s!) treachery towards those who trusted him was revealed, Lucie endured scorn, accusations, and just plain meanness from her neighbors with aplomb. Returning kindness instead of anger, she did her best not only to survive but also to thrive. And she had quite the heart of gold, always looking for ways to care for others.
Caleb was a very humble hero! I appreciated the way he refused to take all the glory for the rescue that made him a household name. And instead of being an invincible tough guy, he was a somewhat shy man who had been hurt, both physically and emotionally, and was afraid to trust. Until he was confronted with the woman who had been such a friend in need when they were younger, that is.
Lucie’s menagerie was fun! The author managed to show the unique “personalities” of each of her unique pets. Not only were their names fun but so were their quirks. I loved the way Ladybug, the English bulldog, always sat on Caleb’s feet. And Ethel, the huge miniature pig was so funny!
This small-town romance was a sweet story. There were several ahh inspiring moments.
A few things caused me to not rate it as high as I would have. There were a few places that it seemed like things bounced from one idea to another quickly. It seemed unrealistic that the townsfolk who had been rejecting her and shunning her would have changed their tune so quickly. And one situation at the end was resolved without the resolution ever really being explained – not to mention that it wasn’t really realistic that it would have been a problem in the first place.
While the second book about people in this town, I appreciate that Tanya Agler did not use “those” references some authors like to include to indicate you missed reading the first book in the series. This story does stand on its own if you so choose. If you enjoy heartwarming romance, do consider A Ranger for the Twins.
Read my review of A Ranger for the Twins by Tanya Agler 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.
Thank you in advance to the author, Tanya Agler, for providing a review copy through Prism Book Tours. A positive review was not required or requested and all words are my own.
I had already read the author’s first/debut book – “The Sheriff’s Second Chance” earlier this year, so I was definitely looking forward to this story set in the same town.
Right off I liked Caleb who kept his cool and patience through everything. Didn’t like his secret though, but completely understood it. Felt sorry for Lucie and her kids due to what had happened. Mattie’s name (and nickname) was familiar to that of a character in JAG – Matilda “Mattie” Grace. As a fan of that series, I really enjoyed that, along with this girl’s favorite colors which were mine.
The writing style was like the previous novel, “The Sheriff’s Second Chance”, and the plot followed about the same lines.
This is a standalone read. But, since some of the characters from the first book appear in this one, along with some mention of that story – the reader will likely benefit from reading both books.
In this book, Lucie Appleby-Decker is the focus. And, poor Lucie hasn’t had it easy since her scamming husband was arrested and sentenced two years earlier. While some are helping her take care of her kids, there are some who won’t let her forget what happened.
The story starts off running with Caleb’s questions, and sort of takes off for a while. However, there are times it does tend to move slow as the characters find their way together. It helps that Caleb and Lucie already had a past together so there was nothing for them to discover – only to realize that they did care about each other. There were some hurdles to overcome though.
Ethan warmed right up to Caleb though it took Mattie some time to warm up to him. Caleb’s dilemma and his conflict was definitely apparent. As well as Lucie’s success with her new business. One thing that did bother me was Lucie’s inability to separate Caleb’s “can’t” do something vs. the “won’t” do it.
It is apparent early on as to what Caleb wants and is after. Lucie seems conflicted and it is easy to see why. She is where she is because she trusted the wrong person, though does admit Caleb isn’t like that.
But, Caleb’s secret does tend to stand in the way, though Lucie doesn’t know that.
It was moving and beautiful to see the two work together on not only her business, but the woodpecker issue.
Agler had a lot going on in this novel that worked out. Many times multiple plots don’t work that well and seem like filler. This was definitely an exception to the rule.
“A Ranger for the Twins” is definitely an interesting plot with realistic themes. Not syrupy sweet, but more honest. It did seem a little dark for the genre with the fraud scheme. However, Agler’s writing also looked at the both victims – those who lost their money as well as Lucie and her kids. In addition, Agler highlighted the far reaching implications – rebuilding trust, forgiveness, how the kids are treated, and others’ perceptions. Was Lucie one of the victims? Was she in on it? That is where some of the conflict is in the story and it is definitely one that makes this a bittersweet read.
There were a few tense moments towards the end with not one, but two plot lines. It had a beautifully precious, albeit predictable end.
At the heart of this novel, Agler presents the case for second chances – in life, in success, and in romance.
This is a sweet, clean, heart-breaking, and definitely heart-warming read that I didn’t want to put down and really enjoyed reading. It was different than the standard books in this line.
Fans of the genre as well as those who read the first book by the author are sure to like this installment.