Zach Marvell’s word is law on the ranch — or it was until she showed up. Zach Marvell’s been running the family Marvell Ranch without interference since he was fifteen, but when Finley James arrives for her sister’s wedding and proceeds to ask questions, give advice and tell him a few unpleasant facts about himself, he’s annoyed. And then intrigued. Horse trainer Finley James has been perfectly … James has been perfectly happy floating from job to job until her parents sell the family ranch in Nevada and she no longer has a safety net. She’s not worried as she’s landed a job at a top horse training facility, but that lasts less than a week when Finley, who’s never held back her opinions, tells a wealthy client a truth he doesn’t want to hear. Hat in hand she returns to Marvel Ranch hoping Zach will give her a short term job until she can figure out her next move. Finley knows promising to not interfere or makes waves will be tough. Who knew keeping her hands and her heart to herself would be her biggest challenge?
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Marvells near Marietta! I do like Marietta based stories (barely any references to it in this).
I really enjoyed this story. It was an interesting issue of 2 strong control people whose lives are in a bit of an upheaval and how they navigate the life issues along with the love issues. Fire storm of a finish. I did end up skimming past the sex scenes.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This book was such a touching one. I immediately fell in love with both Zach and Finley. The story was so beautifully written that I couldn’t stop reading. These two people had so much against them. In the beginning they were in such constant conflict that I wondered how they could possibly have a HEA. Ms. Watt did a wonderful job in showing the life of a rancher and the constant struggle they face while bringing about a wonderful romance.
Zach was forced at 15 to become the head of the household with the death of his father. His mother struggled with keeping up with the ranch. Zach had two younger brothers to help raise as well. Over twenty years later, both brothers have gone on to do their own thing but they do come back to help on the ranch but Zach is in charge. His word is not to be challenged.
Finley comes to the Marvell Ranch for her sister’s wedding to Zach’s brother, Shane. Finley is a strong-willed person. She says want she wants and really damn the consequences. She is a force to be reckoned with. When these two meet, sparks are shooting off. The chemistry between them is strong. After the wedding, Finley leaves to train horses at a horse resort for the rich. She does her job but has a conflict with an abusive owner of horse. Upon telling him off that he is the problem, not the horse, she is fired. She returns to the Marvell Ranch and begs Zach for a job. Against his better judgment, he hires her. The rest of the story is a pure joy to read. The scenes are so well written that it really feels like I am right here with the characters.
The story is written in my favorite dual POV format. Without it, I don’t think I could have connected with Finley. She feels lost when her parents sell the family ranch to downsize for retirement and to travel. Her safety net of returning to the family ranch is gone and she is floundering and feeling lost. There were times that I didn’t think that Finley was doing the right thing and making things harder for herself. But seeing her POV on her conflict and struggles was very insightful and really helped me to understand her better.
I loved this story and the only downside was having it end. Even though this is the last Marvell brothers’ story, there were such wonderful secondary characters that I would love to see them get a chance at their HEA.
I really enjoyed this book. The main characters were interesting and a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the banter between Finley and Zach. Finley is kind of a spit fire character who says exactly what she thinks until she gets fired for doing just that. The chemistry between her and Zach is undeniable to the reader but not to the characters. Zach is very stubborn not used to anyone questioning him and so Finley quickly gets under his skin. Both of them will soon find out that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Add to this romance the beautiful ranch, horses, his brothers and her sister and you have a really fun story with a lot of excitement. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
4.5
I liked it!
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Men of Marvell Ranch
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
An incredible third book in the Marvell Series…Finley James has come to Marvell Ranch for her sister’s wedding and she is strangely attracted to the tough broody Cowboy that is her Zach Marvell even though she can’t help but point out things she thinks is right. Zach is enchanted and annoyed at the same time with his new sister in laws, sister Finley but he won’t ever act on it – even when she comes back days later a begs for a job after failing at her dream job. Can two headstrong opinionated people make together as a couple?
This book is very read-worthy!
“Challenging the Cowboy” is book three of The Men of Marvell Ranch” series by Jeannie Watt.
Zach Marvell has been in charge of operations for the family ranch since he was fifteen. Nothing, and no one, is to disrupt the peace he requires if you work for him.
But Finley James, in town for a Marvell wedding, challenges Zach like no one has ever dared. He’s not sure he likes it….until he does.
Finley’s dream is to start her own horse training business, but until she gets the cash together, she’s working for someone else. When her parents sell the family ranch—consequently losing her home base—and then her job doesn’t work out, Finley goes to the one person she hopes will help her. Zach.
Zach and Finley may be opposites, but they are also a perfect match. She loosens him up. He steadies her. I absolutely loved the banter between these two.
If you enjoy cowboys and western romances, you are going to love “Challenging the Cowboy”.
No one writes cowboys and the cowboy way of life like Ms. Watt.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in this series that I have read. I enjoyed the book and was really getting into it but all of a sudden it ended. I feel that the ending was a little abrupt and could’ve been developed a little more. Other than that, I really enjoyed Zach and Finley’s story.