Read the first book in the Dawson Family Ranch series by Melissa Senate! Does he love her enough to raise another man’s children? “She’s your baby, Noah Dawson. She’s your responsibility now.” But is she? Noah is willing enough to believe the adorable newborn left on his doorstep is his child. And then his ex, Sara Mayhew, turns up, claiming the baby is hers–a twin to her infant son–and Noah … to her infant son–and Noah realizes he’s not the father. Even so, the cowboy has already turned his life around and swapped his spurs for a baby carrier. Despite their still-powerful attraction, Sara isn’t ready to trust the “new” Noah. But he’s already fighting for their future as a family…
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There are times when I’ll get caught up in and completely dedicated to an entire series, sight unseen, from the very first story. That has been my reaction to For The Twins’ Sake, the first story in the Dawson Family Ranch series. And, should everyone in Noah’s family get their own stories told, then I’m in for the long haul with Noah, Ford, Axel, Rex, Zeke, and Daisy Dawson. I don’t know exactly what creates that connection to fictional people so strongly, for me, with some series – but I certainly do know when it happens.
Life certainly has not been easy for the Dawson siblings, three different mothers, and one cheating father who let everyone down most of his life. At one point, Noah was certain he was following in his father’s footsteps. Yet, when his father left him in control of the Dawson Ranch upon his death with the belief that Noah has the ability, the drive to turn the dilapidated, rundown ranch into something good and profitable once again – well, Noah took a second look at himself and grew up and into a man who now stands ready to reopen the Dawson Family Ranch with the investment of his siblings and the hard work of his sister onsite. He’s not perfect by any means, he’s still determined to never follow in any of his father’s footsteps – but he is far different from the man Sara once knew, once loved.
I fell in love with two differently wounded souls and two adorable babies in For The Twins’ Sake. It would be very easy to continue talking about the book, but then if I did that you’d not get to experience the beginning of this series for yourself. And it is well worth your time to learn about Sara, Noah, Annabel, and Chance all on your own.
There is world building, there has to be some at the start of any series, yet the background information flows smoothly along with what is happening now that there is no information dump to deal with, at all. These characters are flawed, been done wrong, gone through, and are still going through their own growing, changing from what they were into who they are now. They are realistic, believable, and so relatable. That alone is a huge hook for me. Sara’s deceased husband was one nasty piece of work, and I personally hope he’s rotting somewhere as vile as he was. (okay, I know, fictional character, but you’ll understand) I loved 90% of Noah, that stubborn, bull-headed rancher, the other 10% I wanted to “Gibbs slap” on more than one occasion. Sara. On Sara, I was truly divided. She’s gone through so much. I cannot imagine the pain, the anger, the anguish she went through. Yet, she’s so slow to see Noah’s side of things, to remember that he believed he was a dad for seven weeks and that she’s ripping his heart out with almost every word. So while I liked Sara, and that liking grew stronger by their story’s end – I was definitely on Noah’s side in this romance.
If you love a truly emotional romance, one that will break your heart on several occasions and then heal it back whole again – then you need to pick up For The Twins’ Sake soon. I’d highly recommend this story and cannot wait to dive into the next one (which is even now sitting waiting for me on my Kindle).
I own a Kindle edition of this title.
4 1/2 STARS!
An emotionally charged story of forgiveness and happily ever afters! With the first book in her brand new Dawson Family Ranch series, Melissa Senate takes us through an unexpected twist in FOR THE TWINS’ SAKE. The characters were easy to connect with and the story heartwarming. Really enjoyed it!
Noah was super easy to like. He changed his life to fit the baby left on his doorstep several weeks ago. He calmed down and let the little angel wrap herself around his heart full on. And now he’s being told she’s actually not his? Heart breaking right?
Sara was conflicting. I felt for her for the situation she had been in with her husband, but found her rigidness with Noah hard to stomach … but I was also only seeing the good side of him for sure, not what she had lived through previously.
I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a surprise baby story line or a reunion of past loves. It was emotional and satisfying. Looking forward to more in the series to come!
For the Twins’ Sake is a wonderful start to a new series for Melissa Senate. I have to say, I’m hooked and can’t wait to read Daisy’s story next!
Noah Dawson is a rough and tumble rancher who has screwed up a lot in his life. When he finds a baby on his doorstep, with a note saying she was his, he was determined not to be a screw-up father the way his father was. To say he went all-in is an understatement. He loves Annabel and dotes on her like any new father would, even if he didn’t know who her mother was.
But he did know the mother, and when she showed up on his doorstep claiming Annabel wasn’t actually his, with Annabel’s twin brother in tow, his world collapsed. Annabel was his best friend’s baby, not his, and the story inside that story is twisted, sad, sickening, and redemptive for all involved.
Sara Mayhew and Noah had grown up together on the very ranch he had just finished remodeling and preparing for a new venture as a guest ranch. They were best friends and one time lovers, until Noah screwed that up, too, and pushed her into the arms of another man. Now, she’d given birth to twins and became a widow all in seven weeks’ time.
Lost, alone, penniless and with twins to raise, Sara doesn’t know what to do, but she knows her feelings for Noah still burn as hot as they ever had. He offers Sara a home and a job on his new ranch and she accepts needing the safety and stability it offers. Things are anything but Skittles and rainbows, though, and these two former lovers and friends have to find a way through the maze of past pain, regret, and lies to get their groove back.
I enjoyed Noah and Sara romance immensely, even if I thought the past was a bit talked to death by the end. I loved Noah’s siblings and can’t wait for their books to come out so I can see who they end up with.
If you’re looking for a cowboy story with heart and depth, you’ll love, For the Twins’ Sake. Once you finish, make sure you stick around for more of what’s to come from the Dawson family!