Army brat Kaydee Wagner gets twitchy if she stays in one place for too long. But when her grandfather needs someone to stay with him for a bit and his home needs a lot of repairs, she steps up to the plate. Lucky for her, help arrives from their neighbor’s gorgeous grandson, former Army Ranger Leo Reed. Leo’s desperate to rise above his dark past and enjoy life again. He’s already made a lot of … already made a lot of progress, so when the woman he can’t stop thinking about needs a handyman, he volunteers. But after a very…wet incident involving deadly dance moves and a wayward sink hose, their clothes hit the floor faster than a stack of tile.
He doesn’t want forever–that would mean revealing his past, which he’s not ready to do. She only wants right now, because any other option would require sticking around.
And then Kaydee discovers she’s pregnant.
Each book in the Men of at Ease Ranch series is STANDALONE:
* In a Ranger’s Arms
* Her Secret Ranger
* The Right Ranger
* Army Ranger with Benefits
* The Army Ranger’s Surprise
more
**I received a copy of The Army Ranger’s Surprise from Net Galley and Entangled in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**
The Army Ranger’s Surprise is the fifth book in Donna Michaels Men at Ease Ranch series and trust me it won’t disappoint you. However I’d recommend starting with the first book In a Army Ranger’s Arms plus so that you can understand the men and why this ranch helps them truly come back home after giving their all. Plus meeting Lula Belle the cow will give you a laugh or two and yes, she shows up at the end of the book.
Leo Reed carries a load of guilt that he’s so afraid to share with any one other then the men at Ease Ranch. But when he goes to Dallas to help his grandma, he sure doesn’t expect to find her making out with her neighbor who surprise is Kaydee Wagner’s grandfather. As they get to know each other Leo and Kaydee discover both have secrets and perhaps if they share with one another they will overcome their heartbreak. Can they love each other when Kaydee realizes she’s expecting Leo’s child even when he tries to push her away?
Kaydee Wagner grew up as a Army brat and tends to get wanderlust she stays too long in one place. But when her grandfather needs her to help him out until her parents retire she doesn’t hesitate to help out. With her friend Fi they start offering veterans hair cuts at no cost giving them a new outlook at life. When she meets Leo through his grandma there’s just something about him that tells her that he’s the “one” she’s been waiting for to make her life complete.
There will be an “Intervention” from the men At Ease Ranch when Leo tries to turn away from Kaydee’s love but in the end both will find that they are the other half of their soulmate.
Donna Michaels is a new-to-me author. My interest was caught by the synopsis and I’m glad I decided to give it a try. Leo is a former Army Ranger with a troubled past. Kaydee is a woman who doesn’t like to stay in one place for too long. What happens when they get together? You’ll have to read to find out. But I will tell you that their story is sweet, funny, has some cute critters., and is full of emotion. It’s one to add to your reading list.
Lovely, sentimental story of two nice, lonely people who have trouble opening up to others. One never had a chance to make friends when little and suffered from bad romantic relationships. The other was a war veteran suffering from war issues who didn’t think he deserved anything. They were afraid to trust. They come to love and trust each other, finally building a worthwhile life for themselves. I really enjoyed this well written story!
The chemistry between the characters jumps off the page in this heartwarming story. Despite the heartaches in their past, each moves forward toward peace, contentment, and LOVE. The emphasis on supporting one’s family and being thankful for memories of the past, really spoke to my heart.
Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is you. Former Army Ranger Leo Reed has been struggling but is doing much better. Part of the reason is the sunshine Kaydee Wagner brings into the room each time he sees her. Can he allow himself to reach for that light? This story will tug at your heart and make you think. I felt Leo’s struggles to my very bones. I loved this outstanding tale of love and redemption.
This was the final book in her series and I loved it. It had smoking hot romance, great humor and a bunch of wonderful characters. This book can be read as a standalone book. I know this because I have not read the other books and I was able to get into the story without any issue. I will definitely be reading the other books in the series as this one was awesome!
5 stars
I purchased a copy of the novella The Men At- Ease Ranch Series book 5 : The Army Ranger’s Surprise by Donna Michaels and this review was given freely.
Leo and Kaydee’s story is steamy, inspirational, heartwarming and satisfying. Watching the growth in Leo and the couples in this series was both enjoyable and a pleasure.
Former Army Ranger Leo Reed volunteers to to help Kaydee Wagner at her grand fathers and the adventure begins. Part of the Men of At-ease ranch series, this book does not disappoint.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks . Opinions are entirely my own.
Enjoyed
The Army Ranger’s Surprise is the fifth and final book in The Men of At-Ease Ranch series and it is the perfect ending to an awesome series. This series brings attention to the men and women who have served and been affected in one way or another, whether it be flashbacks, having trouble being around people and noises or just not being able to cope. Our hero in this book has been there, Leo Reed suffers from PTSD, and although with the help of this ranch and his friends he is able to cope now, but is not happy with how he handled things and doesn’t feel worthy of love or happiness. On visits to his grandmother he meets Kaydee Wagner, an Army brat that never stays in one place long but she gives him hope. Although Leo still finds it hard to believe that good things await him, can his life possibly have a happy ever after?
I loved all the characters in this book, ones from previous books in the series, Fiona and I can’t forget sweet Lula Belle but Leo’s grandmother and Kaydee’s grandfather are really great in this book, they are hilarious but serious when the situation calls for it.
I highly recommend this book to all lovers of romance that like it funny, touching, heartwarming, passionate and loving. Five “hopeful” stars for this one!!
The men of At Ease Ranch have all found a place in my heat. Leo is no exception. His hard times while in the military and especially after coming home made him vulnerable and scared. That is the man I just waned to take care of.
Kaydee does all the things for him that I wanted to do. While reading it played out making me feel satisfied.
Of course my favorite series character Lula Belle made an appearance. I have no idea How Donna Michaels came up with her part but I laugh out loud every single time.
Fantastic series!!!
The Army Ranger’s Surprise by Donna Michaels is book 5 in The Men of At-Ease Ranch series. This is the story of Kaydee Wagner and Leo Reed. I haven’t yet read the previous books, So for me this was a standalone book.
Kaydee comes to town to help her grandfather not looking to put down any real roots since she is used to moving around a lot. But when he needs her she came to help out. Leo also is helping his grandmother but in addition is working toward getting better after the dramatic events in his life. Not looking for anyone permanently but unable to resist Kaydee turns into something more but it also means he would have to expose his past secrets.
Overall great story and enjoyed reading how theirs played out.
A standalone read with a HEA. The series is about wounded warriors living on a ranch in Texas with their team mates. They have all gone through trauma and are trying to heal and get their lives back. This story takes one team mate and follows him as he is recovering and finds love.
The heroine of the story is a young woman living in a duplex so that she can keep an eye on her grandfather, who lives next door. She works in a local hair salon and is trying to understand her life as well. She is an ex-Army brat and she is a bit scarred from her life with a military father. these two get together and the sparks fly. It was a good read and I definitely recommend it. This was an interesting series as you learn about wounded warriors and what they go through trying to fit back into civilian life and move on with their lives. A good read.
I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 7/18/18
These rangers won my heart with the first story, and it has been one of those series that I have eagerly anticipated for each title to be published. The tales are a perfect mix of tight brotherhood, swoony romance, deep emotions that have brought me to tears, and humor that has made me laugh out loud with the comical moments.
I knew Leo’s story would be an emotional one, he has gone through so much since he returned from service. Leo has been a part of each story, more of a reason for the ranch to exist than maybe anyone else. His battle against the memories, the inner demons, has let to some drastic decisions in the past, but he has finally found his place in a world again, slowly coming to accept and leave behind the nightmares of his former times in the rangers.
Kaydee Wagner is a spirited and kindhearted woman. She has a connection to Leo that is a tangible force in the tale. She turns out to be just so perfect for him, as suitable as Leo is for her, and her wanderlust and restless soul, the byproducts of an army brat moving around all her life. It is hard for her to open up and accept people into her life, knowing that they will never stay, the risk of giving her heart feels too big, because there are no guarantees of continues relationships and root in one place, when everything is temporary.
Leo and Kaydee, they get each other. They understand and accept each other, and the passion and the harmony between them is a beautiful thing to be witnessed. The physical connection between them is scorching hot, the mental connection and the hearts finding their soulmates takes a bit more effort to be accepted.
I was an emotional mess reading this story and not just from the ardent, adorable love story developing between Kaydee and Leo, and Leo finally finding himself again, but also from the tight friendships between the rangers, the way they looked after each other, had each others backs, and were there to encourage, support, and mess with each other whenever the moment arose. There were heartfelt moments that brought me to tears and those moments that made me sigh with content. But there were also tears because the past hurt is so deep, the demons gerning inside so painful, and the doubts vivid and the old wounds aching.
Leo’s story was everything I expected, and then some. It is poignant, sensual, loving, and entertaining. It takes the reader from the darkest moments of a human soul to the most exhilarating joy and the jubilee of life and living. The whole series is such an eye-opening look into the lives of vets after they return to the civilian life, the challenges they face, the hurdles they have to overcome. There is heart, humor, passion, and feels in each tale, perfect for binge reading during the summer days. Absolutely a must read series in my eyes.
And Leo and Kaydee, them finding the peace of mind, heart, and soul, and their forever-after happiness, that tale is just filled with fervor and adoration.
~ Five Spoons
I adore this series!
Leo and Kaydee are a right pair! Neither of them think they are good enough for the other. Between Survivor Guilt/PTSD and a humongous fear of staying pot too long, this couple have a few big hurdles to overcome.
Whilst their lives and minds may be in turmoil, I enjoyed the way that neither of them turned on the other, they always cared for each other, even when things got tough.
Great characters and superb setting. The psychological issues were handled well and with tender care
Top-Notch!! This is Leo’s story FINALLY!! LOL!! This story is loving and heartbreaking but also fun and sexy. I have wanted to see Leo’s HEA for a while and I thought this story was perfect for him. He needed a kick in the butt and Kaydee was the perfect person to do it! I also loved that Kaydee was always willing to be there for Leo when he was letting the past control his actions and she never once gave up on him. Highly recommended!
Absolutely fantastic loved Leo and Kaydee they have an instant chemistry that is undeniable. The way the characters all blend together making them all a big part of each story, the issues in the story where dealt with and written beautifully. The way they have each other’s backs showing how strong they all are. The women are just as strong but so funny, and you just gotta love Lula Belle. I wonder who could be next on the At-Ease Ranch.
Strongly
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of The Army Rangers Surprise. I really enjoyed this story while it is a emotional storyline. It was a really a remarkable and enjoyable
Romantic story.
Leo has had a very long rough recovery after struggling with his dark past, working to rebuild his life . Kaydee is is a beautiful person but is closed off and afraid to open herself up to anyone especially Leo. She also doesn’t anyplace long term . Such a great bunch of secondary characters from Leo’s Army Ranger buddies and their woman . To Leo’s grandmother and Kaydee’s grandfather . They keep the story really entertaining . I think this is a well written story. I highly recommend taking the time to read . It’s excellent.
Publish
Leo and Kaydee are just friends, brought together by the blossoming relationship between Kaydee’s grandfather and their neighbor, Leo’s grandmother. Leo visits his grandmother often, even more so that his mom is out of town, and these visits start to involve time with Kaydee more and more.
Leo has had a rough time readjusting to civilian life, and his confidence needs some shoring up. His buddies at the At-Ease Ranch are more than supportive, but Leo just can’t let go of his own disappointment in himself. His attraction to Kaydee leads to a fling that soon becomes more than he thinks he deserves. The author does an amazing job of charting his personal battle with his inner demons and how he learns to let love and friendship heal old wounds.
These are people you’ll love to root for, cheering with each success and milestone accomplishment. As the fifth in the series, we also get updates on the four other happy couples as well as the wonderful relationship between the grandparents. I loved the people, the romance, and the message of this book. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley and I freely give my honest review.*
I’m so happy Leo got his HEA, he is the reason At Ease Ranch got to be what it is.
* Wonderful and very romantic story that has a nice build up to a HEA.
* Kaydee is the perfect match for Leo with her light and easy nature. She makes him feel at ease and the chemistry between them is sizzling from the first contact.
* No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
* Dialogues that keeps up the pace of the story and at the end made me cry for Leo and all the baggage his carrying
* Intense love scenes that shows how much they care for each other
This was a very emotional book that gave me goosebumps because the author is writing in a way that makes me feel like I know the characters.
She’s build a world that is so pleasant to disappear in that it almost feels real
5 stars for Leo and Kaydee