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kathydavie's review
4.0
The fifth in the Six Pack Ranch western romance series and something of a mixed bag. It was tempting to give it a "3", BUT I loved how Arend tore down the twins' relationship. Yeah, I know, it sounds so mean when I say it like that! But it's really on Joe's twin for being such an immature jerk.
I like that Joel was willing to see past Vicki's reputation and step out of his brother's shadow. No matter how much it hurt. Very nice.
I like that Joel was willing to see past Vicki's reputation and step out of his brother's shadow. No matter how much it hurt. Very nice.
rellimreads's review
4.0
Joel & Vicky were great. I think my favorite part of this book is how much it was focused on the main couple. There’s some updates on couples from previous books and teases of a few up next - but getting to know Joel and Vicky so completely was awesome. I enjoyed the “just lovers to more” trope. Plus their growth as individuals. Lots of fun dates, interactions, and conversations.
Joel’s twin Jesse and Vicky’s family caused some drama as did a few of the townspeople - but it wasn’t OTT and worked well for me in terms of pacing.
The ending was wonderful and I loved the epilogue. Can’t wait for Travis’s book. And eventually Jesse’s.
Narration:
Love Tatiana Sokolov’s narration. Giving the characters that definite Canadian sound without being a caricature. Plus this is a HUGE cast of characters and they all get a unique voices. And the emotions. I cried and laughed and felt fully invested in these two.
Joel’s twin Jesse and Vicky’s family caused some drama as did a few of the townspeople - but it wasn’t OTT and worked well for me in terms of pacing.
The ending was wonderful and I loved the epilogue. Can’t wait for Travis’s book. And eventually Jesse’s.
Narration:
Love Tatiana Sokolov’s narration. Giving the characters that definite Canadian sound without being a caricature. Plus this is a HUGE cast of characters and they all get a unique voices. And the emotions. I cried and laughed and felt fully invested in these two.
birdloveranne's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this story. This is a really great series. The narrator is fantastic.
sjb86's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is first time I'v ever given less the 5 stars to a VA book. The story was great but Joel not my fav and has I was looking forward to a man sandwich with Joel and Jesse I was disappointed but the story did suck me in and I eventually got invested in Vicki and Joel relationship. Great story and HEA. Really want to read about the girls in Coleman clan. Love tamara
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
4.0
a sweet story with lots of heart and just enough naughtiness to keep things interesting. cannot wait for whoever gets the next book.
kate_and_books's review against another edition
4.0
Good book worth the read. I really liked Vicki and the hardships in life that she had already gone through. What really bothered me is that everyone including Jaxi thought that she was a typical Hansol. Joel Colemann was drool worthy and I like all the more that keeps coming through on Travis. Jesse's behaviour I didn't understand whatsoever.
quinnreads2's review
5.0
Rocking the Hard Place
Vicki Hansol is between a rock and a hard place. Thankfully, sometimes that hard place is Joel Coleman and he really rocks her world.
Vicki Hansol is between a rock and a hard place. Thankfully, sometimes that hard place is Joel Coleman and he really rocks her world.
bookloverchelle's review
4.0
I started following Vivian Arend on twitter before I had read any of her books and it’s because of how engaging and entertaining she is on twitter that made me clamor to read one of her books and the Six Pack Ranch is a great place to start. Rocky Mountain Rebel is book five in the series and the first I read. Even though you are seeing the HEA from the first four books, I felt that it was pretty easy to follow the characters even though I came in late. If anything, it made me excited to go back and read the ealier books in the series. Vicki is pretty tired of being the town’s punching bag. With all the rumors that float around about her and her family, she’s ready to leave it all behind. When a job opportunity gives her that chance she’s eager to jump right in. Only problem? She’s terrified of horses. She turns to Joel to help overcome her fear and to cover why they are spending so much time together they decide to fake a relationship. But even fake relationships can turn in to more. I came in to the story expecting super sexy cowboy smexy times, and I was not let down there, but there was much more to the characters and story line. Vicki had a lot of demons she was facing in that town and Joel needed to come to grips with the changes in his family dynamic. A really fun read and I can’t wait to read more from Ms. Arend!
*I received an ARC from the author.
*I received an ARC from the author.
lexee9's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this one! It was a great read and really pulled me in from beginning to end. I loved Vicki and Joel and watching them come together and really get to know the other one. Vicki has been dealing with her family's reputation her entire life, even if she is nothing like her mother and sister, people still treat her like she is. She wants to get away from that and do better for herself but has had a hard time. Joel is ready to start growing up and reach the next chapter in life. He has a reputation with his twin for sharing women but he has started to outgrow that and wants to get away from that reputation as he is wanting to date and have a girlfriend and isn't planning to share with his brother in that respect. Vicki gets an amazing job offer but it includes being around horses which leaves her terrified. After a recent interaction with Joel, Vicki decides to ask him to help her out and keep it a secret. They come up with a plan to help them both out and "date" each other with all the stuff happening until it's time for the job offer with Joel getting Vicki okay to be around horses. This story really pulled me in with the way that these two interacted with each other and built their friendship and relationship. They created a great foundation which worked to get his family seeing something different in Vicki but they had some obstacles to overcome. Jesse is not on board and does not like the changes that are happening around him and with Joel so it creates a lot of contention. I really enjoyed how Vicki and Joel dealt with this. It was great getting to see the other Coleman men and their relationships progress as well as an extra bonus if you have read the previous books. This story had some hot sections but also a lot of cute and adorable ones as well with Joel and Vicki figuring out the boyfriend/girlfriend thing and trying to show the town a different side to them both. This was a great read and I really enjoyed it.
The narrator did a great job with the story as well and adding that extra dynamic.
The narrator did a great job with the story as well and adding that extra dynamic.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review
2.0
This book had a great premise but it was boring beyond belief. I will give the author the benefit of the doubt that perhaps I was bored and at times downright confused because I didn't read the previous books in the series. It was just kind of down home hokey and country almost beyond belief.
The book begins with twins Jessie and Joel Coleman having breakfast at a local diner while Joel enjoys gazing at Vicki Hansol's freckles. Jesse asks why ""we"" have never gone out with her which implies that they share women. These sort of comments continue throughout the book, but there was never any real clarity about whether they really did share women or whether it was Jesse's fantasy. When Vicki and Joel meet up with another of Joel's brothers Travis and his girlfriend, Ashley it seems like Ashley wants to have sex with Vicki. The author makes a point of indicating that Ashley placed Vicki's hand on her breast and Travis' eyes darkened while watching. The author also includes a scene where Vicki and Ashley kiss each other. But none of these is followed up on and perhaps that is for a later book or books but it made for a very frustrating read because there was much more detail and buildup only to get no resolution. So I kept thinking why spend all of this time setting the stage for something that never jumps off?
The sex between Vicki and Joel was hot and in many unexpected places. But how many times can they have sex in the barn, on bales of hay, and in the stalls? They had sex once on her sofa bed, and I kept thinking Joel would take her back to his trailer--yes trailer--but that never happened. Again many important details were missing for example Joel was supposed to teach Vicki the fine art of oral sex, among other sexual practices, and many pages later she is giving him oral sex with no lessons.
I couldn't relate to any of the characters and the plot just went downhill. There were too many loose ends and setups for events that never occurred. I did not enjoy this book.
Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books
The book begins with twins Jessie and Joel Coleman having breakfast at a local diner while Joel enjoys gazing at Vicki Hansol's freckles. Jesse asks why ""we"" have never gone out with her which implies that they share women. These sort of comments continue throughout the book, but there was never any real clarity about whether they really did share women or whether it was Jesse's fantasy. When Vicki and Joel meet up with another of Joel's brothers Travis and his girlfriend, Ashley it seems like Ashley wants to have sex with Vicki. The author makes a point of indicating that Ashley placed Vicki's hand on her breast and Travis' eyes darkened while watching. The author also includes a scene where Vicki and Ashley kiss each other. But none of these is followed up on and perhaps that is for a later book or books but it made for a very frustrating read because there was much more detail and buildup only to get no resolution. So I kept thinking why spend all of this time setting the stage for something that never jumps off?
The sex between Vicki and Joel was hot and in many unexpected places. But how many times can they have sex in the barn, on bales of hay, and in the stalls? They had sex once on her sofa bed, and I kept thinking Joel would take her back to his trailer--yes trailer--but that never happened. Again many important details were missing for example Joel was supposed to teach Vicki the fine art of oral sex, among other sexual practices, and many pages later she is giving him oral sex with no lessons.
I couldn't relate to any of the characters and the plot just went downhill. There were too many loose ends and setups for events that never occurred. I did not enjoy this book.
Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books