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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
More Grumpy-Sunshine than Enemies-to-Lovers
Rory, is a sunny British wellness influencer who catches her boyfriend with another woman and seeks emotional healing and inspiration by running away to the Colorado Ranch her late Great Aunt has left to her. She intends to fix the ranch up and sell it, however the grumpy ranch caretaker, Wyatt, will do all he can to prevent her from selling his home and the ranch he has grown to love. Together, they agree to fix the ranch up and turn it into a wellness retreat instead of selling it. Meanwhile, Rory and Wyatt butt heads, annoy each other, but ultimately can't deny their attraction for one another.
I thought the storyline had a ton of potential, however the chemistry between Rory and Wyatt seemed a bit forced and I didn't completely buy into it. I would not necessarily categorize this as a slow-burn, rather closer to an insta-love given they were already hooking up about half-way through the book. I wish there was a bit more witty banter and character development, and it seemed like the storyline was lacking once they hooked up; between the first hook-up and the 3rd act conflict, it seemed to just be a ton of s*x with little else going on. (I almost fast-forwarded through the love scenes because it just became too much for me.)
The biggest drawback for me was the narration on the audiobook. Charlie Albers was OK with Rory's narration, but when she slid into the voice of Wyatt with his southern drawl, it was just too over-the-top and a bit "cringy." Alexander Cendese was a good narrator for Wyatt, however he also struggled (in my opinion) with the British accent and female voice when portraying Rory in Wyatt's chapters. This could have been avoided if it was recorded in duet narration. I struggled a great deal with being able to enjoy the story while listening to the narration.
Overall, I thought the story was pretty good, but I think I would have enjoyed it a LOT more had I read the book as opposed to listen to it. I am intrigued by the other characters in the book and I look forward to learning more about them in the upcoming installments of the series. I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys the spicier cowboy romances, but I would definitely advise them to read the book instead of listening to the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for granting me access to the ALC.
Rory, is a sunny British wellness influencer who catches her boyfriend with another woman and seeks emotional healing and inspiration by running away to the Colorado Ranch her late Great Aunt has left to her. She intends to fix the ranch up and sell it, however the grumpy ranch caretaker, Wyatt, will do all he can to prevent her from selling his home and the ranch he has grown to love. Together, they agree to fix the ranch up and turn it into a wellness retreat instead of selling it. Meanwhile, Rory and Wyatt butt heads, annoy each other, but ultimately can't deny their attraction for one another.
I thought the storyline had a ton of potential, however the chemistry between Rory and Wyatt seemed a bit forced and I didn't completely buy into it. I would not necessarily categorize this as a slow-burn, rather closer to an insta-love given they were already hooking up about half-way through the book. I wish there was a bit more witty banter and character development, and it seemed like the storyline was lacking once they hooked up; between the first hook-up and the 3rd act conflict, it seemed to just be a ton of s*x with little else going on. (I almost fast-forwarded through the love scenes because it just became too much for me.)
The biggest drawback for me was the narration on the audiobook. Charlie Albers was OK with Rory's narration, but when she slid into the voice of Wyatt with his southern drawl, it was just too over-the-top and a bit "cringy." Alexander Cendese was a good narrator for Wyatt, however he also struggled (in my opinion) with the British accent and female voice when portraying Rory in Wyatt's chapters. This could have been avoided if it was recorded in duet narration. I struggled a great deal with being able to enjoy the story while listening to the narration.
Overall, I thought the story was pretty good, but I think I would have enjoyed it a LOT more had I read the book as opposed to listen to it. I am intrigued by the other characters in the book and I look forward to learning more about them in the upcoming installments of the series. I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys the spicier cowboy romances, but I would definitely advise them to read the book instead of listening to the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for granting me access to the ALC.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would like to start by saying I hated the narration and almost gave up reading because of it. The narrators were terrible with the voices of other characters and duet narration would have alleviated some of my frustration with it. Overall, the male narrator had too much inflection in his voice. My star rating is based solely on the content of the book. If I were to rate the narration, it would be one star.
Also, you can tell the author is British when the American character says "come to mine". Americans do not speak like this but Brits do. Maybe most people wouldn't catch that and be bothered by it but I did and I was.
Okay, now I have that off of my chest, overall I really liked the story. A fish out of water, enemies to lovers tale, with close proximity between grumpy and sunshine. This book set up the beginning of the series nicely and I could tell there are at least two more books coming based on the stories brewing in the background. I felt like the pacing was good and liked the mutual pining. I found the characters lovable and wanted them to get their HEA.
I look forward to reading book 2, but I think I'll stick to the eBook next time.
Also, you can tell the author is British when the American character says "come to mine". Americans do not speak like this but Brits do. Maybe most people wouldn't catch that and be bothered by it but I did and I was.
Okay, now I have that off of my chest, overall I really liked the story. A fish out of water, enemies to lovers tale, with close proximity between grumpy and sunshine. This book set up the beginning of the series nicely and I could tell there are at least two more books coming based on the stories brewing in the background. I felt like the pacing was good and liked the mutual pining. I found the characters lovable and wanted them to get their HEA.
I look forward to reading book 2, but I think I'll stick to the eBook next time.
I honestly don't know where to start with the review.
The MMC, I cant even remember his name, acts as if the land that she inherited is his and not hers. His attitude about it honestly got on my nerves.
I am actually at a loss for words on what to write for this review.
Both main characters really grated on my nerves, from the introduction to the book, to when they got together at 60% in, to the end. There was no tension or chemistry. I felt nothing to the point that when they did get together for the first time I was like 'oh so we're doing this then are we'. It might not have for the other readers but I felt as though there was no build up to that moment and so was a bit taken aback.
The problem then persisted for me when they did get together it felt very insta-love, and all of a sudden they were all about each other. Like what.....
Moving away from the main characters' ... flaws... the writing felt very immature and two dimensional. I was active I was reading and not absorbed in this book like I had hoped to have been. I feel that if the author had taken the time to develop the characters beyond their main traits of an influencer and cowboy this could have been a much better books. The development of the side characters as well would have added a bit more to the book.
Anyways, at this point I dont think I can form words to adequently describe my views on this book. At this point in time I will not be continuing this series or other works from the author.
Please also remember that reading is subjective and these are my views and feeling on the book and if this book sounds like a book that interests you then go into it with an open mind and I hope that you do enjoy it.
The MMC, I cant even remember his name, acts as if the land that she inherited is his and not hers. His attitude about it honestly got on my nerves.
I am actually at a loss for words on what to write for this review.
Both main characters really grated on my nerves, from the introduction to the book, to when they got together at 60% in, to the end. There was no tension or chemistry. I felt nothing to the point that when they did get together for the first time I was like 'oh so we're doing this then are we'. It might not have for the other readers but I felt as though there was no build up to that moment and so was a bit taken aback.
The problem then persisted for me when they did get together it felt very insta-love, and all of a sudden they were all about each other. Like what.....
Moving away from the main characters' ... flaws... the writing felt very immature and two dimensional. I was active I was reading and not absorbed in this book like I had hoped to have been. I feel that if the author had taken the time to develop the characters beyond their main traits of an influencer and cowboy this could have been a much better books. The development of the side characters as well would have added a bit more to the book.
Anyways, at this point I dont think I can form words to adequently describe my views on this book. At this point in time I will not be continuing this series or other works from the author.
Please also remember that reading is subjective and these are my views and feeling on the book and if this book sounds like a book that interests you then go into it with an open mind and I hope that you do enjoy it.
I’m just in absolute awe of this book. I want to hug it. I love Rory and Wyatt so much.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was such a charming, feel-good read. Live, Ranch, Love has everything I want in a romance—grumpy/sunshine tension, forced proximity, sizzling chemistry, and a heroine I actually rooted for. Rory, the British wellness influencer, and Wyatt, the gruff cowboy rancher, were complete opposites in the best way. Their banter? Spot on. Their connection? Totally believable.
I really enjoyed the themes of healing and second chances, and the small-town setting made it all feel warm and cozy. It did slow down a little in parts, and a few plot turns were pretty easy to see coming, but honestly? I didn’t mind. I had such a good time reading this.
A great debut and a strong start to what I hope becomes a whole series. I’ll definitely be picking up whatever Emma Lucy writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Collins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the themes of healing and second chances, and the small-town setting made it all feel warm and cozy. It did slow down a little in parts, and a few plot turns were pretty easy to see coming, but honestly? I didn’t mind. I had such a good time reading this.
A great debut and a strong start to what I hope becomes a whole series. I’ll definitely be picking up whatever Emma Lucy writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Collins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Live, Ranch Love is a delightful story about learning to love again.
Rory, having just been cheated on, flees to her Aunt Grace’s ranch that she now owns. There she meets Wyatt, a grumpy rancher who could not be any less thrilled about having a wellness influencer take over his ranch.
Soon, the peace that living on Sunshine Ranch has brought Rory inspires her to open up her own wellness retreat to share that peace with others and she needs Wyatt’s help to do it.
This is Grumpy x Sunshine personified and I ate it up. Both Wyatt and Rory heal from difficult pasts and grow to love themselves as well as each other.
Wyatt WORSHIPS this woman and I could read about that all day. Who doesn’t love a grumpy cowboy turned softie??
Rory, having just been cheated on, flees to her Aunt Grace’s ranch that she now owns. There she meets Wyatt, a grumpy rancher who could not be any less thrilled about having a wellness influencer take over his ranch.
Soon, the peace that living on Sunshine Ranch has brought Rory inspires her to open up her own wellness retreat to share that peace with others and she needs Wyatt’s help to do it.
This is Grumpy x Sunshine personified and I ate it up. Both Wyatt and Rory heal from difficult pasts and grow to love themselves as well as each other.
Wyatt WORSHIPS this woman and I could read about that all day. Who doesn’t love a grumpy cowboy turned softie??
2 🌟
spice: open door
format: audio
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the alc in exchange for an honest review.
Perhaps I should have DNFd this one 🫣
Zero chemistry, very cringey, audio was not good(this could be a me thing, but these narrators are not for me) Very tropey.
It's labeled as an enemies to lovers, and I'm still looking for the enemies. It felt like the author was trying too hard to include a lot of tropes, and it just didn't work.
spice: open door
format: audio
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the alc in exchange for an honest review.
Perhaps I should have DNFd this one 🫣
Zero chemistry, very cringey, audio was not good(this could be a me thing, but these narrators are not for me) Very tropey.
It's labeled as an enemies to lovers, and I'm still looking for the enemies. It felt like the author was trying too hard to include a lot of tropes, and it just didn't work.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I wanted to love this. Cowboy romances are usually my comfort read, but Live Ranch Love didn’t quite rope me in. I struggled to connect with either main character, which made it hard to stay emotionally invested. The setup had potential—small town charm, rugged cowboy vibes—but something about the pacing and chemistry felt a little flat for me. The spice, while present, came off more forced than flirty.
That said, the writing itself is solid, and I can see this appealing to readers who enjoy a lighter, surface-level romance without too much emotional depth. Just wasn’t quite the right fit for me personally.