Tuesday, March 23, 2021

What Happens at the Ranch... - Christy Jeffries (HSE #2810 - Jan 2021)

Series: Twin Kings Ranch (Book 1)

Their attraction is anything but by the book.
 
Looking after journalist Tessa King should have been a simple assignment for Secret Service agent Grayson Wyatt. But a family tragedy, and a social media faux pas, forces the vice president's famous daughter to hide out at her family's Wyoming ranch -- and forces Grayson to play cowboy to blend in. Their attraction breaks every protocol -- and threatens to expose Tessa's deepest secret. Worse, the media's chasing a story that could put everything the couple is fighting for at risk...

 
Terrific start to the new series. The book started with a bang as Tessa King, a television news personality and oldest daughter of the vice president, has a panic attack at her father's funeral. She stumbles out of the church and right into the arms of Secret Service agent Grayson Wyatt. Grayson does what he does best - protects the subject and gets her away from the situation. Unfortunately, Tessa doesn't react well once she recovers, and the resulting social media firestorm makes it necessary for her to hide out at the family ranch. As part of the protection detail, Grayson also remains behind.
 
I loved both Tessa and Grayson. Tessa is a former athlete who overcame some incredible obstacles to get where she is today. Though she is a public figure and open about her professional life, she works hard to keep her private life private. Tessa is stubbornly independent and fights the requirement to have protection while on the family ranch, which puts her at odds with Grayson.
 
Grayson is easily as stubborn as Tessa, making their early interactions especially volatile. He allows nothing to stop him from doing his job. His presence on the ranch is complicated by the guilt he feels over not being with his mother and sister, Maddy, as she undergoes a complicated medical procedure.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Tessa and Grayson develop. When Tessa's early attempts to avoid Grayson's protection fail, they reach a tentative truce over the matter. As they spend more time together, that truce becomes friendship. I loved watching them argue, banter, and get to know each other. Tessa's sincere interest in his family, especially his sister, surprises Grayson and adds to his growing feelings for her. At the same time, Tessa trusts Grayson enough to depend on his support as she faces one of her greatest fears. The scene at the pool was intensely moving. I loved Grayson's pride in her accomplishment and Tessa's relief and joy at overcoming her fear and regaining her confidence.
 
I ached for them both as they admitted their feelings for each other but couldn't find a way to be together. Tessa's high visibility career and Grayson's need for anonymity in his made it impossible. I loved that neither one expected the other to give up their career for the other. A chance encounter after their parting brought their feelings roaring back to the surface and emphasized their obstacles. I loved how Tessa coped with their parting and the effect it had on Grayson. His big moment at the end was awesome and the perfect demonstration of the depth of his feelings.
 
I love Tessa's family. They are loving, dramatic, and quirky and have no difficulty butting into each other's lives. I liked how Grayson took a chance and enlisted their help at the end. I look forward to the rest of the series and getting to know the others better.

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