Rescued by the Rancher - Donna Alward (Donna Alward - Nov 2021)

Series: Cowboy Collection (Book 14)

She's the girl he never forgot. Now he's back, determined to win her heart a second time.
 
Jen O'Keefe thought she put Drew Laramie behind her when he left town and left her heart in pieces. Ten years later, she's built a great life for herself in Larch Valley. But her carefully built world is turned upside down when Drew returns to take over the Lazy L Ranch. Suddenly he's everywhere, tearing the scabs off old wounds and unearthing long-forgotten feelings.
 
Drew hates how badly he hurt Jen. He's spent a decade kicking himself while running from the family secret that upended his life. He's come home determined to make amends for his sins. Top of his list is rebuilding his relationship with Jen. But it's going to take more than an apology to earn her trust again - not to mention win back her love.
 
When a spring snowstorm descends upon the valley, Jen and Drew are stranded with nowhere to go and a lot of baggage to sort through. Will this be his chance to prove he's back at the Lazy L for good?
 
Emotional second chance story about two people with a lot of history together. Jen and Drew were high school sweethearts until he left town and never returned, breaking her heart. Ten years later, owner of a successful bakery, she believes she is long over him. That belief goes up in smoke when Drew returns to take over the family ranch, and she discovers her old feelings aren't dead after all.
 
After fleeing from a devastating family secret, Drew became a respected veterinarian on the horse racing circuit. Burned out by some of the things he's seen and done, he returned home to set up a rescue ranch. He still kicks himself for how he hurt Jen, and when he sees her again, she makes it clear she hasn't forgiven him.
 
I enjoyed watching the rekindling of the relationship between Drew and Jen. Wary of letting him too close, Jen agrees to cater his benefit barn dance while trying to protect her heart. It isn't easy, and the more time she spends with Drew, the more her old feelings revive. Spending time with Jen feels right, and Drew wants more, but his fears keep him from believing it's possible. I loved watching them get to know each other as adults. Some sweet scenes between them give hope for their future, but then some piece of the past would drive them apart again. I wanted to shake Drew several times for not sharing what happened with his father with Jen. Jen received her own cross-eyed looks every time she poked at Drew's pain.
 
An unexpected discovery reveals something that changes Drew's perspective on his past and exacerbates his insecurities. Despite an emotional snowstorm-driven encounter, Drew's fears resurface the next morning. I cried for Jen when Drew once again pushed her away. I also cheered when she stood up for her own needs and desires. It pained me to see them say hurtful things to each other, but it sure got all their issues out in the open. I loved the ending as Drew finally put his past to rest. Their big moment at the end was sweet.
 
One of the things I liked best about this book was the caring community. Much of Jen's strength came from the support she received from the townspeople after Drew left. Despite his past, those same people stepped up to help Drew get his rescue program started. The heart-wrenching scene of the wreck involving the trailer full of horses showed the big hearts of those who jumped in to help. 

The Negotiator - Melinda di Lorenzo (HRS #2138 - June 2021)

She's an expert at saving children
But now she's facing the battle of her life
 
Norah Loblaw is an expert at negotiating the returns of kidnapped children. But she finds herself in deep when a man claiming to be a cop whisks her off the street. Jacob Pratt needs her to get his nephew back -- and despite his unorthodox approach, she's inclined to help. But this is the toughest negotiation Norah's ever faced, and when she finds herself falling for Jacob, the stakes only get higher…
 
Good book with very fast pacing. From start to finish, I don't think it covers even twenty-four hours. Norah, a kidnapping negotiator, found herself snatched off the street at the behest of a man desperate for her help.  Their initial meeting is very emotional, with Jacob feeling guilty over her forced arrival and Norah angry, nervous, and ultimately intrigued.
 
Norah has a stellar reputation for success in saving kidnapped children. She hasn't worked a case in more than a year because her last one ended badly, weighed down by the guilty feeling that she missed something important. But there is something about Jacob that makes her want to take a chance again.
 
Jacob is a man who rabidly protects his privacy, even more so after adopting his nephew. I ached for him as he shared his story with Norah, his love for Scarlet and Desmond evident in every word.
 
The suspense of the story was intense, with so much happening in so little time. With no ransom demand and only the threat of Desmond's death if he goes to the police, Norah is Jacob's only hope. As Norah and Jacob investigate the few people who might have opportunity, motive is hard to come by. To complicate matters, those same suspects begin showing up injured or dead, leaving them scrambling for the truth. When Norah involves her brother, Noah, he uncovers some suspicious activity leading back to Jacob. When Norah overhears an incriminating conversation by someone they trusted, the truth becomes horrifyingly real. A rapid pursuit and some quick thinking by Norah leads to a heart-pounding final confrontation and conclusion.
 
I'm not sure I can say anything about the development of the relationship between Jacob and Norah. There wasn't enough time for much development. But from their unorthodox beginning to Desmond's rescue, Jacob and Norah connected quickly and deeply. Despite the rocky start, Norah found it easy to trust Jacob. I loved how she shared that last case with him and how Jacob helped her see past the guilt to what she did right. The sparks between them flared hot and drew them closer. I liked that the story ended with hope for the future instead of a big declaration. That said, an epilogue with their HEA would have been nice.