Ana's father has had a stroke and can't run the ranch while he's recovering. Ana is made co-executor of the ranch along with ranch foreman Vance. Vance came to the ranch as a runaway when he was fourteen. Colt gave him a job but made it clear Vance was to leave his daughters alone. He's had it bad for Ana ever since, but knows to stay away from her. Now they have to work together to save the ranch from financial ruin.

This is a book with a lot of emotion in it. Ana is the only one of her sisters who has remained close to home. When their mother deserted them years ago it caused their father to completely withdraw from them. He was there physically but emotionally he was unavailable. The girls had tried everything they could but he pretty much ignored them. When Vance showed up suddenly he was getting all the attention the girls wanted. Ana especially resented it feeling doubly rejected. Now she is being forced to work with him and she doesn't like it. I mostly liked Ana. She was finally getting the chance she had wanted to be involved in the ranch. She didn't expect to have to share the duty with Vance and wasn't really happy about it. Then they found out that the ranch was in trouble financially and really have to work together to save it. Having to work with Vance so closely made Ana realize that, though she may resent his relationship with her father, she had feelings of her own for him. I really enjoyed seeing them get to know each other and learn what they had in common. I loved the way they were able to work together to find ways to help the ranch. Ana still has a lot of resentment against her father and also has a hard time letting go of some of the feelings against Vance. Just as their feelings are growing something comes up that sets Ana off again against Vance. Her reaction was really extreme and she ended up saying some really hurtful things. I was glad to see her come to her senses and especially apologize for what she said before they made up.

Vance had had a rough start in life. His mom deserted him and his father. Vance's father became an abusive alcoholic and when Vance was fourteen he'd had enough and left. He ended up being taken in by Colt and given a job and a place to live. Colt trained him in the ranch work and pretty much treated him as a son, except for telling him to stay away from the girls. All Vance really wanted was a place where he really felt like he belonged. He developed a crush on Ana early on, and except for one kiss when they were teens, managed to keep his distance. Now that they have to work together he's hoping to change that. I liked Vance a lot. He had worked hard for Colt and had come a long way. He is looking forward to working with Ana and having a chance to get closer to her. I really liked the way that he tried to show her that Colt's treatment of the girls wasn't his fault or his choice. I had high hopes that he was really getting through to her. I also liked the way that Vance supported Ana with the ideas she had for the ranch. His growing feelings for her were obvious. He was devastated by her reaction to the land problem and so hurt at the things she said. I felt terrible about what he was going through and what he decided to do to make things right. All he had really wanted was a family of his own with Ana. I was happy that Ana went to him at the end, he deserved the apology she gave him.

The storyline with Colt and the way he treated his daughters is very interesting. I like the fact that we are getting his thoughts and feelings. I'm looking forward to seeing how things go with his desire to make things right with the girls. ( )

4 stars

I enjoyed The Cowboy She Couldn't Forget. It is a clean romance, no detailed sex scenes. Divorce sure messes up everyone.
Ana Slater's father has had a stroke. She is needed to help run the ranch with Vance. When her mother left the family when she was young her father turned away from his daughters too.

Both Ana and Vance's mothers left them with their fathers and disappeared from their lives. (I can understand leaving for a day when kids drive you crazy) Their father's were not much better.

Ana is the oldest of four daughters. Their father turned away from them after their mother left. He let them help on the ranch only so much. He did have housekeeper who took care of them. They wanted to help out more be closer to their father but finally turning away from him and the ranch. Now it's Ana's turn to help all she wants on the ranch while her father is getting the help he needs.

The ranch is in trouble. Their federal lease is due and their is not enough money to pay it. They have six months to pay or they lose it.

Vance Rivers at fourteen finally had enough of his dad. His mother left him and his father would rather drink his paycheck. Vance was abused, did not have clothes that fit. Lots of times school lunch was all he had to eat. Vance decided to leave he climbed in a pickup and hid in back. He ended up at the ranch.

Colt gave him a room in the barn. He ate with the family and became close to him. He worked hard but it was a place to belong. He got three meals and a paycheck. Colt always liked Ana, his feelings never went away. Now maybe he could make a move.

Their are a lot of problems at the ranch. They are hurting like a lot of the country. Ana and Vance are working hard to save the ranch. I still have a lot of questions I want answered. I bet their will be more books Ana's sisters coming home and dealing with their dad. I hope we find out more about their mother and why she left. Where did she go?

I could imagine riding a horse and enjoying the magical meadow and fishing along the river. This book felt real. The scenes were believable and so were the answers and solutions could be real for so many people.

I was given this ebook to read and asked in exchange to give honest review from Netgalley.
08/06/2013 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin Romance 256 pages ISBN 9780373742523 ( )