Romance is not my usual genre but every now and then I like to read one just to "spice" things up in my reading. I thought the back stories of Selena and Knox were really good and well written. Since they both went through terrible things in their life, I really wanted them to find genuine happiness. The one thing I was really confused on was the whole beginning with Will's funeral. Knox stayed with Selena to protect her, but then nothing ever happened and the whole funeral got lost and forgotten about. I also wasn't too fond of how quickly the end came. It seemed like Selena found out she was pregnant and then a lot happens in 10 pages and it's done. It could have been a little better more spread out. A super quick read and it was pretty good for a break from my other reading.

I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Selena Jacobs life has just become a soap opera. As her world starts to cave in a around her, it's nice to know she has a shoulder to lean on. Knox McCoy is the friend she can always turn to when the world becomes to much. He holds the key to her heart. Secretly of course. What happens when scandal turns secret fantasies into realistic drama? And the shocks don't end there. The Rancher's Baby goes from romantic comedy to heartwarming read and back again. Friends to lovers is one scenario, I'll never tire of.

( )

I saw this book on bookish first and had read the first chapter was was interested and then I received this from netgalley and it really didn't get me excited. I read it in a day since my kindle app told me I could read it in 2 hours but it still just didn't excite me as much reading it as that first chapter. It reads almost like every other stereotypical romance. ( )

Excellent start to the new series, this book has mystery, loss, grief, and a second chance at love. The story opens with Selena and Knox at the funeral of their college friend Will. It's a hard time for both of them. Selena had been briefly married to Will, as he helped her gain control of her trust fund. But the marriage didn't end well, thanks to Selena's trust issues and interference from an outsider. Now she regrets that she never took the time to mend their former friendship. Knox hasn't been back to Royal since the funeral for his four-year-old daughter, who died from cancer, running from the memories of their life there. Knox and Selena are stunned when the supposedly dead Will walks into his funeral. Convinced that there is something sinister going on, Knox insists on moving in with Selena to protect her.

Selena and Knox have been best friends, along with Will, since they were in college. They were attracted to each other then, but two things caused them to keep their feelings to themselves. First, both were intent on doing their best in their studies, driven by circumstances to make the best use of their time there. Second, neither wants to risk ruining their friendship if they take it further and it doesn't work out. They each married other people, but their friendship remained strong, providing a sense of security for each of them. Then tragedy struck Knox and Selena becomes his port in the storm of his grief, followed by little contact for the next two years as Knox buried his feelings in work.

I loved the development of Knox and Selena's relationship. It's Knox's protectiveness toward Selena that has him insisting on staying with her, even though he knows it could be dangerous for his peace of mind. Buried as he is in his grief, he feels that he has nothing to offer her. Thanks to her abusive childhood, Selena has sworn off all romantic relationships. She will never be willing to give control over her life to someone else. But as they spent time together, some of their walls started to come down. I liked how each of them was able to share some of the pain of their pasts. I also enjoyed their banter, which was the type that happens between two people who have known each other a long time (loved the Star Trek reference). Underneath it all was the attraction that simmered, just waiting to boil over. And when it did, the result was intense. I loved that it was Selena who pushed them over the edge, insisting that they could indulge the attraction without risking their friendship.

But fate has something else in mind. Selena has slowly let go of her fears and believes that they could have a future together. An unexpected pregnancy solidifies her newfound belief in herself and her dreams. But Knox is still mired in his grief and his fears, which are only emphasized by the event that he and Selena attend. When faced with Selena's news, those fears burst forth and he lashes out in the cruelest of ways. I ached for Selena, but also cheered as she stood up for herself against his words. I wanted to shake Knox, especially as he ran back to Wyoming to hide. I had to laugh as he drunk-dialed his ex-wife and got an earful from her. I was happy to see him take her words to heart and ponder about the major groveling he would need to do for screwing up so badly. At the same time, Selena was getting some much-needed advice from her friend Scarlett. The ending had me in tears as Knox finally was able to open his heart. The epilogue was awesome too.

This book was also the beginning of the mystery that will run through the series. Will's death is a shock to everyone, but his return was even more so. His conversation with Selena at his welcome back party indicates that there is something very strange going on and that while he was gone someone has been living his life. Selena sees that Will has undergone some major changes since she saw him last. I have a suspicion already about who is behind the trouble. The only questions are how, why, and what will the journey to justice be like? I can't wait to read the rest of the series and see how it turns out ( )

I enjoy the friends-to-lovers troupe, and I love Maisey Yates, so this one seemed like a no-brainer. While I did enjoy it--mostly for the aforementioned two reasons, plus Selena and Knox--it wasn't one of my favorites, because:

1) the mystery of Will that the book starts with is soon dropped--presumably it'll come up in future books? Still, getting a clue that things were happening on that front would have been nice.

2) loved the angsty angst bits, but they seemed to be fixed awfully quickly in the last 10%. Don't get me wrong, I do approve of who helped Knox get his head back on straight, but it felt like the resolution was much too easy for everyone. Adorable epilogue, though!

3) By the time Selena (and Knox) find out she's pregnant, the book is almost over. I would have loved to see more of their lives between the "I love you"s and the epilogue!

Ultimately, this was a Maisey Yates book and that can't be discounted. I liked it in spite of its flaws, and the series definitely has my attention with regards to the mystery of Will and the other "club" members.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ( )