Last updated on 08/19/2026
She isn’t supposed to care about a ranch.
She definitely isn’t supposed to fall for the foreman.
And his six-year-old son is absolutely, definitely not supposed to capture her heart.
Lainey Brown is not ranch material. She’s a city girl who landed on the legendary Wallace Ranch to give the place a fresh coat of branding—and get her career back on track. She’s got no interest in cowboys, cattle, or the infuriatingly gorgeous foreman who clearly wants her gone.
Colton Wallace has spent every day since losing his wife building something worth leaving his son: a spotless reputation, a thriving operation, and a life with no room for complications. The last thing he needs is a firecracker from Austin with a sketchbook full of big ideas and a smile that makes him forget every reason he swore off wanting things he can’t keep.
But somewhere between their very first fight and a Texas night sky that stretches on forever, something shifts. Lainey stops counting the days until she can leave. And Colt stops pretending he wants her to.
The ranch has always been the Wallace legacy. But Colt is starting to wonder if the best thing that’s ever happened to it—and to him—just walked in wearing city shoes.
Buy links on author’s website: https://jessicapeterson.com/colt
Review:
It looks like I have another they have something new coming out? YES, PLEASE! author here!
I freaking LOVED this book. Colt and Lainey are absolute #couplegoals–sure, they have a rocky start, with the antagonism at the workplace and her no kissing rule when the antagonism turns into something else–but the way these two communicate (verbally, not just physically) and really, truly respect and look out for each other is absolute perfection. Even if we hadn’t had the negative examples of Lainey’s parents (on the page) and Colt’s first marriage (off the page–no flashbacks here), their relationship would truly shine.
Add in the found family aspect–Colt’s parents, siblings, and six-year-old son, plus their friends in town and others they work with (Doc Sally, the ranch hands)–and I want to live in this book. My few times on horseback weren’t exactly life changing, but somehow I just know things would be totally different with Double U Ranch horses. 😉
There is a lot of spice in this book (but the cover kinda gives that away, amirite?) but no real black moment–I’m not one who really minds the third act breakup, but sometimes a book without one feels a little flat…not an issue here at all. I wanted these two to decide to make it work and for it to work!
The two epilogues and a teaser for her first book in the related Lucky River Ranch series ( Cash ) were like a cherry on top of a very entertaining sundae, and I don’t even mind that Beck’s book isn’t coming out until next year–she’s got a backlist for me to get through first!
Rating: 5 stars / A+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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