The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle: Book Review

The Wedding Ranch is a second-chance romance between two people learning to trust with their hearts again. It was a lovely read!

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From The Publisher:

When Lorri Walker’s husband gifted her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine’s Day, she believed he was recommitting himself to their marriage after going astray. Six months later, he left both her and their dog for someone else. Since her recent move to Dalton Mill to unbraid herself from the past, Lorri’s graphic design business is now flourishing, her growing mastiff, Mister, has plenty of space to romp, and her ex in Raleigh can fade to a distant memory.

Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. Thankfully, ranching keeps Ryder busy, and spending time with his niece and nephew—whose venue, The Wedding Ranch, has become a popular tourist destination—keeps him from getting lonely.

When Lorri and Ryder met, love was the last thing they were looking for. When they’re together, smiles come easier and burdens feel lighter, and both are embracing the possibility of something deeper.

But when a long-buried revelation surfaces, the fate that brought them together threatens to tear them apart.

My Thoughts:

This is a charming story that includes some very serious backstories. Lorri is a woman who is coming from a marriage where her husband cheated on her time and time again. She’s still angry at her late brother whose drug abuse and alcoholism ruined life for her and her parents. She decides to take her bull mastiff Mister and move to a small community ninety minutes away where no one knows her story.

Ryder is still reeling from the death of his wife and four-year-old son at the hands of a drunk driver. He feels guilty for not having been in the car driving his family that fateful day. He’s thrown himself into work on his working ranch and helping his family on The Wedding Ranch.

The two meet and make a pact to try and help each other cope with their losses – to live in the present instead of the past. A romance slowly evolves until one day Lorri sees how their pasts have merged.

I appreciated the book discussing more serious subjects such as drug and alcohol addiction and the role of mental health in addiction. The story of Lorri’s brother brings to light how two people can be raised by the same set of parents yet have completely different life choices.

I loved the many romantic moments in this story and the North Carolina setting. The author does a fantastic job of describing the landscape and setting the vibe of this small town.

I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy sweet Romance or Women’s Fiction.

What I Liked:

• The beautiful small town North Carolina setting
• The combination of sweet romance with the discussion of more serious topics
• Mister the dog as a companion for Lorri

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to St.Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the DRC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

Other Books I’ve Reviewed by Nancy Naigle:

Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise

Christmas Angels