Review: Val's Rancher Returns
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 18, 2011
Val McDougal has been in love with Sam Turner since she was a young girl. Sam, who is 5 years older than Val, waited until she graduated High School to date her, and they spent 4 years together until Sam decided she was too young and left to work the professional rodeo circuit. Two years later, Sam turns up at her bar wanting her back. Val's already an emotional mess due to her father's illness and impending death.VAL'S RANCHER was just only okay for me, just as its predecessorChantilly's Cowboywas. One of my favorite romance themes is lovers reunited, but this book isn't really about Val and Sam getting back together; it is more about Stuart McDougal's death and Val coming to terms with her irrational fears about love.When Sam turned back up in town, Val was spitting mad. Yet, she relaxed around him as if they had been together just last week. She tells him she won't take him back.  I was looking forward to seeing these two come back together, but what we got was a few paragraphs telling us how Sam flirted with her for a couple of weeks and then-- BAM!--they are back together. Why couldn't we have SEEN that?Val is the baby in the family, and actually has the annoying nickname of "Baby." It was a bit grating to hear all her family and, most especially, Sam always call her "Baby." (Reminded me ofDirty Dancing (Single-Disc Widescreen Edition)--"No one keeps Baby in a corner.") And Val was a baby. She had an irrational fear that all the bad in the world was her fault. I found myself rolling my eyes at Val and her silly insecurities.It was fun to see Chantilly and Jack and how she still keeps him on his toes. I liked Val's family, most especially her sisters. They had character. They aren't about hugs and making cross-stitch together, but rather drinking beer and a few practical jokes.I am looking forward to the other sister's stories, hoping that the stories will get better. We got glimpses throughout the story of who Margot's mysterious boyfriend is; I like him and am looking forward to their story next. Even so, this story was enjoyable enough. It was a quick read easily read in one evening.Sisters of McDougal Ranch SeriesChantilly's CowboyVal's RancherMargot's Lawman(Feb 2012)