Review: In Review: The Rancher's Second Chance (Tall Pines Ranch #1) by Victoria James
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 17, 2014
The Rancher's Second Chance isn't the type of romance novel I typically read. I generally prefer younger characters or more sexy times and even a healthy dose of angst. This book managed to completely enthrall me though. I'm a sucker for a second chance love story, especially when the character is as good as Cole was. The devastating loss of his wife left him closed off and definitely not in the market for love. Until, that is, his baby sister Corrina ends up in the hospital with an emergency appendectomy in the process of planning her wedding. Her best friend, Melanie, shows up to help and she and Cole are thrown together. They share a mutual attraction, but it's one neither is willing to make a move on, until they are. Once they do, it's sweet and romantic. They have chemistry, but the love scenes are mostly fade to black and it was perfect the way it was.Both Cole and Melanie were likable, relatable characters. Cole's friend Gage adds a bit of naughty, flirty bad-boy to the mix and Mrs. Harris, the meddlesome housekeeper is amazing. Gage and Mrs. Harris both play Cupid, in their own charming ways, and it all left me feeling warm and fuzzy.This was a quick, easy, romantic read. The characters were well-written, even if they weren't particularly complex. Both Cole and Melanie were keeping secrets and while I had feelings about both of them, I didn't have strong feelings. I wasn't overwhelmed with emotion while reading this book, but I definitely enjoyed it for what it was: a beautiful story of a man getting a second chance at love and the woman who was lucky to find him. And vice versa.I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.