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Sunshine Springs Duo #1
The Rancher's Rules
THE MILLIONAIRE'S FORBIDDEN VIRGIN
Grant Cortez is rich, famous and seriously sexy. But although he arouses feelings in virginal Zoe that no other man ever has, as her best friend he's strictly a no-go zone ...
Grant wants Zoe badly, but knows he can't have her. When they're forced to live together the temptation is too much, and so Grant imposes some rules --- no kissing, and definitely no sex. But then there's the best rule of all: some rules are just made to be broken!
Grant Cortez is rich, famous and seriously sexy. But although he arouses feelings in virginal Zoe that no other man ever has, as her best friend he's strictly a no-go zone ...
Grant wants Zoe badly, but knows he can't have her. When they're forced to live together the temptation is too much, and so Grant imposes some rules --- no kissing, and definitely no sex. But then there's the best rule of all: some rules are just made to be broken!
187 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 3, 2006
About the author
Lucy Monroe
654 books1,623 followersI write spicy romance books that end in an HEA. Contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance…I write it all. The two things my books all have in common is lots of emotion and spice. Last year, I fell in love with a new subgenre: mafia romance. Since I write what I love to read, I started a new standalone series, Syndicate Rules where you’ll meet over the top alpha heroes in the Italian and Greek mafias as well as the Irish mob. There are arranged marriages, forced marriages, enemies to lovers, stalkers, forced proximity and lots of mafia intrigue. Morally gray is my new favorite color.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 17, 2019
The hero sure as hell took his sweet time to come to his senses!
A good romance with lovable characters.
Both hero and heroine was ok. There was past hurt and all but everything was polished at the end.
Recommended.
P.s I didn’t like some of the hero’s actions regarding Ow but he didn’t sleep with her or even kiss her.. soooo as usual I ‘Swallowed’.
P.p.s She is one of my fav writer and I have read better and amazing books of her.
A good romance with lovable characters.
Both hero and heroine was ok. There was past hurt and all but everything was polished at the end.
Recommended.
P.s I didn’t like some of the hero’s actions regarding Ow but he didn’t sleep with her or even kiss her.. soooo as usual I ‘Swallowed’.
P.p.s She is one of my fav writer and I have read better and amazing books of her.
February 26, 2008
2.5 stars and such a disappointment. Having read her mercenary trilogy I was at least expecting a good story but it was just a round and round turn of overblown silly misunderstandings. This is also another book billed as a Christmas themed story but Christmas is mentioned only once and that’s it. No warm holiday cheer here so if that’s what you’re looking for then pass on this one.
Several times I was wondering if I was reading a historical what with all the moral preachiness about sex before marriage, town gossipists going on about two people living together to the point where the heroine's boss tells her that she should stop seeing the hero for the good of the school she works at (what the????). You expect that in a historical but not in a contemporary unless it’s one of those “inspirational” books. The heroine is not the most believable of characters either. She lives in an apartment with nearly every possible pet known to man from a huge dog, some cats, parrots, hamsters to a goat! In an apartment??!! Dumb. Then you have the hero who’s trying to be “noble” to protect her from himself –Dumb again.
The writing itself reads like a quickie first draft with too much stilted language. Suddenly there are no contractions in the dialog so it sounds very formal and out of character. The Spanish terms of endearment rang false also.
The ending had a rushed “awww-shucks” gooeyness to it. There were the beginnings of some good Monroe steamy-scenes like her other books but they just never really made it. The steam itself doesn’t even happen until you’re practically at the end of the book. One irritating tease after another with an unexpected friend walking in, the phone ringing, she changes her mind, he changes his mind and all the other predictable things. The story had potential but needed some major tweaking.
I think I’ll be sticking with her hotter and better written Brava contemporaries instead of her wishy washy seen-it-all-a-hundred-times Harlequins.
Several times I was wondering if I was reading a historical what with all the moral preachiness about sex before marriage, town gossipists going on about two people living together to the point where the heroine's boss tells her that she should stop seeing the hero for the good of the school she works at (what the????). You expect that in a historical but not in a contemporary unless it’s one of those “inspirational” books. The heroine is not the most believable of characters either. She lives in an apartment with nearly every possible pet known to man from a huge dog, some cats, parrots, hamsters to a goat! In an apartment??!! Dumb. Then you have the hero who’s trying to be “noble” to protect her from himself –Dumb again.
The writing itself reads like a quickie first draft with too much stilted language. Suddenly there are no contractions in the dialog so it sounds very formal and out of character. The Spanish terms of endearment rang false also.
The ending had a rushed “awww-shucks” gooeyness to it. There were the beginnings of some good Monroe steamy-scenes like her other books but they just never really made it. The steam itself doesn’t even happen until you’re practically at the end of the book. One irritating tease after another with an unexpected friend walking in, the phone ringing, she changes her mind, he changes his mind and all the other predictable things. The story had potential but needed some major tweaking.
I think I’ll be sticking with her hotter and better written Brava contemporaries instead of her wishy washy seen-it-all-a-hundred-times Harlequins.
December 30, 2016
Lucy Monroe is waaaaayyyyyy better than this.
The h and the H have been in love with each other for a long time, but apparently are TOO FREAKING (and oh do I want to use another word there) STUPID to figure it out.
I'm not even going to bother with the plot as it is so boring it doesn't make sense. Frankly, I don't know, I was skimming so lost plot points anyway.
Bottom line when I finally lost it is when the H invites ANOTHER woman over because he thinks if he has sex with her he won't obsess about the heroine so much. In his favor, he realizes this not a good idea when the woman comes over. The h is jealous and tries to wreak a little havoc. Do I feel sorry for the H for being so clueless? No. Do I feel for the heroine because she's feeling threatened, the tiny idjit? No. I feel sorry for the chick that was invited over and treated like dirt. Twice. It doesn't help that I read the sequel that gives her story as she's a nice girl but judged because she's voluptuous.
You guys, H and h, SUCK!
The h and the H have been in love with each other for a long time, but apparently are TOO FREAKING (and oh do I want to use another word there) STUPID to figure it out.
I'm not even going to bother with the plot as it is so boring it doesn't make sense. Frankly, I don't know, I was skimming so lost plot points anyway.
Bottom line when I finally lost it is when the H invites ANOTHER woman over because he thinks if he has sex with her he won't obsess about the heroine so much. In his favor, he realizes this not a good idea when the woman comes over. The h is jealous and tries to wreak a little havoc. Do I feel sorry for the H for being so clueless? No. Do I feel for the heroine because she's feeling threatened, the tiny idjit? No. I feel sorry for the chick that was invited over and treated like dirt. Twice. It doesn't help that I read the sequel that gives her story as she's a nice girl but judged because she's voluptuous.
You guys, H and h, SUCK!
January 4, 2020
A whole lotta angst would have been saved if these 2 had talked 4 years ago.
They were both bonkers about each other but as he was a bit older and more experienced he rushed his fences so to speak and panicked the virgin h.
She soon came to her senses when she thought about it but when she decided to go for the h he decided to flirt with others and leave her the hell alone because he has scared her a bit.
I liked their friendship though it was awesome how it lasted through the years and they were both determined that it would last.
Fast forward 4 years and they are still dancing round each other and showing signs of jealousy when they see each other with dates. h is innocent of all charges but H is a bit of a tart.
h has quite terrible parents tbh although not the worse by far in HPlandia. All in all not a bad start to the new year it remains to be seen how long the H will last as a meat muncher on his ranch I'm sure the h will be keep to share her vegetarianism with her future kids! While I applaud her rather Clarice Starling beliefs growing up on a ranch I'm too partial to bacon to ever give it up and will support animals in my own way purchasing ethically sourced local critters who have had lovely lives
They were both bonkers about each other but as he was a bit older and more experienced he rushed his fences so to speak and panicked the virgin h.
She soon came to her senses when she thought about it but when she decided to go for the h he decided to flirt with others and leave her the hell alone because he has scared her a bit.
I liked their friendship though it was awesome how it lasted through the years and they were both determined that it would last.
Fast forward 4 years and they are still dancing round each other and showing signs of jealousy when they see each other with dates. h is innocent of all charges but H is a bit of a tart.
h has quite terrible parents tbh although not the worse by far in HPlandia. All in all not a bad start to the new year it remains to be seen how long the H will last as a meat muncher on his ranch I'm sure the h will be keep to share her vegetarianism with her future kids! While I applaud her rather Clarice Starling beliefs growing up on a ranch I'm too partial to bacon to ever give it up and will support animals in my own way purchasing ethically sourced local critters who have had lovely lives
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2020
3.5 stars
pretty enjoyable read. the H was not a brooding alpa male. He was nice and possessive towards h. Both were pretty stupid for people that have known each other for more than a decade. No epilogue with babies but at least there was a wedding.
pretty enjoyable read. the H was not a brooding alpa male. He was nice and possessive towards h. Both were pretty stupid for people that have known each other for more than a decade. No epilogue with babies but at least there was a wedding.
November 14, 2008
The Rancher's Rules was released in the UK in 2006 and will hit the USA in December, just in time for a wonderful Christmas romance.
It is absolutely fabulous.....it's sexy, warm, very, very funny and just an extremely entertaining read!.
I so enjoyed this book…….I laughed, I cried and found it to be the perfect Holiday read. Zoe Jensen’s character was fun, invigorating, dear, just plain sweet and not the usual woman in a Harlequin Presents novel. Her love for life, animals and her Kindergarten students was endearing and her secret crush on her best friend Grant Cortez will squeeze your heart.
Grant and Zoe have grown up together and during their later years have had two “sexy” encounters which left Zoe hurt and embarrassed because all of her life she has secretly loved Grant. Their relationship in spite of everything remained in tact and they consider themselves best friends.
Zoe has never felt she’s belonged as her parents made it clear the son they lost should have run their ranch. When her father decides to retire, he sells the ranch to Grant, leaving Zoe without a home. She understands that she would never have been a rancher due to her love for animals, being a vegetarian, plus her non-relationship with her family, well she feels abandoned and unloved with the exception of the one man she can always count on, her best friend Grant.
Grant has the responsibly of running the family ranch and business as his father and stepmother have moved to another state due to his father’s health. For years, he has watched over Zoe, has been her closest friend and truly adores her. Now Grant finds himself not only thinking more about her but also fights a physical attraction for Zoe. On top of everything else, he now finds himself having to take care of her as she’s been evicted from her apartment because of all of her pets….cats, birds, dogs, hamster.
Now they find themselves in a bad situation and where will Zoe live? With Grant? Because of spending more time together they find themselves doing the one thing that Grant has a rule against…..the NO kissing rule, yet on a few occasions, the rule is broken. They both fight the attraction but in the end give in and then decisions need to be made…..should they take it a step further and explore their feelings?
You will absolutely adore this wonderful story, not only due to it’s warmth and humour but the magical journey itself…….falling in love and the miracle of Christmas for these two lovers.
It is absolutely fabulous.....it's sexy, warm, very, very funny and just an extremely entertaining read!.
I so enjoyed this book…….I laughed, I cried and found it to be the perfect Holiday read. Zoe Jensen’s character was fun, invigorating, dear, just plain sweet and not the usual woman in a Harlequin Presents novel. Her love for life, animals and her Kindergarten students was endearing and her secret crush on her best friend Grant Cortez will squeeze your heart.
Grant and Zoe have grown up together and during their later years have had two “sexy” encounters which left Zoe hurt and embarrassed because all of her life she has secretly loved Grant. Their relationship in spite of everything remained in tact and they consider themselves best friends.
Zoe has never felt she’s belonged as her parents made it clear the son they lost should have run their ranch. When her father decides to retire, he sells the ranch to Grant, leaving Zoe without a home. She understands that she would never have been a rancher due to her love for animals, being a vegetarian, plus her non-relationship with her family, well she feels abandoned and unloved with the exception of the one man she can always count on, her best friend Grant.
Grant has the responsibly of running the family ranch and business as his father and stepmother have moved to another state due to his father’s health. For years, he has watched over Zoe, has been her closest friend and truly adores her. Now Grant finds himself not only thinking more about her but also fights a physical attraction for Zoe. On top of everything else, he now finds himself having to take care of her as she’s been evicted from her apartment because of all of her pets….cats, birds, dogs, hamster.
Now they find themselves in a bad situation and where will Zoe live? With Grant? Because of spending more time together they find themselves doing the one thing that Grant has a rule against…..the NO kissing rule, yet on a few occasions, the rule is broken. They both fight the attraction but in the end give in and then decisions need to be made…..should they take it a step further and explore their feelings?
You will absolutely adore this wonderful story, not only due to it’s warmth and humour but the magical journey itself…….falling in love and the miracle of Christmas for these two lovers.
September 4, 2025
September Readathon
Nothing quite came together in this one. Parts of a better story teased at the edges but this one was at once too long in the conflict between the leads and then too brief in all the cozied-up fixes that conveniently dashed us to the HEA.
The hero is dumb and the heroine almost as dumb. Their predicament is outlandish, mostly because it's down to one conversation and admitting to themselves and then each other they're in love and always have been.
Also outlandish as is the idea of her in an apartment with a menagerie that includes a goat and him ever really letting her get that far away given he's supposed to be super hung-up in love with her. I couldn't muster a lot of reason to much like either of them, from his "if I just have sex with a random woman who's easy I'll be fine" to her jumping to conclusions and moods faster than ever made sense. Nothing in particular happens in the book, not even true conflict; it's getting over themselves and then sex but then getting over themselves about the sex but then another fight and then getting past that. The fights are all ridiculous and thin, just to draw out more Emotions and pad the word count, and it shows. The townsfolk doing the Big Frowns over her (an elementary teacher) and him having ~an affair!~ was pretty silly too.
Their would-be 'matchmaker' fathers should have bashed their noggins together a lot sooner to get their would-be desired outcome.
This feels quickly written and just as quickly forgotten, and the characters and their story leave me much the same.
Some truly awful metaphors. Relatively crisp prose otherwise, decent sense of place. I have another of Monroe's in the OADSept stack and I'm not totally despairing it in advance--we'll see.
Nothing quite came together in this one. Parts of a better story teased at the edges but this one was at once too long in the conflict between the leads and then too brief in all the cozied-up fixes that conveniently dashed us to the HEA.
The hero is dumb and the heroine almost as dumb. Their predicament is outlandish, mostly because it's down to one conversation and admitting to themselves and then each other they're in love and always have been.
Also outlandish as is the idea of her in an apartment with a menagerie that includes a goat and him ever really letting her get that far away given he's supposed to be super hung-up in love with her. I couldn't muster a lot of reason to much like either of them, from his "if I just have sex with a random woman who's easy I'll be fine" to her jumping to conclusions and moods faster than ever made sense. Nothing in particular happens in the book, not even true conflict; it's getting over themselves and then sex but then getting over themselves about the sex but then another fight and then getting past that. The fights are all ridiculous and thin, just to draw out more Emotions and pad the word count, and it shows. The townsfolk doing the Big Frowns over her (an elementary teacher) and him having ~an affair!~ was pretty silly too.
Their would-be 'matchmaker' fathers should have bashed their noggins together a lot sooner to get their would-be desired outcome.
This feels quickly written and just as quickly forgotten, and the characters and their story leave me much the same.
Some truly awful metaphors. Relatively crisp prose otherwise, decent sense of place. I have another of Monroe's in the OADSept stack and I'm not totally despairing it in advance--we'll see.
Read
July 28, 2018REGLAS ROTAS
En la cama, desnuda con un hombre... y todo el jodido libro recalcando lo virginal e inocente que es... Ya. (Ruedo los ojos)
"... Aunque tampoco era un playboy. Pero tenía experiencia. Mucha más que ella, que había intentado salir con algún chico en la universidad e incluso había llegado a irse a la cama con uno de ellos. Se había sentido tonta, por seguir siendo virgen con veinte años, pero eso no la había llevado a ninguna parte. Finalmente, le había dicho a su novio que no estaba preparada, había vuelto a vestirse y se había marchado a su habitación."
En la cama, desnuda con un hombre... y todo el jodido libro recalcando lo virginal e inocente que es... Ya. (Ruedo los ojos)
"... Aunque tampoco era un playboy. Pero tenía experiencia. Mucha más que ella, que había intentado salir con algún chico en la universidad e incluso había llegado a irse a la cama con uno de ellos. Se había sentido tonta, por seguir siendo virgen con veinte años, pero eso no la había llevado a ninguna parte. Finalmente, le había dicho a su novio que no estaba preparada, había vuelto a vestirse y se había marchado a su habitación."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2025
It was ok, but wouldn't want to re-read because MMC slept with lots of other women in the 4 years after he realized he was attracted to FMC (his best friend).
While she did run away after he kissed her the first time 4 years before, he didn't pursue her or talk to her about it, instead he made it appear like he was immediately interested in another woman.
As for the events that happen in the book, he went out with another woman wanting to sleep with another woman rather than sleep with FMC (didn't want to risk ruining friendship). Np.
While she did run away after he kissed her the first time 4 years before, he didn't pursue her or talk to her about it, instead he made it appear like he was immediately interested in another woman.
As for the events that happen in the book, he went out with another woman wanting to sleep with another woman rather than sleep with FMC (didn't want to risk ruining friendship). Np.
hq-to-read
November 13, 2019THE MILLIONAIRE'S FORBIDDEN VIRGIN
Grant Cortez is rich, famous and seriously sexy. But although he arouses feelings in virginal Zoe that no other man ever has, as her best friend he's strictly a no-go zone ...
Grant wants Zoe badly, but knows he can't have her. When they're forced to live together the temptation is too much, and so Grant imposes some rules --- no kissing, and definitely no sex. But then there's the best rule of all: some rules are just made to be broken! (less)
Grant Cortez is rich, famous and seriously sexy. But although he arouses feelings in virginal Zoe that no other man ever has, as her best friend he's strictly a no-go zone ...
Grant wants Zoe badly, but knows he can't have her. When they're forced to live together the temptation is too much, and so Grant imposes some rules --- no kissing, and definitely no sex. But then there's the best rule of all: some rules are just made to be broken! (less)
August 11, 2026
if these two had had one conversation, even an apology or to ask it the other was ok or anything, theyre issues would have been resolved. As friends, what had they talked about for the last 5 years if it wasn't about her landlady, why her father sold the ranch to him or their relationships? All the back and forth is boring
January 19, 2021
So beautiful ❤️
This book was so awesome 👏🏼 romantic funny and an amazing story line about best friends fallen in love with each other 👏🏼❤️
This book was so awesome 👏🏼 romantic funny and an amazing story line about best friends fallen in love with each other 👏🏼❤️
June 10, 2026
Very Entertaining Read!
The story line was unique and full of surprises. The ending kept me laughing until the end. The emotional ups and downs were very true to life.
The story line was unique and full of surprises. The ending kept me laughing until the end. The emotional ups and downs were very true to life.
June 29, 2014
This was an okay story with a couple, Grant and Zoe who had plenty of chemistry, a friendship with a lot of sexual tension and some interesting banter. They start out with a solid friendship, but their desire for one another keeps getting in the way...and even when they're going about trying to resolve their tension other people get in the way. I don't really like this kind of book where the heroine is trying to seduce the Hero who is totally resistant because he keeps telling himself he should think of her as a sister or she's better off not getting involved with him. I always think that those heroes are TSTL. And Grant was so wishy-washy. One minute it's fine, the next he has doubts. He needs a good smack. And what's with the town that expects people to remain virginal... I understand not having sex on the sidewalk of a town where you live and teach elementary schoolers. But why can't you date? I didn't know people had to be so concerned about their reputation in the modern world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2014
I read this book years ago and found it again today. I forgot what a sweet story it was. Today's HP romances have lost a bit of the innocence and sweetness that made them so special. This one is a classic that made me smile throughout he story.
Zoe is a quirky personality who loves Grant but fears that he doesn't feel the same. Her need to save every lost animal causes her to get evicted from her apartment.
Millionaire Grant see Zoe as his best friend while fighting his need for her. When she gets evicted trying to help him out he has no choice but to help her find a new home.
As they search for an apartment for Zoe, they find it harder to resist each other. The sparks fly and they have to decide if they want to risk their friendship by starting a physical relationship with each other.
It was a easy, sweet read that reminded why I loved Harlequin Presents.
Zoe is a quirky personality who loves Grant but fears that he doesn't feel the same. Her need to save every lost animal causes her to get evicted from her apartment.
Millionaire Grant see Zoe as his best friend while fighting his need for her. When she gets evicted trying to help him out he has no choice but to help her find a new home.
As they search for an apartment for Zoe, they find it harder to resist each other. The sparks fly and they have to decide if they want to risk their friendship by starting a physical relationship with each other.
It was a easy, sweet read that reminded why I loved Harlequin Presents.
October 15, 2013
3.5. i love the story. what i like about it is that throughout the story, the only problem they had was basically brought by misunderstanding. there wasn't any significant thing that happened. everything was just misunderstanding and it's very tiring reading about those. but i still love them both. they're fun and lovable.
Read
December 12, 2007This was a short read about two people who grow up as best friends. Then they have to come to terms with falling in love. They resist at first because they do not want to ruin their ongoing relationship.
July 22, 2013
"Así que decidió establecer algunas reglas que ambos debían respetar.
La primera era que no habría besos… pero la rompieron antes de llegar siquiera a escribirla… La segunda era nada de sexo… pero ésa tampoco duraría mucho."
La primera era que no habría besos… pero la rompieron antes de llegar siquiera a escribirla… La segunda era nada de sexo… pero ésa tampoco duraría mucho."
December 27, 2007
My first harlequin romance and it wasn't too bad! It had a good mix of storyline between the steamy bits!
January 18, 2013
It's very very good for its own category, for a harlequin book...
January 5, 2013
A good read, a little old fashioned but sweet and kept my interest.
September 22, 2015
Oh my goodness. How I love the last part... So cute and funny that I keep laughing..
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews