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His Wranglers fit him like a glove. A really tight, leaving nothing to the imagination, glove. Codie wants nothing more than to shove that Wrangler-covered butt straight into the mud.

Ace Valentine has a smart mouth, a devil-may-care attitude, and those wicked eyes aimed directly at her.

She doesn’t know what to do with that kind of attention. Especially not from the sweet-talking man that has no problem charming every woman that enters his orbit—everyone but her, at least.

Ace isn’t sure why Codie Spears had her panties in a twist when it comes to him, but every snub and insult she hurls his way brings him closer and closer to falling for her.
He’s not sure what it is about the town’s bad girl that draws his attention, but every encounter they have leaves him wanting her until there’s nothing else left to do but have her.
The only thing is, she’s been convinced by everyone around her that she’s not good enough. Tell a person that she’s a piece of trash enough times, and eventually she’ll start to believe it. It’s going to take a lot of smooth-talking and gentling on his part to get her to see that she’s worth it. And once he has her where he wants her? Well, she’ll make a mighty fine rancher’s wife.

348 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2020

434 people are currently reading
1204 people want to read

About the author

Lani Lynn Vale

163 books7,276 followers
Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie  ~ The Biblioholic.
2,713 reviews1,420 followers
January 21, 2020
Anyone who pays attention to my reviews knows that I'm a huge LLV fan. She can do no wrong, especially when it comes to how she creates heroes and Ace Valentine was my kind of hero! His backstory was utterly tragic and heartbreaking. It was totally unexpected and yet it served to highlight all that he had survived and how far his family had come in dealing with their grief. This may have been a western romance, but it was written in typical LLV-style and I loved every moment of it. From Ace and Codie's meet-cute, to her resistance to giving him a chance, to their banter, to their inevitable romance, I was hooked. It took a while for these two to really hit it off, but when they finally did... holy hotness! With Codie being the so-called 'bad girl' back in town, there was plenty of drama and hilarity to be found. I'm already very much in love with these Valentine brothers and I can't wait to deep dive into more of their deliciousness!

Find the full review HERE
Profile Image for XxTainaxX Curvy and Nerdy.
1,564 reviews507 followers
January 22, 2020
For as different as Ace and Codie appeared with contrasting public opinions, they really had quite a bit in common. They had difficult childhoods that shaped them into who they were as adults. They were both being measured according to their pasts. They were both caring people with an open heart.

I liked Codie a lot because although she was feisty and gave as good as she got, she was flawed and had insecurities that made her more relatable. Ace came across as the reformed playboy but he gave me good vibes right from the start. I liked their chemistry and found them to be matched well.

The plot was on the simpler side but it had all the LLV elements that stamp each of her books. There really wasn’t much angst. Just a straightforward glimpse into this new world LLV has created.

Complementary copy received and voluntarily reviewed.
Profile Image for Niki {Still a Widow but reading more}.
811 reviews346 followers
July 25, 2021
Reread 7/25/21 Rating still stands.

3.5 Stars

This one was strange for me. It seemed real jumpy and almost like it skipped a bunch of parts. It kinda gave me whiplash and I kept thinking wait where did they fall in love? I enjoyed the characters though....and of course she introduced like 7 guys so we know who will be staring in the books to come lol.
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
January 20, 2020
The Valentine siblings had a traumatic, hard childhood. Now they are grown up and attempting to build lives in the small town they grew up in. Ace Valentine is a hard working cowboy without time for relationships. Codie Spears was the town bad girl, always in trouble and always the subject of gossip. She has returned to help her grandfather and finds she is still persona non grata around town.

Codie’s first meeting with Ace has her wanting to smack his sexy smirk off his face, Ace felt quite differently he wanted to kiss the frown from Codie’s face. Ace is steadfast, a gentleman, a sexy cowboy with a soft heart for Codie, she is skittish, quirky, sassy and fighting all that was Ace. Their road to love is steady paced, not too fast and not too slow, it gave each of them time to grow together and to also work out some of their own issues by themselves. I like the fact that Ace is a very manly man but not over the top Alpha, I don’t think that would’ve worked with Codie. These two seem so different at first but you quickly fall in love with each of them and can’t wait to experience the road they travel to get their HEA.

HERD THAT is a satisfying story that contains laughter, great secondary characters and a love story that will melt your heart!

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Profile Image for Gi's Spot Reviews.
1,145 reviews1,366 followers
January 22, 2020
5 ‘My Troublemaker’ Stars

Sweet… Baby… Jesus… Lani Lynn Vale just gave us the piece de resistance itself! There is nothing simple about these cowboys. These Valentine Boys are going to be EPIC! Case in point the heart touching, sexy and emotional brilliance that is Herd That!


Talk about love at first sight – or shall I say at first page, LOL?! – how am I expected to deal with the hotness that are these Valentine MEN, yes, men, because there is nothing boyish about these guys…

“I’m not sure what attracts us to the broken ones seeing as we’re broken ourselves, but I’m going to do my best to make sure I at least fix her since I can’t fix myself,”

It feels like we have been waiting forever for these guys, ever since Double Tap first introduced us to the Valentine’s heartbreaking tragedy, and now that they are here, I’m beyond myself with excitement, because not only are all that I expected, but so, so much more.

I was doing it for me.
And I wanted her.
I wanted her to give us a chance.

I wanted… everything.
Right then, I wanted it all.
With Ace. Ace fucking Valentine.


Ace and Codie grew up in the same town of Kilgore, until their teenage years, when they left the place that gave them so much pain, and coincidently though they heard of one another, they had never actually met, and it is only now after returning to the place with such hard memories, that they find each other for the very first time, and both with broken pasts of their own, Fate truly works its way to help them heal, to be each others anchor and happiness.

"You made me see that I was worth loving. That sometimes, though love is scary, it’s worth the heart palpitations.”

I ADORED every single thing about this book, that once again proved Lani Lynn Vale just keeps one upping her writing game with all its emotional, but simultaneously light, funny, and oh so sexy story telling, that grabs us by the heart and keeps us hooked until not only the end but begging for the next. This is exactly what happened here because OMGGGG, Ace and Codie were so darn perfect together, and now at my top three all time fav LLV couples, but with all going on with Callum and Desi, I. AM. DYING for their story! I NEED IT NOW!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

“You, Ace Valentine, are trouble.” She giggled breathlessly. I gathered her into my arms, dropped my forehead to rest on hers, and said, “That’s okay seeing as you are, too.”




ARC kindly provided by the author via Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review


For full review with Release Blitz, check out my Blog post,
http://gisspotreviews.com/index.php/2...
Profile Image for Carmen Rae.
1,688 reviews187 followers
March 16, 2020
Codie and Ace were just so sweet and perfect together. I really can't get enough of them.

I had all these ideas of what I was expecting as I went into this book and they were totally turned on their head. I thought Codie was going to be a little bit fragile and delicate but I was really happy to discover she was such a strong, determined heroine. She just completely took names and kicked butt.

Ace was just perfection in a pair of wranglers. He had such a tragic backstory but he was so together and working to provide everyone he loved with a better future. And once he set his sights on Codie he claimed her and didn't look back. I absolutely loved him.

These two were perfect together and I am really excited about the fact that there's a whole series of these Valentine siblings. And even better is that the next one is Codie's best friend Desi. So I am praying we continue to get a whole heap of the sweetness of Ace and Codie.
Profile Image for The Romance Book Disciple (Samantha).
2,121 reviews360 followers
January 21, 2020

Herd That introduces the Valentine boys-brothers who have endured a family tragedy and returned to their town of Kilgore, TX to reclaim the family farm. Codie ran from her hometown too, but now that her grandfather is ill, she is back to help him. She is NOT a rancher at all and that becomes evident very quickly!

Ace is a cowboy with a tragic past, but he has a super gooey center! He is so sweet and kind to Codie and once he decides he likes her, he is persistent as hell! Its not aggressive which is nice; he is simply persistent and supportive of her. Its very hot! He is manly but communicative about his feelings, his baggage, and his love for Codie. Codie is great as well-just enough baggage to make her interesting without making her bat crap crazy.

Herd That brings a hot love story in a small town and I can't wait for more. I am very curious about Codie's BFF!!

 

  POV: dual 1st
  Tears: no
  Trope: small town, cowboy
  Triggers: none
  Series/Standalone: standalone
  Cliffhanger:
  HEA:




Tumble by Adriana Locke, Catching Him by Aurora Rose Reynolds,  ...then you will probably like Herd That!

 


Herd That
ibooks-icon amazon-icon-star





herd thatSee full review on The Book Disciple
Profile Image for Three Chicks.
2,633 reviews419 followers
January 21, 2020
Codie Spears is back in Kilgore Texas. Not by her choice but because her grandpop needs help with his prize bull. This town holds no good memories for Codie. She was a little wild in high school, got into some trouble and never quite lost the reputation for being a trouble maker.

When she runs into some obstacles transporting a trailer full of cows in a thunderstorm, Ace Valentine ends up saving the day. Ace fills out a pair of jeans...

I couldn't begin to thank the Lord enough for the invention of Wrangler jeans.

Ace Valentine is working like a dog to get the family's ranch in the black. They are almost there, but not quite. The Valentine's suffered a tragedy that would cripple most people, but they are resilient and tough and will overcome their past.

Ace and Codie both want the same bull at auction, but Codie outbids Ace. He can't afford to pay the price Codie is willing to spend on a new bull. Of course, Codie had no idea that she was bidding on a bull by the pound and so she's deep in debt. But she believes that "Scooby" (yep, you read that right, she names her new bull Scooby) is going to be a prize winning bull. Ace ends up helping her when she finds she's over her head with this one. They find themselves spending lots of time together.

Ace is hard on the outside but a big softy on the inside. Years ago, after his family was torn apart, his girlfriend Mel, threw him away. This same girl is with Codie's best friend Desi's husband. He's her ex now, but both are determined to make Desi's life hell. Which means that Ace and Codie are going to have Desi's back.

This story isn't just about a budding romance between Ace and Codie. It's about redemption and friendship and second chances.

We know that Lani Lynn Vale can write SWAT and MC romances-add cowboy romances to that list!

"And for anyone else wanting to know, I love Codie Spears, and she's moving in with me," Ace declared loudly. "And I don't care if y'all think she's a troublemaker. She's my troublemaker."
Profile Image for Stephanie.
1,227 reviews152 followers
February 24, 2020
not my favorite. there were several inconsistencies with the plot that had me scratching my head.

also — IM FAIRLY CERTAIN IF I SEE THE WORDS “FAIRLY CERTAIN” AGAIN I WILL THROW MY PHONE AGAINST THE WALL. ughhhhhh it’s so noticeable now every time I read a LLV book I always pick up on it and it just pisses me off now.

I know she has a formula that she sticks to with her books but maybe switch it up once in a while? but I keep coming back for more so clearly it works
Profile Image for Kathy West.
1,331 reviews26 followers
July 3, 2022
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Excellent - Highly Recommended
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A good, solid read
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - An okay read
2 ⭐️⭐️ - Meh
1 ⭐️ - Not my cup of tea
Profile Image for Emily.
5,884 reviews552 followers
February 4, 2020
When Codie Spears returns to town to help her ailing grandfather, she questions at times if she made the right decision. Codie is trying her best but when he asks her to tow her prized bull to an event, she finds herself getting help from Ace Valentine. Ace is all the things she should stay away from but after an eventful day she finds herself forming a friendship that might just lead to something more.

Ace is a bit of a hermit but he has worked hard to earn the respect of the town. When Codie needs some help, Ace offers her the help she needs. He didn't expect to fall but he has and he plans to show Codie she is the one for him.

This had a lot more to the story, particularly the back stories for both Ace and Codie. I loved this one, a new series that is different from the authors other books. You can just picture Codie, she is a spitfire and a new favorite character of mine. A perfect way to start the series.
Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews362 followers
January 22, 2020
description
There be luscious cowboys… with chaps!

Oh and the story was pretty great too.  The Valentine brothers are going to take me on a wild ride if Ace and his Codie are any example! They both had pasts they were trying to overcome and they were going to heal, one quirky, funny, heat-filled encounter at a time…

Codie was a wonderful mix of confidence and uncertainty. She’d been a bad girl but it was Ace’s biggest tragedy that set her on a good path. Reluctantly returning to a hometown that wasn’t welcoming was low on her list of happy things but Ace was going to change her attitude. One steamy gym session at a time…

Ace was a cowboy with all the wonderful traits I think of when I picture a good man with a warm heart and the solidness of an honest man. He loved his family, his home and had his eye on a whirlwind that looked like city but had home painted on her heart…

Quirky characters, family shenanigans, jokes, sarcasm, and deep emotion had me glued to every page. I didn’t want to stop for a second as Ace and Codie’s banter, their highs and lows-infused courtship, took hold of my heart. Be prepared for humour and heat and heart-pinging galore because this story gave all the feels….

I didn’t want the story to end but that just means there will be more to come!
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
8,998 reviews173 followers
January 18, 2020
Herd That (The Valentine Boys #1) by Lani Lynn Vale  
 
 
Sexy has a sensitive side. Vale puts emotions in touch with a tempting love story that is shadowed by life long insecurities and heartaching bias. Herd That aims straight at the heart and scores a bulls-eye. Ace and Codie are fighting to live their own truth as their worlds are falling apart. The playboy with the soft heart and the wild child with the shattered soul are a wicked combination of naughty, nice and inspiring. For every heartache that brings forth a tear, there is a sense of strength that will make your emotions stand up and cheer.
384 reviews26 followers
January 22, 2020
4.5
Amazing ....
Emotional..
It is set a bit different from the other series but like other LLV books she aced it....
Profile Image for phoebess.
1,521 reviews98 followers
June 20, 2020
Herd That was an entertaining read. It didn’t have overly complicated drama plot, which I appreciated a lot. It had a little bit of angst when it came to main characters’ pasts but I liked the fact then they didn’t let their pasts to hold them down. A lot, that is.
Do I wish there was a little bit more ranching in this book? Hell yeah! (Since animals are so fun and they provide the entertainment on daily basis.) But I didn’t hold any grudge about it because I loved this story very much.
Profile Image for Taylor.
1,564 reviews56 followers
April 14, 2020
One of my favorite authors. I’ve read almost every book she’s put out. Love her storylines and her MC’s.

I’ve been holding off on starting this series because I like to have all the books done before I get into it.

I loved Ace he was so sweet and complimented Codie so well. I can’t wait to hear more about them and find out who’s getting matched next.
Profile Image for Rivka.
1,226 reviews248 followers
April 20, 2020
This was hilariously awesome
Profile Image for Laiza.
656 reviews9 followers
March 21, 2020
4 Aces! I love the Valentine Men's
Perfect read during this Quarantine time
Profile Image for Brianna at Renee Entress's Blog.
3,920 reviews118 followers
January 22, 2020
5 Stars!

I'm a newer reader to Lani Lynn Vale, having only started with her in early 2019 (my bestie - co/blogger is a HUGE HUGE FAN!) but man she has quickly become one of my must-read favorites. I love the way she writes and the formula she uses... it works for me and it works for her obviously! 😉

Unique in every single book but always with unforgettable, unputdownable moments on every page... heck, whether she's working with cowboys or leos, I'm all in.

Herd That is the first book in the new Valentine Boys series and what a journey this was. A small town romance packed with heart, heat, past demons, second chances, and sooo many feels that just leap right off of the pages. Codie and Ace will have you turning the pages rather quick, leave you squirming in your seat at times, and rooting for both of them on the sidelines the. whole. time.

You won't find a better author to tell a story that is so impactful that it feels... "real".

I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,231 reviews219 followers
March 24, 2020
5 Star Review Herd That (The Valentine Brothers #1) by Lani Lynn Vale
 
Book one in the latest series from Lani Lyn Vale and she is off to a good start. This series is a bit of a departure from other books by the author in that it is about Cowboys.

I really liked Ace Valentine and the woman who intrigued him, Codie Spears.

Codie has been told one too many times that she isn’t good enough by the people of her home town,that she now believes it to be true.

Ace cannot get her out of his mind, he is convinced she will make a great rancher’s wife and sets out to woo her.

This may be my favourite book from Lani Lynn Vale to date. I fell hard and fast for Ace (just his name made me swoon), he ticked so many boxes that it was hard not too.

I loved how determined and focused he was on everything Codie says; totally swoon worthy. This was a fun and entertaining book that had me invested from the start.

I am looking forward to seeing what she has in store for the Valentine brothers.
Profile Image for The Smutbrarians.
2,239 reviews1,746 followers
January 20, 2020
Feels 3
Storyline 4
Steam 4
Overall Rating 4
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Lindsey

Gahhh…I love Lani books! I recently read her and fell in love. So then of course, I had to binge read all her books. I love me some cowboys. They are probably my favorite to read. Something about a hardworking, fine, swoonworthy man in wranglers and boots just gets me. LOL. But anyway this book was awesome. Lani did a wonderful job with it. I loved the characters and their banter. I liked how it never lost pace and the flow kept me going steady all the way to the end. Great book!
Profile Image for M.
1,347 reviews12 followers
June 2, 2020
4.25 Stars!

I seriously enjoyed this so much, I think it might be one of my top fave LLV books!!! I’m seriously so excited to dig into this series, the valentine boys seem so swoony and broody!! Ace and Codie were so cute together, I loved to see how their relationship grew. I also love how they both had a past and were willing to carry each other’s baggage.

8/10 would recommend
Profile Image for Romane | Bookylicious.
830 reviews30 followers
December 9, 2024
3.5
I kinda like it, it was fast-paced without 3rd act (thank God)
But at the same time, it was weirdly adjusted and the rhythm gave me whiplash. They don't know each other but in fact yes. It's a small town and everyone knows everyone but no. She did " bad " stuff but she didn't.
It left a Bittersweet taste in my mouth. I will probably continue the series tho
Profile Image for The Gemini’s Bookshelf.
348 reviews25 followers
September 8, 2022
This was super cute romance.

Codie was the town’s bad girl growing up. Now that she’s a grown adult, people still think she’s only going to stir shit up. I loved how she proved them all wrong and nailed Ace. Talk about a fucking swoon.
Profile Image for Stephaniec.
858 reviews17 followers
June 2, 2020
I haven't read many contemporary romances this year and this is exactly what I needed - very little drama. Just a sweet romance between a cowboy & the town "bad girl" Simple and enjoyable
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,135 reviews30 followers
August 11, 2020
This is first book I’ve listen to by Lani Lynn Vale but as soon as I noticed it was narrated by Sebastian York and Maxine Mitchell I had to listen to it.
Codie is a farm girl but has been away for a long time. When her grandfather becomes ill and she comes home to help him on farm she has to relive all her high school antics and bitchy cheerleaders.
Ace is the boy next door but in farm way. As soon as he meets Codie he can’t get enough.
I absolutely love that the relationship develops so well and is incredibly hot. I especially love the tight wranglers and sexy asses.
Can not beat theses two narrators.
Profile Image for Toula.
2,504 reviews
March 26, 2020
Audio book review

Book 1 in Lani Lynn Vale series . This story from the author will grab your heart and keep you listening till the end . The author has strong characters that the hero went through a family tragedy, the heroine was a typical teenager a bit wild . They both moved away from the town . This story is about what happens when life bRings them back to the town and each other’s life .
Ace is the hero . Codie is the heroine.
Ace and Codie live next to each other , they both have a strong attraction to each other from their earlier days . An auction brought them together and little by little they were in each other’s life until they became one and the love shone through.
Grab this story and go through a heart touching story .

The performance of Sebastian York and Maxine Michelle was fantastic. You can never get enough of their voices . Their voices brought you right into the story
Profile Image for Kodie Mackay.
1,204 reviews68 followers
February 24, 2020
I mean.. someone get me a cowboy. A wrangler wearing giant of a mountain man who rides bareback and can throw me over his shoulder!. Lord have mercy on my soul because I swear I seen Jesus at some of those descriptive moments.

Codie... that's my name!!!! I mean granted it spelt with C and mine is a K but still I'm gunna take it. Also... my favourite animals are cows!!! So I'm just going to say this book is made for me and codie is a my fictional person.

I lurrrv her. Codie is that sweet salty personality with a hard exterior but the sweetest core. I loved that she was clear in what she wanted and wasn't afraid to be herself. My kind of lady that is.

Ace the brooding handsome cheeky cowboy was quite the surprise. He started off a little grumpy but soon opened up and just went for it with Codie chasing her until she gave in to his sizzling sex appeal and relentless pursuit of her. I'm so all for Ace and his manly alpha bareback riding self.

A slow burn romance with lots of learning this story is sets a smooth pace for Ace and Codie. It's almost like a friendship with unspoken feelings that eventually erupt is the most delicious way. They're both running from a past they don't want to face with demons that won't quit haunting them.

It's sweet and sensual and all kind she of hilarious. It's heartbreaking ,healing and moving on. It's crazy dysfunctional family shenanigans and downright loveable side characters. It is everything you need in romance and then some. Plus hot guys working out in grey sweatpants... need I say more?.

I love this book hard!!!!.
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