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The Millers of Morgan Valley #4
The Rancher Meets His Match
For the hardworking folks of Morgantown, home really is where the heart is. But sometimes it takes leaving for a while to figure that out . . .
Kaiden Miller may be the family jokester, but he takes his work on their ranch very seriously. And as a sought-after master carpenter to boot, he’s busier than ever. Still, when he’s asked to renovate the neighboring ranch, he’s more than willing. The owner, Juan Garcia, is ailing, and Kaiden expects to find the property pretty run down. He doesn’t expect to find his old nemesis—Juan’s daughter,
Julia—overseeing his work . . .
Julia’s not sure why Kaiden never liked her. But if working with him makes life easier for her father, so be it. Yet to her surprise, not only is Kaiden great with her father, he’s great with her too. As the weeks pass, it becomes harder to ignore their simmering attraction. And when Julia’s boss turns up with a sweet deal, both she and Kaiden will have to decide where their loyalties—and their hearts—lie . . .
Kaiden Miller may be the family jokester, but he takes his work on their ranch very seriously. And as a sought-after master carpenter to boot, he’s busier than ever. Still, when he’s asked to renovate the neighboring ranch, he’s more than willing. The owner, Juan Garcia, is ailing, and Kaiden expects to find the property pretty run down. He doesn’t expect to find his old nemesis—Juan’s daughter,
Julia—overseeing his work . . .
Julia’s not sure why Kaiden never liked her. But if working with him makes life easier for her father, so be it. Yet to her surprise, not only is Kaiden great with her father, he’s great with her too. As the weeks pass, it becomes harder to ignore their simmering attraction. And when Julia’s boss turns up with a sweet deal, both she and Kaiden will have to decide where their loyalties—and their hearts—lie . . .
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2020
230 people are currently reading
626 people want to read
About the author
Kate Pearce
164 books1,848 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce was born in England in the middle of a large family of girls and quickly found that her imagination was far more interesting than real life. After acquiring a degree in history and barely escaping from the British Civil Service alive, she moved to California and then to Hawaii with her kids and her husband and set about reinventing herself as a romance writer.
She is known for both her unconventional heroes and her joy at subverting romance clichés. In her spare time she self publishes science fiction erotic romance, historical romance, and whatever else she can imagine. You can find Kate on katepearce.com.
She is known for both her unconventional heroes and her joy at subverting romance clichés. In her spare time she self publishes science fiction erotic romance, historical romance, and whatever else she can imagine. You can find Kate on katepearce.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
February 1, 2026
This is a cowboy romance, and this is the 4th book in the Millers of Morgan Valley series, and I have read the third book in this series before picking up this book. Overall I found this book ok not great. I think what took away from this book is the main characters just do not feel they go together. I did enjoy the drama in this book, but I did not enjoy the love story/romance in this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
September 12, 2020
ARC received for review
2.5 stars
There was no chemistry between Kaiden and Julia, but there was a whole lot of fighting and snipping at each other. When they hooked up, meh. The drama with her brother, meh. Finding out why her brother and Kaiden stopped being friends, meh. I did love the drama with her work bosses and their ultimate demise. Overall, it was just meh.
2.5 stars
There was no chemistry between Kaiden and Julia, but there was a whole lot of fighting and snipping at each other. When they hooked up, meh. The drama with her brother, meh. Finding out why her brother and Kaiden stopped being friends, meh. I did love the drama with her work bosses and their ultimate demise. Overall, it was just meh.
December 28, 2020
The Rancher Meets his Match by Kate Pearce
The Millers of Morgan Valley #4
Hmmm…I love Kate Pearce’s series and the books in them. She writes historical and contemporary romance well. I loved the books that told of the Morgan family and have enjoyed the three books that have dealt with the Miller family, too. That said…I had more trouble with Kaiden and Julia as they fought to find their happily ever after. Why? I felt they had little in common, had difficulty communicating and spent too much time bickering, sniping, and miscommunicating. At the end of the book, I was still wondering if it was a HFN or a HEA ending and suppose I will find out in book five when I read it.
What I liked:
* Revisiting the Miller family and Morgantown
* Kaiden: a nice guy with an interesting sense of humor. There I smore to him than the laid-back persona he usually shows. He is the peacekeeper in the family and a craftsman carpenter that I felt was “stuck in a rut” that I wanted him to get out of.
* Julia: I have mixed feelings about her but admired her ability to pursue her dreams. She seemed a bit snarky and stuck in her high school feelings about Kaiden rather than having matured beyond them. I admired her willingness to do what needed to be done for her father even though he was not always as aware or thankful as he could have been.
* That they eventually found a way forward but would have liked to have
* That the baddies were exposed
What I didn’t like:
* That I wanted “more” for both Julia & Kaiden – and wanted to know more about how they would work through their issues
* The fathers of both Julia and Kaiden were not the best parents to their children…and somewhat unfair
* Knowing that communication would have solved a lot of the issues for both generations
* Julia’s brother, Miguel – wonder if he will show up later in the series and be redeemed or…nots
* Julia’s boss(es)
Did I enjoy this book? Yes, but not as much as some of the others in this series
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
The Millers of Morgan Valley #4
Hmmm…I love Kate Pearce’s series and the books in them. She writes historical and contemporary romance well. I loved the books that told of the Morgan family and have enjoyed the three books that have dealt with the Miller family, too. That said…I had more trouble with Kaiden and Julia as they fought to find their happily ever after. Why? I felt they had little in common, had difficulty communicating and spent too much time bickering, sniping, and miscommunicating. At the end of the book, I was still wondering if it was a HFN or a HEA ending and suppose I will find out in book five when I read it.
What I liked:
* Revisiting the Miller family and Morgantown
* Kaiden: a nice guy with an interesting sense of humor. There I smore to him than the laid-back persona he usually shows. He is the peacekeeper in the family and a craftsman carpenter that I felt was “stuck in a rut” that I wanted him to get out of.
* Julia: I have mixed feelings about her but admired her ability to pursue her dreams. She seemed a bit snarky and stuck in her high school feelings about Kaiden rather than having matured beyond them. I admired her willingness to do what needed to be done for her father even though he was not always as aware or thankful as he could have been.
* That they eventually found a way forward but would have liked to have
* That the baddies were exposed
What I didn’t like:
* That I wanted “more” for both Julia & Kaiden – and wanted to know more about how they would work through their issues
* The fathers of both Julia and Kaiden were not the best parents to their children…and somewhat unfair
* Knowing that communication would have solved a lot of the issues for both generations
* Julia’s brother, Miguel – wonder if he will show up later in the series and be redeemed or…nots
* Julia’s boss(es)
Did I enjoy this book? Yes, but not as much as some of the others in this series
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
December 29, 2020
Julia Garcia is a hot-shot San Francisco lawyer who has just been passed over for a promotion which has been given to an incompetent man, Blaine. Her father Juan has MS and has suddenly taken a turn for the worst so she has taken some annual leave to look after him, something Blaine bitterly resents.
Kaiden Miller was friends with Julia's older brother Miguel at school, he has stayed at home in Morgantown, working on his Dad's ranch and as a carpenter, helping to repurpose some of the historical buildings for housing. When Juan's doctor asks Kaiden to stop over to see what alterations Juan needs to make his home more wheelchair-friendly Kaiden is happy to help, that's what people do in small towns, he doesn't bank on meeting Julia Garcia fancy-schmancy, stick-up-her-butt, lawyer Julia who has always looked down on him. For her part Julia has never forgiven the class clown Kaiden for ridiculing her and bad-mouthing her behind her back at school.
Kaiden is the perpetual funny-man, the peacemaker, the one with the even temper who can coax his bad-tempered father out of a strop, but with Julia his equanimity deserts him and he takes delight in needling her.
This started promisingly but I felt the reasons for the enmity between Julia and Kaiden didn't really have much justification and there was a lot of unexplained backstory with Julia's brother Miguel which didn't go anywhere. Overall there wasn't enough tension between Julia and Kaiden which was compensated by lots of family angst and manufactured drama.
An easy read, with engaging characters but not enough character development for my taste.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
Kaiden Miller was friends with Julia's older brother Miguel at school, he has stayed at home in Morgantown, working on his Dad's ranch and as a carpenter, helping to repurpose some of the historical buildings for housing. When Juan's doctor asks Kaiden to stop over to see what alterations Juan needs to make his home more wheelchair-friendly Kaiden is happy to help, that's what people do in small towns, he doesn't bank on meeting Julia Garcia fancy-schmancy, stick-up-her-butt, lawyer Julia who has always looked down on him. For her part Julia has never forgiven the class clown Kaiden for ridiculing her and bad-mouthing her behind her back at school.
Kaiden is the perpetual funny-man, the peacemaker, the one with the even temper who can coax his bad-tempered father out of a strop, but with Julia his equanimity deserts him and he takes delight in needling her.
This started promisingly but I felt the reasons for the enmity between Julia and Kaiden didn't really have much justification and there was a lot of unexplained backstory with Julia's brother Miguel which didn't go anywhere. Overall there wasn't enough tension between Julia and Kaiden which was compensated by lots of family angst and manufactured drama.
An easy read, with engaging characters but not enough character development for my taste.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
December 9, 2020
I really enjoy Kate's writing and love a good small town/family series. I think it's not that common to find cowboy romances with the steam that Kate brings to the story and I love it. I liked Kaiden. I liked Julia. I liked their story of conflict and coming together to be better for their family. I personally don't love a miscommunication trope. Because I like them and trust in Kate's story telling, I kept going, but felt frustrated often when a conversation could have changed everything. For a reader who doesn't mind that kind of story, this is a great book!
November 19, 2020
This is the 4th book in the Millers of Morgan Valley series. Kaiden is the 3 Miller brother, and he’s the family joker. He uses jokes to deal with everything. He tries not to take anything too seriously, unless it’s his ranching, or his carpentry. When he’s asked do a handicapped accessible remodel, he’s more than willing to help a neighbor. But he doesn’t realize the rancher owner’s daughter will be there. They didn’t like each other in school, and tried to avoid one another. What he doesn’t expect is how attracted to her he will be.
I adored this story. And I can relate a lot to Kaiden, I’m not wanting to deal with the hard issues, and just avoiding them. He is a great character, and you can see into his heart. Julia is also an amazing character. She’s determined, and truly loves her father and wants the best for him. This book was well written, and definitely worth a read. It held my attention, and I didn’t want to put it down.
I adored this story. And I can relate a lot to Kaiden, I’m not wanting to deal with the hard issues, and just avoiding them. He is a great character, and you can see into his heart. Julia is also an amazing character. She’s determined, and truly loves her father and wants the best for him. This book was well written, and definitely worth a read. It held my attention, and I didn’t want to put it down.
October 24, 2020
Loved Kaiden Miller. From what we read about him in the beginning of the book, he is thoughtful, and caring, and as the author says – the family jokester – but there’s more to this cowboy than meets the eye. The story starts out with him helping renovate his neighbor’s ranch (Juan Garcia is ailing and needs some updates to the ranch so he can get around with aid of a wheelchair/cane/walker/whatever he needs. What he finds when he visits Juan is Julia, an old frenemy and Juan’s daughter.
Kaiden never really knew what happened to make Julia dislike him but he doesn’t know that Julia wonders the reverse. She’s now a big city attorney, trying to help her dad, but all her dad talks about is her missing brother.
There is intrigue and betrayal and much going on behind the scenes. These two navigate a new “normal” for the growing feelings between them. They both have family “issues” to deal with, and work thru, along with work and home expectations. The best part was watching Kaiden and Julia deal with their growing feelings for each other. I adored Kaiden and commiserated with Julia. Love going back to Morgantown to visit with these folks!
Kaiden never really knew what happened to make Julia dislike him but he doesn’t know that Julia wonders the reverse. She’s now a big city attorney, trying to help her dad, but all her dad talks about is her missing brother.
There is intrigue and betrayal and much going on behind the scenes. These two navigate a new “normal” for the growing feelings between them. They both have family “issues” to deal with, and work thru, along with work and home expectations. The best part was watching Kaiden and Julia deal with their growing feelings for each other. I adored Kaiden and commiserated with Julia. Love going back to Morgantown to visit with these folks!
October 12, 2020
Kaiden always adored Julia, but her jealous brother put an end to any budding romance. When Julia, now an attorney, came back to town to aid her father, now wheel chair bound. As the carpenter doing the remodel to ease Mr. Garcia's life, he was thrown together often with Julia.
Leading to the discovery that they still were attracted and there were things in their pasts, the other didn't know.
This is a sweet second chance romance that overcomes more than a few obstacles to reignite.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC and offer my opinion freely.
Leading to the discovery that they still were attracted and there were things in their pasts, the other didn't know.
This is a sweet second chance romance that overcomes more than a few obstacles to reignite.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC and offer my opinion freely.
October 17, 2020
I have not read any of the other books in this series. I liked the fire between Julia and Kaiden. Kaiden is a dreamy carpenter who has always wanted Julia. Sparks fly when she returns to Morgan Valley to help out her father. The cabin scene was one of the best parts of the entire book. Jeff Miller is an ass and Miguel a heartless snake. Julia is the personification of a successful woman but it's sweet that she needs Kaiden as much as he needs her. I'd make another journey to Morgan Valley. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the early read.
January 1, 2021
The fourth book in Millers of Morgan Valley, The Rancher Meets His Match is Kaiden and Julia’s story. Overall the story was good and the character interaction enjoyable, but I didn’t feel the depth of connection with the main characters was lacking here. I will read more of this series and recommend you read this story for yourself as this is just my opinion and you may love it.
December 22, 2021
3.5 Stars
December 16, 2020
Kaiden Miller may be the family jokester, but he takes his work on their ranch very seriously. And as a sought-after master carpenter to boot, he’s busier than ever. Still, when he’s asked to renovate the neighbouring Garcia ranch, he’s more than willing. The owner, Juan Garcia, is suffering from MS & whilst he was in remission for a few years it’s now back & Juan is usng his wheelchair much more, Kaiden expects to find the property pretty run down. He doesn’t expect to find his old nemesis—Juan’s daughter, Julia. Julia’s not sure why Kaiden never liked her. But if working with him makes life easier for her father, so be it. Yet to her surprise, not only is Kaiden great with her father, he’s great with her too. As the weeks pass, it becomes harder to ignore their simmering attraction.
I just love the stories from Morgan Valley & the Miller siblings’ stories are a delight. Kaiden is toe curlingly gorgeous, he's always had the hots for Julia but he thinks she doesn’t like him so hides his feelings by snide comments & sarcasm. However Julia has always fancied Kaiden too, so when they spend time together sparks fly. A well written, engrossing read, the pair are just meant to be together but misunderstandings, assumptions & lack of communication make for an unputdownable read, I loved it,
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I just love the stories from Morgan Valley & the Miller siblings’ stories are a delight. Kaiden is toe curlingly gorgeous, he's always had the hots for Julia but he thinks she doesn’t like him so hides his feelings by snide comments & sarcasm. However Julia has always fancied Kaiden too, so when they spend time together sparks fly. A well written, engrossing read, the pair are just meant to be together but misunderstandings, assumptions & lack of communication make for an unputdownable read, I loved it,
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
March 16, 2021
This book was unfortunately a letdown, especially after the last book in the series that I rated 5 stars. There just seemed to be a lack of romance and I could never really picture them as a long-term couple. Sure, they liked to argue and I guess that could be sexual tension, but they just didn't seem to fit outside of the bedroom. And they really didn't communicate. They both make assumptions, especially Kaiden. He had ample opportunity to reach out to Julia and try to clear up any misconceptions he had about her. But he's stubborn and doesn't. And Julia, well she just became a pushover when it came to her bosses and that was so frustrating to see such a strong and capable woman let others put her down and take advantage of her. The ending was just okay. They are a couple, officially, so I guess they'll get their HEA, but it ended too quickly to really see how they were now that they're together in the real world.
The author also left a lot of things open-ended. What happens with Miguel? Does he just go away so easily? What was really going on with him? Does her father update his will and if so, what does it say now (call me curious...)?
And FINALLY Adam and Lizzie start to move forward in their relationship. Those two have been procrastinating and living apart for far too long now that it's frustrating lol.
The author also left a lot of things open-ended. What happens with Miguel? Does he just go away so easily? What was really going on with him? Does her father update his will and if so, what does it say now (call me curious...)?
And FINALLY Adam and Lizzie start to move forward in their relationship. Those two have been procrastinating and living apart for far too long now that it's frustrating lol.
January 7, 2021
On the surface they may seem like an apples and oranges pairing but Kaiden and Julia have chemistry to spare. However that is only part of the story. They each have issues to resolve before they can attain their HEA. The book is fleshed out with familial drama, interference, support and love creating a story that engages and entertains. I enjoyed this opposites attract romance.
May 30, 2022
3.5 stars
September 22, 2020
I had really strong feelings about this book. I loved Kaiden - and have really liked him since we first me him in this series. His family is difficult- to say the least - and he is the easy going one. The one who always makes people laugh - but works very hard. Julia is an attorney in San Francisco that grew up in Morgan Valley. Her brother was Kaiden's best friend until they had a major falling out. She is back in town to help her father adjust to the changes of his life due a relapse of MS. Kaiden is using his carpentry skills to help with the changes needed to make Mr. Garcia's home wheelchair accessible.
Kaiden and Julia have a long history - and have a fiery relationship from the start of the book. Kaiden was interested in Julia throughout high school - but never acted on it. He played the class clown to try and downplay his interest - and maybe took that too far. Julia ended up not liking him at all - especially after his brother told her Kaiden didn't like her. They try to start on a new foot- seeming to "get" each other - but at the same time - every interaction they have ends in a fight. With the other trying to deny their feelings or put a time limit on it.
I think in the end - my issues with this book may have stemmed from just not understanding the final conflict well or the resolution.
The writing - as always is lovely and I like visiting this world. I just didn't love the story here. I still couldn't stop reading it - so I would give it a solid 3.5 stars - if for nothing else other than raising really strong emotions in me.
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley, but these opinions are all my own.
Kaiden and Julia have a long history - and have a fiery relationship from the start of the book. Kaiden was interested in Julia throughout high school - but never acted on it. He played the class clown to try and downplay his interest - and maybe took that too far. Julia ended up not liking him at all - especially after his brother told her Kaiden didn't like her. They try to start on a new foot- seeming to "get" each other - but at the same time - every interaction they have ends in a fight. With the other trying to deny their feelings or put a time limit on it.
I think in the end - my issues with this book may have stemmed from just not understanding the final conflict well or the resolution.
The writing - as always is lovely and I like visiting this world. I just didn't love the story here. I still couldn't stop reading it - so I would give it a solid 3.5 stars - if for nothing else other than raising really strong emotions in me.
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley, but these opinions are all my own.
December 13, 2020
The Rancher Meets His Match is the fourth novel is Kate Pearce's Millers of Morgan Valley series, a series I've been following since it began, and I'm sorry to say that this is perhaps my least favorite novel in the series thus far, and for a number of reasons, and I can only in good conscience give it a 3-star rating.
The primary characters, or should I say antagonists, in this novel are Julia Garcia, who left Morgan Valley to become a lawyer, and is now working at a prestigious San Francisco law firm. She's recently been passed over for a promotion she was due, in favor of a rather incompetent male lawyer, Blaine, who is only too happy to have her do all the work, while he takes all the credit for it. This well-paying job is one she needs because she's trying to support her father, Juan Garcia, who has multiple sclerosis, and is now wheelchair bound as his ranch crumbles around him. If he's to stay on his ranch, structural changes will be necessary for his convenience, and Julia will be paying for those herself. Her brother, Miquel, is in the military, and doesn't seem to care what happens to his father, Julia or the ranch, despite repeated attempts to contact him.
The other antagonist in this novel is Kaiden Miller, who was good friends with Julia's brother through their school years, and he harbored a secret crush on Julia. Kaiden chose to remain on his family ranch with his verbally abusive father, a man so ill-tempered and nasty that his wife left him and her children behind decades ago. Kaiden loves carpentry and is a masterful craftsman, and he's been hired to renovate the Garcia home, putting him back in touch with Julia, who has taken two weeks of vacation time away from her job to help her father, find someone to cook, clean and care for him, and to oversee the renovations. She's always been attracted to tall, hunky, handsome, Kaiden, but doesn't take him seriously because of his easy-going, joking manner, and this is where my problem with this novel began.
Julia and Kaiden, while physically attracted to one another, are not well matched--the only time they're not at odds with or misunderstanding one another is when they're in bed, which isn't often. This reader is of the opinion that there's a lot more to a long-term relationship than a couple's ability to burn up the sheets. Outside of sex, these two are constantly bickering, which became rather annoying as the novel slowly progressed. In addition, Kaiden and his father spend a lot of time bickering too, as do Kaiden and his brothers.
Considering the length of this novel, it was almost all bickering with very little character development and very little forward momentum. There are also a few allusions to a backstory that supposedly was the beginning of the strife between Miguel, Julia and Kaiden, but we're never given the full story, just left dangling in the wind wondering where, why and how all this animosity began. Without including spoilers, all I can say is that Kate Pearce is a better writer than is evidenced in this novel. Yes, there's a sort of HEA ending to this novel, but it was far too little and came far too late to actually redeem it.
I voluntarily read and advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
The primary characters, or should I say antagonists, in this novel are Julia Garcia, who left Morgan Valley to become a lawyer, and is now working at a prestigious San Francisco law firm. She's recently been passed over for a promotion she was due, in favor of a rather incompetent male lawyer, Blaine, who is only too happy to have her do all the work, while he takes all the credit for it. This well-paying job is one she needs because she's trying to support her father, Juan Garcia, who has multiple sclerosis, and is now wheelchair bound as his ranch crumbles around him. If he's to stay on his ranch, structural changes will be necessary for his convenience, and Julia will be paying for those herself. Her brother, Miquel, is in the military, and doesn't seem to care what happens to his father, Julia or the ranch, despite repeated attempts to contact him.
The other antagonist in this novel is Kaiden Miller, who was good friends with Julia's brother through their school years, and he harbored a secret crush on Julia. Kaiden chose to remain on his family ranch with his verbally abusive father, a man so ill-tempered and nasty that his wife left him and her children behind decades ago. Kaiden loves carpentry and is a masterful craftsman, and he's been hired to renovate the Garcia home, putting him back in touch with Julia, who has taken two weeks of vacation time away from her job to help her father, find someone to cook, clean and care for him, and to oversee the renovations. She's always been attracted to tall, hunky, handsome, Kaiden, but doesn't take him seriously because of his easy-going, joking manner, and this is where my problem with this novel began.
Julia and Kaiden, while physically attracted to one another, are not well matched--the only time they're not at odds with or misunderstanding one another is when they're in bed, which isn't often. This reader is of the opinion that there's a lot more to a long-term relationship than a couple's ability to burn up the sheets. Outside of sex, these two are constantly bickering, which became rather annoying as the novel slowly progressed. In addition, Kaiden and his father spend a lot of time bickering too, as do Kaiden and his brothers.
Considering the length of this novel, it was almost all bickering with very little character development and very little forward momentum. There are also a few allusions to a backstory that supposedly was the beginning of the strife between Miguel, Julia and Kaiden, but we're never given the full story, just left dangling in the wind wondering where, why and how all this animosity began. Without including spoilers, all I can say is that Kate Pearce is a better writer than is evidenced in this novel. Yes, there's a sort of HEA ending to this novel, but it was far too little and came far too late to actually redeem it.
I voluntarily read and advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 31, 2020
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
I’ve enjoyed The Millers of Morgan Valley series, I do love a series that continues through spin-off characters, I freely admit that. The Rancher Meets His Match is the fourth title, Kaiden and Julia’s romance, and I’m frankly torn on this one.
I loved Kaiden, he’s the son who works with Dad, he’s an accomplished carpenter as well as working the ranch. Many consider him the jokester of the family as he often covers other emotions with laughter, pranks, and jokes. There are layers to Kaiden, and he rarely allows anyone to see them all.
Julia has moved beyond her hometown. She’s a lawyer who has recently been overlooked for a promotion. As her father’s MS is affecting him badly right now, Julia has returned home to care for him and to put some space between her and that job which no longer seems so great. The last person she expected to encounter was Kaiden, who back in high school laughed off her interest in him (according to her brother, Kaiden’s friend) and said some very mean things about her. She’s got a long memory but this Kaiden is doing everything he can to help her father so perhaps the past should stay in the past.
Everything is there for a sizzling second chance romance. But I simply couldn’t feel it this time. Friends with benefits, yeah. But two people who love each other and won’t compromise a way to be together don’t really deeply, life long commitment love each other, in my opinion. Misunderstandings, lack of communication brought them both so much hurt and pain. And it’s an argument that is timeless, “If only they had talked and really listened one sentence would have saved so much heartache.” I know that’s not how the story goes, but it certainly was very strong in my mind throughout The Rancher Meets His Match.
So, yeah, I’m torn. I enjoyed so much of this story yet kept being pulled out of that same story by small things that added up. It’s a good story, don’t misunderstand me – but I didn’t fall in love with Julia and Kaiden, and I really wanted to.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
I’ve enjoyed The Millers of Morgan Valley series, I do love a series that continues through spin-off characters, I freely admit that. The Rancher Meets His Match is the fourth title, Kaiden and Julia’s romance, and I’m frankly torn on this one.
I loved Kaiden, he’s the son who works with Dad, he’s an accomplished carpenter as well as working the ranch. Many consider him the jokester of the family as he often covers other emotions with laughter, pranks, and jokes. There are layers to Kaiden, and he rarely allows anyone to see them all.
Julia has moved beyond her hometown. She’s a lawyer who has recently been overlooked for a promotion. As her father’s MS is affecting him badly right now, Julia has returned home to care for him and to put some space between her and that job which no longer seems so great. The last person she expected to encounter was Kaiden, who back in high school laughed off her interest in him (according to her brother, Kaiden’s friend) and said some very mean things about her. She’s got a long memory but this Kaiden is doing everything he can to help her father so perhaps the past should stay in the past.
Everything is there for a sizzling second chance romance. But I simply couldn’t feel it this time. Friends with benefits, yeah. But two people who love each other and won’t compromise a way to be together don’t really deeply, life long commitment love each other, in my opinion. Misunderstandings, lack of communication brought them both so much hurt and pain. And it’s an argument that is timeless, “If only they had talked and really listened one sentence would have saved so much heartache.” I know that’s not how the story goes, but it certainly was very strong in my mind throughout The Rancher Meets His Match.
So, yeah, I’m torn. I enjoyed so much of this story yet kept being pulled out of that same story by small things that added up. It’s a good story, don’t misunderstand me – but I didn’t fall in love with Julia and Kaiden, and I really wanted to.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
December 23, 2020
Kaiden and Julia have fire in their hearts!
Set in the middle of two very complex families, the love story between Julia and Kaiden has all the heart and all the heat that a romance reader could want. Both have to address their evolving relationships with their fathers, which made for a very absorbing, heart-wrenching, emotional tale.
Julia and Kaiden are true opposites, and the one chance they had in high school to pursue the possibility of more was sabotaged from every angle. Now that Julia's dad needs Kaiden's contracting expertise to remodel and adapt his home for his declining health, these two have more than enough opportunity to figure out if there's anything worth pursuing now.
I really enjoyed the distinct personalities the author created for her characters. Their hearts are split wide open as they examine where they are and compare that to where they want to be, and I loved every gut-punching revelation they had to go through. This story is simple on the outside but very complicated at its core, and I was hooked from the very first page all the way to their heartwarming HEA.
I also enjoyed getting updates on the characters from previous books and how their HEAs are shaping up. The entire Miller family is on board for this story, centering the story right in the middle of Kaiden's family dynamics. I loved how the issues that came up were handled realistically while still preserving the integrity of the virtues that are the hallmark of the Morgan Valley series.
This is a terrific book in an amazing series, and one I highly recommend to any reader who loves contemporary cowboy stories. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Set in the middle of two very complex families, the love story between Julia and Kaiden has all the heart and all the heat that a romance reader could want. Both have to address their evolving relationships with their fathers, which made for a very absorbing, heart-wrenching, emotional tale.
Julia and Kaiden are true opposites, and the one chance they had in high school to pursue the possibility of more was sabotaged from every angle. Now that Julia's dad needs Kaiden's contracting expertise to remodel and adapt his home for his declining health, these two have more than enough opportunity to figure out if there's anything worth pursuing now.
I really enjoyed the distinct personalities the author created for her characters. Their hearts are split wide open as they examine where they are and compare that to where they want to be, and I loved every gut-punching revelation they had to go through. This story is simple on the outside but very complicated at its core, and I was hooked from the very first page all the way to their heartwarming HEA.
I also enjoyed getting updates on the characters from previous books and how their HEAs are shaping up. The entire Miller family is on board for this story, centering the story right in the middle of Kaiden's family dynamics. I loved how the issues that came up were handled realistically while still preserving the integrity of the virtues that are the hallmark of the Morgan Valley series.
This is a terrific book in an amazing series, and one I highly recommend to any reader who loves contemporary cowboy stories. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
January 14, 2021
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This was a wonderful addition to the ranching family of the Millers who live in Morgan Valley. While this is a part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone BUT I would highly recommend reading the prior books. Not only to be able to understand the family dynamics, but they are wonderful stories as well.
Kaiden Miller, is the third son in the family. Not only does he help work the ranch with his brothers but he is a carpenter as well. He is asked to help redesign a neighbor’s house whose patriarch, Juan Garcia, has MS and now has to rely on a wheelchair to really get around now. Julia Garcia comes home as it is her father that needs the help. Julia is an attorney who lives in the San Francisco area and hasn’t come home all that much. She and Kaiden have had an unusual history as Kaiden was friends with her brother Juan before their falling out.
These two have a communication problem that they have to bridge. Kaiden is known to be the family jokester to help ease tension in the family and he won’t tell Julia how or why he and his brother had a falling out. The sparks between these two proud people really lead to frustration as they live in two different areas of California and neither can see how to get around that.
This is a sexy read. I would recommend this to anyone over the age of 18. It was also written in my favorite dual POV format. This helped to fully understand the characters and to see their side of the frustration.
This was a wonderful addition to the ranching family of the Millers who live in Morgan Valley. While this is a part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone BUT I would highly recommend reading the prior books. Not only to be able to understand the family dynamics, but they are wonderful stories as well.
Kaiden Miller, is the third son in the family. Not only does he help work the ranch with his brothers but he is a carpenter as well. He is asked to help redesign a neighbor’s house whose patriarch, Juan Garcia, has MS and now has to rely on a wheelchair to really get around now. Julia Garcia comes home as it is her father that needs the help. Julia is an attorney who lives in the San Francisco area and hasn’t come home all that much. She and Kaiden have had an unusual history as Kaiden was friends with her brother Juan before their falling out.
These two have a communication problem that they have to bridge. Kaiden is known to be the family jokester to help ease tension in the family and he won’t tell Julia how or why he and his brother had a falling out. The sparks between these two proud people really lead to frustration as they live in two different areas of California and neither can see how to get around that.
This is a sexy read. I would recommend this to anyone over the age of 18. It was also written in my favorite dual POV format. This helped to fully understand the characters and to see their side of the frustration.
September 29, 2020
Kate Pearce has brought us back to The Millers of Morgan Valley with Kaiden and Julia. We have the class clown and the beauty of Morgan Valley, California. Kaiden has become a carpenter helping out the community and his family ranch while Julia had gone off and became a lawyer. She returns to help out her father as they try to make the house more wheelchair accessible for him. As it turns out, Kaiden is in charge of these improvements and they have to work together. As they work together, tension rises. Feelings from the past and present collide with miscommunication and family meddling. Will Kaiden and Julia be able to get past all of that and see their way to a future together?
Kate Pearce has brought us another chapter in the lives of the Miller family. You get to catch up with all the other Miller family members and neighbors. It is always nice to visit with them. I enjoyed reading the adventure with Kaiden and Julia as they try to maneuver around family and all the complications that life brings with it. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for this privilege.
Kate Pearce has brought us another chapter in the lives of the Miller family. You get to catch up with all the other Miller family members and neighbors. It is always nice to visit with them. I enjoyed reading the adventure with Kaiden and Julia as they try to maneuver around family and all the complications that life brings with it. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for this privilege.
October 31, 2020
3.5 stars
I have to admit that I didn't like this book as much as I had hoped. I feel like 90% of the book Julia & Kaiden were fighting each other. And not even in a good way where you could tell that they really liked each other. They just fought.
These two had a crush on each other when they were teenagers, but the other one didn't know. They reunite as adults when Julia comes home to take care of her father's house after his MS progressed. Kaiden is the carpenter that will build her dad's ADA kitchen cabinets.
I just didn't see any chemistry between these two and don't get me started on how short tempered each of them was. Did I mention that they got on my nerves with all their arguing?
It was a cute book, but not a great book.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.
I have to admit that I didn't like this book as much as I had hoped. I feel like 90% of the book Julia & Kaiden were fighting each other. And not even in a good way where you could tell that they really liked each other. They just fought.
These two had a crush on each other when they were teenagers, but the other one didn't know. They reunite as adults when Julia comes home to take care of her father's house after his MS progressed. Kaiden is the carpenter that will build her dad's ADA kitchen cabinets.
I just didn't see any chemistry between these two and don't get me started on how short tempered each of them was. Did I mention that they got on my nerves with all their arguing?
It was a cute book, but not a great book.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.
November 9, 2020
I've been looking forward to Kaiden Miller's book. I like the author pairing him up with Julia Garcia. They make a great couple. Really good for each other. This is the fourth book in The Millers of Morgan Valley series by Kate Pearce. I've loved all the previous books in the series and this one is no exception.
December 28, 2020
4.5 stars
One of the notes I jotted down while reading this story was as follows, “ROFL, sometimes I forget how much this author cracks me up!” And that’s the truth. Yes, her stories touch my heart and make me swoon. But that little something extra is the laughs. (A note for when you are reading, this was in reference to the scene where the heroine is having a conversation with a man named Scott. So much fun!)
Kaiden was best friends with Julia’s brother Miguel back in the day. He had a falling out with Miguel back in high school (which is never fully explained here, but we are given the gist of what happened in bits and pieces) and Julia has looked at Kaiden as an enemy of sorts ever since. While Julia left town soon after high school to go to college and pursue her career in law, Kaiden is still living in Morgan Valley helping on his family ranch and doing carpentry work. He’s the happy-go-lucky guy who never takes himself or anything else too seriously. She’s the strait-laced, career-oriented professional who has everything planned out well in advance. Or course, when they are thrust back into each other’s orbit there are sparks.
Once again, in this series, I’m reminded how much I cannot stand Kaiden’s parents. Each book seems to give the reader more insight into his dad’s justifications of his actions, but I still cannot find him redeemable. Or his mom, who up and left when the kids were still all teens and younger. In that, Julia has something in common with Kaiden. Her mom also left, but in a much more above-board way. I still don’t understand her choices, but at least she was honest and kept contact with her kids. I guess my point in this paragraph is to say, it’s no wonder these two aren’t more screwed up than they are. They’re not the best at communication, but it could have been so much worse.
Somehow, I never disliked Julia. It would have been easy to do if her character had been written by a lesser author. But, even with her blinders on about certain things, she still always seemed like someone I could be friends with. And, as the story progressed and she opened her eyes to some realities, she became a much more sympathetic character. In fact, there came a point where the reader sees that, in some areas, Julia is actually the underdog. As much as I like Juan 99% of the time, his bullheaded approach to his son and daughter the other 1% drove me nuts. Julia is a saint when it comes to keeping her mouth shut with her dad.
The dynamics of the Miller family are constantly becoming clearer, all while shifting to suit the new additions and changing times. I enjoy watching them stand up to their father, one by one. And, I think here more than in some of the other stories, stand up to each other. I know their sister had a rough road to travel with all those older brothers. But it seems to me that Kaiden was put in a box long ago and nobody ever looked in that box to see if it was the right fit for him. They took for granted that he would take the brunt of things to keep the peace because it was easier for them to let him do the heave lifting. They’re not bad people, but humans who naturally see their own world with different eyes than the person right next to them. I love watching this family’s emotional growth.
** I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in my review are my own and given freely. **
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
One of the notes I jotted down while reading this story was as follows, “ROFL, sometimes I forget how much this author cracks me up!” And that’s the truth. Yes, her stories touch my heart and make me swoon. But that little something extra is the laughs. (A note for when you are reading, this was in reference to the scene where the heroine is having a conversation with a man named Scott. So much fun!)
Kaiden was best friends with Julia’s brother Miguel back in the day. He had a falling out with Miguel back in high school (which is never fully explained here, but we are given the gist of what happened in bits and pieces) and Julia has looked at Kaiden as an enemy of sorts ever since. While Julia left town soon after high school to go to college and pursue her career in law, Kaiden is still living in Morgan Valley helping on his family ranch and doing carpentry work. He’s the happy-go-lucky guy who never takes himself or anything else too seriously. She’s the strait-laced, career-oriented professional who has everything planned out well in advance. Or course, when they are thrust back into each other’s orbit there are sparks.
Once again, in this series, I’m reminded how much I cannot stand Kaiden’s parents. Each book seems to give the reader more insight into his dad’s justifications of his actions, but I still cannot find him redeemable. Or his mom, who up and left when the kids were still all teens and younger. In that, Julia has something in common with Kaiden. Her mom also left, but in a much more above-board way. I still don’t understand her choices, but at least she was honest and kept contact with her kids. I guess my point in this paragraph is to say, it’s no wonder these two aren’t more screwed up than they are. They’re not the best at communication, but it could have been so much worse.
Somehow, I never disliked Julia. It would have been easy to do if her character had been written by a lesser author. But, even with her blinders on about certain things, she still always seemed like someone I could be friends with. And, as the story progressed and she opened her eyes to some realities, she became a much more sympathetic character. In fact, there came a point where the reader sees that, in some areas, Julia is actually the underdog. As much as I like Juan 99% of the time, his bullheaded approach to his son and daughter the other 1% drove me nuts. Julia is a saint when it comes to keeping her mouth shut with her dad.
The dynamics of the Miller family are constantly becoming clearer, all while shifting to suit the new additions and changing times. I enjoy watching them stand up to their father, one by one. And, I think here more than in some of the other stories, stand up to each other. I know their sister had a rough road to travel with all those older brothers. But it seems to me that Kaiden was put in a box long ago and nobody ever looked in that box to see if it was the right fit for him. They took for granted that he would take the brunt of things to keep the peace because it was easier for them to let him do the heave lifting. They’re not bad people, but humans who naturally see their own world with different eyes than the person right next to them. I love watching this family’s emotional growth.
** I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in my review are my own and given freely. **
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
December 5, 2020
A few years back, I bought a paperback of The Reluctant Cowboy and read it. It prompted me to jump into Kate's latest series. I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Book #4 for in The Millers of Morgan.
I tend to read for leisure and for personal growth. If an author can provide both, all the better. Pearce managed that with The Rancher Meets His Match. For anyone thinking "insta-", move along: This is book is for mature audiences who like their romance REAL.
Kate's writing is mature, sophisticated but always spot on. A deft hand at capturing a working ranch and developing characters, I remember why it is I bought so many of her books before diving in to read them. I knew, once I started, I would want to read them all back-to-back. It's my equivalent to binge watching a TV show.
The reader is introduced slowly, much like Kaiden's saunter, to the characters. While I prefer to read a series in order; I was thrilled, it wasn't necessary. Pulling in her cast from other books, it just flows... like another day in Morgan Valley. I LOVED it!
The slow aching, sizzle between Kaiden & Julia, the attention to detail without belaboring the scene, life captured in real time; it was perfect. The town is in Northern CA, which reinforces that Cowboys can be found pretty much anywhere. There's a quiet dignity that some men have. They are so secure in their masculinity that they become the foundation of a family. Meet Kaiden.
Pearce manages to pair him with a woman who is at once smart & strong, yet still vulnerable. Julia's need for freedom and independence germinated in a family dynamic that tests her strength again and again as she returns home to help her father transition to a wheelchair. Even in his misguided goal of handing over the ranch to his son, I still sympathized with her father, Juan. Everything made sense: responses to situations were realistic. Dialogue was real. The attraction between Julia & Kaiden ratchets up in real time, the struggles of ranchers & small towns, pressures of family... all REAL. Who needs TV when you've got writing like this!
Just a head's up. The start is a bit slower than the current trend of "insta". First few chapters can feel like a walk around the town just getting to know people & places... but once the action starts, you become immersed, part of the town. Another caution: this is a long read. I didn't want to put it down, but I had to. There's enough to the story, that it's not a binge-read. I tried, but ended up with a headache from sitting in one spot too long. I'd take 1/2 star off for those; but rounding up? Still a Five Star read. Now, I have to make time to read books #1-3 this month~ :)
Even if western isn't your favorite genre? This is worth a side-trip~
I tend to read for leisure and for personal growth. If an author can provide both, all the better. Pearce managed that with The Rancher Meets His Match. For anyone thinking "insta-", move along: This is book is for mature audiences who like their romance REAL.
Kate's writing is mature, sophisticated but always spot on. A deft hand at capturing a working ranch and developing characters, I remember why it is I bought so many of her books before diving in to read them. I knew, once I started, I would want to read them all back-to-back. It's my equivalent to binge watching a TV show.
The reader is introduced slowly, much like Kaiden's saunter, to the characters. While I prefer to read a series in order; I was thrilled, it wasn't necessary. Pulling in her cast from other books, it just flows... like another day in Morgan Valley. I LOVED it!
The slow aching, sizzle between Kaiden & Julia, the attention to detail without belaboring the scene, life captured in real time; it was perfect. The town is in Northern CA, which reinforces that Cowboys can be found pretty much anywhere. There's a quiet dignity that some men have. They are so secure in their masculinity that they become the foundation of a family. Meet Kaiden.
Pearce manages to pair him with a woman who is at once smart & strong, yet still vulnerable. Julia's need for freedom and independence germinated in a family dynamic that tests her strength again and again as she returns home to help her father transition to a wheelchair. Even in his misguided goal of handing over the ranch to his son, I still sympathized with her father, Juan. Everything made sense: responses to situations were realistic. Dialogue was real. The attraction between Julia & Kaiden ratchets up in real time, the struggles of ranchers & small towns, pressures of family... all REAL. Who needs TV when you've got writing like this!
Just a head's up. The start is a bit slower than the current trend of "insta". First few chapters can feel like a walk around the town just getting to know people & places... but once the action starts, you become immersed, part of the town. Another caution: this is a long read. I didn't want to put it down, but I had to. There's enough to the story, that it's not a binge-read. I tried, but ended up with a headache from sitting in one spot too long. I'd take 1/2 star off for those; but rounding up? Still a Five Star read. Now, I have to make time to read books #1-3 this month~ :)
Even if western isn't your favorite genre? This is worth a side-trip~
December 18, 2020
This is a quiet story about communication and relationships. It's about family and how it shapes a person's character and behavior. I struggled a bit with Kaiden and Julia's chemistry in this story but I was drawn to their individual characters and how they gave to their families. The ultimate crisis in the book bothered me a bit but Kaiden redeemed himself in the end. Overall the growth of the characters given their family dynamics was worth the story.
Kaiden is the third brother of the Miller family. The family of five brothers & one sister have had a hard time of it with their volatile and gruff father Jeff, and mother Leanne leaving the family. Kaiden dealt with relationships with humor. He found it opened doors to reduce conflict which he hates. Overall he's the most like his dad and therefore works hard to control his anger.
Enter Julia Garcia who pushes all his buttons. Kaiden is a master carpenter and is helping Julia's dad, Juan with disability access to his home now that his MS has flared and he must use a wheelchair. Julia has come home from San Francisco where she's an attorney, to help her dad get settled into his new normal. She and Kaiden have history. She thinks he doesn't like her because that's what her brother Miguel told her. Miguel & Kaiden used to be best friends until they had a huge fight. Miguel is a special ops agent in the military and never comes home to visit. Juan is dead set on leaving the ranch to Miguel so he would be the 5th generation to run the ranch. Miguel isn't interested AT ALL but Juan refuses to see it. Julia on the other hand is moving heaven and earth to keep her dad at the ranch and footing the bill so he can. Kaiden has always been drawn to Julia but Miguel was in the way. Now he and Julia seem to fight more than they get along until they find themselves in a situation depending on each other. Things change but they still live hundreds of miles away from each other.
Miguel comes home, and things get complicated. He tells lies and starts strong arming his dad. Kaiden doesn't handle it well . Kaiden is questioning everything in his life and finds himself at odds with his family and uncertain about Julia. Eventually he has to sort himself out with his family and how he feels about Julia to make amends.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kaiden is the third brother of the Miller family. The family of five brothers & one sister have had a hard time of it with their volatile and gruff father Jeff, and mother Leanne leaving the family. Kaiden dealt with relationships with humor. He found it opened doors to reduce conflict which he hates. Overall he's the most like his dad and therefore works hard to control his anger.
Enter Julia Garcia who pushes all his buttons. Kaiden is a master carpenter and is helping Julia's dad, Juan with disability access to his home now that his MS has flared and he must use a wheelchair. Julia has come home from San Francisco where she's an attorney, to help her dad get settled into his new normal. She and Kaiden have history. She thinks he doesn't like her because that's what her brother Miguel told her. Miguel & Kaiden used to be best friends until they had a huge fight. Miguel is a special ops agent in the military and never comes home to visit. Juan is dead set on leaving the ranch to Miguel so he would be the 5th generation to run the ranch. Miguel isn't interested AT ALL but Juan refuses to see it. Julia on the other hand is moving heaven and earth to keep her dad at the ranch and footing the bill so he can. Kaiden has always been drawn to Julia but Miguel was in the way. Now he and Julia seem to fight more than they get along until they find themselves in a situation depending on each other. Things change but they still live hundreds of miles away from each other.
Miguel comes home, and things get complicated. He tells lies and starts strong arming his dad. Kaiden doesn't handle it well . Kaiden is questioning everything in his life and finds himself at odds with his family and uncertain about Julia. Eventually he has to sort himself out with his family and how he feels about Julia to make amends.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 27, 2020
The Rancher Meets His Match by Kate Pearce is another in the Millers of Morgan Valley series and features Kaiden Miller and Julia Garcia. Kaiden is the valley's wood worker and carpenter/project manager. He is busy at this moment with the restoration of the Morgantown movie theatre, which was being repurposed into apartments for affordable housing. Dr. Tito stops by to let him know that Juan Garcia, a local, is in need of him for upgrades to his home. Juan has MS and can no longer function outside of a wheelchair. Kaiden is happy for the work. He loves variety and the more he works the more he can stay away from the ranch and his cantankerous father. When he showed up to look at the job, he ran into Juan's daughter, Julia, who was now a big city lawyer, far from Morgantown. He had had a crush on her in high school. Looked like he still had a crush on her. She was beautiful.
Morgantown is utopia, the ideal community: everyone cares about one another and they care about the people they don't even know. They want their community to be economically viable and environmentally sound, all while raising cattle. The era of the small ranch is past and developers are everywhere, waiting to pounce. Julia is home for a couple of weeks to help her father. She gets paid well so she has plenty of money to keep the ranch going. Her brother Miguel is missing in action. He dad wants Miguel to take over...he's the son. Miguel has no interest. Kiaden is a little ADHD and very stubborn, but very responsible and very skilled. He loves his family no matter how they aggravate him but his about done with his father's crap. Julia has goals and works hard to achieve them. As much as she wants the ranch, she also wants to move forward with her career, which she must to keep paying her father's bills. Kaiden and Julia are oil and water and it is obvious from the get go. No matter how much they want each other, it is simply not practical. Pearce writes this situation extremely well. The reader can feel the issues with every interaction. They are both excellent, strong characters with plenty of support from family and friends. Maybe too much. Excellent read if you love cowboy romance and the Morgans and the Millers. Excellent read if you are new. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of The Rancher Meets his Match by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #theranchermeetshismatch
Morgantown is utopia, the ideal community: everyone cares about one another and they care about the people they don't even know. They want their community to be economically viable and environmentally sound, all while raising cattle. The era of the small ranch is past and developers are everywhere, waiting to pounce. Julia is home for a couple of weeks to help her father. She gets paid well so she has plenty of money to keep the ranch going. Her brother Miguel is missing in action. He dad wants Miguel to take over...he's the son. Miguel has no interest. Kiaden is a little ADHD and very stubborn, but very responsible and very skilled. He loves his family no matter how they aggravate him but his about done with his father's crap. Julia has goals and works hard to achieve them. As much as she wants the ranch, she also wants to move forward with her career, which she must to keep paying her father's bills. Kaiden and Julia are oil and water and it is obvious from the get go. No matter how much they want each other, it is simply not practical. Pearce writes this situation extremely well. The reader can feel the issues with every interaction. They are both excellent, strong characters with plenty of support from family and friends. Maybe too much. Excellent read if you love cowboy romance and the Morgans and the Millers. Excellent read if you are new. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of The Rancher Meets his Match by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #theranchermeetshismatch
December 13, 2020
Kaiden Miller brings love and heart to everything he does. From his responsibilities on he family ranch, to his self appointed position as peacemaker among his dad and his siblings, defusing conflict with humor and hiding his feelings behind the jokes, to the joy in his job as a master carpenter, repurposing and restoring the old buildings in his home of Morgantown. Despite his hectic schedule, he's also more than happy to help out when asked to help remodel the Garcia ranch to make it more livable for Juan Garcia, now wheelchair bound. The only snag in his otherwise enjoyable days is Julia Garcia, Juan's daughter who has come home for a few weeks to make sure her dad is settled.
Julia left Morgantown for bigger and better things. She now works as a lawyer in a high powered firm. Still stinging from being passed over for a promotion that should have been hers, she's taken two weeks off, much to the chagrin of her new boss, When she arrives home what she finds shocks her. Now she's feeling guilty for staying away for so long. Add to that, she has to deal with Kaiden Miller each day while he finishes the remodel of the Garcia ranch. As kids, they were often at odds, but if he's helping out her dad, she'll suck it up and deal.
As they are forced to see each other everyday, old animosities fade Kaiden and Julia begin to learn who they are now and a new found attraction begins to emerge. When a surprise visit from Julia's long absent brother threatens their new found relationship, they are forced to answer the questions of where they might be going and if they can get their together.
I've followed the cowboys in Morgantown since Ms. Pearce's first Morgan Ranch story and I'm always happy to return. I was invested in Kaiden and Julia from the start. The emotions of the characters were palpable. I felt deeply the pain Kaiden kept hidden and could identify strongly with Kaiden and the issues he was having with his family. I laughed with him, I cried with him and got frustrated, worried and angry with him. For me a story is only as strong as its characters. Kaiden and Julia made this a meaningful and memorable read.
Julia left Morgantown for bigger and better things. She now works as a lawyer in a high powered firm. Still stinging from being passed over for a promotion that should have been hers, she's taken two weeks off, much to the chagrin of her new boss, When she arrives home what she finds shocks her. Now she's feeling guilty for staying away for so long. Add to that, she has to deal with Kaiden Miller each day while he finishes the remodel of the Garcia ranch. As kids, they were often at odds, but if he's helping out her dad, she'll suck it up and deal.
As they are forced to see each other everyday, old animosities fade Kaiden and Julia begin to learn who they are now and a new found attraction begins to emerge. When a surprise visit from Julia's long absent brother threatens their new found relationship, they are forced to answer the questions of where they might be going and if they can get their together.
I've followed the cowboys in Morgantown since Ms. Pearce's first Morgan Ranch story and I'm always happy to return. I was invested in Kaiden and Julia from the start. The emotions of the characters were palpable. I felt deeply the pain Kaiden kept hidden and could identify strongly with Kaiden and the issues he was having with his family. I laughed with him, I cried with him and got frustrated, worried and angry with him. For me a story is only as strong as its characters. Kaiden and Julia made this a meaningful and memorable read.
January 14, 2021
Kaiden Miller has always felt like the odd man out in his family. Although his family runs a highly successful ranch, he’s always felt as though he didn’t belong. While he works on the ranch, Kaiden is also a highly skilled, successful carpenter. He’s currently renovating the old theatre in town to accommodate four apartments. Although he has more work than he can do, he accepts a job renovating Juan Garcia’s ranch house. Juan has MS and is now mostly confined to a wheelchair. So he lends a hand to the fellow rancher. What he doesn’t expect to find at the ranch is Julia—his long ago crush.
Julia Garcia, a highly successful lawyer in the city, has returned home to help her ailing dad. Julia left for college and never looked back. She never wanted to be tied down to the ranch. But her brother is MIA, so Julia returns home to a ranch in desperate need of repairs. Julia only has a short period of time to oversee renovations and make arrangements for the future of the ranch—the one her dad has left to her MIA brother. Julia is shocked to discover that Kaiden is a talented, skilled carpenter. Julia always thought of Kaiden as a jokester, not serious about anything. What she didn’t know is that Kaiden had a HUGE crush on her in high school...
I think Ben and Kaiden’s stories are my favorite in the series. Kaiden, not sure of his place in the family, was lost. During his childhood, he was the peacemaker. He knew how to handle his dad’s abusive behavior and took the brunt of the abuse in order to keep peace in the family. But Kaiden wasn’t sure ranching was what he wanted to dedicate his life to. Kaiden loved carpentry and adding special, meaningful touches to each piece of furniture he made. Then Julia comes along and stirs up even more childhood memories, longings. I loved that Julia was a strong woman who didn’t need saving. Great story, mixed with a little bit of suspense! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
Julia Garcia, a highly successful lawyer in the city, has returned home to help her ailing dad. Julia left for college and never looked back. She never wanted to be tied down to the ranch. But her brother is MIA, so Julia returns home to a ranch in desperate need of repairs. Julia only has a short period of time to oversee renovations and make arrangements for the future of the ranch—the one her dad has left to her MIA brother. Julia is shocked to discover that Kaiden is a talented, skilled carpenter. Julia always thought of Kaiden as a jokester, not serious about anything. What she didn’t know is that Kaiden had a HUGE crush on her in high school...
I think Ben and Kaiden’s stories are my favorite in the series. Kaiden, not sure of his place in the family, was lost. During his childhood, he was the peacemaker. He knew how to handle his dad’s abusive behavior and took the brunt of the abuse in order to keep peace in the family. But Kaiden wasn’t sure ranching was what he wanted to dedicate his life to. Kaiden loved carpentry and adding special, meaningful touches to each piece of furniture he made. Then Julia comes along and stirs up even more childhood memories, longings. I loved that Julia was a strong woman who didn’t need saving. Great story, mixed with a little bit of suspense! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
January 1, 2021
A great addition to the series!
The Rancher Meets His Match is the fourth book in The Millers of Morgan Valley series but you can read it as a standalone. You might enjoy it more if you read the other books first but you don’t really have to.
Kaiden Miller is the son who doesn’t always feel appreciated by his family. He looks like his father (an irascible man who shouts at everyone) but tries his best to be nothing like him in personality.
Julia Garcia is a successful attorney; she moved away from Morgan Valley several years ago. She back now for a visit to help get renovations going on her father’s house to make it more wheelchair accessible.
Kaiden and Julia have known each other since they were kids but Julia’s always thought that Kaiden didn’t like her. Kaiden always did his best to not show how much he liked is best friend’s sister.
I really liked the vibe between Julia and Kaiden. They throw sparks off of each other – both sexual and angry ones – and just can’t seem to get their act together and decide whether to like or hate each other. The story really kept my attention and was a real page-turner for me.
Both Kaiden and Julia have family issues that play into their actions and I love the interaction between all of the characters. I have really enjoyed this spin-off series from the Morgan Ranch one and hope it continues. After reading this book, I’m really curious about Julia’s brother, Miguel, and I hope we get a story for him at some point.
A review copy was provided by the author and publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.
The Rancher Meets His Match is the fourth book in The Millers of Morgan Valley series but you can read it as a standalone. You might enjoy it more if you read the other books first but you don’t really have to.
Kaiden Miller is the son who doesn’t always feel appreciated by his family. He looks like his father (an irascible man who shouts at everyone) but tries his best to be nothing like him in personality.
Julia Garcia is a successful attorney; she moved away from Morgan Valley several years ago. She back now for a visit to help get renovations going on her father’s house to make it more wheelchair accessible.
Kaiden and Julia have known each other since they were kids but Julia’s always thought that Kaiden didn’t like her. Kaiden always did his best to not show how much he liked is best friend’s sister.
I really liked the vibe between Julia and Kaiden. They throw sparks off of each other – both sexual and angry ones – and just can’t seem to get their act together and decide whether to like or hate each other. The story really kept my attention and was a real page-turner for me.
Both Kaiden and Julia have family issues that play into their actions and I love the interaction between all of the characters. I have really enjoyed this spin-off series from the Morgan Ranch one and hope it continues. After reading this book, I’m really curious about Julia’s brother, Miguel, and I hope we get a story for him at some point.
A review copy was provided by the author and publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.
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