Mornings at River's End Ranch

Last Ride, Texas #4

by Delores Fossen

There’s no place like Last Ride for big hearts—and even bigger surprises.

Back when Wyatt Buchanan and Nola Parkman were high school sweethearts, an unplanned pregnancy pulled them apart. Seventeen years later, the haunting decision to place the baby for adoption finds them unlucky in love, yet still drawn to each other like moths to a flame. But with so much heartbreak and history between them, a relationship’s not in the cards. Especially when Nola wants a family and Wyatt makes it clear that his sole focus is River’s End Ranch.

But late-night conversations stir up long-forgotten memories and they find comfort in each other’s arms. For Nola, being with Wyatt gives her hope that they might be able to share the future they once believed would be theirs. Then their now-teenage daughter arrives in Last Ride, seeking answers about her past. Although Wyatt's a confirmed bachelor, seeing Nola with their daughter makes him realize that giving up on his newfound family terrifies him more than being alone. Can the connection he and Nola have just rediscovered offer him a second chance with the woman he’s never forgotten—and help mend his still-healing heart?

Genres: Romance

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 29, 2022

About the author

Thank you for finding me on Goodreads!

Want to know more about me? Well, here it is in a nutshell:

I’m a USA Today bestselling author, and I’ve sold over 100 novels. Yes, 100! Needless to say, I write a lot. I’ve had the honor of receiving the Booksellers' Best Award for romantic suspense, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, and I was a finalist for the Rita. My books have been featured in Vogue, Woman’s Day and Woman’s World. I’ve also had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines. I love hearing from readers, and you can contact me through my webpage at: www.deloresfossen.com.

Reviews

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mornings at River's End Ranch by Delores Fossen is a breathtaking novel. The characters pull and tug at my heartstrings. I love how the story reflected the young in love issues and how they have matured since then. Then, just as they are dealing with different viewpoints on life, an unexpected visit happens. The child they were too young to take care of finds them. Talk about perfect timing. This complicated emotional ride is exactly what Wyatt and Nola need. As always, the story has heart and soul. The depth to the characters is felt on every page. The war of emotions each one is facing is done well. Delores Fossen writes so well. I felt like I was inside the characters' minds. Their banters and actions only bring me closer to loving them all that much more. Family, forgiveness, and second chances are the main themes in this novel. It is more than just a young in love couple rediscovering their love. It is about finding what they have and how precious it is to keep. Love is sacrifice, love is forgiveness, and love is that unshakable happy feeling.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lightening can strike twice in the same place! Wyatt and Nola had a baby when they were 16. They gave their daughter up for adoption and broke up. However, every year they get together to commemorate their daughter. This year is a double whammy. Turns out they make a new baby and the first one returns to them.
It’s a tangled read full of emotions and interfering parties, spiteful people, and revelations long kept secret.
I thought it was very hypocritical what Nola’s mother had done. I was also taken back by Marely’s hostility toward Nola but fawning over Wyatt. Being a teenager doesn’t excuse her attitude.
I liked the trail of the story.
Thanks to HTP and NetGalley for the complimentary copy.

[Sharon N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. I didn’t really get the two main characters’ relationship until about half through the book. It was odd. But a cute fluffy romance. More like a 3.5.

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the Last Ride, Texas series, in which Wyatt Buchanan and Nola Parkman get a one-two punch of shock when the same day she finds out she's pregnant--again!--the baby the two of them gave up 17 years earlier shows up on Wyatt's door. Whoa!

If that wasn't enough to deal with, details relating to the death years earlier of Wyatt's twin brother seem to suggest that he may have been murdered, or that he killed himself. Which is it? No one knows for sure and pulling up the car out of the gulch into which he crashed may be required to find out.

All this and then Nola discovers that the same person has been buying up her glass art, convincing her that she isn't a good at it as she has been led to believe.

What to do? Why, first help the teen who may still harbor resentment against Nola, even if she's totally cool with Wyatt. And then deal with this second pregnancy. But will Wyatt step up this time? Does Nola want him to? So many mysteries simultaneously tied up in laughter and tears at RIver's End Ranch.

[Kea · Rating 5 out of 5]

MORNINGS AT RIVER’S END RANCH by Delores Fossen, book 4 of Last Ride, Texas, Bonus story: SECOND CHANCE AT SILVER SPRINGS

Family dynamics between the birth parents and adopted parents when the birth daughter shows up, unsolved mystery in the death of Wyatt’s twin brother, and small town’s gossip stirring up trouble for Nola and Wyatt as they sort things out. SECOND CHANCE AT SILVER SPRINGS is a short sweet romance with a little mystery for Rosalie and Gabriel to solve.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wyatt & Nola

Teenage pregnancy 16 years ago and now the baby is all grown up and wants to meet them.
Nola also was given the task of investigating Griff’s life when his name was pulled by the Last Ride Society. The mystery of his death was solved but left some things unanswered. Who’s ring is on his tombstone? Will Lily spill the beans about her daughter Hayden?
Good story. I like it when the conflict gets resolved eventually with tears and good news.

[Ginny Rodenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Wyatt and Nola's story, but I felt Wyatt and Marley needed a kick in the butt. I didn't feel that Wyatt did near enough to help Marley with her attitude towards Nola. Yes, Marley was her birth mother, but Wyatt could have explained his childhood and that he had had a vasectomy because he didn't want kids. Marley needed to be sat down and explained the facts of life and what would she have done in the same place. It was a good read and I will read it again.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

History repeats itself for Wyatt and Nola. It was always in the cards for them to be together, even though it took 17 years and another child on the way for them to have the future together.
I loved this book so much and each Last Ride book gets better and better. I can't wait for Wyatt's two brother's and Nola's two sisters to find the loves of their lives.
This is so a 5+ Star read

[Cynthia Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just couldn't put the book down. It would be one thing for Wyatt and Nola to deal with looking into his twin's death. They both set aside the day their daughter was born...the one they gave up for adoption when they were sixteen. They can't deny the attraction they have for each other. Little twists keep popping up they just weren't expecting. Definitely a good read.

[Cheriwinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting storyline—I wasn’t sure if I was going to end up liking it, or disliking it. The twists and turns were certainly unexpected. The idea that a 21 -yr-old could get a vasectomy made me laugh. Doctors are still (in 2024) very loathe to do that even if the man is married with children. It was an unusual plot device, though. It was intriguing, though, and had a happy ending.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely amazing story from beginning to end! The characters are great and the plot will keep you reading late into the night. I loved everything about Wyatt and Nola's story! Another terrific addition to this series.

[HTP Books]

Western Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Last Ride, Texas

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a tale! Wyatt and Nola had quite the story. There were plenty of twists here. I wish it had been longer with more detail, but the storyline kept me engaged and they ended up with their HEA.

[Vickie Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book. Second chance romance at its best. With twists and turns. Now is Jonas and Lily going to get their story?

[Kathleen Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

i forgot how much i loved Ms. Fossen's writing.

[Graham Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable romance/western.

[Getting Another Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 second chance stars ⭐️

[Holly Doyal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not like any of the characters. This book was just depressing - one bad thing after another happened.

[Hannah Boman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want this book to end!!! Loved every page of this!!!

[Linda Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply love this series. The story and the character seems so real I just loved it. Thanks to the author

[Donna Magruder · Rating 5 out of 5]

truly amazing story and very intense. loved it.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed my attention from page 1. I had a really hard time putting it down. Wyatt and Nola were young parents forced to give their daughter up for adoption. Every year on her birthday they meet and are with each other on that day. This year when they are together their daughter shows up. It sets off a roller coaster of many things going on. While dealing with other unexpected news they are thrown into the world of parenting. One problem their daughters adoptive parents are causing a problem or I should say one of the parents is. Can Wyatt and Nola build a relationship with their daughter.

While all this is going on Nola is having to dwelve into Wyatt's twin brothers death for her Last Ride assignment. Will what she finds out makes things harder on Wyatt and the rest of the family?

This is a must read in the series. I promise you that you will not want to put this book down as you will have to see what happens next.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book about Wyatt Buchanan and Nola Parkman. Between giving their child up for adoption when they were in high school and being married to other, they still manage to remain friends. When their daughter enters their life again, it turns everything on its head. However love wins out. Great book.

[Maureen Hubley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read in a long time. Nothing to distract me as we had no power and I was reading with an oil lamp.

[Carol Jenkins]

Not one I'd ever re-read.