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Rowdy Ranch #3
Testing the Cowboy's Resolve
He craves more than her friendship…
Equine vet Marsh McLintock and P.E. teacher Ella Bradley became BFFs as kids and vowed they’d never get involved in mushy stuff that would wreck everything. Ella’s wedding day clinches the deal—friends forever, lovers never. Then Ella learns her fiancé’s a lying cheat and cancels the wedding. Marsh knows his role—to comfort his devastated best friend and stand between her and the ex who wants her back. Too bad he just discovered he’s madly in love with her.
As Ella’s dream of a home and family come crashing down, Marsh keeps her spirits up and her ex at bay. He looks damn good doing it, too. Has he always been this ripped? Maybe inviting herself to stay at Rowdy Ranch to avoid her ex and recover her mojo wasn’t such a good idea. Clearly her wedding disaster is messing with her mind and her hormones. How stupid would she be to give in to a momentary temptation and risk losing the best friend a girl ever had?
Equine vet Marsh McLintock and P.E. teacher Ella Bradley became BFFs as kids and vowed they’d never get involved in mushy stuff that would wreck everything. Ella’s wedding day clinches the deal—friends forever, lovers never. Then Ella learns her fiancé’s a lying cheat and cancels the wedding. Marsh knows his role—to comfort his devastated best friend and stand between her and the ex who wants her back. Too bad he just discovered he’s madly in love with her.
As Ella’s dream of a home and family come crashing down, Marsh keeps her spirits up and her ex at bay. He looks damn good doing it, too. Has he always been this ripped? Maybe inviting herself to stay at Rowdy Ranch to avoid her ex and recover her mojo wasn’t such a good idea. Clearly her wedding disaster is messing with her mind and her hormones. How stupid would she be to give in to a momentary temptation and risk losing the best friend a girl ever had?
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2022
404 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Lewis Thompson
496 books1,535 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestseller Vicki Lewis Thompson believes love makes the world go around and laughter makes the trip worth taking. The recipient of RWA’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award and the author of more than ninety books, Vicki pioneered a new kind of romance hero with Nerd in Shining Armor. Following the success of her nerd stories, Vicki launched a boisterous paranormal series featuring a matchmaking witch and wizard, an ADD dragon named George, and a black cat inspired by her own precocious feline, Eve.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 7, 2022
Ella and Marsh have been best friends since school. Marsh has loved Ella forever, but cannot tell her.
There are lots of sexy scenes in the bedroom. Loved the characters and story. Enjoyed reading this, and love VLT's cowboy stories.
I don't think I've read a story where the bride, Ella, dumps her fiancè, Warner, just before the wedding. Well, he did have a fling with another woman! 5☆
There are lots of sexy scenes in the bedroom. Loved the characters and story. Enjoyed reading this, and love VLT's cowboy stories.
I don't think I've read a story where the bride, Ella, dumps her fiancè, Warner, just before the wedding. Well, he did have a fling with another woman! 5☆
July 25, 2022
*Happy sigh* Marsh and Ella are BFFs and have been since they were kids. But what happens when Ella almost gets married? Marsh admits defeat and sets out to win her over with benefits! Amazing benefits! Their banter was fun and I couldn’t put it down!
July 27, 2022
Testing the Cowboy's Resolve (Rowdy Ranch Book 3) by Vicki Lewis Thompson Thank you Vicki - I am loving the Rowdy Ranch and the whole town. Ella and Marsh have been "best friends" since they were kids - could it be anything else? When she finds out her fiancé’s a no good cheat at the church - the wedding is off and it is Marsh to the rescue. There is plenty of angst, cheating, broken promises and new ones, tears, laughter, fantastic family and friends, and fun steamy stuff to get us to a HEA. I can't wait for more Rowdy Ranch books.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Wonderful characters Happily Ever After Page-turner Easy-to-read Funny Entertaining Steamy Romantic Great world building.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Wonderful characters Happily Ever After Page-turner Easy-to-read Funny Entertaining Steamy Romantic Great world building.
August 6, 2022
Marsh and Ella have been BFFs since high school, never seeing each other as anything but friends. At least, that's what they've convinced themselves. But when Ella's wedding falls through because of her cheating fiance's last minute affair, Marsh is forced to admit he's fallen for his best friend. When Ella kisses him on a whim, there's only so much more of the status quo he's willing to take. As for Ella, fighting her own sudden attraction to her heroic bestie is become a challenge. But if they become lovers, can they still be friends?
While platonic different-gender relationships are always a joy to see represented in fiction, Thompson did a great job keeping this romance from feeling as doomed as MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING. The budding attraction between Ella and Marsh hits just the right note, allowing the trust and love they've had for each other over the years to transform into a different kind of partnership. But perhaps best of all, there's another platonic friendship that offsets the couple, showing that Ella and Marsh have always been different, and maybe always been in love, but just too stubborn to realize it. There are also some really fun workout scenes, given that both Marsh and Ella were exceptional high school athletes, and plenty of athletic time in the bedroom as well.
All of this without even mentioning the fantastic baby delivery scene! New life is perfectly centered in this novel about starting over.
One of the things I love about Thompson's romances is that no matter how many of them I read, she always comes up with something fresh and new. While some of the themes in this one are very familiar, they take new life here.
I received an advance digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
While platonic different-gender relationships are always a joy to see represented in fiction, Thompson did a great job keeping this romance from feeling as doomed as MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING. The budding attraction between Ella and Marsh hits just the right note, allowing the trust and love they've had for each other over the years to transform into a different kind of partnership. But perhaps best of all, there's another platonic friendship that offsets the couple, showing that Ella and Marsh have always been different, and maybe always been in love, but just too stubborn to realize it. There are also some really fun workout scenes, given that both Marsh and Ella were exceptional high school athletes, and plenty of athletic time in the bedroom as well.
All of this without even mentioning the fantastic baby delivery scene! New life is perfectly centered in this novel about starting over.
One of the things I love about Thompson's romances is that no matter how many of them I read, she always comes up with something fresh and new. While some of the themes in this one are very familiar, they take new life here.
I received an advance digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2022
Ella has her life set up exactly the way she wants it. She has her family, her best friend, and a fiance who is going to give her the children she wants. Everything is perfect until she finds out that the fiance is a cheater and that her best friend is actually kind of hot.
Marsh has a good life going until he realizes that he is in love with his best friend. When her fiance turns out to be a scumbag, Marsh has a chance to change his relationship with Ella. But she continues to insist that they will never work as a couple.
Ella and Marsh have a fun relationship, and it was obvious how much they cared for one another. I could see how they had managed to stay just friends for so long while other feelings were developing. I loved that Marsh was committed to being there for Ella no matter what she decided, and I loved that she trusted him to do just that. It was so much fun and so very romantic.
Marsh has a good life going until he realizes that he is in love with his best friend. When her fiance turns out to be a scumbag, Marsh has a chance to change his relationship with Ella. But she continues to insist that they will never work as a couple.
Ella and Marsh have a fun relationship, and it was obvious how much they cared for one another. I could see how they had managed to stay just friends for so long while other feelings were developing. I loved that Marsh was committed to being there for Ella no matter what she decided, and I loved that she trusted him to do just that. It was so much fun and so very romantic.
August 29, 2022
I used to love all books by this author. This one missed the mark slightly which is too bad because I love friend-to-lovers books, and usually books with strong family ties. This time there were just too many people to keep track of. Having not read all the other books it was overwhelming. There was also too much time talking about topics in detail that did not have much to do with the story. For instance, they go riding and go on and on about what horses, why those horses, how they took care of the horses, etc. It was pointless filler. There were also phrases used that I have only heard my grandmother use (who-ha to refer to a "private part") which actually was a turn off and really out of place.
Saying all the above there were great sex scenes as well as true love. I would have enjoyed more of the two main characters and watching their relationship develop, but what was there was good.
Saying all the above there were great sex scenes as well as true love. I would have enjoyed more of the two main characters and watching their relationship develop, but what was there was good.
July 24, 2022
Moments before her wedding, Ella’s world falls apart when she discovers her groom has spent the past couple of weeks cheating on her. The wedding is cancelled and with the support of her BFF, Marsh, she gets through the remainder of the day with her head held high. The only trouble is that she seems to be seeing Marsh with new eyes but no-way is she prepared to ruin their friendship with ‘mushy stuff’. Marsh who realised when Ella got engaged that he had been in love with her for years, decides to take the opportunity to put their relationship on a more intimate footing but gets dumped when Ella grasps that his feelings are deeper than friendship. Will Ella ever appreciate that love and friendship can go hand in hand?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 7, 2022
I think we all know I love a good friends to lovers story. I love the trust that comes with love that follows a long term friendship and Vicki wrote it so well! When she first announced she was writing a friends to lovers romance, I was super excited. I also feel like she delivered this book into my inbox at the perfect time, because as some of you may have figured out, I've been in a bit of a slump lately.
Compared to some of her other books, a large part of this story felt like a closed door romance, until of course the steam eventually hit. I also loved the cameo Winnie The Pooh made in this sweet tale.
August is read a romance month, and if you don't already have one lined up for this month, why not give this cute story a chance?
Thank you VLT for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Compared to some of her other books, a large part of this story felt like a closed door romance, until of course the steam eventually hit. I also loved the cameo Winnie The Pooh made in this sweet tale.
August is read a romance month, and if you don't already have one lined up for this month, why not give this cute story a chance?
Thank you VLT for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2022
Can you imagine finding out on your wedding day that your groom to be is cheating on you? That's exactly what happens to Ella Bradley minutes before the ceremony is set to begin. But thanks to her BFF, Marsh McClintock, she gets through the next few days without a hitch.
The only problem is now that now that the cheater is out of the picture, Ella begins to see Marsh in a new light, but she's not ready to give up their friendship to test deeper waters.
Marsh has just realized he’s in love with Ella and has been since they were five years old. Now that the cheating Warner is out, can he convince Ella to take a chance on love?
I loved this book and I’m happy to say that I received an ARC for this honest review. If you’re a fan of the friends to lovers' concept, you HAVE to read it!
The only problem is now that now that the cheater is out of the picture, Ella begins to see Marsh in a new light, but she's not ready to give up their friendship to test deeper waters.
Marsh has just realized he’s in love with Ella and has been since they were five years old. Now that the cheating Warner is out, can he convince Ella to take a chance on love?
I loved this book and I’m happy to say that I received an ARC for this honest review. If you’re a fan of the friends to lovers' concept, you HAVE to read it!
August 5, 2022
I really like the McLintock family and the sexy cowboys who are a part of that family. It was so fun to find out Marsh's feelings for his best friend, Ella, were stronger than she knew, especially since she is about to marry someone else. He realized that when he saw her in her wedding dress at her last fitting. They have been best friends since kindergarten. Ella was starting to have feelings for Marsh too after what her fiance did. What a beautiful, fun story of two best friends that did not want to rock the boat. I really enjoyed the story and I could not put it down until I had finished reading it. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
July 30, 2022
Love the solid friendship and how Marsh was able to be open to his best friend about his feelings and be so supportive of her choices regardless. They do friendship very well, a new level is trial and error but Marsh knows how to take care of his best friend in all ways. I love that they can talk about anything and be truthful and mature. Great couple combined with this very supportive community, kept me engaged and excited, definitely a chance worth taking. I received a free copy and voluntarily chose to leave this review.
August 4, 2022
I freakin’ LOVE this series. I read all the Buckskin Brotherhood books, and was sure that this new series could not be as good. But I am liking the Rowdy Ranch books just as much, if not more. The characters are SO likeable. The stories are fast paced, and so well told, I feel like I am actually at Rowdy Ranch. I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed all of it.
Someone says “coinkidink”. How can you NOT love that?
The McLintocks are a very large clan. I hope every single one of them gets their own story, so this series will go on for a very long time.
Someone says “coinkidink”. How can you NOT love that?
The McLintocks are a very large clan. I hope every single one of them gets their own story, so this series will go on for a very long time.
August 10, 2022
The best thing about this book is - reality! This book is or at least can be, real life. More often than not, good friends can become lovers and not cost them the friendship. If that doesn’t make sense to you, then read this book and see how it happens and all the good it can bring into your life. I loved so many parts of this story that I can’t write all of it here. Fans of this author should take the time to read about animals, friends and new babies all in this wonderful book. I’ve had a great time reading and feeling the love.
September 25, 2022
Marsh McClintock & Ella Bradley
A friends to lovers story. Ella was about to marry another man when she realizes he’s a cheater. Her best friend Marsh comes to the rescue and helps her recover at the reception. He takes her back to his place to keep her away from Warner and things start to get hot.
I love that Jess had her baby in this story and that the family was around for the birth. A really good straight forward romance. Ella just had to realize that Marsh was her best friend and the man she could fall in love with.
A friends to lovers story. Ella was about to marry another man when she realizes he’s a cheater. Her best friend Marsh comes to the rescue and helps her recover at the reception. He takes her back to his place to keep her away from Warner and things start to get hot.
I love that Jess had her baby in this story and that the family was around for the birth. A really good straight forward romance. Ella just had to realize that Marsh was her best friend and the man she could fall in love with.
July 26, 2022
Ella finds out her fiance is cheating on her the day of their wedding - she dumps him and attends the reception as a party in her honor of NOT wedding him - Marsh is gobsmacked when his best friend is disrespected so thoroughly that he wants to kill her now EX! When he finds him at her house - there is HELL to pay and what a fun ride they have finding their HEA! I read a bookfunnel version and freely leave my review!
August 5, 2022
Marsh and Ella story is so action-packed that it's non-stop. And, you won't want to stop.
Best friends forever, Marsh MacKlintock and Ella ?? have done everything together. Now, she's getting married and Marsh is having mixed feelings. He has always been there for her. He will always be there for her.
When Vicki Lewis Thompson writes her stories, they are not the female lead's story or the male lead's story. Vicki Lewis Thompson writes their story.
Best friends forever, Marsh MacKlintock and Ella ?? have done everything together. Now, she's getting married and Marsh is having mixed feelings. He has always been there for her. He will always be there for her.
When Vicki Lewis Thompson writes her stories, they are not the female lead's story or the male lead's story. Vicki Lewis Thompson writes their story.
August 6, 2022
The only thing I hate when I read a book by this author is that they end too soon. I love each one and continue reading forever if I could. This one was no different. The friendship between Marsh and Ella was that once in a lifetime kind. Watching them deal with the shocking events at the beginning of the story and what ensued was like riding a magical romance ride. I loved every page. Book gifted to me.
September 14, 2025
best friends to lovers
Sweetly sentimental and nearly perfect. The McClintock family draws you in a they support each other and welcom friends into their home. Marsh and Ella have been best friends since they were five. He was there to support her when she discovered her groom was heating He had been in love with her fora long time now he had to find out if she felt the same. I recommend any book in this series.
Sweetly sentimental and nearly perfect. The McClintock family draws you in a they support each other and welcom friends into their home. Marsh and Ella have been best friends since they were five. He was there to support her when she discovered her groom was heating He had been in love with her fora long time now he had to find out if she felt the same. I recommend any book in this series.
August 5, 2022
4 1/2 STARS
Best friends for most of their lives, Marsh and Ella decide to take their relationship into new territory. Of course, whenever sexy times are had, complications are sure to follow. Marsh and Ella are a fun couple with a bright, happy future as both best friends and lovers.
I read an advanced copy of this book
Best friends for most of their lives, Marsh and Ella decide to take their relationship into new territory. Of course, whenever sexy times are had, complications are sure to follow. Marsh and Ella are a fun couple with a bright, happy future as both best friends and lovers.
I read an advanced copy of this book
August 9, 2022
Awesome
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were amazing. Marsh was in love with Ella and I think Ella was in love with Marsh, but was afraid she would lose their friendship. This was such a great story and I recommend it as a good read. I received an ARC for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were amazing. Marsh was in love with Ella and I think Ella was in love with Marsh, but was afraid she would lose their friendship. This was such a great story and I recommend it as a good read. I received an ARC for an honest review.
December 11, 2023
Testing the Cowboy’s Resolve
Marsh and Ella have been friends since kindergarten. Now in their twenties they are best friends. But Marsh has a secret. He’s in love with Ella and has been for years. Unfortunately she is about to marry someone else. Read to see how Marsh handles this situation.
Marsh and Ella have been friends since kindergarten. Now in their twenties they are best friends. But Marsh has a secret. He’s in love with Ella and has been for years. Unfortunately she is about to marry someone else. Read to see how Marsh handles this situation.
August 9, 2025
an overdone story
I’ve read this trope in a few other books and seen it in many more.
It seems to be a regular standard for friends to lovers trope.
This one includes swearing and crudeness found in the first few pages so as I’ve read this trope before it just didn’t interest me after the first few pages.
I’ve read this trope in a few other books and seen it in many more.
It seems to be a regular standard for friends to lovers trope.
This one includes swearing and crudeness found in the first few pages so as I’ve read this trope before it just didn’t interest me after the first few pages.
July 30, 2022
arc Review For honest Review. This is a true love story romance where two best friends ella bradly and marsh mclintock will do anything for each other. But when Ella really need him this time hes finally not going to let this
stop them from love and happiness.Beautiful
stop them from love and happiness.Beautiful
August 8, 2022
Love this series
Nobody writes cowboy books better than Vicky Lewis Thompson. Her stories keep you reading and you don't want to stop. I hate coming to the end of one of her books because then I know. I have to wait for the next one.
Nobody writes cowboy books better than Vicky Lewis Thompson. Her stories keep you reading and you don't want to stop. I hate coming to the end of one of her books because then I know. I have to wait for the next one.
November 16, 2022
Enjoyable read
Another well developed storyline and two great characters in the series. It’s an easy read and an enjoyable read and I didn’t want to put it down. Looking for the next book in the series
Another well developed storyline and two great characters in the series. It’s an easy read and an enjoyable read and I didn’t want to put it down. Looking for the next book in the series
July 31, 2025
Amazing, loved it!
I have always loved reading Vicki's books and this series, flat-out sucked me in, and I will be going on to another one of her other series after this one. Amazing book and author.
I have always loved reading Vicki's books and this series, flat-out sucked me in, and I will be going on to another one of her other series after this one. Amazing book and author.
August 13, 2025
Kept me wondering until the very end.
Good flow to the story with just enough little hitches along the away to keep you wondering if the ending was going to be what you wanted. Then the ending hits you suddenly and cleanly. Then done.
Good flow to the story with just enough little hitches along the away to keep you wondering if the ending was going to be what you wanted. Then the ending hits you suddenly and cleanly. Then done.
August 8, 2022
Thompson’s latest is a delightful childhood BFFs capture feelings tale with engaging characters. If you need a good summer escape this is the perfect book.
August 16, 2022
Friends Forever
This was such a romantic story and I loved every minute on it. I will read all the books Vicki Thompson writes.
This was such a romantic story and I loved every minute on it. I will read all the books Vicki Thompson writes.
Want to read
August 8, 2025Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews