The Rancher's Code

Western Oath #1

by Jason Collins

DYLAN:

There’s nothing safe about Cole Stratton.

He’s straight, untouchable, and carved from grit—the last distraction I need while trying to wrangle a wedding in the middle of cowboy country.

One, he’s not into men. And two, he’s a rancher who carries silence like a loaded gun.

Three weeks on Cole’s land, planning his sister’s wedding while he watches me like I don’t belong. He’s the kind of man who owns half the valley but still ropes cattle. And Amber? Full-blown bridezilla. I’m just trying to survive without getting trampled—or buried in roses.

But Cole’s always there—solid, smoldering, and close enough to touch. Just being near him feels like a risk.

Get too close, and I might not walk away in one piece.

COLE:

The rules were simple: be the good son, marry the right girl, run the family ranch.

But things didn’t go according to plan.

Now I’m divorced, chasing redemption, and determined to prove I’m worthy of the billion-dollar empire my father built. No mistakes. No distractions.

Then my sister drags home a flashy wedding planner from the city who turns my land into a fairytale circus. Dylan Reid is bold, stubborn, and impossible to ignore.

The tension between us crackles. Charged glances, tight restraint. The way he looks at me like I’m not coming undone. Dylan wasn’t in the plan. Not even close.

But out here, with temptation riding shotgun and my grip slipping, rules have never felt so meaningless.

This is the first book in the Western Oath series. It can be read as a standalone with no cliffhanger.

Genres: M M Romance, Westerns

105 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2025

Reviews

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montana can be enticing.

Cole Stratton is the apparent heir to the CEO of Stratton Ranches and is presumably a straight cowboy. Amber, Cole's sister, has hired Dylan as her wedding planner. Cole and Dylan do not get off on the right foot, and at times, there is friction. Can the friction be because Cole and Dylan may be alike, or is there something else that may ignite a fire?

[Jackie O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this book from a friend who enjoys the author as much as I do.
This story is about the oldest son of a rancher (Cole) and a wedding planner (Dylan).
Dylan is hired by Cole's sister to plan her wedding perfectly. Cole wants nothing to do with the wedding. He just wants to run the ranch, but he finds himself being drawn into the festivities by his sister. When his sister introduces him, Cole is a jerk at first, but only because he has other things on his mind.
One night during a celebration at a local bar, Cole comes to Dylan's rescue. A patron decides he wants to beat up Dylan for being gay. Cole steps in and protects Dylan.
The two of them end of spending more time together as the wedding day draws near. This story has humor and is a cute romantic read. It's a quick read you do not want to pass up.

[Cindi]

Stopped at 59%.

Cole is an absolute ass. He goes from hot to cold so much it's ridiculous. I hated him at the beginning. I'm hating him even more now.

No rating because I don't rate my DNF books.

[SNik · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in series (Western Oath). City/country. Slow burn. Instalove. Quick read. Dual POV.

While in Montana planning the wedding for a super rich and super nice bride Dylan crosses paths with her businessman brother. Certainly not expecting attraction, Cole isn’t sure what to make of his interest in Dylan and can’t seem to keep his hands to himself.

This was a quick story of two different men taking an instant lust to instant love and making it work. There wasn’t a lot of background for either of them, and there are a few stumbles from Cole as he had never been with another man before, but his eventual commitment no matter what is what gives he and Dylan a chance for an HEA. The fast romance and supportive secondary characters (who may be set up to get their own books in the future) were good, I also appreciated that the sister was sweet throughout, and that there was no problem from the family in accepting Cole and Dylan as partners.

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the story of Dylan and Cole. Dylan is a wedding planner who is working for Cole's sister at the family's ranch planning her wedding. Cole is a grumpy rancher who acts like he hates everything, but Dylan is stuck in his head. Cole can't explain why Dylan has caught his attention, after all he is straight. But Cole can't deny he is attracted to Dylan and hates the thoughts of him with anyone else but him. Dylan is attracted to Cole, but knows nothing will ever happen because Cole is straight, or is he? I enjoyed this book, i liked how Cole watched over Dylan and wanted to keep him safe, even when there was no danger to him. Cole also accepted his feelings for Dylan easier than i thought he would and didn't care what anyone thought. This was good story.

[DENICE · Rating 4 out of 5]

COLE AND DYLAN – RANCHER AND WEDDING PLANNER

I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.

Cole is a straight rancher that has been divorced. Dylan is a gay wedding planner. I like the way Cole looks into himself and decides what he wants is worth going after. Dylan’s first impression of Cole isn’t very good as he is defensive about his profession and sexual preference. I like the way that things progress in the book; albeit a little fast. I love the story and how Cole decides that if it’s worth fighting for – fight for it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, feel-good novella with low-angst, rapid bi-awakening, and almost instalove. Dylan is the wedding planner who arrives at the ranch to help a woman plan her wedding. Cole is the heir apparent of the rance who is divorced from a woman, seemingly straight, and serious about the success of his ranch. Dylan is immediately attracted, but assumes Cole is disinterested and off-limits. Then, things seem to take a turn to a hot romance with forever love. Easy and enjoyable!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dylan is the Wedding Planner for Cole's sister. The wedding is to be held at the family ranch. Cole has Zero self-control when it comes to Dylan & can't figure out what the pull is. Dylan is unsure of Cole, as far as he knows Cole is straight & he doesn't want to be the experiment. Well written, no angst, just a sweet read. I was offered a free copy & this is my honest opinion.

[K-Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed that we got a cowboy and wedding planner in this one. The best parts were seeing how Cole handled his desire for Dylan. Once he stepped in and helped him out of a situation, he instantly felt a desire for him. He pretty much could not keep away from him, but I loved that he was so protective of him too. Realistic first times with a man gave this a real feel too!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new series!

I loved The Rancher's Code by Jason Collins. It's the first book in the Western Oath series. I loved Dylan and Cole's story. I loved their chemistry and watching Cole bumble his way through his bi awakening. I loved the eccentric uncle and the bride.

I read this book using the Kindle unlimited app.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wedding planner meets cowboy. I'm sure, Jason, you had this in the works for quite a while, but this is one of your absolutely best books so far. Cole and Dylan start slow, but by the end of the book, after Dylan negotiates a brilliant wedding for Cole's sister Amber, they become a very committed couple after Cole's father makes Cole his sole heir. GREAT book!!!!!

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dylan is Cole's sister's wedding planner. Cole wants to part in the planning and wants to be left to run the ranch. He has never been attracted to any man, but Dylan makes him think differently. Cole feels pressure to live up to expectations and does not communicate well with Dylan.

[B Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful heartfelt read.

A poignant narrative that unveils the complexity of perception, revealing how initial appearances can be deceiving. The story gently guides readers toward understanding grace and the beauty of allowing life's events to naturally progress.

[Jimbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Not five -star because it needed more time to understand Cole and what he was thinking. He just kissed Dylan out of the blue. It was fine, but it could or should have been a bit clearer and just abrupt -- a straight man just jumping into doing it with a guy...

[devil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to a new series. Cole was a complicated character. Once he figured out what he wanted, he was all in. It's a cute country/ city boy romance.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dylan and Cole have a bit of a rough start, but it doesn't take long for the sparks to turn to passion. I loved Cole's crazy family, especially Uncle Virgil.

[john goude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Great story of two people really finding what they wanted and going through all of the ups and downs of building a real relationship.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story and author

Good story and author. It's worth reading this book and all of his other books too binge read everything enjoy 🌻 🥂 💞