by Jennifer Ryan
Series: Montana Men #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Everything's bigger in Big Sky country, including the hearts of the Montana Men... After years on the rodeo circuit, Gabe Bowden wants nothing more than land of his own and a woman who will claim his heart for more than one night. When he has the chance to buy the enormous Wolf Ranch spread, he snaps up the incredible deal. Everything is set, until Gabe rescues a woman on the deserted, snowy road leading to the property, and the half-frozen beauty changes everything. Ella Wolf rushes to her family's abandoned Montana ranch after her twin sister is murdered. She knows she's next . . . unless she can uncover a secret hidden somewhere at Wolf Ranch. The last thing Ella expects is to be rescued by a rugged rancher with his own agenda. A man who almost makes her forget how dangerous love can be. As an unlikely partnership sparks into something so much more, and a killer closes in, can Ella and Gabe learn to trust one another before it's too late?
At Wolf Ranch by Jennifer Ryan is the first in her Montana Men series. It has so many elements I love from the wide-open spaces to hot, strong, cowboys who just happen to be brothers. Catch me before I swoon! Ryan weaved suspense, a slow-burning romance and did it all in big sky country. I inhaled At Wolf Ranch and cannot wait for more.
Coffee dates with At Wolf Ranch
First date: Murder, betrayal and trouble greet me in the first chapter and I am hooked. How the heck is Ella Wolf going to get out of this mess? I love when a book grabs you like this. Twists and turns lead us into the arms of Gabe Bowden whose life is about to be upended. Woot! Hold on to your hats ladies, as Gabe will make your knees turn to jelly.
Second date: Gabe and Ella are both intelligent, independent and some might say overachievers. I love strong characters, and appreciated how Ella keot it together. Despite the time frame we feel the chemistry between them as it crackles. Both are reluctant to act, giving us a friends to lovers’ slow building romance. These two come from different worlds but share a connection. We share some delicious banter thanks to a snowstorm and their investigation. Gabe is protective and sees Ella, beyond her social media image. Ella is perhaps a little pampered but never complains and is grounded. They complement each other in a way that felt genuine. The murder mystery/betrayal thread is engaging and had me on edge as they tried to uncover clues. We meet some of Gabe’s sibling and learn about other characters all of which had me intrigued.
Third date: I am experiencing all the feels. Ryan has fleshed out the characters and has shared their back-stories giving me a strong sense of their character. While I am sure, we will get our HEA, the twists, bumps and growing pains kept me up singing the “just one more chapter” mantra. The murder/mystery wrapped up well and I appreciated how Ryan gave equal time to this thread. I ended this date tired but grinning from ear to ear and eager to return for more Montana Men.
At Wolf Ranch delivered a delicious romantic suspense, with fade to black heat that will appeal to a broad range of readers. Ryan hooked me and I enjoyed each date. When It’s Right the next book releases in March. I’ve reserved a table and so should you!
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Blessie (Mischievous Reads)
Cowboys in a romantic suspense? Welp, don’t mind if I do! 😀 Awesome review! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Right? That is exactly how I felt 🙂
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
Oh yes. I devoured this one too. I’m so excited about book two! So fun finding a new author and them totally rocking it 😉
kimbacaffeinate
So glad you loved this too Anna. I’ve read some of her work in anthologies so I was delighted to pick this one up. I have book two prepped on my Nook and will be reading it soon
Red Iza
Gotta love the “one more chapter” mantra, it’s a very good sign 😉 And I love what you said about the characters -> on my “next” list !
kimbacaffeinate
I have such fun reading this, I hope you snag it
Bookworm Brandee
I’ll be sure to check out this one, Kimba. I, too, love a story set in wide-open spaces with hot cowboys. That Wolf Ranch incorporates strong characters with sizzling chemistry, a slow-burn romance, and suspense is even better! 😉
kimbacaffeinate
It was well done, suspenseful and sweet
Lupdilup
I not crazy about cowboys…I know 🙁 But that cover and the suspense factor might just turn this into a winner for me 🙂
Thank you Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
Awe I love these stand-up men in denim.
Sharon - Obsession with Books
Cowboy brothers, yes please! I always enjoy a murder/suspense and this one sounds like it was done well.
A great review Kimba! Sharon – Obsession with Books
kimbacaffeinate
It was Sharon..plus Brothers!
Grace MyBookSnack
I’m reading this right now and LOVING it! My first from Jennifer Ryan, and I’m hooked!
kimbacaffeinate
Wahoo! I am so glad Grace
sherry fundin
I’m not big on contemporary romance, but sometimes a book can surprise me. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I do not like a steady diet of straight up contemporaries, as you know I bounce all over..but one of my favorite is romantic suspense
Benish
Cowboy brothers xD This one sounds like romantic suspense, thank you for putting it under my radar now!
kimbacaffeinate
Two of my favorite things in romance..suspense and brothers!
Christy
Mm .. sexy cowboy brothers. I do love a good romantic suspense when it’s done well.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, this was yummy and suspenseful
Heidi
I do love a good, delicious cowboy romance and the romantic suspense is just added bonus!
kimbacaffeinate
That was exactly how I felt Heidi 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Every time I see cowboy books I wonder where all the cowboys like this happen to be. Montana! Should we plan a trip? LOL Hm… this does sound like a series I might enjoy.
kimbacaffeinate
I will go with you:) but can only look and drool.
Stormi
Cowboy books are the one type of contemporary I will read (the other being detectives). I really like the sound of this one. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I love both too, and prefer my romances to be wrapped in something too
Angela Adams
Sounds like the start of a great series. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, thanks Angela 🙂
blodeuedd
I would read this 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Cool 🙂 hope you like it Linda
Sophia Rose
Montana cowboys, strong plot and more of the same in the series makes me so eager for this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Right..I love that we are going to get the brothers’ stories and the added suspense was delicious
Alisa
Hmm not really my type of book, but I like your style of reviews!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Alisa, I use several formats and decide which one works best for the book and my mood.
Bea
The ranch named grabbed me right away, I like stories about families, and I love romantic suspense. I like the sound of this one so I’ll see if my library has it.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, I got warm and snugly with this one
Michelle
Montana cowboys are quite popular! I didn’t realize there were so many until I opened the store, now I have sections bursting with them. It sounds like quite the enjoyable read.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah I have a serious thing for a man in cowboy boots and denim but married a geek.
Ramona
Meow! This sounds good enough to eat, LOL 😉 It’s going into my pile straightaway. An excellent, very enticing review – as always. Nicely done.
kimbacaffeinate
hehe..that is what I thought when I read the synopsis.
Aurian
Hmm sounds like a good one. I love the suspense angle, but especially the strong heroine.
kimbacaffeinate
So do I Aurian, I prefer my romances to be tangled in suspense or mystery:)
Sarah
It’s been so long since I read anything cowboy themed. I must amend this. At Wolf Ranch sounds so good! Thanks for sharing this 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yes you must, and I loved the added suspense
Jenny
Yay! I just gave this one to my sister in law to review for the blog, so I’m glad to see you enjoyed it Kim! I’m going to have to steal it back from her and read it myself when she’s done. Love those books that have you chanting “just one more chapter” into the wee hours of the morning:)
kimbacaffeinate
Oh sweet, I hope she loved it too 🙂
Nick
Oh boy! That is a beautiful cowboy on that cover! 😉
I love that this one has a murder mystery and a contemporary romance vibe to it. Also, yay for friends to lovers romance! Who doesn’t love a good old friends to lovers? I’m going to have to check this one out!
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah me too Nick, and the suspense/murder angle was well done
Katherine
I love mystery mixed in with my romance and this sounds like a good one! I like that this is a slow building romance. Definitely going on the TBR! Thanks for sharing! On a side note I dated a guy named Gabe in college and after we broke up I avoided books with heroes with his name for so long it’s been almost a knee jerk reaction!
kimbacaffeinate
Awe, yeah I can see why you would avoid them. I love romance wrapped in suspense and hope you check it out
kindlemom1
All of that in the first chapter? The author sure knows how to hook ’em! Glad this was such an engaging read for you Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Right..she did it and did it well.
Ro
Love a good romantic suspense because it does provide so many elements to keep your attention. Really enjoy that the romance isn’t rushed, which would be the pits. (lol) Love the info, and plan to check out this new to me author. Hugs…
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you give it a go. I loved how balanced it was. Hugs Ro
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I’m not not normally attracted to cowboy books but that cover grabbed me and the fact that it’s a romantic suspense with mystery sounds really appealing!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo this may be the one then Melissa 🙂
Mary
I do love when a book really grabs you! Helps when there’s a hot guy involved…and a snowstorm that includes hot times and wicked banter.
Carmel
When I saw the word ‘wolf’ in the title, I got all kinds of excited, but then I noticed that you shelved this one as Contemporary Romance, so no dice I guess. Now that we’ve got that cleared up: cowboys AND brothers. Ok, you got me, there are more things in life that make me happy than just werewolves. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Awe sorry no “arooo” with this one but it had some great suspense elements and horses.
Jennifer Bielman
Got to love the sound of the first chapter. And hot, cowboy brothers!!?? Hells yeah.
kimbacaffeinate
I have a weakness for brothers
Melliane
Oh cowboys books!!! I love them, they’re so sweet! But I confess that it’s been a while since I have read one, I should! I didn’t know about this one but it sounds really good! thanks for the discovery!
kimbacaffeinate
This has some sweetness but the suspense/murder made it a page -turner not to mention the brothers!