Jacob Larsen caught sight of a petite blonde in a yellow sundress, and little did he realize at that moment that his life would change forever. Emily is skeptical when Jacob offers her a ride home. Skeptical because experience has taught her men aren't to be trusted. Jacob introduces himself as the manager of the equestrian operation on the Branson ranch. Adding another quick comment combined with Emily's exhaustion from a day's work at the library, grocery shopping, and miles to walk before she even reaches home with a long evening ahead, she acquiesces. Little did Emily realize with that quick decision, her life would change forever.

I loved this captivating novel (even all the pages read by blinking through my tears)! In alternating chapters, Emily and Jacob open their doors to their lives in the present. As they slowly open windows for each other, simultaneously, the reader begins to receive the puzzle pieces of their past, each with fear, each carrying unspeakable trauma, keeping it hidden, buried deep inside. With each chapter, I was more invested in the outcome.

Erin FitzGerald writes slow-burn romance like no other. The characters are not flawless but human in every aspect as she reveals them. Writing that captures the heart. Secondary characters are as well-developed as the primary characters, each contributing to the whole, and without each of them, the story wouldn't be the same. Moments where nothing is as it seems, gripping suspense, laugh-out-loud humor (especially the phrases to tickle book lovers), and every emotion a reader can have while reading books, all tight in a perfect fit into one storyline, with all felt deep in my soul.

I highly recommend adding this beautifully written romance to your tbr. I'd give it more than 5 stars if possible. Book 3 may be read as a stand-alone, but after glimpses of Lana and Mark, and Ashley, I suspect you’ll want to read their stories in Book 1 (Lana and Mark) and Book 2 (Ashley and Travis). I also recommend reading the author's Afterword for exciting updates about future plans for Wolf Mountain Ranchers and the next series (delightfully related). ( )