Books & Spoons Review for THE RANCHER'S SURPRISE BABY by Trish Milburn

NOT A FAMILY MAN… 

Mandy Richardson has always wanted a husband and lots of kids. She knows Ben Hartley isn't a forever kind of guy, so she struggles to keep her feelings for him friends only. But she can't help her growing attraction. Then one night their relationship blossoms into more, and soon Mandy discovers she's pregnant. 
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Ben still bears the scars of a painful past—a past that has him avoiding love and commitment. When Mandy tells him he's going to be a dad, he worries he won't measure up. After all, his own father was far from a role model. But he's fallen hard for Mandy, and now it's up to him to prove he's a better man—a stronger man—than he thought. 

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This is such a charming story with heartfelt, sweet romance, subtle humor that had me laughing out loud, family bonds that go beyond blood, and a tiny house that made me envious! 
I enjoyed the first book in the series, the Hartley family has taken a hold of my heart, and this second installation just confirmed it. I love that the Hartley's have adopted five children who needed a home, a family they can count on. And now the kids are grown and the bond is stronger than ever. The tightness of that bond is evident, the love and respect the 'kids' have for their parents is sincere. I love, love, love it when the mom gets all over their business, yet they just hug her and listen to her. 
Mandy Richardson is a heroine easy to like and relate to. I absolutely adore that she lives in a tiny house, works in the yarn shop, and likes to bike! She is fun, spunky, considerate, kind woman, the kind of person I would love to be friends with. She grew up with her hard-working single mom and her dedication and respect to her mom is evident in everything that she does. 
Ben Hartley lived his early childhood in a human hell with unfit parents until the Hartley's gave him a forever home. Ben is a solid, trustworthy, fun, kind, and protective man. His childhood has left some deep scars in his mind as well as in his body, scars that have convinced him he is unfit to be in a long term relationship or to father a child. 
Mandy and Ben truly are perfect together. They klick, they fit, they have fun together. They enjoy each others company, they like each other as well as admire each other, they have chemistry off the charts and the attraction smoldering between them is flammable. They had me laughing with their antics, sighing with the romance, and in tears when the scars from the past start to hurt in the present and causes conflicts in their lives. 
This alluring, amusing, and delicious romance story with strong family values and charismatic characters was enjoyable and entertaining, touched my emotions, and made me want to spend time in Blue Falls, Texas!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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