Books & Spoons Review: HER HOLIDAY RANCHER by Cathy McDavid

7/11/2015

A COWBOY FOR ALL SEASONS
Four generations of Dempseys have struggled to turn the Dos Estrellas ranch into a successful cattle operation.
Gabe Dempsey vows to keep the dream alive, even if he has to share ownership with two half-brothers, who are virtual strangers.
They are also pressuring him to sell—which will happen over his dead body.
Luckily, Reese McGraw is the trustee of his father's estate, and she's on Gabe's side. For now.

Reese is happy to support Gabe in his fight to keep the ranch—but is her support a conflict of interest?
His brothers seem to think so.
Gabe and Reese's growing feelings for each other are a problem, too. But maybe it's one that will be solved by the magic of Christmas!

A heartwarming story about hard times, family loyalty, and finding the support, and love, at the unexpected places.
I enjoyed the story. The characters are likeable, real with flaws like all of us, but charming and interesting people. The brothers are faced with a hard task, after their father left the ranch for them to deal with, all together. They haven't had a relationship with each other, and the tension is palpable in the house.
The brothers, and the ranch, are facing hard times, with financial difficulties after the long illness of their father, and other hardship, unexpected situations they suddenly face. Just about everything that can go wrong, does.
But despite the difficulties, they slowly come together, take responsibility seriously, and work together towards the same goal, instead of fighting against each other.
At the same time as Gabe tries to work with his brothers, mourn for his father, and trying to understand his last will, take care of his mother, and run the ranch, he goes and develops feelings for the one person he shouldn't. Reese is not only the trustee of the will, but the daughter of Gabe's dad's worst rival. But the connection between them is undeniable, noticeable, and kind of cute. The stolen kisses are burning in their mind, and the feelings get all tangled up.
What I liked most about the story was the way they fought to get out of the trouble, they took their responsibility, and stood behind their actions. Nothing was easy, everything came with a price, and very few things went the way they wanted, a lot like real life. The story has spunk, the strength of the characters comes forward, and love always wins. Looking forward to more in the series!
~ Four Spoons