Books & Spoons Review THE RANCHER'S TEXAS MATCH by Brenda Minton

17/9/2016

A Rancher's Mission

As a volunteer at the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch, Tanner Barstow helps the troubled young residents turn their lives around.

When a local rancher dies and leaves his large property to the boys ranch, Tanner finds himself spending a lot of time with Macy Swanson, whose orphaned nephew, Colby, lives at the ranch.

Tanner's attracted to the newcomer, but she doesn't fit his plans. Macy longs to have Colby come home with her, but the former city girl worries she won't be the mother he deserves.
Can Tanner help her see that the future she and Colby need is right here—with him?

A heartwarming and heartbreaking story, that really got to me good. The ranch is doing such an important labor of love, taking care of all the boys in need of guidance and a safe place to be. I loved how the community was behind the place, mostly, and how everyone was willing to help when needed.
Macy and Tanner's attraction grew rapidly after they first noticed each other after a year in the same circles. The built up with their feelings and interest is subtle, natural, and genuine. Them being able to lean on each other at the time of trouble and drama, was a great sign of the trust building in between them.
Colby's sorrow and fear of abandonment break your heart a bit. The process this young man has to go trough is tough, the circumstances around it sad, yet his progress gives you hope of better days to come.
The process of grieving on both Macy and Colby is well done with the growth, setbacks, doubts, and moving on, building a new life. I would have liked to see their faith in God to play even bigger role in this healing process, as now it was left more in the background with few quick prayers when in troubled. Of course, the church itself was a central place in the tale, but just going to church on Sundays doesn't mean you learn to trust God's guidance in your life.
Even though this is a tough tale that hits into the heart, and makes you go through the process with the characters, it is not all mourning and difficult decisions. There are moments of smiles, joy, jubilee, and the sweet, adorable, touching times as Macy and Tanner try to find their way to each other's heart.
Many events at the town are not resolved in this tale, obviously part of the developing series, and I believe the future books will tell us more about the process of the will, the people they have to find, and who is trying to sabotage the boy's ranch and people in town. The story doesn't end with a cliffhanger per se, just leaves all these matters open and to be continued on future installments.
An inspiring and heartfelt story of love, parenting, learning to live again after a great loss, and the amazing things a community can accomplish if they so will.
~ Four Spoons