RJ Scott is back in full force after taking a walk on the paranormal side of the m/m genre and is taking Montana by storm. Crooked Tree Ranch is just getting by as a dude ranch resort and it's time to hire someone with an advertising background. The problem is that the pay is low even though it comes with a house and the use of a horse. The poor economy is hitting the big New York City advertising firms hard and people are being let go like crazy. Jayden finds himself jobless and not sure where next month's rent is coming from. His family is suffering and living in New York just is not working out. Out of a need to start over fresh, Jay answers an online want ad for the Crooked Tree Ranch in Montana. Owned by three brothers, Marcus who seems to be a surrogate father and a mysterious third party, Jay is hired with a two month contract. I loved the way Ms Scott handled the two families in this first book in her new series. We have three very independent brothers who run the ranch. Jay and his very unconventional family arrive at the ranch with Jay's goth teenage niece hating the place, his young nephew loving the thought of horses and his sister battered and insecure just wanting someplace safe. There couldn't be two more different families and yet they blend together and work. I liked the slow burn relationship between Jay and the oldest brother Nate. There is definitely no insta-love between those two. This awesome story is emotionally packed but there is never a doubt about the love the members of each family share. The personal growth of each individual is rewarding to see. Marcus is kind of an enigma but I imagine that much more will come out about him and his family. There is so much for this series to explore from the budding relationship between Nate's brother Gabe and Jay's sister Ashley to expanding Crooked Tree Ranch itself. This wonderful story reminded me of exactly why I fell in love with RJ Scott's storytelling. ( )

When cowboy Nate Todd is faced with the realization that the dude ranch resort he is part owner of is just a breath from failing, he and his business partner take the dreaded step of bringing in someone from the outside to overhaul and run the business. When attempts to find someone local fail, they realize they need to cast a wider net.

Jay Sullivan is a New York marketing executive that has just been downsized from his job, along with hundreds of others. With job prospects close to home slim and his family in turmoil, he realizes that a fresh start somewhere else may be just the thing he needs. Besides the salary package Crooked Tree is offering includes a horse.

The first part of the book is very slow burn, with the readers getting to know both MCs and their families. By the time the characters meet, the reader at least, understands why both of them need this arrangement to work. With so much responsibility on Nate’s shoulders (raising his younger brothers, running the ranch, etc) you can tell he is just short of burnout on a personal level. Jay has made it his job to look out for his sister and her children. Crooked Tree is just the place to do that.

The poignant backdrop for what otherwise is a typical cowboy romance trope, a sad family history of missing ranch teens presumed to have run away years before, makes the ranch’s slow descent into red ink make sense on a certain level and the reader feels for the three broken families left behind in the obvious tragedy, giving more reason to root for the men who find love with someone who on the surface shouldn’t work.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
reviewed via Kindle Unlimited ( )

I have read the book and listened to the audio.

Sean Crisden's narration adds an extra layer to the story. The story is sweet and low angst. Sean's tone is rich and soothing. Between Ms Scott & Mr Crisden they create a piece of work that cocoons the listen in a big fluffy blanket. ( )

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

What a great start to a new series! The Crooked Tree Ranch is a dude ranch in Montana owned by 3 brothers (Nate, Gabe, and Luke) and another family. Nate is the older brother who struggles with the business end of things, but is great with the horses. Even though one brother is in his 20's and the other is 16, he considers himself the head of the family since his parents passed away. He has thrown himself into his work in order to help support the family and has not given himself much opportunity for a private life.

The ranch is declining in sales and reservations, and the owners decide it is time to try to get help by putting out an ad for a marketing executive. Jay is a marketing guy in New York City who finds out his company is downsizing and laying off most of the employees. He puts out resumes and gets interviews, but the one place he is interviewing at that looks promising happens to be where his ex works. He decides that he can't put himself in a bad position again, and answers the ad in Montana. Jay, his sister, and her 2 kids move to Montana to start a new life.

Nate and Jay appeared to be complete opposites: Nate was gruff and grumpy, Jay was optimistic and mostly cheerful. The more time they spent together, the more their attraction grew. They tried not to act on anything because they work together, but thankfully they got over that. Jay was so good for Nate. He helped him feel better about himself and realize he was worth happiness. I loved how Nate was so decisive and didn't let fear or opinions or doubts hold him back from going for what he wanted. When he made his mind up, he went for it. I respect that trait. They were hot together and I loved the slow burn relationship.

I'm very curious about Ethan and am looking forward to reading the next book. ( )

I have read the book and listened to the audio.

Sean Crisden's narration adds an extra layer to the story. The story is sweet and low angst. Sean's tone is rich and soothing. Between Ms Scott & Mr Crisden they create a piece of work that cocoons the listen in a big fluffy blanket. ( )