She’s here to sell my ranch, but now I think she might steal my heart.

Rory Jones prided herself on the successful life she’d built as a wellness influencer and author—until she walked in on her boyfriend with another woman after a family funeral. Forced to run away to her late great aunt’s ranch in Colorado, Rory’s hoping that fixing up and selling the place will help her find her confidence and inspiration to write again.

But Wyatt Hensley, the grumpy head rancher, isn’t willing to hand over the reins to the job he gave everything up for. Especially not to a yoga-loving, manifestation guru who doesn’t even know how to ride a horse. Yet, with a past that’s taught him not to bother dreaming anymore, even Wyatt knows he can’t hold on forever.

Until one day they strike a deal that might just save both of their careers—help Rory turn the ranch into a wellness retreat, and Wyatt can stay.

With Rory’s shattered self-confidence and Wyatt’s last drop of hope also on the line, staying professional is a must. But can they ignore the sizzling tension growing between them that could jeopardize it all?

Especially when the rocky path ahead seems a lot easier with the other riding beside them.

Titles in the Willow Ridge series include: Live, Ranch, Love ~ Riding the Line ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Live, Ranch, Love
Series:  Willow Ridge #1
Author:  Emma Lucy
Published:  April 29, 2025
Publisher:  Avon/Harper Collins
My Rating:  4 stars

Live, Ranch, Love is the first title in the Willow Ridge series featuring Rory, a wellness author and influencer who is suddenly running away from her life to get her great-aunt’s ranch ready to sell.  Wyatt, the manager of the ranch, isn’t impressed by this city chick trying to boss him around when she has no clue what is involved in ranching at all.  They’re about to lock horns unless they can find a way to co-exist… oh, and deal with that sizzling attraction they’re both trying to ignore.

Live, Ranch, Love by Emma Lucy is a fun story of opposites attract and perhaps enemies to lovers at times.  Watching Rory and Wyatt trade barbs was entertaining, while knowing that she’s hurting from her former boyfriend’s betrayal, and he’s worried that the ranch he loves will soon be sold out from under him.  The compromise they eventually came to, turning the ranch into a wellness center, with Wyatt continuing to manage the ranch, was a way for them to both achieve their goals… while maybe letting the attraction between them grow into something more.

I enjoyed my time in this world and will follow the series when it continues in November 2025.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust.  It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)