I wanted to prove myself on this ranch… not fall for him, kiss him, and end up carrying his baby.

I came to Ironwood Bluff to follow my dream, not fall for the most irritatingly sexy cowboy in Texas..

Zane Lawson is every kind of off-limits, single dad, widowed, and built like sin in a black Stetson,

He’s doing his best to raise his little girl, who’s already wrapped me around her finger.

But one night changed everything between us. A storm, a kiss, and suddenly, every line we swore not to cross vanished.

Now I’m tangled in the arms of a man who swore he’d never love again after his loss.

And somehow, this man, this adorable little girl, and this messy life are starting to feel like home.

But I’m still the outsider his family wishes would just disappear.

And when I find out I’m carrying his child… The truth hits harder than any storm.

I’m terrified. This isn’t just about passion anymore.

It’s about taking chances… and whether love can survive his past.

Titles in the Ironwood Bluff Ranch series include: Rancher’s Unexpected Love ~

This story may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult 18+ audience.

Title:  Rancher’s Unexpected Love
Series:  Ironwood Bluff Ranch #1
Author:  Olivia Kay
Published:  November 13, 2025
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Rancher’s Unexpected Love begins the Ironwood Bluff Ranch series.  Take one still grieving widower rancher, his adorable little girl, pair them with a former rodeo barrel racer determined to prove that she has the skills and the grit to be a ranch hand on his vast ranch… and some of his vile family members out to cause trouble in any fashion imaginable, and you have one amazing start to a new series.  Olivia Kay is a new-to-me author, and I’ll definitely be following this series.

There were so many times I wanted to smack Zane upside his head (as my grandmother would say) for his hot/cold/affectionate/indifferent attitude toward Josie.  Man, make up your mind!  His mother and sister, I could have easily and without guilt tied them up in the desert and let the rattlesnakes get them… same family anyways!  (No, I’m not normally a violent person, but those nasty women got my dander riled up but good.)

I adored Josie and her grit, her wit, and her determination to excel in a man’s (supposed, not many female ranch hands around) profession without backing down from anyone.  She’s smart, attractive, and could make Zane’s head spin with little effort.  She deserved her happy ever after ending, Zane could come along for the ride, in my opinion.  Yes, I liked Josie more than Zane, but together they really set my ereader on fire.  Zane is so stuck in the past with his unwarranted guilt that he’s almost willing to let this second chance at love slip right past him and his precious daughter, Lila.

I loved everything about Rancher’s Unexpected Love by Olivia Kay.  It’s well-written, emotional, steamy in parts, sweet and tender in others, and completely drew me into their world.  If that’s the kind of Modern Western/Contemporary Romance that sets your heart on fire, then you’ll love Zane and Josie’s story.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them 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)