For the hardworking folks of Morgantown, home really is where the heart is. But sometimes it takes leaving for a while to figure that out . . .

Kaiden Miller may be the family jokester, but he takes his work on their ranch very seriously. And as a sought-after master carpenter to boot, he’s busier than ever. Still, when he’s asked to renovate the neighboring ranch, he’s more than willing. The owner, Juan Garcia, is ailing, and Kaiden expects to find the property pretty run down. He doesn’t expect to find his old nemesis—Juan’s daughter, Julia—overseeing his work . . .

Julia’s not sure why Kaiden never liked her. But if working with him makes life easier for her father, so be it. Yet to her surprise, not only is Kaiden great with her father, he’s great with her too. As the weeks pass, it becomes harder to ignore their simmering attraction. And when Julia’s boss turns up with a sweet deal, both she and Kaiden will have to decide where their loyalties—and their hearts—lie.

Titles in The Millers of Morgan Valley series include – The Second Chance Rancher – The Rancher’s Redemption – The Rebellious Rancher – The Rancher Meets His Match

*Connection to the “Morgan Ranch” series – you’ll find familiar faces if you’ve read the series but it’s not necessary to enjoy the Miller family – but I’d still recommend both.*

Title:  The Rancher Meets His Match
Series:  The Millers of Morgan Valley #4
Author:  Kate Pearce
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  December 29, 2020
Publisher:  Kensington Books
My Rating:  4 stars

I’ve enjoyed The Millers of Morgan Valley series, I do love a series that continues through spin-off characters, I freely admit that.  The Rancher Meets His Match is the fourth title, Kaiden and Julia’s romance, and I’m frankly torn on this one.

I loved Kaiden, he’s the son who works with Dad, he’s an accomplished carpenter as well as working the ranch.  Many consider him the jokester of the family as he often covers other emotions with laughter, pranks, and jokes.  There are layers to Kaiden, and he rarely allows anyone to see them all.

Julia has moved beyond her hometown.  She’s a lawyer who has recently been overlooked for a promotion.  As her father’s MS is affecting him badly right now, Julia has returned home to care for him and to put some space between her and that job which no longer seems so great.  The last person she expected to encounter was Kaiden, who back in high school laughed off her interest in him (according to her brother, Kaiden’s friend) and said some very mean things about her.  She’s got a long memory but this Kaiden is doing everything he can to help her father so perhaps the past should stay in the past.

Everything is there for a sizzling second chance romance.  But I simply couldn’t feel it this time.  Friends with benefits, yeah.  But two people who love each other and won’t compromise a way to be together don’t really deeply, life long commitment love each other, in my opinion.  Misunderstandings, lack of communication brought them both so much hurt and pain.  And it’s an argument that is timeless, “If only they had talked and really listened one sentence would have saved so much heartache.”  I know that’s not how the story goes, but it certainly was very strong in my mind throughout  The Rancher Meets His Match.

So, yeah, I’m torn.  I enjoyed so much of this story yet kept being pulled out of that same story by small things that added up.  It’s a good story, don’t misunderstand me – but I didn’t fall in love with Julia and Kaiden, and I really wanted to.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Available in paperback or for your favorite e-reader, mine is the Kindle.