Second Chance Ranch (Three Rivers Ranch Romance, #1) by Liz Isaacson

Second Chance Ranch (Three Rivers Ranch Romance, #1) Reviews

• 
  Melanie

  I love reading books where the characters are given a second chance at love and this one didn't disappoint! Squire and Kelly didn't actually date in high school--he's the younger brother of her best friend. She did, however, reject his invitation to go to the prom together. Only, there's a little more to that story.
  
  Kelly just got hired as the accountant for Three Rivers Ranch, the one that Squire's family owns. Squire lets her know there's a large amount of money missing but he's kept this fact from his parents. They work long hours together to try to locate the money since his family desperately needs it. They also try to deny their growing attraction to each other and need to clear the air if they want their relationship to work.
  
  Squire and Kelly were both easy to love! Kelly is reeling from a divorce she didn't see coming and has trust issues to deal with. She also has a four-year-old son to take care of and protect. Squire has issues, too. His life hasn't gone the way he had planned and he has some decisions to make about what he wants to do. He also needs to decide if Kelly will be part of his future plans. I loved how their relationship grew! They were cautious yet willing to try.
  
  This is Christian romance so it's clean (yay!) and does have some religious references but isn't preachy and works well with the story line. It's a fun, quick read and is exactly what I needed last week. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!
  
  I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
  
  
  Mel's Shelves
• 
  Elizabeth

  Life is too short to waste time on a book that does not spark interest in the first 100 pages. I don't care about the characters. I find the dialogue boring and the relationship juvenile. The man holds a grudge against this woman for 10 years 10 YEARS!!! for not going to prom with him. He still cares about her not going with him after going to war and being wounded. And her...I just don't buy any of this. On top of that the 'country folks' are so contrived. I know some country folks and they talk just like the rest of us. They don't actually talk like characters from a bad spaghetti western.
  
  Not my cup of tea, couldn't finish. Moving on.
• 
  Kathy

  This is a sweet second chance romance. I enjoyed it. If you like clean romance with a few Christian elements you will likely enjoy this one.
  Content: Clean
• 
  Katie (Hiding in the Pages)

  I absolutely love a story about second chances and this one delivered! Squire is recently returned from the military, where he was honorably discharged after an injury. Hats off to those who serve in the military because I don't think I could do it and I truly appreciate all that they do for our country. I love that Squire is a deep character. He's working through issues resulting from his service, as well as trying to balance his wants and his duties for the future. He's a great all-around guy, if a little grumpy at times.
  
  When Squire discovers a large sum of money missing from the ranch, he hires an accountant and the only applicant is a girl who jilted him back in high school--Kelly. She's back, recovering from a divorce, and trying to get on her feet again. I really like Kelly and she's the kind of person I would love to have for a friend. She tries hard to make good impressions and to come off strong, but she's only human. Misunderstandings and mistakes happen and she's not afraid to own up to them...eventually. She has a darling son and I love his place in the story.
  
  I love the interactions these characters have with each other, with their families, and with other residents of the town. Speaking of the town, the setting is fabulous and makes me wish I lived in a place such as this. I love the added dash of mystery that brings this clean romance to a new level. This description says this is Book One and I'm definitely looking forward to more books in this series! As it also says in the description, if you're a fan of any of those authors listed, you'll be sure to love Liz Isaacson's work!
  
  *I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
• 
  Marlene

  A while back, I realized that I was only reading authors whose last names began with letters at the very beginning of the alphabet. My system for choosing books was backfiring on me, and something had to be done! I would never get to favorite authors such as
  Karen Witemeyer, or even
  Deanne Gist. So I decided to try an A to Z challenge as I’ve seen other Goodreads readers do. And… I wanted to read a book by an author whose last name began with the letter “I”. Regardless of my (possibly) silly reason for reading this book, I’m glad I did.
  
  Second Chance Ranch (2015 , AEJ Creative Works), 1st in the Three Rivers Ranch series by
  Liz Isaacson, is a standalone contemporary LDS western romance (with a touch of mystery) set in Texas. I had not previously read any of Isaacson’s works. But I had already picked up a couple of her later books in this series for free due to Bookbub’s alerts, and decided to read the first one via Kindle Unlimited. And… as I said, I wanted an author beginning with “I”!
  
  For those interested, the
  Three Rivers Romance Box Set, a collection including books one through three, is available via Kindle Unlimited.
  
  Rating: 4 stars
  
  The heroine: Kelly Russell, a twenty-eight year-old recent divorcee with full custody of her four-year-old son, has left her “cheating husband” in California to return home to Texas. She interviews for a job as the accountant to solve the Three Rivers Ranch’s financial problems. She’s desperate to snag the position, as there are little to no accounting jobs in the area. Kelly is no stranger to the ranch, because she was a frequent visitor when she was a teen. Her best friend Chelsea was (and is) the owner’s daughter. Her interview is with Chelsea’s father and her very handsome younger brother Squire, who has taken on running the ranch.
  
  The hero: Major Squire Ackerman is home to help with the ranch because “the ranch needed to stay in the family if his parents had any chance at surviving financially.” He was twice deployed overseas to Afghanistan, witnessed horrors, and now suffers from PTSD. He’s liked Kelly for years, but has always “felt so completely invisible” around her. So the situation is awkward for him. “She was the girl who danced with his sister. Who slept over on the weekends. Who’d bewitched him so completely he’d convinced himself a senior would go to her prom with a sophomore.”
  
  Christian elements: I am not a Mormon, so I have been cautious about trying LDS fiction. However, I’ve decided I’m OK with reading books by LDS authors as long as I don’t find doctrine that doesn’t line up with the Bible. I did not not see any teaching that contradicted mainstream Christian doctrine, so I’m comfortable continuing to read Isaacson unless I start finding otherwise.
  
  What I liked: I enjoyed the fun dialogue. That’s the best part of a romance, isn’t it? :-)
  
  When Kelly’s heel got stuck in the metal stairs outside:
  
  “ ‘I’d like to see you wear shoes like this’... she glared at him.”
  “I would rock shoes like that, darlin’... And Kelly? I remember your kick being much...higher.”
  
  *I appreciated a reminder of the motto “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”
  
  *I liked the fact that Kelly works in a grocery store even though she has accounting credentials. If a person needs a job, it doesn’t make sense to quit trying if he can’t get the position he wants.
  
  What I didn’t like: I didn’t like the whole issue of Squire asking Kelly to the prom ten years prior. “Her rejection screamed through him as loudly now as it had a decade ago.” I have to admit that it’s probably a realistic portrayal of human nature, but it grated on me a bit, regardless.
  
  I plan to read book two, most likely some time in 2017. I recommend this book to fans of clean contemporary romance.
• 
  Pam Graber

  Squire Ackerman returns from Kandahar with a rod in his leg and PTSD. As the only son of Three Rivers Ranch, he’s expected to take over so his father can retire. Unfortunately, that’s not where his passion lies. Squire loves the animals and was halfway toward his goal of becoming a veterinarian when he was deployed. The day-to-day of running a ranch is nothing but tedious for him. Things go from bad to worse when he discovers that $1.6 million is missing from the ranch accounts. Hiring a good accountant is a must and his dad knows just the woman for the job.
  Kelly (Armstrong) Russell, fresh from an acrimonious divorce, has moved back home to Texas with her 4-year-old son, Finn. Until she gets a decent job her only option is living in her parents’ basement. Applying for the accountant position at Three Rivers Ranch was a no-brainer for her; she practically grew up there, after all. She wasn’t expecting her best friend’s younger brother, Squire, to be her boss. As they work together to uncover the missing funds, Kelly and Squire discover that more than their friendship is at stake. Their very lives may be on the line.
  Can Squire get past the hurt Kelly dealt him in high school? Can Kelly get past the hurt from her failed marriage? Together can they see a future that includes the two of them and Finn?
  I have been binge-reading the Three Rivers Ranch books by Liz Isaacson. I started with The First Lady of Three Rivers Ranch, which is actually book 7 in the series but gives the story of Squire’s parents. I love how gentle and kind the men are and how the women are confident in their abilities but not necessarily confident in dealing with relationships. Kelly struggles with trusting another man after her husband’s infidelity but she’s known Squire since they were kids so it’s easy to see the two getting together.
  If you enjoy a little western flavor in your reading, try out the Three Rivers Ranch books. Contemporary romance readers will enjoy these stories, Christian fiction readers will appreciate the faith elements and there’s just enough mystery/suspense to keep those readers happy as well. I have enjoyed everything I’ve read so far!
  
• 
  B. D. Mann

  This is the first book of the Three Rivers Ranch series and my first exposure to Liz Isaacson. WOW! I am impressed. This is a well-written Christian Romance. The author so skillfully wove Christian elements into the story that it is appealing to not only Christian readers but also any reader who favors clean, sweet romances. The characterization is well done and the storyline well crafted. So far as I could determine the author and her proofreaders were successful in producing a book that is completely free of editorial mistakes. There were enough plot twists, turns, and surprises that I was held captive from the opening paragraphs to the last period. Be prepared for a rather generous cast of characters. I am looking forward to reading the entire series.
• 
  ☆☆Hannah☆☆

  This was another book that I've had for awhile but waited a long time to read. Yet again I regret that. This was a good book. I really liked Squire and Kelly. I thought that they were great for each other. I was very happy for them in the end.
• 
  Iola

  Kelly Armstrong has returned with her son to her tiny home town following her divorce. She applies for a job at Three Rivers Ranch, working for Squire Ackerman, the younger brother of her best friend in high school. She needs the job, so she can afford to move out of her parent’s basement. Squire doesn’t want to work with the girl who rejected him many years ago, but there’s a problem in the ranch accounts and he needs Kelly’s help to find it …
  
  I liked both main characters—important in a romance. Squire was the all-American hero, an Army major who has now retired following an injury. Yes, he’s probably too good to be true, but this is a romance novel. We don’t hold that against him. Kelly is an equally good character—strong, intelligent, hard-working, reliable and caring. Her main fault is that she appears to have no faults. No matter: there is still plenty of conflict and tension, both from the missing money and the growing feelings between Kelly and Squire.
  
  The one thing which bothered me about Second Chance Ranch was the timing. Four months ago Kelly discovered her husband was having an affair. Now she’s been divorced one month and is living back in her home town … and this is a romance novel, so she’s about to find her Happy Ever After. Really? Four months ago she was in love with husband number one, and now she’s ready to move on? No going through the stages of grief for the death of a marriage? No trust issues? Or are my views tarnished from living in New Zealand, where it takes at least two years to get a divorce, to ensure couples have adequate time to attempt to reconcile?
  
  Aside from that, I really enjoyed the characters and the story. The writing was excellent (marred only by a couple of proofreading errors and overuse of “he thought” and “she thought). In fact, some of the writing was outstanding, like the description of dinner delivered by Squire: “chicken noodle soup with a side of male goodness”. Funny!
  
  Recommended for those who enjoy fun-filled contemporary Christian romance by authors like Becky Wade, Andrea Grigg and Rose Dee.
  
  Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
• 
  Julie

  This was a book I could not put down!
  
  Squire Ackerman has returned home after his tour of duty injured physically and emotionally. He's trying to save his family ranch without telling his father exactly how badly their last financial adviser has hurt them. But his father hires Kelly as their new accountant---the one woman Squire hasn't been able to forget.
  
  Kelly is trying to move on from a divorce, living with her parents until she can save enough money of her own to support her and her four-year-old son. When she gets the job at Three Rivers Ranch she's ecstatic because that will help her do that, until she comes face-to-face with Squire again. He was her best friend's little brother, but he has turned into so much more. She tries to quash her attraction to him since he's her boss and the last time she got involved with her boss it ended in divorce. But circumstances throw them together again and again and their feelings are too hard to ignore. But should she follow her heart and risk being hurt again?
  
  I loved these characters and the inner turmoil they were both experiencing drew me back again and again to see how they would deal with it all. I loved how Squire had always been drawn to Kelly, but a misunderstanding at the prom had forced him to try and forget about her. Yet, when it came right down to it, she was the woman he needed all along. Kelly was so relatable as a single mom trying to do right by her kid and piece her life back together. She didn't inspire pity in me at all, though, because she was doing what so many women have to do---pull herself up by her bootstraps and do her best for her child. I loved the relationship tension building slowly and surely, it wasn't an insta-love, but two mature adults trying to figure things out. The description and setting were spot on and I know I'll be looking for this author's next clean inspirational romance!
  
  Originally reviewed on
  http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
  
• 
  Lauren Seiberling

  A wonderful romance that was inspirational in more ways than one!
  First of all, the synopsis does an excellent job of setting up the tension in this story from the very beginning: A man scorned by the woman of his dreams years ago, and now she is back in his life, all day, every day. I was GLUED to this book waiting to see how the inevitable confrontation surrounding that event would play out!
  I liked reading Squire because he was realistically damaged. A war veteran with PTSD and a broken heart, he needed someone special to love and understand him. He needed that person to be Kelly.
  Kelly was also damaged and had some trust issues as a result of a past betrayal. Needless to say, these issues made for some intense conflicts with Squire.
  The book talks about God and faith, but it wasn't over-the-top or too "in your face." Rather, those elements were inserted into the story as they might come up in every-day, real life by way of going to church, etc.
  Kelly and Squire must work together to find the 1.6 million dollars that went missing form Three Rivers Ranch. Ultimately they do solve the mystery, but the way it ended was VERY unexpected! I enjoyed that twist in the story.
  All in all, this was a very good, sweet romance novel, and I think this will turn into a wonderful series!
  ***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
• 
  Cynthia Marcano

  My first Liz Isaacson book.
  
  Good read. Fans of buff and handsome cowboys and Army Vets, unrequited love, small towns, Texas and a bit of mystery woven into a love story with a happy ending will enjoy this book.
  
  I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
• 
  Jamie (The Kansan Reader)

  Our hero’s name is Squire… I really don’t know how to feel about that name.
  
  Kelly has moved back to her hometown with her four-year-old son after getting divorced. She ends up getting a job at Three Rivers Ranch where her best friend from high school grew up.
  
  Squire now home from the army helps with the ranch. When his older sister’s best friend is hired as their new accountant, old feelings come rushing back.
  
  I don’t really know how I feel about this book. It had its cute moments but nothing wowed me. Also, some of the army stuff didn’t quite seem right, but I could be wrong on that. I need to ask my husband’s best friend who served to see if this author did her research right.
• 
  Tracy Smith

  I haven't read a good western romance in quite a long time, but I really enjoyed this one. Liz Isaacson is a new author to me and I will be looking for more from her in the future. I enjoyed getting to know her characters and the myriad of emotions that wove through the pages were very easy to feel along with them. If you enjoy second chance romances set in a western setting, I would recommend you check out this story. Happy Reading Everyone!
• 
  Aimee (Getting Your Read On)

  It's always fun when authors delve into a new genre and write something outside of what is typical for them. Especially when they do it successfully and I think Elana Johnson (writing as Liz Isaacson) has done very well for her debut contemporary adult romance novel.
  
  I always love a good western with horses and cowboys. Squire is also military so that brings a few added elements into the mix. On top of that, it's a second chance love because Kelly and Squire have known each other a long time and Squire kind of carries a torch for Kelly from high school. There is a bit of a mystery surrounding some missing money on the ranch and Kelly has been hired to find it. There is even a cute kid and a puppy! What more could you ask for in a good love story?
  
  Squire and Kelly have some great chemistry that really came through in the story. I enjoyed their interactions and their conversations. Even though they both fight it, that attraction could not be dismissed.
  
  Overall and great romantic story! I settled in and read through it quickly. I'm looking forward to more in this genre from this author.
  
  Content: Clean. No swearing or sexual content. Christian fiction.
• 
  Amanda Murphy

  I hate to write less than glowing reviews, but I just do not see all of the 5 star ratings this book has received. I think it has potential. It could have benefited a great deal from several more rounds of ruthless edits. It often seemed to jump around, referring to something that apparently just happened that wasn't included in the writing. Or repeating the same idea and/or sentiment over and over. I only got 39% of the way through before it became painfully clear to me that I didn't want to read it.
• 
  Kristen

  I really, really enjoyed this one, especially for a kindle freebie. I usually do not like books where one of the lead characters has kids from a divorce, etc. but I didn't mind it one bit in this one. Squire was defiantly swoon worthy and it had romance, and some action (not the bad moral kind) hot cowboys...good stuff. Clean and not preachy!
  
  Moral Note: Clean language, clean romance, some mild violence.
• 
  Jennifer

  Completely safe, clean, and devoid of any ow/om drama. The H was a little silly with his oh so fragile ego hanging onto a disappointment from a decade ago, but other than that this was a nice and easy read. I enjoyed how the H was a genuine nice guy and how the h tried to be a good mother to her son. The dual povs were nice, but I do wish that here was more character development. I had some questions that remained unanswered and an epilogue would have been nice too.
• 
  Canda

  This is a sweet contemporary romance with a western flare. I completely loved the characters, the setting, their families...loved it all!
• 
  Dee/ bookworm

  Very clean and cute romance.
• 
  Marsha Keeper Bookshelf

  
  Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
  
  I recently began the Seven Sons Ranch in Three Rivers series and realized that while I had read some of the beginning (foundation) series I hadn’t completed it or reviewed it. This was back before the blog… so, what better time to fix that oversight than right now with the beginning of it all at the Three Rivers Ranch Romance series and Liz Isaacson’s debut Contemporary Romance story SECOND CHANCE RANCH. Rereading this one was no chore and reintroduced me to some likable, relatable characters – and one vile piece of nastiness.
  
  It’s been ten years since Kelly left Three Rivers. Now she’s back with a young son, fresh divorce papers, and the need to redo her life in a way that can provide her small family with a solid income and perhaps heal some emotional wounds. Squire is also back in town having served his country and now has the wounds, both physical and mental to prove that fact. His father is wanting to retire which puts a hold on Squire’s desire to follow his own dream as he makes reluctant plans to take over the ranch. Yet, there is real trouble at the ranch with missing money and Squire’s old crush being hired as the new ranch accountant. Two lives will interact once again, perhaps with a much better ending than when they last met.
  
  I liked SECOND CHANCE RANCH yet there were moments when I really wanted to shake Squire to get his mind out of the past and/or to sit them both down for a stern talking to. He’s managed to hold on to hurt feelings over a prom invitation gone wrong for a decade never once considering it was the way he asked that was open to disaster from the start. Kelly now has some major trust issues after her cheating ex-husband continues to do a number on her and their young son. Two people who could work well together are going to have to set aside their differences in the ongoing search for the missing money – and perhaps begin to see each other with more mature, clearer eyes. There is a mystery to be solved along with some danger as Squire and Kelly get closer to the truth.
  
  I enjoyed this world with interesting characters and will definitely be catching up on this series as I plan out my series reading for 2020. If you’d like to go back to the very beginning of the other connecting series then SECOND CHANCE RANCH is the place to start on this adventure.
  
  I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
• 
  Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective)

  I thought this was a sweet romance. Squire and Kelly seemed almost destined to be together from the start. Yes, the story seemed a bit predictable at times, but I think many romance novels end up that way. When you're looking for a smile, this book will definitely do the trick.
  
  Squire, of course, is a wonderful male lead. The thing that really drew me to Squire's character was his relationship with Finn. When entering into a relationship with a single mom, you never know how the man will be around children. Squire did exactly what I wanted him to do. He formed a natural bond with Finn that just makes your heart melt a little bit. Yep, Squire's a keeper!
  
  I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
  
• 
  C.

  Very well written, wonderful H & h, and supporting characters. Interesting mystery, as well.
  Too much religion/god-talk for my taste, or I would have given it the full 5-stars. Christians should love it!
  
  ETA: Actually, after reading the second book in this series, I realize that I am so invested in these characters, that even though as an ex-Christian, I do not like stories with characters giving God too much credit. The stories/characters are just so good that I want to continue visiting Three Rivers Ranch, so I will just have to ignore the 'god-talk' and just think of that as a cultural difference as I do the Amish/Mennonite-themed books that I also enjoy. I have given the 5th star to this book on reflection!
• 
  Chantel

  Great plot but the descriptions were a little funny
  
  I enjoyed the plot and characters in this book and appreciated the way PTSD was included. But some of the descriptions really were a bit odd to me. Spiders wriggling in the intestines? Whips thrashing the gut? I think it detracts from the story that otherwise was great!
• 
  Kristi

  I mainly wanted to know what happened with the missing money. The feelings that Squire carried for Kelly were understandable even if a little drawn out. The writing wasn't bad, but the flow of the story seemed off to me. There was a good bit of skimming done.
  
  Rating: PG
  Language: clean read
  Recommend: maybe
• 
  Lindsey

  Clean contemporary romance
  
  Cute story. I liked the Texas ranch atmosphere. I didn’t love the main characters. There didn’t seem to be enough depth shown in either of them. I never got too involved in the story.
  
  Clean romance.
  
  Contemporary romance.
• 
  Marissa Chavez

  ❤
  
  Kelly and Squire were amazing together! I loved that they got a second chance to be together. Such a sweet story. ❤
• 
  Coco.V

  🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/7/2019)! 🎁
  
• 
  Dixie-Lee Campbell

  Awesome ! I enjoyed this storyline very much. I read the 2nd book Third Time's a Charm in the series featuring Pete Marshall and Chelsea Ackerman, but easily transitioned back in time to enjoy the familiar setting on Three Rivers Ranch in "Second Chance Ranch." Major Squire Ackerman meets up with Kelly from his long ago past when returns home to the ranch after being injured in Afganistan .
  
  Both are taken by surprise not expecting to bump into each other and quickly the life gets interesting and enjoyable for me, the reader. ! Yes, avoidance, embarrassment, regret, dreams, and whole bunch of emotions for the cowboy and accountant ! Throw in the town, family on the ranch, and all the cowhands getting all involved in everyone's business. Suspense. Mystery. Sparks. Laughter, Tears, and family love brings creating the need and feeding energy to keep the pages moving forward.
  
  Thank you Liz Isaacson for Three Rivers Ranch series !
• 
  Quinn Fforde

  This would have been a four-star read. The writing was good, and the grammar was fine. The end wraps up too quickly considering the psychological damage these two people have, but it's fiction. I can deal with it. But I absolutely could not deal with the fact that he was a major in the army, served in war zones, suffered from PTSD, but was still hung up on the prom. The. Prom. Because he had nothing else to worry about for the last 10 years??? I just couldn't swallow that. I almost DNFed this because of how many times the word "prom" was in here. However, he resolves his hard feelings over it about halfway through, so we don't have to hear about it anymore. I will try another by this author, and I will hope for better.