4.5⭐️/ 2-3🌶️

The picturesque small town of Meadowlark made me want to live in the book right there in Rebel Blue Ranch with the rest of the Ryder family. Since reading this series, I have adored each of the characters for different reasons, and seen glimpses of different characters. Aside from Emmy, Brooks, Ada, and Wes, I think Teddy and Gus were the couple I was most intrigued to read about. For as long as Teddy and Gus had known each other, it was always a battle of backhanded insults, butting heads, and generally not liking each other. If you asked anyone in Meadowlark, they’d tell you that Teddy and Gus were like water and oil, those two didn’t get along at all. Although, things started to shift when Teddy needed a job, and Gus needed help with his daughter, Riley while he was busy maintaining Rebel Blue Ranch. Enter some of my all time favorite tropes, single dad/ nanny, small town, cowboy romance, and forced proximity! Teddy and Gus were in for quite the surprise when the two archenemies found themselves lowering their guards and softening up towards each other.

As much as Teddy and Gus had their issues with each other, things started to change when Teddy became basically Riley’s nanny. Say what you will, but I’m considering this book to have the nanny trope since Teddy essentially was that for Riley. Anyways, aside from that, I really liked the progression in Teddy and Gus’s story going enemies to lovers. Teddy and Gus had always been use to insulting each other, and generally not getting along, but seeing the two of them soften towards each other and be nice was a good change up in their dynamic. Gus being the single dad trying to juggle his responsibilities learned that having Teddy around to help take care of Riley was a great idea in the end. Riley never imagined being around Gus’s more often than usual, but even her perceptions of Gus changed, and she started to admire the real Gus she never really knew. I think in terms of the enemies to lovers trope in this book was good, and seamless illustrating Teddy and Gus becoming more amicable. 

This story was not only one I had been really intrigued by, but was also surprised by the emotional aspect to the book. The single dad trope is one of my favorites, but the way this book focused on the relationship between father and daughter made me a bit emotional. Gus’s relationship with his daughter, Riley was precious, and (sigh) so darn adorable seeing how much Gus went above and beyond for Riley. For Teddy, her dad, Hank was always the one that was there for her, and the most important person in her life. Seeing the struggles that Teddy faced with Hank’s health was a bit sad especially when it came to the moments when Teddy would get scared thinking “what if” scenarios surrounding Hank. I think once you read this book, you’ll see what I mean by seeing the depth between the fathers and daughters in this story that will make you a bit emotional as well.

Overall, this was a good book, one that I enjoyed, didn’t want to stop reading until I finished the whole thing! Teddy and Gus’s romance happened naturally and despite the former enemies initially not wanting anything to do with each other, they fell hard for one another. Gus was a grumpy, single dad, but gradually softened his grumpy personality around Teddy. Both, Teddy and Gus were use to doing things on their own, but gradually learned it was ok to ask for help. Teddy for the most part often felt like she was falling behind on things other people had such as, marriage, kids, careers, etc. Regardless, Teddy found her footing and ended up going after her dream that I imagined ended up working out. Riley was a sweet kid, and seeing her with both Gus and Teddy was adorable. All in all, good book, good pacing, not too fast but enough that I wasn’t bored while reading. Always love seeing Emmy, Brooks, Wes, Ada, and Amos in this series. Book ended on quite a cliffhanger so, I can only wonder how the next book will turn out. Nonetheless, I will eagerly be awaiting the next book! Highly recommend this book (and series) if you love cowboy romances, small towns, found family, and a variety of tropes within the series.