The Ranch

B. E. Baker

May 2022 · The Birch Creek Ranch Series Book 3 · Purple Puppy Publishing

About this ebook

A ranch they didn't expect to love. A family they didn't expect to find. 

Amanda and Abigail Brooks didn’t even want a ranch. They should be pleased the secondary beneficiary is trying to take it away. But now they’ve been in Birch Creek for a while and they’ve started to put down roots. They won’t give up without a fight—even if the odds of winning are bleak.

Donna Ellingson started on the wrong side of things, but she’s eager to rectify past mistakes. But when helping one widow harms the other, none of the choices she’s presented with are clear.

Can the women save the ranch that has brought them all together, and learn to love openly and boldly, even when life keeps getting in the way?

keywords: romantic women's fiction, women's fiction, family saga, saga, romance, clean romance, contemporary romance, ranch life, small town romance, western romance, cowboy romance, big city girl, bequest, birch creek ranch series, be baker, bridget baker, B. E. Baker, birch creek ranch, rock star romance, widow, later in life romance, romance after forty, mature romance, clean and wholesome romance, book club fiction, series, women's fiction series, romantic comedy, beach read, binge book, small town, love story, family drama, virgin river, Virgin River, Robyn carr, virgin river robyn carr, virgin river novel, jan moran, pam kelly, pam kelley, lilly mirren, jessie newton, hope holloway, lisa kleypas, debbie macomber, for fans of debbie macomber, pamela kelley, lilly mirren, nora roberts, danielle steele, jan moran, rachel hanna, elin hildebrand, nicholas sparks, holiday romance, christmas romance, free first in series, mary kay andrews, ken follett, amy harmon, karen kingsbury, elin hilderbrand, brenda novak, jennifer weiner, nancy thayer, dorothea benton frank.

Ratings and reviews

Oh, tear my heart in two! This book had a lot more drama than the first two. The characters are more settled, more comfortable in their new lives and roles, now six months into life on the ranch. It seems as soon as something starts to work like a well-oiled machine, something jams the whole thing up. And then something else. And another thing. And then something catches on fire. These poor women really went through it! Donna has more pages in this book and is definitely more likable now that she has listened to her conscience. She’s really a good mom just trying to do her best. They all are and this is a nice way to show that there are all types of parents who can still really love their kids and be good moms and dads. It doesn’t look the same for all of us. Also, way to rock the auntie love! (I was an aunt for almost two decades before I was ever called Mama, so I appreciate that nod). I wish we all had an Amanda Saddler in our lives. Someone who gives it to us straight and loves us despite our many flaws. She’s just the best! The other Amanda must have the most amazing Instagram pics and I almost wish photos were included. Love the holiday celebrations at the end of the book and can’t wait for their next adventures!

Abigail, Amanda, and Donna have had some rocky moments, but they’re finally all working together with a common goal: saving Birch Creek Ranch. The case hangs on Abigail’s legal ability and Donna’s testimony, but they worry those may not be enough. Abigail and Amanda are forced to consider what comes next if they lose the ranch—what their identity is outside of the ranch, their floundering careers, and the men they’re dating (or wishing to date). Donna is facing an even bigger struggle as her future and her son’s hang in the balance. Is there any such thing as happily ever after for people with so much baggage, so many hurts in their lives? I loved this installment of the series! It’s packed with action, emotion, and humor as the women navigate motherhood, dating, living in the world of Instagram and reality TV, and running a ranch. The depth of character development is impressive, especially with a long list of characters: along with the three women and their significant others, each of their children has a unique personality and set of needs, and there are multiple, colorful secondary characters (we all need an Amanda Saddler in our lives). They feel so real—sometimes I want to cheer for them, sometimes I want to cry for them, and sometimes I want to shake some sense into them when they make the stupid decisions we're all guilty of. Most of all, I love the way Ms. Baker portrays the delicate balance each woman must find between standing on their own feet, secure in their identity, and at the same time recognizing that they can’t do life alone—they need community, support from friends and family. I highly recommend this addictive and meaningful read!

Never a dull moment in books by Bridget E. Baker. She knows how to tell a story and The Ranch continues a great story about three very different women who have different challenges, but I can see people I've known in each of them. There were some "knock your socks off" moments in this book and a few twists the reader never sees coming! Loved this book and highly recommend the series. Make sure to read the series from the beginning because you don't want to miss anything in this story!

About the author

Bridget loves her husband (every day) and all five of her kids (most days). 

She’s a lawyer, but does as little legal work as possible. She has three quarter horse geldings, a Holsteiner (jumping) horse, and she spends too much time riding and not enough time writing. (Or too much time writing and not enough time riding, depending on your perspective!)

She has more chickens than she’ll admit to having, two cats, two dogs (one bouncy and one yappy). She makes cookies waaaaay too often and believes they should be their own food group. In a (possibly misguided) attempt at balancing the scales, she kickboxes daily. 

So if you don’t like her books, her kids, her horses, her chickens, or her cookies, maybe don’t tell her in person.

B.E. Baker is the romance/women's fiction penname for Bridget E. Baker, who also writes fantasy, end of the world, and dystopian books that add a little magic to the world.

Please sign up for Bridget's fantasy or romance newsletters on her website at www.BridgetEBakerWrites.com or click Follow on her bio above to get notices and updates when she releases new books!