The Rancher's Rules - Lucy Monroe

Title: THE RANCHER’S RULES

Author: Lucy Monroe

Line: Harlequin Presents and Mills and Boon Modern Romance

Release month: North America: December 2007
Australia/NZ: December 2007
UK: November 2006 M&B Modern Romance

The S-Factor: Simmering and very Sweet

Back-Blurb:

Grant Cortez is rich, famous and seriously sexy. But although he arouses feelings in virginal Zoe that no other man ever has, as her best friend he's strictly a no-go zone….Grant wants Zoe badly, but knows he can't have her. When they're forced to live together the temptation is too much, and so Grant imposes some rules—no kissing, and definitely no sex. But then there's the best rule of all: some rules are just made to be broken!

Review:

I so enjoyed this book…….I laughed, I cried and found it to be the perfect Holiday read. Zoe Jensen’s character was fun, invigorating, dear, just plain sweet and not the usual woman in a Harlequin Presents novel. Her love for life, animals and her Kindergarten students was endearing and her secret crush on her best friend Grant Cortez will squeeze your heart.

Grant and Zoe have grown up together and during their later years have had two “sexy” encounters which left Zoe hurt and embarrassed because all of her life she has secretly loved Grant. Their relationship in spite of everything remained in tact and they consider themselves best friends.

Zoe has never felt she’s belonged as her parents made it clear the son they lost should have run their ranch. When her father decides to retire, he sells the ranch to Grant, leaving Zoe without a home. She understands that she would never have been a rancher due to her love for animals, being a vegetarian, plus her non-relationship with her family, well she feels abandoned and unloved with the exception of the one man she can always count on, her best friend Grant.

Grant has the responsibly of running the family ranch and business as his father and stepmother have moved to another state due to his father’s health. For years, he has watched over Zoe, has been her closest friend and truly adores her. Now Grant finds himself not only thinking more about her but also fights a physical attraction for Zoe. On top of everything else, he now finds himself having to take care of her as she’s been evicted from her apartment because of all of her pets….cats, birds, dogs, hamster.

Now they find themselves in a bad situation and where will Zoe live? With Grant? Because of spending more time together they find themselves doing the one thing that Grant has a rule against…..the NO kissing rule, yet on a few occasions, the rule is broken. They both fight the attraction but in the end give in and then decisions need to be made…..should they take it a step further and explore their feelings?

You will absolutely adore this wonderful story, not only due to it’s warmth and humour but the magical journey itself…….falling in love and the miracle of Christmas for these two lovers.

Reviewed By: Marilyn

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor ♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥♥

Fun gossipy tidbit about author: This particular book is NOT Lucy’s normal style. However, she really wanted to tell this story and show some of her humour.

To find out more about Lucy and her books visit her Website