The Rancher's Second Chance (Parker Ranches, Inc., #1) (2024)

I was confused by the timing of this story. It says it was published in 2020, but the other books in the series are dated prior to this, which made me wonder if this was written after the others in the series.
It has a somewhat strange tone to the writing, curt and distant, and I didn't feel any connection to the characters. And really - a man loses his wife of twenty years and four months later someone is suggesting he gets some 'casual adult time'- whatever that implies? Euw.

This is the foundational story to the Parker Ranches, Inc. western romance series. In this short novella, meet John Rankin, his family, and his ranch. The Parker family historically owned a large swath of ranch land in Montana from Bozeman to Billings. Over time, the acreage changed; more land was purchased, and sometimes divided, to accommodate a growing and changing family.

John Rankin's wife, Annie, a Parker by birth, dies leaving her portion of the ranch to her husband, John, and their children, Callie and Parker. When Annie dies, John's life turns on a dime. Suddenly he is a full-time father and a rancher—with a grieving, rebelling ten-year-old daughter, and a moody sixteen-year-old son. He's at a loss.

Then Abby Cooper steps into his life.

I'm in love with this family, the setting, and writing the stories in this series! I hope you come to enjoy it too. The Rancher's Second Chance sets the stage for future books for Callie and Parker, their cousin Gage, and later, their new step/half siblings. The series continues with stories featuring secondary characters, more family members, and new ranch families from Montana, Texas, and South Dakota. Stay tuned for more!

Ethan: Black Sheep Cowboy, Book 7 in the series, releases in late January 2021.

My Musings

This is a lovely novella with engaging characters and a heartfelt plot. Therein a lot of character development, but that's to be expected in such a short story. Happy ☺reading 📚!

When John’s wife Annie, passed away and l eft him with 2 children to raise, he’s feeling lost and uncertain how to deal with their loss. Callie, his daughter, is only 10 but has been acting out which is so unlike her. Parker, his 16 yr old son, spends a lot of time by himself. When his foreman suggests John needs some adult time for himself too, he arranges a blind date with his friend Abby, a librarian. At first he felt guilty that somehow he was betraying Annie, but she had told him to find happiness again. A emotional and tender storyline that deals with loss, hurting children who miss their mother, finding love again, and family acceptance. Looking forward to Callie’s story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

John Rankin's wife Annie dies of cancer. Aside from his own grieving, he has his two children to care for while he is still trying to run a working cattle ranch. Then complications arise when his 10-year-old daughter, Callie, acts out. This is absolutely normal behavior for a child grieving the loss of her mom and not sure what direction her life will take now. Filled with insecurity, she takes it out on her dad and he has no idea how to help her.

Buck McGinnis steps in and introduces John to Abby Cooper who is better able to deal with the frightened teenager. But when he finds himself caring about Abby, he holds back, afraid it is too soon to fall for another woman. Will his attitude drive Abby away? Would his children accept her becoming a part of their family?

Sweet cowboy second chance romance
The beginning is sad in that we meet John Rankin at his wife’s grave. Then we find out that he has two children, one a teenage boy Parker and his sister 10yo Callie who is acting out since her mom’s death. John needs help! Three months after Annie’s death his foreman and friend Buck gives him some advice and arranges a blind date with Abby Cooper. John likes Abby…a lot but how to tell his children?!
This was a really sweet albeit short romance. I truly enjoyed it. No bedroom scenes so if you’re looking for more steam, pass on this book. I get the feeling that this book is an introduction to the next generation of the Rankin clan. I’ve already purchased “Callie” and “Parker” the next two books in the series. If you like simply sweet, no steam romance, I recommend this one.

John Rankin's second chance for love after the loss of his wife. His ranch foreman, Buck thought John might be more able to handle the needs of his ten year old daughter, Callie if he was to see to his own needs better and had some adult time away from his children. John was not so sure, but he did agree to a blind date with the librarian, Abby Cooper. Interesting concept for starting to date after the loss of a spouse. John and Abby seemed to hit it off. They do not tell much to get the level of chemistry only that there was a strong attraction between the two. The story was more geared toward John and the kids moving on after the death of Anne. It was an emotional read in that respect.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I found this book for free on Amazon via Freebooksy
This is the exact same story from the prequel in The Montana McKennas Boxed Set. In the boxset and subsequent books, it's about James and Liz. In this one, it's about John and Abby. A few other names are changed too, such as Buck and Kristin (Sam and Stef), but others remain the same such as Tom & Sally and Parker & Callie. Luke is Brody and Annie is Claire. I wish the authors of the series would have put a note somewhere in the description. If you read the books individually, they are not the McKennas but the Rankins. It's a fun intro to the people of the following books in the series.

This is the 1st book in the Parker Ranches, Inc. series. This is John and Abbys story. After John's wife dies he is finding it hard to deal with his children who are grieving as well and trying to run a ranch. He needs help desperately! His foreman introduces him to Abby.. He is attracted to her, she is to him also, Is it too soon after his wife has died? Will the children accept her? If so, can they be a real family together? All these questions and more are answered in this second chance book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was a decent read. I knew going in that this was an introduction to the rest of the series and I felt like it was a pretty decent set up for it. It was nice to get the backstory of everything that happened in childhood before we get to know the characters in the series. It had a great plot and the characters were great.

I give this a four out of five stars. The plot was great and so were the characters. I look forward to the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is book one in the Parker Ranches, Inc series and is a short Novella that gives you an introduction into the series and family. John Rankin lost his first wife Annie to cancer and now John is lost, grieving, and not sure how he's going to raise his kids alone. This book is a short novella that tells how he meets his second wife Abby. It just gives you a little background on John for the full length novels about his children when they’re adults.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Here we have a story that is at the same time sweet, short and romantic. There is no villains or anything else depressing. Just a sweet ranch story with a lot of differently difficult life for the characters in the story. Overall I can say that I liked this story quite much and enjoyed reading it as well. So fabulous four stars for this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is a really sweet, simple story that proves you don’t need lots of bedroom scenes to write a good romance. Both John and Abby are likable characters, with everyday problems that makes them very relatable to the reader. The relationship between John and Abby is awkward at first, which is understandable given the relatively short time since John’s wife died, but it was amazing how well Maddie showed their deepening feelings for each other over the relatively short length of this book.

After John's wife dies he feels overwhelmed taking care of his ranch and dealing with his two children who are also grieving. Enter Abby a woman he meets through his foreman. He really likes her but is afraid that it's to soon after his wife's passing. Nice story about second chances.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is the 3rd book I've read written by Maddie James; she has done a great job at writing a good short story; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

Book one in the The Parker Ranches, Inc. series a well written story that held my interest until the end. Widower John Rankin his children Callie and Parker, and Abby Cooper and her son Luke's story. The one person I was not sure about was Callie. This story is well worth reading. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I thought this book was heartbreaking in its tale of loss and heartwarming in its tale of finding solace in spite of our convictions. I loved the characters who were likable and relatable. I loved the storyline which engaged my emotions. I enjoyed reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Rancher’s Second Chance

Great story about having a second chance at love and family. John’s wife died leaving him with , a son, and a younger daughter. Time rolled on and he met a lady, they dated, and he fell in love with her. Complications arise, but you will need to read this story to see if all ends well.

“The Rancher’s Second Chance: Rock Creek Ranch”(Parker Ranches,Inc Book 1).

I’m really glad I didn’t have to pay for this book, as it took less than a half hour to read! It was okay,but I think it could’ve gone on quite a bit.That’s really all I had against it,there was a lot more that could have happened.

a short story about a cowboy who lost his wife and his need for help with his kids who miss their mom and the issues that come with that

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

John and Abbys story to start a new series! How things can become difficult when you lose a spouse and there are teenage children who need both parents to have a somewhat normal home life! Blended families always have history to deal with

I received a bok Sprout copy and freely leave my review

Find Love Again!

The Rancher's Second Chance: Excellent story! Great writing. I really enjoyed Abby and John's story. It was a very emotional story. I like how he handle his children after their mother died and how he did his without her. I really enjoyed it.

Beautiful Beginnings

I am going to enjoy this series. It gives you the characters that show true emotions and love. John and his children Parker & Callie have lost a wife and mother but now they someone to help heal their hearts.

The Ranchers Second Chance

This is a decent little short story. Could have been even better had it been made into a full sized book. There was a lot more that could have filled out in this one and made it a great book.

One minute his mate was talking to him about going on a date, then the next minute he had the date and was pondering over the experience! Would of liked to of read about the first date, and what they thought of each other....

Love Can Come Twice

For us older folks, there is love out there on the second go ‘round. You never know when it is going to sneak up on you, or turn you around. Just trust your friends, family, and instincts. Love, not the same, but just as strong and true, can be yours.

Can a devastated Cowboy get a second chance at love?

Oh, how I cried throughout this beautiful story! Tough guys can be tender hearted and Maddie James proves it all thru the book!
Real life is tough and tender!
I was afraid it would end sadly! Read and enjoy!

Rating: 2.5

Many spelling mistakes in my edition. The story was okay until the 'bombshell' (my most disliked romance trope, unfortunately). A bit of a taboo romance too, since the love interest is so much older than the woman.

Book Review

Good start to this series! The story was sweet but had sad full at the same time because it started out with a lost of a partner, mother and friend but was sweet do to the start of a new relationship and partnership!

A very good book

This book was about losing a spouse and life going on. It had children in it too. It was very emotional and loving. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish.