The Rancher’s Redemption

Pearce returns to Northern California’s Morgan Ranch in this heartfelt second entry in the Millers of Morgan Valley series (after The Second Chance Rancher). Lizzie Taylor had a teenage crush on her friend Adam Miller, but Adam fell in love with, and eventually married, Lizzie’s best friend, Louisa, instead. Louisa’s death, 10 years before the start of the book, left a deep rift between Adam and Lizzie as they struggled to deal with their grief. Now a single mom juggling childcare and a waitressing job, Lizzie is reunited with Adam when her son, Roman, has a health crisis and Adam comes to their rescue. Rekindling their friendship sparks a mutual attraction as Adam finally breaks free of the sorrow and isolation he has shrouded himself in since Louisa’s death. As they both wrestle with big emotions, Adam’s grief sometimes veers toward surliness and Louisa’s insecurities become tedious and petty. Despite these character flaws, their mutually supportive relationship is refreshingly mature. Readers will be gratified by this feel-good love story. Agent: Deidre Knight, Knight Agency. (Dec.)