At Wolf Ranch by Jennifer Ryan is a romantic suspense with a sexy cowboy hero that both Amanda and I loved.

Ella and Lela Wolf are twins and heiresses set to take ownership of their late father’s company when they turn 25. One night Ella receives a strange call from Lela and returns home just in time to see their uncle Phillip murder her. Ella overhears Phillip and a corrupt police detective as they plan to frame her for the murder.

Ella knows (from the phone call) that Lela found out something very incriminating about their uncle. She uses a fake ID and cash to retrace her sister’s steps to Montana where her family owns a large ranch. On her way to the ranch she gets stranded in a blizzard and nearly dies.

Gabe Bowden is a former rodeo champion who is looking to settle down. He’s spent his savings on cattle and bought Wolf Ranch. When he finds a woman nearly frozen to death on the side of the road, he doesn’t expect her to be Ella Wolf. He especially doesn’t expect to learn that Phillip swindled him out of his money, only pretending to sell him Wolf Ranch.

Gabe decides to help Ella take her uncle down, but he doesn’t expect to fall in love with the city girl.

Elyse:

This book was trope heaven for me. It’s got Country Boy vs City Girl, Unexpected Rescuer, Snowed In… It was like trope confetti.

Amanda:

Yes! Plus I’ve been on a cowboy kick lately and c’mon, did you see the size of that man’s Stetson on the cover?

Admittedly, it was a slow start for me with the phone call and the info dumpage of character details. However once Ella and Gabe were in the same vicinity, the book really took off. Their interactions together were sincere, sweet, and addicting.

Elyse:

I loved Gabe. He’s strong but genuinely sweet. I love alpha heroes who can be strong, but are secure and don’t need to be assholes to everyone. Gabe is kind of a quiet hero, and I liked that. Ella is a smart, strong woman and he respects that. Also I want him to cook for me.

Amanda:

Despite the tragedy at the heart of the plot, the fact that both characters were functioning adults with their own aspirations and careers made their romance more attractive. They have their separate passions that overlap on occasion, showing just how well opposites can get along and compromise with each other. That being said, I did not like how Gabe played the martyr and decided for Ella that she couldn’t handle both their relationship and her busy career. Or rather, she shouldn’t because her focus needed to be on the company and handling her sister’s death.

Calm your tits, Gabe. Girl knows what she’s doing.

Elyse:

I think it’s an interesting dynamic. I read books all the time about male billionaires who apparently have A LOT of free time despite their businesses. This book was pretty clear that Ella has a lot of shit to do.

Also Gabe is clearly intimidated by Ella’s wealth and feels like he can’t offer her much. You don’t see that as often when the dude is rich and the woman isn’t.

Amanda:

I know I was just wondering about female billionaires and it just slipped past my mind that I was reading one. And when you explain it like that, I suppose it does make sense that Gabe was worried he couldn’t offer her anything. His previous relationship ended because he couldn’t offer his soon-to-be wife the life she truly wanted, and with Ella, what could he offer a girl who essentially has everything?

But then again, Ella gave Gabe no reason to doubt her. However, I do understand the whole mentality of “hurt her/him before they hurt you.” After all, no one wants to be dumped. I know I’d rather be the dumper. (That sounds gross and I apologize.)

Elyse:

We both loved Gabe, but what did you think of Ella? I thought it was interesting that she had this party girl image that wasn’t true. I also thought it was cool that she worked her way from the bottom of the company (literally the mailroom) up. Uncle Phillip thinks she’s a flake but she wants to see how every aspect of the company worked.

That said sometimes she felt like she was a little too awesome at everything (except cooking). Like I think if someone quickly needed neurosurgery Ella would have been like, “Strap him to the table! I did a thesis on this between getting my business degree and running a company and being a socialite/party girl!” When does she sleep?

Amanda:

Totally agree! Her only “flaws” were her cooking and being known for a party girl, the latter was a misconception and not really an issue. She was understandable (perhaps a little too understandable) and while the romance between Gabe and Ella was really sweet, I think they needed more tension.

When the first were around each other, there was that sexual tension. After they got together, that all went away. She got along with his family members, sent Gabe’s mom a gift basket, etc. The main conflict was obviously with Phillip, but I think Gabe and Ella could have used more clashing because it’s weird that they complemented each other so well that they barely fought. Especially when they were forced into being the same space for a while.

Like I would have went bonkers, no matter how sexy and agreeable the man was. Something would have pissed me off eventually.

Elyse:

Right? Snowed-in romances always overlook the whole “the way you brush your teeth pisses me off” thing.

What did you think of the mystery? I really liked it until the end when I thought Ryan tacked on some stuff and it became too much. Phillip didn’t need five reasons for wanting to kill Ella, one was plenty. For me that was the weakest part of the book.

Amanda:

Yep, there’s that info dump issue again. Spoiler for the full extent of Uncle Phillip’s creepiness: The whole coveting his brother’s wife thing was hella weird and way out of left field. And the mistress that popped up. I think leaving it at the inheritance/greed motivation was fine and waaaaayyyy more realistic than him having some creepy, serial killer-esque shrine when it wasn’t even hinted to earlier in the book.

The end between Gabe and Ella felt too wham-bam-thank you, ma’am. He leaves her. They’re separated for a short period of time. She shows up again. All is well. I would have liked more showing than telling in that case.

Elyse:

Overall I still really enjoyed it. I’d give it a B. You?

Amanda:

That is exactly what I’d give it. B for me!