Name: Duke
Rating: 3.6 (5 reviews)

Jessica Peterson

Duke

One chance meeting on a Texas ranch.

One wild, too-charming cowboy.

One snowed-in night that changes everything.

Wheeler Rankin isn’t here for romance—she’s come to Lucky River Ranch to visit her best friend, wrangle a business deal, and prove herself to everyone who ever doubted her. But when she collides with Duke Rivers—resident heartbreaker, restless cowboy, and brother to her best friend’s new flame—sparks fly hotter than a Texas summer. 

Duke has always dreamed of more than dusty trails and small-town life. He’s itching to see the world, but one unforgettable night with Wheeler changes his course. When a blizzard and a business road trip leave them stranded together, their no-strings flirtation ignites into something deeper. 

But passion brings complications—and unexpected news threatens to upend everything Wheeler’s built. As family pressures, old wounds, and new dreams collide, Duke is determined to stand by her side, ready to forge a future neither of them ever imagined. 

Can two fiercely independent souls trust in love, face their fears, and find home in each other’s arms? Or will the ghosts of the past keep them apart for good? 

Welcome back to Hartsville, where family is found, love is hard-won, and every cowboy has a story worth telling. 

Lucky River Ranch #4

“I wouldn’t say I feel lost. More like stuck. Bored. The restlessness that’s plagued me for as long as I can remember is only getting worse.”

When your MMC makes comments like this you start to worry that he's going to vamoose when things get sticky.  Not our Duke, he instantly and with his whole chest steps, takes responsibility, puts Wheeler front and centre of his world and makes us, the readers, feel giddy that there are maybe some good guys left in the world!

Now I have to admit that secret/surprise pregnancy is not my go to trope, especially in a contemporary romance but when it's done well it can really make you cry!

Duke is strong, soft around her and let's her make the decision of when she feels safe to lean on him.  He doesn't force the issue, he just takes responsibility and makes it known that she and the baby are now his to care for. Wheeler has so much to work through.  As someone who also suffers with crippling self-esteem issues and can't accept compliments without worrying about what the other person is after, I felt such a kinship with her. When Wheeler starts to believe in herself and what she can do, I was happy for her.

As usual the family bonds (and found family vibes) are strong with the brothers and their chosen family. I've never been a ONS kind of girl but for Duke a woman just might!

Nicola Sarah Brooks

“I wouldn’t say I feel lost. More like stuck. Bored. The restlessness that’s plagued me for as long as I can remember is only getting worse.”

When your MMC makes comments like this you start to worry that he's going to vamoose when things get sticky.  Not our Duke, he instantly and with his whole chest steps, takes responsibility, puts Wheeler front and centre of his world and makes us, the readers, feel giddy that there are maybe some good guys left in the world!

Now I have to admit that secret/surprise pregnancy is not my go to trope, especially in a contemporary romance but when it's done well it can really make you cry!

Duke is strong, soft around her and let's her make the decision of when she feels safe to lean on him.  He doesn't force the issue, he just takes responsibility and makes it known that she and the baby are now his to care for. Wheeler has so much to work through.  As someone who also suffers with crippling self-esteem issues and can't accept compliments without worrying about what the other person is after, I felt such a kinship with her. When Wheeler starts to believe in herself and what she can do, I was happy for her.

As usual the family bonds (and found family vibes) are strong with the brothers and their chosen family. I've never been a ONS kind of girl but for Duke a woman just might!

Megan

Katie Avila

One chance meeting on a Texas ranch.

One wild, too-charming cowboy.

One snowed-in night that changes everything.

Wheeler Rankin isn’t here for romance—she’s come to Lucky River Ranch to visit her best friend, wrangle a business deal, and prove herself to everyone who ever doubted her. But when she collides with Duke Rivers—resident heartbreaker, restless cowboy, and brother to her best friend’s new flame—sparks fly hotter than a Texas summer.

Duke has always dreamed of more than dusty trails and small-town life. He’s itching to see the world, but one unforgettable night with Wheeler changes his course. When a blizzard and a business road trip leave them stranded together, their no-strings flirtation ignites into something deeper.

But passion brings complications—and unexpected news threatens to upend everything Wheeler’s built. As family pressures, old wounds, and new dreams collide, Duke is determined to stand by her side, ready to forge a future neither of them ever imagined.

Can two fiercely independent souls trust in love, face their fears, and find home in each other’s arms? Or will the ghosts of the past keep them apart for good?

Welcome back to Hartsville, where family is found, love is hard-won, and every cowboy has a story worth telling. 

Lucky River Ranch Book 4

Ashley Osburn

Courtney Riedel

Carla firth

One chance meeting on a Texas ranch.
One wild, too-charming cowboy.
One snowed-in night that changes everything.

Wheeler Rankin isn't here for romance. She's come to Lucky River Ranch to visit her best friend, wrangle a business deal and prove herself to everyone who's ever doubted her. But when she collides with Duke Rivers - Hartsville's resident heartbreaker, restless cowboy and brother to her best friend's new flame - sparks fly hotter than a Texas summer.

Duke's always dreamed of more than dusty trails and small-town life. He's itching to see the world, but one unforgettable night with Wheeler changes his course. When a blizzard and a business road trip leave them stranded together, their no-strings flirtation ignites into something deeper.

But passion brings complications - and unexpected news threatens to upend everything Wheeler's built. As family pressures, old wounds and new dreams collide, Duke is determined to stand by her side, ready to forge a future neither of them ever imagined.

Can two fiercely independent souls trust in love and find home in each other's arms? Or will the ghosts of the past keep them apart for good?

Duke

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