The Wedding Ranch
by: Nancy Naigle
St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: 12/06/22
Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction

Just in time for cozy December Winter Reading is Nancy Naigle's new romance, The Wedding Ranch, arrives just in time for cozy reading in Winter and December. If you love dogs, second chances at love, and romantic atmosphere, this book is for you. The small town of Dalton's Mill, North Carolina provides the warmth of a small town, a perfect backdrop for Lorri and Ryder's story.

Naigle's writing is comforting and engaging, making this a wonderful book to relax with. Consider getting a copy for a friend as a stocking stuffer or to tuck in a holiday gift bag or box.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.

Lori Walker, a successful graphic designer's marriage comes to an end. Her husband leaves her for a younger woman. Lori deals and grieves with the betrayal of her marriage. She pulls it together and continues doing what she loves. After the divorce and the sale of their house, Lori moves to Dalton Hill. A lovely and friendly town an hour away from Raleigh and works from home.

Lorri meets and enjoys getting to know the local people, including Ryder Bolt, a rancher who has lost his wife and son 7 yrs. ago to a drunk driver. Both are attracted to each other, but only want to remain friends. As that friendship grows so does the love between them until tragic circumstances are revealed that connect them both. Can their love survive with forgiveness, love and a little faith?

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was the first book I've read by Nancy Naigle.
It was a sweet romance with a great storyline and easy to like characters. It was a great standalone, with character couples I'm itching to see of she's written their story as well. There was heartbreaking moments as well as warm, happy moments. I did get a bit confused as to how Lorrie's brother's accident occurred? There was some mixed messages there. A great overall read though.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book. This is my voluntary and honest review.

I usually associate this author with Christmas novels, so I was surprised to discover The Wedding Ranch had nothing to do with Christmas. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise as I alternated between smiles and tears throughout my journey with Lorri and Ryder. The Wedding Ranch is one of those novels that I would love to magically step into because Nancy Naigle made Lorri's new home and community sound so inviting. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the advance copy to read and review.

The Wedding Ranch is my first read by Nancy Naigle and it reads like a cozy Hallmark movie. Even before focusing on the story, I absolutely love that the dog is a mastiff! This automatically was a huge plus in my book as there are millions of dog breeds and mixes out there, so it is refreshing to read about a different type of dog. One thing this novel is not widely marketed as is that it reads as a Christian fiction where it’s clean with some religious elements. This is not my normal genre as I do not enjoy books that become too “preachy” where it distracts from everything else in the story, however, this novel did a great job at including the faith-based elements that can appeal to all types of audiences.

The story follows Lorri Walker after her husband, Craig, leaves her six months after she thought he was helping to save the marriage with a mastiff puppy, Mister, as a gift. In the real world, I am not a fan of giving animals as gifts, especially as a last-ditch effort to save a relationship as statistically the animal suffers in some way through the process; however, in fiction, I am a huge fan of giving everyone a puppy (or adult dog)! Mister was a great character and becomes the star in his own way, so I love that this amazing boy was added to the story! Unfortunately, Craig ends their 15-year marriage by leaving Lorri for another woman, which leaves Lorri trying to heal. She moves from the bigger city of Raleigh to the small town of Dalton Mill in North Carolina. While in her new home, she runs into local rancher, Ryder Bolt, who is going through his own traumas after losing his family in a tragedy.

This novel is not marketed as part of a series, but there are some background characters where it seemed the reader already knows information about them. It does not take away from the main story, but it came up a few times throughout where it was noticeable to me. As the story is call “The Wedding Ranch,” I was surprised it wasn’t front and center. It was still featured a lot, but it wasn’t as spotlighted as I thought before reading. Once Ryder is introduced the chapters alternate between his and Lorri’s POVs, so the reader follows along this classic small town romance story. The writing delivers the Hallmark-style story that is promised to the readers, which is all you can really ask for. It is a quick and cozy read that is perfect for those who want a nice clean romantic story. Overall, there were a few details that I felt needed a little more, but it was a novel that was well-worth the read.

The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle was an interesting read. Lorri had just split from the man she had planned to spend her life with. He had cheated and she had caught him. Now, she had a bad attitude. He had excuses and explanations, but it was obvious. Then he admitted it. The one good thing he had done was get her a puppy. Gosh, she loved that dog. Mister, the dog, grew and grew. They sold the house and with her half of the money she moved to the country. Why not? She could work remotely. She loved it. She did some of her best work there in Dalton Mill. She decided to take an afternoon for herself and go to the fair. There she had a blast, until she got in the way of an oncoming cow and a man tackled her to save her. He then adopted her for the rest of the day, where she had an even better day. Ryder was a local man. A widower who had stopped living when his wife and son died in a car accident. But he liked her, and he could use a friend. There were misunderstandings and miscommunications, like always, but they got closer, until Lorri discovered some information that would blow up the friendship.

This was a sad story in some ways, but also a story of forgiveness and redemption. It was about starting over, a topic Ryder and Lorri thought was useless, until it happened. Lorri got involved in the community in a way she never had been in the city and Ryder discovered he could add to his extended family in a meaningful way. It was a different plot, one I could see coming, even if Lorri couldn’t. It was a comfortable, positive read. I really enjoyed it.

I was invited to read The Wedding Ranch by St. Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #NancyNaigle #TheWeddingRanch

Happy Publication Day and Thank You to Negalley and St. Martin's Press for this ebook. This book had me in all the feels and I was here for it. The wedding Ranch was so beautify written with characters that were flawed and very real. I loved not only how each MC evolved learned about forgiveness in order to live in the present.

this was a super sweet book. A women with a failed married now better off. A man upset about his family land being sold for houses. WHe ntheir worlds crash many things bloom..

this had all the romance i enjoyed it

The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle is a story of recovery, overcoming past trauma, forgiveness, and finding love along the way. Big city meet country with Lori moving to a small town. Ryder has a business there and also lives there. Neither are looking to become involved in a relationship. Like a Hallmark movie, Love comes looking for them.

One of the great thing a about this story is how you feel as if you are right there in this small town. The vivid descriptions are wonderful but there is a little something more so that you actually clearly can see this place in your mind. Well done.

If you’re a fan of Karen Schaler and Debbie Macomber, you will want to be sure to give Nancy Naigle’s books a try.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Life is a winding road & this book illustrates that so well. There were so many emotions in this story. Lorri and Ryder each have traveled different paths up until their paths cross in Dalton Mill. The story was uplifting & heartwarming. It left me content & happy. I am a fan of Nancy Naigle & this one is great! I received an advance copy from NetGalley & am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is a charming story that includes some very serious backstories. Lorri is a woman who is coming from a marriage where her husband cheated on her time and time again. She’s still angry at her late brother whose drug abuse and alcoholism ruined life for her and her parents. She decides to take her bull mastiff Mister and move to a small community ninety minutes away where no one knows her story.

Ryder is still reeling from the death of his wife and four-year-old son at the hands of a drunk driver. He feels guilty for not having been in the car driving his family that fateful day. He’s thrown himself into work on his working ranch and helping his family on The Wedding Ranch.

The two meet and make a pact to try and help each other cope with their losses – to live in the present instead of the past. A romance slowly evolves until one day Lorri sees how their pasts have merged.

I appreciated the book discussing more serious subjects such as drug and alcohol addiction and the role of mental health in addiction. The story of Lorri’s brother brings to light how two people can be raised by the same set of parents yet have completely different life choices.

I loved the many romantic moments in this story and the North Carolina setting. The author does a fantastic job of describing the landscape and setting the vibe of this small town.

I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy sweet Romance or Women’s Fiction.

I received a DRC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

The Wedding Ranch is the second book I have read by Nancy Naigle. While I liked this book a lot more than the other one I read, I was not blown away by it. The story revolves around Lorri and Ryder who are connected in a way they don't realize as their relationship progresses. When this connection is revealed, they have to decide if they can forgive the past and move on to a new future together. There is a wedding venue called the Wedding Ranch which is operated by members of Ryder's family. Lorri also owns a Mastiff named Mister who was given to her by her newly ex-husband who leaves Lorri and Mister for the dog trainer.

While the story is developed pretty well, I found it predictable and slow. My mind wandered away from the story often. It just didn't keep me engaged. Overall, it was just fine, but I had hoped for more.

My sincere thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion of it.

The Wedding Ranch
By Nancy Naigle
Release date December 6, 2022

I absolutely loved this book! It not only made me laugh, smile, and cry it made me sob !

The relationship between Lorri Walker and Ryder Bolt sure had some twists and turns. It is a definite relationship that proves that Luv can conquer all.

The Wedding Ranch is a place I would love to renew my vows!

Lorri’s mastiff was a gift from her ex-husband. And it truly helped her to get through her unsettling divorce.
Mister is her dogs name was, and he was a big old cuddly bear

I was given this ARC by NetGalley and this is my honest review

Ryder Bolt and Lorri Walker are two are two of a kind. Both have lost people important to them. Both have closed themselves off from finding love again. With the help of a mastiff called Mister, a move to Dalton Mill was just what Lorri needed. It has sparked her interest to paint again. The county fair has inspired her with all the colors, people and food. Being tackled by Ryder was not on the agenda but a runaway steer changed everything. These two agreed to be just friends. What a lovely friendship it is. Till the past is revealed. Can forgiveness paved the way to a lifetime of happiness? Will the Wedding Ranch, that is run by Ryder's niece and nephew, be a place of good memories? I cried and smiled reading this book and so will you.

Nancy Naigle's The Wedding Ranch is one of my favorite reads of this year. There was something about it that I found so wonderful and endearing. This one definitely gave me all the feels.

Lorri Walker's marriage was not what she expect it would be. She and her husband had issues, but she thought they were on a better path when he gifted her a Mastiff puppy. Little did she know that six months later the marriage would be over and she would be moving to a new town to get a fresh start.

Ryder Bolt is doing his best to move on with his life after the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years prior. Ryder is a rancher, so he spends a lot of time with his horses and also with his niece and nephew who have started their own business on the family land.

Ryder and Lorri are brought together and while they seem to hit it off, neither of them is open to anything more than friendship. They decide that spending time together as friends is what they both need. The question is, is that all they need?

I absolutely loved this story, the characters, how it all played out and the twists that were added to make things both more compelling and complicated! I highly recommend this book!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Well written story and kept me interested throughout the entire story. Really enjoyed it. The author provides readers with a good story filled with great characters that readers will enjoy reading about.

Cutesy wootsy tootsy mediocre. Naigle has her niche and sticks with it. Nothing wrong with that. But nothing amazing or spectacular either. Nice tame cozy little romance. I loved Mister the dog. lol. And the backdrop of this town was really sweet.

Lorri had always suspected her husband Craig had been unfaithful to her but no evidence to prove it. But suddenly one day he tells her he is in love with a girl from the place he was using to train Mister the mastiff he had bought.

Lorri moves to Dalton Mill to get away from it all and she runs into a handsome man named Ryder. Ryder had a lot of baggage from his wife and son being killed by a drunk driver years ago. Ryder’s niece Reese and nephew Ross owned the Wedding Ranch venue and doing quite well with it. Often times Ryder helped them as in carriage rides for the bride and groom. Lorri and Ryder hit it off really well until she discovers who had actually been the drunk driver.

Grad a tissue because you will need it! Great story telling and so well written you will feel like you are right there from the horse riding to the wonderful cast iron cooking!

I received this ARC from Netgalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was a mixed blessing for me. It was God centered, sweet and had a great story line. I enjoyed the characters, the dog and the setting. I liked the pace of the relationship, but the overall pace of the book was slow.

It took me a long time to get into the story and connected to the characters. I did eventually get into it. There were a lot of conversations that seemed to have no meaning to them and didn't move the story along. I also felt like story meandered at times - lost my attention.

With all that said, I would read another Nancy Naigle. I like her clean stories.

The Wedding Ranch is a heartwarming story about family, friendship, love, and forgiveness. The two main characters have both suffered loss and have to rebuild their lives and learn to trust and love again. The setting and characters are wonderful and there is also a great dog named Mister in the story. This is the perfect book to curl up with by the fire while sipping your drink of choice! It would also make a super stocking stuffer for someone special since it's that time of year.