Marissa is truly escaping her previous life when she relocates to Bluebonnet Springs in her wedding dress (although not in a limo). She goes from city girl to cowgirl, learning to take care of her estranged grandfather's ranch, with some help from her rescuer Alex. Alex is fighting demons from his past, especially the volatile and abusive father that left quite a mark on him and his siblings. Marissa is a light in his world, showing him with her actions how to love, overcome and develop faith. Her grandfather Dan is quite a character, rough around the edges but providing wisdom when Alex and Marissa need it most. I enjoyed the members of the community and Alex's family who support each other, especially when Dan's ranch is in danger.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Rancher's Christmas Bride was such a wonderful read. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and setting.

I liked all the main characters, but Marissa's grandfather, Dan, was someone that I felt grew a lot in the story and I loved his character.

The romance was good and the ending was great. I thought this was just all-around a solid read. I recommend it if you enjoy easy, clean reads.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

This book was so good. I recommend it because you will really enjoy it.
Alex finds Marissa walking down the road in her wedding dress. she is on her way to meet the grandfather that she has never met and just recently found out about. There are alot of twists and turns but Marissa's grandfather is my favorite character in this book.
AS always this book is a fast clean read. I really enjoy the Love inspired series.

Thank you netgalley and Harlequin for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.

Two damaged hearts. One surprising love.

Alex Palermo thought he was seeing things. Why is a bride walking along the road in the middle of nowhere Texas? He offers her a ride and learns she's his cantankerous neighbor, Dan's granddaughter. As he gets to know Marissa Walker, he finds out he's not as immune to love as he thought he was. And that's a problem!

When Marissa Walker's groom ran from their wedding with the caterer, she was pretty sure she didn't want to see anyone she knew. She decides it's as good a time as any to finally meet her grandfather but when her limo breaks down miles from anywhere she's equally certain that the only luck she has is bad. When help comes out of the rain in the from of a pickup driving cowboy, she's a little leery. When he turns out to be a neighbor of her granddad, she's relieved.

As Marissa does her best to care for her ailing grandfather, Alex sees her spunk and finds himself showing her how to care for the ranch. Can they both let go of their pasts to form a future together? Or is the baggage they each carry going to sabotage a relationship before it has a chance to really start?

Brenda Minton's books are always on my must read lists. She consistently makes me care about her characters. And, it doesn't hurt that many of her characters are cowboys! I definitely recommend!

Oh. My. This is a good book! I mean, let's be real, Alex is driving along in his truck and sees a bride in a white wedding dress walking along the side of the road, he stops, it starts raining. Come on people, a premise can't get better than that!

I loved that Marissa had never met her grandfather, yet that's the one place she wants to be after she is jilted at the altar. Marissa's grandfather is such a lovable character, gruff yet welcoming at the same time.

Both Marissa and Alex have strong and interesting backstory's. Brenda Minton did a nice job stringing out the romance and never really allowing Alex and Marissa to get together, until the end of the story of course. I also loved that the last thing either character wanted was a relationship 😀 Pick up your copy of The Rancher's Christmas Bride today!

When fleeing from being left at the alter, Marissa Walker's limo breaks down alongside a country road, on her way to Bluebonnet Springs to meet the grandfather that she has never met. Local rancher Alex Palmero stops to help her out, and he takes her to see her grandfather.

Marissa wants to stay in Bluebonnet to figure out her life after everything went wrong at what was supposed to her wedding, but will Alex be able to convince her to stay forever?

Alex is good friends with Dan Wilson, who is Marissa's grandfather, Alex has been helping him out, and stopping in now and then to make sure that he has what he needs. Dan has been ill lately, so Marissa's visit comes at a good time, Alex shows Marissa around the ranch, and how to do the chores. Alex is a good man who cares about the community and has come a long way himself, in dealing with his family's rough past. I love how despite his own troubles with trying to save his ranch, he still wants to go all out and help others.

Marissa is enjoying getting to know her grandfather, as they get to know each other and Dan opens up to Marissa. Marissa is torn between what she's found and the home that she left behind, as well as the teaching job.

Overall this was a great read, I loved the characters and how everyone got to know each other better and become more of a family. I think my favorite thing was the friendship between Marissa and her grandfather.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

This is book two in the Bluebonnet Springs series, however I feel it is a stand alone book. I have not read book one and had no problem following what was happening. I do feel that the history of one of the sub characters in this book was the main character in book one but it played no part in any confusion.
Alex Palermo, is a handsome cowboy, with a past he would so love to forget. He knows he is not husband material, so when a bride is in need of rescue it may be more than he can fathom. Alex has such a good heart, but sometime getting over circumstances beyond your control can weigh heavy on your soul.
Marissa Walker, is a beautiful woman with some family issues of her own. When she is rescued by a handsome cowboy, will she regret allowing him into her life or is he exactly what she needs? Marissa is trying to connect with her cranky grandpa. I love the chemistry between Marissa her grandfather and Alex.
This book is full of family, forgiveness, learning to trust God and of course romance.

When Marissa finds out that her soon to be husband seemed more interested in the caterer then her she runs from her life, with her luck the limo breaks down leaving her stranded on her way to her estranged grandfather. Alex is the one who finds Marissa a the side of the road and she makes quiet an impression while he helps her meet her grandfather. He has his own issues an the last thing he needs is for a city girl to change his mind in opening his heart a bit.

This was such heart warming book and I really enjoyed it. I like the characters and getting to know their history. I loved seeing how hard headed Marissa was when she set her mind to something she refused to back down and let others make her go away. I enjoyed seeing the grand father softening towards Marissa and seeing how she was able to help out being there in his life. This is a sweet christmasy book and if you are looking for a bit of that during this holiday season then this book is for you.

An enjoyable and sweet story, with heartfelt characters who are trying to find a peace of mind and their place in the world where they feel loved, accepted, and at home.
Marissa Walker was supposed to get married and start a new life with a husband and a new job, instead, she finds herself living in a tiny trailer with her cranky grandfather she just met for the first time and falling for the neighbor who is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Marissa's family has lived in the shadow of her sister's death. The secrets and pain from the past have kept the family distant from each other. Living with her grandpa, Marissa seems to come truly alive, to flourish. She is generous, kind, determined, if not a little stubborn.
Alex Palermo has a good heart the size of Texas, yet the nightmares of his childhood are still very much alive and real in his mind, causing him to avoid any longterm relationships, marriage, and fatherhood. Until Marissa comes to town.
I liked the chemistry between Marissa and Alex. The banter between them was delightful, and the trust and bond not only came fast but was also natural and believable. The people of Bluebonnet Springs were entertaining, and the preparations for Christmas had me smiling.
Even though there are character development and personal growth in the story and the main characters are eagerly part of the community and the church within it, I missed the growth in faith aspect in this Love Inspired story, especially with Marissa. Just participating in the church Christmas events and being friends with the minister does not a Christian make.
A sweet and hearty Christmas romance story about coming home spiced up with little family drama and town troubles.
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

The Ranchers Christmas Bride is a lovely addition to harlequin romances. Although much of the plot was predictable, the overall story was certainly one I enjoyed.