The problem with the secret-baby plot for romance books is that the author has to come up with a reason why the woman didn’t let the man know that he was going to become a father without making her seem like a vindictive villainess.  Usually, the decision is made by the author to concoct some reason why she couldn’t find him - maybe they had an anonymous hook-up somewhere and she didn’t know enough information to find him.  But in this book, we have teen sweethearts in a small town.  The father, Ryder, left town suddenly without telling anyone, including his girlfriend, Peyton, that he was leaving or why.  His reason was that his once-loving father had turned on him and kept deriding him.  So he decided to leave without telling anyone and stay away for ten years without letting his mother or former girlfriend what he was doing or where he was. 

Now he’s back, a successful business man who had built some sort of lumber business and now is investing in his family’s lake/dude ranch.  And he’s amazed to find out that he left behind a pregnant girlfriend who had an adorable little girl.  His parents have helped her bring up the daughter he never knew.  So now he’s even more insecure and self-hating as he realizes all he missed out on because he was too proud and unsure of himself to tell his girlfriend why he was leaving and where he was going or if he’d be back.

Ryder spends most of the book hating himself and desiring to be back with Peyton.  She spends most of the book hating herself for being attracted to him while occasionally breaking down and sleeping with him - but the sexual relationship is treated like sex in a 1950s movie.  I might have missed that it had happened because the chapter just ended if we hadn’t seen Peyton feeling remorse about having slept with him when I hadn’t realized that she had until afterwards.

I just couldn’t feel too sorry for Ryder.  He brought this pain on himself.  Now the only remaining question was whether he could grow past his mistakes and insecurities.  Since it’s a romance novel, we know he will, but I didn’t end up caring all that much either way.

I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Jennifer Hoopes definitely has a talent for taking a reader on a roller coaster of emotions. This book was very good. It grabbed my attention. I enjoyed the central plot, but also the sub plots. The characters were well developed. The story kept me enthralled until the very end! I will be reading more books by Jennifer. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book. I don't know how she does it, but from the very first page Jennifer sucks me right into the story and doesn't let go. I read it in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. 
Ryder leaves the ranch 10 years ago, leaving behind his one love Peyton. 19 years old and after that one last row with his father, he can't take anymore so without a word to anyone, not even Peyton he disappears. It's a year before anyone hears from him and he writes his mom a letter letting her know he's alive and living in Alaska. No address, no anything. Just the basics. 
What Ryder didn't know was that when he left Peyton, he left her with a part of himself. Those ten years have passed, and Ryder has returned to town. The last thing Peyton expects and a good thing her daughter is off at wilderness camp that week. Peyton has been taken in by Ryders family, she works at the Ranch, they love having Mel her daughter around and it's good for Ryders parents to have them both close by. Despite Ryder. When Ryder finds out he's a father, he's a ball of emotion. He's runs the whole gamut. The anger, the sadness, the bull about no one contacting him (really Ryder??) After his parents hired private investigators to try and find him... wrong. Ryder is a great study in character and Jennifer did a fantastic job with insight, his own self talk and how he dealt with both Peyton, Mel and ultimately his father. Ryder's come home not because he missed anyone, he's come home to show his father he's a success. His company he formed with his best friend has purchased the land around the lake at the ranch to build cabins to attract more visitors and insuring the success of the ranch. Now he's got a real purpose, to secure Mel's future. 
Ryder makes mistakes, Peyton makes a few but she's got game that girl. Mel is perfect and I really liked Ryders Mom Shelby. Powerful woman, few words but when she says them she speaks her mind.
This is another fantastic story from Jennifer, I loved the first one and this one even more. This book has the perfect balance of tension between the story and characters. Add it to your list. It's a great read.

**advanced copy from NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review. All thought and opinions are my own.**

I received The Cowboy’s Homecoming Surprise by Jennifer Hoopes through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Peyton is a single mom, the first man she ever loved left her 10 years ago without a word. 
Ryder left 10 years ago when his father made it clear he wasn’t wanted. 
Now Ryder’s back, and when he finds out he has a daughter he knows he never wants to leave again.
This was a great read. Ryder’s pain was heartbreaking between his father and learning to be a father himself. Peyton is a strong female character. 10/10 would read again!!!

This is a second chance romance that I enjoyed reading.  Peyton was only 19 when her boyfriend, disappeared during the night, just two days before she learned she was pregnant.  Ten years later, he returns, having no idea he was a father.  Ryder's father was the reason he left, until he could return successful and prove that he had a valuable contribution to make.

This  novel is filled with pain and angst, yet still leads to a HEA ending.  I enjoyed the characters and felt invested in their story.  I found myself rooting for them and wanting them to succeed.  The author has a wonderful way of telling a story that fans of the genre will love.  Put this one at the top of your TBR list.

Peyton is enjoying a night out for the first time in quite awhile, but she never expects to see her ex Ryder walk through the door.

Ryder had left without a word 10 years ago and has no idea he is the father of Peyton's daughter Mel. He has always cared about Peyton, but felt he had to leave to find success and prove himself to his father. When he comes back and discovers he's a father what will he do next?

The story and characters were interesting and engaging. I liked that family and forgiveness play just as big parts of the plot as romance does. Characters from the first Fly Creek book make an appearance, and I hope we get more books, maybe one about Dan?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is  a touching story about second chances, family dynamics or lack thereof, life changing surprises, hope and above all love.
Ryder and Peyton were young and in love until he disappeared overnight without explanation to parts unknown. Almost a year goes by before he wrote to tell his Mom he was in Alaska and fine. Afterwards, he wrote to her on occasion, never knowing that he had left behind more than his family and Peyton.
Upon his return, he is shocked when he discovers what he left.
The struggles of the main characters was palpable. You understood their emotional turmoil, their lack of trust and hurt, as well as their hope for a future.
A heartbreaking  but also heartwarming story that will make you fall in love with Peyton and Ryder.
I was gifted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Too much pride, bitterness, betrayal  and insecurities for me to want to read this book again. It almost didn't have a happy ending because of everyone's problems. I think I would have enjoyed it more if maybe they were worked out during the story. Then we would get to see a little more of Ryder and Peyton strengthening their relationship.