A great friends to lovers. . Cara and Jace have been friends since childhood. Jace looks after Cara as if she were his sister. Cara has had a crush on Jace forever. They both have baggage -he hasn't gotten over the death of his younger sister when he was young. She was raised by her now deceased Grandfather because her mother was a drunk and has no idea who her father is. When Cara decides to buy a building Jace is there to accompany her at the required overnight stay before her offer to buy it will be accepted. Their relationship starts to change. Jace is content with the progression, Cara wants him to love her as a woman, not his best friend. Maisey Yates’ way of telling their story was so well done. There is angst, laughter, tears, sadness, wonderful family relationships, and some steam to finally get us to a HEA.

Thank you NetGalley, Maisey Yates and Harlequin for the ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Publication date: 1/24/2023

Long time friends Cara and Jace turn into lovers when a haunted hotel is on the market in Lone Rock. Jace's heart has been locked up tight for a long time but Cara is able to finally persuade him to be open to their love.

I've got to state at the outset my belief that Maisey Yates doesn't have a bad book in her--and that belief was again confirmed by the fact that her latest novel for Harlequin Desire, One Night Rancher (The Carsons of Lone Rock #3), was a one-sitting, couldn't put it down, up until 5:00 a.m. read, and it gets 5 bleary-eyed stars from this reader.

One Night Rancher is Jace and Cara's friends-to-lovers story, and for someone who always looks for character development in a novel, Ms. Yates did that in spades. These two characters have been best friends since middle-school, when Jace, youngest son of a welathy ranch family, came upon poor, bedraggled, bullied, motherless, fatherless, friendless and sad, Cara, trying to rescue the one new item her financially strapped grandfather could manage to buy for her, a new binder that the bullies destroyed. It was the start of a beautiful and lifelong friendship, even though Jace's rodeo career took him away for months at a time, the friendship survived his absences.

Jace had lost his little sister, Sofia, at a very early age to cancer, and he took her death hard--it caused him to also lose his faith in love and the hereafter, and left him wanting no commitments to anything or anyone outside of his friendship with Cara, and his love for his family--living only in the present. He's been treating Cara as Sofia's substitute for decades, but as the years have gone by, Cara fell totally and irrevocably in love with the handsome, caring, protective cowboy, while Jace remained utterly clueless about her feelings, and his own, but he's about to have a rude awakening, when Cara, who's been running her grandfather's bar solo since his death, decides to purchase the supposedly haunted Lone Rock Hotel, which has a caveat--she must spend one night there. Jace decides it's too dangerous for her to be alone and offers to keep her company, and their friendship is definitely about to change.

To tell you more would ruin it for you, so I'll just say that this novel had me in tears more than once, and that these two characters felt as if they could just walk right off the page--their emotional struggles and growth seemed that real, and their self-realizations seemed that honest. I loved that Cara was a strong woman, one who was able to stand on her own two feet and was willing to walk away rather than accept the crumbs of the life Jace eventually offered her. All in all, it was a great read, and I highly recommend it.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

Quick Summary: A BFF to lovers romance

My Review: One Night Rancher by Maisey Yates was a friends to partners story.

About the Book: This book had a very simple storyline. Its running themes were about finding hope, embracing love, healing from loss, and appreciating the signs and wonders around us.

About the Characters:
Jace: Cowboy, son, brother, best friend to Cara

Jace suffered a great loss in his life. As a result, he became afraid to hope and imagine a future for his life. He was conditional with his feelings and guarded with his heart.

Cara: Bartender, Entrepreneur, only child, best friend to Jace

Cara was dealt a bad hand in life, but she didn't let it break her. She learned to stand up for herself early on. When she faced loss, she didn't allow it to derail her plans. She was open to the possibilities before her.

About the Romance: Jace and Cara had been friends since middle school. They cared for each other and trusted one another. Although they had noticed each other in passing (so to speak), they never acted on anything...until they did. Thereafter, things heated up pretty quickly.

About the Conflict: Finding forever with a BFF partnership can be scary. Will Jace and Cara figure things out before all is lost?

My Final Say: Readers who enjoy the friends to lovers trope will enjoy this story. The book is fast-paced and flows fairly well.

Other: Flint's story interests me. What's up with his situation?

Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A

I voluntarily read this story. The words I have shared are my own. Thanks to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to this work in exchange for an honest review.

*A Goodreads review has been posted.

I received a copy of this from the publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the premise of this book, and the heated times were ok (this is from the "desire' Harlequin line), but the storytelling was incredibly obnoxious. It seemed the author would have liked to write it in first person but had to switch to third. This book has absolutely no 'show, don't tell.' It's almost like it's intended for moronic readers who need everything explained to death, so they don't miss the fact that the hero is indecisive and tortured, and the heroine is her own woman who overcame adversity. I did a word search, and "believe' is present 281 times in a relatively short book because we are told minutely what the characters believe and why. About everything. All the time. It was tiresome and incredibly dull at times. The plot was rushed, the conflict not existing, and even the chemistry was forced. I'm sad because it could have been a great story if told differently and if the characters actually had any arcs.

Part of the Carson’s of Lone Rock series, ONE NIGHT RANCHER is the third book that evolves around this family that has seen its share of triumphs, sorry and joy. Having read both of the first installments I of course latched onto the newest one. Maisey Yates has managed to keep me rather enthralled by the adventures and misadventures of this raucous loving family. A bunch of rugged cowboys that spent a large amount of time involved with things rodeo. Their father is now at the helm of the rodeo community. Even their youngest sibling, a sister, has the rodeo in her heart.

ONE NIGHT RANCHER is a lovely tale about friendship. A long close friendship between Jace Carson and a young girl he took under his wing while they were in their teens. Cara was from a decidedly different background. Basically raised by her grandfather Cara didn’t have many girly things and felt like an outsider most of the time. Except for Jace, who became her champion. Her best friend. Her touchstone.
Jace and Cara are very much alike in their respective needs. Jace needs to feel needed. His family had gone through an awful time. All the children had fit into somewhat specific roles in the new family dynamic. In short Jace felt like odd man out at times. Cara had no family. Jace had been her linchpin for so many years. They really completed each other. Cara’s idea to purchase an old, haunted hotel gave her the chance for a family - at least in her mind. Asking Jace to help her spend one night in the hotel wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. They spent lots of time together. As friends. Camping out had stopped when they became adults.
Jace’s protective gene kicked in whenever Cara needed him and even though he really did not believe in ghosts or haunted houses there was no way he would let Cara spend a night alone in such a possibly unsafe situation.
Jace seems content with his relationship with Cara. Naturally spiraling into something more intimate. But what exactly does Jace want out of this new step of their friendship. Cara knows what she wants. She wants Jace to love her. But the burning question is whether this stubborn headstrong cowboy will ever be able to say he loves her. Not as just best friends but as the one.
Maisey Yates really pulled out all the stops on this one. The characters insecurities are right at the forefront of the story and this author really knows how to draw the perfect diagram of relationships. Hot spicy conversations. Small things like looks and touches are all part of the artistry used in her craft. And it all works in ONE NIGHT RANCHER.

One Night Rancher is a well written romance. Good plot and character dynamics. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

I received an arc c from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This was an interesting friends to lovers romance. A young man loses his sister and takes another young girl under his wing like a protective older brother.

As the years go on he is still protective but things start to make a turn toward attraction for both of them.

Nice read.

One Night Ranger, the third book in The Carson’s of Lone Rock series by Maisey Yates, continues with the youngest Carson brother, Jace, finally reaching outside of his comfort zone to embrace love, dreams, hope, and a future for himself and Cara.

Ms Yates has crafted a touching story that has the capability to connect with the reader on a level that creates the an emotional investment in the characters and their HEA.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Rating 4.5

ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Friends to lovers. Cara has had feelings for her best friend Jace for a long time. But sadly he treats her more like a sister, as well a "best friend" and Cara want's so much more.

Jace faced a devastating lost at a young age and with that lost he shut his emotions and heart off to any kind of deep relationships or love. He loved his family but again kept them at arms length. But Cara was different, she was his best friends and also she reminded him of his sister Sophia. So he became Cara's protector as well as her best friend. Did he notice she was beautiful, intelligent and kind, absolutely but that was a closed door for him.

Cara inherited her grandfathers bar and she loves running it keeping it viable. But she's also ready to do something else as well, expand some how. Well an opportunity presents itself when the haunted hotel next door is for sale. Part of of the prerequisite to buy the hotel is spending a night there. Cara shares with Jace that she is thinking of purchasing the hotel and how she is required to spend the night to ensure she won't back out of the deal because of the ghost or haunting aspect. Jace decided to spend the night with her to protect her from any "ghost". Jace was also thinking of partnering and helping Cara, if she was open to the idea, in the purchase of the hotel. Jace has pretty much come to the decision he is done with the rodeo circuit. Jace had a tendency to help friends and family in their business adventures.

During the night stay at the hotel the two opened up like never before and some truths were revealed of their feelings and thoughts they have been harboring for each other. That intern shifted their perspective of each other and began the process of "what if's".

I loved these two characters and their friendship. It was such a solid and treasured relationship. Even though Jace was aware but refused to acknowledge his feelings for Cara. And Cara was such a strong and loving friend who knew there was so much more to Jace than he presented to others. Cara and Jace took the bold step to see how their attraction to each other would play out. And boy what a beautiful thing to behold. It was sexy, sweet and had some funny moments too. Also loved that theses two really communicated well and embraced the progress of their feelings and were all in.

Maisey Yates did a wonderful job with the friends to lovers troupe. Appreciated the heart and emotion as well as the adult progression of their relationship. And always love the family aspect of her romances.

So for those with safety issues, during their friendship Jace was not celibate. I didn't have a problem with it as he closed off any romantic relationship with anyone, he only had ONS. But again this might be an issue for others.

Definitely recommend this one.

One Night Rancher (The Carsons of Lone Rock #3) by Maisey Yates
This is the 3rd book in the series and I will have to go back and read the first two. Cara and Jace have been friends since childhood. They both have baggage - he hasn't gotten over the death of his sister when they were children. She has a drunk for a mother and no idea who her father is - she was raised by her grandfather who is now dead. There is angst, laughter, tears, sadness, wonderful family, and some steam to finally get us to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Steamy Easy-to-read Great world building Entertaining Page-turner Wonderful characters Funny Tear-jerker Happily Ever After Tragic, I loved this book.

I was provided an arc e-copy by the publisher Harlequin Desire and the author
Maisey Yates so I can give a honest review thank you do much for sending me a copy.

Wow just wow I fell in love with One Night Rancher it was a delightful read can't wait to get this book when he comes. 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Happy Reading
Lisa 📚

I have been looking forward to Jace and Cara's story for a long time, and Maisey Yates did not disappoint! I am a sucker for a friend-to-lovers romance, and this one was spot on in every way.

Cara has been in love with her best friend since middle school, which has impacted her life in every way. She wants Jace, but she also knows that Jace loves her as a sister, not as a partner or a lover.

Jace Carson has forgotten how to love. No, it's not that he's forgotten how; it's that he refuses to. When he lost his sister Sophia when he was twelve, he shut down his emotions so that he could never get hurt again. Sure, he loves his family, but he keeps everyone at arm's length, so it doesn't hurt quite so bad when they leave. He also doesn't believe in having a dream in life. Dreams mean you look towards the future, and Jace doesn't know how to do that. He lives in the moment, rides the rodeo, and when he's not out on the circuit, he's helping his friends and family with their businesses. That includes Cara, as she runs her grandfather's bar now that he's passed away.

And then, Jace makes the decision to stay with her at the local hotel she wants to buy. They must stay there for one night to prove that the 'haunting' doesn't scare her before she can buy the place. One night alone together in an empty hotel, an unexpected confession and a man who's given permission to acknowledge the feelings he's always had for his best friend change their lives.

Maisey Yates penned Jace's character in such an honest, heartbreaking, and honest way about how grief changes a person. Jace never dealt with the death of his sister. He chose, instead, to live life in a way Sophia would not be proud of. He knew it, but there was no way for him to open himself up to deal with the loss and consider a future with someone that he could lose just as easily as he lost his sister. His grief stole his ability to dream, hope, and love in the true sense of the word.

What I loved about this book was even though Cara was clearly in love with Jace for years, she also stood on her own two feet and didn't let him dictate her life for her. She could have written Jace off and moved on with her life, but she understood that Jace was broken. He didn't need anyone to fix him, he just needed someone to love him in a way that might one day heal him.

You don't want to miss this edition of the Carsons of Lone Rock. Once you start, you won't put it down until you're finished. The love these two people have for each other is palpable on the page, but so is the grief that consumes Jace every minute of the day.

If you love a friend-to-lovers story with depth and heart, you'll love One Night Rancher!

Another well rounded short romance from Maisey Yates. This is probably my favorite of the series as the tension of this couple slid through the book nicely.

Too damn cute, love it , i knew Maisey would not disappoint, she never does
I love the story and friend to lovers .
How the heal each other . Perfect cute little read .