I can’t pinpoint what it is with this prequel story to the Ransom Canyon series by Jodi Thomas, but I’m beyond drawn in. It’s subtle in the storyline, but the reader has no choice other than to be submerged in these small town, western vibes. The development of these characters from multiple generations is phenomenal and the detailed imagery and vivid descriptions by the author paint such a beautiful and nostalgic setting for the stories that are to follow. I hadn’t even heard of this series until I picked up this book, but it has quickly moved to the top of my list of books to drown in this year.

If you've ever lost yourself in the Honey Creek books or binged the Ransom Canyon series on Netflix, then Silver Leaf Rapids is a must read!
Set in the rugged beauty of Texas, Silver Leaf Rapids brings us to the beginning of it all, where the roots of the Kirkland family legacy begin to dig deep into the land. We meet 19-year-old Staten Kirkland just as he's stepping into his grandfather's role, called back from college to take on the weight of running the Double K Ranch.
One of my favorite parts of the book was how the story wove together multiple threads of love and identity. Charlotte Lane is rebuilding her life after leaving school, Peggy Warner is trying to carve out her own space in a family that takes her for granted, and characters like Quinn, Wade, and Duke bring such charm to the story. Peggy in particular stole my heart. She's funny, brave, and witty (especially when she snuck those donuts!), she's the kind of character who quietly shines and stays with you long after you turn the last page.
Available now on Kindle, Amazon, and Audible-and with all 8 Ransom Canyon books on Kindle Unlimited-there's never been a better time to fall in love with this world. Highly recommend!

This was a prequel to Ransom Canyon I was lucky enough to arc read! It’s described as Virgin River meets Yellowstone. I haven’t read any of this series and it’s my first Jodi Thomas book.

This book made me feel like I was riding through the West on horseback. I loved this prequel to the saga that is Ransom Canyon!

This series starts showing how Staten had to overcome so many challenges and obstacles and how he comes to inherit the ranch. This also goes into other members of his family and how they try to forge a life for themselves. This book makes me want to go all in and read the entire series!

I was definitely in my cowboy era reading this! Thank you @hambright_pr @jodithomasauthor for letting me read this! ❤️📖

Small Town
Cowboy/Rancher
Opposites Attract
Found Family
Romantic Suspense

This is my first Jodi Thomas book and fitting since I’ve heard of Ransom Canyon but I haven’t read or watched it yet. So I’m starting right in the beginning with the prequel.

This book follows three separate couples, when young from their POV and their intertwined relationships. I found it to be a sweet, heartwarming slow burn that has now introduced me to the beginning of the Ransom Canyon world.

Blurb
Deep in the heart of Texas, five generations of Kirklands built the sprawling Double K Ranch, battling fire and frost, outlaws and disease. It’s said the dirt flows through their veins as sure as Silverleaf Rapids flows through Ransom Canyon. But the canyon also had a way of becoming part of just about anyone who landed there . . .

If you love
🌾 Small Town
🐂 West Texas Setting
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 First love
🤠 Protective hero
🔥 Slow burn

5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1/5🌶️

What to Expect:
🐎Small Town
🧡Western Romance
🐎Slow Burn
🧡Found Family
🐎Romantic Suspense
🧡Protective MMC
🐎First Love
🧡Multiple POV
🐎Multi-Storyline
🧡Prequel

I didn’t expect to fall so hard for Silverleaf Rapids, but the second I cracked it open, I was ALL COMMITTED!!! This heartfelt prequel drops us right at the beginning—before the events of the Ransom Canyon series (hello Josh Duhamel on NETFLIX!)—where we meet a 19-year-old Staten, suddenly forced to trade college dreams for running his family's massive Texas ranch after his grandfather suffers a stroke. His heartbreak over lost opportunities and the strain on his relationship with Amalah was such a punch to the gut!!! And while Staten is trying to find his footing, we also meet Charlotte, the new high school English teacher who’s looking for more from her life—and somehow ends up coaching football (wildride?). Then there’s Peggy, the overlooked youngest daughter who’s always put everyone else first… until Duke steps, and she learns to FINALLY put herself first.

What I loved most was how Jodi Thomas wove all three storylines together in such a smooth and seamless way (I did read reviews that many weren't fans of this, but I thoroughly enjoyed this!!) Each character’s journey felt important, grounded in that small-town Texas charm and quiet strength that defines the series. There’s heartache, hope, and healing all packed into these pages, and even though the romance is a slow burn, the emotional payoff was so worth it. Watching these characters grow—individually and together—made me want to reread the entire series and binge the Netflix adaptation all over again.

A HUGE thank you to Hambright PR, Netgalley, and Jodie Thomas for sending this one over!!

Ransom Canyon lovers! You have to read this beautiful prequel set in the Double K Ranch world. Full of heartfelt love and laughter, we see where it all began and the characters in their earlier years. Staten is thrown into adulthood before he has the chance to finish college. Charlotte rediscovers herself in a few different ways. And Peggy finally focuses on herself rather than pleasing her family 24/7.

Thank you Jodi, HambrightPR, Kensington Publishing for this physical and advanced reader’s copy through NetGalley! I am so grateful to be able to leave my honest review for this book!

Silverleaf Rapids is a prequel to Jodi Thomas’ Ransom Canyon series. It follows many characters from the area around Double K Ranch including Staten - a young man pulled from his first year of college when his grandfather falls ill and needs someone to take over the ranch, Charlotte - a teacher that is new to town and craving a life like in the Old Western novels she reads, and Peggy - an overworked and under-appreciated daughter in town hoping to build her own life on her own terms.

As soon as I read in the blurb that this book is perfect for fans of Yellowstone, I knew I had to give it a read! I loved the scenes from Double K Ranch and felt very immersed in the landscape that is so important to these characters. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and how it gave me a broader understanding of the whole town and how the ranch is such a big part of the community. I think I might have felt a little more connected to the world and characters if this hadn’t been my first novel in this series. It felt a little like small snapshots of setup instead of a full story to me. This made it hard for me to believe the relationships and connections, especially Staten and Amalah’s.

This was such a warm and heartfelt story that takes you to the beginning of the Ransom Canyon world! Set in a small Texas town, this prequel follows three very different characters whose lives are all shaped by love, loss, and a deep connection to the land! We meet 19-year-old Staten Kirkland as he steps into big responsibilities on his family’s ranch. Then there’s Dr. Charlotte Lane, who’s starting over after leaving her career as a college professor. And Peggy Warner, the youngest in a big, busy family, is quietly trying to find her place in the world.
What I really enjoyed about this book is how it shows the beauty of change and second chances. Whether it’s starting fresh, chasing long-lost dreams, or learning to open up again, each character brings something special. I loved characters Quinn and Wade, who brought a sense of steadiness and heart. Peggy and Duke’s story was super sweet, and Charlotte and Wade’s connection was so fun for me! Reading this book felt like slowing down and spending time in a place that feels familiar and comforting. It’s full of emotion, family ties, gentle romance, and a real love for the land. Whether you’re already a fan of the series or just diving in for the first time, Silverleaf Rapids is a great way to get wrapped up in the world of Ransom Canyon! I can’t wait to read more!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐫𝐞:
🏘️ Small town
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 First love
💕Multiple POVs
🤠 Protective hero
🔥 Slow burn
📚Multiple different Love stories

Honestly, this one wasn't for me. I was really optimistic and it had me excited to watch the netflix show, but these characters were just so meh. Charlotte starting off with abandoning her cat was not a good taste in my mouth. I don't like that Amalah came back, he should have gotten with Quinn off the bat.

Thank you, Jodi Thomas, Kensington Publishing, and Hambright PR for this gifted paperback of 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘧 𝘙𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘴!

"He loved the Double K with every fiber of his being. It was a part of him. His family’s legacy. Like his gramps always said, the dirt of Ransom Canyon was in his blood. He’d never give it up. Not for anyone." (Staten Kirkland)

Review:

This is the prequel to the Ransom Canyon series. I watched the first episode on Netflix just so I could get an idea of the setting and characters. 🙂

I really enjoyed this book, the Kirkland family, and reading about the Double K Ranch. There were so many great characters, each with their own stories and their own romantic relationships.

I felt bad for Staten having to leave college and his girlfriend, Amalah, but I thought it was great that he came home to help run the
family ranch while his grandfather recovered.

I also felt bad for Peggy. Her family used her for everything while making her feel like she was worth nothing. She was a very strong woman and always did what was asked of her. Peggy was so funny, though! My favorite part is when she stole donuts after her aunt told her they didn't have enough for her.

This book was so much fun, and I loved reading about the family history.

I highly recommend Silverleaf Rapids. It's available to purchase on Kindle, Amazon, and Audible. The 8 books in the Ransom Canyon series are available on Kindle Unlimited!

The story follows a few different couples, with each chapter changing to a different POV. They do end up intertwining but it felt disjointed and forced. There were a few things I read that just didn’t sit well with me.

There was a story told in the book about a [possibly Native American?] woman who was literally traded. She was traded for a broken watch and in return she was to become the man’s wife. I was deeply horrified to read about her injustice and dehumanization. After reading this, I did a brief research on the author and I found that she does put effort into making the fictional story as historically accurate as possible.

I was unimpressed with a female character that decided to drop out of college because she all of a sudden decided she only wanted to be a wife. To each their own, but it just seemed forced. I also felt like Stat had more chemistry with a different female than the one that wanted to be his wife.

Unfortunately for me, it felt sort of like a couple of novellas stitched together.

Silverleaf Rapids is the prequel book to the Ransom Canyon Series. I highly recommend reading before diving into the series. If you are watching the show on Netflix, I definitely think this book will help you understand the characters and where their mindset is. This book will give you a better insider to why they behave the way they do.

Why you will love this book:
The Tropes
🏘️ Small town
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 First love
🤠 Protective hero
🔥 Slow burn

I read this book prior to digging into the show. I am so glad that I did. I truly enjoyed seeing Stanton as a kid and feeling his responsibility towards his grandfathers ranch. The family saga that delves into love and romance, loyalty and legacy really opens up the story and gives a broad look into the future of the Double K Ranch and the possibilities of what is to come. Prequels can be hit or miss with me but this one was a hit. I truly loved all of the history and it gave me a proper look into the series.

This was a good prequel to ransom canyon. I like how they set everything up for the series.im excited to check out the rest of the series.

I love reading prequels and finding out additional details about characters and their backgrounds. This story is emotional and angsty and also really charming.

If you are a fan of Ransom Canyon this is a must read! We are introduced to Ransom Canyon and we find out more about how Staten inherits the ranch. This book follows a few different relationships and some names should be very familiar!!

Jodi does a great job telling these stories and tying them all together. If you are enjoying the Netflix series I would definitely give this a read!

✨What To Expect
🌾 Small Town
🐂 West Texas Setting
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 First love 
🤠 Protective hero
🔥 Slow burn
💞 Multiple Love Stories
♥️ Multiple POV

after watching the series I just fell in love with this world and had to read this book!
This book is the perfect intro into the ransom canyon world and gives such a broad picture of everything. We get the story of how system inherited everything and get to meet the characters when they were younger.
I love how the book has this old time feel to it, it feels kinda vintage in a sense and I truly love that!
This book had a rich plot and suck deeply complex characters you just have to love them!

Heartfelt, cozy, and an all around perfect prequel romance to a romantic small town series!

-Small town
-Slow burn
-Multiple different love stories
-Protective Hero
-First Love
-Multiple POV

This story combines multiple love stories all intertwining into one book set in a small town, full of emotions and new beginnings. This was a perfect prequel I thought, and am excited to continue on and see where these characters stories go!

Silverleaf Rapids is a heartfelt and grounded start to the Ransom Canyon series. Even without having read the other books or seen the Netflix show, this story pulled me in with its small-town Texas charm, layered characters, and themes of family, love, and starting over.
This isn’t just one story—it’s three. Staten is 19 and forced to leave college and the girl he loves when his grandfather falls ill. He returns home to run the family ranch, stepping into responsibility way sooner than expected. Then there's Peggy, the overlooked youngest in a big family, who’s given up her own life to care for everyone else. Her journey to finally chasing what she wants was one of my favorites. And Charlotte, a burned-out professor looking for something different, finds a fresh start—and maybe love—when she moves to Ransom Canyon.
Jodi Thomas gives each character their own arc, and while the book shifts between them, it all weaves together smoothly. I liked that the romance felt slow and real, not rushed. And the setting? You can feel the West Texas dust, the family legacy in the land, and how deep the roots run at the Double K Ranch.
The pacing dips a little in the middle, and yes, you’ll see a few familiar romance tropes, but I didn’t mind—it’s more about the journey than the twists. If you love quiet strength, second chances, and stories with heart, this one’s for you.
Whether you're new to the Ransom Canyon world or already a fan, this prequel is a solid intro. I’m definitely curious to keep going with the series now.

᪥ Small town
᪥ First Love
᪥ Protective Hero
᪥ Slow Burn

What a great read!

I absolutely loved the TV adaptation but as always the book was better! This prequel is just what's needed to get you into canyon ranch.

This was a good build up to the next book for sure! You got a lot of history of the land, some drama mixed in and of course spice!

Thank you hambright, NetGalley and Jodi for this story!

I love the 90s set back for these characters. I hadn't read any of this series yet, but have been introduced to them from the Netflix show, so I love being able to get more of a glimpse into their past and taking it back to the 90s and a time I can reminisce and relate to. It's a fun take and I can't wait for more.

Silverleaf Rapids is the prequel to Ransom Canyon, the new series on Netflix. In this book we read the story of several Ransom Canyon residents. We meet 19 year old Staten Kirkland, who has had to leave College behind to take care of his family ranch after his grandfather has been admitted at the hospital. We also read about 27 year old Peggy Warner, who has been taking care of her whole family, and never doing something for herself.

Silverleaf Rapids was an enjoyable read in which we get to know more background to the Ransom Canyon story. The characters where fun to get to know, and I loved the Texas setting. I always find Ranch stories very charming. And this book definitely had some charming elements. But honestly, this story was a bit to sweet for my taste and I felt like this book missed a bit of depth.

Overall this book was just not for me. I did enjoy reading a bit more about the characters I’ve seen in this tv series, but I’m not necessarily sure I like those Kirklands more now.