This was cute. Not life changing by any stretch of the imagination. And honestly wasn’t expecting the accidental pregnancy trope… not sure I’m a fan. The characters were alright but not memorable. And what about her missing brother?

In Summer on the Ranch, Susan Mallery blends the charm of small-town ranch life with the glitter and intrigue of royalty, delivering a warm and satisfying romance.

When Princess Alexandra Wyndham arrives at an Arizona ranch searching for her long-lost brother, she meets Mitch Colton—a rugged cowboy who values privacy and has no interest in royal drama. But as their paths intertwine, Alexandra’s sincerity begins to chip away at Mitch’s guarded nature. What starts as a reluctant alliance gradually turns into a connection neither expected.

Mallery excels at opposites-attract chemistry. Alexandra is more than just a tiara and title—she’s resourceful, kind, and determined. Mitch, beneath his gruff exterior, has a quiet vulnerability that makes his journey toward trust all the more rewarding. The Arizona setting is vividly drawn, full of wide-open skies, dusty trails, and the steady rhythm of ranch life, which perfectly contrasts with Alexandra’s refined world.

Beyond the romance, the novel explores themes of belonging, loyalty, and identity. The tension between Alexandra’s royal obligations and her desire for a simpler, more authentic life adds depth to the love story. Mallery’s writing keeps the tone uplifting while still delivering genuine emotional beats.

Verdict:
A tender, feel-good read with heart, humor, and a touch of fairytale magic. Perfect for readers who love cowboys, royalty, and the idea that love can bridge any divide.

Cozy, romantic from start to finish

This is an opposites attract, girl outta water type of romance story. I did not expect the level of steam that came out of the FMC’s inner monologue. There was a point where she wanted to rub the MMC like a cat and it about took me out. I will be reading more from this author because these were top tier smut scenes.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

I think this was unique and swoony combo of the princess & cowboy. I’m always intrigued with the opposites attract trope as it requires alot of work to get right. Spoiler this one is done right! The audio for this book is just fun as the narrator does a great job with the royal accent vs the cowboy voice, the range was amazing. This does ends a bit abruptly for me. It felt a little rushed and doesn’t quite wrap up all the loose ends so be warned so you have the next book in the series ready to go.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Alexandra is the oldest of 4 daughter’s and her dad is the King so she’s not only a princess but may inherit the throne one day. So when a tip comes in with new information surrounding her older brother’s disappearance she gathers her sisters and heads to America to learn more.

Alex’s brother went missing when he was a toddler when her family was visiting the states. Her parents searched for years but the list prince was never found he was presumed dead. So Alex wants to keep this new info from them for now until she has more answers.

The last thing Alex planned was to find herself on a ranch in AZ with a hot cowboy, and that cowboy holding the key to the answers she’s looking for. While there Alex soon realizes that there may be more to her than her role as a princess, she has never had fun and allowed herself to fall in love. It doesn’t help that Mitch is everything she never allowed herself to dream of. Alex will need to decide what is more important duty or love.

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

“This was a summer thunderstorm, all heat and light and sweet darkness he wanted to get lost with Alex.”

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Strangers to Lovers
* Royal Princess x Cowboy
* Opposites Attract
* Off Limits Romance - As She Could be the Next Queen
* Mystery Around Missing Prince
* Forced Proximity
* Cattle Ranch in Arizona
* Dual POV with Spice

🐴🌵👑🤠🧡🌵👑🤠🧡🌵👑🤠🧡🌵🐴

This was a sweet and spicy opposites attract, forced proximity Royal romance between a virgin princess and a divorced rancher. It was fun, lighthearted and a great summer read for those looking for something quick and entertaining. The narration by Tanya Eby was good and I’m excited for what comes next in this new series. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Let me start off by saying this narrator is one of my all time favorites. That being said, this book felt like a novella, where nothing actually wrapped up in the end. It ready very quickly, but felt like it was missing large parts to the book. I will say I am hooked and want to know if her brother is around, so I will read the rest of them, but this was somewhat disappointing.

Susan Mallery delivers another heartwarming and engaging read with Summer on the Ranch. This latest installment in the "Mojave Raptors" series brings us back to the familiar, comforting setting of the ranch, where family, community, and a touch of romance always seem to bloom. Mallery excels at crafting relatable characters, and this book is no exception.

The plot, while not revolutionary, is expertly paced, offering a satisfying blend of emotional depth and gentle humor. There are enough unexpected turns to keep the pages turning without ever feeling forced or overly dramatic. Mallery's signature style shines through in the witty dialogue and the genuine connections she builds between her characters. You feel like you're truly part of this ranch family, experiencing their triumphs and tribulations alongside them.

Where the book truly excels is in its exploration of themes like healing, second chances, and the power of found family. It's a comforting escape that reminds you of the simple joys in life. While some might find the resolution a tad predictable, it's the journey and the character growth that truly make Summer on the Ranch a worthwhile read. Fans of Susan Mallery will undoubtedly adore this addition, and newcomers looking for a feel-good contemporary romance with substance will find themselves right at home on the ranch. It's a delightful summer read that leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.