This was the first every book I have read of Maxine Morrey and I quite enjoyed it.

Following Hero, this novel brings us to a storyline full of emotion. Not only did it have romance, it have family relationship (in this case, Hero and her sister Juliet), and since family means a lot to me, I was quite emotional about the characters’ interactions. I felt as their relationship was such an important pillar in the novel.

Speaking of the characters, I felt very invested in the characters because of how realistic they sounded, plus, once we get to meet them more and as we uncover their past and their ideal, it’s hard not to feel for them, especially Hero.

I won’t enter in any specific aspects about the plot or how the story will turn out, but I recommend the book. It had a good pace, it bring us images of Australia (a place I would love to visit) and it had drama, romance and engaging characters and scenes that made me visualize, feel as I was part of the group and was transported to that moment.

Overall, I enjoyed, and loved how it entertained me until the very end and how I hope I could read more about every character and their future.

Well...what can I say. I am a fan of Maxine Morrey's, having already read Winter’s Fairytale, The Christmas Holiday and The Christmas Project, all of which I loved. So I was excited when I discovered her newest novel, Second Chance at the Ranch. This is a very different novel to Maxine's previous offerings. It is a little harder, a little more emotional - it doesn't have the light-hearted edge that her other novels have. Please do not think this is a bad thing - the grittier nature of this novel really adds to its appeal.

Hero is a top class model, with the glamorous life to match. Her beauty is unrivalled, making her highly sought after worldwide. When her sister Juliet falls in love with Pete and moves to the Australian outback, Hero finds herself torn between two worlds; one glamorous but superficial, and the other rough and simple but full of love. When Hero has a tragic accident she finds herself following her sister to Australia as she tries to put back the pieces of her life. She also finds that she can no longer hide from a past that she has spent a lifetime protecting herself from. I am pleased to confirm that whilst this novel does have a sad side, I am pleased to confirm that we also have some romance!

I really loved all of the characters in this novel. Hero is such a beautiful person, both inside and out. Despite living in such a superficial world, she still retains a sense of realism. Her anchor to the real world is her sister Juliet, another lovely, well-rounded character. She pushes her sister to reveal her true self not only to her, but to others too.

This novel is full of sadness, tragedy and pain, but it is also the story of a sisters bond, recovery and love. Whilst there is romance in this novel, I really felt the love between Hero and Juliet - a bond that really could not be broken. I could not be happier to recommend this novel!

Love book, bit different to Maxines usual style but a great story with very descriptive location settings.
Maxine always writes well, providing interesting and likable characters.

When I first picked this book up I never realised how invested in the characters I would become. This story has a whole lot of heart and the characters are developed really well creating that all important emotional connection. Hero is a complicated character because of her job and personal reasons she has created a persona that isn’t necessarily a true reflection of her real self. My heart broke for her at times especially as she reveals her past. Hero is a character who you will root for, be frustrated with at times but overall kept me reading determined to see how it would all turn out for her.

The plot moves at a steady pace but easily kept me invested in the story with the setting of Australia providing an extra special charm. Along with family drama at its heart and engaging characters that made me hope for a happy ever after. The family dynamic between Hero and Juliet was a wonderful aspect of this story and added an extra depth especially the more they interacted. There is romance in Second Chance at the Ranch and it all just adds an extra layer to an already charming story!

Maxine Morrey has written a story that took both the characters and myself on a wonderful journey!

An emotional, uplifting and compelling contemporary romance, Second Chance at the Ranch is a heartwarming story about family relationships, the ties that bind and friendship which will touch your heart and hold you spellbound.

Juliet and Hero might be sisters, but their lives could not be more different. When Juliet had met and fallen head over heels in love with ruggedly handsome Pete, she had found herself settling down and putting down roots in the Australian Outback where she had built a life that, while not without its challenges, is serene and simple and down to earth. Juliet wouldn’t have it any other way and her new life suits her down to the ground. Away from the rat race and hustle and bustle of big city life, Australia is now home for Juliet. However, she cannot help but wonder how her sister Hero is coping, back in London. Hero’s life is the complete and utter antithesis of Juliet’s and although they are worlds away, nothing can sever the strong bond between the two of them.

Hero’s life is as far removed from her sister’s simple rural idyll as it is possible to get. Her London life is a constant whirl of red carpet events, designer dresses and glamorous parties where looks are paramount and image is absolutely everything. As one of London’s movers and shakers, Hero cannot imagine ever leading a life as simple as that of her sister – until tragedy strikes and she finds herself with no other option but to seek refuge on her sister’s ranch, far from the unforgiving glares of the paparazzi lenses and gossip columns dripping with poison. The lifestyle which had been integral to Hero has now been smashed to smithereens by one cruel twist of fate, but could Australia provide Hero with a fresh start and a new beginning?

Her sister might now be close by, but Juliet simply cannot stop herself from worrying about Hero. Concerned that her sister will spend the rest of her life hiding in the shadows, Juliet wants Hero to stop wallowing and to start over. Has Hero found a place where she can truly belong in Australia? Or is the lure of her London life simply too strong for her? Or will a special someone manage to convince Hero to stick around in Australia…for good?

Second Chance at The Ranch is a must-read for romantics everywhere. A wonderful story that will tug at your heartstrings and have you wiping away a tear or two, Second Chance at The Ranch is a marvellous read written straight from the heart that is stylish told and beautifully written. Full of characters you are going to love and packed with drama, pathos and romance, Second Chance at The Ranch is a story about unexpected blessings, having the courage to start over and healing from the past that kept me engrossed and entertained until the very last full stop.

Maxine Morrey has done it again and penned a fantastic book I simply could not bear to put down. If you like your books bursting with sparkle and charm and written with plenty of heart, then pick up Second Chance at The Ranch – you will certainly not be disappointed!

A sweet Romance about life’s second chances and reinventing yourself!

An engaging love story set in rural Australia... A book full of heart, hope, family, and lots and lots of angst... I can be a bit of a drama queen myself so I do love some good old fashion drama in my books!

Juliet and Hero are sisters and have always been close... however, Juliet is now living in Australia after falling in love with Pete... meanwhile hero is busy being a famous supermodel in the UK.... when tragedy strikes Hero finds herself heading to stay with her sister in Australia to heal her scars, inside and out... never did she ever think she would be drawn to such an isolated area or fall in love... but can Hero’s frozen heart be thawed?

I really liked Juliet and her romance with Pete was very very sweet! Hero on the other hand took a while for me to warm up to... she was very cold and distant and it was hard to believe she was the sister of Juliet.... but as different as the sisters were, they were really there for one another and the bond between them appeared to be unbreakable.... Hero and Nick’s love story was very... will they won’t they? Boy oh boy did both of these characters have some major issues and baggage.... a Romance filled with drama and frustration...

A wonderfully told romance filled with engaging characters and a beautiful setting! Recommend!

🎵 Music running through my mind, this song was running through my mind for obvious reasons! Hero is a great name, but I think if that was my name I’d feel a lot of responsibility to live up to its meaning!

… Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and I turn
And I dream of what I need
… I need a hero
Bonnie Tyler 1984

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OBwS66EBUcY

*** Big thanks to Harper Impulse for my copy of this book ***

I love it when you try a new author and her story makes your heart sing. I don't know why it's taken me so long to pick up and read a book by Maxine Morrey but now I have read Second Chance at the Ranch I'll be checking out future releases and also the back catalogue of this author.
Maxine Morrey won me over with her writing. I loved the depth of the story surrounding Hero Scott, international top model. Hero's been living in the public eye for over 15 years. A glamorous life on the surface but the modelling world isn't all jet-set and diamonds, it can be very shallow and lonely. Hero trusted a small handful of people to be let into her world, which included her older sister, Juliet. Hero is feeling kind of sad but excited and pleased for Juliet who is about to be married to Pete, a sheep farmer in Australia. A new life beckons for Juliet and Hero will be sad to see her move away from London.
Hero is welcomed with open arms to the Webster family in Australia but there is one member who is a little wary of this beautiful woman and that is Nick, Pete's younger brother.
Nick is the poster boy for Australian farming. He is rugged and handsome and not afraid of hard work. However, this enigma of a woman in Hero Scott confuses him; she's beautiful and perfect to look at but there is a vulnerability about her. Nick is on a mission to crack the shell of protection that Hero has built around her.
Hero has built this shell of protection to shield her emotions as she is in fear of the past repeating itself. When she does let her barriers down it is so heart-breaking to hear however more heartache is to come for Hero and she has many, many challenges to overcome.
I adored learning about the depths within the characters history and how this shaped them to who they are now. The building chemistry between Hero and Nick was beautiful and quite tender and took this rugged man by surprise. I loved this story and I wanted more!

Favorite Quotes:

She practically took out my eye with that cleavage. She’s most definitely more woman than I’ll ever be.

Shame you didn’t back over the pneumatic bimbo whilst you were at it.

My Review:

Angst is not my friend, I crave balance in my world – crazy I know – it is just my personal preference. While well written with an interesting premise, this book was so angsty it was painful. Yet I was hooked and just couldn’t seem to let it go despite my pique, I was intrigued by the story and had to know what happened, regardless of having to wade through a tale that was 90% conflict and tension to get to that coveted HEA. Ms. Morrey certainly made me work for it, but it was worth it. The quick glimpses of humor and romance were brief respites, refreshing and well appreciated.

The characters were an interesting and endearing mix of Brits and Aussies. I frequently lost patience with the main character of Hero, who was the vortex of all the angst. Hero was an international supermodel who had a kind heart, yet she was an ice queen, deeply damaged, self-involved, terminally stubborn, and extremely anxious and uptight with a penchant for running away and shutting down when uncomfortable issues arose; a childish and tedious trait. Hero’s sister married an Aussie with a sheep ranch in the Outback, hence the dual-continent tale. Of course, I enjoyed the Aussie side of the story considerably more, due to the handsome men residing there as well as the sizzle and dust they kicked up.

This time my new vocabulary lesson includes a mix of Brit and Aussie words, with Brumby – the wild horses of Australia; Pommie – a derogatory term for a Brit in Aussie speak; and Antipodean accent – what Brits call Aussie and New Zealand accents.

Rating 3.5/5

I found this book really enjoyable, it was definitely a book that I didn’t want to put down especially after about halfway through, however, there were a few things that let it down a little bit.

The writing flowed well but the writing style took a bit of getting used to. It switched between characters a lot which was fine but sometimes it took me a minute to adjust to who I was hearing from. I also had the same issue when the story dived back in time a little or if it was a new day there wasn’t enough of an indicator and it would take me a second read to figure out where I was.

I also felt like maybe there was a bit too much emphasis on Hero running away and being cold and aloof for too much of the book, I can understand you need a certain amount of lead up in a story to make it believable but I feel like in this case there was maybe just a little too much. There were parts, particularly in the first half of the book, that I didn’t feel were needed, just a little too much extraneous detail, some of it could have been cut down and still kept the heart of the story going.

Hero was a really interesting character, at times I found her a little annoying because as I mentioned earlier she was a bit cold and aloof a bit too often, to begin with. She has good reason to act the way she did some of the time and I enjoyed not being given the reason right away as it did add to her characters quality. I liked that she was able to appear fierce but also had this exceptional vulnerability and I did quite like the setbacks in her behaviour when it meant fire between her and Nick.

I think what was really strong in this book was the relationship between Hero and Juliet, I could really feel how close they were and how difficult keeping that relationship close was when they live so far away. I loved it when Juliet got fiery over something that might have hurt Hero or caused her to “run” again. As well as the relationship between the sisters I really adored the family relationships, it was great to see such a close family and friends and have that contrast between them and what Hero is used to.

The romance was really sweet between Juliet and Pete, I just have to get that out there because I enjoyed that it is her romance that starts things off for Hero, but of course it is the exploration of the will they/won’t they between Hero and Nick that captured most of my interest. Of course, I loved that there was a little more added drama between them, Hero catching attention from more than just Nick and people conspiring to make things difficult for them, but it was nice to see the changes that they brought out in each other’s characters and how sweet they could be.

I know I had a few little issues with this book but that might not be the same for other people and I did really enjoy the story and the characters, I certainly had a hard time putting it down. I would recommend it for those who like a slow burn romance and will look out for other books by this author.

Second Chance at the Ranch is the latest offering from Maxine Morrey, once a serendipitous discovery of mine and now an author whose next book I always look forward to. And I have never been disappointed. Second Chance at the Ranch is the story of Hero and her sister Juliet and their different lives. It's not by any means plot driven; in fact there's very little plot. I say this not as a criticism but an observation. I enjoy novels that allow the reader to step into someone else's life and experience it for a while which is what this did. If you haven't read Maxine Morrey's books before, now is the time to start.

Emotional, engaging, and heartwarming, SECOND CHANCE AT THE RANCH by Maxine Morrey is a wonderful contemporary story of love finding you when you need it most.

Juliet and Hero are more than just sisters, they are the only family that they have so when Juliet finds the love of her life in the Australian Outback, Hero is delighted for her caring and compassionate sister but she understands that their relationship will change. But it's fine because Hero can throw herself even more into her successful modelling career where she wears a mask of cool control and detachment. However underneath it all, Hero is still that little girl that yearned for her parent's love which they were unwilling to give. As Hero gets to know Juliet's new extended family she cannot help but fall under their spell a little, especially around Nick, but Hero knows that opening up leads to heartbreak so she runs away. But when tragedy strikes, Hero's life will turn upside down and inside out but maybe she will find the path she was destined to follow and open herself up to love.

I really enjoyed this book and while at times Hero annoyed me because she was so determined to remain alone, as we learn about her childhood I could understand her reasons. The setting is tranquil and inviting, and the home and lifestyle of Juliet and Pete were really appealing. There is drama, secrets, sadness, and hope and I thoroughly recommend SECOND CHANCE AT THE RANCH by Maxine Morrey to all contemporary fiction fans.

Today’s review is one that I couldn’t pass up for a few reasons, but the most compelling was wanting to know how the Aussie outback was portrayed by someone who I don’t think has any links to Australia.

Story overview
The story starts with Hero on a modelling set with a headache just wanting to leave. My first thought reading this was that I'd gotten myself stuck in a stuck up models story. But I was quickly proven wrong when she stands up for an assistant the photographer tries to fire.

In any event, we find out that her sister is engaged to an Aussie sheep farmer. Unfortunately, he's based outside of Adelaide, so she's going to be moving there away from Hero. And of course, Hero just has to be at the wedding!

Obviously, she meets someone there, and kind of has a thing going on for a while. But not in the way you'd expect. In fact, she get's scared and runs home to London.

This is where the first really pivotal (in my opinion) thing happens. Like I saw it coming, but even then it really was emotionally draining reading that part of the book. Trust me. When you get to this point in the book; you'll know. It hit's you that hard that you just know.

And this is where the “Second Chance at the Ranch” comes into play. I can’t say it was successful though. Some people are just too stupid to let this attempt be successful. But this time Hero didn’t have the opportunity to control the situation like she did last time. And this is where I felt the drama ramping up.

My thoughts
Seeing that the title of the book tells us a second chance is involved. I assumed Hero already new someone at the ranch and so going back was the second chance. For that reason, if you thought the same as me, you'd be wrong!

I got closer to the end of the book I kept checking how much further I had to go. I kept seeing the percentage left getting smaller and smaller. And I kept wondering how we'd possibly get the second chance playing out properly.

Final thoughts
As an Aussie, I feel like I need to say that some of the descriptions of our outback really confused me. I've actually travelled to the outback a couple of times and the location, people and customs were completely lost on me.

Typically speaking if you live on a “station” in the Aussie outback you’re a good couple of hours away from the nearest town. And their local town sounds like it's within 30 minutes of the station. By comparison, it sounds like it's set in a town the size of Alice Springs, which is more like a city.

And I say this because I’m fairly certain that Coober Pedy doesn’t have a hospital. At least if it does I don’t remember seeing it or any signs pointing in it’s direction. So it honestly left me wondering where the hell this town and station could be set. Where could this town be set where Adelaide is the nearest airport and city, has the typical outback red dirt AND has a town big enough to have a pub with a beer garden and a hospital.

This one just went over my head a little but the town still sounded lovely! Also, country folk talk more bogan than this book suggests and we don’t really say “G’Day”. So there were a few things that just didn't sound quite right to me.

Perhaps I’m mellowing as I get older, but I find myself reading more and more romance novels – purely because, although the path of the characters is not smooth, you can be assured that nice things will happen to them by the end.

This by no means is meant to say that Second Chance at the Ranch is predictable – the journey to the happy ending has its share of heartbreak and tragedy, and the characters themselves are appealing and worth rooting for.

Hero is beautiful, successful and it would be very easy to hate her, and yet she is a complex character with hidden scars and a deep-seated fear of rejection which, at some points can make you want to shake her as she can’t see what is in front of her. Luckily for her (and us!), there’s a rugged Australian farmer waiting to show her that she is loved and wanted.

This is the first one of Maxine Morrey’s novels that I’ve read and it certainly won’t be the last if they are all of this standard. It’s a compelling story, peppered with likeable characters and definitely leaves you with a warm feeling – let’s face it, we could all use that right about now!

Things aren't always what they seem. That is one life lesson that both Nick and Hero learn as they break down barriers that were built from past relationships. One life changing accident causes Nick and Hero to reevaluate their lives. Will they find their happily every after?

I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of this book, and felt the author does a great job making you feel many different emotions throughout the story. However, as I continued to read I found myself a bit frustrated that Hero would keep running off for extended periods of time and random things happen. This is just my personal opinion. I would definately read another book from this author.

I really enjoyed this book, it was in parts a bit long winded but I really liked the characters and the whole storyline. Its the kind of story that totally draws you in and won't let you go until you read ever single page.

I liked the story and found it to be really enjoyable.

I did think that the book had a lot of detail and some of it could possibly have been left out to make the story flow better as it would have been more concentrated on the characters then but that is my only slight criticism for the book.

It was well written and had strong characters and I enjoyed getting to know them. The storyline was well thought out and I liked the ending too - I have read a couple of books by this author now and thoroughly enjoyed them!

Four stars from me - highly recommended!

Loved the characters, they are all interesting individuals with powerful dynamic. The love story between Hero and Nick certainly keeps the reader rooting for these two to finally find their HEA.

I loved the writing but the structure of the novel, made up by little snippets of life events, it's not one of my favourite styles, although this is a totally personal preference and doesn't detract by the beauty of this complex love story.

This is another superb, captivating story by this talented author, grabbing me from the start and I confess I just didn’t want to put it down until I’d finished it! It is not a romantic comedy like many of the books I’ve read by her before but it is a fantastic read.

Hero Scott is a highly successful model with an icy facade that keeps others from discovering the real, shy and insecure person she really is. Through the story there are revelations from her past which explain so much of her behaviour and attitudes, but they’re only slowly revealed and I’m not going to give any spoilers here! When she travels out to the Hill Ranch in Australia where her beloved older sister, Juliet, is marrying Hero didn’t expect to make connections there, let alone to fall in love. However, nothing will go smoothly for this new pair as he also has a history which makes him resist their attraction and he has serious trust issues which won’t be helped by a meddlesome local! Hero’s relationship with Joe is a sideline but really adds extra heart to the whole story, he’s a superb character!

This is an emotive story, packed with history, angst, turmoil and stubborn determination and resistance, even when fate adds a cruel twist. The characters are all well developed and easy to relate to – and that includes some of the key secondary ones like Rupert and Paul! It is an enthralling romance which really has more than a second chance before there’s any chance of them having a happy ever after but the journey is so emotive it will have you feeling like weeping tears of sadness and tears of happiness as it progresses. I highly recommend that you keep your tissues handy and grab yourself a copy of this brilliant book, a fantastic, entertaining read by a tremendously talented author. It will take you through the whole gamut of emotions and leave you with a big grin on your face. I really hope there will be future books set in this area so we can catch up on events on Hill Ranch and the people who live and work in the area or have friends there – like Paul and Rupert!

I requested and was given a copy of this book, via NetGalley. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.

I enjoyed every minute of my time spent at the ranch, I fell into the story and didn't come back up for air until I had devoured the whole book which says a great deal about the writing style and the content of this wonderful piece.

Hero, our heroine, is a complex yet fragile character who has had quite a lot of difficult challenges to face in her lifetime. Her storyline takes you on a journey that spans several years as you witness her grow, develop and learn to open up and trust. Hero and Nick's chemistry is explosive and dynamic and at times frustrating due to their proud and stubborn natures. But I was hooked quietly observing their romance blossom and take shape.

This book is beautifully written and grabbed my attention from page one and I was transfixed by the complexity of Hero's character and loved watching all her layers peel away, one by one, as she grew and developed as the story unfolded. But for me the standout character has to be Joe, I fell in love with him and it was a joy seeing the special bond he shared with Hero which added an extra magical layer to the story.

A Second Chance at the Ranch is a beautiful romance that left me wanting more and I hope I get to spend more time at Hill Station again in the future.

Although I did enjoy this book, at times I wondered if there was a prequel with the story of Juliet.

Set over a few years, this book was the story of Hero. She is a model who presents a character to the outside world, hiding the shy and lonely person she really is. When an accident means that she is no longer working she heads to her sister in Australia - will she have a second chance with Nick when she is there?