The Cowboy’s Surprise Nanny

This book was written by Leslie North. This book is about bouncing back from the past and moving on. This is Ian and Katie's story. My favorite part of this story was watching them become a family. Ian lost his wife to cancer and he has a young son Andy, who is highly allergic to lots of things (i.e. food). Ian went to the Mayor for a favor in turn the Mayor wanted a favor from him. His niece Katie needed some where to stay. So now Katie is at Ian's ranch. What I got from him is even though he is a Alpha male, he is still very shy or maybe unsure. I think maybe his wife was the only girl he had been with. But now that Katie was there he found himself attracted to her and her to him. As she cared for his son and made sure that he ate things that was safe for him. Their attraction became stronger. I also see that Ian was very overprotective of his son and I can under stand why. As for Katie she did something wrong by using others recipes in her cookbook. But she refused to fight back. But as the story went on. They pushed the each other to become a better version on themselves. This was a fun, family related story. Each chapter taught you the meaning of trust. The title really helped define the plot and I loved the ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a down home love story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is the type of story I’ve come to expect when I read titles by Leslie North. There’s a strong and complex emotional connection between the characters and nothing is a s simple as it appears. Ian was hit hard by his wife’s death and he and his son still haven’t recovered from that loss. Katie’s escaping a scandal of her own making and she’s not sure what her next steps forward should be. She just wants her life back and looking after the Grant men might be the first step in getting there. Together, Katie and Ian are little like oil and vinegar – it’s not an easy match but they become something more with each other than separately. And Andy’s just the cutest thing ever. His is already a difficult life and it’s only barely begun. I can’t wait to read more about this town and it’s quirky residents. I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.

Taking care of the Grant Ranch, left to him after the crash that killed both of his parents, was Ian’s primary concern with the hot weather that could bring drought or fires. Instead, he was standing at the courthouse, debating asking a favor of Mayor Clark. Ian’s son, Andy, had been sick in the hospital for 3 weeks and Ian was completely distracted to the point he forgot to sign Andy up for the strawberry festival he had promised he could help with. The Mayor said he would take care of it, since there was one slot left in the cooking area. In return, the Mayor said he head Ian’s housekeeper had retired and he had a favor to ask too. His niece, Katie Rylie, fell on hard times and needed a job. She could stay at Ian’s ranch, cook, and help out with Andy. Ian figured he now owed the Mayor this favor, so he agreed. Expecting a young college girl or a screwed up teenager, Ian is not prepared to meet the full-grown woman cooking in his kitchen! He startled her and she dropped the bowl she was mixing. Before it could shatter on the floor, he slid under it and caught it. He started to tell her about Andy’s food allergies and was a bit angry when she interrupted to say she already went over everything with his old housekeeper. He wanted to argue with her, but she had the information correct. And his stomach rumbled at the smell of the food. So he just walked out without a word and went to shower. The TV was on and he stopped dead when he saw Katie Rylie’s picture. The news people were talking about her plagiarism as she was ready to publish her cookbook. He was furious. He did not want a thief in his house! He raced into the kitchen, but Andy was home, helping Katie cook and laughing with her. The two had definitely bonded and talked excitedly to her all through dinner. She notice that Andy and his dad hardly talked at all. She was going to do what she could to help them reconnect. And as she put Andy to bed, he told her he thought she should stay with them, that it would be the best thing. She sort of agreed with him on that! Wanting to be totally honest, Katie waited for Ian to come back in from the barn. She asked to talk to him and told him about her plagiarism. He didn’t comment, but they walked up to their rooms. She was thinking hard and, when he stopped, she walked right into his back. He pointed to her room and went into his. She wasn’t going to stay here, so she needed to stop thinking of him any other way. This is such a cute story as the three of them bond into a family. But Ian doesn’t know how to ask her to stay. Will he let her walk away? The story line is good and steady, just the right pace for healing and seeing the good in others you care for. The characters are likable – though sometimes frustrating. Grab your copy and enjoy this emotional story that reaffirms we are all in the world to help each other. . . and sometimes we can stay.