The Rancher’s Fake Fiancée is the fourth book in the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series, however like all the books in this series, it can be read as a standalone. There is enough information given to get the back story on the three brothers who were the main characters in the previous three books. As I mentioned in my previous reviews, each book is written by a different author and it is amazing how well the stories flow and the relationships continue.

This is Tyler Blackwell's story. Tyler and Chance are the youngest brothers and they are twins. Both boys left about 10 years earlier with the plan to never return. When Ty is finally convinced to come home to assist in selling the ranch, he brings home a co-worker to pretend she is his fiancée. He has a marketing business and after finding out his three older brothers are all getting married, he does not want to go home alone. Hadley Sullivan, agrees, even though she is surprised about the idea. She is promised a promotion if she helps him out. Neither of them expect to be there very long and they certainly do not expect to develop feelings toward one another.

I am really enjoying this series. Tyler is very damaged and his brothers are hoping that being back on the ranch will help to heal him. All the brothers have had a hard time dealing with the baggage they have from their relationship with their grandfather "Big E" but Tyler has baggage from his relationship with his parents and with them being dead, it is hard to heal. Hadley is wonderful character. She also wants Tyler to heal and unfortunately, she goes behind his back to do that. The brothers have a bond that may be stretched, but it is not broken and this story shows once again what love of family can do. There were times I wanted to give Tyler a good shake and maybe a slap upside the head, but he finally realizes that forgiveness is necessary in relationships. I recommend this book and series to all those who enjoy a great romance, a book with interesting family dynamics and a story about forgiveness of yourself and others. The author generously provided me with a copy of this book to read upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own. ( )

Acquired Book By: I received a complimentary copy of “The Rancher's Fake Fiancée” direct from the author Amy Vastine in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

This installment felt a bit more seamless in transition as it echoed more of the original groundwork in the series. Each of the writers has their own unique style, voice and spin on the Blackwell Brothers - however, of the three I've read before this one, this one felt closer to the first narrative voice where we first learnt who the Blackwell Brothers are and why this series is centred round their second chance at brotherhood.

Vastine also nails how to bridge all the characters back into the narrative - where she gives ample time to each of the characters we've come to appreciate in the series to a level of rotation I was clapping in joy to read. I really felt she understood how to re-centre the series - by creating this bridge between the first three installments and the fourth, whilst giving us a proper refresher on everyone's quirks before we moved into the fifth and final installment. I truly applaud how she managed to do this as it was fastly become my favourite novel in the series outside of the first!

The setting is dearly appealling as the ranch the Blackwell Brothers own is in Montana - nestled with a backdrop of the Rockies, the brothers surely have a lovely sky to look out over everyday. Outside of the continuity she maintained, she put her own spin on the brothers and she enlarged our view of the large ensemble cast this series has become to include. I love larger casts in novels but sometimes, you find some of the characters get forsaken for others or sometimes, the ones you want to come back into sight yield to the current ones being focused upon. I give Ms Vastine full credit for giving us a chance to catch-up with everyone we've met thus far along but also, allowing us to feel as if we've maintained a connection to them from start to finish.

I love the direction Vastine took to alight us back into the towne shortly after we left The Rancher's Redemption as she re-aligned us immediately by having Tyler & Hadley have a bit of a run-in with Judge Edwards and Zoe! This was a brilliant move as it shows the shortness of time between the two installments whilst it also helps us understand the larger timeline of the series.

Before a twist in the plot was revealled by Ethan, I already knew what might be on his mind as there is one consistency with this series - it is about the hopefulness of re-finding your family at a time in your life where you are believing you are no longer in need of them. That's all I will say - however, I was dearly curious how this plot direction would play out as of all the brothers thus far along, (though Ben was a close second!) I felt Tyler was the most stubborn-minded! He was bullish (ie. referring to the fierce stubborn nature of bulls) and single-minded; a task oriented bloke if there ever was one and he was not one to yield, bend or alter his thinking.

As we see him starting to re-interact with his brothers, you gather a sense of loss has already made the distance between them feel wider somehow; almost too large to cross and repair. Tyler has a burden weighing on his heart - one which it took Hadley to see within him and one you would hope his brothers might see if only to be in a position to where they might be able to reach out to him before it was too late to repair the damages. Tyler is protective of his privacy but also his internal thoughts, his emotional responses and any detail he feels would take down his defences to the point where he would be left vulnerable to others. I think that is his Achilles heel - vulnerability and being in touch with his emotional conscience.

Seeing how Hadley's mother treats her, you can start to see how there are reasons why these two might have a chance at getting on with one another. Her mother is one gush-fest away from fainting in the shine of her son's limelight in Hollywood. This wouldn't be a problem, mind you, if she had equal admiration, affection and concern for Hadley but for whichever reason, the son was the highlight of her life and whenever she apparently interacted with Hadley, she treated her as the 'lesser' sibling. Highly unfair and yet, there was a crossover effect here where we could re-illustrate a few key issues Tyler has himself with Hadley's constant affliction of being reminded she's just not as good as an achiever as her brother. In that way, I felt Vastine truly pulled off the tension both of them were facing as well as giving enough foundation to make this believable.

// This is a quotation of my full review originally shared via jorielovesastory.com

After having his whole office - especially his assistant - frustrated with him for not answering repeated messages from his family, Tyler Blackwell finally answers one of many calls from one of his brothers. He thought of every excuse he could think of why he couldn't leave to return home for a major decision, affecting the Blackwell Ranch. He could care less about it, but after his partner heard about it, he insisted that is just the thing Tyler needs. His obsessions at work were driving the whole staff crazy! There was just one major problem. In order to appease his brother, he told him he was getting married very soon. He hadn't dated in months!
Tyler made a bargain with his assistant to go with him on this trip and pretend to be his fiancé, in exchange for a promotion.
Hadley had worked hard for the previous promotion, but was "passed over"' so Tyler's partner could hire his inept nephew. After weighing the oris and cons, Hadley felt the "farce" she had to play would be worth it, although it went against her values of integrity.
The charade was going very well, until some unforeseen complications arose.
I totally enjoy the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series. Each of the characters of these stories are very endearing. Each feels so real, it is easy to forget they are fictional characters. The scenes are equally portrayed well, enabling the reader to feel he/she is there.
Author Amy Vastine, has done an incredible job in contributing to the series. She is every bit as talented as the others. He insight was touching and delightful.
The Book Tittle & Cover were both very well chosen.
*This book was gifted me with no request for a positive review. This is my honest review. ( )

The Rancher's Fake Fiancee is one of those fun reads. You start it going in knowing there will be a HEA but how they get there is so much fun. I loved taking this trip with these characters. THE RANCHER'S FAKE FIANCEE is part of the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series and while it can be read as a stand alone I do feel like you'll better understand these characters and their situations if you read the series in order. The story is fast paced, well written, and engaging. The characters are well developed, realistic and just plan fun. I so want to visit the Blackwell Ranch! Fans of the heartwarming line knows that these stories are always "sweet" in nature and very entertaining. I recommend you pick up this story today and be prepared to buy the whole series! ( )