Another book in the Cardwell Ranch series, and what an awesome addition it is! I loved revisiting Hud and Dana, and their daughter Mary who is one of the main characters in this book. Mary and Chase, childhood sweethearts, have some obstacles to overcome before they can be together. There are a couple of mysteries woven into their story, I hope we get to hear more about one of them in future books.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own. ( )

WOW! I absolutely loved this book. It was a fun read that started right in on the story with no buildup but executed it well. Chase and Mary were obviously meant for each other, not that it means anything to Fiona. Fiona is a more complicated character than I expected, and I felt like by the end Chase and Mary were old friends of mine. Can't wait to read Hank's story. ( )

This was a good second chance romance combined with several elements of mystery and danger. Mary and Chase were friends and sweethearts through high school and college. Their youth worked against them when Chase left Big Sky, breaking Mary's heart. They never forgot each other or their love. When Mary received a box to deliver to Chase after his mother's death, it gave her the excuse she needed to write to him, though she never meant to mail that particular version of the letter.

Chase left Big Sky to find out who he was. He never knew who his father was, which left a huge hole in his heart. Even on her deathbed, his mother refused to reveal that information. He lived and worked in Arizona while caring for his mother, and was in bad shape on the day he picked up her ashes. After having too much to drink, he ended up spending the night with Fiona, something he recognized as a mistake the next morning. Even after explaining that he was in love with another woman, Fiona wouldn't leave him alone, convinced that they belonged together. Mary's letter gave Chase the push he needed to return to Montana, escape from Fiona, and hopefully win back Mary.

Meanwhile, back in Big Sky, Mary attempts to move on with her life. When she doesn't hear from Chase about her letter, she's hurt. She tries dating one of her father's deputies, but he doesn't measure up to her memories of Chase. She stays busy with her work and frequent visits to her parents' ranch. She's stunned when Chase appears at the ranch declaring his love and wanting a second chance. Things got complicated when Dillon showed up. It was interesting to see how different the two men handled it. I loved how Chase made it plain to Mary that he wasn't going anywhere.

I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Mary and Chase. Chase is determined to win her back, but Mary is a bit hesitant. She isn't sure that she's willing to trust her heart to him again. I liked that Chase was ready to give her time, but also wasn't going to back off from showing her how he felt. One thing that brought them together was Chase's search for his father. The contents of the box Mary gave him contained some clues, and Mary offered to help him figure it out. I loved how she understood how important it was to him and how she supported him. I ached for Chase as the search continued and he met various potential fathers. It didn't take long for Mary to realize that her love for Chase is as strong as ever and to want a future together. But there is someone who has vastly different ideas on the subject.

From the very beginning of the book, there is a front row seat to the bane of Chase's life. Fiona's obsession with Chase and what she believes is a scary thing. Watching the lengths she went to in getting close to Mary was terrifying in its complexity. I was glued to the pages as I waited for Chase to get a clue and hoping that it wouldn't be too late. The final confrontation was intense, with Mary in a fight for her life. It had a satisfying ending, with later revelations giving context to Fiona's actions.

There was a minor storyline about some cattle rustling that was intertwined with some of the characters. It gave vital information about the motives of one of the characters. Though the mystery was resolved, it did not go the way I expected it to.

I am a long-time reader of B.J. Daniels' books and it was fun to see that we are now moving on to a new generation of Cardwells. Dana and Hud's story was told in Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch, and over the years we have seen their family grow. I've always enjoyed the glimpses into the lives of previous characters. I look forward to seeing what comes next. ( )