Blaze (The Broken Horn Ranch) by RM Neil

A billionaire spurned by love in the city and a ranch hand who is convinced his life is complete. What could these two unlikely souls gain from each other? As far as Blaze is concerned, nothing. He doesn’t need anyone else playing with his heart and River is content with keeping his life steady down the path he’s chosen for himself. 

From the blurb:

Blaze

Whoever says money can solve all your problems is a damn liar. It only creates unnecessary headaches and does nothing to erase bitter memories.

Deep down, I’m still the same guy I’ve always been. No matter how many zeros are in my bank

account. No matter how far I run, or how much richer I become. Where I came from will never change.

I’m tired of pretending. It’s why I’ve come back to my hometown. To the simple life, to clearing my mind and finding the balance that’s always just out of reach.

No suits, no city living, no cheats and liars, and definitely no complications.

But the funny thing is, there’s a situation I wasn’t prepared for. The ranch hand on my best friend’s farm with a shy smile and talented hands. River is easygoing, confident and carefree, my total opposite.

Maybe an unexpected complication is exactly what I need to make things easy again.

Maybe finding my way back to who I truly am is easier if I’m not alone.

River

I don't need much to be happy.

I have my job at Broken Horn Ranch, my custom furniture building on the side, and a standing date to dinner with my dad every Friday night.

Life doesn’t need excitement or fancy adventures to be fulfilling. Things are completely good just the way they are. There’s no sense toppling my perfectly balanced apple cart.

But I wasn’t expecting the tall, dark, and handsome man who arrived at the ranch on horseback and sent my comfortable, ordinary world spinning.

Blaze is the boss’s best friend and a part owner of the ranch. His brilliant smile masks his hidden troubles, and if I had a few pennies to spare for his thoughts, I’d spend every last one.

Maybe I don’t have everything I need after all.

Maybe I need him.

Blaze is the second book in The Broken Ranch series and can be read as a standalone. Expect to find two men in their forties remembering what it’s like to be kids again while falling in love, a new hobby making spoons, an abundance of romantic gestures and a super swoony sleigh ride.

Tatted_book_freak's Review:

Have you ever read a story and know it could have been so much more? Maybe it's related to Colby (the first in the series) detonating on paper, and Blaze had high expectations to follow suit. Don't get me wrong, this was such a sweet and heartwarming story, but that was Blaze and River’s persona. It proves that money can't buy everything because Blaze’s confidence is broken. 

"𝒪𝒽, 𝐼 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊'𝓁𝓁 𝓌𝒾𝓃 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝓌𝑒 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒."

These two were an exciting couple to get to know together. One's hesitancy, along with the other's patience, adding to their provocative banter,  was a flirtatious, steamy buildup. And that powerswitch took me for a loop! Unexpected by their personalities. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the romantic aspect of the book. Both characters were fiercely passionate and perfect together! 

I am intrigued and excited about Alec’s story; having emotions for a straight guy usually leads to hot, spicy scenes!! 

Rating: 4 Stars

Dez's Review:

Blaze Porter is a self-made billionaire who thought he had it all. Money, fame, and love. Until he didn’t. When heartbreak strikes and leaves him broken he makes the move back to his roots and returns to the countryside in hopes of finding what he lost; even if he doesn’t know if he’s ready to find out what it is. 

River McAdams life is as smooth sailing as it gets. He’s convinced that he’s where he’s supposed to be and nothing should change. That is until he meets Blaze. The sexiest man he’s ever seen with a shell so tightly wound around himself that River is willing to disrupt his smooth life to figure out just who exactly Blaze is and what he means to him. 

The instant heat between River and Blaze is nothing short of swoon worthy. The navigation of their relationship is so sweet and well done. Neill deserves a round of applause for the way they portray the softer and darker sides of both River and Blaze.  

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Angel's Review:

Blaze's character caught my eye and piqued my interest ever since I read Colby's book.  I am so happy that we got his story! I have to admit that this had almost a slower pace than Colby's story did, it was a slow burn for sure. 

With it being a slow burn story it gave the characters more time to get to know each other slowly and develop feelings over a length of time, instead of rushing into things. Blaze is a business man, but he doesn't want to be any longer. He is going back to the ranch, how home, where he hopes he'll find his place to belong. With the help of his childhood best friend Dan, and the other men at the ranch, Blaze finally starts feeling like himself again, he thought that side of him was gone, but bring surrounded by his friends, and his horse he's able to be himself once more. 

Someone else who helped him regain his true self back is River. Blaze caught River's eye as soon as Blaze rode up on his horse with a cowboy hat and an accent that made River's jaw drop. Both River and Blaze have things to work through in this story and together they were able to support each other and help one another through those difficult conversations. 

I just wanna say.. I love Blaze's cat, so cute! And all the jokes when River was teaching Blaze how to carve wood? Hilarious! I'm looking forward to Alec's story! Overall a really great book featuring an accidental vaccination, a bruised thumb, and a sleigh ride!

Rating: 4 Stars

Lori C's Review:

Blaze is a billionaire not quite in hiding anymore on his best friend’s ranch that he has a part stake in. He’s healing from his disastrous time in the city, where he made money and did good things, but also got hurt by a lover badly. River is a quiet hand that has earned the respect of all the men on the ranch. River finds Blaze intriguing, but he senses the hurt inside him and backs off. Will these two ever get their wires uncrossed? Can Blaze rebuild what his ex broke to give someone else another chance in his life?

When I started this reading this book, I broke my cardinal rule for reading. I started it at bedtime and on the night before I had specific plans for the morning. Double Whammy! I wanted to laugh-cry when I got to a certain part, because I could picture it in my head even though I’ve never seen the show spoken of before. Let me just say 🔥🔥🔥🔥!!! Blaze is more than steam though, it is romance on such a scale that I want my husband to read it. It is the continuation of a series where we see peeks of what’s to come, what may come, and characters past. It’s comfort in parental relationships and friendships that stand the test of time and the beginnings of a found family for Blaze. I’m not over exaggerating the excitement I have for R. M. Neill’s writing. Her books bring me to tears usually in happiness. They make me laugh. I’m always smiling. What more can you want from a story than that kind of joy? ❤️

Rating: 5 Stars

Sheena's Review:

This is the second in the Broken Horn Ranch series, but can be read as a standalone.  We do meet both River and Blaze in the first book, but it's not essential to have read that to enjoy this.  This is such a sweet, warm story as I'd kind of expect from these two, having met them in the first book.  Blaze is a partner in the ranch, having sold his billion dollar company and walked away from his previous life, for many reasons.  Not the least being the most odious ex on the planet, who had absolutely zero redeeming qualities and I was quite happy when he walked away leaving possibly two of the sweetest men together to work towards their future.

This is such a lovely, heartwarming story about rebuilding confidence, and finding that person who you can trust with anything, even your past because you know they won't judge you for it.  River and Blaze have such a great connection, I loved all the flirty banter between them and the slow build of their relationship, it made it all the more rewarding seeing them come together and find their happy ending.  This was such a joy to read and I loved it.

Rating: 4 Stars

Heather's Review:

Blaze and River were such a sweet and steamy pairing as the second couple in the Broken Horn Ranch series.  They fit together well and their pacing is cautious and measured, owing mostly to Blaze's history, which pops up as the angstiest bit of the story.   I love that we get to explore their personalities and what brought them to the ranch and the point in the story where they finally start to get together.

This book is a slower progression and a chance to develop deeper emotions and feelings throughout the book.  I love that they support each other and that they keep most of the drama outside their actual relationship.

If you're looking for a story where two people truly make a connection, I recommend picking up Blaze.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Blaze is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.