Crooked Tree Ranch (Montana Series Book 1)

My Review:This is a book about two different families struggling to survive.Jay's the head of his family which consists:*His sister Ashley who got pregnant at fifteen, suffers from depression, and sent her ex to prison for beating her and her son.*His fifteen or sixteen year old niece who's in the grips of rebellion...goth dress and attitude*His six year old nephew Josh who they've just discovered is dyslexic----------This family has lived in NYC their whole lives, but Josh is pretty much the breadwinner for the family and when he loses his marketing job with no alternative in sight, they begin to look at other directions.Nate's the head of his family which consists of:*Gabe, his younger brother*Luke, the youngest who's 17.---------Nate has his own dyslexic issues and is also struggling to keep the family dude ranch afloat....something that's become harder and harder as the economy depresses. Hiring Jay is a last-ditch effort and Nate honestly doesn't think it's going to work.Both of these families are definitely dealing with their challenges brought on by losing their support systems (parents) early in life. That was the one thing that truly worked in this book. The two families complimented each other so well and made them a cohesive and stronger unit as one. I loved that aspect of it.Then there is the whole Montana ranch portion of the story...Oh my, LOVE! Luke is a photographer and Jay is trying to showcase the beauty of the ranch. As a result, there were so many really visual descriptions of the scenery that I just loved. I felt like I took a quick trip to Montana in this book and it was beautiful...and romantic....and so fun!This is only my second RJ Scott read, but I can guarantee you that I will be adding more of this author's books to my TBR pile. She writes beautiful stories that leave me feeling better for having read them and I love that in a book!

I love RJ Scott's characters. She makes me feel what they feel. Nate and Jay are perfect for each other, and their families are just as wonderful. I've been waiting for answers regarding some loose ends in this book, and now a sequel is coming at last. I'm so excited, and I know that book will be just as wonderful as this one. Highly recommended!Updated to add my review of the audio book:If you could sum up Crooked Tree Ranch in three words, what would they be?friends and familyWhat did you like best about this story?I loved the family relationships. No matter what was going on, taking care of family was the most important thing to both Jay and Nate.Which character – as performed by Sean Crisden – was your favorite?Jay, though I think Sean Crisden did a great job with every character, as he always does.Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?It definitely had highs and lows, but it wasn't a laugh out loud or cry hysterically kind of story.Any additional comments?This was a great book, and I recommend it both for the story and for the narration.I was given this book at my request, in return for an honest review.

Nate and Jay are so perfect for each other. Okay they may not exactly be up to Jack and Riley caliber from Ms. Scott's Texas series but boy do they have that push and pull chemistry that had me hooked from beginning to end. And talk about the end, I didn't want it to ever end. On the surface it looks like the typical city boy meets cowboy romance but other than Jay's horse riding skills, or lack thereof, those differences don't really play in to the story. Some people may not find there differences not effecting the story very realistic but I speak from personal experience, it does happen. My mother was the quintessential city girl and my dad was country all the way but Mom took to farming like she was born to it, so it really does happen. I found not going the way of that cliche quite refreshing.The secondary characters had me just as intrigued. Nate's brothers, Jay's sister, niece, and nephew; there were more than a few times that I wanted to shake that niece of his to make her wise up but the truth is, she's a teenager and that's what they do, aggravate and warm your heart all in the same breath. Definitely a must read and I eagerly await Rancher's Son, book 2 in this Montana series, which according to the author's publishing schedule should tentatively arrive January 2016.

When I reached the epilogue, I felt I was losing friends. I did not want this story to end. This had everything I love in a book. A strong story, and a cast of characters that stole my heart.Jay Sullivan has lost his job in marketing to down sizing . What is he going to do? Jay, his sister Ashley and her two children have a tight family unit. What can Jay do to keep them together?Nate Todd, his two brothers Gabe and Luke run a dude ranch in Montana. The ranch is not doing well. Through some miss adventures by Marcus, part owner and accountant, the ranch is in dire straights. Nate has been told he needs to market the ranch to start turning a more sizable profit. Nate knows zero about marketing, leading him to advertise for someone to help the ranch. Jay answers the ad, with family in tow, leaves New York for Montana. There was some trepidation when Jay and the family first arrive, but the ranching life begins to agree with everyone. Jay finds himself lusting after the strong silent type, that is Nate Todd. Love is in the clean Montana air.This story pushed every button that makes me fall in love with a book. Strong characters, loving families, sexy cowboys, and most of all people falling in love. Learning that they can find happiness. Nothing trumps a cowboy in love, unless it is several cowboys in love. I give this a "Big Sky Country" country full of stars.

I loved it. From start to finish the story just took you on a fantastic journey.Nate is a typical gruff cowboy who has a way with horses. Jay is a city guy through and through till he looses his job.I really enjoyed the build up in this story, we got to know the characters and not just Nate and Jay.For me this was a brilliant start to the series and is definitely a 5 star book.Looking forward to reading the rest in this series.

Well it's Ms Scott back to her normal writing standard - I always look forward to any of her books well, written, good and gripping story lines. I'm not going to tell the story line and give the story away.

I have read this before and like the first time I read it I enjoyed it very much x x Gonna read book two now 😊

great build up story

Let's not wait too long for the sequel!