Good book. Gina has come back to Montana to sell the ranch she just inherited from her uncle. She has no interest in staying there, she wants to get back to her marketing job in Chicago. She's not happy when she gets snowed in by a blizzard. Plus, the ranch foreman promised her uncle he'd try to get her to stay.

I had a hard time with Gina for most of the book. I understood her desire to get back to her job, that wasn't the problem. What I didn't like was the way she was looking down on Zach because he was a ranch foreman and didn't seem to have the ambition to do anything else. She realized she was attracted to him right away but since she'd only be there a week she didn't plan to get involved with him. Plus she figured he wasn't her "type". She also didn't really appreciate the way he kept trying to talk her into keeping the ranch. After getting snowed in together she realized that they had more in common than she thought and the attraction between them was growing. She sensed that he was keeping some secret from her since he wouldn't talk about his past. This frustrated her but since she was keeping her own secrets I didn't have much sympathy for her. I did like the way that she started to think more about keeping the ranch. I thought the solution she eventually came up with was great.

Zach had promised Gina's uncle that he would try to convince her to keep the ranch and stay in Montana. He and Zach had come up with an idea for a dude ranch that would make it possible. But Gina was so determined to go back that Zach could barely get her to listen. He understood her attitude since he used to be the same way. When one of his deals had unintended consequences he sold his business and looked for a new direction. Eventually he ended up getting hired on the ranch and found that he really enjoyed it. He gets a lot of grief from his family about his decision which just adds to his reluctance to talk about his past. His attraction to Gina is getting stronger the longer she stays but he doesn't want to get involved with someone who doesn't accept him for who he is. I thought he was a really nice guy and loved his non-judgmental reaction to her secret. I liked the way they finally got together and his part in the ranch solution.

I liked seeing some of the characters from previous books. I also loved the portrayals of Gina's relatives, especially her aunts. The two of them with their bickering were so realistic I could practically hear them. I also loved their obvious attempts at matchmaking. ( )

By: Ann Roth
Published By: Harlequin American Romance
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: NOR
Review:

"A Rancher's Christmas" by Ann Roth was a wonderful well written western romantic contemporary read. This author's writing style was very smoothly done. The descriptions of the surrounding of 'Saddler's Prairie, Montana were drawn out beautifully with the snow and animals. The characters were all well developed and so very colorful...especially those cousins. This was a sweet love story and how Gina and Zach would finally be drawn together. When the story opens we find that Gina's uncle has died and she leaves her high paying corporate job from Chicago to come back to her hometown to say her final goodbyes and to 'sell the family ranch she has inherited.' However, Zach had promised Gina's uncle that he wanted Gina to have it. Will this ranch foreman be able to change Gina's mind about selling the ranch? Will Gina and Zach develop feelings for each other? Now, this is the time that I will say you must pick up the wonderful read "A Rancher's Christmas" to see where and how this author will take the reader. Also, you will find out what Gina will do in the end and even more surprised of what Zach will do. What a Merry Christmas for all. I thought this was a good novel with a good plot and some wonderful characters that helped make this read a good novel to read. Would I recommend? YES! ( )