The Griffith Brothers, Book 1
From the publisher:
A single dad rancher and a rich city girl bump heads—and more—in this first cowboy romance in the Griffith Brothers series.
For Christian Griffith, his number one rule is: You ride in my truck, you let me open the door. Another problem in his busy life was the last thing he needed. Unfortunately, argumentative Cassandra Parker showing up on his family’s ranch and sticking her nose in their business isn’t even his biggest problem—neither is the fact that with nowhere else to live, she’s in his house. The biggest problem? The engagement ring on her finger.
Cassandra has a life motto: If you’re going to kill someone, make it look like an accident, cry at the funeral, admit to nothing, and deny everything. Exiled from New York and stranded on a cattle ranch, she didn’t exactly choose to be Christian’s problem. Living with the single dad and his daughters was a downgrade from her high-rise office and city comforts, but she agreed for one simple reason: desperation to save her job and salvage what’s left of her career. And this hot cowboy won’t lasso her into staying a second longer than necessary.
This romance delivers a compelling enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Cassandra, a sharp-edged city lawyer, and Christian, a widowed single father running a cattle ranch. Their first encounter is pure gasoline on fire, but what begins as friction slowly evolves into an intense, satisfying slow-burn romance.
Cassandra arrives at the ranch at the behest of her fiancé—who appears all too eager to be rid of her—and immediately refuses to soften her city-girl sensibilities. Forced into close quarters with Christian, she finds his steady presence both infuriating and unexpectedly magnetic. Her confrontational nature is the product of years spent defending herself in court and in life, yet Christian looks past her armor. He offers care without conditions, gradually drawing her into his world and the lives of his two daughters.
Though Cassandra has never considered herself maternal, she’s surprised by how deeply she comes to care for the girls. She defends them with ferocity, seeks ways to bring them joy, and begins to feel rooted in this unlikely family. When tragedy strikes, her choice is immediate and instinctive: she stays. In doing so, she realizes the ranch—stilettos and all—has become home.
Christian, meanwhile, has long shut the door on romance. Between the demands of the ranch and raising his daughters alone, there’s no room for anything more. Then Cassandra arrives—brash, uncompromising, and impossible to ignore. He’s drawn to her drive, her resilience, and her beauty, even as he resists what she awakens in him. Christian doesn’t believe in half-measures, and as Cassandra slowly opens herself to love, he watches her become a fierce protector of the people she claims as her own. When crisis hits, she’s already there, caring for him and his girls without hesitation. All that’s left is for him to make sure she stays—because life without her is now unthinkable.
The family dynamics are a standout. Christian’s bond with his daughters is deeply affecting, from growing out his hair to learn how to style theirs to the quiet rituals of their mornings together. Their openness with Cassandra, along with the thoughtful handling of conversations about Christian’s late wife, adds emotional depth and authenticity. Cassandra never loses herself in the process; she remains bold and unapologetic, standing up to principals and even the mayor when it matters—earning Christian’s admiration rather than censure.
The found-family atmosphere and ranch setting feel expansive and warm, with matriarch Claire offering a refreshing alternative to the usual cowboy-patriarch archetype.
While the romance is emotionally rich and engaging, the relationship’s believability occasionally falters. Even so, this is a highly bingeable and enjoyable introduction to a new series. The impact of the central tragedy lays compelling groundwork for book two. Highly recommended for fans of cowboy romances rooted in strong family dynamics.
2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
DUST STORM by Maggie Gates. Berkley. (October 7, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593955949. 416p.
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