Lucky River Ranch, Book 5
From the publisher:
**The limited deluxe edition will have designed edges**
One hard fall in the rodeo ring.
One maddeningly gorgeous cowboy.
One chance at love she swore she’d never take.
Billie Wallace has spent her whole life trying to prove she’s more than the Wallace Ranch’s “wild” only daughter. All she wants is a shot at barrel racing―and a purpose beyond crunching numbers in her daddy’s office. But when her very first run ends in disaster, Billie lands flat on her back with Ryder Rivers―her childhood crush, her brother’s best friend, and the town’s notorious heartbreaker―hovering over her.
In all the years she’s known him, Ryder has never entertained Billie’s shameless flirting. But after her fall, he’s suddenly everywhere―showing up to help her when she’s hurt, staring at her across the honky-tonk when she’s trying to move on with a bronc rider, and encouraging her to explore her dream career.
Before either can really register what’s happening, their partnership sparks into much more than just dust and arguments.
Late nights turn into stolen kisses. Stolen kisses turn into something that feels dangerously like forever. Ryder swears he’s not the staying kind, but the way he looks at Billie like she’s the only woman in the world makes everyone start to wonder if he’s ready to stop running…
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The final book in the Lucky River Ranch series brings together childhood friends Ryder and Billie in a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers story centered on grief, self-discovery, and the kind of unspoken love that’s been simmering for years.
Billie stands out from typical romance heroines—she’s feisty, bold, and unapologetically herself. Her dynamic with Ryder is full of sharp, playful banter both in and out of the bedroom, and their long history adds a layer of warmth and familiarity that makes their eventual romance especially satisfying. More than the love story, the real strength of the book lies in their individual growth—Billie finding her voice and Ryder working through the lingering pain of losing his parents.
Ryder, the youngest of his family and Duke’s twin, has long tried to be the easygoing one, burying his grief after his parents’ death and closing himself off to love. Billie, meanwhile, is a spirited wild child who feels trapped in a life she doesn’t want, working as an accountant for her family’s ranch while craving something more. She’s always had feelings for Ryder, despite him being her brother Colt’s best friend, and never shies away from expressing them. Billie challenges Ryder to confront his emotions, while Ryder’s steady, softer nature helps ground Billie when her own world begins to unravel.
Their relationship unfolds with a slow, believable build—rooted in years of unspoken feelings, flirtation, and undeniable chemistry. That said, at times, the pacing drags, with an overabundance of family gatherings, conversations, and new character introductions that feel more like setup for future books than a satisfying finale. While there’s no shortage of steamy scenes, the emotional connection between Ryder and Billie didn’t feel as compelling as previous couples in the series. Ryder is sensitive, gentle, and openly emotional—while Billie is the more assertive, adventurous partner who pushes the relationship forward.
More than the romance, the real strength here is the character development. Billie finding her voice and Ryder’s healing journey are genuinely moving, and their connection — built on years of friendship, banter, and barely-contained longing — makes their eventual relationship feel both earned and inevitable. Despite some criticism, for fans of the series, Ryder and Billie’s story is a deeply satisfying, emotionally resonant close.
4/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
RYDER by Jessica Peterson. Bloom Books (April 7, 2026). ISBN: 978-1464249549. 416p.
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