Wednesday, January 25, 2023

The Cowboy's Mistaken Identity - Melissa Senate (HSE #2961 - Feb 2023)

Series: Dawson Family Ranch (Book 10)
 
A case of mistaken identity
Gave him the family he never knew he needed
 
Rancher Chase Dawson sought the father he never knew -- not an irate Hannah Calhoun. How could Chase abandon her and their son? The problem is, he doesn't have a baby. But he does have a twin. A con man who left his family in dire straits. Chase vows to right his brother's wrongs and be the man Hannah and his nephew need. But can his love break through to Hannah's guarded heart?

 
Good book with an unusual storyline. Chase is the son of a single mother and never knew his father. His mom refused to talk about him, leaving Chase to wonder what the story was. After her death, he found a piece of paper with the words Winston, Wyoming, written on it. Taking some time off from his work as a ranch foreman, Chase went to Winston, hoping to find information about his father. He never expected to be greeted by furious townspeople accusing him of being a conman and a woman claiming he was the father of her baby.
 
Hannah had fallen hard for Kent McCord and was devastated when he disappeared. Not only did he desert her, but he also took the money he'd conned from most of the people in town, even his father. She also suffered setbacks in her business because people believed she was complicit in Kent's actions. She was understandably furious when it looked like Kent had returned to the scene of the crime.
 
I enjoyed the first meeting between Hannah and Chase. She was furious, and he was confused by the animosity from people he'd never met. It took some work, but Chase convinced Hannah he wasn't Kent. Once she calmed down, Hannah could see the differences between the two men. She was moved by Chase's immediate connection with her son, Danny. Chase barely recovered from that surprise when she introduced him to Kent's father, Owen.
 
I ached for Chase as he learned the truth of his past. Owen's story was heartbreaking, and I hurt for everything he'd been through. I liked how Hannah served as a bridge between the two men as they got to know each other. There are also sparks of attraction between Hannah and Chase. But Hannah is wary of getting involved with another man after having her trust so brutally betrayed. Their feelings grow stronger as Hannah learns that she can trust Chase. However, Chase has spent so long guarding his heart that he finds it difficult to let down his walls enough to allow Hannah or Owen in.
 
The book's ending is deeply emotional, with more shocks involving Kent, a health scare for Owen, and Chase having difficulty facing his feelings for Hannah and Owen. I ached for Hannah as she stood up for herself and her needs, even if it meant losing Chase. I had several instances of wanting to shake Chase for being so blind. I loved the scene in the barn when Chase overhears Owen talking to little Danny and the impact it had on him. I liked his big moment with Hannah as his walls finally crumbled. The epilogue was terrific.
 
The scenes with Chase and Danny were sweet. It's always fun to see guys melt in the presence of a baby, and Chase was no exception. He's experienced with kids thanks to many relations on his mother's side, which helps him get past Hannah's walls. I was also moved by the scenes where Hannah and Owen deal with various town residents and the fallout from Kent's actions. They were heartbreaking but realistic. 


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