Friday, March 17, 2023

Book Review ~ DESIGNS ON A RANCHER by LaQuette

Designs on a Rancher (Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding, #2)
by: LaQuette
Series: Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding
Genre: Contemporary African American Romance
Release Date: February 21, 2023
Publisher: Harlequin Desire

A cosmopolitan designer gets a taste of country life with Royal, Texas’s hottest rancher in the latest installment of Texas Cattleman's Club: The Wedding by LaQuette!

She’s willing to give him everything in bed

But will she risk her career for passion?


Keely Tucker knows designing a showstopping wedding dress for a movie starlet is the career-making opportunity of a lifetime. But Jacob Chatman has sent her focus into a tailspin! When a blackout leaves her stranded with a rancher she can’t resist, their passion practically sets the sheets on fire. Jacob admires her drive…but is their hookup worth Keely risking her hard-earned ambitions for a life in Texas?

From Harlequin Desire: A luxurious world of bold encounters and sizzling chemistry.


LaQuette is an author I’ve had on my reading wishlist for a while now. In fact, her Devereaux Inc. series graces my bookshelf. Making her Royal, Texas debut with Designs on a Rancher, the standalone second book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding series is what moved her from my one-day read list to new to me author list.

In Designs on a Rancher, Brooklyn, New York native Keely Tucker who owns Low-Kee Designs is attempting to go from being a stylist to B-List celebrities to becoming a designer to the stars. Keely has been picked by actress Ariana Ramos to design her wedding dress when she marries Royal’s own best-selling author Xavier Noble in Royal. Keely is in Royal to get some ideas in order to incorporate some of Texas into the design.

Jacob Chatman is a name I think I’ve heard before. He’s a horse trainer and owner of Slick Six Stables. He has spent the last eight years working and sacrificing toward his dream of turning the ranch into the number one horse stable in the world. With sheer focus and determination, it’s just a matter of time before he reaches his dream.

The entire town of Royal is experiencing a blackout. Since Jacob is on a different grid than the rest of the town, he and his ranch are one of the few to still have power. Jacob’s good friend Tripp Noble, Xavier’s cousin who is helping out with the wedding asks Jacob to host Keely in one of his cabins. Jacob reluctantly agrees, not knowing that his life is about to change. Keely is unlike any heroine I’ve read before. Upon her first meeting with Jacob, she doesn’t mince words, which he definitely appreciates.

I loved Designs on a Rancher for a multitude of reasons. This is an opposites attract story where they each support and want the best for each other. Keely and Jacob understand one another to their core and don’t want to change them. I loved that Jacob is this big guy who doesn’t really like or want to interact with people, but he has such an amazing soft spot for horses. I love their passion and the way they challenge each other. Their banter is fun and they pull no punches with being honest with each other. What I really loved more than anything about this story was the way it made me feel. I’m a Texas girl and black rodeo and cowboys were literally within reach and I never understood the rich culture and importance of it. LaQuette via Jacob gave me that.

~ Favorite Quotes ~

“Beggars can’t be choosers.”

“Never let anyone’s ignorance define who you are or who you want to be.”

“There’s no greater regret than the one of not trying at all.”


**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a paperback copy.**

Rating: 5

Purchase Designs on a Rancher from:
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You can read an excerpt from Designs on a Rancher here.

The Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Wedding Series:
A Cowboy Kind of Thing ~ Review

Four Weeks to Forever by Karen Booth releases March 28, 2023

Make Believe Match by Joanne Rock releases March 28, 2023

Oh So Wrong with Mr. Right by Nadine Gonzalez releases May 30, 2023

The Man She Loves to Hate by Jessica Lemmon releases May 30, 2023

2021 Vivian Award finalist and DEIA activist in the romance industry, LaQuette writes sexy, stylish, and sensational romance. She crafts dramatic, emotionally epic tales that are deeply pigmented by reality's paintbrush. This Brooklyn native writes unapologetically bold, character-driven stories. Her novels feature diverse ensemble casts who are confident in their right to appear on the page.

Places to find LaQuette:

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