Keeping Hope Alive

Hope Ranch is well named. It is a place that provides structure, responsibility and education to teens that need a second chance. Casey Morgan is the owner of the ranch that is also a school. She has a degree in counseling and is divorced from an abusive husband. Her dream is to make Hope a success BUT there have been accidents and issues that seem more than happenstance. Nathan “Max” Maxwell is a Major in the Special Forces who needs a place to recuperate from an injury sustained in the line of duty. He applies to Hope Ranch for the position of maintenance and security specialist, is hired and shows up on Casey’s doorstep. There is a potentially explosive introduction between Casey and Max with the students watching. Max is unsure he is a good fit for the position but Casey really needs him and he is not one to leave someone without protection. The school, its students, the adults in charge, the accidents, financial issues and community are all introduced and fleshed out as Casey and Max also begin to test the waters of a potential relationship although neither expects much since Max plans to return to the military. With so many bad things happening there are plenty of questions to be answered: What will happen to the ranch? Will it stay funded? Will Casey be able to keep it running? Will the community accept it in their midst? Will the students realize it is a good place for them to be? Will Max be able to return to the military? Will Casey and Max have a future together? And… …who is behind the murder and mayhem being perpetrated on Hope Ranch? This was a fun quick read and I thank NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press for the copy of this book to read and review. 3.5 Stars