The Lone Rancher

It damn near killed me waiting for the secret to be revealed! Very interesting plot.

I really liked the boys' background story of being friends from when they were young. It's a good thing Garrett's parents are imaginary because I'd like to give them a piece of my mind. I've known people like them... in the north. They're everywhere unfortunately. I cringed reading about how old Aubrey's parents were. They couldn't have been that old or maybe they had Garrett late in life? But I'm glad how they handled Aubrey and Garrett in the long run. Knowing Garrett for as long as they did probably went a long way for their exceptance. But poor Mommy - Why couldn't she drive?

Aubrey and Garrett were an enjoyable couple to read about. I read this book quickly.

Aubrey is working hard to save the ranch and guard his secrets. Garrett has secrets of his own. We get to see both men come to terms with who they are as individuals and together.

When Aubrey Kline came home to live on the family ranch he didn’t realise just how far in debt his parents were. After going through the ranch’s books Aubrey is devastated. After a long talk with his parents and the cutting up of their credit cards they work out a plan to get the ranch out of the red. What Aubrey doesn’t tell his parents is that they don’t have enough cattle to sell to make an appreciable difference to their overall debt. Aubrey is visiting a strip club in Dallas when he is offered a job as a stripper. When he adds up all the money he can make from dancing Aubrey feels he can’t say no.
So begins Aubrey’s days as the stripper called “The Lone Rancher”.
Aubrey has been dancing for months and he honestly can’t believe the amount of money he has been able to earn. He’s now at the point where he can see the end of his stripping days. All of the debts are either paid off or at least down to a manageable level. Because Aubrey is only able to dance on the weekends he doe the double shift and it’s during the break between shows that he’s approached by his childhood friend Garret Lamston for a little extra fun. You could have knocked him down with a feather, Aubrey has had a crush on Garret forever but as he always thought he was straight he never imagined it could go anywhere. Thank god Aubrey always wore his Lone Rancher mask while he was at the club, it would be devastating if Garret knew who he was!
Thankfully after their run-in in Dallas, Garret and Aubrey’s relationship certainly started going the direction Aubrey has always wanted it to. One of the major things holding them back from being open about their relationship is the fact that no-one knows either of them is gay and if they did they would be ruined. To cover themselves they begrudgingly go to the church socials and all the other outings their mothers can arrange for them to meet any and all of the local single women. Just when Aubrey tells his boss at the strip club that he’ll be leaving, his father has and accident and wrecks the tractor!
That means another couple of months dancing!
Basically, everything goes to hell and then everything turns wonderful after that event. This is the time that both Aubrey and Garret have to start being open and honest with not just themselves but their family’s as well. This is the time when they find out exactly who are their true friends and who don’t deserve to be in their lives. The Lone Rancher is not only a romance story between Aubrey and Garret, it’s all about the length’s some people will go to, to ensure their family’s stay safe and afloat.

When I first heard about the Dreamspun Desires line, I was curious. I was never into the Harlequin Romances like my mother and grandmother, so I was curious to see what the ‘tried and true’ would look like from beloved DSP authors. Well, boy am I glad I decided to read! There’s so much going on as this isn’t a story of a double life, but of a triple one for Aubrey. As if the double life Garrett’s stuck in isn’t bad enough.
As someone raised in the South (not Texas though) around cattle country where FFA was more important than Honors Society by far, I can truly feel for both men. The fear, pain, self-recrimination, guilt, etc. is so real even today in many areas that reality bled off the pages. Andrew did an amazing job, once again, all while keeping this story very fun and playful in so many aspects.
I loved the “Lone Rancher” aspect, though not the internalized loathing and phobia about what he was doing. That is one thing I wish he’d come to better terms with, but, hey, these are ‘real’ people, even they aren’t, right? No one’s perfect. It was reading as the two men, Garrett and Aubrey danced toward a real life together, toward coming out and dealing with family and their community, that was so much fun. I felt for Garrett—and wanted to whip his father! (and not in a fun and kinky way, I assure you). I’ve known too many Garrett’s in reality, seen them hurt too many times.
Aubrey though, what a man! He’s a true rancher and man, willing to do whatever it takes to take care of his family and save the ranch. In the end, not only is it all worth it, but both men are better for what they’ve gone through and their love is (hey, it’s Andrew Grey) a true HEA.
This is a well written and wonderfully fun romance. If you’re looking for something sweet yet hot and sexy, then this is a great story to pick up.