Reviewed by Lesley
TITLE: Cruz: An MM Daddy Romance
SERIES: The Daddies of River Gorge Book 1
AUTHOR: Jacki James
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 299 Pages
RELEASE DATE: February 24,2023
BLURB:
This lost boy needs a Daddy to take the reins…
Nolan Carter is incredibly successful and wealthy. On paper, it seems he’s gotten everything he could want. But he’s lost himself along the way.
When Nolan retreats to a Texas ranch he bought on a whim, hoping to figure out who he is without the influence of life coaches and socialites, he meets foreman Cruz Coban. Cruz is everything Nolan isn’t: self-assured, comfortable in his skin, and commanding.
And he wants to take charge of Nolan too. Because Cruz is a Daddy.
Nolan has never had a Daddy before, but when Cruz takes the reins, Nolan feels accepted for who he is inside: a geeky boy who wants to be loved.
But keeping Cruz means riding off into the sunset of an entirely different life. And take charge or not, Daddy can’t make this decision for him. Their happy ending is in Nolan’s hands, and for once, this lost boy knows exactly where he belongs.
REVIEW:
This is the story of Nolan, a through and through self-confessed computer nerd, and Cruz, a former rodeo world champion.
Nolan has sold off his company and made a fortune. He is trying to live his live as a rich, successful man “should” and in the process has lost himself along the way. Money alone does not make you happy.
Cruz is working on a ranch owned by his former rodeo partner Reed and his husband Ripley. They have a daddy boy relationship and believe Cruz is a Daddy too. Cruz isn’t quite ready to admit that to himself yet. Then he gets the offer of a job he can’t refuse. The chance to be the foreman on a neighbouring ranch- the one Nolan bought on a whim.
Nolan needs a Daddy even if he doesn’t realise, he is a boy, he needs someone to help guide and support him whilst he rediscovers what makes him happy and who he is. Fortunately, Cruz is happy to take on that role, But can a city geek and a country cowboy make it work?
My heart went out to Nolan who felt so lost that he felt had to hire someone to teach him how to act now he had money. He was so awkward and out of place in a world that wasn’t him. I am so glad his mum called him out on it and he decided to go and escape to his ranch.
The only caution I would give about this book is that in the first 2 or 3 chapters we are reintroduced the couples from the Men of River Gorge series, and there is a lot of them. It has been 3.5 years since I read the series so I will be honest I couldn’t remember all their stories. – Don’t worry if you haven’t read the prior series, that stops becoming such an issue after a few chapters and the story focuses on Cruz & Nolan. I guess the other alternative is to read / reread the Men of River Gorge series first.
I confess if Jacki James writes a Daddy book my finger automatically hits the one click button and I am yet to be disappointed.
RATING: 
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