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Too Hot to Handle
EVIL INCARNATE OR ANGEL IN DISGUISE?
Tory Wells arrived a Sundance Ranch with only her battered suitcase, little more than two dollars and a letter from a friend, promising her employment. An Olympic-class diver recovering from knee surgery, Tory desperately needed this job and though the owner was an angel to be giving it to her. But
Ethan Reever was no angel. With his dark presence, cold gray eyes, and explosive temper, he could be only one thing - the devil himself. Tory was in dire straits, but she would never ask Reever for anything. Not a job. Not a bus ticket. Not money, and most definitely not for his love.
Tory Wells arrived a Sundance Ranch with only her battered suitcase, little more than two dollars and a letter from a friend, promising her employment. An Olympic-class diver recovering from knee surgery, Tory desperately needed this job and though the owner was an angel to be giving it to her. But
Ethan Reever was no angel. With his dark presence, cold gray eyes, and explosive temper, he could be only one thing - the devil himself. Tory was in dire straits, but she would never ask Reever for anything. Not a job. Not a bus ticket. Not money, and most definitely not for his love.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1986
99 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Lowell
205books1,897followersIndividually and with co-author/husband Evan, Ann Maxwell has written over 60 novels and one work of non-fiction. There are 30 million copies of these books in print, as well as reprints in 30 foreign languages. Her novels range from science fiction to historical fiction, from romance to mystery. After working in contemporary and historical romance, she became an innovator in the genre of romantic suspense.
In 1982, Ann began publishing as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994).
Since July of 1992, she has had over 30 novels on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1998 she began writing suspense with a passionate twist, capturing a new audience and generation of readers. Her new romance novel Perfect Touch will be available in July of 2015.
To get a full list of titles as well as read excerpts from her novels, visit .
In 1982, Ann began publishing as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994).
Since July of 1992, she has had over 30 novels on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1998 she began writing suspense with a passionate twist, capturing a new audience and generation of readers. Her new romance novel Perfect Touch will be available in July of 2015.
To get a full list of titles as well as read excerpts from her novels, visit .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 24, 2018
Cruel hero alert! EL is inching into Susan Fox territory when she has the Arizona ranch owner hero immediately turn down the penniless, walking-wounded heroine for a job since he is attracted to her and his cousin recommended her. Since his cousin is a womanizer, he thinks this California girl is promiscuous (a logical leap) and is out to entrap him.
Heroine is immediately attracted to the hero and it confuses her. It might be because she is finally on dry land after spending most of her life in a pool in a bid to be an Olympic diver. She has just had surgery on her knee and her doctor has warned her that diving might "cripple" her if she doesn't rest. Why working on a ranch is "rest" is another logical leap, but we'll just go with it.
Heroine has too much pride to tell the hero that she doesn't have a car, so she begins the 19 mile walk back to town where she plans to trade work for a motel room. Then she'll stay there until she has enough money for a bus ticket back to California, where her restaurant job awaits.
It's all so ridiculous, but the thirst, bleeding blisters on her hands from carrying all of her worldly goods, the ominous ache in her knee are prime angst ingredients. Then a group ofrapists teenagers drive by and begin to taunt her. The heroine runs away from them, but one of the rapists follows her into the scrub.
Hero is out riding the range on his horse, thinking about women you have sex with and women you marry and how messed up his view of women is because mommy was a city girl, when he witnesses this little would-be rape tableau. He wraps his whip around the would be rapist and scares him straight. Then he yells at the heroine that she's asking for it by walking on a road and being sexy in her threadbare clothes.
The cruelty doesn't stop there as he hauls her on the horse and tells her how clumsy she is, etc . . . Just being near this sack of misogyny makes the heroine's lady parts tingle and the hero is extra cruel about her erect nipples and boyish body.
So we all know where this is going. Hero does hire her with the promise that she'll leave as soon as she has enough money saved for her bus ticket home.
Heroine is a first rate cook. All the cowboys love her. Heroine wastes her money on seeds for a garden, birthday candles for the cowboys's cakes she makes for them, weights for her physio exercise and pain killers.
Such an angsty Mary Sue!
There is an encounter with an angry hen who pecks her hands until they are bleeding. Hero then kills the hen for a chicken dinner, even as he scolds the heroine for being a soft city girl.
Now that's love. Even the cowboys can see where this is going. But heroine is convinced hero will never care for her no matter what she does.
H/h eventually do succumb to their attraction. Hero is one of those chatty lovers who explains everything he is doing to the virgin heroine. It's a very long love scene, as is the last love scene before the very abrupt ending. Long as in a chapter long. Reader, I skimmed.
The black moment comes when the heroine realizes she has to go away. Hero's silent treatment after their one night of love is getting to her. She climbs to the top of a cliff in the middle of the night, takes off her nightgown, and then dives into the water below. (OMG - how many common sense rules does this violate?) Hero has followed her and watches fascinated as he finally realizes the heroine is a person of determination and persistence and is in no way weak or clumsy. He is humbled by her diving ability and beauty.
Heroine was diving to say good bye to diving - not just the hero. She realizes she loves the land more than she loves the competition of diving. If hero won't have her then she'll go to another ranch and love the land from there.
H/h make love at cross purposes (for an entire chapter). The heroine explains what she was saying good bye to. Hero says ILY. And that's the end.
Not EL's finest, but it does scratch that cruel hero/martyred heroine itch, if you are so afflicted.
Heroine is immediately attracted to the hero and it confuses her. It might be because she is finally on dry land after spending most of her life in a pool in a bid to be an Olympic diver. She has just had surgery on her knee and her doctor has warned her that diving might "cripple" her if she doesn't rest. Why working on a ranch is "rest" is another logical leap, but we'll just go with it.
Heroine has too much pride to tell the hero that she doesn't have a car, so she begins the 19 mile walk back to town where she plans to trade work for a motel room. Then she'll stay there until she has enough money for a bus ticket back to California, where her restaurant job awaits.
It's all so ridiculous, but the thirst, bleeding blisters on her hands from carrying all of her worldly goods, the ominous ache in her knee are prime angst ingredients. Then a group of
Hero is out riding the range on his horse, thinking about women you have sex with and women you marry and how messed up his view of women is because mommy was a city girl, when he witnesses this little would-be rape tableau. He wraps his whip around the would be rapist and scares him straight. Then he yells at the heroine that she's asking for it by walking on a road and being sexy in her threadbare clothes.
The cruelty doesn't stop there as he hauls her on the horse and tells her how clumsy she is, etc . . . Just being near this sack of misogyny makes the heroine's lady parts tingle and the hero is extra cruel about her erect nipples and boyish body.
So we all know where this is going. Hero does hire her with the promise that she'll leave as soon as she has enough money saved for her bus ticket home.
Heroine is a first rate cook. All the cowboys love her. Heroine wastes her money on seeds for a garden, birthday candles for the cowboys's cakes she makes for them, weights for her physio exercise and pain killers.
Such an angsty Mary Sue!
There is an encounter with an angry hen who pecks her hands until they are bleeding. Hero then kills the hen for a chicken dinner, even as he scolds the heroine for being a soft city girl.
Now that's love. Even the cowboys can see where this is going. But heroine is convinced hero will never care for her no matter what she does.
H/h eventually do succumb to their attraction. Hero is one of those chatty lovers who explains everything he is doing to the virgin heroine. It's a very long love scene, as is the last love scene before the very abrupt ending. Long as in a chapter long. Reader, I skimmed.
The black moment comes when the heroine realizes she has to go away. Hero's silent treatment after their one night of love is getting to her. She climbs to the top of a cliff in the middle of the night, takes off her nightgown, and then dives into the water below. (OMG - how many common sense rules does this violate?) Hero has followed her and watches fascinated as he finally realizes the heroine is a person of determination and persistence and is in no way weak or clumsy. He is humbled by her diving ability and beauty.
Heroine was diving to say good bye to diving - not just the hero. She realizes she loves the land more than she loves the competition of diving. If hero won't have her then she'll go to another ranch and love the land from there.
H/h make love at cross purposes (for an entire chapter). The heroine explains what she was saying good bye to. Hero says ILY. And that's the end.
Not EL's finest, but it does scratch that cruel hero/martyred heroine itch, if you are so afflicted.
January 17, 2019
Giddy yup, yeehaw and moo.
Purple prose delight in cowboy speak with a hero as mean as a snake to the point it made ME tear up (EL took some hints from Diana Palmer then upped the ante) and a young, virginal heroine who is…kind of boring.
The h is a damaged diver that needs/wants to work on the ranch. She is dead broke.
The hero is a hunka, hunka of burning cow patty and insults the young h to the point she limps back to town on her injured knee. Or she would if some marauding high schoolers didn’t try and run her down and threaten her with rape. The H dispatches them so hurray for this, but did not call the police so points off for that.
He reluctantly hires her to cook for him and his cowpokes, and when I say reluctantly I mean he humiliates and belittles her at every opportunity. Continuing in cowpoke speak, “It ain’t pretty, little darlins�!� It's the ole I'm pushing you away with vitriol and shame because I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH". At least I guess that's it.
He is very attracted to her breasts despite their small size, and I’m just going to leave it at that. For a surly cowboy with a big... EGO he sure can spout purty and seductive words right before he has sex without a condom.
Eventually she crosses a line no young chick should on a ranch with mean ole man and hungry cowpokes. No, her biscuits were just fine and dandy, but she made the mistake of saying, “I love you.�
I will say this for the big mean cowboy, when he apologizes and grovels he does just a fine job for an overbearing asshole.
Two star enjoyment for me because despite his apology he was just so mean, but I know how much some of you Romance readers LOOOOVVVEEEE to suffer so three stars just for y'all!
Purple prose delight in cowboy speak with a hero as mean as a snake to the point it made ME tear up (EL took some hints from Diana Palmer then upped the ante) and a young, virginal heroine who is…kind of boring.
The h is a damaged diver that needs/wants to work on the ranch. She is dead broke.
The hero is a hunka, hunka of burning cow patty and insults the young h to the point she limps back to town on her injured knee. Or she would if some marauding high schoolers didn’t try and run her down and threaten her with rape. The H dispatches them so hurray for this, but did not call the police so points off for that.
He reluctantly hires her to cook for him and his cowpokes, and when I say reluctantly I mean he humiliates and belittles her at every opportunity. Continuing in cowpoke speak, “It ain’t pretty, little darlins�!� It's the ole I'm pushing you away with vitriol and shame because I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH". At least I guess that's it.
He is very attracted to her breasts despite their small size, and I’m just going to leave it at that. For a surly cowboy with a big... EGO he sure can spout purty and seductive words right before he has sex without a condom.
Eventually she crosses a line no young chick should on a ranch with mean ole man and hungry cowpokes. No, her biscuits were just fine and dandy, but she made the mistake of saying, “I love you.�
I will say this for the big mean cowboy, when he apologizes and grovels he does just a fine job for an overbearing asshole.
Two star enjoyment for me because despite his apology he was just so mean, but I know how much some of you Romance readers LOOOOVVVEEEE to suffer so three stars just for y'all!
February 20, 2021
Too much s̶t̶u̶p̶i̶d̶i̶t̶y̶ pride and lots of angst.
July 15, 2016
okay, so this book was a lot better than i thought it would be, but i did have a couple issues with it.
first off, Reever is 33, but Tory is only 20. and like...whatever, they're adults, right? but there's this trend i keep seeing with Lowell's novels where the male is way older than the female. in almost all of her books that i've read (which is bordering on 15 now), the heroine is never older than 22-23 and the hero is always toeing the line of mid-thirties. as a 22 year old myself maybe i shouldn't be so bothered by it, but there is literally nothing wrong with having an older female main character. in fact, most of the time i prefer it.
secondly, her male characters always (and if i could underline and bold that i totally would) start off as major assholes. like, i get the whole manly, male, oozing testosterone thing but you can achieve that characterization without writing the hero being a Grade-A jerk to the heroine. Reever was no exception to Lowell's "so overtly male that the only way to show it is by being an ass to the female" trend. it can get exhausting is what i'm saying, i guess.
thirdly, Reever and Tory barely knew each other for more than half a day before they're all chomping at the bit to rip each others clothes off. i get it, they find each other hotter than the flames of hell itself, but take a dip in some cold water and grasp the reins of reality here. i would not be itching to ride the hobby horse with a man who just called me clumsy, useless, and ugly.
that all being said, you're probably wondering why a) i've read almost 15 books by Lowell if i so dislike these trends that keep popping up in her books like irritating daisies and b) why i gave this book in particular four stars.
to answer a) she can write a western like nobody's business. not to mention that the heroine's clapback to the heroes is absolutely stellar. 100% i live for these ladies.
and as for b) i did like Tory and Reever. their relationship was a sweet one, after the whole rocky start. and i kinda wish i saw more of it.
long story short: this was a good one, and i'm glad i read it.
first off, Reever is 33, but Tory is only 20. and like...whatever, they're adults, right? but there's this trend i keep seeing with Lowell's novels where the male is way older than the female. in almost all of her books that i've read (which is bordering on 15 now), the heroine is never older than 22-23 and the hero is always toeing the line of mid-thirties. as a 22 year old myself maybe i shouldn't be so bothered by it, but there is literally nothing wrong with having an older female main character. in fact, most of the time i prefer it.
secondly, her male characters always (and if i could underline and bold that i totally would) start off as major assholes. like, i get the whole manly, male, oozing testosterone thing but you can achieve that characterization without writing the hero being a Grade-A jerk to the heroine. Reever was no exception to Lowell's "so overtly male that the only way to show it is by being an ass to the female" trend. it can get exhausting is what i'm saying, i guess.
thirdly, Reever and Tory barely knew each other for more than half a day before they're all chomping at the bit to rip each others clothes off. i get it, they find each other hotter than the flames of hell itself, but take a dip in some cold water and grasp the reins of reality here. i would not be itching to ride the hobby horse with a man who just called me clumsy, useless, and ugly.
that all being said, you're probably wondering why a) i've read almost 15 books by Lowell if i so dislike these trends that keep popping up in her books like irritating daisies and b) why i gave this book in particular four stars.
to answer a) she can write a western like nobody's business. not to mention that the heroine's clapback to the heroes is absolutely stellar. 100% i live for these ladies.
and as for b) i did like Tory and Reever. their relationship was a sweet one, after the whole rocky start. and i kinda wish i saw more of it.
long story short: this was a good one, and i'm glad i read it.
April 17, 2021
Modern setting, old fashioned bodice ripper story. The H is a Neanderthal, a bigot, disrespectful bully to the h. He's madly in lust with her, makes assumptions. She is a Mary Sue, who can cooks, garden, walk miles weeks after knee surgery and is a budding Olympic high diver. He was so awful to her and of course she fell in love, her worst transgression. Loved this train wreck, until the too short ending - needed an epilogue.
November 26, 2021
Very outdated story... several details are really hard to appreciate nowadays, although in the 80s it must have been easily acceptable. In fact, this reminded me of many older books by other authors with similar plot/ideas but I don't think this story worked out as well as others did.
I was picturing the author writing this... I wonder if she smiled ironically while writing certain passages or if she truly felt this sounded romantic. From a merely feminine POV, I mean... or was she following a trend, perhaps....
Anyway, I wasn't positively surprised as I hoped and thankfully, it wasn't a big story, so I finished quickly.
I was picturing the author writing this... I wonder if she smiled ironically while writing certain passages or if she truly felt this sounded romantic. From a merely feminine POV, I mean... or was she following a trend, perhaps....
Anyway, I wasn't positively surprised as I hoped and thankfully, it wasn't a big story, so I finished quickly.
March 29, 2020
Some tropes belong in the past. This love story is one of them.
July 10, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this one. The sensuality. All good� Though, the love scene is way too long.😂 too long that it occupied more than one chapter.😂 The story is really too hot to handle because of cowboy hero, Ethan Reever.😂 i just wished that their romance bloomed in a slow pace since the two protagonists doesnt really interact with each other that much and i cant sense any sort of romantic relationship between them in the first place except their lust and sexual attraction to each other. Dont get me wrong, i really enjoyed reading this story but im just a bit disappointed about the flow, though. Reever is a bit smug towards Tory and i just wished that there are other romantic scenes----except the lovemaking, of course--- that could bring the two closer and build the romantic yet steamy relationship with each other.😊 that's all!😊
I rated this story five stars 'coz it ia beautifully written and i love their story.� Inspired me to write some more sensual love stories like this.�
I rated this story five stars 'coz it ia beautifully written and i love their story.� Inspired me to write some more sensual love stories like this.�
July 3, 2020
This one is a multiple times re-read for me. I love just about all of Lowell's earlier work and this one is no exception. Her writing, characters, and stories stand the test of time really well. I always get lost every time I open one of her books, even when I think I'm just gonna read a few chapters - next thing I know, I'm engrossed and can't put it down. This is definitely one of my favorites of hers, but then I have so many. This stays handy so I can revisit whenever the mood strikes.
April 2, 2012
Another reread and still a good book.
February 3, 2016
Enjoyable category book by EL.
February 27, 2020
Sweet, aching love story
A study of strength & perseverance in a young woman's journey to finding out that what she wanted was only a stepping stone to love
A study of strength & perseverance in a young woman's journey to finding out that what she wanted was only a stepping stone to love
September 21, 2023
The couple could match many Diana palmer characters.
The hero is a grumpy cowboy and the heroine is much younger than him and quite smitten since she first sees him. She’s a professional athlete, a diver, who had an accident and her knee needs healing. So now she goes to a tough place in Arizona where she asks the hero for a job and he turns her down quite rudely. DP heroes would do a standing ovation. She decides to leave on foot, btw it’s only 19 miles to the nearest town, so he basically rescues her from a baby gang who wanted to have their way with her.
Then he accepts to have her with him as a replacement cook until she can pay her ticket back home.
She doesn’t tell him who she is, and he doesn’t ask, so the time goes by and the weeks go by and she still hasn’t money for her ticket. The hero is rude and grumpy and attacks her every time he sees her, without a cause. Because this is how a man who’s smitten with a woman behaves. At least in Arizona. He doesn’t think she is hard enough to stand the ranch life. He needs a wife who’s strong and hard as he is. Pity she doesn’t tell him that she’s been an athlete since she was a child and she’s sad to pain and endurance. And this is true, all professional athletes, especially those who don’t play in teams, suffers constantly for endless training, hurts, pains, without complaining. Ever. Then, just when she’s going to leave, he gives up and has sex with her. They start an affair and of course she falls in love with him, while he’s still very skeptical about her suitability as a wife, and when she tells him she loves him he freezes.
In the end she decides to leave and to go back to diving, but the hero realizes she’s so good that she deserves to be an Olympic athlete and tells her he loves her but she has to go to pursue her dreams. Of course her dream is not her career but the hero, so she gives up diving and stays with the hero.
Old school one, but cute in a raw and nasty way, that makes you want to avoid every cowboy in Arizona. Or Texas if what Diana palmer writes i true.
The hero is a grumpy cowboy and the heroine is much younger than him and quite smitten since she first sees him. She’s a professional athlete, a diver, who had an accident and her knee needs healing. So now she goes to a tough place in Arizona where she asks the hero for a job and he turns her down quite rudely. DP heroes would do a standing ovation. She decides to leave on foot, btw it’s only 19 miles to the nearest town, so he basically rescues her from a baby gang who wanted to have their way with her.
Then he accepts to have her with him as a replacement cook until she can pay her ticket back home.
She doesn’t tell him who she is, and he doesn’t ask, so the time goes by and the weeks go by and she still hasn’t money for her ticket. The hero is rude and grumpy and attacks her every time he sees her, without a cause. Because this is how a man who’s smitten with a woman behaves. At least in Arizona. He doesn’t think she is hard enough to stand the ranch life. He needs a wife who’s strong and hard as he is. Pity she doesn’t tell him that she’s been an athlete since she was a child and she’s sad to pain and endurance. And this is true, all professional athletes, especially those who don’t play in teams, suffers constantly for endless training, hurts, pains, without complaining. Ever. Then, just when she’s going to leave, he gives up and has sex with her. They start an affair and of course she falls in love with him, while he’s still very skeptical about her suitability as a wife, and when she tells him she loves him he freezes.
In the end she decides to leave and to go back to diving, but the hero realizes she’s so good that she deserves to be an Olympic athlete and tells her he loves her but she has to go to pursue her dreams. Of course her dream is not her career but the hero, so she gives up diving and stays with the hero.
Old school one, but cute in a raw and nasty way, that makes you want to avoid every cowboy in Arizona. Or Texas if what Diana palmer writes i true.
July 15, 2021
I cannot believe this is my first elizabeth lowell and I’m so mad it’s taken me this long to read one of her books. Her writing speaks to me and I’ve fallen in love with this book. not to mention, we get a headstrong, tough-as-nails heroine and the most emotionally constipated, angsty angry hero I’ve ever read, the perfect combo. like, he’s a jerk, and I know I shouldn’t love how much of an ass he is, but it feeds my id. if that’s your type of hero, read it, but if you don’t want a hero being an absolute ass and verbally eviscerating the heroine for the first 100+ pages of the book, don’t read it. seriously. he’s a major ass and I cannot believe I love him as much as I do but the heart knows what it wants and mine is stupid.
Ethan does not deserve Tory (because he is an ass) but by the end of this book, I just KNOW the rest of his life is dedicated to groveling and being at her beck and call because he is so in love with Tory. I think Tory is also possibly my favorite heroine I’ve ever read. She’s what made this book so perfect. Her and Ethan are two character’s made from my soul, Lowell must have looked in my brain or something, I don’t know. I would also like to say (and this is a mild spoiler) that I knew he was toast and falling head over heals in love with her the second he killed that chicken for her. Strange? Yes, but I love strange.
Honestly don’t know how I love this book so much, I’m guessing Lowell’s books are going to be my new obsession because her writing feeds my soul. I picked up this book tonight expecting to just read a few chapters before bed and I finished it because I couldn’t pry myself away from it.
I love this one so much it’s going on my favorites shelf, so if this sounds like your type of book, dive in! (the dive in is a pun, you’ll get it if you read it)
CW’s: one of the first scenes involves harassment of the heroine and attempted assault on heroine by a character we never see again. Heroine is never touched. (I can’t figure out though if attempt/harassment is done by an adult or a teen? I’m leaning towards teen.)
Ethan does not deserve Tory (because he is an ass) but by the end of this book, I just KNOW the rest of his life is dedicated to groveling and being at her beck and call because he is so in love with Tory. I think Tory is also possibly my favorite heroine I’ve ever read. She’s what made this book so perfect. Her and Ethan are two character’s made from my soul, Lowell must have looked in my brain or something, I don’t know. I would also like to say (and this is a mild spoiler) that I knew he was toast and falling head over heals in love with her the second he killed that chicken for her. Strange? Yes, but I love strange.
Honestly don’t know how I love this book so much, I’m guessing Lowell’s books are going to be my new obsession because her writing feeds my soul. I picked up this book tonight expecting to just read a few chapters before bed and I finished it because I couldn’t pry myself away from it.
I love this one so much it’s going on my favorites shelf, so if this sounds like your type of book, dive in! (the dive in is a pun, you’ll get it if you read it)
CW’s: one of the first scenes involves harassment of the heroine and attempted assault on heroine by a character we never see again. Heroine is never touched. (I can’t figure out though if attempt/harassment is done by an adult or a teen? I’m leaning towards teen.)
February 12, 2019
3.5 stars.
July 30, 2019
I'd like so much to read this book
Read
February 7, 2020Note to self.
Dnf.
I’m not into this level of sexual approach.
Dnf.
I’m not into this level of sexual approach.
March 19, 2022
I cannot believe i read to the end. What crap! I know there are people who find this type of writing enjoyable. NOT ME!
December 19, 2022
Another good romance by Lowell. Worth reading and can’t wait to read the rest of her books.
December 30, 2022
Typical book, when EL started writing. If you want a story, character development, some logic - this is not for you. Cheesy, small read. Good for a break between genres. But don't get any hopes up.
January 26, 2025
I loved the old school feel of this book, but I wanted more plot and the side characters to be more involved.
This was very heavy in the romance, which made it feel too lusty.
This was very heavy in the romance, which made it feel too lusty.
February 3, 2023
On dedication page: "For Susan Kyle, whose books are ardent, amusing, and addictive". EL's writing is prettier than Diana Palmer's and yet nothing can grab my heart and squeeze it like DP's books.
May 24, 2025
🔥 PRIMARY SUBGENRE:
🤠 Western Contemporary Romance � Ranch setting, rugged alpha male, and a city girl out of her element.
� SECONDARY SUBGENRES & TAGS:
😈 Enemies-to-Lovers � Tory thinks Ethan is the devil; he thinks she’s trouble.
🩹 Hurt/Comfort � A wounded athlete + a man with a stormy past.
💥 Explosive Chemistry � Clashing tempers ignite passion.
🏡 Fish-Out-of-Water � Tory’s Olympic grace meets ranch life grit.
🖤 Grumpy/Sunshine (Sort Of) � She’s desperate but proud; he’s harsh but protective.
� TROPES & THEMES:
� "The Devil of Sundance Ranch" � Ethan’s reputation precedes him.
� "Too Proud to Beg" � Tory would rather starve than ask for help.
� "Wounded Hearts Collide" � Both carry scars, physical and emotional.
� "Trapped Together" � Financial desperation forces proximity.
� "Touch Her and Die" � Ethan’s possessive streak emerges.
⚠️ CONTENT NOTES:
� Angst & Temper � Explosive arguments, emotional wounds.
� Slow Burn � Resentment turns to reluctant desire.
� Western Grit � Ranch life isn’t glamorous.
📚 COMPARABLE TITLES/AUTHORS:
Linda Howard (Mr. Perfect � alpha males + fiery heroines).
Diana Palmer (Long, Tall Texans � gruff ranchers + resilient women).
Maisey Yates (Copper Ridge � wounded heroes + ranch settings).
R.C. Ryan (Montana Rebels � Western romances with emotional depth).
🤠 Western Contemporary Romance � Ranch setting, rugged alpha male, and a city girl out of her element.
� SECONDARY SUBGENRES & TAGS:
😈 Enemies-to-Lovers � Tory thinks Ethan is the devil; he thinks she’s trouble.
🩹 Hurt/Comfort � A wounded athlete + a man with a stormy past.
💥 Explosive Chemistry � Clashing tempers ignite passion.
🏡 Fish-Out-of-Water � Tory’s Olympic grace meets ranch life grit.
🖤 Grumpy/Sunshine (Sort Of) � She’s desperate but proud; he’s harsh but protective.
� TROPES & THEMES:
� "The Devil of Sundance Ranch" � Ethan’s reputation precedes him.
� "Too Proud to Beg" � Tory would rather starve than ask for help.
� "Wounded Hearts Collide" � Both carry scars, physical and emotional.
� "Trapped Together" � Financial desperation forces proximity.
� "Touch Her and Die" � Ethan’s possessive streak emerges.
⚠️ CONTENT NOTES:
� Angst & Temper � Explosive arguments, emotional wounds.
� Slow Burn � Resentment turns to reluctant desire.
� Western Grit � Ranch life isn’t glamorous.
📚 COMPARABLE TITLES/AUTHORS:
Linda Howard (Mr. Perfect � alpha males + fiery heroines).
Diana Palmer (Long, Tall Texans � gruff ranchers + resilient women).
Maisey Yates (Copper Ridge � wounded heroes + ranch settings).
R.C. Ryan (Montana Rebels � Western romances with emotional depth).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2022
I first read this book when I was 17. Yea it made me blush. Never had I read such explicitly worded sex scenes! I’ve always loved that you got to hear Reever’s side of the story from his perspective � I love when books do that! I also love how Tory is so strong willed. At 20 there is no way she should be that strong and composed! But now that I am older, I can see the cracks in their relationship. Reever has anger and jealously issues. Tory is too young to know what’s what. When she gets older, she will realize she has missed out on a ton. Although knowing this now when I read it, I still LOVE it. And I’ve always loved that Tory has short hair!
April 6, 2014
This is a reissue of Ms. Lowell's book but it's the first time I read it. I really enjoyed reading it. It has a very good story line with very steamy love scenes.
Here is a write up from the back of the book:
Tory Wells has been on her own since she was sixteen, driven by the dream of becoming a champion. But an injury has knocked her out of the competition for now - maybe forever - with no plans, no prospects and nowhere to go.
A letter promising employment leads her to Sundance Ranch, but all she finds is bitter disappoimntment - and Ethan Reever, the devil himself. She knows she should leave as soon as possible, so why is she so certain that her life changed the moment she saw Ethan's stormy gray eyes?
Here is a write up from the back of the book:
Tory Wells has been on her own since she was sixteen, driven by the dream of becoming a champion. But an injury has knocked her out of the competition for now - maybe forever - with no plans, no prospects and nowhere to go.
A letter promising employment leads her to Sundance Ranch, but all she finds is bitter disappoimntment - and Ethan Reever, the devil himself. She knows she should leave as soon as possible, so why is she so certain that her life changed the moment she saw Ethan's stormy gray eyes?
January 17, 2011
Ignore him and drive him crazy.
That's what the plot basically boils down to. EL is such a terrific writer and does a fine job of showcasing his longing as brutish behaviour because this is how romances were written in 1986.
Nowadays, of course, women wouldn't put up with Reever's awful rudeness to the point of Rylie's hero worship but as things all work out in the end, more power to them.
That's what the plot basically boils down to. EL is such a terrific writer and does a fine job of showcasing his longing as brutish behaviour because this is how romances were written in 1986.
Nowadays, of course, women wouldn't put up with Reever's awful rudeness to the point of Rylie's hero worship but as things all work out in the end, more power to them.
January 1, 2017
I have been an avid reader of Elizabeth Lowell books for several years and love her work. I feel this book has not reached the usual standard I am used to though it is still a good read. I love a good sexy story but I did feel the sex scenes were a little too long and took away from the overall story, but that's just my opinion. Having said that, I will still always read Elizabeth's work as she is an amazing writer
Read
June 27, 2009Started out so boring and "blah". Then when it got near the end, it was so emotionally intense and cheesy I could have gagged. A regular Harlequin with the cheese factor turned up on Maximum. Not recommended. Go for Lucy Monroe or something. 0.5/5 stars.
October 10, 2012
This is an author that I have read a lot of and have added her books to my 'keeper' book shelf. Most I have read at least twice and some even more than that. Always in depth characters that anyone can identify with on some level.
August 7, 2014
This book was so good! I read it in 1 day, I just couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read it again. I feel like this is something that could really happen and probably has happened in some way. It was just so good.
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