Book Reviews

Book Blurb

To say Mal Trevino is down on his luck might be an understatement. Out of work and the sole parent of his young son, he’ll do whatever it takes to get back on his feet again. But his luck seems to finally be turning when he applies for, and lands, a job at Blue Creek Ranch. The Harringtons seem too good to be true but he’s not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He takes all that they offer and works hard, while also trying to avoid getting too attached. Mal knows all too well that the good things in life can be taken in a blink.

Crew Harrington’s mission in life is to keep his family ranch thriving. Hiring Mal quickly proves to be a good decision. Mal is competent, capable, and shows a lot of talent. The only downside? That's Crew’s kryptonite. Getting involved with an employee is a recipe for disaster. But there’s no denying the chemistry between the two men. All they have to do is figure out how to make it work.

It starts out as a bit of a rough ride. Crew’s missteps reinforce Mal’s walls. But as the days pass and the more time they spend together, the harder it is for them to stay away from each other. As Crew and Mal learn to communicate, and let each other in, love isn’t far behind. All Crew wants is for Mal to take a chance; on him, on their future, and on happily ever after.

 

Book Review

 “Our lives improve only when we take chances”. ~ Walter Inglis Anderson

Malachi (Mal) Travino, of ‘Taking Chances’ by Kris Bethke and Tia Fielding, is at his wits' end. A devoted, single father raising his four-year-old son, Mal, is struggling. After his father's death left him with an ocean of debt, he had to sell the family farm, leaving him and his son jobless and homeless. Despite searching locally, no jobs turn up, so he expands his search. He finds an intriguing ranch online; even though they\'re not hiring, Mal takes a chance and emails to ask for a meeting. 

Crew Harrington's mother invites Mal and his son to their ranch, despite there being no open positions. Impressed after meeting Mal, Krew trusts his mother's judgment and offers Mal the job, along with a cabin to live in. 

Mal proves himself quickly, and he and his son find a sense of stability. Crew admires Mal’s resilience, and although he knows it’s a bad idea, since Mal is his employee, he quickly becomes attached. Meanwhile, Mal is grateful for the job, but he is confused by Crew’s generosity, for instance, finding and buying Mal’s "heart horse," but even more confounded by his growing feelings for him.

I experienced many emotions while reading ‘Take a Chance’. Mal’s plight was heartbreaking. He was a good father, with lots of love and patience to care for his autistic son, especially since he was doing it alone. Crew’s affection for his family was heart-warming. It was heartening to see that, despite his rough exterior, Crew had a generous and loving heart. Thanks, Chris and Tia. 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was purchased by the reviewer.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 316 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	26-June-2025
Price	$6.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Take-Chance-Blue-Creek-Ranch-ebook/dp/B0FBHK9PGH