Wild Ones Series by Rachel Ember

A complicated history divides them, but when they find themselves in close quarters while the snow falls, the heat between them builds slowly, and burns hot.It’s been a long, cold winter at Riverside Ranch, where Robbie has lived alone since his brothers moved away. Alone, that is, except for his three devious cats, four saddle horses, and the forty-eight mustangs that roam the ranch... moreA complicated history divides them, but when they find themselves in close quarters while the snow falls, the heat between them builds slowly, and burns hot.It’s been a long, cold winter at Riverside Ranch, where Robbie has lived alone since his brothers moved away. Alone, that is, except for his three devious cats, four saddle horses, and the forty-eight mustangs that roam the ranch. Robbie is preparing for yet another snowfall when he gets the last call he expected—a plea to pick up Lance Taylor from the county jail.Lance wasn’t just his little brother’s best friend, he was a part of the family. Then, one night, after Lance asked Robbie for something Robbie couldn’t give, he ran away and never came back. Lance was sixteen and heartbroken when he left his middle-of-nowhere hometown. Six years later, he’s at rock bottom with nowhere else to go, and no one to turn to but Robbie, the man Lance has been inconveniently in love with for most of his life.When Robbie offers Lance a place to stay, Lance expects a guest bedroom and awkward silences. Instead, he finds himself sharing Robbie’s one-room hayloft apartment and its single bed, while realizing that the old flame he carries for Robbie might not be so hopeless, after all.Long Winter is the first book in the Wild Ones series and has a happy-for-now ending. Robbie and Lance’s story continues in Signs of Spring. less

Their unlikely connection grows stronger every day, but to stay together they have to believe not only in each other, but also in themselves. Lance never believed the stars could align for him to have a real chance with Robbie, and even though they’ve spent every day—and night—together for weeks, a part of him still isn’t convinced it’s all real. But until the inevitable moment he loses Robbie, Lance intends to savor what they share... moreTheir unlikely connection grows stronger every day, but to stay together they have to believe not only in each other, but also in themselves. Lance never believed the stars could align for him to have a real chance with Robbie, and even though they’ve spent every day—and night—together for weeks, a part of him still isn’t convinced it’s all real. But until the inevitable moment he loses Robbie, Lance intends to savor what they share. When Lance is dragged back to Chicago, he’s both relieved and terrified when Robbie offers to come with him.Robbie loves his family’s Nebraska ranch, but he’s also been solely responsible for keeping it afloat since he was eighteen. He’s always wanted to experience life outside his rural hometown. His glimpse into Lance’s friends and work in Chicago is bittersweet. On the one hand, it’s all too easy to picture a future in Lance’s city and at Lance’s side. On the other hand, it seems impossible given Robbie’s responsibilities to the ranch, and he doesn’t want to hold Lance back from the life and career he’s made.Signs of Spring is the conclusion to Robbie and Lance’s love story, which began in Long Winter. The books include complicated family relationships, animal characters, an age gap, a best friend’s little brother, pining, hurt/comfort, and lace. The books must be read in order. less

The year is 1972. Dylan Chase is nineteen, and most days he’s lucky enough to ride a tough bronc, have a beer with his friends, and maybe even sleep under the stars on his family’s third-generation cattle ranch. Dylan’s life would be perfect if it weren’t for his forbidden itch. An itch he’s only scratched once… with Bo, a hitchhiker he never thought he’d see again. When Bo shows up as the new hire at a neighboring ranch, Dylan is sure his almost-perfect life is about to implode... moreThe year is 1972. Dylan Chase is nineteen, and most days he’s lucky enough to ride a tough bronc, have a beer with his friends, and maybe even sleep under the stars on his family’s third-generation cattle ranch. Dylan’s life would be perfect if it weren’t for his forbidden itch. An itch he’s only scratched once… with Bo, a hitchhiker he never thought he’d see again. When Bo shows up as the new hire at a neighboring ranch, Dylan is sure his almost-perfect life is about to implode. After the calves are driven out to the spring pastures, Bo will move on to California. Dylan just has to hold it together until then… if he can. But Bo can soothe a restless horse with a touch and keeps a battered book of poems in his saddle bag. And the more Dylan learns about him, the more he wants Bo—and the less he wants Bo to go, damn the risk. less

No matter how many times Johnny starts over, things eventually fall apart. Like they did when he left the family ranch he loves in Nebraska, or in his fledgling acting career in L.A., or with his arguably perfect ex-boyfriend. Then he meets pretty, prickly, captivating Owen Galeo. A man who loves fiercely and protectively. A man Johnny is helplessly drawn to, and who inspires him to finally build a life that he won’t burn down... moreNo matter how many times Johnny starts over, things eventually fall apart. Like they did when he left the family ranch he loves in Nebraska, or in his fledgling acting career in L.A., or with his arguably perfect ex-boyfriend. Then he meets pretty, prickly, captivating Owen Galeo. A man who loves fiercely and protectively. A man Johnny is helplessly drawn to, and who inspires him to finally build a life that he won’t burn down. But every idyllic summer comes to an end, and Johnny has never been able to resist his urge to run when things get hard.Owen’s safe haven has always been his godfathers’ farm. When they need help, he drops everything and moves in for the summer. To his surprise, they already have one house guest—Johnny, their long-lost nephew. Johnny’s beautiful, charismatic, and worst of all, famous...everything Owen’s celebrity parents taught him to hate. Owen resists their instant chemistry, but as the summer works its magic, he falls for Johnny anyway. Even though he can practically hear the clock ticking until Johnny takes off with no regard for who his leaving will hurt.As the Tallgrass Grows is the fourth book in the Wild Ones series. Though the story can stand alone, the series is best enjoyed when read in order. less

Cam has always had a soft spot for dangerous guys. Not that he gets much action, dangerous or otherwise. He never managed to outgrow his baby fat, and the most interesting thing about him is his 4.0 GPA.When Jake shows up, tall, brooding, and in leather, he seems to have stepped straight out of Cam’s fantasies. Except he’s not here to ask Cam out—he’s a bodyguard sent by Cam’s crime-boss aunt... moreCam has always had a soft spot for dangerous guys. Not that he gets much action, dangerous or otherwise. He never managed to outgrow his baby fat, and the most interesting thing about him is his 4.0 GPA.When Jake shows up, tall, brooding, and in leather, he seems to have stepped straight out of Cam’s fantasies. Except he’s not here to ask Cam out—he’s a bodyguard sent by Cam’s crime-boss aunt. Her enemies don’t care that Cam has no interest in the family business, so Cam reluctantly agrees to go into hiding, not realizing Jake’s safe house is a thousand miles away on a remote Nebraska farm, where Jake sheds his leather jacket and handgun for a cowboy hat and a horse.Maybe Cam has no choice but to trust Jake with his safety. But as the summer wears on in this strange land of wild mustangs, old grudges, and thunderstorms, he doesn’t dare trust Jake with his heart.When the River Rises is the fifth book in the Wild Ones series. Though the story can be read as a stand alone, the series is best enjoyed when read in order. less