ARC Review! Taking Charge by Ruth Cardello

Lucy Albright never wanted her family’s Texas ranch, but now it’s in foreclosure. She’s already lost so much she can’t bear the thought of losing one more thing. Lucy learned the hard way not to accept help from a man when there are strings attached, so she’ll do whatever it takes to save the ranch on her own terms—even if that means launching an online business marketing high-¬tech sex toys.

Ranch manager David Harmon has a reputation for being a cowboy with a heart of gold. Even if she refuses his help, down-and-out Lucy is the kind of woman he’ll do anything to protect. And while David may not know much about Lucy’s naughty side business, that won’t stop a cowboy from doing something he’s set his mind to.

With the ranch threatened by a scheming neighbor, Lucy can’t help but keep David around. Their attraction may be undeniable, but will the spark between them burn her entire future to the ground?

Lucy and David had chemistry.  Sometimes.  Other times, I just didn't buy their attraction.  I definitely didn't believe that either of them would be willing to risk the lives they had built to be with the other, and this sort of was where it ended up going.

This is technically the 4th book in the series and it says it can be read as a standalone.  That said, I am not sure I agree.  I felt I was missing a lot of the depth, and the significance, of the other relationships and I think this is because I did not read the other books.

I generally enjoy books by Ruth Cardello, so I was a little surprised to find that this one really didn't work for me.  I think, in this instance, it was the fact that I had not read the others...there was just too much that I did not grasp, or feel as deeply as I should.

I am hesitant to say if I do or do not recommend this.  I think I do for those who have read the others in the series and for those who have not, I recommend reading the others first.