Want You Back (Second Chance Ranch Book 1)

Maverick comes from a successful ranch in Colorado but never knew a day's love from his grim, demanding father, especially after his mother died. Colt comes from an extensive loving family of battlers, where he has taken the lead in looking after everyone since his father's death when he was a boy. Their friendship growing up is everything, saves them.

Immediately after school, Maverick escapes to California, and Colt stays put, makes a life, becomes sheriff, like his dad.

The scene is set for a heart wrenching saga, an interplay of present and past, reflecting on loss, grief and hurt, once the two meet again in Lovelorn, Colorado, after 20 years.

But Albert promises a very happy ending to make up for the sorrow she puts us through. Isn't show more that why I love the romance genre?! - that the sorrow isn't meant to lodge in my soul (enough already!), but is transformed into love and hope?!

No one is better at this than Albert: she always puts me through the wringer with her incredibly sad poignant moments and knack for drawing maximum empathy from me for her characters.

Michael Dean narrates most effectively, doing a good job with both the taciturn Colt, and the damaged feisty Maverick.

Yay! this is the first in a new series and I can't wait for whose story is next on Second Chance Ranch.

The cover art is spectacular(!) and I assume it is Colt - it's surprising how few details Albert gives of the MCs appearance, or how they look from scene to scene. I've just finished a couple of books were this is a prominent feature, which highlighted its absence here - I prefer more. At the same time, occasionally an author seems obsessed with their own characters' good looks! which is a turn-off. show less

"When Maverick Lovelorn left town, it almost broke me. I’m determined to not let his return do the same".
This is a "small-town, second-chance romance" between two best friends who reunite after more than twenty years, only to find that the spark that ignited the love affair of their youth, has never faded. Want You Back has a lot going for it and I love Annabeth Albert's work and I did so enjoy reading it,

Maverick Lovelorn, (love that name), and Colt Jennings are best friends despite them having very different backgrounds. Maverick’s family had founded the town that is named after them, and they run the ranch that has been theirs for generations. Colt lives with his mother and siblings, where money is tight, but where Colt is show more loved and cherished. Maverick’s father is unimaginably cold and overbearing. You will absolutely hate him. He only sees Maverick as an "extension of himself" and is constantly going on at him about all his obligations and responsibilities to the ranch he will one day inherit. Maverick and Colt form an early bond built on their losses...Colt’s dad, who was the town sheriff who was killed in the line of duty, and Maverick’s mother and older brother who died in a plane crash, making his father even colder and harsher than before. Maverick longs for the kind of warmth that is shown him by Colt’s family but that he never gets at home.

His friendship with Colt is the one thing that makes his life bearable, and late on Prom night, that friendship turns into something much, much more. Maverick has known he’s gay for quite some time but didn't tell Colt for fear of losing his friendship. Colt has been worrying about the fact that he doesn’t think about sex all the time like most of the other boys and wonders if there was something wrong with him. Then he and Maverick kiss for the first time, and everything falls into place. Colt finally understands what it's all about. However, they both are almost sure that it can’t last. Colt knows how miserable Maverick is in this town. His friend has never made it a secret that he’ll be gone as soon as it's possible. His father expects him to go to the university in Colorado, but instead he's off to California, to ULCA. Being the friend that he is. Colt encourages him, knowing Maverick will never be happy if he stays. Two decades go by before the friends and almost lovers are reunited.

This is a low-angst, feel-good romance with totally engaging characters. There are no misunderstandings, and the two men communicate openly about past disappointments and future hopes. They discuss their expectations, their fears, and allow themselves to be vulnerable. Both men have to decide if the risk of being hurt again is worth a second chance at love. While there’s a bit of uncertainty surrounding Colt’s belief that Maverick isn’t going to stay around for good, it was interesting watching him work through those worries. I liked that Colt and Maverick moved on with their lives after Maverick left and that they aren’t holding grudges over the way things ended between them. It was also good seeing them learn about each other’s lives in the present time. You never get the idea that Maverick won't stay so there is no real tension in the story.

As always in Annabeth Albert’s books, the characters are well-drawn and relatable. I’m a huge fan of this author, and this book has a lot going for it...mature communication, warm, friendly vibes, and engaging characters...so no one will be surprised that it gets 5-big, bright, beautiful stars. Anyone searching for a sexy, low-stress romance will enjoy it, just remember that it's a pair of hot, sexy men. I believe this is a three-book series. I know I have book #2. show less