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The Off-Duty Rescue Ranch is growing, but while the boss is away on honeymoon, there's no time for play. Ex-military man Ryder has his hands full managing everything. A new stallion at the ranch is causing a ruckus. The other ranch hands are playing pranks. And the new accountant, Monday, looks awfully familiar—and gorgeous.

Running from her past is nothing new to Monday, but she's weary of it, longing for a place to put roots. The ranch seems like the safe haven of her dreams. Horses, numbers, spreadsheets, and a quiet office to work in? Perfect. Only she didn't count on coming face-to-face with Ryder again, the man who saved her life long ago with one sentence: "Wait in the Truck."

When they realize their paths previously crossed, awkward is an understatement. Monday is shy and Ryder's rugged ways need softening, and fast. The two can't seem to sync their nerves around each other, making Ryder distracted letting the horses get loose, and sending the ranch into a tailspin.

Finally, everyone on the ranch works together. But just when things get back to normal, trouble from their past comes calling again for Monday. Will Ryder ride in—this time on his stallion—and save the day again?

Three insta-love, steamy, small town, military, holiday romances provide the origin story for the Off-Duty Rescue Ranch. Hot, former military men, strong women, and matchmaking horses prove that where there’s a will, there’s a way up the mountain to true love and happily ever afters.

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2023

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About the author

Zee Irwin

65 books327 followers
Zee Irwin is a USA Today Bestselling Author who gets powered up by steamy small town romance. She's a bit of sunshine living countryside in Pennsylvania with her own grumpy alpha guy, two teenagers, and twin kitties. Her favorite character to write is a small town billionaire, especially if he falls first, is former military, and is possessive of the woman he loves.
Visit her at zeeirwinauthor.com to keep up to date on her latest work in progress.

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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 17, 2023
Loved the next addition to the off-duty series. Not only are the characters relatable but you get a soft spot for the animals also. With the introduction of new characters I am looking forward to where this series goes next. I also loved to tie in with Kissing Springs.
March 28, 2023
Zee Irwin has roped me in with the Off-Duty Rescue Ranch Series and this addition to the series might even be the best so far. The Off-Duty Rescue Ranch is ran by ex-military alphas, wounded in some way themselves, whose main purpose is to take in wounded and neglected horses. But these rugged, handsome ex-military-turned-cowboys are born protectors and the series has each one rescuing their own woman. And once they have they will do everything and anything to protect her. Off-Duty Cupid starts with a dark, horrible scene with Ryder Reed, a young man planning to leave for Marine boot camp the next morning, hearing the screams and cries of a young girl takes matters into his own hands and beats the young girls’ abusive father with a bat after he sees the broken bones, cuts, bruises and brokenness of the two young girls at the hands of their father. The sheriff of the town takes Ryder into custody but gives him the option of jail or leaving the next day for boot camp. The book then skips 15 years ahead with Ryder now a wounded ex-Marine working on the Off-Duty Rescue Ranch alongside Chris, the owner of the ranch married to Nikki, Will and his girlfriend Ava. Rose Reed, Ryder’s mom, is working at the bank in town and has befriended Monday Miller, who does online accounting services for several clients including the ranch. Monday is a loner and keeps her private life to herself because she has dark secrets of her past that she’s running from. Rose finds out that the ranch needs someone to come fill in at the office while Chris and Nikki are gone for a month, so she recommends and talks Monday into going. Rose is playing matchmaker here too. Ryder takes an interest in Monday the moment he sees her and for some reason he senses something very familiar about her but he can’t figure out what. Will Monday’s past catch up to her? Will Ryder figure out why she seems familiar and will he be able to win her over? Will he be able to protect her? The book is well written, flows easily, main characters are developed to the max with the support characters introduced perfectly, told in dual POV with adequate dialogue, with at least one steamy love scene for adults only, and a sweet HEA. Guarantee you will love the Clydesdale, Cupid, and enjoy the antics of the three new cowboys. The book does mention child abuse, foster care abuse, abduction, violence, wounded veterans, and abused and neglected animals but not to the extent of being overly descriptive or offensive. This book, as well as the whole series, is well worth reading…if for no other reason than for the protective, ex-military-turned-cowboy, handsome alphas. I’m an ARC reviewer: reading for the enjoyment and voluntarily reviewing so that others may know what to expect and authors may be helped.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
633 reviews5 followers
March 22, 2023
Cupid to the rescue.

The night before leaving for Marine boot camp, Ryder Reed was at his cousin Zach's place. Zach was throwing him a going away party. Later that evening, Ryder heard screams coming from a neighbor's mobile home up the hill. Zack told him to stay out of it and everyone else seemed to also ignore it. But Ryder is a protector and he can't ignore it.

As he pulls up near the mobile home, he sees a beautiful blue eyed blonde girl about 12 years old who's been hurt. Although she's very leery of him, she does believe him when he says he'll protect her. Telling her, "Wait in the truck" he takes off with his baseball bat to avenge her. That night she and her sister, Luna, entered foster care.

She and Luna were separated in foster care. Monday had some good foster families and some not so good. The last family was rich and she was able to partake in several opportunities until she out did the daughter. Then she became more like Cinderella...

Since then, she's been on the run. She doesn't have many possessions. She deals in cash, only no bank accounts for her. She can toss everything she needs in 2 pillowcases and flee when necessary.

She's now landed in the town of Marion. She's sorta made a friend with Rose Reed at the bank. Rose thinks that her son, Ryder, would be perfect for Monday. Monday isn't looking for a man. She's been doing the books for Off-Duty Rescue Ranch. Now she's been asked to move to the ranch and man the office while the owner, his wife and little girl are gone for a delayed honeymoon trip. Things are fine until her spidey-sense tells her maybe it's time to flee again.

After being shot in the leg while saving his platoon leader, his career in the Marines is over. Working with the horses at the rescue ranch soothes him. He can still be sensitive about his limp. He's never forgotten the angel he saved that night 15 years ago. He hopes her life improved since that night. But why does Monday remind him of his angel at times?

A new horse has been added to the ranch. Cupid is a retired Clydesdale stud. He's not too impressed with Ryder. He loves Monday. When the chips are down, Cupid is a hero.

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Ally Doby (Schleicher).
976 reviews11 followers
April 2, 2023
This is book three of this series, told in dual first person POV and will leave you with a HEA but also wanting and needing more!! Even though this is book three, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. Though tele enjoyment is even better if you have read the previous books, as those characters make appearances and you get to see how life is treating them.

There are definitely some trigger warnings to look out for, they are posted in the front of the book: Child abuse, Stalking and Held Captive are talked about and some descriptions, though not in grave detail.

I absolutely loved Monday and Ryder together!!! I love the side character as well, Ryder’s mom, Ash and the big beautiful black beauty of a Clydesdale they call Cupid were my favorite side characters in this book.

I loved Ryder so much! He was the best protector and his interest to be more romantic was so sweet! That bathroom scene (when you read it, you’ll know 🤭🫣🤣🤣🤣🤣) most definitely one of me FAVORITE scenes!!!!

I loved Monday! Her past was definitely something that no child should have to go through. I was so happy when she found her way to the Ranch. I loved her bond with the horses and how the horses accepted her. I loved that she eventually felt safe enough around Ryder to open up to him.

I loved the suspense and build up to that ending. Though I really thought Ryder would have picked up on the words that Monday was saying to him! I’m excited to read more of this series and experience the healing magic of the ranch.

I received an advanced readers copy via Booksprout. These thoughts and opinions are my own and left voluntarily after reading this book for my own enjoyment.
Profile Image for Cams Roberts.
698 reviews8 followers
March 22, 2023
3.5 stars

I wanted to love this and I wish I could say I did but it fell a little flat for me. Besides Chris and Nikki I haven’t loved the couples in this series. I know my issue with this book is the timing of certain elements. I would have felt for Monday a lot more if her trauma had been discussed earlier in the book. We are told that she is always ready to run and never feels safe but there’s no context behind it until halfway through the book. There is the prologue admittedly with it’s “Wait in the truck” vibe by Hardy ( which I appreciated) but I wanted more between that time and the present.
Ryder annoyed me, but that was a personal thing, not the books fault. Numerous times Ryder thinks to himself how he will never have a HEA because he has a limp. It’ll take a certain kind of woman with a lot of patience to tolerate being with him. I couldn’t get behind this thought process. The majority of women are going to want the love of a good man who just happens to have a limp. As someone who has recently broken my leg due to an existing mobility condition I can admit I could be a little sensitive on this topic.
As usual the writing was good and the plot was easily readable. Irwin has a knack for writing small-town novellas where I don’t feel like I’ve been cheated with a lesser storyline.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Minnie.
528 reviews
December 15, 2023
4⭐|3🌶|2🥵

This is now the third book set on the Off-Duty Rescue Ranch. This ranch is so wonderful. If I wouldn't be allergic to horses, I would love to visit it. I would love to meet Cupid, Fifty, and Sugar 😍
Ryder is, god how to describe him? He is the best. He is a born protector and the "catch of the century" according to his mom 😁 If the cover fits, that WOW yes mama Reed, you are right 🤩
Monday had a really bad life. Really really terribly bad. An abusive father who bet her and her sister nearly to death. But luckily she got a guardian angel who rescued her. Unfortunately, this wasn't the end of her nightmare 😖 But she found her way to the ranch where not only animals are rescued 😊
I hate to write such short reviews, but it's a short book, and if I would write more, I would spoil too much, and that's something I hate even more than writing a short review 🙈

I hope there will be more books from the ranch. I would love to read Ash's story 😁 He would deserve to find his happily ever after. His history sounds so sad 😔


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Profile Image for casvec.
7,343 reviews71 followers
March 28, 2023
It was a dark night before Ryder was to head off to bootcamp, when he heard the cries, for her he was his guardian angel. Fifteen years later Ryder and Monday's path cross again at the less likely place - the Off - Duty Rescue Ranch.

Ryder has been discharged from the military and is working on the ranch. Monday has been work on-line doing the books for the ranch, when she was asked to help out in the office.

There is a strong connection and a heated passion, between Ryder and Monday only to find out how fate has intertwined their lives. Amazing story with danger, suspense and a love that has you holding on tight.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Raecharmed.
8,983 reviews66 followers
April 10, 2023
Ryder is visiting a friend when he hears someone screaming. He rescues two girls and they end up in foster care. Monday is separated from her sister and bounces in homes until a rich family takes her in. However, that doesn't last long. She ends up in Marion working on the books for a ranch. Ryder is back in town recovering from his last mission and wonders why Monday looks familiar. Will he figure out who she is before she runs again? Can he convince her to stay with him?

This is a great story that will draw you in from the first chapter on. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,460 reviews28 followers
March 23, 2023
Off-Duty Ranch gets another romance when Monday who has a scarred past and Ryder who was left damaged from the war. As it turns out their paths crossed years ago when he steps in to save her and her sister from her abusive father the night before he went into the Marines and now they have both relocated where they both work on the ranch and she does the accounting and he is the ranch manager. There are some ugly twist in this story but as they both work through their relationship that keeps you guessing if they can stay together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,453 reviews10 followers
March 25, 2023
Technically this is a novella of 150 pages but it felt so long and didn't really get going until 55%. I was aware of the TWs but the cover had me expecting a lighter book than it is. IMO there is very little romance. Ryder was frustrating with his emotional reactions and 'I'm broken' attitude and Monday is very timid and ready to flee, I just couldn't see the chemistry between them.
I liked the guardian angel aspect and the 'Wait in the truck' reference. I can see it appealing to many but I didn't see the insta-love from the blurb.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5,623 reviews58 followers
March 25, 2023
Ryder is manager at the Rescue Ranch. Monday is an accountant they hire to stay at the ranch for the month that the boss in away on vacation. They both carry trauma and they also carry a particular date that haunts them. Cupid sure manages to cause situations, but saves the day later on. The characters are believable, strong, and have hard backstories. The storyline is a roller coaster of doubts, revelations, twists, horror from the past, steam and much more. Loved the entertaining encounters of horses and people, bringing them into a safe place to open up and thrive. Well done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,127 reviews5 followers
March 25, 2023
Monday has survived abuse her entire life, she keeps to herself and always moving.
Ryder is haunted by his actions one dark, rainy night in his past and wounded from his time in the military, he’s found refuge and respite at the Off Duty Ranch looking after rescued horses.
When Monday comes to work on the ranch Ryder feels a connection but Monday is skittish and withdrawn.
Just when they finally have a breakthrough her dangerous past rears it’s ugly head and threatens everything.
Emotional and sweet with a side of spice and a wonderful HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,967 reviews12 followers
March 29, 2023
What a great story about two troubled souls and their path back to happiness! Monday’s situation was certainly difficult and I could really understand her need to be prepared to escape on short notice. Ryder has his own issues to confront. When this couple begins working together it seems that there’s more of a connection than either of them had anticipated. I also really enjoyed the antics of Cupid throughout the story along with the symbolism of the end. An enjoyable and entertaining read with a feel good HEA made this a pleasure to read.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
Profile Image for Fran.
1,492 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2023
This is not like other small town steamy romances. This is a heart wrenching romance with a well written story that drags you in and doesn't let you leave. Monday and Ryder are a wonderful couple but it takes them a while to to get there. Monday has issues that prevent her from being totally honest but Ryder will break down her walls and get to the truth. Loved this story even through the tears. Just an excellent story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sharon.
782 reviews5 followers
March 23, 2023
Another great addition to the series by Zee Irwin full of a lot of emotion!
Ryder is a former Marine who was shot in his leg during service who now works at the Rescue Ranch.
Monday is very secretive about her past and tries to stay to herself doing work online. She agrees to come to work at the Rescue Ranch to help for a month.
Will secrets from the past bring them together or tear them apart?
*Adult language and situations.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
18.1k reviews224 followers
April 8, 2023
This is the third book in this intriguing series, and this is Ryder and Mondays’ story. Ryder is ex-military and is running the ranch while his boss in on honeymoon, and Monday is the accountant for the ranch. These two have crossed paths in the past, and when they meet again the sparks fly. This is a well written story which has family, friendships, danger, suspense, and love, which leads to a steamy and entertaining, small-town romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Debbie Benson.
6,232 reviews23 followers
March 18, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Ryder rescued her once before and lost track of her. When Monday comes to the ranch and they find each other again. It takes a little time but they manage to connect before her past comes calling again. With some help, Ryder saves her again. I like how Monday gains enough courage to trust and love Ryder and he returns it. I especially liked Cupid and the role he played.
Profile Image for Berta Greenleaf Richardson.
740 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2023
Off-Duty Rescue Ranch is a haven for abused animals and damaged ex-military. Monday was abused badly as a child and Ryder was her guardian angel. When she moved onto the ranch he became her angel once more. They find their HEA amid a demon from her past stalking her and threatening her life. I highly recommend this book to all romance readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,165 reviews8 followers
March 26, 2023
I loved this book and will be going back to read the rest of the series. I could not get enough of Ryder. I loved the fact that the ranch caters to abused animals mainly horses and ex military who are hurting. This book is about Ryder and Monday who share a past despite him not remembering. I loved Cupid. Such a mischievous character. Great story with a wonderful ending. Very heartwrenching.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Oriana Reads.
3,932 reviews30 followers
April 30, 2023
Ryder is an ex-soldier that was wounded in combat. He now works at the Off Duty ranch as the ranch manager. Monday is a skittish young woman that works as an accountant for the ranch and when these two meet they fall head over heels for each other,after a few miscommunications😉 But Monday has a secret and their lives are now in danger and their paths crossed years before. Instalove, sweet, romantic and safe with a sweet HEA 😍😍😍😍
733 reviews4 followers
March 17, 2023
This is such a great book. It's heartwrenching what Monday and the horses have been through, but I always love a happy ever after!

I also love the personality of Cupid! It made me laugh out loud! This series is amazing and I highly recommend all of Zee's books!

I received a complimentary copy of the book and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Marianne.
6,230 reviews71 followers
March 19, 2023
This is a sweet and sexy small town romance.. I liked it very much! Emotional with some steam. Such a cool way to bring these two together.. Ryder wants to bring some sunshine to Monday's sadness. Love Ryder and Cupid! Couldn't believe the shower cap.. lol.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,587 reviews41 followers
March 24, 2023
Another instalment of a good series. The emphasis is on the main protagonist and his limp , Monday is in awe but wary, the characters are believable. Story has an interesting element of love and honour …I like the skeletons of the stories in the series
I read an arc of this and my review is my own words voluntary
Profile Image for Cynthia.
2,121 reviews6 followers
April 6, 2023
I really enjoyed the story of Monday and Ryder, They had a very strong connection and chemistry to boot. After having a very troubling childhood Monday couldn't see herself ever loving anyone else. Ryder being the protector took her under his wing and they developed a very strong relationship that got stronger as the book went on. This was a really good book and a definite must read.
Profile Image for Debra Soehner.
1,080 reviews8 followers
March 19, 2023
Monday has lived a rough life and has many secrets, Riley works at the farm she does accounting for. Can she lower her walls and trust him to care for her. Lovely story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
385 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2024
Slightly dark romance, but quick cute read. Love the family atmosphere on the ranch. Definitely want to read the rest of the series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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