Western Heat by Caroline Richardson

 

Published by Wattpad Books on January 6^th, 2026

352 pages

I read the paperback version

Back Cover

A fish-out-of-water story about a New York City chef who inherits a ranch, discovers a family he never knew, and finds unexpected love with a fiercely loyal woman.

New York City chef Jake West had it all, but a few strokes of a pen meant no more marriage. No more restaurant. No more big city lifestyle. Then he receives a letter explaining that his long-estranged father, Brett, has died, and he needs to return to the Canadian ranch he left as a child. Jake expects to go, sign more papers, and return to the city and rebuild his future.

Instead Jake learns that Brett’s left the ranch to him—and only him. Things might have been hot in his restaurant’s kitchen, but that’s nothing compared to what he faces now: a family he didn’t know existed, and a property he doesn’t want. Tanner and Brady, his half-brothers, don’t want him around. And while his stepmother, Peony, welcomes him, there’s Liz, Peony’s daughter. She’s not a West, but her loyalties lie with the family, not an outsider.

However, as Jake settles into the rhythms of the ranch, he wonders if he’s finally found something that’s been missing in his life—especially as he and Liz grow closer. At first, it’s just attraction, but when a sudden kiss ignites a heat in both of them, they can’t ignore this raging inferno. Maybe Brett West knew what he was doing when he summoned his eldest son back home–and gave him a chance to change his life forever. 

My review

I don’t read many western stories, but I wanted to give it a chance to this one, especially because she is a local author and the resume caught my attention. I adore when the protagonist isn’t happy initially and does everything he can to change it, which was the case with Jake.

I give my main star to him. It's not because I didn’t like Liz, but I could relate more to him.  Before he contacted his new family, he dealt with a divorce, and he had to sell his restaurant. Basically, he didn’t choose to go back his existence since he didn’t have anything waiting for him in New York. Just like Liz, I wondered if he was going back to New York or just settle for a simpler life at the ranch.

I never met a character like Liz in books before, however she reminds me a little of Amy Flemming, except she's working with horses, but she's not a horse whisperer. Although, she isn’t related to Tanner and his brother. You saw that they’re like a family to her, and she seems close to her mom.

Honestly, I’m not a fan of Tanner in this novel. Yes, he can be overprotective with Liz, but I didn’t like how he acted when Jake came to live at the ranch for a while. At the same time, he thought that he'll be the owner and Jake took his place.

It’s the first book I read from this author and the first from a trilogy, so if you don’t know her yet and you like romance, you should give her a chance. I recommend it to a public over 18 because you will find some intimate scenes.

Excerpts

It wasn’t that Frank was a terrible person; he was nice enough. It just meant dealing with more of the shit left behind when Brett West had keeled over three weeks ago, dead as a doornail, leaving the entire ranch, and her family, in the lurch. (p.1)

Two days ago, he’d found out his father had died. A father he didn’t remember, but who had requested he be at the reading of his will. A lawyer from Calgary had called Jake, and now here he was, driving out to West Line Ranch, a place he and his mother had apparently left when he was three, and a place he knew nothing about. (p.6)

“I get that you don’t want me here. I get that this is a huge slap in your face. Same here, pal. Apparently, our father decided to be an asshole before he died. Not my problem if your pretty pink panties are in a bunch about it. But for now, you get to have me here so I can help your lawyer get this monkey off my back. Then I’ll gone.” (p.32)

“You never listen, so I’m hoping the new guy here will. He seems to give a crap about you, so maybe you won’t push him away like you do everyone else!” (p.95)

“I am so sick and fucking tired of men telling what I can and can’t fucking do! So what if I kissed him, Tan? So what? Not your call who I decide to be with. Stop being a controlling asshole.” (p.144)

Love is different for each person, you have to learn their love language. (p.155)

He’d said the L word. Maybe not in the context of what her mother had meant, but it had spooked her, and her reaction had shoved him the opposite direction of what she wanted. (p.272)

Country life was growing on him. He hadn’t missed the late nights and stress of a dinner rush either. Gordon was enjoying his new job in Manhattan, and his other former staffers were all working again. The urge to hustle and put a team together wasn’t as he got up in the mornings and made coffee while the sun came up and the ranch woke up around him. (p.314)