"Resisting Rose" by Tara Grace Ericson

Rose Bloom is the youngest of the Bloom Sisters, and she's worked hard to earn her place as the livestock manager of the farm. She loves the animals and can't think of anything she'd like more than to inherit the farm from her parents someday.

Her good friend Tate Russell has been produce manager ever since Poppy's marriage. Tate is mum about his past, something about an unhappy family situation in Montana. 

When a bet with Rose goes horribly wrong, Tate realizes he cares for Rose as more than a friend, but what on earth can he do about it? And his brother keeps trying to reach him, even though Tate has made it clear that he doesn't want to have anything to do with his family. But when Travis shows up to deliver the news in person, it might change everything for Tate.

Rose is willing to risk her friendship with Tate for the rewards of a relationship, but supporting him as he deals with family issues may break them. What if they want different things? What if the past calls too loudly for Tate to ignore?

After blistering my way through the first several Bloom Sisters books, this one was a longer read for me. I think I just didn't connect with Rose or Tate, and I was irked that their communication often failed. This story tackles some really good topics, and it will click for many readers better than it did for me. Looking forward to finishing up the series with Dancing With Dandelion.