His to Take

The Rowdy Johnson Brothers #1

by Tory Baker

I’m a man who knows what he wants and what I want is Birdie.

It hurt like hell to watch her leave our small town to set off and chase her college dreams. I let her go once, I’m not letting it happen again.

Now she’s home for good, and I’ll stop at nothing to keep her with me, always. Even if that means tying her to me in every way possible.

Are you ready for the first book in the Rowdy Johnson Brothers? Lane may be the youngest of six cowboys but he’s not afraid to go after what he wants, on the ranch, in the saddle, and the woman he loves.

Genres: Second Chance, Westerns, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Romance, Contemporary

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2024

About the author

Tory Baker is a mom of two teenagers and a dog mom to one wild and active Weimaraner, Remi. She lives in a small coastal town on the east coast of sunny Florida. Oftentimes you’ll find her outside soaking up the rays with at least three drinks surrounding her, a wandering imagination, and a notebook in hand where she’s jotting down a plot for her next story. She’s a lover of writing happily ever afters with Alpha heroes and sassy heroines.

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Reviews

[Jen ♥]

DNF at 19%

Birdie (h) has left for four years to attend college. And now she's back in their small town under a not-so great circumstances. Then, when Lane (H) heard about it, he went to her house and almost did the deed with her, but her bruises made him stop.

Anyway, I'm just bummed that they just picked up everything where they left off and have not even talked about their four-year separation. Four years isn't a short time, so I expect a conversation before they do something more.

Also, the main problem was already dropped around this time. So I kind of already know what the rest of the story will be focused on. 🤷‍♀️ It's not intriguing to me, so I'm just gonna stop.

[Elizabeth Neal]

Though it's implied, and in numerous ways, Lane was celibate while she was gone, I really wish we would've gotten confirmation. Preferably in the form of him telling her that and vice versa.

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Lane and Birdie were wonderful together. This was kind of a second chance or continuation of first love. Lane let Birdie go so she could obtain her dreams but never stopped loving her. Birdie's plan was to always come back home, but an idiot just sped up that process. These two are really sweet yet steamy, and I can't wait for the rest of this series.

I received a e-book copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Rmqbookqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this more than 5 stars⭐️ I would because I’m already obsessed with The Rowdy Johnson brothers, and I just loved how in love Lane & Birdie were in this book! I blinked and I had already devoured this sweet and sexy cowboy romance, and I am shaking in my boots with anticipation for book two. This is only the beginning of seeing their family start to grow, and I already can’t get enough. When these characters fall in love it’s easy to see that they are locked in with hearts in their eyes for their partners, and I was falling in love with all of them on the page while reading.

Tory Baker this is starting to feel like my fav series of yours of ALL TIME! I need Dean and Tully so bad after that sneak peek at the end of the book.🥰😉🫡

[*CJ* · Rating 2 out of 5]

“His to Take” is the story of Birdie and Lane.

Second Chance romance between a couple separated when the heroine moves away, and instantly reunite when she returns. Overall was ok!

SWE
2/5

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! WOW!! Fab*u*lous Absolutely love this one!! I couldn't put this one down. This was a nice quick, short read.

Lane and Birdie were dating before she went off to college in Colorado. Lane and Birdie break up before she goes off to college. Birdie decided to stay in Colorado after graduating. Whenever Birdie came home Lane wouldn't be home he would find someplace to go helping out on his families ranch. When Birdie is assaulted by her boss and bruised up she knows she has no place to go but home. So Birdie packs her bags and heads back home, she doesn't go back to her place and pack up because she knows her boss knows where she lives. Birdie asks her best friend Tully to bring some of her things. Birdie's best friend pack up her SUV with Birdie's dog and heads to Arrowhead. Lane's mother is celebrating his birthday when he gets done at work, he doesn't want much. Lane finds out from his mother that Birdie is home for good, so he heads to her mother's place. When Lane finds bruises on Birdie he almost losses it but keeps it together. Birdie tells Lane what happened and he knows what he has to do. Lane takes care of Birdie until her bruises are all healed up. A few days later, Birdie's best friend Tully gets to Arrowhead. Lane tells Birdie he'll help her unpack her things, but wants her in his home. Birdie moves in with Lane and her best friend rents a home on her mother's land. Lane makes love to Birdie and knows she's his forever. Lane gets his brother Lawson's best friend to do some digging and finds out about Birdie's former boss. Lane and Lawson head back to Colorado to find the man responsible for the bruises on Birdie. When Birdie finds out why Lane went to Colorado she's upset but knows that he needs to take care of this. When Lane gets back, he tells Birdie to take a pregnancy test he wants to know if she's pregnant. Birdie's pregnancy test is positive and Lane tells her he can't wait to make her his wife. Lane knows he's going to love Birdie forever.

[A-reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

My reviews always contain spoilers, I write them so I can remember the story.

Birdie and Lane are high school sweethearts but when Birdie is offered a full ride to university he encourages her to take it. They don’t see each other for 4 years, he avoids seeing her when she came home for visits, says it would be to hard to watch her leave each time. He still loves her and she still loves him. When she unexpectedly comes home he’s thrilled. They pretty much pick up where they left off. They can’t keep their hands off each other but Lane is shocked and angry when he sees bruising on Birdie’s torso. She was attacked by her boss’s son. Thankfully she was able to pepper spray him and escape but not before he got in some good kicks to her ribs. Lane takes her to his house and has their ranch nurse take a look at her. She declares her ok and to give her time to heal.
Lane contacts a friend on the police force to look into the attacker and he and one of his brothers meet out some justice of their own.
Once she’s all healed their sexy times are hot and of course no protection is used so the epilogue two weeks later has her pregnant and an extra downloadable epilogue three months later with her pregnant and her brother in law wanting to help her with her horse and her being a brat about it. Lane of course takes her side and yells at his brothers for looking out for her. I get it pregnancy hormones and women don’t need to be coddled during pregnancy but she could have been nicer to her brother in law.
It’s assumed that Lane was celibate during their separation, Birdie was. It was strange that their was no real discussion about her returning from college and when she returned there was no talking about their future, it was just things being back to the way they were before she left.
I did like her friend Tully who gets her own book with one of the brothers.

[Kiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

His to Take, Book 1 of The Rowdy Johnson Brothers mini-series, was about 22-year-old Beatrice "Birdie" Robertson, a web designer, and 27-year-old Lane Johnson, a rancher and the youngest of the six Johnson brothers.

Lane and Birdie had been in love forever when he told her to choose college over him and that he would be there when she graduated. Four years later, Birdie returned home, but she wasn't completely whole. Lane learned she had been assaulted by her boss' son when she turned him down for a date, as well as going out with him for a drink. He contacted a cop friend of his oldest brother, giving him all the information regarding the assault and waiting for the information he needed to exact revenge against the man.

There was only a small amount of angst and drama in this story, but there was plenty of spice. The story was also without any push/pull between the main characters, with barely any conflict. I did think the author missed an opportunity where the assault was concerned. While I don't enjoy reading (or seeing) any woman getting assaulted, it would have been nice if there had been more of the douchebag attempting another assault and getting caught in the act. But...I loved how he got his comeuppance in the end.

I only gave this story a four-star rating because I felt it needed a bit more grit than it had. Still, I enjoyed reading about a love story where the couple didn't hate each other and allowed one another to grow up and mature.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lane and Birdie’s story is the first in the Rowdy Johnson Brothers series. It is a sexy, steamy and rather endearing friends to lovers/ second chance romance. Lane is the youngest of the brothers, handsome and tall like the rest of them. He has been deeply in love with his neighbour Birdie for years though they have been apart for the past four years while she got the college education she had dreamed of as a teenager. Lane has known since he first saw her that Birdie was meant to be his for a lifetime. He had to let her go in order for her to achieve her dream, and the waiting has been excruciating, but now that she is finally back after four long years, he is not waiting one minute more to claim her. Unfortunately there is a hiccup in his reunion plans. Birdie has been injured and Lane wants nothing more than to find the man who hurt her and serve up his own bit of justice.

Let’s just say that Lane and Birdie have supernova hot chemistry, an almost cellular connection and a deep, infinite love for each other. Their story is impossible to put down, plucks at one’s heartstrings and leaves a smile on one’s face. Lane and Birdie’s story is a great start to a new series and I can’t wait to read the next books!

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance spiciness where the cinnamon role hero, Lane, isn’t asking he’s telling Birdie, she’s it for him, he’s it for her, done deal, in a sweep you off your feet super cute kinda way!
Lane and Birdie were it for each other, until Birdie got a full ride to college and Lane wouldn’t stand in her way. He let her go and avoided her on the rare occasions she came back to town, it was too hard to see her and watch her leave again. But she’s back to stay now and Lane isn’t letting anything get in his way of having her in his arms again…but this time forever.
Love Lane and Birdie together, they just make sense and feel natural. Lane is so protective and so set on making sure Birdie is always taken care of, it’s adorable. They broke up because he didn’t want to hold her back but the second he sees her he doesn’t hold back about reclaiming his woman and charging straight ahead into their future. Both of their families are there every step of the way and it’s extra cute and funny that they just let him do whatever, even when Birdie isn’t so sure and worried they’re moving too fast. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the brothers get up to in this series.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Lane and Birdie
POV- 1st, dual
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Sub Genre - Western/Cowboy
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋. He wants her pregnant, but it’s not quite a breeding kink.
Series? Y
Safety? Y + HEA
Triggers- Language, explicit erotic content, violence, off page violence against women (not by MMC)
Tropes- First Love, Second Chance; You Can Go Home Again, Fur Baby
Mewsings
What I liked- I enjoyed this book a lot. It was not very tropey; it was more unusual than that, in a good way. There was no relationship drama. The drama in the book came from external sources. And there was no OM/OW nonsense, either. The book was super hot (*fans self*), while the love story was sweet. And Safe. All of the characters were interesting. I would have liked to have seen more of the brothers- some of whom we didn’t really meet.
What I didn’t like- there are no cowboys where I live, and after reading about Lane, I’d like one of my own….

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

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number 1 of The Rowdy Johnson Brothers series and focuses on Lane and Birdie. Lane and Birdie were always “The One” for each other but when Birdie went off to college their love story got put on hold. When a situation occurs to Birdie, she comes back home for good. Lane knows that Birdie is his and always has been so he wastes no time going after the woman that he loves. I love how it was only each other for both of them from the time they met til the time they came back together. They knew what they were to each other and never let the hope of being together die. Lane was the perfect blend of possessive, protective, and absolutely loving towards Birdie! This was such a great story and a perfect introduction to the series. I can’t wait to see what the other Johnson brothers have in store for us.

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

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birdie left for college and in doing so also left Lane behind. She deeply regretted that fact and missed him every day. A violent incident sends her home to lick her wounds and heal.

Lane has felt as though a piece of himself is missing ever since Birdie left. Not that he would have wanted to hold her back, but now that she is home he is definitely not letting her go again.

Birdie is a little broken but being back with Lane is where she wants to be. Now she just has to find a life for herself back in her home town.

Lane wants and has only ever wanted one thing and that is Birdie.

A truly wonderful heartwarming romance about a strong willed but hurt young woman and a gentle giant of a cowboy with a laser focus on his woman. Tory Baker certainly knows how to write page turners with action, steam and a wonderful family group. Can't wait for the next in the series.

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

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is never letting her go again

His to Take is the first book in The Rowdy Johnson Brothers series. This story was beautifully written second chance romance between Birdie and Lane. They were high school sweethearts but with different dreams for their future. He was good staying on the family ranch but she wanted to go to college and live in the big city. So he watches her leave to follow her dream, even knowing that they were meant to be together. Now Birdie is back home and Lane is about to claim his one and only. But something happened to Birdie in the city that made her come home and once Lane finds out about it he is going to ensure she is safe and protected, and will be able to heal.
I loved this first book in a new series, and getting to know a new family of smexy hot cowboys. Birdie and Lane are perfect together and their story is sweet, spicy and entertaining. I can't wait to read the next in this series.

[Jennifer Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a feeling this will become one of my favorite series from Tory. I mean what's not to love. A handful of cowboy brothers, small town, sassy women who bring them to their knees and plenty of rolling around in the hay!!!

I loved Lane and Birdie so much!!! There is something to be said about a man who will give up his happiness just to see you fly. That is what Lane did for Birdie. When she comes home from college for good though. all bets are off. No amount of time could have dimmed the fire between the two of them and that was evident from the very beginning. I loved that Birdie was very free with her sexuality and was up for everything. The scenes between the two of them almost set my phone on fire.

I am so excited to see where this series goes and to watch the rest of these Rowdy Johnson Boys fall for their women.

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowsa Tory Baker has done it again with another fantastic story that will have you enthralled from the beginning until the end and still wanting more from these characters. This is the first book in the Rowdy Johnson Brothers Series With Lane And Birdies Story.lane and birdie were together always ,but when she has the chance to go to college he pushed her away,but now she's back and he plans on keeping her this time ,but will someone try to come between them and hurt her? I absolutely loved Lane he is pure cowboy and set in his way and pure heart. This book was absolutely compelling and captivating and tantalizing and so much more. This book is a must read. You will definitely fall in love with these Johnson Brothers.

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

[Lexee Toste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this one. It was a lot of fun to read and nice and hot as well. This one pulled me in from beginning to end with Birdie and Lane. I loved the banter between them and the connection they had. We get to see a little bit of them together before Birdie heads off to college and Lane lets her go. Majority of the book is after she comes back and I just loved the way the two of them were once they were together again. Lane knew what he wanted and there was no doubt that they were meant to be together and that he was going to go after her and make her his. Her needs were at the forefront of that as well. This book has lots of hot, spicy time and I truly enjoyed reading it. It is on the shorter side and I really enjoyed getting to know the Johnson brothers as well. I can't wait for the rest of their stories!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Kerry Boulanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tory Baker does it again! First book in her new series, The Rowdy Johnson Brothers, this book focuses on Lane Johnson, the youngest of the six Johnson brothers. Lane and Birdie have been together for years and they plan to be together forever. When Birdie gets a full scholarship to college in Colorado, Lane doesn't want Birdie to have to choose between her dreams of college and their forever. Four years later Birdie returns home after an incident in Colorado. Lane Johnson doesn't waste a single second going to Birdie and claiming his forever. Everyone knew that Lane and Birdie were going to be together, they are two halves of a whole. Hunky cowboys, all running the family ranch, riding in rodeos and all single...this new series is amazing and I can't wait for Dean, Lawson, Ryland, Trey and JW's stories.

[HarleQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super sweet love story packed with lots of new characters and world building! It never ceases to amaze me how much story Tory Baker packs into her books. I cannot wait for the next book to get to know the supporting characters that the next book is about…especially if you read the preview of the next book. Can you say hot and just leave me dangling!? Deserves more than five stars for sure!

Lane might be a big guy but he sure is a softie when it comes to Lane. There might be some possible triggers at the start of the story, however, it is not too graphic. It is also a big part of the story line and unfortunately happens all too often.

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

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the first book in the Rowdy Johnson Brothers series. This series is about a family of cowboys and how they found love. In the first book, Lane is in love with Birdie, he has been since they were in high school. When Birdie was accepted to college, Lane knew he had to tell her to leave, he didn't want to stand in the way of her dreams. Now years later, Birdie returns home after a bad incident and Lane knows it is time he claimed his woman. Lane hates that Birdie was hurt, but he knows she has to heal before he shows her how much he loves her. I really loved this book, I loved Lane and Birdie's story. They really loved each other and knew they were going to be together. I can't wait to read more of this series.

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lane Johnson is the youngest of six brothers. He is heartbroken when his girlfriend Birdie Robertson leaves Arrowleaf to go to college in Colorado. He knows it was the right thing to do and he throws himself into work on the ranch. After college, Birdie was going to stay in Colorado. Suddenly, plans changed and Birdie is home for good. Her best friend Tully and her dog Rocky are bringing her things. Tully is a veterinarian and is going to live in the guest house on Birdie’s mom’s flower ranch.

Lane wants Birdie back but can he convince her to start up their relationship again? And why did Birdie come home?

I liked this story and can’t wait to read more about the Johnson Brothers.

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

[Kayla Wouters · Rating 4 out of 5]

His to Take was a quick, super sweet, feel good, cowboy, first love romance that I ate up in all ways.

I love how alpha, possessive, and attentive Lane is with Birdie! SO HOT! His attraction to her and how he can’t keep his hands off her at all times is seriously everything! So happy she came home to him even if it wasn’t under the best circumstances.

I love the small town vibes, where all the family, ranchers/cowboys, and neighboring farms are super close and which connections are made with our boys.

And the little sneaks of Tully’s connection with Dean are amazing and were perfect to flow into the second book! So excited to read about them next!

[Maria Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start for Tory Baker's new series!!!
Sweet and spicy
cowboys and brothers to come...
family, friends, neighbors and small town way of life
an idealic background and support system.

The book made me happy and excited
in more than one ways, pun intended.

I don't know where to start and
I surely don't want the story to end.
I'm in denial!

Making an effort I'm rating the book with 10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I've got a woman to go after"
and that's Lane for you.
The fierce protector, the greedy, sweet, gentle,
affectionate, easygoing, dependable
(the list can go on and on...)
dirty mouthed, spectacular Greek god!!!
All he can see is her, really see her,
she is his everything,
so attuned to her moods and needs.

Beatrice melts into his body
lost in his kiss and ministrations
want to be burned by his fire.
She loves to be dominated by him
but also ready to take things in hand herself indeed...

Can't wait for her girlfriend's story and the next brother...

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lane and Birdie have been in love since they were 16. Lane wants Birdie to have all her dreams come true so he tells her to go to college, live in the big city, follow your heart. And Birdie does but she also comes back home when those dreams don't really work out. When Lane is told Birdie is home, he seeks her out, tells her she is his and he is not letting her go again. And Birdie agrees. When Lane sees how Birdie was hurt nothing will stand in his way to protect her. I loved this story, couldn't stop reading it once I started. It's well written with strong characters and steamy hot hot hot. Loved it.
I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.

[Amanda | manda_reads_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. His to take is book 1 in Tory Baker’s new series The Rowdy Johnson Brothers. I really enjoyed reading this book. This was a great quick and steamy small town cowboy second chance romance. I loved Lane and Birdie together. Lane is such a possessive cinnamon roll hero, and I loved him so much. I loved that he would do literally anything to protect Birdie at all costs. I enjoyed that we got to meet some of the other brothers throughout the book. I can’t wait to see how this series goes. Also I’m excited for Dean and Tully’s book next!

Thank you Tory Baker for this opportunity on an ARC copy of your book. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review all thoughts are my own.

His to Take will be available on January 14th.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Tory’s writing style. Her over the top alpha males and female characters are some of my favorites. I find myself hoping to love each new series as much as I did her last because let’s be honest no author can win them all. When I tell you I have read all of hers and I am in love with everyone. You can’t go wrong reading any of hers.

I haven’t been a big cowboy reader but this one drew me in. Also I loved the play of using Birdie because come on who of us doesn’t love the movie “Hope Floats”? This book has me biting at the bit of you must say to read the next Johnson brother’s story!!.

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

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lane and Birdie were in love with each other. When it was time for Birdie to go to college, he did not want to hold her back from her dreams. They did not hold the other to wait for each other. Every time she visited over the next for years, Lane made sure he was scarce, he would not be able to let her go again.

Now she is moving back home, it is time for him to collect his girl. He has waited long enough, she has always been his.

This was a great start to a new series, cannot wait for the other brothers stories.

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

[J.p · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book starring the Rowdy Johnson brothers and it’s certainly won’t be the last for me.Lane and Birdie have been in love for ever, but it breaks her heart that she’s moving away for college but Lane being the dream man we all desire doesn’t stand in her way. Four years have passed and Birdies home, feelings are still as strong and when you know you know. They are it for each other. This was a wonderful read that I didn’t want to put down. Has all I love in a romance book and the spice? Was very nice. Can’t wait for the next brother, we read a snippet so it’s gonna be well worth waiting for. Tory, you are a new author to me but I’m a fan already.

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

His to Take The Rowdy Johnson Brothers Book 1..A second chance romance story of Lane and Birdie..They love each other since they were 16 but Birdie need to choose between her dreams and the boy she love..Lane love Birdie but hes not going to stop her to pursue her dreams so he let her go..If you love someone, set them free; if they come back to you, it was meant to be.Whe she came back to their small town hurting ans Lane saw it he becom his protector and he will do anything no body will hurt her..A wonderful,heartwarming,steamy second chance romance that you will love.

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

[Aliama · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rowdy Johnson Brothers series is off to an amazing start. The youngest brother finally has his soulmate back and he’s not giving her up for anything. He let her go the first time so she could spread her wings even though it nearly killed them both. When Lane finds out why Birdie arrives home so suddenly he makes it his mission to make her feel safe and protective always. Birdie is glad to be back where she belongs, in Lane’s arms, feeling loved and protected. No matter how independent she wants to be she knows that Lane will always be the bossy cowboy who loves her always. Love this new series and can’t wait to see what happens with Tully and Dean. I received an arc copy of this book.