Hard Riding Cowboy
by Maisey Yates
Synopsis:
Recently widowed and with two headstrong kids, Lauren Bishop wants three things—a break from her never-ending to-do list, a cup of coffee and a moment to appreciate the gorgeous cowboy who just walked past her. Unfortunately, he catches her in the act…and he isn’t a stranger.
Calder Reid is more than intrigued when the sexy woman checking him out in the local coffee shop turns out to be the object of his boyhood fantasies. When he was a gawky kid, Lauren was a beautiful swan. But now he’s more than man enough to satisfy her every need. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but can this hard riding cowboy convince commitment-shy Lauren to take a second chance on forever?
Review:
I liked this one overall–I mean, it’s a Maisey Yates cowboy romance!–though there were some sticky bits. I was (mostly) okay with the fact that Lauren used to babysit Calder; a five-year age difference for adults isn’t horrible, and it’s years later. But the fact that she was his babysitter at all was a little weird–he was twelve, and his family situation doesn’t come off as one in which the parent is going to be hands-on enough to get a babysitter for an almost-teen. It also seems as if she was only his babysitter, not his brothers’ as well (and if they’re old enough not to need a sitter too, why aren’t they watching him…?) So, yeah, that was all a little strange.
But…
The romance was very sweet, and I just loved how Calder immediately threw himself into helping Lauren out with the house she was hoping to buy. He is incredibly competent and self-possessed–plus he’s got all those cowboy muscles and everything. He was great with Lauren’s kids, and like in Jackson’s book (Mail Order Cowboy) I loved seeing him with his brothers and step sister.
It was (really) short and the “I love you”s came a bit quick, considering. Still, though, I enjoyed the read and am looking forward to the last single brother’s (Tanner) story.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
