Hope Trahan has everything
she wants and everyone she needs…except her sister and someone who really is
deserving of her. Who knew two separate events would turn everything completely
upside down? When her best friend drags her down to the rodeo to help clear her
head the last thing she expects is to meet a sexy, sweet talking cowboy. That's
not what she came for but fate had other things in mind.
Wesley Tyler owns two national titles and is riding his way to the next. The
day he meets Hope, he knows there's no going back. He soon learns Hope carries
ghosts with her she can't quite shake. She holds things she wishes she could
let go of. Wesley just may hold the key to helping her overcome it all. Can he
win her over and help mend her broken walls or will her past hold her down?
My rating = 3.75 stars
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my review
This was a sweet and quick paced read for me and made all the better for the sweet and sexy cowboy it gave me - Wesley.
Wesley is a circuit rodeo rider and a two times belt winning champion. When he is at a rodeo looking to retain his title he comes across the beauty at the food stand and he is instantly hooked.
Hope has been dragged to the rodeo by her best friend Amber. The rodeo is a place that has tragic memories for her due to her sister being killed in a car accident on their way back from one over two years ago. She is also dealing with the shock of finding her fiancé Brad, cheating on her in the most drastic of circumstances. However Hope is a survivor so she pushes herself to meet challenges head on, hence her being at the rodeo that day and coming face to face with the gorgeous Wesley.
Overall I really liked this storyline and the way Wesley pursued Hope, even though at times she was a little hard to connect with. But I suppose with what she has gone through at such a young age it was understandable she would be hesitant and naïve. There were parts I found a little hard to understand, for instance, her finding out who was the saviour at the accident that killed her sister but saved her. Really? Even her parents didn’t know the name of the person? Wouldn’t they have found out every little piece of information and who was involved that night? So yes that was frustrating and the coincidence ginormous!
Also as much as I adored Wesley he really took the biscuit with his decision after his recovery and he finds out about Hope. After all he went through he was willing to be apart? Enter swear words here!
For me the story grew stronger in the last third of the book and kept me hooked to find out the ending, which was lovely.
So yes there was frustration, angst and annoying parts but these were balanced with a gorgeous romance, family reuniting and an even more gorgeous cowboy. What was not to like about that?
“Excuse me ladies.” The voice comes from nowhere and I look around spotting Amber first with her jaw on the ground. She’s speechless, this never happens with her. My eyes roam to find what’s got her in a comatose state and standing right in front of us is a guy in Wranglers so tight it should be a crime and a baby blue dress shirt with those snap buttons. This guy is playing this cowboy part a little too seriously. His boots are even worn like they are the only pair of shoes he owns. Oh brother, is he kidding me? I roll my eyes while Ambers jaw is still on the floor.
She slowly closes her mouth and manages a weak smile. “Hi.”
My eyes feel like they are constantly rolling, this is a damn joke. We’re next at the concession stand and I lean forward asking for a Bud Light. The girl hands me a big plastic cup filled to the brim. Thank you God. I take a big sip letting the cool liquid slide down my throat. I look back to see he’s still standing there and he’s looking at me. Practically staring. His green eyes are sparkling like emeralds and it takes a second before I’m able to tear mine away.
“I’m Wesley.” That drawl in his voice is almost making me swoon but I stop it. He extends his hand out to me. I can practically hear Amber scoff and I’m agreeing with her. Why isn’t this guy talking to her? I am nowhere near ready to speak to another guy.
Baffled, I just stand there trying to decipher what’s going on. “I’m Amber, this is Hope.” Amber interjects and I shoot daggers at her begging her to shut up. She’s smiling, and I know exactly what she’s doing.
“Nice to meet you Hope. I won’t bite, I swear. I may nibble and that’s it.” Oh man Wesley sure has some nerve! I’m rolling my eyes again and I’m really praying he doesn’t notice because I’m not trying to be rude.
“Nice to meet you too,” I mumble.
“I hope you like the rodeo tonight.” He says never taking his emerald green eyes away from mine. The intensity of his stare takes my breath away.
My name is Ashley Johnson and I live in Lake Charles, La with my fiancé and our daughter. I graduated high school in 2003 and graduated college in 2008 with an associate's degree in Criminal Justice. I've always loved to read and write and that's what I do :)
No comments:
Post a Comment