Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I'm only reviewing the main novel, not the bonus story by A.J. Pine (I'll read it later).

This was a cute cowboy romance. I've been on a cowboy kick lately and probably need to diversify my book selections, but why mess with a good thing?

Jane is a secret romance author who is back at her family's ranch for her best friend's upcoming nuptials. She rarely returns home and tries to avoid it given the humiliation she suffered in high school and the outsider she was. I certainly identified with being the quiet one in school.

Toby is a bull rider and is also back in his hometown for his best friend's wedding. He injured his shoulder and is recuperating from surgery before he heads back on the circuit. He was in love with Jane back in high school and now he's having to pair up with her to make sure their best friend's wedding and festivities are amazing.

Things are a little awkward and sometimes tense with Toby & Jane, mostly because of the high school issues. I can't really blame Toby though like Jane seems to do for the high school debacle. He kissed her, then she got embarrassed and told him she didn't like him. The next day, he asked another girl to prom in front of everyone since the girl he really liked didn't feel the same way. She was forever mortified and stayed away from the townsfolk since they still brought it up many years later. It was all anti-climatic in my opinion, but I guess in a small town, it's what you get. Communication could have cleared it all up though, but they were teens.

The romance is a bit of a slow burn since it takes Jane a long time to open up and give Toby a fair shot at a life with her. Or at least it seemed that way.

It was nice to have a hero who was also really smart (he competed with Jane in school) and who loved books just as much as the heroine. You don't get that very often, so it was a nice change. Plus, he was incredibly kind and loyal to his brother. Hearing about his twin and all he did to make his life a happy one was just swoon worthy.

Jane wasn't my favorite character, but she wasn't too terrible. She was too closed off for me to really like her and when she finally does grow up and give things a chance, it's almost the end of the book.

I'll definitely be looking to read more Sara Richardson books in the future - not sure how I managed to not read one before now.