A single mom’s fresh start in Gold Valley, Oregon, comes with a cowboy from her past 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 … 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?
Read the entire Gold Valley series:
1. Smooth-Talking Cowboy
2. Untamed Cowboy
3. Good Time Cowboy
4. A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas
5. Unbroken Cowboy
6. Cowboy to the Core
7. Lone Wolf Cowboy
8. Cowboy Christmas Redemption
9. The Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch
10. The Hero of Hope Springs
11. The Last Christmas Cowboy
more
**This audio is included as a bonus on the audiobook for Good Time Cowboy.
Hard Riding Cowboy is a sweet-sexy novella in the Gold Valley series.
Lauren has moved back to her home town after 19 years away. She’s got 2 kids and is a widow.
Calder is a Hot Sexy Cowboy and younger then Lauren.
How this story starts put a smile on my face and made me think YA, we’ve problem all done this… looked at a hot guys ass while waiting in line and then have that guy turn around and be someone we knew or may have babysat… Yep, Lauren has that moment. That was a funny start.
Lauren has a lot on her plate to deal with. Moving back to her home town with 2 young girls who don’t understand why they had to move. She’s also working on renovating a house that she wants to buy, but things have to be done first; before this can happen. In comes Clader. He offers to help her out. You can guess how things go.
A few of my favorite moments where the opening scene and one where Lauren recklessly kisses Calder up against a wall. Oh Boy! That was HOT. These two are attracted to each other, but it’s not easy. She’s hesitant and he jumps right in.
It’s a novella and so, it’s short. I would have preferred this to be a full length novel. I felt it need more. Need that time to pass and them to develop.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable read/listen and things move fast especially in the romance department. I just would have loved a little more.
Audio: The audio was a delight to listen too. The characters where distinct in their voices and I had no trouble following along or enjoying the novella.
Rated: 3 Stars
Great series.
This bonus novella was included in Good Time Cowboy. I actually liked it more than the main story. It is a fast moving engaging story about a strange second chance. Calder Reid had had a crush on Lauren Bishop when she was his babysitter and when she returns to Gold Valley as a widow with two almost teenager daughters, he finds that his feelings haven’t changed, she is still the only female that he has ever had strong feelings for. Her husband had not really been a full partner to their marriage and died doing something stupid. She is surprised about the strong attraction that she has to Cauder, and then he does the unthinkable and volunteers to help her fix up the house she is trying to buy. While he comes to the realization, that he loves her, she is carrying guilt about all her mistakes that she made and doesn’t believe that she deserves happiness. Will she follow her heart?
Wonderful characters, easy banter and a quick developed tale make this a gem of a read.
I listened to the audio version of this novella. The story of Lauren and Calder was really as well developed as a full length novel. I’m not sure how Ms. Yates did it, but I really didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything in the development of their relationship. I guess the thing that was skimped on was the relationship of Lauren and her children.
It was a really cute, but really hot story. Ms. Yates had me when she made Lauren’s hot guy a guy she used to babysit! We were off with a bang and it just kept getting better from there. Loved this story!
The narration by Suzanne Elise Freeman was wonderful and very fitting.
4.5 stars
As is always the case in a novella, this story moves fast. Like, super-fast. But I loved it!
Calder is smitten the moment he sees the grown-up Lauren. To be fair, she’s smitten, too. There’s definitely an instant attraction between the two of them. Although she doesn’t want to admit she can and does have feelings and an attraction to anyone and he doesn’t understand (at first) the ramifications of falling for a single mom.
Because of the nature of Lauren’s marriage before widowhood, the speed of this story and the reactions of her family (especially her kids) actually makes sense. Maisey Yates is really great at making sure things are addressed in a straightforward manner when she is writing an insta-romance. I appreciate that these things aren’t glossed over.
Once again, no regrets that I purchased this one instead of sitting on a long waiting list with my library. I just adore the characters this author writes.
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/22/hard-riding-cowboy-book-review/
Hard Riding Cowboy is a short, sweet, and sexy little page turner that is certain to curl the toes and leave a smile on your face! From the moment my eyes landed on the first page I was hooked, and instantly smitten with the Calder Reid, you just go wrong with a good-hearted cowboy, that knows all the right words to make you weak in the knees, and make your heart skip a beat! Loved this fast paced and well written story, it packs a heartfelt punch! Highly recommend!