Opposites attract, and then they’ll igniteAlice Bloom plays by a book of rules that’s crushing her alive. She’s resigned to her safety-first lifestyle until she meets local heartbreaker Jake Elliott. Jake is everything she’s not – smooth-talking, fearless, and inconveniently gorgeous. She has every intention of steering clear, until Jake proposes a sexy bet. And then it’s game on. … on.
Ride-like-there’s-nothing-to-lose bull rider Jake Elliott has nothing in common with the straight-laced, look-both-ways-before-crossing-the-street Alice Bloom. But when she tells him that he’s too wild, too reckless for her blood, he can’t get her out of his mind. Jake loves a challenge. And Alice might be his toughest one yet.
What have they got to lose? Problem is, nobody planned on falling head-over-boots in love.
more
Opposites do attract.
Alice Bloom grew up in a funeral home and like many children who grew up in families who are in the business was considered odd by the other kids in town. Plus she dealt with her mom’s death and has a few hang ups. But most important is she never dates and dresses way to conservatively for her age. And she has a lot of phobias that she is aware of but doesn’t want to deal with getting over them.
Alice meets Jake Elliott one night at the local bar. Jake Elliott is a bull rider who is back home in Marietta recovering from a shoulder injury on the circuit. He isn’t too happy about being back home with an injury. He is having to face the reality of many rodeo riders – your body is too beat up to keep riding the bulls. He is intrigued by Alice and makes a series of bets with her when he next meets her.
I will be honest and this book just didn’t engage me. It is well written and the characters are interesting but it just didn’t grab me. This happens from time to time and no matter how hard I try, I just can’t get into a book. Sadly this was one of those books. I will give this author another try with her next book though and hopefully I will be able to fall into the book.
I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Betting on the Bull Rider takes us back to my favorite fictional small town of Marietta, Montana for the second title in The Elliotts of Montana series.
It would be so easy to categorize this story as an opposite attracts trope, and in many ways it is – but I saw it in a different light, as two people who have some deep-seated emotional fears that they have allowed to take over controlling parts of their lives. They simply needed the right person to knock them out of their comfort zones into living a full, and sometimes, risky life.
As Alice and Jake first meet in somber surroundings it’s a fun leap to see them beginning to challenge each other over a few drinks in town. Jake is the risk-taker, the adrenaline junkie, the brave (or foolish) bull rider who lives life to the fullest without regret. Alice is afraid of almost everything. There are reasons in both her past and her present that have helped to build the wall that she solidly erects between herself and the rest of the world. Yet, Jake is slowly, steadily tearing down that wall with his challenges that she simply cannot resist. They both are stretching beyond their own comfort zones in a big way – a personal way, that’s starting to feel like a forever together kind of zone.
I had such fun with Betting on the Bull Rider. Full of laughter, teasing, dealing with fears, and falling in love this story captured not only my imagination but my heart as well. As a non-risk taker myself, I know how hard it is to step outside of that comfort zone, but as I’ve learned, the rewards are so worth it and I’m glad to see Alice reap the benefits of letting go and living life as it comes. With secondary characters who enhance, and at times, steal scenes, Jake and Alice’s romance is realistic, believable, and well worth the time to enjoy.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Alice’s Mother passed away from an illness that they kept away from Alice until near the end. Thinking this would be easier for Alice in the long run. But it wasn’t. Alice is afraid of everything if she loves something she could get her. So she has lived her life trying not to be attached to things or people. She works and lives at a funeral parlor that her Dad runs, her best friend Dana does the embalming and Alice comforts the family in their time of sorrow.
She is manning the door of the funeral home before a service for one of their clients when this nice looking man with a cowboy hat comes in to the service at the last minute. Then a couple of days later, Dana and Alice went to the Wolfs’s Den for drinks for Alice’s birthday. She runs in to this cowboy again. Her and Jake strike up a betting friendship while he is trying to get her out of her comfort zone.
A really good book that I think you will enjoy.
I really enjoyed Alice and Jake’s story in Betting on the Bull Rider by Kaylie Newell, book two in her Elliotts of Montana series. This is a story of two people who were totally different, one a bull rider and the other a funeral home director, who are drawn together. Alice is afraid of truly living her life; at least until she meets the handsomest bull rider she ever seen. Jake is an adrenaline junkie, pushing life’s boundaries and tempting fate. Their friendship began as an “I can get you to do. . .” partake in something neither had ever done before. Alice’s activities are a bit tamer, but she’s all in when it comes to Jake’s idea. Jake enjoys challenging Alice and taking her outside her comfort zone and the safe world she’s been hiding in. In doing so, Jake just might have created a “monster” as Alice enjoys the time she spends with Jake. These two opposites are attracted but they need to be able to trust each other, without holding anything back, before they can find their happily ever after.
Ms. Newell wrote a wonderfully sweet and emotional story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with chemistry, amusing banter, and endearing characters giving Alice and Jake a chance for a future together. I highly recommend Betting on the Bull Rider to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
4.5
I always enjoy revisiting Marietta.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Elliotts of Montana
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
Betting on the Bull Rider by Kaylie Newell
Balls-to-the-wall bull rider Jake Elliott, and straight-laced funeral home director Alice Bloom have absolutely nothing in common. Or so they think. But when a chance encounter brings them together one hopping Saturday night, Jake can tell he’s finally met his match. Lovely Alice isn’t shy about looking him in the eyes and telling him he’s too wild, too reckless for her blood.
Alice has good reason to be wary- dealing with dead people every day has taught her to look both ways before crossing the street, and to definitely resist the slippery charms of any local rodeo stars. The only problem is, she hasn’t met anyone like Jake before. He’s cocky, infuriating, and inconveniently gorgeous.
It doesn’t take long to see that in this case, opposites won’t just attract, they’ll ignite. When Jake proposes a sexy bet, Alice can’t resist. He’s dying to show her how to let loose and have a little fun. And she’s determined to keep her feet planted firmly on the ground. And her heart in check.
Whoever brings the other around first, wins. The only problem is, they weren’t planning on falling head over heels along the way.
This is Alice Bloom and Jake Elliott ‘s story.
Alice Bloom straightened the colorful flower arrangement that sat in the bay window of the Victorian house that had been in her family for three generations. Well, four now. Counting her.
The Montana sun filled the sitting room with golden, summer light. The house was warm, but not too warm. She didn’t want the family and friends of Mrs. Elaine Chapman to be uncomfortable in any way. Alice’s dad had a tendency to turn up the air conditioning until people’s teeth started chattering. Nobody wants to stick to their chair during a funeral! he’d say. But nobody wanted to freeze to death at one, either.
The door to the basement squeaked open behind her, and she turned to see Dana standing there in her signature black slacks and matching sweater. It didn’t matter that Dana was the embalmer, and dealt with the dead for a living. She wore black on her days off, too—in the mornings, at night, on the weekends, on vacation…you name it. Alice had even seen her in pictures at Disneyland wearing black jeans and sneakers. Her nose, lip, and eyebrow rings, in sharp contrast to the giant Mickey Mouse emblazoned on her T-shirt. Black, of course.
The door opened and a man in a white Stetson climbed out. He slammed the door and walked around the front of his truck, obviously in a hurry. Then stopped and touched his hat, as if he’d forgotten it was still there.
Alice watched as he turned around, opened the door again and swiped the hat off his head to toss it in the driver’s seat. He ran his hand through his strawberry blond hair, doing nothing to erase the hat ring. He wore a denim shirt, dark-washed Wranglers, and boots. The boots were worn, dusty. His belt buckle giant and gleaming in the sun. She’d didn’t hang out with any personally, but she’d seen enough cowboys around Marietta to know this guy was the real deal. The Wranglers might be new, but the boots weren’t. And that said a lot.
He headed up the walkway, oblivious to her standing there. All of a sudden, she felt awkward, like she’d been waiting for him.
Betting on the Bull Rider by Kaylie Newell is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader copy.
Kaylie’s Books with Tule:
Falling for the Ranger
Men of Marietta
Christmas to the Rescue
Holiday at the Graff
Tanner’s Promise
The Harlow Brothers
Luke’s Gift
The Harlow Brothers
Judd’s Vow
The Harlow Brothers
Christmas at Sleigh Bell Farm
Elliotts of Montana
Betting on the Bull Rider
Elliotts of Montana
Five stars- I am unable to get the stars to stay on my review.
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book in the series. Book 2 is about Jake Elliott and Alice Bloom. Alice is a Funeral Director in her family’s business. She meets Jake one day when he comes to a visitation at her funeral home for his elderly neighbor. Then they meet again at the Wolf’s Den bar. Jake sees her with a couple of tequila shots. She looks out of place and unsure how to down the shots. She shared that it’s her birthday and she is there with her partner at the funeral home, Dana. Jake tells her he’s a bull rider that is currently injured and waiting to return to the circuit. Alice is very scared of everything and Jake is a huge risk taker. They make a bet of sorts where Alice has to go skinny dipping and Jake has to go to an opera.
Jake tries to forget about Alice but talks himself out of pursuing her as they’re so different. Alice however decides to drive over and try to see him at the fairgrounds. She tries to act nonchalant but Jake knows she made the choice to find him. He suggests instead of a big bet, they make several small wagers, trying to knock off things that Alice is afraid of and Jake has never done. They then realize her tire is flat so Jake offers to take her home on his Harley. This is another scary thing for her. She goes on his bike, putting her ahead in the bet. Both seem afraid to pursue the other as both are still afraid of getting hurt as both like the other more than they are willing to admit. Alice returns to the bar as she hasn’t heard from Jake. He admits he’s held off as he doesn’t think he’s right for her. He says it’s his turn to go to one of her things. She then takes him to visit a bookstore. Alice also goes on the bike with Jake and has him go to the cemetery where her mom is buried and talks about her to him.
Both realize the other is so different and presents a challenge. Alice and Jake fall head over heels for each other. Each one has fears that threaten to derail the relationship. Reading how each steps up to confront their fears to be together makes this a romantic story to enjoy. Both characters are really very likable and their story so captivating. I highly recommend this sweet story.
What can I say, while rodeos cowboys may have any power over me, books written by Kaylie Newell definitely do. Betting on the Bull Rider, her latest Elliotts of Montana Series, caught me from the beginning funeral home scene, never letting go until the very final scene. As always I wanted to read, read and read more until finished. Then I was sad that it had finished, meaning the book was over, not that the ending was sad.
Honestly, I thought that the Harlow Brothers would forever hold Newell books first place in my heart but the Elliott charm is making a big move to move aside those Harlow brothers, replacing them with the Elliott brothers.
I can count on Ms. Newell giving a heartfelt, tingly romantic read. She has outdone herself with the opposite attraction romance between “needs to retire” from bull riding, Jake Elliott and “I’m just fine…not living” funeral director, Alice Bloom. Unforgettable characters in a sweet story. Read it today for a positive lift.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Come back to Sleigh Bell Farm by way of a Hot Bull Rider and a Nerdy Cute Funeral Director. There is enough Sizzle between these two to wake the dead. Jake Elliott is our bull rider that I have wanted to get up close and personal with myself since meeting his family in the first book “Christmas at Sleigh Bell Farm”. This book can be read as alone but why when you can get to know the entire family? Anyways Jake is our bull rider and if you know anything about bull riders you know they are fearless, some might even say adrenaline junkies. Then we have Alice Bloom our Funeral Director in Marietta who went through school being bullied so she thinks of herself as not “pretty” or just a business owner. You know the type. The nerdy girls who are would be really outstanding if they would only dress a wee bit different or maybe even simply changed how they carried themselves. That is Alice until she meets up with fearless Jake. When these two meet by accident at where else a funeral of course, than the re-meet has some sizzle and pop that gets the town a talking and these two a walking. Bets were made and lives were changed all because of shot of tequila and sizzle that could be felt from Marietta all the way to Grapevine.
This is a sweet romance about total opposites who can’t deny the attraction between them. The book flows well and is a sweet romance that will keep you engaged until that last page
Alice Bloom is a woman working in an area usually done by men She is the local funeral director and her job just emphasises her believe that life is fragile and that you should never take risks. Jake Elliott is her total opposite as a bull rider his life is full of risks and adrenaline. Can these total opposites actually find a way to handle one an others fears when the attraction between spikes off the charts. You will have to read to see if they finally get a HEA
Alice, the local mortician, is a socially shy person full of fears. Then there’s Jake, a cocky bull rider, recovering from an injury. Their meeting turns into a competition of who can face things they normally steer clear of. This bet eventually leads to a connection and a friendship where they shared more of the things they hide from everyone else. There’s plenty of times that they disagree on things but one issue is too much for Alice to handle. But Jake is easily dismayed. It takes time for true love to develop but once it does, all bets are off.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher in exchange for my volunteer review.
I have read The Harlow Brother’s series and have to say The Elliott’s of Montana is another favorite of mine already.I can’t wait to to see what Ms.Newell has in store for her readers next.Anxiously waiting for book 3 to come out.
Loved this book of opposites attract but is some ways very much the same from their childhood. Alice is the local funeral director and does not like to take risks and likes life in order. Jake is gorgeous bull rider, who is all about taking risks and living life to the fullness. After their first meeting they can not deny the chemistry that they share but can two opposites finds common ground.
Loved these characters, with childhood memories that they both need to learn to not let it dictate the rest of their lives. Very likable characters, Jake was even a Sox’s fan!! Loved, Dana a secondary character going through her own problems of acceptance. A well written story that I highly recommend.
My thoughts!
Review This is book two of Elliots of Montana and I was given a copy in exchange for my review.
Alice is instantly attracted to Jake the first time she sees him, oh but the night at a bar with some Tequila shots and Jake trying to teach her how to drink one, he is so attracted to her even though she is definitely not his type and this is where I get attracted to the story.
Interesting characters and a plot that holds my attention, this one gets my recommendation.
Alice Bloom and Jake Elliott were as different as night and day. Alice lets her fears rule her life. Being a funeral director, she knows how precious life can be, so she refuses to take chances with anything dangerous. Being a bull rider, Jake is an adrenaline junkie. When Alice and Jake meet, there is an instant attraction, but Alice knows it can never go far because she couldn’t handle Jake’s risk-taking lifestyle. But when they become friends and after a series of harmless bets, Alice just might realize love is worth taking the risk.
This was a fun book to read. I enjoyed seeing how Alice and Jake’s relationship fell in place and how they got their happy ending. This is a second book in a series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
Betting on the Bull Rider is the second book in Kaylie Newell’s heartwarming The Elliotts of Montana series. Jake Elliott is big, bold, and a lady killer. He’s well known for championship bull riding, and his steadfast lack of commitment to any woman. He meets funeral director Alice Bloom… and the ride of his life no longer involves 8 seconds on a mad bull. Alice is everything that Jake isn’t. Jake lives life spontaneously. Alive is thoughtful, methodical in everything she does. Opposites do attract!
Alice’s friend Dana has the hard job of manhandling this couple toward the end they both deserve. That is not an easy task, but tiny, young, blunt Dana is in her element. Mr. Bloom, Alice’s father, is the father we would wish for everyone. Thankfully, he didn’t pinkie swear! Tequila shots, a green dress, a slow dance, a sexy bet, a motorcycle ride, a baseball game, an airplane ride, skinny dipping, and the opera all influence their journey from sexy attraction to committed lovers.
Superficially, this book appears to be an opposites attract story. That is not the case. Alice and Jake had both experienced tragedy as youngsters. Self-preservation led them both to build lives within their comfort zones. In reality, their comfort zones became prisons that limited the happiness in their lives. Will they find the strength to break free? Will they find the strength to claim their mutual love?
When I began reading Kaylie Newell’s books, I quickly understood how brilliant her stories truly are. Well thought out intricate story lines, beautiful word and sentence structure, and real-life characters have established her stories as my most anticipated reads. Betting on the Bull Rider absolutely excels! There were pages in this book that I had to read repeated times… they were so beautifully crafted… I had to enjoy them multiple times! Betting on the Bull Rider is a wonderful read! Absolutely 5 stars!
PS. Please tell me that Dana will have her book too!
I loved this sweet story! Two opposites find they have more in common as they work together (mostly) to overcome their hang ups.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.