A city girl reins in the cowboy of her hottest dreams in Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Lauren Landish’s wild romance.As the eldest brother, the responsibility for the family ranch now rests on Mark Bennett’s broad shoulders. He wouldn’t have it any other way—he loves being in charge. Working hard on the land helps him stay focused and keeps him from noticing what’s missing … him from noticing what’s missing in his life—what he’ll never allow himself to have for fear that one small taste will break his careful control.
But a sweet blue-eyed blonde has just arrived in town, and the attraction between them is undeniably hot. So Mark tightens the reins around his heart—how can he tell her what he really wants?
Events planner Katelyn Johnson’s new gig is the wedding of a rodeo superstar. Right now, it’s tough not to focus on the rider’s tempting older brother. So far, getting beneath Mark’s gorgeously gruff exterior has been a pleasure.
What she needs to do is go a little deeper. But the closer they get, the more Mark pulls away. Katelyn’s not afraid of a challenge, though. Whatever deep desires he’s hiding, she wants in on his secrets.
All she has to do is get past his legendary reserve. With all her body, heart, and soul, there’s nothing she can’t handle.
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Hard not to love.
Ever since their dad died, it became Mark Bennet’s responsibility to see to it that their ranch runs smoothly. Being the eldest of the Bennet boys, he didn’t mind taking charge, as it keeps focused, the daily needs of a working ranch never allowing him to dwell on what is missing from his life.
Everything changes when Mark meets Katelyn Johnson, a wedding planner hired on by Mark’s younger brother, James.
It was fun seeing the most serious of the Bennet boys lose his control around Katelyn, a woman who saw in Mark a man tortured between wanting to be let loose, but was afraid of physically and emotionally hurting someone he has grown to love.
I also love that Lauren Landish gave us a strong heroine, one who knew what and who she wanted, and was not afraid of going after it—him. With Katelyn, Mark definitely never had a chance!
I love all three women who were able to rope their cowboys. Strong minded, confident ones, albeit on a country setting, the women of the Bennet Boys Ranch series were a breath of fresh air!
That said … some of you might not like the idea of rough play when it comes to sex, so it might be a trigger. Still, I would encourage you to read Mark and Katelyn’s story because their narrative does not simply revolve around sex. It also talks about self-doubt, of believing one’s self to be unworthy of love merely because of preconceived notions.
Give Mark and Katelyn a chance to tell their story, and I know, like me, you’d get to love them too!
(I didn’t read the first book in the series and, while I’m curious how Mark was portrayed there, I didn’t really feel like I missed anything.)
Damaged by an early relationship, Mark’s held himself back for a lot of years, considering himself to be unlovable. And definitely too dark for someone as sweet as Katelyn. As we begin to understand why Mark is the way he is, we fall a little more for the stand-offish cowboy who is so dedicated to his family but secretly dislikes himself just as much. It’ll take a special woman to get through to him and make him realize that he’s worthy of love … and he’s just met his match.
I loved how everyone considered Mark to be cold and reserved but Katelyn was able to see below the surface to the real him. She shows a lot of perseverance and grit pushing for what she wants, especially when what she wanted was Mark. It’s a very adult thing to not turn tail and run at every bump in the road, even when that bump is as big as this particular cowboy, and Landish does a great job of giving us a heroine (and a hero) that we can get behind.
Riding Hard has just a little extra heat, a whole lot of understanding, and a hero who finally finds his perfect match. I’m looking forward to seeing what she has in store for the next Bennett brother 🙂
**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**
Riding Hard a worthy read & worth 10-Stars
I wish I could give this book more than 5-Stars because Lauren Landish has knocked it out of the park with both the books so far in this series. I didn’t think Lauren Landish could bring it again with Riding Hard, Book 2, never thought the next book would be as good as or better than Buck Wild, Book 1 …. but call me shocked ….. because Book 2, Riding Hard was Amazing!! Mark Bennett was the quiet, stoic cowboy. Until he quite literally ‘ran into’ Katelyn, the city Barbie that really didn’t fit in & he had nothing in common with, except for that spark & a connection that turned Mark’s world upside down. Could these literally opposites actually work? Would the spark be enough for long term because Mark Bennett did not do causal. Mark had learned never to show emotion & although the Bennett’s lived in a small town where everyone knew everyone, no one had ever seen Mark smile. But when Katelyn elicited a smile from him the first time, she was quite simply shocked, because his dimple made an appearance, and oh what a site Mark Bennett is smiling. Because Mark Bennett not smiling, not showing his dimple, robbing the world of this hot & swoon-worthy version of Mark Bennett, is a tragedy of magnificent proportions! This Bennett Boys Ranch Series is quite simply fabulous, tremendous, amazing, need I say more, except of course, Riding Hard, and Buck Wild, are definitely 100% recommended!
I did receive an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my own opinion with my voluntary review.
Hot NEW twist on a classic swoon! When this bossy cowboy meets the city girl, sparks are bound to fly. But they’re beautiful and sexy and delirious because they’re all uniquely Lauren Landish. Saddle up for a hard, unforgettable ride with country boy and let this book pour you a shot of pure feels. Free in Kindle Unlimited!
Riding Hard by Lauren Landish is book Two in the Bennett Boys Ranch Series. This is the story of Mark Bennett and Katelyn Johnson. I haven’t yet read the previous book, so for me this was a standalone book.
Mark has taken over the family ranch and as the older brother some other family task. Mark doesn’t plan on going down the relationship road again with a women so he is focusing as always on the ranch which takes most of his time. But then Katelyn comes to town to help with his brother’s wedding as the planner. Mark tries to stay firm on his cold hard attitude but the more Katelyn is around him the more he is loosing his grip on staying true to his goal. Katelyn is looking to start a new chapter in her life and finding some spice that she hasn’t had…is Mark what she is looking for?
Love their hot story…and the brooding hero.
**I received a copy of Riding Hard from Net Galley and Montlake Romance in exchange for a voluntary review. This are my opinions and not solicited in any way.**
Riding Hard by Lauren Landish is the second book in her Bennett Boys Ranch series. This is Mark (who’s the eldest) and Katelyn’s story which I’d rate as a solid 4 stars. There is a bit of BDSM so just a small warning but not enough for a erotica rating. Again I loved Mama Lou the matriarch of the family and Katelyn’s assistant extraordinaire Marcy who’s awesome with advice.
Mark Bennett thinks that he’ll never find a woman who’ll love him after rejection from a former girlfriend. But he’s never met Katelyn the new girl in town and events planner at the Mountain Spirit Hotel and resort. Oh did I mention she’s the event planner for Sophie and James’s upcoming wedding? Mark is used to being the rock and now that he’s running the ranch life is steady but when he meets Katelyn could she be the one who’ll change he mind? How will she react to his kinky needs?
Katelyn Johnson broke from the boyfriend in Idaho of a decade and her rather beige life. As the new events planner for the resort she’s excited to help make every one be a success. When she meets Mark Bennett at the resort and who helps her convince a rather amorous cowboy at Hank’s introduce her to a life beyond beige and vanilla. Will she be the next Bennett bride? Will Mark finally tell Katelyn about his hidden fears of being rejected again?
While this is the second book in the Bennet Boys Ranch series it can be read as a complete standalone. I loved this book. Mark Bennet is swoon worthy! He is stoic, gruff, and all control with everything except for Katelyn. Katelyn breaks poor Mark’s self-control from the start and the chemistry is incendiary. Mark is fighting something we don’t completely understand, something more than just feeling the weight of responsibly for his family farm. Between his heart, daydreaming, and small breaks in resolve the man is fire. Katelyn, who has already proven herself to be a fighter and courageous also gets what she needs out of this relationship. There is nothing grey (blah) about their desires for life or love. That’s my favorite part of this book. Mark and Katelyn both learn and grow reaching that technicolor world we all dream of. Highly recommend this book for a hot Cowboy Ranch style romance.
Yeeehaw – Saddle up Bennetts Boys are back, This Mark and Katelyn story. Mark is the oldest brother of James and Luke and responsible for running the whole ranch, Katelyn is new in town plus she the event planner for Sophie and James wedding. They had an instant connection from the moment Mark knocked her over with her office door dont panic he caught her before she fell. Mark is broody, quiet one but he hides something that holds him back from going forward with a relationships after been hurt by previous girlfriend, Katelyn was living a black white life she just wants colour in her life. cant say any more with tell to much of there story, Its a must read, I received this book through Netgalley for an honest review. Cant wait for Luke story, Another awesome story Lauren
Couldn’t put this down. I love the Bennett brothers. But Mark and Kaitlyn were on fire. I’m sure this isn’t the book for everyone, but I absolutely loved it. The way he loved her and her him. Oh man.
Loved the whole Bennett Boys Ranch series! Don’t miss it.
Riding Hard is the first book by Lauren Landish that I have read. I loved her writing style, her characters and the storyline. I will definitely be checking out some of her other stories.
I had the added benefit of listening to the audio version of this book and the narrators definitely added to my enjoyment of this story.
Love the bond and how they grow together
I just finished reading this book for the 2nd time! That should tell you just how much I loved this book. At this point I have read all of the Bennett and Tannen Series and loved everyone of them but I needed a refresher on Mark Bennett because he was the backbone of the Bennett clan. He and his Princess have a story that needs to be read and both characters are amazing in their strength and support of each other. This is a steamy love story with a deep message of true understanding. Don’t miss this great read. You’ll love the Bennetts.
Loved the story and the complex cast of characters….good read
Audio review:
Wow.
Sometimes the audiobooks hit you harder than reading the words. This was one of those books.
Despite my apparent “beige” tendencies, I can appreciate how Mark and Katelyn connected.
Their story was passionate, desperate and absolutely stunning.
Jacob and Melissa did an amazing job with narration.
The second in the Bennett Boys series, but my favorite one! I love the main characters and the secondary characters. The love and interactions are real and heartfelt. I’m looking forward to reading more Lauren Landish books!
Love me a hard riding cowboy and that’s exactly what you get with Mark Bennett.
Yes he’s beyond frustrating and has mastered the art of communicating through mere grunts… and I wanted to scream at him to get his act together but Katelyn was exactly what he need, and they are perfect together. He’s a man of few words but his actions speak far louder.
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Mark Bennett is my dream cowboy and Lauren Landish has created this steamy, hard hitting story that is guaranteed to make you fall in love. Katelyn is starting afresh and getting out of bed comfort zone, landing her dream job as an Events planner- breaking free of her “beige” mould.
“ , , ’ ’ , ‘ . ’… .“
I don’t read a lot of Cowboy romance but one tick all the boxes for me.
5/5 Ride Me Hard Cowboy STARS
Oh my! This one! Mark has everything on his shoulders…keeping the ranch running after his father passed, stopping the neighboring ranch from their vandalism and trying to take over their ranch, and above all else, trying to keep his control when he has his hands on Katelyn, the events planner for James and Sophie’s wedding. Katelyn is new in town and she wants to experience everything she can. She has led a “beige” life but no more and one taste of Mark and his loving and she knows what she has been missing and she will not let him go. Now she just has to convince him he has to let his guard down and let himself go and be himself with her. This one was so good!
Bennett Boys Ranch #2
Love those Bennett Boys
Riding Hard – This one is about Mark and Katelyn. Mark runs the family ranch after the death of his father. His brother look up to him for advise and guidance. He is the perpetual bachelor with a sexy secret. Katelyn just moved to town for a new job and a new life. She’s the event planner at the local resort and planning his brothers wedding. He goes to pay the bill for the reception and literally sweeps Katelyn off her feet. There are sparks and interest but it a slow build for these two. Once they finally get together they may just explode.
IT’S OFFICIAL!!!!! I LOVE MARK BENNETT!!!!
Mark Bennett, the oldest Bennett brother, has the weight of the world on his shoulders with the ranch being his responsibility……He’s a man of few words, and he’s knows he’s different….Plus, due to past experience, Mark has accepted that, because he is who he is, he will never have a family of his own…So, he no longer even dates or sees women…..
Katelyn Johnson is the events coordinator for the venue at which Mark’s little brother is getting married….Katelyn has wasted the last 10 years in a “beige” dead end relationship and moved to Great Falls for a new start…and when she lays her eyes on Mark Bennett, her life changes forever, in more ways than one….Suddenly, she’s living in Technicolor!!!
Katelyn is a lucky girl, because Mark is smokin’ hot!!!!