The Devil in the Saddle

I read the previous book in this series after seeing a glowing recommendation for this one. I’m happy to have read the books in order, because the first story sets up the overarching story line about a family that along with having lost their patriarch, have also lost their uber-wealthy status. With that comes grief and adjusting to a slightly different lifestyle. Gratefully, the author doesn’t dwell in gloom and doom, but often finds the advantages and humor in their lifestyle shifts.

First, I would like to note that the title does not suit the story at all. The hero is lovely and an all-around good guy. He is nothing that could be described as a devil, rake, or rascal. Personally, that doesn’t bother me, because I love a strong, but gentle and noble hero just as much as I enjoy a brooding or flirty scoundrel.

This story is youngest sibling, Hallie’s story. She’s discovering herself after her father’s death and leaving her fiance. All this, while unaware of childhood friend, Rafe’s unrequited love for her. Rafe is there to help as he does with most everyone else in his life. This is a friends-to-lovers romance that hits all the right notes with me. I like Hallie’s straightforward honesty and spunky personality and Rafe is a fantastic hero with his generous-to-a-fault spirit. The story is full of romantic tension and the two of them together are often playful and always endearing. The whole book is full of funny and feisty characters, as well as some subtle and honorable ones. It strikes the perfect balance and keeps the story from being boring or over-the-top. I’m really and truly enjoying this series, so far, and I’m looking forward to the next book.

I have read this series totally out of order, starting with book 3, but that was never a problem, since enough backstory is provided. The characters could provide a psychiatrist with a full time job, yet they are appealing enough for the reader to care what happens to them. Cordelia Prince and her mother-in-law Dolly are hysterical as they entertain themselves at the family cemetery plot.

Three Rivers Ranch is a large Texas ranch, but after the death of the patriarch, Charlie Prince, it is revealed that he not only was a philanderer, separated from his wife at the time of his death, but also a bad gambler. His family finds themselves land rich but money poor and they are having problems coping. This book is about Hallie. Hallie’s dream had been to be a ballerina, but while she had the drive she didn’t have the talent. Aimless, she followed her mother’s expectation into society and became engaged to a doctor, planning a lavish New Year’s Eve wedding, until she walks in on him having sex with her bridesmaid. Now hit with another disappointment, she starts deconstructing her wedding on InstaGram and builds a large following, but she needs to find herself and what she wants to do with her life. Then her best friend from childhood, Rafe Fontana returns from Afghanistan. He has been in loved with Hallie, since she was a little girl, and joined the Rangers to get her out of his mind. Now she needs his support, while he fights to keep them as friends. He is in town, finishing up his degree in social work and then heading to Chicago to start a business with some Army buddies. And then there is that point, where they admit that they love each other and there is still a third of the book left to go, and you realize that there will not be smooth sailing before they get their HEA.

But I still don’t know who the devil in the saddle is, as Rafe has always been nothing but kindness and caring.

The Devil in the Saddle is the second in the Princes of Texas series but can also be a stand alone story. This is a friends to lovers story with a few subplots that help keep the story entertaining. The characters are engaging and lovable. This is Hallie and Rafe’s story. Rafe has had a crush on Hallie since they were kids but she only saw him as a friend so he joined the Army and planned to move to Chicago to try and get over his feelings. Hallie walks in to find her fiancé having sex with a bridesmaid and has called off the wedding. She is now trying to overcome the loss of the life she had planned. Rafe has always been there for her and she is now realizing that he is her person. The story that follows is filled with laughs, tears, frustration and several emotions to captivate the reader until the last page.

This book had me from page one! Rafe’s reminders to Hallie of what she had done the night before had me laughing so hard there were tears. Hallie Prince broke her engagement when she walked in on her fiancé and her one of her bridesmaids in the middle of things. For Hallie, it was just the icing on the cake after losing her father and finding out the family wasn’t as rich as they thought they were. Unmoored, Hallie realizes it’s past time to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Luckily she has Rafe, her long-time friend, to lean on. Rafe has loved Hallie forever, but as the son of the “help” he knows he has no chance, and has planned his life so he doesn’t have to watch Hallie with anyone else. All Hallie knows is that Rafe has always been there for her, and spending more time with him makes her realize that he could be more than a friend. Hallie doesn’t know where things will end up with Rafe, but one thing is for certain: she needs to figure out her life and who she is.
The Prince family is one of a kind. Full of quirky characters, this is a fun read from beginning to end. Julia London has created characters you become invested in and the situations they find themselves in will keep you turning pages to find out where they will end up next. Hallie is a strong character, but she’s drifted along for most of her life. It was exciting to watch each step as she figured out who she was and where she wanted to be.
This was the second book in the Princes of Texas series, but could easily stand alone (but, if you missed the first, you should really check it out…). I really can’t wait to read the third in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The second installment of the Prince series is another good read. This time the focus is on Hallie Prince and Rafe. A friends to more plot line with great character development. If you haven’t read book one you won’t be completely lost, which is always nice!

Thank you again to the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 2 in the Princes of Texas series and while you probably could read it as a standalone, I would read book 1 first so you not only understand how this book comes about but the things they speak of that happened in book 1. In this one we get Hallie Prince and Rafael (Rafe) Fontana’s story. Rafe and Hallie have been best friends since they were kids. Hallie has called of her wedding and is feeling sorry for herself and the life she is living. Rafe is home to visit his parents while trying to get his own dreams to come to reality. And while home, he spends time with Hallie again and rescues her yet again.

I absolutely loved this one! Hallie is this young woman who is desperately trying to figure out what to do with her life in order to not only be happy but to figure out who she really is. Rafe is this beautiful man who is trying to make his own dreams happen while still keeping his heart intact. I really felt for them both but at the same time wanted to smack them sometimes to get them to wake up and understand that together they are not only perfect but strong and able to make both of their dreams come true! This book has a lot of funny parts but there are also parts that make you want to cry and parts that make you smile knowing that finally love wins! I loved it!! And after that little snippet in the back for the next one? I can’t wait for that one!!

More drama with the Prince family! This time it’s Hallie’s turn, and her interactions with long-time friend Rafe Fontana. They’ve known each other for most of their lives, and now are dealing with real ‘grown-up’ feelings for each other. But their relationship is tinged by the fact that the Fontana family has worked for the Princes for many, many years, and now the Princes are dealing with somewhat reduced circumstances due to their late father’s gambling problem. Rafe is afraid he can’t take care of Hallie in the manner to which she’s become accustomed, she can’t convince him that she’s not that person anymore. It’s a great friends-to-lovers story. And as an added bonus, there’s part of the next story, about Nick, at the end.

If you haven’t yet started this series I have no clue why not. It’s been so good so far. I love flawed families. I think because who’s isn’t? I don’t want the perfect family all the time, sometimes I want to ones that are so messed up you wonder why they get up in the morning.

The Princes have whats called ‘rich peoples problems’. At the moment they aren’t as rich as they thought they were but they are also not poor either.

This is the second book in the Princes of Texas series and I just loved it. Maybe even more than the first book. I’m really not sure. In this one, Hallie has called off her wedding for good reasons. Even with those good reasons shes still very unhappy. Sad really. But who walks into her life and makes her happy but Rafe.

What I loved so much about this book is the fact that these two have been in love with each other for a very long time and one of them hasn’t even realized it. That’s Hallie by the way. I know, we are so used to the guy not know. Not in this case.

I did feel bad for Rafe because he knew he loved her and had to deal with her having a life that wasn’t with him. Of course, he’s the son of the help so how would these two ever really be able to fall in love.

You see touches of Hallie loving him too when you realize just how close they are. She talks to him a lot, he’s there when she needs someone. She also sent him care packages when he was away for the military. He was often in her thoughts. Let she didn’t know she was in love. This is the stuff that makes a good romance story.

When these two finally decide to get together neither family is happy about it. It’s crazy that her family came around quicker than his. Silly how things like that work. There are a lots of ups and downs for them and at one point you wonder if it will ever happen then you remember this is a romance so there will be an HEA.

I’m so glad I took the time to read The Devil in the Saddle. I loved visiting with the Prince family. Mom and grandma will crack you up! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Hallie Prince is struggling to get her life back on track. Her fiancé cheated on her with a bridesmaid. Her dream of a perfect wedding was destroyed. Now she’s living at home and has no purpose. She rekindles her friendship with Rafe. His father is the Prince Family’s majordomo. He understands Hallie and has always loved her. I felt their connection. The interaction between them seemed playful and light hearted, but was really hiding deep emotions. I didn’t want them to be kept apart by their social station. Julia London’s characters are so well written that They leap off the page. I cared for them. They made me laugh and cry. I appreciated their spirit and determination as they worked to find their purpose and fulfill their dreams. I wanted them to find love and happiness. Miss Dolly was a breath of fresh air. She’s a free spirit who doesn’t let age stop her. Her mock battle with her daughter-in-law were epic. This family drama pulled me in. I couldn’t stop reading The Devil In The Saddle. Julia London has written an amazing story filled with passion and heartbreak. The characters and the dialogue were compelling. I love the Princes of Texas.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

I really like how this story begins. Hallie, the only daughter of the rich ranching Prince family finds her fiance in bed with one of her bridesmaids. The wedding is cancelled but Hallie isn’t dealing well. One evening when the family is away she gets drunk on tequila and longtime friend, ex-Army Ranger Rafe Fontana comes to her rescue and gets her back inside her house and into bed. Since Rafe has always loved Hallie I found this a very gentlemanly thing to do. This is a very interesting read. I didn’t read the first book in the series, The Charmer in Chaps but plan to do so in the future.