A Thorn in the Saddle
Author: Rebekah Weatherspoon
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B+
What I’m Talking About:
Jesse Pleasant recognizes he gets overly angry at times, but when he yells at his grandmother’s boyfriend causing him to fall and hurt himself, he realizes he may need some outside help dealing with his issues.
Lily-Grace LeRoux is FURIOUS with Jesse for the way he treated her father and lets him know. She is back home in Charming because, after being very successful in her work world, she was harassed by a coworker and is realizing her boyfriend isn’t who she wants to be with any longer.
A Thorn in the Saddle is a delightful romance between two mature adults who are trying to figure things out. They have a past in that Jesse had a huge crush on Lily-Grace back in middle school; however, she left for boarding school on the East Coast, and they drifted apart. Things progress fairly quickly because both are willing to take a chance, and they communicate their wants, needs, and concerns. Things feel easy between the pair, and that translates to a healthy relationship. I like how this highlighted problems with past relationships and what healthy looks like.
One thing that I loved about the story is that we get to witness both characters deal with some mental/emotional health issues, most especially Jesse. The author does a great job of getting us inside his head as he tries to understand and deal with his anger. I enjoyed watching him tackle some difficult feelings and come through with a better understanding of himself and his own needs.
In the end, I enjoyed A Thorn in the Saddle. Jesse and Lily-Grace share a sweet and sexy romance. Now that the three Pleasant brothers have found love, I hope the author continues with her world because there are still some great romances to be uncovered in Charming!
My Rating: B+ Liked it a lot
Jen
About the Book:
Ranch owner Jesse Pleasant always felt too big for his desert town–literally–and too brutish to fit in with his charming, cowboy brothers. After his temper gets the best of him one time too many, he’s ready to accept the truth: he’s cursed to be alone. But when the Senate selection committee comes looking for a man of his public standing, he knows this might be his chance to prove to his family and friends that he can keep his cool, all while giving back to his community. There’s only one problem. While Jesse definitely has a mind for business, his people skills are more than lacking.
Former tech consultant Lily-Grace Leroux has had it up to her hat with hot-tempered men who think they know what’s best, especially a big headed rancher set on keeping her widowed father from dating his grandmother. But after Lily-Grace learns of Jesse’s softer side during a painfully awkward showing at a community date auction, one thing becomes clear; Jesse Pleasant is not ready to run for public office. At least not yet. Against her better judgement, Lily-Grace offers to help Jesse learn how to connect with his prospective constituents. She never dreamed they would build their own connection, one destined for its own happily ever after…
Release Date: October 26, 2021
Publisher: Dafina
Series: Cowboys of California #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (336 pages), e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)
Reviews in the Series:
A Cowboy to Remember by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Cowboys of California #1)
If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Cowboys of California #2)