Series: Not My 1st Rodeo (Book 1)
This was a fun anthology of stories about what happens when three lonely ranchers join the world of online dating.
Nothing like a Cowboy by Donna Alward
Brett isn’t anxious for another go-round at marriage. But when he’s matched with Melly, he seriously considers getting back in the saddle.
Melly is thrilled to find a dyed-in-the-wool cowboy on NotMy1stRodeo.com—until she discovers he’s got his eye on more than just her curves.
Brett has been divorced for a couple of years and has no intention of going there again. He is stunned and angry when his twin sister signs him up on an online dating site and has gone so far as to set up his first date. He doesn't want to go, but he's too much of a gentleman to be a no-show. Melly is also divorced and has been on several dates and so far has been unimpressed.
I enjoyed Brett and Melly's first meeting. Both are a little wary, but there is definitely a connection. It was fun to see them indulge in a little bit of flirting along with sharing their histories. A steamy kiss before they parted showed the attraction that had them agreeing to a second date.
I liked the quick connection between Brett and Melly and how easy they found it to talk to each other. They discovered that they had a lot in common. Both also have some trust issues stemming from their previous relationships. When they discover an unexpected link between the two of them, Melly jumps to conclusions and says some pretty harsh things. Brett is understandably angry and hurt by her accusations.
I ached for Brett, who thought that they had the start of something special. I liked how he was able to talk to Melly calmly about the reasons for his actions. Melly just made me mad. She seemed far more concerned with how it was affecting her. She was very stubborn about seeing him as the bad guy in the whole situation. I loved the solution that Brett came up with. It was sweet and thoughtful and perfect for the situation. I liked that Brett didn't give up on Melly and that they were able to move ahead with their relationship.
Something About a Cowboy by Sarah M. Anderson
Mack is furious when his grown sons sign him up for NotMy1stRodeo.com, but Karen’s profile intrigues him enough to drive three hours to Billings to meet her.
Burned by her cheating ex, Karen figures no one could be more trustworthy than a strong, silent, widowed cowboy. But after one steamy night, Mack realizes that it may be too much, too soon.
Steamy story of grief, loss, and healing. Mack had lost his wife to cancer six years earlier. He's been pretty much lost in his grief ever since. He's not too happy when his sons sign him up on the NotMy1stRodeo dating site and set him up with a date. He's not interested in marrying again, but Karen's photo and profile entice him into going through with the date.
Karen has been divorced for a couple of years. Her husband cheated on her constantly and treated her like crap, leaving her with doubts about her appeal. She looks to the dating site for a man who will help her feel like a real woman again.
I liked the connection that Karen and Mack had from the beginning. They found it very easy to talk to each other, even about their pasts. The sparks between them were pretty incredible too. I liked the honesty between them, as both admitted that they weren't looking for anything permanent, but they were willing to go with the "right now." Their night together was intense, which left Mack reeling with conflicted feelings. I ached for Karen, as she felt him pull away from everything they had shared. I also hurt for Mack, who felt horribly guilty, as though he had betrayed the memory of his wife. I liked getting to see Mack's thoughts as he worked his way through his feelings. I especially enjoyed seeing his youngest son read him the riot act and help him see that it was okay to move ahead. Mack's big moment at the end was really sweet.
Anything for a Cowboy by Jenna Bayley-Burke
Despite NotMy1stRodeo.com’s promises, Ray doubts he’ll find any woman willing to move to his remote ranch.
To his surprise, Jacy is different. She actually enjoys talking irrigation, getting her hands dirty, and getting down and dirty. But then her little white lie comes out…
My favorite of the three stories. Ray has signed up on the dating site to get his mother off his back. He is divorced and not in any hurry to try again, especially since it's hard to find a woman interested in the isolation of a ranch. Plus, he is still dealing with his feelings over many ways his ex-wife lied to him. He's promised that he will go on a date a month for a year, and then she has to leave him alone. After looking at profiles on the site, Ray "tips his hat" to Jacy.
Jacy is almost thirty and has no real experience in the love department. She was too busy studying in school to be bothered with guys and too busy getting her career going after that. Then there are the family problems. She has four overly protective big brothers who have managed to intimidate every man in a three-county radius. Plus, he family is wealthy and well-known, so she's never sure if her date is more interested in her or her connections. So she signs up on the dating site, claiming to be divorced, listing a different town as home, and altering her name. All little lies, meant to give her a real shot at finding someone compatible for her desired experience.
I loved the first meeting between Jacy and Ray. Both were a little wary, but they hit it off right away. I enjoyed their flirty banter and the attraction the sparked between them. Though originally each meant it to be a one-time meeting, a second date was inevitable. With both having busy lives, the time between the two dates is filled with phone calls, texts, and selfies. Jacy finally gets her wish, and it's better than she could have hoped (though how Ray didn't figure out the truth, I don't know). Another planned date turned into an emergency with a pregnant horse, but also provided some awesome moments between Ray and Jacy.
Unfortunately, Jacy's lies come back to bite her. She had planned to come clean, but the emergency interfered. An uncalled-for bit of interference from Ray's mom blew the lid off, leaving Ray hurt, furious, and feeling used. While I understood his feelings, his refusal to let Jacy explain was pretty harsh and the things he said were pretty vicious. I wondered what was going to happen, as everyone was telling Jacy to give up. The ending was fantastic, as Jacy stands up for herself, Ray gets lectured by his father, and both have to decide whether to move forward with their relationship. I loved how Ray was honest about his feelings. The epilogue was great.
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