Million Dollar Cowboy

A sweet and sexy romance between childhood friends and soulmates. I liked Ridge and Kaia as a couple and her family was great. I loved the family legend about how only the women in Kaia's family know when they find their soulmates and I hope we get to see the rest of her sisters find theirs. Overall an enjoyable read, but the relationship between Ridge and his family is complicated and not fully resolved. Hopefully these issues will be addressed in future books with Ridge's brothers.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.

Who doesn’t enjoy a sexy cowboy.

I’m so glad to have jumped in to read this book, mostly for one thing: Ridge Lockhart. He was utterly wonderful, even as I could feel every bit of resistance and angry, hurt little boy lashing out at those who would ignore him. He left town as the illegitimate son of the Big Man in town, a wealthy rancher who, although giving him a place to live, always made him feel second best, with his mother gone and new ‘step mother’ who loathed him. Loathed him so much, she left her own son behind in her rush out the door. . Sure, he had his brothers (who never treated him differently) but the tumultuous relationship with his father culminated with a ‘scene’ with his girlfriend of the time, and he was out. O. U. T.

But, his best friend is getting married, and the ties that bind him there, bring him back to town, to a wedding in a chapel on the ranch’s property. Now all grown up with money and a history of his own – he’s counting the hours until he can put the Silver Feather Ranch, and all of the baggage that it stirs up, in his rearview. But, then he comes face to face with Kaia, daughter of the foreman and someone he grew up with, the interest on his part is instant.

Kaia is home for her brother’s wedding, she’s still determined to become a veterinarian, but with some side trips along the way, she’s not quite there yet. Oh she remembered Ridge, she had a crush on him for years, she just didn’t realize that they were still there. And OH was it fun seeing her reaction when she discovers THAT little tidbit. I loved her: she was so down to earth and matter of fact about things: always finding time to take a moment and absorb it, a lesson that everyone in this story will come to learn, eventually.

When Ridge’s father, Duke, comes to face his own mortality, the story really heats up as his now wife, and Ridge’s ex, as well as Kaia make it clear that NOW is the time for Ridge and Duke to come out of their respective corners and meet in the middle, because the ranch, and family are something that they both need. A wonderfully layered story that worked in nuanced and ‘bash you over the head with a pitchfork’ sort of ways to get Ridge’s issues mostly resolved, and allow him the opportunity to grab life and love by the horns – he’s only got to reach.

A favorite this year for sure, mostly for the layers of healing and hope that come to Ridge, and the wonderful potential for true belonging with Kaia.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.