Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is my first foray into cowboy romances and it did not disappoint. I loved this book! It has great chemistry between the main characters Ray and Brooke, cute banter, a loving & supportive family, & spice that will warm you up on a cold night.

Ray is a professional bull rider that sustained a devastating injury during a championship ride, leaving him a paraplegic. He left his family’s struggling ranch when he was 18 never planning to return, but now he’s back. He just wants to wallow in self-pity, but his family refuses to stop caring for him. He fires every home health aide they hire, refusing to accept anyone’s help. He’s depressed, feels like a burden, & is mourning the life he thought he’d live after he retired from his career.

Enter home health aide Brooke, a ray of sunshine & walking disaster in one. She’s living with horrible roommates that take advantage of her, but she just needs to get through the next couple of years until she gets her inheritance and she can begin really living her life. She’s had a variety of jobs and really needs to keep this one. Too bad Ray has every intention of firing her like he’s fired every other aide. Realizing that his family will just keep sending them, and instantly drawn to Brooke, he strikes a deal. He needs his family off his back. She needs the job. He agrees not to fire her if she agrees to ignore him. Too bad ignoring each other is the one thing they can’t do.

Brooke is fierce, independent, stubborn, & determined to figure things out on her own. She’s had a rough life but doesn’t let it sour her outlook on life and ability to see the good in everything and everyone. As she slowly intertwines her life with Ray’s family, she finally feels at home. She wants nothing more than to build a life with Ray, but he doesn’t want to trap her in a life with him. The couple both have past hurts and insecurities to work through, and although they’d like to work them out together, some things you have to do alone.

The couple had great chemistry and I loved Ray’s nicknames for Brooke. I liked how Brooke stood up for herself and didn’t let Ray get away with any BS. It was sweet the way they showed their feelings for each other by doing for the other rather than just saying words. Their growth throughout the book made them coming together so sweet.

This is book 2 in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. I can’t say enough good things about this book and it’s available on Kindle Unlimited. Just read it already!

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley and Berkley. All opinions are my own.