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2.99 AVERAGE
2.99 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Back in the saddle is an emotional romance story which heavily features themes of grief, cancer and the breakdown of marriage.
I love that Caroline is a smart, strong FMC and it’s so nice to have a FMC who’s in her early thirties.
If you’re looking for an emotional rollercoaster of a romance book with a cowboy then this is the book for you. Sadly it wasn’t quite the cute contemporary cowboy romance I’d expected from the cover/blurb. I didn’t really gel with the characters and I didn’t appreciate how Hunter always dealt with issues that came up in their relationship. Plus the pacing just felt a bit off for me, I’d have liked to see more of their second chance at love!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Back In The Saddle is a contemporary cowboy romance, but it wasn't quite what I expected from the blurb and the cartoony cover. Maybe there'll be trigger warnings in the book or in the retail descriptions that weren't in the ARC version but a lot of this book is about cancer and grief. Obviously getting into heavier subjects within a romance novel isn't a bad thing, but it just wasn't what I was expecting when I dived into it while in the mood for a cowboy romcom. Perhaps the blurb could be tweaked for release to give a better idea to the subject matter?
Going on what the book is though, rather than what I thought it was going to be, there's a really original story here, particularly to do with the circumstances of Caroline's impending divorce. It's not a subject that I've seen being explored in romances and I liked how it ended amicably between them, although still obviously awkward. Given lack of communication on both sides lead to that marriage breakdown, it is a shame that there was still miscommunication from both Caroline and Hunter in their new relationship. There's a lot to like here but I just don't think I fully clicked with them as a couple, particularly how Hunter treated Caroline sometimes and how she reacted to him in the aftermath of those moments.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.