For widow Tess Valdez, there are two things keeping her husband’s memory alive: her daughters and the ranch he loved. And Tess has thrown herself into caring for both.

But when the wild horses that roam her land are threatened, Tess seizes the opportunity to become their advocate—and finds a new purpose that is hers alone. She expects resistance from some of the locals, but what she doesn’t anticipate is needing the one man she can’t have by her side…

No one understands Tess’s pain better than SEAL Silas Beck. He lost his best friend on the battlefield, and he’s spent every day since living up to the promise he’d made to Jace to take care of the family he left behind.

Falling for Tess was never supposed to happen, and Silas knows he should leave for both of their sakes—but he can’t say no when she asks him for one last favor. Even if staying means confronting feelings they’d both rather ignore . . .

Titles in the Star Valley series include — Wishing on a Christmas Cowboy —♥— Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

Title:  Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy
Series:  Star Valley #2
Author:  Sara Richardson
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  June 6, 2023
Publisher:  Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
My Rating:  4.5

Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy is the second title in the Star Valley series.  I love returning to Sara Richardson’s worlds, and I’m enjoying this series so much, especially when the storyline in this romance also includes advocacy for wild horses, a subject that has fascinated me for years.  It’s one of those issues that I can see the point of view of both sides on this subject, but I’ll always come down on the side of the wild horses.

Tess is ready to face life without her husband, who died in military action.  It’s been about two years, and she’s allowed herself to grieve; she’ll never forget her husband, but it is time to move ahead.  She has a ranch to run, daughters to raise and wild horses who roam her property to protect.  And her husband’s best friend to spark an attraction that is perhaps unexpected but certainly not going to be denied.  She’s asked Silas for help with the wild horses situation, for she’s found something that is just for her; a powerful need to protect those wild horses and find out who is trying to destroy them.

Silas and his friends have always looked after Tess and her kids since returning home.  Yes, they lost a good man on that SEAL mission, and he lost his best friend.  So, of course, he was going to help Tess in any way that he could… while fighting an attraction that he shouldn’t be feeling toward the widow of his friend.

I enjoyed this story for many reasons, but I loved Tess for her strength and her determination to continue to live her life.  Yes, she’s a widow with children to raise.  Yet she’s also a woman who can and does find love again.  No man will ever replace her husband, but Silas can be loved for his own unique self as well.  I guess that’s why I’ve never gotten the “bro code” thing.  It’s possible to love more than one person in a lifetime, and I was so glad to see her take control of her life, go after the advocacy for the wild horses on her own, and love a man who would understand her deceased husband’s place in her heart for he also resided in Silas’ heart as well.

Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy is a well-written, engaging, emotional romance with bursts of tears and laughter spread throughout.  I had fun here, and I’m definitely looking forward to the next visit to the Star Valley series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

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