Anything he can do

She can do better

Rodeo riders Jack Burris and Audrey Hawkins are both at the top of their game—except when it comes to love.

Competing against each other in the Bronco Summer Family Rodeo, they are so determined to win they’ve put blinders on, tamping down their mutual attraction.

In this battle of the sexes, the real victory may lie in surrender, but who will get off their high horse first?

Titles in the multi-author Montana Mavericks: Brothers & Broncos series include — Summer Nights with the Maverick by Christine Rimmer —♥— In the Ring with the Maverick by Kathy Douglass —♥—  One Night with the Maverick by Melissa Senate —♥—  The Maverick’s Marriage Pact by Stella Bagwell —♥—  Thankful for the Maverick by Rochelle Alers —♥— The Maverick’s Christmas Secret by Brenda Harlen —♥—

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

Title:  In the Ring with the Maverick
Series:  Montana Mavericks: Brothers & Broncos #2
Author:  Kathy Douglass
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  July 26, 2022
Publisher:  Harlequin Special Edition
My Rating:  4.5 stars

I cannot recall a more stubborn couple (and I read a lot) in recent memory than Jack and Audrey.  These two put the mule in mule-headedness as well as wearing heavy-duty blinders where the other is concerned.  Watching them fall, finally, was a joy, and a hard-fought victory as well.  In the Ring with the Maverick is the second title in the multi-author series, Montana Mavericks: Brothers & Broncos and this one kept me on my toes wondering who would acknowledge that there is love involved between them first.  No, not going to give that gem away, you’ll have to discover that for yourself… and share my agonizing wait for the reveal as well.  It’s only fair.

Usually, a hero with Jack’s attitude about women in the rodeo would have had me seething, but behind his attitude is a real event that has amplified that opinion of his – wrong though it may be.  And being part of a rodeo family, Jack knows all about rivalry and competing to be known as the best.  Although, Audrey is also from a famous rodeo family and is somewhat of a champion for being determined about changing good old boy attitudes about the talents, skills, and capabilities of women competitors in the rodeo.  It’s never easy to change attitudes, yet Audrey is coming out swinging and won’t back down, not even when the man she started off heatedly disagreeing with on everything is slowly turning into someone she’d want in her life… if he can see her worth in her chosen profession.

Have you ever gotten to that part of a romance where you just want to cover your eyes, shake your head and say, “Oh, please, he didn’t just say that!”.  Yeah, Jack makes that mistake and it almost cost him everything that’s becoming more important to him than the rodeo… Audrey.  You could call In the Ring with the Maverick a hate-to-love romance, frankly, I just call it good, very good.  These enemies will become far more than friends but it’s going to take some time, a few bits of helpful (and not so helpful) advice from friends and family, and a lowering of their walls to allow someone in enough to see the real person.  I had a blast with this couple, even when they each deserved a stern talking to.

I own a Kindle edition of this title.

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