“Find out for yourself if I’m as bad as everyone says.”

When infamous bull rider Gavin Kingsley finds out he’s been disinherited, he wants answers—and Lauryn Hamilton, his father’s former employee and the local sheriff’s daughter may have them.

Participating in a charity bachelor auction for Lauryn’s horse rescue is the perfect opportunity for Gavin to find what he’s looking for…even if he has to seduce the truth out of her.

When bad boy Gavin unlocks sweet Lauryn’s rebellious side, he may be roped into more than he bargained for.

Titles in the Kingsland Ranch series include — Rodeo Rebel —♥— The Rancher’s Plus-One —♥— Alaskan Blackout —♥—

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

Booksprout ARC – release date January 24, 2023

Title:  Rodeo Rebel
Series:  The Kingsland Ranch #1
Author:  Joanne Rock
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  January 24, 2023
Publisher:  Harlequin Desire
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Rodeo Rebel begins The Kingsland Ranch series with a powerful story that intrigued me as much as it angered me for the actions taken against the main characters.

Gavin’s wealthy ranching father has recently died – and disinherited both Gavin and his younger, half-brother Clayton, leaving the entire ranch operation to their older half-brothers Levi and Quinton.  Gavin had given up his rodeo career to work with horses, and he had created a horse breeding program at the family ranch which, given the circumstances, he was determined to walk away from while moving out of state, but not without one horse, the one he purchased – it seemed a fair exchange, one horse for his entire inheritance, his life, his emotions.

Lauryn is operating a horse rescue center, and she’s gearing up for a huge fundraising bachelor auction in which Gavin had agreed to take part.  Now, he’s determined to get to the truth of why his father disinherited him and since Lauryn once worked at the ranch for his father, he believes she has knowledge that she’s hiding from them all… and he’s going to get that information any way he possibly can.  She’s about to be blindsided by one cowboy who has his own agenda and along the way she’s going to have a great risk of losing her heart to a cowboy who just doesn’t trust her.

I’ve despised “no longer in the picture” parents before but Gavin’s father has to be in my top five losers of all time category.  How he could punish his children, his flesh and blood for something they had nothing to do with is beyond me.  Yet it does set up an interesting family dynamic for these four men – what to do now?  How to feel?  How to make it right?  There is no clear answer but they’ll each find their own ways to deal with their father’s actions.

I loved both Gavin and Lauryn for different reasons (and Lauryn has a father who needs a good shake-up as well).  Their attraction is obvious from the start yet Lauryn is cautious given Gavin’s reputation, and Gavin is tunnel-visioned on discovering the “truth”.  Watching them overcome hurdles in their relationship, discover some home truths, and find their way to a love that can last a lifetime was a delightful, at times, frustrating journey -one that I wouldn’t have missed for anything.  And, I have to admit, that Gavin has one of the most interesting and loving moments of groveling and making his mistakes right scenes I’ve read in a long time.

I enjoyed myself immensely in this world and can’t wait to return for the next book.  If you love a Romance that is complicated, family-centered, sizzling with chemistry, and a love worth fighting for then Rodeo Rebel is perfect for you.  I had such a good time here, and would not hesitate to recommend this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent.*

This title releases on January 24, 2023

Available in print or for your favorite e-reader