Review: How To Rope A Naked Cowboy

How To Rope A Naked Cowboy by Anya Summers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The seventh book in the series, but a standalone in terms of the couple with no overarching storyline in the series.

The first chapter of this book was written very well and pulled you in with exceptional vivid imagery and emotion. Unfortunately, the rest of the book did not live up to this start. The first time we ‘meet’ Noelle and Tanner, the scene feels contrived and over the top. That we learn later that Noelle and Tanner have been at least passing acquaintances does not lessen the issue with the problematic scene, in my opinion.

Noelle has to work through a traumatic experience, and Tanner is very accommodating and supportive. Noelle’s trauma does mean that her personality contrasts with her fear, so we have periods of strength and periods where the trauma is overwhelming. It makes for an exciting and emotional read as we journey with Tanner to try and understand the complicated person Noelle is.

Tanner has issues caring for his mother as he sees her as emotionally fragile and not strong. This could have been a good tension point between the characters, but in my opinion, the author missed an opportunity to explore this more fully.

Given the topic and possible emotional connection we could make with the characters, the book falls flat. The heat level of this book is medium to high, and I did root for the MC’s HEA, but I was not as invested as I have been in other books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily reviewing.