Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Book Review: The Last Rodeo

I am such a fan of Delores Fossen so anytime I have the opportunity to review one of her books, I jump at the chance!

The Last Rodeo - Delores Fossen

Lucian Granger isn’t winning any Mr. Cowboy Congeniality awards. Known in his small Texas town as “Lucifer” thanks to his surly nature and knack for scaring people away from getting too close, the handsome rancher has no trouble ignoring the gossip. But when he’s in danger of losing the land he’s put his blood, sweat and tears into maintaining, Lucian sets out to prove he’s a changed man—by claiming he’s about to settle down with his invaluable assistant, Karlee O’Malley.

Their pending nuptials may be just for show, but from the moment they kiss, the proverbial fireworks start going off in his head—and in his heart. Before long, the man who’s usually as emotional as a brick wall is tired of pretending and wants to share a real future with Karlee. With his world suddenly turned upside down, Lucian will risk losing the business and the ranch if it means holding on to the one woman worth becoming a better man for.

I've read a few of the Wrangler's Creek series, but not all of them, so though it's part of a series these are all stand alone titles.

In this book we have Lucian, who is running the family ranch and Granger Enterprises until his dad strolls in and takes over since he has the majority share holding. Knowing that his dad will likely bankrupt the company to save his own ass, Lucian and his mom come up with a cockeyed plan that feels wonky on sight. The plan is for him to become fake engaged to his assistant (and the woman who has been in love with him since her teens), Karlee in the hopes that it would make him a more likeable person and therefore; the town would throw their support behind Lucian instead of his father so that Lucian can take the company over again. That only ends up being a small part of the story because the larger part of this is the company and how to save it.

Of course Karlee knows she's going to end up hurt but she also wants Lucian to retain his company so she's willing to do what it takes. She doesn't expect sex with Lucian but once that happens it seems her heartbreak is inevitable.

The story itself feels so far fetched and almost like the author bit off more than she can chew. There were so many moving parts to this that I had a hard time keeping up but also staying interested. And honestly, the ending felt kind of rushed and it didn't end up being the happy ending I wanted. I still felt bad for Karlee and I wonder if she'll ever get what she really wants out of Lucian? It's hard to say and I can't remember a time when I still felt bad for a main character at the end.

Overall I'm giving this one a 3 star review. It was good, there was some heat, but Lucian is a hard character to like and it didn't have quite the ending I had hoped for.

   

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