Lost Rider by Harper Sloan

Author: Harper Sloan
Publisher: Gallery, Pocket Books
Date of publication: April 2017

Maverick Austin Davis is forced to return home after a ten-year career as a rodeo star. After one too many head injuries, he’s off the circuit and in the horse farming business, something he’s never taken much of a shine to, but now that it’s his late father’s legacy, familial duty calls. How will Maverick find his way after the only dream he ever had for himself is over?

Enter Leighton Elizabeth James, an ugly duckling turned beauty from Maverick’s childhood—his younger sister’s best friend, to be exact, and someone whose heart he stomped all over when she confessed her crush to him ten years back. Now Leighton is back in Maverick’s life, no longer the insecure, love-stricken teen—and Maverick can’t help but take notice. Sparks fly between them, but will Leighton be able to open her heart to the one man who broke it all those years ago?

Written in the vein of Diana Palmer and Lindsay McKenna, this Texas-set series is filled with sizzle, heart, and plenty of cowboys.

Lost Rider is the first in a new series about the Davis siblings. Maverick is a famous bull rider who is back home after his career has come to an end.  His abusive father is finally gone and Maverick must face more than one mistake he left behind, starting with Leighton James.  

As this is one of my favorite romantic themes, I had high hopes. In the end, I liked the story and found it entertaining, I just didn't love it.  Maverick was kind of hard to like in the beginning.  But as his story came out about what he went through as a kid and his reasons for hurting Leigh, I began to like him more.  I liked that he was able to own up to his wrong doings and his willingness to make amends.  He was a dumb 18 YO when he left, so I could see how he was a bit misguided. Leigh had to grow on me as well.  The way she had to over analyze everything drove me nuts. I loved their HEA.  It was very sweet.

As I said, I thought it was entertaining and worth giving a try.  I do want to read Quinn story next in Kiss My Boots coming out in August.