Novella Review: Rodeo Rebel by Donna Alward

May Contain Spoilers

Review:

I am a big fan of Donna Alward, so when I saw this free novella, I scooped it up and immediately sat down to read it. Like her other books, this short story just clicked with me. I could easily relate to Megan; she’s a hard working vet during the week, but she loves participating in rodeo during the weekend. Pax isn’t a bad guy, he’s just a bit misguided. Five years ago, after a traumatic event puts him in charge of the family business, he abruptly breaks things off with Megan after she leaves for college. He ignores her calls and emails, leaving her broken hearted and confused. Hadn’t they fallen in love over the summer before she left for school?

Megan realizes that she never got over Paxton when she sees him at the fairgrounds where she’s competing. His family breeds stock for rodeos, and he’s there with a trailer of animals for the show. They immediately butt heads, and when he tries to apologize for ending things the way he did, Megan just can’t get past her anger. He took the coward’s way out back then, and she doesn’t want to hear his excuses. Deep down Pax thought he was doing the right thing. By ending their relationship, he was ensuring that she would follow her dream of becoming a veterinarian, instead of being tied to the fortunes of his ranch.

Now that Megan has built a life that she likes and is proud of, she resents that Pax has come marching back into it. She has bulls to ride, and she needs to concentrate on that, and not let Pax distract her. She keeps dredging up the past, though, and wonders if she’ll ever be completely over him. When a bull ride goes wrong, Pax thinks that he made a mistake, but nothing has really changed, so he doesn’t see a way for them to be together.

Even though Rodeo Rebel is a short story, it packed a big emotional punch. I could feel Megan’s pain and frustration over Paxton and his insistence that there was no way they could be together. Though he originally thought he was acting in her best interests, he still refuses, years later, to compromise. He doesn’t like being at the rodeo fairgrounds, but Megan thrives on the excitement and the commotion. He loves the quiet of his ranch, and Megan has a job that she loves, at a vet practice far away. Instead of thinking of ways to work things out, he keeps putting up road blocks, and threatening to break Megan’s heart all over again.

I enjoyed this so much that I grabbed the rest of the books in the Texas Rodeo Barons continuity, and I am looking forward to reading them. I like the Harlequin American Romance line, but I don’t feel that I read enough of them, which is unfortunate, because I know I’m missing out on some good stuff.

Grade: B

Review copy purchase from Amazon – FREE

From Amazon:

The Barons, six tight-knit siblings—loud, daring and loyal—are about to discover that love can be as rough as the rodeo. Bestselling author Donna Alward introduces the exciting Texas Rodeo Barons series with her charming prequel novella, Rodeo Rebel.

Back in the ring

As the first female bull rider in her circuit, Megan Robertson needs to focus. But all she can think about is her ex, Pax Lantry. Megan knew their paths would cross again—she just wasn’t prepared for the effect it would have on her. More surprising than the old heartache is the jolt of pure attraction she still feels for him.

Even after five years, Pax has never gotten over Megan. All it takes is seeing her, just once, for him to know that their connection is as strong as ever. But he’s committed to his family’s ranch and Meg has her own demanding career. It seems as if Pax and Megan have moved on, so why can’t they let each other go?

Don’t miss the first heartwarming novel in the Texas Rodeo Barons series, The Texan’s Baby.

The post Novella Review: Rodeo Rebel by Donna Alward appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.