Ever since we started meeting the folks of Gold Valley in the Copper Ridge series, Bennett Dodge has been the man I love to hate. It’s so easy to blame him and Kaylee for some of the things Olivia went through. Then, when we get Olivia’s story in Smooth-Talking Cowboy, Bennet starts to redeem himself at least a little bit. I’m still not thrilled with him and still have issues with Kaylee at this point. Of course, I knew all along that the author would find a way for me to fall in love with these characters, but I definitely went into this story with a bias against them both.

Really getting to know Bennett’s personality and his need for order, at all costs, helped me to understand the things he did previously. He never had ill intentions toward Olivia or even realized how his friendship with Kaylee would bother her. He puts everything in its own neat little box, even if he has to shove it down to make it fit correctly. That’s how he functions, that’s how his brain works.

While Kaylee was as oblivious as Bennett, I did come to realize that she had no ill intent. She couldn’t picture her life without her best friend Bennett, therefore she didn’t take the step back that may have been proper when he was engaged to Olivia. As far as she was concerned, Bennett and Olivia were a happy couple who were in love so her presence shouldn’t be an issue.

It’s just amazing how much we, as humans, can twist things around to fit our own narrative when we don’t talk to one another. When we keep seemingly innocent secrets and then react to the actions of others, somehow blaming them for things when we haven’t given them all the information. This story is really about opening up, body and mind, to those who are in your inner circle. We’re all so afraid to never be loved for our true selves, yet we want to hide something because we think it will prevent us from getting that love we seek.

See my full review at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/02/untamed-cowboy-book-review/

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

I would have liked this so much better if it was shorter. I was all in from the beginning because single dad romances are some of my favorite books to read. 

We have Kaylee and Bennett who have been best friends since forever. Kaylee has been pining for Bennett for half of that time. Bennett has a teenage son that he didn’t know about turn up. Throw in an unexpected kiss with Kaylee and his world is spinning out of control. 

My main reasons I couldn't rate this book higher was because while I did like the characters, I didn't feel really connected to them. The romance between them was sweet, but I didn't really feel the love they had for each other. Also, because of the constant thoughts of Kaylee's doubts about Bennett and Bennett going on about his life he had planned out. It became a little too much. I'm all for angst but it seriously could have been cut in half.

There was a short second story at the end of this one and is it wrong to say I liked it better?

While it was a heartwarming story, it could have been shorter. (I know, I know. I keep saying that) If you are a fan of cowboy stories with a lot of angst, then this one is for you. 

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Jan 2020- Audiobook

Best part of this was Dallas