Series: Cowboys of Stampede Texas (Book 1)
FROM PLAYBOY COWBOY TO…DADDY?
Bronc rider Gunner Hardell never plans past the next stop
on the rodeo. When he's home in Stampede, Texas, he's part-time manager of the
run-down Moonlight Motel, to get his crotchety grandpa off his back. Then he
meets interior designer Lydia Canter -- hired to renovate the motel -- and
suddenly the gig gets a whole lot more appealing…
Lydia is looking for love, but there's nothing wrong with
some Mr. Right Now while she waits for Mr. Right. But one steamy night with
Gunner has unexpected consequences. And she would rather raise their baby alone
than give the good-time cowboy a chance to break her heart. When Gunner learns
he's going to be a daddy, he's determined to prove to Lydia he really is her
Mr. Right!
Good book. Gunner is a rodeo bronc rider who enjoys his
laid-back lifestyle. He participates in some rodeos, enjoys the attentions of
the buckle bunnies, and moves on. Commitment is not a word that exists in his
vocabulary and doesn't see himself ever settling down. He is loyal to his
family, however, even though they are constantly on his case about his lack of
ambition. When he isn't rodeoing, he is the part-time manager of his
grandfather's Moonlight Motel. It doesn't get much business, but that's alright
with him.
Lydia Canter is an interior designer. Her Aunt Amelia
owns the mortgage on the motel and is determined to force the owner into renovating.
Amelia hires Lydia to do the renovations. Lydia is okay with spending a couple
weeks in Stampede to get things going, but she wants to get back to her life in
Wisconsin. She has seen her friends settling down and she's ready to find her
own Mr. Right. She has very specific ideas on what she's looking for and has
signed up on several dating sites to find it. Motel manager and cowboy Gunner
doesn't meet any of those requirements, but he does light off some sparks in
her.
I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Gunner
is Lydia's help in doing the renovation. She doesn't consider him very
reliable, since he keeps taking off to do rodeos or other fun activities.
Gunner thinks Lydia is a bit uptight and too work focused, and is determined to
get her to have some fun. Neither of them expect the attraction that flares
between them, but they're willing to indulge in a summer fling.
But when the stick turns blue, both of them have some
decisions to make. Lydia is quite prepared to raise the baby on her own. Though
Gunner has proposed, she knows he doesn't love her, and marriage without love
is not an option for her. Gunner has never pictured himself as a father, but
the thought of walking away doesn't sit right either. If he's going to be a
part of his baby's life, he's going to have to convince Lydia that he's up to
the job. And to do that, he has to show her that she needs more than a 9 to 5
stuffed shirt.
I loved seeing Gunner add some fun to Lydia's life. He
has no problem distracting her from her business first mindset, whether it's
taking her to a rodeo or luring her back to bed. But when he finds out about
the baby, a whole new side of him comes out. I loved all the little things he
did for her, from the special water to the scented air. I also loved seeing him
get serious about the renovations, put his rodeo trips aside, and discover that
he really wants to be part of Lydia's life. There's a lot more to Gunner than
the image he portrays. I especially loved seeing him with the various kids he
encountered. I enjoyed seeing Lydia start comparing all her potential dates to
Gunner and have them not measure up. She was surprised to discover that the man
who didn't match any of her requirements was the only one she wanted to be
with. She's stunned to realize that she's fallen in love with him, knowing that
he doesn't return the feelings.
When she runs from those feelings, back to the safety of
Wisconsin, she has to decide if she wants to risk her heart with him. I loved
Gunner's big moment, as he finally makes that last step into adulthood and
realizes the truth of his feelings for Lydia. I loved watching him put his
heart on the line and risk it all.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters. Gunner's
grandfather and Lydia's Aunt Amelia are especially fun with their bickering. It
quickly becomes obvious that there is more between them than antagonism and I
loved seeing them play each other. They also appeared to be conspiring to get
Gunner and Lydia together. I am looking forward to seeing more of them in the
next book. There was also a little bit of exposure to Gunner's brother Logan.
He comes across as pretty judgmental of Gunner at the beginning, but lightens
up a bit toward the end. He does have some pretty good advice for Gunner, so
there is hope for him. There's another brother that's only mentioned in
passing. Lydia has two cousins that she is close to and I liked meeting them. I
liked their support of her when she needs it and the memories they shared of
their visits to Stampede. I suspect they'll be back in Stampede soon, too.
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