Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy (Star Valley 2) by Sara Richardson-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 6, 2023

For widow Tess Valdez, there are two things keeping her husband’s memory alive: her daughters and the ranch he loved. And Tess has thrown herself into caring for both. But when the wild horses that roam her land are threatened, Tess seizes the opportunity to become their advocate—and finds a new purpose that is hers alone. She expects resistance from some of the locals, but what she doesn’t anticipate is needing the one man she can’t have by her side…

No one understands Tess’s pain better than SEAL Silas Beck. He lost his best friend on the battlefield, and he’s spent every day since living up to the promise he’d made Jace to take care of the family he left behind. Falling for Tess was never supposed to happen, and Silas knows he should leave for both of their sakes—but he can’t say no when she asks him for one last favor. Even if staying means confronting feelings they’d both rather ignore . . .

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REVIEW:BETTING ON A GOOD LUCK COWBOY is the second instalment in Sara Richardson’s contemporary, adult STAR VALLEY romance series. This is US Navy SEAL Silas Beck, and widow/single mother/rancher Tess Valdez’ story line. BETTING ON A GOOD LUCK COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Tess and Silas) BETTING ON A GOOD LUCK COWBOY follows in the aftermath of the death of Tess Valdez’ husband. Two years earlier, while serving with Afghanistan, Tess’ husband Jace, was killed on duty. HIs best friends and fellow SEALs, Tess’ brother Aiden, Silas and Thatch returned home to open their own construction business, in an effort to remain close to our story line heroine. Fast forward to present day, Silas and Tess act on their attraction but Tess wants to keep their relationship on the down low, and Silas’ refuses to be Tess’ dirty little secret. Meanwhile, someone has been shooting at a herd of wild horses, injuring one of the beauties in the process. With the hope of uncovering the person responsible, Tess makes it her mission to bring justice to the horses only to discover the guilty party maybe someone she knows. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tess and Silas, and the potential fall-out when Silas believes he is not good enough, and re-enlists for another tour.

The relationship between Silas and Tess is one of mutual attraction but Silas struggles to date the widow of his former best friend. Tess wants nothing more than to move on with her life-her daughters love Silas, and Tess knows that Silas would be the perfect man to raise her family but Silas continues to struggle with the loss of his friend, and the guilt of falling in love with his best friend’s wife. The $ex scenes are all implied.

The colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters include Aiden and Kyra (Wishing on a Christmas Cowboy 1), Kyra’s best friend Lyric, Tess’ daughters Willow and Morgan; Brad Kline and his daughter Callie, as well as a number of other ranchers and townsfolk. There may be something developing between Lyric and Thatch.

BETTING ON A GOOD LUCK COWBOY is a story of loss and grief, acceptance and forgiveness, happiness and love. The premise is entertaining and emotional; the romance is subtle and passionate; the characters are struggling but determined.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one WISHING ON A CHRISTMAS COWBOY

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy