Counting on a Cowboy (Star Valley 3) by Sara Richardson-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 27,2024

In this sizzling, sassy western romance, she’s been burned by too many cowboys—but can this rodeo rider convince her he’s worth the risk?

Retired SEAL Thatch Hearst never thought he’d put down roots, but four years in Star Valley as a bronc rider has him calling the town home. All he needs now is to earn some real money by competing in the big leagues. He’ll have his chance with the town’s upcoming rodeo days, but first he needs to improve his scores. Running out of time—and ideas—Thatch enlists the help of a local yoga instructor, hoping to gain an extra edge.

​Lyric Valenza has worked with difficult clients, but this ruggedly handsome cowboy might just be her biggest challenge. Marrying a cowboy was the biggest mistake of her life, and after her divorce, she vowed she’d never again need a man. Only the more time she spends with Thatch, the more she realizes there’s a difference between needing and wanting someone—and this cowboy may just be the one person she doesn’t want to be without.

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REVIEW:COUNTING ON A COWBOY is the third instalment in Sara Richardson’s contemporary, adult STAR VALLEY romance series. This is retired US navy SEAL /construction worker/ bronc rider Thatch Hearst, and yoga instructor Lyric Valenza’s story line. COUNTING ON A COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Lyric and Thatch) COUNTING ON A COWBOY follows the fake but building relationship between our story line couple. Thatch Hearst is struggling in his training for an upcoming rodeo, and a suggestion to try yoga is just what was needed. Thatch has been lusting after local yoga instructor Lyric Valenza for as long as he can remember but Lyric’s outright refusal at Thatch’s attempts made life a little more difficult but having witnessed a possible case of domestic abuse, Lyric agrees to Thatch’s request in exchange for helping her uncover the truth. A fake relationship that will turn into something more hits a road block when Lyric is unable to let go of the past, a past that continues to control her present. What ensues is the building relationship between Lyric and Thatch,and the potential fall-out as Lyric runs at the first sign of trouble.

The world building focuses on betrayal and domestic abuse. Lyric struggles to trust; to open her heart to a potential future with Thatch but Thatch has his own fair share of betrayal, and in this, the face of his betrayers are someone he once loved.

The relationship between Thatch and Lyric is one of tepid friendship as Lyric continues to push Thatch away at every opportunity. Everyone suspects Thatch is in love with our story line heroine but Lyric struggles to open her heat to something new. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of charismatic secondary and supporting characters many of whom we met in the previous instalments including Aiden and Kyra (Waiting on a Christmas Cowboy), Tess and Silas (Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy), as well as several local high school girls, and Thatch’s large extended family.

COUNTING ON A COWBOY is a story of betrayal and heart break, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is captivating and intriguing but the return of Lyric’s past is slightly underwhelming. The romance is understated yet affectionate; the characters are desperate and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Wishing on a Christmas Cowboy
Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy