Book Review: How to Handle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

Author: Joanne Kennedy
Title: How to Handle a Cowboy
(Cowboys of Decker Ranch #1)
Genre: Western, Romance, Contemporary
Format: Paperback
Pages: 411 
Published: January 1st 2014 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Used book store)



Sidelined by a career-ending injury, rodeo cowboy Ridge Cooper is desperate to find an outlet for the energy he devoted to his sport. He decides to teach rodeo skills to the kids at the Phoenix House, a local group home for foster children. Here he falls for a big-city girl who just might make him the perfect wife.

Inner-city social worker Sierra Dunn has been exiled to a last-chance home for foster kids in a remote Wyoming town for blowing the whistle on her boss. Her only goal is to prove herself and move back to the city, but the town's rodeo hero is going after her heart. 



I like this author so when I saw a bunch of hers at the local used book store I grabbed a bunch! This is the first in this series. 

The story follows Ridge Cooper who was sidelined by a career-ending injury. He misses his rodeo days, but he decides to devote his time to teach rodeo skills to the kids at the Phoenix House. Sierra Dunn is from the city, but she is working at the Phoenix House to help the foster kids. Her only goal is to prove herself get back to the city. 

For some reason, I just COULD not connect with these two. The story itself was interesting enough, but I didn't give a lick if they ended up together or not. They were not bad people...but I guess I just didn't feel the chemistry and/or not cared about their chemistry. I was more intrigued at what happened to those poor foster kids. 

It took me forever to finish this. I wanted to give up and DNF, but I pushed forward. I did a LOT of skimming...I will not lie. However, I pushed through and the ending brought a tear to my eye. Too cute! 

I do want to read book 2 even though I had my issues with these guys. I'm hoping our next couple has a more magnetic pull on me.  *fingers crossed*

Overall, not for me, but I stuck it out because I cared for those kids. I want them to be happy! I'll give this 2 stars. 

Challenge(s):


- #12 on Bingo for Western/Cowboy