As a champion barrel racer, Charity Stone has learned to hold her own in the male-dominated rodeo world. There’s no cowboy she can’t handle…except for one. Officer Dev Jenkins has made it clear he doesn’t look at her as one of the guys. He’s caught her attention but Charity doesn’t do relationships–especially not with a cowboy. When she suddenly finds herself in charge of her thirteen-year-old nephew, who’s had a few brushes with the law, Charity has no choice but to ask for the deputy’s help. 

Dev hasn’t stopped fantasizing about Charity since she moved to Topaz Falls, but she’s been hell bent on keeping her distance. When she comes to him for help with her nephew, he finally has the chance to make his move. Winning her over won’t be easy, though—especially when her nephew’s mistakes start to threaten his town. How can he do his job and still convince Charity he’s the cowboy for her?

Titles in the Rocky Mountain Riders series include —   Hometown Cowboy – Comeback Cowboy – Renegade Cowboy – True Blue Cowboy – Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas novella – Colorado Cowboy – A Cowboy For Christmas –

Title:  Colorado Cowboy
Series:  Rocky Mountain Riders #5
Author:  Sara Richardson
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  April 2, 2019
Publisher:  Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Just when I think I can’t enjoy this series more or Sara Richardson has dug as deeply into emotions as is humanly possible along comes COLORADO COWBOY and I’m amazed all over again.

Part of what fascinated me in this romance is that Dev and Charity came from similar backgrounds,  not exactly the same but close – and they each emerged with a different outlook on life.  What makes the difference?  The situation, the people around to help or not help, personality?  I don’t have the answer but it did have me wondering as their romance fell into place what Charity’s life would have been like if she’d had a different outlook on life and people.

As a rodeo barrel racer Charity thrives in a male-driven profession.  She’s accustomed to holding her own and being one of the guys.  When her sister and nephew show up out of the blue Charity’s life is about to go into a tailspin… especially when her sister takes off in the middle of the night leaving behind one angry, confused and scared teenager who already has shown he’s capable of getting himself into some serious trouble.

Dev has been interested in Charity since she moved into town… and she’s equally shot him down every single time.  He’s not about to give up and her sudden change in circumstances just might work in his favor.  And while Dev would never take advantage of a woman, he’s not above using a chance to show her that he’s trustworthy when it drops into his lap.  What also drops is a young teen who is troubled enough to cause harm and put Dev’s hometown in some danger from his actions.  How in the world is Dev going to convince Charity that he’s the man for her when he has to deal with the legal troubles her nephew is getting himself into… very carefully.

Dev, Charity, and Brodie – three people with much in common and many lessons yet to be learned.  Somehow Dev has to bring them all together into a family because he’s not leaving Charity or Brodie behind.

COLORADO COWBOY is full of emotions, strong ties to the past that need cut and healed, old wounds that need to be lanced and heal over before moving on to a better future.  Every time I start a Sara Richardson story I know my heart’s going to break at some point, and it did but I loved the way these three people eventually bond together as they learn to trust each other and themselves.  It’s not a quick, easy journey but it certainly is a worthwhile one.  If you enjoy going deeper below the surface of characters, discovering what makes them do what they do and you love watching two people finally acknowledge that they want a life together no matter the difficulties involved… then you’re going to love this story and this series.  I would not hesitate to recommend this story to any Romance reader who loves a good solid romance with believable characters facing events that could easily happen in anyone’s life.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Available in paperback and for the Kindle