Swipe Right for a Cowboy (Riverrun Ranch) – ARC Review

Swipe Right for a Cowboy
by Karen Foley
Release Date:  March 19, 2020
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Book #1 in the Riverrun Ranch series
Number of pages:  198
Kindle
Source:  ARC from publisher
Contemporary Romance M/F
Rating: XXX
Read 3/20/20

 

Uptown girl Emmaline Claiborne needs a man, and not just any man. She needs the kind of man who can make her lying, cheating, no-good ex-boyfriend insane with jealousy. The same ex-boyfriend who is now engaged to her sister, and whose extravagant wedding she must suffer through in just three weeks’ time.

She selects the perfect candidate through an online dating app, but instead of the smooth, sophisticated software magnate she expects, a rugged cowboy shows up instead. He’s the complete opposite of everything Emma is looking for. In fact, he’s exactly the kind of man she swore to her Texas ranching family she would never fall for.

Which makes Cort Channing kinda perfect. Only before the weekend is over, Emma finds herself wishing she could keep her fake boyfriend, spurs, chaps, and all. Can this committed city girl take the biggest chance of her life, and swipe right for a cowboy? 

I’ve been lucky enough to get quite a few ARCs from new-to-me authors lately.  To be fair, it’s a crap shoot.  I never know what to expect.  But I love reading new authors, hearing a new voice on favorite tropes, finding an author with a bit of a library that appeals to me.  That was the case this time.  I really enjoyed this story and the writing style.

The fake significant other is one of my favorite romance tropes.  I think it’s the innocence of the relationship in the beginning, even when there is undeniable chemistry between the characters.  And Cort and Emma had far more than a spark, they had a fire.  I enjoy the back and forth game and guessing when the lure will just be too much for the couple to resist.

Both Emma and Cort are very lovable characters.  Emma is rich, but that wasn’t even something I realized right away.  She’s so down to earth and even a bit boho.  Cort has had a hard life and worked hard for all he has. Although he was mostly raised by a bitter old man, he didn’t let that make him bitter.  These two are meant for each other, they just need to figure that out for themselves.

Having her parents live so far apart after their divorce really did a number on Emma.  Both parents love her dearly, but she’s a bit blind to that since she feels she doesn’t fit in either place.  Colt is able to see that insecure and lonely little girl inside of Emma and it brings out his protective instincts.  As someone who has always wanted a loving family, Colt can’t help but want Emma to see that her family loves her so much more than she sees herself.

Every time Cort and Emma give into the pull they have there are fireworks.  Be it a simple quick kiss or ending up in the bedroom together, they have such a steamy vibe.  I was rooting for this couple through the whole entire story.

There are quite a few other interesting characters introduced in this story, and a brother of Emma’s we have yet to meet.  I’m looking forward to reading their stories as this series progresses.

5 stars

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**