The Billionaire Bull Rider by Kate Pearce
Book #5: Morgan Ranch Series
Source: NetGalley and Purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars

I think, as long-time readers, we often feel compelled to just keep reading. That is, we keep plugging away at a series, even when it begins to fail, because we have read everything else in the series and feel we “should” keep going. Fortunately, Kate Pearce has managed to keep me totally engaged with her Morgan Ranch series, and I only feel compelled to keep going because the series is still incredibly strong and fresh!

For the first time since the series launched, Pearce has focused her attention on two characters who are not Morgans, but Morgan adjacent. Yvonne, local coffee and pastry shop owner, has been a long-standing secondary character in the series, while Rio Martinez, friend to the twins, is a new addition to the cast. Both are completely delightful characters who only add to the richness and overall enjoyment of the series.

Yvonne has long been a part of life in Morgantown. As the only coffee and pastry shop in town, she has the market cornered. Yvonne also has amazing food which has allowed her to create strong ties in the community and make some truly good friends. She is a regular at the Morgan dinner table and isn’t at all surprised to see a new addition to the group one Sunday afternoon. Rio Martinez is certainly easy on the eyes, but thanks to a wretched ex-husband, Yvonne isn’t interested in anything beyond the superficial. A casual fling? Sure! But, there certainly won’t be any discussions of long-term, commitment, or happily ever after. Yvonne is convinced that ship has sailed for her, and a pretty bull rider isn’t going to change her mind.

Rio Martinez isn’t opposed to long-term and commitment, but his current commitments mean he can only be at the ranch and in Morgantown for a short amount of time. Not only is Rio a professional bull rider, he’s also the reigning champion; once the season begins, Rio will be back on the road defending his title. Yvonne, however, is a woman who can make a man think twice about his life choices which is how Rio finds himself in hot pursuit of the one woman who has skittish written all over her.

What starts as a friendship with intense attraction quickly morphs into a steamy, no strings attached affair between Yvonne and Rio. Between the sheets, Rio and Yvonne are smokin’ hot, but beyond that, they seem to have a great deal of difficulty expressing what they really want from the other. Between fear, stubbornness, and too many outside distractions, Yvonne and Rio have a truly awful time just being together. Yvonne has a nasty ex who has waltzed back into her life and an incredible business opportunity that is sucking up brain space. Rio has a truly wretched father who wants Rio to come back into the family fold which leaves Rio emotionally raw and unsteady. Between Yvonne and Rio, tensions of all kinds run high and if they don’t learn to trust, there will never be a happy ending for either of them.

The Bottom Line: Seriously, y’all, I need to move to Morgantown and find me a hot cowboy since they all seem to live there 😊 Aside from being hot and sexy, the men of Morgantown are also kind, generous, caring, intelligent creatures who adore the women brought into their lives. Morgantown isn’t just a town named after a wealthy family, but a true community that is interested in the whole rather than just the individual. That sense of community is very much driven home in this book simply because it features two Morgan adjacent characters. Both Rio and Yvonne are so easy to like, and it is simply a matter of turning a few pages to get behind them and root for their success. With the mix of old and new characters, the continuation of the series arc and the book-specific arc, I found myself absolutely engrossed in this read. Overall, the series is continuing to interest me with its fine cast of characters, interesting plot lines, and overall freshness. I am perfectly ready for book six 😊 ( )

The Billionaire Bull Rider by Kate Pearce
Morgan Ranch #5

Neither Yvonne nor Rio is at the point in their lives where they believe they are ready to settle down. Both have issues from the past that impact them as they move forward socially, emotionally and professionally. Communication is essential for them to reach a more than friends with benefits relationship. And, as they meet at Morgan Ranch with the whole crew around them it is an interesting time for both as they try to work their way forward.

What I liked:
* Yvonne’s strength
* Rio’s multifaceted background
* The idea that a bull rider (or any sports personality) can have a “mind”
* The support system that the community provides
* The way the two finally worked out how to trust and share and find their way to a HEA

What I didn’t like:
* Yvonne’s ex (but I wasn’t supposed to like him)
* Rio’s childhood (it was difficult to read about)
* Maybe a few other things if I think about it…

What I wonder is who will have their story told next. The Morgan’s, for the most part, have found their partners but with this book two newbies to the story have arrived so that makes me think there are more stories to look forward to that star people in town or working on the ranch.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington – Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars ( )

Pearce's Morgan ranch Series has found love for the four grandsons of Ruth Morgan. A fiesty grandma who rules her family with love and delicious cooking. The Morgan's have rodeo ties and in so saying their friend Rio the champion bull rider has come to the ranch. His expertise will add to the options available to the guests arriving to the Ranch for a full Cowboy experience. Of course Morgantown is shadowed in the quaint small town atmosphere complete with a unique and tasty coffee slash pastry shop. Yvonne is the owner of said shop and more than catches the eye of Rio. Pearce always narrates a great story with some romantic but also some serious aspects to it. This is part of a series and although stands on its own don't cheat yourself out of the full telling. Only wish I could visit the ranch and taste its splendor!! Anticipating a bit more heat between Ruth and Roy in what I hope continues this series. "A copy of this book was provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." Can't wait to try the Flourless Sin Cake recipe at the end. My son has gluten allergy so this will be fantastic. ( )