The Bull Rider's Return

Joan Kilby

Aug 2018 · The Starr Brothers of Montana Book 3 · Tule Publishing

About this ebook

 No good deed goes unpunished...

 

Rough rider Cody Starr relishes his reputation as the bad boy on the rodeo circuit. When he impulsively leaves his prize money as a tip for a struggling waitress so her little boy can get a heart operation, Cody keeps quiet about it, knowing he’s only atoning for past sins. His good deed is outed when Kelly Reid drives across three states to thank him in person. Despite the fact that Kelly forces him to confront his past and question everything, Cody starts to fall hard for her. 

Single mom Kelly Reid thinks Cody is a Hero with a capital H. She believes in Cody, but she knows that nothing long term can come of their intense attraction until he believes in himself. Is Cody the love ‘em and leave ‘em guy he claims to be or could he possibly be the man of her dreams?

Ratings and reviews

I totally enjoyed reading The Bull Rider’s Return by Joan Kilby, book two in The 79th Copper Mountain Rodeo series. Cody Starr loves promoting his bad boy reputation while on the rodeo circuit. Struggling single mom Kelly works hard as waitress, saving money so her young son can get a heart operation. When Cody decides to leave his prize money as a tip for Kelly, he decides keeping quiet about it is best. After driving to Marietta, Montana to thank Cody in person she accidently lets slip his good deed. Kelly has heard from numerous sources about Cody’s “love ‘em and leave ‘em” reputation, but sees a different Cody as they spend time together. Cody struggles with his past behavior and actions; not believing that he deserves any praise for his actions. Despite believing in him, she knows nothing long term can result in their relationship until Cody believes in himself and comes to terms with his past. Cody is falling hard and fast for Kelly but he has to come to terms with his demons from his past before he can be the man she deserves. Ms. Kilby wrote a wonderfully sweet and moving story that is not to be missed. It had me laughing, crying and everything in between. This story is filled with sexual attraction, fun dialogue, and endearing characters. I highly recommend this book to other readers and look forward to the next book in the series. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Three and a half stars. Cody Starr has a reputation on the rodeo circuit as a bad boy, tats, drinking, stupid stunts, love 'em and leave 'em. He's the youngest son in a family of businessmen and over-achievers, content to waste his rodeo winnings on booze and gambling. Then one day he takes pity on a struggling waitress in a diner with a sick son and hands over his $65,000 winnings (prize money plus a lucky streak gambling) to help pay for her son's heart operation. When his family ask how he's going to invest his winnings he lies and says he blew it all gambling. Single mom Kelly Reid can't believe the change that Cody's generosity has made to her life and the life of her son Ricky. The two of them have travelled to Marietta to the 79th Copper Mountain rodeo to say thank-you in person, but soon one gossipy old woman creates a media storm about Cody's generosity and suddenly he might not be the no-good, unreliable bad boy that everyone thought he was. Cody's harshest critic is himself - can he see himself the way that Kelly and Ricky do? Can he take a chance on himself? I liked this but I had conflicted feelings about Kelly and Cody. I get that Cody is the youngest son and has never really grown up, even though he has been supporting himself since he was 16 years old, but his constant need to run away got tired. Kelly on the other hand was the romantic stereotype of the perfect single mom, except she dragged her son backwards and forwards on a whim following/ leaving a man and putting him and out of different schools. I think, maybe, I would have liked this better if Cody had had his epiphany earlier because neither of them came out of the last few chapters well (in my opinion). But overall I still enjoyed this, there was more of the rodeo which I appreciated, no point in a series set around a rodeo if there's no bull-riding! I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The Bull Rider’s Return is Book number two in the 79th Copper Mountain Rodeo Series by Joan Kirby. This is Cody Starr and Kelly Reid’s story. This story got my attention right away. Cody may not have the best reputation but there was just something that I liked about him from the beginning. His character just makes you want to hug him and let him know that he is important and special. As a mom Kelly was easy to feel a connection to. She is raising her sick son alone. Cody and Kelly’s paths cross and their lives will never be the same. I loved this story! FYI, contains mature content. I reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.