I've read many Harper Sloan books before and this one didn't disappoint. It was definitely a change in genre for the author, but I thought it was well-done for the most part.

Maverick has been away from his hometown for 10 years. He left when he turned 18 and became a famous bull rider. He's recently found out that he can never ride again due to too much head trauma and his dad has died, so he's headed back home to support his siblings and hopefully start over.

Leighton own a popular local pie bakery, but she's still not too happy with her life. Her parents died when she turned 18 and left her with their ranch and she still hasn't gotten over the heartache that Maverick caused her.

He was her first and only love, but he threw some harsh insults at her when she was 16 so that she wouldn't come after him when he left. I get why he did it, but it took me a while to get over him being a jerk. If you can get past this at the beginning of the book, especially his comments at the funeral, just keep reading, it gets better. He redeemed himself and this story was a really great one about second chances and forgiveness. He suffered a lot of abuse as a kid, so I got why he left and why he was a bitter person for so long. But this really was a beautiful story. He didn't let that keep him down. He came back to town (albeit reluctantly at first since) and went after the lady he loved and lost. I respected him for wanting to earn her trust and love before he took things too far again. I loved how he stood up for her and told the two ladies off at the restaurant - that was sweet and hot. He became such a softie too and wasn't afraid of crying at the end there, another plus in his column.

Leighton wasn't my favorite person at first. I got that she was hurt and that he had to earn her trust back, but she really debated everything in her head an awful lot and kept him waiting for a while. It just became a bit annoying. They both honestly liked to discuss everything and it made the book drag in some places. But hey, at least they were communicating.

Overall, this was a good step out for Harper Sloan and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I loved Maverick and thought he was such a hot but sweet guy when he got things right with himself. It really was admirable how he changed and made himself vulnerable. The Leighton/Maverick love story was a sweet one to read and I hope to read the sibling's books in the future.

Three and a half
Harper Sloan is a name even I've heard of and I'm not someone who really reads much contemporary romance so when I spotted this new book about a second chance romance featuring a hot rodeo rider I thought hey why not? Nothing more sexy than an alpha cowboy and add in the Texan accent and yep I guess there will be a lot of readers swooning!
Yes this story is about Maverick coming home to face his demons but he's in for a huge shock when he gets there. Ten years might have passed but the girl he left behind is still right where she always was. Leighton might have been shy and a bit coltish but she always knew there was only one boy for her. So when Maverick crushed her hopes and dreams something inside her just walled itself right up. Hey who am I kidding? Maverick jumped up and down repeatedly with malice on Leightons feelings, heart and self worth but that girl has gumption and Leighton is not exactly how Maverick remembers her and hot diggidy he doesn't even recognise her! They say time heals but coming home opens up the floodgates as feelings long buried come rushing back and there's a storm coming that will sweep Leighton and Maverick away!
I thought the dynamics between the characters really made this a book I wanted to finish. Yes the couple are front and centre but the author made Mavericks siblings Clay and Quinn an integral part of the story. The family actually are the story and it's their relationships that give this story a warm feeling.
I really felt like I was transported to Texas and hugely enjoyed the rich dialogue. Unfortunately there was no real suspense , nothing exactly for the characters to overcome apart from a little angst towards the end. I guess I'm used to more action led stories and I did miss that. Yes the bulk of this book is just Maverick ( who can be a total armpit at times!) trying to convince Leighton he's home for good and never really wanted to hurt her. What does make it really entertaining though is the banter, the repartee Leighton shares with her female friends oh and I loved that Leighton gave as good as she got and frankly will never look at a pie the same way again !
This cowboy romance was a little slow for me but I'm pretty sure those who enjoy western style stories will enjoy seeing this couple learn to loveand trust each other with a happy ending and the prospect of more stories to come.
This voluntary review is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and these thoughts are my own honest opinion

While I could take the occasional jerkasses behavior from a character, the level of which this book threw at me on early pages of the story were just... boggled me. Didn't matter that it was a defense mechanism! They were just too much to grasp! And don't get me started on the flow of endearments; I developed such dislike for darlin', baby, honey just from reading this!! If it's meant as Southern drawl charm or whatever, it just didn't work for me.

As if it was not enough, the story suddenly turned and everything went hunky-dory. Just. Like. That. That past hurt scarred a person so much she had no confidence in herself or her body, even her own judgement... This didn't merit enough portion to the story? To say I'm livid was an understatement!

I guess I'm not the most patient of reader. Bottom line,to me this book read as smutty and steamy tale of second chance starring a cocky and obnoxious hero with chip on his shoulders.

On the flip side, the bones of the story was actually interesting. A broken family bonded together by love if not by blood, family secrets that bridged that love, and - of course - true love that transcend anything and forgive everything. Yet somehow, the delivery just fail me.

Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lost Rider was an okay read. The story goes from present to past which I didn't mind because the story flowed smoothly. I have to admit that in the beginning of the story I really disliked Maverick, so it took a while for me to warm up to him. He just came off as a man that was so mean with a huge chip on his shoulders and without a care how his siblings felt. However, I really liked Quinn, Leighton and Clay's characters so it kind of balanced things out for me. I eventually ended up liking Mav's character, however, I wished I hadn't disliked him so much in the beginning because then I think this book would have been better for me. It wasn't a bad read, it was just an okay read for me.

Yes, I've read all of Harper Sloan's Corps Security series. And yes, I really liked them. But they are definitely no western romance books. So when the cover of Lost Rider came along on Netgalley, I had to take a second look, to see if it was really a Harper Sloan book. But it was. And although there were no rough and hot-but-scary-security guys, I found myself suddenly quite interested in cowboys.

We meet Maverick, a frustrated cowboy, who has just learned that the life as he know it, has ended. He can no longer be the rodeo star he has been in the last decade, because one more head injury will be fatal. Since his father just died, he finds himself back at his childhood home, to take care of the family business, together with his brother Clay and sister Quinn.

And there is Leigh, best friend of Quinn. As a teenager, she was madly in love with her best friends older brother. Until he broke her heart and left Pine Oak.

But now he is back. And, well, let's just say the first reunion between Leigh and Maverick isn't going very well: "You, Maverick Austin Davis, haven't changed one bit... Get your head out of your own ass long enough to stop being a massive prick and have some respect for your brother, sister and your father."

So, there is a lot of tension there. Because on one of the next encounters, it isn't going any better: "You want your pie, Mav?...Without a second thought, I bring my arm back, before I swing it forward and slap the whole pie into his face. There's your goddamn pie, you good for nothing jackass!"

And still, there is also a lot of tension between them. Let's just say: unfinished business. And Maverick is determined to convince Leigh, that they do belong together. Even if she is determined not to get involved with him ever again. Because her heart is still recovering from his brutal heartbreak of ten years ago. Fortunately, he gets help from his baby sister Quinn, who wholeheartedly agrees that they are meant to be together: "Okay, big brother. I'm about to go against every written rule in the best-friend bible right now... Lord knows, one day, maybe after the birth of your first child, she will forgive me for this."

So we see how Maverick is trying to convince Leigh, while still figuring out what to do with his life, now that his rodeo days are over. And how to proceed with the dark secrets from the past, still creeping up on him. And, in Harper-style, this is done with a laugh, a tear and some steamy scenes. Yep, loved it. So five out of five stars from me. And keep those westerns coming!

What a great start to a new series! Lost Rider (The Coming Home Series) - Harper Sloan


*4.5 STARS*


I became familiar with Harper Sloan through her Corps Security series which I loved. Those hot, alpha, ex-military men were something else. So, when I saw that she was going to have a new series featuring cowboys, I couldn't wait to see what it was all about.

LOST RIDER was full of loss and redemption, love and pain, family and hope and so many other things that I felt like my heart was going to burst right out of my chest reading it.

We start with Maverick Davis, a rodeo star who has just been grounded for good. He had one injury too many and now the doctors won't clear him to go back to competing. Feeling at a loss, he now not only has to turn his back on the one thing in his life that meant something to him, but he's also has to head back home to the place he swore he'd never return to when he left it and all those in it behind ten years ago. He knows that there is a lot more than ghosts waiting for him there.

When he gets there though he ends up pissing off the one person he was most scared of seeing, the woman he ran from all those years ago, but seeing her again is like no time has been lost at all. Only, she's spitting mad and wants nothing to do with him.

Leighton James didn't expect to see Maverick Davis again, but when she does it's like a punch to her gut. The boy she was in love with her whole life is back and her traitorous heart beats him like he never left. She's not going to let him waltz back in and trample all over love again. She wouldn't be able to take it.

But, he now knows what he's meant to do and he's meant to do it with Leighton at his side. He just has to convince her that it's safe to give him her heart again.

This was just so many things. So many things. I hated how much pain both Maverick and Leighton went through but that made their HEA that much more sweeter. Seeing all of the back story and understanding why things happened the way that they did really made how hard they worked to be together that much more important. Maverick was really dealt a crap hand, but I was glad to see how whole he was when he came out of other side. And it doesn't hurt that Mav and Leigh were hot as hades between the sheets, or outside, or up against a door. *sigh*

The rest of the Davises, Mav's older brother, Clayton, and his younger sister, Quinn, were integral to the story as well. I look forward to seeing them get their own stories as well.

LOST RIDER is the first book in the Coming Home series and I look forward to seeing where the series will be going next. The author hinted that maybe it will be Quinn's turn next, but I'm really looking to see what's going to happen when Clayton finally falls.

So, LOST RIDER was a definite hit for me. I can't wait to go back the little Texas town and visit with the Davis's and the James's again.

*Advanced Reader's Copy provided by NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Lost Rider is the first standalone book in the new Coming Home Series by Harper Sloan.

It’s a second chance for Maverick Austin Davis and Leighton Elizabeth James at a happily ever after. Leighton has known Maverick since she was a child, and probably been in love with him just as long. But Maverick has been out of the picture for 10 long years. And things have changed.

Second Chance Romances are my favourite. I love the tension and the suspense of the will they/won’t they moments. The angst and extra love/hate feelings that come with a history full of love and hurt. It’s an extra layer to normal romance stories that I adore.

Lost Rider had those extra feelings in spades. I really liked the dynamic between the 4 main characters and the little family that they had built themselves. Considering the reasons why Maverick had left and what brought him home it was a testament to the characters that Harper had created.

While I did really like Lost Rider I also felt like it moved a little fast for me. I like a slow burn second chance romance with a bit more angst and time where the wronged party doesn’t quite forgive so easily. I felt like Leighton forgave Maverick for the hurt he caused her a little too quickly. However some people are far more forgiving then others and while I would have liked it to take a bit longer it still fitted in with the plot and character development well.

The relationship development for Maverick and Leighton had an easy flow to it making Lost Rider a heartwarming and easy read.

The character development for Maverick was complex and maybe a little fast. Considering the angry boy he was when he left and the angry man he was when he returned he seemed to forgive himself for everything quite quickly. But again this did work in well with the story line.

Lost Rider was a quick and easy read for me that I enjoyed from beginning to end and I can’t wait for the second book in the series, Kiss My Boots, to get some more of Quinn and her brash yet endearing personality!

This is my first Harper Sloan book and I know yeah its hard to believe because I hve been hearing about her for years. It was wonderful, fantastic and I cannot wait to read more.

This is the story of of two teens who love each other and have know each other from almost birth. Maverick and Leighton fell in love as kids. He was the hot cowboy and she was the quiet girl. The real issue is that Maverick hated the town he grew up in. His father HATED him and abused him and he always knew he had to leave. So while he loved L he knew he had to never share that with her and instead make her hate him.

The story starts as Mav has heard his father has died, his rodeo career is over and it is time he heads home. This is the story of picking up the pieces he left behind 10 years before. We get some scenes from the past and we learn how the years have changed both M and L. This book definitely has a lot of angyst on both sides but it also has a lot of love and I really enjoyed it.

Save a horse (Ride a cowboy)!!!! Yeahawww!!!! 5++++ Stars all the way!

OMG this book is amazing! It come out of the stalls like a raging bull!
This story follws the love Leigh and Maverick in a intense love story. I tell you I wasn't even 20 pages into the book and I was getting all the feeling a book should be giving you.

Maverick had just come off the circuit as a bull rider and injured as well. His passion so he thought was over. When his brother calls him telling him their father just died and he is now coming home with his tail between his legs after 10 years of being away. But what he can't forget is one of the reasons he is coming home is to beg for his forgiveness to Leigh the one he let go.
Leigh is Mavericks little sister best friend always the tomboy growing up but has always been madly in Love with Maverick for as long as she remembers until one night 10 years ago broke her and her heart into a millions pieces. She has never given herself fully to any man since that has always belong to the one who let her get away. But when Maverick comes home after his father dies that is all about to change. Maverick now see the gorgeous woman she has grown to be but now has a bite to go with it and Leigh is trying to hide her feelings for him behind the anger and hurt she feels towards him. But he is determined to knock all those walls down and claim the one person who has always calmed him and has always been there for him. The one he loves more than anything.
This story blew me away and now I'm in a book hangover. The characters had such amazing chemistry and I loved clay and Quinn as well. They were a great comic relief. My praises to this book and the author.

Absolute Beautiful!

Lost Rider is a beautiful, amazing and heartfelt second chance read. I found myself getting lost in Harper's words. They are riveting, powerful and downright divine.

The death of Maverick's father being him home after being away for ten years. His career pretty much over he is ready to start over. When he left years ago the only thing he left beside his brother and sister was her..... the one he always loved. Hurtful words left their relationship strained but now he is hoping to put that behind them.

Leighton has only loved one man. He broke her and now ten years later he's back. She has a successful business and wonderful friends the last thing she needs is him. But, when she comes face to face with him again she knows he will always have her heart.

This is a great start to what is going to be an amazing series. Lost Rider is really an exceptional book with outstanding writing, wonderful characters and a story that will take your breath away. It's definitely one of my favorites so far this year and can't wait to see where we go next with this series.

Lost Rider by Harper Sloan.

Lost Rider, with Maverick and Leighton was defiantly a roller coaster, one that I’m still un sure I enjoyed!
I found this story to be very slow building, and at times I was not fully invested in the story. It took me a wee while to get it together and actually enjoy the story and by the time I done that it was almost over.
Lost Rider is about second chances in all aspects of life.
The characters have sensational chemistry and when they do get it on HELLLLO HOTNESS!
So there is A LOT of drama in this story, there were times I didn’t like Mav at all, and I was like how are you going to redeem yourself now A*hole!
With all the heartache and emotions happening I am 100% sure every Harper fan will enjoy.
The writing is fantastic and the flow of the story is slow, I found myself in the end liking but not loving like I have other story by this author!
3.5 Stars
Arc received by publisher from netgalley.

Hang on to your Stetsons this spring, because you’re in for one wild ride! Lost Rider is the first Western romance in New York Times and USA TODAY indie bestselling author Harper Sloan’s Coming Home series, where an injured rodeo star encounters an old flame…but will she be just what he needs to get back in the saddle?

Maverick Austin Davis is forced to return home after a ten-year career as a rodeo star. After one too many head injuries, he’s off the circuit and in the horse farming business, something he’s never taken much of a shine to, but now that it’s his late father’s legacy, familial duty calls. How will Maverick find his way after the only dream he ever had for himself is over?

Enter Leighton Elizabeth James, an ugly duckling turned beauty from Maverick’s childhood—his younger sister’s best friend, to be exact, and someone whose heart he stomped all over when she confessed her crush to him ten years back. Now Leighton is back in Maverick’s life, no longer the insecure, love-stricken teen—and Maverick can’t help but take notice. Sparks fly between them, but will Leighton be able to open her heart to the one man who broke it all those years ago?

Lost Rider is the first go-round in this Texas-set series filled with sizzle, heart, and plenty of cowboys!

I love Harper Sloan...In fact, I stalk her on Facebook so when she says she's coming out with a new book, and it's offered - I request it and I'm persistent. That's what makes this review so hard for me to write right now. In fact, I've been putting it off for days. I read this book as soon as it showed up on my shelf. I devoured it in one day, and I threw all other books to the side because she's HARPER SLOAN!!! This is where my review takes a turn for the worse. Her writing is excellent. I can't argue with that. I aspire to be a writer like her. If I went on writing alone, this book would be five stars easily, however, and this is where the, however, comes into play...it was like the hero and heroine switched roles. Maverick and Leighton were some different characters...I'm used to Harper's Alpha males, and Maverick had some Movaries (male ovaries!) He talked about his feelings so much that I literally had to go back and make sure that the chapter was his. Leighton had bigger balls than him. She was more Alpha, and he had so much internal dialogue that I found myself skimming through this book. It broke my heart.

That doesn't mean that I won't read the next one because I loved his brother and sister!! I loved the townspeople, and I loved the writing, but I just felt like Harper was telling the story of two people from the same point of view?! I went back to the previous chapter almost five times, and I never do that. I just didn't get it. I would have almost thought she had a ghostwriter on this one if I didn't know better. It's hard doing dual points of view - I know because I've written them and believe me, it gets confusing, but I just thought that if Maverick started talking about Bluebonnets one more time, I was going to revoke his Mancard!! NO LIE Y'ALL!! I told a writer friend of mine that I am always honest in my reviews, no matter how much I love the author and I love Harper as much as Kristen Ashley, but this book was not my cup of tea. I know some will love it but for ME...I like my men....well, like men and not talking about their feeling on 75 percent of the book. If you love Harper - you'll stick by her and read it, and I think you should because it's the first in the series and I'll definitely be picking up the second one, but I'll be looking for my Alpha.

I will say that there were a couple of things that didn't add up for me in this book that I thought were a little weird...I won't give it away because I want to see if y'all get it. I had some issues with the hero having this giant secret and thinking his family would "disown" him over it. It just didn't seem believable to me. So, that just struck a cord I found odd. I'll let you guys make your own opinions, though. If you're true fans, don't let my review sway you...buy the book and read it yourself and then let me know what you thought of it!!

I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.

Lost Rider is the start to Harper Sloan's brand new series, Coming Home, and her first release in Western Romance. This book follows Maverick Davis as he returns home after too many concussions have taken him off the Rodeo circuit. When he left town ten years ago it was with plans to never come back, but now that his father has passed and he no longer has his career, he knows it's time. He never expected to return to Leighton James looking as gorgeous as a model and hating his guts though. She was once the only person he could confide in, and now she doesn't even want to speak to him. Now he just has to change her mind and make up for the past.

I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and I especially adored Maverick. This may be a new adventure for Ms. Sloan but this Hero kept true to what I've come to expect from her writing - true Alpha-ness. Even when he was working his hardest to get back into his family's life, his possessiveness over Leighton was clear as day and I loved seeing that. There were many scenes that had me swooning all over the place, and I will be re-reading this many times because of that.

There were a few scenes in the past, which usually I'm not a big fan of, but with this story it worked well being mixed in. It gave us more of a clear picture of how close Maverick and Leighton were at times in the past, and why him leaving hurt her so much. I really liked that we got that insight into their relationship and it made me connect with Leighton on a stronger level. She was a good heroine that kept things interesting since she didn't give into Maverick right away, which was fun to see.

This is one cowboy that everyone needs to meet. Even if you're not into the Western genre I would still highly recommend this book. It was sweet and sexy, with a hot Alpha Hero, and a romance that will have you swooning.

Lost Rider Playlist:
Austin - Blake Shelton
Boys From The South - Pistol Annies
What Ifs - Kane Brown
This Is How We Roll - Florida Georgia Line
Strip It Down - Luke Bryan
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) - Big & Rich
Rodeo - Garth Brooks

DNF @ 20%

I'm going to preface this mini-review of my incomplete read by saying two things : I have never read a book by Sloan and I still don't think I have. The start of this book indicates the author is writing in a different style than her usual and while that clearly didn't work for me, I'd still be willing to try out a more typical read by her in the future. And secondly, maybe cowboys just aren't for me. This felt like a softcore, gentler, version of my MC petpeeve. But the fact that I couldn't push myself to finish makes me think that, gentler or not, it's still too grating to live through.

Between a frustrating male-lead who was closed down, a total asshole, and fond of alienating those he loved because "reasons", and a female protag who, at least in the present-day scenes, behaved more ridiculously than she did in her sixteen year old self flashbacks, I had to throw in the towel. I can usually push on when the writing isn't my favourite (which it wasn't) but add to that the fact that <b>neither</b> main character's POV was enjoyable to read from, sorry, no. Normally I like small town reads because of the fun mix of personalities and quirks within the community, and I was looking forward to losing myself in the warmth of a down south western theme, but I started questioning this book as early as the 6% mark and it just got worse.

These characters might have redeemed themselves somewhere along the way but I'm sorry to say that I won't ever know.

This is a romance that took a while to suck me in but there was something pulling me into this book.

Maverick’s career was cut short so he is on his way back to his hometown, a town where he really doesn’t want to be. There is a lot of resentment and anger/hurt on his part but honestly when it all comes to a head you can’t help but hurt for him and his family. You can’t help but feel his pain and want to hug him in order to make it all better again. The magic of a book is the winning formula to winning a reader’s heart but this book surprisingly sucked me in and I think Harper has a winner in this book for sure.

Leighton is the perfect match for Maverick and I am happy about her character growth, she’s special and she’s a pleasure to read. I think these two have one of those rare relationships. There was a lot of ups and downs. There were moments where I wanted to scream in frustration because hello it was just yeah a frustrating time.

I’ve read books by this author before but this book is different and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this book. It felt right and it’s a magical book.

4 stars

Reviewed on behalf of Amo and Sarah’s Book Corner

5 Stars

Such a heart-warming story!!

Maverick moved away from his home town 10 years ago, he had to get away from his father and the way he was being treated. He became a hugely successful bull rider, but one too many hits to the head have ended his career.

He has been drinking away his sorrows until he gets a call from his brother and sister to tell him their father has died. He knows it is time to return to the one place he swore he never would and the people he loves who he left behind.

Leighton has loved Maverick since they were kids, she grew up as best friends with his sister and they spent a lot of time together until he broke her heart before leaving town. She has barely made it through the last 10 years always thinking of him and the other people she has lost in that time.

When Leighton and Maverick come face to face after all this time it is clear neither of their feelings have changed, but can Maverick convince Leighton that he is here to stay this time and can she finally let go of the past and give him all of her?

3.5 Stars Lost Rider is a promising start to the Coming Home series by Harper Sloan. I liked Maverick and Leighton’s characters and although I found it slow moving in parts as a whole I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more

~ 3.5 Healing Stars ~

Lost Rider is a story about hope, healing and finding love again.

This is my first Harper Sloan book and I enjoyed this book. It didn't WOW me but I thought it was an enjoyable story and the characters were likable. I’m a sucker for a cowboy love story ;)

I will say that I thought this story had a lot of promise at being a 5 star read when I first started the book. It is a well written book and the author did a great job letting the readers feel all the emotions the characters were feeling. I loved the angst and turmoil she gave in the first half of the book but once I got past the 50% mark the book lost its spark and it just turned into an OK book for me. I would've liked to see some more drama or angst added to the story to make me want to keep turning the pages. The second half of the book was a really sweet love story between two people who were lost and found their way back to each other.

In this book we follow the journey of Maverick Davis and Leighton James. Maverick and Leighton have known each other all their lives and have been friends just as long. Over time Leighton's feelings of friendship turn to something more and so do Maverick's. But Maverick doesn't have an easy upbringing and all he wants to do is leave town and not look back. To follow his dream of being the best bull rider on the circuit. But to do that he has to cut all ties....even the ones he has with Leighton. But when tragedy strikes and calls Maverick home 10 years later, will Leighton be able to forgive him?? Will Maverick be able to overcome all of his anger and resentment?? Can these two find the HEA they deserve?? You'll need to read Lost Rider to get all those answers.

Lost Rider is a standalone novel told in Dual POV's. I think this could be the start of a series, because Harper could be giving us books about Maverick's siblings. But this is a complete story with NO cliffhanger. As I said before I thought this book was well written and flowed really well between past and present tense. One of my only complaints was I thought there was a little too much inner monologue going on with Leighton and Maverick that it slowed the pace of the story down. I would've liked more interaction between all the characters.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a second chance love story with a swoony Cowboy Hero!! Also if you are a fan of Harper Sloan’s then you don’t want to miss this new book of hers.

Did not finish. The book wasn't something that kept my attention and the heroine was getting on my nerves a bit.

I tried to continue reading this book but stopped at 54 % percent. I kept waiting for this story to be different than many others out there. And I hadn't found it before I just became too bored to continue. I am a huge fan of Harper's but the characters discussions of the past just continued to drag on. I wanted some excitement or a pull that would want me to keep reading. It never came.