Seriously a wonderful second chance love story. Maverick and Leighton are really a beautiful couple. Their story will tug at your heart. My emotions were all over. Loved every minute of this book! Can not wait to read more of this series.

I never normally read westerns so I went into this one a bit blind and not really knowing what to expect. Having read Harper's work before though, I knew I would be getting alpha males and a swoony story and this one didn't disappoint.

I really got the characters and I enjoyed the beginning of the book a lot. The side characters were interesting and added to the story. I really enjoy a second chance romance so for me this was a winner and it felt quite fresh and different but maybe that's because of the western theme to the book.

I usually love hearing the inner monologue as it really lets you into the characters head and it kind of feels like you are really in the story with them, but for me, in this book, it seemed to slow the pace of the story down.

Above all this was a really enjoyable read and I am already looking forward to the next in the series.

3.5 Cocktails

I'm not generally one to read a cowboy romance, but something in the blurb had me deciding I was going to read this.

Maverick and Leighton had a ton of issues. They like to talk about them...a lot. Given the issues, I applaud the characters for wanting to talk things out and making sure their relationship is on solid ground (after all Maverick was the one that broke Leighton as a teenager). But these two liked to talk their troubles to death. These two, pretty quickly, figure out what they want and what their future would look like, but it felt like we kept going backward rehashing everything. I get it. Get it all out. But at some point, you have to move forward.

This being said, I did like Maverick and Leighton, separately and together. They had a chemistry that was clearly off the charts and wasn't going to be ignored. They were able to work through their issues and became an anchor for each other.

I'll definitely be looking for Quinn and Clay's stories. This family has a lot of healing to do and I can't wait to see who Quinn and Clay find to help them find their HEA.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Publisher for an honest review.

Maverick was Leighton's best friends older brother and she only had eyes for him. Maverick was aware of Leighton crush but knew he needed to ignore it. Second chance love is where this book takes us.

The book starts with flashbacks of when Maverick and Leighton are young and lays the foundation of their history. Maverick has a tragic and sad family life with some major father issues added on. He was determined to purse his dream of the rodeo and that was what kept him going plus his siblings . Leighton deals with her crush and unrequited love. At eighteen years of age Maverick leaves town to join the rodeo.He leaves behind a broken hearted Leighton's, as well as leaving hurt/bad feelings with his siblings and towns people. During these flashbacks I have to say I could not stand Maverick, the monologue and history these two share just didn't gel for me.

Fast forward ten years later, Maverick's left the rodeo after suffering some serious injuries, his father is now dead and he's back in town. He's still has a chip on his should and has to now navigate some hurt/damaged relationships.

Leighton was heartbroken but moved on and made a life for herself. When Maverick walks back into town she's determined to protect her heart after all the hurt he and life has thrown at her.

Both had a lot of healing to do in their relationship. And I found at times that Leighton character was irritating and somewhat over the top with her feelings. And Maverick, as I stated earlier, was a real jerk in the beginning and somewhat redeemed himself later in the story. In my opinion it was almost too late as his jerky character overshadowed the story too much for most of the book. Another issue I have was the monologue seemed to drag on too much as well as the narrative. And in the end I found I just didn't really connect or care about these characters to be totally invested into their HEA.

In addition to my comments above concerning the writing, this story felt a bit juvenile. If not for the sex scenes I would have linked this book to a Harlequin romance of years ago. It was not a sophisticated story.

LOST RIDER (COMING HOME 1) by HARPER SLOAN

I haven't been writing reviews for a looong time now but this book deserves one because it is freakin awesome! Definitely a MUST-READ.

I received an ARC for this book and I was surprised because I am not a full-time blogger nor professional one but I got approved and I was so excited!!! I immediately dived into it the moment I got the ebook and finished it in one sitting.

I have to be honest & tell you that LOST RIDER is Harper Sloan's BEST work yet. I have read most of her books and this is totally mind-blowing. This is so different from books she released before. IDK maybe it's just me but I really think that this is by far the most emotional, deep & heart-warming story she has released. Well-written, well thought of and definitely one that you will love til the very end and still want more.

The characters have big hearts but also flawed and the story is a mixture of love, forgiveness, healing & second chances. She did an incredible job in writing such meaningful story in a realistic manner that will totally surprise her fan base and look forward to this series.

-- Posted on my personal TUMBLR & GOODREADS account & soon after release on AMAZON

I really liked this book, and that says a lot since I personal do not enjoy reading about cowboys to often. Harper makes it so you still have that cowboy/country element without it being overwhelming. This is a lot different from her Corps Security. So it you have read that series it will take a little bit of a mindset change. However, it was very good. Maverick is very much a broody alpha, and Leighton is a women who does not take any shit. It makes for a very entertaining read. I cannot wait to see what else Harper brings to the table!

In one week, Maverick Davis will be leaving town to become a rodeo star. In Leighton James' mind, this is the perfect opportunity to dress to impress, demand some attention, and declare her undying love for him. It's now or never. Who knows? Maybe he'll reciprocate her feelings. Except the night of the bonfire (the night Leighton gets dolled up to confess her feelings) she overhears Maverick say that she is a pubescent boy trying to play dress up in her cutoff shorts and her slutty plaid shirt. She looks like a trinket.

Well. So much for that.

"As we make our way out of the clearing I promised myself never to let another man hold this kind of power over me."

Now our story begins...

10 years later, we meet the bull riding master Maverick Davis. He is throwing a pity party for himself and arguing with the voices in his head. Mav's not in the best of moods returning to the home he was so eager to leave 10 years before. Back then, he had a vision and inspiration. Now, his pride has been stripped away from him and there's no one in this godforsaken town he can turn to other than his brother and sister.

Now, why has he thrown a pity party for himself?... 11 days prior, the doctor had told him his riding career is over. (How generous, doc 😒) Thanks to Lucifer the Bull and Maverick's stubborn attempts to conquer the beast, he is left with countless head injuries that threaten to take his life if he continues to ride.

"I was meant to ride just as I was meant to draw air in my lungs to live..."

So what does a lost rider do when he can't ride?... Well, he pursues Leighton James, that's what he does!

Ayeee the delicious drama. 💑 Leighton dissolves when she sees Maverick for the first time since the night of the bonfire. (Where is your resolve, girlfriend?!) If only he could recognize her... An apology would be nice, too. If Maverick thinks he can stroll back into town acting like some sort of prince, his series of concussions has really made him cray.

"My eyes are up here, cowboy... You, Maverick Austin Davis, haven't changed one bit. You would think that in the years that you've been gone from Pine Oak you would remember what happens when you treat a girl like the shit stuck under your boot... now 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."

#AttaGIRL!

Little by little, Maverick fills the empty shell of happiness Leighton surrounds herself with. But until Maverick is able to let go of all the pain he's holding on to, she's not fully convinced that he should have her heart... Even then, Leighton will still doubt. She made a promise to herself 10 years ago, and she intends to keep it. Ohhh but her heart and her head are telling her two very different things...

"I hope I've been branded, because there'll never be another man for me, not now… not ever."

And Maverick? WhoooEEE he is one heck of an irresistible alpha male!

"Tell me now, Leighton. Tell me it's always been me..."
"Try again... 'it's always been you, Maverick.'"

Woah now, cowboy. Did you just demand she say your name? Maverick channeling his inner Destiny's Child is hot hot hot! 🔥 A man who knows what he wants, AND bends over backwards for a woman? Maverick is giddy-upping all over my little heart!

But how is Maverick going to let go of his riding career and prove to Leighton that he can start a new life? Is he going to be tempted by Lucifer one last time? How on this sweet earth is Leighton going to forgive Maverick for abandoning his family (and her) only to charge in 10 years later like nothing's changed?

A lost cowboy. A girl who's heart has been trampled on. My friends, these are ingredients for the best western romance I have ever read. Lost Rider is western romance perfection. Our cowboy, Maverick, learns to let go of the past and, with Leighton's help, he sees that he can have more than one dream. He wholeheartedly embraces the challenge of reinventing his goals and sees that bull riding was a stepping stone in a much grandeur adventure waiting for him.

"I may have been king of the rodeo... but I did it with a dead heart that no one came close to touching..."

Oh yea? 😏 Now you're starting to see the light within yourself, Mav. This is a very different statement than, "I was meant to ride just as I was meant to draw air in my lungs to live..."

Maverick finally sets sail to the pain he's been harboring and gives his heart unconditionally to Leighton. But is it enough?

Harper Sloan. HARPER. SLOAN. I said it once and I will say it again: Lost Rider is western romance perfection. My feelings were uncontrollable as I lived vicariously through Leighton's doubts and Maverick's love. The characters are insatiable, and the romance is fervent, saucy, and the words eloquent. Lost Rider is the quintessential story of a hibernating love waiting to wake.

I love this book. I don't know how not to.

"She was my compass when I was lost without direction. She was the pull I always felt to come home but never had the balls to try, knowing that it might be too late. She was my biggest regret, but she will be my biggest accomplishment."

"He's stronger. I'm stronger. Together I just know we'll be unbreakable."

Lost Rider is the first book in the Coming Home Series by Harper Sloan. I have to say, I was pretty excited when I heard about this new series. I don't read a ton of Cowboy stories, but as a fan of Harper Sloan's, I just knew that I had to give it a try.

Lost Rider is told from dual points of view and follows the story of Leighton and Maverick. Leighton has been in love with Maverick for as long as she can remember. She always hoped that one day, Maverick would feel the same. But, as time went by, Maverick never saw what was standing in front of him. In the end, his actions hurt Leighton in ways he never expected...Maverick doesn't mean to be a jerk. It's just easier for him that way. He pushes away those who are close to him and would do anything to escape the pain of his home life. Now, many years later, fate will force Maverick to return home. Not only will Maverick have to confront the pains of his past, but he also must face the woman who he's always wanted, but pushed away....

Overall, I thought this was a great start to this series. I thought that Maverick and Leighton's story was really enjoyable. My heart went out to the both of them for all that they had been through and all the missed opportunities. I thought that Maverick and Leighton were easy to connect with and I loved the chemistry that they shared. I loved the push and pull between the two of them and I couldn't wait for Maverick to get his head out of his ass and own up to his feelings in regards to Leighton. I really liked Leighton and Maverick as a couple. I felt that despite the bumps in the road from the past, they really got each other. Not only did they steam up the pages with their passion, but they also challenged each other and were a great support to each other when needed.

For the most part, I think this story was pretty light on the drama. This is an honest to goodness sweet second chance romance. I loved the family element and am hopeful that Maverick's siblings will get a chance to tell their stories.

Lost Rider is a great friends to lovers/second chance romance. I think this series is off to a really good start and I look forward to checking out more from this series in the future.

I'm just going to start on a particularly trivial note and say I adore the cover for this book and it fits this story wonderfully. I'm excited to add this to my PB collection.

Lost Rider is the brand new stand alone novel from Harper Sloan. It's a second chance love story and very much focuses on family and healing.

The story is quite slow building and at times I really wanted a "boom" moment to blow me away, however, that said, I did enjoy this book. It was incredibly touching and packed full of emotion and I teared up more than once. I loved the family feel to the story and the sense of community very much comes through at all times.

The real highlight of this book was the characters; I adored both Maverick and Leighton and it's rich with strong secondary characters. There's no denying that the main characters have amazing chemistry and really burn the pages up in parts. Leighton's relationship with Quinn (Maverick's sister) and her employee, Jana bring plenty of humour and light relief and had me chuckling away every time they were together.

Overall, I thought this was a great start to a new series from Harper Sloan and I very much look forward to Quinn's book next.

I love second chance romances.........that's where you find the angst and uncontrollable passion of two people that are meant for only each other!!!!

This book gave me what I have been looking for. Heartbreak, angst, romance, cowboys, it had it all

This book was given to me by Netgalley for an honest review.
This is the first book in a new series and it is a stand alone title.

My biggest pet peeve with this book, she forgave him too quickly and easily! After being gone for 10 years, Maverick strolls back into town with a whole lot of guilt and regret weighing him down, and a huge chip on his shoulder to go with it. His anger directed at the wrong people. I loved the initial tension and fighting between him and Leighton so I really enjoyed the beginning of the book.

This was a nice, sweet, second chance romance, and a great beginning to a series. But, I NEEDED more angst and then I think it would have been perfect!

Maverick returns to town after too many injuries take him out of the rodeo circuit....it's the last place he wants to be. A difficult childhood and regrets out the wazoo have him not knowing what to expect upon return home for his father's funeral. But his brother and sister are depending on him. The connection between Mav and Leigh is undeniable, but with the way he left things between them, she definitely should have made him grovel more!

Like I said, great beginning to a series and I'm looking forward to both Clay and Quinn's stories.

I am always excited for any book Harper Sloan releases, but I was ecstatic to see what her new series was all about!! I am so happy to say that she's once again wow'ed me with Last Rider!!!

Leighton (Leigh) has know Maverick her entire life. Being the best friend to Maverick's younger sister, Quinn, Leighton harbored a secret crush on Maverick for years...until it wasn't so secret anymore!!! Ten years ago she blurted out her true feelings and Maverick broke her heart and then left town to become a famous rodeo star. Now ten years later, Maverick's rodeo days are behind him and he finds himself back in his hometown to attend his father's funeral. The big difference is Leighton isn't the shy and unsure girl she was at 16, and her 26 year old self sure doesn't care what Maverick thinks of her!!! But being in the same proximity, their chemistry is sure hard to deny....wowzer!!!!

I love what Harper Sloan dreamt up for Leighton and Maverick!!! What a fantastic way to kick off a series! The whole time I was reading this book I felt like I was transported to the south and started using words like "reckon" and "darlin''" lol--Ms. Sloan definitely did justice to the western romance genre!! Lost Rider is a 4.5 star read and if your looking for a new series to jump into this is the book for you! The Coming Home series has just as much heart, steam and sass as Harper's prior series--it's a MUST READ!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed there will be many, many installments in the future!! Already looking forward to the second book, Kiss My Boots (LOVE that name) due out August 2017!!

Lost Rider,  Harper Sloan

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  romance,

 I'm just about to do my review, having finished this yesterday and it’s a difficult one to write. I liked it but....I just didn't love it as I thought I would from the description, felt it was a little underwhelming, slow paced. 
Its a well written tale, great characters and I loved the description. In practice though I just didn’t really feel much was happening, felt it was very slow going.

I’ve just read another story where the backgrounds are very similar, H has father who hates him, there are secrets in his background, abandoned by mother, and the h hasn’t seen him for 11 years, since she was 16. Familiar? Yep, they even shared one, toe curling, ecstatic kiss before hearts were broken. In contrast that story was a five for me, I loved it.
Same premise, just very differently executed and where that was perfect for me and this one less so I know that others will have the reverse reaction. Horses for courses...

I liked Maverick, even if at first he was a total jerk. I wasn’t convinced though that he’d return if it wasn’t forced on him, even though he is supposedly in love with Leigh.
I liked her character too, strong and resolute, but she’s never forgotten Maverick and That Kiss, and seems to have put her love life on hold, never letting anyone match up to the perfect image she has of Maverick. I’m not so keen on that side of her, it wasn’t like they dated or anything, she just has a teen crush on him and of course now they are two very different people.
She’s holding to a man that isn’t real, and as they didn’t have a close connection may only ever have existed in her mind. That’s a lot to base your life around.
She’s got on with her life otherwise and I liked her enterprising spirit and loyalty to her best friend and her brother, Mavericks siblings.

I usually like day to day details as they bring the characters thoughts and actions to life, but somehow it just didn’t grab me here.
My favourite part of the book was when they were in the restaurant and the two “ladies” come up and blatantly run down Leigh, and offer their services in her place. Maverick gives them the perfect reply!! I adore that kind of scene where the b itches get what’s coming to them.
Sadly the rest of the book didn’t have anywhere near that character for me, though of course for others its perfect. Its one of those where its not the book, it’s a good, well written story, its just me :-(

Stars: Three, a good story, just a bit low key for me.  

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Wow.......what a book, so powerful, it made me laugh, cry, cheer and think. I've never read any of Ms Sloan's books, but seeing as this is book 1 in the series I will definitely be reading the others. The characters are complex and real, written in 1st person, your able to be inside the main characters heads and feel everything they are feeling. I don't want to give anything away, but trust me, you won't be disappointed xx

Let me start by saying.... cowboys are swoony. I just imagine a super sweet southern guy, the accent, the boots, the pants, the hat.. Sigh.
This is very different than the Harper Sloan books I've read before. Some of the other books I read are really fast paced and have a bit more 'action'. This book was a kind of a slow build. It was a super sweet read with characters dealing with their pasts and the consequences of the choices they made as teenagers.
Maverick left the first chance he had. He leaves hearts broken and feelings hurt to more than just his family. People don't understand his need to leave. And he knew to leave he couldn't have anyone to tether him back to his past. He had to sever relationships with even the only person he could give himself to.
The whole story is just about making amends with your life and the consequences of your actions. Building and proving yourself to people you've let down. I liked it, but I think it could've had a little more drama/action in it.

loved this book, perfect couple, a re read

This story was phenomenal!

Beautifully written.

The plot was great you were really rooting for the couple to make it.

Maverick left town at 18 to join the rodeo and leave a disastrous home life behind. He also left behind Leigh the girl who had loved him for years.

Now his father is dead and he is back in town, looking to prove that he is there to stay and that Leigh has always been HIS girl.

Obviously Leigh is a bit gunshy and worried he is going to up and leave again

Their struggle to make up for lost time and get over old fears, is so real there is no major disaster popping up to keep them apart or evil ex etc... it is just a beautiful story that could happen in real life


I'm really hoping the siblings get their own books!

I haven't read a book by Harper Sloan in awhile and her writing has changed some what, but unfortunately the things that bothered me about her writing is still there.

However, Lost Rider had some nice dialogue and mild angst that kept me interesting. Overall the book was a quick, pretty interesting read

I have a very deep love for cowboys, so when I was given the chance of reviewing a "cowboy" book, by one of my favorite authors...I jumped on it !!

"Lost Rider" is the first book in this new series by Haper Sloan. It was very different, from all the other books I have read by her (which are a lot), though one thing has not changed.... the delicious alpha hero ;)

The beginning of this books has some flashbacks to the past, when Maverick and Leighton were much younger. Leighton has always had a huge crush on her best friends older brother.

Maverick had a really hard time growing up. His father was an absolute asshole and the only thing that kept Maverick going, were his dreams of bull riding...and Leighton. He knows he can't stay...he is slowly dying inside. He knows she has a big crush on him and he knows that she would follow him to the end of the world if need be...So he does the only thing he can think of. He breaks her 16 year old heart into little pieces and goes of to chase his dreams.

Fast forward 10 years and Maverick is forced to come home again. His bull riding career has come to an screeching halt and his siblings need him, because their father has died. Coming home also means, coming face to face with the one girl he never wanted to leave...

Leighton was crushed when Maverick broke her heart and left, but she has since grown up and made a life for herself. Maverick still owns a piece of her heart though and she doesn't know if that will ever change. Now Maverick has come back and he has made it very clear he wants her and he intends to never let her go. But how will she ever trust him again...

This was a very low on angst, second chance story. Not only a second chance on love, but a second chance on family and life. I enjoyed reading it, though I would have enjoyed it more if there would have been a bit more angst. I also would have preferred a bit more dialogue. The MC's spend a lot of time in their heads...

I liked Maverick and Leighton, though Leighton did annoy me at times. I know what Maverick did to her when she was 16, was extremely shitty, but in my opinion, him leaving was a necessity. Not everything was about her, though for some reason, she made it out to be. Thankfully she was also funny as hell, so that made up for her annoying parts.

As for Maverick...yeah he was a major asshole in the beginning. But what can I say...I like assholes and he did try very hard to redeem himself. He was also a major dirty talker, which get's me all the time ;) The steam in this book was delicious...

I do have to say that "Corps Security" and especially "Hope Town" are still my favorite series by this author though. I don't think anything will change that. Still this was a very sweet, low on angst and high on love "second chance" story. I am definitely reading the next book !!

An arc was kindle provided to me by the author, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession (less)