"Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to find your way again. You have to be lost before you can ever be found."

I am not usually a big reader of cowboy/ western romances so I wasn't sure what to expect from Lost Rider, but I figured if Harper wrote it then it was certainly worth giving it a shot!

Maverick is feeling pretty lost indeed as the story opens. After finding out his career is over thanks to one too many injuries, he has spent the last few weeks in the bottle trying to drown out his misery. To add insult to injury, he has to return to his hometown of Pine Oak TX to face the painful memories that chased him from town and still haunt him. His abusive monster of a father has died and he needs to be there for his older brother and younger sister, but that also means facing the woman he has never forgotten.

Leighton loved Maverick from the time she was born, and by the time they were teenagers she had well defined visions of their future. Sometimes she thought he felt the same, but she slowly saw him morphing from a happy boy to a young man who was losing his joy for life as he got older. She never realized the extent of what he faced at home but she knew it was the root of the changes she saw in him. When Maverick graduated, she knew she was running out of time to let him know how she felt so she took a chance only to have her heart utterly shattered by him in the process. Ten years later that hurt still remains lodged in her heart and she dreads seeing him again.

Mav knew if he gave Leigh any hope at all that she would give up her own hopes and dreams at the young age of 16 to follow him, so he pushed her away in the harshest way possible in his 18 year old wisdom. Now 10 years later, he realizes the magnitude of his mistake but believes it's too late to make things right.

Maverick is a major jerk at the beginning of the story but we slowly come to understand why. Sparks immediately fly the first time he and Leigh come face to face and not in a good way, but that old attraction is still simmering right below the surface for both of them. Constant fireworks erupt whenever they are together and Leigh is determined to hold on to the anger and hurt to protect herself. After an enlightening conversation with his sister Quinn, Mav goes all in to prove to Leigh he is back for good and to try to prove his feelings to her, but that also requires him to bare his heart and tell her truths about his life not even Quinn and his brother Clay know.

This story has some pretty emotional moments as each of the characters deals with the fallout of the Davis patriarch's death and the secrets that are revealed in the aftermath. But it also has the sweet, funny and hot moments I expect from this author's storytelling even though the heat is muted a notch or two in this book. Mav has some of the wonderful alpha attitude I love in Harper's heroes, and his heartfelt speeches are just as yummy as his bedroom voice too ;-) The secondary characters were well developed, and all in all, I am definitely looking forward to more of the Davis clan in upcoming books!

What I love about reading anything by Miss Harper is that no matter what the story is if its by her you'll walk away a happy satisfied woman and Lost Rider was no different than her other books. Maverick is your typical cranky cowboy who's lost his way after being forced to retire from bull rider. When returning home after the death of his father Maverick crosses paths with the one that got away, Leighton. Maverick and Leighton's connection was undeniable from the very beginning, Maverick was sexy as all get out there was no way Leighton could say no to him. I have to admit though that at times the story did get a bit repetitive. I wish we had more details of the story line itself rather then Leightons constant struggles in her head of accepting the new relationship and changes in her life. But overall I am beyond excited to see Harper dive into the cowboy world!

A change of pace from Sloan's other books. I found it a little hard to keep my interns compared to other stories by this author. I did like Maverick and Leighton's history and love.

3.5 Stars

One word: Cowboys! My ideas about cowboys are probably completely wrong, but I sure like the ones Harper Sloan writes about. A broken rodeo star, with a big heart, and a hopeful future, not to mention the hat, and mostly the nicely filled out jeans. Prepare to swoon with Maverick Davis.

He left town fast, and never looked back. ‘Cause he knew if he gave Leighton a chance, he would never leave. Now that he’s back for good, she is his number one priority. Fix what he broke ten years ago, and convince her to give this lost rider a chance.

Luckily Leighton never really got over her crush, and things heat up pretty fast. There is no lack of passion, inside and outside the barn. Two strong-willed characters, pent-up emotions, and hurt feelings, yes, it gets intense.

I mostly liked how the drama isn’t dragged out. Once all secrets are revealed, apologies are made, Leighton and Maverick don’t waste time. They already lost out on ten years, and they don’t want to waste any more.

Lost Rider was a solid start for a new series. A must read for anyone who likes cowboys, broken men who try to redeem themselves, and the strong women there to guide them. It was, at times, sticky sweet, passionate, and mostly good fun.

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

I'm not usually a huge fan of cowboy books but I love a good second chance book, so I gave this a try. I am now a HUGE fan of Harper Sloan as I LOVED this tale of a broken rodeo rider and the girl who's heart he broke.

I put my hand up now and say this book made me ugly cry more than once. I'm glad it was too long to read in one evening as I needed a chance to recover from the emotion and passion that runs throughout this entire story. A story that was so very easy to read, has a smoothly flowing style of writing and very natural dialogue.

The hero and heroine were both likeable and believable characters, with such hot chemistry my kindle was in danger of melting. There are some flash-back scenes at the start of the book that help us understand what happened when Leigh and Maverick were teenagers. I really liked this way of filling in the back story, it worked particularly well as the book is written from both POV's so it gave us an insight into their emotions and the reasons behind their actions. Reading Maverick's POV, and seeing the feelings he is often hiding, left me falling a little in love with this broken and hurting cowboy and desperate to see him get his HEA. Leighton isn't some kick-ass heroine, although she is a very funny drunk, but she has a quiet strength that you can't help but admire.

"Quinn sent me a picture of you two on graduation night, two years after I had left, and it was like a punch to the gut when I looked into your smilin' face. I knew that, while I might have it all, I had nothin' because I didn't get to see that smile every day."


There are also several other wonderful characters, and a few amazing cameo's, in the book - Ms Marybeth Perkins made my howl with laughter. Whilst there didn't seem to be lots of different events/action happening in the book, the pace was good and I was well and truly drawn into the plot. The story will take you on a ride that will tug at your heartstrings but will fill you with hope and leave you feeling all warm inside.

"It's too soon, but in the same breath, it's ten years too late."

Standing ovation for Harper Sloan!!!

Her stories have always been some of my favorites, but now I can add her to my favorite authors of Country Romance!!

Maverick and Leighton have been destined for each other since the start, but life isn't always easy.
This book captures the purest of love that will leave you breathless and wanting more.

"Tell me you want me."
"I-I want you."
"Tell me you've always wanted me...Give me the words, darlin'"
"Maverick, please."
"Tell me now, Leighton. Tell me it's always been me."
"It's always been you."
"Try again. It's always been you, Maverick."
"It's always been you, Maverick, God help me, but it's only ever been you!"

I couldn't put this book down!!
I found myself almost obsessed with wanting to know how their story played out.
I needed to know!!

Maverick's story will absolutely break your heart, but seeing Leighton's unwavering love for him makes it such an amazing love story.

You fight for them as much as they do!
You feel their pain, their love, their struggle.

"I know with the same certainty that the sun will rise in the east and set in the west and that what we will have together will be the most beautiful kind of love that ever did exist."

This story hit my heart very hard.
It took me back to young love that was lost.
It healed me with the reunion of said love.

Maverick and Leighton tell a story about forgiveness, love, friendship, and learning to live again.
They show us the true struggle of what it takes to keep a relationship going.

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

"Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to find your way again. You have to be lost before you can ever be found."

Thank you, Harper, for giving us these two amazing characters!!!
Love me some Maverick and Leighton!!

And I can't wait for Quinn and Clay's stories!!!!!
This family has stolen my heart!!

So good!!
So, so good!!!

"Honey, all I did was love you."
"And that love saved me."

Ten years ago, Maverick Austin Davis left Pine Oak to follow his dreams, leaving behind a broken hearted Leighton Elizabeth James, his little sister best friend and his crush. Now he's back and it's time to face his family and Leighton. He's determined to make Leighton forgive him and conquer her again, but Leigh isn't the same naive girl he left behind.
Will Mav win Leigh's heart again?

I loved Lost Rider. The book is amazing and has an incredible sweet, funny, and sexy story. It hooked me from the first page and I couldn't stop reading.
I loved the banter between Leigh and Mav. It's hilarious! And the chemistry between them? Off the charts!
I also loved the little glimpses of what happened in the past and that the story was told from Leigh's and Mav's POVs.

Maverick Austin Davis is a rodeo star. Or was. Due to his injuries, he had to give up his career. Now he's reluctantly back home. The only good things about behind back are his siblings and Leighton. He has a lot of demons to deal with and they're all related to his parents. He loves Leighton and knows he made a huge mistake when he hurt her and then left. Now he wants to win her back. I loved how he never gave up when trying winning Leigh back.
Leighton Elizabeth James always had a crush on Maverick. But he crushed it the day before he ran away from Pine Oak. She lost a lot in the past ten years, but she's content with her life and the success of her shop. She really wants to hate Mav, but deep down she always loved him and always will. I loved that she made him grovel a little before allowing him back into her life.

Another amazing book by the awesome Harper Sloan! An incredible sweet, funny, and sexy second chance romance. The story is amazing and the characters are great. Lost Rider will suck you in from the first page and you won't be able to stop reading. I can't wait to read Quinn's and Clay's stories!

Maverick's story ripped my heart out and gutted me. This was a heartbreaking read about a second chance at love, it was a long rough road but there is a HEA at the end.

Leighton had a HUGE crush on Maverick when she was a teenager but Mav did something so horrible I wanted to smack him upside his head, he made sure he crushed her before he left town...and I mean he really crushed her. The words he used cut deeper than a punch in the gut. I couldn't understand why he would do such a thing but later on in the story it was revealed on why he had to do it and while I do not agree with his actions I do understand why it was done.

I was pulled in at the very beginning of and while I didn't want to put the book down there were times that I couldn't see past the tears in my eyes so I did have to take a few much needed breaks. I cannot recommend this book enough, whether you enjoy your romance stories that have a damaged hero or you just enjoy the emotional ride I can say without a doubt that you will enjoy this book. I look forward to reading the next book in the series but I honestly cannot wait for Clay's story which will most likely be the third book in the series.

http://gisspotreviews.com/index.php/2017/04/27/review-excerpt-tour-lost-rider-coming-home-1-harper-sloan/

A second chance romance, so utterly heartwarming and beautiful, you can't help but fall in love. I absolutely loved every minute of reading this book and I could not put it down. The writing is stunning. The characters are so real and so moving.

Everything about this book was just amazing. I don't want to go into the storyline, but I will say that this book is definitely one of my favorites this year. I can't wait to read more in this series.

3.5 Stars

Sweet, sexy, small-town romance with not a lot of angst or tension. I am a huge fan of Harper Sloan's writing and her oh-so-sexy Alpha males so I had high hopes for this story. This is Maverick's book, he is a famous bull rider on the rodeo circuit but must cut his career short due to injuries.

He returns home to the family and town he left behind and the sweet and beautiful Leigh, who has loved him since she was a young girl. She also happens to be Maverick's sister's best friend!

There are plenty of sweet, sexy times in this book but the central conflict was worked out pretty early on. There are also lots of down-home, small-town feels to this book and all in all, it was an easy, steamy read. Of course the best scenes are between Maverick and Leigh. This book was perfectly enjoyable but it just didn't thrill me like Harper's earlier books. 'Lost Rider' is a great summertime read when you crave some sweet, country lovin'.


"I can’t fix the past… I can’t erase it, no matter how hard I wish I could. Hell, I can’t even promise that I’ll ever be able to forget it… The only thing I can do is to make sure that each day I live is worth somethin’, from this day forward."

with Lost Rider you better be ready for the angst! This book is full of all sorts of emotions - both Maverick and Leigh go through a lot to find happiness, plus there are secrets in the Davis family that cause a little tension to go with all the love between these siblings. It doesn't make for a simple read but it definitely helps make a worthwhile one.

I've heard of Sloan before but this is the first of her stories that I've read. And I can guarantee it won't be my last :) She's got a real writing style, delivering earthy country people with a down home realism to them. They are honest and natural in their reactions, living life as big as the Texas sky ... even when it means running from their troubles. But they grow them tough in the South and when push comes to shove they figure things out.

As long as you are OK being a little worn out when you finally get done, Sloan's new series will definitely give you a ride to remember. And have you looking forward to what comes next!

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

I can never get tired of a good ol' cowboy love story. There's something about the rugged cowboy hero that just turns my insides to jelly. Maverick Davis is just that and a slice of pie. He's got issues and one of hell of a past that makes him a very intriguing. There's a lot of brooding that's going on, of course, that adds to his dark and mysterious character. His off-the-charts chemistry with Leighton is thrown in your face from the get-go. Between flashbacks of when they were teens to how things are between the two in the present, we're served with a lot of steamy scenes and a lot of highly-charged emotions. Leighton was literally his girl-next-door, the one he secretly pined for but loved enough to let go and "set free". She never knew why he left, though, so she was in over her head with hurt. She tried to move on and did a pretty decent job, or so she thought, until Mav moves back home a decade later. The story of Maverick and Leighton's second chance is a nice one, the story flows nicely and the writing is decent and easy to get through. The only reason for the 3 instead of 4 stars is because I felt that Mav "won" Leighton back way too easily. I get that she never got over him and vice versa but damn...if I were in her shoes, there'd be a hell of a lot more fight on my part and a whole lot more grovelling on his part! Aside from the lack of conflict, the story was enjoyable and a great start to the series!

I really really loved and enjoyed Lost Rider. I love anything to do with cowboys and this one hit the spot! I was hooked right from the start and dint let anything get in the way of me reading this book. Harper is one of my favorite authors and this book is a little different from what she normally writes but it still felt like a true Harper Sloan book, which is always. This series is off to a really great start and I cant wait to read more.

Generally I love all of Harper's books. This one was missing... something. Maybe it was the vocabulary they used in the flashbacks to when they were teenagers. (Loathed it) I held on to that grudge while reading the entire book for words that were used in the beginning. They were made to sound "too country" in my opinion. Overall the storyline was entertaining and I enjoyed Maverick as a character.

What a marvelous story. Once I started, I couldn’t seem to put it down. I felt this book was very well written, and the characters had depth, which is one of the things I enjoy most about books. This one one you will for sure want to pick up!

3.75 stars--LOST RIDER is the first installment in Harper Sloan’s contemporary, adult COMING HOME erotic, cowboy, romance series focusing on the Davis siblings. This is rodeo star Maverick Austin Davis, and bakery owner Leighton James’s story line.

Told from dual first person points of view (Maverick and Leighton) including memories from the past, LOST RIDER is a story of second chances, family, betrayal and heartbreak. All of her life Leighton James’s was in love with Maverick Davis but ten years earlier Maverick walked out of her life, leaving family, friends, and his hometown behind. Raised by an abusive father, and a mother who abandoned her family years before, Maverick’s need to leave was fostered by his love of bull riding. Fast forward ten years, wherein the now injured Maverick, returns home to Pine Oak, Texas for the funeral of the man who almost destroyed his life. Enter Leighton James, the woman that calls to Maverick’s soul, but the woman whose heart he broke without looking back. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship and romance between Leighton and Maverick, and the revelation behind the many reasons Maverick left town so many years before.

Leighton has never forgiven Maverick for walking out of her life. A successful business owner, Leighton has a difficult time forgiving the man that destroyed her heart, abandoning his siblings to deal with the father from h*ll. Maverick’s younger years were filled with abuse and neglect, and Maverick believed the only option was to run when the opportunity presented. An all star rodeo rider whose career is cut short by too many injuries, Maverick returns home to reclaim the woman he loves, and move forward from a dark and destructive past.

We are introduced to Maverick’s older brother Clayton, and his younger sister Quinn. Quinn is Leighton’s best friend and champions her brother’s need for the woman that calls to his heart.

The world building looks at fractured family dynamics, abuse, betrayal, friendships and love. Pine Oak is a small town with a close-knit population where everyone knows everyone else’s business including Leighton’s broken heart, and Maverick’s abusive past. The slow building story line meanders as Maverick struggles with the truth, and the potential loss of his relationship with the siblings he left behind. There is plenty of self-loathing as it pertains to our story line hero.

LOST RIDER is an emotional and heartbreaking story about one man’s need to escape his past, and one woman’s struggle to heal her broken heart. The premise is engaging; the characters are broken, tragic, passionate and inspiring; the romance is captivating and fated.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

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This book has given me back my faith in the romance book community. Lost Rider for me is one of those books that you just can't manage to get over. It sits in your mind and on your heart and you just want to tell everyone that this needs to be their next read and you hope like heck that everyone loves it the way you do because otherwise we just can't be friends any more. *wink* The crazy thing about loving a book this much though is that, I in turn, find it difficult to review since all I really want to do is throw books at people shouting 'YOU MUST READ THIS!' I don't want to tell you anything because I want you to hunker down, read, and fall in love as hard as I did so that then we can talk about ALL THE THINGS!

I want to talk about how emotional the story is. I want to talk about how heartbreaking it is. I want to talk about how beautiful it is, how romantic it is, how freaking hot and swoon worthy this couple is. I want to talk about how we have all now become obsessed bull riding fans and how we are going to jump in my Honda Odyssey and truck it down to Texas so we can follow the circuit....but we have to take our families with us otherwise we're Maverick's mom and that is a big NO so, CARAVAN!!!!!

I want to talk about Maverick and this guy:


(photo credit: Andrew Giangola)

Bolton Bonner



(photo credit: Mario Testino for V Magazine)


and how I don't know if he was the inspiration for Harper, but he is totally my pick for Maverick. I want to swap picture after picture with you and follow Instagram and Twitter feeds. I want to, gasp, start watching Dancing with the Stars, something I have never done, haha. I want to talk about how much I adored Leighton who may have had her heart broken in so many ways but never once gave up on her dreams. Who may have become stand offish and frightened because the people she loves never stay, but still opens her heart up to possibility. I want to talk to you about how reading this book will remind you that our dreams are just there waiting for us to fulfill them and that we just have to have a little faith in ourselves and those that we love. I want to talk about how no matter the hurt we may have suffered we can't quit, we can't give up. I want to make pie and have picnics, I want to sit around a bonfire and wear colorful cowboy boots. I want to buy my husband a black Stetson and a pair of Wranglers. I want you to want all of those things too so you have to read this book. You have to see what made me fall so hard for this story, to not want it to end, to be anxious for Quinn and Clayton stories, to want to see little Mav and Leighton babies running in the bluebells. I want you to fall in love with reading again, if like me you found your self tired of the same old thing. I want you to fall in love with love and I want you to read this because this book will give you that. Maybe it just came at the right time for me but I don't believe that, I believe that this book is a book everyone can love. I feel like I am putting myself out on the line a little by saying that because you know some people just don't like the same things I do, I can't understand it but its true, *wink*, weird people, lol. Truly though this book is just simply a beautiful story that is easy to open yourself up to. It's a book that will melt your heart and have your soul smiling by the time you get to the end. I hope that you will love it as much as I did and when you are done reading I hope that you will come find me so we can have all the chats about Mav, Leighton, Quinn, and Clayton. I'll be here anxiously waiting for you!


~ HAPPY READING ~

Lost Rider by Harper Sloan......This book was amazing, I could not put it down. Leighton and Maverick were awesome characters and very likeable you will fall in love with them. I loved seeing the story play out for these two. This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.

The blurb of this story caught my eye so when I was able to read this story, I went for it. Maverick and Leighton grew up together. Leighton was the best friend of Maverick’s younger sister. She was a part of their family and of course she had a huge crush on Maverick. But Maverick had dreams and wanted out. Fast forward ten years later and Maverick is home for good. When these two reunite, how will things go?

The story alternates a little from past to present. I did enjoy the flashbacks to the past. It helped showed Leighton and Maverick’s relationship and what happens until he leaves. In current times, it was interesting to see how the past affected the present. Maverick and Leighton had that deep connection but they needed to work through some obstacles. I did like reading about them defining and working on their relationship. I liked the time they spent together-Harper was able to show the love between the two. And though it wasn’t all roses, that bond between them made the love shine. Though this story wasn’t just about their relationship. Maverick is going through some changes and I enjoyed reading about what he will do and how things will play out. I also liked Maverick’s siblings. They were great and there is so much more to them. I know the next book is about the sister, Quinn so I can’t wait to dive into that one when it’s out. And I’m hoping Clay gets his own book. There is so much more to the story of the Davis’ siblings and I just need more.

This was pleasant read. There were more things that I liked then didn’t. And I find it interesting enough to finish. Overall, I did like it.