4 Cowboy Stars!

Lost Rider is a fantastic read about second chances and forgiveness. This book made me laugh and swoon when Maverick Austin Davis said "Darlin'!"

Maverick Davis is heading back home after his career as a rodeo star came to end. He left ten years ago and never looked back. Not only did he leave his family, but he left the only girl who had his heart, Leighton, but ended up breaking it before he left. Now he is back to face his siblings and Leighton.

Leighton James has known the Davis family since childhood. All her memories involve the Davis' kids, including her childhood crush on Maverick. But she will never forget the heartbreak that Maverick has caused her.

Both are all grown up and different, Leighton isn't ready to forgive Maverick. But he's ready to make amends with everyone he left behind, especially working on winning Leighton's heart back.

Lost Rider is a sweet read that makes you want to live in this small town that is all about family and friendship. Looking forward in more in this series.

3.5 Stars

A story of coming home again when coming home is so very painful and yet holds the one thing you need more than air.

Maverick left home to follow a dream but more importantly to escape a harsh reality. In doing so he had to hurt the one person that gave him calm in the midst of all the turmoil he had grown up with. Leigh had her own dreams but they included Maverick and her young heart is broken when he takes steps to make sure that he can’t use her to stay away from following the rodeo trail and his escape from home. When Mav and Leigh reunite they work together to face their past issues and discover that healing can be found with the person who loves you.

This is a sweet story and I was happy to learn that Maverick was not the typical rodeo man whore the author could have easily made him. There is actually not a lot about this book that is cliché or typical; a second chance romance that focuses on the healing required to come home again. Yes, Mav had hurt Leigh ten years ago but I was content with the way it was dealt with and allowed this couple to move forward in their relationship.

The lack of four full stars is due to a lot of internal dialogue especially on Leigh’s part. I felt several times that I was just ready for the story to start moving forward. It is a slow read in that regard. Although the theme of the book would seem to be high angst, I actually felt like it was very low.

I enjoy this author’s work and was happy to get to read this ARC in return for an honest review through NetGalley.

Dual POV
Safety Gang Safe
Abuse – not described in detail

SWEET JESUS, I HAVE BEEN REVIVED
AND MY SAVIOR IS HARPER SLOAN!!!

I have been in a book funk for the last 3 weeks, which is bad news for a blogger. Nothing was keeping my attention or even peaking my interest. I received Lost Rider as an ARC via Netgalley, which was good for me. Meaning I had to read it and be done before the book went into archive status. So, here I went in, thinking "I hope this snaps my readers block." Well, people I am so happy to spread the word, Lost Rider saved me! I feel renewed and washed clean of the horrid readers funk.

Ok, I am a Texas transplant, born a Yankee, but got to Texas as fast as I could. I've been here for 17 years so I feel like I can speak to the authentic feel this story has. Oh and yes, I am married to a Cowboy who happens to be an Communication Engineer, my neighbors rodeo, we live on a ranch... I GOT THIS.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I am seriously in love with the writing. It is so readable and believable. I have read may stories that make speaking with a drawl or using "Texas dialect" makes everything sound so hick or just wrong. This was enough to get the point across, but not belittle the people speaking. I will say, the word "darlin'" was used a lot, but my husband called me "babe" all the freaking time, so who am I to judge? I have never really read a "Cowboy book" before and well, I am not actively seeking them out.

Maverick ( I mean, come on that is an AWESOME name for a bull rider!) and Leighton, are my new "It" couple. They have so much chemistry it explodes off the pages. Whether it is their fighting or their passion, it just ignites and you feel every bit of it. This story has a bit of back and forth from the past and present, but it is not much and it only adds to the history of Mav and Leigh, which is long and heartbreaking. They have only ever loved each other, but sometimes that love has to be put on hold. When your survival is threatened daily, you do what you have to do to live, even if it means a piece of you feels like it is dying.

You not only get this amazing leading couple, the supporting characters are equally as important. Clay and Quinn are Maverick's siblings and they play an important roll in the lives of our leads. Their pasts are so filled with loss, hurt, and a longing to be loved . Each of the characters are dealing with it in their own way or avoiding it all together. This series only intrigues me more now and I am dying, yes, dying to get my grabby hand on those books!
I feel the potential for this series is HUGE. We all know Harper, can write a mean leading male and some seriously HOT scenes and people... THIS IS SMOKIN' HOT. I love that Leighton is no shrinking violet. She wants her man and make no mistake, she will have him! I laughed and loved every word of this book.

5 REASONS YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS BOOK!

1. YOU LOVE CONTEMPORARY WESTERN ROMANCES

This book is what I think of as a quintessential western romance. You’ve got the small town, supportive mother-like figure, the best friend, and the gossipy townsfolk. There are so many darlin’s, honeys, and talks of going for a ride (*wink wink*) you’ll be transported to the south faster than you can say “Well butter my biscuits!”

2. DAMAGED ALPHA HEROES WHO ALSO HAPPEN TO BE COWBOYS AND RODEO STARS ARE YOUR BREAD AND BUTTER

Maverick Davis is the definition of a damaged alpha hero, in my opinion. He is quite frankly an asshole at the beginning of the book. (I prefer my heroes more beta than alpha, but that’s a discussion for another day). He doesn’t make the best decisions, and let’s his tongue loose before even thinking that his words might do damage to someone else. Thankfully, the Maverick at the end of the story is much more healed, and much less of an asshole.

3. SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE WITH A DASH OF UNREQUITED LOVE

Personally, I love second chance romances. Things don’t always work out the way you want the first time, but in this story our Hero and Heroine get a second chance to make it right. The unrequited love aspect added a heartbreaking twist that keeps the reader on their toes.

4. EMOTIONAL JOURNEYS AND SELF-DISCOVERY EQUIVALENT TO A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE

The journey each of our protagonists take throughout this book is one helluva ride. You learn about each of them at the same time that they are learning about themselves. Their personal growth throughout this book is quite astounding. There are lots of inner-monologues for both the Hero and Heroine, so if you like getting a first hand look into the psyche of the main characters, you’ll love this.

5. LOVE SCENES SO STEAMY YOU THINK THE PAGES MIGHT INCINERATE

Now, this is kind of subjective depending on what type of romances you’re used to reading. For me, I considered the love scenes in this book to be super steamy with the door left wide open. Personally, I could have done with less steam and probably been happier. But everyone likes something different when it comes to their books – and that is what makes reading so great! There is a book out there for everyone. So, if you like your love scenes steaming off the page, then I don’t think you’ll be disappointed here.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a beautifully written story about second chances. Life sometimes takes you on a journey but brings you back where you are meant to be. This book has action, romance and shows you the true way to find your way back home. Sometimes you have to let go of the pain to feel the joy in life. Harper did an incredible job writing this book and I could feel the emotion and sadness pouring from the pages. The writing was done to perfection which we can always get from Harpers books but there just seemed to be a different side to Harper that I felt was softer and I really enjoyed that. I really enjoyed the characters and the real life experiences they went through. Leighton although strong went through loss and still came out on top. Maverick also has tremendous loss but he deals with it by running. When these two come together it’s like a lighting storm. The secondary characters really added to the story line and you can see they will get their own books in the future. This was an amazing first book to this series and I can't wait to read more.

It was a great story that sucked me in from the start. Great characters that made me feel so much. I recommend this story

I have loved Harper Sloan’s books since she first release Axel, they immediately struck a cord with me and I just found it easy to get lost in her world. Over the years she has ventured out from Romantic Suspense in many directions and the newest genre she has added to her repertoire is Western. She drew me in from the first touch of Maverick’s southern drawl and did a fabulous job of setting the scene of the book. I loved the Texas and rodeo vibe and the characters all felt very authentic to that.

“It’s hard to forget the pain of the past when the memories still shine bright.”

Maverick and Leighton are the kind of couple that make you fall for second chance romances. In the past it wasn’t the right time or circumstances and now, ten years later, with no contact and hurt feelings Maverick has to work hard to get the one woman who never really left him. Lost Rider starts off with a bang and some full on drama and angst but if you enjoy an easy read no fear, it doesn’t take a long time for the dust to settle and the angst overall is pretty light. I read some early reviews that said there was no angst in the book and while I didn’t find that to be the case in my opinion I will say compared to say, The Corps Security series, it was light.

“I feel like I’ve been branded. I hope I’ve been branded, because there will never be another man for me, not now . . . not ever.”

I do want to mention that I read an early copy so for me personally I found several errors and one small plot inconsistency. It wasn’t enough to turn me off from the book but since I am not sure if they were corrected by the final copy I thought it would be worth mentioning. Overall, this was a sweet, second chance southern romance that made me swoon with a heavy does of sexy as hell too. Definitely worth a read.

~miranda

4.5 stars. I am a sucker for a good second chance romance, and Lost Rider was a well-written and romantic one. It was refreshing to see characters who didn’t play games. I appreciated that Maverick laid it all out on the table for Leighton very early on in a genuine way. His honesty and adoration of her was incredibly endearing. Leighton’s reluctance to open her heart back up to Maverick was understandable, but there was simply no way you could deny these two were meant for one another. Their story was sexy, sweet and heartwarming. I also loved Maverick’s relationship with his brother and sister, and I am very happy they are getting their own stories.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan – ☆☆☆☆☆
Sometimes you just need a sexy, sweet, darlin' calling, hot, Stetson wearing, worn jeans wearing cowboy. Ms. Sloan gives you that with Lost Rider.

Maverick Davis is everything a cowboy should be. Maverick's childhood wasn't ideal. His mom took off when he was younger and Maverick felt the brunt of his father's anger. His brother and sister had it bad but never has bad as Mav did. Maverick's only dream was to be a professional bull rider in the rodeo and get away from Pine Oak. Getting away from Pine Oak also meant getting away from Leighton. She was his sister Quinn's best friend and she had been in love with Maverick for as long as anyone could remember. They were all friends, Clay, his older brother, Quinn, and Leighton, and leaving them behind was the only way Maverick could live out his dream.

Ten years later he finds out about his father's passing and has to return to the one place he has never wanted to come back to. Can Maverick fight the demons that haunt his thoughts? Will he be able to face the one girl he's never been able to forget?

Ms. Sloan pulls you into Pine Oak and keeps you there with the sexy Maverick. He and Leighton light up the pages with their undeniable chemistry.

I can't wait to see where this series goes.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

This is a sweet story about second chances. Leighton is all grown up and working on her own dreams. However, she has continued to be in touch with her best friend's family, despite the very harsh rejection that Maverick Davis gave her.

Maverick is struggling with life. He has had too many riding related injuries and is now sidelined for good. He also has a secret from his siblings that he worries will push them even further away.

When everything comes to a head, Maverick will have to face his past – he'll have to apologize, grovel, and come to terms with his abusive past.

Leighton is Maverick's rock. She supports him, loves him unconditionally, and even though sometimes he's infuriating, she loves all of it and his family.

I enjoyed this story and hope that the siblings get their own.


Jordan – ☆☆☆
This was my first time reading any of Harper Sloan's books and while I may not have been completely smitten with Lost Rider, I am intrigued to see what else she has out there. Normally, I am quite the fan of a good cowboy romance, but something about this one just didn't win me over. I was just left feeling rather neutral. I didn't dislike Lost Rider, but I didn't really develop any overly fond feelings for it either. Although, I will say that I enjoyed getting both Leighton and Maverick's points of view, I wasn't too bothered by the flashbacks in time, and the characters had great chemistry.

Maverick Davis is finally returning home after 10 years on the rodeo circuit and it only took his father's funeral and the news that he couldn't ride anymore. Leaving the rodeo star life behind, he returns home to the family horse breeding business, which he's never had much interest in to begin with. After having endured the brunt of his father's anger on one too many occasions, he doesn't have many fond memories of the home he left behind, but duty calls.

Leighton James has crushed on her childhood best friend's older brother for as long as she can remember and hasn't forgotten the way Maverick crushed her heart 10 years ago. But she's no longer the same insecure 16-year-old and Maverick can't help but notice the stunning woman she's turned into.

All in all, Lost Rider was about 3.5 stars read from me. This one may not have been for me, but I would still be curious to read Quinn's story in Kiss My Boots (Coming Home #2)!


Veronica – ☆☆☆
This is a second change romance. Maverick and Leighton have known each other all their lives but as soon as Maverick is old enough, he leaves their small town to become a rodeo star. Ten years later, after the death of his father, he returns home.

Lost Rider hooked me in right from the first chapter. The back story between this couple is just wow! Such amazing love and heartache. The emotions are so strong and I could feel the connection between the characters. And not just between Maverick and Leighton but between all of the Davis siblings. The story was emotional, funny, sexy, sassy. All the wonderful things.

So if I was loving this book so much why the 3-star review? Well, the second half of the story is full of internal monologues and musings. We spend far too much time in Leighton and Maverick's heads going through the same stuff over and over and I lost my connection to the story. The second half of the book had only a few small highlights. Most of it was boring and when the book was finished, instead of feeling sad that I was leaving characters I loved, I was relieved I didn't have to read anymore.

The day after I finished this I was watching a scene in Grey's Anatomy where April Kepner is helping Jackson Avery deal with a difficult personal situation and I instantly thought of Leighton and Maverick, so I think these characters might be with me for a while.

Even though I have a love/hate relationship with Lost Rider I would recommend it. I will read the next book in the series, Kiss My Boots, just for the chance to experience the type of story and emotions that the first half of Lost Rider provided.

Lost Rider is the 1st book in the new series called Coming Home by the amazing author Harper Sloan.
Lost Rider had me going thru multiple different emotions:: Hope. Anger. Angst. Peace. Forgiveness. And Most of All- Love. That is the theme that runs as a current thru this book. No matter what is going on, love is running throughout.
The main characters in this book are Maverick Davis & Leighton James. Maverick left Leighton 10 years before when they were teenagers, with plans to never come back. Now he is coming home, after too many concussions have taken him off the Rodeo circuit. Maverick has come home to his father’s death and to Leighton hating him. He didn’t remember her looking as sexy as she does now. She was once the only person he could talk to about anything, was one the only person he could share things with and now she doesn't even want to speak to him. WOW Times change. Maverick is determined to make Leighton talk to him ,to see him again but he doesn’t realize the depth of her despair and of her pain which means Maverick has a tough road ahead of him in proving to Leighton that he is home and he is back in her life.
Leighton is a woman who has had a hard road in life. She had this huge love for Maverick which he threw away when she was but 18 years old. It was done in a pretty cruel manner. She has had to grow up, and find her own dreams without the man she loved with her of her heart. When he left her, she was broken, and bruised. Her dreams didn’t come easy and her life didn’t come without fights but she is where she is now in life, by the drive she had to prove something and that was she could be something without him in her life and she is somewhat happy- she has her bakery and she has Maverick’s sister and brother (Quinn and Clay ) in her life as good friends. She doesn’t want him back in town, she doesn’t want him yet a part of her is happy he is back in town yet she fights those feelings.
There are deep and lacerating wounds that have to be healed before they can fully be together and not everything can be avoided which is what this story focuses on. That and what family really is. It’s a story about family and rediscovering those roots and making up for those you hurt. That is what this story also focuses on. Maverick and Leighton’s story will have you grabbing for tissues and rooting for their HEA. Their passion is deep and their love is one heck of a 2nd chance love story. It is so beautiful and the plot is fantastic, but it is written by Harper Sloan so yes, you will get that awesome plot, that beautifully written story. I look forward to reading the stories of Clay and Quinn.

My rating: 4.9 stars ****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

4.5 out of 5 stars

This was a fantastic second chance romance! I've not read this author before and was thrilled to be so pulled into her writing with all the emotion, heat and love. Hot, moody cowboys for the win! Excellent read!

Watching Maverick and Leighton reconnect was fantastic, they were like fire and ice in the beginning and I was hooked. I loved their fiery personalities and that burning animosity between the two. They definitely had chemistry and heat and it turns combustible. They have a great history together though some of it is pained, and I loved learning their details and everything about their past. I loved all their interactions and dialogues. This was such a full story and I was turning the page like a mad woman.

A part of me wanted to not like Maverick because he was so harsh in the beginning but I totally go why and I just knew, underneath all that pain there was going to be amazing redemption. And there was! His struggles, him opening up, being vulnerable, it had me rooting for him and completely melting my heart. Maverick letting his guard down and opening up had me swooning. I loved how Leighton was there for Maverick, and had so much forgiveness for him. She was was pretty great too. She’s so focused on being independent and being fine but was struggling just as much as Maverick. Her letting her guard down was awesome. I loved them coming together. It had such a great message of forgiveness, it just made my heart happy.

I love how the story was told from dual POVs so I got a really good sense of who these characters were. I thought there was great character development as well. I loved the cowboy speak, I thought it was sweet, sexy, and fun. I loved the build and details and I thought the pace was excellent. This was packed full of emotion but mixed in there were some light moments that had me chuckling thanks to the women Leighton surrounds herself with. I'm exited for Quinn's story next and am looking forward to more Clay too.

I love finding new-to-me authors and I am thrilled with what I got from Harper Sloan and am excited for more. This is an excellent second chance romance full of heart and one heck of a sexy cowboy!

I am a huge fan of Harper Sloan's, and I couldn't have been more excited for her new Coming Home Series. Lost Rider is the first book in the series, and is a standalone. I thought that this book was a great start to the series and fans of hers are going to love this one! This is a great group of characters that I can't wait to get to know even better.

After another head injury ends his rodeo career, famous star Maverick Davis finds himself returning to the place that he worked his whole childhood to leave. Though a lot has changed in the ten years he has been gone, the one thing he looks forward to is returning home to Leighton James. But when Maverick left ten years ago, he broke Leighton's heart and he knows that he has his work cut out for him to not only win her back but to earn her trust and prove that he is back for good.

I really liked these two. They had a great connection and I loved that no matter how much time had separated them that they still cared just as much about each other as they always did. I felt bad for Leighton and all that she had been through, especially with how Maverick had hurt her. I didn't agree with what he had done, but I did see where he was coming from. I think he went about it in all the wrong ways, but I was glad that he understood he had to work at it to get Leighton back and to earn her trust. They had great chemistry and the attraction between them was clear. They were hot together, but it was their undeniable connection that made it so much more special.

Overall, this was a really great story and I liked the characters a lot. I enjoyed getting to know them and getting to meet Maverick's siblings as well. I can't wait to get their stories after meeting them here. I think that contemporary romance fans will really enjoy this one, especially if you are already a fan of Harper's. I have yet to be disappointed by anything I have read from her and I highly recommend this one or any of her books!

First in a new series by bestselling author Harper Sloan, Lost Rider absolutely oozes aww-shucks Texas country. The country songs at the beginning of each chapter only add to the feeling, and yes, I was sure from the beginning that Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy was going to wind up being one of the songs.

Told in alternating first person points of view from Maverick, a champion rodeo rider coming home to the small town whose dust he shook from his boots a decade ago, and Leighton, the young woman he regretfully left behind, Lost Rider is a love story about second chances. About moving on from past hurts and learning to trust again.

The book should probably carry a warning for mature language and scenes - there are a couple of really steamy sex scenes, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and more cussing than a bar full of rednecks, which I didn't. I'm no prude when it comes to strong language, but the F-bomb loses its impact when it's dropped every couple of sentences. Pretty much every time I finished one of Maverick's PoV scenes, I wanted to wash his mouth out with soap. It's unnecessary and a turnoff to readers, even ones as comfortable with strong language as I am.

That said, I felt Maverick - potty mouth and all - was a lot more 'real' character than Leighton, who seemed a bit too good to be true. I'm not a fan of the little woman sitting around waiting for The Man to come back into her life, and honestly she seemed to epitomize that trope. She hadn't moved on emotionally from the sixteen-year-old girl he left behind.

I enjoyed the read and cowboy romance fans will doubtless love it, but I don't think I'll be rushing out to grab the next in the series. Four stars.

This is the first book in a brand new series from Harper Sloan. I loved the Corps Security series, so of course I wanted to read this one right away.

This is a very good start.

Maverick was THE bull rider. He was at the top of the game for the past ten years. One too many bumps to his head ends it all though.

Now he is heading back to the place he ran from.

Mav has a lot of regret and pain that he needs to work through.

He is an ass when we first meet him.

Leighton is his sister’s best friend. She always had a crush on him. He knew it too. But he broke her heart ten years ago.

He has always wanted her, but he had to leave. We do get his full story and his reasons. I completely understand his reasoning behind it and don’t blame him one bit for it.

I did like all the characters, there were a few parts that dragged a little bit for me.

This is a series I will want to continue to read.

I thought Quinn was funny and her book is next. I can’t wait!

*thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an arc**

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Harper Sloan's new series Coming Home is a must read!!! You will not be disappointed!

The first installment introduces you to Maverick Davis. A former rodeo star must now return to his home town after having to leave his rodeo career. In returning home he will not only have to face his past but also face his future.

Leighton James has been in love with Maverick Davis since she can remember. And even though he broke her heart 10 years ago, when he comes back into town for his father's funeral she realizes that she still feels the same. Especially after a heated moment in her shop, The Piehole, and seeing that maybe the attraction she feels is not just one sided.

Maverick is trying to show Leighton that he has always had feelings for her and to let her know that he is here to stay. But past insecurities are hard to get over and Maverick is having to prove himself not only to her but to his brother and sister.

As Mav and Leigh navigate their new relationship, Mav's secrets begin to surface and threaten not only his new life but his relationships with his family. Will Leigh and Mav be able to work through their insecurities or will they give in to past doubts and let Mav's secret come between them?

Join the Davis family as they learn that together they are stronger and soon they will need to lean on each other more than ever!

4 stars. This is a good book! This is Maverick and Leighton's story. Maverick and Leighton grew up on neighboring farms together in Texas. Leighton was best friends with Quinn, Maverick's younger sister, but also good friends with him. They had a strong connection that was blossoming into romantic feelings. But Maverick had dreams of being a rodeo star and wanted to escape an abusive father. He pushed Leighton away and left town to follow his dreams. Now, ten years later, Maverick is back in town for his father's funeral. He also has injured himself and his rodeo career is over. He wants to make amends with his family and Leighton so they can go on and live the happy life they were meant to live together.

I really liked both Maverick and Leighton. Maverick knows he made mistakes in the past and is determined to make up for them. He gives great grovel and it is obvious how much he adores her. He never moved on from her in his heart. Leighton is unsure at first, but she can still feel the connection that she had with Maverick that never went away. They have a lot of time to make up and want to start right away. It was obvious to me as a reader that they were soul mates and meant to be together. The sexy times were hot, too, especially in the front pasture in the moonlight!

I liked that they got together early on in the book and spent most of the book together, working things out. This book had very little angst, which I did really like. It could have used a tiny bit more conflict for added interest, but, overall, I very much enjoyed Maverick and Leighton's love story. The story was interesting. The writing was very good and also a bit more mature than some other books by Ms. Sloan. I loved the Western/cowboy setting. The language was a bit hokey (ie, reckon's and darlin's) at times, but I got used to it and it didn't really bother me. The characters were great and lots of fun. I hope this book turns into a series, with Maverick's siblings stories to come.

Overall, this was a very sweet, character-driven love story! I very much enjoyed seeing Maverick and Leighton's relationship develop. I look forward to more from Ms. Sloan in the future!

This was a sweet but very emotional story. It was different from other contemporary romances that I've read lately. Usually the hero and heroine have a falling out towards the end of the story but in this book the falling out is early on. The story is about their journey to finding their way back to each other. It was really heart wrenching at times. The author does a really good job of making you feel the pain that Leighton and Maverick have gone through. The story is sweet at times and scorching hot at others. There were times that they story got long winded but that's my only complaint. Mav and Leigh had great chemistry from the start and they just get better as a couple as the book progresses. I also enjoyed the humor that the secondary characters added to this emotionally charged story. This book is a standalone but it set it up perfectly for Clay and Quinn's stories. I'm looking forward to reading those!

I have to admit that I am not normally a fan of cowboy fiction, Western fiction, what have you. I am from a small ass country town filled with farmers and cowboys and cowgirls and it wasn't really a pleasant place for me. So I tend to avoid reading about cowboys/country boys, etc. For some reason, though, I really wanted to read Lost Rider and I'm really glad I did, because it's a great story. It's heartwarming, sweet and sexy.

Leighton (Leigh) has been in love with her best friend Quinn's older brother, Maverick, since she was a teenager. He trashed her heart, though, right before he left their hometown 10 years ago to become a famous rodeo star, but still, her heart has always belonged to him even though he didn't seem to want it. Now, 10 years later, he's back because his, Quinn and Clay's (their oldest brother) father has passed. Their reunion isn't all sweet and loving, though, nope, it's filled with the same pain and the hostility that colored the last time they saw each other. What Leigh doesn't know, didn't know back then, is that Maverick had a good reason for leaving the way he did, for breaking her heart the way he did. And now that he's back, Maverick is determined to have a second chance with the woman he's always loved. But, can she trust the man who tore her heart apart? She doesn't make it easy on him, but when he reveals the reason for his leaving, and that he's always thought of her, she can't seem to resist him. How can she when he tells her such beautiful things?

"It was like a punch to my 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. I fuckin' missed that smile, Leigh. I felt that emptiness like I had never before that night."

Still, even though Maverick has told her what she's always dreamed of him saying, she has reservations. She thinks he might still walk out and take her broken heart with him the way he did 10 years earlier. So she keeps a tiny bit of herself back instead of going all in. And Maverick is determined to make her realize that he's home for good, that she's his home.

"But you also need to realize that I'm here now. Settled in for the lung run, and it's gonna last a lot longer than eight seconds. You better believe I'm ridin' this out with you until you buck me off. And, darlin', there hasn't been a ride I've ever been more prepared for."

I absolutely love Maverick. He's one of my favorite kind of heroes: the damaged, but with a huge heart of gold, alpha kind of hero who is brought to his knees by one special woman. And Leigh is so definitely a special woman. She's strong, and kind, and so sweet. She's been Quinn and Clay's rock ever since Maverick left. She's the one who was there for them when their hateful father passed. She's the one who finally brought their brother back, because really, he came back for Leigh, not because their father died. She healed Maverick, and she even gave their father forgiveness and care that he didn't deserve. She's the heart of their little family and Maverick, Clay and Quinn know it.

So if you're looking for an romance that's emotional, heart tugging, heart warming, and has a sexy cowboy, look no further than Lost Rider. It's a prime example of cowboy fiction at its best. I'm really hoping there are stories to come for Quinn and Clay, because those two are just as lovable as their brother. Thank you, Harper Sloan, for making me realize that cowboy romance isn't something I have to avoid from now on.

Maverick grew on me. At first I was like what a cow patty for treating Leighton the way that he did before he left. Then as I got to know him and found out why he did what he did, my heart broke for him. My heart broke for Leighton too, from feeling the way that she did. When all of the secrets came out my heart was breaking. I was thinking mean and nasty thoughts too.

I was laughing so hard for when they meet again when he finally comes home....well, let me rephrase that...my heart was hurting throughout the whole book but the way she responded to seeing him again and his antagonistic ways made me laugh. Insert cowboy boot there Maverick, cause yeah, that wasn't a good look for you.

This book hit just about every emotion that I can think of. I literally felt like I was there watching all of this unfold. Laughing, crying, rooting these two on, my heart hurt for the whole family when all was said and done. I can't wait to read Quinn's and Clay's stories!!!

I hang my head in shame for just a second. This was my first Harper Sloan novel. I know! I KNOW! However, I promise it will not be my last!

This book was absolutely amazing! I am still in disbelief that I was able to receive an ARC. Thank everything that is mighty there will be more books in this world! The characters have completely stolen my heart and are consuming my thoughts. I’m “Head Over Boots” in love with this world and these characters. The flow of this story, and the writing style were extremely enjoyable. I hated having to put it down and adult.

Maverick left his hometown 10 years ago to escape his demons and chase his dream of professional bull riding. Running away, he leaves behind his sister, Quinn, brother, Clay, and his father. More importantly though, he leaves behind Leighton, the one that got away and the one person he hurt the most. Coming home after a few life changing events, Maverick is forced to come face to face with the consequences of his leaving.

Mav and Leigh’s relationship is a very complicated one. I loved every second of their second chance romance. The entire story, the history as well, was so extremely raw and real. Add in some super hot chemistry and tension and I was done for with this story! Mav’s determination and Leigh’s stubbornness is the perfect mix!

I can not wait for the next installment in the Coming Home series, Kiss My Boots! I fell in love with Quinn as a secondary character in this book and can’t wait to read her own story. August can’t come soon enough!

P.S. I know there’s a third book coming in the series though we don’t have a blurb or cover yet. I can only hope it’s for Clay!

Grateful to have received an ARC copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.