Rafe, The Maverick is a good fit for readers looking for a heartwarming story about finding love and connection in the face of personal challenges and reputations.

Tiny, blond Maggie O’Riley may look like a delicate doll, but her skill as a horse trainer able to tame even the most violent animal has made her a legend. As for her new boss, Rafe Delaney, everyone knows that no mortal woman will ever gentle that man. He’s too sexy, stubborn, and decidedly single for anything more than a fling, and that’s not Maggie’s style. But life at Shamrock Ranch has a funny way of bringing out the Irish in everybody—and before Maggie can list all the reasons her attraction to Rafe is just plain wrong, she’s losing more than her willpower in the heat of his touch. Rafe is used to calling the shots on his family’s legendary Arizona ranch, but beautiful, talented Maggie sends his head spinning, his heart racing, and his body aching in overdrive. She’s not the kind of distraction he needs as ruthless saboteurs stage a deadly showdown to break the Delaneys—but since when did Rafe ever back down from a challenge? Especially considering the only thing that’s ever tamed a Delaney man is a spirited and determined woman who’s brave enough to try.
This book is a reissue from an era that I wasn’t quite old enough to have the interest in reading these kinds of books, so it was interesting for me to try it. I’ve tried other author re-releases from the same era and had serious issues with them. This one I actually liked. Knowing it was a throwback did help but it also helped that the writing was really good. I liked both characters, Maggie especially. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

an oldie but a goodie from Kay Hooper. She can write a cowboy like no bodies business

Horse rancher, Rafe meets Maggie who is the new horse trainer. At first Rafe doesn't think Maggie is capable of trainer some of his toughest horses, but she quickly proves him wrong. The two have a strong attraction to one another from the start, but overcome some obstacles as they navigate through their relationship. This is my first book by this author and I don't think it will be my last. Great read!

This is the first tale of the Shamrock Delaney family with Rafe and Maggie's Tale. Have the book in paperback on my shelf from the original publishing and have re-read many times this love story which includes chuckles, history and cowboys. Excited to read this again in Ebook form with continued enjoyment of the story from this beloved author.

Ebook from Net galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

I haven't read a book by Kay hooper that I haven't enjoyed! She creates wonderful
Stories! Loved it!

The second time around is even better than the first. This new edition of the Delaneys brought back wonderful memories of these strong willed yet gentle brothers and the women who loved them who are just as interesting as the men. You will be caught up in Rafe’s journey to love as he builds his ranching empire separate from the family fortune. The mystery of way someone doesn’t want him to succeed and family secrets keep the reader glued to each page. Hopefully each brothers story will get to be retold.

I liked this read a lot. Safe is a smart man who isn’t afraid to say when he’s wrong and knows what's really important in life. Maggie is beautiful, tiny and an amazing horsewoman, what more could a guy like Rafe ask for in a partner. Their attraction is strong, and the honesty and care they give to each of their interactions is atypical for many romances. All around, this read was a pleasant surprise.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I don’t recall reading Kay Hooper but “Rafe, The Maverick” was very interesting and captivating. The prologue of history was fascinating and the entire premise of the story sure was enthralling.
Rafe Delaney as the cocky, rich and handsome owner of Shamrock Ranch is just that, but add in protectiveness and loads of stubbornness and you have a hero hard to resist. The petite, beautiful and skillful horse trainer Maggie O’ Riley has only one goal in mind – to train horses on the legendary ranch and make a successful career. Getting sidetracked and falling for Rafe was not her plan of action. But with fate stepping in, Irish charm and a dose of sinister incidents, bring Rafe and Maggie close and with their hearts on line, they have everything to fight for.
A definite worthy read and am glad had the opportunity to read Kay Hooper, and now she’s going to be on my regular read of authors.

Received an ARC from Random House Publishing House/Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.

Solid start to this series. I didn't realize that this was a republish. It was a little outdated but that didn't take too much from the story.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Well written, just hard to get past the mores of that time. Quaint that Ms. Hooper chose to not update this story which will probably appeal to her loyal base of readers. And there's nothing wrong with that! Just not my cup of tea to be reminded again of some of the views from that time...

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rafe, the Maverick is a republication of a book originally published circa 1986. While the story itself is solid I was hoping it would have been updated more than it seems to have been. So while this isn't a bad book it does read old and dated. Personally I didn't really enjoy it.

This story is part of a series. Oh, and just a heads up it was first published YEARS ago. That slightly dated feeling you get while reading this book is because it IS dated. But, just as with the other story I've now read in this series, the bonesnof the story are good and therefore the story is still enjoyable.

Kay Hooper has been a favorite author of mine since I read my first Bishop book, so I was ecstatic to get an advance copy of “Rafe” to read! Not only do we get Hooper’s masterful storytelling skill, but we have a charming, rakish cowboy hero and a petite, strong, fiery female horse whisperer who are dynamite together. For a refreshing change of pace, Rafe is the one who’s smitten and ready to commit, and Maggie is the one who puts up quite a fight and requires some convincing. And it wouldn’t be a Hooper novel without a bit of mystery, involving not only Rafe but also his two brothers, Burke and York. Rafe and Maggie get their happily ever after, but just who’s behind the Delaney brothers’ trouble, and why, remains to be seen, and I can’t wait to read Burke’s and York’s stories to see what happens! Don’t miss this first book in the Shamrock Trinity series!

Originally published as a series romance in 1986 and now available as an ebook. It's well-written, and the characters are deftly drawn, but sexual mores have changed enough in the last thirty years that Rafe comes across as a jerk, not as a romantic hero.

I was given a copy of this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a reprint of an earlier edition and it shows. The dialogue and perspectives are all very dated. However it was a quick, quiet read and I can see returning to the series when in need of a comfort read.

Loved this book when it was first released decades ago. Still love it now though I wish the whole trilogy would be re-released rather than just two of the books.

The Delaney's are a family of inherited wealth. The surviving brothers each taking an area of the empire that they love. Rafe takes the ranching side. Wanting to expand his ranch into showing and gaiting area he hires Maggie O'Riley to take on the training of the horses. Sparks ignite between boss and employee and Rafe knows that first day that Maggie is the woman for him. Maggie takes convincing since she can't get over Rafe's reputation with the ladies and the fact that his family is so rich and knows their history. Rafe starts acting like the rake his reputation says he is and brings the whole ranch into the charade. Still Maggie starts to soften when Rafe continues to tell her he loves her. The final resistance is shed when someone coming after Rafe's brother Burke starts a fire at Shamrock Ranch bringing the 3 brothers together in the chaos. The Delaney's is a multi author series that brings 3 writers together for stories of mystery and love. . Rafe: The Maverick is the first in the series and I look forward to reading about more of the Delaney's and their adventures through the past, the present and a little time travelling thrown in as well.

I am happy that this book has been reissued, just hoping that the rest are as well.

Some times when an author reissues a book they update it to make it more modern. I am glad to see that that isn't the case with this one. I guess when it was originally written there wasn't anything mentioned that "dated" the book. It is still the same wonderfulness it was when it was originally published!