Sigh. If you're a fan of the cowboy romance- horses and ranches and, well, ranch hands- this is for you. Mia is a hard working woman, not a spoiled brat despite the size of her family's holdings but she's got one rotten horse that needs help. Her dad hires Sam as a trainer. You just know what's going to happen next! There's some good back and forth dialogue, some sizzle, and a nice sense of humor. This is well plotted and Sam and Mia are terrific characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a quick and happy read.

Very enjoyable book. I laughed,cried and got really mad at times! Enjoyed the story of all the animals. Sam and Mia are strong people who learn to share more then their love of horses.

Contemporary romance set in Texas with dogs, horses and big money.

This was my first read by Soraya Lane. The author of romance and World War II historical fiction lives in New Zealand. The book was provided by NetGalley for an honest review. I have issues with the book.

1) Location. The story revolves around Mia, the daughter of a rich family who loves horses and Sam, a guy from a broken home who makes good by becoming a horse whisperer. Sam lives about an hour away from Mia’s family ranch. And there is my problem. In Texas, one hour away is practically next door. Disclaimer -- I grew up in Texas. I have difficulty believing that these two didn’t know of each other, or hadn’t previously met.

2) Mia’s friends. Mia has two friends, Kit and Kimberley (hurray for female friendships). One of these friends was killed in an accident. The accident is the reason the horse whisperer was needed. I had difficulty keeping these friends straight in my head. It would have been better if the friends had completely opposite names, instead of both beginning with K.

3) Sam and Mia. Until I hit 80%, I didn’t really like either Sam or Mia. I felt Sam was an a-hole. Mia wasn’t much better. Were they were written this way to demonstrate how they both protected themselves? I just didn’t like them. There was a brief reference to Sam’s military service in Iraq, but it was never fully explained. At 80% Mia finally tugged at my heart and I felt her pain. Pardon me while I wipe the tears from my eyes.

4) The Grand Gesture. Chapter 23, 96% into the book Sam stages a grand gesture for Mia. And she says no. In front of a large crowd. I was shocked. If you are going to all this trouble, at least have it turn out positively. No was not the answer I was looking for.

5) Epilogue. The HEA is explained in the epilogue. It was good up until the very last paragraph. I had to re-read that paragraph three times to try to understand what Sam was thinking. I think I understand, but I am not sure. Not being sure is the problem.

2 & ½ stars, rounded up to 3 Stars.

Cowboy Stole My Heart is the first book in the River Ranch series. Sam is a strong character who knows what he wants and loves what he does. Mia may be a Texas princess, but this princess isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. A promising start to a new series by Soraya Lane and one I am sure readers will love. I look forward to reading more.

I didn't like this book so much, the characters were not really believable and there was too much drama for my taste, still I read it very fast and for somebody else it can be an enjoyable reading.

Questo libro non mi é piaciuto poi tanto, i personaggi non erano molto credibili e poi c'era fin troppo dramma per i miei gusti, questo non significa che non possa piacere ad altri.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

Received an ARC at no cost to author..Sorry but this story was too slow for me and just not exciting enough..

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mia Ford grew to love horses since she was a kid. She came from a wealthy family and they owned a ranch. It's always a first impression if someone came from a rich family, the children were spoiled brats. However, Mia embodies the opposite. She's independent and never relies on her family's fortune. As a horsewoman, she trains hard and competes in every show jumping competition. Her perseverance, determination and passion is admirable. Recently, she acquired her best friend's horse but the stallion was stubborn and reckless. So, her father hired Sam Mendes, a popular horse whisperer and a guy she had a crush on.

These two started as enemies and have bad impressions with each other. They just never get along and it's amusing to see their constant bickering which leads to attraction. I like stories about crush-to-lovers or enemies-to-lovers and this book started good but after five chapters it slowly gets boring. The sexual tension and romance between them was obvious but it just simmers and I craved for more. The author's writing style was great and engaging but in terms of plot, it's very cliché and nothing special happens. I'm slightly disappointed with Sam because he's an annoying and coward hero. He's more dramatic than Mia. Just not a huge fan of him.

The story wraps up with a happy ever after but it's bland and abrupt. I'm glad Sam worked out on his issues and make up with Mia. I might pick up the next book because it's Tanner's story (Mia's brother). This series on a good start and hopefully to see the improvement on the sequel.

This is the first book I read by this author, and the first book in Ms Lane’s new series titled River Ranch.
The main characters are Mia Ford and Sam Mendes. Mia is the daughter of a very wealthy man who owns a ranch in Texas. She is an equestrian champion and now owner of a horse that is dangerous but one she cannot let go. Sam Mendes, a famous horse whisperer, is hired to see if anything can be done for this horse. At first meeting she thinks he is a conceited man, and he categorizes Mia as a pampered princess. Both were wrong and somehow , for the sake of the damaged horse unite for his well being. There is an attraction, but Sam has vowed never to love a woman again and they go into a “no strings” relationship.
The plot was well developed, and the characters believable. The author highlights the fact that our experiences , whether in our youth or as adults will greatly affect our perspective of life and people. Also, though only lightly, Ms Lane also touches the reality of the effects war has on those that serve.
I am looking forward to read what else the author has in store for this series. What Ford sibling will be the next to have a story?
I was gifted this book by Netgalley and St Martin’s Publishing.

Cowboy Stole My Heart (River Ranch, #1)
by Soraya Lane
Its a good read.
I was not expecting this type of story to appeal to me and found to my surprise that it did! I enjoyed the difference in the way the author has of writing to pull you into the story and leave you wanting more besides. I had a few items that I did not agree with so I downgraded it to four stars. I would definitely be trying to read more from this series, and as for the author, I will be on the look out for them from now on. So a good read it is. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Regards, Anna Swedenmom

It started off good but towards the middle, it gets a little slow. Sadly, I just didn't love it. There were sometimes that I was annoyed with Sam’s choices (like really mad) he just had way too many issues, but he kind of made up for it towards the end. They get a happy ending but it seems rushed.
Overall, it was a quick read and if you like cowboy romance give this a shot.

Mia and Sam share a love of horses. Mia as a show jumper and Sam as a horse whisperer.

Sam has been employed to try and help with Tex, Mia's bad tempered, dangerous horse.

Mia has a very personal reason for wanting the best for Tea and she is determined that Tex should have the best help that money can buy.

What she doesn't expect, is to fall for Sam.

When their attraction becomes too difficult to ignore, they enter into a sex only arrangement.

This arrangement is to last the length of Sam's contract for his work with Red but a few short weeks into their arrangement, Mia mistakenly tells Sam that she's fallen in love with him. Sam walks out and doesn't look back!

Needless to say, the path to their HEA is not particularly smooth with misunderstandings, hurt feelings and downright lies!

As a first time reader of Soraya Lane, this novel has whetted my appetite for more cowboy goodness penned by her and she will certainly feature in my future tbr pile.

This is the first book by this author that I have read and overall it was good. The beginning was slow but Mia and Sam made the story. I found myself rooting from them from the very beginning.

If you're looking for a charming story to read to unwind after that exhausting day then the new novel from Soraya Lane entitled Cowboy Stole My Heart (2018), the first book in Lane’s new series River Ranch, might become the book that every reader of Contemporary Romance might want to add to their list this year. Publishing under the St. Martin’s Press imprint, Soraya Lane who this year would put a new voice to the genre of Contemporary Romance. The novel focus on Sam Mendes the hero of the book, who is through with love and turns his attention to the career and fame he found in training horses. But when he accepts an assignment to help a troubled horse overcome his depression of losing his owner, he finds that he may have spoken too soon and hopped back on the love train.
Cowboy Stole My Heart is a wonderful second chance at love story with drama, and humor. Though I found the character of Mia too overbearing at times, later realize that it was a coping mechanism. The story does drag on in some spots but with the chemistry between Sam and Mia, you hardly noticed.
This novel fits right in with other titles like Taking a Chance by Maggie McGinnis, and With you Beside Me by Catherine Anderson.
I hope you enjoy reading this novel as much as I did!

This book was good, but I didn't love it. It took me a while to even get into it. Mia was feisty and sweet, obviously good with horses. Sam, the horse whisperer, had way too many hang ups as far as I'm concerned. He was smart and able to work with Tex (this horse was the best part).

This is the first of Lane's books that I've read but I think I'll be checking out her Texas Kings series now too since this book featured characters from that series.
Cowboy Stole My Heart is definitely a more character-driven story. The events that bring the couple together -- a traumatized horse in need of someone with Sam's skills -- wasn't at all what I expected based on the synopsis but I liked how the horse (Tex) became a central character in their romance. I felt for Tex which made this story all the sweeter. Working with him also allowed for Mia and Sam to learn to let other people in, both being loners for far too long.The book felt like a slow burn romance at first and then turned up the heat but it was still drawn out. But the ending felt rushed in comparison and I wasn't entirely satisfied with how the story wrapped up.

I was pretty impressed with this book. The story had a bit of a rough start trying to line up the history of the two main characters but once it really started to come together it was a joy to read though the pages.
I would read more from this author for sure!

After a rather harsh break-up Sam Mendes is in need of a little distraction, something to take his mind off of his broken heart, and give him a chance to put all that lingering hurt into his work, and help him forget. So, when the opportunity to work with a troubled horse comes along he figures it is the perfect avenue for him, he can put his skills to work, and put his broken heart out of his mind. But then the horse's feisty owner wanders into his world and starts turning it upside down...

From outward appearances it would seem that Mia Ford was just another spoiled little rich princess who has given everything she has... but that couldn't be farther from the truth, she has worked for every little cent she has, and she isn't about to let someone come onto her land and make her feel undeserving or entitled. So, when the knew horse whisperer Sam Mendes wanders onto her ranch and starts making assumptions, she makes sure it comes back to bite him in the butt! She can do the job just as easily as he can, and she isn't about to let him think otherwise, nor is she going to let her guard down and fall victim to the unwanted advances from the Mr. Know it all either... good plan right???

Cowboy Stole My Heart is a profoundly sweet tale that is sure to have readers singing it's praises and delighting over it's wonderfully crafted characters!! Who knew one trouble making horse could bring so much joy to two people lives, what started as a mission to correct the horses errant behavior quickly became something all together unexpected and oh so pleasurable. These two were quite the pair, when they weren't at each other's throats, or trying to outdo each other, they were swooning over one another, and trying their damnedest not to fall for one another... their story was quite a little literary treat! Being my first novel from this author I wasn't sure what to expect, but after a few chapters into I knew I had discovered something quite special, her wonderful story kept me captivated from start to finish and left me aching for more!! Highly recommend this one, these wonderful characters are sure to steal your heart and keep you quite entertained!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

don’t typically go for the western romances. I’m more a paranormal or historical romance kind of gal, but when a rep from a publisher emailed me and asked if I️ would be interested in trying out something new, I️ thought why not. I’m so glad I️ did. I loved this story. I loved the writing style of the author. The characters were so strong, the development of their relationship was steady, real and great. The conflict was authentic and well developed. Mia is such a strong female lead and I loved how she showed Sam that she was no pampered Princess.  Sam definitely has scars and I understand his hesitation to try again at love. When she confesses her feelings the scene was so emotional and strong that I totally felt for both characters and I thought it was intense. How he wins her back was classic Hallmark romance moment, but in this case, it totally worked for the story. I️ loved every second of this story. It was passionate and entertaining and will definitely pick up more from this author and this series.

Cowboy Stole My Heart by Soraya Lane is book one in the River Ranch series. It can also be read as a stand-alone book. There are strong characters in this story that face an even stronger battle to have their HEA. Sam Mendes is a horse whisper who is hired to help a trouble stallion at the Ford Ranch. Mia Ford has a career in horse jumping and is very emotionally attach to the horse Sam was hired to help. Sam is battling a bad breakup in his past while Mia is battling issues of her own. These two dance around each other until they make an agreement to just have fun with no ties. But this agreement soon is null and void. Will they have their happily ever after once they move past all the past haunts? Read the story and find out.

I enjoyed this story and liked the storyline itself. I recommend it.

I was given this advanced reader’s copy by the publisher through Netgalley for my honest review.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I was not a fan. The majority of this book is a whole lot of nothing happening and what does happen has been the plot of countless other romances, only better written. Hero does not do relationships anymore due to his past. Heroine is smart and underestimated by the world. They are attracted to each other although they don't want to me. They fight it but ultimately give in. Add in some painful jokes and stilted conversation and you have this book until the ending that almost made me weep with frustration that I had not bailed. This one did not work for me but I appear to be in the minority with my feelings so it could very likely be the reviewer and not the book.