Member Reviews
I went through the full range of emotions when I read Spun Out. The author didn't hold anything back when she wrote about Streeter and Bailey. They may have started out as a summer fling but these two couldn't leave their emotions out of the bedroom.
While the story isn't anything new I loved how the author filled the gender stereotype rolls. Streeter was a vulnerable and sexy cowboy who is raising a very sweet little girl. Bailey is a hardcore Sergeant who is in lImbo. But together this two work.
This was a great read, it has a little bit of everything!It was sweet,funny and sexy!It was realistic and I enjoyed the characters!Bailey and Streeter have a great connection!Bailey and Streeter have plenty of issues.They’re both battling their demons .I loved how their relationship developed! They have great chemistry and full of sexual tension!
Release Date: November 5, 2019
Berkley Penguin Group
Blacktop Cowboys #10
Contemporary Romance
Review copy provided by publisher
Nikki’s Review:
I have loved every book in this series. Hell, I love everything Lorelei writes. But this book was something special. This book hit me in a personal way. All the feels were pouring out of me.
The discussion on mental illness plays a big part in this book, particularly Postpartum Depression. Having struggled with PPD when I gave birth to my youngest child, I was able to understand, on a more intimate level. I know what it’s like to feel like your drowning, but unable to find it in yourself to ask for help. The author handled the mental illness aspect really well. It was respectful and sensitive. But it was also pretty accurate, in my opinion.
The relationship between Streeter and Bailey is somewhat complicated. They’re both battling demons and carry around an enormous amount of baggage. Fortunately, there’s also a healthy dose of desire simmering. Lorelei James writes sexual tension like no one else. I was in a state of frustration until they finally tore up the sheets. And holy hell, did they ever tear them up! Once Streeter‘s freaky side came out, there was no going back. Woohoo!
While there was a lot of heavy stuff in this book, there was also a ton of laugh out loud moments. The whole scene with the kids in the boardroom had me snickering like crazy. Honestly, anytime the kids were on the page I was usually laughing.
I’m trying to remember all the reasons why I love this book, and there are many, but the best way to describe my love is to say that it was simply perfect. I could go on and on about the amazing writing, because it was amazing, but what I adored the most was the way I felt connected to the story and the characters. Lorelei James never fails to keep me invested in her stories.
Rating: 5 Stars (A+)
4.25 stars- SPUN OUT is the tenth instalment in Lorelei James’ contemporary, adult BLACKTOP COWBOYS erotic, romance series. This is thirty-six year old Split Rock Ranch foreman, widower and single father Streeter Hale, and thirty year old, US Army soldier Sgt. Bailey Masterson’s story line. SPUN OUT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Bailey is Liberty Masteron’s sister (Hillbilly Rockstar#6) and Streeter is Tobin Hale’s brother (Hang Tough #8).
NOTE: The story line focuses on issues of depression and suicide that may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Bailey and Streeter) SPUN OUT follows the building relationship between thirty-six year old ranch foreman Streeter Hale, and thirty year old, US Army soldier Sgt. Bailey Masterson. On leave from the army, Sgt. Bailey Masterson finds herself struggling to fit in upon her return home. Volunteering to help run her sister’s struggling clothing store (Wild West Clothiers), and look after her sister’s rambunctious children, Bailey is asked if she would like to take over the Split Rock Ranch and Resort summer day camp but our heroine offers to run a military style boot camp instead. Enter Streeter Hale, whose five year old daughter is among the children about to come under the command of Sgt. Bailey Masterson. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Streeter and Bailey, and the potential fall-out as Bailey keeps too many secrets from the man with whom she will fall in love.
Streeter Hale is a widower raising his five year old daughter, a young child with emotional issues that are often uncontrolled. Meeting Bailey Masterson finds Streeter thinking about stepping out of his comfort zone, something he hasn’t done in a very long time. Bailey Masterson struggles with her attraction to Streeter Hale knowing her time at Split Rock Ranch comes with an expiry date but Bailey is keeping secrets from family and friends, secrets she believes are going to affect her relationship with our story line hero.
The relationship between Bailey and Streeter is one of immediate attraction but Streeter struggles with work and home life, leaving very little time for anything else. Agreeing to ‘casually’ date, Bailey offers a no-strings attached relationship, a relationship that is about to turn into something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate but I struggle with the author’s use of a certain four-letter word that I dislike in my romance story lines.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Streeter’s five year old daughter Olivia; Streeter’s brother Tobin and his wife Jade (Hang Tough); Streeter’s former in-laws, several nieces and nephews on both sides of the relationship; Bailey’s sister Harper and her husband Bran (Saddled and Spurred #2), Renner and Tierney Jackson plus Janie and Abe (owners of Split Rock Ranch)and a large number of ranch hands.
SPUN OUT is a story of grief and acceptance; depression and desperation; struggle, second chances, friendship, romance and love. The premise is engaging, heart breaking, and captivating; the characters are broken, coping, colorful and energetic; the romance is seductive and intense. SPUN OUT focuses on the affects of depression and suicide on those struggling to cope but also in the aftermath and on those left behind to move forward after a devastating loss.
THE READING CAFE: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/spun-out-blacktop-cowboys-10-by-lorelei-james-review-tour/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2826430133
AMAZON. COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R62XQZ28SUWPE/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07KDVSW6R
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3786424549
B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted
CHAPTERS/INDIGO (Sandy_At_The_Reading_Cafe) posted
iBooks (Sandy Sch) posted
Bailey’s supposedly on leave from the army, spending the summer with her sister, Harper and her kids after the birth of Harper’s newest, but Bailey hasn’t been completely honest with her sister. Bailey’s not only off for the summer, she’s out for good. The reasons are tough, and a year ago Bailey didn’t deal well with it, but she’s on the mend mentally, even if she’s keeping all of it to herself. Bailey ends up putting her skills as an army Sergeant to use when the parents of Split Rock see her potential for whipping their kids into shape, and she ends up commanding a kiddy bootcamp for the summer.
Streeter is a rancher at the Split Rock and doesn’t have much time for dating being a single dad since his daughter, Olivia, was six months old. His wife’s death left him angered, heartbroken and confused, and he still can’t figure the whole thing out. As a parent, my heart went out to Streeter! Olivia isn’t your average five-year-old; the past events have left her with issues, and she’s a handful. But Bailey’s style of no-nonsense handling breaks through to Olivia, putting Bailey on Streeter’s radar. Even more so when she moves next door.
Streeter and Bailey had some rough times, and I was happy that Streeter had Bailey to confide in. Baring intimate details that he never shared before and gaining some peace in the process. He gained peace and a lot of sexy times, lol! Man, this one was spicy!
I wish Bailey had been a little more forthcoming, but I do understand why she withheld. I was glad when it all came out. Depression and how it affects us was a major factor in this story, and I was happy to see the progress Bailey made being more open and honest with her family, and others and how healing that was. I really enjoyed Bailey and Streeter’s realistic and heartwarming journey to happiness!
As a side note, this can be read as a stand alone even though it’s book ten in the series.
Sandy M’s review of Spun Out (Blacktop Cowboys, Book 10) by Lorelei James
Erotic Contemporary Western Romance published by Berkley 5 Nov 19
I’m always a bit worried the longer a series goes on, especially by a favorite author. I anticipate the time will come when a story just doesn’t work for me after ninety-two books. A little exaggeration, but you have to admit that most authors get gummed up in one way or another when a series seems to go on forever. But I have to admit I no longer think those things when it comes to Lorelei James. Not once has there been a story that hasn’t worked for me, no matter which of her series I’m reading. I have a feeling it’s going to be that way for some time to come.
Bailey has come home to help in her sister’s boutique while Tierney adjusts to the newest addition to their household. Of course, there’s more to the story, but Bailey is silent on the current state of her military career and what her future plans are – mostly because she’s not sure about that herself. When she meets Streeter Hale, things don’t start off all that great between them. It’s his young daughter Bailey catches ripping off items from the store.
With his own silence about his past, this single dad isn’t looking for a date, a lover, or anything that doesn’t include Olivia. He’s finally made a good life for them and keeping an eye on her is a full-time job on top of his full-time job. Olivia has abandonment issues, the result of a mother with postpartum depression, who never touched or loved her daughter before she died. Her father is the only one she wants anything, emotional or physical, from.
Despite the issues cropping up between them, there’s a strong attraction between Streeter and Bailey, and they eventually agree to a no-strings fling, especially because Bailey will be moving on in a few months. I so enjoyed the way Bailey makes Streeter come alive, in the bedroom and out of it. His reawakening sexuality is glorious to see, his confidence soaring every time he and Bailey hit the sheets, leaving them sizzling and steaming.
Then there’s the change in Olivia as she goes through the kids boot camp Bailey has begun at all the children’s parents’ urging. These kids are little hellions in need of some big-time help, and Bailey does a stand-up job of it. Near the end, though, things come to a head and fall apart when Streeter finally discovers what Bailey’s silence is all about. I understand her reasoning for keeping it all secret, but I’m more with Streeter that she should have told him straight up. Especially when she realizes he’s the one for her.
In the usual Lorelei James style, emotions take a wallop during this story, from laugh-out-loud chuckling to shedding a few tears when all is said and done. Nothing is ever easy in her books, and that’s what makes the entire journey so worth the time you spend with her characters.
Grade: A
This story was so cute! I really loved getting to know Bailey, Streeter, and Olivia. There was a lot to unpack in this one, but it was done in a believeable way.
Trigger warnings for depression, suicide, loss of a loved one, self harm.
Bailey's military career is cut short, and she finds herself living with her sister trying to pick up the pieces. Streeter never forgave himself after his wife passed, leaving him to raise his 6 month old daughter on his own. These two meet through Bailey's family, and have a very steamy relationship.
Olivia has some things going on with her that I think are handled in the right way. There are various diagnosises and illnesses within the story. The author did a great job of describing it without making it too much of an info dump!
Highly recommend this one!
Touching story of two wounded souls learning to love and trust, with the complication of a young child in the mix. Steamy and sweet in all the right places!
Spun Out (Blacktop Cowboys, #10) by Lorelei James ... This is a wonderful addition to the Blacktop Cowboys series. Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book. Streeter Hale (single father 5 yr old daughter Olivia he is damaged by his wife's death) Bailey Masterson (ex Army Sgt. has her own issues) This book really touched me...... They both have trauma in their past that they are dealing with... Olivia is only attached to Streeter and has a lot of separation issues. Can these to wounded souls heal each other. This is angst, heartache, tears, laughter, love, lots of family and friends and lots of steam to get to their very HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining Witty Funny Steamy Page-turner Informative Great world building Haunting Tear-jerker Wonderful characters Romantic Easy-to-read Happily Ever After
This is an all feelings book. It gets down to the nitty gritty of some tough subjects. I laughed and I cried. It’s well written and enlightening. Streeter and Olivia have been through some hard times. Bailey has had some tough issues to work through and a future to thing about. We get to see how they work together and learn to love, trust and believe in each other.
Release Date: November 5, 2019
Streeter is a widowed single dad raising a daughter, Olivia. Bailey is a Sergeant in the Army and while on leave, is back in Wyoming helping her sister with her store. As much as they don't want to like each other, they end up neighbors and sometimes neighbors have to help each other out in sticky situations. I thought this story had more emotion packed into it than others in the series, and I liked that there was more to it than just the romance - that's there too, though ;-)
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Another great book in the series. Hot romance but with depth and memorable, real characters dealing with real situations.
3.5 Stars
Sargent Bailey Masterson is on leave from the army so she decides to help out her sister on a dude ranch in Wyoming. Part of the support involves a boot camp for the kids of the ranch workers including her family members who seem unable to control or enforce discipline on their kids. One of the miscreants is five year old Olivia Hale who gives her widower father and caregivers a run for their money with her out of control antics. Olivia has some behavior disorders that keep all of her father, Streeter’s, attention focused on raising and reigning her in. While dealing with her own issues of which there are some serious ones, Bailey decides to whip Olivia and her cohorts into shape the military way while getting to know her neighbor, Streeter Hale.
Bailey and Streeter have plenty of issues when it comes to relationships, but they decide a friends with benefits summer fling is just what they both need. While juggling jobs, kids, and their own emotional and physical issues, Bailey and Streeter become more attached than either is willing to admit. Some very serious issued are addressed in the book including postpartum depression and the tragic results it has on everyone involved.
As far as romance, this story has an odd juxtaposition of dealing with kids to rough and tumble kinky sex including some unusual use of a new pair of cowboy rancher gloves. This book focuses a lot on raising children which seems less of a romance and more family drama women’s fiction. There are some heartfelt moments but much more commotion than passion. Book #10 in the series means longtime readers will know some of the backstories and other main characters quite well.
I didn't realize this was part of a series that had so many in it already! This can be read as a stand alone, but I have a feeling that some of the other characters on the sidelines in the story have already had their story told. So reading the others would have brought even more to this one. But having said that, this is a great read that develops your front line couple. Several medical issues that aren't usually addressed, were included and both the mental and physical damages they can cause were included. Easy read, not too over the top steamy. Just a good cowboy romance!
Spun Out is the tenth book in the Blacktop Cowboys. It was a really good story that touched on two very serious topics, which was post-partum depression and Lupus and it's consequences to both our main characters. Bailey and Streeter get together for a no strings attached relationship. As they spend many steamy sexy times together the wall they had erected around their hearts begin to crumble day by day. I enjoyed reading how in their case the roles in the relationship were reversed, Bailey was the more experienced and open about what she wanted, while Streeter was a little more reserved and less experienced. Though it didn't take long for him to let go of his shyness.
They both have gone through so much that we just wanted them to realize that they belonged together. I liked that both Bailey and Streeter were not perfect. They were surviving day by day on their own. Which was kind of sad because they both had family who were good people.
This book had a quite a few characters, but all were fun to read about. They each added to Bailey and Streeter's story. The epilogue was a great one! It brought tears to my eyes!
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for an honest review.
Spun Out, written by Lorelei James, was a pleasure to read. The characters were well-developed, had a nice pace when it came to how fast the story went by.
The storyline hit on several topics that we don't hear or talk about; Lupus and Postpartum Depression, otherwise known as postnatal depression.
The author did an excellent job of presenting these topics. It was done very informatively, not overly done to where it was the plot of the entire book.
If I had to pick my favorite character, I have to choose Olivia. It was just something about Olivia that I couldn't wait to see what she did next throughout the story.
If any book deserves more than five stars, Spun Out would be that book.
A very delightful and appealing Western romance, one I certainly recommend to any reader.
While Lorelei James is a must-buy author for me, I don't automatically give every book a five-star review. This book, however, demands it!
I love how damaged Bailey is and yet she's so caring, loving and lovable. She's a hard nut to crack though and she's lucky to have a man who eventually figures her out and makes her come to terms with her issues and hangs on tight when she wants to run.
Streeter is a sweetheart. Sure he's not very experienced in things of the heart...or even sex... but he's got all the right traits. He loves his daughter. He's a good dad, with a few things to learn still. He's strong. He's not intimidated by Sargent B He just needs the right person to reach inside and help him past his wife's death, and his and his daughter's issues tied to her loss. Bailey's straightforward, no holds barred style is the perfect way to bring him out.
It was torture watching these two getting closer and closer and still not dealing with those last things that were keeping them apart. Delicious torture. Spun Out is a must-reread book for me!
Summer boot camp, where can I sign up some kids for this one? This book was a real joy to read for me, Bailey is a little rattled, but her military training kicks in and even though she is struggling with her personal life she steps up and helps with the summer camp program and ends up doing some healing herself along the path. Streeter and Bailey are a great match and his little girl made me laugh and shake my head throughout the story. Amazing characters and a great story to loose yourself in, what more can you ask for.
Loved! This book drew me in from the beginning and I was hooked. I did not put it down. Bailey is in the process of leaving the military and she is one tough as nails woman. From the beginning you knew something was going on with Bailey but never knew just what until the end. NO SPOILERS given. I will just say that my heart went out to her and I cried. Have tissue handy. Streeter is a single dad. His daughter Olivia has some, well, some fears, something in her past affected her to the core of who she is. I loved how these two finally come together and have their HEA. It is a rough road, full of heat and tears, but worth it in the end.
I really liked this new story, bringing a very difficult issue up front, mental health with its different facets. You will laugh, you might cry, you will wonder what if… Streeter, Tobin’s brother and a widower, is going through life one day at a time, with his young daughter Olivia, who has her own issues. Then, comes Bailey, Harper’s and Trinity’s sister, who is a sergeant in the US Army and who also have medical and personal issues. They meet, develop a sexual relationship and start to discover each other’s life. You follow them through their ups and downs. As always, a great story well written, very believable. You will also get updates on past characters such as the Mud Lilies, which is always fun. A great read !