Now this was a satisfying read. Hallie and Rafe are well-rounded characters who have to make some tough choices. I loved their friendship and banter. I could feel the deep connection between them. This is an excellent example of how a friends-to-lovers story should go.
I also enjoyed seeing the evolution of the Prince family as they come to terms with their new reality. Cordelia revealed some new layers in her personality, and Dolly let us in on some family history. There are also some hints about the story to come. I am excited to read that one, too!

THE DEVIL IN THE SADDLE is only the second book I’ve read by Julia London, but it won’t be my last. I thought she only wrote historical novels but was pleasantly surprised to find out she also writes contemporary romances.

Since this is the second book in the PRINCES OF TEXAS series, I do plan to read the first book in the series just to get some of the back story. I didn’t feel lost not having read it, but it might have filled in some of the why the characters act the way they do.

The Princes are a powerful family in their small town in Texas and own the Three Rivers Ranch. When the dad, Charlie, dies suddenly, they find out that although they are still wealthy, they’re not as wealthy as they thought due to his gambling debts. The three adult children, Nick, Hallie, and her twin, Luca, are featured throughout the book, but this is Hallie’s story.

What does Hallie want to be when she grows up? She hasn’t finished college and didn’t become the prima ballerina she expected to be. It does take her most of the book to figure that out. Her best friend is Rafe, who is the son of the ranch’s majordomo. While there’s an attraction between them, he knows better than to pursue it. Or at least, he tries not to.

The story flows smoothly for the most part but does hit a few snags. Cordelia is Hallie’s mom and Charlie’s estranged wife, although she forgets that as she mourns him. Rafe’s mom, Dolly, is a hoot and definitely says what’s on her mind. The scenes at the family cemetery on the ranch definitely gave me a few chuckles.

Hallie’s ex-fiancee keeps trying to worm himself back into her good graces and leaves a lot to be desired. As the story progresses, we get to know both Rafe and Hallie better but also his family as well. The romance is well-done with lovely closure. I liked that there were a couple of chapters from the next book in the series, THE BILLIONAIRE IN BOOTS, that whet my appetite for more.

The title is apt! I liked the premise of the story. I liked Rafe but wasn't a fan of Hallie. Some behavior on her part had me rolling my eyes. Sometimes the chemistry between the two was there and sometimes it wasn't. I'm on the fence about this story. I could go either way. It's just one of those stories that wasn't bad, but wasn't my favorite either. I will tell you though, I absolutely adore this author. She is a talented writer, this story just wasn't for me.

The Devil in the Saddle is a friend to lover story and is one of my favorite tropes. Hallie has just cancelled her wedding after catching her fiancé cheating. Now she is adrift and doesn’t know what to do with her life. She finds herself getting support from her lifelong friend Rafe Fontana. Rafe is helping his father on the Three Rivers Ranch while he waits for his job in Chicago to start. He doesn’t mind helping Hallie figure things out but finds it hard to keep his love for her a secret. Should he finally man up and tell her? What if she doesn’t feel the same and he ruins a good friendship?
Hallie was an interesting character to see develop over the course of the story. She had a lot of growing up to do. Growing up as a rich girl she did what was expected and not necessarily what she wanted to do. Now she has time to think about what she likes and start to take steps to set a plan in motion. I have to admire a person who pulls a plan together gradually to go back to school in order to teach ballet and build a ballet studio. She gets help from old rivals and friends but she does it and makes her feel good about herself for a change. When she starts to notice Rafe in a new light she is tentative to change their friendship status but what does she have to lose if this is the one and only chance to be with him. And when that happens sparks fly. The chemistry is hot and the connection is sweet. I had to hand it to Hallie when she put herself first for a change instead of pursuing a relationship with Rafe. She wanted him to be there for her and no other reason. It was a gutsy move and it turned out wonderful in the end.
Rafe was a man of many layers. You know the saying still waters run deep. That is Rafe to a tee. He’s an ex-Army Ranger, a part-time cowboy ranch hand, and a caretaker for his family and friends. He puts his needs second for his family and does what he can to support them. When Hallie becomes single he isn’t sure what to do at first since he knew she was out of his league and he was only the hired help. When he decides to come forward and let the chips fall where they may, he can’t believe how right it feels to be with Hallie. Rafe made a few changes himself and realized that the job in Chicago isn’t exactly what he wants anymore. Being with Hallie changed things. It took some time to get over this feeling of not being good enough but he had some help to understand that what they had together was meant to be.
One of the things I loved about this story is the ease in which the author made the transition from friend to lover. Based on a childhood friendship they had a comfortableness between Hallie and Rafe that allowed the intimacy to grow. The Devil in the Saddle is a fun, sweet story and an enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to older brother Nate’s story.

The Devil in the Saddle is the second book in the Princes of Texas series by Julia London. The heart of this series is set at the Three Rivers Ranch where stereotypes and family expectations have set the course for decades. Without equal, it’s also one of the best modern romances Ms. London has ever written as she manages to capture the delicate balance of family expectations against being true to oneself. It was such a heartwarming, entertaining story to read.
Hallie Prince is the darling socialite who finds herself totally lost at 30. Her fiancé cheated on her. Her family’s fortune has dwindled. And her Instagram followers love her as she posts a deconstruction of wedding plans via artfully placed yet utterly destroyed wedding items. Hallie wakes up to the reality that her life has been a bit aimless, maybe even selfish. Her constant savior from childhood and best friend, Rafe Fontana serves up a dose of reality and support at the same time. Rafe’s family has worked for the Princes for decades and his life has been a path of leadership, selflessness, and kindness –nicely wrapped up in a hot as heck package. All the while, Rafe kept his love of Hallie a secret with no hope for a happily ever after. Is it time for both of them to turn over a new leaf in life?
While there are some social class undertones with the backdrop of the steadfastness of the Fontana family, this is a rom-com with a ton of humor to be found in the dysfunctional Prince family. Ms. London has beautifully constructed both the Fontana and Prince families with rich, redeemable characters, such that there is much to love and hate at the same time. It’s classic.
This one is a keeper – one that will be read again and again.
I received an ARC of this story. Opinions are my own.

The story of the Prince family continues, right where the previous one ended, with the story of the family princess and her road back from disaster. I am a huge fan of Julia London’s historical romances, though I have found that I don’t love her contemporary stories near as much, but I truly enjoyed Hallie and Rafe’s story despite that. The previous novel in the story was definitely one I had to struggle through and, while there were a few slow moments, this story was a huge improvement and gave me a lot more faith in the series, so I am truly looking forward to the next in the series. Hallie and Rafe went through a lot of growing pains as they found their way into one another’s arms, but it is obvious that the chemistry they have both felt all along is something that neither of them were able to deal with until this exact moment in their lives. If you are looking for a realistic story of two people at crossroads in their lives that are getting a chance to find love, you will not be disappointed.
Hallie is dealing with a lot of change in her life and she has definitely lost her way, but she knows that when she finds her old friend Rafe back in her life she sees that she needs him in a way she never did before. Rafe has returned to the ranch he grew up on, as a temporary stop on the way to his new life, never expecting that he would find the princess of his youth drawing him in. Rafe and Hallie are both trying to find the way to their future and their place in the world but as they come together the passion between them is undeniable. Soon their emotions are so deep that their old fears arise and they have to decide if they are willing to defy their pasts and find happiness together.
Hallie has spent most of her life as the spoiled princess of her family, but now that her father is gone and her world has shattered, she has to find out if she has enough backbone to stand on her own two feet. There were a few moments where I really hated Hallie, but thankfully overall as she grew up and found her footing, I came to respect her and enjoyed getting to know the real her as much as she and Rafe did. She was truly an intelligent, loving, brave, and determined young woman that came out of her shell and proved that she would be truly welcome contributing member of society. Rafe on the other hand was truly a dark and sexy knight in shining armor from the very beginning. I loved seeing how sweet and charming he was, despite his fears and self-doubt. It was obvious that he truly cared about the people he wanted to help and that he was devoted to his family. He was willing to support Hallie and help her find her footing, even as he fell deeper in love with her even though he believed he had no chance of a future with her. The way he worked toward a goal and refused to give up in despite the many, many problems that cropped up in his way, show that Rafe’s gentle stubbornness were a good match for Hallie’s.
Overall I liked this story a lot and while there were a few moments that were not my favorite, it really reminded me why I love Julia’s writing so very much. Hallie is a young woman in need of a compass to find true north and lead her to her path in life and she finds it in the man she has called friend all her life. She will find her way with his assistance but it will definitely not be an easy path and she will have to use every bit of her determination and skill in order to not fail epically at everything she has decided she wants out of life. Rafe on the other hand has always known what he wanted and what he was willing to allow himself to want, but once he lets himself give in to Hallie everything changes and he has to find out if he can trust in himself—and Hallie—to give in to his new dreams. I loved seeing these two break through their beliefs about themselves and their understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses in order to find out who they truly were. The love and chemistry between them was hot but the sweetness of their emotional connection kept that flame from being so hot that it just spiked and burned out. Despite a few tropes that are not my favorite popping up near the end of the story, I am looking forward to what comes next and I suspect I know who the love interest will be for the final Prince sibling. Julia London’s historicals will remain my favorite of her genre writing, but this story makes me a little more open to her contemporary writing and I am going to go into the next story with a bit more of an open mind for sure.

Julia London is an author I haven’t read too much from. She’s very popular and has won many accolades. I have enjoyed every book of hers that I have read but the opportunities have been few for whatever reason. That being said I would definitely recommend her new novel, The Devil in the Saddle. This in the second book in the Princes of Texas series. London brings readers a friends to lovers story that is both heartwarming and steamy. With tons of witty banter and characters that will win your heart, this one is a keeper!

What I liked:

The friends to lovers trope is always a favorite of mine. This is a situation that often happens in real life and I think readers enjoy the idea that hey maybe this could happen to me. It’s easy to relate to and it’s engaging. In Devil in the Saddle our hero, Rafe has always had secret feelings for his long time friend, Hallie. But there seemed to be something standing the way. I thought London did an excellent job of showing how this couples feelings for each other changed over the course of the story. How they moved beyond Rafe being Hallie’s shoulder to cry on, to becoming her support for a new life choice and kept going from there. It wasn’t a slow start at all just a nice easy flow.

One thing that stood out to me about this book is that the story was more than just your run of the mill romance. Hallie is the only daughter in the Prince family, who are practically considered royalty in their Texas community. Rafe is the son of one of the Ranch employees. Readers will feel and understand Rafe’s struggle to see himself as good enough for Hallie because of the social class barriers and the good intentions of those who want to see Hallie marry well. I thought London did a wonderful job showing the reader that it doesn’t matter whether you come from money or from a hard working family, love doesn’t see the obstacles. It sees the possibilities.

Hallie has really been through the wringer when this book begins. After a hard night of drinking tequila and sleeping in her fancy wedding gown, she finds herself rescued by her long time friend, Rafe. She’s been through a lot from losing her father to getting rid of her cheating fiancé . I loved the way Hallie took some time. She pulled herself together and decided to move on with her life much to the chagrin of her family. Her choices aren’t what they want but Rafes support allows her safety while she redefines her dreams. Loved that aspect of the story! London fosters the idea that it is up to you to change your life both in Hallie’s story and in Rafe’s.

What I didn’t:

At first our heroine doesn’t come off as a sweet Texas girl. She’s a little bit spoiled. A little bit catty. And a whole lot of trouble. Some readers may have a hard time deciding if they like Hallie. But give it some time. Believe me, she grows on you and she grows up.

Rafe was a great character in every way but it did take him a little while to get out of his own way. Yes, he’s the employee and she’s the bosses daughter but in 2019, does that really matter? Sometimes I wonder...

Bottom Line:

Julia London is a great writer! This book had a good storyline. The characters were believable, their struggles palpable. The character growth throughout the book was excellent. I felt like it wasn’t predictable nor was it way off base. I’m gonna have read more from this lady... I really enjoyed this one!

The story of Hallie & Rafe was an awesome read. It was a fantastic trip back to Three Rivers. The characters in the book are relatable and you're always sad when the book comes to an end. Once I started the book I didn't want to put it down. It was great to see Hallie come back from the ashes of a broken engagement to come out on top. Rafe is the kind of guy that you want to be by your side forever. Can't wait for the next book!

I received an ARC of this book from the author, any opinions and statements are my own.

I truly enjoyed this second installment in the Princes of Texas series. Both Hallie and Rafe were very relatable characters, and I felt the story flowed well. I also liked the fact that the author seemed to give us a better insight into the characters' thought processes and what was driving them to act the way they were (a major plus for me), more so than in some previous works I've read by the same author. All in all, I felt this was a fun, straight-through read, perfect for a day at the beach, or curled up in front of a crackling fire!

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro

There cannot be a better follow up book to The Charmer in Chaps than The Devil in the Saddle. In the previous book, readers hardly got a glimpse into Hallie Prince’s character. The reader is briefly introduced to her as Luca’s twin sister that will be getting married soon. Now, in her own book, readers can dive deep and get to know the kind of girl Hallie really is.

“The dreams that happen just before waking, the ones that take weird turns into hippie-dippie landscapes, are the strangest of all.”

To begin off with, Hallie is no longer engaged. Her fiance cheated on her with one of her bridesmaids. The event reminds her of what her mother went through with her father and

Hallie does not desire to live that kind of life. Her fiance insists that he made a mistake and that it won’t happen again, stating that the distance between them drove him to his actions. Hallie’s past family’s experiences make up her mind and she breaks up her engagement and contact with her fiance. She also comes to realize that all he was looking for was a trophy-wife.

With no more wedding and new found time on her hands, Hallie takes advantage of a college email encouraging students to finish their degrees, to go back to school, and pursue their passion. She receives little support from her family but finds a great ally on her childhood friend Rafe. Rafe who is starting his new life after the military is back home for a while to help around the ranch. He has always had a crush on Hallie, but social statues always held him back from being anything more than a friend. Now, with Hallie’s new life maybe there’s a chance of something more.

I loved this book! As soon as I started reading it, I felt compelled by Hallie. She was going through all these emotional stages and I was there with her. After ending her engagement she was lost for a moment but found a great way to overcome it. And I liked that she realized that drinking was not the way to overcome a situation like hers. I also enjoyed the direction the author took her character. Hallie found the best ways to continue with her life and deal with how her ex-fiance was reacting.

“[…] You’re my sister, and I love you and I want to help you and I don’t like to see you hurt. It kills me.”

“I’m not a big fan of being hurt, either, but I’m over it. Now I’m just filled with rage and a very strong desire to be different. Plus, my instagram page is going viral and I need to add some stuff before I lose my audience.”

I also liked the chemistry and mischievousness between Hallie and Rafe. He knew what kind of person she was and always tried to make her see how good she was and her true talent. I was a little worried about how Hallie’s mother would react to her choices but Mrs. Prince is turning out to be a box of surprises. I’m interested in seeing her character develop in the next book. Mrs. Prince needs some peace in her life as well. And let us not forget the Prince’s grandmother, she is hilarious as ever! I want to go shopping with her to Walmart 🙂

This book was amazing from start to end. Hallie lost her father, her fiance, her relationship with her mother isn’t the best but they’re working on it, she had no job or a backup plan, but at the end everything worked out in an interesting sort of way. And Rafe is the best support she could have asked for. If you are not reading the Princes of Texas series, you are missing out on some great characters and a hilarious grandma.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Hallie Prince is struggling to get her life back on track. Her fiancé cheated on her with a bridesmaid. Her dream of a perfect wedding was destroyed. Now she's living at home and has no purpose. She rekindles her friendship with Rafe. His father is the Prince Family's majordomo. He understands Hallie and has always loved her. I felt their connection. The interaction between them seemed playful and light hearted, but was really hiding deep emotions. I didn't want them to be kept apart by their social station. Julia London's characters are so well written that They leap off the page. I cared for them. They made me laugh and cry. I appreciated their spirit and determination as they worked to find their purpose and fulfill their dreams. I wanted them to find love and happiness. Miss Dolly was a breath of fresh air. She's a free spirit who doesn't let age stop her. Her mock battle with her daughter-in-law were epic. This family drama pulled me in. I couldn't stop reading The Devil In The Saddle. Julia London has written an amazing story filled with passion and heartbreak. The characters and the dialogue were compelling. I love the Princes of Texas.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

Rafe and Hallie story was so fun to read. They have some great history. Their story switches smoothly between each of their points of view and tells their story from both aspects. Lots of times what they thought and what was reality did not match up and it was great watching them find a way to get in sync. I really enjoyed the flow of this story. I felt like I was reading one of my favorite night time soap operas, but with less soapy drama and much more miscues and laughter. Nothing like a hot, stubborn cowboy and a former socialite with some actual depth to her character who is not afraid to laugh at herself. Truly a great story.

The Devil in the Saddle is the second book in the Princes of Texas series by Julia London, it can be read as a stand alone, and revolves around the story of Hallie and Rafe.

Hallie Prince, a well-known Texas socialite, has called off her high society wedding after finding her husband in bed with one of her bridesmaids. She decided to escape society for a bit and camp out at her family’s mansion in the county where she is delighted to find that one of her closest friends is back in town.

Rafael Fontana is an ex-Army Ranger who is back in his hometown to help out his dad at the Prince ranch. Rafe has been in love with Hallie for as long as he can remember, but he has always held back since him and his family are technically the “help”. Hallie and Rafe get back into their old best friends rhythm and both begin to notice the subtle change in their relationship and the new sexual tension that is getting harder to ignore.

This was my first Julia London novel and it was okay. Okay is the best way that I can describe this book. When it came time for me to write this review, I had in all honestly forgotten what it was even really about, and had to go back and read through the first bit to remind myself. That in itself should tell you a lot about the book. It is good, but to me it just was not very captivating, I read it and then went away and immediately forgot all about it. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of the characters or the writing, but it was all just a bit blah to me.

I liked Hallie a lot, even though she really is a big spoiled brat in the beginning. But this is to be expected from the only female child of an extremely wealthy southern family. Even with her not quite realizing her privilege, I think she really grew as a person throughout the course of the story. She went from being dependent on others to starting to value herself as a person and respect her own wishes for her future. I also liked Rafe, he was the sort of guy that I don’t think actually exist in real life: quiet, very handsome, can work with his hands to fix things, and was very nice. I did not really know who exactly the “devil in the saddle” was supposed to be in this story, as Rafe is quiet the angel and Hallie is not really devilish herself. Even though Rafe has always known that he has loved Hallie, I enjoyed going on the journey with Hallie as she slowly discovered the same for herself.

Overall, the story is a good one, but just a bit bland for me. Nothing really stood out as extraordinary but nothing was really terrible about it either. I recommend if you are just looking for a nice and easy read.

~ Harshita

When Halie finds her fiance cheating on her, calls off her wedding and gets blistering drunk, her childhood best friend finds her trying to get her car out of the garage. He rescues her, again. Something he seems to have been doing his entire life. This story explores Halie and Rafe's adult relationship, one built on a lifetime of friendship, but can it sustain a lifetime of love? Read anything by Julia London, you will love it!

Hallie and Rafe’s story is an emotional and moving tale in Devil in the Saddle by Julia London, book two in The Princes of Texas series. After the death of her father, Hallie Prince finds her fiancé cheating with one of her friends. Well, no one cheats on a Prince and gets away with it; Hallie breaks off her engagement and flounders for a bit. She tries getting drunk, becoming a hermit, and an instagram account about deconstructing a wedding before she lets her best friend Rafael, Rafe, Fontana help her find herself. Rafe has loved Hallie since they were kids, but he was always considered the help while Hallie was the beautiful, popular, off-limits daughter of the ranch owner. This ex-Army Ranger is back to help his family but is soon helping Hallie since she needs his support. The problem – after all these years, Hallie is finally noticing the handsome, sexy, and caring Rafe. As feelings arise, lighting the desire between them, Rafe realizes that he wants and deserves Hallie. Now he just has to convince her to give true love another chance, but with him this time.

Ms. London wrote a wonderful, emotional story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, and endearing characters giving Hallie and Rafe a chance at love, happiness, and a future neither expected as they both work to overcome the struggles and direction of their lives. I highly recommend Devil in the Saddle to other readers and look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Hallie Prince is hurting, emotionally and physically, after the end of her engagement and desperately wants to find a purpose for her life. Her lifelong friend, Rafe, is home and will graduate with a college degree soon and start a business with his Army buddies in Chicago. Hallie doesn't know that Rafe has tender feelings for her, and he doesn't want her to find out, but he cannot not help her through this rough patch and offers much needed support. One weekend away in Aspen will change everything that they thought they knew about each other. Now, Rafe and Hallie must decide what they really want from life and each other.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

This book had me from page one! Rafe’s reminders to Hallie of what she had done the night before had me laughing so hard there were tears. Hallie Prince broke her engagement when she walked in on her fiancé and her one of her bridesmaids in the middle of things. For Hallie, it was just the icing on the cake after losing her father and finding out the family wasn’t as rich as they thought they were. Unmoored, Hallie realizes it’s past time to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Luckily she has Rafe, her long-time friend, to lean on. Rafe has loved Hallie forever, but as the son of the “help” he knows he has no chance, and has planned his life so he doesn’t have to watch Hallie with anyone else. All Hallie knows is that Rafe has always been there for her, and spending more time with him makes her realize that he could be more than a friend. Hallie doesn’t know where things will end up with Rafe, but one thing is for certain: she needs to figure out her life and who she is.
The Prince family is one of a kind. Full of quirky characters, this is a fun read from beginning to end. Julia London has created characters you become invested in and the situations they find themselves in will keep you turning pages to find out where they will end up next. Hallie is a strong character, but she’s drifted along for most of her life. It was exciting to watch each step as she figured out who she was and where she wanted to be.
This was the second book in the Princes of Texas series, but could easily stand alone (but, if you missed the first, you should really check it out…). I really can’t wait to read the third in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The friends to more plot is one Ms. London writes well. Another great read with characters that draw you in and keep you in the story till the end.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Hallie Prince has been the spoiled princess of the Prince family for her entire life. She's all set to marry an up and coming doctor in a big old Texas wedding until she discovers said doctor in a very compromising position with one of her best girlfriends. End of wedding planning and on to wallowing in self pity. Enter Rafe Fontana, Hallie's best friend since forever. Rafe spent his entire life on the Prince ranch except for his stint in the marines. He and Hallie grew up playing together with her brothers and somewhere along the way Rafe fell in love with Hallie; a fact he's never shared with her or anyone else.

So, while Hallie tries to figure out her life, she depends rather heavily on Rafe and their friendship to get her through the turmoil that is her life. Somewhere along the way she discovers her true feelings for Rafe and then her life becomes even more complicated. Rafe has plans to move to Chicago to open a business with friends and Hallie decides to go back to school and start teaching ballet to children. She once harbored dreams of becoming a professional ballerina! So as things heat up between Hallie and Rafe both their lives become confused and when they finally decide to come clean with each other about their feelings they must overcome some obstacles on the road to their happily every after but in the end love prevails.

I received an ARC for my honest review.

From reading the previous Princes of Texas book I wasn’t sure that I would like Hallie Prince,
but I was wrong. Julia London artfully look what could be considered a high society snob and made her so relatable. With the brutal demise of her engagement Halie sets out to discover who is Hallie. However she wasn’t expecting long time friend Rafe Fontana to make a reappearance in her life.
Rafe has lived Hallie for most of his life, but has always kept his feelings buried. So imagine his surprise when he finds Hallie back home, no longer engaged, and in need of a friend.
The chemistry between Rafe and Hallie sparks off the page. Though this dynamic was based on so much more than attraction, their ability to truly understand each other and laugh was amazing. By the end of book I felt like I had known them forever, which a rare feat. Cannot wait to reread this book again.