FIRST KISS WITH A COWBOY is the first book in the SILVERADO LAKE series, and I can’t wait for more! The characters are portrayed realistically with the right amount of drama.

Jane writes romance novels set in the mountains in the west, and with a cowboy front and center! She writes under a pseudonym, but how long will that last when she’s back in her hometown? Toby is a bull rider who’s been injured and returns to his hometown to heal. He takes a job at a local ranch, being more of a handyman not expecting Jane to return home where he’s now working. They have a history from a shared past and some definite chemistry.

There is a nice flow to the story. Their friends’ wedding activities are in the forefront since Jane is the maid of honor and Toby is the best man. There are beautifully portrayed scenic descriptions that made me feel like I was there. FIRST KISS WITH A COWBOY is filled with family, friends, and a deep and loving romance. There is nice closure with the epilogue, and I look forward to reading more books in this series. Ms. Richardson is fast becoming a favorite author.

Since this is a Forever publication, once again there’s a bonus novella. COWBOY TO THE RESCUE by A.J. Pine is the prequel to the MEADOW VALLEY series. It’s a small town with a big heart and lots of characters that I enjoyed getting to know. The story held my interest, and there was a lot of story packed into it. There are tragedies that seem impossible to overcome, and some heartening healing. The story is sexy and loving, and Ivy and Carter are wonderful main characters. An enjoyable novella worth the read.

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.

Another book by Sara Richardson that I couldn’t put down. The chemistry and depth of feeling kept my stomach in knots and tears in my eyes. Don’t worry, that’s a good thing.

So many good stories all come down to misunderstandings. Didn’t we learn that from Three’s Company? A pivotal moment in the lives of Jane and Toby happened while they were still in high school. Both viewed the special moment they shared with different eyes and hurried to protect themselves instead of talking to each other. That’s why, years later, Toby thinks Jane dislikes him and Jane thinks Toby is careless and thoughtless. They are both dead wrong.

Toby is a sort of celebrity with his bull riding career, so he’s surely had his share of women and partying. But he’s not one to lead those women on and he’s never thought of settling down. Then he gets injured and goes back home to recuperate. He still isn’t one to thing of the white picket fence and 2.5 kids, but Jane stirs up feelings in him he’s not used to having.

Jane left town as fast as she could after graduation. Always an introvert and quite shy, she never felt she fit in with her peers, or even her town. Jane always felt as though she was a bit “other”. It didn’t help that the mean girls in school latched onto Jane’s insecurities and shyness and taunted her. When Jane’s father dies, she withdraws even more. She’s not a recluse, but she keeps her friends to a limited few who have earned her trust. Those that seem to understand her, or at least not pressure her into being something she’s not.

That Jane and Toby competed academically throughout school and always had to argue and contradict each other growing up should have been the first clue that they actually were masking what the other made them feel. Once those feeling are allowed to bloom when Jane comes back to town at the same time as Toby, they can’t seem to stay away from each other.

While the love between these two seems to move fast, it was a long time coming. Their insecurities keep things between them a bit precarious, but love conquers all…isn’t that the saying?

I’m excited to see where this series will lead and whose story we’ll get to read next.

First Kiss with a Cowboy wasn’t for me. I’m starting to question if maybe I’m not a small town romance reader - or maybe it’s just not working for me right now. My reading has certainly been different because the world is different right now so - not sure.

This story has Jane coming back to her hometown for the summer - she’s between jobs and in her best friend’s upcoming wedding. Toby is also in the wedding. Back in high school they shared a kiss - and then he asked someone else to the dance the next day.

Lots of things felt off to me right from the start. Jane is still this hung up on a situation that happened so long ago in high school and can’t let it go? They are both in the wedding and neither asked anything about the rest of the wedding party? The first time they get together with the bride and groom they are asked to plan a wedding shower...for the next day. I don’t understand the timing or why everything about the wedding seems to be a total surprise to the wedding party.

At this point I am choosing to DNF - this isn’t for me or at least not right now. Thank you so much to Forever for the free review copy.

I enjoyed this one overall, but some of the pacing and storyline sadly didn’t work for me as well as I hoped. I really enjoyed the small Colorado town setting, this was my first book by Richardson but she clearly is talented at writing Colorado romances! I’m a sucker for meddling family and friends so I really liked that aspect of the book and that it was based around their mutual friends wedding. Hello forced proximity! Although I did question what kind of people have multiple wedding events that are planned at the last minute by their bridal party. I really liked their “we kissed once in high school” back story, it gave the beginning a hate to love vibe that I appreciated.

I liked Jane and her character as a professor and romance author, but some of her behaviors felt very young. I almost felt like this would have read better as a new adult romance with the characters being early twenties, and a college student instead of a professor. She just came off as really clueless sometimes. Toby felt like a younger character than he was as well at times. The pacing before the steamy scene confused me a bit, Jane seemed to think Toby might go back with his ex, they have no conversation and then bam! Sexy times! But I do always appreciate some open door steam in a romance!

I think I would have liked this one more if it was a little longer and scenes were more detailed. Some things seemed to happen pretty quickly without much discussion. Overall this one was a 3.5 star (4 stars for NG rating) for me. While it didn’t work for me as well as I hoped, I am definitely planning to read more of Richardson’s books in the future (I mean, who can say no to some Colorado cowboys??)

CW: death of parent from kayak accident, death of sibling from muscular dystrophy, grief

I'm only reviewing the main novel, not the bonus story by A.J. Pine (I'll read it later).

This was a cute cowboy romance. I've been on a cowboy kick lately and probably need to diversify my book selections, but why mess with a good thing?

Jane is a secret romance author who is back at her family's ranch for her best friend's upcoming nuptials. She rarely returns home and tries to avoid it given the humiliation she suffered in high school and the outsider she was. I certainly identified with being the quiet one in school.

Toby is a bull rider and is also back in his hometown for his best friend's wedding. He injured his shoulder and is recuperating from surgery before he heads back on the circuit. He was in love with Jane back in high school and now he's having to pair up with her to make sure their best friend's wedding and festivities are amazing.

Things are a little awkward and sometimes tense with Toby & Jane, mostly because of the high school issues. I can't really blame Toby though like Jane seems to do for the high school debacle. He kissed her, then she got embarrassed and told him she didn't like him. The next day, he asked another girl to prom in front of everyone since the girl he really liked didn't feel the same way. She was forever mortified and stayed away from the townsfolk since they still brought it up many years later. It was all anti-climatic in my opinion, but I guess in a small town, it's what you get. Communication could have cleared it all up though, but they were teens.

The romance is a bit of a slow burn since it takes Jane a long time to open up and give Toby a fair shot at a life with her. Or at least it seemed that way.

It was nice to have a hero who was also really smart (he competed with Jane in school) and who loved books just as much as the heroine. You don't get that very often, so it was a nice change. Plus, he was incredibly kind and loyal to his brother. Hearing about his twin and all he did to make his life a happy one was just swoon worthy.

Jane wasn't my favorite character, but she wasn't too terrible. She was too closed off for me to really like her and when she finally does grow up and give things a chance, it's almost the end of the book.

I'll definitely be looking to read more Sara Richardson books in the future - not sure how I managed to not read one before now.

First Kiss with a Cowboy is a splendid second chance romance by Sara Richardson. Both of the main characters have returned to Silverado Lake, Colorado for a short visit home. Both are in the same wedding party while also being at crossroads in their lives. Personality wise Jane and Toby are opposites. This is really no hindrance since they value many of the same things. When I first started the book I thought perhaps they would be not make a believable fit as a couple but they really do.

Of course, Toby is all confident even with a potentially career changing injury. He is likable, charming and has a past tragedy that still affects his family life. Jane is not much different she too has faced loss and some awkward moments in life. One happens at the very beginning of the story which served to be a bonding point for me with her. The one with Toby from her past, well it didn’t reflect well on him.

Older, more in tune with their emotions and socially mature, these two make a wonderful couple. Still Jane does not make it easy on Toby. Good for you, girlfriend. This is a wonderful start to what I see will be an addictive series.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great start to the series! I liked both Toby and Jane and really enjoyed their sweet romance. I look forward to visiting Silverado Lake again. I hope that the next book is about Jane's brother Wes!

First Kiss with a Cowboy is a wonderful start to a new series. Jane and Toby once shared a kiss. Years later when they meet again they can't get that kiss out of their minds. This is a wonderful story with endearing characters. The fast-paced storyline flowed seamlessly and kept my attention until the end. I would highly recommend this entertaining read and look forward to reading the next book.

Who doesn't like a good cowboy book. I found this story super cute. I liked the struggle between the two main characters because it wasn't just the struggle between each other but the struggles they faced in there every day life. They faced them without coming off as whiney. I liked Beth she was a friend everyone should have, someone willing to love you in spite of. I liked all the characters and small town of this book, I feel like it they could be friends even the old bitty's. This book does have adult situations but over all it a really fun read and I found it hard to put down wanting to know what the characters were up to next.

Jane Harding returns home to Silverado Lake to help her best friend plan her wedding. She has not been home in years. When she arrives at her moms ranch she does not expect to find Toby Garrett the man she had her first embarrassing kiss with in high school, now working as the handy man on the ranch. She also comes to realize that Toby is the best man in her friends wedding so she will have to work closely with him over the next few weeks. As they work together and plan ideas for the wedding they quickly realize there is still a undeniable connection between them.

Jane has been through a lot with loosing her dad she has a lot of insecurities and shuts her self off afraid of getting hurt. Toby is back home after suffering an injury on the bull riding circuit, he is passing time hoping he heals so he can get back out there. When he sees Jane again something stirs inside him and he wonders if she could give him a reason to stick around. Jane keeps pushing him away and trying to keep her distance but what she does not know is Toby has suffered a loss too and may be able to understand her pain and insecurities more than she thinks.

Will Toby be able to help Jane get over her fears and insecurities, let go of the past and look forward to the future together?

Ms Richardson's characters always seem to draw me into the story making it hard to put it down.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

Jane Harding is coming home to her best friend’s wedding. She is happy for her friend; she is not looking forward to being home. She also has to rewrite her new book but leave in the male hero which she was going to take out. The same one that she realized later was based on the guy from her worst night in high school ever. Hopefully, she won’t see him.
Bull rider Toby Garett is home because the last bull he rode for eight seconds did not like that and continued to jerk him around. After major shoulder surgery and PT, he is now home and his parents are driving him crazy. He hears one morning that of a job and asks the woman if she would be willing to hire him, she agrees. When Jane arrives at her mother’s ranch, retreat she comes to find out that the person who argued, challenged her in everything while in high school has taken over as the maintenance man. Now she must deal with Toby every day.
Her worst night in high school she associates with Toby, she already had insecurities and that night just made the ones she worse. Now she was faced with Toby. She also had to now deal with actually for a longer period of time her fathers’ death. What does happen though is she begins to work through all of that. You are able to see her growth not quickly but slowly and the strange thing Toby helps her, but she also helps Toby. This turns out to be a much better book than just what you imagine from the title. The characters are all good and the story up to the end is very good. A very good story.

This was my first book by Sara Richardson and it will not be my last.
I definitely connected with Jane Harding. Shy, outside looking in, not liking to be the center of attention...ME. Unfortunately, I'm not a secret romance writer. ;)
Toby Garrett. Awww Toby. Such a sweetheart. I fell in love with him. His sweet-talking, hard working, sincere ways.
Both characters have suffered a severe loss in their lives and even though they and their families have dealt with them in different ways, the losses have shaped who they are. I loved how they helped each other work through their grief.
There were some wonderful side characters, a beautiful setting and a bat scene that will have you laughing.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author, including the rest of this series.

Jane and Toby grew up together in a small town in Colorado. They were competitive in high school, and now there's a but of a grudge. Toby is back in town due to an injury from bull riding, and Jane comes back for her best friend's wedding. The two of them end up spending a lot of time together, working through what happened before and sharing new secrets.
The book was sweet overall but there was also lots of sadness and fear from things they'd each been through. They also both seemed to need a lot of coaxing from other characters.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once again Richardson draws you into the story and plays with your emotions. There is laughter, there are tears, and in the end all turns out the way it is supposed to.

4.5 stars

Sara Richardson is my go-to author for cowboy romance. She writes well-paced plots with relatable characters and sweet romance. First Kiss with a Cowboy is the first book in her new Silverado Lake series.

I absolutely fell in love with Toby and Jane over the course of this book. They shared a kiss when they were teenagers, but it didn't have the chance to develop into more. Now they are both at crossroads in their lives, Toby with his injury and Jane with her career as a romance novelist. They have also both returned home to Silverado Lake for their mutual best friends' wedding, and their flirting was adorable.

Even as the spark of attraction between them reignited they also connected emotionally. Those moments they shared were some of my favorite in the whole book. They really helped each other with the losses they had both experienced when they were younger.

I can't recommend this book - really all of Sara's books - enough! Her writing drew me in and made me feel like I was right there in Silverado Lake with Jane and Toby.

First book that I’ve read from this author! Sweet second chance romance that I enjoyed. For me, felt It was missing the “spark” and intensity that I’m used to. Nonetheless it was a good book

First Kiss with a Cowboy is a steamy romantic read with a sexy cowboy that will sweep you off your feet. This second chance romance was a perfect read! The characters are intriguing and share a story that is sure to leave you wanting more. Richardson's writing is superb! I can't wait to read more from the author.

thank you, Forever Pub, for being my cowboy addiction enabler. I love it so much. I enjoyed Jane and Toby's story so much. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and they both did it so well. The miscommunication and misunderstanding from high school left so much tension as they both prepared for their best friends weddings. You can't help but love them falling in love. Sara Richardson has now become a staple in my author faves.

Jane has never been back home for more than few days, now she is back for a wedding of her best friend and she has to spend few weeks.
Toby is back home to heal after accident. He finds work at ranch, working for Jane's mother.
Jane is not happy that Toby is working there, then she finds out that he is best man and she is a maid of honor. Then there is a issue of a kiss they shared in High School.
Will both of them be able to move from painful past to happy future.
This story is awesome, loved the characters.

There is a second story in this book, it's short story and it's wonderful too.

This book made me miss Colorado so much as well as the dude ranch I use to work on. This was my first Sara Richardson book and will not be my last! I loved her characters with Jane the now professor also writer who never comes home thanks to bad memories. Toby the all star high schooler now pro rodeo bull rider who is also home and is working on Jane's family dude ranch. The chemistry is still there between them, years later after heartache and misunderstanding. The setting of this book is just beautiful and makes you wish you were sitting down at the lake looking at the mountains. Loved how these two open up and tell their truth- while growing together.

This was such an enjoyable read with Jane coming out of her shell and Toby learning why he loved Jane before and now trusts her. This is a wonderful small town second chance story. I can't wait to see what else happens in Silverado Lake!

Overall, 4 stars and 3.5 steam!

Thanks to NetGallery, Forever, and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.