Cal has shown up in a town to help it with a rodeo though he has retired from the rodeo. He agreed to this town because he is looking for answers about his half-brother and any other family he may have after receiving the paperwork. Once in town, he realizes that his brother was not a nice person for people treat him differently when they see him including his ex-wife. They are surprised to find out that his personality is completely different and though that is a good thing he does not know whether he will stay in the town after the rodeo for people still judge him by his brother since they look alike. A very good book with many different emotions.

This was a great rodeo/romance book about a second chance for a widow to find her true love and for a rodeo cowboy to find what he really wants in life after he retires from the circuit. Just when the both think it won't work out the realize they can compromise to make it work. I was very pleased with the book and looking forward to reading more.

When Cal and Amy first met it was like a sucker punch to the gut for Amy. Why? How would you feel looking at a man who looks like a replica of your dead husband? This was a great story of loss and love. It was very romantic with a lot of sweetness along the way. I would highly recommend this novel.

Single mom and widow Amy Thorne is totally and absolutely in love with her town. It’s her job to market her little corner of heaven, and right now, she’s working on the town’s upcoming rodeo. Everything is perfect—until rodeo star Cal Pierce arrives. When she sees him, Amy nearly faints. The sexy cowboy is the spitting image of her late husband. It all makes sense when she learns Cal is the baby her mother-in-law gave up for adoption years ago. But though Cal might look like his half-brother, that’s as far as the resemblance goes. Unlike Luke, Cal respects her mind and supports her ideas. But he’s a traveling man, not the sort who would ever settle down. Certainly not the sort of man Amy should ever fall for. If only her heart would listen…



Cal loves the rodeo, the life on the road, the challenge of competition. Just the thought of settling down in one place makes him antsy. Problem is, Amy is starting to get under his skin and he’s starting to think thoughts that are completely foreign to him. Things like home and family and staying put. He can’t stay and Amy won’t leave. It’s best for him to move on—and that’s exactly what he does. Unfortunately, it’s only after he leaves that he realizes his heart might not be in rodeo anymore. Is it too late to come back to the home he’s found at last? Loved this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first book by this author and also the first in a series, the Thorne Ranch Brothers. It did not disappoint. I instantly added the other books in the series to my TBR.

Amy is a widowed single mom. Cal is trying to decide what’s next after announcing his retirement from the rodeo circuit. An unlikely series of events brings them together and they are instantly drawn to each other. Both for very different reasons.

I loved the character development and back story. I enjoyed the twists and turns and seeing their love story unfold. I can’t wait to read Brian and Jake’s books next!

Thanks to NetGalley (and publisher) for the opportunity to read and review.

This is the first book. in a new series. I absolutely love single parent storylines as well as cowboy books. So I was excited to be accepted for this book. Leslie definitely takes you on a wild ride with their romance. I enjoy Cal and Amy's story.

As with all Leslie North books, this one is a keeper. Cal is on the rodeo circuit and getting ready to retire. His friend asked him to come put on a local rodeo as a fundraiser for a city that lost their community center to a fire. Cal agrees, but he isn’t prepared for the reaction he gets from everyone in town.

It turns out that a secret from Cal’s past is causing a lot of confusion for the entire town. Can Cal, his local rodeo contact Amy and the rest of the town get past first impressions to aloe Cal the life he desires?

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.

This is a book about an unexpected surprise. The two main characters are Amy and Cal. Amy is a widow and when she meets Cal he looks like her husband. Come to find out he is his half brother. They have issues to work out but find love.

Sorry wasn't given a chance to download it disappeared the day after it was acepted. I tried to ask to be able to review it and said surely there should be a few days notice before it disappears

This book is another enjoyable and uncomplicated Cowboy's [Adjective] [Noun] novel by the prolific Leslie North. The first in the Thorne Ranch Brothers series, Cowboy's Unexpected Family introduces us right away to the skeleton in the closet: Mom Thorne's previously unknown son--from a high school relationship--who she gave up for adoption. An added twist is that Cal is a dead ringer (ouch, bad pun) for her second eldest son Lucas (eldest from her marriage), who died in an automobile accident four years earlier.

Cal arrives in town as an invited guest; he's agreed to be the star performer in a charity rodeo organized by Amy Thorne, Lucas's widow. When the townspeople get a look at Cal, they are shocked, no one more so than Amy.

After some mild chaos--Cal talking to his mom and his bio mom; Amy talking to Cal; Cal talking to his half brothers, etc., things settle down. The newer conflict is when Cal and Amy find themselves attracted to each other. Mostly, it's Cal who frets because he worries that he'll never live up to sainted Lucas, who as it turns out wasn't really all that awesome.

There's no giant conflict or trauma in this short novel. Cal had a great life growing up with the couple who adopted him, the Thornes quickly accept Cal and welcome him into their family, Lucas's twin brothers love Amy and are more worried that Cal will hurt her then they are about him taking Lucas's place, and Amy's son adores Cal instantly. For me, I would have preferred a little more conflict of some kind. What saves this book from being too easy is that it is well written with characters you can't help liking.

This book is a perfect beach read that won't make you work too hard, and sometimes, that's exactly the kind of book I'm looking for.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

This was a sweet story. The characters were lovable and the story moved at a good pace. I wish there was a little more development of the brothers bond but I understand that was not the focus. This is my first book by this author but I enjoyed it very much.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for the ARC. This is the first book in a series and the first of Leslie North's writing I have read. The book was so enthralling and as soon as I started it, I could not stop reading until I was finished.

A Cowboy's Unexpected Family is a story following rodeo star Cal and a widow named Amy whose deceased husband looked nearly identical to Cal. This book explores difficult topics such as adoption, abuse, and family secrets and ties it up into a beautiful western romance. I loved the writing style of Leslie North as it kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time while I was reading it!

Wow! This story was so fantastic to read. I was hooked from the very first chapter. Single mom and widow Amy Thorne is Darby Crossing's town marketing guru whos path crosses with the steamy rodeo champion Cal Pierce. Who doesn't love a steamy small town romance! When the two meet not only is Cal the very image of her deceased husband, but she is also feels a spark of attraction for him. The chemistry between these two just leapt off the page.

This is the first in the series for the Thorne Ranch Brothers. Cal is a rodeo pro getting ready to retire but before he does has agreed to do a charity rodeo event for the small town of Darby Crossings in order for them to raise money for the community center. Amy Thorne is a widow with a small son Henry who works for the Mayor and is in charge of the event. When Cal comes to town everyone keeps staring at him and Amy turns white and almost faints when she meets him. Come to find out Cal who is adopted is her dead husband's half brother and looks exactly like him. Luke was the town's golden boy and everyone had put him on a pedestal or so Amy thought. She is feeling guilt as she is attracted to Cal and Cal is attracted to her. What follows is a heartwarming, slow burn romance that is fast paced and easy to read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received this ARC for an honest review from Netgalley.

I’ve become an avid reader of Leslie North but this has definitely been my favourite by far! I was hooked from the first page and read it within 2 hours.

Oh man, I was sucked in from page one. I'm not sure if I've read this author before, but I'll be sure to be on the lookout from now on. I can't wait for Brian's book.

I could not put this book down. I started reading it before bed, and before I knew it I had read the entire book. The character of, Cal, is so charming and loving. You are rooting for him to realize the girl of his dreams is right there in front of him. The family dynamics make this book one that is not only relatable but one that will want to read more about this entire family. I am dying to read the other two books about Cal's half-brothers! Come on Netgalley! Let's release those like now!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the first in a new series. This series is set in Texas and I found it different. The family dynamics are intriguing and I enjoyed the chemistry between Amy and Cal. I liked the story-is it realistic-I have no idea? I can't imagine this happening but who knows. Still it is a quick, fun enjoyable read. 4 stars. I think that most romance readers would enjoy.

Leslie North consistently brings great characters and passionate romance to life. As a big fan of North's, her name provokes an automatic one-click from me. I am always entertained. Highly recommend.

Cowboy’s Unexpected Family (Thorne Ranch #1) by Leslie North
Publisher: Relay Publishing
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Romance
Publication Date: June 17, 2021

Cowboy’s Unexpected Family is the first book in the Thorne Ranch trilogy by Leslie North. This is such a sweet story! I really loved Amy & Cal!

This is a fast read with a beautiful story! The characters are great and I loved the small town.

I can't wait to read the next books, Sheriff's Pregnant Ex and Rancher's Pregnant Partner, which are releasing the next couple of weeks! If you love small town, cowboy romances, you should definitely read this!!!!

I'm so grateful to Leslie North, Relay Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.