A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon is the third novel in the Cowboys of California series. Jesse Pleasant—grumpy ranch owner must clean up his image for a possible public office nomination. Lucky for Jesse, Lily-Grace Leroux is available to help. The novel is a play on the Beauty and the Beast storyline that offers readers a sweet story including lots of chemistry with authentic and vulnerable characters. Readers will be drawn into the story and fall in love with the characters. Readers that are fans of Rebekah Weatherspoon or anyone interested in beautiful love stories full of banter and chemistry should read all of the novels in the Cowboys of California series.

I didn't realize that this book was part of a series, but I don't think I missed any of the story by not reading the others. This was my first Rebekah Weatherspoon read and definitely not my last. What a great Beauty And The Beast retelling! The banter and chemistry between Lily-Grace and Jesse is absolutely EVERYTHINGGGGG!!!! And woosh the spice is so good! I now definitely want to read the other books in this series too!

As always, Rebekah Weatherspoon delivers great romance. You don't need to read the first two in the series, as the author gives a brief synopsis (also a great reminder of what happened for people who have read the first two) this book is a bit more sexually explicit, which I enjoyed. It's not quite enemies to lovers, more adversaries, as the main characters get off to a bad start.

If contemporary fairytale retellings are your jam, you do not want to miss out on Rebekah Weatherspoon's Cowboys of California trilogy. A Thorn in the Saddle is the third and final book, and I think it may also be my favorite!

Jesse Pleasant is known for having a short fuse, but when his temper gets the better of him in front of his grandmother's new beau, he comes face-to-face with Lily-Grace Leroux, an old classmate who isn't afraid to tell him to get his butt into therapy before she sues him for losing it on her father. Sparks of anger soon turn to interest and before either of them know it, they have a sex pact and are falling hard and fast.

It's no secret that Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale, and as a result I can be picky when it comes to retellings. I loved the way Weatherspoon treated this one from showing Jesse's struggles with his temper and the steps he was taking to learn to communicate his emotions, to Gaston being represented in the misogyny and harassment that Lily-Grace has faced in the tech field (as well as an ex), to the love of the Bachelor franchise being a cheeky nod to the roses of the original.

I also love a sex pact trope. Jesse has limited experience, while Lily-Grace's last relationship was kink-heavy. I really enjoyed the way that she was able to be their guide, and their mutual focus on making sure they both felt safe and satisfied at all times.

I do recommend reading this series in order. Family and friends are a huge part of the Pleasant brothers' lives, and I think it helps to have that full picture—especially for the lovely way that this final book ends.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available to me.

While I was not all that sympathetic toward Jesse's "oh poor me" attitudes, and not quite the believer of the whole sexual awakening sub-plot, Lily-Grace's personality made up for it, as did the rest of their developing relationship. It was nice to see both characters finding the means to ask for help in overcoming emotional and psychological issues in their lives.

All three books in this series are worth reading, this one most of all.

First of all I loved the therapy on the page especially with the male lead going to sort through anger issues. Props to Weatherspoon for that representation because therapy is for everyone.

The family is just chefs kiss, I need to go back and read the other books in this series. You go grandma!

However that's about all that I loved, I personally felt a disconnect between Lily and Jesse from the very beginning and no amount of reading changed that for me sadly.

2.5 Stars rounded to 3 stars

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5
A Thorn in the Saddle is the final installment in Rebekah Weatherspoon’s warm and rich Cowboys of California series.
I highly recommend reading this series in order. A big part of this being my favorite of the three is how lived in we feel with the Ranch and the characters. I can see how Jesse is such a fan favorite. You feel for him every step of the way even with his mistakes. Lila Grace was the perfect match for him and their happy for now felt so natural and easy, just as they described it.

This is excellent in audio.
Shout out to DJ Clip Clop and Uncle Jesse.

Do you like cowboy romances? I've read several Rebekah Weatherspoon novels and I really enjoy her take on modern contemporary romance. I love her character portrayals. Cowboys aren't usually my first choice, but I'm glad I picked this up.

This book is an adult contemporary romance set around a Black-owned ranch and loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast. It follows Jesse and Lily-Grace who used to know each other when they were younger (and Jesse may or may not have had a crush on her since 3rd grade heheheh). Jesse getting mad at Lily-Grace’s dad when he catches him in a compromising position with his grandma, and he causes a scene, which then makes Lily-Grace super angry because she’s protective of her dad. So it starts as a bit of a dislike to love situation from Lily-Grace’s perspective, which was super fun to see. The two of them then get closer and become friends because Lily-Grace starts giving Jesse some lessons around dating and sex, and it all goes from there.

There are so many things to love about this book. Both Jesse and Lily-Grace are amazing individually and incredible together as well. Their romance is so sweet, so healthy, and steamy too. Jesse also goes to therapy, which we don’t see a lot in books and it made me so happy to see it talked about multiple times. His character development is so great, and I was rooting for him so hard. Lily-Grace and Jesse are just so good for each other; they bring out the best in each other and help each other conquer their fears and grow in multiple ways.

If you’d like to read a Black love romance with mental health rep, vitiligo rep (Lily-Grace has it), and so much more, you need to pick this up. I loved it and absolutely recommend it!! There are some awesome family dynamics as well.

I! LOVED! THIS BOOK! SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

I had a feeling this would be my favorite in the trilogy and I was right. There wasn't a single thing about it that I disliked or was hesitant about.

- The lifelong crush on Jesse's part (from 3rd grade pls I cry)
- The therapy representation and the absolutely fantastic character journey and personal betterment on his part.
- I thought this mman has given up on love but all he wanted was to be loved and he thought he couldn't have that because he was socially awkward. I cry.
- It has that one trope where he conquers his fears for her. She also made him want to be the best version of himself he possibly could be because she deserves the world.
- She's had romantic dissapointments piled on each other so when she starts dating him and he's above the bar that is set in hell she thinks it's too good to be true.
- The tall folks representation all tall folks deserve (he's 6'7 she's 6'2)
- The banter between Jesse and Lili Grace was the absolutely best, from the snippy comments to the heart to hearts and everything in between.
- I honestly understand Jesse for harboring such a huge crush, even I am a little bit in love with her. Lili Grace is amazing and understanding and supportive.
- Oh also, Vitiligo representation since Lili Grace has it.
- She gives him sex lessons because he's a nervous noob and she's experienced. But he's a quick study too heh.
- They both honestly have my heart. This book was such a beautiful balance fo sexy, sweet and honest.

I had no idea this book was a part of a series when I requested the arc. I was worried I wouldn't be able to enjoy it because of this. Luckily that was not the case. I thought this was a cute and enjoyable read. Definitely will be checking out the other books in the series.

Although I loved all three books in the series, this one was my favorite. I especially loved the pace the couple took in the story. The book also promotes black people accepting therapy as a help and not anything to be ashamed about. There was also the heroine vitiligo rep, which is rarely seen in stories. Although this is to be the last book in the series, it would be nice to see cousin Lilah with a story.

This was my fave of the trio. I got excited at the soft intro of kink, but was ultimately let down because it was not explored between the two main characters and i think that was a missed opportunity.

I have read and enjoyed the first two books in this series. I was excited to get Jesse's story. I enjoyed his pairing with Lily-Grace, I felt like she was a worthy partner for Jesse. I enjoyed seeing the brothers and their family again. I felt like the book was a slog through Jesse's self doubt and self flagellation. I did not enjoy that. Also the comments about Lily-Grace having been in a submissive relationship previously knowing that had very little to do with her current relationship. It felt like a ploy to pull in the authors readers of her self pubbed much higher heat series. DNF.

I loved this book because on page therapy is my favorite thing and even better we saw a man have it in this one! Jesse also continued to go to therapy and do work on himself. The mental health rep was so great. I loved the romance between two tall, thiccc people.

I love Ms Weatherspoon's writing and have enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one hits it out of the park. I loved the world building in the first two, but probably only 'liked' the main characters. I LOVED Jesse and LilyGrace. This book will now be my go-to recommendation when someone complains about too many romance novels using unrealistic miscommunication to drive conflict - these characters and their communication is the antidote.

Black love! Black family! Black wealth! This book is magnificent and I truly enjoyed it.

I haven't read the first two in the series but was able to get an ARC for this and now I have to go back and read Zach and Sam's stories because I need more Pleasant family and definitely more Miss Leona.

You can read the synopsis so I am not going to do that. What I am going share is that Rebekah is so well at incorporating consent, mental health, and positive representation of therapy into her books. It is rare to see a Black man talk about and go to therapy in a romance novel and Rebekah makes it happen. I loved what Jesse experienced (even though some of his anger issues felt a little far fetched and not huge deals to me - but maybe that is fleshed out in earlier books). It was great to see him take time to grow and support himself and I loves how Lily-Grace made that happen. Lastly, the family relationships were everything, especially the Pleasant brothers and their Dad - showing that sometimes vulnerability is hard but it is so needed. I also loved Lily-Grace and her Dad: a beautiful portrayal of a Dad killing it as a parent.

Read this for the warmth and sweetness, and stay for the STEAM because RW always delivers.

Thank you to Kensington Books for my copy to review

Jesse Pleasant is a ranch owner and feels himself to be too big for the town. He is hulking and quiet and no one seems to know how to approach him. When he breaks the arm of his grandmother's lover, no one is happy with him. That includes the granddaughter of the man he hurt. However, there seems to be an incredible spark between them. Can they settle their differences to see where the spark goes?

This was an incredible ending to this trilogy. I've been loving every single one of these books. I love the characters and the town of Charming. If I had to pick a favorite Pleasant brother, I'm not sure I could. I love them all in their own ways! I had a lot of fun reading this one and seeing the relationship between Jesse and Lily-Grace grow. I loved them together and individually. I can't wait to read more from Rebekah Weatherspoon!

*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

I've been waiting for Jesse's book since the first book and it was soooo worth the wait. I really loved Jesse and Lily-Grace together!

Both Jesse and Lily-Grace were complex, multifaceted characters. I enjoyed how their flaws and insecurities were clearly shown and they were both committed to working on them.

Also hellooooo they were so hot together. Damn these sexy scenes were burning up the pages!

THE EPILOGUE WAS SO CUTE. Why i'm I shouting? Read the book and find out cuz yes it was so suited for the both of them and did I mention cute??

Now...i'm gonna need to know if Dr. Fatu and Lilah get a book of their own cuz I need it.

The entire Cowboys of California series is sweet and spicy, but also emotional and heartfelt and the third (and last?) installment is no different.

Ranch owner Jesse is a part of the other 2 books, but in this one we finally get to know him and enjoy his journey to love. He is strong and stubborn, with anger management issues and the woman he falls for, Lily-Grace, is just as strong and stubborn as he is. Expect a lot of conflict, but also a lot of spice and luxury gifts.
It is a standalone, but you will enjoy it more if you have read the other books in the series.