Third book in the series - the book centers around Thatch Hearst and ​Lyric Valenza. The two characters - who are interested in each other but past traumas prevent them from being together - decide to fake a relationship so Lyric can help him with the upcoming Rodeo competition, and Thatch can help her investigate a potentially abuse teen relationship.

This book has a lot of growth - predominately for Lyric and a little bit for Thatch - while they work through their issues and find their way to each other.

Although the last few chapters of the book were necessary, they were a little drawn out.

Overall a good story about finding your bravery and moving forward with a tiny amount spice added in.

*3.5 stars*

Sweet, sexy cowboy romance…

This author always delivers a low-angst, high-emotion romance and this one was a great read. Thatch and Lyric butted heads immediately but their chemistry could not be denied. Even if they both wanted to. Lyric had been burned before by a cowboy and Thatch was that and more. The differences shined through and their journey to love was full of obstacles, both past and present. While a fake/pretend romance is not my preferred trope, I couldn’t help but like these characters and soon cared a lot about how it would all end…

I need more and will be picking up the others in this series – can’t ever have enough cowboys and their sassy counterparts…

Super wonderful book. Just the right amount of romance. Gotta love a good cowboy! A great story for anyone who likes romantic modern westerns!

Counting on a Cowboy is book 3 in the Star Valley series by Sara Richardson and a great read!

What happens when a retired SEAL turned cowboy wants to improve on this rodeo scores, he turns to the town’s yoga instructor for help…read on to see if Thatch and Lyric connect and find the HEA they are looking for…

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Lyric and Thatch. There was an instant attraction when they meet. Lyric is a yoga teacher, who helps some high schoolers that needed PE credits. That h is in the construction business. One day Lyric sees one of students arguing with her boyfriend she is wondering if he abusing her student. Lyric ask Thatch to be her fake boyfriend and help her determine if the boy is abusing the girl. Thatch agrees to be a fake boyfriend. They start dating. They fall in love.

I quickly realized it was the third in a series when I started this. While it can be read as a standalone, I did feel I was missing some of the connections and background. That being said, I really loved Thatch and Lyric. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, and this didn't disappoint. There were some heavy themes in it, so it might be necessary to look at the trigger warnings. I think Sara Richardson will be my go-to for cowboy romance, starting with the beginning of this series.

Entertaining story about two people that get a second chance at love. I did not read the previous books in the series, but the author provided plenty of back story, so no problem. The six main characters were all in the previous books. Three ex-SEALS come to Star Vally to help the widow of their fallen comrade. Thatch Hearst has his eye on yoga teacher Lyric Valenza, but she shoots him down, because she has still not recovered from her abusive husband, despite not seeing him since their divorce six years ago.It doesn't help his case that he is learning to ride broncos to have a challenge and her ex is a champion bronco rider. But because she has jaundiced vision, she sees abusive where there isn't any and concocts this scheme for a pretend romance so she can keep her eye on one of her students and her boyfriend. In exchange she would work with Hatch on his flexibility with yoga. Hatch Thatch also has his issues, as his fiancee feel in love with his little brother, while he was overseas and he hasn't spoken to his brother since their wedding 8 years ago. But everyone in Star Valley sees that they are perfect for each other. Lyric just has to let go of her past. I loved Thatch from the beginning, but it took a while for Lyric to grow on me, especially when she gave Hatch crow pose on his first lesson. I've been doing yoga for years and still can't do crow pose.

I read a gifted Advanced Reader's Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

This was a solid 3 stars for me. Easy to read. I liked the characters, but the plot was a little lacking in my opinion. Even though this one said it could be read as a standalone, I felt like I was missing a few things from other books like maybe some development between these two characters. Also, I have only read one or two of the fake dating trope books but the concept in this one seemed a little farfetched. I would recommend checking the trigger warnings for this one. There is reference to physical and emotional abuse off page.

Lyric is happy with her life. She divorced her abusive husband several years ago and has decided that she is good being single. She is going to focus on her yoga students and that is that. But she was so tempted to say yes when Thatch asked her out. And now one of her students is in a suspect relationship so maybe having Thatch as a fake BF to be able to get closer to her student will help. She doesn't want someone else to experience what she did in her relationship. But her and Thatch didn't really think this through. Her friends all now know about them and seem beyond excited and were wondering when this would have happened. Now she realizes that she does like Thatch and she wants to have fun with him while she can. Nothing serious though. The rodeo is in town and her ex is going to be there. Will she be prepared when she runs into him? Will she be able to be the woman Thatch needs her to be? Is she really ready to move on?

Thatch never thought he would settle down some roots. His life has taken a turn from the battlefields with his friends. He is now comfortable in his small town. He has moved on from the scandal that was his ex fiance who is now with his brother. So what if they don't talk anymore? He has his friends and his job. But he wants more. He wants Lyric. She has made it clear she isn't interested, but then she asks to be his fake GF. And the more they are together, the less fake things seem to be. He doesn't want to scare her away, but he wants more from her. He wants forever.

I do like the touch her and die vibes that Thatch was giving off. I liked the mini arc that Lyric experienced with her ex. It takes a lot for someone to confront their demons, and she did it. I appreciated how she helped Thatch come around to moving on from the hurt his brother caused him. Like I said this was an easy story, just nothing wow.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, pain, secrets, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below they are also in this series:
Wishing on a Christmas Cowboy (Star Valley, #1)
Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy (Star Valley, #2)

This is Lyric and Thatch’s story. He never planned on putting down roots but this town calls to him and he decides to settle. But he needs to earn a living. He wants to work on improving his score at the rodeo, so he enlisted the help of a yoga instructor. Lyric is used to dealing with a challenging client, but he might just be the most challenging. She was once married to a cowboy, but it ended in disaster. She knows she needs to keep her distance but that is proving very hard. Can she or will the pull be too much?


I recommend this book.

Counting on a Cowboy is the third installment of Star Valley and it's just as adorable as the first two. Small town and fake dating contemporary romance at it's finest. We meet Lyric and Thatch in the first two books and they are great characters so I was looking forward to this book. It just didn't hook me the way the others did, I found the timeline was too fast paced in terms of the story and the romance. It threw me off a bit; although, I still enjoyed the story. It's a lighthearted romance that covers some important topics.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever PUB for this ARC!

Counting on a Cowboy by Sara Richardson is the next book in her Star Valley series. While I typically like cowboys and the fake dating trope this one just didn't do it for me. While I liked Thatch even though he keeps going after the girl that doesn't like him, the girl (Lyric) just felt mean as she strings him along in the beginning because she will not date a cowboy after an abusive relationship with an other cowboy.

I really ended up enjoying this final installment in the series. The PTSD of our heroine from an abusive relationship hit home with me. Her reactions to some situations really made sense.
The fact that our hero is SO GONE for her really made this book work well for me. Would definitely recommend!

Counting on a Cowboy by Sara Richardson is a fun, sweet romance novel that features Thatch, a now bronc rider trying too win the local rodeos big event and the money that comes with. To win he knows he needs an edge and seeks assistance from a yoga instructor, Lyric. Lyric is recovering from her divorce from another cowboy and isn't thrilled to be working with Thatch but he offers to help her out as well, in exchange for flexibility training. Does their professional relationship turned fake dating, turn into a real relationship or just some fun?

Sara Richardson has once again written a sweet, sexy, smoldering cowboy romance novel with the fake dating trope. Her characters are well developed, are realistic and have us falling on love with them. The storyline is unique and fun and has us cheering for both characters.

Thatch is a former SEAL now looking towards becoming a bronc rider. Being a bronc rider is rough on the body and was recommended yoga to help out. Lyric is still dealing her her traumatic past with her ex-husband and isn't much for opening hear right now. When Thatch asks for help with the yoga training she comes up with a deal that'll work for the two of them.

This was a pretty enjoyable slow read. There was plenty going on to keep me. I loved the small town feels, i really like the fake relationship trope. I loved seeing the support and care everyone had for ones another. I liked the side bit where Lyric was putting so much care into helping out a student when she sees some concerning signs and with her past she wanted to make sure that student was okay. I enjoyed seeing that romance slowly but surely happen to the two. I mean Thatch and Lyric already had some sort of feelings for eachother but with Lyrics past she really was making sure there was that wall between the two and slowly but surely that wall crumbled and I enjoyed seeing how everything played out. Then there was this one moment I kinda suspecting would happen which I won't be saying was kinda predictable and yet I still liked how it played it all in the end. Really enjoyed it.

Beautiful story of love and redemption. My heart ached for Lyric every step of the way! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

This novel is a red hot and sassy western romance with complex characters, and small town charm. There is a blend of passion, humor, and heartache. The pacing occasionally lags but the emotional payoff is worth it.
Many thanks to Forever and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is Thatch and Lyrics story.

Thatch is settled in Star Valley with his brothers and their construction firm but has secretly taken up bronc riding in hopes of joining the rodeo circuit. He's due to compete in an upcoming event but his trainer thinks that he's too stiff and needs to improve his flexibility in order to be a real competitor. Lyric is a yoga instructer that Thatch has been interested in for a while but who has turned him down. She was previously married and has built a wall around her heart and her defenses are high for the opposite sex. She's just started a yoga class with high school girls who are trying to make up for missing/failed gym credits but she's drawn to one of the girls in particular when she sees an incident between the girl and her boyfriend. When Thatch reaches out to Lyric for private yoga lessons to help with his bronc riding, Lyric decides that maybe they can help eachother out. She will help him with his flexibility and keep his bronc riding secrets if he helps her keep an eye on the young couple. It turns into a fake dating situation when their friends start noticing the time they are spending together and it doesn't hurt that them acting as a couple helps in keeping an eye on the younger couple. As usual in these situations the fake relationship starts to become very real but will Thatches connections to the rodeo and Lyrics past be the roadblock that keeps them from their happy ever after?

I have really enjoyed every book in this series and Sara Richardson's writing style. I like that the stories aren't full of over the top drama and I really love her characters. Thatch isn't pushy about his feelings for Lyric and gives her the space she needs from him while also being so supportive and protective of her and he's very level-headed about the young couple situation and tries to help Lyric from projecting her history onto their relationship. Lyric was at times a little over the top with her assumptions but given her history, it's completely understandable. Neither of them love misleading their friends about their relationship or Thatch's rodeo dreams so they are careful to not be too misleading but they also aren't afraid of leaning into their feelings when necessary.

Overall, this was a really great addition/ending to this series and I look forward to reading more from Sara Richardson.

*I recieved an early copy from NetGalley for voluntary review

This is the kind of cowboy romance that makes you melt!
Thatch is so sexy and rugged but kind and patient as he deals with Lyric. There's a bit of suspense as well as lots of romantic moments not to be overlooked!
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this arc.

Thatch and Lyric are part of the same group of friends and while he's asked her out and would like nothing more than to have what his friends have with her, Lyric isn't interested. When he needs help to get his scores up so he can enter the upcoming rodeo, it's suggested he take up yoga and he knows just who to turn to. Problem is, Thatch doesn't want to tell anyone he's entering the rodeo, and he also doesn't want anyone knowing he's doing yoga, so they come up with the idea of secretly dating. The more time they spend together and get to know more about the other, the more they like each other. Can they date for real, especially with Lyric wanting nothing to do with cowboys because of her ex? I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Love love loved this book! It's the first book I have read from Sara Richardson and now I cannot wait to read more! After reading this book I did find out it was the third in a series, but can be read as a stand alone as well (like I did). Thatch Hearst wants to improve his standing as a bronc rider and is practicing for the upcoming rodeo days. To improve his flexibility he turns to Lyric who runs a local yoga studio. They are already in the same close friend group and he’s been attracted to her for a while and decided to ask her out but she declined. Lyric was previously married to a rodeo rider and it was abusive. She has decided she will never get in a close relationship again. But in order to keep an eye on a troubled high school girl in her yoga class, she enlists Thatch’s help to be her "fake" boyfriend. I really liked all of their friends and once we meet Thatch's parents, his mom is the best! Great romantic ending and epilogue!