After lyric rejected Thach at Kira in Aidans Christmas party he has been avoiding her every time he sees her in town. When his bull riding Coach Kirby tells him he needs to focus on his form and maybe yoga will help Thach goes to the only yoga teacher he knows and that’s lyric. The only problem is when he ask her she is ambivalent about helping him but when a problem arises with one of her teenage students the shoe is on the other foot and now she needs his help it just happens to be the same day. She believes one of her yoga students is being physically abused by her boyfriend and wants Thach to mentor her boyfriend to see what kind of guy he is. He agrees and gives the boy a job at country construction a few days later things get even more problematic when lyric Tess and Kira are shopping and see the couple out and lyric hears Franco tell his girlfriend to shut up! Soon lyric and thattch are pretending to be a couple not only to hide his yoga classes but so they could get closer to the teen couple but not all is as it appears not with the team couple nor with lyric and Thatch’s and all they’re pretending. They can only hide their true feelings for so long but when it looks like they’re going to give it a chance lyrics past comes riding into town, right after Thatch’s Family arrive for the rodeo days and to have dinner with his new girlfriend, Unfortunately she is nowhere to be found. I have really enjoyed the Star Valley cowboy books and wish there could be more but I know they cannot the author really knows how to take a genre whose ending is almost guaranteed and still keep the reader invested in the story the only thing I don’t like is all in this book it seems bad behavior is either ignored or forgiven because what Thatch’s brother and ex fiancé did and for him to just be like oh well they’re better together than we were in after what lyric did and for him to be so forgiving I DK it just seems like no one gets angry in these books anymore not saying they should be but that just seems like things that in real life people wouldn’t be so Kosher with if you know what I’m saying. In any event I still love the book it is a solid four star read and one I highly recommend. I want to thank forever Grand Central publishing and net galley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Sara Richardson's Counting on a Cowboy is a captivating story about a woman's journey of disappointment with cowboys. But can this rodeo rider prove himself worthy of her trust? Richardson's writing is irresistibly charming and tender, drawing readers into her heartfelt tales. I was immediately hooked and couldn't put this book down. Although it is part of a series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. However, once you dive into this book, you'll be eager to explore the other books in the Star Valley series.

Lyric and Thatch have been friends for a while. He's asked her out but she turned him down. It's been a bit strange when they get together with friends but they manage. Now he's following a dream to ride broncos and needs her help. She asks him for a favor in return which involves fake dating. That's fine with him because his feelings are real.

Although it's supposed to be a fake relationship they act like it's the real thing sharing things about their lives and dreams. The lines become blurred between reality and fiction but can Lyric move on from a past involving domestic abuse? When her ex shows up in town for a rodeo that Thatch is also competing in she questions everything and runs. But can her friends convince her that facing the past and moving on in a normal relationship is worth any pain love causes?

Although I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and yare my own

The readers are taken back to Star Valley in this latest and last book in the series.
Star Valley is the place where three former Navy SEALs moved to. Their reason: help the widow of their buddy who got killed in Afghanistan during a mission.
Little by little two have found their special person and a new life in Star Valley.
Still unattached is Thatch Hearst. He’s had his eyes on the pretty yoga teacher, Lyric Valenza. But after she told him she wasn’t interested, Thatch has kept his distance but his heart still has not gotten the message.
Lyric’s past experiences in love and marriage left her broken but little by little she’s been rebuilding her life with no interest in men.
Meanwhile Thatch has secretly been training to be a bronco rider and preparing to compete in the upcoming rodeo. Advised he needed to loosen up, he seeks Lyric. One thing leads to another, a trade and a fake relationship is created. A relationship everyone believes and one that is crossing the lines to more.
But when Lyric’s past comes to town, so do her fears. In the end will these two find their way back to each other, or will Lyric’s fears stop them from finding their HEA?
This is a story about trust, domestic abuse, family, whether by blood or friendships , and second chances in life and love.
Though I am still partial to book one in the series, this one was still an entertaining story.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Sweet, sometimes steamy and easy to read romance. The main characters and the townsfolk were charming. Lyric was kind and Thatch patient. I found the fake dating thing a bit contrived, and I'm not sure why teenagers would want to go on a double date, but overall it was a good story.

I was invited to read "Counting on a Cowboy" by Sara Richardson, which promises "a sizzling, sassy Western romance." However, it left me cringing more than swooning.

The plot revolves around Thatch (really), a retired SEAL turned rodeo rider, who seeks the help of a local yoga instructor, Lyric (really), to improve his rodeo scores. Lyric, whose looks are described as "exotic" (how humanizing), is also meddling in the lives of some local high school students because she is a DV survivor, and she involves Thatch in her attempts to help a girl with a controlling boyfriend. Lyric and Thatch (yes those really are the names) are part of the same friend group of grown adults who act like middle-schoolers when it comes to "liking" each other and wanting their friends to get together. I wasn't interested in the couple's compatibility as it seemed to be based on enjoying basic stuff like essential oils and vinyl plank flooring. I decided to quit before anybody bought a Live, Laugh, Love sign. But hey, it might be a nice escapist read for someone.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Counting on a Cowboy by Sara Richardson is the third and final book in the Star Valley series, and I’m sorry to see it end.

We reunite with Lyric and Thatch, characters we’ve met before, and catch up on their lives. Their story is truly a feel-good story with a lot of kindness and compassion towards others, but it also has secrets and lies as they try to figure out what comes next.

What starts as friends turns into a fake relationship, but is it? Lyric and Thatch feel things for each other that they have never felt before, even though Lyric was married previously and Thatch was engaged. But neither is looking for a relationship, but are they just fooling themselves? Everyone around them sees the looks, glances, and touches and knows they are in denial.

Family dynamics are at play along with a depth to the characters and layers to the story. There are a lot of stories related throughout, and they weave together nicely, with most loose ends tied up by the end. There is romance, romantic gestures, friends who are like family, reminisces, anger, tears, hurtful memories, and lots of physical activities. There are vivid descriptions of the town, the ranches, and some businesses.

There is a nice flow to the story and closure, but since this is the last book in the series, I would have loved an extended epilogue to really tie up all the stories. Ms. Richardson is an author whose books I enjoy—especially since they are full of rugged cowboys.

Counting on a Cowboy is a fast-paced, contemporary romance filled with characters who have become friends that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Give Ms. Richardson’s books a try if you haven’t already. You won’t be sorry!

Counting on a Cowboy is the third and final book in the Star Valley series by Sara Richardson. I read the first in the series and now finished this book.
This is an easy read book that is filled with great characters and a wonderful setting. Thatch and Lyric fit perfectly together. I love the chemistry between them as he jumps off the pages.
I am so glad that this story was given to us. It was a easy read and gave me everything I wanted in a romance story.
Thank you NetGalley, Sara Richardson and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of Counting on a Cowboy.
This is my personal review.

Thatch and Lyric come to an agreement, to help each other out. When I read what the book was about, I thought it would roll right along, which it did, but things changed. The changes added more depth, and it seemed to be a surprise to them when they realized they were changing.
They had lessons to learn, things to figure out, and figure out what they wanted in their lives now. The story, went along just like it was being written as they lived life.
I received an ARC from Forever though NetGalley.

Cute fake romance trope that is a fast read. I haven’t read the series but I could tell it was part of a series. The main characters are adorable.

This was a wonderful story about to people who were hurt in the past. Thatch and Lyric decide to fake date to observe teen couple where she thinks the guy is an abusive partner like she has experience with. But what happens when fake dating makes them face their feelings for one another?

This is a Cowboy Fake Dating Romance, and this is the third book in the Star Valley series. I have read the first two books in this series before picking up this book. I do think you could read this book as a standalone. I really enjoyed this book, and the characters in this book were great. I loved how the romance was done in this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Thatch Hearst lives in Star Valley after serving as a Navy Seal. His friends are now married, and he would like to date Lyric Valenza. Lyric shut him down a few months ago.
Thatch has been learning bronc riding and his instructor tells him to try yoga for his balance. Lyric is the local instructor, so he asked for her help. Lyric was married before and isn't interested in another husband. Lyric has been working with some high school girls and gets Thatch to pretend to be her boyfriend. The pretend seems to be getting out of hand. Now their friends think they are finally getting together, and his family is coming to town and is keeping up the fake relationship with his family.
Lyric needs to let go of the past and Thatch needs to let go of his feelings toward his brother for stealing his girlfriend while he was in service.

Thatch Hearst is a former Searl and while finding a home in Star Valley he has not decided to try his hand at bull riding, especially with a rodeo coming to town. Lyric Valenzuela is a yoga instructor who is not looking for anything but clients. After having a group of high school girls come into her studio she is worried about one of them. When Thatch comes in wanting to take classes and not asking her out she makes a deal with him keeping an eye on one of the boys who is dating one of the girls in class. Lyric having been married before and abused looks at everything differently and she also does not want to date especially when she finds out that Thatch wants to ride bulls. A lot of different things going on but still is a good story with many different characters and subjects.

Lyric and Thatch enter into a fake dating agreement to keep an eye on a young couple. Even though they both have feelings for each other, they are both scared to admit that to one another because neither one wants to put themselves in a vulnerable position to get hurt again.

This story follows them as they navigate their fake dating arrangement and how they eventually end up falling for each other.

Lyric and Thatch are both stubborn and have hearts of gold. They deserve one another, but are they to stubborn to let love lead?

Lyric and Thatch's story was captivating, I felt like I was one of their friends observing their love for each other unfold.

The characters were well developed, and their story had me engrossed, I couldn't put it down.

Counting on a Cowboy was a sweet, sometimes steamy and easy to read romance. I found the main characters of this story and the people of Star Valley to be charming.

Lyric was a kind character that was willing to go the extra mile to help someone. I liked that. She jumped to conclusions a bit too quickly though. Thatch was a great hero. He was kind, patient and considerate with Lyric. She needed space to feel safe to explore and understand her feelings. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two.

The reasoning for the fake dating seemed a bit hasty and weak to me. And I don't know why Lyric thought a teenage girl would be okay going on double dates. It would have made more sense if they knew each other for some time or had some sort of bond. But Lyric was someone new in Elina's life.

Some possible triggers: mentions of domestic violence and giving birth (chapter 24).

I received an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Thatch asks a woman for help improving his scores. The more time they spend together the greater the chemistry. This was a quick read.

This was an easy read for me. The story is good: Lyric has escaped an abusive marriage, Thatch was left by his fiancé. They’ve both been hurt, and avoid attachments because of it. Of course, they’re drawn to one another, but she fights it. In order to try to help a young lady whom Lyric suspects is in an abusive relationship, she and Thatch pretend to date.

What really bothered me the whole time is how secretive they both were about their past relationships. Presumably, they have known each other for a decent amount of time, as they are part of a small friend group together. I can never see what there is to benefit by keeping past hurts a secret. Maybe they felt shame about it, but in reality, neither of them were to blame for their pasts.

The way Lyric viewed the relationship between the high school couple was viewed through her lense of abuse, so she made assumptions that were not accurate. The trouble in the high-schooler’s relationship was far different than Lyric expected, and when it was revealed, Lyric was able to help.

Ultimately, Thatch and Lyric realize they are in love, and HEA ensues. This was a good book, not anything incredibly mind-blowing. It followed the typical romance formula, which I do appreciate. I like knowing I’ll get a good read with a happy ending, and this one delivered.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Thatch is an ex-Navy SEAL and newbie bronc rider. Lyric is a yoga instructor with a difficult past. The two decide to fake date in order to keep an eye on a teenage couple, Franco and Elina, that has multiple red flags. Will the lines get blurred between Thatch and Lyric? Will the two be able to help Franco and Elina?

I’m very much in my cowboy era so, I obviously enjoyed this book. I loved Thatch, he made this book as good as it was. I also really liked the sub plot of Elina and Franco, I would love to know more about their adult lives in another book. There were some little things about this book that I didn’t love but one major aspect of this book that I disliked was the ending.

This book is the third in a series but can be read as a stand alone, which is what I did.

Thank you NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Sara Richardson so the opportunity to read this ARC.

Sara Richardson is awesome at writing books that pull me in quickly and allow me mindless reading time! 🤓

An ex-military man/new bull rider and yoga instructor make a plan to “date” to help her with the teenagers she’s mentoring. This “relationship” helps him too, as he’s got his friends and family asking him about his love life. Will their fake relationship turn into something real?

Pros: Easy read, entertaining, likable characters.
Cons: Second in the series and I didn’t know! ☹️ Guess I’ll go back and get the first one! 😆