I am so incredibly happy that I was chosen for this ARC because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the characters. Amanda being this strong, independent woman who was so proud of her career is such a great thing to see in a book. It make it feel like real life and so relatable. Tanner was such a great guy as well. Though he may not be as realistic (only because men in real life are trash), he is such so well written. We love a man who is not only strong but who is also listens and truly thinks about what’s told to him. He is thoughtful and kind and an overall great person. The side characters as well are also a joy to read. The plot was a standard romance, but that doesn’t make it any less. I would absolutely read this again.

The only critique I have, which isn’t about the plot or characters, is that the chapters are super long. As a kindle girlie, the chapter time is important as it helps people accomplished by finishing the chapter. It’s also hard to stop in the middle of a chapter so super long chapters don’t feel great. This isn’t of any importance, and like I said, I’ll continue recommending this book but something to think about for formatting.

A heartwarming and beautifully written love story. The emotional depth and relatable characters make this a standout romance. I couldn’t get enough!

4.5 stars

Amanda Hayden and Tanner Dunn have been enemies for most of their lives. Their fathers started a feud and have taught their now grown children to carry it on. When Tanner’s father suffers a stroke, Amanda is the physical therapist assigned to his care. Tanner isn’t thrilled, but eventually accepts that Amanda is good at her job. They finally reach a tenuous peace and things proceed for a while, until their acceptance morphs into something more. Just when things are looking up and they are starting to trust each other, something happens to shake their foundation. The ending is really nice and offers an experience of forgiveness and the restoration of some damaged relationships.

This is a heartfelt story, with flawed characters who recognize their mistakes, and do something about them. The male protagonist has a solid growth arc, while the female protagonist is pretty strong throughout, but accepts her own power more fully as the story develops. The pace is steady, and there are moments of comic relief throughout that lighten things up a bit. Two of the brothers are featured within this story, and a third brother is mentioned, but not physically present in this book, as he is deployed. This looks to be a wonderfully rich series with strong character development and a likable community featured as the backdrop.

Thank you NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Can you tell that I'm in my romance cowboy era? Yeap! I am!

This was a very quick read and a very insta love in opinion. In no way I think it is a master piece, but I can tell it's a good book to read in a calm afternoon or a friday night when it's storming outside (witch is the same right now) ahah

The story has everything that makes for a great story, a medical crisis, a long held feud, an unexpected attraction, and a major misunderstanding with some major groveling. I loved everything about this story, especially Tanner and Amanda.
Lulabelle was an unexpected addition and she added a lot of humor to the story. This is definitely a story worth reading and an excellent start to a new series.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

I'm fully in my cowboy romance era but this one was a bit of a flop. The chemistry was nonexistent. I love an enemies to lovers but we go from them hating each other to a random kiss with no build up. Then the smut was cringey, not helped by the repeated usage of the words moist folds, I actually checked whether the book had been written by a man. The only character I actually liked was Tanners Dad Jeremiah.Yes, he was grumpy but he had a fun personality. Amanda's character didn't seem to have a direction although she did grow on me by the end when she stood up to everyone. It is slow going though and nothing much happens. When we get to the conflicts they are solved in a chapter each. There wasn't nearly enough groveling for how badly they treated her. Then to tie it up with that ending was too much. I actually laughed out loud at how ridiculous it was. Although I think my biggest pet peeve was that they repeatedly used the phrase could care less instead of couldn't.

This was my first Cowboy Romance and I Loved it! All the characters had significance and kept me wanting to know more about them. I would highly recommend this book even if you're new to Cowboy books.

Wow! This was such a spicey book! Loveddddd the main characters. I adored the setting. It was such a good read from the start!! Highly recommend.

when your families have been fueding for over 2 decades, but you don't know why then it is hard for the oldest siblings of each family to understand the hatred. When your dad has a massive stroke and survives but needs lots of help to rehab, of course you want the very best money can buy - but wait she is the enemy - Amanda and Tanner have been brought up to hate each other even as kids in elementary school and now they are thrown together as she works with his father on speech and strength training. What a great start to Lexi's new series!!

Between a Rock and a Cowboy by Lexi Post
Rating: 3/5
Release Date: 25 June 2024

After his father suffers a stroke, Tanner Dunn must take charge of the Rocky Road cattle ranch. With one brother estranged, another deployed, and the youngest eager to pursue his own career, Tanner finds himself overwhelmed. Nevertheless, he is determined to ensure his father receives the best care possible. However, when Amanda Hayden Davis, the daughter of their longtime adversary and the top therapist, arrives to care for his father, Tanner is pushed to his limits.

Amanda is equally displeased about being assigned to the Dunn patriarch and becoming the first Hayden to set foot on Rocky Road Ranch in over twenty years. Despite her sunny disposition, she clashes with the grumpy eldest son. When Tanner demands she leave before starting her work, Amanda stands her ground. No one tells her what to do. Their frequent arguments often end with Amanda prevailing, and over time, she comes to admire Tanner’s dedication, strong morals, and kind heart. It doesn’t hurt that he has the broad shoulders of her dreams and looks striking in a suit.

Though Tanner appreciates Amanda’s care for his father, it doesn’t erase the bitterness he feels toward her family, who he blames for the ranch's financial troubles. The Haydens’ actions have pushed Rocky Road toward becoming a Dude ranch, a change Tanner has fiercely resisted for the past year. Complicating matters, Tanner finds himself increasingly drawn to Amanda’s kindness and zest for life. He battles his growing attraction, fearing that giving in might jeopardise the ranch, but wonders if resisting her could be the biggest mistake of his life.

Overall, this book could have benefited from more development in its plot. At times, it felt boring and slow. The relationship aspect was underdeveloped, and a deeper exploration of the family or ranch history would have added more depth. I'm uncertain about recommending this book, as there are many better options available in the ranch/cowboy genre that offer more engaging and satisfying reads.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Oliver Weber Books, and the author, Lexi Post, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Frankly, I didn’t like this book at all.

The romance in this book is actually non existent. And no, I’m not kidding. I was actually so surprised when the two main characters kissed for the first time because I thought I had accidentally skipped like a whole chapter. But no, turns out there’s just no romance in this. The MMC goes from basically hating her to kissing her in the span of two sentences. It’s very confusing.

The only characters I actually like are Jeremiah (the MMCs dad) and Brody (the MMCs brother). And that’s it. No one else. Not main characters seemed so shallow and lacked consistency which makes it extremely hard to like them.

The plot was also incredibly boring, basically nothing happens in the book. The only problem our two “love birds” face is our FMCs angry dad but that gets resolved in one chapter. Yes, you read it right. It gets solved in ONE CHAPTER.

I thought this would been a short and cute romanche between à physical therapist and a cowboy but I was quite disappointed. I would not read again and definitely will not recommend to anyone.

Thank you Netgalley for a free copy in exchange of an honest review.

This story got off to a rocky start for me. I thought Amanda was a bit of an airhead. She shows up for a physical therapy consultation with Tanner’s father wearing high heels and a short skirt. I understand wanting to make a good impression but this didn’t make sense to me. The story even reveals that she struggled with her short skirt when trying to sit on a stool. Then she is bemoaning the fact she hasn’t yet found a place to live so she is living with her father. Yet in the next paragraph, she is thinking about flying to Vegas with her friends on her weekend and then barrel racing on the following weekend. Seemed like apartment hunting was not really high on her list. Later on, in a totally random moment, Amanda kisses Tanner, her employer. That seemed unprofessional to me. I did grow to like Amanda and her compassion and patience with Jeremiah, Tanner’s father. She was also willing to step in and help with farming duties which was a plus for me.

Tanner was also difficult to like. He balked at everything! Partly because of grief about his father’s health as well as grief and guilt over a childhood accident and all his responsibilities of running the ranch. Then his suspicions cause a rift between him and Amanda. I didn’t feel he groveled enough for Amanda to take him back.

Lighthearted Hatfield/McCoy vibes with all the feels. The flow of the story keeps you enthralled and pulls you in til the end. Can't wait for Brody's story!

This was my first cowboy book and I can honestly say, i am HOOKED.
engaging, lovely story and everything else in between.

Title: Between a Rock and a Cowboy by Lexi Post
(Rocky Road Ranch Book 1)

Release Date: June, 25th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Between a Rock and a Cowboy is a fun and heartwarming read that brings together the best elements of a cowboy romance with a rivals-to-lovers twist.

What I Enjoyed:

* Engaging Characters: Tanner and Amanda are well-crafted characters with distinct personalities. Tanner’s stoic dedication to his family contrasts beautifully with Amanda’s spirited determination, making their interactions both tense and entertaining.

* Rivals to Lovers: The dynamic between Tanner and Amanda is classic rivals-to-lovers, filled with witty banter and simmering tension. Their initial animosity slowly melts into mutual respect and attraction, making their romance all the more satisfying.

* Strong Family Themes: The novel highlights the importance of family and loyalty. Tanner’s commitment to his family’s ranch and Amanda’s dedication to her profession add depth to their characters and make their eventual union even more meaningful.

* Short and Sweet: While the book is on the shorter side, it doesn’t skimp on delivering a full and satisfying story. It’s perfect for a quick, enjoyable read without unnecessary fluff.

* Heartwarming Romance: The romance is heartfelt and genuine. Tanner and Amanda’s journey from adversaries to lovers is well-paced and filled with moments that tug at the heartstrings.

In my opinion, a longer narrative could have provided more room for the romance to blossom and the subplot involving the ranch's future to unfold, creating a more immersive experience. With the novel being relatively brief, a bit more backstory and character development would have deepened the story. Exploring the family feud and the characters' individual histories could have added richer layers to their relationship.

Between a Rock and a Cowboy is a charming, quick read that will satisfy anyone looking for a cute cowboy romance with a touch of rivalry. Lexi Post delivers a delightful tale filled with tension, heart, and just the right amount of spice.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy a feel-good love story set against the picturesque backdrop of ranch life. Who doesn't love a good cowboy romance?

Thank you to The Publisher Oliver Heber Books ,The Author Lexi Post & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Tanner Dunn has assumed control of the family ranch following his father's stroke, now responsible for both the ranch's operations and his father's care. He employs Amanda Davis as the full-time Physical Therapist and Speech Therapist. However, when Mandy Hayden arrives, Tanner doubts it will work out, given the long-standing feud between the Haydens and the Dunns. Despite her assurance of being the best and only available therapist in the area, Tanner, a serious and often grumpy cowboy, suspects her motives. Mandy begins working at the ranch and aiding his father, but when a secret about the ranch leaks, Tanner is convinced Mandy was spying for her father.
As Tanner and Mandy continue to interact, emotions escalate. The question remains whether they can resolve the feud and build trust.
The story is engaging, and readers will adore Lulubelle, who harbors a significant crush on Tanner.

This is a cute story about two feuding families and a lady stuck between the two. The whole time I was rooting for Amanda and Tanner. In order for that to happen the family feud will have to be resolved. Fat chance of that happening any time soon. The way that Amanda works things out for all involved is inspiring.

Overall this book was good. Do keep in mind that this is a short book.. at least for me as someone who is used to reading longer books. So this book will feel like it’s going fast . I wish we did get more backstory and a little more growth. However, it’s a great book and I do recommend it to anyone looking for a cute rivals to lovers quick read… but who doesn’t love a good cowboy romance? Lol
Thank you net galley and Lexi post for allowing me to read an arc of this upcoming book ❤️

This is a Cowboy Romance, and this is the first book in the Rocky Road Ranch series. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters in this book. Some of the family drama was too much I think. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

A heartwarming story of love, family, and the fight to uphold tradition, "Rocky Road Ranch" captivates readers. After his father suffered a stroke, Tanner Dunn was left to manage the ranch. However, when Amanda Hayden Davis shows up to give therapy, Tanner encounters some unforeseen difficulties. Their chemistry is obvious, but will their attraction endanger the ranch's viability? A lovely book!