Rider’s Block is a sweet, slowburn cowboy romance that brings together a city girl author and a grumpy on the outside, golden retriever on the inside cowboy. Amelia, a successful writer struggling to pivot into a new genre, decides to live the cowboy life firsthand to get her groove back. Enter Eric: stoic rancher, surprise softie, and surrounded by a meddling but loveable family.

Set in scenic Colorado, the story delivers a cozy, low-stakes vibe full of ranch life, found family feels, and the kind of slowburn romance that has you quietly yelling at the book. Bonus points for the song at the beginning of each chapter, it’s a cute touch that adds some personality to the pacing.

That said, the romance is very slowburn. And with the whole story told through Amelia’s POV, I found myself wishing for a peek into Eric’s head. A dual POV could’ve added more depth, especially to those quieter emotional moments.

All that aside, Rider’s Block is a charming pick for readers who love clean romances, cowboy energy, and characters who genuinely grow on you. If you’re after something light, heartfelt, and a little bit country, this one’s a solid choice.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review! 🐎

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book. I've added it to the list of books that I plan to buy so that I can read it again!

3⭐️
I liked it. It wasn't a literary masterpiece but it was enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley for the arc.

This is about the MC not the author: Im sorry but what kind of successful author doesn’t do research? Especially the basics? Very early on in the book she goes to northern colardo, rents and car then blows a tire because she speeds down a dirt path???

I know that is too many question marks, but I just can’t. The FMC is meant meant to be an author, and successful one at that. But she is incapable of basic research or planning. It makes no sense and I just cannot get past it.

ERICCCCCC!!!!
okay so this book was a slow start for me, i had to restart a couple of times because i was in a slump. but about 20% of the way i was finally able to lock in and im glad i did! this isn't my usual read as there is no spice but still plenty to drool over!!

"Rider's Block" was a really heartwarming read for me. The story centers on Mia, a writer from California who, after being rejected by several publishers, decides to listen to her editor and move to a ranch in Colorado for a few months. Her goal is to get to know the cowboy life better and to write a crime novel set in that environment. This basic setting is interesting in itself, but what Waitlyn Andrews has produced is much more than your average romance novel.

The plot is rich and full of vivid descriptions, so it was easy to get sucked in. But what really got me were the characters – especially Eric. He's the typical gruff, quiet cowboy who has his slip-ups, but that's what made him likeable. He stole his way into my heart much quicker than I expected. The writer does a great job of showing that behind the tough exterior, there is a loyal, chivalrous man who is not only devoted to his land and family, but also has the ability to make room in his heart for a distressed writer.

The depth of the characters and the kind of values they represent are strongly present throughout. The novel not only provides a romantic story, but also an insight into cowboy culture, and does so with authenticity and care. It was a great feeling to learn and explore this world along with Amelia, and I felt that the author really put her heart and soul into this book – and it shows in every line.

If I had to make one small criticism, it would be of Amelia's behaviour. For me, the distance she showed towards Eric was a bit much. At times it was disturbing that she was so blind to his every approach. However, her backstory and her doubts explain this as well, so ultimately her reaction becomes understandable.

Overall, "Rider's Block" not only entertained, but also gave something. It's a western story about new beginnings, about opening up and about finding a home in the most unexpected places – whether it's in the middle of a dusty ranch or in the eyes of a cowboy.

Amelia is a romance writer who wanted to switch up her writing style, but after her book gets denied by publishers multiple times she needs a new plan. Now she is heading to the plains of Colorado in order to do some research. But not just any research, cowboy research. While on the ranch she meets the grumpy cowboy Eric. And of course in true grumpy sunshine fashion, they cannot stay away from one another.

I was excited for the concept of this book, give me a cowboy romance and I am hooked. However, after reading a couple chapters of this book I just could not find a connection in order to keep reading. I felt that the writing was disjointed and clunky. It came across as awkward at times and difficult to understand.

Maybe in the future I will try to go back and give this book another go,

I really enjoyed this one! My first read from this author. This is a cute western romance with a slow burn.

This is a closed door romance so know that going in.

I liked that the author was diving into cowboy culture and enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine romance.

Overall:
1-2 steam
3.75 stars

Thank you netgalley for the ARC!

I am a sucker for a cowboy romance! I felt as though this one was a little too cliche for me, unfortunately I couldn’t connect with the characters because I was consistently being pulled out of the story. I think it has good bones, though, and I would love to give this author another try in the future!

If I could give this 4.5 I would! This is such a cute cowboy slow burn romance. I really enjoyed the characters and their dialogue and growth. I love the MMC, he’s totally the grumpy but sensitive cowboy heartthrob. This is my first Waitlyn Andrews book and I really enjoyed her writing style.

This is a very cute cowboy romance.
A quick fun read with a fish-out-of-water city girl and a rugged cowboy finding love.

The story follows a seasoned author venturing into unfamiliar territory—both literally and figuratively—as she embarks on a three-month stay in Colorado’s Cowboy Country to research her next book. What she doesn’t anticipate? Clashing with the grumpiest cowboy in town, navigating close quarters with Rodeo Royalty, and dealing with a certain someone’s tipsy confessions of attraction.

The novel’s greatest strength lies in its sharp, engaging voice. The protagonist’s wit and self-awareness make her instantly relatable, while the clash between her and her reluctant cowboy host creates fantastic tension. The forced proximity and slow-burning chemistry add layers to the romance, keeping me invested from start to finish.

Beyond the romance, the book paints a vivid picture of small-town life, rodeo culture, and the struggles of creative reinvention. The stakes could be slightly more defined—what’s truly on the line if the book doesn’t get published?—but the emotional beats land well, making this an entertaining and heartfelt read.

For fans of slow-burn romance with humour, charm, and plenty of cowboy grit, this book is a must-read. It was a great introduction to this author for me, and for the genre. Thankyou!

I genuinely told a friend I wished I had a head injury to reread this for the first time 😂
Absolutely 5 stars for this book. It’s my first cowboy romance, and one of my first few grumpy/sunshine novels, but I’m absolutely hooked. I loved to see the relationships unfold between all the different characters, and loved the slow progression of learning Amelia’s past. The characters were all incredibly lovable, and the animal personalities were a nice touch, too. I’ll be recommending this book to anyone and everyone I know. Gonna go buy some red cowboy boots and book a trip to Colorado now 🤍

A fun cowboy romance.
It was such a cute read and I was so happy that I came across this book.
Both characters were awesome even if I really had wished to have it dual pov to understand him better.

This book was such a fun mix of city-girl-meets-cowboy, slow-burn tension, and laugh-out-loud moments! Rider’s Block follows an author who finds herself way out of her comfort zone when she heads to Colorado for research. Her goal? To write an authentic cowboy romance. The problem? The grumpiest cowboy in the state happens to think she doesn’t belong there—and he isn’t shy about letting her know it.

The banter in this book is top-tier. The tension between the main characters is so entertaining, especially as they try (and fail) to keep things strictly business. There’s just the right mix of stubborn clashes, undeniable chemistry, and those little moments that make you need them to figure things out.

I also loved the setting—small-town, rodeo royalty, and all the charm (and chaos) that comes with it. The book balances humor and heart really well, making it a fun yet emotionally satisfying read. If you love grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and a cowboy who fights his feelings until he absolutely cannot anymore, this book is for you!

i did enjoy this book, however it is just a typical cowboy romance. nothing groundbreaking but still cute.

Thank you NetGalley for the early arc! I wanted to love this story so badly but ultimately it just fell incredibly short for me.
We are following Mia who is living in California as a writer. Mia submits her book to several publishers when she gets feedback from one publisher after being denied multiple times she decides to actually listen and move to Colorado to a ranch to learn about cowboys and country life so she can have a accurate cowboy romance novel. She meets a guys named Eric and they have a spark instantly Eric likes Mia and he is extremely grumpy because of it. I personally just didn't feel a romantic connection between the two, I felt like there was no tension and it just felt like we were learning about everybody else in the book. I mean by the 60 percent mark Mia still thought her and Eric were friends. It was just incredibly frustrating to me and I just didn't connect how I wanted to.

such a cute slow burn cowboy romance!!!! when ameila an author is writing a cowboy romance she decides she needs some hands on experience- her friend offers for her to stay at her family's ranch in colorado. so she can do some research. being there she meets eric a wild cowboy who has a lot to show her about the rodeo life and farm life. they have insane chemistry but, mia is too guarded to let him in. luckily though eric is persistent and knows she is the one he wants. his family welcomes her with open arms and soon enough they are falling in love. this book was so so good and i truly enjoyed it.

This book was my first introduction to the author, and I was not disappointed. It hits several great tropes and has beautiful setting details. My two favorites are Grumpy x Sunshine and Found Family. I loved how frequently Jane Austen's writings, Frozen, and even Friends were mentioned. I was unable to put this book down at all. I thought this book was amazing. I like Amelia's friendships with everyone she meets.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the e-ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

While the plotline was a little predictable, I love a good cowboy romance. This was a quick and fun read.