Any of my book friends know that I will SWOON for a cowboy romance, and Waitlyn Andrews’ Rider’s Block did not disappoint!

I was excited right from the start when I realized our FMC and I share the same name, and was really hooked on her backstory of trying to write her next best-selling novel.

Amelia is writing a cowboy romance, but is currently being turned down by publishers as her novel is lacking authenticity. What better way to make your novel more authentic, than to spend a summer with ranchers/athletes, learning everything about their way of life?

What I really enjoyed about this book was how everyone at the ranch immediately took Amelia into their family with open arms. Now, it took a little bit for our grump MMC cowboy, Eric, to realize he had been won over, but the love was there nonetheless.

This was very much a slow burn romance, but I appreciated that the book was equal parts Eric and Amelia falling for each other as it was Amelia learning to let her guard down and allow herself to be loved again. On the topic of romance, I also enjoyed that there was little to no smut in this novel besides a few kissing scenes, it really allowed us to watch Eric and Amelia build their relationship together.

Another really neat aspect of this book was that every chapter had a song attributed to it! Andrews easily could have picked random country songs for these chapters, but the fact that she picked ones that fit each chapters vibe/plot was much more meaningful.

This is perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, and reminded me a lot of being back in Chestnut Springs! I would love to see additional novels focusing on the other brothers and their lives.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, and would read more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley for my free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley & Waitlyn Andrew’s for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted so badly to love this book, and I did for the most part….BUT I was expecting something more from the relationship or two main characters. I would’ve loved a dual POV, more into the relationship, or something extra.

This was my first book with the author, so I’ll try her other book to see if I like it better. Overall it’s a cute and easy read, just was missing something more.

This was my first cowboy romance and it did not disappoint!
It's a clean slow burn with no third act break up and a little bit of a Hallmark movie feel to it. All the characters were so likable and had me rooting for them. One of my favorite parts is that each chapter has a different country song that matches the vibes of the chapter. I can't focus enough to read and listen to music at the same time, but you know I went and made a playlist as soon as I finished the book!
The book started off so strong, I was immediately sucked in, ready to go to a rodeo f I thought for sure this would be a 5 * read for me. The only reason I ended up not giving it a 5 is because it started off with obvious attraction between the two (the dance after the first rodeo with the whiskey da), but the romance build up after that is truly a slow burn and it left me feeling a little frustrated with Amelia, the FMC. However if you love that burn and watching characters fight their feelings, this would probably be perfect for you!

Rider's Block

Amelia's 10th book gets rejected for being unrealistic so she spends a month on a ranch in Colorado with her friend Olivia's cousins. She falls hard for the small town vibes, and maybe even harder for Eric, the eldest son at the ranch. This book is perfect for those who love Lost and Lassoed/ the Blue Ranch series from Layla Sage. It has the same rosy glassed, small town, ranch life vibes.

The four main characters: Amelia, Eric, Dean, and Penny are all interesting and easy to root for. Their voices are different, and Andrews' does a good job of showing things happen rather than telling us they happened. Of course I fell in love with this small town with its ranch life, rodeo, and dance halls. Of course I drempt about moving to Colorado to this fictional place to live this fantasy. Sigh.

Andrews' uses a lot of clichés in her writing. Especially when talking about love or of Amelia's issues with trust due to her dad. I wish this could've been more nuanced. The book could be tightened up a bit. Still, it was an enjoyable small town romance read by an independent author. 3.5 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Waitlyn Andrews for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the Kindle arc edition, I’m so sincerely grateful for these early reads!
Starting off, I really wanted to like this book, but it just wasn’t for me. I love a good cowboy romance with a steady mmc, and fmc who is strong and driven, but I just felt like there were so many cliches that it got a bit redundant. I wasn’t a fan of the repeating phrases, the strained relationship the fmc had with her dad led to really confusing inner dialogue that felt like her feelings were flip flopping. I really wanted to like this, but unfortunately I won’t be purchasing when it comes out :/

Wow! I absolutely loved reading this book. I couldn’t put it down, I read it within one day. I’ve become obsessed with cowboy romance novels and this one moved to the top of my list of favorites. The characters were so adorable, I wanna be apart of the Randall family! I enjoyed learning the quirks of each character and the dynamics between them. I would highly recommend this book if you need a sweet romance, that will make you giddy with love.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Ugh I wanted to like this book with the amazingly witty title but unfortunately it wasn’t for me.

You’d think after nearly a dozen successful books under my belt I’d know better than to write about a location site-un-seen. My attempt to break into a new genre gets denied. A lot. Aggressively? Exaggerating, sure, but it feels personal. The gauntlet has been thrown, and I can no longer avoid a trip to Cowboy Country. I will get this book published.
Heading to Colorado for three months of research is not on my bingo card for the year, but I somehow find myself in the home of Rodeo Royalty. Ideal for immersive learning, but a little less than ideal when I have a propensity to piss off the grumpiest cowboy in 100 miles. I know I’m imposing, he knows I’m imposing, but if I can just make it through the next three months without ticking him off further, that’d be great. And if we could make it through the summer without him drunkenly confessing his attraction to me—again—that’d be even better.
Serves him right for drinking my whisky.
xx, Ameilia Greene

Let me start by saying I’m glad I read the authors note at the beginning or I’d have even more problems with this book. She states that this book is like a manifestation of her dreams by having the character already achieve them. But unfortunately said character came off really annoying. She kept talking about how financially stable she was and how life was great because she had money; and maybe I’m just insecure but I couldn’t like her after that. And to continue on the plot couldn’t really save her. It was really boring and lacklustre

Great promise but no execution

You know what this book made me feel? This book made me feel like I need to pack up my husband and my kids (4 boys mind you) and find a ranch in Colorado and get a bunch of horses and live happily ever after. Is that too much to ask??

This book was so beautifully written. This is hands down one of the best books I’ve read that has literally no spice in it whatsoever. And you know what? I don’t even care! The characters were written wonderfully. I felt like I knew them. The MMC is one of the best black cat turned golden retrievers ever okay? I said it and I stand by it! The way the descriptions of the setting and the scenery….immaculately done. I feel like I’m missing out on seeing this vastly beautiful place in real life.
There were moments between Eric (MMC) and Roper (Eric’s horse) that made me so emotional.
If you are thinking about entering your contemporary cowboy romance era, I suggest you start here because this was done SO well. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Very cute book! I did think it was a little slow at the end but I was very happy with the ending and loved the correct rodeo and cowboy ways in the book!

This was such a cute book, it’s paced well & I love the characters!

There’s no on page spice, a little kissing only. I don’t think the book is lacking because of it at all, it works well.

There were some parts that were a little confusing where they were in one place & then all of a sudden in another & I thought I’d missed something but I hadn’t.

It has made me want to go to a rodeo though.

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 0/5 (closed-door)

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-book! This is the first book I’ve read by Waitlyn Andrews in exchange for an honest, authentic review.

(Quote)
"You're here. You're healthy, and you're the best. Don't make me the reason you quit. Make me the reason you don't stop. Once you win, we can revisit the conversation, but don't make me another regret. I won't be able to live with myself. I can't be another what-if."

(Plot)
Amelia Greene, a successful author, is attempting to break into a new genre but gets denied by multiple publishers due to the lack of research. She realizes that she must visit Colorado and immerse herself in the Cowboy culture. As she lives with the Randall family, she finds herself constantly bumping into the broody, grumpy cowboy Eric. After Eric’s drunk confession, Amelia is hoping to make it through summer without any hiccups and only a finished book.

(Thoughts)
This book is a closed-door romance and it gave me Elsie Silver and Lyla Sage vibes! I loved this book a lot! The grumpy, broody mmc and the strong fmc 🫶 I love when he’s grumpy and then becomes a softy as he falls for her!! I love when Eric called her “Red”That has become one of my favorite nicknames!! Also!! THIS MAN’S CONSISTENT CONFESSION TO AMELIA!! It made me so weak! He constantly waited for Amelia to reach the point he was at and he consistently told her how he felt (we love good communication). One part I really loved was the drunk confession!! AHHHH IT MADE ME BLUSH SO HARD!! Overall, I really did enjoy this book and will be checking out “Yes, Chef.” Ugh I’m sad it’s over buuuut maybe the next one can be about Olivia???

“It’s not the size of the machine but the way you drive it, right?” 🧡🐴🧡🐴

Amelia is a writer needing some real life cowboy experience for her book. 📖 She decided to come out to Colorado to gain some insight. She never expected love to be part of that experience. Eric is a grumpy cowboy who is a big rodeo star and runs his families ranch. He had a bad accident a couple years back and has lost himself. When Amelia shows up on the road home having car trouble, he knows he is in trouble ❤️

This was such a cute love story with a ton of memorable moments. I loved all of the characters. Amelia & Eric are adorable. I had a hard time with the pace and even with it being closed door, I needed a lot more tension and I needed someone to get hurt that leads to a big come back. With everything I pointed out, it’s still a good read and I recommend it.

🐴 Cowboy Romance
🌦️ Grumpy x Sunshine
📖 Writer Heroine
🛏️ One Bed
🐎 One Horse
👥 Forced Proximity
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Found Family
📏 Tall Heroine
🎂 30+ year old heroine
👭 Lovable Side Characters


⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
🌶️/5

Thank you Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for a honest review

If you’re in your cowboy romance era, this is a great title to add to your tbr. Rider’s Block has my favorite trope of grumpy sunshine and did not disappoint. On top of that, there’s no messy annoying third act break-up! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and happily recommend for anyone looking for a cozy, small town, cowboy romance. P. S. This is a closed door romance with no spice, although it’s still very enjoyable and the plot more than fills that space. The writing was done extremely well and built a believable world that immersed me in the country side.

perhaps my favorite trope is where the main character is an author, finding themselves caught in a similar romance of the book they’re researching. surely nothing but platonic friendship awaits you at that ranch in colorado, amelia.

it was pretty easy for me to get deeply immersed into this book. the first half was a very steady build up with back & forth dialog and strong secondary characters. the author prioritized developing a healthy (and comedic) dynamic between all of the characters, not only the fmc/mmc.

instead of a miscommunication or breakup in the third act, the book focused on the flaws of the fmc. I know lacking self-awareness is necessary for character development, but respectfully, girl! go get your man. with all of the action being focused on the first half of the book, the writing did lead the reader through a passive synopsis towards the end to wrap everything up with a nice little bow.

for fans of: excruciatingly slow burns, 90s romcom movies, statement boots, the scene in pride & prejudice (2005) when mr. darcy flexes his hand.

this was also my first experience with netgalley, so thank you to Waitlyn for giving me a fun one to review!!

Such a cute love story. Really liked the setting and the story of the characters.

Dislike: The preface. Completely unnecessary and condescending

I loved this romance about a writer and cowboy 🤠and I loved the slow burn!
I really enjoyed how the author write it

If you’re looking for a clean cowboy romance, then check this one out. Eric is such a swoony book boyfriend ❤️

Cowboy romance with a writer?! sign me up! this book had a found family, grumpy cowboy, headstrong writer, and the cutest small town vibe! makes me want to go to Colorado 🥰 would highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a cowboy rom com with a slow burn but undeniable chemistry and a cute ranch family!

This cowboy romance set in Colorado’s countryside sparked an idealistic awakening in me! This was such a classic romantic comedy that involved not only the pairing of Erica and Amelia but also two other side characters that have you deeply invested. I loved the plot of her using the 3 month stay for research and ultimately it turning into a “found family” situation.

Eric, the broody and grumpy mountain of a cowboy turning into a romantic softy was also *chefs kiss*. I highly recommend this book if you are into having a good time and feeling the romance of a chivalrous cowboy.

Thank you NetGalley and Waitlyn Andrews for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this! A down on her luck author and a German Shepherd cowboy falling in love? Yes please!!