Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Cordon Bleu-trained chef Riley Emerson arrives in Aspen, Colorado for a summer at the best restaurant in town, only to discover his jerk of a boyfriend has dumped him, leaving his heart and his plans in tatters. Doubting himself and longing for a change of pace, he takes a low-paying position at the Rocking Z guest ranch, though he expects nature up close and personal won’t hold a candle to his exciting Paris lifestyle.

When born-and-bred cattle rancher Colby Zane spots a newcomer being pawed at by a passel of horny cowboys at Aspen’s Club Rawhide, he rushes in, throws the guy over his shoulder, and rescues him. Sober, Riley Emerson is sweet and sexy, but not interested in more than a one-night stand. Still, Colby’s over the moon when Riley later arrives as the new cook on his family’s ranch.

But all’s not well at the Rocking Z. Unsurmountable financial problems force them to seek a cash infusion from outside investor Fitz Wellington. Fitz is hot for Colby, and he won’t sign on the dotted line without some very personal incentives. The future of the ranch is at stake, and Colby’s just that desperate, but saving the Z might mean losing Riley.

 

Book Review

What could be more intriguing than a recent graduate of Paris's Le Cordon Blue and a cowboy? See? That was my reaction too, when I read the blurb. I had such fun pictured in my head for 'Spaghetti Western', book five in EM Lynley's 'Delectable' series. I will mention that each of these books can be read as a stand alone and they do not have to be read in order.

Riley arrives in Aspen, Colorado a week early to surprise his boyfriend, only to find him in bed with a new boyfriend. What now? Riley can't work at the same restaurant all summer with his ex. In a weird twist of fate, or luck, Riley gets rescued by Colby at a local gay bar. Too many strangers buying Riley drinks, pawing at him, and putting him in situations he's not sober enough to agree to, have Colby just wanting to rescue the poor guy. Don't they both turn out seriously surprised, when a week later, they run into each other at the Rocking Z Ranch, where Colby works on the ranch side of his family's home, and Riley's been hired as the kitchen manager for the guest ranch portion of the business.

Riley jumps right in getting the kitchen and his staff up to speed, in the two weeks before guests begin to arrive. Of course he and Colby jump right into each other too, while slowly learning how to be together. Although, with Riley being upfront about being done with relationships after his ex, and Colby making it plain that he wouldn't give Riley any special treatment, it's no wonder there are loads of miscommunications. Colby has his own stressors also, as he and his family await a visit from Mr. Wellington, a prospective investor for the guest ranch side of the business. Mr. Wellington arrives, and sets his sights on Colby, with a lot of conditions to his "investment". Uh-oh.

If you like cowboys, then there's plenty for you to like about this book. I enjoyed Riley and Colby, and their love story was sweet. I'll admit to feeling as if the storyline rambled some and, for me, it was very predictable. However, it's an easy read with likable characters, and I can recommend it for fun.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 220 pages/75764 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	17-September-2014
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/spaghetti-western-by-em-lynley-5995-b