A Thorn in the Saddle (Cowboys of California)

I love Ms Weatherspoon's writing and have enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one hits it out of the park. I loved the world building in the first two, but probably only 'liked' the main characters. I LOVED Jesse and LilyGrace. This book will now be my go-to recommendation when someone complains about too many romance novels using unrealistic miscommunication to drive conflict - these characters and their communication is the antidote.

Black love! Black family! Black wealth! This book is magnificent and I truly enjoyed it.

I haven't read the first two in the series but was able to get an ARC for this and now I have to go back and read Zach and Sam's stories because I need more Pleasant family and definitely more Miss Leona.

You can read the synopsis so I am not going to do that. What I am going share is that Rebekah is so well at incorporating consent, mental health, and positive representation of therapy into her books. It is rare to see a Black man talk about and go to therapy in a romance novel and Rebekah makes it happen. I loved what Jesse experienced (even though some of his anger issues felt a little far fetched and not huge deals to me - but maybe that is fleshed out in earlier books). It was great to see him take time to grow and support himself and I loves how Lily-Grace made that happen. Lastly, the family relationships were everything, especially the Pleasant brothers and their Dad - showing that sometimes vulnerability is hard but it is so needed. I also loved Lily-Grace and her Dad: a beautiful portrayal of a Dad killing it as a parent.

Read this for the warmth and sweetness, and stay for the STEAM because RW always delivers.

Thank you to Kensington Books for my copy to review

I’m a huge fan of Rebekah Weatherspoon and this is a delicious series to binge read! I’ve been not so patiently awaiting Jesse’s story and this is a delightful read.

I loved the dynamics of the characters in A Thorn in the Saddle. Jesse Charming is scared to ride a horse, a brilliant businessman, inexperienced with women and takes care of everyone in his life. He is even courting going into politics.

Lily-Grace Leroux has a big personality with her own insecurities. Lily-Grace has vitiligo, a brilliant mind for making money, an outgoing nature and much more experience in the bedroom. Lily-Grace left her job after being being sexually harassed in the workplace and is visiting her dad deciding her next move.

All the books have a loose theme relating to a fairy tale. Which means there are villains at play! I love in this one that I often forgot the villain until they snuck up on us!

You’ll want to read this for the amazing chemistry, low angst and to fall in love with the Charming family.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. #dateauction #RebekahWeatherspoon. #AThornintheSaddle #NetGalley

The story on Jessie was great reading, you should also read about the other 2 brothers

Yes Ms. Weatherspoon, Jesse is our favorite Pleasant. Jesse has the burden of the entire ranch and business on his shoulders while the others in the family have been able to pursue other hours and dreams and love. Jesse stilted in that department.

Lily-Grace is a force of nature, a whirlwind I'd say plowing into Jesse's life. I'm not sure how to put into words what I feel or think of Lily-Grace, or here match with Jesse, so I'll let that simmer a little.

I loved this series and this family. Miss Leona is a ball breaker matriarch and reins these gang in, loved the entire series!

Jesse Pleasant was quick tempered but had a heart of gold. An unexpected meeting with Lily-Grace Leroux showed him maybe he was not meant to be alone like he thought. This was a great story.

This, finally, is Jesse’s story: the oldest brother, the boss of the ranch, the grumpy one. I’ve been waiting since the Early Pandemic Era for this book and I’m so glad it’s (almost) here!

We’ve already had our Sleeping Beauty (amnesia) book, and our Cinderella (screenwriter and movie star) book, and now it’s Beauty and the Beast.
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Jesse’s ‘beast’ is anger: the book opens with him freaking out at the man making out with his grandmother. That man’s daughter is an old school friend of Jesse’s who is staying in town while considering her next career move, and so they have a chance to reconnect.
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Rebekah Weatherspoon is such a solid writer, and so you can be assured of vivid characters, great pacing, and a satisfying conclusion. Whichever of her books strike your fancy, know that it’ll be very well done! So I won’t talk about why I loved Jesse and Lily-Grace, but rather, some of the less-usual things I especially appreciated:
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--Jesse starts going to therapy to work on his anger. And later, his fears. Yay, love doesn’t solve all, and yay, professional therapy.
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--As feelings start to grow, they both admit it. I hadn’t realized how tired I was of the “I have feelings but am afraid to say anything and am therefore getting more and more insecure” plotline, until I read this book and another with courageous honesty. It’s so refreshing, and you get the kilig feeling several times and not just at the romantic climax.
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--Lily-Grace has vitiligo, the skin condition where patches are missing melanin.
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--Jesse reaches out to address some other issues with his family, and affects change. I love it when other relationships beyond the romantic one, are shown to be important.
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There is one thing that I wish were addressed a bit more, and that’s the loneliness and shame Jesse must have felt as a kid afraid of horses, growing up on a ranch. My heart had been hurting for that kid ever since book one. But it is touched upon a bit, and I can see why Weatherspoon didn't dive deep into it.
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Definitely recommend this book, and the whole Cowboys of California series.

This is the third book in the series, and a great cap to it. Although it can probably be read as a standalone, you'll have a much better sense of the (potentially overwhelming) cast of characters if you read the books in sequence.

Jesse's been the rock of the family throughout the series, the strong silent one just outside the main action. Here he's reunited with his childhood crush, Lily-Grace, under bad circumstances. Jesse blew up at Lily-Grace's father, causing him to fall and break his wrist. So she's not too keen on seeing him.

But they keep getting stuck together. And there's a date auction where first Lily-Grace saves the day, then Jesse saves it.

It's satisfying to watch Jesse grow throughout this book. He begins it knowing that he'll have to make decisions about the direction of his life, and he's an active participant in making the changes. It's also *quite* steamy.

Although Lily-Grace is a strong character who knows her own mind and had her own character arc (also involving choices about her life's direction), this is very much Jesse's story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so excited to read Jesse Pleasant's turn at romance. I love that Jesse didn't have to be perfect to find love, but that he did recognize that he needed to work on himself, and the role him going to therapy and working through his family dynamic had on the book. It was a great read.

Ranch owner Jesse Pleasant always felt like the odd man out with his brothers and his family. He reluctantly became the one who was relied on to make all the decisions and to hold everything together concerning the family. Being put in that position has built up a resentment over the years that has festered a growing temper. Jesse has watched his two brothers, his cousins and even his grandmother find happiness and love. Jesse has always felt awkward because of his size and the ability to form any type of romantic relationships. His temper will finally get the best of him.

Former tech consultant Lily-Grace Leroux has had it with hot-tempered men who think they know everything. So when Jesse Pleasant lets his temper get out of control regarding the relationship between his grandmother and her father, Lily-Grace has no problem letting him know just what she thinks of him. But after seeing a softer side of Jesse, Lily-Grace helps Jesse to learn what romance feels like.

This was my favorite of the three brothers. Watching Jesse overcome his awkwardness was very much appreciated.