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Closed Circuit #1
The Wildest Ride
Prepare for the ride of your life this summer in Marcella Bell's bold, uplifting romantic debut.
At thirty-six, undefeated rodeo champion AJ Garza is supposed to be retiring, not chasing after an all-new closed-circuit rodeo tour with a million-dollar prize. But with the Houston rodeo program that saved him as a wayward teen on the brink of bankruptcy, he’ll compete. And he’ll win.
Enter Lilian Sorrow Island. Raised by her grandparents on the family ranch in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Lil is more a cowboy than city boy AJ will ever be. It shows. She’s not about to let him steal the prize that’ll save her ranch, even if he is breathtakingly magnificent, in pretty much every way going.
The world watches on as reality TV meets rodeo in a competition like no other. In front of the cameras, Lil and AJ are each other’s biggest rivals. Off-screen, it’s about to get a whole lot more complicated…
A Closed Circuit Novel
At thirty-six, undefeated rodeo champion AJ Garza is supposed to be retiring, not chasing after an all-new closed-circuit rodeo tour with a million-dollar prize. But with the Houston rodeo program that saved him as a wayward teen on the brink of bankruptcy, he’ll compete. And he’ll win.
Enter Lilian Sorrow Island. Raised by her grandparents on the family ranch in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Lil is more a cowboy than city boy AJ will ever be. It shows. She’s not about to let him steal the prize that’ll save her ranch, even if he is breathtakingly magnificent, in pretty much every way going.
The world watches on as reality TV meets rodeo in a competition like no other. In front of the cameras, Lil and AJ are each other’s biggest rivals. Off-screen, it’s about to get a whole lot more complicated…
A Closed Circuit Novel
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 14, 2021
This is a Slow Moving Cowboy Romance, and this is the first book in the Closed Circuit series. In this book we follow AJ and Lilian who is part of the closed-circuit rodeo tour with a million-dollar prize. I really loved this book. I loved the rodeo parts, and I also really loved all the characters. The romance was slow to get started, but I really loved the romance in this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin) or author (Marcella Bell) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
February 7, 2022
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Tearing folks from their history was one of the ways to break them, so Lil's family had held on to theirs through their land---through cultural hostility, the dust bowl, outright deception, attempts to steal, and everything else that time and life had thrown their way.
After her granddad dies, Lilian Sorrow Island learns that he took out a reverse mortgage on their ranch, Swallowtail, and now that the bereavement period is over, they need to start making payments on the 1.2 million dollar loan. The ranch is barely getting by but her grandma has a plan, have Lil compete in the new PBRA Close Circuit tour, a reality tv rodeo, tournament style, two month competition that will award the all around winner 1 million dollars. Lil competed in the INFR and always dreamed of riding bulls in the PBR but they wouldn't accept women at the time. This is a chance to save her ranch and live out her dream.
Huge, rough, layered, and callused, they were the hands of a man who let go of something only when he was ready to.
The PBRA's most decorated cowboy, AJ Garza, has been on a retirement tour around the world for the last three years. When he learns the organization, CityBoyz, that took him in as a troubled youth, headed by Henry “The Old Man” and one of the best Black cowboys to compete in the PBRA, lost their biggest donor and needs money, he decides to come out of retirement and enter the closed circuit tour to win the prize money for them. Not knowing what to do with his life after rodeo, it's the perfect opportunity to stay in the game. After he watches the new guy, Lil Sorrow, get the highest score on the first competition of bronc riding, he's excited for the first real competition he's had in years. When the new guy turns out to be a woman, AJ finds himself drawn for a new reason.
She needed to take herself in hand. She had strict rules, both about rodeo cowboys and mixing work with pleasure, and all of them could be summed up in one word: no.
The Wildest Ride, is first in author Marcella Bell's Closed Circuit series and had the a love letter to the west feel of a Beverly Jenkins and the family and friends cast of characters and sexy loving moments of a Lori Foster. The setting and elements of rodeo are truly the fabric that becomes the backbone to the story, especially in the beginning. It's not really until 35% that the romance kicks in between Lil and AJ but I loved how the rodeo/ranching elements gave the story an overall stripped down feel.
Lil has lived the majority of her life on the ranch, raised by her grandparents after her teenage mom refused to name the cowboy who got her pregnant and then ends up dying when Lil is four years old. The pain of feeling abandoned has made her develop trust issues, especially with men. Her grandma and the other two who help on the ranch, cousin Tommy and ranch hand Piper, are the only people she lets in. Lil is our grumpy and AJ is our sunshine. AJ grew-up in Houston and after his father died, he had anger issues that had his mom sending him to CityBoyz, an inner city youth program, there he learned a love for rodeo and a natural talent for it. He's thirty-six to Lil's twenty-seven and has vast experience in dealing with the press and whole song and dance involved with a reality tv show. Lil grew-up watching AJ and had a crush on him but she's the real rancher to his “city boy” and AJ still has some things to learn in that arena. They constantly are neck and neck in the competitions, keeping them aware of each other.
She sighed in his ear, whispering back, willing to be open and soft in another language, “Apurate, vaquero, he estado esperandote a toda mi vida.”
The closed circuit tournament worked to keep these two together but pace of the competition felt a little disjointed at times. The competition isn't the main focus, it intermittently gets focused on and for it being the glue that holds our couple together, it never fully fit right for me. What I did enjoy a lot was how easy, sweet, and sexily taunting AJ could be with Lil and how her grumpiness delighted and egged him on. Lil's tough but AJ teasingly coaxing her out of her cocoon created some sweet scenes. There's not a ton of bedroom scenes but the author takes her time when they are there and I found them all the better for it, more of that stripped down feeling.
He took a step closer and she tilted her chin up to keep eye contact. “Stop this foolishness,” he said. “Take me home with you.”
Something sharp and scared flashed through her eyes but was gone in an instant. “You won't stay.”
He leaned in bringing his lips closer to hers, and she strained up toward him, even if she wasn't aware of it.
“I will.” He spoke softly, his mouth only inches from hers.
This felt more like a story, an experience, that I let myself sink into, there's substantial aspects to capture your heart and mind; Lil's Muscogee heritage, family drama, history with INFR and PBRA, and Lil being a woman competing. Individually Lil outshone AJ for me a bit but he's what made them shine as a couple. There were some conversations that I thought were repeated and slowed down the story in the middle, a late reveal that didn't get the time needed to feel emotionally satisfying, and a, somewhat, abrupt ending. This is first in a series, so the CityBoyz storyline is probably going to be the continuing connection but for how heedful the rest of the story was paced, it made the ending feel rushed. This was an impressive debut that felt stripped down in its quietness, I felt the blood, sweat, tears, and skill in rodeo and ranching, my eyes watered out of nowhere with Lil fighting to remind everyone that “girls had try”, and the grumpy/sunshine romance delivered the sweet. There are a couple secondary characters that I'm hoping will get their own books in this series (Piper, please!), I'm pretty sure I caught a tease for AJ's friend Diablo and the rodeo queen Sierra and I'll definitely be in line to read them. Also, make sure to read the author's note at the end.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Tearing folks from their history was one of the ways to break them, so Lil's family had held on to theirs through their land---through cultural hostility, the dust bowl, outright deception, attempts to steal, and everything else that time and life had thrown their way.
After her granddad dies, Lilian Sorrow Island learns that he took out a reverse mortgage on their ranch, Swallowtail, and now that the bereavement period is over, they need to start making payments on the 1.2 million dollar loan. The ranch is barely getting by but her grandma has a plan, have Lil compete in the new PBRA Close Circuit tour, a reality tv rodeo, tournament style, two month competition that will award the all around winner 1 million dollars. Lil competed in the INFR and always dreamed of riding bulls in the PBR but they wouldn't accept women at the time. This is a chance to save her ranch and live out her dream.
Huge, rough, layered, and callused, they were the hands of a man who let go of something only when he was ready to.
The PBRA's most decorated cowboy, AJ Garza, has been on a retirement tour around the world for the last three years. When he learns the organization, CityBoyz, that took him in as a troubled youth, headed by Henry “The Old Man” and one of the best Black cowboys to compete in the PBRA, lost their biggest donor and needs money, he decides to come out of retirement and enter the closed circuit tour to win the prize money for them. Not knowing what to do with his life after rodeo, it's the perfect opportunity to stay in the game. After he watches the new guy, Lil Sorrow, get the highest score on the first competition of bronc riding, he's excited for the first real competition he's had in years. When the new guy turns out to be a woman, AJ finds himself drawn for a new reason.
She needed to take herself in hand. She had strict rules, both about rodeo cowboys and mixing work with pleasure, and all of them could be summed up in one word: no.
The Wildest Ride, is first in author Marcella Bell's Closed Circuit series and had the a love letter to the west feel of a Beverly Jenkins and the family and friends cast of characters and sexy loving moments of a Lori Foster. The setting and elements of rodeo are truly the fabric that becomes the backbone to the story, especially in the beginning. It's not really until 35% that the romance kicks in between Lil and AJ but I loved how the rodeo/ranching elements gave the story an overall stripped down feel.
Lil has lived the majority of her life on the ranch, raised by her grandparents after her teenage mom refused to name the cowboy who got her pregnant and then ends up dying when Lil is four years old. The pain of feeling abandoned has made her develop trust issues, especially with men. Her grandma and the other two who help on the ranch, cousin Tommy and ranch hand Piper, are the only people she lets in. Lil is our grumpy and AJ is our sunshine. AJ grew-up in Houston and after his father died, he had anger issues that had his mom sending him to CityBoyz, an inner city youth program, there he learned a love for rodeo and a natural talent for it. He's thirty-six to Lil's twenty-seven and has vast experience in dealing with the press and whole song and dance involved with a reality tv show. Lil grew-up watching AJ and had a crush on him but she's the real rancher to his “city boy” and AJ still has some things to learn in that arena. They constantly are neck and neck in the competitions, keeping them aware of each other.
She sighed in his ear, whispering back, willing to be open and soft in another language, “Apurate, vaquero, he estado esperandote a toda mi vida.”
The closed circuit tournament worked to keep these two together but pace of the competition felt a little disjointed at times. The competition isn't the main focus, it intermittently gets focused on and for it being the glue that holds our couple together, it never fully fit right for me. What I did enjoy a lot was how easy, sweet, and sexily taunting AJ could be with Lil and how her grumpiness delighted and egged him on. Lil's tough but AJ teasingly coaxing her out of her cocoon created some sweet scenes. There's not a ton of bedroom scenes but the author takes her time when they are there and I found them all the better for it, more of that stripped down feeling.
He took a step closer and she tilted her chin up to keep eye contact. “Stop this foolishness,” he said. “Take me home with you.”
Something sharp and scared flashed through her eyes but was gone in an instant. “You won't stay.”
He leaned in bringing his lips closer to hers, and she strained up toward him, even if she wasn't aware of it.
“I will.” He spoke softly, his mouth only inches from hers.
This felt more like a story, an experience, that I let myself sink into, there's substantial aspects to capture your heart and mind; Lil's Muscogee heritage, family drama, history with INFR and PBRA, and Lil being a woman competing. Individually Lil outshone AJ for me a bit but he's what made them shine as a couple. There were some conversations that I thought were repeated and slowed down the story in the middle, a late reveal that didn't get the time needed to feel emotionally satisfying, and a, somewhat, abrupt ending. This is first in a series, so the CityBoyz storyline is probably going to be the continuing connection but for how heedful the rest of the story was paced, it made the ending feel rushed. This was an impressive debut that felt stripped down in its quietness, I felt the blood, sweat, tears, and skill in rodeo and ranching, my eyes watered out of nowhere with Lil fighting to remind everyone that “girls had try”, and the grumpy/sunshine romance delivered the sweet. There are a couple secondary characters that I'm hoping will get their own books in this series (Piper, please!), I'm pretty sure I caught a tease for AJ's friend Diablo and the rodeo queen Sierra and I'll definitely be in line to read them. Also, make sure to read the author's note at the end.
April 17, 2021
Unique, intensely strong characters, and beautiful blend of cultures.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the first book written by this author and I was intrigued by the synopsis. Farm raised girl taking on the rodeo circuit competing with the guys, definitely a story to be told.
Bell created wonderful characters and they just mashed together so nicely. The back stories were interesting and highly detailed. And that simmering heat flowing underneath everything was just perfect. yummm
The Wildest Ride has everything that a cowboy romance should offer. Fun, memorable, with the perfect amount of steam and passion! AJ is awesome and I really felt pulled into the story.
Bell has crafted a unique book with intense characters offering a beautiful blend of cultures. Highly enjoyable and not to be missed! Cannot wait to read more from her!
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-wildest-...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the first book written by this author and I was intrigued by the synopsis. Farm raised girl taking on the rodeo circuit competing with the guys, definitely a story to be told.
Bell created wonderful characters and they just mashed together so nicely. The back stories were interesting and highly detailed. And that simmering heat flowing underneath everything was just perfect. yummm
The Wildest Ride has everything that a cowboy romance should offer. Fun, memorable, with the perfect amount of steam and passion! AJ is awesome and I really felt pulled into the story.
Bell has crafted a unique book with intense characters offering a beautiful blend of cultures. Highly enjoyable and not to be missed! Cannot wait to read more from her!
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-wildest-...
August 4, 2021
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE WILDEST RIDE (A Closed Circuit Novel Book #1) by Marcella Bell is the first book in a contemporary multicultural romance series that is listed under Women’s fiction, but the only reason I found for this was the ending is more of an implied HEA than being a written, explicit one.
Lilian ‘Lil’ Sorrow runs her grandparents ranch since the death of her grandfather. When it is disclosed that her grandfather took a reverse mortgage out on the ranch, they find they must begin to pay it back or lose the family ranch. Lil was trained by her grandfather to shine in all rodeo events so when the Closed Circuit event is announced, her grandmother signs her up. Lil will get to follow her and her grandfather’s dreams of starring in a PBRA event.
AJ Garza has been the undefeated rodeo champion for years and is supposed to be retiring, but the Closed Circuit event is what he needs to save the Houston rodeo program for at-risk boys which introduced him to rodeo when he needed it.
The world watches as reality TV meets rodeo. Both Lil and AJ need the grand prize, but the competitors find it difficult to keep their personal attraction under control and out of the competition.
I loved the idea and setting of this story and the author did not disappoint. Lil is a small powerhouse who knows how to run a ranch and shine at a rodeo but is living in fear of making her mother’s mistakes. AJ only knows rodeo as his profession and he does not know how to move on. The two of them are pitted against each other, but soon they are also helping each other. Ms. Bell does an excellent job of moving the story at a good pace with the rodeo events while still moving the romance at a slower, believable pace. When the sex scenes occur, they are very sexy, hot and not gratuitous. All the characters in this story are memorable and fully fleshed. It was interesting to learn of the segregation in the PBRA and the rodeo in general, not just in color and culture, but sex also. Since this is a series, I will be interested to see if it features a different H/h focus in each book around the Closed Circuit shows or we will get to see Lil and AJ in future stories.
I recommend this start to this engaging new series and I am looking forward to seeing how it progresses.
THE WILDEST RIDE (A Closed Circuit Novel Book #1) by Marcella Bell is the first book in a contemporary multicultural romance series that is listed under Women’s fiction, but the only reason I found for this was the ending is more of an implied HEA than being a written, explicit one.
Lilian ‘Lil’ Sorrow runs her grandparents ranch since the death of her grandfather. When it is disclosed that her grandfather took a reverse mortgage out on the ranch, they find they must begin to pay it back or lose the family ranch. Lil was trained by her grandfather to shine in all rodeo events so when the Closed Circuit event is announced, her grandmother signs her up. Lil will get to follow her and her grandfather’s dreams of starring in a PBRA event.
AJ Garza has been the undefeated rodeo champion for years and is supposed to be retiring, but the Closed Circuit event is what he needs to save the Houston rodeo program for at-risk boys which introduced him to rodeo when he needed it.
The world watches as reality TV meets rodeo. Both Lil and AJ need the grand prize, but the competitors find it difficult to keep their personal attraction under control and out of the competition.
I loved the idea and setting of this story and the author did not disappoint. Lil is a small powerhouse who knows how to run a ranch and shine at a rodeo but is living in fear of making her mother’s mistakes. AJ only knows rodeo as his profession and he does not know how to move on. The two of them are pitted against each other, but soon they are also helping each other. Ms. Bell does an excellent job of moving the story at a good pace with the rodeo events while still moving the romance at a slower, believable pace. When the sex scenes occur, they are very sexy, hot and not gratuitous. All the characters in this story are memorable and fully fleshed. It was interesting to learn of the segregation in the PBRA and the rodeo in general, not just in color and culture, but sex also. Since this is a series, I will be interested to see if it features a different H/h focus in each book around the Closed Circuit shows or we will get to see Lil and AJ in future stories.
I recommend this start to this engaging new series and I am looking forward to seeing how it progresses.
August 3, 2021
The only thing Lil is concerned about is saving her family’s ranch. THE WILDEST RIDE is Marcella Bell’s debut novel and it is a wonderful story.
THE WILDEST RIDE is such a brilliant story and gave me all the right feels at the right times! I was emotionally invested in Lil and her life from the very first page. It had me laughing within the first few pages, and I was instantly connected to Lil. Wait until you meet Lil’s grandmother! She is hysterical and had me laughing out loud over and over again! Take a chance and read THE WILDEST RIDE. You won’t regret it!
Lil’s grandma has signed her up to compete in a reality rodeo that will be shown on television. THE WILDEST RIDE is a slow moving romance intertwined with an enemies-to-lovers trope. The reality rodeo is where she finds herself competing against AJ Garza, A super star and one very gorgeous man. Lil and AJ feel an instant attraction to each other, but Lil is having none of that! All she wants is the money to save their ranch! AJ wants the money to save his non profit, CityBoyz, A program for at risk youth in Houston Texas, and neither one of them is willing to let their dreams of winning go. THE WILDEST RIDE is so cute, romantic, and will make you fall in love, and definitely leave you wanting for more. This is the perfect story for a romance movie, wether on the big screen or television!
THE WILDEST RIDE held me captive until the very last page. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I just had to know if Lil and AJ were going to find their happily ever after as well as who won the competition. I will be thinking about Lil’s story for days to come and wonder how I would have handled her situation. Ms. Bell had me on quite the emotional rollercoaster by the end of the story but I also had a smile on my face. I wasn’t sure how things were going to go after the plot twist but I loved the ending. As a whole, I really loved and identified with how much this book celebrated rodeos and all that goes along with competitions. So thank you Marcella Bell for making my heart so happy. I loved every minute of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
THE WILDEST RIDE is such a brilliant story and gave me all the right feels at the right times! I was emotionally invested in Lil and her life from the very first page. It had me laughing within the first few pages, and I was instantly connected to Lil. Wait until you meet Lil’s grandmother! She is hysterical and had me laughing out loud over and over again! Take a chance and read THE WILDEST RIDE. You won’t regret it!
Lil’s grandma has signed her up to compete in a reality rodeo that will be shown on television. THE WILDEST RIDE is a slow moving romance intertwined with an enemies-to-lovers trope. The reality rodeo is where she finds herself competing against AJ Garza, A super star and one very gorgeous man. Lil and AJ feel an instant attraction to each other, but Lil is having none of that! All she wants is the money to save their ranch! AJ wants the money to save his non profit, CityBoyz, A program for at risk youth in Houston Texas, and neither one of them is willing to let their dreams of winning go. THE WILDEST RIDE is so cute, romantic, and will make you fall in love, and definitely leave you wanting for more. This is the perfect story for a romance movie, wether on the big screen or television!
THE WILDEST RIDE held me captive until the very last page. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I just had to know if Lil and AJ were going to find their happily ever after as well as who won the competition. I will be thinking about Lil’s story for days to come and wonder how I would have handled her situation. Ms. Bell had me on quite the emotional rollercoaster by the end of the story but I also had a smile on my face. I wasn’t sure how things were going to go after the plot twist but I loved the ending. As a whole, I really loved and identified with how much this book celebrated rodeos and all that goes along with competitions. So thank you Marcella Bell for making my heart so happy. I loved every minute of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
August 16, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bell is the first book in the Closed Circuit series. The world of rodeo fascinated me, so picking up this book was a no-brainer. Although not a fan of reality television series, the premise intrigued me and I slipped into the world and soon found myself on a wild ride.
This installment introduces Lillian Sorrow Island aka Lil Sorrow, and A J Garza. Lil manages the family ranch. A job she takes seriously to the point of having no social life. So learning her grandfather had taken out a reverse mortgage before he died, placing the ranch in jeopardy devastated her. To save the ranch, she enters the new PBRA Close Circuit reality television rodeo. She is determined to win the $1million dollar cash prize and prove that women have can be professional bull riders. However, there is a tiny issue: she will compete with the PBRA’s most decorated rodeo star, A J Garza.
A J retired from the rodeo scene and is looking for his next project. However, when he learns that the program that saved him as a teenager and fueled his passion for rodeo has lost its sponsor, the $1million dollar cash prize proved an attractive incentive to come out of retirement. Besides, with him being the best, this was a sure win, but he never counted on Lil Sorrow.
This was an entertaining read. The thing I enjoyed most about the story was the diversity of the characters. It was fun getting to know them. I also Like how the author highlighted the prejudices women faced on the circuit. Everyone automatically assumed Lil was a young man until the moment she got dolled up. Then out came the sexual innuendoes and many prejudices women faced being in a man’s world. However, Lil didn’t allow these incidences to distract her from her goal.
The interactions between AJ and Lil were entertaining. I enjoyed seeing their romance develop, sweet with a hint of passion. She may be his biggest competition, but he could not resist her magnetic pull. While reading, I wondered how it would all play out. Who would take home the prize and what impact this would have on their relationship?
With the story set in the world of rodeo, the reader got an intriguing view into the workings of the circuit and the potential danger contestants faced. The twist near the end took everyone by surprise, the reader included.
Conclusion/Recommendation
To conclude, The Wildest Ride was a delightful mix of diverse characters and the workings of the rodeo. For fans of cowboy romance, The Wildest Ride would make a great addition to summer reading list.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
This installment introduces Lillian Sorrow Island aka Lil Sorrow, and A J Garza. Lil manages the family ranch. A job she takes seriously to the point of having no social life. So learning her grandfather had taken out a reverse mortgage before he died, placing the ranch in jeopardy devastated her. To save the ranch, she enters the new PBRA Close Circuit reality television rodeo. She is determined to win the $1million dollar cash prize and prove that women have can be professional bull riders. However, there is a tiny issue: she will compete with the PBRA’s most decorated rodeo star, A J Garza.
A J retired from the rodeo scene and is looking for his next project. However, when he learns that the program that saved him as a teenager and fueled his passion for rodeo has lost its sponsor, the $1million dollar cash prize proved an attractive incentive to come out of retirement. Besides, with him being the best, this was a sure win, but he never counted on Lil Sorrow.
This was an entertaining read. The thing I enjoyed most about the story was the diversity of the characters. It was fun getting to know them. I also Like how the author highlighted the prejudices women faced on the circuit. Everyone automatically assumed Lil was a young man until the moment she got dolled up. Then out came the sexual innuendoes and many prejudices women faced being in a man’s world. However, Lil didn’t allow these incidences to distract her from her goal.
The interactions between AJ and Lil were entertaining. I enjoyed seeing their romance develop, sweet with a hint of passion. She may be his biggest competition, but he could not resist her magnetic pull. While reading, I wondered how it would all play out. Who would take home the prize and what impact this would have on their relationship?
With the story set in the world of rodeo, the reader got an intriguing view into the workings of the circuit and the potential danger contestants faced. The twist near the end took everyone by surprise, the reader included.
Conclusion/Recommendation
To conclude, The Wildest Ride was a delightful mix of diverse characters and the workings of the rodeo. For fans of cowboy romance, The Wildest Ride would make a great addition to summer reading list.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
June 12, 2021
Lil has one goal in mind - to save her family's ranch. How does she plan to go about it? She is determined to win a huge rodeo prize and that means beating undefeated rodeo champion AJ Garza, someone she has had a crush on for years.
AJ Garza does not know who Lil Sorrow is. The young cowboy, as that is what AJ thinks, is no way as skilled as he is. AJ desperately needs to win this rodoe tour as his program for wayward teens, CityBoyz, could fall apart if he does not win the prize. It was this very program that once saved him, and he will do his darndest to keep it running.
When AJ and Lil meet, imagine the shock AJ experiences when he realizes his petite opponent is a woman. In fact, when she is off course, and dolled up, she is a gorgeous little package that he is intensely drawn to. He is not sure why he is experiencing the strangest magnetic pull towards Lil. Not only are the two competing, but the event has drawn the attention of the media and the two are thrown together quite a bit.
How long will AJ and Lil be rivals? What about the strong pull of attraction the pair are experiencing? Who will make the first move? What about their goals for the prize money? If one of them loses, will they ultimately Closed Circuit series. I really loved this book, especially since we have a strong female protagonist, one in a career that doesn't have all that many women competing in.
This sexy and exciting story was a delightful read. I loved the background of the characters and the diversity as well. The fact that this book focused on the rodeo, and had diverse characters was an excellent blend. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
Many thanks to and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
AJ Garza does not know who Lil Sorrow is. The young cowboy, as that is what AJ thinks, is no way as skilled as he is. AJ desperately needs to win this rodoe tour as his program for wayward teens, CityBoyz, could fall apart if he does not win the prize. It was this very program that once saved him, and he will do his darndest to keep it running.
When AJ and Lil meet, imagine the shock AJ experiences when he realizes his petite opponent is a woman. In fact, when she is off course, and dolled up, she is a gorgeous little package that he is intensely drawn to. He is not sure why he is experiencing the strangest magnetic pull towards Lil. Not only are the two competing, but the event has drawn the attention of the media and the two are thrown together quite a bit.
How long will AJ and Lil be rivals? What about the strong pull of attraction the pair are experiencing? Who will make the first move? What about their goals for the prize money? If one of them loses, will they ultimately Closed Circuit series. I really loved this book, especially since we have a strong female protagonist, one in a career that doesn't have all that many women competing in.
This sexy and exciting story was a delightful read. I loved the background of the characters and the diversity as well. The fact that this book focused on the rodeo, and had diverse characters was an excellent blend. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
Many thanks to and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
October 18, 2021
FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK. It’s the cowboy romance I’ve been looking for for years!
Two love interests of color who are amazing. High stakes - financial, emotional and physical. An author with a deep knowledge of her subject. The rodeo was the third player in the romance.
Sigh. Just loved it!
Two love interests of color who are amazing. High stakes - financial, emotional and physical. An author with a deep knowledge of her subject. The rodeo was the third player in the romance.
Sigh. Just loved it!
August 9, 2021
Guys, how did I survive 40 trips around the sun and not know the term ‘Buckle Bunny’? Also, how does one sign up to become said bunny? This week I participated in a foray into an undiscovered genre (for me), Bronco/Rodeo romance. I’ve dipped my proverbial toe into ranch/cowboy love stories previously, however, they never really scratched the itch. I’m sure this stems from my absolute hatred of camping. I’m not overexaggerating, I’d rather immolate myself than spend one night lying awake in a filthy sleeping bag with the terror that I’m going to be either bitten by a black widow spider, eaten by a bear, or assaulted by a big foot. By the way, what’s the plural of big foot? Big Feet? Or is it like deer - both the plural and singular? I’m arguing semantics over a cryptozoological creature that doesn’t exist - let's get to what you’re here for.
I received an ARC of The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bell and boy howdy, did it live up to the title. For a little plot, you have two unconventional (for cowboy love stories) in Lilian Sorrow Island (Lil’ Sorrow) and AJ Garza. Lil’ Sorrow enters a rodeo themed month long reality show in the hopes of winning the top 1M grand prize in order to save her grandmother's farm. AJ, the newly ‘retired’ rodeo star has also entered the competition to provide solvency for the after school youth rodeo program which provided the stepping stones to his claim to fame.
With stiff competition and being the first female bronco rider in PBRA (Professional Bull Riders Association), Lil’ must prove that she’s not only better than the other contestants, but the best rider in a generation in order to truly stand out. With immense pressure to perform, will Lil’ have the courage to love a known buckle bunny connoisseur or will she build the gates around heart so strong that not even the strongest bronco could buck through? Who will win? Love or the bucking broncos? “Apurate, vaquero, he estado esperandote a toda mi vida”. (SWOON). Not translating that - you need to look it up - do some work! (It’s worth it).
The Compliment Sandwich (Will it be a double decker or a grilled cheese?)
The Top Bun (The Pro)
Lilian Sorrow Island
As I stated above, we have a very unconventional hero and heroine, we don't encounter too many rodeo cowgirls that can outride their hero in a romance novel. Lilian Sorrow Island is such a well written and impressive character that I find her inspirational. I want her to be a real person; I wish we had her in the flesh to be a role model for young girls today.
Lil’ is a 27 year old Biracial Native American and African American rancher from Oklahoma with a college degree that she earned through bronco riding scholarship. Real talk: didn’t know that was a thinking, am obsessed with this now. With a modicum of success in the IBRA (Indian Bronco Riding Association), crossover to the PBRA is almost an impossibility for her. Being born with a vageen is strike one and the second, oh yeah, racism. Thanks, white men! Often mistaken for a young boy, she has learned to use her size and agility to her advantage; she rides a bronco as if it’s an extension of herself and she can languidly move in tandem with any horse proving that she’s just as talented, if not more, than a man.
Forced to take over her grandparents ranch at such an early age, Lil’ is the picture of stoicism and hard scrabble ambition. She lives with the memory of an absent buckle bunny mother who left her in the care of her grandparents; ultimately, taking to the grave any knowledge of Lil’s fathers identity. Her mother never recovered from the The real threat AJ poses does lie within the rodeo ring, it’s in her heart. Keeping AJ at arms length is not an easy feat as he is entranced with Lil’ even from their first meeting (where in which he believed her to be a teenage boy) which only intensified after seeing her ride.
We only witness Lil’ underperform once throughout the book and I will admit I truly enjoyed that the reader wasn’t forced to witness a caustic up and down slide on the leaderboard; Bell has given us a heroine that we can champion and deservedly achieves every win. Having suffered so many losses throughout her life, she’s not put through excessive torment. She proves time and again to be the once in a generation bronco rider that isn’t held down by sexism or racism.
There are a few moments where in which both AJ (who is half African American and half Latinx) and Lil’ encounter brazen faced racism that I will admit hit me like a punch to the gut. The general acceptance of both AJ and Lil' Sorrow into the community lulls the reader into this sense of of security, therefore, the stark contrast of the aggressive near violent encounters sharply jolts you back with sharp awareness. Bell in fact, uses a derogatory slang that was so awful I audibly gasped. Heartbroken in that instance for both AJ and Lil’, the reader recognizes, if they haven’t already, that racism has seeped into even the innocuous world of bronco riding. But lets be honest, if you haven’t realized that the US has a serious problem with systemic racism, I don’t know what to tell you at this point. Maybe get a subscription to WaPo or speak to any person of color? And if you aren’t moved to action by these scenes, again, I don’t know what to tell you, but I’d be doing some self-evaluation if it were me.
The Meat (The Con)
It’s a grilled cheese this week - very little to speak ill about. The only issue I found is I needed a little more yearning and reformation from AJ in regard to his love of Lil’; moreover, she’s the one who ends up performing the Grand Gesture. While I understand that he is convinced at an early point in the book that they are MFEO (made for each other), I needed more from him. Bell provides us a glimpse of his inner thoughts through a few chapters in AJ’s perspective, I just felt like he needed to fight for Lil’ a bit more. I needed an act II fight, angst, and a GG. I wasn’t truly convinced that AJ had mended his buckle bunny chasing ways.
That being said, the banter between the two was quite sweet at times.
The reader definitely understands that AJ cares for Lil’, but with a history of cut and run characters in her life, she deserves a constant. The reader, like an overprotective chicken overlooking our chicks, aren’t letting just any rooster into the henhouse. He’s got to prove that he’s in it for the long run. Yeah, I know, not the best metaphor, but for some reason all I could think of is White Christmas and the metaphor they used, sorry, it’s been a long week. “You laid a Vermont volleyball, buddy”.
The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
The RODEO!
I will reiterate, I’ve not had the desire to attend/watch/participate/talk about Rodeo before in my life. Honestly, I was taking a gamble that I’d even enjoy this book. The way in which Bell describes bull riding, bronco bucking, cow herding, steer wrangling, however, is absolutely fascinating. The lay person does not understand the athleticism involved in successful rodeo participation. For instance, me, an out of shape, old-ass, city girl, would probably immediately fall off the horse after the first buck and end up getting trampled by the bull. “Here lies the body of Rae, who stupidly thought she was bad ass enough to last 8 minutes on a bull because she watched that movie 8 Seconds with Luke Perry once in college after drinking all night at a dive cowboy bar. We burnin’ or buryin’?”
Bell aims for inclusion with her descriptions, not to create an opacity forcing the reader to gather a semblance of what is occurring. Her main goal is to make rodeo accessible to the uninitiated, and she has succeeded.
While you are not given many glimpses into the actions of her opponents, even with limited knowledge, the reader can ascertain that what Lil’ achieves is an unprecedented feat.
I would highly recommend this novel, for those of any ilk, whether or not cowboy/rodeo romances are your jam. Michelle Branch out, people! Additionally exciting news: this is the first of an intended series, therefore, I’m sure we will be privy to more of AJ and Lil’s relationship in subsequent books. Which I find enjoyable, as this book has a bit of an abrupt HEA. Still satisfying, but just abbreviated. If anyone knows me, when it’s something delightful, I love to soak it in. Hence I’m perfecting my ability to utilize slow-motion view on gifs for a certain one of Tom Ellis from Lucifer. Y’all know which one I’m talking about! It moves too fast for my liking and the lighting is bad. His butt is like two perfect rounded…
What were we talking about? Oh, yes, please read this book. Seriously though, brava Marcella Bell!
I’m still not fucking camping though.
To Learn More about The Chick Lit Book Club Podcast follow the link !
I received an ARC of The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bell and boy howdy, did it live up to the title. For a little plot, you have two unconventional (for cowboy love stories) in Lilian Sorrow Island (Lil’ Sorrow) and AJ Garza. Lil’ Sorrow enters a rodeo themed month long reality show in the hopes of winning the top 1M grand prize in order to save her grandmother's farm. AJ, the newly ‘retired’ rodeo star has also entered the competition to provide solvency for the after school youth rodeo program which provided the stepping stones to his claim to fame.
With stiff competition and being the first female bronco rider in PBRA (Professional Bull Riders Association), Lil’ must prove that she’s not only better than the other contestants, but the best rider in a generation in order to truly stand out. With immense pressure to perform, will Lil’ have the courage to love a known buckle bunny connoisseur or will she build the gates around heart so strong that not even the strongest bronco could buck through? Who will win? Love or the bucking broncos? “Apurate, vaquero, he estado esperandote a toda mi vida”. (SWOON). Not translating that - you need to look it up - do some work! (It’s worth it).
The Compliment Sandwich (Will it be a double decker or a grilled cheese?)
The Top Bun (The Pro)
Lilian Sorrow Island
As I stated above, we have a very unconventional hero and heroine, we don't encounter too many rodeo cowgirls that can outride their hero in a romance novel. Lilian Sorrow Island is such a well written and impressive character that I find her inspirational. I want her to be a real person; I wish we had her in the flesh to be a role model for young girls today.
Lil’ is a 27 year old Biracial Native American and African American rancher from Oklahoma with a college degree that she earned through bronco riding scholarship. Real talk: didn’t know that was a thinking, am obsessed with this now. With a modicum of success in the IBRA (Indian Bronco Riding Association), crossover to the PBRA is almost an impossibility for her. Being born with a vageen is strike one and the second, oh yeah, racism. Thanks, white men! Often mistaken for a young boy, she has learned to use her size and agility to her advantage; she rides a bronco as if it’s an extension of herself and she can languidly move in tandem with any horse proving that she’s just as talented, if not more, than a man.
Forced to take over her grandparents ranch at such an early age, Lil’ is the picture of stoicism and hard scrabble ambition. She lives with the memory of an absent buckle bunny mother who left her in the care of her grandparents; ultimately, taking to the grave any knowledge of Lil’s fathers identity. Her mother never recovered from the The real threat AJ poses does lie within the rodeo ring, it’s in her heart. Keeping AJ at arms length is not an easy feat as he is entranced with Lil’ even from their first meeting (where in which he believed her to be a teenage boy) which only intensified after seeing her ride.
The ‘wild raw talent’ in question here is, in fact, twenty-seven years old, no means a newcomer, and perhaps most importantly - a woman. I manage a ranch, sixteen horses, a herd of cattle, and have been riding - on my own - since before I could talk. But don’t worry. If you’re so dead set on recruitment, I’d love to come work for CityBoyz - as a coach. All you’ve got to do is get a higher score than me tonight.
We only witness Lil’ underperform once throughout the book and I will admit I truly enjoyed that the reader wasn’t forced to witness a caustic up and down slide on the leaderboard; Bell has given us a heroine that we can champion and deservedly achieves every win. Having suffered so many losses throughout her life, she’s not put through excessive torment. She proves time and again to be the once in a generation bronco rider that isn’t held down by sexism or racism.
There are a few moments where in which both AJ (who is half African American and half Latinx) and Lil’ encounter brazen faced racism that I will admit hit me like a punch to the gut. The general acceptance of both AJ and Lil' Sorrow into the community lulls the reader into this sense of of security, therefore, the stark contrast of the aggressive near violent encounters sharply jolts you back with sharp awareness. Bell in fact, uses a derogatory slang that was so awful I audibly gasped. Heartbroken in that instance for both AJ and Lil’, the reader recognizes, if they haven’t already, that racism has seeped into even the innocuous world of bronco riding. But lets be honest, if you haven’t realized that the US has a serious problem with systemic racism, I don’t know what to tell you at this point. Maybe get a subscription to WaPo or speak to any person of color? And if you aren’t moved to action by these scenes, again, I don’t know what to tell you, but I’d be doing some self-evaluation if it were me.
The Meat (The Con)
It’s a grilled cheese this week - very little to speak ill about. The only issue I found is I needed a little more yearning and reformation from AJ in regard to his love of Lil’; moreover, she’s the one who ends up performing the Grand Gesture. While I understand that he is convinced at an early point in the book that they are MFEO (made for each other), I needed more from him. Bell provides us a glimpse of his inner thoughts through a few chapters in AJ’s perspective, I just felt like he needed to fight for Lil’ a bit more. I needed an act II fight, angst, and a GG. I wasn’t truly convinced that AJ had mended his buckle bunny chasing ways.
That being said, the banter between the two was quite sweet at times.
Her words teased a primal urge in him, as ridiculous as they were, and his smile went feral. His next words were a risk, but he’d never been known for his caution. “I’m comfortable being the father of any of your babies.” “There won’t be any cowboy babies coming out of me, thank you very much.” He snorted. “Any baby that comes out of you is arriving with a Stetson and a lasso. [Ted Lasso. -Rae’s note]” with my luck, they’ll love banking.” He shrugged, smile wicked. “Then we’d just have to try again”.
“You were in choir?” She cocked her head toward him, eyebrow lifting. “Yes.” “Will you sing for me?” “Absolutely not.” “Pretty please,” he begged, grinning the whole time. “You sing for me now and I’ll make your body sing later”
The reader definitely understands that AJ cares for Lil’, but with a history of cut and run characters in her life, she deserves a constant. The reader, like an overprotective chicken overlooking our chicks, aren’t letting just any rooster into the henhouse. He’s got to prove that he’s in it for the long run. Yeah, I know, not the best metaphor, but for some reason all I could think of is White Christmas and the metaphor they used, sorry, it’s been a long week. “You laid a Vermont volleyball, buddy”.
The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
The RODEO!
I will reiterate, I’ve not had the desire to attend/watch/participate/talk about Rodeo before in my life. Honestly, I was taking a gamble that I’d even enjoy this book. The way in which Bell describes bull riding, bronco bucking, cow herding, steer wrangling, however, is absolutely fascinating. The lay person does not understand the athleticism involved in successful rodeo participation. For instance, me, an out of shape, old-ass, city girl, would probably immediately fall off the horse after the first buck and end up getting trampled by the bull. “Here lies the body of Rae, who stupidly thought she was bad ass enough to last 8 minutes on a bull because she watched that movie 8 Seconds with Luke Perry once in college after drinking all night at a dive cowboy bar. We burnin’ or buryin’?”
Bell aims for inclusion with her descriptions, not to create an opacity forcing the reader to gather a semblance of what is occurring. Her main goal is to make rodeo accessible to the uninitiated, and she has succeeded.
She took a final breath, deep and slow, then nodded. The gate sprang open and she and [the bull] exploded into the arena. He was the biggest thing she’d ever ridden. She gave her body over to his power, releasing resistance wherever it arose. His bucks and turns were hard enough to break her neck. Her hand screamed, but she held. [The bull] leaped, thrashing his head and tail in opposite directions as he did it, violently whipping her from side to side, but he couldn’t shake her. Not when she’d found it. Her center. The thing that let her stand on the ball.
While you are not given many glimpses into the actions of her opponents, even with limited knowledge, the reader can ascertain that what Lil’ achieves is an unprecedented feat.
I would highly recommend this novel, for those of any ilk, whether or not cowboy/rodeo romances are your jam. Michelle Branch out, people! Additionally exciting news: this is the first of an intended series, therefore, I’m sure we will be privy to more of AJ and Lil’s relationship in subsequent books. Which I find enjoyable, as this book has a bit of an abrupt HEA. Still satisfying, but just abbreviated. If anyone knows me, when it’s something delightful, I love to soak it in. Hence I’m perfecting my ability to utilize slow-motion view on gifs for a certain one of Tom Ellis from Lucifer. Y’all know which one I’m talking about! It moves too fast for my liking and the lighting is bad. His butt is like two perfect rounded…
What were we talking about? Oh, yes, please read this book. Seriously though, brava Marcella Bell!
I’m still not fucking camping though.
To Learn More about The Chick Lit Book Club Podcast follow the link !
August 12, 2024
This cowboy is bilingual ;)
Not only is there a sexy sexy cowboy but also a sexy sexy cowgirl!! I really enjoyed that both main characters had depth and motivation. They had chemistry and also a deep respect for each other. It was also refreshing to read a cowboy romance where the female lead isn’t just a little lady who can’t do anything, Lil is a bull riding badass!
Thank you zetta for picking this up for me :)
Not only is there a sexy sexy cowboy but also a sexy sexy cowgirl!! I really enjoyed that both main characters had depth and motivation. They had chemistry and also a deep respect for each other. It was also refreshing to read a cowboy romance where the female lead isn’t just a little lady who can’t do anything, Lil is a bull riding badass!
Thank you zetta for picking this up for me :)
June 7, 2022
Neither rodeo nor cowboys are generally in my bailiwick of interests, but I really enjoyed this debut romance (a book club selection), although it was slow-moving at first, then felt a little too rushed at the very end. Found the characters to be unique and interesting company, and the premise a fun twist on the “gotta save the old homestead from the bankers” trope. Wouldn’t you know that the *one book* where I really wanted an epilogue didn’t give us one — goshdarnit, cowboy!
OK, editing this to include my imaginary epilogue scenario: It's a year or so later, and both CityBoyz and the ranch have been saved through a combination of the award money, sponsors, endorsement deals, etc. resulting from Lil and AJ's Closed Circuit competition fame. AJ has moved to the farm, Lil is now utilizing her degree to help manage CityBoyz (they've gotten high-speed wifi at the ranch, so can she can do most of the work remotely), and the first group of teens from Houston are coming up to spend the summer at Swallowtail Farm, getting some actual ranching experience - a group that now includes some ambitious girls looking to be the next Lil Sorrow. HEA for Everuhbuday!
OK, editing this to include my imaginary epilogue scenario: It's a year or so later, and both CityBoyz and the ranch have been saved through a combination of the award money, sponsors, endorsement deals, etc. resulting from Lil and AJ's Closed Circuit competition fame. AJ has moved to the farm, Lil is now utilizing her degree to help manage CityBoyz (they've gotten high-speed wifi at the ranch, so can she can do most of the work remotely), and the first group of teens from Houston are coming up to spend the summer at Swallowtail Farm, getting some actual ranching experience - a group that now includes some ambitious girls looking to be the next Lil Sorrow. HEA for Everuhbuday!
July 26, 2021
4.75 stars!
I thoroughly enjoyed The Wildest Ride. It was the third book I started yesterday, but the only one that captured my attention and did not let it wander. Lil Sorrow and AJ Garza are fire on the page, and seeing how they deal with the stresses of competition, the stressors in their lives, and this attraction to one another that won't quit captivated me. I absolutely loved learning more about rodeo and also about Black Freedmen, those who are both Indigenous and Black. I loved seeing how Lil Sorrow brought change and freshness to an industry that shouldered women out.
My heart was in my throat at times, and while I wish this book had an epilogue or more details about competitors, and other big reveals, I am bolstered that this is the first book in a series and hopefully my questions will be answered by glimpses or cameos in upcoming books. As it is, the book ends wonderfully, but when you fall in love with characters, there is never enough on the page. The Wildest Ride is a revelation in all the best ways, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading more from Marcella Bell. Her writing is rich and layered, making for an unforgettable story!
I thoroughly enjoyed The Wildest Ride. It was the third book I started yesterday, but the only one that captured my attention and did not let it wander. Lil Sorrow and AJ Garza are fire on the page, and seeing how they deal with the stresses of competition, the stressors in their lives, and this attraction to one another that won't quit captivated me. I absolutely loved learning more about rodeo and also about Black Freedmen, those who are both Indigenous and Black. I loved seeing how Lil Sorrow brought change and freshness to an industry that shouldered women out.
My heart was in my throat at times, and while I wish this book had an epilogue or more details about competitors, and other big reveals, I am bolstered that this is the first book in a series and hopefully my questions will be answered by glimpses or cameos in upcoming books. As it is, the book ends wonderfully, but when you fall in love with characters, there is never enough on the page. The Wildest Ride is a revelation in all the best ways, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading more from Marcella Bell. Her writing is rich and layered, making for an unforgettable story!
August 8, 2021
This was so refreshing and fun! Revolving around a televised rodeo contest, Lil and AJ have their own reasonings for needing the grand prize of one-million dollars. Despite being on-screen rivals from different upbringings, these two had such a respect for each other that added to their immediate chemistry.
Lil was a strong heroine with a deadpan rudeness that had me chuckling at her witty comebacks. With a woman finding success in the rodeo scene, this also highlights the sexism endured within a career dominated by men. And I loved seeing Lil challenge that. It’s a story rich in diversity that really immerses you in the rodeo lifestyle.
Reluctant to accept love, believing cowboys aren't dependable, the push and pull between Lil and AJ was fantastic. Their banter, especially off-screen, was funny but also delivered some incredibly tender moments. Being somewhat new to cowboy romances, this was such a pleasant surprise. I couldn't put this one down!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy
Lil was a strong heroine with a deadpan rudeness that had me chuckling at her witty comebacks. With a woman finding success in the rodeo scene, this also highlights the sexism endured within a career dominated by men. And I loved seeing Lil challenge that. It’s a story rich in diversity that really immerses you in the rodeo lifestyle.
Reluctant to accept love, believing cowboys aren't dependable, the push and pull between Lil and AJ was fantastic. Their banter, especially off-screen, was funny but also delivered some incredibly tender moments. Being somewhat new to cowboy romances, this was such a pleasant surprise. I couldn't put this one down!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy
August 7, 2021
The Wildest Ride had a bit of a slow start, but things soon picked up and I was hooked. Reality TV is all the rage nowadays, so it's no surprise to see it as part of a storyline. This one isn't about the usual dating or romance type show. Instead, we get reality TV rodeo style and a romance between competitors - competitors who both really need to win. It's definitely not a chore for me to swoon over a lovable cowboy, and Lil is a pretty strong heroine, so I enjoyed the romance. There were a couple of things that weren't all tidied up in the end, and I'm guessing/hoping they'll be addressed in the next Closed Circuit book. That aside, the characters are likable, the story is engaging, and the romance is one you can root for. All in all, a pretty good choice for a weekend read.
August 8, 2021
Marcella Bell is a new-to-me author, and as a long-time fan of Mesquite and PBR rodeo, and as someone who's crushed on more than one professional bull rider, as well as being an avid romance reader, this book appealed to me on so many levels. It's also a multi-racial/multi-cultural romance, and kudos to Ms. Bell, for an excellent, well-written, well-researched, heartfelt, and sexy novel with memorable, well-developed characters, and I'm so glad that this is the first novel in a new series. It gets 5 stars from this reader, my only complaint is that I wished for a more fleshed-out HEA ending, but even with an implied HEA ending, this was one terrific read.
The heroine in this novel is Lilian ‘Lil’ Sorrow, who is both Native American and black. She has no idea who her father is other than knowing that her mother followed rodeo and that her father was a one-night stand, rodeo cowboy. She hasn't trusted cowboys ever since. She was dumped on her grandparents ranch, and they raised her. She's been running the operation since her grandfather's death. Unfortunately, she and her grandmother learn that several years earlier he got a reverse mortgage on that ranch, took the money--there's little of it left, and unless they can come up with a way to repay his debt, the bank is about to take ownership.
Lil grew up watching rodeo, crushed on one champion bull rider, AJ Garza, and was taught by her beloved grandfather to be a fearless and powerful cowboy--her only impediment was that women are not allowed to ride in the PBR in any way other than barrel racing. It doesn't help that in addition to being female, she's multi-racial. But her grandmother sees an ad about a new Closed Circuit reality television rodeo contest, and women are for the first time, allowed to apply. The grand prize is $1 million dollars, which would pay off a good deal of her grandfather's ill-advised reverse mortgage, and without her knowledge, her grandmother signs Lil up, and once she's proved herself, she's signed up for the competition, one in which she'll be competing with her hero, AJ Garza, who's won more competitions than any PBR cowboy ever. He needs the money to help finance his charitable rodeo program in Houston, started by the person he refers to as The Old Man, his mentor, the program he started was designed to train at-risk boys, called CityBoyz, and once Lil starts to compete, meets challenge after challenge, event after event, and as these two competitors find themselves more and more attracted to one another, this slow-moving novel really takes off.
But The Wildest Ride is more than just a typical rodeo romance--it's also a history lesson about the sexism prevalent in the PBR, the injustices and genocide to which Native Americans were and still are subjected, as well as the prejudice against African-Americans, which is certainly well known to anyone who every took a history class or watched a newscast in the U.S.. and it's in the afterword that we learn just how near and dear these issues are to the author.
This novel was so much more than I expected it to be, and I absolutely loved it. Marcella Bell is one excellent and highly proficient writer, and this series is definitely one I'll be following. In short, this was one terrific novel, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
The heroine in this novel is Lilian ‘Lil’ Sorrow, who is both Native American and black. She has no idea who her father is other than knowing that her mother followed rodeo and that her father was a one-night stand, rodeo cowboy. She hasn't trusted cowboys ever since. She was dumped on her grandparents ranch, and they raised her. She's been running the operation since her grandfather's death. Unfortunately, she and her grandmother learn that several years earlier he got a reverse mortgage on that ranch, took the money--there's little of it left, and unless they can come up with a way to repay his debt, the bank is about to take ownership.
Lil grew up watching rodeo, crushed on one champion bull rider, AJ Garza, and was taught by her beloved grandfather to be a fearless and powerful cowboy--her only impediment was that women are not allowed to ride in the PBR in any way other than barrel racing. It doesn't help that in addition to being female, she's multi-racial. But her grandmother sees an ad about a new Closed Circuit reality television rodeo contest, and women are for the first time, allowed to apply. The grand prize is $1 million dollars, which would pay off a good deal of her grandfather's ill-advised reverse mortgage, and without her knowledge, her grandmother signs Lil up, and once she's proved herself, she's signed up for the competition, one in which she'll be competing with her hero, AJ Garza, who's won more competitions than any PBR cowboy ever. He needs the money to help finance his charitable rodeo program in Houston, started by the person he refers to as The Old Man, his mentor, the program he started was designed to train at-risk boys, called CityBoyz, and once Lil starts to compete, meets challenge after challenge, event after event, and as these two competitors find themselves more and more attracted to one another, this slow-moving novel really takes off.
But The Wildest Ride is more than just a typical rodeo romance--it's also a history lesson about the sexism prevalent in the PBR, the injustices and genocide to which Native Americans were and still are subjected, as well as the prejudice against African-Americans, which is certainly well known to anyone who every took a history class or watched a newscast in the U.S.. and it's in the afterword that we learn just how near and dear these issues are to the author.
This novel was so much more than I expected it to be, and I absolutely loved it. Marcella Bell is one excellent and highly proficient writer, and this series is definitely one I'll be following. In short, this was one terrific novel, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 11, 2021
Losing her grandfather was difficult enough but finding out that the family ranch was financed and could be taken as well was more than Lilian and her grandmother could bear. By competing in a reality show that focuses on the rodeo it will allow her to realize two dreams which is showcasing her bull riding skills and saving the ranch that has been her only home.
AJ has performed on the rodeo circuit for years, but his career is coming to an end. His reasons for competing in the reality show are twofold as it will all him to help the man and the organization that was instrumental in his life and allow him to compete one last time.
Both Lilian and AJ are very talented and determined to win the prize however they might just find out that the biggest prize might be each other. The characters are strong, the plot intriguing and the romance heartwarming as even though their personalities are very different you can feel the chemistry and connection between them
AJ has performed on the rodeo circuit for years, but his career is coming to an end. His reasons for competing in the reality show are twofold as it will all him to help the man and the organization that was instrumental in his life and allow him to compete one last time.
Both Lilian and AJ are very talented and determined to win the prize however they might just find out that the biggest prize might be each other. The characters are strong, the plot intriguing and the romance heartwarming as even though their personalities are very different you can feel the chemistry and connection between them
May 18, 2023
Good, quick read romance
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 1, 2021DNF @28%
2021; HQN/HarperCollins
As you know I am a fan of small town and/or cowboy romances but this one didn't spark any investment in the story or characters. I knew where it was going and didn't want to go with it.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2021; HQN/HarperCollins
As you know I am a fan of small town and/or cowboy romances but this one didn't spark any investment in the story or characters. I knew where it was going and didn't want to go with it.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
July 19, 2021
Nice to read a diverse cowboy contemporary western realistic love story! Hit the spot for a quick kindle read. AJ is the older cowboy who can't imagine not riding in the rodeo while Lil' Sorrow is the Muskogee rider who gave up riding earlier. Now they are thrown together in a reality rodeo RV show for the big money--AJ wants to save his CityBoyz nonprofit and Lil' wants to save her family's ranch. The romance is slow going, but I loved all the rodeo details and family drama.
July 13, 2021
AJ is a world-renowned bull rider in the pro rodeo circuit. He is retired but he's up for one more challenge when there is a contest with a large prize started by a reality TV show. Lil, a rancher who needs to save her ranch, decides to go for the gold as well and they meet at the auditions. Both end up being top contenders in the contest and sparks fly. This is a highly entertaining story that I recommend to everyone who loves rodeo or just a great novel.
I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion
I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion
July 4, 2021
Romance With An Atypical Twang. Let's face it. When you think of rodeo, you don't exactly think of non-white dudes competing. Much less a non-white chick. Nor do you really think of "reality competition show", despite that particular type of show being *so* overdone these days. And yet, in this particular romance, we get all of the above. We get the obligatory overt Garth reference or two, a more subtle Merle reference or two, and two non-white rodeo champions putting it all on the line in a rodeo-based reality competition show in order to save the things they love. And since this is a romance tale, yeah, that builds along the way too. For the clean/ sweet crowd... y'all aint gonna like this one. It only has two outright sex scenes, but one of them is about as far from blink-and-you'll-miss-it as you can get without dragging the story or veering into erotica. Overall a well-done tale that sets up what looks to be a medium-coupled series - not so loose that the characters never appear in each other's books, but also not so tightly coupled that future readers would be completely lost if coming into the series in later books. It will be interesting to see where Ms. Bell goes from here and exactly how she executes stylistically on joining the series together. Very much recommended.
July 6, 2021
This is the first book I read by this author and not being a fan of reality shows, I was curious to see how I would like it. In the end , it was worth my time.
AJ Garza is a rodeo champion who wants the prize money not for himself, but for the group that helped him straighten up as a wayward youth.
Lil/Lillian Sorrow , a true cowgirl raised by grandparents in Oklahoma, is determined to win the money in order to save the ranch.
Two individuals fighting for the prize , not for themselves but for others.
When AJ meets Lil he’s shocked to find out she’s a “girl”.
The screen rivalry is huge, but the off camera, the attraction is intense as is the friendship that develops.
Who will come out the winner?
This is a story about family, hope, commitment, and of course romance.
I was entrusted a copy of this book from Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
AJ Garza is a rodeo champion who wants the prize money not for himself, but for the group that helped him straighten up as a wayward youth.
Lil/Lillian Sorrow , a true cowgirl raised by grandparents in Oklahoma, is determined to win the money in order to save the ranch.
Two individuals fighting for the prize , not for themselves but for others.
When AJ meets Lil he’s shocked to find out she’s a “girl”.
The screen rivalry is huge, but the off camera, the attraction is intense as is the friendship that develops.
Who will come out the winner?
This is a story about family, hope, commitment, and of course romance.
I was entrusted a copy of this book from Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
August 1, 2021
2 Stars!
Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Harlequin via NetGalley
Genre: Adult romance
Part 1 of a new series
My The Wildest Ride Review . . .
I have to admit often cowboy/rodeo books can be a guilty pleasure for me, so I was excited for this story as I liked the idea of this story from the synopsis. While I felt this book was okay it didn't wow me and there were things that left me wanting more from.
Unfortunately with this book I liked the idea of the book more than the book it self.
AJ Garza is a freshly retired top of his game Bull Rider and once he hears about this new reality tv show he wants to be part of it to help his mentor.
Lilian Sorrow Island has never been able to ride in the rodeo tour as a female but her grandma signs her up as an entry for this new show. This was backhanded but it was the only way that Lil could possibly save their farm.
What I liked was: Lil's grandma. She was a hoot. I also liked some of the elements of Lil and AJ. I also like the potential of a kick ass heroine.
What left me wanting more: The ending on how it all wraps up. Lil is stressed with the future of a possibility of her and AJ and then the ending was yep we like each other the end. An epilogue of either AJ living on her farm or Lil moving away from her home would have been a good addition.
There were also some possible elements of sabotage but those seemed to be flat and didn't lead to anything. Also there was stress with the 3rd contender throughout the whole book and that story line seemed to peter out without any true completion either.
I'm not sure if elements were left out for the potential of more in this series but it left this book with me wanting more.
Also with Lil, there were elements of her being strong but then were also elements of her being a weak 'girl' at times when I don't feel that was needed.
And then there is the surprise of who her father was. That felt out of no where and again left without full completion.
I may want to read more but it will depend on time and want. Right now there isn't a burning need for more but that could change over time.
Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Harlequin via NetGalley
Genre: Adult romance
Part 1 of a new series
My The Wildest Ride Review . . .
I have to admit often cowboy/rodeo books can be a guilty pleasure for me, so I was excited for this story as I liked the idea of this story from the synopsis. While I felt this book was okay it didn't wow me and there were things that left me wanting more from.
Unfortunately with this book I liked the idea of the book more than the book it self.
AJ Garza is a freshly retired top of his game Bull Rider and once he hears about this new reality tv show he wants to be part of it to help his mentor.
Lilian Sorrow Island has never been able to ride in the rodeo tour as a female but her grandma signs her up as an entry for this new show. This was backhanded but it was the only way that Lil could possibly save their farm.
What I liked was: Lil's grandma. She was a hoot. I also liked some of the elements of Lil and AJ. I also like the potential of a kick ass heroine.
What left me wanting more: The ending on how it all wraps up. Lil is stressed with the future of a possibility of her and AJ and then the ending was yep we like each other the end. An epilogue of either AJ living on her farm or Lil moving away from her home would have been a good addition.
There were also some possible elements of sabotage but those seemed to be flat and didn't lead to anything. Also there was stress with the 3rd contender throughout the whole book and that story line seemed to peter out without any true completion either.
I'm not sure if elements were left out for the potential of more in this series but it left this book with me wanting more.
Also with Lil, there were elements of her being strong but then were also elements of her being a weak 'girl' at times when I don't feel that was needed.
And then there is the surprise of who her father was. That felt out of no where and again left without full completion.
I may want to read more but it will depend on time and want. Right now there isn't a burning need for more but that could change over time.
June 2, 2021
*ARC review for NetGalley*
Lilian Sorrow Island has sworn off cowboys, at least as love interest. After all, raised by her grandparents on the family ranch in Muskogee, Oklahoma she is more cowboy than most. It's in her blood, passed down from her grandfather and her father, although she has never known him since Lilian was product of a one night stand between her mother and a man who loved the rodeo circuit more than anything else in the world. Now Lilian is competing in an all-new closed-circuit rodeo tour with a million-dollar prize. Prize money that could be the only thing able to save the family ranch. The prize money won't come easy though as Lilian finds herself up against undefeated rodeo champion AJ Garza. AJ has a lot on the line as well as he is fighting to save the Houston rodeo program that gave him his start as a wayward teen. Close proximity leads to mutual respect, friendship, and more than a few sparks.
Contemporary cowboys? I didn't know I was a fan. Lilian is one of the most fierce contemporary female leads I've read this year. The attraction between her and AJ is fierce from the start (once he realizes she is a woman), but while he's ready and willing to see where things lead she's determined to be the one who walks away first. The alternating perspectives between Lilian and AJ is done really effectively and being inside both characters heads really gives readers a good sense of the inner turmoil they are working through. The mutual respect and friendship that develops into something more is special to see. Our tropes are friends to lovers and forced proximity. I am really excited to recommend "The Wildest Ride" to any and all romance readers. This is an excellent romance read that I think will appeal to a wide range of readers with a diverse cast of characters, a quick moving plot, and some steamy romance under the stars. I cannot wait to see what kind of wild ride Marcella Bell takes us on in book two of the Closed Circuit series.
Lilian Sorrow Island has sworn off cowboys, at least as love interest. After all, raised by her grandparents on the family ranch in Muskogee, Oklahoma she is more cowboy than most. It's in her blood, passed down from her grandfather and her father, although she has never known him since Lilian was product of a one night stand between her mother and a man who loved the rodeo circuit more than anything else in the world. Now Lilian is competing in an all-new closed-circuit rodeo tour with a million-dollar prize. Prize money that could be the only thing able to save the family ranch. The prize money won't come easy though as Lilian finds herself up against undefeated rodeo champion AJ Garza. AJ has a lot on the line as well as he is fighting to save the Houston rodeo program that gave him his start as a wayward teen. Close proximity leads to mutual respect, friendship, and more than a few sparks.
Contemporary cowboys? I didn't know I was a fan. Lilian is one of the most fierce contemporary female leads I've read this year. The attraction between her and AJ is fierce from the start (once he realizes she is a woman), but while he's ready and willing to see where things lead she's determined to be the one who walks away first. The alternating perspectives between Lilian and AJ is done really effectively and being inside both characters heads really gives readers a good sense of the inner turmoil they are working through. The mutual respect and friendship that develops into something more is special to see. Our tropes are friends to lovers and forced proximity. I am really excited to recommend "The Wildest Ride" to any and all romance readers. This is an excellent romance read that I think will appeal to a wide range of readers with a diverse cast of characters, a quick moving plot, and some steamy romance under the stars. I cannot wait to see what kind of wild ride Marcella Bell takes us on in book two of the Closed Circuit series.
October 8, 2021
ARC provided by Edelweiss and the publisher.
I really loved this! It's a slow paced cowboy tale with some fantastic spins and fresh takes on what is typically offered by authors of western romances. Firstly, we have BIPOC H&hs with richly developed personal lives that are intertwined in multiple ways. Secondly, this rich world is set within the world of a rodeo reality show where the H and h (who both desperately need to win the competition for very different reasons) are set up as competitors and sometimes teammates while they circle around each other and fall for each other. Third, while the romance isn't a slow burn the story set up going from challenge to challenge does have a deliciously slow build to the conclusion. I will look forward to the future titles released in the Closed Circuit world and anything else written by Bell in the future.
Listening copy: This story is written in duel perspective third person narration. The audio only has a female narrator. While she was a fine narrator, the audio could have wholeheartedly benefitted from a male narrator to read AJ's perspective. It would have rounded out the story and provided the listener with a richer listening experience.
I really loved this! It's a slow paced cowboy tale with some fantastic spins and fresh takes on what is typically offered by authors of western romances. Firstly, we have BIPOC H&hs with richly developed personal lives that are intertwined in multiple ways. Secondly, this rich world is set within the world of a rodeo reality show where the H and h (who both desperately need to win the competition for very different reasons) are set up as competitors and sometimes teammates while they circle around each other and fall for each other. Third, while the romance isn't a slow burn the story set up going from challenge to challenge does have a deliciously slow build to the conclusion. I will look forward to the future titles released in the Closed Circuit world and anything else written by Bell in the future.
Listening copy: This story is written in duel perspective third person narration. The audio only has a female narrator. While she was a fine narrator, the audio could have wholeheartedly benefitted from a male narrator to read AJ's perspective. It would have rounded out the story and provided the listener with a richer listening experience.
July 15, 2021
“One of them would walk away with enough money to save the thing they loved the most in the world, and the other, wouldn’t.”
This is a fantastic book centered around a reality competition rodeo show. The main characters are interesting and I loved their connection. It’s a slow burn romance. I like the diversity in the characters. It got a 4 star simply because I didn’t care for the start of the book and almost put it aside. I started to really enjoy it around chapter 4. I enjoyed the descriptions of the events of the rodeo, I liked the banter, I liked the characters and thought the secondary characters added depth. The author really fleshed out the main characters so you got a sense of who they were. I liked that Lil was an extremely strong woman, yet you knew she was a bit broken inside. I thought AJ was the perfect cowboy to come into her life. They both challenged each other and healed each other. The plot moves a good pace, a bit of steamy romance, and a HEA!
ARC provided by @htpbooks via @Netgalley
This is a fantastic book centered around a reality competition rodeo show. The main characters are interesting and I loved their connection. It’s a slow burn romance. I like the diversity in the characters. It got a 4 star simply because I didn’t care for the start of the book and almost put it aside. I started to really enjoy it around chapter 4. I enjoyed the descriptions of the events of the rodeo, I liked the banter, I liked the characters and thought the secondary characters added depth. The author really fleshed out the main characters so you got a sense of who they were. I liked that Lil was an extremely strong woman, yet you knew she was a bit broken inside. I thought AJ was the perfect cowboy to come into her life. They both challenged each other and healed each other. The plot moves a good pace, a bit of steamy romance, and a HEA!
ARC provided by @htpbooks via @Netgalley
May 21, 2021
The first in a series, Wildest Ride focuses on the closed-circuit rodeo competitors AJ Garza and Lilian Sorrow Island. Both characters are diverse; AJ is Black and Latinx, and Lilian is Black and Muscogee Creek Freedmen. Knowing absolutely nothing about rodeo, or ranching, I was absolutely and utterly hooked by Bell's writing, and I had to know what was going to happen with our two love interests. I thoroughly enjoy that when the flirtation began, AJ was essentially a hearts-eyed emoji while Lilian was just "So we kissed, so what?" Fresh, new, and utterly different, this is a story that needs to be shouted from the rooftops.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2021
This was the first book for Marcella and I must say it was a really good one.
Marcella brought to life strong characters. A really modern storyline with a nod to reality TV and some romance. This story had everything I look for in a romance novel.
Lillian a farm-raised girl learns her grandfather and hero made a business decision that has huge consequences for her and the land she was raised on. AJ is a guy looking to give back. When these two go head to head for a prize they find themself winning more than just money.
I truly enjoy this book. Marcella gave me a beautiful character, a wonderful story, and a great blend of cultures to create a very enjoyable read.
Marcella brought to life strong characters. A really modern storyline with a nod to reality TV and some romance. This story had everything I look for in a romance novel.
Lillian a farm-raised girl learns her grandfather and hero made a business decision that has huge consequences for her and the land she was raised on. AJ is a guy looking to give back. When these two go head to head for a prize they find themself winning more than just money.
I truly enjoy this book. Marcella gave me a beautiful character, a wonderful story, and a great blend of cultures to create a very enjoyable read.
December 25, 2021
Full disclosure: the author is my cousin! But even without the familial connection, I loved this book! The world that Lil and AJ inhabit feels fully realized and rich with detail. The romance is 🥵 but the characters grow as people, too; I also loved the themes of family (including chosen family).
Read
May 1, 2021DNF. This is so not my thing. But the publisher sent it (along with two more that look to be more my style), so I figured I'd give it a go. I was right. This isn't for me.
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