Publication Date: 10/29/2019
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Imprint: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 368
ISBN-13: 978-0451492371
(Received for an honest review from Berkley)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, Book Depository
Books in the series:
Cover Art:
Excerpt from The Devil in the Saddle courtesy of Amazon’s Look Inside feature
Synopsis:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia London brings readers another charming, sexy contemporary western.
A devil in her path...
No one cheats on a Prince and gets away with it. And Hallie—Texas socialite, would-be ballerina, and the only daughter of the renowned Prince family—is ready to give her two-timing fiancé a piece of her mind. But fate plants hot, sexy ranch hand and ex-Army Ranger Rafael Fontana quite literally in her way. Her childhood friend is all grown up. He’s sexy, he’s handsome, and suddenly, after all these years, Hallie is taking notice.
A princess in his heart...
Rafe has been in love with Hallie since they were kids, but he was always the help—and she was glamorous and popular, seemingly off-limits to a lowly cowboy. But now he’s back at Three Rivers Ranch to help his family and Hallie is there too—and she needs his support. Soon long-buried feelings boil to the surface, and the desire between them is hot and palpable and undeniable. Rafe realizes he wants Hallie—and her adorable puppy—for keeps… he just has to convince her.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia London brings readers another charming, sexy contemporary western.
A devil in her path...
No one cheats on a Prince and gets away with it. And Hallie—Texas socialite, would-be ballerina, and the only daughter of the renowned Prince family—is ready to give her two-timing fiancé a piece of her mind. But fate plants hot, sexy ranch hand and ex-Army Ranger Rafael Fontana quite literally in her way. Her childhood friend is all grown up. He’s sexy, he’s handsome, and suddenly, after all these years, Hallie is taking notice.
A princess in his heart...
Rafe has been in love with Hallie since they were kids, but he was always the help—and she was glamorous and popular, seemingly off-limits to a lowly cowboy. But now he’s back at Three Rivers Ranch to help his family and Hallie is there too—and she needs his support. Soon long-buried feelings boil to the surface, and the desire between them is hot and palpable and undeniable. Rafe realizes he wants Hallie—and her adorable puppy—for keeps… he just has to convince her.
Thoughts:
Julia London is an author I haven’t read too much from. She’s very popular and has won many accolades. I have enjoyed every book of hers that I have read but the opportunities have been few for whatever reason. That being said I would definitely recommend her new novel, The Devil in the Saddle. This in the second book in the Princes of Texas series. London brings readers a friends to lovers story that is both heartwarming and steamy. With tons of witty banter and characters that will win your heart, this one is a keeper!
Julia London is an author I haven’t read too much from. She’s very popular and has won many accolades. I have enjoyed every book of hers that I have read but the opportunities have been few for whatever reason. That being said I would definitely recommend her new novel, The Devil in the Saddle. This in the second book in the Princes of Texas series. London brings readers a friends to lovers story that is both heartwarming and steamy. With tons of witty banter and characters that will win your heart, this one is a keeper!
What I liked:
The friends to lovers trope is always a favorite of mine. This is a situation that often happens in real life and I think readers enjoy the idea that hey maybe this could happen to me. It’s easy to relate to and it’s engaging. In Devil in the Saddle our hero, Rafe has always had secret feelings for his long time friend, Hallie. But there seemed to be something standing the way. I thought London did an excellent job of showing how this couples feelings for each other changed over the course of the story. How they moved beyond Rafe being Hallie’s shoulder to cry on, to becoming her support for a new life choice and kept going from there. It wasn’t a slow start at all just a nice easy flow.
One thing that stood out to me about this book is that the story was more than just your run of the mill romance. Hallie is the only daughter in the Prince family, who are practically considered royalty in their Texas community. Rafe is the son of one of the Ranch employees. Readers will feel and understand Rafe’s struggle to see himself as good enough for Hallie because of the social class barriers and the good intentions of those who want to see Hallie marry well. I thought London did a wonderful job showing the reader that it doesn’t matter whether you come from money or from a hard working family, love doesn’t see the obstacles. It sees the possibilities.
Hallie has really been through the wringer when this book begins. After a hard night of drinking tequila and sleeping in her fancy wedding gown, she finds herself rescued by her long time friend, Rafe. She’s been through a lot from losing her father to getting rid of her cheating fiancé . I loved the way Hallie took some time. She pulled herself together and decided to move on with her life much to the chagrin of her family. Her choices aren’t what they want but Rafes support allows her safety while she redefines her dreams. Loved that aspect of the story! London fosters the idea that it is up to you to change your life both in Hallie’s story and in Rafe’s.
The friends to lovers trope is always a favorite of mine. This is a situation that often happens in real life and I think readers enjoy the idea that hey maybe this could happen to me. It’s easy to relate to and it’s engaging. In Devil in the Saddle our hero, Rafe has always had secret feelings for his long time friend, Hallie. But there seemed to be something standing the way. I thought London did an excellent job of showing how this couples feelings for each other changed over the course of the story. How they moved beyond Rafe being Hallie’s shoulder to cry on, to becoming her support for a new life choice and kept going from there. It wasn’t a slow start at all just a nice easy flow.
One thing that stood out to me about this book is that the story was more than just your run of the mill romance. Hallie is the only daughter in the Prince family, who are practically considered royalty in their Texas community. Rafe is the son of one of the Ranch employees. Readers will feel and understand Rafe’s struggle to see himself as good enough for Hallie because of the social class barriers and the good intentions of those who want to see Hallie marry well. I thought London did a wonderful job showing the reader that it doesn’t matter whether you come from money or from a hard working family, love doesn’t see the obstacles. It sees the possibilities.
Hallie has really been through the wringer when this book begins. After a hard night of drinking tequila and sleeping in her fancy wedding gown, she finds herself rescued by her long time friend, Rafe. She’s been through a lot from losing her father to getting rid of her cheating fiancé . I loved the way Hallie took some time. She pulled herself together and decided to move on with her life much to the chagrin of her family. Her choices aren’t what they want but Rafes support allows her safety while she redefines her dreams. Loved that aspect of the story! London fosters the idea that it is up to you to change your life both in Hallie’s story and in Rafe’s.
What I didn’t:
At first our heroine doesn’t come off as a sweet Texas girl. She’s a little bit spoiled. A little bit catty. And a whole lot of trouble. Some readers may have a hard time deciding if they like Hallie. But give it some time. Believe me, she grows on you and she grows up.
Rafe was a great character in every way but it did take him a little while to get out of his own way. Yes, he’s the employee and she’s the bosses daughter but in 2019, does that really matter? Sometimes I wonder...
At first our heroine doesn’t come off as a sweet Texas girl. She’s a little bit spoiled. A little bit catty. And a whole lot of trouble. Some readers may have a hard time deciding if they like Hallie. But give it some time. Believe me, she grows on you and she grows up.
Rafe was a great character in every way but it did take him a little while to get out of his own way. Yes, he’s the employee and she’s the bosses daughter but in 2019, does that really matter? Sometimes I wonder...
Bottom Line:
Julia London is a great writer! This book had a good storyline. The characters were believable, their struggles palpable. The character growth throughout the book was excellent. I felt like it wasn’t predictable nor was it way off base. I’m gonna have read more from this lady... I really enjoyed this one!
Julia London is a great writer! This book had a good storyline. The characters were believable, their struggles palpable. The character growth throughout the book was excellent. I felt like it wasn’t predictable nor was it way off base. I’m gonna have read more from this lady... I really enjoyed this one!
The Devil in the Saddle is available now from your favorite bookseller
I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag
About the author:
Julia London is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of numerous romance novels and women's fiction. She is also the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction.
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