August 30, 2021
Weatherspoon sends out her Cowboys of California series (after If the Boot Fits) in style with an exciting romance about a reformed alpha hero. Jesse Pleasant knows he can be a lot to handle. He carries the weight of the world—or at least of his responsibilities to his large family—on his broad shoulders and his temper often gets the best of him. When he walks in on his grandmother, Miss Leona, the Pleasant clan’s matriarch, and her new beaux, August LeRoux, mid-tryst, he responds with irrational anger, pulling August off Miss Leona and accidentally breaking his wrist. This outburst earns him the ire of August’s no-nonsense daughter, Lily-Grace, who has no space in her life for belligerent men after leaving her career in male-dominated Silicon Valley. After confronting Jesse about his actions, she writes him off entirely—but as Jesse realizes he needs professional help coping with his anger management issues, Lily-Grace realizes there’s more to Jesse than meets the eye. Jesse’s trajectory is more fully realized than Lily-Grace’s career struggles, but it’s so refreshing to see a romance hero in therapy that many readers won’t mind the imbalance. The focus on mental health and emotional support makes this cute western rom-com sing. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary.
September 15, 2021
A man burdened by business and family expectations finds love. As the oldest of three sons, Jesse Pleasant had no choice but to become "the rock" of his family, managing their luxury dude ranch while his younger brothers pursued their own interests. But after losing his temper with a family member, he finally realizes he has to learn to manage his pent-up fury and frustration. Lily-Grace LeRoux quit her job and returned home to Charming, California, after having been sexually harassed at the high-profile tech startup where she was an executive. Her longtime lover didn't believe her story, forcing Lily-Grace to ponder why she willingly ignored so many personal and professional red flags. Jesse's childhood crush on Lily-Grace is reignited after she returns home. He's attracted to Lily-Grace's bold self-confidence and appreciates how she can see past his gruff exterior. He's tired of being unhappy and determined to change his life, heeding her advice to find a therapist. Their tentative friendship is sealed when they make an unorthodox mutual aid pact--he'll teach her to swim, and she'll tutor him on how to handle a romantic relationship. He's never had a girlfriend and is embarrassed by his sexual inexperience. Their sexy love affair is a reminder that people who are willing to work on themselves are often the best lovers and partners. Although this third book in the Cowboys of California series is technically a stand-alone, Jesse and Lily-Grace's friends and family are an active part of the narrative, and the novel spends too much time introducing characters and clarifying storylines from previous books. A warm romance about individuals finding their places in their families and the world.
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Starred review from October 1, 2021
Rancher Jesse Pleasant has a problem: his quick temper scared someone so badly they hurt themselves; now Miss Leona won't talk to him, his family is disappointed, and he feels lost. Lily-Grace Leroux has had it with Jesse too. He was one of the few kids in school who didn't tease her for her vitiligo, but she wants him to know he had no right to threaten her father. Lily-Grace stuns Jesse by verbally turning him inside-out and threatening violence if he comes near her father. To make it up to her, Jesse works on his temper, and Lily-Grace soon finds herself drawn to him. Jesse has been a fan favorite since Weatherspoon introduced him in the series' first installment (A Cowboy to Remember), so this book will be in high demand from readers. Weatherspoon discusses Lily-Grace's vitiligo and Jesse's therapy sessions with subtlety and care and doesn't give Jesse an easy out for his faults. VERDICT If Weatherspoon isn't already on autobuy, now's the time.--Melanie C. Duncan, Washington Memorial Lib., Macon, GA
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Starred review from September 15, 2021
In this delightful conclusion to the Cowboys of California series, (following If the Boot Fits, 2020) Weatherspoon takes readers on a "final ride through Charming, California" and the magical setting that is the Pleasant family's luxury dude ranch. Black equestrian and co-owner of the ranch Jesse Pleasant is the tallest, grumpiest, and most sensitive of the brothers, and only the hottest and toughest woman will be able to wrangle him into submission. Much like real-life supermodel Winnie Harlow, tech consultant Lily-Grace LeRoux has faced it all, from big-tech company boardrooms and their handsy CEOs to nasty kids who taunted her about her skin condition, vitiligo. Jesse lets his temper boil over when he catches his grandma necking with Lily-Grace's father, and now Lily-Grace is ready to go head-to-head with Jesse over his anger issues. But when Jesse signs up for a charity dating auction, Lily-Grace discerns his anxiety and ponies up to save him from the ready-to-pounce cougars. Their enemies-to-lovers romance sizzles in the desert sun as romantically inexperienced Jesse teaches Lily-Grace to swim and Lily-Grace teaches Jesse a thing or two about intimacy. Weatherspoon delivers just the right kind of steamy, will-they-won't-they angst, and her books will please fans of veteran Black romance authors Beverly Jenkins and Brenda Jackson.
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