HOMETOWN COWBOY is the first book in Sara Richardson's Rocky Mountain Riders series. This Rocky Mountain Riders series centers around the Cortez family. The Cortez brothers have a complicated history with each other, as well as with their father Luis. Veterinarian Jessa Mae Love entrenches herself in the lives of the Cortez men, and specifically bewitches Lance, when she comes to stay and keep an eye on Luis. Although Jessa's arrival at the Cortez homestead is at Lance's request, he had no idea at the time how Jessa would change his life.

Years ago, a series of tragic events blasted the Cortez family apart and kept them estranged for several years. Lance Cortez has a lot on his plate -- trying to prove he's not a has-been bull rider, dealing with his increasingly disoriented aging father, and unexpectedly reconnecting with his brothers. It is at this crossroads in this life, that Lance unexpectedly falls for girl- next-door Jessa. Jessa and Lance have great chemistry, and I like how they care about each other as friends -- in addition to being incredibly sexually attracted. Sara Richardson goes into detail describing the effect that the abandonment by Lance's mother had on his ability to form a committed relationship with a woman. I like the way Lance gains some self-awareness and a desire to change, after talking things through with Jessa and his family.

HOMETOWN COWBOY is a homespun family-centered story about love, and lives in transition. Sara Richardson tells a story that is very emotionally powerful about flawed characters doing the best they can. Although there are a lot of heavy themes in HOMETOWN COWBOY, there is enough humor and steamy scenes to balance things out. Lance's brother Levi strikes me as being something of an enigma, so I look forward to seeing what kind of story Sara Richardson gives him. I can't wait to read Naomi and Lucas' story next!