This good-hearted chatty romance is for readers who enjoy modern Westerns and office romances. THE BILLIONAIRE IN BOOTS is one of those modern guys who is, unhappily land-rich but cash-poor. Nick Prince wanted to be a pilot and had his own plane when his father Charlie unexpectedly passed away. After the dust settled, the cattle ranch in Texas, long-dried-up oil wells, and new office building came to Nick. Plus his father’s colossal secret: outstanding gambling debts.

Charlotte Bailey worked for Nick’s father and she doesn’t think Nick Prince is in any way capable. He can’t file a report in the right folder, and he expects her to make the coffee when business visitors call.

This is the third book in Julia London's Princes of Texas series, and I have not read the others, but this is a warm, chatty family, all keen to entertain themselves with gossip, TV, and books, plus modest socialising in town. Nick is struggling to make ends meet and keep his retired mother in the style to which she’s accustomed – though most of the staff had to go – so he rides fences, brands calves, and more. At home in his own pad though, Nick keeps a few retired or rescued animals, and he is vegetarian, unlike the folks around town. He does genuinely admire Charlotte, but she keeps on telling him about her online dating, and anyway, he’s her boss, so a proposition wouldn’t be right.  

The different characters have a lot of work to do if they are to reconcile all their wishes and dreams. Nick never wanted the ranch. Piloting again will take more money than Nick has without selling land, and ranchers don’t like land sales. A source of resentment is that a previously unknown son of the late Charlie Prince inherited some good land. I did get annoyed that Charlotte’s family all have names starting with C: Cassie, Caitlin, Chase, and there’s also Charlie, Chuck and Colton in this tale, making it hard for me to keep track.  

If you enjoy softball, you’ll be pleased with the new team and matches featured. Otherwise, just treat it as part of the many likes and loves of the folks in THE BILLIONAIRE IN BOOTS. Julia London has clearly had a good time populating her town and country homes with interesting people in this contemporary cowboy romance, so treat yourself to a great read. And remember that a competent office manager is worth her or his weight in gold.