Zurie Tillbridge is busily managing the Tillbridge Stables in the third book of this lively multicultural romance series. I so much enjoyed reading the earlier two. While a schoolgirl Zurie was a barrel racer, but now she has taken much work upon her shoulders after the death of her parents. THE COWGIRL’S SURPRISE MATCH with local deputy Mace Calderone is the last thing anyone expects.

Zurie is used to being the eldest and most responsible in the Tillbridge family. She’s let a movie company film at the stables and guesthouse, and they are turning everyone’s lives upside down. Tristan the horsemaster fell in love with lead actress Chloe Daniels, while Reina the cook opened her own café and paired off with the movie stuntman Scott Halsey. Now Zurie agrees to take a few weeks off work in order to arrange a wedding for Tristan and Chloe, something more personal than the courthouse. Anything public will get them besieged by the press. Keeping the plans under wraps means best man Mace steps up to fake an engagement with Zurie, who was a good friend to him at school. 

Mace is a first-class gentleman. He’s from a family that puts family and kids first, and runs their own legal firm. Now a police deputy, Mace has finished law school but is debating whether a desk job has attractions. He’s delighted to start a relationship with Zurie, and keep it quiet if that’s what she prefers, but he’s also happy to call it an engagement. I love the contrast between the families and attitudes, which adds a lot of interest. 

My only criticism is that the story might be better called the wedding planner’s surprise match, so anyone looking for a working ranch or rodeo tale should look elsewhere. I’m happy to keep up with Nina Crespo’s pleasant and well-drawn family at the Tillbridge Stables. THE COWGIRL’S SURPRISE MATCH is a fun contemporary romance that can be read as a standalone but is better if you’ve read the earlier books. Zurie was always the busy bee, head in the account books, so it’s great that she gets her own character development and romantic twist.