Review by Booklist Review
Lilian "Lil" Sorrow Island is desperate to save her family ranch, so she goes along with her gran's scheme to try to win the Closed Circuit, a new rodeo competition and -reality-TV show. AJ Garza keeps trying to retire from the rodeo, but City Boyz, the nonprofit that got him into the sport, needs the Closed Circuit prize money to stay afloat. Lil wows the crowds with her skills, and she becomes an unwitting role model for girls. Meanwhile, she and AJ spar both in the arena and out, their consistent high scores and quick banter proof that they are equally matched. An overnight cattle drive changes everything, but what happens when the Closed Circuit is over? Debut author Bell deftly combines the history of rodeo (Lil came up in the Indian National Finals Rodeo, taught by her Black and Native American grandfather) and the technicalities of different events with nail-biting action. The real draw, though, will be the sparks that fly between Lil and AJ, whose respect for each other fans the flames of their attraction in this sexy, immersive, multicultural romance.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Two headstrong bull riders compete in a reality TV rodeo competition in this enthralling love story from Bell (Stolen to Wear His Crown). Lilian "Lil" Sorrow Island's grandmother pushes Lil to enroll in the Professional Bull Riders Association Closed Circuit Tour after they discover that Lilian's late grandfather took out a reverse mortgage on their family ranch. With the bank coming to collect, the cash prize is their best bet to save their ranch. Lil is an underdog, but her chances look good--until all-time great AJ Garza announces he's coming out of retirement to compete. Garza, too, has a good reason: he hopes to use the money to save the CityBoyz, the after-school boys program he runs with his father figure. Eight years Lil's senior, Garza is immediately enraptured by her beauty and skill, and Lil, meanwhile, is awed to meet a man she's idolized. Though they're rivals, their appreciation of one another, along with the close proximity the competition keeps them in, gives rise to a spontaneous kiss and plenty of spicy banter. The result is thoroughly charming, with strong cowboy flavor, fascinating family histories, and female empowerment front and center. True to its title, this wild ride is sure to sweep readers away. Agent: Helen Breitweiser, Cornerstone Literary. (Aug.)
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