I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion. This book will not disappoint you. It is all kinds of hot, steamy, and heartfelt.

I fall for the strong silent type every time and this book definitely has the strong silent type in Mark. Katelyn is just the right woman to bring out the best in Mark. He can open up to her and share his darkest secrets.

Well done by this author and 4.5 stars in this book.

Riding Hard by Lauren Landish is everything you would expect from her in an outstanding romance! It has not only romance but a little kink to this one as well! Bennett Boys Ranch series just keeps getting better with each book, which are standalones. I can’t wait for the next one. I loved it and would definitely recommend it. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review after reading this arc.

3 1/2 Star Review.....

If you’re anything like me, you appreciate starting a series at the beginning, and in this case it definitely helps as Riding Hard brings together Mark (the eldest Bennett) and Katelyn, the Wedding Planner for Sophie and James` impending nuptials.

Mark and Katelyn have strong chemistry, but Mark continues to fight the attraction, as he believes he is a bad investment due to the responsibilities and hours devoted to running his farm. Katelyn is definitely the pursuer in this romance, as she refuses to give up on this pig-headed, obstinate man. I did like the story, but wondered whether I would have persisted in chasing such an ornery individual.

This is the second book in this series and this one is about Mark the oldest brother. Mark is a very serious guy who does not smile a lot. He is very withdrawn and mostly keeps to himself. Katelyn is new to town. She is just out of a long relationship and she is trying to make changes in her life. She is tired of living life boring she wants excitement and color in her life. I have to say that when these two meet that you can tell that there is something between them. As time goes by and they keep bumping into to each other the chemistry becomes hot. It is not long before they both give in to what they both want and need from each other. This relationship is not all roses and sun shine. There is misunderstanding and drama following these two around every where. It just seems that they get happy and something comes between them. I absolutely loved this book and all the drama that came with it. I loved getting to see and find out more about what happened to the characters in the first book. I cannot wait to see who Luke falls for in the next book. I am sure that it will be just as amazing as this one. Thanks Net Galley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book centers around Katelyn Johnson and Mark Bennett. Mark is the oldest of the Bennett brothers, and the one in charge of their ranch. He has secrets and has already been hurt in matters of the heart. Katelyn is new in town with a new job as an event planner. Her first event is Mark’s bother’s wedding. The moment these two meet the attraction is instantaneous.
When describing them I would say Mark is dark and grumpy while Katelyn is sweet vanilla. A trait she is anxious to change. For me this push and pull was exhausting.
I have to confess that I am not a fan of books where the main characters POVs are constantly shifting throughout the story. Thus in my view, it affected the continuity of the plot.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

*I received a copy of Riding Hard from Net Galley and Montlake Romance in exchange for a voluntary review. This are my opinions and not solicited in any way.**

Riding Hard by Lauren Landish is the second book in her Bennett Boys Ranch series. This is Mark (who's the eldest) and Katelyn's story which I'd rate as a solid 4 stars. There is a bit of BDSM so just a small warning but not enough for a erotica rating. Again I loved Mama Lou the matriarch of the family and Katelyn's assistant extraordinaire Marcy who's awesome with advice.

Mark Bennett thinks that he'll never find a woman who'll love him after rejection from a former girlfriend. But he's never met Katelyn the new girl in town and events planner at the Mountain Spirit Hotel and resort. Oh did I mention she's the event planner for Sophie and James's upcoming wedding? Mark is used to being the rock and now that he's running the ranch life is steady but when he meets Katelyn could she be the one who'll change he mind? How will she react to his kinky needs?

Katelyn Johnson broke from the boyfriend in Idaho of a decade and her rather beige life. As the new events planner for the resort she's excited to help make every one be a success. When she meets Mark Bennett at the resort and who helps her convince a rather amorous cowboy at Hank's introduce her to a life beyond beige and vanilla. Will she be the next Bennett bride? Will Mark finally tell Katelyn about his hidden fears of being rejected again?

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to everyone.

Mark Bennett took over the responsibility for running the family ranch after his father unexpectedly passed away. He’s learnt to keep his emotions hidden after his former girlfriend reacted in horror to his needs. Now he keeps himself to himself despite being attracted to the events planner organising his brother’s wedding. Katelyn Johnson has run away from a boring existence and wants to spread her wings including pursuing her interest in the enigmatic cowboy. Definitely steamy. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have been looking forward to the next Bennett Boys book since I finished Buck Wild. I was even more excited when I found out it was Mark’s story, the oldest Bennett brother.
Mark is one sexy rancher, not to mention the man is a mystery with a kinky side. What isn’t to love about that? Katelyn is the new event planner in town, she moved there to get away from her beige life. Will she be able to find a little color in her life after meeting Mark?
I loved Katelyn and Mark so much. He was able to slowly let down his guard with her, though she kind of forced a friendship upon him, but he also couldn’t stay away from her. Katelyn wanted to get to know everything about Mark, the good, the bad and the ugly. I love how they tried to be friends, because the movie and pizza dates were adorable, the constant texting and phone calls. Not something I would ever expect Mark to do after first meeting him.
This story was HOT HOT HOT HOT. I know it would be but this one took it to the extreme, seriously, I was slightly jealous of Katelyn. Of course, there was more of James and Sophie (who I still love), Luke, and everyone’s favorite Mama. I can’t wait for the third book in this series.

This is the second book in the Bennett brothers series and the eldest brother marks book and Katelyn, Katelyn is a big city girl who is an event planner Mark is running the Bennett ranch. Katelyn is in town to hold the wedding of a superstar rodeo champ marks younger brother! This book was really hot! And the storyline was ok, I absolutely loved the first book but this one was just ok for me! I'm not sure if I'm just burnt out on cowboy romance or if i just didn't like this one as much? It's definitely worth reading and I do recommend it but it wasn't one of my favorite! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

Wow! This girl doesn't want "beige" in her life after reading Mark's story. It was interesting to see Mark struggle with having a relationship. The author did a great job with this since most of the time it is the women who has fears about relationships. Katelyn has her own fears but overcomes them to get what she wants and let me tell you it is not "beige" she is looking for. This book can be read as a standalone but I want to read about the other brothers, they are intriguing and I want to know their story.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for review. This story is at the core about finding someone to love who accepts all of you and loves you not despite but in spite of all your truths. I loved Katelyn as a heroine and how she was taking charge of her life and doing what she loves. Realizing her settling for a “beige” life and wanting more is something a lot of people can relate to, I think. Mark was this tough, hard man who due to a bad relationship thought of himself as a monster. I loved these two finding themselves in each other and falling truly in love.

I very much enjoyed this book. For a large part of this book I was thinking “there’s not as much sexy times as I expected” but then BAM it finally started. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline and the sex added to the story and didn’t detract. If you’re not into dirty talking alpha males this may not be your cup of tea but if you do... this was a great read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book.

Well, this is a book about one dirty-minded cowboy and one vanilla girl....

It was pretty good till the half of the book. But then I was tired of this woman chasing this strong-headed stupid man!!!
This man doesn't talk, he only grunts and growls.... Ok, it you like them like this I don't have any problems... But he was constantly pushing her away: I'm asshole, I'm not good for you,.... Blah blah blah...
And she was the pursuer of this story. I don't like it.
Safety: safe, no cheating, no OP scenes. Faithful both of them.

Mark is so sweet. He cares about Katelyn so much that he's extra careful not to hurt her or scare her. Until she stands up to him and pretty much tells him, show me what you've got. I love this about her.
Riding Hard, had me hot and bothered throughout.

Katelyn Johnson just moved to her dream job as an event planner, and her first job is planning the wedding of rodeo superstar James Bennett (who's the hero of the first book in the series). She meets Mark Bennett when he comes to pay the deposit for the wedding, and they spark instantly.

Their relationship is strained, because Mark is stoic and always in control of his feelings. They go from strangers to friends, to more, but all the while Mark is holding back, because he's been burned before. Can Katelyn plan this wedding, and open up Mark's shell?



3/5 STARS

-- spoilers ahead --



It took me a minute to get into the book; there was more telling than showing (Mark jokes around with his brothers, but you're told that the banter is banter because they're brothers, which was redundant), and ALSO, how are you try to tell me that pineapple isn't amazing on pizza?

There was a good attempt of depth for the secondary characters, and I can see how it can line up for more books and novellas. (There's a third brother) Everyone had a good personality that I feel like I could pick up, but for the most part, it was only about Katelyn and Mark. (Maybe I should've read the first book first, the brothers kept getting confused to me)

Insofar as the sex scenes, they were steamy and probably considered kinky (I'm a weird judge of that at this point). It was nice to be able to read about a hero who wasn't 100% sexually confident, it broke from the normal a bit.

PS Is Boise really the city? I'm not from the north, but it seems like that's not exactly a big city.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Mark Bennett is a man of few words. As the oldest son, Mark takes his responsibility of the family ranch seriously. But he also has his desires he has kept hidden knowing that no woman around could help him fulfill. When he meets Katelyn he is instantly attracted to her but knows she would never go for what he wants to do to her. But Katelyn may not be the sweet little thing he thinks she is and may just bring some color to both their lives.
A great book in the Bennett Boys series by Lauren Landish.

Great winter read to warm you up and make you root for romance and a happy ending. This is a great story where you know where the ending is headed but it doesn't stop you from being invested in the characters and there are a few little surprises thrown in as well!

I recently read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to this book releasing! I then saw this book on Netgally, so requested a copy and started reading as soon as I was accepted! I was really looking forward to this book because of who the main male character was going to be! After reading this book, I can say that I loved it a lot! I didn't think that I was going to enjoy it as much as the first book, but I did! The plot developed at the perfect pace and it kept me hooked the whole way through! I actually had to force myself to put it down or else I wouldn't have moved from my chair all day lol! There was plenty of romance in the plot and the romance allowed for a few seriously hot scenes between the two main characters! These scenes were definitely hotter than I was expecting lol! The ending of this book was also left at the perfect place for the characters! The characters were also amazing and made this book even better! Mark was the main male character, and he was a secondary character in the first book, so I was excited to read his story! Mark was seriously hot in this book and I loved him a lot! I do wish that he had more confidence when it came to his love interest though! He held back so much, but then he told his story and it helped me understand! He did come a long way in this book and it was easy to see that he had deep feelings for his love interest! Katelyn was the main female character and love interest of Mark! Katelyn was such a sweetheart in this book! I liked her as soon as I started to read her chapters and I connected with her all the way through this book! Katelyn was also very patient with Mark in a way and she didn't push him, even though she had feelings for him and wanted to be in a relationship with him! Katelyn also worked hard and she had a really good job! I loved that this book was written from both Mark and Katelyn's point of views! I was expecting it to be because the first book was written from both characters point of views, so I'm really happy that this book was too! It helped me connect and understand Mark and Katelyn more, especially as it took them a while to become a couple! It allowed for more things to happen in the plot too because the characters didn't spend every moment of the book together and had their own jobs and situations going on! I now can't wait to read the next book in this series! There's still one more brother to have his story told, so I'm assuming that the next book is going to be his book! I'm excited to read it and I can't find any information on a release date, but I assume that it'll probably be closer to the end of the year or maybe the beginning of next year! I can't wait to read it regardless and check out this author's other books! The cover for this book is also seriously hot! It would definitely draw me to the book and it definitely suits the book! The cover model is also the perfect Mark and gives off the gruff vibe that he does in the book! Big thank you to Lauren, Montlake Romance, and Netgalley for an ARC of Riding Hard!

This was a good follow up to the first book in the series. You don't need to read the first but you get a little bit more background if you do.I loved how the relationship between Katelyn and Mark developed throughout the story. I couldn't put it down.

This is the second book in the series and I always recommend starting from the first book. This is Mark's book the oldest of the Bennetts. He is seriously attracted to newcomer Katelyn who is also the wedding coordinator for Sophie and James wedding. And even though he is attracted to her he is fighting it because he has so much on his shoulders and doesn't feel a woman would want to do deal with the hours that he devotes to the farm. Katelyn is starting over, new job, new town and now new friends, she had a comfortable steady boyfriend for over 10 years but it was blah relationship and now she has this chemistry and spark with Mark who is seriously hot, but for some reason he is fighting this attraction but Katelyn is determined to change his mind and go after what she wants. They do not have a seamless road but everything worth it is worth fighting for..Enjoy!