Christine Rimmer
Summer Nights with the Maverick
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Description
He's a hero in spurs

But just for tonight

Ever since rancher Weston Abernathy rescued waitress Everlee Roberts at Doug’s bar, he can’t get her off his mind. But the spirited single mom has no interest in a casual relationship, and Wes isn’t seeking commitment. As the temperature rises, Evy feels the heat, too, tempting her to throw her hat in the ring regardless of what it might cost her heart…

This was another phenomenal story by Christine Rimmer. As with any book wrote by her you know it will be good. I loved all the characters and how they supported each other, and especially enjoyed the romance that developed between Weston Abernathy and Everlee Roberts.
I loved all the characters and how they supported each other, and especially enjoyed the romance that developed between Weston and Evy. This author draws you into the book and has you experiencing everything right along with the characters.Both Weston and Evy had been in bad relationships and neither of them was looking for love again. But life had different plans. I laughed, cried , sighed and at times wanted shake them. Lola Evy's little girl .......oh my that little girl stole my heart. I wanted to hug and hold her. Her daddy sure don't know what he is missing by choosing not to be part of her life. Now that I have read this one I would very much like to read the rest.

This is a Cowboy Romance, and this is the first book in the Montana Mavericks: Brothers & Broncos series. I loved the two main characters in this book so much, and the little girl was just the cuteness. The romance in the book was so moving, but I really enjoyed it. This is all about the fun time boy meets a single mom and falls in love with her and her little girl, and I was living for this book. This book pulls me into the story so fast, and I did not want to put it down at all. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Special Edition) or author (Christine Rimmer) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Terrific start to the new series. I was sucked into the story immediately and stayed up way too late finishing it. I laughed in some places, cried in others, and closed the book with the satisfaction I always feel when I read this author's books. I loved Wes and Evy and their romance, but little Lola stole my heart.

Wes has been drawn to Evy since he first saw her a year ago. After being shot down in his first few attempts to ask her out, he backs off but can't get her off his mind. He'd like to get to know her better, but she resists until the night he saves her from a rock thrown through the bar window. He finally talks her into an outing by including Lola on the date.

Evy is the single mother of four-year-old Lola. They live with her dad, and Evy works nights at Doug's Bar while saving to start her own business. Her college boyfriend dumped her when he found out she was pregnant and had no interest in being a father. She noticed Wes's interest but didn't need the distraction. But something changed the night he saved her from a serious injury.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Wes and Evy develop. Wes had been burned in love a decade earlier and has sworn off commitment ever since. Evy has no interest in getting involved with another rich guy with commitment issues. But when he saves her from the thrown rock, there's no denying the sparks between them. When Wes wears her down, and she finally agrees to go out with him, she suspects she will regret it.

I loved watching the two of them together. They agree to keep things casual, but it quickly becomes evident that casual didn't last long. Right from the start, Wes is sucked into Evy's life. Lola enchants him, and I love watching her wrap him around her little fingers, such as when he adopts the puppy, Archie. The more time Evy and Wes spend together, the closer they become, and their attraction grows stronger. Evy admits to herself that she's falling for Wes and hopes he feels the same way.

Meanwhile, Wes's brothers and friends warn him that he risks hurting Evy if he isn't serious about her. He reminds them and himself that they agreed it was casual. I wanted to shake Wes several times because he was clearly lying to himself about his feelings. When Evy tells him how she feels, Wes freaks out and withdraws, leaving Evy with a broken heart and Lola missing her buddy. I wanted to shake Wes for being so stubborn that he refused to see the truth. I loved seeing Wes's friend Maddox's advice, and Wes's conversation with Evy's dad was fantastic. I cheered when Wes finally faced the truth. I was also happy to see that Evy made him work a little to get back in her good graces, while Wes's scene with Lola was sweet.

There is some mystery attached to the empty chair at Doug's Bar. The rock thrown through the window had a cryptic note attached, and at the end of the book, we see the cowboy who threw it. I suspect we'll see more of him throughout the series and discover his connection with the empty chair.

It's been some time since I last read a Christine Rimmer novel, and now I wonder why, since I read this one, Summer Nights with the Maverick in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. It gets 4 stars from this reader.

Everlee (Evy) Roberts, the heroine of this novel was well drawn. She and her adorable 4-year-old daughter, Lola, live with Everlee's father, Owen, in a small Texas town, where Evy works nights as a waitress at the local bar. For the past year, she's caught the eye of a handsome cowboy, Weston Abernathy, avidly staring at her, but she's not looking for romance or a boyfriend, and when Weston manages to save her from injury by getting in the way of a rock thrown through one of the bar windows (the identity of the thrower is the cliffhanger ending in this novel), they start to see each other casually, which, after Weston was dumped by his fiancé, 11 years earlier, is the only type of relationship he's willing to do.

Evy was also dumped by her college boyfriend when she told him that she was pregnant with his child. He wanted no part of it, her, or the child he fathered, and has never even seen her. Evy's not looking for romance either, but it's hard to resist this handsome, charming cowboy--but what will come of this budding relationship as it continues? And how will it affect Lola, Evy's adorable 4-year-old daughter?

Add in some meddling by Weston's brothers, an absolutely precious puppy, utterly charming, little Lola, a kitten, and the fact that this is, after all, a romance novel, and you've got one sweet, slightly sexy romance with an HEA ending. If you're looking for a feel-good, western-themed, romance read, I think you'll like this one.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Once burned twice shy. Expression never gets old and so frequently describes the issue quite perfectly, as in the case of SUMMER NIGHTS WITH THE MAVERICK by Christine Rimmer. The two lead characters have suffered at the hands of love and romance. Now both Everlee and Wes are kind of circling each other. Leery as all get go, but with this gnawing attraction that is simmering.

What’s a guy to do. Wes knows this attraction to Evy is ill advised. Heck she has a four-year-old daughter. And Wes, well he is known for being light on commitment. Fun guy meets gal with responsibility. Not much in common here. But when lightning strikes there isn’t usually a plan.

Evy was torn between following her heart and head. With Lola to consider Evy didn’t have the luxury of spending time with a happy go lucky guy like Wes. The only man in Lola’s life, thus far, was Evy’s dad. But she could see how fast and easily Lola was becoming fond of Wes.

So just how wrong would it be to have some fun. Both Evy and Wes seem to be at the same place in their lives. Neither looking for commitment nor relationship, just having a good time with someone they like. Reluctant to engage their heart. If they can keep that goal, it would be so nice to have such a wonderful friend.

Sometimes you have to take a chance. People change, lives alter, friendships can evolve. Why turn your back on having a good man in your life. Even if it’s temporary. Even if it’s not happily ever after. Evy is too smart and grounded to wish for that right now.

Christine Rimmer brings an earthy real feeling to her stories. A true sense of reality when it comes to developing relationships between her characters. Her characters remain true and honest. Christine Rimmer obviously doesn’t suffer fools and therefore neither do her characters. I personally love her inclusion of furry characters. Our four-legged friends certainly become valued, loved members of the family. And let’s not forget the importance of children. Lola is a perfect concoction of warmth and silliness. When Lola totes her library books with her, for a piece of quiet, well that made me laugh out loud. SUMMER NIGHTS WITH THE MAVERICK is about following your heart after listening to your mind and acknowledging your strengths. All three need to be engaged. And they are in SUMMER NIGHTS WITH THE MAVERICK.

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.