Thank you for Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book early.

I did enjoy this story and I really liked the main character but unfortunately the marriage in distress trope just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to.

I really liked the sound of the synopsis of this book and really liked the main characters but I just wanted a little bit more from their journey to being happy together again.

I have wanted to read from Madison Wright for a while and when I heard about her next release, Not Our First Rodeo, I knew it would be one I needed to read and I had a fantastic time with it.

Not Our First Rodeo follows Elsie who after having her ballet career ruined by a devastating injury and having a miscarriage, pushes everyone away including her husband Beau. Months later as she is starting to rebuild her life after one night with Beau, Elsie discovers she is pregnant and has to confront everything she’s been avoiding.

I read this book so quickly I could not put the book down and ended up reading it in 24 hours. I loved the characters so much and the exploration of anxiety throughout the book. This is a romance book that I definitely need to have a copy of on my shelves. It was also one of my first cowboy romance books and it won’t be my last.

I am definitely a character driven reader and the characters did not disappoint me in this one. I was rooting for Elsie and Beau from early on, they both felt like they had a lot of depth and I loved learning more and more about them as the book went on. I really loved the anxiety representation throughout the story, at some points I connected to how Elsie was feeling and why she was trying to hide her struggles from everyone. It was great to gradually see her be vulnerable in front of Beau and how that meant he was able to learn to read her in a way that he previously hadn’t been able to eventually being able to help her in the way she needed.

I loved the rest of the characters in the small town so much. I can’t wait to read more about Beau’s family in the future books in the series because I loved the scenes they were in and I know Cooper and Cheyenne will also have fantastic stories. Elsie’s best friend, Jade, was also a great character that I really want to continue to learn about and I loved how much she supported Elsie throughout the book.

I really liked seeing Elsie and Beau grow closer again and support each other in a way they hadn’t at the start of the book. It was special to see the pair realise what they need to do to repair their relationship and support that they got from other characters to get to that point.

My first Madison Wright book did not disappoint me at all and I cannot wait to read more from her because I know I will love her books. This is definitely a romance book that I would recommend to any romance readers who don’t have an issue with the surprise pregnancy trope, even though I think that it was done really well in this book, and I found it to be an overall really strong romance book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Madison Wright for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley & Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me to read this ARC. Not Our First Rodeo has all the tropes I love, marriage in crisis, surprise pregnancy etc. Unfortunately, the writing style didn’t work for me, which made it hard to fully enjoy the story. The repeated use of the nickname “Elsie baby” really took me out of the moment, it just didn’t sit right with me personally. I wanted to love this one, but it just wasn’t a good fit.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me.
I read to escape and this wasn't my idea of escaping into a cowboy romance. I did like how different it was to most cowboy romances but I just expected a little more tension & yearning between the main characters. The first 4-5 chapters almost felt a little draining and a little too much like real life for me. Perhaps because I could relate to the situations in the book.

i’m a giant puddle. i’m obsessed. and i’m at a total loss for words! this book restores faith in love and second chances! the plot was heavy but full of so much hope and heart. and BEAU! ah, when he calls her “Elsie baby” i almost die each time! the two MC’s are absolutely perfect for each other and share a story on their own as well! Elsie’s character is so strong and reinforces the idea of self worth and forgiveness! i just loved it! all the stars!

I love Beau and Elsie more than I love anything. the love, dedication, tenderness, honesty, support, imperfections, sorrows and joys make their love story absolutely perfect.

the side characters and setting make this already perfect story absolutely magical. I love the cowboy/ballerina pairing, the found family, the accidental preganancy in a marriage in crisis combo…I just absolutely love and adore everything about this book. I hope everyone reads this and everyone loves it as much as I do.

thank you for the ARC!

Madison’s best work yet.

This book was an exploration of self-acceptance, grief, pain, and love, that were so real and raw, I felt them all myself.

I knew I was going to love Elsie and Beau, but NOTHING could have truly prepared me for them. This story is absolutely beautiful, and also raw, real, and painful in all of the best ways.

Brings your tissues, YOU’LL NEED THEM.

Endlessly proud of you all the time, Mads, but so absolutely blown away with this story and how I can tell how much love you put into them. I’m blown away😭🫶🏻

4.5 Stars I knew as soon as I read the description for Not Our First Rodeo, the first book in Madison Wright's new Lucky Stars Ranch series, that I was going to love it and I'm so glad I was right. I adore second chance romances, especially those set in a small town with cowboys and found family. Add in a surprise pregnancy and marriage in crisis? I was hooked!

Elsie Jennings had it all, until a devastating injury changed everything. Her career as a professional ballerina ended and a pregnancy that ended in miscarriage pushed her to the edge. Now Elsie is pushing everyone else away, including her adoring husband, Beau. Beau agreed to give her space when she asked for it, thinking it was all the resilient Elsie needed after returning to their small Montana hometown. Now, Elsie is rebuilding her life, starting with a new job as a dance teacher and a surprise--two pink lines on a test. With a baby on the way, Beau is done giving Elsie space and is ready to push to fix their broken marriage. The two navigate their broken past and move towards an uncertain future, together. After all, this isn't their first rodeo.

I loved Elsie and Beau so much! I didn't expect Elsie's inner struggles, but resonated with them so much. As someone who's struggled with anxiety and panic attacks, I know what it's like to want to hide how you're feeling from everyone. Elsie is so strong and I loved how she challenged herself to be brave by finally allowing herself to be vulnerable in front of Beau, letting him see the real her. And Beau grew so much too. He realized how wrong he had read his wife in the past and how despite her strength, she was holding on to a lot of hurt. He learned how to provide what she needed and when to challenge her to confront her feelings when they altered her view of reality. I can't wait for Cooper's and Cheyenne's stories because I can't get enough of Lucky Stars Ranch!

Thank you Madison Wright and NetGalley for the ARC! Not Our First Rodeo releases July 11th!