🤍 ‘Dance is… well it feels like everything. It has a way of making you feel like it’s the only thing worth living for. It means testing your body’s limits and beating yourself and proving to yourself that you can do things you thought were impossible. It’s exhilarating in a way that almost nothing else is.’ 🤍

I enjoyed this book! I honestly don’t usually read romance books, normally I stick to fantasy and romantasy books so I wasn’t sure how much I’d like this book before starting reading it. But since this was a cowboy x sports romance I was very intrigued to give it a go! 💗

I think that the reason I enjoyed and connected to this book so much and why it got this rating for me, was because of Elsie’s relationship with having a career-ending sports injury and loosing this part big of her identity. As someone who was also in a competitive sport from a young age (swimming) and also got a career ending injury in their 20’s, I related a lot to the feelings that Elsie had in this book. When competing in a sport from a young age and pouring all of your time and passion and love into this one thing, when it ends it feels like a huge loss, like you are unsure who you are anymore, what you like and whether you’ll ever be good at anything or love anything as much again. I feel like the author encapsulated this feeling very well in this book! 🩰

I also saw parts of Elsie in myself with how critical she is of herself and her appearance, which is caused a lot by her experience with her previous coaches, her parents and from herself, all heavily influenced by her ballet career. I feel like this is a universal experience that a lot of sports people would be able to relate to- there is always a lot of pressure that is put on you both externally and internally when competing in sports, a lot of which changes the perception you have of yourself even when you don’t do that sport any more. I appreciated reading a book that showed these feelings well! 🤍

I did enjoy Elsie and Beau’s relationship! I thought that by the end of the book I felt more connected to them and understood a bit more why Elsie acted in some of the ways that she did. I did honestly feel confused at the start of the book why Elsie told Beau she couldn’t stay with her any more, and felt frustrated by it. I also felt frustrated that she was acting selfishly with how she was treating him, since she was not the only person in the relationship dealing with the weight of the miscarriage. And confused why after so long of marriage they felt so disconnected. But as the book drew on, you could see how Elsie started to notice that how she was acting was both very unfair to Beau and his family, but also unfair to herself in that she doesn’t have to suffer the weight of these losses alone. That it wasn’t weak to show her vulnerabilities to others like she thought, and is actually a big strength and very important. And I feel like although I know that I wouldn’t react in the same way as Elsie if the same things were to happen to me, I understand partly why she did act that way- she had a lot of traumatic things happen all at one time, which undoubtedly would be very difficult for anyone to deal with, would make anyone feel alone and be a cause for you feeling like your identity is lost.

Overall, I enjoyed this book- as one of my first romance reads I enjoyed it more than I expected! I think if you read predominantly romance, it would be helpful to read reviews of others that have read this that also read predominantly romance, as I honestly do not have many books to compare this to in this genre. But if you are someone who in the past competed in a sport from a young age and no longer do this sport competitively, I feel like you will enjoy this book as it felt very relatable! 💗

Thank you again to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this e-ARC, I really enjoyed it! ✨

This book deals with some heavy subjects, but I think they were handled quite well by the author. I also enjoyed her writing style pretty well. Beau and Elise were really sweet, and it was unique and fun to see an already married couple, already very much in love couple, come back and find their way back to each other after something difficult had them broken apart in a sense. I enjoyed their dynamic and how we got to watch them grow and build their marriage into something better than before. I will say because the couple is married there is a bit of sexual joking between the two of them that happens. I also really enjoy pregnancy tropes when done well, they can be so heartwarming and sweet and add a whole extra layer to the story and the couple, and I think this one did it pretty well.

My main complaint of this book was some of the content personally. While being technically closed door, there was two very descriptive fade to black scenes present. While it is between a married couple, I don't usually read fade to black scenes especially if they are a bit more descriptive like these ones were. That's my personal preferences, it was a little much for me, so just beware of that being present.

Spice: Closed door; 2 descriptive fade to black scenes, sexual innuendos & some lightly sexual descriptions.
Language: Wasn't heavily excessive but there was cussing throughout, along with at least 2 f-bombs dropped.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Miscarriage, Grief, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Parental Neglect & Estrangement, Body Image Issues.

A married couple that has been through unthinkable trauma and the journey they go on to not only get together again but to come out of it more in love and stronger then ever.
This book was an amazing love story but also a rediscovery to a stronger love. The conversations on grief, trauma and mental illness were very detailed and as someone dealing with those issues I felt seen and heard in the book. It would have been nice if Elsie went to therapy but not everybody likes therapy so I get it 😂
This pace of this book was really nice even though we were skipping time pretty quickly I didn’t fell like I was missing anything in the gaps.
Elsie though is troubled I’m proud of how she pulled through the darkness to get to be a better version of herself. Whereas Beau is the most sympathetic and caring man who cares for Elsie but can also express his own feelings. Loved that
Can’t wait for more in the series!! (Hopefully cooper and jade)

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for sending the ARC

small town | horse trainer x dancer | second chance | loss/grief | trauma

I connected with this book and Elsie so much. My journey was different to Elsie’s but it still was such an emotional read for me.

Madison Wright did an exceptional job at exploring grief and miscarriage on the page in such a raw but delicate way. It was powerful, honest and so real. From the way Elsie felt about her body, to the thought that consumed her and the way she looked her husband and felt responsible for his pain. Honestly it gave me all the feels.

I usually don’t like miscommunication and in a perfect world if Elsie was just honest then she wouldn’t have ended up the way she was. Elsie was so lost as a human that she didn’t even know how to communicate with anyone. She was stuck inside a body that she believed failed her, and when you’re in that place that’s how you feel.

Beau - seriously. Perfection. He loved Elsie so deeply and despite how hurt he was he never stopped loving her. I loved how Beau healed Elsie by simply showing her how to love and believe in herself.

This truly was such a beautiful story - I absolutely adored this book and all the characters. I am hoping we get a Cooper and Jade story next?

4.5*

Please make sure to read the trigger warnings for this one. It tackles some tough topics which are a big part of the story.

Beau & Elsie had me by the heartstrings!!

Their marriage is in trouble after they suffer a loss and Elsie asks Beau to leave... but after an intense and spontaneous night together, Elsie becomes pregnant which pulls them back together. In every single interaction they shared, it was intensely clear that Elsie was Beau's entire world. He'd give her anything and every thing she wanted, if it made her happy. Elsie loves that man so damn much right back but she is struggling and isolating herself away from every one who loves her. Being in her head was difficult but I loved getting to see her heal.

The author put so much feeling and emotion into this story and it had me completely invested. There was this beautiful intimacy and familiarity between these two and they were so easy to root for.

A great cowboy romance that hooked me from page 1.

If Madison Wright writes it... I'm gonna read it. Especially if its about a cowboy that will do anything for his wife. 🤭

This was such an adorable and quick read. I loved Elsie and Beau and their marriage in trouble (not a trope I thought I would ever like but I'm eating it up?). There were many tears shed while reading this one, with heavy topics of anxiety, grief, and pregnancy loss, but it was told in such a beautiful way. I hope we get Jade and Cooper's story soon!!

read if you love: found family, small town, second chance/marriage in crisis

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC.

a book about a cowboy who loves his girl & will do anything for her? yea im gonna eat it up!!!

this book was not only an adorable love story, but it described grief & anxiety in such an amazing way. I felt these two’s pain through the words on the page and found myself crying at certain points throughout.

Beau is quite literally the sweetest (but also hottest) man😭 His family is also amazing omg

I feel like i’m friends with Elsie and feel so proud of her for overcoming her issues!! I found myself relating to her on certain aspects and then wanting to give her the biggest hug!!

i really enjoyed this book and i am SO happy that it’s the start of a series!!!

*thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC*

Not Our First Rodeo
Inglés
293 páginas
4/5

Primero que nada este libro lo leí como copia avanzada y no sabes las ganas que le tenía, los libros de la autora suelen encantarme, siempre son ligeros, un soplo de aire fresco y cuando leí el titulo de este libro y la portada pensé, justo lo que necesito y...hermanas, sí fue lo que necesitaba, pero no sabía que lo necesitaba, este libro me llevó por un camino de empatía, de duelo, de amor, de crecimiento, de aprendizaje, de entendimiento.

Déjenme les explico, en este libros nos vamos a encontrar con un matrimonio que se encuentra en crisis, esto, debido a que tras una lesión que le quitó sus sueños de ser una bailarina profesional y una perdida extremadamente dolorosa Elsie le pide a Beau, su maravilloso, comprensivo y muy enamorado esposo, que se vaya para poder sanar.

Beau no entiende la decisión de Elsie, pero la respeta y trata de hacer lo que es mejor para ella y para acompañarla en su proceso de sanar, pero él no esta dispuesto a dejarla ir, no esta dispuesto a perder al amor de su vida.

Luego de una noche con Beau de malas decisiones ¿o buenas? Elsie descubre que está embarazada y este embarazo la lleva a enfrentarse a cosas dolorosas, la lleva a un camino de introspección a un camino de enfrentarse a lo que más miedo le da.

A ver, es un libro diferente a lo que pensaba, yo esperaba encontrarme con un romance, pero encontré más que eso, sí, es imposible decir que no hay romance porque Beau es el mas precioso y romántico de todos, la forma en como ama a Elise me hace llorar de pensar que podría no conocer nunca a alguien que me ame así. Pero, no es lo principal, creo que el foco de esta maravillosa historia es ver a una Elsie humana, una Elsie que aunque quiere tiene dificultades para enfrentarse a si misma. Al principio me desesperaba mucho con ella, luego entendí que no es difícil verse reflejado en su historia, en sus sentimientos, en su dolor, en su crecimiento y en su profundo amor por las personas que más ama.

Así que si me preguntan si lo recomiendo es un rotundo SÍ, la historia de Elsie merece ser leída.
Claro no es un libro perfecto, tiene sus fallas, por ejemplo, odiaba que todo se centrara en el dolor de Elsie, en que Elsie sanara, pero solo UNA PERSONA, solo UNA, se atrevió a interesarse por los sentimientos de Beau, mi niño merecía ser mas valorado por los que lo rodeaban y merecía ser más valorado por sí mismo.

Fuera de eso, es un libro maravilloso.

This was such a perfect marriage in trouble, second chance, small town, found family. Literally all of my favorite tropes in one. I also love the anxiety rep in this and it felt very very realistic!! Beau was the most caring man EVER EVER and i loved him with my whole heart and soul!!! Such a good found family, i hope we get Jade and Coopers story ASAP

dnf @51%

I was so ready for an accidental pregnancy x marriage in crisis cowboy romance but I just didn’t connect with this. My biggest gripe is that the source of the conflict at the start is their separation and the reasoning for their separation is that Elsie didn’t want to be vulnerable with her husband and so logically asking him to move out made more sense. I just couldn’t fathom and it ruined my experience.

A lovely second-chance romance, filled with love, loss, self reflection & coming back together to overcome obstacles!

I liked the dynamic between Beau and Elsie. Seeing Elsie’s character develop throughout the book and watch her slowly let people back in & learn to stand up for herself was done very well.

I really enjoyed this book & can’t wait for more in the series!

Not Our First Rodeo was a heartwarming book and paved the path for a series that I’m eager to see come to fruition. I’d love to be able to visit Lucky Stars in real life!

Not Our First Rodeo is a heartfelt second-chance romance centered around Elsie and Beau, high school sweethearts who fell fast and hard at the young age of sixteen and never looked back. Now, twelve years into their marriage, tragic events threaten to tear them apart.

One part of the story that I appreciated was how the pacing of the book mirrored the weeks of Elsie’s pregnancy. This structure gave the story a steady, realistic p[pace; it felt like I could track the emotional and relational progress right alongside the passage of time. It grounded the story in a way that made the slower moments feel more intentional because that's how it would be in real life.

Elsie and Beau are fully developed characters—flawed, relatable, and easy to understand. Their struggles felt real, and their emotional highs and lows were believable and well-developed. The side characters added tension, depth, and richness, enhancing the main characters without overshadowing them. I also liked how the world-building was simple, making it easier to visualize without confusing the reader.

That said, the slow emotional progress between the main characters—especially Elsie’s struggle to open up—became increasingly frustrating as the story went on. It was hard to believe that she could keep so much of herself hidden from both her husband of twelve years and her best friend of over fifteen years. Realistically, that level of emotional distance would’ve likely caused issues much earlier in their relationship, or felt less believable in the long run.

Overall, Not Our First Rodeo delivers a tender, emotionally charged romance with well-developed characters and a steady narrative arc. Though it has moments of frustration, its honesty and heart make it a compelling read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This book was one of the most beautiful Cowboy Romance books I've read in a while. Covering Pregnancy after Loss is such a big topic and one I feel isn't covered much, but this was done in such a respectful, honest and beautiful way. I loved the honesty about what relationships go through after loss, but also how much do we appreciate a man who is emotionally mature, patient, and understanding?!. Literally SO good!
What to expect:
Cowboy/Ballerina
TW: Pregnancy Loss & Grief
Pregnancy after Loss
Mending Relationships
Found Family
Self Discovery

Thank you Madison Wright and Netgalley for my EARC copy.

I really really enjoyed this one. Being a mom and going through the woes of pregnancy made this book just hit home. While there was some heavy topics, it didn’t make you feel weighed down. This book actually had a lot of feelings of hope and looking for positives. Beau was a work of art. Men should study his actions and take notes.

I became enamoured with Beau and Elsie from the very first chapter and I couldn't help becoming obsessed and rooting whole-heartedly for their second chance, marriage in trouble, dual POV romance that goes from unimaginable loss (from a miscarriage) to an unexpected but very much welcome pregnancy. Perfect for fans of cowboy romances and authors like Lyla Sage or Elsie Silver. Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I can't wait to read Cooper and Jade's story next!!!

⭐️ 3.75/5
🔥 1/5 – Closed door
⚠️ TW: Miscarriage

This book was soft, comforting, and emotionally honest. Not Our First Rodeo follows Beau and Elsie as they navigate the quiet heartbreak and slow healing of a marriage strained by grief. Madison Wright handles the topic of miscarriage with compassion and grace, giving Elsie space to process and grow while showing the complexities of love after loss.

Elsie’s character arc was the heart of the book for me. Watching her rise from heartbreak and rediscover her strength was incredibly moving. I did find parts of the story a bit repetitive, and I wished we got to see more romantic chemistry and emotional intimacy between Beau and Elsie as their relationship healed—but the ending was undeniably sweet and satisfying.

If you’re in the mood for a gentle, emotional western romance with a hopeful message, this one’s worth a read.

🌵 Top Tropes:
• Second Chance Romance
• Marriage in Trouble
• Small Town
• Healing After Loss
• Cowboy Romance
• Found Family

This was my first book by Madison and it was such a heartbreakingly moving read. It was a powerful look at grief, mental illness, and healing.

I don’t always connect with marriage in trouble stories (I’m not married and sometimes it’s hard for me to get the mindset of a marriage in trouble when I’ve never had to experience anything like that), but I didn’t have that issue here. While Elsie and Beau’s marriage being in trouble was a main part of this story, there was so much more to it than that. Elsie has been struggling with her mental health and thought that the best thing for everyone was to push Beau away during her struggles. It was hard to watch Elsie go through what she did, but it was especially hard for me because I could relate to Elsie a lot. I could relate to how she could let her anxiety overwhelm her at times and feeling like she needed to deal with it all alone. But, I admire her so much for being self-aware enough to see that she needed to work on herself before she could be the best partner she could be to Beau. I loved watching Beau relearn Elsie during this story! He thought he knew her so well, but seeing him slowly learn that the things he’s seen about her all along were shields she kept up to protect herself was amazing. He reframed the things he knew about Elsie so that they fit the new person he discovered, and I love that he accepted all of those things immediately and altered how he treated her and spoke to her to accommodate the things he learned. Beau was a quiet person, but that didn’t make him any less strong or willing to fight for Elsie and their marriage. I liked that Beau not only didn’t place all the blame for their separation on Elsie, but he also was able to take some of the blame on himself, too. He was always adamant–especially to Elsie–that they were equals in their marriage, both when it was good and when it was hard. It was so moving to watch Elsie learn more about herself and her mental health struggles in this story, but it was also amazing to see her open up to the people she loved most after keeping them in the dark for so many years. Once she let them in, she was able to help herself even more because she had the support she needed and deserved in fighting her demons every day.

This was such a beautiful story about grief, love, acceptance, and healing! Madison really made you feel everything in this story, and her characters were so poignant and well-rounded. I loved seeing Elsie and Beau find their way to healing, but also find their way back to love and back to each other.


Thank you, Madison, Victory Editing, and NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC!

I loved I loved I loved!!!! I have flew through every book of Madison’s because they’re so swoon worthy but also have depth. I read this in under 24 hours because I simply could not put it down. This deserves more than 5 stars. The way I connected so deeply with the FMC, her extreme anxiety and low self esteem that led to her pushing others away. I was so invested in her healing and character development. Elsie was such a power girl. Don’t even get me started on Beau + how he loves this woman!!! He is down bad and he gave her every inch of support she needed. These two captured my heart and I simply need book two now!!!

Thank you NetGalley, the author and Victory Editing for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

~Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
~Overall, I really enjoyed this story! It follows Elsie and Beau on a healing journey as they navigate their failing marriage and the lingering grief from a past miscarriage. It’s a second-chance romance that also features the pregnancy trope.
~The opening scene felt a little out of place and somewhat unlike the rest of the book…however, since it sets up the plot, I was willing to let it slide.
~Our mmc, Beau is a sweetheart and total gentleman. I adored him! We get a lot of page time with his perspective, which I really enjoyed. His POVs were some of my favorites.
~Beau and Cooper’s sibling friendship was a highlight, I love when books give that dynamic the spotlight. Cooper might actually be my favorite side character! Jade and Elsie’s friendship was also a nice touch and added some emotional balance.
~One of my main critiques is the pacing. It moved a bit too quickly for my taste, and I didn’t get as much background on the characters’ history as I would’ve liked, especially considering Beau and Elsie had been married for ten years before their break!
~Definitely check the content warnings if you have a history with loss or miscarriage. But if you’re a fan of the tropes mentioned and enjoy unique, emotional romances, I’d recommend picking this one up on July 11th!