A perfectly fine cowboy romance, but nothing too memorable. Those who like cowboy romance will like this. Thank you for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

I love Lyric and Tatch, and that’s why this story frustrated me so much. Just like their friends have seen it all along, throughout this series it was obvious to me these two would be fire together. This story starts with the revelation that Tatch feels that connection and has asked Lyric out, but was turned down. None of their friends know this, but things have gotten a bit awkward between Tatch and Lyric. They become even more awkward when they end up in a fake relationship, almost by accident.

Fake romance stories are usually my cup of tea. Yet the feelings Tatch already has for Lyric when it begins, as well as the knowledge that Lyric wasn’t going to let herself give into her feelings for this great guy, had me leery. Yet when it came to the relationship that grows between these two, it works. Yes, there are some mixed signals Lyric is throwing out, but she was also opening up to Tatch and starting to feel safe with him. It was lovely.

Where my frustration comes in has to do (mostly) with the timeline. It seemed the rodeo would be in just a couple of weeks, then it was more than a month away, then it was next week, etc. As far as I could tell, Tatch only had one yoga session before they were talking about how great yoga was doing for his bronc riding performance. Plus, the yoga aspect of this book was another thing that bothered me. As someone who has practiced yoga for many years and at many different levels, I have to say that Lyric is a terrible yoga instructor. I’m no expert, but I did expect an author with so many books under her belt to consult an expert. It may not bother someone who has never done yoga or is a beginner, but it was annoying me every time she was “teaching” someone. Not to mention the pupils she had, from Tatch to his family to the high school students, who were totally disrespectful of her when she was trying to teach them. I know it seems a silly thing, but it comes up a lot throughout the story so I couldn’t let it go.

Thankfully, that connection I mentioned between the couple saved this story. As well as their wonderful friends and other side characters. But I can’t help but lament how much better this book could have been with a few tweaks.

I really enjoyed this book it! Its one of those book that you just feel part of the friend group and you can't wait for more. Thatch has this big heart but he doesn't want to put himself out there for someone again who doesn't or can't love him as much as he loves them. He cares so deeply for his friends and would do anything for them. Lyric is a broken soul just looking to move past something that seems to continue to haunt her years later. She loves her friends but alway has no problem keep everyone at arms length. I loved Thatch's dad I could not stop laughing at his silliness. This is a small town with big hearts and they will help everyone which is pretty amazing. This book does have some tough topics and sexual content so it may not be suitable for all. Overall it was a fun read and worth the read.

Richardson is one of my go-to cowboy authors and never disappoints. She takes on a very serious subject, domestic violence, in this one that is timely and heart-wrenching all at the same time. Thatch’s patience makes him the perfect book boyfriend. A must read for any fans of this series.

I never read cowboy romances until bookstagram and let me tell you Richardson is the queen of a cowboy romance! These books are just simply delightful and this doesn’t fail to delight. Thatch is a rodeo rider looking to improve. He turns to yoga instructor Lyric. Lyric swore off cowboys but this cowboy may be the one to thaw her heart!
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Thank you #readforeverpub and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

A huge thanks to Forever for a copy of Counting on a Cowboy by Sara Richardson. I've really enjoyed the other books in the Star Valley series but this one wasn't my favorite.

I liked Thatch and Lyric together but I didn't like their fake dating. I also wasn't a fan of the storyline with them mentoring/meddling Elina and Franco. It seemed overly involved and what teenager would want to go on a double date with a couple in their 30s. I did like that we saw our favorites from the first two books.

DNF’d at 50% I might pick this up later, but I am just not in the mood for a small town.
But I will say that I do like the writing and I am interested in seeing Thatch and Lyric’s relationship. I just am not into it right now and I want to give them a fair shot.
#netgalley

This is book 3 in the Star Valley series and I think you could read this as a stand alone if you haven't yet read books 1 & 2 yet. Both Lyric and Thatch have had painful relationships in the past and have worked hard to deal with the emotions they have been battling. Lyric told Thatch she wasn't interested in a relationship earlier which made Thatch want to avoid her which he did until he needed her help and she needed his. Thatch needed her expertise in yoga to help him with his job but she needed help as she thought a young lady was being abused by her boyfriend. I enjoy books with a fake relationship that turns into more and I did like that angle in this book. I just wish both had been more open and honest about their pasts earlier but I did like how they worked together and finally got their HEA.

I enjoyed this story and the entire three book Star Valley series from Sara Richardson. The focus is on three Navy Seals that run a construction business in the small town of Star Valley, Wyoming. Having read the previous books I was already familiar with the main characters and anticipating their romance. I think this is more enjoyable reading in series order, but can be read as a stand alone.

Thatch Hearst wants to improve his standing as a bronc rider and is preparing for the upcoming rodeo days. To improve his flexibility he turns to Lyric Valenza who runs a local yoga studio. They are already part of the same friend group and he’s been attracted to her enough to ask her out but she declined. Lyric was married previously and it wasn’t happy. She has walls and defenses when it comes to attachment. But in order to keep an eye on a troubled high school teen she enlists Thatch’s help.

These books are very enjoyable contemporary romances. The author doesn’t throw in extra drama and she lets leads be passionate without explicit details. They do briefly fall into a fake dating situation but I like that the whole story doesn’t revolve around that. Lyric and Thatch both have issues from their past to resolve and their friend group is always there to support them. And of course having read the other books I was happy to catch up with the previous couples. I will be looking forward to Richardson’s next book and series.

What a fun and entertaining romance. I really do love a cowboy romance and that you have an alpha type of hero, but also mixing with small town gossip about the romance. The characters are both likable, and it was fun to see how the relationship developed. It’s a fun book to read.

Sara Richards did it again! This book touched my heart through the characters of Lyric and Thatch. Thatch was in love with Lyric but she wanted nothing to do with him until she needed something from him and he needed her yoga class to be a better bronc rider. The story that followed was full of fake dating, angst, yoga classes, and friends thinking they were a romantic couple.
What a great story! There were other sexy characters as well, ex-SEALS just like Thatch. I also liked the Star Valley community and how they supported and helped each other. Sounded like a nice place to live. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

Counting on a Cowboy is the third book in the Star Valley series and it's a great addition! While it can be read as a standalone, I do think it's better enjoyed after reading the first two books as the other couples are also in this book as well.

Thatch Hearst is a retired Navy SEAL who has come back to Star Valley, but never really intended to stay. He's been in town for four years now working with his friends in a construction company and also trying his hand at becoming a bronc rider.

Lyric Valenza is a yoga teacher who had a less than ideal marriage, and so isn't looking to date or have any type of attachments. She's perfectly fine with her business and her friends

Knowing that he needs to become more flexible to become a better rider, Thatch knows that Lyric is the person to help him. He approaches her and asks her to give him yoga lessons. Lyric isn't thrilled to be teaching a cowboy considering she has a bias against them since her ex-husband was one, but she agrees to help him anyway.

As the two begin to spend time together, it's obvious that there is a connection there whether either one wants to admit it or not. Can Thatch show Lyric that not all cowboys are like her ex?

I really enjoyed the way this story unfolded and how the relationship between Thatch and Lyric developed. Add in their group of friends and it was such a wonderful journey to go on! I appreciated that Lyric recognized that she had to face her past before she could truly move forward and the way she did that was inspiring. This is one I would recommend picking up!

3.75stars-COUNTING ON A COWBOY is the third instalment in Sara Richardson’s contemporary, adult STAR VALLEY romance series. This is retired US navy SEAL /construction worker/ bronc rider Thatch Hearst, and yoga instructor Lyric Valenza’s story line. COUNTING ON A COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Lyric and Thatch) COUNTING ON A COWBOY follows the fake but building relationship between our story line couple. Thatch Hearst is struggling in his training for an upcoming rodeo, and a suggestion to try yoga is just what was needed. Thatch has been lusting after local yoga instructor Lyric Valenza for as long as he can remember but Lyric’s outright refusal at Thatch’s attempts made life a little more difficult but having witnessed a possible case of domestic abuse, Lyric agrees to Thatch’s request in exchange for helping her uncover the truth. A fake relationship that will turn into something more hits a road block when Lyric is unable to let go of the past, a past that continues to control her present. What ensues is the building relationship between Lyric and Thatch,and the potential fall-out as Lyric runs at the first sign of trouble.

The world building focuses on betrayal and domestic abuse. Lyric struggles to trust; to open her heart to a potential future with Thatch but Thatch has his own fair share of betrayal, and in this, the face of his betrayers are someone he once loved.

The relationship between Thatch and Lyric is one of tepid friendship as Lyric continues to push Thatch away at every opportunity. Everyone suspects Thatch is in love with our story line heroine but Lyric struggles to open her heat to something new. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of charismatic secondary and supporting characters many of whom we met in the previous instalments including Aiden and Kyra (Waiting on a Christmas Cowboy), Tess and Silas (Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy), as well as several local high school girls, and Thatch’s large extended family.

COUNTING ON A COWBOY is a story of betrayal and heart break, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is captivating and intriguing but the return of Lyric’s past is slightly underwhelming. The romance is understated yet affectionate; the characters are desperate and dynamic.



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I enjoyed Lyric and Thatch's sweet friends-to-lovers story, and it was fun returning to the small town of Star Valley and catching up with all of the characters.

Lyric Valenza has turned to yoga to give her the strength to power through and change the trajectory of her life. She feels no need to let a man in. Thatch Hearst is a retired Navy SEAL and is looking for something to placate his adrenalin needs. He has turned to bronc riding. Little did he know that yoga was going to help him with that. He has had a strong attraction to Lyric but she has rebuffed him. When a high school girl in one of her classes seems like she's in trouble, red flags are going off. She turns to Thatch for help. He would do anything to protect her. Old fears die hard. With the help of her friends and the community, she has found the courage to face those fears. Now on to win the man who gives her all the space she needs. Love the ending!

I LOVED the main characters, Lyric and Thatch. Both held my heart throughout the story. All the characters are lovely.
A beautiful, fake dating story about overcoming past hurts.
The perfect cowboy romance novel!
Sara Richardson writes engaging and heartwarming cowboy romances.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the third and final book of the series. Thatch and Lyric have both been hurt in the past. Can they have a happily ever after? Good story.

Counting on a Cowboy was a fantastic read featuring a great romance between a cowboy and a yoga instructor.

Retired SEAL Thatch Hearst never thought he'd stay in Star Valley but four years later he's come to call the small town home. Looking for something more in his life Thatch takes up bronc riding, training in secret for the town’s upcoming rodeo days. But to improve his scores Thatch needs to improve how he moves with the bull which has him turning to the town's yoga instructor for help. ​Lyric Valenza avoids cowboys as a rule but Thatch is hard to say no to. When Thatch helps Lyric out of a difficult situation, she accidentally implies they're dating and soon the news spreads like wildfire.

Thatch has shown his interest in Lyric in the previous books in the series but she turned down both of his attempts to ask her out. I liked that Thatch didn't push for more after Lyric turned him down and instead let her set the pace for anything that happened between them. Fake dating is a trope I really enjoy and I liked its' inclusion in their romance although it did cause some issues for Thatch as he was genuinely interested in Lyric plus he didn't want to lie to their friends. Their relationship is pretty slow going at first but I liked that it gave them time to get to know each other more. Once things do progress between them, it's very well done and I enjoyed their relationship.

As this is the third book in the series, we get to see the couples from the previous two books quite a bit. It's nice seeing them again after their books and getting little snippets of their lives together. The friend group between these six individuals is wonderful and I like how supportive they are of each other. Although I will say that some of the characters came on a bit strong with the whole "You're finally together!" bit which did cause some issues in Thatch and Lyric's relationship.

Overall Counting on a Cowboy was an excellent conclusion to the series and I would highly recommend this series if you're looking for some great contemporary romances.

I love cowboy romances. Soooo good. This one was really good. It made me smile and feel all the emotions.

Thach wants to compete in rodeo, and he needs to improve his scores. He asks Lyric for help, he'll do anything to improve scores, even yoga. Nothing comes for free, so she asks him for a favor.
They've attracted to each other for a while, but Lyric swore off men after her divorcee.
All the time spend together bring that attraction up.
I enjoyed the storyline.