Books & Spoons Review for RIDING HIGH by Stacy Finz

When it’s time to get back in the saddle again, there’s no better place than the picturesque mountain town of Nugget, California . . . 
 
A financial whiz with her own advice show, Gia Treadwell is passionate about helping people maximize their potential. But when her boyfriend—make that ex-boyfriend—steals millions with an epic Ponzi scheme, Gia is promptly run out of town. It’s the perfect opportunity to revisit an old dream—one that apparently involves naked cowboys . . . 
 
Flynn Barlow didn’t expect anyone to walk in on him showering at the empty ranch where his family’s cattle have always grazed. Even more surprising, the new ranch owner plans to turn it into a residential training program for women who need a hand up. A smart, gorgeous woman with a worthy cause? In Flynn’s experience, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
 
Sharing the ranch doesn’t mean Flynn and Gia have to get along, but riding together isn’t the problem. It’s the scorching chemistry they can’t ignore. And if they figure out a way to add trust to the mix, they’ll soon be sharing more than just a ranch . . .

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This story mesmerized my mind, the characters are engaging and completely charming, the community like an extended family, and the suspense in a white collar crime so different than the physical action stories I often read, the whole process was engrossing. The story in itself went from flirty to intense, from sexy to scary, and from laughter to heartbreaking tears. I lived with the tale, the twists in the plot enticed me, I was there, right with them every moment of the story, and I adored it.
The community spirit was heartening, they might be nosy and ask frank questions themselves, but when it comes to outsiders, they close the ranks and protect their own. 
I loved how Gia had the desire to help other women to thrive, not just survive. Her idea for the charity was absolutely amazing and the way the other women in the community took the idea and made it even larger than that just warmed my heart. 
Gia and Flynn both were in a very difficult place with no wiggle room. One wrong step with the investigators for the crime and Gia will pay the price, and ultimately both of them. 
I loved the connection between Gia and Flynn. The bold honesty they had with each other with the feelings and desires they struggled with was refreshing. The passion between them is a palpable thing, their feelings for each other evident in their eyes. But for good reasons, they struggled with some trust issues. I am glad that the drama around the trust wasn't drawn longer, it was just the perfect level of angst to me, as there are moments with the investigation that are filled with high anxiety, with some raw feelings and frightening minutes. 
I love when the stories have strong, capable women like all the ladies in Nugget, yet they are not overpowering but true equals of their mates. Both Gia and Flynn had great personalities, they are not perfect, they have their issues, their habits, their struggles, but their attitude, their honesty, eagerness, caring, and passion for life made them characters that come close to your heart and makes an impact. And even though this is part of a series, the story is a standalone novel, I had no trouble getting into the flow of things, even though I haven't read all the previous books. 
But I fell in love with this story, with the cast and with their captivating destiny. Definitely a series to invest in! 
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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