Books & Spoons review THE BULL RIDER by Helen DePrima

This could be her toughest assignment yet

Having witnessed her father's death in a race-car crash, Joanna Dace can't imagine getting close to anyone who risks his life for sport. But she can write about them. Keeping her professional distance lets her get inside anyone's head without letting that person into her heart.
Until she meets her latest subject--professional bull rider Tom Cameron.
​Tom has a quiet cowboy charm and a darkness beneath his rugged surface. It's difficult to remember all the reasons she should keep her distance, but Jo has to try...unless it's already too late.

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When the toughest bull rider finds the right woman, his tender, caring side will make us all swoon. 
One of the things I like about the Heartwarming Stories from Harlequin is that they are, well, heartwarming. They are stories that make you smile, sigh, swoon, and fall in love with the characters. This story is all that, as well. I got so immersed in the story, I lost the track of time completely. 
And this story is much more than 'just' a romance, it has an insight to the bull riding competition, to the brotherhood of the riders and fighter (NOT the same thing, I learned), it also has ranch life, city living, and those two worlds colliding. It has lessons about family, responsibility, and ranching. I loved when they all spent time on the  ranch together, working hard, and supporting each other. 
The brothers, Luke and Tom has a bond like only most twins have. But their personalities are completely opposite. The author gives a look into their lives, the struggles and joys of the professionals in the bull riding circles. The respect they have for their father and his wife, the admiration, is commendable, and even though they are just humans, with their faults and weaknesses, they always achieved to do their best, and help others around to the best of their abilities. 
Tom and Joanna immediately form a connection that takes others by surprise. Tom opens up to her, like to no one before, and soon they form a friendship, with a simmering attraction well hidden from each other. The story takes over the whole season, several months. Tom and Joanna have time to get to know each other, learn to trust each other, get to be close. And as Tom asked her to help him with a secret he has been hiding from everyone else for a couple of years, the relationship gets into yet another level and depth. 
Warm and honest story, with the joys, triumphs, and success of life, as well as the pain, suffering, and the moments of failure. But on no matter they face in life, the characters have family and friends who stand by them, support them, and guide them to the right direction. A great tribute to the bull riders, their families, and to the country living. 
~ Four Spoons

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