The Cowboy Whisperer

Two equestrians must move beyond bad first impressions in Sol’s sweet if uneventful sequel to Second Chance at Rancho Lindo. Aspiring Olympic show jumper Veronica Del Valle arrives at Rancho Lindo from Guadalajara to train for the Olympic trials away from the public eye. She is underwhelmed by the facilities at the small California ranch, and even less impressed by Tomás Ortega, the indifferent stable manager. Tomás is equally put off by Veronica’s unreasonable demands of the family-run working ranch. Unfortunately for them, Veronica needs Tomás’s uncanny understanding of horses if she hopes to win, and Tomás needs her to talk up Rancho Lindo with her wealthy friends to secure its future success. The protagonists’ immediate disdain for each other sets up some light tension that’s dispelled as they grow closer, uncovering a common devotion to family that makes them more relatable to each other and more endearing to readers. A brief foray into the fake dating trope when Veronica offers to help Tomás save face in front of an ex cements their chemistry. The plot is simple and somewhat slight, but the leads are charming enough to carry it off. This feel-good love story is sure to please fans of cowboy romance. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary Agency. (Nov.)