Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Rodeo Daddy by Soraya Lane
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Romance 01 Nov 11
Note to Harlequin Authors: Yes, I will stoop to this level. If I enjoyed your previous books, I’ll read your latest release – even if the Book Gods slap you with a cringe-worthy title and cover. A fairly new author to the Harlequin Romance line, Soraya Lane has hit the ground running, with this already being her third release. I enjoyed her first two books, which featured military heroes, so it was a given that I’d pick up the book with a cowboy on the cover. I’ll just pretend to not notice that cutesy kid.
When a fall ended his rodeo career and marriage, Lark Anderson moved his seven-year-old daughter halfway across the world to New Zealand, looking for a fresh start. While driving home in some nasty weather, he sees some obviously abused horses wandering along the road. He stops to help them, and almost lands himself in hot water with the local law. Yeah, the horses aren’t healthy, but they also aren’t his. Getting him out of this jam is Sophie Baxter, who is back in her hometown to lick her wounds and volunteering at the animal shelter. She vouches for Lark, even though she doesn’t know him from Adam, and agrees to oversee his rehabilitation of the horses. The local law agrees, and now the gun-shy single dad finds himself spending time with an equally gun-shy heroine with several Big Secrets.
This is an uneven read for me. Lark is a hero who wants to do the right thing, and that means overcompensating for his ex-wife who has literally washed her hands of him and their daughter. His relationship with Lucy showcases classic Beta traits, but underneath he’s classic Alpha – right down to keeping his temper in check. There were moments when he’s a little too hot under the collar for my tastes, but at least this is a man who will admit when he’s wrong about something – which is appreciated since at one point in the story he tars and feathers Sophie with the “She’s just like my rotten ex” brush.
Sophie is a much more problematic character for me. She’s your typical Running Away heroine. She ran away from The Big City and her career as a surgeon when she lost a young patient on the table. OK, that’s understandable. The real issue is the major Big Secret in this story – a choice Sophie made when she was in medical school and is still haunted by. I’ll admit I’m probably reading way too much between the lines, but my big red feminist button is pushed and not in a good way. I “get” that Sophie made a choice, and I “get” that it’s not an easy choice – but the fact that she is then subsequently “punished” for that choice really irritates.
Naturally, this makes Sophie feel ill at ease around young Lucy, which Lark misconstrues and ultimately leads to Sophie running away. Twice. She acts so much like a teenager that I have a hard time seeing her as an adult getting through the rigors of med school, let alone being a surgeon!
In the end the author rights the ship, but between Sophie’s “punishment” and the fact that she dwells incessantly on “children of her own” (admittedly a major pet peeve of mine), this story just didn’t sparkle the same way as the author’s previous two books did. It has its moments and the story flows well, but it’s kind of a letdown.
Grade: C
Summary:
Rodeo champion Lark Anderson lived for the sound of crowds chanting his name. Now all he hears is a small voice saying, “daddy.” A fall ended both his rodeo career and his marriage—leaving him a single dad.
The town is suspicious of its new “celebrity” resident, and town darling Sophie Baxter has been nominated to keep an eye on the hot-tempered cowboy.
But the sight of his strong arms hugging his daughter and tucking her in at night makes Sophie’s heart ache with longing. Could this little family ever find a place in their hearts for her?
