Saddle Up for Romance: Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses Review

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Publication Date: July 23, 2024

Author: Katrina Emmel

Synopsis

Anything’s possible under a prairie sky…

Riley Thomas is feeling stuck—she’s moved from California to Nebraska, she’s on a weeklong Oregon Trail family bonding excursion, and her luggage is lost. There’s no one her age on the trip except a tall, dark and irksome cowboy who wrongly assumes she has zero ability to handle the great outdoors. She can’t wait for this misery to end—even though going “home” isn’t even possible anymore.

Lone wolf Colton Walker loves the simpler life of the plains and his family’s tourism business that helps protect them. He’s a stand-up guy—not a love ‘em and leave ‘em type like his rival, Jake. And he knows better than to take his chances with a prairie princess like Riley.

But Riley’s got more sense than Colton thinks–and he’s not nearly as inflexible as he seems. And under a wide prairie sky of puffy clouds and bright stars, everything comes into focus–including a cowboy’s heart.

Review

In “Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses” by Katrina Emmel, readers are whisked away on a delightful journey across the American prairie, where a charming rivals-to-lovers romance unfolds against the backdrop of the Oregon Trail.

Riley Thomas finds herself thrust into unfamiliar territory when she relocates from California to Nebraska and embarks on a weeklong family bonding excursion along the Oregon Trail. Faced with lost luggage and the company of a tall, irksome cowboy named Colton Walker, Riley’s expectations for the trip couldn’t be lower. However, as the journey progresses, Riley discovers unexpected depths within herself and begins to see Colton in a new light.

Emmel’s writing is both charming and witty, effortlessly transporting readers to the vast expanse of the prairie with vivid descriptions and heartwarming imagery. The Oregon Trail setting adds an element of nostalgia and adventure to the story, evoking a sense of wanderlust and discovery.

At its core, “Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses” is a tale of self-discovery and love, filled with likable and well-developed characters who leap off the page. Riley and Colton’s blossoming romance is sweet and endearing, unfolding amidst the vast prairie sky and the trials of the Oregon Trail.

One of the novel’s standout features is its light-hearted tone and entertaining narrative, making it a perfect read for fans of YA romance. From Riley’s father’s humorous preparation for the trip with the Oregon Trail game to the charming banter between Riley and Colton, the story is brimming with warmth and charm.

Overall, “Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses” is a heartwarming and entertaining read that will leave readers swooning over its delightful romance and captivating prairie setting. Emmel’s debut is a promising start, and readers will be eagerly awaiting more from this talented author.