Rough Ride by Cassie Cole

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have one I don’t date cowboys.
But my willpower wavers after meeting these leather-clad hunks.

Johnny, Elijah, and Sawyer are competing in the rodeo.
And the moment they walk into my bar, they each set their sight on me.
It starts as a friendly competition…
But soon their flirty smiles and rugged charm wear me down.

As they battle it out in the arena, can I figure out if these flings have a future?
Or will their growing love for me distract them from winning it all?

ROUGH RIDE is a spicy reverse harem love story. There’s no cheating, no cliffhangers—and a guaranteed HEA!

Riding into Romance and Rivalry

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🩷💚❤️💙
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋🙂😁😛
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

Characters, Backgrounds, and Plot Summary

Sophie is a hardworking and determined heroine juggling multiple jobs just to stay afloat. She works behind the scenes at the rodeo, drives for Uber, and bartends at a lively honky-tonk bar, giving her a strong sense of independence and resilience. Her life is already full before three traveling rodeo riders enter the picture. Johnny, Elijah, and Sawyer are seasoned competitors on the rodeo circuit, each bringing a distinct personality to the story. Johnny leans toward charm and confidence, Sawyer carries a quieter intensity, and Elijah adds a more laid-back, playful energy. Their dynamic feels balanced, with each man offering something different both emotionally and romantically.

The plot kicks off when the three men arrive in town for a major rodeo event and immediately become interested in Sophie. What starts as mutual attraction quickly turns into a playful but high stakes bet. Whoever wins the rodeo gets a date with her. Despite their confidence, they all expect another competitor, Chris Appleton, to take the top spot, which adds an extra layer of tension and unpredictability. As the competition unfolds, so does Sophie’s connection with all three men, shifting the story from a simple wager into a deeper emotional entanglement. The rodeo setting adds a fun and energetic backdrop, blending risk, adrenaline, and romance.

Highlights and Limitations

One of the highlights of this audiobook is the strong chemistry between Sophie and the three male leads. The relationships develop with a mix of flirtation, tension, and emotional vulnerability that keeps the story engaging. The rodeo atmosphere is another strength, offering a fresh setting that feels lively and different from more common romance backdrops. The pacing is quick, which works well for listeners who enjoy fast moving, steamy stories with plenty of interaction between characters.

That said, the story does have some limitations. Character development can feel a bit rushed at times, especially given the number of main characters involved. While each of the men has a distinct personality, there is not always enough depth to fully explore their individual backstories. The premise of the bet, while fun, leans heavily on fantasy and may not feel entirely realistic for all listeners. Additionally, some emotional transitions happen quickly, which can make the relationships feel less grounded than they could be with more buildup.

Narration

The narration by Ramona Radcliff and Julio Maxwell adds a lot to the listening experience. Radcliff does a great job capturing Sophie’s determination and warmth, while also conveying her vulnerability as the story progresses. Maxwell brings strong differentiation to the male characters, helping each of them feel distinct despite sharing scenes and similar goals. Both narrators handle the emotional and steamy moments well, maintaining a consistent tone that fits the story. Their performances help elevate the material and keep the listener invested.

Final Opinion

Overall, Rough Ride is an entertaining and steamy reverse harem romance with a unique rodeo setting and strong chemistry between its characters. While it may not dive deeply into character development, it delivers on romance, tension, and escapism. It is a solid choice for listeners looking for a fun, fast paced audiobook with multiple love interests and a lively backdrop.

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