Years after Pax broke things off with little explanation, Megan is not thrilled to run into him at a rodeo, but their old feelings prove as persistent as he is.

I do wish the conflict between these two required more of a compromise in the end, it just seemed a bit too easy, but if you’re looking for a quick read, this novella is a solid choice, the characters are likable, the dialogue has a natural quality to it, and it was nice modern switch-up to have the heroine be the one on the rodeo circuit not the hero. ( )

Rodeo Rebel by Donna Alward is a 2014 Harlequin American Romance publication.

The short story has the distinction of featuring a female bull rider, something that as forward thinking as I would like to believe I am, I don't think I would aspire to.

Naturally, Megan takes a lot of heat from the men on the rodeo circuit for daring to ride bulls, but it wasn't the disrespect of the men, or the bull riding competition that has Megan distracted. It was running into her old boyfriend, Pax, that has her struggling to maintain her focus.

Pax broke Megan's heart and never fully explained why. He felt like under the circumstances the kindest thing to do for the woman he loved was to let her go. He would only hold her back from her goals and dreams. But, it never occurred to him that Megan would take the break up so hard, that she would still be nursing a broken heart, or that his feelings for her were as strong as ever. But, the same problems they faced years ago are still staring them in the face. But, is love enough for the relationship to work?

This super short story is enjoyable enough, a nice afternoon diversion or lunch break read. However, there wasn't anything here that hasn't been done a hundred times over. It was really similar to book I just finished a week or so ago, in fact. So, while I did like the statement made that nothing is off limits for women, even the male dominated sport of bull riding, the story itself was just OK. 3 stars ( )