Review of Corralled (Blacktop Cowboys #1) by Lorelei James

Corralled is the first book in the Blacktop Cowboys series.

Lainie Capshaw is a sports therapist who works with two different rodeo circuts patching up injured cowboys. She knows well that a drawl and fine body don't mean happiness. So, it's to her own surprise that she finds herself tied up with not one but two cowboys.

Hank Lawson, a bullfighter, and Kyle Gilchrist, a bull rider, are on two different circuts and therefore have no reason to be in the same place at the same time. That is, until Hank shows up at a bar after a successful night of bullfighting to find Lainie, his Lainie, locking lips with another man. Not any man, but his best friend in the whole world.

Kyle has transferred from one circut to another after not being able to regain traction in the more exclusive one after an injury, so that put Kyle and Hank at the same event. Lainie, shocked to discover the two men's relationship, turns tail and runs.

Hank and Kyle discuss the matter between them, and since neither is willing to walk away, they propose sharing her. Lainie responds with shock—and desire. For three weeks, the trio will tour the northern part of the mountains and plains for Cowboy Christmas in Hank's camper while each man does his best to be the one chosen in the end.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. It went in a direction I didn't expect and explored aspects of polyamory that outsiders guess will be the issue. However, going into a relationship like that for the wrong reasons, as Hank and Kyle do, is bound to cause the problems the three experience.

Jealousy, excessive rules about who spends time together and when, and a forced choice are only a few of the problems encountered during their time together. The fact that Lainie would be forced to choose was clear very early because the two men went into it with the goal of winning her from the other.

The way it played out in the end wasn't the way I expected. For the better part of the novel, I understood a choice would be made and I honestly didn't know who I was rooting for. The eventual choice did feel right, and the HEA made me cry.

The characters were all likable, though I thought they deserved a little more individuality. I was especially drawn to Hank's sister, though she doesn't play an important role. I hope she'll have her own love story later in the series.

All the elements in the novel were met well, especially the rodeo details. I felt like I was there and could see what was happening. Description is often lacking in romance, so it's a delight when the author pulls through.

I will be reading more Lorelei James in the future!

Photo Credit Katherine Elizabeth

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