REVIEW: Bet On a Cowboy

Title: Bet On a Cowboy
Author: Julie Benson
Series: A Cowboy for Every Mood
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Harlequin American Romance
Format: e-book
# of pages: n/a
Source: Netgalley
Challenge: n/a

Summary:
(from Goodreads)
Commitment phobic Colorado cowboy Griffin McAlister has it all figured out. Do the reality dating show, get the money his family desperately needs and go on with his life. Actually falling in love was never part of the deal...least of all falling in love with the show's spunky director.

Maggie Sullivan knows she's found a star the minute she meets Griffin. But as she gets to know the man behind the dimples, she realizes she might have found something more. It doesn't matter, though; she has a job to do. Besides, how could he ever notice her while he's busy wooing ten gorgeous women?

Now Griffin has a choice to make: stick with the plan and lose Maggie forever, or risk everything for a chance to win her heart!

Review:
I'm back with a review!  Finally, lol.  I get a break from school for a week, so I'm getting in as much reading as I can, while I have time. :P  I was looking to start with a light, fun read and definitely found it in Bet On a Cowboy.

The plot was not very original, but it was still fun.  The main characters are what make this book though.  They have great chemistry, leading to great dialogue and witty banter.  They didn't fall in love at first sight, though I do think Maggie fell in lust at first sight, but who wouldn't?  Griffin is described as tall, charismatic, very good looking and oozing sex appeal.  Maggie didn't stand a chance against lust here.  Though she does have some self-esteem issues which makes her think Griffin would never look twice at her.  And Griffin thought the same too, remarking on how plain Maggie looked, except for gorgeous emerald green eyes.  But Maggie is different from the usual girls Griffin dates, and so he doesn't know what hit him until later on in the book.

As they work on the Bachelor-esque show together, they get to know each other better, learning about each other's pasts.  Also, Maggie sees past Griffin's facade and doesn't fall for his bs, like women usually do.  She doesn't let him charm her into giving him everything that he wants, which is great.  They slowly realize they've fallen in love, but their romance is not easy as they are both torn between proclaiming their love for each other and their duties, Maggie's to the show and Griffin's to his mom.  But in the end, they get their happy ending.

I felt the story was just the right pace, not too fast and not too slow.  I really connected with Maggie and rooted for her and Griffin all the way.  It was also great to meet Griffin's family, who are all great characters.  Griffin's is the second book in this series.  His older brother, Rory, was the main character in the first book.  You don't need to read the first one to understand what's happening in this one.  I haven't read the first one and didn't feel I missed out on something I needed to know.  But I will try to get my hands on it, as I really like Julie's writing style.  Also, I think Grffin's sister, Avery, will be getting her own story too.  I recommend this book for a light, fun read!

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