Million Dollar Cowboy: A Cupid, Texas Novel (Cupid, Texas, #5)

by Lori Wilde

New York Times Bestselling Author Lori Wilde returns to Cupid, Texas with a heartwarming story of a cowboy who comes home to the family ranch for a wedding filled with surprises...The illegitimate son of a Texas ranching dynasty, Ridge Lockhart left home ten years ago with one goal: to become more successful than the father who never accepted him. Mission accomplished, but now he's back at the Silver Feather Ranch for a wedding-three days of best man duty until he can hightail it out. Then he spies Kaia Alzate, and suddenly leaving isn't quite so appealing. Kaia Alzate grew up the daughter of the ranch foreman, servants to the mighty Lockharts in the mansion. Back then, she followed Ridge around like a puppy. Now, she's fighting the attraction she feels for this sexy CEO. She's determined not to make a big mistake-but when Ridge takes her in his arms she's stunned...could he be the man she's waited for all along?

• ISBN10: 0062468219
• ISBN13: 9780062468215
• Publish Date: 6 April 2017 (first published 28 March 2017)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 6 July 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Avon Books
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lynn]

Ridge Lockheart is back at the Silver Feather Ranch in Cupid, Texas for the first time in ten years and if it wasn't for his childhood buddy's wedding, he doubts he'd ever come back at all. During his absence, he's built up a company that's made him even richer than his father. A hollow achievement to outdo the man who brought him up. On arrival, he spots a woman who's appearance awakens feelings that he thought were long buried. His plan was to hang around long enough to perform his duty as best man for Archer Alzate, but now he's torn between his work commitments as CEO of Lock Ridge Drilling and his desire to act on the long-buried attraction.

Kaia Alzate's life isn't quite how she planned, but she's making as much effort as she can to reach her goal of becoming a vet. A fractured pelvis caused by a near-fatal car accident has slowed down her plans, with money tight, she's working to make ends meet, but still happy she's caring for animals. When her older brother's childhood friend arrives to be best man at his wedding, Kaia's drawn to Ridge Lockheart as she always was, only she's no longer the pesky little sister. However, he's only in Cupid for three days, can she chance to risk her heart for just a little bit of him?

I loved all the feels within this novel.
Heartbreaking. Ridge is a complex man. He may be an accomplished businessman, but underneath his alpha façade, he's walking around with the weight of the world on his shoulders...a burden, lifted if only he'd communicate his feelings rather than run away from them.
Hope. The complicated relationship Ridge has with his father Duke. Kaia's steadfast ambition to become a vet.
Romance. When two people that have known and loved each other for years, finally manage to get on the same page of life.

Million Dollar Cowboy has a wonderful mix of entertaining secondary characters who enhance the adorable, protagonists story, set against the arid Texan desert. Their inclusion adds humour and just a touch of interference in the way that family members do. Although, part of a series, this novel can be read as a standalone and if you are not familiar with Lori Wilde work, this is a wonderful place to start and experience the richness of her writing. If like me, you're acquainted with the author's other novels, you'll love Ridge and Kaia's story.

***arc generously received courtesy of Avon Books via Edelweiss+***