3-3.5 stars!
I am not known to read a lot of cowboy romance but the blurb caught my attention and I was excited to pick this book up. This is my first Harper Sloan book and while I enjoyed it once I got into the story, there were some things that didn't work for me.
I LOVE 2nd chance romance especially when the love interest stems from a childhood crush that becomes more.
Maverick Davis left his hometown ten years ago running away from his demons and pain and chasing a dream to become a rodeo star. Maverick left behind Leighton James, his younger sister's best friend, someone he knew had a crush on him growing up. But he didn't leave quietly. He crushed this girl's heart and spirit so deeply that as she grew up, she closed herself off to the potential of love however never forgetting what he meant to her.
Seeing him 10 years later as a broken man returning home because of injury is hard for Leighton but she is determined to keep him at arms length not realizing that he is back to not only find himself again but to win back the one person who has always instilled a calm inside him, who made him feel safe...her.
While I loved the story and the writing, there were some things that didn't work for me. I don't love a lot of internal monologue/narratives and there was a lot in this book that made me skim parts of the book. The bigger thing for me was that after Maverick was so, so, SO mean to Leighton, and I wanted her to make him work for it, maybe even grovel a bit. I understood his story once he explained more of what he went through growing up and why he wanted to leave so badly but I wish that it wasn't so quick for some things to happen. I almost wanted that to be more of a slow build, more romance, more words if this makes sense.
Overall though I did enjoy this story and I absolutely LOVED Mav's siblings Quinn and Clay. I would definitely be interested in reading their stories to see them find their happy. Hopefully we get to see more of Maverick and Leighton as the other stories continue too <3

I didn’t connected with the book.
The only parts I like a little were the intimate scenes, because, yes, they are hot, but the rest of the book….
The blurb seemed interesting, but the story I read didn’t convinced me. Too much cliché, to cheesy…
I believe the Cowboy genre doesn’t have to be so cliché….
I really struggled to finish the book, and for me, Adult Romance is so much more than steamy scenes….
Too much clichés, like I said, lack of consistency with characters, I rolled my eyes so many times with all the cowboy clichés (accent, etc.…), it started well, but then it all got too fast… and if I don’t get a consistent story, I just can’t like the book.

**** ARC kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ****

Warning: I am not a robot! I have feelings, thoughts, likes and dislikes and this review is based on that. You should read the book to form your own opinion/thoughts. Read on!

Rating: 4 Cowgirl Stars!

The cover, is cute, I like it, it is how I pictured them. It still needs a bit of editing, I know is an ARC, so just needs a bit of polishing.

The story, it has happened to me before, that I read a book and I like it enough, then months pass and I find myself reading it again and this time I love it, I think it has to do with what you are going through life at the moment, if you are hurting/happy. So, this time, there were a lot of things bothering me in life, so at times I was angry with the heroine, making me not fully enjoy the book. Maverick fled 10 years ago to escape a life he wanted nothing with, so he hurts Leighton, the only who can make him stay, so she wouldn’t keep loving him. Fast forward 10 years and Maverick is back for his father’s funeral, obviously Leighton is not the same tomboy she was and the absence of Maverick shows in the way she has lived.

I didn’t like that Leighton couldn’t manage to stay angry, just a few hours, a kiss and she is putty in his hands, argh! When will we learn?! And yeah, just like she said, fifteen minute conversation explaining and he expects her to open her arms? Why?! Argh! I was hoping she would make him work for it, so, obviously she didn’t, they decided to give themselves a chance, i couldn't believe it but that’s because I’m jaded. And recently I keep reading about these heroines that with just one look from the hero and they melt, they lose the train of thought, what they want, etc., where is their dignity?! And then the author gives us his story, why he did the things he did and even I wanted to forgive him, still, I wish she could have ask him for some time, I understand his reasoning for doing what he did, but there were consequences, painful ones, and people needed healing and the assurance that this time it was forever. No cliffhanger, thankfully.

The romance, you could touch their chemistry, maybe because you see them as teenagers and then adults, but it was believable.

Leighton, I liked her, there were times when she managed to really stand up for herself. I applaud her courage to give it a try, I wouldn’t have, well I say that now.

Maverick, I did like him, the behavior he showed arriving in town was just awful, but he redeemed himself in my eyes, slowly, very slowly.

Overall, did I like the book? Yeah, yeah. Would I recommend the book? Yes, I would.

'Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to find your way again...'

When Maverick Davis returns to Pine Oak, Texas from his recently ended career on the rodeo circuit, he realizes that how he left town with Leighton James hating him was the biggest mistake of his life.

Leighton hasn't had an easy decade while Maverick was gone. She has focused on her family and friends, remodeling her home and starting a business. Even though no one has filled the empty place in her heart she had for Maverick, she is content in the life she has built for herself.

But now, Maverick is back... and he claims he is home for good...

I absolutely loved this book. Whew, it started off with some off the charts sexual tension, and heated back and forth between Maverick and Leighton, and then it doesn't take long for the fireworks! From there, Maverick and Leighton's story just gets better and better...

Maverick, hot rodeo rider, damaged soul and completely wrapped up in Leighton. Leighton, sweet, a great friend to the Davis family, lonely, successful business owner, and has been in love with Maverick forever and has never faltered from that. I loved the characters... all of them. I love the town of Pine Oak, it's residents and their unapologetic colloquialisms. I have never been a fan of books that adds some 'country' without doing it right... this book does it absolutely right and it adds a refreshing humor to the story as a result.

This is a highly recommended read, I can not wait for the next book in the series. I loved every minute of it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

This was my first book by Harper Sloan but it will not be my last. Not only did I fall in love with the book but also the author’s writing. It just was such a smooth sailing and draws you into her world.
The book had everything I liked. A second chance love. Some dark pasts to overcome all mixed with a sweet and sexy romance that stuffed full with humor.
Also loved the characters.
I really loved Leighton, she was strong, funny and stood her ground, but still had a vulnerable side to her but she would never show it.
Maverick, in the beginning all I could think was, butthead. But the more we get to know him, we understand why. There is so much more to him under that rough exterior.
Both have built large walls around them, and it was great to see those walls coming down bit by bit.
I also really enjoyed a; the side characters, there were a big part of the story but not too big to take away from the main two people. I can’t wait to read more books in the series , to get to know more about the town and the people. But also more about Davis Family.
Overall, great book and looking forward very much to read more by this author.
I rate it 4 ½ ★

First book in the Coming Home series is about Middle brother Maverick. He has been gone for 10 years but returns home to attend his Father's funeral. He wouldn't be here but for the fact that his sister Quinn requested he be there and that it is the funeral for his Father, a man he truly hated.

Growing up he wanted nothing more to get out of Pine Oak and away from everything related to it, especially Leighton James, his sister's best friend and the girl he has loved all of his life.

Now he is back and holy hell, Leighton James has certainly grown up and he is going to do all he can to get her to forgive him and have her in his life, for good.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. Looking forward to reading Clay and Quinn's stories.

i had never read this author before and i enjoyed this book. i found it a bit odd that the main couple was together by halfway through the book and spent the last half of the book just proclaiming their love to another. it was somewhat justified due to their history together but it was still kind off rushed, especially given the complete 180 the hero did in such a short amount of time. i did admire the spunk of the heroine. i am interested enough to want to now what happens with the brother and sister.

Lost Rider (Coming Home, #1)
by Harper Sloan
Maverick Davis has been running all his life. His homelife was so bad he ran away after high school, he made a name for himself on the Rodeo circuit. What he needed at face was always at home. He returned on the eve of his father’s life, to help his family mourn his passing. What comes to life is that he still loves the girl next door. Although she has made a name for herself in the small town. Funneling her energy and frustration into a profitable business around Pie.

The book looks into the demons that follow us in life, those aspects of trust and love that we learn from those nearest and dearest to us. How the weaving trails of our parents can influence our ability to love and allow love to walk in our lives. These two lovers find out that they have lost everything in their world and their lives can be repaired.

The explicit gratifying connection between these two characters makes you wish that in your life the one who got away will come back and say all the things we wanted to say.

Love romance. Love cowboys. Didn't love this book. The premise of people having life throwing hurdles and terrible rivers to cross, this book delved into the subject of what makes a family. Topic is a good one but the author missed the mark.

ARC from netgalley in exchange for a honest review..
Ok so first off THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!! I have loved everything Harper has done.. Ill be honest.. this is my first Cowboy book.. I was kinda skeptical but its Harper Sloan.. it has to be good… Good Lord it was more than good.. it was absolute perfection..
Maverick is the middle child in the Davis Family.. his family owns the Davis Farm in Pine Oak TX.. .. Maverick life hasn’t been the best.. he has had to live with a life of abuse by his father.. he’s had just about enough.. he has decided he is going to leave town and pursue his dream of riding the big bulls!! In doing this he is forced to leave all that he loves behind.. His brother and sister and Leighton.. the one person that could get him to stay if she asked him to..
Leighton has always had a huge crush well even loved Maverick.. and even though she doesn’t want him to go she knows he has to.. The night before his departure he says some very awful things to her.. and this just breaks her heart..
Fast forward 10 yrs.. Maverick is called back home. He doesn’t want to go but he knows he has to go..
I loved this story so hard.. and I hope that after Quinn’s book we get to read about Clay.. I really really want to get into that mans head…
Thank you for the amazing read… I loved every moment.

Gail with Night and Day Book Blog - blog.ndbbr2014.com

Cowboys are rarely my thing, but holy cow I'm in love with Maverick. I now want my very own cowboy. Sign me up! Lost Rider really is an amazing second chance romance, I adored these characters and am super excited for the next book in this series. I actually tried to drag the ending out as long as possible, I sped through the beginning then realized I was almost done and freaked because I did not want it to end.

Lost Rider by Harper Sloan is a hot thrilling western romance! A second chance love story that will have your heart in strings. Maverick and Leighton are two people that were simply destined for one and another! The mild angst and love to hate relationship was pure gold. Definitely my new favorite by Harper Sloan!

I have personally been a fan of Harper Sloan since her Corps Security series, and knowing what she could do with a military guy, I couldn't wait to see how she took on a cowboy! She certainly didn't disappoint. From the first page you are drawn to Maverick and why he is so against going home. And Ms. Sloan doesn't make you wait long with her introduction to Leighton. You immediately feel the connection between her and Maverick from their younger days and being to root for a second chance right away.
It's been 10 years, and a teenage Leighton was hurt pretty good by younger Maverick when he left but you definitely cheer for her when they come face to face. He definitely eats the words he gave her last they saw each other. But you also feel for her since her feelings still reside with him.
With the history that they had growing up together the flow of their reunion and rekindled feelings is believable and keeps you hoping they can find their forever with each other. They've both got their own separate successes both know that the other is what will make life mean something. Once Maverick tells her the things that have held him back emotionally in life, and she sees that it really had nothing to do with his deep feelings for her, they are truly able to move forward and get that second change they both always hoped and dreamed to have.
The love and want they have for each other is something that warms you on the inside and you can only hope to find in your own life. It's a re-reader for sure!
I'm so happy that I was able to receive this as an arc to read and share with my other book lovers so they can hopefully enjoy it as much as I honestly did!

It's been a long time since I called in to work because I just couldn't put a book down. This one..... not even a question. Once I started, I had to finish. It's so much more than a second chance romance. It's about self worth and identity and love and family. What makes us who we are? Can we change or accept who we have become. Lovely intro to the series. Great group of siblings. Can't wait to see who finds their HEA next!

I’d like to thank Pocket Books and Netgalley for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a second chance love story about two people who growing up together secretly love each other. At 16 Leigh finally decides to tell Mav her feelings and he breaks her heart and leaves her the very next day. Then we fast forward to 10 years later when Maverick comes back upon his fathers death and the end of his rodeo career.

I love a good cowboy romance and for the most part this was a good story but it was missing something. There was a little bit of the drama/angst there but I guess not enough to satisfy. I love Mavericks turn around in this story and opening up and becoming the man that Leigh always saw and loved. I loved that he could reconnect with his siblings and that his real reason for leaving so long ago came to fruition.

I did not love that I just couldn’t connect with the main characters. It kind of grated on me when Maverick called her “darlin” all the time. It just didn’t feel right. I’m actually looking forward to a book about Quinn so I hope that may be next.

If you are looking for some steamy romance, a hot cowboy, second chance love, and a HEA then you’ll enjoy this book.

What a wonderful story. I loved the tension, angst, suspense, romance and the sex. I can't resist a cowboy and Maverick did it for me totally. The chemistry was real between Leighton and Maverick and the passion hot. There's so much more still to be told of their story yet. I'm also looking forward to reading Quinn and Claytons stories. Definitely a page turner for me.

I've read many Harper Sloan books before and this one didn't disappoint. It was definitely a change in genre for the author, but I thought it was well-done for the most part.

Maverick has been away from his hometown for 10 years. He left when he turned 18 and became a famous bull rider. He's recently found out that he can never ride again due to too much head trauma and his dad has died, so he's headed back home to support his siblings and hopefully start over.

Leighton own a popular local pie bakery, but she's still not too happy with her life. Her parents died when she turned 18 and left her with their ranch and she still hasn't gotten over the heartache that Maverick caused her.

He was her first and only love, but he threw some harsh insults at her when she was 16 so that she wouldn't come after him when he left. I get why he did it, but it took me a while to get over him being a jerk. If you can get past this at the beginning of the book, especially his comments at the funeral, just keep reading, it gets better. He redeemed himself and this story was a really great one about second chances and forgiveness. He suffered a lot of abuse as a kid, so I got why he left and why he was a bitter person for so long. But this really was a beautiful story. He didn't let that keep him down. He came back to town (albeit reluctantly at first since) and went after the lady he loved and lost. I respected him for wanting to earn her trust and love before he took things too far again. I loved how he stood up for her and told the two ladies off at the restaurant - that was sweet and hot. He became such a softie too and wasn't afraid of crying at the end there, another plus in his column.

Leighton wasn't my favorite person at first. I got that she was hurt and that he had to earn her trust back, but she really debated everything in her head an awful lot and kept him waiting for a while. It just became a bit annoying. They both honestly liked to discuss everything and it made the book drag in some places. But hey, at least they were communicating.

Overall, this was a good step out for Harper Sloan and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I loved Maverick and thought he was such a hot but sweet guy when he got things right with himself. It really was admirable how he changed and made himself vulnerable. The Leighton/Maverick love story was a sweet one to read and I hope to read the sibling's books in the future.

Three and a half
Harper Sloan is a name even I've heard of and I'm not someone who really reads much contemporary romance so when I spotted this new book about a second chance romance featuring a hot rodeo rider I thought hey why not? Nothing more sexy than an alpha cowboy and add in the Texan accent and yep I guess there will be a lot of readers swooning!
Yes this story is about Maverick coming home to face his demons but he's in for a huge shock when he gets there. Ten years might have passed but the girl he left behind is still right where she always was. Leighton might have been shy and a bit coltish but she always knew there was only one boy for her. So when Maverick crushed her hopes and dreams something inside her just walled itself right up. Hey who am I kidding? Maverick jumped up and down repeatedly with malice on Leightons feelings, heart and self worth but that girl has gumption and Leighton is not exactly how Maverick remembers her and hot diggidy he doesn't even recognise her! They say time heals but coming home opens up the floodgates as feelings long buried come rushing back and there's a storm coming that will sweep Leighton and Maverick away!
I thought the dynamics between the characters really made this a book I wanted to finish. Yes the couple are front and centre but the author made Mavericks siblings Clay and Quinn an integral part of the story. The family actually are the story and it's their relationships that give this story a warm feeling.
I really felt like I was transported to Texas and hugely enjoyed the rich dialogue. Unfortunately there was no real suspense , nothing exactly for the characters to overcome apart from a little angst towards the end. I guess I'm used to more action led stories and I did miss that. Yes the bulk of this book is just Maverick ( who can be a total armpit at times!) trying to convince Leighton he's home for good and never really wanted to hurt her. What does make it really entertaining though is the banter, the repartee Leighton shares with her female friends oh and I loved that Leighton gave as good as she got and frankly will never look at a pie the same way again !
This cowboy romance was a little slow for me but I'm pretty sure those who enjoy western style stories will enjoy seeing this couple learn to loveand trust each other with a happy ending and the prospect of more stories to come.
This voluntary review is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and these thoughts are my own honest opinion

While I could take the occasional jerkasses behavior from a character, the level of which this book threw at me on early pages of the story were just... boggled me. Didn't matter that it was a defense mechanism! They were just too much to grasp! And don't get me started on the flow of endearments; I developed such dislike for darlin', baby, honey just from reading this!! If it's meant as Southern drawl charm or whatever, it just didn't work for me.

As if it was not enough, the story suddenly turned and everything went hunky-dory. Just. Like. That. That past hurt scarred a person so much she had no confidence in herself or her body, even her own judgement... This didn't merit enough portion to the story? To say I'm livid was an understatement!

I guess I'm not the most patient of reader. Bottom line,to me this book read as smutty and steamy tale of second chance starring a cocky and obnoxious hero with chip on his shoulders.

On the flip side, the bones of the story was actually interesting. A broken family bonded together by love if not by blood, family secrets that bridged that love, and - of course - true love that transcend anything and forgive everything. Yet somehow, the delivery just fail me.

Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lost Rider was an okay read. The story goes from present to past which I didn't mind because the story flowed smoothly. I have to admit that in the beginning of the story I really disliked Maverick, so it took a while for me to warm up to him. He just came off as a man that was so mean with a huge chip on his shoulders and without a care how his siblings felt. However, I really liked Quinn, Leighton and Clay's characters so it kind of balanced things out for me. I eventually ended up liking Mav's character, however, I wished I hadn't disliked him so much in the beginning because then I think this book would have been better for me. It wasn't a bad read, it was just an okay read for me.