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Maverick Montana #5
Holding the Reins
She came to town for a movie. She never expected a real-life romantic thriller…
Bianca Estrada is in Montana for one reason—secure the perfect location for a Hollywood blockbuster and move on. The job means everything. It’s her chance to pay off debts that were never hers to begin with. But someone in town doesn’t want the film to happen, and the escalating threats make it clear they’ll do whatever it takes to scare her off.
Adam Ridgeway has built a quiet life as the owner of the local bar, far removed from his Army days and the heartbreak he swore never to repeat. The last thing he needs is to play hero for a city girl with one foot out the door. But when danger follows Bianca straight into his world, keeping his distance is no longer an option.
The only thing more persistent than Bianca’s stalker? The town’s meddling matchmakers, determined to push her and Adam together at every turn. With danger closing in and chemistry burning hot, what starts as protection turns into something deeper. But with Bianca’s future miles away and Adam’s roots planted firmly in Montana, can they hold on to each other when the credits roll?
Bianca Estrada is in Montana for one reason—secure the perfect location for a Hollywood blockbuster and move on. The job means everything. It’s her chance to pay off debts that were never hers to begin with. But someone in town doesn’t want the film to happen, and the escalating threats make it clear they’ll do whatever it takes to scare her off.
Adam Ridgeway has built a quiet life as the owner of the local bar, far removed from his Army days and the heartbreak he swore never to repeat. The last thing he needs is to play hero for a city girl with one foot out the door. But when danger follows Bianca straight into his world, keeping his distance is no longer an option.
The only thing more persistent than Bianca’s stalker? The town’s meddling matchmakers, determined to push her and Adam together at every turn. With danger closing in and chemistry burning hot, what starts as protection turns into something deeper. But with Bianca’s future miles away and Adam’s roots planted firmly in Montana, can they hold on to each other when the credits roll?
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2026
110 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Zanetti
124 books10.2k followersNew York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has published more than seventy novels and novellas, which have been translated into several languages, with millions of copies sold world-wide. Her books have received Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus starred reviews, favorable Washington Post and New York Times Book Reviews, and been included in Amazon best books of the year.
Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest.
Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 10, 2026
Holding the Reins by Rebecca Zanetti
Montana Mavericks series #5. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Bianca Estrada is a location scout for a movie company. She’s in the small mountain town of Mineral Lake, Montana, hoping to convince the town to rent a few select locations for an upcoming movie. Presenting the options at a town meeting has some people excited to be extras and others strongly objecting to the commercialization of the town.
Adam Ridgeway isn’t interested in being in the movie. He doesn’t want his bar or property used either but he’s not opposed to the curvy Bianca staying around for a bit. When she starts getting threatening notes, Adam is willing to play the hero for her if they can just figure out where the threat is coming from.
Bianca’s job is intriguing, hunting down specific locations from the director’s directions. Her personality shown through with the love of plants and gardening as well as her strength in speaking in front of the town when it wasn’t a comfort point. Plus her standing up to Adam when he caused a problem. And that’s where he made himself a star in my eyes. He apologized! Such a smart move as well as a punch to the heart. A touch of softness or compromise in an alpha hero is never a bad thing.
Romantic, exciting, tense, steamy plus hea.
4.5
Montana Mavericks series #5. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Bianca Estrada is a location scout for a movie company. She’s in the small mountain town of Mineral Lake, Montana, hoping to convince the town to rent a few select locations for an upcoming movie. Presenting the options at a town meeting has some people excited to be extras and others strongly objecting to the commercialization of the town.
Adam Ridgeway isn’t interested in being in the movie. He doesn’t want his bar or property used either but he’s not opposed to the curvy Bianca staying around for a bit. When she starts getting threatening notes, Adam is willing to play the hero for her if they can just figure out where the threat is coming from.
Bianca’s job is intriguing, hunting down specific locations from the director’s directions. Her personality shown through with the love of plants and gardening as well as her strength in speaking in front of the town when it wasn’t a comfort point. Plus her standing up to Adam when he caused a problem. And that’s where he made himself a star in my eyes. He apologized! Such a smart move as well as a punch to the heart. A touch of softness or compromise in an alpha hero is never a bad thing.
Romantic, exciting, tense, steamy plus hea.
4.5
March 12, 2026
Truly a forgettable book. The two characters are not likable, there is no banter, and all the secondary characters are more entertaining than Adam and Bianca. Furthermore, I didn't remember any of the couples from the previous books, so for me, the series ends here without regret.
Veramente un libro dimenticabile. I due personaggi non sono simpatici, non c'é scambio di battute e tutti i personaggi secondari sono piú divertenti di Adam e Bianca. Inoltre non mi ricordavo neanche una delle coppie dei libri precedenti, quindi per me la serie si chiude qui senza rimpianti.
Veramente un libro dimenticabile. I due personaggi non sono simpatici, non c'é scambio di battute e tutti i personaggi secondari sono piú divertenti di Adam e Bianca. Inoltre non mi ricordavo neanche una delle coppie dei libri precedenti, quindi per me la serie si chiude qui senza rimpianti.
Want to read
April 13, 2025Wow a new Maverick book 10 yrs after the last one. Excited to get back to Montana and hopefully we’ll get updates on the other couples and the fun busy body match making town ladies!!
March 11, 2026
A well written, feel good romance set in Montana. It has a dash of suspense and action, with some spicy romance scenes thrown in. The romance was not slow burn, but this is a shorter book and it fitted nicely. 3.5 stars.
March 21, 2026
Whew. That was fast.
March 12, 2026
Welcome back to Mineral Lake, Maverick County, Montana!
Bianca Estrada returns to her hometown as a location scout for her cousin’s first movie. She’s not planning to stay, but the sexy bartender who has captured her attention certainly tempts her to reconsider.
Adam Ridgeway divides his time between ranching and running the bar which he owns. He doesn’t want to rent out his establishment to Bianca, he doesn’t want to be an extra, and he even spoke out against the movie disrupting local business at the town meeting. None of this helps Bianca, and yet the two of them can’t stay away from each other.
Bianca and Adam’s attraction is palpable. The whole (nosy) town notices, too! Before long, everyone knows that the “movie lady” has moved from the B&B to Adam’s place. However, their romance isn’t the only thing heating up. Bianca is being targeted with untraceable bouquets and threatening notes. Adam is ex-military and well-trained. Can he keep Bianca from harm and keep her forever?
“Holding The Reins” is Book 5 of the Maverick Montana series, featuring small town romance and a “save a horse, ride a cowboy” vibe. It’s completely a standalone, but this fan was delighted to see members of the Freeze-Lodge clan from the previous four books mentioned or make an appearance. Bianca and Adam’s story was a quick and easy read, filled to the brim with Rebecca Zanetti’s signature panty-melting romance and intriguing suspense, which she once again blends skillfully like a seasoned bartender.
Bianca Estrada returns to her hometown as a location scout for her cousin’s first movie. She’s not planning to stay, but the sexy bartender who has captured her attention certainly tempts her to reconsider.
Adam Ridgeway divides his time between ranching and running the bar which he owns. He doesn’t want to rent out his establishment to Bianca, he doesn’t want to be an extra, and he even spoke out against the movie disrupting local business at the town meeting. None of this helps Bianca, and yet the two of them can’t stay away from each other.
Bianca and Adam’s attraction is palpable. The whole (nosy) town notices, too! Before long, everyone knows that the “movie lady” has moved from the B&B to Adam’s place. However, their romance isn’t the only thing heating up. Bianca is being targeted with untraceable bouquets and threatening notes. Adam is ex-military and well-trained. Can he keep Bianca from harm and keep her forever?
“Holding The Reins” is Book 5 of the Maverick Montana series, featuring small town romance and a “save a horse, ride a cowboy” vibe. It’s completely a standalone, but this fan was delighted to see members of the Freeze-Lodge clan from the previous four books mentioned or make an appearance. Bianca and Adam’s story was a quick and easy read, filled to the brim with Rebecca Zanetti’s signature panty-melting romance and intriguing suspense, which she once again blends skillfully like a seasoned bartender.
March 17, 2026
Maverick Montana Series :
✅ 1. Against the Wall (2013) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read June 19, 2023
𝐉𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄 𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐇 - the story of a tribal lawyer and a landscape architect who wants to acquire land to build a golf course for her client 💕
✅ 2. Under the Covers (2013) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read June 19, 2023
𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐍 𝐋𝐎𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐆𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐘 -A woman fleeing from her family finds shelter and support from the sheriff of a small town in Montana near the Kooskia Reservation 💞
✅ 3. Rising Assets (2014) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read June 20, 2023
𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐙𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐄 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐁𝐒 - childhood friends change the level of their relationships to eventually create a family 🤩👍
✅ 4. Over The Top (2015) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read June 20, 2023
𝐇𝐀𝐖𝐊 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐙𝐄 - a friend's sister should be unavailable, but it's not worth fighting with feelings 🥰
✅ 5. Holding the Reins (2026) - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐌 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐀 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐀 - The town of Mineral Lake is thriving and constantly attracting new residents, and the stories provide constant entertainment and keep the reader interested.
It is said to be continued at the beginning of next year, i.e. 2027 🥰
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFMNL9VZ?...
and
https://rebeccazanetti.com/book_serie...
✅ 1. Against the Wall (2013) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read June 19, 2023
𝐉𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄 𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐇 - the story of a tribal lawyer and a landscape architect who wants to acquire land to build a golf course for her client 💕
✅ 2. Under the Covers (2013) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read June 19, 2023
𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐍 𝐋𝐎𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐆𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐘 -A woman fleeing from her family finds shelter and support from the sheriff of a small town in Montana near the Kooskia Reservation 💞
✅ 3. Rising Assets (2014) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read June 20, 2023
𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐙𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐄 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐁𝐒 - childhood friends change the level of their relationships to eventually create a family 🤩👍
✅ 4. Over The Top (2015) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read June 20, 2023
𝐇𝐀𝐖𝐊 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐙𝐄 - a friend's sister should be unavailable, but it's not worth fighting with feelings 🥰
✅ 5. Holding the Reins (2026) - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐌 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐀 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐀 - The town of Mineral Lake is thriving and constantly attracting new residents, and the stories provide constant entertainment and keep the reader interested.
It is said to be continued at the beginning of next year, i.e. 2027 🥰
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFMNL9VZ?...
and
https://rebeccazanetti.com/book_serie...
March 14, 2026
Wow what a book. Loved Adam and Bianca. It's like their chemistry was instant when she walked into his Bar. There's a bit of suspense surrounding their story. At first I thought it could have been one of the lady's in town wanting to get her hooks into Adam. Boy was I way off base. Bianca being a movie site scout was having a difficult time trying to get the farm house that would be perfect for the shoot, but Adam actually was working against her by helping the family financially so they wouldn't have to have their house used. You have to read this book I don't want to tip the plot. But man oh man it was really good. And to think there are going to be more Montana Mavericks reads coming out next year. I can't wait.
March 14, 2026
Maverick, Montana
Maverick, Montana is a beautiful place. Bianca works as a scouting person for the movies. They need ranches and a small town and Maverick is a perfect place. Some of the town are in favor but some are dead set against all the people coming in and disrupting things. When Bianca gets threatening notes, Adam acts on his protective side and invite a her to stay with him and also have side benefits. I really liked this book with Adam and Bianca. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Maverick, Montana is a beautiful place. Bianca works as a scouting person for the movies. They need ranches and a small town and Maverick is a perfect place. Some of the town are in favor but some are dead set against all the people coming in and disrupting things. When Bianca gets threatening notes, Adam acts on his protective side and invite a her to stay with him and also have side benefits. I really liked this book with Adam and Bianca. I'm looking forward to the next book.
March 18, 2026
Bianca is visiting this small Montana town to find locations for a movie shoot. Adam is against the disruption the movie will bring to the community. They appear very different but have similar values and seem to complement each other. There’s so much community involvement and support that it makes the book very heartwarming. I liked how the book was just the perfect length to tell the story and keep you intrigued. This series has just the right spice level.
March 11, 2026
cowboys!
Happy to be back in Mineral Wells, Montana. I really enjoyed the first 4 books in this series several years ago. I’m so happy Rebecca has returned to this setting. Nothing is better than a cowboy, his love, a little mystery, and the Freeze-Lodge clan. Can’t wait for the next one.
Happy to be back in Mineral Wells, Montana. I really enjoyed the first 4 books in this series several years ago. I’m so happy Rebecca has returned to this setting. Nothing is better than a cowboy, his love, a little mystery, and the Freeze-Lodge clan. Can’t wait for the next one.
March 17, 2026
I expected more from this. It was good enough, but very instant lust/love. The couple didn’t have time to really develop before already jumping right in with each other.
The suspense was very formulaic too. I just feel I didn’t get enough time to know Bianca and Adam as characters. The romance and story moved too quick.
The suspense was very formulaic too. I just feel I didn’t get enough time to know Bianca and Adam as characters. The romance and story moved too quick.
March 13, 2026
Very dissapointing.
This is not true Rebecca Zanetti at all. I love most of her books, but.....Very mediocre, no real story line, no character developement. Just a lot of sex . She really could fo better.
This is not true Rebecca Zanetti at all. I love most of her books, but.....Very mediocre, no real story line, no character developement. Just a lot of sex . She really could fo better.
March 18, 2026
2.5 stars. I’m sorry, this was just… huh? There were too many concepts that were never fully explored and the ending was so rushed and stupid.
March 19, 2026
Holding The Reins is so much Zanetti goodness fun!
Adam and Bianca’s happily ever after tale is smart, steamy and witty.
I loved every second.
Adam and Bianca’s happily ever after tale is smart, steamy and witty.
I loved every second.
March 24, 2026
series installment
The mavericks were awhile ago, but the gang is still all here. I enjoyed this read, especially catching up with Wyoming. These were new characters, friends of the old characters but home and family sentiment. Hot cowboys still rule the scenery. And the good guys win.
The mavericks were awhile ago, but the gang is still all here. I enjoyed this read, especially catching up with Wyoming. These were new characters, friends of the old characters but home and family sentiment. Hot cowboys still rule the scenery. And the good guys win.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews