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Not Our First Rodeo: A Marriage in Trouble, Accidental Pregnancy Cowboy Romance
Elsie Jennings thought she had it all figured out.
A ballet career. A husband who adored her. A future that felt certain. But after a devastating injury ends her time on stage—and a miscarriage shatters something even deeper—Elsie pushes everyone away, including Beau, the man she’s loved since she was sixteen. Believing she needs space to heal, she asks him to leave.
Months later, back in her small Montana hometown, Elsie is trying to rebuild. She’s traded performances for teaching at the local studio, and solitude for something like stability. But one night with Beau changes everything—again. When she discovers she’s pregnant, she’s forced to confront everything she’s been avoiding.
Beau Jennings never stopped loving Elsie.
He gave her the space she asked for, but he never gave up. Now that he knows about the baby, he’s ready to step back in—with patience, loyalty, and the kind of steady love that never wavered.
As the two navigate old wounds and uncertain futures, they’ll have to learn how to move forward—not by returning to who they once were, but by becoming something new together. Because love like theirs isn’t easy—but they both know this isn’t their first rodeo.
A ballet career. A husband who adored her. A future that felt certain. But after a devastating injury ends her time on stage—and a miscarriage shatters something even deeper—Elsie pushes everyone away, including Beau, the man she’s loved since she was sixteen. Believing she needs space to heal, she asks him to leave.
Months later, back in her small Montana hometown, Elsie is trying to rebuild. She’s traded performances for teaching at the local studio, and solitude for something like stability. But one night with Beau changes everything—again. When she discovers she’s pregnant, she’s forced to confront everything she’s been avoiding.
Beau Jennings never stopped loving Elsie.
He gave her the space she asked for, but he never gave up. Now that he knows about the baby, he’s ready to step back in—with patience, loyalty, and the kind of steady love that never wavered.
As the two navigate old wounds and uncertain futures, they’ll have to learn how to move forward—not by returning to who they once were, but by becoming something new together. Because love like theirs isn’t easy—but they both know this isn’t their first rodeo.
- GenresSmall Town Romance
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2025
84 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 18, 2025
Precious, sweet, and so lovely. Beau, I love you.
July 16, 2025
Sweet small town/marriage in trouble/accidental pregnancy cowboy romance
4.25⭐️ 1.5🌶️ Book 1 in the Lucky Stars Ranch is Calling series. This is my first book by this author, and I can’t wait to read more. I love marriage in crisis & accidental pregnancy - so to have both is chef’s kiss. 🤌🏻
Beau Jennings is a horse 🐎 trainer (mostly scared rescue horses) on his family’s ranch - Lucky Stars. Elsie is his estranged wife that asked him to leave/give her space a few months ago after a miscarriage (on top of an injury that ended her professional ballet career). They share one passionate night while separated, and find out later she is pregnant, so she agrees he can temporarily move home but stay in the guest room. Elsie is so used to taking care of herself that everyone, including Beau, thought she was resilient and strong and didn’t need anyone. But that’s not the case - she’s more fragile than anyone realizes. She’s been suffering from panic attacks for a long time but never told her family or best friend or even Beau because she doesn’t want to let anyone in or be vulnerable. But Beau is so patient. ❤️ He’s desperate to love her, and be back home for good, but he knows he has to go slowly or he’ll spook her. His love for her is endless, and while he’s also hurting, he continues to show up for her. 🫠 Beau adores her, and proves to her that she isn’t alone, and doesn’t have to carry her struggles by herself anymore.
He chops wood & leaves it on her porch so she doesn’t get cold. ❤️
He talks to the baby/her belly. 🫠
He uses an app to see how the baby is growing.
He kisses her belly and says ‘little butterfly’ 🦋
She doesn’t want a baby shower because she doesn’t think anyone would come. 😢
He throws a surprise party to celebrate teaching her first recital. 🩰
He calls her ‘Elsie baby’. 🥵
Favorite quotes:
‘This isn't our first rodeo, and one way or another, we're going to find our way back to each other.’
‘I can let Beau in just a little, and I can hide the parts of myself I still don't want him to see.
I can have a piece of him and give him a piece of me.’
"I've missed you," he whispers into my neck.
‘I squeeze his hand, and he squeezes back, three times, the signal he's always given for I love you.’
“I want you to know that no matter how long you take, I'll be waiting for you at the end of it. I know what I want, and no amount of time is going to change that."
‘I don't know how to love someone who won't let me love them back, and I hate that most of all.’
"I love your laugh, Elsie. I wish you hadn't stopped laughing."
“You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Elsie Jennings.”
Read this if you like:
*Marriage in trouble 💍
*Second chance romance ❤️
*Surprise pregnancy 🤰🏻
*Horse trainer/Ballet teacher
*Montana ranch/cowboy vibes 🐴 🐄 🤠
*Grief/loss 😢
*Former ballerina 🩰
*Forehead kisses 💋
*HEA
Content warning: miscarriage, depression, panic attacks, body image insecurity
I’m excited to see if book 2 will be about Cooper (Beau’s brother) or Cheyenne, the sister. 🤔
4.25⭐️ 1.5🌶️ Book 1 in the Lucky Stars Ranch is Calling series. This is my first book by this author, and I can’t wait to read more. I love marriage in crisis & accidental pregnancy - so to have both is chef’s kiss. 🤌🏻
Beau Jennings is a horse 🐎 trainer (mostly scared rescue horses) on his family’s ranch - Lucky Stars. Elsie is his estranged wife that asked him to leave/give her space a few months ago after a miscarriage (on top of an injury that ended her professional ballet career). They share one passionate night while separated, and find out later she is pregnant, so she agrees he can temporarily move home but stay in the guest room. Elsie is so used to taking care of herself that everyone, including Beau, thought she was resilient and strong and didn’t need anyone. But that’s not the case - she’s more fragile than anyone realizes. She’s been suffering from panic attacks for a long time but never told her family or best friend or even Beau because she doesn’t want to let anyone in or be vulnerable. But Beau is so patient. ❤️ He’s desperate to love her, and be back home for good, but he knows he has to go slowly or he’ll spook her. His love for her is endless, and while he’s also hurting, he continues to show up for her. 🫠 Beau adores her, and proves to her that she isn’t alone, and doesn’t have to carry her struggles by herself anymore.
He chops wood & leaves it on her porch so she doesn’t get cold. ❤️
He talks to the baby/her belly. 🫠
He uses an app to see how the baby is growing.
He kisses her belly and says ‘little butterfly’ 🦋
She doesn’t want a baby shower because she doesn’t think anyone would come. 😢
He throws a surprise party to celebrate teaching her first recital. 🩰
He calls her ‘Elsie baby’. 🥵
Favorite quotes:
‘This isn't our first rodeo, and one way or another, we're going to find our way back to each other.’
‘I can let Beau in just a little, and I can hide the parts of myself I still don't want him to see.
I can have a piece of him and give him a piece of me.’
"I've missed you," he whispers into my neck.
‘I squeeze his hand, and he squeezes back, three times, the signal he's always given for I love you.’
“I want you to know that no matter how long you take, I'll be waiting for you at the end of it. I know what I want, and no amount of time is going to change that."
‘I don't know how to love someone who won't let me love them back, and I hate that most of all.’
"I love your laugh, Elsie. I wish you hadn't stopped laughing."
“You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Elsie Jennings.”
Read this if you like:
*Marriage in trouble 💍
*Second chance romance ❤️
*Surprise pregnancy 🤰🏻
*Horse trainer/Ballet teacher
*Montana ranch/cowboy vibes 🐴 🐄 🤠
*Grief/loss 😢
*Former ballerina 🩰
*Forehead kisses 💋
*HEA
Content warning: miscarriage, depression, panic attacks, body image insecurity
I’m excited to see if book 2 will be about Cooper (Beau’s brother) or Cheyenne, the sister. 🤔
July 14, 2025
This story was precious, truly! This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I felt so many emotions while reading. This book had so many tropes! Horse trainer x ballerina, trouble in marriage, accidental pregnancy, anxiety rep, second chance, and dual POV. I loved the characters. Beau was such a beautifully written MMC. The way he cared for Elsie throughout all that he went through with her…just wow. 😮💨😭 And Elsie, what can I say. It was hard for her to accept that people around her loved and cared for her, regardless of what was going on in her marriage. Although her life wasn’t identical to mines, I could relate to her in some form.
Now, there was a point in the book where we discover that Elsie has panic attacks, and she hadn’t told her husband Beau. That part kind of made me give this book a lower rating because I just didn’t quite understand how you could be with someone for ten years, yet they not know you ENTIRELY. I understand that it can be hard to be vulnerable with a person, especially if you’ve dealt with a lot in your life. Beau went through so much with Elsie, so that part was something that I just couldn’t get over.
The intimacy scenes in this book were halfway closed door and open door. I’m not typically a fan of that, yet it wasn’t something that made me want to DNF. The jokes that accompany that are also a bit saucy as well. There’s also some language in this as well, yet it's moderate. I know that Madison Wright has other books that are closed door! I, personally, am not uninterested in checking out her other books due to those factors. This was a great story!
Hoping that we get Jade and Cooper’s story next! 🤭🤠
Now, there was a point in the book where we discover that Elsie has panic attacks, and she hadn’t told her husband Beau. That part kind of made me give this book a lower rating because I just didn’t quite understand how you could be with someone for ten years, yet they not know you ENTIRELY. I understand that it can be hard to be vulnerable with a person, especially if you’ve dealt with a lot in your life. Beau went through so much with Elsie, so that part was something that I just couldn’t get over.
The intimacy scenes in this book were halfway closed door and open door. I’m not typically a fan of that, yet it wasn’t something that made me want to DNF. The jokes that accompany that are also a bit saucy as well. There’s also some language in this as well, yet it's moderate. I know that Madison Wright has other books that are closed door! I, personally, am not uninterested in checking out her other books due to those factors. This was a great story!
Hoping that we get Jade and Cooper’s story next! 🤭🤠
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2025
This book was so tender and sweet. I tend to steer clear of accidental pregnancy tropes, but the “marriage in trouble” angle piqued my interest, and both elements were beautifully executed. I found myself instantly invested in the characters and their storyline.
At times, I felt so frustrated with Elsie’s decisions, even though I understood exactly why she made them. Beau, on the other hand, is such a patient and caring man. The chemistry between them is strong, and it’s clear they deeply love one another, even as they navigate marital strife.
That being said, there was a bit more swearing than I typically prefer. And while this is a closed-door romance, the intimate scenes got fairly intense before the door closed. There’s frequent use of intimate and sexual language, which at times felt more lust-driven than emotionally rooted. Still, the emotional connection between them shines through, and it’s clear their marriage has depth beyond physical attraction.
I do wish there had been more conversation between Elsie and Beau about what went wrong. Their reconciliation felt a little too quick, leaning more on personal reflection than actual dialogue. I would have loved to see more of those hard but healing conversations between them.
Even with those few reservations, I truly loved this book. I felt deeply connected to the characters—which only made their flaws and missteps more impactful. Madison Wright handles delicate topics with honesty and sensitivity.
I can’t wait for more of this series!
TW: Miscarriage
At times, I felt so frustrated with Elsie’s decisions, even though I understood exactly why she made them. Beau, on the other hand, is such a patient and caring man. The chemistry between them is strong, and it’s clear they deeply love one another, even as they navigate marital strife.
That being said, there was a bit more swearing than I typically prefer. And while this is a closed-door romance, the intimate scenes got fairly intense before the door closed. There’s frequent use of intimate and sexual language, which at times felt more lust-driven than emotionally rooted. Still, the emotional connection between them shines through, and it’s clear their marriage has depth beyond physical attraction.
I do wish there had been more conversation between Elsie and Beau about what went wrong. Their reconciliation felt a little too quick, leaning more on personal reflection than actual dialogue. I would have loved to see more of those hard but healing conversations between them.
Even with those few reservations, I truly loved this book. I felt deeply connected to the characters—which only made their flaws and missteps more impactful. Madison Wright handles delicate topics with honesty and sensitivity.
I can’t wait for more of this series!
TW: Miscarriage
August 17, 2025
This was such a sweet story. I've really been starting to enjoy the marriage in trouble trope, it's something about seeing a couple so committed to one another that even though they're going through a rough patch they're going to do whatever they can to pull themselves out.
Not Our First Rodeo is sad and heavy sometimes but with an undercurrent of hope that keeps it from being a depressing read. Beau is the partner everyone needs in their life. He is patient and loving and the biggest support to Elsie. Now Elsie is going through it, I wanted to shake her a little bit because she just never wanted to let anyone in and there was so much withholding and miscommunication on her part. But she finally tore down her walls and once she did that is where the beauty of the story came in. I loved how both of them focused on becoming better versions of themselves instead of trying to be who they once were.
There is a huge theme of miscarriage and pregnancy after loss which I thought the author handled this with a lot of care.
Favorite quote: Not all endings are failures. Some are just chances to start over.
Not Our First Rodeo is sad and heavy sometimes but with an undercurrent of hope that keeps it from being a depressing read. Beau is the partner everyone needs in their life. He is patient and loving and the biggest support to Elsie. Now Elsie is going through it, I wanted to shake her a little bit because she just never wanted to let anyone in and there was so much withholding and miscommunication on her part. But she finally tore down her walls and once she did that is where the beauty of the story came in. I loved how both of them focused on becoming better versions of themselves instead of trying to be who they once were.
There is a huge theme of miscarriage and pregnancy after loss which I thought the author handled this with a lot of care.
Favorite quote: Not all endings are failures. Some are just chances to start over.
July 14, 2025
“dance is…well, it feels like everything. it has a way of making you feel like it’s the only thing worth living for. it means testing your body’s limits and beating yourself and proving to yourself that you can do things you thought were impossible. it’s exhilarating in a way that almost nothing else is.”
yeah, madison, (is it okay if i call you madison??) just stab me in the heart and twist the knife. seriously, as a retired dancer, this quote felt heavy in my bones. i’m learning who i am without dance, while still letting the fun, better parts of it, live within me. i loved how elsie was also doing the same.
elsie was such a sweet girl and i loved the anxiety representation here. she started working on being vulnerable with her people despite the constant war going on in her mind. and they showed up for her each and every time.
and beau jennings???? a man. a man. a MANNNNNNN. he was tender, gentle, sweet, yet still masculine.
yeah, madison, (is it okay if i call you madison??) just stab me in the heart and twist the knife. seriously, as a retired dancer, this quote felt heavy in my bones. i’m learning who i am without dance, while still letting the fun, better parts of it, live within me. i loved how elsie was also doing the same.
elsie was such a sweet girl and i loved the anxiety representation here. she started working on being vulnerable with her people despite the constant war going on in her mind. and they showed up for her each and every time.
and beau jennings???? a man. a man. a MANNNNNNN. he was tender, gentle, sweet, yet still masculine.
August 24, 2025
Elsie & Beau ❤️
🩰Elsie’s worked her whole life to be a professional ballet dancer, but a devastating injury stopped that dream. When miscarriage took away their hopes of a child, she couldn’t deal with the double sadness and asked her husband Beau for time and space.
🧲Horse trainer Beau has never stopped loving the woman he met at 16, but when he sees her at a bar when they are living apart, he’s not prepared to accept it. When that one night together changes everything for them, Elsie learns to open up about her struggle to Beau, and let him back into her life.
✏️This gentle story about healing yourself, finding strength in acceptance and believing in second chances is a gentle read. I was rooting for Elsie to allow Beau back into her heart, and was so glad that by the end of the story they were able to create a new beginning for both of them.
Read on Kindle Unlimited
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021
🩰Elsie’s worked her whole life to be a professional ballet dancer, but a devastating injury stopped that dream. When miscarriage took away their hopes of a child, she couldn’t deal with the double sadness and asked her husband Beau for time and space.
🧲Horse trainer Beau has never stopped loving the woman he met at 16, but when he sees her at a bar when they are living apart, he’s not prepared to accept it. When that one night together changes everything for them, Elsie learns to open up about her struggle to Beau, and let him back into her life.
✏️This gentle story about healing yourself, finding strength in acceptance and believing in second chances is a gentle read. I was rooting for Elsie to allow Beau back into her heart, and was so glad that by the end of the story they were able to create a new beginning for both of them.
Read on Kindle Unlimited
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021
August 7, 2025
4.5 rounded up!!!
I know I say this about A LOT of books, but I LOVED THIS ONE!! It had a little bit of everything I want to read in a cowboy, marriage in crisis, “oops we’re having a baby!” book, and I want everyone to read this one!!!
It also had strong influences and moments of self-acceptance and learning to live with grief and learning to accept help from those around you. All of which are BIG things I love to see written (and written so well!) in contemporary romance.
Elsie and Beau are two of the most relatable and vulnerable and lovable main characters, and I was so soft for how soft Beau was to his wife. He would give Elsie anything she asked for, and I love a down-bad man. Elsie is so near and dear to me, and getting to see as she learns that the town doesn’t hate her, that she is so well loved, it made my heart go pitter patter!
I know I say this about A LOT of books, but I LOVED THIS ONE!! It had a little bit of everything I want to read in a cowboy, marriage in crisis, “oops we’re having a baby!” book, and I want everyone to read this one!!!
It also had strong influences and moments of self-acceptance and learning to live with grief and learning to accept help from those around you. All of which are BIG things I love to see written (and written so well!) in contemporary romance.
Elsie and Beau are two of the most relatable and vulnerable and lovable main characters, and I was so soft for how soft Beau was to his wife. He would give Elsie anything she asked for, and I love a down-bad man. Elsie is so near and dear to me, and getting to see as she learns that the town doesn’t hate her, that she is so well loved, it made my heart go pitter patter!
September 18, 2025
Heart Felt
Loved this book. Sometimes you meet the right person and then life happens and changes something’s around and then you have to find the new you among the new pieces. Which is what happened to Elsie. She was a ballet dancer and got hurt so bad she couldn’t return and then she had a miscarriage afterwards. Her world was shattered, the only thing she had was her husband but she had pushed him away too. Beau didn’t go far though he gave her space until one night and then he became her hero again. He loved her so much, she let him in a little by little and they had a HEA.
Loved this book. Sometimes you meet the right person and then life happens and changes something’s around and then you have to find the new you among the new pieces. Which is what happened to Elsie. She was a ballet dancer and got hurt so bad she couldn’t return and then she had a miscarriage afterwards. Her world was shattered, the only thing she had was her husband but she had pushed him away too. Beau didn’t go far though he gave her space until one night and then he became her hero again. He loved her so much, she let him in a little by little and they had a HEA.
July 18, 2025
This are easily become one of my top cowboy romances. Great anxiety representation in the book. I felt so many emotions for Elsie and Beau. Elsie having to learn how to relay on others and also learning to trust others and how she is loved by many people. Beau was amazing! He was patient and always supporting Elsie. Once he noticed her anxiety he worked so hard to get her to see that having support and not doing everything alone can actually help. I love this book and couple. I am excited for more in the series.
July 22, 2025
3.75 rounded up
I keep trying to enjoy the accidental pregnancy trope but it just isn’t for me. There were parts of the story I liked but parts I didn’t care for. The FMC really needed some help/ therapy. I hate the reason they split- because he also lost a baby. The ballet thing just wasn’t it for me.
I did enjoy Cooper & Jade and I am assuming they will be book 2 and I think I’ll enjoy that one a bit more overall.
🌶️ Chapter 1 is open door. Other implied sexual content and comments throughout the book.
I keep trying to enjoy the accidental pregnancy trope but it just isn’t for me. There were parts of the story I liked but parts I didn’t care for. The FMC really needed some help/ therapy. I hate the reason they split- because he also lost a baby. The ballet thing just wasn’t it for me.
I did enjoy Cooper & Jade and I am assuming they will be book 2 and I think I’ll enjoy that one a bit more overall.
🌶️ Chapter 1 is open door. Other implied sexual content and comments throughout the book.
February 18, 2026
3.5 rounded to 4
This was a cute romance but it also dealt with some heavy emotional topics (miscarriage, anxiety)
Overall I liked it. Just didn’t love, like I felt disconnected from the characters (which is a bit ironic because Elsie was emotionally disconnected from literally everyone and I really do understand her but as a character she was hard to connect to)
This was a cute romance but it also dealt with some heavy emotional topics (miscarriage, anxiety)
Overall I liked it. Just didn’t love, like I felt disconnected from the characters (which is a bit ironic because Elsie was emotionally disconnected from literally everyone and I really do understand her but as a character she was hard to connect to)
September 16, 2025
Read the trigger warning and was bracing myself. I found myself in Elsie shoes in June facing a miscarriage at 8 weeks. But it was a comforting story of how it does affect you and changes you and your relationships. What a sweet coming back together story 🤍
November 22, 2025
Troubled Marriage
Elsie is a dance teacher/former ballerina
Beau is a horse trainer with a mustache…. Riley Green vibes
Not much spice.
An emotional read with Elsie’s mental illness, a miscarriage, and a surprise pregnancy
Elsie is a dance teacher/former ballerina
Beau is a horse trainer with a mustache…. Riley Green vibes
Not much spice.
An emotional read with Elsie’s mental illness, a miscarriage, and a surprise pregnancy
July 15, 2025
Could handle the closed door. Could not handle all the internal monologue, boringgggggg
August 23, 2025
3.5/5
August 25, 2025
I just know... If I could find someone that even loved me a quarter of the way Beau loves elsie, I could die happy.
August 28, 2025
I enjoyed this book! It's about a marriage in trouble and an accidental pregnancy. I started and finished it in one day. I feel like fans of Elsie Silver would like this one.
October 8, 2025
This was pretty cute. Such a sweet story and a nice second chance romance.
October 20, 2025
Cute. Easy listen.
November 8, 2025
Very cute small town second chance romance! Beau was a great husband and Elsie just needed therapy.
October 24, 2025
This girl just needed therapy
September 15, 2025
If you’re looking for a good happy cry this book is for you. I didn’t realize I need this book in my TBR.
When they say books can heal the past and help see the end of the tunnel this is a great example!
Beau is everything! Sweet, passionate, cowboy, loyal, and funny.
Elsie overcomes a lot in this book, Madison did a great job of showing the growth of Elsie without it being too much.
When they say books can heal the past and help see the end of the tunnel this is a great example!
Beau is everything! Sweet, passionate, cowboy, loyal, and funny.
Elsie overcomes a lot in this book, Madison did a great job of showing the growth of Elsie without it being too much.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews