Red, White & Rodeo

by Cassandra Joelle

Stars. Stripes. Sparks.Savannah Lane is a barrel racer chasing a rodeo queen crown.
Colter Hays is a bull rider who left to become a soldier—and broke her heart.
Now he’s back in Iron Spur just in time for the Fourth of July rodeo… and everything she tried to forget is standing right in front of her. But some love stories don’t end… they wait.

A Sweet Small-Town Christian Cowboy Romance!

Genres: Romance, Christian, Christian Fiction, Summer, Christian Romance, Summer Reads

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2026

Reviews

[emily marie ٠࣪⭑ [busy editing]]

dnf @29%

Completely forgot I was reading this on my kindle and have no desire to continue

[Finding Faith in Fiction (Chrissy)]

This is a super cute 4th of July story, but I was surprised that it was a short novella and not a full length novel; apparently I missed the part in the title that literally says it's a novella. 😆

The story moves QUICK! A bit too quick for me to the point that it felt choppy the first part of the book. Once Colter's POV was introduced, it settled in a bit more. I also noticed the first portion of the book had a good deal of grammatical errors which took me out of the story, but again, this improved at about halfway. This isn't typical for this author, so I wonder if this was a rush release. Either way, it's still worth a read, and an adorable story.

I really enjoyed the characters–Savannah and Colter were so cute, Dixie was such a fun supporting character, and I truly felt so bad for Liam even though I was rooting for Colter. Savannah's parents were also written so well, and I loved how supportive and in tune to Savannah's emotions they were. The rodeo themes, Rodeo Queen storyline, and general rodeo town vibes were great. I loved that the story begins on July 4th and ends on July 4th, 5 years later. The full circles moments were done really well! I would have liked this to be a full length story, just because I wanted to see more of these characters. While it was short, it packed in some great faith moments and themes of forgiveness and God's timing.

What I enjoyed:
🇺🇸 Strong 4th of July vibes
🎆 Patriotism
🇺🇸 Regalia-night ride through town
🎆 Full circle moment (same date, 5 years apart)
🇺🇸 Rodeo Queen outfits
🎆 Savannah's parents 🤌🏼
🇺🇸 Dixie & her fashion

⚠️ Content Warnings:
- Military, deployment, brief war memories
- Breakups
- Dating while still in love with someone else


My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫 3.75 Stars
Writing: 3.0
Characters & Story: 4.0
Faith & Content: 4.0
Enjoyability: 4.0

While the book felt a bit rushed in terms of editing and plot, I still recommend it as a super sweet 4th of July/summer read. She included mention of America's 250th, so it's a super relevant read for this month!

[Moonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red, White & Rodeo by author Cassandra Joelle was so much fun! I love a second chance romance, I found the storyline relatable and sweet. This story felt a little bit lighter on the faith compared to her others but it was still more prevalent than a lot of other Christian stories I have read. I'm reading all of Cassandra's books on Kindle then I'll gather my favorites and purchase physical copies. The covers are so adorable and the stories so cute I'd love to have them on my shelves.

[Thisbe {Praise God!} · Rating 5 out of 5]

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Red White & Rodeo - Cassandra Joelle ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
🎆🌭🍉🗽🤠ʊ ✝️ 🐎

13+

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.”

❤️Romance: Few kisses, Clean Christian romance.

🤍Cursing: None.

💙Violence: A man goes off to war.

“𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘩,” 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥, 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥.”

💥Thoughts! 💥
Reading this on the 4th of July weekend gave me SUCH a vibe! This was more so a short story but it still was so GOOD! I love this author covers and I prolly will buy a irl copy 😏🤭
This is gonna be a short review LOL.
I totally recommend this. I will definitely be reading more by this author! PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!
Have a great day! 👋🏼😁

“𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘩,” 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥, 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳. “𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘯 𝘐𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘱𝘶𝘳, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.” 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵. 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴. 𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘞𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.”

[Caitriona Riding · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Time spent on the one you love is never wasted.”

I picked up this short novella to have something quick and easy to read for the holiday and it was an enjoyable time.

That said, their were definitely things lacking, as so often comes with novellas. I was entertained throughout, I enjoyed the flashbacks, and the few faith elements in this. I am definitely interested to check out a full length novel by this author, as I think most of my qualms come from not enough backstory, attachment to characters, etc. to really root for the couple as much due to the length, which I know happens in novellas a lot.

I really enjoyed the patriotism and 4th of July vibes all throughout this though. I also enjoyed the veteran aspect a lot too. All in all it was a fun, patriotic read for the 4th!

❗️Content & Trigger Warnings: deployment mentioned, ptsd mentioned. No language, no spice, clean kisses only romance.

[Tiffany Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, short read (read it during my son's nap time from start to finish).

Absolutely loved the now & then timeline. Loved the army & rodeo aspects. Loved how short & sweet it was. A great palate cleanser!

📖: ~100 pages, 1st person, dual POV, now & then chapters
🤬: no foul language
🌶️: none
⚠️: leaving for military

[Kn.Ranchlifereads_25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I have come to the conclusion that there’s nothing more I could possibly say about how much I love Cassandra’s books! The plots, the characters, the setting, the storyline… it’s all just amazing and quite literally feels like coming home, there’s laughter and there’s heartbreak but some how all in the best ways but most importantly the faith content will always be terrific!!! I never have to worry about how I’m gonna come out of a reading slump or slow faze because all I have to do is pick up a Cassandra’s Joelle romcom!!

That being said..:Wow!! I forgot how much I loved a good soldier love story… I cannot explain to you how absolutely perfect this book was for the 4th of July season. I’m talking alllll the American freedom vibes😁😁😁

This book was giving all the feels…I mean literalllll shock and that’s all I’m gonna say🤭🤭

My only complaint is that I needed so much more of this story and I was NOT ready for it to end…. I neeeeeed an epilogue or maybe like a whole other book 2??? That would be great🤭🤭🤭😁😁😁


As always I had the best time buddy reading this with one of my best bookish friends Grace😁😁❤️❤️

I cannot recommend this book enough!!! Special thanks to author Cassandra Joelle for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!!!

All thoughts and opinions are my own!!(if you couldn’t tell😂😂)

[Jenn Grand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this sweet novella!!! In true Cassandra style, it was godly, heartfelt, and endearing.

My Pop-pop was a marine, and he LOVED this country, something he instilled in me from a young age. So I loved that this book was very pro-America and patriotic, even in its short 136 pages.

If you haven’t read a Cassandra Joelle book, I recommend EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

[Elaine Mancera · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complain is that I wish it was longer

[Ashlyn Frommeyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

love anything God & America just a little too short and cheesy for me but it was still cute

[Audrey Moffat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Town Country Love

Red, White, & Rodeo by Cassandra Joelle

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this read! The story follows a woman who spends five years waiting for her military ex-boyfriend after he’s deployed and chooses to continue serving. She decides to try moving on. When he finally comes back, they’re forced to face everything they left unresolved.

I loved the emotional tension between them and watching them figure out if they could find their way back to each other. The rodeo setting gave the story a fun, unique backdrop, and I also appreciated the small moments of faith woven throughout the story, especially when the main character turned to God in prayer during difficult times. The story also revolves around the Fourth of July and the 250th anniversary celebration, which added a patriotic, small-town feel that fit the overall atmosphere really well.

Overall, this was a sweet, emotional second-chance romance with plenty of heart, and it kept me invested from beginning to end.

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have exactly 5 thoughts on this book: 1) A rodeo romance set on the 4th of July? Sign me up! So engaging! So tea! I ate it up! I could actually read 200 more pages of Colter and Savannah. 2) This book was SHOCKINGLY atmospheric! I was absolutely transported to the mountains of Wyoming! 3) The author used the word “donned” or “donning” everywhere the word “wore” or “wearing” should’ve been and while I like that word, you don’t have to use it EVERYtime queen — you can switch it up! 4) The end was SO unsatisfying. An ending that I truly, out loud to myself said “That’s it?” 5) The faith element in this book was so well done! Never cheesy and presented in all the right moments. *applauds the author*

I should read novellas more often! This was a PERFECT book to read over the July 4th holiday!

[Schlabach Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Physical TBR
Red White and Rodeo by @cassandrajoelle
I'm so glad I got to this sweet and charming novella this month. It really was perfect timing with this story taking place during America's 250th bday.
It was a sweet story of patience, yearning for by gone days and moving on with a future that might look different from what one imagined.
Savannah and Colter were sweethearts as kids, seeing them grow in their small town, and the patriotism they got to partake in was a blast.
I got an ad for a rodeo taking place in our neck of the woods, and it was too perfect not to use for my physical picture. 🇺🇲
Loved the chapters being labeled for the song "America the Beautiful." 🥰
And I'm now caught up with Cassandra's books again. I've read her since book 1, so only fitting I stay caught up with my friend's stories. 🩷

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Christian romance you didn’t know you truly needed.

If you’re looking for a small-town romance with an FMC barrel racer and her childhood sweetheart, a cowboy bull rider, this is it. A “God first” romance with no spice, it is the most heartwarming story. It’s short but holds a lot of heart.

This story made me feel good, even though it was sad that Savannah was going through a major heartbreak. The love of her life, Colter, was leaving for the military, and he was taking her heart along with him. She never stopped praying. She was never upset with God for taking him away from her; she prayed for him to come back to her and for the strength to stay alive. He leaves their small town for years, and Savannah is told to forget about him. Does she truly?

[Cera Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just really did not do it for me and I wish I could say otherwise!! Neither the characters nor the plot managed to grab me in any meaningful way and that is a tough combination to overcome in a romance!!

I never felt fully invested in anyone on the page and the story itself just kind of fell flat for me throughout — nothing that made me excited to pick it back up or eager to see where things were going!!

Not the worst read I have ever had but definitely not one I would rush to recommend either!! Sometimes a book just is not for you and this one was unfortunately that book for me.

[Reyna | Ravenousreader❤️✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟 Cute, quick summer read perfect for the holiday. I literally downloaded and read it today in about 2 hours and it was just lovely. I don’t read cowboy 🤠 stories but this was really sweet. Cowboy + Army + second chance romance + Dixie and rhinestones … could it be anymore fun 🤩! Throw in Americas 250th celebration into the mix of the story and it was truly just a great, satisfying novella to read today.

Enjoyed very much!

[Becky (IG: BeckysBookHaven) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet July 4th novella. Colter & Savannah are childhood sweethearts. Colter goes to the army and leaves heartbroken Savannah behind. 5 years later, Savannah is trying to move on when Colter comes back. This is a sweet quick love story!

Oh! And they’re both in the rodeo! She is a barrel racer and he is a bull rider. It’s a really fun atmosphere for the July 4th fun!

Grab this novella is you like:
- Christian fiction
- closed door
- rodeos
- childhood sweethearts
- small town

[✨️Morgan In Wonderland✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review:
This was so cute!!!! I wish it was 200 pages longer but it was great for what it was. I literally had no idea who she was going to end up with but it ended how I was hoping for. Also I loved the faith content because it felt real and not picture perfect. 100% clean I would recommend it to anyone 13 and up.

Side Note:
There was romance but they didn't kiss I don't think. Mabey only a peck.

[Emily Beautiful Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute, patriotic romance book!! I absolutely LOVED the setting, story, characters and everything about the book! Savannah and Colter had the cutest romance and moments together 💕. I also LOVED Dixie’s character and how she treated Savannah, her attitude was the absolute best. 10/10 recommend this book!

[jessgimmeabook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I somehow missed that this was a novella but it was cute. I’m a pretty big fan of Cassandra’s but I felt like this one was way too rushed and not at all like her usual writing.

I did, however, appreciate the little bits of faith interweaved into the story. I also loved the patriotism.

I feel if this had been one of her usual novels, I would have liked it a lot more.

[Heather Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good short book! It was a perfect sweet feel good story between my normal reads! I love the on screen prayers! I wish there would’ve been more to read, maybe an epilogue. Overall, it was cute and sweet! I love Cassandra Joelle’s easy reads!

[Deanna Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was short and sweet. I loved the growth Savannah had throughout the story. I also enjoyed the consideration to veterans and the struggles they go through. Colter was hard to get to know at times but his POV chapters helped. I can’t wait to read more of Cassandra’s books!

[Brittany Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

imagined the cool water being poured from His hands and rinsing me clean of the pain
I'd been living in all this time.🥹📖❤️ such a meaningful book of the fourth loved this clean romance 🥰 I loved this cute Fourth of July read so sweet 🥹 🎆🇺🇸💗

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read and perfect for the holiday! This small town/rodeo/soldier/second chance romance was sweet and made me smile. I loved Colter and Savannah’s bond that never wavered and their never failing faith. This is my first book by Cassandra Joelle and it was the perfect introduction to her writing. I can’t wait to read more! Five stars

[Becky Mansur · Rating 4 out of 5]

short and sweet

It’s a cute, clean Christian romance and so not my normal read. It had a wholesome story, with romance and faith. And as an added bonus, it will get you in the mood for the 4th.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, quick, Christian romance. I personally didn’t feel any chemistry between the characters but the barrel racing was fun. If you want something quick and centered around the 4th of July, I would recommend it.

[Chloe Rowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. The town of Iron Spurs sounds like the place to be. Rodeos and small town community. Savannah went through so much and God was with her throughout. When Coltor arrived home it was like God clicked everything in place for them. It just took them a minute.

[Felicia Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I can say is I want more!! Rodeo x Army had me sold! I highly recommend reading! 🫶🏼

[Shonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Bookish Baby · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite of Cassandra’s!