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8 Seconds to Fall: A Rodeo Romance
He’s a professional bull rider with a reputation he refuses to fix. She’s the PR manager hired to clean it up.
Colt Dawson is talented, reckless, and one bad decision away from losing everything he has worked for. When his latest mistake threatens his career, his sponsors give him an repair his image or walk away from the rodeo circuit.
Lainey Brooks doesn’t lose control. She has built her career managing difficult clients, and Colt Dawson is supposed to be just another assignment. Keep him out of trouble, make him cooperate, and protect the future she has worked too hard to risk.
But weeks of rodeos, shared motel rooms, late-night conversations, and injuries that bring them too close begin to blur every professional boundary between them.
Colt doesn’t follow rules.
Lainey doesn’t make reckless choices.
And neither of them is prepared for what happens when eight seconds in the arena becomes long enough to change everything.
An emotional and steamy rodeo romance featuring forced proximity, opposites attract, forbidden chemistry, only one room, and a hard-earned happily ever after.
Colt Dawson is talented, reckless, and one bad decision away from losing everything he has worked for. When his latest mistake threatens his career, his sponsors give him an repair his image or walk away from the rodeo circuit.
Lainey Brooks doesn’t lose control. She has built her career managing difficult clients, and Colt Dawson is supposed to be just another assignment. Keep him out of trouble, make him cooperate, and protect the future she has worked too hard to risk.
But weeks of rodeos, shared motel rooms, late-night conversations, and injuries that bring them too close begin to blur every professional boundary between them.
Colt doesn’t follow rules.
Lainey doesn’t make reckless choices.
And neither of them is prepared for what happens when eight seconds in the arena becomes long enough to change everything.
An emotional and steamy rodeo romance featuring forced proximity, opposites attract, forbidden chemistry, only one room, and a hard-earned happily ever after.
- GenresWesterns
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 26, 2026
This was a fun and easy read, not too much going in where I had to use my brain. A nice and easy cowboy romance.
There were some moments where I was confused on who was saying what and who all the persons were. But nothing too bad that it would irritate me.
The story was the perfect length not too long and not too short where everything would’ve been too close together.
There were some moments where I was confused on who was saying what and who all the persons were. But nothing too bad that it would irritate me.
The story was the perfect length not too long and not too short where everything would’ve been too close together.
Review of advance copy
WOWWWW EIGHT SECONDS TO FALL!!! Colt and Lainey had me absolutely HOOKED from the beginning and I seriously could not get enough of these two!! 😭🤠🔥
Give me a reckless professional bull rider with a terrible reputation and the PR manager whose entire job is basically PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP DOING STUPID THINGS and I am SOLD 😂
Colt Dawson is exactly the kind of cowboy character I eat up. Talented, reckless, stubborn and basically one bad decision away from blowing up his entire career. His reputation is a disaster, his sponsors have had enough, and now he needs someone to clean up his image.
Enter Lainey Brooks.
Organised. Professional. Controlled.
And completely unprepared for the hurricane that is Colt Dawson 😂🔥
I LOVED their dynamic so freaking much. Lainey is determined that Colt is just another client. Keep him under control, fix his reputation, protect her career and absolutely DO NOT develop feelings for the infuriating cowboy.
Yeah…good luck with that 😂
The forced proximity was EVERYTHING. Travelling together from rodeo to rodeo, the motel rooms, late-night conversations, injuries, constantly being thrown together and those professional boundaries getting blurrier and blurrier…I WAS EATING IT UP.
And then you throw in ONLY ONE ROOM???
GOODBYE. 🤠🔥
But underneath all that chemistry, I really loved getting to see the person behind Colt’s reputation. Everyone sees the reckless bull rider and all his mistakes, but Lainey starts seeing so much more. And Colt slowly getting through all of Lainey’s carefully constructed control was just as good.
These two are complete opposites and somehow PERFECT together.
Colt doesn’t follow rules.
Lainey practically lives by them.
So obviously they should fall ridiculously hard for each other 😂❤️
And the rodeo setting!!! I loved all of it. The adrenaline of those eight seconds, the danger, the injuries, the travelling and everything that comes with Colt’s career made the romance even more addictive. Every time that man climbed onto a bull I swear my stress levels went THROUGH THE ROOF.
The chemistry was chemistry-ing. The tension was tension-ing. And I was sitting there kicking my feet waiting for these two to finally admit what everyone with functioning eyeballs already knew 😂🔥
But it was the emotional side that really got me. Somewhere between trying to repair Colt’s reputation and keeping everything professional, Lainey starts falling for the real Colt, and watching them slowly become something neither of them planned was SO GOOD.
COLT AND LAINEY!!! 😭❤️
I couldn’t get enough.
The reckless cowboy.
The PR manager trying to control him.
Forced proximity.
Forbidden chemistry.
Only one room.
Rodeo injuries.
Late-night conversations.
OPPOSITES ATTRACT.
Literally inject it into my veins 😂🤠
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 HUGE STARS!!
Emotional, steamy, addictive and packed with all the rodeo romance goodness I wanted. Colt and Lainey completely stole my heart and I was nowhere near ready to say goodbye to them.
Apparently eight seconds is plenty of time to fall because I fell HARD for this book!! 🤠🔥
Give me a reckless professional bull rider with a terrible reputation and the PR manager whose entire job is basically PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP DOING STUPID THINGS and I am SOLD 😂
Colt Dawson is exactly the kind of cowboy character I eat up. Talented, reckless, stubborn and basically one bad decision away from blowing up his entire career. His reputation is a disaster, his sponsors have had enough, and now he needs someone to clean up his image.
Enter Lainey Brooks.
Organised. Professional. Controlled.
And completely unprepared for the hurricane that is Colt Dawson 😂🔥
I LOVED their dynamic so freaking much. Lainey is determined that Colt is just another client. Keep him under control, fix his reputation, protect her career and absolutely DO NOT develop feelings for the infuriating cowboy.
Yeah…good luck with that 😂
The forced proximity was EVERYTHING. Travelling together from rodeo to rodeo, the motel rooms, late-night conversations, injuries, constantly being thrown together and those professional boundaries getting blurrier and blurrier…I WAS EATING IT UP.
And then you throw in ONLY ONE ROOM???
GOODBYE. 🤠🔥
But underneath all that chemistry, I really loved getting to see the person behind Colt’s reputation. Everyone sees the reckless bull rider and all his mistakes, but Lainey starts seeing so much more. And Colt slowly getting through all of Lainey’s carefully constructed control was just as good.
These two are complete opposites and somehow PERFECT together.
Colt doesn’t follow rules.
Lainey practically lives by them.
So obviously they should fall ridiculously hard for each other 😂❤️
And the rodeo setting!!! I loved all of it. The adrenaline of those eight seconds, the danger, the injuries, the travelling and everything that comes with Colt’s career made the romance even more addictive. Every time that man climbed onto a bull I swear my stress levels went THROUGH THE ROOF.
The chemistry was chemistry-ing. The tension was tension-ing. And I was sitting there kicking my feet waiting for these two to finally admit what everyone with functioning eyeballs already knew 😂🔥
But it was the emotional side that really got me. Somewhere between trying to repair Colt’s reputation and keeping everything professional, Lainey starts falling for the real Colt, and watching them slowly become something neither of them planned was SO GOOD.
COLT AND LAINEY!!! 😭❤️
I couldn’t get enough.
The reckless cowboy.
The PR manager trying to control him.
Forced proximity.
Forbidden chemistry.
Only one room.
Rodeo injuries.
Late-night conversations.
OPPOSITES ATTRACT.
Literally inject it into my veins 😂🤠
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 HUGE STARS!!
Emotional, steamy, addictive and packed with all the rodeo romance goodness I wanted. Colt and Lainey completely stole my heart and I was nowhere near ready to say goodbye to them.
Apparently eight seconds is plenty of time to fall because I fell HARD for this book!! 🤠🔥
September 4, 2026
3.5⭐️ *I received a copy of this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*
“Belonging has always felt dangerous because it gives loss somewhere to land.”
I enjoyed the plot overall and thought it had a lot of potential. Colt and Lainey’s banter was adorable and I was enjoying it a lot, definitely wish we got to see more!
“‘Beef. Bread. Cheese.’ ‘That is horrifyingly simplistic.’ It’s lunch, Brooks. Not a mortgage.’”
I also enjoyed how they pushed each other a bit to go out of their comfort zone and get the outcomes they deserved. Both of them were stuck floating through life within their constraints of their pasts. And together they were able to break out of that a bit and pick up on certain traits from each other.
“‘You showed up when I was doing a pretty good job of wrecking everything that mattered. I thought you were there to control me. Turns out you were the first person who made me realize I had choices’ … ‘And you made me want a life that lasted longer than eight seconds.’”
However, it felt rushed given how short it is. They didn’t really have much yearning and it felt like they went from butting heads and not liking each other to being in love really quick. The timeline also felt like it bounced around a lot without really telling you what was happening. The closed door spice also just felt a bit forced rather than ingrained into the story.
“Peace, I learn, is not the absence of noise. Sometimes it’s a kitchen full of people arguing, a woman working at one end of the table, and the knowledge that I don’t have to leave to keep anyone safe.”
“Belonging has always felt dangerous because it gives loss somewhere to land.”
I enjoyed the plot overall and thought it had a lot of potential. Colt and Lainey’s banter was adorable and I was enjoying it a lot, definitely wish we got to see more!
“‘Beef. Bread. Cheese.’ ‘That is horrifyingly simplistic.’ It’s lunch, Brooks. Not a mortgage.’”
I also enjoyed how they pushed each other a bit to go out of their comfort zone and get the outcomes they deserved. Both of them were stuck floating through life within their constraints of their pasts. And together they were able to break out of that a bit and pick up on certain traits from each other.
“‘You showed up when I was doing a pretty good job of wrecking everything that mattered. I thought you were there to control me. Turns out you were the first person who made me realize I had choices’ … ‘And you made me want a life that lasted longer than eight seconds.’”
However, it felt rushed given how short it is. They didn’t really have much yearning and it felt like they went from butting heads and not liking each other to being in love really quick. The timeline also felt like it bounced around a lot without really telling you what was happening. The closed door spice also just felt a bit forced rather than ingrained into the story.
“Peace, I learn, is not the absence of noise. Sometimes it’s a kitchen full of people arguing, a woman working at one end of the table, and the knowledge that I don’t have to leave to keep anyone safe.”
August 26, 2026
This was such a sweet cowboy/rodeo romance! 🤎🐎 I really loved Lainey and Colt and their relationship, and there were definitely moments that had me smiling, swooning, and getting frustrated right along with them.
I especially loved the rodeo setting—it gave the story such a fun atmosphere, and I really enjoyed getting that cowboy romance feel. I also found myself connecting with the characters through certain quotes and moments, and Colt’s relationship with his brother was easily one of my favorite parts. 🥹
That being said, I did feel like the romance could have had a little more depth. The chemistry felt slightly lacking at times, and I would have loved more description surrounding their emotions, their connection, and some of the romantic moments. There were also a few spots where the plot dragged a bit, and I think some additional details and filler throughout the story could have helped.
I don’t mind a closed-door romance at all, but for me, the emotional buildup and romantic tension still need to be there—and I just wanted a little more of that here.
Overall, 8 Seconds to Fall was a cute, feel-good cowboy romance that gave me plenty of smiles and swoony moments. 🤎 If you love rodeo settings and closed-door romance, this could definitely be one to add to your TBR!
September 19, 2026
Advanced Copy Reader
I would have loved to give this 5 stars as it was sweet and the banter was really good I just think it probably should have been proof read more as there was a few minor timeline issues. It was an easy read and i think more build up to them falling in love would have taken it away from the whole 8 second to fall title. I do really like how the author got us interested in the love stories of the side characters without disclosing their stories by having the MMC saying not my story to tell very creative.
If you a reader that loves feeling the emotion and the suspense in a relationship development through masterful writing this might not be your cup of tea but i do believe this author has created a beautiful easy to read sweet romance that would be a great in between novel for when you need something light to read between a heavy book series.
I would have loved to give this 5 stars as it was sweet and the banter was really good I just think it probably should have been proof read more as there was a few minor timeline issues. It was an easy read and i think more build up to them falling in love would have taken it away from the whole 8 second to fall title. I do really like how the author got us interested in the love stories of the side characters without disclosing their stories by having the MMC saying not my story to tell very creative.
If you a reader that loves feeling the emotion and the suspense in a relationship development through masterful writing this might not be your cup of tea but i do believe this author has created a beautiful easy to read sweet romance that would be a great in between novel for when you need something light to read between a heavy book series.
August 30, 2026
8 Seconds to Fall was a very sweet, short cowboy romance with plenty of banter, chemistry and a whole lot of cowboys attitudes.
Colt is a bull rider dealing with a PR crisis, and Lainey is the PR manager sent in to sort out both the situation and him. Their banter was basically foreplay, and I loved how quickly Lainey seemed to understand the man underneath the reputation.
I would have loved a little more build up to their relationship and more of that push and pull between them, but overall this was an easy, enjoyable read.
And that line about belonging? “Belonging has always felt dangerous because it gives loss somewhere to land.” Absolutely beautiful.
Now, are we getting an Avery and Rhett story next? Because I’m definitely looking forward to learning more about these cowboys.
Colt is a bull rider dealing with a PR crisis, and Lainey is the PR manager sent in to sort out both the situation and him. Their banter was basically foreplay, and I loved how quickly Lainey seemed to understand the man underneath the reputation.
I would have loved a little more build up to their relationship and more of that push and pull between them, but overall this was an easy, enjoyable read.
And that line about belonging? “Belonging has always felt dangerous because it gives loss somewhere to land.” Absolutely beautiful.
Now, are we getting an Avery and Rhett story next? Because I’m definitely looking forward to learning more about these cowboys.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Colt and Lainey is a bull rider/pr manager romance. I LOVED Lainey she is a fmc that is not afraid to speak her mind, she’s like me and is fueled by caffeine lol and she is loyal till the end and I just love all the characteristics of her and how easily relatable she was. Colt is the type of man where he KNOWS he is a fine specimen and he charm comes through constantly in this story. I just love a man that admit when he is wrong at times. Their connection grew just the right amount of speed in the book even though it’s under 200 pages long it never felt rushed. This is the perfect short read with a couple that will have you loving them from the minute you begin.
September 4, 2026
Eight Seconds to Fall follows Colt and Lainey in a short, sweet, almost insta-love romance that I really enjoyed.
There’s (in my opinion) no on-page spice, but honestly, the sweetness of their relationship made up for it. I especially loved that neither of them tried to change the other—they accepted each other exactly as they were. Add in a little found-family trope, and it made this an easy, feel-good read.
My only criticism was that some of the dialogue was a little hard to follow since it wasn’t always clear who was speaking, and a few responses felt a little off-topic.
Overall, I enjoyed this one and will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this author.
There’s (in my opinion) no on-page spice, but honestly, the sweetness of their relationship made up for it. I especially loved that neither of them tried to change the other—they accepted each other exactly as they were. Add in a little found-family trope, and it made this an easy, feel-good read.
My only criticism was that some of the dialogue was a little hard to follow since it wasn’t always clear who was speaking, and a few responses felt a little off-topic.
Overall, I enjoyed this one and will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this author.
September 3, 2026
Adalyn Rose is a new author for me and I was not at all disappointed. Colt and Lainey have chemistry from the very start. They throw sarcasm at each other like they are breathing, but under it you can see they spark of wanting more. While I usually enjoy something with more open door spice, the way this book is written gives just enough detail to let the reader's mind create their own picture.
Iron Ridge is definitely worth the trip and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a copy of this book and I am leaving my honest review.
Iron Ridge is definitely worth the trip and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a copy of this book and I am leaving my honest review.
September 4, 2026
Review of advance copy
🐎Cowboy Romance
🐎Opposites attract
🐎Forced proximity
🐎Forbidden chemistry
🐎Closed door romance
“Eight seconds. That’s all it took to fall”
Colt Dawson is the reckless bull rider who landed himself in hot water with his sponsor. Lainey Brooks is the PR manager sent to help straighten him out.
This was a short and sweet read, and would I have liked a little more build up in their relationship, yes, but the banter between these two was top notch.
🐎Cowboy Romance
🐎Opposites attract
🐎Forced proximity
🐎Forbidden chemistry
🐎Closed door romance
“Eight seconds. That’s all it took to fall”
Colt Dawson is the reckless bull rider who landed himself in hot water with his sponsor. Lainey Brooks is the PR manager sent to help straighten him out.
This was a short and sweet read, and would I have liked a little more build up in their relationship, yes, but the banter between these two was top notch.
September 5, 2026
“When the gate opens, there is no room in your head for anything else. For eight seconds, everything shuts up.”
♥️Cowboy romance
♥️Bull rider × PR manager
♥️Forced proximity
♥️Reckless MMC
♥️HIGH tension
Cute, short cowboy romance full of tension and great banter.
A few times I was confused who was speaking and would have liked a little more character development but overall a good short read. I really enjoyed it.
September 8, 2026
ARC read.
I did not enjoy this book at all. Couldn’t tell who was talking during dialogue. The whole set up and paragraphing pissed me off. It was so fast paced. No real plot. Honestly, I almost didn’t even finish it, but I’m not a quitter. Very clearly written using ChatGPT. I tested this theory by putting in a random prompt, and the dialogue and wording was the exact same. Disappointed. The characters had potential. But this was just bad.
I did not enjoy this book at all. Couldn’t tell who was talking during dialogue. The whole set up and paragraphing pissed me off. It was so fast paced. No real plot. Honestly, I almost didn’t even finish it, but I’m not a quitter. Very clearly written using ChatGPT. I tested this theory by putting in a random prompt, and the dialogue and wording was the exact same. Disappointed. The characters had potential. But this was just bad.
August 22, 2026
“And you made me want a life that lasted longer than 8 seconds” - Colt
I love loved this book. It was so cute and fun. Lainey and Colt are the perfect combination of sass and ego. I really enjoyed their story. I can’t wait to read more stories by Adalyn Rose.
I’m so glad I was able to read this ARC copy!
I love loved this book. It was so cute and fun. Lainey and Colt are the perfect combination of sass and ego. I really enjoyed their story. I can’t wait to read more stories by Adalyn Rose.
I’m so glad I was able to read this ARC copy!
Review of advance copy
I liked their story, however it felt a little rushed. And also very similar to Rhett and Summer. I thought the story line was good and their relationship was cute, but sometimes the dialogue didn’t make sense. Like the response didn’t match what was said before and I kept going back and rereading trying to figure out what they were talking about.
September 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 🤠 • ARC review!
This cowboy novella was adorable and absolutely worth the read! I loved Lainey & Colt!
I loved how short the chapters were, but at times I was confused about who was talking when conversations were being had.
I cannot wait for more cowboy novellas by Adalyn Rose and hope to be an ARC for those! 🤎
This cowboy novella was adorable and absolutely worth the read! I loved Lainey & Colt!
I loved how short the chapters were, but at times I was confused about who was talking when conversations were being had.
I cannot wait for more cowboy novellas by Adalyn Rose and hope to be an ARC for those! 🤎
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I absolutely loved Lainey and Colt story. It was so good and I really enjoyed the rodeo aspect it had. The storyline is absolutely amazing and I enjoyed reading and I can’t wait for the next book to already come out!
August 21, 2026
I was so excited to receive this ARC of Colt and Lainey. Their story was so cute and I loved all the elements of it. It was such a cute story and I loved the romance.
Review of advance copy
So glad I was chosen for an ARC copy of this book! Its a perfect little quick read and I absolutely love the characters constant banter.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a great closed door cowboy romance. I love how they learn to be themselves while also supporting the other. Also their banter is great.
August 28, 2026
This is a super quick, cute read!
September 4, 2026
Sweetest read
Really loved this book. I read it in one sitting! The humanity of this couple is what got me. I really felt who Lainey and Colt were from the dialogue choices.
Really loved this book. I read it in one sitting! The humanity of this couple is what got me. I really felt who Lainey and Colt were from the dialogue choices.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews