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Montana Rodeo Brides #3

Breaking the Cowboy’s Rules

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It's time to take advantage of his player reputation ...

Pro rodeo bronc and bull rider Bodhi Ballantyne is always upping the stakes. This year he's been hiding a secret, and when he and his cousins come home to Marietta, Montana, for the Copper Mountain Rodeo and learn their granddad is contemplating selling his legacy ranch, Bodhi challenges his cousins to a game to save their futures. To stay in the game, they'll each need a bride by the end of the rodeo.

Nico Steel is on the run from her family, her fortune, and her unwitting role in the corporate scandal of a generation. After cooperating with the FBI and the New York state attorney's office to right the wrongs, she drives across the country, desperate for peace and reinvention. One impulsive stop at a saloon along with a dance with a sexier-than-sin cowboy and suddenly Nico's learning to shoot whiskey and agreeing to be a stranger's fake fianc�e for the week.

They're both players, so it's a win-win--unless one of them loses their heart.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2022

52 people are currently reading
27 people want to read

About the author

Sinclair Jayne

44 books130 followers
Sinclair has loved reading romance novels since she discovered Barbara Cartland historical romances when she was in sixth grade. By seventh grade, she was haunting the library shelves looking to fall in love over and over again with the heroes born from the imaginations of her favorite authors. After teaching writing classes and workshops to adults and teens for many years in Seattle and Portland, she returned to her first love of reading romances and became an editor for Tule Publishing last year. Sinclair lives in Oregon’s wine country where she and her family own a small vineyard of Pinot Noir and where she dreams of being able to write at a desk like Jane Austen instead of in parking lots waiting for her kids to finish one of their 12,000 extracurricular activities.

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5 stars
58 (65%)
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21 (23%)
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7 (7%)
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2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Shelagh.
1,805 reviews25 followers
January 14, 2022
Breaking The Cowboy’s Rules is an exceptionally satisfying and sexy last book in Sinclair Jayne’s Montana Rodeo Brides Romance series. It brings us back to Marietta, Montana, a town I have loved from its inception, and the Ballantyne family’s Three Trees ranch. Sexy, and swaggering cowboy Bodhi Ballantyne owns the page from the moment he steps onto it. Women flock to his side like bees to a honeypot, but until Samara Wentworth, also known as Nico Steel, appears in his sights he’s had a reputation as a love-em-and-leave-em-satisfied sort of guy. Under the confident veneer Bodhi has a soft side: he’s passionate about his family and wants them all to be happy. He’s also a gentleman, ensuring that he gives his all in relationships without overstepping the bounds. I loved him! Nico has a reputation as a hard as nails attorney, though her appearance in this story shows her as a vulnerable woman trying to rebuild herself. I loved that she was prepared to walk into Greys Saloon, a cowboy bar, despite being very unsure of her welcome. This lady has guts! These two together had chemistry through the rafters but they also ticked all the boxes in the way they got to know each other. I was truly invested in their relationship and so, so happy with the satisfying end to this story.
Profile Image for Janine.
1,088 reviews27 followers
November 30, 2021
This is the last of the Montana Rodeo Brides books and definitely my favorite of them all. I loved how Bodhi and Nico met at the bar right after Bodhi and his cousins agreed to a challenge to save their grandfather’s ranch. As Bodhi and Nico’s relationship grew, the chemistry between them was off the charts. But Nico and Bodhi were keeping secrets that might ruin what they started. They will have to work through their issues if this game is to become their happily ever after.

I hate to see this series end, but I am glad it wrapped up with a happy and surprising ending.
Profile Image for Sue.
1,743 reviews29 followers
January 14, 2022
I received this arc of Breaking the Cowboy’s Rules from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book in the Montana Rodeo Brides series by Sinclair Jayne. I’ve read the whole series and loved each book. Sinclair did an awesome job with this series. The books all take place at the same time and each book is the story of one of the 3 Ballantyne cousins. Each book advances the background story as well. All 3 cousins are in the traveling rodeo. They are back in Marietta Montana in time for the local rodeo. Their mothers all live in Denver and their fathers are not in the picture for one reason or another. Their grandfather has the family ranch outside Marietta and the guys always planned to retire from the rodeo and come back to work the ranch. They are there to also help their grandfather with chores and to set up the ranch for the annual bash. It has been hinted that the grandfather wants to sell and move closer to his daughters. Bodhi dreams up a plan to save the ranch. There will be a game where each cousin will need to have gotten a fiancé to share with the family at the Bash. They are hoping the family idea will convince the grandfather not to sell.

This book features the oldest cousin, Bodhi and a woman named Nico Steel. We have learned that he is hiding something and has been pushing dangerous behaviors in the rodeo this past year. The first book was about Beck and his longtime girlfriend Ash. They had run into a rough patch and Bodhi is hoping the game will force Beck to fix the relationship. The second book is about Bowen and Langston who he has a past with.

Nico enters Grey’s saloon where the 3 cousins came to plan. We learn she is running away from a traumatic event in the past revolving around her family and her relationship with them is ruined. She left town in a hurry and has been driving a long distance when she ends up in Marietta. She looks around and decides to get a room at the Graff hotel and some clothing at the western wear store. She gives a fake name of Nico to the hotel as well as to Bodhi later that evening. She is afraid of being recognized using her real name. She is a stranger to Marietta and he engages her in conversation, 2 step dancing and later stargazing at the lake.

Bodhi presents the situation to Nico and explains the premise of the game. They would be in a fake relationship for the week and then he would do a fake proposal. She is worried that her identity will be found out. She is ashamed of the things her family did and then when she betrayed them, she feels it reflects badly on her as well. Bodhi offers to show her around town. He brings her to the ranch to go riding and meet his grandfather and the rest of the family. She is convinced to help out with getting the ranch ready for the big party following the rodeo events, where the engagements will be announced. The cousins are concerned because they are afraid their grandfather wats to sell because of his health or money issues.

Neither. Nico or Bodhi have been in a relationship so all the feelings they have are new and exciting to them. They both develop strong feelings for the other but because of each of their secrets they fear the other won’t be interested once they know. I love the characters from all of the books. There is a lot of angst before we learn Bodhi and Nico’s secrets and again after we wonder how the other will react. We don’t know the reason the grandfather alluded to him selling the ranch or what the.mothers are planning. There are a few secrets that come out at the end that are quite surprising. I love the book and the series and I highly recommend them.
1,640 reviews29 followers
January 13, 2022
Breaking the Cowboy’s Rules by Sinclair Jayne
It’s time to take advantage of his player reputation…
Pro rodeo bronc and bull rider Bodhi Ballantyne is always upping the stakes. This year he’s been hiding a secret, and when he and his cousins come home to Marietta, Montana, for the Copper Mountain Rodeo and learn their granddad is contemplating selling his legacy ranch, Bodhi challenges his cousins to a game to save their futures. To stay in the game, they’ll each need a bride by the end of the rodeo.
Nico Steel is on the run from her family, her fortune, and her unwitting role in the corporate scandal of a generation. After cooperating with the FBI and the New York state attorney’s office to right the wrongs, she drives across the country, desperate for peace and reinvention. One impulsive stop at a saloon along with a dance with a sexier-than-sin cowboy and suddenly Nico’s learning to shoot whiskey and agreeing to be a stranger’s fake fiancée for the week.
They’re both players, so it’s a win-win—unless one of them loses their heart.
This is Bodhi Ballantyne and Nico Steel's story.
Bodhi Ballantyne leaned against the ancient beat-up bar at Grey’s Saloon in Marietta, Montana, and surveyed the room. Two tables of bridesmaids were getting nicely toasted on Grey’s signature pink drinks. Greys had owned and run the saloon since Marietta was little more than a trading spot. Who would have thought Jason Grey, the current owner, whose expression varied between sullen and pissed, would have created a drink so festive?
Bodhi popped off the cap of his beer and whizzed it by Jason into the trash can, earning him another scowl. He took a deep draw on the local microbrew while his mind worked over his granddad’s parting comments tonight as he’d shooed him and his cousins off to Grey’s without him, breaking a long-running tradition. All three grandsons regularly took a break from the pro rodeo to come back home, help out Granddad on projects around the house and ranch. Every September, they took a break from the tour to come home, help at the ranch and compete in the local Copper Mountain Rodeo. It was sacred. Tradition.
This year everything felt different. Wrong. It had started with the letter. Went downhill from there.
Samara Nicoletta Reese Steel Wentworth had been driving west for three days when she saw the sign for Copper Mountain Rodeo. The graphic of the cowboy on a bucking bronc—hand held high, defying gravity and who knew what other laws of physics, a Stetson perched at an impossibly jaunty angle, leather fringe on his chaps dancing, buckle gleaming—was as fascinating as it was alien.
Cowboys were just in movies, right?
But maybe they did exist in real life in…where was she? Montana yet or still?
Breaking the Cowboy’s Rules by Sinclair Jayne is 2 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for Marsha Keeper Bookshelf.
4,290 reviews88 followers
January 26, 2022
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Breaking the Cowboy’s Rules is the third title in the Montana Rodeo Brides series, and it’s time for the instigator of the bet between cousins to save the family ranch to face the music himself and come up with a fiancée — one way or another, and Nico plays right into that fake fiancée role for she has secrets of her own to keep hidden. How I have loved returning to Marietta, Montana once again for this delightful, sexy, emotional series!

From the moment we met Bodhi, back in The Cowboy Says I Do, the fact that he was hiding his own secret was very clear to the reader (if not his family). I had my suspicions but waited for the other stories to play out and now we know Bodhi’s secrets… which I’m not about to tell. This series builds on the story before so although I’ll always suggest reading in order, this time I feel it’s important to do so, in my opinion.

Nico (Samara) has traveled a far distance to stop her journey at Grey’s Saloon. She’s a high-power attorney in her family’s firm who has, some might say, turned on that family and has taken off to get away from the situation and perhaps reinvent herself along the way. What she knew about cowboys could be stuffed in a child-sized Stetson but she was about to get a lesson that went beyond learning the Two-Step when she flirts with a cowboy and ends up agreeing to be his pretend fiancée for a week… a week that will change lives and open up possibilities for their futures.

I loved Nico and Bodhi individually and especially together. They fit even when they haven’t been exactly straightforward with each other about those pesky secrets they’re carrying. Breaking the Cowboy’s Rules is the final story in the series so we’ll get a lot of storylines wrapped up, and most of the answers we’ve been waiting for… not all, in my opinion, but one always leaves room for future possibilities. I adored watching the magic of Marietta at work on Nico as she experiences the beauty of Montana, of the ranch, and the residents that always mean well and are the most welcoming bunch of folks you’ll ever meet. I had a blast watching this pretend relationship find a solid foundation for their future. Love and trust are risks but watching Bodhi and Nico fall was a delightful journey. If you love a good romance with believable characters, a fun, welcoming community, and a solid story then you’ll want to pick up this entire series soon.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Profile Image for Becky Burciaga.
1,532 reviews18 followers
April 5, 2022
Breaking the Cowboy’s Rules, the third, and final, book in Sinclair Jayne’s Montana Rodeo Brides series ended the series quite nicely…without rushing the ending, and even leaving the door open for perhaps more from the Ballantyne family (???), as evidenced by the three Ballentyne sisters seeming to have a secret, the overall arc of the story/series was entertaining, unique, and quite endearing.

I’ve been a fan of Ms Jayne for quite some time, and have read, and enjoyed, all her series. I truly believe her success in creating such alluring stories is due to her more than captivating characters. In Bodhi and Nico you have much more than just captivating characters…with Bodhi, who epitomizes the concept of Cowboy and is larger than life, this author has crafted a character who lives large in your mind’s eye. Nico is smart, fearless in her beliefs, and can pivot like nobody’s business. The two together are explosive, their chemistry is palpable and leaps off the page. They are definitely a couple that have garnered a place in my heart.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
4,172 reviews21 followers
January 13, 2022
Breaking the Cowboy’s Rules (Montana Rodeo Brides, #3) by Sinclair Jayne explains a lot about seemingly carefree Bodhi Ballantyne. The challenge/dare to have a bride by the end of the rodeo season seemed like a strange way to handle losing-the-farm-sort-to speak. However after the beginning it all became clear.

Bodhi's first mistake was thinking that he could keep his heart out of his plans. The second was not realizing that Nico Steel would have secrets of her own. A delicious final to the series. I would have read it even if I didn’t like Bodhi and Nico so much which I most certainly did just so I could out if he ranch is sold and the mothers win or not. A twist or two that makes this the most entertaining story ever.

An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
6,556 reviews27 followers
January 13, 2022
I believe this may be the last book in this series and like its predecessors it is a fun read that keeps you engaged until the last page

Bodhi Ballantyne is the one who proposed to his cousins that they all find brides to stop there grandfather from selling the ranch that they all expected to inherit one day and in this instalment we finally learn what makes Bodhi tick. He soon finds a woman to be his pretend fiancée in Nico Steel what he doesn't realise is that she has secrets of her own on the run after turning evidence into the FBI about her own family company. What neither expected was the connection that formed between them Can they build something that will really last You will have to read to see
Profile Image for Delacey.
1,195 reviews8 followers
January 13, 2022
This is the third book in the series, and I advise readers to read them in the order, as these three books happen concurrently and as the final this one wraps up all the threads and has spoilers for the other books.

First off....I KNEW IT! Having read the first two books I had a few strong suspicions and was correct about them :) Enough tooting my own horn.... the book itself. Was very enjoyable, sweet and sexy. It was great to really get to see how Bhodi is as a person, and see their relationship develop. Overall, a very enjoyable romance. * I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,115 reviews8 followers
January 17, 2022
I liked this book the characters where fun. However I did feel like about half way through the book dragged a little bit. I liked how both Nico and Bodhi each were facing something yet didn't feel enough to share with others and continued to fight for what they felt was right. I liked Nico at the beginning she seemed like this sweet soul and she felt like she was had to hide who she really was. I felt Bodhi was fighting himself for most of the book and I wish he would have been more open sooner with Nico. This book does have adult language and situations and may not be suitable for all readers.
1,611 reviews9 followers
January 13, 2022
I have loved every book in this series so far, but I honestly think this one is my favorite. I devoured this book in one sitting. I thought that Bodhi and Nico were a perfect match. The chemistry between them was hot! This book will make you laugh, it will make you smile. The story line was even a little mysterious. I could not get enough. I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

1,848 reviews19 followers
Read
January 15, 2022
Samara needed to get away, so she went on a trip by herself with just a small amount of clothes. She had no idea where she was going just that she needed to get away and start afresh. She was an attorney at her parents company and now they won't speak to her.

She ends up in Montana and meets a rodeo cowboy. From this point on the story gets better and better. What's better than a hot cowboy, maybe three of them. Check out this story I think you will find it as entertaining as I did.
Profile Image for Laura D.
1,118 reviews
February 2, 2022
This is the third book in the series and Rodeo star Bodhi's story in the bride game. Three cousins are trying to persuade their grandfather to keep the family ranch. The plan Bodhi comes up with is for them to see who can find a bride first. Maybe if one of them pretends to be settling down their grandfather won't sell the ranch. Nico is running from the shame of her family's actions. She ends up stopping at the Graf Hotel after many hours of driving and see meets Bodhi. He propositions her to be his fake girl friend for a bit and then share a fake engagement with him. What has she got to lose? She agrees and then the real fun begins. The more time Nico spends on the ranch the more she can imagine a life their for herself. When fake feeling turn real the real question is who is really playing a game? Is it truly a game invented by the cousins or did their grandfather actually start the game? Good read.
Profile Image for Paula Pugh.
2,311 reviews11 followers
November 20, 2021
Bodhi proposes a game challenge to his two cousins: get fake engaged at their family bash. This just might make their grandfather not sell the family ranch. When Bodhi sees Nico in Gray’s saloon, he is transfixed. This Montana cowboy has met his match and one week will never be enough for him.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Donnajo.
2,344 reviews
November 30, 2021
I voluntarily read a advanced readers’s copy of book for honest opinion.

Breaking the Cowboy's Rules by Sinclair Jayne, third book in the Montana Rodeo Brides series. Although I hadn't read the previous books in this series I still enjoyed the characters and dialogue in Breaking the Cowboy's Rules. I look forward to reading more by author.
895 reviews
December 15, 2021
This story has some sizzle, it’s interesting right from the start and I was into both Bodhi and Nico right when they meet in the bar when Nico agrees to be his fake fiancée and play the rodeo bride game he cooked up with him I was hooked. And this has one of those moments that took me so by surprise, I will say don’t miss this one is so good.
I was given an early copy for my own opinion review.
Profile Image for Debra  M..
276 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2022
The blurb grabbed my attention on this one as well,as the book cover.I love reading about small towns like Marietta,Montana where everyone knows everyone ,it also has a disadvantage of everyone knows your business whether you like it or not.
Profile Image for Jacki.
1,044 reviews4 followers
February 4, 2022
I always enjoy revisiting Marietta.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Montana Rodeo Brides
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
498 reviews2 followers
June 5, 2025
Rules

I am so glad I decided to read this series. What a wonderful story about family values and 3 cousins who grew up together. The 3 come together devising a game to stop their grandfather from decisions about the ranch. So many secrets unfold.
Profile Image for Eileen.
2,698 reviews
January 29, 2022
I really enjoyed Nico and Bodhi’s story in Breaking the Cowboy’s Rules by Sinclair Jayne, the last of the three Montana Rodeo Brides books and definitely as wonderful as the two prior ones. Bodhi and Nico met at the bar right after he and his cousins agreed to a challenge in order to save their grandfather’s ranch, their legacy, from being sold. Bodhi was enigmatic and the reason behind him being more reckless lately was definitely a mystery. Nico kept her career family and why she is hiding, along with her real name, a secret from everyone in Marietta. There was a magnetic attraction and off-the-chart chemistry between Bodhi and Nico; fueling their relationship. Learning the truth, more than just these, freed Bodhi and Nico to realize their true feelings for each other and a place where they fit perfectly.

Ms. Jayne wrote a wonderfully sweet story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, clever banter, and endearing characters giving Nico and Bodhi an unexpected chance at a happy future together. I highly recommend Breaking the Cowboy’s Rules to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Profile Image for Christina Montminy.
2,166 reviews22 followers
January 14, 2022
Loved this 3rd instalment of the Montana Rodeo Brides by author Sinclair Jayne, I was hooked from the first page to the last. I think this one was my favourite because Bodhi was such an enigmatic character & pulled on my heartstrings. This story was well written as were all the stories but this one just seemed to have a little more angst & mystery surrounding Bodhi & Nico. I enjoyed the game he created to help his cousins & grandfather but I especially enjoyed the end because I had a funny feeling throughout all 3 books that something was up. Author Sinclair Jayne tugged really hard on the heartstrings with the mystery surrounding Bodhi's health & the mystery surrounding Nico's family & her career. I loved that they both fell hard for each other & it was fitting that Bodhi fell first, since he was a playboy. I also loved how in tune Ben was with his 3 grandsons. Bodhi & Nico had a chemistry that was off the charts & seemed to sizzle constantly. I'm hoping that we'll see this family again soon. Definitely recommend. Thank you to Tule Publishing for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.
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