As a rodeo champion, Brynn Hawkins is always on the road, but something about older, gruff-but-sexy rancher Garrett Abernathy makes her think about putting down roots. Brynn doesn’t know why she is so drawn to a man who says he doesn’t date, but his quiet dignity makes her rethink everything. As Thanksgiving approaches, Brynn fears she's running out of time, but she’s determined to find her way into this callused cowboy’s heart!
Rochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.
Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.
Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.
This is apart of the Montana Mavericks Brothers & Broncos series which is apart of the even larger Montana Mavericks series. But don't worry about having to read the books in the series before it. They're loosely connected in that they're set in the same area and some characters appear in multiple books but nothing really spoilerish.
This is a small town romance set in the fall/Thanksgiving time. Which was exactly what I was looking for. I've read Rochelle Alers before and I've read a previous book in this series starring Brynn's sister Audrey. I ended up listening to the audiobook for this one and it was enjoyable.
Rodeo star Brynn is debating on finally putting down some roots in the main base she and her sisters have chosen to call home. Meanwhile Garret Abernathy is busy running his family's ranch and still reeling over his divorce. When he meets Brynn he convinces himself that their age difference is just too great but everyone around them keeps pushing him to take a chance.
My first from such a prolific author and I see why she's a fan favorite!
-COZY Vibes -Perfect Fall Cover -Age Gap (30/43) -Medium spice, but plenty of heart!
Brynn and Garrett's romance was perfectly paced, sexy, and had such a cozy vibe. It's cliche, but this book is the perfect Autumnal read. The events of this book lead up to Thanksgiving and all the small-town vibes that seem to be huge on TikTok these days are present. Close-knit families, a Western setting, and an emphasis on keeping everyone united are all here. Brynn and Garrette are smitten with each other from the beginning. Of course, the age gap and differences in lifestyles continue to rear their ugly heads, but I felt the conflict for the most part is believable.
I really enjoyed this book! It was exactly what I needed after such a worrying day. I would check out more from the author.
When I need some light reading, especially after reading some serious literature, it's nice to pick up a Mills+Boone paperback and this did not disappoint at all... in true rancher style, this middle-aged divorced cowboy is not looking for love let alone a date, but when he happens to attend a Rodeo promotion his attention is captured by this exquisite horse rider... Nooo she is too young to be interested in him. Gruff he may be, but Garrett Abernathy is oh soo sexy! Brynn Hawkins and her family are seasoned performers on the rodeo circuit and the Abernathys are well known ranchers with a thriving meat business. And thanksgiving is a perfect time for business and celebrations and surprise, surprise new beginnings. Well you can certainly say 'opposites attract' and 'love (or should I say lust) at first sight' is the thread that seems to connect these two with their fractured pasts. I was certainly entertaining to read about their feisty romance in getting to their happy ever after... nice!
A Beautiful Black Rodeo Queen and a Handsome wealthy White rancher seems like an unlikely match! Yet, what began as friendship morphed into a love unbreakable! I love that although the residents of Bronco, Montana behaved like gossipy folk in your average small town they were not vicious with it and seemingly not racist either! Big city folk can learn a lot about living and enjoying life from small town folk especially when they all like to live and let live!!! This was a really sweet uplifting story of love, community, traditions and clean air living with a friendly vibe. I like this story a lot it reminds me of the Wickham Falls stories!
Brynn Hawkins and Garrett Abernathy's story. He is an older gentleman who was burned in the past. She is a woman who knows what she wants. Montana Mavericks: Brothers & Broncos: Book 1: Summer Nights with the Maverick by Christine Rimmer Book 2: In the Ring with the Maverick by Kathy Douglass Book 3: One Night with the Maverick by Melissa Senate Book 4: The Maverick's Marriage Pact by Stella Bagwell Book 5: Thankful for the Maverick by Rochelle Alers Book 6: The Maverick's Christmas Secret by Brenda Harlen
So so entry in the series. I used to like Alers, but it seems as if her dialogue is becoming more stilted. Brynn Hawkins, of the famous Hawkins Sisters rodeo family is privately ready to settle down in one place and move on from rodeo. Garrett Abernathy is 13 years older, and has been burned by a divorce, and isn't interested in a relationship. Miscommunication about her ready to settle down, and him thinking she's going to be gone a lot are the focus. Plus, the Bobby Stone saga continues when a man who looks like Bobby goes into a shop and causes Sadie, the owner, to faint.
Nice read. Good book for an afternoon of reading. I don't usually read multi author series. But, I do like Ms. Alers books. There were a few errors and it was apparent the publisher wanted to give a cookie cutter feel. This book could have been so much more. What about Bryan's parents? Lots about Garrett's parents but the black parents....crickets. I really didn't like that. All in all...3.5
Brynn Hawkins is always on the road because she is a rodeo champion. She is attracted to Garrett Abernathy after meeting and talking to him. Garrett enjoys talking and going out with Brynn but thinks he is too old for her. With help from his brothers, Garrett realizes how he really feels about Brynn.
This is a really great read. I love how mature and strong the leading lady is. And how the teach you about black and the rodeo. Rochelle Alers did a great job.
Bryan Hawkins and Garrett Abernathy both afraid to love because of passed relationships. But was willing to try didn't want to be burned again but with the help of their siblings they found a happy ending. My favorite was Miss Hannah.
Enjoyed the book would have liked more information on Brynn family. It appears she was African American. Also more information about the conversation he had with her regarding the exwife .
Good book. Garrett returned to Bronco after the end of his ten-year marriage, determined to put down roots and protect his heart. He'd married his high school sweetheart, then moved with her to New York City. While Faith took to city life like a duck to water, Garrett missed Montana's wide-open spaces and his ranch life.
Brynn is a member of the Hawkins Sisters rodeo group. She and her sisters have been involved in the rodeo all their lives, traveling all over the country. They recently decided to make Bronco their headquarters after Brynn's sister Audrey fell in love with Bronco native Jack Burris (In the Ring with the Maverick). Brynn is ready to cut back on her rodeo time and settle down, and Bronco looks like an excellent place to do it.
I enjoyed the first meeting between Brynn and Garrett. Garrett is taken by her beauty and skill as a barrel racer. Brynn notices his good looks, but something else she can't name draws her to him. She impulsively offers Garrett and his family tickets to the upcoming rodeo. Each finds themselves thinking of the other often. Garrett is a little disturbed by his fascination with Brynn, who he believes is far too young for him. He also has no intention of getting involved with anyone after being burned by his marriage. However, their connection cannot be denied, and it becomes more evident during the post-rodeo dinner at DJ's restaurant.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Garrett and Brynn, but it also frustrated me. Their connection and attraction were clear, but Garrett was so hung up on his failed marriage and the age difference between himself and Brynn that he refused to consider a relationship with her. He worked hard to convince himself that friendship was the only option. Brynn is also not interested in a relationship. She has rodeo commitments that would make it difficult to sustain a relationship, and her craft business also keeps her busy. She's agreeable to Garrett's proposal of friendship.
But the more time they spend together, from Brynn giving him cooking lessons to Garrett playing tour guide, the deeper their connection grows and the stronger their attraction becomes. Their feelings deepen, and they want more than friendship, but each is wary of opening their hearts. Garrett allows his fears to push Brynn away. I loved seeing her call him out on his inability to let go of the past and ached for the pain she felt as he pushed her away. Garrett earned every bit of the misery he felt at losing her. I enjoyed seeing his brothers rip into him because of his idiocy. Seeing his brothers and Brynn's sisters conspire to get them back together was also fun. The ending was terrific, with Garrett finally seeing the light. I loved his reunion with Brynn and hope to see more of them in future books.
Brynn Hawkins and Garrett Abernathy meet when he's at the Bronco Convention Center (BCC) to broker a deal to add The Abernathy's organic bison burgers to BCC's catering menu. He's introduced to Brynn and they both are a bit captivated with the other. She gives Garrett complimentary Rodeo tickets for the entire Abernathy Family to enjoy.
Though attracted they try to convince themselves that it can only be friendship between them. Brynn is tired of traveling and plans to quit the Rodeo Circuit, she's just not quite sure of the timing. Garrett because his divorce did a number on him and he feels Brynn is too young (she's 30, he's 43) and her job will take her away too often.
These two characters exhausted me with their non-sense and constant yo-yoing behavior. Case in point, they decide to officially date, he invites her to the annual Denim and Diamonds Gala. Garrett offers to buy her a dress and she becomes highly offended at the implication that she cannot afford to buy her own things and needs a man to subsidize her wardrobe. He apologizes and they move on from that blow-up.
They attend the Gala and while on the dance floor their proximity is too much for Brynn and a night that should have ended with tangled sheets, becomes a chilly "take me home" and an even chillier "I'm going to be very busy this coming week, so I'll see you again on Thanksgiving" and the door is slammed in his face. Garrett and I are left with a WTF just happened moment.🤷🏽♀️
SIDE NOTE: The Uber Rich aren't going to stand in a buffet line to get food and nor should they since they are donating thousands, if not millions of dollars to benefit charity—you serve them their food!🤦🏽♀️🤪😊
Whenever this couple is in a good place, one of them always mucks it up—every time damn time with their non-sense.🙁 The key to any successful relationship is c-o-m-m-u-n-i-c-a-t-i-o-n! With a little help from their respective families, they forced this couple to confront their demons, together. 😊
Thankful for the Maverick is the fifth title in the multi-author Montana Mavericks: Brothers & Broncos series. And I loved this couple so much. What’s not to love about a grumpy, doesn’t-need-love cowboy and a rodeo champion cowgirl who’s found her special man finding their way to a happy ending?
There are lessons learned for this couple and for the reader – plus, I’ll always love the oftentimes quirky residents of this small town who seem to add more to every story set in Bronco, Montana. But I’ll let you discover that for yourself.
If you love a romance that doesn’t seem to stand a chance at success, a couple who is equally stubborn and attracted to each other, unique small-town residents who mean well and welcome folks with open arms, and the chance to see one grumpy cowboy give up his lone wolf ways for one very special lady… then Thankful for the Maverick is a perfect choice for you.