I've never read a western YA romance before and was interested and Riley’s journey, so I asked and got picked to participate in TBR and Beyond Tours via NetGalley. Thank you to both.
Book Info:
Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses by Katrina Emmel
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Publishing Date: July 23, 2024
Synopsis:
A swoon-worthy YA rivals-to-lovers romance between a Nebraskan cowboy and California girl, thrust together on the Oregon Trail.
Anything’s possible under a prairie sky…
Riley Thomas is feeling stuck—she’s moved from California to Nebraska, she’s on a weeklong Oregon Trail family bonding excursion, and her luggage is lost. There’s no one her age on the trip except a tall, dark and irksome cowboy who wrongly assumes she has zero ability to handle the great outdoors. She can’t wait for this misery to end—even though going “home” isn’t even possible anymore.
Lone wolf Colton Walker loves the simpler life of the plains and his family’s tourism business that helps protect them. He’s a stand-up guy—not a love ‘em and leave ‘em type like his rival, Jake. And he knows better than to take his chances with a prairie princess like Riley.
But Riley’s got more sense than Colton thinks–and he’s not nearly as inflexible as he seems. And under a wide prairie sky of puffy clouds and bright stars, everything comes into focus–including a cowboy’s heart.
Katrina Emmel’s Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses will take you on a sweeping journey across the American prairie . . . once you love a boy in a Stetson, you’ll never be the same.
My Summary:
I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative leading up to the commencement of the Oregon Trail expedition. While some of the events that unfolded early in Riley's journey were not part of my own experiences, I empathized with her character. The gradual development of Colton and Riley's relationship, as they transitioned from initial animosity to love, felt very organic. Additionally, the portrayal of the supporting characters, including Riley and Colton's parents, Riley's brother, and even Colton's horse, Chance, and his rival Jake, was compelling. The vivid and picturesque descriptions of the scenery were truly captivating. Furthermore, the misadventures encountered by Colton and Riley were quite engaging, but I refrain from disclosing specific details to avoid spoilers. The resolution of the story left me satisfied. Overall, it is a delightful young adult novel, presenting a compelling rivals-to-lovers romance narrative.
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About the Author:
Katrina grew up in New Hampshire, and has a love for literature and science. She studied biochemistry in college before moving to the Midwest for graduate school, where she earned her Ph.D. in chemistry. Continuing her journey to the West Coast, Katrina lives in an active household that includes her husband, two children, father-in-law, and their rascally pup. She works as a chemistry consultant, and writes YA fiction and children’s fiction and non-fiction. Katrina loves chai, science and nature, trying out new recipes, music, and crafting.
Author Links:
Website: https://www.katrinaemmel.com/
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