In the Reins: In the Reins Series, Book 1

By: Carly Kade

Narrated by: Amanda Lamb

McKennon Kelly. McKennon Kelly. McKennon Kelly.

Cowboy McKennon Kelly was the last thing Devon Brooke wanted to focus on after finding herself suddenly single. Looking for a fresh start to life, city girl and journalist Devon just wanted to go back to her country roots and focus on building a relationship with her newly acquired equine partner Faith.

Devon finds companionship in handsome bull riding ranch hand JD and delicate Green Briar horse farm owner Sophia, both who advise Devon to keep her distance from McKennon and "mind her p's and q's" around the quiet and eerily peaceful stables. Devon thinks it shouldn't be too difficult to avoid the Adonis cowboy, but after noticing his skills and expert ways with training horses, she figures it couldn't hurt to get to know him a little bit ... right?

Devon follows the guarded cowboy to a horse show, where she is unprepared to learn she may not be the cowgirl she thought she was. After a near-tragic incident, Devon begins to realize that the more time she spends with McKennon, the less she really knows about him (or horses, for that matter), and his mystery just keeps getting bigger. Who is he really, what is it that everyone doesn't want her to know, and why is this tight-shirted, spur-jingling, weather-eyed cowboy all she can think about now?

©2015 Carly Kade (P)2017 Carly Kade

I Could NOT Put This Down

After experimenting with Audible before this book, I have slowly been listening to other books. Then "In the Reins" came along, and I could NOT put it down. By that, I mean my phone was with me everywhere while I listened, and I FINISHED IT IN A DAY. This book was fabulous. I am a horse person and writer, so I could actually identify with the main character of Devon to some extent. But even if I wasn't a horse person or writer, I feel like most women who have been in the dating world can identify with Devon...especially with being hurt in love and with finding someone you can't stop thinking about. The author, Carly Kade, looks like she is well on her way as a new author with writing that flows, maintains your interest (remember, you won't want to put it down), and that draws you into the story and makes you forget where you are. The author made the characters very realistic, complete with likable characteristics and also with real human flaws...just like we all have. In addition to the main characters, I was very intrigued by two side characters...JD and Sophia. Both remind me of people I know. In fact, I had a Sophia at my barn when I had a horse. The book's main story kept me interested because I wanted to just keep finding out more about the characters and about McKennon's past. I must add, even if you know nothing about horses, you will enjoy this book, especially if you love the romance genre. "In the Reins" has everything it needs...and MORE. Horses. ruggedly handsome cowboys, romance, intrigue, interesting characters, smooth dialogue, writing that flows...and the can't-put-it-down factor. I'm now reading (vs. listening to) the second book in the series, "Cowboy Away," and so far, it is just as good or better. All my down time will be devoted to continuing with the saga of Devon and McKennon, until I finish it. Then I bet I will be chomping at the bit for the third installment.

Loved this book!!!!

Great story and so much fun to read a book about what I like to do, showing horses. Can't wait to read the next one.

Good cowboy romance

loved this book, it more than entertained me. loved the characters and the narrator. want to read the next one

Nice story

Very slow, the story great as you got to the end . Too bad not the whole way through

Not for me

Unfortunately I bought all 3 in this series. Since they were a cash purchase, I can’t return them. They were on sale and had good reviews so I figured I was safe. I still have 1.5 hours to go on this first of the series (and I sped up the narration just to get through it faster). It will be a struggle but I’ll finish listening to it because I’m bullheaded and I don’t want to waste my money but ick. I was hoping it would be more of horse story but it’s mindless inner dialogue etc. Not a huge fan of the main character. If you want pointless drivel, by all means purchase it. I rarely write reviews but I felt compelled to on this one.

not my kind of romance

The reader would remind you of a female Ben Stein but very slow and not the kind of slow you hang on to every word in anticipation. The story line was bland. There was no romance/fling just a young woman who had no clue how to ride or train a horse she bought sight unseen and her lust for a guy that was all in her head. I was hoping that it would get better but I found myself skipping chapters because it was so boring and DRAGGING. This unfortunately was not my kind of book that I'd get lost in and and be wanting to read/listen to more.