5 STARS!!!
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!

This is what a cowboy romance should be. The perfect amount of banter with some really emotional plot. I devoured it in one sitting and it was worth every second. In this story we meet Beau and Elsie who are trying to give their marriage another chance but we see there is so much more going on then the breakdown of a relationship. It's raw, it's real and most importantly beautifully written.

Add this to your TBR list immediately so we can all cry about its beauty together!

Read if you love
- second chance romance
- pregnancy trope (stay with me ... it is done so perfectly that even the biggest critics of the trope (me) will love it)
- storylines that are tackling anxiety realistically
- a MMC that is the human version of sunshine
- a found family that will have you grabbing the tissues
- a beautiful and complete ending that makes sense for these characters, not just for the benefit of a good epilogue!
- close door to slightly spicy scenes

A wonderful read, especially for the summer!

This one was such a sweet story, filled with love and lose, fresh starts and all the raw, emotion filled moments that life can bring. To know it follows such a personal journey that the author also went through, makes it all the more special.

After suffering a career ending injury and a miscarriage, Elsie needed the space and time to heal herself in order to be the person she and her husband, Beau, needed. But after a night of passion with Beau ends with Elsie getting pregnant again, she quickly has to adjust to him being back in her life again fully and healing quicker then she originally planned.

This is a story of healing and finding yourself again and discovering who you want to be now. It's letting down those walls you've always had built up around you and finally feeling okay to let in the people you love the most and allowing them to finally see the real you. But its also a warm hug of feeling the love of those around you. Of removing those negative thoughts that caused you so much stress and believing enough in yourself to become something different to what you thought.

I think with a bit more emotion and tenderness this book could have been something magical. It could have been one of those books where you felt so connected to the characters that you cried along with them or felt their pain deep in your bones. It was still a good book but it was just lacking slighty. I knew Elsie and Beau both were feeling hurt and broken but I didn't feel that. There was never any deep, beautiful conversations that happened, instead it seemed like they just both accepted the way they had both changed and moved on.

I loved how Beau never gave up on her and gave her the space she needed. But then he also knew she needed to be pushed a bit more too. I am also glad that Elsie got to a place where she finally felt okay to open up to Beau & her friend.

Overall this was a good read and if you are looking for something that feels like a bit more like real life then this book might just be what you're looking for. A 4 ⭐️ read for me.

Thank you to Victory Editing, Netgalley and Madison Wright for giving me the opportunity to read and review this arc.

⭐3.75/5 Rating

OUT ON: JULY 11, 2025

Review: I have absolutely adored every single book I've read by Madison Wright, so to say I screamed when I got this early copy is a very accurate statement (thank you so much @authormadisonwright | @netgalley for the advanced digital copy 🤍🥹)

I love a cowboy romance and this book provided me with all the ranching men I could need! I thought that Beau was the kindest male main character I've read in a while and how he was treated in this book by a few people made me so upset for him. I think he was kind to a fault at certain points, but I acknowledge that he is a fictional character, so I can't fault him too much haha!

Elsie was unfortunately my least favourite female main character I've read by this author, but I'm not too upset about it because I knew it would likely happen eventually! HOWEVER - her pain was so real and I know that the author wrote some of her own experience into this character so I applaud her for being so wholly vulnerable with her readers in that - that takes some serious guts!

I do think that Elsie could have handled her own pain in a different way than how she did, solely because I think she was just super unfair to Beau... But, that's just my opinion and you can disagree with me if you'd like to.

Otherwise though, this was a lovely book and I will always read anything Madison Wright puts out into the world!

Not Our First Rodeo is a second chance romance centering around former sweethearts who are thrown back together in their hometown after everything fell apart. Publishing 7-11-25 🐴💛

I could not put this book down! Madison Wright wrote a beautiful story with just the right balance of grief and hope, tenderness and stubbornness, love and fresh starts.

The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and their shared history added beautiful layer of tensionand vulnerability. Wright handles the push and pull of their relationship with such care —it’s not just aboutfalling back in love, but also about healing old wounds, facing hard truths, and learning how to trust again.

What really stood out to me was the author’s ability to create a supporting cast that added to the story without being distracting, and the small-town setting adds a nostalgic warmth that grounds the story. While some plot points felt a bit predictable, the emotional payoff more than made up for it.

**Thank you to NetGalley and @authormadisonwright for the ARC and a chance to read and review. All opinions are honest and my own**

thank you net-galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!

i requested this because i'm (as of recently) a fan of second-chance romance and marriage-in-crisis stories. i'm also an advocate for hot cowboys and found family—but this book just didn't hit for me! i found elsie (the fmc) insufferable, and i actually felt bad for beau. i never feel bad for men, so that says a lot!

i'm sorry, this just wasn't it!

this was such a sweet and wholesome read! a second chance romance will alwaaaays get me, and this one was so interesting to read since its second chance while still married. then throw in an accidental pregnancy, and i’m sold!

i loved seeing how sweet and caring beau is with elsie while she is trying to navigate her life after tragedy. no matter what he will do anything for his wife.

if you’re looking for a closed door, small-town read, this could be the one for you!

thank you netgalley for the arc!!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alright, this one was a fun ride. If you’re into small-town romance with a little sass and a lot of heart, Not Our First Rodeo delivers. It’s got that familiar “we’ve been here before but maybe this time will be different” energy that’s low-key addictive.

The characters felt real imperfect, stubborn, but totally lovable. The chemistry? Definitely there, simmering just right without going over the top. Plus, the setting is cozy without being cliché, which is a win in my book.

The story hits the sweet spot between lighthearted and emotional, so you get those warm fuzzy feels but also some moments that actually make you think.

Only thing keeping it from a full 5 stars is that some parts felt a little predictable but honestly, sometimes predictability is exactly what you want in a comfort read.

If you want a chill, easy to read romance that doesn’t try too hard but still nails the feels, this one’s worth your time.

❤️shaye.readss

📖Tropes - small town, cowboy romance, marriage in trouble, second chance, accidental pregnancy
TW: Off Page Miscarriage

I am a sucker for a cowboy romance and ‘Not Our First Rodeo’ fit the bill, a cowboy/horse trainer who worships the ground his girl walks on😮‍💨

I am not the biggest fan of the accidental pregnancy trope but Madison made this work. This is not a one night stand scenario, Elsie and Beau experienced a loss that impacted their marriage and this pregnancy helped them have their second chance. The author approached the topics of grief/loss and anxiety so well, highlighting their impact on the individual and their relationships.

Beau took the step back that Elsie thought she needed to help herself, even though it broke him to do so. Over time, Elsie slowly began to open up to Beau and he was able to begin putting the pieces together. He understood her better which played a huge role in making their marriage work, knowing when to push her or not. I did really feel for Beau as he was a little overlooked. He had also lost his baby but technically lost his wife as well, Cooper being the only one to recognise this. The Jennings family is so unbelievably wholesome, loving Elsie like their own despite what had happened.

I wish the author had delved into certain scenarios a bit more, such as the Jennings’ family dinner where they found out the gender of their baby and the baby shower, focusing on how everyone was towards Elsie from town.

Overall, the story was very touching and I was able to connect and feel for both the FMC and MMC. I really look forward to the rest of this series and particularly want to hear about Cooper!

✨Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for approving my request to review ‘Not Our First Rodeo’

Review also posted to Fable & Goodreads.

Elsie and Beau are married high school sweethearts. Elsie is a ballerina and after a carreer ending injury she loses her dream and starts to lose herself but after finding out she's pregnant she finds a new purpose, until she miscarriages.
After so many lost she doesnt feel like she deserves her husband so she asks for a break. After months of trying to heal they end up meeting in a bar. and that meet up ends up in a new pregnancy.
I felt bad for Elsie... for the way she didn't think she deserved anything good and so bad for Bea... the way he didn't know what to do to get his wife back. The way they slowly went back to understand each other. It's not more stars for me because I would I have loved more yearning/chemestry. And I would have loved a few flashbacks. Cant wait for the next ome

So cute. I absolutely loved getting to know Elsie and Beau in the is read. The accidental pregnancy trope has never really been for me; however I felt that it was done fairly well here. the only thing I wish we had gotten was more tension and emotion pulling from the characters. Quick, cute, easy read. great palette cleanser.

This was such a beautiful story. I posted and tagged the author in a TikTok video because of how much I loved this book. I gave a 4.5 stars because of how much emotion this gave me. Madison Wright did such an incredible job with the story. It is Second Chance marriage and the accent of a pregnancy trope. Usually, I don’t like that trope, but I feel like she did it right. This series I know I will read the whole thing, and I am excited to read more from this author.. I personally have felt the marital issues that Elsie felt and separation finding yourself but maintaining your love of your husband. I felt this story through and through, and highly recommend this book

• ARC REVIEW •
• NOT OUR FIRST RODEO: BY MADISON WRIGHT •
• ELSIE & BEAU•
•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️•

First and foremost I would like to thank Madison and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity.

Welcome to Lucky Stars Ranch! This is the first book by Madison that I have read and I am so happy with it! I knew as soon as I saw the tropes that I would really enjoy this book! Beau and Elsie are just the sweetest, and the way that this is like my all time favourite trope, gahhh I was so excited for this book and I'm so glad it was fantastic!

Elsie is going through some internal struggles, and finds herself distancing herself from the one person she wishes she didn't have to, her husband. So when she leaves the bar with him, resulting in an unexpected pregnancy, she is forced to piece back her feelings, and let Beau in.

- Accidental Pregnancy
- Horse Trainer x Ballerina
- Second Chance
- Marriage in Crisis
- Found Family
- Horse Trainer x Ballerina

Lets first talk about Elsie! She believes she isn't good enough and an inconvenience to others, but she is anything but! She is so loyal to Beau and her students, and I am glad that she finally was able to eventually see her worth in everyone's life. The way this women has the strength to get herself better before she really felt like she could be herself was something I can relate to! Her inner struggles and anxiety is defiantly something I can relate to.

The man that is Beau Jennings. I thought Elsie was loyal, but this man..... Ohhh lord. He never gives up on Elsie and he knows exactly how to handle the situation. The love for his wife is just so special and the way he makes sure she knows that he is there, he is there to support her in EVERYTHING.

Watching Beau and Elsie become close again was so special. They not only grew closer as a couple but grew as individuals as well. And watching them become parents was extra special. Especially after what they had been through.

I did find Elsie hiding her feelings so sad. That she had to hide away to deal with them, but I was so glad that Madison did include how much Elsie hiding herself away and distancing herself hurt Beau. It really showed his feelings and gave us a little into his side of things! I would have liked to have seen the yearning, the tension, the heartbreak a bit more, so that I could feel them getting that connection a bit more.

The side characters are also so amazing!! I'm so excited for this series to continue!!! I'm so excited to read more from Madison. Please check TW and CW before reading xox

🇮🇹
Prima di tutto, devo ringraziare NetGalley per avermi concesso l’opportunità di leggere questo ARC. Non avevo mai avuto modo di scoprire le opere di Madison Wright prima d’ora, ma posso dire con certezza che questa autrice mi ha conquistata completamente. Il suo modo di scrivere è così autentico e toccante che ora non vedo l’ora di esplorare tutto il suo mondo.

Tropes:
Marriage in crisis
Surprise pregnancy
Second chance romance
Small town romance
Found family
High school sweethearts
Horse trainer x Ballerina
Anxiety representation

Elsie pensava di avere tutto sotto controllo: una brillante carriera come ballerina, un marito che l’adorava e un futuro che sembrava solido. Ma la vita ha i suoi piani, e quando un terribile incidente mette fine ai suoi sogni di danza e una perdita devastante spezza il suo cuore, Elsie si ritrova a dover affrontare un dolore che non credeva possibile. La sua reazione? Allontanare tutti, perfino Beau, l’amore della sua vita dai tempi del liceo. Tornata nel Montana, nella sua piccola città natale, Elsie cerca di ricostruire i pezzi della sua esistenza insegnando danza e vivendo nell’isolamento che crede di meritare. Ma basta un momento di debolezza e un incontro con Beau e improvvisamente si ritrova di fronte a una nuova gravidanza che la costringe ad affrontare tutto ciò che ha cercato di evitare.

Elsie è tutto tranne che perfetta, ed è proprio questo che la rende così reale. Ex ballerina professionista, si ritrova a dover ridefinire completamente la sua identità dopo l’incidente che distrugge la sua carriera. I traumi che ha subito (vi metto già qui i possibili trigger warning del libro, cioè un infortunio professionale e un aborto) la portano in un vortice di ansia e depressione che l’autrice descrive con una sensibilità straordinaria. Ciò che più colpisce di Elsie è la sua lotta interna: vuole essere forte ma si sente fragile, vuole comunicare ma non riesce a trovare le parole, vuole essere amata ma si convince di non meritarlo. Il suo percorso di guarigione è tortuoso e realistico, senza scorciatoie magiche o trasformazioni istantanee. È una donna che deve imparare di nuovo a fidarsi, a mostrarsi vulnerabile e a credere che il futuro possa riservare ancora gioia.

Beau Jennings è letteralmente un sogno: paziente, comprensivo, devoto e con un amore che sembra indistruttibile. Ama Elsie da quando erano adolescenti e continua ad amarla anche quando lei lo allontana, rispettando i suoi tempi ma non rinunciando mai alla speranza. Quello che lo rende speciale è che non cerca di “sistemarla” o cambiarla, ma semplicemente le sta accanto, pronto a sostenerla quando è pronta ad accettare il suo aiuto.

Elsie e Beau hanno una storia lunga e profonda (sono sposati da un decennio e si amano dai sedici anni) ma devono reimparare a stare insieme dopo tutto quello che hanno passato. Il loro amore è fatto di piccoli gesti e durante il corso della storia Beau impara a leggere i segnali di Elsie, a capire quando ha bisogno di spazio e quando invece ha bisogno di essere abbracciata, mentre lei deve imparare di nuovo a lasciarsi amare e a credere che il loro amore possa sopravvivere a qualsiasi ostacolo.

Ho amato scrittura dell’autrice, che è riuscita ad essere cruda quando serve ma anche tenera ed è riuscita a trattare argomenti delicati come il lutto, l’ansia e la perdita con una grande sensibilità.

Madison Wright ha creato qualcosa di speciale, un libro che vi farà piangere ma vi lascerà il cuore pieno di speranza. È una lettura che consiglio a tutti coloro che amano le storie dove i personaggi sono imperfetti ma reali, dove l’amore non risolve tutto ma può dare la forza per affrontare qualsiasi cosa.

🇬🇧
First of all, huge thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC! I hadn’t come across Madison Wright’s work before but I can say I’m now a big fan. Her writing is so raw and moving that I honestly can’t wait to dive into more of her books.

Tropes:
Marriage in crisis
Surprise pregnancy
Second chance romance
Small town romance
Found family
High school sweethearts
Horse trainer x Ballerina
Anxiety rep

Elsie thought she had it all figured out: a thriving career as a ballerina, a husband who adored her and a future that looked bright. But life had other plans, a tragic accident ended her dancing dreams, and a heartbreaking loss left her emotionally shattered. Her response was to shut everyone out, including Beau, the love of her life since high school. Back in her small Montana hometown, Elsie tries to piece her life back together by teaching dance and living in the kind of isolation she believes she deserves. But one impulsive moment with Beau changes everything. Now she’s pregnant, and suddenly forced to face everything she’s been avoiding.

Elsie is far from perfect, and that’s exactly what makes her so compelling. She’s trying to redefine who she is after the accident that took everything from her. The trauma she’s experienced (i’ll include the potential trigger warnings here: injury and miscarriage) sends her into a spiral of anxiety and depression and the way the author handles these topics is incredibly sensitive and real.
What stood out to me most was Elsie’s inner struggle. She wants to be strong but feels broken. She wants to open up but doesn’t know how. She wants to be loved but convinces herself she’s not worthy. Her healing journey is winding and realistic, without magical shortcuts or instant transformations. She’s a woman who must learn again to trust, to show vulnerability, and to believe that the future can still hold joy.

And Beau Jennings? An actual dream man. He’s patient, kind, steady and the way he loves Elsie feels completely unconditional. He’s loved her since they were teenagers and even when she pushes him away he never stops hoping. He doesn’t try to fix her or rush her. He simply shows up, again and again, ready to support her when she’s ready.

Elsie and Beau have a long, complicated and beautiful history. They’ve been married for ten years and have loved each other since they were sixteen. But after everything they’ve been through they need to learn how to be together again. Their love lives in the little things. Beau learns to read her silences and Elsie learns to trust that love can last, even through the worst of it.

I really loved Madison Wright’s writing. It’s emotional and honest with the perfect balance of tenderness and grit. She doesn’t shy away from hard topics like grief, anxiety, and loss but handles them with so much care and nuance.

This book will break your heart in the best way and then slowly put it back together. It’s a powerful, emotional read I’d recommend to anyone who loves stories about imperfect people, where love doesn’t solve everything but can give you the strength to face anything.

I really enjoyed this one!! This is a new author to me and it will not be my last book by her. Second chance, small town and found family. Some of my literally fave things all wrapped in one. Beau was so caring and I truly love that man. Highly recommend this book

This book surprised me in the best way. I’m not usually a fan of the accidental pregnancy trope, but the way the author approached it, especially alongside the emotional weight of miscarriage and healing, felt really thoughtful and respectful. The focus on grief and the fear that can come with pregnancy after loss was handled with care, and I appreciated watching the main character work through that while also reconnecting with herself.

One part I struggled with was how Elsie had kept so much of her emotional pain and struggle from Beau over the years. Considering they had been together since they were young, it was hard to believe he had no idea what she was going through. That made it difficult for me to fully connect with their relationship in the beginning, and I found myself wanting a little more emotional tension or build-up to make their reconnection feel earned.

That said, once Elsie started facing her emotions head on, her vulnerability came through in a very real way. I also really appreciated how the story acknowledged Beau’s feelings. His grief and pain were treated as just as valid, which added a lot of balance to their journey.

While I did enjoy the overall story, I found myself wanting a stronger turning point or emotional peak in the second half. The pacing felt a little too steady and could have used more impact toward the end.

Still, this was a heartfelt and emotional read with strong themes of healing, growth, and love. I am glad I gave it a chance, even with a trope I typically do not enjoy.

I love this take on a "Second chance romance" and accidental pregnancy trope. The author did a beautiful job of hitting on miscarriages and how the you overcome that fear while handling another pregnancy. I really enjoyed experiencing the FMC find herself again and in turn, healing her relationship with the MMC. For those looking for a closed door romance, this is the perfect read! I gave it 3 stars because I do wish there was a little more of a tipping point/climax in the second half of the book but the story in all was a very fun read. I am extremely excited to see what the author does in the next book of the series as I can already see a fun, banter-full relationship between the MMC's brother and the FMC's best friend.

I'm super picky with my second chance romances, there has to be a good enough for them to break up in the first place, and believable enough character growth for them to reunite or I'm out; Not Our First Rodeo had both!! I laughed, I cried (a lot tbh), I swooned and I totally fell in love with Elsie and Beau.

The cowboy/ballerina trope is one I didn't know I needed and the sheer HEART in this story is just beautiful. I was obsessed with how sweet and understanding Beau was and every 'Elsie baby' just melted me that little bit more. This felt super real, and I'd honestly recommend to anyone who loves a small town/cowboy romance and isn't afraid to get the tissues out!

dnf @ 24%

I wanted to really love this book because I've loved second chance romances and marriage in crisis books as well as an accidental pregnancy (when done right), but this I could not handle. I've read one other book by this author and LOVED it, but for some reason, this felt like a completely different writing style and author who wrote it. It felt like a whole lot of telling and not showing,g and i don't love that in books. This was just not clicking with me, which makes me so sad.

Also, I was trying to be empathetic to the FMC in this book, but I genuinely couldn't really feel bad for her. I did not like her and i understood that she was depressed (had an injury that caused her career to be over, had a miscarriage) but when i read that her husband that she had been together/known for TEN YEARS had no clue that she had panic attacks was when I knew I probably wasn't going to finish it. I can understand that being vulnerable is hard and scary, but when you've been with this person for so long, you would think that is something he would know. however she genuinely just didn't communicate anything with him and knew i wouldn't be connected to the fmc. I probably could have pushed through for the mmc but she doesn't deserve him. she should go to therapy instead of just trying to handle it all by herself.

This was a great second chance romance with a cowboy twist. Elsie and Beau were such good characters and I think the difficulties in their relationship were handled in such a real way. I also really loved the representation of anxiety, panic attacks and mental health. The setting of the ranch was lovely and I hope we get to return!

Cowboy x ballerina = sign me up

Through most of the book, I found Elsie’s reasons for pushing Beau away to be a little strange. I could understand if the two of them hadn’t been together since they were teenagers, but for her to hide panic attacks from him for a decade AND him to have no idea she was having them is kind of wild. Because of this, I did struggle a little bit with their chemistry, specifically in the beginning. I think we get that first scene that is very angsty, but I could have had a little more angst.

I liked how raw Elsie was when she was finally coming to grips with her struggles. This was written in a very impactful way. Although I think Elise needs to see a professional for the trauma and grief she’s gone through. And I do appreciate Cooper being very blunt that Beau’s feelings were equally as valuable as Elise’s - and that Elise was able to realize this as well.

I love a second chance romance, and this one was unique in the aspect that they’re still married, but overcoming immeasurable grief and figuring out how to fit back into each others lives. And I love love love the big found family vibes that this family gives off.

This was good! I enjoyed it, and I think it covered the topic of miscarriages in a gentle, but real and raw, way. I wanna know what Cooper was up to with his spread sheet. What is going on between him and Jade. I think I would obsess over their romance if there’s a second book coming.