Review: Texas Twist by Cynthia D’Alba

Title: Texas Twist by Cynthia D’Alba
Texas Montgomery Mavericks Book Four
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: Novel
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

Real bad boys can grow up to be real good men.

Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 4

Hit hard by the death of her parents, Paige Ryan needs to figure out what to do with her life. She moves to Whispering Springs, Texas, to be near her step-brother. But just as she starts to get her life on track, the last man she ever wanted to see again sends it right back off the rails.

Cash Montgomery was on the cusp of having it all. Three bull riding titles, fame, fortune and respect from his family. Until a bad bull leaves him injured, angry and searching for comfort at the bottom of a bottle. With nowhere to go, he moves into his sister-in-law’s old ranch house in Whispering Springs—which he’s surprised to find already occupied.

As Cash rebuilds the dilapidated home and Paige starts out on her medical career, their old friendship begins to reemerge and sparks are ignited. Paige knows that Cash is nothing but a heartache waiting to happen. But maybe this bad boy has grown up to be a real good man?

Product Warnings: Watch out for falling lumber, falling in holes, and falling for the wrong guy…again. You can leave your hard hat on.

The Review:

Texas Twist is the latest addition to Cynthia D’Alba’s delightful Texas Montgomery Mavericks series. This fourth book centered around the Montgomery clan can be read as a standalone but it can be a little overwhelming trying to sort out the various relationships if you are new to the series.

Cash Montgomery and Paige Ryan’s paths crossed frequently for a number of years as they both traveled the rodeo circuit. As a teenager, Paige had a huge crush on the four years older Cash, and after her eighteenth birthday, she left for college nursing a broken heart. Fast forward a few years, and they are unexpectedly reunited when they wind up living together in Cash’s sister-in-law’s ramshackle ranch house. Paige is dismayed by her continued desire for Cash, but once she realizes he is also attracted to her, she proposes a no-strings fling.

Paige is a well-adjusted, sensible young woman in her mid twenties. She has been helping out in her step-brother’s bar while mourning the deaths of her parents, but she is preparing for the next step in her life when she runs into Cash. Despite her continued attraction to him, Paige does not sit around mooning over him. She embarks on a new job and dates a new man in town while she is waiting for school to begin in a few months.

Cash’s career as a bull rider is more than just a job to him. In his mind, bull riding is what defines him, so it is no surprise that after a career ending injury, he is convinced his life is over. In the months since his accident, he has been drinking heavily while wallowing in self-pity.  At loose ends, he begins repair work on the old house, and he is pleasantly surprised when a new future begins to take shape.

Living in the same house puts Paige and Cash in daily contact with one another and they slowly renew their old friendship. The attraction between them simmers below the surface but neither acts on it until Cash’s jealousy leads to a very passionate kiss. Paige is no longer content to ignore her feelings and although she knows there is little chance of a long term relationship for them, she convinces him to agree to a casual affair until she leaves for school. They are soon indulging in some very hot and steamy lovemaking, but love soon sneaks up on both of them.

Texas Twist is a light and easy read with very little conflict. Paige and Cash’s romance is mostly problem free, but a misunderstanding late in the story threatens their relationship. Cynthia D’Alba saves all the drama for the novel’s conclusion, and although Paige and Cash resolve their issue quickly, there is plenty of pulse-pounding action before they are fully reunited.

Fast-paced and engaging with likable characters, Texas Twist is another fabulous installment in the very charming Texas Montgomery Mavericks series that will leave readers eagerly awaiting Cynthia D’Alba’s next release.