THE BILLIONAIRE IN BOOTS

In Book 3 of the Princes of Texas series (The Devil in the Saddle, 2019, etc.), a restless rancher is torn between the family business and bigger dreams.

Nick Prince’s dreams of becoming a commercial airline pilot were dashed when he inherited the family’s struggling business, Saddlebush Land and Cattle Company, after his father’s death 18 months ago. Deeply unsatisfied with the cattle rancher life, Nick is grumpy and brooding. His capable office manager, Charlotte Bailey, is a bubbly extrovert who enjoys needling Nick over their differing organization styles and his general moodiness. Sexual tension simmers just below the surface of their banter ever since their steamy encounter at the company Christmas party two years ago. Nick tries to put Charlotte out of his mind so he can focus on fixing up the family finances and leaving for flight school, but neither can resist flirting. Charlotte is funny, loving, and adores their little town of Three Rivers. She likes her job and wants to settle down and start a family, but she knows Nick is not ready: “Why did it have to be so hot and tense between them when he was the one guy who would never be the man she wanted?” Eventually, they give in to their desires and spend more time together, but the central conflict remains. Nick’s dithering and complaining wear thin, but he is surrounded by a lively group of family and friends who offer advice he mostly ignores. An engaging subplot, especially one that foregrounds life on the ranch, might have generated more excitement.

A well-written but not especially engaging entry in London’s contemporary cowboy series.