REVIEW: Ryder by Barbara Freethy

In Ryder (7 Brides for 7 Soldiers #1) by Barbara Freethy, Ryder Westbrook went against his family’s wishes to became a helicopter pilot in the Navy. It was the first time he ever put his foot down, doing something against the grain. But after a serious crash that could’ve killed him and his crew, he gave up his beloved career to go home to Eagle’s Ridge, Washington to start a new life. Ryder’s plans include expanding the runway at the local airport to help bring in more business. But to do that, he’ll need to buy land from his family’s arch enemy: the Tucker family. He gets a boost of hope when he strikes a deal with Bailey Tucker, who just arrived home herself. Ryder was only hoping she would be able to talk her family into cooperating at first, not knowing he’d soon be trying to talk Bailey into staying and seeing where their newfound relationship is headed.

“I’m glad I made it home, too,” Ryder said, gazing deep into her eyes. “I knew there was a reason I had to come back here. I just didn’t know it was you.”

The feud between the Tuckers and the Westbrooks is something Bailey was glad to leave behind when she pursued her dream of becoming a chef. She worked hard, studied hard, and had made a name for herself until it all fell apart in New York City a few weeks ago. She was afraid coming home to recoup would be a bad idea, but somehow her hometown has comforted her. Even when she finds herself in handsome Ryder’s sights. At first Bailey isn’t sure if he’s just being nice to lure her into helping him, which, as her grandpa would say, would be just like a Westbrook. It doesn’t take long to figure out, though, that they have some serious chemistry. And that may make things more difficult in trying to finally settle the years of hard feelings between them all, and in each of their business endeavors. But it could also make it that much more worth it in the end.

They were both soaking wet, the skies having opened up with a ridiculously hard downpour.
…”Where did that come from?” she asked.
“Maybe the universe thought we needed a cold shower,” he said with a grin. “That was some kiss, Bailey.”
She couldn’t help but smile back at him. “It was.”

Ryder was a wonderful way to start off the 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers multi-author series. Here we had some internal family drama as well as two neighboring families who had been fighting for decades. But with the addition of some sweet romance, it definitely became a page-turner.

“Perhaps you and Bailey together is the worst possible idea, considering how much hatred there is between your families. On the other hand, the only way to end an old feud is probably through a great love story.”

I think the premise behind this new series, seven soldiers who are all friends from Eagle’s Ridge, Washington and who each find their own HEA, is a pretty cool one. And the fact that each book is written by a different author, each of whom is well known and talented in their own right, just makes it even more intriguing. The installments all look to be hovering somewhere around the two hundred page mark, so not novellas but not super long books either. It did mean that the story happens quickly and I breezed through this one in no time, especially with Barbara Freethy’s flowing prose. But thankfully she didn’t scrimp on the emotions–or the drama! Nope. There was plenty about Ryder and Bailey to like and most certainly to cheer on. Seriously, I may or may not have cheered out loud when they kissed for the first time… 😉

The family feud between the Westbrooks and the Tuckers was just as important to the story as Bailey and Ryder’s romance was. I liked how it was set up and how the bickering between the families had the two lovebirds coming together as a team to try to unite everyone somehow. They were both loyal, honorable, caring individuals so it helped them smooth things over for their loved ones. (Who were stubborn as stubborn could be, lol) And while there really wasn’t any huge drama between Ryder and Bailey or any moment where a grand gesture was needed, they had several tense moments together that they overcame along the way that solidified their relationship in my eyes. It was truly lovely.

From their meet-cute reunion to their triumphant HEA, I’m so glad we got to know Bailey and Ryder in this first book in the 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers series. Up next will be Bailey’s older brother Adam’s turn in a romance written by Roxanne St. Claire. It promises to be exciting, if the book synopsis is anything to go by!
 

Book Info:

Published October 24th 2017 | Fog City Publishing, LLC | 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers #1

Fall in love with seven sexy and irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy, Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin Harber and Samantha Chase. You won’t want to miss a single one!

RYDER

When Navy pilot Ryder Westbrook is shot down, his only thought is making it home—to the place he left behind a long time ago. But dreaming about the small town of Eagle’s Ridge and going back are two very different things, and upon arrival Ryder finds himself in the middle of another battlefield—an old family feud between the Westbrooks and the Tuckers. To complicate matters, he needs disputed land to start his second career at the local airfield. He decides to enlist the help of beautiful Bailey Tucker, but the chef soon has his senses spinning in another direction…

The last person Bailey is interested in helping is golden boy Ryder Westbrook. After a painful personal betrayal, irresistible attraction to another man, who is probably too good to be true, seems like a terrible idea. But she also needs something from the Westbrooks, a chance to start over and build the restaurant of her dreams.

Ryder and Bailey make a simple plan—work together to get what they both want, but what happens when they find out what they really want is each other?

Don’t miss any of the sexy soldiers!

Ryder (#1) – Barbara Freethy

Adam (#2) – Roxanne St. Claire

Zane (#3) – Christie Ridgway

Wyatt (#4) – Lynn Raye Harris

Jack (#5) – Julia London

Noah (#6) – Cristin Harber

Ford (#7) – Samantha Chase