Fever Dream

Combining rodeo and reality show tropes, the diverting first installment of the Emerald Lake series from bestseller Silver (Wild Card) proves wonderfully entertaining. Bull rider Emmett Brandt performs as Emmett Bush and has cultivated a reputation as a playboy. At home on his family’s British Columbia ranch, however, he can drop his stage persona and cultivate his sensitive side. His worlds collide when the ranch lands in financial trouble and, to save it, Emmett agrees to star on the new reality dating show Romance Ranch, and allow it to film on his property. The producers want the full, raunchy Emmett Bush experience, but he can’t stop the real Emmett from shining through—especially after he meets Julia Silva, the sister of one of his biggest rivals and a location scout for the show. A parade of prescreened beauties vie for his heart, but he quickly falls for Julia instead, much to the dismay of the crude head producer, who threatens both Julia’s job and Emmett’s payday. A bevy of stellar supporting characters, especially a true crime-loving contestant who proves to be a valuable ally to Emmett and Julia, and a deeply hateable villain add to the fun. Silver’s fans will be well pleased. (May)