Bad News Cowboy

Yates’s third Copper Ridge contemporary western (after Brokedown Cowboy), a belated-coming-of-age tale set in tiny Copper Ridge, Ore., starts out slowly but builds well. Rodeo rider Kate Garrett is determined to lose her virginity to her older brothers’ best friend, Jack Monaghan, though she knows her brothers would not approve. Jack has a sordid past and a well-earned reputation for sleeping around. When Kate cajoles him into giving a lesson in flirtation and then kisses him, he’s determined to put some distance between them until he can figure out how to deal with his unexpected feelings for her. However, Kate refuses to stay away. When one steamy night together leads to the start of a romance, they must figure out how to move forward without destroying the family unit they both depend on. The languorous story wraps up nicely, leaving readers with a desire to read more about the feisty duo. (Aug.)