Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Sunset by Sharon Sala Series: Crossroads #1
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on June 3, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 480
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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World-champion bull rider Sonny Bluejacket was bucked off a bull and critically injured. He died twice on the operating table and then survived. Now retired from the rodeo circuit, Sonny is living with his brother and family in Oklahoma when he inherits a horse ranch outside of a little town in West Texas called Crossroads. The first person he meets upon arrival is an intriguing waitress named Magnolia "Maggie" Brennen, who works in a café called The Yellow Rose. Their attraction is instant. But it isn't until much later that Sonny discovers Maggie's secret talent for painting, and a whole new opportunity for Maggie opens up as a result of Sonny's supportive urging.
Their relationship grows as Sonny wades through taking over the inherited ranch, horses, truck and property. He's finally finding his place within the surrounding community, only to be accosted by his no-good father who comes looking for a handout, or to destroy everything, including Maggie. But Sonny isn't about to let that happen.
A banged up former Pro Rodeo bull rider inherits a ranch in Texas and meets a friendly diner waitress, two wounded hearts cross paths in this first in series small town contemporary romance sprinkled with some indigenous magical realism. I was introduced to Sharon Sala’s writing when I began reading her Blessings, Georgia series and because of how much I loved those books, I was eager to settle in with Sunset for some heartfelt reading.
Sonny Bluejacket left the pro circuit for good when an accident with a bull left him barely alive and dying on the operating table twice. In the last few years, he’s lived quietly with his older brother and family taking local ranch jobs training their horses and biding his time. Then a legal packet arrives with the shocking information that a man he knew through the rodeo work, and indirectly responsible for Sonny’s accident, has left him his quarter-horse ranch down in Texas. Sonny’s life is set in motion again when he packs up and prepares to follow his dreams in Crossroads, Texas.
Nothing’s easy and Sonny’s good for nothing dad who abandoned the family learned of his good luck and is determined to either get something from it or keep his son from something good. And, on arrival, Sonny learns his ranch has been hit by a thief and a squatter. Time to cowboy up!
Meanwhile, Magnolia Brennan has found a small corner of the world to call home for the first time in her life after being abandoned at birth, growing up in the foster care system, and getting dumped by a guy on the porch of the Yellow Rose café. The owner not only took her in to work and give her a place to live, but they share a found family relationship. Maggie loves her sunsets and has a secret hobby drawing and painting them along with the life she observers around her. Her days of merely watching life happen to others ends when big, handsome Sonny Bluejacket enters the door of the café and they forge a connection on the spot.
From the hard past situations this pair overcame, Maggie’s beautiful art, Sonny’s work with the horses and the ranch, the small town, and Sonny’s Muskogee heritage and mystic gift, Sunset was one sensational read. It’s big and slow moving, brings in a handful of perspectives as characters move into and out of the story surrounding Sonny and Maggie. There are spikes of suspense and one long-build suspense thread involving Sonny’s criminal of a dad. The slow burn after insta-attraction romance was lovely as these two heal each other and come together in a close partnership. Can’t wait for more books set in the Crossroads series. Definitely recommend Sunset to all the Western Contemporary Romance fans!
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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I love the sound of this, especially with elements like a horse ranch and a woman who paints sunsets, things that I don’t see that often in fiction.😁
It was a comfy surprise. Hope you get the chance at it, Tammy!
This sounds like fun! I love any setting that includes horses and a little magic, too? I definitely need to check this one out. 😀
And, the horses and magic are throughout the story. 🙂
I do enjoy a bit of suspense in my romance and a Western setting. I’ll have to check this out!
Come to think on it, I think you’d really connect with this one, Rachel. 🙂
It’s been years since I’ve read one of her books but this sounds like a good one.
I’ve really enjoyed some of hers especially the Blessings, Georgia series. I missed a few, but I’m glad I spotted this one. I think you’d enjoy it a lot if you already like her stuff, Mary. 🙂
This is a different sports romance. I love the sound of ranch life and the romance.
Yes, it gives some details how he works with the horses and his time befriending a wild stallion. I really enjoyed it all.
I’ve been aware of this author but haven’t read anything by her. I like the sound of this one!
She’s got a huge backlist and I’ve only read one of her series, but I like her gentle homey writing for it. This one was even better, I thought. Hope you get the chance, Katherine!
Dying twice … it may be time for a new profession!
Yeah, fortunately, he tossed in the towel with rodeo and went into working with horses. 🙂