Title: The Cattle Baron’s Bogus Boyfriend

Series:  Dreamspun Desires

Author: Nicki Bennett

Narrator: Rusty Topsfield

Genre: Contemporary, Cowboy

Length: 5 hrs, 15 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (8 July 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: It might be a sham to his boss, but it’s all too real to him.

Administrative assistant Jonah Hollis has nurtured a hopeless crush on his boss, millionaire cattle rancher Lincoln Courtwright, ever since he started working for him. But hope is kindled when Linc and beautiful rodeo star Melissa Cutler break up just weeks before the biggest event of the Dallas social season, the Cattle Baron’s Ball, and Linc asks Jonah to accompany him in her place.

Is it all a ploy to make Melissa jealous? Can Jonah fit into Linc’s world? It takes some encouragement from his roommates and his best friend, Caylee, for Jonah to agree. Before long, Jonah dares to believe Linc might just feel something for him, until interfering family and a series of misunderstandings threaten his fragile dream of happiness.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: The Cattle Baron’s Bogus Boyfriend by Nicki Bennett is an installment in the Dreamspun Desires series (all books are standalone, by different authors and totally unrelated). I have to admit, that I actually read this one some months ago when it came out, but snapped up the chance to hear the audio because it was such a sweet and delightful story.

This also happens to be the second book I’ve heard narrated by Rusty Topsfield and I have to say. If the next narration is like the first two, Rusty Topsfield will become an instant favourite to listen to and would consider a book based on his narration alone. At the moment that list for me of favourite narrators only has John Solo and Nick J Russo. Rusty Topsfield is a versatile narrator and manages to come through with the necessary emotion and strength required of many characters.

Much like the first time I read The Cattle Baron’s Bogus Boyfriend, I was drawn immediately because I immediately recognized it as something I would see in such Harlequin/Mills and Boon plot. In fact, I think I have read at least three MF stories from Harlequin where millionaire cowboy/cattle baron falls in love with his PA (though in the MF scenario, the PA always ends up pregnant and unless this was paranormal M-preg, I don’t see that happening here, lol). This book, for me, was as enjoyable to listen to as it was to read.

It was everything that I expected and hoped for and I absolutely loved it. Even the drama at the end, because of course there is miscommunication, is straight exactly what you’d see in many other romances, though doubtless readers will be thinking “that does not seem real, wait and talk, damnit!” The story follows Jonah Hollis, the administrative assistant to cattle and oil, Texan millionaire Lincoln Courtright. He also happens to be gay and has a hopeless crush on his boss, despite the fact that Linc has a girlfriend. But when Lincoln’s relationship breaks down, Jonah finds out that things are not always what he thought they were and his billionaire boss, if nothing else, to form a friendship with Jonah.

There is a rather quirky cast of supporting characters, all of whom are a joy – I particularly love Jonah’s BFF Caylee and his BFF in Texas, Wes. I would love a story for Wes and Linc’s foreman. Wes is one of those minor characters that take on a life of his own without taking away from the main characters. The end, while satisfying is also insanely cute. I absolutely love it, all the loose ends are tied together and the important people in both Jonah’s and Linc’s lives are involved. This is the type of story that will give you a goofy smile.