Rope 'Em

Giddyup #2

by Delphine Dryden

TIED UP
Returning home to help out with his brother’s dude ranch is cool with Ethan. After all, he’s as comfortable in the saddle as he is roping a calf. But what’s really jangling his spurs is a chance to indulge his kink in the ranch’s monthly Giddyup event. Did someone say suspension bondage? Yee-Haw!

TEASED
When Victoria realizes her family’s number one goal in sending her to college is to get her hitched to a husband, she drops out one semester shy of graduation. But paying her own way turns out to be the hardest lesson of all. Thankfully she’s found her way to the Hilltop Ranch. A place to get away and refocus. And get herself all tied up. . .

TAKEN
Sure, Ethan’s pretty handy with that length of rope. But it turns out the expensive design school wasn’t a total waste for Victoria. Bringing an “academic” approach to their play—and Ethan’s hobby—is opening up new possibilities. Like maybe the chemistry between them is something more than a game. . .

Genres: Romance, BDSM, Contemporary

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2017

About the author

I write contemporary and erotic romance, and sometimes steampunk romance! To contact me, go to my website or find me on social media.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victoria overhears her father lamenting about the amount of money he spends on her education. He goes on to say he expected her to be trolling for a husband instead of going after some useless degree in design. Victoria is upset and vows to break away from her family's money. She withdraws from college, gets a new affordable living space, and gets herself a new job. But after an altercation at work, she quits and heads back home asking her sister for help.

Her sister does help by getting her a job at Hilltop Ranch doing everything from mucking stalls to baking cookies. She finds she needed a place like this, especially when she finds out they do monthly kinky events! When Ethan is assigned to show her the ropes around the ranch, she's not prepared for how he makes her feel. When she learns about his rope and bondage fetish, she knows she wants to keep on exploring him some more!

Ethan is a vet, but in between work places by choice. He is building a tiny house with hopes of spanning the country and selling his handmade rope. He makes harnesses for horses and sells his rope to fetish lovers at the monthly kinky weekends. It's a hobby but it truly seems to be the thing he enjoys the most. When he's introduced to Victoria, he believes he's never met anyone more beautiful than her. He's asked to show her what to do on the ranch. She's a quick learner, but she's never cleaned a toilet before??? He jumps to an assumption that was very off its mark.

I really enjoyed reading Rope Em'! Victoria and Ethan's romance just kind of happened and I loved how it evolved. They end up having a lot in common which surprised them both. I also liked that Victoria's education was very strong and she knew her stuff! I really liked both characters and felt I could be friends easily with them! The tiny house angle fit well! All in all it was a fun, quick book with just the right amount of sizzle! Grab this one today and get a little kink on!

4 stars/3.5 flames

This book was gifted to me by the Jeep Diva for an honest review. The rating and reviews are solely my opinions.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victoria has it all - a nice apartment, a place at a good college studying design and she's even been lucky enough to experience some fantastic internships to gain experience in the field she wants to work in. It all comes tumbling down around her when she overhears her father complaining about how much it's all costing him and how he had expected her to have hunted down a potential husband by now so he wouldn't have to continue supporting her forever. Victoria takes immediate action to become completely independent, dropping out of college one semester shy of graduation and taking low paid jobs to try and earn enough to cover her rent. It's only then that she starts to realise how sheltered her life has been and how little real life experience she actually has. Luckily for her she's been able to land a job at the Hilltop Ranch that includes food and board so now she'll have a little breathing room as she tries to decide what she wants to do with her life now.

I knew I was going to love Ethan after meeting him in the first book, he's such a fun guy, someone who loves to have adventures but who is also very settled in his career as a vet and helping to run the family ranch. Ethan is also part of the kinky community that love to play at the ranch's monthly BDSM Giddyup events, he's the resident rope expert and he's looking forward to the demonstration he has coming up at the next event. The last thing he needs is to get stuck babysitting the useless new staff member, someone who can't even figure out how to clean the bathroom without being given full instructions. He initially sees Victoria as a spoiled rich kid with no life skills but the more time he spends with her the more he realises that she's actually a hard worker who wants to learn but has never been given the opportunity before. There's no denying the chemistry between them and when he finds out that she's also a member of the kink community he finds her impossible to resist.

I have to admit I wasn't a fan of Victoria in the beginning, I took a pretty similar view of her that Ethan did and I was annoyed with the way she just dropped out of college so close to graduation in what came across as a bit of a childish tantrum. Don't get me wrong I admired her for wanting to stand on her own two feet and be independent and I definitely didn't agree with the way her family treated her but I was annoyed that she'd been given so much privilege and basically threw it all away. It's reminded me of that old saying about not cutting off your nose to spite your face! I was a bit nervous at that point because I find it very hard to get on board with a romance novel if I don't like one of the main characters but I'm really glad I stuck it out because it didn't take long at all for Victoria to start to turn things around. She really didn't have a clue about pretty much anything but she fought through her embarrassment to ask for help and advice when she needed it and it takes a lot of courage to do that.

I ended up really enjoying Rope 'Em, Ethan and Victoria have brilliant chemistry but they also work together well and built up a strong friendship. The kinky play was hot but nothing too over the top and I also enjoyed getting to see characters from the previous book. This series is definitely one I'm happy to recommend and I'm really looking forward to spending time with Ethan and Logan's cousin Chet who I'm pretty sure will be the hero of the next book.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Alvina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm too Tiger Mom for this book. I'm usually cool with reading about poor little rich girls, but she had no plan, no goals, quit university one semester before completing her degree because her dad thought she was at RISD for a "Mrs Degree". RISD! One of the best art schools in the United States!

Girl please. Get the degree and THEN live your best life. Priorities lol.

But, they point out how dumb it is in text and you gotta acknowledge the heroine for owning up to her mistakes and learning from them. Also, it is a convenient plot device to get our East Coast heroine to a ranch where our enterprising veterinarian Hero teaches classes and dreams of Tiny Homes (which are an economic and ecological sink hole just warning readers). Made me think our couple deserved each other.

My personal economic anxieties aside, it was strong writing. It was basically chick lit with a rope tie kink as a side dish. The characters had depth but I didnt feel the romance. Still, it was easy to read.

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rope 'Em (Giddyup #2) by Delphine Dryden
4 stars
M/F Romance
Trigger: Attempted sexual assault
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

Ethan and Victoria have an interesting start to their relationship. Ethan is trying to figure out where he goes from here. He has a degree in vet science, works as a large animal vet, but his passion isn't really there any more. He wants to be dying the rope for BDSM events, living on the ranch and just is not sure if taking over the large animal vet practice is the right move.

Victoria is floundering. She overheard her father discussing how he felt about her and it was less than flattering. Not only was he judging her, he was essentially saying that she was just a drain on them. Her life is in crisis. She quits school, packs up her car and essentially high tails it out of her current job because her boss is a creep.

Victoria's "know -it-all" sister tries her very best not to continue to make decisions for Victoria - just like everyone else has done for her. When Victoria is left to help on a farm until she figures out what she wants, she feels like herself for the first time in a long time.

While Ethan and Victoria get to know each other, you can really see them working out their own issues. I liked how they were able to lean on each other, but also to decide on their own. There was not a lot of conflict in the story, there were some great sexy scenes and in the end, you get a happily ever ending.

I think this was a very sweet story.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

We all know the story of when a boy meets a girl, but this is the story of where a kinky cowboy meets a kinky rich girl. Throw in rope play, rope making, and a tiny house, and this is one sweet, sexy, and slightly unusual story.

Warning: the beginning is glacial slow. Victoria and Ethan don't even meet until about a quarter into the book. If anything, the first quarter was completely unnecessary and could have been edited out.

Also, beware of bad first impressions. At first glance, Victoria is an airhead rich Daddy's girl hell bent on making stupid decisions. Again, I was tempted to roll my eyes and hit the DNF button. But I'm glad I didn't because once Victoria found confidence to stand up for herself to Ethan, and later to her parents, she was a firecracker. The sex scene where Victoria finally lets Ethan know that she's a textile design expert gives new meaning to the term "competence porn".

3.5 stars

Note: I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

I enjoyed this book, but I felt as though there was something missing.

Victoria is an extremely naive and shelter woman even though she has been living on her own for the past four years attending art school in Rhode Island. Over Christmas break, she over hears her father telling someone that she has failed to obtain the one thing he sent her to school for: A Ring.

Not knowing what else to do, she decides to quit school, sell all her stuff and try to make it on her own. Her problem: she doesn't know how to do anything. She's been pampered and taken care of her entire life. Not because she didn't want to learn, but because her parents didn't think she was smart enough to learn how to do things.

Ethan is a vet with a rope fetish. Living at Hilltop, he's able to indulge in his most wicked fantasies during the "Giddyup" weekends. "Giddyup" is what they call the private parties the ranch throws once a month for their kink minded friends and customers.

When Victoria gets to Hilltop, she's in for a world of learning and she doesn't mind. She just wants to be useful, that's something she's never been. Ethan is stunned when he first saw her, but even more so when he learns she is into the scene.

I did enjoy this book, but there a few times that the timeline got a little tangled up for me, and I want to read more about the Hilltop Ranch.

~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~

[JG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rope 'Em is a short contemporary romance about a young woman who drops out of college short of a semester graduating and a young veterinarian opting out of a big practice to set up his own business. There paths crossed and a very kinky story line ensues.
This is a lighthearted romance with BDSM as a core element but its also about two people pursuing paths in life that people didn't expect them to be doing. Its like New Adult BDSM romance! Both Victoria and Ethan have issues that are quickly and realistically resolved. Its sexy and sweet. I do think Ms. Dryden has written more in depth and engaging stories prior to this one but Rope 'Em will still have readers entertained.

*ARC provided thru NetGalley*

[Petra Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this rigger romance.

Victoria arrives at the Giddyup dude ranch feeling lost to herself. Ethan is the ranch‘s co-owner and a veterinarian who is at a crossroads too. And completely smitten with Victoria.

It turns out Ethan is a Shibari rigger and Victoria loves flying in his ropes.

Four stars only because it’s too short and I would have loved more rigging scenes. Ethan is a “top” but not a Dom, and he’s SO appealing.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. Ms. Dryden writes great dialogue, perfectly sprinkled with pop culture, nerd and kink references. The heroine - Victoria - was awesome - strong and working hard to build her life back up. Ethan, the hero, is solid and sexy. Overall this worked well for me.

Bought from kindle

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This little gem takes BDSM romance in a refreshingly original direction. Free from nearly all of the more tired genre tropes, this story had me looking at rope and rope play in a whole new light.

When Victoria decides she needs to leave her pampered life and become self-supporting, she finds an unlikely fresh start on a Texan ranch. At the start of the story, Victoria has no idea just how privileged she actually is. But as she adjusts to the real world she becomes a much more sympathetic and engaging character. Her naivety is bloody annoying at the start of the book but I really enjoyed her journey towards independence.

Ethan has spent his whole life training to be a large animal vet. But now that he’s finally qualified, he finds himself more interested in making, dying, using and selling rope. His passion is contagious and I found myself more interested in ropes than I’d ever anticipated.

The relationship between these two is pretty unique. They share a kink - she likes to get tied up and he likes to tie people up using beautiful patterns and his own handmade ropes. Unusually for a romance theirs is a very believable colleague to hook up to more relationship that felt real and honest. And unusually for BDSM the kink didn’t involve any of the exaggerated and overdone D/s and impact play I’ve come to expect and dread from the genre. Here, the rope bondage kink is specific and the author explores it in wonderfully sensual detail.

This story manages to be both sexy and playful. The relationship between Ethan and Victoria is fun and almost angst free. The angst in this story comes from two people who are both giving up their safety nets to follow their passions. I loved their relationship and I really loved the whole Hilltop Ranch community. I can’t wait for the next story in this series!

[Donna Repsher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rope 'Em in the second novel in the Giddyup series, but it's the first book in the series that I've read and it's also the first time I've read anything by this author. Rope 'Em was quite a surprise on many levels and it gets a 4-star rating from this reviewer.

Victoria, our heroine, is a talented yet extremely privileged student in her last year at the Rhode Island School of Design, referred to only as RISD in the book, which took me a while to decipher. When she accidentally overhears her father calling her a "black hole" into which his money disappears, and then goes on to overhear him say that he's disappointed in her because he really only sent her to college to catch a rich husband, just as her older sister, Alexandra, had done, Victoria makes some sudden and rash decisions.

Not realizing that she hasn't any marketable skills in her chosen field, textile design, Victoria drops out of college, cuts up her credit cards, and eventually finds a job as a barista-in-training at a small coffee shop. Unfortunately, when her creepy boss demands sexual favors if she wants to keep her job, she quits, sells almost everything she owns, piles what's left into the BMW her father pays for, and heads back to her hometown in Dallas, TX, first stopping at her sister's home. Alexandra, like her parents, also considers Victoria somewhat of a screw-up and an underachiever, and she too makes a lot of decisions for her sister, quickly finding her a job and temporary accommodations working at the Hilltop Guest Ranch.

Annoyed that her family still controls her, but not wanting to return to her parents home to deal with their disappointment in her, Victoria takes the job, which is where she meets Ethan, who shares ownership of the ranch, is a licensed veterinarian (all he's ever wanted to be) and is considering taking over the the practice belonging to the town's aging vet, but he's first in the process of building himself a mobile tiny house on ranch property. He's no longer sure he wants to stay in the small town of Bolero, TX, instead, he's hoping to pursue his side business--making and hand-dying ropes and rope halters, traveling with his tiny house in tow and selling his wares in his travels--and here's the surprise, those halters aren't just for horses. What has made the guest ranch increasingly profitable is that one weekend per month is reserved for private, by-invitation-only kink parties, where Ethan's ropes and halters are not just for horses anymore.

When Victoria arrives at the ranch, she has no idea what she's supposed to do there, and due to her life of privilege, about the only thing she knows how to do is bake and dye fabric--something Ethan has been unsuccessfully trying to do with his ropes. When Victoria meets the couple in charge of the ranch, she pretends not to recognize them, but she's met them before, at kink parties and events. It seems that Victoria's secret kink is the BD part of BDSM, and it's Ethan's kink as well. The attraction between these two starts slowly, and, as Victoria learns what's expected of her in her new job, which includes mucking out horse stalls, serving meals, and cleaning the guest cottages, Ethan begins to gain some respect for the hard-working, beautiful but poor little rich girl, while she's busy sending out resumes in the hope of finding a job in her chosen field, although she missed her chance to get her degree when she quit college.

I have to admit that it took me some time to warm up to Victoria because the novel gets off to a very slow start and she's almost too naive and clueless about life to be believed. It also took some time for me to like Ethan, who is incredibly indecisive about what he wants his life to be. Additionally, this was a far cry from any other BDSM novel I've ever read, because rather than focusing on the darker aspects of BDSM, this novel takes an almost lighthearted approach to it. My only other issue is that when different forms of bondage are referred to by name, the differences between one form and another aren't fully explained, something that would have been helpful to understand. Finally, I found the ending of this novel rather abrupt, another reason I didn't give it a 5-star rating.

So, what will happen when Alexandra finds out about the kinky goings on at Hilltop Ranch, realizes that she's the one who found her sister that job, and then threatens to tell their parents, drag her sister out of there and call the police? What will Ethan decide to do about taking over the practice from the town vet? What will happen when she and Ethan discover their shared bondage kink? Will Victoria be able to keep her parents and her sister from dragging her away? What will happen if and when Victoria gets a job offer? Since I don't do spoilers, you'll just have read this unusual BDSM novel and find out the answers for yourself.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this novel.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

Victoria took a job as a barista at a coffee shop. There was only one other female on the roster but her boss Larry didn’t seem like a creep when he hired her. Victoria had really needed the job - five weeks earlier she did not know how she would make the next months rent and not wipe out her savings. A friend from R I S Dhad a tiny furnished room and she could rent it on her present pay. She couldn’t take anymore family support as she had heard her father saying she was draining his money while they waited for her to find a husband at school. So then Victoria quit art school with only a semester to go. But the problem was her parents thought she could never think for herself. They just did it for her. Victoria was done with that happening. Then Larry made a made a pass at her and Victoria quit. She had twelve hundred in the bank and owed her landlord five hundred for letting her out of her lease. The her mom asked why she had withdrawn from school and she was going to come there. Then Victoria called her and said she would be home in a couple of days. Ethan had everything he loved best in one place. Logan- ethan’s older brother said “ let me get this right , you are going to build a two hundred- twenty- square foot RV “ which Ethan said “ little house” then Logan added “ on a trailer bed and live on it. In the middle of Tornado Alley”. Then Ethan shrugged and said” Technically we are south of Tornado Alley and also if we get a warning I can come down to the main house or find the nearest safe structure if I am out on the road which is part of the point”. Ethan had wanted a tiny house ever since he’d first of them nearly a decade earlier as an undergraduate. Part of what Ethan liked was the mobility. Ethan was part owner of the ranch with his brother Logan and cousin Chet. Ethan helped his brother out at the ranch but the main money maker was once a month - an event called Giddyup- a kink mecca. Now it had grown so much visitors came from most states and a lot of countries also.
I didn’t really enjoy this book and didn’t really finish it did a lot of skimming. I just didn’t enjoy this. This wasn’t for me but I am sure there are other out there that will really enjoy this.

[sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light

This is light bdsm read. The whole read is light. No real heavy problems although the sister needs to lighten up....alot. I'm thinking about reading more. The first 3 are cliffs but at least I know going in. Yay for telling before you get invested. I get to choose to get the 3 reads.

[Liz B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great beginning! Poor little rich girl sets out on her own. I actually loved that part, and that character. I liked all of the parts of that story arc. The actual romance, though, was a total boring dud.

I probably won't pursue this series further.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What imagination!

Terrific story. So many realistic life elements and decision moments extremely well portrayed. And the racier bits were very integral to the story (not gratuitous or fake feeling). Hope Ms. Dryden continues the series!

[Rick Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good light read

Interesting story of a kink that grows into sweet loving relationship. Well developed story strong charactor Read and enjoy EQKID@aol.com

[Melodee · Rating 5 out of 5]

E

xellent! Author either indulges or certainly did their homework on bdsm. First REALISTIC depictions I've read. I will be putting title on 'must read' lists for kink.

[Ashley Seymour · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really feel any connection with these character and I didn't feel like there was consistency throughout the book.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboys and Kink

First book by this author, was recommended on fb. It was really good. I'd love to read more about Victoria and Ethan and about the ranch.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is not as fun/sexy as Dryden's "Science of Temptation" series, but it's still very enjoyable.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victoria is in college and one day hears her father talking about how much money he's spending on her education and he really had hoped sending her there would land a rich husband. Well, Victoria is so mad at him that she decides to leave college and make it on her own. She lands a job at a coffee shop and even though her boss, Larry, was creepy she never thought he'd make such sexual demands from her to keep her position. She, of course, did the only thing she could do....she left and heads back toward her parents, stopping at her sister's first. Her sister finds her a job and a temporary place to live. If Victoria only knew what her new job held in store for her!!

Ethan loved living on a ranch. He was building a tiny house (hate that show on TV, which did kinda make me lose interest in the story) so he could have a beautiful view of the Hilltop Ranch. He was a veterinarian and even though everyone at the practice hoped he'd buy into the practice, he never made any promises. Now the time has come, he feels, to leave and live on the ranch in his tiny house. Not only will he be ranching, he has a side business of hand dying rope halters. Believe me, he was way more use for those halters than just for ranching and horses! You see, one weekend out of every month Hilltop Ranch hosts a private event, by invitation and heavily secured, to host the Giddyup events. Yea, bondage, kink...the works!

Victoria has no idea about the job her sister got her at the Hilltop Ranch. However, when her sister introduces her to the couple in charge; she knows this is going to be good. Because she's met them at different kink events. What happens when Victoria finds out what really goes on at the ranch? Could Ethan be into the same things she is? Can she keep her parents away from the ranch to check up on her?

I enjoyed Rope 'Em, it was not your usual kink or cowboy book.

Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangely good. Instead of being all about bondage and sex (although that was certainly part of it), it was a sweet love story about a woman finding herself and someone to love.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still sick (bronchitis AND an ear infection *cries*) and wanted another sweet, formulaic romance that wasn't insipid. Lots of time spent on character development for an erotic romance novella.

[P Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinion stated are solely my own and no one else's*

This was a good read but I struggled to get into the book in the beginning. The book was slow paced and dragged on certain places which tested my patience. However, I did enjoy Ethan and Victoria's story - it was sweet, fun, sexy and steamy.

I felt like sticking a sock in Victoria's mouth especially, when she starts rambling on about her textiles stuff when he's busy going down on her lol - and they say wearing rubbers are a mood killer; well in this case her mouth burnt out the simmering wild passion quickly.

This was a fun read and I liked the characters; they complemented each other beautifully.

[Linda Rea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I was gonna like Ethan or not when the story started he was kind of grumpy. Victoria has shown up on the Giddyup ranch after her sister found her a place to stay for a little while as she was figuring out her life and her sister is friends with the owners and figured it would be good for Victoria. Ethan was handed the task of showing her around and explaining jobs to do because he had just quit the veterinarian job he had figuring he could work on the ranch while finishing his tiny house. Victoria having grown up with everything handed to her is trying to do things on her own so the ranch is really a perfect place for her. When she realizes what the one weekend a month means she is excited and when she realizes what Ethan is into makes it even better. I give Victoria a lot of credit for trying to carry her own weight and Ethan realizing she isn't the burden he thought she was.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha

[Karen Roma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 star review......

The second instalment in the GiddyUp series definitely is well worth a read. Ethan and Victoria compliment each other, while struggling with the dilemma regarding their future goals and the expectations of others.

Throw in some kinky sex and animal attraction and you’ve got one hot and heavy romance to set your pulse racing and your heart pounding too. I liked the turn the story took in the later part of the book, but did feel the ending was anti-climactic.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victoria discovers over winter break that her father resents the amount of money he is spending on his younger daughter's education on Rhode Island. He goes further to say that he thinks she should be finding herself a husband instead of a useless degree. When Victoria returns to school she vows to stop taking money from her parents and fend for herself. A bad experience at work has her hustling back to Texas.

Ethan is a veterinarian between practices. He has decided to take some time, back at the family dude ranch, to further his rope business. The ranch is a family friendly enterprise all but one weekend a month when it turns into a kink retreat featuring his specially made rope. The new hire Victoria may not know how to clean toilets but she sure can handle suspension.

Their romance is fast but it is well done. They discover friendship and shared interests that go beyond the weekend. Will they let careers, her parents, or her meddling sister come between them?

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Tracie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rope ‘Em is the second book in the Giddyup series. This is Ethan and Victoria’s story and I must say I really like it. The interaction and dynamics between the characters had me turning the pages and kept me invested until the end

[poppy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and is best if you read them in order.I quite like this series but it can be a little slow and long winded in places its almost as if she babbling other than that its a cute little read

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book so perfectly written for me. No lie. There was discussion about textiles, star trek, Phineas and Ferb, plus a hot kinky cowboy? SIGN ME UP.