What happens in Vegas...sometimes follows you home...Pro bull rider Chase Reese knew things move faster than an eight-second ride in Las Vegas. He just never expected to be driving home with a national championship under his belt and a wedding band on his left hand with no clue how it got there. Yet he can't complain about the stripper bride beside him. From the moment his buddies bought him a lap dance from her, her trembles told him there was more to her than stiletto heels.Leesa Santiago has met the perfect guy. Her timing couldn't be worse though. If it was just their explosive sex, she could walk away. But from the moment her lap dance brought her this close to his baby blues, she was hooked. She can't lie that she couldn't be happier to bear his name--or guiltier that she's using it and his Oklahoma farm to hide out from mob hit men. That's before Chase's family gets involved. And his determination to do the right thing pushes her to do the one thing that will keep him safe. Break his heart. Do cowboy boots mix with stripper heels? And can a love that started out on the wrong foot end up on the right one? That's the risk you take waking up in Contains one happy-ending lap dance that will make you squirm, some pretty hot sex between two strangers who also happen to be married to each other, and a huge surprise conclusion.
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It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade...and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006.
Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance. A promo ho, she's sponsored real live bull riding cowboys and promoted romance using bologna.
This book started out good but sort of fell apart at the end. It was worth reading for the sweet, kinda sexy young (22) hero, professional bull rider Chase Reece. Chase appeared in the previous two books in the series (UnRidden and Bucked), so if you've read those two you'll want to see how Chase makes out in his own book. Chase...
In this story he's paired with 'good girl' stripper (Leesa Santiago) who's only stripping because she got herself into a terrible financial mess. It's the end of the bull riding season, and Chase and his buddies are whooping it up in Las Vegas before they head home after their last event. His buddies buy him a lap dance at a strip club (in honor of his birthday?) and he and the stripper (who has never done a lap dance before) connect (in the back room, where she performs an extra service). He'd like to see her again, she demurs--she doesn't date customers. Next thing you know she's running for her life from some bad guys after she overhears some incriminating info at the strip club. She runs into Chase again, uses him to hide out from the baddies, spends the night with him (platonically), and wakes up with a wedding ring on her finger. What? How did that happen? Chase doesn't know either--he figures he had too much to drink, etc. Chase decides to bring her home to Oklahoma with him (his uncle's a lawyer and will straighten out the mess for him)--which works out for Leesa because it will put distance between her and the bad guys. Chase knows that Leesa is hiding something but he doesn't know what. Leesa can't bring herself to be honest with Chase, even though she's really starting to care for him. The more time they spend together, the more Chase (and Leesa) wishes they could stay married. (They connect fabulously in the sack--but is that enough?) Late in the book things come to a head and Chase and Leesa find out the truth about a lot of things--their marriage included. This is where the book fell apart for me. I think a lot of things were skimmed over and not adequately explained (the reason why Leesa was on the run), and it felt like the book ended abruptly--as if the book had a page limit or something. Up to that point I was enjoying the story, but I was very disappointed with the last quarter of the book. Worth reading for the sweetness of the character of Chase, but not the best book of the series. 3 1/2 stars
Chase is a professional bull rider, while Leesa works at a strip club. Leesa barely makes enough to pay her bills, so she finally takes the advice of one of her friends and takes one of the guys to the back to make some extra money. That guy just so happens to be Chase, who makes the experience a lot less awkward and scary than it could've been. They never expect to cross paths again. However, Leesa witnessed something she shouldn't have at the strip club, and now her boss is sending out men after her. On the run, she happens to find Chase when she hides in a room where the bull riders are having a signing. After Leesa sticks with Chase during a party the bull riders are having, they wake up to find a marriage certificate and two rings, with no memory of anything happening. Chase has the idea of finding his uncle, a lawyer who can help them dissolve the marriage, but things may prove just to be a little more complicated than that.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, so I went in pretty much blind. Thankfully, I ended up enjoying this book a lot. It was a fairly easy read, with the book flowing pretty well. I finished it in only a few days, which was surprising considering how busy my days are now. While it had a fairly simple plot and a trope I've seen before, it still stood out to me because of how well it was written. Both main characters were likeable, though sometimes I grew a bit frustrated with Leesa because of her lack of communication with Chase, even though his life could've been in danger.
On top of the characters and story, I liked how everything came together in the end. There were no loose ends that didn't get tied up, and I can't think of anything that wasn't satisfying about the plot as a whole. The romance was great, and Chase's brother was another favourite character of mine.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot, and was able to fly through it. Everything about it was good, from the characters to the plot to the romance. If you're looking for a book that's both easy to read and satisfying in terms of story, I'd definitely recommend this to you.
I liked this story. I was excited for Chases story because he seemed so much sweeter than the heros from the first two books, and he really ended up being so sweet and non-judgemental. He's just so lovable.
Leesa was a great match for him. Great great great match.
I liked that a few things were left unresolved at the end. For example, we don't know if she goes to live with her parents or if she went back to school or stopped stripping. We know that she intended to do all those things but we don't know if she followed through. We learn that she follows through with being with Chase but not all the other stuff. I liked that because, to me, it sort of says that she's with Chase no matter what, if she was to remain a stripper, etc etc., he'd still love her and that in a nut shell is what's so sweet about Chase.
This was my favourite book in the series. I hope we see a book about Chase's brother (who is not a bull rider, so I don't think it's likely).
While this read too fast for me it still hit the right notes from the heart pounding excitement associated with rodeo competitors to the very nice eye candy described that make up the cowboy contingent that Chase travels with on the rodeo circuit.
This is more than a short story about two people who may never have connected if it were not for some strange quirk of fate. It is also about second chances and new beginnings that sometimes are never given much less ever accepted as change is hard.
I really liked Chase and felt he and Leesa had what it took to make it together, physically and emotionally they just clicked with each other right from the start.
Very abrupt ending! No spoilers: a big mystery at the center of the book ends very suddenly, with very little follow-up or elaboration. It was almost as if the author looked at the word count and decided, “Whoops, that’s enough!”
Pro-bullrider Chase Reese had one particularly great ride so the birthday boy is taken to a strip club to celebrate. A lap dance turns into quite the event and neither he or the girl know what to do with the unexplainably strong attraction.
Leesa Santiago didn’t ever see herself becoming a stripper, she was studying to become a CPA, and accountant before things with her ex went sour – not as sour though as hearing her boss orders a hit on her for walking in on him at wrong time and seeing too much money.
Leesa hides out in the pro-bullrider meet and greet and spots yesterday’s birthday boy. One night later they are married with no recollection of how that came to be. With gangsters on her tail she decides to leave Vegas with Chase to take care of a quickie divorce for a quickie marriage.
I love Johnson’s writing, her stories never get booring! Seriously first ever romance I’ve read with a stripper heroine (not at all trashy, min you) and Chase being bit into cougars makes the story really interesting and plenty hot! Johnson’s stories have such great warmth, even when the topics are racy, even when the characters get down and dirty, and especially with all the tension building up to a love scene! Her humor is uplifting and it’s a joy to read herbooks. In short they are exactly what I look for in a romance! And this book wasn’t an exception.
Having followed Chase’s journey since Studs in Spurs book one “Unridden” it’s great getting to read his story, his HEA. I loved Chase since “Unridden” when he was hitting on Jenna who turned out to be Slade’s, fellow pro-bull rider’s, girl. Then of course there was the short schooling into proper, earth shattering sex by Mustang, Jenna and Slade’s partner in bed and a fellow bull rider, ( oh you have to read Unridden if that peaked your interest ;) ) in the second book in the series “Bucked”. And Chase got his own super short free story “8 Second Ride” ( you can get this in Cat Johnson’s website, under Free Reads or from the link above ), so I was MORE than happy to read more about him! Got to love Chase with his polite manners, innocent sweet charm and his ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘no ma’am’s – of course he sheds some of that innocence in this book for sure!
Leesa I ended up liking a lot, risky business going with a stripper heroine but it was a gamble that paid off, Leesa is relatable and sweet, smart and caring, not in any way trashy or harsh like you might expect a stripper to be. She’s had a hard knock life and made some bad decisions that lead to no other way than…
You’ll love this if… you like contemporary cowboys, funny with your riskier romance, a charming, sweet hero and a mafia hunting your heroine down!
Ride is in competition for one of my favorite books in the series. It features our sweet and young Chase. I have been anxious for his story since UnRidden! He's just so sweet! "Sometimes I wish I was as quick at lines as some of the other guys, but I find it's easier to stick with the truth. Less likely to get bitten in the ass by one of your own lies that way" ... Foreshadowing? You bet!
The innocent Chase meets Leesa stripper in a less than romantic way during a birthday lap dance, but he feels something more... Not likely, but still fun!!! ...Of course I showed an innocent photo! I can't show a cowboy with a stripper!!
Leesa sees a deal between the club owner and a goon that she wasn't supposed to see so now she's running for her life. But when she finds Chase she feels safer, protected...
HOLY CRAP!! When they woke up married?!!??! I was in shock! How did that happen? Chase? I saw that coming from Mustang, but never Chase! I didn't know he had it in him.
Half of the fun of Ride was reading about Chase and Leesa trying to maneuver time alone. They gave me some interesting ideas... And I will definitely never look at my dresses the same.
There is so much that happens so quickly in the end, but I cannot continue without giving away key information... Ride is a must read in the Studs & Spurs collection! Up next: Hooked
3rd book in series, enjoyable enough but weak at the end, weak enough to get 3 stars instead of 4.
Chase is young, kinda naive, and ends up married to a Vegas stripper, Leesa, who is stuck stripping due to debt from an old boyfriend (heard this one before, huh?). Chase takes her home to Oklahoma, where the usual happens- mutual attraction, she feels undeserving, he tries to win her over, yada yada...
If you are reading the series (and I suggest you do ), you will read this book as well, but I wish it were stronger, especially the ending. Still, an enjoyable read.
I was so excited to read Chase's story because I really fell in love with him in the first two books! I loved this sweet story! Chase is a sweet young cowboy with morals and a heart of gold. One drunken night with a stripper and he's married! Leesa is a stripper running from hit men. She didn't plan on ever seeing that sweet young bull rider she did a private dance for. After waking up married to Chase, she sets out to travel home with him to Oklahoma. Thus begins a journey of a sweet love story between these two who are perfect for each other.
I read some of the reviews and I was a bit worried about reading this book because of them. I do agree that Leesa does lie a lot but then again who wouldn't in her situation, she just met Chase and even though he's the sweetest man you could hope for they don't know each other so its understandable why she's slow to trust him.
The only thing I would change - I'd have liked to see the conversation at the end where she tells him about what was happening.
This was a short but good love story with a little spice to go with the romance. Chase is a bull rider with a group that traveled doing shows during the season. His last show is in Las Vegas and it's probably the one that forever changes his life. He meets Leesa, an exotic dancer who takes his breath away. She comes with a whole lot of complications that lead to really sweet, steamy love story.
Ride is the third book in the Studs in Spurs series written by author Cat Johnson. Chase is a real sweetheart. Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy.
I love the story especially how innocent that Chase is the his little naughty side. Love how he makes the girl he likes feel some she wasn’t really ready to for anyone.
Leesa's putting her life together after the mess her ex-boyfriend left when she meets bull-riding cowboy Chase. Their chemistry is instantly hot, and when she finds herself on the run the next day, she finds safety with Chase and his rodeo friends. That leads to waking up in hotel with a marriage certificate and a set of rings, but no memories to explain it all.
I really loved the sweet but sizzling relationship between these two, and I swooned for Chase, especially when he was explaining his feelings for her to his brother. This story focused more on the romance and less on the threat that Leesa was running from, giving us a fabulous love story without too much outside angst. The HEA was especially satisfying.
Ride by Cat Johnson is a great western romance. Ms Johnson has given us another well-written book. The characters are fun and lovable. Leesa and Chase’s story is loaded with drama, suspense, sizzle and humor. I enjoyed reading Ride and look forward to my next book by Cat Johnson. Ride is book 3 in the Studs In Spurs Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book that I received from Instafreebie.
Not sure about this one. I was waiting for the story to take off. Whilst it was a nice love story, I felt it seemed a bit rushed towards the end. The story line was escaping a stripe club and the connected owners bouncers, it felt rushed and a bit of a let down. it was in the background of the story all the way through but nothing really developed further with it until the last few pages.
Fake marriage and she is on the run ad keeping secrets
Chase and Leesa wake up after a party and find rings and a marriage license. Leesa is trying to hide from her boss's henchmen after she overheats him talking to his brother and business partner about having her "taken care of". So they head to Oklahoma to Chase's parents place since the rodeo is done for a few months. But the question is what is she hiding from Chase and are they really married?
Leesa is a stripper trying to make some real cash to pay off a credit card she got stuck with when an ex left her. Chase is a bull rider and his buddies take him to the club to celebrate his birthday. The buddies buy Chase a private lap dance, the first one Leesa has done. The story begins. Kind of a good read by falls a bit short and simplistic at the end.
This is a sweet ride and a fast read. Leesa and Chase's story is predictable but we'll written and believable. Chase is a sweetie and I enjoyed him a lot. Leesa was a bit lost and Chase was good for her.
The other characters and time on the farm with Chase's family was also enjoyable. I would recommend this book.
I obtained this free e-book from Amazon and I am voluntarily writing a review. I would have given this book a higher rating but the ending was so rushed that I wondered if part of the book had been lost on the way to the publisher. Feeling cheated.
I am a sucker for a plot that has strangers meeting and getting married in Las Vegas. (Maybe because I met a man once in Las Vegas, and that led to a 3 year romance, but no marriage.) Anyway, this is a sweet and sexy story, but not really anything too special.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the story line and the idea, but it was too short. The author needed to go into deeper details. It felt rushed and ended so suddenly. If she wrote even a few more chapters it would have been better.
Glad to see Chase get his HEA. He is the type of man who wears his heart on his sleeve and when he meets Leesa he falls hard. Circumstances put them together and gives Chase a chance to show Leesa he's the man for her. A sweet read.
This series I got a free copy and I'm hooked. I have now read 3 books in the series. She has a good flow and not real graphic you can use your mind to fill in the blank. Also not repetitive scenarios. I love the story line