Contemporary Romance Book Review: Broncos and Ballads

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About the Book

Title: Broncos and Ballads 

Series: Healing Springs Ranch, Book 2 

Author: Jody Hedlund 

Genre: Contemporary Western Romance 

Publisher: Northern Lights Press 

Release Date: July 29, 2025  

Click here to purchase a copy of this book. 

Publisher's Book Description

“The bad boy feels the McQuaid legacy of love is out of his reach. Maybe it’s closer than he realizes. 

 

After a bad breakup, country music star Brock McQuaid finds his ratings tanking as fans begin to question whether he’s really experienced the love he sings about so passionately. To salvage his reputation, he agrees to pretend to fall in love with supermodel Venus Vargas, because she needs his help too. 

 

Venus always thought she would marry her best friend Reed. But when he throws a surprise party celebrating his engagement to another woman, Venus finds herself scrambling to make sense of her relationship with him. To keep from being humiliated, she agrees to fake date Brock McQuaid. 

 

The power couple makes headlines, but how long can they keep up their charade? Or is it a charade? The more time they spend together, the more real the relationship begins to feel. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles holding them back from love before their sham comes crashing down and crushes them both?”  

My Review

Broncos and Ballads, by Jody Hedlund, is the second book in the Healing Springs Ranch series. Set in a variety of appealing locations around the world, including an exclusive mountain resort in Colorado, this novel features a captivating friends-to-lovers, fake-relationship storyline. With compelling characters, simmering attraction, and complicated emotional conflict, this book is touching as well as entertaining. Scenes filled with friends, family, drama, and love, make this western, contemporary romance exceedingly enjoyable and special. 

 

Filled with plenty of surprising twists and touching moments, this love story is unique and very engaging. Creative details and a bit of humor enhance the excellent pacing and thoughtful writing. But this novel truly shines because of its characters. They are vibrant, compelling, and vulnerable. The choices they make are often unexpected and quite moving. Even though they struggle with real insecurities, hurt, and fears, they remain open to the possibility of finding healing and wholeness. Furthermore, hope, trust, honesty, and faith are important themes that are sprinkled throughout the story, helping to make this romance novel both heartwarming and uplifting. 

 

Ms. Hedlund always succeeds in crafting novels that are a true pleasure to read, and Broncos and Ballads is no exception. From beginning to end, it is a very memorable novel that is detailed, immersive, and worthy of attention. An impressive addition to a special series, I eagerly recommend it. 

 

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher/author. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own. 

 

About the Author: Jody Hedlund

“Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over sixty sweet historical romances and is the winner of numerous awards. She lives in central Michigan with her husband and is the mother of five wonderful children and five spoiled cats. When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.” --Biography from JodyHedlund.com. 

Click here to visit Jody Hedlund's website. 

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