Showdown is the third book in the Montana Bred Series by Linda Bradley. Chloe McIntyre is content with her life on the 617 Ranch with her fifteen-month-old twin daughters, Lil and Gracie, and their father, Matt Cooper. But when Matt proposes to her to be his lawfully wedded wife, Chloe struggles to take the final leap of faith due to her past experiences with her parents' divorce. To avoid having to answer Matt, Chloe keeps herself busy planning her stepbrother's wedding to his fiancée Red. She is also determined to renovate the barn and pursue her dream of opening an animal therapy center, much to the chagrin of her father. Meanwhile, Matt accepts a job offer at a ranch in Wyoming. Can Chloe and Matt find a way to be together?

Showdown is a heartwarming slice-of-life story full of romance and family drama. Linda Bradley perfectly demonstrates how love can help people overcome most hurdles life throws their way. You get a wholesome feel while reading the book as Bradley's storytelling tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you wanting more. As a reader, you want to be a part of the family at 617 Ranch. The plot is evenly paced, and the narrative is a breeze to read. The relationship between Chloe and Matt feels genuine, and so does every other dynamic between the rest of the characters, including friends and family. I cheered for Chloe and Matt to end up together, and I think other readers will feel the same way. In conclusion, this book is tailor-made for lovers of contemporary romance.

Showdown by Linda Bradley is a Western romance that follows Chloe McIntyre on her family's 617 Ranch in Montana. In book one of the Montana Bred Series, Unbranded, Chloe aspires to be co-CEO of the ranch but is pitted against her father's reluctance. When an unplanned pregnancy with best friend Matt Cooper is discovered, Chloe conceals it to secure her position on the ranch. In book two, Reunion, Chloe, pregnant and estranged from her mother, seeks reconciliation. However, a hidden agenda threatens their fragile bond, testing love and acceptance. In this third book, Showdown, Chloe and Matt are parents of twins, with their relationship at a make-or-break point. Matt wants Chloe to be his wife, but Chloe has the fear of divorce carved into her bones. As they maneuver through personal and professional demands, Matt's offer raises unexpected questions about their future.

Once more, Linda Bradley offers a wonderful escape to the west in Showdown, painting a series of picturesque scenes of the Montana ranch, harnessing the natural beauty of the landscape, and juxtaposing these against Chloe and Matt's connection in both its highs and lows. Bradley tugs at a reader's heartstrings, and I nearly lost it when a loss rocked the storyline. The author amplifies this with skillful use of symbolic elements, such as the silver heart necklace and the image of angel wings in the clouds, that create a tangible link to the loss and a sense of spiritual presence. For me, what makes the book stand out is Chloe's strength. I love that she's not just a damsel obsessed with marriage. Chloe has goals and aspirations beyond romantic relationships. Her desire to open an animal therapy center and even discussions on writing grants flesh her out as a forceful woman who is always ready to do what needs to get done. Overall, Showdown is another Montana Bred installment well done, and I have no doubt it will surprise and delight all who read it. Very highly recommended.