Hulu is continuing to build out its young adult slate with a new adaptation that blends romance with a rarely centered backdrop. The streamer has acquired the rights to Liara Tamani’s novel This Ain’t Our First Rodeo, with plans to develop it into a television series.
Published in February by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, the novel is described as a contemporary Western love story set within Houston’s rodeo scene. The story follows Josie and Shawn, who reconnect three years after their first date, only to find that their second chance at love comes with complications neither of them can ignore.
As their relationship unfolds, both are navigating personal and family pressures. Josie is holding on to her family’s ranch and the future she’s envisioned for herself, while Shawn is rising in the rodeo world as a bull rider, all while dealing with a strained relationship at home. Their push-and-pull dynamic becomes central to a story about love, identity, and the realities of growing up.
Beyond the romance, the series has the opportunity to spotlight a side of rodeo culture that isn’t often explored on screen, including the deep-rooted presence of Black cowboys and cowgirls within that world. It’s a layer that adds both cultural context and freshness to a genre that has historically lacked that perspective in mainstream television.
The adaptation marks Tamani’s fourth novel to date, following Calling My Name, All the Things We Never Knew, and What She Missed. Known for her grounded and emotionally resonant storytelling, Tamani continues to center young Black characters in stories that feel both intimate and expansive.
For Hulu, This Ain’t Our First Rodeo is the latest YA project in development as the platform continues to invest in book-to-screen adaptations. The strategy reflects a broader push across the industry to tap into established readerships while expanding the types of stories being told on screen.
It’s still early in development, but with a strong emotional core and a setting that offers something new, This Ain’t Our First Rodeo could carve out a unique space within Hulu’s growing lineup.