This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Western Romance
Published by Forever
Released on May 28, 2019
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
Back to the Longhorn Canyon for more sassy gals and good-timing cowboys in wild -livin’ Tag’s story. As usual, I had a blast for the down home charm, grinnin’ humor, and pinch of spice heartwarming romance. But wait, there’s more… some suspense and old family shadows get laid to rest in this cowboy romance that shows some surprising depth when all’s said and done.
Review
Cowboy Rebel is book four in the Longhorn Canyon series. It can standalone in a pinch, but works best following the earlier entries when the secondary crowd of couples and ongoing events in this one are introduced.
Tag and his twin brother, Hud, have bought the ranching property next door to Longhorn Canyon Ranch where their sister and her husband are. He’s been living wild and free since his teen years and doesn’t think he’ll ever settle down until he catches sight of his sister’s best friend. But, she wants something solid and dependable and that is not who Tag is with his daredevil ways. Can he change? Does he want to? Is it time to lay the past to rest?
Nikki grew up in Bowie. Her brother died of leukemia when he was a child, her dad walked out after the funeral, and Nikki lived with a hypochondriac, OCD mother until she could get out on her own. She’s still dealing with her mom’s mental health issues and making a life for herself as an ER nurse. She has dreams of a good man and a family, but never thinks that someone like her- afraid to be her mother or afraid to love someone who won’t stay- can ever have something like her friend Emily has. If her heart races when Emily’s brother is around flirting and trying to get her to go out with him? Well, it doesn’t mean anything, right?
Most of the time, I can pick up a book by this author and its engaging because of its very predictability. They can be counted on to leave me feeling lighter and good. Cowboy Rebel did that and more. It reached a little deeper. Nikki and Tag both come with baggage that isn’t visible at first glance. Tag’s came with a danger element that added some suspense and excitement for a time while Nikki’s little mystery of a stalker gave me some fun guessing right along with her.
There is a lot of family and friends moments, working on the ranch, Fab Five appearances, but mostly it was personal growth that led to a natural friends to lovers romance. Neat twist that the best friend’s sibling element was Nikki worried about Emily’s reaction to her spending time with Emily’s brother. This romance took its time and it needed to because they needed to work out what they really wanted beyond the burst of attraction between them. Not, that the chemistry wasn’t crackling between them from the beginning.
All in all, this was better than my already eager expectation. I know I’ve got Hud and the Callahan brothers still out at the ranch so I’m in anticipation of more raanching and cowboy romancing. Those who enjoy easy-going, heartwarming country romance should give this series a go.
I rec’d this book from Forever via Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #75
Books N Tunes: #28 Vince Gill’s Go Rest High On That Mountain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jXrmAKBBTU
About Carolyn Brown
Hi! I’m twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can’t trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who’ve made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He’s even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio’s box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it’s about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn’t changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter… all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I’ve touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it’s brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They’ve also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN’S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there’s enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I’m writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I’m telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I’m very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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I really enjoyed this one. It’s one of my favorite from the series. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Yes, Ioved Levi’s book, but this one nudged it out of top spot. 🙂
I like the easy going vibe this seems to have. And glad to hear it works alright as a standalone.
Oh yes, these are a kick back and get cozy book. 🙂
I have a book by this author and it’s been a while since I’ve read a cowboy story
She has written so ever-loving many, but I do love the country charm and keep coming back for more. 🙂
I really enjoy a good cowboy romance at times and this sounds pretty good.
This would be a good recommendation one since it gets int some other elements besides just the romance. 🙂
Living in Texas, I certainly love a good cowboy 😉
I’m glad to see that the author was able to move beyond the formula a bit to give you even more enjoyment with this one!
Oh yeah, you would see ranch life as common place, Ethan. 🙂
Yes, it was neat to see the suspense thread and her family’s tragic past layered with the rest of the story.
I love when a favorite author delivers more..this sounds wonderful.
And, even better when you’re not anticipating it. 🙂
I passed on a copy of this because I was trying to cut back with review books, but I’m definitely popping over to request a copy from the library (audio version hopefully!) Glad to see you enjoyed it, Sophia Rose! 🙂
Yes! I have the same dilemma about restricting my review commitments and still wanting the others. 🙂 Hope your library comes through for you. 🙂
A new comer to this genre and, if I’m honest, not the biggest fan. Thank you for such an honest review, alas this isn’t a book for me though I can see why true fans of the genre might enjoy it.
Yeah, not for everyone, I get that. I had a good time with it. 🙂
this series looks fantastic, pretty sure my library has the first book at least so will def have to check it out
That first one was a cutie. I loved the ranch summer camp situation. 🙂
I need to continue with this series! Book 1 was so dang good
It is a great series. Levi’s book which I think is book two was my favorite until this one.
Great review! I like Carolyn Brown but I don’t read quite as much contemporary romance as I used to read and I’ve never read lots of Westerns. I’m sure I would enjoy this one though.
I know you like to get them in order, Anne, but I think you’d probably enjoy it anyway. 🙂
I like the best friend’s sibling trope and this story sounds like it was really good! I like that both characters had baggage to deal with and that there was danger, suspense, and mystery. Wonderful Review Sophia!
It was fun that there was that little dynamic. It was there with the friends, but not made much off once the other things were dealt with. It was a great read.
I love how this book provides lighter reading while reaching deeper with the characters. Plus, cowboys!
Yes, it had some good layers. Yahoo! 🙂
Great review. I love how this author writes her cowboys, so authentic. I like that there is a strong family presence involved and she does write great slow building love stories for sure.
Yes, I like that she give a good romantic tone, but yet I always feel that her people are real. So good!
I am so far behind in this series!
I have so many series like that, argh!
Oh good! I loved the first two but never got to book 3. I need to play catch up it seems!
I insist. You’ll love this pair. 🙂