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bookedinsideout's review against another edition
1.0
1. It’s unlikely I would have picked this book up based on the plot and cover and title (not sure where that came from even after reading the book), but it was recommended in a request for books about introverts who don’t change who they are after falling in love. I’m not sure that’s quite so true here. For example, Harriet says multiple times she dresses for herself and what makes her feel comfortable, but then she starts wearing more revealing clothing because the guy likes her body.
2. Speaking of her body, the continual references to her small, thin frame; how she didn’t seem to be hiding a larger body under her frumpy clothes; how she was round “in all the right places” grew tiresome at the very least. I highlighted this passage because I don’t love reading about someone being sexualized before they’re in a romantic or sexual relationship (they were just working together at the time), but it’s just one of the many examples of descriptions of her body in terms of how it relates to him: “He saw the hint of an indented waist as she moved. The suggestion of nicely flared hips, wide enough to take a man’s hands comfortably as he drove inside her.”
3. There was a little too much internalizing for me… lots of descriptions and thoughts when that time could have been spent growing their relationship or talking to her new friends about something other than men. Reading someone’s internal thoughts is one of the great things about books, but here they just got really repetitive.
4. “My stated position was that you could just as easily have a crush on me,” she said, her municipal, bureaucratic chin rising into the fray. “Why is it always women mooning around, fighting for the attentions of men?”“Because when men do it, we think they’re scary, call them stalkers, and throw them in jail.”
I thought the point was that the town thought he could be interested in a sexual relationship with her, but that her feelings would be more romantic in nature (a crush), but then the suggestion here seems to be downplaying sexual harassment or assault, i.e., that aggressive men who stalk women are actually just lovesick men with crushes?
5. Just an observation, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard a man’s genitals referred to as “his sex” before… usually the vague term is only used to describe women, but here it did — from both his and her POV. “She was tart and sweet, with a hint of whiskey, and he felt as if she were running her hands all over his sex.”
6. When they have sex for the first time it’s also Harriet’s first time having penetrative sex… she’s made it clear that the construct of virginity is not a big deal to her and just that she wants to have sex with him, and mostly up until this point I’ve been pretty warm on Jensen, but then she does a countdown and he just slams into her?!
7. Harriet was very forward, no-nonsense, and confident… sometimes I felt like this gave Jensen a pass for some hurtful, patronizing comments. Or she tells him she loves him (shockingly early, I’ll admit) and his response is all about him. When she tells him what’s what (she’s allowed to share her feelings and she’s not asking anything from him) without the “usual responses” (“tears, begging, whining… wild accusations and insults…none of which were on display today”), he gives her an ultimatum that she can’t say it again or they’re over and then they have sex again a few more times?!
8. There’s some guilt attached to grief, but usually it’s not so cut and dry laid out… “Daniel didn’t get to settle down with Carly and make himself some pretty little babies in a happy house somewhere. So neither do I.”
9. Even without some of those things that bothered me, the story itself wasn’t quite what I wanted. The beginning was fairly slow (a lot of thinking about the other when they could have been getting to know each other) and then everything happened really fast for me. Probably not the author for me.
2. Speaking of her body, the continual references to her small, thin frame; how she didn’t seem to be hiding a larger body under her frumpy clothes; how she was round “in all the right places” grew tiresome at the very least. I highlighted this passage because I don’t love reading about someone being sexualized before they’re in a romantic or sexual relationship (they were just working together at the time), but it’s just one of the many examples of descriptions of her body in terms of how it relates to him: “He saw the hint of an indented waist as she moved. The suggestion of nicely flared hips, wide enough to take a man’s hands comfortably as he drove inside her.”
3. There was a little too much internalizing for me… lots of descriptions and thoughts when that time could have been spent growing their relationship or talking to her new friends about something other than men. Reading someone’s internal thoughts is one of the great things about books, but here they just got really repetitive.
4. “My stated position was that you could just as easily have a crush on me,” she said, her municipal, bureaucratic chin rising into the fray. “Why is it always women mooning around, fighting for the attentions of men?”“Because when men do it, we think they’re scary, call them stalkers, and throw them in jail.”
I thought the point was that the town thought he could be interested in a sexual relationship with her, but that her feelings would be more romantic in nature (a crush), but then the suggestion here seems to be downplaying sexual harassment or assault, i.e., that aggressive men who stalk women are actually just lovesick men with crushes?
5. Just an observation, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard a man’s genitals referred to as “his sex” before… usually the vague term is only used to describe women, but here it did — from both his and her POV. “She was tart and sweet, with a hint of whiskey, and he felt as if she were running her hands all over his sex.”
6. When they have sex for the first time it’s also Harriet’s first time having penetrative sex… she’s made it clear that the construct of virginity is not a big deal to her and just that she wants to have sex with him, and mostly up until this point I’ve been pretty warm on Jensen, but then she does a countdown and he just slams into her?!
7. Harriet was very forward, no-nonsense, and confident… sometimes I felt like this gave Jensen a pass for some hurtful, patronizing comments. Or she tells him she loves him (shockingly early, I’ll admit) and his response is all about him. When she tells him what’s what (she’s allowed to share her feelings and she’s not asking anything from him) without the “usual responses” (“tears, begging, whining… wild accusations and insults…none of which were on display today”), he gives her an ultimatum that she can’t say it again or they’re over and then they have sex again a few more times?!
8. There’s some guilt attached to grief, but usually it’s not so cut and dry laid out… “Daniel didn’t get to settle down with Carly and make himself some pretty little babies in a happy house somewhere. So neither do I.”
9. Even without some of those things that bothered me, the story itself wasn’t quite what I wanted. The beginning was fairly slow (a lot of thinking about the other when they could have been getting to know each other) and then everything happened really fast for me. Probably not the author for me.
anovelreader's review
3.0
This one surprised me -- in a good way. Based on the ridiculous title, I definitely thought I was getting into some quasi cowboy p*rn, but it ended up being relatively relationship-focused with only some steam. It was also a bit subversive -- perhaps a response to Linda Howard's [b:Open Season|420734|Open Season|Linda Howard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1324869940l/420734._SY75_.jpg|1784677], in which a small-town librarian undergoes a makeover and finds love? In this book, our librarian whole-heartedly embraces her quirks, lack of makeup, and hand-knitted cardigans and still manages to snag her man. She does end up dressing a bit less conservative, but only because she notices and appreciates her partner's enjoyment. I really enjoyed how the author approached all this. Otherwise, this is a relatively low angst, funny romance. 3.5 stars.
paddlefoot55's review
4.0
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
What happens when the quirky librarian knocks the town playboy on his ar$3?
That's what we get when Harriet meets Jensen.
I like Harriet. I like that she walks to the beat of her own drummer. I like that she doesn't give a crap what anyone thinks of her, and adore that she sticks up for those who have no one to stick up for them.
From the beginning I knew that there was more than the player persona to Jensen, but boy did it take some work to drag it all out of him.
And I freaking LOVE that they drag each other out of their self imposed ... pigeon hole I guess you would call it.
And when they take on all the small town gossip as a team.
I enjoyed this story, and look forward to more of the Kittredge Ranch series in the future.
a>
What happens when the quirky librarian knocks the town playboy on his ar$3?
That's what we get when Harriet meets Jensen.
I like Harriet. I like that she walks to the beat of her own drummer. I like that she doesn't give a crap what anyone thinks of her, and adore that she sticks up for those who have no one to stick up for them.
From the beginning I knew that there was more than the player persona to Jensen, but boy did it take some work to drag it all out of him.
And I freaking LOVE that they drag each other out of their self imposed ... pigeon hole I guess you would call it.
And when they take on all the small town gossip as a team.
I enjoyed this story, and look forward to more of the Kittredge Ranch series in the future.
a>
dana_h's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
verityw's review
2.0
******Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review*****
So I do like a bad boy and a good girl when it comes to romance as well as a meddling small town, but the heroine of this is just written so weirdly that it drove me mad. I was wondering for a while if it was an attempt at a neurodiverse heroine, but as it went on without it being mentioned I gave up on that idea. It’s just so stilted and unbelievable. Hey ho, never mind - at least it ticked a state off my 50 states challenge.
So I do like a bad boy and a good girl when it comes to romance as well as a meddling small town, but the heroine of this is just written so weirdly that it drove me mad. I was wondering for a while if it was an attempt at a neurodiverse heroine, but as it went on without it being mentioned I gave up on that idea. It’s just so stilted and unbelievable. Hey ho, never mind - at least it ticked a state off my 50 states challenge.
mel2's review
3.5
cute!
i liked harriet getting to meet new versions of herself, and jensen facing his inner struggles of shame/guilt. The romance was so adorable, a cozy read. I did want more scenes with them before she left for missouri/ before the conflict resolution. i kinda why the title's the title but also why?
i liked harriet getting to meet new versions of herself, and jensen facing his inner struggles of shame/guilt. The romance was so adorable, a cozy read. I did want more scenes with them before she left for missouri/ before the conflict resolution. i kinda why the title's the title but also why?
bananatricky's review
4.0
Three and a half stars.
Jensen Kittredge, second son, part-time fire-jumper and full-time Casanova and fun-time guy. Jensen doesn't do relationships, he doesn't do serious and he never lets anyone see the real him. What no-one realises is that this is self-imposed penance for something that happened when he was eighteen years old.
Harriet Barnett moved to Cold River three years ago. She knows everyone else thinks she's a bit odd, cat-lady, librarian, old-lady dress sense, she just doesn't care very much, she's happy with her books and her knitting and her cats. But when one of her group of Summer School delinquents sneers at her attempts to bring in inspirational speakers to motivate them to do better, and suggests the only person worth listening to is Jensen Kittredge, Harriet is determined to get Jensen to speak to them. Even if it means confronting him in the den of iniquity bar he frequents on a Saturday night.
Jensen can't believe it when his night of whisky and loose women is interrupted by a diminutive woman, dressed like an old maid, clasping her giant handbag like a comfort blanket. She doesn't seem to be put off by any of his tried and trusted stratagems for shaking off women and his overt sexual innuendos seem to bounce off her.
This is a classic opposites attract romance, the bad boy and the librarian, the Casanova and the virgin. I really enjoyed it, but it didn't have the emotional heft for me of the first book - although so many other readers didn't like that book. Also, Cold River seems to be populated by men who are all atoning for some deep dark secret from their pasts - must be a dreadful place to grow up, LOL.
I am really holding out for Jensen's brother Zack's story, the buttoned-up oldest son who is the only male member of the family ever to get a job away from the Kittredge Ranch.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest opinion.
Bumped for release.
Jensen Kittredge, second son, part-time fire-jumper and full-time Casanova and fun-time guy. Jensen doesn't do relationships, he doesn't do serious and he never lets anyone see the real him. What no-one realises is that this is self-imposed penance for something that happened when he was eighteen years old.
Harriet Barnett moved to Cold River three years ago. She knows everyone else thinks she's a bit odd, cat-lady, librarian, old-lady dress sense, she just doesn't care very much, she's happy with her books and her knitting and her cats. But when one of her group of Summer School delinquents sneers at her attempts to bring in inspirational speakers to motivate them to do better, and suggests the only person worth listening to is Jensen Kittredge, Harriet is determined to get Jensen to speak to them. Even if it means confronting him in the den of iniquity bar he frequents on a Saturday night.
Jensen can't believe it when his night of whisky and loose women is interrupted by a diminutive woman, dressed like an old maid, clasping her giant handbag like a comfort blanket. She doesn't seem to be put off by any of his tried and trusted stratagems for shaking off women and his overt sexual innuendos seem to bounce off her.
This is a classic opposites attract romance, the bad boy and the librarian, the Casanova and the virgin. I really enjoyed it, but it didn't have the emotional heft for me of the first book - although so many other readers didn't like that book. Also, Cold River seems to be populated by men who are all atoning for some deep dark secret from their pasts - must be a dreadful place to grow up, LOL.
I am really holding out for Jensen's brother Zack's story, the buttoned-up oldest son who is the only male member of the family ever to get a job away from the Kittredge Ranch.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest opinion.
Bumped for release.
maureensbooks89's review
4.0
I always love a good cowboy story and I sure love Caitlyn Crews writing. So when I was able to read an ARC of ‘All Night Long With A Cowboy’, I got super excited. After reading the first book in the Kittredge Ranch series, ‘Secret Nights With A Cowboy’, I was definitely curious to read this second book and started reading as soon as I could.
In ‘All Night Long With A Cowboy’ we read the story of Jensen Kittredge, a notorious cowboy who is known for being a womanizer. So when Jensen meets Harriett Barnett, a high school librarian no one things much about it. But there is something about Harriett that makes Jensen fascinated.
From the moment I started reading I was definitely fascinated with Jensen and Harriett’s story. These two characters couldn’t be more different, but I loved them. Jensen seemed to be this arrogant playboy to the outside world but we soon see there’s much more to him. And Harriett is a quiet librarian who’s life changes the moment she meets Jensen in a bar.
I must admit that I found Harriett’s character a bit hard to love at times. I can’t even really explain why to be honest. She was this kind of character I should love. A librarian, strong willed, not easily persuaded by men.. But still she had something about her I didn’t love as much. Luckily for me, Jensen’s character definitely made up for that. Boy did I love his character. And the interactions between Jensen and Harriett where definitely fun. Although I didn’t feel their chemistry as much at first.. I definitely did in the end
‘All Night Long With A Cowboy’ was definitely a story I enjoyed. And I look forward to reading more books in this series.
In ‘All Night Long With A Cowboy’ we read the story of Jensen Kittredge, a notorious cowboy who is known for being a womanizer. So when Jensen meets Harriett Barnett, a high school librarian no one things much about it. But there is something about Harriett that makes Jensen fascinated.
From the moment I started reading I was definitely fascinated with Jensen and Harriett’s story. These two characters couldn’t be more different, but I loved them. Jensen seemed to be this arrogant playboy to the outside world but we soon see there’s much more to him. And Harriett is a quiet librarian who’s life changes the moment she meets Jensen in a bar.
I must admit that I found Harriett’s character a bit hard to love at times. I can’t even really explain why to be honest. She was this kind of character I should love. A librarian, strong willed, not easily persuaded by men.. But still she had something about her I didn’t love as much. Luckily for me, Jensen’s character definitely made up for that. Boy did I love his character. And the interactions between Jensen and Harriett where definitely fun. Although I didn’t feel their chemistry as much at first.. I definitely did in the end
‘All Night Long With A Cowboy’ was definitely a story I enjoyed. And I look forward to reading more books in this series.
mathematical_penguin's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5