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biffylal's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book, it reads like a Hallmark movie and it was perfect to snuggle down with when Hurricane Florence came over us.
It usually takes me a while to finish a book because I'll put it down and forget about it for a while. That didn't happen with this book, I could not put it down and I was so sad to be coming to the end of the book that I skipped reading for a couple of days just so it wouldn't have to end.
I have now purchased the other two books in the Happy, Texas series and I can't wait for them to arrive so I can start reading them.
In a world where most romance novels now border on 50 Shades of Grey, it was refreshing to find one that is all about the romance and not about 50 Shades of Cowboy. I mean who doesn't love a good southern romance that features a gentleman of a cowboy?
This book had me smiling and laughing and in some places tearing up. I would recommend this book to anyone. I'll be adding this to my reread shelf.
It usually takes me a while to finish a book because I'll put it down and forget about it for a while. That didn't happen with this book, I could not put it down and I was so sad to be coming to the end of the book that I skipped reading for a couple of days just so it wouldn't have to end.
I have now purchased the other two books in the Happy, Texas series and I can't wait for them to arrive so I can start reading them.
In a world where most romance novels now border on 50 Shades of Grey, it was refreshing to find one that is all about the romance and not about 50 Shades of Cowboy. I mean who doesn't love a good southern romance that features a gentleman of a cowboy?
This book had me smiling and laughing and in some places tearing up. I would recommend this book to anyone. I'll be adding this to my reread shelf.
soniaandstories's review
5.0
This was such a sweet book. Relatively drama-free, wonderful character building and growth, no drawn-out scenarios or dramatic misunderstandings. I loved the dynamics between all the characters and the growth that occurred. Such a feel good book!
jenafyre's review
5.0
All I can say is Carolyn Brown has done it again! If you have not read her Cowboy books, my question would be WHY NOT! Here she comes with a new series that is tied to the wickedly hot Dawson Cowboys. A beautiful second chance love story that has humor, HOT cowboys and an amazing HEA. This is the story of Brody and Lila.
Lila Harris has loved Brody Dawson since they were kids in school. Always wishing that he would take her on a real date instead of sneaking around with her like she was his little secret. Lila was a wild child for sure, always getting in trouble, but Happy, Texas and the diner where her home. When Brody finally got the nerve to ask Lila on a real date and then stood her up, it broke her heart. After leaving Happy for years, she is back in town to sell the diner, and get some closure, but that might all go out the window when Brody is around.
Brody Dawson never forgave himself for standing Lila up. He loved her with his young teenage heart, but he was scared. Now she is back in town and Brody wants a do over. He wants to prove to Lila that she is not some secret to be kept, but he wants to love her out in the open, no matter what his family thinks.
As Brody and Lila spend time together, working through the past and planning a future, can Brody get over his fears and pride and convince Lila that wild child or respectable lady, she is meant to put down roots in Happy, and she is meant to be his.
I loved the connection that these two characters have. Both her mother and his are against the match from the start, but they will not be pushed off the path of true love once they start. I love that Brody made grand gestures to prove to Lila that he was willing to do whatever it took for them to be together. I loved that Lila was able to let go of the past and look toward a future where she and Brody could make a go of it.
Brody's niece and 2 nephews add a lot of humor to the story and had me laughing. Carolyn Brown has the formula to keep the reader hooked and make you want to be part of every Texas small town. I am so excited for this new series and cannot wait to read more and come back over and over to visit the new group of Dawsons in Happy, Texas
Lila Harris has loved Brody Dawson since they were kids in school. Always wishing that he would take her on a real date instead of sneaking around with her like she was his little secret. Lila was a wild child for sure, always getting in trouble, but Happy, Texas and the diner where her home. When Brody finally got the nerve to ask Lila on a real date and then stood her up, it broke her heart. After leaving Happy for years, she is back in town to sell the diner, and get some closure, but that might all go out the window when Brody is around.
Brody Dawson never forgave himself for standing Lila up. He loved her with his young teenage heart, but he was scared. Now she is back in town and Brody wants a do over. He wants to prove to Lila that she is not some secret to be kept, but he wants to love her out in the open, no matter what his family thinks.
As Brody and Lila spend time together, working through the past and planning a future, can Brody get over his fears and pride and convince Lila that wild child or respectable lady, she is meant to put down roots in Happy, and she is meant to be his.
I loved the connection that these two characters have. Both her mother and his are against the match from the start, but they will not be pushed off the path of true love once they start. I love that Brody made grand gestures to prove to Lila that he was willing to do whatever it took for them to be together. I loved that Lila was able to let go of the past and look toward a future where she and Brody could make a go of it.
Brody's niece and 2 nephews add a lot of humor to the story and had me laughing. Carolyn Brown has the formula to keep the reader hooked and make you want to be part of every Texas small town. I am so excited for this new series and cannot wait to read more and come back over and over to visit the new group of Dawsons in Happy, Texas
punkassbookjockey84's review
4.0
As a teen in Happy, Texas Lila Harris was the wild child and Brody Dawson the golden boy she was in love with and dating in secret. But when he broke her heart instead of bringing their relationship into the public, she left Happy and never looked back. But now she's back to sell her mom's diner and her attraction to Brody is still there. Despite having grown up and moved on, the town and Brody's family still sees her as the wild child who doesn't deserve him. Can they both get past their history and open up to loving each other again?
This is the first book I've read by this author and for the most part I really enjoyed this book. I liked Brody (who doesn't love a sexy cowboy) and Lila was strong and independent. My one sort of issue was the conflict that separated them--it's more that I was expecting something really dramatic (like there was some emergency and he couldn't pick her up for a date and didn't call so she thought he was standing her up again) and what actually happened was just anticlimactic in comparison to my expectations. I definitely intend to follow up with the rest of this series, however.
This is the first book I've read by this author and for the most part I really enjoyed this book. I liked Brody (who doesn't love a sexy cowboy) and Lila was strong and independent. My one sort of issue was the conflict that separated them--it's more that I was expecting something really dramatic (like there was some emergency and he couldn't pick her up for a date and didn't call so she thought he was standing her up again) and what actually happened was just anticlimactic in comparison to my expectations. I definitely intend to follow up with the rest of this series, however.
beastreader's review
4.0
If the rest of the books in this new series from author, Carolyn Brown are as good as this book turned out to be, then, I am in for a good time. Instantly, I connected with the characters and the town. It was like things had never changed between Lila and Brody. Only that they grew up. It felt natural when they instantly connected. The reason I say this is because I have said it before that I am not always a fan of insta-love. Yet, in this case it was right.
Brody's mom and grandmother had me laughing. They way that they were still trying to control Brody's love life. In turn it made Brody revert back to a teenager, where he would try and stuck off with Lila. However, the ones that stole some of the spotlight from Lila and Brody where Brody's nephew and niece, Emma and Rustin. They were so funny as they were honest. As they say, kids say the darnest things. Brody never got around to writing that note to Lila as the George Strait song, "Check Yes or No" goes but readers have an good idea of which box Lila would check. Toughest Cowboy in Texas is filled with heart-warming characters, smiles, and an all around good time!
Brody's mom and grandmother had me laughing. They way that they were still trying to control Brody's love life. In turn it made Brody revert back to a teenager, where he would try and stuck off with Lila. However, the ones that stole some of the spotlight from Lila and Brody where Brody's nephew and niece, Emma and Rustin. They were so funny as they were honest. As they say, kids say the darnest things. Brody never got around to writing that note to Lila as the George Strait song, "Check Yes or No" goes but readers have an good idea of which box Lila would check. Toughest Cowboy in Texas is filled with heart-warming characters, smiles, and an all around good time!
blodeuedd's review
3.0
Honestly! The people in this town! Oh she is too wild! She is bad news! I was just waiting for them to like accuse her of murdering someone. And sure, she was a daredevil as a teen, but hold your judgment people! Especially his gran and mother, but then they had their own reasons for disliking her, stupid selfish reasons.
Lila and Brody were in love, but in secret. Not winning my love their Brody. He messed up for sure as a teen. But it was also a good thing, because she left that small town, she made something of herself. And now she is back and she never stopped loving him.
Not everyone in the town is an asshat, but there are some. They made me so mad, I am glad she was above it but still.
It really is Brody who has to make his mind up, and do the chasing for this to work, and hey, I like that. And as how he is, a true cowboy. While she tries to be calm, but that wild child still lurks in there (the one who can not let him go).
Conclusion:
It was a truly sweet romance
Lila and Brody were in love, but in secret. Not winning my love their Brody. He messed up for sure as a teen. But it was also a good thing, because she left that small town, she made something of herself. And now she is back and she never stopped loving him.
Not everyone in the town is an asshat, but there are some. They made me so mad, I am glad she was above it but still.
It really is Brody who has to make his mind up, and do the chasing for this to work, and hey, I like that. And as how he is, a true cowboy. While she tries to be calm, but that wild child still lurks in there (the one who can not let him go).
Conclusion:
It was a truly sweet romance
kbranfield's review
3.0
3.5 stars
The first book in Carolyn Brown's Happy, Texas series, Toughest Cowboy in Texas is an entertaining second chance at love romance.
Twelve years ago, Lila Harris left Happy, Texas with a broken heart courtesy of her secret boyfriend Brody Dawson. Now a well-respected school teacher, Lila returns to Happy to sell her mama's cafe but she cannot escape the town's long memory. Considered the town's "wild child" because of her fun-loving, spirited antics, the townspeople still refer to her by her former nickname and she is the object of an awful lot of mean-spirited gossip. And woo whee! Two of the Lila's biggest detractors are Brody's mama and Grandma and they are hoping he stays far away from her while she is in town.
Brody's life changed direction dramatically due to circumstances beyond his control and he now has his hands full running the family ranch with his brother Jace. He harbors quite a few regrets for the way he treated Lila while they were dating and as an adult, he is quick to apologize for his mistakes. Brody is also ready and willing to fight for her once he realizes he is still attracted to her.
The sparks fly between Brody and Lila once they are reunited but there is plenty of internal and external conflict to prevent them from acting on their attraction. With the townspeople convinced she is nothing but trouble, Lila cannot wait to leave Happy again. She is also rather reluctant to trust that Brody will not break her heart again. Brody knows that Lila is the woman for him, but his mama and grandma are dead set against them becoming a couple. Will Brody fight for Lila no matter what his family thinks? And will Lila be able to work through her reservations about living permanently in a town where she is nothing but fodder for gossip?
Although Brody and Lila are likable characters, their relationship has a bit of an insta-love feel to it. The townspeople are rather judgmental and quick to think the worst of Lila despite the fact that they really do not know her. It is also rather frustrating that both Lila and Brody's families are dead set against them seeing another. The reasons are ridiculously overblown and have absolutely nothing to do with either Brody and Lila.
Toughest Cowboy in Texas is a sweet yet steamy small town romance with a cast of eclectic but likable characters. While there are a few frustrations with some elements of the storyline, this first installment in the Happy, Texas series is an enjoyable read that I recommend to old and new fans of Carolyn Brown.
The first book in Carolyn Brown's Happy, Texas series, Toughest Cowboy in Texas is an entertaining second chance at love romance.
Twelve years ago, Lila Harris left Happy, Texas with a broken heart courtesy of her secret boyfriend Brody Dawson. Now a well-respected school teacher, Lila returns to Happy to sell her mama's cafe but she cannot escape the town's long memory. Considered the town's "wild child" because of her fun-loving, spirited antics, the townspeople still refer to her by her former nickname and she is the object of an awful lot of mean-spirited gossip. And woo whee! Two of the Lila's biggest detractors are Brody's mama and Grandma and they are hoping he stays far away from her while she is in town.
Brody's life changed direction dramatically due to circumstances beyond his control and he now has his hands full running the family ranch with his brother Jace. He harbors quite a few regrets for the way he treated Lila while they were dating and as an adult, he is quick to apologize for his mistakes. Brody is also ready and willing to fight for her once he realizes he is still attracted to her.
The sparks fly between Brody and Lila once they are reunited but there is plenty of internal and external conflict to prevent them from acting on their attraction. With the townspeople convinced she is nothing but trouble, Lila cannot wait to leave Happy again. She is also rather reluctant to trust that Brody will not break her heart again. Brody knows that Lila is the woman for him, but his mama and grandma are dead set against them becoming a couple. Will Brody fight for Lila no matter what his family thinks? And will Lila be able to work through her reservations about living permanently in a town where she is nothing but fodder for gossip?
Although Brody and Lila are likable characters, their relationship has a bit of an insta-love feel to it. The townspeople are rather judgmental and quick to think the worst of Lila despite the fact that they really do not know her. It is also rather frustrating that both Lila and Brody's families are dead set against them seeing another. The reasons are ridiculously overblown and have absolutely nothing to do with either Brody and Lila.
Toughest Cowboy in Texas is a sweet yet steamy small town romance with a cast of eclectic but likable characters. While there are a few frustrations with some elements of the storyline, this first installment in the Happy, Texas series is an enjoyable read that I recommend to old and new fans of Carolyn Brown.
katewrites's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75