Scan barcode
alwaysreadingreview's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. This book has been one of my favorites of the year that I have read. Lila Harris has a reputation of being a wild child since she was younger. That reputation did not follow her when she left Happy, Texas, but now that Lila is home she is conflicted with who she really is? The school teacher? Or the wild child? The wild child wants to come out and play especially with Brody Dawson, but the school teacher in her says no. Which one will win?
I was hooked from page one. I could not stop reading. I love books about cowboys!!
☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
I was hooked from page one. I could not stop reading. I love books about cowboys!!
☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
sue_from_stack_those_books's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book review copy.
I enjoyed all the characters. The romance seemed realistic to me. Childhood hometown with all its charm. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2.
I enjoyed all the characters. The romance seemed realistic to me. Childhood hometown with all its charm. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2.
heidileigh's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
allingoodtime's review
4.0
This was a great start to a series. I’ve had mixed results with my Carolyn Brown reads, but I think this particular series will go the way of the Lucky Penny Ranch series and have mostly winners. I really love Brody and the rest of the Dawson family. Especially his sister and her kids. I can’t wait to read about them in the next book.
Lila is a great heroine. She feels judged by her old teenage years when she goes back to her hometown. But as much as some of those people were judging her, she was also judging herself. She had to get over her own insecurities and find her confidence in order to find happiness. Sometimes she drove me crazy with her signs. She was so busy looking for signs that she was making the right choices that she was missing out on life. Maybe it frustrated me so much because I have known people like that in my life. Sometimes a feather is just a feather. Sometimes hearing a certain song at the perfect time is just coincidence. And sometimes, yes, it is a sign. But you can’t hold back on doing things because you’re waiting for the universe to give you a big thumbs up first.
My full review is posted at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/20/toughest-cowboy-in-texas-book-review/
Lila is a great heroine. She feels judged by her old teenage years when she goes back to her hometown. But as much as some of those people were judging her, she was also judging herself. She had to get over her own insecurities and find her confidence in order to find happiness. Sometimes she drove me crazy with her signs. She was so busy looking for signs that she was making the right choices that she was missing out on life. Maybe it frustrated me so much because I have known people like that in my life. Sometimes a feather is just a feather. Sometimes hearing a certain song at the perfect time is just coincidence. And sometimes, yes, it is a sign. But you can’t hold back on doing things because you’re waiting for the universe to give you a big thumbs up first.
My full review is posted at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/20/toughest-cowboy-in-texas-book-review/
izzy_rivera's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
lauraanne9's review
3.0
***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***
3.5 Stars
This was an enjoyable, well paced, small town romance, with a bit of the 2nd chance element tossed in. I say a bit, as while there was a relationship with the characters in the past, it was never one that was allowed to grow and neither of them saw it as something with a future, so while this was a second chance, it really was more of their first chance to explore what they had without it having an automatic expiration date. But, at the same time, she was only there for the summer...so it was like a do-over of their history, but as adults.
Lila and Brody have chemistry, but they also like one another, and appreciate one another for who they each are. There is a bit at the end that is so perfect, so perfect, that you just get to really see how they each feel about the other. Don't worry, I am not going to spoil it, you will know it when you get there, and it is perfect.
The parts with the supporting characters, in my opinion, were a little long in places, so I did feel that this was a draw away from the central characters at times. Not enough for me to dislike the story, but enough for me to wish that a little more time had been spent with Brody and Lila. They still worked well, and there was a lot of them that was present in the book, but I think I wanted just a bit more.
That said, I enjoyed this book.
I recommend this book and I am looking forward to the next in the series.
3.5 Stars
This was an enjoyable, well paced, small town romance, with a bit of the 2nd chance element tossed in. I say a bit, as while there was a relationship with the characters in the past, it was never one that was allowed to grow and neither of them saw it as something with a future, so while this was a second chance, it really was more of their first chance to explore what they had without it having an automatic expiration date. But, at the same time, she was only there for the summer...so it was like a do-over of their history, but as adults.
Lila and Brody have chemistry, but they also like one another, and appreciate one another for who they each are. There is a bit at the end that is so perfect, so perfect, that you just get to really see how they each feel about the other. Don't worry, I am not going to spoil it, you will know it when you get there, and it is perfect.
The parts with the supporting characters, in my opinion, were a little long in places, so I did feel that this was a draw away from the central characters at times. Not enough for me to dislike the story, but enough for me to wish that a little more time had been spent with Brody and Lila. They still worked well, and there was a lot of them that was present in the book, but I think I wanted just a bit more.
That said, I enjoyed this book.
I recommend this book and I am looking forward to the next in the series.
adorkable's review
2.0
I chose this book because who doesn't love a cowboy love story? I won't go into what the story is about, as I'm sure you can read other reviews. I will tell you why I rated it a 2.
The writing was good enough. It anywhere close to the best, but it was fine. There weren't giant flaws or weird sentences. It could have been better. It lacked details and there were times that it skipped over things I would think were important and drew out things I didn't need to read so much on. It's a matter of taste, but you should know the words shouldn't distract you from the story. I don't regret buying this author and I may read her books again, but I may not.
I'm not a country fan and I feel like this book is written for one. There are A LOT of references to country songs in this book. I still got the gist of the story and the connections between the songs and the story, but it would probably go over better with a fan of Blake Shelton (mentioned several times).
This is a story of two people who fooled around in high school reuniting after twelve years apart. Sounds great. It's a slow burn, kinda. Without spoiling anything (I think), you are expected to believe they love each other based on the writer just telling you that they do. They don't do anything to prove their love for the other (until the very end). Oh, they feel heat (lots of heat) for each other, but I didn't once believe their feelings until the end. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not. If it was, it was a bad choice.
Sex scenes? Look, I think we all expect some sort of smut in romance novels nowadays. How much is given is up to the author and I'm ok with that... but don't expect a full sex scene in this. Sure, there's sex scenes, but they are short. But, paragraphs on kissing. I don't need sex on every page, but I would like a full page of it when it happens.
The supporting cast is as predictable as the main cast. You know as soon as you meet them who the next two books are about, just not which gets love first. I will say I'm glad the male wasn't jealous of the brother in this book. They actually seem to support each other, and want the other happy. That was a nice change of pace.
The book fit the mood I was in when I picked it up and started it. It took me a few days to finish (not the months it claims on here). There are a couple emotional spots that hit me. I certainly didn't hate it, but no more cowboy romances from this author for me.
The writing was good enough. It anywhere close to the best, but it was fine. There weren't giant flaws or weird sentences. It could have been better. It lacked details and there were times that it skipped over things I would think were important and drew out things I didn't need to read so much on. It's a matter of taste, but you should know the words shouldn't distract you from the story. I don't regret buying this author and I may read her books again, but I may not.
I'm not a country fan and I feel like this book is written for one. There are A LOT of references to country songs in this book. I still got the gist of the story and the connections between the songs and the story, but it would probably go over better with a fan of Blake Shelton (mentioned several times).
This is a story of two people who fooled around in high school reuniting after twelve years apart. Sounds great. It's a slow burn, kinda. Without spoiling anything (I think), you are expected to believe they love each other based on the writer just telling you that they do. They don't do anything to prove their love for the other (until the very end). Oh, they feel heat (lots of heat) for each other, but I didn't once believe their feelings until the end. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not. If it was, it was a bad choice.
Sex scenes? Look, I think we all expect some sort of smut in romance novels nowadays. How much is given is up to the author and I'm ok with that... but don't expect a full sex scene in this. Sure, there's sex scenes, but they are short. But, paragraphs on kissing. I don't need sex on every page, but I would like a full page of it when it happens.
The supporting cast is as predictable as the main cast. You know as soon as you meet them who the next two books are about, just not which gets love first. I will say I'm glad the male wasn't jealous of the brother in this book. They actually seem to support each other, and want the other happy. That was a nice change of pace.
The book fit the mood I was in when I picked it up and started it. It took me a few days to finish (not the months it claims on here). There are a couple emotional spots that hit me. I certainly didn't hate it, but no more cowboy romances from this author for me.
hollaback77's review
5.0
The Spark of an Old Flame
Last time Lila Harris was in Happy, Texas, she was actively earning her reputation as the resident wild child. Now, a little older and wiser, she's back to run her mother's café for the summer. Except something about this town has her itching to get a little reckless and rowdy, especially when she sees her old partner-in-crime, Brody Dawson. Their chemistry is just as hot as ever. But he's still the town's golden boy-and she's still the wrong kind of girl.
Brody hasn't had much time lately for anything other than ranching. Running the biggest spread in the county and taking care of his family more than keeps him busy. All that responsibility has him longing for the carefree days of high school and Lila. She may have grown up, but he still sees that spark of mischief in her eyes. Now he's dreaming about late-night skinny dipping and wondering how he can possibly resist the one woman he can never forget...
I said in the last review I did of Carolyn Brown's that I loved all of her books and that's the truth!! I loved Brody and Lila. I thought Lila had spunk and was just smart as a whip. I fell so in love with Brody but he made a heck of a mistake when he was a kid but what do you expect? He was a kid and kid's make mistakes.
Lila comes back to Happy...yep that's the name of the town lol! She comes back to Happy, Texas to put her mother's diner on the market and then get the heck out of dodge. Who does she run into but good ole Brody, looking better than he ever did. A lot has changed for Brody - all the plans he had before Lila took off changed all in the same summer. His dad and his grandfather both died that same summer. You find that out pretty early on in the story and it's not a secret or spoiler. So, instead of him going away for college - he stayed home and took care of the ranch and sends his brother to college instead. He never left Happy and he never fell out of love with Lila. She's his one regret. Everyone in this book feels as if Brody treated Lila like he was better than her. I feel like he even feels like he treated her that way but I didn't see any of those parts. He snuck out of the house after they made love but who wants to get caught by your girlfriend's mother? It says that he had her as his "secret girlfriend" but he always hung out with her and Jace. No one else. That to me shouts girlfriend unless he's dating his brother and that's frowned upon except in hill country. So, he took another girl to prom? It never stated whether or not she wanted to go. I had a hard time with that and kind of felt that Brody got the blame stick a lot. Lila wasn't all "poor me." She needed to buck up buttercup.
Brody does everything in this book to show her he loves her but is it enough? He asks her to the family reunion, he asks her to the Fourth of July party they're having. That's definitely being seen in public together. Lila is one of those characters who's been hurt. Even though she grew up with Brody and his brother Jace, they were from one side of the tracks and she was from the other. That didn't make a difference though because they were all best friends. To Brody's grandmother and mother, Lila is the "wild child" and not good enough for Brody and to Lila's mother, Brody is only going to hurt her again. So, she's going to head him off at the pass and not give him a chance to hurt her again.
The characters I really loved in this book were Brody's sister, Kasey and her 3 kids. They totally stole the whole book. I'm praying and hoping they have their own and I'm pretty sure they will. That's what this setup was for. Jace will get his own book and so will Kasey. Her story though was just heartbreaking and so real to life. Her children were a hoot and when they told Brody he stunk but they wanted to grow up to stink just like him and be a cowboy...OMG, I about rolled out of the recliner!! It was classic kids! I enjoy the way Carolyn writes children and animals because you know that she has them and has been around them. She knows the way they behave and interacts with others. I love her and I'm going to stalk her page for her next book - no lie.
What I didn't like about this book - Valerie. I didn't like Brody's mom. I wasn't going to like her. She wasn't going to be redeemed in my eyes even after a little page of redemption. It wasn't going to happen. I still don't like her. As a matter of fact, if I saw her right now - I'd force feed her pie until she'd puke because us Southern gals don't do things that will make us look bad. We say "bless their hearts" instead of "you wanker" because it's unseemly. I had to also work really hard to like Grandma Hope but after hearing her story, I understood her. Daisy, Lila's mother...that woman makes my teeth rattle. Her and Valerie together were like 2 children fighting over the same toy...so you fought over the same man 40 years ago!! Get over it! Said man has been dead for 10 years - get over it. She's not going to dig him up Valerie and put him on her mantle. I've said my piece, I'm good.
Overall, I really had a good time in Happy Texas. I escape away when I'm reading books and for a little while, I'm actually there. If you want to read the rest of the books that interweave into this one, pick up The Lucky Penny Ranch Series. You'll find that the characters in those, are in these as well. The language in these books are minimal, the sex isn't too much, the plot is awesome. At some points, I did find that Lila kept saying the same thing over and over but we do that in real life. We rehash what already has been said because we can't let go of the past so that was real to life to me. Pick this up on a weekend, so that you don't have to put it down during the week!!
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
Last time Lila Harris was in Happy, Texas, she was actively earning her reputation as the resident wild child. Now, a little older and wiser, she's back to run her mother's café for the summer. Except something about this town has her itching to get a little reckless and rowdy, especially when she sees her old partner-in-crime, Brody Dawson. Their chemistry is just as hot as ever. But he's still the town's golden boy-and she's still the wrong kind of girl.
Brody hasn't had much time lately for anything other than ranching. Running the biggest spread in the county and taking care of his family more than keeps him busy. All that responsibility has him longing for the carefree days of high school and Lila. She may have grown up, but he still sees that spark of mischief in her eyes. Now he's dreaming about late-night skinny dipping and wondering how he can possibly resist the one woman he can never forget...
I said in the last review I did of Carolyn Brown's that I loved all of her books and that's the truth!! I loved Brody and Lila. I thought Lila had spunk and was just smart as a whip. I fell so in love with Brody but he made a heck of a mistake when he was a kid but what do you expect? He was a kid and kid's make mistakes.
Lila comes back to Happy...yep that's the name of the town lol! She comes back to Happy, Texas to put her mother's diner on the market and then get the heck out of dodge. Who does she run into but good ole Brody, looking better than he ever did. A lot has changed for Brody - all the plans he had before Lila took off changed all in the same summer. His dad and his grandfather both died that same summer. You find that out pretty early on in the story and it's not a secret or spoiler. So, instead of him going away for college - he stayed home and took care of the ranch and sends his brother to college instead. He never left Happy and he never fell out of love with Lila. She's his one regret. Everyone in this book feels as if Brody treated Lila like he was better than her. I feel like he even feels like he treated her that way but I didn't see any of those parts. He snuck out of the house after they made love but who wants to get caught by your girlfriend's mother? It says that he had her as his "secret girlfriend" but he always hung out with her and Jace. No one else. That to me shouts girlfriend unless he's dating his brother and that's frowned upon except in hill country. So, he took another girl to prom? It never stated whether or not she wanted to go. I had a hard time with that and kind of felt that Brody got the blame stick a lot. Lila wasn't all "poor me." She needed to buck up buttercup.
Brody does everything in this book to show her he loves her but is it enough? He asks her to the family reunion, he asks her to the Fourth of July party they're having. That's definitely being seen in public together. Lila is one of those characters who's been hurt. Even though she grew up with Brody and his brother Jace, they were from one side of the tracks and she was from the other. That didn't make a difference though because they were all best friends. To Brody's grandmother and mother, Lila is the "wild child" and not good enough for Brody and to Lila's mother, Brody is only going to hurt her again. So, she's going to head him off at the pass and not give him a chance to hurt her again.
The characters I really loved in this book were Brody's sister, Kasey and her 3 kids. They totally stole the whole book. I'm praying and hoping they have their own and I'm pretty sure they will. That's what this setup was for. Jace will get his own book and so will Kasey. Her story though was just heartbreaking and so real to life. Her children were a hoot and when they told Brody he stunk but they wanted to grow up to stink just like him and be a cowboy...OMG, I about rolled out of the recliner!! It was classic kids! I enjoy the way Carolyn writes children and animals because you know that she has them and has been around them. She knows the way they behave and interacts with others. I love her and I'm going to stalk her page for her next book - no lie.
What I didn't like about this book - Valerie. I didn't like Brody's mom. I wasn't going to like her. She wasn't going to be redeemed in my eyes even after a little page of redemption. It wasn't going to happen. I still don't like her. As a matter of fact, if I saw her right now - I'd force feed her pie until she'd puke because us Southern gals don't do things that will make us look bad. We say "bless their hearts" instead of "you wanker" because it's unseemly. I had to also work really hard to like Grandma Hope but after hearing her story, I understood her. Daisy, Lila's mother...that woman makes my teeth rattle. Her and Valerie together were like 2 children fighting over the same toy...so you fought over the same man 40 years ago!! Get over it! Said man has been dead for 10 years - get over it. She's not going to dig him up Valerie and put him on her mantle. I've said my piece, I'm good.
Overall, I really had a good time in Happy Texas. I escape away when I'm reading books and for a little while, I'm actually there. If you want to read the rest of the books that interweave into this one, pick up The Lucky Penny Ranch Series. You'll find that the characters in those, are in these as well. The language in these books are minimal, the sex isn't too much, the plot is awesome. At some points, I did find that Lila kept saying the same thing over and over but we do that in real life. We rehash what already has been said because we can't let go of the past so that was real to life to me. Pick this up on a weekend, so that you don't have to put it down during the week!!
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
More...