Reviews

Kiss Me Now, Cowboy by Dylann Crush

jprice94's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

booklovinmamas's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Kiss Me Now, Cowboy is the first book I’ve read by author Dylann Crush. The cover and the synopsis drew me into reading this book, and luckily, my library had an ebook I could borrow. 

I’m a big-time fan of Enemies to Lovers storylines, but Friends to Lovers will always hold a special place in my heart and be a favorite, too. I love reading books in which the hero has been harboring feelings for the heroine for years but is afraid to tell her how he feels. He doesn’t want to risk his friendship, and he also wants to make changes in his life before he tells her. 

I’m glad the story was told with a dual POV so that I could read both characters’ points of view. The FMC, Emmeline Porter, does have feelings for the MMC, Justin Forza, but she doesn’t like the idea of him being a professional bull rider. Justin has been a bull rider for years, and he has goals of winning the championship one more time. Then he’ll consider what he plans to do afterward, and one of those is to finally tell his best friend his feelings.  

Justin was such a sweet guy who was being pushed and pulled from all sides in this book. Not only by Emmeline because she didn’t want him bull riding anymore, but he had his father and brother pressuring him to get back it because he was at risk of losing his chance at another championship. Justin had a lot on the line, and I felt for his character. He took in to count Emmeline’s feelings, but I didn’t think she did the same with him. I understood why she didn’t want to be with him while he was bull riding because she had someone in her life who had a bad experience with it. But she really should have taken into consideration Justin’s feelings, and there were several times they could have just communicated with one another instead of lying. 

I did like Emmeline’s character and how she was the only one really stepping in as a voice of reason when it came to Justin’s healing from an injury. She knew he needed time away from the people trying to push him back into riding, and she needed some time with her best friend. Things ended up going haywire at first when they got to the island, but then things fell together. 

One thing I noticed while reading was that the characters constantly repeated themselves. There were several times that Justin shared his feelings about Emmeline and how he was scared to tell her, and the same went for Emmeline, and I found myself skipping over the repetitive lines. Other than that, it was an enjoyable read, and I loved how everything eventually came together in the end for these two characters. The best parts of the book involved a rock that went on adventures with the characters due to it being Emmeline’s class pet rock and how Justin was helping Emmeline with taking pictures and being involved with it. 

I give this book 3.5 stars and recommend it to readers who love to read Friends to Lovers and Unrequited Love stories. The bull rider finds love with his best friend after so long, but there are obstacles along the way before that happens. 

I definitely plan on reading the next book in this series, especially since the main character in that book was introduced in this book. I will also be checking out Dylann Crush’s backlist. 

Trope(s)/Element(s):
✔Cowboy Romance
✔Friends to Lovers
✔Unrequited Love
✔He Fell First (Years Ago)
✔Professional Bull Rider Hero
✔Teacher Heroine

jcmbank's review against another edition

lighthearted 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

3.0

ldooten's review against another edition

4.0

I went between 3 and 4 stars with this one. I settled on 4 stars because it wasn't the writing itself that I had a problem with, but the characters. I found Justin and Emmeline both annoying for a lot of the story. While I understand that Emmeline had legitimate reasons for not liking bull riding, it was NOT her decision to make for Justin. Justin acted like everything he did, he did for Em, but honestly, he was doing it for his dad. It irritated me that he was a 29 year old man, and wouldn't stand up to his dad. His dad was the one that got the family business in trouble, but was expecting Justin to get them out of it. After they become a couple, I did like them together when there wasn't thoughts of whether or not Justin was quitting the rodeo (from both of them). I liked the friendship between them, and I really enjoyed reading about their adventures on the island. The ending wasn't what I was expecting, but I was happy to see them get their HEA. Hopefully we get to find out what happens with Decker and Knox too.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

bubblewombat's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Friends to lovers done right!!!! These two had so much chemistry, it was almost jumping off the page at me. They were so adorable, and I wanted to scream when they FINALLY got together.

They also served proper angst so if you're into that...I'm not that huge on angst, but I didn't mind it here. 

I also love the world building, the writing, the rest of the characters (who will hopefully get their own stories too). Everything is perfectly worked out to the tiniest detail. There's even a pet rock, and cute tortoises.

The only mini complaint I have is that when we learn they're going to take a vacation together, it takes a while for them to actually go on it. I was like "okay next chapter", then "ok not now but the next chapter for sure" etc. When they do eventually go, my favourite part of the book starts.

So yeah I had lots of fun reading this, and I can't wait to jump into Knox's story. 

transportedlfl's review

lighthearted 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

3.5

Thank you to PRH Audio for these complimentary audiobooks. These opinions are my own. 

This is the first book in a series, Cowboys in Paradise. It features Justin Forza, a bull rider who was injured as he competes for the championship. His father pressures him to get back to riding quickly to secure the family legacy. But his longtime best friend, Emmeline, hopes that he will quit rather than injure himself further. 

I love the friends-to-lovers trope, and this was a great example of that. I also really enjoyed this unique take on cowboy romance. Instead of being set on a ranch or the bull riding circuit, many of the scenes took place on Paradise Island, a beautiful and remote getaway off the coast of Texas. Put together, that made for a fun and quick summer read with plenty of steam. 

avid_read's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted 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

3.0

mrsjoylovesbooks's review against another edition

4.0

When I saw that this book was about a bull rider in Texas, I knew I had to read it. Ever since I read Nicholas Sparks’ The Longest Ride, I’ve been into watching bull riding events. So, a romance set in my home state…yes please. Kiss Me Now, Cowboy is an open door friends-to-lovers romance between Justin & Emmeline. They’re a part of a close group of friends who have grown up together and I just adored their sweet friendships. The tension builds after their feelings are exposed and Justin has to decide between his career as a bull rider and a future with the girl he’s got his heart set on. I appreciated the way the resolution rolled out making me wonder how each character would move forward. I need to mention that a romance book that includes smoked brisket, Texas sheet cake, and sweet tea is an authentic #Texasromance. Kiss Me Now, Cowboy takes place at Paradise Island and it’s a perfect sweet & spicy beach read whether you’re oceanside, poolside, or snuggled under a blanket dreaming of the ocean breeze.

Thank you to @berkleyromance for the digital ARC and to @PRHAudio for a complimentary audiobook.

a_stylish_bookworm's review

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Thank you @prhaudio @berkleyromance for a copy of the book. This was a fun friends to lovers Cowboy romance. Both Emmeline and Justin are lovable characters and I enjoyed their trip to Paradise island. There were so many fun moments between them and their banter was amazing. I enjoyed the dual narration and I always enjoy Teddy Hamilton's narration.

yeahorneighreviews's review against another edition

4.0

A great read for rodeo fans! If you enjoy a true friends to lovers story then this is the book for you. I love watching best friends turn into something more, especially when it only strengthens their relationship.

Emmeline had to watch first hand how her mom's life was forever changed when her father suffered a rodeo injury, so she's adamant about not dating anyone in the circuit. Too bad her best friend has other intentions.

Justin is a pro bull rider, but he mostly does it to help provide for his family and create a future with Emmeline, even if she doesn't know it yet.

This was a story I found myself immersed into, both while laughing and minimal tears. Great character growth from both of the MC's and I enjoyed the banter with their friends as well. I'd love to be a student in Emmeline's class!