Tempting the Cowboy

by Elizabeth Otto

[Angie]

I received an ARC through NetGalley.

I wasn't sure about Tempting the Cowboy. Kids and cowboys aren't really my thing, but I've been surprised before. Unfortunately, I didn't like this one, and it wasn't even about those two things. It was just boring, and I didn't feel the connection between the lovers. Rylan has dropped her life and job as a cop to move to Montana and work on a ranch as a housekeeper. She needs to change of pace after losing her husband and daughter. She just wants to keep busy instead of sitting alone in her house with her grief. She certainly doesn't expect to fall in love with her boss or his daughter.

Tempting the Cowboy could have been pretty good, but the chemistry between Rylan and Cole just wasn't there. To me it felt like two hurt people finding comfort in each others arms. That's fine, but it's not a romance. It's also a really depressing story and felt gloomy. Rylan is a mess, especially after she realizes Cole has a daughter living on the ranch. It's hard to escape the memories of her own lost baby, when there's her spitting-image following her around. Of course, I figured the huge drama was going to be centered around the kid, and it was, and I did get annoyed by that. I will never understand the stupidity of children, and why parents place the blame on everyone other than their disobedient child. Whatever.

Tempting the Cowboy clearly wasn't the story for me, but even giving it a fair chance, it didn't work for me. The tone was too sad, and Cole's daughter was just too involved. I don't mind characters having kids, but I don't want them to be the reason they get together. That's a little weird to me, like they're more into the idea of being a parent and having a family, rather than being in love with the other person. And one final note: sex on a horse seems really dangerous.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.