‘The Trouble with Cowboys’: A Darcy and Elizabeth Love Story
STORY | Annie Wilkerson has never been in love. She knows this, and it makes her somewhat desperate. She’s just desperate enough to ask ladies’ man, Dylan Taylor to help her write the column she must write. Annie’s small business training horses is successful but in the small town of Moose Creek, supporting her job-challenged sister and Sierra’s young son, Ryder, means Annie needs two jobs; and she desperately needs the money this column will bring.
The trouble with Annie is, she doesn’t like cowboys – they always leave in the end, which is why she is so reluctant to give in to the feelings she has developed for the roguish Dylan. What’s a girl to do?
The Trouble with Cowboys, Denise Hunter | Book Review
REVIEW | Thanks to the reviews of friends – plus my mother, I have wanted to read a Hunter novel for a long while now. I own about six but until the opportunity to review this came alone, I had not dove into her romantic-comedy books. By the end of this novel, my only thought is: Why did I wait so long?
‘Cowboys’ is a tender, romantic story that canters on Christianity instead of trashy plot devices that have no business invading otherwise fun stories. Lest you think this review is all about gushing about the sweet romance of Annie and Dylan, I do have a complaint or two with a few of the “conflict” aspects about Annie and her feelings for Dylan. Some are a bit of a stereotype; which I don’t hold against anyone since I love a good rom-com, and some don’t feel authentic for the character.
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Throughout the novel, I’m loyal to Annie’s assumption that Dylan is a rogue she cannot trust her heart with. Lending credibility to this is how he flirts his way through Saturday nights on the town, which I don’t respect. That being said, I don’t doubt for a second that he falls hard for the no-nonsense Annie. Their relationship is sweet and there’s something about it that often lacks from its counterpart Christian novels.
The second minor (miniscule) thing that I picked up in the prose is the author’s tendency to begin a new “section” or chapter of the book with the character’s names. I don’t know why I caught it because it really shouldn’t – and doesn’t, disrupt the natural flow of the story. From the cute cover art (though it doesn’t jive with my idea of the couple) to everything in-between, by the time I read the final page, I had fallen in love with Annie and Dylan’s story in addition to Annie’s kid sister, Sierra. From the opening sentences to the last, this one is a keeper.
To wrap up this review, what more can be said but this: The Trouble with Cowboys may be my first foray into Denise’s writing but it won’t be my last. Already I am anxious for her newest series to be on store shelves. Until then, read this charming romantic comedy about first impressions, a trope that is, quite possibly, a small nod to the classic, Pride and Prejudice.
‘The Trouble with Cowboys’: A Darcy and Elizabeth Love Story. A review of the Denise Hunter novel. #BookArchives #BookReviews #ContemporaryFiction Share on XAbout the Book:
Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: 2012
Series: Big Sky Romance, Book 3
Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance
Find the Book Elsewhere: Goodreads
Rating: 4 ½ out of 5
With thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book for reviewing purposes; all opinions are my own.
I'm not really that into this kind of fiction, but this sounds like a really sweet book. I love the kind of romance between a no-nonsense girl and a man who's a bit of a rogue. It can make for lots of fun banter. :)
I might have to check this book out…
OK! I'm gonna read it! :)
Lauren – it sure was! I enjoyed it very much. Annie doesn't want to fall for Dylan but somehow she does fall under his spell… and yet she does have her own say in everything. :-)
Hope you enjoy if you read it!
Little Lady – yay! I hope you enjoy – drop back by with your thoughts. :-)
Oh this really sounds nice, plus the fact Annie is a horse trainer makes for a nice detail I'll probably enjoy!
I enjoyed this A LOT, Birdienl! It makes me all the more anxious to read Denise's prior novels which I do hope to get to this fall yet.
*fingers crossed*
Enjoy!
I absolutely loved the cover and it's a bit sad that it doesn't really match the characters (when reading it I was kinda comparing and was disappointed that it was a little "off" in my mind and such) as it was so gorgeous. I'm already trying to get my hands on another book from this author, the book wasn't a WOW for me, but I still enjoyed it. I have to admit that when I saw that about working with horses I was bouncing in my seat. I love westerns that actually involve horses (along with cowboys) and information on horses. It takes me away to a ranch far out west with nothing but the sky :D Good review Rissi! Sierra
Keep growing beautiful!
Regardless of the cover-art not matching my image of the main characters, I still thoroughly enjoyed this novel! It was sweet and funny. Plus, irrespective, the design is pretty. So fall-like.
I have several of Denise's novels but this was the first I'd read by her – it won't be the last though. That I can tell you with certainty. :-) Good luck with your "book hunting."