A Cowboy’s Lady
By Debbie Macomber
My thoughts:
Taylor has just moved from Seattle to Montana after taking a teaching position at an elementary school. She’s feeling a little unsure about the relocation, but everyone seems to be happy with her being there; for instance, everyone around town is talking about her (specifically how beautiful she is). Once Russ, a local rancher hears about this, he just has to meet her. When the two take one look at each other it’s love at first sight, but the problem is that they butt heads on everything under the sun.
I happened to be online looking up cowboy romances after seeing an intriguing review for a different book, and this book popped up. Of course the rating on this book is 4/5 stars, and she’s a favorite author, so I was sold. Cowboys, Montana, romance–it’s exactly the sort of read I was looking for. Usually Debbie Macomber books are favorites, but this one wasn’t what I expected.
My issue wasn’t the romance at all; in fact, I was actually really surprised with how hot and heavy the romance was. It was irritating dealing with the instalove before 10% though. My main issues were with the characters. Russ is a bit of a jerk, from beginning to end. He’s stubborn, controlling, and disrespectful toward women. He’s one of those men who feel a woman’s ideal role is cooking in the kitchen ‘barefoot and pregnant’ as written in the book, and that women should follow rules. I didn’t like that at all. Taylor was pretty good at sticking up for herself, but she was a bit whiny as well. This just irritated me. These two simply aren’t good for one another and are constantly clashing throughout the book. It feels like it’s all lust with a strong physical attraction. Without much character development or any description of the setting, this book fell flat, and just felt overall boring for me.
I’m certainly not bashing this book. If you’re a Debbie Macomber fan, you might like it, so definitely see for yourself. I won’t say the book was all horrible (there were parts that I liked), but this gets 2.5** from me. This is book one in the series, and I doubt I’ll continue on with them. She’ll still always be a favorite author though.
2.5**
Find this book on Amazon and Goodreads:
- File Size: 3296 KB
- Print Length: 256 pages
- Publisher: Debbie Macomber, Inc. (January 26, 2016)
- Publication Date: January 26, 2016
- Sold by: Penguin Random House Publisher Services
- ISBN-10: 9781410408372
- ISBN-13: 978-1410408372
From Goodreads:
Fresh off a breakup, Taylor Manning accepts a yearlong teaching position in Cougar Point, Montana, and plans to focus on herself, avoid men, and return home a changed woman. That’s before she meets Russ Palmer, a local rancher who’s as stubborn as he is handsome. With his old-fashioned attitudes about women, Russ is the last man Taylor could imagine dating, and the feeling seems to be mutual. So why can’t she seem to get him off her mind?
Russ is raising his teenage sister all by his lonesome, and he doesn’t appreciate Cougar Point’s pretty new teacher second-guessing his decisions as a surrogate parent. In fact, every time they cross paths, Taylor seems to have a bone to pick. But no matter how much they disagree, their chemistry is off the charts. And if Taylor would stop arguing long enough to notice, Russ will give her a very good reason to stick around.
Thanks for reading my review! What are some of your favorite romances? Is Debbie Macomber one of your favorite authors? Let’s chat!
❤ Mischenko
ReadRantRock&Roll 
Great detail! I’ve only read a few cowboy stories by Russ Towne but those are very different!
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Thanks! Hmm…I’ll have to check those out. That’s a new author for me. 🙂
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I like this author too. I’m wondering, as the series moves in, if things might change for the characters. Would be interesting to see. Nice review Jen. 👍🏻
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It looks like subsequent books are new characters; for instance, one is a sheriff I think. Thanks for checking out my review. 😉
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My “like” is because you took the time to write a review and articulated what you thought about it.
Said like should in no way be construed that:
1) Bookstooge likes cowboy romances
2) Bookstooge likes romances
3) Bookstooge likes gruel
That last one was just in case. Gruel can come out of anywhere!
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😂😂😂 Well, I certainly appreciate you checking out my review. I don’t read much romance, but every once in a while I need something different.
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Great points. I can see why you didn’t like it. Those characters surely don’t sound good. I hope you enjoy next book.
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Thank you, Yesha. They weren’t likable, in my opinion. Guess there’s always going to be some we don’t like! 😉
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Definitely! 🙂
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Great review!! I had to go back to make sure this book was written by Debbie Macomber!! Seems like a complete departure from what she ordinarily writes. Since when did she start writing spicy stuff?
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this one. I highly doubt I would have liked it either. 🤦🏽♀️
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Thanks, Laurie. This one is actually from 1990! I wasn’t even paying attention and ended up getting a newer released version (2016). I probably should’nt have said that it was really hot and heavy, but it was way more romance than what I’m used to reading, coming from her. It wasn’t overloaded with it either–just not what I expected. If it’s one thing I don’t like doing, its saying that a book is bad, which is why I say it just wasn’t for me. You know how that goes! 😉 🧡❤💛
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Don’t worry, Mischenko. (I meant to ask, is your name Jennifer? I see that others refer to you as Jen and I want to address you properly.) Your book reviews are always tasteful, tactful and informative. I was more surprised by the misogynistic overtones than the romance aspect of the book.
Nevertheless, it was a very good, candid review. 😉💕
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Yes! You can call me J or Jenn or whatever you like. 😉 I appreciate you saying that about my reviews, Laurie. It really warms my heart to hear it because I struggle to write reviews on a daily basis. 💜
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Okay. ☺️ If you don’t mind my asking, what does Mischenko mean? I feel so bad that I’ve been calling you that thinking it was your name all of this time. 🤦🏽♀️
You do a great job with your reviews! I enjoy reading them. 😊
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Never feel bad about that, Laurie! That would never bother me. It’s my Russian family last name and that’s why I use it. It’s just special to me. 💙 Thank you and I love your reviews too. I just have a hard time keeping up, but things are getting more balanced it seems. Hope to keep blogging for now. 😉 Are you doing good?
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I love it!! ☺️
I have a hard time keeping up too. I have a lot of health problems, my mom is sick, and I have a lot of general responsibilities, so finding time to do the things I enjoy have to take a back seat a lot. I try to remind myself that blogging is a hobby, not a job, so I should never feel a lot of pressure about it. That would take the joy out of it.
I’m trying to get back on a more regular blogging routine, one that I can manage. I have two important doctor’s appointments this week to address a couple of health issues that have been plaguing me. Honestly, I’ve felt better, that’s for sure. I guess I’m about to find out how I’m doing. 🤦🏽♀️
Thanks for asking. 😊
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I’m sorry to hear your mom is sick and you’re struggling too. I hate to hear it. I’m going to keep you in my thoughts and prayers, Laurie. Take care of yourself ❤🧡❤
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Thank you, Jenn. I truly appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers. 💕
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Ha ha ha. I like how hard you try not to say a book is bad. I think some times, a book may not be to our taste but still be loved by a different audience so I get your “the book was not for me.” However, there are instances where a book is just badly written, regardless. May not be the case here but just saying…
Good review as always.
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Lol. 😉 I know what you mean. I always feel bad because it must take a lot of work to write a book and I think: who am I to say it’s bad? All I can do is share my opinions and thoughts and hope that no one gets upset. We are all do different with our tastes! I appreciate your thoughts. Hope you are doing well! 💙
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I’m well, thanks for asking. Work has been crazy! Hoping to get back to blogging in November. This has turned out to be an unofficial break. 🙂 Hope you are well too.
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Yikes! Russ sounds a bit too “old-school” for my liking. I’ve never read a Debbie Macomber, but I’ll remember not to pick this one for my first. Lovely review, Mischenko. 💗
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