The Brokenhearted Cowboy by Macie St. James

Posted January 18, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Booksprout ARC, Little to No Sexual Content (kissing), Modern Western Romance, Series, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

Falling in love with her client is not in her plans.

Brendon Ludington has lived his entire life in the shadow of his older brother, Sawyer. As the family ranch faces serious legal troubles, though, he can’t help but speak his mind. It helps when he manages to befriend the family attorney, especially when his mom starts playing matchmaker.

Marnie Chapman takes her job as an attorney seriously. Her dream has long been to make partner at a law firm in her hometown, and she’s on her way to achieving it. But as she spends time with Brendon Ludington, she starts to feel things she hasn’t felt in a long time. As a professional, she knows she has to battle those feelings, but it’s becoming increasingly impossible.

As the deadline to return home looms, both Brendon and Marnie fight a growing attraction. Once duty calls, Brendon’s fears kick in. He swore he’d never again fall in love with a woman who can’t stay in his beloved small town, and that is exactly what he’s done. He can’t leave Cupid Ridge, and her home is hours away, so how can it possibly work?

Titles in the Cupid Ridge Dude Ranch series include — The Maverick Cowboy —♥— The Brokenhearted Cowboy —♥— The Scorned Cowboy —♥— The Sullen Cowboy —♥—

This is a romance that includes no swearing, no violence, and no sexual content (beyond a few light kisses).

Booksprout ARC

Title: The Brokenhearted Cowboy
Series:  Cupid Ridge Dude Ranch #2
Author:  Macie St. James
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  January 27, 2023
Publisher:
My Rating:  4.5 stars

The Brokenhearted Cowboy is the second title in the Cupid Ridge Dude Ranch series… and the fight over the property that the dude ranch sits on is heating up, and so is the connection between one brother and the family’s lawyer.

Brendon and Marnie might have started out as client and family attorney, but it doesn’t take long for the attraction between them to spark and take hold – even though Marnie has a life far from Cupid Ridge which is one of many complications in their romance.  Brendon has no intention of ever leaving his small hometown.  It’s where his family is and the work at the family’s dude ranch is a solid part of his life that he can’t and won’t walk away from.  While his family continues to fight for their property and business, Brendon is fast falling for the woman who is supposed to help them find a way out of this mess… not fall in love with one of her clients.  Choices will have to be made – but in the end, it’s what the heart wants that matters most.

I enjoyed The Brokenhearted Cowboy on several levels.  I loved Marnie and Brendon both separately and as a couple – they simply fit together like two halves of a coin but they do have some issues that need to be dealt with before that happy ending can become a reality.  I’m enjoying getting to know the other family members better, and for the most part, becoming more invested in their situation.  I will admit that Sawyer tests my limits of patience (and everyone else’s as well) in a future hero – it’s going to take quite a heroine to calm down this wild card… but that’s for another day.  It’s easy to dislike the opposition, especially with a good ol boy like Gus heading up that family… talk about being lost in the ’50s.  I’m curious to see how the property battle will play out for I’m certain there are facts that we just aren’t aware of yet that will change everything, time will tell.

I’m having fun with the Cupid Ridge Dude Ranch series and would not hesitate to recommend it.  If you like your romances wholesome, with a believable plot, realistic characters facing life’s challenges head-on, with a touch of frustration at times at some characters’ actions but definitely a happy ever after ending – then you’d love The Brokenhearted Cowboy.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent.*

Available for the Kindle as this series is currently in KU

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