The Grumpy Cowboy by Macie St. James

Posted April 11, 2023 by Marsha in ARC, Booksprout ARC, Closed Bedroom Doors, Connection or Spin-Off of Another Series, Contemporary Romance, Little to No Sexual Content (kissing), Modern Western Romance, Series, Series Connection, Small Town Romance, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

He’s fighting his own family to keep their ranch as it is. As his father’s assistant, she has to oppose him. But over time, she starts to see his side of things.

Phoenix Knott doesn’t like the changes happening all around him. He’s fiercely protective of his family, and he doesn’t trust the moves his father’s making. His family ranch needs the money a rival ranch owes them to save their own family business, and he’ll do what it takes to get it.

Mallorie Couch is not only Phoenix’s sister’s best friend, but she’s also his father’s assistant. And she and Phoenix have never gotten along. But if her boss’s business fails, she might be out of a job, and she’ll never find a gig like the one she has now. By helping Phoenix, she’s technically ensuring her job security.

The more time they spend together, though, the more she finds herself drawn to the grumpy cowboy. And he’s battling an attraction to her. They need to focus on the task at hand, but maybe, in each other, they’ve found the security they’re both seeking.

Titles in the Cupid Ridge Cowboys series include — The Grumpy Cowboy —♥— The Cautious Cowboy —♥— The Charismatic Cowboy —♥— The Rugged Cowboy —♥—

This is an adult romance that does not contain graphic violence, swearing, or sexual situations beyond kisses.

Booksprout ARC

Title:  The Grumpy Cowboy
Series:  Cupid Ridge Cowboys #1
Author:  Macie St. James
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  April 7, 2023
Publisher:
My Rating:  4

The Grumpy Cowboy begins the Cupid Ridge Cowboys series, and it only seems fair that in the connecting series, Cupid Ridge Dude Ranch series we got mainly the Ludington family’s point of view on this contested property… now we get the Knott family’s perspective – because there are always two sides to every situation.  You don’t need to have read the connecting, earlier series, but I would recommend it as they are all good stories and will answer some questions, and add some background to the books we’ll be seeing in this new series.

Phoenix has always been opinionated and vocal about his feelings about the Knott family, and now that the two families are blending and working together on some projects his objections may have toned down, but they are not gone.  Mallorie has known this family for years; she’s an assistant to Phoenix’s father and knows a lot about the family business and the feud between the Knotts and the Ludingtons.  Add to that she’s been fighting her own romantic feelings for Phoenix for so long now that it’s second nature for her.  But she’s about to discover that Phoenix has been holding back his own feelings for her.

I enjoyed Phoenix and Mallorie’s story.  Phoenix has always been opinionated to the point of arrogance and to see a different side of him was unexpected but appreciated.  I liked this man far more than the man he was in the previous series as a secondary character.  Mallorie is fun, and she’s loyal to her friends and to this family, but she can also see an outsider’s view on many things.  Watching mister grumpy and miss sunshine finally admit their feelings for each other was a fun, emotional experience.  We’ll get a feel for how this series will unfold, and get ready for the next story to come.

*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 title and series are currently in KU

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