He has an ax to grind with his high school nemesis, and dating that nemesis’s younger sister might just be the revenge he needs.

Cassady Knott vowed a long time ago that she would never date a cowboy. It wasn’t a tough promise to keep, considering there are only seven cowboys in her town, and she’s related to three of them. It hasn’t come up all that much since she’s never seen a cowboy she found attractive. Until now.

Tucker Trotter left Cupid Ridge behind fifteen years ago. After a decade of traveling around the West as a wrangler, he’s forced to come home temporarily. Within minutes, he spots Cassady, the little sister of his high school nemesis, Phoenix. He comes up with a clever way to get revenge.

He might think Cassady has no idea what he’s doing, but she’s on to him. She likes the idea of getting back at her older brother for throwing his weight around all their lives. But over time, they both find themselves developing feelings that have nothing to do with their pretend relationship.

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

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

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

Booksprout ARC

Title:  The Rugged Cowboy
Series:  Cupid Ridge Cowboys #4
Author:  Macie St. James
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  June 9, 2023
Publisher:
My Rating:  4.5

The Rugged Cowboy is the fourth and final title in the Cupid Ridge Cowboys series — and, for me, it’s always a bittersweet moment when a series comes to a close.  We get so involved in the lives of the characters in a series; they’re interwoven so much that it’s a bit of a shellshock when it comes to that last ending… and what an ending it turned out to be for Cassady and Tucker.

We’ve previously seen both Cassady and Tucker, but this time they get to shine as their own romantic feelings lead to another happily ever after for two people who so often feel unseen, pushed aside, or bullied.  Tucker has returned home extremely reluctantly and is determined to get in, get it done, and get back out again as quickly as possible.  But things have changed quite a bit in his hometown; alliances have shifted, families merged, and perhaps even a better understanding of his own family will bring him to a better place emotionally, and definitely mentally.  And then there’s his greatest pain in the backside’s sister, Cassady.  The attraction was evident between them immediately… so a pretend relationship is the perfect way to put some people in their place.  Yet, so often, pretend becomes reality as they get to know each other… and Tucker begins to see the changes in the men who, as teens, bullied him, and the reality of his father’s illness.

I love wrapping up a series with a satisfying story that ties all the ribbons of stories woven throughout the series together in one pretty bow.  I’ve enjoyed both the Cupid Ridge Cowboys and the Cupid Ridge Dude Ranch series so much and would highly recommend any and all of these books.  If you love a well-written, emotional romance with characters you can’t help but care about, then you’ll want to check out these two connecting series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Available for the Kindle as this series is currently in KU