Title: Blame It on the Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The McCord Brothers Series Book Three
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Every cowboy has a wild side—all it takes is the right woman to unleash it…
All of Logan McCord’s carefully laid plans erupt the day he walks in on his would-be fiancée getting…well, not so carefully laid. Tonight, just once, Logan is acting on instinct. And that instinct is telling him to say “Happy to oblige” to the cute stranger looking for a no-strings fling with a Texas cowboy.
When chef Reese Stephens made her bucket list, she mistakenly thought she had weeks to live. Not that she regrets her one-night-stand with the gorgeous rancher. But she does regret leaving an heirloom watch as a parting gift. Tracking Logan down is easy. Walking away again is another matter. Because Reese’s crazy past and Logan’s battered heart are no match for the kind of chemistry that could turn one night into the start of a passionate lifetime.
Review:
Blame It on the Cowboy is an entertaining addition to Delores Fossen’s The McCord Brothers series. Although it is the third installment in the series, it can be read as standalone but I highly recommend the previous books as well.
After finding his girlfriend of eight years in a truly cringe-worthy compromising situation, Logan McCord is drowning his sorrows when he meets Reese Stephens. After playing a few drunken word games, Reese makes him an offer he cannot refuse and they spend one incredibly hot night together. The next morning, they both return to their normal lives with no plan to ever see each other again. Three months later, Logan is shocked to discover Reese is the newly hired cook at a local diner and naturally, he is very suspicious about why she has moved to his small hometown. Reese’s reason for finding Logan is on the up and up but she understands why he might be mistrustful of her. Her plan to remain in town a few days is quickly derailed and Reese and Logan further complicate things when they give in to their simmering passion. Is there any chance for this mismatched couple to live happily ever after? Or will Reese’s troubled past tear them apart?
Reese might not have many physical possessions but she has a ton of emotional baggage. The most of her problems are not of her making, but she cannot escape the guilt she feels for other people’s actions. A previous relationship has left an indelible mark on her and Reese blames herself for how things finally ended between her and her ex. She has steered clear of romantic entanglements ever since, but her attraction to Logan is too strong to resist. As their lives becomes more entangled, Reese becomes more certain than ever that her somewhat sordid past will ruin Logan’s reputation. When someone from her past tracks her down, her first reaction is to run away, but will Logan convince Reese to stay?
Having taken over the family business after his parents’ tragic deaths when he was 19, Logan takes his responsibilities very seriously. He is a little staid but well-respected by his business associates and the people in his hometown. Surprisingly, he is not overly concerned what anyone thinks about his relationship with Reese and he is quick to try to convince her to stay in town. When his ex returns to try to repair her ruined reputation and win him back, Logan is willing to hear her out but he is not at all keen to renew their romance. As Reese’s troubles continuing to spiral out of control, will he remain with her? Or will he decide to reunite with his philandering ex?
Reese and Logan’s relationship often takes a backseat to the various shenanigans of people from Reese’s past. At first amusing, these antics soon become tedious and a little over the top as they continue to snowball. Logan’s ex is also determined to win him back so be prepared for some scheming as she tries to come between him and Reese.
When the story focuses on Reese and Logan, there is no denying the chemistry between them and their scenes together are absolutely delightful. Despite the sometimes ridiculous exploits of everyone else, things between Reese and Logan are a little intense due to Reese’s rather traumatic past. They genuinely like one another and Logan is respectful of Reese’s privacy once he gets to know her. Reese and Logan are a wonderful couple and it is frustrating that their romance is overshadowed by the subplots involving people from their respective pasts.
Blame It on the Cowboy is a lovely romance between two wounded protagonists. Reese and Logan’s road to happily ever after is full of detours and unforeseen obstacles but in the end, love prevails as they help one another overcome the problems that have haunted them for so long. Old and new fans of Delores Fossen are going to love this latest addition to The McCord Brothers series.
