Title: Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: C+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
In this reissue of Joanne Kennedy’s heart-winning debut novel Cowboy Trouble, love under the wide blue skies awaits…
You can’t go it alone in a place this hard
Her latest love-life disaster behind her, Libby Brown flees to the Wyoming countryside to fulfill a childhood dream by starting her own chicken farm from scratch. But the West is wilder than she expected, and while she’s determined to succeed on her own, the sexy, sturdy cowboy next door sure is helpful…
Rancher Luke Rawlins is impressed by the sassy, independent city girl and he’s ready to prove that he’s with her for the long haul. But a mystery from the past soon threatens their new bond and tests their love in ways Luke and Libby never could have imagined…
Review:
Cowboy Trouble is a re-release of Joanne Kennedy’s debut romantic suspense Western.
Libby Brown is a crime reporter who relocated to Wyoming following a bad break up that also led to the loss of her job. Realizing her dream of running a chicken ranch, she is also working for the local newspaper. While not a lot goes on in this small town, Libby is immediately drawn into investigating the still unsolved disappearance of Della McCarthy. In the course of her investigation, she meets town sheriff Cash McIntyre, whose intensity is a little unnerving. Libby is a gutsy heroine, but she not looking for love which is why she tries to ignore her attraction to Luke Rawlins, the sexy cowboy who lives on a neighboring ranch. Can Libby unearth the truth about what happened to Della? And will she decide to take a chance on love again?
Libby is an independent woman who does not need a man’s help to get her chicken ranch up and running. However, she is very reluctant to accept Luke’s assistance but she is smart enough to know she is out of her depth. Before long, she discovers her feelings for the handsome cowboy run deeper than friendship, but will Libby risk her heart again?
Luke is a charming man who still lives on his family’s ranch. His parents are much older and their health is declining. Luke is pretty irresistible but, much to his dismay, Libby is intent on keeping their relationship platonic. As her investigation into Della’s disappearance intensifies, he grows concerned for her safety. Can Luke convince her to let him help keep her safe?
There is plenty of chemistry between Luke and Libby but her lack of trust becomes a huge obstacle for them. She does not trust her judgment and it does not take much for Cash McIntyre to raise doubts about Luke. Libby is also determined get to the truth about Della’s disappearance, but this leads her to make some ill-advised choices throughout her investigation. Rushing headlong into to danger, will Libby’s quest for answers put her in the crosshairs of a killer?
Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy is a quirky romance that has plenty of suspense. Libby has several good qualities, but her lack of trust and her propensity to act without thinking are annoying. Luke is a sweet man but his character is not very well-developed. The mystery aspect is interesting and really takes off in the last third of the book. Although Libby is clueless about who might have harmed Della, readers will most likely have NO problem solving the crime. While the rest of the story is a bit predictable, the conclusion is quite heartwarming.
