Title: You Had Me at Cowboy by Jennie Marts
Cowboys of Creedence Creek Series Book Two
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: C+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
This cowboy is falling hard
Mason James is the responsible one who stayed behind to run the ranch while his brother, Rock, took off to play professional hockey. Women have used him before to get to his brother—and Mason intends never to get burned again. But after he meets quirky Tessa Kane at his brother’s wedding, Mason discovers he’s ready to take a chance on love.
Tessa Kane is a reporter on the verge of losing a job she desperately needs—unless she’s clever enough to snag a story on the famous Rockford James. But when she falls for her subject’s brother, she’s caught between a rock and a hard-muscled cowboy. What will happen when Mason finds out who she really is?
Review:
You Had Me at Cowboy by Jennie Marts is a sweet yet steamy love at first sight romance. Although this newest release is the second installment in the Cowboys of Creedence Creek series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
Reporter Tessa “Tess” Kane is devoted to her beloved grandmother “Mimi”, who has gotten herself into a very precarious financial situation. Determined to help Mimi, Tess finds herself in an untenable situation in order to keep her job. Her latest assignment is to uncover the dirt on hockey player Rockford James and his upcoming quickie wedding. Meeting Rock’s brother, Mason, provides her with the opportunity to get the inside scoop but her unexpected attraction to Mason quickly complicates the situation. With Mimi’s future hanging in the balance, will Tess continue surreptitiously gathering information for her article once her feelings for Mason deepen?
Mason is loyal to his family and he loves working on the family ranch. He and Rock have a great relationship but he is often eclipsed by his famous brother. Having been used in the past by women who want to get close to Rock, Mason avoids romantic entanglements. He is instantly captivated by Tess and he is surprised by how well-matched they seem to be. His insecurities occasionally lead to doubts but overall, Mason is happy with how well his new romance is progressing.
Tess is wracked with guilt about using her fledgling relationship with Mason to gather information on Rock. However, she feels like she has no choice but to write the article in order to secure her job and earn some much needed money. When Mason finally learns the truth, will he give Tess chance to explain? Or will his previous experiences cloud his judgment?
You Had Me at Cowboy is well-written, but the plot is predictable and some of the situations are a little over the top. Mason is a likable and sympathetic character but Tess is a little too stubborn and her lack of honesty is a bit irritating. The chemistry between Mason and Tess is palpable but the love at first sight element of their romance is unrealistic. With a quick resolution to the conflict between Mason and Tess, Jennie Marts brings the novel to a sigh-worthy conclusion. The brief glimpse of Colt and his love interest Chloe will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next book in the Cowboys of Creedence Creek series.
