Just shy of her thirtieth birthday, Haley Carston returns to Redbud Trails, Oklahoma, to care for her dying aunt. She thinks she's ready for this homecoming. She's spent years escaping her perpetual shyness and being Katie Michaels' tag-along friend, but being back in her hometown brings back a lot of old memories, especially when she is faced with the cowboy she never forgot: Katie's older brother, Maddox.
Twelve years ago, Maddox Michaels was supposed to be somebody. He had everything. A football scholarship. A Division I team scouting him. Maybe even a chance at the pros. Now, he's a burned-out cowboy working day and night to stay ahead of his brother's medical bills and keep their family farm from going bankrupt. And trying to be a father-figure for his niece, Olivia.
When Haley and Olivia start spending time together, Maddox can't help remembering those dreams that died alongside his sister. Will being with Haley open his heart to new dreams?
Kissed by a Cowboy is an interesting way to spend a couple hours. It's definitely a novella—the audiobook runs less than three hours. And that length is what hurts it, really. The story just lacks depth that I think would have been there had the story been longer. The romance in particular felt rushed to me, and I didn't care about it as much as I'd have liked.
I did appreciate the unique details—Olivia and Haley bond over a shared love of cooking, and Olivia starts up an ice cream business. I had a few questions about how easily things fell into place regarding the business, but it was still a fun idea.
Kissed by a Cowboy really reminds me of many of the films Hallmark puts out—light, fluffy, and fun, but lacking substance. Sometimes, that's exactly what you want (I mean, I watch more than my fair share of Hallmark movies!), and it really was the perfect accompaniment to mowing. 3-1/2 stars.
Note about the audiobook: It's narrated by Emily Eldridge, and she didn't really stand out to me. I mean that in a good way—she was reading the story to me, not over-acting. It was about the story, not her performance.
Buy the book.
Buy the audiobook.
USA TODAY bestselling author Lacy Williams grew up on a farm, which is where her love of cowboys was born. In reality, she's married to a right-brained banker (happily with three kiddos). She gets to express her love of western men by writing historical romance. Her books have finaled in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards (2012, 2013 & 2014), the Golden Quill and the Booksellers Best Award.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this audiobook from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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