I really liked this book. It is a book of faith, love and overcoming. I am a sucker for a good cowboy story and this one doesn't disappoint. When life puts obstacles in Amberley's way she becomes determined and strong with Jared's help. Very good book if you like a book of faith, love, hope, determination and a great setting then you will love me this book.

When Amberley started to have trouble with her eyes she didn’t tell anyone because she was afraid she would have to stop barrel racing. When she got the diagnoses she shut herself off from everyone even Jared her best friend. Jared doesn’t see her any different and encourages her not to give up her dream of barrel racing so he would help her. Jared begins to fall in love with Amberley’s determination and begins to try to recover from his injuries too.
Jared decides he feels something for Amberley but she makes him work for it while she works with disabled children to show them it can be done. Does Jared have the same courage that Amberley does to be able to deal with it all or take the easy way out.

Jared and Amberley's story is one for the books. It takes a crisis for Amberley and Jared to finally admit their feelings for each other. Falling for a Cowboy is a fun, fascinating slow burning story that had me enthralled from beginning to end. I love both stories in this series so far and can't wait to dig into the next. If you're looking for an amazing cowboy romance then I highly recommend reading Falling for a Cowboy.

I'm loving this Rocky Mountain Cowboys series! The Cade family is at the very center so even though each book focuses on an individual, the whole family is still around. That makes me so happy! These Cade cowboys (and cowgirl!) are something else. I'm going to love following this series through to the end.

Amberley and Jared are best of friends. They support each other, cheer for each other and push each other to be the best. The friends to lovers troupe is a fun one and I was really cheering for both Amberley and Jared as individuals and as a couple.

I loved the inclusion of children with physical challenges as Amberley struggled to come to grips with her new challenges and the message that with the right help and love we can all do amazing things. Helping others brings joy and this book brought this out. There were lots of feel good moments to be had in this story.

Content: kissing, mild swearing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book in conjunction with this blog tour. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a feel good, heart warming story. The therapy ranch for children with special needs and disabilities was awesome. Some of my favorite parts of the book took place there. I loved the message of the book of not letting those disabilities limit you can still reach your dreams. Also reading best friends Jared and Amberley grow even closer was beautiful. I would highly recommend this one because you have the feel good story, but also the story of two feuding families going on is also intriguing.

4.5 stars

Keep a freezer handy for this one, dear readers. Because Jared Cade will have you twitterpated in no time.

And so will this book. Amberley’s struggle is completely relatable – her world as she knows it is upended when she gets a devastating diagnosis. We too know our best laid plans can change in an instant, and the way we thought life would turn out suddenly is no longer an option. Her range of emotions and even her brief depression are feelings we understand and sympathize with. (Her back-and-forth introspection got a bit old for me but I also get it)

And then there’s swoonlicious Jared (who, sadly, most of us don’t have nearby lol). Best friends for years, he and Amberley are maybe on the cusp of exploring something more when she suddenly shuts him out. That does not sit well with him, and getting that inside scoop on his emotions is particularly yummy. Especially when it surprises him. Expect growled declarations and some smokin’ hot kisses, y’all. I’m still drooling.

It’s not all swoons and kisses though. Along with Amberley’s battle in losing her eyesight, there are some other emotional & heart-tugging subplots. The children who Amberley and Harley start working with – children with a range of disabilities – were adorable and sweet and I dare you to read about little Emily and Harley without tearing up even a little. And Jared may be wrestling with Amberley’s new challenges and his newly-discovered feelings for her, but he’s also wrestling with unmet expectations of his own. He and Amberley both are striving to be the heroes their respective fathers wanted them to be, and while that takes different forms in their own individual paths the emotions connected to any perceived failure are very similar. The way their definitions of ‘hero’ evolve as the book progresses is authentic and heartfelt.

Bottom Line: It won’t take many paragraphs for you to fall in love with Falling For a Cowboy by Karen Rock. A toe-curlingly swoony cowboy. A strong heroine. Best friends to more. Adorable kids. A sweet horse. And moments to cheer proudly like any good sports-rags-to-riches story provides. Oh, and did I mention the yummy kisses? (Whew… still fanning) The Cade family continues to be entertaining and inspiring, and I think Karen Rock gets better with each new book. Excited for the next one!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

So I missed reading the first book in this new series. But I did grab it, but just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. And I have a thing about series and reading them in order. But as soon as I started reading this book I knew this series would be fine reading the books just on there own. This is a sweet second chance story that packs an emotional punch.

I really liked Amberley and Jared's characters. I could feel their attraction between each other before they even realized it. But at the same time I found them both be the most stubborn of characters at the same time.

I felt for Amberley and what she was going through. When she thought all was lost, she found a strength in herself to fight and figure out a way to make things work. She found a way to help kids that also had some kind of disability.

Oh Jared..... Jared.... Jared... Jared.... This guy took his fathers dying words way too seriously. I felt like at times Jared felt like he had to be the hero for his family. And because of that I think he forgot about what he needed and his feelings.

I found this to be a sweet and touching story. I loved the characters and really liked the other Cades. I'm definitely going to have to go and read the first book when I get the opportunity to.

I'm giving this book 4.5 Stars out of 5!!!!

Good read. Liked the characters and story flow. Liked that the main characters were flawed or had a handicap but prevailed through it. The journies they took were very entertaining to read. Each did a lot of soul searching and growing. Made you think of your own challenges and moving forward. Would recommend this book.

Persistence and bravery for the win! With the next book in her Rocky Mountain Cowboys series, Karen Rock brings us the story of a young lady who thought she had it all until a devastating medical condition arose that she felt ended all of her hopes and dreams. Love and support of family and the best friend a gal could have rallies around her and sets out to show her that life doesn't end just because you are now faced with more challenges. It's uplifting and inspirational to anyone who has ever felt less than. A well-built plot with many familiar characters. The storyline drug a bit in the beginning as a lot of inner thoughts were being portrayed rather than dialogue, but overall an enjoyable, uplifting read!

Champion barrel racer Amberley James has the world on a string ... or so it seems when everything is going her way and she can see the possibility of making all of her dreams come true being in reach ... and then it all comes crashing down around her. She knew she had been having some weird things going on with her eyesight, but she was never expecting the doctor to tell her that she had a genetic disorder that was making her go blind! Her life is over. She can't possibly ever do anything she loved again.

Rancher and football star Jared Cade has been best friends with Amberley for years. They push each other to be the best that they can be, they offer support throughout life's ups and downs, and they always cheer each other on from the sideline. He knows something's going on with her, but she's kept him in the dark as to what it is ... until it can't be hidden any longer. Jared is devastated for her naturally, but he refuses to stand by and watch her hide herself away from the world in shame and give up the dreams she's worked so hard for! He'll do anything he has to in order to get her out there dreaming big again.

I love cowboys! Jared is a unique one because not only does he work on his family's ranch, but he's a NFL football player, recovering from an injury. I love how hardworking, competitive, and passionate he is and even though he's a bit indecisive and dense at times, I absolutely adored him. I especially love the loyal friendship he shares with Amberley.

I can't even imagine the uncertainty and devastation that Amberley must have went through, but that woman is as tough as nails! She's more stubborn than a mule and when she wants something, she's all in--whether it's for her family, her career, or her love interest. It's so hard to let your faith be stronger than your fear and that's exactly what Amberley has to learn.


My favorite part was the romance, which is no surprise. The anticipation shot butterflies straight to the pit of my stomach and I enjoyed watching the gradual realizations progress amid the sparks. Very well done, as it's both heartwarming and swoony.

Karen Rock does a really amazing job at bringing these two broken characters together in a way that gives them strength in many facets. She's a very good storyteller and I felt right at home in Carbondale, Colorado and could picture the rodeo circuit/life pretty vividly. I loved seeing more of the characters from her previous books and I can't wait to read more about this family, as each book is centered on one of the siblings.

Content: very mild violence; very mild language; mild, swoony romance (kisses)

*I received a copy through Netgalley, which had no influence on my opinions*

Falling for the cowboy

I loved the name Amberley and her character. It would be so hard to lose your eyesight. The 2nd in the series and definitely a good series. Such an inspiring book with Amberley and Jared overcoming her blindness and with the horse therapy program for children with disabilities. Karen did a real good job with describing the horse barrel racing in writing this book. Can be read as a stand alone but if you read the first book you will enjoy some of the characters from it being in this book . I definitely look forward to the next book in the series. I received the book from the publisher through NetGalley.

You know what makes this book so special? Lots of things, actually but I'll hit on what impacted me the most.

1. The trope - friends to lovers. I know, its been done so many times but Ms. Rock has a way of writing this trope and it never feels forced. In fact, I almost didn't think they would actually get together. Yes, I worried. It's not they didn't love each other, they didn't WANT to fall in love with each other.

2. No surprise that Amberley is going blind but Ms. Rock doesn't make her a victim. No one treats her any differently. It's just that Amberley thinks that people will. It takes Jared to kick her in the keister to make her realize that she can still do whatever she wants to do...with some modifications.

3. The couple themselves - Amberley and Jared are a breath of fresh air. Neither one of them is too full of themselves to be there for each other. Amberley is a bit too stubborn at times, but I totally understood why. Jared could have come off as a playboy but again, Ms. Rock makes him human and Jared needs a bit of humility every now and then. While falling in love with each other, they realize that they are better together and not apart. Of course, everyone has known this for like FOREVER!

4. Their romance is a slow build but completely relatable. These don't need to wine and roses or even a big black moment for their romance to work. It just does. And Ms. Rock knows how to write it.

5. We get to see glimpses of the other Cade family members but they are more in the background this go around. Of course, the Cades are still trying to keep their mom away from the true love of her life and it's humorous and heartbreaking at the same time. Note to Ms. Rock...leave them alone. I can't wait for their love story to really heat up.

As you can tell, I love Ms. Rock and this series. She is one of my favorite authors and with Jared and Amberley's story, it just solidifies it.

And yes, this is a series but each book stands on its own. Just letting you know.

Falling For a Cowboy by Karen Rock is the second book in The Rocky Mountain Cowboys series. This series is about the Cade family. You will absolutely adore them. Jared is a heartbreaker without even trying and Amberley is his strong willed best friend. This is a friends to lover romance and it is amazing.

Amberley and Jared must overcome many obstacles. The tenacity that they fight the problems of their lives which blows my mind. The way they whole heartedly face problems together. This couple is one in a million.

I do love a feel good heart-warming story and this one is excellent, oh there were tears and there were smiles as best friends Amberley James and Jared Cade journey to a gorgeous HEA that is sure to leave a big smile on your face.

Amberley has always been best friends with Jared they are both winners and determined to be the best at what they do, they love each other but are not in love or are they? Amberley is a champion barrel racer and just lately her eyes have been giving her a lot of trouble but when she finds out that she is losing her sight she is devastated not only for herself but for her beautiful horse Harley, but Jared steps in and pushes her he will never let her give up and this is where her feelings start to change.

When Jared lost his father years before he left him a task that he has done his best to keep and getting back into football is a maybe at the moment, but it will help with his task but when his best friend Amberley needs him, he is there for her, oh he pushes her and as he does that feeling of loving her is slowly changing to in love with her, but can he do it he does not want to lose his best friend, there is so much going on for Jared decisions he needs o make, but when he gives into the love, oh the smiles.

MS Rock has continued this series with a bang a fabulous one Jared and Amberley are such beautiful people they are loving and caring, turning the pages and getting to know them more was such a joy. MS Rock has a perfect voice for writing romances that tick the boxes for love strength and happiness with hurdles along the way to bring just the right amount of angst that turns to happiness for the hero and heroine. Thank you for a fantastic story

Rating: 4.5/5

This is one heck of an inspirational read - don’t let anything others look on as a disability deter you from striving to achieve your goals! Amberley James is a barrel racer who has a rare genetic condition which is taking her sight. You can’t be blind and barrel race - or can you? Amberley’s best friend, Jared Cade, is stubborn and won’t let her give in. Despite her reticence, he encourages her not to give up, helping her develop strategies that, with his help, enable her to get back on her horse to give it a go. . . . Can she learn to overcome her blindness to compete again? Can he also win her heart?

This is definitely one of my favourite reads. It is an emotional roller coaster, filled with despair, hope, tragedy, love and so much more. Death bed promises have a long lasting impact and true love just has to be fought for to enable a HEA to be attained. This is a real page turner with plenty of different threads being skilfully interwoven to create a beautiful, heart-breaking and heart-warming story that will live on in my imagination. The author brings the characters and settings vividly to life in the imagination of the reader in this moving story which I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys cowboy romances or stories of overcoming adversity. I can’t wait to read more in this series or by this author!

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Amberley is a Barrel racer who is facing a rare genetic condition that is causing her to loose her eye sight. Her career as a Barrel racer might be over and she seems to be having a hard time coping with this. Her best friend Jared will do anything he can to help her out maybe even help her get back to barrel racing with him guiding her though the way.

I love that this book wasn't an insta lovey type of books, I love reading books that feature best friends to couple kinda stories. I loved seeing how they both were together seeing that friendship and the love that the two had. I loved seeing Jared being the one to try to help her and lift her spirits when she had a hard time seeing the bright side of anything. Amberley was an independent women who hated people worrying about her and for a short while let her blindness impact her and I thought it was interesting seeing her improve herself and go through that conflict. Overall this was a pretty good story I enjoyed it.

I loved and adored reading his book and let me tell you why. The way Karen Rock writes about someone losing her eyesight, someone losing their dreams, about promises and expectations set by parents, fathers in this case, deceased parents who made their wishes upon their deathbeds and sometimes the promises and expectations are so very hard to follow, because these are too hard to follow when you are not true to your own self. Why is it we still look up to our parents and want their approval, although we are adults ourselves. I’m getting quite philosophical now, but there is no author who can bring the abilities and disabilities, promises and parental expectations into a wonderful romance, but Karen Rock.
Falling for a Cowboy is a great romantic book about Amberley James, who due to a genetic disorder is rapidly going blind. She’s a champion barrel racer and she wants to join the premier rodeo circuit more than anything. But now, she’s going blind and she thinks giving up is the only option until her best friend and local hero Jared Cade steps in. She doesn’t want Jared’s help. Jared is very persistent though and he encourages her to get back in the saddle again and with his help to go racing again too. He must be mad, and maddeningly attractive, especially when his help is so hands on. Can they move beyond their best-friends-forever to lovers-forever?

Falling for a Cowboy is the second book from the Rocky Mountain Cowboys series and my first introduction to Karen Rock’s work. I found this book to be pretty good. I enjoyed Amberley’s story and felt her emotions and struggles that she was experiencing through the story. I admire Jared’s persistence in wanting to help her. Those two were fun and entertaining at times.

I was hooked from the beginning of Falling for a Cowboy and did not want to put it down until I had the whole thing read. Such a fabulous and heartwarming story. I just can not put into words how much I enjoyed it and how sad I was having to tell Amberley and Jared goodbye.

I would give it 100 stars if I could.

Highly recommended.

Falling for a Cowboy 🤠

-‘She needed to do this on her own. If someone rescued her, that person owned her. Not because she’d owe them—she could always find a way to repay a favor. They owned her because she’d stop being the lead in her story anymore. She’d become the poor struggling loser/helpless damsel who was saved from danger/dishonor/humiliation by the brilliant, brave, compassionate hero, and he got to decide which, because she wouldn’t be the one running this story, not anymore.’-

Amberley is having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that she is going blind. She is a competitive barrel jumper and a winner. Now she can barely see. She feels useless and even contemplates ending her life. Without her vision, she is nothing. Unable to face life as an invalid, she pushes everyone she holds dear away - her horse, her family, even her best friend, Jared. But Jared won’t allow her to push him out of her life completely and he pushes back. The problem is, Amberley doesn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her. She is fiercely independent and doesn’t want Jared to see her as anything other than the capable woman she has always been. Especially when her feelings for him are starting to change. He wouldn’t want her the way she is now. Not when he could have any woman... Perhaps it isn’t just Amberley who can’t see clearly... Will Jared open his own eyes to see what an amazing woman his best friend is? Or will she forever be in the friend zone?

As always, Karen Rock writes in a mature, entertaining voice. Always a delight to read her work.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All opinions are my own.

A wonderful story of friendship to love. Such a beautiful story with characters that will pull you into their story. An excellent read.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review by Net Galley and Harlequin.