I really enjoyed this one. It shows you how one miscommunication or not taking the one risk can change the course of your life. Lily lives her life by her lists and schedules. Luke doesn't do serious so his heart stays intact. They give off vibes that they don't like one another, but the the attraction they have for one another comes off them in waves. I enjoyed watching Lily and Luke take a chance and grow. This book has a good flow that makes it easy to read.

Things aren't looking so great for Lily, doesn't help that she's also finalizing her divorce on her birthday and the first time she's able to really do something with her catering business turns out to be her ex-husband's wedding. Then there's Luke her ex-husband's best friend she'll be stuck seeing a lot more often now that he's on recovery time from the bull riding.

I think they reading these books out of order I first started with the novela that goes previously before this when I found that out I'm at the first book. And now I'm on the second book. But just so you know these are stand-alones so you won't miss a thing. I enjoyed this book I love seeing the connection between Luke and Lily. I love seeing that simmering attraction that was bound to combust. I love seeing how they work together. There were ups and downs, with a bit of drama enough to keep their readers enjoying themselves with every flip of the page. Overall a pretty great but I really enjoyed it.

It's become more apparent I have a thing for cowboys. The second installment of the Crossroads Ranch series was just as enjoyable as the first. It's a flirty, fun, second-chance, enemies to lovers romance that captivated me from the start. This author has a wonderful way of drawing into her charming characters for whom have big personalities. The friendship and loyalty in this featured family goes a long way in making the story that much easier for the reader to relate.

Luke and Lily's relationship has straddled a line between hate and friendship for years before they act on the simmering tension. Their love story was an easy one be entranced with as the banter between the two stemmed from being complete opposites. It was fun to read just how well they meshed together even when they were at odds.

The setting of these books is as endearing as the characters. The contemporary life of cowboys seems like a world so distant from mine and it's been fun to escape there through A.J. Pine's words especially in Tough Luck Cowboy. I look forward to the next book featuring the next and even more tortured and broody Everett brother.

TOUGH LUCK COWBOY is the second full-length instalment in AJ Pine’s contemporary, adult CROSSROADS RANCH romance series. This is rodeo rider and rancher Luke Everett, and pastry chef /caterer Lily Green’s story line. TOUGH LUCK COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Some of the premise crosses-over, and runs parallel to some of the events in the August 2018 novella Saved By the Cowboy.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lily and Luke) TOUGH LUCK COWBOY follows the second chance relationship between rodeo rider and rancher Luke Everett, and twenty-seven year old, pastry chef /caterer Lily Green. Lily Green signed the divorce papers on her twenty-seventh birthday, feeling like a complete failure having never anticipated her husband’s affair. A perfectionist and list maker at heart, Lily knew she was difficult at times but our heroine had only ever loved one man, her ex-husband’s best friend Luke, a man she fell for, three years earlier, the same night she met Tucker Green. When Lily accidentally agrees to cater her ex-husband’s upcoming wedding, all bets are off when she is forced to work alongside the man she has loved from afar. Enter Luke Everett, rodeo rider, and the bane of Lily’s existence as our heroine believes Luke despises his best friend’s ex. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and relationship between Lily and Luke, and the fall-out as an injured Luke is determined to re-enter the rodeo ring in the hopes of remaining on top.


The opportunity to cater the upcoming feast for a Food Network star, Lily has no idea that she has offered up her services for her ex-husband’s wedding. Struggling to make a name for herself, outside of her failed relationship with her ex-husband, Lily is hoping to succeed in a business where others have failed. Luke Everett knows that one more concussion could mean the end of his career. Badly injured in his last outing six weeks earlier, Luke struggles between head and heart when Lily gives our hero an ultimatum in order to save his life. Lily’s constant need to run is disconcerting especially as it reminds her of a man who left long ago.

The relationship between Lily and Luke is acrimonious at best; their constant bickering, back and forth, vitriol comments and accusations are hurtful especially when neither one is deserving of the other’s actions. Luke is unaware of his best friend’s affair, and Lily knows nothing about Luke’s feelings for her. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and seductive, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

TOUGH LUCK COWBOY is a story of family, pride, heart-break and second chances. The premise is engaging and lively; the characters are determined and challenging; the romance is provocative and intense. TOUGH LUCK COWBOY is an emotional and energetic story line.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

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A sweet romance with a few twists and turns. A bit of humor and a sexy cowboy round out the picture ;) A fun storyline that didn't feel like other contemporary westerns on the market.

In this story Lily Green has finally gotten her divorce and has also gotten her first catering job, her ex’s wedding. Sounds funny well parts of it is. The part that is not is with Luke Everett. He is also her ex-husbands best friend but I really never understood why because Luke was the only one acting like a friend. Luke takes you back to the first time they all meet at a bar and you see you hit it off, but yet she went home with Tucker and now Tucker is using the Bro code with Luke to try to keep him away from Lily. For me this was really about when will Luke cowboy up like he does in rodeo and go after her, and for her to admit to her feelings about Luke. A good story with good characters.

**4-4.5 stars** Tough Luck Cowboy is the second book in A.J. Pine’s Crossroads Ranch series and it’s another winner! Be sure to add this one to your TBR!

Luke Walker and Lily Green may have acted like they hated each other, but the chemistry between these two was combustible! Little did they know that each harbored feelings for the other. When they met 3 years ago at a line dancing bar, things did not go the way Luke planned that night and Lily ended up going home with his best friend Tucker and they later married. Fast forward to present day and Lily is getting a divorce, Tucker is getting remarried and Lily is catering the wedding! Oh, how things have changed…

When Luke is injured during a bull-riding competition, he’s forced to lay low for a while and forced into close proximity with Lily, the woman he’s secretly been in love with. But there’s no way he’s crossing the line, especially since Lily was married to his best friend. He also doesn’t do commitments and believes he can’t offer Lily what she deserves. The two of them can’t seem to keep their hands off each other though, even in the middle of a heated argument. There is no denying the chemistry between them and soon they stop trying to fight their feelings. But there are obstacles in their way and Luke and Lily will have to decide if what they have together is worth the risks for true love and happiness.

It isn’t an easy road to happily ever after for these two…but what a ride! A.J. Pine delivers another great read in the Crossroads Ranch series!

I am not sure whom had more tough Luck- Lily Green with her divorce and new job, or Luke Everett with his bucking bull and heart aching for 3 years!

I fell in love with Luke immediately and was so upset at the turn of events at the beginning. Lily disappointed me and picked what appears the best on paper but was completely wrong in real life. Now she is stuck with a divorce, and ex who she happens to be catering his wedding to his pregnant girlfriend, and caught up with the likes of Luke Everett who she can't understand why he has such disgust for her for years.

Luke hides behind his cruelty to Lily- he's been smitten with her since first sight but she chose his best friend- who is now her ex-husband. I was so wanting these two together- all their snark was bound to lead to tons of sexual chemistry- and I was right! The hi jinx these two go through to get together makes for a great read!

Lily Green gets a birthday present no one would want - a divorce. On top of a birthday divorce, she somehow manages to agree to cater her ex-husbands wedding to his pregnant fiancee. Luke Everett has wanted Lily Green since the first time he saw her, line dancing in a bar. He made the first move and somehow ended up sending her home with his best friend, who she later marries. Lily Green is single now and Luke Everett is doing everything he can to steer clear of what he wants. A bad ride on a bull means Luke and Lily get to work together to make Lily's ex-husband's wedding a success.
I absolutely loved this story and I love the characters of Lily and Luke.. Luke Everett is a great guy who let Lily get away one night for who he thought was the "better man." Three years later and a little heartbreak, both Luke and Lily soon realize who the better man for Lily really is. This book is part of Pine's Crossroads Ranch series.

Sweet, Sexy cowboy romance. opposites attract. Ex husbands best friend... Planning wedding for ex husband... turns into a great story

Tough Luck Cowboy was such an unexpected surprise! This enemies to lovers/second chance romance hooked me in right from the start and though this is my first time reading a cowboy romance, I know it won't be my last! This is book 2 in the interconnected standalone Crossroads Ranch series, and can be enjoyed without reading the previous book, Second Chance Cowboy.

I really loved both Luke and Lily. The tension and build up between them was so delicious and fun. I loved seeing their oil and water mix and watching all the sparks fly. ;) There is so much unsaid between these two and their circumstances couldn't be more complicated, with Lily being the ex-wife of Luke's best friend. Through it all though, you can't help but root for these two to get their second chance. One of my favorite things about the two of them is that even with the threat of loss looming or the odds stacked against them, they don't give up their individual dreams and hopes (much to the dismay of the other at times). Even though Luke was emotionally closed off and Lily's instinct was to run, I still found these 2 characters very brave and strong. Things move pretty quickly in the book, but considering this has been three years in the making, it didn't feel rushed or like instalove at all. Though I really enjoyed the ending and epilogue (I'm hoping for more details or an epilogue further down the road in the next book or beyond), I was left curious about the future of Tucker and Luke's friendship. Their reckoning was quick due to the timing of their discussion and just didn't seem fully resolved to me. Perhaps this will also be addressed in the next book.

I actually have not read book 1, Second Chance Cowboy, but Ava ended up being one of my favorite characters. Her friendship and loyalty to Lily was unwavering and her analogy to being Lily's bra was the best! Everyone can only hope to have a friend like her. I also am very intrigued by the youngest Everett, Walker, and am excited for his book next!

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

Lily's birthday is spent finalizing her divorce and offering to cater her now-ex-husband's wedding. Talk about starting a book off with a bang!!

Luke and Lily seem to hate each other but when they end up being thrust together constantly, they have a chemistry that can only be described as explosive. Luke is a laid-back, reckless rodeo cowboy. Lily is a Type-A, driven chef. They seem so different which is why when they met, Luke differed to his friend. But the more time they spend together, the more their similarities come to light and their hate grows to more than either of them were expecting.

I loved Luke and Lily!! I was immediately pulling for them. Even though there was definitely some drama in their story, I felt like this book was mostly light and feel good. I am loving this Crossroads Ranch series and I can't wait to see what happens in Walker's book!

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 4-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by its Cover < <
Intense looking cowboy taking up the cover, hay rolls in the background. Synopsis sounds interesting and fun.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person

First, I’d like to say that I’m not sure why there were hay rolls on the cover… the Everett brothers run a cattle ranch and winery. At no time were they growing or harvesting hay.

Anyways… Luke’s story is the second to be told in this series, his older brother Jack (Jr) received the first one with Second Chance Cowboy. Despite it being the second book, AJ Pine does a good job in filling in any backstory that was needed so new readers (like myself) do not feel left behind or out of the loop.
Luke’s been in love with Lily since the day he first laid on her three years ago. Unfortunately, his insecurities got in the way and his best friend swooped in and stole her and married her.
Lily never thought that only a few years after saying “I do” she’d be saying “I’m out”. But that’s what she’s done. She’s done with Tucker’s late-night partying and certainly done with Tucker’s cheating.
Luke thinks she’s a controlling hag, she thinks he’s an irresponsible party boy that’s to blame for corrupting Tucker. But things take an unexpected turn the day she signs her divorce papers and inadvertently gets herself hired to cater a celeb’s wedding… to her ex.
The cast of characters are alright but it seems like there’s a lot of drama to be had at the Everett ranch. Three boys dealing with daddy issues is almost as bad as a sorority house with PMS. Luke and Lily’s chemistry was undeniable but their interactions were occasionally irritating. (Again, too much drama, baggage, issues). Communication was terrible between them and they often tried to solve their problems with sex, which really was not the key to resolution but I’m sure most readers won’t complain.
The story flowed well and the writing is smooth. Conflicts could have been easily avoided with more mature discussions. Predictability was on the low end. The conclusion was cute and provided a satisfying HFN / implied HEA ending. I’m sure their story will play out, along with Jack and Ava’s, some more in the background of Walker’s book.
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Rating: [R] ~ Score: 3.975 ~ Stars: 4
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from Netgalley via the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

The Crossroads Ranch series continues in Tough Luck Cowboy with the story of star crossed lovers, Luke Everett and Lily Green. A.J. Pine's great characterization and strong family relationships make this an entertaining read.

This is an amazing book with wonderful, realistic and loveable characters. Luke and Lily are two strong, damaged characters. Their pasts help to define who they are, for better or for worse. Sometimes being damaged emotionally is a lot harder on a person because their scars are internal. They both have family who love them but, it is in loving each other that they may be able to heal. Will they take a chance on each other? Will he lose his best friend, who is like a brother to him and also Lily's ex- husband? This is an amazing book and I would definitely recommend it.

Who doesn't love a good enemies to lovers story? What makes this one even better is that is also a second chance story. The heroine, Lily, did not end up with the hero the night we met. Instead she ended up with his best friend, married him, and has now divorced him. The hero, Luke, had to stand by and watch all of that unfold. They have three years worth of misunderstandings, blame, and hurt feelings between them. However they also have an impossible to ignore attraction to each other as well and while there are so many reasons not to act on it they cannot help themselves.Both of them have have a lot going on in their lives in the present and baggage to deal with from their pasts and Pine deftly weaves it all in creating substance without bogging the story down. I really liked cranky Luke. Lily had to grow on me a bit as I found her overly prickly in the beginning. I never liked her as much as I did Luke but I did warm to her. I found all of the details about her previous marriage a bit confusing. It seemed like Pine wanted us to blame Lily's ex but not too much and we were supposed to blame Lily for being controlling as well although no real evidence of that was shown. I really liked this book and would be interested in reading the first book in the series.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Who knew I would love a cowboy/bull riding named Luke Everett as much as I do?? Sure he is grouchy and moody, but underneath all that, he has a real good reason. You see, he is in love with his best friend's ex wife! And has been for years. Now, Lily is a single women. Too bad she hates his guts and blames him for what her ex did to her.

I went into this book blind and loved every second of it! I am a city girl who loved this cowboy romance!

A.J. Pine writes the Best cowboys! I love her writing style and fell head over heels for this hero. And that HEA is everything I love about romance. Left me smiling!

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

Luke and Lily hate each other.

Well, actually, Luke doesn't hate her at all, he's in love with her, and she is married to his best friend.

And, then she isn't...so she is free to pursue a relationship with him, to act on the chemistry that he has always felt and that she sees as existing as the flip side to their dislike of one another.

Lily is catering her ex-husband's wedding...in one of those quirks of life that are totally believable, and happen in a way in this book that you see coming, even though it's obvious she doesn't. As Luke is the best man, it's tough to avoid one another. Until they both realize they don't want to, that the attraction is more than they can ignore.

So, they have a one time, get it out of their system fling. And, that works as well here as it ever does, and it quickly becomes more. But, how? She is the ex wife of his best friend, he is a rodeo cowboy who is ignoring the risks, and betting on himself, to have one last ride and leave the sport on his terms.

A.J. Pine handles all of this exceptionally well. You want these people happy, you want Luke to have his time in the spotlight and leave his port on his terms, and you believe hum when he says he knows the risks, knows what he is capable of, and will be fine. Although, I must admit to being teary when the scene actually happens.

Really, what can you ask for that is more than being so connected to a character that you cry for them and with them?

I loved this book, and I recommend it...and the first one in the series as well.

Very good book! This is Luke and Lily book, Luke is a rodeo champ and also runs his family ranch, Lily is his best friends ex wife she dreams of starting her own catering company. Luke and Lily had met years before and like fell hard but thought he wasn't good enough so he let his best friend go after Lily, they ended up married and then divorced and Luke knows you don't mess with your best friends ex! These two keep getting thrown together and both feel that deep down connection! I definitely recommend reading this book! It has everything! It was sweet, hot, action, drama, angst and a bunch of cowboys!! Lol can t go wrong with that! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!