I really enjoyed this book, I found it completely hard to put down. The Author has a way of sucking you in from the beginning and it makes you feel like you are right there, or watching it on a scene. I love how the characters truly feel like you are catching up with friends and I love the small town feel of the book. With everything that Lainey has faced she has this strong fighting spirit and you really cheer her on through the whole book. The chemistry and the raw emotions just jumped off the pages. Tyler hints at something through out the book and its not till later you find out what which kept me guessing and wanting to know what was going to happen next with him and his Dad. Over all the book is a great read and does have some language but over all I would say totally worth the read.

Whether I'm looking for a book to read with a sweet romance or one with a little more heat I know I can always count on Victoria James to deliver. This is one of her sweet reads and it definitely hit the spot. It's a wonderful slow build romance that pulled at all my heartstrings.

Tyler Donnelly left Wind River after a huge fight with his father, never expecting to return. Now eight years later with his father's health failing and the ranch in disrepair Tyler has finally returned home. Things have certainly changed while he's been gone and he'll have his hands full getting the ranch back to it's former glory. Too bad the townspeople aren't happy to see him. Luckily Lainey Sullivan doesn't seem to hate him and she's willing to help him find his way.

This isn't a book you want to miss, I highly recommend it.

After having read, reviewed, and loved last year’s The Firefighter’s Pretend Fiancee by Victoria James, I was very excited to have the opportunity to read her novel The Trouble with Cowboys. The first few chapters had me fully engaged and then several things happened.

The first word that popped into my mind as I was reading was “mechanical.” There were passages that felt like the author was going through the motions. This became even more apparent after the number of repetitions of phrases and thoughts. By now, we all know how picky I am about writing and, as such, I probably don’t need to expound on how I feel about this.

I loved prodigal son, returning cowboy Ty Donnelly. He’s sensitive with a heart-of-gold and a seemingly tough exterior. What I didn’t like was how his “best” friends treated him. They judged without followup. The reaction was so one-dimensional that it was irritating. Friendship is a two-way street. His mother had just died and if they were good friends, they knew how tenuous his relationship was with his father, but they didn’t show themselves to be friends. They jumped to conclusions. They judged.

And then we have Lainey Sullivan who we are told is brave and strong. The moment she had the opportunity to tell Ty about the loan his father had given her (this is very early on so is not a spoiler) but didn’t for some rather inconsequential reason that a brave and strong person wouldn’t even have considered, she lost my respect and never regained it. If you read romances, you know there must be a deterrent–this has that written on it a mile wide, all I can say is: blah. Brave and strong are proved by actions.

Likewise, her excuse for not attending art school may be flimsy because she had the opportunity after her grandmother died (before her mother got sick) and any of her true friends would have, should have, told her, “This is exactly what your grandmother would have wanted you to do. To follow your dream. You’re just being a martyr if you think you’re staying out of loyalty. Now put the diner up for sale and get yourself to Florence!”

What is with all the testosterone-laden punching in romances lately? Why do I feel brain cells dwindle to even entertain why this happens?

I’ve probably given you the impression that I hated this book. I really didn’t. I was disappointed, for sure because I really have enjoyed her writing in the past.

There were some extremely cute and funny passages, and I love funny and cute and suspect that if I had liked Lainey, my impressions could have been substantially different.

“Do you do this often?”

She didn’t know what he was referring to. The emotional eating? The sitting in the dark? The homemade lasagna? “Do what often?”

“You know, sit in the window of your diner with the lights turned off and creepily stare at people?”

And just for reminders there was Ty.

And there was lasagna with gooey mozzarella.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Who will love this book? Definitely die-hard Victoria James’ fans, readers of wholesome romance, cowboy romance, prodigal son romances and Montana romances. Who won’t love this book? Readers who are overly picky about writing and who love strong heroines who define themselves through their actions.

3.5⭐
This was a nice story. That was packed full of emotion and it had a sweetness to it too. But for me it was lacking in romance and as much as I liked the characters, particularly the returning Ty, I didn't really connect with them. But the story itself was engaging and very easy to read and anyone who likes a story that's set in a small town, features a brooding cowboy and is full of family drama and sweetness should certainly check it out.

This is a story with a lot of heart. It is insightful and digs deep into the values that make relationships and families. Tyler is a lost soul returning home to a father and community he believes is unwelcoming. He has deep soul wounds that needs to be healed. Lainey, despite her hardships, has a heart that is open and giving. They each have demons and secrets they believe are enough to keep them apart from each other. The author digs into the small town community relationship and how they rally around each other in time of need. She takes a dive into the heart and soul of the people as she builds the characters and explores their interactions with each other. It is a well developed small town romance with a fighting spirit and a happy ending.

This was my first book by this author. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. There was a realistic problem, the character flaws were reasonable and believable, and the small town/cowboy setting took me away from life for a few hours.

I typically read Christian Fiction so I did find myself annoyed with the cursing to be honest, but that is to be expwcted in a general market fiction and didn't keep me from enjoying the book. And I loved reading a general market book that was free of sex scenes! Of course it was still mentioned, but other than the cursing this book was pretty clean!

Tyler was a great leading man. I really liked his balance and how he found himself in this book. He is one of the best heroes I've read lately.

I liked Lainey too, but I didn't connect with her as much.

Overall this was a fabulous read. I'll definitely read more from this author if I can find clean books!

This is Lainey and Tyler’s story.
Tyler left town eight years ago and now he is back to run the family ranch after his dads stroke. He left after an argument, they both said hurtful things. Now he is back and everyone is treating him like an outsider. Nobody knows why he left and he doesn’t feel like saying. He eventually forms a bond with Lainey that leads to thoughts of lust and white picket fences.
Lainey runs the diner and is a artist wanting to expand her art training. She has life mapped out but her plans never work.

4.5 stars

An absolutely beautiful story of family, love, and second chances set in the small town of Wishing River, Montana.

Tyler has returned home after 8 years away and it isn't a happy homecoming. His father has had a stroke and is angry with him and his best friends are upset too.

Lainey is running her late grandma's diner and while she loves the town and Tyler's dad, she is hoping for more.

This story is emotional without being overly angsty, and the author did a wonderful job creating relatable characters who I was rooting for from page one. I especially loved Lainey and her kind heart and sweetness.

I also liked the introduction of other characters like Lainey's friend Hope and Tyler's friends Cade and Dean. I really hope their stories are told!

Tyler returns to Wishing River, Montana, after an 8 year absence. The town isn't very welcoming, given that his father recently had a stroke and Ty disappeared those years ago. Tyler has to work to get back into the good graces of the townspeople, his former best friends, his family's ranch, and his father. Lainey can see the good in Tyler, buried beneath all the hurt and anger. They develop a mutual attraction that turns into something more. The characters in the story are well-developed, and it is a sweet tale of small-town ranch life and how the community becomes your family.

The Trouble with Cowboys by Victoria James is an enjoyable story. Tyler and Lainey’s love story contains mutual attraction, conflicts, drama, and courage. They overcome all the conflicts put in front of them with a nice level of love and acceptance of their situations. The setting is in a small town in Montana. The scenery and story line are both appealing. I recommend this book as an enjoyable read.

ank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for giving me an ARC of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A story about a "prodigal cowboy" and a selfless woman with unfulfilled dreams. A case of teenage crush. When they meet, there's enough fireworks to light up the new year sky. The author beautifully crafts the evolution of the relationships in the book not just between the protagonists but also between the father and son, among best friends as well as in the community. Each aspect of the relationship is beautifully portrayed and well built.

This book pulled at my heartstrings. The characters are so real that you consider them almost like a family or relative.
It made me weep as I stayed up reading it.
Laney's personality reminds me of myself. There were parts of Tyler I could relate to as well. Heartwarming story about love, relationships, sacrifice. (less)

This is a second chance small town romance. I truly enjoyed reading about Tyler and Lainey. I thought the characters were wonderful and it was well written. I feel in love with these two characters. I was hooked from the first chapter and kept my instrest.
I received an Advanced Copy of this book from Entangled Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for the a voluntary and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The book captures your attention right from the beginning as Ty Donnelly walks into a diner in his hometown after an eight-year absence. It’s clear that a lot of people resent his presence including his former best friend and the diner’s owner, the attractive Lainey. You want to know why he left his home and father eight years ago and why everyone resents his reappearance now that his father has had a terrible stroke.

So the set-up got my interest right at the beginning. The secrets are revealed as the book goes along. We’re told that his father said something unforgivable to him after his mother’s death. I thought it was pretty obvious what his father told him, but I could wait for the reveal.

Lainey is a kind-hearted, but spunky heroine yearning to get away from her hometown to study art in Italy, but unable to leave her responsibilities to her grandmother’s legacy - the local diner.

I enjoyed the story of a town which rallies around to help out Ty’s father as he tries to recover from his stroke. Ty turns out, of course, to be a better man than what so many in the town think him to be. Now, if only he can get over his skepticism toward romance when he finds the best woman for him and learns that she wants the white picket-fence sort of romance that he just doesn’t feel capable of.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

This beauty starts off at breakneck speed with Tyler returning home after an 8 year absence. Walking into Tilly's diner he's met with stares, glares and silence. Even from his best friend. Tilly's granddaughter is behind the counter and avoids serving him, she gives him a to go cup of coffee. Nothing like a subtle hint! Loved Lainey! Tyler left town without a word to anyone. He and Lainey have history. He's come back because his father has had a stroke, his best friend is his Dr and his other best friend now runs the ranch that was supposed to be Tylers. He's been gone for 8 years and much has changed. He also doesn't know that Lainey brings his father supper every night and the two developed a friendship after Tyler left. The story paces through Tyler walking on egg shells around the house, fighting with his friends and Lainey and him trying to reestablish a connection with her as well as get the ranch back in running order. His attitude comes off a little like, "I'm home now and in charge.." Maybe, but where were you for the last 8 years. Something he's not anxious to disclose, or the reason he left in the first place. Tyler wore me out, he truly did. There were a couple of scenes I wanted to slap him silly for things he said to Lainey. One of those kindle flinging moments, every book has at least one of those! There were also times I felt like Lainey was mothering Tyler, which left me scratching my head. I didn't love this book. I love Victoria's stories, I really do, this one just didn't do it for me. It lagged in places and I wanted things to flow a little better. Still worth the read though as are all her books.
3.5 stars
arc from Net Galley and Entangled for an honest review

Once upon a time, a boy and his father parted ways. It seemed one sided, as in he left town with no notice leaving his father in the lurch because he was simply being a horse's behind...but as our leading lady Lainey finds out many years later, there are two sides to every story and not everything is as it first seems.

When Ty came back to town after his time away, I couldn't imagine why he would have ever stayed away. I mean, the people were so warm and welcoming, slapping him on the back, and diving in to find out what he was up to for those 8 long years...okay, and yeah, that was totally sarcastic. The welcome he received didn't involve trumpets or red carpets or even a friendly neighbor bringing over a casserole! What he got was a good welcome for an enemy, not family, friend, or even an acquaintance. Yes, it'd been YEARS, but you know, don't judge unless you know what you're ACTUALLY judging. Anywho...

His return marked the beginning of a lot of things...and the end of several others. It was a new start for the family ranch, if only dear old dad would forgive him for leaving those 8 long years ago. It was a way to restart his long frozen dream of running the family ranch with his father, if he could only let go of the resentment he holds on his side of the past blow up. It was a chance at a love he never even saw coming, if only he'd get out of his own way and be the man he truly is instead of the one everyone assumes he is. Sounds like a lot of longing, right? Well, LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING...the story...it's good. SO GOOD.

I already loved Lainey's character for her spunk and drive, but I had to give kudos for sticking to her values...though the timing was DEFINITELY a bit awkward. Hey, better late-ish than never, right? Also, I loved Ty's respect for her choice, even if he doesn't quite know what to do with himself, and how he was able to admit it may be too much for him. Of course, I also loved how he found himself falling into something he never saw coming, which leads to some heart-wrenching yet wonderfully selfless moments. There was always the little secret between them though that was going to rear its ugly head at some point...but, you know, what's a story without a little intrigue, right?

So, to summarize... it was SO GOOD! To give you a little bit more...I was SO happy with the ending, truly and one hundred percent. Concessions were made, truths were uncovered, dreams were rediscovered, forgiveness was found, and love made itself known. Be still me heart... 💕 If you're a fan of Contemporary Romance and don't mind your next potential book boyfriend wearing a cowboy hat from time to time (I'll totally overlook it...or hide the hat *giggle*), this one is for you!

I have read a couple of her novels so I had to read this one since it drew me in. Tyler had to go back home in a way that after saying he would not was a bit different than expected. Then there is Lainey whom catches his attention. Living in a small town is not easy with everyone having you on their radar with this story being in that category. These two catch your interest and you too are like the small town and watch them closely. It will pull on your emotions showing you many sides to these two with also though some things that will come out. She does know how to feed her readers and keep them coming back for more as I did.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

OMGosh!!! I just loved this book. Ms. James is a great author. I have adored all of her books. This one is no different. You can just FEEL the emotions that these characters feel throughout the story. There are highs and lows and you ride that roller-coaster with them. The pain that the characters felt will just grip you in such a way that you will not be able to put this book down. I was enraptured right from the beginning. I was so very sorry to see this one end. There are some pretty great secondary characters here so I hope that there is more to this little town to come.

This book was written in a dual POV format. I love that. Getting into the characters' mind and see their view point is so helpful in understanding what they are going through. Lainey and Tyler have each suffered in the past and to see their inner thoughts and reasons is wonderful.

I highly recommend this wonderful story to anyone.

I really loved this, for me it was a page turner that I didn't put down. Small town closeness where everyone knows everyone's business. It's about hopes and dreams, shattered and gone or holding on by a thread with a bit of hope still attached. There's judgement from people who don't know the full story and then there's truth and new hopes and dreams and of course some love along the way.

When Ty comes home, most everyone treats his with antagonism especially his bedridden father and his 2 former best friends – one who had taken up the position of foreman in the ranch and the other the town & his father’s doctor.
All the negative vibes Ty was getting was somewhat depressing, given that no one really knew or tried to understand what had driven Ty away. He is vilified for being disloyal.
Lainey has her own chip on the shoulder. Having crushed on Ty since her teens before he left, her grandmother had brainwashed her that cowboys are irresponsible and untrustworthy, & she (initially!) tries to keep him at an arm’s length and keep their relationship as platonic as possible. One of the few people who don’t treat him as a pariah or criminal, Ty finds Lainey’s sweetness a balm and the attraction between them quickly grows stronger.
Lainey is a lovely sweet heroine. Everyone adores her. Ty is the epitome of the wounded, loner hero who has to get over his insecurities before realizing that Lainey is the one thing that completes him.
The books was a bit slow most of the 1st half. It goes much quicker in the 2nd half & the ending was very nice indeed

This book was just okay for me. This was a new to me author and the book came off like a Hallmark movie {of which I don't watch), It was not my usual cup of tea since it lacked any heat and was borderline PG/PG-13. So that was disappointing. The book started out great though.

Tyler left home 8 years ago after an argument with his dad following the death of his mom. Words were said that couldn't be taken back and he ran. He's now back in town after his dad suffered a stroke and he's there to take over running the family's ranch again and getting things back in working order.

Tyler was a sexy cowboy with a chip on his shoulder and someone who the whole town hated apparently. Speaking of that, I found everyone in the town (but Lainey after her initial reaction and Father what's-his-name of course) to be incredibly judgmental. They found Tyler at fault without any explanation and I didn't think that was very 'friendly town' like. Even his best friends turned their back on him as soon as he left. No calling to check on him, no welcoming him back or asking how he was, nothing. They judged him until the end of the book. Even Tyler's dad held a grudge for way too long for my liking.

I also liked Lainey. She ran her grandmother's diner. She was raised by her grandmother after her dad wanted nothing to do with her and her mom chased men her whole life and didn't have time for a kid. Lainey was smart, sassy, really caring and loyal. She also had a big crush on Tyler as a teen and can't ignore that he's really hot now that he's older, even if he is a lot more hardened than he was 8 years ago.

Most of the book is a back and forth with Lainey pushing Tyler away, him staying away, then coming back. It really dragged on and on and I grew bored of this after a while, but pushed through hoping they'd get it together. The whole blow up in the end was resolved way too easily in my opinion. I mean he just walks back in, makes a grand gesture and all of a sudden they're going to get married? They didn't spend THAT much time getting to know one another. Yes, they had some deeper discussions, but it seemed a bit unrealistic to me, but I'm probably in the minority there. I still kept holding out for some heat by the end of the book, but got none, just sweetness. I would have liked the epilogue to take place a year later, not so quickly since their relationship still seemed a bit fragile and I was left with wanting to know how things were on the ranch, how art school went, how the diner was running, etc. But oh well.

I did find the writing style a bit repetitive at time. I'd read a phrase then think, 'I swear I just read that,' looked back 2 paragraphs and the same thing was just said. I found that happening quite often. I did read an ARC though, so maybe it'll be corrected before the final is released.