THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS is the first book in the Sweetwater series. Each will stand on its own.

Does anyone remember Dudley Goodwright? Nell? Snidley Whiplash? When I was a child, we would sum up the old cartoons by using a blue bow and holding it under our nose (Snidley’s mustache), “You must pay the rent.” Then at the back of our heads, (Nell), “But I can’t pay the rent!” Repeat: “You must pay the rent.” “But I can’t pay the rent!” Then, we would hold that bow at our neck (Dudley), “I’ll pay the rent.” “My hero,” Nell sighs.

This story reminded me of those old cartoons, with a few twists. After all, it’s been nearly 100 years since those days of the Canadian Mountie and his beautiful beleaguered femme. Jessica is no wilting Texas rose; she’s a former divorce attorney shark turned author. Though Jason saves her from mud and mice, she is as willing to support his life and dreams as he does hers.

I don’t normally love the tormented I love you-I hate you type of relationship beginnings. Okay, maybe hate is too strong of a word, but denial is all over that ranch! Thank God for one matchmaking, meddling, cookie-baking grandma who knows more than she’s let on to her ex-baseball playing, handsome as heck, cowboy grandson.

I have a feeling the next book will be about Allen and Debbie. At least I hope it is. I’m looking forward to learning more about their story and their happy ending.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Everyone who knows me, knows I love a good cowboy story. I’ve always had a thing for cowboys, country music and I love reading romance novels about a cowboy. So when I saw the sign up for the ‘The Truth About Cowboys’ review opportunity, I signed up almost immediately. And don’t you just love that cover? I just love the dark look.

In ‘The Truth About Cowboys’ we meet Jessica and Jason. Jessica is a divorce attorney, currently on the run from her old life, to hide away in a little cabin on the country side. Jason is the heir of a ranch, and a former pitcher. Two years ago Jason’s life drastically changed, and ever since he has been trying to keep his grandma save and happy while also trying to keep the ranch going. This has made him very protective and a little bitter. So when he meets Jessica, he is convinced she is nothing more than trouble trying to make his life miserable.

‘The Truth About Cowboys’ was my first Lisa Renee Jones read, and I must say I definitely loved it. I loved the characters Jessica and Jason. Jessica was definitely a person who I could easily relate too. She was fun to read about, and as a woman I could totally understand her insecurities. Jason was also fun, and I loved reading his point of view. The chemistry between Jessica and Jason was great, and I just loved there ‘lovers-to-enemies’ vibe.

But the best thing about this book? It was definitely the grandmas character for me. LOL! I really laughed a lot of times about her character. She was something else for sure!!

The one thing that I’d change is the book description. If you read it, it seems this book is written from Jason’s point of view. And although this book is written from both Jessica and Jason’s point of view, it’s feels way more like Jessica’s story. She has the most chapters and hers are much longer. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mind at all.. I loved Jessica. But if you read the description you definitely get another idea.

The setting of this book was definitely perfect for me. I loved the whole country cabin ranch thing. And I definitely saw some potential characters for their own story throughout this book. I for one would love to read more books from this setting and these (side) characters.

‘The Truth About Cowboys’ was definitely a very fun read!

***4 Stars***

This book took me on a ride.

A good one.
A fun one.
But ooweee was the angsty-ness strong in this one.
If it weren’t for the sweet and smexy moments, this one would have truly done me in, but it kept me turning the pages and falling in love with all the characters ~ even the one I really wanted to use a 2x4 to knock some sense into many many times.

I loved Jessica. I did. This woman is all kinds of fiery, feisty and has such a genuine heart. She’s had the rug pulled out from under her, in more ways than one, but put her shit kickers on and is moving on with her life. Jason. This man. Honestly, I had a rough time with him at the start and a bit in the middle and a bit towards the end. Okay, I had issues with him throughout the entire book. I got why he was being such an asshat, I did, but damn, he definitely went big. What saved him was how much he loved his Grandma (who was AMAZING) and truly cared about the ranch and everyone who was apart of it.

If you like your romances rocky, then this one is for you. I’m not going to deny that I enjoyed it, mostly because of Jess ~ who was freaking amazing ~ but those rough moments were rough. Thankfully, in the midst of all the push/pull going on, I could see that there was that something between them that could become more, if only a certain cowboy would just let his guard down for a second.

No lie, this one drove me a bit batshit crazy and it translated into getting the words for a review down, but they came. Finally. But if you love asshat cowboys and feisty women, then this is a must read for you!

I loved Jason and jessica even when I wanted to smack Jason upside the head. They've both been burned and have reason to be wary but Jessica can't not be likable. She's genuine and caring. Jason's grandmother is similarly upbeat and loving and the two hit it off right away.

Jason and Jessica get off to a bad start and it takes a long time to get past it despite their attraction. Jason tired of the celebrity that comes with his baseball career and it's demise. He's suspicious of everyone, especially Jessica.

I loved watching Jessica learn a new way of life and loving it. I loved her relationship with the grandmother. It's so touching to watch Jessica heal and find herself. It's healing for grandmother too.

Just when Jason seems to be coming around, suspicion overtakes his budding feelings and send him back to the beginnings. Thankfully, he wakes up finally even after it seems too late.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it.

Texas Heat was certainly what I got. Its what I have come accustom to getting from LRJ. She can light a page with the sparks that fly around the rich and appealing characters that she create with depth and dimension. Sweetwater, TX was just what I was looking for when I pick this read up. I love reading small-town romances. There's something that keeps you coming back over and over no matter who you may meet or the dynamics between them. I am not one to give much away but you truly have to pick up the pages of this one and see where it all leads you. Sometimes the fears of returning home and discovering what you were no fully aware of are more frightening than facing what you already know exist. City-girl meets ex-pro ballplayer now turned rancher. Add to that a sweet grandmother and a small-town vibe. You will get on delightful afternoon read.

In Jessica's mind, spending time in the small town of Sweetwater is everything she needs to take her mind off her ex's betrayal. There's also the fact that she'll be able to work on the book she's set to write. An unexpected encounter throws her for a loop. The sexy cowboy is everything she never knew she wanted in a man, a fact she refuses to admit. To her dismay, however, he's determined in sending her back home by any means necessary.

I love the chemistry that exists between Jessica and Jason. The banter they share amongst them doesn't disappoint. Everything they say and do is so easy to envision, making you want to see and know more of the world around them. These are two characters who are determined in denying the fact that something exists between them. That, however, is easier said than done. Most especially when they're around one another 24/7.

I love this new world Lisa is creating. Sweetwater is a departure from her usual turbulent books that surround millionaires and the women they meet along the way. It's honestly a delight to see her write such a contemporary romance. It shows us just how much she keeps evolving her craft. From romantic thrillers to gory suspense, she delivers such interesting stories with so many diverse characters that you find yourself invested in the book itself by the time you get to the very end. So can't wait for book 2!

Humor, drama, angst, romance, hot sexy cowboys, and wonderful characters kept me turning the pages of this wonderful story. The Truth About Cowboys is a different read from Lisa Renee Jones' normal suspenseful romance, but it did not disappoint! I enjoyed every single page from the first to the last! Highly recommend!

My Review: I have really been in the mood for some good cowboy romances lately and I really liked the idea of the jaded, high power woman stepping out of the city into the country. Sadly, I really struggled with this one, normally I consume romance novels in a day or two and this one took me well over 2 weeks to read. I didn't connect with the characters much and found a lot of the story to be disjointed and it felt forced with bits of inspired dialog that really flowed. It took until the last third of the book for me to really get into the story and feel like I was picking it up to find out what happened next instead of because I needed to finish it. It just really didn't work for me, maybe Jones' writing style just doesn't jive with my reading preferences. The redeeming factor, Grandma Martha, Roarke, the neighbor and Kelly that cat, two rather minor characters but they seemed to have more natural personalities that flowed on the page.

My Rating: I really can't believe how much I struggled with this book, romances, specifically cowboy romances, are my cup of tea and I usually fly through them. It really felt like a struggle to get from one inspired bit of the story to the next, it almost felt like a debut or even an early draft as opposed to a finished work. It was not at all what I was expecting, but with that said I am debating giving the next book a shot because it follows one of the side characters I actually enjoyed. I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

I received a copy of THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher.

FIVE STARS and here’s why:

Cowboys weren’t my thing until I read Lisa Renee Jones book. Now I am like “sign me up, please!” Jones took a cowboy story and added a twist with a baseball player turned cowboy who knows how to protect those he loves. What made this story so special was that each character in this book is well written, the dialogue realistic, and the romance sexy enough to keep me up all night to learn what happens next. I could not put it down. It was fast-paced and so much fun to read. Highly recommend.

*3.5 stars*

I was a bit on the fence about this one - hence my in-between rating! I enjoyed the style of the book, the characters and the setting. This is a city-meets-country romance with both main characters being burned in the past by significant others.

Jessica is a quirky professional gal who is looking for a fresh start after her former life imploding - both personally and professionally. Jason is a brooding ex-baseball star turned farmer who has a pretty big chip on his shoulder. Enter an interfering granny who is determined to play matchmaker and a fun pussy cat and you have a cast set for a good time!

My only hesitations would be the long drawn out push/pull situation that these two had going on. Although based on their respective pasts' I could mostly understand. For me though, not my favorite scenario in the first place and then having it drawn out so much got old pretty fast. I thought at times the book could have been a teensy bit shorter in places as it seemed to drag. Otherwise, a good read and even amusing at times which I definitely enjoyed!

Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction book blog.

I found it easy to get quickly wrapped up in this story right from the first page and had a hard time putting it down (sometimes adulting can just suck it!)

I will say that both Jessica and Jason have more than their fair share of personal issues they're trying to navigate their way through, and a good chunk of their interactions are like trying to mix oil and water, with a heaping dose of sexual tension right below the surface. There were moments in the story where I got the urge to shake Jason for the way he would treat Jessica, but given how his previous relationship imploded, I could understand his knee-jerk reactions. Not a lot of secondary characters, but the ones we meet do help round out the story, especially Jason's grandmother, I thought she was both hilarious and wise.

There were a few parts of the story that weren't fully explained, but that didn't take away the enjoyment I got while reading this and I"m looking forward to the next book.

Wow I'm just stunned with how good this title was. I just had so much fun reading this title and getting to along for the ride with these amazing characters. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

Cowboys aren't my usual read, but this baseball player turned cowboy got my heart and Jessica and Jason story of enemies to lovers changed my mind about them. It was a very enjoyable read, funny and sweat. He is all for protecting who he loves, and a girl with a past. Totally recommended for a nice relaxing read.

The Truth About Cowboys will make you swoon in your boots! Filled with delightful comedy, tender moments and secrets nobody wants uncovered. Lisa Renee Jones has been an author I've enjoyed following, but I have to say that this is my favorite book of hers so far. I love the storyline, witty characters and I couldn't put it down until the last page. Loved it!

4.5 Stars

This book opens with our heroine in trouble, during a storm, on the side of the road. Our hero shows up to help and let’s just say meeting in a storm was some serious foreshadowing. This couple just survive some of the most stressful events, while trying their best to not allow their difficult pasts to interfere with their present. Throughout the book we learn that some of the hardest things for this cowboy to do is accept what is right in front of him without letting his past experiences shade his perception. We also find that a city girl can turn out to love the country and all it has to offer! This was a sweet and sexy book I definitely recommend you pick up and read.

Cara - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

The Truth about Cowboys is an in-depth reflection of how our negative experiences not only shape our identity in the present but also control our future by the way in which we project our insecurities onto the people in our lives.

Both Jason and Jessica have been badly burned by previous relationships along with a sharp detour on their career paths. While Jessica is escaping to lick her wounds and make the most of an opportunity presented to her, Jason has become stuck due to his inability to think outside of the box.

Jason just happens to be Jessica’s landlord for the cottage she has rented from his grandmother without his prior knowledge. From their first encounter, there is a series of hysterical mishaps that set the tone of their interactions, veering from major attraction to incredible annoyance at the swing of a pendulum.

The peripheral characters, especially Jason’s grandmother provide a vital part of the plot and help shape the characters as well as the interactions between them.

There are a lot of ups and downs between Jason and Jessica while they navigate a new normal for themselves as well as dealing with the responsibilities that have been thrust upon them. I completely loved how the ideas clicked into place and the opportunities that were available just from having a different outlook – can everyone say GROWTH MINDSET 😁

The Truth About Cowboys shows that everything happens for a reason – however, waiting for the reason to reveal itself can often be torture.

Fun and sexy love story, between two people who seem so different there is no way they can coexist.

Jessica is running away, her pride is wounded and she needs a place to hide. The little cottage seems like the perfect spot to work on herself and her book and stay away from men altogether.

Unlucky for her, she hasn’t met the owner yet… or has she?

Jason values his privacy, and he won’t have any outsiders come here and ruin everything he’s work for, even if he can’t seem to resist her.

Hilarious moments between this two, made the story a success. She was clumsy, cute and also strong, and that made her a perfect female lead in my opinion. She didn’t let him walk all over her; she was not going to be pushed away by his fears.

Jason’s past broke him and he hadn’t been able to heal himself till now, they are both escaping reality and their pasts, it will be up to them to choose to let go of the fear and open their hearts again to love.

❤~🌟 4 FIERY STARS! ❤~🌟~❤

If you enjoy a combustible enemies to lovers romances set in Nowhere, Texas, then your heart is going to be GALLOPING WITH EXCITEMENT as you dive into THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS by Lisa Renee Jones! While this western-themed tale is a departure from her other books—it’s lighter and frothier than we are used to seeing—it’s still has her trademark stamp! Which means we get the razor sharp banter, the fiery sparks, the PALPABLE push pull, the vibrant characterizations, the heart-tugging feels, and of course, the steamy sexcapades!

THE PREMISE:
This is the story of two headstrong polar opposites who are thrown into each other’s orbits and find themselves constantly locking horns. When Jessica, a highly successful divorce lawyer, finds herself at an emotional crossroads after being betrayed by her two timing almost-fiancé, she decides to relocate from the bright lights of Dallas to the rural Sweetwater, Texas countryside to lick her wounds and pen her Girl’s Guide to Divorce book that she’s under contract to write. But enroute to the cottage in the woods that she’s rented, her car breaks down during a torrential summer downpour and she encounters a tall, dark and strappingly handsome cowboy named Jason Jenks who rides to her rescue but gets under her skin with his holier than thou, a-hole attitude! But then her night goes from bad to worse when she discovers that Jason owns the cottage that’s she rented and he ain’t happy about it. Not in the least.

But Jessica isn’t gonna just tuck tail and run…so now it’s war!

The gorgeously grumpy rancher had NO CLUE that his grandma had rented out HIS cottage to this irksome city girl but this was no coincidence or accidental mix-up! Turns out his matchmaking granny has some tricks up her sleeves to bring these two lonely hearts together! Jessica and Jason both have emotional baggage, but truth be told, their attraction is undeniable. And though they are the last to admit it, it’s abundantly clear that there’s something special brewing between this squabbling duo. They just might have a shot at riding off into the sunset together…if they don’t clobber each other first!

MY MUSINGS:
Oh Lordy! What a sexy, entertaining and delightfully heartwarming read! There’s nothing more tantalizing than a tempestuous opposite attracts story between a hot alpha cowboy and a feisty city sophisticate and I devoured this charming tale from start to finish!

Sighhh…Jason is “PURE RUGGED COUNTRY HOTNESS”! Big and brawny, rough around the edges, and sexy as sin, this former pro ball player turner rancher had me swooning in my boots! I mean sure he has a great big chip in his impossible broad shoulders and is not exactly rolling out the welcome mat for Jessica, but he looks mighty fine in his snug jeans and cowboy hat...and holy smokes is he one “f**kalicous cowboy!”

Like Jessica, this surly-tempered man has also been burned in the love department. And he has other baggage too. In his former life he was the Flying J—“the best pitcher the Yankees ever had and lost.” But he forfeited his beloved career after his parents died in a tragic accident, leaving him to run the family ranch and to look after his grandma. Not to say he wasn’t without his flaws. He definitely has his “a*shole Cowboy” moments and was waaaaay too big for his britches at times. In particular, his bullheaded, distrusting nature and constantly thinking the worst of Jessica grew really thin after a while. But when we see glimmers of the real conflicted, honorable man beneath all the moody bluster it’s impossible not to fall hard for him!

As for Jessica, OMG what a TIGRESS! Like Jason, the smart-mouthed legal eagle has had her share of strife and has good cause to be jaded. But even though adjusting to life in the boonies is hardly a walk in the park, she’s a gal of true grit and determination, and is smart and savvy to boot. And I found her self-depreciating inner monologues lol funny!

I enjoyed the slow build of this tension-fraught romance, with all the pent-up lust and true-blue feelings percolating beneath the surface. Jessica sure tries this unapologetically cynical cowboy’s last nerve—and, in turn, she finds his overbearing, hostile attitude infuriating AH. But he can’t help but be drawn to this woman who gives as good as she gets…and the feeling is mutual! And when these two bickersomes find a way to co-exist on the Flying J Ranch, finally let their defenses down and surrender to their sweltering lust, it’s HOTTER THAN A TEXAS HEAT WAVE!

Despite some frustrations I had with the development of the romance (mostly in regard to all the stops and starts between these two due to Jason’s obstinate nature), overall I really enjoyed this rollicking tale… And as is LRJ’s MO, the secondary cast added oodles of razzle dazzle into the mix! I especially got a kick out of Jason’s Grandma Martha! She was one spry old dame and her baked goods were to die for! And while the road to bliss was long and a bit winding, with both MCs bearing some emotional scars that needed healing, the HEA had me WOOPING WITH JOY!

BOTTOM LINE:
THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS lassoed my little ol’ heart. So if you have a hankering for a fetching romantic romp with the perfect blend of sweetness, humor, wit, passion and poignant emotion, then you are in for a REAL TREAT!

<b>5 Stars
Review by Elizabeth
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog</b>

Holy. Snow. Ball. Heaven!

While I do love Lisa Renee Jones’ back list, The Truth About Cowboys is hands down my favorite book by her. I will be going to my local store to find this bad boy so I can have it in my hands when I reread this baby.

Since this is a review, I have to be honest with you. I did not read the blurb when my review manager asked one of us to review this book. It was not because it was a LRJ book, it was because the title had me at “Cowboys” no matter what it was about. You stick Cowboys in the title and this girl is running.

Now, down to the gritty stuff.

Jessica, the lovely Jessica. This girl is a kick a** divorce attorney in Dallas and totally slaying it until her worst, well any woman’s worst nightmare, comes about. Catching your fiance sticking his dick in another woman, his secretary no less is not something you cannot unsee. After that nightmare, her career is in shambles and she is left picking up the pieces in a little Texas cottage while writing a How-To Divorce book.

Enter Jason, the cowboy himself, whew. That man is a walking ad for Wrangler jeans, well in my mind he is. Jason had a great career going as a baseball player up until his parents died and he moved back to Texas to run the ranch. Like Jessica, Jason has been hurt as well, just not in the same way.

What do you get when you have two broken-hearted, hard-headed, and stubborn people? Fighting as well as the whole love/hate thing.

The chemistry between Jason and Jessica is burning hot and the more they deny it, the hotter it gets. While I loved the banter between them, I did get annoyed at times because it did seem a bit repetitive. But, when you have two stubborn people, it is bound to happen.

I can go on and on about why you need to read this but if I do I am going to tell you about the entire book. If I do that, then what is the point? Let me say this though, I do not give out five-star ratings often and lately, they have been few and far in between. Not to mention a book holding my attention long enough for me to devour it within a day has not happened in quite some time. Needless to say, I say, jump on this book and jump on it now!!

***ARC received in exchange for an honest review.***

I must say this first - Martha will steal your heart and make you want to squeeze your grandma tight. I absolutely adored her in this book. She was mischevous, baked up a storm, loving of all living on her ranch, hilarious, and loveable.

Now to Jessica and Jason. They had wicked chemistry that was great when they were together. But sometimes he was a little frustrating with the hot/cold, quick to jump to conclusions treatment. I loved when she would stand up to him and not let him walk over her. Their sarcastic, flirtatious, and humorous banter or rather foreplay was quite entertaining. I did enjoy their story and how it all played out.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.