Cover Image: The Last Real Cowboy

The Last Real Cowboy

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Although I enjoyed Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy by Ms. Crews, I found this book not as entertaining. Although I love reading cowboys and the women they love, I did get a chuckle fromt he overbearing but protective brothers and thoroughly applauded Amanda for standing up on her own two feet.

Not sure about the romance between the two main characters. He appeared a bit old and she a bit young so the chemistry between the two did not measure up to what I thought when I started to read the story. I did understand the plot and it was well-written. After awhile the story did turn into a good comfy read for me. I do like this author and would love to read more from her.

I would like to thank the author, St. Martin’s Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3-Stars

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ARC courtesy of Netgalley.

After reading the first two books in Crews' Cold River Ranch series, I wrote that I wasn't going to read the next one, because its conservative approach to gender did not appeal. And yet I found myself requesting book #3 when it came up on Netgalley. I'm justifying this by telling myself that I want to keep up on how conservative romance readers view sex and gender, and reading Crews, who is a great writer, is an entertaining way to do so.

Book 3 features the third, and youngest, of the ranching Everett family, city-boy Brady. While eldest brother Gray stood up stoically to their father's abuse, and middle brother Ty ran away, Brady did everything right in an attempt to win his father's attention. He worked hard in school, excelled in sports, and earned a scholarship to college. But his cruel father only insulted him or ignored him. So after college, Brady moved to Denver, and made big $ in some kind of finance work. After his father's death, he agreed to Gray's challenge to spend a year living on the ranch before deciding whether or not he wants to sell his portion and make his escape back to the city.

In the earlier books in the series, Crews showed how the three Everett brothers have each been impacted by their abusive childhoods—and how their relationships as brothers have been influenced, too. Gray and Ty continually tease Brady (in a mean, not a loving, way), calling him "Denver" as if it is the worst insult imaginable, implying that he cares nothing for the land, for their family home, for the family itself. Most frustrating to Brady is the way eldest brother Gray out and out refuses to listen to any of Brady's financial advice about how to make the ranch more profitable, despite his greater expertise. Brady longs for his older brother to take him seriously, just once.

I wondered during the earlier books if Crews would allow Brady to return to the city, or whether she'd make the character rediscover a love of the land, reifying the rural/urban binary opposition (rural = good; city = bad). Crews takes away any doubts right from the start of book 3, making it clear that not only does Brady <i>not><i/> like the city better than he likes the ranch, he actually loves his home, and actively <i>wants</i> to live there: "It wasn't that he hated this place. It was that he'd missed out on it. Even when he'd been right here, doing it, he'd missed out on it. If he didn't belong in his own family—something his father made abundantly clear—then how did he belong anywhere?" (Kindle Loc 1607)

In order to give her character even more reason to stay after his year is up, Crews grants Brady an unexpected love interest: 10-years-younger-than-him 22-year-old Amanda Kittredge, the youngest kid and only daughter in the family of his best friend, Riley. [Interesting how many western romances feature families with lots of brothers, but only youngest sisters....] At novel's start, Amanda has had just about enough of her father and brothers' protective coddling, and announces that not only has she rented an apartment in town, she's taken a second job as a bartender in the bar below. Since Amanda bristles at having any of her brothers spy on her while she's on the job, Riley asks Brady if he'll keep an eye on her. A job that Brady finds more and more difficult as he becomes increasingly physically attracted to the "I'm not a kid anymore" Amanda.

Amanda is well-aware of the sexual double standards that apply to her and to her brothers. But since it is four against one, and the four use openly misogynistic arguments to enforce their sexual policing of their younger sister, and protesting "would only lead to comments about ladylike behavior and why are you so emotional all the time" [Loc 79], Amanda has little hope of convincing anyone in her family to change. The only way she's going to get any sexual experience is to live by herself. Because she certainly doesn't want to turn into another Miss Patrick, the single, cranky school secretary that everyone in town pities.* She wants to live a little, to be free to make her own mistakes, just as her brothers have.

Unsurprisingly, Amanda's long had a crush on her older brother's bestie, and is jazzed as she gradually realizes that she might not be the only one feeling attraction these days. Amanda and Brady "spark", Brady throwing sexist comments her way, Amanda refuting them one by one. Until Amanda asks Brady to "be her first," and Brady, reluctantly (or not so reluctantly, if he were really being honest with himself) agrees. But their relationship is only temporary, because Brady is leaving the ranch at year's end. Or is he?

Two youngest children, both unappreciated by their elder brothers, have a lot in common. Which Brady and Amanda discover during their sexual trysts, trysts which lead not only to fabulous sex (Brady as teacher, inexperienced Amanda as student), but to emotional vulnerability, especially on Brady's part. Sunny Amanda takes the edge off Brandy's restless discontent, and serves as an outlet for his emotional pain. Since Amanda's birth family is only sexist, not abusive, and her frustrations the result of gendered social constraints that the book in the end endorses, Brady doesn't provide much of a similar function for Amanda. Instead, he validates her worth by being attracted to her, loving her, and encouraging her career ambitions (which, because they center on staying in rural Cold River, are acceptable).

The story takes a decidedly old-fashioned turn towards the end, after <spoiler>Brady and Amanda's secret is discovered, and Brady decides he'll actively court Amanda, to appease her angry brothers—and won't have sex again with her until they accept him</spoiler>. Amanda's protests over the sexist assumptions behind this turn turn out to be really about her fear <spoiler> that Brady is being forced to marry her, when he really would rather not, rather than about his sexist posturing </spoiler>, not about any real protest against the gender roles that have constrained her for most of her life.

Crews is a great writer, equally strong on plot, character development, romance arc, and theme (here, how younger children in families learn to stand up for themselves and come into their own). It's fascinating to see how such an accomplished writer works to persuade a reader that her female characters are powerful and worthy, even while reinforcing the patriarchal norms that actively work to disempower them.


* Interestingly, Amanda has a run-in with Miss Patrick, during which the woman tells her, "You think you pity me, Miss Kittredge. Thee truth is that you fear me. You don't know, yet, that lives are choices we make or that I am perfectly content with mine" (2994). The narrative as a whole doesn't really endorse this view, though...

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Charming book, but I didn't really buy the chemistry between the hero and heroine. It just seemed to happen to fast. Well written and enjoyable, though.

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I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in The Last Real Cowboy. Amanda's spark made me smile, and the attitude of her brothers was definitely entertaining. I saw it as a coming of age book. Amanda and Brady helped each other become the best person they could be, all while facing and dealing with family issues. My one disappointment was the very end where their future was briefly summed up. I would rather have sequels that reveal this information over time. I want to know how Amanda's barn does and also how the diversification of the ranch works out for Brady.

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The is a great series. Amanda Kittredge has to overcome moving out of her family home and convincing her brothers' best friend Brady Everett that she is right for him. So what if he is a decade older! ENJOY!!! "A copy of this book was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." I HAVE READ ALL PRIOR COLD RIVER RANCH books but this one stands alone nicely too.

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I received a complimentary of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

OMGosh! This was a great book. I wish that I could give it more then 5 stars!

It was a wonderful conclusion to the legacy of evil Amos Everett on his three sons. The three boys grew up around his hateful ways. Each had to overcome his demon. Brady was the youngest and the one that Amos ignored the most. Brady was the smart one and was able to get a free scholarship to college. He then spent the remaining years in Denver away from his family. Several months after Amos' death, Brady's oldest brother Gray, asked him to stay and work the ranch for one year. During this time, Brady discovers that his best friend's younger sister is all grown up.

This is the touching story of Brady and Amanda Kittredge. The difficult road that they travel to get to their HEA. It was one that kept me glued to my e-reader late into the night. After my poor old eyes gave out early in the morning, I had to put it down. It was the first thing I picked up in the morning (after my coffee that is!)

I adored the first book in this series not so much the second one (as I really couldn't identify with Hannah but I was very glad to have read it). This one really brought to a conclusion the boys getting over the destruction that their father wrought over them.

I adored Brady. He was a character that I was a little unsure about in the other stories. Having a dual POV here allowed me to "see" inside of his thought process to really understand him. He is one fine character! Amanda was a little immature but then again the character is 22 and has been overly protected by 4 older brothers.

This is a sexy romance story. There are a couple of "bedroom" scenes but are highly glossed over for the most part. There wasn't anything overly descriptive here. That being said though, I would highly recommend this story to anyone OVER the age of 18. This book can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend to start at the beginning. Even though I was not overly happy with the Hannah character in the second story, that one really should be read as well. It really helps to understand Ty a whole lot better.

I hope that the author decided to continue the series with the Kittredge brothers.

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Good pacing, Happily read over 2 days, the town and characters of this never seemed stale or canned. The language is excellent!

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The Last Real Cowboy by Caitlin Crews is a unique twist on the typical cowboy romance which I found refreshing. Amanda Kittredge has had a long term crush on Brady Everett from afar, He's one of her older brother Riley's best friends and is 10 years older than she is...and changed her diapers when she was a baby! He'll never see her as the woman she now is...or will he?

Brady Everett is a man on a mission to prove that he doesn't need a woman so that he doesn't turn into the abusive man that his father was to his family. He is back on the family ranch for a year after his father's death to prove himself to his brothers and to try to convince them to diversify the ranch. What he doesn't expect is to walk into a bar and see his best friend's baby sister slinging drinks in a tank top that makes it clear that she is no longer a baby. When Riley asks Brady to keep an eye on Amanda while she works there and Amanda makes a request of her own, the stakes are raised and Brady isn't sure what he's going to do during the last few months of the year he's promised his brothers.

With interesting twists and turns, The Last Real Cowboy had me interested to the very end. Really enjoyed it!

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I just couldn't get in to this story. Amanda seemed like such a vibrant personality. Brady seemed like, in another life, another situation, he would be an awesome guy. I think him in a corporate job was perfect. He and Cold River seemed like a square peg in a round hole scenario. I didn't necessarily have a problem with the age difference - but there really is a world of difference between 32 and 22. But add the age difference to the difference between what they wanted in life - and I just really didn't see the connection other than physical. Honestly - overprotective brothers notwithstanding - I think it was surprising that Amanda hadn't been on more dates. She was very sheltered, but she was right to want to get more out of life and have a chance to spread her wings and live life. I am not sure a steady relationship with Brady was really the right thing for her. Ultimately, I think they should have kept it sex.

I received an ARC of this story for free - but these opinions are all my own. And I really really wanted to like this story more - it just wasn't the right book for me!

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I really enjoyed book 1 in this series and found book 2 ok. That said, I hoped this time around I would once again fall in love with the story. Sadly, that was not the case.
The story centers around Amanda Kittredge and Brady Everett. Amanda is a young woman starting out in life. She moves away from home, determined to be independent of her over protective brothers. Brady, best friend of Amanda’s brother Riley, is back home to work the family ranch.
Amanda has had a crush on him for years and asks him to basically “help her be a woman”.
I was not thrilled with the plot and the characters just did not connect with me.
Maybe because I am older, but this one was just ok.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and St Martins.
The opinions expressed are solely my own.

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Amanda is the youngest in her family with older brothers. She has decided to spread her wings, move out of her parents house, and live her life. She gets an apartment above a bar, where she gets a job being a bartender. She works days at a little coffee shop and nights at the bar. Brady, who I think is a banker or some sort of investment guy, goes back home after his father dies and helps on the ranch. He gives his brothers a year to convince him to keep the land. But when he goes to the bar one night and sees his best friend’s little sister working, he is struck dumb. He never noticed how much she has grown. Amanda has had a crush on Brady for years but never thought anything would come of it. When she asks Brady to teach her about sex, he is stunned but agrees to it as long as it’s a secret and no one finds out. Can Brady fight his demons and find his out that love his for him?
I’ll be honest I read a review and they didn’t like this story. I almost stopped reading it because it was coloring my thoughts of it. But I really enjoyed the story, the only thing I hated was how Brady’s brothers treated him. Romance and some sexy scenes. The ending I didn’t care for but I liked the book.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

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The story did seem to drag a bit at times but overall I really enjoyed Amanda Kitteredge’s personality and gumption. Amanda is tired of her older brothers treating her like a little girl and after a particular embarrassing moment with her brother, she decides it’s time to move out of the family home.
That’s when the romance with her brothers best friend, Brady, comes into play.
The Last Real Cowboy is a very sweet read.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Best friends’ little sister, check. Four big overprotective brothers, check. Family that doesn’t take you seriously, double check. Brady and Amanda have been slotted into the roles the town and their families set them in long ago. It is burning them both up, making them angry, restless, and feeling unwanted. They don’t gravitate towards each other though, sharing their commiserated grievances, but they do end up clashing. Which leads to much more pleasurable moments. As Amanda finally learns to stand up for herself, Brady finally realizes some truths. And they had me cheering for them, and weeping for them, alternatively, and sometimes concurrently, as they figured everything out, so they could live their happily ever after, together

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I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend this book to everyone. Can't wat to read more from this author.

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The Last Real Cowboy is a well-written story about "best friend's little sister romance". This story is filled with drama, humor, and sexy scenes. I really enjoyed the main characters Brady and Amanda. Caitlin Crews did a great job of writing a story that flowed naturally and is believable. I would recommend this story.

I received an advance copy for my honest opinion from NetGalley.

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This was a great book. The ending was to me a little bit of a let down. Seem to far in the future from the ending.
The age difference would have been more realistic if it had not been a 10 year difference. The over protective brothers were a bit much.

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The last of the Everett brothers has fallen. Can we please get the Kittredge brothers now?

This love story was written in a sweet, intense and charming manner. While some may feel the age difference of nearly 10 years is taboo, Caitlin Crews writes in a way that this flows naturally and inevitably and not at all in any manner that feels inappropriate. Amanda Kittredge is a woman, a sheltered one, but nonetheless a true, vibrant and independent woman trying to get out from under the thumb of her very overprotective brothers. Brady Everett is best friends with one of those brothers and feels it is completely wrong to have eyes for Riley's little sister. Bro code and all!

Amanda steps out on her own and is ready to experience life. She is strong, fierce and sexy. Brady cannot help but look at her, but he has enough on his plate as it is with his own family drama. But what Brady finds with Amanda is a peace and an acceptance. Oh, and hottness

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Brady and Amanda's family are total opposites when it comes to how they treat the youngest child. I really liked the way that they chose to react to the treatment in their own ways. The Last Real Cowboy, is strong in family ties. I enjoyed it very much.

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Brady’s story concludes the Everett Brothers series. It becomes clear early on that Brady might have been the brother most impacted by their father’s abuse. He returned home after his father’s death and agreed to stay for one year to help on the ranch. As the year is coming close to an end, Brady is propositioned by his best friend’s sister. She wants to lose her virginity, and she wants him to take it.

Amanda has always had a crush on Brady and decides that he would be the perfect one to take her virginity., since he will be leaving town soon. She propositions him and is surprised when he eventually agrees. She expected their relationship to be a “one and done.” However, much to her surprise, Brady keeps coming around late at night. Amanda eventually realizes that she is in love with Brady, but still expects him to leave town.

Brady’s brothers agree to set aside a piece of the ranch for his use, so he agrees to stay. Brady doesn’t believe that he is good enough for Amanda, so he breaks off their relationship when he tells her he plans to stay. However, her brother catches them together at the same time. Can Brady and Amanda work through their many problems and fine their HEA?

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This book should have been everything I love: cowboy, sister to the best friend, teaching sex and seduction; but it just kinda fell flat. I really liked the character of Amanda, while still relatively young, she was a strong character to break away from her controlling brothers. It was Brady I had issue with. I love an alpha a/hole like the best of them, but he has to have some redeeming quailities. However, although we have some retrospection on his feelings during his pov episodes, honestly, he treats Amanda terribly. He’s controlling and condescending (the constant references to ‘girl’ but he’s a ‘man’)and while I enjoy that in small doses, the tables never really turn where she gives it back to him, and he gets a slap up the head in regard to his behaviour. His a/holeness just continues, and for that I started just skimming it after about 50% or so.
This book will undoubtedly appeal to many, and if it sounds interesting I’d definitely recommend giving it a try by downloading a sample. For me though, it just didn’t hit the mark.

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