DNF 61%
Yeah, i ended up not liking the cowboy book.
I had hoped i would enjoy it, because the blurb seemed interesting.
But the story was just...boring... the characters were so-so.

Cowboy Tough (Dry Creek Ranch #2). By Stacy Finz. 2020. Kensington Books (ARC eBook).

Dry Creek Ranch is a really enjoyable and well-written series. The characters are wonderful and each Dalton boy’s book can be read as a standalone. Jace Dalton is a great sheriff and dad of two sons and in need of a babysitter his re-election campaign starts up. Charlotte Holcomb/Charlie Rogers in running from her abusive fiance when a sheriff comes to her aid on the side of the road near Dry Creek. Needing to recuperate and plan, she stays with Jace and takes care of the boys. A friendship is struck and then more. Try the series for engaging contemporary romances.

Stacy follows up Cowboy Up with another great story in the Dry Creek Ranch series. This one follows Sheriff Jace Dalton as he finds his way to love and was actually the reason I started the series. I wanted to read this one and I was not disappointed. It was a quick read because it was so entertaining and paced very well. Jace discovers Charlotte at a very low point in her life and takes her as she is. He builds trust with Charlotte by his actions and the way he parents his two rambunctious boys.

Charlotte can’t help but fall in love with Jace and his kids when she discovers they are all just a bit broken from the loss of their mother. Even though she is alive, she doesn’t care enough to be a part of their lives and that has left some serious scars for them to recover from. Charlotte with her quiet and soft ways helps them understand other people can love you too. And sometimes our parents aren’t born to us. Sometimes we get to choose and that is makes them even sweeter.

Of course there is some action in this one. Charlotte’s ex comes around to try to destroy a good thing. The family all pulls together so Jace and Charlotte get a HEA. The other cool part of this is her penchant for shabby chic and found objects. She just can’t help herself from rehabbing lost and old found pieces, even when she’s on the run. She is so grateful to the family, that she leaves a little cash behind when she goes on the run again from her ex. This is a good thing because the Dalton’s have a huge tax bill on the property.

I can’t wait for the next installment. Sawyer’s story is going to be interesting as he’s a writer with a livin’ on high lifestyle. I wonder what kind of girl Stacy is going to come up with for him. So I’m giving this another 4.5 of 5 propellers and look forward to the next review for Cowboy Strong. Here’s the link to my review of Cowboy Up in case you are interested.

Five hundred acres of gorgeous California land is a life-changer for cousins Cash, Jace, and Sawyer—and a surprising chance for each of them to find a game-changing love . . . Sheriff Jace Dalton’s plate is piled high even before he discovers a stranded motorist just a few miles from his home. With two lively young boys to raise, a challenging reelection to win, and a hefty tax bill due on the ranch, all he wants at the end of the day is a shower and a cold beer. But the woman in the packed SUV clearly needs his help—and though she’s a stranger, Jace finds himself wanting to turn her haunted look into a smile. . . Fleeing her abusive boyfriend, Charlotte Holcomb thought she’d escaped before she lost everything, but more heartache was to come. Now, sidetracked by a brewing storm, Charlotte has to trust the handsome sheriff. Just one night, she tells herself, before she’s on her way again. But when gentle Jace and his kids offer the kind of sanctuary she never imagined possible, it’s hard to say goodbye. Soon the two wary strangers are becoming friends, and longing to open their hearts to more—if they can move beyond the pain of their pasts
This was a pretty good book. The story was well paced. I hadn’t read this author before so I wasn’t sure what to expect.The story was definitely emotional and the type you would find on the Hallmark channel as it tugs on your heartstrings. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Thanks so much for a wonderful read! Loved the interactions with main characters, the chemistry was on point. I would love to read more from this author! Great job!

This is the first book that I have read from this author, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I read it as a stand alone, but that was not a problem as the author provides plenty of back story. Wonderful characters and a well developed plot made it an entertaining read. I read an ARC from NetGalley.com and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Sheriff and rancher Jace Dalton has lost a lot of people in his life. His parents and baby brother were killed in a car accident, so he was raised by his grandparents at Dry Creek Ranch, and recently lost them. His wife left him and his two sons, so he doesn't trust easy. But when he finds Charlotte pulled over on the side of the road having a miscarriage his heart goes out to her and he offers her a place to recover. His last housekeeper had just quit, so he volunteers to temporarily fill the position. Charlotte is running from an abusive boyfriend and needs a temporary place to shelter. He picks up that she is not telling the truth, but they slowly begin to trust each other, while Jace's sons soon adore her, and Jace's cousins who also have shares of the ranch are suspicious and do not want to see Jace hurt again. Charlotte easily falls in love with the family and the ranch, but worries that she is putting them all in danger. When Jace detects the truth and confronts her, he promises to protect her, but he has his own problems. The cousins are behind on the property taxes of the ranch and he has an election coming up, hampered by false gossip.

Stacy Finz has always been one of my go to authors. She weaves a story with emotion and grit. Jace is so sweet and the boys are a hoot. I really enjoyed this story. Laughter and romance combined are always a great thing for me.

I love this new Stacy Finz book. I have been a fan of hers since the Nugget series, and this new book is great. It is the second one in the Dry Creek Ranch triology and is a great follow up to the first story. I was really rooting for Charlotte and Jace.

Cowboy Tough was a romantic, suspenseful story. I enjoyed returning to Dry Creek Ranch and the sexy, Dalton cousins. This book focused on Jace and his boys, Travis and Grady. Jace's wife left him awhile ago and the boys have not seen or heard from their mom in a few years. They liked to get their housekeepers/ babysitters to quit until Charlie came along.

Charlie's story had me on pins and needles because she fled from an abusive relationship and you knew Corbin would be back to get rid of her but you did not know how or when. That was one of the reasons that made the story so interesting, The other was the chemistry between Jace and Charlie if she could only trust him. I could not put this book down and I cannot wait to read the next book to find out what happened to their cousin, Angie. She has been missing for five years. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

Dry Creek Ranch #2, Jace, Cash, and Sawyer are still trying to figure out how they can keep their ranch in one piece and still have enough to pay the taxes which are coming up and on top of all that Jace is up for re-election as Sheriff and this time he has competition. Jace also needs a new babysitter for his boys, even though the oldest, Travis, is old enough to watch Grady they don't always play nice. Charlotte is on the run from her fiance with the help of an organization that specializes in her situation she's trying to get as far away from him and San Francisco as possible she only made it as far as Dry Creek. Charlotte's former fiance cost her everything and now she has to start over. When Jace earns her trust enough for her to confide in him he talks her into staying at least for a little bit and file a restraining order. Charlotte helps around the house, watches the boys when they need it, helps out with the re-election campaign, and she start to find something to help her make money, refurbish and upcycle stuff she found at an old barn. She is well on her way to falling in love with the town, the boys, and Jace now she only needs to stop worrying about what her ex-fiance is going to do when he finds her.

Overall, it was another fabulous read from Stacy Finz. Wonderful characters love Charlotte heartbroken but resilient, Jace hesitant to start a relationship with a woman who has up until now been a city girl and one who might leave him and his boys and they have been through that before he can't do it again. This a a wonderful romance, Stacy Finz has a way with words, she pulls you in and makes you feel like your part of their family. I am really looking forward to Sawyer's book and finding out about what happened to Angie.

Stacy Finz has once again created a compelling story with complex characters. ‘Cowboy Tough’ is full of life lessons that real people face. There is the right touch of suspense. I always skip over the graphic sex as I feel it detracts from the tender beauty of the story. There is so much more to learn about the Daltons and I will have a hard time waiting for more!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Cowboy Tough by Stacy Finz is the second in the Dry Creek Ranch series. This second book is at least as good as the first, if not better. Sheriff Jace Dalton finds a woman parked at the side of a road out in the country. She appears to be in the middle of miscarrying a child. When she is finally released she won't tell him her name, only Charlie, which he senses is not entirely accurate. There are no motel rooms available so he takes her to his house for the night. He's a nice guy. The one night turns to months, until neither one of them can remember her not being there. During that time Charlie shares some of her story and Jace investigates and discovers more of it. She is running but she has nowhere to go. He wants her to be safe. If she has to leave, so be it. In the process Charlie discovers that a man can be angry but not raise his voice or become violent. It is a revelation to her, reminding her that her father had been the same. She had forgotten.

This is a fabulous story that centers on spousal abuse, a very current topic. Charlie's story ends much more tragically than many do, although the danger is no less. It takes a courageous woman to get out. We see this courage in Charlie. We see it in Jace and his sons, and the rest of his family. All the while, life goes on around them. Jace's son Travis gets caught in a compromising position with his girlfriend, Charlie starts a successful business, Jace is busy running for re-election, the taxes on the ranch are still due, and more. This is a busy book about life and about love. Things don't always work out the way we plan: that is a tragedy, but sometimes things are better than we could have planned. Finz does a terrific job with building characters and setting. This plot and the subplots were all good, and true to life. I love this series and can't wait for the next one. I recommend to all readers of modern romance and modern cowboy romance.

I received a free ARC of Cowboy Tough from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #cowboytough

Stacy Finz has another winner with her latest book, Cowboy Tough. This novel grabs you right from the start and the heart-stirring story never loses momentum. The two primary characters, Charlotte Holcomb and Jace Dalton, have amazing chemistry, and their romantic courtship is replete with friendship, desire and love. Ms. Finz is a talented storyteller and her words kept me glued to my seat.

Charlotte is on the run from her abusive boyfriend, who just happens to be a successful attorney and the son of a Senator. Due to a bad storm and tragic circumstances, she needs a place to recoup and regroup. Jace is the local sheriff and he offers to let her stay on his ranch for the night. One night turns into many more, and Charlotte, Jace, and his two boys form a family. In addition, Charlotte's self worth begins to blossom, even though she is constantly looking over her shoulder. Jace has sworn to keep her safe and does everything in his power to do so, while caring for his sons, running the ranch with his two cousins, and campaigning for reelection.

Cowboy Tough is a quick-paced story with well-defined and exciting characters. I loved the way Ms. Finz evolved Charlotte and Jace's relationship, with trust, tenderness, and desire. This is an emotional read, so you may want to have some tissues handy. If you are looking for a contemporary romance with a bit of suspense, an engaging plot, and a happily ever after that will leave a smile on your face, read this book.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Cowboy Tough was a good read. I enjoyed Jace and Charlie's story and loved catching up with the Daltons. I look forward to the next book in the Dry Creek Ranch series.

Cowboy Tough is the second title in the Dry Creek Ranch series, and if you’re following the series then you’ve met Jace and his young sons before. If you’re just coming to this world then you’ll feel right at home. I would, however, suggest going back to the first story, Cowboy Up, for it’s a delightful tale and these cousins definitely have intertwined lives in many ways. There is domestic abuse in this story – if that is a trigger for you then be aware.

I was easily caught up in Jace and Charlie’s story. Two ordinary people placed in an extraordinary situation will find that the attraction between them grows in spite of their efforts to just ignore it. Jace has his hands full with his boys, his job and the ranch. Charlie is on the run from an abusive man who will harm her should he ever catch up with her, she has no choice but to put up walls to protect not only herself but the kindness of strangers as well. What I liked most about Cowboy Tough was the feeling of simply everyday people dealing the best they can with what is in front of them. They may each want to follow a different path to that dealing, but these are two good people that bad things have happened to – and, to be frank, that is scary as heck. Their romance is definitely a slow burn as Charlie recuperates, makes decisions that probably are putting her in danger but she simply doesn’t want to leave this man and his boys. She wants a life like the one she’s starting to create here, a future, and maybe she’s ready to take a stand right here and face what comes at her.

I enjoyed Cowboy Tough immensely and I’m already anticipating the next story in this series. You’ll find tears, laughter, some shenanigans from Jace’s boys, some very real danger for Charlie and a supporting cast that will soon feel like old friends. I had fun and that’s the whole point. If you love a good, solid romance, a couple you’ll want to find their way to a happy ending, and a sense of family in your romances, then you’ll love this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

An incredibly sweet and exciting story! Jace and Charlie’s story starts out in tragedy but it’s soon clear that Jace, his family and his ranch are the keys to healing Charlie’s heart.
I would expect nothing less from Stacy Finz and she definitely didn’t disappoint. 5 stars!!

Incredible reading and subject matter by Stacy Finz as we return to Dry Creek Ranch. Jace Dalton and Charlie Rogers story will pull at your heart strings all they way through and truly make you feel for each character.
Jace found Charlie on the side of the road in medical need after taking her to the hospital and waiting until she had been cared for he offered her shelter.
Charlie was running for her life she didn't know a man could be as solid as Jace but she knows she could never stay.
Kudos Stacey more than 5 stars if I could

I found this book was average. I liked the characters for the most part but not extremely memorable. Sometimes I was surprised at how willingly Charlotte got into the new relationship since she was running away from an abusive relationship but that could be because I would be less likely to trust another man after that or be a lot more cautious than she was. I loved watching Jace as a father and watching him interact with his two sons. It showed his character and made it easier to see how Charlotte could fall in love with him after her abusive relationship.

Finz brings readers a wonderful second in the Dry Creek Ranch series. This one has all the feels, well-written dialogue, and complex and well developed characters. I love the setting for this small town romance where everyone knows your business, but they (for the most part) like you anyway. This romance will have you rooting for a happily ever after.

I highly recommend this book to fans of the contemporary romance and small town romance genres.

Wow this was a fun story to read - Charlie and Jace face all the ranch/relationship hardships and terrible times can be a rough road to land on and stick close to each other to find their HEA!