Cover Image: Her Kind of Cowboy

Her Kind of Cowboy

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Member Reviews

I absolutely loved THE COWBOY SAYS I DO, the first book in Dylann Crush's Tying the Knot in Texas series, so of course, I was excited to read the next book in the series. Since the release of HER KIND OF COWBOY, I've also gone on to read the third book in the series, CRAZY ABOUT A COWBOY. But I think HER KIND OF COWBOY is still my favorite of the three!

Dylann's books always make me chuckle and this book is no exception. What's not to love about rescue dogs, a foul-mouthed parrot, a grumpy hero, and - get ready - penguin handling? The town of Ido, Texas has definitely wormed it's way into my heart - one of my favorite small town romance reads of 2021, for sure. I recommend reading the series from the beginning, but each of the books is a standalone.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Brought to you by OBS Reviewer jerjen

Her Kind Of Cowboy is a very fun read that I really enjoyed. It has a great heroine and hero, lots of adorable dogs and a cute group of penguins.

Zina had returned home to take care of her brother and to run a rescue for pit bulls. The rescue building is in disrepair and she has to find somewhere to house the animals until it can be fixed up. When she finds herself agreeing to help plan a wedding for a rich girl who wants penguins in her wedding, she really has her hands full. But her good friend Lacey needs her help, and she has a hard time saying no.

Alex has been in the Antarctic, but when he gets a chance to be involved in a wedding, training some penguins to be part of the ceremony, he cannot say no. The fact that he is going back home is icing on the cake, he can visit his sister and nieces and help get his grandfather settled in an assisted living facility. It is a win-win situation.

But things do not go as smoothly as either Zina or Alex had planned. Whatever could go wrong does go wrong, and what follows is a funny, heartwarming tale. Zina and Alex really like each other, but Alex is not someone willing to settle down, so there is no hope for them getting their happily ever after. Or Is There?

The animals were adorable, both the dogs and the penguins. The secondary characters brought a lot to the story and I enjoyed getting to know everyone. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. I am planning on reading the first book in the series and the ones that come after.

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Zina and Alex are thrown together when her dog shelter is damaged forcing a relocation to the warehouse/farm where Alex is training penguins for an over-the-top wedding.

Both Zina and Alex are reluctant participants in the wedding shenanigans. Zina takes over wedding planning duties when her best friend, Lacey, the mayor of Ido, is ordered on bedrest. That coupled with having to move her rescue dogs over to the warehouse on the wedding property puts her in the thick of things.

Alex agrees to take on the training of penguins since it’s close to his hometown and his family needs him. He’s on break from a job in Antarctica, one of many that’s taken him all over the world. It gives Alex a chance to help out, get his grandfather situated in a senior home and relieve his sister from some of the responsibilities she’s been handling all on her own.

Zina was an inspirational character. She showed an admirable strength of character leaving the army to come home when her brother needed her, but also by her dedication to the pit bulls in need of rescue. Alex was a sweetheart to his sister and her brood of little girls, but I can’t say I wasn’t a little disappointed by his constant wish to get the heck out of Ido. His sister and grandfather clearly needed his continued assistance, but I guess there had to be conflict somewhere. The romance between Zina and Alex was lighthearted fun.

Her Kind of Cowboy had me cracking up from all the whacky, chaotic situations Alex faces with four little girls, a feisty, foul-mouthed parrot, and a stubborn grandpa! With dogs, penguins and a parrot there’s no shortage of cute, entertaining animals. I think it’s fine to read this as a stand alone as each book focuses on a particular couple romance. I didn’t read the first book and didn’t feel like it impacted my enjoyment.

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Her Kind of Cowboy by Dylann Crush was not your run-of-the-mill cowboy romance. It involved penguins. Yes, penguins. Alex Sanders was in Antarctica, planning to get out soon: it was cold enough in summer and he wasn't interested in winter. He'd been working as part of a team working on a penguin breeding research project. That was pretty much all he knew about penguins, except for a summer job when he was a kid. Now there was some rich guy that wanted to hire someone to house and train some penguins for his daughter's wedding. Rich guys! It was in Texas, though. He could see his sister and her girls and spend some time with his grandfather, who apparently was causing trouble wherever he went. Yep! He'd do it. When he got to his sister's place, eh could see that she was completely overwhelmed, what with four girls, two jobs, and a husband overseas. Not to mention, his grandfather. At the first stop he made, he found the perfect spot, if the mayor would rent him the warehouse. He could build the perfect environment and deliver to his boss. He also met a pretty girl; one that he kind of used to know. What more could a guy ask?

This turned out to be a very entertaining book between the penguins, the rescue pit bulls, Zina Baxter, and his family, not to mention, hers. It was fun! It was busy and full of people and problems. Training penguins to walk down the aisle at a wedding was not exactly a cakewalk, not to mention the regular problems a wedding causes. Zina was independent, cautious, and totally into her dogs. Alex never let any grass grow under his feet. His supposedly demented grandfather had an explanation for that, entertaining as it was. The romance was quick and dirty as the wedding was only six weeks away. That had been a surprise. Zina's best friend and mayor, Lacey, was newly pregnant and although the wedding business was her idea, she was on bed rest currently so Zina was in charge. Could the whole thing NOT turn into the travesty it had the potential to be? Very entertaining book. Clever. Good romance, too.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Her Kind of Cowboy by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #herkindofcowboy

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I absolutely loved this book.
It's well written and I loved the story.
I love dogs so ofcourse I had to read this one.

I do highly recommend.

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I love Dylann Crush's writing and loved this book! Alex and Zina were so much fun! I can't wait to read more in this series.

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It was fun to be back in Ido, Texas, which changed its name from Idont to become a small town, over-the-top wedding venue. HER KIND OF COWBOY is the second book in the TYING THE KNOT IN TEXAS series, and it doesn’t disappoint. There are characters we’ve met before, along with new ones who add another dimension to the story. The rescue dogs, the bird that is secretly brought everywhere, and the penguins that are going to be part of a winter wonderland themed wedding in the heat of Texas are wonderful!

When the mayor is sidelined during the latest spectacular wedding to take place, her best friend, Zina, and Alex, who wanted to bring the wedding to Ido (and who will be handling the penguins), take charge. Alex’s grandfather, sister, and his sister’s four daughters are involved, as is Zina’s brother, who has PTSD issues. The interactions between the family members feel real and add to the authenticity of the story.

There are sparks between Zina and Alex that they try to fight. He’s always in the right place to be helpful with her rescue dogs, and his grandfather being around so much activity gives the old man a new lease on life. The story has wonderful interactions between family and friends, and the romance is lovely. An excerpt in the back of the book introduces the next book in the series, CRAZY ABOUT A COWBOY, and whet my appetite for more. I can’t wait to return to Ido and see who says “I do” next!

Ms. Crush is a contemporary romance author whose books I’ve enjoyed. I have added a few more of her books to my always growing TBR pile!

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I loved getting to know Zina more and boy does she have the weight of the world on her shoulders and it doesn't help that her best friend Lacey is also trying to get her to find love just like she did. Alex is back home after leaving years ago, but it isn't soon enough for his overwhelmed sister becomes quiet the reality check for him on what he left behind. Now Zina and Alex have to work together for an extravagant wedding that leads to laughs, cute dogs, crazy family and friends, majestic penguins, bad guys and an attraction that can only be fought for so long and this makes for one fantastic read from start to finish!!

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If you're interested in a bout of contemporary romance escapism, Her Kind of Cowboy certainly fits the bill. This is the second book in Dylann Crush's Tying the Knot in Texas series, and it involves a large wedding, penguins, and hot Texas weather. Three things that are pretty distant from my life right now!

Alex Sanders has spent the last eight years globe-trotting and basically avoiding all responsibility. Emotionally scarred by watching his father give up his dreams of a bright future when Alex's mother ran out, he's so afraid of being boxed in that he doesn't even stick to a particular career path, let alone a person. When the book opens Alex is working as a research assistant in Antarctica, doing grunt work for the scientists studying penguins. He gets a call from his sister Charlene, who is living in Texas and clearly at her breaking point dealing with four daughters and their aging grandfather. While Alex knew Charlene was struggling, her desperation makes it clear that his time as a nomad is up, and he agrees to return to Texas and help out.

As he's preparing to leave the research station, Alex gets wind of a penguin-related job opportunity in Texas. It seems that there is a millionaire's daughter who wants to have trained penguins at her wedding, and her father is willing to foot the bill. The Houston aquarium will be redoing its penguin exhibit, so if Alex can secure a temporary habitat for the penguins, he could get a job training and caring for them before the wedding. It's an improbable opportunity, but having spent the last few months studying penguins and having worked at an aquarium in the past, Alex feels qualified to jump in.

To say that things don't go smoothly for Alex on his return home would be an understatement. He's ill-prepared for the drama of a house with four girls, or for the attitude of his stubborn grandfather, who refuses to live in an assisted-living community. The one thing he does well is find a place for the penguins to stay - a warehouse at the back of a beautiful estate in Ido, Texas. Ido has recently been making a name for itself as a wedding destination, and the estate is the perfect place for the big wedding. The town's mayor, Lacey, is fully on board with Alex's plans, but assigns her friend Zina to help Alex with the preparations while Lacey is on bed rest.

When not pitching in on event planning, Zina runs a dog shelter focused on pitbulls, called For Pitties' Sake. She and Alex hit it off immediately, which is fortunate since Alex falls through her shelter's roof in an attempt at fixing a leak for her, forcing Zina and her pitbulls to move into the warehouse space along with Alex's penguins while the shelter is repaired. Amidst the chaos of animals, family, and wedding preparations, Zina and Alex somehow find the time to explore the sparks flying between them and start building a relationship.

My favorite character here is easily Zina. Though burdened by many commitments - including the shelter, the wedding, and monitoring her brother's recovery from PTSD - Zina keeps her cool and just does what's needed. She's the calm eye of the storm, a well-balanced woman who is clearly ready for a serious relationship. Although her shelter is struggling with an abundance of dogs and a leaky roof at the start of the book, she's more than capable of handling those issues.

Alex, on the other hand… I had very mixed feelings about. My biggest problem with him is the way he returns to Texas and assumes he knows how to run things. He makes one mistake after another, from destroying his niece's school project, to overpromising to the wedding planner, to wrecking the roof of Zina's shelter. While he's a nice guy, I felt like he had some growing up to do before he was ready to be with a woman like Zina. He may get there in the end, but for most of the book Zina is way out of Alex's league.

Before you start Her Kind of Cowboy, I would check your ability to suspend disbelief, as the parade of animals through the story makes it seem as though it's set in a zoo! However if you're looking for a little escapism to cheer you up, I think this book might be just what you need. While not all the characters are perfect, they're a fun bunch and the book is worth a read.

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Crush has brought together just the right amount of crazy in her latest novel and it 100% works. Alex and Zina are a fun slow burn couple, but it is the cast of supporting characters, including the puppies and the penguins, that truly make this novel shine. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morganthaler and Jenny Holiday.

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Alex doesn't stay in one place too long, but he is forced to go back home, last place, he wants to go.
Zina is trying to run shelter for dogs, finding them homes is hard, especially when she finds more puppies.
Alex and Zina have to work together. She is the reason, Alex is thinking about staying in one place forever.
Loved the storyline, humor.

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I loved this book. With a storyline that was fresh, fun and flirty, Zina and Alex's romance captured my heart and gave me a major case of the feels. This clever blend of wedding craziness, adorable animals, small town charm and a colossal amount of heart are combined to create a couple you can root for, a romance you can believe in and a place you long to visit. Simply wonderful!!

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A super fun and sweet read!

I think that my favorite part of the book was the penguin aspect. Such a fun and unique career choice that I've definitely never read before but made for a really fun story! Of course the relationship between Lacey and Alex was great, but the penguins really did steal the show!

If you're looking for a fun, easy read, this is definitely a book worth picking up!

*I received and ARC from NetGalley for volunteer review

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Her Kind of Cowboy combines lots of things I love: dogs, penguins, small towns. Alex and Zina are sweet! Alex sort of ran from his tiny hometown and has been jet setting and doing all kinds of cool, yet random, things. He isn’t expecting his trip home to be anything more than a brief stay.

Zina loves her dog rescue and enjoys small town life in Ido, Texas. Her BFF is the mayor and has some interesting ideas about how to bring more people to town (crazy weddings)! Zina is content in her life, so on the surface, she and Alex seem like opposites. However, their deeper emotions are much more similar. Alex has to confront his feelings and decide if he wants to remain a wanderer of the world or if he has a reason to put down roots.

Her Kind of Cowboy has humor and heart. I think readers will find comfort in this atypical town and some of its more interesting inhabitants! If you want a lighter read with low angst, this is a perfect pick.

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Her Kind of Cowboy is the second book Dylann Crush's Tying the Knot in Texas. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and was so glad to be able to read the second one.

This one doesn't have as many of the townspeople in it but you get Lacey and Bodie. I really liked them for The Cowboy Says I Do so I was glad for the visit.

Lacey, you meet in the first book and get to know her somewhat. You get enough to want to know more. Alex is a new character and one for the most part I really enjoyed. Together these two work. There is an easy rhythm to them that makes for a seamless relationship. For most of the book, there are no rocky moments.

Sometimes that doesn't work but with this book it did. I liked that there wasn't a ton of conflict. Instead what you got was a plain "getting to know you" type of book. I really enjoyed that. I liked how in each chapter we learned more about them and they got closer and closer.

Lacey is the sweetest. Her biggest problem is that she feels the need to take care of everyone. She also has an issue with the word no, even with it needs to be said. Her big heart with the dogs and just so wonderful and the way she came back to take care of her brother just shows you what a good person she is.

Now Alex is slightly different. He too is a good person but has some internal conflicts that he doesn't know how to deal with. He's running from something that makes it impossible for him to settle in one place for too long.

You finally find out why and might think to yourself, really? But it works with the book. The realization of why is only a blimp in the story. My favorite part is the ending. So romantic and loving. It shows you what kind of guy he really is.

As a whole, this is a great story and wonderful addition to Tying the in Texas series. It makes me what more.

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Her Kind of Cowboy by Dylann Crush is the second book in her Tying the Knot in Texas series. This is the first time I have read this author, and I am happy to say I really enjoyed this story. Her Kind of Cowboy was a fun read, but what is not to love about it; dogs and more dogs, even penguins, and hot couple who were steamy together.

Zina Baxter, our heroine, is Lacey Cherish’s best friend (previous book heroine), and owner of a dog shelter, as well as Lacey’s right hand in handling weddings for the town of I Do’s wedding destination business. Lacey is the mayor, as well as in charge of building up the town with planning weddings; but she is pregnant and desperately needs Zina help. Zina has her own problems, as the roof of her shelter has fallen apart, and she needs to find a place to bring the dogs, until the place is fixed

Alex Sanders, our hero, has returned home from his time in Alaska, to visit his sister and grandfather. Alex’s time in Alaska made him a penguin handler, and when he receives a call from a wealthy man who is planning his daughter’s wedding, and she wants penguins to be a part of it. When Alex visits Lacey at the office, he asks if he can use the warehouse across from the wedding venue, in order to bring the penguins into a safe environment, until the wedding which is months away. Zina ends up taking Alex to the warehouse to view it, and decides she will need some of that room for the dogs.

Lacey learns that the wedding planner is one of the most famous and she is thrilled, as it will help enhance her destination weddings. With her on bed rest, Zina is put in charge of working with Alex to plan the wedding (wild crazy setup), bring in the penguins to be trained, and have a place for the dogs. Alex is also being pressured to help his sister, who wants to put the grandfather (Morty) into a home, as he has become difficult.
What follows is a slow build romance between Alex and Zina, as well as the wild crazy group, staying at the warehouse, including the dogs, penguins, grandfather, nieces. I loved both Alex and Zina, as their chemistry was off the wall. The secondary characters were all very good, and I got a kick out of the niece’s parrot, and loved the dogs. Zina knew she was falling hard for Alex, but he was a wanderer, unable to stay in one place too long. Will Alex stay in Texas?

Her Kind of Cowboy was a fun, sweet, humorous & charming small-town romance. The bantering between our couple, as well as all the wonderful secondary characters was great. Dylann Crush did a great job writing this wonderful story, that was totally enjoyable. Her Kind of Cowboy reads well as a standalone, but it might be a good idea to read the first book.

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Only Dylann Crush could combine pit bulls and penguins, laugh-out-loud comedy and profound emotional depth, parrots and painted flowers, and zany small-town charm with heat, heart, and a HEA.

Reading this book was like putting together a (seriously entertaining) jigsaw puzzle-- I saw all the pieces, I knew they *had* to fit together (although I had no idea how!) and once I got started, I couldn't stop. I was already in love with the residents of Ido, and I felt like I was visiting with long-lost friends from the very first page. Zina might just be my new favorite Crush heroine-- bold, funny, a little badass with a huge heart-- I aspire to be half that awesome some day! Alex was just as amazing, but then again, Crush has yet to conjure up a man I couldn't see myself running away with 😂

I don't want to say too much or ruin the surprise of how all the ragtag characters (including the veritable zoo of animals) come together, but I will say that this was one of the most fun reads I've come across in a looooooong time, and it's Dylann Crush at her finest.

As with any series, I recommend reading the first book...well, first, but even if you start here, you'll get so wrapped up in Ido and all the things they do (see what I did there?!) that you'll still be able to appreciate the story.

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Some people cross your path and change your whole direction..

I was hoping that we would get Zina's story and was thrilled that the second book would be about her. Mayor Lacey has landed the wedding of all weddings. The bride from L.A. wants a Winterland Celebration, in Texas of all places. To say that this is impossible is an understatement. And to top it off she wants Penguins headlining the ceremony.

Alex, world traveller is called in from the Antarctica to train and take care of the Penguins. Alex and Zina together made me laugh and fall in love with them right away. Their story is funny and full of angsty wit and a lot of sultry steam. Alex is in for a wild ride when he shows up in Ido, Texas. One he won't soon forget. Meeting Zina stirs many locked up feelings in him and makes him forget the goals he set for himself since he left Texas. The Penguins are a hilarious and welcome addition to this story and they captured my heart. I am looking forward to more high jinks in the next book in this series.

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A beautiful book. The story is about Alex Sanders, a man who has led an adventurous life. For now, Alex lives in Antarctica, where he enjoys his single status. One day, Alex receives a unique job opportunity, taking care of penguins in Texas for a wedding. Of course, Alex takes the opportunity to be in his home and thus see his family. Upon arriving in Texas, Alex visits his grandfather and sister to resume the relationship with them. After settling in and preparing his new workspace, Alex meets Zina Baxter, a very nice young woman full of life. I loved the concept that started this book because I have always loved penguins. I liked that the author described Alex as a responsible boy with a huge heart. This book has made me very happy about the interaction between Alex and Zina. Besides that, it takes place in Texas, one of my favorite places. I'm glad this book is part of a series so I can enjoy these charming stories more. I thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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Her Kind of Cowboy was another fun addition to the Tying the Knot in Texas series. Zina was one of my favorite supporting characters in The Cowboy Says I Do and I was so happy to get to know her character better. Alex was the perfect addition to this crazy town. A self appointed wanderer of the world who doesn't want to be responsible for anyone but himself meets a woman who is devoted to her family, friends and strays and really doesn't know how to tell anyone no. These two opposites on the surface have a lot more in common than either of them realize! Add in her rescue pitties and his wedding penguins and you have a really fun time in Ido, Texas the soon to be wedding destination of the country! Her Kind of Cowboy was sweet with a bit of heat, told from dual POV and had a lot of heart and a bit of angst. I recommend this to all fans of contemporary romance.

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