I enjoyed this book. It is one of those pick it up and hate to put it down, then hate when it ends because it was so good. I highly recommend this book.

Tough Luck Cowboy is a heartfelt story of two people finding love once they let their guard down and let love in. Luke Everett thought he met that special someone but lost her to his best friend. Now she’s divorced and still not available and must be avoided at all cost. Unfortunately for Luke he finds himself crossing her path all the time. She’s slowly wearing him down and revealing more of his true self. He’s never let anyone get that close and be that vulnerable before. Can he take that chance?

Lily Green can’t believe that her plan is back on track now that she’s free to pursue her own dream and start all over again. She impulsively agrees to cater her ex-husband and his pregnant fiancé’s wedding reception but knows that this could be the job to jumpstart her new catering career. To her Luke is a gorgeous aggravating person. What she can’t understand is how someone he gets on her last nerve can also stir her up and make her hot? Her past shaped her and she usually take the safe route. When it comes to being around Luke he makes her feel anything but safe. But in that state, he pushes her out of her comfort zone and she think its time to stretch herself a bit. She doesn’t know if she can make herself vulnerable for Luke but she feels that he might be the one she trusts with her heart.

Luke and Lily may have thought themselves as oil and water but were actually more alike than different. The heat they generated with one another was sizzling and there was no denying they are compatible in the bedroom. What they needed to work on is communicating with one another and finally revealing their true feelings for one another. Each of them had to prove something to themselves so they understood what the other person felt. Luke’s big gesture was wonderful but I knew it couldn’t be smooth sailing with these two. There were some cute moments with Luke and his brothers and how you see them deal with one another and how they want to make the winery and ranch work together.

I was fortunate to meet AJ Pine at a book conference and the cover for Second Chance Cowboy caught my eye and intrigued me to want to read it. Once I read it I wanted to read more. Her writing is crisp and inviting. I love the way she creates her characters and the growth they go through as individuals and as a couple. She’s a new author to me and I highly recommend this story and series for contemporary romance readers.

It’s all about timing…

Turning points. Who hasn’t wondered, at least once in their life, what might have been if timing or choices had been different. Well, Lily and Luke found out in this emotion-packed, friends-to-lovers romance. They were constantly at odds but maybe now was the time to clear the air and find out why their feelings were so strong. Cowboys were everywhere (which made me beyond happy!) as timing finally had this pair sorting things out…

“We’re just eating dessert, sweetheart. Nothing to be nervous about.”

Luke was the epitome of cowboy cool even as his injury meant a whole lot of uncertainty and Lily was everywhere he went now. His zen was seriously messed up. Lily’s path was no less clear as her well-planned life had fallen apart. Her need for structure and Luke’s apparent need for the opposite only fueled the fire that was their non-existent relationship. The anger and hurt was plain to see but why was at the heart of their ongoing feud. By a case of timing, bad or otherwise yet to be determined, they were brought together in what turned out to be a heated, can’t be ignored, case of denial…

Packing an emotional punch, this was a fabulous read. The characters were so very human in their pain and regret as well as their messy journey to discovery and love. They battled through it in a great addition to this series! There’s one more to come and I can’t wait!

Pine adds another entertaining and intense book to the Crossroads Ranch series. The first book in this series left very large boots to fill for me. Poor Luke, in love with Lily for so long but she was married to his best friend until they aren't married anymore.

Somehow, Lily ends up catering her ex-husband's wedding, with Luke as her helper of sorts. A well-written enemies to lovers situation develops between them and it's so entertaining. I really do enjoy Ms. Pine's writing, she gets down to the nitty gritty emotion without bogging you down. Let's not forget how freaking hot the chemistry is between Luke and Lily.

I thoroughly enjoyed Tough Luck Cowboy and I cannot wait for more in the Crossroads Ranch series.

This was a new author for me and I hadn't read any of the other books in the series. However, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Luke and Lily were both wonderful characters and I enjoyed watching them as they came together.

I absolutely loved this book! Tough Luck Cowboy is the perfect enemies-to-lovers story to read in one sitting! They dynamic between Lily and Luke was intense, real and fantastic. The delicacies relating to the whole ex husband who just so happens to be the best-friend tension was worked out and woven into their relationship so perfectly, that it seemed to be almost unimportant. Weird explanation, I know, but that's just how I felt as I was reading this un-putdown-able book! I love this series and cannot wait for more.

4.5 stars

Tough Luck Cowboy by A.J Pine is a beautifully written, highly entertaining read and I really enjoyed it.
The storyline is well written, well paced and it held my attention from start to end.

I loved watching Luke and Lily's relationship unfold, they made me smile and swoon and I loved them together.

Overall Tough Luck Cowboy is a lovely addition to the Crossroads Ranch series and I highly recommend it.

*A big thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.*

I really enjoyed this story! Talk about your problems all across the board: I felt bad for Lily, but I liked that she didn't let life's circumstances keep her down. You gotta do what you gotta do to succeed in life, no matter how much something (or someone) might suck. It was understandable how Lily thought that Luke didn't like her, although honestly? I don't think the ex has any room to say anything about whatever happens between Luke and Lily, given how he treated his and Lily's marriage. I loved the chemistry between Lily and Luke.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

Luke was awesome. He tried so hard to be there for his family but he was also trying to grow on his own. He is a cowboy through and through and for him going out of the rodeo on his own terms is something he needs to do. His family and Lily do not understand that but eventually support him in his decision.

Lily is tough and stubborn. She wants to do what she desires and is striking out on her own. Only when she does she ends up agreeing to cater her ex’s wedding. She does this with grace though and is a class act. The only thing that gets her is Luke. She was her ex’s best friend but also she doesn’t understand why he seems not to like her. Little does she know it is the opposite.

Luke has been fighting his attraction since the moment he saw her and she chose his best friend. A friend he doesn’t speak to often now due to his actions. Luke is a good guy. He is rough around the edges but a softie on the inside. He does what he believes in and doesn’t make excuses. Him and Lily finally come to a head and when they do wow just wow. He and her have explosive chemistry. And are great together. They understand one another and he supports her. Too bad her fears take over and she doesn’t do the same. IT takes her awhile to figure out but when she does you just smile. These two are so sweet together. a entertaining book with great banter and sexy scenes that teaches us about family, love and loyalty.

I just want to pack all of my things and move to this small town. What a joy it is to be a part of such an imaginative, grounded, and exciting world. A.J Pine has an astonishing way of creating a world that's both riveting and relatable. I wasn't even sure if this book needed a review because I loved every second and everything that this book had to offer. Well I guess in the tradition of writing reviews that I have to at least give you a blurb of said book.

This is book two in the Crossroads Ranch Series and it follows Luke, the middle brother of the bunch. Luke is a bull rider who is always the life of the party and he has a big secret that will ruin his friendship. There is also smart, feisty and ambitious Lily to balance out Luke and his shenanigans. Lily is the ex-wife of Luke's best friend and they have a great deal of dislike for each other or so we thought. Luke and his brother is in the process of opening a vineyard and of course, weddings are a real moneymaker for the venue. Recently divorced, Lily is in dire need of getting her catering business off the ground, so when a pretty lady comes in the vineyard looking for a caterer for her wedding, Lily jumps at the opportunity. Little does she know, that this woman is the future wife of her ex-husband.!!! Crazy, Right?!! Lily and Luke are forced to work together being that Lilly is the caterer and Luke is the best-man.

I did not expect nothing less of amazing after reading book 1 and 1.5. This author is really talented and has a way of writing such tension filled moments. The chemistry between these characters were nothing less than electric, it was also undeniable with good moral to wrap up this story.. This story had tension, heat, family dynamic, and most importantly, strong characters. Both of these characters had a great deal to offer and the author gave these characters depth. I cannot wait to read book 3 of this series and if you haven't read book 1, check out my review for it. You will not regret falling for this cowboy and I approve of this book as a must read. If you are looking for a cowboy with determination and a small town to fall in love, then look no further. I loved this book and it is easily one of my favs of 2018.! Under the blanket with wine or tea, your choice, approved. Go pick it up Now!!!

I’m a new reader to A.J. Pine, but I quite enjoyed this one.

I think what really grabbed me was the blurb. It’s such a unique plot with how Luke and Lily meet, then become feaux enemies only to be thrown together again and have to make nice. Add in a whole bunch of hilarity, heart, and swoons and it has a bit of everything with a little extra to make it stand out against other Western romances I’ve run across. An overall fun read!

3.5 stars!

Tough Luck Cowboy is a heartfelt story of two people finding love once they let their guard down and let love in. Luke Everett thought he met that special someone but lost her to his best friend. Now she’s divorced and still not available and must be avoided at all cost. Unfortunately for Luke he finds himself crossing her path all the time. She’s slowly wearing him down and revealing more of his true self. He’s never let anyone get that close and be that vulnerable before. Can he take that chance?

Lily Green can’t believe that her plan is back on track now that she’s free to pursue her own dream and start all over again. She impulsively agrees to cater her ex-husband and his pregnant fiancé’s wedding reception but knows that this could be the job to jumpstart her new catering career. To her Luke is a gorgeous aggravating person. What she can’t understand is how someone he gets on her last nerve can also stir her up and make her hot? Her past shaped her and she usually take the safe route. When it comes to being around Luke he makes her feel anything but safe. But in that state, he pushes her out of her comfort zone and she think its time to stretch herself a bit. She doesn’t know if she can make herself vulnerable for Luke but she feels that he might be the one she trusts with her heart.

Luke and Lily may have thought themselves as oil and water but were actually more alike than different. The heat they generated with one another was sizzling and there was no denying they are compatible in the bedroom. What they needed to work on is communicating with one another and finally revealing their true feelings for one another. Each of them had to prove something to themselves so they understood what the other person felt. Luke’s big gesture was wonderful but I knew it couldn’t be smooth sailing with these two. There were some cute moments with Luke and his brothers and how you see them deal with one another and how they want to make the winery and ranch work together.

I was fortunate to meet AJ Pine at a book conference and the cover for Second Chance Cowboy caught my eye and intrigued me to want to read it. Once I read it I wanted to read more. Her writing is crisp and inviting. I love the way she creates her characters and the growth they go through as individuals and as a couple. She’s a new author to me and I highly recommend this story and series for contemporary romance readers.

4 Stars

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first:
Second Chance Cowboy (Crossroads Ranch #1)

This is Lily and Luke’s story. Lily was married to Luke’s best friend, but they are now divorced. He has always been attracted to her but has hid that attraction under surliness. Wen she accidently accepts a job catering to her ex husbands wedding she knows she is in for it. The main problem is dealing with Luke. There is chemistry, but can she overlook that and get the job done? What happens when the passion boils over will they be able to handle anything with each other? Or will the past mistakes and misunderstandings get in the way? Can Luke finally get the only woman he ever really loved? Or is he about to lose her once again? How will it work with his best friend after he finds out about them?

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

I love a good cowboy story and I do enjoy A.J. Pine's writing so I was so happy to read this one.

Tough Luck Cowboy is book number 2 in the Crossroad Ranch series and I did enjoy this book. It is well done and I did love the characters.

I didn't find it as good as the first book but it was very close .

I do recommend.

One wild, reckless night, to get each other out of their systems. That's all it was supposed to be.

Luke Everett is a sexy cowboy and bull rider. Sexy and unattainable. Did I mention SEXY! Luke gave me some serious feels throughout the book. Cocky as heck, and sexy as sin. He could also be very charming and sweet. The little thoughtful gestures he made. In the quite moments, when he let his guard down.


Lily Green had it all figured out. Until she didn't. Smart and beautiful. Lily's unstable past left her wanting security. Safe and predictable. Divorce left her craving those things even more. Everything she knew Luke was not. Still, the attraction between the two was undeniable. No matter how much they wanted to make believe like they hated each other.

"Stop. Thinking. About Luke Everett," she silently chastised.

Their vibes were too strong. The chemistry between the two ran deep.

"She smelled like warm vanilla, like she'd just stepped out of a bakery. But he'd blame his mouth watering on the perfectly lined up containers of cake long before he'd admit to her having any sort of effect on him. "

Ha! Poor Luke, living a lie. I loved the push and pull between the pair.
I also loved the Jack, Ava, and Owen made appearances throughout TLC.

If you enjoy swoony romances, then I recommend you read this one.

I can't wait to read the next book by A.J. Pine.

Crossroads Ranch #2, So I really enjoyed this one. We met both Luke and Lily in the first book, Luke is the middle brother in the Everett family and Lily is the co-owner the the best BBQ joint in the area. The book can be read as a stand alone but to really get the family dynamic and history I would recommend reading the first book.

Luke and Lily meet at a honky tonk three years ago, Luke was just getting started in the rodeo and Lily had just moved to the area to start working on her dream of owning her own farm to table restaurant. Luke didn't have eyes for anyone else that night but Lily unfortunately so did his best friend Tucker. Thinking he had nothing to offer a girl like Lily especially when Tucker had the money to help her with her restaurant dream he left and a couple of months later Lily and Tucker were married. For three years Luke has pretended he didn't like Lily to distance himself from her, it was hard enough to see her with his best friend. But now Lily and Tucker are officially divorced, tough luck for Lily the finalization happened on her birthday and then on the same day she gets her first gig as a caterer for a wedding for a famous T.V. baker, that can seriously make or break her career, it isn't until after she offers her services that she realizes the groom is her ex-husband. Luke was there and he tried to stop her but head strong and dead set to be the best at what she does Lily takes the job.

Luke has always managed to keep his head in the game but the night of Lily's birthday with the divorce and the announcement of the wedding and a baby all Luke can think about is Lily and that's how he got injured. All Luke has ever wanted, besides Lily, was to make it to the Nationals this year is his year even with this most recent injury Luke knows he can make it this year but the doctor has restricted him for six weeks to stay off a bull, horse, and definitely no rodeo which grates on Luke's nerves but he can still make Anaheim and qualify for Nationals. In the meantime he's elected to help set up the wedding making him work very closely with Lily. Through the wedding planning and organizing Lily begins to see Luke for who he really is, through her marriage it was easy to blame him for the acting of her husband but in retrospect she sees she was blaming him because it was easier than blaming Tucker or herself and Luke took the blame it helped keep his feelings in check. Now Lily knows the truth about Luke and his feelings but she hates that he still wants to ride in the rodeo even after all his injuries and the probability that if he gets another concussion could be fatal.

Overall, it was a great read. I love Luke and Lily they had a long wait for their romance, especially Luke who was in love with her the whole time. The story was a quick and easy read very well written with fantastic characters. The internal conflict they both deal with is emotional and heartwarming it had such a wonderful end. I can't wait for the next one.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re more trouble than I realize?”
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “Lily Green—you have no idea.”

I’m sitting in the same spot I was 24 hours ago when I started Tough Luck Cowboy by A.J. Pine—the school pick-up line. And maybe it’s the fact my baby just started Kindergarten that has my emotions on high alert . . . or maybe it’s this book.

At the very least, PART of it is this book—an enemies-to-lovers romance with heartbreak and triumph, fallout and falling in love. I can’t deny I was a little unsure how it would work—though I was plenty intrigued after Second Chance Cowboy and Saved by the Cowboy, not required reading but definitely worthwhile—with the ex-husband/best friend connection between Lily and Luke.

I shouldn’t have have doubted Ms. Pine, however. She navigated this story so very well—showing the chemistry between Lily and Luke, while being gentle with their fractious past, and letting it build in a way that felt right. Add to that the fact that these characters—including the secondary and returning characters—are all so darn likable, if imperfect, and you have a book that’s capable of turning your heart and your world topsy-turvy.

The Crossroads Ranch series has well and truly roped me in. (Yes, that’s a cowboy pun. No, I don’t regret it.) So much so, I’m already anxious for Walker and, I realllllly hope, Jenna, to get their own stories. After all, now my baby is in Kindergarten, I going to need something to read . . .

“I don’t know how to walk away,” she said, and there went a second tear. “Even knowing you’ll leave, eventually, that you’ll have to, because this isn’t what you do, I don’t know how to do it myself. Because you’re not out of my system, Luke. You’re so goddamn far from being out, I don’t know what the hell to do.”

~ FIVE Impossible STARS ~

Oh, my gosh. What can I say about Tough Luck Cowboy other than it was amazing. I don't know how A.J. Pine managed to sneak in so many of my favorite romance tropes into one gorgeous cowboy-lovin' package, but she did. And it was quite the package, if you catch my drift. It was enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance, second chance romance, forced proximity... Yes, please! I was in sexual tension heaven.

Going into Tough Luck Cowboy I had a strong feeling that I was going to love it. I mean, it has most of the troupes I love in a romance. I loved Lily and Luke. I wanted to be Lily's friend. Luke made me fall for him from the very first page. I was cheering them on throughout the entire book. They were perfect for each other.

There are books that you just know you're going to devour. I devoured this book in a day. It was so damn good. It made me laugh, swoon, and everything in between. A.J. Pine, I am in awe of your writing. I cannot wait to read more.

An amazing follow up! I thought Jack Everett held my heart in his hands but Luke had me falling completely in love and I couldn't get enough of him. I mean who couldn't lobe a rough and tough bull rider who is always there for his family and has a heart of gold?
Lily is starting over after her divorce and trying to start a new business of her own. Eager to get things moving she unknowingly agrees to cater her ex-husbands wedding. Luckily Luke is there to distract her.
I loved the push and pull between Luke and Lily and I couldn't help but wish for their HEA! I am in love with this series and I can't wait to see what Pine brings us next. I so hope we get Walker's story and soon!

What a great story, one of the thing I loved most was the characters.Luke and Lily were full of tension to keep you on edge.I loved the push and pull of their relationship. These two have had feelings for each other from day 1.The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and seductive.Overall it was a great story.