Cowboy Era here i come!
After the praises i heard for this one from so many people(estelle im looking at you)
I had to give this one a shot.

and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
It had a bit of everything which surprised me for a cowboy book. lol
I didn't realize how humorous it would be until i started reading and giggling multiple times throughout the book.
The romance is sweet and spicy in just the right way.


Thank you Forever and NetGalley for this ARC

I downloaded this one after attending a fall preview with the Forever publicity team, and everyone who had read it said it was great. I was not disappointed. This is also my first western romance and hot damn, it’s good.

Who doesn’t love a good cowboy Romance? Here we have a taciturn, hero and ration of the relationship. Is fun to watch from. Start to finish. There is chemistry and all of the side characters. Add to the story as well.

"Big Bad Cowboy" by Carly Bloom offers readers a heartwarming and captivating contemporary romance that combines humor, family dynamics, and undeniable chemistry.

Travis Blake's decision to return to Big Verde, Texas, to care for his young nephew sets the stage for a classic second chance at love story. The initial premise, with Travis planning to sell the family ranch and leave again, creates immediate tension. Readers will be drawn into the story by wondering whether Travis's determination to leave will prevail or if he'll be persuaded to stay.

Maggie, the heroine, is a strong-willed and independent character who initially resents Travis for disrupting her life and business. This sets up an engaging dynamic between the two protagonists as they clash and sparks fly. The gradual shift from animosity to attraction is skillfully portrayed, and the emotional journey they undertake together is both believable and heartwarming.

Carly Bloom excels at creating a vivid sense of place and community in Big Verde, which adds depth to the story. The supporting characters, including Travis's nephew, the townsfolk, and Maggie's friends, contribute to the story's richness and provide layers of authenticity.

The exploration of family bonds and responsibilities is a central theme in this novel, making it about more than just romance. Travis's dedication to caring for his nephew adds depth to his character, and Maggie's role in her community adds dimension to hers. Their personal growth and evolving relationship are seamlessly woven into the narrative.

What sets "Big Bad Cowboy" apart is the humor and witty banter between the characters. The playful exchanges and humorous situations add levity to the story, making it a delightful and enjoyable read. The book balances these light moments with the more emotional aspects of the characters' journeys, creating a well-rounded and satisfying romantic experience.

In summary, "Big Bad Cowboy" is a delightful contemporary romance that combines humor, heart, and small-town charm. Carly Bloom's skillful storytelling, engaging characters, and well-crafted setting make this book an enjoyable and heartwarming read for fans of the genre. It's a tale of second chances, family bonds, and the unexpected surprises that love can bring.

Sweet and lovely…

I really enjoyed this, my first story by the author. Cowboys, small towns, adorable little boy - I couldn’t snap this book up fast enough…

Travis and Maggie were all kinds of sparky together as he struggled with his new circumstances and Maggie determined to thwart his efforts to ‘steal’ her landscaping jobs. Travis was struggling big time and Maggie was not giving an inch which meant all kinds of friction. Little did Maggie know there was a lot more to it then she knew. With a bit of shenanigans Travis dug a hole he couldn’t get out of and even as their relationship grew, the specter of discovery loomed…

How the story played out was full of fun, steam (including bdsm elements which weren’t my personal jam) and characters that made me laugh and go aww… A big highlight for me was the supporting cast who were amazing as they boosted, cajoled and simply shined light throughout.

I ended up DNFing this book early on. I can tell it’s going to be a great book, but by 15% in, the steam was way too much for me. If you’re a fan of steamy romances, you will enjoy this one! If you’re not a fan of steamy romance, I am not sure you’d enjoy this. Hope this review helps!

3.5 ⭐️s

Little Red Riding Hood meets You've Got Mail but make it a steamy cowboy romance!

Texts on page, role-playing, sizzling banter. This was a fun quick read.

Thank you, Forever, for this galley!

Small town cowboy lovers rejoice!

Maggie is a strong FMC and she’s considered one of the guys. After an embarrassing moment for her she runs into Travis, recently out of the Navy, and back in the home town, he never felt he fit into.

The dynamics between Travis and Maggie are great and loved watching them play off each other. It has some of my favorite texting banter and is a quick and satisfying read.

Fast read! And will put you in the “mood” if ya know what I mean.
Fun story about a small town cowboy and a women working in the man’s world. They boy live a semi double life through their phones and don’t know that they are actually working together. Well he knows, but she doesn’t. This book profiles the love of friends and families in small towns and how they all come together to help.

Thank you @readforeverpub @netgalley for a copy of this book. This was such a fun take on Little Red Riding Hood. The banter and heat between Travis and Maggie was so good!! I love the small town setting and all of the friendships as well. I did the audio on this and wished it was done with a dual narration.

I loved every single character in this book and couldn't be more excited that it's a series. Maggie is a strong, determined woman who stands up for her own and her business and Travis is a former military man learning to find his way with custody of a nephew and ranch that he didn't expect to own. Henry, the nephew, is hilarious. Their friends are awesome and I just can't wait to learn more about them in upcoming books. This is the perfect start to a great series.

Big Bad Cowboy is a delicious contemporary read with a side of cowboy romance. Carly Bloom is the reason I have opened myself up to reading contemporary Cowboy or Rancher themed romance. I loved this book! So many tropes at play here. We’ve got the small town and ranchers going. Then we have an opening costume party/anonymous hookup which may be taboo for some readers but it is written perfectly by Bloom. Than enemies to lovers. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Thank you to #Netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Big Bad Cowboy is Carly Bloom's first in the Once Upon a Time in Texas series. It was published back in 2018, but I just read it as part of a quick NetGalley opportunity.

The book plays on a Little Red Riding Hood theme by starting with a Halloween party. At her best friend's behest, Maggie comes in a skimpy and sexy Little Red Riding Hood costume. And Travis wears his nephew's wolf mask. More than just their costumes, the two immediately have strong chemistry.

This book had so much that I loved. Travis is learning to be a parent to his nephew and learning to take over a ranch. Maggie is an amazing and competent woman making a name for herself in a male-dominated field of landscaping. Both have great friends, and it all takes place in an awesome small town. And the small town library book club reads erotica! There's great steam throughout.

This book was delightful. And now I am in my real cowboy era.

Thank you to Forever and especially Estelle for this advanced reader copy and the encouragement to read it. These opinions are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this one for a few reasons but I will say this was a very sweet (and steamy) story! I loved the nod to Little Red Riding Hood and any story that references You've Got Mail has my heart. I instantly loved our two MC's and it was easy to kick back with this story and wish you were right there on Happy Trails ranch or along side Maggie in the Petal Pushers shop. The big group of characters were well rounded and really brought the story to life. If you're looking for a fun, humorous and sexy second chance romance, you've found the right book!

I loved this book and how these two got their HEA. It was sweet love story and I enjoyed all of the side characters as well. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Carly Bloom is officially my jam! I loved Big Bad Cowboy! It was so entertaining with amazing wit and humorous dialogue. It was flirty and steamy and outright fun to read. I loved Travis and Maggie so much and couldn't get enough of them!

Travis and Maggie were fantastic. Travis is completely out of his element and doing the best he can to do right by his nephew. I loved how hard-working and sweet he was. I felt for him, I got his struggle, and was rooting for him. I loved watching him grow, become a better man, and be there for his nephew. The bond they formed was so sweet and I really liked watching that relationship grow. Maggie was awesome. This woman is a spitfire, I loved her attitude and how she was pretty much fighting her way in a man's world. Them coming together thrilled me. I loved how they met - so intriguing and holy wow HOT! I loved that Maggie did not know everything about Travis and I was filled with so much anticipation to find out. I love the playfulness and the antagonism. And I freaking loved the texting and all the fairytale references. It was all so good!

There was a wonderful build to their growing friendship, the flirtation, and heat. There were so many fun scenes that had me smiling and laughing. There's a wonderful group of characters involved and all kinds of side stories taking place to round it all out. I really liked JD and all that was developing there. I also loved Claire, Maggie's best friend, and I can't wait to find out more about her and the mysterious cowboy Ford in the next book. Alice totally intrigued me and I’m really hoping she gets her own story. There was great attention to detail as it all played out. There's a nice bit of emotion (I totally got choked up), some tense scenes and mild drama happening too.

This was my first Carly Bloom book and it will not be my last. I couldn't have asked for more. I love it when a story can make me laugh, get heated, and make me teary-eyed. It's the perfect trifecta. It was a truly fantastic story and I am thrilled to have found a new author to read. I'm hooked!

This is a sweet steamy enemies to lovers book. Travis has come home to take care of his nephew after the death of his sister. He doesn't plan on sticking around but then runs into Maggie. The more they are around each other the closer thy become.

mixture of romance , drama, and humor, as well as takes place in a small town where everybody knows you and your family. And lets not forget it was hot and steamy which is how I love my romance whiter their a cowboy romance or not. The characters came where both strong and played off on each other really well .

From the very first chapter I knew that this story was going to be amazing. Soon I found myself laughing out loud and crushing on Travis Blake.

I loved him! Not only was he sexy and broody, he was sarcastic and kind-hearted underneath all that bluster he tried to project to anyone who got close to him. Deeply affected by his past, Travis had a one track mind when he returned to Big Verde, yet fate had other plans. I enjoyed his journey in accepting his new role in regards to his nephew and how he ultimately came to accept Big Verde as his home and won the small town residents with his hard work. I especially enjoyed how his and Maggie's relationship developed through the story. I was glad that the author made an effort to bring Travis and Maggie's connection to the page. The candid moments and intimate dialogue only served to cement the fact that Travis and Maggie were perfect for each other. And as for their chemistry, well, let's just say it was there -- in every longing stare, lingering touch and small smile.

As the first book in the Once Upon a Time in Texas series, BIG BAD COWBOY had the perfect mix of elements to entice the reader to continue with the series. With intriguing yet relatable characters, a slow burn and swoon-worthy romance and a small town full of charm and meddling residents, I think this series will soon become a favorite.

I am kicking myself for waiting so long to read this book because it had so much I love in romances.

There's a hero who is a bit rough around the edges but has a heart of gold and a heroine who is strong and relatable, lots of quirky small town fun, and secondary characters whose stories I hope to read in the future! The story has a bit of a You've Got Mail aspect to it, but with a ton more heat.

I absolutely loved the character development, especially Travis', as the story progessed. It was sweet seeing him connect with his nephew in addition to his relationship with Maggie.

Carly's writing was a great blend of humor, emotion, and romance. I found myself laughing just as often as the story hit me right in the heart with a moving or emotional moment.

I am already well into book two and looking forward to continuing the series!