Does Maggie stand a chance against a hot, helpful... and, okay, annoying cowboy? Love and Hate... so intertwined in this novel. This was a great read. I loved the heat between Travis and Maggie.

Super cute and fun romance! I was a big fan of both Travis and Maggie and the cast of supporting characters were so much fun! I will definitely be recommending this one to my friends and family especially during the holiday season!

My rating: 4/5 stars

Travis Blake has always been the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, thanks to his dad's doing, and of course his brother's wild antics didn't help matters either, but he took all that stigma that following him around as fuel, and tried to be the one Blake who wasn't a screw-up. Which took him to the Army, where he has spent the last few years of his life, but now he is ready to start the next chapter, but before he can get started on it home calls, and he finds himself heading to a place he'd hoped to steer clear of. There he finds a young nephew to care for, the family ranch to repair and prepare for sale, and a sexy landscaper who loves to push his buttons... all the wrong ones of course!

This story jumps at you from the opening pages. With Travis just out of the Army and also dealing nephew whose mother died, and his father is in prison. Now Travis is back at Big Verde the ranch he was never planning on ever seeing again. But he is all that Henry has and though he would like to walk away that is just not in him. Now hoping he can sell the ranch and move on he is also back to working as a lawn guy and will fix anything around town. He also will do things for others without expecting pay or anything in return, he has always been like that even though people have always talked behind his back. Mary Margaret Mackey or Maggie owns the ranch next to his which also grows apples and leaves nots on his fence every day with words of encouragement about fixing his fence. She also went to college for landscaping design and is wanting to land a big contract in town. Deciding to go to the Halloween dance as red riding hood, after a turn down she ends up at the bar and ends up in the arms of the big bad wolf. He also takes her into the woods where he shows her his moves. Afterwards with neither one knowing who the other one is this only adds to the story. Especially when they are both awarded half each of the contract and she is to work with him not knowing he is the wolf. This is more than two people trying to get together. People must get past their perceptions of others, how to work together and for Travis not wanting to let go of Henry. A very good book that will keep you turning the page after page until the end. Good characters, and Henry grabs you from the beginning. A very good book.

What a sweet, sexy debut!

I loved the enemies-to-lovers romance between Travis and Maggie! He's been thrust into the role of taking care of his nephew and getting the family ranch in shape to sell. Little did he know he'd fall in love with his nephew, his neighbor as well as the town he left behind.

I loved the banter between Travis and Maggie. Loved their "secret" romance--that bloomed into something more real, more amazing than they could imagine.

I couldn't help but root for Travis and Maggie to get it together--to really fall in love with each other, and the life they were building. It was fantastic.

I tried reading this book several times and it just couldn't hold my interest. I didn't like Maggie at all. I felt like she complained a lot and was a bit on the whiny side. And her behavior in one of the first couple chapters of the book is really crazy. She's been in love with J.D. for YEARS but he just sees her as a friend. So she tries to make a move on him at the costume party they are attending and he recoils in shock. She runs from him, bumps into this stranger in a wolf mask, then 10 minutes later, ends up in a tool shed getting railed on by a stranger she met 10 minutes prior!?! Good thing he used a condom. Ugh.

Travis, I was not a fan of his either. I thought he was an a**hole and just no. I felt that there was no chemistry between Maggie and Travis and I was more interested in the secondary characters. Unfortunately, I couldn't finish the book for the reasons above. This is my first read from Carly Bloom and although this one wasn't a win for me, it won't keep me from reading the author in the future.

I flipping loved Big Bad Cowboy so much I'm pretty sure I now have a big bad wolf fetish. I joke that it's probably a good thing I don't read shifter romance because I would totally be a goner. The chemistry and sexual tension pulses throughout the entire book. One of the best elements of this book is the characters. Maggie is always the friend, which was fine growing up, but now she's tired of being one of the guys. So when the sexy stranger in a wolf mask sparks up a conversation, Maggie throws caution to the wind and follows him into the woods. Travis used to be the shy kid in high school. The son of a drunk, nobody thought much of him. Now that he's back in town to sell his dad's ranch and care of his nephew, people start talking. He's immediately drawn to the sexy Little Red Riding Hood and when he learns that it was Maggie, he wants a chance for more than their sexy encounter in the shed.

I loved Maggie from the beginning. She's an amazing friend. She'll call you out on your shit, so never cross her. As for Travis, there were moments when I wasn't his biggest fan. I often had to remind myself that he's in a tough position having to take care of his young nephew while dealing with his deadbeat brother. He's in way over his head with the ranch and so everything piles on top of him. Once he starts getting the hang of things and finally understands why Henry is acting out, Travis's true nature starts coming out and that's the part of him that I loved. Together, Maggie and Travis set the book on fire. They sure do bring out the kinkier side in each other.

I friggin' enjoyed the hell out of Big Bad Cowboy. I loved the funny moments just as much as the sexier ones. The scene where Maggie and Travis read a bit of a pretty naughty book was by far my favorite in the book. I had a big 'ol smile on my face while I was reading that one. Characters that have fun and can laugh during sex are my absolute favorite. I cannot wait to see how the author continues with this series. I'm hoping it stays with the group of friends and follows Claire next. Either way, I know I'll be counting down until it's release.

5 Star Chart Topper

Big Bad Cowboy by Carly Bloom is the first book in the Once Upon a Time in Texas series, and a great introduction to Carly Bloom for me – I will definitely be reading the other books in this series in the future.

Travis Blake left his home town of Big Verde, Texas to join the military. He never liked living there as his family name has a bit of a past – his father is a gambler and an alcoholic and his brother is in prison. Travis always felt like an outsider in the community who never really belonged. He recently was released from the military and planned to work at his friend’s business when a phone call brought him back to Big Verde. The one thing Travis’ dad had kept ahold of in his gambling was the large family ranch, which he left to Travis and his brother. Travis always thought that he would not be back at Big Verde, and so let his brother’s wife and his nephew, Henry, live there. Things were working out fine with this arrangement until his brother’s wife died and left Henry a virtual orphan with his one remaining parent behind bars. Travis agrees to step in and take care of Henry until more permanent arrangements can be secured for the kid. So Travis finds himself back in Big Verde and in dire need of funds to help support the ranch and his nephew. He puts in a bid to landscape a rich old flame’s house in order to generate some income.

Mary Margaret Mackey (Maggie) also didn’t fit the mold of a sweet southern belle in Big Verde, she was always unwillingly labeled as a tomboy and looked over as potential girlfriend material. Maggie went off to college after high school and is all about landscaping – with the degrees to prove it. As far as she’s concerned her landscaping business in Big Verde is the only legitimate one in town. Her grandmother recently passed away and left the family orchard to Maggie, leaving Maggie to try to stop the neighbouring cows from the Blake ranch from eating all her apples. Needless to say the Blake cow situation + the fact that Travis is trying to outbid her for the landscaping gig + the resurgence of an old crush on Travis = a very unhappy Maggie who does not like that Travis Blake is back.

A Halloween part brings Maggie and Travis together unknowingly and the two share a wild and unforgettable night. Travis soon realizes that his new unwilling work partner is also the woman he can’t stop thinking about. Maggie hasn’t realized exactly who Travis is, as she never saw his face that night. This leads to a ton of angst and sexy chemistry via text message exchanges. I liked that the mystery wasn’t given away too soon in the book, the characters (and the readers) got a chance to really get to know each other and slowly develop a real connection to add onto their existing chemistry.

I really loved this book, there was great character development with real human vulnerability and problems that were articulated and worked out logically. It was not just a fluff romance that paints the hero and heroine in a great light at all times. I feel in love with the supporting characters and the town of Big Verde as well! Every character added a humour and depth to the story and I can’t wait to read more about all of them in the future books in this series.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a steamy romance with an engaging story line!

~ Harshita

I don't read much Western romance but this one completely blew away all of my expectations. This definitely won't be the last time I read this author!!

I love modern retellings of fairytales and this take on Little Red Riding Hood was original and fantastic. Travis and Maggie were wonderful characters and I was drawn into their story from the very first page. I loved everyone introduced in this book and can't wait to see what comes next!!

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book. I fell head over heels in love with the characters.
"So, she's lying down, but where are her ankles? Does she have her legs lifted up?" - Travis

This scene had me dying from embarrassment for poor Maggie LOL.

I laughed, I cried, and I laughed so more. A total sweet swoony romance and I totally recommend it.

Travis is back in his home town trying to sell his family ranch with his nephew in tow. It seems the long her stays more info comes his way and he isn't happy about it plus his life wasn't that great back in his home town and people seem to got long memories when it comes to the past. Then theres the one thing that seems to brighten thing up Maggi. After one night stand at a Halloween party identities hidden, they see each other again something seems familiar but just can't place it. It seems Maggie isn't a fan of the real him and she dosent' want to work with him, if only she knew that her one night stand wolf was actually Travis Blake.

I really enjoyed this book, it a great contemporary read. I enjoyed the characters seeing how the small town life where its hard to change what others view people as no matter how hard they try to break out of the old mold. I loved the banter between Travis and his nephew that kid was dramatic af and throughout the book I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if the father came around, obviously he wasn't exactly responsible and I was curious to know more about that situation. If you are a fan of steamy scenes then there are plenty to go around. Overall this was a pretty good book I really enjoyed reading it.

Big Bad Cowboy, the first book in Carly Bloom's Once Upon a Time in Texas series, is a risque, steamy take on Little Red Riding Hood.

Travis Blake has left the Army and been named guardian of his nephew, Henry. He returns to Happy Trails, the run-down ranch the family owns in Big Verde, a town where everyone knows everyone's business.. Travis had been a loner growing up and isn't sure about his place in the community.

Maggie Mackey grew up in the town and runs a landscaping business but is known as everyone's favorite friend/sister. She is ready to change everyone's conception of her and attends the town's masked gala as a sexy Little Red Riding Hood. She unknowingly meets the Travis the Wolf, who is nothing like the nerdy young man she knew in high school. Boy, do the sparks fly! They each blossom in their new personas, and their relationship does too.

This the first book by Carly Bloom that I've read, and I really enjoyed the small town dynamics and characters, including Henry, Mrs. Garza, J.D,, Gerome, and the ladies of the book club.. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

YES! I loved this book!

Ms. Bloom is a new to me and debut author and I super happy that I found her. This year, I've read a number of cowboy books from Forever and I've been VERY happy with all of them.

Ms. Bloom created a book that contains a number of factors that check off my boxes. Cowboy- check.
Small town romance-check an entertaining cast of characters that do not fail to entertain.

Travis and Maggie certainly had chemistry to spare and I enjoyed Travis's story. He comes back to a town that has no regard for his family and he's got a long road to hoe. I loved his dedication and how he came to truly love and care for his nephew. Maggie was a fun character to experience and I love her fire. While this book was a love story about Maggie and Travis, for me, it was so much more. Experiencing Maggie and Travis find their way to each was great but I also enjoyed how they grew to understand and grow into their roles within the community.

Great book and a great start to a series that I cannot wait to read more of.

4.5 stars

“We’re going to do it in a shed?”
“God, I hope so. And it’s actually a pretty nice shed.”
“That’s probably the worst pickup line ever.”

A truly engaging and enjoyable read, Carly Bloom’s Big Bad Cowboy is one of the best debut novels I’ve ever read. It’s a witty and wonderful romance with many of my favorite things—a funny little kid, a strong, independent woman who’s not afraid to let go at the right moment, a host of characters I’d love to call friend, and, of course, a cowboy.

*Sigh* Oh, how I love cowboys. And Travis is a special kind of one. He’s learning the ropes in more than once aspect of his life, and he travels this deliciously fine line between badass alpha and kind, hard-working beta. It’s a heady, swoonworthy combination, and when placed in contrast with Maggie’s headstrong approach—she’s a woman in a man’s world, after all—it highlights all the ways these two belong together.

Ms. Bloom’s writing hit me from the first page, and I found myself damn near unable to put Big Bad Cowboy down. Which probably explains why I finished it in a day. And not just any day—a day when I had about twenty-five thousand other things to do, none of which I even considered until I knew the fate of my new (I wish) friends at Happy Trails.

“. . . you bring something out in me. Something wild and fierce that wants to have and protect you and all those things you probably don’t like.”

I found this to be a quick read because I just couldn't put it down. I liked the way it is written and I think this will be one I will be reading again at some point in the future.

Mention any connection to a classic fairy tale retelling and you had me at “Once upon a time…” – Big Bad Cowboy, the first in the Once Upon A Time In Texas series certainly hit all the right spots for me when I’m in the mood for a more… adult fairy tale. (and yes, I do plan to re-read this one)

Told with a combination of humor and sexy talk, this is a couple that I adored from the start, even if they had a rougher beginning. Maggie is building a landscaping business but suddenly the jobs that she should be getting are going somewhere else. No one comes into town and steals her business, so Maggie and Travis start off as adversaries. Travis vowed never to return home but life and circumstances often don’t listen to our sworn vows. He has a nephew to raise, a ranch to salvage and being just out of the Army he’ll take any odd job he can… including landscaping. The intention was never to step on the toes of other established businesses but a man had to make a living in order to save the family ranch.

The chance to escape at a masked Halloween ball gives Maggie and Travis the freedom to… hmm… interact without knowing that they’re dancing with the enemy. It doesn’t take Travis long to know who he’s holding but he also knows Maggie’s opinion of him. Time for a little challenge via text messages of the secy kind. When they’re forced to actually work together on a job the sparks fly, but the emotions start to build. Watching this couple come together forever was a sheer joy, and a lot of chuckles.

Big Bad Wolf is full of characters who will win your heart, have you laughing out loud, and maybe getting a bit annoyed or frustrated as well. Loved the small town of Big Verde, Texas where everyone might know your business, but they’ll also be the first to jump in to help when needed… or sometimes when not asked either. I am really looking forward to some of those residents getting their own tale told one day soon. Frankly, I had a blast with Big Bad Wolf and I would recommend it to any reader who loves a great story, fun characters, a touch of steam and lot of heart.

*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.*

Big Bad Cowboy is the debut novel for Carly Bloom and I think she hit this one out of the park. This is a small town romance with characters who are flawed and disillusioned but ultimately loyal and dedicated. I loved Travis and how he overcame a tough start in life to become the upstanding man he is. The way he stepped up to care for his nephew just melted my heart. Travis and Maggie have a rocky beginning but as they spend time together they start to see each other differently. Overall this is a wonderful story of family, community, and love filled with hope. I highly recommend this one for everyone.

I love trying new authors. You find you either don't like them and move on or you love them and get in on the ground floor of a new series.

I'm always a fan of hot cowboys so this one worked for me. Plus add in the fact that he's taking care of his funny little nephew and I fell in love.

Right away you feel for Travis, here is a man that rises above his family to be a better person then they are. He joined the military and has led a good honest life. Can't say the same for his brother. Most likely the only good thing he's done is his son.

I think you'll really enjoy the small town feel of this story and the wonderful characters. I truly enjoyed reading their story. Once you start your in it till the end.

It has everything you love in romance. At first they are fighting for the same thing, each wanting to win then they have to work it together you know that's not going to be without its bumps. But those bumps will give you a few laughs.

The nephew I mentioned above gives you a few laughs too. He questions everything, telling you what you are doing wrong. Love it.

You will love to see these two work out and become the couple they both deserve. This is a great start to a new series. It will leave you wanting more from this author.

Big Bad Cowboy is the first in Carly Bloom’s new Once Upon a Time series. A take on little Red Riding Hood, this novel takes all the best parts of the fairy tale and updates them for a modern telling. Travis and Maggie start out as rivals, but when they are given the opportunity to be anonymous they realize they have more in common than they think. This cowboy meets fairy tale is a fun new twist. I’m looking forward to the next books in this series.

This book is how you start off a series. I enjoyed all of the characters as well as the storyline. Although, I must admit that the lines that Travis and Maggie used at times were a bit cheesy. Yet, there was humor in the lines but more than anything, it made the temperature rise rapidly. Which, their first sexual encounter was scorching hot.

However, this book is not just about sex. Ok, so about half, if not a little more is about sex or at least talking about sex. The other half of the story is about the characters. They were fun to get to know; especially Travis's nephew. You can't go wrong with cute children in stories. I look forward to checking out the next book in this series. There is a country song that best describes this book "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" by Big and Rich!