Carolyn Brown always tells a great story and she has done it again! It kept me laughing all the time and the match making seniors were a hoot!

I could not get into this story like some of the author's other books. I thought the fab five would make the story move along going to the ranch but for some reason, this book did not flow with me like some of her other ones. I am sure her next one will and will give that one a chance. This is just me the story has some of the same characters from the last book and so you really don’t need to get caught up, it just felt off, for me. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 3 three stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

The Fab five were fab-u-lous!

This third in the series centered on Emily and Justin’s romance yet somehow the Fab Five stole the show! Justin and Emily were no strangers to ranch life. Cowboy boots, fence riding and calf pulling were no strangers to either of them. Somehow though, Emily was corralling a group of seniors in a week long ranch retreat where Justin was more interested in her than the cattle…

I hadn’t expected how laugh out loud funny this sweet romance would be! Emily and Justin’s attraction almost took the back seat as the Fab Five took their bawdy humour, lust for life and zen for ranching on the road! From risqué board games to wild ranch rides, they kept Emily and Justin hopping (and nervous!) while offering welcome distractions. There was chemistry between the two from the moment they met, but wariness also. There were secrets and they were going to cause problems…

A gentle romance, with lots of blushing all around, there was always room for laughter and more family even while falling in love… A wonderful addition to the series! ~4.5 stars

The Story in 4 Sentences or Less: Emily Baker grew up on a farm and she’s worked very hard to distance herself from that life but unfortunately for her, the seniors at the nursing home she works at are begging her for a ranch retreat. So off she goes to the Longhorn Canyon spread where she gets a good look at Justin Maguire and starts thinking that maybe a week roughing it might not be all that bad. Justin on the other hand is pretty sure Emily is the one for him and with a group of matchmaking seniors on his side, he’s got a good chance of convincing her to stay.





Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? Cowboy Brave is the first book I’ve read by Carolyn Brown and while there were elements I really enjoyed, overall it wasn’t the book for me. Emily and Justin’s city mouse/country mouse romance is entertaining and sweet at times but it wasn’t the most convincing relationship I’ve come across.


The trouble with Justin and Emily is that the whole book is spent dealing with Justin trying to convince Emily that he wants something real with her yet by the end I was left feeling that the author never really let me get to know either character. Oh sure I got general basics on both, Justin’s generous, kind, and a hard worker, and Emily is stubborn, dedicated, and also a hard worker. But beyond that I never really connected with these characters and that made the romance difficult to get into. To me there wasn’t really a connection between them that went beyond the physical. There was too much of Emily’s hang-ups and not enough growth between her and Justin emotionally. Speaking of Emily’s hang-ups, she had a supposedly real reason for not wanting to return to ranching/farming life and its touted as this huge deal but when it’s finally revealed I wanted to shove her into a hole somewhere for being so dramatic about it. It really wasn’t the big deal she made it out to be, in fact it was kind of flimsy.

It was actually the supporting cast I found more interesting in Cowboy Brave though. Justin’s family, and of course Emily’s charges, a group of energetic and fun loving seniors really help the plot from falling completely flat. Oh if only the book had been about them instead because they were so funny! There was a downside to having such a large cast of secondary characters though and that’s that there were so many of them and they were all clamoring for some page time that the story tended to drift away from Justin and Emily a lot.

For me Cowboy Brave was the first and probably last book by Carolyn Brown I’ll read for a while. It took me way too long to finish it and even when I did I felt unsatisfied by the relationship between the Justin and Emily and I was never really sold on Emily as a character.

Click It or Skip It? Skip It.

I hate to leave a bad review, but I just couldn't finish this one. The writing style was a little weird for me. The conversations seemed to jump from one thing to the next, or one person or the next, without finishing a thought or having the other person respond. That was confusing to say the least. I know the Fab 5 were supposed to be funny, and sometimes they were, but most of the time they were just over the top. I didn't really understand Justin's mom. She hated Emily on sight, and I'm not sure why. Maybe that's answered later on, but I just couldn't get there. Although this one wasn't for me, I would be willing to read this author again.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

Cowboy Brave is the third book in the Longhorn Canyon series by Carolyn Brown. It is not necessary to read the books in order. These books are a relaxing escape from every day worries. Sweet love stories with a happy ending that are not explicit. Perfect for reader's advisory purposes when patrons are looking for a good solid romance with some sex.

What happens when five senior citizens want a week away from the old folks home on a ranch, Their companion Emily Baker is in for a wild ride thank goodness there is a hot cowboy, Justin Maguire, on hand to help her.

Incredibly moving, family filled book of love and relationships. Carolyn Brown hits it out of the park with the story of Emily Baker and Justin MacGuire. A definite must read.

This is the 3rd book of the series so I knew it had to be a romance for Justin this time around. Emily works at a retirement home and when the Fab Five, as they call themselves ask to go to a ranch for a week she calls on Longhorn Canyon. Little do they know she was raised on a farm. And one of the most highly acclaimed farms worth a lot of money. She never lets other guys know that because they always see $ signs. She is also a curvy woman and doesn't think a cowboy will really be interested in her. When she meets Justin there is attraction right away. She doesn't tell him where she is really from or her family.
This book had me laughing so hard because of the antics of the Fab Five who live in the retirement home. The things they got up to on that ranch for the week had me in stitches.
The only person in the book I did not like was Justin's mom. The way she treated Emily because of her size and didn't think someone like her could get anyone so would be out for Justin for his ranch and money. I was appalled by her behavior.

After two attempts, I think I am tapping out on Carolyn Brown books. Clearly, something about her writing style just doesn’t click for me. I liked this book’s plot, a plus-sized heroine and a playboy, cowboy hero falling in love.

The parts I liked: Justin is sweetly devoted to Emily. The setting is cute, the secondary characters, a group of senior citizens, are funny. I think fans of Carolyn Brown will like this story. Parts of this story, especially the more romantic times between Emily and Justin made me smile.

The cons: I just couldn’t fully get into the book. I appreciated that there was more conflict than the previous novel, but every argument seemed a little contrived. There was way too much time with secondary characters and not enough time with Emily and Justin.

I think my biggest problem with the book, and every Carolyn Brown book I’ve read so far, is the dialogue. Something about the banter doesn’t connect with me. Everything sounds stilted and hokey to my ear. I also thought there was a lot left dangling, Justin and Emily didn’t work out everything before the end of the book, making this seem more like an HFN rather than an HEA.

Overall, I didn’t hate this book, but I wasn’t dying to finish it. I know that Carolyn Brown has many fans, I think her writing style just doesn’t work for me.

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

Really really enjoyed the book. Have to go back and read the previous books in the series, so yes you can read as a stand alone. Emily a tall, large curvy beauful gal who grew up on her family ranch and Justin a single drop dead handsome cowboy are our characters. Emily the activities director for a senior retirement center is taking the Fab Five, a group of septuagenarians for a week on a ranch. Sparks fly inside for both Emily and Justin but both don’t want them or what could come fro them. A truly funny and yet sensitive.

What an emotionally thrilling adventure filled with so many heartwarming moments ... it is a highly entertaining, fun, sexy and exciting journey that had me from beginning to end. Loved it!

A great cowboy romance. Cowboy Brave is a well written romance with a great plot and cast of characters. Fans of romance novels will enjoy this book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my arc. This is my unbiased review

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
I adored this book. The Fab Five were an integral part of this story and it brought to light the struggles that older people without close family face.

Emily's work with the Fab Five gives you an insight into her personality that is not often found in romance books. Her understanding and compassion for them is endless.

Her reluctance to date Justin is understandable but with the help of her family and friends, she finally agreed to a date.

Justin isn't looking for a relationship, or is he? He's watched his brothers fall in love and marry but he's too young to settle down. Then Emily comes to the ranch and he's intrigued.

As he begins to get to know the Fab Five, he knows that these people are more than just patients to Emily. They are her surrogate family.

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A strong heroine, a cowboy with great looks and compassion for the elderly group known as the Fab 5. The Fab 5 are a spry group of seniors that filled this book with their antics, love and humor. They added so much to the entertainment level of this book. I really enjoyed the love story between our hero and heroine, but the other characters enhanced this book so much. First Carolyn Brown book I have read, but plan to look for more!


I received an advance copy from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review.

Raise your hand if you love a good cowboy story. I do love reading them once in a while.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I did love both stories. They are both so well written and I was hooked to both right away

If you are looking for a good light-hearted romance then I do highly recommend this book.

I give this 5 out of 5

If you’re in the mood for some tear-inducing out loud laughing or to get your emotions seriously engaged in a very good story, then “Cowboy Brave” is perfect for you.

Justin and Emily’s romance is everything I look for in a Modern Western Romance. A few issues, some serious steam, an emotional impact that keeps me cheering them on. This couple belongs together… it just might take some convincing though. And “The Fab Five” are on the job.

“The Fab Five”, a self-named group of older gentlemen and ladies who firmly believe that life does not stop just because you’ve lived to a certain age… you live until you die, and have as much love and laughter involved as is humanly possible as well. This group stole the story from Emily and Justin so many times – and frankly, I loved every moment of it.

“Cowboy Brave” is a love story on so many levels, and you’ll fall in love with five romance minded senior citizens… and the couple they’re working to bring together. I had such fun with all of these characters and I’m certain you will, too.

*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.*

Three and a half stars: A cute romance with a wily bunch of seniors, but the romance lacks a bit of magic.

Emily Baker is determined to get the folks at the Longhorn Canyon Ranch to host a group of seniors known as the Fab Five, who live at the center where she works. Emily’s first visit to the ranch is a bit of a disaster when she steps in a cow manure, and then finds herself dealing with the handsome Justin Maguire. Emily feels flustered to say the least, but she manages to procure the ranch for a week long visit. When Emily and the Fab Five arrive that the ranch, romance and mayhem follow. Emily and Justin can’t deny their attraction to one another, but Emily doesn’t want to return to ranch life, and she doesn’t want Justin to know where she comes from. Will a romance work?
What I Liked:
*I love a good Carolyn Brown romance, and the Longhorn Canyon Series has been a delight so far, so I was more than eager to dig into this third installment. While this book wasn’t my favorite of the bunch, there was still plenty to love.
*The best part of the novel, hands down for me, was the group of seniors known as the Fab Five. Emily works at a retirement home where five wily seniors live. This group is hilarious. I love their zeal for life and the funny antics that they get caught doing while on the ranch. Seriously, these five were so fun. Think skinny dippy, strip poker and more. Never a dull moment when the five are around.
*I love the characters in this series. It was fun to catch up a bit with couples from previous books in the series and also see Justin finally get his happily ever after.
*The romance is nice, it is full of heat and chemistry. There are a few stumbles but it all works out in the end.
*Even though I struggled a bit with Emily, I loved that she was a tall, full figured gal. It was refreshing to get a romance with a plus size gal.
*I loved the feel good vibe of this book and the entire series. I was delighted to learn that there are going to be more books coming in this series. Yeah! This book was exactly what I needed to help stave off the winter blues.
And The Not So Much:
*Emily was a sticking point for me. I loved that she was a plus size gal with a heart of gold, especially when it came to the Fab Five, but I didn’t like that she was afraid to share the truth about her background. I didn’t like the romance establishing on lies and omission. I get her hesitancy, but I think she should have trusted Justin early on.
*I also struggled with Justin’s mother and her behavior. She was downright nasty toward Emily. I didn’t like the negative vibe that she threw into the story. Thankfully, it gets resolved.
The romance moved lightning fast, and I wish that it had taken more time to establish into a strong friendship with trust and honesty before ramping up.
*I was so disappointed that there wasn’t an appearance by little Zaylie who stole the show in the second book. I missed Zaylie.

Cowboy Bold was a fun installment in a favorite series. Even though the romance wasn’t my favorite of the three books, I still found plenty to love. This book has an unforgettable group of seniors who will make you giggle and hopefully inspire you to appreciate life. If you are in need of a happy book that will help you fight off the winter blues, this is a must read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

Cowboy Brave is a sweet city girl / cowboy romance. Emily Baker is the Programs Director at a seniors centre, and books a week at Justin Maguire's ranch for a group of residents who call themselves "The Fab Five." Justin is attracted to Emily pretty much from the get-go, but his mother is less enthusiastic about the relationship. And while Emily is attracted to Justin, she has also chosen to leave the ranching life behind for city living, and is reluctant to start anything serious with a cowboy.

The romance is really sweet. One of my favourite moments involves a Hallmark Valentine's card with a heart-shaped lollipop attached. Basically, in each box of Hallmark cards, one card has a heart-shaped lollipop and is meant to be given to the most special person on your list, and boys in Emily's and Justin's respective schools would give that to the one girl they really liked. As a tall, curvy woman, Emily is used to being overlooked by men, and remembers how she'd never received the heart-shaped lollipop as a child. Justin has no idea about Emily's history with heart-shaped lollipops, but when he buys a box of cards for Valentine's Day at Emily's seniors centre, he makes Emily's Valentine's Day extra special. Personally, because the significance of his gesture was unintentional, it lost a bit of its impact for me, but I love the effect on Emily.

While Emily and Justin's relationship was nice, I found that the best parts of the novel were with all the stuff going on beyond the romance. The Fab Five were fantastic -- I can totally imagine them having their own sitcom, and I'd love to see them have their own romances. I also love Emily's best friend Nikki, who is pursuing her nursing degree and is dealing with some heartache of her own. I found her a compelling character, and I'm excited to see she has a romance of her own coming up. I also really loved the family dynamics, with both Justin and Emily's families. While there are various sources of friction with both families, there's also a very clear bond, and I love seeing such strong relationships amongst the siblings and with their parents.

Emily and Justin's romance didn't quite hit the mark for me. I think because it wasn't quite angsty enough to be a dramatic romance, nor was it heartwarming enough to give me all the feels like a Hallmark Channel type movie. And while the book itself was funny, most of the comedy came from the side characters, and the romance itself was pretty straightforward.

I also didn't quite understand Emily's reluctance to re-enter the ranching life with Justin. She had initially left it because, as the only daughter in her family, she was expected to do the paperwork and not the physical jobs that she actually enjoys. But when she spoke about it with Justin, he was pretty chill about her doing the tasks she actually enjoys, and this was made clear pretty early on. 

Still, overall, I enjoyed Cowboy Brave. The romance was solid, the main characters likeable, and the supporting characters fantastic.

+

Thank you to Forever for an egalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So cute! I didn't realize that I had unknowingly read the first book in this series of books. Now of course its a romance that you dont have to read the other one or even read them in order but it was a fun surprise to learn I had read the previous romance in this series.

Justin has watched first his brother and then his best friend get hitched up and now his brother has a baby on the way. For the first time, this honky tonk loving cowboy starts to feel that maybe he's ready to plant some roots and end his tumbleweed ways. But, is a woman set on city-living his match? Loved my trip back to Longhorn Ranch and seeing all my favorite ranch folks!

Cowboy Brave is book three in the Longhorn Canyon series and, in a pinch, can get by out of order, but it is best enjoyed following the earlier stories so the references to earlier events and the returning cast of characters make sense.

Cowboy Brave jumps in when Emily Baker contacts Justin about the possibility of the Longhorn hosting five seniors from the home where she's employed. The plan is a go and Emily finds herself back on a ranch where she said she'd never be and letting a flirting cowboy turn her head. She tries to resist the lure of ranch life and Justin's home and really tries to call a halt to the attraction forming with Justin himself, but by the time the week is over, she is well on her way to a confused, unsettled feeling that only feels better the more time she spends with Justin who point-blank tells her he doesn't want to change her , he's not against compromise, he isn't just flirting, and he wants to explore what they have together. Can Emily let go of her big secret and her issues and trust Justin with her heart?

Cowboy Brave will probably end up being my least favorite book in the series. I didn't hate it and I enjoyed some of it. I love this series and was eager to see the final Longhorn bachelor get his story. Justin was just a generous, hardworking good old country boy and I liked him as much as his brother. I was glad to see him getting his own romance, seeing where things are at with the two previous couples and the whole Longhorn Canyon family. Justin's mom was being a pistol most of the time and his dad was a laid back salt of the earth type that were fun when they were in the scenes.

I had a deja vu feeling in that a Maguire brother was wooing a city girl who was also a country girl while a group was staying at the ranch. That isn't a complaint, but an observation. In this case, it was an elderly group calling themselves the Fab Five. The Fab Five seniors were a hoot- strip poker, skinny dipping, bullriding at the Rusty Spur Honky Tonk, and of course, a bit of matchmaking on the side for a certain young couple.

The reason I could not get into this story was my so-so feelings about the heroine, Emily. Honestly, I still can't figure out her issues- or should I say the dept of her issues- even after the story. Oh, she didn't get overly angsty, but it was more her reason for being so adamant against ranch life. I didn't buy it. She spends nearly the whole book pretending, lying by omission, getting short and cranky with her family for calling and wanting her to visit (you know, loving her and being concerned when she didn't call like she promised?).
And why was she this way? She didn't want to get stuck with doing the paperwork back home on the family ranch and preferred the active outside jobs. And, she had the desire to work with people so that leaves out living on a ranch. She felt her family was pressuring her to conform to their plans for her. And, they were, but not in a mean way. Then she didn't want to date a cowboy because he would be associated with a dreaded ranch and he couldn't possibly be telling the truth that she's beautiful to him. The thing is, five minutes with Justin relieved the reason she was outright lying about who her family was and a few days with him made a liar of her about the other stuff like she hates ranches and cowboys. It was obvious she loved the life and she really liked Justine. Justin made it crystal clear that she could do whatever made her happy for work if they were together and that he thought she was the most amazing woman he'd met. His family and friends corroborate this, but she still doubts it all.
The book is literally her denying the truth and Justin starting to settle down and plan a future that might include Emily. Not sure how he worked it out since she wasn't being honest. And when he calls her on it? She blows up and says he's making a mountain out of a molehill as she flies off in a pelter and he ends up mutually apologizing. I got fed up with it, but I didn't hate her. I couldn't like her or respect her until the end when she finally got her head screwed on straight realizing she'd made a tempest in a pot of tea.

I'm glad to know that Emily's younger twin brothers are getting the next two books. The were fun in the scenes they were in. This might not have been a favorite, but I love the Longhorn Ranch world with Skip and Mavis, Benji, Cade and Retta, Levi and Claire, and Justin. It's possible Emily will grow on me now. I hope the Fab Five make more appearances.

Those who read my reviews know that I will always recommend this author and her books for those who enjoy cowboy romances and a strong down home country feel with an uncomplicated story.