https://www.amazon.com/review/R257OH15F52ZWG/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv - this is the link to my review on amazon

COWBOY REBEL packs a powerful emotional punch, just a warning ahead of time. Both Tag and Nikki are carrying around emotional baggage, some self-inflicted, some family delivered but nonetheless they both have issues that need to be dealt with in so many ways. Their romance isn’t going to be easy since Nikki is convinced Tag is simply too wild of a cowboy for her. He’s calmed down lately, let’s call him mostly tamed but there is that streak in him that won’t back down from anything or anyone – so yeah, he’s not perfect but he is true to himself and trying to do the “adulting” thing with his life. The new ranch he and his twin brother are running is a huge part of that settling down part of life. He knows there’s a heck of a lot of hard work ahead of him, but a cowboy can still dream and Nikki is prominent in all those dreams if he could just convince her to take a chance on him.

Nikki’s baggage is heartbreaking and frustrating as she’s dealing with a loss that won’t be eased any time soon and a mother who makes the Wicked Witch of the West look like Glenda, the Good Witch. She won’t take risks, she doesn’t take chances yet Tag is proving himself to be not exactly what she thought and just when things are looking good for them the past makes an unwelcome appearance.

I had such fun with COWBOY REBEL. We’ll meet up with old book friends, see the Fab Five in action once again, and enjoy watching a bad boy turn himself around for the woman that means everything to him. There is a vile villainess in this one, and I’m certain you’ll come to loathe her as much as I did. All said I had a blast heading back into the Longhorn Canyon series and I’m so looking forward to the Christmas release. Some book families I just want to keep on going and going – and this is certainly a series that I’ve enjoyed every moment spent in this world.

*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.*

I really enjoyed the dynamics of this book! Carolyn Brown's characters are well developed. She writes a story that contains love, laughter, sadness, friendship and community. You can read this as a stand alone book, but I would read the others because you will enjoy them also! I have only been reading Carolyn Brown's books for a short while, but she has become a favorite author of mine.


I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley for my open and honest review!

Back to the Longhorn Canyon for more sassy gals and good-timing cowboys in wild -livin’ Tag’s story. As usual, I had a blast for the down home charm, grinnin’ humor, and pinch of spice heartwarming romance. But wait, there’s more… some suspense and old family shadows get laid to rest in this cowboy romance that shows some surprising depth when all’s said and done.
Review

Cowboy Rebel is book four in the Longhorn Canyon series. It can standalone in a pinch, but works best following the earlier entries when the secondary crowd of couples and ongoing events in this one are introduced.

Tag and his twin brother, Hud, have bought the ranching property next door to Longhorn Canyon Ranch where their sister and her husband are. He’s been living wild and free since his teen years and doesn’t think he’ll ever settle down until he catches sight of his sister’s best friend. But, she wants something solid and dependable and that is not who Tag is with his daredevil ways. Can he change? Does he want to? Is it time to lay the past to rest?

Nikki grew up in Bowie. Her brother died of leukemia when he was a child, her dad walked out after the funeral, and Nikki lived with a hypochondriac, OCD mother until she could get out on her own. She’s still dealing with her mom’s mental health issues and making a life for herself as an ER nurse. She has dreams of a good man and a family, but never thinks that someone like her- afraid to be her mother or afraid to love someone who won’t stay- can ever have something like her friend Emily has. If her heart races when Emily’s brother is around flirting and trying to get her to go out with him? Well, it doesn’t mean anything, right?

Most of the time, I can pick up a book by this author and its engaging because of its very predictability. They can be counted on to leave me feeling lighter and good. Cowboy Rebel did that and more. It reached a little deeper. Nikki and Tag both come with baggage that isn’t visible at first glance. Tag’s came with a danger element that added some suspense and excitement for a time while Nikki’s little mystery of a stalker gave me some fun guessing right along with her.

There is a lot of family and friends moments, working on the ranch, Fab Five appearances, but mostly it was personal growth that led to a natural friends to lovers romance. Neat twist that the best friend’s sibling element was Nikki worried about Emily’s reaction to her spending time with Emily’s brother. This romance took its time and it needed to because they needed to work out what they really wanted beyond the burst of attraction between them. Not, that the chemistry wasn’t crackling between them from the beginning.

All in all, this was better than my already eager expectation. I know I’ve got Hud and the Callahan brothers still out at the ranch so I’m in anticipation of more raanching and cowboy romancing. Those who enjoy easy-going, heartwarming country romance should give this series a go.

I rec’d this book from Forever via Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.

A cowboy rebel named Taggart and a nurse named Nikki leads to trouble and romance!!! I really enjoyed this book!!! Read and enjoy!!!

Taggart used to live life on the edge and while he's still a bad boy he's making sure to chill out now that hes running his own ranch. Nikki is a RN and got alot on her plate right now but can't help but be drawn to the bad boy types and Taggart caught her eye. While they start to get closer it seems like Taggarts past might get in the way of things.

This book turned out so much better then I though it would. There was so much going on that it almost felt like two stories in one (not counting the novella that's separate) Once I was half way though I couldn't help but think what more could come from this book because clearly that wasn't the end. I love a good intrigue that this book had some interesting twists that'll keep the readers hooked. One thing I do have to say which I'm pretty sure many other have said and will say TBH Nikki's mother was a complete and utter a-hole. I can not think of any book character that I could think of, I mean I've heard of different abusive types of parents, parents that were drunkards, neglectful and while those would clearly be painted has hate able characters I've never came across a character that I would call an a-hole. Nikki deserved so much better and I don't understand why she would've just drop the women. She tries to justify that her mother has such and such wrong with her, but what Nikki dealt with I hated her mother the more I heard about her. OK done ranting. Other then that I will say great book I really enjoyed it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I hated for it to end. The romantic book has sexy cowboys, a sweet ER nurse, mysteries that will intrigue you, and some surprises too.
Taggert Baker is a sexy rebel cowboy with a past of getting into trouble. His motto is "Live Like You Are Dying." This works out well for him until he finally convinces Nikki Grady to go out with him after he is once again in her emergency room.
I enjoyed watching Tag trying to figure out what was important to him and what he was going to do about it. It was also interesting to see how Tag's past would influence his present and also affect Nikki.
Nikki's character is sweet, kind, and caring. She is an RN in the ER and her mama has all sorts of interesting phobias. It is hard to believe Wilma is her mother. Nikki's father left after her brother, Quint died and she has not seen him since. Her mother never let her know that her dad still cared about his daughter.
I liked the story and the wonderful characters. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story. I have read the other books in the series and this might end up being my favorite. I liked the interaction between all the characters and I can appreciate the quality of writing that the author has.

Tag and Nikki's chemistry is undeniable and their story will have you wishing you had a cowboy of your very own! A romance filled with family, drama and humor. I enjoyed watching Tag overcome his past, while striving to be better for his future.

I am on the fence about this book. I have enjoyed the other books up to this one in the Longhorn Canyon series, but I struggled with this one. It was nice to see the Fab Five and their antics, they always give you a smile, and it was nice seeing the characters from the previous books make an appearance. There is plenty to enjoy in this story, from the standard family values, close friendships, strong family bonds, to humor and wit, emotional drama, a tad of danger and friends to lovers twist. Overall, it was a nice story with a decent plot and I liked most of the characters. My uncertainty comes into play with Nikki and her mother. I absolutely could not stand her mother, she was just horrible and I struggled with Nikki. Since Nikki was one of the main characters and her mother was a constant presence through the story, it kept me from truly enjoying the read and giving it a higher review. I ended up skimming over all the conversations with her and her mother. I loved Tag’s character and his twin brother, Hud, along with their sister, Emily (who was a main character in Cowboy Brave) and their cousins. Their interactions seemed genuine and they were really likable characters. I even enjoyed seeing Tag and Nikki as a couple and starting as friends, helping each other with their emotional struggles and watching their relationship grow into something more. In the end, their romance was well-paced, sweet and endearing. Though I did not enjoy this book in the series as much as the others, it will not deter me from reading future books in this series or by this author. Carolyn Brown is one of my favorites!

*I received an advanced copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, and am providing my honest review.

This one is classic Carolyn Brown with her hard loving, sexy cowboys and the sassy women who win their hearts. In her incredible style she delivers the story of Tag and Nikki and takes us back to Longhorn Canyon in this book. Tag is a fun loving daredevil that Nikki knows is nothing but trouble as soon as she sees him in the emergency room. She's worked to hard getting her RN position to let this sexy cowboy distract her. Turns out though sometimes a little bit of trouble is just what the doctor orders. Don't miss this one, I definitely recommend it.

Taggart Baker has given himself one heck of a challenge. There is a song, Live Like You are Dying, that has several challenges. These include Rocky Mountain climbing, sky diving and surviving at least2.7 minutes on a bull named Fumanchu. Considering that Tag lost his best friend in a motorcycle accident, he literally intends on taking life by the horns.

For years, during his youth, he got into a lot of trouble. However, he now has a chance to own a ranch and nothing will sway him away from his goals. When his friends, who are nothing but trouble, approach him with an offer that seems more like an ultimatum, Tag is not even tempted.

Nikki Grady has not played around with her life. She has earned her RN license and means to make as much of her life as possible. Nikki meets Tag when he shows up at the ER due to a brawl in a bar; she deems him a reckless rebel, and there is nothing he can do to sway her. That is enough for Nikki not to trust Tag. However, they spend more time together as things roll along, and Nikki begins to see another side to Tag. Will she be able to let her guard down enough to allow him into her life?

This romance by Carolyn Brown is the fourth story in the Longhorn Canyon series. This story did take a while to gain traction, and there was a shift that brought Tag's past front and center. This went a long way to cause the walls between Tag and Nikki to crumble. There were a lot of other factors in this book that played a role when it came to a couple who had very tense chemistry yet had to fight it every step of the way.

One of the disturbing factors about this book was Nikki's relationship with her mother, Wilma. Wilma was plain evil and this created a boatload of baggage that Nikki was forced to deal with. In addition to that, Nikki has experienced great loss in her life and has yet to come to terms with that.

I enjoyed the continuity in this series, including the reappearance of the Fab Five, Patsy, Bess, Otis, Sarah and Larry. Of course we got to see Retta, Claire and Emily, whom we met in previous entries in this delightful series.

I have enjoyed this story as well as the other books in the series, Cowboy Bold, Cowboy Honor and Cowboy Brave. There are cowboys just waiting for their stories to be told, such as Paxton and Hud. The next books in the series are Christmas with a Cowboy, due in September, and Cowboy Courage, in January 2020.

My thanks to Forever and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cowboy Rebel is the fourth book in Carolyn Brown's Longhorn Canyon series. I haven't read the previous books, but this charming story stood alone perfectly well. If you like small town settings, sexy cowboys and sassy women, you will be quite satisfied with this book. It's more sweet than steamy, so you won't be embarrassed to share this one with your mother!

Tag Baker is a cowboy who is starting up a ranch with his twin brother Hud. They are part of a loving, close family. Tag was rather wild when young, and he hasn't changed that much over the years. When he lost his best friend years ago in an accident, Tag decided to live like he was dying...which has landed him in the emergency room more than once. Nikki Grady is an R.N. who works in the ER where Tag is treated. She is his sister's best friend, and is friendly with Tag. Though there is quite an attraction between the two, she worries he is too wild for her. Unlike Tag, Nikki comes from a dysfunctional family. Her younger brother died from leukemia, her father then took off and her mother is a total hypochondriac who will never win a mother of the year award. When dangerous people from Tag's past come calling, Nikki is caught up in the mess.

Though the danger concerning Tag's past was a fun and exciting part of the story, it was their sweet romance that drew me in. He was very protective of Nikki, and besides being sweet on her he turned out to be a good friend. Their interactions were cute and flirty. One thing I didn't care for in the book is something that most readers probably loved... I don't listen to country music. Can't stand it! So the songs that were mentioned that connected Tag and Nikki to the lyrics were totally lost on me. But I enjoyed this book nonetheless.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

This is a wonderful story. Tag and Nikki are amazing characters. The seamless storyline pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages until the end. The way this author writes makes the story come to life. The world building was so great that I could visualize everything. I can't wait to read the next book that this talented author writes.

Absolutely loved this book! Could not stop reading, so had a couple of sleepless nights! Love Carolyn Brown’s books and getting to catch up with characters from previous books! Can’t wait for the next book!

Tag Baker lost his best friend in a motorcycle accident. Tag has been a rebel for many years and ran with the wrong crowd. Now he wants to help run his ranch with his brother and other family members.
Nikki is a RN in the hospital and best friends with Tag's sister.Tag shows up in the emergency room and needs stitches. She tries to stay away from him because of his past but she can't seem to resist him. He wants to do everything in the song. Live Like You Are Dying.
Nikki also has a mother who has been very mean since she was a child and her father ran out on them when she was young. But something has come to her attention and now she wants to check up on what she has learned. Tag and Nikki keep getting closer as she is also dragged into his past by ex friend's of his.
I received the from Forever and NetGalley for an honest review.

I love how this author intertwines country western songs throughout the book. For Tag Baker, it is all about fulfilling his bucket list according to a song. For Nikki Grady it is about remembering her brother who died. One a rebel bad boy, the other a nurse. Two opposites yet whenever they are near each other, sparks are flying. Tag finally figures out what he wants. Can he convince her to take a chance on him.? It is all about family for her. Can she let the past go to find her HEA with Tag? I had fun reading this book.

Another absolutely delightful read from Carolyn Brown! Cowboy Rebel is sweet, sure Southern romance, complete with a girl with grit, a cowboy with manners, a small town that knows everyone’s business, and a little intrigue added for good measure.

I really enjoyed reading Nikki and Tag’s story, although it was a wee bit slow at times. There was just such an easy way about their connection, and about how they handled themselves and each other. The character growth is on point, and the writing makes this feel good romance feel even better—you can simply tell this story is guided by a steady hand.

Can’t wait to read more of this series, especially Hud’s story after that surprisingly confession... shh, I can’t say more than that.

Side note: I LOVED the novella by Annie Rains included in this edition of Cowboy Rebel, quick but a lot of fun, flirty banter, likable characters, a steamy second chance, and a great message about family.

I really liked this book it was a fun read for sure. My heart broke for Nikki I felt so bad for her because of all the things she faced with her mom and how she seemed to crave this "mother/daughter" relationship that just didn't seem to work because of who her mom is. I really enjoyed how the relationship with Tag and Nikki was a gradual thing and not all about how strong the chemistry was an how to make it work after, it just felt natural. Tag was this bad boy in training but looking for a reason to see more in life and the struggle was so evident with him. I really enjoyed the relationship that Tag has with his siblings and how important they are to him and he is to them even though he choose to "live like he is dying." Oh my goodness and how can you not love the fab 5 and the fun they add they were such a hoot. I loved how the author used a ton of country song reference in the book which was fun. This book has some a adult language and situations. This book was fun read and I can't wait to read more from these fun characters I really can't wait to see what happens with Hud and the Irish Brothers soon.

Welcome back to Carolyn Brown’s Longhorn Series. The fourth installment in this delightful – full of fun and sass and of course cowboys is COWBOY REBEL. Carolyn Brown does not suffer fools and in COWBOY REBEL she is brilliantly taking on the chore of rehabilitating a cowboy whose reputation precedes him. Needless to say Carolyn Brown does it with her signature wit and country music as the background for a wondrous addition to one of my favorite series.
To be completely candid I have never met/read a book by Carolyn Brown that hasn’t left me totally entertained and smiling and COWBOY REBEL is no exception. We even get to revisit with the Fab Five senior citizens that have been an excellent supporting cast throughout much of the Longhorn series.
But this is Tag and Nikki’s story. Tag is the cowboy rebel and Nikki is an RN with a big heart and an untrusting soul. Nikki is best friends with Tag’s sister Emily and so that is going to be a major hurdle for Tag in his attempt to start a relationship with Nikki. Truthfully Tag isn’t all that positive that he is looking for a relationship but he fully acknowledges that Nikki is not a one night stand. And if he isn’t careful he stands to lose more than gain in pursuing her.
Tag seems to be finally exhibiting some maturing in his new role as partner in the ranch he now owns with his twin Hud. That surprises everyone – Tag included. But his past is trying to wedge into his new life and that is going to cause some problems for everyone.
Everyone has a past but Tag’s was a lesson in immaturity and carelessness. Family is tough but Tag is lucky to have his twin Hud and older sister Emily in his corner. As Emily warns him in his battle between the old Tag and new one, the one you feed will win something that reminds him of his granny’s wisdom.
Nikki also has some rather mysterious troubles to handle, not the lease of it her extremely odd mother. Just wait till you meet her. Nikki is afraid to move forward in any relationship. Her fears of being like her mother are substantial and real. Secondly she is honest with herself that one introduction to her mother is very likely going to shut doors. And yet Nikki is realizing that Tag doesn’t seem ready to throw in the towel.
Carolyn Brown often references country music titles and lyrics in her stories which is sure to bring a smile to your face and often leaves you humming. Tag mantra is Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw. This song seems to outline his plan for life. That is until Nikki becomes so important to him.
So if you are looking for some real country fun and looking to meet amazing characters COWBOY REBEL by Carolyn Brown should be on top of your must read list. Thoughtfully written with some of Carolyn Brown’s signature hometown dialog that is guaranteed to warm your heart, have you humming country in your head and bring a smile to your day.