Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
No Spice
4⭐️ Narrator

I had never read a romance book that’s only from the MMC’s PoV so I was a little skeptical but also intrigued.

This is a fully “clean” romance with no spicy, steamy, or even kissing scenes. This is not normally the kind of romance I enjoy and wish I knew this ahead of time, but it was still a good palate cleanser between series.

The book was short, sweet, and well written. The romance was cute and had some of the normal problems that come with the “best friend’s little sister” trope, but I did like seeing it mostly from the MMC’s PoV rather than only or mostly the FMC’s.

The book had a surprising amount of plot for how short it was and I did enjoy both the plot and the romance.

Overall, I liked the book but will most likely not read more from the author in the future because I personally need at least a little steaminess in my romances. If fully “clean” romances are your jam, you’d probably love this book/author

This is a very short brother’s best friend romance or more accurately a best friends’ sister romance since this book is written from the MMC’s POV.

I did like that this book was written from the MMC’s perspective in theory, as it’s refreshing for a romance book that is single narration to be written from the male’s perspective. In reality, the author spent more time trying to make him seem ‘super’ male and macho than making him seem likable. Paul, the MMC, was more likable towards the end, but he immediately ruined any chance of me liking him by doing the following:
When Paul shows up unannounced at Demi Lee’s house, she does not look very presentable, as she has just been through a break-up and wallowing in her sadness a little. And again, she is not expecting anyone. So, she opens the door, probably hasn’t showered in a bit and she is obviously wearing pajamas. They sit on the couch together and watch some movies and Demi Lee’s pajamas rise up at some point, so that Paul can see her legs, and he thinks to himself: “When was the last time she shaved?”. WTF, that is unhinged?!? What was the author thinking? Why wasn’t this edited out? Firstly, he has no right to judge her or objectify her. Second of all, having shaved legs is a beauty standard set by society that not every female wants to or should have to subscribe to. It’s a bit like if he was thinking to himself, “why isn’t she wearing make-up?” And third of all, this seems to be an issue that women have far more insecurities about than are actually warranted, as most men wouldn’t even notice or pay attention to this. Especially, if they are just hanging out as friends. It therefore seems very unrealistic that a man would even notice this. The whole thing just came across as very gross and not suited to the situation to me.

My second issue with this couple is that Paul only shows interest in Demi Lee after she has cleaned and glammed up, dismissing her as a female human being completely beforehand. Well that’s not entirely correct, he does objectify her beforehand as well and thinks of her as a se*ual interest. He just dismisses her as a possibility, because she wasn’t up to his standards. That seems very shallow.
The entire brother’s best friend is another theme that I don’t totally agree with, because why would her brother have any say in who Demi Lee is dating? What mellowed it a bit for me, was that the focus was more on Paul and that he is held accountable for his actions and not deemed worthy by the brother, rather than telling Demi Lee who she should date.

Paul does become a bit more likable, once he has realized his attraction to Demi Lee, but unfortunately, I could not forget his first impression. The book is not long enough for me to forget or get many more impressions, either. His reaction to Demi Lee prolonging the s*x ban, was also not the best. I also did not feel the chemistry between the two characters. It seemed like Demi Lee was hyping up Paul as this really great guy, when all he did was the bare minimum, which was not to pressure her to have s*x.

The overall tone of the book is a bit strange to me, because there is a lot of talk about s*x, there is spicy language, but the book is closed door. Everything leads up to their first night together, but this part is actually never shown. The whole thing just felt a bit bland to me, as there were no intense emotions or chemistry involved, this was unfortunately only a two-star read for me. If I had liked Paul more, this might have been a three-star read.

I listened to the audiobook and if you liked the description of this book, I would suggest giving the audiobook a listen. Apparently the narrator is pretty well liked.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for gifting me this ALC of the audiobook to review. All opinions are my own. I was not paid to leave this review.

Dakota Lacoy's "My Bold Texan" offers a delightful blend of small-town charm and simmering romance. Set against the backdrop of a Texan countryside, this story weaves together the allure of forbidden love with the familiarity of close-knit communities. The narrative unfolds with palpable tension and heartfelt moments, guided masterfully by Jason Clarke's narration, which captures the essence of each character with depth and charisma. Whether you're drawn to tales of second chances or the magnetism of best friend's little sister tropes, "My Bold Texan" delivers an engaging listening experience that will keep you captivated until the very end.

This was such a cute and fast read. I’ve never really read a cowboy romance but this was, in my opinion, a great way to enter that trope. I was entertained the entire time and had so much anticipation on what would happen next.

One thing that did bother me from how fast paced this story was that we didn’t get more of the on page falling in love from our MCs. I wanted to see a little more romance from them so that I could be convinced of their love because I felt like the little glimpses didn’t sell it enough. Other than that, the book was very good and I’m glad I read it. I would say it’s a good book to cure a book hangover, palette refresher, or just a quick read.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

My Bold Texan is a quick and fun introduction to this new town of Honky Tonk. Paul and Demi Lee are a take on brothers best friend and friends to lovers. Demi Lee’s brother asks Paul to check in with her after a nasty break up and Paul begins to see her as a woman and not a little girl anymore. She needs someone to come to a wedding with her where her ex will be and of course Paul volunteers to go. Their friendship begins to deepen and it’s hard to stay away. I loved the moment her brother figures out something is happening between them. I loved this on audio because Jason Clarke can do no wrong - he is the only narrator but I did not miss the female narrator at all with him in my ears. This is a closed door romance with an HEA.

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook, thoroughly due to its characters, which were well drafted and similarly the plotline was penned down in a well maintained pace too.
The characters were penned down in such a wonderful way that they charmed off my heart , right from the starting till the very end chapter of the book. The plotline was well paced and it is written in a very simple and easy narration which made my listening experience of this audiobook more fun and quick. I am definitely going to read rest of the works of this author.

I liked this book.
I almost put down the audiobook before chapter two because it started as that typical contemporary romance. The set up sounded so old and overused but I am glad I did not. If I am to sum this book, I would say its is a current story with a timeless message.
This is certainly a contemporary romance. Nothing new and different. It is the same story about a grown up independent woman and a catch of a guy who made it in life. It is about them trying to see if they are each other's keeper. Woven into the story is that feel good loving community and the hard choices people make to be a better person first and become that better partner for life.
Although this is my first book for this author, I will definitely search more of her books.
Thanks to netgalley for the audiobook.

Oh my word, Paul has my whole heart!

“You were the prettiest girl in that entire ballroom, but more than that, you were the sweetest, classiest most fascinating of them all. And I was so dam proud to have you on my arm.” 😭

If you want a cozy afternoon read with tropes of Small town, best friend little sister even a little fake date this is for you.

I really liked the characters Paul and Demi Lee and together it was just chefs kiss

A great choice for the narrator of Jason Clarke! Deep and raspy was a hit with my ears, even when taking on the voice of Demi Lee it was a smooth exchange

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher

My Bold Texan is the first of seven stand alone romance novels featuring the Bradford Brothers. They live in the small town of Honky Tonk, Texas (Honky Tonk, really?) It follows Paul and Demi Lee in a simplistic romance novel. Is it terrible like the name of the town? No. But is it mind blowing and revolutionary? Also no. It's just average. I might also be bias because I'm not a huge cowboy/small town fan, yet I continue to try in hopes that I will change my mind. I truly think people who read anything in this category will enjoy this, but it was just average for me.

This was not for me. It was a squeaky clean, closed door, old fashioned romance, which was not the issue. The issue was this romance had no heart. With a read this quick, the story has to hit fast and hit hard. It did neither. Also the male lead’s reaction to the final conflict was nauseating to me. He acted like a child not getting his way. I listened to the audiobook and Jason Clarke, as always, 10/10. Unfortunately, even he couldn’t save this one for me.

This book was an easy listen and Jason Clarke is one of my go to narrators, so I was happy to give it a go. It probably wouldn't be a book I would listen to again. The story was ok but I like more of a back story and more detail. It was ok for a novella and my first book from this author.

My Bold Texan is the first of seven stand alone romance novels featuring the Bradford Brothers. They live in the small town of Honky Tonk, Texas. In this one Paul is 26, a realtor and also enjoys helping his dad on the ranch. When he has a work conference in the city his best friend asks him to check on his younger sister. Demi Lee, is 22 and fresh off a recent break up. She accepts Paul’s coming to watch her wallow and asks him to be her date at an upcoming wedding where her ex will also be. Is it breaking the bro code to date a friend’s younger sister?

This is surprisingly simple and it is the first romance I’ve read in a long time where almost the entire story is from Paul, the male MC’s, POV. Not sure I needed to know his initial lusting thoughts. But this is a sweet small town romance. They're going to get to know each other more over texting, till she gets over her ex. Oh, then the bro code kicks in and no intimacy till there is a ring on it. LOL. I like Demi Lee and appreciate her standing up for herself with her brother in the one scene from her POV. This is a short novel without much character development beyond the basics. I listened to the audio book and Jason Clarke does a fantastic job with the narration. A likable quick read for escapism. I’m not feeling compelled to seek out others in the series but would if it came my way. (3.5 Stars)

For being a short book, I liked the pace of this one. Jason Clarke did fantastic as the narrator. I loved him doing both voices. We did not get dual POVs in this one. We only got Paul's which I liked because usually when there is only one it is the FMC. I do wish we could have "heard" what Demi Lee was thinking behind the scenes. I would have given this more stars but struggled with the ending a little bit which I will go into later. I liked the pace. I liked the MCs. I liked the setting and world building. I liked the buildup and the angst. I also loved when there was that f*** it moment and things started to shift. I liked Paul's gestures towards Demi Lee when he was ready to tell her how he felt. I found myself invested in these two and wanting things to work our for them.

Paul Bradford is on his way to a real estate conference when his best friend Finn asks him to check on his baby sister. She just got out of a relationship. She is miserable. It is the literal last thing he wants to do but where does he find himself one night after his sessions? At Demi Lee's door. She really does look rough. He had to google how to help in this situation. He is prepared with chocolate, pizza and a movie. What he is not prepared for is for Demi Lee to ask him to be her plus one at a wedding this weekend. What he is not prepared for is him saying yes to a fake dinner with her to get her ex jealous. And he is definitely not prepared for how different she looks and how he wants to nuzzle her neck. He isn't prepared for how much fun they have together at the wedding. And how proud he feels having her on his arm. But at the end of the day, she is Finn's sister. And that is a line he will not cross. So he walks away. He knows Demi Lee is disappointed. Hell he is too but what was he supposed to do.

Fast forward a few days and Paul is back at work. His coworker helps him see the error of his ways and now he is determined to see if things could work between him and Demi Lee. He starts a campaign to get her attention. They start talking every day. They start developing feelings. Lines get crossed but not THE line. And then Finn finds out. Gives them an ultimatum which they have to follow. And while they are doing that they realize how much they care about each other. And how perfect they fit.

I had a hard time with the build up to them being together since this was a SLOW burn. But then we were literally left hanging. Too much build up for a closed-door scene that wasn't referenced again. I felt straight up teased. I don't have a problem with closed door at all but felt the build up could have been less if that makes sense? I would love to read more of this series but honestly am not sure about paying $6 for a book when the rest seem to be under 200 pages. I wish they were on Kindle Unlimited.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Short and sweet audio book that flowed really well with the characters and story. I'm interested in reading the other titles by this author. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgallery for this ARC audiobook.

This was a brother's best friend x best friend little sister, small-town romance.

This was a very sweet and straight-to-the-point forbidden romance in a small town. The narrator was good and was mainly in the MMC POV.

It isn't grouped under a series on Goodreads but I believe this is one in a series for the 6 brothers and I feel it would benefit the story to read in order as the family history and small-town dynamic isn't explained.

I don't think I have ever DNF a book so quickly, but that line about him cringing when her legs were exposed and him saying when was the last time she shaved and pulled her pants down to hide it? Yeah... this is not the book for me...

My Bold Texan is book one in The Bradford Brothers of Honky Tonk, Texas series. Dakota Lacoy is a new to me author and I really enjoyed the first in this series.
My Bold Texan is a quick read that includes best friend’s "little" sister, and small-town (forbidden) romance.

Special thanks to NetGalley for advanced access to the audio version. Jason Clarks is the narrator, and he did a fantastic job!

I'm a big sucker for a forbidden romance and in My Bold Texan by Dakota Lacoy it's the best friend’s little sister who’s off-limits!

This is one of the classiest and most respectful romances I've ever read; it’s the cowboy-hat-off-to-block-the-kiss-while-two-stepping-on-a-sawdust-dance-floor type! Lacoy achieves a lot of sultriness, tension and longing while only ever teasing at steam! The chemistry between Paul and Demi Lee was unmistakable! Stylistically, I loved how this book was written from only Paul's perspective; this single point of view adding to the cowboy charm!

This may be my first audiobook narrated by Jason Clarke, but ahem, it will certainly not be my last! In fact, I know I will seek out other books narrated by him... and that says all you need to know! It makes sense why Lacoy sought him out to narrate her Bradford Brothers Of Honky Tonk, Texas series! Clarke's voice is just effortlessly sexy!

If I had known this book was closed door ahead of time, I wouldn't have been eagerly anticipating those longed-for steamy scenes, but this romance did have everything else I needed, so four Texas stars it is for this quick and easy cowboy love story!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary audio copy to read and review.

I enjoyed this sweet brother's best friend novella.  Especially the first 85%.  The angst and will they won't they was well paced in this short book. Jason Clarke's narration was really well done.
You kind of lost me on the abstaining piece--- from the brother's refusal of "permission", Paul's big gross reaction and the born-again purity talk...   I don't need smut/spice always.. but this part was a little preachy and red flaggy at the same time.

Paul is dealt the task of going to check on his best friend’s sister after a bad breakup when he just so happens to be in town. What was a simple request turned into a “crush” that grew harder to handle every day.

Demi Lee is a bubbly, captivating young woman and it’s no wonder why Paul is so keen on making sure her heart is his to care for. She’s passionate about what and who she loves and always acts with others in mind.

This was such a sweet little read and a great little filler novella! The only thing I will say is because of the length, it is very fast paced. I know they’ve had a history but it would have been nice to see more into that history as well as more development into their relationship before the dinner at the end. Other than that, it was a good read!

Thank you so much to Dakota Lacoy and NetGalley for this ALC 🫶