New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Rowe triumphs with her latest Wyoming Rebels novel, in which a rugged cowboy offers his spare bedroom as “friends only” to the woman he has secretly loved for a decade, and things get complicated in a hurry. “A must-read series!” ~Theresa L. (Amazon Review)Ten years ago, the shadows that haunt Ryder Stockton made him walk away from his best friend, the … him walk away from his best friend, the only woman he ever loved. When he sees her in a local café, all his romantic feelings come surging back…twice as strong. She needs a friend. He wants her heart. Can he give her both?
When Zoey Wilson returns to her hometown of Rogue Valley to recover from a shattering divorce, the last thing she wants is romance, especially with the man who broke her heart so long ago. But when her apartment burns down and she moves in with Ryder for a few days as “friends only,” things get complicated in a hurry.
As determined as Zoey is to get out of town as fast she can, the dangerous, handsome cowboy she’s always loved is equally determined to do it right this time…and win her heart forever.
“I love this series. All the brothers are fantastic characters…capable of such love and loyalty.” ~Lynn S. (Amazon Review)
Books in the Wyoming Rebels series (all books are standalone and can be read in any order):
A Real Cowboy Never Says No
A Real Cowboy Knows How to Kiss
A Real Cowboy Rides a Motorcycle
A Real Cowboy Never Walks Away
A Real Cowboy Loves Forever
A Real Cowboy for Christmas
A Real Cowboy Always Trusts His Heart
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Rowe is “contemporary romance at its best” (Bex ‘N’ Books). She’s author of more than forty-five novels, and she’s a 2018 winner and a five-time nominee of the RITA® award, the highest award in romance fiction. As an award-winning author, Stephanie has been touching readers’ hearts and keeping them spellbound for more than a decade with her contemporary romances, romantic suspense, and paranormal romances.
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He walked away from his best friend, the only woman he ever loved because of the shadows that haunt him. When Ryder Stockton sees her again, ten years later, all his romantic feelings come surging back. Zoey Wilson has returned to home town to recover from a shattering divorce and the last thing she wants is romance, especially with the man who broke her heart so long ago. Zoey is determined to get of town as fast as she can but Ryder is just as determined to convince her stay.
This ‘Wyoming Rebel’ cowboy romance is an emotionally gripping read that captures the heart and refuses to let go. The characters are strong and the author portrays them with such depth that readers can’t help but become completely caught up in their story. The chemistry is electrical and the attraction undeniable but this one troubled romance as both parties have some issues that they have to overcome with keeps lots of emotional turmoil flowing the pages.
The plot is steady to fast paced, full of suspense in regards to how this relationship will work out, but it is also full of family and friends that have overcome traumatic adversity to have successful lives even if they all feel a bit broken and full of darkness. So the story portrays hope and love that really warms the heart and keeps readers glued to the pages of this heart tugging romance.
This series continues to impress. I am so glad Ryder found love with Zoey…finally. Their story has all the good stuff, romance, a great plot and better characters. I found this really hard to put down once I started it. I just love those Stockton men.
Sorry but I’m not going to give away any spoilers of any kind because I’m not the type that does that.
So this is all I’m going to say about A Real Cowboy Always Trusts His Heart is that I thought it was totally amazing.
Stephanie Rowe definitely knows how to hook her readers and take them on an exciting ride.
So yes I most definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in crawling into this story and getting lost within its pages.
Fantastic! This was such a great book. I didn’t want it to end. Ryder is the perfect leading man. Zoey was a great leading lady. The love in the book was so wonderful. I did have tears I shed for the love of these two. This book left me wanting more. I would have been very happy with a few hundred more pages. Perfection. This book moved up to be my favorite of the series.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
Loved it, could not put it down. There are so many wonderful characters in this story and how they all interleave. The Stockton’s and the Harts are quite the family and now Frank and Liam, they are all family. I loved the midnight kayaking, and the food tester, the barn plans and the bakery!
This is about Zoey and Ryder, they are both broken, and they both give each other light, it takes them a while to figure that out, but it’s more on Ryder’s side than Zoey. She doesn’t know which way to turn, but Ryder has figured it out. He will risk losing his whole family to make it right.
It was a wonderful and powerful story. I’ve read some of the series previously, but now I must go back and re-read them all. I highly recommend this book and series.
I received this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
GREAT ADDITION TO THE SERIES!!!
Title: A Real Cowboy Always Trusts His Heart
Series: Wyoming Rebels
Author: Stephanie Rowe
Designation: Book 7 of Wyoming Rebels Series, Full-Length (Approx 230 pages), Standalone, No Cliffhanger #contemporarywesternromance #cowboys #secondchance #bestfriendssister
My Rating: Five Good-to-the-last-page Stars*****
I adore Stephanie Rowe and have been a fan of her work for years. Without a doubt, Rowe is one of the most talented as well as versatile writers in romance fiction today. Her releases are always an automatic buy for me, which is proven by the fact that I have purchased, read, and enjoyed forty of her books. That’s quite a recommendation in itself, but why am I such a fan and what makes her so special? Well, quite a few reasons, actually. The first is her style – it’s easy, natural, relaxed, and flows effortlessly. Her pacing is never too fast nor too slow. Her dialogue is well executed and never stilted or unnatural. It’s always so easy to lose myself in her narrative, almost as if I become a part of the story, which brings me to my second reason – her characters. Rowe’s characters are intriguing yet relatable, flawed but redeemable, and always endearing. Her characters’ personal growth and journey to redemption and happiness are major elements of every story she writes. They’re so well developed that I feel as if I know them personally and become invested in their lives, community, struggles, and happiness. The third reason is Rowe’s world building. It’s exceptional, vivid and detailed with rich descriptions of locations, scenery, landmarks, climate, community, and people. The fourth is her storyline/plot realism. Yes, I know it’s fiction but it’s realistic fiction with relatable characters experiencing believable real-life problems. The fifth is her diversity. Rowe has the ability to cross genres and do it exceptionally well. I’ve read her paranormal and fantasy romance, her romantic suspense, her contemporary romance, and her romantic comedy/chick lit, and I’ve loved it all. And A Real Cowboy Always Trusts His Heart is no exception. The series is centered primarily around the Stocktons, a large dysfunctional family raised by an abusive, alcoholic father in Rogue Valley, Wyoming. Each book features a different family member finding their happy-ever-after and can be read as a stand-alone. However, for a much richer reading experience, I highly recommend reading the books sequentially.
In A Real Cowboy Always Trusts His Heart, we finally get Ryder Stockton’s story. And yes, I said finally because I feel like I’ve been waiting forever. But it was well worth the wait! Be still my ancient heart! I fell head over heels for Ryder Stockton and Zoey Wilson! OMG, Ryder and Zoey were so perfect for each other. Zoey was Ryder’s best friend’s little sister. Ryder was six years older and had been Zoey’s protector growing up. They actually shared one night as lovers on Zoey’s prom night, but Ryder walked away with no explanation, leaving Zoey heartbroken and devastated. She left for Harvard, graduated, became a lawyer, settled in Boston, and never returned home…until now – ten years later. Zoey finds herself returning to Rogue Valley, now divorced and feeling even more lost than when she left. And this is where the magic begins. Ryder thinks he’s too dark, damaged, and unredeemable. Zoey believes she’s broken and unlovable. She’s angry and hurt. He’s given up on happiness. But there’s always hope, if you’re willing to take a chance. But is it too late for Ryder and Zoey? Sigh… I sniffled, snuffled, sobbed, fumed, and shook my fists in anger through the entire story. But there were giggles and laughs, too! And we got to catch up with all the other couples and family! It was perfect!
Did I like this book? No, I loved it! Would I recommend it? Absolutely, but only for adult readers. There are some beautifully written love scenes and profanity, so be forewarned. If you enjoy well written romance with all the feels and lots of heat, then Stephanie Rowe is the author for you. And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!
I have loved every Stephanie Rowe contemporary novel I have read and the nest book in the Wyoming Rebels series, A Real Cowboy Always Trusts His Heart, is no exception. The strengths and weakness of Stephanie Rowe’s characters draw me to them. For long time fans, Zoey is Dane’s sister. Life, in the form of her ex-husband, has really kicked her in the teeth leaving her no choice but to return to the town she didn’t really want to leave 10 years earlier. Only one thing really draws her back, Ryder Stockton, the man who hurt her more than her ex. I love the trust that Zoey has in Ryder even after he pushed her away years ago. His reason for pushing her away made perfect sense at the time but she wasn’t told until her return. Some things may seem too perfect, but I love when karma works that way for those who have faced tough times. Life may seldom work out just right, but we can always hope. The desire to see happily ever after is one of the reasons some of us read. The sex isn’t detailed, but the relationship is STEAMY. In a side note: It was great to see a couple of the Harts supporting the Stocktons; Brody and Keegan are adorable, but you can’t forget what they have been through and why they relate so well to the Stockton brothers.
I just finished this book. I grinned, laughed, got angry and cried! I’ve read every book in this series to date and I think this is the very best one. If you’re a Stephanie Rowe fan, you must read. If you’re not a Stephanie Rowe fan, you will be! Absolutely awesome!
This story was full of raw emotions. When family thinks they are doing the best for you, and your life is miserable, then you have Zoey & Ryder. Their love had to come home and repair itself after time. I adored how the story flowed. The way Zoey and Ryder and the rest of the family bared themselves was so honest and rough.
The introduction and interactions with more of the Harts left room for spreading more love in future books. This is the 7th in the Wyoming Rebel series but can be read as a stand alone.
Ryder comes from a huge family. They were all labelled “trouble” at early age due to their abysmal father and their knack for getting into a fight or two. But they were also fiercely protective. Once you were in their inner circle, you stayed there. That’s how Ryder became Zoey’s saviour. He and his brothers made her a part of their protected circle of friends and saved her from abuse at the hands of her uncle. But when Zoey’s hero worship turns to something deeper, the much older Ryder does his best to hurt her so she will leave him behind and make something of her life.
Zoey has come home to nurse her remaining wounds after her divorce and further betrayals by her scummy ex. Once again Ryder has become her protector. But now she is living under the same roof as her one time love. Can she survive living in such close proximity without acting on her growing need to have him?
Ryder may think he’s a rebel without a cause but he has a clear moral code, a great knack for building and a protective streak that gets in the way of his own happiness. Zoey sees herself as a failure. She can’t see that be getting out of her horrible marriage and away from Boston was the best thing she could do!
Plenty of heartrending angst, passion, strained relationships and more to keep you interested. I haven’t read many of the previous books but I didn’t get lost at all in the on-going storylines.
I fell in love with this heartbreaking story moments after I started reading it. Zoey came back home to Wyoming ten years after she left. Creeping back fyi her small town with her heart in shatters from a horrific divorce. He took her heart, soul and business that she fought so hard for and trashed them ALL without a second thought. Now she’s back where childhood ghosts roam, and the biggest one of all left to face. The ghost of childhood heartbreak….Ryder. Growing up orphans, her older brother Dane and she were left with their ain’t and uncle in a potentially abusive home. All of Ryder’s brothers and Dane took turns sleeping on her floor nightly the second they noticed her uncle began looking at her a certain way. She quickly became Ryders shadow, which as her brothers BFF want too hard . Yet even Then she knew he held her heart. The question now is does she even have a heart to give? She fled this town years ago for the big city…. It’s it time to return to the small town for good, or just to heal? I LOVED this town and all the characters. The bonds these families have truly touched my soul. I can’t wait to see which sibling falls next!
A Real Cowboy Always Trusts his Heart by Stephanie Rowe is the newest in the Wyoming Rebels series. I got the first of this series last week from Amazon and read all of them. I had to wait a couple of days for this one. Ryder Stockton is one of nine sons of one man by seven women, most of whom he abused. All of the sons were abused until the oldest one killed his father, trying to protect his youngest brother. To say there is darkness in the past is an understatement. Zoey Wilson is the sister of the Stockton’s friend, Dane, who is the local sheriff. She has just returned to her hometown after ten years away and happens to walk into a cafe owned by the fiancée of one of the Stockton brothers, four of whom enter shortly after she has. Including Ryder. She had loved him most of her life, but after taking her virginity in the night of her prom, he walked away. She never know why but she had thought about him for years; sometimes with love; sometimes hatred. She had not seen her brother yet, she was still moving in. Ryder offered to help. She knew better, but she let him. After spending the day with her, he knew he was hooked, just like he had always been. He went to see his friend Dane, to tell him. Dane was not happy. On his way home he drove by Zoey’s apartment. It was on fire. He insisted she come home with him.
I cannot tell you how much I love this series. These men are all damaged but seem to come around when they find someone to love. Ryder is one of the darkest; the darker, the more to redeem. Zoey is damaged as well, from a variety of things including a marriage gone bad. Rowe makes the reader feel the pain without overwhelming them. A Real Cowboy Always Trusts His Heart is sexy, loving, and well-plotted. It will touch your heart. I cannot recommend it highly enough for readers of romance, for readers of Western romance, especially, and for those who like a series, which goes on and on.
This is book 7 in the Wyoming Rebels series and I would absolutely read the books before this one or you may be lost as to the relationships between all the characters. In this one, we finally get Ryder’s story!! Ryder Stockton walked away from his best friend, Zoey Wilson, because he thought it was the best thing for her. But when she comes back to town, he realizes that he has never stopped loving her. But she isn’t the same woman that she was when she left. And after the hell of her divorce, the last thing she wants is romance from anyone. Let alone the one person she thought she could trust, but who broke her heart. But when circumstances force her to accept his help and them into the same home, they will both have to deal with the things that happened so long ago. And decide whether the feelings they have always had for each other are worth fighting for now.
I absolutely loved this one!! I really wanted Ryder’s story for a while (along with the rest of the brothers) but this book definitely drew me in right from the start. Zoey went through what no woman should ever have to go through. And she did it completely alone. Which just goes to show how truly strong she is. Ryder has so many scars from his childhood that he never truly dealt with, and watching him finally do so because he wants to be the man that Zoey deserves? I loved that! And the fact that they both consider each other to be their “light”? Truly beautiful!! I even loved that Dane finally had to realize what he was doing to his sister in his efforts to get her out of town. Now I need the rest of the brothers-of course I also need stories for those beautiful Hart men because they need a HEA for them as well!!!
This is Ryder and Zoey’s story. Zoey’s parents died when she was 7. She and her brother Dane were placed with their aunt and uncle as guardians. This turned out to be a potentially abusive situation particularly for Zoey. Ryder was Dane’s best friend, but he and his brothers also grew up in an abusive family. Dane and Ryder were very protective of Zoey and for Ryder and Zoey this developed into attraction and love. Zoey left town after High School with a scholarship to Harvard to study Law. Now after 10 years, a failed marriage and a dipterous career Zoey returns to Wyoming to recover and go on with her life. When she returns she finds Ryder and the attraction is still there. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles that kept them apart so many years ago and find their HEA? This is a fabulous book with wonderful characters and a great story line. This book is part of the Wyoming Rebels series but can be read as a stand alone. However, once you read this book you will want to read the rest of the books in this series.
I received a ARC of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Such a wonderful heartwarming story. The characters are all so wonderful. I love reading a wonderful western romance. This one is terrific.
Loved it.
Have you ever loved someone so much you’d do what needs to be done for them? Ryder and Zoey have always been together first as friends and then it became more until Zoey left to go to school. Now she’s back and the light is missing. The 2 will need to see what’s next for themselves. Another great story in this series! The author tells the story from the heart and makes you feel everything! Wonder who’s story will be next!
I have always read this author in a different genre but now she has me hooked in contemporary using a cowboy lol. That cowboy was Ryder whom has a heart bigger than he knows with it soon causing his own downfall. Zoey has her share of road blocks and when the two come together again with the delusion of friends only you sit back with popcorn in hand and read the slow boil of emotions. I also discovered I think I had been missing alot thanks to this series if this is a sample of it. So love a second chance it warms the soul. This story had more depth than I expected also which makes it a winner.
An absolutely sensational book. Have been waiting for this for almost two years and despite the high expectations I had, I was not at all disappointed. In fact, I was surprised by how much I loved this story, remembering how much I had loved the previous books in the series. This is possibly Stephanie Rowe’s best novel to date. The emotions are so honest, the darkness and despair so real and overwhelming, the character development so considered and therefore the resolution so absolutely believable. I adored this! Welcome back, Stephanie Rowe!!
This is a great story with great characters. I really enjoy reading this book and didn’t want to put it down. This is a great heart warming story.