There’s no such thing as a coincidence…Ryker Granger can’t believe his luck when he meets a beautiful woman stranded on the side of the road outside of Last Stand, Texas. Normally this rancher and part-time mechanic would be too reserved to jump into a relationship, especially since his family is still reeling from questions surrounding their father’s heart attack. But his life’s a tangled mess … life’s a tangled mess and Shannon is a welcome distraction.
Shannon Smith set out to meet Ryker Granger. Her staged car breakdown was only the beginning of her plan. Meeting Ryker is her chance to right the wrongs his father inflicted on her family. Her plan skews wildly off course—she only meant to score a date, not fall in love. And Ryker’s a straight arrow; he’ll never forgive such blatant deception. But how can she walk away from the man who has claimed her heart?
As Ryker solves the mystery around his father and learns why Shannon came to Last Stand, he faces his toughest choice yet. Forgive a lie or lose the woman he loves forever?
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This is the first book I read by this author and this series, and I just loved it!
Ryker Granger takes care of the family ranch and has a mechanical shop, he’s totally dedicated to his work and, due to various events throughout his life, his relationship with his brothers is not the best.
Shannon Smith didn’t have an easy life either, but when she thinks her niece can have a better life, she decides to go after the Granger family to get to know them better. Her initial plan was just to meet Ryker in order to get closer to the family, but what neither expected was that this meeting would change the course of their lives forever.
While they have to deal with decisions that can change their lives, Shannon also has surprises waiting for her along the way.
I loved the story and the characters. I highly recommend the reading.
Cowboy Tough is the fourth title in the Tangled Up in Texas series, a part of the Last Stand, Texas line. This time around we have Ryker’s romance which begins with a lie that turns into something quite different… just when it might be too late for that happily ever after.
I have loved this series, yet there are answers finally coming our way. Some make more sense of events – others simply open the door for more questions. All the answers I’m craving will probably be in the next story, but for now, we have shy, quiet Ryker meeting Shannon, a determined woman on a quest that begins with a bald-faced lie. Not exactly the best way to meet the person you’ll fall in love with – but it worked, eventually, once those answers were given, and explanations were accepted.
I liked Shannon, yes, even if she did begin all of this with a lie, it was also for a very good reason. Could she have accomplished that goal with a different approach? Oh, definitely. But then we wouldn’t have two people meeting, falling in love, and mending differences within families.
We’ve met Ryker in the earlier books. His relationship with their father (Joe) is a bit different and there is a distance between the brothers because of that. He’s straight-arrowed, shy, but still strong in his own convictions about life. And he fell hard for a woman with her own agenda – and it hurt when the truth finally is disclosed. Watching this couple open up to each other enough to begin falling in love, only to see the possibility of heartache when Shannon’s lie is uncovered was an emotional journey on so many levels.
I enjoyed my time back in this world, and I think to say much more would reveal spoilers you should discover firsthand for yourself. I do believe this is a series best read in order (if you can) to get all the nuances and the building of information from one book to the next. I’m definitely looking forward to answers in the next book, but in the meantime, Cowboy Tough was an excellent romance that gave me some answers, and a lovely happily ever after for Ryker and Shannon.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. 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.*
This is the fourth book in the Tangled Up series by Michelle Beattie. For me, it is my favorite of the four. This is definitely a series you need to read all of them to get the story although you will do okay if you just read this one.
In this book, we get to know Ryker Grange who is a rancher/mechanic then there is Shannon Smith who has come to Last Stand, TX to find out more about Ryker’s brother Hudson. So much has gone on with her sister Avery and a secret and their father who is in a coma. Life gets complicated, to say the least. But with everything love and life can move mountains if we just stop and smell the roses. LOL This is a book I connected on so many levels.
While I’ve been adoring this series, the beginning of this story gave me pause. I’m not a huge fan of the “secret baby” trope, and it seemed this was going in this direction. If you feel the same about that trope, rest assured this isn’t your standard secret baby story. In fact, Shannon is doing what she thinks is best in order to NOT allow her sister to keep this huge secret. That may not bode well for my feelings on what I believe may be the next story in this series. But that’s not for me to worry about now.
I’ll admit, I’m not a fan of the “huge secret” trope regardless if it’s a baby or not. But I could understand Shannon’s initial plan and the fact that she was looking to do the right thing. Not just by her niece, Jenna. Also, by Ryker’s brother Hudson, who deserved to learn things before the rest of his family. I’m still not one to enjoy that empty pit I get in my stomach when stories like this come to a head, though.
Ryker and Shannon have a great chemistry and really bring out the best in each other. It’s actually quite cute and sweet how shy and unsure Ryker is when he finds himself feeling things so deeply. He’s bashful and bold at the same time and it’s quite the writing feat for the author to get that feeling spot on. And Shannon, despite the rough times she’s had in her life, is a breath of fresh air. She does all she can to follow her moral compass, keeps a positive outlook even when things are looking confusing and impossible, and will hurt herself to do what she knows is right.
And yes, when we get to that culmination of the secrets being kept, I feel that terrible pit as I reference above. Again, I still understood Shannon’s motivations and can’t fault her for the way things played out. She tried so hard to do things the right way.
I’m having a hard time believing I will ever be able to forgive Ryker’s dad in the future. I don’t know if that’s even a place the author is intending to take this series. There are other (surprise) storylines that come back to the forefront in this book that I suspected, but enjoyed watching unfold.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Secrets and all. I love the Granger boys and the women who they fall in love with.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
I enjoyed revisiting the Grangers.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Tangled Up in Texas
Questions answered
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading Hudson’s story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
Someone needed to reel Shannon in long ago!
I was so frustrated with her behavior.
I understood how she was looking at the problem and how her misguided love for her niece had her justifying her underhanded approach.
Yes everything works out, in the end, it is a HEA but a lot of unnecessary emotional pain and betrayal is dished out to get there.
Ryker is the quiet brother with a heart the size of Texas. When his boring humdrum – Okay currently it is not really boring since his home has been overtaken by the women in his brothers’ lives and his Pops is still in a coma and they do not know who the mystery lady is that dropped him off or why Pop’s paid someone thousands of dollars or… Yeah, so things are not really boring may be more out of focus? is a better way to describe it. So anyway enough of the ramble and back to the moment when Ryker’s quiet life was turned upside down by a tornado-like slip of a gal –
Enter Shannon
As I mentioned previously Shannon was not my favorite person in this story. I liked her drive. Her curiosity. Her zest. I just had trouble with her jumping into things before really thinking them through.
The chemistry between these two is spot
Lots of laughs – Perfect dose of angst – and Love – Lots of love
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This is the fourth book in the Tangled Up in Texas series about the 5 Granger brothers of Last Stand Texas and my favorite. I have read the previous books a few times. Actually, each time a new one has come out, I’ve reread the prior books. Book 4 is Ryker Granger’s story. We have met him in all the previous stories. He is the second to the youngest and is the main one working the family ranch with his dad Joe, in addition to having an automotive business onsite. Ryker is normally serious, gruff and quiet. In the previous books we learn that his dad had a heart attack, and was brought in by an unknown young mystery woman. Joe also has remained in a coma for weeks, puzzling the doctors. Ryker has difficulty interacting with his brothers as they have a difficult past history doe to their mother’s death and the failure of their dad to be a steady influence.
We meet 2 sisters, Shannon and Avery who live in San Antonio. Avery has a 9 month old daughter from a holiday fling. We learn that the father is Hudson, the Granger brother who has been away on a military assignment for 18 months. We also learn that Avery is the mystery woman who met with Joe and then got him to the hospital and snuck out. Avery agreed to not tell Hudson about his daughter in exchange for Joe’s help with the baby’s medical bills. It is uncertain if any of the brothers know about baby Jenna. Shannon doesn’t feel it right that Hudson doesn’t know. So she devises a plan to move to Last Stand for a month, to meet Ryker and see if he and his brothers are decent men and if they know about Jenna. She stages a meeting by faking car trouble and calls him for roadside assistance. To support herself there she gets a job at the Last Stand Saloon.
As the initial meeting didn’t provide any real information, Shannon decides to take him a homemade pie to thank him and try to talk some more. Both Shannon and Ryker feel something when they spend some time together. Ryker is different around Shannon, as he realizes he is starting to have feelings for her. He keeps it secret from his brothers. He goes to the saloon to see her and asks her on a dancing date. He sets up a private dance party for them and they end up making love.
Ryker is experiencing some scary symptoms- headaches, memory loss and confusion so he went to the doctor for tests. He fears it is a brain tumor and is waiting for the results. He then doesn’t want to get serious as he doesn’t know what his future holds. Still, he brings Shannon to meet his family and share in some fun at the ranch. Shannon reminds him that she’s only temporary in Last Stand. She is feeling guilty for staging their meeting and not sharing the truth as to why she’s there. She is worried he will end their relationship. There is quite a bit of angst and excitement when the secrets are revealed.
The book isn’t the final one in the series but some of the pressing questions were answered . However, there were some new shocking revelations that came to light that are causing a stir with Shannon’s family and the others. I really loved this book and it will be a long anxious wait until book 5 comes out next year. I know I will be reading all the books again when it is ready. This is a definite 5 star book.
Cowboy Tough is the fourth book in the Tangled Up in Texas Series by Michelle Beattie. Many but not all is revealed in this book concerning the major mystery concerning the Granger father, Joe. I say most not all because what happened is explained but why Joe acted as he did the months before his heart attack is not. His actions seem cold, harsh, and uncaring for any involved. Notwithstanding his hospitalization, it does not make him an endearing character. Ryker Granger, on the other hand, is an outstanding son who is now running the Diamond G ranch and the Granger Automotive. His biggest flaw is not a fault at all, he is just reserved, perhaps thanks to his coldhearted father, and normally shy. Shannon Smith is enchanting front the first page When she decides to do the right thing the completely wrong way you just want to shake some sense into her. Ryker doesn’t deserve to be used even to right a wrong.
You know Shannon’s plan is going to backfire which it does right to her heart. Of course this is a romance story so the reader knows how the end will be. The pleasure of this story is how that comes to be, the actions of the characters and the revelations for the Granger family. Of all the books in this series this is the most intense emotionally.
Now I know who I want to get their story next, Jenna’s parents. While Ryker’s and Shannon’s story is complete catching up with the Granger mystery would enhance the reading of this book. Cowboy Tough is great read that is going to be difficult to top.
4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oof! These beautiful broken families. I feel like Ryker and Shannon both just about broke my heart, for different yet remarkably similar reasons. Ryker’s now surrounded by family, but he still remembers the pain of past hurts that keep him isolated from them. Shannon’s family feels like it’s growing smaller with every moment. She remembers when they were happy and she’s desperate to hang on to those times, recreate them for her little niece if she can. I loved Shannon’s determination and her cause is one I fully support. Ryker, I just wanted to cuddle close, remind him he’s loved, and tell him everything would be okay. I’m coming to this series really kind of late since there are several books and quite a lot of story that takes place before this. But if you’re like me and this is the first book in the series that you’ve read, don’t panic. This story stands well on its own and I never felt like I was missing anything essential to understanding it. Though, for how deeply in love I’ve already fallen with the Granger boys I’m a little desperate to read those previous books.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Buoni Amici Press.
I liked the story over all. I liked Shannon and how her heart was in the right place and how she wanted what was best for her sister, niece and her family. I loved how she went after what she wanted and also dealt with the consequences of those choices. Ryker also had a heart for his family and wanted to help bring his family or at least his brothers back together. What I was not a fan of was I felt like the author repeated herself a lot for the majority of the book. This book does have adult situations and strong language in it. Over all I would say the story does get to your heart and it was a good read. I would love to read Hudson’s story and find out what happens next with him. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
An emotionally charged love story.
Ryker Granger has a lot on his plate. He is running the family ranch and his automotive repair shop and facing an unknown medical condition while his father is in a coma. So, when a new girl, Shannon Smith, shows up in Last Stand and takes a liking to him, Ryker doesn’t know what to think of it. Should he trust his instincts and try to get to know her better, or walk away?
Shannon came to Last Stand with one thing on her mind, to right a wrong. While trying to get information from Ryker, she falls in love with him. But time is running out and soon she will have to confess her real reason for being in Last Stand even though it will break both of their hearts.
Ryker and Shannon’s story is one I won’t soon forget. I enjoyed their romance even knowing it would backfire eventually. But watching them pick up the pieces and start over was inspirational for me. It showed that with determination, anything can be achieved. I really liked the family connection between the brothers and how they came together when they needed to. There are a lot of surprises and revelations in this book as well. I highly recommend it. It is part of a series, but it can be read on it’s own.
Cowboy Tough by Michelle Beattie is book #4 in her Tangled Up in Texas series. This is the story of temporary Last Stand resident Shannon Smith and rancher/mechanic Ryker Granger. Shannon orchestrates a meeting with Ryker in an attempt to reconnect her sister Avery and Ryker’s brother Hudson. Throughout the entire story, her goal remains a secret, the plot builds, as Shannon and Ryker connect in every way possible. She’s in trouble, but is set on playing the life cards that she’s been dealt. She’s got aloof Ryker Granger reeled in… hook, line, and sinker. She’s lied to him and to herself. She won’t be able to walk away from Ryker. Not without a cavernous hole where her heart once was. Just when her goal is at reach, unbelievable surprises appear from nowhere like a bad Texas tornado! Can she save herself and Ryker, or even just herself?
For Tangled Up in Texas fans, the entire Granger family is here. Their dysfunction has lessened, but the struggles surrounding them continue to ebb and flow. It is incredible to consider the detail in a Michelle Beattie story. Her descriptions put you in Ryker’s garage as he plays his guitar, or the kitchen with everyone involved, or in Joe’s hospital room, or in downtown Last Stand, or in his truck bed with the lovers. Each book in this series is a masterful accomplishment. Cowboy Tough is my favorite to date.
Great final book in the Tangled Up in Texas series. In a surprising way, the story ties everything together from the previous books. Answers are finally found and the romance that builds around them is ready to implode at any moment.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the fourth book of the Tangled Up in Texas series, I was given an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my review. Oh how I five star loved it, I have read the first books in the series and was wondering ( more like dying to know) who the mysterious women was that had taken the brothers dad to the hospital and why he had paid her a large sum of money and this book let me know right away, whew! Oh Shannon and Ryker’s romance was quick and hot hot hot and I feared for the moment Ryker found out Shannon had rigged their meeting,even though she had did it for a really good reason.
Yes it was so extraordinarily good but please hurry with the next book there is so much more I want to know.
This is the fourth book in this series about the Granger boys of Last Stand Texas and this is Ryker’s story
Ryker is the part time mechanic of the family so he doesn’t hesitate when he finds a woman stranded at the side of the road with a broken down car. It isn’t all that it seems though Shannon Smith set up the breakdown as she is bent on revenge against Ryker’s father and what he did to her family What she didn’t expect is to fall in love with Ryker and she knows that he will never forgive her dishonesty when he finds out As the secrets his father kept start top unwind will he and Shannon have a chance or has it been destroyed by her machinations