“Stacy Finz delivers a fantastic tale of cowboys, cattle rustling and the power of love and family in the California gold country.” —Kate Pearce, New York Times bestselling authorCash, Jace, and Sawyer: Three cousins sharing an inheritance of five hundred acres of prime California ranch land—and a whole lot of surprises . . .Cash Dalton is no rancher. He’s an FBI agent—or at least he was, until … an FBI agent—or at least he was, until he left a haunting case behind him and a load of guilt in front of him. Now it turns out he’s also a father—to a twelve-year-old girl he didn’t know he had. Clearly, it’s no time for a new romance, especially not with Aubrey McAlister, who’s renting the cottage on Dry Creek Ranch. She doesn’t even seem to like him. Still, there’s nothing wrong with looking . . .
After calling off her wedding, Aubrey is trying to focus on her interior design career and avoid the fact that she’s the center of small-town gossip. Clearly, it’s no time for a new romance, especially not with brooding Cash. Though she does find him sexy as hell. And he has softened since his daughter arrived—enough for Aubrey to help decorate her room—and even try to get Cash to open up about the chip on his shoulder. Once he does, both their hearts might just follow—but will their futures sync up as well? . . .
PRAISE FOR STACY FINZ
“Sweet humor, well-defined and appealing characters, and just enough adventure sports and fashion detail make Finz’s print debut, and series launch, a delightful read.”
—Library Journal on Need You
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Loved it!
I loved this family drama cowboy romance. Aubrey and Cash are new neighbors and their first few encounters go not very well. But there is something that shimmers between them. Will they explore that spark or will Aubreys drama and Cash past prevent them to be together. A great read in which we see how Aubrey come to the realization what should the real love be. And Cash to forget his past move forward and find his new meaning in life. Well written, funny summer romance that I enjoyed to read.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley
Stacy Finz delivers a fantastic tale of cowboys, cattle rustling and the power of love and family in the California gold country.
I do love a great Cowboy read!
I got roped into this journey from the start and it was excellent to the end. The characters, well the Dalton’s anyway, were all awesome and carry the Cowboy Code genes. This is Cash’s story and what a story to tell. So much change in a small amount of time, meeting a daughter he never knew about, so yeah, the emotions are ALL there, having been fired thru no fault of his own, and the list goes on.
He meets Aubrey, his next door neighbor, who thinks he’s a drunk, and yes, there are LoL moments throughout. The chemistry is instant, the timing’s all wrong, but the heart doesn’t care. She has her own set of wrongs being done to her and it makes some really intense reading.
The atmosphere is a perfectly depicted small town, in your business, no secrets, all gossip setting which I love, most of the time lol. The scenarios all kept me reading, not wanting to put it down until I finished it. Drama, action, and heat are all there to enjoy and absorb. When kids are involved, just makes it even better, along with Cash’s cousins Jace and Sawyer, who I am anxious to read about, hopefully next in this crazy good series.
I received an advance reader’s copy thru Netgalley and am giving my honest thoughts and opinions voluntarily.
I loved Cowboy Up! Cash & Aubrey were great together. I really enjoyed their story, and I look forward to seeing what Stacy Finz has in store for the other Daltons. I liked Cash’s cousin, Sawyer, and I can’t wait to find out the rest of his story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley.
There were so many things I liked about this book and one that I didn’t. This was not the authors fault but she did such an amazing job at her story telling it sort of happened.
I really liked Cash. For all his grumpiness he really did have a lot going on right now. The man has a lot on his plate. Every aspect of his life is in upheaval and he isn’t being given a chance to process it. Loosing his job, demands about their grandfathers farm from his cousins and oh ya, finding out are a father to a preteen. I’m going to give Cash a pass on a lot!!
Aubrey broke my heart over and over in this book. Here was this really warm, kind and generous woman just trying to do the right thing and yet the hits keep coming. Whether its her business, broken engagement, or her car she just can’t catch a break. I loved the relationship that sprung up between Aubrey and Ellie. I feel like they both just needed a friend and they clicked!!
OK the part that I disliked. I read a lot of cowboy books. I love the different series that usually center on some mythical town that I would love to live in one day. However, that warm feeling didn’t come in reference to this town. The things they did to Aubrey and said about her was unforgivable. I know rumors spread but this was too far. Refusing service and things like that made me want to throat punch the majority of the people in this town. On the positive side, the author did a fantastic job at making us feel for Aubrey and feel her anger and hurt. She was just trying to be a good person and help a friend out and unfortunately made her the most hated woman in the whole town.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This is a fantastic book to read. I adored Cash and Aubrey (along with his 12 year old daughter Ellie). The plot was well written and a such that it felt like I was right there in the middle of the scene. There was a lot going on with these characters and it kept me guessing. I look forward to more of Dry Creek Ranch Series. The two remaining cousins Jace and Sawyer are such wonderful men that I look forward to reading them.
I loved that the book was written in a multiple POV format. Not only getting Cash and Aubrey, we get Ellie’s as well. This twelve year old recently lost her mother, the only parent that she has known. Cash is notified that he has a young daughter and the struggle that father and daughter go through is heartfelt. I really felt for Cash. He is a former FBI agent that is haunted by his last case. This man has so much going on but he was so well-centered that he just handles everything beautifully. Aubrey breaks up with her fiance weeks before the wedding and goes to live on Dry Creek Ranch in the cabin next to Cash’s cabin. The town is split in their loyalty as the ex-fiance is a much loved man of the town. Aubrey takes the brunt of the town’s people spite and malice. She is a wonderful person who doesn’t inform the town of the true nature of the split to protect another beloved member of town. Cash and Aubrey two immediately spark off of each other and not in a good way. It was a joy to see these two go through so much on their journey to a HEA.
If you love a well written romance, then this one is for you. I couldn’t read this one fast enough. The only problem with that though, is I hated to see it end.
This was an ARC copy from Net Galley*
This was a real page turner! It kept me guessing and engrossed for the entire story! Excellent novel!
This one pretty much has it all. A wounded and scarred FBI agent, a 12-year-old daughter he never knew he had until a few weeks ago, a town pariah who really isn’t really the bad-girl but won’t rat out what really happened because it would hurt too many people. The town of Dry Creek has literally turned their back on Aubrey McAllister because she dared to cancel her wedding to the town’s golden boy just weeks before they were set to walk down the aisle. She had her reasons. They were very good reasons. She lost her home with the breakup and is now living on Dry Creek Ranch. Her slimy ex is making her out to be the bad one, though. He also threw his best friend under the bus in order to perpetuate his lies and garner sympathy. Little do the people of Dry Creek know how badly they are being duped. Cash is new to town. Well, sort of. He isn’t from there, but he did spend all of his summers growing up in Dry Creek at his grandfather’s ranch with his two cousins. He’s as much of a native as he can be. He’s now a resident of Dry Creek and out of a job. He’s also about to bring his daughter, who he’s never met, home with him. What could possibly go wrong? OH, did I mention that there seems to be some nefarious cattle rustling going on?
This is a quick, entertaining, story with plenty of action and wonderful characters. There are several plotlines going on at once but they flow seamlessly together. This one is worth picking up.
Can’t wait to read the next book.
This was my first Stacy Finz book & I really enjoyed it. Watching Cash figure out how to be a father AND fight his growing feelings for Aubrey was sooo great. There were several “dramatic” issues that occurred throughout the story (versus only 1), but I didn’t feel like it detracted from the book or make it feel overwhelming.
Fabulous start to a series. I fell in love with the characters, the towns folk, and the hubbub going on in Dry Creek. The author has given us a funny, sexy, heartfelt storyline with characters that will reach in and grab your heart and soul. The characters are so well defined I felt like I knew the whole town. Plus there are several background stories going on that make the reader feel like they are right there in the heart of the town watching that’s happening. I just can’t wait for more from Dry Creek.
Cowboy Up is Cash’s story. He is a former FBI agent that’s life has been one bombshell after another. First his grandfather, who raised him and his cousins, died and left them all co-owners of Dry Creek Ranch (which sadly is in a poor neglected state). Second he finds out he as a 12 year old daughter he apparently fathered during a one night stand who he now has custody of and no idea how to raise or even get through to in her grieving state. Next is Aubery, the sexy woman renting the cabin next to his on the ranch, who is being shunned by the town for breaking up with her fiancee (for reasons I can say without spoiling the story). Aubrey is a bubbly person that is constantly in his business and driving him nuts. All Cash wants is some peace and quiet to figure out what he’s going to do with his life. But fate had other plans.
The story is humorous, delightful, heartwarming and heartbreaking all rolled up into one. I highly recommend starting the series with Cowboy Up. If this is a preview of what’s to come, I think readers are going to be in for a rip roaring entertaining time with the people of Dry Creek.
2 Thumbs Up and 5 stars for what this reader considers an outstanding start to the series.
4 stars
While I do LOVE a cowboy, I generally steer toward more contemporary novels but as a newcomer to this author’s work, I’m pleasantly surprised how much I liked this book. Stacy Finz did a great job creating rich, layered characters with a great deal of internal conflict making the storyline super compelling.
My only critique is some of the storyline felt like a continuation of earlier work, as if it were later in a series and an investment in some of the characters had already been built. (I’m not sure how as this appears to be the first in the series), I felt like I somehow missed a bit of backstory with the sister, etc, but I was thoroughly invested in Cash, Ellie and Aubrey and the cousins.
Cash, Ellie and Aubrey were all dealing with their lives changing dramatically and my heart broke for them. If you’re a 12 year old girl in need of a dad, even if he’s a stranger, Cash was a perfect model for that. Gah, the man wrecked me with how he cared for this little girl and how desperately he wanted her to love him back. Aubrey was a dream match for this struggling dad and his girl, fiesty enough to challenge him, caring enough to be there for them both. I also really enjoyed the light suspense in the book as well. I actually would’ve like more of that! Great book and I can’t wait to read how this family keeps cowboying up!
AnnMarie – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
This is a nice start to a new small town/cowboy series centering around the Dalton cousins Chase, Jace and Sawyer. Chase just quit his job at the FBI after a case that went sideways. He has been adrift and licking his wounds at a cabin on his grandfather’s ranch when he learns that he has a twelve year old daughter who’s mother just died. Adding to his chaotic life is his hot next door neighbor, Aubrey. Aubrey just dumped town golden boy Mitch after he catches him betraying her. Mitch turns the town against her by saying that she left him for Jace (which wasn’t true). Aubrey is now the town pariah. Since she lost her job working for Mitch and most of the town won’t give her the time of day, she is also adrift. Chase hires Aubrey to decorate is daughter Ellie’s bedroom, and their relationship starts to develop. Chase and Aubrey are likable characters and I enjoyed the development of their relationship. The only quibble I had, which kept this from being a five star rating, was that most of townsfolk were pretty nasty to Aubrey. Usually in small town romances, the town is like another character that you like. Overall this was an enjoyable book and I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest review.
A new series by Stacy Finz and it promises to be another great one. Cash is learning how to be a single father to a 12 year old he knew nothing about, Aubrey deals with being ostracized by most of the town who sides with her ex, and both try to navigate small town gossip and unexpected chemistry. Emotion, suspense, drama, cattle rustlers, cowboys, and romance. I look forward to reading more of the series!
Enjoyed it
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Dry Creek Ranch
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
Great read
Dry Creek Ranch #1, New series I’m so happy. This was a good read, just like so any other Finz stories you have witty banter, complex characters with enough baggage in their past and present to make them interesting, quirky side characters, and hunky cowboys. This is a great start to the series with wonderful character introductions and vague background on the other two cousins who live on Dry Creek Ranch.
Jace, Sawyer, and Cash are cousins who inherited the ranch from their grandfather, the Ranch was already starting to go belly up when they got it now they are arguing about keeping it or selling the main bulk of the land off. Jace and Sawyer are against it Cash on the other hand is being realistic about the three of them running the ranch. Jace who is also Sheriff with two boys, Sawyer who is also a writer, and Cash former FBI and just recently moved to one of the cabin on the property. He needs to fix up the cabin to liveable conditions because he just found out he has a daughter, Ellie, from a one night stand 12 years ago.
Across the creek from Cash’s cabin is another cabin which is occupied by one of Jace’s best friends, Aubrey, who walked out on her fiance two weeks before the wedding. Aubrey is now the town pariah, apparently her ex-fiancee is covered in teflon because shit don’t stick to him it’s “all her fault” and now rumors are going around that her and Jace had an affair and that’s why she left. Aubrey isn’t telling the truth about what really happened because she doesn’t want to hurt a very dear friend who came back from his military service without his legs, the truth that his wife was the one cheating with Aubrey’s fiance and she caught them. Aubrey is having to deal with snide remarks, vandalism, and clients canceling jobs.
Aubrey and Cash don’t start off on the right foot but soon he has her coming over to help decorate his daughter’s new room to make her feel more at home in her new home. While Aubrey and Cash do this slow seduction friends to lovers thing Cash is also trying to build a relationship with a preteen Ellie who thinks he never wanted her in the first place and keeps thinking that she will be going back to Boston. There is also some funny business going on around town that has pulled in Cash to help investigate.
Overall, another great story from Stacy Finz. I liked the romance between Cash and Aubrey and the building of a relationship between father and daughter. I look forward to the other books in the series.
5 Stars
Review by Elizabeth
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Wow. Just wow. I’m not sure where to start with this one.
I have been reading like crazy recently and nothing has been what I have expected. Cowboy Up by Stacy Finz is another addition to add to that collection of books that was nowhere near what I was expecting. I’m glad it was different because it was so much better!
I liked Aubrey from the beginning with her spitfire self. As the book progressed I learned a great deal about Aubrey and my respect for her grew with every turn of the page. She is a divine character that should not be getting the treatment she is, but being the selfless person she is, she just goes through the motions.
As for Cash, he has his own set of issues to work through. Between finding out about a child he never knew about and losing his job, he is down on his luck. Cash really is a sweetheart and will do anything for you.
Cowboy Up is filled with so many things that I could keep going on about. However, I will not. I will leave you with the request to one-click this baby today. There are so many feels, sexy times, father-daughter moments, etc.
Oh, I do not want to forget this … Cash and Aubrey’s chemistry is off the charts hot!!
I was so excited when I learned that Stacy Finz was starting a new series. Not that I don’t love her other ones but I couldn’t wait to see what she was going to come up with next.
I’m happy to say that she hit it out of the park for me. I just loved Cowboy Up. It gave us a new set of characters to love and a slightly different setting.
In Cowboy Up we meet the Cash and his cousins. I just love them. They are great, funny guys who protect their own. Cash’s story is first and it’s so good. I totally loved how he reacted to finding out he has a daughter. Not only does he find out about Ellie he’s left with taking care of her without prior knowledge of her.
I think that’s some of the best parts of this book. I enjoyed how Cash learned to be a father. Which Ellie didn’t make easy. I got why she didn’t, she’s at the age of wanting to be independent but is way to young yet. Even with her resisting him he kept trying to make her feel safe even when she didn’t feel that way.
Aubrey was so wonderful. Of course, how the town treated her is f*cked up. I mean, they knew her just as long as the a**hole so they should have known how they both were. It will take me a while to forgive them if ever. I have a long memory.
Now together Cash and Aubrey are wonderful. Yes, Cash is an idiot and doesn’t see it right away but he gets a clue. Sometimes people have to be hit over the head to understand what they have. I liked how these two worked out their issues and how Cash always stood with her against the town.
It might have taken these two a bit to figure out what they wanted but I’m happy to say in the end it was love. What more can any of us ask for!