He’d never mixed business with pleasure…until nowWhen Dallas Granger left his family’s Last Stand, Texas, ranch, he hadn’t planned on returning. But when a medical emergency calls him home and a legal matter affects his business, suddenly his family isn’t the only thing in need of a re-build. Unfortunately his new project involves building a house for a woman who not only awakens his desires, … awakens his desires, but also his fears. But if he wants to claim her as his own, he’ll have to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart.
Single mom Ashley Anderson knows all about juggling. Between an assortment of part-time jobs and raising her sixteen-year old daughter, she doesn’t need a hunky construction worker with an attitude as a distraction. Even one who steps in to help her when she needs it most. But life has taught Ashley that when the going gets tough, she’s on her own. It’s going to take a man with a Texas-sized heart to show her that this cowboy isn’t going anywhere.
more
4.5 stars
Michelle Beattie is a new-to-me author and I’m happy I gave her a chance. This was a great story. From the Author’s Note at the beginning of the book, I gather this is her first foray into the contemporary romance genre. Looking at her Goodreads page it seems she’s done different sub-genres of historical romance in the past, from pirates to cowboys. I’ll definitely be looking into reading more of her work. I don’t know that I’ve ever really read a pirate story.
Although this story starts off putting Dallas in a good light, it would be very easy to write him off as an entitled jerk by the time his first meeting with Ashley is over. But, surprisingly, Dallas is a man who can and will admit when he’s wrong. That bodes well for him and any hope he has of a meaningful relationship in the future.
I’ll be honest and tell you that there are a few times that Ashley’s story makes me cry. I’m often an overly emotional person, though. Ashley is the personification of strong-willed. She had her child while she was still a child herself and has never had much help getting by. She has her moments, but in the long run she doesn’t let that get her down. She does what needs to be done in order to pay her bills and give her daughter a few extras (very few) along the way. She’s working her butt off to provide a better future for her daughter. The problem is, she’s been doing it on her own and her own way for so long that sometimes she doesn’t realize just how impenetrable her walls have become.
Ashley and Dallas have instant chemistry. I truly love finding a new-to-me author that can give me the warm-fuzzies right off the bat. Even through the animosity they feel toward each other in the beginning, there is no denying the attraction.
On top of this being a wonderful story about Dallas and Ashley learning to trust each other and let their walls down, it’s also a story of brothers. Dallas has four brothers who he doesn’t speak to but a couple times a year. But a medical emergency with their father has forced him to spend more time with them and for the group of them to finally start airing their grievances…something that is long overdue. While there is a resolution to the Dallas/Ashley story, Dallas and his brothers still have a long road to travel. I’m hoping to be able to enjoy the journey with them and learn more about each brother along the way.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
I loved it! It was hard to put down. Wonderful characters and interesting storyline.
I thought it was great, hard to put down, kind of exciting
Good read.
This story carefully and effectively deals with poverty prejudice. The single mom is an awesome person. Getting to know her is not just a chance to fall in love, but a real opportunity for him to grow as a person… but does he grow enough in time.
ps. I’ve often thought of volunteering for habitat for humanity. Thanks to this book I am now a volunteer.
Loved the storyline and the dynamics between the brothers.
Loved this book and loved bringing hope to a homeless man!
Have to read the next in series.
I skipped over the steamy parts, which weren’t needed.
Great summer read!
Loved this story. Enjoy author too!
More depth to this story than many. Lots of understanding between the 2 main character. Good job.
I liked this book but like the whole series.
Book one in the Tangled Up in Texas series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Dallas Granger returns to his family’s Last Stand, Texas, ranch and he meets single mom Ashley Anderson and her sixteen year old daughter Brittany. I enjoyed seeing this story come together. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
Texas ranch ,country, and family all enhance this excellent tale with Dallas and Ashley’s journey to romance. Good first book.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own words.
Last week, I read and reviewed Cowboy Wild, the third book in Michelle Beattie’s Tangled Up in Texas series. This week, I returned to Texas, to read book #1, Cowboy Up. This is the story of Dallas Granger and Ashley Anderson. Dallas, the oldest Granger son, removed twelve years from his father’s ranch… also removed from his brothers: Ryker, Hudson, Gage, and Cam. He’s a self-made owner of his own construction company. He’s strong, hard-working, handsome, opinionated, stubborn, and dumb.
Ashley Anderson is a single mom of her sixteen-year old daughter. She has raised her daughter Brittany, a wonderful young lady, all by herself… struggling to maintain their lives. Ashley works seven part-time jobs and volunteers with the charity, House of Hope, who is constructing a home for Ashley and Brittany. Dallas and Ashley meet at the House of Hope project, where Dallas is completing required community service hours.
Dallas’ estranged father, after a cardiac episode, is left in a coma. The brothers can maintain their jobs, and the ranch… but they need a bookkeeper to maintain the ranch’s paperwork. Ashley saves the day! Ashley and Dallas’s mutual attraction grows and flourishes, but is derailed by Dallas’s dumb actions which cause Ashley deep, heartfelt pain. Will he understand his error? Will Ashley forgive him? Will they both rekindle their love? Michelle Beattie writes very detailed and intricate stories. Cowboy Up is a fitting foundation for this new, grand series.
3.75 Stars.
Wow, this book is angsty. The angst is not only between the hero and heroine either. Dallas Granger has three younger brothers who resent him for a few reasons. He also has a father, who is now in the hospital, who he hasn’t gotten along with. In fact, his father is in a coma so one of Dallas’ brothers is left alone to work the ranch. He can’t do it by himself and demands Dallas help as well as the others. While Dallas is frustrated he is needed, it isn’t because he resents the ranch or his brothers, even though they are angry with him, but because he has his own company to run and it will be difficult to find time. But because he is tired of the animosity between himself and his family, he makes it work. There seems to be something mysterious going on regarding his father that was not resolved at the end of the book. I suspect that aspect will carry through the series with the other brother’s books.
Ashley is a hard working woman, a single mother raising and providing for her teenaged daughter on her own. When a bit of good fortune comes her way, Ashley works even harder to see that through. Even if a rude, judgmental construction worker/cowboy takes offense to her. I’ll admit, there are moments in this book where our hero’s assumptions are frustrating. I admit to not liking Dallas very much through a good portion of the book. In addition, I wasn’t sure he deserved Ashley. Along the way, however, Dallas learns a few lessons. And thankfully he learns from them so that he and Ashley can move forward.
I did like how the book turned out and the ending was sweet and well deserved for all. I’ll say my curiosity is definitely piqued and I am going to be looking out for the next book in the series. Other than seeing how the Granger brothers find their happily-ever-after, I am eager to learn about the mystery surrounding their father.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. 🙂
I really enjoyed Dallas and Ashley’s story. I thought this was a really nice way to kick off a new series. Ashley is such an inspirational character. She depicts the determination, dedication and sacrifice of a single mother to make a great life for their children. Dallas is such a great guy it was interesting to watch his transformation through out the book. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
A different type of family drama. So much more than the usual single mother tale. If you like strong female characters, you’ll love Ashley. The strength she shows to overcome all the difficult barriers placed in her way. She’s kicking down doors and taking no prisoners. Dallas has never met anyone like her before and finds himself questioning his whole life. This book is wonderfully cute, with moments of steam, but it all really works.
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my volunteer review.
Enjoyed it
Back to Last Stand, Texas.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Tangled Up in Texas
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.