From New York Times bestselling author Jessica Clare comes a contemporary Western romance about a cowboy who is in for the ride of his life…. Dustin is a ranch hand with a reputation around town as a ladies’ man. He loves flirting and the thrill of the chase. When he tilts his cowboy hat just so, no one can resist his charms. It’s all fun and games for Dustin until he meets a woman who sparks … meets a woman who sparks real feelings in him, and he’s blindsided by love.
Annie is an animal trainer working on set for a film. Other than her furry, canine coworkers, she hasn’t connected with the rest of the movie’s crew. It’s only when a certain cowboy catches her eye that Wyoming becomes interesting. She intends for their romance to be a fling, but by the time filming wraps up, she’s unexpectedly pregnant.
While Annie is prepared to walk away and raise her baby by herself, Dustin isn’t so ready to say good-bye. He has to prove to Annie that she has a future in Wyoming and capture her heart before it’s too late….
more
3.5 stars–THE COWBOY AND HIS BABY by Jessica Clare is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, cowboy romance story line focusing on twenty-nine year old, ranch hand Dustin Worthington, and professional dog trainer Annie Grissom.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Dustin and Annie) THE COWBOY AND HIS BABY follows the building relationship between twenty-nine year old, ranch hand Dustin Worthington, and professional dog trainer Annie Grissom. While on location in Painted Barrel, Wyoming, professional dog trainer Annie Grissom met ranch hand Dustin Worthington, the man with whom she would fall in love. A quick courtshi, and one night of $ex ended when Annie came face to face with Dustin’s past, a past that wasn’t finished with our story line hero. Fast forward to present day wherein eight months would pass before Los Angeles based Annie would see Wyoming ranch hand Dustin again, a very pregnant Annie who had yet to tell Dustin about the child they conceived. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and relationship between Annie and Dustin, and the potential fall-out as Annie believes she interrupted Dustin’s future plans, and in doing so, sets the stage for our heroine to run, yet again.
Annie Grissom trains dogs for Hollywood movies but struggles with a direction in her life. Meeting Dustin Worthington meant a few days of $ex and fun, never thinking that Dustin would be part of her future. Dustin Worthington was biding his time in Painted Barrel, Wyoming until the day he would set sail around the world but Annie’s return meant a different future for Dustin, a future that included a child and perhaps a wife.
The relationship between Annie and Dustin is one of immediate attraction but Annie knows her time in Wyoming comes with an expiry date. There are definitely some issues of miscommunication and a lack of trust, issues that will send Annie running at the first and second sign of perceived problems. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate, without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters: ranchers Eli and Cass; ranch hand Jordy, rancher Old Clyde; Annie’s mother Kitty, a woman whose less than motherly advice has shaped our story line heroine; Annie’s friend Katherine; Dustin’s ex Theresa, as well as several members of the Hollywood movie crew.
The world building focuses on the up and down relationship between our story line couple, a relationship that saw several months apart without any information or history revealed. Annie’s mother is over the top-her advice and support of her daughter is questionable as to the intent or desired results. Annie’s friend and rep for the American Humane Society Katherine offers more negative advise and warnings; and Dustin’s ex is a piece of work, who in reality, would be fired for the things she says while at work and on the job.
THE COWBOY AND HIS BABY is a story of miscommunication, doubt and mistrust; of lies and deceit; of attraction, romance, and falling in love. The premise is engaging; the romance is passionate; the characters are charismatic and sassy. I question some of the reality including the actions of Dustin’s ex-there is no way she would be allowed to say the things she does at work without repercussions or losing her job: and Annie’s lack of a spine regarding Dustin’s past was a bit disconcerting under the circumstances but such is the nature of romantic story lines, otherwise there would have be no conflict to resolve.
I liked the premise for this story. I didn’t manage to warm up to the heroine, Annie Grissom. That detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I realized that Annie had some issues that influenced her actions but I still didn’t care for her. Overall though the story is well-written with many likeable characters, besides Annie. I have read other stories by this author and totally enjoyed them. This book just isn’t a favorite.
Dustin has dreams he doesn’t want to sit still and not see the world, he dreams of buying a boat in Florida. He is currently a ranch hand which he likes but he is so afraid to turn into his dad just working because he became a family man before he was ready.
Annie is the dog trainer on the set of the movie in town and when her co workers talk her into going to the only bar in town she goes but she is miserable. When a tall sexy cowboy makes conversation with her she is looking for the camera because there is no way he is interested in her, so when he tells her he is asking for his friend she gets mad and leaves.
Annie stops outside the bar to visit with the dogs tied up and out comes Dustin which leads them to talking and he walks her home thinking she won’t ever see him again. Well Annie does see him again and again so when she finally is comfortable in the relationship someone fills her full of doubt and she runs.
Annie and Dustin will see each other again but her doubts and his wanting to roam may not let them see each other for long. Loved this book but sometimes I wanted to yell at each one of them.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
DNF at 63%
I tried, and I was okay with the book, nothing spectacular, but a good listen, and then the heroine was just so stupid, but I persevered. And then she just got worse and worse, and our hero, he let her, and he was getting just as dense. They didn’t talk to each, and she believed everything everyone else said, even from strangers. I was going to try and finish, but I just kept getting angrier the more these two interacted, or didn’t, interact *blah*
When Dustin met Annie she didn’t make it easy for him to get close. He’s never been known for being impatient, so he takes it nice and slow to woo her. The last night they’re together became the night passion took over, but the next day Annie leaves. Dustin is devastated. Seven months later Annie’s back in Wyoming and pregnant. Now he’s forced to decide if he wants Annie and their baby more than the adventure he always thought he needed.
A few chuckles and tears waiting for a pregnant lady and a cowboy to get together.
**4.5 stars**
This book took me by surprise. I didn’t really know what I was getting into. All I knew is I was getting a cowboy and some kind of baby. This book was everything I could have asked for.
Surprise pregnancies are some of my favorite books to read. Anything that involves kids, I’m a goner!
Dustin finds himself playing wingman for fellow ranch hand Jordy. Jordy is young and not as experienced with the ladies as Dustin. Dustin works at the Price Ranch and in the small town of Painted Barrel Wyoming, he’s known as a player. If you ask Dustin, his reputation is slightly exaggerated.
Annie is an animal trainer working on a movie that’s being filmed in town. She’s quiet and seems to be more comfortable around animals than humans.
Dustin and Annie met at a bar when Dustin tries to set her up with his friend. After an awkward conversation, they went their separate ways.
Annie is not Dustin’s usual type. She’s a keeper and he’s not looking for one of those. Dustin’s the type to hang around for a while and then move on, but he’s definitely intrigued. Intrigued enough to let her take the lead when they unexpectedly meet again. Annie will be leaving as soon as the film shoot is over. What they share is casual, although sometimes it feels like more. That is until Annie finds out that the rumors regarding Dustin, just might be true. But that’s the least of her worries.
GREAT STORY WITH LOTS OF EMOTION
Boy meets girl and very quickly casual becomes more and a baby only complicates things…if you let it. The past is hard to reconcile especially when that’s where you live.
I LOVED THIS BOOK ! A RAW, EMOTIONAL JOURNEY THAT WILL HAVE YOU CHEERING FOR THESE AWESOME, RELATABLE CHARACTERS ! ! ! A DEFINITE ONE-CLICK ! ! !
The story started off great and had real promise, but throughout the story I found myself disliking the main characters, especially Annie. Her personality went in the complete opposite direction of how I would’ve liked. I loved how quiet, yet strong she was…but by the end of the story, I just wanted to be done. Dustin and Annie’s chemistry were great, but it wavered once she became pregnant. The story line had great potential, and I love all things animals, pregnancy and cowboy, but sadly it just didn’t live up to my expectations. I might try it again at some point, as I enjoy other books by Jessica Clare!
Annie comes from a family that has worked in the Hollywood scene so she kind of fell into that roll as well but in a different way. Annie is a dog trainer in the movie industry. She ends up in Wyoming for a long movie. There she meets Dustin a Ranch hand when out with other people from the movie set. Dustin is a ladies man and even talks about his not wanting to settle down and purposely doesn’t give many woman any chance to think that there is something more than there is. Annie asks Dustin to help her out and then the sparks fly. Annie ends up pregnant and due to several misunderstandings on both parts she ends up back in California. Dustin does not find out about the baby until Annie has to come back for a edit of the movie. Dustin and Annie have to decide what to do about their future together and for the baby.
I enjoyed reading this book. Since I enjoyed the book it made for a quick and easy read. I liked the main characters. Plus it helps the book had some sweet dogs in it.
I received this book for free to review from First to read in exchange for an honest review. The opinion in this review is 100% my own.