Steamy, sexy, and laugh-out-loud funny, THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS is a new contemporary novel that will pull your heartstrings and steam up your e-reader… While I was off pitching in the big leagues, my family was back in the small town of Sweetwater, Texas, running the family ranch. Then tragedy hit and I discovered there were secrets that my family kept, problems they hid. I went home, left … went home, left behind the money, women, and fame. I took over the ranch and took care of my grandmother. I took over hiding the secrets. Then she came to town. A smart-mouthed, clumsy, too-smart-and-too-pretty-for-my-own-good city girl hiding out to write a book. She’s right here, on my property, in the cottage my grandmother rented her without my permission, and she sees too much. She knows too much.
Now suddenly my world is spinning, and she’s shoving a baseball back in my hand while baking cookies with my grandmother. She’s the devil and an angel all in one fiery little package. I decide I’ll wait her out. She’ll go back to the city. Only suddenly I don’t want her to leave, and everything I’ve settled for in my life isn’t enough. I want to play ball and I want her, but there’s that secret that won’t let go, but neither will she.
Each book in the Texas Heat series is STANDALONE:
* The Truth About Cowboys
* Tangled Up In Christmas
more
Because I met Jason and Jessica in an upcoming release from Lisa Renee Jones, Tangled Up In Christmas, it was interesting to go back to when they met, their first impressions of each other, and the complications that made everything much more difficult for these two to figure out how to make things work, not only between them but also in their revamped professional careers.
I’m actually glad that I met Jason after he and Jessica worked through all of their issues because…I have to admit, I didn’t like him that much for a huge chunk of The Truth About Cowboys, and it’s not that I didn’t understand where he was coming from and why he felt the way he did about love and happily ever afters, but his anger shouldn’t have been directed at Jessica; he shouldn’t have used her as a punching bag because as much as she could hold her own against him, putting him in his place a number of times, he could have lost his chance with her if he pushed her too far.
I 100% stand behind Jessica’s decision to leave her career as a lawyer, her cheating ex, and even the city life, and even though she’s a bit out of sorts when she arrives and met with a rather ornery rancher, she’s determined to make her new life everything she wants it to be, even if that means going toe-to-toe with the gorgeous cowboy who seems to have quite the chip on his shoulder.
Jason and Jessica are far from friendly when he helps her get unstuck, but things only get more volatile the more time they’re around one another, causing these two to fight dirty with harsh words, ignoring the sexual tension building between them and finding any means to stick it to the other one. And this bickering intensifies until it feels like they’re either going to kill each other or tear one another’s clothes off.
It’s good that both of them are fighters because they’re going to need all that stubbornness and tenacity to work through the jumbled up mess in their heads so that they can get passed it and see just how good they could be together if only they stopped getting in their own way.
Readers will love the quaint setting as well as the secondary characters. Jason’s grandmother as well as Jason’s best friend, Roarke – who just happens to be the hero in Tangled Up In Christmas, add so much to the story line, especially grandma because it’s clear from the beginning of the book that she has ulterior motives for agreeing to rent Jessica the cottage and help her grandson find his way back to the ball field as well as love, and she’s just as stubborn as the main characters, which means that she’ll hold on as long as it takes to get what she wants, not for herself, but for those she loves.
The Truth About Cowboys is a sweet, entertaining enemies-to-lovers’ small town romance, and I know that readers are going to love Roarke’s story, which is releasing soon.
4 Poison Apples
~ 4 FIERY STARS! ~~
If you enjoy a combustible enemies to lovers romances set in Nowhere, Texas, then your heart is going to be GALLOPING WITH EXCITEMENT as you dive into THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS by Lisa Renee Jones! While this western-themed tale is a departure from her other books—it’s lighter and frothier than we are used to seeing—it’s still has her trademark stamp! Which means we get the razor sharp banter, the fiery sparks, the PALPABLE push pull, the vibrant characterizations, the heart-tugging feels, and of course, the steamy sexcapades!
THE PREMISE:
This is the story of two headstrong polar opposites who are thrown into each other’s orbits and find themselves constantly locking horns. When Jessica, a highly successful divorce lawyer, finds herself at an emotional crossroads after being betrayed by her two timing almost-fiancé, she decides to relocate from the bright lights of Dallas to the rural Sweetwater, Texas countryside to lick her wounds and pen her Girl’s Guide to Divorce book that she’s under contract to write. But enroute to the cottage in the woods that she’s rented, her car breaks down during a torrential summer downpour and she encounters a tall, dark and strappingly handsome cowboy named Jason Jenks who rides to her rescue but gets under her skin with his holier than thou, a-hole attitude! But then her night goes from bad to worse when she discovers that Jason owns the cottage that’s she rented and he ain’t happy about it. Not in the least.
But Jessica isn’t gonna just tuck tail and run…so now it’s war!
The gorgeously grumpy rancher had NO CLUE that his grandma had rented out HIS cottage to this irksome city girl but this was no coincidence or accidental mix-up! Turns out his matchmaking granny has some tricks up her sleeves to bring these two lonely hearts together! Jessica and Jason both have emotional baggage, but truth be told, their attraction is undeniable. And though they are the last to admit it, it’s abundantly clear that there’s something special brewing between this squabbling duo. They just might have a shot at riding off into the sunset together…if they don’t clobber each other first!
MY MUSINGS:
Oh Lordy! What a sexy, entertaining and delightfully heartwarming read! There’s nothing more tantalizing than a tempestuous opposite attracts story between a hot alpha cowboy and a feisty city sophisticate and I devoured this charming tale from start to finish!
Sighhh…Jason is “PURE RUGGED COUNTRY HOTNESS”! Big and brawny, rough around the edges, and sexy as sin, this former pro ball player turner rancher had me swooning in my boots! I mean sure he has a great big chip in his impossible broad shoulders and is not exactly rolling out the welcome mat for Jessica, but he looks mighty fine in his snug jeans and cowboy hat…and holy smokes is he one “f**kalicous cowboy!”
Like Jessica, this surly-tempered man has also been burned in the love department. And he has other baggage too. In his former life he was the Flying J—“the best pitcher the Yankees ever had and lost.” But he forfeited his beloved career after his parents died in a tragic accident, leaving him to run the family ranch and to look after his grandma. Not to say he wasn’t without his flaws. He definitely has his “a*shole Cowboy” moments and was waaaaay too big for his britches at times. In particular, his bullheaded, distrusting nature and constantly thinking the worst of Jessica grew really thin after a while. But when we see glimmers of the real conflicted, honorable man beneath all the moody bluster it’s impossible not to fall hard for him!
As for Jessica, OMG what a TIGRESS! Like Jason, the smart-mouthed legal eagle has had her share of strife and has good cause to be jaded. But even though adjusting to life in the boonies is hardly a walk in the park, she’s a gal of true grit and determination, and is smart and savvy to boot. And I found her self-depreciating inner monologues lol funny!
I enjoyed the slow build of this tension-fraught romance, with all the pent up lust and true blue feelings percolating beneath the surface. Jessica sure tries this unapologetically cynical cowboy’s last nerve—and, in turn, she finds his overbearing, hostile attitude infuriating AH. But he can’t help but be drawn to this woman who gives as good as she gets…and the feeling is mutual! And when these two bickersomes find a way to co-exist on the Flying J Ranch, finally let their defenses down and surrender to their sweltering lust, it’s HOTTER THAN A TEXAS HEAT WAVE!
Despite some frustrations I had with the development of the romance (mostly in regard to all the stops and starts between these two due to Jason’s obstinate nature), overall I really enjoyed this rollicking tale… And as is LRJ’s MO, the secondary cast added oodles of razzle dazzle into the mix! I especially got a kick out of Jason’s Grandma Martha! She was one spry old dame and her baked goods were to die for! And while the road to bliss was long and a bit winding, with both MCs bearing some emotional scars that needed healing, the HEA had me WOOPING WITH JOY!
BOTTOM LINE:
THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS lassoed my little ol’ heart. So if you have a hankering for a fetching romantic romp with the perfect blend of sweetness, humor, wit, passion and poignant emotion, then you are in for a REAL TREAT!
I am going to admit this; I read this book because of the cover. I mean, look at it. The model is gorgeous. But the cover itself is striking. Black and white with the title in blue. Eye-catching!!
The Truth About Cowboys is the love story of Jessica and Jason. Jessica is trying to find herself after a painful breakup. Jason is trying to keep his family’s ranch from being repossessed. They meet on a rainy country road leading to Jason’s ranch, where they clash. They continue to fight when Jason finds out that his grandmother had rented out the cottage he uses as an office to Jessica. But, behind the unfriendliness and distrust, Jason and Jessica want each other. Can Jason get over his mistrust of Jessica? Can Jessica get over her ex?
I loved Jessica. From the beginning of the book, she let him know that she wasn’t going to be pushed around. I did think that she put up with more from him that I would have. I liked how she bonded with Martha. Those were some of the best scenes in the book!! To sum it up, Jessica was a strong woman who didn’t back down when a jerk decided she needed to be put in her place.
I didn’t like Jason until almost the end of the book. I did feel bad for him. The amount of pressure he was under would have broken a lesser man. But it didn’t excuse his behavior towards Jessica. There were times where I got mad. Like when he refused to fix her AC or when he went hot and cold with her. How about when he flipped out on her in the hospital? He did have some redeeming qualities, which were highlighted at the end of the book. He redeemed himself when he went after Jessica and apologized. That made me go from not liking him to liking him. He realized he was being an a**hole and made up for it.
If I don’t like a character, I can’t get into the sex scenes. Well, for this book, I did. Jessica and Jason had incredible sexual tension, which in turn lead to fantastic sex scenes. I couldn’t get enough of those!!
I loved Martha. She cracked me up. She wasn’t afraid to call Jason out for being a jerk. I loved when she did that. I thought it was hilarious that she rented the cottage so that Jason could meet someone.
The end of The Truth About Cowboys was a typical HEA ending. The epilogues were great. I can’t wait to read book 2!!
City girl Jessica has decided to leave it all behind, her high pressure career in a law firm, the works, when she discovers her fiancé cheating. She flees for the safety of a small country home attached to a ranch, and plans to write a novel on the best guide for seeking a divorce. Her trip to her new home isn’t what she anticipated though, the rainstorm didn’t help and her new neighbor wasn’t very friendly. He was grumpy and dismissive, funny thing is he seemed kinda familiar somehow. Jason owns the ranch and doesn’t need any city folk, his grandmother has different plans for him though.
The truth about cowboys is a fun read. The two hurt people find ways to mend their broken hearts when they realize they have a new start and each other.
Nicely written and developed, I loved the characters, the grandma was great.
I highly recommend this book!
I give this book 3,5 stars.
I really loved the beginning, it was so funny and I couldn’t stop laughing unfortunately that didn’t continue and I became more and more angry with the male love interest Jason. I couldn’t figure out why Jessica kept on forgiving him for what he did to her. He kept on blaming her for things she hadn’t done or something she had done to help him, his grandmother and the ranch that he totally misinterpreted. When he wanted to apologize he thought he could just kiss her and say sorry and then everything was ok again. He man-handled her, called her names and every time he had been sweet and kind to her he turned on a plate and exploded on her. I didn’t think that he could be redeemed but he did. But I think it was way to late. It was in the last chapter and the epilogue.
On the other hand I loved Jessica. In the beginning of the book she was acting like a victim because of the thing that brought her to Sweetwater but the further you get in the book the stronger she gets and she figures out who she is and who she wants to be. She is so funny and she just says whatever comes out of her mouth. She is so creative and she is a go-getter. Even though she has a lot of insecurities, she just throughs herself into new adventures.
Jason’s grandmother is so amazing and you will just fall in love with her. She isn’t a frail woman and she fights Jason when he gets to protective towards her. She isn’t afraid to tell her opinion and she is very observant when it comes to Jessica and Jason.
I also loved Jason’s best friend Roarke. He is amazing, sweet and will do anything to help Jason find his happiness. I hope the next book in the Sweetwater series is about him, I would love that.
I can recommend this book if you want a sweet, heartwarming romance with an infuriating hero, a funny warm hearted heroine and amazing side characters.
I got this book for free through Entangled Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 Stars
This book opens with our heroine in trouble, during a storm, on the side of the road. Our hero shows up to help and let’s just say meeting in a storm was some serious foreshadowing. This couple just survive some of the most stressful events, while trying their best to not allow their difficult pasts to interfere with their present. Throughout the book we learn that some of the hardest things for this cowboy to do is accept what is right in front of him without letting his past experiences shade his perception. We also find that a city girl can turn out to love the country and all it has to offer! This was a sweet and sexy book I definitely recommend you pick up and read.
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Thank you to Entangled and NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Truth About Cowboys
By: Lisa Renee Jones
*REVIEW*
The Truth About Cowboys is a hate to love type of romance. Jessica and Jason have both sworn off relationships, but in true ironic fashion, that maybe perfect person appears when least expected and not wanted. The story has plenty of angst and banter between Jessica and Jason as they resist a growing attraction. Although entertaining, the bickering became kind of annoying at some point. I felt it should have tapered off or ended sooner. The characters are likeable and engaging but not remarkable. It’s a fairly straightforward recognizable foundation upon which this story is built. I enjoyed it as an easy charming read with a satisfying conclusion, but it’s not very memorable overall. Romance readers looking for a relaxing standard read will enjoy this one.
The Truth About Cowboys will make you swoon in your boots! Filled with delightful comedy, tender moments and secrets nobody wants uncovered. Lisa Renee Jones has been an author I’ve enjoyed following, but I have to say that this is my favorite book of hers so far. I love the storyline, witty characters and I couldn’t put it down until the last page. Loved it!
Very different than what I’m used to from this author, but amazing nonetheless! Miss Jones has a way of wrapping you up in the pages of her books and not letting you go until the very end!.
I absolutely loved this first book in the Texas Heat series. Jason and Jessica had sparks from the very beginning. Jason was a man who was torn between following his dreams and looking out for those who worked on the farm his family owned. Jessica is a woman who has recently left her work and her cheating boyfriend and is in search of peace and something new in her life. The banter between these to is so great. The roller coaster of their romance will have you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what will happen next. The chemistry between Jason and Jessica is to hot. I also enjoyed Jason’s grandmother, Martha. She told it like it was and there were definitely some funny parts with her that had me laughing out loud. Ms Jones has gone back to her roots with this cowboy story and has done a wonderful job of weaving this story together. I absolutely loved the HEA and can not wait for Roarke’s story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Fun, realistic journey to love!!!
The Truth About Cowboys by Lisa Renee Jones is such a fun story. Jessica is a successful divorce attorney on the brink of becoming partner. When she finds her fiancé in bed with his secretary, she loses it! She tells a VIP client that he’s a cheater and she is promptly put on a leave of absence to regroup. Jessica decides to leave the city and hide away at a ranch and write a book on divorce. Her bad luck gets worse when she gets stuck in the mud and an a$$hole cowboy comes to her rescue. Turns out, the lovely woman she rented the cabin from, is the grandmother of the real owner…the cowboy!
Jason is the owner of the ranch where Jessica is renting a cabin. He used to be the Flying J pro pitcher from the MLB. He was on a fast track to being the best pitcher, when his parents die in a plane crash, leaving him alone to take care of his grandmother and run the ranch which was already in financial trouble. At the time, he had a “city girl” fiancée who had no interest in the ranch and cheated on Jason with his employees. To say he had bad feelings about “city girls” is putting it mildly.
The journey of enlightenment for both Jessica and Jason is filled with sarcasm, witty flirting, hot encounters with and without clothing, a sphinx cat with ideas of her own, a matchmaking grandmother, and all around fun. I loved this story and can’t wait to read Lisa Renee Jones’ next book!
I received an ARC copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Entangled Publishing and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
If you love a good sexy cowboy meets a city girl, then The Truth About Cowboys is the book for you. From the first chapter, you can tell that Jason and Jessica are going to give each other a run for romance, which neither is looking for, of course. Well, that is until a good southern grandma works her matchmaking magic. These two have a great push-pull relationship and is just fill will chemistry.
I have always heard great things about Lisa Renee Jones’s books and now I can say that they are all true. Wonderful characters, plot and page-turning book; I know this will not be my last from this author.
I’ve always had a soft spot for cowboy romances and it’s been months since I’ve read one. Lisa Renee Jones’ The Truth About Cowboys was a great one to put me back into the mood for more. I absolutely loved it, I’m already perusing her book list for more.
One sexy brooding cowboy falling for a lost city girl and vice versa. Jason has experienced so much trials that make him believe love isn’t happening, isn’t worth what you’d give up to have it. Jessica is lonely, living a life she devoted herself to in an effort to not being alone…she’s now more alone than ever. Until Jason, his matchmaking Grandma and their country life sucks her in. She hates his jerk and judgy ways & he hates her city life that he is sure will pull her back in. Unfairly judging her based on his past experiences lands him in a heep of trouble with Jessica. The fighting, the laughs, the looks and oh boy…the cowboy himself! Yep…I’m won over! Together and apart they try to find a way to make everything work out for each other the best they can.
The bonus for me with this one is that our cowboy plays baseball….I LOVE BASEBALL ROMANCES!
Infuriation and mistrust never before have been so much fun to watch. Jessica and Jason rocked the pages of this book in so many fantastic ways.
Tearing away from the big city looking for somewhere to hide and lick her wounds, Jessica ends up in Sweetwater, Texas. All things considered, not really the best place to go to considering how things between her and Jason started off.
Jason has the entire world on his shoulders. Living life for everyone but himself, hearing his story left a lump in my throat the size of a plum. To see and feel what he overcame, well, the story takes on a life of its own.
Whilst reading this book I realised what it is I enjoy about small-town romances. The familial connections, the heart, this series like no other I have adored this year and a grandmother to remember, one who ram-raided right through the pages.
So different and yet so very similar; Jessica and Jason are two halves of the same coin. Toing and froing like a well-matched tennis tournament. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I could not put it down. There were so many emotions I felt whilst immersed between the pages, I can’t regret any of it.
Thank you, Ms. Jones, for a wonderful adventure in good ol’ Texas.
The Truth About Cowboys is Book 1 in the Texas Heat Series. It is about a sexy, brooding, ex-baseball player turned cowboy who meets a former divorce attorney, turned author.
Jessica goes to the country to escape life and her jerk of an ex who cheated on her. Jason is a former MLB player who goes back home to run the ranch after a failed relationship and tragedy struck in his life. He now has a chip on his shoulder and doesn’t trust outsiders. He is much less than excited to find that Jessica is taking up residence in his office uninvited (at least uninvited by Jason). They don’t meet on good terms and the develop a hate/attraction relationship. There is a lot of push and pull between them. I enjoyed the banter between the two of them that eventually led to some steamy scenes. I love that Jessica doesn’t cower and speaks her mind. It is funny and entertaining.
This was a funny, sexy, opposites attract story with a touch of drama but that ends with a HEA. The plot was interesting and there were wonderful side characters who brought a lot to the story. Especially Martha, Jason’s grandmother and Roark, Jason’s best friend. I am hoping Roark gets a book next! This was a change from LRJ’s normal romantic suspense books but I really enjoyed it and recommend reading it.
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
The Truth About Cowboys was a great 5 star read and book one in the Texas Heat series.
Jessica is a city girl and divorce lawyer looking to get away for awhile. She found out that her ex has been sleeping with his secretary and getting away sounds perfect. She has rented a cabin in the woods to work on writing a book. On the way to the cabin it’s rainy and dark and her car breaks down. When a cowboy stops to help her, she’s not really sure he’s there to help her.
Jason meets Jessica not once but twice. The first time he helps her when her car is broken done and the second time he sees her she is in his cabin, he accuses her of being a squatter which didn’t go over well. When Jessica mentions Martha, it dawns on him who she rented the cabin from. Jason has given up his baseball career to run the family farm and take care of his grandmother.
There was something familiar about Jason but Jessica just couldn’t place where she had seen him. The bickering between these two had me LOL at times. I really liked Martha, she was great and reminded me of my grandmother. This was a great enemies to lovers read, as these two spent time together they grew closer. Can these two let their walls down and have a HEA?
I can’t wait to read more from this series, 1-click and get started today.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
The Truth About Cowboys by Lisa Renee Jones is a bit of an enemies to lovers romance. City girl Jessica needs to getaway after finding her ex in a compromising position. She decides to write a book, or two. Jason is an ex-professional athlete who could be cold and distant. After being burned himself, he is not the kind to let someone in so easily, much less another city girl. They were both hurting and had a lot of push and pull between them throughout the story.
Happy reading!
I really enjoyed the give & take interactions between Jessica & Jason. The constant fighting to cover up the deeper feelings & the fear of getting hurt. The story is really made by Martha’s setups & comments. She’s trying to be a matchmaker. She’d like to get Jason back into baseball because she thinks it’s what he wants. This story has exquisite, fast paced banter that keeps you on your toes. A divorce lawyer & a former baseball player turned cowboy – who thought that combination would be so hot & perfect!
I REALLY liked this one!!!!! Hero is an ex-professional baseball pitcher and a cowboy sure is an interesting combo! Gah! The “Meet Cute” between Jessica and Jason is so stinking cute its enough to make me laugh even though I will say the broken car scene has happened quite often in romancelandia, but Lisa does make it a bit fresh. I was glad for how much depth the story and characters had. The story just flowed very well. Lisa sure knows how to write descriptive scenes that I felt like I was already there. Sign me up for the next standalone!
The Truth About Cowboys by Lisa Renee Jones is a great cowboy romance. I love this author and she never disappoints. This is Jason and Jessica’s story and the chemistry between these two is off the charts. I love the relationship Jason has with his grandmother and what a matchmaker she is. I loved the book and highly recommend it.