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Lassiter Ranch #1

Love at First Cowboy

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Three abandoned cowboys, born in heartbreak and bonded by brotherhood, are brought together by the fierce love of the grandparents who took them in and the ranch that’s the only home they’ve ever known…

Surly cowboy, Ford Lassiter , named after the truck his dad was driving when he’d left him and his mother, has only known abandonment and doesn’t trust relationships—until he shares an intimate weekend at a wedding with a woman he met by chance. Now he can’t stop thinking about her and what could have happened if she hadn’t driven away from him too.

Tall and curvy, Elizabeth ‘Bitsy’ Cole , who is anything but bitsy, has spent her adult life wishing for change but is afraid to take risks. Then a crazy hot weekend with a cowboy finally gives her the courage to make some big changes in her life. She quits the family business to start her own accounting firm and buys a rundown farmhouse in the mountains with a yard for her dog, finally leaving her dinky apartment in the city that’s never quite felt like home.

So what happens when the handy-man she hires to help fix up the farmhouse turns out to be the same cowboy she spent that steamy weekend with? She thinks he was only with her out of pity and as a favor to the groom, but the looks he’s giving her now makes her wonder if there might be a chance for something more. If she has the courage to find out...

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2023

226 people are currently reading
377 people want to read

About the author

Jennie Marts

81 books965 followers
Jennie Marts is a USA Today bestselling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. She loves genre-mashups, and her books range from western romance to cozy mysteries but all have the charm and appeal of quirky small-town life. Living out her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado, she’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
3,036 reviews25.3k followers
July 15, 2024
Love at First Cowboy is book one in the brand new series. The Lassiter Ranch series by Jennie Marts. It’s not required but I do want to mention that there is a wonderful prequel for this book that is included in the Wedding Tails anthology.



Ford Lassiter along with his two younger brothers, Dodge and Chevy were all abandoned by first their fathers, all different men, and then their mother. They were raised by their loving grandparents on their ranch in a small Colorado mountain town, Woodland Hills. All three of these men turned out wonderful. They are very close and all are devoted to their grandfather. They lost their grandmother several years ago.



Ford has a motto, leave before he can be left. He doesn’t do relationships. Why would he? He’s a loner, devoted to his family, his golden retriever, Sadie, and the ranch.

Elizabeth Cole has never been brave. But the weekend of Brody and Elle’s wedding about a month ago, when she first met Ford, she stepped outside of her comfort zone and had the weekend of her life with the cowboy of her dreams. She took another leap and bought a farmhouse in Woodland Hills sight unseen wanting a better life for her and her little dog, Thor. The tiny apartment she lived in in Denver had never felt like home. But now that she was here, she realized the low price was for a reason. The farm needed a LOT of work. And of course, the contractor that shows up to do the job for her is none other than Ford.



What did I love about this book? Everything! Cute dogs and of course, Jennie has to include an adorable miniature donkey as well. A swoony cowboy that just can’t help falling for this woman. And a woman that never felt like she was enough. She always felt like she was less. Until she met Ford and he made her see herself through his eyes. As a sexy, funny, smart woman who could do anything she set her mind to. And this farm that Elizabeth bought? I want it. The way it’s described is like a dream.



So if you like swoony cowboys that will sweep you right off your feet, go ahead and jump in to this one and meet the Lassiter brothers. I can’t wait for the next book to see what these brothers are up to next!

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

Profile Image for Shelley C.
2,949 reviews63 followers
October 1, 2023
Love at First Cowboy🤠

Absolutely loved this first story about the Lassiter brothers❣️What’s more intriguing than brothers that are named after vehicles, Ford, Dodge and Chevy😍

Elizabeth aka Bitsy decides after a two night stand with a sexy cowboy to do something brave. She purchases a home out in the country and moves in. Unfortunately, the condition of the house is not what she expected after the photos she saw. Ford hasn’t forgotten Elizabeth, the women he met and spent a few nights with before she up and left him without a word. Now she’s in his small town, has purchased a house which is in desperate need of renovation….oh and they entered into a fake relationship😇

A wonderful read that I thoroughly enjoyed with great characters..can’t wait for Dodge and Maisie next😍

Profile Image for Marcella.
29 reviews
September 29, 2023
such fun

Humour- the laugh out loud kind. Sweet people- the kind we all want to be around. Your person- the one who has your back. Another great story from a great author.
Profile Image for Janilyn Kocher.
5,095 reviews117 followers
October 2, 2023
I have ran out of adjectives to describe the hot cowboys Marts creates.
While I don’t like Ford vehicles, I loved Ford Lassiter!
I had to read the backstory of the wedding weekend first before diving into this book.
I love that Elizabeth used totes and kept Thor in one.
I loved that Ford was very handy and was a reader.
Throw in an adorable Sadie and Vera plus a caring town and it’s a perfect read!
Loved the spider dance and counter interruption scenes!
3,549 reviews40 followers
October 1, 2023
This book introduces a new series about three brothers, abandoned by both their mother and their father. Even though they grew up with loving grandparents , they truly never felt good enough to have someone stay for them.
Ford Lassiter, the oldest of the brothers, is a loner who leaves before a woman can leave him.
But from the moment he meets Elizabeth Cole in a wedding , he knows she’s special. After he spends a weekend with her she leaves without looking back, or so he thought.
Elizabeth has never fit with her family and has decided to buy a ranch which happens to be neighboring to the Lassiter ranch. Meanwhile, what she thought was going to be the perfect place, ends up one needing lots of work. Imagine her surprise when Ford is the one who shows up as a potential contractor.
From that moment one feelings develop but old fears will likely come between them.
In the end, will they let that fears keep them apart and stop them from finding “the one” or will they dare to give love a chance?
This was a sweet story about taking chances in life and love. The plot was entertaining and the main characters likable. This reader is looking forward to the next story in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Profile Image for Judy Christiana.
997 reviews14 followers
October 6, 2023
First, I am definitely a reader drawn to a book by its cover, and this book has an amazing cover! Love that a truck is included!

Elizabeth decides to do one brave thing each day and one of those brave things, leads to a totally different life. Jennie Marts has written a beautiful love story for all the overlooked, chubby, insecure ladies (or guys) out there.

Ford thinks he knows what he wants in life, and one of the things he knows is that he will protect his heart and not enter a romantic relationship at all costs. Well, then Elizabeth appears in his life. The plan for his life does not stand a chance of continuing.

I truly loved this story so much. It is for all of us that do not feel we are enough, do not get the recognition or respect that we deserve. I hope I remember Elizabeth when I need to be brave and do something difficult.

I read this book in two days. I could not put it down, reading whenever I had a moment. Then, of course, I was sorry that the story was over.

The great thing is that there are two more books in this Lassiter Ranch series. The heroes are named after truck brands by their mother (there is a story behind why). This was Ford’s story and then Dodge and Chevy’s stories will be told. I am so looking forward to them.
Profile Image for Roberta (Always Behind).
726 reviews15 followers
December 20, 2023
Ford Lassiter and his two brothers are named after car brands. After being abandoned when they were young, they were raised by their grandparents. Ford works hard on the ranch as his grandfather is slowing down. He finds out someone has bought the rundown property next to them and decides to find out who would be crazy enough to take on all the repair and renovation it will need.
Much to Ford's surprise, Elizabeth Cole is the new owner. They had met at a wedding weekend that turned out hot and heavy for them. Neither thought they would see the other again. Elizabeth did take Ford's challenge to do something new with her life.
Elizabeth sure jumped into her new path. She decided she could do her accounting business remotely. She bought a ranch with a house and barn without seeing it in person. The pictures in the ad were a bit deceiving. When she arrived at her new home, she realized it would need a lot more work than anticipated.
Ford offers to help with repairs at a much lower price than a contractor who had come by. Elizabeth agrees and they get to work. They end up having to pretend to be a couple for several reasons. Can they keep up the charade without it becoming real?
Cowboys are some of my favorite heroes in romances. Author Jennie Marts does a fabulous job at developing Ford's character and making him swoon worthy. Elizabeth is shown to be strong and determined with passion just below the surface.
I have been reading Jennie Marts books since I met her at a book convention about 5 years ago. Not only is she a very talented writer, she is a kind, caring person. I have found most romance authors are so welcoming to their fans.
Love At First Cowboy is the first in a series. I'm really looking forward to book #2.
64 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2023
Jennie touches at your heartstrings in this book

Ford, who’s dad left in the Ford truck he’s named after, was left by his mother to be raised, along with his brothers, by his grandparents. In a previous book, we were introduced to him &Elizabeth. They got together at a wedding, but she got scared & ran home.
She buys a farmhouse, sight unseen, only to find it in shambles. After closing on the house, she realizes it needs renovating badly. After meeting the first contractor, she’s worried about her decisions. Ford wants to make enough money to buy a new tractor, so he agrees to go give the new owner a bid, not knowing it’s the woman he can’t get out of his mind. Will they be able to work together to renovate this house or will she give up & go back home.
Jennie also throws in a couple of dogs & a miniature donkey who thinks he’s a dog & loves snack foods. You’ll love this story
Profile Image for Anima.
2,749 reviews52 followers
October 2, 2023
Ford and Elizabeth met at a wedding by way of a cute golden retriever. That was from the short novella in a collection called Wedding Tails, it’s the meet cute for this amazing couple. Now we get the rest of the story. Ford is all cowboy, a gentleman, a lover, a friend, a protector. Elizabeth is a strong intelligent woman hiding behind the jabs from her family. She finds an inner strength with Ford and takes courageous action to change her life, more adventure less control. Marts is always writing stories with beautiful people but it’s the animals that make it normal and funny, stealing every scene. This story pulled me in with the quick wit, hot cowboy, silly animals and small town living. I’m anxious to read about the other brothers. I was a given an early copy and wrote my review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lana.
Author 93 books374 followers
September 28, 2023
Humor, heart, and heat! I loved this book! I'm a huge fan of the Creedence Horse Rescue series, so I was excited about this new series starting in the next town over of Woodland Hills, Colorado. I loved meeting Ford and Elizabeth in the adorable prequel, Save the Date for the Cowboy, and it was so fun to have their story continued and their characters fleshed out in Love at First Cowboy. The writing was funny, heartwarming, and definitely steamy in parts. Hot cowboy, indeed. Ford was rugged, but also sweet when it came to Elizabeth, and I loved how Elizabeth found her courage as the story progressed. Ford and Elizabeth's dogs were so great, but Vera stole the show—so cute! Overall, great read! Looking forward to the next book in this series.
459 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2025
Love at First Cowboy, Lassiter Ranch #1, by Jennie Marts is engaging and well written. This small-town, western, contemporary romance is a read that I enjoyed from start to finish. Both the main and supportive characters are well-rounded. Ford and Elizabeth have a second chance at being the one for each other. As they travel their journeys, they both grow as characters and also find their path to one another. Elizabeth is intelligent, driven, and determined to become her best self. Ford is charming, somewhat hesitant about love, and protective. Together they make a dynamic couple. I loved how Elizabeth takes chances and how Ford is caringly supportive. Love at First Cowboy is full of heartfelt emotion with romance and life. I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Karen Hackett.
1,055 reviews11 followers
November 5, 2023
LOVE AT FIRST COWBOY by Jennie Marts, book 1 of the Lassiter Ranch Series

Cowboy Ford Lassiter is surly because of that intimate weekend at a wedding with a woman he met by chance and left him. That is until he find the new owner of the rundown farmhouse that same the tall and curvy woman, Elizabeth ‘Bitsy’ Cole, who is anything but bitsy. Readers will find LOVE AT FIRST COWBOY a delightful romance, an engaging secondary cast, close-knit community, dogs, a miniature donkey, a strong bond between brothers. Jennie Marts fills her books with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after.
Profile Image for Pam.
838 reviews
September 30, 2023
Love at First Cowboy is the first book in The Lassiter Ranch Series by Jennie Marts.
The characters are amazing and the story is swoon worthy. This book has everything, a skeevy contractor, second chance at romance, a couple crazy dogs, a whole town willing to help a new neighbor, not to mention the Lassiter family who welcomes Elizabeth with open arms and a mini donkey that is to die for. This is an amazing story and it had me from page one to the very last page. I plan to read this book again it was so good. I loved it and this is a must read!!!
Profile Image for Shari.
1,859 reviews24 followers
October 9, 2023
A wonderful start to a new series, I could not put this book down. Ford is a swoon worthy cowboy, who is not interested in a long term romance until he meets Elizabeth, aka Bitsy. Bitsy is new to town and bought a fixer upper, but soon is over her head in repairs and Ford and the rest of the town pitch in to make her forever home. Add in the wonderful dogs and Vera the mini donkey, you will be laughing out loud at their antics. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read the next one in the series.
1,034 reviews14 followers
October 21, 2025
This is second chance, close proximity, cowboy romance. Elizabeth was a good girl who never let her hair down except for one weekend at her cousin's wedding. She feels that she needs to move to the country so her and her dog can have a better life. She just happens to buy the farm, which needs a lot of work, right next door to Ford, who was her weekend fling. Watch out for Vera, the miniature donkey, trying to steal the show.
Profile Image for Jane.
701 reviews10 followers
April 16, 2024
Heart Grabber!! I fell in love even more with Ford and Elizabeth than I already was in Save the Dance for a Cowboy (the Prequel). Getting to know the rest of Ford’s family and meeting the towns people of Woodland Hills was so much fun. I have to say though meeting Vera was my favorite part. This story will keep a smile on your face and your heart sighing.
Profile Image for Mary.
941 reviews9 followers
September 18, 2024
Shooting Star

Elizabeth was making a lot of changes in her life. She bought an old farm house, site unseen. Now she had to find a good contractor to do more work th BCan she had expected. Ford was a cowboy that she'd had a passing fling with. She never expected him to be the contractor sent to help her, let alone a neighbor.
Profile Image for Pauline Frost.
1,470 reviews5 followers
October 8, 2023
A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. This is a standalone read and book one of the series. About how Ford and Elizabeth renovate a farm she purchased and their relationship. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Toni.
2,124 reviews20 followers
October 15, 2023
Marts picks up where her novella in Wedding Tails left off with Ford and Elizabeth. I loved seeing both characters get their HEA. Elizabeth taking risks was perfect, including the one where she let herself fall in love.
4.5 stars
Profile Image for Mary Mitchell.
1,005 reviews8 followers
January 26, 2024
spicy and sweet

What a fun story. I absolutely loved the brothers in this book, all named after the truck the father left their mom in. Such a new and interesting way to find names. The story was exciting and lovely.
181 reviews2 followers
September 13, 2024
North Star

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the series. The characters were so interesting and funny they were made for each other. Love the cowboy story line. Ford and Elizabeth are so good together.
Profile Image for Samantha Troelsch.
76 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2024
Entertaining and a Quick Read

I enjoyed how the author got right to the heart of Ford and Elizabeth's story. There was no cat and mouse, no guessing, and the main characters were very enjoyable. I hope to read more of their story soon!
Profile Image for Rachel Boucher.
86 reviews
November 6, 2024
My reviews are for my own memory.
Easy quick romance read with relatively no issues until the last 15% of the book. very predictable, repetitive, and relatively positive book. I did like the mini donkey..
Profile Image for Marcyjo Chachakis.
476 reviews24 followers
December 27, 2024
Cowboy up

A great read with real characters. A small town setting for Elizabeth to start a new life and Cowboy Ford is right by her side. A one night wedding fling turns into so much more
Profile Image for Claudia.
16 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2025
cute, funny and fast paced!

Loved this cute book, it was a great story full of heart warming characters. The story is cute and also very fats paced. With some spice and with a hot cowboy 🤠 what more could you want? ❤️🥰
5 reviews
October 20, 2025
Loved the storylines!

Loved loved loved this story! Had a good in depth and detailed story that was full of humor, sassy and flirtatious content. Not overdone with the sex scenes and even those were not raunchy!!
Profile Image for Lauren Varanelli.
1 review
November 23, 2024
The idea was there for the story line but it could have used more of a plot. Characters were cute. It was a bit predictable and cliche at times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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