The Witch and The Cowboy

The Witch and The Cowboy #1

by Ryen Rowe

Walker Reid is an average teenage cowboy whose only concerns are cattle and caring for his little sister. Everything changes when he stumbles upon a witch-murder, and he is thrust into a world of magic and mayhem.

Freya Redfern is out for the blood of her mother’s killer. When she catches wind that a certain young cowboy is to blame, she casts spells now and asks questions later. After all, whether he knows it or not, he is the descendant of one of the most infamous witch-hunting families in history.

Faced with Walker’s obvious obliviousness and seemingly kind heart, however, Freya realizes she’s been led astray. Knowing her coven will not be so quick to hear his case, Freya enlists Walker’s help to find the real killer and clear his name. Together, they fight fierce adversaries and face great betrayals, but there is one thing they cannot overcome—their forbidden feelings for one another.

Genres: Romance, Witches, Fantasy

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2024

Reviews

[dilan · Rating 2 out of 5]

needs more world building

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of the best books I have ever read. If you are looking for something fun, witty, and entertaining from the first page this is for you! Not to mention the romance + a cowboy;)🤠what more could you ask for?

[danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

i just wish there was more world and relationship buildup. The middle to end of the book I really enjoyed, I just felt like we could’ve used 50 more pages to really develop some kind of connection with the FMC and MMC.

[⟡˙⋆ 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑥 ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved! Could not put this bad boy down ❤️

[Sara Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SUCH a good book! I’m just sorry it took me so long to finish it; life got a hold of me and put me in a mystical book block of sorts! This is just what I needed though! Thank you Ryen for a beautiful mystical story

[Bethany Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ 0 🌶️ (no spice at all)

This was NOT what I was expecting when I picked this book up. I honestly thought it was a romance novel (that’s what get for going in blind lol) and it’s NOT! This is a murder mystery high stakes fantasy.
As someone who doesn’t really read fantasy, I thoroughly enjoyed this. There was minimal world building, enough to understand, although the world was painted beautifully I do wish there would’ve been more. We have a cowboy and a witch (and her cat who shifts into 3 separate forms) go on a quest together to figure out who has murder her mother after the cowboy has been wrongfully accused. We have good and bad (dark) witches, we have werewolves and vampires. We have potions and magic and elemental magic. This story gripped me from the very first page. It’s extremely immersive and hard to put down! It’s crazy to think this was a debut publishing. Absolutely will be reading more from this author!

[Alex Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It’s fun, witty, and engaging, and I really liked the dynamic between the two main characters, Walker and Freya. The world it introduced is both exciting and compelling, and I can’t wait to see more of it!

[Rachel Darrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!! Read it so fast!! I couldn’t put it down!

[Melissa Monty · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent debut!

This was such a great story! So much suspense and chemistry between characters. I can't wait to see what the author does next!

[Maaikee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED it!
Really good story and nicely written, the characters are well written and very loveable!

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the 3-star rating, I really want to give props to the author. My major qualms with this book are the fast pacing and some of the language (which felt rather elementary) that can completely be attributed to one of the first books that Rowe has written and something I expect will fix itself in time. I would have especially appreciated more world-building early on in the book. However, this book was such a unique blend of supernatural and fantasy elements with a cowboy twist. The main characters are loveable, the supporting characters - good and evil - are so fresh in how they're described, and the plot is new. I felt the final ~50 pages were very good writing from Rowe and encompassed the struggle she was attempting to portray throughout the story perfectly. THE CLIFFHANGER? Stunning. Overall, I enjoyed this book and will be buying the second in this duology. I highly encourage others who want to explore a world like Shadowhunters and Elise Silver's books to give Rowe and her weaving of two popular genres a chance!

[Andréa · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨The Witch and the Cowboy✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

At first I wasn’t sure how I would like this one. It took a minute for me to immerse myself into this world. I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy lately, and honestly sometimes I feel like it takes me 25-50 pages to get a grasp on the world I’m entering. Once I felt like I was there, this was a good book! It’s different, not like a lot I’ve been reading, which I liked. It’s fantasy, but more so about a journey forward in a world you didn’t expect to find yourself in.

The ending was intense, with the blood oath and basically an unstoppable weapon. I feel like it left off a good window into a potential second book, or that opaque finality of possibility. Either way, I really enjoyed this one. 🤩

[K. Saint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a Cute Story!

I couldn’t put the book down once I started it. The story starts off with action, pulling you in immediately. The character development is excellent, and the author does a great job with the backstories too. The imagery and fight scenes are well-explained.

This is mostly a fantasy-mystery with a smudge of romance (a kiss here and there). I’m looking forward to the two main characters accepting their feelings in book 2!

OMG, the cliffhanger left me contemplating in bed. I have to know what comes next! If you’re looking for an easy, fun read, I highly recommend this book.

[Sarah ⟡ Tea & Tomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, unique story blending the mundane and fantastical. The cowboy protagonist, Walker, and the fiery witch, Freyja, create a captivating dynamic. While the mystery of Freyja's mother's death and the disappearance of witches adds intrigue, there could have been a deeper connection between the villain and main characters. Despite this, the book is a light, enjoyable read with a unique blend of cowboy life and fantasy elements.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a very quick DNF for me which is a shame cause I loved the concept and the cover.
First off the first chapter had no editor, somehow it was so detailed and vague at the same time.
It also was not apparent that the first chapter pov was the mmc. It felt like a female character I can’t explain why.
My immediate DNF came with a mid chapter pov switch which is my biggest no no. I was bored from the start and I have a feeling based on reviews it doesn’t get better. What a shame.

[MlEaNnReAdS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this booked up at an adult book fair that I like to go to in Harrah, Ok after seeing it was from a local author . This was a fun read !! Very good for this authors first book!! You have witches , werewolves and vampires! OH MY !!! I would love to see some more world building and character development in future books. And I believe the author can do it ! I will most definitely be reading the next book and anything else Rowe writes !! Overall, really enjoyed this book!

[Nicole Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fun book! First in a series, we are introduced to Walker, Freya and Cadence. Walker and Cadence are brother and sister just trying to survive after their mother’s death and their father’s downfall. Freya miss judges Walker and his involvement in her mother’s death. The 3 go on a wild adventure to find the real killer and discover hidden secrets being kept from them all. I loved getting to know these characters and can’t wait to see what they get into next.

[CD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about grief, acceptance, and love, where two characters beginning worlds apart from one another connect in a beautiful way while facing the most impossible odds.

This book was highly enjoyable and I thoroughly loved the characters and world around them.

It kept me on the edge of my seat towards the end a I couldn’t put it down.

I’m excited to continue to read about these characters and the world about them.

[Alena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witches and Cowboys, sign me in!
It was a short but entertaining paranormal mystery.
It's fast paced, Freya and Walker searching for answers and uncovering mysteries, there's action and there are more creatures than I expected, werewolves and vampires. I liked it, I wasn't expecting that combination, it's easy to read and it hooks you quickly.

ps: The cover is beautiful

[Krisley Vargas · Rating 1 out of 5]

On paper this premise is intriguing but the execution of this book was terribly done. I don’t know how this book found a publisher as it stands right now. I have read fan fiction with less plot holes and better description, world building and character development than this book. This book was boring and just left me very frustrated with the authors reliance of a deus ex machina that is not properly explained. I would not recommend this book to anyone that likes to read.

[Caitlin Beckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

What a fun read. I loved the story and honestly Cadence the little sister stole the show for me! I loved her sass and determination. Going to need a second book for sure.

YA fantasy meets small town, cowboy romance.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than I thought it would be ! It was fun that the story was much deeper than a witch hunter vs a witch and we got some other fantasy species and a plot twist. However the ending was a little lack luster… I mean he dies and then decides to come back and we don’t get to see it !! Sad

[Mary Petrushko · Rating 2 out of 5]

6/10
I definitely had high hopes for this book, but it unfortunately just fell flat for me. There was a lot going on and not enough word building for me. But hey, if you like witches, vampires and werewolves with just a smidge of romance, then you might like this!

[Brielle jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was better than I was expecting!! Would’ve been a five star but that whole “Witches really do be tripping” lost me. But overall good! Cant wait to read the next book!

Also just saying. I might like Ryder more than Walker. For me. Not Freya. Freya can take Walker.

Cadence>>>>>>>

[Makayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🙂‍↕️

[Daniella Tamayao · Rating 2 out of 5]

It could've been fun and witchy and magical but it was boring and everything was happening but also nothing at the same time. It just didn't hold my attention

[Legacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and adventurous with a dash of romance!!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and easy-to-read fantasy novel with a bit of romance! I can’t wait to see where the next book goes.

[Zoe Herndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it<3

Cute fun read, I wish there was more!

Spoiler:Like something with him as a witch at the end would have been great

[Mandy Colson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The characters, the setting, the romance, I got was sucked into the story from the very first page. I can’t wait for book 2!!!