Tangling with the Cowboy

by Debra Elise

Jana Bennett
At thirty-four, I'm focused on getting my grandfather's horse ranch back to its former glory. I don't have time to play house or raise babies, and when I have an itch, I scratch it.
Only it's been a while since someone made me want to scratch until an old enemy comes back into my life—and my fantasies.

Lawson Bridges
A former bronco riding rodeo champ returns home with a trunk full of buckles looking for his next challenge.

He finds two.

The first is signing on to run a horse ranch for the woman he couldn't forget.
And the second?
The woman he couldn't forget.

We've been circling each other for years. After sharing an unexpected, yet inevitable, night of passion, can we overcome old wounds and see that we're better together?
★♥★
Each short story in the TANGLING series features characters who decide to live their lives to the fullest, and that includes experiencing steamy, sexy times. When each heroine is presented the opportunity to tangle with the one they desire—sometimes it's a second chance and sometimes it's with a friend or enemy—they go all in.

Each story guarantees a HEA and/or HFN. No cheating, no cliffhanger, no triggers.

All stories in the TANGLING series can be read and enjoyed in any order ♥

Genres: Westerns, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Ebooks, Novella, Second Chance, Short Stories

70 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2025

About the author

Debra Elise, a USA Today Bestselling Author, lives with her husband and their two teenage sons in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Her books are steamy & sweet featuring later in life characters across several genres.

A self-proclaimed extroverted introvert, when not writing or procrastinating, she enjoys a strong cup of coffee, a good nap and teasing her three 'boys' into displaying their killer smiles. Visit Debra at www.debraelise.com

Reviews

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangling with the Cowboy is hot second chance story that cracks your heart at the thought of what could have been if other choices were made.

Lawson worked on the Jana's grandfather's ranch. When her grandfather saw Lawson was looking at Jana, he had sure that Lawson stayed away or had no future.

Years later, Jana is doing her best to keep her grandfather's ranch out of the red. When Lawson offers to help, Jana is struggles with her heart and her mind on what to do.

Amazing fast read that you will not want to put down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan (susayq ~) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a quick second chance romance between Jana and Lawson. I wish it had been a smidge longer, but it was a good quick read.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a small town romance between Jana and Lawson. They have a hot chemistry but will that be enough? It's a well written short story and I enjoyed reading.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It was a short read. I wasn’t prepared for that. But it was good. These two were friends as kids but when those teen years came they became enemies. It’s heartbreaking why they have come back together but they make a great team. They both know what they have to do even with the crackling attraction between them. She is still holding a grudge he is keeping a secret. It takes a bit and some jealousy to let out all the anger and secret so they can move forward and ounce in their attraction for each other. They are friends first since childhood even if for 10 years they were enemies of a sort. But their friendship and the love of her grandfather got them working together to fix what was broken in more ways then one. I wish it was a bit longer and got to see more of the dating relationship part but it was still a great short steamy smexy book.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Try for Love ? . . .

Once again, lack of communication makes two people miserable for 10 years. All they had to do was talk and find out what the real issue was.

Now Jana Bennett is trying to restore the family ranch to the way it used to be before they end up losing it. What she needs is someone with the skills to do that. Unfortunately, or maybe it’s Fate, Lawson Bridges is the one who arrives back and is willing to take on the job. Lawson is a former rodeo champ and definitely knows horses. He has held onto his anger at Jana for the past 10 years. Will she finally find out why? Will the two of them try for a second chance now that they have grown up a little?

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jana wants to get her grandfather's horse ranch back to its glory. Lawson is back to help Jana with the ranch and to get the women he left back. They work together. It is a short story so there is just the story without a lot of detail but that is okay because it is just the story. This is an enemies to lovers story. This is just such a great pool side read, quick and interesting and wonderful.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!! loved this short steamy romance between Jana and Lawson.

She had been in love with him forever but she thought he hated her because he was always mean. Once he comes back into her life, he tells her what happened all those years ago that stopped him from loving her than. They end up loving each other now and forever.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kanani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story and a quick read. A miscommunication kept them apart for years and years! Jana and Lawson have know each other since they were kids. She left town but returned after her grandfather passed away. Lawson had always had feeling for her amd now he's here to clear the air and help her with the ranch!

[Lynn Sell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a volunteer ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review. Great book with great characters. Short read which was good because I didn’t want to put it down. This story is about Jana who is back in town to take over her grandfather’s horse farm and trying to save the farm from developers. Lawson is a retired bronco rider due to a wrist injury. They went to high school together and neither of them knew that the other had feelings for them. Also the little know fact that Jana’s grandfather had warned Lawson away. Now they come together to try to make a balloon payment on the farm. The question is what happens when the two of them work together for the common goal?

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Tangling series has been a joy to read and this book was no different. Throw in horses and I found a winning book. Lawson and Jana were two wonderful characters to read about.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jana has lived with her grandfather and now see back for his funeral to found out that he had been sick with cancer. The ranch is in bad shape and she may lose it. She has to figure out how to safe the ranch. In step Lawson who is back and the love of her life that never cross any line to her. Jana grandfather told him not to cross that line. Now what is going to happen for the two of them?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cowboy

Short friends to enemies story with the two main characters come g back together after her grandfather dies and the farm she grew up on needs to annual help and he just so happens to know horses and has some cash to invest

[Rhonda Brant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read. Would have liked a bit more backstory, but there's no lack of chemistry between these two characters. Loved the setting of the story and the small town.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

[Linda Olinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangling With The Cowboy is the first book in the Tangling series and it’s a winner! Debra Elise is a master storyteller. She has outdone herself combining second chance love with steaming hot passion to tell Jana and Lawson’s story!

[tessi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated every second of this and I only finished it because it was so short.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jana Bennett gets word that her grandfather has passed and on top of that, the manager helping him run the place took full advantage of his illness and embezzled thousands of dollars. Jana was able to sell off all the horses, and other things to keep the ranch operational. However, she kept Maisy. Jana hopes to get the breeding portion of the ranch back to its glory days. That is until Jana finds out her grandpa took out a second mortgage on the ranch, and there is a balloon payment due for $50,000.

She had avoided this town for so long, the memories of where her heart had been broken by a boy, Lawson Bridges, whom she fell in love with to find out they had only been mere friends. Nothing was more important to him than the rodeo. In junior high, Jana became the butt of Lawson’s jokes and nothing to him, but someone to laugh at. It got to the point, where at first it hurt her heart, and then it became the driving force to get her to work harder to motivate her to leave town. Her hatred for Lawson propelled her.

Lawson knew within himself he pretty, much fell in love with her the day on the playground when Jana refused his offer of help. He asked if Jana remembered that day. Until middle school, Lawson followed her like a puppy. The summer before high school, he took a break from doing the chores her granddad assigned him before he’d let him practice. He saw Jana riding one of the trail horses and Lawson was lost in teenage lust, and then who found him drooling over her? Her grandfather.
Jana’s granddad lit into him and clarified that he was to stay away from her.

If he even touched her, her grandad would yank Lawson’s riding privileges. He scared Lawson poopless. His mom left them, his dad might as well have been, then when he was around he yelled at Lawson all the time. He would say words he can still hear today, “You’ll never be good enough for the circuit boy.’ As much as Lawson loved Jana, he had to choose his future. That means, even when all Lawson wanted was Jana. Making something of himself was important to him. Before Lawson could deem himself worthy enough, Jana was gone.

How or when hadn't been in the plan. However, his injury and Jana’s granddad’s death had brought his timeline and her needs in alignment. Sixteen years have passed, and hurt feelings have hardened Jana’s heart. But unfortunately, deep down her love for him had never waned. So, when Lawson shows up wanting to help Jana, no strings attached, mainly out of respect for her granddad’s help. Let's say she is leery and doesn't feel she can believe him.

Can they work together? Will Jana make Lawson work for what he let slip through his fingers before? Will all his excuses add up to her? Enjoy this sexy second chance, with a little OTT, and a strong leading lady who may give in a little too fast. But withhold info and watch this firecracker go off.

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful!! This was a nice quick, short read. I really enjoyed this one.

Lawson and Jena knew one another in school, he came and worked for her grandfather. When Jena and Lawson first met she stumbled and he tried to catch her but she told him she was fine and didn't need his help. That sparked Lawson wanting to get to know Jena, but when he went to work for her grandfather he told him to stay away from his granddaughter. Jena went to college when she turned eighteen, while Lawson joined the rodeo and became famous. Now Lawson can't compete so he came back home and wants to help out Jena when he found out about her grandfather passing away. Jena didn't want to come home but when she finds out her grandfather passed she has no choice she needs to take care of his ranch. Jena comes home to a mess where she thinks she might have to sell the ranch. Jena's grandfather's manager took off with all the money and now the ranch is in debt. It's then that Lawson comes and makes Jena an offer to help out the ranch. Jena had to sell most of the horses her grandfather once owned, but only kept one his prize possession. Lawson offers his bull up to Jena to breed with her horse. Jena doesn't take the offer at first, she tells Lawson she needs to think about his offer. The following day Lawson comes to find Jena headed out to dinner with a man knowns around town as buying up properties. Jena wants to hear the offer but she keeps it in the back of her mind she doesn't want sell the ranch. When Jena gets back to the ranch Lawson comes to find her telling her he was trying to get a hold of her. Lawson tells Jena it's about her horse, he had to call the vet out to check on her. Jena heads running to the barns to check on the horse, but finds out she looks fine. Jena gets mad at Lawson telling him this is her horse and she needs to know whats going on. Lawson kisses Jena then takes her into the stall where he pleasures her then they make love. Lawson takes Jena to the apartment he has above and she stays the night. The next morning Jena wakes to find Lawson making her breakfast, she never had someone make her anything. Lawson tells Jena how he's always loved her. Jena doesn't believe Lawson but he tells her about her grandfather scaring him away he needed to prove to her that he could be good for her. Lawson tells her he loves her and Jena tells him he loves her. Two months later, the same day they make the payment on the ranch Lawson and Jena get married. Lawson and Jena have a few bidders on the horse's foal, step by step they'll make the ranch what it once was. Jena makes dinner for Lawson, but he knows something up. Lawson takes Jena to bed and tells her she needs to tell him. Jena tells Lawson she's pregnant.

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jana Bennett goes home to Bennett Ranch in Cedar Point Idaho. Her grandfather passed away from cancer and his horse breeding ranch is now Jana’s. the ranch is in bad shape because the ranch manager took advantage of a sick man and embezzled money from him.

Lawson Bridges is the golden boy and back in town. He used to ride the rodeo circuit but an injury to his wrist forced an early retirement. Lawson and Jana were friends until high school. Lawson’s father was a jerk and he found peace by working on the Bennett Ranch during the summer and learning everything Jana’s grandfather would teach him. When they were 14 years old, Jana’s grandfather caught Lawson staring at Jana. His choices were to leave Jana alone or get fired from the ranch. He chose working at the ranch and learning to ride to make a better life for himself. He never forgot about Jana and wanted to be worthy of having her.

Lawson wants to help Jana now so they can honor her grandfather’s legacy together. I loved watching them fight their feelings for each other. Good story.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great second chance story. Lawson and Jana meet again when Jana is back after her grandfathers death to get his ranch in working order. Lawson is retied now from the rodeo circuit and back as well to the small town they grew up in. Jana has always had feelings for Lawson and never let him know when they were younger. Lawson had feelings as well. Unfortunately, Jana's grandfather noticed that Lawson had eyes for Jana back when she was younger and told Lawson he was not good enough for her and to stay away. Because of that Lawson left when he was 18 and the two have not seen one another for years. Now they are able to talk about the feelings they still have for one another an explain what happened long ago. This was a wonderful read. The chemistry between these to is off the charts and I loved the HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[T Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters
Second Chance at First Love
Tangling Series


Trigger/ Content warnings
Cancer death of grandfather
Parental Abandonment
Alcoholism

Jana inherited her grandfather's failing house ranch and needed a miracle. She didn't expect it to come knocking on her door while she was wearing only a towel. Will she give Lawson a chance after he broke her heart back in high school?

The 1st person to 3rd switch in the middle of paragraphs threw me off. I'm not sure if it's a version of English writing I'm unfamiliar with or was in error, but it interrupted the flow of reading for me.

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the story of Jana and Lawson. Jana returns to save her grandfather's ranch after he passed away. She has plans for the ranch, but she knows she needs help. Lawson worked for Janna's grandfather before he left for the rodeo circuit. An injury ended Lawson's career in the rodeo and he shows up to offer help to Jana. Jana agrees to allow Lawson to help, if he does what she wants and not what he wants. The problem will be keeping things professional between them. This was a nice story with a lot of heat between the characters. I enjoyed this book, i like that Jana was determined to make things better at the ranch.

[Ms G Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangling With The Cowboy

Jana and Lawson’s story is simmering, repressed and hot. Jana could not wait to leave her home town to make her own way. Now she is back because her grandfather has died of and she is guilty. Her grandfather’ stud farm that he worked so hard to make famous is on its last legs as while her grandfather was sick the manager stole all the funds and left everything in a financial mess. Lawson who she went to school with wants to help physically and monetarily.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangling with the Cowboy is book 2 in the Tangling series by Debra Elise, a new to me author

Jana and Lawson have known each other since high school and he spent time working with her grandfather on the ranch. Years later, her grandfather passed, the ranch is in bad shape and she needs help to rebuild..Lawson is now back in town and wants to help…will she let him and maybe get the second chance they both are wanting…only time will tell

I voluntarily read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by this author!!

Debra Elise has become one of my favorite authors when I need something fun and quick to read. I've read all of her work and with each one I find something new to love about her ability to make me forget everything around me and focus only on how the couple inside the pages will achieve their HEA. Another great read by this author and I'm here for what comes next! Happy reading everyone

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangling with the Cowboy by Debra Elise is such a good story from start to finish. This second chance, steamy, enemies to lovers short read is full of wonderful characters. I love the emotional connections between Jana and Lawson. They were able to re-develop their friendship and find their happy ever after. This story is full of heart and steam and is worth the read. Tangling with the Cowboy is part of the Tangling Series but can be read as a standalone.

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangling with the Cowboy: Steamy & Sweet Seasoned Romance
Tangling Series

by
Debra Elise

Jana and Lawon are such wonderfully crafted characters. I enjoyed the journey these characters went on in this book. Sometimes life gives you both what you want and what you need. Great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jana: At thirty-four, I'm focused on getting my grandfather's horse ranch back to its former glory. I don't have time to play house or raise babies, and when I have an itch, I scratch it.
Only it's been a while since someone made me want to scratch until an old enemy comes back into my life—and my fantasies. I enjoyed Lawson & Jana's book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Kaitlynn Gilmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ This is the second book in the series and it’s not bad but it’s also not good. It’s somewhat insta love and friends to enemies to lovers. It moved very quickly and the ending was very rushed and without spoilers I want to know why that ended happened they where only in their lives again for a matter of days and the ending happens how it did.

[Carol ann hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangling with the Cowboy

Great short story!
I really enjoyed the dynamics between the couple and the insight to their pasts. I loved that it didn't seem rushed as a short story and didn't jump straight to happily ever after.

Looking forward to more stories from the Pineville world.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jana wants to save her Grandfather’s ranch but her only option is the boy who destroyed her heart in high school, Lawson. Lawson has wanted Jana since they were young but was warned off by her grandfather back then but they are both adults now and he plans on claiming his woman and saving her ranch in this sweet read.