Whiskey Cowboy

Foster House #0.5

by Walker Rose

The woman I spent one hot night with ends up being my boss’s daughter, and if I want to keep my job, I won’t touch her again.

I work with my two brothers on Hawthorne Guest Ranch. We do the behind-the-scenes stuff with the real ranch and have strict orders to stay away from the guests, the staff, and especially the boss’s daughters. I do what I’m told, but when a woman comes into the bar and says she’s passing through, well… I give her a night to remember and try not to think about how I’d like to see her again.

I do see her again. The very next day, when she’s introduced not only as Jamison Hawthorne, but our newest staff member.

I try to stay away from her, but she has a way of making a guy want more. Only I don’t have more to give her. All that’s in my name is an old mine some whiskey CEO wants to turn into his next distillery. Yet if I keep sneaking around with Jamison, I’ll lose my job and get my brothers fired too. So it’s up to me to figure out how to be more for Jamison than some whiskey cowboy.

Genres: Westerns, Novella, Cowboy Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Workplace Romance, Forced Proximity

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Kelsey H · Rating 5 out of 5]

FMC - Sunny: 5 🌟
MMC - Iverson: 5 🌟
SPICE - 🌶🌶

I want to start off by saying that I typically read cowboy romances the least. It's not that I dont like them, but it's not the subgenre I tend to gravitate to first. I'm also a little picky when it comes to novellas. With all that said, not only was this a great novella, in my opinion, but it also made me want to read about more cowboys!!

Nothing about the story felt rushed, I got to know all of the characters well enough without feeling like the backgrounds were unnecessarily squished in, and it was all wrapped up beautifully in the end!

As far as plot goes, I fell in love with Sunny and Iverson so quickly, and the spice between them was perfect. I was also so proud of Sunny standing up for herself, and I absolutely loved that Iverson didn't hesitate to put her first in the end.

Rest assured, I will be reading more from this author!! And thank you to The Author Agency for the opportunity to read this ARC 💕

[Megan Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun novella for the new spinoff of the bourbon canyon series.
Foster House incoming.

Iverson & Sunny 💕
Cowboy x boss’s daughter
Little forbidden action
One night stand ish
Ranch setting / workplace
Age gap

Excited to see where this series goes.

Arc review ✨

[Shannon Mayhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to have a spin off of The Bourbon Canyon series. Walker knows how to write a cowboy. This is an introduction to Foster House Series and hello we are introduced. I can’t wait to dive more into this world. I’m so excited to see what they do with the old ranch and the new distillery. Iverson and Jamison were 🔥 This was such a fast read, perfect little novella for the weekend.

[Soph · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★.5. A short cute novella. There was really no emotional connection with Sunny and Iverson. I wasn’t expecting much since it’s a novella, but I did like the authors writing.

For my safety readers, safe. Both not virgins but have been celibate for a little. His past is mentioned and a past hookup tried to get with him. Nothing happened.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this novella immediately last night as soon as I saw it was free because:
1) I’ve been missing this world,
2)Iverson + Campbell’s sister? Yes please,
3) I adore this author’s writing.

One thing I noticed right away - especially since I read Whiskey Bargain first - is how spicy this novella is. And now I fully understand why Campbell was so jealous at the beginning about her sister managing to find someone like Iverson! 😂

As for the novella itself: it’s short, cute, and fun. Not really knowing what to expect, I just let myself get carried by the story, and I can definitely say that the spicy side shines more than the emotional connection. One thing I noticed right away - especially compared to Whiskey Bargain - is that there I loved the opposite: the way the characters grew closer emotionally first and then physically. Here, the balance leans more toward heat than heart. What carried the story for me was the author’s writing style, which I’m really starting to enjoy.

Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read that made me even more excited to continue reading this series.

[Emily Johnston (Booked.Up.With.Emily) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a short and fun novella! This gives us insight into the new series coming from Walker Rose!

🤎Boss’s daughter
🤎One night stand
🤎Age gap
🤎Workplace romance
🤎He falls first

After having the best night together, Iverson and Sunny do not expect to see one another again. Until she shows up at his work, being introduced as the boss’s daughter. And Iverson’s boss is as strict as they come, and he knows that he can never do anything with her again or he will be fired.

So when the attraction and chemistry win out, will they be able to be together in public, or will behind closed doors be the only fate for them?

This was so much fun and I loved these characters. We get to see characters from the Bourbon Canyon series and get to see the bridge starting between that series and the new one. Looking forward to reading that!

[Randi (randi_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella introducing the new Foster House characters and series. After having a steamy night together neither Iverson nor Sunny expected to see each other again. But, when she turns up as the daughter of his boss on the ranch he is working at, it seems it won't just be one night. What follows is some sneaking around since her father would not approve.

Read this if you like:

Cowboy romances
Boss's daughter
Small town
Age gap (MMC 38/FMC 25)
Forbidden

This is such a great intro to the new series. Great characters and spice. It had a real plot, and nothing felt rushed.

Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts are opinions are my own.

[Marylou Menjivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

PHEW Walker Rose hits us with spice right in chapter 1!

Ate this book up!

Iverson & Sunny were meant for each other. They both knew what they wanted and never held back from saying what they wanted to say.

What a great way to introduce us to the new series! Looking forward to the next book!

Thank you Walker Rose for giving me the opportunity to read and listen to Whiskey Cowboy in advance.

[est · Rating 4 out of 5]

bold meet cute, forbidden romance, sneaking around, sharing secrets at nights, supporting each other reach for more.

a really wholesome novella to start a new series by WR! thank you for the ARC!

[Jacklyn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of The Bourbon Canyon series and was excited for this novella - it takes place in the same universe and is an introduction the upcoming Foster House series! This novella is a great introduction and we have new characters and some names that might just sound familiar!

The audio for this was excellent!!! The voices and accents were perfect for this book - I thought I was out on the ranch!

I loved Sunny and Iverson together! They have this immediate chemistry and connection and they share a steamy night and go their separate ways…or so they thought!

We see both of them make some hard decisions…he (and his brothers) have their family’s land but nothing else to his name. Do they selll? Take out a loan? She has been doing what her father wants and desperately wants to live her own life.

We see both of them really grow as characters…and of course set up everything for the new series!!!

✨What To Expect:
🌾Small Town
🤠Cowboy Romance
🐂Ranch Setting
🔥One Night Stand
💋Boss’s Daughter
❤️‍🔥He Falls First
🥃Age Gap
🧡Sneaking Around
🌶️Barn Smexy Time

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review whiskey Cowboy by

-Novella
-Bosses daughter
-One night stand
-Spicy

This is my first book by Walker Rose. It was a really good introduction into her writing style which I really did enjoy and this novella definitely builds for the next series that is obviously gonna be coming out to post this novella.

The story follows Iverson and Sunny and they met in a bar one night as she says she’s passing through town and from there they have a hot one night stand and when I say hot the spice was hot I needed a fan 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

So the next day Iverson goes to work and then he finds out that Sunny is his bosses daughter that he just had a one night stand with and from there they obviously just try to not give into temptation due to him worrying about his brother to also work with him at the distillery

Really, really great introduction to how the next series is gonna go really looking forward to diving into that one as well

Thank you to walker_rose_books and the theauthor.agency for an arc copy of this novella. I really do appreciate the opportunity to read this.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Amanda Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walker Rose delivers another hit with Whiskey Cowboy — a sizzling, heartfelt novella that perfectly bridges the Bourbon Canyon and Foster House series.

Iverson and Sunny’s story starts with a one-night stand that quickly turns complicated when she’s revealed to be the boss’s daughter. Their chemistry is instant and electric, and the sneaking around adds just the right amount of tension. I loved watching both of them push back against her controlling father and claim what they really wanted.

The pacing fits the novella length—fast but satisfying—and the epilogue sets up future stories beautifully. Fans of Bourbon Canyon will love this glimpse into what’s coming next. I can’t wait for more of the Hennessy and Foster brothers.

[Catherine M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC + ALC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧🎧🎧🎧.5

This was fun novella that was a quick and easy read and a great way to start off the Foster House series.

Iverson and Sunny are instantly attracted to each other when they meet in a bar and decide to have a night of fun together thinking they wouldn’t see each other again. Except they do because she turns out to be his boss’s daughter. They are attracted together like magnets and have intense chemistry. Everything combined made for a fun, fast and spicy read!

ALC Review:
I did Whiskey Cowboy as an immersive read and I was so glad I did! The narrators did an incredible job at bringing Iverson and Sunny to life. The drawl in his voice was better than I could’ve ever imagined. I had to pause a couple of times because it was getting hot in there!!

I would like to thank Walker Rose for the opportunity to read, listen and review Whiskey Cowboy.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Foster House series.

I love a good novella, and this one definitely hit the mark. I fell in love with the characters and their story quickly and can't wait for the other brothers' stories.

This novella series is a spin-off from the Bourbon Canyon series, but you do not have to read those first. I do recommend that series, though.

This story follows Jamison (Sunny) and Iverson. They had an immediate connection and a very spicy night. Once they figure out Iverson works for Jamison's dad and she is "off limits," they really struggle to keep their distance.

Even though the story was short, I thought the pacing was great. I loved Iverson's dedication to his brothers and how he fell fast and hard for Sunny.

The epilogue was perfect.

🤠boss's daughter
🥵band of brothers
🤠ranch setting
🥵one night stand
🤠he falls first
🥵sneaking around
🤠age gap romance
🥵workplace romance

Thank you, Walker Rose, for the ARC.

[Emmy Wong · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a really cute little cowboy romance novella. It had a pretty simple plot but it was fun, had some spice, and a couple with great chemistry. It’s a workplace romance, she’s his boss’s daughter working for their company and they had a steamy one night stand that neither can forget. I guess nothing about this book really stood out to me plot wise, it’s a decent plot, sweet and simple, but what caught my eye definitely was the characters. I must say I really liked the fmc, Sunny. She’s a girl who goes after what she wants and I love that. He’s the hot cowboy but really he’s a little lost in his life, and she helps him get it right back on track. They had a nice happy ending. This book is a fun, lighthearted romance read and I give it a 3.5/5

[Nicole Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good novella to start this new series off!
Iverson is just the perfect cowboy ranch hand and you can just tell he is sexy as hell! ‘Sunny’ is so beautiful, a girl that knows what she wants after being handed everything so easily, just wanting to start a life for herself.

Such a spicy fun little story I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here!
Thank you Walker Rose and team for giving me the chance to read this eARC

[Jess Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to dive into another Walker Rose story after falling in love with her Bourbon Canyon series. Getting to catch up with the Hennessey brothers again in their own spin-off was the perfect treat!

I adored Iverson and Sunny together. Their chemistry was instant, their banter adorable, and their connection felt genuine right from the start. I was a little sad this was a novella rather than a full-length novel because I could have easily read 300 more pages of these two! I loved that despite the age gap, Sunny brought a quiet maturity and emotional depth to their relationship, balancing Iverson’s charm perfectly.

I have a feeling this whirlwind romance is setting the stage for an amazing Foster House series, and I can’t wait to see more of them as side characters in Haven and Durban’s stories.

The world building was light, but since I had already read Bourbon Canyon, it helped fill in the gaps. The focus stayed right where it should be on the flirty, fiery, and perfectly spicy romance.

If you love small-town cowboys, steamy novellas, and couples with irresistible chemistry, Whiskey Cowboy is the perfect afternoon read. 🥃

[SmuttyEverAfter · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC/ALC review:

Oooh we got hit with the spice early and it was 🥵🥵🥵. Iverson and Sunny were 👌🏻. The chemistry was immediate. I was also lucky enough to get the audiobook as well and an immersion read was definitely the way to go 😮‍💨. This was such a great intro to the new series. Definitely looking forward to Durban and Campbell’s book next!

[Yami’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad I picked up Walker Rose’s debut last year—best decision ever! 🥰 Her Bourbon Canyon series instantly stole my heart (and the hearts of all my cowboy-loving book friends).

Now she’s back with a spin-off, Foster House, and let me tell you—the prequel novella Whiskey Cowboy is pure joy wrapped in a cowboy hat. 🤠 It’s short, sweet, and the perfect appetizer for what’s to come when the full series launches in December 2025.

Sunny and Iverson are about to take us on a ride, and this little novella is your VIP pass to their world. If you love cowboys, charm, and writing that makes you grin from ear to ear, you need this one on your TBR. Cowboy is truly the name of the game! 🐎✨

[Emily Arriola · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like:
🔥one night stand
❤️forbidden romance
🔥age gap
❤️forced proximity
Then Whiskey Cowboy needs to be your next read! This novella told such a big story in a short amount of time! I could not put this book down!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whiskey Cowboy

An awesome story about three brothers who are working for Hawthorn properties, and they have a strict policy. No fraternization with guests, oops that includes employees and family. Enjoy this story about meeting a one night stand, who doesn’t stay that way, surprisingly. Loved this story.

[s a r a h ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for my advanced copy I absolutely loved every second of it. Was a quick novella with the spicy and storyline starting straight away and I adore the main characters

[Lana Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walker Rose books are a one day read!!!!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was quick, it was cute and it was spicy, hell yeah

not much else to say, I can't wait to pick up the main book and honestly now im curious about miles' story as well 👀

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walker really can do no wrong, in my honest opinion. I fall in love with every one of her books from page freaking 1! And this novella is NO DIFFERENT!

Sunny and Iverson. COME ON! 😍🙌🔥🥵

I loved every second of this book… I didn’t want it to end! I loved each of the characters, their spice, and the storyline… definitely a 5 star read for me. (Per usual with Walker!)

I’m so excited for the rest of this series… I wish she’d just send me all of them at once so I didn’t have to wait for more perfection!!! 🤭

[Kaci (travelswithabook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little novella introducing the new series. I enjoyed the characters and the premise, but I think I would have liked it even more if it was a full length book. It felt a bit rushed and instalove isn’t always my favorite. However, you can always find me enjoying a ranch/cowboy setting. I’m really looking forward to continuing the new (yet interconnected) world that Walker Rose has created.

[Lauren Curley · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4 Stars
🌶 - Spice Level

Jamison "Sunny" is coming home to work on the ranch for her father. She meets Iverson the night before at a local bar, and a spicy night ensues where they both believe it's a one-time thing. Obviously, it's not since he works at the ranch, too.

These two can't stay away no matter how hard they try. I found the spiciest scene in their first scene, and the rest are fairly sped up as the novella is shorter. It was inevitable they'd be found out, but it became the best catalyst for the brothers to start off this series as they look towards a distillery option.

Thank you, author, for the arc!
Release Day: September 30, 2025

[olovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Walker writes it, I'm gonna read it & DEVOUR it

This was such a great intro to a new series and I loved Sunny and Iverson so much. They were so hot, but also so sweet.

I love them so much and I cannot wait for the other books in the series. I know they won't disappoint especially after this great intro!

[Kiki_HeartReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I make sure every day that Sunny is as happy and content as she makes me."

IVY IVERSON....How much more dreamy can you be!!!!

This couple is quite endearing and so adorable that you cannot stop your self from falling in love with them! Individually and together. I was smiling from ear to ear as I got closer to the ending. It was sweet and gave so much happy feels that I didnt want it to end.

I wanted and needed more! I loved being with them and learning about them. They are very true to themselves and are very relatable characters. Their chemistry was fantastic and I'm honestly sad it was a novella. I'm always open for more with them and so glad we will hopefully see them in the upcoming book!!!!

Iverson has alot on his shoulders: His inheritance from his father and his brothers to look out for. He has no idea what to do and has kept things up in the air for a while. Thankfully, he meets a sweet sunny(pun intended) and smart woman who cares for and respects him. Not to mention a joyful Cameo or 2 or 3 from the previous series, to give him some insight/help.

Sunny has been under her fathers rule ever since she was born. Everything has always been decided for her. But now that she's back home, its time for her to officially break away. Especially when she has an amazing one night stand with the ultimate sexy cowboy on her fathers ranch she can't stop dreaming about!!

Can they stand strong under their circumstances? Will they be able to fight for their growing relationship?

I absolutely loved the brotherhood as they have each others back even if they don't fully understand each other at times. They also actually have discussions together to help make decisions which was so wonderful to see. It shows just how much they all mean to each other. I would have loved to see them together more with Sunny officially and maybe that will happen in future books.

"Dont get so stuck in your lane you can't see a better path."

I had to include this amazing quote by one of my favorites guys from Bourbon series!! Its good advice and the main struggle for Iverson who has always been undecided in how to move on from his rut of a life.

I'm so excited for the next book and I WANT IT NOW!!
Looking forward to Durban's book!!! He seemed the most unattached to love but...lets see

[TheBookishSkull · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything I love in a fast-paced cowboy romance: steamy, engaging, and impossible to put down. Even though it’s a short novella, Walker Rose manages to pack in all the charm, chemistry, and small-town vibes that make cowboy romances so addictive.

Right from the first page, I was hooked. The story moves quickly without ever feeling rushed, and the dual POV gives you an instant connection to both main characters. You really get to know them, their motivations, their vulnerabilities, and of course, their undeniable attraction to each other.

This novella strikes a perfect balance: it’s a quick read, but never lacking in depth or emotion. A fantastic introduction to what promises to be a great series. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this cowboy world!

Thank you Walker Rose for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

—————————

Este libro tiene todo lo que me encanta de una novela romántica de vaqueros: apasionante, atrapante e imposible de soltar. Aunque es una novela corta, Walker Rose consigue concentrar todo el encanto, la química y la atmósfera pueblerina que hacen que las novelas románticas de vaqueros sean tan adictivas.

Desde la primera página, me enganché. La historia avanza con rapidez, sin sentirse apresurada, y el doble punto de vista te conecta al instante con los dos personajes principales. Realmente los conoces, sus motivaciones, sus vulnerabilidades y, por supuesto, la innegable atracción que sienten el uno por el otro.

Esta novela logra el equilibrio perfecto: es de lectura rápida, pero nunca le falta profundidad ni emoción. Una fantástica introducción a lo que promete ser una gran serie. ¡Estoy deseando ver qué nos depara el futuro en este mundo vaquero!

Gracias Walker Rose por el ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta.