Save a Horse, Ride a Cow Man

by Emily Antoinette

Blurb coming soon!

Genres: Monster Romance, Monsters, Westerns, Romance, Found Family, Rom Com, Forced Proximity

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2026

About the author

Emily loves cozy, emotional, and spicy romances with a monstrous twist. When she isn’t musing on the merits of doting, dominant monsters, she reads an obscene amount of romance novels, and cultivates her eccentric recluse persona.

Reviews

[TheBookishGothGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prewarning - there is a LOT of cock mentioned in this book ;)

Safe to say I now want to move to a ranch run by Minotaurs.

Emily never fails to keep me entertained and not quite knowing where the story will go next.

Save a Horse, Ride a Cow Man is definitely a sweet but spicy 'monster' romance with a twist.
Belle is lost, she has no job, no real friends (except Gretchen) and no reason to stick around and be tormented by fake friends and douchey exs.
A chance meeting with a Tarot reader and a surprise call from a Lawyer completely change her life and I loved every second of it.
She's sassy, stubborn and very easy to identify with (being a neurodivergent chaos gremlin myself) and I love how she refuses to back down.

Cal is grumpy, filled with anxiety and you just want to hug him and slap him 90% of the time. He is also hot AF.
Flannel clad, muscular Minotaurs in cowboy hats are a kink I never knew I had.
His story is a little heartbreaking and you can see why he feels the way he does about the ranch and about having Belle suddenly appear.

I loved the two of them together, it's very Grumpy x Sunshine but the sunshine has a few rain clouds of her own rolling in.

This story is unquestionably a slow burn romance but absolutely worth reading because it will hit you in all the feels.
The spice is spicing between these two but it is also very tender and caring.

5 stars all day long, cant wait for the rest of the series and what happens with all the other Cow Men at Taurus Ranch

[Cas ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve downloaded and devoured an entire 350+ page ARC on the day that I received it, but the stars aligned and my bodymind allowed it — so, devoured I did. Save a Horse, Ride a Cow Man was such a fun and genuinely funny romp that it was all too easy to curl up and spend the afternoon indulging in the escape that Taurus Ranch offers.

I have to say that I never expected the cowboy/rancher subgenre and associated romance tropes to spill over into the alien and monster romance genre, but I honestly love that it is having its moment right now. And imho Emily Antoinette’s addition to the new sub-genre is an invaluable one, because while it does have the deviously delicious spice and unique monstrous features that the MonsterRom genre is adored for, it has SO much more than that. Save a Horse, Ride a Cow Man has some of the best sexual tension and playful banter I’ve read in ages, a heavy dose of heartfelt moments with bittersweet grief expertly woven in, hallmark-movie-esque romance beats and setting that feel familiar in a nostalgic way, and a ton of hilarious rooster and bull jokes (as well Emily’s usual signature humor that I cannot get enough of) thrown in for good measure. Add to that well-fleshed out supporting characters that are as integral to the story as they are charming, a feisty FMC that doesn’t back down from a challenge that you can’t help but root for, an equally stubborn but soft-hearted minotaur MMC that is the perfect mix of competence and vulnerability, and a pesky potentially magical rooster. All of those things come together in a nearly impossible to put down story that I’m eager to see become one of the must-read staples for this niche community.

It’s so hard to say much more without spoilers, so I hope that my fellow readers will see this and take it as the sign they’re looking for to pick the story up and give it a chance. And I hope that Emily Antoinette considers writing more in this world, because I for one, would LOVE to see August find his sweetheart too (and lets be real, Remy and Wiley, and even Rhett too, lol).

Thank you so much to Emily and her team for the opportunity to be an early reader for this super sweet genre melding monster cowboy romance! I enjoyed it immensely 💙

[Lisen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 2 🌶️

Tropes: minotaur x human • grumpy x sunshine • slow burn • size difference • found family • cowboy... well, cowman!

I received an advance review copy (ARC) and am sharing my honest, unbiased review.

Let's take a trip to Taurus Ranch!

This is such a warm book, a read-by-the-fire-when-the-winds-blow-in-the-fall book 💓

While this is definitely a romance story as well, more than anything else, this book is about a girl who is given a new chance at life - but it's a chance she has to carve out herself inch by inch.
Yes, she's given a ranch, but it's on the verge of ruin and her presence is not welcome AT ALL.

Cal makes absolutely sure she has to fight for the chance even more than she already had to. Being absolutely convinced that Belle is out to destroy the farm - well, technically the first thing she does is destroy the farm... sign. I would like to have seen a little more grovel on his part. I love the grovel - who doesn't? - but it's not really a thing, other than he apologizes and feels bad.

The story is very unlike anything else I've read by Emily Antoinette. It is an extremely slow burn and the spice doesn't start spicing before 85%-ish. (Which is why I note that this is more a journey of healing and growth for Belle than a romance.) While I enjoyed the book, I missed the spice. Emily Antoinette is, in my opinion, one of the uncrowned queens of spice, and I felt a bit cheated of her talents.

This book is for you if you want a warm read of a woman's journey through healing to independence. And minotaurs! Aaaaaall the minotaurs!!

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monster romance x Cowboy/Western romance? UMMMMMM YES PLEASE!!!!

I adored Belle in all of her ADHD, sparkly greatness! I loved how she was taking her inheritance (her 50% ownership of the ranch) seriously, really trying to reconnect with her grandma’s roots and revitalize the ranch with some more modern approaches. Speaking of which, I absolutely adored the cow man thirst traps as marketing, especially because the guys loved it. And I mean, come on, I would be first in line 😉

While I was mad at Cal for the hazing/bullying he put Belle through at first, I came to understand what his insecurities were and what drove him to be a little mean initially. I enjoyed watching him be shocked by Belle and come to see that she was a good person with good intentions. I also liked that while he was trying to drive her away, he was also sweet when it came to her biggest insecurities and he helped her overcome them. I was sad that he felt that he wasn’t enough, but I was glad that he found his found family to lift him up.

I absolutely loved August, the older Cow Man on the ranch and most thirsted over to boot! August was a single father (to someone of marrying age) and had not been romantically linked to anyone for a while. I loved how he looked out for Belle, often checking in on her and treating her in a fatherly way. I am calling right now that he is going to be my favorite MMC of the series. I can’t wait for his book!! Please be age gap. Pretty, pretty please!!

Doodle has my heart! That cocky little rooster was missing his mama (Belle’s Grandmother who had passed), and he adopted Belle as his person fairly early after meeting her. Doodle was definitely a comedic relief with his sassy swagger and I can’t wait to see him continue to rule the roost in the future books in this series.

I can’t wait to return to Taurus Ranch again and watch all the guys get their HEAs 😊

Thank you to Emily Antoinette for the eARC! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

4.25 stars!

[ThatsSomeGoodSmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for a copy of this book.

This was a fantastic start to this series and I can’t wait to see who gets their own book next!!! Such a fun slow burn cowboy/ranch romance.

Cal is trying to keep Taurus Ranch afloat, when Belle drops in after her grandmother wills her half the ranch. Cal loves to hate Belle, but they slowly come together and figure out how to work with each other to get the ranch back on its feet.

[Molly Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the best time reading this one 🥰💖 Review to come!

Save a Horse, Ride a Cow Man

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5


I don’t think I will ever read an Emily Antoinette and NOT become immediately obsessed. And Save a Horse, Ride a Cow Man is no exception to the rule!

Thank you so much to Emily and her team for an e-ARC, so I got to experience this before publication!

Belle is broke, newly jobless and alone in the world, save her best friend. Up until now, she has dated men who have moved on to her so-called friends - leaving her to feel unlovable and out of soughts. So when she learns that the only family member who had ever shown her love, had died, leaving her half the ranch she owned in the middle of nowhere, she takes it as a sign. She packs up her life in the city and heads to Taurus Ranch - seeking a connection with the grandmother her parents had estranged her from.

However, the ranch has definitely seen better days and is stuck in the past; despite the best efforts of her new co-owner, the GRUMPY minotaur, Cal, who is less than impressed with his new co-worker. But Belle is DETERMINED to make her new life work - putting her time, energy and remaining funds into making something of the ranch - even if it means fighting a seemingly losing battle with the rude, and annoyingly hot cow man, who seems set on making her life a misery.

But when they start seeing the world through each others’ eyes, they learn that they work far better as a team than as enemies. Their hatred eases into attraction - which may be even more dangerous than the mischievous and slightly feral cock who midnights as an escape artist. But can they resist their feelings long enough to save Taurus Ranch and all those who rely on it?

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. This book features: . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💖 Cowboy Romance but Make it a Monster Romance
🐴 Grumpy x Sunshine
💖 Slow-Burn
🐴 Wear the Hat, Ride the Cow-Man
💖 Toys as Teammates
🐴 Forced Proximity
💖 Found Family
🐴 Size Difference
💖 Only One Horse
🐴 Cockblocked by an ACTUAL cock
💖 Possessive MMC
🐴 Fish Out of Water FMC
💖 Anxiety Rep
🐴 ADHD Rep

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. Potential Triggers . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💖 Grief and Grieving
🐴 Neglectful/Abusive Parents (both mc’s parents)
💖 Discrimination (against minotaurs)
🐴 Misogyny
💖 Past toxic relationships


Not a day goes by that I am not obsessed with Emily and the worlds she creates and I can confidently say I am positively FERAL for Cal and Belle. I immediately want to book a one way ticket to live on a Ranch owned and ran by hot minotaur men.

Save a Horse, Ride a Cow Man is the first book in the Taurus Ranch series and focuses on the romance between Belle and Cal. It definitely fulfills on the slow-burn trope, as the couple do not admit their feelings for one another/ get together until after the half-way point. As someone who has read a number of Emily’s books, I can confidently say that this one is not quite like any of her others - it is so much more. SAHRAC, deals with complex themes and issues that are so important and add a sense of realism to a book that may otherwise seem diametrically opposed.

Belle, the FMC, is the personification of sunshine, complete with her Dolly Parton wardrobe and sequins. She is the ADHD rep in this book, which was portrayed seamlessly - her slightly chaotic, loveable nature was a joy to read. I also loved how fearless and confident she was portrayed to be. Despite her sweet-sunshine persona, she doesn’t take any nonsense or put up with obnoxious men. Belle is a firm favourite in terms of fmc’s. I also loved seeing her journey to reconnect with her deceased grandmother, whom she hadn’t spoken to since the age of six, due to her father becoming estranged from his mother. Despite this, it is clear that her grandmother never stopped thinking of her and loving her.

Cal was the embodiment of a big grump. At first, he comes across as quite obnoxious - but it comes from a place of care and concern. He has dedicated most of his life to the ranch and repaying Dawn for her kindness; taking him in when he had nothing and no one. His biggest fear was anything compromising the future of the ranch and in his eyes Belle is the very last thing Taurus Ranch needs. But with time, he is shown to be a sweet, anxious minotaur with a heart of gold and loyal to his loved ones. I loved seeing him come round to Belle and realise that they were in fact, kindred spirits. I also adored how possessive he was of Belle - I am a sucker for a possessive, but well-meaning mmc.

As mentioned, the relationship between Belle and Cal is a slow-burn, but it is WORTH the wait. There is a good deal of spice and yearning before they eventually get together, and it made their relationship all the more worthwhile.

Aside from the mc’s there are a number of lovable side characters, but my favourite by far has to be August, the older, cinnamon-roll of a minotaur who works on the ranch. I am PRAYING that he gets his own book in the series, as I would loveeee an age-gap romance featuring that sweet man. And I certainly cannot write this review without mentioning the best side character (or main character if you were to ask them) Doodle. Doodle is the root of all the cock jokes (which are plentiful) in this book. Doodle is the rooster, once beloved by Dawn and now the bane of everyone’s existence. He is a menace who is also an escape artist - turned matchmaker. He simultaneously has no brain cells and too many at the same time, and I love him.

This is the perfect read for Maynotaur May; SAHRAC combines monster romance, in a slice of life setting, with the delicious vibes of a cowboy romance. While this book deals with several heavy and important topics; it is also joyful - with the perfect amount of levity and cock-related humour. I highly recommend to anyone looking for their next minotaur romance, particularly if you are wanting to committ to another slice of life, cowboy series.



. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. Playlist. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💖 Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) by Big & Rich
🐴 Forever and Always by Shania Twain
💖Falling for You by Ingrid Andress
🐴 I Can’t Get Enough of Lovin’ You by The Vintage Explosion
💖 Your Man by Nicotine Dolls
🐴 I Think He’s The One by Fairview
💖 Baby I’m Burnin by Dolly Parton


. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. Fave Quotes. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💖”Of all the ways I could die, I never imagined it’d be from a cock flying at my face.”
🐴“You have a big change coming, and if you choose to embrace it and take quick action, you’ll find yourself in a much more stable position than your current one.”
💖“Please don’t call the cops!” I blurt. “It was the cock!” One thick brow raises at me, the metal of the hoops pierced through it glinting in the sun. “The what now?”
🐴”Thankfully, he doesn’t notice because he’s too busy stuffing his cock into a cage. That thought makes me snort. I really wish Gretchen were here—she’d appreciate a good cock cage joke.”
💖”If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I don’t do well with people treating me like I’m incapable. You assume I can’t do something? Well, guess what, buddy? Now I’m going to make it my mission to learn how to do it well so I can prove how wrong you are. Even if it’s to my detriment.”
🐴“That’s okay, Miss Belle. Sometimes life gets in the way, or circumstances that we can’t control keep us apart. The ones who love you won’t hold that against you.”
💖”“Alright. I’ll let you take me for a ride.” Cal looks taken aback and a little flustered. He didn’t think I’d accept the offer, or… Oh god, that sounded like a come-on, didn’t it?”
🐴”She doesn’t realize it, but I don’t need Belle to convince me of anything. I already know I misjudged her. I already know she’s special.”
💖”Because I don’t know what I’ll do if I get even a small taste of Belle, and then our efforts fail and she leaves.”
🐴”A second later, he’s pulling me back into a hug. “Thank you,” he murmurs against my hair. My stomach flutters and I squeeze him back. “Anytime.” As we part, he reaches up and takes off his cowboy hat. “You know… you have me too, darlin’.” His lips twist into a small smile as he places the hat down on top of my head.”
💖”Oh crap. I like this grumpy cow man. A lot. And the way he’s looking back at me, I can’t help wondering if the feeling is mutual.”
🐴”If a cowboy puts his hat on your head, it means he wants to take you home. Putting your hat on a girl’s head means you’re interested in her romantically. He wants you to kiss him. That means he’s staking his claim on you.”
💖”He’s kissing me like I’m something special. Like maybe he likes me beyond something fleeting.”
🐴”God, one kiss and I’m ruined. This is going to end in utter disaster, but I can’t find a way to stop.”
💖”“Say it, darlin’.” “I want you, asshole,” she spits out. “But we decided not to⁠—” My mouth is on hers before she can finish. Fuck what we decided. I can’t hold back anymore.”
🐴”His voice lowers, and he increases the pressure of his grip on my hips, the possessive hold sending a full-body shiver over me. “Or quit worrying, be a good girl, and do as I say.””
💖”You’re so beautiful. I’m going to worship every inch of you. Staying away from you, pretending I don’t think about kissing and touching you every time I see you, has been hell.”

[Nadine Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐ 3.5🌶️
Emily!!! You are one of the queens! I absolutely loved this and could not stop reading it. The spicy scenes were just perfect. And that intro made me cackle so loud.

Belle, newly appointed co-owner of Taurus Ranch arrives to the ranch to restart her life after moving away from the city. Cal, also co-owner of Taurus Ranch is not ready for this city gal. Neither is Doodle, the rooster on the farm, that everyone calls the "C*ck*. It really is hilarious.

This was definitely a slow burn, but I love how Belle and Cal finally come together. There's some awkward moments, but they are cute. Can't wait to see what else is in store for us at Taurus Ranch!

🐓Grumpy/Sunshine
🐓Minotaur MMC
🐓Found Family
🐓Will It Fit?
🐓Meddlesome C*ck
🐓Slower Burn

[labibliofille]

Rtc!

[Amber Castleberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to be part of the ARC team for this book. Thank you Emily!

This is one of my easiest 5 star reviews. I loved absolutely everything about this book. The characters are so quirky and loveable. Cal and Belle were so good together. Their banter had me cackling! To be a faster pased book nothing felt rushed at all. The spice scenes? 🥵🥵 I loved the building of tension and giving us just enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. I love alternative cowboy stories and this Minotaur version is now in the top of my list. It is so well written, I blew thru it in one day because I got so sucked into their story. Also I need a Doodle in my life! He is such a fun side character that opens up so many jokes that I enjoyed way too much!

[Spooky Mess Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

⊹𐚁₊ WELCOME TO TAURUS RANCH ₊𐚁⊹

If you want witty banter, grumpy x sunshine slow burn, fish out of water human FMC and an experienced minotaur rancher who can't lose the only place he's ever called home... you're in the right place. Did I mention that this is cowboy rom com meets monster romance? Does it get any better than that?!?! (Oh... he falls first.)

Belle is struggling in life, and feels like nothing is going right. Her friends aren't friends. She's barely making ends meet. Her family doesn't communicate, and she doesn't know what to do anymore. At a party, she gets a tarot reading that tells her to expect new beginnings and change.

Little does she know that change is going to result in ending up a ranch she hasn't set foot on since she was 6 years old, pulling up all kinds of feelings. Also pulling up all kinds of feelings... is Cal. The co-owner of Taurus Ranch, and the minotaur who thinks she's going to ruin the only home he has ever known. Oh man is she determined to prove him wrong.

Slowly but surely, with Doodle by her side, she starts to prove him wrong. In pink bedazzled outfits at that. Which it turns out, pink is his favorite color. Belle also starts to become his favorite person. And he shows that by plopping his cowboy hat on her head, and throwing her for a loop because she can't handle being tossed to the side by another man. (I mean, she did also throw him for a loop by accidentally taking him to an all-minotaur strip show, so...)

Neither of them can handle resisting each other for any longer, and they end up giving in. Everyone was waiting for it. The future of the ranch is in their hands, and now they have a future together.

I devoured this whole book in one sitting, completely losing track of time. Cowboy romances and minotaur romances are two of my favorites, so this hit the spot. Emily never fails to deliver a top tier reading experience. I'm beyond grateful for the chance to have read this pre-release! I can't wait to see where Taurus Ranch takes us next.

As always, I'd like to share some of my favorite quotes that resonated with me or that I enjoyed from the book that are of course spoiler free so here they are:
-"If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I don't do well with people treating me like I'm incapable. You assume I can't do something? Well, guess what, buddy? Now I'm going to make it my mission to learn how to do it well so I can prove how wrong you are."
-"If all I'm allowed to do is make her laugh, then I'm going to make it my life's mission to hear that sound every damn day."
-"You were never a problem. You've always been the solution."

[Amanda Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cowboy rom com meets monster romance and it’s everything I didn’t know I needed. You’ve got a broke, jobless, “running from my life” human FMC who inherits half a run-down guest ranch from the grandma she barely knew. And her co-owner? Cal. A grumpy, annoyingly hot minotaur rancher who is 100% determined to make her life hell and 200% failing at not being whipped for her.

The banter is chef’s kiss. Grumpy x sunshine, slow burn that simmers until you’re ready to combust. One minute they’re snapping at each other over busted fences, the next he’s putting his hat on her head and calling her “darlin’” like it’s a death sentence for her self-control. And mine. I was kicking my feet, screaming into a pillow, and fanning myself all in the same chapter.

What gets me is how much heart is under all the heat. This isn’t just high-heat monster smut — though yes, the heat is high. It’s about two people who don’t belong anywhere finding a place in each other and a ranch that’s falling apart. The fish-out-of-water FMC is stubborn and messy and so easy to root for. Cal is all gruff edges and barely-contained devotion, and watching him soften for her made me feral in the best way.

Witty banter, a slow burn that still delivers the heat, a found family of side characters I’d move to Taurus Ranch for, and a minotaur MMC who is now ruining all other fictional men for me.

If you want sweet and spicy, funny and heartfelt, with a cow man who will wreck you emotionally and physically, drop everything and read this.

[Cheyenne Branham]

Save a Horse, Ride a Cowman
4/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️

Well this girl sure had a rootin tootin time reading Save a Horse, Ride a Cowman by Emily Antoinette! This story has everything a monster lover like me could want: a storyline that tugs at your heartstrings, an FMC with all the style and clumsiness I relate to on a spiritual level🤣, and a hunky Minotaur that could make anyone drool🤤

Belle’s character development throughout this story was truly chef’s kiss🤌💋 Watching her go from the clumsy friend who could never quite get her life together to the confident co-owner of a successful ranch was so rewarding. On top of that, seeing her learn her self-worth and stop letting others bring her down made me love her even more🫶

And again… HUNKY MINOTAUR👀👀 He’s grumpy, moody, and intimidating, but has this soft, gentle side reserved only for Belle. Way to make a girl swoon over here!

But my all-time favorite character has to be, hands down… DOODLE!!!!!🥰 I love that crazy little nugget so much. He reminds me so much of my own rooster, Pretty Boy, it’s not even funny! When Belle and Doodle started cuddling on the porch, I literally gasped because Pretty Boy does the exact same thing — he’ll follow me around all day until I finally sit outside so he can crawl right into my lap.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute and enjoyable to read! I'm also biased because I really like this author's writing style. Also I got an ARC of this!! My first ARC ever yay <3

This had way more fluff and plot than I expected, and honestly it was great. It's a slowburn grumpy-sunshine for sure. Both characters are well written and have depth that makes their actions relatable and understandable without being too tropey. The smut isn't cringy at ALL thank god. Romantasy has a tendency to ick me out sometimes when it takes itself too seriously, and this didn't. Mostly it was just fun!

I think the end snapped together perhaps a bit too quickly. Things kinda just fell into place and I have mixed feelings about it. I was really hoping there wouldn't be a certain trope that I despise, and luckily it wasn't present. But also things just kinda worked out TOO well. But it is a romance and sometimes you just need the fluff and the smooching and the roll credits.

If this continues to be a series I'll probably read it. The secondary characters were really entertaining.

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a new vibe for a FMC from Emily and it was fun. Belle was spunky and sassy, with determination coming out of her ears despite landing on hard times. Cal was grumpy and guarded; initially terrible to Belle because he saw her as an interloper that would mess things up. Fortunately, they worked through their stuff and found their HEA, with a lovely found family and some minor just desserts for an ex. The ranch was a fun setting and the tried and true “turn this beloved place around” trope def took center stage.

Spice: 3/5

Triggers: grief after death of loved one, light hazing, jealousy, toxic past relationships and friendships, mentions of misogyny, brief discrimination against Minotaurs, brief mentions of manipulative and cruel parents, threat of being unhoused, anxiety, ADHD and mentions of past cruel remarks about it

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was brilliant! I fully enjoyed the ride 😉 the whole way through.

The book shows the Characters Cal and Belle as two juxtaposed people who come together around something that is very special for both of them. The journey they went through was very sweet and beautiful.

I loved the build up and the intensity straight from the start even if someone had to come around to a certain cow girl 😂. The easy and fun comedic breaks helped with the progression of the story, Doodle was most definitely a funny extra to this book.

I received an advanced copy for free, and am voluntarily leaving a review, I read this almost as fast as I eat a chocolate bar. With no breaks and being told to make it last 😂😂 I absolutely loved this book and I really hope there will be more books exploring other characters as there is so many possibilities! I could definitely see a book about a certain Cow daddy 😏🥰

[Maria F · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Kissing Belle feels like I’ve been drowning and she’s the only source of air.”

This is such a delicious slow burn with feelings galore! This is such a great set-up for a stubborn battle of the wills that turns into a yearning smolder and ends in a steamy burn that sticks with you. These characters really take their time in coming around to each other, both professionally and in the feelings department. The burn is slow, but so worth the wait! Every little bit of forward progress feels so delicious!

What’s Inside
❤️ Cow Men Ranchers
❤️ MF
❤️ Grumpy/Sunshine
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ All the Stubborn-ness
❤️ Size Difference
❤️ Slow Burrrrrrrrn

I lovveeeeee Cal & Belle so much!

I’m really excited for this whole series to come together! I love the sweet cozy vibes with yearning galore that evolves into a scorching hot romance!

I was gifted a copy of this book by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you!

[makaylam.arie · Rating 4 out of 5]

you know what? hell yeah!

this book was cute and fun and pretty much everything you want out of a city girl x cowboy romance. except bonus points because he’s a cow man 👀

i have to give a shout out to doodle the rooster because i definitely had many giggles over his antics.

i also loved all of the side characters and am totally looking forward to reading the rest of this series!

thank you emily for the arc 🤠🩷

⚠️⚠️⚠️mild spoilers ahead⚠️⚠️⚠️

i did feel like the relationship between belle and cal was a good, slow burn for maybe the first 70%, but then it kind of felt a bit balls to the wall and they were rapidly saying they loved each other, making it official, and after 6 months getting engaged, which i didn’t love.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. Loved. This. Book.

If you know me, you know I love a good monster romance. This was no exception.

The plot was well paced. The characters: Cal, Belle, and Doodle (the most important rooster of all) were so sweet, even if they didn't quite communicate well at the beginning.

I have read a few cowboy romances, even cowboy romances, but this was the first Cow Man romance, and dang, I can say it worked for me!

Get ready for so many cock puns, by the way. Each of them made me laugh, so they are totally worth it.

I am excited to see what the next book in the series will bring.

[Sidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I received an ARC copy of this book, thank you so much for the chance to read and review it early!

Cal and Belle are adorable together! 😍 I loved every moment of this book. Belle finds out that she inherited half of Taurus ranch and moves in. Cal doesn’t like her at first and tries to exhaust her and make her change her mind about ranch life, but finds out he has feelings for her.

I had so much fun watching their relationship grow during the book. The settings of Taurus ranch was so charming. I love that Belle and Cal worked together to restore and reinvent the ranch together. Their banter was adorable throughout the story, and the spice was great 🌶️

There were some funny moments throughout the book, including plentiful cock jokes, of course! 🐓

The only thing I would change is maybe the ending. Just felt a bit abrupt to me but that’s likely because I loved this book so much and never wanted it to end!

[Leah | booked.and_bothered · Rating 5 out of 5]

The yearning, the tension, a sexy Minotaur cowboy 🤤🤤 what more could a girl want

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wear the hat, ride the cowboy.” 🩷🐮

This book was so stinking cute!!!! It was such a cozy, low stakes read. I loved all of Belle’s sparkly outfits, and Cal’s initial hatred of them was so funny. Even though her grandmother had died, it felt like Belle really got to know her anyway, in spite of everything else. Belle found her true family at Taurus Ranch, and I think that’s exactly what her grandmother wanted for her in the end. This book gave me serious Kacey Musgraves vibes, and I am HERE for it! A giant thank you to the author for allowing me to ARC read this cutie!

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 3/5 🌶️

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! This was so cute and magical. The mfc and mmc are perfect, and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic was done so well. I loved all the side characters and feel like everything was just done so well. Even the ending was well done. Though I didn't want it to end, I think it was wrapped up very well and will lead perfectly into the next book without feeling like I needed more or that this couple's story needed more. Spicy, cozy fantasy is one of my favorites, and this checked every box for me. Honestly, this was such a cute not only a monster romance but a very well-done cowboy romance.

I did receive this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belle is going through a tough patch when she gets a call that her grandmother has died and left her 50% of Taurus Ranch. So Belle heads that way to, hopefully, turn her life around.
Cal has been running Taurus Ranch for years, and is not happy that a granddaughter he has never even seen has inherited half. And when she shows up one day he is prepared to make her miserable until she runs away.
Instead, Belle proves herself to be a hard worker, and able to handle his grumpy attitude.
Soon the two decide to team up to turn the ranch around. Just a normal partnership. Right?
I loved this grumpy/sunshine romance with my whole heart. Cal is adorably grumpy, but with his heart in the right place. Belle may be faking it till she makes it, but she is putting in the work. And when the two realize there is more there. 🔥

[Madi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Emily Antoinette for an ARC of Save a Horse, Ride a Cow Man!

I gobbled this book up! Not surprising because I have always enjoyed Emily's work... but this takes the lucky cake. This story is what my heart always hopes to find in Hallmark movies and never gets.

Cal and Belle become unexpected business partners at Taurus Ranch. That pairing leads to a slow burning, spicy happily ever after. And oh my, was the spice spicy! 🔥

I hope we get more from Taurus Ranch, especially from our Cow Daddy, August. And, of course, more Doodle antics. 💗

Save a Horse, Ride a Cow Man comes out May 15th, 2026!🐮

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.25 ⭐️| 🌶🌶🌶 | Dual POV

Monster Cowboy Romance
Minotaur MMC
Curvy FMC
Grumpy x Sunshine
Reluctant business partners
Slow Burn
Ranch Setting
Forced Proximity
Workplace Romance
Size Difference
Yearning
Caretaking
Touch Starved Energy
He Falls First
Rooster companion
Found Purpose
Soft Emotional Intimacy
No 3rd Act breakup
HEA

Save a Horse, Ride a Cowman was such a fun blend of cowboy romance and monster romance because, honestly, if you swapped out the fact that Cal is a minotaur, this would read exactly like a cowboy romance... just with horns, extra large size differences, and significantly more bull strength behind the cowboy energy. This combination worked ridiculously well for me. Emily Antoinette made the ranch setting and minotaur worldbuilding feel incredibly organic instead of gimmicky, which gave the whole book this low-angst, romance-escape vibe that made it so easy to sink into.

The grumpy/sunshine dynamic also worked well for me because it never felt forced or tropey in a performative way. Belle and Cal’s personalities naturally created that dynamic instead of the book constantly reminding you it was happening. Once Cal finally got over himself and realized Belle was there to help rather than make things worse, the flirtation and chemistry between them became genuinely delightful. The tension, the yearning, the proximity from working together on the ranch... all of it worked really well.

Cal was adorable. He’s very much your quintessential cowboy romance hero at his core. Acts of service deeply ingrained into who he is, caretaking instincts dialed all the way up, stubborn, protective, quietly soft underneath the gruffness... with the added bonus that he also happens to be a minotaur. There were so many sweet little moments between him and Belle that made their relationship feel warm and grounded rather than overly dramatic.

Belle was also such a fun character to follow. I loved that she was curvy, feisty, capable, and willing to throw herself fully into the challenge of inheriting and helping run the ranch. She never came across as overly naive or fragile, and I appreciated how determined she was even when things got difficult.

And then there’s Doodle the rooster, who nearly stole the entire book. That tiny menace grieving Dawn alongside everyone else somehow ended up being both hilarious and weirdly sweet. I loved that Belle realized pretty quickly that underneath all the chaos, he was mourning too after being spoiled and carried around by Dawn for years. Him becoming fiercely attached to Belle while remaining an absolute terror to everyone else was genuinely adorable.

What surprised me most about the book, though, was how well it balanced its lighter tone with more heartfelt emotional moments. Underneath the cozy romance and humor, there’s a bittersweet layer of grief and nostalgia woven throughout the story that gave it more emotional depth than I initially expected. The ranch itself feels deeply tied to memory, family, loss, and legacy, and I thought the author handled those emotions in a very approachable, relatable way without losing the comforting feel-good atmosphere of the story.

That said, there were a few things that kept this from being a full five-star read for me.

First: Cal absolutely needed a better grovel.

For how many times he assumed the worst about Belle, pushed her away, and actively tried to haze her into quitting during her first week on the ranch, I just needed more than a simple apology. The emotional payoff just didn’t fully match the buildup for me, especially considering how much time they spent butting heads before finally getting on the same page.

Second: this was such a slow burn that I genuinely thought we’d get more payoff once they finally got together.

And listen, the spice that was there was good. Emily Antoinette knows how to write sexual tension, attraction, and monster romance logistics in a way that’s genuinely hot. But after all the buildup, Belle and Cal don’t fully get together until very late in the book (89%), and I was honestly surprised we only got one major full scene between them.

Especially because the book literally includes Belle buying and practicing with a minotaur dildo in preparation for eventually sleeping with Cal, which felt like setup for multiple scenes exploring that progression. The preparation, the size difference nerves, the experimentation... all of those elements were interesting and really worked for the story. I just wanted one or two more scenes showing that evolution and payoff once they finally crossed that line.

Basically: the tension was excellent. I was just greedy and wanted more of the reward after all the anticipation.

I also kept expecting Belle’s family storyline to circle back around in a bigger way. Her father’s falling out with Dawn is the entire reason Belle inherits part of the ranch in the first place, and there are several mentions of her parents not really being in her life. Because of that, I kept expecting some kind of confrontation, reconciliation, or emotional reckoning tied to the inheritance and the ranch itself, but it never really came. It wasn’t necessarily a bad omission, but it did feel like a thread the story intentionally highlighted without fully exploring.

My smallest but most surprising critique was actually the rooster jokes.

The opening line was hilarious and absolutely landed, but after that, the repeated “cock” jokes started feeling overused in a way that weirdly stood out compared to how seamless the rest of the writing felt. Which is saying something because I normally love dumb humor and innuendo in romance novels. It just crossed the line from funny to trying a little too hard for me personally.

Overall, though, this was still such a charming, genuinely enjoyable read. Cozy monster cowboy romance apparently works incredibly well for me, and I loved how approachable the monster romance elements felt without losing what makes monster romance fun in the first place. Honestly, if I were trying to introduce someone to monster romance for the first time, this would probably be one of the books I’d recommend. If you like low-angst romance, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, ranch vibes, yearning, soft emotional intimacy, and a hot minotaur cowboy love interest, this is absolutely worth picking up.

[Sarah-Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd like to start by thanking the author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own!

This was such a fun monster romance, with those fabulous cowboy vibes that I love! This was a sweet romance about two individuals rediscovering themselves, finding life and also love.

Belle was feeling lost in life with no job, fake friends and no purpose. However, an unexpected phone call changes her life and she seizes the opportunity with both hands and a sparkly pink jumpsuit! She was sassy and strong and stood her ground, she wouldn't back down and made it her mission to help the ranch and rediscover herself.

Cal is a grumpy, muscly, and incredibly hot minotaur who has trust issues, control issues and needs to breathe and learn to believe the world can be good. The ranch is his home and his haven, and there are so many pressures building up. So when Belle appears out of the blue, he automatically goes on the defensive and tries to protect the ranch and himself from any potential hurt.

Both of them were the epitome of grumpy x sunshine, and it was so much fun to watch Belle worm her way into Cal's life. This was a slow burn too, which made it even more enjoyable because I love the build into a relationship. The sexual tension between them was also just perfect for the story and the characters. WHEN THE SPICE HITS THOUGH IT ABSOLUTELY HITS AND OH MY GOD IT WAS PERFECT!!! The care and respect during it was so beautiful, especially as you know he's like so much bigger... God what a male.

I would read an entire book of Doodle because that cock was my absolute favourite and I would burn the world down for him. I cannot wait to see more of the ranch, and learn what happens to my other sweet minotaurs because they all stole my heart.

What you'll find:
🤠 Grumpy x Sunshine
🤠 Slow Burn
🤠 Size Difference
🤠 Found Family
🤠 Cowboys
🤠 Grief

Quotes:
🤠 'Of all the ways I could die, I never imagined it'd be from a cock flying at my face.'
🤠 "You're a lot like her." "Thank you, I hope I can live up to her legacy." "You don't need to live up to anything."
🤠 "Cal, I promise I won't make things weird." "Too late for that. You're the weirdest person I've met."
🤠 "But you're right. Doodle is my cock soul mate."
🤠 'If all I'm allowed to do is make her laugh, then I'm going to make it my life's mission to hear that sound every damn day.'
🤠 "But trust me, life is a lot better when you're not angry all the time."

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25. Thank you to Emily Antoinette for sending me an ARC of Save a Horse, Ride a Cow Man in exchange for an honest review.

This was a delightful cowboy romance with a twist, I had a great time!!

Belle is floating through life - her “friends” don’t seem to like her, she’s lost her job and she’s broke af. She gets an unexpected call informing her that her grandma has died and left her half of her ranch. With nothing tying her to her life in the city, she packs up and decides to move across the country to the ranch she’s not set foot on since she was a kid. What’s the worst that could happen?

Cal is the grumpy Minotaur who owns the other half of the ranch. The last thing he needs is some city girl showing up and deciding she knows best or worse, selling the ranch to make a quick buck. These two are as stubborn as one another, and have to learn how to work together. The snipping and hazing soon becomes flirty banter and pining, but it’s not like anything could actually happen between them…right?

Cowboy romance with a monster twist, I fucking loved this! It was light and fluffy but also dealt with the weight of grief, expectations, self doubt..what a treat!

Belle was a chaotic ball of sunshine, I loved her and her bedazzled cowgirl aesthetic. She was giving cowgirl barbie, which is honestly just a dream 💖 her sassy, stubborn streak was so relatable, I too will do things I don’t want to just to spite a man! Also, her bond with Doodle was 🤌🐓

Cal, my anxiety riddled grumpy king. ILY. I would have been infuriated with him 80% of the time too if I were in Belle’s boots, but I say that with love. His possessive, jealous yearning was delish. No notes!

The found family aspect was lovely, always one of my favourite parts of these books and Emily Antoinette did not disappoint. I loved every character on that dang ranch, and I cannot wait for the next book (daddy August, pls?)

Considering this was a cowboy monster romance, I was expecting this to be a LOT of spice and not a lot of plot. I am blown away by the heart in this story, and the fact that this was such a slow burn! What an unexpected, but hugely appreciated, surprise. Yearning and pining leading up to a “fuck it” moment always hits just right.

Please don’t let the title or idea of the MMC bring a Minotaur put you off if this isn’t in your wheelhouse, if you are a romance fan I am confident you will have a fun time with this one!

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series: Taurus Ranch #1
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good

Broke, jobless, and surrounded by exes and so called friends, Belle feels like she is at her wits end. So when she receives a call that she has inherited half a ranch from her estranged grandmother, she takes a leap of faith and moves across the country. Now she has to work with the grumpy minotaur, Cal, to turn the ranch around into something profitable.

This was a very fun, flirty, and sweet monster romance. Belle is a woman who has never really felt like she belonged anywhere until she arrives at her grandmother's ranch. She was determined though and really turned the ranch into not just a home, but a successful business. I really liked Belle. She was smart, sassy, and a bit stubborn. I really enjoyed getting to know her and seeing her blossom as she found a home and family on the ranch.

Cal is a hardworking but anxious minotaur who is determined to keep this ranch running. He is very grumpy towards Belle in the beginning because he believes she is going to ruin the ranch, but once he gets past that we get to see the real guy underneath. He was kind, sweet, and a bit possessive. I really loved Cal. Not only was it sweet watching him let go and take a chance with Belle’s vision of the ranch, but it was also just adorable watching him fight his feelings for her. He was just great.

Belle and Cal’s relationship is a slow building one. It takes place over months as they get to know each other, refurbish the ranch, and fight their initial lust for each other. I really enjoyed how it grew over time as these two got to know each other, especially since they got off to a rough start. Basically, their relationship was adorable, sweet, and a bit steamy. I just really enjoyed it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this couple and this ranch that Antoinette created. I look forward to reading more of this series and hopefully seeing a few of these great side characters find love as well.

TW: recent death of grandparent; minor car accident

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

[LaHobbitCurvy_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

#lahobbitlegge Save a horse, ride a cow man 🐂🤠

“She doesn’t realize it, but I don’t need Belle to convince me of anything. I already know I misjudged her. I already know she’s special.”

Belle è al punto più basso della sua vita: senza lavoro, senza soldi e circondata da persone su cui non può contare. Quando scopre che la nonna, con cui non aveva rapporti, è morta lasciandole metà di un guest ranch, decide impulsivamente di trasferirsi dall’altra parte del paese, in un luogo che non vede dall’infanzia. Quello che trova, però, è tutt’altro che un semplice nuovo inizio: il ranch è in pessime condizioni e ha bisogno di essere salvato, e per di più deve dividerne la proprietà con Cal, un minotauro burbero e scorbutico che sembra deciso a renderle la vita impossibile.
Belle, però, non ha intenzione di arrendersi. Determinata a ricostruire sia il ranch che la propria vita, si scontra spesso con lui, ma col tempo i litigi e le tensioni lasciano spazio a qualcosa di diverso: tra sguardi, battute e una crescente attrazione, nasce un legame inaspettato che la costringe a fare i conti con le proprie paure e con la possibilità di fidarsi di nuovo.

Ringrazio l’autrice per l’ARC <3

Il titolo dice già tutto. Dio benedica chiunque nell’antichità avesse deciso che il Minotauro del mito poteva essere sexy. Cavalcate coi minotauri, uno spettacolo à la Magic Mike coi minotauri, colazione coi minotauri, delle grandi tromb-… avete capito, dai.
Poi va beh, io che non sono una amante dei polli darei la vita per Doodle il gallo impiccione. Perché impiccione? Diciamo che si infila sempre dove non dovrebbe… d’altronde, in inglese gallo si dice “cock” 🐓
Avrei però voluto sapere di più del background di Belle. Mi è sembrato tutto un po’ troppo buttato lì, e secondo me si poteva approfondire un po’ di più, anche solo facendole affrontare i suoi genitori (che per lei sono tali solo di nome, a detta sua). In ogni caso, fatevi un favore e andate a passare un weekend al Taurus Ranch ✨ YEEEEEEHAW 🤠

[Lyv ˚♡˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded down

══════ ❀ ══════

“She doesn’t realize it, but I don’t need Belle to convince me of anything. I already know I misjudged her. I already know she’s special.”

══════ ❀ ══════

This was such a cute book. I really needed something low angst, and this absolutely hit the spot. The ranch setting was adorable, the atmosphere was cosy as hell, and all the cock jokes had me giggling like an idiot. It knew exactly what kind of book it wanted to be and just leaned right into it.

Cal definitely frustrated me at first. He was so prickly that I just wanted Belle to kick his ass. But the second he started softening toward Belle, I started softening too. Watching him go from grumpy pain in the ass to the anxious, quietly sweet Minotaur he was, completely won over. And Belle was so relatable to me. Running mostly on stubbornness, wounded pride, and an almost embarrassing need to prove yourself? Yeah. I get her. She is me fr.

What held this back from being a full five stars was honestly the lack of description. I had such a hard time picturing everyone. For a book with minotaurs, I really wanted more. I kept waiting for more details about Cal, more of August beyond being dappled, more of Belle, just something to really lock them into my head. I constantly had to look at the covers to picture them.

I also desperately want more about how the minotaurs came to Earth, because every little mention of that sounded genuinely fascinating and I wanted to know everything immediately.

Onve this book finally stopped dancing around the tension and got to the spice… whew. HAWT. Very hot. The kind of hot that makes you understand why Belle owned that pink sparkly toy. Overall, I really adored this. Sweet, funny, low stress, and exactly what I needed. If the next book is August and Gretchen, I will be there so fast.

P.S Doodle won my heart and I want a Rooster who purrs.