My Chance with the Cowboy

Sterling Brothers Ranch #1

by Lainey Winters

What’s a single mom going to do when a rugged cowboy offers her and her son a ride into town during a major storm? Take a chance on the cowboy, that’s what.

LUCY

Catching my husband in bed with another woman should have been the end of my love life. But packing up my son and whisking him away to Willow Ridge offers more than just a fresh start, especially when our car breaks down and our only option is to trust the older cowboy driving by.

FOSTER

I’ve got enough on my plate, preparing for the day my father hands me the ranch. That is, until I offer my house to the curvy single mother and her horse-obsessed son. Now, I’ve gotten more than I bargained for, and I’m not ready to lose this chance for happiness, especially when she makes me feel more alive than anyone has before.

MY CHANCE WITH THE COWBOY is a steamy, small town, instalove novella that follows cowboy Foster Sterling and single mother Lucy Hunt on their journey of finding love.

Genres: Westerns, Novella, Small Town Romance

89 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2025

Reviews

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy always suspected her marriage was unraveling—but walking in on her husband and his best friend in their bed still steals the breath from her lungs. His cold dismissal of her and their young son is a final blow: he’s chosen his “best life,” and they’re not part of it.

With nowhere to go and an apartment that falls through at the last minute, Lucy does the only thing she can—she drives. Not away from something, but toward something new. An adventure. A fresh start. But life throws one more curveball when her car breaks down on a remote highway just as a storm rolls in.

Enter Foster.

Rugged, grounded, and kind, Foster offers Lucy and her son shelter at his family ranch until the storm passes. What begins as a simple act of kindness soon becomes something more. As the rain pours outside, warmth grows inside—between a man who thought he'd closed the door on love and a woman rebuilding her world from broken pieces.

Lucy’s resilience, her son’s quiet bravery, and Foster’s unwavering steadiness blend into a story full of heart, healing, and second chances. Together, they prove that sometimes the life you never expected becomes exactly what you need.

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

[Vinita P Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new beginning

Lucy found her husband in bed with his friend from work. Unbelievable!! She'd sacrificed everything for him, trying to make their marriage work. Quitting her job to support his career. Handling the pressure from his family. Making sure everyone enjoyed themselves during family get togethers. But what was his response, as she's leaving, ( If you can't handle my needs, f... off) . What!! No remorse, no saying I'm sorry!! No goodbyes to his son Connor. What a douchebag!!! Now she's making excuses to their son, again, for the treatment from his father.
Mike Sterling is going to town when he notices a woman standing beside her disabled vehicle. The weather is threatening another crazy storm. No way can he leave her n her son in this predicament. He offers to take them to town but the road is blocked from a fallen tree from a previous storm. So he offers them the use of his cabin until things clear. Such a gentleman!! Lucy will not believe that there's actually good decent men, n she's struck gold with this one.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fleeing her old life after a cheating ex, she is determined to make a new start for herself and her son. When they break down on a stormy night, they are rescued by a handsome cowboy. He takes them to his family ranch to wait the storm out, but their attraction quickly pulls them in. He is the eldest of 7 siblings and has thought that a family might not be in the cards for him, until he finds her and her son on the side the of the road. He just knows that she is meant to be his and he has to convince her that to him is where she was always running. This is a sweet instalove story, with him falling first and hard. She has been burned and has a son to think about, but she can't deny the feeling she has for the handsome cowboy. They are two distinct and great characters, this is the first of a series and I hope to see what happens to them as his siblings stories unfold.

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

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My Chance with the Cowboy” by Lainey Winters

-Short, spicy, and sweet—this is a cozy, feel-good romance with a strong emotional core. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.
After betrayal shatters her marriage, Lucy flees with her son and ends up rescued by rugged cowboy Foster. A storm forces them together, sparking an intense instalove and emotional connection. Foster’s gentle heart and protective instincts make him a perfect match for a healing family. He’s a real catch.

Her ex husband and his “best life” are horrible.

I don’t like the mother’s nickname of “chicken” for the little boy.

I totally associate with Foster referring to his brothers who are twins as the twins even though they are adults. Something like that occurred in my family.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Chance with the Cowboy is Book 1 of the Sterling Brothers Ranch series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, age-gap, OTT, curvy single mom gets her cowboy romance. Lucy is a young, curvy, single mom to the adorable Connor. She has just left her husband after finding him in bed with his best friend. Foster is a 39-year-old hunky cowboy who never thought he deserved love. When he finds Lucy and Connor stranded after their car broke down, he takes them back to his family ranch. He already knows he wants to be their family, but can Lucy let him in? These two had great chemistry and we got a very happy ending after a little bit of angst. This was a new author to me author and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

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

[Nonna 2K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Instalove Novella

This was am instalove novella that was the perfect read to fill the time.

Lucy just left her broken marriage with her young son. Her soon-to-be ex-husband had an affair and couldn’t care less about her or their son. She finds herself broken down on the road with a bad storm coming while traveling to Willow Ridge.

Foster lives on the family ranch in Willow Ridge. He finds Lucy and her son, Connor, just before the storm hits and takes them to his cabin on the ranch.

This is a story about two people who feel adrift, but manage to find each other. It’s a cute, quick tale that has positivity once the couple meets.

I’m not usually an instalove fan, but it works when you have a novella rather than a full length book. I will be keeping the rest of this series close at hand for when I need a quick, uplifting read.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful second chance romance, when housewife and mother, Lucy Hunt walked in on her husband and his bestfriend in bed together. She discovered that he never really loved her or their son, Connor. So she packed her car and left, but her car broke down leaving her stranded depending on a ride from an unknown cowboy, Foster Sterling. Do to an incoming storm, he had to take them to the Sterling Ranch for cover. Also, he had decided she was the one for him. He just had to convince her of it.

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

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short story. This spicy instalove story about a recently single mother looking for a place to start life over, and a cowboy who longs for something more. When Foster finds Lucy and Conner broken down on the side of a remote road with a storm bearing down on them he knows just what to do. He takes them home and keeps them safe. Then he falls in love.

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

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5

🏞️ First in a series about siblings; Lucy & Foster’s story
🏞️ Novella — one-sitting-read
🏞️ Small town
🏞️ Ranch
🏞️ Insta-love
🏞️ Single mum
🏞️ Stranded in a storm > roads cut off > car breaks down > MMC offers a room at his house > they never leave
🏞️ The relationship with her son 😍
🏞️ Both overcoming major life changes
🏞️ Well established secondary characters (from other novellas)
🏞️ Epilogue
🏞️ Cute & predictable easy read

⚠️ Infidelity (FMC’s ex)

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy is a single mother on her way to start a new life with her son. Her soon to be ex was not a great man, and she knew leaving was for the best.
My Chance with the Cowboy is a Sterling Brothers Ranch, book one. Definitely can’t wait for the rest of the series to read. Don’t pass this one by!.

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

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters with a realistic storyline. Liked how this was all dealt with and the many family members that all have a part in accepting these new roles. Loved all the support and full commitment from Foster and just the simplicity of both Lucy and Connor fitting into this family.

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

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After walking in on her husband with another woman, Lucy decides to start fresh. Her son has felt the sting on not being wanted before, but maybe Foster can ease the pain, for both of them.

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

[Cherie Alvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Sterling Brothers Ranch is a small town insta love romance. Lucy and Foster and had a sweet chemistry that was enjoyable to read!.

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

[Ritaaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dopo aver letto il penultimo prima del primo ho provato a dargli un'altra possibilità andando in fila ma anche questa l'ho trovata insipida. Non mi ha convinta, forse non è una scrittura adatta a me e quindi mi sono fermata qui

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Handsome cowboy, single mom, cute kid...MAGIC!

Short and very romantic story that yup I teared up at and then cheered for the HEA. Highly recommend the book and this author.

[Ashlynn Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect instalove romance. so well written <3

[Cassie Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good

Such a good and sweet instant love single mom quick read. Single moms are definitely a favorite and this one stands out

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it i'm going to order book 2.

[Natta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Maria Espaillat · Rating 2 out of 5]

is ok story

What type of nickname is “chicken” for a little boy?
Is demoralizing
Also the story is short and cute but there was no connection

[Anna gardone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast Read

This is a quick insta-love story, it has all the feels, loveable characters, a cute kid, and a happily ever after with no cliffhanger.

[Lynda Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

book 1

Very nice easy read.
Would highly recommend if u all enjoy short quick easy reads.
Now to start book 2.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[With a W Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, short, and a little spicy. Only thing I didn’t enjoy was Lucy constantly calling Conner “chicken”. It’s a weird nickname anyway, but the excessive amount of times she called him it, like every sentence, got really annoying.

[Drea Yelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

HUBBA HUBBA me likes big cowboy