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By the Bootstraps
“Alexa Martin has crafted a cowboy romance keeper!”—Lyla Sage, #1 New York Times bestselling author
A cowboy romance enthusiast discovers that everything’s bigger in Texas—even love—in this swoony novel from beloved author Alexa Martin.
Fueled by a love of romance novels, Luna Starr was destined for a life with her head in the clouds. Her delusional tendencies serve her well…or at least they used to. When life throws her a curveball, she decides it’s time to turn her cowboy fantasies into reality and purchases a tiny farm in Celestial, Texas. After all, don’t all heroines try to outrun grief?
Tate Jacobs hates cowboys, which is a small problem, considering his family happens to own the largest ranch in Celestial. Life might not have gone the way he wanted, but as head coach at his old high school and the town’s best (and only) handyman, he’s figured out how to stay busy and keep his head down—until the new girl in town shows up. Luna’s new property is a bad accident waiting to happen unless someone helps her with her DIY home renovations.
As Tate and Luna spend more time together fixing up her house, unexpected feelings and undeniable chemistry bubble to the surface. Luna might’ve moved to Celestial to make her cowboy dreams come true, but somewhere beneath the vast Texas skies, she discovers that love in the real world can be far better than she imagined.
A cowboy romance enthusiast discovers that everything’s bigger in Texas—even love—in this swoony novel from beloved author Alexa Martin.
Fueled by a love of romance novels, Luna Starr was destined for a life with her head in the clouds. Her delusional tendencies serve her well…or at least they used to. When life throws her a curveball, she decides it’s time to turn her cowboy fantasies into reality and purchases a tiny farm in Celestial, Texas. After all, don’t all heroines try to outrun grief?
Tate Jacobs hates cowboys, which is a small problem, considering his family happens to own the largest ranch in Celestial. Life might not have gone the way he wanted, but as head coach at his old high school and the town’s best (and only) handyman, he’s figured out how to stay busy and keep his head down—until the new girl in town shows up. Luna’s new property is a bad accident waiting to happen unless someone helps her with her DIY home renovations.
As Tate and Luna spend more time together fixing up her house, unexpected feelings and undeniable chemistry bubble to the surface. Luna might’ve moved to Celestial to make her cowboy dreams come true, but somewhere beneath the vast Texas skies, she discovers that love in the real world can be far better than she imagined.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2026
About the author
Alexa Martin
9 books2,315 followersAlexa Martin is a writer and stay at home mom. She lives in Colorado with her husband, a former NFL player who now coaches at the high school where they met, their four children, and a German Shepherd. When she's not telling her kids to put their shoes on...again, you can find her catching up with her latest book boyfriend or on Pinterest pinning meals she'll probably never make. Her first book, Intercepted, was inspired by the eight years she spent as an NFL wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
May 7, 2026
This was cute and swoony with plenty of emotional depth.
The small-town is bursting with cute characters, friends, and family. This book is a great setup for future books and I honestly REALLY want Silas’s romance asap.
This book feels a bit more small-town WITH cowboys rather than a cowboy romance, if that makes sense? BUT I think future books (esp if they feature the rest of the siblings) will be heavier on the cowboy. I love seeing more bipoc cowboys and hope this is only the beginning!
Set in small-town (central?) Texas and as someone who previously lived in small-town Texas this feels like a rosier but accurate representation! I LOVE that the author didn’t shy away from talking about the Texas heat and sun!
Whats to love…
- small town with cowboys
- football coach + new in town fmc
- exploration of grief
- complicated family dynamics
- adorable animal companions
- bookish FMC
What might not work for some…
- At times it felt like the FMC was trying really hard to convince the reader she was a “girl's girl” (her words not mine) but then she’d have an internal thought that (imho) conflicted with that sentiment. I’m not sure I would have noticed as much if it wasn’t for the pop culture and particular phrasing used often.
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
The small-town is bursting with cute characters, friends, and family. This book is a great setup for future books and I honestly REALLY want Silas’s romance asap.
This book feels a bit more small-town WITH cowboys rather than a cowboy romance, if that makes sense? BUT I think future books (esp if they feature the rest of the siblings) will be heavier on the cowboy. I love seeing more bipoc cowboys and hope this is only the beginning!
Set in small-town (central?) Texas and as someone who previously lived in small-town Texas this feels like a rosier but accurate representation! I LOVE that the author didn’t shy away from talking about the Texas heat and sun!
Whats to love…
- small town with cowboys
- football coach + new in town fmc
- exploration of grief
- complicated family dynamics
- adorable animal companions
- bookish FMC
What might not work for some…
- At times it felt like the FMC was trying really hard to convince the reader she was a “girl's girl” (her words not mine) but then she’d have an internal thought that (imho) conflicted with that sentiment. I’m not sure I would have noticed as much if it wasn’t for the pop culture and particular phrasing used often.
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
October 27, 2025
I always know my joy is safe in Alexa Martin’s hands, but By the Bootstraps builds an entire world for it. I never knew I needed the Texas cowboy version of Gilmore girls, but apparently wherever Alexa leads I will follow and happily!
September 28, 2025
Black. Cowboys. Need I say more?
But in all seriousness, Alexa’s newest is so full of heart and character.
But in all seriousness, Alexa’s newest is so full of heart and character.
June 2, 2026
4.5/5 stars
I am a big Alexa Martin fan. I have read all of her books. I just love them so much. I was so happy that football played a big part of this story. Alexa can write football so perfectly (since her husband played in the NFL).
This is a contemporary romance set in the small town of Celestial Texas. It is a Cowboy Romance meets Friday Night Lights (football).
The book is about 30 year old Luna who moves to a small town. This is a female POV only book. The book focuses a lot on her grief and healing. The book starts with a bit of a love triangle as there are two men that like her.
There are a lot of elements that I really liked about this book. I loved how female friendships were highlighted. I loved the home improvement aspect. And I really enjoyed the found family.
The book features fun tropes like grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity. I really enjoyed this small town so much. The romance was really good. And I loved seeing cowboys and football integrated into the book. Overall it was an enjoyable read.
Audiobook thoughts:
I also listened to parts of the book. The audiobook is narrated by Nicole Cash. This is my first time listening to Nicole. She is so good. Her voice is so smooth and comforting. I really loved her portrayal of Luna.
Unfortunately I didn’t love her male/main character voice. The male characters are from Texas and it was decided to do Southern accents. I get why this was done. But as a listener to me it’s more important for it to sound good. I just didn’t love the way the dialogue between the couple sounded, which is a shame because I truly thought that Nicole Cash was amazing doing the female voices. I’m anxious to listen to her again.
Thank you to Berkley Romance and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
I am a big Alexa Martin fan. I have read all of her books. I just love them so much. I was so happy that football played a big part of this story. Alexa can write football so perfectly (since her husband played in the NFL).
This is a contemporary romance set in the small town of Celestial Texas. It is a Cowboy Romance meets Friday Night Lights (football).
The book is about 30 year old Luna who moves to a small town. This is a female POV only book. The book focuses a lot on her grief and healing. The book starts with a bit of a love triangle as there are two men that like her.
There are a lot of elements that I really liked about this book. I loved how female friendships were highlighted. I loved the home improvement aspect. And I really enjoyed the found family.
The book features fun tropes like grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity. I really enjoyed this small town so much. The romance was really good. And I loved seeing cowboys and football integrated into the book. Overall it was an enjoyable read.
Audiobook thoughts:
I also listened to parts of the book. The audiobook is narrated by Nicole Cash. This is my first time listening to Nicole. She is so good. Her voice is so smooth and comforting. I really loved her portrayal of Luna.
Unfortunately I didn’t love her male/main character voice. The male characters are from Texas and it was decided to do Southern accents. I get why this was done. But as a listener to me it’s more important for it to sound good. I just didn’t love the way the dialogue between the couple sounded, which is a shame because I truly thought that Nicole Cash was amazing doing the female voices. I’m anxious to listen to her again.
Thank you to Berkley Romance and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
June 12, 2026
Absolutely incredible. I am obsessed with this book. This was one of my first cowboy romances and it was such a special read. First the writing was really good. I felt like I was there with the characters living in their small town. Second the characters were so multi dimensional. I loved they were flawed in the most relatable ways, I loved their rich histories and how you could see how it shaped them in their relationship with each other, I loved watching them grow together through it. And who doesn’t love a cowboy.
The rodeo scenes had me blushing and fanning myself because oh my gosh. I will officially be looking out for more of Alexa Martins books going forward.
The rodeo scenes had me blushing and fanning myself because oh my gosh. I will officially be looking out for more of Alexa Martins books going forward.
July 3, 2026
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the complimentary copy of this book & free book! #BerkleyPartner
Thank you PRH Audio for the complimentary ALC! #PRHAudioPartner
This book is out now!
I have been a fan of Alexa's writing for a while so when she announced she was doing a cowboy romance, I was all in! Plus look at this cover! The title, the colors and these two!
Luna moves to Celestial, Texas not knowing what she was getting herself into. She is grieving her mother's death, dealing with a pesky uncle and trying to figure out this new life in a new state. And as luck would have it, she meets not one but two men who of course happen to be (fraternal) twins! The Jacob brothers are completely different. Tate pretty much has RBF and a little rough around the edges where as Silas is much more friendly and welcoming. There is tension between the brothers and we learn later on what cause that rift. Naturally Luna cannot stop thinking about Tate and as they keep bumping into each other, the more she wants to peel those layers back. The brothers are helping fix all the issues with Luna's old house so Tate especially has been spending quality time with her. Tate has this hard exterior but Luna chips away at that and he finds himself opening up to her and letting himself fall for her.
"You're the woman who came into town, sat a bar, and without warning, upended my entire life with a single smile."
This book is only told from Luna's point of view but I think it would have been nice to have Tate's point of view just because of how moody he was. I would like to know what was going on in that head of his. His attraction was apparent early on but as most men do, he had a funny way of showing it. Also is high school football in Texas that serious?!
I paired my reading with the audio and really enjoyed Nicole Cash's narration. I thought she sounded like the perfect youthful, sweet Luna. She is a brand new narrator to me and I would listen to her again!
I just always like how Alexa is able to blend a mix of romance, heavier themes as well as banter, humor and spice all into a book. This book was very enjoyable from start to end. I am hoping in the future Alexa will be writing a book for Gabby as well as for Silas! Would love to see them both get their HEA - perhaps even together?!
I think this book is great for the summer and if you are looking for a book that is about starting over.
PS - Even got a callback to Petunia Lemon from How to Sell a Romance!
Thank you PRH Audio for the complimentary ALC! #PRHAudioPartner
This book is out now!
I have been a fan of Alexa's writing for a while so when she announced she was doing a cowboy romance, I was all in! Plus look at this cover! The title, the colors and these two!
Luna moves to Celestial, Texas not knowing what she was getting herself into. She is grieving her mother's death, dealing with a pesky uncle and trying to figure out this new life in a new state. And as luck would have it, she meets not one but two men who of course happen to be (fraternal) twins! The Jacob brothers are completely different. Tate pretty much has RBF and a little rough around the edges where as Silas is much more friendly and welcoming. There is tension between the brothers and we learn later on what cause that rift. Naturally Luna cannot stop thinking about Tate and as they keep bumping into each other, the more she wants to peel those layers back. The brothers are helping fix all the issues with Luna's old house so Tate especially has been spending quality time with her. Tate has this hard exterior but Luna chips away at that and he finds himself opening up to her and letting himself fall for her.
"You're the woman who came into town, sat a bar, and without warning, upended my entire life with a single smile."
This book is only told from Luna's point of view but I think it would have been nice to have Tate's point of view just because of how moody he was. I would like to know what was going on in that head of his. His attraction was apparent early on but as most men do, he had a funny way of showing it. Also is high school football in Texas that serious?!
I paired my reading with the audio and really enjoyed Nicole Cash's narration. I thought she sounded like the perfect youthful, sweet Luna. She is a brand new narrator to me and I would listen to her again!
I just always like how Alexa is able to blend a mix of romance, heavier themes as well as banter, humor and spice all into a book. This book was very enjoyable from start to end. I am hoping in the future Alexa will be writing a book for Gabby as well as for Silas! Would love to see them both get their HEA - perhaps even together?!
I think this book is great for the summer and if you are looking for a book that is about starting over.
PS - Even got a callback to Petunia Lemon from How to Sell a Romance!
May 25, 2026
4.5✨
My goodness, By the Bootstraps is a total delight! I was positively charmed! I begrudgingly live in Texas, but this book had me daydreaming of an idyllic Texan small town with the perfect view of stars and hot cowboys. Wait! Hot handymen slash football coaches slash cowboys! I want to live out my own romance book right this very second! I just adored this one. It's so feel good while also carefully tending to grief and navigating forgiveness. Making this a book that brings all the heart along with its many swoons.
This is the story of the fabulously named Luna Starr who moves to Texas, specifically Celestial, Texas, to begin anew. And maaaaybe to find her own cowboy trope to live out in real life. And can you blame her?! Especially when the cowboy (albeit reluctantly) comes in the form of local football coach and handyman Tate, who along with his parents and siblings own the largest ranch. And happen to be neighbors to Luna. Yep, yep, this romance is going to bring all the swoons!
I loved, loved, looooved being in Luna's head. She had me in stitches at times, she's so full of sincere excitement, contagious whimsy, and hopeful dreams. But she is also full of grief and pain she hasn't quite navigated through. Grief of losing her mother, far before the actual death. Grief mixed with a relief that guilts and a pain she doesn't quite want to expand upon, not just yet. While she knows her big move may seem and may be in part an effort to run away from said grief, it's also exactly what she needs. And where she belongs. She's fierce in her resolution and dreams, absolutely fierce. Fierce in courage to pick up and start again the way she does. Sure, there are things she needs to confront, but her move isn't cowardice in my eyes, it's sheer bravery. It's facing the unknown with a dream, a grin, and a bit of pink sparkle. Luna is someone I effortlessly rooted for because loving her is so easy! This book is simply stated: one heck of a gorgeous dream. One I wish for myself but one I'm so glad to see Luna realize for herself.
Especially given the friends and romance she finds along the way! She has a true best friend back home in Colorado, but I adored how she made a fabulous girl (and knitting!) group in her new home. I love how she's also such a girl's girl! The friendship born in this book is the exact type we should all strive for. As is the gorgeous romance between Luna and Tate. Tate also has much to confront in his personal life, specifically the root cause of what created a divide between himself against his brother and father. There's a sort of grief there as well, not in a physical loss but in an emotional one in having a much loved familial bond grow distant. I so wished for Tate's POV, and truly, I had the very best time with Luna every single step of the way, but I also really wished we could have followed Tate's. I wanted to get into his head and see that growth from that perspective, but I love how the initial hot-and-cold connection with Luna sees a total defrosting as Tate becomes more vulnerable and open with Luna. She helps him to open up and does the same in turn, creating a mutual safe space. Their relationship checks off all I love in a romance, primarily a an electric chemistry and genuine emotional intimacy.
The best time! I had the very best time reading this charmer of a book!
Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
My goodness, By the Bootstraps is a total delight! I was positively charmed! I begrudgingly live in Texas, but this book had me daydreaming of an idyllic Texan small town with the perfect view of stars and hot cowboys. Wait! Hot handymen slash football coaches slash cowboys! I want to live out my own romance book right this very second! I just adored this one. It's so feel good while also carefully tending to grief and navigating forgiveness. Making this a book that brings all the heart along with its many swoons.
This is the story of the fabulously named Luna Starr who moves to Texas, specifically Celestial, Texas, to begin anew. And maaaaybe to find her own cowboy trope to live out in real life. And can you blame her?! Especially when the cowboy (albeit reluctantly) comes in the form of local football coach and handyman Tate, who along with his parents and siblings own the largest ranch. And happen to be neighbors to Luna. Yep, yep, this romance is going to bring all the swoons!
I loved, loved, looooved being in Luna's head. She had me in stitches at times, she's so full of sincere excitement, contagious whimsy, and hopeful dreams. But she is also full of grief and pain she hasn't quite navigated through. Grief of losing her mother, far before the actual death. Grief mixed with a relief that guilts and a pain she doesn't quite want to expand upon, not just yet. While she knows her big move may seem and may be in part an effort to run away from said grief, it's also exactly what she needs. And where she belongs. She's fierce in her resolution and dreams, absolutely fierce. Fierce in courage to pick up and start again the way she does. Sure, there are things she needs to confront, but her move isn't cowardice in my eyes, it's sheer bravery. It's facing the unknown with a dream, a grin, and a bit of pink sparkle. Luna is someone I effortlessly rooted for because loving her is so easy! This book is simply stated: one heck of a gorgeous dream. One I wish for myself but one I'm so glad to see Luna realize for herself.
Especially given the friends and romance she finds along the way! She has a true best friend back home in Colorado, but I adored how she made a fabulous girl (and knitting!) group in her new home. I love how she's also such a girl's girl! The friendship born in this book is the exact type we should all strive for. As is the gorgeous romance between Luna and Tate. Tate also has much to confront in his personal life, specifically the root cause of what created a divide between himself against his brother and father. There's a sort of grief there as well, not in a physical loss but in an emotional one in having a much loved familial bond grow distant. I so wished for Tate's POV, and truly, I had the very best time with Luna every single step of the way, but I also really wished we could have followed Tate's. I wanted to get into his head and see that growth from that perspective, but I love how the initial hot-and-cold connection with Luna sees a total defrosting as Tate becomes more vulnerable and open with Luna. She helps him to open up and does the same in turn, creating a mutual safe space. Their relationship checks off all I love in a romance, primarily a an electric chemistry and genuine emotional intimacy.
The best time! I had the very best time reading this charmer of a book!
Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
April 18, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
By the Bootstraps by Alexa Martin is so much more than a romance; it is a vibrant, epic tale of a woman finding herself as she rebuilds her life and heals grief. Set against a perfectly realized backdrop of small-town Texas, where football and cowboy cultures collide, the story follows Luna as she attempts to rebuild her life from the ground up.
While the chemistry and banter are top-tier, the true heart of this book lies in the female friendships. Luna’s journey is supported by a "found family" that feels incredibly real and raw. If you are a "girl’s girl," this book is for you. The redemption arcs are messy, and the family dynamics are complicated, reflecting the reality that even "good" families can be difficult. It’s a story that provides a space for the soul to be whole, even in its imperfection.
Watching Luna and her love interest, Tate, navigate their respective versions of grief and disappointment was deeply satisfying. Their story feels "soft" and healing, focusing on their gradual process of opening up to one another. Luna is a relatable heroine. She is messy, stubborn, and hilariously human, which makes her growth feel earned because the story never pretends she is perfect.
Written in a single POV, the narrative remains firmly focused on Luna’s internal evolution, which felt appropriate given that this is truly her story. My only point of frustration was the ending; the conflict felt slightly unnecessary and was resolved so quickly that the final pages felt rushed. I found myself wishing for just a bit more of that hard-earned Happily Ever After.
Perhaps it was my small-town Texan nostalgia or just the perfect vibes, but this was an absolute standout. It balances laugh-out-loud humor with low-key emotional weight, making it a grounded and real second-chance story. For my first Alexa Martin novel, I couldn't have asked for a better introduction.
By the Bootstraps by Alexa Martin is so much more than a romance; it is a vibrant, epic tale of a woman finding herself as she rebuilds her life and heals grief. Set against a perfectly realized backdrop of small-town Texas, where football and cowboy cultures collide, the story follows Luna as she attempts to rebuild her life from the ground up.
While the chemistry and banter are top-tier, the true heart of this book lies in the female friendships. Luna’s journey is supported by a "found family" that feels incredibly real and raw. If you are a "girl’s girl," this book is for you. The redemption arcs are messy, and the family dynamics are complicated, reflecting the reality that even "good" families can be difficult. It’s a story that provides a space for the soul to be whole, even in its imperfection.
Watching Luna and her love interest, Tate, navigate their respective versions of grief and disappointment was deeply satisfying. Their story feels "soft" and healing, focusing on their gradual process of opening up to one another. Luna is a relatable heroine. She is messy, stubborn, and hilariously human, which makes her growth feel earned because the story never pretends she is perfect.
Written in a single POV, the narrative remains firmly focused on Luna’s internal evolution, which felt appropriate given that this is truly her story. My only point of frustration was the ending; the conflict felt slightly unnecessary and was resolved so quickly that the final pages felt rushed. I found myself wishing for just a bit more of that hard-earned Happily Ever After.
Perhaps it was my small-town Texan nostalgia or just the perfect vibes, but this was an absolute standout. It balances laugh-out-loud humor with low-key emotional weight, making it a grounded and real second-chance story. For my first Alexa Martin novel, I couldn't have asked for a better introduction.
June 8, 2026
Romance-novel-obsessed Luna Starr decides to turn her cowboy fantasies into reality by purchasing a tiny farm in Celestial, Texas after life throws her a curveball. Enter Tate Jacobs, the town's handyman and high school football coach who ironically hates cowboys despite his family owning the largest ranch in town. As Tate helps Luna fix up her disaster of a property, unexpected chemistry bubbles to the surface under those vast Texas skies.
If you love Friday Night Lights, this one is for you. Celestial is the kind of small town that feels like every girl's Hallmark dream. The kind of place where you show up and immediately find your people. I loved Luna. She's spunky, whimsical, obsessed with pink and all things girly, and she really shines as a lead character. She's sweet and caring without being one-dimensional, and her energy carried the story for me.
Tate I liked but didn't love. We get his 'trauma' but I didn't feel he was as fleshed out as well as Luna. I wanted more from his relationship with his family and it felt like that whole dynamic just got brushed over when it could have added so much more depth. Without spoiling too much, I'm also really glad we didn't get a love triangle, that would have been an easy trap to fall into and Martin avoided it. This also feels like it easily sets us up for a series in Celestial and I would absolutely go back for more.
My biggest issue is that the moments that should have hit the hardest didn't. The piece with her uncle and the actual 'tense 'climax' point of the book (what should have been BIG moments) felt like afterthoughts. The story would have read almost the same without them, and that kept it from landing with real emotional weight. It's open door but the spice is medium with really just one or two scenes, so if you're looking for something steamier this might not be it.
Overall this is an easy, cowboy-light romance that goes down smooth. Extra points for being set in Texas because a lot of the stereotypes written in are genuinely accurate and made me smile. It landed at a 3.5 rounded down to 3 for me. Cute and digestible but missing the emotional punch that would have taken it higher. If you're looking for something light and feel-good with small-town charm, this is a solid pick.
By the Bootstraps is out now. Huge thank you to Berkley Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
Tiktok @speakingof.books
If you love Friday Night Lights, this one is for you. Celestial is the kind of small town that feels like every girl's Hallmark dream. The kind of place where you show up and immediately find your people. I loved Luna. She's spunky, whimsical, obsessed with pink and all things girly, and she really shines as a lead character. She's sweet and caring without being one-dimensional, and her energy carried the story for me.
Tate I liked but didn't love. We get his 'trauma' but I didn't feel he was as fleshed out as well as Luna. I wanted more from his relationship with his family and it felt like that whole dynamic just got brushed over when it could have added so much more depth. Without spoiling too much, I'm also really glad we didn't get a love triangle, that would have been an easy trap to fall into and Martin avoided it. This also feels like it easily sets us up for a series in Celestial and I would absolutely go back for more.
My biggest issue is that the moments that should have hit the hardest didn't. The piece with her uncle and the actual 'tense 'climax' point of the book (what should have been BIG moments) felt like afterthoughts. The story would have read almost the same without them, and that kept it from landing with real emotional weight. It's open door but the spice is medium with really just one or two scenes, so if you're looking for something steamier this might not be it.
Overall this is an easy, cowboy-light romance that goes down smooth. Extra points for being set in Texas because a lot of the stereotypes written in are genuinely accurate and made me smile. It landed at a 3.5 rounded down to 3 for me. Cute and digestible but missing the emotional punch that would have taken it higher. If you're looking for something light and feel-good with small-town charm, this is a solid pick.
By the Bootstraps is out now. Huge thank you to Berkley Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
Tiktok @speakingof.books
June 3, 2026
i will always be here for an alexa martin book and i was so excited for this one.
i really liked luna. she’s filled with heart and love and it was a damn delight being in her head. tate is crunchy and standoffish, until he's not. and don’t get me started on the rest of this cast because they’re all great. i loved the instant support that the townspeople gave her and i’m always going to love a couple of sassy older ladies who gossip.
plot wise, its a slow meandering with a hint of conflict until it all blows up at the end and the resolution happens quickly. and while i appreciate the time jump, everything felt rushed and the family conflict wasn’t resolved or mentioned again. the epilogue was sweet and satisfying, i just wanted a little bit more.
overall, it was so easy to root for these characters and i’ll be over here hoping we get stories for the rest of this group.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
i really liked luna. she’s filled with heart and love and it was a damn delight being in her head. tate is crunchy and standoffish, until he's not. and don’t get me started on the rest of this cast because they’re all great. i loved the instant support that the townspeople gave her and i’m always going to love a couple of sassy older ladies who gossip.
plot wise, its a slow meandering with a hint of conflict until it all blows up at the end and the resolution happens quickly. and while i appreciate the time jump, everything felt rushed and the family conflict wasn’t resolved or mentioned again. the epilogue was sweet and satisfying, i just wanted a little bit more.
overall, it was so easy to root for these characters and i’ll be over here hoping we get stories for the rest of this group.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
June 30, 2026
5 ⭐️
I’m just in my romance bag lately . I was going give this a 4 then it got better to a 4.5 then the ending made it a 5 . It was just so cute and fluffy . I loved the cowboy aspect of it and that’s the only thing i wanted more and i got it towards the end . I am hoping she make a book two for Silas . He deserves a happy ending .
I’m just in my romance bag lately . I was going give this a 4 then it got better to a 4.5 then the ending made it a 5 . It was just so cute and fluffy . I loved the cowboy aspect of it and that’s the only thing i wanted more and i got it towards the end . I am hoping she make a book two for Silas . He deserves a happy ending .
June 28, 2026
CRIMINALLY underhyped. this was perfection 🥹 if you like FNL, cowboy/small town romances and/or HGTV. this is the book for you and i’m begging you to read it. luna and tate were everything and i need an entire series about these characters ASAP
Did Not Finish
July 3, 2026DNF 6%. Not for me. We have already been told that Celestial, Texas, is “like something out of a Hallmark movie” twice. And the heroine is annoyingly perky despite reminding us every page that she has Hidden Trauma That We Won’t Learn About Till Later.
April 20, 2026
Cowboy romance x Friday night lights
I adore everything this woman writes - 4.5 stars!
Per usual I loved this book!!! Alexa Martin is one of my favorite authors and knows how to just suck you into her worlds.
I loved the small snippet of a love triangle and really enjoyed reading about Luna's journey to finding herself and falling in love with Celestial, TX. I loved that Tate and Silas were opposites, but also so alike! I adored all of the side characters and hope that they find their way into their own novel in this series.
Small town romance
Friday night lights x cowboys
grumpy/sunshine
grief journey with lightheartedness
I really hope that Alexa writes Silas and their sister, Ciara's stories next!
I rate this book 4.5 stars because I feel like the ending was too rushed and would have liked to have seen more development in the end.
I adore everything this woman writes - 4.5 stars!
Per usual I loved this book!!! Alexa Martin is one of my favorite authors and knows how to just suck you into her worlds.
I loved the small snippet of a love triangle and really enjoyed reading about Luna's journey to finding herself and falling in love with Celestial, TX. I loved that Tate and Silas were opposites, but also so alike! I adored all of the side characters and hope that they find their way into their own novel in this series.
Small town romance
Friday night lights x cowboys
grumpy/sunshine
grief journey with lightheartedness
I really hope that Alexa writes Silas and their sister, Ciara's stories next!
I rate this book 4.5 stars because I feel like the ending was too rushed and would have liked to have seen more development in the end.
May 29, 2026
I LOVED this book so much! I might be a little biased as a lifelong Texan, but the references throughout this story were absolutely spot on. The book perfectly captures those nostalgic Friday Night Lights meets cowboy romance vibes, and it genuinely made me feel like I was right back in my small-town Texas hometown.
The characters completely stole my heart. Gabby is such a relatable best friend, and Luna is such a relatable FMC. I loved that Luna is a fellow romance reader with a troubling past who is just trying to move on and fight for her own HEA. Then there is Tate. He might honestly be the hottest cowboy I have ever read about, especially because he is an ex-football player and a cowboy. Seeing main characters who are POC in this setting made it even better. I truly loved everything about this book and can totally see myself rereading this one!
Thank you to Berkley for the ARC!
The characters completely stole my heart. Gabby is such a relatable best friend, and Luna is such a relatable FMC. I loved that Luna is a fellow romance reader with a troubling past who is just trying to move on and fight for her own HEA. Then there is Tate. He might honestly be the hottest cowboy I have ever read about, especially because he is an ex-football player and a cowboy. Seeing main characters who are POC in this setting made it even better. I truly loved everything about this book and can totally see myself rereading this one!
Thank you to Berkley for the ARC!
June 3, 2026
My first read by her and so glad I got to meet her.
Omg such a cute fun book.. who doesn’t love football, baseball, cowboys, animals and country life and of course TEXAS.. loved this ate it up in one sitting !!! 😍🤠
Omg such a cute fun book.. who doesn’t love football, baseball, cowboys, animals and country life and of course TEXAS.. loved this ate it up in one sitting !!! 😍🤠
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 ⭐️'s
My first Black cowboy romance, and I was definitely intrigued.
I’d honestly love to see more stories like this because Black cowboys have always been part of history, even if mainstream narratives haven’t always reflected that.
Luna Starr was such a strong and relatable character. She could be incredibly hard on herself at times, but I appreciated that she had people around her who continually reminded her of her worth and supported her through everything.
Tate Jacobs was the perfect grumpy love interest—guarded, complex, and far more layered than he initially appears. Watching him slowly open up to Luna was one of the highlights of the story for me.
Overall, this was a cute slow-burn romance with strong chemistry, emotional growth, and plenty of heart. (Though I could have done without one particular recurring anatomy term.)
My first Black cowboy romance, and I was definitely intrigued.
I’d honestly love to see more stories like this because Black cowboys have always been part of history, even if mainstream narratives haven’t always reflected that.
Luna Starr was such a strong and relatable character. She could be incredibly hard on herself at times, but I appreciated that she had people around her who continually reminded her of her worth and supported her through everything.
Tate Jacobs was the perfect grumpy love interest—guarded, complex, and far more layered than he initially appears. Watching him slowly open up to Luna was one of the highlights of the story for me.
Overall, this was a cute slow-burn romance with strong chemistry, emotional growth, and plenty of heart. (Though I could have done without one particular recurring anatomy term.)
May 21, 2026
4.5⭐️ I received this book as an arc and let me tell you, I loved it! I loved it from the moment the book began. The way this author told Luna‘s story, the way she told the town story, the way she broke Tate down to reveal his soft side and his family dynamic, the way I could relate to why Luna arrived in Celestial, I’m here for it all. I was excited to turn every page. I honestly could’ve had more! I didn’t want it to end and I love the way it ended. All of it. Definitely a cozy hometown cowboy romance that you should read! Book comes out 5/26/26!!!
June 8, 2026
AHHHHH!
I LOVED this book. Luna was an amazing character to follow! And Tate was such a great love interest to match her energy.
I definitely finished this book and IMEDIATELY wanted to read about Silas and Ciara's stories. I hope we get more from Celestial Texas!!!
In By the Bootstraps, we follow Luna as she upends her life and moves from Denver, CO to Celestial, Texas. She arrives at her brand new house, sight unseen, in a town where she knows no one. Immediately she meets Tate, the high school football coach.
I was obsessed with Luna right away. She was relatable and oh so cute.
I love that she decided to make her new home very maximalist and all pink, coming from someone with a pink kitchen <3
Her relationships and how she works through her grief and finds her footing in her new life were a great story to follow. I loved every minute of it.
Tate was a wonderful contrast to Luna. He was mysterious and kept everything to himself. But he opened up to Luna and I ate it up! Plus Duke was a great pet sidekick to wrap it all together.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this book!
I LOVED this book. Luna was an amazing character to follow! And Tate was such a great love interest to match her energy.
I definitely finished this book and IMEDIATELY wanted to read about Silas and Ciara's stories. I hope we get more from Celestial Texas!!!
In By the Bootstraps, we follow Luna as she upends her life and moves from Denver, CO to Celestial, Texas. She arrives at her brand new house, sight unseen, in a town where she knows no one. Immediately she meets Tate, the high school football coach.
I was obsessed with Luna right away. She was relatable and oh so cute.
I love that she decided to make her new home very maximalist and all pink, coming from someone with a pink kitchen <3
Her relationships and how she works through her grief and finds her footing in her new life were a great story to follow. I loved every minute of it.
Tate was a wonderful contrast to Luna. He was mysterious and kept everything to himself. But he opened up to Luna and I ate it up! Plus Duke was a great pet sidekick to wrap it all together.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this book!
May 14, 2026
By the bootstraps follows Luna Star, as she moves to the small town of Celestial, TX for a fresh start. When she arrives, she feels like she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be. But when she realizes the house she blindly bought has so many issues she enlists the help of a grumpy handyman/highschool football coach named Tate that she actually met on her first night in town
I thought this was a cute grumpy/sunshine with the new girl in town. I liked the small town vibes and how Luna fit in so seamlessly. I also liked Tate as the MMC. He wasn’t really that grumpy to me, but I liked how he was different with her and helped make her Pinterest dreams come true with her house. I even liked her accepting that her trauma with her mom. But I didn’t like how the 3rd act breakup played out tbh. I felt like it couldn’t been done different for a bigger impact.
I thought this was a cute grumpy/sunshine with the new girl in town. I liked the small town vibes and how Luna fit in so seamlessly. I also liked Tate as the MMC. He wasn’t really that grumpy to me, but I liked how he was different with her and helped make her Pinterest dreams come true with her house. I even liked her accepting that her trauma with her mom. But I didn’t like how the 3rd act breakup played out tbh. I felt like it couldn’t been done different for a bigger impact.
May 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley & Berkley for an arc of this book and then also sending me a finished copy! If you like slow burns, grumpy x sunshine, small town, country romances this is the book for you! This book started off slow which kind of was a bit of a drag but then the story picked up and I enjoyed it. Tate has a past and history himself with the things that have happened to him. Luna moves to Celestial, Texas in a grief induced haze. But then the grumpy handy man who has to fix her house somehow ends up slowly getting into her heart. These two had such baggage however they slowly worked it out over time. I genuinely enjoyed this country romance it was cute and definitely something different.
May 31, 2026
This was such a sweet second chance at life story or starting over in a small town. Luna was such an optimistic lovely character. I loved the amount of pink she used in her home renovation. She also kept meeting handsome cowboys. The one quiet unattainable cowboy was the one that kept coming to help her with her house, Tate.
This book was so cute and fluffy with some rough parts of grief of family members lost and lives thrown off course. The friends and family were also highly entertaining helping their relationship along.
This book was so cute and fluffy with some rough parts of grief of family members lost and lives thrown off course. The friends and family were also highly entertaining helping their relationship along.
June 2, 2026
LOVED this.
By the Bootstraps is a beautiful story about found family and reinventing oneself. Mourning the loss of her mother and grandmother, Luna Star hastily purchases a run-down fixer upper and moves to the small town of Celestial, Texas for a fresh start. There, she meets her neighbor Atlas, who befriends her and recommends his twin brother to help with renovations after a clawfoot tub falls through the ceiling. Unbeknownst to Luna, she is already familiar with the twin, Tate, after a chance meeting on her first day in town. Luna quickly finds herself befriending Atlas and Tate’s sister, Ciara, alongside other townspeople, forming the tight-knit community she never had.
From the constant descriptions of Atlas and Tate, I knew somehow they would be brothers and my girl Luna would wind up in a love triangle with twins! Thankfully, it becomes obvious pretty early on that Tate is her romantic interest.
Uncle Jack pissed me off so bad with his entitlement to Luna’s grandmothers money (his mom). This storyline perfectly showed how death can bring out the absolute worst in people when it comes to material possessions. I loved how supportive Tate his family were of Luna through it all.
Overall, this was a cute grumpy meets sunshine, instant connection romance centering around Black rodeo life.
By the Bootstraps is a beautiful story about found family and reinventing oneself. Mourning the loss of her mother and grandmother, Luna Star hastily purchases a run-down fixer upper and moves to the small town of Celestial, Texas for a fresh start. There, she meets her neighbor Atlas, who befriends her and recommends his twin brother to help with renovations after a clawfoot tub falls through the ceiling. Unbeknownst to Luna, she is already familiar with the twin, Tate, after a chance meeting on her first day in town. Luna quickly finds herself befriending Atlas and Tate’s sister, Ciara, alongside other townspeople, forming the tight-knit community she never had.
From the constant descriptions of Atlas and Tate, I knew somehow they would be brothers and my girl Luna would wind up in a love triangle with twins! Thankfully, it becomes obvious pretty early on that Tate is her romantic interest.
Uncle Jack pissed me off so bad with his entitlement to Luna’s grandmothers money (his mom). This storyline perfectly showed how death can bring out the absolute worst in people when it comes to material possessions. I loved how supportive Tate his family were of Luna through it all.
Overall, this was a cute grumpy meets sunshine, instant connection romance centering around Black rodeo life.
May 3, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the e-arc.
I found myself wanting to skim ahead. There was so much potential for more but the pacing felt off and there was a lot of unnecessary filler. I also found more grammatical errors than I cared too, I think another round of edits would be beneficial. This is perfect for someone who enjoys fluffy romances.
I found myself wanting to skim ahead. There was so much potential for more but the pacing felt off and there was a lot of unnecessary filler. I also found more grammatical errors than I cared too, I think another round of edits would be beneficial. This is perfect for someone who enjoys fluffy romances.
June 5, 2026
If you know me, you know that a small-town romance with a cowboy vibe is basically my comfort read. So when I picked up By the Bootstraps, I already knew it had a lot of things working in its favor, and thankfully, it delivered.
I also loved seeing BIPOC characters front and center in a genre that has historically been dominated by white authors and characters. As a reader, I think it’s important to seek out stories from a variety of perspectives, and I’m glad to see more BIPOC authors receiving recognition and creating space within the romance genre. The more voices we get, the richer the genre becomes.
This book was emotional, heartfelt, and great to get lost in. It left me wanting more from Celestial, Texas! I’ll definitely be continuing with the series and can’t wait to see where Alexa takes readers next.
I also loved seeing BIPOC characters front and center in a genre that has historically been dominated by white authors and characters. As a reader, I think it’s important to seek out stories from a variety of perspectives, and I’m glad to see more BIPOC authors receiving recognition and creating space within the romance genre. The more voices we get, the richer the genre becomes.
This book was emotional, heartfelt, and great to get lost in. It left me wanting more from Celestial, Texas! I’ll definitely be continuing with the series and can’t wait to see where Alexa takes readers next.
July 6, 2026
This book wasn't just a cowboy romance; it was also a sports romance and a cozy-small-town romance!
I will never get that stunning image of super hot Tate at the rodeo with his locs and tight t-shirt on that horse out of my mind!! EVER! THANK YOU ALEXA MARTIN.
The plot was lighter than I wanted it to be, so anyone who's in the mood for something sweet, cozy, and with a light plot will enjoy themselves.
I'm curious to see if this will be a series or not because I see potential.
I will never get that stunning image of super hot Tate at the rodeo with his locs and tight t-shirt on that horse out of my mind!! EVER! THANK YOU ALEXA MARTIN.
The plot was lighter than I wanted it to be, so anyone who's in the mood for something sweet, cozy, and with a light plot will enjoy themselves.
I'm curious to see if this will be a series or not because I see potential.
June 23, 2026
4.75. Why yes, I did dock .25 because I didn’t ask for a track star ending 😭. We were so close to perfection. But this was so freaking cute and funny. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This was my first Alexa read after a book event I attended and it won’t be the last.
June 30, 2026
This is such a cute meet-cute. Wrapped in your cowboy fantasy with a guy rocking locs and a cowboy hat. Grumpy vs. Sunshine trope and again mixing in a character that has a strong love of books. I often refer to books like these as palettes cleansers and I mean that in the most sincere way. Grab this and sit by the pool and relax.
June 21, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
July 1, 2026
Not very interesting. Of course there is a big drama at the 90% mark.
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