Confessions of a Wanna-Be Cowgirl

by Sylvia Grant

***Global Book Awards Bronze Medal Winner***

Carly Brooks died of humiliation—and Georgia Blake Brooks rose from the ashes with a new name, new boots, and a forty-something-item cowgirl glow-up list.

All I want is a fresh start, a little peace and quiet, and maybe to win over my aunt’s psychotic chicken, Henrietta.

What I get? A horse named Biscuit who steals my heart, a town full of nosy neighbors, and not one—but two—cowboys who complicate everything.

Catching a cowboy might be easier than I thought. Figuring out which one’s worth keeping? That’s where it gets messy. Especially when secrets don’t stay buried for long in small towns—and mine has the power to ruin the only home I’ve ever wanted.

But this time, I’m not running. Not from the gossip, not from my past, and definitely not from the cowboy who might just be worth staying for.

Grab this sharp, laugh-out-loud funny, and deeply heartfelt small-town romance about reinvention, second chances, and finding love when it’s least expected.

Tropes: Makeover Mayhem • Grumpy x Sunshine • Hidden Identity • Small-Town Shenanigans • To-Do List • Found Family
Spice Level: Sweet with a little heat
For Fans Of: Debbie Macomber, Emily Henry, and RaeAnne Thayne

Genres: Westerns

331 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2025

About the author

Award-winning rom-com author Sylvia Grant believes every character deserves a good transformation—especially when the circumstances are gloriously unpredictable!

Her feel-good stories are infused with the conviction that everyone deserves to be heard and seen (a belief she carried over from her HR days), delivering laughter and, of course, a happily-ever-after.

She's been mildly obsessed with Jane Austen and Hugh Grant since she was a tween. Though she loves her two large breed rescue dogs dearly, Sylvia admits she'd prefer cats—after all, you have to work harder for their love.

What readers have to say:

"A great story that’s very original and fresh." (—Angee, Verified Reader)

"fast, fun & super cute." (—Ashley, Verified Reader)

"From the very first page, you will see how different they are... you will love how he makes her realize that life needs to be enjoyed." (—Roger, Verified Reader)

Reviews

[VickydpBooks]

I enjoyed this book and it’s good storyline

Blurb

Carly Brooks died of humiliation—and Georgia Blake Brooks rose from the ashes with a new name, new boots, and a forty-something-item cowgirl glow-up list.

All I want is a fresh start, a little peace and quiet, and maybe to win over my aunt’s psychotic chicken, Henrietta.

What I get? A horse named Biscuit who steals my heart, a town full of nosy neighbors, and not one—but two—cowboys who complicate everything.

Catching a cowboy might be easier than I thought. Figuring out which one’s worth keeping? That’s where it gets messy. Especially when secrets don’t stay buried for long in small towns—and mine has the power to ruin the only home I’ve ever wanted.

But this time, I’m not running. Not from the gossip, not from my past, and definitely not from the cowboy who might just be worth staying for.

Grab this sharp, laugh-out-loud funny, and deeply heartfelt small-town romance about reinvention, second chances, and finding love when it’s least expected.

Tropes: Makeover Mayhem • Grumpy x Sunshine • Hidden Identity • Small-Town Shenanigans • To-Do List • Found Family
Spice Level: Sweet with a little heat
For Fans Of: Debbie Macomber, Emily Henry, and RaeAnne Thayne.

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

[Susan Ballain]

If you like small town romances, rom-coms, found families and fresh starts then this is the book for you!
Carly Brooks found herself in a humiliating situation and is looking for a fresh start!
I really enjoyed this story! I loved the characters and the plot of the story!
I highly recommend this everyone!

[Marilyn Burrows]

She changes her name and moves in with her aunt. And then the ride begins. So much real small town scenes that I lived. Especially the names of the businesses. I would love to live there and meet these great characters. A very Harding working lady can do it all, eventually. She even learns the names of thingies! Later in the story, R rated appears. It wasn’t needed it took away from the story.

[Jenny Rodriguez]

Wonderfully witty clean romance.

5 Stars ⭐️

*Spoiler Alert*

If you are a fan on small town, rom-com, and clean romance-this book is for you.

The Protagonist, Carly/Georgia is a well to do Party Planner in Toronto. After a harrowing experience during one of her events, that landed Carly in the hospital, she decides she needs a change.

Renaming herself “Georgia Blake Brooks”, she moves to Mountcrest with her aunt trying to reinvent herself. She’s armed with determination, loads of energy, and a transformation checklist. She is determined to become a cowgirl and snag a cowboy, her life long dream.

Filled with lots of comedy, drama, and romance this is a heartwarming clean romance novel you don’t want to miss.

This was an ARC book gifted to my by Sylvia Grant. Thank you Sylvia.

[VickydpBooks]

Carly Brooks died of humiliation—and Georgia Blake Brooks rose from the ashes..." This captivating opening line sets the stage for a delightful journey of reinvention, romance, and small-town charm. The author masterfully crafts a story about second chances as Georgia embarks on a "cowgirl glow-up" after leaving her past behind.

The narrative is engaging, filled with humor and heart. Georgia's quest for a fresh start is complicated by a quirky cast of characters, including a scene-stealing horse named Biscuit, nosy neighbors, and two intriguing cowboys. The author skillfully balances the protagonist's personal growth with the blossoming romantic entanglements, creating a story that is both heartwarming and entertaining.

The small-town setting adds depth to the narrative, with secrets and gossip lurking around every corner. As Georgia confronts her past, she discovers the true meaning of home and the courage to fight for what she wants.

With tropes like "Makeover Mayhem" and "Grumpy x Sunshine," this book offers a familiar yet fresh take on the romance genre. The "sweet with a little heat" spice level makes it a perfect choice for readers who enjoy heartwarming stories with a touch of passion. Fans of Debbie Macomber, Emily Henry, and RaeAnne Thayne will find themselves captivated by this charming tale of reinvention and finding love when it's least expected.

Overall, this book is a delightful read that will leave you laughing, crying, and rooting for Georgia as she navigates her new life and finds love in the most unexpected of places. A definite must-read for those seeking a heartwarming and humorous small-town romance.

[Angela]

“From where I’m sitting, you’ve built a real life here. You have friends, a purpose, a community that cares about you.”

Confessions of a Wanna-be Cowgirl was such a cute, funny read with a lot more heart than I expected. Georgia’s entire life basically implodes after a very public accident goes viral, so she takes the opportunity to disappear into Alberta and finally chase the cowgirl dreams she’s had since she was twelve. What follows is horses, line dancing, mechanical bulls, new friendships, plenty of embarrassing moments, and of course, Brady. I really liked Georgia’s growth throughout the story. She starts out trying to escape Carly and everything attached to her old life, but slowly realizes she isn’t just playing pretend anymore. She’s actually building a life she wants. I especially loved the horse rescue storyline, and Biscuit completely stole the show for me.

The romance with Brady was sweet, but I actually think the friendships and found family were some of my favorite parts. Joni, Jake, Shelby, Aunt Sheila, and the rest of the Mountcrest crew made the town feel like somewhere Georgia could genuinely belong. There were a few moments that felt a little repetitive, especially with Georgia’s thoughts about the viral accident and whether she truly belonged there, and I would’ve loved a little more depth in the romance. Still, it was an easy, feel-good read that made me laugh and gave me plenty of moments to root for Georgia.

And I really loved this line: “People make mistakes. That’s what makes us human.”

[Holly Dolly]

City to Cowgirl Transformation

Confessions of a Wanna-be Cowgirl by Sylvia Grant is out NOW in KU and paperback.

〰️LOVED IT!〰️

For 14 years Carly’s been daydreaming about wide-open spaces and the cowboy who would sweep her off her feet. Now she has the chance as Georgia Blake Brooks to reinvent herself. Fresh from a career blow and a large settlement she relocates to Calgary to become a cowgirl.

This new cowgirl is trying hard to fit in to this small town. Along the way to her self discovery of country life she befriends men and women young and old. I enjoyed how dedicated Georgia is to learn new things: mechanical bull riding 🤣, riding a horse 🤣, line dancing 🤣…all LOL shenanigans. The best part she’s learning from ‘You Tube and determination!’

One thing that is added to this enjoyable read was the Transformation countdown visual to each item checked off the list. This helped set the pace of the storyline. The author also did not rush her into a relationship. First Georgia is confident in herself, then she opens herself up to the Cowboy of her dreams…Grayson…or maybe it’s Brady?

Tropes:
☀️Ex-Event planner
🤠Makeover Mayhem
☀️Grumpy x Sunshine
🤠Seasoned Cowboy
☀️Novice Cowgirl
🤠To-Do-List
☀️Hidden Identity
🤠Small-Town Shenanigans
☀️Sweet with Heat

[Nora's Reads]

Carly Brooks becomes internet-famous for the worst possible reason and decides to reinvent herself, new name, new city, cowgirl fantasy she's had since she was twelve. Could've easily been a thin "rich girl plays cowboy" story but it ends up being way more charming than that.

The best part honestly isn't the romance, it's the side cast. Her friend Joni, Joni's brother Jake, her aunt, the regulars at the local bar who take her mechanical-bull attempts way too seriously, this group is funnier and warmer than most romance side casts get to be. There's a whole training-montage arc with the bull that's genuinely fun and ends up tying back to her deeper anxiety in a way that felt earned.

The love interest situation is well done too. There's a wrong-guy option early on who's a walking red flag checklist (buys her stuff she didn't ask for, talks over her, assumes way too much), which makes the slow-burn real love interest land so much better by comparison, he's steady, a little gruff, tests her without being a jerk about it, and their chemistry builds nicely over shared work and cooking scenes rather than insta-love.

So all in all, this was a cozy, well-populated small town romance, with good slow burn.

[Suelibevg]

Have you ever wished you could re invent yourself as a another identity and in another location? With a hefty settlement in hand after an embarrassing and disastrous accident during an event, Carly decides to give herself a new name and moves from Toronto to Calgary to live with her aunt and become a cowgirl like she wanted to when she last visited at age 12.
Carly, now known as Georgia, has a 43 item checklist on how to become a cowgirl. She’s determined to change her life and meets Brady when she volunteers at his horse rescue farm. He sees city girl dabbling and doesn’t make it easy for her. After she breaks her arm and still tries her best doing the chores, they start to become friends.
I loved her awkwardness trying things for the first time, such as riding the bull for 8 seconds. Her determination is her strength. She befriends Joni, a gifted artist who embelishes clothing sold in her store. Georgia makes the town her own and changes lives, including her own. The progress graphic at the end of each chapter is a fun addition.
This was a fun read, Georgia is not shy and laughs at herself. She jumps into her transformation list with both feet. Highly recommended.

[Susan]

Confessions of a Wanna‑Be Cowgirl is an absolute delight. From the moment Georgia Blake Brooks decides to reinvent herself after a very public meltdown, I was hooked. Her “cowgirl glow‑up list” had me laughing, and honestly? I loved every chaotic step she took trying to become a “real cowgirl.”

The chicken battles are 100% accurate, I’ve had chickens, and yes, they absolutely do attack, so Henrietta’s attitude felt perfectly authentic. Biscuit the pony is adorable, and every scene with him adds a sweet charm to the story.

The two cowboys circling her like she’s a prize stallion? Fun, messy, and exactly the kind of small‑town shenanigans I enjoy. The romance stays in that “sweet heat” lane, and the emotional beats land without ever weighing the story down.

It’s a fast, fun read, and once I started, I didn’t want to stop. I really hope this becomes a series because I would happily return to Mountcrest for more.

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

[S. N. Brown]

Overall, the story sweet and cute. A girl gets to live out her childhood dream of becoming of a cowgirl, all while learning new skills and falling in love with handsome cowboys.
The book has some mild language as well as light spice prior to closed door scene.
I liked it, but wouldn't read it again.
Also, the book title claims comedy. I didn't laugh once. There wasn't anything funny, not even witty banter.

I found the characters to be pretty basic. There isn’t much growth or development, so I found it hard to really like them or root for their success. They felt too perfect, not messy or emotional like real people tend to be. Many of the characters felt a bit over-stereotyped and the relationships/friendships felt too quick.
The plot was predictable.

I received this as a free ebook from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[J]

A well written and captivating small-town romance read that is sure to please. Grant delivers in this laugh out loud romance. Our main character is Carly Brooks aka Georgia Blake Brooks. The opening line of "Carly Brooks died of humiliation—and Georgia Blake Brooks rose from the ashes..." is sure to entice any romance reader ready for humorous reinvention, found family, and small-town shenanigans. I absolutely adored this book and I'm already eager for more from Grant. The writing styles the characters (secondary were just as memorable and delightful) and storyline was amazing. I highly recommend!

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

[Grace]

MC: Georgia Blake Brooks - first person POV

This is book is so good, definitely going on my favorites shelf. I was invested in Georgia’s story and loved her earnest honesty in everything she did. The side characters had depth to them and it was great seeing her integrated into the community . There were a couple of steamy scenes towards the end. Since it was towards the end it made their relationship feel wholesome - like it actually developed because they get to know each other and not just based on physical attraction. Definitely a recommended read.

[Johanna]

'It only takes a champagne-bottle-to-the-head and a very public career implosion for me to trade Toronto for Mountcrest, Alberta—and reinvent myself as Georgia Blake Brooks.'

The characters were so very appealing and likeable and quirky and perfect together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Debdutch]

“Confessions of a Wanna Be Cowgirl” by Sylvia Grant

-A woman reinvents herself in a small town full of charm and quirks. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Hardworking and determined, she learns, stumbles, and grows along the way. The blend of romance, humor, and social media insight adds freshness.

A light, feel-good read about love, self-discovery, and starting over.

[DreadQueen CinnamonRoll]

I was instantly hooked in the first chapter, and I devoured this book! When Georgia's life falls apart, becoming a cowgirl in a small town once again becomes her goal. What she finds is everything her life was missing. With new besties, boys, and BABY BISCUIT, this book is the perfect cozy read anytime you need a pick me up.

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

[Heidi]

This book was just pure fun from start to finish! The humor, the flirtiness, and the small-town vibes made it such a cute and easy read. I loved the cowgirl-in-training energy and how the characters found both love and confidence along the way. It’s lighthearted, feel-good, and exactly the kind of story that leaves you smiling when you’re done.
If you need something sweet, funny, and just the right amount of flirty, Confessions of a Wanna Be Cowgirl definitely hits the bullseye.

[LA FITCH]

This is a fun story to read. Carly is an event planner in Toronto but after an accident with a following settlement she goes to Alberta to stay with her aunt and finally get to change her name to Georgia. Brady is a vet who runs a horse rescue where Georgia volunteers. Their HEA has a few twists and turns but they get there while having a lot of laughs. Don't miss this book.

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

[Shannon Binegar-Foster]

After a disastrous accident forcing her to escape her Event Planning, social media world, Carly heads out west, changes her name and fully embraces becoming a cowgirl. This has to be one of the funniest, heartfelt books I have read so far this year. I found it highly entertaining. Just the right amount of spice included. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.

[Sandy]

I enjoyed the story with great characters, painful and traumatic experiences, learning to get back in the saddle after falling down (i.e., not giving up in hard situations), fun times, learning new skills, things to laugh and cry about, not tolerating bad behavior, sweet moments with horses and humans too, and probably eventually completing one by one on the list.

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

[Nancy Lundrigan]

I enjoyed this book. It's a quick, easy read, with a feel good story. I like the views of social media it portrays, and I think alot of people would benefit from the authors take. It's a love story and a personal growth story with a message. Its not a "Tale of Two Cities" just some good whole some entertainment

[The Book Ssirren]

This book was so much fun to read! I had the best time packing up with Carly and heading out to become a cowgirl. I loved the small town, Henrietta and Biscuit for sure. Those they were funny, especially Henrietta lol. But when Carly is faced with two hot guys and a town that loves to gossip, what’s a girl to do? I laughed, and swooned, and just enjoyed the ride with Carly. A super fun romance

[Gracie Choi]

I couldn't stop reading this book! If you're looking for something fun, sweet, with a little bit of drama and a perfect amount of spice, this is your book. I loved the characters development, the progression of the story, everything! Also, I love aunt Sheila, she's the best!.

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

[Tammy]

I loved reading this book because the story did not concentrate on Georgia's love life first. It started with her reinventing herself after an embarrassing situation. Georgia makes friends first than finds love. This is a very special story.

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

[Melanie Purcell]

Georgia shows unexpected depth throughout the story despite the surface trappings. She and Brady make a charming and complementary couple. I love the secondary characters, especially Joni, Jake, and Biscuit.

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

[CozyDevourer]

This book had me smiling and laughing. Georgia takes a bad accident and turns it into an opportunity to discover who she truly is and what she is truly passionate about. The small town community and support shines throughout the story. A sweet read with a beautiful ending.

[JoAnna McGarvie]

fun 😁 and faboulous! I really enjoyed this book and all of Carley's adventures!! You won't be disappointed grab a copy and start in on this fun adventure!

[Kristin Jennings]

Super cute book! Loved this one!

[Tricia Robb]

Loved it

I loved the story. It was a fun story. The characters were so much fun to read about. I would definitely recommend it

[Mrs Irfan]

This book was written very well I love how people change without even realizing.i highly recommend it to everyone.

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