Bad News Cowboy

Copper Ridge #3

by Maisey Yates

Can the bad boy of Copper Ridge, Oregon, make good—and win the rodeo girl of his dreams?

Kate Garrett keeps life simple—working hard, riding her beloved horses, playing cards with her brothers. Lately, though, she feels a bit restless, especially when family friend Jack Monaghan is around. Sexy and shameless, Jack is the kind of trouble you don't tangle with unless you want your heart broken. Still, Kate could always use his help in learning how to lasso someone a little less high-risk…

Jack can't pinpoint the moment the Garrett brothers' little sister suddenly stopped seeming so…little. Now here he is, giving flirting tips to the one woman who needs zero help turning him on. Love's a game he's never wanted to play. But he'll have to hurry up and learn how before the best thing that ever entered his life rides right back out again…

*Bonus novella Shoulda Been a Cowboy included*

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Westerns, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook, Fiction

506 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 28, 2015

About the author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book.

Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.

She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.

Reviews

[Geri Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge sucker for this type of story: heroine falls for her older brothers' best friend. It's also set in a small town, which is another plus. Unfortunately, this was just okay for me. I should rate it lower but I loved Jack, so I'm giving it a generous three.

In this book, we have Kate who's the baby of the family. She's got two older brothers, Connor and Eli. Both of them are in a settled relationship with their significant others. Kate is feeling left behind. She doesn't really know what she wants or if she does, she's afraid of going after it. One of the things that she wants is Jack, her brothers' best friend.

Jack is considered a lucky bastard around Copper Ridge. He's charming and happy go lucky or so they think. Behind the laid attitude, is an astute mind. After retiring from the rodeo circuit he's made a name for himself as a horse breeder. After thinking of Kate as a little sister, Jack was unprepared for the attraction that flared between them. They both decided to explore their attraction but of course, things don't always go according to plan.

I really, really liked Jack. In fact, he's the reason why I kept on reading. Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with Kate. I get she has issues and that she didn't have a mother to guide her but come on! She spent the better part of the book being a bitch to everyone; to her brothers, their significant others, and most of all, she was a major bitch to Jack. I really don't feel the chemistry between them and Kate pushing Jack away got old quickly. I don't really mind this provided that there's a good reason behind it. But I just didn't find Kate's issues that compelling.


ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Bubu · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Do you know this feeling when a character just rubs you the wrong way? And when a certain writing style gives you a lot of time in the head of that person, it simply chafes?

I enjoyed the previous two books in this series very much, and although it's been a while, I wanted to carry on.

Now, Bad News Cowboy - again - is not a bad book. Jack Monaghan is a yummy hero. The secondary characters, mainly the ones from the previous two books, are engaging and supportive of the story. But Kate Garrett? Someone give me a baseball bat to hammer some sense into that girl.

She's a total contradiction. She grew up motherless, with a father who, after his wife left him, didn't care for his three children, and therefore was raised by her two, much older, brothers, Eli and Connor.

She is a 20-something-virgin, never even been kissed before, never wore a dress, never went on a date, ladida ladida. Jack, as Eli's and Connor's best friend, has seen and helped Kate grow up and they are sort of friends. The kind of 'one pulls the hair of the other, and the other always huffs and puffs' friendship. But a friendship, nonetheless, which is about to change when the book starts.

(Just a quick side note: When I write reviews, sentences like the one above always make me roll my eyes because I'm stating the obvious. One of the reasons why I so dislike giving more thorough summaries)

Oh well, let's get on with this. Their attraction leads to a night of passion and Jack makes it crystal clear to Kate that it's one night and one night only. Nothing more, nothing less. 'Oh, my' you may think, 'what a novel idea?'

Jack: 'Ahmagad, I just shagged my best friends' sister.
I'm dirty, unworthy, a bastard.
But, oh look, she wears a dress for her brother's wedding for the first time, and although I've been having a raging hard-on ever since that first night, my hard-on is even harder than a normal hard-on. It's a monster hard-on.
But I'm a bastard, born out of wedlock, and my own biological father says that my mother's side makes me unworthy. And though I'm over 30, have made something of myself, have two very good friends, I'm still hung-up on a father who's never been my father.
But because he's still my father, I have to let him get to me because it's what the author wants and then I have a reason to hate myself for touching Kate.'

I know all about hang-up's. Lord, don't I know it. But seriously? If you meet Nathan West, his father, even with my own warped thinking, I'd be able to see what he is, and simply move on. Especially, since his father has never been a real presence in his life. Who the fuck cares what your sperm donor thinks of you?

End of rant about Jack. I think. I may have not been able to understand this particular point, but otherwise, Jack is a cool guy. He needs some time and he gets it. (Again, stating the obvious, as they will have their HEA)

Anyway. Kate Garrett. Virgin. Inexperienced. And an idiot.

Kate: 'I'm totally cool with shagging him and finally loose my pesky virginity.
I'm so inexperienced but, see, I'm also very forward and know all the right moves.
Oh my God, he's so good. I'm a virgin but, oh my God, the orgasms.
And I've always secretly felt attracted to him but I only realise it now.
Fuck, he may have said it would be one night and one night only, but certainly that doesn't apply to me.
Why is he so mean to me?
I hate him because he stands by his word and it was only one night. How dare he???
Look, I'm wearing a dress and he gives me hot glares. Let's fuck in the barn.
Oh my, I don't know what to feel anymore.'

I could go on and on. This woman drove me bonkers with her immaturity. I loathe heroines who have been told that it would be one-night thing only, and then get pissed off when the man goes through with it. You've been told explicitly. Your anger has no place here. It's not justified. It may still hurt but don't drive me up the wall with your self-righteous and entitled anger.

I like Maisey Yates. As already mentioned, I enjoyed the two previous books. She gives her characters more depth than your average CR author. They actually think!!!



They consider their situation and try to find a solution. Not always the right ones, but hey, who wants perfect characters who always behave correctly? Well, I don't. Anyway, Ms. Yates lets you spend a lot of time with her characters

On the flip side, if you dislike a character - like I disliked Kate - then being in her head is almost torturous. To call her inconsistent would be nicely put.

And, of course, when one part goes on your nerves, you'll find other things that will go on your nerves. It's something that always happens to me. But here's the thing. I have yet to meet a man, who hasn't confessed his undying love yet and who says the following:

“When I came around the back of the barn and saw you,” he continued, “my heart about exploded."

Mind you, my first boyfriend was a philosophy-student and came up with all sorts of strange things, aka crap. But a man saying that? Nah. Just, nah!

There were other things that got on my nerves but my point is, if it hadn't been for Kate's characterisation, I would have found less things to pick on and given this book a higher rating. Just another example where one characters doesn't work for you, and more or less ruins the book.

All that being said, I'll continue with the series. Just please, pretty please, no more Kate Garretts.

[Renae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yates is a really good author, but this book perpetuates about 100 too many gendered myths about sexuality. I've never seen virginity fetishized at such a level, nor do I ever want to again.

A) virginity is a completely constructed concept that has no meaning.

B) the idea that women will always "imprint" on whatever man gives them their first orgasm is completely ridiculous.

C) the fact that Kate was explicitly told that she was engaging in a sex-only casual affair, caught feelings, and then was portrayed to be morally justified in being hurt and angry that Jack didn't suddenly change his mind—when he had been very clear all along—is bullshit. if you want to claim to be a mature woman capable of engaging in sex, don't expect the rules to get changed on your say-so.

D) relevant to the point above, rarely do people give you more of themself than they originally say they will. if a person says they can't give you love and commitment, they mean it. one should always operate under the premise that a person knows themself better than anyone, and that when they say they only have so much to give, they're being honest. (unless you're in a shitty romance novel, of course.)

E) I never ever ever want to read another iteration of the "best friend's sibling" trope where the older brother physically assaults his best friend for "defiling my baby sister."

In conclusion, the messages about sex being perpetuated in this book are fucked up.

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[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Kate and Jack’s story took me completely by surprise. For some reason, there was a part of me that expected not to love them as much as the other couples. In the previous books, she was the annoying little sister and he was the best friend that slept around. Turns out there was so much more to both of them. It was their undeniable chemistry, their silly banter and their strong sense of family that made me fall for them.

"You make it sound like women only want to listen to me because of my body. I'm more than just a pretty face."

Kate decides it’s time to make some changes, gain some independence. She’s hasn’t ever really taken any risks or put herself out there. Like joining the professional barrel racing circuit she’s dreamed about or even something as simple as flirting. That’s where Jack comes in.

"If you're going to flirt, you should flirt with me."

Jack has always been sort of like another big brother. Kate’s mom walked out when she was two, leaving Eli (Part Time Cowboy) and Connor (Brokedown Cowboy) to pick up the slack for their alcoholic father. Jack was the one to make sure she laughed. It was this shared connection and their funny jabs that made me giddy with excitement when Kate and Jack’s feelings for each other started to change.

What starts out sort of silly, Jack is going to teach Kate how to flirt, turns into something else altogether. Pretty quickly. It’s intense and incredibly hot and so fun to watch. But it’s much more than that. They just get one another on a level that most people wouldn’t understand.

“No, I don’t deserve you. Everyone here nows that. But I have you, and I’m so damn proud of that fact. And I’m going to do everything I can to be a man who’s worthy of you.”

There were so many great moments. Things I just wanted to reread over and over, like Sadie’s speech after walking down the aisle (YES! We get to see Eli and Sadie say 'I do!'), Connor’s advice to Kate and most of all was Jack's declaration. I loved every minute of him throughout this book, especially when he let his vulnerable side show. I love, love, love that he acknowledged his feelings for Kate first and that he just couldn’t control himself when she was around. Like I said, unexpected but in the best way.

*Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bad News Cowboy by Maisey Yates
Copper Ridge series #3. Contemporary western romance. Small town. Best friend’s sister / older brother’s best friend. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Kate Garrett was raised by her two brothers. Protected and innocent.
Jack Monaghan always thought of Kate as a little sister. Until he realizes she’s definitely a grown woman.
Both Kate and Jack have issues they need to deal with. Can they make a relationship work?

A favorite troupe when they’ve gone from friends to lovers but there are a lot of unknowns here and too many issues. I can handle the requisite third act break up but Kate puts up a lot of barriers and isn’t always nice about it.
Eventually they figure it out but it’s an emotional up and down relationship before they do.
3.0

Shoulda Been a Cowboy by Maisey Yates
Cooper Ridge series #0.5.
Jake Caldwell left the small town of Cooper Ridge for better opportunities. He’s back now to sell his father’s property and Cassie Ventimiglia isn’t going to wait this time to ask him out. Last time he disappeared, leaving town. This time Cassie wants more.

Cassie sees Jake as smart and he is surprised and flattered. He could have used the support back before he left but times change and his father isn’t the hard man he used to be.
A second chance romance with heartwarming connections are grown up reflections.
A great start to the series.
4.0

[Stacee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was definitely my favorite. I've loved Kate and Jack in all of the other books, so I was thrilled to get their story.

Kate and Jack both have some issues and their banter has always been fantastic. I enjoyed seeing them open up to each other and figure things out. Their story was mostly fluffy and adorable. The slight bit of angst didn't last too long and I really loved that we had to wait for things to get worked out.

Loved seeing Eli and Sadie and Connor and Liss. It was satisfying to see how everyone got their HEA.

**Huge thanks to HQN Books and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**

[♥ℳelody · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review up!* (finally)
4.5 stars


Kate Garrett



Jack Monaghan

She knew without a doubt there were more chapters of Jack to read. And she wanted to read them. To devour them. The craving for that knowledge was so strong she ached with it.

Oh this was delicious and sweet for so many reasons. Jack Monaghan I WANT TO MARRY YOU! Lawd Moses I can't tell you how much I adored this character. He's sex on a stick and his backstory makes you want to hug him and never evah let him go. I don't even know where to begin with this. Once again Yates supreme handling of prose, well evolved characters and adorable, fun, sexy as hell couple just pulls you right in. The wordplay and comedic timing? Flawless. I could picture these two so clearly, down to the scruff on Jack's face and Katie's ever present ponytail.

From the time she was a little girl, running wild through the fields until she couldn't breathe, until the wind tangled her hair into knots, Jack Monaghan had amassed a whole mountain's worth of admiration in her soul. When the world had been bleak, he'd made her smile. Simple as that. And no matter how hard she tried to fight it, he still held his claim on that turf in her soul.

She looked up at him, a smile curving her lips. And he knew right then and there he would never be able to pull on Kate Garrett's hair in that playful way he'd done for years without remembering this moment.

It didn't seem fair that a few stolen moments could obliterate years' worth of history, but he had a feeling it could. Could and had. Or maybe 'obliterate' was the wrong word. Maybe it was more like mixing two handfuls of sand. One that represented their past and one for this. Put them together in a jar, and you would never be able to separate the two again. They would be mixed forever.

I loved loved the dynamic between these two. Sexy 'playboy' Jack who nobody takes seriously but has so much to give and always puts himself last, and scrappy sassy tomboy Kate. I loved that Kate was the only one to see him for who he is and I really appreciated how annoyed she was on his behalf with how everyone (including his best friends) kept selling him short. I've always been a sucker for older brother's best friend falling for friend's sister and here it was no exception. It's trickier here cause once again, these two shared a lot of history. Jack was always a big presence in Kate's life since she was a little girl. I loved how his biggest purpose and presence in her life was to make her smile and laugh when there was nothing to smile about. To see them go from the easy layed back ribbing of each other to awkward tension and awareness of each other was marvelous.

He was the fox in the henhouse. But even knowing that didn't stop him from wanting to eat her.

"Life can be a bitch," she said, hating the strident tone that laced it's way through her voice.
"I've never much liked that characterization. In my estimation life is a lot more like a pissed-off bull. You hang on as long as you can, even though the ride is uncomfortable. No matter how bad it is on, you sure as hell don't want to get bucked off."

The hero and the couple get 5 stars without any hesitation. Why the 4.5 stars though? I was not happy with the blow up near the end and how Kate handled it. That was painful. It did not last long and when she finally realizes her true feelings and has her come to Jesus moment it was Hallelujur!

Everyone has fears and thankfully Kate got her head out of her ass quickly. BUT. But....I just could not understand or buy her reasonings behind why she ran off scared. Seemed really hallow. Her inner struggle and self-reflection to why she is the way she is seemed a little all over the place for me. First it was because of her not liking any change, then it was because of her mom leaving her and her dad being a dead beat drunk, then because she was scared of turning into her mom, then it was because she was scared of feeling anything, then she was just scared of any changes AGAIN (even though the whole point of her asking Jack for help to begin with was to change). My head was spinning trying to understand her POV in this, I get the scared part but the reasons behind it just lacked coherence for me. I just wasn't buying it. Given how open raw and vulnerable Jack was for her I wanted a little more groveling on her end. The reunion was nice and wonderful but I wanted a *little* more. From Kate specifically. It always bugs me when one half a pairing gives more and the other shuts off, and this was the case here. But they were still really adorable and I loved them.

Overall: Addictive, electric, fun, sexy, magical, delicious, stupendous. Seriously I can't say enough about this series or its author. I just recently discovered Yates and I'm so happy I did, she officially is on my author radar and she has her own shelf now too. I definitely recommend her. Her characters even with their flaws are just so damn likable and relatable, her writing is so unbelievably layered, meaningful, witty and sharp. I can't even count the number of quotes I kept pulling out that I found myself relating to personally in some way that it just floored me because it connected with something I'm feeling in real life or dealing with at the time. Like HOW DOES SHE DO THIS?! Seriously is she a magician? Psychic? Her ability to draw out and describe human emotions so effortlessly and in terms that just click with you as a reader on a personal level is not something every writer can do. So yes I am a Yates fan just for that alone, besides all the other fun things that come with it. :D

[Asheley T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This marks the last installment in the "Garrett Trilogy" portion of the Copper Ridge series. Eli, Connor, and Kate Garrett are siblings that practically raised each other after their mother left when they were really young and then their father died after turning to alcohol because he missed his wife. This is Kate's story and I've been looking forward to it.

Kate is the youngest sibling. Eli and Connor both raised her together while they were still too young to do so. This has left them all very close-knit, and it has left Kate with only the influence of young men in her life. She is fiery and independent, and she's a damn good barrel-racer. But she is awkward with all things men. At 23, she is not only a virgin still, but she has never had her first kiss. Jack Monaghan is her older brothers' BFF, having had an awful upbringing too. The siblings and Jack found that they had a lot in common, and they worked together to hold one another accountable and to make their respective ranches profitable. Even though these two don't want to admit it, they've both had crushes on one another for years. Jack has always been afraid to do anything about it for fear Eli and Connor would basically kill him for messing with their sister.

So here we have a brothers' best friend forbidden romance, and I LOVE forbidden romances. These two bicker and fuss back and forth so often that is was very clear to me that they were in love. It just took them a while to realize it for themselves. Once they did, I was very much on board with their romance, with all of its working parts and baggage. I flew thru this story. I couldn't stop reading.

I loved that Jack had a reputation around town that may-or-may-not be true. Kate sees him for who he really is, despite how other people look at him. They have a really sweet, really pure, and really stubborn romance and I loved it. There is a small part of their romance story that is a little bit annoying and angsty, involving Kate acting badly (in my opinion) toward Jack. I wish that part had not been included in the story, but I'm glad for the resolution of their angst and their HEA.

The BEST thing about this book and the ones that came before it is the way that all of the Garrett siblings continue to show up on the pages. So while I'm reading about the start of Jack and Kate, I'm getting these really great updates about Eli and Sadie (from Part Time Cowboy) and Connor and Liss (from Brokedown Cowboy). This book read so much like a book about family, and I couldn't have loved the ending more. All three couples are in such a healthy and great place as the book ends.

I'm excited to keep moving through the Copper Ridge series, but I'm a little sad that the next books won't focus as heavily on the Garrett family. I'm sure I'll grow to love the West family, but as of right now, the West family has notmade a good impression on me. We'll see how it goes as I move thru their books.

Moving chronologically forward, A Copper Ridge Christmas is the next part of the story. This is the second novella of the series and features Holly Fulton, who was a wedding planner for Eli and Sadie.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This link will go live on the 27th Got Fiction?

This is Kate's story, little sister to Eli and Connor (Part Time Cowboy and Brokedown Cowboy), and the super cool coolest thing of all? The prequel Shoulda Been a Cowboy is included at the end of the book!! (it's also free for kindle right now)

So in Kate's book, we see that she's tired of being treated like a kid. She's 23, ready to turn pro in barrel racing, and so sick of everyone thinking of her as Eli and Connor's little sister. Most especially by Jack.

Jack Monaghan is Eli and Connor's best friend, and since they all grew up together, he's basically been a permanent fixture in Kate Garrett's life. This book follows both the "Brother's best friend" trope, and the "friends to lovers" trope and I ate it up with a spoon!

Kate is irritable and grouchy, and being around Jack Monaghan just makes it worse. their easy camaraderie is nowhere to be found, and after a while, Kate realizes that her life needs to change. This prickly, irritable feeling she gets around Jack? It's attraction. She's completely in denial and once she figures it out, she realizes she's been lusting over him for a year or two now. Something else she realizes is that everyone around her is moving forward, and she's staying the same. She's stagnating, and it's because she's afraid. Kate Garrett, who laughs in the face of danger and runs head-long into a challenge, is afraid.

When she and Jack decide to hook up finally, they both decide it'll just be for sex. But of course, neither of them just want sex. They want more. While Jack is finally accepting of this fact, Kate is still in denial. And she's still afraid. Jack doesn't know what to do, but he's not about to give up on her, and even with her brothers standing in the way, she will have to face him sooner or later.

With a side plot that deals with Jack's father, a man who paid him off to keep quiet that he's his dad, the tension is amped up. I found myself really mad at this man, and really hoping to see more of these characters in the next few books, because I just found out that there will be THREE more Copper Ridge books!!!!! Next up is my favorite bar tender Ace, who I've unsuccessfully tried to convince Ms. Yates that he needs a heroine named Laurie ;P

Yates excels at character-driven plots, pulling the reader in, and making you feel everything the characters feels. I believe my exact thoughts upon finishing were, "Damn you Maisey Yates, and all these feelings you make me feel!"

So, take that as you will ;P

***ARC courtesy of HQN

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisey Yates is one of my favorite authors and she has hardly ever disappointed me with her books.

We have Kate, a strong, independent heroine who was pretty much brought up by her two protective brothers. Jack, her brother's best friend has been a constant in her life also. Jack's childhood wasn't a happy one, with a missing mother and he never knew who his Father was.

We begin the story with Kate becoming more "aware" of Jack, viewing him in a knew light and realizing that something was changing between them . Jack, noticing Kate treating him somewhat differently, not really sure what he's done and realizing she was important to him. The chemistry was evident between these two right away and the banter between them was witty and fun to read. These two come to realize that they are physically attracted to each other and Kate hasn't ever experienced this before. She's lived most of her life around men and is somewhat of a tomboy. Being brought up with two protective brothers she's pretty innocent and never been very curious or interested in the opposite sex until she started viewing Jack differently. Now as both Jack and Kate come to the realization that things are changing in their relationship and physical attraction is a strong pull for both, they take a risky step and decided to pursue this strong attraction.

I loved these two together. The dialogue, witty banter and very sizzling chemistry that jumps of the pages makes it a sweet and hot read. You are immersed into their world of self discovery and the emotions jump off the pages. The theme of family, which I love, is strong and heartfelt.

I highly recommend this read, happily.

Netgalley for an honest review.

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life, love, and rodeo come to life in this fantastic tale by Maisey Yates. She brings Copper Ridge to life in a big way, allowing readers an inside peek at what goes on deep inside the lives and minds of her characters. Building on what’s come before it in the series, she continues to develop her characters in such a manner that they pull at your heart and become part of your life, while at the same time, creating something magical.

Kate & Jack’s individual struggles with their pasts and where they come from add an element of complexity to their relationship that I wondered if they could ever overcome. Kate’s outlook on life is a thing to behold. She’s so gung-ho & all or nothing that you can’t miss her mark on the world. The reason behind it, however, simply broke my heart. This was directly contrasted by Jack’s n’er-do-well attitude that hid the hurt of where he came from. Surrounded by their friends and family, these two made a shockingly perfect couple who definitely deserve their happily ever after.

Yates has once again created a heartfelt novel that had me from beginning to end. It’s one of those romances that leaves you guessing, while knowing the characters must somehow achieve their HEA.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[*TANYA* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read. It was quick and entertaining.

[Sakura · Rating 4 out of 5]

:: 3.5-4 stars ::

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't planning on reading this one quite yet but decided I really wanted to read Jack and Kate's love story.

Out of all the books I've read from the Copper Ridge series this was my least favorite. I just wasn't as connected to this story or the characters like I was with Eli and Sadie, Connor and Liss, and finally Chase and Anna. It wasn't that it wasn't good because it was, but I just wasn't invested in their story and I was kind of disappointed by it. Just the other books were so good and I was so in love with those stories that my expectation is going to be so high for this series that I really expect to each and everyone in the series. That's the big thing for this one. I liked it but I didn't love it.

Again that has to do with my expectations especially in this book. I thought the plot was going to play out differently than I thought especially from the synopsis. The big one was where Jack was going to "teach" Kate to flirt so she could attract a man. I thought that was going to be played out throughout, and it wasn't or barely. It was one lesson and that was it Chase and Anna's lessons were longer and they had a shorter format to play it out. Here in this story it was a blip and kind of rushed them getting on earlier than I expected. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was drawn out a little more, increasing tension and anticipation between the two. It would have been fun to see that cat and mouse game. It would also been good that during these lesson he was just getting more more sucked in until they couldn't handle it anymore as they had their flirting lesson. That would have been fun and interesting. And with him seeing her as a woman for the first time as she went through her transformation would have been great too.

I found myself not quite connecting to the character of Kate in this book. I connected to her more in the other books than this one. It wasn't that I didn't like her, but at times her rough and tough attitude was a turn off. I understand the reason she acted the way she did, but it was still off putting. She didn't give me the warm and fuzzies even understanding her psychology, but I just wanted more if balance between her tough and vulnerable side. I wanted more vulnerability and softness.

Jack was hilarious and I absolutely adored him. I really felt his pain and how he hid it with his playboy image. Him I felt like I was open to and felt like I really saw him. He was a wise guy for sure but that was made him so fun. There was a perfect balance with his character. I had more of a connection to him than her.

They had lots of raw and sweaty sexy times together. They were good but at times I felt like that was all they were doing. Not that's a bad thing but I wanted a little bit more relationship building. There was but it was overshadowed by the sex I thought. In the other books it was a nice meshing between physical and emotional with each love scene getting them closer on an emotional level. And though Jack and Kate did get closer for awhile it just was about the physical stuff. Every time they were in the same room they were going at it like rabbits. Still the scenes were hot and sexy especially the latter ones. I think I liked the tent scene the best because it finally showed their closeness and intimacy while the others just seemed to be about pleasure and nothing more. They were worth reading at the time. No flipping through these scenes too quickly.

Overall I liked this book but didn't love it. I guess I can't love them all in this series. I just felt something was missing that I couldn't quite connect to it like the other stories. I really wanted to live it, but just didn't. I am probably not explaining it well, but just my experience wasn't what I was expecting so I was slightly disappointed so that took away my enjoyment a tad, but not fully. I am glad Jack and Kate got their happy ending in the end though. I am glad I read it and can't wait to read more books in this series that I am in love with.

[Nicole(thereadingrebel) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review

This is the second book I have read by Maisey Yates. I loved the first one to pieces so having won this series in a contest I couldn't wait to start it. While looking at the 3 books I found that book 3 had one of my favorite romance tropes sister in love with brother's best friend. So I just had to read book 3 first. I know some people see reading a series out of order as blaspheme(Mom yes I am talking about you)but if it's a romance series that doesn't have a plot line running throw the books then I have no problems with it but I am rambling so onto the review.

Kate Garret is a neck or nothing rider, independent, stubborn, loves her family, and hates being told what to do. My kinda heroine. She is very down to earth which is one of my favorite things about her character. As a kid her mother walked out on her and her 2 brothers(Conner and Eli)who ended up raising her and keeping the family ranch afloat after their father turned into a drunk. Jack has been around as long as Kate can remember. He was the one who always made her smile when life got hard as a kid. Jack has had a bad home life with a mother who didn't care and a father who left. He has always thought less of himself for those reasons. The only family Jack has ever known has been Conner, Eli, and Kate. Jack is such a swoon-worthy hero. He is my favorite kind of hero a bad boy with a big heart. Jack is a lot more complex then everyone even his closest friends Eli and Conner know.

I love how Kate and Jack both see that their relationship is changing but both don't want to admit it is attraction. Both having known each other for years I can understand why being attracted to each other would feel weird and be complicated. Jack and Kate have a bond that runs deep even before they ever felt the sparks of attraction. Yates did a great job showing how important Jack and Kate have always been to each other even when they didn't know it. I love the scenes were Jack and Kate were fighting their attraction as much as I loved the scenes where they were giving into it.

I loved how Jack and Kate make each other brave and willing to overcome their fears because of the other's love and support. So romantic. One of my favorite moments was when Jack and Kate were hanging out together and bared their souls to each other. I love declarations of love and Jack's made me swoon and cheer and smile. Hometown/Small Town romances are not what I usually read but I have one town that I want to visit again and again and that is Copper Ridge,Oregon. Maisey Yates is an amazing writer who creates complex characters you just fall in love with and rout for every step of the way. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves romance, bad boys, and cowboys.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Content Rating: Mature ages 17 and up

Heat Rating: Hot

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was easy to get into as I met these characters (which many already know if you read the previous books in the series, which I didn’t). But while we meet all these others it’s definitely focused on Kate and Jack (funny story, the show I’ve been watching has Kate and Jack as the main characters- I was reading this and then quit and started watching that show and was like whoa, that’s weird!).
Kate is 23 but she’s the youngest and the only girl. She’s not experienced with boys and has never had a lot of interest in pursuing them. Suddenly she starts finding herself being attracted to Jack. Jack is best friends with her brothers and has been around her whole life. And he can’t believe when he starts having feelings for her. And he’s the opposite of her as he has lots of experience as he was a bit of a playboy. They both think they can deny these feelings, but they really can’t.
I love that they came together, spending time together, when planning a charity event. Jack might come off a bit as the ‘bad boy’ but he’s not really. He’s really a stand up guy who wants to help people. But there’s this thing in him where he deny’s that, like he really thinks he’s not a good person. Luckily Kate knows he is a good person but she struggles to accept she could possibly have feelings for him.
The interactions between the two is great. While I do get annoyed when characters continue to deny attraction and keep pushing it away, I really did enjoy the banter of these two. And I appreciated that the author made sure to show us in each of their heads so we could understand them a little better.
So while romances might not always be my thing I did really enjoy this one a lot. The setting, the romance, the family, it was all fantastic and a lot of fun. I need to go back and start with the first book now!

You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah! So many feelings! This book just about ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped on it a few times. But it was so, so good.

I am so totally in love with Jack Monaghan. The fears he has, when trying to decide what to do about his physical attraction to Kate, in regards to his best friends, are heartrending. To grow up the black sheep of the entire community and have only these great guys as family has to be tough. Then to make a decision that could cause that friendship to fracture is incredible.

I appreciate that once that was put to Kate she understood. She wasn’t happy about some of the decisions Jack made due to his fears of losing his only family, but she did understand his point of view. Yet as much as I love Eli and Connor, there were a few times I wanted them to back up and think before they spoke.

The fears that Kate has been holding in her whole life made me cry like a baby. First when she admitted some of them to Jack; and later when she admitted some even deeper fears to herself and Connor. I truly think I spent the last 25% of this book in tears. Sometimes just running down my cheeks, sometimes out-and-out sobbing.

Full review of this book can be found at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...

[Roz ~ My Written Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisey keeps delivering the feels.

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the heck out of this series. Sexy and fun. Great family dynamics. Review to come

[Amy Lemmon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ohhh boy. I will say that some parts were likeable, Jack mostly, but the obsession with how she was a virgin before him was a little too much for me. She was twenty three but she acted like she was eighteen. Once you remove that part I find that the story was good though. If I ever see the other two in the series I’d be willing to give them a try.

[Brianna Pettey · Rating 5 out of 5]

ugh

i seriously hate how it is mandatory to do a review of the book. i just enjoy reading books, why must i do a book report after its kinda annoying

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

good cowboy story.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate is annoying, but Jack is GREAT.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully cheesy fluffy cowboy romance novel

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Arc provided by Publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review *

First Impression: Well-written, fast-paced, and beautifully characterized. All the earmarks of a fantastic and engrossing read.

Maisey Yates is one of my all time favorite romance authors. Her ability to tell a deep, enriching love story combined with her extraordinary talent for in-depth characterization has made her an auto-buy author for me for years. Because she’s proven time and time again, with both her category romances and her longer contemporary romances, that she is a master storyteller, capable of grabbing hold of my emotional heartstrings and taking them on an amazing journey with her characters. And that’s the case again with Bad News Cowboy, the third book in her Copper Ridge series.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher and when I sat down to read it, I found myself fully immersed in Kate and Jack’s story. I’d been waiting for their book forever it seems, but it was more than worth the wait. And I will fully admit, I’m a sucker for a friends to lovers, bad boy/good girl, brother’s best friend tale, and who doesn’t love a story where the heroine doesn’t know her own appeal and hasn’t fully come into her own yet? And throw in a hero who thinks he’s incapable and unworthy of love but also unable to stay away from the aforementioned heroine? Yeah, I’m in.

Bad News Cowboy was an excellent book. It’s long, but I was so drawn into the story and swept up alongside the characters that I didn’t even realize how long the book actually was until I was done. It’s such a fantastic, compelling read. I loved Kate from the start and I totally fell for Jack. He’s everything I love about a romance hero and then some. Strong, smart, caring, funny, but kind of a teasing smart-ass, too. And I loved how he was with Kate, both in wanting to protect her and keep her from getting hurt and in wanting to keep her at a distance because he’s feeling things he hasn’t felt before.

Kate is definitely someone I could root for, and that I would without a doubt befriend in real life. No pretenses, no false persona, she is who she is and she’s unapologetic about it. A bit of a stubborn tomboy on occasion because it’s her fall back and what she knows, but given that she was raised by two brothers, with Jack in tow, that’s understandable, as is her fear and resistance of change. Now, Jack. Jack is a guy I could totally fall for in real life. Yeah, on the surface, and thanks to past and his reputation as a ladies’ man, he seems like a bad risk, but underneath all that, the man is sharp, goal-oriented, and a genuinely kind and caring man. He’s also sexy as hell and the intensity surrounding him all but jumps off the page every time he’s on it. I adored him, and I loved his interactions with Kate, and the rest of the Garrett clan as well.

One thing I really loved about this book, besides the banter and passion, was the deep connection these two characters had with each other. They truly do bring out the best and the worst in each other because they see each other as no one else can see them, and that shows in innumerable ways throughout the story. They fight because they’re alike, in a lot of ways, but they also scare the crap out of each other, which causes them to say things they might not say to anyone else. I love that they shared this type of bond because it truly did show how perfect they were together, and it made for an incredibly enjoyable romantic read.

If you love small town romances between stubborn, prideful heroines and good men with bad but partially well-earned reputations who are working to prove themselves as more, I highly recommend reading Bad News Cowboy by Maisey Yates. It’s a beautiful, fun, extremely magnetic love story between two amazing, well-drawn, and easily likable characters. It’s a not-to-be-missed read for any Maisey Yates fan but also for any lover of small town cowboy romances, and it doesn’t matter that it’s the third book in a series because it’s a story that is fully capable of standing on its own. But for the record, I recommend reading the entire Copper Ridge series because every single book has been better than the last, and I’ve loved every single one. That is especially true for this one.

[Nancy Stopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars!! As with every other book in the Copper Ridge series, I found myself crying halfway through this book. The author has an undeniable ability to draw her readers into the stories and make them part of those stories, invested in those stories, and feeling right along with those characters in the stories. In all of the Copper Ridge books, the author creates complex characters and significant emotional situations, and this book is no different. We had met both Jack and Kate in previous books, and I thought I knew them, but I was wrong. There is so much to both of these characters that we didn't see, didn't learn, until the author dug into their

I loved Jack's transition. He has an amazing ability to be lighthearted and funny, and incredibly circumspect at the same time. Unlike many male characters in romance novels, Jack is the character who changes the rules - changes his feelings for Kate. And he also demonstrates an amazing ability to understand his circumstances, why he is the way that he is, and make decisions based on that information. He won't admit to it, but he's very self-aware, even if he doesn't realize it. I thought I liked him before in previous books, but I really fell in love with him myself in this book.

Kate is also a very complex character. She had seemed so straightforward to me in previous books - the tomboy youngest sister of two alpha men who had spent their lives raising her and protecting her. It was no surprise that she was a tomboy. But as the author peels back the onion that is Kate, we see that she is so much more. She is a tomboy because its easy - and safe. It's what she knows and she has spent her life trying not to change things, thinking change was a risk for hurt. She also demonstrates a need to control what is happening around her and her need for control and her fear of change have created an environment where she's stuck in neutral.

What I find interesting is that I knew I would like this book before I read it - I've LOVED every other Copper Ridge book from Maisey Yates. But, when I started reading this book, I felt a bit, well, discombobulated. I wasn't feeling a connection to the characters or the story. But, that's how the characters were feeling towards each other - they were just beginning to realize their brotherly / sisterly feelings towards each other were changing. And the characters were feeling discombobulated (don't you love that word) - and I think the author did such a fantastic job of conveying the characters feelings that they became my feelings. It was almost as though I wasn't enjoying the feeling the book was giving me at the beginning - but I knew it would be good, so I powered through until I found myself turning the pages faster and faster, trying to experience Jack and Kate's relationship as fast as possible. The author has this ability to bring the reader into her stories to live alongside her characters and I really felt that in this book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

After reading Eli's and Connor's stories, I was pretty excited to read the story of the last Garrett sibling. The set-up is promising: Jack is the bad boy womanizer who never wanted to settle down. He is the best friend of Eli and Connor, and in that sense he knows Kate since she was practically a child. Meanwhile, Kate, being brought up by two brothers, is the tomboy. She is feisty, strong-headed, and definitely not the 'feminine' kind. I wonder how it would turn out -- how Jack finally saw that Kate in a different light.

Unfortunately, I was having a bit of difficulty to fully invested in Jack and Kate as a couple. I think my biggest issue was Kate herself. I just thought that she was way too prickly in here. I kind of get the idea -- she has never been attracted with guys before. Kate spent most of her life around men, with two protective brothers as well as Jack. She knows to talk like a man but not necessarily to deal with them as an opposite sex. It made her quite innocent in the 'game'. Her new attraction towards Jack made Kate restless, but in that restlessness it made her lashed out on Jack, and THAT I found hard to connect with. I didn't see their dialogs as witty amusing banters; instead, I found myself being annoyed few times with how Kate snapped on Jack.

It was quite unbalanced because at the same time, I did like Jack. Yes, he was the bad boy, the one who refused to settle down, the one who breaks heart of many women. But reading more about Jack's inner thoughts, it was easy to see Jack differently. His own father dismissed him and his mother, and Jack has been clinging to his friendship with Eli and Connor as a replacement for the family he yearned the most. Heck, this guy was willing to get involved with the charity event to help abused wives! There was so much of Jack than what he was shown outside. And it made me really pissed off that NOBODY championed for him. That even Liss, who claimed that she loved Jack as a brother, saw him as bad news for Kate. This guy bare his heart and soul first, people!!

In overall, I still liked it, but not as much as I did the first two.




The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.

[What Makes Patri · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club, to know more about this book, go to the post in our website:

Bad News Cowboy (Copper Ridge #3) by Maisey Yates

If you are interested, you can visit our website:

The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club

The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club's Review:

Rate: 4 stars

Review:

Maisey Yates' Copper Ridge series are always a fantastic read to me and Bad News Cowboy was not the exception. This book not only was another expected read for me due to the fact that it was Kate and Jack's story but because it's a story of falling in love with your best friend and not knowing when that happen and what to do with these new feelings.

I liked the characters in this story from the previous Copper Ridge's books and even when reading about other couples I knew these two had problems to deal with. Kate's what you would call a tomboy. She hasn't had a feminine model while growing up, so some things have been missing for her. She's afraid of changes and what that implies due to her past. Jack, on the other hand, is not only afraid for his new-found feelings for Katie and what her brothers would do to him, but he's also afraid that he's not good enough for a sweet girl like Kate.

These two characters are so lost without them knowing that from the very start you liked them. You are the witness of when their attraction starts to become unbearable and when Jack realizes that what he's feeling for Kate is not his usual brotherly friendship.

But what I liked most about this story was the fact that these two fall in love with their best friend and end up being brave enough to overcome their respective fears and fight for what they want.

Moreover, it was nice to see all the characters in the Copper Ridge series getting their well-deserved happy ending.

**I received this book in exchange of an honest review. Being part of the blog tour for Bad News Cowboy has not affected my opinion in any way. Thanks to CBB Book Promotions and HQN Books for allowing me to read this amazing story.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as with ‘Brokedown Cowboy’, I was hooked to ‘Bad News Cowboy’ from the very beginning. I just love books about cowboys, country life and falling in love, and this book was all that. This book is about the Garett brothers’ little sister Kate. Kate is in her twenties and has always been protected and cared for by her two big brothers and their best friend Jack. Now Kate is trying to figure out what she wants with her life, but change is really hard for her.

Kate is definitely not your average twenty three year old woman. She never wears make-up, she doesn’t even remember when she wore a dress for the last time, she works hard and spends her days with her horse and playing poker with her brothers and their wives. Kate really didn’t think much about love and guys. But somehow that is changing.
I really loved Kate’s character. I loved how ‘original’ she was and how she learned about her feelings. I especially enjoyed how she interacted with Jack. It really made me laugh at times.

Jack seems to be this fun-only, and a new-woman-everyday kind of guy. But that’s not all he is. Jack has had a hard life, being disappointed by the people who should love him the most. Now he is angry all the time and just tries to forget. But Jack was has always helped taking care of his best- friends little sister Kate, and this is something he still really wants to do. But somehow he can’t look at her the way he always did.

The romance between Kate and Jack is just really addicting to read about. There are so many reasons why Kate and Jack are not suited for each other, but still I was really rooting for them. I remember reading about Kate and Jack in ‘Brokedown Cowboy’, and hoping there would be more coming for them. And boy did Maisey Yates her me. Because this book is just really sexy and above all toe curling romantic.

What I love most about the Copper Ridge series, is the way these books are about the same town and the same family. But most of all I like they can totally be read as a standalone. I never read the first book in this series, but I really don’t feel like I haven’t got all the information. I really want to read the first book sometimes, but it’s not necessary to understand the following books.

This book was just great and I can’t wait to read more books by Maisey Yates. I really recommend this book and the series.

[Njkinny (Njkinny's Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bad News Cowboy by Maisey Yates is the third book in this series but the first that I have read both in this series and by the author. The cover is beautiful and eye catching and it was this that first attracted me towards this book. The blurb again is interesting and had me wanting to read the book.

Although, this one is the third book in a series but still it can be read as a standalone.

The author's writing style is engaging and she managed to hook me in the story. The characters are believable and the scenarios realistic. The story is medium paced and gives ample time for the characters to develop.

I loved Kate who is strong, independent and stubborn. She is free-spirited without any pretension and had me wanting to be friends with her. Jack played the whole the scarred, hurt and angry with life cowboy who, although being good at heart is only known as a Casanova who uses and throws women at whim. The attraction between these two developed slowly and while it appealed to me because of its intensity and truthfulness of emotion, it also irritated and frustrated me at times. Maybe because I have never understood people's fear of forming love relationships and their preference to shallow physical ones. Here both Kate and Jack love each other and are perfect for each other but still only comfortable with sex and ready to run at the first mention of love!

The other characters like Kate's family are interesting people and intrigued me enough that I plan to read their stories too.

While I loved the story and was entertained, a few things felt incomplete like no closure was given to Jack's father's issue and no satisfactory closure given to the rift with his mother. I thought maybe his family angle would close but it didn't. Maybe I'll get to read about its end in the future books because I am truly eager to see how it all pans out.

All in all, Bad News Cowboy is an entertaining cowboy romance with complex characters but a lovely struggle. 4 out of 5 to it from me and recommended to romance lovers above the age of eighteen.

I received an ARC from the author and the tour organizers and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.