Tempt Me, Cowboy

Coyote Creek Ranch #1

by Clare Connelly

Escape to the rugged beauty of Northern Arizona in this captivating new Western romance series. Perfect for fans of Elsie Silver and Lyla Sage, this sexy, emotional story introduces the men of Coyote Creek Ranch - cowboys as wild and loyal as the untamed land they fight to protect.


Beth Tasker desperately needs a fresh start after escaping an abusive marriage. Taking a bookkeeping job at Coyote Creek Ranch is her last chance at stability, even though ranch life was never her dream. Hiding from a past she can't outrun, she has no intention of letting anyone - especially a brooding cowboy - break down the walls she's built around her heart.

Cole Donovan has spent his life fixing problems, and right now the ranch's financial troubles demand all his focus. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with the mysterious new bookkeeper. But Beth is a puzzle he can't ignore, and the more he tries to keep his distance, the harder it becomes to resist the quiet strength and hidden pain he sees in her eyes.

She's running from her past. He's chasing something he can't name. Under the vast desert sky of Arizona, love has a way of taking the reins whether they're ready or not.

This contemporary Western romance delivers everything readers a strong heroine finding her courage, a protective hero with a heart of gold, steamy chemistry, emotional depth and the promise of healing through love. Start the Coyote Creek Ranch series today and discover why Clare Connelly's first foray into Western romance is already capturing hearts.

Genres: Romance, Westerns

Audible Audio

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

There is more than one author with this name.

For the romance and Harlequin author see:
Clare Connelly

Reviews

[❋ Booked Out Today ❋ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempt Me, Cowboy by Clare Connelly
★★★★★

I read this so quickly. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I’ve read one cowboy romance book and despised it. I’ve been turned off cowboy romance books since but this read has saved this genre for me.

I loved the connection between Beth and Cole was slow and then explosive. It never felt forced. They had high moments of passion that brought all the spice. There was a perfect balance between the main characters and the side characters.

The ending of the book was a little light. But I love how it didn’t take usual approach of a super happy ever after and it had more of an open ending. It got interesting right in the last few pages as a sat on the edge of my bed wondering if this couple was going to make it to the end. Overall a well-done cowboy romance read that didn’t disappoint. Also my top read for March!

◦: key tropes :◦
✧ Small Town Romance
✧ Boss x Employee
✧ Forced Proximity

[BookishlyMorgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADORED THIS

found family ✅
depth ✅
cowboy x city girl ✅

I need a book about everyone on the ranch asap

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
I had such a good time reading this! I’m a sucker for a cowboy romance and Cole was the perfect mix of grumpy and sweet. I loved watching Beth work through her trauma and find herself again at the ranch, as well as seeing her fall in love with Cole. The side characters were all so fun, the banter was immaculate and I can’t wait to continue this series! Also CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE SCENE ON TOP OF THE HORSE BC 🥵

[Céloise]

Um…help? Why can’t I find this on kindle? Says it’s out today… 🤷🏻‍♀️ Sounds so good, too 😭

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Save a horse - Grumpy cowboy x sunshine city girl, you know I love to read it

I liked the overall vibe of the book, it just wasn't my favourite in terms of her writing and the shallowness of the characters and their development. For such heavy topics (abusive ex husband, who has died? and the hardships of farm life) it didn't really hit at times

I loved that it was an Australian Author! However, the book was screaming Americanisation when I was reading, that I had to reeeealy attempt to picture the Australian Outback at times - even the language

Overall, a cute read after the emotional turmoil that was the Nightingale...

[melodie | readingwithmelodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was fun!! i wish there was a bit more substance to the romance and that the side plots were a bit more fleshed out but overall i enjoyed it! (plus cowboy romances >>>)

[Brea Wooster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Consider me officially tempted by the cowboy 🤠

This was such a fun read, and I was hooked from the very beginning. I absolutely loved the premise, a city girl escaping her past and starting fresh on a small town ranch, adjusting to a completely different way of life.

The found family aspect was easily my favourite part of the story. The ranch setting was so charming, and the side characters added so much heart and personality that they made the world feel incredibly alive.

After learning more about Beth’s past, I was hoping for a slower burn with a little more tension between the romance, but I still really enjoyed their journey together. Overall, this was an entertaining read, and I’m already looking forward to picking up the next book in the series!

[Taylah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
2🌶️

I didn’t know how much I needed a cowboy romance. I enjoyed this but the pacing felt a little off to me, and I wanted a bit more character exploration

[Amber]

Not feeling this one.... the inner monologue of the FMC is a bit too repetitive for my liking. We get it, you're attracted to this guys body!

[Alycia Morrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ consider me tempted by the cowboy.

This was bad but also surprisingly had me hooked. A little insta-lovey, cheesy and cringey - but I had a great time.

[Jayde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little cheesy? Absolutely! But it was exactly the kind of cheesy I love. Bring on the next book whenever it decides to make an appearance!

[Via · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

Beth is in desperate need of a new start after escaping her abusive husband. As she takes a bookkeeping job at Coyote Creek Ranch, she realises she’s hiding from a past she can’t outrun. Cole has spent his life fixing problems alone, and the ranch’s financial troubles are no exception. He knows he shouldn’t get tangled up with the new bookkeeper but he can’t resist her mysterious and guarded front.

✨ review ✨
This was a fun read, but I was more invested at the start of the story. Then the rest of it just felt like two horny people going at it like rabbits whilst they both are in severe denial about their feelings towards one another. There’s a lot of characters due to the MMC having a large family but I don’t think it was done in a way Elsie Silver’s is because I didn’t remember who was who and their involvement felt unnecessary. It’s also almost 500 pages long, and it really didn’t need to be. But I guess if your idea of a good read involves two people going at it on top of a horse then go for it!

genre: cowboy romance

thank you so much to Mills & Boon ANZ for this arc copy 🫶🏼

[Ashess.Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the concept of this story: a city girl escaping her past and an abusive marriage to start over on a small-town ranch and experience a completely different way of life as she begins to heal. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the ranch and the surrounding land, and it was lovely getting to know the other people who lived there.

However, I did find the romance a little rushed and somewhat repetitive. The story frequently returned to the point that she would be leaving in three months, which was mentioned quite often and started to feel a bit overemphasised.

[D]

dnf @61%
It got repetitive, and that whole insta-love things just didn't work

[Sasha (sashasbookshelf) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book (local author, cowboy romance, etc etc) but… I’m disappointed you guys😭 this just did not hit the way I had hoped.

I’ll start with the aspects I did like. It had super cute found family vibes, I really enjoyed Beth’s connection with Mack and Mack’s relationship with the family. And there were aspects I liked about the way the author handled Beth’s past too, and the fact that she reconnected with her SIL at the end. (Even though I kind of felt like the SIL was a bit of a pointless character… I digress)

The more I think about this story the more I realise it was just… underwhelming. Beth and Cole’s relationship felt shallow and unrealistic. And Beth was honestly just getting on my nerves. If that girl would have just said what she was thinking right off the bat at ANY point in this book, it would have been half the length. I guess she always got to the point eventually, but it was like the miscommunication trope in microdoses. Like, EVERY conversation the main characters had involved some sort of hesitation that caused an unnecessary dramatic reaction, an argument, and then an eventual resolution when she would finally just say the damn thing (all in one conversation) and it was exhausting.

The world building/setting etc was pretty underdeveloped too. The classic case of telling instead of showing. We were told so many times just how “beautiful” the land is, but there’s still no image in my mind of what it looks like. I just know it’s apparently supposed to be beautiful🤷🏼‍♀️

I could go on but tbh I don’t even really care to. I don’t know whether I’ll read book 2 or not, we’ll see I suppose.

Thank you to Harlequin Australia for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review🫶🏼

[Ajla Obic · Rating 4 out of 5]

only one bed? ❌ only one horse?🙂‍↕️ I absolutely adored this book. Clare is an Australian author, but the American small town ranch setting felt authentic. It had depth & a decent plot, so it wasn’t just romance/spice; & it was sweet, charming, fast-paced, heartwarming, & emotional. I didn’t expect to shed as many tears as I did🤧❤️‍🩹 the characters’ trauma was handled with care & written well. Im so glad this is part of a series because I fell in love with the characters of Coyote Creek Ranch & need more!

Beth is a DV victim & survivor, so she’s very skittish, reserved, & quiet at first. However, her growth was admirable & she blossoms into a strong, sassy, kind, confident, happy & outgoing woman. Cole is swoony, charming, protective, perceptive, hardworking, & a little grumpy & closed off (& emotionally unavailable🙄). But I loved how gentle he was with Beth.

The slow-burn was burning & the spice was spicing (definitely did NOT expect it😳). Their actions frustrated me towards the end, but I love a story with high emotional stakes so I actually enjoyed the third act breakup😅 their “will they, won’t they” dynamic + palpable tension had me binging this book & yelling at them to just get together already!

Tropes:
🐎Cowboy romance
💗Small town mmc x city girl
🐎Workplace romance
💗Boss x employee
🐎Found family
💗opposites attract
🐎 forced proximity

Thank you to Mills and Boon for this arc💗

[kindleandkettle · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Tempt Me, Cowboy is an opposites attract, cowboy romance it is also full on the emotion.

Beth Tasker has recently lost her husband and needs a fresh start. Not because she is grieving, but because she is finally free of his abuse. Beth accepts a temporary position as a bookkeeper at Coyote Creek Ranch, which is about as far from her past life in New York as you can get.
Cole Donovan is the eldest of the Donovan brothers and Beth’s new boss.

While Cole is the grump you would expect him to be, he is extremely perceptive of Beth from their initial meeting. Cole is so caring of not only Beth, but also his family…carrying his own burdensome secret.

I absolutely adored everything about this book. While the main focus is on Cole and Beth’s story, I found so much pleasure in reading about the entire Donovan family (traditional and found). The story is spicy but it is nicely balanced with the plot.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series and I’m hoping it’s Beau & Ash’s story.

Thank you to Mills and Boon Australia and Romance ANZ for gifting me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[BookBoundKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Another cowboy romance series that I'm going to inhale as each one comes out! This was so much fun but also surprisingly deep. This handled a past with domestic violence well whilst also giving us an amazing family at the ranch. I really enjoyed this and finished it in two sittings. I cannot wait to read about the rest of the siblings as the books come out. My one cringe throughout the book was a comparison to 'This is what it would look like if i fed it into an AI prompt' < that's not word for word but the several mentions of AI prompts made me physically cringe. Still really enjoyed this though!
Character rating - 4.5.
Plot rating - 4.5.
Setting rating - 5.

[Lucie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Beth & Cole were such an unlikely pair but somehow they just worked.

Beth’s marriage ended 3 months ago and to help her move on she decides to uproot her life and take a maternity leave bookkeeping contract at Coyote Creek Ranch aka the furthered place from NYC. Here she meets the ranch owner, Cole who is struggling with the passings of both his parents. Together they might just be able to help each other through the ruts they have found themselves in.

This was such a sweet story and had me cooing over the MCs. The perfect amount of spice to plot. Can’t wait for Beaus story next.

[Bianca Rose (Belladonnabooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply adored this slow burn cowboy romance. It had such a perfect blend of heat and chemistry. Broody, protective cowboy Cole and beautiful Beth who moves to Coyote Creek Ranch to heal and rebuild her life.

🤠Small town, ranch setting.
🤠Slow burn
🤠Beautiful aesthetics.
🤠Fresh start vibes/starting over.
🤠Tender, cowboy softie.

Thank you so much to Penguin Books Australia or my gorgeous proof!

I adored this one!

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m deep in my cowboy era and I don’t see a way out anytime soon.

I don’t know what kind of secret sauce this book has, but I absolutely devoured it.

Beth and Cole’s journey felt so raw and real, watching them work through everything to finally admit their feelings? Painful but necessary. The depth surprised me, the spice delivered, and the found family element had my heart 🥹

All set on a farm in Arizona, which just made me want to pack my bags immediately.

I already need more of the Donovan family.

[Clementine Waddington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable love storey, but I absolutely ate it up!!!! So well written i flew through it. It never dragged and it was always engaging. I was so invested, loved every second

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like this at all and it was a mix of the audio but also the wording and the pace, the characters were referred to as “AI cowboys” 10 times

[Chloe Beaumont · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Predictable & a little Cheesy but it was everything you need in a cute little cowboy romance

[gracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

💘cowboy romance
🐴grumpy MMC x guarded FMC
💘small town & ranch setting
🐴found family
💘dual POV
🐴healing through love

This was such a cute and swoon-worthy cowboy romance—I really enjoyed it.

The story had a nice emotional depth, especially with the FMC’s backstory, which was genuinely heartbreaking, but I loved seeing her growth and strength as the book progressed. Her journey toward healing felt meaningful and added a lot to the romance.

The MMC was exactly what you want in a cowboy romance—steady, caring, and quietly protective—and their relationship developed in a really satisfying way.

The found family aspect was also a highlight and gave the story a warm, comforting feel that balanced out the heavier themes.

Overall, it was an engaging and heartfelt read, and I’m definitely excited to continue with the rest of the series.

A big thank you to Romance AU for a physical copy!

[Bel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow burn my ass, that was a fast burn 🤷‍♀️

[Kelly Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If cowboy romance were a personality trait, it would be listed on my birth certificate at this point. I’ve read so many that I’m convinced boots, broodiness and emotional repression are just part of my DNA now… and somehow, it still never gets old.

This first book in the Coyote Creek Ranch series by Clare Connelly absolutely hit the sweet spot for me.

Beth Tasker is a heroine you can’t help but root for. She’s walked through emotional and physical abuse and is just trying to survive, rebuild, and stay invisible. Taking a bookkeeping job at Coyote Creek Ranch is supposed to be practical — not life-changing. I loved how her trauma was handled with care. It never felt exploitative or glossed over. Instead, we see her strength in the quietest, most powerful ways.

And then we have Cole Donovan.
Our grumpy, problem-fixing cowboy who rides in like he’s about to save the day… except he’s also a bit of a buffoon. And I say that with love. He means well, but the poor guy has some difficulty in the emotion department.

Now listen.... I enjoy a spicy cowboy romp as much as the next reader. Give me boots, a barn and some tension and I’m happy. But I need plot with my spice. I need emotional stakes. I need depth. This book serves both.

This is a slow-burn story where the final 15% carries a surge of emotional momentum, and that careful pacing feels exactly right, anything faster would have done a disservice to the weight of the characters’ experiences. Buckle up.

Also, can we take a moment for the horseback scene? My. Gosh. There is just something about a man on a horse in a Western romance that should honestly come with a warning label. I nearly combusted.

What also impressed me was the authenticity. As an Aussie author writing a Northern Arizona ranch setting, Clare Connelly absolutely nailed it. Nothing felt out of place or inauthentic. You can tell the research was done.

At its heart, this is a story about courage, healing, trust, and choosing love after survival. This is a good old-fashioned cowboy romance: rugged, heartfelt, and deeply satisfying. And yes… I will absolutely be continuing this series. 🤠

Thank you to the author, Emblaze and NetGalley for an eARC, all opinions are my own.

[Jess | books.with.jesss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Harper Collins Australia for the gifted physical copy in exchange for an honest review!

Unputdownable, romantic and insightful.

Beth Tasker is in desperate need of a break from everything after her abusive husband died in an accident. With no thoughts but escape, Beth picks up a job working as a bookkeeper at Coyote Creek Ranch where the rugged landscape is a welcome reprieve.

Beth has no plans on getting into a relationship anytime soon, needing time to herself. But she doesn’t anticipate the instant attraction to Cole Donovan - the man who runs the ranch and is every part the handsome cowboy you’d expect. Starting something with her boss definitely isn’t something she should be doing, especially not after attending her late husband’s funeral only months prior. But maybe a fling is exactly what she needs to come back to the woman she was before she tied the knot.

Cole is barely able to keep his head over water with the financial troubles that are drowning the ranch. So starting something with the new bookkeeper is definitely off the cards. Especially when she jumps at every little sound and is clearly hiding something. But love often doesn’t wait until you’re ready, it barges in on your life and demands your attention. And Cole’s always had a soft spot for fixing people so why should Beth be any different?

This was such a beautiful romance that tackled many difficult and sensitive topics - from abusive relationships to parents deaths. It was definitely eye-opening and emotional at parts, but I feel like Clare was able to write it with the care and love it deserved.

I loved how Beth was able to let her hair down at the ranch and slowly find her way back to herself - the found family with Cole, his brothers and the community was so sweet and I found myself wanting to be on the ranch, soaking up all the good times and laughter. I’m so keen for Beau’s book and I hope Beth and Cole feature!

Perfect for fans of a cowboy romance full of spice, deep conversations and staying true to yourself, no matter how hard it may be!

[Madi ✨️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Emblaze for the eARC & the publisher for the gifted physical ARC. All opinions are my own.

Overall, I did enjoy the book, however there were some things I felt didn’t quite hit the mark for me. One thing in particular I really disliked was things that were too attractive/pretty (i.e Cole, the landscape & so on) being referenced to as looking “AI-generated”. I am an avid AI hater & this immediately took me out of the story and left me feeling a bit put off, even though I could, to a certain extent, understand that it was likely trying to reference them as looking “unreal” or “too good to be true”. I think there could have been a better way to describe them though & this is where the deduction of my rating mainly stemmed from.

This was a pretty textbook Western-based romance with a city girl x grumpy cowboy, however the exploration around Beth, her previous relationship trauma & the unravelling she has to do from it was mindfully handled. It was nice to see her slowly come out of her shell. Cole carries the burden of his parents deaths & the ranch finances on his shoulders, and his lack of willingness to offload this to his family (for most of the book) meant that things ultimately led to an inevitable third act break up (which I’m not a fan of, but can understand why it happens). I do understand to an extent why they both failed to be open and honest about what they were, but it was no less frustrating to witness. Elsie also personally really frustrated me (despite her ultimate apology) because whilst I understand the part her grief played into what she said, she was pretty demeaning to the ranch/Cole for no reason other than being a stuck up rich chick.

The side characters were definitely a win for this book & I’m keen to see where their books take them in the future.

At the end of the day, I’m very grateful to have been to add another Aussie author to my read list!

[ThianeJansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Round up to 2.75✨

Beth escapes New York after a traumatising marriage and finds herself at Coyote Creek Ranch, trying to rebuild her life and figure out who she is again.

Cole, the gruff, protective cowboy who becomes her boss, is carrying his own weight : family responsibility, pressure, and a tendency to keep everything locked down.

What follows is a small town, cowboy romance built around healing, found family, and two people trying to navigate their own baggage while finding something in each other.

✨ Tropes & vibes
🤠 cowboy x city girl
🏡 small town / ranch life
💼 boss x employee
💔 trauma & healing
👨‍👩‍👧 found family
🔥 forced proximity
💞 opposites attract
🐴 one horse

This was an easy, enjoyable read that leans into emotional themes while still keeping things pretty accessible.

I really liked Beth’s backstory and the way her trauma was handled, you can feel how much it’s shaped her, especially in how cautious and withdrawn she is at the beginning. Watching her slowly find her footing again was probably the strongest part of the book for me.

Cole fits that classic gruff but protective cowboy role, and I did enjoy the softer side of him, especially in how he shows up for Beth.

The found family aspect also really worked! Theranch and side characters added a lot of warmth, and I can absolutely see why people are excited to continue with the series.

That said… I think this is a book I liked, but didn’t love and it really comes down to the romance.

It leans quite heavily into insta-love, and for me, that is just a trope I struggle to enjoy. With Beth’s backstory especially, I really needed more time, more depth, more build-up in their relationship.

If this had been a true slow burn, where we really sat in the tension, the healing, and the emotional growth between them… I honestly think I would have loved this. Like frothed it.

✨ overall
This is a solid, spicy and emotional cowboy romance with strong themes of healing and found family.

If you enjoy:
🐴 spicy small town cowboy vibes
🐴emotional but easy reads
🐴found family dynamics

you’ll probably really enjoy this.

For me, it just needed a slower, deeper romance to fully land.