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The Unexpected Cowboy
A small-town cowboy romance filled with heat, heart, and hard-won love.
Francina Brown came to Sunset Springs, Texas, for a wedding and the holidays—not to fall for a cowboy with a dangerous smile and a habit of saying exactly what she’s trying not to hear.
Travis Garland came home to Texas to rebuild his life, take a job at Stanley Ranch, and finally put distance between himself and the Windgate name—a family legacy rooted in cruelty, entitlement, and violence. Love wasn’t part of the plan.
Then Francina walked into the ranch kitchen.
She’s brilliant, guarded, and heading back to New York. He’s steady, relentless, and determined to prove that sometimes the right man shows up where you least expect him. Travis gives himself six days to make her fall in love—but neither of them expects how fast attraction turns into something deeper… and how dangerous it becomes when old enemies refuse to let the past stay buried.
As Francina becomes entangled in a brutal investigation involving missing and murdered women, the line between professional duty and personal risk disappears. When the Windgate brothers escalate from sabotage to terror, love is no longer just an emotional gamble—it’s a matter of survival.
The Unexpected Cowboy is a powerful blend of contemporary romance and romantic suspense, exploring race, trust, family, and what it means to choose love when walking away feels safer.
💔🔥 Tropes you’ll Small-town cowboy romanceHe-falls-firstForced proximityInterracial romanceFound familyRomantic suspenseStrong, professional heroineProtective heroFor readers who love emotionally grounded romances with high stakes, unforgettable chemistry, and a happily-ever-after that’s truly earned.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I did NOT expect this book to hit me the way it did. Travis Garland is officially one of my favorite book boyfriends.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Francina Brown is the kind of heroine we don’t get enough of—brilliant, flawed, fierce, and human. Her voice felt real.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This was way more than a romance. The suspense had me on edge, and the emotional payoff was incredible.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The way this book handled race, family trauma, and love without being preachy was masterful.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Six days to make you fall in love with me’—I was DONE after that line.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I came for the cowboy romance, stayed for the found family vibes and strong female friendships.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Stanley Ranch universe just keeps getting better. I love how characters from previous books weave into this story.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The suspense arc was dark, intense, and handled with care. The payoff was worth every page.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Travis waiting for Francina, supporting her career, loving her without trying to own her—green flag behavior.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This book broke my heart, stressed me out, and then put it all back together again. Highly recommend.”
Francina Brown came to Sunset Springs, Texas, for a wedding and the holidays—not to fall for a cowboy with a dangerous smile and a habit of saying exactly what she’s trying not to hear.
Travis Garland came home to Texas to rebuild his life, take a job at Stanley Ranch, and finally put distance between himself and the Windgate name—a family legacy rooted in cruelty, entitlement, and violence. Love wasn’t part of the plan.
Then Francina walked into the ranch kitchen.
She’s brilliant, guarded, and heading back to New York. He’s steady, relentless, and determined to prove that sometimes the right man shows up where you least expect him. Travis gives himself six days to make her fall in love—but neither of them expects how fast attraction turns into something deeper… and how dangerous it becomes when old enemies refuse to let the past stay buried.
As Francina becomes entangled in a brutal investigation involving missing and murdered women, the line between professional duty and personal risk disappears. When the Windgate brothers escalate from sabotage to terror, love is no longer just an emotional gamble—it’s a matter of survival.
The Unexpected Cowboy is a powerful blend of contemporary romance and romantic suspense, exploring race, trust, family, and what it means to choose love when walking away feels safer.
💔🔥 Tropes you’ll Small-town cowboy romanceHe-falls-firstForced proximityInterracial romanceFound familyRomantic suspenseStrong, professional heroineProtective heroFor readers who love emotionally grounded romances with high stakes, unforgettable chemistry, and a happily-ever-after that’s truly earned.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I did NOT expect this book to hit me the way it did. Travis Garland is officially one of my favorite book boyfriends.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Francina Brown is the kind of heroine we don’t get enough of—brilliant, flawed, fierce, and human. Her voice felt real.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This was way more than a romance. The suspense had me on edge, and the emotional payoff was incredible.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The way this book handled race, family trauma, and love without being preachy was masterful.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Six days to make you fall in love with me’—I was DONE after that line.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I came for the cowboy romance, stayed for the found family vibes and strong female friendships.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Stanley Ranch universe just keeps getting better. I love how characters from previous books weave into this story.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The suspense arc was dark, intense, and handled with care. The payoff was worth every page.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Travis waiting for Francina, supporting her career, loving her without trying to own her—green flag behavior.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This book broke my heart, stressed me out, and then put it all back together again. Highly recommend.”
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2025
About the author
Kimberly Smith
186 books35 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 3, 2026
Kimberly Smith is a fun and talented writer. I’ve enjoyed several of her books.
The good: Kimberly Smith is great at describing what natural relatable, friendships and family relationships are like. She’s terrific at describing family dynamics. Also the scene transitions of everyday business, ranch chores, kitchen clean up, cooking, showering, driving, etc are natural and believable.
The description of the Stanley ranch is gorgeous. But not overdone.
It was also nice to see characters previously introduced from the other series given integral, in-disposable roles in this book. They’re not just forgotten background characters. They help move the plot forward. Some writers struggle with doing that when they write series. So bravo to Smith for that.
Also, Kimberly Smith has a great sense of humor. There were a couple of scenes where I was laughing out loud as I was reading.
Additionally, Travis Garland, in my opinion, is one of the most strongly written male leads of the Stanley series. He seems a bit more three-dimensional than the other cowboys in the previous books. More interesting. And sexier! The only other strongly written male protagonist from the Stanley Ranch series is Wyatt. His character was pretty interesting to me.
The not-so-good. I say this with a heavy heart because I am rooting for this author. This was not my favorite in the series.
I equate this book with eating a cake that has too much butter and sugar in it. It may taste good. I may devour it quickly (I finished this book in one sitting), but then I have regrets afterwards.
I’ve read all of the previous books in the Stanley Ranch series before this one. I have read a few of the previous books more than once. The tone of these prior Stanley books are light. Similar to watching a romcom. PG or PG-13. Sort of like slightly spicy hallmark movies on a page.
So the shift in tone for this book is jarring. It’s also incongruent.
Off the bat, I am stating that I like all kinds of romantic novels. I like erotic, medium heat, and low heat books. So this is not about me having virgin eyes and ears or conservative tastes. As long as the characters are developed and the plot is moving along well - I’m in!
Smith’s Stanely books in the series prior to this book or what you call low heat, romantic novels. Just one or two sex scenes, open door to the reader. Not that explicit. In this novel, one sex scene is detailed. The rest are summarized, a lot of euphemisms are used or flowery language, one or two are fade to black. I also noticed that there are more sex scenes in the book than in her previous book. But those sex scenes are still summarized or described with euphemisms.
I don’t want to spoil this book for other readers. So I’ll try to skate around what happens in this book. My main problem with this novel is that the novel takes a dark turn, and there are some grisly violent scenes described in detail. Yet! With the exception of one, most of the sex scenes are sanitized. Odd choice in my opinion, especially for a romance novel. Why is the sex low heat, but the violence is more frequent, graphic and something out of a cinematic thriller?
I read that Kimberly Smith likes the series The Walking Dead. I can sort of see that influence a little bit in this book. But I don’t think it belongs in this particular series because of the light tone Smith has already established in the book.
There’s nothing wrong with descriptive violence in books. But Kimberly Smith would have been better off establishing that darker tone in the earlier books, if that’s what she prefers to do. Introducing it here was a bit odd.
Also, I want to like Francina. I did like her character in Cody and Sierra’s book. I liked her, at first, in this novel. I thought the character was funny, warm, smart, independent and spunky.
But she just grows relatively humorless, mean and odd towards the male protagonist. Then she doesn’t explain why until later. By the time Francina reveals what makes her tick, I was put off and exhausted with her coldness, rudeness, and questionable moral compass. Almost to the point where I was starting to think that Travis could do better and should move on.
Also, Francina going headlong into the face of danger with only a lead and no muscle was unbelievably dangerous and foolish for someone so medically educated and intelligent, especially when examined the very real consequences of the danger she was facing. I get that it may have been fun to show a strong Black female lead that can spring into action. But why would Francina do that when she has a team of earnest, thick-muscled gun-toting cowboys and the law at her disposal? Doesn’t make sense.
The Stanley Ranch characters, the backdrop, the tone, and the types of plots Smith chooses are already good without delving into twisted, dark chaos.
Or, by all means, do the twisted dark chaos! But do it consistently for six books. Not just one in a series.
Also, the violent scenes were kind of melodramatic.
Lastly, the only other criticism I would give is that Kimberly Smith would do well to keep characterization of Edye consistent. If you’ve read the previous books, you know that Luke Stanley exacted complete and total revenge against some racists in the name of his wife. He didn’t tell his wife he was doing this. He just blew his top and did it. Which is fine. That behavior is consistent with his character. Consequently, in this book, danger ensues and dominoes.
Edye doesn’t seem to be annoyed that her husband kept such a huge secret from her. In their own romance book in the series, she gives Luke hell and runs out of town when she thinks her gay male friend and Luke are plotting how to woo her behind her back.
This financial secret Luke kept from Edye seems more severe then him reading a few books for romance tips, even if he meant well. I know this is fiction but generally, loving couples discuss large financial plans and acquisitions with each other. Edye’s not angry or annoyed? Again that’s not consistent with Edye’s character in my opinion.
Minor complaint. This is a modern romance novel. Smith made a joke reference in this book to a sitcom from the 1950s. From my experience, only Gen X (who watched the show in syndication), or Boomers would get that reference. Generally, younger generations are not going to get that joke. Again, minor.
This is not one of the books in the series that I will be re-reading. Personally for me, this book was just OK. The other Stanley books were very good.
The good: Kimberly Smith is great at describing what natural relatable, friendships and family relationships are like. She’s terrific at describing family dynamics. Also the scene transitions of everyday business, ranch chores, kitchen clean up, cooking, showering, driving, etc are natural and believable.
The description of the Stanley ranch is gorgeous. But not overdone.
It was also nice to see characters previously introduced from the other series given integral, in-disposable roles in this book. They’re not just forgotten background characters. They help move the plot forward. Some writers struggle with doing that when they write series. So bravo to Smith for that.
Also, Kimberly Smith has a great sense of humor. There were a couple of scenes where I was laughing out loud as I was reading.
Additionally, Travis Garland, in my opinion, is one of the most strongly written male leads of the Stanley series. He seems a bit more three-dimensional than the other cowboys in the previous books. More interesting. And sexier! The only other strongly written male protagonist from the Stanley Ranch series is Wyatt. His character was pretty interesting to me.
The not-so-good. I say this with a heavy heart because I am rooting for this author. This was not my favorite in the series.
I equate this book with eating a cake that has too much butter and sugar in it. It may taste good. I may devour it quickly (I finished this book in one sitting), but then I have regrets afterwards.
I’ve read all of the previous books in the Stanley Ranch series before this one. I have read a few of the previous books more than once. The tone of these prior Stanley books are light. Similar to watching a romcom. PG or PG-13. Sort of like slightly spicy hallmark movies on a page.
So the shift in tone for this book is jarring. It’s also incongruent.
Off the bat, I am stating that I like all kinds of romantic novels. I like erotic, medium heat, and low heat books. So this is not about me having virgin eyes and ears or conservative tastes. As long as the characters are developed and the plot is moving along well - I’m in!
Smith’s Stanely books in the series prior to this book or what you call low heat, romantic novels. Just one or two sex scenes, open door to the reader. Not that explicit. In this novel, one sex scene is detailed. The rest are summarized, a lot of euphemisms are used or flowery language, one or two are fade to black. I also noticed that there are more sex scenes in the book than in her previous book. But those sex scenes are still summarized or described with euphemisms.
I don’t want to spoil this book for other readers. So I’ll try to skate around what happens in this book. My main problem with this novel is that the novel takes a dark turn, and there are some grisly violent scenes described in detail. Yet! With the exception of one, most of the sex scenes are sanitized. Odd choice in my opinion, especially for a romance novel. Why is the sex low heat, but the violence is more frequent, graphic and something out of a cinematic thriller?
I read that Kimberly Smith likes the series The Walking Dead. I can sort of see that influence a little bit in this book. But I don’t think it belongs in this particular series because of the light tone Smith has already established in the book.
There’s nothing wrong with descriptive violence in books. But Kimberly Smith would have been better off establishing that darker tone in the earlier books, if that’s what she prefers to do. Introducing it here was a bit odd.
Also, I want to like Francina. I did like her character in Cody and Sierra’s book. I liked her, at first, in this novel. I thought the character was funny, warm, smart, independent and spunky.
But she just grows relatively humorless, mean and odd towards the male protagonist. Then she doesn’t explain why until later. By the time Francina reveals what makes her tick, I was put off and exhausted with her coldness, rudeness, and questionable moral compass. Almost to the point where I was starting to think that Travis could do better and should move on.
Also, Francina going headlong into the face of danger with only a lead and no muscle was unbelievably dangerous and foolish for someone so medically educated and intelligent, especially when examined the very real consequences of the danger she was facing. I get that it may have been fun to show a strong Black female lead that can spring into action. But why would Francina do that when she has a team of earnest, thick-muscled gun-toting cowboys and the law at her disposal? Doesn’t make sense.
The Stanley Ranch characters, the backdrop, the tone, and the types of plots Smith chooses are already good without delving into twisted, dark chaos.
Or, by all means, do the twisted dark chaos! But do it consistently for six books. Not just one in a series.
Also, the violent scenes were kind of melodramatic.
Lastly, the only other criticism I would give is that Kimberly Smith would do well to keep characterization of Edye consistent. If you’ve read the previous books, you know that Luke Stanley exacted complete and total revenge against some racists in the name of his wife. He didn’t tell his wife he was doing this. He just blew his top and did it. Which is fine. That behavior is consistent with his character. Consequently, in this book, danger ensues and dominoes.
Edye doesn’t seem to be annoyed that her husband kept such a huge secret from her. In their own romance book in the series, she gives Luke hell and runs out of town when she thinks her gay male friend and Luke are plotting how to woo her behind her back.
This financial secret Luke kept from Edye seems more severe then him reading a few books for romance tips, even if he meant well. I know this is fiction but generally, loving couples discuss large financial plans and acquisitions with each other. Edye’s not angry or annoyed? Again that’s not consistent with Edye’s character in my opinion.
Minor complaint. This is a modern romance novel. Smith made a joke reference in this book to a sitcom from the 1950s. From my experience, only Gen X (who watched the show in syndication), or Boomers would get that reference. Generally, younger generations are not going to get that joke. Again, minor.
This is not one of the books in the series that I will be re-reading. Personally for me, this book was just OK. The other Stanley books were very good.
January 7, 2026
Love Is Waiting
Francina has been hurt by the love game. Yet sometimes we can sabotage our own HEA. Travis is a decent, kind & respectful cowboy. He has had his moments of being judged unfairly, just like Francina. However , she can't look past her own situation. Travis is determined to show her he's different & wants forever. They have chemistry now for the hard part of can they both trust the process. There will be a few bumps in the road, but with open hearts & and minds, they will get to their HEA. It was a good read with a bit of mystery. Enjoy.
Francina has been hurt by the love game. Yet sometimes we can sabotage our own HEA. Travis is a decent, kind & respectful cowboy. He has had his moments of being judged unfairly, just like Francina. However , she can't look past her own situation. Travis is determined to show her he's different & wants forever. They have chemistry now for the hard part of can they both trust the process. There will be a few bumps in the road, but with open hearts & and minds, they will get to their HEA. It was a good read with a bit of mystery. Enjoy.
February 10, 2026
WHAT A GREAT STORY!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just wow! What a great story! The twists and turns this book took were so unexpected! I really enjoyed it! The two MCs were such an interesting couple, and their journey to love is so organic and crazy believable even though the timeframe it happens in is short, but you feel like they’ve been building up to it for months because the author wrote it in such a way it unfolds that you literally forget time and space, and it such an amazing and wonderful surprise! What an awesome book!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just wow! What a great story! The twists and turns this book took were so unexpected! I really enjoyed it! The two MCs were such an interesting couple, and their journey to love is so organic and crazy believable even though the timeframe it happens in is short, but you feel like they’ve been building up to it for months because the author wrote it in such a way it unfolds that you literally forget time and space, and it such an amazing and wonderful surprise! What an awesome book!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 25, 2026
Travis and Francina
A page turner full of twists and turns you don’t expect
This was not your normal man meets woman and fall in love.
It is filled with some suspense and family loyalty and support
Kimberly weaved a story you can’t put down until the end
And it is an exciting ending
Great job as always Kimberely
I highly recommend this book
A page turner full of twists and turns you don’t expect
This was not your normal man meets woman and fall in love.
It is filled with some suspense and family loyalty and support
Kimberly weaved a story you can’t put down until the end
And it is an exciting ending
Great job as always Kimberely
I highly recommend this book
March 20, 2026
Great Story!
This story was enjoyable. Easy to read. I liked Travis from the start. Cool and calm. Francine was funny with her fast responses, short and quick NY style. Reminded me of home. I liked the way everyone came together as a family, blood or chosen to help others in need or in danger. I read this in one day. Can't wait to read another one of her books.
This story was enjoyable. Easy to read. I liked Travis from the start. Cool and calm. Francine was funny with her fast responses, short and quick NY style. Reminded me of home. I liked the way everyone came together as a family, blood or chosen to help others in need or in danger. I read this in one day. Can't wait to read another one of her books.
January 3, 2026
Love and redemption
I fairly quick read, but a great one! I love story that unfolds in a unique way along with intrigued, deceit, and murder. But love is the overwhelming theme! What a great ride! Loved it!
I fairly quick read, but a great one! I love story that unfolds in a unique way along with intrigued, deceit, and murder. But love is the overwhelming theme! What a great ride! Loved it!
January 5, 2026
Not just this story.
You have to read the whole series to get the gist of it. The whole series is phenomenal. If this is the end,well it ended with a bang. If not, continue writing so I can keep reading. Loved it.
You have to read the whole series to get the gist of it. The whole series is phenomenal. If this is the end,well it ended with a bang. If not, continue writing so I can keep reading. Loved it.
January 7, 2026
This book was awesome!
The new characters, the love story. I truly enjoyed this book and will probably read it again.
Thanks
Maybe Gordon can have a love story, or Travis and Francine can give Grace some grandbabies. Lol just a suggestion.
The new characters, the love story. I truly enjoyed this book and will probably read it again.
Thanks
Maybe Gordon can have a love story, or Travis and Francine can give Grace some grandbabies. Lol just a suggestion.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews