Curvy Girl and the Handsome Dad Cowboy: A Single Dad Age Gap Instalove Romance

by Zoey Rose

Treating his horse was professional. Wanting him to claim me in his bed definitely wasn't.

Tucker Hayes is everything I swore I'd a client with a sick horse, a seven-year-old daughter who needs stability, and shoulders so broad they make my composure crumble.

But he's different from every dismissive rancher I've dealt with. He listens, respects my expertise, and looks at me with those beautiful hungry hazel eyes like I'm the only thing that can satisfy him.

I came to Blackwater Falls to escape my mistakes, not make new ones. Professional boundaries exist for a reason. But when Tucker's calloused hands steady mine during an exam, when his rough voice goes soft talking about his daughter, I can't ignore the ache building between my thighs.

And when he shows up at my clinic asking me to dinner like I'm something precious he's afraid to break, how can I resist when every fiber of my being is screaming to let this cowboy ruin me?

Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2026

Reviews

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marley came to Blackwater Falls for one reason: a fresh start. New town. New clinic. No messy past. As a veterinarian trying to establish herself, she doesn’t have room for distractions—especially not a rugged single dad with broad shoulders, hungry hazel eyes, and a daughter who instantly tugs at her heart.

Tucker Hayes just wants his little girl’s horse healthy again. What he doesn’t expect is the new vet in town to knock him completely off balance.

From the first exam, the chemistry is undeniable. There’s something delicious about the way Tucker respects Marley’s expertise—listening carefully, valuing her opinion, and treating her like the capable professional she is. After dealing with dismissive ranchers in the past, that respect feels like oxygen. And when his calloused hands steady hers or his voice softens while talking about his daughter? It’s over.

But both of them are cautious. They’ve been burned before. Marley didn’t move to town to repeat old mistakes, and Tucker is determined to protect the stability he’s built for his seven-year-old daughter. Professional boundaries blur, tension simmers, and every shared glance carries a little more weight.

What makes this story so special is the tenderness woven through the attraction. Yes, the sparks fly—but the emotional connection runs deeper. Tucker asking Marley to dinner like she’s something precious he doesn’t want to break? Absolutely swoon-worthy. Watching him balance protective dad energy with vulnerable, falling-hard-for-her man energy is everything.

Marley is strong, curvy, and confident in her skills—even if her heart takes a little convincing. Tucker is steady, respectful, and fiercely devoted once he decides she’s the one. Together, they feel effortless. Meant for each other in that quiet, small-town way where love grows in shared glances and gentle moments.

If you love:

Single dad cowboys

Small-town fresh starts

Curvy heroine representation

Mutual respect and emotional healing

Sweet romance with just the right amount of sizzle

Then this one belongs on your TBR.

Because sometimes the man you swore you wouldn’t fall for…
is the one who shows up exactly when you’re brave enough to try again.

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

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curvy Girl And The Handsome Dad Cowboy by Zoey Rose is a short instalove, single dad, small town, cowboy romance and second title in the Blackwater Falls Cowboys series. It's ideal for an afternoon curled up on the sofa.
The the storyline was well crafted and paced with main characters Tucker, older, cowboy rancher and single dad to Emma, and Marley, a vet and newly arrived to town to escape a bad relationship and open a veterinary practice, both likeable and engaging.
Sparks fly and mutual attraction is instant when Tucker calls Marley out to treat his daughters horse but professional boundaries need to be maintained and protecting Emma must remain priorities for the both of them.
The pull between them only grows through easy conversations and texts but with Marley's genuine reaction and concern towards his daughter, Tucker is falling fast but his past makes him doubt pursuing anything.
With some heart warming moments, steamy and spicy scenes, this quick read had me hooked right through to their satisfying HEA.

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

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back at Promise Ranch and now it's Tucker's turn to find love! Emma, his young daughter with ace pink cowboy boots, tells him that Butterscotch, her favourite pony, isn't eating, when he goes to look at the horse he realises that Emma is right, he's not eating and is very lethargic, he gets Boone to ring Marley, the local vet. He's quite surprised when she arrives, she's a curvy woman with great glasses, very professional, he's attracted to her, which is new as he hasn't felt anything for anyone since Emma's mother left.
Marley is very professional and independent, expecting Tucker to start making suggestions and comments about her treatment of Butterscotch, but he doesn't say anything, he just does as he asked, really worried about what will happen as his daughter will be so upset. He sends photos and asks questions, and eventually bites the bullet and asks her to supper.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Another great read in the series from Zoey, loved Emma!

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Love Can Heal Old Wounds -
Tucker had given up on relationships ever since his divorce, but he felt an instant connection with Marley from the moment she arrived for her vet appointment. However, it took Tucker being coaxed to give love a chance, for him to find the courage to ask Marley out on a date. The last thing on Marley’s mind was a relationship after her disastrous breakup, but getting to know Tucker and his daughter made her feel like she could take a chance on love again.

Fortunately, Tucker and Marley decided to take a chance on embarking on a relationship, which ultimately led to the happily ever after they wanted, but never expected. I devoured this steamy, heartwarming second chance story in a couple of hours, as I was hooked from the first page until I read the final word. This was such a fun read, that I believe you will definitely enjoy reading.

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

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect example of two damaged people finding what makes them rebuild

Marley is busy trying to build up her veterinary practice in Blackwater Falls but once again she is been dismissed by the local ranchers That is until she goes to check on the horse of Tucker Hayes' daughter He respects her expertise and treats her with dignity It doesn't help that there is a instant attraction between them But both have been hurt before and have walls as high as mountains Can they learn to trust one another and maybe build a future You will have to read to see

This is a fast fun read that keeps you engaged until the last page

[Lyndsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute romance Tucker needed a vet to come and take a look at his daughter's horse as it wasn't doing very well. Marley had just moved to town and opened her own vet business and was trying to start over new town new life. The sparks flew immediately between these two but they also were a little hesitant as they both had been throw rough relationships. I so enjoyed this romance and how these two came together. They were so made for one another. Nothing like a sweet story to read for Valentine's. This is a must read!!

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Curvy Girl and the Handsome Dad Cowboy” by Zoey Rose

-Marley, the new vet in town, meets rugged single dad Tucker over a sick pony, and sparks fly instantly. Their connection grows tenderly, balancing professional respect, protective parenting, and sizzling chemistry.

I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts. A short, sweet, steamy small-town romance with heartfelt moments and a satisfying happy-ever-after.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marley and Tucker’s story has them meeting when she comes to town as the vet. But with these two the chemistry is smoldering. He shows tenderness when he talks about his daughter and he actually listening to her opinion. But when he asks her to dinner, melted my heart.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a fast-paced story that pulls us into the lives of Marley, Tucker and his daughter, Emma. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with instant connection, fears, realizations and steam.

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

[Debi Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice Read

This was a nice read. A single dad, age gap instant love for Tucker and Marley. Fallen for the vet was harder than he thought it would be but with the right people pushing him into it he made the right choice and Marley would definitely agree. A nice read with no disappointments

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my goodness I loved Tucker and Marley in this 5-star romance book by Zoey. This is a sink your teeth into this book type of romance story. I not only loved the storyline, but the characters captivated me right away.

[Fiction Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Reads fast and easy.
•No cheating.
•No ow/om drama.
•Sweet
•No Separation
•No drama
•Epilogue-1 year
•HFN/HEA-just getting married