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Cowboys Don't Cry

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"You will always hold a piece of my heart. You opened my heart and let me feel something I never felt before. Because of you, I know I can be happy and am worthy of love."

Daisy McClain left Colt Hogan without a word, leaving only a letter behind. She moved back to Dallas and started her new life there, leaving half her heart in Garrity Valley, Texas. No matter what she did, she could never fully wipe away the memories with Colt - even when someone knew came in to her life.

Colt was heartbroken, knowing he would never find someone who make him feel the way Daisy did. He had lost his one, true love. Three years later, Colt is helping Daisy's dad on the ranch and sees her through the window. But he also notices someone else. He has so many questions running through his mind, and all he wants is to rekindle things with Daisy.

After all this time, has Daisy moved on? Does she still remember all the good times they shared? Will it be too late for Colt to win his darlin's heart back, or has her heart always been his for the taking?

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

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About the author

Alicia Vanover

3 books32 followers

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5 stars
11 (50%)
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9 (40%)
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1 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Melissa Mejia.
374 reviews67 followers
May 1, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review! This story was phenomenal and i have to say it did make me cry a few times. Absolutely love the chemistry between these two and so happy that they found their way back to each other after some bumps in the road!

“You will always hold a piece of my heart. You opened my heart and let me feel something I never felt before. Because of you, I know I can be happy and am worthy of love."
Profile Image for Heather Saizar.
170 reviews12 followers
May 9, 2026
My cowboy era continues and I’m absolutely here for it! Cowboys Don’t Cry was the perfect continuation and ending for Colt and Daisy’s story, and I honestly loved getting more time with these two.

This book starts off strong and immediately had me stressed in the best way possible. Just when I thought I knew where things were going, Alicia Vanover threw in surprises that kept me completely invested. But underneath all the emotional moments, this story still felt soft, heartfelt, and full of love.

What I loved most was how real Colt and Daisy felt. Their relationship isn’t perfect or easy, but that’s what made it so believable. Watching them navigate heartbreak, healing, family, and second chances made their story hit even harder. Colt continues to be the ultimate cowboy book boyfriend …sweet, loyal, protective, and calling Daisy “darlin’” every chance he gets. And Daisy’s warmth and light balance him perfectly.

This duology truly feels like a love story about finding home in another person. Add in the ranch setting, found family vibes, and emotional depth, and I was completely hooked from start to finish.
Profile Image for Nere.
218 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2026
Omg! This book had my emotions all over the place from the start. My thoughts and strong feelings changed constantly, almost in every chapter.

The family dynamic was beautiful. Especially since they both shared missing a parent.

I enjoyed the flashbacks. They gave insight into the past, helping me understand their story a little deeper.

I loved their individual character growth. That gave the ending so much more closure.
Profile Image for Brittany Harville.
189 reviews11 followers
May 6, 2026
Read this as an arc and appreciate the opportunity to review but this was just not for me. It was definitely more YA that I am use to but the storyline was not my cup of tea. Chemistry was lacking between the couple and I just thought the way the FMC handled the situation made me want to strangle her. Writing was a little repetitive. There are definitely readers out there for this because it did have some cute parts, just not for me.
Profile Image for Sadie.
88 reviews10 followers
April 27, 2026
Calling all cowboy romance lovers: You will love this duology!

Two years have passed since Daisy unexpectedly walked out of Colt's life and now, she's back. The two reunite when Daisy, with her toddler Beth in tow, come back home to visit her dad. A slow-burn love story of forgiveness, righting wrongs, and following your heart ensues. While they both experience a lot of growth throughout the story, Daisy's growth was my personal favorite to see. She's an incredible single mother who knows exactly what she wants, and she won't settle for any less. I love her for it!

There's a mild amount of spice, lots of emotions and heart, and of course a hunky cowboy who calls her "Darlin'". Overall, this was a beautiful story of love in many forms and giving your heart to the one that you've always loved.

Cowboys Don't Cry was such a beautiful conclusion to Daisy and Colt's story!

Tropes:
Cowboy romance
Friends-to-lovers
Found Family
Miscommunication
Dramatic rain confession
Single mother
He yearns for her
Profile Image for Anna Rogers .
1 review4 followers
May 9, 2026
The Perfect Ending!

Thank you so much Alicia for allowing me to be apart of your team for this book!

To be honest I’m not normally someone who likes to read a book that ends on a cliffhanger just because I feel that normally the author doesn’t have the same vibe going for the next book. However, I am definitely rethinking that opinion after reading both books in Alicia’s “Texas Rose Ranch series”.

I loved how in this book the characters didn’t just jump right back together. The book shows that they put the work in and acknowledge the growth that both characters had.

Plus I love that I still got the most perfect HEA!
Profile Image for Nikki Campbell.
265 reviews8 followers
April 28, 2026
Cowboys Don’t Cry was the perfect wrap-up to the Texas Rose Ranch duology. It was so good seeing some more of Colt and Daisy together, with a little added surprise. This duology is the best example of a person feeling like home. Colt is a genuine gentleman in every sense and Daisy is the bubbly light of sunshine that compliments him. Together the two mesh so well. Way to go Alicia!
Profile Image for Tori Bakker.
50 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 1, 2026
Three words.
OH. MY. GOD....

I fell in love with colt and Daisy in the first book of this duology and have been head over heels since.

But this book had me on the edge of my seat! It was a perfect ending to their romance.

The author starts you off completely shocked but really knows how to bring the love alive!

If you like....
Second chance romance
Secret baby/pregnancy
Found family
Cowboys
Men who call you darlin'
Spice level 1.5

You will definitely enjoy this sweet cowboy romance
Profile Image for Kirsty.
684 reviews18 followers
Review of advance copy
April 26, 2026
Save a Horse by Alicia Vanover is one of those stories that sneaks up on you soft and sweet and then suddenly you’re clutching your chest at 2am like “oh no…oh no they got me.”

daisy and colt??? don’t even get me STARTED. the childhood friends to something more trope is already elite, but the way this was done?? it felt so real. messy, tender, full of history and all those unsaid things just sitting heavy between them. you can FEEL those nights under the stars woven into every interaction they have as adults. it’s like their past is this quiet third character whispering “you’ve always been it for each other” 😭

and the grief in this book…wow. it’s not just there for drama, it’s lived-in. both daisy and colt carry their losses in completely different ways and watching them slowly, carefully, sometimes stubbornly let each other in?? it hurt in the best way. healing isn’t pretty here, it’s awkward and raw and sometimes two steps back, and i loved that so much.

also COLT HOGAN????? excuse me while i simply pass away. small town rancher, loyal, steady, a little emotionally constipated but trying his BEST??? the man had me giggling and screaming and internally proposing. the way he shows up for daisy instead of just saying the words…yeah. that’s the good stuff.

and daisy!! i adored her. she’s not the same girl who left and the story doesn’t pretend she is. she’s grown, a little guarded, trying to figure out where she belongs, and coming back to the ranch felt like watching someone slowly remember a version of themselves they thought they lost.

the ranch setting??? chef’s kiss. dusty boots, long days, quiet nights, and that small town energy where everyone knows your business but also has your back. it wrapped around the story like a warm blanket and made everything feel even more intimate.

and that FORCED PROXIMITY?? dads making a deal so she has to stay the summer??? oh the tension. the pining. the “we shouldn’t but we absolutely will” energy??? i ate it up.

this book is soft but it punches you in the feelings. it’s about love, grief, second chances, and finding your way back home…even if home is a person
Profile Image for Nikki B..
1,068 reviews25 followers
May 17, 2026
Cowboys Don't Cry is book 2 in the Texas Rose Ranch series but can be read as a standalone.
Colt has had his heart broken. Once a man in love, he now focuses on running his family ranch. Daisy, the woman who was the love of his life wrote him a letter breaking up with him and moved away. But now Daisy is back, visiting her father and Colt learns that she has a child. He wants to have a chance at closure with her, assuming that there must be another man in her life since she has a child now. But the secret he learns that she is keeping is bigger than anyone could have ever known.
I love Colt. He seems so in love and genuine. He is hardworking and dedicated. I don't think he deserved this at all.
I didn't realize that keeping your child a secret and not letting them meet their father until the fmc is ready was a trope and I guess I'm not a huge fan. Unless the father is an abusive person, I don't think a woman should withhold the child form having their father's presence. However, I've recently encountered this trope a handful of times now and I'm learning it's not something I agree with, though it does make for a great story. In fact, I think thats what kept me hooked to the plot.
Overall, this story was a great read and I enjoyed the connection between the characters. If you're in the mood for a cowboy romance, Colt is definitely a good choice!
Profile Image for Justina Bascombe.
413 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
Thank you so much Alicia for having me be a part of your team and gifting me a copy of this ebook!

I reread Save A Horse so I could catch back up to our couple and oh boy that still did not prepare for where this started! I was soooo confused and sad! lol

After finally getting together in book one they end up separated again and deal with that heavy feeling of being alone. When they cross paths again they have some healing to do from their break and a few new things going on that make that healing journey a little more challenging.

I love that in the end they make it through. Especially with the help of their dads. I love their dads so much lol there was also some healing there too with those relationships. Having both lost their mothers at a younger age, there was strain on their relationships with their dads but I am definitely happy to see that also coming back as the story progressed.

Small town romance where he calls her darlin’! I melted lol

One of my fave parts:

“What was that line from that cheesy romance movie Daisy made me watch? The Notebook, I think? “So, it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day.””
Profile Image for The_BookishVault.
64 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 1, 2026
I received an ARC of Cowboys Don’t Cry by Alicia Vanover in exchange for an honest review. I want to start by saying I’m really grateful I received this ARC 🫶🏻

I went into this book excited, especially since I enjoy small-town cowboy romances, but unfortunately this one didn’t work for me.

The biggest issue for me was the lack of tension and chemistry between the main characters. I didn’t feel a strong connection between them, and the relationship felt somewhat forced.

The pacing also felt inconsistent—both rushed and repetitive at different points in the story. Certain scenes and interactions felt very similar, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged.

I also struggled with the writing style. The flow felt off at times, and moments that were meant to feel emotional or romantic came across as flat. Additionally, there were instances where the POV and character details became confusing.

Overall, while I appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC, this book was not the right fit for me.
36 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 30, 2026
Sometimes love finds us when we least expect it and when we are not sure we are ready for it.

Cowboys Don’t Cry is a heartfelt romance set against the stunning backdrop of a Texas ranch. From the very first pages, I could see the open fields and smell the crisp morning air. This book continues Colt and Daisy's story of growth and growing up.

I loved how this book explored second chances after heartbreak. The characters felt real and layered. Not all love stories are perfect or follow a specific timeline. I love that representation here.

A huge thank you to Alicia Vanover for the opportunity to read this beautiful romance in exchange for an honest review.

If you love stories filled with redemption, emotional healing, and family bonds, I highly recommend picking up Cowboys Don’t Cry!
Profile Image for Güera.
170 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 16, 2026
Just finished. This is an honest review as a mood reader, in exchange for reading an advanced copy of this book. I anxiously was waiting to read this book after the first book Save a Horse.

👉🏻Cowboy’s Don’t Cry 5/5 ⭐️
Texas Rose Ranch Series, Book 2
By Author Alicia Vanover

Troupes:

Cowboy Romance
Small Town Romance
Yearning
Second Chance Romance
Secret Baby
Single Mom
Slow Burn

Have you ever hurt someone so badly but you loved them from the core of your bone? This is how I felt while I was reading this book. It gave me all the feels and angst ! No spoilers , you all need to read this book but i recommend reading the first book.
Profile Image for Stephanie Garcia.
489 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy
May 2, 2026
4.5 Rating

This book was such a great read!!! This was my first Alicia Van Over book I’ve read and it definitely wont be my last. You can definitely feel the emotions in this book. Daisy and Colt have been friends since childhood, Daisy and Colt’s connection is electric. Once Daisy leaves she doesn’t just hurt him but she also hurts herself but it needed to be done. Daisy is now back with her daughter in tow and I must say Beth is too freaking cute. Colt and Daisy are definitely soulmates!!! I also loved the family dynamic between Colt and Daisy’s family. This is so a must read. Thank You, Alicia for letting me be part of the ARC team.
Profile Image for Sukie.
17 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2026
Just finished Cowboys Don't Cry by Alicia Vanover and this one had all the small-town cowboy romance vibes I love. Between the ranch setting, emotional moments, chemistry, and lovable characters, it was such an easy book to get invested in.

If you enjoy:
♡ cowboy romances
♡ small-town settings
♡ emotional character growth
♡ ranch family drama
♡ romance with heart

…then this series is definitely worth checking out.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💖
Profile Image for Lauren.
176 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 27, 2026
ARC Review:

This was such a good and cute series. I enjoyed the slower pace and lighter spice than I normally read.
◇Childhood friends to lovers
◇Small Town
◇Cowboy
◇So relatable

Release Date: May 1, 2026
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Profile Image for Shannon Katariana.
56 reviews3 followers
May 1, 2026
Definitely an emotional roller coaster!

Book 2 in the Texas Rose Ranch Series.

You continue the story of Daisy and Colt. I do not want to give any spoilers but trust me when I say it’s a must read.

It’s has everything you need :

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 - Plot

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥- Character Growth

❤️‍🔥 - Spice
Profile Image for Talisa.
6 reviews
May 4, 2026
Absolutely loved the childhood friends to lovers trope! Add in secrets and whoa! So many emotions throughout this read.

Such sweet, tender love.. but filled with an edge that leaves questions the whole way through. The what ifs and what's next keep you hooked right in.
Profile Image for Leah Nelson.
2 reviews
May 1, 2026
This was such a fun read. Daisy and Colt have been through the ringer & still found a way to make it work. I will always love a cowboy romance & this one definitely deserves its spot on my read list.
Profile Image for kesy_books.
369 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 3, 2026
I think I loved this book better than the first one!!

I was not expecting the drama with this book, but I was here for every single bit of it.

Previously, we had a happily ever after however, something happened that interrupted that HEA.

Daisy comes back after a few years to the farm with a toddler!!! She has been keeping her private life very private in order to protect her daughter Beth.

Colt is trying to figure out what Daisy is hiding, why did she leave, why he hasn’t he been able to move on. He has so many questions and at the same time he’s afraid that he has let go the best thing that ever happened to him and at the same time he’s not willing to lose everything again.

As I read the story I was putting some of the pieces of this puzzle together and when the plot twist hit I was very shocked because I honestly did not see it coming. I should have known though. Lol

I love these characters. I love the support that both Daisy and Colt’s dads give them.

This one was definitely a little bit of a slow burn, but it was so good!! the author has a great writing style and a way of wrapping you up.

I could not put this down!!!!!!

Tropes:
Small town
Cowboy
Miscommunication
Single mom
Friends to lovers
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews