Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy

by Jessica Peterson

New York Times bestselling author Jessica Peterson’s short story of a ride through first love into forever follows a country music star who returns home for a family affair—and faces the cowboy who once watched her walk away.

Josie Reid abandoned her Texas hometown six years ago, when Weston Jessup chose his family’s ranch over her. Now a country music sensation, she’s back where it all started to officiate her brother’s wedding. Wes is the best man, and he’s determined to make things right. But can he convince Josie to give him another shot, or is their love song played out?

Jessica Peterson’s Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Audiobook, Summer, Second Chance, Short Stories, Cowboy Romance

57 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2026

About the author

Jessica Peterson writes romance with heat, humor, and heart. Heroes with hot accents are her specialty. When she’s not writing, she can be found bellying up to a bar in the south’s best restaurants with her husband Ben, reading books with her adorable daughters Gracie and Madeline, or snuggling up with her 70-pound lap dog, Martha.

A Carolina girl at heart, she fantasizes about splitting her time between Charleston and Asheville, but currently lives in Charlotte, NC.

Reviews

[Larareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.25 ⭐️

So sooo cute! Second chance really is one of my favorite tropes.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy is part of the Summer Lovin’ Amazon Originals collection and it’s definitely short (57 pages). It’s a second chance romance between a country singer who returns back home and runs into the cowboy she left six years ago! Josie is back for her brother’s wedding and Weston is the best man. On KU with read and listen!

This one was okay, a quick read and right to it. For a second chance I feel like more time is always better to feel that connection between the couple in past and present, but this collection is filled with just bite-size reads.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

He chose everyone else over her and ghosted her for SIX years, but he sings a song, says he's sorry, and suddenly all is forgiven? She is a doormat.

[LollyDolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A no‑nonsense second‑chance straight to the point novella that blasts through its 57 pages showing exactly how they cocked it up the first time and how they patched it together again. Not bad.

[angelpompom · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars✨

This one was okay. I’m just not a big fan of second chances. Weston was a little too much, as well.

[casey ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

tropes
💛 second chance
🎤 country music star heroine
🧲 brother’s best friend

it was cute. short stories are hard because you don’t get as much emotional depth obviously with the length.

[Maddie 🫶🏻 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh brother, this guy stinks…

But seriously, though. He ghosts her for six years. Then, when she becomes successful in her career, he suddenly wants her back. He sings a little song and that’s all it takes for him to win her back. Josie, girl, I think we can do better 😭

[Emily G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing sexier than a man in therapy

[all.the.smut.things · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️

✨ Cowboy x Musician
✨ Second Chance Romance
✨ Enemies to Lovers

[R.R.R · Rating 2 out of 5]

𖤐⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ 2 stars ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆𖤐

nahhhh

[Nikki Bogard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessica Peterson packed so much heart into this short story. “Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy” is a second-chance romance filled with unresolved feelings, small-town tension, and the kind of love that never really faded. Josie and Wes have undeniable chemistry, and every interaction between them carries the weight of what they lost and what they still want.

The country music backdrop mixed perfectly with the Texas ranch setting, giving the story a warm, nostalgic feel while still delivering emotional depth. Even in a shorter format, the romance felt complete, swoony, and satisfying. Sweet, emotional, and easy to devour in one sitting, this was the perfect summer romance read.

[Fran · Rating 2 out of 5]

No me gustó JSSJSJS miren que yo amo los second chance pero donde este es tan corto no hay tiempo para desarrollar nada absolutamente NADA! Entonces todo pasa tan rápido, amiga hace 6 años que no lo veías pero te dice un par de cosas tiernas, que está en terapia y te canta una canción y automáticamente le perdonas todo??? aunque sea un poco mas de tiempo pero ni un día te duró wna KDSKD not for me.

[Teresa Ruscito · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a quick read that is sweet and full of cowboy rancher energy then this is the perfect little journey. We love a second chance romance when it is clear the man has been putting in the work to earn his girl back. Therapy?! Yes please! The tension was very palpable despite there being a little more fade to blurry energy in this spice descriptiveness. A fun time overall 🌶️🌶️

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you appreciate a good slutty backwards baseball cap moment on a cowboy, you’ll probably enjoy this

For me, it just solidified how much I dislike second chance romances. Did he let her walk away six years ago? Yes. But it’s okay and all is forgiven because now he goes to ✨therapy✨ for her

2.5 stars

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second chance cowboy x popstar romance. Even those this story was over too quickly for my liking, it was entertaining and had a bit of spice as well. Good on audio and one of the better stories in the collection IMO.

[J.B. Sharp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this was a cute story, but I do wish there was a bit more tension and backstory to why they broke up in the first place. I know this is a novella, but I think adding 10 pages to expand on those things could have done a world of wonders for this love story.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not the target audience for this one. I don’t enjoy music adjacent romances, cowboy romances or even second chance romances but it was well written.

[Katarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

i read this if it was a full length book. the grovelling in just 50 pages??

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swooooonyyyyyy

[Heloise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a fun little novella, loved a short story set where we can spot familiar locations and faces

[Bianca Swart · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Ag this was so cute. I'm really enjoying this series so far.

"For you, Josie. Everything I do is for you."

"You think I look good?"
"Aw, baby, you always look good."

[MichelleAriana · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.75⭐️


One night doesn’t erase 6 years of not hearing from each other. Girl, let me hold your hand when I tell you this, he’s a gold digger.

[Anabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

yeah NO NEVER ABSOLUTELY NOT.

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Went a bit too quick & a little more lust focused. I did like the second chance and setting.

One open door; light innuendo.

[Crimson_Silence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: A cute, quick western bite that leaves you wanting a bit more

​Jessica Peterson usually delivers high-steam, deeply emotional romances, but Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy is a much lighter, bite-sized Amazon Original story. It’s a perfectly enjoyable, fast-paced cowboy romance that makes for a great quick escape, even if the short length holds it back from reaching its full potential.

​The Good Stuff:

​Instant Chemistry: Because it’s a shorter story, the romance has to hit the ground running. Peterson does a great job establishing quick, fun banter and an immediate spark between the leads.

​Classic Small-Town Vibes: Despite the brief page count, you still get a nice dose of that warm, comforting cowboy atmosphere that makes western romances so cozy.

​The Ultimate Quick Read: It’s smooth, fast, and easy to fly through in a single sitting—perfect for a busy afternoon or a quick reading-goal boost.

​What Kept It From 4 Stars:

​Too Rushed: The biggest drawback is simply the length. The conflict resolves very quickly, and the emotional connection feels a bit surface-level because there just isn't enough time to dive deep into the characters' backgrounds.

​Light on the Steam: If you're coming to this expecting the high-heat tension of her full-length novels, this one leans a bit safer and sweeter.

​The Verdict:

​If you're a fan of Jessica Peterson and want a fun, low-angst cowboy snack between bigger books, this is absolutely worth the quick read. It’s a solid 3-star story—enjoyable while it lasts, it just flies by a little too fast!

[ashareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Lucky River Ranch series so I was excited to hear that Jessica Peterson was releasing a short cowboy romance. This was a quick and entertaining read though it wasn’t my favorite. The chemistry and banter between Wes and Josie were great, but I wasn’t fully convinced by the reason behind Wes breaking up with her initially. I also thought Josie forgave Wes too quickly simply because he went to therapy. It seemed like there needed to be more yearning and accountability from Wes before their reconciliation. Fans of the Lucky River Ranch series will likely still enjoy this one.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars I liked this short story I am a sucker for a cowboy romance and a second chance romance. I like Josie and Weston’s story it was short, sweet, spicy and straight to the point. I love that Weston worked on himself while Josie was gone so he could be better for not only himself but for Josie too. I love that we were back at the Rattler and Lucky River Ranch

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun short story!

Cowboys, country music, small town vibes and a man that goes to therapy (and also wears his baseball cap backwards) what else could bask for. If you've read Peterson before you know she can really deliver on your favorite tropes but second chance in q short story is beyond impressive! Fun summer vibes also.

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little second chance romance between a Cowboy and a PopStar. It was good considering it was under 60 pages. Love reading a man who knows he was wrong and puts the work in to better himself.

[Romance_book_obsessed · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

A cowboy romance with a second chance! Closed door 🚪