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Camden Ranch #3
Cowgirl Education
Former British rockstar, Declan St. James knows sex and he knows women. What he doesn’t know is how to stop running from his past mistakes.
Holly Camden can’t seem to balance her wild cowgirl side with her quest to become a psychologist.
When they meet, he sweeps her off her boot-blistered feet and into his arms with a promise to teach her all of the finer points of making love (the dirtier the better.)
And with one scorching kiss, Holly knows it isn’t balance she needs. It’s him.
Only one problem – Declan is also Holly’s human sexuality professor. And there’s much more on the line than an academic code of ethics.
No one can know they’re together. Drawn to one another with magnetizing force, they cannot stay apart.
If they’re found out, his career, her education, his citizenship, everything she’s worked so hard for, and his last chance to succeed at something that might take away all of the pain he inflicted in his youth go up in flames.
But the lessons Holly requests are more than he could ever deny either of them.
Will the fire burning between them be enough to make it worth everything that could be destroyed when their relationship is discovered?
Holly Camden can’t seem to balance her wild cowgirl side with her quest to become a psychologist.
When they meet, he sweeps her off her boot-blistered feet and into his arms with a promise to teach her all of the finer points of making love (the dirtier the better.)
And with one scorching kiss, Holly knows it isn’t balance she needs. It’s him.
Only one problem – Declan is also Holly’s human sexuality professor. And there’s much more on the line than an academic code of ethics.
No one can know they’re together. Drawn to one another with magnetizing force, they cannot stay apart.
If they’re found out, his career, her education, his citizenship, everything she’s worked so hard for, and his last chance to succeed at something that might take away all of the pain he inflicted in his youth go up in flames.
But the lessons Holly requests are more than he could ever deny either of them.
Will the fire burning between them be enough to make it worth everything that could be destroyed when their relationship is discovered?
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2016
80 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Neal
31 books227 followersBestselling author, Jillian Neal, was not only born 30 but also came accessorized with loads of books and adorable handbags in which to carry them, at least that’s what she tells people. After earning a degree in education, she discovered that her passion could never be housed inside a classroom. A vehement lover of love and having maintained a lifelong affair with the awe-inspiring power of words, she set to turn the romance industry on its head. Her overly-caffeinated, troupe-spinning muse is never happy with the standard formula story. She believes every book should be brimming with passion, loaded with hot sexy scenes, packed with a gut-punch of emotion, and have characters that leap off the page and right into your heart.
Her first series, The Gifted Realm, defines contemporary romance with a fantasy twist. Her Gypsy Beach series will leave you longing to visit the sultry shores of the tiny bohemian beach town, and her erotic romance series, Camden Ranch, will make you certain there is nothing better than a cowboy with some chaps and a plan. The sheer amount of coffee required to keep all of those characters dancing in her head would border on lethal, so she unleashes their engaging stories on page after page of spellbinding reads.
Jillian lives outside of Atlanta with her own sexy sweetheart, their teenage sons, and enough stiletto heels, cowgirl boots, and flip-flops to exist in any of the fictional worlds she brings to life.
Her first series, The Gifted Realm, defines contemporary romance with a fantasy twist. Her Gypsy Beach series will leave you longing to visit the sultry shores of the tiny bohemian beach town, and her erotic romance series, Camden Ranch, will make you certain there is nothing better than a cowboy with some chaps and a plan. The sheer amount of coffee required to keep all of those characters dancing in her head would border on lethal, so she unleashes their engaging stories on page after page of spellbinding reads.
Jillian lives outside of Atlanta with her own sexy sweetheart, their teenage sons, and enough stiletto heels, cowgirl boots, and flip-flops to exist in any of the fictional worlds she brings to life.
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October 19, 2016
RATING 4.5 STARS
Cowgirl Education is the fourth book in the Camden Ranch series by Jillian Neal. This book, Whew! What a crazy ride it was. Especially the last 25% or so. By then I couldn’t put it down. I have to give Jillian Neal so much credit. I thought she did a fantastic job of depicting the daily struggles a recovering addict goes through each and every day, no matter how long they’ve been sober. So let me start right in and tell you about our Hero, Declan St. James.
Declan, or Dec, had a brief career as a British rock star. But he lost everything to addiction. He turned his life around, went to college, got his psychology degree. He had to get out of London, though. So he came to America and is working in Lincoln, Nebraska as a Sex Therapist. The clinic he works for holds his work visa. He also has a band that plays locally. He was checking out the location of their next gig when he first saw Holly. He couldn’t tear his eyes off her. When he sat down and they talked, it was obvious the feeling was mutual.
Holly Camden is the baby of the family. She was born and raised on the Camden Ranch. She loves her life there. It is such a huge part of who she is. But, there is the other side of her. The side that wants something else, something more than to be a cowgirl. She went to college and majored in phychology. She is now working on her doctoral degree and wants to be a doctor of marriage and family therapy with a specialty in sex therapy. The two sides of her are constantly at war with one another. Who is she really, a cow girl, or a future Dr.?
When Dec sat down at her table in the bar, and started talking in that deep, sexy British accent of his, she swooned. But it didn’t take long to see that there was so much more to this man. But who is he really? He has tattoos, an eyebrow piercing and rides a motor cycle. She doesn’t even know what he does for a living except that he is in a band. But she can’t take her eyes off him.
“She knew there were moments in everyone’s life where time was fractured. In one brief second, the person you were before was a distant stranger because a moment occurred that forever altered everything you’d ever known about yourself. This was one of those moments.”
Dec and Holly quickly go from like to lust to love. Dec is used to losing everything that is important to him. It’s happened time and time again. He’s just waiting for something to happen with he and Holly. He doesn’t think he deserves her. That with his past, she deserves so much more. The answer came sooner rather than later. His clinic told him he had to teach at Nebraska University. He has no choice. It’s that or lose his work visa. He hopes and prays that the graduate class he has to teach isn’t one of Holly’s. It’s against the rules of ethics that a teacher be involved with a student. Of course, Holly walks in to the lecture hall. He should do the right thing, end their relationship until the semester is over. But Holly insists that they can keep their relationship a secret, just for the one semester. No one will know.
“He’d spent half his life turning down things he craved, but he would never possess the strength to deny himself this pleasure.”
Declan can teach Holly so much about her own sexuality, about her most hidden fantasies. And when she is in his arms, his demons are quieter. He feels calmer. Holly is his present and his future. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep her in his life. Even though he doesn’t deserve her. If things go wrong, both their lives could be destroyed. She could get kicked out of school. He could lose his job and be sent back to England.
To say that Declan and Holly were crazy hot together would be an understatement. They definitely steamed up the pages. As I said before, though, I thought Jillian did a wonderful job of describing what Declan experiences each and every day with his cravings. It’s been eleven years since he has been clean but they never go away. And Holly! That girl is tough! She goes in to cowgirl mode and you do NOT want to tangle with her. She was perfect for Declan.
I loved this book. It might be one of my favorites so far. These two just got to me. And I loved the ending. You can read this as a stand alone but I always recommend that it’s so much more fun to start at the beginning of the series so you can get to know all of the characters. Holly has all those sexy older brothers so you don’t want to miss out on their stories.
Cowgirl Education is the fourth book in the Camden Ranch series by Jillian Neal. This book, Whew! What a crazy ride it was. Especially the last 25% or so. By then I couldn’t put it down. I have to give Jillian Neal so much credit. I thought she did a fantastic job of depicting the daily struggles a recovering addict goes through each and every day, no matter how long they’ve been sober. So let me start right in and tell you about our Hero, Declan St. James.
Declan, or Dec, had a brief career as a British rock star. But he lost everything to addiction. He turned his life around, went to college, got his psychology degree. He had to get out of London, though. So he came to America and is working in Lincoln, Nebraska as a Sex Therapist. The clinic he works for holds his work visa. He also has a band that plays locally. He was checking out the location of their next gig when he first saw Holly. He couldn’t tear his eyes off her. When he sat down and they talked, it was obvious the feeling was mutual.
Holly Camden is the baby of the family. She was born and raised on the Camden Ranch. She loves her life there. It is such a huge part of who she is. But, there is the other side of her. The side that wants something else, something more than to be a cowgirl. She went to college and majored in phychology. She is now working on her doctoral degree and wants to be a doctor of marriage and family therapy with a specialty in sex therapy. The two sides of her are constantly at war with one another. Who is she really, a cow girl, or a future Dr.?
When Dec sat down at her table in the bar, and started talking in that deep, sexy British accent of his, she swooned. But it didn’t take long to see that there was so much more to this man. But who is he really? He has tattoos, an eyebrow piercing and rides a motor cycle. She doesn’t even know what he does for a living except that he is in a band. But she can’t take her eyes off him.
“She knew there were moments in everyone’s life where time was fractured. In one brief second, the person you were before was a distant stranger because a moment occurred that forever altered everything you’d ever known about yourself. This was one of those moments.”
Dec and Holly quickly go from like to lust to love. Dec is used to losing everything that is important to him. It’s happened time and time again. He’s just waiting for something to happen with he and Holly. He doesn’t think he deserves her. That with his past, she deserves so much more. The answer came sooner rather than later. His clinic told him he had to teach at Nebraska University. He has no choice. It’s that or lose his work visa. He hopes and prays that the graduate class he has to teach isn’t one of Holly’s. It’s against the rules of ethics that a teacher be involved with a student. Of course, Holly walks in to the lecture hall. He should do the right thing, end their relationship until the semester is over. But Holly insists that they can keep their relationship a secret, just for the one semester. No one will know.
“He’d spent half his life turning down things he craved, but he would never possess the strength to deny himself this pleasure.”
Declan can teach Holly so much about her own sexuality, about her most hidden fantasies. And when she is in his arms, his demons are quieter. He feels calmer. Holly is his present and his future. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep her in his life. Even though he doesn’t deserve her. If things go wrong, both their lives could be destroyed. She could get kicked out of school. He could lose his job and be sent back to England.
To say that Declan and Holly were crazy hot together would be an understatement. They definitely steamed up the pages. As I said before, though, I thought Jillian did a wonderful job of describing what Declan experiences each and every day with his cravings. It’s been eleven years since he has been clean but they never go away. And Holly! That girl is tough! She goes in to cowgirl mode and you do NOT want to tangle with her. She was perfect for Declan.
I loved this book. It might be one of my favorites so far. These two just got to me. And I loved the ending. You can read this as a stand alone but I always recommend that it’s so much more fun to start at the beginning of the series so you can get to know all of the characters. Holly has all those sexy older brothers so you don’t want to miss out on their stories.
October 11, 2016
Freaking A.
Jillian Neal is making me sound like a broken record, time and time again. Just when I think she can't top a previous novel, she releases another one that blows my socks off just as much! Over and over again this happens! She just rocks, plain and simple.
I'm currently thanking my body for getting sick. Yep, you heard me right. These flu like symptoms could not have arrived at a better time if I had planned it myself! I had the whole day to veg and read Cowgirl Education from start to finish. There is no way this every would have occurred, had I not been physically unable to do my normal duties. So thank you Lord for sending these germs into my body and allowing me a day of pure magic with Holly and Dec. Okay, on with my review....
Anyone who has read previous Camden Ranch books knows Holly as the spitfire younger sister of the legendary Camden brothers. She's fiery, stubborn, and does things her own way. (She kicks major cowgirl butt, in other words!) Enter tattooed rebel Declan St. James and his bad-boy past, and Holly falls hard. Like, super hard! Their connection is immediate and true, no pretenses or bullsh*tting around. The couple are not immune to trials and tribulations, fighting many battles together over the course of this un-put-downable read... all leading up to an incredibly satisfying HEA.
I can not review a Jillian Neal novel without mentioning why I'm so drawn to her books. Not only do I love the escape from my monotonous life as a stay at home mom, but I adore the beautiful romances that she builds just for us, her readers. We are privy to watching some amazing connections unfold, all thanks to her skillful style. Then there's the even more meaningful fact that each of her characters face real-life issues just like you and me. There's no sugar coating them, and no hiding the flaws. Reality is faced head-on with a heavy dose of familial support and true love. How can you not love that?
And love it I do. SO very much. Which, is why I consider myself one of Jillian Neal's biggest fans. She has earned this title many times over, and completely rocks my world with each new release. What are you waiting for? Pick up Cowgirl Education and get ready for the time of your life!
Jillian Neal is making me sound like a broken record, time and time again. Just when I think she can't top a previous novel, she releases another one that blows my socks off just as much! Over and over again this happens! She just rocks, plain and simple.
I'm currently thanking my body for getting sick. Yep, you heard me right. These flu like symptoms could not have arrived at a better time if I had planned it myself! I had the whole day to veg and read Cowgirl Education from start to finish. There is no way this every would have occurred, had I not been physically unable to do my normal duties. So thank you Lord for sending these germs into my body and allowing me a day of pure magic with Holly and Dec. Okay, on with my review....
Anyone who has read previous Camden Ranch books knows Holly as the spitfire younger sister of the legendary Camden brothers. She's fiery, stubborn, and does things her own way. (She kicks major cowgirl butt, in other words!) Enter tattooed rebel Declan St. James and his bad-boy past, and Holly falls hard. Like, super hard! Their connection is immediate and true, no pretenses or bullsh*tting around. The couple are not immune to trials and tribulations, fighting many battles together over the course of this un-put-downable read... all leading up to an incredibly satisfying HEA.
I can not review a Jillian Neal novel without mentioning why I'm so drawn to her books. Not only do I love the escape from my monotonous life as a stay at home mom, but I adore the beautiful romances that she builds just for us, her readers. We are privy to watching some amazing connections unfold, all thanks to her skillful style. Then there's the even more meaningful fact that each of her characters face real-life issues just like you and me. There's no sugar coating them, and no hiding the flaws. Reality is faced head-on with a heavy dose of familial support and true love. How can you not love that?
And love it I do. SO very much. Which, is why I consider myself one of Jillian Neal's biggest fans. She has earned this title many times over, and completely rocks my world with each new release. What are you waiting for? Pick up Cowgirl Education and get ready for the time of your life!
January 15, 2018
Absolutely loved Declan and Holly's story. It had everything you could ask for in a romance. Definitely recommend this book!
December 28, 2019
I'm not sure I read the same book as everyone else. I even debated giving it 2 stars. I read the books before this in the series and enjoyed them, but this one was different. I don't like spoilers so I'll start with things that happen early in the book so you'd read them soon enough. Holly is a psych student with sexual fantasies. Declan is a sex therapist with his own fantasies. The two of them meet, and she says she's a cowgirl with no explanation as to what she's doing in Lincoln. He tells her he's a musician and leads her to believe that's his whole job. Now, these are two intelligent people in the psych field, yet she won't tell him she's a student and he won't tell her he's a therapist. This makes no sense! They begin a relationship, each knowing the other has secrets.
Then, Declan is suddenly moved from being a sex therapist to being forced to teach at the university and Holly is now his student. Of course there's a rule against relationships between teachers and their students. Even though they're already involved, they don't tell anyone and decide to sneak around. This again makes no sense. In the real world, they should have disclosed the relationship immediately and something could have been done such as having another professor grade her assignments. These all seem like really juvenile acts and false ways to build tension.
Now for a spoiler - don't read this if you don't want one. Later in the book, they are of course found out. Their relationship is revealed and the university threatens to fire Declan but they also blame the "victim". Holly's grades for the entire semester are deemed null and void. Keep in mind they are in finals week and he was her professor in only one class. He had no control over her other classes. Why would they negate all her classes and offer no options in Declan's class? They could audit her assignments or have her re-test. This is just stupid!
I enjoyed the character development and liked Holly and Declan but these plot points were just ridiculous. It seems there could have been enough drama without these silly twists. I'll read the next book because I like this author and the other stories made sense, but I was happy when this book ended.
Then, Declan is suddenly moved from being a sex therapist to being forced to teach at the university and Holly is now his student. Of course there's a rule against relationships between teachers and their students. Even though they're already involved, they don't tell anyone and decide to sneak around. This again makes no sense. In the real world, they should have disclosed the relationship immediately and something could have been done such as having another professor grade her assignments. These all seem like really juvenile acts and false ways to build tension.
Now for a spoiler - don't read this if you don't want one. Later in the book, they are of course found out. Their relationship is revealed and the university threatens to fire Declan but they also blame the "victim". Holly's grades for the entire semester are deemed null and void. Keep in mind they are in finals week and he was her professor in only one class. He had no control over her other classes. Why would they negate all her classes and offer no options in Declan's class? They could audit her assignments or have her re-test. This is just stupid!
I enjoyed the character development and liked Holly and Declan but these plot points were just ridiculous. It seems there could have been enough drama without these silly twists. I'll read the next book because I like this author and the other stories made sense, but I was happy when this book ended.
October 18, 2016
Holy freaking hell talk about HOT and STEAMY! From the moment they meet to the moment they finally decide to have sex has so much anticipation and build up its crazy. But when they do have sex for the first time and every time afterwards it is passionate, intense and explosive! The details and imagery are absolutely mouth-watering and the hints of possible light bondage are oh so tantalizing. I love how Dec is so talented in his profession and in his music but doesn’t try to hide his past or his weaknesses from Holly. I also love the quirky way they speak in song titles and lyrics. It just about makes my heart melt. Holy is a special kind of sassy, spunky, determined woman who when she knows what she wants there is nothing in this world that is going to stop her from getting it. The unexpected job change was unfortunate and although they could have handled it better they made it work for them. Proud that they stayed together through all off the twists and turns this adventure takes them on, through unexpected deceptions, and unlikely defenders. All in all this is by far my favorite Camden Ranch novel and 100% a panty drencher.
Jillian Neal I applaud you for another success and can’t wait for what you have in store for me next.
Like all of Jillian's books I highly recommend you giving this series as well as her other series a try.
If you are looking to read this please know this is book 3 in the Camden Ranch Series. Book .5 is Coincidental Cowgirl, Book 1 is Rodeo Summer, and Book 2 is Forever Wild.
Happy Reading!!!
Jillian Neal I applaud you for another success and can’t wait for what you have in store for me next.
Like all of Jillian's books I highly recommend you giving this series as well as her other series a try.
If you are looking to read this please know this is book 3 in the Camden Ranch Series. Book .5 is Coincidental Cowgirl, Book 1 is Rodeo Summer, and Book 2 is Forever Wild.
Happy Reading!!!
March 25, 2021
When Holly and Dec met it was love at first sight. They seem to fit perfectly together, but they dont' know yet the obstacles they have to overcome to get their happily ever after.
To be honest, I did not really like this book at the beginning. Dec seemed to only talk about Holly's body and the main topic was sex. I also found it strange that they did not really talk about their personal lifes, such as job and education. I was already halfway through the book when they finally talked about their personal life and the event, that was teasered in the book description, happened. I liked that Dec talked rather openly about his past addiction and the erotic scenes where also not that bad ;)
To be honest, I did not really like this book at the beginning. Dec seemed to only talk about Holly's body and the main topic was sex. I also found it strange that they did not really talk about their personal lifes, such as job and education. I was already halfway through the book when they finally talked about their personal life and the event, that was teasered in the book description, happened. I liked that Dec talked rather openly about his past addiction and the erotic scenes where also not that bad ;)
October 18, 2016
This book was awesome! Declan was do great a character. A sexy British bad boy of a rocker who is also a Psychologist who specializes in sexual problems. He was so hot and I kept thinking of his voice as the guy from the show Constantine. Which I love how he talks.
the story was really good really hot! It had me laughing, crying, and loving every minute of it. It was a long book but I felt that it was perfect for everything that happened.
I really loved this book and I'm so glad I got to read it early. I can't wait to read more in copy!
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy.
the story was really good really hot! It had me laughing, crying, and loving every minute of it. It was a long book but I felt that it was perfect for everything that happened.
I really loved this book and I'm so glad I got to read it early. I can't wait to read more in copy!
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy.
June 16, 2020
Cowgirl Education is the third book in Neal’s Camden Ranch series. Camden brothers Austin and Luke along with their now wives Summer and Indie made up the first two books in the series. At 374 Kindle pages it’s a bit longer than your typical contemporary romance. This one focus on the youngest (by several years) Camden sibling Holly. Holly is a 23-year-old doctorial student who wants to become a sex therapist after seeing how her older sister Natalie being molested by a relative as a young girl has had long term effects upon her. Holly struggles with her urge to be true to her cowgirl roots and also be a sexual therapist which she believes will require her to live in Lincoln several hours away from her family’s ranch, the largest spread in Nebraska. The education in the title refers to the education Holly pursues for her doctorate and the sexual education she receives when she falls for Declan St. James, a British ex-patriot sexual therapist. She learns quite a bit about herself along the way.
To be honest I thought especially in the first half of this book the story moved a bit slowly. As an avid romance novel reader I’m not used to reading over 100 pages and not being close to half way through the book. But it’s worth taking the time to read the entire story. It has a bit of everything. As you’d expect with a sex therapist as a lead character there is plenty of sex as Declan gives Holly sexual freedom to explore her own deep dark sexual fantasies. There’s romance because these two are madly in love before their first week of knowing each other is over. There’s intrigue or suspense as the lovers try to hide their relationship when Declan is suddenly forced to be Holly’s instructor in one of her classes and the college strictly forbids relationships between faculty and students.
Declan is a recovering drug addict who has been clean for 11 years. He unfairly blames himself for a lot of sad things in his past. I can only hope that the author over dramatizes what it’s like to be a recovering drug addict after over a decade of sobriety because reading how Declan still fights the siren call of drugs nearly every hour of every day makes me think that if that’s what it’s truly like to be a recovering drug addict it is truly Hell on earth. Because Declan is a sexual therapist and Holly is working towards becoming one there is a lot of talk about societal attitudes towards sex especially as it applies to women.
I only had a couple of issues with this story which I will put in a spoiler Overall I thought this was an entertaining and sometimes thought provoking read.
To be honest I thought especially in the first half of this book the story moved a bit slowly. As an avid romance novel reader I’m not used to reading over 100 pages and not being close to half way through the book. But it’s worth taking the time to read the entire story. It has a bit of everything. As you’d expect with a sex therapist as a lead character there is plenty of sex as Declan gives Holly sexual freedom to explore her own deep dark sexual fantasies. There’s romance because these two are madly in love before their first week of knowing each other is over. There’s intrigue or suspense as the lovers try to hide their relationship when Declan is suddenly forced to be Holly’s instructor in one of her classes and the college strictly forbids relationships between faculty and students.
Declan is a recovering drug addict who has been clean for 11 years. He unfairly blames himself for a lot of sad things in his past. I can only hope that the author over dramatizes what it’s like to be a recovering drug addict after over a decade of sobriety because reading how Declan still fights the siren call of drugs nearly every hour of every day makes me think that if that’s what it’s truly like to be a recovering drug addict it is truly Hell on earth. Because Declan is a sexual therapist and Holly is working towards becoming one there is a lot of talk about societal attitudes towards sex especially as it applies to women.
I only had a couple of issues with this story which I will put in a spoiler Overall I thought this was an entertaining and sometimes thought provoking read.
October 20, 2016
What to say about this book. I totally loved it for one! It is a must read for two!
This is Holly and Declan's story.
One encounter, that's all it takes to get hooked. Holly and Declan meet. They start dating....well, sort of anyway. They both kind of already know that they are meant to be together, and they fall hard. They can't get enough of each other even though it's only been a week. But they do know that being together is no option, for either of them....
Holly is the youngest of the Camden kids. She has three older brothers ( Austin, Luke and Grant, respectively) and one older sister (Natalie). She is also cousin to Brock Camden, her father's brother's only son. Holly is a psych student at University of Nebraska and is majoring in Sex Therapy. She is having trouble with telling her parents what she is actually studying, mostly because she is afraid of how they will react. Holly's only goal this year is to be chosen and advised by Dr. Newsome, head of the Psychology department, at her school to get her Doctorate degree.
Enter Declan St. James, ex-pat from Britain. He is called the Love Doctor. He works at Lifespan, a Psychology Clinic in Lincoln. His every hope for getting his green card to stay permanently relying on his job. Abruptly getting pulled from his work, to go and teach at University of Nebraska, he is very unhappy about it. His biggest fear of this, by working at a University? Staying away from the dealers there. As a recovering addict, he has certain schedule that he likes to stick to in staying clean. Going to teach at the school makes that routine much harder. But what could be harder than that?
Staying away from his girlfriend when he discovers that she is assigned to his class. And you can imagine the rest.....or just read the book.
I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did. Cheers!
This is Holly and Declan's story.
One encounter, that's all it takes to get hooked. Holly and Declan meet. They start dating....well, sort of anyway. They both kind of already know that they are meant to be together, and they fall hard. They can't get enough of each other even though it's only been a week. But they do know that being together is no option, for either of them....
Holly is the youngest of the Camden kids. She has three older brothers ( Austin, Luke and Grant, respectively) and one older sister (Natalie). She is also cousin to Brock Camden, her father's brother's only son. Holly is a psych student at University of Nebraska and is majoring in Sex Therapy. She is having trouble with telling her parents what she is actually studying, mostly because she is afraid of how they will react. Holly's only goal this year is to be chosen and advised by Dr. Newsome, head of the Psychology department, at her school to get her Doctorate degree.
Enter Declan St. James, ex-pat from Britain. He is called the Love Doctor. He works at Lifespan, a Psychology Clinic in Lincoln. His every hope for getting his green card to stay permanently relying on his job. Abruptly getting pulled from his work, to go and teach at University of Nebraska, he is very unhappy about it. His biggest fear of this, by working at a University? Staying away from the dealers there. As a recovering addict, he has certain schedule that he likes to stick to in staying clean. Going to teach at the school makes that routine much harder. But what could be harder than that?
Staying away from his girlfriend when he discovers that she is assigned to his class. And you can imagine the rest.....or just read the book.
I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did. Cheers!
June 7, 2020
Cowgirl Education was a great read and nothing at all like I expected. I thought it was going to be another one of those Montana ranch stories but it turns out Declan, the sizzling hot man in the story -- while he was raised on a kind of farm in England wasn't much of a cowboy at all but Holly, the woman in question is a cowgirl, studying for a PhD in sex therapy of all things.
The story line was interesting, not canned as I expected and the character development -- and particularly her family's story line was good as well. There was a little too much sex for my taste -- I like a good steamy sex scene as much as the next reader but too much is too much... even still I really enjoyed Cowgirl Education to the point where I couldn't wait to get back to it when I had to put it down. I highly recommend it.
The story line was interesting, not canned as I expected and the character development -- and particularly her family's story line was good as well. There was a little too much sex for my taste -- I like a good steamy sex scene as much as the next reader but too much is too much... even still I really enjoyed Cowgirl Education to the point where I couldn't wait to get back to it when I had to put it down. I highly recommend it.
February 13, 2019
An Awesome Book!
I absolutely loved reading Cowgirl Education: a Camden Ranch Novel Book 3, all about Holly Camden the baby of the Camden clan a Psychology graduate student specializing in Sex Therapy & Dr. Declan St. James a Psychology Sex Therapist at Lifespan Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. They met at a coffee shop called Tracy’s where Holly filled in when the shop was busy!! This author sure knows how to write and keep your attention from page one to the very last page! And you will laugh, cry and have every other emotion under the sun while reading this series! Book one was insane, then book two was over the top and book three blew me away!! This family is so down to earth, come and get to know the Camden Ranch Family, I’m telling you, you will not be disappointed!!!
I absolutely loved reading Cowgirl Education: a Camden Ranch Novel Book 3, all about Holly Camden the baby of the Camden clan a Psychology graduate student specializing in Sex Therapy & Dr. Declan St. James a Psychology Sex Therapist at Lifespan Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. They met at a coffee shop called Tracy’s where Holly filled in when the shop was busy!! This author sure knows how to write and keep your attention from page one to the very last page! And you will laugh, cry and have every other emotion under the sun while reading this series! Book one was insane, then book two was over the top and book three blew me away!! This family is so down to earth, come and get to know the Camden Ranch Family, I’m telling you, you will not be disappointed!!!
May 27, 2020
Neal has created an engaging story with original characters. I liked Holly and Dec and enjoyed getting to know them. This is a love-at-first-sight story, with plenty of challenges and obstacles in the way of their happy ever after--including past baggage, current jobs, and even some of their friends and colleagues. There is a bit of erotica in this romance and by the last half of the book, I was skimming through many of the sex scenes to get back to the plot. It was well-written, but more sex scenes/erotica than meets my personal taste. However, I'd continue to read the series as I like Neal's character and plotline development.
June 30, 2020
Such an interesting premise, British ex-rocker addict sex therapist meets American small town straight-laced cowgirl psych student...if opposites could ever attract more.
Overall, there was a great storyline, peppered with some steamy scenes, and interactions with fun and entertaining secondary characters. The one downside, is that the writing got very repetitive. There were a lot of interactions between Dec and Holly I wanted to skim over, "I'm always here for you", "I intrigued, but I shouldn't be", "you're my reason for living", yada yada. Not that we don't love an occasional reinforcement, but it's just hitting you over the head with a frying pan.
Overall, there was a great storyline, peppered with some steamy scenes, and interactions with fun and entertaining secondary characters. The one downside, is that the writing got very repetitive. There were a lot of interactions between Dec and Holly I wanted to skim over, "I'm always here for you", "I intrigued, but I shouldn't be", "you're my reason for living", yada yada. Not that we don't love an occasional reinforcement, but it's just hitting you over the head with a frying pan.
September 14, 2020
I am absolutely blown away at the beauty of this novel & the real life issues it touches on. I love how passionate holly is about women's rights to enjoy & understand sex, her goal to help her sister, & the love she has for both people & animals. I fell in love with Dec instantly, but the passion he feels & the responsibility he takes for his decisions & consequences is admirable. Addiction is no easy thing. Not for the addicts, not for their loved ones, not for anyone in their lives. It's unbelievably hard to get inside an addict's brain & I think it was done beautifully here. I laughed, I cried, & I can't wait to read more!
January 1, 2021
Okay, I got to tell you guys something. I have this, almost embarrassing, obsession with guys who have their dicks pierced. I don't know, but I just think it's SO fucking hot. Well, obviously, most of our book boyfriends don't have that. And that's fine, but when you read that one book with a guy who does have a piercing, my whole world stops for a moment and I'm like; 'Yes, fucking finallyyyyyyy'. SOOOO, obviously, when I read like the first 5 pages of this book I was happy! Good way to start a book, damn.
Soooooo, on to the actual review instead of my statement of pierced dicks.
At first it looked like your average student/professor story, and I don't know how I actually feel about those type of realtionships. There is a reason why it's not allowed. But, Declan and Holly met way before he was her professor. So I didn't have much problems with this relationship.I guess the thrill of getting caught plays a part in this whole relationship thing.
Declan, a British (!!!) rockstar / Sex therapist, meets Holly in a bar. She got stood up by a guy from her class. They click instantly. Is love at first sight a thing? Well, with Declan and Holly it DEFINATELY is! Because damn, love everywhere with those two.
Holly wants to take him home, Declan agrees (while he shouldn't), but only to take care of the tattoo she just got. She can't reach it herself, uhuh. Declan promises to take her out for breakfast later.
But what Holly doesn't know yet, is that Declan is a former addict. I personally don't have experience with people who had a drug addiction, so it was extremely interesting to read this story. I think this book really gives you an inside look in the life of a former addict. Declan is 11 years clean, but still has so. much. trouble with resisting his former addiction, that never disappears. I haven't thought about that ever, so I learned a lot from this book.
Holly and Declan discover her sexuality together. Push her boundaries, take her places she's never been before.
But ofcourse, it isn't all rainbows and sunshine. Declan's addiction plays a big part in this story, his struggles with it. Also, there is still the change they get discovered and then they will be in big trouble. Declan is still on a work visa in The States, so his visa depends on his job. Declan also feels that he takes too much from people. He doesn't feel worthy, he's afraid he falls from one addiction to the other. It takes Holly a lot of time and love to convince Declan that he is worthy of everything.
❝I take thing I shouldn't, Holly, things that shouldn't belong to me, and I just keep wanting more. I try so damn hard not to be that person, but that's who I am.❞
Eventually they do get caught, but not by who we all thought it would be. Plot twist!!
I think we can learn a lot from stories like these. Addiction is NO joke. Sexuality is an incredible thing. And true love exsist.
★★★★★ - @myheadburiedinbooks
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February 3, 2021
So damn good
I loved the characters in this book almost instantly. They took me by surprise, and I'm impressed with the author's compassionate portrayal of addiction, because so few people are compassionate about an illness like drug addiction.
Dec really struggles, and his demons are so real, but they allow his strength to come through so truthfully. Holly was so well-written - she's young, yes, and that shows in a way that also marks her burgeoning maturity as well. She is trying to be two things and doesn't see how they connect; her character arc as she learns and grows is lovely.
I loved the characters in this book almost instantly. They took me by surprise, and I'm impressed with the author's compassionate portrayal of addiction, because so few people are compassionate about an illness like drug addiction.
Dec really struggles, and his demons are so real, but they allow his strength to come through so truthfully. Holly was so well-written - she's young, yes, and that shows in a way that also marks her burgeoning maturity as well. She is trying to be two things and doesn't see how they connect; her character arc as she learns and grows is lovely.
September 21, 2022
I tried to enjoy the story and these characters but the more I tried the more I loathed them.
Maybe I could have enjoyed this more if the audio was better? The narrators voice kept changing for the same character and some sounds would interrupt over the narration. At certain points lines were repeated for no reason. It was all a bit of a mess.
I didn't relate to any of the characters and the FMC was very annoying to listen to. Everything she discussed with the MMC was secual. A tattoo? Became sexual. Ordering a drink? Became sexual. Also every other sentence mentioned cowgirl! We get it, it's in the title.
I had to DNF at 22% ish.
Maybe I could have enjoyed this more if the audio was better? The narrators voice kept changing for the same character and some sounds would interrupt over the narration. At certain points lines were repeated for no reason. It was all a bit of a mess.
I didn't relate to any of the characters and the FMC was very annoying to listen to. Everything she discussed with the MMC was secual. A tattoo? Became sexual. Ordering a drink? Became sexual. Also every other sentence mentioned cowgirl! We get it, it's in the title.
I had to DNF at 22% ish.
April 28, 2018
I truly enjoy the Camden Ranch series. Each book is at minimum as good as the previous book of not better.
Dec and Billy's story was romantic, sweet, sexy, and so much fun. One of the funniest moments was when Holly told someone, "That's my sh*t-drivel level." I don't know why that hit me the way it did, but it had me laughing out loud. Just one of many funny moments in the book.
It wasn't all sweetness and light as we followed Dec struggling with his addiction and painful periods in his past.
I am on to the next Camden Ranch book. I just hope this writer keeps 'em coming.
Dec and Billy's story was romantic, sweet, sexy, and so much fun. One of the funniest moments was when Holly told someone, "That's my sh*t-drivel level." I don't know why that hit me the way it did, but it had me laughing out loud. Just one of many funny moments in the book.
It wasn't all sweetness and light as we followed Dec struggling with his addiction and painful periods in his past.
I am on to the next Camden Ranch book. I just hope this writer keeps 'em coming.
May 20, 2020
Declan St. James is one of the best - if not the best - dirty talkers I’ve EVER read. And I love a dirty talker. Five stars for the sex scenes FOR SURE.
The story was very interesting and suspenseful at the right times. You can tell the author approached Declan’s addiction with purpose and thoughtfulness.
Some of the dialogue is very, very repetitive and I feel like this book could use editing. But for me, this is a great introduction to the Camden Ranch world. I’ll definitely be reading more.
The story was very interesting and suspenseful at the right times. You can tell the author approached Declan’s addiction with purpose and thoughtfulness.
Some of the dialogue is very, very repetitive and I feel like this book could use editing. But for me, this is a great introduction to the Camden Ranch world. I’ll definitely be reading more.
January 1, 2019
Cowgirl Education is book 3 in the Camden Ranch series by Jillian Neal and another awesome book.
What happens when a former British Rockstar and sexuality professor comes to work in middle America and meets a wild cowgirl who is determined to become a psychologist...sparks fly, tensions run high BUT if anyone finds out they are having a relationship he will be sent back home...
Can they find a way to have it all...or will it all blow up in their faces???
What happens when a former British Rockstar and sexuality professor comes to work in middle America and meets a wild cowgirl who is determined to become a psychologist...sparks fly, tensions run high BUT if anyone finds out they are having a relationship he will be sent back home...
Can they find a way to have it all...or will it all blow up in their faces???
Want to read
January 14, 2021I think this is going to be a DNF for me. The villains are over the top bad guys for not really enough reason, entitled white dudes, that just want to ruin the heroine and heroes lives. I'm sure they get what's coming to them and the hero and heroine get together, but I don't want to read through it. 5 stars through for chemistry between the main characters and sexy times.
May 8, 2020
I don't know what other people see in this book to give it 5 stars. I got 34% through the book and can't waste my time on it anymore. I didn't like either character and the sex scenes are laughable. The premise was good, but execution was not for me.
December 2, 2020
Soooo bland and boring!!! This is my second Jillian Neal book and I forced myself through the whole book the first time and regretted it.
I couldn’t force myself through this one.
I didn’t even make it to the 25% mark.
I couldn’t force myself through this one.
I didn’t even make it to the 25% mark.
April 30, 2018
The story of Declan and Holly is really a hot read.
August 2, 2019
Another great read about the Camdens.
Want to read
May 2, 2020Dirty Boy Book Club free book.
May 16, 2020
Loved the main characters. Loved the storyline. Lots of feels to be had. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
May 23, 2020
I enjoyed this book, the storyline and the characters, however I think it could have been condensed. It seemed overly long to me....
August 28, 2020
Another one bites the dust!!! Love this series on to the next....
November 9, 2020
This was a really interesting book. There was a lot going on with Holly and Declan. Holly confides in two of her friends and realizes she put her trust in the wrong friend.
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