What do you think?
Rate this book
Carmody Family #2
The Rebel and the Cowboy
He's got a lean, hard body and the heart of a poet...
Casey Carmody may be the dreamer in his family, but he’s a born-and-bred cowboy. His days are spent on the family ranch while his nights belong to his band and the music they create. Casey would never dream of walking away from his responsibilities to pursue a career in music – until he meets urban artist Eva King.
Eva has always been a rebel. In town to try to kickstart her career, the last thing she expects is to feel an instant connection with a cowboy. They both fall hard, but it doesn’t take long for the rebel in her to clash with Casey’s determination to do the right thing – even if that means sacrificing his dreams.
With so much at stake, can these two soulmates risk building a life together?
Casey Carmody may be the dreamer in his family, but he’s a born-and-bred cowboy. His days are spent on the family ranch while his nights belong to his band and the music they create. Casey would never dream of walking away from his responsibilities to pursue a career in music – until he meets urban artist Eva King.
Eva has always been a rebel. In town to try to kickstart her career, the last thing she expects is to feel an instant connection with a cowboy. They both fall hard, but it doesn’t take long for the rebel in her to clash with Casey’s determination to do the right thing – even if that means sacrificing his dreams.
With so much at stake, can these two soulmates risk building a life together?
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2019
About the author
Sarah Mayberry
164 books1,153 followersSarah Mayberry was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is the middle of three children. From the time that she first “stole” paper from kindergarten and stapled it together to make “books,” Sarah has always wanted to be a writer. In line with this ambition, on graduation from high school she completed a bachelor of arts degree majoring in professional writing, then sat down to write a book. When inspiration didn’t strike, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she needed to live some life first before writing about it.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 4, 2019
This is second in a series of the Carmody brothers and you'll probably benefit from reading the first (though you really don't have to). Some of the family and ranch dynamics are setup in the first and a deeper familiarity is nice but not necessary. There are also some characters who are obviously from other romances that happened in and around the community written by other authors. I didn't read those and didn't miss them, though it's obvious some of the happy couples depicted have backstories explored elsewhere.
I love Sarah Mayberry and this reminded my why. Casey and Eva are very different in many surface ways, but I loved how well they connected in their artistic, uh, nature? They are both driven to create and I loved how well that shared sense of beauty and communication and emotion drew them together. I particularly loved that each, in their own way, chose to be brave in pursuing their relationship even though so much was piled against it and they hadn't meant to have more than a satisfactory fling to start. So you don't have that whole "I must protect myself because it's getting deep and we have an expiration date when Eva's job is over and she has to return to her home base in LA" even though it would have been fully justified.
So yeah. Capable and strong guy with a caring heart and desire to do his best for those he loves is always going to be engaging to me. And Casey is that in spades. And Eva's determination to make it on her own and still being able to take input from those around her for consideration and adaptation was an outstanding draw as well. The only potential qualm is how successful each is in artistic arenas that are overpopulated and thus require true excellence to succeed. So this has a lot of wish fulfillment while it's at it. I do like how Mayberry turned that on its head a bit by driving the biggest conflict from the opposite side than you'd expect (by having Casey's artistic success be the thing that presents the problems).
So anyway, this gets all the stars, though it probably only really deserves four, maybe 4½, of them.
A note about Steamy: There are five explicit sex scenes putting this on the high side of my steam tolerance. The last couple are pretty short and I'll admit to skimming even so. Frankly, almost all of it after the first was gratuitous as the important intimacies between them weren't the physical. Okay, the second had some interesting dynamics that were fun and informative of their connection, but still...
I love Sarah Mayberry and this reminded my why. Casey and Eva are very different in many surface ways, but I loved how well they connected in their artistic, uh, nature? They are both driven to create and I loved how well that shared sense of beauty and communication and emotion drew them together. I particularly loved that each, in their own way, chose to be brave in pursuing their relationship even though so much was piled against it and they hadn't meant to have more than a satisfactory fling to start. So you don't have that whole "I must protect myself because it's getting deep and we have an expiration date when Eva's job is over and she has to return to her home base in LA" even though it would have been fully justified.
So yeah. Capable and strong guy with a caring heart and desire to do his best for those he loves is always going to be engaging to me. And Casey is that in spades. And Eva's determination to make it on her own and still being able to take input from those around her for consideration and adaptation was an outstanding draw as well. The only potential qualm is how successful each is in artistic arenas that are overpopulated and thus require true excellence to succeed. So this has a lot of wish fulfillment while it's at it. I do like how Mayberry turned that on its head a bit by driving the biggest conflict from the opposite side than you'd expect (by having Casey's artistic success be the thing that presents the problems).
So anyway, this gets all the stars, though it probably only really deserves four, maybe 4½, of them.
A note about Steamy: There are five explicit sex scenes putting this on the high side of my steam tolerance. The last couple are pretty short and I'll admit to skimming even so. Frankly, almost all of it after the first was gratuitous as the important intimacies between them weren't the physical. Okay, the second had some interesting dynamics that were fun and informative of their connection, but still...
June 1, 2019
Sarah Mayberry writes such nice books. I know that sounds like damning with faint praise, but it's not at all. And I liked that Casey and Eva were ultimately such PARTNERS. That's so important to me in a romance novel. They both wanted each other to have their dreams and like I said, nice.
**Read for Ripped Bodice Bingo 2019, Cowboys**
**Read for Ripped Bodice Bingo 2019, Cowboys**
May 17, 2019
Eva King has spent five years supporting her boyfriend in all ways, emotionally, professionally etc but when she asks for similar support he ridicules her and says she is basically not his collaborator but his assistant (with benefits), now with no professional credentials her only hope of building a professional reputation is by inviting herself along as a potential candidate for an ambitious mural on a disused grain elevator in the small town of Marietta. With very little money she is looking for a place to stay when Sierra Carmody offers the Airstream sitting outside their barn.
When Sierra's brother Casey sees Eva he is immediately drawn to the fiery artist, but unless she wins the commission she'll go back to LA in a day or two and Casey is tied to his family's farm to deeply to move. Following the deaths of their parents in a car crash Casey, Sierra and their brother Jed have tried to keep the family farm going but a few tough years have really pushed them to the edge, when Casey gets a chance to take his band further than just headlining in the local bar he just can't take the chance of losing the family farm and the family can't afford to replace him.
This was a pleasant romance but I felt the plot was sacrificed for the sexy times. There were the two strands: Eva and her slimy ex competing for the grain elevator commission; and Casey and his band getting a chance at success. Both were built up and then resolved bish-bash-bosh whereas I lost count of the sex scenes and almost sex scenes in the book - just tell me a story and stop having sex!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
When Sierra's brother Casey sees Eva he is immediately drawn to the fiery artist, but unless she wins the commission she'll go back to LA in a day or two and Casey is tied to his family's farm to deeply to move. Following the deaths of their parents in a car crash Casey, Sierra and their brother Jed have tried to keep the family farm going but a few tough years have really pushed them to the edge, when Casey gets a chance to take his band further than just headlining in the local bar he just can't take the chance of losing the family farm and the family can't afford to replace him.
This was a pleasant romance but I felt the plot was sacrificed for the sexy times. There were the two strands: Eva and her slimy ex competing for the grain elevator commission; and Casey and his band getting a chance at success. Both were built up and then resolved bish-bash-bosh whereas I lost count of the sex scenes and almost sex scenes in the book - just tell me a story and stop having sex!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
April 21, 2019
I'm not really a fan of Cowboys, but at this point I'll read anything Sarah Mayberry writes. She's one of my go-to authors whenever I'm in the mood for a fun, steamy contemporary romance, and she never disappoints!
This has a wonderful family (which we were introduced to in The Cowboy Meets His Match; this works perfectly as a standalone, though), hilarious bickering, two equally strong-willed and independent main characters (who are so wonderfully well-matched!), and quite a lot of steam. It was funny as well as sexy, with good character development, and all around a wonderful read! I did worry at the beginning that Casey might be a bit too macho/alpha/bossy for my tastes, but he more than found his match in Eva, and takes as good as he gives.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This has a wonderful family (which we were introduced to in The Cowboy Meets His Match; this works perfectly as a standalone, though), hilarious bickering, two equally strong-willed and independent main characters (who are so wonderfully well-matched!), and quite a lot of steam. It was funny as well as sexy, with good character development, and all around a wonderful read! I did worry at the beginning that Casey might be a bit too macho/alpha/bossy for my tastes, but he more than found his match in Eva, and takes as good as he gives.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
October 23, 2019
Eva, fresh from breaking off her business and personal relationship with a man who used her for her talent and left her in the dust when she started to shine, is out to win the commission for a large scale mural installation in a small town.
Eva's here for business ONLY, but when she discovers her hotel accommodations were lost to a computer glitch, the friendly woman who offers to let her stay on her family's ranch turns out to have a very sexy brother named Casey who might be the perfect distraction or the perfect heartbreak.
Despite leading a increasingly popular Country band, Casey is set on one thing only, keeping his family's ranch afloat. But Eva, with her platinum crop, tattoos, and forthrightness, is someone he can't just let pass by.
A hot fling turns into the opportunity for more, but can Casey or Eva trust the other or give themselves the chance to both have what they so clearly want?
Hot dog, consider me a Mayberry convert. I'm not typically one for cowboys, but if they are all as sensitive and sweet as Casey, sign me up!
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
CW for parental death (off page), verbal abuse from an ex
Eva's here for business ONLY, but when she discovers her hotel accommodations were lost to a computer glitch, the friendly woman who offers to let her stay on her family's ranch turns out to have a very sexy brother named Casey who might be the perfect distraction or the perfect heartbreak.
Despite leading a increasingly popular Country band, Casey is set on one thing only, keeping his family's ranch afloat. But Eva, with her platinum crop, tattoos, and forthrightness, is someone he can't just let pass by.
A hot fling turns into the opportunity for more, but can Casey or Eva trust the other or give themselves the chance to both have what they so clearly want?
Hot dog, consider me a Mayberry convert. I'm not typically one for cowboys, but if they are all as sensitive and sweet as Casey, sign me up!
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
CW for parental death (off page), verbal abuse from an ex
April 26, 2019
Cowboys are not an auto-buy for me. But Sarah Mayberry is (so consider that as you read the review). I have also read and reviewed the previous book in this series (and really liked it).
I always appreciate how Mayberry crafts her love interests. Here we have two people with an understanding and a connection because they're both artists (he's a singer/songwriter, she crafts enormous public murals). At the same time, they have telling differences: he's insisted that his music has to take a back seat to his family's struggling ranch, while she's running after her arts dream after being in the shadow of an ex for too long.
So, when fame comes knocking for him, he runs from it instead of toward it. A classic selfless hero, he doesn't realize he's robbing his family and other loved ones of their own choices. The HEA is a struggle, not a glide, making for nice, chewy reading. My only real objection is that the ending seems a little rushed.
That being said, I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
I always appreciate how Mayberry crafts her love interests. Here we have two people with an understanding and a connection because they're both artists (he's a singer/songwriter, she crafts enormous public murals). At the same time, they have telling differences: he's insisted that his music has to take a back seat to his family's struggling ranch, while she's running after her arts dream after being in the shadow of an ex for too long.
So, when fame comes knocking for him, he runs from it instead of toward it. A classic selfless hero, he doesn't realize he's robbing his family and other loved ones of their own choices. The HEA is a struggle, not a glide, making for nice, chewy reading. My only real objection is that the ending seems a little rushed.
That being said, I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
December 16, 2019
3.5, 4 stars - I love me a Mayberry, y'all know this. Short, warm, confidently romantic - and so smart about managing to make all three of those work together. I liked the leads together a lot, and how no-fuss they were about how much and how quickly they liked each other.
One final, extremely silly thing to note - I'm impressed by how well Mayberry captured both leads' talent and ambition. A lot of books fall short for me when they talk about artistic talent, but I really get how far both of them could go here.
Apparently there's another Mayberry out there that I haven't read yet so I'm gonna get on that now.
One final, extremely silly thing to note - I'm impressed by how well Mayberry captured both leads' talent and ambition. A lot of books fall short for me when they talk about artistic talent, but I really get how far both of them could go here.
Apparently there's another Mayberry out there that I haven't read yet so I'm gonna get on that now.
April 25, 2019
The Rebel and The Cowboy is the second book in Sarah Mayberry’s Carmody Brothers, and was an absolute pleasure to read. I’ve become a fast fan of Ms Mayberry's easy writing style and her Cowboys are always captivating and rugged. This story details the strong familial bond between the Carmody’s and highlights their formidable attributes throughout. Casey and Eva were easy to like with their engaging presence and I’m sure we will have more to look forward to from this wonderful cast of characters. I’m excited for the next in this series!
May 2, 2019
Casey Carmody is the lead singer for The Whiskey Shots and he is one of the 4 siblings who takes care of the family Ranch. If you have read many books based in Marietta you have more than likely heard about him or one of his siblings. I have to say in my opinion Casey is the "hot" one so far, course we do not know Jed's story yet. Anyways this is Casey and Eva's story to tell and what a good story this is indeed. Who is Eva you ask? Well, Eva comes from L.A. to bid on painting a mural on the old silo in town. She has to win the bid against her ex, which is a story in itself. Our author gives us a wonderful story that is so full vivid. You can actually see the pictures that are actually painted, see the countryside that Eva and Casey picnic in, hear the music played and the crowd go crazy at Grey's when The Whiskey Shot's play. This book inside is every bit as good as the cover. Yep, that good.
July 11, 2024
Eva King has arrived in town trying to win a job painting a grain elevator. She arrives in town to find her reservation didn't go through and has to find a place to stay. Eva visits the local diner and meets Sierra Carmody who offers to rent out their travel camper on their ranch for her to use while in town. When Eva follows Sierra back home she meets Casey Carmody the older brother and part ranch owner. Casey works the ranch and goes in town on occasion and performs in a band with his friends. Eva and Casey find themselves immediately drawn to each other and feel the sparks between them. I absolutely loved Eva and Casey's story!
May 8, 2019
Chemistry and tenderness in here
I really liked the synergy of the artistry connection between Casey and Eva, they fed into each other so well. There is chemistry and tenderness between them, together with hot bedroom action - more than kisses go on!
A peek into ranch life and Marietta is always welcome and it wraps nicely around the story. Conversations ring realistically and the story sucks you in. Switch off and enjoy the trip.
I really liked the synergy of the artistry connection between Casey and Eva, they fed into each other so well. There is chemistry and tenderness between them, together with hot bedroom action - more than kisses go on!
A peek into ranch life and Marietta is always welcome and it wraps nicely around the story. Conversations ring realistically and the story sucks you in. Switch off and enjoy the trip.
November 17, 2020
I enjoy Sarah Mayberry's style of writing and all her cowboy characters and their love stories.
Here we have two artists - Casey, a talented musician and Eva, a mural artist. While Casey is ready to put his dream on hold for his family, Eva is much more ambitious. How will they resolve this difference when they are so much in love and yet not wanting to let go of what they're working on?
Two strong characters, and some great arguments between them, make for a very enjoyable read.
Here we have two artists - Casey, a talented musician and Eva, a mural artist. While Casey is ready to put his dream on hold for his family, Eva is much more ambitious. How will they resolve this difference when they are so much in love and yet not wanting to let go of what they're working on?
Two strong characters, and some great arguments between them, make for a very enjoyable read.
May 28, 2024
Casey Carmody struggles with his siblings to keep his Marietta ranch going. Eva King is a large scale ‘graffitti’ artist who has finally broken free of artist taking all the credit. She ends up at the Carmody ranch. This is their love story. I am a big fan on Marietta stories. Not much on the townspeople, but I really enjoyed the story and want to read the others about this family.
April 22, 2019
The second book in the Carmody Brothers, The Rebel and The Cowboy is a good read. Casey and Eva are engaging characters and the story is a wonderful easy read. I look forward to reading more of this series
October 21, 2020
Sweet and sexy story which was well written. Underlying sense that the family ranch was a burden to all the siblings and prevented them from “going out” in the world and doing what they really wanted. Hopefully the next novel will delve deeper into this.
June 2, 2024
Super talented cowboy...
What's not to love about Casey. Great with his hands over a diverse range of tasks, including playing the guitar. And he's a talented songwriter. The chemistry between him and Eva is smoking hot too! A most enjoyable read.
What's not to love about Casey. Great with his hands over a diverse range of tasks, including playing the guitar. And he's a talented songwriter. The chemistry between him and Eva is smoking hot too! A most enjoyable read.
June 18, 2025
Another cowboy romance. Yeesh. Sarah Mayberry gets all the beats down perfectly and creates people who are easy to love. And even the ex boyfriend isn't a caricature; he feels real. I loved it and I'm sad there's only one more in this series.
March 15, 2021
Another good addition to the series. Looking forward to the next one.
September 30, 2021
I loved the story, but I cannot give 5 stars to any book full of curse words. They are ALWAYS unnecessary.
November 7, 2022
A lovely read! Just love Mrs Mayberry writing
May 18, 2024
strong people.
A story with a theme different than the rest. Follow your dream. Not your sense of what you think you should do.
Family. Dreams. Good story
A story with a theme different than the rest. Follow your dream. Not your sense of what you think you should do.
Family. Dreams. Good story
May 19, 2024
Casey & Eva
Great book! I liked how Eva's self confidence evolved as the book progressed. Casey 's realization that life without Eva in it was no longer an option was epic.
Great book! I liked how Eva's self confidence evolved as the book progressed. Casey 's realization that life without Eva in it was no longer an option was epic.
May 20, 2024
Decent book and story. Too many editing errors brought the rating down.
June 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. I liked the couple together. I liked how supportive they were of each other and talked to each.
August 15, 2024
great story
Great story with genuine characters in a lovely setting. Montana and cowboys, how can you go wrong? Can’t wait to read more.
Great story with genuine characters in a lovely setting. Montana and cowboys, how can you go wrong? Can’t wait to read more.
April 29, 2019
The Rebel and the Cowboy by Sarah Mayberry
He’s got a lean, hard body and the heart of a poet…
Casey Carmody may be the dreamer in his family, but he’s a born-and-bred cowboy. His days are spent on the family ranch while his nights belong to his band and the music they create. Casey would never dream of walking away from his responsibilities to pursue a career in music – until he meets urban artist Eva King.
Eva has always been a rebel. In town to complete a commission, the last thing she expects is to feel an instant connection with a cowboy. They both fall hard, but it doesn’t take long for the rebel in her to clash with Casey’s determination to do the right thing – even if that means sacrificing his dreams.
With so much at stake, can these two soulmates risk building a life together?
This is Eva King and Casey Carmody's story.
Uh-oh. That’s a bad sign.
Eva King watched with growing unease as the young receptionist at the Marietta Motel had a hushed, furtive conversation with an older woman Eva guessed was the manager. Both women turned to look at Eva briefly before resuming their consultation.
Eva ran a hand through her short blond hair. She’d been driving since early this morning and all she wanted was a shower and something to eat that didn’t come from a fast food window. But instead of handing over the key to her room when she arrived five minutes ago, the receptionist had tapped at her computer briefly, rifled through printouts on her desk, then called her boss out from her office.
Not exactly reassuring.
Casey Carmody was in the barn when he heard the sound of cars pulling into the yard. Wiping dusty hands on the seat of his jeans, he adjusted his hat and headed out into the sunlight to meet their prospective houseguest.
It was so Sierra to offer a helping hand to a random stranger she’d met at the diner. His sister had a heart the size of Texas and had never been able to stand by when someone was in need. Casey, on the other hand, was a little more cynical, and his gaze was quietly assessing as he took in the woman talking to his sister in front of a faded black van.
She was standing side-on to him, but he could see she was boyishly slim, with short, white-blond hair. She was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans with a white T-shirt, and her black Chuck Taylor sneakers were splattered with paint. As he watched, she gestured with her right arm and he registered a brightly colored tattoo on her bicep.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
The Rebel and the Cowboy by Sarah Mayberry is a 4 star book.
Sarah's Books with Tule:
Almost a Bride
Great Wedding Giveaway
Make-Believe Wedding
Great Wedding Giveaway
Bound to the Bachelor
Bachelor Auction
The Great Wedding Giveaway
His Christmas Gift
Tanner
American Extreme Bull Riders Tour
The Cowboy Meets His Match
The 79th Copper Mountain Rodeo
The Carmody Brothers
The Rebel and the Cowboy
The Carmody Brothers
He’s got a lean, hard body and the heart of a poet…
Casey Carmody may be the dreamer in his family, but he’s a born-and-bred cowboy. His days are spent on the family ranch while his nights belong to his band and the music they create. Casey would never dream of walking away from his responsibilities to pursue a career in music – until he meets urban artist Eva King.
Eva has always been a rebel. In town to complete a commission, the last thing she expects is to feel an instant connection with a cowboy. They both fall hard, but it doesn’t take long for the rebel in her to clash with Casey’s determination to do the right thing – even if that means sacrificing his dreams.
With so much at stake, can these two soulmates risk building a life together?
This is Eva King and Casey Carmody's story.
Uh-oh. That’s a bad sign.
Eva King watched with growing unease as the young receptionist at the Marietta Motel had a hushed, furtive conversation with an older woman Eva guessed was the manager. Both women turned to look at Eva briefly before resuming their consultation.
Eva ran a hand through her short blond hair. She’d been driving since early this morning and all she wanted was a shower and something to eat that didn’t come from a fast food window. But instead of handing over the key to her room when she arrived five minutes ago, the receptionist had tapped at her computer briefly, rifled through printouts on her desk, then called her boss out from her office.
Not exactly reassuring.
Casey Carmody was in the barn when he heard the sound of cars pulling into the yard. Wiping dusty hands on the seat of his jeans, he adjusted his hat and headed out into the sunlight to meet their prospective houseguest.
It was so Sierra to offer a helping hand to a random stranger she’d met at the diner. His sister had a heart the size of Texas and had never been able to stand by when someone was in need. Casey, on the other hand, was a little more cynical, and his gaze was quietly assessing as he took in the woman talking to his sister in front of a faded black van.
She was standing side-on to him, but he could see she was boyishly slim, with short, white-blond hair. She was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans with a white T-shirt, and her black Chuck Taylor sneakers were splattered with paint. As he watched, she gestured with her right arm and he registered a brightly colored tattoo on her bicep.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
The Rebel and the Cowboy by Sarah Mayberry is a 4 star book.
Sarah's Books with Tule:
Almost a Bride
Great Wedding Giveaway
Make-Believe Wedding
Great Wedding Giveaway
Bound to the Bachelor
Bachelor Auction
The Great Wedding Giveaway
His Christmas Gift
Tanner
American Extreme Bull Riders Tour
The Cowboy Meets His Match
The 79th Copper Mountain Rodeo
The Carmody Brothers
The Rebel and the Cowboy
The Carmody Brothers
May 1, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
THE REBEL AND THE COWBOY is a delightful romance of true opposites attract people mixed in with a bit of drama from the past and shelving a dream to put family first (even if they never asked or expected that).
We first met Casey in THE COWBOY MEETS HIS MATCH, at that time part of the 79th Copper Mountain Rodeo multi-author series, and now the beginning story in The Carmody Family series. Casey has an amazing talent as a singer and songwriter but he’s also a dedicated son with a ranch in financial trouble – and he’s not a man to walk away from his responsibilities, so that dream of a musical career is placed firmly on the back burner. Until events change and possibilities happen.
Eva is outspoken, stubborn, sassy and determined to win the bid to do this painting on the silo competition in Marietta, Montana. That she’s competing against her ex, the man who stole from her and destroyed her dreams is either a plus or a disaster depending on your outlook. Eva wants to beat him into the ground so for her it’s a plus. She has no time for hot cowboys and true romance, but a temporary fling – that she can do. Except Casey is turning out to be not so casual and not so easy to walk away from soon.
I loved Casey from the start, especially since I knew of him from the earlier story. His devotion to his family is honorable, but his stubbornness to give up his dream isn’t what his family would want, if only he’d listen to them. It’s impossible to not fall in love with this hot, stubborn cowboy – and Eva tried but lost in the end. Eva is tempted by Casey but she wants the best for both of them eventually. Walking away would be hard, but only if it’s the right thing to do. She had no interest in happy ever afters again but Casey certainly changed her mind. Watching them work through their issues was an engaging journey. Familiar faces can be found in THE REBEL AND THE COWBOY if you’ve visited Marietta, Montana before – I love when characters that I’ve grown to love also show up in other stories. If you love a good story, hot cowboys and stubborn artists, a family that loves deep and a town that has its own unique charm then you’ll enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
THE REBEL AND THE COWBOY is a delightful romance of true opposites attract people mixed in with a bit of drama from the past and shelving a dream to put family first (even if they never asked or expected that).
We first met Casey in THE COWBOY MEETS HIS MATCH, at that time part of the 79th Copper Mountain Rodeo multi-author series, and now the beginning story in The Carmody Family series. Casey has an amazing talent as a singer and songwriter but he’s also a dedicated son with a ranch in financial trouble – and he’s not a man to walk away from his responsibilities, so that dream of a musical career is placed firmly on the back burner. Until events change and possibilities happen.
Eva is outspoken, stubborn, sassy and determined to win the bid to do this painting on the silo competition in Marietta, Montana. That she’s competing against her ex, the man who stole from her and destroyed her dreams is either a plus or a disaster depending on your outlook. Eva wants to beat him into the ground so for her it’s a plus. She has no time for hot cowboys and true romance, but a temporary fling – that she can do. Except Casey is turning out to be not so casual and not so easy to walk away from soon.
I loved Casey from the start, especially since I knew of him from the earlier story. His devotion to his family is honorable, but his stubbornness to give up his dream isn’t what his family would want, if only he’d listen to them. It’s impossible to not fall in love with this hot, stubborn cowboy – and Eva tried but lost in the end. Eva is tempted by Casey but she wants the best for both of them eventually. Walking away would be hard, but only if it’s the right thing to do. She had no interest in happy ever afters again but Casey certainly changed her mind. Watching them work through their issues was an engaging journey. Familiar faces can be found in THE REBEL AND THE COWBOY if you’ve visited Marietta, Montana before – I love when characters that I’ve grown to love also show up in other stories. If you love a good story, hot cowboys and stubborn artists, a family that loves deep and a town that has its own unique charm then you’ll enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
September 25, 2024
hi, i love sarah mayberry. the end.
jk.
when i saw this on netgalley, i couldn't grab it fast enough. i didn't realise it was the second in a series, which is a bummer because i like to read things in order, even if you don't 'need' to. but no big, the characters in the first show up in this one for like 2 seconds. i can't wait to read the other books in the series, i hope sierra gets a book - even though on goodreads it says 'carmody brothers series'. anywho.
one of the main reasons i love sarah mayberry is that she's australian. i was a wee bit bummed that this book is very much not set in Oz, but i have plenty of her backlist to work through and i know there's some aussie ones in there to satisfy my homesickness :) either way, i honestly don't understand why her books aren't more popular. get it together people, read her books!
but lets get to the point of the review, the actual book! i loved it. duh. i loved casey, i loved eva. i loved them together. their chemistry was off the charts, but so was their banter. i giggled so many times. it's definitely a steamy book, especially for how short it is. the conflict is fairly predictable in that you know what's going to happen when one character thinks they are doing the right thing, but i liked that it was resolved in a less than predictable way, . i also liked that the ex played a part but not in the big conflict - i was worried he was gonna come back and do something nasty. overall, this was a seriously delightful read, funny, sexy, adorable, well written, great characters, fast paced and fairly low angsty read. i really really liked it and hope everyone else does too.
also, side note, had no idea what a grain elevator was, went through most of the book thinking it was, like, a random elevator just hanging out in a car park or something. then i googled it and so many things made way more sense.
----------------------------------------
full review to come but goodness gracious me, i just adore Sarah Mayberry.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for honest review
jk.
when i saw this on netgalley, i couldn't grab it fast enough. i didn't realise it was the second in a series, which is a bummer because i like to read things in order, even if you don't 'need' to. but no big, the characters in the first show up in this one for like 2 seconds. i can't wait to read the other books in the series, i hope sierra gets a book - even though on goodreads it says 'carmody brothers series'. anywho.
one of the main reasons i love sarah mayberry is that she's australian. i was a wee bit bummed that this book is very much not set in Oz, but i have plenty of her backlist to work through and i know there's some aussie ones in there to satisfy my homesickness :) either way, i honestly don't understand why her books aren't more popular. get it together people, read her books!
but lets get to the point of the review, the actual book! i loved it. duh. i loved casey, i loved eva. i loved them together. their chemistry was off the charts, but so was their banter. i giggled so many times. it's definitely a steamy book, especially for how short it is. the conflict is fairly predictable in that you know what's going to happen when one character thinks they are doing the right thing, but i liked that it was resolved in a less than predictable way, . i also liked that the ex played a part but not in the big conflict - i was worried he was gonna come back and do something nasty. overall, this was a seriously delightful read, funny, sexy, adorable, well written, great characters, fast paced and fairly low angsty read. i really really liked it and hope everyone else does too.
also, side note, had no idea what a grain elevator was, went through most of the book thinking it was, like, a random elevator just hanging out in a car park or something. then i googled it and so many things made way more sense.
----------------------------------------
full review to come but goodness gracious me, i just adore Sarah Mayberry.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for honest review
May 5, 2019
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I previously read the first Carmody brothers book and this story features brother Casey and new to Marietta, Eva King. Eva is an artist who has recently broken up with her boyfriend/boss. She submitted a proposal to compete against him to design the Marietta water tower. Her ex is also in Marietta and is very rude to Eva when she sees him. Initially Eva goes to check in at the motel and learns they don’t have her reservation. She doesn’t want to go to the expensive Graff hotel where her ex is staying so she stops at the diner to see if they can suggest a place. She meets Sierra Carmody at the diner who offers to rent the trailer on their ranch to her. She moves her stuff in and meets Sierra’s brothers Casey and Jed. She visits the water tower and hunkers down to design her proposal for the project. After her presentation she decides to go have a drink at Grey’s tavern. Her ex shows up and he insults her and she throws water and pretzels on him. Casey is there and rescues her. They go to the diner to get dinner. They are attracted to each other. They go back to the ranch and they sleep together. Eva is told by the committee they couldn’t make a decision between the two and give them a week to put together a more elaborate pitch. Eva is working hard and spending nights with Casey. She learns he is in a local band and goes with Sierra to hear them play. She loves their sound. Then it’s time to make the detailed presentation to the committee and Eva’s is chosen. She remains in Marietta and she and Casey start to fall in love. There is a lot of family interaction as well as romance between Eva and Casey. I loved the story and look forward to the last book in this series.
April 23, 2019
Sexy as sin, The Rebel and the Cowboy is the second book in Sarah Mayberry’s Carmody Brothers series set in Marietta Montana. I couldn’t help but like the characters in this story - the Carmody family is close and clearly cares about each other, while Eva King, artist extraordinaire, is dedicated and hard working and completely devoted to her craft. She is definitely a woman to admire and I certainly did, but when she’s paired with Casey Carmody, the hero of this story, she ramps it up a notch. Casey is a complex character - he’s clearly dedicated to keeping his family ranch afloat yet when he’s singing or writing his music he is obviously utterly absorbed in it. I loved the way Casey triggered Eva’s creative ideas and the way she fought for him to have a chance of living his own dream.
This story is well paced with an interesting plot. It’s a quick read and a satisfying one largely because the characters are well drawn and have just enough little issues in their lives to keep you turning the pages. There were times when I was amazed by Casey’s talent and other times when I wanted to knock some sense into him. As for Eva - well anybody could see that somebody with as much spunk and determination as she has would chase her stars and grab them with both hands. Thoroughly entertaining reading!
This story is well paced with an interesting plot. It’s a quick read and a satisfying one largely because the characters are well drawn and have just enough little issues in their lives to keep you turning the pages. There were times when I was amazed by Casey’s talent and other times when I wanted to knock some sense into him. As for Eva - well anybody could see that somebody with as much spunk and determination as she has would chase her stars and grab them with both hands. Thoroughly entertaining reading!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews