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Wild Rose Ranch #3
Tough Talking Cowboy
Return to Montana as a tough-talking cowboy meets his match in Jennifer Ryan’s newest Wild Rose Ranch novel.
Ex-Army Ranger Drake McGrath has come home to Montana, locked in a battle with himself, lashing out at those who love him most—driving away his ex-fiancée and alienating his family. But Adria Holloway sees beyond Drake’s tough talk to the raw pain beneath.
Raised with her twin sister Juliana by a neglectful mother at the Wild Rose Ranch, Adria also struggles to put the trauma from her past behind her. To help them both, she makes Drake a shocking deal—a no-strings relationship that’ll help them both face down their demons. Maybe it’s a way for her and Drake to heal each other, one sizzling night at a time…
The heat between them is instant and incredible. But the biggest challenges are yet to come. With Juliana battling her addiction and Drake working on his issues, Adria realizes she can’t save everyone. But Drake and Adria discover love can survive tragedy and loss—and they can have the life they never thought possible if they just hold on.
Ex-Army Ranger Drake McGrath has come home to Montana, locked in a battle with himself, lashing out at those who love him most—driving away his ex-fiancée and alienating his family. But Adria Holloway sees beyond Drake’s tough talk to the raw pain beneath.
Raised with her twin sister Juliana by a neglectful mother at the Wild Rose Ranch, Adria also struggles to put the trauma from her past behind her. To help them both, she makes Drake a shocking deal—a no-strings relationship that’ll help them both face down their demons. Maybe it’s a way for her and Drake to heal each other, one sizzling night at a time…
The heat between them is instant and incredible. But the biggest challenges are yet to come. With Juliana battling her addiction and Drake working on his issues, Adria realizes she can’t save everyone. But Drake and Adria discover love can survive tragedy and loss—and they can have the life they never thought possible if they just hold on.
388 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 31, 2020
351 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ryan
50 books1,884 followersJennifer Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted and McBrides Series, writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
Please visit her website at www.jennifer-ryan.com for information about upcoming releases.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
Please visit her website at www.jennifer-ryan.com for information about upcoming releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
September 30, 2020
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Adria understood how her past had affected her. A piece of her was broken. She accepted that. She lived with it.
Third in the Wild Rose series that follows a group of sisters that had a difficult childhood, Tough Talking Cowboy, was a sobering read. Aria's mother had drug issues when she and her twin sister Juliana were growing up, this lead to Aria experiencing grooming and child abuse as she tried to protect her sister. While Aria's mother is still a sex worker, she's managed to keep herself clean and start a new business with her friend, Juliana hasn't been as lucky and battles a drug addiction due to feeling guilty over what Aria did to keep her safe. Aria and her other sisters (heroines from other books in the series) manage to get Juliana in rehab and Aria moves to her friend's ranch to be closer to Juliana and start their new business.
His gaze landed on the scars on his chest, then swept down to the ones covering his side, hip, and thigh. “It’s not pretty.”
Drake was an Army Ranger who had to retire due to injuries from an IED, he's covered in shrapnel scares and has major leg damage. He's severely suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and just had his fiancee end things. His sister and brothers are worried about him but he can't contain his anger and pain about how his life is now going. When Aria shows up and he finds out she is staying in the cabin he likes to go to for quiet, he has a total melt down that ends with him holding Aria in a strangle hold as he is lost in a flashback. Due to the abuse Aria suffered in her childhood, she is no stranger to PTSD and, almost, too calmly handles the situation she is thrust into (she plays a game on her phone as Drake holds her against his body with his hand around her neck). These two definitely have deep pain but they also just want someone to love and love them, their pain brings them together.
“And I will do whatever it takes to prove to you, you are not broken. And maybe I’ll convince myself that I’m not either.”
If you couldn't already tell, this is a very heavy toned book. The issues both characters are dealing with are deep and scaring. They have a fairly immediate attraction to each other and decide that in order to fix a couple of their issues, Aria not being able to trust men enough to enjoy sex and Drake thinking he's impotent, decide to sleep together to work on them. By the 30% mark, they're pretty much all in with each other and the story seems to want to lean to them being cured already, which for how deep their issues were, obviously, seems too quick. Then by 50% marriage and babies is being discussed and yeah, I thought the romance was really rushed.
“You needed her. Now she needs you.”
With Aria and Drake not really having any more emotional hurdles with each other, the focus shifts to Drake rehabbing his leg, Aria's business opening up, and Juliana coming out of rehab. The story felt more like a general fiction than romance genre to me. There's a very late angst moment involving Juliana that added even more to the heavy tone and at a point where I want to be starting my happy sigh as my couple really sinks into their love with one another, there was just more sadness. The last two chapters acted as epilogues and all the joy I wanted to experience while reading along in the story, was hurriedly dumped here.
“Just because you can’t see my scars doesn’t make them any prettier. They’re a part of me. They’re evidence I survived.” She flexed her hand under his. “These are a part of you now, Drake. They are proof of what you’ve been through, your strength, your resilience.”
The way these two characters met and then ended up together made me feel like they would have went for anyone, they early on talked about just wanting someone to love and the way they thought it could be a cure all, I never felt the specialty between them. I also didn't like how in the beginning Aria blatantly disregarded Drake's psychiatrist's opinion on their arrangement. This ended up being more heavy toned, less focused on romance than I was looking for, and lacking some joy.
Adria understood how her past had affected her. A piece of her was broken. She accepted that. She lived with it.
Third in the Wild Rose series that follows a group of sisters that had a difficult childhood, Tough Talking Cowboy, was a sobering read. Aria's mother had drug issues when she and her twin sister Juliana were growing up, this lead to Aria experiencing grooming and child abuse as she tried to protect her sister. While Aria's mother is still a sex worker, she's managed to keep herself clean and start a new business with her friend, Juliana hasn't been as lucky and battles a drug addiction due to feeling guilty over what Aria did to keep her safe. Aria and her other sisters (heroines from other books in the series) manage to get Juliana in rehab and Aria moves to her friend's ranch to be closer to Juliana and start their new business.
His gaze landed on the scars on his chest, then swept down to the ones covering his side, hip, and thigh. “It’s not pretty.”
Drake was an Army Ranger who had to retire due to injuries from an IED, he's covered in shrapnel scares and has major leg damage. He's severely suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and just had his fiancee end things. His sister and brothers are worried about him but he can't contain his anger and pain about how his life is now going. When Aria shows up and he finds out she is staying in the cabin he likes to go to for quiet, he has a total melt down that ends with him holding Aria in a strangle hold as he is lost in a flashback. Due to the abuse Aria suffered in her childhood, she is no stranger to PTSD and, almost, too calmly handles the situation she is thrust into (she plays a game on her phone as Drake holds her against his body with his hand around her neck). These two definitely have deep pain but they also just want someone to love and love them, their pain brings them together.
“And I will do whatever it takes to prove to you, you are not broken. And maybe I’ll convince myself that I’m not either.”
If you couldn't already tell, this is a very heavy toned book. The issues both characters are dealing with are deep and scaring. They have a fairly immediate attraction to each other and decide that in order to fix a couple of their issues, Aria not being able to trust men enough to enjoy sex and Drake thinking he's impotent, decide to sleep together to work on them. By the 30% mark, they're pretty much all in with each other and the story seems to want to lean to them being cured already, which for how deep their issues were, obviously, seems too quick. Then by 50% marriage and babies is being discussed and yeah, I thought the romance was really rushed.
“You needed her. Now she needs you.”
With Aria and Drake not really having any more emotional hurdles with each other, the focus shifts to Drake rehabbing his leg, Aria's business opening up, and Juliana coming out of rehab. The story felt more like a general fiction than romance genre to me. There's a very late angst moment involving Juliana that added even more to the heavy tone and at a point where I want to be starting my happy sigh as my couple really sinks into their love with one another, there was just more sadness. The last two chapters acted as epilogues and all the joy I wanted to experience while reading along in the story, was hurriedly dumped here.
“Just because you can’t see my scars doesn’t make them any prettier. They’re a part of me. They’re evidence I survived.” She flexed her hand under his. “These are a part of you now, Drake. They are proof of what you’ve been through, your strength, your resilience.”
The way these two characters met and then ended up together made me feel like they would have went for anyone, they early on talked about just wanting someone to love and the way they thought it could be a cure all, I never felt the specialty between them. I also didn't like how in the beginning Aria blatantly disregarded Drake's psychiatrist's opinion on their arrangement. This ended up being more heavy toned, less focused on romance than I was looking for, and lacking some joy.
July 28, 2023
This was the best, and most emotional in the series. I feel like Jennifer Ryan finally found her flow with these books so I'm sad this is the last one. This is also the only book in the series I'd reread, I think. We'll see.
But what I like about it, generally, is that all three books tackle some difficult subjects that you don't often find in contemporary romances. And while the execution wasn't the best in the first two, this one nailed it.
I could really feel why these two were right for each other and why they needed one another to heal.
That ending was cruel though...like I said, this series doesn't shy away from darker themes so be ready for that. But I was not expecting that to happen at all. I thought a fourth book probably got delayed or something like that, and then BAM...yeah.
But still, I'm glad I finished it.
But what I like about it, generally, is that all three books tackle some difficult subjects that you don't often find in contemporary romances. And while the execution wasn't the best in the first two, this one nailed it.
I could really feel why these two were right for each other and why they needed one another to heal.
That ending was cruel though...like I said, this series doesn't shy away from darker themes so be ready for that. But I was not expecting that to happen at all. I thought a fourth book probably got delayed or something like that, and then BAM...yeah.
But still, I'm glad I finished it.
March 1, 2020
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
*contains spoilers*
Tough Talking Cowboy is the last of the Wild Rose Ranch series and this installment really was such a beautiful story here. Now Jennifer Ryan really kicks your booty on a very vivid emotional level. I was so fascinated by seeing how everything played out and I have become so intrigued by seeing how this author has set up this series here. I really loved seeing this sisterhood sprout forth out of not the best circumstances in which these women were all raised in. But we see such strength, beauty, and love that flows between them.
Tough Talking Cowboy begins with our heroine, Adria, who has come to Montana when her twin sister overdoses and Adria and the other women unify to get Julianna the help that she needs and to show her that she has support and love to create a new path for herself. Ex-Army Ranger Drake McGrath, is still suffering the trauma from losing himself and "brothers" he couldn't save. He is now home recovering in Montana, feeling stifled under his family's care. He knows that they are just reaching out of concern, but he can't seem to escape the torment or the pain of what he has lost until he meets Adria. Adria and Drake come to an agreement of sorts, to start a fling, the attraction between them is strong but there is also an offering of healing and redemption. Both have pain and trauma and build a unifying relationship of deep connection and sensuality
Tough Talking Cowboy was such a wild ride of emotion for me. I think this book is the MOST emotional out of all three books, I was SOBBING. But, of course, this is the state in which Jennifer Ryan places me in. I truly loved seeing two people that have both faced such trauma in their lives. From Drake with his military PTSD and Adria with the past sexual abuse she is working to overcome, both understand the pain in its truest form and this is what connects them from the very beginning. We see other elements outside the story as well. With Drake and his siblings trying to find common ground and heal again within the bounds of their family. And Adria dealing with her twin sister almost dying from a drug overdose and trying to help Julianna see the beautiful life she can have.
Big Spoiler Ahead:
Overall I found Tough Talking Cowboy to be a story of renewal, growth, intimacy and healing love......a gem of vivid emotion that steals your heart in the deepest of ways.
*contains spoilers*
Tough Talking Cowboy is the last of the Wild Rose Ranch series and this installment really was such a beautiful story here. Now Jennifer Ryan really kicks your booty on a very vivid emotional level. I was so fascinated by seeing how everything played out and I have become so intrigued by seeing how this author has set up this series here. I really loved seeing this sisterhood sprout forth out of not the best circumstances in which these women were all raised in. But we see such strength, beauty, and love that flows between them.
Tough Talking Cowboy begins with our heroine, Adria, who has come to Montana when her twin sister overdoses and Adria and the other women unify to get Julianna the help that she needs and to show her that she has support and love to create a new path for herself. Ex-Army Ranger Drake McGrath, is still suffering the trauma from losing himself and "brothers" he couldn't save. He is now home recovering in Montana, feeling stifled under his family's care. He knows that they are just reaching out of concern, but he can't seem to escape the torment or the pain of what he has lost until he meets Adria. Adria and Drake come to an agreement of sorts, to start a fling, the attraction between them is strong but there is also an offering of healing and redemption. Both have pain and trauma and build a unifying relationship of deep connection and sensuality
This is about us healing each other, not hurting each other. I would never use your physical and emotional trauma against you. i want to help, not hurt you more.
Tough Talking Cowboy was such a wild ride of emotion for me. I think this book is the MOST emotional out of all three books, I was SOBBING. But, of course, this is the state in which Jennifer Ryan places me in. I truly loved seeing two people that have both faced such trauma in their lives. From Drake with his military PTSD and Adria with the past sexual abuse she is working to overcome, both understand the pain in its truest form and this is what connects them from the very beginning. We see other elements outside the story as well. With Drake and his siblings trying to find common ground and heal again within the bounds of their family. And Adria dealing with her twin sister almost dying from a drug overdose and trying to help Julianna see the beautiful life she can have.
Tell me you don't feel that. Tell me you don't kiss me with everything inside you. Tell me you're satisfied pretending we don't exist in the day and only having my hands on you at night...
Big Spoiler Ahead:
He wanted a partner in his life, someone who saw the man he used to be, the one he is nw, and the man he'd become as he learned to live and dream again
Overall I found Tough Talking Cowboy to be a story of renewal, growth, intimacy and healing love......a gem of vivid emotion that steals your heart in the deepest of ways.
July 20, 2020
Great book. Loved it. Heartbreaking and heartwarming story. Loved that Drake and Adria was able to get their happy after everything they went through.
April 4, 2020
Tough Talking Cowboy
Talk about a beautiful emotional heart wrenching tale. Jennifer Ryan blew me away with this one. Adria and Drake both are incredible characters. I don't think give stars is high enough for this one.
Talk about a beautiful emotional heart wrenching tale. Jennifer Ryan blew me away with this one. Adria and Drake both are incredible characters. I don't think give stars is high enough for this one.
November 10, 2020
Sexy escapism read. Perfect for the times at the moment. Complicated characters held my interest with introspection and a path for redemption. Did I mention a sexy read? Yeah, lots of that too.
April 9, 2020
Jennifer Ryan excels at dragging me through emotional quagmires and Tough Talking Cowboy is no exception. Forget keeping a tissue close to hand. I needed the whole darn box for this story. The hands life has dealt Drake and Adria are not just heartbreaking, they're heart crushing. Ryan takes them to some very dark places and, at times, the reader has to wonder if light, and love, will ever find its way into a tortured soul. It's a testament to the author, and the resilience of the human spirit, that even in the midst of these times, she never allows the reader to lose hope.
Drake and Adria captured my heart and I'm not sure they're ever going to let go. Only a woman who had survived Adria's past could have looked beyond the barrier of Drake's anger, guilt, and grief to the love and hope buried deep inside. The example she sets with the future she is building for herself, and the courage she shows in the way she reaches him is remarkable. And only a man as strong as Drake could have reclaimed the life, and love, he so desperately wants, to be there for the woman he loves when her world is turned on end.
I shed a lot of tears while reading this book but I also turned the final page filled with hope and joy for a couple whose love triumphed over tragedy and was stronger for it. Tough Talking Cowboy is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of love. I will not soon forget these characters, or their story.
*ARC received from publisher via Edelweiss
*All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Drake and Adria captured my heart and I'm not sure they're ever going to let go. Only a woman who had survived Adria's past could have looked beyond the barrier of Drake's anger, guilt, and grief to the love and hope buried deep inside. The example she sets with the future she is building for herself, and the courage she shows in the way she reaches him is remarkable. And only a man as strong as Drake could have reclaimed the life, and love, he so desperately wants, to be there for the woman he loves when her world is turned on end.
I shed a lot of tears while reading this book but I also turned the final page filled with hope and joy for a couple whose love triumphed over tragedy and was stronger for it. Tough Talking Cowboy is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of love. I will not soon forget these characters, or their story.
*ARC received from publisher via Edelweiss
*All opinions are unbiased and my own.
May 28, 2020
Drake McGrath has served in the military and has come home with some issues. He has flashbacks and a temper that gets out of control. He is having a hard time adjusting to life back home.
He has also been left with scars and an injury that keep him limping and make it hard to do all the ranch work at the family ranch.
He is in a lot of pain and he pushes away his family and his fiancee' breaks up with him as well.
Adria Holloway arrives to start up her business with Drake's sister, Trinity.
Adria has her own troubled background. She and her twin sister, Juliana were raised by a mother who was a drug addict and neglectful.
Adria doesn't put up with Drake's attitude but does understand he has had a lot of trauma.
This is a story about two people who are good people but have had a tough time.
A bit of a tearjerker but seems pretty realistic when confronting the problems returning soldiers can have.
He has also been left with scars and an injury that keep him limping and make it hard to do all the ranch work at the family ranch.
He is in a lot of pain and he pushes away his family and his fiancee' breaks up with him as well.
Adria Holloway arrives to start up her business with Drake's sister, Trinity.
Adria has her own troubled background. She and her twin sister, Juliana were raised by a mother who was a drug addict and neglectful.
Adria doesn't put up with Drake's attitude but does understand he has had a lot of trauma.
This is a story about two people who are good people but have had a tough time.
A bit of a tearjerker but seems pretty realistic when confronting the problems returning soldiers can have.
April 4, 2020
Tough Talking Cowboy Is the 3rd and final book in Ryan’s Wild Roses series based upon the lives of 4 young women, the daughters of prostitutes who grew up at the Wild Rose Brothel. I love Jennifer Ryan’s stories. If you’re not familiar with Ryan, her books contain romance, sex and danger. It’s not unusual for the heroines in her books to be the victim of serious physical violence and there's always the threat of violence lurking in the background. In this story we have Adria who as a 9 year old was the victim of a pedophile pornographer, her identical twin sister Juliana and Drake an ex-Army Ranger who came home from Afghanistan with a damaged body and a bad case of PTSD.
As our story opens Adria comes home from a bad date to discover Julianna passed out on their bathroom floor from a heroine overdose. Her second. While Adria had been finishing up her final year of college Julianna had been on a downward spiral of partying. Adria desperate to save her twin, her other half, with the help of their big sister of the heart Roxy, gets Julianna into a rehab facility in Montana where Adria plans to open a business with one of her college friends Trinity McGrath. Roxy and her other sister of the heart Sonya both live in Montana with their fiancées. They’re the first two books in the Wild Roses series and I strongly recommend you read them even though this book can be read as a standalone. They’re just really good stories. Adria’s plan is to stay in a cabin on Trinity’s family ranch while she and Trinity find the right property to get their business up and running. When she arrives at the ranch she sees Drake, Trinity’s oldest brother who is an absolute wreck since he returned from serving in Afghanistan. Adria having had some experience with PTSD and therapy from her past (and sounding like a licensed psychologist) shakes Drake from his funk and pushes him to get the help he’s been avoiding to overcome his mental and physical issues. One of those physical/mental issues is impotence. Drake was engaged to Melanie but when he comes home physically damaged, Melanie shows her obvious discomfort with his physical imperfections he can’t perform. Adria because of her childhood has struggled with sexual intimacy. She proposes they try to help each other out with a no strings, no expectations sexual relationship. Which goes pretty spectacularly for both of them on the first try. Adria had proposed and Drake had agreed that they have a no strings purely sexual relationship, but from their first time together its obvious their relationship was going to be about more than sex. In true contemporary romance tradition, even though they both quickly decide they want more, they both know what they agreed to and have no idea what the other wants and are afraid to ask and potentially ruin what they do have. This goes on for awhile until Drake finally confesses to Adria that he wants a relationship with her. From that point on its all blue skies and rainbows. For a while.
The second part of this story is Adria’s relationship with her twin sister Julianna who has been in rehab. Adria dreams of Julianna getting clean and coming and working with her until she figures out what she wants to do with her life. After some difficult conversations Julianna is finally ready to leave rehab and come and live with Adria while she gets her feet under her. From this point on the story becomes more about Adria, Julianna and Drake’s relationship than it does a romance between Adria and Drake. Because I don’t want to ruin the story for other readers but I do feel the need to express a few thoughts, I’m going to put those thoughts in a spoiler. This spoiler is huge, so if you haven’t read the book I strongly suggest you don’t read it. Because this is the final book in the Wild Roses series we get to see not only Adria and Drake’s bittersweet happily ever after but we also get to see Roxy and Noah’s and Sonya and Austins. Fortunately we won’t say goodbye to the ladies from the Wild Roses completely as Ryan’s next series is the McGrath’s based upon Drake’s younger siblings. No doubt at least Adria and Drake will make a guest appearance or two in that series. Should be fun watching Trinity, Tate and Declan all find their happily ever afters.
As our story opens Adria comes home from a bad date to discover Julianna passed out on their bathroom floor from a heroine overdose. Her second. While Adria had been finishing up her final year of college Julianna had been on a downward spiral of partying. Adria desperate to save her twin, her other half, with the help of their big sister of the heart Roxy, gets Julianna into a rehab facility in Montana where Adria plans to open a business with one of her college friends Trinity McGrath. Roxy and her other sister of the heart Sonya both live in Montana with their fiancées. They’re the first two books in the Wild Roses series and I strongly recommend you read them even though this book can be read as a standalone. They’re just really good stories. Adria’s plan is to stay in a cabin on Trinity’s family ranch while she and Trinity find the right property to get their business up and running. When she arrives at the ranch she sees Drake, Trinity’s oldest brother who is an absolute wreck since he returned from serving in Afghanistan. Adria having had some experience with PTSD and therapy from her past (and sounding like a licensed psychologist) shakes Drake from his funk and pushes him to get the help he’s been avoiding to overcome his mental and physical issues. One of those physical/mental issues is impotence. Drake was engaged to Melanie but when he comes home physically damaged, Melanie shows her obvious discomfort with his physical imperfections he can’t perform. Adria because of her childhood has struggled with sexual intimacy. She proposes they try to help each other out with a no strings, no expectations sexual relationship. Which goes pretty spectacularly for both of them on the first try. Adria had proposed and Drake had agreed that they have a no strings purely sexual relationship, but from their first time together its obvious their relationship was going to be about more than sex. In true contemporary romance tradition, even though they both quickly decide they want more, they both know what they agreed to and have no idea what the other wants and are afraid to ask and potentially ruin what they do have. This goes on for awhile until Drake finally confesses to Adria that he wants a relationship with her. From that point on its all blue skies and rainbows. For a while.
The second part of this story is Adria’s relationship with her twin sister Julianna who has been in rehab. Adria dreams of Julianna getting clean and coming and working with her until she figures out what she wants to do with her life. After some difficult conversations Julianna is finally ready to leave rehab and come and live with Adria while she gets her feet under her. From this point on the story becomes more about Adria, Julianna and Drake’s relationship than it does a romance between Adria and Drake. Because I don’t want to ruin the story for other readers but I do feel the need to express a few thoughts, I’m going to put those thoughts in a spoiler. This spoiler is huge, so if you haven’t read the book I strongly suggest you don’t read it. Because this is the final book in the Wild Roses series we get to see not only Adria and Drake’s bittersweet happily ever after but we also get to see Roxy and Noah’s and Sonya and Austins. Fortunately we won’t say goodbye to the ladies from the Wild Roses completely as Ryan’s next series is the McGrath’s based upon Drake’s younger siblings. No doubt at least Adria and Drake will make a guest appearance or two in that series. Should be fun watching Trinity, Tate and Declan all find their happily ever afters.
April 9, 2020
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie
Tough Talking Cowboy proved once again how well author Jennifer Ryan can play with a reader’s emotions as we followed two troubled but hopeful kindred spirits on their often pain-filled path to healing themselves.
Even if you didn’t read the trigger warning (which I totally understand if you didn’t), I do want to mention that Jennifer Ryan took this story to some dark places, so it will be very tough for some readers. I was full-on crying over an event in the last quarter of the book–something that took even me by surprise, already knowing hints about one of the characters ahead of time. It was horribly sad. But the way Ryan showed our heroine and hero dealing with the fallout added another level of realness to the story. Read More
Tough Talking Cowboy proved once again how well author Jennifer Ryan can play with a reader’s emotions as we followed two troubled but hopeful kindred spirits on their often pain-filled path to healing themselves.
Even if you didn’t read the trigger warning (which I totally understand if you didn’t), I do want to mention that Jennifer Ryan took this story to some dark places, so it will be very tough for some readers. I was full-on crying over an event in the last quarter of the book–something that took even me by surprise, already knowing hints about one of the characters ahead of time. It was horribly sad. But the way Ryan showed our heroine and hero dealing with the fallout added another level of realness to the story. Read More
March 9, 2020
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: http://www.romancingthereaders.com/20...
This is one of those books that pulled me in and spit me out the other side. I can't tell you how many feelings that went through me as I read this book. I've always felt that Ryan writes emotional books, the type you don't want to miss out on.
Tough Talking Cowboy is the third book in her Wild Rose Ranch series. It ties up this series and introduces her next series.
I can't tell you how much I loved this book. I spent a good amount of time in this book crying for poor Adria. What she goes through helping her sister get off drugs is true love. So much happens with them but I think you should read all that on your own. I don't want to ruin anything for you and some things should be read in the book, not in a review.
I loved how Adria helped Drake deal with his issues. She gave him understanding and love and he grew because of it. He's had to deal with some much since leaving the military. So many self-doubts. Together they learned to understand and deal. I also liked how Adria helped Drakes family learn that the way they were dealing with their brother wasn't maybe the best way. They had to learn to understand what he felt.
As a whole, these two are really good for each other. They are there for each other and even when they overreact they know each other well enough that they can deal with it I would love to say so much more about them but I don't want to ruin anything for you. You really need to read this for your own.
I will say that I'd read the series in order because you really get to know the sisters that way. It's important to know where they came from and what they've achieved.
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ARC received for an honest review
This is one of those books that pulled me in and spit me out the other side. I can't tell you how many feelings that went through me as I read this book. I've always felt that Ryan writes emotional books, the type you don't want to miss out on.
Tough Talking Cowboy is the third book in her Wild Rose Ranch series. It ties up this series and introduces her next series.
I can't tell you how much I loved this book. I spent a good amount of time in this book crying for poor Adria. What she goes through helping her sister get off drugs is true love. So much happens with them but I think you should read all that on your own. I don't want to ruin anything for you and some things should be read in the book, not in a review.
I loved how Adria helped Drake deal with his issues. She gave him understanding and love and he grew because of it. He's had to deal with some much since leaving the military. So many self-doubts. Together they learned to understand and deal. I also liked how Adria helped Drakes family learn that the way they were dealing with their brother wasn't maybe the best way. They had to learn to understand what he felt.
As a whole, these two are really good for each other. They are there for each other and even when they overreact they know each other well enough that they can deal with it I would love to say so much more about them but I don't want to ruin anything for you. You really need to read this for your own.
I will say that I'd read the series in order because you really get to know the sisters that way. It's important to know where they came from and what they've achieved.
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ARC received for an honest review
July 16, 2021
Ok the themes and motifs of the book where great but the execution wasn’t. A returning solider comes home with a hip injury to find out that his fiancé doesn’t want him anymore. The heroine has grown up abused and taken advantage of.
One doesn’t get close or enjoy sex. The other thinks he can’t perform sexually anymore. Let’s brake that down first. I haven’t read or don’t really think a lot of romance books ever discuss when a male can’t have sex and if the book explored that I think it would have been better for it. But the author didn’t. In stead within the first couple of days of them meeting they have sex. Which doesn’t make sense because Adria doesn’t feel comfortable having sex, only has had two sexual partners, and we are going to believe with a one or two days of knowing him jumps in to bed and has amazing sex with drake? They barely know each other.
Oh ever after always by Chloe Liese is a good book about a man that is having trouble in the bedroom. I know that books are partly for escapism but that doesn’t mean that they can’t have a guy that struggles to have sex.
Pros
The book does show a soldier and heroine with ptsd, which I did like. They both work to be more open about their past.
Overall it’s a 2.5 stars. If you like western romance with a little darker themes you might enjoy. Besides the negatives I gave the book I did like the hero. He was kind and understanding towards Adria. He made her feel safe which is what she needed.
One doesn’t get close or enjoy sex. The other thinks he can’t perform sexually anymore. Let’s brake that down first. I haven’t read or don’t really think a lot of romance books ever discuss when a male can’t have sex and if the book explored that I think it would have been better for it. But the author didn’t. In stead within the first couple of days of them meeting they have sex. Which doesn’t make sense because Adria doesn’t feel comfortable having sex, only has had two sexual partners, and we are going to believe with a one or two days of knowing him jumps in to bed and has amazing sex with drake? They barely know each other.
Oh ever after always by Chloe Liese is a good book about a man that is having trouble in the bedroom. I know that books are partly for escapism but that doesn’t mean that they can’t have a guy that struggles to have sex.
Pros
The book does show a soldier and heroine with ptsd, which I did like. They both work to be more open about their past.
Overall it’s a 2.5 stars. If you like western romance with a little darker themes you might enjoy. Besides the negatives I gave the book I did like the hero. He was kind and understanding towards Adria. He made her feel safe which is what she needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2021
There are some quite harrowing scenes toward the beginning of this book. Drake has PTSD and experienced some very traumatic things while in Afghanistan. The author does such a wonderful job of portraying one of his flashbacks. It was disturbing, touching, and really got me in the gut. In the author’s note she talks about her husband’s service and it helped me to understand how she was able to get to the heart of such an experience.
Knowing Adria from previous books in this series, we already know she is patient and no-nonsense and tough with a heart of gold. Getting to know her even more here, my heart just broke for this magnificent person. Adria is most definitely good people and those in her circle are lucky to be there. She’ll do anything for those she loves.
Drake and Adria have such a deep and emotional connection almost instantly. This is one of those fun “let’s get it out of our system” stories that makes the reader chuckle knowing there is no way the couple will be able to keep their feelings out of it all. It’s such a deep story and they’ve both dealt with so much in their lives, I don’t know how they thought there wouldn’t be heavy emotions.
Be prepared for the tears, heartache, butterflies, and eventual joy this book will bring you. It’s truly a beautiful story.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
Knowing Adria from previous books in this series, we already know she is patient and no-nonsense and tough with a heart of gold. Getting to know her even more here, my heart just broke for this magnificent person. Adria is most definitely good people and those in her circle are lucky to be there. She’ll do anything for those she loves.
Drake and Adria have such a deep and emotional connection almost instantly. This is one of those fun “let’s get it out of our system” stories that makes the reader chuckle knowing there is no way the couple will be able to keep their feelings out of it all. It’s such a deep story and they’ve both dealt with so much in their lives, I don’t know how they thought there wouldn’t be heavy emotions.
Be prepared for the tears, heartache, butterflies, and eventual joy this book will bring you. It’s truly a beautiful story.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
April 25, 2020
Jennifer Ryan’s Tough Talking Cowboy is the 3rd book of the Wild Rose Ranch series. It is not a typical boy meets girl, and boy gets girl romance. It is an intense and emotional story about two people fighting to overcome their demons. PTSD is not something you tell a person to “get over it.” It is a time-consuming ordeal veterans suffer every day. Substance abuse affects everyone. Jennifer Ryan approaches the two subjects with upmost care to stress the seriousness the how PTSD, substance and child abuses affect the lives of her characters. Both Drake and Adria represent someone we love who suffers whether from PTSD or other kind of abuses. I cheer for every step of their accomplishments and grieve along with them when tragedy strikes. Andria is bold and sassy and so determined. I love the way she confronts Drake about his “problem” and laugh at one scene where Drake’s therapist is listening to their exchange. Their romance is sweet yet fiery. I could not put the book down. The plot is superbly written, and the characterization is outstanding. Tough Talking Cowboy is a fitting end for the Wild Rose Ranch series with Drake and Andria overcoming tragedy with triumph.
May 26, 2021
The Wild Rose sisters are finding their way and apparently that way is in Montana. Adria Holloway is the sober twin, way too burdened for her age. Her twin Juliana has faced her problems by drinking and using drugs. Having her admitted to an expensive rehab in Montana, Adria is on one hand worried about her twin. On the other hand, she is excited about her new business that she will partner in with Trinity McGrath. Trinity's brother, Drake, is a soldier home from war with both internal and external scars. Adria, however, can match his internal scars, and is no afraid of him. They begin a secret relationship and realize that they are fooling no one. They also realize that each of them wants more. The new business takes off like a rocket, while Drake makes plans for his future. A tragedy is coming that will test both families but the sisters and their men are strong enough to withstand any bad news.
April 5, 2020
The sisters of Wild Rose Ranch, related by heart not blood, have become symbols for forgiveness, mercy and faithfulness to me. Though these books definitely don't speak with a Christian voice they do show loving others over yourself. I grew up in a cold household but can't even imagine growing up the way these stories depict. There are heartwarming scenes that show how important our veterans are and the care they need, along with romance, tragedy, wonderful characters and a touching story. Loved the series!
April 14, 2020
Very emotional.
This is such a great book. Drake McGrath is suffering ptsd plus he’s dealing with his fiancée dumping him. Adria is dealing with helping her twin plus some issues from her childhood. Loved how they helped each other, she really understood him and knew what he needed. Was really shocked at what happened with her twin. Didn’t expect to cry so hard. Thankfully there’s a happy ever after for Drake and Adria. I can’t wait to read Tate’s story. I highly recommend this book.
This is such a great book. Drake McGrath is suffering ptsd plus he’s dealing with his fiancée dumping him. Adria is dealing with helping her twin plus some issues from her childhood. Loved how they helped each other, she really understood him and knew what he needed. Was really shocked at what happened with her twin. Didn’t expect to cry so hard. Thankfully there’s a happy ever after for Drake and Adria. I can’t wait to read Tate’s story. I highly recommend this book.
November 15, 2020
I didn’t realize this book was the third in the series 🤦🏼♀️ however she did a great job making sure if you didn’t know the other two books you didn’t feel lost in this one.
I love how raw and real it was with the emotions the characters felt. The details of Adria were hard to stomach at first but the more you watch her grow the more you understand them.
I loved their story and how it didn’t feel rushed and I really enjoyed the way everything tied together in the end. She is becoming one of my favorite authors!
I love how raw and real it was with the emotions the characters felt. The details of Adria were hard to stomach at first but the more you watch her grow the more you understand them.
I loved their story and how it didn’t feel rushed and I really enjoyed the way everything tied together in the end. She is becoming one of my favorite authors!
August 28, 2022
An excellent end to 'The Wild Rose' series. This is one of those series where the culmination of the series equal more than the individual parts. I liked each story but I really enjoyed the series as a whole. I am grateful to have revisited some of the characters from other series (Jamie, Ford, Wolf Ranch & the Psychologist from 'His Cowboy Heart'). I am looking forward to hopefully seeing more of these characters in the McGrath series & revisiting Chase in the 'WY Wilde' series. It really is small world.
April 14, 2020
Nancy
Oh boy! Tissues needed for this book! Very good ! Loved the entire series! All characters were in the book of 1&2, tied up nicely! So fun to read, great story, interesting storyline, love and caring,too! Thanks for great series can’t wait for the rest of the family stories to continue!
Oh boy! Tissues needed for this book! Very good ! Loved the entire series! All characters were in the book of 1&2, tied up nicely! So fun to read, great story, interesting storyline, love and caring,too! Thanks for great series can’t wait for the rest of the family stories to continue!
October 26, 2020
it reads like a 250 page harlequin romance novel. I had high hopes through chapter 9, but then chapter 10 hit and the 2 characters that had only interacted twice managed to overcome serious psychological damage and have sex. Completely unrealistic. This author was recommended because I like Linda Lael Miller, but they only thing they have in common are they mention horses in their book.
December 20, 2020
I love when two damaged souls find hope and love in each other. Watching Adria help Drake come to terms with his PTSD and injuries from being in the military and then watching him help her come to terms with her abusive childhood and then the loss of her sister? Beautiful
But now I really want to know more about Chase, Drake's friend. Is he okay? The author kind of glossed over that
But now I really want to know more about Chase, Drake's friend. Is he okay? The author kind of glossed over that
March 31, 2020
Book one broke my heart, and healed it all in one!
I have read all of your books, but this is the 2nd time I've been reduced to tears! I loved it and will probably re-read it again like all of your books it was well written!
I have read all of your books, but this is the 2nd time I've been reduced to tears! I loved it and will probably re-read it again like all of your books it was well written!
April 6, 2020
Very good
I'm going to miss these girls ! The storyline's of this series is different from the normal . But added so much deeper of a story . I am looking forward to the new series with Tate .Very good book .
I'm going to miss these girls ! The storyline's of this series is different from the normal . But added so much deeper of a story . I am looking forward to the new series with Tate .Very good book .
April 7, 2020
Tough Talking Cowboy
It seems that I am a huge Jennifer Ryan fan. It seems as though I have read each and every one of them. This one just reinforced that fact. Great writing, full of love laughter and tears but bringing the two major n characters to the best of conclusions.
It seems that I am a huge Jennifer Ryan fan. It seems as though I have read each and every one of them. This one just reinforced that fact. Great writing, full of love laughter and tears but bringing the two major n characters to the best of conclusions.
August 23, 2022
I loved this book but it is very emotional. PTSD, prostitution, child abuse and drugs play a prominent part in this story. Drake and Adria really struggle with their pasts. Will love bring them the healing they need? I loved every minute of their story and was sad to for it to end.
August 12, 2024
This book was harder to read because I knew too much. Wish I had known to read this BEFORE the McGrath series.
I think the order for reading these is:
McBrides 1-3
Wild rose 1-2
Wild rose #3
McGrath series 1-3
Wyoming Wilde - looks like occurs soon after Wild Rose #3 (though haven’t read them yet)
Where do Montana Men fit?
I think the order for reading these is:
McBrides 1-3
Wild rose 1-2
Wild rose #3
McGrath series 1-3
Wyoming Wilde - looks like occurs soon after Wild Rose #3 (though haven’t read them yet)
Where do Montana Men fit?
October 10, 2024
This is a better book than #2 yet still clunky. Many chapters could have been compiled together. Especially at the end, when winding up the story.
Drake, I love you and wish you well.
An unpopular opinion - I'm glad Juliana died.
Drake, I love you and wish you well.
An unpopular opinion - I'm glad Juliana died.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2020
End of a unique series
Although this book was longer it makes you realize how short life can be. The storyline touches on PTSD, drug addiction, and depression from each.
Although this book was longer it makes you realize how short life can be. The storyline touches on PTSD, drug addiction, and depression from each.
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