Winning the Cowboy Billionaire

Bluegrass Ranch #1

by Emmy Eugene

She'll do anything to secure the funding she needs to take her perfumery to the next level...even date the boy next door.

Except Spur Chappell is no boy.

He's six-feet-two-inches of pure muscle, devilish grins, big hands, and loud laughter. Oh, and did Olivia Hudson mention his money?

He's got a ton of that too.

As the oldest son in the Chappell family, it's up to Spur to lead his brothers into the next generation of raising and selling championship racehorses. He loves it with his whole heart and soul, but a horse can't keep him warm at night.

So when Olli Hudson, one of his neighbors, asks him to be her arm candy for one night to woo an investor, the worst he thinks can happen is his eyes might get permanently stuck up in his head for how often he rolls them.

He wasn't expecting to be swept off his feet by the five-and-half-foot powerhouse of a woman with a nose that can sniff out the purest scents...and all of his hidden feelings for her.

Will Olli be able to win over the cowboy billionaire? Or will she lose everything--including her heart?

Start this brand-new series by Emmy Eugene and meet the Chappell family of cowboys in the beautiful Kentucky Bluegrass region!

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Cowboy Romance

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2020

Reviews

[JigsawGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read. I was surprised by a couple of things. I thought that with both Spur and Olli being on the other side of 40, that they would have a better idea of what they wanted in a partner or a relationship minus some of the angst. Or maybe I should say that about Olli. Spur put himself out there a lot more than Olli did.

I thought the relationship with the parental units was interesting. I felt like I was missing something there. The conversation Spur had with his parents was eye opening. It didn't completely explain what happened at the family picnic, but it did make me feel like I needed further explanation.

Then, Blaine and Tam were given prominent placement in the book much earlier than I would expect if they were going to have their own book. In fact, it seemed so early to me that I thought they were going to get their HEA right along with Spur and Olli.

Maybe I just didn't expect as much hesitation and insecurity from the couples in their age groups. It felt more like the awkwardness of teenage years and an inability to communicate with your crush, than people who may have been badly burned in previous relationships and were therefore cautious.

Anyway, Spur and Olli finally got their HEA. Blaine and Tam had some things to work out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided via Booksprout.

[Ed Davis]

DNF. I tried but I just couldn’t take it anymore. This book made me feel bad. I didn’t like any of the characters. The constant I like you then I don’t like you just made me feel bad. Why would I read a book that made me feel bad. I think Emmy Eugene and I are just not a good match. I didn’t rate it because it’s well written. I thought the mother was horrible and all the boys were idiotic. It’s just not for me.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as I’m a sucker for a second chance, I’m almost as big a sucker for a fake relationship story. You know that no matter how hard they try to fight it, the forced interactions are going to push their feelings from pretend into real. I was very impressed that Spur and Olli were so willing to admit that their relationship was something they wanted to make real very early on in the process and they didn’t try to fight against it very much. Because this pair are more mature, they come with some extra emotional baggage that they needed to work out. I was a little surprised by how immature some of their coping skills appeared, but I didn’t find their reactions to be unrealistic. I was also caught a little off-guard by how early and how prominently the lead-in for the next book is introduced in this one. However, I’m already charmed by our leading couple so I’m already looking forward to their book.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, though I did enjoy some of it. 3☆

[may · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had good points and not good points. For the good: I really liked the premise of the main character making perfumes. I enjoyed how the author was able to weave in the different scents and how that came into the main character’s everyday life. For the bad: towards the middle of the book two other characters are brought in as main character when they should have stayed side characters. I understand it was a lead in to the next book, but their introduction was clunky and hard to follow. The two characters should have been introduced or brought up by the characters in casual conversation. The dialogue was hard to follow in those sections as well and the conflict was contrived. It also doesn’t help that the main premise for the next book is the exact same as this one. The author is just copy and pasting what’s happening and it comes off as lazy. But back to the original main characters: the third act break up comes out of nowhere. Her using a, “hook up site,” to find testers for her perfume felt lazy and like the author just needed to fill space. Or, more likely, a reason for the male main character to come and give an epic speech over how much he loves the female main character in front of the businessmen she’s presenting too, allowing her to make a good impression and get the grant she’s been working towards. It just frustrates me because I know that it could have done better but it wasn’t. Overall, the book was enjoyable but was hampered by lazy and unnecessary plot points.

[Heather Bivona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recently finished Winning a Cowboy Billionaire, and I have to say, it left me with mixed feelings. On the surface, the concept had promise—cowboy meets billionaire romance is certainly an intriguing blend—but unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite land for me.

The storyline felt disjointed. Scenes jumped from one to the next without much flow, and I often found myself flipping back to see if I missed something. The characters had potential, but their development was shallow. I never really got a sense of who they were beyond the standard archetypes, and their relationship felt rushed rather than earned.

As for the romance, I was hoping for more spark. There just wasn’t much steam to the story, which made the emotional payoff fall flat. I don’t mind a slow burn, but this one felt more like a fizzle.

Overall, it wasn’t terrible—it had a few sweet moments—but it didn’t quite come together for me. If you're looking for a light, easy read and don’t mind a somewhat uneven plot, this might still work for a lazy afternoon. Just don't expect much depth or heat.

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This is a Hallmark movie in a book! It's full of heartwarming moments and sweet romance!

I am unsure where I first encountered Emmy Eugene and her Bluegrass Ranch series. I may have found the author in a Facebook ad or through the Feel-Good Fiction book club I belong to. Wherever I discovered Emmy Eugene, after reading book one, Winning the Cowboy Billionaire, I am a die-hard fan!

Keep your tissues handy if you decide to read this novel, for it is a Hallmark movie wrapped in the pages of a book! I enjoyed the humor and general feel-good emotions that infused the story. The family love and support underlying the Chappell family brought me to tears. It reminded me of an earlier, simpler time in my own life. The happily-ever-after ending made me feel that those days could be possible again. Winning the Cowboy Billionaire was a wonderful temporary escape from reality- precisely what I have come to expect from the authors of the Feel-Good Fiction club!

Emmy Eugene is a master of the slow-burn romantic tension! While the lovers exchanged only some mind-blowing kisses, the hint of passion had me reaching for the thermostat on my air conditioning! Wow! Who knew fireworks were possible without explicit sex acts! Emmy Eugene does, and boy, can she deliver the romance!

It is also refreshing to read about characters closer to my age finding true love. Thank you, Emmy, for realizing that not all romance readers are starry-eyed 20-somethings! All the characters are well-developed, three-dimensional, and highly relatable. The multiple POV format allows the reader to develop more profound empathy for all the Chappell family, as well as the main female character.

I admit I am a sucker for strong female protagonists who do not need a man to feel complete. Yet, they can appreciate a handsome alpha male who treats them as a life partner and soulmate. Cowboys, horses, and dogs just seal the deal for me!

In the mood for a sweet romance full of feel-good emotions? Don't hesitate to pick up a copy of Winning the Cowboy Billionaire by Emmy Eugene. And while you're at it, look at the Feel-Good Fiction book club and their amazing authors on Facebook.

[Nancy Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spur and Olivia and their adventure not to mention Tim and Blaine

Our story starts with spur and the sheep destroying Olivia's garden of flowers that she uses for her perfumes she makes. He comes back to her side and says he'll take care of everything and he'll talk to her later after he organizes fixing the damage. That starts a miraculous two weeks of getting together as it starts out as a fake relationship for the investors coming to meet with her. They go out that first night so they can start to get to know each other and what each other needs to learn so they can pull this off. He takes her to dinner and dancing and they have a great time! In the following days Olivia gets her to help her with her male sense she's doing for male perfumes. He rejects the first few but gives her lots of ideas for more samples. She makes them and he helps her continue to refine the smells to what men and women would like. Blaine and Tam start off working with moving cattle and saying that Tam needs a temporary boyfriend because an old boyfriend that is coming to town hurt her badly in the past. She wants to make him think that she has a boyfriend that she's deeply in love with so that he will leave her alone. At first Blaine is resistant to the idea but he decides to help her out and to do it. He drives back to Tam's place and says that she has forgotten him when she left she was supposed to bring him with her. Blaine then kisses her and fireworks go off. Just like with spur and Olivia when they kiss fireworks go off as well and they've only been seeing each other for 2 weeks. Whereas Blaine and Tam have been friends for many many years best friends.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is the first in a series and it lays a wonderful groundwork for the rest of the series of Chappell brothers. Yay to reading about 8 handsome cowboys! I will admit that finding the characters were in their forties a HUGE plus even though the cover models aren't close to that age. It is nice to see that author are people closer to mid-life than just the early 20's! We older folks need romance too!

I love the multiple POV format that this is written in. It really helps me to fully understand and enjoy the characters so much better. It also helps to set up the enjoyment of the next book as well.

Olivia (Olli) Hudson is a single woman who owns and operates her own perfumery. She is looking for a grant to create a men's line of cologne. She is told that having a husband or boyfriend would help her secure the grant much better than being a single woman. Olli gets angry as she doesn't need a man to help her achieve her goals for her company. When she almost gets run down by a herd of sheep running through her property, she is saved by the eldest son of her neighbor's, Spur Chappell.

Spur has talked with her in the past regarding actions taken on the family's horse breeding farm that may affect Olli and her property. Even though she is the same age as one of Spur's younger brothers, Olli decides to ask the handsome Spur for help.

The story just takes on a life that drew me in and made the world just disappear for a time. This is a sweet, clean romance with just a little kissing. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an escape.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia lived next door to the Chappell brothers. Spur, the oldest, was herding some sheep and they almost stampeded into Olivia one day. Spur put his horse between her and the sheep, however they destroyed some of the flowers in her garden that she used for her perfumery business. Spur promised to pay for the damage and have someone replace the flowers, it ended up being him. Olli had applied to a large department store for a grant they gave to small businesses. When she talked to one of the gentlemen, Benjamin, he told her she needed to have a husband or boyfriend as they were interested in funding family businesses. She scoffed at this. Eventually she decided to ask Spur to be her fake boyfriend. He agreed. There were a lot of ups and downs between them and on the day that she was supposed to meet the CEO of the company, she had told Spur she didn't want to see him again and not to show up for the meeting. He did anyway, apologized, and this made a big impact on the CEO and Benjamin (who turned out to be a co-owner of the company. She got the grant. What happens to the relationship between Olli and Spur? Will they go back to being just neighbors?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia makes and sells her own line of perfume and candles, growing many of the ingredients on her property. She's in line for a business grant, but it was strongly suggested that she needs a boyfriend or husband. Spur, one of the Chappell brothers on the neighboring ranch, shows up to rescue her from a sheep stampede. As part of his restitution, he's going to be her fake boyfriend for a few days. They need to get all their stories straight, so they agree to a few practice dates. This is the opening book in a new series, and it's terrific. I especially like that Olli and Spur are a little older and more mature. They didn't play games with each other, and didn't hesitate to speak up and say that they want this to be real. I want to know more about the family dynamic involving his parents, hoping to see that revealed as the series progresses.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet clean romantic read that you are sure to enjoy. Olivia was told it she wanted the chance to win a grant to expand her business, she needed to have either a boyfriend or a husband. Where was she supposed to get one of those? She thought maybe next door at the Bluegrass Ranch where the eight
Chappell brothers lived. There was always one riding by. The next thing she knew Spur was in her front yard with a bunch of sheep tearing up her flower beds. As part of the damage repayment, he agreed to be her fake boyfriend for the duration of the grant visit. They had an interesting time getting to know one another for the visit, along with Olivia interacting some with the rest of the family. There were many ups and downs before the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ronel Olver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweet clean read about Spur and Olivia and how their fake relationship turns real very quickly once chemistry and attraction comes into play. The way Spur the eldest of eight brothers met Oli was really interesting. Spur's animals destroys the flowers she needs for her perfumery and he offers to replace them and when Oli needs a boyfriend in order to qualify for some of the grants and investments that she needs to save her perfumery business, Spur seems like the obvious choice. She is smart, savvy and very sweet and Spur definitely met his match with Oli. I did feel that Blane's story to lead into the next book was too early in his book and it takes away from the romance between Oli and Spur. It was a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts out with Olivia asking Spur to be her fake boyfriend to win over a family motivated investor in her perfumery business. The lines between fake and real in their romance begin to blur, they have plenty of misunderstandings, he jumps to conclusions without asking questions, and his mother comes off a little crazy. I enjoyed reading about the different scents she puts together to make her products and laughed at their playful names. They talk about both wanting children, but she's already 44 so the odds of her giving birth are really low. In the middle of the book it switches to talking about Spur's brother Blaine and his friend Tam who asks him to be in a fake relationship with him because her ex is back in town. They have their own share of blurred lines and misunderstandings. It keeps switching back and forth between the couples which was distracting.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olli, Olivia, has applied for several grants so she can expand her perfume and candle making business. One of them suggests it would be beneficial if she had a boyfriend or husband. The ranch beside her is owned by eight brothers so she thinks there might be one of them willing to help her out. Spur is trying to round up the sheep that have escaped, they damage some of Olli's flowers. And so the story begins! It's nice to read about another brother about to find love too. The mother is a bit of a pain though, perhaps raising eight boys took it out of her!
A great read from Emmy, the start of a new series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olli and Spur

Sweet, and at times a fun story. However, I couldn't give it five stars, because for a 46 year old guy as cool and all that as Spur apparently is, he sure was a mama's boy. Actually, I disliked the the mother. She was not kind and very judgmental.
Another reason was that Olli and Spur made up so quickly, without truly talking things out. And when Spur found out about her ad on a dating website for a scent tester, she could have handled that so much better.

I did enjoy the story for the most part, and the early stages of their romance was sweet and fun. I also enjoyed Blaine and Tam's story, but like other reviewers noted, it was a little distracting being brought in so early in the book. Looking forward to their story next.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spur and olli

New to this author.This book started off about the oldest brother spur (yeah really is name) and the neighbour Olli (she makes perfume and candles) there is 8 brothers.but about around character 12 we start being in blazes head and his best friend Tam two.so we start going from these four characters manly focused on Olli and spur.but now I see book two is the other couples book but it kind of looks like the same storyline? I was not two interested to continue but being I have unlimited books and I hope to see more of spur and Olli I will give the next book ago, but not loving her style of layout, would of liked more brother banter and save blaise and Tam for his book.

[Louis D.Gargarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Romance

This is the first book in a series with women having to ask a friend to do her a favor. Olli (Olivia) Hudson is trying to find a company to find her perfume and candle business. One company she contacted wants to meet with and her husband or boyfriend before his decision is made. Right know Olli is not married, nor does she have a boyfriend. But, she does have a very best friend, Spur Chappell. Olli explains her situation and asks Spur to be her boyfriend. He has had a crush on Olli for a longtime, so he agrees to her request. As they start to date and Spur becomes her scent tester, they begin to become more than best friends. This story has some bumps, turns, and a variety of emotions yet the ending is so real.
MK

[Lynda Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book didn’t quite reach the heights of the author's previous books for me, although it is still a very good read. The sudden jump to include Blaine’s story where it didn’t directly reference Spur’s story was a distraction for me. I realise this was setting a starting place for the next book, however it made this slightly disjointed for me. Also taking place over only a few weeks, this storyline perhaps felt a little too quick. But again the quality of this book meant those issues could be overlooked for an overall enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olli has a perfumery and develops a few new fragrances a quarter, in scents and candles. To get a grant to make it to the next stage, she asks her rancher neighbor to be her fake boyfriend, as the grant people like families best. In a few weeks, it all comes to a head between them, the relationship and the grant. The characters are set up nicely, but maybe a decade younger than they are here, as 30's would have better. Intense feelings, emotions and backstories keep the pages turning. The ending is so good and well worth the read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet romance at its best

I really enjoyed this book. I love that there is plenty of romance and no lack of sparks but it is kept sweet and clean. I appreciate the respect all of the characters show toward each other even with some teasing between brothers. I love that the main characters are more middle age rather than young. I love the ways Spur wants to help Ollie. I love that Spur has a great deal of respect for his parents, even when they are being overbearing. I love that we get a peek at some future romance with other brothers. And what can I say, I’m a sucker for horses.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series and I think it is off to a great start. It is also my first experience reading something by this author, so I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. This is a sweet and clean western romance. A great story that will help you unwind after a long day. The story was entertaining and the characters were great and had amazing chemistry. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherry Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This looks to be a very enjoyable series. I so appreciate that all of the books that I have read by her is sweet and clean. And she doesn't take several pages decribing a passionate kiss. Her stories have been well written and easy to follow, which makes them very enjoyable to read. I liked that this not only told the story of Spur and Ollie but the start of Blaine's and Tam's story as well. I can't wait to read the next one. Thanks for all your hard work, Emmy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story with Olivia who lives next door to the Chappell Brothers ranch and when the oldest brother Spur goats get away from him and tramples her flower garden that she uses for her business he tells her he will repair the damage. She is trying to get a grant and is told she needs a family and/or boyfriend so she ask Spur to be her fake boyfriend so she can get the grant but things do not turn out like she planned when he and Spur get in a big argument. Will they make up and will she get the grant that she wanted?

[Anita Fuhrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 rounded up to 4 stars. I enjoyed the storyline but I felt that it would have been better suited to a couple in their late twenties or possibly early thirties. There was just a little too much indecisiveness and episodes of immaturity for the ages that Spur and Olivia were purported to be. That kept me from being able to get fully invested in their romance. Other than that, this was an enjoyable book as all of the books I have read by Emmy Eugene have been.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining clean romance with humor, well developed characters, and a well written storyline. Olivia needs to get a grant for her perfume business but she also needs a man on her arm. Thanks to stampeding sheep, Spur her next door neighbor fits the requirement. He agrees to be in a fake relationship with her, but unexpected feelings erupt that neither were expecting. Looking forward to more of the Chappell brothers stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tonya Stinnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

This book is great. At times it was not so great but by chapter 10 I was hooked and could stay in the book really week. Olivia Hudson makes perfume and candles and is going to start a mans line hopefully. Spur Chappell is her next door neighbor who just happened to mess up some of her flowers she need to make said candle and things. She has him help her with some things but happen to fall in love with each other. Or do they. That you must read and see what all happens between the two of them.

[Miranda Summerset · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 STARS! I do love a good ranch/cowboy romance, & the fake dating trope is a lot of fun. I also enjoyed the characters being in their 40s. But, this just got so boring in the end. Not much conflict going on, & the brother's side story was pretty unnecessary when we already had that fake dating storyline. Idk, its nice to read a clean & wholesome love story, but I also want to like the characters & in this one, they were just blah.....not bad, but not a great one either. Glad I listened to audiobook, definitely the better option.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. An amazing new series with awesome characters! Fake relationships are one of my favorite tropes and I love how it was handled in this book. The perfume theme was awesome! I’d love to do that stuff in another life... Plus, I’m super drawn into the next book already. How am I going to wait for t to release?!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story and awesome characters. You can't help but love a story based on a fake relationship as we know it doesn't stay fake for long. The story pulls you in with heartwarming romance and love. The characters are endearing and you'll easily fall in love with them as they work toward a HEA. Perfect for an end of summer evening read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.