Texas Big Man

Big Men #2

by Penny Wylder

They say everything is bigger in Texas. One look at Harlan Decker, and I have to agree.

Seeing his back muscles ripple as he splits open thick logs like they're made of butter is enough to make me sweat.
When he looks at me, his eyes tear through my defenses.
I've never felt so exposed.
Then he says something I'll never forget. “Before summer ends, you're going to beg me for it.”
I know what he means by it.
I'm shocked... and a little tempted. One problem: I'm determined to save myself until I get married.
Also? I'm tough as nails. I never beg for anything.
Thanks to my older brother I'm stuck on this ranch for the next three months, working with a cocky jerk who thinks he can make me his.
Harlan is the biggest, strongest, most dominating take-no-lip man I've ever met in my life.
Before summer ends, will I be begging him to be my first?

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Adult, Novella, Contemporary Romance

79 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2020

Reviews

[Just Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

🔸Texas🔸
If you are in need of something light, steamy and quick with a HEA this one might be for you. ✨

Sweet city girl, Mel, promises to help her big brother with getting his new place in the country all fixed up and ready.
What she didn’t expect to find when she gets there is a big, masculine sweet-talking cowboy.
Turns out her brother has business to attend, so Mel is stuck with the cowboy who owns part of the ranch with her brother.


The moment Harlan sees Mel he knows he wants her in bed.
Mel, however - wants commitment.
None of them are ready for what’s about to happen.

The flow was nice, and even if the novella was short, it didn’t feel rushed. Okay, that’s a lie- it felt rushed at one point-(hint:red paint).
Other than that- I was happy with it.

Penny Wylder does sweet, short and steamy like a pro. Do I think they are the best in the world? No, but I love how I in the most busy times in my life always can get myself to read one of her books, because they are so uncomplicated.

Read: 08/02/2021
1st rating: 3 stars
Genre/tropes: Contemporary romance/small town/cowboy
Cover: 3 stars
POV’s: Dual -1st person -(Mel & Harlan)
Will I recommend: Yes

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/9/2021)! 🎁

[Auntee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smutastic insta- love short story...

[Amy [Book Addict Reviews] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Texas Big Man is bringing the heat in this perfect summer romance.

Melena needed to get out of the city and her brother presents her with the opportunity of working on his newly purchased ranch together for the summer. Only her brother isn’t there when he arrives, but an insanely gorgeous ranch hand, Harlan is.

Melena and Harlan have an instant connection. Though despite the chemistry between them they didn’t get off on the best foot. However, things quickly begin to shift between them, and the sparks fly from there.

I loved every moment while reading this book. It was fast paced, captivating and brings the summer heat.

[Courtney Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

You now what they say? Everything is bigger in Texas! Meet Harlan and Melena country boy meets city girl. Harlan thinks Melena is way out of her element when she shows up on her brothers ranch to help him but he will be pleasantly surprised when she isn’t scared to get her hands dirty. Now they both play a fun cat and mouse game while they figure out what they both want. Harlan wants Melena but does she want Harlan and the country life he lives? I guess you will have to read it to see!

This was a fun and sweet read and I’m excited to read more from Penny soon.

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

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melena has all intentions on waiting until marriage. Harlan has all intentions on waiting until she's begging for him. All I can say is one of them wins but, honestly, neither of them loses. Sweet, dirty (in several ways), a bit over-the-top, and more made these two a pleasure to read. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melena's brother buys a ranch that needs some work and asks her to help him on it. Needing to get away she agrees and heads out to the ranch when she arrives he isn't there but a sexy stranger is. Harlan is working when Melena comes to the ranch but he's expecting her. Sparks fly between them and as soon as he sees her Harlan knows that he wants her. Harlan and Melena work together and every chance he gets he lets her know that he wants her. She let's him know that she's a virgin and plans to stay that way until she is married. Things heat up between them and then her brother catches them in a compromising position. Will her brother cause Harlan to end their budding romance? Can they be together?

This is an amazing story that will captive you from beginning to end. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

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

[Catheryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

While most of this was a fun, sweet and spicy novella, there was one part that frustrated me.

I can look over the "body betrayal" thing if they don't harp on it too much. However, Mel made a vow with her self to stay a virgin for her wedding. Then, she just decides to give it up to him. She blames her body for deciding and then says that she doesn't feel regret. I would like to have seen him support her with this (she never tells him until afterwards). But she never gives him the chance. I wouldn't be mad if this vow wasn't made to be a big deal, but she makes it a big deal and reasons that she is ok with losing her V card because she doesn't know the ambiguous future. True....but maybe have this convos with him... Like I said, I wouldn't care if she just happened to be a virgin, the story would be the same. But the fact that she made this vow and then had a body betrayal 🙄

Overall a pretty fun and little spicy novella.

[April Symes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Big Man -A Small Town Bad Boy Romance by Penny Wylder is a quick and sexy insta-love cowboy romance that brings the feels, chemistry, heat and attraction.
Melena and Harlan were great together. Great story, amazing chemistry, perfect scenery-Texas. The story flows and sizzles. It's fast and engaging, fun and exciting. Just what's needed for a perfect summer read.

My Rating: 4.5 stars *********

[Mads Trudeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

u know……..

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I love me a hot texas read!
Fun and steamy 4.5 stars!

[C.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas big man

This story was good and surprisingly sweet considering it was also drenched in sexual tension. Lovely ending to the story and epilogue.

[GiveMeAllTheBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melena arrives at her brother's rundown ranch expecting him to be there, since they're supposed to fix it up together. However, she finds Harlan instead, an assertive guy who lets her know he wants her the minute they meet. She is attracted to him, but conflicted, because she's saving herself for marriage. Takes them awhile to dance around each other, and so it's a bit of a slow burn in that regard, I would say on the tamer side for Ms. Wylder.

I liked Melena and Harlan together and was glad that he didn't let her get away. Just a few things kept it from 5 stars for me. For one, there were a lot of typos and wrong words, especially in the first several chapters ("U-turn turn" and "indignance" instead of indignation, etc.), enough to be distracting. And then a couple pet peeve things which I know other readers will not mind. *Slight spoilers* I hate it when the heroine doesn't let the hero know she's a virgin before they sleep together. He was gentle with her at her request, but still, that's a big moment and the guy deserves to know. Also, I don't like when they reconcile and commit to each other but then wait a really long time--even years--to get married (as if it's not a big deal), especially when they're pregnant. I understand putting off the big event wedding, but you can always go to the courthouse... *end spoilers*

I'm 10 times more likely to read a book with a virgin heroine (just a personal thing) so I always want to encourage these types of stories! Keep them coming! With Ms. Wylder, you always know the couple really loves each other by the end, and there's a lot to be said for that :).

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

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is absolutely fantastic! Harlan is a big, hunky, attractive, alpha male who is working on his & his friend’s ranch. He is repairing and revitalizing the ranch and will then run the ranch. Melena is a curvy, spunky, independent woman trying to find her way in her mixed up life. She comes to help her brother, Trevor, restore the ranch he bought to working order. When she gets there, things are not the way he described! For one, her brother is not there, but his friend Harlan is and she will be working with him. She is snarky and abrupt with him. Why? There is so-o-o much smoking hot chemistry, they could combust. Harlan wants her but he is going to make her beg. Melena has a lot of issues she must work through. Melena decides to stay and help Harlan fix up the ranch. As she gets to know him and work with him she does start to feel things for him, to care about him. All this does is bring more confusion for her. Harlan is confident and sure of himself and he believes they will eventually be together. Harlan and Melena start enjoying each other’s company and by the end of the summer they are enjoying a passionate, affectionate, lust and love, with super charged chemistry. This is a thoroughly enjoyable story and has fantastic characters that are well-defined, likable/lovable. They have such unbelievable chemistry! This is a page-turner! You will love it, really! This is my first time reading this author I really enjoyed her writing style; I will be reading more of her work.

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

[Susan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings us Melena and Harlan. Melena's brother Trevor, buys a fixer upper ranch that he wants to turn into a tourist attraction. Melena has had a tough life in the city, and asks his sister if she would give up 3 months to help restore the ranch. Melena thinks she'll be working with her brother, and is shocked when she arrives and there is gorgeous Harlan. Melena has grown up in a close family and wants what her parents have, so she is determined to remain a virgin until she marries. That is until Harlan does all like of things to her body and insides, that she gives in. Harlan is an open book an makes it known to her that he wants her. I love that Harlan is so open and honest, and won't cross lines, and that as the time they work together grows, so does Melena's confidence. I thought it was great when Trevor comes unexpectedly to check up on the ranch, and he finds them in a compromising position. This is a great read, and I highly recommend it. I did receive an arc, and also bought it myself. Thank you Ms. Wylder for a great afternoon read.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. It has an interesting story and the characters are likeable. I’ll be adding books by this author to my reading list. Harlan and Melena meet when Melena goes out to a ranch her brother bought. She’s supposed to stay the summer to help her brother fix up the ranch. What her brother failed to tell her was that he won’t be there until the end of summer and she’s going to be working with Harlan instead. They both feel the attraction to each other that is pulling at them, but Melena is a virgin and has always stated that she will not have sex before marriage. Sparks fly between them every time they’re near each other, but the attraction is just too much to ignore. Can they find happiness together? Can Harlan convince Melena that he wants forever with her?

***I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Booksprout. All thoughts & opinions are my own.***

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Melena finds when she gets to her brother’s ranch is more than just open space, but a hot Texan in the form of Harlan who has such a wicked tongue and boy does he know how to use it. There is blazing chemistry from the moment they meet and Harlan knows just how to push Melena’s buttons while still respecting her choices. Melena is shows Harlan she knows how to handle a hammer and these two work to restore the ranch, the sparks are flying as these two learn more about each other and their attraction takes off like a wildfire. Harlan is unflinchingly honest and takes every opportunity to let Melena know just how much she means to him. Melena blossoms at the ranch and when Trevor comes to the ranch things take an interesting turn. Harlan and Melena get their dream and the epilogue was just as explosive as their first meeting.

I received an ARC of this book via Book Sprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. It has an interesting story and the characters are likeable. I’ll be adding books by this author to my reading list. Harlan and Melena meet when Melena goes out to a ranch her brother bought. She’s supposed to stay the summer to help her brother fix up the ranch. What her brother failed to tell her was that he won’t be there until the end of summer and she’s going to be working with Harlan instead. They both feel the attraction to each other that is pulling at them, but Melena is a virgin and has always stated that she will not have sex before marriage. Sparks fly between them every time they’re near each other, but the attraction is just too much to ignore. Can they find happiness together? Can Harlan convince Melena that he wants forever with her?

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

[Kate G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started off this book weerie; Melena started off sounding like a real pushover and Harlan sounded crude (in a cringey way). However I was plenty surprised that the cringe I got from Harlan was easily replaced by sexy banter and Melena had a backbone!
Their romance was perfectly crafted; Penny did a great job of having them fall in to love with each other more and more each day and not just an instant love.
I have to say I was very interested in Melena's brother, Trevor, who at first I thought was just using his sister but then realized was actually a great brother. I really hope he gets his own story next.
The only thing I wish, is that Penny would've included a little more about Melena and what made her leave the big city and need a break. My interest was piqued but not satisfied.

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Texas Big Man A Small Town Bad Boy Romance by Penny Wylder is a quick,entertaining,hot and steamy instalove/cowboy romance story of Harlan and Melena..Harlan is a ranchhand/co owner, possessive and OTT cowboy.Melena is a city girl,tough,curvy virgin, with old values,and a dream to be a writer and determined to save herself until she get married..Harlan and Melena have a strong attraction and sizzling chemistry and thanks to her older brother shes stuck on his ranch for the next three months, working with a cocky jerk who thinks he can make her his..Harlan is the biggest, strongest, most dominating take-no-lip man she've ever met in her life..Before summer ends, will she be begging him to be her first? read it to find out! well done!

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

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needing to get out of the city and planning on spending time with family, Melena is shocked when she drives up to the ranch, instead of her brother there is a tall drink of water. Harlan has partnered with Trevor on creating a ranch for other to enjoy, when Trevor said his sister was coming out to help, he did not know what to expect. He definitely did not Melena.

Melena and Harlan have a powerful attraction from the moment they set eyes on each other. The problem is Melena made a promise to herself, that she would wait till she got married before giving herself to someone. But his blunt comments and sexy smirk on fanned the fire growing inside Melena.

This is a fast read that will burn up the pages as you are engulfed in Melena and Harlan passion.

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

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short insta-attraction cowboy romance what will have you laughing but also melting. Mel and Harlan were very cute together. These two are thrown together thanks to Mel's brother and they get off to a rocky start. The attraction between Mel and Harlan has Med questioning herself and what her plans have been. Harlan knew Mel was different and he was going to anything to get and keep her. A small misunderstanding also tore them apart but Harlan quickly (and effectively) rectified the issue and these two had an amazing HEA. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a short but great cowboy romance with a sassy female and an OTT alpha.

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

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a fine line between hate and love as Harlan and Melena discovered in this sassy romance. Melena's brother got her out of the city and out to his ranch to work, but he forgot to tell her about Harlan being his partner. Harlan was way to forward for her, and Harlan knew exactly what he wanted. The air purely sizzled around Harlan and Melena, but he promised that he would not do anything unless she asked. Would they last the three months, they were supposed to work together on this project? These two have many ups and downs before they come to an understanding of sorts. Enjoy this wonderful story that you will not be able to put down once you start reading.

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

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Texas Cowboy always wins! This is about Harlan and Melena. She is determined to help her brother in the summer months with getting together a ranch for future business of course she didn’t expect to have anyone else around her like Harlan and to top it off, she is a virgin. Harlan sees her and knows this city girl is not going to make it but is surprised as she is a strong one, but even those leave their guard down occasionally. He is determined to have her and boy they are a pair. Melena has never felt what she feels when she is around Harlan and knows he is trouble…but she can’t stay away as well… Loved it!

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

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this quick story about Melena and Harlan. Melena is trying to get over her crappy job and needs some space. So when her brother Trevor asks her to help him fix up a ranch he bought, she jumps at the chance. Expect when she gets there, it's not Trevor she finds. No she finds a sexy Harlan. Harlan is the ranch hand Trevor hires and he will be a partner as well in the business. Melena and Harlan start off on the wrong foot, he propositioned her and because is her traditional values. But Harlan breaks down her hard exterior and during a crazy storm on the Texas plains a storm of passion breaks out in the house. Great HEA in end.

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

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lunch time quickie!!

I needed this book. Something that was quick and to the point.

Melena is heading to her brother's new ranch to help him and to write her book. Only she isn't prepared for Harlan and his lusty ways. Mel wants everything that Harlan has to offer. After a few days of working closely together, the hotness hits a new level for Mel. She's unprepared for Harlan. Unprepared to feel the way she does for him so quickly.

It's love at first sight for Harlan. She's everything he wants and needs. Mel just doesn't know it yet, but he'll have her begging for him soon enough. Sparks fly with one kiss and that seals the deal for him. She is his! He needs to convince her.

[Erika Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was definitely amazing! The story was engaging, intriguing, sexy, and sweet. Penny's writing is totally beautiful and flows throughout the story. This story is a little more in depth from Penny. The herione Melena is a traditional family values, sweet, a little insecure, but beautiful and caring. She came to Texas to help out her brother renovate the ranch. When she arrive at the ranch she meets a strange man. Harlan is the strange man she met. He's a Texan, handsome,smart,alpha,and sweet. I devour this book. Amazing work again Penny Wylder!

I receive this ARC for an honest review through Bookfunnel.

[Karen Roma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Big Man is my first read by Penny Wylder and I wasn’t sure if I’d warm to Harlan’s character after his cocky and grossly inappropriate opening statement when Melena arrived at her brother’s ranch. I quickly learnt that there was far more to this dirty-talking cowboy than his brawn and sex appeal as the story progressed. A thoroughly enjoyable insta-love story evolved, with characters that were well-developed and a storyline that flowed easily and kept me intrigued. I’ll definitely be reading more from Ms Wylder in the future.

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

[Magali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very hot, but quite simple
I liked the choice of the character of the characters because although they felt a very strong attraction from the start, they didn't have the same approach : Méléna had to endure Harlan's presence while avoiding him, because she decided to save herself for when she would find a husband, as for Harlan, he directly announced to her that he would have sex with her. This rough introduction has the advantage of placing the characters in the narrative :)
The tale itself is fairly straightforward, tender, and slowly gaining strength, but it is a bit more predictable than other Penny Wylder stories.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing more than cattle on the ranch

Texas Big Man is the second book in the Big Men Series and I loved this one by Penny Wylder. It is the story of Melena and Harlan as the sparks fly and the chemistry sizzles as they fall in love. It is not exactly love at first sight but it is a sizzling hot, as he puts all sorts of thoughts in her mind. Harlan is a wonderful character as he is completely honest and open in all ways.
This is a very enjoyable read that is entertaining, quick, romantic, hot and steamy and more. Plus the epilogue is sweet and satisfying.

I read an advanced copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are all my own.