Trusting Her Cowboy Poet

Not So Bad Boys #4

by Emma St. Clair

It's the quiet ones you have to watch out for.

Next to the definition for "strong and silent type," you'll find a picture of Easton. Especially compared to his fast-moving and loud-talking twin brother.

He has been happy to exist in the background, hanging out with horses rather than people. Dealing with his own demons the best way he knows how: alone.

Until her.

Quinley knows that Easton Boyd is trouble. Not because of his reputation but because from the moment they met, some kind of connection hummed between them.

She can’t ignore the handsome cowboy, even if she should.

Quinley and Easton can’t fight what draws them together, but the secrets they both carry may be strong enough to pull them apart.

Can this redeemed bad boy find love in spite of the mistakes that haunt him?

Genres: Romance

230 pages, Unknown Binding

Published May 1, 2020

About the author

Emma St. Clair is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves sassy heroines, witty banter, and love stories with heart and humor. She has an MFA in Fiction and lives in Katy, Texas (go, Tigers!) with her hubby, five children, and Great Dane. Her favorite place to write is tapping on her phone while on the elliptical machine. No Emmas have been hurt in the writing of these novels. (Yet.)

Want a free novella? Grab Upping the Ante here: https://emmastclair.com/ante

You can follow the day-to-day on instagram @kikimojo.

Reviews

[Christoph J Sikora]

Tear-Jerking and Lovely!

Elton Boyd was the hero of Loving Her Cowboy. Now it's Easton's turn.

The quieter, more intense twin has been carrying a secret since the day before his parents' death... a secret that has destroyed his belief in the "ever after" of romantic relationships. Every romance has an expiration date, he thinks. Then Quinley walks out of the barn on the farm he's maintaining until Pax and Cilla return to the farm (either when Pax gets traded to Dallas or when he retires from football).

Quinley is a large animal vet; she treats horses and cows primarily, but also the emus on Pax and Cilla's farm.(Long story; don't ask.) She's petite and has a charming giggle, a honking laugh, and an instant appeal to poet Easton, who immediately begins thinking of words and phrases to describe her. A few days of shadowing her and Easton can sense her frustration at the way most farrmers second-guess her while giving him respect he neither wants nor deserves. He also sense his own heart becoming hers quickly---more quickly than he finds comfortable or safe.

The book refers to Easton's poetry journal but doesn't show any of it until very close to the end. They are good poems, and the one he reads aloud to her reflects the growth of his faith and his heart. Quinley determines that he cowboy poet is finally healed and ready to take their relationship to the next large Silk. Happy ending? Looks promising!

Easton's story is more heartbreaking than Elton's; he's the more serious twin and the one who took his mama's betrayal hardest, to the point where he chose nor to burden Elton with that knowledge. Quinley has a secret of her own, though: a divorce from an abusive husband. When their secrets come out and they yell at each other for lying, the explosion tears them apart and causes the reader's tears to fall. With Elton, a happy ending is never in doubt. With Easton, however... who knows?

As a quiet person, I identified with Easton more than with "life of the party' Elton. That didn't stop me from worrying as he made choice after choice to shut Quinley out to avoid hurting her, not realizing that the very act of shutting her out is really hurtful to her. It almost destroyed their relationship! But all of the heartache disappears in a grand gesture masterminded by Adele and her assistant, Kat. It's a combination to cause happy tears for the reader.

This is a worthy final book in the Hometown Heartthrobs series. Highly recommended. Keep tissues handy while reading!

[S]

Oh my broken cowboy

Easton, Easton, Easton.

We knew from Elton's story that something was up with Easton. No one knew what, because he just hid away. He also pushed everyone away in the process.

Quinley left an abusive relationship and was left with emotional scars.
And yet, these two found each other and connected right away.

Easton opened up to her, when he had closed off everyone else. Quinley tried to share her past with Easton, but could never find the right time.

She certainly found the "wrong time" though, and the damn of emotions that Easton had built broke... all over Quinley.

I was a tiny bit surprised that Easton was the one who broke down like that. Elton, being more outspoken and hot headed, seemed to fit that bill better. But when we bury emotions, we bury them alive. And Easton's came rushing out like a mob of purple, angry minions. And as much as my romantic heart wanted Quinley to forgive Easton and take him back right away (his genuine repentance pulled at my heartstrings), I was proud that she didn't. She told Easton some very hard truths he needed to hear. And without that, he would not have been able to work past all the pain he was hiding. He wouldn't have been able to reconnect with his twin (beautiful scene with the twins, btw). He wouldn't have been able to hear.

Quinley standing up for her emotional needs in turn helped Easton get help for his!

I love this group of people. They all seem like so much fun! I like getting peeks into their lives as the saga continues. Cilla is well, Cilla, in her unfiltered way. Adele was her sweet self by welcoming Quinley in the group. Adele and Elton make me laugh with their PDA (and Elton with his booty shorts). Catching up with Sy and Amy was good, but now I can't wait for more from them! Watching Ben and Cat is also very entertaining. I think they'd make a fun pair.

Last, but not least, I'm grateful Ms. St Clair wrote about abusive relationships. It wasn't the focal point, but it was there. Plenty of people recognize physical abuse. But emotional/psychological abuse isn't as much. Thank you for letting women know it happens, they are believed, and they can leave! Not enough people know this.

[Sonya Wasden]

*Spoiler Alert*
Loved this new book in the Not So Bad Boys series. Easton is a broken man, er cowboy. He witnessed something that he should have never had to and it has affected his life for the past three years. He has kept it a secret and it is destroying him. He doesn't believe in love and he is moody and quiet. He is nothing like his twin brother Elton. Elton found the love of his life and he is moving forward. Easton is just stuck. That is until he meets Quinley, the new veterinarian.

Quinley has her own dark past but when she meets Easton, there is a connection she feels. She just doesn't know if she can ever try to love again. Easton would be the one man that might make her change her mind.

I loved the vulnerability that Easton shows. He is strong and capable and writes beautiful poetry that nobody else knows about. I love that Quinley calls him out when he hurts her. She forgives him but makes sure he understands that he needs help and she can't be with him until he gets that help.

This was a sweet and clean romance beautifully told and kept me involved through the whole book. I have read the other books in this series and I think this is my favorite, but I think I say that every time. I can't wait to read about Ben and Kat.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[Vibliophile]

(4.5 stars) - It's the quiet ones... that have the best story in the series

Book 4 has all the fun circle of friends we've come to know and love welcoming Easton's love interest, Quinley, into their little family.

Amusingly, Easton is courting Quinley during Elton's elaborate proposal to Adele, but Easton still has his issues & doesn't know how to deal with them.

The story depicts everything in a way that's sweetly romantic, but also realistic. I really appreciated that the author doesn't romanticize Easton's emotional damage - he clearly needs some help.

The ending, however, is every bit as happy as you could want - I'm not big into poetry but it works perfectly here, & I loved it!

Can't wait to see how Ben's happily-ever-after works out next!

*Clean romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: the characters are Christian & there is a little bit of "God talk", but is completely organic to the story not preachy

[Margie]

Emma St. Clair has created a group of friends and family in this series that looks after each other. Easton and Elton may look identical but their personalities are totally different. You can feel Easton’s guilt over Elton’s punishment that he escaped by keeping quiet. Easton doesn’t need any more guilt as he has been keeping a secret for years. Quinley wants to be accepted as more than capable vet. Her past gives her trust issues. Luckily the author has given them wonderful friends to help them over the rough spots. I look forward to Ben and Kat’s story in the next book. I will admit I will be a little upset, okay a lot upset, if Sy and Amy don’t get their happily ever after.

[Victoria]

4.5 Stars.

I have been looking forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed. My heart and my head have been on an emotional journey and I lost track of time whilst I went on that journey. I loved how the good and bad in life was shown alongside having faith and trying to keep that faith throughout. I loved the characters and the growth they showed in this story. I was happy to see old faces, but heartbroken too, my heart says there is more good to come but my head is not so sure. I'm enjoying this series and look forward to reading Ben and Kat's story as well as catching up with the rest of this group in the next book. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an ARC.

[Deanna]

Some people are worth taking down our protective walls for

This is the 4th book in this series.

Easton and Quinley have an instant attraction but their pasts make them jaded and find it hard to trust. Just when things seem to be going in their favour, both their worlds are turned upside down. How they deal with this could either make or break their relationship.

The characters draw you in, I felt so invested in this friend group, they are written that well, that you only want the very best for them. I wish I knew them personally, they would be in your corner if you ever needed them. That sounds like my kind of friends.

Go and read this book, you won’t be disappointed.

I received this as a complimentary copy and I am giving my honest review voluntarily

[Leslie Bakke]

I just finished reading Emma St. Clair’s newest book: Taming the Cowboy Twin. I expected it to be a good book since I’ve read all of the other books written by Ms. St. Clair. The book is well written. The story grabs your attention and holds keeps you intrigued until the last page. Ms. St. Clair did an excellent job developing the characters. As you read the book, you discover how Easton is so different from his twin. Also, you learn why he appears to be so introspective and moody. You meet Quinley, the new vet in town. The epilogue is different from other clean / Christian romances because it isn’t about the main characters. I really enjoyed this book. I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with Easton and Quinley.

[Cilla]

I really loved this book – best of the whole series! It captured the whole rollercoaster of emotions: guilt, grief, anger, feelings of inadequacy and second guessing yourself, attraction you don’t know what to do with, the excitement of a new relationship, fear of not being good enough, torn loyalties, importance of friendship, the damage bottling emotions does to yourself and those around you, the need to share your burdens (and that outside help isn’t shameful). Great character development, a captivating and heartwarming read plus we got to catch up with old friends from the earlier books. I was given an ARC, but the review is entirely my own.

[Lori R]

This is my favorite book in the series. The depth of Easton's character and his love for Quinley touched my heart, especially with the poetry. The book spoke of secrets and how they can destroy lives and relationships without even realizing it. I also liked that Quinley was able to overcome her past and move on with her life. How interesting to see how she was treated by clients too as she started her new veterinarian job. I cannot wait to read the next book to find out about Ben and what secrets he may have. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Sandra Eggleston]

Ya gotta love em'

I loved the cowboys as well as the strong women characters. The story line kept me interested and not wanting to put the story down. I was rooting for the quiet twin to get his girl , and to learn to deal with the painful disappointment of his parents situation. His seeking help through counciling and his spiritual life was a great lesson to pass on. Bitterness is a poison for the spirit and will eventually eat you up from the inside of it is not exposed to the light and disposed of. This piece has a great conclusion and leaves a se se of satisfaction for the reader. I look forward to reading more of this author's work. Thanks for a great read.

[Mikkayla]

Easton and Quinley are adorable. I loved them! And it was really fun watching by them let each other in and fall in love.
I think this story needed another element to it though. It briefly mentions Quincey’s ex husband, and the issues that Easton needs to face. But that’s about the extent of it. The story structure is very similar to the previous book, so you could kind of see where things were going. And I like to be surprised.
I do love that the previous book carries over I to the next. So we see Elton propose to Adele and it’s super cute. So I’m excited to see how Easton and Quinley’s story overlaps into the next. Which will be Ben and Kate story (super curious about them).

[Gina Rae Mitchell]

I really enjoyed Easton’s story. A tortured soul paired with an abuse victim, and both of them keeping secrets, is a trope made for trouble.

I love this tight-knit group of friends. As the series is winding down, I realized just how much I’ve come to think of them as people I know. What a great job by the author to bring out that depth of feeling for characters.

Although each book in the series is a standalone novel, I recommend reading them in order to get the most from the stories.

[Anne Nelson]

An excellent read

This book had me from the beginning. The main characters are excellent, drawing me right into their story. The supporting characters are equally as good. There are laughs throughout as well as misty moments. Which to me always means great reading! A really bright spot in the midst of being a "hunker-downer" during this pandemic. Now I need to find the beginning of this series.

[Anita Ojeda]

If you love clean romance, you’ll love this story! Emma St. Clair manages to inject just the right amount of humor, romance, and real life into her books. Her well-developed characters with their relatable problems inspire the reader. Even better, her characters are quirky and fun to read about—they make me wish I lived in Katy so I could hang out with them...yeah, I realize they’re just characters ;). But that’s the mark of an awesome author!

[Patty Scott]

All of Emma St. Clair's Not-So-Bad-Boys series are worth a read. She does romance just right. In this story, Easton, a brooding ranch owner has developed a crush on his vet. She has been through a difficult marriage and the two of them tiptoe around getting involved due to their past pain. You will find yourself rooting for them and feeling along with them as you read. This book was so moving. A definite must read.

[Sheila]

Loved this sweet romance with Easton and Quinley. She is the new vet in the area trying to prove herself to all the male ranchers in the area which has left her feeling insecure and Easton is the quiet twin and has some secret baggage that is weighing him down. Enjoyed reading how they worked through to develop a relationship with both of their emotional problems.

[Barbara Seidle]

This book had me laughing one minute and deeply moved the next. The banter was hilarious and so very real to brothers and friends. Emma St. Clair's use of words to describe a scene is captivating. She has done a masterful job in creating this story of love and pain that speaks to the deep places of our own loss and need for healing.

[Tamra Delasalle Padgett]

Easton definitely fits the handsome cowboy image along with being strong and silent. Who couldn't help but fall for this cowboy. Both have had a past that haunts them but will they be able to move on from that and get their happily ever after. Get your copy today and enjoy this story of love, happiness and moving on from the past.

[Sam]

Love this series!

This is my favorite book so far in this series! I like that this book show there are consequences for actions when we learn Elton did jail time. So many twists and turns along with raw emotions and God’s love right in the middle of it. Simply cannot wait to read Ben and Kat’s story in the next book.

[Slugpuppy3]

I absolutely LOVED Taming the Cowboy’s Twin! Easton has a terrible secret that’s eating him alive and freezing his heart. He can’t even share it with his twin brother, Elton. When Easton meets the wonderful and gorgeous veterinarian, Quinley, he feels his heart thawing but that festering secret hole in his heart is still there. Will it destroy all his hopes for a future with love?

[V]

4.5 stars

Read this series in order!!!!!!! Each book ends with an intro into the next story, making reading them in order a must!

This book ends, like the others, with a HFN and a promise of a HEA. But all of the couples continue their storylines in the next books.

I’m eagerly awaiting Ben and Kat’s story that was teased at the end!

[Tiffany]

Contains: kisses, mentions of infidelity, religious references. All these books are seeming like each other. Tragic past, depressed/ guild ridden/ grieving person who feels unworthy of love, finding God again, etc. Easton comes off as the sweet silent type in the other books. In this one he talks a lot. The relationship is tell it show as most of their time together happens off screen.

[Ruth]

Mysterious, brooding Easton finally finds love in the form of a spunky but fragile veterinarian. What obstacles stand in their way and how will they live happily ever after? Time to find out!

I received an advance review copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Sandra Hartzel]

I had an ARC copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Wonderful story and characters. Great tale of redemption and forgiveness. Emma St. Clair did a good job of developing the characters with all their flaws and problems. I also liked the way she wove faith into the story.

[Doni]

This is such a good book!
I really enjoyed reading it!
I've looked forward to Easton's story.
It's engaging & moving, everything
you want in a true romance.
Easton ❤ Quinley, steal your heart
from the very first pages to the last.
Must Read Story!!

[Pat]

Easton & Quinley's story. It's nice to learn of Easton's struggles, his guilt & then his love. Quinley is quite the woman with struggles of her own & being a woman veterinarian dealing with men ranchers that don't want to accept her. I really liked this story. The whole series is very good.

[Lisa H]

My favorite of the brothers.

Easton is the quiet twin, the poetry writing cowboy who’s got some angst (as in he doesn’t think he deserves love).
I liked him the best.

Quinley is the vet that catches Easton’s fancy.
They really are a good match.

Recommend.

[Devon Banta]

Great characters

For whatever reason I had an easy time imagining these characters’ physical appearances. That made the scenes flow more smoothly over all. It was a great storyline and as usual for Emma’s book, I had a hard time putting it down.

[Pat Christie]

Ebook

She’s the new vet, he’s a twin that is hiding from life. He’s been hurt and doesn’t trust but there’s something about her. They get together but his issues separate them until he realizes that to get her he has to heal himself.