Lone Star Ex-Con

Saddle Creek, TX: The Crawfords #1

by Kat Baxter

A Marriage of Convenience/Curvy Girl Romance

Monroe

I just got out of prison. I literally have blood on my hands. It doesn’t matter if it was an accident or even justified. I'm tainted. One look at the bespectacled, curvy librarian, and I’m hooked. Clean, educated, and polished, Callie is beautiful, sweet, and the sheriff’s sister. She’s the last person I should want because I’m the worst person for her. But when she offers to marry me to meet the conditions of my grandfather’s will, I practically run to the courthouse.

Callie

I know "Roe" is different the minute he steps into the library. It’s not his scowl or his tattoos or even the intelligence he tries so hard to hide. There’s something in his eyes that calls to me. I feel a connection with him I can’t explain. Of course he’s also the most devastatingly handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on. He needs a wife. And he can provide something I want. So despite the fact that he’s younger and way hotter than me, I offer to meet him at the altar. But I never expected to fall in love with my husband.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Marriage Of Convenience, Contemporary Romance, Westerns, Small Town Romance

80 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2022

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Kat Baxter writes fast-paced, sweet & STEAMY romantic comedies. Readers have dubbed her “The Queen of Adorkable.” and her books “laugh-out-loud funny,” and “hot enough to melt your kindle.” She lives in Texas with her family and a menagerie of animals. Kat is the pseudonym for a bestselling historical romance author.

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Reviews

[Lori R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was short and sweet and sexy and I loved it!

Monroe Crawford has his eye on the beautiful librarian. Whenever he goes to use the library’s computer, he can’t help but let his eyes wander to where Callie is. He’s soothed by her voice, intrigued by her beauty, and mesmerized by her buttons.

He doesn’t think he’s good enough for her.
She doesn’t think he’d want someone like her.

Were they both ever wrong.

They are both adorably sweet and I loved watching them work up the courage to get what they want.

This was a short read, but it gave me everything I needed to feel satisfied and complete.

This was my first read by Kat Baxter and I’ll definitely be reading more.

[Cara Bristol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie, an overweight 35-year-old librarian who walks with a limp, doesn't think she'll ever marry and have kids. Monroe, a 25-year-old ex-con (he accidentally killed a guy), has a big crush on her but doesn't think he has anything to offer. But when Monroe and his brothers risk losing their ranch if they don't marry, Callie proposes a marriage of convenience to Monroe.

This book packed in all the tropes: BBW, small town, reverse age-gap, marriage of convenience.

The characters were very engaging. I liked Callie and Monroe. I liked the writing, and the bits of humor. The author has a nice, light writing style.

There was a little conflict and no plot twists in this story, so there wasn't much in the way of suspense or tension, but the romance between Callie and Monroe's was sweet-hot so it made for an pleasurable, fast, easy read.

[Michele McMullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lone Star Ex-Con is the first book in the Crawfords family saga, and I fell in love with Monroe and Callie.
Monroe Crawford is an ex-military man that has done some prison time due to an accident and a technicality. He is now working on his accounting degree in the privacy of the public library. The view is exquisite as he gets to see the beautiful, sweet, quiet librarian. He knows that he is not good enough for such a lovely woman, so he admires from afar.
Callie is just as beautiful on the inside as the outside. She has never found love and feels that she will soon be the town old maid. An injury years ago has left her with a limp but that has never slowed her down, she stays busy with work. She has watched the quiet but handsome Monroe frequent her library, but he seems unwilling to approach her. She hears the town gossip that Monroe's family has been given an ultimatum by their ailing and miserable grandfather. They must marry with a prenup or their home, ranch, and livestock with go their nasty uncle. Callie has a plan. She shows up on Roe's doorstep with an offer he could never refuse! This couple is sweet, has chemistry, they have that smolder, and I just loved their quick insta-love story. Roe is smitten and he ready to woo the lovely Callie and she will soon not be able to resist!
~~Michele McMullen~~

[Elyvia (eliv_bookstagram) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this, it was a short and sweet novella, and it even made me teared up a bit. The hero is an ex-con, jailed for manslaughter, he's 25 yo and in need of a wife to inherit his grandpa's farm. The heroine is a 35-year-old curvy librarian who had hip surgery, so she's limping. She always thought she would be an old maid, so she offered to marry the hero, so she could have a chance to be a mother and help the hero at the same time, cause apparently nobody wants to marry a hot ex-con in a small town. I have a good time reading this, perfect for in between reading!

[fiore ♡♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a sucker for small towns, and younger man-older woman ships. And she's a plus size girlie!! AND SHE'S A LIBRARIAN!!! Hits all the spots

[lowkeyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am definitely excited for the Crawfords. I'm already loving Roe and Callie's story. I wished it was longer, I didn't want their story to end.

Roe has a crush on Callie, the librarian. But he knows he doesn't deserve her. However, when she heard about his grandfather's will, she offered to marry him. And obviously, he jumps on it because that was his dream and she is his dream girl. Though Callie needed more convincing that his feelings for her are real.

I loved their story. I can't wait for Roe's siblings' stories next.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 stars. Light sweet book. Pretty fun.

[Elisa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute marriage of convenience novella between a cowboy and a librarian.

[Carmen Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok this was super cute and both characters were really likable.

[Natasha Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story! After leaving prison Roe was unsettled. He went to the library each week to study and was soothed by Callie, the librarians, voice. He just wanted to be near her. He loved her but felt he wasn’t good enough for her. Callie thought hot, younger Roe was way out of her league. When Roe’s grandfathers will leaves him needed a wife Callie offers herself. Roe can’t believe his luck, now he just needed to convince Callie the marriage was real! Wonderful, romantic love story. Sweet and steamy with a beautiful HEA. Can’t wait to read all the Crawford family stories. . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A.S. Fenichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

sexy, love story that will steal your heart

I love this book about two broken people that can only be whole together. It’s a perfect short romance and I can’t wait for more of this family.

[A-reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My reviews always contain spoilers, I write them so I can remember the story.

4.5/5 stars

I started this series out of order and I’m not done with all the siblings yet but I think this will be my favorite one!

Callie is the town librarian, she is 35 and has a limp due to an accident when she was nine. She worries she will always be alone, who wants a middle aged woman who uses a cane. Roe is a 25 year old ex military man who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter when he helped defend a woman from her abusive husband. He uses the library every Thursday to complete is online college classes, the WiFi is faster than at the family ranch and he loves listening to Callie during story time. Her voice soothes something in him and he is endlessly fascinated by her buttons. So many buttons, on her skirt, and her button down shirts, and her cardigan. Her attire is in no way sexy but it never fails to make him hard. He thinks he should stay away from her but his body has other ideas, he can’t help but seek her out wherever she is. Her brother, Caleb the sheriff has noticed and warns him away.
Roe’s family owns a large ranch and they just found out their terrible grandfather has had a stroke and part of the stipulation for his will is all the Crawford siblings must marry to inherit the ranch, otherwise it will go to their equally horrible uncle. The siblings have an emergency meeting to discuss this at a restaurant. Like any small town this one picks up on that gossip right away and it spreads quickly.
Callie’s friend Rory tells her that Roe is interested in her and she should let him know she’s interested too. Then she tells Callie about the inheritance clause. Callie decided that this is her chance with Roe. She drives out to his ranch and offers a proposition, she wants to be a mother and he needs a wife, they can get married and it would be a win win for both of them. Roe is really a great guy he tells her about why he went to prison and that he had killed during his military service too. He wanted to know what kind of man he was. She already knew, she had researched his case and felt he was wrongly convicted. Roe is thrilled to marry his Buttons, he loves everything about her.
He goes to see her brother the next day, Madison, Roe’s sister comes to the library and tells her Roe is meeting with her brother the sheriff. The ladies head to the police station and hear yelling, she jumps in and tells her younger brother that she is old enough to make her own decisions and her decision is Roe. Caleb relents and offers his blessing.
Their first time together is sweet and sexy, Roe is very traditional and takes such good care of her. When Callie learns that she maybe to old for babies she tells Roe they can annul the marriage. He recites his vows to her and tells her he will honor his vows to her. I love yous and a very sweet epilogue with them happily married five years with three kids, twin girls and a boy.
I love how brave Callie was, she went out of her comfort zone and asked Roe to marry her. I love how sweet he was to her, he buys her the perfect engagement ring and gives her a sweet proposal, and carries her over the threshold after their wedding. They were such a sweet adorable couple.

[Chalice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The couple: Monroe and Callie

Romance trope: marriage of convenience
Series: Saddle Creek, TX: The Crawfords
Length: 80 pages

Plot: Monroe and his brothers just found out that in order to inherit their ranch fully, they will all need to marry, quickly. Monroe has only been out of prison and back in town for a short time, but his bride could be no other than his crush, town librarian Callie. Callie is ten years older than him and this side of librarian spinster, but he knows she's the one for him. More than that, she's the only one who has given him the benefit of the doubt. So she'll marry him, but will she ever believe that he wants her for more than the inheritance?

Commentary: This is one of the author's better stories, in my opinion. I've always wondered about cases like Monroe's. He was defending himself, and in doing so, the other person got hurt - normally a shove wouldn't kill someone, but this was just bad luck. So he ends up in prison. While I know that he did technically kill someone, he was defending himself, and it seems unfair that he should be punished when he was defending himself against a bad guy (a guy who was abusing his girlfriend). So he's home now, and the girl who catches his eye? Shy librarian Callie, curvy, and not in an hourglass figure sort of way, ten years older than the sexy cowboy; it seems like they shouldn't match, but he can't get enough of her. It was really sweet the way he kept reassuring her, especially with the matching tattoos at the end.

Next book in the series: Lone Star Husband

[B-Books Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If there’s ever a moment that you don’t want me, you say the word and I’ll back off. But never, ever think that I don’t want you.”
📖
Review: Lone Star Ex-Con by Kat Baxter. Saddle Creek, TX: The Crawfords Book 1.
🐐
I have zero ideas on how I ended up finding this book. One minute I was looking forward to read a rather short/novella story and next I was diving into this one. Honestly the first thing that had my attention was the potencial ex-con drama, I mean the bad boy aspect got me going, and then as I read the blurb, it was a reverse age gap story. Yes, sign me up. Best decision I made.

Monroe Crawford is doing his best self since he was out of jail, is working on his family ranch and goes to the library constantly to study so he can get his degree. But it’s there that he is enchanted by Callie, where she works as a librarian, the only girl who makes him want something else.

I loved Callie, she didn’t have an easy life, she have some side-effects from an accident in the past and add her curvy figure and her age, she never thought that Monroe would set his eyes on her! However she has such a good heart, caring and loving, there’s no way anyone wouldn’t fall for her.

When he and his siblings need to get married to save the ranch, there’s no one but Callie for him. And Callie also wants something from him. I really enjoyed this sweet, loving and with plenty of sexual tension story. I want very much to read the other books that has yet to come about his other siblings.

[ToriLovesHea’s · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute! A paroled convict is crushing big time on the local librarian when his asshole grandpa has a severe stroke and all the grandkids scramble to marry to secure their inheritance. It’s like a perfect set-up for these two to get hitched.

I loved that we had an FMC that’s older than him (9 years, 35 and 26), uses a mobility aid due to a bad car accident when she was younger, and is fat! And it was so effortlessly talked about which is why I wish more diverse reads were more popular!

I wish there had been a little more explanation of WHY they needed to marry because it felt like the author either rushed to write that part or didn’t feel like looking into the legal side of inheritance laws so she just had the characters shrug and go “idk why we just do”.

Also I did get a little icked out by the FMCs brother (who’s the sheriff) being like “you’re not good enough for her because you’re a convicted felon”. Don’t be a butthead, Sheriff Do Good 🤨

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callie and Roe were fantastic together. I really enjoyed the connection and chemistry that these two have. Roe is pulled towards Callie even though he believes that she deserves some better than him. Callie doesn’t believe that Roe, who is 10 years younger, could be into someone like her. These two have very little drama between them it just takes a little bit of convincing for both Roe and Callie. I really enjoyed this book and believe that this was an excellent start to a new series. I would recommend this book and Ms. Kat as a must-read author.

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

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/26/2022)! 🎁

[valentina · Rating 3 out of 5]

súper lindo todo, además soy fan de las series de romances de hermanos 😭😭😭 por ahora sientes curiosidad por hayes pero obvio quiero saber qué será de la vida de todo jeje

[Karla Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this adorable story! Monroe is the ideal romance hero – totally smitten, sweet, sexy, and swoony. Callie was a lovely, relatable, likable heroine. Together, they were perfection. Can't wait for the rest of the series!

[Gabrielle Espinoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leí tres palabras que lo describían muy bien.
Short
Sexy
Sweet

Ame a Monroe y a Callie fue cortito pero cute ❤️

[Curvy Girls Read Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Kat Baxter read! And Baxter is one of my favorite insta-love authors.
Monroe's obsession with Callie's buttons is adorable. Swoon! I love this couple.
All of the Saddle Creek books and the affiliated series are so good. Highly recommend.

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love it!! Wonderful!! This was a nice quick, short read.

Monroe meets Callie when he goes to the library. She is the librarian and he uses their internet. He comes in on Thursday because it’s story time and she reads to the children. Monroe went to prison and thinks Callie would never fall for him. When he’s about to leave the library he gets a phone call from Madison, his sister. Madison tells him there’s an emergency family meeting and they need to meet at Ace’s. Quinn, Harrison, Madison and Johnny are all waiting for Monroe. They tell him their Grandpa Crawford had a stroke. Monroe finds out his uncle didn’t want them to know. Quinn tells them all that they all need to get married. Monroe knows his grandfather set it up so that they lose it all if they’re not married before he dies. The next day Callie is setting up for the petting zoo. Her best friend Rory brings her collection of miniature horses goats and rabbits. She finds out Monroe is at the library again. He comes to ask her a question but she gets lost in him. She is needed at the petting zoo so she leaves him. She finds out Rory is sick so she tells her to sit in her vehicle with the AC. She hears Monroe coming up behind her and he offers to help. They both spend the day answering questions the children have. Callie thanks for him for helping her today. He leave to meet Harrison at the diner. Harrison tells him he is already married and needs to find his wife. As he leaves the diner he sees Callie on a park bench across the road. They talked for a little while as she eats her ice cream. She tells him she needs to get home and he follows her to make sure she makes it. When he turns to go home the sheriff, Caleb, also Callie’s brother is stand there. He asked Monroe if there’s any reason he’s been visiting the library a lot lately. He tells Monroe to stay away from his sister. Monroe tells Caleb he hears him. Rory calls her and wants to know what is going on with her and Monroe. When she tells her friend nothing. Callie get a lecture, then finishes her talk and heads out the door. Monroe is getting out the shower when she shows up. She asked him if they can talk and they go out and sit on the swing. She asked him if the rumors are true that the Crawford Need to get married. She asked him if he has a girlfriend. She tells him more than anything she wants to be a mother. He tells her she doesn’t have to marry him. He tells her she doesn’t get it he fantasize about her. She tells him she knows about his past but wants to hear his side of the story. She asked him if he would still marry her if he says yes. They kiss he says he would love to marry her. The next day Madison comes bursting into the library and tells Callie that Monroe was just seen going into her brother’s office. Callie and Madison rush over to the sheriffs office. She tells her brother she’s a full grown adult and she makes her own decisions. She tells him she’s going to marry Monroe and he can be supportive or not. She would like him at the wedding. They leave the office and get outside the sheriff office and start to kiss. Monroe goes out down on his knee and asked her to marry him. He has a ring for her and she says yes. After they are married Monroe moves into her home and carries her into it. Her Victorian home is beautiful and he is blown away. She tells him where his bedroom is and he asked her where their bedroom is. She tells him they don’t have to get physical and he asked her why not. He picks her up and carries her to their bedroom and strips his clothes. He takes her clothes off and pleasures her then they get physical. Two weeks later she comes home from the doctors office. She is waiting for Monroe to come home. She tells him because of her age she may not be able to get pregnant, if she does it will be risky. She tells him if he doesn’t want to be married to her they can get an annulment. He recite his wedding vows to her and tells her he meant them every word of them. Five years later, they have three kids the oldest are twins Amber and Avery, the youngest Harry. As for Monroe’s grandfather and their land maybe that will be in the next book……

[Raven61 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great potential but needs additional information

Start of a new series featuring siblings that find out about a caveat in the family’s patriarch’s will that could cause them to lose their birthright if not fulfilled. This caveat requires each of the siblings to be married. Yikes!

I really love the plot of the story and just want to cuddle up and finish falling in love with Monroe. There are some good main character descriptions, but wanted and needed more from those supporting. I had to lower the rating because there are some details missing on Monroe’s background, such as where are his parents? How long was his initial sentence, how long was he in prison, and how long has he been out on parole? What degree is he working toward, or is it just classes to help with ranch life?

I mentioned the following for readers such as myself that visualize the story as it is read, because errors interrupt the flow. There are a couple of incorrect punctuation and a couple of missing words. I uploaded my notes to goodreads for anyone interest Ed.

Monroe is out on parole and spends his one day off at the ranch in the library. There are a couple of reasons for this, or at least that is what he tell others - the internet connection on the ranch is bad and it is a lot quieter so he can do his course work. The main reason is because of the prim and proper librarian, Callie. It is all of those buttons she wears, combined with the pencil straight skirts she wears, both of which apparently just do something to him and make him think of unwrapping Christmas presents.

Callie is so enamored with the very sexy man, um, make that sexy YOUNGER man, that comes into the library a few times a week. Of course she tries to deny it because he is so far out of her league. Not only does he scream, drip and practically ooze masculine appeal, he is also about 10 years younger than her. Plus he doesn’t have any physical flaws like she does (walks with a cane from an accident that crushed her pelvis).

Monroe is not sure he can find anyone to marry since he is a convicted felon. Doesn’t matter that others tell him he got a raw deal, the guy still hit his head when he fell and died. To make matters worse, the only one he wants, his sexy little librarian, is out of his league and deserves so much better than anything he could offer.

Then he gets a surprising visit from a very unexpected source, with a very surprising offer, and he can’t get her to the courthouse fast enough … and he was never letting her go …

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lone Star Ex-Con bk 1 [Saddle Creek, Tx: The Crawfords Series]
This series follows the Crawford Family and how they end up finding Love..

This book follows Monroe and Callie.. You will find Ex-Con/Librarian, Callie uses a cane for her hip, Love at first sight, Marriage of Convenience turned into Love, Some steam and more

Monroe works on the ranch with his family, He is sweet, kind, caring, always looking out for the people that he cares about, He is an Ex-Con, He is close to his family and would do anything for them and always looks out for them, He is happy when his crush told him that she would marry him so that he can keep his ranch and also it made him happy to have Callie in his life, He falls hard for Callie

Callie is an Librarian, She is sassy, sweet, kind, caring, needs a cane for her hip and knows what she wants, She Loves her job and owns her aunts old house, She has a brother called Caleb who is the sheriff, She does not think any guy would think she is beautiful because she is curvy and also uses a cane, One day she gets to know Monroe when he helps her at work and she can see he likes her but she just thinks he is being friendly, When her best friend calls her to says that the Crawford family have to each get married that's when she walks up Monroe and says that she would marry him so he can keep the ranch, She falls hard for Monroe

This book is packed full of:
⦁ Ex-Con/Librarian
⦁ Ranch Owner with his family
⦁ Callie uses a Cane
⦁ Marriage of Convenience
⦁ Age Gap
⦁ Sweet Hero/Curvy Women
⦁ Some steam
⦁ Possessive Hero
⦁ Strong family Relationships
⦁ Strong friendships
⦁ Dirty talker
⦁ Love at first sight
⦁ Small Town
⦁ All these books follow different Crawford Family Members but you get to see the whole family in all books in the Saddle Creek series

If you like the characters in this book then check out their own books:
Harrison and Birdie's book is called Lone Star Husband bk 2 [Saddle Creek, Tx: The Crawfords Series]
Quinn and Amber's book is called Lone Star Boss bk 3 [Saddle Creek, Tx: The Crawfords Series]
Hayes and Rory's book is called Lone Star Playboy bk 4 [Saddle Creek, Tx: The Crawfords Series]
Johnny and Harper's book is called Lone star Best Friend bk 5 [Saddle Creek, Tx: The Crawfords Series]
Madison and Caleb's book is called Lone star Sheriff bk 6 [Saddle Creek, Tx: The Crawfords Series]

I really enjoy this book and the romance between Monroe and Callie.. I am glad that everything worked out and they got a happy ending..

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t too sure…but!

I rarely, if ever buy or borrow reverse age-gap romances. But this is Kat Baxter and I adore all of her books, so … WOWZERS. I’ve never been happier to have been so wrong about whether I’d enjoy this reverse age-gap romance.

Roe and his “Buttons,” are magic together. Roe has been drooling over Callie, the town librarian, for months. He doesn’t make a move though, because he thinks he and his past aren’t good enough for the beautiful librarian. Callie has no clue that Roe’s been eyeing her with hunger, until a colleague mentions it. But she thinks there is no way the hot, younger cowboy wants her frumpy, old maid self. Oh Callie… you have no idea!

Love finds a way for these two in a most unconventional way. Roe has his work cut out for him to make Callie understand that nothing but love, peace, and a steamy-hot attraction made him say the vows that bound the two of them together until “death do us part.”

This story was so freaking sweet! I adore a romance in which the Hero has to work through the insecurities of an otherwise sassy, confident heroine. Callie or Buttons, as Roe calls her, is no shrinking violet, trust me. I too would have a hard time believing a man ten years younger than me, wanted me for me and not for some other reason.

(You must read the book to find out the 🔥🔥🔥HOT🔥🔥🔥 reason Roe nicknamed his sexy librarian, Buttons.)

You MUST read the ending when Roe reminds Callie WHY he married her. It’s so freaking sweet, it’s ridiculous!

Incidentally, I enjoyed Kat’s description of Texas. I looked up all the flowers Roe gives to Callie because I had never heard of most of them. I had fun looking up what an Arts and Crafts Foursquare house was. Turns out I’ve always loved that style of house, I just didn’t know the style name. 🤷‍♀️

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I purchased a copy. This is my honest, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review.

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monroe Crawford just got out of prison. He is taking online classes. He goes to the library on his one day off a week to upload his schoolwork because the internet at the ranch is slow. Roe, his brothers and sister own and work a ranch just outside Saddle Creek, Texas.

Callie Burton is the librarian. She is 35 which is 10 years older than Roe. She has to use a cane to walk because her pelvis was fractured when she was in the car accident that killed her parents when she was eight. Her Aunt Rosie, the old librarian, raised her and her brother Caleb. She thinks she is too chubby to attract a man.

Grandpa Crawford had a stroke and their dad’s youngest brother, Lewis wasn’t going to tell them. Quinn found out because he went up to the big ranch and apparently the stroke happened quite a few months ago. Apparently, if the majority of the six siblings are not married with grandfather approved pre-nuptial agreements before he dies, they lose ownership of the ranch to their uncle.

Rory, Callie’s best friend, tells her the gossip about the Crawford siblings. She encourages Callie to go after Monroe. Rory tells her that she can see how much they like each other. Callie has always wanted to be a mom, so she goes to see Roe at the ranch. She offers to marry him if he gives her a child.

I thought it was so cute that Roe had to convince Callie that he really liked her and wanted to be with her. Callie had to convince Roe that he was a good man and deserved her love.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roe is trying to get his life back on track after having served time in prison for something that wasn't his fault. He has returned to his hometown to help run his family's ranch that he owns along with his brothers and sister. He is also working on finishing his education in accounting. On his day off each week, he goes into the local library, where the internet connection is much faster, to upload a week's worth of assignments. He finds it hard to concentrate because of the pretty red haired librarian. Callie is the librarian at the local library. She can't help but notice the hot tattooed rancher that comes in each week to use the computers. When Roe and his siblings find out that they all must get married before their grandfather dies in order to keep their ranch, Callie makes Roe an offer he can't refuse. The only problems, Roe thinks he's not good enough for Callie and Callie's brother is the local sheriff and not happy about this arrangement.

Great book about family, love, second chances and small town life. Love the shy but sassy librarian that comes out of her shell with some encouragement from her loved ones. Kat's books are always fun and full of steam. This is the first book in a new series and I'm looking forward to the others!

I received a review copy of this book from the author. I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Baxter debuts a brand new series, Creek, TX: The Crawfords, with the awesome reverse age-gap steamy romance, Lone Star Ex-Con. Setting up the series, we find out that Roe (Monroe) Crawford and his many siblings have just discovered that their dying grandfather has a clause in his will requiring his grandchildren be married at the time of his death in order to receive their inheritance. Roe is busy readjusting to real life after a stint in the military, then a prison sentence for manslaughter. Callie is the town librarian, close to ten years older than Roe, and with a childhood hip injury, she doesn't see herself in his league. However, both share a mutual attraction, and when Callie finds out that Roe needs a wife, she works up the courage to suggest a deal: she will marry him to help him get his inheritance, and in turn, he'll help her have a baby. With Kindle-melting chemistry between them, is this really a marriage of convenience, or have Roe and Callie found their soulmates?

This is a fabulous reverse age-gap sweet and steamy romance, and the perfect way to kick off a brand new series!

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

[EstelaReadsRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starring Callie Mae Burton and Monroe “Roe” Crawford

Tropes: Reverse Age Gap, Older Heroine/Younger Hero (10yrs), Marriage of Convenience

I could not highlight fast enough with this book!! So many favorite parts!! And I’m ugly crying AF!!!

Monroe and Callie are climbing the charts as my favorite Kat Baxter couple. They just complimented each other so well. Honestly, I’m thinking about the “vows” scene and I’m ugly crying again as I write this review. Callie and Monroe are sigh-worthy!! Looooooove them!!

Kat Baxter always gives us heartwarming, punch you in the feels stories with strong and wonderful characters worth cheering for!! Absolutely love her books!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily review it and the comments are 100% my own.

My Star Rating: 5 stars
Ugly cried AF. Major book hangover. Characters and storyline were freaken amazeballs. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will definitely be reading this story over and over and over again!!

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Crawford family has just been dealt a killing blow.
To keep the ranch they've all grown up on, and many of the siblings work on, they must all be married before their grandfather dies.
Monroe 'Roe' Crawford is hopeful that the terms of the trust aren't reliant on all the siblings being married, just the majority. After all, who would want to be married to an ex-con who believes he has nothing to offer a woman?
Callie, like many other women in Saddle Creek, is very much attracted to Monroe. Every Thursday when he's in the library it's hard to not let her eyes wonder over to him and check him out. But she's convinced he could do better than an older librian who walks with a cane.
When Callie learns the Crawfords must get married she figures she can knock out two birds with one stone. A marriage of convenience.
Monroe gets to claim he married and has a wife.
Callie will finally get a baby that she's longed for years for.
Will this marriage stay one of convenience? Will these two be able to finally admit their feelings to each other and maybe make their marriage real?
Cute story.
Kind of wondering about the terms of the will and if the clan gets to keep the ranch. Maybe that's something we get at the end of all the siblings books?