elstaffe’s Reviews > Cowboy Surrender (Brides for Brothers, #4) > Status Update

"Today was only three days away from Halloween. And it was his and Toby's birthday" (247). I know it's a such a minor thing at this point, but the author explicitly stated the birthday earlier in the book, and it weren't October 28. "Jake grinned. He'd told Toby a month ago that they shared the same birthday, October 27" (110).

"'With Chloe, I—I wanted her. But I didn't love her. And my wanting wasn't much. After we married, and I slept with her, I realized it was a momentary thing'" (242). He was saving himself until marriage? What?

"'It just seemed to Mildred that B.J. was acting funny from early this morning on. I mean, did the two of you have a fight?'
'No. We didn't fight. We made love'" (228-229). why the F would you tell this father-figure that?? A father figure who's marrying B.J.'s aunt, no less? What. the. actual.

"'I can't marry him till I know B.J.'s settled.' She avoided looking at him, but Jake knew what she was asking.
He stood, hearing Toby coming down the hall. 'Make your plans, Mildred,' he said softly, 'because B.J. is settled. She just doesn't know it yet'" (223). yep, this is officially a horror story

"'I'm not sure they'll believe me, since I haven't been able to keep my hands off of you,' he growled.
'They will if you keep your distance.'
'Hey, I'm not the only one who needs this lecture. You didn't exactly fight me off, honey. Maybe I wouldn't keep coming back if you ever said no'" (182). I think I'm screaming it loud now for the both of us

"'I don't appreciate my reputation being smeared.'
'Maybe your reputation wouldn't be smeared. Maybe it would be boosted if everyone thought you were having an affair with me.'
There was a challenge in his voice, but B.J. wasn't intimidated. 'How arrogant! Do you think you're that wonderful?'
'Nope, But I think you've gotten a reputation for being a cold fish.'" (180) AAAAAAAAAAAGH

"He came to a stop, pulling B.J. around to face him. Leaning closer, he whispered, 'We'll figure out what to do later. But you'll have to come tonight if you're not going to upset Lucy'" (174). sure, let's just keep going along with coercing her into a date with the hero, that's cool. "Date me or it will upset your aunt" FFS? If I hadn't already noped out of this book by this point, I think that would've done it.

"'Jake, there is no you and me. Remember? It was a silly game that we agreed not to play any more.' Panic was filling her. She'd fought this battle, mostly with herself, once before. She didn't want to go through it again.
'Honey, I couldn't tell her that. And after this morning, everyone believes we had a fight and then made up. I didn't know what to say'" (170). No longer sure this is a romance #gaslighting

"'Hey, Jake, haven't seen you in a coon's age'" (133) I had to stop at this point to look up the saying and confirm that it did not, in fact, have racist origins. But... (eternal ellipsis)

"He grinned and leaned down for a quick kiss before she could protest. 'And that doesn't count for the one you tricked me out of,' he muttered as he started walking again" (132) I swear I went back and skim-reread the book up to this point multiple times but could not find "the one [she] tricked [him] out of." Either it's well hidden or this refers to an earlier draft of the book...