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I Love This Bar (Honky Tonk #1)

3.81 of 5 stars 3.81 · rating details · 548 ratings · 64 reviews

She doesn't need anything but her bar...
Daisy O'Dell has her hands full with hotheads and thirsty ranchers until the day one damn fine cowboy walks in and throws her whole life into turmoil...

He's looking for a cold drink and a moment's peace...
Instead he finds one red hot woman. She's just what he needs, if only he can convince her to come out from behind that bar, and

...more

Paperback, 377 pages

Published June 1st 2010 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

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Best Cowboy/Western Romance

24th out of 138 books — 89 voters

Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O'Connell

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Jun 28, 2010 Erotic Horizon added it

Contemporary western is a genre that has never really held much appeal for me, however when I spot the cover of Ms. Brown’s latest release it called to me – yes that little voice that said nekkid man on cover come and hear his story and so the fickle reader that I am took the plunge.

I LOVE THIS BAR bloody well rock.

The book starts out simply enough with Jarod McElroy walking into the local and only Honky Tonk in the area to get a drink and if truth be told to get away from his cantankerous uncle...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jan 30, 2013 Shannon rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really a 2.5 for me.
I think I am glutton for punishment because I want to like these books much more than I am but I can't put them down (or close the file in this case) in hopes that something redeeming will happen. I have noticed with this author that continuity seems to be an issue. Are the boots already off or aren't they. It's only a paragraph apart so why isn't that little thing caught. And does every man she has ever met use a fist to move the lady's chin? Not even a gentle index finger...more

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Jul 21, 2011 Sandy M rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, western

Sigh. I’m sorry to say that not much changed from Ms. Brown’s previous series and this one. The points of view changes are still front and center and very frustrating to read. You get used to it a little bit, but when it happens within a couple of paragraphs instead of a number of paragraphs, it’s hard to follow and just plain hard to read. In the first chapter there were 13 POV changes, at a very quick count. I was flippin’ all over the place, and I knew it wasn’t going to alter throughout the...more Sigh. I’m sorry to say that not much changed from Ms. Brown’s previous series and this one. The points of view changes are still front and center and very frustrating to read. You get used to it a little bit, but when it happens within a couple of paragraphs instead of a number of paragraphs, it’s hard to follow and just plain hard to read. In the first chapter there were 13 POV changes, at a very quick count. I was flippin’ all over the place, and I knew it wasn’t going to alter throughout the book, so I just had to grin and bear it.

Consistency is a tad of a problem too. An example: Jarod arrives home late one night. So he doesn’t disturb his ill uncle, he takes his boots off at the bottom of the stairs and treads up in his socks. Three paragraphs later has him taking his boots off in his bedroom.

I still have a problem with the dialogue of the characters in these books, as I did with the previous stories. Most of the time conversations are stilted, it’s just not the way people talk to one another. Then there’s the meanness that seems to permeate the way these people interact with one another. I have a feeling Ms. Brown is going for feisty independence for her heroines and it just doesn’t come out that way.

Daisy has inherited the Honky Tonk, her home for the last eight years, when she had nowhere else to go and Ruby, the former owner, took her in, mothered her, and eventually gave her the bar that’s come to mean quite a lot to her. One night when crossing the crowded dance floor, she collides with and ends up in a jumble on the floor with a good lookin’, sexy cowboy. I actually like the beginning of this book. It’s cute and fun. But it doesn’t last long, because Daisy suddenly becomes a female no one would want to be near with her immediate attitude toward Jarod.

At least Ms. Brown’s heroes are fun characters. But they take too much guff from the heroines. Jarod has had his fill of being unlucky in love and vows not to get involved again. He doesn’t count on a pretty little flower named Daisy, though, despite the fact she’s a barmaid. They have some misunderstandings along the way, he doesn’t find out she’s also a vet tech until much later in the relationship, but by that he’s smitten and doesn’t care she owns a bar. He tosses his preconceptions out the door long before Daisy ever does. She hangs on way too long and is lucky Jarod is a very patient man.

Even the secondary characters, as much of a hoot as they are, get to be a little much with the mean gene making its way into their speech. They are good for a laugh, however, now and again. And that’s the crux of this series for me. There are moments when I did giggle at something. There are moments when I enjoyed a scene here and there, but those moments come late in this book, either half or a quarter of the way through. It’s after, of course, the heroine has finally come to her senses and she and the hero are close to declaring their love for one another and the meanness is gone. That’s so much more fun, makes it a more enjoyable read.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

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Oct 18, 2010 Anja rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I hated the writing and syntax. There was also severe head hopping and the conversations and narrative jumped all over the place. The story never caught my interest and I skimmed heavily. I didn’t like the hero. He was juvenile, lesser beta, and boring. The heroine had potential but was too passive. There was no chemistry between the main characters; there was no tension or emotion in the writing.

I like the cover.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 15, 2013 Shellys♥ Journal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, fiction, romance, series

Daisy and Jarod literally run into each other on the floor of Daisy's Honky Tonk bar in Mingus, Tx. And the sparks fly. Daisy doesn't fraternize with patrons, and Jarod doesn't date bar maids. But will their friends make sure that passion ignites?

What a perfect Valentine's Day book. I am not normally a reader of cowboy romances, but after reading another book by the author, I wanted to give it a try. It's got fun characters, a not altogether unpredictable plot, but great details. Brown blends i...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 09, 2012 Beate rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cowboys, romance

For a cowboy book, it's surprisingly innocent. There is some hinting at smut, but no real action going on. For a book that promises a scorching hot story, it doesn't deliver. Making the cowboy hot and his girl the girl a sweet next door doesn't mean the book is going to be hot. It's just going to be sweet.

As a romance, the book is sweet. It's a cute story. Normally I'd give it 4 stars. The reason I'm docking the book, is because it doesn't deliver what it promises in the blurb. When I go into re...more

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Jun 02, 2011 Vicki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Four stars for ‘I Love this Bar’ by Carolyn Brown. It’s a contemporary cowboy romance – my first for the genre – and I’ve got to say I’m liking cowboys. A lot. I’ve read countless football and hockey romances recently so these sexy cowboys are a nice diversion.

Brown does a good job with the character development and the sexual tension. She manages to produce an authentic feel to the story with her descriptions of the Honky Tonk (complete with specific country and western songs, lyrics and artis...more Four stars for ‘I Love this Bar’ by Carolyn Brown. It’s a contemporary cowboy romance – my first for the genre – and I’ve got to say I’m liking cowboys. A lot. I’ve read countless football and hockey romances recently so these sexy cowboys are a nice diversion.

Brown does a good job with the character development and the sexual tension. She manages to produce an authentic feel to the story with her descriptions of the Honky Tonk (complete with specific country and western songs, lyrics and artists), cowboys and ranch life, and also the way she writes in the everyday language of the locals (although I’m an Australian who knows jack-all of Texas or cowboys!). Her characters are gorgeous, from the leads to the ‘Tonk regulars but I especially like the heroine. She’s smart, independent, vulnerable and has a heart of gold.

We are introduced to life at the Honky Tonk. Beautiful Daisy O’Dell is the owner and operator of the bar and in the first few pages she ends up flat on her back with a cowboy on top of her. Don’t worry – it’s all innocent enough, but the sparks between her and the handsome cowboy are undeniable. Although, deny them she does, or tries to. You see, Daisy is sworn off men after the last one raised his hand to her. She doesn’t need a man and there is no way on God’s earth she will ever leave the Honky Tonk or compromise who she is for any man ever again.

Jarod McElroy is the cowboy who has just fallen on top of an angel. The woman is a stunner, and try as he may, he just can’t get her pretty face out of his mind. But after three failed engagements he’s done with women – especially one who is a barmaid. No, she might be pretty but he’s certain she ain’t worth the hassle. Anyway, he’s not here to stick around. His Uncle Emmett’s health is failing so Jarod is lending a hand on his uncle’s ranch. As soon as old Emmett passes on Jarod will be back home to Oklahoma.

Of course, we know they end up together and it is just a really nice, down-to-earth story. There are four books in the ‘Honky Tonk’ series and after reading ‘I Love This Bar’ I’m really looking forward to the next three.
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Apr 09, 2011 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bad-boys, humorous, series, own-kindle

Daisy O'Dell owner of the Honky Tonk bar has a few hard fast rules she lives by, one being keeping men who frequent her bar at a distance. When Jarod McElroy enters her bar and has an accidental run in with the feisty bartender, he knows he should keep his distance but both of them keep getting thrown together and it is becoming to hard to resist the fact he wants her in his life, now he just has to convince the determined Daisy that she wants it too.

A lot of fun to read, the characters are quir...more

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Oct 26, 2010 Tasha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, cowboy-western, half-price

Daisy has been content running her bar, the Honky Tonk, until she literally collides into Jarod McElroy. From that point on neither one can stop thinking about the other.

Jarod's attraction to Daisy is immediate but once he realized she is a barmaid, he refuses to get involved. Daisy has trust issues due to a previous abusive relationship, and tends to keep men at arms length. The fact Jarod is only in town temporarily to care for his ailing uncle Emmett doesn't help matters.

Uncle Emmett has Alzh...more

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Nov 02, 2011 Kaylee mrziti rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: terrible, teased

This book was very cheesy and typical. I love cowboy romance, but this book did not live up to the sexy cover. The sex scenes were not scenes at all. They eluded to the fact they did it saying things like, "...And they went under the sheets. Afterward.." I felt like I was reading juvenile fiction. Not romance. The main character got on my nerves a bit. she pretends to be a tough-as-nails bitch, but really she is typical whiny, childish girl. And she asks too many questions to herself EX: "did ja...more

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May 29, 2010 Kristina rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love this book! I adore a good cowboy romance and this was a good one! It had me laughing and crying...I went through a whole range of emotions.

I completely fell in love with these characters. They were a great "down home" bunch and I must say that I thought Chigger was great. She made me laugh out loud everytime her character came up.

If you enjoy a good country romance then this is one to check out. I am really looking forward to the next one in this series Hell, Yeah....I think it's going to...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 04, 2010 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, cowboys-ranchers, 1st-in-series

Not bad but a tad slow for me.

1 like · like · see review

Aug 19, 2012 Kimberly Lewis rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this novel. Jarod is such a sweetheart and I loved how he never gave up on Daisy. He truly shows her that there are still some good guys left in this world:) And like Ms. Brown's other novels, there were some fair share of laughs in this one as well. There is this one part where Daisy is at Jarod's uncle's place and the two of them are in "their" room. Jarod sits down on the bed and the springs creak rather loudly. He gives Daisy a mischievous smile and begins to hop up...more

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Jan 14, 2011 BecksBookPicks rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book for the most part. I don't think the genre Western Romance if for me, however I am hooked on the series and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. The story line was good and did keep me interested. It was a very clean romance book. Its one of those where the chemistry is there between the characters but the author closes the door and you are left out like a dog in the rain. However, that is ok. I like to know a little more then was let on, but I can sti...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 01, 2010 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Daisy O’Dell is the bar owner of Honky Tonk. She has been running the place for seven years, ever since the last owner Ruby died and left the place to Daisy.

Jarod McElroy moved down to Texas to care for his Uncle Emmett and help him with his ranch. When Jarod walked into the Honky Tonk, he was just looking for a place to hang out for a while. He did not realize the woman of his dreams would fall into his lap.

Daisy literally falls for Jarod. Now all Jarod can think about is Daisy and finding a w...more

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Jun 13, 2010 Chrissy Dionne rated it 5 of 5 stars

I admit it was the title that first captured my interest but I've had a great time getting to know the characters and their quirks. I laughed and cried and got a whole new perception of the people who may visit a local bar. This book isn't erotic so there's no hot sex scenes but that definitely didn't take away from the pleasure I found in reading it. I've already preordered the next book in the series, HELL, YEAH and eager to add the other 2 - MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.

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Feb 21, 2013 Amber rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-reads

Wow! I really really enjoyed this book! Found my new love for cowboys *swoon* It was so sweet and hilarious! The perfect kind of romance for me because it wasn't one that took place only in the sheets getting all smutty. The "love" scenes were just hinted at it - just the right amount. The main focus was on the story and characters. I just love small southern towns. Daisy was a little spit fire and Jarod was a stubborn Irishman to boot. I was smiling and laughing the whole way. Can't wait to rea...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 14, 2011 Sharon rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-contemporary

Super countrified, but entertaining. The literary equivalent of a hard drinking, fun night at a local bar with only a slight tinge of regret the next morning.
On a side note, the kindle version of this book was terribly formatted- it often spontaneously went into center justified text, and when a character's inner thoughts were italicized, the text frequently continued that font into sentences that should have been back to regular print.

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Oct 23, 2010 Hilcia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-bookshelf, impressions-blog-review

An ode to Toby Keith's song, country music, honky tonks and country living. I Love This Bar was full of great characters, fun moments, music and good lovin'... Don't expect detailed bedroom scenes in this book, but it does have good romantic moments. Loved all the characters from Daisy and Jarod to the secondary cast: Chigger, Momma, the Walker triplets, Tinker, Merle and cousin Cathy. If you like ranchers and country music, you'll enjoy this one. I did.

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Jun 24, 2010 Connie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a new to me author. While this book is tamer than what I normally read, I really liked it. I LOVE the heroine in this. She's sassy and smart alecky, just my kind of girl. Jarod is totally a sexy cowboy. There are lots of great supporting characters that keep you reading and laughing. Also, if you like country music, you are definitely going to love this book. I'm going to pre-order the next book in this series.

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Sep 07, 2011 Rachel rated it 2 of 5 stars

Wowwwww. This was pretty bad. Aside from stereotyping Texans in every possible way, there was no continuity whatsoever. I LOVE YOU. I DON'T LOVE YOU. I SLEPT WITH YOU. I DON'T WANNA SLEEP WITH YOU. HELL NO WE'RE NEVER GETTING MARRIED...OH YOU WANNA GET MARRIED OKAY WE CAN GET MARRIED
I didn't like the main character claiming to be an independent woman. She really wasn't.

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May 10, 2011 Sherry Grussing rated it 4 of 5 stars

I picked this just as a "filler" book while I was waiting to read something else. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't a "heaving breasts" romance. It was actually a good read. There are two more in the series I'm looking forward to reading. Plus, the main cowboy character is from Cushing, Oklahoma and went to Oklahoma State. Go Pokes!

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Dec 23, 2012 Marni Fowler rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm sorry but for anyone knocking Carolyn Brown you should realize that all of her books are written in the same manor. If you don't like it then don't read her.
That' being said I love Carolyn Brown and this was no exception. I love the character view points and I love that it's light hearted and easy to read.

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Aug 27, 2012 BonSue Brandvik rated it 2 of 5 stars

Quick, light read about a sexy cowboy who meets, resists and eventually submits to bartender with a hard-luck past. Lots of fun cowboy banter, but not much depth to the story or characters, so not my taste. Have to admit, I skimmed some of it, but if you're looking for light read, you'll probably enjoy this one.

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Jun 20, 2012 Carrie Felton rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book... it was a little raunchier than the other ones I have read by this author but I love reading about the cowboys etc down in Texas and Oklahoma. It was a deep read which I really like and it had a pretty good pace... closer to the end it slowed down a ton but it all worked out well...

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Jul 29, 2012 Joy rated it 4 of 5 stars

First book of Carolyn Brown's I've ever read, I doubt it will be the last! Fantastic , sassy characters, loved the chemistry, the setting ..nothing wrong with the book at all. IT was good that the main characters had some baggage, but I did feel like they obsessed a little too much on the bar maid thing.

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Sep 16, 2010 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

This was a fun read, even if some of the dialogue was hilariously bad and it strayed awfully near to songfic in style. I might pick up the next in the series, if only to find out what happens to one of the characters - so despite a few faults, it's entertaining.

The novel also made me crave peach cobbler and bbq, which is not necessarily a bad thing either.

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Nov 01, 2011 Bungluna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance

Not bad, though the stereotypes take the place of any characterization. I'll read the next one just to find out what happens next, but Daisy and Jared didn't quite convince me of their hea.

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Jan 27, 2011 Maggie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library

Carolyn Brown writes great characters. Although the cover of this book is quite yummy, the scenes within are not overly graphic which makes to pretty tame for this genre. Great book, I am looking forward to the next one!

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Oct 04, 2012 Tish rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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About Carolyn Brown

Hi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my be...more Hi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!

Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.

I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.

I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.

Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!

I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.

Happy reading!(less)

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I Love This Bar (Honky Tonk #1)

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