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Cupid's Bow, Texas #4
The Cowboy Upstairs
THE PERFECT CANDIDATE
Single mom and aspiring perfectionist Becca Johnston is determined to be the next mayor of Cupid's Bow, Texas. She can't afford distractions like her new tenant, rugged rodeo champ Sawyer McCall. Having a good man around the house means so much to her young son, and Becca is definitely enjoying the handsome cowboy's attention. But the election is too important to risk scandalous town gossip.
Sawyer only planned on staying in Cupid's Bow long enough to help with the upcoming centennial celebration, but with Becca and her son, he's finally found home. When she treats him like he's a dirty little secret, hiding him from her voters and her son, Sawyer is crushed. How can he convince her that love is the one thing she can't control?
Single mom and aspiring perfectionist Becca Johnston is determined to be the next mayor of Cupid's Bow, Texas. She can't afford distractions like her new tenant, rugged rodeo champ Sawyer McCall. Having a good man around the house means so much to her young son, and Becca is definitely enjoying the handsome cowboy's attention. But the election is too important to risk scandalous town gossip.
Sawyer only planned on staying in Cupid's Bow long enough to help with the upcoming centennial celebration, but with Becca and her son, he's finally found home. When she treats him like he's a dirty little secret, hiding him from her voters and her son, Sawyer is crushed. How can he convince her that love is the one thing she can't control?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published May 9, 2017
15 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Michaels
141 books59 followersTanya Michaels is an award-winning author of more than thirty romance and women's fiction novels, as well as numerous short stories and nonfiction essays. She is a four-time finalist for the prestigious RITA, awarded annually by Romance Writers of America, and was nominated for RT Book Review’s Career Achievement in Category Romance. When she's not speaking at reader events and writer conferences, she's at home in Georgia with her husband of fifteen years and their two highly imaginative children. For a glimpse into Tanya's chaotic daily life, as well as updates on her current books and TV show addictions, follow Tanya on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 14, 2020
It had been a lonely two years since her divorce, and she might be in for quite a few more. Meanwhile, fate had delivered to her doorstep a funny, articulate, dead-sexy cowboy whose abs could have been sculpted from marble. Who was she to ignore that gift? 60%
Becca Johnston is someone who has been in this series since book one, and she is a force of nature. Bossy, likes to be in charge, feels comfortable telling everyone what to do, 'terrifyingly efficient,' driven, feels like everything is her business and everything is in her power to change, thinks life would be better if she could just dictate to people what they should do and they would obey. She's also running for mayor.
That kind of person.
So I was interested in seeing her meet a man. I was interested in how Michaels was going to handle this.
I have to hand it to Michaels, in general I would have to say she is not afraid to make her romance heroines 'difficult.' Becca is someone you might actively avoid IRL. She would rope you into serving on some committee and - if she cared about you - would tell you exactly what to do to 'fix' your life, her version of 'helping. Probably her son (age 7) and her younger sister (age 18) get the worst of this steamrolling.
I liked Michaels tackling the idea of going to college and it not being a necessity. Becca is leaning hard on her younger sister to go to college and Sawyer has a different perspective on it that is treated as also valid. I think we need to have more discussions like this. In 2017 it was becoming increasingly obvious that college is not the only way a person can go and that there are other routes that might be more fulfilling - and less full of debt.
I was interested in Becca's HEA because I like to see hard people softening or prickly people becoming gooey because of love. However, I don't feel like Michaels delivered on this book's full potential.
Sawyer is a good foil for Becca. He's relaxed, easygoing. He gently flirts with her, but she is the one in this book who takes sexual initiative and kisses HIM and invites HIM to bed etc.
My main complaint about the book is that Michaels doesn't fully explore and exploit the feelings. Sawyer takes a stab at being a mensch and almost reaches it... but just doesn't have the follow-through to make him a true mensch. While Becca's backstory is good (mom who got pregnant six times but hates children, husband who ran a financial scheme and then disappeared, single mom), I didn't feel like she and Sawyer connected in a way that would knock down her walls. I didn't expect her to change, but I did expect a more powerful love story and this love story was sort of tepid. Which it didn't have to be given the great premise. I mean, Michaels had me on the set-up, she just lost me on the follow-through.
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
Sigh. This is another problem - Michaels does not allow them to have on-page sex. This is disappointing for many reasons. One, I want to see how this guy is in bed. Two, in a romance novel, what the couple is doing in bed and how they interact during sex is a HUGE component of their psychological journey and a big part of the story IMO. Sexual dynamics shape relationships just as much as other aspects do and I want them to be included in my romance novel. If you just fade to black every time they have sex, you are blocking me (the reader) from understanding a huge part of what makes a couple tick. I can't analyze, criticize, and assess a romantic relationship in fiction unless I know how the couple is fucking.
So, big loss there. I was disappointed. Especially after I really enjoyed how she handled Megan and Will in The Christmas Triplets.
TL;DR While this premise had great promise and I was looking forward to it - a difficult heroine like Becca is very interesting to me - Michaels did not deliver. She kind of half-assed it. It wasn't BAD, but it wasn't living up to its potential and ended up just being another run-of-the-mill Harlequin American Romance. Sad, because it had the potential to break those barriers.
It also features a periodic child's POV. This might be a dealbreaker for some people, it usually is for me. No one wants to hear the thoughts of a seven-year-old in a romance novel. TRUST ME. I wish authors would stop doing this.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Cowboy/Western Romance
Non-Virgin Heroine
He's a Rodeo Rider, Does Summer Camp and Family Trail Rides, Writes Articles for a Travel Magazine; She's on the Town Council, Running for Mayor, and Runs the Community Center.
Takes Place in Texas, U.S.A.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
Becca Johnston is someone who has been in this series since book one, and she is a force of nature. Bossy, likes to be in charge, feels comfortable telling everyone what to do, 'terrifyingly efficient,' driven, feels like everything is her business and everything is in her power to change, thinks life would be better if she could just dictate to people what they should do and they would obey. She's also running for mayor.
That kind of person.
So I was interested in seeing her meet a man. I was interested in how Michaels was going to handle this.
I have to hand it to Michaels, in general I would have to say she is not afraid to make her romance heroines 'difficult.' Becca is someone you might actively avoid IRL. She would rope you into serving on some committee and - if she cared about you - would tell you exactly what to do to 'fix' your life, her version of 'helping. Probably her son (age 7) and her younger sister (age 18) get the worst of this steamrolling.
I liked Michaels tackling the idea of going to college and it not being a necessity. Becca is leaning hard on her younger sister to go to college and Sawyer has a different perspective on it that is treated as also valid. I think we need to have more discussions like this. In 2017 it was becoming increasingly obvious that college is not the only way a person can go and that there are other routes that might be more fulfilling - and less full of debt.
I was interested in Becca's HEA because I like to see hard people softening or prickly people becoming gooey because of love. However, I don't feel like Michaels delivered on this book's full potential.
Sawyer is a good foil for Becca. He's relaxed, easygoing. He gently flirts with her, but she is the one in this book who takes sexual initiative and kisses HIM and invites HIM to bed etc.
My main complaint about the book is that Michaels doesn't fully explore and exploit the feelings. Sawyer takes a stab at being a mensch and almost reaches it... but just doesn't have the follow-through to make him a true mensch. While Becca's backstory is good (mom who got pregnant six times but hates children, husband who ran a financial scheme and then disappeared, single mom), I didn't feel like she and Sawyer connected in a way that would knock down her walls. I didn't expect her to change, but I did expect a more powerful love story and this love story was sort of tepid. Which it didn't have to be given the great premise. I mean, Michaels had me on the set-up, she just lost me on the follow-through.
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
Sigh. This is another problem - Michaels does not allow them to have on-page sex. This is disappointing for many reasons. One, I want to see how this guy is in bed. Two, in a romance novel, what the couple is doing in bed and how they interact during sex is a HUGE component of their psychological journey and a big part of the story IMO. Sexual dynamics shape relationships just as much as other aspects do and I want them to be included in my romance novel. If you just fade to black every time they have sex, you are blocking me (the reader) from understanding a huge part of what makes a couple tick. I can't analyze, criticize, and assess a romantic relationship in fiction unless I know how the couple is fucking.
So, big loss there. I was disappointed. Especially after I really enjoyed how she handled Megan and Will in The Christmas Triplets.
TL;DR While this premise had great promise and I was looking forward to it - a difficult heroine like Becca is very interesting to me - Michaels did not deliver. She kind of half-assed it. It wasn't BAD, but it wasn't living up to its potential and ended up just being another run-of-the-mill Harlequin American Romance. Sad, because it had the potential to break those barriers.
It also features a periodic child's POV. This might be a dealbreaker for some people, it usually is for me. No one wants to hear the thoughts of a seven-year-old in a romance novel. TRUST ME. I wish authors would stop doing this.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Cowboy/Western Romance
Non-Virgin Heroine
He's a Rodeo Rider, Does Summer Camp and Family Trail Rides, Writes Articles for a Travel Magazine; She's on the Town Council, Running for Mayor, and Runs the Community Center.
Takes Place in Texas, U.S.A.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
May 22, 2018
A well-written contemporary cowboy romance. Sawyer McCall is a rodeo bronc rider that is getting a little tired of the roughness and travel. He needs a place to stay for a couple of weeks between things. He rents an upstairs apartment from Becca Johnston, a go-getter single mom that is running for mayor of the small town. Added to the mix are her son, an abandoned dog, and her angry teenage sister that needs a place to live.
The story flows smoothly without being too sappy or silly. The romance between Sawyer and Becca had a sincere feel to it, even though they jumped into bed a little quickly for me. I liked that the ending was realistic and believable. Overall, this is a better-than-average romance story.
The story flows smoothly without being too sappy or silly. The romance between Sawyer and Becca had a sincere feel to it, even though they jumped into bed a little quickly for me. I liked that the ending was realistic and believable. Overall, this is a better-than-average romance story.
May 15, 2017
Oh, what a fun and sweet story, that had me smiling like a loon. A true feel-good tale from a small town including a hot cowboy, family drama, political aspirations, and romance that will knock your socks off!
Becca Johnston, the town's favorite OCD control-freak has a lot on her plate. A single mom with no help from her disappeared ex, she is trying to juggle all the 'normal stress', added a few extra things, like running for the small town mayor and organizing town events. She is an alpha female who loves, or needs, to be in charge. And I admired her spunk, her energy, her drive, and laughed about the OCD, because, hey, that's adorable! She learns to laugh at her own quirks as well, she doesn't take herself too seriously and can be flexible when needed.
And Sawyer McCall surely had her number. They got each other, Sawyer and Becca. From the first moment, their eyes met, the connection and attraction were there. But there was more than that to it. They sincerely liked each other, had each other's backs, and most importantly, they understood the other. Sawyer and Becca's son bonded as well, and the little yet dynamic unit was born. The friendship and trust came solid and fast, while the passion and attraction were burning hot.
A charmingly cute and delightfully sexy story where two alphas meet and mate. It is fun and entertaining, the feelings are running deep, the conflict between them is not earth shattering or something that can't be fixed, I laughed, and smiled and hooted out loud at the end because of the cute twist. A perfect summer read for all cowboy loving readers!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Becca Johnston, the town's favorite OCD control-freak has a lot on her plate. A single mom with no help from her disappeared ex, she is trying to juggle all the 'normal stress', added a few extra things, like running for the small town mayor and organizing town events. She is an alpha female who loves, or needs, to be in charge. And I admired her spunk, her energy, her drive, and laughed about the OCD, because, hey, that's adorable! She learns to laugh at her own quirks as well, she doesn't take herself too seriously and can be flexible when needed.
And Sawyer McCall surely had her number. They got each other, Sawyer and Becca. From the first moment, their eyes met, the connection and attraction were there. But there was more than that to it. They sincerely liked each other, had each other's backs, and most importantly, they understood the other. Sawyer and Becca's son bonded as well, and the little yet dynamic unit was born. The friendship and trust came solid and fast, while the passion and attraction were burning hot.
A charmingly cute and delightfully sexy story where two alphas meet and mate. It is fun and entertaining, the feelings are running deep, the conflict between them is not earth shattering or something that can't be fixed, I laughed, and smiled and hooted out loud at the end because of the cute twist. A perfect summer read for all cowboy loving readers!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
May 5, 2017
Becca has a lot on her plate with the upcoming election and raising her son as a single parents. In comes the hott cowboy moving temporarily into the extra room and her sister causing trouble. Becca just wants everyone to fall into line so that her life of chaos can be controlled if only everyone around her could see that.
Oh goodness I loved Becca's character and see a bit of myself in her, I'm a bit of a control freak. I love to make sure things are in order and can be overbearing once and a while and should take it down a peg or two and Becca's character was the same way. But you know what shes a character who knows what she wants, got her eye on the prize and had good intentions that seem a bit too strong I suppose. I loved that we got to know a bit of Beccas sons point of view as well as Sawyers. I loved the connection between Becca and Sawyer he helped balanace things out for her and helps her see when she was being a bit over the top when it came to the way she was with others. Overall this was a pretty good book I really enjoyed it.
Oh goodness I loved Becca's character and see a bit of myself in her, I'm a bit of a control freak. I love to make sure things are in order and can be overbearing once and a while and should take it down a peg or two and Becca's character was the same way. But you know what shes a character who knows what she wants, got her eye on the prize and had good intentions that seem a bit too strong I suppose. I loved that we got to know a bit of Beccas sons point of view as well as Sawyers. I loved the connection between Becca and Sawyer he helped balanace things out for her and helps her see when she was being a bit over the top when it came to the way she was with others. Overall this was a pretty good book I really enjoyed it.
July 28, 2017
I really liked this novel. It's the first in the Cupid's Bow series I've ever read and I wasn't disappointed at all. I absolutely love the characters. They're so lifelike and interesting. On the one hand you have a cowboy who doesn't like attachments, but who lands up attaching himself to a family pretty quickly; on the other a single mom who has a plan for everything she does. She's over prepared and ready for every eventuality- accept the growing attraction to the Cowboy renting a room from her.
I love how they casually seem to insinuate themselves into each other lives and slowly see behind the facade that everyone else does. Also, the end is brilliant.
This novel isn't just about romance, but it's also about being a family-forging one of your own, but also reconnecting with the one you may have left behind. With these strong themes, and Michaels great writing, I couldn't help but be sucked into it immediately.
I love how they casually seem to insinuate themselves into each other lives and slowly see behind the facade that everyone else does. Also, the end is brilliant.
This novel isn't just about romance, but it's also about being a family-forging one of your own, but also reconnecting with the one you may have left behind. With these strong themes, and Michaels great writing, I couldn't help but be sucked into it immediately.
June 20, 2017
This is the fourth installment in the Cupid’s Bow, Texas series and I have to say it was a very good read. I loved getting to know Becca Johnston and there were parts of her that I liked and others that I didn’t. She needed to start paying attention more rather than just giving orders. She needed to learn that things are not only black and white there is some grey in-between. Then here was Sawyer McCall a wonderful man. I loved his joking way and loved that he was so easy to love. He was able to pick up on things that Becca was not able to see. Marc and he got along and I could see him overtaking the role of stepfather for Marc. I think he needed that father figure in his life but Becca was driving him away. There was only so much that Sawyer was able to take before he would leave Cupid’s Bow.
February 25, 2018
THE PERFECT CANDIDATE Single mom and aspiring perfectionist Becca Johnston is determined to be the next mayor of Cupid's Bow, Texas. She can't afford distractions like her new tenant, rugged rodeo champ Sawyer McCall. Having a good man around the house means so much to her young son Marc, and Becca is definitely enjoying the handsome cowboy's attention. But the election is too important to risk scandalous town gossip. Especially since her husband got most of the town involved in a Ponzi scheme and then absconded leaving her holding the bag. Sawyer only planned on staying in Cupid's Bow long enough to help with the upcoming centennial celebration, but with Becca and her son, he's finally found home. When she treats him like he's a dirty little secret, hiding him from her voters and her son, Sawyer is crushed. How can he convince her that love is the one thing she can't control?
July 10, 2018
Becca is a control freak running for mayor of Cupid Bow, Texas. Sawyer is a rodeo cowboy renting the attic apartment from Becca. He doesn't see the need to have everything perfect but he loves Becca's son and falls for Becca. Now to convince Becca that it is on for things to be a little messy at times.
February 10, 2018
Part of the Cupid's Bow series, this is your typical sweet Harlequin. EXCEPT, it features a younger man as the hero. And an exceptionally strong heroine, which gives it a few extra points in my book.
September 14, 2021
I liked this book. A strong, though a little uptight woman and mother with big aspirations and a younger, fun yet responsible guy who's drawn to her and her son. A fun read.
3.5 stars.
*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*
3.5 stars.
*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*
May 27, 2019
Nice romance about a single mom and a footloose cowboy. She's running for mayor, he's riding the rodeo circuit. I liked it.
May 19, 2017
In the previous books in the series, Becca is portrayed quite stiffly. She’s the woman in town that you love to hate. She’s organized, in control and overtly bossy, but she gets results. Now that she has her own book, I find that I’ve seriously misjudged Becca. As I got to know her better and delve into her backstory, I found a kindred spirit. We are more alike than I thought, which made it so easy to relate to her. I found myself cheering for her all the way through!
Sawyer is a fly by the seat of your pants kind of cowboy. He’s a smooth talkin’ charmer with a smile to sin for. I thought he’d be a bunny buckle chasin’ superficial cocky jerk, breezing by life on his good looks and sweet Texas drawl. I’m so glad I was wrong… or that meeting the RIGHT woman had the power to change it. Sawyer made me fall for him just like all the other ladies in the book. He completely won me over in his treatment of Becca’s son and with his animal rescue skills. I couldn’t have asked for a better hero.
I absolutely loved the book! Every time I visit the small town of Cupid’s Bow, it’s just like coming home! I encourage everyone to pick up the series! You won’t be disappointed!
***I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own***
Sawyer is a fly by the seat of your pants kind of cowboy. He’s a smooth talkin’ charmer with a smile to sin for. I thought he’d be a bunny buckle chasin’ superficial cocky jerk, breezing by life on his good looks and sweet Texas drawl. I’m so glad I was wrong… or that meeting the RIGHT woman had the power to change it. Sawyer made me fall for him just like all the other ladies in the book. He completely won me over in his treatment of Becca’s son and with his animal rescue skills. I couldn’t have asked for a better hero.
I absolutely loved the book! Every time I visit the small town of Cupid’s Bow, it’s just like coming home! I encourage everyone to pick up the series! You won’t be disappointed!
***I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own***
April 12, 2017
I loved The Cowboy Upstairs! I like how structured Becca was and that Sawyer reminded her to loosen up a bit and smile again. They definitely had chemistry and I really enjoyed both of their characters and watching their attraction and relationship develop. One of my favorite things about this story though surprisingly was the voice of Becca's son. He added a very sweet emotional aspect to the story by looking up to Sawyer and trying to set him up with his mother and also some very cute kid humor. Everyone know's kids can say the cutest things and he is just so adorable. I laughed out loud when he expressed that at least Unicorns ( his team mascot ) could stab things with their horn. In fact the entire book has great humor and banter that had me smiling throughout. I am definitely going to be looking for more books to read by this author.
April 9, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! Becca is focused and needed to be in charge. She has her lists and structure is a necessity to her daily routine. However, here comes a handsome cowboy, Sawyer, to turn her world upside down. Becca and Sawyer share laughter and an unmistakable chemistry. However,Becca is focused on becoming the mayor and does not need her love life turning into a potential scandal. Sawyer walks away as he is not willing to hide his love from Becca. Becca must realize being in control of everything is not the way she should truly live. She must decide if she can take the risk for a happily ever after!!!
May 14, 2017
Becca Johnson is wound tight. After she discovered her ex-husband was not who she thought he was, she was determined to make the best life she could for her young son, Marc. Friends teased her about her need for controlling things to achieve the best outcome.
Enter rodeo cowboy sawyer McCall. He rented a room from her for the town's Centennial Celebration. The same town she was running for mayor of. They fought attraction for each other, mainly believing their life styles wouldn't mesh.
After succumbing to their feelings, they tried to return to how things were, and realized things could not go back because they loved each other.
Wonderfully written sweet western romance.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC.
Enter rodeo cowboy sawyer McCall. He rented a room from her for the town's Centennial Celebration. The same town she was running for mayor of. They fought attraction for each other, mainly believing their life styles wouldn't mesh.
After succumbing to their feelings, they tried to return to how things were, and realized things could not go back because they loved each other.
Wonderfully written sweet western romance.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC.
April 25, 2017
This is the first book that I have read by Tanya Michaels and I will be reading more of her books! I loved this story about Becca and Sawyer and how they fall in love....This is book #4 in the series Cupid's Bow Texas and I will be reading the others in this series. I received a copy of this book in exchange for and honest review.
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May 2, 2017Miniseries: Cupid's Bow, Texas
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