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Bad Boy Ranch #1
Taming a Texas Bad Boy
Welcome to Bad Boy Ranch . . . where bad is, oh, so good. Six men return to the boys' ranch they spent one summer at as troubled teens. They're all searching for different peace, family, forgiveness, redemption, hope, and faith. It will take the love of strong Texas women to heal these wounded hearts and make these bad, bad boys realize they're good, good men.
He’s a wild Texas whirlwind, trying to outrun his painful past.
She’s a sweet Lone Star cowgirl, with deep down-home roots.
Life in the fast lane is how bad boy Cru Cassidy escapes the aching memories of his childhood. Fast cars and fast women—not necessarily in that order—keep the sexy cowboy from caring or thinking too much. When a road trip has him passing through Simple, Texas, where he spent one summer on a boys’ ranch for troubled teens, he can’t help stopping in to see the two old cowboys who run it. When he sees the bad shape the cowboys and the Double Diamond Ranch are in, Cru knows he has to stay and help . . . and his job is made more enjoyable by the beautiful daughter of a neighboring rancher. He hopes to score a ride with the feisty redhead, but Penny is harder to catch than an unbroken filly. And when he discovers the soft heart under the womanly body, he soon starts to worry that he’ll be the one getting broken and tamed.
Penny Gardener has loved Cru almost as long as she’s loved the Texas ranch she calls home. Unfortunately, when they first met, she was an awkward thirteen-year-old—which explains why Cru fell for her pretty older sister instead of her. Since her family’s happiness has always been Penny’s priority, she tries to push her feelings aside. But when Cru returns and sets his devilish green eyes on her, she struggles to remember that he was her sister’s first love. Discovering his heartbreaking past will finally have her giving into her feelings and putting her own happiness first for a change. But will her love be enough to rope and heart-tie her bad boy? Or will he slip through her fingers like the elusive Texas wind?
He’s a wild Texas whirlwind, trying to outrun his painful past.
She’s a sweet Lone Star cowgirl, with deep down-home roots.
Life in the fast lane is how bad boy Cru Cassidy escapes the aching memories of his childhood. Fast cars and fast women—not necessarily in that order—keep the sexy cowboy from caring or thinking too much. When a road trip has him passing through Simple, Texas, where he spent one summer on a boys’ ranch for troubled teens, he can’t help stopping in to see the two old cowboys who run it. When he sees the bad shape the cowboys and the Double Diamond Ranch are in, Cru knows he has to stay and help . . . and his job is made more enjoyable by the beautiful daughter of a neighboring rancher. He hopes to score a ride with the feisty redhead, but Penny is harder to catch than an unbroken filly. And when he discovers the soft heart under the womanly body, he soon starts to worry that he’ll be the one getting broken and tamed.
Penny Gardener has loved Cru almost as long as she’s loved the Texas ranch she calls home. Unfortunately, when they first met, she was an awkward thirteen-year-old—which explains why Cru fell for her pretty older sister instead of her. Since her family’s happiness has always been Penny’s priority, she tries to push her feelings aside. But when Cru returns and sets his devilish green eyes on her, she struggles to remember that he was her sister’s first love. Discovering his heartbreaking past will finally have her giving into her feelings and putting her own happiness first for a change. But will her love be enough to rope and heart-tie her bad boy? Or will he slip through her fingers like the elusive Texas wind?
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2019
516 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Katie Lane
57 books578 followersKatie Lane is the USA Today bestselling author of the Deep in the Heart of Texas, Hunk for the Holidays, Overnight Billionaires, Tender Heart Texas, Bad Boy Ranch, Kingman Ranch, Holiday Ranch series. Katie lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and when she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, traveling, and cuddling with her high school sweetheart and cairn terrier, Roo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 18, 2020
Cru Cassidy was one of the troubled teens that the men at the Double Diamond Ranch welcomed for one summer. The project never had a chance to see more than one season because some townsfolks complained about it. While going on a roadtrip and passing through Simple, Texas, wanderer Cru Cassidy decided to stop and say hello to the two old men that once helped him. But when he realize that not everything seems to go so well for the ranchers, Cru doesn't have the heart to say goodbye yet. One of the bright side is he get to spend more time with feisty redhead, Penny Gardener. The fact that she's not happy to see him again doesn't bother him at all. She used to have a crush on him that summer long ago and Cru is determined to make her realize that this time he's only got eyes for her.
I hate saying this, but my honest thought is that Katie Lane wrote so many great books with charismatic characters but this is not what those characters (especially the hero) inspired me this time. It's book 1 in a new series so I'll certainly give it an other chance.
I hate saying this, but my honest thought is that Katie Lane wrote so many great books with charismatic characters but this is not what those characters (especially the hero) inspired me this time. It's book 1 in a new series so I'll certainly give it an other chance.
July 29, 2020
This was such a lovely story. The writing was beautiful. Instead of being bored by over-descriptive prose Ms. Lane's writing paints beautiful pictures that made me feel like I watching the wild flowers dancing in the breeze under the setting sun.
Then there is Penny and Cru. Penny is a strong, sweet, down home passionate woman who, with Cru's help, learns to stand up for herself and fight for her own happiness. Cru is a sexy as all get out, texas drawl slinging, a lot of times shirtless cowboy. He has a wounded soul but finally opens his heart to the beautiful woman who secretly loved him since they were teenagers. Penny helps Cru heal his old wounds and realize he's a man worthy enough for love.
Then there is Penny and Cru. Penny is a strong, sweet, down home passionate woman who, with Cru's help, learns to stand up for herself and fight for her own happiness. Cru is a sexy as all get out, texas drawl slinging, a lot of times shirtless cowboy. He has a wounded soul but finally opens his heart to the beautiful woman who secretly loved him since they were teenagers. Penny helps Cru heal his old wounds and realize he's a man worthy enough for love.
February 28, 2024
Tons of positive reviews here, but I'm not one of them. It's not that it's badly written, but it's definitely not for me. I'll round up to 2 stars, since a lot of what I didn't like was more personal taste, than anything really bad.
Penny (h) grew up on the family ranch. Cru (H) spent one summer on the neighboring ranch as part of a program for troubled boys. He was her first big crush. He was also more interested in her older sister. They're meeting again 15 years later when he visits town on a whim. But will the girl with the deep small-town roots be able to find common ground with the nomadic bad boy, or will she be just another broken heart in his wake?
Penny drove me up the wall. She was that well-meaning sort of nosy and selfish personality that doesn't take into account what other people might want for themselves. She's judgemental and completely close minded and always knows best. Like her sister - who's moved away from their angry, overbearing father to raise her son in a city where she's out from under Hank's influence. In Penny's mind, Evie should come home, back to the ranch - she was "forgetting her heritage". Harsh and unwarranted. Or that Evie should have told her about Clint's father - something that was honestly not a bit of Penny's business. I'm not saying I agree with everything Evie's done (like her 'common interests for considering remarriage' - not all that solid a list). But Penny's views are harsh and very blinders-on. Having lived in small-town TX (though not nearly that small), I know there are people who are like that - life begins and ends on a TX ranch (Lulu's view, for example). They can be totally happy that way, and I'm OK with that, even though it's not me. Different strokes for different folks, and all that. Unfortunately, the whole concept of unique needs and POVs is also an idea that's completely foreign to Penny, who obviously knows best.
Yes, Penny does eventually grow up (ish). Or at least come to realize that - for example - her sister might not want to stay at the ranch with an overbearing, bullying father. But honestly, she doesn't start coming to these realizations until 3/4 of the way through the story. It was a long slog to get to where she started seeing that her father was a bully, her sister had a right to make her own choices, and that she herself was the family doormat clinging to the past that hadn't existed for nearly 2 decades.
The ending was a bit rushed. After that long slog to get to where each lead is facing their past and finally trying to grow up, it's a whirlwind to the actual ending.
OK, can I just have a moment to talk about how absurd Devlin is as a character?? Even awkward scientists (who are probably on the autism spectrum for this level of awkwardness and obliviousness to social cues!!) know how to dress and gear appropriately for the field. They're more likely to be over prepared. Which means that a geologist surveying a field site who can't read a map and who shows up in high heels? Beyond absurd. Geologists default to jeans and field boots as wardrobe (at least every one I knew in college and worked with afterwords did). Devlin was just unbelievable.
Some funny moments (often unintentional). Did he really ask a ranch girl if she knew how to drive stick??? The transmission that she'd need for most trucks, tractors, and pretty much every piece of farm equipment?
Minor typos. A few one-letter errors (salvage/savage). That sort of thing. Mostly, very clean and readable. Though did get a little heavy-handed on the folksy Texan-isms - at least for my taste.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No cheating, no OW/OM drama, no love triangles. Annoying h that takes way too long to grow up. Immature H whose growth we really don't get to see. Basically, way too long to get either character to act their age (remember, both are about 30!). Rushed ending and several plot threads completely unconcluded. HFN with plans for future. No cliffhanger with the leads, but not a lot of closure either.
Would I read more in the series? Honestly, no. Evie's story is next, and that just screams "high angst." Between the unresolved daddy issues with Hank, the small-town teen pregnancy, the secret baby drama... yeah, not one I'd look to pick up. Book 3 doesn't look better. As much as I enjoy an awkward scientist story, Devlin's introduction here doesn't bode well. And can I just say, sometimes the absurd whiteness of Romancelandia does irk me. As a redhead myself, I love a redheaded h. But in a town of 700ish people, and a series of less than 10 books, to have 2 unrelated "fiery redheads" as leads? Towns are more diverse than that, and it just gives the series a touch of redundancy when there are so many more colors than that. Overall, not a series for me.
Penny (h) grew up on the family ranch. Cru (H) spent one summer on the neighboring ranch as part of a program for troubled boys. He was her first big crush. He was also more interested in her older sister. They're meeting again 15 years later when he visits town on a whim. But will the girl with the deep small-town roots be able to find common ground with the nomadic bad boy, or will she be just another broken heart in his wake?
Penny drove me up the wall. She was that well-meaning sort of nosy and selfish personality that doesn't take into account what other people might want for themselves. She's judgemental and completely close minded and always knows best. Like her sister - who's moved away from their angry, overbearing father to raise her son in a city where she's out from under Hank's influence. In Penny's mind, Evie should come home, back to the ranch - she was "forgetting her heritage". Harsh and unwarranted. Or that Evie should have told her about Clint's father - something that was honestly not a bit of Penny's business. I'm not saying I agree with everything Evie's done (like her 'common interests for considering remarriage' - not all that solid a list). But Penny's views are harsh and very blinders-on. Having lived in small-town TX (though not nearly that small), I know there are people who are like that - life begins and ends on a TX ranch (Lulu's view, for example). They can be totally happy that way, and I'm OK with that, even though it's not me. Different strokes for different folks, and all that. Unfortunately, the whole concept of unique needs and POVs is also an idea that's completely foreign to Penny, who obviously knows best.
Yes, Penny does eventually grow up (ish). Or at least come to realize that - for example - her sister might not want to stay at the ranch with an overbearing, bullying father. But honestly, she doesn't start coming to these realizations until 3/4 of the way through the story. It was a long slog to get to where she started seeing that her father was a bully, her sister had a right to make her own choices, and that she herself was the family doormat clinging to the past that hadn't existed for nearly 2 decades.
The ending was a bit rushed. After that long slog to get to where each lead is facing their past and finally trying to grow up, it's a whirlwind to the actual ending.
OK, can I just have a moment to talk about how absurd Devlin is as a character?? Even awkward scientists (who are probably on the autism spectrum for this level of awkwardness and obliviousness to social cues!!) know how to dress and gear appropriately for the field. They're more likely to be over prepared. Which means that a geologist surveying a field site who can't read a map and who shows up in high heels? Beyond absurd. Geologists default to jeans and field boots as wardrobe (at least every one I knew in college and worked with afterwords did). Devlin was just unbelievable.
Some funny moments (often unintentional). Did he really ask a ranch girl if she knew how to drive stick??? The transmission that she'd need for most trucks, tractors, and pretty much every piece of farm equipment?
Minor typos. A few one-letter errors (salvage/savage). That sort of thing. Mostly, very clean and readable. Though did get a little heavy-handed on the folksy Texan-isms - at least for my taste.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No cheating, no OW/OM drama, no love triangles. Annoying h that takes way too long to grow up. Immature H whose growth we really don't get to see. Basically, way too long to get either character to act their age (remember, both are about 30!). Rushed ending and several plot threads completely unconcluded. HFN with plans for future. No cliffhanger with the leads, but not a lot of closure either.
Would I read more in the series? Honestly, no. Evie's story is next, and that just screams "high angst." Between the unresolved daddy issues with Hank, the small-town teen pregnancy, the secret baby drama... yeah, not one I'd look to pick up. Book 3 doesn't look better. As much as I enjoy an awkward scientist story, Devlin's introduction here doesn't bode well. And can I just say, sometimes the absurd whiteness of Romancelandia does irk me. As a redhead myself, I love a redheaded h. But in a town of 700ish people, and a series of less than 10 books, to have 2 unrelated "fiery redheads" as leads? Towns are more diverse than that, and it just gives the series a touch of redundancy when there are so many more colors than that. Overall, not a series for me.
February 19, 2021
Wow! Cru and Penny were absolutely awesome! I loved everything about these two! Such a beautiful story that I enjoyed so much! Can't wait to continue the series and read all about the bad boys of Diamond ranch! 😊💙
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November 21, 2019
It looks like the Double Diamond Ranch in Simple, Texas is going to be the setting for some awesome stories from author Katie Lane. The first book in her new Bad Boy Ranch series is Taming A Texas Cowboy. This is a great beginning. Cru Cassidy spent a summer on the ranch when he was a teen and that summer made a big difference in his life. Now it is payback time in this story. Add in Penny Gardener to help him and his life really got better. So did Penny's life as she had a crush on Cru that long ago summer. This is a heartwarming story with great characters. I loved it!
July 1, 2023
Crushes and Cowboys
When I set my goal this year to read 200+ books, it didn't include cowboys, ranches, Texas and alike until authors like Kate Nolan started dropping into my email. Now I'm hooked!
Over all, I would have given Book 1 - 5 stars, but I started thinking about Book 2 and the continuation of this story. I think if this story didn't include sex and the 'too easy' story of the conversation between Cru and his estranged mother, it would have been five stars.
Here's the story of Double Diamond Ranch, Simple Texas ---------------------------------
That's where Cru Cassidy was headed. Since it was late March, Cru wasn't wearing a coat, but he put his hat on hook, and then toed off his boots.
Chester and Lucas owned the ranch. After fifteen years, he showed up out of the clear blue in a sporty red car he drove like a maniac. Why was he there? What did he want? And how did he know she had a crush on him? All it had taken was one look in Cru's eyes and she was back in the summer of her thirteenth year.
Penny been an awkward new teenager with freckles, acne, and braces. Cru had been fifteen with hair as dark as a raven's wing, eyes as green as a rain-drenched meadow, and a smile as bright as the Texas sun.
After being thrown from her horse, Cru had ridden up like a hero in an old western. But it wasn't his good looks that started Penny's crush - he was a true cowboy, he helped her up on his horse and then remounted behind her. It was the first time she'd been in a boy's arms and she was left speechless.
{Quote from page 240}:
"Unfortunately, you can't go back. Even when life doesn't turn out the way you want it to. Mothers are going to die. Fathers are going to be bullheaded control freaks. Sisters are going to move away. And men you fall in love with are going to break your heart. You can either weather life's bumps in the road and fight for your future happiness, or you can hide your head and live in the past."
'Everyone is responsible for their own happiness.'
"You're a good man Cru Cassidy. And yes, I want children. I want two precious little boys with their father's kind heart and pasture- green eyes.
I'll get back to the rest of this series soon. My next book to read by Katie: 'Falling for a Tender Heart' {Tender Heart Texas Book 1} Happy reading!
When I set my goal this year to read 200+ books, it didn't include cowboys, ranches, Texas and alike until authors like Kate Nolan started dropping into my email. Now I'm hooked!
Over all, I would have given Book 1 - 5 stars, but I started thinking about Book 2 and the continuation of this story. I think if this story didn't include sex and the 'too easy' story of the conversation between Cru and his estranged mother, it would have been five stars.
Here's the story of Double Diamond Ranch, Simple Texas ---------------------------------
That's where Cru Cassidy was headed. Since it was late March, Cru wasn't wearing a coat, but he put his hat on hook, and then toed off his boots.
Chester and Lucas owned the ranch. After fifteen years, he showed up out of the clear blue in a sporty red car he drove like a maniac. Why was he there? What did he want? And how did he know she had a crush on him? All it had taken was one look in Cru's eyes and she was back in the summer of her thirteenth year.
Penny been an awkward new teenager with freckles, acne, and braces. Cru had been fifteen with hair as dark as a raven's wing, eyes as green as a rain-drenched meadow, and a smile as bright as the Texas sun.
After being thrown from her horse, Cru had ridden up like a hero in an old western. But it wasn't his good looks that started Penny's crush - he was a true cowboy, he helped her up on his horse and then remounted behind her. It was the first time she'd been in a boy's arms and she was left speechless.
{Quote from page 240}:
"Unfortunately, you can't go back. Even when life doesn't turn out the way you want it to. Mothers are going to die. Fathers are going to be bullheaded control freaks. Sisters are going to move away. And men you fall in love with are going to break your heart. You can either weather life's bumps in the road and fight for your future happiness, or you can hide your head and live in the past."
'Everyone is responsible for their own happiness.'
"You're a good man Cru Cassidy. And yes, I want children. I want two precious little boys with their father's kind heart and pasture- green eyes.
I'll get back to the rest of this series soon. My next book to read by Katie: 'Falling for a Tender Heart' {Tender Heart Texas Book 1} Happy reading!
November 22, 2019
When Cru Cassady was a troubled teenager he and several other young boys spent a summer at the Double Diamond Ranch with Chester and Lucas. During his time there Penny Gardener was a little 13 year old who had the biggest crush on Cru. She lived on the neighboring ranch with her father and sister. Many years later Cru visits Chester and Lucas on his way to California but little did he know his life was about to change big time. Penny needed to make changes in her life but the changes she thought she needed were much different than what she got.
This is a lovely story about two people and their journey to find each other.
I loved the humor as well as the sexiness between Cru and Penny. This is a lighthearted love story but it has such a strong plot. There are moments that are so sad for our hero, which has made him who he is, and how he looks at love and relationships. When it counts he really comes through for his friends and those he
cares about but when it comes to his heart he protects it without question. I wanted to shake Penny’s dad because he just couldn’t see what was in front of him regarding his two daughters. Chester and Lucas were so funny and they added LOL fun throughout the story.
I love this author’s stories where there is a town full of secondary characters that are as easy to fall in love with as the hero and heroine. The story telling draws you right in from the first until the last page. Simple, Texas is a place you want to live and the people in the town sound like wonderful friends. Taming A Texas Bad Boy is the first in this series and I look forward to going along on the journey of happy ever after with the other guys from the Double Diamond Ranch.
This is a lovely story about two people and their journey to find each other.
I loved the humor as well as the sexiness between Cru and Penny. This is a lighthearted love story but it has such a strong plot. There are moments that are so sad for our hero, which has made him who he is, and how he looks at love and relationships. When it counts he really comes through for his friends and those he
cares about but when it comes to his heart he protects it without question. I wanted to shake Penny’s dad because he just couldn’t see what was in front of him regarding his two daughters. Chester and Lucas were so funny and they added LOL fun throughout the story.
I love this author’s stories where there is a town full of secondary characters that are as easy to fall in love with as the hero and heroine. The story telling draws you right in from the first until the last page. Simple, Texas is a place you want to live and the people in the town sound like wonderful friends. Taming A Texas Bad Boy is the first in this series and I look forward to going along on the journey of happy ever after with the other guys from the Double Diamond Ranch.
November 23, 2019
Cru Cassidy has come back to Simple Texas; he is one of the wild bad boys who spent a summer at the Double Diamond Ranch. The two old gentlemen cowboys who took these “bad boys” from the city to show them how to become better young men were glad to see him, the one person not so glad to see him is Penny Gardener. She had a teen age crush on Cru and now that she is a woman it takes that crush up to a whole new level. That crush has turned into love and although she knows Cru won’t stay around, Penny gives him her love anyway and Cru being the wonderer that he is, knows that he is going to break Penny’s heart when he leaves…. Or will he leave her behind…
This new series by Katie Lane is going to be another great series about Texas Cowboys and the women who take a chance and love them. I love the characters of Cru and Penny and you get invested in the people of Simple, TX, right off. I love the characters of Sadie and Lucas. They are the owners of the Double Diamond and they keep a lot of humour in the story. I can’t wait for the next book and we meet the rest of the Bad Boys of the Double Diamond….
This new series by Katie Lane is going to be another great series about Texas Cowboys and the women who take a chance and love them. I love the characters of Cru and Penny and you get invested in the people of Simple, TX, right off. I love the characters of Sadie and Lucas. They are the owners of the Double Diamond and they keep a lot of humour in the story. I can’t wait for the next book and we meet the rest of the Bad Boys of the Double Diamond….
November 21, 2019
Absolutely Great Start To New Book Series.
Omg I have been waiting patiently for katie to start a new series and wow did she start it off with a Bang. I started this book and couldn't put it down until the end and the storyline was one that will grip your heart.
Crude Cassidy aka bad boy with a past he cant escape or find peace with goes back to the only place that felt like home . Will he be welcome when he stops through or will he keep running from his past?
Penny Gardener had a crush on cru growing up but things changed and here he was back in town and she tried to keep her feelings buried.
This book was absolutely fantastic and omg I loved the banter between everyone in this book and so excited for the next book. Kuddles katie off to Amazing start!
Omg I have been waiting patiently for katie to start a new series and wow did she start it off with a Bang. I started this book and couldn't put it down until the end and the storyline was one that will grip your heart.
Crude Cassidy aka bad boy with a past he cant escape or find peace with goes back to the only place that felt like home . Will he be welcome when he stops through or will he keep running from his past?
Penny Gardener had a crush on cru growing up but things changed and here he was back in town and she tried to keep her feelings buried.
This book was absolutely fantastic and omg I loved the banter between everyone in this book and so excited for the next book. Kuddles katie off to Amazing start!
November 24, 2019
Taming a Texas Bad Boy by Katie Lane is book number one in the Bad Boy Ranch series. This is Cru Cassidy and Penny “Pen” Gardener’s story.
When Cru was younger he spent a summer on the Double Diamond Ranch owned and run by brothers Chester and Lucas Diamond. Even though Cru’s time there was short the Diamond brothers made a life long impression on Cru.
Cru is back on Double Diamond Ranch and is attracted to Penny. Penny and Cru have a rough start since there are misunderstandings and unresolved things from their past. I really liked how Penny and Cru have compassion and how they cared for others. A fun, entertaining, and sexy read. I look forward to the next books in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
When Cru was younger he spent a summer on the Double Diamond Ranch owned and run by brothers Chester and Lucas Diamond. Even though Cru’s time there was short the Diamond brothers made a life long impression on Cru.
Cru is back on Double Diamond Ranch and is attracted to Penny. Penny and Cru have a rough start since there are misunderstandings and unresolved things from their past. I really liked how Penny and Cru have compassion and how they cared for others. A fun, entertaining, and sexy read. I look forward to the next books in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
April 13, 2021
“Taming a Texas Bad Boy”(Bad Boy Ranch Book 1)
This was a good book about a ranch that at one time fostered boys who had been orphaned.The ranch now was practically deserted,save for a couple of really old ranch hands.So old they had problems dealing with the ranch and the work that needed to be done.Which wasn’t bad until they blew the house up trying to cook supper without lighting the stove.Now the woman who owned the ranch,her father and a rancher that had started off there as an orphan years ago,stepped up to get it going again.
It was a good read,if a little confusing at times.But try it,I think you’ll agree it’s a good book.
This was a good book about a ranch that at one time fostered boys who had been orphaned.The ranch now was practically deserted,save for a couple of really old ranch hands.So old they had problems dealing with the ranch and the work that needed to be done.Which wasn’t bad until they blew the house up trying to cook supper without lighting the stove.Now the woman who owned the ranch,her father and a rancher that had started off there as an orphan years ago,stepped up to get it going again.
It was a good read,if a little confusing at times.But try it,I think you’ll agree it’s a good book.
July 27, 2021
Fairly well written — I found one editing error so I assume that some work has been done on the book since some of these reviews have been written. I was disappointed, though, in the limited development of the characters. The geologist, Develin, also comes across as a cartoon character with her over the top clumsiness and her inability to choose a suitable wardrobe. (Mind you, I would love someone to choose my wardrobe for me and just send the updates regularly). Enjoyable but I am not racing out to buy the rest of the series.
May 20, 2021
Can car salesman\ Cowboy win the hardheaded, good hearted Woman or not?
Katie Lane 's , Taming a Texas Bad Boy ; will have you wanting one for your Own!
You can't put this book down until you see how it turns out!
Sexy, Sweet, Ornery all rolled into one Handsome Tall Cowboy and a Hard working, Beautiful Cowgirl too! Romance, Western style and Modern-day Cinderella all in one Book! I loved it!
Katie Lane 's , Taming a Texas Bad Boy ; will have you wanting one for your Own!
You can't put this book down until you see how it turns out!
Sexy, Sweet, Ornery all rolled into one Handsome Tall Cowboy and a Hard working, Beautiful Cowgirl too! Romance, Western style and Modern-day Cinderella all in one Book! I loved it!
December 1, 2019
A great start to a new series! Cru and Penny have a love for each other that has lasted throughout time. Penny fell in love with Cru and the age of 13 and when he comes back to simple to check on his old friends they meet again. I nso excited to read the next book in this series. Katie Lane never disappoints. If you love cowboy books you will love this book!
December 1, 2019
Cru came to the house where is was raised when he was boy and saw Penny and she told him to get his hands off of her. She had a big crush on Cru when she was young but always thought he was in over with her sister. It was a rocky relationship at first for both of them. Please read to find out if there was a chance for them.
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February 14, 2021DNF: 18%
Not a fan of the trope where one of the MCs deny starting a relationship with the other because of the mistaken belief that someone else has a prior claim on them (and they don't bother verifying that belief, they just wait until someone finally and unknowingly, lets the truth out of the bag.)
Not a fan of the trope where one of the MCs deny starting a relationship with the other because of the mistaken belief that someone else has a prior claim on them (and they don't bother verifying that belief, they just wait until someone finally and unknowingly, lets the truth out of the bag.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2021
Cru and Penny
You know when a guy thinks he’s not good enough to stick around? That guy is Cru. What about when a woman finally realizes that she deserves more- more respect, more trust and more commitment. Well, that girl is Penny.
They are special characters and their story, this book, is lovely.
You know when a guy thinks he’s not good enough to stick around? That guy is Cru. What about when a woman finally realizes that she deserves more- more respect, more trust and more commitment. Well, that girl is Penny.
They are special characters and their story, this book, is lovely.
May 10, 2021
Enjoyable read but it missed the mark for me. Bad boy Cru and rancher Penny. Cru was too immature and while Penny seemed more mature she really was very immature. And Penny came across kind of dumb. I did like the workings of the ranch. Lester and Chester were likable but they even came off rather dumb. Penny’s father was a total jerk.
June 3, 2021
Story was okay, but...
Katie Lane has a decent, albeit predictable story line, but her over use of metaphor scans similes was too much. They detracted from the story and made it difficult to read. I kept reading and it got a little better. Cru and Penny's story tugged at the heartstrings and covered some good topics, especially when Penny found her voice. Not a bad read overall.
Katie Lane has a decent, albeit predictable story line, but her over use of metaphor scans similes was too much. They detracted from the story and made it difficult to read. I kept reading and it got a little better. Cru and Penny's story tugged at the heartstrings and covered some good topics, especially when Penny found her voice. Not a bad read overall.
November 21, 2019
After a rough start to getting familiar with each other again Penny and Cru had a rough road to roam to find their final HEA - love this first book in Katie's new series that I read a beta version and freely leave my review!
December 7, 2019
The beautiful storyline and great people in the story. The 2 cowboy brothers Chester and Lucas were funny and the old lady at the boardinghouse was so funny. I Love them. I can't wait for the next book. Highly recommend.
March 8, 2020
This is a wonderful start to a new series.
I love books by Katie Lane. Her characters are believable and easy to like. Her stories keep your interest from beginning til end.I would recommend her books to anyone who likes romance, friends and family.
I love books by Katie Lane. Her characters are believable and easy to like. Her stories keep your interest from beginning til end.I would recommend her books to anyone who likes romance, friends and family.
February 15, 2021
Feisty women, flawed cowboys and twists of fun
This was a quick and fun read. Just enough twists in the plot to hold your interest. Loved the humor thrown in to add a chuckle to you day. Well done!
This was a quick and fun read. Just enough twists in the plot to hold your interest. Loved the humor thrown in to add a chuckle to you day. Well done!
April 23, 2021
Kept me guessing
This book had lots of plot twists and unexpected turns. Interesting characters, a strong sense of place, and a sense of immediacy work together to make an unforgettable story.
This book had lots of plot twists and unexpected turns. Interesting characters, a strong sense of place, and a sense of immediacy work together to make an unforgettable story.
June 29, 2021
Great book
Strong characters with flaws that make you ache for them. MS. Lane does a wonderful job with the push and pull of Penny and Cru. I fell in love with the town of Simple, TX and can't wait to read the rest of the books.
Strong characters with flaws that make you ache for them. MS. Lane does a wonderful job with the push and pull of Penny and Cru. I fell in love with the town of Simple, TX and can't wait to read the rest of the books.
July 25, 2022
I loved this beautiful story. The author really made you feel like you were on a ranch in Texas. The characters were colorful and had great depth. The romance was sweet and the story had wonderful humor and heartbreak. The story draws you in right from the beginning and does not let you go.
May 16, 2023
Katie Lane does a great job of character development in this book. Cru and Penny were both relatable and easy to like. The secondary characters were interesting, especially the two old cowboys, Chester and Lucas. It was a great romance with a HEA. It looks as if Penny's sister, Evie, will have her own romance in the next book in the series. I hope it's as enjoyable as this one was.
January 27, 2026
positive book of love and support
Good story many roads to travel with well intended characters. The young and the older people love and support one another. The way life should be everywhere but established and treasured for years.
Good story many roads to travel with well intended characters. The young and the older people love and support one another. The way life should be everywhere but established and treasured for years.
January 27, 2020
A fun read. Tender hearted girl meets boy afraid to love. Pure Texas.
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