Cowboy Up
Coming Home #3
By Harper Sloan
Releasing December 19th, 2017
Pocket Star Books
In Cowboy Up (Coming Home #3) by Harper Sloan, Clayton Davis doesn't do relationships, especially after the disaster of his last one. Yet, the moment he meets Caroline Michaels, he finds his stance on relationships changing. But as they get to know each other, will they be able to face the trouble of their pasts together; or will they lose their shot at happy ever after?
Although I haven't read the first two books of this series, I found this third book of Ms. Sloan's Coming Home series could easily be read as a stand-alone and I've got to say that it was a very entertaining tale encompassing wonderful main characters that have some tough obstacles to overcome; and engaging dialogue that had me loving how resilient the heroine was when it came to facing her past and had me liking how feisty she could be when standing up for herself, especially when it comes to facing the trouble that comes her way. The way this story started was a bit slow, but once the hero and heroine met things got very interesting, as Clayton seems like a bit of a mystery. However, in saying that, this story really took off from the moment the heroine discovers just who Clayton is.
Both the main characters were well-developed and had fascinating back stories with both having exes determined to cause trouble. I also liked how the heroine has overcome the horrible treatment she suffered from those that should love her to be the strong, independent woman she is. Really, she's done well for herself with everything she's accomplished. While the hero, being the oldest sibling hasn't always been easy, but he did his best for his brother and sister and I liked the close bond they shared, as his siblings have found their happy ever after and now they want the same for him. Furthermore, the hero is confident, determined to win the heroine's heart, and I loved how protective he is of Caroline, especially with what she faces from his ex, her ex and her mother. Will the hero be able to protect Caroline from the trouble she faces?
Overall, Ms. Sloan has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance totally hot and showed how much these two need each other; and the ending had me worried for one of the main characters, but had me smiling because of how things turn out for Clayton and Caroline, especially with the news the heroine learns. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely, because of how far the hero and heroine as well as the hero's siblings and their partners have come. Truly, everyone is so happy and life is perfect. I would recommend Cowboy Up by Harper Sloan, if you enjoy second chance romances, small town romances, the opposites attract trope, or books by authors Aurora Rose Reynolds, Kristen Ashley, Emma Hart and Kendall Ryan.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Harper Sloan returns with a passionate and breathless romance about the sparks that ignite when a cautious cowboy and a once-scorned woman open up to each other in the third installment of the Coming Home series.
As the eldest Davis, Clayton has always tried to lead by example. He takes his job as head of the family businesses seriously, making sure the farm and auto shop are running smoothly—along with keeping an eye on his brother and sister. For him, there’s a time and place to let go of the control he holds with an iron grip. And with the way he grew up, coupled with a disastrous end to his last relationship, he’s just fine with his quiet, solitary life.
Most of the time.
What he hadn't counted on was the cute, quirky, shy bookstore owner, Caroline Michaels. She's the proverbial woman next door—well, the next town over, that is.
Caroline hasn't lived an easy life, but after escaping a verbally abusive ex, she's finally living it for herself. The last thing she ever expected was a one-night stand with Clay Davis she can’t stop thinking about.
So when she falls on hard times and Clay comes out of nowhere to her rescue, she realizes just how impossible it’ll be to stay away from him. Now all she has to do is convince him to live a little…. Will Clay be able to give up the reins and finally settle down? And, more importantly, will Caroline muster enough courage to lasso him up?
I push my hands from his shoulders and palm his jaw as his stubble prickles against my fingers while my hands wander up to his hair. His hat falls to the ground with a thud and I know he’s just as lost in me as I am in him, because he doesn’t even make a move to pick it up. He lets out a deep grunt when I mold myself against his body, seeking some sort of friction. The next thing I know, my back is against the door and he’s gripping my bottom. His mouth hits my jaw with a bite of his teeth, making a squeak of pleasure shoot up my throat, and his deep rumble of laughter reaches my ears as he presses me harder into the door with his hips. The heavy bulge of his erection against that spot makes me so desperate for him that I whimper in relief when his mouth finally closes over mine in a wet tangle of tongues.
I’ve never been kissed so thoroughly.
This is the kind of kiss that sets the bar for any that might follow.
The kind that shows you everything you’ve been missing and everything you never knew you wanted. I’m going to be comparing every kiss I ever have to my dark cowboy’s, even though I know there’s a good chance no one will ever compare. The sounds coming from my mouth, the ones being swallowed by his, are nothing short of needy. My hips move in tandem with the thrusts of his, and even though we’re both fully clothed, I know it won’t take much more of this for me to go off like the town’s fireworks on the Fourth of July.
“Fuck, you taste just like apple pie,” he whispers against my lips, breaking away with a gasp.
“Huh?”
“Goddamn, I love apple pie,” he says before his mouth is back on mine, this time with a whole new kind of hunger deepening his kisses.
I’m held captive, enraptured. Then his hands move from my bottom to glide up my torso. He lifts his hard chest off mine and suddenly those delicious fingers are at my breasts. Even if I had big boobs his hands would dwarf them, I’m sure, but as it is he covers both with a firm grasp before adjusting his hold with a deft twist of the wrists. His mouth continues to feast on mine while his huge hands learn my body with slow movements. I tear my mouth from his with a breathy moan when he pushes my shirt up and slips his fingers into the cups of my bra to tweak my nipples.
“Oh, God,” I moan when he does it again.
“I can’t get enough of you,” he rumbles.
“Please,” I beg, not with the slightest clue as to what I’m begging for.
His hips dig even harder into mine as he leans back, supporting me against the door with that connection alone as he pulls my shirt off. The darkness makes me feel more confident than I normally would be, almost half naked with a man—no, a stranger.
“Yours too,” I tell him as his fingers move to unclasp my bra. “I want to feel your skin on mine,” I breathe, taking over the task so he’ll hopefully give me what I want.
I fumble in my haste to feel more of this dangerous arousal he’s creating in my body, but the second my bra is free and dangling toward the floor, his naked chest collides against mine, pushing me into the door with a force that sends the air rushing out of my lungs.
His mouth hits my collarbone at the same time his hands grasp my bottom, sliding me up the door until I feel the wet heat of his breath against my breast.
Then he stops.
Harper is a NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL and USA TODAY bestselling author residing in Georgia with her husband and three daughters. She has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books, hibachi, tattoos and Game of Thrones. When she isn't writing you can almost always find her with a book in hand.
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