Title:  The Cowboy Next Door
Series:  This Old House (book 3)
Author:  Roxanne Snopek
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  January 27, 2015
Source:  NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Love’s worth more than being right

When single mother Leda Plett – who’s doing just fine on her own, thank you very much – goes next door to retrieve her wandering pooch, she doesn’t expect to find the neighbor’s handsome brother lounging about like he owns the place. She certainly doesn’t expect him to go after the deadbeat who abandoned her. She’s not looking for a know-it-all white knight with long, lean muscles and a sexy smile. He’s hot, but she’s already been burned.

Rodeo-star turned agent Eric Anders is used to managing people, especially irresponsible males, and he can’t stand it that some jerk has left Leda high and dry. Clearly, the boots-and-sundress wearing mouthy mama needs someone on her side. He could change her life, if only she would let him! And it has nothing to do with the fact that her sparkly exterior hides a spirit that is as sweet as it is strong – and irresistible.

In fact, Leda is more mature than her years. She feels the weight of her mistakes, and wants only to make sure her daughter doesn’t suffer for them. Eric’s hot gaze makes her weak in the knees but Leda’s track record with men is as bad as it is short. Can she trust the cowboy next door?

When Eric’s well-intention-ed actions inadvertently reveal a shameful secret from Leda’s past, he realizes she never needed him at all. As he watches her rise above the humiliation, he knows he must find a way to make it up to her, or risk losing the one girl he now can’t live without.

*I received an e-ARC of The Cowboy Next Door from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Read on for my thoughts on The Cowboy Next Door.  No true spoilers, promise.

What is it about guys that they have to FIX THINGS!  Why?  I do not get it.  The men in my life do the same thing and it drives me insane.  If I wanted “it” fixed I would have asked.

Okay, that’s out of my system.  🙂

In The Cowboy Next Door we have a charming, short but intense love story.  Sometimes novellas have the best basic story, and sometimes I would really have liked to see them bloom into a full length novel.  This was one of those times – although the story fit just fine as it was – I always want more of the good ones.

Can I just say from the  very start – I adore Leda.  She stands up for herself, her baby and takes no nonsense from any man.  She doesn’t need saving – she’s saved herself and her baby already.  Maybe she could use a partner – but this girl didn’t need a white knight on a purebred charger to rescue her.  At least that’s my take on her.  Sure she’s had some hard times, we all make mistakes in love but she’s building a life for her little one and doesn’t need a man to come in and just take over.

Eric is charming, self-assured and completely convinced that he knows what is best in any situation.  I don’t want to call him arrogant, because that isn’t it… but he is damned sure of himself and needs to make things right – the way he sees as right.

This is a novella you simply have to read for yourself.  It’s charming, funny, sexy and satisfying.  Leda and Eric work so well together, and their conversations will be sure to bring a smile to your face.  She’s just so.. sassy-charming all at once.

When you want a quick, totally engaging story – look for The Cowboy Next Door.  You won’t be disappointed, in my opinion.

4 outta 5 rating.