I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review.

Waiting on a Cowboy was an amazing, intense, romantic ride. It is the first book in a new series by Jennifer Ryan but contains characters from a previous series. You do not need to read that series to understand this storyline but I would recommend them.

Ryan tells the story of Tate McGrath and Liz Scott who have been best friends since before they could walk. Liz has always know that she was in love with Tate but Tate remained clueless until Liz shut him out. Seeing her in a new relationship, no longer available to him, stirs something to life in Tate. Liz’s new boyfriend isn’t what he seems to be on the surface.

As the story developed there were several intense scenes. They drove the story along, engaging me with a need to know the ultimate outcome. It was easy to get to know these characters. Both Tate and Liz were very like able and since their relationship was already established it didn’t take long to become interested in them and their story. I can’t wait for the next installment.

Liz Scott and Tate McGrath have been friends since she was five years old. Even back then she announced she was going to marry him. Now it’s 25 years later and Liz can’t get him to move out of the friend zone. She decides to move on into another relationship with Clint Mahew who seemed like the ideal boyfriend...until he wasn’t. His obsession with her turns ugly and menacing, creating a dangerous situation for Liz. In the meantime, Tate awakens to the loss of his best friend who he now realizes is so much more.

What I thought was going to be a sweet friends to lovers romance ended up being shadowed by a sinister backdrop. Clint was crazy scary and not someone to be handed off or ignored. However, in the midst of all of that, Liz and Tate were able to find their way to each other and create a deeper relationship. It was a balm in the midst of the damage wreaked by Clint.

Apparently, Liz and Tate were first introduced in the last book of the Wild Rose Ranch series where their history together as friends was showcased. I found this out when I went looking because I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something. It’s still an interesting and compelling story but I would have preferred to have experienced the friendship phase. I also opted for the audio version as the narrator, Coleen Marlo, is someone I’ve listened to and enjoyed in the past. She delivered another strong performance, managing to distinguish a host of characters and shifts in the storytelling. I liked the story and do plan to continue the series. 3.5 stars

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to HarperAudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)

Did you see the 1990's Julia Roberts movie "Sleeping With the Enemy"? If so, would you call it a Romance? No? Well, WAITING ON A COWBOY is the book form of Sleeping With the Enemy. And it sure as hell isn't a Romance.

This is a book about a woman who is dates a man who becomes abusive. When she breaks up with him he begins stalking her and they eventually have a climactic showdown. As a very small side story is the fact that she is in love with her best friend, Tate, and they start dating.

80% of this book is her abusive relationship/stalking. A mere 20% is the romance with the best friend from her youth. If you like a suspense thriller then you might really enjoy this book, but selling it as a romance is completely absurd.

Trigger Warning: Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Sexual Abuse, Murder

I’m always a fan of a friends to lovers story and this one delivers. Liz tells Tate one day in Kindergarten that she’s going to marry him. He doesn’t believe her. Fast forward to adulthood and he still hasn’t caught on despite their being best friends and so Liz attempts to move on and find love elsewhere. She begins dating Clint who seems to be what Liz is hoping for...until he isn’t.

This book needs a trigger warning for some as Clint is a controlling abusive character. I enjoyed the story and that things were not solved easily. I did wish the focus was more on Liz and Tate’s relationship instead of the issues with Clint but I understand it would be a different book then. I felt the writing was a bit wordy and repetitive at times but was overall well written. I would recommend this one to those who want a friends to lovers romance and a quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an ARC of this book. The opinions here are my own.

Waiting For My Cowboy by Jennifer Ryan is the first book in the McGrath series. It is a romance suspense book about two childhood friends turned lovers and a really crazy ex. This book also deals with domestic violence and stalking. It is a big part of the book so if you are uncomfortable with reading this kind of sensitive context or prefer a light romance story, I suggest you skip this book. Although there are some dark parts, I highly recommend this book. The romance between Liz and Tate is sweet and the suspense itself kept me interested.

Thank you to Goodreads giveaways and to HarperCollins for giving me a free kindle copy for my honest review.

I feel like I’ve read a lot of books with intense content lately. This story deals with domestic abuse and stalking, among other things. If that is not something you do well with in your books, please skip this one. It’s a great book, just not for everyone.

It’s been a minute since I’ve read a Jennifer Ryan book. I was lucky enough to win an ebook of this story in a Goodreads giveaway. Yay! I’ve read a lot of this author’s books, but definitely not all of them. And when I saw this is a first in series book I tried my luck at getting a copy.

Although this is the first in the McGrath series, there were a few things that made me think some of the other characters came from another series. Turns out this series is flowing out of the Wild Rose Ranch series. Not to worry, I didn’t have an issue following along. Now I just want to read that series to learn how Tate’s brother got his HEA.

Honestly, I thought I was going to despise Tate after the first chapter of this story. Ugh! The man was so clueless and self-involved! Yes, he seemed like a good enough guy. But he sure wasn’t being a very good friend to Liz. And it seemed like that was often the case. The friendship was a bit lopsided. Thankfully, once Tate pulled his head out of his butt, everything clicked into place and even he admitted he was quite the idiot for years leading up to this moment.

As for Liz, she has the patience of a saint. Of course, it’s hard to walk away when you know the person you’re cutting out of your life is the love of your life…even if that person has blinders on. This woman has been put through the ringer but still is able to find compassion for Tate.

Once everyone opens their eyes to what is going on around them, the relationship between Liz and Tate is on fire. I love how they love each other. And, although it’s hard to read at times, I appreciate the author painting a pretty realistic picture of how abusers work. Their methods and ways to make smart women doubt themselves. Of course, the situation with Clint (a guy Liz dated while waiting around for Tate) is extreme. But the bare bones of that relationship – drastic mood swings, extreme jealousy, etc. – is how these men operate. This author is wonderful at writing suspense, and that was no different in this book.

Reading this story was quite a reminder that I need to get more Jennifer Ryan reading into my repertoire. She’s always entertaining.

**I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.