Cowboys and Kisses by Sasha Summers Series: Teens of Black Falls, Texas #1
on 10 February 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: Enchantress Design and Promo
Buy on Amazon | 
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Allie had big plans for the future. Falling for a cowboy wasn't part of it.
1. Get out of Black Falls Texas - aka Redneck Hell
(Graduation was eight months away. After that, she was out of there.)2. Avoid Wyatt Holcomb at all costs.
(Except he was everywhere and kind of hard to ignore since he was hot-and a really nice guy.)3. Avoid her parents.
(Shouldn't be too hard to do since her father hated her and her mother pretended nothing was wrong.)4. Stop thinking about Wyatt.
(Which would be a lot easier if he wasn't so sweet... and he'd keep his shirt on.)5. Decide what she really wants.
(Instead of holding onto the past and the guilt.)
*I received a free ARC of Cowboys and Kisses from Enchantress of Books Blogtours in exchange of an honest review*
Thank you for stopping by my blog today for the Blogtour of Cowboys and Kisses! I have my review, an excerpt, and there’s an awesome giveaway where the grand prize is shirts / jewellery and there are also two $10.- gift-cards to win.
I will start with the excerpt, as you will get a great feel for the story from that:
[dropshadowbox align=”center” effect=”lifted-both” width=”450px” height=”” background_color=”#e0c0d7″ border_width=”3″ border_color=”#674ea7″ ]“I don’t feel right leaving you here alone.” His voice had an edge to it. I paused, trying to think of the right words. “I’m not your problem.” He smiled, his brows going up. “You’re nobody’s problem.” “My parents would argue with that, but that’s not what I meant and you know—” He stood up suddenly. “You’re not my problem.” He crossed to me. “But…Allie, I want you to be.” I really like the sound of that. Which hurt. I’m the last thing you need. As hard as it was to breathe, I managed to argue. “No, you really don’t.” I sidestepped him, needing distance to keep fighting. “I’m one of those damaged goods on the quick-sale table at the grocery store. Pretty packaging makes you curious, interested, but then you get it home and open it up and realize you wasted your time and money on trash.” I walked out of the kitchen as I spoke. More distance. His hand caught my arm. “Jesus, Allie, that’s harsh.” I very carefully pulled my arm out of his hold. “Sometimes the truth is. My best friend taught me that.” [/dropshadowbox]
My Review:
Cowboys and Kisses is a very sweet contemporary romance novel, where Allie is angry and hating on the world because her dad is moving her and her family to her late grand-mother’s house in Black Falls in Texas. On her first day there, she meets Wyatt, the hottest guy she’s ever laid eyes on. Because usually, she’s so busy with soccer and school she doesn’t care about boys at all, and she’s adamant that will not change now, even if she is far away from home, and misses her best friend immensely.
Wyatt has the typical cowboy charm I love reading about, and he made Cowboys and Kisses an even more pleasant read! A teenager who is helpful, polite and hard-working is not easy to find in real-life, and often even harder to find in the fictional world these days! Another thing that made me love the story is that Allie’s parents are present, and actually acting like parents should. They are pretty strict, and things are very tense between Allie and her father at the beginning of Cowboys and Kisses.
As the story unfolds, the readers learn that there are two reasons behind the move to a new place, and both of them are difficult to deal with – for the readers, and also for some of the characters. However, the fact that the characters are well fleshed out, and try to work things out little by little, Cowboys and Kisses is more than just a contemporary romance, as there are many things both Allie and her family and Wyatt have to deal with so they can move forward with their lives.
The writing is really good, and the pace is perfect for the story, sometimes quite slow, and speeding up in other places. Cowboys and Kisses is the kind of YA novel I wish there were more of. Teens who are serious about their future, while still struggling with the present. Parents who are involved and invested in their children’s lives, and a cowboy who seems to live the good life, but who is hiding a sad secret in his heart. And of course, there is Allie, who goes from the surly, angry girl to one who accepts her fate, and tries to make amends with the people she can make things better with.
Wyatt smiled. He had a really good smile, white teeth, dimples. “Nice to meet you.” And a Texas twang. I looked at him but didn’t say anything. It might have been nice to meet him if I wasn’t bleeding all over the floor of a bedroom in the middle of Hell. But – as much as I hated to admit it – even bleeding on the floor, he was pretty easy to look at.
I decided not to get worked up over the black clouds. I was not going to freak out every time it rained. It was… stupid. Instead, I watched Wyatt. He was quick to do stuff – whether or not someone asked him for help. He stepped up, without thinking about it. Which was weird, wasn’t it? I mean, did he always have to be so… helpful? What was he hoping to accomplish? I mean, it was sort of cool, sure, but weird too.
I spent the next day sorting boxes. I had way too much stuff. I didn’t need half of it. When the back of Mom’s car was full, I headed into town to the local charity donation center. Once that was done, I stopped in at the clinic. Mom texted to tell me they’d be back late tomorrow. I told her to have fun. I hoped they were having fun. I kind of liked the fact that they acted like they were married to each other now – like they more than tolerated each other.
I’m sure you want to know a little more about Sasha Summers, too, right?
Sasha is part gypsy. Born June 9, 1974, stories have always played an important role in her life. Her passions have always been storytelling, Hollywood, history, and travel. It’s no surprise that her books include a little of each. Her first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.
Author Links:
Website/Blog | Twitter | FB Author Page | Goodreads | Pinterest | YouTube
Thanks for stopping by today! Good luck in the giveaway 🙂
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
I already did this once, and something weird happened, so if two comments show up from me saying essentially the same thing, sorry!
Anyway, I love cowboys too, but we call them “good ol’ boys” where I’m from 😉 But the concept is the same. And this sounds like a really great start to the series. I’ll have to check it out. Great review, Lexxie!
Only one comment showing up, Jessica 🙂 I hope I’m not having any problems with the blog, and that it was only a glitch that made you have to write your comment twice.
I don’t know what it is about cowboys, I think it must be that southern charm, the polite way they act (at least in books! I don’t really know any cowboys in real life) and the fact that they are a little exotic to me.
This is a very good story, and I hope you’ll enjoy it, too! Thanks for stopping by.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
This sounds interesting. Going on my TBR pile. 🙂
YAY Stormi 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy it, too! Thanks for stopping by.
This is on my tbr list I cannot wait to read this it sounds so good!
It is excellent, Janette! I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
Thanks for stopping by.
I’m so glad you read and reviewed this one, Lexxie. It’s a book I want to read, badly. After your review, I’m even more anxious. 🙂 I was initially intrigued because it’s set in Texas. *ha* I love reading books set in my home state, particularly if there are cowboys involved. What I’m most interested in now is that you say this is kinda atypical of YA. I love that the parents are present and involved with the teens. I’m interested in watching Allie grow as a young woman. And I’m definitely intrigued with Wyatt being polite, hardworking, and of course, easy on the eyes. Gah! I can’t wait. I may have to go one-click this one. 😉
I hope your week has gone well, my friend. How is school going? Papers? Exams?? I’m missing you. 🙂 Enjoy your Thursday – what’s left of it. **BIG HUGS**
You are going to love it, Brandee! It is very well done, and yeah, cowboys!! You should definitely one-click it, then read it as soon as you can, too 😉
My week has been good, very busy theses days. I haven’t had any papers to write, but I have an oral presentation soon, and I am starting to prepare the papers I have to hand in just before Easter. And I definitely miss you, too! I’ll come comment on all your blog-posts tomorrow or this weekend. *BIG HUGS*
Thanks for the review, sounds great!
Thanks for stopping by, Jen.
WOW Lexxie – what a review! I’m so so happy you enjoyed Allie and Wyatt’s story. They were such real characters to me, so I wanted to them justice!
Thanks for reading and reviewing – HUGS
Hi Sasha 🙂 I loved Allie and Wyatt’s story! And as I said, it was so refreshing to read a YA story where there are intelligent and caring adults around!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I really want to read this book!
I hope you’ll love it as much as I did, Deere 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I love books that are set in Texas; I don’t know what it is… maybe it’s just cuz it’s the complete opposite of where I live. LOL Plus, who doesn’t love cowboys?? Thanks for the chance!
I think Texas being pretty far from home for me is partly why I love books set there as well, Carmel. I adore cowboys 🙂 And Wyatt, while he is a little young for me, is awesome!
Thanks for stopping by!
Twitter: talksupeblog
Sounds cute but cowboys isn’t my thang, just can’t get to the country life which is ironic since I live out in the country LOL Eep!
I know you’re not into cowboys, Braine, and that is just so sad 😛 I live in the city – maybe that’s why I adore the pastures, the ranches and the horses in books so much? And a sexy cowboy *sighs* we don’t have any of those here in Switzerland 😀
Thanks for stopping by.
I haven’t read a cowboy book in a long time! But this one sounds great, and you have sold it really well in your review Lexxie!!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Yes, it is a great story, Naomi! You should check it out 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
Excellent Review Lexx! You have me curious about the reasons behind the move! Wyatt sounds like such a sweet character! I think it’s great that there were active parents in this story as well. I agree, that YA would benefit from more stories like this!