ARC Review: Rocking the Cowboy by Skylar M. Cates

Blurb:

Opposites who go together like country and rock ’n’ roll.

Long before he was a superstar, Remy Sean had a secret crush on Jed Riley. But Jed sees Remy as a spoiled pop rocker and an extension of his father’s control. Still, Jed is willing to let Remy hide from the press on his ranch—but only as a way to get his father out of his life and business for good.

Used to being admired and fawned over, Remy keenly feels the sting of Jed’s dismissal. Can he make Jed see him as more than a pain in the ass? Or is Jed too tangled up in his ranch to see past his old hurt?

Jed doesn’t believe someone desired by so many fans could want him, a simple cowboy. But Remy is determined to change Jed’s mind and steal his heart

Dani's rating:

If you like opposites attract stories and the idea of a stoic cowboy and flirty pop star bonding over horses and homecooked meals, you will love Rocking the Cowboy.

Both MCs are complex human beings, and the relationship between them develops realistically. There's quite the slow burn as Jed decides whether he can trust Remy with his heart. After all, Remy's manager is Jed's father, the father who left Jed and his mom and sister behind for the glory of Hollywood.

But Remy remembers the summer he spent on the ranch as an awkward, shy 13-year-old. That summer, Jed was the star of Remy's fantasies and even though Jed's reception is less than warm, Remy is determined to break down Jed's walls.

Most of the story takes place on Jed's ranch as Remy recovers from a traumatic incident that's kept him from performing for several months. A famous pop star, Remy worries he's lost his music, and it takes Jed's quiet encouragement to make him realize that he can take the road less traveled by (and it'll make all the difference).





This story is sweet without being maudlin, sexy without being porny, and romantic without being cheesy. There's some mild angst, but I was pleasantly surprised that the MCs talked things out sooner rather than later and handled the conflict with maturity and grace.

It was pretty much all Jed's fault, but he apologized. And I do love a man who can say sorry and mean it.

My favorite thing about Rocking the Cowboy, however, is that it has a longer HEA. It wasn't just a paragraph but a couple chapters showing the guys' bright future a year after they decide they're better together. So many stories end abruptly. I love that this one didn't.

Bonus points for a sassy cat and a dog named Hagrid who only looks scary.

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The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives.

~Roald Dahl

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Download links are provided as a courtesy and do not constitute an endorsement of or affiliation with the book, author, publisher, or website listed.