Third story in the Cold River Ranch series. Another winner! Amanda is the wallflower who no one sees, including her family. Brady is her brothers best friend and isn't sure what he wants from his life. His time is almost up at the ranch and he needs to decide what to do next. Some other reviewers had issues with the 10 year age difference, which to me isn't a big deal as long as they are all over 21. Really enjoyed the story and hope there are more in the series.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own. ( )

Brady has come home after the death of his father to help his brothers run the family ranch. He's finding it hard to deal with the attitudes of his brothers. Going to the bar one night with his best friend Riley, he sees Riley's sister, Amanda, working behind the bar. He tries to keep the best friend code but Amanda does not make it easy for him. Temptation gives in and Brady and Amanda start a secret affair. How long will it last?

This can be read as a standalone. I like that Amanda went after what she wanted. I also liked that she could be honest with herself even if she did not share her truths with others. Brady figures he is damaged goods but I love how Amanda protected and stood up for him. It makes me rethink a lot about himself. I loved that Brady made the decisions he finally did. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of this author. ( )

Title: The Last Real Cowboy
Author: Caitlin Crews
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"The Last Real Cowboy" by Caitlin Crews

My Rationalization:

What an enjoyable romantic cowboy read featuring Amanda Kittredge and Brady Everett with the setting in a small town in Colorado. The author gives the reader a beautiful read of one 'breaking out of the chains of family expectations and making their own story.' You will read a story that is not only moving, but charming, emotional story with humor, compassion, twists, turns, overprotective brothers, abusive parent, and let's not leave out the romance and finally, in the end, this couple gets there HEA.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGallery, where all thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in Exchange for a fair review. The Last Real Cowboy by Caitlin Crews is the third book in her Cold River Ranch series. The book can be read as a stand-alone but I've enjoyed the other books in the series and do recommend reading them as well. Amanda Kitteridge tired of being treated like a child by her overbearing older brothers has moved out of the family ranch and has taken an apartment over the local dive bar supplementing her income from the coffee shop with bar-tending shifts at the bar downstairs. Brady Everett is trying really hard to continue to think of his best friends younger sister as a child and therefore off limits but it's getting harder especially when she's working now at the bar he hangs out in and when her brother asks him to keep an eye on her he agrees because he can't seem to look anywhere else. I'm not a huge fan of the best friends little sister trope but somehow Caitlin Crews makes it work and I devoured this book in a day. She creates characters that are easy to emphasize with and to cheer for when they reach their HEA.
Medium Steam. Publishing Date January 28. 2019 #NetGalley #StMartinsPress #StMartinsPaperbacks #TheLastRealCowboy #CaitlinCrews #bookstagram #CowboyRomance #contemporaryromancenovel @meganmcrane ( )

This is the second book I have read in this series. These books can be read as stand alone novels. You will fall for the Everett brothers. They make appearances in the various books. So, your favorites are in the books as well as new characters that you will fall in love with.

Amanda had me from the beginning. She was up against the odds with all of her brothers. Who needs a guard dog when you have brothers. Example: when Amanda took a job at the bar and her brothers came to give the "stink eye" to all the guys who even thought about talking or looking at Amanda.

It is a good thing that Brady had Amanda's heart in his best interest. He sure did not win brownie points in the beginning. He still thought of Amanda as his friend's little sister. However, it was really more of a way to keep his feelings at bay. That all went up in smoke when he and Amanda hooked up. Romance readers will enjoy reading this book as will fans of this series. Author, Caitlin Crews roped my heart and feelings with her latest offering in the Cold River Ranch series! ( )