Butting heads leads to knocking boots in this wildly sexy enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, small town cowboy romance by Jessica Peterson.

My dad and I have been estranged for years. But as his only living relative, it’s no surprise I inherit his massive cattle ranch when he dies. Something that is a surprise? The stipulation in his will, which requires me to live on the ranch and actively manage it for a year before I can access my inheritance money.

I haven’t stepped foot in Hartsville, Texas, population one thousand, since my parents split when I was six. Now a city girl through and through, I never imagined having to move back to cowboy country. But I need the money to invest in my company, and a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

There’s just one giant roadblock to my plan: the ranch’s foreman, grumpy cowboy Cash Rivers. I don’t care how good he looks in his Wranglers and chaps. He’s rude, he’s growly, and he wants me gone. I’d fire him in a heartbeat, but I need this cowboy to teach me the ropes of running a ranch.

We’re enemies from the get-go. But turns out, Cash is really good at this ranch thing. He’s got strong hands, an intelligent mind, and let’s just say everything really is bigger in Texas. Working alongside him leads to conversations beneath the stars. Throw in some cheek-to-cheek dancing at the local dive bar, and it all feels so right that I start to fall in love with life on the ranch. And maybe with him, too.

But my stay in Hartsville is only temporary. And you know what they say about cowboys: they may break horses, but they also break hearts. If only Cash hadn’t already lassoed mine…

My thoughts:

This review might descend into a tangle of enthusiastic words about how utterly wonderful this book is, so I apologize in advance. If you take away only one thing, let it be this: I highly, highly recommend it.

Cash delivers everything you could possibly want in a cowboy romance: a irresistibly handsome cowboy with a touch of gruffness, a lovable heroine who stands her ground and matches his wit blow for blow, and a ranch populated by a cast of characters you can’t help but adore. Add to that the sharp, witty banter, chemistry so palpable it leaps off the page, and some decidedly steamy encounters in the hayloft.

I should also acknowledge the more profound elements. Molly inherits the ranch following the unexpected death of her estranged father. A significant part of the narrative focuses on her struggle to process her grief and the complex, multifaceted ways it manifests. Cash, too, is grappling with the loss of his mentor and father figure, a shared sorrow that ultimately draws them together. Jessica Peterson masterfully explores the different ways people experience and cope with loss, sensitively portraying that there is no single “right” way to grieve.

While the plot isn’t overly complex, I found the pacing excellent, making for a swift and engaging read. It’s a wonderfully low-stakes, enjoyable story with moments of genuine depth and seriousness woven seamlessly throughout.

Overall, Cash shoots straight to the top of my list for cowboy romance recommendations. I am eagerly looking forward to reading more about the Rivers brothers and life at the Lucky River Ranch.

This book is poised to completely define my current reading personality. Sexy cowboys, intelligent and resilient women, and the backdrop of a gorgeous ranch in a small Texas town? Count me in. With its superb writing, endearing characters, sparkling dialogue, and a story brimming with heart, Cash is an easy, well-deserved five-star read for me.