The Bad Boy Cowboy

The Bad Boy Cowboy is Book 4 of Kate Pearce's Morgan Ranch series and FINALLY HW's story! Ms. Pearce just keeps cranking out hit after hit and this was certainly no exception. This story can certainly stand fine on its own however keep in mind there is a back story that has continued to build from Book One. Based on what I know about HW from the previous books, I wasn't sure what to expect with his character but Ms. Pearce certainly delivered. I adored him from the start and even got teary eyed when I learned his long held secret. The banter and chemistry between HW and Sam was certainly heart warming and I enjoyed not only watching them navigate their relationship but also overcome the issues from both their pasts. An ARC copy of the book was received via NetGalley courtesy of the author and publisher.

4.5 stars Professional rodeo cowboy “HW” Morgan has finally achieved his dream of competing in the national rodeo finals but now wants time away from the circuit. He’s got to get his priorities right and the only place to do that is at home, if his family will have him. He also needs to apologise big time again The ranch is nearly ready to open to the public & a number of ‘guinea pigs’ have been invited to test the facilities among them is Samantha Kelly. The army veteran is barely back on her feet again, still struggling to rehab an injury. She’s willing to give equine therapy a try, even though her riding instructor, HW is bold, brash, and distractingly easy on the eyes. Cowboy novels aren’t my favourite trope but I love the author’s other books so gave this a try & I wasn’t disappointed, the characters as always are well developed & have plenty of depth, the pace of the story is well pace & I found myself wanting to continue to read even if I should have been doing other things, definitely the sign of a book I’m engrossed in. This is the fourth in the series but could be read as a stand-alone, however I’ll now be reading the earlier books & look forward to more in the series. HW & Sam are strong characters, their attraction is apparent from the start & their often stormy relationship was very entertaining. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is the story of the last Morgan brother. All very unique cowboys with distinct personalities and views of their past. A painful past that has affected them into their adulthood. HW has been the wildcard. He was considered the favorite child of a mother that abandoned them when they were very young. Little do they know there is a great deal of pain within HW. He has become a rodeo champion, is considered a playboy and the one that the other brothers feel will never stay permanently at the ranch. He has decisions to make about his future, and has gone to stay at the ranch to regroup. 
Samantha Kelly is an Army vet, still dealing with an injury and nightmares that has her feeling at times insecure. That said, she is a strong woman who speaks her mind. She is invited to the ranch so she can critique the ranch prior to it’s grand opening. Samantha and HW start a relationship though both have trust issues and HW still doesn’t know what to do with the rest of his life. I appreciated the author’s presentation of the trials and tribulations the returning troops, especially those injured, have to endure. Also the fact that the experiences you have as a child, will follow you into adulthood. Whether it’s lack of trust, a sense of not being loved or feeling responsible for the acts of the adults. All that said, for me , it could have easily been 50 pages shorter . Some parts were repetitive and wordy. A 3-3.5 star story in my opinion. That said, I did love books 1 and 2. For that , I am giving it a higher rating. I was gifted this copy by Netgalley . The opinions expressed are solely my own.