Tough Luck Cowboy

A.J. Pine

Aug 2018 · Sold by Forever

About this ebook

From this "fabulous storyteller" (Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author) comes a sweet western romance between a rodeo cowboy and his best friend's ex-wife.

What's the saying, bad luck comes in threes? If so, Lily Green is due for something good. First, her divorce is finalized---on her birthday, no less. Then the first job she lands for her catering company turns out to be for her ex-husband's wedding. To top it off, she's stuck working the event with Luke Everett, the sexy-as-hell best man who's never been able to stand her. When can a girl catch a break?

For years, Luke has kept his feelings for Lily safely hidden. Hitting on his best friend's ex-wife would definitely break the cowboy code of honor. But ever since an injury sidelined his rodeo riding, the two of them keep getting thrown together. It's only a matter of time until his true feelings come to light. When that happens, it will either be the biggest mistake of his life, or a sign that his luck is about to change.

"Cross my heart, this sexy, sweet romance gives a cowboy-at-heart lawyer a second chance at first love and readers a fantastic ride." -- New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan on Second Chance Cowboy

Ratings and reviews

Tough Luck Cowboy was such an unexpected surprise! This enemies to lovers/second chance romance hooked me in right from the start and though this is my first time reading a cowboy romance, I know it won't be my last! This is book 2 in the interconnected standalone Crossroads Ranch series, and can be enjoyed without reading the previous book, Second Chance Cowboy. I really loved both Luke and Lily. The tension and build up between them was so delicious and fun. I loved seeing their oil and water mix and watching all the sparks fly. ;) There is so much unsaid between these two and their circumstances couldn't be more complicated, with Lily being the ex-wife of Luke's best friend. Through it all though, you can't help but root for these two to get their second chance. One of my favorite things about the two of them is that even with the threat of loss looming or the odds stacked against them, they don't give up their individual dreams and hopes (much to the dismay of the other at times). Even though Luke was emotionally closed off and Lily's instinct was to run, I still found these 2 characters very brave and strong. Things move pretty quickly in the book, but considering this has been three years in the making, it didn't feel rushed or like instalove at all. Though I really enjoyed the ending and epilogue (I'm hoping for more details or an epilogue further down the road in the next book or beyond), I was left curious about the future of Tucker and Luke's friendship. Their reckoning was quick due to the timing of their discussion and just didn't seem fully resolved to me. Perhaps this will also be addressed in the next book. I actually have not read book 1, Second Chance Cowboy, but Ava ended up being one of my favorite characters. Her friendship and loyalty to Lily was unwavering and her analogy to being Lily's bra was the best! Everyone can only hope to have a friend like her. I also am very intrigued by the youngest Everett, Walker, and am excited for his book next! *I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

Lily's birthday is spent finalizing her divorce and offering to cater her now-ex-husband's wedding. Talk about starting a book off with a bang!! Luke and Lily seem to hate each other but when they end up being thrust together constantly, they have a chemistry that can only be described as explosive. Luke is a laid-back, reckless rodeo cowboy. Lily is a Type-A, driven chef. They seem so different which is why when they met, Luke differed to his friend. But the more time they spend together, the more their similarities come to light and their hate grows to more than either of them were expecting. I loved Luke and Lily!! I was immediately pulling for them. Even though there was definitely some drama in their story, I felt like this book was mostly light and feel good. I am loving this Crossroads Ranch series and I can't wait to see what happens in Walker's book! *This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

TOUGH LUCK COWBOY is the second full-length instalment in AJ Pine’s contemporary, adult CROSSROADS RANCH romance series. This is rodeo rider and rancher Luke Everett, and pastry chef /caterer Lily Green’s story line. TOUGH LUCK COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Some of the premise crosses-over, and runs parallel to some of the events in the August 2018 novella Saved By the Cowboy. Told from dual third person perspectives (Lily and Luke) TOUGH LUCK COWBOY follows the second chance relationship between rodeo rider and rancher Luke Everett, and twenty-seven year old, pastry chef /caterer Lily Green. Lily Green signed the divorce papers on her twenty-seventh birthday, feeling like a complete failure having never anticipated her husband’s affair. A perfectionist and list maker at heart, Lily knew she was difficult at times but our heroine had only ever loved one man, her ex-husband’s best friend Luke, a man she fell for, three years earlier, the same night she met Tucker Green. When Lily accidentally agrees to cater her ex-husband’s upcoming wedding, all bets are off when she is forced to work alongside the man she has loved from afar. Enter Luke Everett, rodeo rider, and the bane of Lily’s existence as our heroine believes Luke despises his best friend’s ex. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and relationship between Lily and Luke, and the fall-out as an injured Luke is determined to re-enter the rodeo ring in the hopes of remaining on top. The opportunity to cater the upcoming feast for a Food Network star, Lily has no idea that she has offered up her services for her ex-husband’s wedding. Struggling to make a name for herself, outside of her failed relationship with her ex-husband, Lily is hoping to succeed in a business where others have failed. Luke Everett knows that one more concussion could mean the end of his career. Badly injured in his last outing six weeks earlier, Luke struggles between head and heart when Lily gives our hero an ultimatum in order to save his life. Lily’s constant need to run is disconcerting especially as it reminds her of a man who left long ago. The relationship between Lily and Luke is acrimonious at best; their constant bickering, back and forth, vitriol comments and accusations are hurtful especially when neither one is deserving of the other’s actions. Luke is unaware of his best friend’s affair, and Lily knows nothing about Luke’s feelings for her. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and seductive, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. TOUGH LUCK COWBOY is a story of family, pride, heart-break and second chances. The premise is engaging and lively; the characters are determined and challenging; the romance is provocative and intense. TOUGH LUCK COWBOY is an emotional and energetic story line.

About the author

A librarian for teens by day and a romance writer by night, A.J. Pine can't seem to escape the world of fiction, and she wouldn't have it any other way. When she finds that twenty-fifth hour in the day, she might indulge in a tiny bit of TV to nourish her undying love of vampires, superheroes, and a certain high-functioning sociopath detective. She hails from the far-off galaxy of the Chicago suburbs.