Cowboy Up Makes Us Want To Run Away To The Nearest Farm Town

“Cowboy Up” by Stacy Finz 

I received a copy of this novel from my friends at Net Galley and the publisher. I have never read anything by this author before, but I have read my fair share of Cowboy Romance novels to be able to compare. 

Firstly, there are many options for continuation of the story, as Swayer and Jace’s stories have potential to develop more. That being said, the characters (both major and minor) were well developed and all had their own unique style and personality. The plot of the book was meticulously laid out. There was never a dull moment and the varying perspectives throughout the novel allowed the reader to see the point of view of different main characters. 

So, on to our main characters and a synopsis of the overall book. The two main characters are Aubrey and Cash (could you think of a more country name…) who have found themselves sharing space on Cash’s family’s farm. The farm has been in the Dalton family for generations and Cash’s cousin, Jace lives in the main house with his two boys. After Cash finds himself without a job, the former Special Agent of the FBI high tails it back to family farm for some R&R. There’s no place like home, although I suspect he underestimated the drama a small county can have. 

Aubrey is best friends with Cash’s cousin, Jace. She and Jace have been friends since childhood and her fiancee, Mitch was also a part of this click of friends. However, the friendliness dwindles when Aubrey finds Mitch screwing someone else a couple weeks before the wedding. Mitch, being the charmer that he is, spreads rumours through the small county that Aubrey was unfaithful and was having a relationship with Jace (the acting Sheriff). No one questions the “golden boy” who is the royal prince of the town as he owns the local construction company. By all accounts, Mitch is a class A douchbag with the moral compass of a lion.  Please see Leo showing his agreement. 

Aubrey ends the relationship and her friendship with Jace allows her to move into a cabin on the farm — right next to where Cash has taken up residence. They share some banter back and forth about his shooting bottles at 6 am and his apparent drinking problem. Eventually, they come to develop a rapport. When Cash finds out he has a long lost 12 year old daughter he has never met, everything changes. Ellie’s mother dies of breast cancer and it is only at that point that Cash becomes aware of her existence. On top of everything else that is happening with the main characters, Stacy adds another complexity to the story. Ellie is a typical 12 year old, who hates the man who has now identified himself as her father and she is torn between developing a relationship and feelings of betraying her mother’s memory. 

There is no doubt that there is a lot going on in this book, but at no point do I feel as though I am unable to keep up with the plot. Stacy is obviously a skilled author as she has managed the complex plot and it did not take away from the story. I felt connected with the characters and was never bored. It's usually a good sign when I don’t roll my eyes throughout the course of a book. Stacy, girl, you knocked it out of the park and I look forward to reading more on the Daltons in the future.