ARC Review: A Cowboy Like You by Donna Grant

A Cowboy Like You
Author: Donna Grant
Series: Heart of Texas (Book 4)
Publication: St. Martin's Paperbacks (November 26, 2019)

Description: In the Heart of Texas, a heartthrob cowboy may get his second chance at love…

Danny Oldman, the handsome Lone Star sheriff, is still single. He tells himself, and anyone who asks, that he is married to his job―and what matters most is keeping the people of his beloved Texas hometown safe. The truth? Danny still hasn’t gotten over his high school crush. She moved away after graduation and took Danny’s heart with her.

Skylar Long never thought she would have to flee Houston and return home―where it all began for her. But that’s what happened after the man of her dreams turned out to be an actual nightmare. Now, Skylar is desperate to escape her obsessive boyfriend. Nothing shocks her more than seeing Danny again and realizing that their long-ago attraction is more powerful than ever. But can she and Danny find a way to fight against Skylar’s wealthy, powerful ex who is dead set on tearing them apart?

My Thoughts: I have many conflicting opinions about this story. I did finish reading it and was never tempted to DNF it, but I found a lot of problems.

First of all, this reads like a report on domestic violence turned into a novel. There are quite a few "infodumps" giving all sorts of information about domestic violence. Second, the characters all seemed like stereotypes to me. The heroine was damaged but feisty. The hero was everyone's friend but lonely on the inside. He was also apparently Superman. See his action after escaping torture by the villain's henchman for proof of this.

The pair are surrounded by ultra competent people including four young men who were childhood best friends who joined the Special Forces of four different branches of the Armed Forces and served honorably before coming home to rural Texas which allowed the author to give a shout out to most branches of the military, excluding only the Coast Guard.

The villain and his enabling family were also stereotypes who successfully covered up multiple incidents of domestic violence before he was finally arrested by our hero in the process of trying to recapture the heroine. Then the family steps in and tries to use their wealth and political influence to cover over this latest criminal activity.

Fans who like a heavy dose of information in their romances will enjoy this one.

Favorite Quote:

"The affidavit will detail each incident of abuse, where he hit you, and why you didn't report it. I need you to email me every photo you took. Those will be printed out and used as evidence."

Skylar immediately got her phone and began emailing said pictures so she didn't forget. When she finished, she set her phone aside and met Leslie's brown gaze. "Have you taken many cases like this?"

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.