Cowboy Charm School is the first book in author Margaret Brownley's new series The Haywire Brides. What a fun read this was! It's a sweet western love story with a good mystery and light-hearted humor. This is a clean romance: there is enough old-fashioned wistfulness and longing and chemistry to make your heart go pitty-patter.

Told from a dual point of view, we see the perspectives of both candy maker and bride-to-be (maybe) Kate, and wedding crasher and Texas Ranger Brett. Brett is an upstanding guy who tries his hardest to Cyrano clueless Frank back into Kate's arms, even though he is clearly falling for her. His attempts to teach Frank how to woo are half the fun in Cowboy Charm School, because Frank, well, he's a sad case.

Kate feels pressure from all sides (what a tragedy it must have been to be considered close to spinsterhood in your early twenties) to marry Frank; when Brett interrupts the wedding it gives Kate time to think about what she really wants. Having been friends with Frank since childhood, she has a lot to think about and feelings to sort out. She's tenacious and loyal, smart and kind-hearted.

The characters are believable and entertaining - and poor Frank Foster, Kate's husband to be - offers plenty of comic relief (at his expense). He's just so hapless and out of touch and allergic that I couldn't stop laughing at every scene he was in. I enjoyed my first introduction to Haywire, Texas and I can't wait to see what else Margaret has in store for the rest of The Haywire Brides series.

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Cowboy Charm School is the Cyrano de Bergerac of cowboy stories. What a delightful story and fabulous start to a new series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to dig into the next installment of The Haywire Brides.

Texas Ranger Brett Tucker is temporarily in Haywire, Texas to track down some robbers, notably Frank Foster. He has a personal interest to see Foster behind bars. So when Brett learns that Frank Foster and Kate Denver are to be married, his conscience won’t let him see this wedding take place. However, small problem, Kate’s Frank Foster is not the Frank Foster Brett is after. Frank reacts with jealousy and accusations to Brett’s interference, and Kate decides that the wedding is off for good. Brett is drawn to Kate but knows pursuing her when she so clearly loves another wouldn’t be right, and Brett resolves to do all he can to fix things and see this marriage take place.

What follows is a thoroughly enjoyable tale of misunderstandings and misadventure. There are definite sparks between Brett and Kate, but Brett thinks Kate is off limits and wants to be with Frank. Kate is attracted to Brett like she has never been to Frank but he seems uninterested in her.

Cowboy Charm School is full of likable (and some not so likable) characters with some depth and backstories, and the plot is a good mystery about who is responsible for the robberies, keeping you guessing until the end. There is a lot of interesting info about candy making and Kate and Frank’s history as orphans coming to Haywire. The story is full of love and danger, and Brett’s attempts to tutor Frank in courtship are laugh out loud funny.

I especially enjoyed that Cowboy Charm School was not a quick, short romance but rather a nice long book that gives you time to sit back and enjoy your time in Haywire. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series. ( )

Cowboy Charm School by Margaret Browning is a 2019 Sourcebooks Casablanca publication.

A refreshing romance mingled with a healthy dose of humor-

Texas Ranger, Brett Tucker is on a manhunt for the infamous criminal Frank Foster. He’s sure he has found his man, but he may have to stop a wedding in order to capture him. But won’t the bride-to-be feel relieved once she learns the truth about her future husband?

Well, Brett found Frank Foster, just not the right one. If that weren’t bad enough, he’s disrupted a perfectly innocent couple’s special day- AND caused the once happy couple to call the wedding off for good!

Kate Denver should be furious with Brett Tucker for ruining her wedding, but deep down she feels he might have done her a favor. Still, Brett feels terrible and hopes he can help Kate and Frank reunite, while he looks for right ‘Frank Foster’. To that end, he begins tutoring Frank on the proper way to court a lady- especially one as special as Kate. The only problem is, Brett may be falling for her himself.

While this story is primarily a romance, there is also a mystery to solve, with a bit of danger tossed into the mix. However, the humor is what gives this story most of its charm. I loved Brett’s advice to Frank, which is so sweet and romantic. Kate’s book and sweets shop is a delightful backdrop and having Kate and her aunt run the shop is a nice touch.

The author also does an amazing job with the characterizations and her writing is very descriptive, as well, giving the reader plenty to visualize.

I have not read many western historical romances in the past few years and only recently stumbled across a few authors who are writing within this historical romance sub-genre and am thrilled to have discovered them.

This is a book literally anyone can enjoy- even young adults and teens. The romance is sweet and refreshingly clean, and while the story is obviously very light- it is entertaining and fun. I turned the last page with a big smile on my face, reminding me that I need to read more sweet, old fashioned stories that make me laugh and lift my spirits.

4 stars ( )

Cowboy Charm School by Margaret Brownley is book 1 in her new series “The Haywire Brides”. A clean, light and airy adventure. Set in 1855 Haywire, Texas. This is the story of Texas Ranger Brett Tucker, Kate Denver and Frank Foster and a calamity of errors. Laugh at loud moments, mystery, a bit of suspense and romance will pull readers into this delightful romance and hold them glued to the pages. The characters are charming, humorous and engaging. The storyline is unpredictable, steady paced, adventurous, mysterious and definitely unpredictable. An enjoyable and lively new series from the talented Margaret Brownley. A definite keeper and must read for fans of clean, sweet, Western Historical romance set in a small town in Texas. Lighthearted and heartwarming with a twist of fate. #NetGalley,#TheCowboyCharmSchool
“I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review.”

Rating: 4.5

Heat rating: Sweet

Reviewer: AprilR ( )