Monday, June 13, 2016

[ARC Review]: "Crushing on the Cowboy"

Crushing on the Cowboy by Sarah M. Anderson
Publisher: Carina Press (June 27th, 2016)
Genre: M/M Romance

As The Heartbreak Kid, Mitch Jenner is known as the biggest womanizer of all the rodeo cowboys—but it’s just an act to keep himself safe. In fact, Mitch is so afraid of coming out that he’s opted to stay single—and a virgin. He’s fine with being alone…until he meets the mysterious Paulo.

Paulo Bernardes is here to learn the American style of bull riding well enough to teach it back home in Brazil. A namorado—a boyfriend—will distract him from his goal, but he’s captivated by Mitch, who understands him even when they don't speak the same language. In return, Paulo wants Mitch to accept himself—and their relationship.

In private, Mitch yields to his attraction to Paulo and is rewarded with a heat and tenderness he comes to crave. But he still fears exposing their relationship. And as they grow closer, Paulo wonders how he'll live without Mitch once their time together is up—how he'll pick up the pieces of his heart when it's time to say goodbye.



Where to Buy*:
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Reviews of Anderson's Previous Books:






My Review:




Mitch and Paulo were introduced in Rodeo Dreams. That small peek into their relationship activated my Reader Grabby Hands – I needed their story! Thankfully Anderson did go back to write their book, which takes place before Rodeo Dreams (and the sequel, which I have not yet read), and tells how they first met and fell in love. I’m so glad that Carina Press picked up Crushing on the Cowboy. It can easily be read by itself, but if you want to see glimpses of Mitch and Paulo later in their HEA, be sure to pick up the other two books. You really can’t go wrong with Anderson’s books anyway. J


Mitch has known for years that he prefers men, but he was afraid to come out. Instead, he’s spent his life being the Heartbreak Kid: flirting with beautiful women, making them believe that he might take them home to meet his mother, but always having a reason to leave them at the bar and go home alone. He’s tired of the part he’s playing, but he’s not tempted to completely abandon it and embrace who he really is . . . until Paulo shows up.


Paulo moved to the U.S. in order to learn more about the American style of bull riding, hoping to then take this knowledge back to his home in Brazil and open up a school that teaches both Brazil and American bull riding. He doesn’t speak English very well, but Mitch takes the time to actually listen to him, and later helps him to learn. But as they say love is universal no matter the language and there’s something about Mitch that Paulo just can’t resist.


There’s a fair amount of broken English and mixed Portuguese-English sentences in the book. On the one hand, this did tend to pull me out of the story a bit. On the other hand, it fit for Paulo’s character, as he doesn’t speak much English, so I really can’t legitimately complain. Plus, Paulo’s struggle with the language provided us with some cute interactions with Mitch.




He felt like he had to do something that signaled he was interested in . . . something.

Without necessarily saying, “Hi, I’m Mitch and I’ve never kissed a man before, could you whisper things in Portuguese in my ear and stick your tongue in my mouth?”

Although that was an option.



I loved their sweet, slightly awkward, first time (kissing and hand jobs, that is). Since Mitch is a virgin and there’s the language barrier as well, it makes for a cute start to the scene, before quickly turning up the heat, all while maintaining that sweet aspect. Actually, that’s true throughout the book: sweet and hot all at once.



Standing and kissing Paulo was a bad combination. Sooner or later, his knees were going to give out and he was going to do something ridiculous, like crumple.



Also, the two have this thing where they ask “yes or no” before doing something – kissing, touching, etc. – as a way to make sure they’re both on the same page and it’s so perfect. It added just that extra little bit of intimacy to their scenes, which I appreciated very much. 




“Meu menino bonito,” Paulo said in a whisper, just for Mitch. [My beautiful boy]

“Meu homem doce,” Mitch whispered back. “Sim ou nao?” [My sweet man….Yes or no?]

Paulo linked his fingers with Mitch’s and held on tight. “Sim,” he said. “For you, always sim.”



Crushing on the Cowboy is truly a charming, sweet, and hot read. This is Anderson’s first M/M title, but I do hope she explores the genre again. Especially if the heroes are cowboys. Because what’s better than a cowboy? Two of them, of course. J


3 1/2 STARS! 


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I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.

*Note: The quotes used belong to Sarah M. Anderson; TBQ's Book Palace does not claim them. Any mistakes or typos in the quotes are my own fault.

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Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


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