What a great story! This is one of my favourite reads of the year so far. It was one of those books where you want to get to the end to see how it all plays out, but you also don’t want it to end because you know you’re going to miss it.
From the back cover:
Jane Austen meets Zane Grey
The American West, 1867. After a stagecoach wreck, well-bred bookish spinster, Annie Haddon, (product of mustn’t-take-off-your-hat, mustn’t-take-off-your-gloves, mustn’t-get-hot-or-perspire Victorian society) is thrown into the company of cowboy, Colt McCall – a man who lives by his own rules and hates the English.
Can two people from such wildly different backgrounds learn to trust each other? Annie and McCall find out on their journey across the haunting , mystical landscape of the West.
My Review:
An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy is a romantic novel with a difference – at least it was for me. I’ve never read a romantic story set in nineteenth century America’s Wild West before. Indeed, before reading this, I would have said a Western setting wouldn’t have interested me. But having read a couple of reviews I was intrigued enough to give it a go. I’m so glad I did.
The main characters were vividly and convincingly drawn.
First of all there’s Englishwoman, Annie Haddon, who is tougher than she knows. The reader can’t help but root for her as she faces extreme adversity and danger following the crash of the stagecoach in which she is travelling. Her courage, her ability to stand her ground, and the way she copes with the cruelty dished out to her by her family, all keep the reader on her side.
And then there’s Colt McCall, a handsome and charismatic cowboy with an interesting and mysterious past, who comes to Annie’s aid. All I can say is – what’s not to love?
The rest of the characters form a strong supporting cast. There are Annie’s relatives – her cruel aunt and her horrible cousin. There’s Annie’s revolting suitor, and there’s a magnificent Sioux scout. They, along with various army personnel and saloon girls, all add interesting detail to the story – detail that is sometimes poignant, sometimes humorous and sometimes sad.
The descriptions of the landscape bring the setting to life – along with the details about clothing and culture.
So everything is well set up by the author for this most intriguing, will-they-won’t-they tale. And she certainly delivers. Yes, indeed – what a great story!
An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy is published by New Romantics Press and is available here as an ebook and as a paperback.
Wow, Anne! Thank you so much for this lovely review. What a wonderful start to a Monday morning! You’ve made my week.
Aw, that’s nice, June. You’re very welcome 🙂
Reblogged this on June Kearns.
A great review, Anne. I really enjoyed this novel too. 🙂
Thank you 3sixtyfiveblog for visiting and for commenting. It was indeed a most enjoyable book.
I read this book soon after it was public’s day after reading your review Annie, I think I ought to revisit it.
I’m so sorry, spellchecker changed words at last moment. So annoying 😤
Another for the TBR pile! I used to love watching The Virginian many moons ago and had a picture of ‘Trampas’ (Doug McClure) on my bedroom wall. If Colt is anything like him … Kate B
Oh yes! I loved the Virginian too. I had a picture of him from the Jackie on my wall. I think you’d like Colt very much. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Kate.
Oooh!
Think Colt was more the James Drury character, edinburghs! (Hope that wouldn’t put you off!)
Sounds like a good read!
I certainly thought so, Darlene.
Thank you, Darlene!
Great review for a book I loved!
Thanks Barbtaub 🙂
Thanks, Barb!
This is a most wonderful and gorgeous book, and a fabulous review Anne – I love June’s writing, her characters are deliciously drawn, her scene-setting so evocative and she writes with the lightest of touch, certainly delivering a punch – albeit in a velvet glove. Can’t wait for her new one!
Indeed Adrienne! I’m looking forward to the next one too. Thanks for visiting the blog and for commenting.
Ah, thank you Adrienne. Lovely comment.