Title: Tyler’s Cowboy
Author: Amber Kell
Cover Artist: Posh Gosh
Publisher: Total E-Bound
Amazon: NA
Genre: Contemporary M/M, Cowboy
Length: Novella (word count unlisted)
Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars
A guest review by Buda
Summary Review: A simple, sweet story of a straight cowboy falling for his business partner’s little brother is marred by melodrama, unrealistic scenes and a too-short timeline.
The Blurb:
Book one in the Cowboy Lovin’ Series
When Tyler runs to his injured brother’s side, he doesn’t know it’s his brother’s partner that will take all his attention.
Tyler has three problems. His brother, Baron, was injured, his job sucks and Baron’s straight partner, Cody, is the hottest piece of ass he’s seen in a long time.
When jealousy lifts its ugly head, Tyler learns that all problems have a solution if you can only corral yourself a hot cowboy.
The Review:
Tyler Remington, a chef in New York City, gets a call from his brother Baron’s business partner, Cody Stark, telling him that Baron is in the hospital and the situation is serious. Quitting the job he hates, Tyler rushes home to care for his brother and mend his newly broken heart. It seems his boyfriend, The One, isn’t gay now, he’s getting married–to a woman.
Cody isn’t gay, but he is instantly attracted to Tyler. Since the ranch cook is away tending to family matters of her own, Cody employs Tyler as the ranch chef. The ranch hands love Tyler and his cooking and swiftly decide the surest way to keep getting top quality food is to find Tyler a boyfriend, the very idea of which sets Cody’s teeth to grinding because he can’t stand the thought of anyone but him touching Tyler.
What could have been a very sweet story was ruined for me by several things. First, in this very short book, the word chef is mentioned 50 times, most of them used to describe Tyler in Cody’s mind, many of those with the word his before chef. Second, in some places the sentence structure was so tortured as to say, well, absolutely nothing. For example: “Using techniques he’d learned in culinary school and hadn’t used since, he was pleased with the results.” (Uhm, really? Now, you can make sense of this statement in context, but as a standalone sentence, it fails.) Third, Cody is unlike any cowboy I’ve ever known. He’s not rough and tumble, as he would like to believe; in reality, he’s a walking tear duct, just waiting to burst. There is a scene in which the possibility arises he might have to fight for Tyler’s affection. But no. Instead, he runs off to the stable and bawls like a baby. Some readers will find that endearing. I found it irritating in the extreme. And that’s not the end of Cody’s melodrama either.
The timeline from the moment Tyler steps into Baron’s hospital room until the last scene is approximately one week, two if I missed something in the two times I read the book. During this very short, very rushed period, Cody goes from completely straight (except for those few times in high school he lusted after a guy or two) to head-over-heels in love with Tyler, who reciprocates the declaration, even though he’d just had his heart trampled on by his New York City boyfriend.
Here is Cody’s description of Tyler to one of the ranch hands before Tyler arrives: “Baron told me his brother’s gay, so I expect y’all to treat him with respect, not to hurt his feelings. Baron said he’s real delicate like.” Cody continues to believe that about Tyler, even given evidence to the contrary. He treats Tyler the way the dingbat heroines in M/F romance were being treated two decades ago when I quit reading that stuff. Here’s the description of Tyler when Cody first sets eyes on him:
Where Baron’s eyes were pale blue like an arctic wolf, Tyler’s eyes were the colour of a perfect summer sky. Tyler’s mouth was full and pouty where Baron’s was hard and firm. It was almost as if Tyler was the purer, more innocent form of his friend.
Overall, these issues combined to steal my enjoyment of the book, which is a damn shame because have you seen that cover? Holy Hell Hawt! And Tyler seems like a good guy who needs more than he’ll get from troglodyte Cody. That is not to say that some readers won’t absolutely love this story of chef and cowboy. But for me, it just didn’t work, as much as I wanted it to. Unfortunately, I found Cody to have as much substance as the wet bottom of a paper cup. The character I found most interesting in this book was Baron, whose part is rather minor.
Amber Kell is a new-to-me author, as this is the first book of hers I’ve read. Those readers who are looking for a light, fun, melodramatic romantic comedy sort of book will probably enjoy this a lot.
You are right, the premise sounds amazing, but from your review I guess it falls flat. I’ve read Amber Kell’s Moon Pack series and I wasn’t impressed by it either…which is a shame, as with a little editing I think she could be a very talented author.
Thanks for commenting, Lasha. I’m not a shifter fan, so the Moon Pack series didn’t interest me in the least. I am, however, a big fan of cowboys, having grown up in cowboy country. I was really disappointed this didn’t have better characterization. Perhaps I’ll try the author again in the future.
“Troglodyte Cody” made me laugh. Well, I don’t know what to say… The blurb did sound promising but… bawling troglodyte cowboy doesn’t. I’ll probably skip this. Thank you! Oh, and yes, I agree on the cover. ^^
Thanks, LadyM. I’m not of the “Real men don’t cry” persuasion because, hell, I’ve done it more than once reading these books. But to go from zero to bawling like a baby when he should have been fighting for his man just turned me off even more. Glad I could give you a giggle. 😉
Such a mass of wonderful covers with mediocre stories. Such a waste. Thanks for taking another one for the team, Buda. You’re kind of on a roll aren’t you? And not a very good one. 😮
Well, Marilyn, I did have a good run for a while. And remember, Wave promised to punish me for it. 😉 If you focus on the cover and let your mind wander, you might come up with a good story of your own. lol Thanks for the comment!
What you failed to mention, oh cowboy heartthrob, is that you choose these books all by your lonesome. I have nothing to do with them. The best books you reviewed lately were the ones I chose for you. :my2cents:
I know your tastes in books better than you do apparently. 😀
:hysterics: I wondered how long it would be until you defended yourself, Wave! You’re right, most of those good ones you nudged me into. :evilgrin: Maybe you should always pick for me. That way I won’t get clunkers. Except remember that one you picked for me that was a clunker, the one we foisted off on Cole? Wow, I still almost feel bad about that one. lol (Hugs, Cole.)
Buda, A wow cover indeed 😀
Since it´s the first book maybe Baron will show up in the next vol?? Sounds like an interesting possibility 🙂
Thank you for your review 😎
Hi, Helena. I’m not sure what the author is planning with the series. Baron is ostensibly straight, so unless she plans to do the Cameron Dane thing and mix-and-match m/f and m/m in the series (which just drives me friggin’ crazy, btw!), it’ll be a surprise to Baron, too! Thanks for the comment. 🙂
Looks like I´m not alone in the world 😆 I was wondering if it was only me that feels weird when I find myself (willing or not) in the middle of a mixed series since I only read the mm books 😯
Going to check Cowboy Secrets 😉
Poor Buda, you do seem to be having a rather rough run of it at the moment. Hopefully you’ll get an awesome one soon, and that will change the momentum! 😀
Thanks for the review. I was wondering about this book. It sounded good, but something had me feeling cautious about it. I’m not sure what, but I think that plus your review will have me wait for a different book to try this author.
Here’s hoping, Jessica! I need a good one very soon! :doh: You know, if you can keep your eyes from rolling out of your head at certain points, this is kind of a cute story. (I just feel the need to say something positive. I hate writing negative reviews!) Thanks for the comment!
I hear ya on the hating to write negative reviews, but I’m afraid I’m not so good with keeping the eyes in the head once they start rolling too hard. And from what you added in your response to Tj’s comment? I’m afraid I might never find my poor eyes again!
“It doesn’t sound right coming out of your pretty mouth. A man like you isn’t meant to cuss.” :yuck: :fish: :curse: :wallbash: :strike: :doh:
No words, indeed. Though cowboy-skin boots do sound pretty good. Buda, Tj, I think we all need to go out for a drink after reading that! First round’s on me. :drinkin:
Haha! I’m totally in! :beer:
“I’m afraid I might never find my poor eyes again!”
:hysterics: Oh that’s a good one Jessica! I’m gonna need a brain scrub to forget those lines! :yuck:
Drinks! Hell yeah! To quote my favorite singer: “I’m a little bit heiress, a little bit Irish…” And the Irish loves his drinks.
“There is a scene in which the possibility arises he might have to fight for Tyler’s affection. But no. Instead, he runs off to the stable and bawls like a baby.”
No, just no Buda. I’m fine with grown men crying (Lord knows I do it enough) but isn’t Cody supposed to be a tough cowboy? He did his crying routine and had the nerve to call Tyler delicate and treats him like a damsel in distress? And all this happens in a week or 2? Buda baby, check your calendar, it’s April 19, not April 1!
Oh, Teej, it’s even worse. Before the bawling scene, Cody and Tyler are having sex. Tyler says “fuck” or something and Cody tells him not to cuss because, “It doesn’t sound right coming out of your pretty mouth. A man like you isn’t meant to cuss.” Later in the same scene, Cody says the same word. When Tyler calls him on it and asks why Cody can swear, Cody says “Because I’m a tough cowboy.” Then when they’ve finished screwing, Tyler asks again and Cody answers, “I told you. Because I’m a crusty cowboy and you’re a delicate fancy chef.” :wallbash:
Right then I decided cowboy-skin boots sounded preferable to snakeskin ones. Idiot. :grumble:
“A man like you isn’t meant to cuss”… “I told you. Because I’m a crusty cowboy and you’re a delicate fancy chef.”
:explode: :fish: :wallbash: :no: :no: :no:
I… I… I can’t… there are no words… Oh baby here’s a hug. You must need it after that. :hug:
Teej
Stop wasting Christian’s balls … I mean his smileys. LOL And stop hugging Buda, it’s unseemly. 😯
“And stop hugging Buda, it’s unseemly.”
Oops! Was that in the employee handbook? Sorry, I couldn’t control myself – Buda gives really good hug. And we um, might have done one or two other unseemlier things, but I don’t #$%^ and tell. 😉
Teej, shhh! She didn’t catch us before, so stop confessing! Jeez! It’s no wonder we’re always in trouble. Here, have another beer before I find something else to…. :skoal:
“Here, have another beer before I find something else to….”
I never turn down a drink… :drinkin: or something else! :pant:
I can always count on you to make me laugh B. Thanks. :sendoutlove:
LOL I thought that might get to ya, Teej. Thanks for the hugs, baby. I can always use hugs from you. :hug:
I’m rolling on the ground. Are you sure you didn’t write this, oh crusty cowboy?
BTW, what’s with the Canadian spelling of “colour”. Is the book set in Alberta, Canadian cowboy country? Do you ride? A horse I mean, sugar buns. LOL :sex2:
Honey, I assure you, had I written that there would have been no crusty cowboy. My cowboys shower and wash in all the appropriate places. 😉
I’m not sure where the ranch was set. I was thinking Montana, but I’m not sure it said actually. It wasn’t until near the end we learned the “city” Tyler had been in was NYC. Before it was unnamed.
I haven’t been on a horse in many years, but I grew up riding, yes. Most of the time we got around in a pickup (don’t even get me started on the use of the word car), but occasionally we’d saddle up and ride, especially when driving the cattle from field to pasture or pasture to pasture.
“Crusty…”
Really? I mean, really? I like the idea of grown men working on a ranch who don’t say fuck after fucking because it “ain’t polite.” After pouting. And bawling. What ranch in the world…? What cowboy on the earth?
I thought one of the big draws of M/M is that it circumvented all these heterosexist norms in traditional romance.
Damn I was hoping for a good review, cause the cover was hot! I don’t mind my cowboys crying, but not running off crying like a baby, Thanks Buda saved me from this one.
Laura, as I type this response, the carousel to the right is pulling up all sorts of hot covers. I think we’re in for a nice run of them very soon! Have you read Cowboy Secrets by Eden Cole? It’s GFY and very angsty. Some fighting cowboys, but I don’t remember crying ones. I dug it! Thanks for the comment.
It’s in my tbr, I’ll get to it next. Thanks Buda
So where is your review of Cowboy Secrets? Do you save your best stuff for GR? I’ve seen those reviews, damn you!!!!!
Ha! All those were written before you came into my life, Wave. Since then I haven’t had time to write anywhere else! 🙂
I just bought the book (cowboy Secrets). I need a great or at least a good cowboy in my bed tonight. LOL You have Teej. Don’t for one minute believe I don’t know what’s going on between you — I just choose to close my eyes to all the debauchery. 🙂
Unless cowboy stories take place in Canada, editors need to cull out British spellings like “colour.” That word immediately jumped out at me; it doesn’t quite fit with “y’all.” 🙂
Good point! I hate books that use American spellings when they’re supposed to take place in Britain or British spellings in America.
Hmmm…so if these cowboys get “pissed” what, exactly, are they doing? *ponders “colour me pissed” vs “color me pissed”* 🙂
KZ and Jessica, to be honest I noticed the Britspell but it didn’t phase me. I knew the publisher was British, so I didn’t think any further about it. You’re right, though, that darned extraneous u doesn’t fit with y’all!
Unfortunately this is the case with that publisher. I reviewed another one of their authors, who is British, and despite the story being set in the US, all sorts of Britishisms were present. Took me right out of the plot. Now I know that sort of thing doesn’t bother some readers, but it does me. 🙁
Buda
I loved your review and I’m very sorry that this book didn’t work for you but you had it coming.
Crying cowboys??? Whoa!
This is a GFY book I suppose, but even GFY heroes have to have some credibility if they switch horses in midstream, so to speak. 🙂
I like my cowboys tough like leather with scuffed boots and belts and 10 gallon hats. Okay I know that’s a stereotype but I like it and for this book to burst my bubble with all the crying is shameful. I’m going to read it because I’m sure there’s something good that can be salvaged. Snakeskin cowboy boots? 😯
You’re right about the cover – Smokin’!!!!
LOL Goat leather and ostrich didn’t have the same ring as snakeskin. 😉
Stereotypes all have a kernel of truth to them. You forgot the Wranglers, btw. Yum!
Cowboy Secrets is a GFY cowboy story, too. Actually, I think it’s probably the most emotionally honest portrayal of the GFY process I’ve seen in a long time. I was impressed.
In this book, Cody went from straight to queer in 60 seconds flat, without passing go or collecting his $20. There was potential for so much more than what we got. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts after you read it!
Thanks for the terrific review Buda… Definitely something that I won’t be rushing to read.
It’s so weird that the process of coming out and falling in love (which you’d assume is the meat of the story) is what gets the shortest shrift. I’ll never understand how anyone can fantasize about a member of an uber-butch alpha profession like ranchwork and set about castrating and infantalizing it. Isn’t the point of the manly fantasy that it’s, umm, manly? Why purposely botch the butch?! Gack.
:afraid:
A confession: I sort of wish the M/M publishers would put the breaks on the “Prodigal Ranch” plot for a spell? You know the one I mean… wherein citified boys come home to save the ranch and rope thamselves a roughneck and are snuggly-wuggling with Butch McHunkacock, the homestead’s hetero foreman/herder/ranchhand/old-cuss, in under a fortnight. :crazy04:
I love cowboys (grew up with a family ranch!), but there are plenty of other stories that can use the cowboy trope without doing city mouse/country mouse. It’s not that it can’t be done beautifully, but it’s been done SO MUCH recently. ANd I get it, as I was saying on another blog recently, this “city boy” plotline lets you write ranches without doing tons of research because it’s from the outsider’s perspective… But after my 30th “coming to save the ranch” romance in two months with a weepy GFY insta-homo, I’m starting to just skip them entirely unless the author is one of my must-buys.
Anyways, I’m glad I saw this review before I purchased. Although based on the blurb I probably would have passed anyway. I’ve met my generic city-mouse quota for the next couple years. :strike:
Damon
Oh GAWD! I love this quote. I’m going to borrow it the next time I do a post about M/M tropes. Thanks for this — I really needed another laugh tonight. 😆
You’re right though. All I see in the blurbs about cowboys over the past year is about the city boy coming back home to save the family ranch and getting it on with the tough ranch foreman. No imagination – another case of follow the leader.
Great review Buda. This is a book that fall firmly in the simple read-in-between pile. The author is not bad and she has some fun book, but you shouldn’t have high expectations when going in.
This is the kind of book that fall in the category from fanfiction to original fiction. I’m sure the author puts a lot of work into the story, but it’s rushed and not thought through with lots of holes.
You did a great job reviewing! 🙂
This review & your other comments are so funny I almost want to get the book. Except for the fact that I’m not really into cowboy stories & I’m a real penny pinching miser at times. But if this is ever offered for free or cheap, I’m so there. A troglodytic crying cowboy who turns from straight to gay in a week is something I don’t read everyday.