So, you’ve decided now is the time to expose yourself to the wonders of the wild west and start your cowboy romance journey!
But this is quite literally your first rodeo, and you don’t know where to start.
Well, worry not my friend I’ll have you dreaming of the ranch life in no time.
As a self-professed cowboy romance expert, saddle up because here is my beginners guide to the best cowboy romance books for virgins!
Full disclaimer, most of these books take place in Canada (apparently that’s where all the sexy cowboys are at, I don’t know what to tell you) but don’t let that put you off I promise you’ll get the full cowboy experience.
So, whack out the wranglers, grab your cowboy boots and get ready for the ride of your life, here are my top 5 cowboy romance recommendations to get your heartbeat blazing!
- Flawless – Elsie Silver
The book followers Summer, who works for her dad’s talent management company, and she is assigned to help mega hot bull rider superstar Rhett Eaton, her secret celebrity crush, repair his image after a scandal but plot twist, they hate each other…or do they?
This was my first introduction to cowboy romances, and it well and truly got me hooked!
Tropes
- Enemies to lovers
- Forbidden romance (bosses’ daughter)
- Forced proximity
- Age gap
This is the first book in a 5-book series, so you’ll be well and truly fed for a while so it’s the perfect one to start with.
This is not my favourite in the series, Theo Silva the man that you are, so I promise you’re in for a treat and you’ll want to keep going with the series!
2. Done and Dusted – Lyla Sage
This book is about Emmy Ryder, a barrel racer who has returned to her hometown after she has a horse related accident. Upon her return she walks back into the small-town bar and comes face to face with her brother bad boy best friend Luke Brooks who isn’t sure he can resist the only girl who’s off limits!
This book is one of my favourites I love the dynamic that Emmy and Luke had it gave me everything I was looking for!
This book is also part of a series and there are currently three books out so far, the final addition came out in April so it’s the perfect time to discover Rebel Blue Ranch!
Tropes
- Brothers Best Friend
- He falls first
- Enemies to friends to lovers
I personally loved this book; the tropes were everything I look for in an easy romance novel and ticked all the boxes for me!
Emmy is a brilliant FMC too, while a lot of cowboy romances follow the trope that a city girl comes to town and has never experienced the ranch life but this was different, the more cowboy the better in my option!
3. Alive and Wells – Bailey Hannah
Warning this book features heavy themes
Alive and Wells follows Cecily Kennedy, a woman fleeing an abusive relationship, who finds herself seeking temporary refuge on a cattle ranch where she meets Austin Wells, her grumpy but secretly soft and ridiculously attractive boss who might just make her stay.
This book is beautiful, the themes in this book are quite heavy so take that into account if this is something you find triggering but most of the book is healing and positive!
Tropes
- Country boy x City Girl
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Protective MMC
This is the first book of four in an in-progress series, the first 2 are out now (the second might be better than the first) and the third is out on the 27th of May 2025!
4. Wild Love – Elsie Silver
Wild Love follows Ford Grant, newly crowned the World’s Hottest Billionaire, to Rose Hill Ranch where he is opening his new recording studio. Rosie Belmont is back in Rose Hill after being wrongfully dismissed from her job in the city, she is desperate for employment but luckily for her Ford is looking for assistant but will their history and obvious attraction for each other take their relationship past professional.
I loved this book; it happens within the same universe as Flawless and while It isn’t essential to read that first I’d highly recommend you do!
Tropes
- Friends to Lovers
- Workplace romance
- Single dad
- Brothers Best Friend
This book is the first of 4 and there are currently 3 available to read with the fourth set to be released late this year 9th September 2025!
5. Homebound -Meredith Trapp
Homebound features badass female bull rider Dakota Cutler who has a reputation of being a bit of a heartbreaker. She hasn’t heard from her childhood and professional hockey player best friend Wyatt Patterson in years so when he shows up at her barn with a baby, she is more than shocked. Wyatt has come back to win Dakota’s heart once and for all, but will she return the feelings he’s been harbouring for her for years or is the single life the one she wants?
This book is different to the others in the list, almost a typical cowboy romance but in reverse but I seriously loved it and found the change refreshing!
Tropes
- Friends to Lovers
- Slow burn
- Single dad
- Cowgirl x Hockey Player
I know some people aren’t a fan of the I’ve only ever loved you but I have a child with someone else’ trop but I promise you it’s done well!
Go in with an open mind and I think you’ll be surprised!
This should be enough to start your new addiction going strong but if you blow through these like a tornado through Texas, I’ll be here to provide you with more!
Happy Reading Buckle Bunnies, Yee-Haw!
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