There was nothing really wrong with this novel, Dylan was quite charming and I emphasized with Annie quite a bit, but the novel never came together for me. This is a Christian Romance, so there is quite a bit of talk about God helping folk find their way and 'Lord please tell me what I should do'. This isn't ordinarily a problem for me, but because I couldn't engage in the novel every single time Annie pleaded with God to show her the right path it grated on my nerves.

Honestly, Annie was an independent, self-sufficient and intelligent woman. Despite the setbacks that keep hurtling her way she is on the right path all on her own. Mind she's stubborn and unduly judgmental at times, but by in large it always comes from a caring place. Well except in the case of cowboys. That comes from a mother who really sucked at making the right decisions and Annie assuming that meant bad decision making was genetic.

Dylan for his part...I understood his jumble of emotional problems much better. His past love really did a number on him. He however recognizes his difficulties and shows marked progress throughout the story in working through his problems and coming to terms with them. I appreciated that Hunter didn't shrink away from showing that Dylan was possibly even more vulnerable then Annie. Whereas Annie's problems stem from assumptions and presumptions, Dylan had pretty conclusive proof that you can be screwed over by someone claiming to love you.

However in the end I just could not care enough. Sierra was harebrained--I don't think Hunter spent enough time showing that she was a responsible a parent as Annie or she kept saying. She definitely didn't come off as a responsible person. A lot of her problem seemed to be as much as she wanted Annie to give her space to be independent she made decisions based on her own interests and expected Annie to clean up the mess. The other secondary characters were all pretty much staples of small town romances--wise older woman, sassy friends, sympathetic recently married friends. Part of this may be because this is the third book in an ongoing series for Hunter, but for a newcomer like me they fell flat.
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The Trouble with Cowboys is a delightful novel with realistic characters and a heartwarming romance. It is a well-written story with a few unexpected twists and turns. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE. ( )

Annie is your stereotypical female who is holding tight to the reins, trying to control everything and keep from getting hurt. Watching her gradually learn to let go of that white-knuckle grip was rewarding - and the romance between Annie and Dylan was nice. ( )

Check out my review and two teasers before and after my blog tour stop on October 10, 2012 - http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2012/10/blog-tour-made-grade-trouble-w... ( )