Falling for the Grumpy Cowboy: A Sweet Small Town Romance

by Belle Bryson

She wasn’t looking for love. He wasn’t ready to feel again. But sometimes, a cowboy and a baby girl are exactly what a guarded heart needs.

Sanaa Ryan isn’t used to slowing down. Not in Dallas, not in life, and definitely not when her world is still tangled with the ex who shares her business—and the house she fought to keep.

So when a temporary nanny placement takes her to the heart of Texas Hill Country, it feels like the break she didn’t know she needed. What she doesn’t expect is Luke Dawson.

A quiet, brooding cowboy with a baby girl who instantly steals her heart… and a slower rhythm of life she never knew she was missing.

Luke isn’t exactly thrilled when a woman in designer heels shows up on his porch offering help. But Charlie clings to her like sunshine. And somehow, Sanaa begins to turn his carefully guarded world inside out.

She’s not what he expected. And somehow, she’s exactly what he needed.

What begins as a temporary arrangement starts to feel a lot like home. But falling in love wasn’t part of the plan—and neither of them are sure how to ask the other to stay.

Because love doesn’t always look like a grand gesture. Sometimes, it looks like staying when it’s easier to leave.

Falling for the Grumpy Cowboy is a sweet, small-town romance with a grumpy cowboy, a baby who steals the show, and just enough sizzle to make you swoon—while keeping the bedroom door politely shut.

422 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2025

Reviews

[The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Falling for the Grumpy Cowboy by Belle Bryson is a heartwarming and tender romance that genuinely charmed me. From the very beginning, I was captivated by the premise of a guarded city girl and a quiet, single-dad cowboy finding unexpected love in the serene Texas Hill Country.

Sanaa Ryan, a driven professional from Dallas, is looking for a change of pace after a messy breakup and business drama. A temporary nanny job takes her to a small town and into the world of Luke Dawson, a quiet and brooding cowboy who is grappling with the responsibilities of being a single father to his adorable baby girl, Charlie. While Luke is initially wary of the "woman in designer heels," he can't deny the effect she has on Charlie—and on him. What starts as a temporary arrangement quickly evolves into a deep emotional connection that neither of them expected, forcing them to confront their pasts and decide if they're brave enough to build a future together.

I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Sanaa is a strong, successful, and kind woman, and it was refreshing to read a story where her intelligence and career are celebrated alongside her desire for love. Luke is the perfect "grumpy cowboy," though I agree with one reviewer that he's less grumpy and more just a man with a lot on his shoulders. His protective nature and quiet devotion made me swoon. The slow-burn romance between them is a major highlight, with a focus on deep emotion and connection rather than just physical intimacy. The baby, Charlie, truly steals the show and provides some of the most heartfelt moments in the story, solidifying the "found family" theme.

The plot is a beautifully woven tapestry of love, healing, and finding a new home. The tension comes not from external drama, but from the characters' internal struggles and their hesitation to open their hearts again. The setting in the Texas Hill Country is almost a character itself, providing a calming backdrop that allows Sanaa and Luke to slow down and truly connect. The theme of love being a choice—a choice to stay when it's easier to leave—is powerful and resonated with me deeply.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨
I'm giving this book a solid 3.75 out of 5 stars. It's a wonderful, cozy romance that delivers all the feels.

I highly recommend Falling for the Grumpy Cowboy to anyone who loves a sweet, low-spice romance with a genuine and emotionally satisfying story. If you're a fan of the grumpy-meets-sunshine trope, single-dad stories, and the wholesome feeling of a found family, this book is an absolute must-read. It was a lovely, relaxing read that transported me to a calm ranch and left me with a warm, happy feeling.

My Rating System:
1⭐️: The book didn’t hold my interest and/or had significant issues that overshadowed any redeeming qualities for me, but generally not my cup of tea. Most likely did not finish the book.
2⭐️: The book didn’t quite resonate with me, and while my experience wasn’t remarkable, I did finish it. It had some redeeming qualities and potential but fell short in execution. Recommendable, though with some reservations.
3⭐️: Good read, but didn’t quite stand out. Still worth recommending to others.
4⭐️: Really enjoyed it and stayed engaged throughout. Would read the book again. Definitely recommendable.
5⭐️: Incredible writing that made me deeply connect with the characters. I was completely absorbed in the world and didn’t want it to end. This book stayed with me even when I wasn’t reading it. I'd gladly reread it and highly recommend it to everyone!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emma Hedges · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the strong female lead, who was black, successful, kind, intelligent and still was open to romance! It’s hard to find female characters written as complex, intelligent and successful who still seek love and devoid of stereotypes. Although the romance was slow paced in the book, the plot was interesting, gave good insight to Sanaa’s career and struggles to balance work life with romance and also her relationship with her love interest Luke and child Charlie were authentically written and something you really cheered for. The characters were complex and likeable yet still flawed which made it for a realistic read. I recommend this book if you’re after a romantic, wholesome city to farm adventure that isn’t spicy - so it depends what you’re looking for in a romance novel!

I also think the set description was beautiful and really transported me to a rural relief away from a bustling city. It was a relaxing read where I felt transported to a calm ranch.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Falling for the Grumpy Cowboy” by Belle Bryson

-A cozy, heartfelt romance filled with quiet, deep emotions. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Sanaa and Luke’s slow-burn journey brings healing, love, and a found family. Twists, tenderness, and a quiet, protective hero make this story shine. The story is musical and comforting.

I love the saying “ remember to fill your own cup first”.

[Tiffiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love cozy romances that tug at the heart then this is the book for you. The slow burn between Sanaa and Luke will have you wanting to read more. This was a step back from my usual read but it was a nice change of pace.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is more than the book description. The storylines are fantastic, interwoven seamlessly, and introduced at just the right point. Luke has an enormous weight on his shoulders with the ranch and Charlie Rose. Sanaa has her own weights and pressures to deal with. This book is an outstanding read.

This Booksprout ARC is one of the best books I have read this summer.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Beautiful fantastic story of a moment in time that make a place a home and the people a family

[charlita allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice sweet story.