ARC Review: A Cowboy of Legend by Linda Broday

About the Book:

Title: A Cowboy of Legends

Author: Linda Broday

Series: Lone Star Legends #1

Page Length: 384

Publication Date: April 27, 2021

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Synopsis: It’s time for a new generation to become Legend.

Deacon Brannock is determined to make a name for himself and the saloon he’s worked his whole life to afford. He was prepared for life in the Wild West, but he hadn’t counted on Grace Legend…

Grace has always fought hard for what she believes in, and after her best friend is killed at the hands of her drunk and angry husband, that includes keeping alcohol out of her town. When the owner of the new saloon turns out to be a kind and considerate man, she can’t help but wonder if they could have a future together…if they weren’t on opposite sides of every issue.

LINKS:     Goodreads    |       Amazon    |      Book Depository

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My Review:

A Cowboy of Legend by Lisa Broday is a well-crafted and layered story with dynamic characters and an immersive and epic plot. The story focuses on the budding romance between saloon owner Deacon and anti-saloon advocate Grace. When these two opposites collide, neither is prepared for the sparks that fly. Grace is fighting for the closure of all saloons, deeming them the culprit for man’s deplorable alcohol-induced behavior. As a saloon owner, Deacon is furious with Grace and her friends. Their protests threaten his livelihood and his future dreams.

Grace is a vibrant and passionate social warrior who refuses to bend from her convictions. She sees the injustices of society and fights for better. She marches and protests with other women to defend the rights of women, children, and the underprivileged. Speaking on behalf of those who can’t speak for themselves, Grace also uses her position as a newspaper reporter to bring the issues she’s passionate about to a wider audience. One issue she investigates revolves around the mystery behind the dozens of missing children in town. She also tries to learn more about the mystery surrounding the kidnapping she experienced when she was a child.

Grace is a woman who wants to invoke change, and she won’t let anything, or anyone, stand in her way. However, her unrelenting attitude sometimes misguides her, and she finds herself in trouble more than once. Undeterred, Grace persists. I love Grace’s determination and gumption. She brings up a lot of issues that were prevalent during the turn of the century, especially issues related to women’s rights. Grace feels she should be treated equally to her brothers and men in general, and her voice is strong. As much as these qualities frustrate Deacon, they also appeal to him, and some of the best scenes occur when these opposites challenge each other.

Though they are quite different, Grace and Deacon have many similarities. They are both generous with their time, money, and care, they both have questions about their past, and they both live with secrets. Grace and Deacon also both fight for the rights of women and children, they just go about it in different ways. They also both experience prejudice, but again in different ways. Deacon struggles to escape the sins of his past, and he is often judged by the violent rumors that surround him. Grace is the constant victim of sexism even in her own family. The more Grace and Deacon learn about each other, the more they understand and like each other, and their chemistry is immense.

Like Grace, Deacon takes on many responsibilities. Deacon is a saloon owner who is protecting a friend from her abusive husband. He also takes a job taming a wild mustang and works with the horse on his time off. Though he has the saloon, Deacon really wants to own his own land. A cowboy at heart, Deacon is biding his time and saving his money until he can afford his own farm. He is a hard worker who has had an unfair and difficult life, and Grace complicates matters in more ways than one.

The romance between Grace and Deacon is fantastic! A slow-burning enemies-to-lovers romance, these opposites have a swoon-worthy love story. They butt heads all of the time, and they challenge each other more often than not. Some of the best scenes are the scenes where they verbally spar. They have a begrudging respect for each other that turns into something more, and once they admit their feelings, the sparks really fly!

Grace and Deacon have amazing chemistry, and I loved how their story developed. Of course, the relationship doesn’t come without its obstacles. Deacon doesn’t feel worthy of Grace’s love. She comes from a reputable and wealthy family, and he doesn’t. He doesn’t feel he has a lot to offer Grace, and he’s hiding many secrets. Grace hesitates to trust Deacon and resists her attraction to this enigmatic man. I love how they slowly realize that their feelings have changed and how they come together.

Other characters are equally interesting, and I can’t wait to learn more about them in future books. Harry, the quiet and tortured barkeep, is one of my favorites. His past is shrouded in mystery with only little glimpses into his life. I want to know more about this reserved man and what haunts him. Leah, the young woman who Deacon helped, Izzy, and Grace’s brother are other characters whose stories I’m hoping to see in the series. They are all so interesting and unique and vibrant, and I’m hoping to see their stories continue.

The mystery behind the missing boys of the city is also quite intriguing. When Izzy, a young boy that Grace and Deacon both care for, goes missing, Grace and Deacon work together to figure out what happened to him. This part of the story is fascinating, dangerous, and sinister and makes for some action-packed and heart-pounding scenes.

I loved this story and think it will appeal to readers who enjoy immersive historical romances set in America during the turn of the century. Broday has crafted a wonderful novel with well-developed characters, great messages, a captivating story-line, and a swoon-tastic love story. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Linda Broday for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The romance!

• The mystery. Where are the orphans, and can Grace and Deacon retrieve them?

• The secondary characters. Did I mention there’s a pet monkey?

Favorite Lines:

You can’t keep something that wants to be free. We have to give him a reason to want to stay.

He’d learned that when you meddled in someone else’s pot, you ended up with burns.

Grace had battered through his walls and charged into his heart like a soldier on a gallant steed. He hadn’t been the same since.

You’re the sunrise in the morning, the sunset at night, my joy through the day. You’re all I ever dreamed of finding.

Recommendations:

This is a great historical romance novel for readers who like:

• enemies-to-lovers
• opposites attract
• only one bed
• mystery
• secrets from the past