Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots by Luann McLane

Fresh and Fun Southern Romance
4 stars

Jamie Lee Carter is a Southern girl through and through. She prefers bare feet to fancy heels, a bottle of beer rather than a fancy cocktail and a man in cowboy boots rather than a fancy modern man. But then Parker, a hot Hollywood producer comes to town and Jamie Lee realises that maybe some fancy things aren't so bad after all.

But just as Jamie Lee thinks her love life might actually be going somewhere - Parker's arrival is noticed by Griff Sheldon, her brother's best friend and the man she's been half in love with her whole life. As Parker grows more attentive and Griff grows more jealous, Jamie Lee begins to realise that having two love rivals after you is a lot of trouble. But so much fun!


I really enjoyed this book. Jamie Lee is a down to earth girl and for me she really epitomised the spirit of a southern heroine without coming over as a stereotype. Griff is a sexy, brooding cowboy and just reading about him made me want a cowboy for myself! Parker is also a fun character although maybe not as well-developed as the other two. I was pleased that the story wasn't written so that there was one 'good' male lead and one 'bad' guy as this kept you wondering and made it a more realistic story. Jamie Lee's brother and her best friend also featured quite heavily in the story and will more than definitely get a story of their own.

The story itself was fun, fresh and held my interest right through. What I would mention, which might put some people off, is that the story is written in first person so you only ever get Jamie's thoughts, feelings and opinions. Although it wouldn't be my first choice - I did feel in this case that first person made me understand Jamie Lee a little better and you really begin to feel what she feels. And she genuinely doesn't know what Griff, Parker or the other characters are feeling or thinking which makes things interesting and quite true to life. The obvious downside to this type of story (and the reason I only gave it 4 stars) was the ending felt quite one-sided because you only had the story from Jamie's perspective. Slightly disappointing but not enough to ruin what was essentially a good read. It is also written in the present tense which I found quite odd - so "Griff walks to the door" rather than the usual "Griff walked to the door". But again, once you get drawn into the story you barely notice it.

This book is something that I would recommend if you like quirky romance novels or if you like your heros to be sexy cowboys! It was a fun, light read which passed a couple of hours. 4 stars.