This post is sponsored by Berkley Publishing, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
I’ll be honest, when I first saw cowboy romances trending in bookish communities, I was a little skeptical. I’m from Texas, and I’ve dealt with enough wannabe cowboys driving F150s that the appeal of a romance book starring one wasn’t really there for me. But after seeing raving book review after raving book review about the genre, I decided it was time to dip my toe into the wild world of cowboy romances. And what better way to do just that than with the debut novel that’s sweeping romance lovers off their feet: Taylor Esposito’s Boots Beneath Her Bed?
This slow-burn romance novel follows Grace, a mysterious horse trainer with a shadowy past who catches the attention of Crew, a guarded ranch foreman and son of the owner of the ranch where she’s working. Their slow-burn love story, as Grace carefully chips away at the walls built around Crew’s heart, is equal parts emotionally charged and steamy. I flew through the book and am definitely now a cowboy romance convert—read my full review below.
A mysterious horse trainer with a dark past ropes the heart of a guarded ranch foreman in this steamy cowboy romance by debut author Taylor Esposito.
While I love a cheesy romance as much as the next girl, a book really grabs my heart when there’s emotional backstory to match. Boots Beneath Her Bed definitely delivers on that front. Esposito puts just as much care into writing the emotionally layered aspects of the book as the steamy moments, creating such a well-rounded reading experience. The book is also packed with the tension we crave in a romance read. The push-pull dynamic between Grace guarding her secrets and Crew guarding his heart had me willing them to finally admit their feelings the entire book.
Crew’s protective nature, even before he’s aware of how drawn he is to Grace, is the perfect juxtaposition to her complex past with her uncle at her previous job. Throughout the book, he rebuilds her trust in people, reminding her that real family will love you through anything. Watching them work through their own personal traumas and reservations, and lean on each other while doing it, was the kind of romantic chemistry I crave with every read. It’s so much more than a steamy cowboy romance—but trust me, Boots Beneath Her Bed will exceed your expectations there, too.
Not only is Boots Beneath Her Bed a swoon-worthy romance, there’s also a mystery subplot that keeps you glued to the page. While we know that Grace was manipulated into staying at her uncle’s toxic ranch for years, we don’t know how or why he had that control over her. As Esposito breadcrumbed what really happened when Grace’s parents were killed, I found myself just as invested in the truth behind that night as I was in Grace and Crew’s relationship. And what better setting for both of these plotlines than a gorgeous ranch?
With every page, I truly felt like I was at Halcyon Ranch with Grace, Crew, and the rest of the ranch hands. Its wide-open spaces felt full of possibilities for our characters, and as Grace grew to feel more and more at home there, I found myself literally looking up “ranch vacations near me.” While the property may have been vast, it was the perfect backdrop for a truly close-knit cast of characters. Bonding over their shared love of ranching in living close quarters, Halcyon Ranch was the glue that held this found family together.
If you’ve tuned into every Taylor Sheridan show (Yellowstone fans, come to the front), binge-watched Virgin River, or love authors like Kennedy Ryan or Devney Perry, Boots Beneath Her Bed will be your next five-star read. Even if you’re a genre newbie like me but yearn for a brooding, morally complex love interest, you should definitely pick it up as well. It’s the perfect companion for a cozy weekend retreat, where you’re wrapped up in a worn-in flannel, reading on the porch.
Esposito’s debut proves that the best love stories are the ones where you can finally share the burden of your own secrets… and ones that have brooding cowboy love interests. It’s a book that cowboy romance lovers and people who just love a good story alike will fly through. With adorable romance moments, a stunning setting, an engaging mystery, and a group of characters you’ll grow to love just as much as the central romance, Boots Beneath Her Bed is enthralling on every level. If your idea of a perfect romance involves dusty boots, loaded glances, and a cowboy who takes forever to crack—this one’s for you.
A mysterious horse trainer with a dark past ropes the heart of a guarded ranch foreman in this steamy cowboy romance by debut author Taylor Esposito.
As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives, from must-read books and behind-the-scenes interviews to beauty products she can’t live without. When she isn’t sitting in an AMC watching the latest buzzy release, she can be found scouring Goodreads for the perfect pick for The Everygirl Book Club. There, she co-hosts discussions with members, debating plotlines, fancasting characters, and, of course, tossing in her own recommendations.
This post is sponsored by Berkley Publishing, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
