Her Kind of Cowboy

October 12, 2020
Crush’s disappointing second Tying the Knot in Texas romance (after The Cowboy Says I Do) throws two animal-loving loners together to stage an over-the-top winter wonderland–themed wedding in southeast Texas—in August. The premise promises frothy rom-com madness, but the plot never quite gels. After working in Antarctica for six months, Alex Sanders, a peripatetic Texan, receives a lucrative offer to train and house penguins in Ido, Tex., so that a wealthy socialite can bring her extravagant dream wedding to life. That and familial demands get him back to his home state, but it takes a multitude of additional mishaps to connect Alex with Zina Baxter, the proprietor of a struggling local pitbull shelter and his eventual partner in handling the wedding planning insanity. It’s a lot of convoluted footwork just to get the two working together, and once they are, their forced proximity and banter can only take the relationship so far. Alex’s immaturity, indecision about his feelings, and chronic wanderlust pose serious impediments to their romantic progress, and with such an overstuffed plot there isn’t enough space for him to grow into a convincing partner. Crush’s comic style remains, but many readers will be underwhelmed by the love story. Agent: Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Literary.

December 1, 2020
Alex Sanders left Ido, Texas, known as a wedding destination, years ago to travel the globe, but an absurd temporary-job opportunity brings him back from Antarctica. A bride wants a winter wonderland-themed wedding, and he's in charge of taking care of and training the penguins she wants to walk down the aisle. Dog rescue shelter owner Zina Baxter also gets roped into helping with this ridiculous wedding as a favor to her best friend, the town's mayor. When circumstances require that the dogs in her care share space with the penguins, she gets to room with the attractive penguin guy. Flirtation between Alex and Zina develops into strong feelings, and Alex must decide if he should stay for good. The antics of penguins and puppies and an over-the-top wedding are wacky and fun, but what makes the second in Crush's Tying the Knot in Texas series (following The Cowboy Says I Do, 2020) come together is the characters' realistic emotions. Alex and Zina have sizzling chemistry and authentic worries, and their family members showcase unconditional love. Entertaining and affecting.

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