A brooding cowboy gets me every time.
There’s just something about a gruff, emotionally repressed cowboy with a soft spot for family that reels me in. Daniel, the reluctant guardian and even more reluctant romantic, fit that mold perfectly. Having taken over the family ranch and raised his younger brother after their parents' death, he now finds himself stepping up once again—this time for his two-year-old nephew, Bobby, after the tragic loss of his brother and sister-in-law.

Enter Willa: city girl, big heart, Texas roots, and the woman tasked with bringing Bobby to his uncle. She’s supposed to return to her dream job in New York—but of course, fate (and feelings) have other plans.

The setup had everything I love: small-town charm, forced proximity, found family, and the slow unraveling of guarded hearts. Daniel’s struggle to adapt to life as a single guardian was believable, and I appreciated that the emotional weight of grief wasn’t brushed aside. The author did a good job showcasing the logistical and emotional chaos of suddenly parenting a toddler—though there were moments where that realism faltered.

While I enjoyed the overall story and its emotional arc, there were a few elements that held it back for me.
The romance was definitely a slow burn, which I usually love, but in this case, I would have liked to see more heat and connection earlier on. Their relationship doesn’t really take off until over halfway through the book, which made the pacing feel a bit sluggish at times.

Still, there’s something comforting and sincere about this book. It’s not just a romance—it’s a story about responsibility, grief, and unexpected second chances. The small-town setting, quiet moments of healing, and the eventual warmth between Daniel, Willa, and Bobby were rewarding in their own way.

If you enjoy cowboy romances that lean more on emotional growth and gentle intimacy than steamy scenes, this one is worth picking up. It’s heartfelt, honest, and laced with that classic ranch-life charm.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this. When I went to add links, I could not find an active one for the title.

Heartbreaking story that takes us on a journey to discover if love is really enough to change all your life plans. Willa hates Texas due to a difficult family life growing up. When her dreams of moving to the Big Apple to pursue her art are within reach, she doesn't want anything to get in her way. However, her life and dreams are disrupted when the parents of the boy she nannies for die in a car accident. She is then forced to return to Texas to bring her charge, Bobby, to his single uncle who is now his legal guardian. Life gets complicated when Bobby only wants to be with Willa and his Uncle Daniel desperately needs her help. Will Willa be able to make her dreams come true and move to the Big Apple? Is that even what she wants anymore?

I loved this story. The dynamic between Willa and Daniel is spectacular. They have such great banter between them, and it helped the story progress really well. I did find some of the decisions Willa made really annoying, but overall, it helped to create a really well-written story.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Willa and Daniel. The meet when Willa brings Bobby, who is Daniel’s nephew, to Daniel.. who is his legal guardian, due to his parents passing away. Willa is Bobby’s nanny. There is a chemistry. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

This was a touching story. Daniel has lost so much in his life and he now is left to raise his brother’s little boy Bobby. Bobby was brought to Daniel’s ranch by his nanny Willa. Daniel was expecting an old lady not a young heart stopping woman. Will Daniel be able to convince Willa to stay and help raise Bobby or will she leave and go back to New York?

Im a big fan of the cowboy/city girl trope and a big fan of Leslie North. Loved this book and had it finished within a few hours. A short, sweet and steamy romance. Perfect for a bit of light reading

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book.

I now have a new found love for cowboy romances. I loved this book and did not want it to end; it did not disappoint. I loved this trope and these characters. Highly recommend!!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

I LOVE THIS BOOK and somehow read it in one sitting!! Daniel and Willa are beautiful. Yes, they are flawed but that adds to their charm. Bobby is sweet and the town just accept Willa and Bobby perfectly. Highly recommend.

A story that opens with an Au Pair Willa Markson having to leave the Big Apple to deliver her child that she has been caring for Bobby to his uncle in Texas. She is also going to stay a while to help the boy adjust since he has lost his mother and father in an accident and has also never met Daniel the cowboy who knows nothing about children but does know about ranching. He is also feeling guilty over not making time to visit his sister who is now gone. The story has moments that are good for a child would as acting out after losing their parents and also being uprooted to a totally new place. His only normalcy is Willa so as the story moves along it is more and more difficult for her to leave. You do find out about her character being from Texas and why she left, you also see moments of Daniel growing and trying to adjust to having Bobby around. this is one of the better stories and not one that just has them falling into bed but also dealing with the emotions of losing someone and the trauma that goes with it. A really good book and worth the read.

This story is adorable! I just loved all the characters and their history. The resident cowboy is a dream and the others living in the small, Texas town are just as full of character. I really loved that every character was an individual with personality and the book was not all romance. If you're looking for a fun story, with lots of personality and a little romance you'll love this book!

Willa was born and raised in Texas, but left after high school to pursue art in NYC. She takes on a position as a nanny to a young couple and their infant son. Unfortunately a few years later the couple is killed in a fatal accident leaving their 3 year old son. As a final requests Willa then helps to deliver their son to his uncle. An uncle who has not been in the Bobby's life and is not ready and needs Willa to help with the transition.

Willa eventually agrees to stay for up to 1 year. Willa stays with Daniel and their efforts to help to transition Bobby successfully. As they spend more time together Willa and Daniel develop a pull toward each other. Can Willa give up her dreams in aspirations in NYC and grow with Daniel? Learning to love small town live again?

Thank you Netgalley for this free copy. I enjoyed this cute simple romance read. This is my first Leslie North novel and I enjoyed it. The chemistry between the two love interests was definitely there! Not something I would typically pick up but it was enjoyable. I would recommend if you want a quick read.

Willa was born and raised in Texas, but left immediately after high school to pursue art in NY city. She takes on a position as a nanny to a young couple and their infant son. Flash ahead 3 years to a fatal accident killing her friends leaving her to deliver their son to his uncle.

The transition is hard for Bobby and a Court ordered psychiatrist recommends Willa stay for a minimum of 2 months but ideally 1 year. Can Willa and Daniel live together and care for Bobby without letting their personal feelings intervene.? Can Willa move beyond her ideas about small town Texas and leave the bright lights of NY to embrace a future?

A fun and realistic romance of what truly makes your heart happy. Go out and grab a copy for a great read.

Although I received a free ARC eBook. The opinions are honest and my own.

Willa is Bobby’s nanny that was hired by his parents in New York. After a tragic accident Willa is left with the task to deliver Bobby to his uncle who was his dad step brother. Daniel Bobby’s uncle is a farmer who’s never had any experience with kids he asks Willa to stay while he gets use to having Bobby.

Willa works as an au pair in New York City, whilst dreaming of a position in a prestigious Art Gallery. She loves little Bobby and his parents; they've become like family since she moved out from Texas 4 years ago. But right as Willa is offered a dream interview, trajedy strikes when Bobby's parents are killed by a drunk driver. Now, she must conduct the interview remotely whilst she takes Bobby to Texas to live with his Uncle, rancher Daniel Gunn.

Daniel doesn't have any experience in raising a child. He and his brother fell out before Bobby's birth so he's effectively a stranger. Already having lost so much, Daniel begs Willa to extend her stay and teach him everything he needs to know about caring for Bobby. Reluctantly, she agrees and Daniel soon realises he doesn't want Willa to go back to NYC at all. Can he offer her what she wants? Or is the pull of NYC too strong for her to resist...

This was a heart warming story told from the dual POV of both Willa and Daniel. Both were focused on the well being of Bobby and it was lovely to see everyone from the town pulling together to help them. The budding romance between Willa & Daniel was 🔥 and I appreciated that Willa is a strong woman with a vision for her future that didn't automatically melt away because of the circumstances.

Thank you to Netgalley, Authors Leslie North & Mary Sue Jackson, and Victory Editing NGC for providing this free ARC. This review has been given freely and willingly. The book published on the 16th of February 2023 and is available now!!

An easy read. Cute but simple. Cowboys brother dies leaving his 3 year old nephew in his care. Nanny comes to drop off the nephew and ends up staying to help. The rest is pretty easy to figure out.

I usually enjoy books by Leslie North and they are normally 4-5 star reads for me. I though Home with the Cowboy started off pretty slow. This book starts with the death of farmer/rancher Daniel's brother and sister-in-law, making him the guardian of his nephew, Bobby. Bobby is brought to Texas from New York by his nanny, Willa. Willa is originally from Texas, but moved to New York to pursue her art in a place where she is understood and appreciated.

Daniel and Willa feel an instant attraction, but Willa wants to return to New York to pursue her dreams. Daniel convinces Willa to stay awhile to help Bobby adjust to his new life with Daniel. As time goes on Daniel and Willa are more and more attracted. Will Willa head back to New York for her supposed dream job or have an HEA with Daniel? This book is pretty good, I just don't feel it is as good as most. 3 stars. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

A sweet but steamy romance. I skipped the intimate scenes. Pleasant tale of making life decisions. The big choice of New York City or Texas and love. Predictable, but isn't that what we are looking for...a happily ever after? Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Willa was born and raised in a small town in Texas and she wants nothing more than to get to the Big Apple. Willa was an au pair to Bobby the son of Robert and Stacy who were killed in a car accident. Stacy is on her way to the Big Apple. But first she has to make a stop to drop off Bobby to his uncle Daniel whose a cowboy and a bachelor. Daniel and Willa meet and Daniel is definitely in need of Willa’s help because he has no idea what he is doing. Bobby already knows Willa and he is not use to his uncle. Daniel is in need of Willa’s help. Willa wants so much to get to the Big Apple and knows that if she stays back to help Daniel dreams for the Big Apple may soon be over. Willa and Daniel are very much attracted to each other and their chemistry is awesome. These two never expected to have feelings for each other but the heart wants what the heart wants.

Will Willa help Daniel out by being Bobby’s nanny, does Willa still have plans for the Big Apple or will she stay with the sexy alpha cowboy and Bobby?

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Relay Publishing and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Nanny Willa delivers 3yr old Bobby to his uncle and guardian after the sudden deaths of his parents, but Daniel has never dealt with children before, and Bobby doesn’t settle. Daniel asks her to stay for a few days until he does, and to teach him how to communicate with a child. Willa has set up her dream job in NewYork and finds her love for Bobby and her new career conflicted, and when her feelings for Daniel become involved she finds it even harder to leave. They both try to ignore their feelings until, the towns well meaning people give them their advice and show them that they need each other.