By the Bootstraps by Alexa Martin Book Review

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The publisher kindly provided me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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A publicist discovers that everything’s bigger in Texas—even love—in the next swoony romance from beloved author Alexa Martin.

Luna Starr was destined for a life with her head in the clouds, and as one of the most sought-after publicists in romance publishing, her delusional tendencies serve her well … or at least they used to. After life threw her a curveball and her latest book launch failed, she decides it’s time to turn her cowboy fantasies into reality and purchases a tiny farm in Celestial, Texas.

Tate Jacobs hates cowboys, which is a small problem, considering his family happens to own the largest ranch in Celestial. Life might not have gone the way he wanted, but as head coach at his old high school and the town’s best (and only) handyman, he’s figured out how to stay busy and keep his head down—until the new girl in town shows up.

As Tate and Luna spend more time together, unexpected feelings and undeniable chemistry bubble to the surface. Luna might’ve moved to Celestial to make her cowboy dreams come true, but somewhere beneath the Friday night lights, she discovers that love in the real world can be far better than she imagined.

By the Bootstraps Book Review

By the Bootstraps was such a fun return to Alexa Martin’s writing for me. After reading How to Sell a Romance last year, I’ve been eagerly waiting to pick up another of her books, and this was a sweet, cozy read!

By the Bootstraps follows Luna Starr, a romance aficionado who leaves her city life behind to chase her cowboy dreams on a small farm in Celestial, Texas. As she settles into small-town life, she meets Tate, a local handyman and football coach with complicated ties to the town’s biggest ranching family. What begins as an adjustment to a new life slowly becomes something deeper as she builds her life and relationships in Celestial.

One of my favourite parts of this book was watching Luna settle into the small-town community. I loved seeing her explore Celestial, make new friends, and slowly find her place. The friendships throughout the story added warmth, and I especially appreciated that her friend Gabby remained an important part of her story, despite living apart. Tate had a lot of charm, and I enjoyed the cowboy, ranch-life aspect of his character and the world around him.

I thought the book started off strong, and I was pulled into Luna’s story and the small-town setting. As the story continued, I felt like there were a lot of conflicts happening all at once. Between the complications with Luna’s uncle, Tate’s family dynamics, and the tension involving his twin brother, the romance sometimes felt overshadowed by everything else going on. Because of that, I wasn’t as emotionally invested in the romance as I had hoped to be.

Still, Alexa Martin’s writing kept the story engaging, and I’m definitely curious to see what happens next in this small-town world

Overall, By the Bootstraps was an enjoyable, lighthearted romance with charming small-town vibes, cowboy elements, and emotional moments woven throughout. While the romance didn’t fully sweep me away, I still had a good time with the story and appreciated the warmth of the community and setting. If you’re looking for a cozy, contemporary romance with small-town charm and a touch of emotional depth, you might want to check this one out!

Rating: ★★★☆☆

About Alexa Martin

Alexa Martin is a writer and stay-at-home mom. She lives in Colorado with her husband, a former NFL player who now coaches at the high school where they met, their four children, and a German Shepherd. When she’s not telling her kids to put their shoes on … again, you can find her catching up with her latest book boyfriend or on Pinterest pinning meals she’ll probably never make. Her first book, Intercepted, was inspired by the eight years she spent as an NFL wife.

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