Will they win a blue ribbon…

For falling in love?

Dr. Wylie Newland loves being a vet, loves cheery Clementine, Oklahoma, but his crush on Dr. Hazel Hughes is a problem. The new resident has made it clear she’s a city girl at heart and won’t be staying.

Working hand in hand at the fair is bringing them closer…and, hopefully, winning her over. Sure, Hazel is beginning to see that Wylie is pretty great, but he’s also stuck in many regards. With Hazel showing him new ways to look at the world, and Wylie showing her that settling down isn’t settling for less, could they take first prize for romance?

Titles in The Cowboy Academy series include:  A Cowboy Worth Waiting For ~ A Cowboy’s Fourth of July ~ A Cowboy Christmas Carol~ A Cowboy for the Twins ~ The Rodeo Star’s Reunion ~ Cowboy Santa ~ The Cowboy’s Wedding Proposal ~ Country Fair Cowboy ~ The Christmas Cowboy ~

This is a clean, sweet romance with either closed doors or only kissing.

Title:  Country Fair Cowboy
Series:  The Cowboy Academy #8
Author:  Melinda Curtis
Published:  July 29, 2025
Publisher:  Harlequin Heartwarming
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Country Fair Cowboy is the eighth title in The Cowboy Academy series, and brings us Hazel’s and Wylie’s complicated romance.  “Complicated” because Hazel resents being sent to this small country town to do her veterinarian residency.  She had plans to do her residency in England at a prestigious facility… not some backwoods small town like she grew up in. She cannot wait to put Clementine in the dust.  She’ll put in her time, then she’s gone.

Unfortunately for Wylie, he has feelings for this stubborn woman, moving from a simple crush to something that if she’d give them a chance, could turn into a lifelong love.  Now, he just has to find the way to convince Hazel that this town and this man are worth taking a risk on.  And, just maybe, working together at the fair will show her possibilities for their shared future.

I’m going to tell you that, quite frankly, I’ve yet to read a book by Melinda Curtis that I didn’t enjoy or downright love, and Country Fair Cowboy falls into that “loved it” category. Watching Hazel and Wylie slowly grow closer, take a few risks in their relationship was a delightful journey.  When that wished-for residency becomes a real possibility, this couple has some serious considerations to deal with.

If you love a well-written, engaging romance with a couple you cannot help but root for, with the shenanigans of some animals tossed in with humor, then you’d love Country Fair Cowboy by Melinda Curtis.  In my opinion, she never disappoints, always giving me a story with characters who touch my heart and get my imagination fired up.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)