Insider #15: The 5 Stages of Falling for a Cowboy Hero
A slightly late Insider packed with flirty cowboys, undercover dukes, and a preview of what’s coming next.
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Insider #15: The 5 Stages of Falling for a Cowboy Hero
Hey hey, happy Monday! 👋
Yes, I know this should’ve landed in your inbox yesterday… but it was Easter Sunday, and between the sugar crash and family chaos, I decided to give both of us a little grace. So this week’s Insider is arriving fashionably late—but still packed with all the good stuff you missed.
Also: Taurus season is officially here 🌿✨ and I’m already working on May’s zodiac-themed reading guide! If you’re craving indulgent, grounding, sensory-rich reads to match that Taurus vibe… I’ve got recs coming your way soon. Stay tuned.
This season we’ve got cowboy romances, dukes in disguise and paranormal shenanigans. But first the important questions…
How exactly does one fall for a cowboy hero?
Turns out, there’s a five-stage process. Let’s discuss:
The 5 Stages of Falling for a Cowboy Hero
Stage 1: Judgment
You roll your eyes. Another cowboy romance? How many emotionally constipated ranchers can one genre possibly contain? You’re just going to skim it. Maybe. For research. (Sure.)
Stage 2: Mild Curiosity
He’s a little too grumpy. A little too quiet. He doesn’t like strangers but saves orphaned animals in his free time? Interesting. Also, why is he staring into the distance like that? What’s his deal?
Stage 3: Unexpected Emotional Investment
You’re 42% in and absolutely feral. He just fixed her truck without asking for anything in return. He has trauma. He has depth. He built her a bookshelf out of reclaimed barn wood. You would die for him.
Stage 4: Delusion
You now believe you could survive on a ranch despite having zero outdoor skills and a strong aversion to dust. You research how long it takes to learn horseback riding. You start referring to things as "fixin' to" unironically.
Stage 5: Acceptance
This man is fictional. You know this. But if he called you “darlin’” and asked you to slow dance in a field at sunset? You’d go without hesitation. You’ve become the very person you mocked in Stage 1. And honestly? No regrets.
Your April Reading Guide Is Here!
Need a seasonal reading reset? This spring reading guide is packed with trope-based recs to match your April mood.
What’s New This Week
Here’s what went live this week across Substack, the blog, YouTube, and the podcast:
On Substack
The 1980s: The Golden Age of Romance
This week in Once Upon a Genre, we dive into the iconic power couples and dramatic covers that defined a decade.Stop Doomscrolling, Start Reading (Paid)
A paid member pep talk for when your brain feels scrambled. Includes some of my tech tips to help you doomscroll less.
On the Blog
Cozy Mysteries Set on a Farm
From apple orchards to goat yoga, farm-set cozies are having a moment. Here are some charming, twisty picks perfect for spring.
Read on MysterylandiaWhat Is Cowboy Romance?
A deep-dive into one of the most enduring romance subgenres: the cowboy. (Spoiler: it's more than just hats and horses.)
Read the full guide
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Paranormal Cowboy Romance Recs
Because sometimes the cowboy also happens to be a vampire. Or a shifter. Or maybe even from space.
Sink your spurs into this list
On YouTube & the Podcast
The Rise of the Alpha Hero & 80s Power Couples
Why were so many 1980s heroes growly, bossy, and slightly unhinged? We talk about it.Why We Love the Cowboy Romance
Modern cowboys, grumpy loners, paranormal lawmen... you’ll find them all here.Romance Books Set at a Farm
Our Blooming Acres Romanceopoly prompt led us here and we’re not mad about it.Blooming Acres Romanceopoly Picks
If you’re doing the reading challenge, these five recs are made to fit that prompt perfectly.Paranormal Contemporary Romance Recs
For when you need your shifters with angst and just a sprinkle of magic.
On Novel Hour Live Show
Bookish Gossip Session
Our latest Novel Hour was full of spicy takes, upcoming releases, and a few reading confessions. You’ve been warned.
Cowboy Romance Recommendations
A full roundup of cowboy romance faves, from classic to paranormal. Yeehaw.
Join us every Thursday at 12PM EST for our regular Novel Hour show on Youtube. Every other Monday at 12PM EST for the Bookish Tea edition on Youtube. And after every show, come over to Substack live for the after show. The after show live is free for all Substack members.
Did you miss last week’s Insider? Check it out here:
New Releases This Week: Apr 14 - Apr 20
A fresh stack of books just dropped! Whether you're craving romance, mysteries or paranormal, here's what hit the shelves this week.
🖤 = Recommended Read
Featured New Releases (Apr 14 - Apr 20):
The Duke Disaster by Kathleen Ayers
A proper duke is sent to rein in a scandalous widow, only to find himself completely undone by her chaos. Enemies become lovers in this fun, steamy historical with carriage rides, grumpy-sunshine banter, and society-defying passion.
Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage
Ten years after heartbreak, a single mom and her cowboy ex become next-door neighbors. Tender, emotional, and full of unresolved tension, this small-town second chance romance brings all the soft cowboy vibes.
The Woman Left Behind by Kristen Ashley
A grieving sheriff reopens a cold case that brings him closer to the woman he’s secretly loved from afar. Romantic suspense meets emotional healing in this small-town thriller full of secrets and slow-burning chemistry.
Bridesmaid by Chance by Meghan Quinn
An assistant blackmails her boss into a fake marriage in exchange for being a Regency-themed bridesmaid. Banter, office tension, and unexpected real feelings turn this romcom into a charming fake-relationship chaos-fest.
Dragon Marked by Donna Grant
A scarred dragon shifter finds his fated mate while hunting a dangerous enemy. With danger at every turn, their bond deepens into something fierce and forever in this passionate paranormal fantasy romance.
💡 Looking for More? Our book database got an update with May releases this week. The Book Vault is a paid member feature.
This week’s recommendation: Dukes in Disguise series by Louisa Darling
Sometimes Audible does the most by auto-playing a preview after you finish a book—and this time, it actually did me a favor.
That’s how I stumbled across Dukes in Disguise, a historical romance series by Louisa Darling. I'd never heard of it before, but I immediately grabbed it (by the way, both audiobooks are available on Everand). Turns out Louisa Darling is the historical romance pen name of Louisa Edwards—the same author behind the Rising Star Chef series that I devoured back in the day. No wonder I was hooked.
These books are delightful Regency romps filled with class differences, secret identities, and plenty of shenanigans. Here's a peek:
Book 1: Don't Let Your Dukes Grow Up to Be Scoundrels
Lady Gemma Lively, once the toast of London's society, finds herself managing a dilapidated coaching inn after her father's death. Desperate to secure her family's future, she seeks a wealthy husband. Enter Hal Deveril, a local barkeep who is more than he appears. Sparks fly, secrets unravel, and love blossoms in unexpected places.
Grab this book on AmazonBook 2: Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone
The stoic Duke of Ashbourn leads a double life: a noble by day and a bare-knuckle boxer by night. When his world collides with a spirited heroine determined to uncover the truth, both must confront their hidden desires and the consequences of their secrets.
Grab this book on Amazon
If you want to sample Louisa Darling’s writing first, there’s a free novella (The Matrimony Trap) on her website: louisadarling.com
💬 Your Turn!
Who is your ultimate cowboy weakness? Share the cowboy romance love in the comments!
Sharing our love for books as Under the Covers Book Blog since 2011, running the Romanceopoly yearly reading challenge since 2019 and hosting the Reading Under the Covers podcast since 2020. Launched Mysterylandia in 2025.