#1 NYT bestselling author Meg Cabot is back with her first YA romance in years…and this one is set in an all-boys’ boarding school!
Perfect for fans of MY LIFE WITH THE WALTER BOYS and THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY (though Meg likes to describe it as Yellowstone meets Big Bang Theory), this paperback original features one of Meg’ s most cynical-yet-vulnerable heroines yet (as well as eye-catching designed edges):
Sixteen-year-old Winn Riley is a New York City girl, through and through—until her mom moves their family to Montana, where she’ll be teaching at a dude ranch. Literally: it’s a working-farm boarding school for troubled genius boys … and Winn will be the only female student there. Can Mom honestly believe that New York City born-and-bred, vintage-clothes-loving Winn is going to survive—let alone thrive—in a place where there’s no cell service, no consignment shops, not even a decent slice of pizza for miles around?
Instead, there’s nothing but boys. Incredibly hot, intelligent boys who not only know how to rope steer and divide fractions in their heads, but deliver kisses that will either sear Winn’s soul—or drive her to distraction. How will she endure an entire semester with so much deprivation . . . and temptation?
The real question is how, after a semester at Green Fire Ranch, Winn is ever going to be able to go back to her normal life.
What you get for your hard-earned book money:
- Dude ranch setting: Escape wherever you are and ride horses with Winn Riley and her boys in Montana!
- Authentic teen voice: Meg Cabot’s signature blend of cynicism and vulnerability is endlessly entertaining and accessible for all kinds of young readers!
- Kissing: A lot of it!
- More to come: You read that right—Winn’s story continues in the sequel, coming soon!
Look for the next book in the Winn Riley series, CATCHING COWBOYS, in Fall of 2027!
Praise for Kissing Cowboys
A 16-year-old’s world is upended when she becomes the only female student at an all-boys school in this frothy, laugh-out-loud rom-com from Cabot (The Magic We Made)… self-conscious first-person prose and journal entries, punctuated by lists and text messages, reveal a winning protagonist whose passion for social justice and obsession with true crime add texture. It’s charming and witty. Ages 13 and up.
(Starred Review)
Fast-paced and entertaining, this will appeal to readers who enjoy romantic comedies, fish-out-of-water stories, quirky protagonists, and books featuring strong family relationships. Winn has pale skin and black hair; supporting cast is diverse.
VERDICT A humorous and engaging choice for YA collections, especially for readers who enjoy romance with plenty of personality, family drama, and a little mystery. – Reviewed by Patricia Snoblen
Strong pacing highlights a lovably chaotic narrator in a well-developed setting. (Romance. 12-18)
Sophomore Winn Riley, who loves both feminism and boys, is into true crime, thrifting (it’s environmentally sound), eating thin crust pizza, and living in New York City—moving to rural Montana isn’t something she’s thrilled about.
When Winn’s older brother, Ian, gets expelled from school after a run-in with the FBI for cybercrimes, she, Ian, and their mom relocate to Green Fire Ranch, an all-boys boarding school outside Bozeman known for turning bright but troubled teens (many of them neurodivergent) into brilliant high achievers. (Winn’s dad lives in Switzerland with his new family.) The exclusive school needs an art history teacher, Winn’s disillusioned college professor mom is ready for a change, and Ian’s probation requires parental supervision until he’s 18. Winn’s best friend encourages her to embrace the windfall of being the only girl surrounded by rugged cowboys, and she soon finds herself torn between funny Teddy Brightman and irritating (but cute) Zack Cartwright. The fast-moving chapters consist of entries from Winn’s journal (her neurologist made journaling part of her ADHD treatment plan), and their stream-of-consciousness style immerses readers in the swoony action. Winn’s emotional growth proves rewarding as she learns to open her mind to the beauty of Montana—and gives her heart to one special cowboy. Cabot’s fans and those who appreciate stories about city girls discovering country life will enjoy this appealing work. The main characters read white. Strong pacing highlights a lovably chaotic narrator in a well-developed setting. (Romance. 12-18)
After Winn’s older brother Ian earns himself a felony with some ethical but nonetheless illegal hacking, Winn is starting the second half of her sophomore year in Montana, rather than Manhattan. The only school in the country that will accept Ian (and allow their mom to teach) is a cattle ranch/all-boys school for the gifted, and Winn is enrolled as its lone female student. Due to a combination of FBI-related career goals and self-diagnosed daddy issues related to her absent father, Winn has historically refused to fall in love, but then she meets thoughtful but standoffish Zack, sweet, suave Teddy, and all the other cute boys at her new school. She should be focusing on her piles of homework or frustration over not being allowed to participate in extra-curriculars because of her gender, but it’s almost impossible to get Zack’s green eyes out of her head. There’s a lot to love here in the quippy protagonist, from Winn’s snappy narration—she has “a deep and abiding love for feminism, and boys” and an ADHD-related hyper-fixation on true crime—to her earnest desire to see her mother happy for once. Although she loves her family, Winn is also understandably tired of being “the one who always gets stuck cleaning up the messes of the so-called gifted people who live in my house,” so her self-focus feels earned. Meanwhile, the secondary cast allows for nuanced conversations around gender and neurodiversity. The ending is a bit rushed, but both potential suitors are properly swoon-worthy, and Winn opens herself to romance without giving anything of herself up. Cabot fans will find it difficult to put this romp down, and they’ll be happy to know that more cowboys will indeed be kissed, as a sequel has already been announced. – Reviewed by Cassidy Russell
Straight Talk for Librarians: Winn an instantly likable and relatable protagonist. Her sarcastic inner monologue and clever observations about her surreal new life keep the pages turning, and readers will find themselves smiling at her candid reflections on everything from fashion mishaps to romantic confusion. The fish-out-of-water premise is inherently entertaining; watching a city girl adapt to ranch life creates natural comedy and genuine moments of growth that feel earned rather than forced. – Reviewed by Klaudia Janek
