The Cowboy's Game

A Pride and Pranks Romance

By: Cindy Steel

Narrated by: Callie Dalton, Jay Myers

He’s coaching her love life . . . and losing control of his own.

Jake Evans knows a thing or two about heartbreak. Recently divorced and raising his four-year-old daughter on his own, this cowboy has sworn off women for good. When a job opens up at a dude ranch in his hometown, he comes running, emotional baggage in tow.

An unexpected bonus? Spending the summer with his childhood best friend.

Shelby Tucker was always better at sinking three-pointers than navigating relationships. With a promising new job on the horizon, her life needs a change. She’s determined to stop sitting on the sidelines while life happens all around her.

First thing to tackle? Dating.

But after one too many cringeworthy moments, Shelby turns to the one person she trusts completely. Jake reluctantly agrees to coach Shelby through the dating world, certain his heart is safe where it is. Soon they’re back to their old routines—placing bets, shooting hoops, and putting Jake’s strategies into play.

Except this time, every touch lingers. And the line between practice and something real is blurring fast.

When an accident threatens to fracture Jake’s carefully rebuilt life, he’s forced to confront the one truth he’s been avoiding: the woman he’s never allowed himself to date might be the one he can’t live without.

©2026 Cindy Steel (P)2026 Dreamscape Media

Loved the book, not the readers

Cindy Steel is by far my favorite clean rom com author. This book did not disappoint and like her others, I was so sad when it was over. The readers did a good job presenting but I honestly thought the female voice was a robot when I started listening, and occasionally throughout. The male voice sounded like he was 40. But I still loved the book!

Swoony and heartfelt

This story is so beautiful!
I really love the healing and growth woven between the playful competitive banter. Cindy always delivers such fantastic tension in her stories. I loved the things that were keeping Jake and Shelby from going from childhood friends to more. The journey they both needed to take before realizing that they wanted each other that way was believable and necessary.

Jake is a single dad who has barred his heart off to ever falling in love again. Shelby is his childhood best friend who’s convinced she needs to change to find love. She’s always been kind of one of the guys as a girl more comfortable shooting hoops than getting dolled up. Together they make a plan to help her learn to flirt and finally find her happily ever after. All while keeping their small town from thinking Jake needs fixed up with someone. It’s a perfect plan.

I loved EVERYTHING about this book! It will one hundred percent be a reread. I loved the small town Idaho elements so much and then all the banter. Jake and Shelby have my heart and I’m so glad they fall in love!!

Best ending to the series!

I love how Jake’s story came to life in such a deeply satisfying and complex way. Real issues, genuinely worked through, gave him so much depth. And Shelby! I LOVED her! She’s not confidently sassy like some of Cindy’s other FMCs. She’s authentic and genuine but it’s the kind that lots of people don’t see value. I loved how she was so quick to blush and that what was obvious to other people wasn’t obvious to her. But because of her authenticity she ended up knowing exactly what she wanted and what was right for her. I’m so sad the series is over but I’ve listened to the other full length books a few times and I’m sure I’ll be back for this one again soon!

Fantastic story!!!!

I absolutely loved listening to the narrators bring Jake & Shelby's laugh out oud, sweet, caring, best friends, loving, hopeful, tension filled, swoony happily ever after to life!!

Great story

I enjoyed the story line and the ending, such a great book! It’s one that makes you laugh and get excited about the story unfolding.