This post may contain affiliate links — meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. We carefully curate our affiliate partnerships and only work with companies we like and believe in. Earning commissions like this helps us sustain our blog but the opinions we share are always our own.
The Official Blurb
“Teetering on the Tennessee border, Hootertown, Kentucky, suits beautician Jamie Lee Carter just fine. She’s the kind of gal who prefers longneck beers to cosmos, bare feet to high heels, and Daisy Dukes to Prada, but a bit of flash might still win out over another pool-hall line dance. That’s where Parker Carrington, a hunky Hollywood producer, comes in.
He’s pegged Hootertown as an ideal movie site—and Jamie as more than a sexy extra. He’s adding sizzle to Jamie’s romantic slump and firing up something called jealousy in Griff Sheldon, Jamie’s brother’s best friend and her longtime crush. Now two hot-blooded rivals are going head-to-head. One’s got a Jaguar. One’s got a pickup. And only one’s got what it takes to give Jamie the ride of her life.”
Spoiler Alerts & Trigger Warnings: sexual content
For Season 2 Episode 19: It’s a Hot Time in Hootertown, I reviewed Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots by LuAnn McLane. Published in 2006, this contemporary romance is a summer romp packed with small-town charm, beauty shop drama, and just the right dash of spice.
The Author
LuAnn McLane, a USA Today bestselling author from Kentucky, is known for her romantic comedies with a southern kick — and this book delivers exactly that.
The Setup
We’re dropped into Hootertown, Kentucky, where hairstylist Jamie Lee Carter runs the Cut & Curl, the salon she inherited from her mother. Her best friend and co-worker, Macy McCoy, keeps things lively, and the two decide this is the summer they’ll go after what they want.
Enter Parker Carrington, a Hollywood producer scouting Hootertown as a potential movie location. Sparks fly, and Jamie Lee finds herself swept into a little small-town-girl-meets-big-time-Hollywood story. But it’s not that simple.
Her family (including her brother Luke) and his best friend, Griff Sheldon, aren’t exactly sold on Parker. And Griff’s protectiveness starts to feel a whole lot like jealousy — though he insists otherwise. The catch? Jamie once threw herself at Griff when she was a teenager … and it ended badly. Cue all the awkward tension.
As the summer heats up, Jamie realizes her heart may still belong to Griff after all … but winning him over won’t be so easy. Especially when it means breaking things off with Parker.
(And, if you love side romances — like I do — the story of Macy and Luke starts in this novel and continues in a book sequel, A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action.)
My Spiciness Ranking 🌶🌶
I’d call this poblano bordering on jalapeño. There are some steamy moments (including some eating out — if you know what I mean — and sex) but the scenes are short and not overly explicit. Just enough heat to keep things interesting!
What I Loved 💕
- The chapter titles are hilarious. “Friends in Low Places” and “A Hollywood Hussy Blows into Hootertown” had me grinning before I even started reading.
- The characters feel realistic and believable, especially the quirky small-town cast.
- The name Griff. (Bonus points because my own dog was named Gryf!)
- Jamie Lee being a hairstylist. I loved that so many story elements involved cosmetology — and they were realistic. As a hairstylist, I really appreciate when those details are accurate.
- A fun quotable: “His voice is deep and rich, oozing over like thick maple syrup.” Yes, please.
Challenges 🤔
Jamie Lee isn’t always honest with herself or with Griff. As someone who believes honesty is the best policy, I struggled with the miscommunications and half-truths. It caused problems that could have been avoided. And that frustrates me more than it entertains me.
Final Thoughts ✨
Overall, Dark Roots & Cowboy Boots is a fun, kitschy Southern romance with plenty of sass. It’s the perfect summer read, especially if you’re a hairstylist who loves a little salon drama mixed in with your love stories. LuAnn McLane’s writing style is light, engaging and witty — and I’d definitely pick up more of her books if they’re in this spice range or hotter.
If you’re looking for a small-town romance that balances humor, heart and a dash of heat; this one might just be your next weekend read.
If you want to hear more of my thoughts on the book, you can listen to the podcast episode on your favorite podcast streaming service. Or click here for our in-house podcast player. You can also find out if I won the episode Boobie Prize and hear the Romantic Reminder I gleaned from this book. Want to read the novel for yourself? You can get it here.
Have you read Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots? Let me know your thoughts on this book in the comments!
