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Tuesday, November 20, 2018

A TRUE COWBOY CHRISTMAS (COLD RIVER RANCH #1)

From USA Today bestselling author Caitlin Crews comes A True Cowboy Christmas, the first in a sensational series debut about a cowboy, a farm girl, and the greatest gift of all. . .

Gray Everett has a heart of gold but that doesn't mean he believes in the magic of Christmas. He's got plenty else to worry about this holiday season, what with keeping his cattle ranch in the family and out of the hands of hungry real-estate investors looking to make a down-and-dirty deal. That, plus being a parent to his young and motherless daughter, equals a man who will not rest until he achieves his mission. Now, all Gray needs is the help of his lifelong neighbor. . .who happens to have grown into a lovely, spirited woman.

For Abby Douglas, the chance to join forces with Gray is nothing less than a Christmas miracle. Much as the down-to-earth farmer's daughter has tried to deny it, Abby's been in love with stern, smoking-hot Gray her whole life. So when Gray proposes a marriage of convenience as a way to combine land--and work together toward a common cause—Abby can't refuse. But how can she convince Gray that sometimes life offers a man a second chance for a reason. . .and that their growing trust and mutual passion may be leading to true and lasting love?

Release Date: October 30, 2018
St. Martin’s Press
Cold River Ranch #1
Contemporary Romance
Review Copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

I'm a sucker for cowboys. I mean, who doesn't like that swagger and charm that can bring a woman to her knees? I was excited to get started on this book. I was feeling kinda festive a little early this year, so this was perfect for that. 

Man, Gray is broody dude. Don't get me wrong, I love broodiness in my heroes, but Gray was on a whole other level. He had every right to be that way; he'd been through the wringer with his relationship with his father and ex-wife. 

I found it a bit hard to believe that the heroine, Abby, would accept a marriage proposal from a guy who had barely spared her a glance. She's loved him from afar, but still. Also, a 30 year old virgin? That one is REALLY difficult to wrap my head around. Abby irritated me with her constant self-doubt. It was all the damn time. Again, I know she's been through a crap ton of stuff in her past, but enough already.

There was so much emotional baggage to sort through with these two. I really liked all the angst in this book. I like something that crushes my heart and then puts it back together. The characters in this book had to really work hard to get their HEA.

The love scenes were forgettable. They were few and far between. I expect more from a romance. I stay away from "sweet" romance for that very reason.

This was a good book, but not amazing. The emotion and angst is what really grabbed me. I liked it enough that I'll look into the next books in the series when they are released.

Rating: 3 Stars (B)

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