A True Cowboy Christmas
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4.1 • 27 Ratings
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
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?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Widower and farmer Gray Everett, the hero of this joyful, sexy contemporary set in Longhorn Valley, Colo., decides he needs a practical, sensible, sweet wife who can handle daily farm life, and no one fits the bill better than his longtime neighbor, Abby Douglas. Thirty-year-old virgin Abby has pined after Gray since childhood, but she never thought Gray would give her a second look, let alone propose a marriage of convenience. Her self-esteem destroyed by her verbally abusive and unreliable mother, Abby takes up Gray on his offer. Gray's fun-loving teenage daughter accepts their union with ease, and although Abby's friends think she deserves better, they fully support the couple. As the two transition into married life, Gray struggles with realizing he's falling for Abby, while Abby learns to value her own feelings. Crews hits the mark by concentrating on personal development and internal struggles, minimizing outside drama. The story flows smoothly, is loaded with charming characters, and is full of wit. These mature, thoughtful, caring protagonists will win the heart of any romance fan.
Customer Reviews
A True Cowboy Christmas
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This is the first book of the series. Gray Everett is the older brother of the three boys. He is also a father to a fifteen year old girl. His first wife died on her way to meet her lover many years ago. He is the only son to stay on the ranch and work it. His father is vitriol and wants to only make people miserable. Upon the death of the Everett patriarch, a sigh of relief could be heard around the valley. Gray decides that he doesn't want to end up like his father. He needs a wife to help guide his daughter. He chooses his nearest neighbor, Abby Douglas, as she is a good woman, a salt of the community. Abby is thirty and has loved Gray since she was a young girl. Even though it is a dream come true for Gray to propose marriage, it is his reasons that throw her for a loop.
The road to a HEA for these two is really a long tough, rocky one. Gray is a very complex character to understand. Having the book written in a dual POV really helped to understand a little bit of Gray's battle. Getting a glimpse into his thoughts was a conflicted one. First I really felt for him, then I despised him a little. But the things that have shaped him are dark. He has a hard battle to overcome. Abby is the perfect warm, loving female protagonist. She has a heart of gold but the back-bone of steel.
This is a sexy read. There are a few bedroom scenes but they take place after the marriage and are not highly descriptive in nature. I would recommend this only to some one over the age of 18 and the person really needs to be open to Gray not being the perfect male protagonist. In my opinion, that made him oh so much more human.
A wonderful and emotional story!
WOW! That’s what I’m starting out with. So much emotion throughout the ENTIRE book. I was feeling all sorts of extreme emotions! This fantastic story is book one in the Cold River Ranch series and it features Gray and Abby. He just wanted a smooth sailing, practical marriage/life without love he wasn’t capable of giving. She agreed cause she’d been in love with the gruff cowboy practically her entire life. As Abby quickly learns, he was totally serious when he described the type of marriage he wanted from the girl next door.
Sometimes the feelings were so unbelievably rough that tears leaked so slowly out of my eyes and just kept going. I wasn’t just reading a story. I was in her head feeling the things she was feeling. I’m still so stuck in that emotional state that I’m finding it hard to pick up the next book. AMAZING writing! I look forward to reading more from this very talented author.
Wonderful and unexpected cowboy romance
Wonderful and unexpected cowboy romance. Gray loves working the ranch, connecting to the land that his family has worked for generations. As a single father, he realizes that he wants to have a larger family on the ranch and decides his neighbor, Abby, is the practical answer. Now Abby has loved Gray from afar for years. When he suddenly shows up and proposes marriage, well, she doesn’t know what to think because this is her heart’s desire. Yet, Gray hasn’t really spoken to her much over the years and they don’t really know each other. This was a crazy way for this couple to come together. Knowing Abby has always loved Gray, I felt that something good would ultimately happen for these two. But Gray, well, he was a tough one to crack. He fears becoming angry and ornery like his father which pushed him to build walls to protect himself. Will Abby be able to break through so that they both will find happiness and love? This was a perfect escape that surprised me along the way. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.