A True Cowboy Christmas

Caitlin Crews

Oct 2018 · Cold River Ranch Book 1 · Macmillan + ORM

About this ebook

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?

Ratings and reviews

I have to say when this book first started out I wasn't so sure about Gray's character. He's broody and gruff and the way he approaches Abby is odd. Yet the more I read the more invested I was and I couldn't help but hope that Gray and Abby find their way. The story pushes several emotional buttons and you'll find yourself laughing and crying as the story develops. Then there is the ending. It was simply perfect. Not rushed and truly believable. Great characters, wonderful writing and an emotional story made this a great read and one I highly recommend.

A tough and brooding and grumpy cowboy and the practical and younger neighbor who has been in love with him forever. Add in a teenage girl who just wants everything to be perfect and what do you get? A pretty uncomplicated book but a good one. I thought Gray was going to choke on his grumpiness at times but once he figures out he doesn't want to turn into his dead father he redeems himself. The ending was perfect. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series. **Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

After burying his bitter and twisted father Gray Everett realises he needs to change his life to avoid following in his father's footsteps. And what better way to change than to find a suitable wife? After his first wife left him and their daughter because farming was boring Gray is looking for a woman who understands farming life, someone practical, someone salt-of-the-earth, a companion, a helpmate, romance doesn't enter into his thoughts. When his eye alights on his neighbour Abby Douglas he thinks his prayers have been answered. Abby Douglas has been in love with Gray ever since she was a young girl. But no-one ever wants to be called salt-of-the-earth or be praised for practicality and being sensible, but ultimately the idea of marrying the man of her dreams, of building a family with him and being a mother to his daughter is too much to resist. Friends to lovers trope meets marriage of convenience as Abby deals with Gray, his two younger brothers, his daughter and her own feelings of inferiority. For Cal, the marriage turns out better than he could have hoped ... until Abby lets slip that she has always loved him, then his sensible, no-nonsense, business transaction becomes all about feelings.

About the author

USA Today bestselling, RITA-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author Caitlin Crews has written more than eighty-five books, including Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Dare, and Cold River cowboys. She’s won fans with the romance, women’s fiction, chick lit, and work-for-hire young adult novels she’s written as Megan Crane (including the futuristic, dystopian Viking romance Edge series). These days her focus is on contemporary romance in all its forms, from small town heat to international glamor, cowboys to bikers to military men and beyond. She’s taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, gives assorted workshops on the writing process, and attempts to make use of the MA and PhD in English Literature she received from the University of York in York, England. She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with a husband who draws comics and animation storyboards, and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.