This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Western Romance
Published by St. Martin's Press
Released on February 26, 2019
Pages: 318
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
Another suspenseful contemporary western romance from the Heart of Texas series brings us the last single Harper sibling, Caleb front and center. Caleb has been the most adamant about never putting his heart on the line after his mother abandoned him and his older siblings, but he has met his match in a woman driven by her work with horses and equally determined to stay detached after her mother died and her dad walked away. With a person in the shadows determined to bring the beautiful vet down and their own sizzling attraction, I was all in to see how this pair of resistant lovers got on.
Review
My Favorite Cowboy is book three and tells a standalone plot though the familial story builds from one book to the next. First there was Abby, then Brice, and now Caleb. This may be the last, but I’m holding out for Cooper and Jase to eventually get their stories.
Audrey Martinez has worked hard and is known as the best vet in the area so that she has the luxury of picking her clients out of the big local ranches. But, her heart is for her horse patients and her old family friend has horses mysteriously falling ill. It is while she races to save her patients that she encounters Caleb and his family who are also out to help David. It isn’t long before other mysterious incidents lead everyone to wonder if David is the real target or is it Audrey. Meanwhile, the attraction between Audrey and Caleb turns sizzling and this pair of people terrified of real intimacy and relationships need to decide if a chance at happiness is worth reaching for.
I have come to really enjoy this series. I think Abby and Clayton’s story in The Christmas Cowboy Hero will always be my favorite, but that doesn’t take away from how much I have enjoyed Brice and Naomi and now Caleb and Audrey’s stories. A parent abandoning her children had far reaching effects, but the three Harpers learned to be for each other and embrace others into a growing and strong family of their own. That has become clear as the series progressed.
I’ve also enjoyed the ranch setting and the new elements added with Audrey’s veterinary care of the horses and Caleb’s gentling and training of horses. The suspense element took a while to develop and was strong, but took back seat to the personal growth and romance.
The romance was paced out over the distance of the book. Attraction was there from the beginning including some fun banter, but the pair of them fought their feelings and came to their own separate crisis moments where they had to confront their own fears. Caleb’s is obvious and there all along, but Audrey doesn’t figure out that she is as resistant as Caleb for similar reasons until later. They do belong together and it is obvious to all around them and even to each other. Their eventual coming together is scorching hot and they both are confident, adventuresome lovers. Whew, yeah!
All in all, it was another strong and fabulous installment in the series. As I said before, I’m not sure if this is the finale. I would love to get those last two single cowboys’ stories… just saying. Those who enjoy spicy contemporary western romance with a strong family and suspense element should give this series a whirl.
My thanks to St. Martin’s via Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met:
New Release #18
Literary Pickers #43 saddle
COYER Winter #69
Preview
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I normally stay away from series these days, but Caleb and Audrey sound like independent and fun characters that I’d like to get to know. Great review! Hugs..
Ha! Yes, I cringe each time I get myself entangled with yet another series to follow. This pair are a definitely plus for breaking the rule. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed this one….SUCH a fun book and I likekd seeing this author handle a western contemporary romance since I have only read her PNR. And the family was such fun too.
You remind me, Renee, I need to get into her dragon series at some point.
Lovely review. I am hoping we get more books.
Same here! I enjoyed their friends and want to see them get stories, too.
This is on my shelf Sophia Rose, great review!
You are in for a treat, Debbie. 🙂
So glad you enjoyed this one, Sophia! I love it when siblings have to rely on each other and it makes them so much closer in the long run.
Great review.
Yes, exactly, Angie. They were a close-knit family. The first book when the boys were teens was a good one for portraying that.
I like the sound of this one. I will have to start this series. It sounds really good. Great review!
Mary
Totally worth getting this trio of books, Mary. The first one is a Christmas one and I loved it best.
Aw fun! He sounds like a charm
He sure was, Carol. I loved seeing Caleb reluctantly fall in love. 🙂
Great review! I have the first one which came unrequested from the publisher as a print copy. It’s a holiday book but I forgot to read it for the RAT. Well maybe this year? I’m glad to see you are enjoying the series as it continues.
Oh, yay, Anne. The first one was my favorite of the series. I loved seeing the Harpers when they are still just trying to get by and meet a wonderful family at Christmas. 🙂
I love fun banter 😀 I really need to try her cowboy books its been a while since I read a good one. These two sound amazing together
The banter was fun. Yes, if you like the cowboys, this is a good series, Lily. 🙂
The story sounds fun. I could see myself enjoying this one. Great review
I could see you liking it, too, Nadene. I know how you love your suspense with romance. 🙂
Wow! I’m happy this was such a satisfying installment, Sophia. And I hope there are more to come in the series since Grant left it kind of open-ended. I know Kimberly is hoping for more. 🙂 I’ve not read anything from Grant but I do love a cowboy romance and one set in Texas is a bonus for me since I’m originally from there. Wonderful review!
I’ve not tried Grant’s PNR, but heard wonderful things about it. I moderately enjoyed a few books from a different contemporary series. But this series? I adore it. They are a wonderful family and I loved being along for them to get romance and now I want it for their wild and mischievous friends. 🙂 Hope you get the chance, Brandee. That would indeed be cool to have the setting right in your old stomping grounds. 🙂
Love some good banter. And when you finish and are like oh I need the stories for so-in-so. Always a good sign 🙂
Most definitely! I have series I enjoyed, but I am done when its done. This one left me loving this world and wanting to get the stories of the two best buds. 🙂