🎄👢💕 “His Christmas Cowgirl” (Three Springs, Texas #5) (2023) 💕 👢🎄– Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Three Springs, Texas (Book #5)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Large Print (October 24, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335475516
ISBN-13: 978-1335475510
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Can she win the rodeo…
And his heart?
Cowgirl Vivian Bryant needs a winning horse to fulfill her rodeo champion dream, and equestrian trainer Josh Sloan agrees to help. But when Vivian fibs to her family that Josh is her boyfriend, their pretend relationship slowly evolves–while planning a Three Springs, Texas, gala together. She’s competing for a trophy that will secure their separate futures, but the real prize just might be finding love…at Christmas.”
Thank you in advance to the author, Cari Lynn Webb, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
Webb was one of the first Harlequin Heartwarming authors I read, and I’ve been reading her books for four (4) years. Wow! Hard to believe that.
I started with book #5 in her City by the Bay Stories series; and ended up reading the sixth (6th) and seventh (7th) book, in addition to her contributions to The Blackwell Sisters and The Blackwells of Eagle Springs series. I do have books #1-#4 of the CBTB series, as well as her contribution to The Return of the Blackwell Brothers series.
So far, I’ve kept up with this series. And, this is the tenth (10th) book I’ve read of the author. I have to say, I have more of her books in this line than any other author. Though, it is hard to keep up with SO many good books that are released each month.
This edition takes readers back to Three Springs, Texas – and, no, this it is NOT the end of the series.
Folks who’ve seen my previous book spotlight post on this book, with JustRead Publicity Tours, will note there is a sixth (6th) book in this series, set to be released March 2024, and the covers of the line will see yet another design change since I started reading them in 2019.
That said …
Returning characters from the previous books (or at best mentioned) –
💒 Wes & Abby (The Texas SEAL’s Surprise)
💕 Paige (Trusting the Rancher with Christmas)
🤠 Grandpa Sam
🤠 Uncle Roy
🤠 Carter
🤠 Josh
🤠 Caleb
🍫 Tess (Paige’s sister, Abby’s cousin Her Cowboy Wedding Date)
🤠 Ryan (Carter’s brother)
🍪 Breezy & Gayle (sisters, first seen in book #2)
🥼 Grant
🐎 Kelsey
🐎 Maggie
🍲 Chef Nolan
🛻 Boone (mentioned in passing)
Readers are introduced to:
🐎 Vivian
🐎 Isabel (Josh’s ex-wife, divorced from husband #2)
🤰🏻 Heather (Vivian’s pregnant sister)
💼 Wade (Heather’s husband)
👒 Charlotte (Vivian & Heather’s mom)
💼 Ted (Vivian & Heather’s dad)
💐 Marlena (owns a venue that is a potential for the gala)
Absent from the book is any mention of Paige’s husband (Evan) and her step-daughter Riley.
The only business to return is The Feisty Owl and I believe there is a mention of The Silver Penny.
Despite the cast of characters – this is only told in third person from Vivian and Josh’s POV.
This is one of the rare reads that didn’t have any real content triggers to warn about. Just because a book might have some sensitive topics doesn’t make it bad. The focus should be on the main story, and sometimes bad things happen for character development, like in real life.
It also helps this has one of those sweet and swoony covers to get the readers’ attention.
As with any fake dating romance novel – y’all just KNOW the main couple is going to get together. The previous book gave readers a BOGO – buy one romance, get another for free.
This time around, it’s Maggie and Ryan’s friend – Vivian. And, like most books in the line, Webb wastes NO time in getting to the heart of it.
Vivian’s got a problem. Her horse, Dusty, has been injured at a critical time for Vivian. She only has a little bit of time left on an “agreement” she made with her family regarding her dreams. The vet takes her horse to board him and treat him.
As much as she doesn’t want to replace Dusty, Vivian needs a horse to compete in the Silk and Steel Cowgirl Stampede which will secure her future. Though, Ryan and Maggie assure her there’s someone who can help her, and that it isn’t quite a whole box of truffles kind of disaster.
Josh has been denied a loan so that makes his plan of buying into an equine training and rehab center in Houston a bit more difficult, though selling some competition horses he has will definitely secure that future.
Vivian runs into Josh when his truck has broken down and there’s an instant attraction – swoony even. He seems like too much of a city slicker for her, then again, she doesn’t know he’s 100% cowboy. Of course, after she leaves, Josh tells his grandfather and uncle that Vivian is the woman he’d marry, though he didn’t say she would. And, he’s already done with love. Of course, he’s also wondering what mischief his grandfather and uncle are up to.
Though, he’s got some surprises coming his way.
He learns she’s a barrel racer, like his ex-wife, who incidentally also needs a horse as well. Poor Josh can’t get a break. One barrel racer broke his heart, another one is unintentionally stealing it. Vivian is nothing like Isabel though.
As much as he doesn’t want to, Josh agrees to train them both.
Vivian looks up to rodeo queen Isabel, who is also admiring of Vivian’s talent. Isabel knows that Vivian has what it takes to become a rodeo queen herself. Isa
Vivian thinks that Isabel wants to get back with Josh – though neither one wants to get back with the other.
What complicates Vivian’s life further – the arrival of her parents, very pregnant sister, and brother-in-law. Josh then becomes the fake-boyfriend so Vivian can prove she’s got her life together. She also doesn’t want to “settle” because of her grandmother.
And, it also seems to work for Josh as well when it comes to backing down rumors he and Isabel are trying to get back together.
Vivian’s family arrives. In part because they miss her, but they also need her help. She then learns why they want her back home – they do miss her, and the dynamic she had with the business. But, as with anything, there’s more.
However, the stampede gets cancelled due to the venue going up in flames, thus moving it closer to home. This causes Josh and Vivian to get roped into organizing the gala together, and Vivian’s mother helping as well. Of course, that means taking time away from training to find venues appropriate for it.
Josh not only feels protective of Vivian, especially considering her family’s outlook on her dreams. Yet, while she’s seemingly perfect, he’s been down the road before.
In training her and Vivian, it would secure his future as well as Vivian’s – either of the women winning certifies his horses, and Vivian winning gives her the future she really wants.
Though, the more time they’re with each other, they’re wondering what future they really want when the romance starts to turn into a real one. And, Vivian is beginning to see how dire her family’s situation is. She’s also wondering if she’s living her dream, or living her late grandmother’s dream.
With heart, perfect characters, and loads of humor; Webb brings Three Springs, Texas to life. And, it becomes a town we’d all like to stay for a spell, if not put down roots and call it home with each visit.
As with any book in a series, the author needs to establish some information about returning characters and previous storylines. Webb does so effortlessly. And, while one reviewer remarked they didn’t need to read the other books, I did find that having read them, it was easy to slip right into this one.
Because of that, I really got drawn in and I didn’t want to put it down – however, I had to for certain things. But, every free minute I had, I spent in this book. Webb has a way of writing that has you wondering how you got from the first page to the middle, and then to the end without it seemingly like she rushed through the story. Like any book from the line, it is going to be longer than a usual Harlequin book (the “smaller” lines); and that can cause the story to seem like it lags. But, this didn’t lag at all.
In addition to the treasure hunt being forgotten, I was still wondering about the wedding planner that fleeced Wes and Abby, as well as Maggie’s father and his business deals. They were such juicy side stories that I am STILL looking for some resolution. There is also the continuation of Lillian (the brothers’ mom) in this book, and her involvement in something, was – to me – an absolute shock. Though, I am still wondering what her motives are.
This definitely had all those romance and holiday feels, and was more family oriented combining both sides of the family – Josh’s and Vivian’s. The romance is a slow burn. While the fake date announcement comes in early, around 20%, a kiss doesn’t come in until 68% of the way in.
Like the other books of the series and the line; this is a sweet, clean, and wholesome read. There are no concerns about the language, and affection is kept to sweet hugs and kisses.
Fans of the author won’t want to miss this one. And, with the next one being Ryan’s story – better add that to the TBR list as well.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html; update: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
Previous Books in the Series:
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming (August 24, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 133542640X
ISBN-13: 978-1335426406
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“New town…
New set of problems
Suddenly single—and pregnant—Abby James hopes Three Springs, Texas, will give her the fresh start she craves. But five minutes in and she’s already clashed with a former Navy SEAL on horseback. Wes Tanner might be devastatingly handsome, but Abby has no time for romance. Especially with a man intent on leaving town. Abby wants to plant some roots…and falling for the tempting Texan could upend all her plans!”
Series: Three Springs Texas (Book #2)
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming (October 26, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335426493
ISBN-13: 978-1335426499
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“A visit for the holidays
Brings love for a lifetime
Cattle rancher Evan Bishop is desperate for Paige Palmer’s help. The veterinarian is in Three Springs for the holidays, but the single dad hopes she has time to save his ailing livestock. Paige is up for the challenge, though not quite up to resisting the cowboy’s rugged charm and his darling devotion to his little girl. Can Paige learn to trust the rancher before the countdown to Christmas ends?”
Series: Three Springs, Texas (Book #3)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming (June 28, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335555110
ISBN-13: 978-1335555113
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Could this cowboy…
Be her wedding date?
Maid of honor Tess Palmer has two weeks to plan her cousin’s wedding. She will do anything to make the ceremony perfect…even if it means wrangling best man Carter Sloan’s help. The cynical cowboy would rather focus on his business than wedded bliss, and widowed Tess isn’t looking for a second chance at love. But could planning a trip down the aisle bring the two of them together?”
Series: Three Springs, Texas (Book #4)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming (June 27, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335585044
ISBN-13: 978-13355850442
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“Can the rodeo cowgirl…
Win his love?
Professional roper Maggie Orr needs to secure a national sponsorship. And orthopedic surgeon Grant Sloan could derail her plans. Falling for the cowboy doctor is a distraction she can’t afford… Plus their careers are taking them in opposite directions. But from picnics to stargazing, Grant is reminding Maggie that there’s more to life than winning in the arena. Can they rewrite their dreams to include each other?”
Next Book in the Series:
Series: Three Springs, Texas (Book #6)
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Large Print (March 26, 2024)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335475729
ISBN-13: 978-1335475725
⬆️ Click Photo for Pre-Purchase Information
“Everything good…
Starts with unexpected kindness
When city girl Elsie Parks comes to Three Springs to care for her nieces while her brother recuperates, she’s in for a surprise—he expects her to run the ranch! Thankfully, Ryan Sloan—the rugged cowboy next door—is happy to help. As they get into a groove working the farm together, their attraction grows like Texas wildflowers. But can this temporary detour become something more?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cari Lynn Webb lives in South Carolina with her husband, daughters and assorted four-legged family members. She's been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent's seventy-year marriage and her parent's marriage of over fifty years. She knows love isn't always sweet and perfect – it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.
She can be found on the following social media accounts:
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