🐎🚓 “A Proposal for Her Cowboy” (Three Springs Texas #7) (2024) 🚓 🐎 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Three Springs, Texas (Book #7)
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Large Print (August 20, 2024)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1639932941
ISBN-13: 978-1639932948
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Family brought her home…
Can love make her stay?
Now that she’s finally back in Three Springs, Texas, Deputy Sheriff Lacey Nash wants nothing more than to reconnect with her nine-year-old daughter, Aspen. Carefree Caleb Sloan is just a distraction—even if he is surprisingly helpful. He not only pitches in to train Aspen for the junior rodeo contest, but he also makes Lacey feel both welcome in town and truly special. Though will that be enough for by-the-book Lacey…to let this fun-loving cowboy prove he’s ready for an instant family?”
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.
First of all … my apologies to the author. I SHOULD’VE had this review done sooner. The issues with my car, then the 9/11 anniversary completely derailed me. I am SO SORRY 😢
That said …
This is a question that circulates a LOT in the book community –
DO YOU PREFER A SERIES OR STANDALONE READ?
Le sigh 😞
I won’t lie … it’s complicated 🫣
My mom got started in series books with the original STAR TREK series and the many novels written by “authorized” authors. I know at one point she had over 150 books (not including movie and episode novelizations), mostly unread. Those were standalone reads – some taking place between ST: The Original Series (TOS) and ST: The Motion Picture (TMP). Some books were between TMP and The Wrath of Khan. I read a few of them, and still have a few. She’s long since sold most of them.
I delved into series books back in 1988 when I discovered Francine Pascal’s SWEET VALLEY HIGH (later SWEET VALLEY TWINS). From then on … I’ve LOVED series books! It was so nice to revisit my favorite characters. I still need to get more books of both series, despite outgrowing them. It’s a “bucket list” thing since I had missed so many books between them. I tried to keep up, but it wasn’t financially feasible.
That brings me to another part of my answer. Sadly, my wallet prefers standalone reads. While, to some, an $8-$19 book isn’t that expensive – that might be dinner (or multiple dinners) for me and my mom. And, it’s also two (2) to four (4) gallons of gas.
No offense to the authors – but sometimes … it can be a challenge with series books.
Still, it is a treat to get to meet some “friends” and occasionally check in on them. And, for those who haven’t – I highly suggest that readers read the first six (6) books of this series. Readers will greatly benefit from seeing the origin of the relationships mentioned in this book.
When I do see that question – yes, I do like series book, my wallet prefers standalone titles 🤣
This is the seventh (7th) visit to Three Springs, Texas. Returning or mentioned characters include …
💒 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
🐎 Maggie (married to Grant)
🐎 Vivian (marrying Josh)
🪩 Elsie (mother of Gemma and Autumn, married to Ryan)
👧🏻 Gemma
👧🏻 Autumn
🐎 Evan (married to Paige)
🐎 Riley (Evan’s daughter)
🥼 Lilian
Readers are also introduced to:
🚓 Lacey
🐎 Aspen
👨🏻 Jeffrey
🤰🏻 Sarah-Beth
🚓 Wells
While there are some books, even clean and Christian reads, that need some types of “trauma trigger” warnings – the only one this has pertains to Lacey’s mom dying of cancer, which is prior to the event of the story.
This is also told in three POVs – Lacey, Caleb, and Lilian.
Right off, Webb gets Lacey and Caleb together with a unique situation – a turtle, and then a bull. Thankfully, Caleb and Evan are there to help with the bull. I had to laugh about the turtle. It’s clear right off there is a chemistry between Lacey and Caleb, something holding over from their youth.
Though, of course, the last thing Lacey or Caleb want – a romance.
For Caleb, it’s his “freedom” – wanting to live in the moment. Lacey wants to focus only on her daughter and be the mother Aspen needs. Aspen is the reason Lacey left the Army and settled in Three Springs. Though, Caleb wonders when Lacey stopped having fun. Lacey can’t focus on fun as it interferes with her goal.
Lacey gets hit with her ex-husband planning to take his wife – Sarah-Beth – on a babymoon. It also coincides with a business trip. This means Lacey will have Aspen for three weeks. Lacey has no idea what her daughter’s likes are and what she does in her daily life, so she is worried about that. There is also the matter of a Junior Rodeo. Jeffrey has resigned that it will have to wait due to the situation and school year, much to Aspen’s disappointment. Lacey wants to talk with her daughter, give her a say.
It is this talk that ends up with Caleb “training” Aspen. That brings Lacey and Caleb even closer. And, definitely wins points with Aspen. Caleb also has his hands full with planning Josh and Vivian’s wedding – or rather the reception – while they’re in Alaska due to Vivian’s parents being involved in an accident.
Even Aspen can see how her mother is with Caleb. Though Lacey doesn’t want to risk her heart, let alone her daughter’s. Still … the heart wants what it wants.
Grandpa Sam and Uncle Roy are up to their old antics. This time, they want to work their Dandelion Wine into the wedding reception.
Then, there’s Lilian who is trying to find her own footing in the second act of her life.
Caleb and Lacey each have a lot to work through to get to where they need to be in terms of romance. Though, it will take more steps than a Texas Two-Step to get them there.
Webb weaves together a sweet story with laughter, heart, and fun. A story that reminds us of how much love and fun are essential in our lives.
As usual, I absolutely LOVED this book and trip to Three Springs. I was drawn right and, and didn’t put it down – except for on 9/11. I then stayed up all night on the 12th to finish the book. I’m weird like that. I had 40 pages remaining, and just couldn’t leave it alone long enough to get some sleep.
I love that the readers got to see another romance in this book as well. It was definitely a sweet treat. One interesting thought was how Lilian was a wonderful heart surgeon, but couldn’t mend her own broken heart. The multiple second-chance romances floating around, and the sweet moments, made this even more delightful.
There were also a few laughs, especially with two ornery guys (not Sam and Roy) and a firehose duel. That does cause Lacey to get hurt, and Caleb’s overprotectiveness for her comes out. That definitely leads to his brothers thinking there’s more to the Caleb/Aspen dynamic, even when Caleb insists that Lacey is trying to get him a date which don’t work out (and I think readers will understand why).
I also enjoyed the dynamic that Lacey and Jeffrey had with regard to their co-parenting. Despite disagreeing about Aspen riding horses, the two seemed to get along, and even Lacey and Sarah-Beth got along. The relationship between Lacey and her stepdad (Wells) was such a sweet relief as opposed to the “bad” step-parent tropes.
With this also featuring Josh and Vivian’s wedding, I would’ve wanted to see Vivian’s family return (especially to check in on her pregnant sister). They were introduced in the fifth (5th) book, yet missing from this one. There are also other characters missing as well: Boone (Sam’s friend), Chef Nolan, and Kelsey (Maggie’s sister).
I’m also with Lacey on her favorite color – purple. And, like Caleb, I do crochet. I found that an interesting hobby for a modern-day male. Though, Gran Claire’s reasoning – to keep him still, as well as see life around him – was a wonderful idea. For me, it was wanting to do my own projects. Now, I’m far too busy for them.
I’m still waiting for the resolution for Wes and Abby’s wedding planner, Maggie’s father and his shady deals, and wondering where about the treasure hunt that was mentioned in the first book. I’m also wondering if readers are going to get to see a romance between Sam/Breezy and Roy/Gayle.
I’m looking forward to another visit to Three Springs, Texas.
Fans of the genre, series, and author are sure to enjoy this read. And, as of note … I still have four (4) books from her City by the Bay series, The Rancher’s Rescue (book #2 in The Return of the Blackwell Brothers), and her upcoming release – A Cowgirl’s Christmas Reunion (The Blackwell Belles #5; available November 2024) on my TBR.
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
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“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?”
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.”
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
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cari Lynn Webb lives in Florida 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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