A good storyline of a man who needed to overcome his pride. The story was okay for me.

Brenna Jamison has moved home from New York and now that she is pregnant she needs help running the ranch. The former foreman Jed McCall is now working for another friends place but still goes over to help out and his nephew is going over there to take art lessons. At one time Jed was in love with Breana when they were younger, but then she left, now he still is in love with her but he does not think he is good enough for her. Everything starts to fall apart for Jed when the county is looking at taking his nephew away. The nephew then come up with a plan of Breana and Jed getting married, and they both agree. Brenna thinking that she will finally be able to be with the man that she has been in love with her whole life. The problem is, is that Jed is good at working the ranch but not telling her what he is thinking, or feeling, and though he is in love with her his nephew, and the baby when it comes he lets them all leave for New York without him. He is standing in her studio looking at the paintings that are being loaded up for shipping for her exhibit when he finally starts to notice little details in the cowboy that has been in all of her paintings over the years. You cannot see his face but his pants, the way he wears his hat, the markings of his boots, they are all of him. All of these years of her becoming a famous western painter her cowboy has always been him and the last painting has a cowboy standing on a porch alone watching everyone leave. He now must decide if he wants to be alone or go after the women and family he wants. A very good story with very good characters.

Brenna was widowed and pregnant and she returned home to her father’s ranch. Her father had a stroke and Breena had to help him and with the ranch. Jed is raising his ten year old nephew Tuck. But he also had to prove to the authorities he is the best thing for Tuck. It is suggested that Tuck take art classes as he is very talented. Brenna misses her husband he was her best friend but she hadn’t loved him. Brenna had always loved her teenage love Jed. Breena had left to become a famous artist. Jed never let anyone else touch his heart after Brenna. Even though Jeb had ended the relationship ten years ago. Jed doesn’t want to see Brenna. Brenna started giving Tuck private art lessons. Tuck loves Brenna and thinks she needs a husband and and his uncle Jed should be the man she marries it would help them all. Jed does ask Brenna to marry him and surprisingly she accepts.
I liked this story a lot. The plot was good as was the writing . I loved Brenna and Jed together and rooted them on. I loved Tuck and felt he really added to the story. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I recommend.

I've read quite a number of Anne McAllister's romance novels over the years and have always enjoyed her work, so when this title, one I hadn't read before, was re-released more than a decade after I last read one of her novels, I was eager to read and review it, but I'm sorry to say, I found it somewhat disappointing, and am being generous when I give it a 3-star rating.

This novel combines some of my best-loved romance tropes--a second chance cowboy romance with a marriage of convenience or two, thrown in for good measure, and the primary characters are Jed, a cowboy so taciturn that he barely speaks to anyone, especially to his ward, his 10-year-old orphaned nephew, Tuck. Tuck was spotted walking home from school in a storm one day after missing his school bus, which caused someone to call child protective services, and now the agency is making Jed jump through hoops to retain custody of him. Tuck's grades aren't the greatest either, but he does enjoy drawing and is quite talented.

Eleven years earlier, Jed was in love with a local girl, Brenna, a childhood friend who blossomed into a lovely teenager and who was equally in love with him. They were close to marrying, but decided to wait to consummate their relationship because Brenna was a "good girl," although the waiting was driving testosterone-laden, 21-year-old Jed to be more than a bit frustrated. One day, out of the blue, he simply walked away with no explanation, ending their relationship and breaking Brenna's heart. All she knew was what she learned from the local rumor mill, when Jed was spotted with another girl, Cheree the night before the breakup. Brenna, also a talented artist, went to New York to further her art education and gained quite a following for her work. After her father, who used to be Jed's boss, has a stroke, Brenna has returned home to run his ranch while he recuperates and is willing to give art lessons to Tuck for free, something that sticks in Jed's craw, since he can't afford to pay her, and pride is one of his major problems.

The story is a good one, well-written and with an appealing heroine, a talented young boy and a likable cast of secondary characters, but without giving you spoilers, it's hard to explain the mystery of why Jed dropped Brenna without giving her a reason, why he doesn't want to be around her now, what happened to Brenna over the preceding 11 years, and why she still managed to stay in love with the man who treated her so badly and broke her heart. By the time we finally learn more than Jed's eventual "it's not you, it's me" remark, the real reason for the breakup is so unbelievable and so far-fetched as to be utterly ridiculous, and it's why I was unable to give this otherwise entertaining novel more than a 3-star rating.

3.5 stars

Cowboy Pride by Anne McAllister was a beautiful second chance love story.
The writing is well done, the characters Jed and Brenna were likable, entertaining and I enjoyed watching them get their second chance at love.

*Thank you to Tule Publishing via Netgalley for the advance copy*

Anne McAllister is a master storyteller and one of the best I've ever read. I love deeply emotional reads with stubborn men and the author delivers both in spades. Loved this one!

A story of second chance love with a twist, “Cowboy Pride” follows former high school sweethearts Brenna and Jed. Returning to Marietta widowed and pregnant, Brenna who has enjoyed a successful career as an artist in New York still found her old flame Jed very attractive.

Jed still has feelings for Brenna but he is raising his nephew Tuck. He does not want any more complications. But a twist of fate puts him and Brenna in the same path. It seems that Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos truly have a wicked sense of humor as Jed and Brenna find themselves at each other’s mercy without meaning to.

A fun read with lots of surprises in between, “Cowboy Pride” is Rated T for Teens due to some adult situations.

Cowboy Pride has a dark desperation seeping from it. The intensity is deep, the edginess is fierce, the constant wait of when the dam will break and all the emotions bundled up will overflow the scene had me literally holding my breath in wait.
Jed McCall is not a happy man. He is a good man, he is kind, generous, caring, protective, hard working, and even gentle at times, but happiness left his heart eleven years ago. While the edgy darkness looming around Jed was well done, It was so overwhelming, it might have been a bit too much angst for me. It pulled me into a dark place, and I would have loved a little longer HEA towards the end to balance the doom that hangs around Jed most of the story building up and monopolizing the scenes.
Brenna Jamison's life choices weren't traditional. She had done an amazing thing for her best friend, her kindness, caring, and sacrificing nature leading her on in her life. She was a sweetheart of a character, understanding, forgiving, and gentle soul.
Tuck, the nephew is adorable and wise beyond his years. I have enjoyed how the kids in the series have meddled in the romances of their guardians. Tuck's dialog made me smile and his keen observations laugh out loud.
I was really in a spot with this tale, and I had to sit with this review for a couple of days and think about it for a moment. I liked the story, it pulled me in and the angst around Jed really took me to the deep while my mind is trying to figure out where all the self-doubt, trouble, penance, and mistrust was coming from. What on earth did he do eleven years ago that was so devastating it was worth giving up all the hope in life and the brighter, happier future with his new family. And it was the revelation of the reasons at the end that made me take a step back and carefully dissect the story in my mind again and evaluate it before making hasty remarks while utterly frustrated with the prideful cowboy.
The story unfolded in my mind in a seamless flow of rugged and raw, color bleached pictures of the somber side of the hard life of a cowboy. The moment's mistake that can change our lives, and how humbleness and forgiveness to ourselves, and open communication with others can sometimes be the only key to getting back the vivacious colors and joy into our lives.
~ Four Spoons

Brenna and Jed have to find answers in their shared past to find a future together with the help of Tuck and family. Really enjoy these cowboys and settings. Have enjoyed this series from this author and looking forward to new books.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

Second chances come along rarely enough that we should pay attention when they arrive on our doorstep. Once upon a time Jed and Brenna meant the world to each other, their love young and true. But sometimes the happy ending isn’t written for a couple… just yet.

Widowed, pregnant, and with a ranch and father to tend to, Brenna is just about at the end of her rope. She couldn’t deny the cute little boy’s infectious smile but she could avoid his uncle. She wasn’t looking for a husband, especially not one who’d broken her heart years ago.

Jed is a newly minted father figure for a young, smarter than you’d think little boy. He had his hands full, but that didn’t mean he needed a wife to tangle up his life even more – especially not a woman who’d left him behind with a heart that still hasn’t mended.

What Jed and Brenna think they want and what they’ll get are two different things, all thanks to a little matchmaking boy.

I enjoyed Cowboy Pride and would definitely recommend this series for anyone who loves cowboys, good stories, and engaging characters.

If you are a long time reader of Harlequin or Silhouette (like I am) you may remember this series as Code of the West. If so, then you’ll enjoy stepping back into a delightful series that you may remember – if not, then you’ll enjoy a brand new to you set of touching, enjoyable cowboy romances.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Jed McCall has been doing his best to raise his nephew after some unfortunate circumstances brought the child into Jed’s life. Unfortunately Jed has to keep proving to the authorities that he is the best choice for guardian for Tuck and that the pair are doing well together. When it’s suggested that Tuck take art lessons Jed finds Brenna Jamison brought back into his life and after their past he’s not too happy about it.

Tuck loves being around Brenna and finds a way to make sure his stubborn uncle spends time with her as well. The last thing Jed expected was for Tuck to approach him with the idea that Brenna needs a husband and Jed should be the man for the job in which the arrangement would benefit all three of them immensely.

Cowboy Pride is the fifth book of the Code of the West series but each book features a different couple and plot so this is one that is fine to read as a standalone novel. The plot features one stubborn cowboy meeting up with the one that got away from him in the past with a little push from the child in his life to make this couple a pair again.

While I enjoyed reading this one and the cowboy/ranch setting involved and absolutely loved little Tuck pushing his stubborn uncle I will say that Jed’s stubborness became somewhat of a turn off at some point too. Just one of those please get to the romantic parts a little sooner to me moments so that brought my rating down a bit for this one. Otherwise it’s an interesting set up between the pair and a nice read with the couple having a history together.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Cowboy Pride is another winner from Anne McAllister. In this story, she matches socially gauche Ranch foreman Jed McCall with talented artist Brenna Jamison in a touching twist on the second chance at love trope.
There is no doubt from the first moment that these two love each other. They've clearly never stopped since Jed broke up with Brenna eleven years earlier. Anne McAllister has done a great job in keeping readers guessing as to what is holding Jed back and why he broke up with Brenna in the first place.
This story tugged at my heartstrings quite a bit. Jed clearly hasn't had the easiest life and he faces issues with raising his orphaned nephew Tuck. Brenna is pregnant when they meet up again and her dead husband looms in the background through much of the book. Throughout the story though there is hope and warmth and love. It's been a joy to read!

An excellent second chance story. Jed McCall is happily living life single and free. Then he finds himself raising his nephew on his own and having all sorts of problems with the stay child services people. Brenna Jamison returns to her childhood home to take over running the ranch for her father, she knows staying away from Jed is the best idea. He's working on the ranch though and when Tuck, Jed's nephew comes up with a plan to get his uncle and Brenna together they don't have a chance.

Recommended read!

This was such a sweet book! I love how Jed doesn't want to be "beholden" to anyone lol. This reminds me of home and my family so much. Love, love, love Tuck!! This was the first book in the series I've read so I was a little lost at times with characters, but overall it was an amazing read!

This is a very touching story of love lost, life interfering and love slowly developing into a heartwarming second chance romance. The catalyst for much of the romance is a matchmaking child who is the real star of the story!

Jed McCall seems to be a hard hearted, taciturn cowboy who does his duty but is a tough, uncommunicative individual, very unlikely to explain himself or expose his feelings. However, appearances are often deceptive and that’s particularly so in Jed’s case! He’s taking care of his ten year old nephew, Tuck, but struggling to prove to authorities that he’s the best one to do so. Tuck is a talented artist and friends arrange for him to have private lessons with Brenna Jamison, the girl Jed loved eleven years ago before she left to become a renowned artist in her own right. Now she’s returned home to run her family ranch after her father had a stroke. Jed is a total jumble of emotions at the idea of seeing Brenna again - and she’s actually just as bad. There are many things to be revealed between the two of them, not least of all why they split up all those years ago. Can matchmaking Tuck bring them together again?

If you love the strong, silent and secretly shy type of alpha hero, you’ll love Jed. He’s hardworking, diligent and loyal but also lacks confidence and is reticent about putting himself forward. After all the Brenna has gone through, she’s determined, feisty and a fighter as well as highly talented, caring young lady. The whole story is heartwarming, showing the importance of communication to overcome fears and pride and so to give true love a chance.

Many thanks to the publishers who gifted me a copy of this book through NetGalley without any obligations. This is my honest review after choosing to read it!

If you like the strong, silent type, this is the book for you. Conversation is not Jed's forte and forget small talk! His communication often consist of grunts particularly when interacting with his nephew Tuck and it is this inability to converse (along with his pride) that led to him walking away from Brenna 11 years ago. How she continued to love him through all those years when he had hurt her so badly and she had no idea what she had done, I will never know. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Cowboy Pride by Anne McAllister
The Tanner Brothers #5

Jed and Brenna were in love at one time and for eleven years Brenna has wondered why Jed turned his back on her. A successful artist she has lived in New York, married, lost her husband and is pregnant when she returns to the ranch to help her father out after is stroke. Jed is working on a nearby ranch, raising his nephew Tuck and rather curmudgeonly. He wants NOTHING to do with Brenna…or so he says…though they are thrust together often as he helps on the ranch and she teaches Tuck art. Jed is a man of principles with a secret that keeps him from really living and loving – when his secret finally comes out the marriage of convenience becomes a whole lot more.

As I read I felt this story had an old feel to it so looked it up and found that it was originally published in 1996. So, I was right and yet the story is just as valid today as it no doubt was over 20 years ago. Pride does not make it easy sometimes and it definitely did not make Jed’s life easier.

I enjoyed this book and want to thank NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the copy. This is my honest review.

4 Stars

This is a story which has the life lesson of letting go of Pride...oh that feeling can cause so many things to happen or not... as the case may be...And in this story it was something our fella needed to overcome.

A sweet tale of past love rekindling with the help of a ten year old matchmaker.

Give me a cowboy book any day and I'm guaranteed to love it.
This book didn't disappoint. I loved it. Loved everything about it. This is definitely a keeper

I loved this book. The characters drawn-out story was sweet. McAllister crafted a story even better than the last one I read. Her ability to show deep emotion in characters while avoiding angsty, maudlin scenes is much appreciated.