I really tried liking this book but I got annoyed with both of the characters. They are both annoying that I needed to stop reading before I got started again. They are just too stubborn and reckless about avoiding their attraction for each other. You can just tell that they like each other way too much for their liking. Nothing to be ashamed about. It's just annoyed that they dragged it out for so long.

This is one of those stories I liked but didn’t love but felt invested enough that I wanted to continue reading but felt no sense of urgency to do so. It was a quick and easy read and I enjoyed the overall storyline, the insta-love, and found the characters interesting. Sometimes it did feel a bit too fast-paced and some things were glossed over making me feel disconnected. This one falls into the "good" category for me.

Semper Fi Cowboy is a quick and sexy cowboy romance between a recently retired Marine and the new veterinarian in town. The story is slightly predictable but well-written, a bit too much of an insta-love for me, and it is third-person narration, which is my least favorite. Despite all of that, I did enjoy the family ranch dynamic and there was plenty of steam to make it worthwhile.

I really liked this book and as a start to a new series it definitely pulls you in. If you like a determined hero who knows what he wants and goes after it, you'll love Tanner. His strong and very likable heroine is Jules and she was great. I loved her dedication, her smarts and her big heart.

This has some family drama and although it feels a bit insta-lovish, the characters do have some hurdles to overcome for their happy ending. Very cute and I really liked it.

Captain Tanner Wilks is forced to retire at 35 when his father’s health takes a turn for the worse. Tanner must now return home and help his father get back into better health. On his way back home, he has a hot night with a sexy woman who turns out to be the town’s vet. On top of that, she refuses to have any relationship with any of the ranchers, which Tanner refuses to take!
This was a quick and cute read. I liked both of the main characters. Their interactions worked really well for me. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Sweet but a bit forgettable. I didn't do the review right away and when I went to do it I had a complete blank on the story. I remember it being sweet but obviously forgettable if the characters have slipped my mind.

With more research I find that We have Tanner Wilks and the new Veternarian Jules, and that's about it.

Semper Fi Cowboy is the first title in the Lone Star Leathernecks series and it's also the first novel I've read by this author, and it left me wondering how on earth I've missed reading any of her books up to now because wow, she's good! This novel gets a 5- star rating from this reader.

The hero, Marine Captain Tanner Wilks, is newly retired after 20 years in the Marines, and is returning to the family ranch in Texas, but it's not a choice he'd have made willingly had he not been informed that his father had had two heart attacks in the past six months and wasn't slowing down at all or following doctors' orders. He and his father never had much of a relationship to begin with, since his father, a retired Marine Colonel, was seldom there when Tanner and his two younger siblings were growing up. On the rare occasions he was present, he was both gruff and distant, and his expectations for his first-born son, Tanner, was that Tanner was expected to go to school, graduate and immediately follow the long-held family tradition, to enter the military, make it his career, and serve his country honorably.

On his first night back in Texas, Tanner decides that he can show up at the ranch in the morning, but that he deserves a beer at the only place in town there is, the Silver Dollar, a bar and dance hall with live music. It's there that he first spots Jules Heller on the dance floor, a beautiful young woman who seems quite popular and is never lacking a dance partner. Jules, while attracted to the handsome stranger, rebuffs his attempt to buy her a drink, but Tanner manages to charm her into dancing with him, and I can't recall a time when I've been more impressed by an authors facility
with writing such smart, sassy, and sexy banter--and it was such a pleasure to read! After a number of dances, five beers for Tanner and a glass of wine for Jules, and the speedy mutual attraction between these two, they end up at the only hotel in town, sneaking off separately to preserve Jules' reputation, and it's then we discover that in addition to writing great dialogue, Ms. Long can also write one sizzling hot sex scene.

Jules is gone when Tanner awakes the next morning and heads off to the family ranch for the first time in years. He's not looking forward to the reunion with his father, and as he rides out to meet him, he's shocked to discover that his sexy one-night stand, Jules, is actually the new veterinarian in town, a job she inherited from her uncle, and, not only is she shocked to see the handsome stranger she thought was just passing through town, she also works for his father, is renting a small house on the ranch, and she has a strict rule of not getting involved with any of the local ranchers, something her uncle drilled into her head for years. The Colonel is unpleasantly surprised to see his son, and to say that this is not a happy reunion is putting it mildly. His father immediately tells him he's not needed at the ranch and orders Tanner to go back to his military career, and dear old Dad is not used to anyone ever refusing to follow his orders. He and Tanner butt heads immediately, something that happens every time these two have to be in the same place at the same time.

What I loved about this novel is pretty much everything, and what sets it apart from many romance novels is that the handsome and hunky hero actually has to work hard to gain any ground with the heroine who, regardless of her attraction to the hero, isn't afraid to tell him "no". Jules is one strong and competent female character, able to give as good as she gets, and because of that, the fireworks between these two when they are together are both believable and intense. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching Tanner try time and again to make his father realize that he's home for good, that he's needed at the ranch, that his military career is over, and to watch him try to forge a relationship with his difficult, rude, old-fashioned and demanding father.

While this was a rather short read, a one-nighter for me, there was enough substance, drama, character building, backstory and angst in this novel to keep me entertained throughout. I was incredibly impressed by this author and while this may have been my first encounter with her work, it most certainly won't be my last. I'm hooked and I believe you will be too.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

"Semper Fi Cowboy" was what I would call a quiet read of family disagreements, love, loyalty and healing. Tanner retires from the Corp. to come home and take care of his cantankerous father, also a retired Marine. Coming back to town, he meets up with the local veterinarian Jules, up close and personal. He doesn't know she is living on his family ranch and she doesn't know he is a local. Imagine their surprise when they meet again the next day on Tanner's family ranch. Tanner coming home to the ranch is not without its problems and issues. Although the problems are many, the story is not overdone with too much drama and sex, but a beautiful story of falling in love and the journey it took to get there. A romantic ending with Jules and Tanner's HEA, as well as Tanner and his father finding their peace in their father-son relationship. There is a flow to the story that keeps the reader's interest and the pages turning. I would like to thank NetGalley and Pocket Books for gifting me "Semper Fi Cowboy". My opinion is my own. This is mine. 4.25 Stars! (Quiet read meaning not over the top, but a warm and feel good read)

See attached link for my review!! Loved this story and can't wait to read the next installments in the series.

Tanner Wilks finally returns home after retiring from the Marines. He is ready to help his father after several heart attacks have left him weakened. He grudgingly did his duty since he never really saw eye to eye with the Colonel. On his way back home he meets Jules. Her fiery attitude lights a spark in Tanner as he comes to gripes with life on the ranch. Jules is all to willing to deny what they share based on the rules she has but slowly becomes helpless to the chemistry that they share. Sometimes coming home is simply not a duty but completes the person you have become.

Would love to read something by this author again! The story was well thought out and the characters were very likable!

Tanner Wilks retires as a marine to return home to take care of his gruff father whose health is failing. Spunky young veterinarian Julia Heller knows just how to put Tanner in his place and also proves the point that they can be taught.

Small town cowboy romance meets Marines and Tanner is so freaking hot, and when he meets Julia, the sparks fly! I definitely rooted for these two to make it work, even as they struggle with Tanner's family problems. I found this a comfort read, one that I know I will go back and read again and again. I loved every second, and I look forward to more stories in this series.

Tanner comes home to help his father run the ranch, so he is now retired from the Marines. He runs into a sexy woman at the bar, and they have a wild night of passion. Next day he goes out to the ranch, and lo and behold the sexy woman is the new veterinarian, who also rents one of the cabins on the ranch. Jules is stubborn about not mixing business with pleasure, but what is a girl to do? A sexy ex-marine cowboy, who makes her toes curl is something that is hard to resist. A fun story, and love the witty banter. Highly recommend this book and author.

Semper Fi Cowboy had the makings of a cute contemporary/western romance. Ex-military guy home to take care of an ailing father, town veterinarian hottie who works on the same farm. So, why did I give up?

First, it was cliche. In the 10% I read, the plot devices were played out. He returns to his small town, stops at the local bar, catches up with the bartender he has known for years, sees beautiful woman across the bar and banter ensues. She doesn't permit him to buy her a drink, they dance, then decide to have a 1 night stand.

Second, it was 3rd person. 3rd person is hit or miss for me. Sometimes, its brilliant (see any of my reviews on Cynthia Eden's books). Sometimes, it creates a feeling of distance from the characters. Semper Fi Cowboy falls into the later unfortunately. These two meet and have a 1 night stand and I really felt nothing about either character by then. It was all very 'meh'.

Its not a poorly written book. I just found myself comparing it to other books in this genre I have read that were more memorable (Lost Rider by Harper Sloan, The Montana Men series by Jennifer Ryan). My final verdict is that while this book isn't for me, its not bad by any means and might be right up your alley!

I don't read a ton of cowboy books... but I'm spending a month among the ranches and farms in Tucson and Yuma, so I figured this is a good time to read about men in Wranglers, Stetsons and broken-in boots. Heather Long is a new-to-me author, and one I will definitely be reading again in the future.

Captain Tanner Wilks is about eighteen years into a successful military career with the Marines when he gets the call that he must return home to the ranch to assist his ailing father, the Colonel. Feeling a familial duty doesn't quite overcome Tanner's resentment for his forced early retirement, and he delays the last portion of his trip home with a stop at the Silver Dollar for a burger and beer. Tanner quickly decides that there may be no better way to spend his last night of freedom than with the lithe brunette dancing the night away and rebuffing his advances. Tanner was a great hero... somewhat alpha male and someone who doesn't like to take no for an answer. I enjoyed watching him experience some personal growth as the story progressed, and he had quite the adjustment to make in learning how to deal with this woman, his injured comrade, and his ailing and stubborn father.

Julia Heller is the sole veterinarian in a small Texas ranching town, and she is struggling with being the new girl on the block. In an effort to earn (and keep) her client's trust and respect, she lives by several rules, one of which is that she doesn't date ranchers. I had to admire Jules' drive and work ethic, even if I thought that rule was a bit silly. She genuinely cared about all the animals she treated, and she never shied away from late night calls and difficult situations. I liked that she helped Tanner to understand the Colonel and Mateo, without being too preachy about his shortcomings and lack of understanding.

The relationship between these two started with a bang and never really slowed down. Even though Jules threw up her hand and said she didn't date ranchers, Tanner wouldn't take no for an answer and set out to woo her at every turn. Because this book took place over a relatively short time, I would categorize it as a tad instalove... but it wasn't an annoying shallow relationship. They talked and got to know each other quite a bit, and that helped distribute the focus away from the timeline.

As I haven't read a ton of books of the cowboy trope, I am glad that this southwestern setting wasn't in your face. They were working a ranch and the animals, but there wasn't any artificial honky tonk type stuff or stereotypical southern slang. Heather Long will definitely be an author that I revisit in the future.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Pocket Books.

Cute story. Jules and Tanner meet in town at the local bar. Tanner is intrigued by Jules's dancing, and her looks. The two dance a few dances themselves before they wind upon in the local motel. The next morning Tanner heads towards home, but is shocked to find Jules is a now their Veterinarian. He does not like the word no. She tries to keep her distance away from him, but he keeps surprising her. The biggest obstacle for them both is Tanner's dad. I don't want to ruin the ending.

Tanner is retired from the military, and reluctantly returns to help his ailing father with the ranch. Julia is the vet with whom he had a past relationship.

I usually like a cowboy story, but this one is pretty boring and there is zero chemistry between the two main characters. It took me a long time a multiple starts to get into the story. Something is needed to add some spice and human interest.

The book opens up with Captain Tanner Wilks returning to his home town and family’s ranch because his father ill. His father also retired Marine but Colonel. Tanner stops off at the local bar, honky tonk, he notices a women dancing and when he goes to buy her a drink she declines. Not knowing he is talking to the local veterinarian Jules Heller, but she just gives him Jules. After talking then agreeing to dance with him they both are attracted to one another and decide to take their spin at his hotel room. She is doing something totally out of character for her but she figures it is a one night stand, wishing it could be more when she has to leave because of a call. After waking up by himself he is wondering if he will see her again. Getting out to the ranch and settling in he goes out on the range where his father is to let him know he is home and the colonel is not happy at all. Needless to say the only good thing is that he found Jules. His father the colonel and he don’t have any type of relationship and when he sees his son hanging around the Vet the colonel is rude to her. Jules wants to be with Tanner but because she is taking over her uncle’s practice she thinks she should not date any rancher. Tanner keeps asking her to point where he finally stops after his father ends up in the hospital again. Now using a different plan he talks to his father telling him he is not going back to the Marines, and his idea for the ranch and to help Veterans with PTSD with animal therapy. He also comes up with a plan for Jules. Read this entertaining book with a good ending to find out what happens.

This is a great book. With stubborn women and stubborn men, love and loyalty along with strength and passion. Nothing like smooth talking men who have a sense of humor and sense of service and the independent women who support them. Family may not always be easy but they are still family. This book has it all.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.