I loved this debut novel from JoAnn Sky. This story is about Grace, a photographer returning to Nevada after her father and stepmother died, and Noah, the childhood sweetheart who broke Grace’s heart when they were 18. My favorite part of this story, outside of the second chance romance piece, was Grace’s relationship with JJ. I loved watching that blossom! I also really liked Noah and Grace. Grace was infuriating at times but I usually understood her motives. I also love that this is the start of a series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was just so good. I just had the time of my life reading it and I'm really looking forward to seeing what's next from this author.

This is a tough one for me, I enjoyed the relationship that developed between Grace and her brother JJ, but I found the romance part lacking. I didn’t warm to Grace..I found her quite cold and selfish, and didn’t quite get why Noah was so quick to fall for her again. All in all it was an alright read, but I think the romance could have been developed a bit better.

ARC provided for an honest review

This debut story holds great promise for this author.
We have Grace Harper, a NYC established photographer, who left her hometown seven years ago. She returns when her father and step mother die and she becomes the guardian of her 10 year brother JJ. A brother she has never met, and one who has autism.
Her old flame Noah Taylor, the boy that broke her heart , is taking care of the boy, and much to her demise , she needs Noah’s help.
Grace wants to sell the ranch and return to NYC with her JJ .
But things don’t go as first planned .
Will Noah and Grace get a second chance at love, or did their one and only chance a memory in the past?
An engaging story that will touch your hearts.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

This was truly one of those books that I just didn't want to put down.

An emotionally intense story of forgiveness, second-chances and finding peace. A promotional company was literally desperate for reviewers to sign up to read this book. I had a free space and decided to roll the dice and take a chance on an author I had not heard of before. I hoped I would at least enjoy the story but I never expected to be absolutely captivated by it, to the extent that I was sneaking quick reads whenever I could at work.

Grace left her home on the outskirts of Reno 7 years ago, and hasn't looked back since. Not when she was so badly let down by both her dad and the boy she thought would be her forever. The last thing she wants it to be back, trying to sell the place and forge a relationship with the step-brother she had never met. Noah was the boy who broke her heart but now he's all man, and the only man who can help Grace with JJ. Grace doesn't plan on staying around long, but you know what they say about the best laid plans.

I can't believe how much I adored this book, normally I'm all about the dark, the kink, the sci-fi in any and all combination. This is very much a clean romance, it has implied activity between the sheets, but it is all off the page. So not my normal style and yet I simply couldn't get enough of Grace, Noah and JJ.

Grace was incredibly stubborn but with how badly she had been hurt, and let down, by those she loved I could totally understand why she isolated herself. I really liked her, I liked how realistic she was about her ability to cope with the new status quo and I loved how JJ cracked the hard shell she was hiding behind. Grace and JJ made this book for me.

Noah almost didn't deserve a second chance to me. Whilst he had acted with the best of intentions his decision had a long lasting and harsh impact on Grace. However he was young, foolish and under a lot of pressure so that, along with just how darn sexy he was, made me forgive him.

JJ is the autistic step-brother and you will totally fall in love with him. He was a strong and powerful character in his own right, really adding depth and meaning to the story.

This book held my attention from the first page to the very last, the characters were believable, the plot moved with good pace and the story is awash with emotion. I would recommend this to any romance reader of any age.

Delightful debut of a second chance romance with a little something extra inside. . . NO COWBOY REQUIRED . . . was a treat in small town life and sweet tender romance that comes from a second chance with the first love. Thought reluctant and determined Grace/Graci finds that going home can sometime be just what you need in your life. Grace did not step in to be the long lost big sister, dutiful daughter, or part-time lover. She got more than she was expecting out of this trip back home. Plans she put in place before her arrival had a way of changed to something different. Noah was a lifesaver and a pain. This was a sweet little read that gave me something to smile about. I found my first read from JoAnn Sky was a delightful one. There were areas that could have been more but this was a good start and heading in a good direction.

This is a multilayered story, not only about second chances at love between Noah and Grace, but also what started out as the tenuous thread of love between a Grace and her younger autistic step brother, JJ. There are so many beautifully rendered moments between Grace and JJ as they grew to know each other, and always in the background was Noah...there for both Grace and JJ. This was quite the emotional story, seeing love from three direct perspectives, Noah, Grace, and JJ...proving that love knows no bounds.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

This is a modern day romance set in Reno, Nevada. It was ironic because I was in Reno for the RT book convention. Reno is a beautiful state, and the mountains are intensely beautiful. We have mountains here in New York, but they are nothing compared to the mountains in Reno.

Just to let the reader know, there are no love scenes in this book. If that’s ok, keep on reading, if not, then I would suggest reading something else. However, I think the reader would be missing out on a very entertaining read. This book had my attention from when I started it when I finished it. I was at RT at the time so finding time was hard, but I managed.

The title of the book is apropos because Noah isn’t a cowboy in the traditional sense. He’s not a rodeo tootin, yeehaw kinda cowboy, but he does know how to take care of the ranch that Grace’s family owns, so he has cowboy tendencies. I like that term..

I really liked Noah because he wears his heart on his sleeve but he’s not a wuss and he stands up to the woman that he loves even when it kills him because he knows right from wrong. He’s strong, physically as well as emotionally and he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty on the farm. He loves the land and he respects nature and he’s very, very good with JJ, even when the child is having a bad moment.

JJ, who is Grace’s stepbrother, has some challenging behaviors due to autism. Is it me, or has there been more books with children with an autistic diagnosis? I think it’s great that authors are creating awareness about it so that others that don’t know about it can learn.

I have to admit, I did not like Grace. I tried, I really did, but she just annoyed me, and I think that she got off too easy at the end to get her HEA. What bothered me about Grace was that she wouldn’t admit her feelings to Noah, she wouldn’t accept help from people who wanted to help her, she decided to try to get help from the smarmiest man on the planet, and she was in a constant state of stress over everything that she decided on. In the end she did the right thing with her situation, but it took her a while to get there. I know that characters like people have flaws and tend to make mistakes; I just couldn’t wrap my mind around Grace. On a positive note, she wound up having a great relationship with her stepbrother, and she did get her HEA, so she’s not all bad.

3.5stars
The story is second chance love for Grace and her high school love Noah. Grace has her job in NY as an assistant for a famous photographer, but she has to push a stop button and go to her hometown where she inherited a farm and has to take care of her autistic stepbrother. All her plans changes when she finds out how much the farm is in debt and learning state of her stepbrother. That is not all the what happens among all the things is the attraction between her old love ist still very much alive and soon is hard to stay away. But will the love bee enough for Grace to come back. It is an interesting story both Grace and Noah are ok, I just didn't fell in love with the characters. Noah had wanted that Grace makes something from her life that is why he lets her go. Grace is because of that still very bitter, she was for me too angry with her family and is sad that she didn't keep in contact with her father. Until the letter which opens her eyes and she see life in a different life.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly.

I love a second chance romance, especially when it’s in a small town! Especially if there’s a ranch or cowboys involved.

I love that Grace thought she was just going to swoop in to her family’s homestead, take her stepbrother back to NYC with her and sell the ranch. That’s definitely not what happened. And I loved that the specifics of her brother and ex were not going to make that so easy on her. Because the longer she stayed, the less inclined she was to get back “home”.

The characters in Reno were entertaining and I’d like to see more of this series involving them.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I hate writing negative reviews, especially when the book wasn't terrible. It was well written and the characters were well thought out. But for me No Cowboy Required just didn't jive. I found it slow moving and had difficulty keeping my attention on the story. In fact, after I started it, I ended up reading three other books in leu of finishing it. I also really struggled to find something likeable about the main character.

Grace is determined, silently broken, and sassy. However, I really struggled with liking this character. I found her arrogant and bullish. I'm not sure why I responded so negatively to her but something about her didn't sit right with me. Her love interest Noah, I loved. He was sweet, devoted, and sexy. And I adored JJ. But Grace for some reason never clicked with me and didn't grow on me. I struggled with the chemistry between Grace and Noah, I didn't find it super believe.

There was a little bit of drama but it wasn't too over the top and did work within the storyline. It just isn't a book that'll stick with me or that I'll read again. However, if you like sweet romances with second chances, this may work for you.

3.5 stars
The writing was good I think. It was fast-paced and before I knew it, I was finished with this story. I'm really curious to see what this author writes in the future since this was her debut novel.

let's talk a bit about the romance

I have to say, that the romance in this book didn't completely 'get to me' you know? I was often more interested in the developing relationship between Grace and her stepbrother JJ as I was with her romantic relationship developments between her and Noah.

And it's not that I didn't like Noah or Grace, because I really did. But somehow it all felt too superficial to me, the romance development. It went on and one with Noah and Grace not really talking with one another despite having quite the past together - growing up together, falling in love with each other and him pushing her away 7 years ago which left some serious 'damage' - and not much is happening regarding that development until the last 25% of the book. I like slow-burn romances but when it's between characters who have such a past together as these two do and there being a lot of things unspoken between them, I'd like it more if the rekindled/second chance - romance was more prominent present earlier on in the story instead.

relationship developments

But at the same time, I understand the fact that the romance wasn't The biggest part of the story because Grace has to step up on a lot of other fronts; she has to 'save' the ranch and she has to get acquainted with her step-brother JJ. I loooved Grace and JJ's developing relationship throughout this book. JJ is autistic and I think the author did a really great job, writing his character the way she did. I loved his artistic abilities and how he connects to animals. I loved the way Grace and JJ had their rough patches throughout the story, but them having a quite instant 'connection' as well through the animals and the art.
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conclusion

overall this was a fun, fast-paced read. It was predictable to me, hence the lesser star rating, but the characters were interesting and made up for that I think. The romance wasn't all to my liking, but please don't let it stop you from picking up this book since your opinion on it could be totally different of course! I'm curious to read more by this author in the future, so that's a positive thing!! If you're into second chance romances with a few cowboy twists, this book is worth the read!

Grace Harper can't believe she's back. Her dad & step mom were killed in an accident & she's named guardian of her step brother, JJ. She's managed to squeeze a little time off of her job in New York & hopes to pick him up & head back right away. You know what they say about best laid plans!

Noah can't believe she's back & trying to ignore everything that they meant to each other. She doesn't know JJ & doesn't realize her plan won't work for him. He's going to do everything he can to get her to stay a little while longer. Maybe she'll realize her place is with him.

Joann Sky has written a warm, heartfelt story about a man & woman that have been lost to each other & are now back in each other's lives. Grace needs to discover what's important to her & figure out how to get it. Noah needs to learn that his wants count too & that he can step up for others. They both need to realize JJ's wants & needs are more important since he depends on them. This was a sweet read!

Returning home is hard for Grace Harper, but when she inherits a ranch she hasn't spent time at in years and becomes the guardian of her young, autistic stepbrother, Grace knows she doesn't have a choice but to face her past. However, being around Noah Taylor again isn't easy, especially after he broke her heart. Yet, the more time she spends with him, the more she finds herself falling for him all over again. Will Grace be able to give Noah another chance, or will she walk away from her second chance at happy ever after?

What a cute, heartfelt, captivating read Ms. Sky has delivered in this book where the main characters were relatable, likeable and had me loving their growing relationship as they find their way back together; the dialogue was compelling, as the heroine gets to know her adorable stepbrother while fighting her feelings for Noah for fear of getting hurt again; and the obstacles these two face to be together had me wondering whether they'd ever be successful, considering how determined the heroine is to return to her life.

The way this story started drew me in immediately and had me sympathizing with the heroine, as it's not easy for her to return home to the ranch she left years ago. Since it holds many memories -- both good and bad. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time where things get very interesting, as the hero hurt the heroine badly, even if he did what he did for the right reasons and because he's altruistic and wouldn't let anything hold her back from achieving her dreams.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories and everything these two face on their journey to happy ever after, as big decisions need to be made, especially when it comes to the future of the heroine's stepbrother and whether the heroine can ever forgive Noah for what he did. Moreover, the heroine has accomplished so much in her life and I liked how determined she was to return to her life, which isn't going to be easy because she's responsible for someone else. How could she change her stepbrother's life so much when he loves the ranch? Then again, the heroine is resilient, brave and I liked that if it's in her power to do what's right for the young boy than that's what she'll do. How could she not consider his feelings?

While the hero, he's confident; a good guy, which is proven by his relationship with the heroine's stepbrother and all that he does for the little guy; and I liked how determined he was to win the heroine back, even though he has quite the battle on his hands. However, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him when it comes to the situation with his father. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was the tight bond he shares with the heroine's stepbrother. It was adorable and shows that not only does the young boy need Noah in his life but that Noah needs him too and there's no way he's going to let the boy go so easily. How could he make Grace understand that the ranch and the town where they live should be where her stepbrother should stay?

Overall, Ms. Sky has delivered a wonderful read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was intense; the romance on the sweet side, but had me loving how determined the hero was to show the heroine how much he still wants her; and the ending had me loving the heroine's decision. How could she not realize what a great guy Noah is and that second chances are worth fighting for? I would recommend No Cowboy Required by Joann Sky, if you enjoy second chance romances or books by authors LE Rico, Jennifer Hoopes, Annie Seaton and Elsie Davis.

Grace is thrown back into the world she left behind with a broken heart. Noah isn't ready to see Grace again but when he does, he's determined not to let go. Noah is amazing, he loves both Grace and JJ. His love of the land is undeniable. I don't agree with how he sent Grace away and how her caters to her nemesis in the story. However, he's the type of person that helps anyone in need, even when he knows they're being manipulative. As an ASD mom I always worry how the autistic characters will be written. JoAnn Sky handled this beautifully from meltdowns, not liking being touched etc... Anyone who knows autistic people know each is different and he's perfectly portrayed in my opinion. Grace is extremely selfish through most of the book. She did have a redeeming quality or two but truthfully Noah and JJ redeemed the story altogether. This was a great, solid book however in my tastes I prefer more than one page of the HEA part. I like at least one chapter at the very least but prefer personally at least two chapters.

A fun and heartwarming debut!

Though Grace, the main character, isn't always the easiest person to like (I dare you to read this all the way through without yelling at her in your head about the choices she thinks she "has" to make at least once), Ms. Sky does a great job of showing how Grace grows and changes as a character. Her stepbrother, JJ, is wonderfully written--his love of animals and genuine vulnerability made him one of my favorite characters in the book. Noah, like Grace, made some questionable decisions, though admittedly his were mostly seven years earlier--in the present time of the story, he's a strong and protective, even though a bit too quiet, character.

Even though a bit more conversation between Grace and Noah could have alleviated much of the drama, this was still an entertaining read from a new author that I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from. Plus, there were animals :)

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is a delightful second chance romance with great characters, a lovely setting and plenty of twist and turns, anguish and romance along the way. Grace Harper left her family home seven years ago after her father remarried and her first love, Noah Taylor, broke her heart and sent her away. Following the tragic death of her father she is returning to sort everything out and to become the guardian of her autistic stepbrother, JJ, who she has never previously met and who certainly seems to resent her. She has no idea how to relate to JJ and is shocked to discover that he is currently being cared for by her ex, Noah. Now she really does need his help but even though the attraction between them is still there and he wants her to stay, she is determined to leave both him and the ranch well behind . . .

This is a story where happy memories that have been packed securely away are slowly brought out into the open again. A story where the reasons behind the heartbreak are poignantly revealed as the story progresses and love is rekindled. It is a delightful read, with the small town community and brilliantly talented young man taking centre stage. At the same time that Grace tries to win over JJ to leaving his home and the animals he loves behind she is also being reminded of happier days and a potentially happier future. Can old dreams become reality of has too much happened for their romance to stand a chance? Get ready for laughter, tears and surprising talents as this engaging story unfolds - you'll also discover where the title for the book came from!

I requested and was given a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.

This is a delightful entertaining and heartwarming story that will have you laughing one moment and signing the next as you read this book. This is a well written book with engaging characters that you can’t help but fall in love with them and cheer them on to get their HEA. They where absolutely perfect for each other and the story flows through the pages and just makes you smile while reading. A brilliant book that was an absolute pleasure to read from start to finish and i would absolutely recommend this book to all book lovers out there, you need to pick this one up.

This book has fade-to-black sex and one (inexplicably out of place) f-bomb that is easily skipped over if that kind of thing offends you. Other than that, there's not much here that readers who like “clean and sweet” books should find off-putting.

The writing in this book was really, really good. While I'll admit that I struggled with Grace and her aloof/detached attitude that made her seem either clueless or heartless more than once, I really liked her a lot and found myself rooting for her to figure her life out and finally allow herself to be happy. If you find yourself annoyed with her, be patient. And Noah was the perfect book boyfriend. I liked that he was so loyal to the land and to his home town, and even to Grace, despite everything. All of that was great, but his devotion to JJ showed exactly the kind of man that he was, and every time he thought about JJ or interacted with him, I found myself swooning like a teenage girl over her first crush. Grace would have had to actually be coldhearted not to fall for Noah and for JJ. JJ was an amazing character, also. As the aunt of a nephew on the high functioning end of spectrum, I am always nervous when a character is autistic, but I really loved how JJ was portrayed and how his skills were highlighted as much as (or more than) his awkward qualities were. His affection for Grace, Noah, and for the animals made me just want to hug him.

I was surprised at how emotionally charged this book was. I found myself on the verge of tears more than once as I was reading. I'm trying not to spoil anything, but JJ saying those “five little words” to Noah slayed me ohmygosh. I wasn't expecting to get emotionally involved in this story, but I definitely did. Between the great characters and the emotions that her writing evoked, I look forward to reading more stories by Ms. Sky.

I requested a copy of this book and chose to review it because I really enjoyed it.

Seven years ago, Grace left her hometown with a broken heart and has become a successful photographer in NY. She never expected to return but when her father and her stepbrother passed away she became guardian to the 10 year old stepbrother, JJ that she never met.

When Noah broke her heart all those years ago he had his reasons. He manages her father’s ranch and is close to her stepbrother so not seeing him while she is in town is no longer an option. Now that Grace is back he not only wants to work out the misunderstanding of the past, but he also wants a second chance with the only girl he has ever loved.

Grace has not had an easy life, but I liked how she opened up and allows others to be close to her, JJ is a sweetheart and Noah is patient with both JJ and Grace. This is my first book by this author, but I would definitely read her future stories. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book