A True Cowboy Christmas is the first novel in Caitlin Crews' Cold River Ranch series, and if you're looking for the average, run of the mill, sweet and wholesome Christmas story you're in for quite a surprise--because this exceptional novel is a far cry from the usual Hallmark Christmas story, in many ways it reminded me of one of my favorite novels, Jane Eyre, and I absolutely loved it. It gets 5-stars from this reader.

The novel opens at the funeral of Gray Everett's drunken, abusive father, Amos, so from the outset, Gray had my sympathies. Gray hasn't had it easy, as one of three brothers, he was the only one to stay on their Colorado ranch and work the land. Unfortunately, his former wife didn't share his love of the land or the remoteness of the ranch. Sshe cheated on him repeatedly, and her life came to an abrupt end on a mountainside 10 years earlier, when her car crashed as she was on her way to meet one of her lovers, leaving Gray to raise their daughter, Becca, alone, while trying to keep her away from the ugliness and bitterness that was his father, whose wife had also left him many years earlier. The final insult was that Amos Everett didn't leave the ranch to Gray. His oft-amended will stipulated that the ranch belonged to all 3 of his sons, Gray, Brady and Ty, the latter two who left Cold River as soon as they came of age, and took no part in the ranching life that Gray so loved. The brothers want to sell the ranch and split the profits, but Gray just isn't having it.

Becca is now 15 years old, and Gray, who's not sought a woman's company at all over the past decade since his wife's death, decides that he needs a wife and Becca needs a mother, and when he sets eyes on his lifelong neighbor, Abby Douglas, someone he's known (but not really known) his entire life, he decides that she's the answer to his problem. She's not a stunning beauty like his former wife, so he doesn't believe she'll cheat on him, she loves and is used to ranch life, she's solid, strong, and dependable, and when he shows up at her grandmother's home, where Abby was raised and verbally abused by her mostly absent mother, Lily, out of nowhere he proposes marriage to her, and Abby simply cannot believe him.

What Gray doesn't know is that Abby has been in love with him since she was a very little girl, but she's not a fool, and has a backbone and rather than jump for joy, she's not taking his proposal seriously, and certainly not before he spells out his reasons for proposing. While she's known him as her neighbor all her life, they've barely spoken more than a few sentences to each other in all that time. Abby is 30 years old, she's never been kissed, never been on a date, and considers herself to be the oldest virgin west of the Mississippi. She's taken to heart all the negative things her mother has said about her--that she's too tall, too plain, too boring, too plodding, too heavy, and destined to become an old maid, and she doubts that Gray is proposing to her out of love, since they barely know each other. But Gray isn't looking for love--he doesn't even believe in it. He's honest with Abby about his intentions--he wants a marriage of convenience, a wife who won't cheat on him and isn't afraid of how solitary and lonely ranch life can be, a stepmother for his daughter, a bed mate, and someone who will eventually give him more children. It's something that Abby has dreamed of all her life, and she eventually accepts his proposal and his terms.

What follows is a deeply moving, extremely sensitive and emotional portrayal of two people who've been beaten down by the people who should have lifted them up, Gray's father, his former wife, and Abby's mother, leaving both of them emotionally scarred and damaged, and especially in Abby's case, with virtually no self-esteem . While Gray doesn't seem to see that he's following in his father's footsteps, Abby keeps her love for him a secret, but she can only do so for so long, and it all comes to a head when Abby wants to celebrate Christmas in her new home, and Gray tells her there will be no Christmas at the Cold River Ranch in no uncertain terms. In addition to all the issues facing Gray and Abby, there's also a great deal of trouble and animosity between the three brothers, and adding to it all is the fact that Abby's mother has decided to return to her former home for the holidays, and immediately starts to tear down what little confidence Abby has come to feel since her marriage to Gray.

It was impossible not to feel both love and anger for stern, authoritative Gray, who was tender with Abby in some ways and harshly pragmatic and authoritative in others. It was easy to love, empathize with and respect Abby for having a backbone and for standing up to Gray when she needed to, and to be a wonderful, caring mom to her stepdaughter, Becca. I loved her honesty, her lack of guile, and the way she managed to somehow help every person in the Everett household. I also loved her two closest friends, and her grandmother, who loved and supported her through it all. Abby is a character I'll not soon forget.

So, how does it all end? What happens when Abby slips and tells Gray she loves him, breaking their marriage of convenience deal? What will happen with Gray's brothers and their desire to sell the land he so loves and has given his life to? You'll just have to read this incredibly complex, surprisingly sensitive and emotionally charged novel to find out. Kudos to Ms. Crews for delving so deeply into her characters in such a meaningful way, and for taking us on their journey of discovery and emotional healing. While this is most definitely not your average Christmas romance, I think you'll love it as much as I did.

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

Gray and Abby had an unconventional start, and she had the patience of a saint, but they wound up in a sweet relationship. Abby was a great step-mom, a good neighbor, and the perfect match for Grays shattered heart.

Christmas made them enemies. Marriage made them lovers.

The weather is cooling down; crank up the heat in this seductive marriage of convenience romance. A True Cowboy Christmas hits the perfect sweet spot.
Together, Abby and Gray are delightful but the emotional pull you experience brings the story to life. Abby is the sweet farm girl who follows her heart. I love how she was not a push over yet was able to remind Gray they were partners in their new marriage.
Gray was sweet and accommodating and mainly treated their union as bestfriends. He never thought any woman could make him love again, let alone celebrate Christmas. The more time he spends with Abby things get even more complicated when their true feelings become more difficult to keep hidden away.
Favorite line: ” I like what happens here, in this bed, when the lights go out ……I don’t see why you being an authoritative ass should mean I have to miss out.”

He remembered that kiss in her grandmother’s house like it had been in black and white, but this was all color, bright and wild.
And he wanted more.
He wanted everything.

Gray Everett is a stoic cowboy.
Abby Douglas is the woman who’s been in love with him from afar.
Together, they’re a wonderful couple, whose story of marriage and love and trust and heartache is thought-provoking, heartfelt and enjoyable.

I love cowboys and Christmas, so I had no hesitation in picking up this one from Caitlin Crews. Though it occasionally feels a little too introspective, I couldn’t help but marvel at the way Ms. Crews developed the relationship between Gray and Abby. The care that went into their choices and their mistakes—it made A True Cowboy Christmas feel like something true. Something that could actually happen.

So gifted was the writing here, that there was a hidden tension and heat to each exchange, giving it new meaning and making it all the more sexy. And all the more emotional.

With watery eyes and genuine care for Abby and Gray and Becca, I couldn’t help but become invested in and hopeful of their happily ever after. And I won’t hesitate to return to this series in the future—if only to check in on their HEA. (But also because Brady and Ty both need to find their way.)

“You’re already my wife. But, Abby, I want you to be my everything.”

~ 4.5 STARS ~

Neighbors, young love, marriage of convience . Abby,has loved Grey since childhood. Grey doesn't know she's alive until death of his father . Marriage of convience, antics to follow. I love Abby and Grey. Lillian, made me hope someone would smack her

This new series has started off with a heart tugging and heartwarming holiday story full of strong, compelling characters that easily draw readers into their story. Gray Everett decides he’s a needs a wife and Abby Douglas would be the perfect, most practical choice. Abby Douglas has been in love with Gray her whole life, so his proposal is nothing less than a Christmas miracle so she can’t really refuse. The romance throughout this story is full of lots of emotional turmoil that tugs at heartstrings and keeps this couple’s relationship on rocky ground but the sizzling chemistry and Abby’s determination to convince Gray that their growing trust and mutual passion may be leading to true and lasting love.

The plot is steady paced and flows smoothly throughout and keeps the suspense building throughout the story as readers wonder whether this couple ever achieve their happily ever after or will stubbornness and a irritable legacy keep them apart. The author brings her story to life with wonderful characters full of depth that makes it easy for readers to connect to the characters as they make life changing decisions during the holiday season which of course adds that hopeful and special ambiance to the story that only the holidays can add. The Everett brothers capture readers’ attention and ensures that readers will want to visit the Cold River Ranch again and again.

This is a novel to read slowly and savor to the hilt. It is sweet but also intense, mesmerizing and absorbing as you wade the waters of the lives of Gray Everett and Abby Douglas and the relationship that develops between them. His back story, her back story and how they combine, antagonize and blend creates an enthralling story to slowly enjoy as it unfolds. Both Gray and Abby have compelling stories of their own verbally abusive parents and of how they both valiantly fought to rise above while harboring demons from the deep cuts that parents can inflict.
It is a novel well worth your time to read and enjoy.

This is a sweet romance with a hint of holidays. Abby and Gray have known each other (although not well) for most of their lives, and when Gray decides to get remarried, Abby seems like a safe and stable choice. Both of them come with a lot of emotional baggage, but I loved watching them work together through their issues and create a family. One thing I liked is how the book showed that verbal abuse and belittling comments are horrible and long-lasting. I was also VERY relieved that the characters were able to communicate constructively without resorting to insults - I hate that type of thing in a romance, and I was a bit worried. Abby was an excellent main character, and I would love to have her as a friend or neighbor. And with some interesting side characters, there is lots to explore in Cold River Ranch - I will watch for future books.

A wonderful read with emotionally scarred characters that somehow find their happy ever after through a marriage of convenience.

I really loved the beginning of this book, and even though I felt sad for both Gray and Abby at their circumstances, their exchanges did have me laughing. Gray has determined he needs to find a “practical woman” to give his daughter the kind of family she deserves and maybe even help him fill his house with more children, and his practicality has him turning his sites to his neighbor Abby. He thinks he’s come up with a sure thing of a plan, he’ll just ask Abby to marry him – she’s practical, she’ll get it, no problem…

The truth is that both Gray and Abby carry some deep emotional wounds that have shaped their lives and brought them to this moment – a moment that has the potential to begin the healing process for not just the two of them, but for Gray’s daughter Becca as well. As the story unfolds and more of the past is brought to light as well as the fact that Abby has been in love with Gray since she was younger, it’s clear that both Abby and Gray need to come to terms with their issues before they can find true happiness with each other. Between Abby’s mother and Gray’s father, it wasn’t hard to understand the why’s, and it was heartbreaking at times to see the damage that was caused by the abuse that was doled out by these two characters. And even when things were going good, the undercurrent of those issues was always present.

I loved that Abby wasn’t a pushover; she really seemed to balance her compassion and willingness to help with enough backbone to not get pushed around. She was not afraid to call Gray out when she didn’t agree with him, but she also didn’t hold a grudge and let that rule her day. She truly was exactly what Gray was looking for in a wife when it came to all the practical things and, even better, their chemistry helped them form a bond that set the foundation for something more than practical.

There was quite a bit of angst as Gray deals with his issues, especially once Abby opens her heart to Gray and lets him know how she feels. Normally I’m not a big fan of all the angst but knowing how deep these scars were and how Gray not only needed to reconcile his past with his father but also his relationship with his brothers, I didn’t mind all the conflict. And having Abby be there for Becca as all this unfolded was wonderful.

This is my first book by Caitlin Crews and I really enjoyed the emotional story she crafted. It was easy to get lost in Gray and Abby’s story and feel exactly what they were going through. I look forward to reading more from her and can’t wait to see what stories unfold for Gray’s brothers.

This one was hard to stick with. It was slow and the characters had some hang ups that I thought dragged it down some. She was quick to believe everything was wrong with her and that everyone thought the worst of her, yet they never actually did. I liked the concept, the passion was good, but the plot was slow. The culmination of the conflict at the end was great; it had strong emotional tension and angst, but his role reversal from I can’t love you to I love you seemed a bit extreme. I’m glad he had an epiphany about what he actually wanted from his life, but I think he was so stubborn about it for much too long. Overall I had a hard time wanting to keep with the story but I am glad that Abby got her happily ever after and her Christmas.

Gray Everett had lived a hard life. His mother abandoned her family. His father was a mean drunk and awful father and his wife had cheated on him and died while on the way to meet one of her lovers leaving Gray with a young daughter to raise. Once his father finally died, Gray could start to breath. And when he looked up, he saw Abby Douglas.

Abby had been the Everett's neighbor for all her life. She had been raised by her grandparents because her mother was worthless. She was either abandoning her daughter or, on the rare times she would come back, she was belittling and destroying her daughter's confidence. Abby had been in love with Gray Everett forever. He was the older boy in school that she fantasized about marrying but she couldn't see her own worth and never imagined that anyone would ever be interested in her.

When Gray proposed a marriage of convenience, Abby had to consider if it was all she would ever have of him. Was it enough? Could she risk Gray finding out that she had loved him for so long and, for her, this would never be a marriage of convenience? Could she help him to see that he didn't have to live a life without love and that learning to love her was worth the risk to his heart?

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was touched by the damage that each of the characters had endured. There was a fair amount of descriptive sex that I don't usually care to read, but in this case, it helped to enforce the fact that there was definite chemistry but the love was yet to be a part of their relationship and that true love is more than good chemistry.

I was given an arc copy of this book by NetGalley and I willingly offer my review.

A True Cowboy Christmas is book one in the Cold River Ranch series by Caitlin Crews.



Who doesn't love a good Christmas romance story? I know I do.



I very much enjoyed this book and it didn't take me long to read because I was enjoying it so much that I just had to keep reading.



I give this 4 out of 5.

A TRUE COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Caitlin Crews is a wonderful story about realising your worth and not letting the past dictate your future.

When Gray Everett buries his drunk and abusive father, it makes him realise that he wants more for his daughter and for the future. The land calls to him and is in his blood but he needs a sensible, uncomplicated woman who can help make them more of a family. He needs a straightforward relationship that doesn't involve complicated feelings of love which Gray knows that he is incapable of feeling. So when he looks up to see his neighbour Abby Douglas standing there, it seems like a sign.

Abby Douglas has loved Gray since she was a little girl. Abandoned and verbally abused by a mother who flits in and out of her life, Abby has come to depend only on herself and her beloved grandmother and avoids being fodder for the town gossips by being as honest and kind as she can and when Gray offers her a marriage of convenience she knows that she will accept. But can she survive this relationship without getting her heart broken?

Emotional, sweet, sexy, and heartwarming are all words that I would use to describe A TRUE COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Caitlin Crews. I loved Abby's character and it broke my heart how she views herself through her mother's cruel words. Watching her blossom into an even stronger version of herself was a joy. Gray is a strong man who has dealt with a lot in his life and I loved watching the walls that he had built so high around him slowly chip away. The tension, drama, and misunderstandings throughout this book are compelling and there was never a dull moment from start to finish.

A TRUE COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Caitlin Crews is a story about believing in yourself and ignoring those who want to take you down. It is a story of friendship, love, and the real meaning of family, and I highly recommend it to fiction fans the world over.

I give this book 5 stars. The storyline between Abby and Gary was well written and a must read book. I whole heartedly recommend this book. They is facing the true that after his father's death and his daughter leaving in three years. He is going to be all alone on the rancher, who better to keep him company than his neighbor Abby? Will she agree? Will Becca like this idea? I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Well written romance reader, through highs, lows and emotional roller coasters! When raised with pain and degradation can there be hope? Gray was raised in a house where love had been stomped out. He and his two brothers competed for their bitter/spiteful father's approval, which never came. Abbey was raised by loving grandparents and a selfish/viscous mom. Liked both Gray & his brothers, Abbey, her grandma and Abbey's friends. (Along with other characters.) Took more than needed time for Gray & Abbey to separate from their emotional doubts.
Voluntarily read ARC for honest review.

With a perfect combination of deep, raw emotion, realistic sounding rugged cowboy life, family drama, and tragedy, a touch of humor, joie de vivre, small town living... this tale of a marriage of convenience went directly to my heart and kept me up late to the night. An absolutely unputdownable tale that I loved so much so that it went to my Top Ten all-time favorite romance stories I have read.
A True Cowboy Christmas is so much more than a cowboy romance or a Christmas romance, it is a story of two people making the tough decisions in life, doing their best to survive while healing from the deep emotional wounds their parents and past left in them.
What would you do when something you have dreamed about all your life suddenly comes to be your reality, but it is nothing like you thought it would be? Abby Douglas has loved Gray Everett all her life from the afar. He has been her ultimate dream, the goal in life, while unreachable all the same.
Abby grew up with her grandparents since her mother's inability to care for her. Each time her mother swept through town, she focused her energy and effort to break Abby's spirits, to take her down a notch. The emotional abuse has left Abby to believe she is unattractive, unlovable, undesirable. Yet she has a big giving heart, kindness, and sincerity. She is a hard-working, resilient, sweetheart of a person. She was so easy to like and relate to, cheer for her to succeed. I wanted to protect her from all the possible hurt, gossip, and especially from her mother's attitude.
Gray's life has not been easy. As the oldest son of the alcoholic, abusive rancher, he has taken his share of physical and emotional abuse. His mother left the family, his late wife cheated on him, yet he manages to be a loving, caring father to his teenage daughter. He is not interested in romantic love, he has no need, desire, or time and energy to deal with emotions, he has been there, and done with it. But he does want a companion, a sensible wife, who can share the life's burdens and joys, who he can trust, rely on.
I loved absolutely every word of the story, the dialog is witty, drizzled with humor to lighten up the often heavy and difficult conversations that had to be had. The tangible chemistry between Gray and Abby, the way they stumble and fall while trying to find their tune with each other, it is adorable, touching, filled with a wide spectrum of feelings, engaging my emotions as well.
This story is like a red velvet cupcake with a double dose of cream cheese icing; it is lovely, delicious and delectable, while smoothly flowing with tender, fragile emotions and the rough life of the rural country. It filled my heart and my mind as I smiled, chuckled, and teared up. I hurt for them, I felt their pain, disappointments in life, their passion, slowly building trust, and the wish for something more, that tiny silver lining of hope that bubbles up from the deepest corners of their hearts and souls until it fills up their minds.
A fantastic, amazing, must-read story that I know I will be re-reading countless times... And it is just the book one in the series - can't wait for more!
~ Five Spoons!!

Caitlin Crews is a new to me author but I have read books she has written under her other pen name, Megan Crane, and really enjoyed them so when I had the opportunity to read an early copy of this book I jumped on it...and I am glad I did. This story had my emotions all over the place, and honestly the tears were flowing quite a bit.

Gray was a tortured soul, raising his daughter the best he could especially after the way he was raised...boy I give him props because he did a good job even if Becca has a couple of issues, but hey she's a teenager and what teenager doesn't.

Abby is sweet and caring, and everything her good for nothing mother isn't....can you feel the love there? There is a reason Abby was in love with Gray for most of her life and I think it's because their souls belonged together, soulmates if you will, they are what each needs to heal from the abuse they suffered from their parents growing up.

A True Cowboy Christmas takes us on a ride of self discovery as well as acceptance and forgiveness. I really enjoyed this read and I look forward to the next book in the series. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good cowboy romance, or if you like the tropes fake-marriage/Marriage of Convenience, Girl Next Door, or Ugly Duckling, I'd give this book a try you won't be disappointed. Happy Reading!!!

Fantastic contemporary western style romance. Gray and his brothers grew up in a house with a bigger and mean father. Abby has always loved Gray from afar. Now that they are married she is learning that the marriage she dreamed of isn't what she has. Ms. Crews did a wonderful job of developing the characters. This is a standalone with a HEA. I look forward to reading future books by this author. I received a complementary copy of this book via Net Galley.

A wonderful debut to the Cold River Ranch series by new-to-me author Caitlin Crews that captured me from the very beginning with relatable characters who have real emotions, humor, small town charm, dysfunctional family drama, heartwarming romance, and so much more. I loved the undeniable chemistry between stern, smoking hot cowboy Gray Everett and down-to-earth Abby Douglas. I laughed, cried, sighed and loved every minute of it. I really didn't want the book to end when I got to the last page. This is a great holiday read for anyone who enjoys realistic contemporary cowboy romance. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my voluntary and unbiased review.

Abby Douglas has always held a special place in her heart for the neighbor, Gray Everett. He's had a rough go in life and needs help raising his daughter, along with trying to save his ranch, so a marriage of convenience is the most sensible solution. There were times I wanted to shake Abby and tell her she deserves better, but Gray finds a way of worming into the readers heart. This was a heart-warming tale of second chances. A definite must-read, even when it's not the holiday season.