ONCE UPON A COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Soraya Lane is a five 🌟read! Soraya Lane is an amazing writer and one of my favorite authors. I loved reading about Cody, Lexi and their second chance at love.

Loved this story. Successful businessman came home for the holidays, found his father dying and his old girlfriend caring for him. He didn't recognize her at first but when he did sparks flew. As they got reacquainted, his business dealings came back to bite him in the butt and more sparks flew. The characters in this story were so interesting and the chemistry between them was powerful. And then there was Harry - he was sooo sweet. This book had so much going for it. I enjoyed every word of it. I got this book from NetGalley for an honest review

A very warm holiday story. Cody is surprised yo see a sexy woman in the ranch kitchen when he comes. Surprisingly it is Lexi the girl he left behind when he was 18. Cody is a workaholic and avoids all emotional entanglements. Lexi has never forgiven him for abandoning her and changing the trajectory of her life. This Christmas they get an opportunity to review the past and try and heal the hurts. Cody still struggles and has to figure out if he is capable of taking on not just Lexi but her son as well.

It is a charming story filled wi5h love of family and holiday spirit. There is spirited conversations and a patriarch who is doing everything to leave his family in a good place. This story will open your heart to dreams and leave you looking forward to a Christmas miracle.

Loved this story! New to this author and I just loved the storyline. The chemistry. And the character development!

Deeply emotional family Christmas tale of love and forgiveness.

This was an unusual second-chance romance, in that it took quite a while before I could feel that Cody deserved a second chance. I wasn't really rooting for his HEA, but I was rooting for Lexi's happiness, with or without Cody.

It's not until near the end of the book that Cody gets an informal diagnosis that helps explain most of his previous behavior, and lets us understand the full extent of the events that have been hinted at throughout the book. The way this was paced, showing the consequences long before we truly understand the cause, had such a ring of authenticity that it made it easy to relate to Lexi's conflicting emotions and underlying anger.

The emotional impact of this story cannot be overstated, and it was so well-written that I couldn't put it down until the end. Their HEA was sweet and satisfying, although I would have loved to have read more closure on the topic of Lexi's mom. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas is a new holiday story by author Saroya Lane. Cody Ford has returned from his high power investment company in New York City to the family’s Texas River Ranch to spend the holidays with his father, brother, two sisters and extended family. His father, Walter, is a cancer patient now able to live at home with a caregiver. His caregiver, Alexandra Murphy, and her young son, Harrison, live in a small house on the property. Cody is shocked to see his father’s decline since his last visit, but is even more surprised to discover his father’s nurse is the girl he left behind.

Lexi is the girl he left behind. But she was in the company of his entire family. He left for college and didn’t look back. It was him, not those left behind, who couldn’t deal with his mother’s terminal illness. That whole time period is blocked for him. Lexi only knows that she feels she somehow fell short and was left behind because she wasn’t good enough.

As Cody and Lexi face off emotionally, they also face off when she learns that it is Cody’s company that has purchased the nursing home where her mother is cared for with her Alzheimer’s. And Lexi is ready to take it to the media.

In this interesting story of family, feelings, and the holidays, Ms. Lane spins a story that will entice the reader. With strong characters, homespun settings, and a message for the heart, this is a very enjoyable book. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it,

I'm not sure I've ever read a Christmas romance before. For some reason they just never really appealed to me. Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas was a sweet story that pulled at my heartstrings and had me wishing for my own cowboy for Christmas.

I’ve always enjoyed cowboy romance and Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas is a good one. This is my first experience with Ms. Lane as an author and I will definitely be reading more.

High school sweethearts, second chances, tragic loss, this story has it all.

If you love second chance romance you will love this one. Cody changes a lot throughout this one. He goes from a bit of a selfish guy who is running from his roots to a family guy. He will make your heart melt just a little and swoon by the end. Lexi, I love her so much. I love how she puts Cody in his place and has such a huge heart for the Ford family. Watching the sparks ignite and fly between Cody and Lexi is so much fun. I enjoyed every bit of this one and sure did put me in the holiday spirit. Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas is an amazing read.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were richly drawn, each one unique and believable. The storyline was also richly drawn, and I was instantly captivated by this man who drowned himself in work and the woman who was desperately trying to care for both her son and her mother.

Learning the history behind Cody and Lexi, what drove them apart and what had the potential to keep them apart now, was intriguing. Harry was an adorable little guy, reminding me of my own sons when they were smaller. Walter was an ornery old man, but so loveable. Seeing how he cared about Lexi and wanted her taken care of whether she was with Cody or not was really touching.

It was a great book, and I really loved it. It got me curious to know if there are other books about the other siblings that I missed and need to get.

2.5stars
This second chance was for me painful to read. I couldn't relate to characters it just didn't klick with me. All this I hate you, I hate you not let's forget everything,... it was just too much. I was glad when it was over.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley

3.75⭐

Once upon a Cowboy Christmas was a heartwarming festive second chance romance. That was not only tender and delightful to read, but comfortable as well. And with characters that were likable and engaging I was easily absorbed throughout. Although I must say it did take a while to truly draw me in, and I wasn't entirely convinced by Cody as a character or Cody and Lexi as a couple. But I loved the setting, and it combined three of my favourite tropes, and there's no denying for the few hours it took to read I was completely entertained. And as a new author to me, I would certainly read more from Soraya M Lane in the future. I would also happily recommend to others.

I loved the premise of this one and couldn’t resist an early Christmas story, sadly it was disappointing.

The main issue I had was that I didn’t care for either of the characters. Lexi was nice enough, but she was stuck in the past. Cody was super cocky and came across as self-centered. There’s a fairly large family, but it never felt confusing keeping everyone straight. The best part was Lexi’s son, Harry.

Plot wise, it was a bit all over the place and everything felt unfinished. The high school relationship was a focal point, the chemistry was non-existent, and the conversations between Lexi and Cody were superficial. Most of the story was telling instead of showing and several phrases and words were repeatedly used...like pleasure.

Overall, I kept reading because of the promise of a second chance romance. And while I did get that part of it, the rest of the story didn’t deliver for me.

**Huge thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing the arc free of charge**

Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas by Soraya Lane 3 stars

This is first time I have read this author and while I liked the book, I did not love it. I had problems with the main characters. You have Cody Ford, younger son and financial wheeler and dealer. His former girlfriend, Lexi Murphy, who is now a nurse taking care of his father who is terminally ill. The wealthy Ford family has had their own traumas and conflicts. The mother was dying of cancer when Cody was a teenager. He couldn't stand it and went to college and left everything behind, including Lexi. Now his father is dying and wants his whole family with him for Christmas.

I didn't like Cody and thought he was a jerk. In fact he tells Lexi that he behaved very badly. Lexi had her own problems. She is a single mom with a wonderful son, but also a mom suffering early onset Alzheimer's. Between a rock and hard place, money wise, this job taking care of the patriarch is a blessing in more than one way. But old resentments keep coming up and she has a hard time dealing with Cody. Problems come up and get resolved and the ending was a bit abrupt.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Paperbacks for this ARC.

A well written and entertaining second chance romance. I enjoyed the plot and the setting. If you enjoy reading a good romance I recommend this one thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my complimentary book. This is my unbiased review.

ARC kindly received via Netgalley for an honest review

I love a second chance romance. One set around Christmas time? Well, I am just putty in the hands when it comes to reading them.

Cody and Lexi's story is full of emotion - it would switch me from loving to hating Cody in 2 paragraphs lol

I enjoyed the push/pull between our lovelies, never knowing where things would end up.

I was a big, big fan of Lexi's son and of Cody's father - they rounded out our MC's lives well.

Lexi is one strong woman - so much on her plate, but she never waivers in her love and care for those around her, when a lesser person would crumple under the pressure.

This is the 3rd book in a series, and I have not read the previous books, however this did not affect my reading or enjoyment at all.

Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas is the third book in the River Ranch series by Soraya M. Lane. A captivating romance that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. While this is part of the River Ranch series. it can easily be read as a standalone. However, when you read Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas you will fall in love with the characters and will want to read the other books in the series. If you love a magical holiday romance than it is ever too early to start reading Christmas romances! I mean who doesn't love cowboys and Christmas? Grab a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea for this heartwarming read with intriguing characters who have secret pasts that could destroy their futures. Can the magic of the holiday season give them their happy ending or will the past haunt them? Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas is a lovely well-written romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading.

A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. First time reading this author. This reads well as a stand alone. Didn't realize it was a series. This is Cody and Lexie's story. I didn't really like Cody that much. He coincidently gets diagnosed with PTSD as if that makes all his last mistakes ok. Lexi isn't much better, she's bitter that Cody just left but yet falls into bed with him again. Geez control??! It wasn't all bad and I did like Walter. I rate this a 3.

Got bored with this one.

Got bored with Lexi being rude to Cooper most of the time, like all her hurts was caused by him and him alone. By the time she realized that it wasn’t, it was too late to actually like her, root for her. Cooper was great and all. Lexi hmm. Noted.

Thanks St Martin’s Press for a copy of the book.

This is the first book I have read by Soraya Lane. I was given an ARC by net galley. It's a Christmas story with cowboys how bad could it be. Boy was I wrong, there is so much more going on in this story.
Lots of family drama, and very emotional with real life problems we can all understand.
Second chance stories are always good but made even harder when the characters are so life like.
Cole is a wealthy New York Land developer who makes deals on paper never stopping to think about who's lives might be involved. He is a workaholic, only going home to the family ranch for holidays.
After he left home to go to Harvard he tries to never look back. His mother was diagnosed with cancer
just as he was getting ready to leave for collage. He could not handle seeing her so sick so run as fast as he
could using the college as an out. He was so scared he also left his girlfriend behind Lexi with out talking to her. He sent a letter telling him how he felt but as it happens her mother never gave it to her thinking it would make things worst . Now 15 years later, when Cole goes home for Christmas he founds Lexi is the nurse taking care of his ill father. To make matters worst he does not know her when he first see her.
Lexi has not had an good 15 years, she was heart broken by Cole. Not understanding how he was there one day and then just gone, without a word. She marries the first fellow who is nice to her which ends in divorce leaving her with a 6 year old to care for. Her mother has just been diagnose with Alzheimer.
Can these two work out all the differences between them now ? Are their 2nd chances that work out.
As Cole and Lexi work on their feeling and past, more life gets in the way with a business deal that will change both their lives.
His family is great trying to help, her son is wonderful, problems are Hugh for them to overcome,
and if all of that wasn't enough to make you want to buy a copy lets not forget about the wonderful pony Cleo. Great Christmas Story.
I will for sure be reading other of Soraya books. This is a River Ranch Novel