If you like cowboy romances with so much chemistry and a slow-burn angst, this book is right up your alley! 

Right off the bat, I was in love with their connection. It was ever bit of fire and ice, and I was HERE FOR IT! I was on the edge of my seat just waiting for the moment they would finally get together, and their witty banter was on point! There was no denying the romance between them.

I would give this a total 5 out of 5 stars, except for the fact that there were other plot points that made me want to rush through to get to the good stuff. Underneath the romance we do get a little bit of a mystery, suspense within the town, so if you like your love stories to also have a subplot focused outside of the romance, you will get that with this one!

So in the end, I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. This hero was definitely book boyfriend material, so prepare yourself in all the right ways! 100% an author I want to read more from!

This story will keep you laughing throughout at the antics of the characters. Ford is back in a place he never thought he would be and facing the woman he left behind. Claire has been trying to find her Prince Charming and wants to ignore the man who did not stick around. The author builds a hilarious story filled with cowboy superstitions and animals that behaved oddly. It involves an entire small community that takes care of each other like family. The characters are bold and likable and will make you want to see each of them get their happy ending as Ford and Claire does.

A new author for me but I enjoyed this second book of the series. It can be read as a standalone, although book 1 is now on order and then I'll order book 1.5 in the series, a novella.

Ford feels he's cursed and his family background has him convinced he's not worthy of love. Until Carly entered his life, he left her once but will be make the mistake again? A small town Texas romance that will tug at your heartstrings. Enjoy the read, I did.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

Cowboy Come Home is the second book in Carly Bloom's Once Upon a Time in Texas series, but it's the first novel in the series I've read, the first novel I've read by this author, and it worked just fine for me as a standalone, and it gets 4 stars from this reader.

The setting for this novel is Big Verde, Texas, and the Rancho Cañada Verde, a 12,000 acre ranch that has been in the heroine's family for generations. That heroine is Claire Kowalski, a strong, determined, statuesque redhead with an attitude to match. When we first meet her, she's on a blind date with a Sizzle dating service match, a totally self-absorbed dud, and she simply cannot wait to leave, and does so at her first opportunity. She then tries to return home to her airstream trailer, dubbed Little Daisy, her home on ranch property, since she moved out of her parent's house to gain some measure of privacy.

Claire is driving her new Mini Cooper, an ill-advised vehicle for getting around on the ranch, and certainly the wrong vehicle to be driving during a torrential downpour. When she tries to cross a low-water bridge to get back to her trailer, her car dies--not because of a malfunction, but because it's out of gas, and Claire gets out of her car mere moments before it washes away down the creek. As she's trying to walk the one remaining mile to her trailer, she is shocked to find herself being rescued by Ford Jarvis, the man she fell in love with two years earlier, the man who broke her heart when he moved on without so much as a goodbye.

Unbeknownst to Claire, Ford has just been rehired as ranch foreman by her father, and she soon learns the reason why--her larger than life father has throat cancer and he needs someone he can trust to take over running the ranch during his surgery and convalescence. Ford could only agree to act as foreman for 6 weeks, already having another job commitment waiting for him. It doesn't make matters any easier because even though he broke Claire's heart 2 years earlier, they still have off-the-charts chemistry, but Ford believes in the Jarvis curse.

Ford's father was a rodeo star, and although married to Ford's mother, he also had a woman in every venue, and he clearly didn't believe in condoms because Ford has a plethora of half-siblings, all but one born of one-night stands. He believes in the Jarvis curse--there isn't a male Jarvis anywhere in his family history who was faithfully monogamous, and he's already decided that marriage and family are not for him and never will be. He likes moving on, enjoys a frequent change of scene, and he simply refuses to do to any woman what his father did to his mother.

When Claire confronts her father about rehiring Ford, rather than letting her run the ranch, she's shocked to learn that her father doesn't think she can run the ranch by herself (she really can't), and when her father lets on that at his age, and with his health issues, it might be time to sell the ranch, Claire is devastated. But she isn't giving up without a fight, and convinces Ford to teach her the ropes, how to run and manage the ranch, all while keeping her job in town and working on a business plan to market ranch-related products as a profitable sideline. As a romance reader, you already know that in romance novels familiarity doesn't necessarily breed contempt, and that's certainly true in this novel.

In addition to the sexual tension between Claire and Ford, we get to meet a host of other colorful characters in Big Verde, all of whom have widely diverse backgrounds and who all try to pull together to get the flooded town and its businesses up and running again. It was impossible not to get caught up in their lives and personalities, and that holds true of the town librarian who, after the flood, no longer has a library to work in. Then, there's Claire's closest friend, who was obviously the central character in the first novel in the series, and who now is pregnant with her first child, living Claire's dream of a happy family, a good marriage and children of her own. Also living her dream are a gay couple who are about to adopt their first child. At nearly thirty, Claire is realizing that her dream may not come true, because although he broke her heart, she's still deeply in love with Ford, and hasn't met anyone else in the past two years who even comes close to being the man of her dreams.

There are other tensions throughout this novel, such as a bar fight when one bar patron says the wrong thing to the gay couple and the fistfight that follows. Ford's younger brother, Worth, shows up to announce his engagement, not believing in the Jarvis curse, and commitment-phobic Ford doesn't know what to do about it. Yet despite all the positive and negative events in and around town and the ranch, as well as the on-again, off-again relationship between Ford and Claire, it was hard not to like these characters and it all made for a rather well-written and absorbing read. It made me curious enough to download and read the first book in this series, and eager to see where Ms. Bloom will take us in her next novel in this series.

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

Dally Up!
Oh my heart! This cowboy romance will give you all the feels! I love the way Author Carly Bloom wrote this second book in the Once Upon a Time in Texas series! Cowboy come Home is a heartwarming book that features family, love, heartbreak, curses, and second chances.

When the flood of the century hits Big Verde, Texas, it is just the beginning of what flows through town and Ford Jarvis’ life. Claire Kowalski knows her one time Prince Charming is in town for just a few weeks, but she is determined to not make the mistake of falling for him again…even if her father, Gerome Kowalski, has requested him to be there at the Rancho Canada Verde ranch. His health and life is uncertain, and he believes Ford is capable of providing the help he needs to get through these tough moments.

“What Claire had learned from the flood and her dad’s cancer – and all that had happened since – was that life was unpredictable. It didn’t follow some kind of storybook outline. You didn’t know what chapter you were in, and nobody was guaranteed a happily-ever-after at the end.”

This can be read as a stand-alone, but if you read Big Bad Cowboy (book 1), then you meet all of the characters and have a basic understanding of the town and the dynamics of the series…plus…it is very enjoyable! This series is wonderful! Author Carly Bloom’s writing technique and style is fantastic and smooth flowing. She wraps everything up nicely in the end, and you fall in love with the characters! 5 ropin’ stars!

Claire a very strong willed woman was running Ford down. She wanted to be there for her family but Ford thought he had a curse.
This book has parts that will make you tear up, laugh out loud and just swoon at Ford. Absolutely loved this story!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3249109521

Q: did you grow up on a farm or have you ever visited one?
You might know that second chance romance isn’t my thing, but Carly Bloom’s written my ideal low on the angst, high on the fuzzies version in Cowboy Come Home.

Claire Kowalski fell in love with cowboy Ford Jarvis two years earlier, and vice versa, and then he left her. Now he’s back to serve as temporary ranch foreman on her dad’s ranch and the chemistry between them’s as strong as ever. But as a rule cowboys don't settle down, especially Ford, and as long as they can stop kissing maybe they can be friends.

Um yeah. Friends.

Like the first book in the series that I adored, Big Bad Cowboy, Cowboy Come Home’s funny and hopeful, with a sense of community that’s really comforting to read. I just really like all of the characters and so wanting their HEA is something I don’t even have to think about.

Claire and Ford’s story is especially poignant and Ford’s shyness when it comes to sharing his feelings is often delightful (but also sometimes frustrating, because I’m like, FORD, NOOOOOO!) There’s a great grovel here, folks, and it is greatly deserved so thank you, Carly, for messing with my emotions so wonderfully.

Though the Cinderella angle is a bit much for me at times, this book has its heart in the right place (is that something people say?) and it proves again why Carly Bloom has a distinctive HEA voice. I’m a big big fan of hers and can’t wait to see what she writes next!

4.5⭐️.

Cowboy Come Home releases on March 31. Thanks to Forever Pub & Grand Central Pub for my complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

I don't know why but it seems I've been reading so many second chance romances. It's not my favorite but I'm getting used to them. I've been enjoying this series so far and couldn't wait to read Cowboy Come Home. Carly Bloom is a new to me author and one that I've really been enjoying.

Usually, in the books I read, I'm more in the hero's favor than the heroines. I can't say that with this one. I really liked Claire and thought she was a wonderful person. Her family ranch is really in need of help and that comes in the form of Ford. He's there to help her for a while but that's as far as it's going to go.

Claire's plan is to stay as far away from him as she can. Ha! When has that ever happened?

I do understand why Ford feels he needs to stay away from love. Or I should say I understand his thinking. I got why he left the first time and that he felt it was for the best for both of them but...

I do like how much these two talked. They don't even realize that they talk like a couple. I like these two together and think they make for a good match. If Ford can get over what his head tells him and let his heart lead he will be a happy man.

I’m a huge fan of this author & cowboy romances! This one does NOT disappoint! It’s a second chance romance between a fashion loving cowgirl & a “cursed” sexy cowboy! Claire’s family owns a really large ranch in Big Verde where Ford comes back to, to help be foreman for six weeks to help out. These two weren’t ready for the sparks to fly again! Ford believes he has a family curse and can’t settle in life or love. Claire knows she was in love with Ford before he left and isn’t sure she can handle falling again. These two go through a lot but learn that it’s ok to open up and trust in love again! There’s a lot of banter and drama in between! I highly recommend this book! I adored it immensely!

Ford is a sexy cowboy, who has a heart of gold, but he's sure he is cursed and lives by it. He keeps moving and not put down roots anywhere because of it. He met. Claire years ago and even though he had feelings he left her because of the "family curse". He is now back and those feelings never left.

Claire is a strong woman who seems like she can handle anything. Her family ranch needs repair, her father is sick, and she is considering a new venture. She doesn't have time for Ford who can't seem to stick around. She knows she should stay away from him this time.

I LOVED this book, the storyline was different than most cowboy stores. The characters you could relate to, and it had the perfect amount of romance.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed myself while reading this book. The romance was in my opinion very well done. It felt real to me, as well as the characters. I felt like I could understand them pretty well. I also enjoyed all the side characters. It just all felt very real which is sometimes hard to come by in romance books. I would recommend reading this book, I myself will be picking up the other books in this series as they come out.

Ford Jarvis, a commitment-phobe, returns to Big Verde to help the Kowalskis with their ranch as it faces some financial issues. But that means having to face Claire Kowalski, the woman he left behind.

Hmmm this was not quite as good as the first, but I think the whole "my family is cursed" trope doomed me to be a little underwhelmed by this story. I do like the story's focus on togetherness and human connection. When Ford is away from Big Verde later in the story, he misses both Claire and his friends, pointing out that cowboys tend to be independent. Claire and her friends, Maggie and Alice, can barely stand some of their fellow book club members, but are kind to them and find good in them (even if they sass them behind their backs). Even the quirkiest and grumpiest neighbors are still a part of your community.

4.5/5 stars!

This book is a second-chance cowboy romance featuring two characters that were introduced in the first book of the series. The chemistry between the couple is just too hot to not take a chance again as the two reconnected during a troubling time for the heroine's family. Also, the hero has internal struggles to overcome to reach his happily-ever-after with the heroine. Overall, this is a solid continuation of the series.

What I liked about this book the most is the author's "voice" or writing style. It truly emanates throughout the books, and I can't wait to read more. I look forward to the author's bright future in her writing journey.

***Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.***

Claire Kowalski and Ford Jarvis had a thing and then they didn't. Ford believes he is cursed and doesn't deserve love. Claire is a take charge woman who can do it all and has the patience of a saint to put up with Ford. Ford was the foreman at Claire's Family ranch. When things got a little to real for Ford he panicked and took off. Two years later he's back. Even though he swears to himself he's going to keep his distance from Claire he can't. It's kind of a wash and repeat but can Ford change the outcome this time. Can Claire? I really enjoyed the story and the characters but Ford thing started getting old after a while. Overall a enjoyable book but not a stand out for me.



Find out more about Carly Bloom and this series here www.carlybloombooks.com

Ford is a good guy, but also a rolling stone who believes the men in his family are cursed to ruin their own lives and those of everyone around them because they are incapable of settling down. Due to a personal tragedy when he was younger, he is afraid to let himself love and uses the supposed curse as an excuse. Two yrs ago he met Claire while working at her father's ranch and they fell for each other, but he ran because he was scared of his feelings for her. Needless to say, Claire was angry and hurt when he left and vows not to let him back into her life. When they are forced to work together due to her dad's health challenges, that proximity allows the chemistry between them to work its magic again.

I loved Claire so much. She was a strong, capable woman, a marketing whiz, and a really good friend. She wanted to find a guy that she could respect, fully commit to, and form a family with but she also wasn't willing to just settle. I also loved that even though Ford had already hurt her once, she was willing to forgive and take another chance on him. He ends up running from his demons and hurting her again, but once again, she doesn't fall apart, but picks herself up and keeps moving forward. This was an emotional romance and I loved that the resolution actually took some time, she didn't just immediately forgive him when he came back after running away a second time. He had to start proving that he was there to stay before she forgave him again.

This is the second book in Bloom’s Once Upon a Time in Texas series and can stand alone but I wish I would have read the first before this one just to get the whole background for the series and introduction to characters. I think it would have helped to make it an even better read for me. However, I did enjoy this story. It was filled with family, friends, chances, dreams, heartache, happiness, trials and sorrows, forgiveness, new beginnings, laughter, and love. It was an all-around feel-good book with charming characters and a heartwarming storyline that will leave you smiling and looking forward to the next book in the series.

*I received an arc from NetGalley, via the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Welcome back to Big Verde, Texas in the second installment of the Once Upon a Time in Texas series by Carly Bloom where we embark on Claire and Ford’s journey to love.

I was so happy to return to Big Verde with Claire, Maggie, Travis, JD and the rest of the gang! I loved getting to see Claire and Ford’s love story play out through all the twists and turns. The writing, as always, was phenomenal, and I really hope to read Alice’s story next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Read Forever for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

#CowboyComeHome #NetGalley

This is the first book I have read by this author, and it definitely will not be the last.
The main characters Claire Kowalski, and Ford Jarvis had a relationship two years ago until he left without looking back. Leaving Claire with a broken heart.
Ford returns to town when her father, a prominent rancher, asks him to temporarily fill in as the foreman of his ranch. Ford accepted knowing it was temporary since he has never felt a desire to stay in one place.
But as Claire and Ford start spending time together, he might see a future.
But fears get in the way. Will they find their HEA or will fears and a curse keep them apart?
You will fall in love with the town and it’s people. The author added humor that will make you laugh out loud, while at times you will feel the angst of the characters.
An engaging story from the first page to the last with complex characters you will love.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Forever.
The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Cowboy come home..is a great book!
This is the first book I read by Carly Bloom but it won’t be the last. I absolutely loved Claire and Ford. This book sucks you into the ranch life right away. Ford is a rough and tumble cowboy that is determined to never settle down. Can Claire convince him otherwise? Pick up this book to see how it all plays out. You won’t be disappointed!

This sweet romance takes place on a ranch in Big Verde, TX and is part of the Once Upon a Time in Texas series. Claire is the daughter of the big ranch and Ford is a skilled ranch hand who never stays in one location too long. However, this is Ford's second time working on this ranch. Claire's dad asked him to come back since his foreman retired.

Two years ago, when Ford worked on the ranch, he and Claire were romantically involved. Everything seemed roses, sunshine, and happily ever after until Ford left and Claire was left wondering what happened. These days, Claire is back in the dating saddle, trying to find her prince. She's bound and determined not to fall for Ford again. We all know how that goes, right? :-)

There is a nice group of supporting friends and family, some of whom have been in previous books. I haven't read any others in the series, and this was fine as a standalone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the privilege of an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.