Claire is the sole daughter to the man who owns and runs Rancho Canada Verde in Big Verde Texas and knows that things won't always come easy, especially when cowboy Ford comes back into town, two years after breaking Claire's heart. No matter how much she tries to avoid him, knowing that he'll never be able to settle in one place, she keeps finding herself pulled to him, again and again.

This was my first cowboy romance, and I'll be honest that I was a little hesitant going in. However, I ended up being very pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed reading this story. I really enjoy second chance romances and I thought Claire and Ford's story was full of a great mix of emotion, fun and build-up. I also appreciated the focus on Claire fighting for her family's ranch, as well as her determination to prove that she could help run the ranch and make it successful. Overall a really enjoyable story, and I'm definitely interested in reading more by Carly Bloom in the future!

4/5 stars

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ford broke Claire’s heart when he left two years back. She knows he is back temporarily, and is not willing to let history repeat itself. If only the attraction between them would listen to her reasoning.
Cowboy come home is an entertaining and fun read. I enjoyed how the relationship moved forward between Ford and Claire, and also their sparing and banter. This is the second book in the series, and though I have not read the first one I could follow the storyline of the secondary characters easily enough.

There's just something about second chance romances that make my heart sing. Yes, the separation and angst is often painful, but the reward is so worth it in the end. Cowboy Come Home hit all the right notes and had me rooting for Claire and Ford right from the start. The book can be enjoyed as a standalone, but previous characters do appear and it would be most appreciated if read in order.

I really loved Claire. She was intelligent, strong, independent, kind, and had so much fortitude. She was unstoppable when she put her mind to something and was willing to put her own happiness aside for those that she loves. She had fantastic chemistry with Ford and I really enjoyed seeing them verbally spar and banter back and forth. The build up was delicious and I couldn't wait for these two to lower their walls and finally give in to what they both wanted. I would never have thought that a scene in a little Airstream trailer could be both so insanely hot and laugh out loud hilarious. Yes, there's the inevitable push away (I was really shaking my head at that one), but I was so happy to see that the characters just didn't fall back into step with each other. They had to earn that forgiveness and really make an effort to prove that they were in it for the long haul.

The more serious moments (TW: death of a sibling, cancer) were balanced well with humor (Bubba was great comic relief) and the writing was wonderful. Catching up with all the previous characters was so fun and I loved getting a little more of their stories and glimpses into their futures. There were a few nods to Cinderella in the story, but I found the book to be overall less of a fairy tale retelling than Big Bad Cowboy. The epilogue of Cowboy Come Home was absolutely adorable though and I couldn't contain my giggle and smile after reading the final line. Readers are sure to fall in love with this story as well.

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

Claire Kowalski went to school for marketing and uses it to help her family keep their ranch going.
When a local shop comes up for sale, she's ready to jump on it to start her own business. Her first love arrives on the ranch to help her dad. She didn't know why but finds out he has cancer..and now has to give up her dream to help at the ranch.
Ford Jarvis returns to help, but it's too hard to stay, he loves Claire, but believes any Jarvis is unable to be faithful.
Claire survives a flood, runs the ranch and tries to get over Ford. Ford can't get over Claire and comes home. That said, it doesn't cover the humor, the characters and the scenery in this book. Ms. Bloom writes great interactions and sensual scenes.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse. If you love cowboys, humor and steam in your novels, grab this book!.

I really enjoyed this book. It is part of a series but even if you haven't read the previous books who still get enough of who the other characters that you are not left confused and wondering. The character development over the course of the book was excellent and I loved the different POVs between the main characters. It was well-paced and never dull. A really great read if you are a romance fan.

Complementary copy given for honest review and opinion
Yes, yes, yes!! Love this book! Curses are self-inflicted and this story breaks curses. This book goes down as one of my favorites!

Had it's moments:
This was book 3 in the series and whilst it can be read as a standalone (I hadn't read the prior books), it seemed to just jump into the story without building up the characters or setting sufficiently. I felt it took me a while to connect with the main characters and I had some difficulty investing in their journey. Ford is convinced he is cursed and unable to settle down and stay with one woman. Their road to love was a rocky and slow one.
There were some quirky and humorous side characters which kept things interesting. However overall I thought that the book fell flat and could have benefited from more in-the-moment action as well as more internal dialogue, especially in the beginning and middle parts. The latter part of the book was better and I really enjoyed the ending.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

After recently reading Big Bad Cowboy by Carly Bloom and seeing a glimpse of the relationship between Claire and her rancher cowboy Ford, I couldn't wait to get to their story in Cowboy Come Home! I'm a total sucker for second chance romances so this book seemed like the perfect follow up to Big Bad Cowboy (which I loved).

Claire has always loved living on her family's ranch, Rancho Canada Verde, but some recent natural disasters have made ranch living just a bit hard at the moment. Claire may have taken living on the ranch for granted a bit, but she needs help running the ranch for the time being and has to rely on the one person that she doesn't really want to ask help for - Ford Jarvis.

Claire and Ford were together for a bit a few years ago, but Ford broke Claire's heart when he decided to leave Big Verde after his time on the ranch was done. But he's back now and Claire will have no other choice then to rely on Ford to help her run the ranch while her dad deals with a few issues of his own.

I really enjoyed this sweet second chance romance. Both Claire and Ford were wary of falling back into the relationship they had a few years ago. Claire wants a prince charming, and Ford isn't willing to settle down any time soon...will they decide to keep their relationship professional or is their magnetic pull to one another too strong?

I also really loved the family dynamics with Claire and her mom and dad. But just as easy as it is for Claire and her family to show their affection with one another, it's just as hard for Ford to have that same easiness with his family. His issues are complex, but maybe if he has a little hope he can finally let himself think about settling down in the wonderful community that is Big Verde.

I loved revisiting with the characters of Big Verde. The secondary characters are so well rounded. Not only did certain scenes have me laughing out loud, but they also made me feel the sense of community in Big Verde. I can't help, but want to be a part of this amazing community!

I really enjoyed Cowboy Come Home and can't wait to see what Carly Bloom has in store for Big Verde. Cowboy Come Home releases March 31, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

This has probably been my least favorite book of the series, but for the most part, the entire series is wonderful and definitely one of my favorite cowboy romance series. My biggest issue wasn't the writing, which is always great. But I really disliked Ford and it wasn't until the very end that I began to like him. I wasn't exactly rushing back to the book to finish reading since I really had my doubts at Ford redeeming himself.

We met him in previous books and knew that he was a wondering cowboy who went ranch-to-ranch and never stayed in one place for long. Claire was 'dating' him in a previous book and everyone kept warning her to not get attached or fall in love since it was inevitable that Ford would leave again. Well, she did just that and Ford did leave...for 2 years. Now he's back in Big Verde working as temporary foreman of Rancho Canada Verde while Claire's dad, Gerome, tries to find a replacement. He has plans of leaving in 6 weeks to work at another ranch in West Texas. Ford and his family all believe in the family curse, that they will never fall in love and stay that way - every other man has a string of jilted women and children left behind. So Ford avoids falling for Claire and it's this constant running and pushing Claire away that really makes me mad. He lets a lot of people down when he decides to run and it was just so frustrating to keep seeing him do it time and time again. At least Gerome Kowalski managed to talk some sense into him.

Claire is well-educated, well-to-do, living on her parents land in a cute Airstream trailer, and trying to make something of her life that is her own while also trying to find her Prince Charming. She has big dreams of owning Petal Pushers now that it's closing and turning it into a shop that sells high-end products featuring the ranch's brand. It's all quite impressive and I really admired her determination. When things happen in the family that are unexpected, she finds herself trying to learn all about running a ranch in order to save the family legacy. Even though she came off as the 'princess' of the bunch of friends, she really was tough and could hang with the guys on the ranch pretty well. She and Ford worked very well together as she shadowed him, much to my surprise. She did have one 'you big idiot' moment in the beginning of the book, but hey, something good came of it in that she was forced to spend time with Ford.

I love that the characters we loved in previous books were part of this book. It's wonderful how intwined they all are in Big Verde and how they all come together. I also liked the introduction of some new characters, including Worth, Ford's brother. The ending is really sweet and I loved that part most of all. I wish I could say I loved the entire book and while I did love Claire the entire time, I really had a hard time getting over Ford's 'fight or flight' character.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

After reading the first book in the Once Upon a Time in Texas series and loving it, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Carly Bloom drew me into the town of Big Verde and I haven't looked back!

Claire Kowalski has grown up on her family's ranch, Rancho Canada Verde, and being the only child of Gerome and Lilly, she is set to inherit it when the time comes. While the ranch is very much a part of who she is, she also has other dreams and would love to pursue them. One of the things she has her heart set on is finding her own Prince Charming. She thought she had found him two years ago when Ford came to work at Rancho Canada Verde, but he broke her heart when he up and left.

Ford Jarvis is a rancher who finds himself going from ranch to ranch. He's not one to put down roots or to get attached, but when he had been at Rancho Canada Verde, he did both and he ended up falling for Claire. Believing that she deserved better, he left. He has always believed that the Jarvis men are cursed and that they don't stay and fall in love.

Now that Gerome needs his help, Ford is headed back to the one place that has held his heart. His plan is to stay for six weeks, but will both the land and the girl have enough pull to make him stay indefinitely?

The chemistry between Claire and Ford was so strong and explosive. It was clear how much they cared about one another, but you could also understand why both were holding back. All of the characters that Carly Bloom has created have made these stories so rich and enjoyable. There are deep connections, friendships and the town genuinely looks out for their own. I love this series and I'm really looking forward to what Bloom has to offer for us in the future!

Five wrangled, roped and tied stars for this amazing read!

Two years ago, Ford left Claire after making her think they had a future. Now he’s back to once more help on the ranch and she’s determined not to let her heart get her into trouble again. But when life takes a detour, she finds herself relying on him to help her do what needs to be done, even if it means giving up her dream.

Claire is quite the heroine. She’s tough and sassy, but soft and sweet. Rancho Canada Verde runs in her blood and her loyalty and dedication to it shines through, highlighting her character throughout the book.

I loved Ford, despite his back and forth ways in regards to Claire. He has ample reason to not trust what his heart is telling him and watching him battle against the “curse” was heart wrenching. There were certainly times I wanted to knock him upside the head, but generally I wanted him to relax and trust the tug. Getting to the point he could do so was quite the journey!


’Ford shifted nervously from foot to foot and fiddled with the bring of his hat. “I lose my mind when I’m around you.”

“Clearly”

“So, I don’t think I should be around you. On account of how I, you know, need my mind.”’


This couple were absolutely adorable together. They knew how to work together, have fun, and when it came to something more, they certainly knew how to do that. The chemistry between Claire and Ford could be felt from the very beginning and I loved watching them as they grew to a place of trust.

This is a fun, witty story with lots of sharp dialogue and interesting characters that had me smiling pretty much throughout the book. As a backdrop, the ranch and cattle business did not consume the story but added a richness that could only be shared by someone who has experienced it. All the superstitions had me laughing and shaking my head, even as I realized I had heard most of them before and they brought back my own memories.


I absolutely adored everything about this story, the hero and heroine, the secondary characters and the most perfect epilogue. I have a strong suspicion of who the next heroine will be and I can’t wait!

Book 2 in this series! I maaay have totally binged books 1& 2 in two days. I really really love this small little town and all of the firecracker women in it.

Claire’s family is kind of a big deal in Big Verde. They own a twelve thousand acre cattle ranch that specializes in organic, grass fed beef. The ranch requires the help of cowboys to keep it running. Enter Ford, the loner traveling cowboy that Claire just happened to fall in love with. And then he left her. Turns out, Ford believes that the males in his family are cursed - they can’t ever remain faithful to a women. While he found himself falling for Claire, he knew that it would end badly and so he left. Except- he’s back. And Claire is pissed. The story that ensues is hilarious, sexy and in the end-heartwarming. Claire is such a strong female. She is quick on her feet, extremely determined and has a huge heart. She lets Ford get away with nothing! I really enjoyed their banter and their equal love of the ranch. Highly recommend.

Thank you Read Forever for my gifted review copy.

After reading, loving & talking nonstop about Big Bad Cowboy for the last several months, I have high expectations for Cowboy Come Home by Carly Bloom. As soon as the ARC from Read Forever arrived, I took a deep breath & went in for more Big Verde romance.

Two days later & it's safe to say that I loved every page.


What I Love About This Book

First, Cowboy Come Home takes place in Texas. Being from Texas, I read books set in my home state with a critical eye. To put it simply, Carly nails it. The landscape, the people & just that overall feeling of the Lone Star State has me wanting to pick up all my things and move back. Washing lawn chairs with a hose, coming together when your friend & neighbors need you & having that sense of community. Big Verde is a town with big relationships that all feel like family. Bloom makes sure readers feel this with each & every character.



While all books set in the Once Upon a Time in Texas series can be read as a standalone, I encourage you to start from the beginning. These books are such addictive & quick reads you'll devour them. Readers get to catch up and get tidbits of other characters as we turn the pages. This just adds to the sense of family & community in Big Verde. Honestly, you'll never want to leave this place. Big Verde is a town with sweeping landscapes, handsome cowboys, tough female leads & people who have your back.


Vulnerability Among Cowboys

Another thing I really love about Cowboy Come Home by Carly Bloom is the constant communication between the characters. We're talking tough, closed-off & damaged cowboys here. Yet, when it comes to conversations, characters of all genders are open, vulnerable & trusting in their communications with one another. We see these types of conversations between siblings, neighbors, bosses & amongst generations of characters. I just can't get enough of it.

The more romance I read, the more I realize the ability to have an open & honest conversation is the thing that can truly make or break a book for me. From the very first page, Carly has her characters talking, laughing & helping each other. This helps know Big Verde is a wonderful community. Big Verde is a forgiving, loving & generous place. In a town like this, you can be free to be your true self. With characters that are open & vulnerable, readers can easily relate to their struggles & it is easier to root for the relationships.


THE VERDICT

In case you didn't realize, I am Really Into This book! Cowboy Come Home is a tender & meaningful open door romance. While the open door romance is preset from the first few pages of Big, Bad Cowboy, this one takes it time. What we have here is a tender, sweet & believable second chance romance set in the great state of Texas. I love every page of this book & hope you do too.

I was so excited to journey back to the wonderful world of Big Verde, Texas! And I was even more excited to get to know the mysterious & brooding Ford Jarvis. This book picks up two years after the first book ends, and we find out that Ford is back in town after leaving (and breaking Claire's heart). Claire is dead set on not revisiting that romance, and Ford seems to be distant as well. When they're told that the farm is in trouble, though, they have to start working together & the tension is immediate - neither of them can concentrate on anything but the other person.
I loved seeing the progression of Claire & Ford - there was so much back & forth with their relationship & their feelings for each other, but I loved every second of it. I was curious about Ford when we met him in Big Bad Cowboy, so getting to know his story & seeing more of his heart & feelings in this book was awesome. I loved this story & thought it was a great continuation of the series.

Carly Bloom gives us this incredible story set in picturesque Central Texas, with the characters of Claire Kowalski and Ford Jarvis..
These characters reunite during a natural disaster and the results of course are disastrous. You will enjoy this book on so many levels I just couldn't put it down.

Last entry in my cowboy reading week was Cowboy Come Home by Carly Bloom. This isn’t out until March 31, but you might as well go ahead and pick it up now. This has a much heavier feel than Big Bad Cowboy. (CW: for grief, discussion of deceased sibling, flood/natural disaster, ailing parent with cancer )

Claire and Ford and their relationship are briefly introduced in Big Bad Cowboy. This book starts two years after the close of the previous book and they are no longer together. Ford is a loner cowboy who thinks he is cursed and can never be in a long term relationship (insert eye roll).

Claire’s family owns a large ranch and Ford has come back to town to manage the ranch. Ford helps Claire when a heavy rain storm washes her car away. This is the book that had me tweeting last week that romance novels need more hugging in them. Claire is rain drenched and her car is being washed away by a flash flood. Ford helps her to safety. He is overcome by emotion. She is too. But instead of a missed kiss, she could have used a HUG. I was mad at Ford. lol

Back to the story, I enjoyed seeing their story evolve and watch as truly fall in love with each other. Claire is juggling her own struggles and challenges with her career and her parents ranch. Ford acts like a big old dumbass about this “curse”. I was annoyed with him, especially when he did a big dumb thing. But this is romance, so you can be assured that he made it better.

The nature of their relationship was different so this book wasn’t quite as steamy, sexy as the first book but it was still sexy. I enjoy this town and its inhabitants. I look forward to reading more in this series.

I am in love with this series. This book was very fun to read. It was sweet, made me smile and made me really believe that second chances are possible. I loved the town, the ranch, and all the characters in the book. I thought that there was a lot of tension between Claire and Ford. They are both wary of each other but the chemistry between them is sexy and very hot. They really try their hardest to avoid it but there is some serious draw that they have for each other. I think this one just might be my favorite of the serious so far. Thanks Net Galley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet second chance romance. A little bit of family drama thrown in to spice things up but just an easy going story without a lot of meat.

Cowboys and their curses!!

Ford is a wonderful man who just has a sticking problem. He believes the men in his family are cursed and he needs to keep moving and not put down roots. Years ago he met Claire and even though he had feelings he left now he's back and those feelings never left.

Claire is a strong woman who has a lot on her shoulders. A ranch that needs repair, a sick father, and possible new store venture and a cowboy who likes to cut and run when things get serious.

I liked that this books showed the strength and determination of individuals. I loved the sense of family this book had.

The only thing I didn't understand is for such a smart woman that Claire is, how is she friends with Anna?

I love a Cowboy Romance, and this one was no exception. I am looking forward to more in this series and by this author.