First of all, I want to start by saying that I have not had the privilege in reading any of Carolyn Brown's other works, and I feel like that has got to change. Although I haven't read anything else of her's, I would have to say that I don't feel like I missed a ton coming into this book- in a good way! You can definitely approach this story without having read the others, but I'm sure you WANT to based on this one.

I would say that, at first, I was a little taken aback by the fake engagement. I almost felt like it took away from the appeal of the relationship, but I was wrong, and it turned out to be wonderful plotting toward a fascinating story of inevitable promise (and love) in the end. You come away with the satisfaction that what was meant to be happened, and you have faith in a promising conclusion.

Grab your copy today, and fall in love with this beautiful story of hope, loss, trials, tribulations... but, most of all, cowboys and their strong ladies! Thank you Carolyn and Netgalley for sharing this story with me.

This is the second book I have read by Carolyn Brown and I am definitely adding her to my favorite author list. Cowboy Strong is a story filled with heartwarming characters in a small town and dealing with some real life issues. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more stories by Carolyn Brown.

Very enjoyable book! Characters were endearing, 3 dimensional and pretty real. I like the writer's style and since this one is my first read from this author, I'm checking her backlist. Cowboys, family and friends in a small town? If that's your thing, this one is for you.

I’ve long been a reader of Carolyn Brown’s books, and I’ve enjoyed this series in particular. The strong family and community values, in particular, are warming and feel good. And while those elements are most definitely present in Cowboy Strong, I’m afraid this one just didn’t quite live up to my expectations... or even the blurb.

Perhaps it’s just me (absolutely possible, FWIW), but despite Ms. Brown’s always excellent writing—she gives a vivid and traditional view of life as a cowboy in a small town—there was a missing element to this book: chemistry. Alana and Pax are friendly, yes. They work together on that level very well indeed, but the synopsis here gave me the impression of lifelong longing—among other things—and I just didn’t get that from the actual book. Perhaps if the blurb had approached the story differently, I would have also. But I went in expecting one thing and got something else entirely—something that was very friendly, and kind, and gentle, but not something that felt like undeniable love.

Having said that, there were some lovely elements to this book. As I mentioned above, the sense of community (which I feel like we could all stand to have more of in this world), was written across every page. Plus, the idea of family being built out of friendship and love was ever present and so well presented.

All in all, a good but not great read—certainly one to enjoy if you have a history with Ms. Brown and these particular cowboys—but not my favorite of the series and not quite what’s promised.

Cowboy Strong is the seventh title in Carolyn Brown's Longhorn Canyon series, and the sixth novel in the series I've read. While I'm a fan of Ms. Brown's, and love a friends-to-lovers romance, it's the fake marriage aspect of this novel that I wasn't thrilled with, although there was certainly a good reason given for it. That, and a couple of other slight missteps are the reason for my 4-star, rather than 5-star rating.

As far as main characters go, I really liked Paxton and Alana. They've known each other forever, living on neighboring ranches. Faced with her father's imminent death from an aggressive brain cancer (her mother died when Alana was a mere child), she wanted to fulfill her father, Matt's, dream of walking her down the aisle. Matt was given only 6 weeks to live, but Alana hasn't been seriously dating anyone, and so she convinces her long-time frenemy, Paxton, to help her convince her father that they've been secretly dating, and are secretly engaged. Once Matt passes, they've agreed to have their fake marriage annulled, but will they?

Matt is thrilled to hear the news of their engagement and immediately takes over the small, intimate wedding Pax and Alana wanted, and turns it into a mega-wedding. The wedding planning and details made Matt happy, and that's what Alana wanted for him, but her feelings of guilt about lying to her dying father, which ran throughout this novel, became a bit overdone and her doubts about the entire scheme became somewhat irritating after a time. Thankfully, it was overshadowed by Pax and Alana's growing attraction to one another, and their reluctance to admit it to each other. As expected, sex enters into the picture between these two likable characters, but it was fairly tame and mostly glossed over, something I've also come to expect in Ms. Brown's novels.

I love the sense of small-town life Ms. Brown always infuses in her novels, and the willingness of the many secondary characters to participate in the wedding, most of whom know nothing of Matt's diagnosis or the fake engagement and marriage. Of course, characters from previous novels appear, but as the wedding draws near and the bridesmaids and groomsmen all arrive (12 of them), trying to keep straight who was whom was a bit daunting for me, and I can't imagine how difficult it might be if you were reading this novel without having read the previous ones in this series. Cowboy Strong can be read as a standalone, but I don't recommend doing so.

Thankfully there was an epilogue 18 months after the HEA wedding, but I felt that Matt's eventual death was given short shrift--pretty much ignored, as was letter Matt gave to Alana, that had been written by her mother prior to her mother's death and was to be given to Alana on her wedding day--the contents were ignored. Personally, I would have loved to learned the contents of that letter and Alana's reaction to reading it become part of this story--I felt somewhat let-down that Ms. Brown simply dropped the ball by not including either Matt's death or the contents of that letter. As someone who unexpectedly lost her own mother at age 15, such a letter from my mother would have been a treasure.

I still enjoyed this novel, despite its few missteps. It was a good read, and I'm recommend it because Ms. Brown is an excellent writer, but I strongly suggest reading this series in the order it was written.

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

Cowboy Strong is the seventh book in the Longhorn Canyon series but can be read as a standalone. It is a sweet romance story with likable characters and a fun storyline filled with family, love, and happy endings. I would like to have seen a bit more drama and deeper character development, overall, and stronger chemistry between Pax and Alana – I could not shake the friends’ vibe with them. However, it was still an enjoyable story.

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

Cowboy Strong was a great fake engagement story. I loved Pax and Alana! They were perfect together, and I really enjoyed their sweet love story.

Book Info
Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 400 pages
Expected publication: June 30th 2020 by Forever
ASIN B07YSJH1TW
Series Longhorn Canyon #7
Other Editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC
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BOOK BLURB
A rugged Texas cowboy and the girl next door find a fake engagement feeling all too real in this heartwarming romance from a USA Today bestseller.

Alana Carey can out-rope, out-ride, and challenge even the best Texas cowboy. But she does have one soft spot -- and his name is Paxton Callahan. With Pax back in town, Alana's old feelings have returned with a vengeance. But she barely has time to process her attraction for the hunky cowboy before her father falls ill. All he wants is for her to marry and settle down before he passes away, and Alana isn't about to break a dying man's heart. Paxton Callahan has been in love with Alana since...forever. Now that he's living right next door, the electricity between them is about to set the whole Texas panhandle on fire. When Alana presents him with a crazy proposal -- to pretend to be her fiancé so her father can die in peace -- Paxton can't refuse. But as the faux-wedding day draws near, Alana and Paxton must decide whether to come clean about their charade or finally admit their love is the real deal.
Includes the bonus novella Sunrise Ranch for the first time in print!

My Thoughts
As usual devoured every page too fast but had to as each one brought me closer to the truth Alana and Pax had foresworn for too many years.

Alana Carey and Pax/Paxton Callahan find that the heart wants what the heart wants, in this case it wants a lie to become truth.

When I found out that the publisher was allowing me the privilege/pleasure of reading this particular book early from one of my favorite contemporary romance writers I may have done a little wiggle of joy.

In fact I know I did because the fact is marriage of convenience/long-time-unacknowledged-love between the main male/female characters is one of my favorite story lines to watch unfold.

In the case of Alana and Pax it took an especially heart wrenching turn early on when she had her hand forced due to her fathers dying request.

I always find myself wondering when read this in the book synopsis so the lure of finding out what happens was too strong to resist.

Plus Longhorn Canyon series has been good so far for me so needed to revisit some of these favorite book characters and catch up.

As I expected, hoped and longed for the sweetness was there as well as the heat between the fictional couple.

Their journey was long and winding with a lovely epilogue at the end that was icing on the cake.

Another winning edition in this series that I enjoyed from beginning to ending page.

Just wish these folks were part of my family as they are perfectly suited to fit in with them, and me.

Oh well can borrow them when need to revisit in my thoughts and relive fun times that took place in the story.

Thanks to publisher and thanks to the author for allowing readers to enjoy these contemporary cowboy romances!
[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

I’m such a big fan of Carolyn Brown books! I’m so so happy I was given a chance to read this final book in the series, as I have read all other 6! So this book actually threw me off not knowing it was going to start Alana & Pax’s fake engagement because Alana’s father, Matt has aggressive cancer and doesn’t have much time to live! *cue the tears* Alana and Pax have actually known each other their whole lives plus have liked each other in secret! Alana and Pax are both ranchers with their ranches being neighbors. These two have some serious chemistry & steam! I just love watching these two figure out they were meant to be! Alana’s dad actually plans for a huge ranch wedding for the two! There’s also some surprises I don’t want to give away! I did enjoy getting cameos from other characters from previous books! So if you love cowboy romances, Carolyn Brown, or small town stories, this book is for you! I can’t recommend her books enough to readers!! I just loved it!

What could go wrong planning a wedding to someone you never dated?

Only child Alana Carey could do anything any cowboy could do, even ride a bronc but in the end, she would do anything for her daddy. Matt Carey knew he was dying so when Alana said she was dating Paxton Callahan and they were thinking of getting married he was thrilled. The only problem was she still needed to tell Pax that they were dating and planning to get married. Paxton Callahan lived on the neighboring ranch had always liked Alana, so he agreed to help make her dad happy planning a wedding.

I liked Cowboy Strong because there was some humor planning a wedding between Alana and Pax and dealing with her dad’s cancer with them realizing they are in love just before the wedding.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Every time Carolyn Brown puts pen to paper, or actually in this day and age fingers to her keyboard, the end result is a cowboy who epitomizes strength, honor, dedication and loyalty.

Pax sure fits this description. He is the perfect example of a cowboy living the Cowboy Code of Ethics. He’s not perfect but I greatly admire him and Alana both. Their determination to make Alana’s Daddy’s last days happy ones is admirable for sure.

Ms. Brown’s cast of characters in this story is a fun bunch to read about and they all, except Alana’s nemesis Rachel Freeman, make me want to live among them. This story touches at your heartstrings and evokes smiles and tears at the couple’s situation. I sure was rooting for them throughout the book. I liked the surprise appearance towards the end of the story. This book is heartwarming; sunshine for your heart.

Cowboy Strong is an entertaining romance. The plot is well written and the characters are well developed. I always enjoy this author’s books and her latest is no exception. I highly recommend. My thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

Even though this is the seventh book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. It was another cute book. I really enjoyed this one. It had great characters and a great story. I always do love me a good cowboy romance.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alana Joy Carey remembers when, at the age of thirteen, she left the fall ranch sale and dinner to take a break behind the barn. She remembers all too well neighbor Paxton Callahan walking up to her behind the barn and kissing her. What a surprise! Then Pax was surprised when she slapped his face. He was lucky she hadn't punched him a good one. After she thought about what happened she felt bad and decided to apologize. The next day she saw Pax kissing another girl. What a jerk! Now she has added other memories of Pax to her thoughts. The Pax who took her home after Prom so she didn't have to go to the after-party with her date. The Pax who never hesitated to help her Daddy on the Bar C Ranch when he needed help. Now faced with her Daddy's devastating news that he has inoperable brain cancer and only has six weeks to live and his wish to see her married and settled, it's Pax Callahan who comes to mind and she tells her Daddy she has been secretly dating Pax and they are engaged. This makes her Daddy so very happy. He has long looked forward to walking Alana down the aisle on her wedding day. Now to tell Pax what she has done and hope he goes along with this fake engagement and wedding.

Paxton Callahan is the ultimate cowboy living the Cowboy Code of Ethics. When Alana Carey slapped him after he kissed her behind the barn when they were thirteen years old he was so disillusioned. He thought she liked him. Guess not. All these years later he and Alana realize they truly are friends. He has done kind things for her and he respects the heck out of her Daddy, Matt Carey. When Alana tells him she told her Daddy they were engaged and why Pax is determined to do all he could for Matt's sake. It sure was no hardship pretending to be Alana's fiance. As time went on Pax started to wish this fake engagement and wedding didn't have an end date. Spending so much time with Alana made him realize that his feelings for Alana were stronger than friendship. But have Alana's feelings toward him changed?

Cowboy Strong by Carolyn Brown is the seventh book in her Longhorn Canyon series. Carolyn Brown just can't write a bad cowboy story. Every time she puts pen to paper, or actually in this day and age fingers to her keyboard, the end result is a cowboy who epitomizes strength, honor, dedication and loyalty. Pax sure fits this description. He is the perfect example of a cowboy living the Cowboy Code of Ethics. He's not perfect but I greatly admire him and Alana both. Their determination to make Alana's Daddy's last days happy ones is admirable for sure. Ms. Brown's cast of characters in this story is a fun bunch to read about and they all, except Alana's nemesis Rachel Freeman, make me want to live among them. This story touches at your heartstrings and evokes smiles and tears at the couple's situation. I sure was rooting for them throughout the book. I liked the surprise appearance towards the end of the story. This book is heartwarming; sunshine for your heart.

Cowboy Strong
Series: Book 7 in the Longhorn Canyon series
Rating: 3
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book I read by this author and I was unaware that it was book 7 in a series, though you can read it as a stand alone.
Pax and Alana have been friends since they were very young. Her father has been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. His final wish is to see her married and happy. Caught up in the moment of hearing this tragic news she tells her father that she's engaged to Pax, their next door neighbor rancher. This is what you might consider a white lie. She decides to create this fictional romance to make her father's last days happy. I liked that Pax is such a great guy that he immediately agrees to the lie. Not knowing that Matt, Alana's father, was going to get so involved that they plan a wedding and honeymoon!
Pax and Alana embark in a fake relationship that day by day the lines of it being and fake and real begin to blur. She does feel guilty about lying to her father and the whole town of Daisy, it's a very small town, so everybody knows everybody and their business. She then sees how happy her father is and how easy Pax makes it for her to create this fictional relationship that she's constantly asking God for forgiveness.
This was a very sweet romance. There's so much love and acceptance between them. Pax is my favorite of the two. He's just a great guy who is willing to do anything for Alana and her father. In regard to Alana she was a very strong and hard working woman. It was just there were a couple of comments that Alana made that made me think I was reading an old school romance. It made her seem a little immature for her to say those things.

Overall it was a sweet romance with not too detailed sexy times ( if you know what I mean ).

3.5 stars

I have not read the other books in this series (I know I have missed 6 books), but this one intrigued me from the description. This is the cute story of two people who fake an engagement / wedding for honorable reasons. It could have been really good, but I feel other authors have pulled it off better.

I did like the characters in this story - they were likable. But in my opinion, there just wasn't much chemistry. They TALKED about having chemistry with each other, but I just didn't feel it while I was reading.

The main character is a very talented cowgirl and everyone has always said it will take a strong cowboy to match her (hence the name of the book). She can outride, out-rope, out ranch every cowboy out there. But she is 6' tall and model gorgeous as well. Yeah, right.

The main male character has been her friend since they were three years old. And they've sort of had this crush on each other, but neither of them ever knew? It was only visible to those around them. Well, he's basically a male whore, but he instantly agrees to go along with her fake engagement / wedding like it's no big deal. I felt he was too agreeable and it didn't add to the authenticity of the story.

It's a cute story and an easy read.

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.

Cowboy Strong is the seventh book in the Longhorn Canyon series, but if you haven't read any of the other books, you can easily pick this one up and enjoy it without issue.

Alana Carey is rancher through and through and she loves it! When she learns that her father is terminally ill, the only thing she can think of is the numerous times that he has told her he just wants to see her married and settled before he passed. With her mind whirling, she goes to the one person she knows will help her out and agree to a ruse of a marriage so she can make her father happy.

Paxton Callahan has recently come back to the ranch that he runs with his brother next door to Alana's family ranch. He's known for enjoying the ladies, but when Alana comes to him and tells him what is going on with her father, he doesn't hesitate to say yes to marrying her.

As the two of them begin the wedding planning process, they are also working overtime to make sure that no one figures out that they aren't as "together" as everyone believes. What neither has shared, is that they both have harbored feelings for the other for years. Will this wedding really end in a split after Alana's father passes or is this the real deal and it will just take some time for them to figure it out?

I enjoyed this book from the second I started it. There was something about Alana and Pax that just drew me in. I was invested in what happened and how everything played out with them. It was sweet how their romance ended up unfolding. I look forward to any upcoming books that Carolyn Brown has to offer.

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

"Cowboy Strong" by Carolyn Brown started out very slow and predictable. The characters had some good development, but not as deep as I normally enjoy. I didn't start to really enjoy this book until I was about 3/4 thru it. I generally enjoy this sort of book, but it just didn't grab me and pull me in.

Ms. Brown does seem to have a talent to write well. I just felt like maybe she didn't put her all into this book. This would have been a good book to read when I really couldn't focus well (like in a waiting room, or when I am facing a lot of stresses in my life). However, I sometimes really enjoy a good meaty book that is thought provoking and has a few twists and turns. To be fair, there was one surprise that I probably could have seen coming if I'd tried. I greatly dislike giving a review that is not a very good one. However, after reading a book such as this one, it is a little harder to look forward to reading the next book. I will need to choose wisely!

Unfortunately, this book will not make the cut for my blog at https://thefinalwordbooks.blogspot.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is book #7 in the Longhorn Canyon Series. It follows the previous setups of a tight, small town ranch community, supportive families, lifelong friends, strong sassy women, and sexy respectful cowboys. Pax and Alana have been neighbors and competitors for their whole lives. They have danced around their attraction for each other but have allowed their stubbornness and pride keep them apart. That is until Alana’s father announces he’s terminally ill. Alana wants to do anything to bring her father peace, even if it’s his wish for her to get married. I loved this quote, “You’re a strong woman, Alana, but I’d rest easier knowing that someone was beside you to share in your joys and halve your sorrows.”
Alana who defines herself by her independent nature reaches out to Pax and requests his help in a fake marriage to bring her father happiness. Everything happens so quick, literally from chapter one this plan takes effect. It was a bit fast for me how quick she bridged from devastating news to faking an engagement. However, this gave plenty of time for the couple to grow together and build a relationship. Oh boy, this book brought on some tears, how can it not when a daughter is dealing with a terminally ill parent that she just adores. There was a medical inaccuracy that made me roll my eyes, but I ignored it and continued to focus on the romance rather than the authenticity of a certain moment (which I’ll leave hidden for spoiler reasons). It wouldn’t be a Carolyn Brown book without some great sage advice. These are comfy-cozy, feel-good reads that make me want to move down to Texas and become part of their community. As for the ending, I loved the epilogue! Just pour on the sugar to top off this sweet read.

Alana has just been told by her father that he has a inoperable brain tumor and has only months to live. One of his fondest dreams is to live to see her married. So Alana asks her friend Pax to pretend to be her fiance. Pax agrees as he's always had a crush on her. At the age of 13 they shared their first kiss, but Alana slapped him afterwards and he has backed off ever since. What Pax doesn't know is that Alana has always had a crush on him also. Maybe their fake engagement can finally bring them together.