Will his healing sign her walking away from him ...

This is my fourth western romance in a short span of time, and I am coming to like them more and more. And while I do not like to read about day to day life, to close to home, as I prefer to be transported by my reads, the western world is an enigma for me the little frenchy woman.
The main characters are two very damaged persons, one who seems to have completed her recovery when the second still struggles to adjust and refuse to accept he might not going back to his previous life.
Riley has left her addict’s life behind, carving a new one in a small town, and while she has rather recovered, she still believes herself as undeserving, why she does not fight when some are threatening what should be her inheritance. And she does the same with Griff, she can’t believe he would choose her over miss Perfect.
So scarred to hope for too much she would rather turn her back to a possible future without even trying her luck, so afraid to face désappointement.
Griff is on military leave, yet relying on going back to his career and awkward among civilians. He still has panic attacks and bouts of temper.
He is now back to his hometown, only to lick his wounds with no other prospect than quieting his mind to be able to enlist again.

So for them to rekindle their unfinished affair, it leaves them clumsy around one another, misinterpreting each other’s moves, having trusting issues and seing things there is not.

Outside the main couple, there is a wide panel of side characters, some very mean, other lacking resolve plus very supportive one.
I liked to see some reaching a full arc, looking them grow, finding their inner strength and voice when others got their eyes opened and found their right comeuppance.
And while Riley appears as the stronger one, always cheerful, never miserly with her affection, she is also a coward when it comes to the matter of the heart, she retreats from others using her past as a shield. She runs away when love is involved.
I have not read the previous book in this series so I do not know if her past life was more detailed, as I understand she was an addict teenager but I would have liked to understand why she was so scarred by strong men in general and shouting men in particular.

I would have shook them quite a few times, he for not standing for himself sooner, not enough firm and his own wants and she for pushing him away then jealous then walking away because she does not want to hurt if she fails.
4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas (Blue Sky Cowboys #2) s the first book I have read and reviewed by Joanne Kennedy. This is a story that takes place at Christmas but is a read anytime story. Griff has struggles due to military service and Riley has some issues from her past. At times they are they worst enemies not believing that they deserve the love and acceptance that all need. They are more then deserving. These questions that they wrestle with could be ones that resonant with many of us.

The story is well written with many supporting characters. While I haven’t read the first in the series I still had not problem following along with everyone in the town. I found the characters complex and at times even perplexing. That is pretty realistic. I also found myself wanting to help them along so that they could see themselves as I did, characters to be admired and cheered along in life to keep going.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Griff and Riley are both broken souls. This story explores their backgrounds and how they factor into their relationship. Can they move beyond their pasts to discover if they can help each other heal. Can their families accept what the future holds and fight for each other to make their dreams reality? A great holiday story!

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

Cowboy romances are one of my favorite genres. Adding Christmas to the story just added to my enjoyment of this romance.

Well, this is worrisome.

Ooh, what past?

Yep, that would be a problem.

Gah, poor Ed is going to need a vacation after these three leave.

I love you, Griff.

She drinks Coke every morning?

Oh my God.

So she's going to cure him with her magic vajajay?

Witches.

Learning to put their love first!

Trying to describe Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas is a challenge because Griff Bailey just wants to be left alone to deal with his PTSD because he hates everyone in Wynott telling him he is a hero after Iraq because he feels that he isn’t a hero and just wants to be left alone.

Riley James had come to Wynott with nothing but now she had a job in the hardware store and considered her boss Ed her family. Riley was so used to putting everyone else first, she almost walked away from Ed and Griff because she didn’t want to cause any problems.

Griff Bailey and Riley James are both broken in different ways and they help each other heal in a Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas because they are better together.

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

Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas
by Joanne Kennedy
SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca
You Like Them
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Romance
Pub Date 29 Sep 2020 | Archive Date 30 Sep 2020

This is book 2 in this award-winning series. Thumbs up for the great romance at Christmas. I will recommend it to our patrons who enjoy romance titles.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC.

4 star

Joanne Kennedy is a gifted writer whose creativity shines through in her work. This is an impressive, well crafted plot. The characters are flawed, each in their own way, but they are so good together. Riley has overcome homelessness and addiction and should be skeptical and bitter but instead, she has the heart of an angel. She is the first in line to help others. Griff, a hometown cowboy and a recent war hero, has returned home to try and get his PTSD under control. His only objective is to return to his unit. That is until he runs into Riley, the girl who haunts his dreams. The girl who's messages kept him going all those years he was in a war zone. The girl who's messages he never once answered. Riley has loved Griff all her life but for some reason, she doesn't feel worthy of anyone's love let alone Griff's. She is determined to help him heal and Griff is determined to provides the strength and love she needs. Beautifully written and I now have a new favorite author!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Griff and Riley are both damaged people struggling with different issues- he's dealing with PTSD and she has had addiction problems. They had a one night stand years ago and parted, but that night has lingered in their minds ever since. Imagine their surprise when Griff comes home to his family's ranch and finds Riley is there working on renovations. You know this is a second chance romance and that it's going to be steamy, don't you? What's nice, though, is that these two are so well rounded and sympathetic. It's not an easy journey to happiness but then again, when is it? Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Cowboys and Christmas? Sign me right up. A sexy cowboy romance always has me interested. The book was well written and kept me engaged with the story and characters throughout. Looking forward to reading more from Kennedy.

I enjoyed most of this book. The storyline was great but there were times that I had to skip forward through some redundant details. All in all, it was a good romance.

Complementary copy given for honest review and opinion from Netgalley.

Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas by Joanne Kennedy is an enjoyable read. There's Christmas events to enjoy and the town folk of Wynott to appreciate for their support of each other. The conflict is interesting in this story. Both the heroine Riley and the hero, Griff have issues to deal with. Riley once lived on the streets and had a difficult time until hardware store owner Ed Boone and his wife Ruth stepped in and helped her. Griff has PTSD from an incident in Afghanistan that has him filled with guilt. When Ed's sisters Carol and Diane show up for a Christmas visit things get ugly for Riley. Those two women are characters I loved to dislike. Things turn out well in the end but Riley and Griff's road to their Happily Eve After sure wasn't well-paved and smooth. I really liked the story and Bruce the dog was a special addition to it.

Griff is home and his life is a bit in shambles. Griff is coming back home to ranch life . Riley is very petite. She is trying to get her life together. Griff is attracted to Riley. I loved Griffs and Riley's love for animals. I liked the characters.

An entertaining and well written romance. Good plot and character development. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

I was surprised that it was Riley who had trust issues and not so much Griff. Also Griff is pretty good at explaining himself where Riley keeps it bottled up inside. Kind of a role reversal book I thought. It really made reading, Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas, a lot of fun.

Griff is all cowboy, recently back from military service. He has some issues that plague him while he tackles the hero's welcome he doesn't feel he deserves. Riley graduated from the school of hard knocks and dreams of a Christmas where she is finally included, not standing on the outside peering in enviously. I liked the chemistry between Riley and Griff, with the added distraction of the dog and Fawn, the simpering competitor for Griff. It's a great story set in the west, snow, and two lone,y people who just need to quit being afraid and take the leap of love.

I had not read the first book in the series (Cowboy Summer) so I quickly read it before I dove into Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas. Although Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas can be read as a stand alone, I was glad I read Cowboy Summer first so I would have a little background on the town's citizens.

Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas is the story of Griff, the rancher's son who has been overseas in the military fighting terrorists, and Riley, the beloved town's "fix it up" girl and regular employee at the town's only hardware store. Riley is staying at the Diamond Jack ranch while the rest of the family is out - Heck & Molly have taken a much needed vacation in the RV while Jess & Cade have gone on their honeymoon. Since the ranch is empty, it is the perfect time for Riley to stay at the ranch and begin the renovations necessary for everyone to create the "dude ranch" concept for the next phase of the ranch. Griff has reached the end of his commitment to the army and the army isn't sure he is "well enough" to enlist again so they have sent him home to get the help he needs and he can't enlist again until he is medically cleared. Griff comes home to the ranch unannounced not knowing his family is away - nor does he know that Riley has taken up residence there. The same Riley that has stolen his dreams the entire time he has been gone - her sweet memories have carried him through the tough times - and her frequent text messages also - when no one else back home seemed to even try to keep in touch with him.

Both Griff & Riley are broken people and are haunted by their own personal demons. Griff has the battle scars of war and the traumas he has seen while Riley's battle scars are her past addictions. Neither Griff nor Riley can seem to forgive themselves - Griff feels responsible for not saving more lives overseas and Riley feels everyone will always judge her by her past - even though it has been years and she has more than proven herself as a model citizen. Both feel they are undeserving of true love.

Can Griff & Riley help each other heal? Or will they continue to fight their inner demons without each other?

I really enjoyed this book - I felt a serious connection to all the characters and the chemistry between Griff & Riley was truly present. I liked this book more than the first book (although I liked it also). This was one of those books that made me a little sad when it was over because I knew my time with Griff & Riley had come to an end. Those are the best type of books to read.

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

I had a tough time liking this one, mainly because of Griff, the H's behavior and the way he treated Riley. Riley wasn't easy either and I have to say there were a couple of lines in this book that I said to myself aloud, "no you did not just say (write) that" and there was a "oh hell no" in there as well.
It just wasn't for me.


arc from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review

Riley has no family of her own except the owner of the hardware store were she works. He feels she is the daughter he never had but still she feels like and outsider, like she doesn’t have the privilege to fit in. Griff has returned home from Afghanistan with PTSD he is working to heal. Riley sent him gossip form home while he was gone and he finds he’s fallen in love with her now that he is home and that love is healing him. Will Riley allow someone to really truly love her?
This is a beautiful Western Christmas tale set in a picturesque little western town. It is easy to fall in love with Riley and Griff but the secondary characters are well sketched and lovable too.
I would recommend this book to my patrons.

Griff returns home from the military and finds Riley in his parent’s home. Wrapped in a towel. A good story of issues to overcome and romance to heat up. Didn’t see the need for Fawn, as she was annoying. Overall a quick and easy read. Would recommend.