Love of a Cowboy by Jennifer Ryan is about Skye Kennedy, who has grown up in the tight-knit community of Sunrise Fellowship. Once she discovers their newest leader, Gabriel, is engaging in illegal activity and becomes a witness to a murder, she knows she needs to escape and find a way to save everyone at Sunrise. Her journey finds her in Montana and on the doorstep of McGrath ranch.

Declan McGrath has taken on the brunt of the responsibilities at the ranch, especially since his brothers have found their spouses. Even though they encouraged him to hire more help, he refuses. Then Skye shows up looking for a job, and he hires her on the spot. He knows she’s keeping a secret, and he’s willing to wait her out to hear it. They both soon find themselves falling for one another, but before long they realize that danger had followed her to Montana. When all is said and done, will she be able to figure out a way to save Sunrise but keep her new life and love in Montana?

I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting as much suspense as there was in this book, and it was a pleasant surprise. I enjoy a good romantic suspense, and this book has everything I like. The characters are great and work really well together, the suspense is well-written and drew me in, and neither the suspense nor the romance overshadowed the other. The only thing that took away from the story for me was how long it seemed to take Skye to figure out how to get Sunrise working on its own. It almost felt like she was dragging everything out and seemed reluctant to let go of control of the community.

This is the second book in the series but it can be read as a standalone. I have not read the first book but did not feel like I was missing anything from not having read it.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, Love of a Cowboy is a book for you. With an interesting storyline and gripping suspense, it will have your attention from the first page to the last.

A wonderful romance with a “take no prisoners” female character and her strong man who is along for the ride…and what a ride! Something is very wrong at Sunshine Fellowship. Skye Kennedy, her parents and sister live at Sunshine which is a community of love and people who appreciate the simple life. Once the founder dies, his son takes over and the commune is no longer a safe place. After witnessing a murder, Skye runs for her life with plans to eventually make sure justice is served. But, how? At the end of her endurance and money, Skye meets Declan McGrath. Declan is working his families farm and offers Skye a job and a chance to survive. Falling in love was not in their plans, but will they survive as they try to stay ahead of the criminals and the FBI? For someone who enjoys the “bad guy” getting what he deserves, this is the story for you. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Love of a Cowboy caught me by surprise from the first page. I wish I had refreshed my memory of the synopsis before I started it. I think I would've enjoyed it more if I had realized or remembered that I was reading a thriller romance, not a typical contemporary romance. That being said, once I realized what I was reading, and got a few chapters in, I was able to enjoy it much more.

Ryan's plotting is tight and it's a well-paced thriller. Skye was a heroine who was very easy to root for, and she and Declan have great chemistry. The relevance of the setting and deep sense of place throughout this book really impressed me. Now that I know what to expect from her books, I'm really excited to read more of her work. I definitely want to continue this series. I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Ryan at KissCon in 2019, and I've had her on my TBR shelf ever since. I'm so excited to be finally diving into her work. Thank you to KissCon and Avon Romance for providing me a copy of this e-ARC.

TW: assault, sexual violence, rape, murder.

Love of a Cowboy is the second McGrath Family book by Jennifer Ryan. This series is not just cowboy romance but also a thrilling suspenseful one too. Like the first book there is a even balance between romance, mystery and danger.

Skye Kennedy is a strong heroine but one that is running for her life until she can decide what to do to change the shape of things in her community. She finds work and refuge on the McGrath Ranch. This is told in the description of the book. What is not told is how likable, hardworking, and kind that Declan McGrath actually is. Nor is the threatening and menacing situation that Skye finds herself in.

At times this story is romantic, other times thrilling and even other times nail biting, making it hard to put down until very last page. The conclusion is satisfying but takes a while to get to that point of a HEA. Like life there is always the needs of others that must be considered.

4.5 Stars
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.

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you.

I wanted to like this, It just fell flat. I like romantic suspense. There seemed to be so many things going on in the story that the author did not have enough time to expand the story to the length it should have had. I would have liked to know more about the other people that lived in the commune. The story just needed more depth.

From a hippy commune, cowboys, sex-trafficking, and murder, Love of a Cowboy by Jennifer Ryan has it all! So get ready for the ride of your life.

Skye Kennedy loved her community of Sunrise Fellowship, and even when things start to turn bad, Skye is determined to protect everyone, but after witnessing a murder, Sky knows that her life is in danger and runs.

Declan McGrath was expecting many things when he got up that morning, but finding a half-starved woman begging to eat damaged apples she found on the floor in exchange for work shocked him, but when she passed out, it angered him that she had gone hungry. Spurred into action, Declan hired her, gave her a room, and collected her care, just to make sure that she was safe.

WOW! Just wow! Jennifer Ryan hit it out of the park again with this book, I was so swept up with the story I didn’t even realize it was 2 am when I finished, or care that I started reading the book from the beginning the very next day. And a week later, I’m still blissfully living happily in my book-hangover world.

I really loved seeing this softer side of Declan’s character, he seemed much more approachable in this book than in the first McGrath book. Skye is the ultimate people pleaser, but not just with one or two people, but with the hundreds at the fellowship, but she is sweet and soft and strong and resilient and you can’t help but cheer her on!

Fast paced story, full of suspense, action and romance. Skye escaped from the communal farm after witnessing a vicious murder. A smart woman, she managed to take cash and documents to prove the actions of a deranged man in charge. She lands on the McGrath ranch and Declan, along with his famiky, welcome her. He knows something is off, after she collapses in his barn from hunger and the exhaustion.

Their connection is immediate, but Declan gives Skye the time she needs to open up and share her story. Once he hears what she's been through, he pledges his full support. She's a successful business woman and strong role model which was refreshing to see.

Although part of a series this story can be read as a standalone book and I recommend you read it!

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

Skye Kennedy loves the close-knit community of Sunrise Fellowship. But after witnessing a terrible crime by the commune's new leader she flees. She ends up in Montana on the McGrath ranch.

Declan McGrath has always handled things himself with his sole focus on taking care of the ranch. He is so focused on taking care of the ranch after both of his brothers find love that he never found time for love for himself. But when he finds Skye in his barn hungry and desperate for work he no longer feels alone.

Skye has information that can bring down some major operations that comes with some deadly threats. Declan has been so helpful and supportive to her and she does not want to bring this threat to him. But Declan has found an unexpected closeness to Skye and has no intention of letting her get away and will do everything in his powers to help her and keep her safe. Skye is naive in a lot of ways. Declan opens her eyes to affection and feelings that she has never experienced. Now that they have found love they will have to work to find a way to finally be together.

On the run and accused of a murder she didn’t commit, Skye needs help in the worst way. Declan can’t resist helping the woman on his doorstep, nor can he deny the chemistry between them, but getting Skye to accept his help is slightly...challenging.

I liked the suspense thread of the story. Skye’s detailed planning and her determination to right the wrongs in her small community showed intelligence and empathy, but her double standard regarding assistance, even from Declan, drove me batty at times. The romantic aspects of the story also left me hanging. Declan’s feelings, although really rushed, came across believable. However, Skye’s feelings didn’t feel as engaged as Declan’s, especially during the latter part of the story.

Overall, the book was heavier than I was expecting it to be, but turned in to an okay read.

I received an advance reader copy from Avon and Netgalley. This is my honest review.

Cowboys and suspense just might be my sweet spot right now. I went into reading Love of a Cowboy with no expectations or having read the description of the book, so the action in the very first chapter pulled me in. Skye is part of a peaceful, self sustaining community that has found itself with some less than stellar leadership. Her escape puts her in danger and also leads her to Declan and his ranch. They have an instant connection and they work to take down the crime happening where it shouldn't. The tension of the plot just add to the tension between the main characters and elevated their love story in a way that kept me turning pages way past my bedtime.

This book has an intriguing storyline. It kept me turning the pages. The two main characters Skye and Declan are both strong, caring characters. I liked how they were attracted to each other right away. I like the "love at first sight" trope. It was fun following Skye and Declan on their journey to a Happily Ever After.

LOVED this book! I couldn't put this one down and stayed up way too late to finishing it. I loved the characters - Declan is a hunky and lonely cowboy, just working his ranch, when Skye shows up in desperate need. He takes her in, and, before long, she's sparked his interest and his heart. Skye escaped from a commune after witnessing a terrible murder, along with a whole host of other crimes. She ran because the local police have a relationship with the commune's leader, covering up his various crimes.

The romance between Skye and Declan was sexy and sweet, even as it was quickly put to the test when the bullets started flying. I found myself engrossed in their story and wanting them to get their HEA ending. Near the end, their were times I wanted to reach into the pages and tell Skye her priorities were off and that she wasn't responsible to fix everything, however, even that was consistent with who Skye was.

If you enjoy sexy cowboy romantic suspense, you will love this book. Put this one at the top of your TBR list.
The author has quickly become one of my favorites and is on my must read authors' list.

I’m enjoying this series as each new book reveals a McGrath sibling’s story. Declan is a hunk who is envious of his brothers’ newfound happiness. Will he ever find a special someone? Skye is on the run and finds refuge with Declan. Together they assist in stopping the perpetuation of crimes in her communal home. The chemistry was good between the two. The one thing that bothered me about Skye was how she could just watch a terrible occurrence and do nothing. Other than that, the plot and writing are good. Two people are smoking hot for each other,

I couldn’t wait to read Jennifer Ryan’s Love of a Cowboy. This is the second book in the McGrath series. It can be read as a stand alone. I highly recommend the first novel though as you will get to know the entire family. AND Love of a Cowboy does reference the events of Waiting on a Cowboy.

When you pick this book up, do not expect your run of the mill sweet cowboy rancher romance with some relationship conflict.
Ryan writes a sweet, love at first sight romance with a can’t put down crime drama that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Skye is a young member of a commune turned nefarious “cult” called Sunrise. After witnessing a murder (and much more) she is able to steal evidence and escape. She is on the run til she finds work and safety at the McGrath ranch.

Declan McGrath runs his family ranch. He is overworked and has a difficult time delegating. He loves his two brothers and sister, but deep down he wishes to have a family of his own. When Skye walks through his door he is instantly pulled to her. She might be just what he needs and vice versa.

If you are looking for an action packed love story with a side of an FBI Drama...then look no further! I’m hooked on this series and cannot wait for Trinity’s story next!

Thank you to #Netgalley, #Avon and #HarperVoyager for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for a fair review.

#jenniferryan #loveofacowboy

Intense, gritty, addictive romantic suspense story!

The opening scene - where Skye witnesses a crime - was admittedly hard to read, but only because it was so very well written. Fleeing for her life, Skye hits the road and eventually lands at Declan's family ranch.

Declan is the perfect hero for her, strong and steady yet he respects her enough to help her solve her problem rather than just taking over to fix everything himself. Skye's family ties to the criminal operation she's trying to dismantle really complicates the case, but the writing is perfectly balanced to make it clear how these kinds of situations can sneak into even the most idyllic utopias.

There are plenty of passionate and romantic scenes, interspersed with the intense action and suspense developments, all leading to a very satisfying HEA that has both Skye and Declan taking the necessary time to make sure their path ahead is exactly what they want it to be. I really appreciated the care and respect shown to all aspects of both characters, making this a truly unforgettable story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

The house, his bed, it all felt empty.
He'd been alone a while now, but he'd never felt this lonely."

I've said it before, but Jennifer Ryan is my absolute favorite when it comes to cowboy romances. And romantic suspense. Which are combined in Love of a Cowboy to make a fast-paced and sexy story—one I've already read twice, and am likely re-read again and again. Gah, it's just so swoony! Declan is my perfect romance hero—protective and thoughtful and smart and strong and basically I need him to be real, pleaseeeeee.

Alas, he's not real, but my enjoyment of this book is VERY real. There a surety to the love that grows between Ms. Ryan's characters that makes reading her books comfortable and easy and fun. Yes, my heart raced as Skye and Declan faced down her past and the men she was running from, but never once did I question the romance of it all. And that is my jam. Tension from external forces? YES, please.

Read this book. Fall in love with a well-written and swoony story that is equal parts lighthearted and heart-racing, and a family of cowboys and girls who love hard and fast and oh, so perfectly. You won't regret it. I definitely didn't. Either time.

The Sunrise Fellowship, sounds lovely. It only takes one bad person to ruin it for everyone. Skye is very brave. What she does during this book are things that most people would never do. That's how strong this woman is. Declan is a very lucky man.

I really enjoyed this book. It is part of a series but I don't feel like I missed anything. I will go buy the 1st 2 in the series just because I enjoyed this one so much.

I enjoyed how you didn't know what was going to happen next and how the story played out.

I highly recommend this book.

Thank you netgalley and Avon books for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.

I loved book 1 in this McGraths Series and was excited for Declan's book. First off, can we just say that these hot cowboy covers are definitely a big draw to this book, y Jennifer Ryan definitely delivers in sealing the deal with these rough and tough cowboys.

I will say, this book had me a little nervous at first with the setting and situation of Skye Kennedy. I had never read anything similar to her story and found the entire thing fascinating.

I loved Declan and Skye's initial meeting and their interactions. He was such a softy for her in the beginning and perfectly what she needed. Now, this was not a sweet, slow dance romance, nope, this one was filled with mystery, suspense, action and drama enough to wake up your mama (ok, you have to have read the book to get that one!)

I loved the writing and can't wait for what is in store next. Thanks for the ARC NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager.