This is a second chance romance and the first book in a new series featuring the Kittredge family and their ranch.

High school sweethearts Riley Kittredge and Rae Trujillo married just days after graduating. They'd always had a hot and volatile romance and soon split up. However, he never knew why she left - or why, years later, she keeps coming back for fiery, steamy secret encounters. When she informs him it has to stop and that she's decided it is time for them to divorce . . . so he decides he has to win her over by being her friend - with benefits preferably.

Talk about stubborn, sulky and silent, these two could win an award for it. They've never talked through what happened to split them up or about their dreams for the future. Both are immature when they initially marry and don't seem to have done a lot of real growing up in the meantime. Fortunately the threat of getting divorced seems the trigger to them changing for the better and there are some fun encounters after that. The secret she kept for so long drove them apart and it is only when they start to get to know each other out of the bedroom that they stand any chance of healing the past to move on to a better future. I found them quite frustrating for much of the story, making it somewhat tedious reading at times, but the ending redeemed much of it. I have to say the bonus story about Riley's youngest brother is much more entertaining and I did enjoy reading that one - that one is easily a 4" read for me!

My thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

I found this story to be strange at first. Rae who works at her family’s flower shop seems to want more. The more means or I think she wants a family or at least a child. With her brother really being the only person calling her out on still living at home telling her she could go back to her husband. Most people in town along with her best friend think she and her husband Riley are divorced. Riley and Rae are not divorced they are still married and why they are not together is a combination of things.
First being married to young, second Rae believes that Riley does not want children of his own because he had to raise his brothers and sisters. But there are still times that Rae will end up with Riley at his or there are and in bed but will be gone in the morning. What will Riley do though when she shows up at the ranch this time with divorce papers and she tells him why and what she wants. Will he give her what she wants? Read this story and find out.

Riley and Rae married right out of high school. Riley never knew why Rae left him. Rae never discusses Riley or their marriage with anyone, but spends many secret nights with him. Most people believe that they were divorced years ago. With a desire for a baby and a new start in life, Rae asks Riley for a divorce. Riley is stunned and angered by her request, but decides to deal with Rae in a different way than their usual method of fighting and passionate making up. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher though Netgallery. This is a powerful story of a couple that still loves each other, but still uses the same pattern of communications as they did in high school. I love seeing Riley starting the process by starting a new way of reacting. Even though I suspected the reason Rae left, it was potent when she dealt with all her feelings. It was equally powerful when Riley understood why. This book really pulled me into the story and had me feeling the emotions of the main characters. I love seeing their characters emotional growth. Even though I felt their emotions very powerfully at times, I am so glad that I read this story. I highly recommend this book.

Secret Nights with a Cowboy is the first book in the Kitteredge series which is a spin-off Cold River Ranch series

The story took some time to get into it, so be prepared for some lag. There are a lot of people to get a baseline on, so that was part of it. You have two families with very defined backstories.

Rae Trujillo has secrets, the obvious one isn't as well kept as she thinks. Part of living in a small town, everyone is privy and feels the right to get into your business. She married her high school sweetheart Riley Kittredge right after she graduated. And although there is love there, they never had a chance to grow up and learn what an adult relationship should be like. And they certainly didn't get the framework from their families. So all Rae can keep doing is leaving Riley and it's time to change the pattern.
Riley Kitteredge is known for his way with horses. He is the calming influence on an untamable spirited horse. He needs that calm when dealing with his wayward wife. Their battles all legendary and the aftermath although satisfying to their bodies leaves a mark on their hearts. It's time to change the communication and try a different tactic. But will it backfire and be the real ending to the fairy tale love story?

Secret Nights with a Cowboy returns readers to Cold River and focuses on the Kittredge family with horse trainer Riley and his estranged wife Rae taking centre stage — in a story that, while slow at first, was satisfying to read.

As Riley battles to learn what caused Rae to walk away from their marriage and put it right, whilst Rae battles her feelings for Riley and desperately after years of pretending Riley doesn't exist yet spending nights with him tries to finally cut all ties, and move on.

And with a lot of anguish, a touch of sweetness and emotion, not to mention great characters, it was an engaging story to read. But it was also a frustrating one, and at times I just wanted to scream at these two characters or lock them in a room and demand they have a proper conversation.

But all in all, it was a great read, and it was lovely to be back in Cold River.

Would recommend.

First of all, this is a first book in a spin-off series of the Cold River Ranch series. It is a stand alone with it's own HEA and I adored this HEA so much, I bumped it up to four stars.
The mains in here are Riley Kittredge and Rae Trujillo, high school sweethearts, soul mates, pig-headed and believable. They married young and didn't have a clue marriage doesn't guarantee all will be comin' up roses.
Riley knew exactly what he wanted and stayed that course, to the point he was unbendable. He knew he loved Rae and they should always be together--period. While he messed up in a lot of ways, I felt his love for Rae was true. He had the patience of a Saint, or a horse whisperer, to put up with Rae's crap.
Rae, wow, she grew up in a family that was just royally screwed up and I think she wanted, no, needed out--period. Quietly rebelling because Trujillos never talked about real issues. She had this unrealistic idea of what she wanted her marriage to be, with no effort on her part, it seemed. And she changed her mind simply put.
This is where I wish I could've skipped pages but I had to see exactly where this went wrong, what secret(s) Rae was hiding, was she ever going to tell Riley what happened? Very frustrating for everybody, including me, and small towns, ya know? I don't care what happened, you do not string your spouse along for eight freakin' years while you grow up, hopefully. And I do not believe she was fair to Riley whatsoever. Rip the bandaid and move along. Who's the fool here? I'm not sure on that, but love finally conquered on this journey. These two finally talked, amazing how that works out and it was emotionally charged, this time on Riley's part. I finally felt they made love, not just had sex.
See, this read got me so emotional, going in any direction, I should say it's a freakin' awesome read. Except I read to escape that emotional, dragging, turmoil filled drama of secret keeping and immaturity. Volatile relationships are draining, but I was super happy they got this second chance, when they'd finally matured and/or opened up. Can't help but think of all the time wasted by these two, and maybe it wasn't a waste for them after all, but needed, to get to their HEA.
I received an advance reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I am giving my own thoughts and opinions voluntarily.

Good book. Solid writing and characters. Emotional second chance romance. Solid 4 stars. Would read another book from this author

I am wavering between 3.5 stars and 4, so will just go with 4.

What I loved: marriage And family is messy. This is not about a happy go lucky couple here. It’s been a while since I’ve read a romance book that depicts a married couple where it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. I also loved seeing the continuation of the main families in Cold River, CO.

What I didn’t like was all of the drama. These two needed to grow the heck up and the town needs to find something else to talk about. It reminded me of how I felt about Travis and Hannah’s story. That being said, I felt deeply for Rae and Riley and round up of the rating.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc. My opinions are my own.

*I received this book free from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.*

My review comes with a **TISSUE WARNING!**

Neither Rae, nor Riley, had the best family examples on how to have a successful marriage. That didn't stop them from trying though.

Not long into their marriage Rae had kept a secret; one that was slowly killing the person she was. Instead of sharing her burden, she held it all inside and let it poison her mind, her marriage, everything...until moving on felt like the only thing that could save her.

Riley had loved Rae since forever and not even her walking out on him, or her returning only for the nights, or her asking for a divorce would ever change that. What he decided needed to change was himself. He tried being her friend, tried playing her wingman, and then tried friends "with benefits". Nothing changed the fact he loved her. Not even her confession. Or the fact that she was determined to move on.

Secret Nights with a Cowboy was realistically emotional. The predicament these two leading characters find themselves in could happen to any couple. Watching them try to move on and failing desperately so, watching them fight their desires for one another, and then watching what needed to happen...the confession, the blowback, the emotions that overflowed from the pages...yes, I found myself wiping my eyes more than once. Then watching as realization sunk in for Riley and their entire lives changing with that little bit of hope they each gained. And I absolutely loved the ending!

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Secret Nights With A Cowboy by Caitlin Crews is the first book in her new series Kittredge Ranch and is set in the same world as her previous series Cold River Ranch. This is a first for me with books by Caitlin Crews, I disliked the heroine Rae Trujillo, and I could have sympathized with the situation she found herself in, but for the fact that she kept it a secret for eight years, never telling her husband Riley Kittredge why she ended their marriage, yet still coming back and starting fights with him because she knew they’d end up in bed together. She played this idiotic game for eight years, one that there was no way for either of them to win or to move on from because of the secret she kept. I understand that they married too young, both products of childhoods bordering on abusive, but eight years of misery that could have been resolved with a conversation? As always, Ms. Crews writes a compelling story, but it left me more frustrated than delighted. On a positive note, the novella included with this book about Riley’s brother Connor was delightful, and I loved it. Steam Level: Medium Publishing Date: December 1, 2020. #SecretNightsWithACowboy #CaitlinCrews #ContemporaryRomance #CowboyRomance #StMartinsPress #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of Secret Nights with a Cowboy by Caitlin Crews prior to publication. An emotionally charged contemporary Romance. My opinions are my own and no one has influenced them.

Secret Nights with a Cowboy is a well-written romance with engaging characters and an emotionally charged plot. The pacing pulled me in and kept me entertained. The story gained speed as it progressed and had a fantastic ending, tying up all plotlines.

Rae Kittridge is the heroine, and she is ready to at last end her broken marriage, but it’s incredibly hard because she still loves her husband, and she hates to give up on the sexual chemistry that still exists.

Rae has a deep secret she’s never told anyone, including her estranged husband, even though he has the right to know. I felt her pain as she tries to stop seeing Riley cold turkey, especially when he tells her he’ll sign the divorce papers, but he wants to stay friends before they end their marriage.

Riley Kittridge is a yummy hero. He’s determined to get to the root of what went wrong between him and Rae. To do that, he needs to become her friend and quit clouding the relationship by late night sexual encounters with each other, no matter how fantastic. I loved his determination to succeed. I could sense his bewilderment as to why Rae left him years before while still visiting him at night.

This is a second chance romance, and the couple have been childhood sweethearts who married, and it didn’t work. This story starts when Rae is tired of hanging on to Riley. Their marriage has been broken for years.

I enjoyed Rae’s dilemma because she desperately needs to end things permanently, but her heart doesn’t want to give up. Riley is a dream hero from the start, so I really wanted them to find their way back to each other.

If you enjoy contemporary romances with a hot cowboy, one who isn’t willing to let the girl go, then you will love Secret Nights with a Cowboy. While this one isn’t my favorite novel by Ms. Crews, it’s an enjoyable read, and I’m glad I accepted the invitation to read and review. Happy reading!

I have read this author before and like her books. But sorry to say that this one missed the mark for me. Rae is not a likable character and I couldn't relate to her at all.

A story of love. Of growing up and realising what you always thought you wanted may just be different to how you pictured it and not being able to express that may just be what destroyes the thing you love the most. Sometimes love is not enough, but sometimes, if you trust in it it may just be the most beautiful thing ever.

A second chance romance for a married couple who parted but never left. Does that make sense? Well, Rae and Riley married out of high school. Their relationship was volatile and dynamic and then one day, Rae left him and moved back in with her family. She works in their flower shop, Riley is, of course,a cowboy. Here's the thing, though- even though everyone in town thinks they've broken up since they basically ghost each other in public, they've been meeting in private. Then, though, they both realize (Rae has to see it first) that they want a family together. They do a nice dance of creating a mature relationship. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. You know these two will have a happy ending but not the twists (or the reason why Rae walked out) which is why it's a good read.

I have mixed feelings about this book.

The author is new to me and I'm really glad that I took a chance and read this book. I will be looking for more from her in the future. I liked her writing style and the pace of the book.

The part I didn't like was the characters themselves. I understand that keeping secrets is a big plot twist but yet I found Rae to be so wish washy and bad at communication. I had a hard time connecting with her.

I loved the supporting characters of the book.

A new series by Caitlin Crews takes us back to Cold River, Colorado and the Kittredge Ranch. Some of our favorites from the Cold River series are back along with Riley Kittredge and his "ex-wife" Rae Trujillo. They were together for many years, but issues forced them apart. I suppose just like in any marriage if you don't discuss the issues when they happen it can cause issues and mistrust. I love when Rae finally decides to stand up and make some changes in her life, that might just eventually lead to her future happiness.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Secret Nights with a Cowboy
Book 1 in the "Kittredge Ranch" series
Rating: 2 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

Sadly this book was not for me. I DNF'd it. I just could not continue with it. I'm usually not a fan of second chance romances and this one really proved to me why. Riley and Rae have been married for years but separated due to something that happened to Rae early in their marriage. What I didn't like was that years have passed when the story picks up but she has not told Riley what happened to make that decision, yet it is mentioned very early on that they only see each other to argue and then hook up. Apparently it's a never ending cycle until she decides to ask for a divorce. From what I read these two should never have gotten back together.

They married too young and now they seem to be friends with benefits…and not always friends. Rae Trujillo fell in love with Riley Kittredge and they married as soon as she graduated from high school. Years later, she is confused by not only her feelings for Riley, but she has withheld something from her past. Riley has been unable to get her to talk, to really talk to him. Rae realizes that she would like to have a child, but she and Riley had agreed not to have children. He was responsible for his younger siblings and wasn’t ready to go through that again. Rae’s character was difficult for me to understand as she didn’t seem to know what she wanted, but instead of discussing this with her husband, she did so with everyone else. It also seemed unusual that he would wait for years for her to come to a decision about their future. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

I was excited to start getting the Kittredge men's stories in Cold River. Riley Kittredge is one sexy cowboy & his wife Rae is a super fiery match for him. They start the story having been separated for many years because Rae had decided she wanted a baby & Riley had been adamant about not wanting children, but Rae never told him her reasoning. They keep coming together privately, fighting & making up in the bedroom, then acting like their divorced in public. Being a small town, everyone has their own speculation on what is really going on. Finally Rae decides she really needs to move on & divorce Riley. He comes up with the interesting idea to be friends & help each other date. Of course he has an ulterior motive. This is not your typical romance novel which is why I highly recommend reading it. I was also excited to have the bonus story for Connor Kittredge!

Caitlin Crews pulled out all the emotional stops in Secret Nights with a Cowboy, a second-chance, contemporary cowboy romance, and I loved every minute of this angst-laden novel, which gets 5 stars from this reader.

The main characters are Riley Kittredge and Rae Trujilllo, who married right after graduating high school in the small town of Cold River, Colorado. They built their home, were wild for each other in bed, but outside of that, were both rather immature and spent as much time arguing as they did making love. As often happens with those who marry so young, after only a couple of years, Rae moved back to her family, she and Riley avoided each other in public, and everyone in town simply assumed that they'd gotten a divorce, but were they ever wrong. What they didn't know about was all the times over the next 8 years that Rae returned to Riley's home for a night of hot sex and another argument, until finally, she shows up on Riley's doorstep, tells him she wants a divorce, and that she's moving from her parents home and into a room at a friend's house in town.

The attraction between these two characters is still stronger than Rae's decision to divorce Riley, who has always loved her. What he doesn't understand is the why of it, although he's tried to find out Rae's reason for leaving him for years. We readers learn part of what Rae is feeling long before Riley does. Rae and Riley decided from the very start that they didn't want children, since both came from somewhat dysfunctional families, but after Rae falls in love with her friend's baby and realizes that her biological clock is ticking, she assumes that if she wants to have a child, she has to find a man willing to give her one and be a father to it, and she believes that man is not Riley. In addition, there is a secret so profound and so heartbreaking that she's never shared it with anyone, and certainly not with Riley.

Rather than fight about it, Rae and Riley try to remain friends, and Riley eggs her on to start dating, something she's never done with anyone but Riley. These characters, although they've been together since high school, seem to have grown older but have never matured into adults who could be honest with one another, and not let secrets or resentments tear them apart emotionally, because physically, their new friendship agreement turns into a friends-with-benefits arrangement which makes it clear that neither of them really wants to move on, and the emotional tug-of-war that follows is as gut-wrenching as anything I've read in a very long time.

This is a romance novel after all, so we know that there's going to be an HEA ending for these two characters ahead, but prepare yourself for the roller coaster of emotional highs and lows you're going to experience before we get to that ending, and keep your tissues handy, because I needed mine more than once in while reading this deeply moving novel.

Bonus Novella:
Sweet Nights with a Cowboy

This novella features another one of the Kittredge brothers, the youngest one, Connor, and it's another second-chance story, but, at least for this reader, it didn't pack the same emotional punch as the featured novel did, and it gets 4 stars from this reader.

In his junior year of high school, Connor was dating Melissa (Missy) Minton, who dumped him after seeing him flirting with one of the cheerleaders. As high school romances usually go, theirs was not a forever kind of relationship, and Missy made no secret of her desire to get out of Cold River, move to a big city and make something of herself and her life. One holiday season, she arrives back home as usual, this time sporting a very large diamond engagement ring, yet her fiance isn't with her. This year, five years after her engagement, that ring is absent from her finger, and it's something she doesn't really want to discuss.

When she and Connor start talking again at the local bar, he's still attracted to her and she to him, and when she mentions that she's never gone on an actual date, Connor decides to ask her out, and one date soon turns into many dates and a lot of necking. Connor's family tries to convince him not to get too involved with her because they are sure that Missy is going to leave for the city again, leaving Connor heartbroken.

So, will she leave or won't she? I'm not spilling the beans, but I will say that this was a far more sweet and simple Christmas-themed romance, but nevertheless, an enjoyable one.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of these 2 books. The opinions expressed are my own.