Jody Hedlund is one of my favorite authors and I was so intrigued about this new western genre she started with this book. And with a marriage of convenience, my favorite trope! My expectations were high and I was not disappointed!
This is a promising series, with a wonderful start in this first book of the “Colorado Cowboys Series”!
After Greta Nilsson becomes an orphan, and her stepsisters make her and her little ailing half-sister Astrid feel like a burden, she decides to become a mail order bride and sets out west from Illinois with Astrid to Fairplay, Colorado, to meet her future husband, an older man she knows only by letter but seems kind enough and is willing to take care of her sister too. But everything goes awry from the start: their stagecoach gets robbed and they take all her belongings, and then when she arrives to the mining town, she discovers her husband-to-be has passed away because of an accident. Totally destitute and jobless, she providentially met Mr. Steele, the town’s mayor, on the stagecoach, who kindly determines to help her in his own way.
Wyatt McQuaid has a cattle farm and is in dire need of an investor to buy more cattle and make it profitable. Mr. Steele sees the potential in Wyatt not only as a ranch owner but as a good and honorable match for Greta. And since he has interest in making Fairplay a more familiar town so he can get his wife to come, he decides to offer Wyatt to generously invest in his cattle if he marries Greta. Wyatt promises to think on it, and is almost set on not accepting the mayor proposal until he casually meets Greta, and he is totally compelled to aid the helpless beautiful woman and proposes the marriage of convenience. After Greta confirms Wyatt is a good man, she decides to accept, especially for Astrid’s sake, who is battling consumption, and is in need of a stable home and care. After being married, Greta feels the need to prove herself useful to her attractive husband so he won’t regret marrying her. But Wyatt wants her to feel at home, and the more time he spends with her and charming Astrid the more attached he becomes to them. Is it possible for them to pass from total strangers to a couple in love? Greta knows nothing of the mayor’s financial proposal to Wyatt. Will that knowledge break the trust in him?
You’ll have to read the story to know! I can only tell you the journey of this conveniently matched couple is beautiful and so heartwarming! It’s full of obstacles and lots of adventure that will keep you engaged until the last page. But the best is the characters: they were complex yet deep, kind yet flawed, very relatable. Greta’s selflessness, hard work and love of others was humbling. Wyatt had a heart of gold and the way he treated “his” women was a sight to behold. Then there were the secondary characters: Astrid, even in her sickness, was a restless, outgoing and charming girl that stole my heart, I loved her! I also loved Judd, Wyatt’s friend and ranch help, an older, quiet yet kindest man! The way he cared for Astrid was so sweet!
And the slow -and yet not so slow- progressing romance between Wyatt and Greta was sweet, tender, and made me sigh! So romantic! As always, behind the characters struggles there is an inspirational message of kindness, true love, and trusting God. It flowed natural, not preachy. A beautiful love story in the wild west!! I definitely recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

From the start I held such empathy for Greta Nilsson. She’s holding such a burden and determined to not be a failure. But then again, so is handsome rancher Wyatt McQuaid.
I loved the imagery of the story and could picture everything perfectly. I loved to see the growth of Wyatt and Greta’s relationship. Wyatt was such a great hero and his care for Greta’s sister and his heart to help his family endeared me to him.
Top it off, this is a start of the series which means we get to see the rest of the McQuaids. A Cowboy For Keeps is a solid start and one that has me looking forward to more.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.

I think this is a great start to a new series by Jody Hedlund! I loved all of the characters in this book and look forward to reading what comes next for them! I was able to read this in one day because I enjoyed it that much!


I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I was SUPER excited to see that Jody Hedlund was writing a western novel. I love the rugged setting and the resilient characters, who face so many hardships but keep pressing on. Greta and Wyatt both show these traits in different ways. Greta will do practically anything to help her sister, Astrid, to find relief from consumption. At times, her stubbornness on this issue can be a little off-putting, but it does contribute to the plot and tension in the story. Astrid is a bit spoiled due to her illness (which sometimes annoyed me as well), but she also had some heartfelt moments that I enjoyed. Wyatt is a handsome rancher who agrees to step in as Greta's mail order husband when the other man is assumed dead, but he isn't doing it completely out of the goodness of his heart. This aspect of the story also adds to the plot. Each time I post a review of a Jody Hedlund book, I always mention the romantic tension...because she is the queen of clean romance! She has a way of directing the characters to some fantastic moments that really drive the story.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would like to read the next book or books in the series. What I hope to see is some pre-epilogue resolution of all of that tension : ). I'm totally good with a fade to black...but please don't leave me hanging, Jody! :D

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my honest opinion, which I did.**

This was a most enjoyable read and a great one to start off 2021 with. We have two characters who find themselves in a marriage of convenience due to circumstances that neither could control and the marriage would benefit both.

Greta is trying to save her little sister from the consumption that is slowly stealing her life away. She will do almost anything for Astrid and coming to Colorado as a mail order bride so her sister can benefit from the air there is something she is willing to do. But as she and her sister wind up penniless and in town, Greta is told her fiancé is dead.

Wyatt is trying to start a profitable ranch so he can bring his mother, brothers, and sister out west. Hopefully saving his brothers from joining up for the Civil War. But Wyatt is broke and faces a formable enemy. His solution is to marry Greta on the advice of the mayor who has interests of his own.

What I really liked was just how organic Wyatt and Greta's relationship takes shape. They still are working towards their own separate goals, until they begin to merge into one. Just like their marriage, they are strangers to friends all within holy matrimony. And that means something. It is a special bond that opens both of their eyes.

As they navigate this new life together, both must face their innermost demons. Wyatt thinking he is a failure and Greta believing she is a burden. I so enjoyed watching as they helped heal each other of these misconceptions.

Love, romance, family, and danger make this already my number one read for this year and a new favorite by author Hedlund.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

This was a nice easy read, quite an enjoyable story. I loved the characters and the slow burn friendship and romance. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series

Digging into Jody Hedlund's A Cowboy for Keeps was an easy prospect for me. I enjoy her books and was curious to start her new Colorado Cowboys series. It wasn't long before I found myself fully engaged in the story. Marriages of convenience are a popular topics and sometimes dismissed as lightweight fiction. Not so when you dig deeper. These men and women endured a hard life and their rewards were very different than what we expect for ourselves today. I enjoy reading these stories because they remind me that this was how many parts of our country were settled into communities. Communities with families, schools and churches became the fabric of life for the men and women who had the gumption to work hard and build homes on their ranches or farmed their land.

Greta was a courageous young woman for leaving her home behind to forge a new life in an unknown territory to marry a perfect stranger. A stranger who promised to also support her ailing little sister Astrid, whose life depended on this move.

Watt hadn't planned to saddle himself with a wife, but the mayor's proposition to help him increase his herd was too good to overlook. The conditions of the deal were another story, but he had plenty of time to meet the requirements so he agreed. Time, though, is a funny thing as it slips by day by day until finally something has to happen and it all happened as predicted. Yes, this story was predictable but I didn't mind because the characters were likable and the author wove the tale together in a unique way.

The location was also a character in this story with descriptions that are picturesque and engaging. I don't think Greta could have found her new home in a better place. It seemed to have it all with plenty of hills, plains and of course, hot springs. I think this is one of those books that would appeal to any reader who enjoys good, clean historical fiction. I am already looking forward to the second book in this series.

A Cowboy for Keeps is a great start to a new series! I enjoy western stories and am excited to have a new series to read. The author kept me happily turning the pages to see how things would work out for Greta and Wyatt.

I really enjoyed watching these two navigate their marriage of convenience. They took things slowly and there was a lot of self-doubt on both sides. Wyatt carried feelings of failure with him from past experiences, while Greta felt that she was a burden.

Greta sister, Astrid, drove me crazy a few times in the book with her antics, however, she was extremely important to the story and I loved the way the author worked things out for this new family and showed how close they had all grown throughout their months together. I liked the peek into Astrid’s heart and feelings, it made me understand her better.

The last chapter of this novel points the reader toward the characters who will be taking center stage in book two and I am even more excited about seeing what happens next in this series now that I have read a little bit about them!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What an amazing story. Well written. Greta is a mail order bride who traveled west with her sick little sister, hoping that the fresh mountain air would help. Greta ends up in trouble many times but Wyatt seems to bail her out, time and again. Sucks you in and makes you excited to read the next story.

Ooh, I'm so excited about this new series by author Jody Hedlund and after reading this book I'm even more excited!!

I love a good cowboy story and Wyatt is the very vision of all I imagine a strong, rugged cowboy to be. This story has a lot of different dynamics with a mail order bride, a sick little girl, bandits, secrets, and unfortunate events but all throughout is growing friendship and trust, healing and love. It was such a good blend of emotions, engaging me from start to finish.

The epilogue gives a glimpse into Wyatt's family and set things up nicely for the next book.

Content: mild peril, mild violence, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I just love marriages of convenience. I can't seem to get enough of them. I love seeing two characters make a decision to commit to something before feelings are involved and then work towards finding a way to develop those feelings. Logic usually ties the two together in the beginning, something they both get out of the agreement, and then the process of them working together towards a common goal and learning about each other brings about the feelings and emotions one would hope to be involved in marriage. Well A Cowboy for Keeps was right up my alley.

Greta is the only one left to take care of her little sister. Her mother and father have both passed away, and her brothers have married and have families of their own. Astrid suffers from consumption and her medical needs have become a burden to her brothers' families. Greta is encouraged to marry and take Astrid with her when she does. That being said, Greta has heard that the mountain air out in Colorado is good for consumption, and she accepts a mail order bride offer from a nice middle-aged man in Colorado. The only problem is, when she shows up in the town he's from, it appears he's died leaving her in a worse position than she was in before. The mining town offers nothing for a single woman except work that Greta isn't willing to take.

Wyatt left his family in hopes of striking gold, but when mining didn't turn up much luck for him, he switched to ranching. His goal is to bring his mother and siblings to his ranch once he gets it established to get them away from his abusive stepfather. The only problem is that Wyatt is struggling and using every spare penny to invest back into the ranch. He needs an investor and finds the potential for one in the town mayor. The only trouble is, the Mayor needs to convince his city-wife that the town is turning from a manly-mining town into a civilized, family-oriented place. So the Mayor seizes the opportunity of Greta being a single woman in need of a husband and Wyatt needing an investor and himself needing a family town to make an agreement. Wyatt will marry Greta and get his cattle.

Of course, things aren't all that simple. Wyatt gives Greta a three-month window for them to get to know each other before they decide whether to continue their arrangement or to split ways. Astrid isn't getting better. And the entire purpose of coming to Colorado was to help Astrid. Wyatt has an enemy in a neighbor and fellow cattle rancher. The nature of their arrangement hasn't been fully spelled out to Greta (even though she would have accepted it either way). And more issues that would be spoilers to mention.

I've read Jody Hedlund before and enjoyed her books and this one was no different. I finished it basically within a day, and I was left wanting more. The last chapter gives you an idea of the direction for the other books in the series, and I am certainly interested in them and will be stalking her to find out information on future releases. A Cowboy for Keeps had characters I liked and was happy to root for, a conflict that was a little predictable but not in a bad way, and a relationship of convenience which I happen to love. A Cowboy for Keeps gets 4 Stars. Have you read A Cowboy for Keeps? What did you think? Let me know!

”She needs a husband,” Steele said firmly. “You need an investor. And I need a civilized town for my wife.”

With that ultimatum, how can Wyatt resist a chance to finally start his own cattle ranch? But then again, who is he to play with hearts? As for Greta, what other choice does she have but to enter a marriage of convenience for the sake of both herself and younger sister? What a quandary!

I already love Jody Hedlund's historical books, so I was especially excited to read her first Western one! Her stories are character driven, which is something I enjoy very much. I fell in love with Wyatt at first sight; not just because he's ruggedly handsome, but for his heart of gold. He learns that Greta & her young sister are in desperate need and reluctantly agrees to the mayor's marriage bargain. How this story plays out from there was all consuming for me, a book that was thoroughly engrossing. It was also a gentle love story between Wyatt & Greta, an absolute pleasure to watch these two together. They both have insecurities they fight within themselves, but in the end faith, hope & love overcome. The secondary characters added their own personalities & flavor; I especially loved Judd—Wyatt's unofficial cowhand & sage advice giving grizzled older gentleman. He was a favorite of mine.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fantastic western historical & eagerly look forward to the next installment of “Colorado Cowboys”!

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are mine. *

Without a doubt the swooniest cowboy story I have ever read! Fair warning: this is a sleep stealer so be prepared if you start it at night!

This book is a fast-paced and fantastically fun marriage of convenience story of two good people who help each other discover their true worth. There is action, laughs, intrigue, plot twists, and of course, lots of clean but swoony romance!

I have read almost every single one of the author's books but this one is going to be one of my new favorites. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. Another five star read from Jody Hedlund!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher but a review was not required and my opinion are my own.

A Cowboy for Keeps
Colorado Cowboys #1
By Jody Hedlund

Greta Nilsson will do anything to save her little sister's life. With the promise that the mountain air of Colorado will cure Astrid's consumption, Greta agrees to become a mail-order bride. But the final stage of her trip to Fairplay, Colorado, is one disaster upon another. Her expected groom has died, stagecoach robbers took all her savings. With nothing to her name, Greta has few options in a town that is comprised almost entirely of miners and ranchers. So when a rancher claiming to be a friend of the man she expected to wed offers her a proposal of marriage, Greta quickly realizes that is her only choice.

Wyatt McQuaid has been working to get his ranch profitable so that he can send for his ma, brothers, and sister. But starting a ranch in this new land isn't easy. He doesn't have time or the funds to even think about marriage. But when the latest stagecoach arrives in Fairplay after a holdup the mayor offers him a deal - marry Miss Nilsson and, in return, Wyatt will get the funds he needs to expand his herd. But marrying a complete stranger who was set to marry his friend is something that will take some thinking. But Mayor Steel needs the town to grow, to add families of good repute if he hopes to convince his wife to leave the civilization of the East behind.

As Wyatt and Greta deal with their new situation they both have to deal with their pasts. But the past has a way of marking a person and Wyatt and Greta are no exception. Can they see past the hurts to a future of promise or will they allow their insecurities to tear them apart before they even begin?

Without giving away anything - I will say there are a couple of interesting twists that occur that add an interesting element to the story. So be sure you don't jump ahead while reading (I have a family member who does this and then ruins the element of surprise or shock from her books), seriously don't do it. If I had known of these elements before their proper placement in the story it just won't have had the same impact that it did.

A Cowboy for Keeps is the first book in Jody Hedlund's new Colorado Cowboys series and it is another enjoyable read from a skilled writer. Greta is a character with whom one can empathize, basically kicked out by her family along with an ill younger sister, she is willing to do almost anything to save. But Greta has to learn that going it alone isn't the best way. With her plans crumbling around her she needs to learn in who to place her trust and concerns. Not an easy lesson for any of us to learn. Wyatt on the other hand has a plan to rescue his family from the very situation that he left behind years ago. But he is dealing with the guilt of leaving his family behind, of failing them. Then there is Judd who we learn very little about but what we do learn gives a glimpse into his past. I really like Judd who helps Wyatt see what he needs to see. He is just what Wyatt, Greta, and Astrid need as they live and work together. I'm looking forward to the second book in this series - if the final chapter is any indication of what is to come it should prove most interesting.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Once again, Jody Hedlund has written another amazing novel, this time straight out of the Old West!

Agreeing to marriage and moving to Colorado is the only way Greta can save Astrid, her sister. Plagued by consumption, Astrid needs the dry climate in order to breathe more easily. However, Greta arrives to find that her betrothed is no longer alive. And this is where the problems really begin. However, Astrids antics never allow for a dull moment!

Grab your copy of A Cowboy for Keeps for a great, entertaining read! I highly recommend this story for those who love good, clean fiction and a handsome cowboy!

This book is set in the 1800's, and is more of a western romance style book. The storyline was cute overall. I did like Astrid, she was a pistol and being a handful summed her up for sure. I really liked Judd, he was a silent type but when he spoke it was with wisdom and you took notice. The book was a clean read overall. I do feel like the book did drag some so I had a hard time keeping my attention. I felt like something was missing in a sense but if you are looking for a clean read that's a mail order bride on her journey to find a better place for her sister, then this book might be for you.

This new series has it all—a swoon worthy cowboy, a strong female lead, and a marriage of convenience story with clean steamy romance! I greatly enjoyed this first book in Jody Hedlund’s new Western series. The historical details are well written and provide a great backdrop to the story. The setting is easy to picture with the beautiful descriptions. I liked Greta and her gumption immediately—she does not let the hardships in life get the best of her as she navigates tough situations, always putting her family first. Wyatt is also an admirable hero; he may have married Greta for a hidden reason, but he is honorable and works hard for her. The romance builds in a realistic manner and the kissing scenes are definitely steamy but still clean for Christian fiction. I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to more in the series! I recommend this new historical series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Jody Hedlund never fails to write an amazing story! Greta is a mail order bride who is moving west hoping the air will benefit her little half-sister who has consumption. The stage coach is robbed near their destination and upon arrival, Greta is told that her fiance has died! Doesn't this make you want to read more? You will love reading about the ways Greta manages to make an honest income and how hard she works. A handsome, hardworking cowboy named Wyatt, Indians, a crippled wrangler and a mean neighbor make up this great book. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I received an advance copy of A Cowboy for Keeps from the author and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
_______________________________________________________________
Story Notes

What a great start to a new series! I loved the way this story was crafted from start to finish. Nothing was left unanswered when it came to the questions raised throughout the story and the slow burning love story was great too. I loved how Ms. Hedlund allowed her characters to have real reactions to each other and showed their attraction in the pages. God made people to be attracted to each other both physically and emotionally and both were well written in this story. I also loved how both Greta and Wyatt worked so hard to make things better for each other and Astrid. They didn't wait around for others to do a job if it needed doing, they simply took care of it. And I really liked Greta's skills with canning/jarring her fruits and veggies. I recently learned how to can and jar myself so it was fun to read about others doing the same. I will certainly be recommending this story to others in the hope that they will enjoy the adventure and the love story as I did. Hopefully the next story will be coming out soon!
I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

A marriage for keeps - when God is invited

This is an enjoyable marriage of convenience story. Greta & Wyatt are both sympathetic characters. Astrid is a pip, and I love wise old Judd.

Wyatt gives Greta a 3 month trial period after they made vows before God & witnesses including to be together till death do they part. I was bothered by that aspect. One's word is supposed to mean something, but especially one's word to God. At least it was unconsummated during that time though.

Additionally, Greta puts Astrid as her first priority over the husband she promised God she'd cleave to, instead of communicating with the man to whom she'd agreed to be yoked & approaching the problem as a team.

However, while the plot doesn't directly address these issues, the spiritual growth of the characters does to some extent, and that really helped assuage my concerns somewhat.

The ending is happy, if a little pat, and yet it all works out plausibly enough that I barely noticed let alone was bothered by it. I'm looking forward to reading more about Wyatt's family

*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic

*Religion: overtly Christian with a very light touch; both characters believe in God, but struggle with trust & belief that His love is personal