Jody Hedlund can write anything. Historical, cowboy, YA, it doesn’t matter. The Heart of a Cowboy has plenty of swoony moments, having me reach for my fan. But it’s also got important lessons, and plenty of seriousness. The perfect balance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars

Another great read from Hedlund! I wasn't sure what to expect with Linnea's character because science doesn't make sense to my brain and I was so afraid she would spend most of the book talking over my head, but I liked her pretty quickly. And Flynn is precious! Absolutely infuriating at times, but precious nonetheless.

Ivy made me laugh out loud so many times because she just says whatever she thinks, and usually what she thinks is hilarious. She was the perfect splash of humor. And Linnea's grandpa was the perfect splash of heart. I loved him!

This book has action, romance, and a little suspense. It's just a good old fashioned western treat and any fan of feel-it-in-your-toes tension should read this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.

One reason I like this series is because of the strong women characters.

Linnea is determined to show she can contribute to the botanical expedition research. There are some bumps along the way. Flynn has had to bare the brunt of caring for his sibs and will finally reunite with his brother.

Leave it to Jody Hedlund to throw some romantic tension into the mix and we start to root for Team Linnea & Flynn!

I read and listened to this book and either way it was not easy to put down! The Narrator Susan Hanfield has an easy to listen to voice. She does well at drawing you in and feeling like you’re in the moment. Either way you are in for a treat.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Another fun, but also serious at times, western by this author. It’s another great book by her and if you like this genre you won’t be disappointed.

In book two of the Colorado Cowboys series, author Jody Hedlund has written a splendid story about a female scientist, Linnea, who goes on an expedition to the west to help her grandfather. On the journey she loses her husband of just a few months. Along the journey, Linnea keeps getting into mischief, falling in rivers, getting lost from the group, etc. But lucky for her a handsome cowboy, Flynn, comes to her rescue and ends up traveling with them. This story is overcoming our fears and finding love. Readers will adore The Heart of a Cowboy.

Series: Colorado Cowboys
Genre: historical, romance, western
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication date: October 5, 2021
Number of pages:368

Other books in the series:
1-A Cowboy for Keeps
3-To Tame a Cowboy (coming March 2022)

Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

I love the setting of traveling to Colorado in the 19th century. Linnea is highly intelligent with her botany research, but has a tendency to find herself in dangerous mishaps while in the wilderness- some were humorous but others were more harrowing. Flynn's role of unofficial bodyguard allows for frequent proximity, while driving cattle and exploring the terrain. Of course, his secret arrangement with her father foreshadows the misunderstanding that will inevitably come... I enjoyed this journey and adventure with the McQuaids and getting to know the members in the family more, as well as the complex dynamics between them. I really felt for Flynn with the pressures that are on him, and the expectations that he struggles with. Linnea is also trying to prove herself, but while some accidents can be explained, others cannot, bringing an element of mystery and suspense. The romance was a little too up and down for me, but I did enjoy the spiritual thread of faith woven in.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Heart of a Cowboy is a 19th-century road trip on the Santa Fe Trail. Young widowed scientist Linnea travels with a group of botanists and Flynn, who’s moving a herd of cattle and his younger siblings to his estranged older brother’s Colorado ranch. Jody Hedlund ramps up the chemistry between Linnea and Flynn, so there’s a lot of will they/won’t they throughout the journey. I love reading sibling interactions, so I found that part of the story enjoyable--both between the siblings that get along and those that do not. A couple details kept me from identifying fully with Linnea, but it was an enjoyable book, and I’ll be reading more in the series.

What a great western historical romance by Jody Hedlund! The Santa Fe trail and those who traveled it have always fascinated me so for that to be the setting of most of this book thrilled me!

Linnea Newberry is, in a word, a nerd. I totally related to her! As a botanist, she focused on the details during the trip but sometimes got lost in the big picture quite literally.

Flynn McQuaid is driving his brother's cattle to Colorado with his younger brother and sister in tow. When he rescues Linnea from one of her mishaps, he soon finds himself teamed up with her scientist friends for the trek west. As her unofficial body guard on top of all his other responsibilities, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he has no interest in. What will he do when it comes time to part ways? How will his reunion with his brother go? These are all questions that haunt Flynn with each step west.

This book is fabulous! It highlighted the struggles of trail life, a cattle drive, abuse, women in science, and scientific exploration in the 1800s. The romance was swoon worthy. I highly recommend!

I received a complementary copy of this book from the Author and publisher. All thoughts are my own.

I would say this is my favorite in the series so far. While Linnea was an interesting character to read about, Flynn’s was painful. What he went through was sad and heartbreaking. I enjoyed seeing them learn and grow and I look forward to Brody’s book! The banter between Flynn and Ivy was hilarious and one of my favorite parts of the book!

I received a complementary copy of this book, but I was not required to give a positive review.

In The Heart of a Cowboy Jody Hedlund allows us to get to know the second McQuaid brother, Flynn, as well as younger siblings, Ivy and Dylan. Flynn is the perfect cowboy hero – ruggedly handsome, caring for others, brooding at times, and completely captivated by the red-haired beauty he is guarding. Linnea is not only pretty, but strong-willed and intelligent, the best match for Flynn, if he can just figure it out. Their relationship develops over time, not only a fiery romance, but a sweet friendship and respect as well. The secondary characters add to the reality of the story and are just as well written as the main characters.

When Jody Hedlund tried her hand at historical cowboy romances, I knew she would do it up right. This series exceeds my expectations. Her balance between historical happenings, an unfolding love story, and exciting adventures is reader perfection. This is a book not to be missed.

This book can be read as a stand-alone but reading the first book in the series would add to the understanding of the story and the characters. It’s also a very good book on its own.

I was given a copy of this book by the author. All opinions stated are mine alone.

Another winning series by Hedlund! An auto-buy for me, I loved this story and everything about it. The style at which the characters come alive in The Heart of the Cowboy was just perfect and I can't wait to read the next in the series. Jody Hedlund is the master!

The Heart of a Cowboy
Colorado Cowboys #2
By Jody Hedlund

What can I say - but if you loved My Forever Cowboy you will love The Heart of a Cowboy, which follows Wyatt's younger brother Flynn McQuaid as he journeys to Colorado.

First off Flynn has some major resentment issues concerning what he regards as Wyatt's abandonment of the family, leaving them at the mercy of their abusive, controlling step-father. But joining Wyatt is now the family's only hope of a first and staying together as a Civil War draws more into its conflict every day.

Flynn is moving cattle "beeves" along the trail to Colorado. He is determined to get Wyatt's stock to him as healthy, and with as few losses, as possible. But when he rescues a young woman from drowning in the Neosho River his trip got a whole lot more complicated. Like really, really complicated.

Linnea Newberry is a botanist on a expedition with her grandfather, Dr. Howell and a team of scientists studying the plant life along the Santa Fe Trail. Linnea had an unconventional upbringing resulting in a young woman who is brilliant, a bit absent-minded, bold, sweet, friendly, and beautiful. And when Dr. Howell talks Flynn into guarding Linnea from herself and the dangers of the trail, he knows he's made a big mistake.

Having sworn off the idea of marriage after seeing all the suffering his mother went through with his step-father, Flynn knows he's in trouble because he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Linnea. Linnea is not at all what he's have expected from someone coming from money. And she's willing to help take his little sister Ivy in hand offering her a helping hand as she navigates life without a mother and only older brothers to look out for her. But each time Linnea finds herself in a new incident she fears that this will be the one that means she'll be sent home. And each time Flynn is there to rescue her.

I really liked this newest addition to Jody Hedlund's Colorado Cowboys series. It is interesting to meet Wyatt's siblings and experience the trail to Colorado with them and through their eyes (mainly Flynn's). I have to say, though unconventional, Linnea was a needed addition to the story she was definitely a tempering influence of both Flynn and Ivy. Though she was also an agitant to Flynn as well.

Fans of Jody Hedlund's historical romance fiction will have no complaints with this book. And if you haven't yet read the first book no problem as it is easy to read this book without the backstory the first provides. And when you've finished The Heart of a Cowboy you can always go back and read My Forever Cowboy.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.

This is book 2 of the Colorado Cowboys series. Can be read as a stand-alone or as book 2. Toward the second half of the book we are reintroduced to the characters from book 1. Both were amazing and I can not wait for book 3 to be released.

This is a fun addition to this series. I love the idea of each brother having his own book, and that we get to see the characters together and learn more about them in each coming book. Flynn is a very special man. I love that he is responsible, caring, protective, and loves his family so much. Linea is so intelligent and kind. It’s really sweet how she takes Fynn’s sister under her wing, for example. It’s funny how accident prone she is and so sweet how Flynn looks out for her. This is a great love story of two people who deserve a happily ever after. I love how they are individuals, but also that they are willing to give up things and change for each other. The settings and descriptions of flower, plants, the counteyside, etc are so well done and detailed, that y out feel like you are there. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series!

Brilliant scientist Linnea Newberry is on the adventure of a lifetime, traveling the Santa Fe Trail with her grandfather, Dr. Howell, on a botanical expedition to Colorado Territory. She longs to be valued for her contributions and not seen as a helpless liability. But at every calamity she faces, her grandfather threatens to send her home.

After watching his ma suffer and die in childbirth, Flynn McQuaid has sworn off women and marriage forever. Headed west to start a new life, he has his hands full not only taking care of his younger siblings but also delivering cattle to his older brother. He doesn't need more complications.

When Flynn rescues Linnea from drowning during a river crossing, Dr. Howell promptly
hires Flynn--unbeknownst to Linnea--to act as her bodyguard for the rest of the trip. As
Flynn fights against the many dangers of the trail, he soon finds himself in the greatest danger of all falling for a woman he's determined not to love.

My review: I had trouble getting into this book. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind when I read this book. It seemed that Linnea was always having to be rescued by Flynn. She didn't want her grandfather to find out about all the mishaps because he would send her back. Flynn was the typical cowboy of the time.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

What an amazing book! Full of fun, adventure, romance, and lots of biblical truths! I love how Jody always incorporates the Word into her books!

All cowboy and western fans will love this second book in her Colorado Cowboys series. Those McQuaid men are no joke! #handsome

This was such a good book to read. It truly touched my heart. It was exciting and extremely interesting. I was inspired to read more books from this author after reading this book.
I did receive a free copy of this book but the review is mine voluntarily.

As always, Jody has written unique and life-like characters and immediately sucked me into the past with this fun new story! I really enjoyed following the characters on their journey West, but I'm even more excited to read the next book after reading the epilogue!

I was glad this second book in the series finally came out. I really enjoyed the first book so I was excited to read Flynn’s story. However, if you haven’t read the first book don’t worry, you can fully enjoy this one.

Flynn and Linnae are complete opposites so I was curious to see how they would find their way to each other’s hearts. As usually, Jody build the romance up slowly until you can hardly take it anymore.

If you are Jody Hedlund fan and you/or you enjoy historical romance I am sure you will enjoy this book.


A copy of this book was given to me though Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

The Heart of a Cowboy by Jody Hedlund is the second novel in the Colorado Cowboy’s series. And while there are characters from the first novel in the series in this story, it can still be read as a stand-alone in my opinion.
I love western stories, especially those set in this time period. I thought the author did a great job of not only showcasing the beauty (and danger) of the plains but also took into consideration the state of the country at the time and wrote the conflict of the war seamlessly into the novel.
I tend to favor brainy heroines, so I loved that Linnea was a botanist trying to build her career by traveling overland and studying the flora and fauna of the West. I enjoyed learning about their collection techniques and the instruments they used. And I loved how Linnea could see God’s beauty in a simple blade of grass and it could turn her to scripture and her Creator.
Flynn is a handsome cowboy, to be sure. But I loved how his strength and masculinity were balanced by both physical and emotional weaknesses. I always enjoy those tight-lipped, cranky heroes because I love watching the heroine soften them over time. And the friendship that formed between Flynn and Linnea was so much fun to watch mature between their witty flirting and the more reserved conversations about their pasts and future dreams.
Overall, I enjoyed this westward journey. There was history, danger, and (of course) plenty of romance. Any fan of Christian historical fiction, especially those fond of stories set in the West, will enjoy this novel.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.