Yates Trudeau is making his way back to his hometown after being discharged from the Army, running into his former flame brings back memories and hopes for a future, but will the secret he is keeping prevent them from giving love a second chance?

An engaging second chance romance. I liked how Laurel didn't give up on Yates, even though he'd hurt her in the past. There was great character interaction and growth, I especially admired Laurel's faith and her big heart for others. I loved seeing how Yates's family welcomed him back yet gave him space to make up his own mind.

Overall, an enjoyable read with wonderful characters and a compelling storyline. A great quick, heartwarming read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Cowboy’s Journey Home by Linda Goodnight is part of Love Inspired’s K-9 Companions sweet romance series.

In this story, the K9 Companion is a retired Military Working Dog. Paired with a medically discharged soldier, Yates, the two return to the cowboy’s home. But things aren’t the same and he isn’t sure he wants to be there, especially as injured as he is.

Laurel is a journalist attempting to save her family’s small town newspaper. She and Yates had a Romeo and Juliet type of secret romance before he left to join the military after tragedy struck. Now they have an opportunity to work together to help a family—and maybe overcome their past.

Yates is a wounded warrior and faces physical and emotional challenges. It made me hope for a happily ever after for him! I struggled to get a read on Laurel at first, but by the end, I loved her pluck, determination, and honesty. Things could have gone a totally different direction without her and I’m glad they didn’t!

If you enjoy sweet romance, with an adorable K9, give this book a read.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

This was such a sweet read! I am a sucker for reunion romance stories, and this one had just the right amount of tension from the fallout of their prior relationship and curiosity over the reason they broke up. I loved how both Yates and Laurel had emotional wounds they had to deal with. And the kids and Yates’ dog, Justice, were icing on top of the cuteness cake called a good read!

I loved this sweet romance that was also a story of forgiveness Not to mention I am a sucker for romances were the hero is military or former military. Finished this one in one day.

This is a Clean Second Chance Romance, and this is the 8th book in the K-9 Companions series. I really love the characters. Yates character had to overcome so much, and he needed to learn to open up to the people that are closest to him. I loved seeing his character overcoming so much throughout this book. Laurel is a sweet and strong woman, and she is everything Yates needs. The kids in this book were just so cute. I loved the characters in this book, and the storyline in this book was just so good. I did get a little sick of Yates not talking to anyone, and I really was just like just let it out by the end of the book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Love Inspired) or author (Linda Goodnight) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Home can draw a man, even when he is broken, has dark secrets and wants to remain hidden. Yates Trudeau is trying to hide with his retired military dog, Justice, on family land, his land, until the person he hoped not see is just ten feet away from him.
Laurel Maxwell is shocked to see the thin, raggedy looking shadow of the cowboy she once loved and was abandoned by. Her journalist thought pattern immediately is bent on trying to figure out his story. In the battle to save her family newspaper, she writes about Yates return home which stirs up more problems.
This is such a good story which involves scars from the past, mourning, hidden feelings, feuding families and self-recrimination. There are children with an ill parent who need Big Brothers, Big Sisters and a man who keeps way too much burden on his shoulders while he walks away from God. It all comes together for a story of healing, love, compassion and forgiveness. I enjoyed this very much. The family bonds are special. This is part of a series but also works well as a stand-alone. I receive an advanced reader's copy from the publisher and NetGalley. This is my own personal opinion about the book. I give it a 4.5 rating.

Good characters that are easy to care about. That includes the children and dog, too. A sweet romance that once again proves that honesty and communication are good things. Too much about prayer and god, but I realize that this is inspirational fiction. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

The Cowboy's Journey Home by Linda Goodnight is part of the K-9 Companion series. Although I have not read any of the previous books, this one stands alone.

Yates Trudeau is a military man who has come home after being badly injured. Both physically and emotionally. After leaving home so abruptly he dreads facing his family and his old girlfriend, Laurel. Laurel is a strong woman and gives Yates the support and forgiveness he so desperately needs. Yates and Laurel's families have been feuding for years, but this does not stop them from finding their way to healing.

Linda Goodnight is an author I go to time and again. She writes good clean contemporary romance with depth of heart. Good characters and story line.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Cowboy’s Journey Home by Linda Goodnight is a heartwarming story about family, love, and honesty. Yates harbors secrets from his past with the intention of protecting those he loves. Laurel, a determined journalist, knows something is wrong but can’t seem to break his stubborn resolve. With the help of some children they mentor through Big Brothers, Big Sisters, they learn the true meaning of God’s love. I enjoyed the book and recommend it for those who also enjoy a Christian romance.

"The Cowboy's Journey Home" is a romance. Yates left home to join the military because he felt guilty but didn't want anyone else to be burdened with the truth. He returned after being discharged due to a bad injury, but he didn't want to talk about that because he didn't want to worry anyone. Like they didn't worry anyway, which is why he finally answered their questions. Anyway, much of the story was about him not answering the questions of why he left so abruptly and how badly he was injured, but he was still able to rebuild his relationships to some degree. He spent time with his old girlfriend, Laurel, whose family was feuding with his for generations. They spent time together as they helped a single-parent family through the Big Brothers/Sisters program. Laurel and Yates supported each other, helping each other with some problems they faced. Yates finally confessed and found forgiveness and healing.

Laurel bravely stood against the feud and forgave Yates (as Christ would want) even though she was hurt and angry at how he ended things. The dog was ex-military, an explosives detection dog. He was an emotional support to Yates. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.

I have been waiting for this story the last two Goodnight books. Yates Trudeau, who we have seen on the periphery of the Trudeau property, just barely, and not even quite sure it even was him. But it was. Yates Trudeau has come home, injured and hopeless. Hopeless in his own mind, that is. Yates’s condition, both emotional and physical, broke my heart. He just got down deep in my heart. I loved his character. And the woman he basically abandoned when he ran off eight years ago to join the military has never stopped loving him. But now Yates wants to push her away. And wants to love her at the same time. There are other issues involved here, too, that cause trouble. And those Trudeau men, Wade and Bowie, my goodness, what great men they are. Full of Jesus and love for Yates. Powerful story here. Highly recommended. Linda Goodnight seriously knows how to tell a wonderful story.

My thanks to Live Inspired for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.