🤠 Book Review🤠

This is the second of Alissa's books that I have listened to so I knew what I was getting myself into - no spice, but there just wasn't enough sexual tension to keep this one going. Not enough jaw dropping moments that made you really feel the angst between the two main characters. I think this is the last in this series I will listen to. I've loved this dive into cowboy romance and this hasn't put me off but maybe this series isn't for me

Big thanks to Netgalley, Bolinda Audio and Alissa Callen for a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Hold Me Cowboy Is part of the Wildflower Ranch series by Alissa Callen. In this story of Kendall Dixon who runs her family ranch and Brett Ashton who has left the rodeo to return home to care for his ailing mother and restore their dilapidated ranch neighboring Kendall’s ranch.

Once an item, Brett left Kendall unaware so as not to hold her back from the possibilities she was presented. Kendall is the only person Brett had ever felt so strongly about but he is determined to ignore the chemistry, but is that realistic?

This is a sweet small town novella with well drawn characters. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it!

Cute friends to lovers story. The FMC and MMC have been attracted to each other for some time but fought it. Now they're ready to take the leap. Once they succumb to their feelings things move rather quickly. The biggest hurdle is the MMCs father's wish that they both take time to travel and experience the world so they have no regrets. They decide to honor that request and after some time apart they come together for their HEA. The narrator was pleasant to listen to and did a decent job of capturing each characters personality.

This was ok, I had a hard time connecting with the characters.
This was gifted to me as an arc. It has taken a while for me to read and get through.
I’m not sure what it was about it but it was missing something.

I do love the second chance romance it’s one of my fave tropes
However this just didn’t hit!
So sorry

Thank you Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

I love a cowboy romance, and I don't think I'll ever rate a cowboy romance low. Because for me it's the perfect trope. And let's add the fact that I listened to this audiobook, which for me it was perfect.
I liked the story overall, the characters are having their chemistry. I liked Brent for Kendall. I think when the characters blend nicely together that's a win from the start. And Brent's way of loving Kendall blended perfectly with her's stubborness. I loved how she was sure of her feelings and knew how to take matters in her own hands.
A nice audiobook and I enjoyed it.

I wanted to like this so much more than I did. It wasn’t a bad book by any means…the storyline just fell short for me.

While Jessica Pretty, the narrator did a great job bringing this story to life through the audio, the chemistry between the MCs, Brent and Kendall, was lacking. Brent started to annoy me a bit by constantly making decisions for Kendall and not trusting her judgement.

This story could have benefited from a bit more development. The bones were good; we just got thrown into plot lines and the pacing was off.

Enjoyed this book, the characters were great and definitely the highlight. Not the first in a series which I hadn't realised, but still enjoyed the read

I unfortunately did not like this. While I really enjoyed Her Blue Sky Cowboy, this fell really flat for me. I didn't find the characters to be engaging, the plot felt unrealistic, and it just missed the spark that Callen's other book had. I'd still bo open to reading another of her books to see if this was just a singular miss for me, but I really struggled to get through this.

Though, on the bright side, I did think the narration was well done. It definitely made a not great for me story more possible to get through.

This is a cute little romance about two best friends that finally end up finding their HEA. This was definitely a sweet romance. In the beginning, I felt the connection between Kendall and Brent lacking a bit, but by the end, I was rooting for them. There’s some family drama and backstories that make up the conflict keeping these two apart. I enjoyed their journey back together. I really enjoyed the ending. thought the narrator did a good job. This was a quick listen. Huge thanks to Belinda audio and Netgalley for allowing me to listen and review this fun romance.

This was a super cute, quick listen! The story was adorable and I truly enjoyed the listen. Thanks so much!

"Hold Me, Cowboy" by Alissa Callen - 3 Stars**
"Hold Me, Cowboy" by Alissa Callen is a charming romance that transports readers to the heart of the Australian countryside. The setting is beautifully described, and Callen's vivid imagery brings the landscape to life, making it a pleasure to read about the rustic charm of rural life.
The story follows the budding romance between the two main characters, who have their fair share of personal struggles and pasts to overcome. While the chemistry between them is palpable, the plot itself feels a bit formulaic and predictable. There are moments of tension and drama, but they often follow a familiar trajectory that leaves little room for surprises.
Character development is somewhat lacking; while the protagonists are relatable, they sometimes come across as stereotypes rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. Their conflicts, both personal and romantic, could have benefitted from deeper exploration to create a more engaging narrative.
The pacing of the book is uneven, with some sections dragging a little before picking up again. This makes it difficult to stay fully invested in the story at times. However, the writing is generally fluid and accessible, which helps maintain interest throughout the read.
Overall, "Hold Me, Cowboy" is a pleasant enough romance that offers a cozy escape, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark for those seeking a more compelling or original storyline. It's a decent read for fans of the genre, but it may not leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for a light, heartwarming story to pass the time, this could be a suitable choice, but don't expect anything groundbreaking.

**Hold Me, Cowboy**
by Alissa Callen
Narrated by Jessica Preddy

I approached this book with anticipation but ultimately found it a bit disappointing. The pacing felt disjointed, and the story lacked the captivating elements I was hoping for. To my surprise, I later discovered this was the second installment in a series. While it can technically stand-alone, I felt like I was thrown into the middle of a story, missing crucial character backstories that could have enriched my understanding.

Originally published in 2015 and now being re-marketed as an audiobook, the narrative undeniably carries a sense of datedness. I can’t help but think that the authors could have revisited the manuscript to enhance the storyline because it ultimately fell flat for me. The writing and plot didn’t spark any strong emotions or excitement, leaving me wanting something more compelling.

Connecting with the characters proved to be a challenge. Although I found the premise intriguing, the emotional depth I craved was sorely lacking, making the characters feel somewhat superficial and one-dimensional. If you’re in search of a quick and lighthearted cowboy romance audiobook, you might still enjoy this tale.

At the heart of the story is Kendall Dixon, a spirited girl from Marietta who knows precisely who she is and what she desires, even as the stubborn and charming cowboy who once captured her heart has long vanished from Montana.

Brent Ashton, a rugged rancher, returns to his hometown to care for his ailing mother. Burdened by the shadow of his father's death, he faces the daunting task of restoring his dilapidated family home while grappling with the lingering feelings for the girl he once loved so deeply. Despite their deep connection, he believes he must shield her from the pain of sacrificing her dreams for him.

Yet the timid and sweet Kendall he left behind has blossomed into a fierce and determined woman, someone who refuses to let her cowboy slip away for a second time. Her resolve to revive their romance adds a compelling layer to a narrative that explores love, loss, and the courage to embrace one’s desires.

2.5✨

This review is based on the audiobook as I was given the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I think the story itself was a cosy small town romance, was it anything extra special? No. But I had fun reading it.

With regard to the audiobook, I think it could use a little work. It definitely needs some more editing in my opinion. There was a lot of swallowing??? In really not sure why this has been kept in, in the final editing process. Same goes for long pauses between sentences. It seems like the voice actress was taking a breather (completely understandable and normal) but I’m not sure why this was kept in.

I also listen to my audiobooks on AirPod max’s which have a really good noise cancellation feature (I promise this is relevant). Because I couldn’t hear anything else apart from the audiobook it was super clear audio and I could hear background noise. It sounded almost like a stomach bubbling/rumbling or maybe a weird mic noise? I’m not sure but it was super distracting. On top of that, I could hear the swallowing and the extra long pauses I was getting frustrated and found myself having to rewind.

All of that being said, the voice actress’s voice was really nice to listen to. The audiobook really does have potential I think it just needs tidying up more!

This book was so much better than the previous one in this series. I loved the MMC with our FMC.
Brent was such a hard-working and sweet guy to Kendall. He was SO loyal to her and never looked at anyone else but she and the possessiveness of this man was something else. He knew she would choose the right thing and had faith in her. If anyone were to ask, he would give up anything for Kendall to be happy.

Kendall was such a stubborn woman when she wanted something, but she was also considerate and caring and respected others as well as herself. And she made sure she was going to get Brent.
The tension between these characters was through the roof. This book was great, and I can definitely see myself reading more from this author soon.

This is a sweet romance with great heart, but there character development was a bit weak and I wanted the struggle/conflict to have more detail. Kind of breezed right past the part where the couple had to find their way back to each other. Short, fun, easy, light, but also therefore lacking some depth.

This is a romance with a heartwarming story. While the audiobook version is well-narrated and captures the essence of the narrative I found myself wishing I had opted for the print version instead of the audiobook; The cozy, intimate moments and the picturesque descriptions of the Montana countryside seem like they would be better visualised through the written word, allowing for a more personal and immersive experience. Reading the book would have given me the chance to ponder over the tender exchanges likely creating a connection to the story and its characters which I felt was missing.

I spend too much time being annoyed that the FMC was too accepting and the MMC didnt want to stop her life and neither of them talked about it but continually thought or said it that I think the plot was lost on me.

I wasnt aware this was part of an ongoing series which if I had been following the wider story ARC may have meant I felt more connected.

This shorter audiobook is a super sweet second-chance romance that shows love can reappear when you least expect it. This contemporary cowboy audio novella follows Kendall Dixon and Brent Ashton as they figure out their love life (again) in the little town of Marietta, Montana. When Brent returns to help out his sick mom, he finds out that his first love Kendall is now a strong, determined woman who knows what she wants – including him.

Tropes featured:
- First Love & Second Chance Romance
- Slow Burn
- Closed-door Romance
- Caretaker Hero & Strong Heroine

Jessica Preddy's narration gives a cosy country vibe. Her warm delivery brings the characters to life, with different voices for each character. The pacing includes pauses that let the emotional bits sink in, but listeners can easily adjust the speed without losing quality. Through no fault of the narrator, two of the male names are similar, which can lead to confusion if you aren't paying full attention or get interrupted, so just be aware.

This audiobook is a nice little treat for cowboy romance fans looking for a quick, satisfying listen. The author strikes a great balance between sweet romance and emotional depth, making this an awesome pick for anyone who likes their love stories wholesome but meaningful.

Thank you to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for providing a copy for my review.

Thank you NetGalley for this ALC. I honestly didn’t enjoy this book. The narrator was just reading , there were no emotions shared via audio. The book felt a bit lacking , I didn’t realize it was book 2 so perhaps book 1 gave more details about the fmc & mmc relationship.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Hold Me, Cowboy
Alissa Callen

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

As you know, I never read blurbs before finishing a book and am generally drawn in by the covers.
So, I was surprised to find that this was actually book 5 in The Wildflower Ranch Series.
Now I know, I can see exactly how this would fit and even maybe predict the main characters of the previous books.....but the great thing is that I didn't notice anything amiss at all whilst reading this book.

The focus of this story is on Kendall and Brent.
After an "almost" relationship, circumstances pulled the pair apart.
But when Brent returns from his 4 years away in Australia, Kendall is determined to find out why he stayed away so long, why they lost touch and most importantly, whether they have a future together still, as she's always wanted!

This was your typical cowboy romance and it was pretty easy to see exactly where this storyline was heading - but why mess with a formula that works so well!!?
This was such a lovely read and I loved everything about the small town of Marietta and all it's occupants.

As well as getting to know Kendall and Brent well and seeing their friendship rekindle and develop into more - we also meet families and friends of the pair.
I loved all of the other characters too and am especially intrigued by the backstories of the families - what happened to their parents for instance.

I'm really only just coming into my cowboy romance era this year, but am loving them and have already added the rest of this series to my wishlist for future reading to catch up with everyone else's stories.

This was a super quick read novella which I absolutely raced through in just a few sittings.
Nice and easy to read with great characters who sucked me in from the start.
Loved this!




💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

2.5 🌟 rounded up. This was a really shirt listen, book two in a series and I definitely felt that it was directly picked up from book one which I haven’t read, so I was scrambling in the dark a lot and quite confused I’d definitely not recommend it as a stand alone.

What I did gather was a sweet and romantic rekindling of a romance that all seemed to be over very quickly with but a lot happening. Again I’m positive that this is due to not starting at the beginning of the series. Who doesn’t love a cowboy though 🤷🏻‍♀️

The narration was nice.

I appreciate the opportunity to review this ALC by Bolinda audio and NetGalley.