Another fantastic small town romance set in Marietta, MT. It's that rodeo time of year again in Marietta, and with that brings people returning and realizing exactly what and who they have been missing. After the death of his father, Brent Ashton left Marietta determined to give the one girl he's ever loved the freedom to chase her dreams. Kendall Dixon is devastated by Brent leaving but she knows life goes on. She's back in Marietta and never plans to leave again. There's no place else she'd rather be. When Brent returns home to care for his ailing mother, Kendall is determined to show him she's the one for him and why making a home in Marietta is all she's ever wanted.

This is a wonderfully sweet read and I definitely recommend it.

Lots of big emotions under the Montana sky, as Brent and Kendall try to figure out their future.
The feelings for each other has always been there, they have known each other since their childhood, but life has gotten in the way, to get them together for good. The fears of their parents, feeling stuck and resenting it, in Montana, was cast upon them by Kendall's mother, and Brent's dad. They wished for them for something more, something they felt was stolen from them, and nearly steal the happiness from their children with those wishes.
Brent is very self sacrificing, giving up Kendall, not once, but twice, because of the dreams Kendaææ's mom had for her. He doesn't believe Kendall would and could be happy in Marietta, without seeing the world first.
I liked the story, the emotions and feelings are clear, palpable, and strong. The chemistry between Brent and Kendall is amazing, and they obviously belong together. But I am unsure about the attractiveness of such self sacrifice Brent is showing. Yes, it is humbling, and very much put other's need ahead of his, but - yes, there's a but - why not believe Kendall, that she knows what she wants? Yes, I enjoyed the story, it is heartfelt, affectionate, and sweet. The pain and heartache Kendall and Brent had to go through, to have the future they always dreamt of, was touching. The growth they had to go, to get to their HEA, was clear, and the happiness, passion and joy in each other apparent.
~ Four Spoons

Kendall has been in love with her favorite cowboy since she was a girl. She has had her eyes set on being with Brent since she followed him and her twin brother around as kids. She knew she wanted to design gardens and be a ranchers wife she just never thought the biggest dream would end with Brent leaving town to do as his father wished and and see if he really wanted to be a rancher as he spent four years pushing her away. She is ready to move on when Brent walks back in. Brent is ready to enjoy his life on the ranch after spending 4 years away he has his mom and the love of his life back in Marietta. One big problem he is sure he has lost the chance at love with Kendall and he's sure he will never get the chance to love her truly. I love these books from Marietta there so fun. The characters in the book and then the quirky characters in the small town are just fun to follow along. I love the storyline in this book that not all love is lost but its just set aside for a time. I love the realness of the story and how it feels like your just catching up with friends. This book is short but packed with a lot of fun. You really can't go wrong with this book or this series.

Hold Me, Cowboy is the fifth book in author Alissa Callen's Wildflower Ranch series as well as the second book in the multi-authored 2015 Montana Born Rodeo series and I must confess that this is my favorite in either series. Kendall Dixon and Brent Ashton's love story is a second chance romance that pulls at your heartstrings with its lighthearted drama and down-home feel for family, friends, and community. Brent's decision to stay away from Kendall for as long as he did speaks to how much he loved her and wanted her to go after her dreams, refusing to be the one to hold her back, but I loved how Kendall stood her ground and fought for what she wanted and needed and did whatever was necessary to prove to Brent that what she wanted was to be by his side in Marietta and that part of her dream was to be with the man she loved.

The author's first four Wildflower Ranch books were wonderfully entertaining and heartwarming reads earlier this year and I'm glad I was able to catch up with the first four couples via this latest addition to the series, especially with Rhett Dixon and Ivy Bishop's wedding being one of the highlights here. I'm already eagerly anticipating Peta Dixon and Tanner Ross's story but I'm sure it'll be worth the wait. Hold Me, Cowboy is further proof of Alissa Callen's ability to weave stories with heart and harken back to the more simple but far more fulfilling priorities in life: hearth and home. This was a fairly quick read but one that left me with a highly satisfied smile on my face because while I love my happy endings, it's the journey there that makes this fab book worth reading. Such was the case with the five-starred Hold Me, Cowboy. ♥

I am a Montana Born Rodeo junkie! I admit it. Hold Me, Cowboy is the latest one and it tugs the heartstrings with its sweet romance. Kendall is finally going to get over Brent since he's back in Marietta after 4 yrs away without any contact. She's sure that what love she felt as a young girl is gone - until she sees him again. Brent left town to keep a promise to his father before he died and also to Kendall's mother who wanted better things for her daughter. The yrs away confirmed to Brent that he'd always loved Kendall and always would but that meant staying away from her now that he was back. That was true until he saw her again. Their dance of silent pain and love is played out until the their true feelings can't be held back. Wonderful sweet romance and would recommend to anyone this story and series.

3 - "The grass is perfect where I am." Stars!

Hold Me, Cowboy, was an enjoyable but unremarkable type of read. It’s the type of novella that you pick up and enjoy in the moment, but there wasn’t really anything about it that stood out, or distinguished it from the many other Second Chance Love stories out there right now.

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This is the first book I have read by the author, and in the main Kendall and Brent’s reconnection fulfilled all the requirements of a romance of this nature.

”Things happen. People change.”

The chemistry between them was a little lacking though, and bar from a few kisses the steamy moments were missing, and although sex isn’t a per-requisite in my reading, I feel this book may have benefited a little from more development and ‘action’ in that area.

”There’s only one girl I want to make sigh.”

The reasons for Brent’s departure four years previously and his reluctance to get involved with Kendall upon his return to Marietta were a little weak to be honest, and for the most part this book felt more of a young adult read…

”When it comes to living my dreams… all I’ve ever wanted was to be with you.”

This was a sweet, sex free, easy-going book, I would certainly be happy to read more from Alissa Callen in the future, the story just needed a little more meat on its bones, and depth to its characters.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

Kendall's first love returns to town. He had reasons for leaving, and they both must decide if they will try again. A nice short romantic story.

This is not your typical story of love lost and then rekindled. No huge, nasty break scenes from the past are depicted, but the challenges of everyday life are definitely front and centre.

The characters and their personal growth enchanted me; Brent by his time spent in my homeland of Australia, and Kendall’s forced emotional development due to loss and heartache.

Like so many individuals on a journey to becoming a couple; while Brent and Kendall have matured and become stronger for their time apart and life experiences along the way, they are confronted the real test of learning how to communicate to dispel assumptions, on their road to achieving a lasting relationship.

Another wonderful story in the series and I’m sure their will be many more!

Since Kendall was a teen she knew that Brent was the man (then, boy) for her. Shy and not very confident she did what teen girls do, got his attention with eye-popping clothing. Yeah, ladies? We’ve been there, we’ve done that. And it had the expected result and a date… that he never showed for, and then he left the country. Not too promising.

Life went on and life changed. It’s nature. Now, Brent was back. Caring for his mom, determined to get his family ranch back on its feet – and just as determined to ignore his feelings for Kendall. For her own good. Men.

Kendall isn’t the shy girl she was way back then. Now she’s a stronger woman, with a mind of her own and the rekindled knowledge that Brent is still the man for her. And if she has to be the one to prove that to the stubborn cowboy, well so be it.

Hold Me, Cowboy is a delightful, down home country story. Heck, everytime I get to revisit Marietta, Montana I’m taken back to my own country roots.

Sometimes parents speak their mind, add influence to their kid’s lives based on their own experiences. As a parent, I know that I’ve probably done that, too. This time it kept two people apart who really were meant to fit together for a lifetime. So, in many ways Hold Me Cowboy is a second chance romance for Kendall and Brent. There is still a strong desire on Brent’s part to protect Kendall from a future that he sees as unfulfilled for her. She has no doubts about what she wants. That’s where they clash.

This fun, sweet, entertaining story will draw you into the lives of this community. And it was a delightful surprise to see a bit of cross-series information going on with Kendall’s best friend Izzy’s desire to head to Cherry Lake because her “one” just wasn’t in Marietta. I loved the story, I enjoyed the obvious attraction that simmered between these two – and the resulting romance was a joy to read. If you also follow the Wildflower Ranch series, then you will find that this story is crossing series. :) Always a fun touch. It really is a small world in the Marietta part of the country.

If you love a good, believable romance, if the wild country and some handsome cowboys ring your bells and if you are hooked on the Marietta, Montana various series – this is one story you’ll be wanting to add to your collection.

*I received an e-ARC of Hold Me, Cowboy from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

A sweet second chance romance.

It's been four years since Kendall Dixon last saw Brent Ashton. After Brent's father's death he moved to Australia to live with his cousin. Now he's back in Marietta and Kendall swears she is over Brent, but deep inside she is just hurt that he never returned her phone calls. She still wants him.

If there were any spark left of Brent’s feelings for her, she’d find it. Even if she had to find a way to make him talk, she wasn’t losing her cowboy for a second time.

Brent is home for good and plans to help his mom and to get Fire Weed Ranch back in business again. He would have returned sooner, but his mom didn't tell him the truth about the ranch or her health. The first person he sees after returning to town is Kendall at Big Z Hardware. Kendall is the reason he stayed away so long.

Kendall didn't know that her mother had gone to see Brent the day before he’d left town and told him if he really loved Kendall, he would give her the freedom to follow her own destiny. Hazel had made it clear the only reason why Kendall wouldn’t accept a Harvard offer to complete a postgraduate landscape qualification was because of him.

With Kendall staying at the ranch, Brent works hard fighting the feelings he has for her. How long will he be able to resist Kendall? He doesn't interfere with her future.

I enjoyed this sweet story. Kendall and Brent's heartbreaking pasts made a great story line and the slow build up to romance made it seem very true to life. With Brent and Kendall and their friends and family, the book had a lot of depth to it.

Another book set in Marietta Montana....I just love all the different characters in this small town setting. I would recommend this & the rest of the books that have Marietta setting. True love lost and found again...a true happily ever after ending after struggles & absences.

This is the second book in the Montana Born Rodeo 2015 series. Each book works well as a standalone, each is written by a different author but they do have some of the same characters in them and, of course, key events like the rodeo are also common to all the books. I am still so highly impressed by how these authors work so well together, I actually feel like I’m starting to know my way around Marietta through their descriptions!

In this second chance romance, rancher Brent Ashton returns home to take care of his sick mother and bring life back to the dilapidated family ranch. He’s back and really can’t decide if he’s dreading or eager to meet his teenage sweetheart, Kendall Dixon, who he left behind without explaining why all those years ago. He’s never forgotten her and when he sees her again the attraction is even stronger but the reasons he left still apply and she’s his forbidden fruit. She’s stronger, feisty and isn’t going to let him get away a second time without her. This isn’t your typical second chance romance. Brent left to enable Kendall to follow her dreams, something she’s still been prevented from doing because of the illnesses of her parents. He’s still determined he loves her enough to let her go. She doesn’t know why he left and her dreams all involve having a HEA with Brent! Can she break down his barriers to their relationship? Do his reasons for leaving really still apply? Will they have a chance to achieve their own HEA eventually?

This is a wonderful, sweet novella, a delight to get lost in. It has all the key ingredients for an enthralling, entertaining read - it is well written with great characters, a superb setting and a fantastic plot. The slow build up seems so appropriate and realistic, there are four years apart to overcome so no instant-romance with all obstacles swept away in this story. It is another heart warming, delightful read that I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys escaping into romance.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too for provided an ARC for me to read in exchange for this, my honest review.

3.5 stars

Hold Me Cowboy was a sweet and emotional read.

Both Kendall and Brent touched my heart with their story. I loved watching them come together and work through their past hurts.

Alissa Callen has written a beautiful and heartfelt romance, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Tule Publishing via NetGalley for the advance copy.

Hold Me, Cowboy was an enjoyable enough addition to the Copper Mountain Rodeo series. Once again using the second chance trope, the characters were endearing and it held that family-feel, but it is one of those books that I have read, and will soon forget about, as nothing particularly struck out.

"She wasn't losing her cowboy for a second time."

Kendall and Brent were sweet together and likeable, but being closed door in intimacy the most we were privy to was kissing. Whilst this isn't generally a problem for me, I needed a little more depth to them and the story to keep my interest piqued.

"I think you just broke at least a hundred hearts."

But Alissa Callen has brought her reader a sweet romance and perhaps had I read the previous books in her Wildflower Ranch series which are linked to this from what I can gather, I may have enjoyed this a little more.

Love Love Love this book. A first love and a second chance at romance! Sweet and emotional the book will pull your on your heartstrings!

I love Alissa Callen's books and I loved Hold Me Cowboy but there were some grammatical problems here and there in this book, which I had a strong urge to fix. I just felt that in some places it had been a little rushed when it came to sentence structure, and that was a pity because really as far as the plot, location and characters went, this was a great book to read. I've been reading books set in Marietta Montana for the last couple of years and this picturesque country town with its ever expanding cast of characters has really grown on me. Kendall has been in love with Brent for years. Her teens were spent trying to get him to notice her so when she finally succeeds she is over the moon. The next four years are spent with Kendall suffering miserably because Brent has taken off to Australia and slowly cut off contact with her.
Brent annoyed me quite a bit, particularly early in the book where he was busy being a martyr and not allowing himself to act on his love for Kendall because of a misguided sense that he owed her the right to follow a dream of studying at Harvard. At the same time he was desperately in love with her, yet didn't have the gumption to tell her how he truly felt. Frankly I wanted to whack the man over the head and tell him to wake up to himself.
Watching Kendall overcome one obstacle after another to finally win Brent's love has been at times painful, yet this book held my interest and kept me turning the pages hopíng for the eventual happy ending, and of course it came. Ultimately if an author can hold her reader's interest from the first page to the last then she's done her job well, and Alissa Callen succeeded in doing that with this book.

I have never met Alissa Callen but one of her books were the first I read published by Tula. It sold me one Marietta, Montana, the Publishing Group and her books specifically. Hold Me, Cowboy (Montana Born Rodeo 2015, Book 2) lives up to the high caliber of the others I have read by her.

The plot has a twist in it so it is not predictable except that I count on her to give the characters a happy ending. The sense of family and community continues to be strong in her books. I love that! The characters are down to earth good people even those that are crotchety like Kendall’s father. These characters often fall on the side of the trying to please to other people’s wishes more than themselves. Which is the case for Brent, even though Kendall only thinks she knows why he left. I like the mature Kendall and enjoy seeing how Brent didn’t stand a chance against her once she made up her mind to get her cowboy. Hope that the wait is not long until Kendall’s and Rhett’s sister, Peta gets her story.

4.5 Stars The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.

Alissa Callen’s new series “Montana Born Rodeo” is another series born out of Montana, the big-hearted cowboys and their stories as they lasso in the women of their dreams. Big skies, people with large hearts, warmth and love in big doses, these stories are just that – warm, lovable and charming. And Alissa Callen does what she’s good at - writing captivating love stories that go straight to the heart.

Kendall Dixon has lived her entire life in Marietta, and she has realized that she’s in a good place. With her dreams of becoming a landscaper on the back burner, she doesn’t let family obligations deter her dreams of becoming one, albeit a degree and she thrives on determination and grit to make her dream come true. With things falling into place, if only her heart would stop wanting that one cowboy who had left her body and taken her heart forever. But looks like fate has a different story lined up for Dell as circumstances bring back her lost cowboy Brent Ashton back to Marietta.

Brent had always loved and will love Kendall. Not wanting to hold back Kendall from her dreams and aspirations, circumstances and Brent make a decision to leave Marietta. But now with his mother’s health at stake, Brent comes back to take care of her and realizes that his heart still beats for Kendall. As he works to fix the ranch and his homestead, he hopes to mend the fences of his lost love and Kendall is more than willing to give her cowboy a second chance.

Short, sweet and utterly charming, Alissa Callen weaves another story of love, romance and second chances, as she brings the characters of Marietta together. It’s nice reading a series, yet not having to read them in a sequence. With interesting family dynamics and supporting characters, “Hold Me Cowboy” is a nice reading pleasure.

www.alimalivzletlivz.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2RCOVCHY5RQN

Review posted.

Loved the story of Brent and Kendall, a second chance romance. Brent left Marietta four years ago to travel to Australia after his father dies. He has not returned home to take care of his mother. Kendall his first love is still there and she is not going to loose her cowboy again. Kendall has now become a strong woman and knows what she wants. Loved how Brent sent her on dream trip to Europe, to find her happiness. Brent and Kendall soon find out that home is the best.

A well written book that I could not put down, I highly recommend everyone take a visit to Marietta Montana. I received this book from Net galley for an honest review.

Sometimes, love is not enough! That is the premise of “Hold Me, Cowboy,” at first glance. Childhood friends Kendall Dixon and Brent Ashton have been in love with each other since they were kids. Of course, in the beginning, when they were knee-high, it was friendship, which turned into a crush as they grew older, then full blown love as adults.

There is one problem though. They cannot find the courage to tell each other how they feel. And, to make things worse, Brent left their hometown Marietta to honor a promise made on his father’s deathbed – travel the world.

Years passed and Brent is back in Marietta. Their feelings for each other had not diminished. But, true to form, they are once again holding back themselves. How do they find their happily ever after when the biggest obstacle is themselves? Read and find out!

“Hold Me, Cowboy” is an easy read though there are times when you want to hold the hero and heroine on their shoulders and shake them. Aside from that, it’s actually a good read.

“Hold Me, Cowboy” is Rated T for Teens.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/Tule Publishing for an honest review. "Hold Me, Cowboy" by Alissa Callen is book 2 in the Montana Born Rodeo 2015. This is Brent Ashton and Kendall Dixon's story.

This is a clean and sweet romance. It was an enjoyable story, but it just didn't grab you. There could have been more romance and still kept it a clean romance. If you like a clean sweet and light romance, this would be great for you. https://booksnuggle.wordpress.com

Pretty excited to have sweet Kendall Dixon's story. I liked her in Rhett's book and was curious. I am curious no more. Kendall had big dreams growing up, but her mother's illness and subsequent death means that she never left Marietta and she is the one who takes care of her Dad. She's loved and lost; but despite it all, she keeps on going. Brent has lost a lot - a brother, a father, and a love - but now he is home for good. And home for good means staying away from Kendall. After all, he agreed to give her her freedom four years ago and it's a promise he intends to keep. But Kendall loves Brent and she isn't going to let him get away again.

I wanted to do violence on Kendall's very dead mother for how she cost Kendall the man she loves. And I wanted to smack Brent for not fighting for her when he came back. I liked how Brent and Rhett - best friends - slipped right back into their old routines and how easily they picked up the threads of their relationship. I liked how Brent was with his mother and the love he has for family and place. I like how the Dixon family came together when it really matters. The growth of all the characters was fun to watch. Even Peta and Dad got in on the act.

There was so much to like about the story, all packed into a novella. It packed a punch, especially in the pain of the separation. But it also soothed it all away with a sweet ending, made even better by the trip that sets up Peta's book.

this is second series of Montana Born Rodeo. Kendall always loved her brother's best friend Brent. One time at the fairground, he kissed and promised to take her out to eat. But that day never came and she never got over why he never told her about it. 4 years later, Brent is ready to come back from Australia and take care of his ranch. Brent's father wanted her son to explore outside of Ranch life before he decided to become rancher himself. to keep his promise he did what his father asked him to do and he was ready to come back to his ranch. while Brent was away, Kendall was becoming great landscape artist. She was offered to attend graduate school in Yale but she had to take care of his mother so she decline the offer and stayed behind. She never regretted her decision to stay in Marietta. She was content taking care of her family. When Brent came back, both were avoiding each other. Brent was working on his ranch and trying to bring her mother back to the ranch house. So he wanted give her a garden so she will enjoy looking at them. Kendall's brother hatched a plan to bring both together by having her design the garden. Kendall offers to help Brent's mom around the house. they were force to see each other and they do rekindle their relationship. Brent is afraid he is tying Kendall down if Kendall never explores outside of Montana. He is afraid she will move away from him when she finds a better opportunities outside and he doesn't want to her to blame him. Even though she is comfortable where she is. Since he won't believe a word from Kendall, she decided to travel around the world and see what's out there for her. Will she come back thinking the same thing or will she move away?? Both are miserable and Kendall decided to take a longer trip than what she planned. It was short and sweet read. I did like Kendall for being so sure of herself and getting what she wants.

A sweet, enjoyable read.

"I love you, Dell. I've never stopped loving you." - Brent Ashton

Well, ok, as far as a story goes, this was a much better one than the previous book's.

Brent Ashton was definitely a better choice of a man than the previous male lead was, too.

I have this thing with my friends, where we categorize most fictional guys based on our preferences - because all four of us have very different tastes. Brent had a quite decent number of Category L traits (yes, you guessed it right, I meant MY category, hence the L). He was loyal - to the point where he never looked anywhere BUT Kendall's way. He was hard-working. He was sweet but without leaving the sexy manliness of a cowboy out of the deal. He was a one-woman man, and his possessiveness never went the wrong way - in other words, no violence and jealous, hissy fits. He had faith in his woman to choose the right thing. He was always ready to sacrifice his own desires and dreams for her sake, because keeping Kendall happy was his everything.

I could keep going but, really, the man followed the standards of the L Category to a tee!

Kendall was another reason why this book rated higher than the first one.

She was stubborn when she wanted something, yes, but she never wanted anything unreasonable, so I count that as a positive trait. She was considerate and caring, and had self-respect. Yet she also understood, at some point, that if she didn't take matters into her own hands, Brent would never make a move because of his moral code. Bless that woman, she was magnificent in the way she pursued him. And no bitchy acts, by the way!

So why not go all the way to the 5th star? Too much tension, and... Where. On Earth. Is my release scene?! That's the only thing that bothered me. Ok, sex is not always necessary, but if it's not planned, please don't bring the sexual tension in the mix, it dampens the mood...

In any case, despite this book being a much more enjoyable read than the other, I don't think I'll keep reading the series. I checked out the blurbs, and it seems that most of them have to do with first loves - which, as you know, are not exactly my cup of tea. So I think I'll pass.

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Other review links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/RG73OTQMU9BBK/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01556C84O

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1439971100

Fab read love this book love the characters love the romance the suspense and the build up to there happily ever after.

Meh. Fine? I didn't really feel one way or another about this book, which is a personal pet peeve of mine. I want to connect and just couldn't.

I enjoyed this one. A lot. But nothing really wow'd me. Nothing stayed with me. I had to skim over it just now to even recall the leads ... so ....