Book Review >> A Cowboy For Keeps

Happy Wednesday!
This review was meant to go up last Friday, but here it is today instead! ;D

So, tell me honestly:
What do you think of the Western genre??

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A Cowboy for Keeps

Colorado Cowboys #1

Jody Hedlund

Bethany House Publishers | January 5th, 2021

Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction

{GoodReads}

Greta Nilsson's trip west to save her ailing little sister, Astrid, could not have gone more wrong. First, bandits hold up her stagecoach, stealing all her money. Then, upon arriving in Fairplay, Colorado, she learns the man she was betrothed to as a mail-order bride has died. Homeless, penniless, and jobless, Greta and her sister are worse off than when they started.

Wyatt McQuaid is struggling to get his new ranch up and running and is in town to purchase cattle when the mayor proposes the most unlikely of bargains. He'll invest in a herd of cattle for Wyatt's ranch if Wyatt agrees to help the town become more respectable by marrying and starting a family. And the mayor, who has promised to try to help Greta, has just the candidate in mind for Wyatt to marry.

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I was provided with a complimentary copy thanks to Bethany House Publishers, in exchange for my honest review.

WARNING: Possible Spoilers!

THE BASICS

It's been quite a while since I enjoyed a good western---one of my favorite genres, actually---and this one did not disappoint. Before this novel, the first in a brand new series, I hadn't read anything from Jody Hedlund, though I have had a couple of her books in my wishlist for a couple years. Now, I want to read more from her!

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the story, & the settings. The Colorado landscape was beautifully described, the story engaging, and the characters completely & wholly relatable. I enjoyed the blooming romance, as well as the personalities of both Wyatt & Greta. And everyone, especially the main characters were well fleshed out, flawed, compassionate, broken, & simply fully human. As with most stories, especially romances, so. Many. THINGS can/could be solved in a pinch were they to simply COMMUNICATE. But it played well in the story, and was well-paced, in my humble opinion.

VIOLENCE

On the final leg of their journey West, Greta & her little sister's coach is waylaid by robbers. No one is injured in any way, but the men hold the stagecoach & its passengers at gunpoint and with much verbal threats.

It's soon learned that Greta's intended is proclaimed dead---his body found in a mountain pass & no communication otherwise.

Brawley, an overgrown bully, consistently threatens & harasses Wyatt in regards to his cattle & land (which he rightfully owns). When Greta accompanies Wyatt in order to pick berries while he hunts, she's nearly accosted by Brawley & his men---nothing happens as Wyatt returns right away.

At one point [SPOILER], Brawley & his thugs kill every single one of Wyatt's cattle, leaving them where they fell in the brush & pasture. To make the most of the initial loss, Wyatt, Judd, & Greta work nonstop to process the meat to sell before it spoils. They return home in shifts covered in blood & exhausted.

A man forcibly grabs a woman, claiming she wasn't really anyone's wife & thereby available for the taking. Later, he holds her at gunpoint---the barrel to her throat.

We learn a woman died in childbirth. Her husband was known as an abuser.

SPIRITUAL CONTENT

Christian fiction WESTERN. :] Characters show belief in God by their actions, prayers, & memory of Scripture. A reverend is called to officiate weddings.

LANGUAGE // ALCOHOL & DRUGS

None.

Some alcoholic beverages served and/or mentioned at the local hotel & saloon.

Greta's entire decision to move West was to find a cure for her little sister's illness, known as consumption. We learn she's tried just about everything, and finds hope that the climate of Colorado would serve to help where other methods failed.

ROMANTIC CONTENT

There's is obvious attraction between Greta & Wyatt, nearly from the beginning of their relationship. They agree to a marriage of convenience, though neither was fully prepared for such (Wyatt especially). However, gentleman that he is, Wyatt allows them both a "trial period" of three months where they begin merely in a friendship---choosing not to consummate their marriage until the trial period is up & Greta decides whether or not to stay.

Wyatt is extremely kind & considerate. I LOVED how their friendship grew & how they came to care deeply for one another. They do kiss on multiple occasions---some rather passionately, but it does not go beyond that.

Greta notes how amazingly handsome Wyatt is, quite often staring at him & his physique. At one time, she nearly interrupt his "bath" in the river early one morning (he's stil in his long johns, but shirtless), and she can hardly keep from ogling. Her reactions/thoughts during such instances are rather cute. xD

In one instance, it's falsely assumed that Greta is pregnant.

CONCLUSION

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book & would happily read the next of the series! I loved the author's voice & pacing, and immediately fell in love with the characters myself. Greta especially! Despite her own exhaustion & despair in her life's circumstances, she is NEVER idle & is always looking for ways to care for her sister---first & foremost---and to do all she can to hep Wyatt succeed. She was beautifully feminine, gentle, & meek---and yet, SO STRONG. (Totally preferred over the muscly, macho women, who believe/say they need NO ONE.)

Highly recommend, y'all! A great, clean, western romance. :]

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