ARC REVIEW The Last Real Cowboy by Caitlin Crews

Cold River Ranch #3, The third book, the third Everett brother and hopefully not the last book of the series especially not after introducing Amanda's brothers. This was an enjoyable book and much like the first it starts with unrequited love. Amanda has been in love with her oldest brothers best friend as long as she can remember, but half the time it's like he doesn't see her and the other times he treats her like she's still in school. Brady has done his best to try and ignore Amanda, she's always been hands off. The Kittredge family has been more a family to him than his own, and lusting after his best friends little sister is a big no no; until it's not.

Brady has a lot issues he was the book smart brother who left as soon as he was able because while loved the ranch he hated his father. His father made him feel like the red-headed step child and pushed to the point his brothers alienate him too. His promised year working on the ranch has been spent trying to convince his brothers that his college degree doesn't make him ranch dumb.

Amanda is the youngest the only girl with four older brothers, four very overstepping, overbearing, over protective brothers. So much so that at the age of 22 she's only been on three dates no one is brave enough to stand up to the Kittredge boys and to the Kittredge boys no one is good enough for their baby sister. Fed up of being treated like a child to everyone around her she makes the decision to start living her life no matter what her brothers do or say. She moves out of her parents house and gets second job at the low class bar on the skirts of town and rents one of the rooms above it. Her parents are supportive her brother's on the other hand. Brady was just supposed to watch out for her make sure no one tries anything but then Amanda asks him to teach her all about sex.

Overall it's a great read. I feel like it can be read as a stand alone, I missed reading the second one and didn't feel lost at all. I loved the bonding between the brothers and truths finally coming to light. I mentally applauded Amanda for standing up for herself and her relationship with Brady.

SEASON'S READINGS A True Cowboy Christmas by Caitlyn Crews

Cold Creek Ranch #1, I love when new series start off with Christmas books. Cold Creek Ranch is in Colorado up high in the Rocky Mountains, a hard place to live. I really enjoyed this book I loved the characters; Gray, Abby, and Becca were well written and easy to connect with. Gray is a hard man being raised by a man who was hateful, ungrateful, and just plain ornery Gray was determined never to be like his father. The biggest way to do that was to not repeat his mistakes he's already done it once and payed the price for it, marrying a flaky girl who couldn't keep her pants on, had no interest in staying at Cold Creek Ranch and died leaving with her lover. One good thing did come out of the marriage his daughter Becca. With his old man dead and buried and his brothers, Ty and Brody, wanting to sell of the land the brothers start to argue. Brody and Ty worry about Gray and they are afraid he will end up like their father, all alone and mean. So Gray comes up with the idea that he needs a wife, one that he knows is steadfast, loves Longhorn Valley and Cold Creek, someone with roots just as deep as his.

Abby Douglas has always loved Gray Everett and now he's proposing to her, something she's always dreamed of but not for the right reasons. Ever since Gray came up with the idea of marrying Abby he's looked at her in a new light more as a woman than just his neighbor and he likes what he sees. The more time he spends with her the more the attraction grows but Gray has spent to long with the main focus of his life as the ranch he's already more like his father than he thinks. All Gray needs is Abby's steadfastness, her unassuming beauty, and her honesty to knock some sense into him but is she willing to risk her heart for something that may never be reciprocated? 

Overall, this was a heartfelt and emotional read. The Everett boys aren't 100% mended but they are off to a great start.Abby and Becca have so much in common they form a quick bond and they are good for each other just as much as Abby is good for Gray. This story was addictive I didn't want it to end I look forward to the rest of the series.