Christine Woinich
Second of the McAllister brothers found a love worth working for. Grant saw Abby and fell in love with her, her daughter Katie, and her creative furnishings. Abby was so deep in her grief that she almost missed a second chance at happiness. I loved the fact that Abby was strong enough to go against her family to prove she could survive on her own. She just did not see that in herself. Grant was so attentive to her and Katie that it tugged at my heart. The time they spent together had me smiling, tearing up, and swooning. I enjoyed this story and recommend it. I look forward to the next in the series. I received an ARC and this is my unsolicited review.
Eileen Aberman-Wells
The Cowboy by Julia Justiss, book two in her McAllister Brothers series, was an enjoyable, sweet, heartwarming tale of ranch and small town life. When his big brother asks former Marine Grant McAllister to move back to Whiskey River to help with running the family ranch, he feels obligated to agree. Grant has spent the past two years recovering from battle injuries, so coming home just feels right. Glad to be back on the family’s ranch land, Grant decides to renovate the family’s old hunting cabin to become his new home. When Grant discovers the designer he hires to help with the cabin is a beautiful and fascinating woman, he hopes that maybe they can mix a little pleasure in with their business. A pregnant Abby Rogers moved to Whiskey River after the death of her Marine husband, wanting to be closer to her husband’s family and far from her controlling mother. Needing a career to support herself and her baby, Abby became a designer; often creating her own pieces. Too busy running her business and mothering her young daughter, she has no time for a new relationship; even if her handsome, new client is tempting. Abby uses that as an excuse as she fears losing another loved one. Working together, Abby and Grant discover a magnetic attraction along with the sizzle of off the charts chemistry. Grant is even good with Abby’s daughter, thinking of activities the three of them can do. When her wealthy mother threatens to sue for custody of Abby’s daughter, Grant steps up, offering a way to diffuse the situation. Abby will need to decide whether to listen to her heart and trust Grant to love her. Ms. Justiss wrote a sweet, heartwarming tale of ranch and small town life filled with strong magnetism, sizzling chemistry, wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters giving Grant and Abby a chance at love. I highly recommend The Cowboy to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Margaret Watkins
Sweet and clean, I found that this Western romance jerked at my heartstrings as I identified with Abby's loss and insecurities. Having lived under a harsh deluge of verbal abuse in her formative years, Abby's self-worth dropped to an all-time low when she received the news that her husband had died in combat. Fortunately, instead of turning to her own parents, she relocates to Whiskey River where she is enfolded into the arms of her late husband's family. Having vowed never to risk a meaningful relationship again, Abby finds herself hard-pressed to avoid falling for the ex-Marine Grant McAllister. However, her little girl does not help her cause and as Grant comes to care for both mother and daughter, he realizes that if he wants to win their hearts, he will have to woo them carefully. With the Rogers family and Grant at her back, Abby flourishes but overcoming her inner vow takes much more courage than she thought possible. I received a copy of this charming romance as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.