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dukefn99's review against another edition
4.0
Read my whole review at https://novelsalive.com/2022/07/07/4-star-review-heart-of-a-cowboy-by-kristin-vayden/
breerashel's review against another edition
3.0
*Recieved an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review*
I thought that this was a sweet romance! It is a really quick read so if you are looking for something feel good that you won't have to think too hard about the plot then this is the book for you!
The book didn't breaking any new ground. The story was predictable but I was still able to enjoy it. There wasn't any unnecessary drama and the characters in the story seemed to be down to earth. I think that the relationship between the two main characters happened a bit too quickly for my taste. There was a bit of insta-love thrown into the mix which was bothersome. There wasn't really a lot of time to establish a relationship though considering that the book was only about 188 pages. It felt like more of a short story than a book. I think that many of my favorite parts of the book involved Jack, Cyler's father. He didn't mince words and was hilarious!
https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/2017/12/heart-of-cowboy-elk-heights-ranch-by.html
I thought that this was a sweet romance! It is a really quick read so if you are looking for something feel good that you won't have to think too hard about the plot then this is the book for you!
The book didn't breaking any new ground. The story was predictable but I was still able to enjoy it. There wasn't any unnecessary drama and the characters in the story seemed to be down to earth. I think that the relationship between the two main characters happened a bit too quickly for my taste. There was a bit of insta-love thrown into the mix which was bothersome. There wasn't really a lot of time to establish a relationship though considering that the book was only about 188 pages. It felt like more of a short story than a book. I think that many of my favorite parts of the book involved Jack, Cyler's father. He didn't mince words and was hilarious!
https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/2017/12/heart-of-cowboy-elk-heights-ranch-by.html
mamabookwyrm's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first full-length novel of Vayden's that I've gotten a chance to read. I'd read a novella of hers that was in an anthology previously. So I was pretty excited to see what she had to offer. I got even more excited when I dived in and found that it was set in my neck of the woods (well kind of...). I always find it exciting when an author writes about another part of Washington that's not Seattle. I will tell you I had a few starts and stops trying to read this. I think it's because it has a slow start. But once it started flowing, I was completely engaged and pleasantly surprised. There was plenty of humor, heart, and a little bit of angst to make the heart hurt.
Laken is a hospice nurse with a big heart. She knew what she wanted to do and she went for it. Spending your days at the bedside of a terminal patient can't be easy and it takes a special kind of person. Laken does it with a smile, a firm hand, and a beautiful soul. Cyler hasn't been home in a decade, he's cynical and guarded. The last thing he expects when he shows up at his father's beside is Laken. The connection between the two was sweet and tender. The chemistry was more of a slow burn then a forest fire. And I appreciated that considering the plot.
I'm definitely going to be checking out more of Vayden's work in the future. This was the perfect read for a lazy winter day--not to angsty but definitely gives you the warm fuzzies. I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a sweet romance that'll make you feel good.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
For more reviews, visit
Laken is a hospice nurse with a big heart. She knew what she wanted to do and she went for it. Spending your days at the bedside of a terminal patient can't be easy and it takes a special kind of person. Laken does it with a smile, a firm hand, and a beautiful soul. Cyler hasn't been home in a decade, he's cynical and guarded. The last thing he expects when he shows up at his father's beside is Laken. The connection between the two was sweet and tender. The chemistry was more of a slow burn then a forest fire. And I appreciated that considering the plot.
I'm definitely going to be checking out more of Vayden's work in the future. This was the perfect read for a lazy winter day--not to angsty but definitely gives you the warm fuzzies. I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a sweet romance that'll make you feel good.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
For more reviews, visit
thewitchybibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my stars! My heart in this one. First, this is a beautiful story of finding love when you least expect it. Vayden gives you such great banter and leaves you giggling but also swooning. My heart was broken and mended in this one between Laken and Cyden. The reason behind these two coming together is heart shattering. But because of Laken, Cyden is mended in more ways than one.
This story packs a punch and leaves you wanting more. I really enjoy Vayden’s words and this book did not disappoint. I want my own Cyden! If you want a fun read that is also emotional, this is the one for you!
This story packs a punch and leaves you wanting more. I really enjoy Vayden’s words and this book did not disappoint. I want my own Cyden! If you want a fun read that is also emotional, this is the one for you!
hlgarcia3's review
5.0
Review to come later
Will post a review later. I will say this book slated me. It totally hit me right in the heart.
Will post a review later. I will say this book slated me. It totally hit me right in the heart.
bobosbookbank's review
5.0
HEART OF A COWBOY is book one in the Elk Heights Ranch series and is my first read from author Kristen Vayden. This is a slow burn, contemporary romance set in a small town with a cowboy (kind of!) that'll make you swoon! Wow, I honestly wasn't expecting all the feels that I got from this book. It's not just another love story, it also deals with issues that we all have to face eventually. Ms. Vayden's writing was beautiful, she created a story that flowed seamlessly between life and death, love and hate, acceptance and denial, forgiveness and condemnation. Yes, this is a sweet romance between Cyler and Laken but at the same time, it's about a father and son trying to come to terms with a painful past. There's a thin line between love and hate and the common denominator between the two plotlines is Laken. I adored her! She was compassionate, understanding, fair and best of all...hopeful. Laken was probably one of the best female characters that I've read in a long time. When I first met Cyler, I wasn't sure I was going to like him, he seemed so indifferent but of course, there's always two sides to every coin and this story is evidence of that. He turned out to be so much more than I expected (in a good way!). Beware...you'll need to have tissue on hand for this one! Told from dual POVs with a bittersweet ending. I received, read and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
allingoodtime's review
4.0
This is a new-to-me author and I have to say I was impressed. The story pulled me in from the very beginning. And as much as I wanted to take sides between Cyler and his father, Jack, the writing was as such that I had sympathy for both.
Laken is a perfect mix of soft heart and tough cookie, as a good nurse should be. She was in the unenviable position of keeping the waters calm between Cyler and Jack and somehow not taking sides. The way she pulled it off was wonderful and, more importantly, it worked for the story.
Watching Cyler and Jack slowly find their way to forgiveness was the sweetest thing in this story…even sweeter than the love that develops between Cyler and Laken. All of the relationships in this story were charming and engrossing. Although the evil foil of the story was a terrible person, things didn’t happen the I would have predicted and it made me happy that the author didn’t fall into a stale trap with her storyline.
When I checked out this author’s website I see she has some very interesting books out there that I will be adding to my TBR list. I also loved Laken’s BFF Kessed and would love to see a story with her and Laken’s military brother so I will cross my fingers and hope that comes to fruition.
*This book is listed on Goodreads as Heart of a Cowboy (Elk Heights Ranch) as if it’s part of a series. I couldn’t find any further information from this author’s website showing if it will be the first of a series or not.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in my review are my own.**
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/19/heart-of-a-cowboy-book-review/
Laken is a perfect mix of soft heart and tough cookie, as a good nurse should be. She was in the unenviable position of keeping the waters calm between Cyler and Jack and somehow not taking sides. The way she pulled it off was wonderful and, more importantly, it worked for the story.
Watching Cyler and Jack slowly find their way to forgiveness was the sweetest thing in this story…even sweeter than the love that develops between Cyler and Laken. All of the relationships in this story were charming and engrossing. Although the evil foil of the story was a terrible person, things didn’t happen the I would have predicted and it made me happy that the author didn’t fall into a stale trap with her storyline.
When I checked out this author’s website I see she has some very interesting books out there that I will be adding to my TBR list. I also loved Laken’s BFF Kessed and would love to see a story with her and Laken’s military brother so I will cross my fingers and hope that comes to fruition.
*This book is listed on Goodreads as Heart of a Cowboy (Elk Heights Ranch) as if it’s part of a series. I couldn’t find any further information from this author’s website showing if it will be the first of a series or not.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in my review are my own.**
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/19/heart-of-a-cowboy-book-review/
thewitchybibliophile's review
4.0
Oh my stars! My heart in this one. First, this is a beautiful story of finding love when you least expect it. Vayden gives you such great banter and leaves you giggling but also swooning. My heart was broken and mended in this one between Laken and Cyden. The reason behind these two coming together is heart shattering. But because of Laken, Cyden is mended in more ways than one.
This story packs a punch and leaves you wanting more. I really enjoy Vayden’s words and this book did not disappoint. I want my own Cyden! If you want a fun read that is also emotional, this is the one for you!
This story packs a punch and leaves you wanting more. I really enjoy Vayden’s words and this book did not disappoint. I want my own Cyden! If you want a fun read that is also emotional, this is the one for you!
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