Reviews

Falling for the Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund

herliterarytravels's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I have absolutely loved this series and this book was no exception! I’ve enjoyed watching Ivy grow up through the other books, and then finally get to see her story. The fiery girl becomes a strong and independent woman that is cowgirl through and through.

The settings for these books never ceases to take my breath away and will leave you craving wide-open skies, jagged peaks, tall timber, the sweet scent of hay, and the exhilarating and powerful feel of riding a horse. And nobody writes romance in exactly the same way as @jodyhedlund She has a knack for capturing the fire and tension between two people and this second chance romance has plenty of that.

Ivy’s been in love with Jericho for as long as she can remember, but he has consistently resisted his attraction to her. She was always too young before, and now his job he feels is too dangerous. When he has to return to their hometown as an undercover agent, that attraction becomes harder and harder to deny.

I felt myself at times being really frustrated with Jericho. Ivy was definitely the star of this book and I loved her. But as he comes around and sees what is really most important and takes the time to heal from some of the wounds of his past they end up coming together in the most beautiful way. The ending was

melmo2610's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This was a great story. Ivy made for a likable character: feisty and stubborn-especially how she goes about trying to earn money to buy her own ranch. That was a fun element to the story especially when Jericho is added to the mix. Jericho is quite the character as well-he has a lot to overcome to be the man Ivy needs. Jody wove a fantastic tale for these two characters we have come to know and love in the earlier books in this series. Colorado Cowboys has been an entertaining series and I am looking forward to getting Dylan's story in a few months.

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

bookswithnopictures's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This is my favorite series by this author and Ivy's story was no exception. I just love how cantankerously charming she comes across on page and I can't help but root for the independent and sassy heroine.
Ivy wants complete independence and Jericho wants to not want her. He has a crime to solve and little-miss-trouble is a distraction he can do without. Their re-meet-cute was so fun. I love when a character can deceive the masses but the love interest sees right through the charade.
I recommend this series to any fan of western or closed door romance. Jody's ability to write a swoony romance within those constraints makes it an easy recommendation for fans of any type of love story. Dylan's book can't get here soon enough.
Thank you to Bethany House and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

livefrommylibrary's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Another solid showing from Jody Hedlund. Miscommunication or under-communication is always a trope in this genre, and we all have some idea of how the story will end, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and even found myself surprised by some of the little twists. It was a fun, light read with secrets aplenty, entertaining adventures, and a low, slow burn.

melissasbookshelf's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

“Holy Saint Peter!” as Ivy would say, I loved Falling for the Cowgirl, the fourth book in Jody Hedlund’s Colorado Cowboys series! The romance is off the charts with the spunky, impetuous Ivy and the brooding, strong Jericho. I’ve loved Ivy in the previous books and couldn’t wait to read her story. It did not disappoint! She’s all grown up now with dreams of owning her own sheep farm, but when the man who crushed her heart two years ago suddenly returns, Ivy must decide if she’ll risk falling in love again. With inspirational messages of faith, forgiveness, and relying on God, this must read Western romance delivers a powerful, heart pounding, romantic story you won’t want to put down.

Ivy can rope with the best of them. She disguises herself as a man trying to win enough money in riding and roping contests to buy land for her sheep farm. Her plans are successful until Jericho Bliss comes back into town. She’s loved Jericho since she was a young girl and seeing him again brings back all the longing. But, while Jericho seems to be attracted to her, he always pushes her away. Wanting to make him jealous, she entertains other suitors. But what happens when an excursion for treasure ends up risking both her’s and Jericho’s lives?

Jericho has loved Ivy since he met her, but as the younger sister of his best friend, she’s off limits. Even if he allowed himself to love her, his secretive, dangerous work as a bounty hunter and the memory of his mother’s murder prevent him from giving in to temptation. But staying away from Ivy is next to impossible, especially when she always seems to need rescuing, gives the most tantalizing kisses, and doesn’t know how attractive she is especially when he seems to stumble in on her bathing, dressing, or covered in mud. Will he give in to his feelings or will the danger they find themselves in make him leave her alone for good?

Holy cow! The passionate romance in this one is definitely swoonworthy! I loved those innocent scenes where Ivy is caught in the church changing, trying to free a calf, and the cave scene. She often acts before she thinks, but her spontaneity leads to some pretty powerful romantic scenes. I loved the way she and Jericho banter back and forth. They are both so right for each other and I wanted to shake Jericho for the angst he puts Ivy through even though he believes he’s doing the right thing. The roping scene at the end was my favorite!

Highly recommend this clean Western romance to Christian and historical romance fans! It’s a clean read with plenty of sizzle and an inspirational message expertly woven throughout. This book can be read as a standalone, but it’s more enjoyable if you’ve read the previous books in the series. I absolutely can’t wait for Dylan’s story! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

natalienyquist's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Hold tight to your horse because Ivy McQuaid will keep you laughing, cringing, and reading just one more chapter to find out how in the world her years-long affection for Jericho could work out when so much is going wrong. During the years Jericho has been absent, Ivy has pursued her dream of owning her own ranch in the Colorado Territory. Some of her methods for earning the money are a bit unconventional, and Jericho returns unexpectedly to find her, as always, causing him to fear for her safety and trigger conflict with his interventions.

This story is sweet romance and delightful angst and explosive chemistry and conflict all through, and the ending took me by surprise. Whether or not you've read the other books in this series, you can dive into Ivy's story and not feel behind; the author is great at setting the stage and keeping each book in the series complete in itself.

charitys_book_escapes's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

5.0

This book, just like Ivy, is full of sass and vim and vinegar. And I love it (I *may* have a *little* sass myself)!

Ivy. ~sigh~ I can relate to her so well. I literally cried with her. Felt her pain. The lack of belonging. The empty place in herself. That spot that needs filled. The feeling of constantly disappointing everyone. My heart broke with hers. 

This book is definitely edgier than the previous ones in the series, but it suits Ivy. And you know, it's kind of nice to see a couple from the 1800s struggle with temptation. So many times, we-and maybe it's only really I-put people from "back then" on a pedestal and assume that they didn't struggle like we do today. But of course they did. They were human, too. So it's kind of...a reality check, I guess, to see them face temptation. 

It's been wonderful to watch Ivy grow up through the previous books, and now become her own woman. I am very much enjoying this series and following this family, and can't wait for Dylan's book!

*I was given a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.*
More...