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livefrommylibrary's review
3.0
I enjoyed Book 1 enough that Book 2 was an instant borrow from the library the day it came out. And a one-day-read after that. I may have face-palmed at some of Linnea's antics, but I did enjoy getting to know the pair of them. Watching them dance around each other was a pleasant adventure and now I'm greedily wondering when Book 3 will be out. Can I calculate the distance from 1 to 2 and assume 2 to 3 will be similar?
karenthornell's review
5.0
All I have to say is… when do I get the next book??!
Also, this book was everything. The characters were all so real and the plot was absolutely perfect. I fell in love with Flynn and Linnea and couldn’t put the book down!
Also, this book was everything. The characters were all so real and the plot was absolutely perfect. I fell in love with Flynn and Linnea and couldn’t put the book down!
melissasbookshelf's review
5.0
Jody Hedlund is definitely a favorite author! She can write an amazing book in any genre. This second book in the Colorado Cowboys series was a quick read full of swoon worthy romance and fast paced action that kept me turning the pages. The characters were endearing, especially Flynn, and I quickly became invested in their growth and happiness as the story progressed.
Taking place during Civil War times, this book follows Flynn and his family as they make their way west from Missouri to Colorado bringing a head of cattle to Flynn’s somewhat estranged brother Wyatt. Flynn is a funny, romantic, caring person who is always willing to put others before himself. When he rescues a beautiful woman who has fallen into the river, he is immediately smitten with her and agrees to allow the group of botanists to travel with them.
Linnea is a botanist and desires to make a name for herself helping her grandfather as well the other scientists in their group document the various plants along the Santa Fe Trail. She’s somewhat prone to danger and as a result, when Flynn heroically rescues her from the river, her grandfather hires him to look after her. Despite their sizzling chemistry and immediate attraction to each other, both are leery of entering into a romantic relationship. Linnea’s husband just died and Flynn grew up with an abusive stepfather and watched his mother suffer and eventually die. Despite their hesitations, they build a strong friendship and get to know each other very well as they travel along the trail. Fraught with danger from the weather to Indians to a terrorizing group of Confederate soldiers named the Irregulars, there is never a dull moment as this group tries to make their way west.
Flynn was such an endearing character. I loved his constant exclamation of “holy horses.” He’s thoughtful, caring, strong, and brave. Even his fears are understandable and sympathetic. Linnea was also a fabulous character. It’s easy to like her kind, determined character who wants to prove herself worthy of her place in the expedition. The side characters were also likable. Ivy, Dylan, and Linnea’s grandfather all added extra depth and enjoyment to the novel as well as Wyatt, Greta, and Jude who show up later on.
I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed story filled with romantic tension and religious messages of trusting in God’s love and not being afraid to do the hard work to get what you want. While this is the second book in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. I look forward to reading the next book in the series! I received this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.
Taking place during Civil War times, this book follows Flynn and his family as they make their way west from Missouri to Colorado bringing a head of cattle to Flynn’s somewhat estranged brother Wyatt. Flynn is a funny, romantic, caring person who is always willing to put others before himself. When he rescues a beautiful woman who has fallen into the river, he is immediately smitten with her and agrees to allow the group of botanists to travel with them.
Linnea is a botanist and desires to make a name for herself helping her grandfather as well the other scientists in their group document the various plants along the Santa Fe Trail. She’s somewhat prone to danger and as a result, when Flynn heroically rescues her from the river, her grandfather hires him to look after her. Despite their sizzling chemistry and immediate attraction to each other, both are leery of entering into a romantic relationship. Linnea’s husband just died and Flynn grew up with an abusive stepfather and watched his mother suffer and eventually die. Despite their hesitations, they build a strong friendship and get to know each other very well as they travel along the trail. Fraught with danger from the weather to Indians to a terrorizing group of Confederate soldiers named the Irregulars, there is never a dull moment as this group tries to make their way west.
Flynn was such an endearing character. I loved his constant exclamation of “holy horses.” He’s thoughtful, caring, strong, and brave. Even his fears are understandable and sympathetic. Linnea was also a fabulous character. It’s easy to like her kind, determined character who wants to prove herself worthy of her place in the expedition. The side characters were also likable. Ivy, Dylan, and Linnea’s grandfather all added extra depth and enjoyment to the novel as well as Wyatt, Greta, and Jude who show up later on.
I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed story filled with romantic tension and religious messages of trusting in God’s love and not being afraid to do the hard work to get what you want. While this is the second book in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. I look forward to reading the next book in the series! I received this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.
staceylovestoread's review
5.0
After reading the first book in this series, I couldn't wait to read Flynn's story. I was definitely not disappointed! Flynn and Linnea kept me turning pages until the wee hours of the morning. Cowboys, danger, action, the flowers and rugged beauty of the Santa Fe Trail, and the slow burning passion Jody Hedlund writes so well, make The Heart of a Cowboy a book I couldn't put down.
I received a complimentary copy and all opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy and all opinions are my own.
thebookscript's review
4.0
I’m a simple girl who loves many genres. When someone tells me to read this Cowboy romance…I think, well why not?!
I loved the last Hedlund book I read so I imagined she’d be great at Westerns as well. And she was! This story was engaging and full of romantic moments of sweet tension.
Linnea is a botanist with an adventurous spirit and Flynn is a man who has sworn off marriage due to past trauma. But chemistry cannot be denied or contained once the two begin to build a wonderful friendship as they join forces on a journey to Colorado across the plains.
I loved the authentic cowboy energy this book had. There were dangers of the trail such as Indians, wildlife and weather conditions. Both of these characters were so fun to read about and had this instant physical connection. I loved the themes of learning to love despite fear and despite past prejudices.
I definitely won’t be counting out any future western romances in the future. This definitely made me want to read more from this series!
I loved the last Hedlund book I read so I imagined she’d be great at Westerns as well. And she was! This story was engaging and full of romantic moments of sweet tension.
Linnea is a botanist with an adventurous spirit and Flynn is a man who has sworn off marriage due to past trauma. But chemistry cannot be denied or contained once the two begin to build a wonderful friendship as they join forces on a journey to Colorado across the plains.
I loved the authentic cowboy energy this book had. There were dangers of the trail such as Indians, wildlife and weather conditions. Both of these characters were so fun to read about and had this instant physical connection. I loved the themes of learning to love despite fear and despite past prejudices.
I definitely won’t be counting out any future western romances in the future. This definitely made me want to read more from this series!
goodeyreads's review
fast-paced
3.5
BETTER THAN THE FIRST.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
But I just think that this series isn’t for me. And I’m calling it after two books, here’s my thoughts at least.
I did like the set-up for this one. The Western setting and cattle drive was unique and kept my attention. All of the drama with others and everything else that kept happening luckily had me wanting to see what happened next.
The romance was a bit insta-ish for me. I do admit that Flynn and Linnea really grew on me and I thought the ending was really sweet. There is just ~something~ about Hedlund’s female main character’s in this series that I do no jive with. I think the personality qualities are laid on reallllllly thick and it doesn’t come off well to me as a reader.
This was better than the first book, even if I don’t plan to continue the series I know it’s a favorite of others!
Overall audience notes:
- Western Christian Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: near death experiences, gun violence, loss of life, animal death, childbirth, loss of parents
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
But I just think that this series isn’t for me. And I’m calling it after two books, here’s my thoughts at least.
I did like the set-up for this one. The Western setting and cattle drive was unique and kept my attention. All of the drama with others and everything else that kept happening luckily had me wanting to see what happened next.
The romance was a bit insta-ish for me. I do admit that Flynn and Linnea really grew on me and I thought the ending was really sweet. There is just ~something~ about Hedlund’s female main character’s in this series that I do no jive with. I think the personality qualities are laid on reallllllly thick and it doesn’t come off well to me as a reader.
This was better than the first book, even if I don’t plan to continue the series I know it’s a favorite of others!
Overall audience notes:
- Western Christian Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: near death experiences, gun violence, loss of life, animal death, childbirth, loss of parents
girlcalledfred's review
5.0
As always, Jody has written unique and life-like characters and immediately sucked me into the past with this fun new story! I really enjoyed following the characters on their journey West, but I'm even more excited to read the next book after reading the epilogue!
apageofpeace's review
5.0
If you loved A Cowboy For Keeps, you will definitely want to read this book about Flynn, Wyatt’s brother. It’s got all the action of the Wild West and crossing the plains, along with two characters who are drawn to each other, but fight that attraction. With tropes like a widow, forced protector, and all the situations that happen while crossing plains, this book is a must read for Western Romance enthusiasts!
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