Scan barcode
caseroo7's review
4.0
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Her Forbidden Cowboy is the first book in the Moonlight Beach Bachelors series by Charlene Sands and I thought it was a really great first installment! This book was honestly more than I expected, and I really enjoyed it. What started out as a forbidden romance turned into so much more with these characters, and I really loved seeing them grow and heal. I can't wait to read more books in this series and from Charlene Sands.
After being left at the altar by her fiance, Jessica Holcomb heads to her former brother-in-law's beach house in California to get away from her small town. Country star Zane Williams is healing from an accident where he broke his leg and his wrist, but he is also still struggling with the painful loss of his wife and unborn child. After she died he distanced himself from her family, but with Jessica's arrival at his house he is looking forward to spending time with her again. As Jessica helps him heal physically, the two rekindle the connection they always shared. But when things start to change between them, they both struggle with the new feelings they find themselves experiencing. Soon Zane and Jessica realize that they need each other for more than just to help heal one another, but in ways they never expected. But can they possibly have a chance at a relationship with each other after everything that has happened?
I really liked Zane and Jessica from the very beginning of this book. Both characters were easy to root for and relate to. Zane was still dealing with his pain and guilt from losing his wife and child. He wasn't looking for anyone else and never wanted to fall in love again. Besides just that, he was grumpy and frustrated with not being able to do things for himself since he was injured. But the minute Jess came back into his life, he started to change. He healed physically and started to heal emotionally as well. I loved that these two had always had a connection, but that it was never inappropriate. They didn't start to feel anything they shouldn't before getting reacquainted. Jessica was different from her sister, and yet she was exactly what Zane needed. She was sweet and kind, and genuinely cared about Zane. These two had always been connected, but I really loved seeing them get to know one another in an entirely new way. They were perfect for one another and had grown and evolved by being around each other. They also had really great chemistry, and I was glad to see them embrace their feelings without adding even more guilt to what they were already feeling. I really believed that they were supposed to be together, and these two just worked for me.
Overall, this was a really great story. I liked Zane and Jess, but I also really liked the secondary characters as well. I thought that each one added something to the story, and I especially loved Zane's bachelor neighbors/friends. I would love to get to know each of them better and see them find their matches as well. Charlene Sands did a great job of showing how sometimes two people are meant to find each other and that even the most forbidden or off-limits relationship can be the truest of loves. Zane and Jess were great together, and I liked that this wasn't overly dramatic. Their story was written exactly as it should have been and I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this book to contemporary romance fans, and I will definitely be looking for more from Charlene Sands in the future.
**ARC Provided by Author's Pal**
Her Forbidden Cowboy is the first book in the Moonlight Beach Bachelors series by Charlene Sands and I thought it was a really great first installment! This book was honestly more than I expected, and I really enjoyed it. What started out as a forbidden romance turned into so much more with these characters, and I really loved seeing them grow and heal. I can't wait to read more books in this series and from Charlene Sands.
After being left at the altar by her fiance, Jessica Holcomb heads to her former brother-in-law's beach house in California to get away from her small town. Country star Zane Williams is healing from an accident where he broke his leg and his wrist, but he is also still struggling with the painful loss of his wife and unborn child. After she died he distanced himself from her family, but with Jessica's arrival at his house he is looking forward to spending time with her again. As Jessica helps him heal physically, the two rekindle the connection they always shared. But when things start to change between them, they both struggle with the new feelings they find themselves experiencing. Soon Zane and Jessica realize that they need each other for more than just to help heal one another, but in ways they never expected. But can they possibly have a chance at a relationship with each other after everything that has happened?
I really liked Zane and Jessica from the very beginning of this book. Both characters were easy to root for and relate to. Zane was still dealing with his pain and guilt from losing his wife and child. He wasn't looking for anyone else and never wanted to fall in love again. Besides just that, he was grumpy and frustrated with not being able to do things for himself since he was injured. But the minute Jess came back into his life, he started to change. He healed physically and started to heal emotionally as well. I loved that these two had always had a connection, but that it was never inappropriate. They didn't start to feel anything they shouldn't before getting reacquainted. Jessica was different from her sister, and yet she was exactly what Zane needed. She was sweet and kind, and genuinely cared about Zane. These two had always been connected, but I really loved seeing them get to know one another in an entirely new way. They were perfect for one another and had grown and evolved by being around each other. They also had really great chemistry, and I was glad to see them embrace their feelings without adding even more guilt to what they were already feeling. I really believed that they were supposed to be together, and these two just worked for me.
Overall, this was a really great story. I liked Zane and Jess, but I also really liked the secondary characters as well. I thought that each one added something to the story, and I especially loved Zane's bachelor neighbors/friends. I would love to get to know each of them better and see them find their matches as well. Charlene Sands did a great job of showing how sometimes two people are meant to find each other and that even the most forbidden or off-limits relationship can be the truest of loves. Zane and Jess were great together, and I liked that this wasn't overly dramatic. Their story was written exactly as it should have been and I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this book to contemporary romance fans, and I will definitely be looking for more from Charlene Sands in the future.
**ARC Provided by Author's Pal**
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Good story about two people hiding from their pain. When Jessica is left at the altar by her fiance, she feels a need to get away from her small town. She heads to California to stay with Zane, the man who had been married to her sister. This gives her a chance to get away from the gossip and the pitying looks.
Zane moved to California after his wife and unborn baby died in a fire at his home. He had been on tour at the time, and is suffering immense guilt over it. He's still performing, but his heart isn't in it anymore. To top it all off, he fell off the stage at his last concert and broke his foot and wrist. Now that he doesn't have the tour to keep him busy, he has more time to brood on his loss. Jess's arrival is a welcome distraction, until he starts seeing her as more than his wife's little sister.
With their connection through Jess's sister, she and Zane already have the seeds of a good friendship. They spend some time together, just talking and hanging out. Jess's mom has asked Zane to watch out for her, and he takes the charge seriously. Jess's meets a couple of his friends, fellow bachelors, and enjoys their company too. Zane finds himself feeling extra protective and worries about what that means.
When his assistant is called away on a family emergency, Jess steps in to help out. She's spending more time with him, and discovers that she is feeling attracted to him, and there seems to be some reciprocal heat. A couple weeks after her arrival, Jess finds out that her ex has eloped with one of her bridesmaids, doing a number on her self esteem. I loved seeing how she decided it was time to make a change and how she went all in. Her new look ramps up Zane's attraction and soon they can't keep their hands off each other.
Jess insists that she's not ready for another relationship, and calls Zane her "rebound guy." But that doesn't last long as she finds her feelings for him growing stronger. She would love to have more, but she doesn't see that happening. Zane has been clear that he is still grieving for his wife and child. He doesn't see being able to open his heart and risk it again. He's fighting it all the way, but the more time he spends with her the harder it is. It takes her leaving, and some straight talk from his friends, for him to see the truth. I really liked his big moment at the end.
I really enjoyed the way the relationship between Jess and Zane progressed. Because his wife had been Jess's sister, both are grieving. Jess is sensitive to Zane's unhappiness and tries not to make it worse. I loved seeing the way she worried about him and tried to make things easier on him. I also felt her pain when she thought Zane was too deep in his grief to move on with her. I also enjoyed seeing Zane go from big brother to lover. It took him awhile to realize that his protectiveness when she was around his friends was actually jealousy. I also liked the way he tried to show Jess that her ex-fiance was an idiot and that she was actually a beautiful and sexy woman. I loved seeing him finally overcome his fears and admit to his feelings.
Zane moved to California after his wife and unborn baby died in a fire at his home. He had been on tour at the time, and is suffering immense guilt over it. He's still performing, but his heart isn't in it anymore. To top it all off, he fell off the stage at his last concert and broke his foot and wrist. Now that he doesn't have the tour to keep him busy, he has more time to brood on his loss. Jess's arrival is a welcome distraction, until he starts seeing her as more than his wife's little sister.
With their connection through Jess's sister, she and Zane already have the seeds of a good friendship. They spend some time together, just talking and hanging out. Jess's mom has asked Zane to watch out for her, and he takes the charge seriously. Jess's meets a couple of his friends, fellow bachelors, and enjoys their company too. Zane finds himself feeling extra protective and worries about what that means.
When his assistant is called away on a family emergency, Jess steps in to help out. She's spending more time with him, and discovers that she is feeling attracted to him, and there seems to be some reciprocal heat. A couple weeks after her arrival, Jess finds out that her ex has eloped with one of her bridesmaids, doing a number on her self esteem. I loved seeing how she decided it was time to make a change and how she went all in. Her new look ramps up Zane's attraction and soon they can't keep their hands off each other.
Jess insists that she's not ready for another relationship, and calls Zane her "rebound guy." But that doesn't last long as she finds her feelings for him growing stronger. She would love to have more, but she doesn't see that happening. Zane has been clear that he is still grieving for his wife and child. He doesn't see being able to open his heart and risk it again. He's fighting it all the way, but the more time he spends with her the harder it is. It takes her leaving, and some straight talk from his friends, for him to see the truth. I really liked his big moment at the end.
I really enjoyed the way the relationship between Jess and Zane progressed. Because his wife had been Jess's sister, both are grieving. Jess is sensitive to Zane's unhappiness and tries not to make it worse. I loved seeing the way she worried about him and tried to make things easier on him. I also felt her pain when she thought Zane was too deep in his grief to move on with her. I also enjoyed seeing Zane go from big brother to lover. It took him awhile to realize that his protectiveness when she was around his friends was actually jealousy. I also liked the way he tried to show Jess that her ex-fiance was an idiot and that she was actually a beautiful and sexy woman. I loved seeing him finally overcome his fears and admit to his feelings.
missylynne's review
3.0
Typical Harlquin romance.
Nothing spectacular.
Jess falls for her widowed brother-in-law Zane while she recovers from being jilted on her wedding. He's recovering from a fall off stage and broken bones. Kind of lean on one other and move on together. Jess ended up playing assistant after his leaves suddenly to take care of her ill mother.
Nothing spectacular.
Jess falls for her widowed brother-in-law Zane while she recovers from being jilted on her wedding. He's recovering from a fall off stage and broken bones. Kind of lean on one other and move on together. Jess ended up playing assistant after his leaves suddenly to take care of her ill mother.
booksuperpower's review
3.0
Her Forbidden Cowboy by Charlene Sands is a 2015 Harlequin publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a contemporary western romance involving two people who are both grieving and hurt, leaning on one another to get themselves back to the business of living again.
When Jess's older sister died in a tragic accident, her husband, Zane, was on the road performing as a country music star. Now, two years have passed, and Zane gets a phone call from his former mother- law asking if Jess can come stay with him for a week or so and he readily agrees.
Jess was jilted at the alter and needs some time far away from her small hometown in Texas to pull herself together.
Zane is hobbled at the moment by a fall from the stage and is more than happy to have the company. But, when his long time assistant has a family emergency and must leave, Jess steps up to help care for Zane, but it also puts the two of them in the house together all alone. But, Jess is like a sister to Zane... right? Then why does her heart beat faster when he stands close to her? Why has Zane suddenly become angry with any guy who gives Jess the time of day?
I could really understand why these two reached out to one another and why they felt they could pull off a temporary sexual relationship. They were both hurting and just wanted someone to lean on to help them through the pain for awhile. Naturally, for one of them the relationship begins to grow into real feelings of love and they know they will have to end it in order to find what they are really in search of... true love.
I never really felt the chemistry between these two the way I had hoped. I could feel their pain and loss, the love they felt as friends and for having a kind of family connection. But, as far as falling in love, I really felt Zane lacked passion. He said the right words, but it was like he was speaking in a monotone. The build up was great, but then it just kind of fizzles out at the end. I kept waiting for something more, some grand gesture, some real, raw emotion but it never came. There is nothing wrong with a slow steady pace of falling in love. It would have rang false it these two had gotten involved too quickly, but I wanted Zane to pull out the big guns and go all out for Jess. While they had both suffered a great deal and Zane's guilt has nearly eaten away at everything he had, I knew Jess was all in, but I just wasn't sure if Zane was on her level. All the same, the story is a mature romance and has it's own special poignancy to it. I was happy if Jess and Zane were , and they certainly seemed that way to me. 3 stars
This is a contemporary western romance involving two people who are both grieving and hurt, leaning on one another to get themselves back to the business of living again.
When Jess's older sister died in a tragic accident, her husband, Zane, was on the road performing as a country music star. Now, two years have passed, and Zane gets a phone call from his former mother- law asking if Jess can come stay with him for a week or so and he readily agrees.
Jess was jilted at the alter and needs some time far away from her small hometown in Texas to pull herself together.
Zane is hobbled at the moment by a fall from the stage and is more than happy to have the company. But, when his long time assistant has a family emergency and must leave, Jess steps up to help care for Zane, but it also puts the two of them in the house together all alone. But, Jess is like a sister to Zane... right? Then why does her heart beat faster when he stands close to her? Why has Zane suddenly become angry with any guy who gives Jess the time of day?
I could really understand why these two reached out to one another and why they felt they could pull off a temporary sexual relationship. They were both hurting and just wanted someone to lean on to help them through the pain for awhile. Naturally, for one of them the relationship begins to grow into real feelings of love and they know they will have to end it in order to find what they are really in search of... true love.
I never really felt the chemistry between these two the way I had hoped. I could feel their pain and loss, the love they felt as friends and for having a kind of family connection. But, as far as falling in love, I really felt Zane lacked passion. He said the right words, but it was like he was speaking in a monotone. The build up was great, but then it just kind of fizzles out at the end. I kept waiting for something more, some grand gesture, some real, raw emotion but it never came. There is nothing wrong with a slow steady pace of falling in love. It would have rang false it these two had gotten involved too quickly, but I wanted Zane to pull out the big guns and go all out for Jess. While they had both suffered a great deal and Zane's guilt has nearly eaten away at everything he had, I knew Jess was all in, but I just wasn't sure if Zane was on her level. All the same, the story is a mature romance and has it's own special poignancy to it. I was happy if Jess and Zane were , and they certainly seemed that way to me. 3 stars
fromjesstoyou's review
5.0
"5 out of 5! Two years after the tragic loss of his wife and unborn child Zane is still overcome with grief and not sure what to do with himself. When his wife’s younger sister decides to stay at his vacation home in California in hopes to pick up the pieces of her own life, Zane comes to realize what he’s been missing and starts living again but does he really want to move on with his life for good?
I totally enjoyed this novel. With its subtle ways in romance and the emotions both Zane and Jessica (Jess) go through to deal with their grief this novel hits a homerun on many levels! Zane and Jess are quite the pair."
Read more of this review and TWO teasers here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2015/02/idolizing-in-moonlight-beach-bachelors.html
I totally enjoyed this novel. With its subtle ways in romance and the emotions both Zane and Jessica (Jess) go through to deal with their grief this novel hits a homerun on many levels! Zane and Jess are quite the pair."
Read more of this review and TWO teasers here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2015/02/idolizing-in-moonlight-beach-bachelors.html
More...