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amanda_siegrist's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun, cute Christmas story. It had a few oddities I didn't really understand, but overall I enjoyed it!
ldooten's review against another edition
3.0
This was okay for me. The writing flowed well, but my complaint was with the characters. Gabe was a jerk, and I understand he had reasons for it, but it was hard to handle. Monica was a good h for the most part, but her she overthought things all the time. I thought they had good chemistry, but the "ah hah" moment for Gabe happened way too easily for me. There was no build up of him changing his thought process, just boom, he's ready to love someone. I did like the updates on the other couples, and I liked Monica's mom and dad. The conversation she has with her dad at the end of the book was awesome. I liked the HEA.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the previous two and I was looking forward to reading Gabe's story.
Gabe was the one who was always smiling in previous books, but not really talking a lot about himself. And I get why, poor man. He has some issues that he carries around. And unlike his friends who has PTSD, he has other things on his mind. But I did like him, but oh how he struggled with his feelings.
Monica is a widow. She has a 10 year old who she is afraid to let out of her sights. And she is the one who will work with the soldiers and their trauma. So of course she does not want to get involved with Gabe. But then he has never come to her, since he has no trauma like that. Anyway, she is a good person and she needs to learn how to stop controlling everything and also to love again.
Which is perfect cos Gabe sure needs someone to love him ;)
They have known each other for a while now as people around them have fallen in love. I knew they would have some ups and downs and that they had. I enjoyed seeing them realise things. And it really was a lovely book that made me want Christmas.
Conclusion
A lovely book
Cover
Sweet
Narrator:
A great voice for this. With range from 10 year olds to men and women
Gabe was the one who was always smiling in previous books, but not really talking a lot about himself. And I get why, poor man. He has some issues that he carries around. And unlike his friends who has PTSD, he has other things on his mind. But I did like him, but oh how he struggled with his feelings.
Monica is a widow. She has a 10 year old who she is afraid to let out of her sights. And she is the one who will work with the soldiers and their trauma. So of course she does not want to get involved with Gabe. But then he has never come to her, since he has no trauma like that. Anyway, she is a good person and she needs to learn how to stop controlling everything and also to love again.
Which is perfect cos Gabe sure needs someone to love him ;)
They have known each other for a while now as people around them have fallen in love. I knew they would have some ups and downs and that they had. I enjoyed seeing them realise things. And it really was a lovely book that made me want Christmas.
Conclusion
A lovely book
Cover
Sweet
Narrator:
A great voice for this. With range from 10 year olds to men and women
slovenianbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Cowboy SEAL Christmas was a very charming, sweet romance that reminds you what Christmas is all about.
Monica is a caring mother, who is working at a ranch to help other people cope with their fears. Gabe is the one man, who reminded her that in the process of working her job and providing for his son, she forgot how to love again.
At the beginning of the book, I found two mistakes and I hoped this wouldn’t be a book full of it. Thankfully, it wasn’t and since this is also an ARC, these mistakes will probably be deleted and corrected.
What did bother me was how in the first couple chapters everytime Gabe and Monica talked, he said something like ”Is this a shrink talk?”. It sounded to me like Gabe couldn’t have a normal conversation with her without thinking of her as a shrink even if she asked little things. It repeated several times until they got a little closer and Gabe opened up more.
My first book by this author but I think it won’t be the last. I loved how she took the time to describe the relationship between Monica and Gabe and even Gabe and Colin. It’s a perfect Christmas standalone novel which I recommend reading in front of the fireplace while drinking hot chocolate (or other hot beverage and a radiator if there’s no other option) ;).
4 stars from me.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Slovenian review and full post here: https://slovenianbookworm.wordpress.com/
Monica is a caring mother, who is working at a ranch to help other people cope with their fears. Gabe is the one man, who reminded her that in the process of working her job and providing for his son, she forgot how to love again.
At the beginning of the book, I found two mistakes and I hoped this wouldn’t be a book full of it. Thankfully, it wasn’t and since this is also an ARC, these mistakes will probably be deleted and corrected.
What did bother me was how in the first couple chapters everytime Gabe and Monica talked, he said something like ”Is this a shrink talk?”. It sounded to me like Gabe couldn’t have a normal conversation with her without thinking of her as a shrink even if she asked little things. It repeated several times until they got a little closer and Gabe opened up more.
My first book by this author but I think it won’t be the last. I loved how she took the time to describe the relationship between Monica and Gabe and even Gabe and Colin. It’s a perfect Christmas standalone novel which I recommend reading in front of the fireplace while drinking hot chocolate (or other hot beverage and a radiator if there’s no other option) ;).
4 stars from me.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Slovenian review and full post here: https://slovenianbookworm.wordpress.com/
mags_louise's review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐
This is the first book I've read in this series and indeed by Nicole Helm and whilst it was a good read. It didn't really grab me and I struggled to connect with either of the main characters for a number of reasons. I also found it hard to stay engaged throughout this story mainly thanks to all the heavy dialogue.
But I did like the idea of it and I was certainly intrigued by these three former SEALs working on a ranch offering therapy to others suffering trauma from serving their country. And I did like the secondary characters, particularly Monica's son Colin, and I thought the relationship, Gabe created with him came across as very natural and realistic.
Plus, I never felt at a disadvantage having not read the two previous stories and the Christmas theme was nice even if a little unusual to be reading in the middle of summer!
But altogether this was a nice read and I would certainly look out for more from this author in the future.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This is the first book I've read in this series and indeed by Nicole Helm and whilst it was a good read. It didn't really grab me and I struggled to connect with either of the main characters for a number of reasons. I also found it hard to stay engaged throughout this story mainly thanks to all the heavy dialogue.
But I did like the idea of it and I was certainly intrigued by these three former SEALs working on a ranch offering therapy to others suffering trauma from serving their country. And I did like the secondary characters, particularly Monica's son Colin, and I thought the relationship, Gabe created with him came across as very natural and realistic.
Plus, I never felt at a disadvantage having not read the two previous stories and the Christmas theme was nice even if a little unusual to be reading in the middle of summer!
But altogether this was a nice read and I would certainly look out for more from this author in the future.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
jasmyn9's review against another edition
4.0
I had not previously read any books in the Navy SEAL Cowboy series, but I think I may need to go pick them up ASAP. The men and women of Revival Ranch are a close-knit group of friends that have become family. But Gabe Cortez holds himself apart emotionally. He has never really let anyone get close, and he doesn't plan on letting the first one to do so be the ranch's therapist Monica Finley.
Monica and Gabe's relationship was incredibly emotional. Both had to let go of things in their past in order to open their hearts. But it isn't easy, and there is Monica's son, Colin, to factor into any relationship equation as well. I really enjoyed how Gabe opened up to Colin and became a part of his life - long before he actually opened up to Monica.
I'm not always a fan of the "snowed in and we fell in love" scene, but these two were in love long before they got snowed in. Nature just forced to the face it - and it didn't go exactly as nature planned. But that's how life is, and this is a romance that wasn't all happy sunshine. There were some not-so-happy moments that really gave the characters depth.
I know this happened over the holidays and all, but it seemed like the ranch wasn't doing what it was built to do. There were no guests or patients, and the only people you really got to see were the staff members (which I'm assuming were couples from the previous books). While they were great characters and a good driving force to help push these two reluctant lovers together, I wonder how and when they manage to help service members when no one seems to be there for it.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*
Monica and Gabe's relationship was incredibly emotional. Both had to let go of things in their past in order to open their hearts. But it isn't easy, and there is Monica's son, Colin, to factor into any relationship equation as well. I really enjoyed how Gabe opened up to Colin and became a part of his life - long before he actually opened up to Monica.
I'm not always a fan of the "snowed in and we fell in love" scene, but these two were in love long before they got snowed in. Nature just forced to the face it - and it didn't go exactly as nature planned. But that's how life is, and this is a romance that wasn't all happy sunshine. There were some not-so-happy moments that really gave the characters depth.
I know this happened over the holidays and all, but it seemed like the ranch wasn't doing what it was built to do. There were no guests or patients, and the only people you really got to see were the staff members (which I'm assuming were couples from the previous books). While they were great characters and a good driving force to help push these two reluctant lovers together, I wonder how and when they manage to help service members when no one seems to be there for it.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*
anabelsbrother's review
4.0
Okay so this isn't your typical light and fluffy Christmas read but I wouldn't have it any other way.
So. I didn't expect Gabe to be this broody but I also wasn't surprised. As the books progressed, I noticed Gabe getting surlier and surlier in the background, almost as if he retreated more and more into himself as his best friends got better mentally and found love. It was painful to read because Gabe started off this series as quite the fun guy, but at the start of his book he was someone else.
It was both fun and frustrating seeing Monica and Gabe interact with each other. Gabe obviously had issues with therapists, and he blatantly refused to get treatment because he said he didn't need any. He annoyed Monica a lot, shutting down her attempts of communication with sarcastic and sometimes rude remarks.
In the previous books we didn't get to see a lot of Monica beyond her therapist duties, but in this we got to be in her head and read her thoughts and fears, and that made her more real to me. Her fear regarding her son Colin was understandable and valid, but it also frustrated me so that she was too paranoid to let him go free. Gabe made her faced the fact that she couldn't keep her son in a bubble.
I shed many tears reading this book, mainly for Gabe because what he went through in his youth damaged him so badly to the point that he didn't trust love, and he already accepted that he would be alone in life. It took a lot of work for Monica and the other men to hammer into him that he was loved and that he was deserving of it. The groveling scene was a bit short, I feel but sweet nonetheless (and there was a llama involved so points for that). The epilogue just made me cry happy tears.
I wonder if Nicole wrote books on the Shaws and Lanes because the way the families were mentioned sounds like they had their own stories, so I have to check.
[Update: SHE HAD!!! It's the Big Sky Cowboy series SO U KNOW WHAT I'M READING NEXT]
Anyway, I loved this book a lot. It was a great finale to the series.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
So. I didn't expect Gabe to be this broody but I also wasn't surprised. As the books progressed, I noticed Gabe getting surlier and surlier in the background, almost as if he retreated more and more into himself as his best friends got better mentally and found love. It was painful to read because Gabe started off this series as quite the fun guy, but at the start of his book he was someone else.
It was both fun and frustrating seeing Monica and Gabe interact with each other. Gabe obviously had issues with therapists, and he blatantly refused to get treatment because he said he didn't need any. He annoyed Monica a lot, shutting down her attempts of communication with sarcastic and sometimes rude remarks.
In the previous books we didn't get to see a lot of Monica beyond her therapist duties, but in this we got to be in her head and read her thoughts and fears, and that made her more real to me. Her fear regarding her son Colin was understandable and valid, but it also frustrated me so that she was too paranoid to let him go free. Gabe made her faced the fact that she couldn't keep her son in a bubble.
I shed many tears reading this book, mainly for Gabe because what he went through in his youth damaged him so badly to the point that he didn't trust love, and he already accepted that he would be alone in life. It took a lot of work for Monica and the other men to hammer into him that he was loved and that he was deserving of it. The groveling scene was a bit short, I feel but sweet nonetheless (and there was a llama involved so points for that). The epilogue just made me cry happy tears.
I wonder if Nicole wrote books on the Shaws and Lanes because the way the families were mentioned sounds like they had their own stories, so I have to check.
[Update: SHE HAD!!! It's the Big Sky Cowboy series SO U KNOW WHAT I'M READING NEXT]
Anyway, I loved this book a lot. It was a great finale to the series.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
mal_bookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Cowboy Seal Christmas
I’m in love with love in Blue Valley
It’s all come full circle from Rebel Cowboy. I fell in love with Blue Valley from that first book. I feel like this is the last book in that town and it didn’t disappoint.
Gabe is an ex-Navy SEAL who is helping his Navy brothers build a ranch for veterans with PTSD heal. But he’s got a secret, unlike his friends...he doesn’t have PTSD from their accident. Making him an outsider...yet again. So why does he hate the resident ‘shrink’? Well that has a lot to do with his upbringing and his constant feeling like he’s an outsider. But this grinch has a soft spot for the shrinks little boy and while he’s certain his heart would grow three sizes he’s determined to help Colin’s Christmas a good one.
Monica’s been a single mom since her Air Force pilot husband died during a routine flight ten years ago. After raising her son and struggling to get her therapists license she finally leaves her support system to help veterans with PTSD. Something she believes strongly in since she saw her father go through it when she was a child. The rest of Revival Ranch welcomes her and her son, Colin with open arms but her very presence seems to irritate a very sexy SEAL.
A blizzard throws them together a week before Christmas so they decide to give in to their attraction...with an expiration date. But feelings get involved and they can’t help but fall in love.
I loved this book so much. And I’m so glad love (and llamas!) came full circle in Blue Valley.
Received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I’m in love with love in Blue Valley
It’s all come full circle from Rebel Cowboy. I fell in love with Blue Valley from that first book. I feel like this is the last book in that town and it didn’t disappoint.
Gabe is an ex-Navy SEAL who is helping his Navy brothers build a ranch for veterans with PTSD heal. But he’s got a secret, unlike his friends...he doesn’t have PTSD from their accident. Making him an outsider...yet again. So why does he hate the resident ‘shrink’? Well that has a lot to do with his upbringing and his constant feeling like he’s an outsider. But this grinch has a soft spot for the shrinks little boy and while he’s certain his heart would grow three sizes he’s determined to help Colin’s Christmas a good one.
Monica’s been a single mom since her Air Force pilot husband died during a routine flight ten years ago. After raising her son and struggling to get her therapists license she finally leaves her support system to help veterans with PTSD. Something she believes strongly in since she saw her father go through it when she was a child. The rest of Revival Ranch welcomes her and her son, Colin with open arms but her very presence seems to irritate a very sexy SEAL.
A blizzard throws them together a week before Christmas so they decide to give in to their attraction...with an expiration date. But feelings get involved and they can’t help but fall in love.
I loved this book so much. And I’m so glad love (and llamas!) came full circle in Blue Valley.
Received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review
thebookdisciple's review against another edition
3.0
Cowboy SEAL Christmas delivers a blend of things I often enjoy-grumpy ex-military men and Christmas! I thought this would be a holiday novella, but it is a full story! This is the tale of Gabe, an ex-SEAL who has a slew of family issues as well as PTSD, and Monica, the psychologist/single mom who lives on the ranch.
Revival Ranch started in book one with Becca and her ex-stepbrother (one of the SEALs). Now Becca and Alex are getting married and the only single people left on the ranch are Gabe and Monica. Both feel an attraction to each other, but Gabe doesn't trust shrinks and Monica doesn't think it would be wise to cross that professional line. Her husband was in the military and died during a routine training exercise when their son was still a baby. Colin is 10 now and Monica hasn't dated at all. Her and Gabe both have...issues. Gabe is physically and mentally better off than both Alex and Jake, but that doesn't mean he is okay. Gabe and Monica sort of dance around their feelings for each other and that is the main plot of the book. Personally, I thought it felt a bit slow at times. I loved getting to see the previous characters (including Rasputin and Ron Swanson!), and Colin was a good addition. I enjoyed the story but I think it might have actually worked better as a novella.
You can read this as a stand alone. While the previous characters are present, its not necessary to KNOW their stories in order to understand Gabe and Monica!
This was my first listen to narrator Abby Craden and she was great! She didn't attempt to 'over act' the male voices and her performance was enjoyable.
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: hate to love, ex-military, single mom
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger:
Spoiler
no - HEA:
Spoiler
yes
other cowboy/ranch based books like Untamed Cowboy by Maisey Yates, Long Tall Cowboy Christmas by Carolyn Brown, Second Chance Cowboy by AJ Pine...then you will probably like Cowboy SEAL Christmas!
Cowboy SEAL Christmas
See full review on The Book Disciple