His Cowboy Heart by Jennifer Ryan Pages: 416
Series: Montana Men #6
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, Edelweiss
Also in this series: Stone Cold Cowboy, Her Renegade Rancher
Also by this author: Everything She Wanted, Stone Cold Cowboy, Her Renegade Rancher, Protected by Love, Escape to You, Restless Rancher
Goodreads
Bound by honor and by love…
That’s a Montana Man
Ford Kendrick has often dreamed of the day that Jamie Keller would come home to Montana. After high school, she needed to leave—and he, duty-bound to rescue his family’s ranch, pushed her to go. The Army made Jamie a hero, but Ford still sees the gorgeous, loving woman who lit up his whole world.
Every day since she left, Jamie has longed for Ford. One glimpse confirms it: the sexy, dangerous-looking cowboy left a hole in her heart that nothing else can fill. Yet the battle scars she bears—inside and out—won’t let her trust anyone enough to get close.
Ford wants to bring Jamie back to the life they dreamed of building. But locked somewhere in her memories is a dark truth that threatens her safety. It’s a battle Ford won’t let her fight alone, not when he’s determined to keep her by his side, now and always…
His Cowboy Heart is a deep, emotional story that had me in tears a few times. Ford, the youngest Kendrick brother (if you have read the previous 2 books), made a huge mistake 11 years ago in sending the love of his life, Jamie, away. She joins the army and is gravely wounded. She returns to Montana to heal and Ford takes this opportunity to correct the biggest mistake of his life.
Jamie’s PTSD made my heart break. The anguish, the survivor’s guilt, the sheer terror…its all there in Jamie. She is self medicating with pain pills and booze, having flashbacks that cause her to struggle with reality, and lashing out violently at her family. Once Ford pushes back into her life, he begins to encourage her to live again. Its slow going at first, but once Jamie decides to give herself a break, her and Ford really make progress!
But, there are strange things happening on Ford’s new ranch. Broken fences, damaged coops, and horses let loose. Ford doesn’t see any predator tracks to indicate another animal did these things, so he is left to assume its a human saboteur. While I figured out who it was VERY early on, Ryan reveals it to the reader about 1/2 way into the story. Since the book is written in 3rd person, you get some insight into that person as well. I love when authors give you a peek into the ‘bad guy’.
This series gives readers a perfect blend of hot romance, suspense, and real life struggles. The combination is always captivating when Ryan crafts the story. One of the things that makes Jennifer Ryan a 1-click author for me is her ability to weave a tale that is conceivable, sincere, and vivid. If you enjoy contemporary romance with a western twist, His Cowboy Heart and the entire Montana Men series needs to be on your TBR!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: yes!
- Trope: second chance, ex-military, mental health
- Triggers: View Spoiler »
- Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series.
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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Matt by RC Ryan, Close to Home by Lily Everett, Shielded by the Cowboy SEAL by Bonnie Vanak…then you will probably like His Cowboy Heart!
His Cowboy Heart
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review!
Awesome review, Samantha! I think I’d love this book, and even more so because Jamie is the one who went to the army, while Ford stayed in their home town.
Feeling all the feels is important to me, and it appears that you got that, too.
Have a wonderful weekend and happy reading.
Seen her books all over stores and yet to pick one up. Might have to change that. Love real life struggles in my reads. Great review.
Oh she has GREAT real life drama stories. She has another series that focuses more on law enforcement people that I love as well.
Thanks will have check out