A charming friends to lovers story. This is Luke and Bernie’s story. I liked the characters, the connection and the chemistry. It’s entertaining story that will have you cheering for the characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

While this is a part of a series of former military men turned cowboys working on the Luke's family ranch, you don't have to read the prior one to fully understand and enjoy this one. Prior characters do make multiple appearances however, but again you don't have to read it.

This is written in a dual POV format. For me, that is the best. I can fully understand and connect to a character so much better if I can see what they are going through during the story and not just at the end.

Some scenes were funny and others very poignant. I felt for both of the characters with the stress of their every day lives while trying to see if they can take their friends status to other level. Showing the "outside pressures" that the characters have placed on them really is played out here. It makes the story more real. There is so much going on for these two.

Can they survive the pressures of family, work and a changing relationship? Well you will have to read for yourself.

This is a sexy book so just a word of caution on that.

Good friends to lovers romance. Luke has recently left the Marines to return home and run the family ranch. Besides suffering from PTSD and resisting getting help, he is also dealing with getting the ranch on a more stable financial footing. The last thing he needs is to fall for his friend's sister, which he has done. Luke is fascinated with Noah's sister, Bailey, and goes to his best friend, Bernie, for advice on winning her.

Bernie is a busy woman. She has a bakery/coffee shop that keeps her hopping for most of the day, plus she runs the local animal shelter from her family's barn. She'd like to expand the bakery but has yet to have the time to look into how to do it. Bernie has been in love with Luke since she was in kindergarten, but Luke is oblivious. She decides it's time to move on and seriously look at dating other men, though she will still have to deal with Luke on the shelter dog adoption event.

Luke irritated me with his complete cluelessness about Bernie's feelings for him. It was also apparent that he and Bailey were not suited as a couple. Fortunately, they figured that out quickly and became friends. I was happy to see Bernie hit him over the head with the way she felt, even though Luke didn't take it well at first. However, once his eyes were opened, he started looking at her differently and paying attention to the sparks of attraction he'd felt. Bernie is no pushover and keeps after Luke to deal with his problems as they enjoy their growing relationship. Luke also supports Bernie as she faces several challenges of her own. It still takes the thought of Bernie leaving to make Luke realize the full extent of his feelings. I liked his big moment in all of its awkwardness.

Part of the book deals with the challenges Luke and Bernie face with their businesses. I liked seeing how Luke worked with his family and friends to solve the ranch's financial problems. Bernie is very independent and has a hard time accepting advice. This becomes more important when her estranged father, a successful businessman, wants to mend his relationship with her and offers his help. Her struggle with her feelings over the matter was realistic.

This is the second book in the Three Cowboys series and features Luke Nilsen. After serving in the Marines in Afghanistan, Luke and two of his best buddies, Noah and Max, have returned to his family's ranch in northern California. Noah met his soulmate and got his HEA in the first book and now it is Luke's turn.

Noah's sister, Bailey, is visiting the ranch and Luke has a big crush on her that is going nowhere, so he asks his best friend, Bernie Cooper, to help him out with Bailey. Bernie and Luke have been best friends since kindergarten; but for Bernie, it has been way more than that. She has been in love with him for a long time, but he is clueless about her feelings. She owns a coffee shop and bakery and also maintains an animal shelter for the Humane Society on her family's ranch. She is one busy lady.

Bernie is organizing an Adopt a Shelter Dog auction event to raise money for the Humane Society and asks Luke to help her. Bailey volunteers to work on the website for the auction and creates an online presence that attracts a huge audience. In the process, Bailey learns of Luke's attraction to her, but they both come to realize that a relationship between them is just not possible as they want different things. After that, Luke comes to realize that there is an attraction between him and Bernie that totally catches him off guard and he doesn't quite know what to do about it.

Both Luke and Bernie have issues from their past that hampers their ability to forge a relationship. Luke deals with PTSD from his military experience and Bernie's father, Brian, abandoned her mother and her when she was a toddler. Luke and Bernie are also dealing with financial issues with their businesses. There are many complexities to this story.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, but the Luke in this story seemed much more vulnerable than the Luke that I remember from the first book.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the author and Kensington Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is the second book in the Three Cowboys series. This was a wonderful addition to this series. I loved how clueless Luke is and how forgiving Bernie was about all his mistakes. I must admit, what is not to love about a story involving rescue puppies and other animals. The characters were spot on and the pace kept me reading way past when I should have stopped. Can’t wait for the next book in this series.

I liked this book. I didn't read the first one about Noah but that was ok. Luke and Bernie have been best friendd all their lives and she has loved him through all that time. And there comes a time when she says enough is enough and lets her feelings be knowing. You can clearly see that Luke has also loved her, he just never realized it. And seeing him come to that realization is beautiful. Bernie was so patient with him and at the end she just wanted him to show her that he loved her too, that she wasn't alone. She was done running after him and I loved that. Luke was so much in his head that he needed Bernie to show him that wasn't necessary, that it was ok to show what you feel and think, no matter what that is. They made a good people, they complemented each other so nicely

We’re back on mamas Ranch with Luke Noah and Max and this time instead of a baby the fuss is over a puppy. Bernie who owns the café in town once Noah to be one of the first people to be on her have coffee with a hot person and a pet app and it will raise money for her pet Shelter. Noah does not want to do it but while discussing it with Bernie who has a huge crush on Noah it becomes painfully clear to her that he has started liking Bailey Luke’s sister. who has been staying on the ranch since coming from San Francisco ever due to her huge break up. this crushes Bernie but when Jenny finds out she decides to give Bernie a makeover. Anyone who is familiar with Kate Pierce‘s books knows there’s way more to the story and oh what a story it is. Kate Pierce is talented enough that she doesn’t need to throw in cute things like babies and puppies but the fact she does is just adorable. I was hoping this time would be Max but was not disappointed with Noah she is a great writer and if you love books and love to read the books that you know how it’s going to end but what that swooning feeling when you’re done you definitely need to read three cowboys and a baby by Kate Pierce. I want to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This is the second book in the Three Cowboys series. It can be read as a standalone but it is connected to the first book so there could be spoilers for book one. Luke and Bernie have been best friends since they were kids and Bernie has a secret crush on him. He's never looked at her as anything but a friend but things feel different between them now that he's out of the Marines and home running the family ranch. Luke is denying to himself and everyone around him that he has a problem and needs help. Bernie has some self esteem issues. Luke and Bernie's story is a steamy friends to lovers romance. I'm looking forward to Max's story.

In “Three Cowboys and a Puppy,” Kate Pearce highlights the obliviousness of men who actually believe machismo is useful. This novel sprinkles gentle forgiveness on the foibles of all its characters, just ordinary folks trying to do the next right thing, a bit befuddled by how to do so!

Coffee shop/bakery owner, Bernie has been in love with her bestie, Luke, since they were first friends as kids. He’s come back from the Marines with two buddies determined to make the family ranch profitable. Unaware of Bernie’s crush on him, he kisses her to make another woman jealous. It changes everything, but he’s clueless about his own emotions. His military experiences have shut him down, and he’s not great a communicator, either. Meanwhile, Bernie and Luke are also stressed by business and family issues. Can they ever get their lives on track?

Often romances are too zeroed in on a relationship and fail to address all the others problems which affect couples. I appreciated the many realistic details of how Bernie and Luke come to terms with themselves, as well as each other. It's not easy to move on from the beliefs we hold dear… beliefs on how life ought to unfold. And Ms. Pearce shows us how to negotiate these challenges. Can Bernie grow her bakery despite other’s doubts? Can Luke help the ranch recover from a devastating winter while his friends/co-workers are equally bad at talking things through?

Two stubborn individuals will doubtlessly blunder, harming themselves and others. As Bernie and Luke picked up the pieces of their mistakes, I identified completely. I’ve made their errors and appreciate the gentle allowances Ms. Pearce offered. Her clear sensitivity to their struggles, was healing.

I hadn’t read, “Three Cowboys and a Baby,” the first in the series, yet followed along perfectly, but I will double back for it now. Sure, “Three Cowboys and a Puppy,” is a sweet, sometimes humorous romance, with recognizable characters and an even-handed plotline. It is almost better as absolution for all our silliness, the myriad of ways we trip ourselves up. Fun and rewarding!

Luke Nilsen a retired marine has returned to run his family ranch & has brought his two best friends with him. His friend Noah’s sister comes to visit, Luke begins to wonder if it’s time to change himself and become the kind of man a sophisticated city woman like her would want. So he asks his female bestie, Bernie Cooper, who runs the local coffee shop, to give him a makeover. Bernie thinks Luke is just fine the way he is, in fact she’s had a crush on him for years. Luke helps organise their small town’s Adopt a Shelter Dog auction event & one sweet little puppy seems to be on a mission to help Luke realize that the right woman has been right by his side all along
The second book in the trilogy & another very well written captivating romance. Friends to lovers is on of my favourite tropes & this didn’t disappoint. I loved both Luke & Bernie & thoroughly enjoyed their beginning of a journey to a HEA, I did feel whilst they were solidly on their journey they still had a way to go
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This book had all of the elements of a good cowboy romance. Best friends to lovers, Luke initially oblivious to how Bernie felt about him, friends that were aware of the situation willing to intervene and help the relationship along. It didn't work for me.

I thought Luke and Bernie had no chemistry. I learned all about her jobs and professional struggles. Luke struggled through almost the entire book about his issues and their relationship. He seemed to think Bernie was supposed to be there when he needed her. Bernie was too busy to have a relationship.

I liked most of the characters. The relationship felt like a struggle from beginning to end, even when they were together. It never felt romantic. I felt like they should go their separate ways. The book was ok. The romance missed the mark for me. I wish there was more romance. I recommend you read the book and make your own decision about it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book received via NetGalley.

I really enjoyed reading this book about Luke and Bernie who were best friends forever until they were not. Bernie was a very stubborn, independent woman with many irons in the fire. She owned her own coffee shop, had an online bakery, and was in charge of the humane society. and their annual auction.

Luke was a strong character who was a rancher, an ex-marine, and he suffered from PTSD. It was such fun watching Luke and Bernie's relationship change in many ways. The cute puppies, family, friends, and ranch hands really added to the story and made it so I could not stop reading the book. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

Sweet and charming story that was a joy to read! This story has cowboys, small town romance and a puppy, who could ask for more?!!

Three Cowboys and a Puppy by Kate Pearce is the second book in The Cowboys series. This is Luke's story.

Luke has so much on his plate, trying to keep his family's ranch afloat, dealing with his best friends and their issues, that he doesn't take the time to focus on himself. Since coming back from the Marines, he's been so focused on everything else that he is just starting to notice the cracks in his facade that he keeps in place to everyone. Yet he's not really fooling anyone, and his best friend Bernie knows he's struggling.

Bernie has lots of hats all in the air, between her cafe and the thriving delivery ordering and the animal rescue, she barely has time to sleep. But when Luke offers her ultimate fantasy of finally being together as more than friends, she jumps at the chance. Of course they despite the fact that they know each other as only best friends, can, falling into bed together, though combustible, doesn't solve a basic communication dilemma. So it's time to decide whether Bernie is willing to accept the limits that Luke has or is happily ever after not meant to be?

The first book in this series, Three Cowboys and a Baby, was only a four-star read for me (I’m not really sure why) but Three Cowboys and a Puppy was a wonderful book and definitely a five-star read. You don’t need to have read the first book before reading this one as it does standalone. I do recommend reading it though because you will get good background information on the characters in this story.

Luke and Bernie have been best friends for a long time but Luke is oblivious to the fact that Bernie wants to be more than friends. This was such a sweet story with a nice side of heat. Luke discovers that he has great chemistry with Bernie but he thinks that’s all it is – at first. He finally realizes it’s more than that but doesn’t communicate his feelings appropriately to Bernie.

Bernie has her hands full managing the three businesses she owns. She gets frustrated with Luke when he doesn’t seem to care for her the same way she cares for him. She also has her birth father showing up wanting to get to know her which doesn’t help her stress levels any.

One of my favorite things about this story are the puppies – so many puppies and kitties; I just wanted to have them all. When a story has the ability to make me laugh and also shed a few tears then I know it’s a winner for me and this book did all that and more.

I’m intrigued by Max, Luke’s friend, who I’m sure will be the MC in the next book. I’m looking forward to reading it. I also hope we hear more from Luke and Bernie.

An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

This is a second book in the series, and though I haven’t read the first one, I didn’t have any problem following Three Cowboys and a Puppy.
Bernie Cooper has had feelings for her bff Luke Nilsen since forever, but he has her friend zoned. But when he asks for help to ask another woman out, she looses her patience and blurts out her feelings for him.
This was a friends to lovers read. Luke is clueless to a lot of things and is busy trying to save his ranch. Bernie is running 3 businesses, and is not reuniting with her father who walked on on his wife and 3 year old daughter. In between their busy lives, Luke and Bernie manage to get together in some innovative places. Luke and Bernie were friends but their romance was not very convincing to me, and the ending felt a little incomplete.

How can you go wrong with cowboys and puppies?

Bernie Cooper has been in love with Luke Nilsen since kindergarten but he’s always put her in the friend zone. Luke has asked Bernie for help trying to get a date with Bailey Harding but Bailey said no because she wasn’t staying. Everything changed when Luke accidently kissed Bernie leading him to ask himself if there might be something between them. But Luke needs to deal with his PTSD from his service in Afghanistan before he can be the guy that Bernie needs by her side with how busy she is.

Three Cowboys and a Puppy is the second book in the Three Cowboys series about three friends working on Luke Nilsen’s family ranch after getting out of the marines and learning that falling in love isn’t easy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Three Cowboys and a Puppy is the second in Kate Pearce’s Three Cowboys series. It can be read as a standalone, although I do recommend the first one. This one, while fun in places, was rather disappointing by comparison.
I continue to like the friendship aspect between the titular three cowboys, and I love how they’ve evolved now that Noah is happy and in love. And I loved the additional connection that Jen and Bernie are also friends. And I did like the way that Luke and Bernie, and their friends and community come together over some of their issues, like Luke and his friends’ ranch’s financial issues and Bernie’s professional goings-on at her cafe and with the local puppy auction. The subplot with Bernie’s father was also pretty interesting too.
But for a friends-to-lovers romance, this fell flat. It was somewhat funny at first how clueless Luke was, but it devolved into cringey territory once they began sleeping together, since they never make it to a bed. It definitely fell more into a friends-with-benefits situation, where there’s literally no stakes, and they’re just having sex. There was no reason to root for them to figure things out, and while Luke wasn’t terrible, I just wanted Bernie to get over him and find someone who truly valued her, because I never really got that from him.
While this book was a miss for me, it’s definitely a very personal preference. If you like friends-with-benefits, I recommend checking this out, in hopes it will work better for you!

Some men are utterly clueless and Luke is one of them. Bernie has been in love with him forever, but he has her firmly in the friend zone. He doesn't know how to feel when he finds out and then Bernie decides to go on dates and stop being at his beck and call. He is back from the marines and is trying to keep his family farm going. The author does an excellent job of portraying just how difficult it is for farmers and ranchers. Bernie is a workaholic and has three business she is running along with being in charge of the animal shelter fundraiser with Luke. Bernie is also trying to figure out what to do about her successful and wealthy father suddenly wanting to get to know her. It is a cute story and easy read when you just need to relax and enjoy.

Three Cowboys and a Puppy is the second book in Kate Pearce's Three Cowboys series, and having read the first book in the series, which I also gave 3-stars, I was hoping that this second novel would be better than the first, but the scenarios are very similar, and although the novel was well-written, I felt no connection to any of the characters, hence another 3-star rating.

As for the characters, we have an irresponsible father who was so wrapped up in his business that he walked away from his wife and his 3-year-old daughter, Bernie, 20 years ago, the heroine in this novel. Luke is a rancher with PTSD (never fully explained) and on whom Bernie has had a crush since kindergarten, although they each consider the other their best friend, so we already know this is going to be a friends-to-lovers novel, but their relationship is one-sided, especially when Luke asks Bernie to help him woo another friends' sister, Bailey. I found Luke to be utterly clueless about Bernie's feelings for him, and when we get to the lovers part, it's more of a friends-with-benefits story since most of their hookups don't involve a bed, and are usually 5 minutes of hot sex in the barn before they're interrupted.

Most of the novel is about their respective businesses, Luke's ranch is suffering financially from the previous harsh winter and he's trying to find a way to put it in the black. Bernie's issues are wanting to expand her cafe/bakery business into 3 separate businesses, Luke's inability to see that Bernie's in love with him, her reaction to her absentee father, Brian, who now wants to get to know her, her overwhelming involvement in an upcoming puppy auction, adding an on-line ordering and delivery service to her cafe, expanding her business and needing additional staff, and constantly dealing with the people around her who make her feel as though she's not enough. My one question as I was reading this novel was where's the romance in this romance?

Yes, there is a happily ever after in this novel, but it's an awkward ending in this reader's opinion, because so much of the plot centered around the characters' businesses, and not enough time was spent fully fleshing out theses characters, it was a very slow read, and it was very hard to like or empathize with their issues, making this just an okay read for me, but the issues I've mentioned may not be issues for you, and if so, you'll probably enjoy this novel more than I did.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.