CAUGHT UP IN A COWBOY by Jennie Marts is a Western and a sports romance. This story is about list love and second chances; it is about lost love reunited, forgiveness and family. This may be my favorite in the series. Highly recommended.

First of all, can I just mention the cover. THAT is how you put a cowboy on a cover. Simple yet effective.
This book centers around famous NHL player Rockford James and his high school sweetheart Quinn Rivers. Rock has recently suffered a concussion on the ice and is sent back home to small town Creedence Colorado to heal. While back home he runs into Quinn. The two grew up together and were high school sweethearts and best friends. Nine years ago Rock left his small hometown to go to college after being offered a hockey scholarship. He left Quinn behind as well. He and Quinn have seen and spoken to each other very rarely since he left. Quinn has never fully gotten over her broken heart since Rock left but she follows his career and watches his games since he was drafted by the NHL. She is the single mom of an 8 year old son Max. Quinn had a one night stand after Rock left and Max’s father is not in their lives but she is fine with that. She still lives on her father’s ranch and her life centers around her son.

Rock has always regretted leaving Quinn behind he wishes he had somehow brought her with him when he left town all those years ago. Now that he’s back home he is instantly drawn to her and wants to make amends. He starts to spend time with Quinn and her son Max. Quinn still harbors the pain of Rock leaving her and she is not fully ready to forgive and forget anything plus she has her son to think of. Although she agrees to be friends again with Rock, all her old feelings for him resurface and she can’t help admitting to herself that she never stopped loving him. Much of the story revolves around Quinn wondering if she can forgive Rock and trust him enough to let him in her life romantically again.

The writing flowed smoothly and I was instantly drawn into the story-line, which also has a few funny scenes thrown in. I enjoyed the small town vibe and the sights in Colorado. Ranch life is described as well. I also liked that Quinn is a good mom to Max. Rock starts spending time with them and he easily and genuinely befriends Max.

This book is about lost love reunited, forgiveness and family. Overall, I gobbled it up and wanted seconds.

I am not going to review this novel as I was declined for book 3 and I prefer to read series in order. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this title.

Rock returned home to recuperate after an injury sidelined his career in the NHL. Finding the one person he left was something that had left a hole in his heart. Quinn was his best friend and the love of his life until he decided to follow his dreams and leaving her behind. Now he is ready to rekindle the romance that has been lost and embrace a relationship with her and her young son. Great heart warming story and reminds you home is truly where your heart is.

I loved this book. I liked how the hockey player and the girl left behind connect and over come their their hurt.

Rockford has always wanted to be a big hockey star rather than a cowboy, He is able to achieve his dreams. But in the process he left Quinn behind and left her with a huge hole in her heart, Will they be able to overcome their past?

I highly recommend this bool it is an exciting read and very enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.

This is the first book in a new series and while it takes a little to get into once I was I was hooked this is a really good second chance cowboy romance. Rock and Quinn were high school sweetheart but when he was drafted to the NHL he left her behind without thinking twice. Quinn dealt with her heartbreak with a one night stand that resulted in her being a single parent now he's back in town recovering from an injury and after bumping into her and hitting it off with Max her son they both realise some of the old feelings are still there but will he leave her behind again and what happens when Max's dad shows back up?

A light, sweet romance with an ex-hockey player returning to his roots and his hometown. Finding his high school sweetheart still has his heart and the joy of finding work on the ranch.

Caught Up in a Cowboy in the first book in a new series by Jennie Marts, and it's also the first novel I've read by her, and what a nice surprise of a second chance romance it was. It gets 4.5 stars from this reader.

Rockford (Rock) James grew up on a ranch as a Colorado cowboy, and he had a high school sweetheart, Quinn Rivers, but when he showed an extraordinary talent on the ice hockey rink, he was drafted to play in the NHL, and, high on his talent, the big money, and the fame awaiting him, he dumped his high school sweetheart without a backward glance and broke her heart. Trying to mend her broken heart and move on with her life, Quinn had a one night stand with Monty, and it resulted in her adorable, now 8-year-old son, Max. Monty was never in the picture, leaving town soon after he learned of Quinn's pregnancy. He never paid child support, never even saw his child at all, and showed no interest in ever doing so, even to denying that he was the father. Quinn, with the help of her family, raised a terrific, smart, inquisitive little boy, but one who desperately wanted to meet his dad. Quinn never badmouthed the man, but she certainly could have.

Fast forward nine years, and Rock is back in town to recuperate from a severe concussion and bad bruises to his torso, earned during a hockey game. Quinn is the first person he runs into, and he spots her dressed as a pirate, riding a child's bicycle up the road. After giving her a lift, he learns that it's Max's birthday, and he willingly agrees to replace the other no-show pirate Quinn had hired. He's a big hit with the kids, a genuine hometown sports hero, and he and Max hit it off really well. Quinn has never really gotten past her love for Rock, and it's clear he still has feelings for her, and very slowly these two characters manage to find common ground, and their attraction heats up, in what is truly a heartwarming second chance at love romance, or is it?

There's trouble ahead in the form of deadbeat dad, Monty, who has returned from Texas, is now living at his nearby family home, and who seems to have done quite a turnaround, professing to have found religion, wanting to amend his ways, and wanting to get to know his son, the son he once denied even fathering. Quinn isn't quick to welcome him back, certainly she doubts his sincerity and wonders about his motives and with good reason. And how does Rock fit into this sudden ready-made family when Monty seems to be trying to make up for lost time with his son and seems to go out of his way to bond with little Max? Quinn is certainly wondering about Monty's sudden interest in her son, and is skeptical of his motives to say the least. There's also the question about the rekindled love affair between Rock and Quinn, because she knows all too well that he's not home for good. She's a realist and knows that he'll soon head back to his life in Denver once his injuries have healed, the doctors say it's safe for him to return to his team and his life as a high profile sports star, and she truly fears that he'll break her heart once again, but will he? Or will Quinn break Rock's heart and try to make a go of a life with Monty so that Max will have a dad?

You'll just have to read this well-written, emotional, page-turner of a novel, with its well-drawn characters and a whole lot of charm, to find out how it all ends, since I don't do spoilers. This was a darn good read and I'm happy to recommend it

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Caught Up in a Cowboy was a quick read with a few twists and turns along the way. Rock and Quinn, were high school sweethearts, who broke up when he went to college but are reconnecting nine years later when he returns home to recuperate from a concussion. He’s a pro hockey player that left her behind or did he? She’s a single mom to an eight year old and the dad has never been in the picture after a one-night stand when she was trying to make Rock jealous. She and Rock live on neighboring farms in a small town in Colorado and she’s still close to his mom and brothers.

Rock and Quinn still have chemistry and are learning to communicate. They can read each other’s signals like they’ve always done but is that enough? Family drama with her dad and brother along with her son, Max, and Rock’s family, makes things interesting. When Max’s dad, Monty, enters the picture to connect with his son and maybe Quinn too things get ugly fast. Monty is a loser through and through but has an excuse for all his actions or lack of them. He’s not as nice as he’s portraying himself or is he? His son hangs on every word but what about the adults, especially Quinn? Max and Rock have a nice relationship but I thought it would have headed in another direction. Max is too serious and sometimes acts wise beyond his years.

There are family and friends, ranching, small town gossips, sadness, anger, tears. hurt, injuries, secrets, laughter, happiness, reminisces, memories shared, chances taken, romance, loving and love. Watching the interactions between the characters had their highs and lows and my emotions were engaged more than once. There is a nice flow to the story but there were hints the story would go in one direction but then went another. There is a happily-ever-after in the offing but the book ended too abruptly for me and I didn’t get the closure I was hoping for. There were a lot of loose ends which I hope will be addressed in the next book in the series, You Had Me at Cowboy.

Marts is a new to me author. I look forward to reading more of her books.

I liked and enjoyed this one. First book I've ever read by this author and I really liked her writing style. the characters were great too. cant wait to read more.

Oh! I just love cowboy romance, but mixing the cowboy with a hockey player?? Truly amazing!!!! I adored these characters. Rock was such an intense character and it was great to see his journey. I love Quinn and Max. To have the heartbreak and tough years alone, they deserved the outcome of this HEA. It was just a beautiful, funny, hot, and heartfelt story. I'll be looking for more from this author! I'm so glad to have read it.

Rockford James left his small hometown and high school sweetheart behind when a full ride scholarship and the NHL came calling. Nine years later, he returns home to recover from an injury that sidelined him.

Quinn Rivers, in rebound defiance, had a one night stand, with a complete loser that resulted in her son Max. She stayed on her family’s ranch to raise him. She lost her mom in grade school and was raised by her dad and brother, both overly protective.

Quinn and Rock grew up on adjoining farms. Quinn and her brother Logan spent a great deal of time with Rock and his brothers. She and Rock were grade school best friends then high school sweethearts.

When Rock returns home and runs into Quinn, he immediately knows he let the best thing to ever happen to him get away. He misses the friendship and connection they used to have and decides he’s going to do whatever it takes to win back the girl.

It’s slow going as he tries to earn her trust. He’s kicking himself for giving her up so easily and she’s kicking herself for giving him up without a fight. As they reconnect and discover there’s something still there, hovering in the background is Rock’s short term stay.

Predictable story that should have been shorter. Easy, light afternoon read. Minimal angst with one predictable twist that you see coming a mile away. Interesting side characters.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Book & Chocolate Pairing: Caught Up in a Cowboy and Kohler Butterscotch Hop

For our second book and chocolate pairing, we are leaving 19th century England for the 21st century small town of Creedence, Colorado, hometown of NHL star Rockford James, the romantic hero of “Caught Up in a Cowboy” by Jennie Marts.

If you’re wondering why there is that big jump in time and in a place that is an ocean and a half continent away, it’s because the chocolate for this pairing, the Kohler Butterscotch Hop which is made with milk chocolate dictated the setting of the book it should be paired with.

Americans adore milk chocolate, hence “Caught Up in a Cowboy” was a natural choice. Aside from the fact that the cowboy is an American icon, an NHL star coming home to accidentally cross path with his high school sweetheart whom he left behind for his hockey career is just not easy to pass up.

Yes, it might sound like a cliché, a sports hero with a career ending injury finds out that his first love is actually The ONE for him. But, author Jennie Marts gave the story several twists that made “Caught Up in a Cowboy” an enjoyable read.

Rockford James and Quinn Rivers are also a good pair. Their banter might be lighthearted but there are deep emotions that simmer on the surface. Plus, a child is involved, and he brings another set of emotions.

Still, Jennie Marts treated the subject with a light touch and thus avoiding the storyline to become formulaic. Just like the expect chocolatiers who can transform the delightful milk chocolate into virtually endless tempting flavors, Marts gave her readers characters that tug at your heartstrings then spins a romantic yarn that makes you say Aww with a sigh.

Ready for an afternoon with your book club? Book… check! Chocolate… check! Wine… a refreshing chardonnay brings out the buttery undertones of silky-smooth milk chocolate. If you decide to serve butterscotch, it's sure to be unique as it's a pretty rare find in the chocolate world.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I also purchased a copy.

Up happens when you make a decision when you are a teenager and it turns out to be a selfish one? That is what this book explores. Rockford James gave up the love of his love to explore his dream of the big life of hockey. Quinn turns the tables and has a one-night stand that ends up with an unexpected pregnancy. This is the story of two people meeting up again and overcoming the past while loving a beautiful little boy Max. This was a heart-warming story. There was a few inconsistencies that should have been caught in editing that threw me off. One was how Quinn's dad was to cheap to put in a dishwasher but then Quinn loads the said non-existent appliance with dishes. Also there were a few sentences where a word was missing and I would have to figure it out. A story like this one should have been edited better.

Rockford James had been in love with Quinn all through school but when he graduated, he just wanted to play hockey and he became more and more successful until he finally played in the pros for a team in Denver. Unfortunately, he left Quinn behind and broke her heart. In an attempt to get back at Rock, Quinn hooked up with a loser and had a son, Max. Now 9 years later and Rock is back after an injury in a championship game. He needs to recuperate and he wants Quinn's forgiveness. Actually, he wants more with Quinn, but he plans to start slow to win her heart.

Quinn doesn't want to get her heart broken all over again. Rock left her behind and she has moved on. But, why is is that when he is around, the butterflies go crazy in her stomach and her heart patters like a jackhammer in her chest. Is it possible for her to forgive Rock and be able to have something more? Is it possible for Rock to put both she and Max first in his life or will hockey always come first? Will Quinn's past come back to destroy anything that might be wonderful for her and for Max?

I really like this story very much. I am not a fan of descriptive sex scenes or f-bombs, of which this story has both. However, thankfully, there aren't many. I was given an advanced copy of this book to read.

Enjoyed this book. Funny, serious, conflict, friendship with of lots of family input. Rockford James, (yes. I kept thinking James Garner/Jim Rockford) talented and now a star hockey player walked away from Quinn his long time childhood friend and later girlfriend to pursue his dream of professional hockey. Years later he comes home to recuperate from a concussion when got a bad hit on the ice. First day home he meets up with Quinn, now a single mom. Conflicting feelings of mistrust and sparks, Quinn has to decide if she can go back to being friends with Rockford again. Trouble is that son Max and Rockford bond. Decision, decision should Quinn let down her wall in fear of being hurt again when Rockford leaves to return to the NHL.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This second chance at romance really shows what happens when a person acts on impulse and lives to regret the decisions they made.

Rockford James, an up and coming hockey player, decides to tackle life as a pro hockey player as a single man rather than taking his longtime girlfriend with him. You get the sense that he regrets his decisions almost immediately but when he comes home, he finds that his girlfriend has moved on – and gotten pregnant by another man.

Quinn was devastated when Rock left her when he went pro. Although she made a bad choice in men, she wound up with the best thing in her life – her son Max. She's raised Max on her own for the past eight years, his father denying paternity and leaving town almost immediately after he was born, she knows that she can stand on her own and doesn't need to rely on any man to support her.

When Rock comes home to recuperate after a bad injury on the ice, it’s the first time since the summer he left that they have spent any time together and it’s almost as if he had never left. What she doesn't expect is how much Rock seems to care for Max. He listens to her son, takes an interest in what makes him tick, and wants what’s best for him.

When Max's father makes a sudden reappearance in their lives, Rock has a hard decision to make. Does he stand his ground and continue his relationship with Quinn or step aside to give Max what he's always wanted: a family with his real father?

Both Rock and Quinn's characters are complex and well-written. I like the way the writer incorporates Max and his feelings into the main aspect of the story.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Rock was young and impulsive when he decided to leave his longtime girlfriend for the big leagues of hockey. He knew that he wanted to pursue that and also knew what that would entail... travel, girls, fame, and fortune. What he didn't realize was how much he was going to miss Quinn. She was the love of his life and despite his impulsivity, I think deep down, he thought she might wait for him. When he learns that she didn't, he throws himself into his career. When he's injured, he heads home to heal and reconnect.

Quinn has always loved Rock. When he chose hockey over her, she was devastated. Despite making some less than ideal choices in friends and men, she wound up with Max. He is a smart, energetic kiddo who loves his family, but misses not having a father. Quinn wants to make sure Max has the life he's always dreamed about, but at what cost?

When Quinn and Rock reconnect, Quinn realizes how much Rock has grown up. He truly listens to her and to Max. He's genuine and really wants to show Quinn that he wants her and Max in his life. When Max's father comes back into the picture, it threatens to break apart Rock and Quinn’s tenuous connection. Can Rock truly walk away? Can Quinn let him?

I think my biggest complaint about this was the ending. It was very abrupt for me. However, overall, this was an enjoyable story and I really liked the secondary characters.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
As a fan of books about sexy cowboys and sports romances this definitely hits the spot. Whilst the sport is not current, it has affected the whole of Rock's life, and in all honesty, Quinn's too.

This second chance romance, between two neighbours who grew up together and then split as Rock went off the play hockey, ultimately for the NHL, is beautifully done. There are plenty of funny moments, most especially when Rock catches someone sneaking out of the Rivers’ house at the same time as him, some very cute ones involving Rock and Max, and some sad ones, also involving Max.

As we discover, these two have never really stopped loving each other, they have just made the best they could with what they've had. So it is easy to see the chemistry reignite, even if they don't communicate very well about the long term. Thankfully Ms. Marts has a plan up her sleeve, and we get the story we desire, although right up to the wire.

I am looking forward to future installments of this series, and hopefully a catch up with this new family unit.

Caught Up in a Cowboy, the first book in Jennie Marts's new Cowboys of Creedence series, was a fun and sexy second chance romance between Rockford James and Quinn Rivers, the girl whose heart he broke so many years ago. Recently injured during a hockey game, Rock was sent home to recuperate. Suddenly thrust back into the ranch life from his childhood, it doesn't take long for him to get back into the swing of things. Quinn, on the other hand, is thrown off balance with the sudden reappearance of her high school sweetheart, especially since she is riding a child's bike the first time they see each other.

Let us take a moment to look at Rock... A cowboy hockey player. Um, yes please! I loved Rock. Heroes that fall in love with the heroine's child make my heart swoon in happiness. The fact that Rock's feelings for Max were never in a "you should have been my son" kind of way made me love him even more. Instead, he respected the fact that Max's father is another man. Sure, he hates the guy, but he wouldn't stand in the way of them ever having a relationship. Rock never wanted to change the past as that would mean Max would never exist. Rather, he wishes he had handled things differently. I loved that he had a good heart and genuinely loves everyone around him. Plus who can resist a cowboy hockey player. I mean, c'mon! That's just not fair to a woman.

Quinn royally screwed up when Rock broke her heart, which resulted with her son. A part of her wished she hadn't done what she did, but then she wouldn't have Max. So she makes the best of the situation and is raising an incredibly unique little boy. She would do anything for her son, which includes recruiting Rock to being a pirate. Having to deal with Rock's pirate puns would have driven the strongest woman to drink. Or to jump him... Either one would work in this situation. She stumbles along the way, but that only made me cheer her on even more.

Caught Up in a Cowboy was my introduction to Jennie Marts and I know I will be back for the second book in what I hope will be a super long series. Both Quinn and Rock have brothers, all of which I hope get their own books. I enjoyed the hell out of this book. In fact, this was the first time in a long time that I spent most of Sunday reading. I couldn't stay away from this book for very long and I finished it in nearly one day. I laughed. I swooned. I may or may not have giggle-snorted. Lovely book filled with adorable characters and I can't wait to see what else Jennie has in store for her readers in the next book.

First off I say that the blurb is what drew me to read this book. A NHL hockey player who is a cowboy who wouldn’t want to read about that. Rockford James and Quinn Rivers grew up together. They lived on neighboring ranches. Rockford and Quinn were high school sweet hearts. When Rockford was offered a hockey scholarship he just up and left and broke Quinn’s heart. Now many years later he is back home to recuperate from an injury. He wants Quinn back. What happens when it is time to leave? What choice will he make? What choice will Quinn make? I don’t want to spoil the book by telling you. I will say this. You should pick up this book and find out because this book will take you on a journey that you will not soon forget. Thanks for the chance to review this book NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been wanting to read more cowboy romances and when I saw this new series by Jennie Marts, and lets face it that beautiful cover, I thought this was it. I’ve never read (or heard of) this author before and I was excited to try her. Sadly, this book was a bit lackluster for me. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it but it was a little forgettable.

Rock and Quinn were high school sweethearts, he decided that he was going to go off to be a big NFL superstar and had no room in that life for sweet hometown girl Quinn so he broke her heart and left her behind when he went to college. She had a one night stand after that and she got pregnant and has been back home raising her daughter by herself ever since. Now Rock is back in town after a bad injury to recover and seeing Quinn next door again makes me realize all he threw away and wants back.

As you can imagine this was a cute story. There’s an adorable kid, two people that clearly should’ve never broken up reconnecting and all the small town charm you can expect from these stories. But like I said before, it felt a bit too simple for me. Nothing stirred me enough to make this an impressive read or one that leaves me dying for more from this series. It’s entirely possible I will pick up the next one and give this author another shot, though. In the end, I wanted Quinn to make Rock work a little harder to get in her good graces. I love a good groveling and Rock had it a lot easier than I wanted. But still, this was a cute read and loved the small town vibe of it.