This is the 3rd book in the Navy Seal Cowboys series and I would recommend reading the first 2 books before you read this one otherwise you may be confused about the main character's relationship with the other characters and what leads up to this book. This one is about Gabe Cortez and Monica Finley. Monica is the therapist that Revival Ranch hired to not only help the veteran's they take in but to also help the owner's get past their own PTSD. She has tried to start some sort of conversation with Gabe from the start but he won't talk to her and tends to be sarcastic and rude to her. She makes a plan to force him to help set up for Christmas in the hopes that he will come out of his shell and she will be able to help him. Gabe hates everything to do with Christmas. All it does is remind him of things he wants to forget and distance himself from. But being forced to spend time with not only Monica but her son makes him wonder what he might be missing out on. And makes him realize that his dreams from childhood may not be as far away as he thought.

I have been waiting for Gabe's story impatiently since the first two books! He always seem's to be there to help his "brother's" but never seem's to open up himself and let anyone else in. And then you find out why in this book and you want to go beat on some people for him! I loved this book!! Gabe has issues, they all do, but seeing him realize that the problems didn't lie with him but with the people who should have protected just make you love him all the more. Especially once you realize how much he holds inside himself. Monica is one of the sweetest people with such a core of strength that you know that she will do anything and everything to help someone. Regardless of how much she may hurt in the end. And them getting together and actually working through the issues they both have and knowing that not only do they have each other in the end but they have family that will help them every step of the way is an awesome thing. I loved it, I loved how it shows that you may have a horrible blood family but you can have friends that are more family to you than your blood and they will love you more and stand beside you every step of the way!! A great read!!

To be honest, I really wasn’t prepared to love Gabe so much. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked him in the other stories in this series. But I fell in love with him, and I fell hard. That man had me frustrated, angry, sad, and I shed far too many tears in the reading of this book.

Before I get too much further I should say, I don’t feel you have to read the other books to fully engage with this one. This ragtag group of former Navy SEALs and strong women and odd animals is such a joy, I don’t know why you wouldn’t go and read Cowboy SEAL Homecoming and Cowboy SEAL Redemption, though.

Although Monica has been in the other stories quite a bit, her role in those stories was much more as a therapist so we didn’t get to see exactly what makes her tick. I enjoyed seeing things from her POV. Not only as a woman and a therapist, but also as a mom, a widow, a military brat, etc. Monica has worn many hats throughout her life, and they all shaped the way she interacts with others. She’s usually a very warm and caring person. For some reason, her defenses tend to go up when she’s around Gabe and she turns the therapist part of her brain on full blast.

Gabe has issues with therapists and wants nothing to do with Monica’s professional side. Since that’s almost all she tends to show him when they’re together, they seem like oil and water. Gabe can’t help but push Monica’s buttons, and she can’t help but zing him right back. If it wasn’t so fun to watch, it would be exhausting! But the more the two of them are thrown together, the harder time they have ignoring the chemistry they have. Since Monica’s son, Collin, is enamored with Gabe (and truly, vice versa) they seem to find themselves together more and more.

Gabe, quite frankly, has a heartbreaking story. They way it comes out in fits and starts throughout this book really helped me, as the reader, to feel those emotions. The tiny moments he would let his walls down and show his vulnerability had me bawling my eyes out. One minute I’d be feeling warm-fuzzies because of his chemistry with Monica, the next I would feel like I got gut punched because of Gabe’s inability to see how lovable he really is.

There are so many other things I love about this story. So many little nuances that really built such a lovely and amazing picture in my mind. I think this may be my favorite Nicole Helm book so far. It was full of so many feels!

What can I say I picked up this book because I love Christmas and the blurb really drew me in what I didn’t know was this was book 3 until I was about to start reading which made me a bit apprehensive they was no need to worry this book can certainly be read as a stand-alone, so a win win for me a new author and a great read and I will be going back to read the previous books in this series plus any other books I can find from the very talented Nicole Helm.
Cowboy SEAL Christmas is a Christmas tale that will draw you in and it will tug on your heartstrings, it’s a story you won’t be able to put down and you will be routing for a HEA because let’s be honest what’s not to love when you put three former Navy Seals injured in the line of duty on a Revival Ranch with three woman who can bring out the love they are all hiding and once you add in a single mum and her adorable little boy who is crying out for a man figure in his life and you get some pretty much near perfect romance stories. Great characters, sizzling chemistry and friends that are more like family this book has it all. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Cowboy SEAL Christmas is the third and final book in the Navy SEAL Cowboys series and quite possibly the best of the three books. Gabe wants nothing to do with talking to therapist Monica Finley. He doesn't suffer from the affects of PTSD like his buddies do so what's the point? It's obvious to Monica at least that he does have some deep dark secrets though so she comes up with a holiday plan. Pulling him into the holiday festivities won't be easy but Monica is determined. Who can stay grumpy while cutting down a Christmas tree? The author did a great job crafting a story that made it easy to see Gabe's walls coming down and his heart opening as the season spins on. You don't want to miss this great holiday story!

This is a solid third book in The Cowboy seal Christmas. Nichole Helm has kept these stories fresh. I love the Christmas magic. I am looking forward to her next installment in this series.

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!

Book Info
Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: September 4th 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Original Title Cowboy SEAL Christmas
ISBN 1492641596 (ISBN13: 9781492641599)
Edition Language English
Series Navy SEAL Cowboys #3
Other Editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


Three former Navy SEALs
Injured in the line of duty
Desperate for a new beginning...
Searching for a place to call their own.

Single mom and Revival Ranch's on-site therapist Monica Finley has dedicated her life to helping brave servicemen and women, but former Navy SEAL Gabe Cortez is the one man whose shell she just can't crack. Yet with the holidays fast approaching, she may finally have a plan. In a bid to get Gabe to open up, she'll ask for as much help as possible―cutting down the Christmas tree, stringing lights, the whole nine yards.

Who could possibly be a Grinch with so much holiday cheer in the air?

Gabe has always hated Christmas―the holiday never fails to remind him just how alone he truly is. But the more time he spends with Monica and her young son, the more he finds himself drawn to their cozy little family...and the more he begins to realize his long-suppressed Christmas dreams may finally be coming true.

My Thoughts


Returning back to the Revival Ranch and dead of winter in Montana was exhilarating as it is so hot in Central Texas these days reading about somewhere with snow/blizzard conditions was a relief for a day at least.

Plus it always feels like returning to visit old friends when I crack up over the rooster/goat combo that are still featured characters in this 3rd story in the series, along with the newest member of the animal kind at the end.

Prior to this readers had the chance to fall in love with former Navy Seals Alex and Jack. This time Gabe takes a turn and the story is one that will be sure to win points for him as he at long last gets the chance to heal just like his 2 friends have done before him.

Gabe Cortez never talked to anyone about his family. Gabe never wanted them to know that his external scars were no match for the internal ones he carried long before he became a Navy Seal.

Monica Farley is a single mother whose life is dedicated to helping others heal. This time around the person in question does not feel like he needs, nor does he want, her help.

When circumstances force these two people from different walks of life to spend time alone together both their walls come down. Trouble is will it be enough to give Gabe the incentive to see he needs her or will Monica lose him forever.

This one is just as heartwarming as the first two books before it and a little boy named Colin may just have the best Christmas of his life if together his mother Monica, along with Gabe can make it happen.

I loved Jack's story in book 2 and now Gabe's story was enjoyed just as much or more.

[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

As rewarding as helping others is, therapist Monica Finley’s heart needed help to fight the loneliness she refused to acknowledge. With Christmas fast approaching, Monica will make it her mission to uncover the real former Navy SEAL, Gabe Cortez, who she has decided has too much Grinch in him to let go and feel again.

Gabe Cortez gave up on his long ago fantasies of Christmas love and cheer, but there is something about Monica and her young son that threatens to melt his frozen façade, but will it lead to more heartache for him or will his Christmas wishes finally come true?

COWBOY SEAL CHRISTMAS by Nicole Helm has all the magic of the holidays, albeit with some prickly moments between Monica and Gabe. Get ready to feel some big feels for these two lonely souls as the magic of the season tries to ring true for love, once again!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Sourcebooks Casablanca!

Series: Navy SEAL Cowboys - Book 3
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 4, 2018)
Publication Date: September 4, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

Revival Ranch is a place where Vets go to heal both physically and emotionally. This is the third book in the series but, it can be read as a standalone. It is Gabe and Monica's story. Monica is a therapist who lost her husband and is raising her son. Since her husband died in an accident that could have been prevented she is extremely protective of her son. Gabe and three of his friends were in an explosion which ended their careers and took one of their friends lives. Both Jack and Alex have fell in love and now he feels like even more of an outsider. On the outside Gabe seems okay but, on the inside he is still fighting his childhood demons and the last thing he wants or needs is a therapist. Opposites attract but, can they trust each other enough to share their inner demons and find a love that will last a lifetime. This is an emotional story about friendship, trust, relationships and love. I would definitely recommend it.

This will be appearing soon at Romance Reviews Today http://romrevtoday.com/
Plus, the Romance Reviews Today Blog will be carrying a feature promoting this book.

COWBOY SEAL CHRISTMAS – Nicole Helm

Navy SEAL Cowboys, Book 3

Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 978-1492641599

September 2018

Contemporary Romance



Revival Ranch, Montana – Present Day



The holiday season is approaching, and physical therapist and single mom Monica Finley is wanting a Christmas tree for her cabin. Her friends at Revival Ranch coerce resident cowboy and former Navy SEAL Gabe Cortez to go with her and her son, Colin, to trek in the woods nearby and chop one down. The sparks have flown for months between Monica and Gabe but now that they’re forced together, things turn even more heated between them. Monica admits she is attracted to Gabe, but the surly cowboy continually rebuffs her. Will all that change now that he’s finally noticed her?



It isn’t that Gabe hasn’t noticed Monica but he thinks he isn’t worthy of her because of the terrible childhood that undermined his self-esteem. Besides, she is a therapist and only wants to “fix” him despite the fact that he came out fairly well after the devastating attack on him and his buddies in Afghanistan. Well, no one isn’t going to fix Gabe until he says so. Yet, wherever he turns, there is Monica. If he avoids her, surely that is the end of it? Then during a blizzard, they end up stranded…alone. Will these close quarters have them giving in to the attraction they’ve tried to ignore?



Monica and Gabe have “danced” around each other for months, but in COWBOY SEAL CHRISTMAS it’s time they realize how they feel for each other. The Navy SEAL cowboys at Revival Ranch have been working months to open their ranch that caters to returning veterans who need their soothing services. Monica is the resident therapist, but as Christmas approaches, she wonders how much longer she can stay. She loves living there despite Gabe’s inert hostility towards her. Oh, he likes her but he tries to avoid being around her. Monica is the widow of a veteran, and raising Colin in Montana has been great, despite his usual childhood antics. Her son loves Gabe and the feeling is mutual. But can Gabe be more than a friend to Monica?



With Gabe’s two best friends, Alex (his story with Becca is in COWBOY SEAL HOMECOMING) and Jack (his story with Rose is in COWBOY SEAL REDEMPTION), they set out to create a haven for injured vets. Throughout COWBOY SEAL CHRISTMAS we continue to see what is going on with the characters from the other books, but I didn’t feel like you had to have read them to keep up with what is going on.



Gabe’s fractured childhood has left its scars on him even though he found his place as a Navy SEAL. But the injuries in the attack forced him out. Will Monica’s “loving” touch heal him? She has her own issues, mainly because she is really protective of Colin and wants to shield him from hurt and pain—despite the fact that it is just a part of growing up. Gabe hates Christmas, while Monica loves the holidays. There’s bound be a few clashes around this issue in COWBOY SEAL CHRISTMAS and provides for some funny moments. Nicole Helm deftly interweaves the comic moments with the dramatic ones.



An emotional story of a Navy SEAL vet who fights falling in love with the one woman who can touch his heart, COWBOY SEAL CHRISTMAS is a beautiful and enjoyable tale a reader should not miss.



Patti Fischer

4 star review of Cowboy SEAL Christmas (Navy SEAL Cowboys #3) by Nicole Helm
Nicole Helm is a new author to me and when I signed up for this book I had no idea that it was the third book in the series.
Not having read the previous books in this series I was a little anxious going in that I would not be able to fully enjoy Cowboy SEAL Christmas. However, this was not the case.
There was romance, angst, heartbreak and issues of trust but throughout it all I was get invested in the story line as it unfolded.
The story was well written and the characters likeable and easy to relate too. I found myself hoping that Gabe could put is lack of trust aside to see what Monica and her son Colin could offer that would ease his loneliness.
Both Gabe and Monica have had a tough life but through it all they have become stronger than either of them realise. When they finally give in to their feelings and decided to go for it, I cheered.
The obvious “brotherhood” Gabe and his friends Alex and Jack had just
Can the magic of the Christmas season bring together two lost souls, emotionally drained from the loss of loved ones, each determined to survive but not really living and enjoying life?
I received a copy of this book through the publisher via Netgalley.

Cowboy SEAL Christmas is the third book in author Nicole Helm's Navy SEAL Cowboys series. This is Gabe's story, the last of the injured SEALs who became involved in setting up a rehabilitation ranch for injured military personnel in Montana. Gabe Cortez is the fun one of the group, always charming and pleasing. But finally his baggage catches up with him and his good moods are fewer and his broody bad moods happen more often. It takes getting together with the resident therapist on the ranch, Monica Finley to change Gabe's life. Gabe really dislikes therapists which is quite a stumbling block for both of them. As more and more of Gabe's story of his life before joining the Navy comes out we understand why therapists are not high on Gabe's list.

This was an emotional read which the author presented in such a way that I was entranced by the dynamics of Monica and Gabe's relationship. The story was well paced and the author's ability to make her characters come to life greatly enhanced my reading enjoyment. Kudos to Nicole Helm on giving her readers such an entertaining story.

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*

Having read the other two books in this series, it felt like I waited forever to read an early copy of Gabe and Monica's story. The other two books were phenomenal, so I anticipated this story would be amazing, and this author exceeded my expectations! I knew Gabe and Monica's story would be epic, but wow! What really makes this book are the subtleties, nuances and undercurrents, and Helm got it absolutely, perfectly right with these two.

Gabe, Jack and Alex are retired SEALs who go to Alex's ranch in Montana to heal from their career ending injuries, as well as start the Revival Ranch for other brothers in arms in need of healing. Gabe doesn’t seem to have the same PTSD issues as Alex and Jack, but he was deeply wounded before he ever joined the military, and either way, he has no use for a therapist of any kind. Monica has grieved the loss of her Air Force husband and spends all her time being a single mother and therapist to soldiers returning from active duty. So much so that she has no idea who she is apart from those two identities. Despite the sparks that fly between them, Monica won’t have a relationship with someone who could be a potential client, and a shrink is the last person Gabe would get close to.

Gabe hides behind a wall of charm and easy-going smiles, something he’s spent a long time perfecting. His past has taught him that good things never last and those you care about will always abandon you. For Gabe, hope is a terrifying thing, when it’s something he's gone most of his life without, then it finds a way to sneak through a chink in his painstakingly crafted armor, and Monica causes Gabe to hope. Monica has been doing her own hiding behind the shield of therapist and mother, but she and Gabe both see greater depths in the other, if they can only survive letting down their guard, facing their fear and being authentic.

This is one of those books that immediately drags you in and fills you up, investing you fully, heart and soul, so you lap up every word, thought and emotion like a person in the desert who finds an oasis. It charms, it captivates, it tickles the funny bone, it overwhelms the heart and feeds the soul. I was nowhere near ready to let go of these characters at the last page and wish the series would continue because I’m desperate for more. This book (as well as the others in the series) is one I’ll return to again and again, especially when my heart is feeling a little parched. With a little humor, a little heat and a big pile of heart, you’ll truly be missing out if you don’t read this uplifting, heartwarming, phenomenal book!

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

I received an arc from Netgalley. I love this series and storyline. The quirky animals throw in a nice humorous twist as well. I will definitely keep reading this author.

Cowboy Seal Christmas, has just a touch of Christmas in it. I appreciate this, not having it thrown in every chapter. It is a great love story for someone who doesn't think he is lovable, While Gabe doesn't have PTSD, he did have a rotten childhood. He's just trying to find where he fits in. Monica has her own hangups, it was enlightening seeing them work through their problems.

You know those books that just make your heart burst from happiness?
Yea this is definitively one of those books.

I absolutely love this book. Military men, check. Working ranch, check. Holiday romance, check. Stuck in a romantic cabin during a blizzard, check. Tears of happiness, check. What more can you ask for??

I read this as a standalone but I really want to go back and read the first two books. These characters feel like family and that makes me want to know more about them and their journeys. I cant wait to read more by Nicole Helm!

Helm emotionally connected the reader, aka me, to her characters. Cowboy SEAL Christmas provided a heart hurting tale that had you routing for that HEA that we all just can't wait to find.

Well paced and engaging, Cowboy SEAL Christmas is one of those Christmas tales that pulls at your heart strings and keeps you hanging on till the last page.

I received this ARC copy of Cowboy SEAL Christmas from SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca. This is my honest and voluntary review. Cowboy SEAL Christmas is set for publication September 04, 2018.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Nicole Helm
Series: Navy SEAL Cowboys
Sequence in Series: Book 3
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: September 4, 2018
ISBN-10: 1492641596
ISBN-13: 978-1492641599
Genre: Western Contemporary Romance

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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 the relationship he created with Gabe, 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.

On the Revival ranch, last one of the ex-SEAL fall in love.gabe seems like an easy going guy but the one that is close to him see that he is hiding behind the mask. Monica is the ranch on-site therapist and because her profession she has problems with communication with Gabe. the problem is attraction which is very strong between them and Gabe is the one who doesn't cross the line until nature makes a decision for them and snow doesn't let them out of the house for days. In those days a lot happens and a lot is discovered, said and the past from both is revealed. We see why Gabe is the way he is and he thinks that he is not worthy of love. Monica has also a few reservations but in the end, shows all her cards. Intervention from friends open Gabe's eyes and he is prepared to give love a chance. A great end of an amazing series. Yet another great couple well developed and likable. I loved all previous stories and was satisfied that all the books were interesting and had a unique story.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly