Gray and Abby had an unconventional start, and she had the patience of a saint, but they wound up in a sweet relationship. Abby was a great step-mom, a good neighbor, and the perfect match for Grays shattered heart.

Christmas made them enemies. Marriage made them lovers.

The weather is cooling down; crank up the heat in this seductive marriage of convenience romance. A True Cowboy Christmas hits the perfect sweet spot.
Together, Abby and Gray are delightful but the emotional pull you experience brings the story to life. Abby is the sweet farm girl who follows her heart. I love how she was not a push over yet was able to remind Gray they were partners in their new marriage.
Gray was sweet and accommodating and mainly treated their union as bestfriends. He never thought any woman could make him love again, let alone celebrate Christmas. The more time he spends with Abby things get even more complicated when their true feelings become more difficult to keep hidden away.
Favorite line: ” I like what happens here, in this bed, when the lights go out ……I don’t see why you being an authoritative ass should mean I have to miss out.”

He remembered that kiss in her grandmother’s house like it had been in black and white, but this was all color, bright and wild.
And he wanted more.
He wanted everything.

Gray Everett is a stoic cowboy.
Abby Douglas is the woman who’s been in love with him from afar.
Together, they’re a wonderful couple, whose story of marriage and love and trust and heartache is thought-provoking, heartfelt and enjoyable.

I love cowboys and Christmas, so I had no hesitation in picking up this one from Caitlin Crews. Though it occasionally feels a little too introspective, I couldn’t help but marvel at the way Ms. Crews developed the relationship between Gray and Abby. The care that went into their choices and their mistakes—it made A True Cowboy Christmas feel like something true. Something that could actually happen.

So gifted was the writing here, that there was a hidden tension and heat to each exchange, giving it new meaning and making it all the more sexy. And all the more emotional.

With watery eyes and genuine care for Abby and Gray and Becca, I couldn’t help but become invested in and hopeful of their happily ever after. And I won’t hesitate to return to this series in the future—if only to check in on their HEA. (But also because Brady and Ty both need to find their way.)

“You’re already my wife. But, Abby, I want you to be my everything.”

~ 4.5 STARS ~

Neighbors, young love, marriage of convience . Abby,has loved Grey since childhood. Grey doesn't know she's alive until death of his father . Marriage of convience, antics to follow. I love Abby and Grey. Lillian, made me hope someone would smack her

This new series has started off with a heart tugging and heartwarming holiday story full of strong, compelling characters that easily draw readers into their story. Gray Everett decides he’s a needs a wife and Abby Douglas would be the perfect, most practical choice. Abby Douglas has been in love with Gray her whole life, so his proposal is nothing less than a Christmas miracle so she can’t really refuse. The romance throughout this story is full of lots of emotional turmoil that tugs at heartstrings and keeps this couple’s relationship on rocky ground but the sizzling chemistry and Abby’s determination to convince Gray that their growing trust and mutual passion may be leading to true and lasting love.

The plot is steady paced and flows smoothly throughout and keeps the suspense building throughout the story as readers wonder whether this couple ever achieve their happily ever after or will stubbornness and a irritable legacy keep them apart. The author brings her story to life with wonderful characters full of depth that makes it easy for readers to connect to the characters as they make life changing decisions during the holiday season which of course adds that hopeful and special ambiance to the story that only the holidays can add. The Everett brothers capture readers’ attention and ensures that readers will want to visit the Cold River Ranch again and again.

This is a novel to read slowly and savor to the hilt. It is sweet but also intense, mesmerizing and absorbing as you wade the waters of the lives of Gray Everett and Abby Douglas and the relationship that develops between them. His back story, her back story and how they combine, antagonize and blend creates an enthralling story to slowly enjoy as it unfolds. Both Gray and Abby have compelling stories of their own verbally abusive parents and of how they both valiantly fought to rise above while harboring demons from the deep cuts that parents can inflict.
It is a novel well worth your time to read and enjoy.

This is a sweet romance with a hint of holidays. Abby and Gray have known each other (although not well) for most of their lives, and when Gray decides to get remarried, Abby seems like a safe and stable choice. Both of them come with a lot of emotional baggage, but I loved watching them work together through their issues and create a family. One thing I liked is how the book showed that verbal abuse and belittling comments are horrible and long-lasting. I was also VERY relieved that the characters were able to communicate constructively without resorting to insults - I hate that type of thing in a romance, and I was a bit worried. Abby was an excellent main character, and I would love to have her as a friend or neighbor. And with some interesting side characters, there is lots to explore in Cold River Ranch - I will watch for future books.

This one was hard to stick with. It was slow and the characters had some hang ups that I thought dragged it down some. She was quick to believe everything was wrong with her and that everyone thought the worst of her, yet they never actually did. I liked the concept, the passion was good, but the plot was slow. The culmination of the conflict at the end was great; it had strong emotional tension and angst, but his role reversal from I can’t love you to I love you seemed a bit extreme. I’m glad he had an epiphany about what he actually wanted from his life, but I think he was so stubborn about it for much too long. Overall I had a hard time wanting to keep with the story but I am glad that Abby got her happily ever after and her Christmas.

Gray Everett had lived a hard life. His mother abandoned her family. His father was a mean drunk and awful father and his wife had cheated on him and died while on the way to meet one of her lovers leaving Gray with a young daughter to raise. Once his father finally died, Gray could start to breath. And when he looked up, he saw Abby Douglas.

Abby had been the Everett's neighbor for all her life. She had been raised by her grandparents because her mother was worthless. She was either abandoning her daughter or, on the rare times she would come back, she was belittling and destroying her daughter's confidence. Abby had been in love with Gray Everett forever. He was the older boy in school that she fantasized about marrying but she couldn't see her own worth and never imagined that anyone would ever be interested in her.

When Gray proposed a marriage of convenience, Abby had to consider if it was all she would ever have of him. Was it enough? Could she risk Gray finding out that she had loved him for so long and, for her, this would never be a marriage of convenience? Could she help him to see that he didn't have to live a life without love and that learning to love her was worth the risk to his heart?

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was touched by the damage that each of the characters had endured. There was a fair amount of descriptive sex that I don't usually care to read, but in this case, it helped to enforce the fact that there was definite chemistry but the love was yet to be a part of their relationship and that true love is more than good chemistry.

I was given an arc copy of this book by NetGalley and I willingly offer my review.

A True Cowboy Christmas is book one in the Cold River Ranch series by Caitlin Crews.



Who doesn't love a good Christmas romance story? I know I do.



I very much enjoyed this book and it didn't take me long to read because I was enjoying it so much that I just had to keep reading.



I give this 4 out of 5.

A TRUE COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Caitlin Crews is a wonderful story about realising your worth and not letting the past dictate your future.

When Gray Everett buries his drunk and abusive father, it makes him realise that he wants more for his daughter and for the future. The land calls to him and is in his blood but he needs a sensible, uncomplicated woman who can help make them more of a family. He needs a straightforward relationship that doesn't involve complicated feelings of love which Gray knows that he is incapable of feeling. So when he looks up to see his neighbour Abby Douglas standing there, it seems like a sign.

Abby Douglas has loved Gray since she was a little girl. Abandoned and verbally abused by a mother who flits in and out of her life, Abby has come to depend only on herself and her beloved grandmother and avoids being fodder for the town gossips by being as honest and kind as she can and when Gray offers her a marriage of convenience she knows that she will accept. But can she survive this relationship without getting her heart broken?

Emotional, sweet, sexy, and heartwarming are all words that I would use to describe A TRUE COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Caitlin Crews. I loved Abby's character and it broke my heart how she views herself through her mother's cruel words. Watching her blossom into an even stronger version of herself was a joy. Gray is a strong man who has dealt with a lot in his life and I loved watching the walls that he had built so high around him slowly chip away. The tension, drama, and misunderstandings throughout this book are compelling and there was never a dull moment from start to finish.

A TRUE COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Caitlin Crews is a story about believing in yourself and ignoring those who want to take you down. It is a story of friendship, love, and the real meaning of family, and I highly recommend it to fiction fans the world over.

I give this book 5 stars. The storyline between Abby and Gary was well written and a must read book. I whole heartedly recommend this book. They is facing the true that after his father's death and his daughter leaving in three years. He is going to be all alone on the rancher, who better to keep him company than his neighbor Abby? Will she agree? Will Becca like this idea? I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Well written romance reader, through highs, lows and emotional roller coasters! When raised with pain and degradation can there be hope? Gray was raised in a house where love had been stomped out. He and his two brothers competed for their bitter/spiteful father's approval, which never came. Abbey was raised by loving grandparents and a selfish/viscous mom. Liked both Gray & his brothers, Abbey, her grandma and Abbey's friends. (Along with other characters.) Took more than needed time for Gray & Abbey to separate from their emotional doubts.
Voluntarily read ARC for honest review.

With a perfect combination of deep, raw emotion, realistic sounding rugged cowboy life, family drama, and tragedy, a touch of humor, joie de vivre, small town living... this tale of a marriage of convenience went directly to my heart and kept me up late to the night. An absolutely unputdownable tale that I loved so much so that it went to my Top Ten all-time favorite romance stories I have read.
A True Cowboy Christmas is so much more than a cowboy romance or a Christmas romance, it is a story of two people making the tough decisions in life, doing their best to survive while healing from the deep emotional wounds their parents and past left in them.
What would you do when something you have dreamed about all your life suddenly comes to be your reality, but it is nothing like you thought it would be? Abby Douglas has loved Gray Everett all her life from the afar. He has been her ultimate dream, the goal in life, while unreachable all the same.
Abby grew up with her grandparents since her mother's inability to care for her. Each time her mother swept through town, she focused her energy and effort to break Abby's spirits, to take her down a notch. The emotional abuse has left Abby to believe she is unattractive, unlovable, undesirable. Yet she has a big giving heart, kindness, and sincerity. She is a hard-working, resilient, sweetheart of a person. She was so easy to like and relate to, cheer for her to succeed. I wanted to protect her from all the possible hurt, gossip, and especially from her mother's attitude.
Gray's life has not been easy. As the oldest son of the alcoholic, abusive rancher, he has taken his share of physical and emotional abuse. His mother left the family, his late wife cheated on him, yet he manages to be a loving, caring father to his teenage daughter. He is not interested in romantic love, he has no need, desire, or time and energy to deal with emotions, he has been there, and done with it. But he does want a companion, a sensible wife, who can share the life's burdens and joys, who he can trust, rely on.
I loved absolutely every word of the story, the dialog is witty, drizzled with humor to lighten up the often heavy and difficult conversations that had to be had. The tangible chemistry between Gray and Abby, the way they stumble and fall while trying to find their tune with each other, it is adorable, touching, filled with a wide spectrum of feelings, engaging my emotions as well.
This story is like a red velvet cupcake with a double dose of cream cheese icing; it is lovely, delicious and delectable, while smoothly flowing with tender, fragile emotions and the rough life of the rural country. It filled my heart and my mind as I smiled, chuckled, and teared up. I hurt for them, I felt their pain, disappointments in life, their passion, slowly building trust, and the wish for something more, that tiny silver lining of hope that bubbles up from the deepest corners of their hearts and souls until it fills up their minds.
A fantastic, amazing, must-read story that I know I will be re-reading countless times... And it is just the book one in the series - can't wait for more!
~ Five Spoons!!

Caitlin Crews is a new to me author but I have read books she has written under her other pen name, Megan Crane, and really enjoyed them so when I had the opportunity to read an early copy of this book I jumped on it...and I am glad I did. This story had my emotions all over the place, and honestly the tears were flowing quite a bit.

Gray was a tortured soul, raising his daughter the best he could especially after the way he was raised...boy I give him props because he did a good job even if Becca has a couple of issues, but hey she's a teenager and what teenager doesn't.

Abby is sweet and caring, and everything her good for nothing mother isn't....can you feel the love there? There is a reason Abby was in love with Gray for most of her life and I think it's because their souls belonged together, soulmates if you will, they are what each needs to heal from the abuse they suffered from their parents growing up.

A True Cowboy Christmas takes us on a ride of self discovery as well as acceptance and forgiveness. I really enjoyed this read and I look forward to the next book in the series. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good cowboy romance, or if you like the tropes fake-marriage/Marriage of Convenience, Girl Next Door, or Ugly Duckling, I'd give this book a try you won't be disappointed. Happy Reading!!!

Fantastic contemporary western style romance. Gray and his brothers grew up in a house with a bigger and mean father. Abby has always loved Gray from afar. Now that they are married she is learning that the marriage she dreamed of isn't what she has. Ms. Crews did a wonderful job of developing the characters. This is a standalone with a HEA. I look forward to reading future books by this author. I received a complementary copy of this book via Net Galley.

A wonderful debut to the Cold River Ranch series by new-to-me author Caitlin Crews that captured me from the very beginning with relatable characters who have real emotions, humor, small town charm, dysfunctional family drama, heartwarming romance, and so much more. I loved the undeniable chemistry between stern, smoking hot cowboy Gray Everett and down-to-earth Abby Douglas. I laughed, cried, sighed and loved every minute of it. I really didn't want the book to end when I got to the last page. This is a great holiday read for anyone who enjoys realistic contemporary cowboy romance. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my voluntary and unbiased review.

Abby Douglas has always held a special place in her heart for the neighbor, Gray Everett. He's had a rough go in life and needs help raising his daughter, along with trying to save his ranch, so a marriage of convenience is the most sensible solution. There were times I wanted to shake Abby and tell her she deserves better, but Gray finds a way of worming into the readers heart. This was a heart-warming tale of second chances. A definite must-read, even when it's not the holiday season.

A story that surprised me.
It could have been more of a hot-cowboy book and his neighbor in love with him forever, but it's a lot more than that.

Abby is that simple girl, not pretty and who always heard from her mother just that, that she was worthless. She grew up believing that. And like every girl, she dreamed of her prince charming, who in her mind had a very definite face: Gray Everett, her neighbor.

Gray had a ranch to run, plus a teenage daughter, Becca, and the inner fear that he could become like his father, a bitter, irascible man.
Gray had fallen in love in the past, but he had a bad experience with it.
When he proposes to Abby to marry - a marriage of convenience - to unite their lands, Abby does not think twice. Finally she would be Mrs. Everett.

But as the days went by and they lived together, Abby realized that she had value, despite what she had been led to believe over the years, and she would not be limited to having a husband just to give her a name.

From there we see Abby's doubts turn to actions for a better life, and all this surprises Mr. Knows-Everything-Gray-Everett. And he likes the new woman his wife has become.

A plot with lyricism and a great message of transformation.
5 stars

Immediately after the death of his father, a stubborn and taciturn rancher Gray decides that he needs to make some changes in his life. Namely, he needs to get married again, but to someone eminently practical who won't cause the same complications as his late wife. So he proposes to Abby, the literal girl-next-door. Abby has been in love with Gray since she was a teen, but resolved to pine after him from afar, until he proposes out of the blue. Convinced it's her only chance to get married at all, she accepts, and of course feelings develop anyway.

I was a little iffy on the premise, not because I'm against arranged marriage stories (I'm not, I love them) but because...in this thoroughly modern setting all of Abby's friends and family were like "yeah, great idea, go for it!" Erm. Weird. Abby herself had some great internal waffling on the subject, and I loved her and Gray's discussion around the surprise!proposal, but all the side characters were...hrm. After they got married, I did very much enjoy all of the emotional entanglements going on. There was a lot of subplots about toxic family and about emotional scars that one might not even realize they're carrying around. All of the main characters (Abby, Gray, Gray's 15 y/o daughter Becca) have a terrible parent that leaves issues for them to work through. Except for the weird cheer-leading squad, I found the emotional parts of the story very compelling.