Homecoming for the Cowboy by Nicole Helm is a western romance type of novel. If you like cowboys, a little romance, some family intriguer and stubbornest, this is the story for you. It´s the first book in the two book series "Bad Boys of Last Stand".

This was a wonderfully sweet and fun story! The storyline took some interesting turns, it kept me engaged from start to end, and wasn’t wholly predictable. Instead there was a varied cast, some to like and some to dislike, the perfect balance of romantic and plot: the story doesn’t fall flat, and keeps a wonderful pace throughout!

Nicole Helm always delivers a sweet romantic story with characters that pull at your heart strings and having you melting in your seat. Colt and Sadie's story starts off a little rocky with some love/hate elements but you quickly see past this to the steamy chemistry and instant emotional pull that bound these two right from page one :)

Colt's love for Sadie was sweet but he had to suffer in silence because of a promise he made to her father long ago. Feeling indebted to her family, he struggles with his feelings for her. I really felt for him and I wish Sadie and her father would have handled this issue better. In the long run it all works out but I wasn't a fan of the family drama playing such a huge part in these two's love story.

Predictable romance novel. Cute story. I really liked Colts character, his struggles, his journey. Sadie came across the same as a 16 year old brat would, whining and selfish (not through the whole thing, but most of it) I will say that the proposal was pretty smooth.

Colt Vance owes everything he is to the Martin family, which is why he’s stayed far, far away for years. But now that Fritz Martin has asked him a favor, he’s back in Last Stand facing the one temptation he can’t ever give into: his mentor’s middle daughter.
This was an ok read. It was a bit slow in places and had a pretty standard plot. The characters were ok. Everything was pretty straight-forward.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Martin family took Colt Vance in when he was being abused by his father and left by his mother. When Fritz Martin calls him for his help with his farm, he comes back to Last Stand.
Sadie Martin always loved life in the farm and approval of her father. She was only one staying with her father and never went against his father's wish. But when she finds out Colt is coming to help with her farm, it is wrecking havoc on her. They always teased each other and argued. Now he is back at her farm, it is creating different kind of feel for Sadie.
Colt has been away from the farm to get away from Sadie and when he faces her back, he is not sure if he could stay away from her. He promised Fritz when he was younger, he won't get involved with his daughters.
Sadie and Colt has their own problems to deal with and they can heal each other's wounds but both doesn't know it yet.
When Sadie's sister and nieces comes back to live with them, Sadie realize what she has with Colt. But she is not sure Colt will return her feelings and when they decided to open up to her father things get even more complicated.
Colt needs to keep his promise to Fritz but he is not sure if he can let stay away from Sadie.
It was cute story two people who needed each other. It was quick summer read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Tule Publishing for ARC in exchange for honest review.

Colt Vance and Sadie Martin have been dancing around each other for years. Colt was taken in my Sadie's parents and removed from an abusive home to grow and heal. He owed everything to this family. He had made a promise to Fritz, Sadie's father years ago, to stay away from his daughters. But, Colt has loved Sadie from a distance for years. They were always bickering and fighting but only because he was concerned to let his guard down around her. He had left Last Stand years ago to make his fortune and to make Fritz Martin proud of the man he had become. But, he had returned to Last Stand at Fritz's request. They were in danger of losing their family farm and Colt could provide some needed cash to prevent that. Fritz wanted to make Colt a partner but not to let Sadie know of the financial crisis that the farm had been in.

Sadie hated Colt. Actually, she probably loved him but he would never see her as a woman. He would always be his "Squirt". She was angry that her father trusted Colt more than he trusted her. She knew the farm was in trouble but her dad wouldn't let her see the books to see how bad it was. He always seem to treat Colt like the son he never had. He never seemed to treat his daughters with that same respect and love. She was having a hard time being around Colt and not seeing the young boy who had survived such loss and abuse. She began to see that Colt couldn't see his worth. She was determined to make him see the wonderful man he was, even if it killed her.

I really liked this story very much. There was one somewhat graphic sex scene. There weren't a lot of details, which I was grateful for. The story was easy to read and the characters were well developed. I felt like a part of the Martin family and could identify with the emotions expressed.

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

Homecoming for the Cowboy is the first title in the Bad Boys of Last Stand series, and in the past, I've generally enjoyed Ms. Helm's novels, but while this title and series concept sounded good, and was a fairly enjoyable read, I had some issues with it from the beginning, and, in the end, the best I could give this novel is a 3-star rating, it was just an okay read.

My first issue is the title. Colt Vance is the leading male character in this novel, and he's certainly not a cowboy. He left the town of Last Stand and the Martin Family Goat Farm 10 years earlier, and made his fortune beginning with a large win at a local casino, which he turned into a successful business, building, renovating and eventually flipping houses--hardly a cowboy enterprise, although it is mentioned later in the novel that he eventually he had plans to raise cattle on the land he inherited from his violently abusive, alcoholic father, land which adjoins the Goat Farm. I'm thinking that "Colt's Homecoming" would have been a better title choice.

Fritz Martin, current owner of the goat farm, and his now deceased wife, took in Colt and two other troubled and abused teenage boys--and the boys bonded as brothers under their care. The Martins treated all 3 boys as family, but Fritz took the boys aside early on and made them promise to work hard, be honest with him, and finally, to stay away from his three daughters. It was a promise Colt took very seriously, because as soon as he realized his attraction to one of them, Sadie, the middle daughter, Colt packed up, moved away and stayed gone for a decade. He would have stayed gone for good had he not heard from Fritz, and when he learned that Fritz and the farm were deeply in debt and in danger of losing the land that had been in his family for generations, Colt, now wealthy, offered to lend Fritz the money he needed, but, unbeknownst to anyone other than Sadie, Fritz had heart-related issues, and so he accepted Colt's money on the condition that he and Colt would become 50/50 partners in the ranch--but how was Colt going to do that and stay away from Sadie?

Sadie is a born and bred farm girl at heart. It was her idea was to turn her goat milk and cheese operation into a tourist destination to save the farm, but her father would never show her the books or admit to their dire financial status, didn't tell her how much money Colt has invested in the farm, and she and Colt had had an ongoing adversarial snark battle going on from the day he arrived at the Morgan's as an angry, difficult, abused and troubled teenager. Sadie always felt that while she knew her father loved her and her sisters, he had a much better relationship with the 3 angst-ridden boys his wife brought home, and had, in fact, promised his wife on her deathbed, that he would raise and love the boys as she did. He kept that promise. What neither her father nor Colt knew was that Sadie was attracted to Colt, although being so sheltered and spending all her time with her goats, she didn't date, and had only had sex once in order to lose her virginity. Since it wasn't a great experience for her, she couldn't have cared less about repeating it, but then handsome, charming, Colt arrived and suddenly she didn't understand what she was feeling for him, and vacillated from annoyance with his being there, outrage at now being forced to work with him, distrust of his motives for returning, irritation at his charm and good looks, and she took a long time to recognize that she had been and still was attracted to him--but what about Colt's promise to steer clear of the Martin daughters?

Both main characters had a lot of issues with self-esteem, Colt always felt indebted to Fritz Martin, and also had been made to feel so worthless by his own father that he couldn't accept that he was respected, and considered a full member of the Martin family, and worthy of their love. Sadie too had issues with self-esteem, and is completely oblivious to her own good looks, and her work ethic--all she knows is that she loves the farm and her goats, and hates the changes that are happening all around her since Colt's return.

So far, I liked the premise and promise of this novel, but sadly, it got bogged down with far too much time spent on the internal dialogues of Sadie and Colt, so bogged down, in fact, that it became both irritating and boring, and I kept waiting for some forward momentum, which was a very long time coming. There were so many missed opportunities to deepen and address Sadie and Colt's issues by making them interact in believable, adult ways, but it takes almost the entire novel for that to happen, and for this reader, it seemed like too little, too late. It's not a bad read, but it's not a great one.

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

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

This was a wonderful story. The first in the series and I look forward to more. Colt Vance comes to live with the Martin family as a young boy along with two other boys. The Martins already had three young daughters. The boys were brought up like sons but Sadie always felt like the boys received preferential treatment. Colt comes home after being away for years. Fritz Martin needs help with the farm which has fallen on hard times. Colt brings in much needed cash. Fritz just has two stipulations: 1) the name of the farm remains the same and 2) to remind Colt of a promise to leave his girls alone. Sadie and Colt have always butted heads together. Colt has loved Sadie for so long that he had to leave Last Stand and the farm to be away from her. Sadie just had a hard time with Colt coming home as she knew her father would confide more with him than her. Colt and Sadie have a road ahead of them to get to their HEA. There were some very poignant moments and some very funny ones. I cheered for Pen (one of Sadie's sisters) in one scene with Colt that I just wanted to highlight and mark the page for any future reference. She delivered an eloquent speech that was absolutely wonderful.

This book delivered a charming story that was so hard to put down. This was the second book from Tule that I have read that takes place in Last Stand, Texas. I so look forward to many more in this fictional town especially from this author and the rest of the Martin family.

I adored the POV format. Seeing Colt's thoughts really helped me to fully understand where he was coming from. I was able to identify with his character so much better.

I highly recommend this story to anyone.

I received an ARC of this novel from Tule Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After leaving the farm and the family that raised him like their own, Colt Vance returns to save the farm that gave him a second chance at life. His feelings for one of the daughters of the man he loves like a father are difficult to handle, but in order to keep his promise to her father, one that he made years ago, he needs to stay as far away from her as possible. But doing so is going to be harder than he expected.

This novel was good, don't get me wrong. It just felt very run-of-the-mill. I felt like I've read something like this a few times before, and honestly, the chemistry wasn't there for me, It just all felt meh.

The couple seemed have very little connection. The first part of the novel the girl, Sadie, can't stand Colt, and then it seems all of a sudden she loves him. That didn't work for me in the slightest and felt cheap.

The idea of the "save the farm" plot line was great, because that added a little more substance to the characters and their wants and desires. I was more interested in that, though, than anything else in the story. I didn't really care about the romance between Colt and Sadie; I just wanted to know if the farm would survive.

Overall, not the best romance I've read, but it was enjoyable for the time I read it.

Rating: 3/5 stars

I have always loved a good Cowboy romance and Nicole Helm delivers a sweet and lovely story with Homecoming for the Cowboy. I liked Colt's wayward spirit as he fights the idea of settling down to begin a life he doesn't think he deserves. The writing is good and the story flows well.

Loved this heartwarming, sexy, fun, witty and engaging romantic journey, filled with lots of small town goodness, family drama, forbidden romance and undeniable passion that will no longer be ignored.... was a excellent read from beginning to end and was very entertaining the entire adventure.

Oh this Bad Boys of Last Stand is off to a good start I’m already looking forward to the other books.
The first book was entertaining reading I will recommend it to others.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in my review are completely my own..

Fritz and his wife took Colt Vance in and raised him as their own. The one condition was that their daughters were off limits.Colt has long since left town and made something of himself. He is a successful and wealthy man. When Fritz asks him for help in saving the family ranch he can't refuse. Last time he saw Fritz's daughter Sadie was at her 21st birthday party. She was no longer a child and he had feelings he knew he could not have. Now he has to go back and ignore his feelings and keep his distance from Sadie. When he sees Sadie she acts like she hates him. Does she hate him or is she trying to hide something? Does the man he is today have to keep a promise made by a punk teenager? Good read.

Homecoming for the Cowboy is a book that starts a new series. It is a little bit of a taboo story because Colt has hots for Sadie, a girl he was raised with and some could consider as a sister. Because Colt made a promise to his father figure -Fritz the person who took him and thinks of him as his boy- that he would not have anything with one his daughters. That is why he stays away until Fritz needs his help. It is hard for Cole to be near Sadie a not to act on his feelings. Little that he know is that Sadie is attracted to him as well. Will they be strong enough to fight for their love or will be wish for approval best stronger. Story that is full on family drama and having many secrets. Both Colt and Sadie are well developed and have amazing chemistry. We can see that the series will be interesting and that others boy and girls were hiding their feelings as well so I am waiting the next book with anticipitation.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly

I think, in many ways, that Nicole Helm’s HOMECOMING FOR THE COWBOY is one of the most realistic romances (cowboy or not) that I’ve read in a while. Colt is so flawed while still being human and believable – it’s those flaws that make him real in my eyes. Colt and two other young men were the town troublemakers and headed straight on a path to jail until the Martin family took them under their wing and made upstanding honest men out of boys who were angry at the world and always in trouble. Colt has always had a soft spot for one daughter, Sadie. Yet he’s also been warned away by her overprotective father quite strongly. Now, Colt is back home in Last Stand to stay, to face old demons, to forge a new future with a man he respects and to live a life near the woman he’s loved forever but can never have.

The sparks between Sadie and Colt are very real – but for different reasons, at least at first. Sadie resents Colt for the simple fact that her father has always treated the three young men as sons when he had perfectly capable and willing daughters right under his stubborn nose. Now with Colt home and Sadie figuring out the huge secret between Colt and Fritz, she’s even angrier and perhaps, even more, hurt by both men.

It takes strength to deny yourself the chance at love with the one woman you’re convinced is your future. It takes a man’s honor to stand behind a promise made to an overprotective father, even as a successful man today. As the relationship between Sadie and Colt catches fire, she will demand that they face her father and settle their future. Not giving away spoilers, but that confrontation broke my heart for everyone involved.

HOMECOMING FOR THE COWBOY is emotional, at times heartbreaking story of growth, stubbornness, loving and compromise. I’ll leave the decision of whether Colt is an honorable man or not up to each reader – but I would want this man at my side in spite of his stubborn nature. Sadie and Colt gave us an excellent beginning to the Bad Boys of Last Stand series, and I’m definitely hooked for more.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Good start to the new series. Colt is one of three boys with troubled childhoods that Fritz Martin and his wife Susannah took into their home and raised along with their three daughters. Colt was grateful for the opportunity and determined to prove his worth. He eventually left the farm and made a name and a fortune for himself in real estate. When Fritz asked Colt to come home and help save the farm, he did so, but with deep reservations. As a teen, Colt promised Fritz he would "stay away from his daughters." That promise became harder to keep, as Colt was drawn to Sadie until he left the farm to avoid the temptation. Now he's back and afraid that he won't be able to keep his long-ago promise.

Sadie is Fritz's middle daughter and the one most like him. She loves the farm and her goats and her father. She is the one that Fritz has depended on to "do the right thing," i.e. follow his lead and instructions. She knows the farm is in trouble, but she can't get a straight answer from her father, and her ideas to help are ignored. Fritz's antiquated ideas on the roles of women and men frustrate her to no end. When Colt suddenly returns to partner with Fritz, Sadie is furious. She and Colt have butted heads since they've known each other and she wants nothing to do with him.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Colt and Sadie. Colt has a head start because he already knows he has feelings for her. Sadie is disturbed by the feelings that Colt's return stirs up in her and initially increases her antagonism toward him. It doesn't take long for her to realize that she's going to have to adjust her attitude to have a successful work relationship with him. Once she lets go of the anger, she discovers that all those roiled up emotions were caused by her attraction to him. There are obstacles to overcome, mainly Colt's belief that he isn't worthy of her and his reluctance to break his promise. I loved Sadie's reaction to that promise and her determination to confront Fritz with their intentions. An unexpected complication arose and caused some more angst on Colt's part. I ached for Colt and his belief that he is at fault and loved Sadie's efforts to break through his walls. Though Fritz eventually sees the light, I'm not entirely convinced that he's changed. I liked the ending though it felt a little anti-climactic after all the problems that came before it.

I normally enjoy cowboy romance stories, but have to admit this book did not capture and hold my interest. I found myself having to force myself back to it in order to finish it. The characters both seemed weak. The dialogue was forced. I will definitely try other books by this author!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first in a series about a family of three beautiful girls whose parents basically fostered and raised three boys who came from abusive backgrounds. Now they’re all grown up and one of those boys, Colt, has come back to help the man who did so much to help him when he was young. He’s stayed away because of his attraction to one of the daughters, Sadie, and a promise he made to her father not to get involved with any of his daughters.

Well, of course, they’re going to get involved. Sadie had always resented Colt because she thinks that her father preferred him and now she resents that he is saving their ranch and goat farm.

This is one of those stories when everyone would benefit if they just sat down and communicated with each other. I didn’t really like either main character all that much so I couldn’t get all that involved with their drama.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

The first book in the Bad Boys of Last Stand series, Homecoming for the Cowboy was a nice read. I like the characters, the story and will read more of this series