4.5 stars

This is a super-fast read that is full of emotion. Colt and Sadie are both on such a tight rope when it comes to their feeling for each other. Both in such denial about their attraction and what that attraction means…to them and to their family.

Colt had a really hard time of it growing up, until Sadie’s parents took him in as a teen. The fact that Sadie’s dad and deceased mom looked upon Colt as a son (although there’s a 6-year age difference so they weren’t really raised as siblings) puts another level of reticence to the couple. It also gives Colt a huge chip on his shoulder and a very murky understanding of what unconditional love really is.

Sadie has always done what she could to not make waves. Of the three sisters, she was the one her dad could rely on to “do the right thing”. In other words, do what he wanted. She’s a tough cookie and knows her own mind, but her dad still has some antiquated thoughts on roles of men and women that can grate. She’ll fight him on things she’s passionate about, but still end up backing down in the end.

These two gave me so many butterflies in their “will they or won’t they” tug of war. I was rooting for them to finally both choose their own happiness instead of worrying about those around them so much. And I adored their thoughts of being upfront with everyone once they gave into those feelings. Cole and Sadie both have a lot of respect for the family and wanted to do things the right way.

The one character I really couldn’t get behind is the dad, Fritz. He made me so angry so many times. Even when he somewhat explains himself, I’m not fully satisfied with his reasoning. The man had it rough having to raise these kids after his wife died and he was deeply grieving. He was not really a bad father. In fact, he was a pretty great father. But his staunch stance on certain things and his disregard to what his actions were doing to Sadie (and often times the rest of the family) put him on my bad side.

I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting series to read. We still have 2 more sisters and 2 more foster brothers to have their stories told. Maybe they’ll share HEAs like Sadie and Colt. I can’t wait to find out.

This is a sweet, romantic read. There are many wonderful characters in this emotional, character driven storyline. Sadie and Colt grew up together. Although, he had feelings for her, he kept his promise to her father and didn't act on them. Years later he goes home to help out and he is still drawn to Sadie. Will he be able to keep his feelings to himself or will he finally go after the woman he loves? This is a wonderful read and I would recommend it.

Hot new series with a cowboy, cop and a rodeo man. Three boys with a rough childhood were taken in by Fritz Martin and raised with his three girls. Years later and Colt returns home to help the family farm, his feelings for Sadie are stronger than ever. The characters are smart, witty and strong minded. Plenty of push and pull between Sadie and Colt. I don't usually like flashbacks, but I feel it could have enhanced the story. Maybe show how Susannah got Colt to stay or an old memory of Sadie and Colt. I think I needed more background pieces. Can't wait for the other stories. My copy came through Netgalley.

This is an absolutely terrific book. It has all the elements to create an absorbing read: tension, past promises, chemistry, internal and external struggles. The characters are excellently written to thoroughly convey their emotions and experiences. I loved it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Such a great story of overcoming obstacles and fighting for what you deserve in life. To be honest, my chest was having some serious pain and I could literally feel my heart breaking while reading this book, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
I loved that Sadie had a strong voice and didn't hide her opinion, as that's usually one of my pet peeves in female lead characters. Her relationship with her sisters is heart warming and I love their family dynamic. A wonderful story and I can't wait for more in this series!
Colt Vance has believed from a young age that he's not worthy of anyone's love, but wants to make Fritz Martin proud. The only promise he's ever had a hard time keeping is to keep away from Fritz's daughter, Sadie.
When the family farm is at risk for being lost, Colt comes back to become a partner in the business and financially save it from ruin. Sadie has always believed that Colt hated her and they've never gotten along, so why is she suddenly having weird feeling for him?

Homecoming for the Cowboy by Nicole Helm
Will he break a promise or break her heart?
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.
Sadie Martin doesn’t like Colt Vance, or so she’s told herself for years. He’s far too charming and has her father wrapped around his finger. But Sadie doesn’t have a choice except to work with Colt to save her beloved goat farm.
Working together tests Colt’s resolve when it comes to his attraction to Sadie, and Sadie comes to realize she doesn’t just enjoy Colt’s company, she craves it. But Colt can’t break the promise he made to Fritz years ago. Can one tenacious farm girl convince this stubborn cowboy love is always the answer to any problem?
This is Sadie Martin and Colt Vance's story.
“I know we need help, but we do not need his help. If you’d just give me the books, actually let me in, I could handle this without him.”
Fritz Martin sat in his oversized chair behind his giant desk that took up most of his office. Behind him, a long rectangle window looked out over the rolling green of their land. Martin land for generations. He made an imposing figure: big man, big furniture, gorgeous backdrop.
Not just an imposing man, but an impressive one. A man Sadie loved with her whole heart.
Colt sat—no that wasn’t an accurate word—he sprawled on a leather couch, cowboy hat pulled low. He wore battered jeans, even more battered boots, and a crisp-looking blazer over a T-shirt. He should look ridiculous. He was ridiculous.
He’d had one insane stroke of luck at a casino with the money her father had given him for his twenty-first birthday, and then turned that small fortune into a larger one by buying and selling land and houses across Texas. He took advantage of people who had to sell, and then even more advantage of people who had money to burn.
If she told herself all that, worked on her outrage and ire, she didn’t have to pay attention to all the ways Colt made her feel off-kilter and strange. Uncomfortable. Sadie hated to be uncomfortable.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Homecoming for the Cowboy by Nicole Helm is 3 star book.
Nicole's Books with Tule:
Bride by Mistake
Big Sky Brides
Montana Born Brides
Keep Me, Cowboy
The 77th Copper Mountain Rodeo
Ignite
Firefighters of Montana
Bride for Keeps
Big Sky Brides
Homecoming for the Cowboy
Bad Boys of Last Stand

Homecoming for the Cowboy is another story taking place in my new favorite fictional town of Last Stand, Texas. Nicole Helm introduces the reader to the Martin family with the middle daughter, Sadie, being in the spotlight. Colt Vance is one of three brothers that the Martin family gave a home when they were young. Now Colt comes back to help Fritz Martin with saving the farm.

Colt was a troubled youth who had a family legacy that was difficult to overcome as he grew up. His gratitude to Fritz is admirable but the promises made should no longer be valid since all the children are grown adults when this story takes place. Sadie and Colt mask their secret attraction by indifference and dislike. I knew this would not work now but it was interesting to see how they would come to the same conclusion, working towards a meaningful relationship.

Nicole Helm knows cowboys, stubbornness, loyalty and family ties, weaving it all into an engaging realistic story. If you enjoy cowboys, flaws and all, but who have strength of character, act with resolute trying to do their best, and deserve to find love, then you will want to read the first of the Martin Family Stories. I am hoping that more books are coming so that all return home to find love.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a great read the male charter was vulnerable and I like that. Even though he seemed all strong and unattainable he had a very hard childhood and never really as around women growing up. Sadie was someone his father told him to stay away from but the more they argue the m0re attached they become. It a nice read can't wait to see how this story evolves.

Colt Vance is back home after years away. He's always butt heads with Sadie Martin and being back around her is more of the same but in reality he's been attracted to her forever but he made a promise to her father to never touch her. Sadie always thought Colt had the approval from her dad that she wanted for herself. He could do no wrong. Things aren't always what they seem. The longer Colt and Sadie are around each other butting heads the more they realize they are attracted to each other. This is the first time I have read this author and i found i really enjoyed the story. The hero is not shown as a tough man's man at times but it's nice to see a guy be vulnerable. He had some horrible stuff happen to him growing up and he let that fester in him for years. He never had a real female influence in his life growing up and that shows. There were a few eye rolling moments for me but i liked the family and and enjoyed the relationships between the characters. I'm interested in seeing what happens next in this series.



Find out more about this series and Nicole Helm here www.nicolehelm.com

This story is a love story with a lot of sass. The author has a way of pulling on your heart strings for sure in the book. Colt being so strong and pigheaded yet also very open and vulnerable. Sadie can we talk about what a hard head she is, yet she too had this soft side to her. I loved the little girls and even though it was small the author had a way of letting their little personality shine through. I can’t wait to read more about this family what what they are up to next. There is a sex scene not very graphic and like one curse word, other then that this book was a very sweet love story . It was also a quick read and I found myself not wanting to put it down.

Homecoming for the Cowboy is the first story in Nicole Helm’s brand new Bad Boys of Last Stand Book series and for me it was just OK. I really enjoy Ms Helm’s writing, but often find there are ebbs and flows in the strength of the content. I didn’t mind Sadie and Colt’s characters, but I didn't love them, and sometimes found it hard to deal with the constant push and pull of their relationship. The focus on Sadie’s father lasted far too long making the story feel drawn out. There were however have some strong support characters who will hopefully have stories with more gratifying plots.

Homecoming for the Cowboy is the first book in Nicole Helm’s new Bad Boys of Last Stand series. Colt Vance has made a name, and a small fortune, flipping homes all over Texas. When his foster father, Fritz Martin, asks for his help, Colt returns to Last Stand, although he fears his inability in keeping a long ago promise to Fritz when he does.

Fritz’ middle daughter Sadie is the one who has taken an interest in running the Martin Family Farm and has risen to the role. Younger sister Mackenzie rides rodeo. Older sister Penelope is a young widow with three daughters of her own. And it is precisely because of Sadie’s role in the everyday operation of the farm and her ideas for bringing them back into the black that Colt has his fears. The reason he has stayed away so long is because of his strong attraction to Sadie. But perhaps it will be all right since Sadie seems to regard him as an annoyance. If he doesn’t help fund the repairs and changes the farm needs, the family he loves so dearly will certainly lose their legacy.

As part of the move back to Last Stand, Colt has purchased the adjacent property, the old Vance spread where he has nothing but bad memories. Perhaps it will be cathartic to tear down the old place and create a house of his own. And perhaps Colt will find his own self worth in the process.

In a story of a couple, Fritz and Susannah, who bring three troubled young men into their home, raising them alongside their three younger daughters, this new series has introduced us to an elder Fritz, the memory of Susannah, the three daughters, and the boys the Martin’s took in, protected, and gave a fresh opportunity. These are endearing characters in a stark landscape. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it! I look forward to the rest of the series.

3 1/2 stars.
The story was enjoyable and I like Sadie and Colt but I didn't love them. Hence the 3 1/2 star rating. The supporting cast of characters made the story more enjoyable for me. I love a good push and pull story where the H/h don't want to be together but want to at the same time but sometimes that goes on too long. I like Nicole's writing and enjoy her cowboys, but this one is not one of my favorites of hers.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Awesome book! This is the story of two people who put there feelings for each other to satisfy a fathers request.
It is about homecomings and how life changes with events (sickness, money problems). True love between two people and a happy ever after!

Colt and Sadie were both raised by Sadie’s parents. Despite this fact, they didn’t consider each other siblings. Colt was incredibly attracted to Sadie, so he stayed away from the family for ten years. During those years, Sadie dedicated herself to helping her widowed father with their family farm. Eventually, Colt returns home at Sadie’s father’s request to help save the family farm.

This was an incredibly touching story about two people who realize that they are in love, but struggle with emotional baggage and family obligations that almost keep them from finding their happily ever after. We were introduced to all of the members of this unique family in this book. I look forward to reading the other “siblings” stories in future books in the series.

Years ago, Fritz Martin and his wife took in three troubled boys to raise alongside their three daughters. After his wife died, Fritz did his best to raise six children and keep the family farm going. Now the kids are grown, the farm is struggling, and Colt Vance comes back home to help the man who gave him, the son of the town drunk, the chance at a future and so much more. That means Colt will have to deal with Sadie, who handles the farm's daily operations, and they mix about as well as oil and water. But Colt’s arrogance and Sadie's prickliness only mask the feelings they’ve had for each other for years. As far as Colt is concerned, the feelings are irrelevant. He promised Fritz long ago he would stay away from his daughters, and Colt is sure there's no way Sadie would want anything to do with a Vance.

If you’ve not yet met Helm’s cowboys, you’re really missing out! She creates a warm, welcoming setting, strong, unbreakable family bonds, heroes with huge hearts who are a bit vulnerable, and strong, tenacious, loving heroines. While Colt thinks he's unworthy, he has a lot of redeeming qualities, and Helm strikes the perfect balance so his insecurities are endearing, his growth is believable, and the reader is cheering him on each step of the way. Sadie isn’t without her faults, but she's also realistic and admirable, and I couldn’t help but love her. If you’ve enjoyed cowboys from Carolyn Brown, Maisey Yates and Sara Richardson, you’ll love this new series by Nicole Helms!

*I reviewed an advance copy of 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.

“Homecoming for the Cowboy”, by Nicole Helm, was an enjoyable story, though not so compelling for me as usually happens with this author’s work.
Hero and heroine are trying to avoid a long lasting crush and attraction with the first half of the book mainly about avoidance until Sadie, at last, in an epiphany moment, decides it’s time to change.
Colt is a troubled, honorable man, trying to keep a promise (the fact the conflict arises mostly from said promise felt a bit weak for me); as a man with lots of baggage and self-worth issues he’s an example of the tortured hero Nicole Helm creates so well..
Colt and Sadie are likeable characters, and a group of interesting supporting characters, linked in a web of strong relationships and affections. from these the reader is given hints about stories to come in the serise. the only character I didn't like was Sadie's' father, Fritz, who seemed to wasn't open to sharing and his treatment of his family, particularly his daughters seemed demeaning.
Overall, I'll be happy to continue reading this series.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I am enjoying all the new books Tule has that take place in the fictional Texas town of Last Stand. This book is Sadie Martin and Colt Vance’s story. Sadie lives with her dad on the family goat farm and helps take care of it. Growing up her parents took in 3 boys with troubled family life. Ethan lives in Last Stand and is a cop. Bracken is on the rodeo circuit and Colt has recently returned from being away for 10 years to help Sadie’s dad save the farm. Her sister Mack is also on the rodeo circuit. Sadie’s sister Pen returns home with her 3 daughters after losing her cop husband. Sadie’s dad long ago told the boys they were to leave his 3 daughters alone. Colt realizes he has always loved Sadie. Sadie and Colt have always butted heads on everything and she just realized she has feelings for him too. Colt has returned to go into partnership with Sadie’s father Fritz. Colt kisses Sadie and they realize they have a lot of chemistry but Colt doesn’t feel worthy of her. They decide they are*going to pursue a relationship and go to tell Fritz. They notice he doesn’t look right but decide to tell him their plans and he suffers a heart attack. This leads to quite a bit of drama and romance. I really liked this storyline. I enjoyed meeting all the characters in this first book of the series and look forward to reading more. I recommend this 5 star book by Nicole Helm.

This was a new to me author but I decided to give it a chance since I normally really enjoy cowboy romances. However, while I think this book had potential I had trouble connecting with the characters in any way. Frankly, at times I didn't even like them which made it hard to hope they would work thinks out. The entire plot of the story was that Sadie's father who took in trouble Colt as a teenager basically forbid Colt from ever getting involved with Sadie. Basically Colt never wanted to break that promise but yet he couldn't stay away from Sadie. Of course, even while he was around Sadie he never reveals her feelings and she does the same. As a result, I never really saw any chemistry between the characters but suddenly they are a couple. Overall just didn't work for me.

Enjoyed it
Back to Last Stand, Texas.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Bad Boys of Last Stand
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.