Zach Garrett is home from war and is trying to find out where he fits. His family ranch has been sold, do his Uncle, Big Jim Garrett offers him a place to live and work on his ranch. His sons have gotten married and are not as much help as he needs. Zach agrees, although he knows he still needs to find something of his own. Firefighter and EMT Stephanie Gale is very happy with her life. She loves her job and the risk it brings, until she finds out that it might stand in her way of adopting the two children she rescued from and domestic situation. Then along comes Zach and it is love at first sight.

This book sounded like it had everything I was looking for in a Christmas story: romance, children, some danger, angst and family and it does. It was the delivery that let me down somewhat. I found the dialogue to be cheesy and the dangerous situations were solved a bit too easily, with the villains making decisions and moves that easily got them captured. It had a good premise and I did finish it, but it definitely didn't live up to my expectations.

Confession: I’m team Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. So Cowboy Christmas Homecoming took a little bit for me to get into. This book has a lot going on between Christmas, Zach Garrett returning home from the war, and Stephanie Gale’s work as an EMT and the threats she has been receiving Rafe Neely, a man she testified against.

Once I got used to the suspense plot, I started to really enjoy this story. Stephanie is probably one of the strongest and most interesting romance characters I have read in awhile. I loved her story and could have read a book based only on her. It was so sweet to watch both of them open up and trust each other.

This book is a pretty equal mix between Christmas, suspense, and romance. Which I think is hard to achieve. If you are looking for something a little different check this one out!

This was a great Christmas romance. Zach had a humbug feeling about Christmas because of his past and Stephanie definitely put him in the Christmas spirit. I loved the Garrett family and the story had a great pace and kept me reading past my bed time.

Cowboy Christmas Homecoming deals with some difficult topics. PTSD is awful and debilitating. Getting back into the 'real world' is difficult for anyone who suffers with it. Veterans and otherwise.
June Faver does a good job of relating life, PTSD and love together into sn entertaining story.

Zach Garrett is home from war, haunted by PTSD, trying to fit in to what has become an alien world. With the holidays fast approaching, his uncle Big Jim Garrett offers him a place on the family ranch. Zach isn't sure he's up for a noisy, boisterous Garrett Christmas...until he meets beautiful Stephanie Gale, and all his protests go up in flames. Firefighter and EMT Stephanie Gale is ready for anything. She's got her life under control...until she locks eyes with Zack and realizes her heart's in a whole new kind of danger. But with a little help from Zack's long-lost army dog, maybe he and Stephanie will be able to make this a Christmas of new beginnings after all.
This was a cute holiday story about two people who have put their lives on the line for the greater good. It had a good pace and just warms your heart. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

When an ex-military cowboy meets an EMT, his heart goes out of control in this holiday romance. 

As for how romances go, this isn't may favorite storyline. There were moments that I just wanted so much more for the characters, and it is a lighter romance. 

If you are a fan of the less-steamy reads, you might like this one. It does encompass the chilling season, so I think it would be a great one to read by the fire. 

I gave this romance a 3 out of 5 star rating.

Complementary copy given for honest review.

What a lovely book about dealing with the trauma of PTSD! This was a good read that makes you see in to the brain and heart of our service members.

Cowboy Christmas Homecoming is the fourth title in June Faver's Dark Horse Cowboys series, and it's the third title in the series I've read. While I wasn't over-the-moon about the previous two novels, I'm a sucker for a heartwarming Christmas story, and this novel does deliver some of that in addition to some tropes I'm not over-the-moon about, like insta-love, it held my interest throughout, and it gets 3.5 stars from this reader.

As the novel opens, Big Jim, a central figure as head of the Garrett family and someone we've met in previous novels, opens a letter from his sister-in-law, Adele, letting him know that after the death of Jim's brother, she could no longer keep the ranch his brother had worked so hard on for so long, intending it go to his son Zach, who enlisted in the army right after high school, and who is finally coming home after his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. Big Jim always treated his nephew like one of his sons, and his sons treated Zach like one of their brothers, and Jim plans to do so again. But the Zach who returns isn't happy that the ranch he hoped to inherit from his father was sold by his mother who couldn't or wouldn't maintain it after the death of her husband, although the rest of the Garrett family is happy to have him back and he's welcome to stay at the Garrett ranch as long as he likes. Zach is a big, strong guy, honed by years of combat, but seems somewhat cool, disconnected and distant, which is no surprise to anyone who's had a soldier return home from war and feel displaced and detached, at least until Zach soon meets one very special lady.

The lady is Stephanie, a petite yet feisty firefighter, and the attraction between these two is instantaneous. Stephanie wants to adopt the two young children, Cody and Ivy, whom she rescued from a fire after their drunken, abusive father killed their mother in front of them and set the house on fire with his children inside, to hide his crime. Stephanie's testimony at his trial got him locked up for years, but we soon learn that's not the end of his story. His children are currently being kept at an orphanage, but the administrator is one large impediment to Stephanie's adoption plan, pointing out that Stephanie is single, in a dangerous profession, lives in a small apartment, and that the orphanage would much prefer to place the two children in a stable 2-parent household. When Stephanie is being lauded with a medal from her fire company, it's a black tie affair, and since she won't get involved with any of her fellow firefighters, she asks Zach to be her escort, and it doesn't take long before they chat, dance and soon wind up in her bed--a little too soon and too fast for this reader.

In Stephanie's company, Zach begins to feel alive again after 10 years of war, death and destruction, and working on the Garrett Ranch fulfills his need to feel useful, although, since all the Garrett men have been happily married and are starting their families while he's been overseas, he feels like a fifth wheel, except when he's with Stephanie--and it's not long before Stephanie's truck is keyed, her apartment invaded and destroyed and she receives death threats from the family of the abusive killer/arsonist she helped send to prison. The drama and suspense was a welcome addition to the somewhat overdone pre-Christmas goings-on at the Garrett ranch, multiple rounds of chili and hot cocoa, and Stephanie soon moves in with Zach, who is now living and working on Grandma Fern's now vacant, small ranch nearby.

As Christmas romances go, this one will certainly give you the warm fuzzies, and, of course, an HEA ending, but I wish the author had spent more time on developing her main characters and their attraction for one another than she did on their sex lives. The insta-love on their second date was again too much and much too soon, they barely know each other outside of bed, and the declarations of love seem both ill-timed and a tad hollow.

While this novel works as a standalone, with so many characters in the Garrett family, it's hard to keep them and their offspring straight, so I strongly suggest reading the novels in this series in the order they were written. Cowboy's Christmas Homecoming was an okay read for me, but it was a bit lightweight on both plot and character development and although I liked it, I didn't love it.

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

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

You really feel the pain as Zach comes home from his life in the military and feels that the world has moved on without him. With all his cousins married, he feels on the outside and a third wheel.

When he meets Stephanie it is instant attraction and they are just so great together! Things start to go bad for Stephanie when the murderer escapes from custody and brings along two of his brothers to start to terrorize and harm her.

Zach is more than able to meet the challenge of keeping her safe and does she need his strength and skill set!

It was fun to see the other couples from the previous books and meet their cousin, Zach. Great HEA.

He’s come home from war, haunted by PTSD and trying to fit in to what has become an alien world so Zach isn’t sure he’s up for a noisy, boisterous Garrett Christmas. Stephanie Gale is a firefighter and EMT, who got her life under control…until she locks eyes with Zach and realizes her heart is in a whole new kind of danger.

This holiday romance warms the heart while tugging at every heart string a readers has and there is absolutely no one could not fall far this solider cowboy. The emotional turmoil in this story flows with eager abandon from every page and puts readers though the gauntlet of them all as Stephanie and the Garrett family give Zach back some of what he lost. The characters are strong, compelling, and believable, easily drawing readers into their story while the romance sizzles with lots of chemistry and the holiday makes a perfect backdrop and time for such new beginning for such a wonderful couple.

Surprising twist captivates readers while the hero steals readers’ hearts and the fierce heroine fits perfectly with Zach and readers just know that the couple will definitely have a forever ever after. The steady pace along with all the happenings with family and friends, celebrations, adoptions and births adds such wonderful and delightfully warm feelings that readers can’t help but sigh in happiness and envy as the this romance fills them full of holiday spirit.

I have enjoyed the entire Dark Horse Cowboy series so much, Zach and Stephanie simply added to that enjoyment as extended family. Zach is returning from his time overseas with a lot on his shoulders. His father died while he was away, his mother sold the ranch, and he is dealing with PTSD – in many ways, his life has been turned upside down as he accepts the invitation from his uncle to land at his ranch with family for a while. To find his way again among family who will do everything in their power to help. He didn’t expect to heal, he certainly never saw love in the cards for himself, and a few surprises will change this soldier cowboy in ways he never dreamed possible.

This is a story with some twists and turns, a truly loving and in love extended family, and two adults and two children who are discovering that love comes in all shapes, sizes, ages and needs – and Stephanie, Zach and the kids really, really need each other. We’ll get to catch up with the rest of the now happily together family over the Christmas holiday season. I had such a good time returning to this world. If you love a romance where the family is not the least bit shy of showing they love each other, where no one is a stranger, and a couple who can overcome “life” happening around them as they fall in love – then COWBOY CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING is a story you’ll love. I’d recommend this one or the entire series to any reader who enjoys Modern Western Romance, strong characters, and intriguing plots.

*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.*

Cowboy Christmas Homecoming brings us back to the Garrett family and Big Jim's nephew Zach returning from deployment.
Zach is struggling to adjust being back in Texas seeing that his cousins have moved on with life while he was away the last ten years makes him feel a little unsettled and out of place.
Stephanie is tough she is a firefighter and is so taken with two small children she rescued from a domestic violence situation. She is also taken with a certain member of the Garrett family that just returned.
This book is so amazingly good kudos to June Faver it deserves more than 5 stars.

Dark Horse Cowboys #4, I am so glad the series didn't end with the Garrett Brothers it has now expanded to Zach Garrett their cousin who has been away in the Army. Like with his cousins when Zach meets the woman that was meant for him he's practically 100% all in from the start. It is an easy romance with very few bumps. Zach spent two tours in the military and during his second his dad died and his mom wasn't able to maintain the ranch so when Zach came home he came to his uncle's house not his mother's new home in Ft. Worth. Big Jim welcomed his nephew with open arms. Zach is dealing with a bit of PTSD and feeling like he doesn't fit in with the family any more, but then there is Stephanie.

Stephanie Gale, we met in one of the previous books, is a firefighter/EMT who specializes in confined space retrieval. She recently was called on to a scene where two young children witnessed their step father murder their mother. She was first on the scene and was the one who took the kids to the hospital. Stephanie and the kids formed an attachment and if the social worker wasn't such a *clears throat* wasn't so old fashion Stephanie would have adopted them weeks ago. Unfortunately right before Christmas the step father managed to escape police custody with help of his two brothers. Stephanie worries about the kids but she should be worried about herself too. After her first official date with Zach he bring her home to a destroyed apartment and a couple hours later she's attacked by one of the brothers. Zach's protectiveness amps up he may not have a lot to offer Stephanie but he can protect her until she's no longer in danger.

Stephanie falls for Zach quickly she wants to help him even if that means tracking down Jewel and bringing her here. Trying to track down Zach's dog from overseas took many phone calls being put on hold and transferred a bunch of times, but being a bit sneaky but it payed off. Big Jim has such a big heart he wants what's best for those poor kids so he offers to bring them to his home for Christmas and since Stephanie will be spending the holiday at his house too, well, two birds one stone everyone is happy. That is until Stephanie goes missing.

Overall, great book. It can be read as a standalone even though Leah (from book one of the series) and her pregnancy have a big chunk of this book just about her. It did distract a little from the other storyline but it was nice to see Tyler, Leah and Gracie I just wish it didn't take up so much of the book. I don't want the series to end I kind of want to see Dex, the deputy, get a book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Cowboy Christmas Homecoming
By: June Faber

*REVIEW* 🌟🌟🌟
I fully expected a possible rendition of a Hallmark movie with this story. And I wasn't wrong, which is both good and bad. It's good because Christmas reads should be warm and fuzzy feel good stories. The elements of love, trust, belief, redemption and home were all represented. The bad is that the threshold for predictably and sugar sweetness was breached. A bit too much for me personally. While I did enjoy the story mostly, a little pull back of the wonderful holiday warm fuzziness would have made it more relatable and believable. But, hallmark lovers will love this book!

This story read like fan-fiction. Hurried action, way too much going on, too much sweetness. All it needs is for the characters to call each other honeybunch and sweetums to complete it. I thought from the description that I would be reading something with grit, but it didn’t happen.

THE DELIGHT

The middle of a series did't turn out too bad, but the story was too predictable with a side of way to silly sweet to make it enjoyable. The story line just didn't grab me and it felt off rather than exciting and romantic.

----------------------------------

REVIEW

Zach Garrett is returning home for several tours, suffering from PTSD. His mother sold the ranch while he was gone and all he wanted was to turn to his own ranch to build a life. Instead he heads to his uncles ranch, his cousins and the town he grew up. This isn't his ranch though and he feels a little left out and on edge, but the family won't let that stand. They don't address it all right on, but through subtle acts to let him know they are his family and will be there for him through thick and thin.

Stephanie Gale is a firefighter and EMT with special skills. When she is the first to respond to a call, she finds two kids who witnessed their mother's death by the hands of their stepfather. Bondig with the kids, she so wants to adopt them and become a mom. But her risky job and apartment along with her single status, makes it next to impossible for this to happen.

When Zack and Stephanie meet, they both feel sparks, but take it incredibility slow ....so slow. But with anything, the bad guy escapes a jail transport and now she lives in fear as little things start to happen that make her aware she is in the cross - hairs of the stepfather. Now all she wants to do is protect the kids and thinks she is invincible.

The story suffers from predictability with a side does of the couple never really having a conflict moment to make it seem like they would never get together. It just was your beautiful here, your wonderful there and all the gooey words that after awhile become boring.

It all works out happily ever after, but I feel let down in a western story that brushes a lot under the rug and makes people seem so perfect. Perfect is boring.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. Cowboy Christmas Homecoming is the fifth book in Dark Horse Cowboys series. I really enjoyed this installment. It was really well written and it just had you trying to solve the mystery. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Zach is returning from war and isn't quite sure where he should land. His dad died during his service and his mom sold off their farm. Zach had always thought that he would take over the farm, but with it gone, he's not sure what to do. He ends up heading to a place he spent a lot of his childhood – his uncle's farm.

Stephanie is a firefighter/EMT and loves her job. She is of small stature and is part of a crew where she is sent into small spaces in order to rescue people. Stephanie has known the Garrett family for a while and when she's visiting their farm, she runs in to Zach.

The attraction between Zach and Stephanie is intense. But with both of their lives unsettled at the moment, neither really knows what to do about their attraction. These two main characters were very well developed. I loved watching them lean on each other and their friends and family. Also, watching them navigate their relationship was fun.

This is a sweet story about coming home, accepting what you can't change, and loving yourself. It has some good action and mystery, but it doesn't take away from the romance in the story.

Potential Triggers: Stalking, Murder, Kidnapping

It is a very interesting and lovely story from June. It is so sweet to see a big strong guy falling in love. What a great writer. .

I don't know why I bothered when the other two books in this series fell incredibly short. This one left me feeling the same way. DNF 24%. Constant repetition, no real character development and desperately in need of a good editor.

Talking about Stephanie..."she's....awesome!"

What grown man uses awesome to describe a woman he's falling for? I could maybe see as part of a description, but that was the extent of the description. The !!!! are everywhere in this book, though rarely needed.

The little bit of the book I read was extremely predictable.