Soraya Lane has yet another great book! The third in the River Ranch series, but can most definitely be read alone, brings us the story of Cody Ford. He left home after high school, running from his feelings and never looked back. Cowboys, Christmas and Romance, I highly recommend this book!

As Christmas books come out I have to choose which to read before I get overwhelmed. Luckily I read this book early. This was my first book by Soraya Lane. I really enjoyed meeting the family. I liked the characters and story. I will go back and read others in the series. Yes, it can be read as a stand alone.

Millionaire ☑️
Cowboy ☑️
Second chance romance ☑️
Christmas ☑️

So many themes I enjoy all in one book. I found this an easy to read holiday romance.

Cody was the reluctant son returning to the family ranch for Christmas, he had his own reasons. I thought his family was lovely.

Lexi is a nurse, caring for a terminal I'll man who happens to be the dad of her old school sweetheart. This has not been a problem before as his never near, until he is.

A warm romance set in snowy Texas.

3.75

Once upon a Cowboy Christmas is a heartwarming second chance romance. Cody & Lexi were an item in high school. They were serious up until the day Cody left for college & left everyone behind. Now he’s a rich businessman that has come home for Christmas & has encountered Lexi working as his father’s caregiver. Walter Ford has cancer & it’s taking its toll on him. Lexi is also dealing with her mother & Alzheimer’s. The cost of her full time care is almost bankrupting Lexi so she can’t tell Cody what she thinks of him & how he hurt her. She can’t do anything to jeopardize her job & the housing it provides.

This story hits all of my emotional buttons. The writer manages to convey the depth of Lexi’s hurt & anger with Cody & the way he left her behind. Her fear of the future, her bills & her mom’s care comes through in everything she does. The biggest light is her overwhelming love for her son, Harrison. Harrison & Walter add joy & a lightness to some of the emotionally charged moments in the book. As a reader who understands the toll that both cancer & Alzheimer’s can take on a family’s emotions & finances, this story had me in tears at some moments. I really enjoyed this story. It’s message of second chance love & redemption is perfect for the Christmas season.

“Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas” A River Ranch Novel by Soraya Lane
I loved this contemporary romance story. I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review. I did skip the spicy scene(s) and it was still a great story that certainly did play quite the number on my heart-strings. If you have read my reviews you know that I laugh and I cry with/for the characters in the story. And, I do prefer fiction over non-fiction stories 99.9% of the time. Meanwhile, if you typically like the same types of stories I do… you will not want to miss this read. It is worth the read, for sure. Happy Reading !!

It's never too early to start reading Christmas Romances, especially when there are so many and the holiday season isn't long enough to read all the ones I want. When I read the synopsis for Once Upon A Cowboy, I was excited. Two of my favorites things are Christmas and cowboys. That said, this book had the potential to be a five star rating from me. But unfortunately, the hero was a bit too full of himself for me to love. By the end of the book I did like him, however I didn't love him and that was a bit disappointing.

Cody moved on from the family ranch right after high school and didn't look back unless you count the few and far between times he came to visit. He believed he had good reasons which I will not divulge to you because you should read that on your own. I will say that while I understood his reasons for staying away, I didn't feel they were the huge drama he made them out to be. But that is just my own opinion, and one of the reasons I couldn't fall in love with Cody. Also, I didn't feel the connection between him and Lexi. Lexi, I loved. And on her behalf, I was frustrated with Cody. Look, I don't want to downplay his way of thinking too much just because I couldn't connect with him. But I can say that his situation was one that I know personally; it never would have even occurred to me to leave the way he did or stay away so long.

The synopsis for this book gives you good insight into the premise of this story so I won't need to summarize it. You must be wondering why I gave this book four stars after reading how I didn't like Cody. Well the answer to that is easy. The secondary characters and Lexi are who brought me entertainment and kept me turning pages. I especially adored Cody's dad. He was such a wonderful addition to this story which takes place the week leading up to Christmas.

Cody and Lexi's story is the third book in the River Ranch series. I have not read the previous books yet. Because I truly liked Cody's younger brother and sister, I would like to read their books as well. In addition, there is the oldest sibling, Angelica, still to have her great love story told.

While this was my first book by this author, I would like to read more from her. Even though I wasn't a fan of Cody, I enjoyed the author's talent for storytelling; she kept me engaged in the story and that is all I need.

This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. :)

I adored this book from start to finish. Soraya Lane knows how to blend friendship, romance and passion so well that it drew me in and made me feel what the characters were feeling.

Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas is the third story in Soraya Lane’s River Ranch series and tells of the struggle a young man faced with the impending death of a parent and his choice to run from heartache, leaving behind all hope of a happy future.

PTSD, denial, familial chaos, and the lost love of a feisty country girl are just some of the things that are covered in this intensely emotional story. I enjoy the interactions between Cody and Lexi (both good and difficult) and the overall storyline was intriguing pared with a Christmas theme.

I’m looking forward to the next story in this engaging series.

With the Christmas season fast approaching this a wonderful feel good modern day western romance. Our reluctant hero has returned home, for a Christmas visit to his ailing father, and upon arrival he meets his father's beautiful caregiver. He is unable to place her although she seems to be very familiar. He had left home permanently ten years before to avoid watching his mother succumb to cancer. The caregiver, as it turns out, is his girlfriend at that time. She is now divorced with a six year old son. It is soon apparent that this heat between them is still smoldering and will not take much to turn it into a raging inferno. The only question is whether he can overcome his past painful memories and secure a bright future.

I have rated this book 4 stars.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review.

I could NOT find a way to like Cody, and believe me, I tried. His behavior was all over the map, he was snotty and inconsiderate, and expected everyone to just let him do what he wanted, regardless of whether or not it hurt anyone. *SPOILER* Meets one time with a counselor, who promptly decides he has PTSD, so Cody comes back and expects that to explain everything and everyone is just supposed to forgive him. Well, sorry bud. You would have to work damn hard for my forgiveness after the way you treated me and others that loved you. Better get on it before you expect me to fall into your arms and proclaim my undying love. Lexie would do well to think long and hard about being with him, unless she sees proof that he is working hard to improve and mend his ways.

Cody Ford left town at eighteen to escape from the trauma of watching his mother sicken and die. Since then he has rarely been home having made a good living in New York city. Cody also cruelly left behind his girlfriend, Lexi Murphy, without so much as a goodbye. He has returned home for the holidays and to see his father who is now the one ailing.
Lexi has a long standing grudge against Cody so when she seems him again, sparks fly. Lexi has been working as an at home nurse caring for Walter Ford. Seeing Cody brings back all the old hurts and the fact that she has never gotten over Cody despite his heartlessness. As a single mom, Lexi has a lot of responsibilities and not much time for a man who ran away from her and his family.

Now that Cody is back on the ranch, old feelings surface both good and bad and perhaps he is finally ready to deal with his emotions and face his fears. Cody has a lot to answer for and spending with Lexi makes him realizes what and who he lost by leaving. Lexi’s has lots of conflicted emotions about Cody. Christmas miracles are possibility if only they are both willing to accept it.

Obviously Cody was in a bad place emotionally then and now, but I had a challenging time respecting him and his actions. He may be older, but a maturity level seems to be lacking as well as a propensity to swear with the gd word that is jarring for a Christmas story. Lexi is a more sympathetic character and I enjoyed seeing her take some licks out on Cody. He definitely deserved it for the past and some of his present actions. Also I know it’s a minor point, but Boxing Day is not celebrated in Texas or the US. This is book three in the River Ranch series, but can be read as a standalone.

Awwwe - sweet HEA.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Second chance romance stories are fun to read for the most part. Especially when so much is changed in the interim. It’s almost like they are strangers but better because they still had those warm feelings and love from when they were young.

The story was a little different because Cody admittedly had issues surrounding his family. That in turn shut Lexi out as well which led to heartbreak.

Written with deep feelings and emotional attachments to family and ill parents, it was a tough read in spots. Especially, if you have a parent who is aging or going through tough medical issues.

I could not hold Cody’s feelings against him. In fact, I think that endeared him to me even more. Eventually Lexi had to agree.

Learning to handle your emotions and dealing with the scary things we don’t want to have to deal with is what the story is about. Family is a huge connector here as well.

The author brings us a touching story that is emotional, so realistic, but yet very loving too. It’s a heartwarming Christmas story with a magical ending.

This is the first story by Lane I have read, but she captured my attention and I cannot wait for more from her!

Cody is a very successful real estate developer in New York now, but he ran away from everyone he loved in Texas when he was 18 because he couldn’t handle his mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis. Since then, he has built up walls around himself that no one has been able to break down until he returns home one Christmas...

Lexi has been working as the private nurse for the patriarch of a wealthy Texas family for several months. She has grown close to the entire family, even living on the property with her young son. She was initially hesitant to accept the position, as the patriarch’s elder son had been her high school boyfriend. The one who left her behind without a word. Since he lives in New York and seldom returns home, she decided that it wouldn’t be an issue.

When Cody returns to the family ranch for Christmas, he doesn’t even recognize Lexi at first. When he finally realizes who she is, he doesn’t understand why she isn’t happy to see if like every other woman he has ever met has been. Lexi makes it clear that she has no interest in Cody, and wants absolutely nothing to do with him. Can Lexi forgive the man who left her without a word, and as they start to become close, can Cody let the walls that he has surrounded himself fall?

This was my first Soraya Lane novel in the River Ranch series. All I can say is I cried and cried until I had to get the Kleenex box next to me. The Ford Family is getting together for what could be their father's last Christmas. Cody has made it big in the New York Business world and he always dreads his return to his family Texas Ranch. The pages are filled with the phrase "don't care or invest in emotional relationships". Experience this novel of young love reunited and the healing that takes place. "A copy of this book was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." This reads fine as a Stand Alone!

What I liked:
The writing style
Part of a series: River Ranch
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I had a hard time staying interested in this book.

This book is part of a series. I was weary about reading it as a standalone but I did not get lost. This is a second chance love story. I actually liked it but at times I found myself skimming through some of the pages.

I couldn't stop myself from loving Lucas father Walter and Lexi son Harry.

Lexi is one strong woman, single mom and she has to take care of her mother.

I was able to retrieve this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I like Christmas stories, westerns, and romances, so Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas checked a lot of boxes for me! I enjoyed all the complex relationships in this book, especially those between Cody and Lexi, and Walter with the rest of the family. The happily-ever-after ending was satisfying, but it left me wanting to know more about this family of ranchers in Texas.

This is a good book. It kept me wondering if they was going to end up together in the end. It is so good. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. I can't wait to read more by this author.

Running away from feelings..so many of us do that. Cody has avoided home rather than face feelings that started with his mother getting sick and dying. He made a new life with big success. But now his dad is sick and he needs to man up. His high school love has never gotten over him. Now they have a second chance if Cody can work through fear and feelings. I liked the story.

Soraya Lane never disappoints. This book is a must buy for Christmas or whenever you want a romantic cowboy read. Could not put it down once I started. Lots of laughs, a few tears and the great storytelling from Soraya Lane, this book a great addition to the River Ranch series stories. Perfect for a cozy afternoon in with so hot chocolate and a cozy throw and get lost in this magic Christmas love story. Happy reading!