ONCE UPON A COWBOY CHRISTMAS is the third story in the River Ranch series. While there were many parts of Cody and Lexi’s story that I enjoyed (thanks to secondary characters) this is a story that I was rather torn on – not feeling connected to the main characters at times, or simply wishing they’d get over themselves and live in this moment, not in the past. Actions often have far-reaching consequences, this is something that Cody is about to learn firsthand.

Secondary characters can make or break a story for me, and that was very much what happened in ONCE UPON A COWBOY CHRISTMAS. In the end, I finished this one not for Cody and Lexi but because of Cody’s family, and Lexi’s fight for her mother’s health and safety, and her devotion to her son, Harry. Sometimes a story simply doesn’t work for me yet there are portions of the story that keep me reading and liking parts of the overall story – and that is exactly what happened here. I could load this review with spoilers to justify my feelings but that’s not fair to readers who haven’t experienced this book for themselves yet.

So I’m going to leave saying that I liked this one, but didn’t love it while still looking forward to the next story in the River Ranch series. It’s a good book, it simply didn’t connect for me and that’s life, not every book is for every reader. Give this one a try and make up your own mind, this couple’s families make it worth reading and that’s what got the 4 stars.

*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.*

The title of this one led me to expect both a cowboy and a Christmas romance, a second chance romance at that. Other than the story taking place at Christmastime, I never really got the holiday vibe with this one. And Cody does not feel like a cowboy. He's around the horses while he's home, and his childhood home is a ranch, but Cody is a businessman through and through. Regardless of the picture on the cover, I just never pictured him with the Stetson or any of the things I'd expect of a cowboy. The romance is a second chance for Cody and Lexi, but we're told more than we're shown so it's not easy to get behind these two as a couple. There are several secondary characters, and the author does a solid job of giving each of them a distinctive voice, so there's no confusion about who is who. The shining stars in this one were Cody's dad and Lexi's son. I absolutely loved Walter and Harry, and they are what kept me reading until the last. They both stand out in every scene they're a part of, and you can't help but love them. I really would've liked a bit more development of our couple and the romance, especially since that should've been the focus of the story, but it is what it is. In the end, this one was just okay for me.

When tragedy struck his family, Cody was unable to handle the emotional trauma so instead he left his family, his girlfriend and his hometown and only returns home for infrequent visits. He has forged a successful career in business but now that his father is ill, he has agreed to spend the holiday season with his family never expecting that would mean spending the season with the girl whose heart he broke as well.

Lexi has her hands full between caring for her mother, being a caregiver for Cody’s father and a single mother to her son. She hasn’t forgotten the devastation she felt when Cody left her behind and isn’t about to just forgive and forget. As they spend time together, they become close once again but there is one thing he hasn’t told her that could ruin the fragile relationship they have been building.

This is a heartwarming story about love, family and forgiveness with all the feels.

***3.5 stars
A second chance to make a change for the better. Cody has some deep seated issues to work out. Beginning with the loss of his mother, leaving his girl friend with no warning or explanation and then becoming successful in business. But going back to his family home is an eye-opener when he realizes just how badly he acted towards not only family, but friends. Will he make the change to add meaning to his life, or will he be stuck in the past forever?

This book is part of a series and a second chance romance with a sweet HEA. I have not read this author before and was worried about reading a third in a series book and feeling lost, but I was able to follow along just fine; though I did find myself skimming some of the pages. This story is an emotional read and deals with family, illness, aging, reconnecting, growing, strength, forgiveness, and love. The characters have a lot of past hurts and lingering questions and doubts to wade through to get to their happy ending. It was a decent read to pass some time, but I was not as engaged with the characters or overall story as I had hoped to be. There was nothing that really stood out to push it to a great read for me, but still pleasant just the same. I would still have no problem trying other stories from this author.

*Thank you to the publisher for the ARC, received via NetGalley. I am providing my honest review.

Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas by new to me author Soraya M. Lane, is a nicely written holiday romance with a ton of emotion and longing. The story takes place in small town Texas, where the two main characters were high school sweethearts about fifteen years ago. Lexy Murphy is now a nurse and Cody Ford is a successful financier on Wall Street. Cody left Lexy, without even a goodbye, right after high school ended. He had to get out of town, unable to face the tragic loss of his mother. Cody prefers his job in NYC to life on his family's very successful ranch, and only returns home when it is absolutely necessary.

Cody's father is dying of cancer, so spending Christmas with his family is the right thing to do. He learns that Lexy is his father's caregiver, when he runs into her in the kitchen. At first Lexy is uncomfortable being around Cody, however, she needs her job in order to care for her young son and pay for her mother's nursing home bills. Overtime, they rekindle their feelings for each other, as they deal with the tremendous stress in their respective lives.

I enjoyed this book about the meaningfulness of the holiday season. Not only are the Lexy and Cody interesting, the secondary characters, especially Lexy's son Harry, are engaging. Lexy is a strong, independent woman and her determination is inspiring. The sexy times between Lexy and Cody are hot, both in and out of the bedroom. Overall, a wonderful holiday romance with great characters, an entertaining plot and more than a hint of spice.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

I struggled to read this book. There I said it. Why? I don't know if it was because I didn't read the first two in the series or if I just really did not like Cody. This book is book three in the series and can be read as a standalone. I just did not feel it though. Cody is a selfish, pain in the backside. He came home for Christmas because his dad has cancer. When he walks in on his dad's nurse, he does not recognize her as his ex girlfriend. Who he crushed when he ran away years ago. He ran away, not just left. Again the selfish pain in the rear is showing. Lexi is a sweetheart. My heart went out to her and she is the bright one in the relationship when they finally allow themselves to have the second chance. Of course there is a struggle and a secret. Can they overcome it? There is an HEA, so yes. But the journey was not an easy one.
This book did not hook me HOWEVER that is just my opinion.

Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas is a book permeated by grief. First, about Cody's mother, who died some years previously and whose passing he took especially hard - but in a way that was not understood by all of his family or his then-girlfriend: he basically ran away. In doing that, he abandoned the heroine, which is a major issue they eventually have to work through. Second, there is also sort of a stage of pre-mourning of his father, who is dying. And, third, there is the heroine's mother's situation living in an assisted care facility, as she has Alzheimer's disease. A facility that is being closed down.
I found the first half of the book to be boring and I didn't think there was any sexual tension between the main characters. There was a lot of showing and not telling, especially concerning the hero's actions. We are *told* he was a great person back then, that the relationship the main characters shared in the past was important to both of then, but, really, Cody comes off as so callous that the explanation the author gives to his actions latter on in the book seems almost like a cop out and makes it kind of hard to think he was not a jerk at some point in time. I also thought that the characters' motivations were weak. The heroine, Lexi, made little to no impression on me.
Overall, it was an okay book.

First off, the blurb about this book isn't exactly accurate. It says the hero, Cody, left years ago because the small town girl just wasn't good enough for him. He left because he couldn't stand to see his mother die inch by inch. It also says that he returns home because his father isn't getting any younger. Cody's father is terminal and making it day to day on pain meds. Enough said.
I love Christmas books and I love cowboys! This book does double duty, even though Cody is a cowboy transplant into the city. Lexi, the girlfriend he left behind, is living at Cody's family ranch and taking care of his father. The two have lots of issues to work through.
My favorite characters were probably Cody's father and Lexi's young son. They added a lot of sugar and spice to the story.
This is probably my third cowboy romance by this author and I have enjoyed them all. Her characters are interesting and the plots flow well. I've just discovered that she also writes women's historical fiction revolving around women during war time and their contributions. I think I'm going to read those, too!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I really liked the Ford family and their River Ranch in Texas. They were a complicated family with strong opinions and characters. They lost their mother and now were losing their father to cancer. It was interesting to see how each member had dealt with their mom's death and their dad's prognosis.

I really felt for Cody and how he had run away before his mom died to avoid feelings of any kind. He had even left his girlfriend, Lexi behind as he fled to New York City. It was interesting to see he had built walls around his heart and was not willing to get close to anyone to avoid pain.

Soraya Lane wove a beautiful, complicated story full of emotions,secrets and a family that still struggled with their losses. This story touched my heart as I felt their emotions while I was reading the story. I fell in love with the characters too. They felt so real, so raw, so vulnerable and yet they all loved each other and had each other's backs.

I also liked Lexi, who was the dad, Walter's caregiver and Cody Ford's old girlfriend before his mom got sick. The losses she has been through and her mom having Alzheimer's added to the story. Lexi still loved Cody even though he had really hurt her.

I enjoyed how the story came full circle for Cody and his past. I was surprised by how the book ended and I want to return to River Ranch. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

This is my first time in reading this author with it being a great discovery. In here we meet Cody whom would like to completely shake the dust on his feet but there are some whom still pull him back. Upon this holiday he meets up with his father's nurse Lexi whom he is well aware of and throws him off. Second chance you see one reason to enter this holiday. He will need the holiday magic that will be sprinkled in here with us receiving delight as each page is turned. I adore when two stubborn people find out what is really going on.

I just love Christmas and I love cowboy stories. So when I got the opportunity to read the third book in the River Ranch series, after also reading the first two books, I just couldn’t resist. I mean who doesn’t love romantic Christmas story about a cowboy?

In ‘Once Upon A Cowboy’ Cody Ford returns home for Christmas after rarely coming home for over a decade. Cody has made a success for himself and just doesn’t really want to think about the past and everything he left behind all those years ago. But when Cody sees his father after months, and realizes he is a lot sicker than he let on, he knows he has to stay a little longer. After seeing the woman who takes care of his sick father, and who happens to be his ex-girlfriend Lexi, Cody is torn about what to do. He really wants to run on the one hand, but he also really wants to get to know Lexi again.

After reading the first two books in this series, I really couldn’t wait to read this book too. And I was happy to find myself enjoying this book just as much as the previous two. The two main characters Cody and Lexi are really fun to read about. Cody, this successful guy who has been hiding from his feelings for a very long time and happens to find the one girl he loved in his old home. And Lexi, the single mom who has to work like crazy to get every bill paid. I loved Lexi. She was so tough and such a great mom.

The chemistry between Cody and Lexi is there from the start. And it was fun to read how there relationship developed. I also really enjoyed reading little bits about the characters from the previous two books.

The Christmas charm in this book was a little hard to find if you ask me. It wasn’t bad, but I could easily forgot that it was almost Christmas. There was snow, and it was cold.. but there wasn’t a lot of Christmas feelings in this book. I didn’t miss it, but seeing the title of this book I just expected there to be more.

Overall I really enjoyed Cody and Lexi’s story. And I can’t wait to read the book about the fourth Ford sibling. If you looking for a fun, romantic cowboy story.. This is definitely the series for you!

Though part of a series, you can read this book as a stand-alone book. Way back when, Lexi and Cody were sweethearts, until he ran away when he could not face his mother dying, without so much as a word to Lexi. Just about everyone else is also mad at Cody for running off rather than stay to “face the music”. Cody has returned because his father has cancer and is dying. Upon his return, when Cody first set eyes on Lexi, who is his father’s nurse, he does not recognize her, though she does look familiar. However, he realizes quickly how much his dying father and Lexi, his nurse get along well together. For her part, Lexi has never gotten over Cody and how his leaving hurt. Still, the old flame is there, and sparks begin to fly again as Cody settles in for his stay at the ranch. Though conflicted about staying or going home early, Cody begins to understand what his actions meant and how much he has to answer for. Spending time with Lexi helps him realize just what he threw away all those years ago, while Lexi herself has lots of conflicted emotions about it all. Can the holiday work its magic on this pair?

Cody was an interesting character, and I had a hard time liking and relating to him. He seemed a bit selfish, taking and wanting what he wanted when he wanted it with others be dammed, and he really needed to clean up his colorful language. I wondered just how other readers would take him. On the other hand, Lexi was a sympathetic soul, though she did get some verbal licks on Cody. Lexi also was a strong nurturing, caring woman, who treated her son as well as Cody’s father well. The ending came on suddenly for me, because, seemingly all at once, Cody is fixed, his problems and issues gone, and everything turns out wonderful. I realize this is a second chance Christmas romance, but come on! I received this from Net galley to read and review.

2.5 stars

Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas
River Ranch Series Book 3
Release Date: October 29, 2019
Review Copy Provided by the Publisher

Normally I would never read a book that’s the third in a series if I haven’t read the first two. It sends my OCD into overdrive. But I decided to live dangerously and give it a go. I didn’t feel like I was missing pieces to the puzzle from previous books, but it felt odd. This is not the authors fault, of course. I was a rebel for once, and I’ve decided that it’s overrated! LOL!

Anyways, this was a sweet romance with some angst sprinkled in. There wasn’t as much “heat” in the sexy times department as I would have liked, but I’m a floozy for that stuff. There was definite lust simmering, and tons of chemistry.

I like the second chance romance trope, and I really liked that these two had so much history between them. It was interesting to see how they both grew into themselves over the years that they were apart.

Cody, the hero, was a bit too cocky for my liking. Maybe a bit smug? I was able to warm up to him after a while, but I’m still not a huge fan. Lexi was just kinda...meh. I don’t know, I guess I couldn’t connect with her character. I wasn’t all that invested in Cody and Lexi’s story.

Overall, this book was ok, but it just fell a bit flat for me. The plot was solid, but the hero and heroine didn’t make my heart flutter.

*Disclaimer: I tend to dislike second chance romances* This one was just...okay. The main characters seemed mostly shallow. Lexi and Cody never really connected for me. They brought a lot of their past issues up several times throughout this book making it seem unlikely that they will stay happy in a HEA.

Cody Ford is a businessman who left Texas and his family behind. He left without even a goodbye to his girlfriend Lexi. This Christmas he just wants to just stay in New York and not face his family and their endless questions about settling down. When he finds out his father is ill Cody doesn’t want to miss a chance to see him and the rest of the folks back on the ranch. When he gets back to the ranch the last person Cody was expecting to see is working as his dad’s new caregiver.
Lexi is Cody’s former girlfriend and she still holds a grudge against Cody. He left without a word. Now he’s back and she has no time for him. Of course now Cody can’t help but see her as the one he let get away. Is she the one he’s been waiting for all along? Can Cody prove to Lexi that, this time, he means business or will she tell him no thanks?
A solid second chance romance

Title: Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas
Author: Soroya Lane
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Once Upon a Cowboy" by Soraya Lane

My Rationalization:

This was quite an interesting story that involved 'a millionaire, cowboy, second chance at romance, and during
the Christmas holiday.' We find a son [Cody] who is returning for Christmas to the family ranch in Texas. Why had he not been coming home very often after the death of his mother? And what will happen after he returns home and finds his old flame Lexi who is a nurse is caring for Cody's father Walter? What other problems will come up from this holiday visit that will bring problems to Lexi's life as she has becomes involved with her ex-sweetheart? I will say that all of the characters from this story were very interesting with my favorite being the father and Lexi's son Harry.

I will say that for about 3/4 of the read I really didn't care for the hero but by the end of this story with Cody realizing that he needs some help, [therapy] I did change my mind about him. I think that part was so very important to this story. After all, is said and done I found this story a good read that will keep you turning the pages to see if there will be a rekindling of a romance that will end in an HEA for these two.

Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. It is book three in a series but I thought it read very well as a standalone because I have not read any of the previous books and I didn't feel lost or confused at all. I found the story to be engaging and well written. Cody and Lexi's romance is rich with emotion, turmoil and tension. I really liked Lexi. I found her character very relatable and easy to connect with. As for Cody, I thought he was just OK. I could feel for him but if I was in Lexi's shoes I'm not sure I could have forgiven him. Still, I thought that this was a very good read.

This was a super cute second chance romance! Cody left everything behind trying to escape the death of his mom and coming home for christmas nearly a decade later has him confronting things better left in the past. Lexi would like to tell Cody what a jerk he is and then never see him again but the heart does funny things that cant be ignored if you want happiness. The characters and family unity that this book shows is heart warming. Second chances sometimes are life changing and christmas miracles do happen!

ONCE UPON A COWBOY CHRISTMAS is the third instalment in Soraya Lane’s contemporary, adult RIVER RANCH erotic, romance series focusing on the Ford siblings. This is thirty two-year old New York investor and businessman Cody Ford, and nurse / single mother Lexi Murphy’s story line. ONCE UPON A COWBOY CHRISTMAS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Cody and Lexi) ONCE UPON A COWBOY CHRISTMAS follows the rekindling relationship between investor and businessman Cody Ford, and nurse Lexi Murphy. Fifteen years earlier Lexi Murphy’s heart was destroyed when her high school sweetheart left town without so much as a good-bye. Fast forward to present day wherein Lexi is now the in-house nurse for the ailing Walter Ford, where she will come face to face with the man that walked away without looking back. Enter billionaire investor Cody Ford. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship and romance between Cody and Lexi, and the potential fall-out when their time together comes to an end.

Cody Ford rarely comes home but the Christmas holidays meant quite possibly visiting his father for the very last time. What Cody never expected was to find the woman he once loved, a woman whose heart he destroyed when he walked out of her life. Lexi Murphy is a single parent whose heart belongs to her seven year old son but seeing Cody Ford brings with it too many memories from the past, memories that continue to push Cody out of her life.

The relationship between Cody and Lexi is one of second chances. Cody Ford didn’t recognize our heroine further adding insult to Lexi’s already broken heart. Offering only a few night together, with no promise for the future, Cody finds himself spiralling out of control, struggling between going back to New York or staying home. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Cody’s siblings: Mia Ford (Cowboy Stole My Heart #1), Tanner and Lauren (All Night with a Cowboy #2), sister Angelina Ford, and their father Walter; as well as Lexi’s seven year old son Harrison.

ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS COWBOY is a story of family, loss, grief and second chances. The premise is heart breaking but encouraging ; the characters are sassy and broken; the romance is spicy and captivating.



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