I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining.

Unfortunately this one was a DNF for me. I am finding it’s hard to jump into the middle of a series. There were just too many characters to keep track of. And I was hoping for a story more focused on the couple than the community. At some point I’ll try this series from the beginning and circle back to this book. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book!

Maverick traveled with his grandmother to Ireland. While there he meets a woman named Bridgett. The two of them found that the bound, connection between them was strong all the way to the bedroom and outside of it as well. Thinking that neither one would see the other one again Maverick is surprised when he sees Bridgett at his grandmother’s ranch. Things are different though with Bridgett now she is the guardian of baby Lela because tragically her friends passed. Though her heart is happy to see Maverick her mind is telling her to stay away, for she can’t be with someone who may end up dead like Lela’s parents. She is thinking about the baby. But will the feelings Maverick has for Bridgett and also the baby be enough to keep him home? Home and happy away from the rodeo and a brand new life. Read this good book to find out.

Four stars: A delightful romance with holiday cheer and terrific characters.

On the last night of his vacation in Ireland, Maverick Callahan happens into an Irish pub. There, he meets a feisty, Irish, red headed bar tender. The two spend an amazing night together before he heads back to America. Neither expects to see the other again, but both leave a piece of their hearts behind. One year later, Bridget’s fortune has changed drastically. She lost her beloved granny and became an instant mother after her friend dies unexpectedly leaving Bridget the care lone caretaker of her infant daughter. When her granny’s life long best friend, Iris, reaches out and offers Bridget a job on her Texas ranch, Bridget accepts the short term job until she figure things out. A few days later, her heart drops to her toes when the very same Maverick Callahan strolls through his grandma’s front door. Will there be a Christmas miracle in store for Bridget?
What I Liked:
*You can’t go wrong with a Carolyn Brown romance, especially a Christmas romance. I liked that this book was packed with all that you love about the holiday season from snow storms, cookies, mistletoe, trim trimming and more. Settle in with a cup of something warm, a blanket and spend an afternoon in Texas.
*I liked that this one featured a sassy, red headed Irish girl. You don’t get Irish girls in Western romances, so Bridget was something different. I loved her sass and her stubbornness as well as her kind heart. I liked that she was genuine.
*Maverick is a wild cowboy not looking to settle down, or so he thinks until one feisty Irish girl moves into his grandmother’s house with a small baby in tow. It was charming to see this rough cowboy fall head over heels for two Irish lasses. I liked that Maverick was kind and caring and patient as well. He was the perfect male lead.
8Iris, the elderly grandmother, steals the show. Iris is a former Irish girl herself, and believe me she is full of spunk and sass. I loved that she was always telling like it is. She is also stubborn and fiercely independent. Her sharp tongue made me giggle. I loved Iris!
*If you want holiday cheer, this book has it. Think snow storms, animals, Christmas cookies, kisses under the mistletoe, Christmas carols as well as holiday programs and Christmas miracles. This one was bursting with holiday spirit. The best holiday book I read in 2019.
*The romance is an interesting one. It starts with a night of heated passion. Then it settles in for a long slow dance. I liked that it took plenty of time for this one to find it’s footing. Friendship and trust had to be established before it picked up speed.
*The ending was just right. All ended in a good spot for this pair, but another couple is waiting in the wings. I am eager to see the next romantic pairing.
And The Not So Much:
*Even though I liked Bridget’s spunk, there were a few times where her temper got out of hand. She was one who was quick to lash out before knowing the facts.
*The book needed way more of Iris. I was a little sad about Iris’s final decision.

Christmas with a Cowboy is another charming holiday romance from the talented Mrs. Brown. This is a book that will steal your heart and put you in the mood for the holidays. Grab this one anytime you want a cheerful romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

This was the first book I've read from this author and I really enjoyed it. The story was different from anything I've read recently and really captured my attention. It was so well written and the characters were fantastic.

Carolyn Brown never disappoints and her newest, Christmas with a Cowboy, is fantastic, especially for fans of Hallmark romances.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Christmas, hot cowboy, international romance - what more do you want in a book?

Maverick and Bridget had a one night fling in Ireland and a year later are thrust together to care for a friend and relative. Can one night turn into forever? Well I wont spoil it but I was definitely pleased with the results and am clamoring for a sequel featuring Paxton and Alana.

I love Carolyn Brown and her novels are always entertaining. This one was no exception. It felt just a little off because of the Irish connection but she still delivered on an emotional level and that's what it's all about. If you love stories that involve babies this is your jam.

Christmas with a Cowboy, is a sweet Christmas romance. I rely liked the story and was pulling for the couple to end up together. I am a huge Carolyn Brown fan but tend to shy away from the cowboy books, this story may just change my mind

I really enjoyed reading this story. It was easy and romantic and had a great deal going on without being to complicated or drawn out. You felt like the couple really deserved to be together. And you felt like you really wanted to visit that place and know those people.

Christmas with a Cowboy is the fifth book in Carolyn Brown's Longhorn Canyon series and the fourth title in the series I've read, and once again, it was a wonderful and charming read with a likable cast of characters, not much action, drama, or graphic sex , no real subplots or violence, but a whole lot of heart instead, and it gets 4.5 stars from this reader.

As the novel opens, Maverick Callahan steps into a pub on his last night in Ireland. He'd accompanied his Irish-born Granny, Iris, the woman who raised him, on a visit to her childhood home town, to see her lifelong best friend. It's at that pub where he meets and is charmed by the pretty, red-haired bartender, Bridget, and the two end up having a one-night stand, without even exchanging last names or phone numbers, but both wishing they'd met sooner.

One year later, Maverick is back on Granny Iris' ranch, she's had hip replacement surgery, her long-time ranch foreman is away, and Maverick has taken leave from his own job on another Texas ranch to help her out. Iris has also hired a housekeeper to help her with the cooking, cleaning and other household chores, and Maverick is shocked to discover that the new housekeeper is Bridget, who turns out to be the granddaughter of the best friend Iris visited in Ireland, and Bridget is not alone--she has an adorable baby girl, Laela, with her, one who looks an awful lot like Maverick. No, wes oon learn that it's not Maverick's child, it's Bridget's goddaughter, the daughter of her best friend and fellow bartender, Deirdre, and Deirdre's boyfriend, Jimmy, both of whom died in a tragic car accident, and, having no other family to take custody of Laela, leaving Bridget to raise Laela alone.

In the past year, both Bridget and Maverick have not forgotten their attraction for one another,and both have regretted not exchanging contact information. They haven't met anyone since who elicited the same spark in either of them, yet Bridget is due to return to Ireland for Christmas, and although the attraction between these two is palpable, neither wants Granny Iris to know about their one-night stand, or their still strong attraction to one another. Additionally, Bridget's first duty is to her new "daughter", one that she takes seriously, and her second duty is to Iris, who, while still not fully recovered from her surgery, climbs a pear tree, falls re-injures her hip, and is soon back in the hospital, leaving Maverick and Bridget alone on her ranch, and taking over Iris' regular duties, like teaching Sunday School at church, training those students for the upcoming Christmas recitals. baking Christmas cookies, and various other pre-Christmas duties, like putting up the tree, decorating the church, and more--and the plus side for Maverick is that Bridget now has to extend her stay at the ranch while Iris convalesces in a rehab facility.

It's not long before Bridget and Maverick act on their strong attraction to one another, but Bridget's first and foremost duty is to baby Laela, and, as she and Maverick are drawn to one another, Maverick is also drawn to adorable, little Laela. Although he's never been in love, and certainly never expected to be, he can't ignore his feelings for Bridget and Laela, and what follows is a lot of waffling--from Bridget, wondering how she could possibly leave her homeland, and not someday regret it, knowing that Granny Iris did just that to marry her late husband. If her relationship with Maverick deepens, will she someday regret leaving her homeland and come to resent him? There's even more waffling from Maverick, who, as an employee at another ranch, feels that he has nothing tangible to offer Bridget, and knowing that he's always specialized in one-night stands. While I usually complain about too much waffling in my book reviews, in the case of this novel, it worked for me. Leaving one's homeland is a major life decision, and it's not an easy decision to make. Bridget also has to wonder if Maverick's obvious love for baby Laela is stronger than his feelings for her. Since Maverick has a hard time expressing his deeper emotions, or even recognizing them, both characters act as adults should, considering all aspects of what their decisions will mean moving forward.

While this novel does use the love at first sight trope, this doesn't turn into an insta-love romance at all. The introspection of these principle characters made them feel real, and their depth of character, and the choices they face was, quite simply, a welcome relief from the usual insta-love, insta-lust in so many of the romance novels I've read. While the pace of this novel is slow and steady, the HEA ending is well worth the time it takes to get there. If you're looking for a heartwarming romance novel that will give you the warm fuzzies this Christmas, I am very happy to recommend this one.

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

If you are like me every time I see a new Carolyn Brown book, you have to pick it up and read it. This can be read as a stand alone but part of the Longhorn Canyon series. A modern Texas story. Cute. Nice reading.

What a happy, light, feel-good story.

Bridget and Maverick had a one night stand and did not expect to see each other again. Little did they know, both of the grandmothers were plotting to get them together and Iris did succeed in putting them in the same roof.

Bridget and Maverick had a lot of chemistry and I am glad they got their happy ending. I was hoping there was a little more drama to the story, maybe having Maverick try a little harder or have some competition... or maybe have Bridget go back to Ireland or at least threaten to do so would have made the book a little more exciting for me. But overall a good, quick read

When Maverick Callahan met the perfect woman a year before in Ireland, he had certain he would never see her again. When he heads home to help his grandmother at her ranch while she recovers from surgery, Maverick discovers she has hired a helper, a woman with a baby. The woman is none other than Bridget O'Malley, the woman who stole his heart in a single night.

As it turns out, both of their grandmothers were very dear friends. Now that Bridget has lost hers, she is asked to come to America to help out. This is a true blessing, because Bridget not only has very little funds to go on, she is now guardian to her best friend's baby. Not only will Bridget and the baby have somewhere to stay for the holidays and beyond, she will be able to save money.

Imagine the shock when Bridget and Maverick lock eyes on one another again! Apparently Maverick wasn't the only one who fell. Bridget did as well. However, they never shared last names or phone numbers. And here they are again. But Bridget has the baby's future in mind, not romance, so she is not willing to give into her feelings.

Maverick is gifted with children, as his interactions with the baby proves. What is more, is that there is a part of the book that sparked a bit of humor when it comes to his baby magic skills. Meanwhile, Maverick is a very caring and protective man towards his grandmother, and would be perfect for Bridget. Will these two find forever happiness and become a family?

Christmas with a Cowboy is a wonderful addition to the Longhorn Canyon series. I have enjoyed every story thus far. The fifth book in this delightful and engaging series is Cowboy Courage, which will be released in January.

Many thanks to Forever and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story is definitely swoon worthy and very sweet!

A rugged Texas cowboy gets into the Christmas spirit to prove himself to the woman he loves in this heartwarming fifth novel of the USA Today bestselling series.

Maverick Callahan lives up to his reputation as a freewheeling cowboy. But a year ago he fell head-over-heels for an extraordinary woman he met while on vacation, a woman he was convinced he'd never see again. So when she appears on his doorstep like a Christmas miracle, Maverick is determined not to waste his lucky break.

Bridget O'Malley's world has flipped upside down. As the new guardian of her best friend's baby, she hasn't had a moment to think about the Texas rancher who broke her heart. He's just as sexy as ever, but she knows better than anyone that he's not the settling-down type. As the trees are trimmed and mistletoe hung, will some holiday magic help Bridget trust this carefree cowboy with her heart and her future?

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, pain, secrets, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Cowboy Bold (Longhorn Canyon #1)
Cowboy Honor (Longhorn Canyon #2)
Cowboy Brave (Longhorn Canyon #3)
Cowboy Rebel (Longhorn Canyon #4)


This is Bridget and Maverick’s story. Maverick and Bridget met on vacation and they hit it off and fell for each other. But he left and went back home. When she shows up on his doorstep he is surprised but also happy about it as this gives him another chance and maybe getting a future with her. But Bridget has other things on her mind and might not be on the same page as Maverick. He needs to get her to see that they have chemistry and could make a relationship work before she walks out of his life.

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

I am so glad that I am finally done with this book and can move on to the next one. Geesh!! What a drag this book was!! This story dragged on and on. In spite of the dragging feet, it kept me interested 30% of the time. I wouldn’t necessarily call this a bad book, but I will state that this book and this author style of writing is not for me. I will tell you more about that later, but first let's celebrate the wonderful season of Christmas romance. This story takes place around Christmas and the cover is absolutely beautiful.

Maverick is in Ireland with his Nana when he strolls in a pub and meets red-headed cutie named Bridget. They hit off instantly and the connection they share is almost like love at first sight and I was there for it. One year later, Maverick is headed back to his home ranch to help out while his grandma heals from a recent hip surgery. He gets a Christmas surprise in the form of Bridget and a beautiful baby girl name Laela. Bridget and Mavericks grandmothers were childhood best friends and Bridget has come to the states to work on the ranch for Maverick's grandmother. The big question is whether they will succumb to the electric spark that they shared in Ireland and will Bridget stay in Texas to pursue love.

The characters Maverick and Bridget had chemistry and they both were afraid to take that leap with love. Bridget was a great character with a great heart. Bridget's best friend from Ireland had recently perished in a car accident and left behind an infant. Being that Bridget is the godmother, she was granted full custody and full responsibility for the adorable little girl. I liked Maverick too and I loved the family dynamic between him and his Nana. Speaking of Nana, she was a spicy old girl and she was very entertaining. She has tasked Bridge and Maverick with fulfilling her Christmas duties around time and for the church. The Christmas theme really shown through.

This is where the positives end because I did not enjoy myself because I was so bored. The romance was flat and the spice was absent. As I stated before, I liked Maverick and Bridget together, but this was a slow burn for sure. I, personally, will not be reading anymore books from this author because I am just not a fan of her writing style. This story was flat with no climax and I do not recommend it.

CHRISTMAS WITH A COWBOY is the fifth title in the Longhorn Canyon series and one of my favorite Modern Western Romance series by Carolyn Brown. This time we’ll get Maverick’s story and the woman who got away with his heart without even knowing it, Bridget. It seems fair since she felt the same way about Maverick and was heartbroken when he left – although she didn’t give him the means to contact her again, that was her choice. Now fate and perhaps some best friend grandmothers’ nudges (both here and in heaven) will show them what they could have together, a family full of love ready to be claimed – if they’re willing to risk their hearts again.

What you really need to know before picking up CHRISTMAS WITH A COWBOY is in the Cover Description. What that doesn’t tell you is the emotional level of this one is high. I loved watching Maverick with the baby, enjoyed seeing Bridget slowly trust and lower her walls. With a bit of help from Maverick’s beloved (and lively) grandma, and the special magic of the Christmas season this couple will discover that love lasts when you give it a chance. I had such a good time with characters I’ve come to love once again and would not hesitate to recommend this story or the entire series to any reader who loves a really good romance, strong men and women allowing love to soften them just a bit. I had fun and that’s the entire point.

*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.*

Carolyn Brown’s fifth novel in the Longhorn Canyon series, Christmas with a Cowboy is a perfect novel to ease readers into the holiday season of reading enjoyment. The book follows the story of Bridget and Maverick who happen to meet back up after having a one night stand and losing contact months before in Ireland. However, things are different than they were all those months ago with the inclusion of Bridget’s guardianship of her friend’s baby and her work in the home of Maverick’s grandmother. As Bridget and Maverick end up spending more time together, Carolyn Brown turns up the heat and chemistry. This small town holiday romance is an extremely enjoyable addition to the Longhorn Canyon series.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Second Chance Romance

Bridget and Maverick meet in Ireland during a trip that Maverick didn't want his grandma to take alone. Iris, Maverick's grandma, is originally from Ireland and she goes back to visit her best friend, Bridget's grandma.

However, somewhere else in Ireland is where Bridget and Maverick meet. They have an amazing night together and then part ways, believing that they will never see each other again. Fate, however, has a different plan. When Bridget has immense loss in her life, Iris is there to lend a helping hand.

These two characters get a chance that few do – they get to try for real, under real circumstances. Bridget and Maverick learn each other for real this time and get to do it surrounded by people who are cheering them on.

I will say that at times, I found myself skimming through the pages, as it was a slower story. However, it was wonderfully developed and, despite the predictability, gives new hope for the coming holiday season.

Potential Triggers: Death