A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. Love the small town story where everyone knows what kind of a person you are because everyone knows everyone. This one about Zane and his struggles and also Bryn and her struggles. When you add horses and other animals just adds to the story the love for animals.

Sweetly thrilling, sexy, fun and action packed journey filled with engaging charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and undeniable passion. Was a great read from beginning to end.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I had a hard time getting into this story as I really don't have any understanding of either of their backgrounds and struggles. Zane was just so closed off and really down on himself while Bryn was just too much of a doormat at times.

Throughout the story, you could see Bryn changing her ways a bit at a time but Zane was still firm in his belief that he was no good and wouldn't saddle any woman with a bad choice like him.

I loved seeing the other characters, Logan, Brody, Maddy, and Elle. I really want to know that Brody moves on and finds happiness after the death of his wife. And Elle is finally coming out of her shell and grief and wanting to get to know the town that her late husband loved.

I loved the last part of the book and don't want to give away too much but so glad that someone got through to Zane and I also loved that Bryn grew a backbone and finally said "NO" to someone in need!

Although this is #1 of a new series, the characters were all in the previous series, The Cowboys of Creedence Series. Bryn Callahan has a heart of gold and is a born nurturer, but this has allowed her brother and her last boyfriend to take advantage. She has a 3 legged dog name Lucky, so it is not surprising that she enlists Zane Taylor to help her rescue a mistreated horse. She is very attracted to Zane, but he was abused as a child, still carries the physical and emotional scars and is convinced that everyone he loves or loves him dies, so he tries to push her away from him and onto Veterinarian Brody, a nice guy, widower and father. But the heart knows what it wants and ignores the brain. And then the rescuing snowballs into a menagerie of animals. But she also manages to rescue Zane and widow Elle as they try to help her. This is a beautifully written, heart tugging story with wonderful characters.

I read an ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A Cowboy State of Mind (Creedence Horse Rescue #1). By Jennie Marts. 2020. Sourcebooks Casablanca (ARC eBook). By Jennie Marts. 2020 (ARC eBook).

I really enjoy Marts’ cowboys and I was already rooting for Zane and Bryn when Zane first returns to Creedence in Wish Upon a Cowboy (Cowboys of Creedence #4), and the chemistry between the two was already building. In A Cowboy State of Mind Bryn and Zane take on running a horse rescue ranch. Both are strong workers, and between Bryn’s determination and Zane’s deft way with animals, the rescue really sets the scene for these two to work together, fall in love, and overcome past hurts; especially for Zane, who still battles with past trauma, grief and stigma. This was a really enjoyable read and the devotion of the animals warms the heart. I look forward to more Creedence stories.

I had a lot of hopes for this book, but ultimately it didn't appeal to me. It started off with very little backstory, so the main characters already had a history but I didn't know about it. This led to feeling very little connection with the characters and their romance. I did find them to be very cute at times, and there were occasional sparks of chemistry. However, Zane lacked confidence and it became a bit overdone at times. He has a scar on his face and an abusive father, and this somehow makes him a horrible person? It would have been fine if it were mentioned just a few times, but it was thrown in the reader's face way too much. He and Bryn also came across as pushovers, letting their family members (his dad and her brother) treat them like crap. It didn't make them appealing as individuals for me, they seemed to be very weak. They weren't bad people, they were just very soft people who had moments of strength but let other people push them around a lot.

The story came across as corny at times, and with little to recommend either character, I never felt connected to the romance or plot. I like this author's writing, so I'll try her again, but these characters didn't do it for me.

‘A Cowboy State of Mind‘ begins the ‘Creedence Horse Rescue‘ series, which has a connection to ‘The Cowboys of Creedence‘ series. I happen to be a reader who loves series with connections, it makes the world I’m stepping back into more realistic, and gives me a sense of community which always heightens my enjoyment of any series, no matter the genre. Do you have to have read the earlier series to enjoy this one? No, of course not. Each is their own little world that connects to the larger universe of Creedence. Although, if you can I would certainly recommend ‘The Cowboys of Creedence‘ for it’s an amazing series, in my opinion. (and we may have some cameo appearances by those cowboys at some point)

I’ve fallen in love with this new series at the first book – and I expect a long term relationship with the rest of the series. This story is so good, so realistic that it was easy to fall back into this world with Zane and Bryn. We met them briefly in the previous series, but if you haven’t read ‘The Cowboys of Creedence‘ series do not worry – you’ve missed nothing of their background or story, simply an introduction of secondary characters at that time.

Zane has returned, reluctantly, to Creedence after his father took ill. Why considering how awful a father he’d been and Zane still carries the physical and emotional scars, he felt that need is part of what makes Zane a far better man than the one who sired him. Bryn is a kindhearted soul who would do anything to help anyone, human or animal, and it has cost her in the past. She’s striving to reach a dream and it’s necessary to work double hard because of that kindness to do so, but she will, she has the guts and grits to do anything she desires.

On the surface, they may seem like an unusual couple because of their very different outlooks on life, but at their cores are good people who deserve happiness, even if Bryn has to work hard to get Zane to understand that.

I think I fell in love with the menagerie of animals that made their way, in several fashions, onto Bryn’s ranch which is turning into a Rescue Ranch almost as much as I enjoyed Zane and Bryn’s journey to a happy ending. Almost. I’m definitely looking forward to a return trip in March of 2021 for the release of ‘When A Cowboy Loves A Woman‘ – for more romance, of course, but hopefully running into these delightful animal characters once more as well.

I had such a good time with ‘A Cowboy State of Mind’. It’s realistic, believable, with characters I rooted for from the start to get their acts together and admit their attraction. The animals were a bonus, but I definitely cried a bit at how they’d been treated before ending up at Bryn’s ranch. This is a story that will tug at your emotions, add a few twists, intriguing secondary characters, and a love that was meant to be. I had a blast back in Creedence and if you love a really good love story (and cowboys with animals) then you will, too.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca 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.*

This was a nice story which started off quite well and then lost traction along the way for me. I felt the author got a little lost with the plot mid way through and filled up many pages with long-winded rambling about the animals, which didn't move the story forward.

Beauty and the Beast storyline hooked me. Animal and romance lovers both will adore this! Highly recommend any book by Jennie Marts, especially this one.

Oh, what a heart-breaking background story of the hero, Zane. I started rooting for his HEA right away.
Local diner waitress, Bryn, has her own problems too, but the couple find their way to happiness through a horse rescue. I enjoy reading cowboy romance and Jennie Marts delivers a fine story!

4 stars

A Cowboy State of Mind by Jennie Marts is a beautifully written heartwarming read and I really enjoyed it.
The storyline is entertaining from start to end, the characters are likable and I enjoyed watching the relationship between Zane and Bryn.

Overall, A Cowboy State of Mind is a lovely start to the Creedence Horse Rescue Series and I highly recommend it.

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

If you like horses, animal rescue, a waitress with a heart of gold and and angsty cowboy then A Cowboy State of Mind is the book for you! I don't usually read a lot of contemporary westerns but Jennie Marts wrote a very sweet story and even though I know next to nothing about horses to know if it is a factually correct story, It was an enjoyable story. Bryn is the a waitress in Creedence and local loaner Zane has had his eye on her even though he doesn't feel that he is worthy of her attention. A mistreated horse brings them together but will Zane have the courage to get what he deserves. Together they work at turning Bryn's small farm into an animal rescue. Bryn was truly the kindest soul and a good balance to the tortured soul of Zane. The farm animals were a so much fun and now I am curious to read some of her previous books. So without giving away the story I will tell you that this was sweet with a bit of heat and told from dual POV. It is the perfect book to spend a lazy weekend reading on the deck!

This is a book that I had a hard time putting down. On appearances, Zane looks like a rugged cowboy but his scars run more more than skin deep. Bren, has such a big heart that get her into trouble at times. But when they team up together to rescue horses and more, they open their hearts to more than just the animal rescues. Zane feels that he is broken and does not deserve to have a HEA but will Bren get through those scars?

Loved this book!! The chemistry that Bryn and Zane is hot off the charts. So many laugh out moments. Plenty of emotions that will tug your heart. Add in the secondary characters, yes I'm talking about the four legged ones, it makes for the perfect read.

This is the first book in the series and I highly recommend it!!

This was an absolutely great read, Bryn cares for how people treat others and not how they look while Zane feels like he isn't worthy of much let alone the beautiful and big hearted Bryn, lucky for him due to one good dead he and Bryn are getting to spend a lot of time together which leads to plenty of laughs, sweet times, a splash of sadness, cute and crazy animals along with Bryn and Zane getting to know each other. But both need to work out what do they want in life and most of all Zane needs to realise his past doesn't define him and he is a good man worthy of being loved and loving someone. I look forward to more great reading with this series and excited to see what happens next!!

A Cowboy State of Mind is the first book in the Credence Horse Rescue series. The story involves Zane and Bryn as they finally give in to their attraction and find love and home in each other. This was a pretty angsty romance, but overall, I enjoyed it. I really felt bad for Zane. He had lived his entire life thinking he wasn't worthy of love and that everyone he ever loved left him. His father was the worst! I wanted to shake him until he realized that Bryn was his soft place to fall. Brynn drove me crazy as well until she finally started standing up for herself, especially to her brother. I loved their HEA! I enjoyed the secondary characters as well. I can't wait to see whose story is next. I hope a certain vet gets his love story soon!

The beauty and the beast trope is perfect for this story. Both Zane and Bryn learn to let go of the past even as they build a future. If that doesn’t entice you, read it just for the pig.

4.5 stars

This book delivers a solid one-two punch right to your heart. This is a slow burn, heartfelt romance. Zane and Bryn's story inspires lots of emotions as things unfold. Zane's painful and tragic past made my heart hurt for him. Bryn is his polar opposite in so many ways but she to has her own emotional baggage. I loved these two together and I enjoyed watching them learn to open up to the other and the personal growth they had to go through. I did have a couple of pet peeves with this book. The most important being that I so wish that at some point Zane sought some professional help. Not every issue you have can be fixed by finding love and considering his history, I really think it would have not only served this character and couple well to see proactively deal with his issues, but it would have let the author send an important message about mental health.

A Cowboy State of Mind by Jennie Marts was a terrific book! I loved the location in the small town of Creedence, Colorado. This book was a story full of love, willingness, and acceptance. Animal rescues we so wonderful and that is how the farm began. Bryn and Zane were the main characters and worked well together once Zane got over his issues. This book made me smile with all the craziness of the animal rescues and watching the story develop. I loved the ending. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

“The fallin’ is easy, darlin’. It’s the jumpin’ that takes the strength of will.”

A wonderful start to this new (spin-off) series, A Cowboy State of Mind is a feel good read with emotional depth, a great message, and PUPPIES. Gah, you can’t go wrong with puppies, y’all.

I’ve read many books by Jennie Marts, and she can usually be relied on for charming, small-town romance. This one is no exception. The town bands together, the characters have that down-home likability to them, there are a few mentions of, you know, Him, and after a slightly bumpy ride, you get to close the book with a smile—and hope for the next book.

That’s certainly what happened in my case. I read this book quickly, enjoying every turn of the page, the growth the characters displayed, the heat between them, and the lighter, more humorous moments. While it definitely hits on some emotional topics, overall, it’s a sweet, easy read and definitely one to be savored over a relaxing afternoon or two. I’m looking forward to Elle and Brody finding their HEA soon.

This book was a really sweet! I loved the setting of the small town and the animal rescue. Zane and Bryn were a great team with fantastic chemistry.
There were a lot of fantastic secondary characters like Elle, Brody, Steph, and Logan. However, there are some really crappy ones, too. Why in the world does Zane help Birch at all?! It honestly made me angry.
So, while I enjoyed this story, I'm on the fence of whether or not I would read more of the series.