This is the first time I've read this author. I saw the great cover and the fact that it was a holiday book and I was in.

I really enjoy trying new authors. Sometimes it's a hit were others not so much. Unfortunately for me, this one is not so much. I did like both Griff and Riley and liked the idea of the story but just couldn't get into it.

I felt for Riley and her past issues. I know she has problems even today with what she did in her past. It's sometimes hard to move on.

At times Griff was a little harsh with her and I didn't enjoy that. I know he's a good guy and you do see that which is why in the end I ended up liking him.

There are times where I really liked this book but at other times I just didn't really care enough about them to want to keep going. Because it was an ARC I did make myself finish it. I always try to find ARC's. But I'm not sure this series is one that works for me.

I do believe that there are people out there that will love her books and enjoy this one. Everyone's taste is different. That's why I like trying new to me authors.

Will his healing sign her walking away from him ...

This is my fourth western romance in a short span of time, and I am coming to like them more and more. And while I do not like to read about day to day life, to close to home, as I prefer to be transported by my reads, the western world is an enigma for me the little frenchy woman.
The main characters are two very damaged persons, one who seems to have completed her recovery when the second still struggles to adjust and refuse to accept he might not going back to his previous life.
Riley has left her addict’s life behind, carving a new one in a small town, and while she has rather recovered, she still believes herself as undeserving, why she does not fight when some are threatening what should be her inheritance. And she does the same with Griff, she can’t believe he would choose her over miss Perfect.
So scarred to hope for too much she would rather turn her back to a possible future without even trying her luck, so afraid to face désappointement.
Griff is on military leave, yet relying on going back to his career and awkward among civilians. He still has panic attacks and bouts of temper.
He is now back to his hometown, only to lick his wounds with no other prospect than quieting his mind to be able to enlist again.

So for them to rekindle their unfinished affair, it leaves them clumsy around one another, misinterpreting each other’s moves, having trusting issues and seing things there is not.

Outside the main couple, there is a wide panel of side characters, some very mean, other lacking resolve plus very supportive one.
I liked to see some reaching a full arc, looking them grow, finding their inner strength and voice when others got their eyes opened and found their right comeuppance.
And while Riley appears as the stronger one, always cheerful, never miserly with her affection, she is also a coward when it comes to the matter of the heart, she retreats from others using her past as a shield. She runs away when love is involved.
I have not read the previous book in this series so I do not know if her past life was more detailed, as I understand she was an addict teenager but I would have liked to understand why she was so scarred by strong men in general and shouting men in particular.

I would have shook them quite a few times, he for not standing for himself sooner, not enough firm and his own wants and she for pushing him away then jealous then walking away because she does not want to hurt if she fails.
4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas (Blue Sky Cowboys #2) s the first book I have read and reviewed by Joanne Kennedy. This is a story that takes place at Christmas but is a read anytime story. Griff has struggles due to military service and Riley has some issues from her past. At times they are they worst enemies not believing that they deserve the love and acceptance that all need. They are more then deserving. These questions that they wrestle with could be ones that resonant with many of us.

The story is well written with many supporting characters. While I haven’t read the first in the series I still had not problem following along with everyone in the town. I found the characters complex and at times even perplexing. That is pretty realistic. I also found myself wanting to help them along so that they could see themselves as I did, characters to be admired and cheered along in life to keep going.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Griff and Riley are both broken souls. This story explores their backgrounds and how they factor into their relationship. Can they move beyond their pasts to discover if they can help each other heal. Can their families accept what the future holds and fight for each other to make their dreams reality? A great holiday story!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

Cowboy romances are one of my favorite genres. Adding Christmas to the story just added to my enjoyment of this romance.

Well, this is worrisome.

Ooh, what past?

Yep, that would be a problem.

Gah, poor Ed is going to need a vacation after these three leave.

I love you, Griff.

She drinks Coke every morning?

Oh my God.

So she's going to cure him with her magic vajajay?

Witches.

Joanne Kennedy writes the best Cowboy Romance books!

Coupled with a realistic storyline and a heartwarming Cowboy, her books are a treat to read. They are like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's night.

Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas is a story about two people battling the scars of their past. Griff Bailey has returned to his hometown of Wynott after a forgettable experience while serving his country. Riley James is struggling to get away from her past. The two troubled souls connect over the magic of Christmas.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me an opportunity to review the ARC of the book.

I really enjoy reading Joanne's books, she writes a good cowboy story! This story set at Christmas time is about Griff and Riley. These two souls are both suffering from different issues but they help each other through their issues.

Griff has returned from Iraq and is suffering from PTSD and survivors guilt. It's hard to have people you know and care about die around you and you not be able to save them. The town calls him a Hero and that is not how Griff sees himself.

Riley has hard a rough go in life and struggled with addiction. Riley was saved from living on the streets by Ed and Ruth Boone. She works in the hardware store with Ed, it's a wonderful relationship between them. Riley doesn't feel she is worthy of anything good, but she is such a caring and loving person that wants to help everyone...my heart just breaks for her.

In the end, after a few ups and downs and the horrible pair of sisters of Ed's, our couple get their Happily Ever After.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Learning to put their love first!

Trying to describe Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas is a challenge because Griff Bailey just wants to be left alone to deal with his PTSD because he hates everyone in Wynott telling him he is a hero after Iraq because he feels that he isn’t a hero and just wants to be left alone.

Riley James had come to Wynott with nothing but now she had a job in the hardware store and considered her boss Ed her family. Riley was so used to putting everyone else first, she almost walked away from Ed and Griff because she didn’t want to cause any problems.

Griff Bailey and Riley James are both broken in different ways and they help each other heal in a Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas because they are better together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas
by Joanne Kennedy
SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca
You Like Them
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Romance
Pub Date 29 Sep 2020 | Archive Date 30 Sep 2020

This is book 2 in this award-winning series. Thumbs up for the great romance at Christmas. I will recommend it to our patrons who enjoy romance titles.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC.

4 star

Joanne Kennedy is a gifted writer whose creativity shines through in her work. This is an impressive, well crafted plot. The characters are flawed, each in their own way, but they are so good together. Riley has overcome homelessness and addiction and should be skeptical and bitter but instead, she has the heart of an angel. She is the first in line to help others. Griff, a hometown cowboy and a recent war hero, has returned home to try and get his PTSD under control. His only objective is to return to his unit. That is until he runs into Riley, the girl who haunts his dreams. The girl who's messages kept him going all those years he was in a war zone. The girl who's messages he never once answered. Riley has loved Griff all her life but for some reason, she doesn't feel worthy of anyone's love let alone Griff's. She is determined to help him heal and Griff is determined to provides the strength and love she needs. Beautifully written and I now have a new favorite author!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Griff and Riley are both damaged people struggling with different issues- he's dealing with PTSD and she has had addiction problems. They had a one night stand years ago and parted, but that night has lingered in their minds ever since. Imagine their surprise when Griff comes home to his family's ranch and finds Riley is there working on renovations. You know this is a second chance romance and that it's going to be steamy, don't you? What's nice, though, is that these two are so well rounded and sympathetic. It's not an easy journey to happiness but then again, when is it? Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Cowboys and Christmas? Sign me right up. A sexy cowboy romance always has me interested. The book was well written and kept me engaged with the story and characters throughout. Looking forward to reading more from Kennedy.

I enjoyed most of this book. The storyline was great but there were times that I had to skip forward through some redundant details. All in all, it was a good romance.

Complementary copy given for honest review and opinion from Netgalley.

Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas by Joanne Kennedy is an enjoyable read. There's Christmas events to enjoy and the town folk of Wynott to appreciate for their support of each other. The conflict is interesting in this story. Both the heroine Riley and the hero, Griff have issues to deal with. Riley once lived on the streets and had a difficult time until hardware store owner Ed Boone and his wife Ruth stepped in and helped her. Griff has PTSD from an incident in Afghanistan that has him filled with guilt. When Ed's sisters Carol and Diane show up for a Christmas visit things get ugly for Riley. Those two women are characters I loved to dislike. Things turn out well in the end but Riley and Griff's road to their Happily Eve After sure wasn't well-paved and smooth. I really liked the story and Bruce the dog was a special addition to it.

Griff is home and his life is a bit in shambles. Griff is coming back home to ranch life . Riley is very petite. She is trying to get her life together. Griff is attracted to Riley. I loved Griffs and Riley's love for animals. I liked the characters.

BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS - Joanne Kennedy
Blue Sky Cowboys Series – Book 2
Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN-10:1-49261-695-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-49261-695-5
September 29, 2020
Cowboy Romance

Wynott, Colorado – The Present

Griff Bailey is returning to his father’s Diamond Jack ranch as he has nowhere else to go. He joined the army to get away from the ranch. Griff only hopes he can find a way to become the man he once was, but he doubts it. He needs to regain his sense of having a life worth living after returning from the horrors he endured fighting in Iraq. It is snowing, and at his house, he finds the woman who has haunted his nights for the last four years of his military deployment there. He hadn’t expected to find anyone at the house and didn't want to meet anyone. His mind often explodes in a flight or fight response that has nothing to do with reality. Mostly they are fight responses, which he knows makes him dangerous.

Riley James is staying at Diamond Jack to do some renovations the owner hired her to do. Tonight, she feels elated. She has finally found a sense of family with Ed Boone, owner of Wynott’s hardware store. He had given her work and an apartment in the attic above the store. Riley’s life had been as an unwanted child Santa Claus never visited. At thirteen she became a street urchin--one who got into drugs and trouble, but she has cleaned up her life. Tonight, she will meet Ed’s real family. His sisters are visiting for Christmas. A first since they hadn’t visited when Ed’s wife was ill nor come to her funeral. When the front door bursts open, Riley is surprised to recognize the giant entering the house. Her well-perfected senses recognize Griff as dangerous. At the same time memories of their glorious night together before he left haunt her.

Both Griff and Riley have problems with self-worth as both have been through risky situations, yet they both have an irresistible urge to do what is best for the other. They face mounting challenges. Bruce, the half mastiff dog, seems like the angel of the story, giving both Riley and Griff moral support, but even he can’t prevent all the problems that arise. BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS is a great Christmas read, filled with the festivities of the season while exposing Christmas’s message of compassion as well as kindness and generosity.

Robin Lee

What do you do with two people who are so broken that they each think that the others too good for them? Joanne Kennedy explores this in Blu Sky Cowboy Christmas.

Riley it's a recovered addict who doesn't think that she deserves the nicer or finer things in life. I think she's her own worst enemy. Griff is a veteran, newly returned from the war and he is suffering from severe PTSD. He and Riley hooked up just before he had gone overseas and she stayed in touch with him while he was gone. This meant a lot to him. And she's the only girl he wants upun his return home even though the town good girl, Fawn, makes her interest more than clear.

Except poor Riley is so convinced things are bound to go wrong she has one foot out the door to run out of town practically from the moment Griff says hello. Fawn is much better for him, she feels so she decides pushing Griff into Fawn's arms is her going away project. (She knows better for Griff than he does.) Despite that she's sleeping with Griff, telling herself she's getting him ready for a "nice" woman like Fawn.

Both Griff & Riley, but will they let themselves heal?

There were lots of cast members and things got a little confusing. I had a love-hate relationship with Griff & Riley, collectively and individually. Mostly love, but I got frustratedvenough that I couldn't give this a 5 star rating. It's a satisfying read, nevertheless, & a lovely "magic of Christmas" ending that makes resolving Griff's PTSD & Riley's low self-esteem seem like a fairytale.

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read and provide my honest review of this story.

An entertaining and well written romance. Good plot and character development. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

I was surprised that it was Riley who had trust issues and not so much Griff. Also Griff is pretty good at explaining himself where Riley keeps it bottled up inside. Kind of a role reversal book I thought. It really made reading, Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas, a lot of fun.