A second chance cowboy romance and the first in a new series by Caitlin Crews. Did I mention there's a cowboy? I do love a cowboy, and that cover is terrific. So, I was all set to dig in and swoon a bit, and there was some swooning, but then there was an equal amount of eye-rolling and irritation. Riley and Rae really needed a good shake - both of them but mostly Rae. The further I got into the book, the less I liked Rae. She's a woman who hasn't grown up enough to be married. Yeah, I get that she had a secret, but this one dragged on much too long and relied way too much on Rae's silence, which is pretty much miscommunication. I'm really not a fan of miscommunication. Then we have Riley, who I liked but was disappointed in the things he put up with (and I'll stop right there so I don't give it all away).
Anyway, I didn't realize that this series is a spinoff of another series by Crews, and given my feelings about the last couple of those stories, I shouldn't be surprised about this one. I think it's just a matter of me not meshing with this author, no matter how much I love sexy cowboys - an it's not you, it's me kind of thing. Whatever the reason, Secret Nights with a Cowboy wasn't the book for me.

Caitlin Crews’ first book, Secret Nights with a Cowboy, the first book in the Kittredge Ranch series, is rife with the explosive chemistry between Riley and Rae…which turns into a tenderness that is nearly heart wrenching…and takes the reader through the twists and turns that only secrets create.

As is true with all Ms Crews’ characters, Riley and Rae, as well as those of the entire Kittredge family, are larger than life, yet still relatable. With a fast paced dialog, and the type of hilarious banter that only siblings seem to produce, it’s easy to loose yourself amongst the pages as the couple’s second change unfolds.

An added bonus to Riley and Rae’s story is the novella at the end containing Connor and Missy’s second chance at their first love. All in all definitely two stories that will sweep you away in the romance journey towards a HEA.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Such a heart wrenching, emotional read. Watching Rae and Riley try to work through their issues in this great second chance story. I was rooting for them to get back together and finally find their HEA.

Secret Nights With a Cowboy
Kittredge Ranch #1
Caitlin Crews
St. Martins Press, Dec 2020, 394 pages
Hometown Cowboy Romance
Provided by Pub via NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Whoever that cover model is, I hope they paid him VERY WELL, because he’s what’s going to sell this book. He’s steamy! And the photographer did a perfect job of catching that in this picture.

This was one surprise after surprise after surprise. Of course, some of them you could see coming, but some of them were clear out of nowhere. The characters are carryovers from another of Ms. Crews’ series and she fleshed them out very well as so many of them are already established in the area of Cold River, CO. The plot was good, but the writing made things drag out a bit at times so that I almost found myself setting it down. But I stuck with it and it was worthwhile. One thing I really liked was all the family relationships. The way all those siblings really looked out for one another, even when it didn’t appear that way. They, of course, get their HEA. This is one I can’t tell you much about without revealing too much. Recommended.

I love this author when she writes as Megan Crane so tried this book thinking it might be similar. It is just as well written as her dystopian viking-raider books were BUT I could not relate to the characters, did not really care for them in the beginning or warm to them as I read so read the ending, a bit in the middle and know that those who like this type of book will be thrilled, give high ratings, etc. I probably will not try another book by Caitlin Crewes but will try Megan Crane if she writes again in the future. Thank you for the ARC - sorry it was not for me. (Do not feel I read enough to give a complete comprehensive review)

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story.The side characters were such an integral part of this story as well. This is the love story i needed to read at this time. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you

Secret Nights with a Cowboy is a story a bit about second chance romance and falling in love again, but not entirely. The characters are still secretly married, still secretly meeting and yet cannot seem to get it together to stay together. It was well written and had a good ending, but I was just so frustrated with the characters and their backstory. I kept yelling at my book, trying to will them to tell the truth and get it together. In the end, I liked it but I didnt love it.

Secrets Nights with a Cowboy is the first story in a new series from Caitlin Crews and it was an angst-filled second chance at love story. Riley Kittredge and Rae Trujillo married young and lucky for them they found their soulmate. Unfortunately, it was a tumultuous relationship and they split up after a few years. Living in a small town they’ve created a détente and their friends and family tiptoe around their relationship. Recently, Rae realizes she wants something different and decides to move on. But can she leave behind her marriage when her heart is still in love with her husband, but a big secret lies between them?

When I heard that this was a spin off series I was elated knowing that we would get Riley Kittredge’s story. What I hadn’t anticipated was the angst and the heartache that these two would go through to get the second chance at love. Rae left and returned to the marriage over and over throughout the last 8 years, and kept her secret too. It was frustrating and I wanted to shake some sense into Rae for being so selfish and not communicating. I stuck with it and felt some satisfaction when they got back together. Courage to face the facts spurred her to spill the beans. I understand her reason but couldn’t get passed the years it took for her to come to this conclusion. Both Riley and Rae had to face the truth of their relationship and decide to put the past behind them and move forward. They wanted to make it work since living without the other was sheer misery.

The main story was trying at times but it was the secondary characters that kept me invested. The Kittredges and the Trujillos are both large family and Rae and Riley’s siblings came in all different temperaments and professions. Of course, they felt they needed to put their two cents in regards to their relationship whether it was welcomed or not. They definitely piqued my interest and can’t wait to read their stories.

To my delight, there was a novella starring Riley’s younger sibling Connor Kittredge and his high school girlfriend Missy Minton. Sweet Nights with a Cowboy, was short and sweet and also a second chance at love story, that ended this holiday story on a high note.

Secret Nights with a Cowboy is the first in the Kittredge series and a return to the small community of Cold River. The story was well written and they did find a way to move past the hurt. I’m looking forward to reading more from this series because it looks quite promising.

Secret Nights with a Cowboy by Caitlin Crews
Subgenre: Western romance
Release date: 1 Dec 2020
Publisher: St Martin’s Paperbacks
Format: ebook and print
Length: 398 pages
RRP: $8.11 (ebook); $17.50 (print)

Young love, is it true and forever, or will it burn out?

The whole town gets to see the on again, off again relationship, courtship and marriage of Rae Trujillo and Riley Kittredge, of the Kittredge boys (hopefully, just between you and me, there are more stories on these men!). They marry straight from school, and to others it seems they have grown apart. Most of the town thinks they are divorced, as they live in separate places, but the reality is they are still married, and see each other from time to time when Rae suddenly appears at their home. Finally, Rae asks for a divorce and Riley is shocked. He will love Rae forever.

Their respective families also have issues and often offer input into the lives of Rae and Riley. Both see mainly the faults in their families but when they see the good and the courage over some decisions, it changes their perspectives.

As the couple work out their issues, and one secret will be exposed, it is entertaining to watch Rae and Riley try to offer each other dating advice on who might be the best new partner for the other. They also try not to offer a critique of the dates, but it is hard when you are in love with your spouse. Naturally, inside both are hurting. The town is divided and, in some cases, takes a side which makes it difficult for them to work through what hurts them. It can also make it hard for their businesses.

When the secret is exposed, one hurts the other more than they believe they could. When this secret comes out, each has to retire from the fight to lick their wounds, but it also means that they can be together in the end. Our HEA.

It can be easy to forget that these characters are so young in age. Their experiences make the reader believe they are older, but you can see that youth in some of actions and reactions. This story does include characters from previous books, and it is nice to see where they are at in their lives. There is also the hope the glimpses we see of some characters <cough> Zach Kettredge <cough> will get their own story.

I am really enjoying this cowboy series.

Reviewed by Heather

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

This is the story of Rae and Riley and their train wreck of a marriage. Separated for 8 years, they each carry a world of hurt and anger. Riley never understood why Rae left, and Rae was afraid to tell Riley the truth. As the years dragged by, the hurt and anger deepen. When the truth emerges, both Rae and Riley must face their choices of the past before they can move forward.
This novel is written well with a lot of emotion. The characters are flawed, but I felt that made them more relatable. I loved the way the author ended the book, with an epilogue and a satisfying HEA ending. Kudos to the author for navigating through a marriage mired in serious issues with compassion and empathy. This book will leave you with a lighter heart and hope for new beginnings.

Ok read just not my favorite. A lot of angst and drama not enough communication between R & R lead characters. A lot of characters from a previous series that I haven't read so didn't feel that connected.
Gifted read by Netgalley, this is my honest review. 2.5 stars

Secret Nights with a Cowboy by Caitlin Crews is the first of the Kittredge Ranch series and after reading this one, I am definitely looking forward to the ones that follow. The main characters are Riley Kittredge and Rae Trujilllo, a pair that have been a couple since high school and known each other since they were little ones. These two married right out of high school and have since broken up over a secret Rae is holding, something I did not figure out until it was revealed, but that is typical of me. This story follows the two of them trying to work out their issues, sometimes in extremely frustrating, yet entertaining ways.

I didn't really enjoy this second chance romance. I thought it was too angsty. I'll never understand how a couple stays married but separated for seemingly forever. Let him loose and move on girlfriend. This book is also a major red flag for couples therapy. This couple needed it. Please people, talk about your feelings.

This was a tough read for me and I LOVE second chances - just too much angst and unknown between the main characters to just keep on reading - this caused me to put this book down several times and read others instead. I usually love Cailtin's books - sorry!

A complicated story about a complicated relationship, I really liked this book. Rae and Riley go back to high school, and that’s where the story and conflict has it’s roots. Ms Crews does a masterful job of writing the deep love these two have for each other, while accurately portraying the conflict they have in staying together. It’s such a classic “If they’d just talk to each other”, but that isn’t happening. The push-pull of their attraction/rejection/love is so well written, I frequently wanted to slap them both. You could easily sense their feelings and desire for each other, as well as the dilemma in how to deal with it. I loved the support they each received from their friends (NOT their families), and how it helped them work toward their sometimes painful HEA. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my freely given, honest review.

Such an emotional book, with characters that make you giggle on one page and maybe want to smack sense into them on the next page. Caitlin Crews doesn't disappoint.
Rae and Riley haven't been "officially together" for years but in the they seek comfort in one another. Their mountains and communication may to much to overcome to make this a real relationship again.
Happy reading!!!

No pude avanzarle a este libro. Tiene mucho que ver con que mi interés por las historias de vaqueros ha disminuido en este año pero también es que la escritura de la autora es demasiado dramática y nada más no logro interesarme por los personajes.

Rae dejó a Riley y nunca le dijo la razón. desde ahí no puedo querer al personaje porque se me hizo increíblemente egoísta y me imagino la razón pero no tengo tantas ganas de seguir leyendo para saber si tengo razón. Tendré que dejar el libro sin leer

Wow. This one was...interesting. I didn't realize I was walking into a spin off series, but now I'm interested in learning more about the Cold Creek world that Caitlin Crews has built. This book felt a bit more realistic to me than most idealized relationships in romance novels because these protagonists are...far from perfect.

This is a second chance romance between two characters who have been holding grudges and keeping secrets for the better part of a decade and now those chickens have come home to roost. Iwas fascinated with their relationship and how they could overcome the self-imposed obstacles between them, and I am excited to learn more about this series.

This is the first book in this spinoff series from the Cold River Ranch series. Now that the Everett boys are all married and Brady Everett married Amanda Kittredge, Kittredge Ranch becomes the focus. Second chances are my favorites, but this one was tough. Not really sure why so many of these families in these small town cowboy/rancher series (not just from this author but from many others) are so dysfunctional. While the characters from the previous series are all here too, the author provides enough backstory that this book can be read as a stand alone.

Riley Kittredge and Rae Trujillo had been friends since they were little, then became high school sweethearts and married right after Rae graduated high school. But four years into the marriage, something happened and Rae moved out of the house that they had built together and back with her parents. But Rae would not tell Riley what happened and why she left him. I think that most readers like me, figured out her secret right away, but she never told anyone. Eight years later, they are still not divorce, and she comes to their house most night for a bootie call. She finally realizes that she needs to make changes, but doesn't know how. Riley encourages her, because he still loves her and hopes that she will realize that she still loves him and will come home.

This book was quite sad and at times tedious. But the characters are interesting and they do get their HEA once they start listening to the advise from family members and each other. Marriages do not work with secrets.

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

3.5 Stars

I've gone back and forth on my thoughts about this book. I truly loved the writing and the characters as a couple, in the end. I wasn't, however, a fan of the lack of communication and how it kept Rae and Riley at odds for so long.

Basically I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I love the writing and how it all turned out but I hated the idea of the time the characters lost because they were too afraid of sharing their feelings and issues with each other.