I received this book ffrom Netgalley for an honest review. Brody is a widower with a young daughter. Elle is a widow who feels she has lost everything. They meet through a mutual friend, but start to become close after a fire at her house. They have both suffered and Elle isn't sure that she deserves to find happiness again. Mandy is a great little matchmaker also. I laughed and I cried so that makes it a great book in my opinion.

My 4 star rating is for Mandy, the adorable and smart daughter of Brody. She was so engaging and well written, with nuances that showed both how intelligent she was, but also how vulnerable. When kids in stories are often used as either scenery or as an obstacle, Mandy was neither one. She was the star of this story, in my opinion.
I enjoyed the story overall, the writing is great, but I didn’t care for Brody, who I felt gave off very mixed signals to Elle, and she kept taking it. It was a lot of back and forth and after a while, I wanted Elle to walk away for her own sake. I also wish her miscarriage and health challenges would have been handled a bit differently; if serious issues are presented in books, I’d like there to be a bit more discussion rather than an offhand comment or two. It doesn’t need to be the focus of the book, but it should be addressed.
Overall, the story was good and I liked the secondary characters. Sassy was a hoot and Milo adorable. I enjoyed seeing Bryn and Zane in a supporting role after having read their story. While I might have loved our hero, I’d still recommend this book to others.

This is a wonderful book about getting second chances and being brave enough to take them. This book grabs you right at the beginning with great characters, some drama, and a little bit of steamy sex. Good job Jennie Marts.

This was a cute, although a sometimes serious and sad, cowboy romance. I read the first book in the series and found this one to be much better than Zane & Bryn's story.

Brody and Elle are both widows. Brody lost his wife to cancer 5 years ago and it seems as though it's been a couple years since Elle lost both her husband and unborn baby in a car accident. Brody also has a tween daughter, Mandy. Both adults have pretty much avoided dating/relationships in those years, but when they meet and begin spending time together, the sparks start flying. It's not easy for them to move on from their past heartbreaks though and losing the person they loved, so that is something we hear on repeat throughout the book. Brody took things to the extreme sometimes with his 'I can't experience heartbreak again' mentality and Elle was super-cautious about everything after her accident. So they both had the bubble wrap firmly in place when it came to life. I'll admit, Brody annoyed me more than Elle when it came to those precautions. I hated to see how he broke Elle's heart when she was nothing but wonderful to him and his daughter.

Mandy was such an adorable (and sometimes manipulative lol) young girl. She was bullied by a new girl in town and I hated it every time those girls came around. But she learned how to stand up to Jasmine and it warmed my heart to see how much she grew thanks to Elle and her new friend Milo.

The animals are as funny and adorable as ever. They kept me laughing at their people-like antics. And of course, there's even more animals added to the rescue in this book.

Overall, a great addition to the series and I'm looking forward to the next book (maybe Bryn's cousin?).

Brody and Elle’s story is a sweet, tender second chance at love romance. I loved the flirty banter and teasing between them. Both have are very deserving of a second chance at love. Having both suffered the pain of losing a beloved spouse, both are understandably wary of giving into love again. Their hearts are still grieving, still tender, the pain less than it was but still very much present. For Brody, his adorable ten year old daughter, who seems far too wise for her years, is his reason to go on living after losing his wife to cancer. Young Mandy and his veterinary practice keep him plenty busy and he doesn’t really need anyone else in his life...at least that is what he tells himself. For Elle, her loss is a little more recent, but just as profound. An accident soon after they moved to Creedence ended in the loss of her husband and her unborn baby. With the help of new friends and caring neighbours she has just started to leave her cocoon of grief.

Elle and the handsome vet have met before when she was intent on getting help for a dog in need of medical assistance. They meet again on the night her kitchen catches fire and somehow that emergency situation makes them much more aware of each other. Brody and Elle know the other has felt the sting of loss before so they are kindred spirits on an emotional level. Neither expect the sparks of chemistry between them, the sudden lightening of their spirits or the need to see each other often. His young daughter is both a buffer and a reason to keep seeing each other. Elle takes Mandy under her wing and it isn’t long before she realizes that she has fallen for both father and daughter. But both Brody and Elle must deal with lingering guilt for moving on, fears of loving and losing again, and self doubts. Their relationship becomes a dance of moving forward one step, only to take two steps back. When an accident brings all the pain of the past rushing back, their relationship comes to standstill. Will they choose to fight for love and a future together, or will they retreat into their lonely lives again?

This setting of this book is also a fascinating and wonderful part of this story. After the fire, Elle is temporarily living with her friends at the Creedence Horse Rescue with it’s assortment of quirky and hilariously mischievous animals. A pig that thinks it’s a dog, a miniature horse escape artist, and a goat that thinks he should live in the house are just some of the animals that live on the ranch with the rescued horses. They all serve to make this book even more enjoyable.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Elle Brooks relaxation is about to take a turn for the worst, first she hears sirens then smells the smoke. The smoke is coming from her house, and the sirens are outside her door. She makes a dash to grab a sentimental hand-knit blanket, when Dr. Brody Tate came to see her get out of the house safely.

Elle Brooks has lost her whole world in an accident, where she mostly hid from others in her home. Suddenly, she finds herself staying at her friend's Bryn's house, while she figures out what to do with hers.

Dr. Brody Tate has made his 10 year old daughter his whole world, after his wife passed away. He makes sure that Mandy comes first, and despite others telling him that he should get back out there in the dating scene, he hasn't met anyone that has a spark... until Bryn sends him over to Elle's house to fetch her and bring her to Bryn's.

Elle has spent time with Mandy, when she's gone to Bryn's to help with the farm animals. Mandy is having a tough go with friends, ever since a new girl moved to town. Mandy enjoys hanging out with Bryn and Elle. After Bryn and Zane head to Montana to pick up Bryn's cousin, Elle finds herself hanging around Brody and Mandy. There are sparks between Brody and Elle, but neither are sure about, getting too involved for fear of being hurt.

I found myself rooting for Brody and Elle, each had so many hang-ups about learning to love another person that you just wanted them to see what was in front of them all this time. Just when they turn over a new leaf, something happens that causes Brody to react out of fear and anger and it's Brody's 10 year-old daughter, Mandy, that she's going to fix the problem on her own with YouTube videos, and making Elle dinner, since Mandy recalls Elle saying that anyone who would go to the trouble to make fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and cake had her heart forever. Mandy was determined to win Elle's heart, not realizing that she and her dad already had it!

Aunt Sassy was a hoot! She, also had some very wise advice to share with Elle that took a while to set in. I loved being back at the Heaven Can Wait Horse Rescue and laughing at the antics of Otis, the goat, Tiny the dainty pig, the horses along with some newcomers, Spartacus and puppies. This was a pull on your heartstrings, laugh out loud, feel good read!

I requested and received an ARC from NetGalley via Sourcebooks Casablanca and I have voluntarily read this book.

I’m so pleased to get Brody and Elle’s story, with all the animals included. While reading Bryn and Zane’s story it was pretty apparent that Brody and Elle have much in common. Although they are both widowed and struggling with the suddenness of their partner’s deaths they are attempting to move on and live life. Leave it to a ten year old young lady to be the glue in their relationship. She made it almost impossible to keep the two apart and very difficult to ignore the love building between the new “family.” Of course you can’t have a cowboy romance without horses, and puppies and a goat and a tortoise. The animals brought a welcome comedic jolt and helped to solidify the love between our couple. There is always something heart warming and enduring about the author’s cowboy romances, you just melt into the book and never want to leave. I was thrilled to receive an early copy and I’ve written my review voluntarily.

A sweet story about letting go of the past and allowing yourself a second chance...

I enjoyed Elle and Brody's story. They are both widowed, and I thought their grief and hesitance to start over was written well and believable. Mandy, Brody's daughter, was adorable and fairly realistic; she *almost* made me miss having preteens around the house. (But not quite!) All of the animals of the Heaven Can Wait Horse Rescue were a hoot; together they had almost as much personality as the human secondary characters!

Quick content warning: besides the death of a spouse Elle has also suffered miscarriages and appears to now be infertile. This is tiptoed around for a lot of the book, and it's a stray dog of all things that really makes the issue come to the surface. I'm still not completely sure how I feel about that aspect of the story...it's...different?

Overall, though, I did like the book. It's only the second one I've read from this author (the first was six years ago, and I gave it more of a mixed review--strong start, so-so finish) but I've already picked up the first book in the series (on sale!) to add to my never-ending TBR pile. This one worked just fine as a standalone, but now I kind of do need to see how Bryn and Zane got together.

Rating: 4 stars / B

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Can I give this all the stars? From start to finish I really enjoyed this book and maybe it helped that was already introduced to this couple in the other book of the series. But it's a little more than that, these two really left me rooting for them and their HEA. Also, if you're looking for an emotional read this one is it. Chapter 6 had me in tears and then lifted back up. And those puppies had me tearing up too.

A kitchen fire has Elle Brooks unexpectedly in the arms of Credence's handsome veterinarian Brody Tate. The fire has Elle moving in with her friends Bryn and Zane and all the rescue animals on their farm where she volunteers. Elle spends time with Brody and his ten-year-old daughter Mandy who remind her of everything she lost in a car crash years ago. And being close to Brody brings feelings she hasn't had in a long time.

Since becoming a widower, Brody has put his all into being a good dad. No one has caught his attention until Elle. Who he can't stop thinking about.

Both have suffered the loss of a spouse and never planned on falling in love again. But fate had a way of stepping in.

Thanks so much to Sourcebooks, NetGalley, and the author for this ARC to review,

Grab your tissues, this one's gonna make you cry!

Brody and Elle are kindred spirits, both having lost their spouses some years ago. These two are undeniably drawn to each other, but they're both so afraid of loving then losing someone again that they can't consider another relationship. Ah, but chemistry - along with a couple fires and a preteen daughter - don't give them much choice.

I loved the gentle, insightful writing here. The characters are beautifully developed with plenty of heart and authenticity. Even when they can't make it work, there's no one at fault except the tragedies they've each survived. Eventually they find peace with their pasts and forge a heartwarming HEA by the end of the book, making this a tender, loving journey that will tug every one of your heartstrings.

This is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves cowboys or understands the pain of starting over. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This is a wonderful story about two people who lost their partners.
I enjoyed to read about Elle and Brody and his daughter.
Storyline is great with wonderful characters.

Oh sigh. Elle and Brody have both shut off corners of themselves after losing their spouses. Elle is just starting to come out a bit by working at her friend Bryn's animal rescue, where she meets Mandy, the daughter of the local vet. Brody's wife (Mandy's mom) has been dead for five years and he, like Elle, is still hurting. Elle moves in with Bryn - and all the delightful animals- after a fire at her house and finds herself spending more time with Brody. This is a gentle novel about overcoming grief and building something new. The characters are sympathetic, the setting in Colorado nice, and the storytelling pulls you in. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Makes for nice lazy day read.

Complementary copy given for honest review and opinion from NetGalley.
Loss is something that you never get over. You learn to adapt around it but you never move on. This romance takes you through finding love again when you feel your time has passed.

Wonderful story with characters that stole my heart. Elle and Brody both lost their spouses and learning to love again was seriously hard! The pups, the kids, the horses! The menagerie was a break from a deep storyline.

When a Cowboy Loves a Woman is the second book in Jennie Marts Creedence Horse Rescue series and has a realistic and true-life storyline that draws the reader in and holds their attention till the last page is turned. Elle and Brody are engaging and complex characters who have each experienced tragedy and loss but refuse to let their emotional baggage rule their lives or prevent them from pursuing a happy future. However, as with any second time around there will be some drama and misunderstandings along the way, but this only adds substance to this heartfelt and in parts a gut-wrenching story of finding common ground and allowing yourself to the freedom to love again. And while this story is packed with deep seated emotion and moments of tears, there are light and uplifting times spent with the adorable four-legged inhabitants too. When a Cowboy Loves a Woman is a thoroughly enjoyable read and a wonderful addition to this series. I’m looking forward to what comes next.

I feel bad for giving this a one-star review because I'm sure there are many people who will love this story, but I'm not one of them. Books can be a very personal thing, and I can acknowledge that it's a very personal reason why this was a one-star book for me.

Content warning for the book: miscarriage

I was looking forward to a good firefighter/vet/cowboy/single dad romance, but the pacing just felt off to me and it could have been much shorter than it was; I found myself skimming through pages at a time. On an objective level, I think the story could have used some editing and more work as well, including sensitivity readers. But when it comes down to it, my biggest problem with this book is below.

Elle has suffered not one, but two miscarriages. That is horrible, and every person will experience those emotions and grieve differently, and also react to how it is portrayed in books differently. Personally, for me, I could not stand Elle and her situation and the constant comparison to animals. The storyline involving the mother dog just rubbed me the wrong way. But even more than this was the way her miscarriage was explained away. "It was. I'm broken...I had a lot of problems in my teens with endometriosis and fibroids. And I guess I had an 'incompetent cervix.' Isn't that just the shittiest term?"

If I weren't reading this book to review it I would have stopped reading the moment I hit that scene; I was genuinely concerned that by the end of the book there would be a magic baby making an appearance. It's estimated that around 11% of women suffer from endometriosis, and on average it takes around 10 years to receive a diagnosis. While infertility doesn't affect all women with endo, this comment and the reason behind Elle's miscarriage felt so unthoughtful and disingenuous. This is a disease that affects so many different facets of women's lives and is not something that can be waved off as some "teenage" problem. To put it in as a throwaway comment and not even have Brody argue or defend her and say she's not broken, left such a sour pit in my stomach. It made this author be an instant "never read again" for me.

At the end of the day, some people I'm sure will love this story and the characters, and like I said, this book and author are not for me.

A very well written romance. I enjoyed the plot, setting and the characters. Romance readers will enjoy this book.

I so wanted to like this book. Two acquaintances learning to heal with help from friends, puppies, horses and a sweet little girl.
It had all the elements but the pieces didn't fit together. I think the characters were too broken and couldn't see the light especially Brody. He threw off so many mixed messages for Elle that I was hoping she would have forgotten about him and ran away towards someone else.
There was also so much going on in the book. Her house fire, the endless dropping off of animals, bullies, more fires etc. Sometimes less is more.
The highlight of the book was Mandy. I thought she was interesting and well written.

I received a copy of the book for a honest review

I have been provided with a review copy of When a Cowboy Loves a Woman from NetGalley for an impartial review. This is the second book in the Creedence Horse Rescue series and I just loved getting to reenter this world. I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

I'm sure readers are familiar with the expression that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Well in this story Elle Brooks enjoyed her bubble bath while her kitchen burned. Good thing her neighbor saw smoke and called the fire department. I really like how this book begins. This is such a fun scene of the hero and heroine meeting under such circumstances. Elle and Dr. Brody Tate, veterinarian, both lost loved ones and are finding it difficult putting those lost loves behind them and going forward with loving again. But even so they sure are having trouble keeping their hands off each other.

When a Cowboy Loves a Woman by Jennie Marts is the second book in her Creedence Horse Ranch series. This is a heartwarming, emotional story lightened at times with humor. Elle is staying at Heaven Can Wait Horse Rescue Ranch while her fire-damaged house is being repaired. The animals there provide some levity with their antics. Brody's ten-year-old daughter Mandy contributed much to my enjoyment of the story as well. I love how this author handled the bullying of Mandy in this book. I love Jennie Mart's voice and will immediately pick up her new releases.