A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund is an entertaining historical romance. The author plays around with several familiar tropes including the marriage-of-convenience. While some predictable situations occurred, Greta’s devotion and determination to help her sick sister added originality and depth.

A Cowboy for Keeps includes Jody Hedlund’s trademark romantic tension. I enjoyed watching Greta and Wyatt’s relationship grow. As they shift and adjust to their new life together, both characters learn life lessons. Greta’s learning to trust in God reminded me to do the same. I appreciated the theme of a person being valuable, not an object to be bartered with. With the romance, an entertaining storyline, and themes to contemplate, I enjoyed this novel and did not want to put it down.

A Cowboy for Keeps is the first installment in Jody Hedlund’s Colorado Cowboys series. Returning fans of Jody Hedlund will likely enjoy this novel. For readers not familiar with Jody Hedlund’s books, this is a good place to start. 4.5 Stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

I often find myself thinking that I don't really like western/cowboy stories too much... but then a book like this one comes along and I find myself realizing, hmmm... maybe I do. Or at least when they are written well anyway... and Jody Hedlund writes them well! 

First of all, there is just something about a marriage of convenience story, isn't there? Perhaps it's because it's more unheard of these days, or perhaps there's something fascinating about an upside down love story- the marriage agreement before the falling in love, it's all very intriguing. That is certainly the case for Greta and Wyatt when they find themselves agreeing to marry each other as a solution to both of their struggles. What follows is a slow burn romance between the two that is hard not to fall in love with yourself. 

As the first book in the Colorado Cowboys series, it was a great start. I cannot wait to read more. Whether you're typically a fan of these western type stories or not, don't let that keep you away, it's certainly one not to be missed. 

**Book received for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Blame The Mandalorian, but I was in the mood for some gunslingers. A Cowboy for Keeps brings a little of that Wild West showdown to historical romance with a cowboy (Wyatt) who's both tough when it's called for but tender with his unexpected new bride and her ailing little sister.

The secondary characters, especially Judd, were each interesting in their own right, even the villain. Wyatt's self-doubt is both relatable and endearing, and Greta's notion that she's a burden is understandable (though it seemed to hang on longer than natural or necessary).

Astrid is one of the more memorable child characters I've read, and I smiled each time she launched into a question or comment with her trademark "W-e-l-l-l-..." I could almost hear her childish voice.

The chemistry between Wyatt and Greta is palpable, making for some good romantic tension. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, when Wyatt's brothers and sister make their way to Colorado.

Greta accepted a request from Colorado for a mail order bride hoping the climate would be better for her little sister with consumption.  When she arrived, however the prospective groom was missing.  A fellow traveler who lived in the same town, arranged for Greta to marry Wyatt, a struggling local rancher.  It was an odd way to start a marriage, but Greta didn't have any choice stranded in a small mountain town in Colorado with no prospects.  What transpired was a love story mixed with trials and missteps along the way.



I love this author's stories and can't wait for the next installment in this series!  I highly recommend this book to my fiction loving friends.



I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

This was an interesting story from an author I've just really begun to discover over the last year. I generally enjoy her stories, and so I picked up this one because of the author. Not because of the storyline, which, in a nutshell, is a marriage of convenience, a mail order bride, a cowboy in the west, and bandits in abundance. Kinda typical, and I'm not one for typical books. 
But because I enjoy the author, I gave this one a try. 

There was much about it that I liked, and much that I didn't like. The whole conflict seemed really minuscule, and overblown, and everyone overreacted to it in a way that seemed to only create drama, although it *did* further the plot and make the characters grow. 

Astrid, though she was sick, seemed really incorrigible and a bit out of control. I get that she was pampered and such, because of her illness, but there were several times I would have scolded her if she had been my sister, and not bitten back the scolding. Most of the situations this child created were very dangerous, and they were all created through her disobedience. 

Greta was a marvel with her work ethic, and I appreciated her being a hardworking, sensible female heroine without being a feminist, looking down on men, and thinking she was better than they were, because, with a strong female character, that is often the case. I appreciated how she was willing to share her earnings with Wyatt, simply because he was her husband, and he was willing to share his assets with her, because she was his wife -- which is how marriage should be, but often that is overlooked. Her sweet spirit and encouraging ways made her very likable and real, and I enjoyed that.

I could relate to Greta in her worries about burdening others, and I did learn from the book myself as she had several revelations about how she acted because of her fears, so that was good. 

Wyatt (I am SO. SICK. of characters named Wyatt, 'kay?) was an interesting fellow. Afraid of failure, he makes some interesting choices and a good resolve and carries through. He's got gumption, that one, and it was nice to read about. 

Judd was a dear, and one of my favorites, and his backstory would make a great full length novel.

The whole marriage of convenience thing was typical, and, though married, Neither Wyatt nor Greta took liberties with each other and tried very hard NOT to take liberties until halfway through the story. There were several kisses (some *forced*, in a manner of speaking, to fulfill a bargain made with the mayor) and the thoughts of both the characters were kinda detailed, but they were married, after all. There was a lot of noticing each other, of thinking and commenting on curves and muscles, and mentions of wanting a night of privacy. 

I would say there wasn't anything too detailed, nothing that made me extremely uncomfortable, but it's also not a book I would hand to a younger girl, either. 

Definitely a quick, enjoyable, at times humorous story. 

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read. I was merely asked to share my honest opinion and was not required to enjoy the story.

A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund

Storyline 4 stars
Depth 4 stars
Faith 3 stars
Love Story 3 stars
Overall 3.5 stars

These two chicks on lit were very excited when we came across A Cowboy for Keeps. Jody Hedlund is one of our favorite authors, we love mail order bride stories, and we were eager to see her write a western! While we found a lot we liked, we found this story lacking compared to many of her other books.

Greta and her younger sister, Astrid are heading to Colorado in hopes that the mountain air will help heal Astrid's consumption. Greta will do anything to help her sister, including marrying a man she has never met. Surprisingly, after arriving she learns her intended has died and she is penniless and out of options. 

Wyatt is having a rough go getting his cattle ranch up and going. He's going to prove to himself and his family back east that he won't fail. When the Mayor strikes a deal to help invest in cattle if Wyatt will agree to marry Greta, Wyatt reluctantly agrees. Little does he know that he might be getting more than he bargained for, will he lose his heart in the process?

 One of the most refreshing parts of this read was Jody didn't hold back in writing of the harsh realities new settlers faced as they moved out west.  In order to survive, you are better off sticking together. The love story is sweet and progressed slowly. However, the characters seemed to go around in circles with their emotions and it started to drag towards the end. All that to say, we are eager to see how the rest of the series plays out.

Westerns aren't often my thing, so I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. I'd read and enjoyed Hedlund's Lost Princesses series though, and was excited to try this one. 

I am so glad I did! I loved reading this and can't wait to continue the series!

There are books that resonate with me. A Cowboy for Keeps is one of them.

Greta is a compassionate woman. She is left with the care of her young sister. She doesn't shirk from this responsibility. She embraces it. She will do whatever it takes as she prays for a cure. Her determination took her to Colorado as a Mail-Order Bride.

The opening pages begin with the stagecoach being held up. Her sister, Astrid, provides the humor with her adorable personality. Astrid is a force to be reckoned with, even with consumption. She was probably my favorite character in the book.

It would appear that forces conspired against Greta. After arriving in her new town, the groom is presumed dead, leaving her without funds and no place to live. She is provided an option when Wyatt McQuaid offers to step in as her groom.

The story is inspiring, cute, and entertaining. I found myself rooting for Wyatt and Greta to make their marriage binding instead of one of convenience. There were so many misunderstandings and secrets that it made it tough to navigate.

This book captured my heart and mind. I am very excited to read the next installment in the series.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Jody Hedlund has written a really good Western historical romance.  This book has it all, a penniless, stranded, mail-order bride; a handsome cowboy hero struggling to keep his ranch going; and a benevolent mayor.  The plot includes stage-coach hold-ups, cattle rustling, shoot-outs, land grabbing, and a missing bridegroom.   And the villain is very bad.  Who could resist?

I love marriage of convenience books so much and this one was especially good. I felt like the romance evolved very naturally, had the perfect amount of conflict, and a great ending (except the weird last chapter which probably should have been an epilogue).

I loved the partnership in this book. Even before the romance evolved I really liked how Greta worked so hard and was such a help meet for Wyatt on the ranch. But I so loved how supportive he was of her own business endeavors and also with her sister.

Overall a great read with a good balance of western and romance.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This is book one in the Colorado Cowboys series, what a great place to start. Greta Nilsson and Wyatt McQuad may be the answer to each others problems. I loved the chemistry between them. I can't wait to read more from this series. 
I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.

A strong faith element runs through A Cowboy for Keeps. Greta has struggled with the sense that she is unimportant and a burden to everyone around her. She worked so hard to prove her worth! She had to learn of her value to the Lord and to allow Him to carry her burdens.

Wyatt felt that he was a failure - everything he touched seemed to fall apart. He became inclined to give up when things got hard. He had to learn that God doesn't always keep us out of the fire, but He does walk through the fire with us.

This was a sweet story. There was a hint of a mystery as to the identity of the stagecoach robbers, though I figured out what was going on pretty early on.

Personally, I didn't care for the numerous references to the physical attraction between Greta and Wyatt. I don't mind some mentions of this but felt that this attraction was a major part of the plot.

Readers of Western romance will want to consider adding A Cowboy for Keeps to their library.

Reading this book was like settling in with an old friend- several of my favorite story elements wrapped up in a new tale. It was just a pleasure to read! Wyatt and Greta both have heavy worries and vulnerabilities, but one of the major themes of the book is how we are stronger together rather than apart. Even though Greta and the precocious Astrid bring light and joy into the lives of Wyatt and Judd, not to mention her hard work and a new income with her pie and jam selling, she still feels they are a burden. Complications with neighbors and townspeople keep their relationship from being simple, and I was anxious as I read for Greta and Wyatt to learn to communicate more effectively with each other and work out their feelings. They have wonderful chemistry and it was fun to see their attraction blossom as they explored their growing feelings with stolen kisses. Some climaxes added tension and a little suspense, making this a well-rounded western with sweet romance! The epilogue gives a lead-in to the next book with Wyatt's family, and I'm looking forward to getting to know more characters in this series!  

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

It has been a long time since I’ve read a western! A Cowboy for Keeps is a great one, with a handsome rancher, outlaws, Native Americans, a beautiful mountain setting, and a heroine determined to provide a better life for her sister.

This story progresses quickly, with some unexpected surprises and just enough adventure. Hedlund’s descriptions of the Colorado setting are spot-on (Colorado is a fav place of mine to visit, in books and real like!). Long time fans of westerns will be satisfied with the expected elements of the story, too, like the hard work of running a cattle ranch, the beauty & isolation of the west, and the colorful & witty characters — like Judd and Astrid! There is one slight secret that propels the plot forward which I felt was a little formulaic, but I like the way it is resolved in a realistic way.

The relationship between Greta and Wyatt is my favorite aspect of the novel. Let me remind you this is a CLASSIC Jody Hedlund marriage-of-convenience setup that’s original and full of her signature swoony-kissing-moments — sometimes with banter & sometimes super meaningful. Beyond their progressing romance, Greta and Wyatt need the faith of each other. I like how Greta’s belief in him and his dream becomes increasingly important to Wyatt, and redeems a part of his past he had been carrying. Likewise, Greta’s time at the ranch helps her to rely on God and realize she’s not a burden to those around her.

I’m looking forward to the next book in the series! I have a feeling we’ll see more of Wyatt’s family featured in the future ;).

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Jody Hedlund has once again proven that she can tackle different genres. She is a super talented writer and it shows in her new release, A Cowboy for Keeps. This begins the Colorado Cowboys series. I adored Greta right from the start. I admired her determination to do what was right for her sister. I loved how she interacted with Wyatt. Such a beautiful, inspiring, tender and sweet story. 
A Cowboy for Keeps is getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I am looking forward to the next installment from the Colorado Cowboys series to see what happens next. Meanwhile, this one will be placed on my very limited keeper shelf. I highly recommend for readers who enjoy reading clean historical romance. 
I received A Cowboy for Keeps from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

A Cowboy for Keeps, by Jody Hedlund, is the first book in the Colorado Cowboys series. As a western, historical romance, this novel does not disappoint. As a marriage of convenience story, this book is utterly satisfying. As a piece of well-written fiction, this novel is truly entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable.

From the first sentence to the final word, Ms. Hedlund successfully demonstrates her talent for crafting books that are rich in descriptive detail, compelling settings, complex characterization, and riveting storylines. From the wide open land of the Colorado Territory, to a cold, clear stream in the woods, to the crowded space in a small cabin, the settings of this novel are thoughtfully described and well-suited to the story. They provide the relevant backdrop for the characters in this book as they strive for their goals, recognize their insecurities, face their fears, and nurture their faith. Page after page, these characters are memorable and authentic. Their hopes, concerns, and motivations are interesting and moving. As a reader, I was quickly and easily drawn into their stories and the plot details that flowed from them. I was captivated by this stunning novel filled with peril, hope, uncertainty, courage, compassion, resiliency, trust, and second chances.

A Cowboy for Keeps is a special novel and a pleasure to read. Abounding with history, romance, adventure, and heart, it is truly engaging and endearing. I recommend it wholeheartedly to all readers. I am certainly looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

I genuinely loved this book! It read like a Karen Witemeyer novel, but with less humor and more angst. It's the perfect read for fans of historical romances, especially if they have a soft spot for cowboys and marriages of convenience. 

The tension was fantastic and the stakes were high. I felt everything that Greta and Wyatt were feeling, every second of the book. I couldn't possibly put this book down and finished it in a day. I can't wait to read more!

I loved Judd, pouring out just the right amount of wisdom at the right times in his own special way. And Astrid, being honest and full of life despite her illness. And the romance sizzles, with sparks flying right off the page. 

It's a good one, friends. Don't miss it.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. All expressed opinions belong to me.

I did enjoy the book. It's primarily a story of Wyatt and Greta's relationship, but there's a perfectly despicable villain to hate, which adds some excitement to the plot. Wyatt's a sweet cowboy, rather back-woodsy, but good-hearted and kind, though he can stand his ground well enough. I liked him a lot. Greta is a devoted sister, selfless in her care for Astrid (not a lot more to say about her--it pretty much defines her). Both Wyatt and Greta get down on themselves a lot, a result of their experiences in the past, though they eventually grow. Astrid toes the fine line between precocious and obnoxious (she's frustratingly disobedient, especially when she's in obvious danger. But the stuff that comes out of her mouth, while generally mortifying to Greta, is undeniably amusing).

It's a small thing, but forced public displays of affection really bother me, and this is not the first book by the author in which someone publicly pressures the characters into "proving their relationship" in front of them with arduous kissing. I just can't see anyone bullying people into kissing like that in real life (obligatory wedding day kisses aside), and propriety is a lot less constrained now than it was in the 1860's. It really rubs me the wrong way, even in fiction.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

A Cowboy for Keeps is a great read.  I loved how Greta and Wyatt would up getting paired up.  Greta planned to have a new start for her and her sister, but things go wrong on the trip out west and when she gets to the town where her soon to be husband lived.  She finds herself looking for help as she does not know who to turn to.

     Wyatt is not really planning to start a family but when given the proposition of getting his ranch going just by helping the mayor he soon starts to decide it is a cause he can work with.  I look forward to seeing what happens next.

     I received a copy to read, the review is mine.   I also was able to listen to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator.

Jody Hedlund's A Cowboy For Keeps offers a fun read with a fast-moving plot! The characters drew me in and kept me up at night because I wanted to know what they were doing. Through fantastic dialogue, I really got to know Greta and Wyatt. I am looking forward to what happens next in their life when Wyatt's brothers and sister move in from out East. So put the coffee on and settle in for a good old marriage of convenience story.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.