Two charming stories, perfect for the cozy days leading up to Christmas.

In the first, a lonely rancher finds unexpected love in the person he least expected, turning his quiet life into a heartwarming happily-ever-after.

The second story takes a more mysterious turn, as the hunt for those responsible for a series of crimes unfolds. Jessy returns to her inherited estate, where she reconnects with her old friend Wyatt. Sparks soon fly between them, but the question remains—can he convince her to stay?

I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley.

I was given an ARC copy of this book in return for a review.

Two fun cowboy romances in this volume. I enjoyed both stories, one by Diana Palmer and one by Heather Graham. Pick this one up in late September 2025.

THE PERFECT GIFT by Diana Palmer is the story of Ty Blakeney he finds a young boy and his sister on his property hunting a wuppie. When he runs into the young woman again, he finds that the wuppie is actually a small puppy! Another of Diana's stories of the man learning to let go of the past and embrace the future.
CHRISTMAS, CRIME, AND A COWBOY by Heather Graham is the story of Jessy Danson a NYC artist returning to her grandfather's ranch that she is inheriting. She runs into Wyatt McFarlane the boy from next door that is now man with secrets of his own. There have been a lot of robberies lately and it seems it could be tied to her grandfathers ranch.

Neither of these stories are really not Christmas stories. They mention Christmas but that's about it. Each story has their own primary storyline. I enjoyed both books.

I am a huge fan of Diana Palmer and enjoyed her story as well as Heatger Graham's story. Quick,easy read for Christmasy type story.

Must Love Christmas Cowboys by Diana Palmer and Heather Graham are a pair of novellas focused on attraction to a cowboy. However this is not a cozy Christmas read.

The Perfect Gift by Diana Palmer has definite spy thriller elements. There is a focus on Sara, a child abuse survivor, struggling to raise her younger brother. The story gave the reader an example of how child abuse affects adult decision making. Ty, the romantic cowboy interest, also struggled with a traumatic past in the military. They both manage to move beyond their troubled pasts to a hopeful relationship. Ed, the younger brother, and his wuppie were very appealing.

The second novella Christmas, Crime, and A Cowboy by Heather Graham has strong murder mystery elements. Jessy, inherits her grandfather's ranch in Colorado and is back to sort out her inheritance. There have been a series of break-ins in the area, leaving a woman seriously injured and her daughter missing. Wyatt the young man from the neighboring ranch whom Jessy had an ongoing crush on, fortunately just happens to be undercover law enforcement. The crimes get solved with some suspense and the missing girl is found. Everything is wrapped in time for Christmas celebrations.

Strongly recommended for readers who like a bit of thriller or murder mystery action for Christmas.

Unfortunately I couldn't finish this after the first novella. This was too "mills and boon" for my tastes which is great if it's your thing, but it's not mine.

I read this book in the Belfast "heatwave" but it gave me all of the cosy Christmas feels 🎄🤠
Two short novellas by Diana Palmer & Heather Graham
Both very sweet & romantic stories with some spice 🩷
I could picture watching these stories come to life in those adorable Christmas movies we all hate to admit that we love!
Loved the setting of a snowy Colorado
This is ideal for any bookgirls in their cowboy romance era 🙌
Perfect book for a Christmas pressie 🎁

The Perfect Gift by Diana Palmer

This is a short story that is very romantic. There’s angst and lots of emotion. It’s a feel good book that has a wonderful ending.

Christmas, Crime, And A Cowboy by Heather Graham

This is a short read. It’s got mystery and suspense. It’s a heartwarming story. It’s a great quick Christmas read.

Ugh, I hate writing bad reviews but sometimes it has to be done. I was excited to read this one. It’s two novellas, one by Diane Palmer. I read her a lot in high school and college. I consider her “classic” romance along the lines of Nora Roberts and Robyn Carr.

But this book felt so dated. I looked twice at the release date (2025) but I feel like this must be a republishing. This felt like a book a 60 year old wrote about a 20 year old making a lot of assumptions of “what the kids are up to these days.” There were references to a phone book, CDs, and at one point the MMC tells the FMC that age 34 is a little late to get married and have kids. Is this 1950? If this is a re-release, an editor really should have gone through to update it as I rolled my eyes many times during the reading. There is even a scene where the MMC gets mad at her for not feeling ready for sex. Ugh. Nope. Our book boyfriends are much more evolved than that.

Romance novels are a lot more elevated now than they were during Diana Palmer’s prime. With authors like Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry releasing books with complicated heroines and deep storylines, these sweet sappy insta-love books that were popular in the 80s and 90s just don’t work anymore.

The second novella by Heather Graham was fine. It was romantic suspense and it’s hard to build a lot of tension in a short amount of time. But it was ok.

So this overall was a miss for me. I was hoping the nostalgia of a Diana Palmer book would hold but it just didn’t work at all for me.

I received this Advanced Readers Copy via NetGalley. It releases Sept 30, 2025.

Diana Palmer brings us the story of Ty and Sara in "The Perfect Gift." Their lives in the country right outside Raven Springs, Colorado are about to change with a chance meeting when he comes across her truck on the side of the road leading to his property. When she gets the chance to go to a show in Denver, it's Ty who becomes her savior and takes her there knowing that her truck would never make it there. When they run into each other again and finds out that she has been invited to another party in Denver, he makes sure that he is the one taking her. Does this mean that it can lead to more, or should she heed his warning about not wanting to get too serious? Only time and perhaps some courage will tell.

Heather Graham brings us the story of Wyatt and Jessy in "Christmas, Crime, and a Cowboy." When city girl Jessy inherits her grandfather's ranch in Colorado, she must make a decision whether to call it home or return to the excitement the city offers her. Conflicting thoughts start creeping in as she spends more time with her grandfather's neighbor Wyatt. And when robberies start escalating around the area and end up at her front door, she is thankful that he was close by. Will being in his company be enough to change her mind and stay, or will the allure of the city be too strong?

These two authors brings us stories centered around the sexy cowboy. Ty and Wyatt are prime examples of what you could imagine one to be. Will Sara and Jessy be strong enough to let them in and will they all be brave enough to take a chance on each other?

I have received and read an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Zebra for this privilege.

In my cowboy era and wow oh wow this book was sweet and spicy all mixed in one! Absolutely fabulous story. Loved the sweet Christmas time setting

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I ended up finishing the book in just a few sittings and really enjoyed the story and characters.

This book actually contains two Christmas novellas, each equally good.

In The Perfect Gift, even though the book centers around Ty and Sara, I think Ed and the wuppie stole the book and who wouldn't love having a Mrs Grimes in their lives?

In Christmas, Crime, and A Cowboy, This book centers around Wyatt and Jessy, with a little bit of intrigue thrown in. They grew up together and were next door neighbors, but Jessy moved away and now is back due to collecting an inheritance.

I recommend picking this book up if you're looking for quick, but good, Christmas reads.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

L

I really enjoyed this book. Both stories were romantic. The second story by Heather Graham had some small suspense to it. I love reading Christmas books all year because they can be uplifting. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Diana Palmer is a guilty pleasure. I’ve read so many of them, and even if they are a little predictable, that is part of the enjoyment. It is just a cosy read when I want something that I know is going to have a happy ending and I can just enjoy it without stressing over characters too much. That isn’t a complaint or a criticism, she is a comfort read for that very reason, and I wouldn’t change it at all. Heather Graham, I haven’t read as many - I think a lot of them have been in anthologies with Diana Palmer, but she is also just as enjoyable.

The two stories in this book are really enjoyable, both with a Christmas theme (Christmas *and* cowboys, it’s just getting all the guilty pleasures in one hit). I really enjoyed the intrigue with the second story (Heather Graham’s one) - but I’m glad that they could get everything sorted out and have the happy ending in time for Christmas.

I absolutely love both Diana Palmer and Heather Graham. These short stories grip you from the beginning and doesn't let go until the end. Great reads.

The writing is warm, humorous, and filled with vivid descriptions that make the snowy Colorado setting leap off the page. Whether it's cozy nights by the fire, tense standoffs with thieves, or heart-melting moments with a child or a dog, every scene is crafted to tug at your heartstrings.

Must Love Christmas Cowboys is a cozy, emotional, and deeply satisfying holiday read that proves family isn’t always born it’s found in the most unexpected places, often under a Christmas tree or in the arms of a cowboy. A perfect seasonal escape for fans of heartfelt love stories with a touch of grit and a whole lot of heart.