This author really knows how to write a tear jerker scene, and this one had several that I just couldn’t stop crying for. The hero is so scarred and in need of healing and he lashes out at Angelina a few times, but she is so strong and they were so great together that they really carried the story well. It was real, passionate, beautiful, heartwarming, sad, and perfect. Such a beautiful story. Loved every second of it, even the parts that had me crying. The plot is strong, the conflict was real and handled well, and the characters were well-rounded and vibrant on the page. Every second of the story was great.

The title of this one led me to expect both a cowboy and a Christmas romance, a second chance romance at that. Other than the story taking place at Christmastime, I never really got the holiday vibe with this one. And Cody does not feel like a cowboy. He's around the horses while he's home, and his childhood home is a ranch, but Cody is a businessman through and through. Regardless of the picture on the cover, I just never pictured him with the Stetson or any of the things I'd expect of a cowboy. The romance is a second chance for Cody and Lexi, but we're told more than we're shown so it's not easy to get behind these two as a couple. There are several secondary characters, and the author does a solid job of giving each of them a distinctive voice, so there's no confusion about who is who. The shining stars in this one were Cody's dad and Lexi's son. I absolutely loved Walter and Harry, and they are what kept me reading until the last. They both stand out in every scene they're a part of, and you can't help but love them. I really would've liked a bit more development of our couple and the romance, especially since that should've been the focus of the story, but it is what it is. In the end, this one was just okay for me. 

He’d be content to stay in New York and dodge his family’s questions about when and with whom he plans to settle down and if he will do so back at home. But Cody Ford’s father is getting any younger and Cody doesn’t’ want to miss any last chances to see him and the folks back on the ranch. Lexi Murphy is working as Cody’s dad’s new live-in nurse and she holds a grudge against Cody since he believed he was too good for a small-town girl but she ever forgot him.

This second chance holiday romance is an angst ridden, emotionally gripping read that puts readers through an emotional wringer as Cody and Lexi tries to overcome the past and some emotional issues. Readers can’t help but experience all the emotions of the strong, compelling characters as they draw readers into their story which means they shed some tears but also hope and forgiveness as Cody works to prove that this time, he means business.

The plots is steady paced and captivates readers right from the start while keeping the readers glued to the pages with suspense as the HEA remains in question until the very end. Lots of family and secondary characters add that something extra to the story that makes it enjoyable and while Cody may be a bit of over dramatic, the magic of the holiday season and spirit of togetherness during the holidays makes this a gratifying and entertaining read.

I really enjoyed this story. It took the couple 15 years, but they finally got their happily ever after. Cody ran away when his mom was fighting and dying of cancer and when he did, he also left (and forgot) about the girl he loved. 15 yrs later he comes home for Christmas and finds her as his dad's nurse. And he doesn’t recognize her at first!  The scene was great, watching as his dad spills the beans right in front of both of them as to who she is.  She doesn't hold any punches either about how she feels about him now. Lexi hasn’t forgotten Cody, and she hasn’t forgiven him either. Their story was sweet, passionate, had the emotional tension that I love in a story, and the ending, was perfect. Loved it and want more from the other siblings who haven't found their true loves yet.