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The Montana Millionaires #4
Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy
This Christmas season, Christina Grey Cooper has finally accepted that her marriage to her college sweetheart Dare is over.
So she packs up her things, leaves a note, and heads back home for Marietta, Montana in the hope that a Christmas with her family will help piece her head—if not her heart—back together.
Dare isn’t about to let the love of his life go, and who cares if that’s what he thought he wanted? He’ll do what it takes to win Christina back—even if that means suffering through Christmas with his in-laws, pretending to still be happily married for the sake of family harmony, and trying not to get caught up in all that holiday nonsense he’s never believed in…
But Christmas is magical, especially in Montana.
And if Dare has any hope of convincing Christina to give him one more chance, it’s going to be here…
Montana Born Christmas series
Book 1: Blame the Mistletoe by Dani Collins
Book 2: Mistletoe Wedding by Melissa McClone
Book 3: Her Mistletoe Cowboy by Alissa Callen
Book 4: Cowboy, It's Cold Outside by Katherine Garbera
Bok 5: Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy by Megan Crane
So she packs up her things, leaves a note, and heads back home for Marietta, Montana in the hope that a Christmas with her family will help piece her head—if not her heart—back together.
Dare isn’t about to let the love of his life go, and who cares if that’s what he thought he wanted? He’ll do what it takes to win Christina back—even if that means suffering through Christmas with his in-laws, pretending to still be happily married for the sake of family harmony, and trying not to get caught up in all that holiday nonsense he’s never believed in…
But Christmas is magical, especially in Montana.
And if Dare has any hope of convincing Christina to give him one more chance, it’s going to be here…
Montana Born Christmas series
Book 1: Blame the Mistletoe by Dani Collins
Book 2: Mistletoe Wedding by Melissa McClone
Book 3: Her Mistletoe Cowboy by Alissa Callen
Book 4: Cowboy, It's Cold Outside by Katherine Garbera
Bok 5: Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy by Megan Crane
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2014
175 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Megan Crane
67 books700 followersUSA Today bestselling, multi-award-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author Megan Crane has written more than 150 books and shows no sign of slowing down. She publishes contemporary romance and paranormal romance as Megan Crane (and briefly M.M. Crane) with an extensive backlist of women’s fiction, rom-coms, chick lit, and young adult novels—among other things. She’s also won a large and loyal fanbase as Caitlin Crews with Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Dare, Harlequin Historical, and contemporary cowboy books. And for Midwestern small town coziness, found families, romance, and some paranormal scariness thrown in, Megan partners with Nicole Helm to publish as Hazel Beck.
Megan has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, has taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, and is always available to give workshops (or her opinion). She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, though, at any given time, she is likely to either be huddled in a coffee shop somewhere or off traveling the world. Preferably both.
You can find out more than you ever wanted to know about her at www.megancrane.com
Megan has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, has taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, and is always available to give workshops (or her opinion). She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, though, at any given time, she is likely to either be huddled in a coffee shop somewhere or off traveling the world. Preferably both.
You can find out more than you ever wanted to know about her at www.megancrane.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
December 1, 2014
3.5 coming home stars!
If you like the 'marriage in trouble' trope, then you'll definitely want to read this book.
Christina is fed up with her husband ignoring her and pushing her away, so she packed her bags and went back home to Marietta, Montana. Despite the distance that have been growing between them in the past year, Dare wasn't about to let Christina go. Not without a fight. So Dare set out to win her back.
I admit that this trope can be a hit or miss for me because it's a difficult theme to pull off. But this has 'holiday read' all over it, and I'm a sucker for heartwarming holiday reads. So why not? Fortunately, I did like this one. Like but didn't love it. I wanted to but there were some things that held me back.
1. It took me quite a while to connect with Christina and Dare as a couple who used to be in love and is now facing the likelihood of a separation. We get some bits and pieces of their past life (when they used to be in love) but nothing substantial to make me feel invested in them as a couple.
2. Dare. I know he's got issues. But at the end of the book, I still didn't understand them fully. I got that he's afraid to fail but to push Christina away after years of marriage didn't make sense. And he never really fully explained why he pushed her away in the first place.
By the time, the story started picking up for me, it was the end. It came too soon. Had this been longer, I would have rated this higher. I wanted to know what went wrong in their relationship and why. I was never satisfied with their reasons.
On the plus side, Megan Crane is a talented author. Her words dripped with angst and frustration. Her writing definitely worked for me. Despite my lackluster feelings towards the characters, Megan Crane is definitely someone I would read again.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.>/i>
If you like the 'marriage in trouble' trope, then you'll definitely want to read this book.
Christina is fed up with her husband ignoring her and pushing her away, so she packed her bags and went back home to Marietta, Montana. Despite the distance that have been growing between them in the past year, Dare wasn't about to let Christina go. Not without a fight. So Dare set out to win her back.
I admit that this trope can be a hit or miss for me because it's a difficult theme to pull off. But this has 'holiday read' all over it, and I'm a sucker for heartwarming holiday reads. So why not? Fortunately, I did like this one. Like but didn't love it. I wanted to but there were some things that held me back.
1. It took me quite a while to connect with Christina and Dare as a couple who used to be in love and is now facing the likelihood of a separation. We get some bits and pieces of their past life (when they used to be in love) but nothing substantial to make me feel invested in them as a couple.
2. Dare. I know he's got issues. But at the end of the book, I still didn't understand them fully. I got that he's afraid to fail but to push Christina away after years of marriage didn't make sense. And he never really fully explained why he pushed her away in the first place.
By the time, the story started picking up for me, it was the end. It came too soon. Had this been longer, I would have rated this higher. I wanted to know what went wrong in their relationship and why. I was never satisfied with their reasons.
On the plus side, Megan Crane is a talented author. Her words dripped with angst and frustration. Her writing definitely worked for me. Despite my lackluster feelings towards the characters, Megan Crane is definitely someone I would read again.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.>/i>
November 22, 2014
Whoa this wasn't what I was expecting at all; it was quite angsty and introspective and it felt pretty bleak for a while.
Christina has packed her bags and returned home to her parents for Christmas and for good after finally accepting her marriage is over. Her husband, Dare has become increasingly remote from her, avoiding her and ignoring her when they are together and she's convinced he's cheating on her. To her surprise, he follows her and they spend Christmas with her family, trying to put on an appearance that all is well between them. Nobody is convinced.
This is narrated in third personal but from both povs so we get lots of deep musing that is thoughtful but pretty heavy going. It made for an uncomfortable read at times. In a longer book where we might have had a chance to get to know the characters better, this might have worked better for me I think. Dare is estranged from his abusive parents and that relationship has cast a long shadow over his views on family and trust. I would've been interested in seeing their relationship before it hit crisis point to understand why she felt so attached to him in spite of his emotional absence.
The cast of characters in this was large too and as we only met each character briefly, I struggled to keep track of who everyone was.
This was beautifully and thoughtfully written so it's perfect if you're looking for a short, second chance romance with a little more substance than the usual fluff we get in Christmas romance stories.
*I received an arc from the publisher via netgalley in return for my review. Thanks!*
Christina has packed her bags and returned home to her parents for Christmas and for good after finally accepting her marriage is over. Her husband, Dare has become increasingly remote from her, avoiding her and ignoring her when they are together and she's convinced he's cheating on her. To her surprise, he follows her and they spend Christmas with her family, trying to put on an appearance that all is well between them. Nobody is convinced.
This is narrated in third personal but from both povs so we get lots of deep musing that is thoughtful but pretty heavy going. It made for an uncomfortable read at times. In a longer book where we might have had a chance to get to know the characters better, this might have worked better for me I think. Dare is estranged from his abusive parents and that relationship has cast a long shadow over his views on family and trust. I would've been interested in seeing their relationship before it hit crisis point to understand why she felt so attached to him in spite of his emotional absence.
The cast of characters in this was large too and as we only met each character briefly, I struggled to keep track of who everyone was.
This was beautifully and thoughtfully written so it's perfect if you're looking for a short, second chance romance with a little more substance than the usual fluff we get in Christmas romance stories.
*I received an arc from the publisher via netgalley in return for my review. Thanks!*
September 23, 2016
This was a heart wrencher! It was a story of a couple, Dare and Christina, who have lost their way.
Dare came from a extremely abusive family. He never knew love growing up. The only time he has loved is when it came to Christina. He never thought he was good enough for her. He was scared he was going to be like his family. Instead of talking to her about it, he just started pushing her away.
Christina loves Dare 100%. She has been pretending like the pushing away wasn't bothering her. It was his coldness on her 30th birthday that made her open her eyes. Even though she loved him fiercely, she couldn't live like that anymore. She packed her stuff and headed home to her parents in Montana.
What confused me was, once Dare got exactly what he wanted, he went after her. Literally didn't even go in his house, just bolted to Montana to get his wife. He was checked out of there marriage for a while, he got what he wanted. I guess it was a case of be careful what you wish for.
Now he is spending the holidays with her family. Not telling them yet that she left him. he had some major push/pull going on. I get he had a bad childhood but come on. He was hurting her by trying to not hurt her....weird.
The first part of the book is rough. I will tell you I teared up. They did pull it together and get on the same page.
--no cheating or ow/om drama whatsoever
--pushing away by hero
--not steamy
--HFN ending with NO EPILOGUE!
Dare came from a extremely abusive family. He never knew love growing up. The only time he has loved is when it came to Christina. He never thought he was good enough for her. He was scared he was going to be like his family. Instead of talking to her about it, he just started pushing her away.
Christina loves Dare 100%. She has been pretending like the pushing away wasn't bothering her. It was his coldness on her 30th birthday that made her open her eyes. Even though she loved him fiercely, she couldn't live like that anymore. She packed her stuff and headed home to her parents in Montana.
What confused me was, once Dare got exactly what he wanted, he went after her. Literally didn't even go in his house, just bolted to Montana to get his wife. He was checked out of there marriage for a while, he got what he wanted. I guess it was a case of be careful what you wish for.
Now he is spending the holidays with her family. Not telling them yet that she left him. he had some major push/pull going on. I get he had a bad childhood but come on. He was hurting her by trying to not hurt her....weird.
The first part of the book is rough. I will tell you I teared up. They did pull it together and get on the same page.
--no cheating or ow/om drama whatsoever
--pushing away by hero
--not steamy
--HFN ending with NO EPILOGUE!
December 31, 2023
I LOVE ANGST.
ok personally I'm not buying all of Dare's reasons for pulling away because there is NO EXCUSE for treating Christina like shit just because of his personal demons like, you're fucking married, fucking talk to your wife whom you claimed to love more than yourself, you shithole-
and I like that Christina was like "honey I get where you're coming from with all your personal history but NOPE YOUR REASONS ARE BULL" too high five girl
but anyway I love angst and pain and fighting for a relationship so this is basically my staple food
ok personally I'm not buying all of Dare's reasons for pulling away because there is NO EXCUSE for treating Christina like shit just because of his personal demons like, you're fucking married, fucking talk to your wife whom you claimed to love more than yourself, you shithole-
and I like that Christina was like "honey I get where you're coming from with all your personal history but NOPE YOUR REASONS ARE BULL" too high five girl
but anyway I love angst and pain and fighting for a relationship so this is basically my staple food
September 12, 2016
3.5 Stars for this second chance romance. I love second chance romances and I like when authors show you still have to work at your happily ever after. It brings a reality to a genre that can be more fluff than stuff. The first part of this book captured me immediately. Ms Crane did an excellent job of pulling you into Christina’s feelings for her husband Dare, the status of their marriage and the emotional pain that the marriage was causing Christina. I was extremely impressed with this section of Ms. Crane’s writing.
I didn’t quite get the same connection with Dare. I understood his reasoning for distancing himself from Christina; I just didn’t think it translated as well. The reasons were there, a very difficult, dark and unhappy childhood; the actions seemed “off” somehow in the way he intentionally distanced himself and purposely caused Christina pain. I had a difficult time liking him; so it was hard to be vested in them getting back together. I thought the reconciliation moved much too quickly based on how hurt and damaged Christina was supposed to be from Dare’s prior actions. He did redeem himself, but I think the novella needed more time during the reconciliation period to really pull me into their finding each other again. The novel does a good job of reminding us that communication is important to a marriage even when the couple love each other.
I debated between three and four stars on this one, so I gave it 3.5 stars. It was a good read, enjoyable and I recommend it to others. For me, if the author had taken a little more time in the reconciliation it would have been a great read. The potential was there and I am a huge fan of Ms Crane’s writing. I also love all the Marietta, Montana books.
ARC provided by the publisher via Net Galley.
I didn’t quite get the same connection with Dare. I understood his reasoning for distancing himself from Christina; I just didn’t think it translated as well. The reasons were there, a very difficult, dark and unhappy childhood; the actions seemed “off” somehow in the way he intentionally distanced himself and purposely caused Christina pain. I had a difficult time liking him; so it was hard to be vested in them getting back together. I thought the reconciliation moved much too quickly based on how hurt and damaged Christina was supposed to be from Dare’s prior actions. He did redeem himself, but I think the novella needed more time during the reconciliation period to really pull me into their finding each other again. The novel does a good job of reminding us that communication is important to a marriage even when the couple love each other.
I debated between three and four stars on this one, so I gave it 3.5 stars. It was a good read, enjoyable and I recommend it to others. For me, if the author had taken a little more time in the reconciliation it would have been a great read. The potential was there and I am a huge fan of Ms Crane’s writing. I also love all the Marietta, Montana books.
ARC provided by the publisher via Net Galley.
January 1, 2021
I received my copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Come Home For Christmas, Cowboy is my fifth Christmas themed book that I have read so far as part of the Aussie Readers December Challenge.
It is about Dare and Christina, former college sweethearts who are facing the end of the marriage. Christina finally has had enough of being shut out by Dare so she decides to pack up and go home to her parents in Montana just in time for Christmas.
Dare has deep scars from his childhood and doesn’t believe he is worthy of being loved and he is terrified of starting his own family and making the same mistakes that his father did. I think Come Home For Christmas, Cowboy could have explored Dare’s past a little further. I think this would have made him a lot more likable since I thought he was awful for at least three quarters of the book.
This book was quite angsty, not quite the typical Christmas themed romance although there is plenty of Christmas cheer and a Christmas miracle or two. Montana is a lovely Christmas setting, I can imagine that it would look like a winter wonderland during Christmas.
Come Home For Christmas, Cowboy is a nice and easy Christmas read with a touch of angst thrown in. I would have liked to have seen a little bit more of Christina and Dare’s back-storys but it was still a great Christmas themed romance.
Come Home For Christmas, Cowboy is my fifth Christmas themed book that I have read so far as part of the Aussie Readers December Challenge.
It is about Dare and Christina, former college sweethearts who are facing the end of the marriage. Christina finally has had enough of being shut out by Dare so she decides to pack up and go home to her parents in Montana just in time for Christmas.
Dare has deep scars from his childhood and doesn’t believe he is worthy of being loved and he is terrified of starting his own family and making the same mistakes that his father did. I think Come Home For Christmas, Cowboy could have explored Dare’s past a little further. I think this would have made him a lot more likable since I thought he was awful for at least three quarters of the book.
This book was quite angsty, not quite the typical Christmas themed romance although there is plenty of Christmas cheer and a Christmas miracle or two. Montana is a lovely Christmas setting, I can imagine that it would look like a winter wonderland during Christmas.
Come Home For Christmas, Cowboy is a nice and easy Christmas read with a touch of angst thrown in. I would have liked to have seen a little bit more of Christina and Dare’s back-storys but it was still a great Christmas themed romance.
January 22, 2018
This novella stripped my emotions raw. Crane’s heartfelt and turbulent story captured my attention from the very beginning. Her skilful writing had emotions seeping from the pages. She developed Marietta and Big Sky in a beautifully picturesque manner that allowed me to picture myself there alongside the characters.
Crane writes with a well written, approachable style that highlights the main character’s personality. Personal strength and indecision shine through in a remarkable way. These characters broke my heart while giving me hope. The underlying message to be true to yourself really hit home. I loved how well developed the main characters & their predicament were. Considering the short length of this novella, the multifaceted character development was brilliant. I felt as if I’d actually met this couple.
This was a brilliant Christmas novella that really gives you a sense of the season in a remarkably off the wall manner. The uniqueness of the story combines with the holiday spirit for an unforgettably emotional tale.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
Crane writes with a well written, approachable style that highlights the main character’s personality. Personal strength and indecision shine through in a remarkable way. These characters broke my heart while giving me hope. The underlying message to be true to yourself really hit home. I loved how well developed the main characters & their predicament were. Considering the short length of this novella, the multifaceted character development was brilliant. I felt as if I’d actually met this couple.
This was a brilliant Christmas novella that really gives you a sense of the season in a remarkably off the wall manner. The uniqueness of the story combines with the holiday spirit for an unforgettably emotional tale.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2014
This book. The first 30% of this book is definitely a 5 star book. It was atypical of this genre, it was smart and realistic. But then. Oh but then.
I so desperately wanted it to stay a 5 star book, however, it did not.
It started to go downhill when Dare and Christina had sex at the saloon and it continued to go downhill from there.
I thought that the reader isn't supposed to know exactly why Dare was pushing Christiana away, but we never get more of an answer than that he doesn't want to become his father or continue his family. I expected more depth and insight and I just didn't get it. We also didn't get any real growth from him, or them solving any of their problems or communicating in a productive manner.
Instead we get this:
"You can't have my baby without my permission."
(WHAT?!)
And then a little while later:
"And yet you think we should have babies together. Maybe I'm not the crazy one here"
(Calling any woman crazy is NOT A GOOD IDEA)
And then.... wait for it...(not even a full day later):
"I have a radical suggestion, " Dare said then, when moments had passed, or maybe whole eras. "Maybe it's the Christmas spirit, I don't know" "Why don't we stay together?" "Why don't you find a job you like?" "Why don't we live where you want, for a change?" Why don't we go completely crazy and have a kid? Why don't we work it out and live happily ever after?" "These are only suggestions."
And then he was disappointed to find out that she WASN'T pregnant.
Slow clap, and no more comments.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I so desperately wanted it to stay a 5 star book, however, it did not.
It started to go downhill when Dare and Christina had sex at the saloon and it continued to go downhill from there.
I thought that the reader isn't supposed to know exactly why Dare was pushing Christiana away, but we never get more of an answer than that he doesn't want to become his father or continue his family. I expected more depth and insight and I just didn't get it. We also didn't get any real growth from him, or them solving any of their problems or communicating in a productive manner.
Instead we get this:
"You can't have my baby without my permission."
(WHAT?!)
And then a little while later:
"And yet you think we should have babies together. Maybe I'm not the crazy one here"
(Calling any woman crazy is NOT A GOOD IDEA)
And then.... wait for it...(not even a full day later):
"I have a radical suggestion, " Dare said then, when moments had passed, or maybe whole eras. "Maybe it's the Christmas spirit, I don't know" "Why don't we stay together?" "Why don't you find a job you like?" "Why don't we live where you want, for a change?" Why don't we go completely crazy and have a kid? Why don't we work it out and live happily ever after?" "These are only suggestions."
And then he was disappointed to find out that she WASN'T pregnant.
Slow clap, and no more comments.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2019
1 STARS What? No seriously... WHAT?
I literally just finished this book and I have so many thoughts. All of which can be filtered down into two words: “um, what?”
The number of times I uttered those two words while reading this book is too many. Too many times. Gahh.
The beginning of this book wasn’t bad, I didn’t love either our hero or heroine but it was fine and I kept trucking along.
So let me give you a brief synopsis: h/H fall in love in college. H from bad family, h from good family (sort of?). h/H get married, much love, big yay. Move away, start love. Marriage get bad, h leave H (Boi byeee), H think no! Must have h back! Follows h back home for Christmas, h/H have sex, regret sex, talk about nothing, no resolution found, H say to h “stay together, probs?” h = much swoon, big cry, oh yes yes yes.
To which, I said “WHAT 👏🏻 THE 👏🏻 FUCK 👏🏻?” What the actual fuck? So this homeboy follows his wife under the pretense of not being able to let her go? He’s gonna win her back and then he does NOTHING. Nothing but be an absolutely insufferable, self-deprecating, victim, douche-nozzle to which our heroine is like oh swooooon, then they fuck a few times. Talk about none of their issues. Nothing is resolved and then suddenly he’s like “stay with me?” Even though I have given you no reason to indicate that anything is going to change? And she is all heart-eye emoji, yes yes a thousand times yes.
And I’m just like, I’m done. This was the worst. Nothing resolved. *facepalm*
As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
I literally just finished this book and I have so many thoughts. All of which can be filtered down into two words: “um, what?”
The number of times I uttered those two words while reading this book is too many. Too many times. Gahh.
The beginning of this book wasn’t bad, I didn’t love either our hero or heroine but it was fine and I kept trucking along.
So let me give you a brief synopsis: h/H fall in love in college. H from bad family, h from good family (sort of?). h/H get married, much love, big yay. Move away, start love. Marriage get bad, h leave H (Boi byeee), H think no! Must have h back! Follows h back home for Christmas, h/H have sex, regret sex, talk about nothing, no resolution found, H say to h “stay together, probs?” h = much swoon, big cry, oh yes yes yes.
To which, I said “WHAT 👏🏻 THE 👏🏻 FUCK 👏🏻?” What the actual fuck? So this homeboy follows his wife under the pretense of not being able to let her go? He’s gonna win her back and then he does NOTHING. Nothing but be an absolutely insufferable, self-deprecating, victim, douche-nozzle to which our heroine is like oh swooooon, then they fuck a few times. Talk about none of their issues. Nothing is resolved and then suddenly he’s like “stay with me?” Even though I have given you no reason to indicate that anything is going to change? And she is all heart-eye emoji, yes yes a thousand times yes.
And I’m just like, I’m done. This was the worst. Nothing resolved. *facepalm*
As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
December 14, 2022
DNF: Just not for me. Several chapters in its all her complaining in her head about him. She leaves him. He finally gets a few lines, where he thinks : Finally, he made her leave, like he wanted. Where he immediately goes after her. Say what? I don’t like them apart, and I don’t like them when they get together.
Obviously, not the book for me. Abandoned.
Obviously, not the book for me. Abandoned.
December 10, 2014
Come Home For Chistmas, Cowboy
*received via netgalley and the publisher for an honest review *
3 Christmas Magic Stars
This is one of those books that you struggle with writing a review. The author Megan Crane.. yeah love her writing technique excessively. Marriage in trouble idea = love the idea .. Cowboy? WHAT COWBOY!!! I want a cowboy!!!
Christina Grey (hehe) and Dare have been married for 10 years but Dare constantly is pushing her away because he believes he is his fathers child so he must be inheritantly bad. Grey has decided she is leaving Dare and driving home for Christmas in her loaded up car. When all of a sudden Dare shows up at the house. And constantly internal battles with himself he loves Christina but he wants her to be happy without him. But I think I get a little discontent is
Will the magic of Christmas save Christina and Dare? Can Dare get over his damagining past? Can Christina leave the only man she has ever loved?
I would say this book started to get good and then it ended.. but as far as Christmas novellas go this brought a bit of joy to my heart.there is a huge cast in this book and I wonder if he series will continue because for a novella we had A TON of characters.
I just needed so much more in this guy.. gimme more Megan Crane novels!!!
*received via netgalley and the publisher for an honest review *
3 Christmas Magic Stars
This is one of those books that you struggle with writing a review. The author Megan Crane.. yeah love her writing technique excessively. Marriage in trouble idea = love the idea .. Cowboy? WHAT COWBOY!!! I want a cowboy!!!
Christina Grey (hehe) and Dare have been married for 10 years but Dare constantly is pushing her away because he believes he is his fathers child so he must be inheritantly bad. Grey has decided she is leaving Dare and driving home for Christmas in her loaded up car. When all of a sudden Dare shows up at the house. And constantly internal battles with himself he loves Christina but he wants her to be happy without him. But I think I get a little discontent is
Will the magic of Christmas save Christina and Dare? Can Dare get over his damagining past? Can Christina leave the only man she has ever loved?
I would say this book started to get good and then it ended.. but as far as Christmas novellas go this brought a bit of joy to my heart.there is a huge cast in this book and I wonder if he series will continue because for a novella we had A TON of characters.
I just needed so much more in this guy.. gimme more Megan Crane novels!!!
September 13, 2016
DNF at 20%
Christmas stories (for me at any rate) need a blend of angst, drama, laughter and hope. There was no laughter or hope in the first three chapters and not much drama. It seemed to consist of pure angst-ridden narrative and overwhelming navel-gazing with each character bemoaning their situation and doing damn all to improve it.
Phrases such as:
Dare, who she still loved with that roaring sort of fire inside of her that only hurt, these days.
Dare, the husband who hadn't acted as if he liked her in a very very long time, now that she was allowing herself to consider it.
This was what it had been for longer than she liked to admit, and what it would be for as long as she held on.
So really, it was Christina's own fault that she was sitting in this terrible bar that she suspected Dare knew perfectly well she hated.
Christina tried to cry. She wanted to cry. She waited for that tidal wave of emotion to wash through her, to make her pull over to the side of the cold, lonely highway and sob and wail.
'I have my own map of emotional pain,' she reminded herself out loud ...
And Dare isn't much better.
Inside that house was the life he'd decided he needed to live, the one without her that he'd never cared for so much when he'd experienced it before, and the worst part was, she had no idea that he was doing her a favour. That he was saving her.
Or even worse, he'd succeeded in taking all of that joy and heat and love away from her at last, the way he'd shoved it inside himself in order to do this, and left her with nothing inside for him - for them- but all of that darkness. HIS darkness.
Ouch.
I want Christmas stories to be uplifting, with engaging characters and making me really care about the outcome.
This didn't.
Christmas stories (for me at any rate) need a blend of angst, drama, laughter and hope. There was no laughter or hope in the first three chapters and not much drama. It seemed to consist of pure angst-ridden narrative and overwhelming navel-gazing with each character bemoaning their situation and doing damn all to improve it.
Phrases such as:
Dare, who she still loved with that roaring sort of fire inside of her that only hurt, these days.
Dare, the husband who hadn't acted as if he liked her in a very very long time, now that she was allowing herself to consider it.
This was what it had been for longer than she liked to admit, and what it would be for as long as she held on.
So really, it was Christina's own fault that she was sitting in this terrible bar that she suspected Dare knew perfectly well she hated.
Christina tried to cry. She wanted to cry. She waited for that tidal wave of emotion to wash through her, to make her pull over to the side of the cold, lonely highway and sob and wail.
'I have my own map of emotional pain,' she reminded herself out loud ...
And Dare isn't much better.
Inside that house was the life he'd decided he needed to live, the one without her that he'd never cared for so much when he'd experienced it before, and the worst part was, she had no idea that he was doing her a favour. That he was saving her.
Or even worse, he'd succeeded in taking all of that joy and heat and love away from her at last, the way he'd shoved it inside himself in order to do this, and left her with nothing inside for him - for them- but all of that darkness. HIS darkness.
Ouch.
I want Christmas stories to be uplifting, with engaging characters and making me really care about the outcome.
This didn't.
November 24, 2014
4.5 Stars! Oh, my heart. It would so easy to hate Dare in this book, especially at the beginning when he’s working so hard to push Christina away, then is incapable of letting her go. He’s so seriously messed up, though, and he loves Christina so deeply that I somehow still sympathised with him, despite how badly he treats her. Christina is the complete opposite of Dare – sunny where he’s dark, loving where he’s reserved, open where he’s secretive. They balance each other out so well, or at least they used to.
I love how steadily this story takes their relationship. Considering that this is only a novella, it never felt rushed and there are no quick fixes. It’s a measured tale of a broken relationship and rediscovering not just the love that they shared, but the will to fight to keep everything they’ve created. Dare has some serious and deep issues, and he’s torn between wanting to give Christina everything she wants (him, mostly) and protecting her (from him, mostly). Christina also has a few of her own truths to face and her own blame to share for the breakdown in their relationship.
Taking a long look at dysfunctional families and the bonds that tie people together – particularly at Christmas – this is not a feel-good romance with a warm story and a happy ending. Instead it’s a tale of love and heartbreak and troubled relationships, and the fight to keep things working. It might make your heart hurt in places, but it’ll heal it again by the end.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I love how steadily this story takes their relationship. Considering that this is only a novella, it never felt rushed and there are no quick fixes. It’s a measured tale of a broken relationship and rediscovering not just the love that they shared, but the will to fight to keep everything they’ve created. Dare has some serious and deep issues, and he’s torn between wanting to give Christina everything she wants (him, mostly) and protecting her (from him, mostly). Christina also has a few of her own truths to face and her own blame to share for the breakdown in their relationship.
Taking a long look at dysfunctional families and the bonds that tie people together – particularly at Christmas – this is not a feel-good romance with a warm story and a happy ending. Instead it’s a tale of love and heartbreak and troubled relationships, and the fight to keep things working. It might make your heart hurt in places, but it’ll heal it again by the end.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
July 28, 2016
I received this book as an e-ARC free from Netgalley. Below is my review.
Christina and Dare have a seriously dysfunctional marriage. College sweethearts who have been together for 10 years, they no longer talk, barely interact, and generally have nothing left. It's Christmas when Christina finally decides to call it quits. After a year and a half of getting worse than nothing from Dare, no matter how much she loves him, it's time. Dare is grateful and horrified when he discovers Christina has left him. So, he goes after her.
Christmas in Marietta is as varied as the families who live there. There is very little interaction with other Marietta families in this book (I'm assuming because other authors are writing other families' stories and interaction would mess up time lines). Among the Grey family, one of the more overtly dysfunctional families in Marietta, Christmas is both magical and a struggle. Family rifts are papered over, Christmas is celebrated, people pop in and out.
Among the chaos, Dare is confronted by what family and love really mean. Because Dare's family is all about abuse and the traumas of that have never been dealt with.
This is a sweet second chances story that happens to occur at Christmas. It was lovely to see Christina and Dare work through their issues, struggle together, and ultimately win.
Christina and Dare have a seriously dysfunctional marriage. College sweethearts who have been together for 10 years, they no longer talk, barely interact, and generally have nothing left. It's Christmas when Christina finally decides to call it quits. After a year and a half of getting worse than nothing from Dare, no matter how much she loves him, it's time. Dare is grateful and horrified when he discovers Christina has left him. So, he goes after her.
Christmas in Marietta is as varied as the families who live there. There is very little interaction with other Marietta families in this book (I'm assuming because other authors are writing other families' stories and interaction would mess up time lines). Among the Grey family, one of the more overtly dysfunctional families in Marietta, Christmas is both magical and a struggle. Family rifts are papered over, Christmas is celebrated, people pop in and out.
Among the chaos, Dare is confronted by what family and love really mean. Because Dare's family is all about abuse and the traumas of that have never been dealt with.
This is a sweet second chances story that happens to occur at Christmas. It was lovely to see Christina and Dare work through their issues, struggle together, and ultimately win.
November 16, 2014
I am a complete sucker for second chance romance books. I'm also a secret fan of Christmas romances and this sweet little novel fufilled both of those for me.
When we first meet Christina Cooper and her sexy husband, Dare, there is not much hope for their marriage. Christina (formerly Christina Grey which made me chuckle) is desperately unhappy. She lives in a city she doesn't like, hates her job, thinks Dare's having an affair as he is being such an ass. She has to remind him it's her 30th birthday and he's so distant and uncaring that she finally leaves him and heads home to Montana......
I loved Christina. I felt for her and I cheered when she finally kicked Dare to the curb for his ill treatment and headed home to her loving family. The Grey family are fabulous by the way and reminds me of my own!
I started out not liking Dare at all but by the end he had thoroughly redeemed himself in my eyes. I loved that he chased after her and finally saw the error of his ways.
It is a quick, well written read and it was one of those magical, elusive books that once I'd started I couldn't put down. I liked it.. a lot!
*ARC recieved from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
When we first meet Christina Cooper and her sexy husband, Dare, there is not much hope for their marriage. Christina (formerly Christina Grey which made me chuckle) is desperately unhappy. She lives in a city she doesn't like, hates her job, thinks Dare's having an affair as he is being such an ass. She has to remind him it's her 30th birthday and he's so distant and uncaring that she finally leaves him and heads home to Montana......
I loved Christina. I felt for her and I cheered when she finally kicked Dare to the curb for his ill treatment and headed home to her loving family. The Grey family are fabulous by the way and reminds me of my own!
I started out not liking Dare at all but by the end he had thoroughly redeemed himself in my eyes. I loved that he chased after her and finally saw the error of his ways.
It is a quick, well written read and it was one of those magical, elusive books that once I'd started I couldn't put down. I liked it.. a lot!
*ARC recieved from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2014
I felt bad for Christina, she wasn’t happy, her and her husband, Dare weren’t even talking, she was sure he was having an affair. So she packed up and moved back home. Just in time for the Christmas Holidays.
Dare comes home, sitting outside in his truck, wondering why all the lights are out, Christina always leaves a light on, and he notices she isn’t home. He is clueless, he has no idea what is going on or why would she leave him? Of course there are many reasons and he is clueless, typical male.
I feel Megan Crane hit it on the nail!!! There are so many out there that are so clueless about their relationships and just take is for granted. I thought she did a great job in this book of slowly getting it all out and of course force the holidays on them and a true test of love. I think this was a great story and was so glad to have the opportunity to read this book.
One thing I got out of this story was not to take advantage of your relationship, you have to communicate and sometimes it take practically a knock on the head so to speak.
Great job on this book. I gave it five stars!!!
Thanks for Netgalley and Tule Publisher for let me read and give an honest opinion.
Dare comes home, sitting outside in his truck, wondering why all the lights are out, Christina always leaves a light on, and he notices she isn’t home. He is clueless, he has no idea what is going on or why would she leave him? Of course there are many reasons and he is clueless, typical male.
I feel Megan Crane hit it on the nail!!! There are so many out there that are so clueless about their relationships and just take is for granted. I thought she did a great job in this book of slowly getting it all out and of course force the holidays on them and a true test of love. I think this was a great story and was so glad to have the opportunity to read this book.
One thing I got out of this story was not to take advantage of your relationship, you have to communicate and sometimes it take practically a knock on the head so to speak.
Great job on this book. I gave it five stars!!!
Thanks for Netgalley and Tule Publisher for let me read and give an honest opinion.
December 2, 2014
Given To Me For An Honest Review
Megan Crane's book Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy (Montana Born Christmas Book 5) is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and you will find yourself turning page, after page, after page until the end. It will grab you and not let go until you finish reading it. It is about Christina and Dare. They met in college and have been married for 10 years. Christina realizes her marriage is over. She packs up and goes home to Montana to spend the holidays with her family. Dare (her husband) doesn't want to let her go, so he follows her there. He has never believed in the magic of Christmas but he will suffer through anything to get his wife back. Dare didn't have a good childhood, he never knew happiness. Will Dare find out about the magic of Christmas? Will he and Christina be together again? This book has a message of forgiveness, love and healing. I loved it and loved reading it. It is a great addition to your bookshelf. I gave it 5 stars but it deserves more. I highly recommend it to everyone. I look for the next book by Megan Crane.
Megan Crane's book Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy (Montana Born Christmas Book 5) is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and you will find yourself turning page, after page, after page until the end. It will grab you and not let go until you finish reading it. It is about Christina and Dare. They met in college and have been married for 10 years. Christina realizes her marriage is over. She packs up and goes home to Montana to spend the holidays with her family. Dare (her husband) doesn't want to let her go, so he follows her there. He has never believed in the magic of Christmas but he will suffer through anything to get his wife back. Dare didn't have a good childhood, he never knew happiness. Will Dare find out about the magic of Christmas? Will he and Christina be together again? This book has a message of forgiveness, love and healing. I loved it and loved reading it. It is a great addition to your bookshelf. I gave it 5 stars but it deserves more. I highly recommend it to everyone. I look for the next book by Megan Crane.
September 27, 2021
Absolutely lovely
"Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy" is the rare book that goes past the happy ending to explore what next. Along the way, it gives us more than one version of how a marriage goes from bright and warm sunshine to storm clouds.
And then Crane guides us to the other side.
It's an intense ride, and the surprising bonus afterward is another wonderful novella, one of a woman becoming a new version of herself after ending a terrible engagement.
The two together complement each other so well that I wouldn't want to read them separately.
A glorious combination.
"Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy" is the rare book that goes past the happy ending to explore what next. Along the way, it gives us more than one version of how a marriage goes from bright and warm sunshine to storm clouds.
And then Crane guides us to the other side.
It's an intense ride, and the surprising bonus afterward is another wonderful novella, one of a woman becoming a new version of herself after ending a terrible engagement.
The two together complement each other so well that I wouldn't want to read them separately.
A glorious combination.
December 30, 2021
Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy(The Greys of Montana Book 1)
The love story of Christina and Dare. Christina and Dare have been marry for over ten years and he is doing everything he can to put Christina away. So on her 30th birthday she leaves him and go home. Now he wants her back. Can he do it? Bonus book: Project Virgin - the live story of Damon and Scottie. Great stories.
The love story of Christina and Dare. Christina and Dare have been marry for over ten years and he is doing everything he can to put Christina away. So on her 30th birthday she leaves him and go home. Now he wants her back. Can he do it? Bonus book: Project Virgin - the live story of Damon and Scottie. Great stories.
December 18, 2018
Come Home for Christmas
This was kinda sad Christmas novella. It was about a couple on the verge of separation. Memories of a sad childhood resurfaced again resulting in a spouse consciously or unconsciously freezing the other out in hopes that they would leave. When the departure occurred, the other had a wake-up call. The pursuit to win back what was lost ensued.
This was kinda sad Christmas novella. It was about a couple on the verge of separation. Memories of a sad childhood resurfaced again resulting in a spouse consciously or unconsciously freezing the other out in hopes that they would leave. When the departure occurred, the other had a wake-up call. The pursuit to win back what was lost ensued.
April 10, 2024
Oh, queue the angst and pain, and fretting over how this beautiful couple will ever work this out!?!?! Right in the heart, right from the start. Lots of baggage and lack of communication to work through, and all the self-reflection that comes with that. By the end though, they are so much better, plus, him saying “I will come after you 100% of the times you leave me”, that was just perfection <3
December 15, 2018
Overall I enjoyed the book, but I felt as if there wasn’t much depth to the characters. So much more could have been said about Dare, to try to understand him and understand how he overcame his demons.
It’s like there was this major build up, and then it just... ended...
It’s like there was this major build up, and then it just... ended...
November 21, 2020
One of my favorite tropes of the married couple finding their way back to each other. The Christmas setting was nice here for the setting rather than the usual gimmicky. Loved his gift to her at the end — so true how that would be wonderful if it happened outside of fiction.
December 24, 2020
Ebook
She’s leaving him, she loves him but he’s pushed her, locked her out. But once she leaves he follows her. They spend Christmas with her family, Jim getting some advice from the men in the family. He overcomes his fear and asks her to come back.
She’s leaving him, she loves him but he’s pushed her, locked her out. But once she leaves he follows her. They spend Christmas with her family, Jim getting some advice from the men in the family. He overcomes his fear and asks her to come back.
January 26, 2017
Very nice romance
Starting with a marriage falling apart, this story takes an unexpected turn. This couple actually try to find what they need to keep it together
Starting with a marriage falling apart, this story takes an unexpected turn. This couple actually try to find what they need to keep it together
December 6, 2018
Boring, low angst.
July 22, 2022
Christina and Dare are a couple who live in the same house but have been living separate lives filled with silence and loneliness that neither of them has the energy to change. Their broken relationship might seem like it’s hopeless yet when Christina packs up and leaves him Dare inexplicably follows her to her childhood home in Marietta, Montana. I liked Christina’s never ending desire for her husband even through their challenges and sympathized with Dare’s painful childhood and his inability to get past the trauma he suffered as a child. Their unfolding drama is thought provoking and emotionally complex storytelling.
December 9, 2014
Book Description:
"This Christmas season, Christina Grey Cooper has finally accepted that her marriage to her college sweetheart Dare is over.
So she packs up her things, leaves a note, and heads back home for Marietta, Montana in the hope that a Christmas with her family will help piece her head—if not her heart—back together.
Dare isn’t about to let the love of his life go, and who cares if that’s what he thought he wanted? He’ll do what it takes to win Christina back—even if that means suffering through Christmas with his in-laws, pretending to still be happily married for the sake of family harmony, and trying not to get caught up in all that holiday nonsense he’s never believed in…
But Christmas is magical, especially in Montana.
And if Dare has any hope of convincing Christina to give him one more chance, it’s going to be here…"
Title: Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy By: Megan Crane
Publisher: Montana Born Books, Tule Publisher Series: Montana Born Christmas Book 5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: 4
Review:
Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy By: Megan Crane
What I like about this novel:
This story was one of second chances. We find that after a year and a half Christina packs up after her thirtieth birthday and ten years of marriage and heads back to her home to her parents in Mariette Montana to spend the Christmas holiday. Christina believes her ten year of marriage is over. But unknowing to her Dare(her husband) will follow her and try to win her back during this Christmas holiday. Will there be magic for this couple during this Christmas time? Will this happen for this couple who have had so many highs and lows in their dysfunctional marriage. It seems like these two are opposites of each other. I liked how this author brings this all out for the reader showing how Christina and Dare's POV through confrontations they had with each other. What was so good was seeing them in this healing process at the end. I will say this isn't just a romance with a happy ending but one of a healing with forgiveness and much love. Will this Christmas miracle happen for this couple? This is were I will say you will have to pick up the good read to see for yourself how well this author brings it all out. I would recommend this novel to you as a good read.
"This Christmas season, Christina Grey Cooper has finally accepted that her marriage to her college sweetheart Dare is over.
So she packs up her things, leaves a note, and heads back home for Marietta, Montana in the hope that a Christmas with her family will help piece her head—if not her heart—back together.
Dare isn’t about to let the love of his life go, and who cares if that’s what he thought he wanted? He’ll do what it takes to win Christina back—even if that means suffering through Christmas with his in-laws, pretending to still be happily married for the sake of family harmony, and trying not to get caught up in all that holiday nonsense he’s never believed in…
But Christmas is magical, especially in Montana.
And if Dare has any hope of convincing Christina to give him one more chance, it’s going to be here…"
Title: Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy By: Megan Crane
Publisher: Montana Born Books, Tule Publisher Series: Montana Born Christmas Book 5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: 4
Review:
Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy By: Megan Crane
What I like about this novel:
This story was one of second chances. We find that after a year and a half Christina packs up after her thirtieth birthday and ten years of marriage and heads back to her home to her parents in Mariette Montana to spend the Christmas holiday. Christina believes her ten year of marriage is over. But unknowing to her Dare(her husband) will follow her and try to win her back during this Christmas holiday. Will there be magic for this couple during this Christmas time? Will this happen for this couple who have had so many highs and lows in their dysfunctional marriage. It seems like these two are opposites of each other. I liked how this author brings this all out for the reader showing how Christina and Dare's POV through confrontations they had with each other. What was so good was seeing them in this healing process at the end. I will say this isn't just a romance with a happy ending but one of a healing with forgiveness and much love. Will this Christmas miracle happen for this couple? This is were I will say you will have to pick up the good read to see for yourself how well this author brings it all out. I would recommend this novel to you as a good read.
January 1, 2017
Great holiday reading
I loved this book. Total escapism. It's a real feel good story that leaves you wanting to know what happened to all the characters next
I loved this book. Total escapism. It's a real feel good story that leaves you wanting to know what happened to all the characters next
January 5, 2015
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
This Christmas season, Christina Grey Cooper has finally accepted that her marriage to her college sweetheart Dare is over. So she packs up her things, leaves a note, and heads back home for Marietta, Montana in the hope that a Christmas with her family will help piece her head—if not her heart—back together.
Dare isn’t about to let the love of his life go, and who cares if that’s what he thought he wanted? He’ll do what it takes to win Christina back—even if that means suffering through Christmas with his in-laws, pretending to still be happily married for the sake of family harmony, and trying not to get caught up in all that holiday nonsense he’s never believed in…
But Christmas is magical, especially in Montana.
This was the first time that I had read anything by Megan Crane and, based on the promise of this novella, I may look for some longer work from her.
The best part of this book was not in the characters, the setting or even the plot, so to speak. It was the fact that it was a "second-chance romance" story and that people have to work hard to make second chances work. There are obvious reasons why Christina and Dare couldn't be together and the author does a great job connecting the reader with Christina's feelings and despair for her marriage. We learn the lessons of the importance of communication between couples and the way that a lack of it can undermine any relationship.
I didn't really make any connection with Dare. His reasons for his distance were a little cliched and he just wasn't a really likable character. I found it hard to care whether he could get his act together but some of the scenes with the in-laws made me smile because I could understand just how uncomfortable he was.
Aside from the characters, I really wish this book had been just a little longer. The resolution did feel just a little rushed (it wasn't bad - just a bit too quick for my liking) and would like to have seen some of the other (very) minor characters get an expanded run in this story.
Paul
ARH
This Christmas season, Christina Grey Cooper has finally accepted that her marriage to her college sweetheart Dare is over. So she packs up her things, leaves a note, and heads back home for Marietta, Montana in the hope that a Christmas with her family will help piece her head—if not her heart—back together.
Dare isn’t about to let the love of his life go, and who cares if that’s what he thought he wanted? He’ll do what it takes to win Christina back—even if that means suffering through Christmas with his in-laws, pretending to still be happily married for the sake of family harmony, and trying not to get caught up in all that holiday nonsense he’s never believed in…
But Christmas is magical, especially in Montana.
This was the first time that I had read anything by Megan Crane and, based on the promise of this novella, I may look for some longer work from her.
The best part of this book was not in the characters, the setting or even the plot, so to speak. It was the fact that it was a "second-chance romance" story and that people have to work hard to make second chances work. There are obvious reasons why Christina and Dare couldn't be together and the author does a great job connecting the reader with Christina's feelings and despair for her marriage. We learn the lessons of the importance of communication between couples and the way that a lack of it can undermine any relationship.
I didn't really make any connection with Dare. His reasons for his distance were a little cliched and he just wasn't a really likable character. I found it hard to care whether he could get his act together but some of the scenes with the in-laws made me smile because I could understand just how uncomfortable he was.
Aside from the characters, I really wish this book had been just a little longer. The resolution did feel just a little rushed (it wasn't bad - just a bit too quick for my liking) and would like to have seen some of the other (very) minor characters get an expanded run in this story.
Paul
ARH
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