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Cold River Ranch #2
Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy
A game of pretend with the highest stakes of all in the latest novel of breathtaking romance from USA Today bestselling author Caitlin Crews
Ty Everett ran off to the rodeo when he turned eighteen and has been riding bulls ever since…until his last fall causes partial amnesia and he must return to Cold River Ranch to figure out what comes next. But how can he pick his next move when he can’t remember how he got here in the first place—much less the beautiful woman who appears at the ranch, claims she knows him, and warms his cold heart for the first time since he woke up in the hospital?
Rodeo Queen Hannah Monroe gave up her crown for Ty Everett, and her innocence. What she wants from Ty now is a divorce. But Ty can’t remember her—or their secret wedding, or even the son she never meant to hide from him—and Hannah is torn. How can she leave the man she can’t forget and still loves despite herself? And even if she’s willing to start over, what will happen when the truth comes out?
Ty Everett ran off to the rodeo when he turned eighteen and has been riding bulls ever since…until his last fall causes partial amnesia and he must return to Cold River Ranch to figure out what comes next. But how can he pick his next move when he can’t remember how he got here in the first place—much less the beautiful woman who appears at the ranch, claims she knows him, and warms his cold heart for the first time since he woke up in the hospital?
Rodeo Queen Hannah Monroe gave up her crown for Ty Everett, and her innocence. What she wants from Ty now is a divorce. But Ty can’t remember her—or their secret wedding, or even the son she never meant to hide from him—and Hannah is torn. How can she leave the man she can’t forget and still loves despite herself? And even if she’s willing to start over, what will happen when the truth comes out?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2019
102 people are currently reading
1153 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Crews
1,108 books596 followersCaitlin Crews discovered her first romance novel at the age of twelve, in a bargain bin at the local five and dime. It involved swashbuckling pirates, grand adventures, a heroine with rustling skirts and a mind of her own, and a seriously mouthwatering and masterful hero. The book (the title of which remains lost in the mists of time) made a serious impression. Caitlin was immediately smitten with romances and romance heroes, to the detriment of her middle school social life. And so began her life-long love affair with romance novels, many of which she insists on keeping near her at all times, thus creating a fire hazard of love wherever she lives.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
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July 30, 2019i don’t do memory loss or second chance romances (with a few exceptions) so this is a no for me :/
dnf @ 8%
dnf @ 8%
September 26, 2020
⭐️⭐️1 STAR⭐️⭐️
Waiting on the romance train like...
Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy did not quite pack the same emotional punch than the previous in the series (A True Cowboy Christmas, highly recommend!). Or say... AT ALL. Both characters failed to make me invested in their romance, or lack there of, up until far too late in the story. And this wasn't a slow burn romance premise, the romance was just missing entirely while we're forced to witness both characters muddling through the remnants of their relationship amidst the hero's memory loss.
I'm usually a sucker for the second chance at love trope but the way the additional amnesia and secret baby tropes were handled pushed me well over my drama threshold tolerance.
This book is one neverending conversation between Hannah and Ty where he assaults her with questions about their relationship and she delivers none of the answers under pretense of being afraid to hurt him with... the truth.
Their past romance—as told by Hannah— didn't even slightly graze my romance reader's heart. Not a sparkle in sight and a dearth of chemistry on the page regardless of the heroine's recount of their supposed passionate love story. The whole process was most aggravating.
Sadly not even the expeditive and saccharine conclusion where Hannah radically changes her mind about staying in Ty's life and his miraculous memory recovery during his last shot at bull riding could make up for the entire bore this book was.
I'm still very much looking forward to the next one in the series though, Brady's book (in a best friend's little sister trope—10 years age gap : The Last Real Cowboy), hoping for a palate cleanser! Fingers crossed!
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
Waiting on the romance train like...
Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy did not quite pack the same emotional punch than the previous in the series (A True Cowboy Christmas, highly recommend!). Or say... AT ALL. Both characters failed to make me invested in their romance, or lack there of, up until far too late in the story. And this wasn't a slow burn romance premise, the romance was just missing entirely while we're forced to witness both characters muddling through the remnants of their relationship amidst the hero's memory loss.
I'm usually a sucker for the second chance at love trope but the way the additional amnesia and secret baby tropes were handled pushed me well over my drama threshold tolerance.
This book is one neverending conversation between Hannah and Ty where he assaults her with questions about their relationship and she delivers none of the answers under pretense of being afraid to hurt him with... the truth.
Their past romance—as told by Hannah— didn't even slightly graze my romance reader's heart. Not a sparkle in sight and a dearth of chemistry on the page regardless of the heroine's recount of their supposed passionate love story. The whole process was most aggravating.
Sadly not even the expeditive and saccharine conclusion where Hannah radically changes her mind about staying in Ty's life and his miraculous memory recovery during his last shot at bull riding could make up for the entire bore this book was.
I'm still very much looking forward to the next one in the series though, Brady's book (in a best friend's little sister trope—10 years age gap : The Last Real Cowboy), hoping for a palate cleanser! Fingers crossed!
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
May 8, 2019
ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.
Rating 4.5
Intense and emotional read.
Ty and Hannah have history, boy do they have history. But unfortunately Ty doesn't remember. Hannah shows up at Ty's ranch, Cold River Ranch, to find out once and for all who, what and where Ty stands. But when Hannah shows up she finds that Ty doesn't remember her or their time together. Ty can't remember the last two years of his life. He can't remember his life with Hannah.
Ty life wasn't the greatest, he had an abusive father and a mother who ran off. His family dynamics left him with a lot of baggage and anger, mostly thanks to his dad. He leaves home at eighteen and enters the rodeo life, he's popular and really good. He's lived his life his way. But after his injury he heads home to the family ranch and tries to remember what has happened during those two missing years. Ty also just feels numb/cold emotionally, he just doesn't feel anything. But then Hannah shows up and he begins to feel a pull, some feelings are resurfacing and she's the reason why. He asks her so stay and she agrees with some reservations.
Hannah was a Rodeo Queen. She's been brought up by a Mom who has a lot of issues. Issues due to the fact she had Hannah at 16 and was pretty much ignored by all family members. So she brought Hannah up believing that men were all evil and no good for nothing. Hannah did well in steering clear of men, but not Ty. With Ty things where different, she felt and experienced wonder and pain. Ty and Hannah married in secret as she was to remain single as a Rodeo Queen. So they decided to keep this hush until her reign was over. But the best part of them being together was their baby, Jack. After Ty's accident and the revelations that she was pregnant a lot of sad and terrible things where said. Hannah left and had Jack. But she never forgot Ty. And so after some rumors surfaced Hannah decided to find out once and for all where Ty really stood. She leaves Jack with her mother and heads to Colorado.
The two begin slowly opening up, more so Hannah as she has the keys to Ty's two years. But Hannah realizes that with Ty's memory loss and him feeling "nothing" she need to tread carefully. The revelation of their marriage is revealed and Ty begins to realize that this pull and their marriage means, possibly there is something real and good here. Ty asks Hannah to move in with him on the ranch and try to make this a go. Hoping and believing at some point he might remember.
Boy this was an emotional story. From Ty's point of view and Hannah's, each endures a lot of heartache. But as they work at getting reacquainted and working on their relationship, each knows they have something special. But Ty continues to struggle with is Daddy issues and the fear of him becoming his old man. He's frustrated with his inability to remember as well. Hannah realizes she never stoped loving Ty and just want so much for him to remember the love they shared. But she also knows she's keep a big secret from him about the baby. She believes he's not ready and also afraid of what he will do and what will happen to them when he does find out. I loved the dynamics of all the secondary characters in this story and what they contributed to Ty and Hannahs relationship. It was nice to see Abby and Gary again as well. But of course this escalate to dramatic proportions when Hannah's Mom shows up weeks later at the ranch with Jack. And that's when the true test of their relationship takes place. They each have to face trust issues and past demons before they can move on as a family and a couple. But each resolves there issues and I really love the ending, so satisfying and emotional.
Enjoyable read. I did find a lot of dialogue in the first couple chapters and had to push through. I do find this author has a tendency to do that so was somewhat prepared. But once I passed that point everything flowed fairly well and had good pacing. So just press through and you'll be glad you did. I'm now really looking forward Brady and Amandas story. I really hope Amanda is for Brady because she really peaked my interest.
Rating 4.5
Intense and emotional read.
Ty and Hannah have history, boy do they have history. But unfortunately Ty doesn't remember. Hannah shows up at Ty's ranch, Cold River Ranch, to find out once and for all who, what and where Ty stands. But when Hannah shows up she finds that Ty doesn't remember her or their time together. Ty can't remember the last two years of his life. He can't remember his life with Hannah.
Ty life wasn't the greatest, he had an abusive father and a mother who ran off. His family dynamics left him with a lot of baggage and anger, mostly thanks to his dad. He leaves home at eighteen and enters the rodeo life, he's popular and really good. He's lived his life his way. But after his injury he heads home to the family ranch and tries to remember what has happened during those two missing years. Ty also just feels numb/cold emotionally, he just doesn't feel anything. But then Hannah shows up and he begins to feel a pull, some feelings are resurfacing and she's the reason why. He asks her so stay and she agrees with some reservations.
Hannah was a Rodeo Queen. She's been brought up by a Mom who has a lot of issues. Issues due to the fact she had Hannah at 16 and was pretty much ignored by all family members. So she brought Hannah up believing that men were all evil and no good for nothing. Hannah did well in steering clear of men, but not Ty. With Ty things where different, she felt and experienced wonder and pain. Ty and Hannah married in secret as she was to remain single as a Rodeo Queen. So they decided to keep this hush until her reign was over. But the best part of them being together was their baby, Jack. After Ty's accident and the revelations that she was pregnant a lot of sad and terrible things where said. Hannah left and had Jack. But she never forgot Ty. And so after some rumors surfaced Hannah decided to find out once and for all where Ty really stood. She leaves Jack with her mother and heads to Colorado.
The two begin slowly opening up, more so Hannah as she has the keys to Ty's two years. But Hannah realizes that with Ty's memory loss and him feeling "nothing" she need to tread carefully. The revelation of their marriage is revealed and Ty begins to realize that this pull and their marriage means, possibly there is something real and good here. Ty asks Hannah to move in with him on the ranch and try to make this a go. Hoping and believing at some point he might remember.
Boy this was an emotional story. From Ty's point of view and Hannah's, each endures a lot of heartache. But as they work at getting reacquainted and working on their relationship, each knows they have something special. But Ty continues to struggle with is Daddy issues and the fear of him becoming his old man. He's frustrated with his inability to remember as well. Hannah realizes she never stoped loving Ty and just want so much for him to remember the love they shared. But she also knows she's keep a big secret from him about the baby. She believes he's not ready and also afraid of what he will do and what will happen to them when he does find out. I loved the dynamics of all the secondary characters in this story and what they contributed to Ty and Hannahs relationship. It was nice to see Abby and Gary again as well. But of course this escalate to dramatic proportions when Hannah's Mom shows up weeks later at the ranch with Jack. And that's when the true test of their relationship takes place. They each have to face trust issues and past demons before they can move on as a family and a couple. But each resolves there issues and I really love the ending, so satisfying and emotional.
Enjoyable read. I did find a lot of dialogue in the first couple chapters and had to push through. I do find this author has a tendency to do that so was somewhat prepared. But once I passed that point everything flowed fairly well and had good pacing. So just press through and you'll be glad you did. I'm now really looking forward Brady and Amandas story. I really hope Amanda is for Brady because she really peaked my interest.
July 30, 2019
Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy is an intensely heart aching romance for the second story in the Cold River series. Ty Everett is finally pulling his life together after a terrible accident that left him injured and with short-term amnesia. He’s ready for a comeback at another chance to ride the bull that stomped on him 18 months ago. What throws him for a loop is when an angry, young woman shows up and turns his life sideways when she says she’s his wife! He may not remember her but he feels a connection and wants to be with her. What he doesn’t know is that she’s got a secret that would rock his world indefinitely.
My heart ached for these two individuals because you could feel their pain on all the pages. She was longing for him to remember how they fell in love in stolen moments while they were on the rodeo circuit. Ty was trying hard to make sense on why he would have married a woman when he swore he wouldn’t have done that in his lifetime. He never saw a good marriage growing up and didn’t want anything to do with the institution. So, what is it about Hannah that makes him want to be a good husband she deserves? Ty was fighting so many demons with his abusive childhood and keeping his feelings to himself. He didn’t understand it but maybe there was something about Hannah that changed him and he’s willing to accept her and see where things go as they figure it out.
Hannah was set on closure when she found Ty in Cold River but then plans changed when she found out about his amnesia. She accepts his offer to go the ranch and talk some more. Playing house with Ty felt good but knew it probably all end badly when she told him her secret. It took an unlikely person to wake her up to face the truth. Hannah just had to decide what she wanted for her and her son. Hannah grew into her own person over the course of the story and it was nice to see her take control of her life.
Ty and Hannah were complicated, likable characters that needed one another. Each has a tragic past fighting demons and stigmas of their parents’ actions. They believed what they were told and living in fear was easier than fighting your family. It took some time and determination on both their parts to figure it out that what they had was good and worth fighting for. The road to their happiness wasn’t easy and the author wrote a second chance romance that felt very satisfying in the end. Caitlin Crews’ writing is gripping and emotional and ultimately it was wonderful story.
Review copy provided a voluntary review.
My heart ached for these two individuals because you could feel their pain on all the pages. She was longing for him to remember how they fell in love in stolen moments while they were on the rodeo circuit. Ty was trying hard to make sense on why he would have married a woman when he swore he wouldn’t have done that in his lifetime. He never saw a good marriage growing up and didn’t want anything to do with the institution. So, what is it about Hannah that makes him want to be a good husband she deserves? Ty was fighting so many demons with his abusive childhood and keeping his feelings to himself. He didn’t understand it but maybe there was something about Hannah that changed him and he’s willing to accept her and see where things go as they figure it out.
Hannah was set on closure when she found Ty in Cold River but then plans changed when she found out about his amnesia. She accepts his offer to go the ranch and talk some more. Playing house with Ty felt good but knew it probably all end badly when she told him her secret. It took an unlikely person to wake her up to face the truth. Hannah just had to decide what she wanted for her and her son. Hannah grew into her own person over the course of the story and it was nice to see her take control of her life.
Ty and Hannah were complicated, likable characters that needed one another. Each has a tragic past fighting demons and stigmas of their parents’ actions. They believed what they were told and living in fear was easier than fighting your family. It took some time and determination on both their parts to figure it out that what they had was good and worth fighting for. The road to their happiness wasn’t easy and the author wrote a second chance romance that felt very satisfying in the end. Caitlin Crews’ writing is gripping and emotional and ultimately it was wonderful story.
Review copy provided a voluntary review.
July 29, 2019
3.5 stars
The second book in the Cold River Ranch series which concentrates on what happened to Gray, Ty and Brady Everett after the death of their abusive father.
Ty left home to participate in rodeos when he was 18. Now he is back to the Cold Ranch recuperating after a bad fall, which left him unable to remember the last two years of his life. When beautiful Rodeo Queen Hannah Monroe turns up on his doorstep, he is intrigued. Clearly, she knows a lot about the missing years, but what kind of secrets and revelations are going to follow? Both Hannah and Ty come from dysfunctional families and have a lot of trust issues they need to overcome if they want their relationship (and secret marriage Ty doesn’t have any recollection of) to continue and develop. Hannah takes way too long revealing the existence of Jack, their son.
I would have preferred less inner monologue, although I do recognise its value in explaining the characters’ backgrounds, motivations and evolution. Overall, the book has good pacing, interesting setting and complex characters, and does make an enjoyable read if you are looking for an emotional second chance romance.
I will be looking forward to reading the third book in the series.
The second book in the Cold River Ranch series which concentrates on what happened to Gray, Ty and Brady Everett after the death of their abusive father.
Ty left home to participate in rodeos when he was 18. Now he is back to the Cold Ranch recuperating after a bad fall, which left him unable to remember the last two years of his life. When beautiful Rodeo Queen Hannah Monroe turns up on his doorstep, he is intrigued. Clearly, she knows a lot about the missing years, but what kind of secrets and revelations are going to follow? Both Hannah and Ty come from dysfunctional families and have a lot of trust issues they need to overcome if they want their relationship (and secret marriage Ty doesn’t have any recollection of) to continue and develop. Hannah takes way too long revealing the existence of Jack, their son.
I would have preferred less inner monologue, although I do recognise its value in explaining the characters’ backgrounds, motivations and evolution. Overall, the book has good pacing, interesting setting and complex characters, and does make an enjoyable read if you are looking for an emotional second chance romance.
I will be looking forward to reading the third book in the series.
October 9, 2020
Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy was an enjoyable read featuring a second chance romance with an amnesia twist.
Ty Everett left home at eighteen to join the rodeo and never looked back. But after a fall during his last ride, Ty heads home with an injured leg and amnesia centered around the two years prior to his fall. With no idea what to do next, Ty settles into life on the Cold River Ranch until one day Rodeo Queen Hannah Monroe shows up claiming to be his wife. But with no memory of Hannah, Ty has a hard time repairing the relationship he obviously broke despite feeling more at ease with Hannah than he's felt since returning home. And after Ty discovers Hannah has been hiding a big secret from him, their relationship may be doomed before it has a chance.
Ty and Hannah's romance was a but unique as at its' core it was a second chance romance, but Ty's amnesia meant only Hannah remembered their relationship. This book picks up months after Ty's accident, with Hannah only staying away as she was unaware Ty had amnesia and thought he simply wanted nothing to do with her due to a fight they had right before the accident. I understood why Hannah thought Ty didn't want her around, but I had a hard time accepting her decision to stay away rather than try to fix her marriage. Plus add in the fact Hannah had Ty's son during that absence and it was even more crappy she stayed away. I don't generally love babies in my romances, but I absolutely hate the secret baby trope which is essentially what this book featured due to Ty's amnesia causing him to forget Hannah's pregnancy and her keeping it a secret after she finds out about the amnesia. Due to Hannah's secrecy, centered around a trope I don't like, I didn't love their romance. Don't get me wrong, the pair had fantastic chemistry and their steamy scenes were well done, I just couldn't get past Hannah's deception.
The side characters in this book are fantastic and I really enjoy the Everett family. Due to the Everett siblings working together on the ranch, we see quite a bit of them as well as Ty's older brother Gray's wife and daughter. Gray's romance was the focus of the first book in the series, A True Cowboy Christmas, which featured a marriage of convenience romance that I really enjoyed. This book also has a few appearances of the Kittredge family which is the focus of the author's next series.
Overall while I loved the setting and side characters of Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy, it wasn't my favorite romance due to my dislike of one of the tropes used. However I would recommend the book for anyone who enjoys secret baby romances.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Ty Everett left home at eighteen to join the rodeo and never looked back. But after a fall during his last ride, Ty heads home with an injured leg and amnesia centered around the two years prior to his fall. With no idea what to do next, Ty settles into life on the Cold River Ranch until one day Rodeo Queen Hannah Monroe shows up claiming to be his wife. But with no memory of Hannah, Ty has a hard time repairing the relationship he obviously broke despite feeling more at ease with Hannah than he's felt since returning home. And after Ty discovers Hannah has been hiding a big secret from him, their relationship may be doomed before it has a chance.
Ty and Hannah's romance was a but unique as at its' core it was a second chance romance, but Ty's amnesia meant only Hannah remembered their relationship. This book picks up months after Ty's accident, with Hannah only staying away as she was unaware Ty had amnesia and thought he simply wanted nothing to do with her due to a fight they had right before the accident. I understood why Hannah thought Ty didn't want her around, but I had a hard time accepting her decision to stay away rather than try to fix her marriage. Plus add in the fact Hannah had Ty's son during that absence and it was even more crappy she stayed away. I don't generally love babies in my romances, but I absolutely hate the secret baby trope which is essentially what this book featured due to Ty's amnesia causing him to forget Hannah's pregnancy and her keeping it a secret after she finds out about the amnesia. Due to Hannah's secrecy, centered around a trope I don't like, I didn't love their romance. Don't get me wrong, the pair had fantastic chemistry and their steamy scenes were well done, I just couldn't get past Hannah's deception.
The side characters in this book are fantastic and I really enjoy the Everett family. Due to the Everett siblings working together on the ranch, we see quite a bit of them as well as Ty's older brother Gray's wife and daughter. Gray's romance was the focus of the first book in the series, A True Cowboy Christmas, which featured a marriage of convenience romance that I really enjoyed. This book also has a few appearances of the Kittredge family which is the focus of the author's next series.
Overall while I loved the setting and side characters of Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy, it wasn't my favorite romance due to my dislike of one of the tropes used. However I would recommend the book for anyone who enjoys secret baby romances.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
July 8, 2019
DNF 20%. Over dramatic. A lot of jumping around everywhere from the present to hero's head to heroine's head to the past and back again. In fact too much inner turmoil occupying pages, nay even a chapter or so, interrupting conversations between the protagonists. For example she asks a question. One or both of them will have extended inner dialogue philosophising over the meaning of life or have a prolonged woe-me internal reflection. Then many pages later, we suddenly get his answer to her question and the continuation of the rest of their conversation but I had lost track of what they were talking about. Made my head spin. Neither protagonists appear that likeable. My first and likely last book by this author.
This was an ARC by Net Galley.
This was an ARC by Net Galley.
July 15, 2019
My rating: 2.5 Stars
Oh boy, I love drama and secrets and second chances as much as the next person, I even love the inner monologue characters often do, but this time out, I just couldn’t connect too often with the main characters.
Hannah was completely wrapped up in her “beauty”…not the real kind, but the plastic “beauty queen” beauty and what does that say to the world? Oh, the horrors of being seen without her make-up on! And that secret she is keeping from Ty? Shame on her. Ty has truly suffered, but the worst of it he has kept from everyone, including his family. Why would anyone feel ashamed of partial amnesia?
COLD HEART, WARM COWBOY by Caitlin Crews tells of two people torn apart by thoughtless words, bruised egos and the tragedy of a loss of memory. What should have been a heartwarming second chance romance became a stressful tale of two people who once built a relationship on secrets and fear of discovery and now find themselves caught up in more secrets they fear will be discovered.
Two dysfunctional families do not help matters. Too much pain, not enough selfless love kept me from truly enjoying much of anything about this book.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's Press! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Cold River Ranch - Book 2
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (July 30, 2019)
Publication Date: July 30, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Number of Pages: 352
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Oh boy, I love drama and secrets and second chances as much as the next person, I even love the inner monologue characters often do, but this time out, I just couldn’t connect too often with the main characters.
Hannah was completely wrapped up in her “beauty”…not the real kind, but the plastic “beauty queen” beauty and what does that say to the world? Oh, the horrors of being seen without her make-up on! And that secret she is keeping from Ty? Shame on her. Ty has truly suffered, but the worst of it he has kept from everyone, including his family. Why would anyone feel ashamed of partial amnesia?
COLD HEART, WARM COWBOY by Caitlin Crews tells of two people torn apart by thoughtless words, bruised egos and the tragedy of a loss of memory. What should have been a heartwarming second chance romance became a stressful tale of two people who once built a relationship on secrets and fear of discovery and now find themselves caught up in more secrets they fear will be discovered.
Two dysfunctional families do not help matters. Too much pain, not enough selfless love kept me from truly enjoying much of anything about this book.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's Press! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Cold River Ranch - Book 2
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (July 30, 2019)
Publication Date: July 30, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Number of Pages: 352
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
August 29, 2019
Is it because their relationship was a secret that Ty Everett can't remember the woman he married after his last rodeo almost cost him his life?
I adored the first book in the series but this one didn't meet my expectations. I could say it's because there's too many unsaid things between the MC, that I didn't understand the reason why their relationship had to stay secret when they got together the first time, that they're both too closed off (even if I understand their reasons why), or the reason why Ty didn't want to tell his family about his amnesia, but the main reason is that I didn't find this romance novel well...romantic. I waited and waited till the end to witness some romance but for me it was more like a couple's journey to learning to know each other again but with distrust and lack of communication.
It was a good idea to used amnesia for a second chance romance and not in a context I read often but at the end of the day, it was too frustrating for me. I liked that Hannah doesn't tiptoe around his family, saying what's on their mind, but without being too brash about it either.
I adored the first book in the series but this one didn't meet my expectations. I could say it's because there's too many unsaid things between the MC, that I didn't understand the reason why their relationship had to stay secret when they got together the first time, that they're both too closed off (even if I understand their reasons why), or the reason why Ty didn't want to tell his family about his amnesia, but the main reason is that I didn't find this romance novel well...romantic. I waited and waited till the end to witness some romance but for me it was more like a couple's journey to learning to know each other again but with distrust and lack of communication.
It was a good idea to used amnesia for a second chance romance and not in a context I read often but at the end of the day, it was too frustrating for me. I liked that Hannah doesn't tiptoe around his family, saying what's on their mind, but without being too brash about it either.
July 30, 2019
Release date July 30, 2019
Hannah was in love with rodeo star Ty when he left her and broke her heart - and left her pregnant. She goes to his home town years later to confront him once and for all. When she confronts him, he treats her so casually she can’t figure him out.
Ty was thrown from a bull and has spent the last eighteen months getting his life together after nearly dying. He has kept it hidden from his family that he lost the memory of the last two years of his life before the bullfight by being charming or being drunk. So when Hannah shows up on his ranch and clearly knew him from the rodeo days, he’s intrigued.
This was a book where I wanted to yell just talk to each other already!!! Hannah takes way too long to tell him they are married. And I understood her reasons. She’s telling a man who had no intention of ever getting married that he changed his ways when they met and they fell in love. Being told about something you did with no memories of it is difficult because there are no emotions attached to the memory.
She eventually tells him they are married. He’s shocked. She realized he doesn’t have memories of her, and that means his absence in her life wasn’t intentional.
The problem with a secret marriage is if no one knows about it, when your spouse loses their memory you are working uphill to prove you’re together. And Hannah really struggles when he introduced her to his family as his wife. Not only have they not heard of her, they assume she left him high and dry when he was injured and shows up when he’s getting his life back together.
And she still hasn’t told him about their son.
I liked the rodeo culture. It’s not one I have read much about, so I was surprised when I looked up at how strict the Rodeo Queen rules actually are.
If a contemporary second chance romance with a wounded cowboy and a sugar and steel rodeo queen sounds intriguing - give this book a try.
Hannah was in love with rodeo star Ty when he left her and broke her heart - and left her pregnant. She goes to his home town years later to confront him once and for all. When she confronts him, he treats her so casually she can’t figure him out.
Ty was thrown from a bull and has spent the last eighteen months getting his life together after nearly dying. He has kept it hidden from his family that he lost the memory of the last two years of his life before the bullfight by being charming or being drunk. So when Hannah shows up on his ranch and clearly knew him from the rodeo days, he’s intrigued.
This was a book where I wanted to yell just talk to each other already!!! Hannah takes way too long to tell him they are married. And I understood her reasons. She’s telling a man who had no intention of ever getting married that he changed his ways when they met and they fell in love. Being told about something you did with no memories of it is difficult because there are no emotions attached to the memory.
She eventually tells him they are married. He’s shocked. She realized he doesn’t have memories of her, and that means his absence in her life wasn’t intentional.
The problem with a secret marriage is if no one knows about it, when your spouse loses their memory you are working uphill to prove you’re together. And Hannah really struggles when he introduced her to his family as his wife. Not only have they not heard of her, they assume she left him high and dry when he was injured and shows up when he’s getting his life back together.
And she still hasn’t told him about their son.
I liked the rodeo culture. It’s not one I have read much about, so I was surprised when I looked up at how strict the Rodeo Queen rules actually are.
If a contemporary second chance romance with a wounded cowboy and a sugar and steel rodeo queen sounds intriguing - give this book a try.
May 18, 2019
After reading this entire book, I decided 4 stars was a fair rating. To be honest, up to the last quarter of the book I found myself very frustrated with the amount of inner monologue. I have no problems with being inside a character's head and knowing what he/she is thinking. Unfortunately, this book did not have a good balance of monologue verses dialogue. For example, our heroine would ask a question and it was literally pages later where the hero answered. By the time I got to the answer, I had to re-read because I couldn't remember the question. This happened throughout most of the book. Also, this was my same issue with the first book in the series. Thankfully, the last 25% of the book moved faster and I was able to enjoy the story more and forget my frustration.
So, despite that issue, I did enjoy the book. The characters were complex and flawed. Both the H/h had emotional stress to deal with. I will say that Hannah was a hot mess and I completely understood why. Seriously, if the love of my life could not remember I existed I don't know that I would deal with it as well as Hannah seemed to. There were many other conflicts in the story added by secondary characters, for instance, Hannah's mother. Those character conflicts helped me to enjoy the story more. That said, while I complained about writing flow, etc., I did overall enjoy Ty and Hannah's story. I'm going to read the next book which features the last brother, Brady, because despite my complaints I'm invested I the happily-ever-after of this family.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. :)
So, despite that issue, I did enjoy the book. The characters were complex and flawed. Both the H/h had emotional stress to deal with. I will say that Hannah was a hot mess and I completely understood why. Seriously, if the love of my life could not remember I existed I don't know that I would deal with it as well as Hannah seemed to. There were many other conflicts in the story added by secondary characters, for instance, Hannah's mother. Those character conflicts helped me to enjoy the story more. That said, while I complained about writing flow, etc., I did overall enjoy Ty and Hannah's story. I'm going to read the next book which features the last brother, Brady, because despite my complaints I'm invested I the happily-ever-after of this family.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. :)
February 2, 2020
23% and I’m done!
May 6, 2021
3 Remember Stars
* * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Timing can be everything and unfortunately, both of these characters have terrible timing! Our Rodeo Star has a past with a Rodeo Queen. They have danced around about what is what and she finally decides to confront him and give him to give an ultimatum regarding where they stand.
Well throw in partial amnesia from his last bull ride and you have an angsty romance to enjoy.
A True Cowboy Christmas (Cold River Ranch, #1)
Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy (Cold River Ranch, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Last Real Cowboy (Cold River Ranch, #3)
A gifted copy was provided by St. Martin's Press Via NettGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Timing can be everything and unfortunately, both of these characters have terrible timing! Our Rodeo Star has a past with a Rodeo Queen. They have danced around about what is what and she finally decides to confront him and give him to give an ultimatum regarding where they stand.
Well throw in partial amnesia from his last bull ride and you have an angsty romance to enjoy.
A True Cowboy Christmas (Cold River Ranch, #1) Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy (Cold River Ranch, #2) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Last Real Cowboy (Cold River Ranch, #3) A gifted copy was provided by St. Martin's Press Via NettGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
December 30, 2019
Three and a half stars.
Ty Everett is the second of the three Everett brothers, each tortured in some way by their upbringing. He left home when he was eighteen, gifted only with a black eye from his bitter father, to join the rodeo. A little over eighteen months ago he was trampled by a bull and the doctors thought he might never walk again but he pulled through although he still has a limp. He returned to the family ranch after his father's death and has agreed with his brothers to spend a year on the ranch before they decide what to do with their inheritance. What no-one knows is that Ty lost two years of his memories when he was stomped by the bull.
Hannah Monroe was a Rodeo Queen, she and Ty got married secretly but he freaked when she announced she was pregnant and told her he never wanted a child, or to see her again. Now she's come to Cold River Ranch to get a divorce. But when Ty does not recognise Hannah she has to decide whether to hope his memory comes back or turn her back on the only man she's ever loved.
I did enjoy this but having read all three brothers' books I did start to feel this was all a bit rinse and repeat. Each brother is torn up inside in fear that he is just like their drunken, violent, twisted father. Each woman in her own way is a bit of a doormat and (of course) a virgin for one reason or another until she meets the Everett brother of her dreams. In each case it's the woman who has to do all the running with the Everett brother either totally oblivious or fighting it hard.
Ty Everett is the second of the three Everett brothers, each tortured in some way by their upbringing. He left home when he was eighteen, gifted only with a black eye from his bitter father, to join the rodeo. A little over eighteen months ago he was trampled by a bull and the doctors thought he might never walk again but he pulled through although he still has a limp. He returned to the family ranch after his father's death and has agreed with his brothers to spend a year on the ranch before they decide what to do with their inheritance. What no-one knows is that Ty lost two years of his memories when he was stomped by the bull.
Hannah Monroe was a Rodeo Queen, she and Ty got married secretly but he freaked when she announced she was pregnant and told her he never wanted a child, or to see her again. Now she's come to Cold River Ranch to get a divorce. But when Ty does not recognise Hannah she has to decide whether to hope his memory comes back or turn her back on the only man she's ever loved.
I did enjoy this but having read all three brothers' books I did start to feel this was all a bit rinse and repeat. Each brother is torn up inside in fear that he is just like their drunken, violent, twisted father. Each woman in her own way is a bit of a doormat and (of course) a virgin for one reason or another until she meets the Everett brother of her dreams. In each case it's the woman who has to do all the running with the Everett brother either totally oblivious or fighting it hard.
July 25, 2019
I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy by Caitlin Crews is the second book in her The Cold River Ranch Series. It could be read as a standalone but as I really enjoyed the first book as well I recommend reading both books. Caitlin Crews is one of the few authors who could make me read a secret baby book and she does it so well that I may even read another book with that trope someday but only if she writes it. Hannah Monroe Everett former rodeo queen has come to Cold River to see if she can salvage her secret marriage after its abrupt end when her husband Ty Everett threw her out of his hospital room after being badly injured while riding a bull in a rodeo. Ty doesn’t remember being married, he lost at his best guess 2 years of his memories after the accident but this beautiful stranger feels familiar to him there are things he instinctively knows about her and things she knows about him that he’s never told anyone. I loved the story of how these two find their way back to each other and their hard won HEA will make you cheer.
Medium Steam. Publishing Date July 30, 2019 #NetGalley #ColdHeartWarmCowboy #CaitlinCrews #StMartinsPress #StMartinsPaperbacks #CowboyRomance #RodeoRomance #Bookstagram
Medium Steam. Publishing Date July 30, 2019 #NetGalley #ColdHeartWarmCowboy #CaitlinCrews #StMartinsPress #StMartinsPaperbacks #CowboyRomance #RodeoRomance #Bookstagram
July 22, 2019
He has been riding bulls in the rodeo ever since he left home at eighteen, but Ty Everett’s last fall causes partial amnesia and his return to Cold River Ranch to figure out what comes next. She was a Rodeo Queen who gave up her crown and her innocence for Ty Everett but now Hannah Monroe wants a divorce only he can’t remember her, their secret wedding or even the son she never meant to hide from him. Even if she’s willing to start over, what will happen when the truth comes out?
This ‘Cold River Ranch’ romance is gut wrenching emotional tale that captures readers’ hearts and refuses to let go. Ty and Hannah have lots of sizzling chemistry and the beginning of their romance was a fairy tale come true but true to life the relationship hits a major obstacle and then events conspire to keep them apart. The emotions are intense and flows from the pages at high velocity as readers become caught up in this couple’s reach for happily ever after.
The pace is steady and continuously builds the suspense of this relationship and the answers to several questions. The strong, unforgettable characters engage in a game of pretend that has some very high stakes indeed with lots of feistiness and stubbornness that has sparks flying in every direction along with a complicated family dynamic between Ty and his brothers that adds to the volatile emotions of this emotionally gripping romance that readers don’t want to put down.
This ‘Cold River Ranch’ romance is gut wrenching emotional tale that captures readers’ hearts and refuses to let go. Ty and Hannah have lots of sizzling chemistry and the beginning of their romance was a fairy tale come true but true to life the relationship hits a major obstacle and then events conspire to keep them apart. The emotions are intense and flows from the pages at high velocity as readers become caught up in this couple’s reach for happily ever after.
The pace is steady and continuously builds the suspense of this relationship and the answers to several questions. The strong, unforgettable characters engage in a game of pretend that has some very high stakes indeed with lots of feistiness and stubbornness that has sparks flying in every direction along with a complicated family dynamic between Ty and his brothers that adds to the volatile emotions of this emotionally gripping romance that readers don’t want to put down.
May 21, 2019
+++ I was invited to view this ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it +++
A tortured hero and a powerful depiction of amnesia.
“Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy”, by Caitlin Crews, offers a powerful depiction of amnesia, one of the most convincingly best I remember reading.
The novel might have a slow beginning but we later learn that it was intended, so that the revelations occur gradually.
Ty is such a tortured, broken character, a retired, scarred bull rider who stubbornly wants to reclaim his reputation and glory again.
I was a bit bored of the innocence/virtue issues with Hannah, and the fact Ty appreciated so much that he had been her first. But perhaps it’s a cultural thing in the rodeo world.
I enjoyed seeing Gray and Abby again and I’m eager to read Brady’s story.
A tortured hero and a powerful depiction of amnesia.
“Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy”, by Caitlin Crews, offers a powerful depiction of amnesia, one of the most convincingly best I remember reading.
The novel might have a slow beginning but we later learn that it was intended, so that the revelations occur gradually.
Ty is such a tortured, broken character, a retired, scarred bull rider who stubbornly wants to reclaim his reputation and glory again.
I was a bit bored of the innocence/virtue issues with Hannah, and the fact Ty appreciated so much that he had been her first. But perhaps it’s a cultural thing in the rodeo world.
I enjoyed seeing Gray and Abby again and I’m eager to read Brady’s story.
July 30, 2019
Ty was a Rodeo king, a bull rider that liked to live life to it's fullest, a playboy that knew he would never settle down and become a dad because the role model he had was a horrible one that was full of hate so there was no way he was ever going to pass that down to a precious child.
Hannah was a Rodeo Queen who won numerous competitions and had a squeaky clean reputation so there was no way she would ever consider going out with Ty Everett the bad boy of Rodeo but he somehow won her over and they secretly started dating. Not only that but they got married and she became pregnant, and then Ty was trampled by a bull he was riding and doesn't remember any of it.
My heart broke for him because he lost so much and he didn't let anyone in so his own brothers didn't know the severity of his injury and what it meant for him. While I liked the book I had a hard time accepting Hannah’s ability to continually lie to Ty, even if was only a lie of omission, no matter what he had said to her in the past he deserved to know the truth.
This has been an enjoyable series so far and I really can't wait to see what happens in the next book, THE LAST REAL COWBOY, which is Brady Everett's story. If you enjoy Westerns, Cowboys, or even Second-Chance-Romance I recommend reading COLD HEART, WARM COWBOY.
I won a Paperback copy through Goodreads so I would like to take a moment to thank both Goodreads and the publisher for this read.
Happy Reading!!!
Hannah was a Rodeo Queen who won numerous competitions and had a squeaky clean reputation so there was no way she would ever consider going out with Ty Everett the bad boy of Rodeo but he somehow won her over and they secretly started dating. Not only that but they got married and she became pregnant, and then Ty was trampled by a bull he was riding and doesn't remember any of it.
My heart broke for him because he lost so much and he didn't let anyone in so his own brothers didn't know the severity of his injury and what it meant for him. While I liked the book I had a hard time accepting Hannah’s ability to continually lie to Ty, even if was only a lie of omission, no matter what he had said to her in the past he deserved to know the truth.
This has been an enjoyable series so far and I really can't wait to see what happens in the next book, THE LAST REAL COWBOY, which is Brady Everett's story. If you enjoy Westerns, Cowboys, or even Second-Chance-Romance I recommend reading COLD HEART, WARM COWBOY.
I won a Paperback copy through Goodreads so I would like to take a moment to thank both Goodreads and the publisher for this read.
Happy Reading!!!
August 23, 2019
Ty Everett is hiding a secret from his family. He has memory loss due to a bull-riding accident. This partial amnesia has cost him two years of his life. He is home at the Cold River Ranch and is trying to figure out his future. For starters he has a difficult relationship with his brothers. But when Hannah Monroe shows up claiming to know him, his life is really turned upside down.
Discovering that he is actually married to Hannah is shocking to Ty, to say the least. He has no memory of her at all. She can prove their marriage. What she doesn't do is to tell him that they have an infant son. On the one hand, Hannah wants a divorce. On the other hand, she still loves Ty to distraction.
Ty has an agenda. He plans on getting back on the bull. His family is fighting him every step of the way. He almost died. Will he lose the battle this time? Will Ty realize that he has more to fight for than a huge bull?
Hannah struggles to be honest with Ty - and with herself - especially considering the attitude towards men that her mother pounded into her. This was so very sad. Hannah must reach deep inside to find her own joy, her own happiness. She must learn to trust.
I loved Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy. It is the second book in the Cold River Ranch series. I love Everett family. Tough on the outside, marshmallows on the inside. Just my type of heroes. Although this book could do well as a standalone, for the sake of continuity, I highly recommend the first book, A True Cowboy Christmas. I look forward to Brady's story in The Last Real Cowboy, which will be available January 2020.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
Discovering that he is actually married to Hannah is shocking to Ty, to say the least. He has no memory of her at all. She can prove their marriage. What she doesn't do is to tell him that they have an infant son. On the one hand, Hannah wants a divorce. On the other hand, she still loves Ty to distraction.
Ty has an agenda. He plans on getting back on the bull. His family is fighting him every step of the way. He almost died. Will he lose the battle this time? Will Ty realize that he has more to fight for than a huge bull?
Hannah struggles to be honest with Ty - and with herself - especially considering the attitude towards men that her mother pounded into her. This was so very sad. Hannah must reach deep inside to find her own joy, her own happiness. She must learn to trust.
I loved Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy. It is the second book in the Cold River Ranch series. I love Everett family. Tough on the outside, marshmallows on the inside. Just my type of heroes. Although this book could do well as a standalone, for the sake of continuity, I highly recommend the first book, A True Cowboy Christmas. I look forward to Brady's story in The Last Real Cowboy, which will be available January 2020.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
November 22, 2019
This was a very delightful and wonderful read. Hannah and Ty met on the rodeo circuit, but relationship fell apart when Ty is tossed from a bull, trampled on, and ends up with amnesia. He loses all memory of Hannah and when she returns to tell him to try to tell him about their history, he doesn't know her but has an attraction to her from the start.
Hannah is a lovable character who tried not to follow in her mother's footsteps but unfortunately ended up that way. She is a determined individual who has spunk and can dish out what it takes being the Southern girl she was raised to be. Ty’s brothers, Gray and Brady were a welcome addition with their wives to the story who were witty and provided a bit of fun, humor and common sense when needed.
Not having read the first in the series, I plan on reading it. This was a well-written story by Catlin Crews whom I am becoming a fan. Look forward to future reads from this author. Would love to audiobook when avail.
ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.
Hannah is a lovable character who tried not to follow in her mother's footsteps but unfortunately ended up that way. She is a determined individual who has spunk and can dish out what it takes being the Southern girl she was raised to be. Ty’s brothers, Gray and Brady were a welcome addition with their wives to the story who were witty and provided a bit of fun, humor and common sense when needed.
Not having read the first in the series, I plan on reading it. This was a well-written story by Catlin Crews whom I am becoming a fan. Look forward to future reads from this author. Would love to audiobook when avail.
ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.
December 24, 2019
Reading Caitlin Crews’s Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy right after Yates’s Lone Wolf Cowboy was like seeing the two romances in a two-way mirror. They are linked by ethos and setting and would be, you might think, too much of a good thing one after the other. Nope. I was as immersed in the former as the latter. Besides, who can resist amnesia and secret-baby trope combined!? Maybe a lot of romance readers can, but I can’t! Moreover, Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy was the follow-up to one of my favourites 2018 romances, A True Cowboy Christmas, though not as good and there be reasons. Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy picks up where True Cowboy Christmas departs, centering on Everett middle brother, Ty, though we have delicious glimpses of the hero and heroine of True Cowboy enjoying married bliss. Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy opens with the heroine, former-rodeo-queen Hannah Leigh Monroe. She’s on her way to Cold River Ranch to confront Ty with the cold hard facts of: exhibit A, their marriage (Las Vegas certificate and all) and exhibit B, their 10-month-old baby, Jack, though Jack’s safely with her mother back in Hannah’s hometown of Sweet Myrtle, Georgia. After what happened eighteen months ago, Hannah thinks it’s high time Ty and she divorced.
Eighteen months ago, Ty lay in a hospital bed, after losing his battle with a nasty bull tongue-in-cheekly named Tough Luck. Hopped up on painkillers, he sent Hannah away and returned to his two brothers, Gray and Brady, and the ancestral home, Cold River Ranch. He doesn’t remember a thing of the past two years, including Hannah, Jack, their marriage, the “whole catastrophe” as Zorba said. He’s honing his body to get back in the bull-riding saddle, angry at himself, angry at the world, and sequestered beyond meals and chores in an empty bunkhouse. He’d been drowning his past glories in whiskey, but has gone off the bottle as he preps for his final battle with Tough Luck.
Hannah’s appearance is a shock, but echoing Yates, Crews’s hero instinctively recognizes some elemental connection between them: “He also knew his own physical familiarity with another person. He didn’t have to remember her when his body was doing it for him.” Hannah may be spitting mad, but she also still loves Ty and … if Ty ever remembers, he loves her too. Though Ty believes himself incapable of love and scoffs at his ability to make a decent husband, he is a man of his word. If Hannah is willing, she will stay with him on the ranch and they’ll try to work things out. Hannah neglects to tell Ty about Jack, ostensibly to protect her precious baby from a father who might not want him.
Crews’s romance portrays the growing liking and compatibility of Ty and Hannah: they’re funny, quick-witted, and sexy in their conversations. Ty’s amnesia allows Crews to explore how the helpless hero, no matter how alpha, is dependent on the heroine for his past. As Hannah fills him in, always leaving out one crucial fact, baby Jack, we have a double romance narrative in Hannah and Ty’s present and their courtship and growing pains as husband and wife from the past. Then as now, their attraction and chemistry are fiery and moving. Always, in the background, Hannah keeping baby Jack a secret. The secret-baby stayed secret for way too long and I grew reader-angsty as Kindle per cent read sped by. Jack’s appearance and the revelations to follow were explosive and compelling, but it didn’t make up for how annoying I found Hannah’s persistent reluctance to tell Ty the truth about Jack. And her excuse was lame too. Once Jack is revealed, the last quarter of Crews’s romance had me in thrall. It was emotionally riveting.
Lastly, like Yates, Crews is a great writer of angst; and, again like Yates, can balance the dark with passages of wit and banter. Witness Hannah’s memory of Ty in hospital the day he rejected her:
The last time she’d seen this man he’d been a dark, wounded fury strapped to a hospital bed. Tubes and bandages and beeping machines and that terrible blankness when he’d stared straight at her. When he’d told her to leave and never come back.
In witty contrast, Hannah proves to Ty they were married when she tells him her cell phone number is programmed in his:
“This says Ball as a first name. And Chain as a last name.”
“You’re a funny guy.”
Ball and chain. Wife. If it was a test he failed it, because he hit the call button, then they both stood there as the phone she clearly had stuck in her back pocket started playing Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” into the night.
Those droll allusions, “ball and chain” and Cash’s incomparable song dedicated to marital fidelity, they made me smile. Wish Hannah, whom I liked in so many ways, could’ve come through with baby Jack sooner. What I can’t deny is how immersive Crews’s romance was, not as thrillingly good as A True Cowboy Christmas, but better than most slow-moving, saccharine contemporary romance. With Miss Austen, we found in Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy “real comfort,” Emma.
Caitlin Crews’s Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy is published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks. It was released on July 30 and may be found at your preferred vendor. I received an e-galley from St. Martin’s, via Netgalley.
Eighteen months ago, Ty lay in a hospital bed, after losing his battle with a nasty bull tongue-in-cheekly named Tough Luck. Hopped up on painkillers, he sent Hannah away and returned to his two brothers, Gray and Brady, and the ancestral home, Cold River Ranch. He doesn’t remember a thing of the past two years, including Hannah, Jack, their marriage, the “whole catastrophe” as Zorba said. He’s honing his body to get back in the bull-riding saddle, angry at himself, angry at the world, and sequestered beyond meals and chores in an empty bunkhouse. He’d been drowning his past glories in whiskey, but has gone off the bottle as he preps for his final battle with Tough Luck.
Hannah’s appearance is a shock, but echoing Yates, Crews’s hero instinctively recognizes some elemental connection between them: “He also knew his own physical familiarity with another person. He didn’t have to remember her when his body was doing it for him.” Hannah may be spitting mad, but she also still loves Ty and … if Ty ever remembers, he loves her too. Though Ty believes himself incapable of love and scoffs at his ability to make a decent husband, he is a man of his word. If Hannah is willing, she will stay with him on the ranch and they’ll try to work things out. Hannah neglects to tell Ty about Jack, ostensibly to protect her precious baby from a father who might not want him.
Crews’s romance portrays the growing liking and compatibility of Ty and Hannah: they’re funny, quick-witted, and sexy in their conversations. Ty’s amnesia allows Crews to explore how the helpless hero, no matter how alpha, is dependent on the heroine for his past. As Hannah fills him in, always leaving out one crucial fact, baby Jack, we have a double romance narrative in Hannah and Ty’s present and their courtship and growing pains as husband and wife from the past. Then as now, their attraction and chemistry are fiery and moving. Always, in the background, Hannah keeping baby Jack a secret. The secret-baby stayed secret for way too long and I grew reader-angsty as Kindle per cent read sped by. Jack’s appearance and the revelations to follow were explosive and compelling, but it didn’t make up for how annoying I found Hannah’s persistent reluctance to tell Ty the truth about Jack. And her excuse was lame too. Once Jack is revealed, the last quarter of Crews’s romance had me in thrall. It was emotionally riveting.
Lastly, like Yates, Crews is a great writer of angst; and, again like Yates, can balance the dark with passages of wit and banter. Witness Hannah’s memory of Ty in hospital the day he rejected her:
The last time she’d seen this man he’d been a dark, wounded fury strapped to a hospital bed. Tubes and bandages and beeping machines and that terrible blankness when he’d stared straight at her. When he’d told her to leave and never come back.
In witty contrast, Hannah proves to Ty they were married when she tells him her cell phone number is programmed in his:
“This says Ball as a first name. And Chain as a last name.”
“You’re a funny guy.”
Ball and chain. Wife. If it was a test he failed it, because he hit the call button, then they both stood there as the phone she clearly had stuck in her back pocket started playing Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” into the night.
Those droll allusions, “ball and chain” and Cash’s incomparable song dedicated to marital fidelity, they made me smile. Wish Hannah, whom I liked in so many ways, could’ve come through with baby Jack sooner. What I can’t deny is how immersive Crews’s romance was, not as thrillingly good as A True Cowboy Christmas, but better than most slow-moving, saccharine contemporary romance. With Miss Austen, we found in Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy “real comfort,” Emma.
Caitlin Crews’s Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy is published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks. It was released on July 30 and may be found at your preferred vendor. I received an e-galley from St. Martin’s, via Netgalley.
July 29, 2019
Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy
Cold River Ranch Book #2Caitlin Crews
St. Martin’s Press, July 30, 2019
Kindle, Paperback, Audio CD
Cowboy Romance, Second-chance Romance
Provided by NetGalley
✫✫✫✫✫
The cover shows the clear blue Colorado skies that hang over the Cold River Ranch, the ranch of the Everett family. It also shows a good looking cowboy doffing his hat being polite as Ty Everett is supposed to be to Hannah Leigh Monroe when he meets her on his ranch as his favorite horses cozy up to her, a woman he has no memory of. It’s okay as covers go, but I think I would have preferred a rodeo picture of either him in the shutes or her on stage as a rodeo queen. Showing some of the excitement of their past.
The story is really good. It was the old story of a guy and gal fall in love and then split up. Then they get a second chance to be together and they have to hash through the past and recent mistakes, lies, and secrets before they can have a hope of being successful at it. I really liked both of these characters. They were both well defined as people in their own right, but Hannah was really well done.
Hannah was the daughter of an abandoned wife and here she was another abandoned wife living the same life her mother had lived in the same town. She decides she has to take a chance to try to save her marriage to see if she can get a chance at a different life. She has a big secret that she’s keeping from Ty and that’s her son, Jack. She’ll do anything to try to make a better life for Jack. If she can salvage her marriage and give Jack a family, she’ll have succeeded in spades.
But Ty has a secret of his own. He has no memory of what happened between them. He doesn’t even remember Hannah and their love. His accident riding a 2,000 lb bull right after their fight caused amnesia and their entire relationship is a blank to him. How they and his family work it all out is really well written. I liked the ending a lot. Highly recommended. This is the second book in the series. I’m going back to read the first one, which I suspect is the story of Gray and Abby, which should be really cute since they end up a really sweet couple.
Cold River Ranch Book #2Caitlin Crews
St. Martin’s Press, July 30, 2019
Kindle, Paperback, Audio CD
Cowboy Romance, Second-chance Romance
Provided by NetGalley
✫✫✫✫✫
The cover shows the clear blue Colorado skies that hang over the Cold River Ranch, the ranch of the Everett family. It also shows a good looking cowboy doffing his hat being polite as Ty Everett is supposed to be to Hannah Leigh Monroe when he meets her on his ranch as his favorite horses cozy up to her, a woman he has no memory of. It’s okay as covers go, but I think I would have preferred a rodeo picture of either him in the shutes or her on stage as a rodeo queen. Showing some of the excitement of their past.
The story is really good. It was the old story of a guy and gal fall in love and then split up. Then they get a second chance to be together and they have to hash through the past and recent mistakes, lies, and secrets before they can have a hope of being successful at it. I really liked both of these characters. They were both well defined as people in their own right, but Hannah was really well done.
Hannah was the daughter of an abandoned wife and here she was another abandoned wife living the same life her mother had lived in the same town. She decides she has to take a chance to try to save her marriage to see if she can get a chance at a different life. She has a big secret that she’s keeping from Ty and that’s her son, Jack. She’ll do anything to try to make a better life for Jack. If she can salvage her marriage and give Jack a family, she’ll have succeeded in spades.
But Ty has a secret of his own. He has no memory of what happened between them. He doesn’t even remember Hannah and their love. His accident riding a 2,000 lb bull right after their fight caused amnesia and their entire relationship is a blank to him. How they and his family work it all out is really well written. I liked the ending a lot. Highly recommended. This is the second book in the series. I’m going back to read the first one, which I suspect is the story of Gray and Abby, which should be really cute since they end up a really sweet couple.
May 9, 2019
Hannah and Ty met on the rodeo circuit, but their working circumstances meant keeping their relationship a secret. Ty is tossed from a bull, trampled on, and ends up with amnesia, losing all memory of Hannah in his life. When Hannah waltzes back in to his life with an outrageous story of a secret relationship and a surprise wedding, Ty needs to figure out fast if what he’s been searching for has been in front of him all along.
I loved Hannah’s sassy, Southern grit and found Ty’s flirty self growing on me when I realized what a good guy he was. I also got kick out of Ty’s brothers, Gray and Brady. They were nosy, well-meaning siblings with a instinctive protectiveness that was all the funnier because it was in a non-mushy and abrupt kind of way. Gray’s daughter and wife, Becca and Abby, were entertaining as well, providing common sense and humor when the moment was called for.
My one complaint-if the entire book had been as actively conversational as the last 20ish%, I could have easily given 4 stars. But it felt like the majority of talking occurred inside Ty and Hannah’s minds rather then out loud. Amnesia problem aside, I was stuck on why Hannah and Ty didn’t try to re-learn one another as they were now rather than trying to live in the past? Regardless, the end result turned out better then I expected and now I’m hoping Brady’s story is up next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved Hannah’s sassy, Southern grit and found Ty’s flirty self growing on me when I realized what a good guy he was. I also got kick out of Ty’s brothers, Gray and Brady. They were nosy, well-meaning siblings with a instinctive protectiveness that was all the funnier because it was in a non-mushy and abrupt kind of way. Gray’s daughter and wife, Becca and Abby, were entertaining as well, providing common sense and humor when the moment was called for.
My one complaint-if the entire book had been as actively conversational as the last 20ish%, I could have easily given 4 stars. But it felt like the majority of talking occurred inside Ty and Hannah’s minds rather then out loud. Amnesia problem aside, I was stuck on why Hannah and Ty didn’t try to re-learn one another as they were now rather than trying to live in the past? Regardless, the end result turned out better then I expected and now I’m hoping Brady’s story is up next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 28, 2019
Ty Everett ran off to the rodeo when he turned eighteen and has been riding bulls ever since until his last fall causes partial amnesia and he must return to Cold River Ranch to figure out what comes next. Rodeo Queen Hannah Monroe gave up her crown for Ty Everett, and her innocence. What she wants from Ty now is a divorce but Ty can't remember her but when he's with her he feels some warmth in his cold heart.
A well written book of second chances, I liked the added element of Ty’s amnesia which I felt was very well handled. Well portrayed characters who were likeable but I didn’t fully connect with them & numerous times I was saying talk to each other, just talk. However if they had talked it would have been a short book! The beginning of the book is quite slow paced but stick with it as it’s intentional that everything is gradually revealed. A satisfying read that I would recommend
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A well written book of second chances, I liked the added element of Ty’s amnesia which I felt was very well handled. Well portrayed characters who were likeable but I didn’t fully connect with them & numerous times I was saying talk to each other, just talk. However if they had talked it would have been a short book! The beginning of the book is quite slow paced but stick with it as it’s intentional that everything is gradually revealed. A satisfying read that I would recommend
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 30, 2020
4.25 Stars
A different spin on amnesia that had my heart tied up in knots! Yeah, there were times I felt both were in the wrong and being pissed off but the story captivated my heart.
A different spin on amnesia that had my heart tied up in knots! Yeah, there were times I felt both were in the wrong and being pissed off but the story captivated my heart.
Want to read
May 13, 2019Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy is an amnesia second chance romance. Ty and Hannah were rodeo people who secretly married, then a huge fight, then Ty has a bull riding accident and gets amnesia. Two years on, Hannah returns for a divorce, but she has no idea about the amnesia. How can you divorce a guy who doesn't remember marrying you? Obviously, the story is wrapped around a lot of emotional baggage. Will Ty remember Hannah? But, she is also keeping a big secret from Ty. Are they headed for disaster or reconciliation? The story is engaging, entertaining and heart warming. Hannah and Ty are flawed and sympathetic but likeable characters who are in a complex situation. This is the first story I've read by the author, and I will read more. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2019
I must admit I have mixed feelings on this book. While I enjoyed the premise of this book, I must say I was disappointed with how long it took Hannah to finally tell Ty all of their story. In fact, it wasn't even Hannah that revealed the full truth but her mother. This book relied heavily on the inner dialog of the two main characters and yet neither Ty nor Hannah would ever express their feelings out loud. It took other family members to ultimately bring them together which to me makes me question their relationship. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone novel.
August 4, 2019
Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy by Caitlin Crews is book Two in the Cold River Ranch Series. This is the story of Hannah Monroe and Ty Everett. I have read the previous book but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Ty has returned to Cold River Ranch after being injured by his life in the rodeo. This has left him with some partial memory loss. Hannah comes to Ty to request a divorce but when she sees that he isn't at his best her heart opens to help him but she has something else he doesn't know about besides their secret of marriage.
Enjoyed their story.
Ty has returned to Cold River Ranch after being injured by his life in the rodeo. This has left him with some partial memory loss. Hannah comes to Ty to request a divorce but when she sees that he isn't at his best her heart opens to help him but she has something else he doesn't know about besides their secret of marriage.
Enjoyed their story.
August 25, 2019
First one is better. But still want to read the last cowboy's story.
June 24, 2019
ARC courtesy of Netgalley.
I enjoyed the writing and characters in the first book in this series, but really disliked its conservative gender ideologies. I thought I would give this second book a try, to see if the traditional gender stuff was a one-off, or something central to this author's writing. Turns out it's pretty consistent, although the demands of the amnesia-trope plot make it a bit harder to indulge in wholeheartedly here.
We met rodeo rider Ty Everett, the middle brother in the dysfunctional Everett family, in the first book in this series, after he's returned to the family ranch to recover after being thrown and trampled by a bull. Ty's a cheerful, charming devil may care, not a stoic caretaker like his eldest brother, nor a high-achiever like his younger. What only Ty knows is that he's hiding behind his apparent drunkenness and refusal to take anything seriously, hiding from the fact that he can't remember the past two years of his life—and he can't feel much of anything, either.
When a gorgeous glittery Rodeo Queen (it's a real thing, a Rodeo Queen, this New England girl had to research to discover) arrives on the Everett ranch, claiming to know something about Ty's missing two years, Ty's drawn to her like he hasn't been drawn to anyone since his accident. And when Hannah announces that they're husband and wife, well—the one thing his drunken father hadn't done was keep a hold of his wife. Ty can prove that he's different with this second chance Hannah's given him, even if he can't remember Hannah or why he married her.
Turns out that no one else knows about the marriage, because a Rodeo Queen can't be married, so they kept their romance on the QT. And of course Hannah was a virgin, and would only sleep with Ty if he married her, so he did. But he wasn't so happy when she became accidentally pregnant (another thing Ty doesn't remember), and sent her away after his accident. Why she didn't stay anyways doesn't speak very well of Hannah's character. But the demands of the secret baby plot demand a separation, so Hannah's got to run away...
After the big child reveal, there's another round of Ty telling Hannah "you should leave" and Hannah leaving, before she comes to realize that "I always leave before anyone can tell me to go," and Ty finally realizes that he's not destined to become an abusive drunk like his father.
I liked Hannah's pluck and style, although I didn't share Ty's fascination with "the sheer array of products she claimed she had to use each and every day or the sight of her might scare off small children" (2555). And as with the first book in this series, I admired Crews' writing, especially her facility with dialogue. But the conservative gender politics behind the story are just not worth the pleasures it offers, at least to this reader. Some examples:
Hannah's mother's over-the-top man-hating:
"I've spent your entire life so far waiting for your daddy to wake up and do the right thing no matter the hush money his parents paid us. And guess what? It never happened. It's never going to happen. Do you want to know why?"
Hannah had sighed. "Because you can't trust a man."
"You can't trust a man," Mama had agreed, like it was a hallelujah. "Men always lie. They're no good and they're simply made that way" (620).
And this exchange between Hannah and Ty:
"Maybe I don't want to spend my life making meals for monosyllabic men, doing laundry, and seven thousand other domestic chores I would never do if left to my own devices." To which Ty replies, "The ranch runs fine whether you're here or not... What I mean is that anything you do to help is a gift. If you don't feel like giving that gift, don't." Which leaves Hannah feeling "childish and out of sorts, then" (2700)
And the gendered nature of Hannah's climactic realization that she always leaves because she's bought into her mother's man-hating bitterness: "I always leave before anyone can tell me to go. I always make sure that I don't let anyone really, truly hurt me. Sure, Ty said some terrible things to me in the hospital. But what kind of wife walks out and never returns? Never even checks in to see if maybe that was the pain medication talking? What kind of woman leaves her man like that?" (3632).
I don't think I'll be reading the third book in the series.
I enjoyed the writing and characters in the first book in this series, but really disliked its conservative gender ideologies. I thought I would give this second book a try, to see if the traditional gender stuff was a one-off, or something central to this author's writing. Turns out it's pretty consistent, although the demands of the amnesia-trope plot make it a bit harder to indulge in wholeheartedly here.
We met rodeo rider Ty Everett, the middle brother in the dysfunctional Everett family, in the first book in this series, after he's returned to the family ranch to recover after being thrown and trampled by a bull. Ty's a cheerful, charming devil may care, not a stoic caretaker like his eldest brother, nor a high-achiever like his younger. What only Ty knows is that he's hiding behind his apparent drunkenness and refusal to take anything seriously, hiding from the fact that he can't remember the past two years of his life—and he can't feel much of anything, either.
When a gorgeous glittery Rodeo Queen (it's a real thing, a Rodeo Queen, this New England girl had to research to discover) arrives on the Everett ranch, claiming to know something about Ty's missing two years, Ty's drawn to her like he hasn't been drawn to anyone since his accident. And when Hannah announces that they're husband and wife, well—the one thing his drunken father hadn't done was keep a hold of his wife. Ty can prove that he's different with this second chance Hannah's given him, even if he can't remember Hannah or why he married her.
Turns out that no one else knows about the marriage, because a Rodeo Queen can't be married, so they kept their romance on the QT. And of course Hannah was a virgin, and would only sleep with Ty if he married her, so he did. But he wasn't so happy when she became accidentally pregnant (another thing Ty doesn't remember), and sent her away after his accident. Why she didn't stay anyways doesn't speak very well of Hannah's character. But the demands of the secret baby plot demand a separation, so Hannah's got to run away...
After the big child reveal, there's another round of Ty telling Hannah "you should leave" and Hannah leaving, before she comes to realize that "I always leave before anyone can tell me to go," and Ty finally realizes that he's not destined to become an abusive drunk like his father.
I liked Hannah's pluck and style, although I didn't share Ty's fascination with "the sheer array of products she claimed she had to use each and every day or the sight of her might scare off small children" (2555). And as with the first book in this series, I admired Crews' writing, especially her facility with dialogue. But the conservative gender politics behind the story are just not worth the pleasures it offers, at least to this reader. Some examples:
Hannah's mother's over-the-top man-hating:
"I've spent your entire life so far waiting for your daddy to wake up and do the right thing no matter the hush money his parents paid us. And guess what? It never happened. It's never going to happen. Do you want to know why?"
Hannah had sighed. "Because you can't trust a man."
"You can't trust a man," Mama had agreed, like it was a hallelujah. "Men always lie. They're no good and they're simply made that way" (620).
And this exchange between Hannah and Ty:
"Maybe I don't want to spend my life making meals for monosyllabic men, doing laundry, and seven thousand other domestic chores I would never do if left to my own devices." To which Ty replies, "The ranch runs fine whether you're here or not... What I mean is that anything you do to help is a gift. If you don't feel like giving that gift, don't." Which leaves Hannah feeling "childish and out of sorts, then" (2700)
And the gendered nature of Hannah's climactic realization that she always leaves because she's bought into her mother's man-hating bitterness: "I always leave before anyone can tell me to go. I always make sure that I don't let anyone really, truly hurt me. Sure, Ty said some terrible things to me in the hospital. But what kind of wife walks out and never returns? Never even checks in to see if maybe that was the pain medication talking? What kind of woman leaves her man like that?" (3632).
I don't think I'll be reading the third book in the series.
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