Falling for the Cowboy Dad

Home to Eagle's Rest #2

by Patricia Johns

He’s always been the one…

She’s always been just a friend!

Grace Beverly spent years hopelessly in love with her best friend, Billy Austin. Now he’s back in Eagle’s Rest, Colorado, determined to provide the best life possible for his four-year-old daughter. He’s just not sure how. Helping Billy navigate the world of parenting is a one-way ticket back to heartache. Yet how can Grace say no to her oldest friend?

Genres: Romance, Westerns

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

Publishers Weekly bestselling author Patricia Johns writes sweet romance. She lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband and son.

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Reviews

[shms · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the tale of an h who was in love with the bff who is totally oblivious of her feelings. She pines in silence and when, after several years of seperation, he expects to pick up their friendship,she resists. He now has a young daughter in tow to complicate issues. The threads are there for a great read but I found it falling short of expectation. His growing attraction to the h was less than convincing. The h had very valid concerns and I don't think they were really addressed. Kinda swept under the carpet to bring this to an end by page count.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Beverly has been in love with her best friend Billy Austin for years. As difficult as it was, it was much easier to deal with when he was away. However, he is back in Eagle's Rest, Colorado and is now a single dad. He is struggling with becoming a good father to his exceptional four-year-old daughter Poppy. He asks Grace for help. She just cannot say no.

Grace and Billy had been best friends for years, but they never had a romantic relationship. Poppy had to come into her own, as it were. By the time she saw Billy again, things changed for her with regard to how she saw herself. This no doubt went towards Billy seeing her in a new light. However, despite how he might be attracted to her now, his role as a father is front and center for him.

Falling for the Cowboy Dad is a sweet romance. I love that it had no sex! It was more focused on the relationship that was building between Grace and Billy, and also Billy and Poppy. Furthermore, there was a distinct difference between Grace and Billy and I truly enjoyed how that was explored. It touched on an issue I rarely read about in any book, never mind romance.

This was a great story, smoothly written and quite enjoyable. I loved all of the primary characters, including little Poppy. It was also a pleasure to read the scenes between Grace and her mother Connie. This touching and engaging read was devoured in one sitting. I look forward to reading more stories in this series and by this author.

Many thanks to Harlequin and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Toth Jo-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story for any girl who has felt like they are only the pal for there male friends. I really enjoyed Grace Beverly. She blossomed as you read about her in the book. For Billy Austin thought they were pals until he started noticing things. Its a really neat story of a friendship that grows. It also brings attention to children that are gifted and ones that have dyslexia. Its a great book and worth a read.

[Sandy Reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet story of friends-turned-soulmates set in a rural Montana mountain setting. Grace just wants to move on with her life -- start her career as a teacher, find a man who will love her for her and not make her feel bad about her curves, to start a family, and to finally let go of her unrequited love for her best friend, Billy. She tried cutting him out of her life, but now he's back. With a four-year-old daughter he never knew about, and with a secret he's been hiding since he was a kid himself. When he enlists Grace's help with his gifted daughter and his own shortcomings, Grace promises herself it's only for a couple of weeks and then she's off to Denver to fulfill her dreams of moving on. But when Billy begins to see Grace in a way he never let himself before, both of them will have to let go of their own self-doubts. Would letting herself love Billy mean giving up on her dreams, or is he the only dream she's ever needed? How can she walk away after falling in love with his daughter? And can Billy ever get past his issues to feel like he's good enough for Grace while also proving to himself that he's a good enough father, too? What do you do when you just can't seem to stay away from the person who completes you? Johns' Falling for the Cowboy Dad is an adorable love story for PG-13 romance fans.

[Rachel DeVaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book-I loved it! and the cover of this book goes along perfectly with the story!

I loved the friendship of Grace and Billy although it was frustrating at times with their lack of communication regarding their feelings for each other. I liked reading about Billy's experiences with fatherhood and coming to terms with his own mother and childhood. I liked that this story was realistic to life including complicated relationships, family, wondering about the future, parenthood, etc.

Very well written, great story line, wonderful characters...highly recommend! I read it in one night because I loved it and didn't want to stop reading. Clean womens fiction with no language or explicit scenes.

I received a copy of this ebook complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book if you like an easy romance read with a friends to lovers romance--the unseen best friend, and the caring man who has his own insecurities. There's tension woven throughout the whole story, and everything is up in the air until the very end. The juxtaposition of Poppy and Billy really pulls at the heart strings, and Poppy has the cutest personality ever. And then there's Grace who has found her confidence and is so caring. This is a character driven plot and all of the characters pulled me into the story. The ending was a little abrupt for me, but I'm still a sucker for a HEA.

***Thank you so much to Harlequin and NetGalley for the chance to read this early by giving me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!***

[Jennifer Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! Billy and Grace are real people with real problems. Romantic relationships are often messy, and this one is no exception. It’s a rollercoaster! Especially when there’s a special 4 year old girl in the mix. They have “history”, in addition to their present day complications. My favourite part is seeing Billy who has his own struggles, step outside of his comfort zone in order to care for his daughter. And I loved how Grace learned to love herself! I felt so proud of her. All around great read!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable book, but the main conflict was run into the ground. The whole plot was driven by just one point for each primary character and while you knew it would work out in the end there were times I found myself thinking 'get on with it already.'

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story for so many reasons. This author took so many individual insecurities and handled them beautifully.

With Grace being secretly in love with Bill her best friend for years but not using her voice to say what she feels not even asking for fashion tip even from her mom. She continued to hide.

All the while being there to be Billy’s sounding board through all his relationships. When he was looking to be loved due to his background. So, when they both meet the new girl in town, Tracy, of course, the model type he likes. Their relationship blossoms.

The next thing she knows three weeks after Tracy moves to Denver for a new job, Billy, a born cowboy does too. That was the last straw for, Grace. She knew this was her time to cut all ties with, Billy. Therefore, all the times he calls over the next three years she never returns them.

Now, Grace is home to do a long-term sub job as a pre-school teacher, at there grade school. She has three more weeks then she goes back to Denver. When the principal walks in at the end of the day and says she has a new student. With her stand a very petite, blonde hair, big blue-eyed sweet girl. She looks sad and lost. She bends and asks her name. When a deep voice that she would know anywhere says, Poppy.

There stands her biggest crush and still the man judging by her emotions she can’t seem to get over. There he stands with his lopsided grin. And all I can say is “Billy.” Then she proceeds to start showing Poppy around the room.

From here things do get interesting you will enjoy the ride. Poor Billy I have to say is clueless most of the time. Like a lot of men not always tapped into the women in their lives. Love Poppy and my heart break for too. Love how Heather has things turn around for her. And the talk Connie has with Grace was also very good.

I give this: 5++++ stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace has been (silently) in love with Billy for years but finally put herself first and cut him out of her life when he moved away with her best friend. This is such a hard but relatable situation. Grace had such little self-confidence and having him not see her as anything more than a friend did nothing for her state of mind. But getting away and making a life without him helped her discover more about who she is and her worth. Having him back again threatens that … but its difficult to turn him away.

Billy had no clue about Grace’s feelings and was hurt when she stopped talking to him. He’s back now, a little girl he didn’t know he had in tow, and seeing Grace again seems like a godsend. His own troubles are pretty overwhelming – making a connection with Poppy and trying to figure out how to raise a super-smart daughter while continuing to hide a lifelong secret – so having her around again brings him hope.

Johns does a great job of taking two people with their own insecurities and putting them in a situation where they have no choice but to face them. These are real, every day issues and they are handled with a good deal of care. Both Grace and Billy have a lot of discovery to do and have to really talk with those that mean something to them. There’s no way that they can successfully move forward without addressing their problems first.

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.com This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

This is a heartbreaking story about two best friends, who each kept a secret. that resulted in them losing contact for several years. Grace Beverly was in love with her best friend Billy Austin, but instead of telling him, she watched him go from one hot girl to the next, until finally breaking off contact after he left town with a friend of hers. He never thought he was good enough for Grace, because he couldn't read and thought he was stupid. He hid his dyslexia from everyone. She became a teacher and they are brought back together when she is in town temporarily as a substitute teacher, while he is back in town because he is now a Dad of a 4 year old girl, who he had not known about until her mother left her with Billy. Poppy is a very precocious child and Billy is overwhelmed, afraid to make the same mistakes his single mother did with him. Will they have a second chance with each other, or will their fears keep them apart?

This is the first book that I have read from this author. Wonderful characters, a compelling plot and a well written narrative make this a pleasant read. There is a HEA, though the end seemed hurried, as if the book was only allowed a certain number of words and they were running out.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace and Billy were best friends when they were younger but over the years split after he left with a girlfriend. Now he's back in town after an ex lets him know that he has a child and working hard to make his gifted child gets what she needs. Grace is in town temporarily as a substitute and wasn't expecting to see Billy and his child. Billy is unsure how to be the parent his child needs but with the help of Grace things get a bit easier and complicated.

I've always had a soft spot for books where friends fall for eachother it was one sided at first but still. I was rooting so much for Grace and Billy to make things work but Grace had her old issues of how things were going on in the past and things could get even more complicated being that Grace was Billy's daughters teacher. I loved how caring Grace was she did her making sure the child got the intellectual stimulation she needed because the child was gifted and needed to be challenge. Then there was the hidden secret Billy had that he was worried about people finding out. Just know that this was a pretty sweet book I really enjoyed it myself and think you readers will too.

[Clare Revell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. It was impossible to put down and I really wish it had gone on a little longer.
For a start it has an adorable four year old who's entire way of life has changed overnight. A cowboy who, while hiding a dark secret (not saying what because of spoilers) has found himself a father almost over night. And a woman who is finally at peace with herself, only to find the one man she can never have back in her life.
If you only read one book this year, read this one.

[Delacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this sweet romance. However, the pacing of the story was quite slow, and it did involve a little too much inner dialogue. All that being said the characters were great and I really liked the daughter Poppy. Overall, a nice story.

[Sonya Aydell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance that includes a really insightful look into being a single parent. Ms. Johns also offers a little insight into how sometimes we project into the world the person we think they are expecting to see rather than being all we were created to be.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Heartwarming" is an excellent description of this book! I'm sure many readers can relate to Grace, the young teacher who thinks she isn't slim enough, pretty enough, or vivacious enough to attract the attention of Billy, who has thought of her as his BFF since they were kids.
The secondary tale of Billy's mother Heather and the tutoring sessions were very touching and reminded me that we don't ever know the whole story. If you are looking for some lighter, easy reading that just makes you feel happy and encouraged, this would be a great book for you.

Many thanks to Patricia Johns for allowing me to pre-read this book. These comments are my own, and not influenced by the author or publisher.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Home to Eagle's Rest