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Make Mine a Cowboy

(Meadow Valley #2)

A.J. Pine (Goodreads Author)

4.12 · Rating details · 166 ratings · 102 reviews

Dr. Charlotte North has no time for a player, not even one as tempting as Ben Callahan. Besides, Charlotte is only in Meadow Valley for a few months to help her grandmother. After that, it's back to New York and the career she loves. But when her gram starts to meddle in her personal life, Charlotte knows just the man to help her out. Ben's the perfect no-strings boyfriend ...more

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Mass Market Paperback, 640 pages

Published August 25th 2020 by Forever Romance

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Jul 12, 2020 Tina rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-copy, read-in-2020, cowboy-romance, series, my-kindle-books, netgalley-2020

This is a cowboy romance, and it is the 2nd book in the Meadow Valley series. I found this book very good. It started off that the two people started fake dating then they fall in love. I think the characters where very well developed, and I love the plot/the story line. The ending was so good. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Forever Romance) or author (A.J. Pine) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a ...more

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Aug 24, 2020 Shelleen Toland rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-read, from-publisher-read

Dr, Charlotte North is in Meadow Valley for a few months as her grandmother is healing from a fall. She is helping out at the Inn that her grandmother owns. She doesn't have time for a relationship as she works to many hours and lives in NY.
Ben Callahan has always been a playboy and never wanted to settle down because he thought his future was bleak.
Charlotte asks Ben to be her pretend boyfriend so her grandmother won't set her up on dates. Even though their relationship is fake they are still b ...more

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Aug 17, 2020 Zoe rated it really liked it

Amusing, lighthearted, and sexy!

Make Mine a Cowboy is a heartwarming, fun-loving tale that takes you to Meadow Valley, CA and into the life of the compassionate, hardworking Charlotte North as she juggles a grandmother in need of assistance, a rewarding career back in New York, and a cowboy who’s slowly stealing her heart.

The writing is playful and tender. The characters are helpful, supportive, and loveable. And the plot is a delightful blend of heart, humour, family, friendship, introspection, ...more

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Sep 01, 2020 Niki (mustreadalltheromance) rated it liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, frustrating-heroine, second-chance, fake-relationship, owned-paperback

Dr. Charlotte North is on an extended stay in Meadow Valley, California, to help her grandmother run her inn. At the end of these two months she’s going back home to NYC and the medical career she’s established there. She has no intention of renewing her vacation fling with rancher Ben Callahan, but when her grandmother starts trying to set her up with every eligible man in town, Charlotte knows Ben is the perfect one to help her out. Charlotte is content to show her grandmother a fake relations Dr. Charlotte North is on an extended stay in Meadow Valley, California, to help her grandmother run her inn. At the end of these two months she’s going back home to NYC and the medical career she’s established there. She has no intention of renewing her vacation fling with rancher Ben Callahan, but when her grandmother starts trying to set her up with every eligible man in town, Charlotte knows Ben is the perfect one to help her out. Charlotte is content to show her grandmother a fake relationship, no strings attached, with Ben, but she’s disconcerted to find the big heart hidden beneath his carefree exterior.

Since learning that he received the wrong test results and doesn’t actually have his dad’s gene for early-onset Alzheimer’s, Ben Callahan has set about changing his selfish playboy reputation and becoming a man who can commit. When Charlotte asks for a pretend relationship, he sees it as an opportunity to demonstrate the changes he’s made. Despite calling the relationship fake, both Ben and Charlotte develop very real feelings, but she’s still leaving town all too soon and with not nearly enough time for Ben to prove himself to be worth staying for.

I have some mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, I loved the small town, everyone is family feeling here and Ben was a lovely hero. I really appreciated how much he was trying to work on himself and be a better man, but that’s also where my hang-up with this book comes in: Charlotte should’ve been there for him, should’ve given him that sense of being better and she didn’t. Charlotte was just so clinical and heartless and even she admitted that it was largely her own stubbornness keeping them apart. I hated that Ben was willing to give up so much for Charlotte and she wasn’t really willing to reciprocate, even if that would’ve been better for them both. For all that Ben beat himself up about being selfish, Charlotte was the one who exhibited the most selfish behavior. I can understand not wanting to get hurt, no one does, and I’m a highly logical person as well, but Charlotte took her logical thinking to such an extreme that she just sounded stupid. I thought Ben deserved better, but I enjoyed him and his friends and family. The side characters were charming enough to make me want to read more from Meadow Valley.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more

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Aug 27, 2020 Robin Loves Reading rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-challenge, 2020-july-september, pages, robin-loves-reading-2020-challenge, romance, reading-challenge, kindle, netgalley, 2020-books, print

I have enjoyed the previous books in this series, a novella, Cowboy to the Rescue and the first book, My One and Only Cowboy. The previous book had a very sweet love story with a bit of an emotional edge. That is continued in this book, Make Mine a Cowboy. Ben Callahan is about to get some very important news, news that will affect not only the rest of his life, but the life choices he makes. Just as he is coming to terms with this news, he is roped into pretending to be a woman's bo I have enjoyed the previous books in this series, a novella, Cowboy to the Rescue and the first book, My One and Only Cowboy. The previous book had a very sweet love story with a bit of an emotional edge. That is continued in this book, Make Mine a Cowboy. Ben Callahan is about to get some very important news, news that will affect not only the rest of his life, but the life choices he makes. Just as he is coming to terms with this news, he is roped into pretending to be a woman's boyfriend.

This is no easy task, because the woman, Dr. Charlotte North, is someone that affects Ben on a very deep level. But, why is he agreeing to do this? Charlotte is in town because her grandmother has been injured and so Charlotte takes some time away from her duties as a doctor to help her grandmother to heal, as well as to take on duties at the ranch that Ben owns with his brother and their friend. She and Ben have a bit of a history, thus a connection that Charlotte knows will work.

So, the question comes up, why have a pretend boyfriend. Well, Charlotte's loving grandmother wants her busy granddaughter settled and happy, and so while Charlotte is in town, just maybe she can be set up and find the man of her dreams. Charlotte decides to thwart that by asking Ben to pretend to be her boyfriend around their grandmother.

It works. Sort of. They do make a believable couple, but that is more due to the emotional and physical attraction they both share, thus making pretend actually look very real. Meanwhile, that issue that all but floored Ben is never far from his mind. As a matter of fact, he is about to make some serious changes in his life and also hopes to change how others view him.

I really enjoyed this book by A.J. Pine. I loved the characters and the plot, with the extra level of emotional angst. Also, I loved the "impossible" nature of the story when it came to resolving the conflicts that affected Ben and Charlotte. This is an endearing story that concluded with a very warm ending.

Many thanks to Forever Yours and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. ...more

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Aug 23, 2020 book bruin rated it liked it

Shelves: forever

3.5 stars

Make Mine a Cowboy was an entertaining fake dating and second chance-ish cowboy romance. I really enjoyed how Ben and Charlotte helped each other become/want to be better versions of themselves. They were so sweet together and I loved their ribbing and banter. I do wish they would have been more open and honest with each other about their feelings, but it made sense given their fears and history. The hot and cold back and forth did make things feel a bit too drawn out, but I really love ...more

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Jul 26, 2020 Amy (TheSouthernGirlReads) rated it it was amazing

Thank you Forever Publishing for my free copy.
.
Fake relationship trope with a rancher in a Cowboy hat....yes please.
.
This was my first full novel in the Meadow Valley series. I fell in love with the novella and wanted to carry on. I’m so glad I did.
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Charlotte and Ben were lots and lots of fun for this little happily ever after. I just adore Meadow Valley...the small town has some fantastic characters and just a great cozy vibe.
.
A.J. kinda kicked me in the gut a little. However, if we are being h ...more

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Jul 02, 2020 A.J. Pine rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Well, I wrote it, so maybe I'm a little biased, but I sure did love living in Ben and Charlotte's world for several months while putting their story together. I hope you love spending time with them too! ...more

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Aug 10, 2020 M. [storme reads a lot] rated it it was amazing

AJ Pine wrote one of the most fun books I have had the pleasure of reading in a long time. WOW. I was reading til the late hours because I did not want this cowboy story to end!

Charlotte- the professional woman with big dreams who loves her family. Ben - the reckless cowboy who wants to enjoy life. Thrown together for a fun week, it is over until Charlotte is back in Cali to help out her grandma. Then these two find each other again. But it is not lust. No, they become best friends and learn to ...more

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Sep 13, 2020 Tracy Marie rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-completed-reads, 2020-finished-ng-ew-reads

Make Mine a Cowboy is my first cowboy romance to read and I do believe I may be completely hooked!!

Dr. Charlotte North has to come back to Meadow Valley to help take care of her grandmother and her Inn after her grandmother was injured falling off a ladder. Charlotte only plans to stay a couple of months until her grandmother is back on her feet then she is back to New York to take care of her patients. What Charlotte does not expect is to see Ben as soon as she arrives at the hospital.

When Cha ...more

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Aug 17, 2020 Julie rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-2020

This one had a great premise, but fell just a tad short for me! Still an enjoyable read, but all of Charlotte and Ben’s back and forth with their feelings was too much. The two should have communicated better, instead they froze up and denied their feelings when things got too serious or too difficult. It was obvious the two were in love with each other - Why did they have to fight it so much?

Thanks to Read Forever Publishing & Grand Central Pub for my finished copy!

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Aug 19, 2020 Lindsay pinkcowlandreads rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, own-read

Second chances and coming home again!

Ben Callahan has been given a second chance at life and love! Six months ago he received a devastating diagnoses and began living recklessly one day at a time, with no thought of a future. Now he has been told that was a mistake and he has a healthy future to look forward to. He decides to become a better partner at his ranch, bother, son and possible husband material for one lucky lady…

Dr. Charlotte North enjoyed her two week vacation in Meadow Vally visitin ...more

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Sep 02, 2020 Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: guiltypleasures-amanda

What happens when you think you have it all figured out and then it all changes in a matter of seconds? You take it! You have a second chance on life and you make the most of it and change your ways. That what happened to Ben Callahan after finding out he got the wrong test results and didn’t inherit the gene for early onset Alzheimer disease. He wanted to become a better person, a better son and brother, and a better man for a certain someone. So, when Dr. Charlotte North asks him to become her ...more

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Aug 08, 2020 Shae rated it really liked it

This second chance romance was beyond sweet!!
When big city doctor Charlotte comes back to town to help her grandmother run her inn, she doesn't expect the first person she sees to be her old flame, Ben. The hot they spent together stuck with both of them.
When grandma tries to play matchmaker for Charlotte, she begs Ben to "fake date" her to get grandma to back off. From here, the sparks fly, and we get an amazing look at their chemistry together.
I really love how this one plays out. Small tow ...more

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Aug 19, 2020 Addie Yoder rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed My One and Only Cowboy (first in series) but I think Make Mine a Cowboy is even better. Ben is such a good guy and an endearing character. He is "the cowboy version of Joey Tribbiani" but meets a girl and gets some news that changes his outlook on life. This new outlook prompts him to make some changes for the better and leads Charlotte along a similar path. Their fake relationship turns hot quickly and just made the story so much better. I can't wait for the next book in the se ...more

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Jul 12, 2020 Janilyn Kocher rated it it was amazing

A good romance between a doctor and a cowboy. The chemistry was good between the main characters with supporting cast adding to the scenes and dialogue. I love that the cowboy was willing to make a major change in his life instead of expecting the woman to be the one who has to sacrifice. The ending was right on track. Can never go wrong with a cowboy romance. Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Jul 06, 2020 Danielle rated it really liked it

4 stars!
I love A.J. Pine's books! Her writing is superb! Add in a hot cowboy who is like Joey from Friends until he meets Dr. Charlotte North. I love her analogies, her references to Marvel and her Hamilton references. This book made my night. I read it in one sitting and loved all the characters. From Doc to Gram ! ...more

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Aug 23, 2020 Sandy S rated it really liked it

MAKE MINE A COWBOY is the second instalment in AJ Pine’s contemporary, adult MEADOW VALLEY erotic, romance series focusing on the small town of Meadow Valley, California. This is twenty-nine year old, rancher Ben Callahan, and Dr. Charlotte North’s story line. MAKE MINE A COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Charlotte and Ben were first introduced in the earlier story lines.

Told from dual MAKE MINE A COWBOY is the second instalment in AJ Pine’s contemporary, adult MEADOW VALLEY erotic, romance series focusing on the small town of Meadow Valley, California. This is twenty-nine year old, rancher Ben Callahan, and Dr. Charlotte North’s story line. MAKE MINE A COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Charlotte and Ben were first introduced in the earlier story lines.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Charlotte and Ben) twenty-nine year old, rancher Ben Callahan, and Dr. Charlotte North. Several weeks earlier, Charlotte North met Ben Callahan while on vacation in Meadow Valley, California but when her Aunt Pearl, the local B&B owner falls and requires several weeks of recovery, Charlotte takes a leave of absence from her New York practice, and returns to Meadow Valley where her previous relationship with Ben Callahan is about to reignite old feelings and emotional withdrawal. In an attempt to keep Aunt Pearl from playing matchmaker, Charlotte begs Ben Callahan to pretend to be in a long distance relationship that is about to pick up where it left off weeks before. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ben and Charlotte, and the potential fall-out as Charlotte’s time in Meadow Valley comes to an end.

Ben Callahan fell hard for Charlotte North but knew her time in Meadow Valley was only temporary. With Charlotte’s return to Meadow Valley came hopes for a future for Ben but all does not go according to plan when family heart break forces Ben to look at the bigger picture as Charlotte prepares to leave for her practice back home. Charlotte North has established herself as a wonderful physician and moving to Meadow Valley was never in the plans. A temporary stay over while her aunt recovered from a fall, Charlotte found herself pulled into the family, friendships and love of our story line hero, a love Charlotte knew she could never equal in return.

The relationship between Charlotte and Ben is one of second chances; a fake relationship disguised as a rekindling romance but a romance that quickly develops into something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Ivy and Carter (Cowboy to the Rescue .5), Sam and Delaney (My One and Only Cowboy #1), as well as Sam and Ben’s business partner Colt, and their parents Nolan and Barbara Ann Callahan, Charlotte’s Aunt Pearl, chef Luis and local produce supplier Anna, B&B clerk Tyler, and fire Chief Burnett.

MAKE MINE A COWBOY is a story of family, friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is contemplative, playful and engaging ; the conflict is limited to Charlotte’s need to keep up appearances in the face of the ‘fake’ romance; the romance is captivating and seductive.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

www.thereadingcafe.com ...more

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Aug 15, 2020 Jen rated it liked it

I'm on the fence about this book. The first half of the book was a 2, the last half was better and I'd give it a 3. I honestly struggled with the first half. I normally could read a book like this in my free time in 2-3 days. This book took me 8 DAYS to finish! I'd read a chapter each night before growing bored and would come back to it the next day hoping it would be better. The first half was just incredibly slow-moving.

I think my biggest initial complaint was the fact that Ben & Charlotte ha I'm on the fence about this book. The first half of the book was a 2, the last half was better and I'd give it a 3. I honestly struggled with the first half. I normally could read a book like this in my free time in 2-3 days. This book took me 8 DAYS to finish! I'd read a chapter each night before growing bored and would come back to it the next day hoping it would be better. The first half was just incredibly slow-moving.

I think my biggest initial complaint was the fact that Ben & Charlotte had been together 2 weeks before this book began. So we missed out on their initial meeting and 2 week 'romance' - if you could call it that since it was essentially just them hooking up as often as possible. This book jumps back in weeks after Charlotte left Meadow Valley to return to NYC. She gets called back to California when her grandma falls and needs help running the inn. Only this time she doesn't want to hook up with Ben. She wants to just be friends with NO benefits.

Ben was the 'I don't care' cowboy going into this book, until he learns he's not carrying the gene that can lead to early onset Alzheimer's like his father has. Then he does an about face and begins taking things serious, wanting to settle down and make something of his life and also be there for his family. I really liked Ben. I can't remember much about him from Book 1, but in this book he was the perfect hero. He was kind, caring, thoughtful and willing to help when needed. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he was also charming and incredibly sexy.

Charlotte was a pediatrician in NYC and was uber-focused on her career. In fact, that's pretty much all we hear this entire book. Ugh, I was so over it after the first few mentions of her contract and her career goals, blah blah blah. She honestly came off pretty heartless and clinical, unless it had to do with her grandmother. Even towards the end Ben has to tell her to stop with the statistics and medical journal knowledge when she was using that instead of just acting like an emotionless doctor instead of a caring human being. She wasn't a terrible person, she just thought with her head and not her heart way more often than not. Because of her attitude, I really didn't like her much until the very end.

There's one heartbreaking scene in this book that had me in tears. I can say I wasn't expecting it and really wish it hadn't happened.

For once, it was the hero who had his heart broken. He was also the one who sacrificed something in his life to be with her, much to my dismay. I appreciated the author changing it up since it made things interesting. ...more

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Aug 23, 2020 Marsha Keeper Bookshelf rated it really liked it

Shelves: keeper-bookshelf, connection-to-a-series, series, modern-western-romance, small-town-romance, netgalley, forever-grand-central-pub

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

It’s rather astounding what having the correct information about a medical issue can do to change a life or a lifestyle in the case of Ben Callahan. In ‘Make Mine A Cowboy‘, the second title in the ‘Meadow Valley Ranch‘ series, we’ll meet Ben and the woman he’d had a sizzling week with when Charlotte North was in town for a brief visit. Neither was looking for long-term so they left each other without too many regrets of what might have been. Now Charlotte is back in Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

It’s rather astounding what having the correct information about a medical issue can do to change a life or a lifestyle in the case of Ben Callahan. In ‘Make Mine A Cowboy‘, the second title in the ‘Meadow Valley Ranch‘ series, we’ll meet Ben and the woman he’d had a sizzling week with when Charlotte North was in town for a brief visit. Neither was looking for long-term so they left each other without too many regrets of what might have been. Now Charlotte is back in this small town to tend to her grandmother as she heals from a fall resulting in some broken bones for at least the next few months. She’s left her medical practice in New York in good hands and fully intends to return when her gram is recovered.

In the time that Charlotte was back in New York, Ben had received news that changed his outlook on his life and what his future could hold – if he could convince the right woman who got away that he wasn’t the playboy she first encountered. That’s going to take some convincing – and maybe the help of a loving, meddling, matchmaking grandmother that results in Charlotte needing a temporary fake boyfriend. It’s up to Ben to make that temporary situation into a permanent one.

I found the full gambit of emotions in ‘Make Mine A Cowboy‘. The sizzling chemistry between Charlotte and Ben is obvious, and there were plenty of laughs, a few snort-giggles, some frustration, and tears, many tears. This story is realistic in so many small ways that you’ll feel like you’re going through the good times and the bad times with this couple. I liked them both, adored Charlotte’s gram, and the secondary characters make this town come to life for me. I especially liked the unusual spin on the happy ever after ending… you’ll see what I mean. I had fun, and that’s the whole point.

If you’re in the mood for a really good romance that’s full of interesting people facing real-life situations, some steamy moments, and a love to last a lifetime then ‘Make Mine A Cowboy‘ is a perfect fit for you.

This title releases on August 25, 2020

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.* ...more

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Aug 25, 2020 Kimberly rated it really liked it

Two of my favorite tropes (fake dating and big city doctor finds herself in a small town) so of course I was into this one even though it was a little to insta love for me normally.

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Jul 07, 2020 Jas rated it really liked it

Pine elevates tropes we have all read a million times-fake relationships, a couple who live far away from each other- into a book that made me both laugh and cry when I wasn’t expecting it.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Aug 21, 2020 Donna Repsher rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Having read and enjoyed the first novel in A.J. Pine's Meadow Valley series, My One and Only Cowboy, I was eager to read the next book in the series, and although it got off to a rather slow and unsettling start, by one-quarter of the way in, I was so hooked that I read the rest of the novel straight through until 6:00 a.m. and although there was one minor issue in the novel that bothered me, it was nevertheless a deeply moving, well-written and emotional read and it gets 4 stars from this reade Having read and enjoyed the first novel in A.J. Pine's Meadow Valley series, My One and Only Cowboy, I was eager to read the next book in the series, and although it got off to a rather slow and unsettling start, by one-quarter of the way in, I was so hooked that I read the rest of the novel straight through until 6:00 a.m. and although there was one minor issue in the novel that bothered me, it was nevertheless a deeply moving, well-written and emotional read and it gets 4 stars from this reader.

As the novel open, brothers Ben and Sam Callahan are in a doctor's office waiting for the results of Sam's test, a test that will determine his future. In the first Meadow Valley novel, which I highly suggest you read first, we learn that their father, Nolan, has early-onset Alzheimer's disease and is living in a nursing home. Ben secretly had his blood tested 6 months earlier, and the result was positive--something he didn't share with his family, not wanting to burden them. Knowing what his future looked like, he developed a rather devil-may-care attitude, couldn't see the point in starting any long-term relationships, and also began slacking off at the family ranch. But this is the day Sam will get his results, and Ben is stunned when the doctor gives them the good news--neither brother carries the genetic marker for early-onset Alzheimer's. Ben is stunned by the news, but after the doctor does some checking, he discovers that Ben was given the results of another Ben Callahan living in the county, and once he knows he has a future to look forward to, he decides to start taking his life and each day in it more seriously--especially after having a no-strings, 2-week fling with Doctor Charlotte North, a New York pediatrician who was taking a couple of weeks off from her busy practice to spend some mandatory vacation time with her grandmother who runs the Meadow Valley Inn.

Charlotte returned to New York after her vacation, but isn't back long when she receives a phone call from her cousin, letting her know that her beloved grandmother has fallen off a ladder, been injured and rushed to the ER, and will need help running the inn for at least the next 6 to 8 weeks. Charlotte packs her bags, takes a 2-month leave of absence, and takes the first flight she can get back to Meadow Valley. As soon as she gets to the ER waiting room, there sits Ben, asleep. He's been waiting there a good part of the day while Grandma Pearl was in surgery, and Charlotte, whom Ben refers to as Doc, drops her suitcase and rushes past him rather rudely. For a good part of the novel, I spent quite a bit of time disliking Charlotte and her tendency to become so self-absorbed by her medical practice in New York, and her attitude of self-importance in the practice. There are sick children everywhere, and who ever heard of an unemployed physician? Quite frankly I didn't quite understand why Ben found her so alluring.

Once Charlotte gets to the inn, she is overwhelmed by what she doesn't know about running such an establishment, but Pearl, wheelchair-bound with one arm in a sling is soon ensconced in her room, and there are other employees who show Charlotte the ropes. Grandma Pearl is well aware that outside of her practice, Charlotte doesn't have much of a social life, and almost immediately starts matchmaking, which is the last thing Charlotte wants. Out of desperation and still attracted to Ben, she enlists his help to pretend to be her fake date for the duration of her stay, although she's very clear that they will simply be friends for the duration of her stay, but these two friends started out as a hot fling, and it's clear that both are attracted to one another, although Charlotte, keeps reminding both Ben and herself that as soon as her grandmother is back on her feet, she's returning to her career in New York, ad nauseum, and that is the reason I spent a good deal of this book disliking her. She wants Ben but she doesn't want to want him, not for the long-term, and she gives him plenty of mixed messages. As a romance reader, I'm not a fan of waffling, or of one person in a relationship using the other, and yet despite her on again, off again, flirting, jealousy, and distancing, Ben was simply wonderful to her, attentive, kind, and willing to do anything he possibly could to help her out, please her, and spend time with her, wanting, for the first time in his life, to take a relationship seriously. I did, however, like the role-reversal, and found it refreshing that in this novel, it wasn't the male lead character who was doing the waffling for a change, in this lovers to friends to lovers romance.

Despite the waffling on Charlotte's part, I eventually was drawn into this well-plotted, emotional read and the excellent development and depth of its characters, most especially Ben. All in all, despite my issues with the heroine, I found Make Mine a Cowboy to be a rather satisfying read and I am happy to recommend it.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own. ...more

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Dec 31, 2020 Susan Gorman rated it it was amazing

Make Mine A Cowboy is a heart- warming novel of second chances. I loved the characters and their second chance romance.
I adored the charming, handsome Ben Callahan from the first page of the novel. Six months ago, he was misdiagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. Ben kept the devastating news to himself and decided to enjoy life, beer and woman.
Dr. Charlotte North works in an extremely busy pediatrician’s office in New York City. She is consumed by her job and responsibilities and has no social ...more

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Aug 22, 2020 Rebmay marked it as to-read

Love a tough, rugged oh so dreamy cowboy with a heart of gold? What about a beautiful, far too serious, dedicated doctor who captures the heart of that oh so dreamy cowboy? Then this book is for you! This masterfully written romance features vibrant, easy-to-love characters, delightful flirtations, bouts of jealousy and poignant emotions. Two lovers have to decide to choose love and each other or lose the connection that has become soul-deep in a few short weeks.

Both Charlotte and Ben have had Love a tough, rugged oh so dreamy cowboy with a heart of gold? What about a beautiful, far too serious, dedicated doctor who captures the heart of that oh so dreamy cowboy? Then this book is for you! This masterfully written romance features vibrant, easy-to-love characters, delightful flirtations, bouts of jealousy and poignant emotions. Two lovers have to decide to choose love and each other or lose the connection that has become soul-deep in a few short weeks.

Both Charlotte and Ben have had experience with a dysfunctional family. Charlotte’s parents are world travelling photographers who constantly uprooted their daughter during her childhood which left her without friends or roots in a community. Her only tether was her Grandmother, Pearl, and the time Charlotte spent at her inn in Meadow Valley. Now a paediatric doctor, Charlotte’s life is in New York, the other side of the country from Meadow Valley, but she recently visited Pearl and had a rather steamy vacation fling with Ben.

Ben and his brother lived through the divorce of their parents, being abandoned by their mother and living through a turbulent life with their father. Their father’s undiagnosed illness ruined their family and cast shadows on both Ben and his brother’s future. Those shadows made Ben more selfish, wild and careless, especially when it came to relationships. Suddenly free of the shadow that had been hovering and menacing his future, Ben vows to become a better man....a better brother, son and friend. When Charlotte arrives back in Meadow Valley to take care of her Grandmother and the inn after Pearl is seriously hurt in an accident, Ben is the first person she encounters. Stress causes her to lash out at the man she hasn’t been able to put out of her mind since she left his arms and bed. When Pearl hints at matchmaking for Charlotte, she ropes Ben into “pretending” to date her. Ben is more than happy to oblige and decides to do his best to convince the beautiful, passionate and rather serious doctor to stay in Meadow Valley with him and her Grandmother....to show her he is a changed man who now values commitment over a fleeting affair.

Out of her depth and comfort zone at the inn. Charlotte finds herself turning to Ben for assistance and shecan’t help noticing that he has changed. Both can’t deny their attraction or desire for the other, but she makes sure to tell him that connection can’t be permanent, that she is going back to New York. The heart wants what the heart wants, irregardless of what logic and planning have determined. They face what lies in their hearts with both joy and trepidation, knowing that he is tied to Meadow Valley while she is tied to New York. Can a happily ever after be in their future? I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. ...more

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Jul 25, 2020 Olivia (romancebooks101) rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was a really cute and fun read for me and I adored Ben and Charlottes dynamic in the book. The real star of this book though is Pearl, Charlottes grandmother. I absolutely adored her as she reminds me of my own grandmother.

Ok, now let’s get down to the nitty gritty!

what worked for me:
•I found that this was a nice read for relaxing and getting my mind off of everything going on right now in the world. It was just the right amount of fun and fluff, but it still had some emotionally charged sc This was a really cute and fun read for me and I adored Ben and Charlottes dynamic in the book. The real star of this book though is Pearl, Charlottes grandmother. I absolutely adored her as she reminds me of my own grandmother.

Ok, now let’s get down to the nitty gritty!

what worked for me:
•I found that this was a nice read for relaxing and getting my mind off of everything going on right now in the world. It was just the right amount of fun and fluff, but it still had some emotionally charged scenes (such as the reveal that Ben doesn’t have Alzheimer’s and the death of Ben’s dad) that kept it from being an emotionally lacking book.

•I’m restating this because I loved Pearl! The grit, determination, humor, and love that this woman has is what makes her such a lovable character.

•My favorite part of the book though by far was the fact that it wasn’t Charlotte that uprooted her life for Ben. Instead of her moving out to Meadow Valley, the sexy cowboy moved to New York! I always despise it when the heroine is forced to abandon the life she’s made for herself to follow a man so this was a very refreshing change!

what did work for me:
•This to me felt very typical and unoriginal but I blame a lot of that to the fact that I’ve lived in Texas my whole life and there was nothing new that I hadn’t already lived or read or seen. That’s the main reason why I tend to stay away from cowboy romances but this one caught my eye so I gave it a read!

•I did think it was overkill at times with how many characters were in the hospital with injuries and then eventually death. I know that Charlotte is a doctor so it follows that there would be a bit of her specialty in the book instead of just always cowboy things, but for me when Ben got injured it just seemed like a very obvious way to get the characters back together. There was no buildup to this injury and then afterwards it felt almost brushed aside to make way for the death of his father.

Verdict: I don’t really have any strong opinion about this book, it’s just very average for me and I blame that on my own personal experiences and familiarity with the rural setting. This book is still a good read and I’m sure that many others will love it more than I did. I’m a firm believer that there is a reader for every book and vice versa, so while it wasn’t a home run for me, it might be for you!

*I received this ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily read this book. my thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for giving me the chance to read an advanced copy!* ...more

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Aug 17, 2020 Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) rated it it was amazing

When Charlotte North gets the call from her cousin that her grandmother has taken a fall and needs some help with her healing for the next couple of months, she immediately takes time off from work and packs her bags for Meadow Valley. She knows it's where she needs to be right now, but there is a small part of her that is nervous about seeing Ben Callahan again. After a recent stay in Meadow Valley her and Ben had a little fling and it was so convenient to not think too much on it after because When Charlotte North gets the call from her cousin that her grandmother has taken a fall and needs some help with her healing for the next couple of months, she immediately takes time off from work and packs her bags for Meadow Valley. She knows it's where she needs to be right now, but there is a small part of her that is nervous about seeing Ben Callahan again. After a recent stay in Meadow Valley her and Ben had a little fling and it was so convenient to not think too much on it after because she was able to escape to the city, but seeing him again means all those feelings are bound to return.

The moment she sees him again a rush of feelings and desire hit her all over again, but she doesn't want to be just another woman to lose her heart to the unattainable cowboy. So she decides it best to avoid him at all costs. Then her meddling grandmother starts to get into the mix and decides to try and play matchmaker, and suddenly they are thrown together into a fake relationship. Only there isn't much fake to it...one little kiss and things take a heated little turn!

Make Mine A Cowboy is a touching tale about second chances, finding love, and finding home. These two weren't so sure they were ready for anything of the serious sort, but their hearts and a meddling grandmother had other plans for them. Charlotte enjoyed her week with the sexy cowboy, but she knew that is all it would be, a week of fun. But when she returned to town that sexy cowboy had her charmed in a matter of minutes all over again. I loved watching these two get their second chance at life and love, their union brought many smiles, swoons, laughs, and left my heart all sorts of happy. If you like small town western romances that squeeze the heart then I have no doubt this one will leave you delighted on all fronts, it's brimming with everything necessary to have your heart-strings feeling a nice little tug! Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion. ...more

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Aug 23, 2020 Amanda Carle St-Jacques rated it really liked it

Can you be friends with someone you once shared a bed with?

A.J. Pine tells a story of rancher Ben Callahan is given a second chance and is determined to make something of his life. Dr. Charlotte North is only back in town to help run the inn while her grandmother is recovering from a bad fall, determined not to hope back into bed with her no-strings attached cowboy from just the other week.

While I read this book in the summer Make Mine a Cowboy certainly had me wanting colder weather so I coul ...more

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Jul 26, 2020 Heather rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Make Mine a Cowboy is the second book in the Meadow Valley series. You can read this book as a standalone with absolutely no issue.

Charlotte North spent a week in Meadow Valley visiting her grandmother and subsequently had one hot week with Ben Callahan. They both knew what it was, as Ben isn't into commitment anymore than Charlotte is. She is content in her life in New York working as a doctor and he is working with his brother, Sam and friend Colt, at their family ranch.

Nearly as soon as Char ...more

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Aug 16, 2020 Viper Spaulding rated it it was amazing

I loved this return trip to Meadow Valley!

After being back home in NYC for just a week, Charlotte has to return to Meadow Valley to take care of her injured grandmother. Rekindling her no-strings fling with a local cowboy wasn't on her to-do list, but he makes a handy stand-in when her gran starts trying to fix her up with one of the local boys. Playing pretend isn't enough for Ben, though, especially since he's reevaluating his life's choices and is ready to think a little more into the future. ...more

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About A.J. Pine

A.J. Pine

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A teen librarian by day and a romance writer by night, A.J. Pine can’t seem to escape the world of fiction, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s the author of the If Only series (Entangled Embrace), the Only You series (Berkley/Intermix), the Kingston Ale House series (Entangled Select), and the Crossroads Ranch series (Forever Romance). When she finds that 25th hour in the day, she might ...more