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Tillbridge Stables #3
The Cowgirl's Surprise Match
A sweet charade takes an unexpected turn!
Dearly beloved, we are (not) gathered together…
Maid of honor Zurie Tillbridge has been working secretly with best man Mace Calderone to plan her cousin Tristan’s wedding to a well-known actress. To keep their wedding plans from leaking to the press, Zurie and Mace must pretend they are the ones getting married. Cake tasting and flower arranging seem like harmless fun…until wary workaholic Zurie realizes she’s feeling something real for her fake fiancé…
Dearly beloved, we are (not) gathered together…
Maid of honor Zurie Tillbridge has been working secretly with best man Mace Calderone to plan her cousin Tristan’s wedding to a well-known actress. To keep their wedding plans from leaking to the press, Zurie and Mace must pretend they are the ones getting married. Cake tasting and flower arranging seem like harmless fun…until wary workaholic Zurie realizes she’s feeling something real for her fake fiancé…
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2021
16 people are currently reading
1134 people want to read
About the author
Nina Crespo
61 books1,060 followersNina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions -- the beach, a good glass of wine, date night with her own real-life hero and dancing. Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a "borrowing spree" in her older sister's bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel. Let Nina's sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales satisfy your own craving for love, romance, and happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 23, 2024
The Cowgirl’s Surprise Match by Nina Crespo
Tillbridge Stables series #3. Harlequin Special Edition. Contemporary diverse romance. Fake relationship troupe. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Zurie Tillbridge feels a responsibility to the Tillbridge Stables since her father started the business. She has committed her life to help run it but she’s exhausted from long hours and consistent demands for more time. When her cousin and co-owner Tristen gets engaged to a famous actress (The Cowboy’s Claim), Zurie agrees to help organize and arrange all the wedding details. She takes a three week vacation and works with the best man Mace Calderone on all the details. When a local reporter starts asking questions about the movie and actress at Tillbridge, Zurie and Mace pretend the arrangements are for their own wedding. Zurie and Mace’s friendship turns into more. But Zurie knows she needs to go back to work and she won’t have time for a relationship. Even if maybe she wanted to.
It can be very difficult separating profession from personal life and making time for both. More, you have to understand there is a difference and want to have more of one or the other.
It’s a wonderful romantic story as they pretend to be more and Mace helps Zurie realize there can be more.
Tillbridge Stables series #3. Harlequin Special Edition. Contemporary diverse romance. Fake relationship troupe. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Zurie Tillbridge feels a responsibility to the Tillbridge Stables since her father started the business. She has committed her life to help run it but she’s exhausted from long hours and consistent demands for more time. When her cousin and co-owner Tristen gets engaged to a famous actress (The Cowboy’s Claim), Zurie agrees to help organize and arrange all the wedding details. She takes a three week vacation and works with the best man Mace Calderone on all the details. When a local reporter starts asking questions about the movie and actress at Tillbridge, Zurie and Mace pretend the arrangements are for their own wedding. Zurie and Mace’s friendship turns into more. But Zurie knows she needs to go back to work and she won’t have time for a relationship. Even if maybe she wanted to.
It can be very difficult separating profession from personal life and making time for both. More, you have to understand there is a difference and want to have more of one or the other.
It’s a wonderful romantic story as they pretend to be more and Mace helps Zurie realize there can be more.
January 26, 2021
Mace. So swoony, and just awesome. Zurie is so special and her journey with both herself and Mace had me glued to the pages! I can’t recommend this series and author enough!
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January 2, 2021Categories
Contemporary Romance, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, Western Romance, African American Romance
Miniseries
Tillbridge Stables (Book #3)
Contemporary Romance, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, Western Romance, African American Romance
Miniseries
Tillbridge Stables (Book #3)
July 7, 2022
The Cowgirl's Surprise Match was an excellent read featuring a romance between a woman planning her cousin's wedding and the best man.
Zurie Tillbridge needs a break but her work at the Tillbridge Stables keeps her too busy to take one. When her cousin Tristan announces his engagement to Chloe, a well-known actress, Zurie agrees to plan the wedding in secret allowing her the break she so desperately needs. Working with best man Mace Calderone, Zurie begins planning in earnest. When the wedding details are almost exposed by a local reporter, Zurie and Mace pretend to be engaged in order to keep things under wraps long enough for Tristan and Chloe to get married. But as Zurie and Mace continue to spend time together, their fake romance starts to feel real.
Zurie and Mace had great chemistry from the start and I was immediately invested in their romance. Initially the pair are simply working together to plan the wedding but during their planning sessions, but it doesn't take long for their attraction to push to the forefront. I was excited when the fake engagement aspect came up as it's one of my favorite tropes to read about. Eventually the pair decide to have a physical only relationship while planning the wedding which is to end after Zurie has to return to work as she feels she won't have time for a relationship then. This obviously goes wrong in the best way and deeper feelings begin to develop between them. There are a few bumps along the way but ultimately the pair worked through everything and I enjoyed their romance.
The Cowgirl's Surprise Match was a fantastic read and I will definitely be picking up the other books in the series in the future.
Zurie Tillbridge needs a break but her work at the Tillbridge Stables keeps her too busy to take one. When her cousin Tristan announces his engagement to Chloe, a well-known actress, Zurie agrees to plan the wedding in secret allowing her the break she so desperately needs. Working with best man Mace Calderone, Zurie begins planning in earnest. When the wedding details are almost exposed by a local reporter, Zurie and Mace pretend to be engaged in order to keep things under wraps long enough for Tristan and Chloe to get married. But as Zurie and Mace continue to spend time together, their fake romance starts to feel real.
Zurie and Mace had great chemistry from the start and I was immediately invested in their romance. Initially the pair are simply working together to plan the wedding but during their planning sessions, but it doesn't take long for their attraction to push to the forefront. I was excited when the fake engagement aspect came up as it's one of my favorite tropes to read about. Eventually the pair decide to have a physical only relationship while planning the wedding which is to end after Zurie has to return to work as she feels she won't have time for a relationship then. This obviously goes wrong in the best way and deeper feelings begin to develop between them. There are a few bumps along the way but ultimately the pair worked through everything and I enjoyed their romance.
The Cowgirl's Surprise Match was a fantastic read and I will definitely be picking up the other books in the series in the future.
June 16, 2021
I like a good romantic love story and this is it. The writer did a great job with bringing the characters together. The books reads with a quick pace. I found that the book reads with some realism to it. The drama brought the intensity of the story. The love between Zurich and Mace brought Entertainment to the story.
February 5, 2021
Zurie and Mace were so sweet together. This was a little different than the fake fiance trope with them having to go through all the wedding planning together. Their chemistry was amazing and I fell in love with all the characters.
January 22, 2021
Longtime friends separated by time and duty finally realize their attraction for one another after a casual bump in passing leads them to spending more time together than normal. Zurie’s commitment to Tillbridge Stables and Guesthouse leaves her exhausted, stressed and needing a break. The forced break finds her planning the wedding for her cousin/co-owner and his fiancée while exploring her connection with the best man Mace.
Well written, great characters, easy read. Really enjoyed reading this book.
Well written, great characters, easy read. Really enjoyed reading this book.
March 1, 2021
Zuri Tillbridge needed to learn to relax and enjoy life. Mace Calderone had wanted to get to know Zuri better since they were younger. She had tutored him in math whcih he got A's in because of her tutoring. Zuri was having health issues because she did not know how to slow down and was just living for work with no social life. Tristan's and Chole's engagement helped her. She volunteered to be the Wedding Planner. She took 3 weeks off and Mace volunteered to help her with it. They finally had time to get to know each other. They fell in love during that time. It was a great book. I enjoyed read it.
February 8, 2021
I love reading about fake fiancé and fiancée relationships because the couples that are involved usually have feelings for each but never act upon them.
This is book # 3 in the Tillbridge Stables. I read the books out of order and will now go back and read books 1 and 2.
Zurie is co-owner of the family owned Tillbridge Horse Stable and Guesthouse along with her sister Reina and cousin Tristan. Zurie has always taken care of her family especially since losing their parents; and is the go-to person; I’m sure many of us have experienced what Zurie was going thru.
Zurie is planning her cousin Tristian’s wedding and the bride to be is a celebrity and they’re keeping things secrets. So, in steps Tristian friend Mace who moved back in town after finishing up law school is not really ready to take the bar exam; and he and Zurie do what is needed and go around tasting cakes, finding venues, and just planning the wedding in general to take the focus and keep the media away from Tristan and his bride to be. Zurie and Mace who had a crush on Zurie in the pass are old friends who really never acted upon what they were feeling for each old and posing as the married couple is just what is needed to get this relationship brewing.
This is a great book with great characters, who are lovable and have you wanting more even after you’ve finished the book.
I received an ARC from the author and I’m leaving a voluntary review.
This is book # 3 in the Tillbridge Stables. I read the books out of order and will now go back and read books 1 and 2.
Zurie is co-owner of the family owned Tillbridge Horse Stable and Guesthouse along with her sister Reina and cousin Tristan. Zurie has always taken care of her family especially since losing their parents; and is the go-to person; I’m sure many of us have experienced what Zurie was going thru.
Zurie is planning her cousin Tristian’s wedding and the bride to be is a celebrity and they’re keeping things secrets. So, in steps Tristian friend Mace who moved back in town after finishing up law school is not really ready to take the bar exam; and he and Zurie do what is needed and go around tasting cakes, finding venues, and just planning the wedding in general to take the focus and keep the media away from Tristan and his bride to be. Zurie and Mace who had a crush on Zurie in the pass are old friends who really never acted upon what they were feeling for each old and posing as the married couple is just what is needed to get this relationship brewing.
This is a great book with great characters, who are lovable and have you wanting more even after you’ve finished the book.
I received an ARC from the author and I’m leaving a voluntary review.
March 18, 2021
Good book. Zurie is one of Tillbridge Stables and Guesthouse's co-owners, along with her sister, Rina, and her cousin, Tristan. For Zurie, the business is her whole life; she has no hobbies and no social life to speak of. Honestly, she is something of a control freak. When her health starts to suffer, her doctor insists that she take some time off, but Zurie is desperate for something to do within a couple of days.
Her cousin Tristan just got engaged to Chloe an actress working on a film on the stables property. To avoid unwanted paparazzi attention, he and Chloe plan to do a quickie wedding, even though it isn't what they want. Zurie offers to be their wedding planner so that they can marry on the property. She knows she can keep everything quiet until the big day. On the way to a meeting with her sister and the bride and groom, Zurie crashes into Mace. They've known each other since they were kids, but she can't help noticing that he's grown into a sexy man.
Mace has been interested in Zurie for a long time. He had a crush on her when she was his math tutor in high school, and it's only gotten worse since he moved back to town. He works as a deputy and recently finished law school and is in no hurry to take the bar exam. Mace is Tristan's best friend and best man, so he offers to help Zurie with the arrangements. When a local reporter gets too close to the truth, Mace and Zurie pretend that they are the ones getting married.
I loved Mace. He is an all-around nice guy. Because of his feelings for Zurie, he is attuned to her emotions and actions. I liked how he wanted to help her learn to relax and see that there is more to life than work. His demonstration of relaxation techniques while sitting on a park bench was sweet.
Zurie was a bit of a tough nut to crack. She focuses on the business so much that she genuinely believes it is impossible to have a relationship at the same time. A previous relationship reinforced this belief, leaving her occasionally feeling very alone.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Mace and Zurie develop. When they first acknowledged the attraction between them, both agreed they weren't looking for a relationship. Mace knows he plans to leave after he passes the bar exam, and Zurie doesn't do relationships. However, the more time they spend together, the more real that fake engagement feels. I ached for them both because each believed the other didn't share their feelings. It takes a visit with his family and an uncomfortable conversation with his brother for Mace to face the truth about what he wants. The question is whether he can convince Zurie that what he wants is her. I loved the ending and seeing him lay his heart on the line and still give her the space to make her decision without pressure. I loved her comment about what he forgot and its importance.
Her cousin Tristan just got engaged to Chloe an actress working on a film on the stables property. To avoid unwanted paparazzi attention, he and Chloe plan to do a quickie wedding, even though it isn't what they want. Zurie offers to be their wedding planner so that they can marry on the property. She knows she can keep everything quiet until the big day. On the way to a meeting with her sister and the bride and groom, Zurie crashes into Mace. They've known each other since they were kids, but she can't help noticing that he's grown into a sexy man.
Mace has been interested in Zurie for a long time. He had a crush on her when she was his math tutor in high school, and it's only gotten worse since he moved back to town. He works as a deputy and recently finished law school and is in no hurry to take the bar exam. Mace is Tristan's best friend and best man, so he offers to help Zurie with the arrangements. When a local reporter gets too close to the truth, Mace and Zurie pretend that they are the ones getting married.
I loved Mace. He is an all-around nice guy. Because of his feelings for Zurie, he is attuned to her emotions and actions. I liked how he wanted to help her learn to relax and see that there is more to life than work. His demonstration of relaxation techniques while sitting on a park bench was sweet.
Zurie was a bit of a tough nut to crack. She focuses on the business so much that she genuinely believes it is impossible to have a relationship at the same time. A previous relationship reinforced this belief, leaving her occasionally feeling very alone.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Mace and Zurie develop. When they first acknowledged the attraction between them, both agreed they weren't looking for a relationship. Mace knows he plans to leave after he passes the bar exam, and Zurie doesn't do relationships. However, the more time they spend together, the more real that fake engagement feels. I ached for them both because each believed the other didn't share their feelings. It takes a visit with his family and an uncomfortable conversation with his brother for Mace to face the truth about what he wants. The question is whether he can convince Zurie that what he wants is her. I loved the ending and seeing him lay his heart on the line and still give her the space to make her decision without pressure. I loved her comment about what he forgot and its importance.
February 7, 2021
Charming, moving and emotional, Nina Crespo’s The Cowgirl’s Surprise Match is a heart-warming romantic tale sparkling with intensity, wit and pathos.
Workaholic Zurie Tillbridge is absolutely exhausted. She knows that she should slow down and listen to her doctor’s advice and take it easy, but that is far easier said than done – especially when you are running a stables and guest house that doesn’t provide her with much time for rest and relaxation! Zurie, however, knows that she cannot take her eye off the ball and she must continue to give the family business her full and undivided attention. But things are changing at Tillbridge Stables as while Zurie is busy juggling all her commitments, her fellow partners in the business have realized that there is more to life than profit margins and balance sheets and have found themselves falling head over heels in love. Still, Tillbridge Stables keeps Zurie far too busy to even think about dating, let alone a full-on commitment. But when she finds herself planning a wedding, will she finally realize that life is for living and not for working?
When her cousin Tristan announced that he was getting married to a famous actress in the courthouse in order to throw the paparazzi off the scent, Zurie was appalled! She is determined to pull out all the stops for her cousin to have the wedding of his dreams, but what Zurie hadn’t counted on was best man Mace Calderone turning up and turning her perfectly ordered world upside down! Zurie and Mace will do whatever it takes to ensure that the paparazzi don’t realize that Tristan and his fiancée are getting married, but with the tabloids sniffing around and wedding plans being absolutely impossible to keep under wraps at Tillbridge, Zurie and Mace realize that the only way they can keep this a secret is to pretend that they are the ones getting married!
Pretending to be engaged seems like harmless fun to Zurie and Mace, however, when cake-tasting and flower arranging lead to an attraction that cannot be denied, will they find the courage to admit the truth about how they really feel about one another? Will there be another wedding at Tillbridge Stables? Or will Zurie and Mace end up losing out on the love of a lifetime?
Nina Crespo effortlessly balances humor, heart and emotion in a captivating contemporary romance that draws readers in from page one and will keep them hooked throughout. Workhaholic Zurie is a terrific heroine readers will relate to, empathize with and recognize themselves in and Mace is a sexy, charismatic and funny hero it is impossible not to fall for.
A heart-melting romantic tale readers will thoroughly enjoy, Nina Crespo’s The Cowboy’s Surprise Match is a fun contemporary that is very hard to resist.
Workaholic Zurie Tillbridge is absolutely exhausted. She knows that she should slow down and listen to her doctor’s advice and take it easy, but that is far easier said than done – especially when you are running a stables and guest house that doesn’t provide her with much time for rest and relaxation! Zurie, however, knows that she cannot take her eye off the ball and she must continue to give the family business her full and undivided attention. But things are changing at Tillbridge Stables as while Zurie is busy juggling all her commitments, her fellow partners in the business have realized that there is more to life than profit margins and balance sheets and have found themselves falling head over heels in love. Still, Tillbridge Stables keeps Zurie far too busy to even think about dating, let alone a full-on commitment. But when she finds herself planning a wedding, will she finally realize that life is for living and not for working?
When her cousin Tristan announced that he was getting married to a famous actress in the courthouse in order to throw the paparazzi off the scent, Zurie was appalled! She is determined to pull out all the stops for her cousin to have the wedding of his dreams, but what Zurie hadn’t counted on was best man Mace Calderone turning up and turning her perfectly ordered world upside down! Zurie and Mace will do whatever it takes to ensure that the paparazzi don’t realize that Tristan and his fiancée are getting married, but with the tabloids sniffing around and wedding plans being absolutely impossible to keep under wraps at Tillbridge, Zurie and Mace realize that the only way they can keep this a secret is to pretend that they are the ones getting married!
Pretending to be engaged seems like harmless fun to Zurie and Mace, however, when cake-tasting and flower arranging lead to an attraction that cannot be denied, will they find the courage to admit the truth about how they really feel about one another? Will there be another wedding at Tillbridge Stables? Or will Zurie and Mace end up losing out on the love of a lifetime?
Nina Crespo effortlessly balances humor, heart and emotion in a captivating contemporary romance that draws readers in from page one and will keep them hooked throughout. Workhaholic Zurie is a terrific heroine readers will relate to, empathize with and recognize themselves in and Mace is a sexy, charismatic and funny hero it is impossible not to fall for.
A heart-melting romantic tale readers will thoroughly enjoy, Nina Crespo’s The Cowboy’s Surprise Match is a fun contemporary that is very hard to resist.
February 15, 2026
3.5
This was a sweet, fluffy, light romance. Set on a horse ranch run by Zurie and her cousins - there was a lot going on on the background.
I didn't see much about the ranch other than a few housekeeping type items, as this book centered on Zurie learning to take it easier, and manage her stress levels.
It went very quickly and I'm not sure why Zurie who seemed to adore coffee but was staying away from caffeine didn't try decaf when it became obvious she hated herbal tea.
I didn't read the first 2 in the series, but I don't feel like I missed out on much besides some family backstory. It might have been more helpful to read the previous 2 just for the more personal look into the secondary characters - but that didn't hurt the story between Zurie and Mace. Everything was still self contained.
The only real issues I had with the book were:
1) The marketing of the story as a fake dating/engagement. The story is mostly about how Tristan is marrying a celebrity so they plan a fake birthday party to cover up the ceremony. Zurie becomes a stand in wedding planner, and Mace helps her out a bit, but the idea of them pretending to be the engaged couple doesn't happen until more than halfway through the book, and they are already seeing each other.
2) Bringing in the ex BF was a jarring choice.
3) Maybe because we are already supposed to know these characters, but this was a pretty surface level story. There wasn't a lot of emotional attachments, and the story progressed very quickly not leaving us time to feel anxious about the situations they were put in.
Overall I enjoyed it, and if you are in the mood for a cute, light romance, this would be perfect.
This was a sweet, fluffy, light romance. Set on a horse ranch run by Zurie and her cousins - there was a lot going on on the background.
I didn't see much about the ranch other than a few housekeeping type items, as this book centered on Zurie learning to take it easier, and manage her stress levels.
It went very quickly and I'm not sure why Zurie who seemed to adore coffee but was staying away from caffeine didn't try decaf when it became obvious she hated herbal tea.
I didn't read the first 2 in the series, but I don't feel like I missed out on much besides some family backstory. It might have been more helpful to read the previous 2 just for the more personal look into the secondary characters - but that didn't hurt the story between Zurie and Mace. Everything was still self contained.
The only real issues I had with the book were:
1) The marketing of the story as a fake dating/engagement. The story is mostly about how Tristan is marrying a celebrity so they plan a fake birthday party to cover up the ceremony. Zurie becomes a stand in wedding planner, and Mace helps her out a bit, but the idea of them pretending to be the engaged couple doesn't happen until more than halfway through the book, and they are already seeing each other.
2) Bringing in the ex BF was a jarring choice.
3) Maybe because we are already supposed to know these characters, but this was a pretty surface level story. There wasn't a lot of emotional attachments, and the story progressed very quickly not leaving us time to feel anxious about the situations they were put in.
Overall I enjoyed it, and if you are in the mood for a cute, light romance, this would be perfect.
February 2, 2021
Zuri her sister Reina and their cousin Tristan run the family business of Tillbridge stables. Since Zuri is the oldest she always felt responsible for taking care of Reina and Tristan. Now Zuri puts her life on hold to run the business and now that a film company is shooting a movie at Tillbridge, Reina has found love with the movie stuntman Scott and Tristan with Chloe the leading actress in the movie.
Tristan’s best friend Mace has moved back to Bolan because he has finished law school but is not ready to take the bar exam Nevada and move there to join his family law firm. Mace has always had a secret crush on Chole from when she tutored him in math even though Chole is six years older than him she liked Mace too.
Now Chole has burned herself out with working so much and her Doctor suggested she take a staycation, rest, change her diet especially drinking coffee and find someone that is hot and sexy.
On running into Mace at the towns cafe and accidentally spilling her drink on Mace. The mutual attraction begins.
I really enjoyed this book and it really held my interest from the beginning until the end, which left me wanting more. The characters were well developed by the author and I could feel the emotions of love, caring, family unity and how some life situations and decisions can cause certain changes in your life.
I recommend this book to read especially if you like romance stories with a twist or two. Hopefully you will be cheering for Mace and Zuri as I did.
Cassandra H.
I voluntarily received a arc of this book and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.
Tristan’s best friend Mace has moved back to Bolan because he has finished law school but is not ready to take the bar exam Nevada and move there to join his family law firm. Mace has always had a secret crush on Chole from when she tutored him in math even though Chole is six years older than him she liked Mace too.
Now Chole has burned herself out with working so much and her Doctor suggested she take a staycation, rest, change her diet especially drinking coffee and find someone that is hot and sexy.
On running into Mace at the towns cafe and accidentally spilling her drink on Mace. The mutual attraction begins.
I really enjoyed this book and it really held my interest from the beginning until the end, which left me wanting more. The characters were well developed by the author and I could feel the emotions of love, caring, family unity and how some life situations and decisions can cause certain changes in your life.
I recommend this book to read especially if you like romance stories with a twist or two. Hopefully you will be cheering for Mace and Zuri as I did.
Cassandra H.
I voluntarily received a arc of this book and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.
February 15, 2021
The Cowgirl’s Surprise Match is the third book in the Tillbridge Stables series. It’s the first book I have read in the series and I don’t feel like I missed anything by not reading the first two books. Although after reading this book, I’ve put the other books on my TBR list. The book was paced perfectly, easy to read, and had that “can’t put down” factor. The characters were charming and easy to connect with. Zurie Tillbridge was happy when Tristan, her cousin announced his engagement to a famous actor. She needed a break from work and organizing his wedding while keeping it a secret from the media was just the answer for her. She would be helping Tristan and get a break from work. Mace Calderone was happy to help Zurie with the wedding arrangements. His family was pushing him to take his law exams and move to Nevada to work in the family firm. Zurie putting a time limit on their relationship was fine with him because he would be moving right after the wedding. Pretending to be engaged to keep the wedding a secret, allowed them to spend time together and keep the media away. Neither of them expected to want the fake engagement to be real. Mace must decide if giving up his future with the family law firm is worth risking love for.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 10, 2021
This is book three in The Tillbridge Stables series and it is Zurie and Mace's story. Zurie is part owner of The Tillbridge Stables and Guesthouse and she works so hard that the doctor advised her to rest as her health was starting to suffer but after only a few days and not used to sitting around she takes over the planning of Tristan and Chloe's wedding as it needs to be kept quiet as Chloe is an actress and wants her wedding to be private. Mace has had feelings for Zurie for a long time and his feelings have just got stronger now that he is home but how does he convince Zurie to take a chance on him. When Zurie and Mace decide to be in a fake relationship and let everyone think that it is there wedding that they are planning so that they can protect Tristan and Chloe's privacy Zurie and Mace's lines are getting blurred the more time they spend together. I really enjoyed watching Zurie and Mace navigate there life while planning a wedding that was not there's and how friendships can change in to something more as time goes on and I couldn't put this book down as I had to see what would happen next. Nina Crespo is an amazing author and writer and I definitely recommend you read this book and others by her and you will definitely not be disappointed and I look forward to reading many more of her books in the future.
I Voluntarily Reviewed a Arc Copy of this book.
I Voluntarily Reviewed a Arc Copy of this book.
February 2, 2021
Zurie Tillbridge is co-owner of the family business and run Tillbridge Horse Stable and Guesthouse. On doctor's orders, she must slow down. But it's easier said than done for a take-charge woman like her. She always took care of things and even now that they're adults, she never stopped looking after her sister and their cousin since they lost their parents young. Probably why she volunteered to plan her cousin's wedding so he and his famous fiancé can avoid the medias attention. And if she have to play fake fiancé to the younger Deputy Sheriff and cousin's friend she used to tutor in high school then it's no big deal for Zurie.
"His heart went haywire."
The fake relationship trope didn't have a big part but I had fun with Zurie and Mace's love story. I love his maturity and honesty and how he made her feel more relaxed. I felt it too and had a smile on my face and a feeling of contentment while reading.
"His heart went haywire."
The fake relationship trope didn't have a big part but I had fun with Zurie and Mace's love story. I love his maturity and honesty and how he made her feel more relaxed. I felt it too and had a smile on my face and a feeling of contentment while reading.
April 11, 2021
Finding the One . . .
This is a predictable but adorable story of Zurie Tillbridge and Mace Calderone’s surprise. Zurie is planning to make her cousin Tristan’s wedding special and not the courthouse event he had planned! The issue is that his bride-to-be is a celebrity and they have to keep a very low profile so the paparazzi don’t figure it out and crash the wedding.
Tristan’s friend, Mace, came back home after finishing law school. He steps in to help Zurie and they do the typical things such as tasting cakes, finding venues, picking out flowers, and getting everything in order for the wedding. The best “cover” for them is to pretend to be the ones getting married so the media won’t catch on. But doing all these preparations starts feeling very comfortable and real. Can this become the second chance they didn’t realize they were having? Will they tell each other how they feel now? Better yet, can they make this happen for themselves?
This is a predictable but adorable story of Zurie Tillbridge and Mace Calderone’s surprise. Zurie is planning to make her cousin Tristan’s wedding special and not the courthouse event he had planned! The issue is that his bride-to-be is a celebrity and they have to keep a very low profile so the paparazzi don’t figure it out and crash the wedding.
Tristan’s friend, Mace, came back home after finishing law school. He steps in to help Zurie and they do the typical things such as tasting cakes, finding venues, picking out flowers, and getting everything in order for the wedding. The best “cover” for them is to pretend to be the ones getting married so the media won’t catch on. But doing all these preparations starts feeling very comfortable and real. Can this become the second chance they didn’t realize they were having? Will they tell each other how they feel now? Better yet, can they make this happen for themselves?
February 22, 2021
Another in the Tillbridge Stables series in which Zurie Tillbridge is eager to help her cousin get married without all the falderol of publicity when he's marrying an actress on the ranch shooting a movie. All goes well, particularly when best man and local deputy sheriff Mace Calderone agrees to help her, but when a reporter suspects what's being prepared for, Zurie and Mace say they are the ones who are engaged to throw off the reporter.
Trouble with that lie is that it's truer than either of them wants to admit until both realize they are miserable when apart. Trouble is, Zurie thinks Mace is going back to Nevada to join his father and brother in a law firm after passing the Nevada bar exam. But Mace hasn't decided that's what he wants to do. And when he realizes that is not the future he wants, but how can he convince Zurie of what he really wants and that what he wants is her?
Trouble with that lie is that it's truer than either of them wants to admit until both realize they are miserable when apart. Trouble is, Zurie thinks Mace is going back to Nevada to join his father and brother in a law firm after passing the Nevada bar exam. But Mace hasn't decided that's what he wants to do. And when he realizes that is not the future he wants, but how can he convince Zurie of what he really wants and that what he wants is her?
April 12, 2021
Zurie came off cold, more concerned about money than anything else to her sister Rina in the last book, so I was sure how she would be in this one. But she is that way because she carries a lot of her shoulders and that was affecting her health. Mace was the younger man she tutored years ago. He's turned into a sexy deputy who wants to date her. They jump into bed almost immediately and Zurie wants to keep their romance secret so it's all about spending time at her place or his. They don't talk much about their hopes and dreams and she doesn't realize that his family dreams of him moving back there to work with them. This and the secrecy causes a rift in their budding romance. Mace spent so much time pursuing his law degree that I was surprised he wasn't considering how to use it without moving away. Maybe he will in a future book.
May 11, 2021
I enjoyed reading The Cowgirl's Surprise Match! It is a small town, fake romance story that has some wonderful characters.
Zurie runs the family business with her sister and cousin. As Zurie is the oldest and has been in the business the longest, she finds it hard to relax and play. Both her sister and her cousin have now found their partners while Zurie is still single.
While helping her cousin who is marrying a well-known actress plan the wedding, Zurie ends up having to fake an engagement with her cousin's best friend, Mace. This is in order to keep others from discovering the truth.
Mace and Zurie have a connection, will Zurie be able to let go long enough to see if a real relationship is possible with him?
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Romantic, Wonderful characters
Zurie runs the family business with her sister and cousin. As Zurie is the oldest and has been in the business the longest, she finds it hard to relax and play. Both her sister and her cousin have now found their partners while Zurie is still single.
While helping her cousin who is marrying a well-known actress plan the wedding, Zurie ends up having to fake an engagement with her cousin's best friend, Mace. This is in order to keep others from discovering the truth.
Mace and Zurie have a connection, will Zurie be able to let go long enough to see if a real relationship is possible with him?
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Romantic, Wonderful characters
August 25, 2021
4 stars. Really good, this is my second favorite book in this trilogy with book two being my favorite. I ended up really enjoying this one but I will admit that it took me a while to really come around to the romance. I feel like it took a hot minute for me to really feel the connection between Zurie and Mace but I think that was only because Zurie was so emotionally closed off in the beginning. When she started to come around is where it got good and I ended up rooting for their relationship. Zurie is a workaholic and doesn’t know how to let loose and have fun. Mace is the opposite and I found that they really balanced each other out well. The ending was good if not a bit abrupt. I would’ve loved for it to either be just a tad bit longer or an epilogue. This was a really fun series and I look forward to reading more by this author.
April 10, 2021
This book is about Zurie who is co-owner of the family Tillbridge Horse Stable and Guesthouse with her sister Reina and cousin Tristan. Zurie is a Workaholic she never slow down . So next on her list she is planning her cousin Tristian’s and Chloe wedding. Tristian and Chloe wants to keep the wedding a secret from the media . So Zurie steps in to be the bride for Chloe and and her fake groom who steps in for Tristian his friend Mace who move back in town and also have a crush on Zurie when they was in highschool not knowing Zurie finds Mace attractive . Can these two try being fake bride and groom without having feels for each other well you have to find out .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 16, 2021
A fast-paced read with lots of great characters and lots of secrets. Zurie volunteers to plan a secret wedding for her cousin Tristan and his fiancée Chloe, a Hollywood actress, in just 5 weeks. Meanwhile Zurie ends up in a secret romance with the best man, and then a not so secret fake engagement to distract a local gossipy journalist.
This book has some heartfelt moments during the wedding planning, romantic secret rendezvous between Mace and Zurie, and lots of emotions.
This was a new to me author, and I received an ARC from Hidden Gems. I am voluntarily leaving a review. I enjoyed this series and want to read the earlier books in the series because Tristan and Chloe, and Rina and Scott seem to be interesting couples I would enjoy reading about.
This book has some heartfelt moments during the wedding planning, romantic secret rendezvous between Mace and Zurie, and lots of emotions.
This was a new to me author, and I received an ARC from Hidden Gems. I am voluntarily leaving a review. I enjoyed this series and want to read the earlier books in the series because Tristan and Chloe, and Rina and Scott seem to be interesting couples I would enjoy reading about.
April 21, 2021
Zurie and Mace are pretending to be the bride and groom, instead of the best man and maid of honor. Her cousin Tristan is secretly marrying a celebrity and they are putting the wedding together for them. During the planning and tasting, they start to feel a real relationship starting. The characters are trying to make some major decisions in their lives. Miscommunications and twists in the storyline cause situations that pull them apart, even a storm that grounds airplanes. Loved the ending in the parking lot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 24, 2021
Zurie Tillbridge and Mace Calderon
Zurie manages the Tillbridge Stables and guesthouse and is a very busy woman. She's told to slow down and destress her life and the perfect way to do that is do a staycation and plan her cousin's Tristan's wedding. Mace is Tristan's best friend and has always liked Zurie and plans to help her with her stress and with the plans. She also feels an attraction but tentatively lets herself enjoy his company.
I like it when a person realizes there is more to life than a job. Zurie learns to balance her job and her life and let's Mace into it. She wants what her sister and cousin has and decides to go all in even if it scares her.
Zurie manages the Tillbridge Stables and guesthouse and is a very busy woman. She's told to slow down and destress her life and the perfect way to do that is do a staycation and plan her cousin's Tristan's wedding. Mace is Tristan's best friend and has always liked Zurie and plans to help her with her stress and with the plans. She also feels an attraction but tentatively lets herself enjoy his company.
I like it when a person realizes there is more to life than a job. Zurie learns to balance her job and her life and let's Mace into it. She wants what her sister and cousin has and decides to go all in even if it scares her.
August 12, 2022
I really enjoyed this book!
Zurie is afraid to take a chance on love and is bogged down by family '"duty." Mace is a little tired of his playboy life and knows about family expectations.
A fake romance quickly turns into the real thing, but can Mace convince Zurie to live for herself and take a chance on love?
I enjoyed this one SOO much better than the previous book in this series! Even the premise of why there were pretending was good, and there was a good balance of how Mace was feeling and why, and how Zurie was feeling and why.
I loved the ending of this book so much! I just wish we would have gotten an epilogue.
Zurie is afraid to take a chance on love and is bogged down by family '"duty." Mace is a little tired of his playboy life and knows about family expectations.
A fake romance quickly turns into the real thing, but can Mace convince Zurie to live for herself and take a chance on love?
I enjoyed this one SOO much better than the previous book in this series! Even the premise of why there were pretending was good, and there was a good balance of how Mace was feeling and why, and how Zurie was feeling and why.
I loved the ending of this book so much! I just wish we would have gotten an epilogue.
March 21, 2021
The Cowgirls Surprise Match, featuring Zurie Tillbridge and Mason “Mace” Calderone is a clever spin on the fake fiancé storyline. Fans of the series will appreciate updates on Chloe and Tristan and Nina and Scott. These and other supporting characters add depth to the story. Zurie’s restored relationship with her sister Nina is also refreshing. Ms. Crespo adds a bit of drama, which is expected when there is a secret wedding involved! I enjoyed The Cowgirls Surprise Match and highly recommend it. See complete review on RomanceinColor.com
April 11, 2021
Fake fiancé, small town, ambitions that are important to each. This has a mix of it all. With a bit of spice thrown in as well! Family is important to the H and the h and they have to try and figure out how they can be together without sacrificing in other areas of their life.
This is not the first book in the series but it can be read as a complete stand alone. If you have read the other books you would just know more about the secondary characters and the family dynamic. But everything you need to know has been given to you.
This is not the first book in the series but it can be read as a complete stand alone. If you have read the other books you would just know more about the secondary characters and the family dynamic. But everything you need to know has been given to you.
June 20, 2021
I think this is my first time reading this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were moments that I wished Zurie got out of her head. She was such a workaholic and afraid to get hurt again that she almost missed the love Mace had for her. I really enjoyed their weekend getaway. It allowed me to see Zurie in a different environment where she wasn't so much in her head. It reminded me that we need to allow ourselves to slow down and enjoy life more.
I will definitely read another by this author in the near future.
I will definitely read another by this author in the near future.
January 3, 2022
Four and a half stars
The Cowgirl’s Surprise Match by Nina Crespo is the third in her Tillbridge Stables series, and is about Zurie Tillbridge and Mace Calderone. Zurie’s thrown herself into her work for years, and a bit of a health crisis forced her to reevaluate her choices while her cousin’s surprise engagement gives her something to focus her attention on while taking that breather. Mace has been her cousin’s friend for years, a steady guy she’s always seen as too young.
Nina Crespo’s characters shine in this story, and watching these two find their way is a real pleasure.
The Cowgirl’s Surprise Match by Nina Crespo is the third in her Tillbridge Stables series, and is about Zurie Tillbridge and Mace Calderone. Zurie’s thrown herself into her work for years, and a bit of a health crisis forced her to reevaluate her choices while her cousin’s surprise engagement gives her something to focus her attention on while taking that breather. Mace has been her cousin’s friend for years, a steady guy she’s always seen as too young.
Nina Crespo’s characters shine in this story, and watching these two find their way is a real pleasure.
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