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Wishing River #4
Mail Order Cowboy
Hope Roberts has a strict No Cowboys Allowed policy. Between raising her daughter, running her business, and trying to settle into her new ranch, Hope has no room for romance—especially when it comes to cowboys. What she needs is someone to help fix her ranch. But the only person to respond to her ad is the one man Hope still blames for her husband’s death…
In Wishing River, Dr. Dean Stanton is pretty much a legend. Cowboy, doctor, heir to his family’s ranching empire—everyone knows and loves him…with the exception of Hope. But Dean doesn’t trust a complete stranger to keep Hope and her daughter safe. And despite their troubled past, he’s still the best cowboy for her job.
Bit by cautious bit, Hope’s little family of two is making room for the man she once thought of as her enemy. Until one day, Dean looks like the perfect exception to her “no cowboys” rule. But he’s been keeping a secret from her that could destroy their newfound family…
Each book in the Wishing River series is STANDALONE:
* The Trouble with Cowboys
* Cowboy for Hire
* Wishing For A Cowboy
* Mail Order Cowboy
In Wishing River, Dr. Dean Stanton is pretty much a legend. Cowboy, doctor, heir to his family’s ranching empire—everyone knows and loves him…with the exception of Hope. But Dean doesn’t trust a complete stranger to keep Hope and her daughter safe. And despite their troubled past, he’s still the best cowboy for her job.
Bit by cautious bit, Hope’s little family of two is making room for the man she once thought of as her enemy. Until one day, Dean looks like the perfect exception to her “no cowboys” rule. But he’s been keeping a secret from her that could destroy their newfound family…
Each book in the Wishing River series is STANDALONE:
* The Trouble with Cowboys
* Cowboy for Hire
* Wishing For A Cowboy
* Mail Order Cowboy
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 27, 2022
133 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Victoria James
31 books1,025 followersVictoria James is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.
She is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
October 16, 2022
Great story. Hunky cowboy. Clean romance. Perfect ending.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh My. Dean was such a complex character. No one knew his pains and secrets; not even his best friends. But he has been in love for years. She just never knew it.
This story is deep and offers many layers to not only the story, but to the characters too. Hurt, struggles, and pain comes in many different varieties and so does love. These two slowly build a story to remember until secrets start to come to light. James does a fabulous job crafting a story that has you not only holding your breath but also swooning a bit too!
A clean romance that offers not only a fabulous story but truly a perfect ending! Sighhhhhhh
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/mail-order-c...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh My. Dean was such a complex character. No one knew his pains and secrets; not even his best friends. But he has been in love for years. She just never knew it.
This story is deep and offers many layers to not only the story, but to the characters too. Hurt, struggles, and pain comes in many different varieties and so does love. These two slowly build a story to remember until secrets start to come to light. James does a fabulous job crafting a story that has you not only holding your breath but also swooning a bit too!
A clean romance that offers not only a fabulous story but truly a perfect ending! Sighhhhhhh
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/mail-order-c...
January 3, 2023
Hope Roberts, along with her daughter, Sadie have moved to a ranch her husband inherited. She knows she needs help and when no one responds to her help wanted ad, she knows she’s in trouble. She is trying to get their home livable and keep her business up and running. She has no time or the know how to fix the ranch as well. The only response she gets from the ad is Dr. Dean Stanton. He was Hope’s husbands doctor before he died and she blames him for her husband’s death. Hang on tight readers!! MAIL ORDER COWBOY is such a crazy ride.
MAIL ORDER COWBOY is the fourth book in the Wishing River series. It can easily be read as a stand alone which is what I did. I wasn’t lost with the story at all. Hope is really struggling with having Dean help her out on the ranch. She knows he is being pulled in every direction and walks around exhausted most of the time. Plus he is keeping a secret from Hope and it is weighing heavily on him. I have never read Victoria James before, but I sure am glad I read MAIL ORDER COWBOY!
I usually am reading many books at one time but once I started MAIL ORDER COWBOY all other books were put aside. I found myself cheering for Hope at the same time as I was really sad for the struggles she was going through. I finished reading the very last page with a huge lump in my throat and a big smile on my face! I can not wait to read more by Victoria James. Once I started reading this very emotional and sweet story, I could not put it down. Be prepared to ignore everything else until you are done. All I wanted to do when I finished reading was to reach out and give Dr. Dean a big hug.😁
I received a complimentary copy of this book from TLC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
MAIL ORDER COWBOY is the fourth book in the Wishing River series. It can easily be read as a stand alone which is what I did. I wasn’t lost with the story at all. Hope is really struggling with having Dean help her out on the ranch. She knows he is being pulled in every direction and walks around exhausted most of the time. Plus he is keeping a secret from Hope and it is weighing heavily on him. I have never read Victoria James before, but I sure am glad I read MAIL ORDER COWBOY!
I usually am reading many books at one time but once I started MAIL ORDER COWBOY all other books were put aside. I found myself cheering for Hope at the same time as I was really sad for the struggles she was going through. I finished reading the very last page with a huge lump in my throat and a big smile on my face! I can not wait to read more by Victoria James. Once I started reading this very emotional and sweet story, I could not put it down. Be prepared to ignore everything else until you are done. All I wanted to do when I finished reading was to reach out and give Dr. Dean a big hug.😁
I received a complimentary copy of this book from TLC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 5, 2023
This was a very wholesome, hallmarky story about Hope and a cowboy doctor named Dean. This one tugged at your heart strings since Hope is a single mom. She married young and her husband passed away shortly after her daughter was born.
Dean is a wealthy doctor who comes from a ranching family but his family kind of sucks. He is sweet and caring and has loved Hope forever but he’s keeping a secret from her.
Dean is a wealthy doctor who comes from a ranching family but his family kind of sucks. He is sweet and caring and has loved Hope forever but he’s keeping a secret from her.
July 10, 2023
I'm not really sure what to say about this book. Did I like it? No, not at all. Was it an interesting read? You can say that. For one, the title makes no sense. This book is NOT about a mail order cowboy. In fact, it's supposedly an enemies-to-lovers book, but I really did not get the enemies vibes from it. This book should have been called Drama with Dr. Cowboy. That pretty much sums up the entire book. This could have been a me thing. I am in a fantasy mood, but I read this anyways and it was a little too cheesy for me. So that being said,
Read this if you love:
- Cowboys
- Doctors
- Single-mom
- Widow
- Kind of enemies-to-lovers
- Friendship group
- Drama
- Clean romance
Read this if you love:
- Cowboys
- Doctors
- Single-mom
- Widow
- Kind of enemies-to-lovers
- Friendship group
- Drama
- Clean romance
November 11, 2022
Do you like clean romance books?
Author: Victoria James
Series: Wishing Rivers
ARC
Rating: 3.5/5
Let me start off by saying that I did enjoy this book, is a very lighthearted read. It´s a perfect small town HEA.
That being said I had a really hard time connecting with the characters, Dean was way too perfect to be real, a Cowboy/Doctor, super sexy that choose to be celibate cause he couldn´t have the woman he wants.
Hope is a holistic Doctor who as a single mother has to juggle between a ranch, work, and her kid and is reaching her breaking point. My problem with her is that her thoughts are very immature and teenager-ish.
The plot is centered on them both being in love but unable to be together. It´s fluffy, cute and super sweet. I read it in about a day and I truly don´t have complains about it. It is the perfect small town romance. I just like more spice and chemistry in my books.
They do make a cute couple and their romance is super clean, there´s absolutely zero spice in this book. They kiss once and there´s a kind of make out sess, that’s it. So if you like more chemistry centered and sizzling romance this one is not for you. But if you like cute, sweet, clean reads this one is definitively the romance book for you.
This book was given as an ARC to me by Netgalley. This is my honest review.
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Author: Victoria James
Series: Wishing Rivers
ARC
Rating: 3.5/5
Let me start off by saying that I did enjoy this book, is a very lighthearted read. It´s a perfect small town HEA.
That being said I had a really hard time connecting with the characters, Dean was way too perfect to be real, a Cowboy/Doctor, super sexy that choose to be celibate cause he couldn´t have the woman he wants.
Hope is a holistic Doctor who as a single mother has to juggle between a ranch, work, and her kid and is reaching her breaking point. My problem with her is that her thoughts are very immature and teenager-ish.
The plot is centered on them both being in love but unable to be together. It´s fluffy, cute and super sweet. I read it in about a day and I truly don´t have complains about it. It is the perfect small town romance. I just like more spice and chemistry in my books.
They do make a cute couple and their romance is super clean, there´s absolutely zero spice in this book. They kiss once and there´s a kind of make out sess, that’s it. So if you like more chemistry centered and sizzling romance this one is not for you. But if you like cute, sweet, clean reads this one is definitively the romance book for you.
This book was given as an ARC to me by Netgalley. This is my honest review.
#bookstagram #books #booklover #book #bookworm #bookstagrammer #reading #bookish #ARC #bookaddict #booknerd #bibliophile #instabook #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #read #bookaholic #booksbooksbooks #bookphotography #bookshelf #booklove #bookreview #Netgalley #bookcommunity #bookblogger #instabooks #booklovers #reader #igreads #bookrecommendations
October 14, 2022
This was a sweet story. Be warned ahead of time, you will need a box of tissues.
This story was written with so much heart and soul that is just pours right out of the pages. I was moved by the words in this book and roles that the characters portrayed. These characters have been through so much and the journey to healing will be a long one.
Dr. Dean has the perfect life on the outside. He is wealthy, a doctor, a successful rancher and heir to a fortune. Above all Dr. Dean is attractive and oozes charisma. But what others don't see is that he is slowly dying inside. His relationship with his father is strained and he doesn't have contact with his brother. He is miserable.
Hope is a single mother, business owner and now the proud owner of a money pit ranch. She is trying to keep it together, but the struggle is real. She has not dated since her husband passed and doesn't have time either. She is damaged.
This book is all about self healing and finding love again. It was a wonderful book and I loved the characters. Especially sweet Sadie. She is so energetic and smart. Totally adorable.
This book was well written and the author took her time telling this wonderful story. She did not rush it and the timeline was just perfect, leaving the book with readers wondering who is next. A heartfelt read for that cozy night.
This story was written with so much heart and soul that is just pours right out of the pages. I was moved by the words in this book and roles that the characters portrayed. These characters have been through so much and the journey to healing will be a long one.
Dr. Dean has the perfect life on the outside. He is wealthy, a doctor, a successful rancher and heir to a fortune. Above all Dr. Dean is attractive and oozes charisma. But what others don't see is that he is slowly dying inside. His relationship with his father is strained and he doesn't have contact with his brother. He is miserable.
Hope is a single mother, business owner and now the proud owner of a money pit ranch. She is trying to keep it together, but the struggle is real. She has not dated since her husband passed and doesn't have time either. She is damaged.
This book is all about self healing and finding love again. It was a wonderful book and I loved the characters. Especially sweet Sadie. She is so energetic and smart. Totally adorable.
This book was well written and the author took her time telling this wonderful story. She did not rush it and the timeline was just perfect, leaving the book with readers wondering who is next. A heartfelt read for that cozy night.
December 18, 2022
Dr. Cowboy. Oh yes please! Dr. Dean is a wonderful dose of meds in jeans.
Set in picturesque Montana, where the men are grown wild and wonderful, Dean has loved Hope from afar for years. Having ,itt,e love in his life he’s ready to pour out the passion if only she’d give him a chance.
Hope has her own challenges to overcome and the pair have to untangle some snarled issues between them.
Backed by a carousel of caring friends, Reading about this pair was heartwarming.
Yes, there a quite a bit of sappiness, but I embraced all of it and sighed in delight.
Thanks to Entangled and NetGalley for the advance read.
Set in picturesque Montana, where the men are grown wild and wonderful, Dean has loved Hope from afar for years. Having ,itt,e love in his life he’s ready to pour out the passion if only she’d give him a chance.
Hope has her own challenges to overcome and the pair have to untangle some snarled issues between them.
Backed by a carousel of caring friends, Reading about this pair was heartwarming.
Yes, there a quite a bit of sappiness, but I embraced all of it and sighed in delight.
Thanks to Entangled and NetGalley for the advance read.
January 19, 2023
Thank you @entangled_publishing @vcjames101 @tlcbooktours for my gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.
This clean romance was a fun read! Both main characters have backstories that keep them from being totally honest with each other, and both characters are secretly in love with the other!
Hope Roberts is a widowed, single mother, doing everything she can to survive and provide the best life for her daughter. When she advertises for help on her newly inherited ranch, her only candidate takes a better job offer - from Dean Stanton’s father.
Dr. Dean Stanton feels bad for Hope, so he decides to help out around her place. With a backstory including a wealthy (and greedy) father, and a promise made to a patient, Dean is a complex character full of secrets.
Dean and Hope must work through their secrets before they can find true happiness as a couple! The story is engaging, the chapters are short, and the drama moves along at a nice pace. Read this if you enjoy a wholesome contemporary romance!
This clean romance was a fun read! Both main characters have backstories that keep them from being totally honest with each other, and both characters are secretly in love with the other!
Hope Roberts is a widowed, single mother, doing everything she can to survive and provide the best life for her daughter. When she advertises for help on her newly inherited ranch, her only candidate takes a better job offer - from Dean Stanton’s father.
Dr. Dean Stanton feels bad for Hope, so he decides to help out around her place. With a backstory including a wealthy (and greedy) father, and a promise made to a patient, Dean is a complex character full of secrets.
Dean and Hope must work through their secrets before they can find true happiness as a couple! The story is engaging, the chapters are short, and the drama moves along at a nice pace. Read this if you enjoy a wholesome contemporary romance!
December 30, 2022
Mail Order Cowboy is Victoria James’ fourth book in her Wishing River series. All of the books are standalone titles. I haven’t read all of them, yet I didn’t feel like I was missing any backstory at all.
I loved this story. I’m a characters girl, and there was so much to digest where the hero and heroine were concerned. Both of them had such complicated, hurtful pasts they had to overcome. Hope’s past was tragic, but Dean’s really tugged at my heartstrings. He was trying to be all things to everyone and drowning. I adored how they supported one another without being clingy or overbearing. But seriously… Dean was absolutely swoon-worthy! His dad, though. Not sure I’ve ever wanted to smack a character more.
If you enjoy small-town, emotional, contemporary romances with complex characters that pull at your heartstrings on almost every page, you’ll love this book.
I loved this story. I’m a characters girl, and there was so much to digest where the hero and heroine were concerned. Both of them had such complicated, hurtful pasts they had to overcome. Hope’s past was tragic, but Dean’s really tugged at my heartstrings. He was trying to be all things to everyone and drowning. I adored how they supported one another without being clingy or overbearing. But seriously… Dean was absolutely swoon-worthy! His dad, though. Not sure I’ve ever wanted to smack a character more.
If you enjoy small-town, emotional, contemporary romances with complex characters that pull at your heartstrings on almost every page, you’ll love this book.
December 15, 2022
3.5 rounded up
This was a sweet romance with some angst and pining thrown in.
Hope is an independent single mom and Dean is a doctor and rancher. Dean has a messed up family life and a father who is downright gross. Dean and Hope have some great chemistry together and you’ll be rooting for their HEA.
This book is part of the Wishing River series, but can definitely be read as a standalone.
Read if you like small town romance with a sweet, slow burn storyline.
I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was a sweet romance with some angst and pining thrown in.
Hope is an independent single mom and Dean is a doctor and rancher. Dean has a messed up family life and a father who is downright gross. Dean and Hope have some great chemistry together and you’ll be rooting for their HEA.
This book is part of the Wishing River series, but can definitely be read as a standalone.
Read if you like small town romance with a sweet, slow burn storyline.
I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 4, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of Mail Order Cowboy in exchange for an honest review. This was an extremely slow read, zero chemistry building, and never really made any progress. The premise of the story was so promising, and there was definitely potential for a great read, but it just never developed into anything. The author got stuck on two themes; Hope's husband that died of cancer and Dean's father who was a cheating , nasty old man. This was not enough to keep this story going, and by the end of the book I was over it. Spoiler alert: Like all romances, Hope and Dean got their happy ending.
December 24, 2022
Review: 3.5 stars
Thank you Entangled Publishing, Riki Cleveland and Victoria James for e-arc in exchange of honest review.
This book reminds me of a Hallmark Love Story. Hope is a single mother with a kid that inherited a ranch from her dead husband’s grandparents hoping that luck has finally turned her side. Little did she know it was more work that it is. Dean is a doctor/cowboy who was in love with Hope for years and offered to help Hope with her ranch. See how they fall in love as they went through some life challenges.
It’s a sweet read and part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Past couples from part of the series played cameo roles in this book.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a sweet contemporary cowboy read
Thank you Entangled Publishing, Riki Cleveland and Victoria James for e-arc in exchange of honest review.
This book reminds me of a Hallmark Love Story. Hope is a single mother with a kid that inherited a ranch from her dead husband’s grandparents hoping that luck has finally turned her side. Little did she know it was more work that it is. Dean is a doctor/cowboy who was in love with Hope for years and offered to help Hope with her ranch. See how they fall in love as they went through some life challenges.
It’s a sweet read and part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Past couples from part of the series played cameo roles in this book.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a sweet contemporary cowboy read
December 21, 2022
This book is all about The Feels and it will give you plenty of them. Hope and Dean were easy to like and root for. For the most part, I thought the book read fairly easily, although there are a few times when I felt that things got bogged down a little. The romance is sweet and the emotions deep and intense as this engaging story unfolds. This is my volitional, forthright review.
December 1, 2022
Mail Order Cowboy is the third novel in Victoria James' Wishing River series, it's the first of her western series I've read, and it's also the third book in the series but she won me over, and I've already downloaded the first two books that preceded this one because this was one excellent read, and it gets 5 stars from this reader.
The main characters in this novel come alive in these pages, because of their secrets, their lies, their losses and regrets, and there's more than enough angst in Mail Order Cowboy for three more novels. Just a warning--keep your tissues handy.
Hope Roberts, who lost her husband due to cancer 6 years earlier, just inherited a broken down ranch from his grandparents. She's a naturopathic doctor and mom to 9-year-old Sadie, and hasn't the first clue about running a ranch. She recently placed an ad for a mail order cowboy to help teach her the ropes and work for her, but as the novel opens, she's about to discover that he's been spirited away by another rich rancher who offered him double the wages. Witnessing her new employee sharing this news with her is Dr. Dean Stanton, the man Hope has spent the last 6 years blaming for his not discovering her husband Brian's cancer until it was too late to save him. When Dean overhears the cowboy quitting, and learns that his own father hired him away from Hope, he offers to take his place, which is the last thing Hope wants, but has to accept having no other options.
Dean is the son of the wealthiest rancher/businessman in the area, and his father not only owns the largest ranch in the area, but also much of business properties in town, including the space Hope rents for her business. In addition to helping to run his father's ranch, Dean also works at the local hospital, but although his help is unwanted by Hope, and the fact that he's already overworked, he'll be working at Hope's ranch anyway, whether she wants him to or not. Unbeknownst to Hope, he's been attracted to her for years. Unfortunately, he and his father don't get along, nor does his father want him involved with Hope--he'd rather Dean marry the woman he's chosen for his son--it would combine the two wealthiest ranches in the area, and Dean wants no part of it, or his father's plans to marry him off to the other rancher's daughter.
To make matters worse, Hope is struggling financially--the ranch she inherited, although she loves the idea of raising her daughter there, is a money pit. As if that wasn't enough, Dean's father is doing all he can to make her naturopath business fail, and to hit on Hope--something he did with his other son's girlfriend, an act which made Dean's brother, Morgan, who found the two of them barely clothed in his father's office, leave the family ranch and their sleazy father behind a decade ago. Angsty enough yet?
This is a story about grief and grieving, but also a story about kindness, forgiveness, the closeness of friends, the lasting guilt and regret of keeping secrets that no one should have to bear, and finally, it's about moving on. It hooked me from the very first page, and I stayed up all night because I couldn't put it down. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
The main characters in this novel come alive in these pages, because of their secrets, their lies, their losses and regrets, and there's more than enough angst in Mail Order Cowboy for three more novels. Just a warning--keep your tissues handy.
Hope Roberts, who lost her husband due to cancer 6 years earlier, just inherited a broken down ranch from his grandparents. She's a naturopathic doctor and mom to 9-year-old Sadie, and hasn't the first clue about running a ranch. She recently placed an ad for a mail order cowboy to help teach her the ropes and work for her, but as the novel opens, she's about to discover that he's been spirited away by another rich rancher who offered him double the wages. Witnessing her new employee sharing this news with her is Dr. Dean Stanton, the man Hope has spent the last 6 years blaming for his not discovering her husband Brian's cancer until it was too late to save him. When Dean overhears the cowboy quitting, and learns that his own father hired him away from Hope, he offers to take his place, which is the last thing Hope wants, but has to accept having no other options.
Dean is the son of the wealthiest rancher/businessman in the area, and his father not only owns the largest ranch in the area, but also much of business properties in town, including the space Hope rents for her business. In addition to helping to run his father's ranch, Dean also works at the local hospital, but although his help is unwanted by Hope, and the fact that he's already overworked, he'll be working at Hope's ranch anyway, whether she wants him to or not. Unbeknownst to Hope, he's been attracted to her for years. Unfortunately, he and his father don't get along, nor does his father want him involved with Hope--he'd rather Dean marry the woman he's chosen for his son--it would combine the two wealthiest ranches in the area, and Dean wants no part of it, or his father's plans to marry him off to the other rancher's daughter.
To make matters worse, Hope is struggling financially--the ranch she inherited, although she loves the idea of raising her daughter there, is a money pit. As if that wasn't enough, Dean's father is doing all he can to make her naturopath business fail, and to hit on Hope--something he did with his other son's girlfriend, an act which made Dean's brother, Morgan, who found the two of them barely clothed in his father's office, leave the family ranch and their sleazy father behind a decade ago. Angsty enough yet?
This is a story about grief and grieving, but also a story about kindness, forgiveness, the closeness of friends, the lasting guilt and regret of keeping secrets that no one should have to bear, and finally, it's about moving on. It hooked me from the very first page, and I stayed up all night because I couldn't put it down. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
September 19, 2022
Hope Roberts and her daughter Sadie are trying to get acclimated to life in their new home. As a single mother who owns her own business, life is hard enough without the stress and cost associated with renovating a dilapidated, run down ranch. The ranch is Sadie's legacy, her inheritance from her paternal grandparents and Hope is dedicated making things work.
Dr. Dean Stanton grew up living a very privileged life. His family owns one of the largest ranches in the Wishing River area and are extremely wealthy. Unfortunately, not everything is as it appears. Dean's father is an abusive man unable to love and care for his sons. He never talks about his upbringing because he doesn't want to be consider the 'poor little rich boy'.
Dean and Hope hanging out in the same circle of friends but their relationship is fraught. Hope blames Dean for the death of her husband and Dean has been keeping a huge secret from Hope. Regardless of what Hope believes, Dean only wants the best for Hope and her daughter and promises to help with the ranch. Unfortunately, there are outside forces that are working against Hope, compromising her success.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley and the publisher Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review.
'Mail Order Cowboy' takes us back to Wishing River. Victoria James has a wonderful talent for creating beautifully written stories with deep characters who are facing realistic life struggles. I fell completely in love with Hope, Sadie, and Dean and was rooting for their success. Hope was easily relatable. She is struggling with the loss of her husband, trying to raise her daughter to be a good human being, juggling work and managing the ranch. It would be so easy for her to just give it all up but she perseveres. Dean is the perfect complement to Hope. Even though he stands to inherit so much he strives to bring something more meaningful to his life. Dean wants a real family, he wants to stand on his own and be known for his successes, but he is afraid he is more like his father than he wants to admit. 'Mail Order Cowboy' is a great story with a wonderful ending.
Dr. Dean Stanton grew up living a very privileged life. His family owns one of the largest ranches in the Wishing River area and are extremely wealthy. Unfortunately, not everything is as it appears. Dean's father is an abusive man unable to love and care for his sons. He never talks about his upbringing because he doesn't want to be consider the 'poor little rich boy'.
Dean and Hope hanging out in the same circle of friends but their relationship is fraught. Hope blames Dean for the death of her husband and Dean has been keeping a huge secret from Hope. Regardless of what Hope believes, Dean only wants the best for Hope and her daughter and promises to help with the ranch. Unfortunately, there are outside forces that are working against Hope, compromising her success.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley and the publisher Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review.
'Mail Order Cowboy' takes us back to Wishing River. Victoria James has a wonderful talent for creating beautifully written stories with deep characters who are facing realistic life struggles. I fell completely in love with Hope, Sadie, and Dean and was rooting for their success. Hope was easily relatable. She is struggling with the loss of her husband, trying to raise her daughter to be a good human being, juggling work and managing the ranch. It would be so easy for her to just give it all up but she perseveres. Dean is the perfect complement to Hope. Even though he stands to inherit so much he strives to bring something more meaningful to his life. Dean wants a real family, he wants to stand on his own and be known for his successes, but he is afraid he is more like his father than he wants to admit. 'Mail Order Cowboy' is a great story with a wonderful ending.
November 8, 2022
Hope is a holistic medicine practitioner in a very small town. She has a close knit group of friends and is focused on raising her daughter and growing her business. Her husband died at a very young age of cancer - that hope believes was caught wayyyy to late by the local doctor Dean. Dean is a part of her circle of friends - but is someone she's kept her distance from for many reasons. Dean has been interested in Hope for a long time - even before she met and married her husband - but has never tried for more with her. He's kept a big secret from Hope for a long time as well. That combined with his sociopath of a father have really kept him from moving forward with any kind of a relationship.
This is a solid small town romance with a lot of heart. The characters didn't resonate with me in the way I really wanted them too - and I found Hope to be colder than I like my heroines to be - and Dean felt off to me. His story includes a lot of trauma and emotion - but his relationship with Hope felt jagged and less fully formed than it should have. He went from - I can never have a relationship with anyone to I've loved you forever in like three pages time. I had trouble reconciling those two halves of him. I think he didn't have the growth in between maybe? or maybe the - I can't have a relationship with anyone needed some editing? Either way - it just didn't work for me.
I received this as an ARC via NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
This is a solid small town romance with a lot of heart. The characters didn't resonate with me in the way I really wanted them too - and I found Hope to be colder than I like my heroines to be - and Dean felt off to me. His story includes a lot of trauma and emotion - but his relationship with Hope felt jagged and less fully formed than it should have. He went from - I can never have a relationship with anyone to I've loved you forever in like three pages time. I had trouble reconciling those two halves of him. I think he didn't have the growth in between maybe? or maybe the - I can't have a relationship with anyone needed some editing? Either way - it just didn't work for me.
I received this as an ARC via NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
September 27, 2022
A huge thanks to Entangled Publishing for my complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I absolutely love a good enemies to lovers romance especially if there is a cowboy because why not. Mail order Cowboy follows single mom Hope who just wants a break and run her new ranch .No matter how much she looks she cannot seem to find help from anyone. The only person that wants to help is the golden boy of Wishing River who is a Cowboy, doctor, heir to his family’s ranching empire and pretty much irks Hope.
I enjoyed how the author made us care about Hope and Dean and how the romance developed between the frenemies. The location was perfect, the side characters relatable and the plot great. Recommend it to lovers of single parent romance.
I absolutely love a good enemies to lovers romance especially if there is a cowboy because why not. Mail order Cowboy follows single mom Hope who just wants a break and run her new ranch .No matter how much she looks she cannot seem to find help from anyone. The only person that wants to help is the golden boy of Wishing River who is a Cowboy, doctor, heir to his family’s ranching empire and pretty much irks Hope.
I enjoyed how the author made us care about Hope and Dean and how the romance developed between the frenemies. The location was perfect, the side characters relatable and the plot great. Recommend it to lovers of single parent romance.
December 24, 2022
Review: 3.5 stars
Thank you Entangled Publishing, Riki Cleveland and Victoria James for e-arc in exchange of honest review.
This book reminds me of a Hallmark Love Story. Hope is a single mother with a kid that inherited a ranch from her dead husband’s grandparents hoping that luck has finally turned her side. Little did she know it was more work that it is. Dean is a doctor/cowboy who was in love with Hope for years and offered to help Hope with her ranch. See how they fall in love as they went through some life challenges.
It’s a sweet read and part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Past couples from part of the series played cameo roles in this book.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a sweet contemporary cowboy read
Thank you Entangled Publishing, Riki Cleveland and Victoria James for e-arc in exchange of honest review.
This book reminds me of a Hallmark Love Story. Hope is a single mother with a kid that inherited a ranch from her dead husband’s grandparents hoping that luck has finally turned her side. Little did she know it was more work that it is. Dean is a doctor/cowboy who was in love with Hope for years and offered to help Hope with her ranch. See how they fall in love as they went through some life challenges.
It’s a sweet read and part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Past couples from part of the series played cameo roles in this book.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a sweet contemporary cowboy read
September 22, 2022
Dean and Hope’s story was such a sweet one. They both had so much past hurt to work through to be together. It made the happy ending even more worth it. Hope lost her husband at a very young age and has to go it alone in life and parenthood for so long she does not know to share her life or heart. Dean’s incredibly destructive father made him feel lonely and unworthy his entire life. Dean is craving a life with Hope. He just needs to convince her to take a chance. Dr. Dean is one of the good guys!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for my copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for my copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 23, 2022
Hope Ramsey is busying raising her daughter and running her own business. Dr. Dean Stanton is the town rich guy and also good guy.
They have been dancing around each other for years now. Hope inherits her deceased husbands grandparents ranch. Shee needs help fixing it up and hire a young cowboy, but Dean overhears him quitting for a better paying job at Dean's family ranch. He takes on the job of helping Hope with the ranch. As they finally grown closer his dad wants to interfere in the relationship. Also, Dean has been keeping secrets on Hopes husband's death from cancer.
They have been dancing around each other for years now. Hope inherits her deceased husbands grandparents ranch. Shee needs help fixing it up and hire a young cowboy, but Dean overhears him quitting for a better paying job at Dean's family ranch. He takes on the job of helping Hope with the ranch. As they finally grown closer his dad wants to interfere in the relationship. Also, Dean has been keeping secrets on Hopes husband's death from cancer.
November 17, 2022
Mail order Cowboy is a well written romance. The plot and character dynamics are fantastic. I definitely recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my book. This is my unbiased review.
October 2, 2022
*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
This was a fun, mostly lighthearted romance, and I enjoyed reading it. It’s very much a candy read, though it does also center a lot on forgiveness.
Hope (28) and Dean (34) are both good, caring people, and they were easy to root for. Hope’s obsession with clean, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, happiness-free food drove me a bit crazy, especially when she kept pushing it on Dean. I get that many health issues can be addressed by diet, but she was pushy about it. She did get better about it, though.
Something I liked about this book was how much the characters trusted each other. I don’t want to give anything away, but there were several times I anticipated certain things to happen just to cause drama and problems, but trust and love didn’t even make those things an option. It also shows a really great circle of supportive and loving friends.
Dean’s father was a little overdone. I’m sure people like him exist, but sometimes he felt just too sleazy. I dunno, maybe that doesn’t make sense.
Was it the best book I’ve ever read? No, but I wanted a pretty easy read with a happy ending, and that’s what I got (come on, you know that’s not a spoiler). And I appreciated that there was no sex!
How it ends:
Note: Some swearing. Some sensuality.
This was a fun, mostly lighthearted romance, and I enjoyed reading it. It’s very much a candy read, though it does also center a lot on forgiveness.
Hope (28) and Dean (34) are both good, caring people, and they were easy to root for. Hope’s obsession with clean, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, happiness-free food drove me a bit crazy, especially when she kept pushing it on Dean. I get that many health issues can be addressed by diet, but she was pushy about it. She did get better about it, though.
Something I liked about this book was how much the characters trusted each other. I don’t want to give anything away, but there were several times I anticipated certain things to happen just to cause drama and problems, but trust and love didn’t even make those things an option. It also shows a really great circle of supportive and loving friends.
Dean’s father was a little overdone. I’m sure people like him exist, but sometimes he felt just too sleazy. I dunno, maybe that doesn’t make sense.
Was it the best book I’ve ever read? No, but I wanted a pretty easy read with a happy ending, and that’s what I got (come on, you know that’s not a spoiler). And I appreciated that there was no sex!
How it ends:
Note: Some swearing. Some sensuality.
October 4, 2022
I was browsing through NetGalley and found this book. This would be my first read from the author. I don't know anything about her or her writing style--only the blurb. It really pays to write a compelling blurb, one that lures new readers to get their books.
So that being said...
Ugh... this book was frustrating because it was almost perfect. I mean a cowboy who's a doctor who's inlove with a widow and her child... *sigh*
I'm a huge fan of country romance... infact, 3 of my all time favorite books are in a ranch setting... like I said, almost perfect... one aspect that's missing---the one important and big aspect that's missing was spice... I don't mean erotica... I don't mean graphic sexual encounters... I just... Man, I would've wanted to read about them making love--is all... it didn't have to be a whole chapter about them getting it on and doing the dirty... I just would've wanted to read about them being intimate becausr they were both in love with eachother for a long time... sure, there was making out, but come on... I'm 43years old, reading about a mid 20's widow who hadn't been with someone in years, as with the sexy doctor cowboy who had been celibate for a couple years as well because he realized he's been inlove with her eversince that fateful night... That wasn't too much to ask... Even a couple of pages would have sufficed... books like this one should come with a warning--"clean romance."
But like I said, the author is new to me... her books are probably all clean. This was my first time to read from her. I liked the story, the setting, the plot... the build up... it was going great and I kept waiting for them to finally be together and beat the odds and give in physically...
The momentum slowed down somewhere along 65%-70% in when the widow just kept questioning herself and having all this unnecessary internal monologue. It was redundant and it became exasperating.
*sigh*
This was so promising... but... being physically together is part of romance... it's what most romance readers would've wanted to read. I personally don't know anyone who'd want read a clean romance, but in all fairness, I have not met all the people.
This was not for me. I thought it would be but no... it's like you've been waiting in dire anticipation for something... anxiously and excitedly waiting and then, poof... nothing. Sorry... I just felt bereft thats all. Lol
So that being said...
Ugh... this book was frustrating because it was almost perfect. I mean a cowboy who's a doctor who's inlove with a widow and her child... *sigh*
I'm a huge fan of country romance... infact, 3 of my all time favorite books are in a ranch setting... like I said, almost perfect... one aspect that's missing---the one important and big aspect that's missing was spice... I don't mean erotica... I don't mean graphic sexual encounters... I just... Man, I would've wanted to read about them making love--is all... it didn't have to be a whole chapter about them getting it on and doing the dirty... I just would've wanted to read about them being intimate becausr they were both in love with eachother for a long time... sure, there was making out, but come on... I'm 43years old, reading about a mid 20's widow who hadn't been with someone in years, as with the sexy doctor cowboy who had been celibate for a couple years as well because he realized he's been inlove with her eversince that fateful night... That wasn't too much to ask... Even a couple of pages would have sufficed... books like this one should come with a warning--"clean romance."
But like I said, the author is new to me... her books are probably all clean. This was my first time to read from her. I liked the story, the setting, the plot... the build up... it was going great and I kept waiting for them to finally be together and beat the odds and give in physically...
The momentum slowed down somewhere along 65%-70% in when the widow just kept questioning herself and having all this unnecessary internal monologue. It was redundant and it became exasperating.
*sigh*
This was so promising... but... being physically together is part of romance... it's what most romance readers would've wanted to read. I personally don't know anyone who'd want read a clean romance, but in all fairness, I have not met all the people.
This was not for me. I thought it would be but no... it's like you've been waiting in dire anticipation for something... anxiously and excitedly waiting and then, poof... nothing. Sorry... I just felt bereft thats all. Lol
April 27, 2023
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Mail Order Cowboy is the fourth novel in the Wishing River series, and this one is packed full of emotions… and not always the sweet and caring kind.
Hope has inherited a ranch that was left to her deceased husband. She and her daughter, Sadie, have taken on this property with determination and trepidation for Hope hasn’t the slightest clue on how to run a ranch, let alone one that is in as bad a shape as this one. She’s exhausted, frustrated, and trying to keep them afloat but between the ranch’s repairs and her own business, she needs help. Little did she know that the ad she put out into the wild would bring the one man she loathed and yet needed right to her door.
Dean knows that Hope needs help, and he’s also quite aware of her feelings toward him, but that doesn’t mean he could help himself from loving her and Sadie quietly without making a fuss about his feelings. There is a promise to her deceased husband that Dean made as his doctor and friend that Hope has no idea about, and he intends to keep it that way. Unfortunately, that secret can build a stronger wedge between them… and Hope already blames Dean for her husband’s death.
Mail Order Cowboy has layers and deals with some subjects that need a gentle touch. One of the reasons this author is an auto-buy (or request) for me is that she tackles those uneasy subjects with compassion and respect. While Hope has her hands full with her business, her ranch, and fighting the attraction between them, it was Dean who won my heart in this story. He has his own demons to conquer, including one nasty piece of work father. The promise he made to Hope’s husband while he was a patient lays heavy on his heart. This was a story filled with laughter and tears, assumptions and truths, and a couple that really does belong together and deserve happiness in spite of the past or others’ opinions. My heart was broken by this story and healed up with hope for their future by the final page. If that’s your kind of romance, then you’ll find the perfect fit here.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Mail Order Cowboy is the fourth novel in the Wishing River series, and this one is packed full of emotions… and not always the sweet and caring kind.
Hope has inherited a ranch that was left to her deceased husband. She and her daughter, Sadie, have taken on this property with determination and trepidation for Hope hasn’t the slightest clue on how to run a ranch, let alone one that is in as bad a shape as this one. She’s exhausted, frustrated, and trying to keep them afloat but between the ranch’s repairs and her own business, she needs help. Little did she know that the ad she put out into the wild would bring the one man she loathed and yet needed right to her door.
Dean knows that Hope needs help, and he’s also quite aware of her feelings toward him, but that doesn’t mean he could help himself from loving her and Sadie quietly without making a fuss about his feelings. There is a promise to her deceased husband that Dean made as his doctor and friend that Hope has no idea about, and he intends to keep it that way. Unfortunately, that secret can build a stronger wedge between them… and Hope already blames Dean for her husband’s death.
Mail Order Cowboy has layers and deals with some subjects that need a gentle touch. One of the reasons this author is an auto-buy (or request) for me is that she tackles those uneasy subjects with compassion and respect. While Hope has her hands full with her business, her ranch, and fighting the attraction between them, it was Dean who won my heart in this story. He has his own demons to conquer, including one nasty piece of work father. The promise he made to Hope’s husband while he was a patient lays heavy on his heart. This was a story filled with laughter and tears, assumptions and truths, and a couple that really does belong together and deserve happiness in spite of the past or others’ opinions. My heart was broken by this story and healed up with hope for their future by the final page. If that’s your kind of romance, then you’ll find the perfect fit here.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
January 17, 2023
This was my first book by Victoria James. It won't be my last. I'm a pushover for unrequited love...if there's a pathway to a happy ending. In this case there is, though it isn't a clear one by any means.
James's characters charmed me, intrigued me, and won my heart with their journey to love. I haven't read the earlier books in the series, though I plan to at my first opportunity. I never felt lost or confused by stepping into the series at book four and I thoroughly enjoyed Dean's and Hope's character paths. Having said that however, I get the impression from conversations within their group of mutual friends that perhaps their story arc has played out in the background during those first three books which leaves me with the feeling that, had I read the books in order, my emotional attachment to them would have been even deeper. I guess that's a long way of saying this book stands on its own but might possibly be even better if read in series order.
There are a lot of complicated feelings at play in this book, giving it layers that make the reading experience richer and more complex. The author weaves everything together in such a way that gives the story a realistic, relatable vibe - as if it was happening to someone I know. I appreciate the time she took with Hope and Dean, giving them the space necessary to work through the byproducts of grief and guilt. I adored Hope's daughter, Sadie, wise beyond her years yet still imbued with the wide-eyed wonder and enthusiasm of a young child. If I hadn't already been half in love with Dean, his relationship with young Sadie would have sealed the deal.
I also enjoyed how the author contrasted the dysfunction of Dean's family with the love and support of Hope's, clearly showing that money does not equal happiness and that the face families show to the world does not always equate to what's happening behind closed doors.
I don't know if Victoria James has plans to write a story for Dean's brother but I'd like to go on record as saying I'd love to read it. In the meaning, I'll be going back to the beginning to read the first three books in the Wishing River series. And adding Victoria James to my must-buy, western contemporary romance author list.
James's characters charmed me, intrigued me, and won my heart with their journey to love. I haven't read the earlier books in the series, though I plan to at my first opportunity. I never felt lost or confused by stepping into the series at book four and I thoroughly enjoyed Dean's and Hope's character paths. Having said that however, I get the impression from conversations within their group of mutual friends that perhaps their story arc has played out in the background during those first three books which leaves me with the feeling that, had I read the books in order, my emotional attachment to them would have been even deeper. I guess that's a long way of saying this book stands on its own but might possibly be even better if read in series order.
There are a lot of complicated feelings at play in this book, giving it layers that make the reading experience richer and more complex. The author weaves everything together in such a way that gives the story a realistic, relatable vibe - as if it was happening to someone I know. I appreciate the time she took with Hope and Dean, giving them the space necessary to work through the byproducts of grief and guilt. I adored Hope's daughter, Sadie, wise beyond her years yet still imbued with the wide-eyed wonder and enthusiasm of a young child. If I hadn't already been half in love with Dean, his relationship with young Sadie would have sealed the deal.
I also enjoyed how the author contrasted the dysfunction of Dean's family with the love and support of Hope's, clearly showing that money does not equal happiness and that the face families show to the world does not always equate to what's happening behind closed doors.
I don't know if Victoria James has plans to write a story for Dean's brother but I'd like to go on record as saying I'd love to read it. In the meaning, I'll be going back to the beginning to read the first three books in the Wishing River series. And adding Victoria James to my must-buy, western contemporary romance author list.
December 28, 2022
Mail Order Cowboy by Victoria James is a lovely cowboy romance. Hope Roberts has inherited a small ranch from her late husband’s grandparents. While she was thrilled to have this legacy for her daughter, she also recognized she had neither the time nor the expertise to bring it back from the edge of disaster and to run it. So, she did the obvious thing and ran an ad for a person to help. She had hired a young man who seemed to know what he was doing despite his age. Then, all of a sudden, he backed out of the job. Dr. Dean Stanton was nearby when he dropped this bomb, only to discover that he was going to to to work for his father, the senior Stanton, at double the wage. Unlikely he was worth that. Everywhere Hope turned something was going wrong and Dean recognized her father’s hand in all of it. So, he decided to go work for her himself, not that he had the time, but it was Hope. He had been in love with Hope for years, since before her husband had died. He couldn’t tell her that but he could help her.
Dean was a good guy, and a well-written character. He somehow had grown up to be a decent man, despite his father’s best efforts. He was a doctor, helped around his family’s ranch, and now had to fit in time to help Hope. He was generous, not to mention, handsome and very sexy. Hope was a hard-worker, a naturopathic physician. She had planned to go to medical school but had to stay home when her father fell ill. She is the ideal woman and still likable. This is definitely an evil father story with a fairly simple plot, which worked really well. James painted a picture, very detailed. Despite the fact the outcome was assured, she made the book interesting and warm. It told the story of a beautiful widow, an overworked doctor, an narcissitic man, and the reunion of estranged brothers. It was a heart-warming story. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Mail Order Cowboy by Entangled Publishing, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #Netgalley #EntangledPublishing #VictoriaJames #MailOrderCowboy
Dean was a good guy, and a well-written character. He somehow had grown up to be a decent man, despite his father’s best efforts. He was a doctor, helped around his family’s ranch, and now had to fit in time to help Hope. He was generous, not to mention, handsome and very sexy. Hope was a hard-worker, a naturopathic physician. She had planned to go to medical school but had to stay home when her father fell ill. She is the ideal woman and still likable. This is definitely an evil father story with a fairly simple plot, which worked really well. James painted a picture, very detailed. Despite the fact the outcome was assured, she made the book interesting and warm. It told the story of a beautiful widow, an overworked doctor, an narcissitic man, and the reunion of estranged brothers. It was a heart-warming story. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Mail Order Cowboy by Entangled Publishing, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #Netgalley #EntangledPublishing #VictoriaJames #MailOrderCowboy
December 19, 2022
“It’s Always been you, Hope. I’ve loved you forever.”
Hope is a holistic healer and a single mom just trying to get by. She sees her life balancing on a teeter totter, every time something good happens to her, it is followed by something bad. She is a widower, her husband died of cancer while in the care of Dr. Dean. Hope has disliked him since. He, however, can’t get her out of his mind.
While on the surface Dean seems like the perfect man, cowboy, doctor, and willing to help Hope on her new ranch with nothing in return, there are deep emotional scars below the sexy cowboy’s surface. Starting with his relationship with his father that is dysfunctional at best, and downright abusive at worst. His lost relationship with his brother Morgan is another source of heartbreaking sadness. Dean is willing to do anything for Hope and her daughter, Sadie, since both have taken residence in his heart. He wants a family, and the deep and abiding love his grandparents had. But is he too much like his father?
This story is a beautiful, sweet, and emotional tale of forgiveness, realizing self-worth, and learning what is most important in life. The yearning to be a part of something bigger than himself, pushes Dean to be there for Hope in any way he can, even as her mail order cowboy. Hope is more reticent, and afraid to give her heart away again, but there is true healing in the power of love and Ms. James paints a charming and heartwarming story for us. I really liked Dean and wanted to see him have his HEA with Hope, but it seemed like there was always something in the way. Secrets, pride, Dean’s father, Hope’s late husband. Thankfully, their friends are there for them, and help Dean and Hope find their way to each other. I highly recommend reading Mail Order Cowboy and the entire Wishing River series. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Hope is a holistic healer and a single mom just trying to get by. She sees her life balancing on a teeter totter, every time something good happens to her, it is followed by something bad. She is a widower, her husband died of cancer while in the care of Dr. Dean. Hope has disliked him since. He, however, can’t get her out of his mind.
While on the surface Dean seems like the perfect man, cowboy, doctor, and willing to help Hope on her new ranch with nothing in return, there are deep emotional scars below the sexy cowboy’s surface. Starting with his relationship with his father that is dysfunctional at best, and downright abusive at worst. His lost relationship with his brother Morgan is another source of heartbreaking sadness. Dean is willing to do anything for Hope and her daughter, Sadie, since both have taken residence in his heart. He wants a family, and the deep and abiding love his grandparents had. But is he too much like his father?
This story is a beautiful, sweet, and emotional tale of forgiveness, realizing self-worth, and learning what is most important in life. The yearning to be a part of something bigger than himself, pushes Dean to be there for Hope in any way he can, even as her mail order cowboy. Hope is more reticent, and afraid to give her heart away again, but there is true healing in the power of love and Ms. James paints a charming and heartwarming story for us. I really liked Dean and wanted to see him have his HEA with Hope, but it seemed like there was always something in the way. Secrets, pride, Dean’s father, Hope’s late husband. Thankfully, their friends are there for them, and help Dean and Hope find their way to each other. I highly recommend reading Mail Order Cowboy and the entire Wishing River series. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
December 28, 2022
A sweet small town, cowboy romance is what you will get in this romance from Victoria James. Victoria James' writing has an ease and conversational tone that lends well to this well paced romance. This is the fourth book in the Wishing River series and it can be read as a standalone, it is the first novel I have read by Victoria James and I found that I was easily drawn into this small town world she has created. Yes, I could see what characters I would have a deeper understanding of if I had read the previous books in the series but that did not draw from the enjoyment of the story. James' characters are well laid out and the chemistry and romance between the hero and heroine is gently plotted through out this "misunderstanding" to lovers, story.
This book over all was a really lovely introduction to Victoria James as an author for me. It is sweetly enjoyable. Her characters are likable and the situations feel like everyday ones that we all experience. The steam level in this romance is very low, no explicit moments, just some kissing. The romantic relationship between the hero and heroine was charming in many moments. The heroine is a single mother and it is really lovely seeing the hero fall for both the heroine and her daughter. The hero definitely falls first, which I adore. There are also some endearing caretaking scenes between the hero and the heroine's daughter and then the heroine and the hero which charmed me (I am a total sucker for a caretaking scene).
If you love a small town cowboy romance then you will enjoy this novel. James' writing feels very accessible and easy to read, her characters are fun and supportive, and you will be left with a smile on your face. I am glad I have given Victoria James a chance and I am looking to exploring other works by her in the future.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book over all was a really lovely introduction to Victoria James as an author for me. It is sweetly enjoyable. Her characters are likable and the situations feel like everyday ones that we all experience. The steam level in this romance is very low, no explicit moments, just some kissing. The romantic relationship between the hero and heroine was charming in many moments. The heroine is a single mother and it is really lovely seeing the hero fall for both the heroine and her daughter. The hero definitely falls first, which I adore. There are also some endearing caretaking scenes between the hero and the heroine's daughter and then the heroine and the hero which charmed me (I am a total sucker for a caretaking scene).
If you love a small town cowboy romance then you will enjoy this novel. James' writing feels very accessible and easy to read, her characters are fun and supportive, and you will be left with a smile on your face. I am glad I have given Victoria James a chance and I am looking to exploring other works by her in the future.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 24, 2023
Mail Order Cowboy by Victoria James is the captivating fourth installment in the Wishing River Series, and with each book, it appears that this series continues to elevate its charm.
Hope Roberts, a resilient widow blessed with an extraordinary daughter, suddenly finds herself the beneficiary of a remarkable opportunity that could transform their lives into something truly special. Now, all that remains is to transform this newfound inheritance into a loving and welcoming home.
Enter Dean Stanton, a dedicated doctor with the heart of a cowboy and an all-around nice guy. For seven long years, he has held a deep, enduring affection for one woman, but a closely guarded secret threatens to alter the course of their relationship forever. Will he finally reveal his hidden truth, risking their friendship, or will he remain in the confines of the friend zone, forever yearning for something more?
Dean and Hope share a connection that is undeniably genuine, but, as is often the case with life, they must navigate through a series of challenging obstacles to determine if a Happily Ever After awaits them.
What truly enhanced my reading experience were the wonderful supporting characters who served as a beacon of positivity for both Hope and Dean. Notably, Morgan’s father emerged as the sinister antagonist in “Mail Order Cowboy,” demanding unwavering loyalty, regardless of the cost.
As I delved deeper into the pages of Mail Order Cowboy, I found myself falling head over heels for the charming town of Wishing River, Montana, and Victoria James’s masterful creation of the Wishing River Series. Through the ups and downs of life, the message resonated loud and clear: it’s love, cherished family, and steadfast friendships that truly matter, regardless of one’s station in life.
Rated 5 Stilettos by Deb!
Hope Roberts, a resilient widow blessed with an extraordinary daughter, suddenly finds herself the beneficiary of a remarkable opportunity that could transform their lives into something truly special. Now, all that remains is to transform this newfound inheritance into a loving and welcoming home.
Enter Dean Stanton, a dedicated doctor with the heart of a cowboy and an all-around nice guy. For seven long years, he has held a deep, enduring affection for one woman, but a closely guarded secret threatens to alter the course of their relationship forever. Will he finally reveal his hidden truth, risking their friendship, or will he remain in the confines of the friend zone, forever yearning for something more?
Dean and Hope share a connection that is undeniably genuine, but, as is often the case with life, they must navigate through a series of challenging obstacles to determine if a Happily Ever After awaits them.
What truly enhanced my reading experience were the wonderful supporting characters who served as a beacon of positivity for both Hope and Dean. Notably, Morgan’s father emerged as the sinister antagonist in “Mail Order Cowboy,” demanding unwavering loyalty, regardless of the cost.
As I delved deeper into the pages of Mail Order Cowboy, I found myself falling head over heels for the charming town of Wishing River, Montana, and Victoria James’s masterful creation of the Wishing River Series. Through the ups and downs of life, the message resonated loud and clear: it’s love, cherished family, and steadfast friendships that truly matter, regardless of one’s station in life.
Rated 5 Stilettos by Deb!
April 21, 2023
I'M. ABSOLUTLY. IN. LOVE. WITH. THIS. BOOK!!!!!
I started reading the lovely adventures of our beautiful people of Wishing River, and from the first moment I saw Hope and Dean, at the fisrt book, from the perspective of Leanie and Tyler, I knew I needed a book of them.
But then life happened and Victoria James decided to give us Sarah and Cade, and I loved their book and their chemistry. I finished the book and I was like, okay now is their turn, AND IT WAS AIDEN AND JANIE, I almost die, cause Aiden was such a secondary character, he wasn't part of the group, BUT THE BOOK WAS GOOD, AND THEY WERE GOOD. I felt in love with them.
AND FINALLY THEIR MOMENT HAD ARRIVED, AND I ABSOLUTLY FREAKING LOVE IT!
It was the first time I sobed with a Victoria James book, they knew from the begining how much they cared for each other, and it was so beatiful to see their relationship grow.
Watch Dean became this father figured for Saddie, and Hope learn how to trust in somebody. It was really conforting.
It had bad things, of course, A LOT OF DRAMA, MY LORD... They end things twice, and I get it was them learning how to process all their issues, but it was hard.
But I can't complain, cause it lead to the most cute moment ever, and the one who made me cry of joy, and roll, and reread four times smiling.
THE SURPRISE PARTY, THE HUG, THE HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THE I LOVE YOU, THE PONY, THE BROTHER.
Crying!
Well, is this the end of the Wishing River series? I don't know,
if it is, am I happy? YES
Thank Victoria James for this awsome adventures, and for make me want a cowboy while living in Spain.
I started reading the lovely adventures of our beautiful people of Wishing River, and from the first moment I saw Hope and Dean, at the fisrt book, from the perspective of Leanie and Tyler, I knew I needed a book of them.
But then life happened and Victoria James decided to give us Sarah and Cade, and I loved their book and their chemistry. I finished the book and I was like, okay now is their turn, AND IT WAS AIDEN AND JANIE, I almost die, cause Aiden was such a secondary character, he wasn't part of the group, BUT THE BOOK WAS GOOD, AND THEY WERE GOOD. I felt in love with them.
AND FINALLY THEIR MOMENT HAD ARRIVED, AND I ABSOLUTLY FREAKING LOVE IT!
It was the first time I sobed with a Victoria James book, they knew from the begining how much they cared for each other, and it was so beatiful to see their relationship grow.
Watch Dean became this father figured for Saddie, and Hope learn how to trust in somebody. It was really conforting.
It had bad things, of course, A LOT OF DRAMA, MY LORD... They end things twice, and I get it was them learning how to process all their issues, but it was hard.
But I can't complain, cause it lead to the most cute moment ever, and the one who made me cry of joy, and roll, and reread four times smiling.
THE SURPRISE PARTY, THE HUG, THE HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THE I LOVE YOU, THE PONY, THE BROTHER.
Crying!
Well, is this the end of the Wishing River series? I don't know,
if it is, am I happy? YES
Thank Victoria James for this awsome adventures, and for make me want a cowboy while living in Spain.
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