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Return to Keller Ranch #1
Christmas with the Cowboy
This Christmas, it’s time to rebuild bridges…
Hard-living cowboy Reed Keller is returning home to the same ranch his father kicked him off of fifteen years ago. He knows he’s in for some battles with his headstrong dad, but his dad needs help and Reed needs a place to raise his daughter, Lex. Reed’s determined to put the past behind him and concentrate on being the best father he can be, especially with Christmas around the corner. Also around the corner? The woman he’s never been able to forget.
Trenna Hunt has finally broken free of her controlling father to pursue her own goals, but she never would have accepted the temporary job at the Keller Ranch helping to compile the family’s history if she knew the sexy, reckless cowboy Reed would come home. They’ve both changed, but Reed’s still as impossible to resist as when they were teenagers.
Reed knows he needs to keep his focus on his daughter and building their future, but he can’t help longing to keep Trenna in it. Will she trust him enough this time to stay?
Hard-living cowboy Reed Keller is returning home to the same ranch his father kicked him off of fifteen years ago. He knows he’s in for some battles with his headstrong dad, but his dad needs help and Reed needs a place to raise his daughter, Lex. Reed’s determined to put the past behind him and concentrate on being the best father he can be, especially with Christmas around the corner. Also around the corner? The woman he’s never been able to forget.
Trenna Hunt has finally broken free of her controlling father to pursue her own goals, but she never would have accepted the temporary job at the Keller Ranch helping to compile the family’s history if she knew the sexy, reckless cowboy Reed would come home. They’ve both changed, but Reed’s still as impossible to resist as when they were teenagers.
Reed knows he needs to keep his focus on his daughter and building their future, but he can’t help longing to keep Trenna in it. Will she trust him enough this time to stay?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2022
355 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Jeannie Watt
111 books140 followersJeannie Watt lives on a small cattle ranch and hay farm in southwest Montana. When she's not writing, she enjoys making mosaic mirrors, sewing, and pretending that the house is neat and tidy.
Jeannie loves to hear from readers. Please contact her via her website www.jeanniewatt.com.
Jeannie loves to hear from readers. Please contact her via her website www.jeanniewatt.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 15, 2022
I voluntarily read a advanced reader's copy of this book for a honest opinion.
Jeannie Watt's first book in the Return to Keller Ranch series, Christmas with the Cowboy.
The first few pages of this story pulled me in right from the start. Cowboy father, and young daughter return to the ranch that he hasn't been back to for years. It has family issues, possible second chance at romance and so much more. I look forward to seeing what is next up in this series.
Jeannie Watt's first book in the Return to Keller Ranch series, Christmas with the Cowboy.
The first few pages of this story pulled me in right from the start. Cowboy father, and young daughter return to the ranch that he hasn't been back to for years. It has family issues, possible second chance at romance and so much more. I look forward to seeing what is next up in this series.
January 16, 2024
Fun holiday second-chance cowboy romance! Great characters and scene. Enjoyed it!
October 21, 2022
This first story in the series introduces us to the Keller family and belongs to Reed Keller.
Reed left town years ago shortly after his HS sweetheart, Trenna Hunt, left town to attend college. She hoped they would have a long distance relationship, he in turn cut her off and shortly after got married.
Now divorced with a teenage daughter, Reed is back to reconnect with his family and help his daughter and ex, while her stepfather is having cancer treatments.
Meanwhile Trenna, daughter of a wealthy man who owns the ranch next to the Keller Ranch, is back in town but likely will leave once she gets her dream job.
What neither Reed or Trenna expected was that after 15 years the attraction was still there. But Reed is determined to put his daughter first, and to be honest, he still feels he’s not good enough for well educated Trenna.
This is a story about family or lack thereof. It’s also a story of deciding what priorities are important, as well as a story about hope, opening ones heart, and second chances in life and love.
A wonderful introduction to a very promising series. This reader is looking forward to the next book.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions are solely my own.
Reed left town years ago shortly after his HS sweetheart, Trenna Hunt, left town to attend college. She hoped they would have a long distance relationship, he in turn cut her off and shortly after got married.
Now divorced with a teenage daughter, Reed is back to reconnect with his family and help his daughter and ex, while her stepfather is having cancer treatments.
Meanwhile Trenna, daughter of a wealthy man who owns the ranch next to the Keller Ranch, is back in town but likely will leave once she gets her dream job.
What neither Reed or Trenna expected was that after 15 years the attraction was still there. But Reed is determined to put his daughter first, and to be honest, he still feels he’s not good enough for well educated Trenna.
This is a story about family or lack thereof. It’s also a story of deciding what priorities are important, as well as a story about hope, opening ones heart, and second chances in life and love.
A wonderful introduction to a very promising series. This reader is looking forward to the next book.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions are solely my own.
December 14, 2022
This was a wonderful story that was filled with wonderful characters. It brings two former sweethearts back together when Reed Keller comes home to his family's ranch with his 15 yrs old daughter Lexi. And then finds out that Trenna Hunt will be helping his mother with compiling a family history. The two try to avoid each other, but it's a small town. The attraction that they felt all those years ago, is still simmering and comes to the surface when they try for just a friend with benefits thing. While trying to keep a lot of balls in the air, his biggest and most important one, Lexi,
she is a teenager going through some tough family issues and although she has the loving support of her grandparents, aunts and uncles, it's Reed she needs the most.
I love how these two former lovers fought their attraction that was always there. Neither one of them ever had a long-lasting relationship. And that was evident when they met up again. I adore Lexi and could relate to the issues she is going through when I was her age. There was also lots of drama between Reed and Trenna's family that made for great reading. It was a good book that will put the reader in the holiday spirit.
I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
she is a teenager going through some tough family issues and although she has the loving support of her grandparents, aunts and uncles, it's Reed she needs the most.
I love how these two former lovers fought their attraction that was always there. Neither one of them ever had a long-lasting relationship. And that was evident when they met up again. I adore Lexi and could relate to the issues she is going through when I was her age. There was also lots of drama between Reed and Trenna's family that made for great reading. It was a good book that will put the reader in the holiday spirit.
I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
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November 9, 2022This is the first book in a new series and is wonderful sweet story about reconnecting not only with family but also with lost loves.
Fifteen years earlier Trenna was planning on going to college and having a long distance romance with her schoolyard love what she didn't expect was that he would drop her leave his families ranch and shortly after marry Now fifteen years later she has finally escaped the clutches of her domineering father and has taken a job compiling the family history of the Keller family. What she didn't expect was that divorced father and her old love Reed Keller to finally return home to the ranch his father made him leave Can he reconnect with his family give his daughter the wonderful life on the ranch and maybe find love again especially as the connection between him and Trenna is still strong.
Fifteen years earlier Trenna was planning on going to college and having a long distance romance with her schoolyard love what she didn't expect was that he would drop her leave his families ranch and shortly after marry Now fifteen years later she has finally escaped the clutches of her domineering father and has taken a job compiling the family history of the Keller family. What she didn't expect was that divorced father and her old love Reed Keller to finally return home to the ranch his father made him leave Can he reconnect with his family give his daughter the wonderful life on the ranch and maybe find love again especially as the connection between him and Trenna is still strong.
December 2, 2022
Reed and Trenna were high school sweethearts. When she was going off to college her father convinced her to break up with him and get a fresh start. She broke both of their hearts. By the time she came back to look for him he was married to another woman. Now 15 years later he has returned to his father's ranch to help the stubborn old man as the ranch hands retire. His father needs the help and he needs a place to raise his teenage daughter Lex. Trenna has gotten away from her controlling father and is back in town. They are both surprised to see each other. Trenna is a strong and independent. Can Reed convince here that there is more than history between them. Can he convince her to take a chance on him? When her father returns as the problem maker they will have to pull together and trust what they feel to survive and come out together. Good read.
November 9, 2022
Christmas with the Cowboy (Return to Keller Ranch #1) by Jeannie Watt is a sweet second chance story of family and love. Reed Keller has returned home to make peace with the past, strive to living fully and honestly in the present, and hope for a brighter future. Not an easy task for this rough and tumble cowboy.
This is a sweet coming home romance with plenty of family drama. I liked Reed and Trenna Hunt but especially was drawn to Reed’s teenage daughter. The storyline is solid with realistic and natural progression of events. Look forward to the next book in the series so join me by reading Christmas with the Cowboy today.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a sweet coming home romance with plenty of family drama. I liked Reed and Trenna Hunt but especially was drawn to Reed’s teenage daughter. The storyline is solid with realistic and natural progression of events. Look forward to the next book in the series so join me by reading Christmas with the Cowboy today.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 13, 2022
Family is very definitely at the centre of Christmas With The Cowboy, which is all about second chances for former teenage lovers Reed Keller and Trenna Hunt. Now in his thirties, Reed is the father of 14 year-old daughter Lex, the product of a short rebound marriage to Candice, who has since happily remarried. It was lovely to see such a happy and successful coparenting arrangement as existed with Reed, Candice and her new husband Gregg. It was clear from the start that whatever happened with Reed’s heart, Lex would be well cared for. It was also clear that from the moment Reed and Trenna reconnected, their love for each other was still there as strong as ever. I loved watching them dancing around their feelings on the way to their happy ever after.
December 28, 2025
A particularly well-written romance about a rancher whose former sweetheart returns to town. The story includes rival families and ranches, unmet expectations, real challenges like cancer and parenting teenagers, and unspoken bitter feelings. I enjoyed the details about this Montana community and ranch work (you can tell the writer knows her stuff!) and Reed and Trenna's feelings about each other felt realistic for two mid-life people. They're not star-crossed (or even star-struck) lovers, but the chemistry still burns bright and there were just enough Christmas details to make this an entertaining holiday read! I appreciated the character development (for each character, not just the MCs) and the complex plot threads.
Grab your cocoa or mulled wine and a blanket and tuck into this one!
Grab your cocoa or mulled wine and a blanket and tuck into this one!
November 3, 2024
Would make a good hallmark movie apart from not having problems dealt with.
Pleasant enough read but felt unfinished on a few points. I also never connected to either main character.
Reading the blurb for the next book, it seems the problems caused by Trenna’s father will be continuing.
Liked Lex, the daughter. She had a sensible head on young shoulders.
Reed I found a bit OTT in his thinking about parenting. He also seemed to switch mindset in regards to Trenna without real explantation.
Trenna gave her father too many chances add I’d have preferred a definitive break between them.
Not as christmassy as I’d hoped.
Pleasant enough read but felt unfinished on a few points. I also never connected to either main character.
Reading the blurb for the next book, it seems the problems caused by Trenna’s father will be continuing.
Liked Lex, the daughter. She had a sensible head on young shoulders.
Reed I found a bit OTT in his thinking about parenting. He also seemed to switch mindset in regards to Trenna without real explantation.
Trenna gave her father too many chances add I’d have preferred a definitive break between them.
Not as christmassy as I’d hoped.
October 25, 2022
This is a second chance romance, and the couple Reed and Trenna who had a teenage romance still have smoldering chemistry between them, but Reed has a daughter now and he wants to raise her at his dad’s ranch and concentrate on being the best father he can be.
The whole family dynamics is fun to watch as Reed’s daughter develops relationships with her grandmother and grandpa and adapts to country life with Christmas right around the corner and will she notice the sparks between her dad and Trenna? Oh what fun reading this book is.
The whole family dynamics is fun to watch as Reed’s daughter develops relationships with her grandmother and grandpa and adapts to country life with Christmas right around the corner and will she notice the sparks between her dad and Trenna? Oh what fun reading this book is.
November 4, 2022
A second chance romance set at Christmas time.
After spending years apart, they find that they never got over each other though they try their best to deny their feelings. Their powerful chemistry draws them together despite past hurts and fears. I really enjoyed the teen daughter and her impact in the storyline. Also enjoyed the family dynamic with father, daughter, grandparents, and a bit of the exwife & her husband. It was well told and felt natural. Enjoyable read.
Thank you Tule Publishing for the ARC
After spending years apart, they find that they never got over each other though they try their best to deny their feelings. Their powerful chemistry draws them together despite past hurts and fears. I really enjoyed the teen daughter and her impact in the storyline. Also enjoyed the family dynamic with father, daughter, grandparents, and a bit of the exwife & her husband. It was well told and felt natural. Enjoyable read.
Thank you Tule Publishing for the ARC
November 10, 2022
Jeannie Watt's is one of my go to authors. This new series is a must read. It is a second chance romance at Christmas! It is full of love, family, drama and so much more. Reed and Trenna have a power connection to each other but both the past still stands in their way. You throw in family, and Reed's teenage daughter and you have yourself one incredible read. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 10, 2022
A long time ago a choice by Trenna broke both her and Reed’s hearts. Through the years their love never truly died. Now, faced with each other, love flames back to life but there are complications and Reed’s teen daughter to consider. A second chance for love story that is lovely to read and enjoy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 7, 2023
This is the first book in this series revolving around the Keller family and their ranch. Trenna and Reed were high school sweethearts who broke up, at her father's prodding, when she went off to college. Both are back in their hometown and have a second chance now. The romance occurs at Christmas which is a time of hope and love. This is a fast read that will make you want to one click the rest of the series.
November 15, 2023
A sweet second chance romance with a family rivalry twist. Reed and Trenna were high school sweethearts but she broke up with him, after a bit of pushing from her dad, now they are both back in their hometown. Reed has a teenage daughter and he is trying his best to be the perfect dad and if that means he doesn't date then that is what he plans to do but sometimes you can't resist the pull of true love.
December 12, 2023
Not bad not really Christmas y
Reed and the love of his life, Trenna, broke up 15 years ago. Her to Collegeville on the rebound getting married and having a kid. The marriage didn't last. But they are so parenting well. Reed has returned to the family ranch while his ex wife and her husband are dealing with his cancer treatments. The characters are all likeable but the story felt rushed.
Reed and the love of his life, Trenna, broke up 15 years ago. Her to Collegeville on the rebound getting married and having a kid. The marriage didn't last. But they are so parenting well. Reed has returned to the family ranch while his ex wife and her husband are dealing with his cancer treatments. The characters are all likeable but the story felt rushed.
November 6, 2022
“Christmas with the Cowboy” by Jeannie Watt features Reed Keller and Trenna Hunt.
It is a holiday story about ranch life, family dynamics, and a second chance at love.
As with all of Ms. Watt’s books, you can count on in-depth characters and a true depiction of what it’s like to live on a ranch.
It is a holiday story about ranch life, family dynamics, and a second chance at love.
As with all of Ms. Watt’s books, you can count on in-depth characters and a true depiction of what it’s like to live on a ranch.
December 12, 2022
This book was decent. I liked the family dynamics. The wariness at the beginning made sense, but it seemed to drag on. Some cute and sweet moments. Overall, an enjoyable story, however, it didn't feel like all the story threads were tied off. *I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
January 10, 2024
This is not a book, it is an installment of a book. It starts several strings and leaves them all hanging. To be a book there must be a climax and an end. This writing has neither. Unless you like half written stories, I don't recommend reading it. It got three stars because the beginning was interesting.
November 12, 2022
Will history repeat itself
He is moving back to his folks ranch with his daughter. He knew his teenage love had moved back but he didn't know how he would be affected.
A wonderful story with wonderful characters.
He is moving back to his folks ranch with his daughter. He knew his teenage love had moved back but he didn't know how he would be affected.
A wonderful story with wonderful characters.
March 26, 2023
Jeannie doing what she does best.
Jeannies books draw me in. Into the story. Into the characters' lives. They are so believable. It makes me want to visit Montana. Hopefully, some day I will.
Jeannies books draw me in. Into the story. Into the characters' lives. They are so believable. It makes me want to visit Montana. Hopefully, some day I will.
November 6, 2023
Fun story about caring reun
I liked this story that tells about a couple who used cut care for each other and decided to try to work together without be becoming connected again to no avail.
I liked this story that tells about a couple who used cut care for each other and decided to try to work together without be becoming connected again to no avail.
November 12, 2023
Sweet read
I enjoyed this story, but it was predictable. I enjoyed Lex. She came across as very genuine. The characters and setting were good. There just wasn't anything that stood out as exceptional. It was a sweet Christmas story, so worth reading.
I enjoyed this story, but it was predictable. I enjoyed Lex. She came across as very genuine. The characters and setting were good. There just wasn't anything that stood out as exceptional. It was a sweet Christmas story, so worth reading.
November 20, 2023
Christmas with the cowboy.
This could be the best second chance for Reed and Trenna or it might also be the worst possible decision they make together. Well worth reading. Loved this new ranch family.
This could be the best second chance for Reed and Trenna or it might also be the worst possible decision they make together. Well worth reading. Loved this new ranch family.
December 7, 2025
Warm and lighthearted Christmas novel
Nice lighthearted Christmas novel to help bring in the holiday season. Great start to a new series, can't wait to read the rest to see what the Keller brothers get up to.
Nice lighthearted Christmas novel to help bring in the holiday season. Great start to a new series, can't wait to read the rest to see what the Keller brothers get up to.
November 2, 2022
Amazing book!
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August 13, 2023First love
Loved this first in series novel about Reed and Trenna getting back together again. They both had to work through issues of trust to get to their happily ever after.
Loved this first in series novel about Reed and Trenna getting back together again. They both had to work through issues of trust to get to their happily ever after.
October 26, 2023
Nice Christmas
I like second chances, working things out whether it's father and son or boyfriend and girlfriend. Of course someone's father needs to be taken down a notch or two.
I like second chances, working things out whether it's father and son or boyfriend and girlfriend. Of course someone's father needs to be taken down a notch or two.
October 28, 2023
Good read
The first book ropes you in and make hou want to read the rest of the books!!! Can’t wait to read the next book!
The first book ropes you in and make hou want to read the rest of the books!!! Can’t wait to read the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews