Book Review of 'A Family for the Rodeo Cowboy' by Jen Gilroy

Happy Monday Bookworms!

This month is zooming by but I have been enjoying this gorgeous spring weather we're having in Texas lately!  Sadly, this trend is ending, as we're gearing up for some severe weather in our neck of the woods this week, but it was great while it lasted.

Today I am featuring a review for another Harelquin novel that truly is heartwarming.  Enjoy!

Welcome to the Reviewer Tour for A Family for the Rodeo Cowboy by Jen Gilroy, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Family for the Rodeo Cowboy
Author: Jen Gilroy
Publisher: Harlequin-Heartwarming
Release Date: April 25, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rodeo is his past

Is she his future?

After an injury forces rodeo cowboy Cole Carter into early retirement and returning home, he’s drawn to the spunky new animal physical therapist. But as much as he likes easygoing Mel McNeil, the divorcée and her young daughter need stability, not his footloose life. When rodeo calls again, will Cole jump back in the saddle or finally become the man Mel deserves?

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.


PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookBub


My Review

Life hasn’t turned out the way Cole or Mel had envisioned it.  An injury and and accident respectively has sidelined these equestrian lovers, and now they are trying to again find that spark that will bring their passions back alive, and will direct their uncharted paths.


I love when a character in a story falls in love with a ready-made family, taking up a parental roll that is needed in that child’s life. It shows a strong character and always endears me to that person, and this is what I found in Cole.  I was struggling to connect with these characters for some unknown reason, especially at the beginning of the narrative, but seeing Cole interact with sweet, precocious Skylar, and fall in love with both her and her mother, really captured my heart.


Friendships are at the heart of this novel, so it’s no surprise that The Sunflower Sisterhood was one of my favorite parts.  There is nothing better than seeing women supporting one another, while also supporting their community, and this groups camaraderie was inspiring, and a delight to read.  I also loved Joy Carter, Cole’s widowed mother, and getting to hear her heart throughout the story as she navigates widowhood and being a single mom and grandmother.


I also have to add this random little tidbit that I found truly charming.  One of the horses on the Cole ranch is named Daisy-May, which so happened to be one of my nicknames in high school!  Very cute and further endeared me to this story.


Though it did take me a bit to get into this story, and connect to these characters, once I was in I was hooked.  The sweet, small town feel mixed with lovable characters and chill vibes made this a delectable escape.


My Rating: ★★★★

About the Author


Jen Gilroy writes sweet contemporary romance and dual timeline historical women’s fiction—warm, feel-good stories to bring readers’ hearts home.

A Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist and shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon award, Amazon named her third book, 'Back Home at Firefly Lake,' a 'Best Book of the Month: Romance' in December 2017.

A dual British-Canadian citizen, Jen lived in England for many years and earned a doctorate (with a focus on British cultural studies and social history) from University College London. Returning to where her Irish family roots run deep, she now lives with her husband, teenage daughter and floppy-eared rescue hound in small-town Eastern Ontario, Canada.

When not writing, she enjoys reading, ice cream, ballet and paddling her purple kayak.

Visit Jen online at www.jengilroy.com.

JustRead Publicity Tours
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours
All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

1 comment

  1. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing an advance copy of "A Family for the Rodeo Cowboy." I'm glad you enjoyed it and appreciate your kind review. How fun that your high school nickname was Daisy-May! That fictional horse is special to me for many reasons but especially because her name comes from two sweet little girls who used to be my neighbours.

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