Just a Cowboy's Dream Come True

Flyboys of Sweet Briar Ranch in North Dakota #12

by Jessie Gussman

When Carna comes to help her brother on his dude ranch, she runs into her childhood arch enemy, Miller. Only, he's gone from being a skinny dork to a handsome and appealing man. Not that she would ever admit it. Her new mission in life is to avoid him at all costs.

Miller can't believe Smith's bratty little sister grew up to be such a kind, compassionate woman. But that doesn't mean that he is letting go of their childhood animosity. After all, teasing her is fun and she always has the best comebacks.

But when they're paired up to represent the ranch at a three day dude competition, with the future of the whole ranch hinging on the outcome, can they set aside their differences long enough to come home with the customers they need to survive?

Genres: Romance, Christian, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance, Audiobook

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2023

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My last job turned out to be a dream come true at the Sweet Briar Dude Ranch. It is wonderful to meet all my old and new friends. I knew what I was doing when I unlatched the chicken coop. Not only did it set Miller off it didn't give Carna a welcome as she needed. In the end it all worked out ok. It's nice to see how all the families have grown and now knowing Smith has his sister here to watch over. I was glad to see that Lark is still her bright sunny self. According to Ellen her uncle, aunt, and her new sister is doing great. She still missed Travis, and he still missed her I am sure. Toni, Merritt, and Sorrell are working on making two more couples with my help. Junior and Blaze are so lonesome. And the Benson twins is a good choice for them.

Miller and Carna were sent to Montana to do the Dude Ranch Competition. This year it was so important that they did good so they got lots of bookings for the ranch. After day one they seemed to be doing really well from what they said. They said day two was horse day and poor little Carna who came here not knowing how to ride a horse had to do it mostly from the ground up. Miller said she was a good sport and kept getting back up on the horse. I can't believe she did not get hurt worst than she did. Glad they enjoyed day three even though they said they didn't know how they finished in the competition, I like to think I had something to do with that. Darcy said it had booked a lot of the summer up and they were all thankful for that. I know Smith was taking easier breaths as he felt he carried the load for his crew and the ranch.

I enjoyed my visit and after Miller and Carna took their last trail ride for the day with a great homemade picnic lunch, the visitors hated to have to say goodbye, but they had to start for home. To live the life of a working dude ranch was not what they all went to North Dakota to do. But, it seems to be doing good for them as happy and contended everyone seemed. Maybe a new couple will come along needing my assistance. You know they don't believe I know what I am doing, but Mama you know for a fact I have a special talent for matchmaking.

Till next time Mama, . . . . . .🐂 Billy

This book defiantly deserved 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of the last single flyboy at the Sweet Briar Ranch and it's an enemies to sweethearts story so the two main characters have known each other since childhood. This stories can be read as stand alone stories but there is a lot that. carries over from story to story so reading them in order works best. There is a lot of spiritual insight shared in the story .

Our main gal is Carna who comes to the Ranch to live with her older brother Smith. She had been helping run her grandparent's farm in the east but when they couldn't turn it around they had to sell it. They needed the money for the fees for a nursing home for her grandfather so she was out of a job and home. She is willing to pull her weight at the dude ranch even though she has a lot to learn. What she didn't expect was to see her brother's friend Miller who was her arch enemy growing up. He loved to tease her and even gave her a nickname Tator Tot. It seems like her brother is trying to throw the two of them together as they both have rooms above the stable and they are assigned jobs to work together on projects.

Miller hasn't seen Carla in years and cannot believe how she has grown into a woman. They still cannot seem to get along as they are forced into sharing a kitchen. Hey she even ate his dinner which he had left in the refrigerator. Smith wants them to enter into a three day dude competition to bring attention to the Dude Ranch. It could make the difference in the ranch prospering or having financial problems.

Can Carla and Miller call a truce so that they can work together to help out the ranch? Will they finally realize that they have both grown up and changed from when they knew each other?

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this enemies to lovers romance between Carna and Miller. They got on each other's nerves when they were kids. Miller is best friends with Carna's brother, Smith, and she came to the dude ranch owned by Smith and his friends called Sweet Briar Ranch in North Dakota to live and work. The first person she sees when she arrives is Miller. At first they don't recognize each other then Miller starts yelling at Carna and accusing her of letting the chickens out. He doesn't believe Carna when she tells him that a Highland steer did it. Billy, a steer, who roams around Sweetwater and is believed to be a matchmaker did it. Things get more hilarious when Smith tells Carna that she will be staying in an apartment in the barn loft but forgets to tell her that Miller lives in that two bedroom apartment with a kitchen and bathroom they have to share also. Miller finds out where Smith put Carna when he finds her eating a plate of food that he had in the refrigerator for his supper and that was the only food available. The next day, Smith tells them he signed them up for a cowboy competition as a couple to drum up business to keep the dude ranch from going bankrupt. Carna has never ridden a horse and most of the events involve riding a horse. You can't keep from laughing at all their antics at the competition especially the final event where they each have to catch a 100 lb. greased pig and kiss it. From start to finish, you will be entertained. I highly recommend this clean Christian romance. I received an ARC from the author, and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Becky Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carna Long was leaving her grandparents farm that she had to sell in New Hampshire and heading to Sweet Briar ranch in North Dakota to help her brother Smith.

Upon arriving she is alerted to Billy the town matchmaking cow. Billy has got his horn in the chicken coop and releases the chicken. She tries to start gathering them up when this cowboy just starts yelling at her. When she finally realizes it is Miller her brother Smith’s best friend and her nemesis. He was constantly teasing her when she was younger by calling her Tater Tot. But in turn she nicknamed him Ducky Doo Doo.

Smith had told her she would be sleeping above the horse barn, there were two bedrooms that locked but the two people had to share the kitchen and the bathroom. When she got settled into her bedroom she decided she was going to see what was in the refrigerator to eat. Luckily she found a plate of food so she started eating it when lo and behold Miller shows up and he is in the other bedroom. That was his food and he wasn’t happy!

She was a hard worker on the farm but had never rode horses and so when she had to help Miller he would have to stop and teach her everything. He was actually very rude to her. But they had set those two up to do a competition in Montana to help drum up business for the ranch. It was laugh out loud at some of the races that they had to participate in.

I received this ARC from the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun enemies to lovers story
Carna and Miller had known each other for a long time, although they hadn’t seen each other for years. Miller had been friends with Carna’s older brother, Smith, and Miller and Carna have never gotten along. Miller was always teasing and harassing Carna and Carna could give as good as she got. Carna had spent the last few years trying to save her grandparents farm but had finally had to admit defeat and sell. Now Carna has arrived at the Sweet Briar Ranch, owned by Smith, and a few others, as she had no where else to go. Of course, the first person she sees upon arrival is Miller, and even though he didn’t recognize her, he is still as surly as she remembers him. But the ranch has expanded rapidly and needs to fill the dude ranch side of the operation to keep everything running. To do that, the ranch needs to send a couple to a dude ranch competition for exposure and advertising. Unfortunately, from their perspective, the only two people free to attend are Carna and Miller and it would help if they could act like they were a couple. With both of them wanting to do whatever they can to help the ranch succeed they have no choice. But the question is, will they succeed in their quest or will past interactions get in the way of success? Be aware that this is a Christian story and has doctrine woven throughout the story as a natural flow in the conversation. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our latest Flyboy story is about Miller and Carna. Carna is Smith's sister who had to sell their grandparents ranch to pay off medical bills so accepted Smith's invitation to come to Sweet Water Ranch to live. As soon as she arrives she is greeted by the match making steer Billy as he is opening the chicken coop and releasing the hens to run wild. As she starts rounding up the hen a man shows up and tells her she needs to leave. He's shocked to find out she is Smith's sister and his childhood nemesis. Things start out rocky for these two and they are not happy to find out they will be sharing a living space and that Smith signed them up to compete together in a weekend competition to bring some advertising for the ranch as a dude ranch vacation spot. They talk and decide to try to be friends and work together to do what's best for the ranch. As they work together they both start to see the other person as the mature person they have become instead of as the childhood memory they had.
As they compete together in the competition they draw closer together and feelings come to the surface.
We also catch up with other town favorites like Travis and Ellen, June and our match making teens who are now working on the old coots.
I received an arc in return for a honest review.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carna and Miller’s story is a wonderful enemies to lovers romance. With a little help from a matchmaking steer, Carna’s brother and sister-in-law do their best to make Carna and Miller see that underneath all the animosity and competitive attitude that they present to each other are much deeper feelings. It does take them both a moment to set aside the snippy conversation and resentful behaviour to apologize and call a truce. Once the truce is called, both can admit that the other has indeed matured and has some admirable qualities. They also take some time to examine the feelings they have for the other that they have refused to acknowledge before. Could her brother, his wife and Billy the steer be right? Are they a good match? Has God had a hand in bringing them both to this time and place?

Jessie has given her readers a wonderful book filled with humour, personal reflection and growth, as well as not so subtle matchmaking. As always, a strong foundation of faith runs throughout this book giving the story an extra dimension. I highly recommend reading the books in this series in order due to interwoven stories of some of the secondary characters that are continued from book to book. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miller and Carna were not happy to have to work together. In fact, they asked to be assigned to opposite sides of the dude ranch. But Miller’s best friend who happened to be Carna’s brother assigned them to living quarters that shared a kitchen and put them together as a team to participate in a Dude Ranch competition. He had this ludicrous idea that Miller and Carna actually liked each other deep down and ought to be a couple. What?! I loved this frenemies to in love story and I have to admit that, after reading how they spoke to one another, it was hard to imagine how the author would ever get them together in a believable way. I enjoyed reading this clean romance and I especially enjoyed the little snippets of June’s story as well as Travis and Ellen’s story that were woven into the book. It’s kind of jarring to be reading along and suddenly to have their chapters with totally different characters inserted at random as they have been in this series but I have grown to care about them and hope to see their stories completed soon. I received an ARC and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions.

[April Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I even like my enemy?

Miller and Carna have QUITE a history. Their antagonism toward each other made me laugh and be exasperated all at the same time. One minute I’m smiling at their barbs flying back and forth and the next minute I’m wanting to jump into the pages and set them both straight for acting so terrible to each other. Finally they come to their senses and see what God has for them!

They both have a heart that truly wants God’s best, but, like us, they fall short and have to keep getting back up again. Carna called that “her talent”. I like that Miller could apologize when he needed to; many men feel that would make them weak, but it just shows you have character.

I enjoyed the story, and the little snatches from the lives of the secondary characters keeps you wanting to come back for more. My heart aches for June; I’m cheering for Ellen and Travis to get their HEA, and do the old coots get their women?

I received a complimentary copy for my voluntary opinion.

[Leis Phinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

When they were kids, Carna and Miller always teased each other without mercy, and now they are unexpectedly forced to work together. Their first meeting goes poorly, and things go downhill from there, with misunderstandings and their stubbornness making the situation worse. Miller is the first to offer a genuine apology, and Carna begins to see him in a new light. When they are sent to represent the Ranch at a three day competition, they finally begin to really pull together and appreciate one another.
I found their bickering and arguments very annoying, but unfortunately realistic. They were both so unkind to each other at first. But that is really the way some people are, always needing to win or be right. Someone has to take the first step, as Miller did with his genuine apology. This story shows how people can leave assumptions based on past behaviors behind. Once Miller and Carna did that, they could successfully work together.
This series has had some wonderful storylines, and I look back on them with great fondness. If you are coming in here at the end there will be some spoilers, as you meet the couples from previous books. It's worthwhile to go back and read the entire series, and then you will also see how the minor plots, like June's story, fit into the overall story arc.
I received an ARC of this book. This is my unbiased opinion, and I am happy to share it because these books are so good.

[Soleil Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how it’s possible but each new book in this series is better than the previous one - and each new book becomes my new favorite! I really loved the banter between Carna and Miller aka Tater Tots and Ducky Doo-Doo!! They were enemies while growing up and are reunited after more than a decade. They are forced to work together on Sweet Briars Ranch. Everyone wants to see Miller married, he’s not interested even if he’s the last single man of the crew. Carna struggles after the loss of her grandparents and their family farm. From the first minute they meet, they go from one misunderstanding to the next. They are attracted to each other but they also can’t stand each other! And… it’s fireworks everywhere! As usual we meet again the famous matchmaking steer Billy, characters from previous books, the old coots, Ellen and Travis, Ms June… I loved everything in this book! Very entertaining and, as usual, kind advice and God’s word make it useful in every day’s life.

[SJ Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Carna and Miller's story. They grew up antagonizing each other. Miller was Carna's brother Smith's best friend, so he was always picking on her. When she came to help on Smith's farm she didn't know she was going to have to share the barn apartment with her nemesis. These two hadn't seen each other for years, so you know the sparks had to fly. At every turn Miller could get Carna all riled up. Their love of animals brought them both a loyal companion, even though they weren't looking for a dog. Carna inherited her dog from her grandparents. Miller got his when someone dropped him off on his driveway. I read this book whenever I could find a minute, it's that good. I got to the last chapter and didn't want it to end, so I stopped reading for a day. If you like clean fun stories of Cowboy's finding love in the most unlikely person, you will enjoy 'Just a Cowboy's Dream Come True'. I highly recommend. I received this book from the publish. The thoughts and comments are my own.

[Roberta aka Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carna and Miller have been butting heads since they were young next-door neighbors.

Years later when Carna shows up to work at Sweet Briar Dude Ranch the first person she runs into is Miller, who yells at her for letting the chickens out of their cage. That starts the head-butting all over again. Are they truly enemies or are they using the bickering and insults to cover up their true feelings?

For me the highlight of this story was the couples contest Carna and Miller were signed up for, supposedly to boost interest in the Dude Ranch. However it seemed the underlying reason was to get Carna and Miller together. I recommend you read Just a Cowboys Dream Come True to see how the contest ended... it cracked me up!

I was given an ARC of this book from the author but this review is my honest opinion given voluntarily.

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smith is the manager of Sweet Briar Ranch in North Dakota. His friend, Miller, works on the ranch. When Smith's younger sister, Carna, shows up, all Miller can see is the pesky little sister he remembers from his childhood. They were constantly bickering and nothing has changed. But, when they are paired to represent the Ranch in a three day competition, they have to learn to work together and they begin to see each other with new eyes; eyes wide open! Maybe there is something more to both of them that neither of them could see before.

This is a sweet, clean, wholesome romance that is a quick read. It is the 12th in the Flyboys of Sweet Water Ranch series about a group of guys who served in the Air Force together that run the ranch together and formed a family bond.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[Elizabeth Fiscus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! Carna and Miller are each other's childhood nemesis. They couldn't get along even a little bit when they were kids, and adding another decade or more to that doesn't help! When Carna shows up needing a job at the Sweet Water dude ranch her brother Smith runs, she absolutely does not expect to run into Miller. In a very bold move, Smith and his wife send Carna and Miller on a 3 day cowboy competition to drum up business for the cash-strapped ranch. There are many people and families depending on them being able to get past their mutual animosity and learn how to get along...and maybe even more! This book was a fun one to read and see the development of the two main characters. I'm sure you will love it as much as I did! I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carna comes to live and work with her brother Smith after losing her grandparents’ farm. Smith and his partners own and run a dude ranch, among other activities. One of Smith’s partners is Miller, a long-time family friend and former Air Force buddy. When Carna arrives at the ranch, Miller does not immediately recognize her as his childhood nemesis. He mistakes her for a guest and accuses her of letting the chickens out of their pen. When they are matched as a couple for a dude ranch contest, sparks start to fly. Did Billy, the matchmaking steer, have something to do with it?

This is a delightfully funny story with many Christian aspects.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Just a Cowboy's Dream Come True' was heartfelt. Its plot was filled with adversity, spirituality, bits of levity, support, and love. Although Carna and Miller, the protagonists, grew up together, they did not get along, yet they loved to tease each other. One thing led to another since they had to work closely together on the dude ranch and, eventually, in a competition to showcase the ranch for much-needed potential clients. Additionally, there was the dynamic in another plot between Travis and Ellen as well as the adorable dynamic between four older people: Blaze, Junior, and the Benson twins. Moreover, the author's use of vivid details created an upbeat yet sentimental tone. Overall, I liked the sweet narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carna comes to help her brother at Sweet Briar Ranch and runs into his best friend, Miller. Carna and Miller did not get along as teenagers. She was the pesky little sister that he loved to pick on. She didn't like being picked on and gave it right back to him.

The book starts with them meeting when she first gets to the ranch. She can't believe that he's there and hopes that they can stay on opposite sides on the ranch. When they are slated to go to a 3 day dude ranch competition, they have to learn to work together.

This is such a fun book! The competition was so fun to read. All the various events and how Carna and Miller worked together to build up a name for the dude ranch. I highly recommend.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carna and Miller grew up together and he remained her brother’s best friend. Unfortunately, they had an adversarial relationship. When they meet again, they fall into old habits, baiting each other and competing. Her brother throws them together and enters them in a Dude Ranch competition to increase sales at the dude ranch. But she has never ridden a horse before. Oh my. With Billy on the ranch and the encouragement of Smith and his wife, they do their best with Miller encouraging her with being where God wants them. Inspirational with lessons for us all in blooming where we are planted.

Received ARC and this is my honest review.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful clean story in the Flyboy series by Jessie Gussman.
Carna is Smith’s sister who has come to the ranch to work. Miller was their neighbor back home and now lived and worked with Smith on the ranch. He’d always teased and irritated her when she was younger.
They are entered in a competition that they hope will help bring in more guests at the ranch. Smith is hoping it will also bring Miller and Carna together as a couple.
Fun story of two people who are antagonistic towards each other because of their past, but realize they’ve both grown into interesting and attractive people.
*I received this book as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an Advance Readers Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Carna needed a home after her grandparents farm had to be sold, so she moves west to help on her brother’s ranch, but she didn’t expect to be sharing rooms over the stable with her childhood nemesis, Miller. He didn’t expect to be sharing space and work with her either. As they work together, they discover that they have both grown up and they agree to leave the past behind and work together. An interesting look at relationships that change over time, and putting aside outdated feelings. Jessie Gussman’s stories are always the best!

[ELMorehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Does Miller "Help" Bring Carna & Smith Together?

"Jessie Gussman's "Just a Cowboy's Dream Come True" is a unique presentation, on My Best Friend's Sister Romance. It's also the 12th 📗 in the "Flyboys if Sweet Briar Ranch" Series.

Miller acts as the Sweet Briar Ranch Manager. Smith is Miller's best Friend. And Smith is the last, Single Flyboy. Carna comes to the Ranch to be with her brother (Miller), for a job.

That's where Master Storyteller, JG's creativity kicks in, as she explores Farmer/Rancher Perseverance & Toughness! Can Carna & Smith help save the Ranch? How does God bring them 💗 Love? ! I Recommend You 📖 this Great, Engrossing, Christian Romance, to find out! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book.
I love how this one was written the interaction between the H and H was priceless and dialogue was so witty and fun you just know that these two should be together. They knew each other when they were younger he would tease her and she hated him. Years later guess what happens they are both on her brother’s dude ranch and sparks will fly. I was so entertained by this gem of tale I read it last night after having a grumpy day due to the heat. This one put a smile on my face and gave a reason just to sit in front of my fan a total win for me. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Amy Petrowich · Rating 5 out of 5]

From NEVER to FOREVER

Carna and Miller have a rocky past and their future isn’t looking much smoother.
Talk about sparks! Neither of them knew what hit them and neither wanted to look past the mutual dislike from their younger years.
However, it’s hard for him to ignore how beautiful she is or how strong and determined she has become.
She can’t help how drawn she is to his character or how his care makes her feel warm all over.
This is a fun and sweet story of finding love in an unlikely person. I laughed out loud several times and sighed with contentment more than once.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessie's books are edifying. I would say they are also light reads, but she does tackle difficult topics. Bad things happen to the characters or because of their choices, but there is redemption, grace, and forgiveness. She weaves in truths about how we should leave as Christians, which serve as reminders as I listen along.

Love the pig and cow story woven through this series.

I've listened to her books on YouTube, "Say With Jay." He's a great narrator, even for the women's voices. It's the type of book that you can listen to while doing something else. Any can be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend starting the series in order as several connect characters and places.

[Kitty Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet romance from Jessie Gussman. I really liked this one, there’s enough faith to make a point, but it isn’t “in your face”. And the characters aren’t unreasonably perfect. In fact, they are pretty believable. We get a little of Billy the steer, and a couple glimpses into other stories like June and Travis and Ellen, but mostly it focuses on Miller and Carna. While they didn’t get along when they are younger, we get a chance to watch and they are forced into proximity with each other and learn that they’ve both grown and matured. A nice warm book to read on a lazy afternoon.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie has written another delightful story set in Sweet Water. Amazing characters make the story even better. Miller is the last of the partners at the Sweet Briar dude ranch that hasn’t married and he’s determined to stay a bachelor. Carna has arrived to work at the ranch and be with her brother, Smith. What her brother didn’t tell her was that Miller was also living at the ranch. They had been adversaries while growing up, Carna just wants to stay as far from him as possible. Can they put the bitterness from their childhood behind them?

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tater Tot and Ducky Do Do?

Carna came to the Sweet Briar Ranch at her brother’s invitation hoping that her farming skills could be an asset. The first person she runs into on the ranch is Miller, her brother’s close friend and her childhood enemy. It doesn’t take long for the animosity to blossom. Can childhood enemies work together to save the ranch?

Jessie Gussman has a talent for blending humor, faith, and romance together to create the perfect Western romance! I received a free book but this review is voluntary and honest.

[Rhonda Sledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an entertaining story! Here are a couple of characters who have a history together and have no desire to be in each other's company but are forced to work together to keep the ranch from going under. Even though everyone else (including Billy the steer) believes they belong together, they are absolutely certain they should be on opposite sides of the ranch. It is only when they both admit that they are no longer the same people they were as teenagers that they can call a truce and discover they actually like each other. I loved the ending but I hate that it's the last book in the series!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie Gussman has done it again: another inspiring romance that is so much fun! Carna and Miller have known each other since childhood but haven't seen each other in over a decade. When Carna comes to Sweet Briar Ranch, the first person she runs into is Miller, her older brother's best friend. Old animosity quickly rises and they are right back to their teenage insult slinging days. I love Jessies' lessons about forgiveness and changing to become who the Lord wants you to become. I love Carna's perseverance and determination and Miller's ability to see her through the Lord's eyes.