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Coffee Creek, Montana #2
Her Cowboy Dilemma
Going Home Shouldn't Be This Hard…
Cassidy Lambert traded in Montana's big sky country for the big-city lights - forever. Until a potentially devastating equine illness threatens her family's ranch, and Cassidy is needed at home to help. She thinks she knows what she wants from life, but the more she's around sexy veterinarian Dan Farley, the more confused she gets.
When Cassidy comes back to the open Western landscape Dan loves, she's nothing but a beautiful burr under his saddle. She stomped on his heart once before, and he's not eager for another go-around. But he just can't keep himself away from those green eyes and sweet curves. It's a good thing she'll soon be gone again. Because he can't trust her - or himself - when she's around!
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
22 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Carmichael
108 books838 followersUSA Today bestselling author C. J. Carmichael has written over 50 novels, including two mystery series, as well as romance and women’s fiction. Three of her novels have been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award, including A Bramble House Christmas. A film version of A Bramble House Christmas premiered as a Hallmark Mystery movie in 2017.
Married, with two grown daughters and some adorable grandchildren, C. J. and her husband and their Welsh Springer Jazz divide their time between their home in Calgary, Alberta and the family cottage on Flathead Lake, Montana. C.J. enjoys giving workshops to aspiring authors--her talk on writing a Christmas story is a favorite.
Visit C.J.'s website at http://CJCarmichael.com
For information on C. J.’s new releases and giveaways please sign up for her newsletter.
https://cjcarmichael.com/contact/#sub...
Married, with two grown daughters and some adorable grandchildren, C. J. and her husband and their Welsh Springer Jazz divide their time between their home in Calgary, Alberta and the family cottage on Flathead Lake, Montana. C.J. enjoys giving workshops to aspiring authors--her talk on writing a Christmas story is a favorite.
Visit C.J.'s website at http://CJCarmichael.com
For information on C. J.’s new releases and giveaways please sign up for her newsletter.
https://cjcarmichael.com/contact/#sub...
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 14, 2018
How could a finger so hard with calluses feel so tender?
This book had a lot of different levels, it's going to be hard to sort out.
Cassidy comes back to the ranch after earning her Master's in accounting. She plans to go to Billings, MT to be an accountant. Her mother is a horrible, horrible person. See my review of Remember Me, Cowboy for more details.
Her mother wants her to stay on the ranch and marry Dan Farley.
Dan Farley: He is the local veterinarian. He and Cassie have some bad blood between them because when he was 30 and she was 21 he took her out to the Harvest Dance. While there, they danced and it was hot. But then he left to get them drinks and came back to find her dancing with another man, whom she then tried to go home with.
It wasn't pretty.
Now he's 34 and she's 25.
Okay... where can I begin in dissecting this novel? There are a lot of issues I want to cover.
ONE: CHEATING If you are against cheating in books, this is NOT the book for you. I can't even... Okay, for one thing, Dan is dating a woman named Amber. But Amber isn't as exciting as Cassidy, apparently.
She was the woman he should be thinking about right now. So why wasn't he?
He knew he owed her, at the least, a phone call. But how was he supposed to pursue a relationship with one woman, when he was all the time thinking about another? 99
Poor Amber. She ends up being unceremoniously dumped.
Cassidy is even worse. She is dating this guy named Josh. Josh calls and texts her. She never returns his calls and texts. This is just simply an asshole, juvenile move. Which is on par with Cassidy's normal asshole behavior. So she just ignores him for weeks. REALLY LOW.
This is how she explains it:
Or is the plain truth that Josh can't stack up next to a man like Farley? 129
Ummmmmmm... NO. What the FUCK. YOU are the one who is not acting like a 'real woman' by being too chickenshit to simply break it off with this guy. Instead, you leave him hanging for weeks (WEEKS!) while you moon around after the veterinarian. This is very heartless, immature, and childish. Not the actions of a grown woman. How am I supposed to like or respect a heroine who acts like this?!!?!?!?
Finally she breaks it off with him over the phone. As if that weren't bad enough, she tries to tell us
Oh, he sounded like a petulant little boy. 144
Are you surprised he's upset?! You let him dangle for WEEKS. He wanted to come and meet your folks. And you were THIS CLOSE to fucking another man during those weeks. I'm rubbing my temples. Listen, any woman would not act this way. Because part of being grown is being able to handle your shit and not avoiding a man who you are dating FOR WEEKS while he could think you are dead or whatever... while you're lusting after some other guy like you're a fucking 15-year-old. It's juvenile, cruel, unattractive, weak.
She took a minute to review the conversation. Had she been cruel? 144
Yes. Yes, you were. As soon as you got back to the ranch and realized you had no interest in this poor sap, you should have let him know ASAP. What the fuck is wrong with you?!?!!? Less than a woman.
So, yeah. Cheating is a problem. They don't have sex while with other people, but Cassidy makes out with Dan and almost has sex with him BEFORE breaking it off with Josh. Dan only cheats emotionally on Amber, he doesn't do anything physical with Cassidy until after he's broken things off with Amber.
TWO: CASSIDY I guess this is a good segue into discussing all the problems I have with our heroine. Cassidy is very immature. She acts like she's 15.
I don't mind the 9-year age difference between her and Dan. That's fine. What I do mind is her acting like a girl and not a woman.
Let's take it one step at a time.
Many people might be hard on her for being so hesitant about sex. I'm not.
It's perfectly fine to be cautious and hesitant about sex. Carmichael never says if Cassidy is a virgin or not, but whether she is a virgin or not is IRRELEVANT. I do not mind heroines who are shy, reluctant, nervous, anxious, or concerned about having sex. I think it is smart and very understandable.
However. I do care about fucking with the hero and jerking him around like he has no feelings. And that's what Cassidy does time and time again to Dan.
First, when she's 21 she cruelly dances with another guy at the dance Dan took her to, and even tries to leave with him. Wow. She tries to blame this on 'being young,' but IMO 21 is more than old enough to know better. This is simply asshole behavior.
Then, when she and Dan finally do have sex, she flips the fuck out. She demands that Dan take her home right now. He's confused. The sex was consensual, she seemed to be having a good time. But she's having a meltdown. He takes her home, but he's really hurt and confused.
They fight more when she leaves for Billings. He calls her on her shit, she can't take responsibility for her actions and how they've hurt him. She leaves.
Basically she acts like a child the entire length of the book. Not sure how this is at all attractive to Dan. I'd be running for the hills, truly. Who has time to put up with this manufactured drama?!!?!?!?!
And these two never talk stuff out. WHY did she act that way at the dance? When she apologizes (now, four years later), I think she should explain WHY she did that. When she runs out the door after sex, seemingly very distraught, I think that she should talk to him about it. She doesn't. I don't understand exactly what the fuck is going on with her, and neither does Dan.
But emotionally she hadn't been ready. Maybe her emotions had been too raw. Maybe she saw him as a threat - someone else who would try to keep her from taking that job she wanted so much. Or maybe she just saw him as the man her mother wanted her to be with, and therefore the last man on earth she would ever settle for. 181
I mean, fucking ask her about it, man. This shit isn't normal.
AGAIN: if it was just anxiety and hesitancy about having sex, that would one thing - a completely understandable thing. But it's not that, she's obviously fucked up on a deeper level and can't deal with it like an adult or talk about it like an adult or express her feelings like an adult.
She also has this thing where she feels like he's trying to humiliate her or get revenge on her all the time. He's not. But this fits into her childish narrative of what is going on.
But what if it were true? Maybe he'd just wanted to humiliate her the way she'd embarrassed him that night at the Harvest Dance. Because she'd been ready to strip off her robe and make love with him. And he'd turned her away. 135
She keeps thinking stuff like this, even though he's straight-out told her he's not about that life.
"Lord, woman, you're going to drive me crazy. For the record, I'm not the kind of guy who plays games when it comes to love. Teaching you some kind of "lesson" was the last thing on my mind." 111
And he means it. Unlike her, he's basically an adult man.
THREE: DAN I'm not happy with our hero, either. Yes, he is a better person than Cassidy, but he still is really flawed.
Not only does he not discuss shit with her (WHY?!!?!), but he has some misogynistic ideas about women.
I'm a bit disgusted with his inner monologue. And then there were times when he'd like to trade her in for a quieter model. And he refers to Cassidy as "witch" and "minx." I'm pretty sure this is because Harlequin wouldn't allow him to call her a 'bitch' in the book.
But the reality was different. She'd grown up into a spoiled brat who treated men like dirt and wanted to live the high life in the city. Not that he had anything against city folk. But he sure had no use for a woman like that in his life. 64
Like many Harlequin American Romances or, as they're now called, Harlequin Western Romances, there's this false narrative that country folk hate and distrust people who live in cities. Living in the country is a 'real, authentic, satisfying' life and living in the city and working indoors is 'soul-sucking, happiness-destroying, and horrible.' It's bizarre. And I'd hardly count being an accountant in Billings, MT "living the high life in the city."
If only women were as easy to understand as cows. 100
Wow, okay.
But to Dan's credit, he scolds himself when he acts up. Yes, the hero is taking my job away from me.
He couldn't stop thinking about her. Wanting her. Cursing himself for not kissing her when he'd had the chance. So what if he couldn't have her forever? Right now one night seemed like it would be enough.
Really? Just one night? Is that the kind of man you are now?
Welp, the hero is HEARING MY VOICE IN HIS HEAD. *Carmen dusts off her hands* My work here is done. I've been able to mind-meld into the Harlequin novels and give the MCs a good talking-to. "Where is that voice coming from?" they wonder. :p
I also sometimes did not understand what Dan was saying. After they make out and ALMOST have sex but don't, she leaves, and Dan watches her leave and thinks
At least she was no longer scared of him. If anything, she'd discovered her own power. Maybe now he should be scared of her. 136
One, she's still scared of something. You, sex, whatever, because after you have sex way later she is going to lose her shit. Two, what the FUCK are you talking about? She made out with you. She probably would have had sex with you. OK. How is that 'discovering her own power?' She wasn't seducing you. She didn't act 'powerful' in any way. Why the fuck would YOU be scared of HER?! What?!?!!? I was just scratching my head at this.
Carmichael just does not have her shit together here. Is Cassidy a virgin? Is that what we're supposed to believe? IDK, whether she is a virgin or not is never mentioned or explained. So I'm guessing she's a non-virgin. Why does she act like SUCH AN ASSHOLE all the time?! I have no fucking idea. She apparently thinks treating people like this is okay. She treats both Josh and Dan like shit. Then she is baffled when they get upset. This isn't a sex thing. This is a 'I'm-a-jerk' thing.
If you have a huge problem like... I don't know what... you should discuss it with your man. 21 is old enough to understand this. She could have been like, "Hey, I'd love to go to the dance with you, but let's just take things slow." Or now, at 25, she could have been like, "Hey, four years ago when I really hurt you, I was just too intimidated by you being so manly (I'm dying laughing here!) so I acted like an asshole. Please forgive me. And if we're going to start up again, I need you to be very patient with me." Any mensch would move as slowly as she wants with things. And if she talks it out with Dan, and tells him what her feelings and concerns are, they can work through them together.
Her problem is that she can't talk about anything, she just freaks out and then does the worst possible thing. Even if it makes no fucking sense. Even if it really wounds Dan. And we know she's an asshole because of how she treats Josh, so, in case you think it's just Dan and she has some sexual hangup - no. She's obviously an asshole.
FOUR: ANIMALS Both Dan and Cassidy are animal-lovers. Cassidy is crazy about animals, as you remember from the previous book Remember Me, Cowboy, she has a beloved old dog named Sky. She also cares very deeply about her horses.
To Carmichael's credit, animals are not 2D props in here. The dog leaps off the page. I cared about Cassidy's animals and worried when they were hurt or sick. WARNING: There is an animal death in here. If you don't think you can handle that, skip this book.
TL;DR Carmichael is an engaging author. This book held my interest. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I liked the hero, and I definitely didn't like the heroine - who was a childish asshole. Her mom is almost sociopathic. Carmichael doesn't pull any punches with the mom.
I was unclear as to why Cassidy was acting this way, but I guess some people are just childish assholes. Boggles my mind that Dan wants to end up with her, though.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
Animal Lovers' Romance
Contemporary Romance
Cowboy/Western Romance
Multicultural/Interracial Romance - Dan is part Native American (half?), Cassidy is white
STEM Heroine
Non-Virgin Heroine - Actually very unclear. But my best guess.
Cheating
He's a Veterinarian, She's an Accountant... but she gives it all up to be a Rancher/Barrel Racer
This book had a lot of different levels, it's going to be hard to sort out.
Cassidy comes back to the ranch after earning her Master's in accounting. She plans to go to Billings, MT to be an accountant. Her mother is a horrible, horrible person. See my review of Remember Me, Cowboy for more details.
Her mother wants her to stay on the ranch and marry Dan Farley.
Dan Farley: He is the local veterinarian. He and Cassie have some bad blood between them because when he was 30 and she was 21 he took her out to the Harvest Dance. While there, they danced and it was hot. But then he left to get them drinks and came back to find her dancing with another man, whom she then tried to go home with.
It wasn't pretty.
Now he's 34 and she's 25.
Okay... where can I begin in dissecting this novel? There are a lot of issues I want to cover.
ONE: CHEATING If you are against cheating in books, this is NOT the book for you. I can't even... Okay, for one thing, Dan is dating a woman named Amber. But Amber isn't as exciting as Cassidy, apparently.
She was the woman he should be thinking about right now. So why wasn't he?
He knew he owed her, at the least, a phone call. But how was he supposed to pursue a relationship with one woman, when he was all the time thinking about another? 99
Poor Amber. She ends up being unceremoniously dumped.
Cassidy is even worse. She is dating this guy named Josh. Josh calls and texts her. She never returns his calls and texts. This is just simply an asshole, juvenile move. Which is on par with Cassidy's normal asshole behavior. So she just ignores him for weeks. REALLY LOW.
This is how she explains it:
Or is the plain truth that Josh can't stack up next to a man like Farley? 129
Ummmmmmm... NO. What the FUCK. YOU are the one who is not acting like a 'real woman' by being too chickenshit to simply break it off with this guy. Instead, you leave him hanging for weeks (WEEKS!) while you moon around after the veterinarian. This is very heartless, immature, and childish. Not the actions of a grown woman. How am I supposed to like or respect a heroine who acts like this?!!?!?!?
Finally she breaks it off with him over the phone. As if that weren't bad enough, she tries to tell us
Oh, he sounded like a petulant little boy. 144
Are you surprised he's upset?! You let him dangle for WEEKS. He wanted to come and meet your folks. And you were THIS CLOSE to fucking another man during those weeks. I'm rubbing my temples. Listen, any woman would not act this way. Because part of being grown is being able to handle your shit and not avoiding a man who you are dating FOR WEEKS while he could think you are dead or whatever... while you're lusting after some other guy like you're a fucking 15-year-old. It's juvenile, cruel, unattractive, weak.
She took a minute to review the conversation. Had she been cruel? 144
Yes. Yes, you were. As soon as you got back to the ranch and realized you had no interest in this poor sap, you should have let him know ASAP. What the fuck is wrong with you?!?!!? Less than a woman.
So, yeah. Cheating is a problem. They don't have sex while with other people, but Cassidy makes out with Dan and almost has sex with him BEFORE breaking it off with Josh. Dan only cheats emotionally on Amber, he doesn't do anything physical with Cassidy until after he's broken things off with Amber.
TWO: CASSIDY I guess this is a good segue into discussing all the problems I have with our heroine. Cassidy is very immature. She acts like she's 15.
I don't mind the 9-year age difference between her and Dan. That's fine. What I do mind is her acting like a girl and not a woman.
Let's take it one step at a time.
Many people might be hard on her for being so hesitant about sex. I'm not.
It's perfectly fine to be cautious and hesitant about sex. Carmichael never says if Cassidy is a virgin or not, but whether she is a virgin or not is IRRELEVANT. I do not mind heroines who are shy, reluctant, nervous, anxious, or concerned about having sex. I think it is smart and very understandable.
However. I do care about fucking with the hero and jerking him around like he has no feelings. And that's what Cassidy does time and time again to Dan.
First, when she's 21 she cruelly dances with another guy at the dance Dan took her to, and even tries to leave with him. Wow. She tries to blame this on 'being young,' but IMO 21 is more than old enough to know better. This is simply asshole behavior.
Then, when she and Dan finally do have sex, she flips the fuck out. She demands that Dan take her home right now. He's confused. The sex was consensual, she seemed to be having a good time. But she's having a meltdown. He takes her home, but he's really hurt and confused.
They fight more when she leaves for Billings. He calls her on her shit, she can't take responsibility for her actions and how they've hurt him. She leaves.
Basically she acts like a child the entire length of the book. Not sure how this is at all attractive to Dan. I'd be running for the hills, truly. Who has time to put up with this manufactured drama?!!?!?!?!
And these two never talk stuff out. WHY did she act that way at the dance? When she apologizes (now, four years later), I think she should explain WHY she did that. When she runs out the door after sex, seemingly very distraught, I think that she should talk to him about it. She doesn't. I don't understand exactly what the fuck is going on with her, and neither does Dan.
But emotionally she hadn't been ready. Maybe her emotions had been too raw. Maybe she saw him as a threat - someone else who would try to keep her from taking that job she wanted so much. Or maybe she just saw him as the man her mother wanted her to be with, and therefore the last man on earth she would ever settle for. 181
I mean, fucking ask her about it, man. This shit isn't normal.
AGAIN: if it was just anxiety and hesitancy about having sex, that would one thing - a completely understandable thing. But it's not that, she's obviously fucked up on a deeper level and can't deal with it like an adult or talk about it like an adult or express her feelings like an adult.
She also has this thing where she feels like he's trying to humiliate her or get revenge on her all the time. He's not. But this fits into her childish narrative of what is going on.
But what if it were true? Maybe he'd just wanted to humiliate her the way she'd embarrassed him that night at the Harvest Dance. Because she'd been ready to strip off her robe and make love with him. And he'd turned her away. 135
She keeps thinking stuff like this, even though he's straight-out told her he's not about that life.
"Lord, woman, you're going to drive me crazy. For the record, I'm not the kind of guy who plays games when it comes to love. Teaching you some kind of "lesson" was the last thing on my mind." 111
And he means it. Unlike her, he's basically an adult man.
THREE: DAN I'm not happy with our hero, either. Yes, he is a better person than Cassidy, but he still is really flawed.
Not only does he not discuss shit with her (WHY?!!?!), but he has some misogynistic ideas about women.
I'm a bit disgusted with his inner monologue. And then there were times when he'd like to trade her in for a quieter model. And he refers to Cassidy as "witch" and "minx." I'm pretty sure this is because Harlequin wouldn't allow him to call her a 'bitch' in the book.
But the reality was different. She'd grown up into a spoiled brat who treated men like dirt and wanted to live the high life in the city. Not that he had anything against city folk. But he sure had no use for a woman like that in his life. 64
Like many Harlequin American Romances or, as they're now called, Harlequin Western Romances, there's this false narrative that country folk hate and distrust people who live in cities. Living in the country is a 'real, authentic, satisfying' life and living in the city and working indoors is 'soul-sucking, happiness-destroying, and horrible.' It's bizarre. And I'd hardly count being an accountant in Billings, MT "living the high life in the city."
If only women were as easy to understand as cows. 100
Wow, okay.
But to Dan's credit, he scolds himself when he acts up. Yes, the hero is taking my job away from me.
He couldn't stop thinking about her. Wanting her. Cursing himself for not kissing her when he'd had the chance. So what if he couldn't have her forever? Right now one night seemed like it would be enough.
Really? Just one night? Is that the kind of man you are now?
Welp, the hero is HEARING MY VOICE IN HIS HEAD. *Carmen dusts off her hands* My work here is done. I've been able to mind-meld into the Harlequin novels and give the MCs a good talking-to. "Where is that voice coming from?" they wonder. :p
I also sometimes did not understand what Dan was saying. After they make out and ALMOST have sex but don't, she leaves, and Dan watches her leave and thinks
At least she was no longer scared of him. If anything, she'd discovered her own power. Maybe now he should be scared of her. 136
One, she's still scared of something. You, sex, whatever, because after you have sex way later she is going to lose her shit. Two, what the FUCK are you talking about? She made out with you. She probably would have had sex with you. OK. How is that 'discovering her own power?' She wasn't seducing you. She didn't act 'powerful' in any way. Why the fuck would YOU be scared of HER?! What?!?!!? I was just scratching my head at this.
Carmichael just does not have her shit together here. Is Cassidy a virgin? Is that what we're supposed to believe? IDK, whether she is a virgin or not is never mentioned or explained. So I'm guessing she's a non-virgin. Why does she act like SUCH AN ASSHOLE all the time?! I have no fucking idea. She apparently thinks treating people like this is okay. She treats both Josh and Dan like shit. Then she is baffled when they get upset. This isn't a sex thing. This is a 'I'm-a-jerk' thing.
If you have a huge problem like... I don't know what... you should discuss it with your man. 21 is old enough to understand this. She could have been like, "Hey, I'd love to go to the dance with you, but let's just take things slow." Or now, at 25, she could have been like, "Hey, four years ago when I really hurt you, I was just too intimidated by you being so manly (I'm dying laughing here!) so I acted like an asshole. Please forgive me. And if we're going to start up again, I need you to be very patient with me." Any mensch would move as slowly as she wants with things. And if she talks it out with Dan, and tells him what her feelings and concerns are, they can work through them together.
Her problem is that she can't talk about anything, she just freaks out and then does the worst possible thing. Even if it makes no fucking sense. Even if it really wounds Dan. And we know she's an asshole because of how she treats Josh, so, in case you think it's just Dan and she has some sexual hangup - no. She's obviously an asshole.
FOUR: ANIMALS Both Dan and Cassidy are animal-lovers. Cassidy is crazy about animals, as you remember from the previous book Remember Me, Cowboy, she has a beloved old dog named Sky. She also cares very deeply about her horses.
To Carmichael's credit, animals are not 2D props in here. The dog leaps off the page. I cared about Cassidy's animals and worried when they were hurt or sick. WARNING: There is an animal death in here. If you don't think you can handle that, skip this book.
TL;DR Carmichael is an engaging author. This book held my interest. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I liked the hero, and I definitely didn't like the heroine - who was a childish asshole. Her mom is almost sociopathic. Carmichael doesn't pull any punches with the mom.
I was unclear as to why Cassidy was acting this way, but I guess some people are just childish assholes. Boggles my mind that Dan wants to end up with her, though.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
Animal Lovers' Romance
Contemporary Romance
Cowboy/Western Romance
Multicultural/Interracial Romance - Dan is part Native American (half?), Cassidy is white
STEM Heroine
Non-Virgin Heroine - Actually very unclear. But my best guess.
Cheating
He's a Veterinarian, She's an Accountant... but she gives it all up to be a Rancher/Barrel Racer
February 24, 2013
Very good book. Cassidy has finally finished her schooling and is ready to get an accounting job in the city. When she comes home for a visit she ends up in the middle of an emergency with the horses and ends up taking care of them. This puts her in frequent contact with veterinarian Dan Farley. She had had a crush on him as a teenager, then did something stupid that made him angry. They've been adversaries ever since.
I really liked both Cassidy and Dan. Cassidy had had a crush on Dan when she was younger. He was best friends with her brothers and she spent a lot of time tagging after them. When she was twenty one he asked her out to a dance. While there she got scared of the intensity of her feelings for him and treated him badly. Since then he has been very cold to her whenever they met. When she arrives at the ranch she ends up having to deal with him as the vet for the sick horses. With four more years of maturity she is able to offer Dan the apology he deserves and they come to a truce. Once they did and spent some time together I could see how a much better relationship was developing. She is really enjoying her time back on the ranch, being with the animals again and enjoying the open spaces. I really loved seeing how happy she was being back on the ranch. But Cassidy is still determined to get a job in the city and away from her controlling mother. Olive is doing everything she can to push Cassidy and Dan together and to get Cassidy to stay on the ranch. She is so obvious about it that it embarrasses Cassidy and also makes her angry. Meanwhile Cassidy knows that her feelings for Dan are growing stronger but she refuses to consider a future for them that involves her staying in Coffee Creek. If it hadn't been for Olive's manipulative ways Cassidy probably would have made her decisions much sooner, but instead they caused Cassidy to dig in her heels. I did like the decisions she made at the end and how she was able to start standing up for herself.
Dan was a great guy. He was best friends with Cassidy's brothers and remembered her from when she was a little kid. When she was seventeen he suddenly realized that he didn't think of her as a sister anymore, but also that she was way too young for those feelings. He did his best to avoid her until he finally get the courage to ask her out when she was twenty one. He was crushed by her behavior that night and chalked it up to her being a spoiled brat. Now he has to deal with her again and all he can see to start with is her determination to get away from the ranch. He is still attracted to her which makes him angry because he doesn't want to fall for her again, thinking that she is still the selfish girl he remembered. But as they spend time together caring for the horses and then her dog, he sees that the caring woman is still there, just buried beneath the surface she shows to others. Dan had a great capacity for love that showed in the way he took care of the animals he treated and also in the way that he dealt with the people who were attached to those animals. It became clear that Dan had transferred all those feelings he had for Cassidy to the animals. He had also realized that no one ever made him feel the way he did about her. He had amazing strength of will to resist being with her for a short term fling knowing that he wanted her in his life permanently. I loved the way that he went after her at the end.
There is also still a good amount of tension in the family as they are still dealing with Brock's death. The truth about Winnie and the baby comes out and the family has to decide how to handle that also. I liked the way that everyone is watching Olive to make sure she behaves. There is also some minor setting up for the next book.
I really liked both Cassidy and Dan. Cassidy had had a crush on Dan when she was younger. He was best friends with her brothers and she spent a lot of time tagging after them. When she was twenty one he asked her out to a dance. While there she got scared of the intensity of her feelings for him and treated him badly. Since then he has been very cold to her whenever they met. When she arrives at the ranch she ends up having to deal with him as the vet for the sick horses. With four more years of maturity she is able to offer Dan the apology he deserves and they come to a truce. Once they did and spent some time together I could see how a much better relationship was developing. She is really enjoying her time back on the ranch, being with the animals again and enjoying the open spaces. I really loved seeing how happy she was being back on the ranch. But Cassidy is still determined to get a job in the city and away from her controlling mother. Olive is doing everything she can to push Cassidy and Dan together and to get Cassidy to stay on the ranch. She is so obvious about it that it embarrasses Cassidy and also makes her angry. Meanwhile Cassidy knows that her feelings for Dan are growing stronger but she refuses to consider a future for them that involves her staying in Coffee Creek. If it hadn't been for Olive's manipulative ways Cassidy probably would have made her decisions much sooner, but instead they caused Cassidy to dig in her heels. I did like the decisions she made at the end and how she was able to start standing up for herself.
Dan was a great guy. He was best friends with Cassidy's brothers and remembered her from when she was a little kid. When she was seventeen he suddenly realized that he didn't think of her as a sister anymore, but also that she was way too young for those feelings. He did his best to avoid her until he finally get the courage to ask her out when she was twenty one. He was crushed by her behavior that night and chalked it up to her being a spoiled brat. Now he has to deal with her again and all he can see to start with is her determination to get away from the ranch. He is still attracted to her which makes him angry because he doesn't want to fall for her again, thinking that she is still the selfish girl he remembered. But as they spend time together caring for the horses and then her dog, he sees that the caring woman is still there, just buried beneath the surface she shows to others. Dan had a great capacity for love that showed in the way he took care of the animals he treated and also in the way that he dealt with the people who were attached to those animals. It became clear that Dan had transferred all those feelings he had for Cassidy to the animals. He had also realized that no one ever made him feel the way he did about her. He had amazing strength of will to resist being with her for a short term fling knowing that he wanted her in his life permanently. I loved the way that he went after her at the end.
There is also still a good amount of tension in the family as they are still dealing with Brock's death. The truth about Winnie and the baby comes out and the family has to decide how to handle that also. I liked the way that everyone is watching Olive to make sure she behaves. There is also some minor setting up for the next book.
March 10, 2013
won this book here on Goodreads, thank you C.J Carmichael for that. Her Cowboy Dilemma was an awesome book. Cassidy comes home after finishing school, she intends to relax and enjoy her time home at the ranch until she gets the call from the accounting job in Billings, but that doesn't happen horses get sick and are quarantined, so she tends to them. during the weeks she is tending to the sick horses she gets closer to Dan Farley Vet doctor, her brothers best friend and the guy she blew off four years ago. He was frosty at first towards her but starts to melt as the weeks go by. and oh we can not forget about Olive the very manipulative and controlling mother who can't keep out of her kids personal lives, she is one piece of work lol glad she ain't my mother. I can't believe what she did and at first doesn't own up to it, not nice. Some secrets are revealed but many more to learn about. Cassidy resist all matchmaking skills from her mother and the one time her brother Corb, his wife Laurel and her foster brother Jackson try one, she blew up after that because she is very determined to get that accounting job and she says that is what she wants but her heart wasn't in it. This book was bout Cassidy following her heart even if her mother was right lol. I loved this book, it was heartbreaking, sweet and romantic. I enjoyed reading Her Cowboy Dilemma I can not wait until Promise from a Cowboy in July and Cowboy Christmas in October. C.J Carmichael you are an awesome author.
March 19, 2013
This is the second book in C. J. Carmichael’s COFFEE CREEK, MONTANA series and tells the story of Cassidy, the lone sister in the ranching Lambert family. I’ll confess, I barely recalled Cassidy from the first book, REMEMBER ME, COWBOY, as she didn’t figure much in the plot. In this novel, HER COWBOY DILEMMA, it took me a while to warm up to her but the payoff was great.
I was smiling through most of the novel. Except for a particularly heart-wrenching scene that had me reaching for a box of tissues. It’s a sentimental read, with a hunky hero and a meddling mother. Any woman who’s experienced friction with her own mama will be able to relate, which I’m sure includes a big chunk of the population.
As to the subplots, the mystery of the battle between the matriarch of the family and her sister grows deeper, and we find out more about Winnie, the bride at the beginning of book #1. If you missed that one, you’ll still be able to enjoy Cassidy’s story, as Carmichael does a deft recap without becoming repetitive. Still, if you can get a hold of REMEMBER ME, COWBOY, it’s a good read, too.
Note: I received an advanced copy of HER COWBOY DILEMMA in return for an honest review.
I was smiling through most of the novel. Except for a particularly heart-wrenching scene that had me reaching for a box of tissues. It’s a sentimental read, with a hunky hero and a meddling mother. Any woman who’s experienced friction with her own mama will be able to relate, which I’m sure includes a big chunk of the population.
As to the subplots, the mystery of the battle between the matriarch of the family and her sister grows deeper, and we find out more about Winnie, the bride at the beginning of book #1. If you missed that one, you’ll still be able to enjoy Cassidy’s story, as Carmichael does a deft recap without becoming repetitive. Still, if you can get a hold of REMEMBER ME, COWBOY, it’s a good read, too.
Note: I received an advanced copy of HER COWBOY DILEMMA in return for an honest review.
March 22, 2013
I loved this book and could not put it down! Wonderful story of romance, family,commmitments and of course family intrigues! Now looking to order the first book "Remember Me, Cowboy" and can hardly wait to read the third one this Summer. Thank you C.J Carmichael
January 22, 2020
Read these awhile ago. Comments and review to follow.
You can find me over on Facebook at My Open Book at the Dragonfly. Come over and say hello.
You can find me over on Facebook at My Open Book at the Dragonfly. Come over and say hello.
February 23, 2013
4 STARS
Coffee Creek, Montana book 2
Well I enjoyed Her Cowboy Dilemma. Some of the secrets are revealed and others are still hidden.
I am glad that Olive is not my mother or I am not like her. The characters are interesting and I want to know more about them. What secrets are they hiding?
Cassidy Lambert is finally done with school. She hopes to get a accounting job in Billings. She is just going to stay at her family's ranch till then. She loves her animals sky her dog and her horse.
At Coffee Creek Ranch their is a horse virus going around. So major trouble if it gets passed on. The horses are under quarantine. The Ranch is understaffed anyway since Brock's death. Cassidy agrees to take over the horses who are sick and clean everything and keeping it from spreading.
Dan Farley is the vet in the area and he hates Cassidy. He tells her what she will have to do to keep the virus from getting out of hand. A few years ago Cassidy did something that made Dan hate her.
Brock was killed on his way to his wedding. Olive did not like his choice of wife so has not been in touch with her. So she does not know that she has another grandchild.
Olive wants her daughter to stay and work on the ranch books. She also is match making she thinks Dan would be a good match for her.
Lot of family problems, ranch talk,sick animals,romance. Its a nice romance. I can't wait till the next book comes out.
I was given the Her Cowboy Dilemma by the author and asked to give it honest review when done.
Publication Date: April 2, 2013 | Series: Harlequin American Romance (Book 1446) 224 pages ISBN-10: 0373754507
discription below taken off of Amazon
Going Home Shouldn't Be This Hard…
Cassidy Lambert traded in Montana's big sky country for the big-city lights—forever. Until a potentially devastating equine illness threatens her family's ranch, and Cassidy is needed at home to help. She thinks she knows what she wants from life, but the more she's around sexy veterinarian Dan Farley, the more confused she gets.
When Cassidy comes back to the open Western landscape Dan loves, she's nothing but a beautiful burr under his saddle. She stomped on his heart once before, and he's not eager for another go-around. But he just can't keep himself away from those green eyes and sweet curves. It's a good thing she'll soon be gone again. Because he can't trust her—or himself—when she's around!
Coffee Creek, Montana book 2
Well I enjoyed Her Cowboy Dilemma. Some of the secrets are revealed and others are still hidden.
I am glad that Olive is not my mother or I am not like her. The characters are interesting and I want to know more about them. What secrets are they hiding?
Cassidy Lambert is finally done with school. She hopes to get a accounting job in Billings. She is just going to stay at her family's ranch till then. She loves her animals sky her dog and her horse.
At Coffee Creek Ranch their is a horse virus going around. So major trouble if it gets passed on. The horses are under quarantine. The Ranch is understaffed anyway since Brock's death. Cassidy agrees to take over the horses who are sick and clean everything and keeping it from spreading.
Dan Farley is the vet in the area and he hates Cassidy. He tells her what she will have to do to keep the virus from getting out of hand. A few years ago Cassidy did something that made Dan hate her.
Brock was killed on his way to his wedding. Olive did not like his choice of wife so has not been in touch with her. So she does not know that she has another grandchild.
Olive wants her daughter to stay and work on the ranch books. She also is match making she thinks Dan would be a good match for her.
Lot of family problems, ranch talk,sick animals,romance. Its a nice romance. I can't wait till the next book comes out.
I was given the Her Cowboy Dilemma by the author and asked to give it honest review when done.
Publication Date: April 2, 2013 | Series: Harlequin American Romance (Book 1446) 224 pages ISBN-10: 0373754507
discription below taken off of Amazon
Going Home Shouldn't Be This Hard…
Cassidy Lambert traded in Montana's big sky country for the big-city lights—forever. Until a potentially devastating equine illness threatens her family's ranch, and Cassidy is needed at home to help. She thinks she knows what she wants from life, but the more she's around sexy veterinarian Dan Farley, the more confused she gets.
When Cassidy comes back to the open Western landscape Dan loves, she's nothing but a beautiful burr under his saddle. She stomped on his heart once before, and he's not eager for another go-around. But he just can't keep himself away from those green eyes and sweet curves. It's a good thing she'll soon be gone again. Because he can't trust her—or himself—when she's around!
December 31, 2015
Heck and Darn
This had all the trappings of greatness I think, but fell just a little short. I really like that 'grow into love' trope where the characters have known each other a long time. Cassidy grew up with Farley knocking around with her brothers and seemed to admire him. If more history between the two was revealed (particularly after Farley realized his attraction to Cass), maybe I would have felt differently. I liked them together and I liked them separately as characters, I just didn't totally get that they were falling in love or were in love, like at all.
Not to say that it wasn't worth the read, there were some tender moments amd moments when you want to punch Cass's mom in the face (did I just say that?). We also still have the entire mystery surrounding Maddie and Jackson and (now) Vince that needs to be unraveled.
AND, I did connect with that damn horse. I may have gotten a little choked up at one point, so the story did pull some emotion out of me.
It's been so dreary and oppressive weather wise around here lately that this book definitely had me longing from some Montana skies; big, open, sunny Montana skies.
This had all the trappings of greatness I think, but fell just a little short. I really like that 'grow into love' trope where the characters have known each other a long time. Cassidy grew up with Farley knocking around with her brothers and seemed to admire him. If more history between the two was revealed (particularly after Farley realized his attraction to Cass), maybe I would have felt differently. I liked them together and I liked them separately as characters, I just didn't totally get that they were falling in love or were in love, like at all.
Not to say that it wasn't worth the read, there were some tender moments amd moments when you want to punch Cass's mom in the face (did I just say that?). We also still have the entire mystery surrounding Maddie and Jackson and (now) Vince that needs to be unraveled.
AND, I did connect with that damn horse. I may have gotten a little choked up at one point, so the story did pull some emotion out of me.
It's been so dreary and oppressive weather wise around here lately that this book definitely had me longing from some Montana skies; big, open, sunny Montana skies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2013
I really felt for these two characters. Cassidy was smart and caring, but also had enough hangups to be be real. Farley was a very sweet and sensitive man, but he had put up with alot of her baggage. The story was well-told.
August 31, 2015
What a sweet romance story. My first book that I have read by C.J. Carmichael and I am happy to say it did not disappoint. Won via Goodreads Giveaway.
Read
June 30, 2016Miniseries: Coffee Creek, Montana
Category: Home and Family
Category: Home and Family
August 23, 2020
A Harlequin Must ❤️ Dogs combo.
This was the 2nd story.
I know this author can write but this is only a 2.5 stars.
Selling this.
This was the 2nd story.
I know this author can write but this is only a 2.5 stars.
Selling this.
September 13, 2013
This is the second book in the Coffee Creek Montana series. You could read them in order, but having read the first book, I don't think it's entirely necessary. There's a prologue on this one so it kind of fills in the backstory and you can muddle through without any trouble. That being said, I do think the first was a better written book.
Cassidy has just graduated and while she waits to hear about a job interview, she's moving back home. Something she's not looking forward to with her overbearing mother. And her arrival coincides with an outbreak of illness in their horses on the ranch. Which means that she's going to have to spend a lot of time with the local vet; a man whose heart she broke and he's never forgiven her for it.
Cassidy is kind of a weak character. She spends all this time being passionate about something but doesn't seem to truly know herself and has multiple changes of heart. She's flaky. The male lead is actually the better character this time around. He had a wide range of emotions and strong feelings and was very appealing. The mother; I can't decide if she's for real or not. I know there are people out there like her, but it's hard to believe no one has really called her down for her actions and gave her some consequences. It's infuriating at times. I also grew tired of the conflict with her sister. Since the author isn't willing to even let a tidbit drop about what was going on, I kind of just lost interest.
I also thought the plot was weaker this time around. It seemed very out there with the cause of the horse illness and the "strife" between Cassidy and Dan seemed forced. Especially since they are able to dash it away pretty quickly. But being that this is a romance novel I can't absolutely trash the book. It was still mostly entertaining and involved cowboys. Those are good things. I just sometimes wish that romance novel writers would spend more time developing stories and characters, especially if they have a lot of potential to begin with. And since this was a quick read, it was hard to put down. On the romance side of things there wasn't a whole lot of description, but things were insinuated.
Not the best in the series so far, but I still think this is a series worth reading. Can't wait to get on to the next
Her Cowboy Dilemma
Copyright 2013
219 pages
Review by M. Reynard
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Cassidy has just graduated and while she waits to hear about a job interview, she's moving back home. Something she's not looking forward to with her overbearing mother. And her arrival coincides with an outbreak of illness in their horses on the ranch. Which means that she's going to have to spend a lot of time with the local vet; a man whose heart she broke and he's never forgiven her for it.
Cassidy is kind of a weak character. She spends all this time being passionate about something but doesn't seem to truly know herself and has multiple changes of heart. She's flaky. The male lead is actually the better character this time around. He had a wide range of emotions and strong feelings and was very appealing. The mother; I can't decide if she's for real or not. I know there are people out there like her, but it's hard to believe no one has really called her down for her actions and gave her some consequences. It's infuriating at times. I also grew tired of the conflict with her sister. Since the author isn't willing to even let a tidbit drop about what was going on, I kind of just lost interest.
I also thought the plot was weaker this time around. It seemed very out there with the cause of the horse illness and the "strife" between Cassidy and Dan seemed forced. Especially since they are able to dash it away pretty quickly. But being that this is a romance novel I can't absolutely trash the book. It was still mostly entertaining and involved cowboys. Those are good things. I just sometimes wish that romance novel writers would spend more time developing stories and characters, especially if they have a lot of potential to begin with. And since this was a quick read, it was hard to put down. On the romance side of things there wasn't a whole lot of description, but things were insinuated.
Not the best in the series so far, but I still think this is a series worth reading. Can't wait to get on to the next
Her Cowboy Dilemma
Copyright 2013
219 pages
Review by M. Reynard
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
November 24, 2013
I love CJ Carmichael, it doesn't hurt that she sends me her novels to read and review. This one was great, at times trying but overall I could feel the emotion and thought the romance between hero and heroine was heart stopping. <3
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