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Colorado Cowgirls #4.5
Claiming the Cowgirl
This novella was previously published in Christmas Bells & Wedding Vows: A Marriage of Convenience Anthology.
Serena Taylor is hiding in Colorado’s high country to protect her son from her late husband’s family, and she knows the best way to keep custody of him is by marrying again. With single women in short supply, she has her pick of men. But having been in one loveless marriage already, she’s given up on love and simply wants to find a good father for her little boy.
After multiple failed relationships, Weston Oakley’s meddling family has determined that he will never be able to find a wife. To placate them and prove they’re wrong, Weston tells them he’ll have a wife by Christmas. The only problem is that he’s been hurt one too many times and is reluctant to give his heart away again.
When Serena and her little boy end up at Weston’s ranch on a cold winter’s night, a mix-up leaves Weston with little choice but to propose. He offers her a marriage of convenience that will benefit them both. While neither Weston nor Serena are looking for love, it begins to grow anyway. Will they be able to stake their claim on love before danger catches up and threatens to tear them apart?
Serena Taylor is hiding in Colorado’s high country to protect her son from her late husband’s family, and she knows the best way to keep custody of him is by marrying again. With single women in short supply, she has her pick of men. But having been in one loveless marriage already, she’s given up on love and simply wants to find a good father for her little boy.
After multiple failed relationships, Weston Oakley’s meddling family has determined that he will never be able to find a wife. To placate them and prove they’re wrong, Weston tells them he’ll have a wife by Christmas. The only problem is that he’s been hurt one too many times and is reluctant to give his heart away again.
When Serena and her little boy end up at Weston’s ranch on a cold winter’s night, a mix-up leaves Weston with little choice but to propose. He offers her a marriage of convenience that will benefit them both. While neither Weston nor Serena are looking for love, it begins to grow anyway. Will they be able to stake their claim on love before danger catches up and threatens to tear them apart?
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2024
100 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Jody Hedlund
104 books4,718 followersJody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.
Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 28, 2024
My only critique is that I wish it was a full novel due to the quick timeline.
May 28, 2024
I’m so glad Weston got his happy ending!!! What a great story!
Serena and her son, Tate were introduced in book 4, Captivated By The Cowgirl. You could tell she was running from something but we did t find out what until this book.
Weston was also in the last book. He was a decent guy but he wasn’t the one to win the girl in that story. We get to see just how wonderful he is and just how honorable.
We got a glimpse of his family during the family Christmas and I honestly can’t wait to start reading his siblings stories next month when Waiting For The Ranger comes out.
This book was a bit shorter than the other ones but it lacked nothing. I look forward to seeing more of them in the next five books.
Serena and her son, Tate were introduced in book 4, Captivated By The Cowgirl. You could tell she was running from something but we did t find out what until this book.
Weston was also in the last book. He was a decent guy but he wasn’t the one to win the girl in that story. We get to see just how wonderful he is and just how honorable.
We got a glimpse of his family during the family Christmas and I honestly can’t wait to start reading his siblings stories next month when Waiting For The Ranger comes out.
This book was a bit shorter than the other ones but it lacked nothing. I look forward to seeing more of them in the next five books.
May 13, 2024
Jody Hedlund’s Claiming the Cowboy is a fun novella that fits in with her Colorado Cowgirls series. Weston Oakley couldn’t get Felicity Courtney to fall in love with him (for the back story, read Captivated by the Cowgirl), but was so sure she’d finally say yes that he told his family he’d bring his wife to their Christmas celebration. Now that she’s married someone else, what is he going to do? Serena Taylor needs a husband to protect her son from her dead husband’s family. I really enjoyed reading how the two get together and fall in love for real. Watch out for cute kids and dogs.
November 25, 2024
Adorable Christmas cowboy romance
Though this is a novella it was packed with all the beauty of a novel and the growth of the characters was amazing.
Weston was a sweetheart and the way he welcomed Serena and Tate was downright swoony.
Loved the Christmas theme and the swoony moments.
💋Descriptive kisses
⚠️Ex husband was a punk
Though this is a novella it was packed with all the beauty of a novel and the growth of the characters was amazing.
Weston was a sweetheart and the way he welcomed Serena and Tate was downright swoony.
Loved the Christmas theme and the swoony moments.
💋Descriptive kisses
⚠️Ex husband was a punk
March 2, 2024
Serena Taylor grew up on a ranch in Oklahoma. Her father arranged for her to marry the son of a friend in Colorado, but the marriage was not a happy one. Upon his death, and after her father-in-law threatens to take her two-year-old son, Serena and Tate flee to Fairplay.
Weston Oakley grew up on a ranch in a nearby town. Wanting to strike out on his own and after losing his first love in a tragic accident, Weston moved to Fairplay. While successful in business, his attempts at finding a wife have failed.
Not wanting to endure the looks of pity from his family another Christmas, Weston proposes a marriage of convenience. Believing if she remarries, the danger of losing Tate will be over, Serena agrees.
Claiming The Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund is the final book in the Colorado Cowgirls series and the beginning of a new series coming next year. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more about the Oakley family.
I purchased a paperback copy of Christmas Bells And Wedding Vows, of which this novella is a part.
Weston Oakley grew up on a ranch in a nearby town. Wanting to strike out on his own and after losing his first love in a tragic accident, Weston moved to Fairplay. While successful in business, his attempts at finding a wife have failed.
Not wanting to endure the looks of pity from his family another Christmas, Weston proposes a marriage of convenience. Believing if she remarries, the danger of losing Tate will be over, Serena agrees.
Claiming The Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund is the final book in the Colorado Cowgirls series and the beginning of a new series coming next year. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more about the Oakley family.
I purchased a paperback copy of Christmas Bells And Wedding Vows, of which this novella is a part.
September 1, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam Level: 🔥 (kissing only)
Quick Notes:
*Book 5 in a Series
*Novella
*Marriage of Convenience
*Single Parent
*Past Trauma
My Thoughts:
This was right up there with book 4 as my favorite in the series! Novellas can be hit or miss with romance considering how short they are, but I definitely felt the love between Serena and Weston. I was really excited to see them find love after being introduced in Felicity's story.
Serena was a bit meddling at first, but she had good intentions. I loved how she cared for Tate and wanted to see him grow and thrive. She had some insecurities from her first marriage, so it was understandable that she would be unsure of Weston's feelings and whether or not she was a good wife.
Weston was a great father and husband from the very beginning. I enjoyed watching him interact with Tate, and he had some really sweet lines for Serena. It was great getting to know him better.
This was the perfect conclusion to the series, and I'm excited for Weston's siblings to find love of their own!
Steam Level: 🔥 (kissing only)
Quick Notes:
*Book 5 in a Series
*Novella
*Marriage of Convenience
*Single Parent
*Past Trauma
My Thoughts:
This was right up there with book 4 as my favorite in the series! Novellas can be hit or miss with romance considering how short they are, but I definitely felt the love between Serena and Weston. I was really excited to see them find love after being introduced in Felicity's story.
Serena was a bit meddling at first, but she had good intentions. I loved how she cared for Tate and wanted to see him grow and thrive. She had some insecurities from her first marriage, so it was understandable that she would be unsure of Weston's feelings and whether or not she was a good wife.
Weston was a great father and husband from the very beginning. I enjoyed watching him interact with Tate, and he had some really sweet lines for Serena. It was great getting to know him better.
This was the perfect conclusion to the series, and I'm excited for Weston's siblings to find love of their own!
February 4, 2024
If you have been following me for a while, you know that Jody Hedlund is my favorite author. Every single book that I have read of hers has been an automatic five stars. Even though this was a novella, I still enjoyed it just as much as I would a full-length novel. If this author writes it, I will love it no matter what.
I wish this could have been a full-length book, because I loved the characters so much. I am usually not a fan of novellas because I always want them to be longer. Claiming the Cowgirl, even though it was only a hundred some pages, had loveable characters, a sweet romance, and touching moments. My favorite trope is marriage of convenience, and Jody Hedlund always writes the most perfect books with that trope.
My heart broke for Serena. Everything she had to go through with her first husband and his family broke my heart. The moments she shared with her son throughout the novella were the sweetest. Weston was the perfect hero, and I loved how he cared for Serena and her son even without knowing them for long.
Claiming the Cowgirl was the perfect conclusion to this beautiful series. I cannot wait for her next western series to release, and we get to see Weston's siblings get their stories! I loved this little novella so much from beginning to end. The teaser at the end of Claiming the Cowgirl made me so excited to read Maverick’s story.
Claiming the Cowgirl is a closed-door marriage of convenience novella that will have you smiling from the first page until the last. This story was so cute, and I hope we get to see these characters again in future books!
I wish this could have been a full-length book, because I loved the characters so much. I am usually not a fan of novellas because I always want them to be longer. Claiming the Cowgirl, even though it was only a hundred some pages, had loveable characters, a sweet romance, and touching moments. My favorite trope is marriage of convenience, and Jody Hedlund always writes the most perfect books with that trope.
My heart broke for Serena. Everything she had to go through with her first husband and his family broke my heart. The moments she shared with her son throughout the novella were the sweetest. Weston was the perfect hero, and I loved how he cared for Serena and her son even without knowing them for long.
Claiming the Cowgirl was the perfect conclusion to this beautiful series. I cannot wait for her next western series to release, and we get to see Weston's siblings get their stories! I loved this little novella so much from beginning to end. The teaser at the end of Claiming the Cowgirl made me so excited to read Maverick’s story.
Claiming the Cowgirl is a closed-door marriage of convenience novella that will have you smiling from the first page until the last. This story was so cute, and I hope we get to see these characters again in future books!
March 29, 2024
Tropes/Themes: Christmas, novella, historical, christian, single mother, marriage of convenience, small town, one bed, strong family elements
My Review:
I loved Serena and Weston's story so much! It had all my favourite tropes that were done to perfection. Getting to experience Fairplay at Christmastime was so heartwarming and I can't think of a place more inviting or welcoming to spend the most wonderful time of the year. Serina was such an amazing mother, willing to make so many sacrifices, including her potential happiness to ensure her son was safe and cared for. Tate was too cute and I enjoyed watching all the interactions he had with Weston as they became a family. I'm beyond excited to see more of the Oakley family in the High Country Ranch series! Maverick's up first, his book is coming this June!
Format Read: Ebook (K.U.)
My Review:
I loved Serena and Weston's story so much! It had all my favourite tropes that were done to perfection. Getting to experience Fairplay at Christmastime was so heartwarming and I can't think of a place more inviting or welcoming to spend the most wonderful time of the year. Serina was such an amazing mother, willing to make so many sacrifices, including her potential happiness to ensure her son was safe and cared for. Tate was too cute and I enjoyed watching all the interactions he had with Weston as they became a family. I'm beyond excited to see more of the Oakley family in the High Country Ranch series! Maverick's up first, his book is coming this June!
Format Read: Ebook (K.U.)
May 23, 2024
I read this novella as part of the Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows anthology. Set in 1878 in Coldplay, Colorado, this novella fits in perfectly with Ms. Hedlund’s awesome Colorado Cowgirl series. I love the way Serena and Weston’s story unfolds as they fight against past hurts and fears and learn to trust each other. This story combines adventure, romance, and faith in just the right doses to make an enjoyable, inspiring read. Note: You can totally enjoy this story without having read the other books in the series, but I highly recommend the series also!
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 30, 2025
As the fifth and last installment of The Colorado Cowgirls series by Jody Hedlund, Claiming the Cowgirl is another super sweet Christian western romance! Set once again during the 1870s in Fairplay, Colorado, this book is shorter than the other novels in this series. I enjoyed reading Serena and Weston's story and witnessing their unbreakable love for one another by the end of the book. Overall, another great read by Jody Hedlund that I would recommend to fellow Christian romance readers! Suitable for high school readers and older.
March 20, 2024
Excellent
Having read the previous four books of this Colorado Cowgirls series, I expected to enjoy this story as well. It did not disappoint! I became invested in the lives of the main characters immediately and couldn't put it down. Serena reveals herself to be a strong woman who fights to protect her young son, who is generous and selfless and capable of loving the endearing local businessman who embraces the chance for a wife and son.
Having read the previous four books of this Colorado Cowgirls series, I expected to enjoy this story as well. It did not disappoint! I became invested in the lives of the main characters immediately and couldn't put it down. Serena reveals herself to be a strong woman who fights to protect her young son, who is generous and selfless and capable of loving the endearing local businessman who embraces the chance for a wife and son.
May 31, 2024
Welp, Dylan and Catherine have some competition as my favorite cowboy MOC book from Jody. I just ❤️LOVE❤️ MOC with young children involved. I will have to reread Last Chance Cowboy so I can decide who I love more 🤭
*sigh* I’m so glad Weston got his HEA. And that Serena got to experience what real love and family look like. And Tate got to finally have a Pa who loved him 🫠
A sweet, short, easy read! Go pick this one up today!
*sigh* I’m so glad Weston got his HEA. And that Serena got to experience what real love and family look like. And Tate got to finally have a Pa who loved him 🫠
A sweet, short, easy read! Go pick this one up today!
September 4, 2025
She could think of only one thing. She tugged at Weston, drawing him back to his feet. Then she pulled him toward her and captured his mouth with hers. She didn’t have much to give, but she offered him a kiss that was filled with all her passion . . . and with the promise of all that was yet to come.
Thank you, Jody Hedlund, for this lovely day 😘 😊 💕
Thank you, Jody Hedlund, for this lovely day 😘 😊 💕
November 14, 2025
I really liked Weston and was curious about Serena…their story was perfect!
I absolutely love a super sweet MMC and an even sweeter FMC add in a precious little boy and what more could you want.
I cannot wait to read the next series with Weston’s family and hope we see more of this sweet little trio!
Great way to end this series!
I absolutely love a super sweet MMC and an even sweeter FMC add in a precious little boy and what more could you want.
I cannot wait to read the next series with Weston’s family and hope we see more of this sweet little trio!
Great way to end this series!
December 5, 2025
Outstanding
Love Jody's books as she grabs the reader on the 1st page & doesn't let go. Both the h & H have past difficult relationship histories. Each wants/needs a special connection. Enjoyed the setup of how ĥe "rescued" the h & her son. His housekeeper + his brother coming when he did + the H's other family made this a great story.
Love Jody's books as she grabs the reader on the 1st page & doesn't let go. Both the h & H have past difficult relationship histories. Each wants/needs a special connection. Enjoyed the setup of how ĥe "rescued" the h & her son. His housekeeper + his brother coming when he did + the H's other family made this a great story.
March 18, 2024
Enjoyed the story
Enjoyed the sweet love story. A marriage of convenience that turns into more. The hard marriage before and her need to keep her boy safe, made her a little skittish to trust a man again. Clean romance with a little heat.
Enjoyed the sweet love story. A marriage of convenience that turns into more. The hard marriage before and her need to keep her boy safe, made her a little skittish to trust a man again. Clean romance with a little heat.
December 1, 2024
Claiming the Cowgirl (Colorado Cowgirls #4.5) by Jody Hedlund – This sweet widow will do anything it takes to protect her son including marrying a man who is guarding his heart from a series of heartbreaks and disappointments! So sweet! Happy Holiday Reading!
December 15, 2024
I enjoyed this Sweet Christmas novella by Jody Hedlund. Little Tate stole the show in the marriage-of-convenience story between his mom Serena and Weston Oakley.
If you love historical Christmas novellas check out "Claiming the Cowgirl"!
If you love historical Christmas novellas check out "Claiming the Cowgirl"!
January 25, 2025
This was a fantastic Contemporary Christian fiction cowboy themed book! The story was believable and the characters heartwarming. I was able to read a copy of this book via Overdrive, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.
January 23, 2024
Sweet novella. Enjoyed being introduced to the Oakley family and definitely look forward to reading their books later this year. Beautiful cover and pleasing happy ending!
December 14, 2024
Cute little novella!
December 16, 2024
This is such a sweet book!!!!! It felt very short, but that was probably in part to how good it was!!! It's definitely the perfect book for the Christmas season!!!
May 11, 2025
Short and sweet.
Weston is a gem and so glad he finally found his girl.
Such a nice story.
Love the cover of this book.
Weston is a gem and so glad he finally found his girl.
Such a nice story.
Love the cover of this book.
September 26, 2025
Cute short little novel! I’m sad the series is over!!
December 7, 2025
finally happiness
Love how tough Serena is! Love who Westin is. They are a match made in Heaven. You need to write a sequel!
Love how tough Serena is! Love who Westin is. They are a match made in Heaven. You need to write a sequel!
January 18, 2026
Very good.
March 23, 2024
Cute enough, but with these novellas, you just don’t get enough time to care about the characters and enjoy the romantic build-up.
May 19, 2025
A lovely novella to add to the Colorado Cowgirls collection!
November 17, 2025
Exceptionally good novella. Good character development and believable plot.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews