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Cowboys of Cold Creek #3

Dalton's Undoing

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He was known as a major player who'd left a swath of broken hearts across the Teton Valley. Yet when single mother Jenny Boyer saw the tenderness in Seth Dalton's eyes when he looked at her children — not to mention her — it was impossible for her to believe it was all a game.

She was new to this small town, a school principal who needed to be respected. The last man she should be getting involved with was the Hunk of Cold Creek! But every time Seth came near, Jenny could feel herself falling...like all of the women who'd come before her. So why did she hope that her story would have a different ending — as in, happily ever after?

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2006

318 people are currently reading
691 people want to read

About the author

RaeAnne Thayne

306 books3,750 followers
I'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.

Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.

After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.

Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.

I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.

I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.

Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.

I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com

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5 stars
755 (46%)
4 stars
544 (33%)
3 stars
273 (16%)
2 stars
45 (2%)
1 star
11 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Emily.
5,841 reviews543 followers
February 10, 2012
Jenny Boyer moved with her two children to Teton Valley hoping for a fresh start. Deeply immersed in her new job as Principal of the Elementary school, Jenny feels like she has to tow a straight line in order to show she is worthy of the job, after all a single mother has failed at one thing, staying married.

Town badboy, Seth Dalton is struck by Jenny's refusal to fall for his charm. Sure he has been rejected, but never so candidly. As Seth inserts himself in Jenny and her families life, he knows he wants more from her but she is resistent because of his reputation. Can Seth prove he is a changed man when it comes to Jenny or will she allow rumors to ruin what could be the best thing to ever happen to her.

I gave this a 3.99 very close to a four, the reason I got a little tired of Jenny throwing Seth's past in his face. You felt for him when his feelings were obviously very hurt. Otherwise a great book.
Profile Image for Tania Martins.
1,061 reviews60 followers
February 27, 2017
Engraçado, achei a Protagonista feminina meio totó, gostei do cowboy!
Profile Image for Kate Vale.
Author 24 books81 followers
November 7, 2021
Another of the Cowboys of Cold Creek series, in which Seth Dalton finds himself attracted to the last woman in the world he should be attracted to. She's strait-laced, working as the new principal of the local elementary school, isn't big-busted or have big hair and she doesn't wear tight jeans or low-cut sweaters. Oh, and she has two children, one an attitude-filled teen who has just stolen Seth's prized GTO!

Jenny doesn't understand why she's drawn to Seth, either, even though his presence seems to have calmed her rebellious teen. Furthermore, he seems to understand--because he suffered similarly--the fear that her young daughter has when she experiences an asthma attack. But Jenny has heard all about Seth's actions as a player, not someone she wants to get close to, but somehow she can't help herself.

What are they going to do? She decides she has to stay away. He is hurt that she can't seem to trust that he has changed. So what changes Jenny's mind? And will she actually enter the bar to apologize to him--even if it starts all those small-town tongues wagging?
Profile Image for Ylva.
456 reviews15 followers
December 6, 2018
My main goal with this novel turned out to be finishing it before 2019.

I loved Seth as a side character in the two first novels and I knew he'd get his own romance in the third - him and Jenny just didn't work for me. Also, it wasn't THAT Christmassy and :/

Parts of this novel were 3 stars easy, but the main chunk was 1 star and I thought about DNFing it or skimming the end more than a few times.

I'll keep on with the series tho, since this was the last Dalton novel. (And I have already sneak-read 37% of the next one on my list).

Goodbye Daltons, too bad it ended on a sour note.
Profile Image for Trewen.
975 reviews26 followers
Read
May 19, 2018
Another fail for me.

An authors is ALWAYS going to lose me when the heroine is a brainless idiot around good-looking men.
Good god, she's an educated women with children. Every single page was filled with "week-kneed"
"shivery" blah blah blah. The entire word count is about how attractive he is. No story development what so ever.
And apparently the hero all of a suddens WANTS her with a longing so strong his guts are twisting.
Even though he doesn't know her. At. All.

shake my head
Profile Image for April.
3,142 reviews14 followers
February 11, 2023
Seth Dalton has been the hold out as his brothers have married and move forward in Pine Gulch, Idaho. Enter Jennifer Boyer and her two children. The single mom is wary since her husband betrayed her and abandoned her and their two kids for another woman. Seth has a reputation as a player, but he is a good man.
It was great to see Seth grow and come to love Jenny, Cole and Meghan. I cried on this one.
Profile Image for Jasmyn.
1,604 reviews19 followers
October 17, 2024
This was a fun guy with a player reputation meets good girl storyline. A little predictable with the back and forth, will they won't they aspects. But the kids really helped showcase Seth's personality and desire to be there for all of Jenny's family. Jenny was a little too worried about her reputation at times. The fact that she had been burned before by a playboy seemed like a far better reason and wasn't really fleshed out as much as I think it could have been.
Profile Image for Joyce l Samo.
26 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2018
Great love story with some heartfelt moments.

Good plot and romance with a lot of emotion. Good clean fun with kids and lessons to be learned. A strong male figure to help shape a young trouble boy and a little girl with health problems.
I enjoyed this book and hope you will too.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,577 reviews20 followers
August 12, 2018
Nice story

Seth Dalton has a reputation as a player, someone who has gone to bed with many women and who leaves a trail of broken hearts behind. Jenny, the new principal at a local school, is attracted to Seth, but feels that as a divorced mother of two he couldn’t possibly be interested in her. Does she dare to open her heart to Seth?
1,016 reviews1 follower
June 7, 2022
Jenny moves in with her father after her husband dumps her for a 20 year old. With an unruly teenage son and a sweet little daughter she is afraid to get involved with Seth afraid his bad boy image will tarnish her school principals image. She is also afraid of how she is drawn to his kindness to her and her children. Can she break the shell around her heart ?
14 reviews
July 22, 2018
Daltons Undoing

I chose this rating as I enjoyed reading this book. The families are what a young girl dreamed about, while looking for love. I would recommend this book for dreamers.
Profile Image for Sue Stewart.
1,680 reviews11 followers
August 21, 2018
Seth was my favorite Dalton brother and I loved his story. His interactions with Cole and Morgan were heartfelt and so unexpected from the Town's heart throb. Jenny sure made him work for it. Funny, sweet, fall-in love perfect!
16 reviews
January 22, 2019
Another favorite in cold creek series.Like series that continue on in another book continues.


Wish there was more books to continue on with series. Needs family stories to continue on to children's lives &family

29 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2023
A love story set in current time with a plot that you can't guess exactly how it will end. I enjoyed this book very much. It was a Bonus book with another writer. It was a wonderful surprise to get two for one.
Profile Image for Courtney Teston.
17 reviews
July 5, 2025
Honestly loved this book! Seth to me sounded like a all around good guy just with some hard outer edges. Jenny on the other hand got on my nerves! Always playing the fence one minute she wants to be near him and the next she cant. Who cares what people think!!!!! But overall a great book!
4,416 reviews28 followers
November 30, 2017
Dalton's Undoing review

Dalton's Undoing is a delightful romance in The Cowboys of Cold Creek series written by author RaeAnne Thayne. Seth is the youngest Dalton to find love.
1,135 reviews16 followers
November 30, 2017
DALTON'S UNDOING

Love the Dalton family, Seth's book was great. Cole and Morgan were great supporting characters. Rocky romance, but what a sweet read.
428 reviews2 followers
May 4, 2018
Still wonderful characters!!!

This book is really good. It shows two very different people, both dealing with their pasts, coming together to learn to trust again!
404 reviews8 followers
July 10, 2018
Review

I enjoyed the characters and their story It's interesting how something that starts out not great can change your whole life
Profile Image for Patricia Rutland.
108 reviews
January 8, 2019
Trust Issues

Once again a wonderful romance novel by RaeAnne Thayne. If you are not familiar with her work,you owe yourself a favor to find out how great and addictive they are!
47 reviews
March 22, 2019
Never judge a book by it's cover

Thanks for such a sweet book.will look forward too reading more of your books.keep up the good work and I will keep reading.
1 review
June 7, 2019
Love this third story!

Just as good a love story as the ones about the first two brothers. Good character development and engrossing storyline. Always love a happy ending!
135 reviews
August 12, 2020
Seth Dalton (youngest brother) and Jenny Boyer grade school principle. 3 1/2 stars
33 reviews
November 15, 2020
Great read!

Family interaction is great. Enjoyed it immensely, the brothers have stolen my heart! As I read the series I hope I get to see the kids grow up in the next books
32 reviews25 followers
January 27, 2021
Solid RaeAnne Thayne - so come get your comforting small-town love story. This time it's a playboy redemption story (via cute children) versus the mom who finally finds love again.
Profile Image for Judith.
393 reviews
May 17, 2022
Very aggressive cowboy pursues older, lady principal very obnoxiously. Story published 2006. Thane created a character who won't accept, "No".
Profile Image for Jane Farris.
15 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2025
Heart Warming and Fun

I loved the characters and story. Loved the beautiful setting in Idaho too. I can't wait to read another one.
Profile Image for Tommie Morris.
206 reviews6 followers
August 4, 2018
Just a sweet love story... a single mother trying to lead a well spaced life , with no guy in sight ... not my results helping of A Thayer story , but I always love her books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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