A Cowboy's Bride

The Skyes of Heart Falls #1

by Vivian Arend

Get ready for another mini-series in the best-selling Heart Falls world.

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Pretend engagement, hidden sanctuary—where secrets and hope collide

Inspired by their stepfather’s legacy of paying it forward, Aiden Skye and his brothers bought Heart Falls Animal Rescue with a hidden agenda. More than a shelter for animals, it’ll be a refuge—a secret haven for people needing a place to hide and rebuild their lives. Aiden is determined to make High Water a success.

Petra Sorenson is looking for a new beginning in a place that already feels like home. With friends in Heart Falls ready to support her, an IT job waiting at her brother’s ranch, and some secret vigilante hacking on the side, she hopes a fresh start will heal her trampled heart.

Neither Aiden nor Petra expected their paths to cross again. Their fiery one-night stand years ago was supposed to stay in the past. But when they have to pretend to be engaged to protect a young woman, their lives begin to tangle.

Living together while building a secret safe house is complicated. Their attraction is undeniable, but adding real emotions to lies is messy.

But a little pretending never hurt anyone...right?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Westerns

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2024

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Vivian Arend loves to share the products of her over-active imagination with her readers. She writes contemporary, western, and light-hearted paranormal romances. The stories are humorous yet emotional, usually with a large cast of family or friends, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Vivian lives in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband of many years—her inspiration for every hero and a willing companion for all sorts of adventures.

Reviews

[QuinnReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Cowboy... 😍

Aiden Skye and Petra Sorenson are wonderful. They're good-hearted people with fantastic chemistry. I completely adore everything about them. The fact that they came into this having already discovered some of their chemistry many moons before gave this some extra credibility.

Aiden and his brothers are on a noble mission to make the world a better place, one rescued person or animal at a time. There's some quick thinking and unexpected twists for the couple in an effort to advance their cause. Even thrown for a loop, I love how Petra rolls with the punches publicly.

When it comes to Jinx, I can't stress enough how much I love what they do, how they approach each challenge, roadblock, or setback, and the little things they put in place to make her feel welcomed and safe. Not all care situations are created equal, but what they do to right the wrongs is amazing. Absolutely amazing. 🫂

I can't wait to see what comes next for Jake and his opposites attract book. It's cooking up to be quite the ride from what I've seen so far. 😂🤠

I received an author's copy of the audio book. The narrator is Tatiana Sokolov. I've listened to and enjoyed numerous books she's narrated. Her quality is consistent, and she's easy to listen to. 🎧🩵🎧

Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x

[Renée Gendron]

This is a great, easy ready.

There's a slow burn relationship between the main characters that leans more touch spicy not very spicy. Much of the story focuses on the character's interactions in building/co-building a safe house for adolescents in difficult times. The characters are mature, hold their own ground without being aggressive or horrible towards one another, and they have full lives. By that I mean, they have more going on / to do than focus exclusively on the development of the romantic relationship. They both have laudable non-romantic goals.

This is a fake dating, slow burn, save-the-safe-haven romance that is perfect for readers who enjoy low sexual tension, characters who think things through and communicate clearly, and collaborate towards high goals.

[Lexee Toste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this one! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention the entire time. This can be read as a standalone as we are starting a new spin off series but readers of any of the other Heart Falls series will already know some of the characters and the town. I love what the Skye's are setting up and Heart Falls is a perfect place for it. I was super excited to come back and loved getting to know Petra better and getting to know Aiden and his brothers. Aiden and his brothers have moved back and bought the animal rescue and have plans to both continue with that and also expand it as a safe place for those who need it and help getting back on their feet. While they are getting things set up and Aiden is starting to reconnect with Petra, as they have both just moved to Heart Falls, they end up with the option to help someone who needs it. But in order to do so, they need a woman on premise and so Aiden's brother comes up with a quick lie on the spot and says that Aiden and Petra are engaged. Once they explain the situation, Petra is on board to help out. I loved watching everybody grow and work together. They all had things that they were working on and I loved watching the relationships grow with Jinx, the teenager they are helping. This story can be a little emotional with reasons for why Jinx needed help and work out of the system but it doesn't go into too much depth. Aiden and Petra were so good together as well. They really fit and worked together well so while it was "pretend" there really wasn't much pretending going on. I am super excited for the next one in the series and to finally see Tansy get her happily ever after.
The narrator did a fantastic job with the characters and the story and bringing them all to life. I really enjoyed listening to it.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5

Hot and Sweet!

I loved going back to Heart Falls. This is a great story and a great start to a new series. There are fun romance tropes: fake engagement, a one-night stand that ends up being more, but it’s also all about the family feeling that Vivian Arend always brings to her cowboy books. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of reading/listening to Tatiana Sokolov narrate Vivian Arend’s words. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

[Just Read and Imagine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of the Skyes of Heart Falls begins with three Skye brothers remodeling the animal rescue and turning it into High Water, a rescue center for both people and animals who have been abused. The brothers, with the help of Petra Sorenson, sister of the towns vet Zach jump right in when they receive their first client, sixteen year old Jinx. This audiobook is so moving. Reuniting with the people of Heart Falls is just icing on the cake for this new series. Tatiana Sokolov continues to be an exceptional narrator for Vivian Arend. @vivianarend

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this one was set in a familiar world, the brothers were new and it was a bit slow as we learned what they were setting about to do. I loved their plans and had high hopes for them. That Petra and Aiden had a bit of a past they were looking forward to rekindling was a bonus for them.

Things got more interesting, as one part of what the brothers were planning, needed to start ASAP. Jinx brought about a whole new dynamic, one that was good, but everyone was so scared at first and it didn't help that for Jinx to be safe with them things had to start with a lie.

I loved how Petra and the brothers did what they could to welcome Jinx, to find different ways to make her feel safe, to be a part of the family. They all managed that and you could see everyone was happy with how things turned out.

It was only towards the end were a bit of a snafu came up, some miscommunication and others not being let in on the secret that trouble occurred. Once all of those items were resolved, things were back to being one big happy family, something they all deserved!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I am so glad to be back in Heart Falls! I loved this story of Aiden and Petra! It started with one memorable night a few years ago. Now Aiden and Petra are both living in Heart Falls. What starts as a favor for a good reason, has them living together, engaged! I love what the Skye brothers are doing. Their mission to pay it forward is heartwarming. I love this first book in the mini series and can't wait for Jake's story. I highly recommend this book!

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two were made to be together! Getting them from faking to real was natural and easy, but it just took them a bit to catch up with their emotions. A wonderful introduction to these three brothers, and a great way to spend some time with recent favourites <3

[Nate Brightman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Not a lot of surprises in this story. No new contemporary romance ground was broken. But going back to Heart Falls has always been a pleasurable experience for me. I still found it an enjoyable warm, funny sexy read set in a small town ranching community in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.
A Cowboy’s Bride kicks off a new Arend series based in Heart Falls based around the three Skye brothers (Declan, Jake, Aiden) who buy the animal rescue and convert it into High Water, a haven not only for unwanted and abused animals but also for people who need a place to stay for their protection like 16 year old Jinx, an important secondary character in this story or just people who need a safe space to help put their lives back together. While we learn a bit about each brother’s backstory in this book, and they mention things like holding artists retreats there as a form of raising cash, we’re never told where or how they came up with the significant amount of money it would cost to get this venture underway, even doing a lot of the construction work themselves?
Our main protagonists are Aiden Skye the youngest of the three brothers and Petra Sorenson the youngest sister of Zach Sorenson who with his now wife Julia had their own book a few years back. Several characters from previous Heart Falls books make an appearance in this story including Caleb and Tamara (Julia’s oldest half-sister) Stone the couple from A Ranchers Heart, the very first book in the Heart Falls series. Two women who have been secondary characters in several previous books are scheduled to be the love interests of the other two Skye brothers.
As the blurb states Petra and Aiden just happen to be in Heart Falls at the same time thee years before they’ve actually moved there at the start of this story. They meet at the local bar and have a one-night stand. Of course, the sex is unforgettable. ** Warning** If you are offended by men and women who have no issues with having casual sex, I suggest you don’t read contemporary romance, a genre where no strings sex is the common beginning to real relationships in most stories. So, imagine their surprise when they run into each other again at the same place three years later and discover they are both new fulltime residents of Heart Falls. The off the charts sexual chemistry between them is still there but the timing just isn’t right for them to act on it that evening. Aiden is just starting the task of getting High Water up and running with his brothers and Petra has just started a new job working for her brother Zach while living on his dude ranch. But they both agree they want a replay of that firsts night together in the near future. A few days later Petra just happens to be at High Water delivering some food for Tansy (one of her BFFs and the female protagonist in the next book) when Danielle, the social worker (or whatever the Canadian version of Child Protective is) shows up unexpectedly, telling the brothers she’s aware they haven’t planed on opening High Water for several months but she’s in desperate need of a place to bring a frightened and abused sixteen year old girl, Jennifer or Jinx as she later prefers to be called. Wanting to help and realizing that they need to have a woman present to make this happen Declan tells the social worker that Petra is Aiden’s fiancée which automatically implies that she’s living there with him. And Petra and Aiden agree to go along with it so that they can help this teenage girl. The rest of this fake relationship, close proximity trope is the now four adults adjusting to being pseudo parents to a teenage girl whom due to her previous experiences is slow to trust and Aiden and Petra slowly coming to recognize that they want to be more than fuck buddies or friends with benefits to each other. There are plenty of warm moments as the adults earn Jinx’s trust, Jinx learns to accept that she’s safe and not in danger of losing this seemingly idyllic new life she’s’ been given, and when Petra and her girls all get together to support one another. And of course there’s tender and steamy moments when Aiden and Petra get some alone time together. Any drama is short lived.

[Linda Ketter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cowboys Bride is book 1 in a new Heart Falls spinoff series following Aiden Skye and Petra Sorenson as they navigate a second chance while mentoring and protecting a young girl in need of their help.

The Skye brothers have come to Heart Falls to build a refuge for people in need, specifically minors in need of a safe haven. Declan, Aiden and Jake all want to make their stepfather proud and do as they were taught by him and pay it forward. They were lucky when he joined their family and raised them after their mother passed away.

Petra has come to Heart Falls to start over. After a breakup, she just needs a fresh start. Since her brother has settled in the town, she decides to join his company in a place that will give her what she needs, a new beginning.

But when Petra makes a delivery to High Water for Tansy, she never expects to run into the one person she thought she would never see again.

Aiden, too, is shocked to see Petra again. When the social worker the brothers have been working with, shows up to see if they are ready for their first resident, the one thing they are Amissing is the one thing Petra can help them with.

You see they need to have a female on staff, but they have yet to hire a housekeeper. So Aiden, in his infinite wisdom, tells Danielle, the social worker, that Petra is his fiance. Add another shock to the plate.

But when the brothers explain the situation, Petra loves what they are trying to do and agrees to play Aiden's fiance. But for how long?

When Jennifer, aka Jinx, arrives at the ranch, she is skittish. When her and Petra talk, the one thing she says is that "as long as no one is trying to hurt her or get in her panties, she's good" with the brothers. That quote really caught my attention. What must this girl have gone through?

Slowly, Petra, Aiden and Jinx build a relationship. That is until the night Jinx overhears a conversation that was not meant for anyone to hear. Sadly, she also did not hear the entire conversation. So she takes something that is said and blows it out of context.

Will Aiden and Petra find out that she has heard part of their conversation? Will they be able to explain their intent and how what she missed hearing is more important than what she heard? Will they end up making themselves a permanent family? Or will Jinx's misunderstanding cause her to run from them?

I love what these brothers are trying to do with High Water. Both for the people in need, as well as the animals in need. They really have expanded on the animal rescue concept. I know they will succeed, but they will have challenges, and probably some setbacks.

I think Jinx is a good first resident to have. She needs someone to be her person and that seems to be Petra. On top of that, the brothers are all enamored with her like a little sister. I love that she wants to learn to play a musical instrument like the brothers do. It seems like she really likes where she has landed. She feels safe for the first time in a long time.

We see the return of Tatiana Sokolov to narrate this book. She always bring new life to her characters. In this case, she shows us the compassion of the brothers and Petra, as well as the skittishness of Jinx.

[Dawn Cruikshank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy's Bride

Another great story by Vivian! This story is about Aiden and Petra. These two actually met at Petra's brother's wedding. Now Aiden and his brothers are opening a safe place for those who need help. Their first rescue was a teenager named Jennifer but she wanted to be known as Jinx. Dixie is a very loyal dog and she was tasked to protect Jinx. Aiden's brother, Declan, threw a wrench into Petra's plans by announcing that Aiden and Petra were engaged. From that moment on, their relationship blossomed into love. The only bad thing that really happened was Jinx running away. This story was more of a love story than anything else. FANTASTIC job Vivian! I would recommend this book! Can't wait for Jake and Tansy's book!

[Teresa Christianson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake engagement on the spur of the moment? What could possibly go wrong

The Skye brothers need to have a female living with them and the animal rescue/safe house because there is a young woman who needs their help and a safe in place and to stay long term. They have not hired all the staff they needed because they weren't expecting this yet but this is an awesome emergency situation. Can Petra and Aiden pull off the fake engagement? What will happen when real feelings start to get involved and neither says anything to the other?

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this fake fiancee love story!! So excited to be back in Heart Falls and seeing who ended up buying Sonora's animal rescue!! Love the Skye brothers and can't get enough of Petra and Aiden!! You will fall in love with this couple and Aiden's brothers and their new ward Jinx!! She is a little broken but this new family come together and are making a difference!! Grab this book and enjoy this fabulous journey this couple go through to get to their HEA!!

[Michelle Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was really good!! I just wish it would explain a little more in a few spots. But overall it was one of a kind. Aiden met Petra in a 1 night stand a few yrs prior of finding themselves 2gether again. But 2 what degree or they 2gether that's the question... When they get a special guest things kinda changed but can that b a catalyst 4 better things 2 come in the future? Read and find out.

[Jamoz23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wonderful to return to Heart Falls and to have such a diverse and wonderful idea being put into fruition was very enjoyable.
Very excited to have another group adding to this extended world of family and friends.
Such a wonderful, positive, supportive and forward thinking reason for Sonora selling the animal shelter.
Petra and Aiden have a past, albeit not a connection.
Though they start off with a lie, it was for a just reason.
Loved how they all played a roll in protecting and supporting Jinx.
Petra’s sideline was amusing to a certain degree.
Aiden and his brothers paying homage to their stepfather by paying it forward was delightful.

[Lissa J · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new sweet country romance series from Vivian Arend. Arends contemporary country romance books are less about the raunchy cowboys these days and more sugar and spice, sweet light-hearted country romance. Good if you are after some uplifting, feel good HEA type stories. Rose coloured glasses on life's quirks and challenges where everyone works things out in a fairly open and easygoing way.

[Janet M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected visitors!

I really liked this story. I liked the small twists and turns, then the eventual being a family. Lots of love between all. If like like romance and family, you will love this story.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. I somehow screwed up the reading order. I read book 2 before reading book 1 without realizing I hadn’t read book 1 until after book 2 was completed.

In a lot of ways, book 2 makes more sense now. I loved this book. It has all the feels for me.

[Denise Poteete · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboys Bride

A heart warming book! It’s about how a family can change even when life knocks you down. It warms your heart to know that good comes with hard work and Love. Hope You Enjoy A Wonderful Book❤️

[Rita E Cornell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart Falls, great stories!

Heart Falls and all the characters woven together make for great reading and relaxing. Keep up the great story lines.

[ReadKnitHoard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot, heartwarming, feel-good. Not light; real issues.

[Michelle the Romance Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

so glad to finally be getting this series to read. Those Skye brothers are crazy sexy and so glad Tansy and her girls are finding love. can't wait for book 2

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new series set in the Heart Falls world. It is easy as a standalone. It is a very enjoyable fake bride and forced proximity romance. I am looking forward to more of this series and the shelter. However, a lot of time was spent setting up the shelter and the new teenage resident, which used up a lot of story (4 stars).

Excellent narration