A Secret Baby for the Cowboy

Sweet River Ranch #5

by Valerie Comer

He’s living a carefree life. Soon he'll discover that he’s a father.
Bryce Sullivan has been the family black sheep for so long he doesn’t know how to change his image, or if he even wants to. At least working on his grandfather’s guest ranch in Montana provides distance from his needy, clingy ex-girlfriend. Until she shows up looking for him. Madison Woodrow isn’t sure she dares tell Bryce he’s a father. With his family’s money, he could wrest custody from her but, still, doesn’t he deserve to know? Steeling herself against Bryce’s charms, she leaves her toddler with her sister and takes a temporary job at Sweet River Ranch to test the waters. No way will she fall for Bryce all over again.

What will happen when Bryce learns the real reason she’s come? His fight is with God as well as with Madison. Can he become the man Madison and Everly need… and God desires?

About the Sweet River Ranch Romance Walter Sullivan is frustrated with the soft lives his entitled sons and grandsons lead. Yes, it’s because he’s given them an education and money, but now he’s just frustrated with the namby-pamby city kids. Working together to revive a failing guest ranch in Montana will give those young men a chance to prove their worth. And if they settle into the cowboy life and find romance in the bargain, it will be well worth the risk.
1. A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy
2. A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy
3. A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy
4. A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy
5. A Secret Baby for the Cowboy
6. A Hidden Heiress for the Cowboy

Other Montana Ranches Christian Romance series to buy or borrow from USA Today bestselling author Valerie Cavanagh Cowboys Romance (complete in 2022)
1. Marry Me for Real, Cowboy
2. Give Me Another Chance, Cowboy
3. Let Me Off Easy, Cowboy
4. Kiss Me Like You Mean It, Cowboy
5. Choose Me for Always, Cowboy
6. Trust Me With Your Heart, Cowboy

Saddle Springs Romance (complete in 2019)
1. The Cowboy’s Christmas Reunion
2. The Cowboy’s Mixed-Up Matchmaker
3. The Cowboy's Romantic Dreamer
4. The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage
5. The Cowboy’s Belated Discovery
6. The Cowboy’s Reluctant Bride

Or check out Valerie's other Christian romance Farm Fresh Market Romances, complete 3-book series, starting with A Wide and Pleasant PlaceUrban Farm Fresh Romances, complete 12-book series, starting with Secrets of SunbeamsPot of Gold Geocaching Romances, complete 4-book series, starting with Topaz TreasureGarden Grown Romances, complete 4-book series, starting with Sown in LoveFarm Fresh Romances, complete 6-book series, starting with Raspberries and VinegarChristmas at the Miss Snowflake Pageant Romances, complete 3-book series, starting with More Than a TiaraRiverbend Romances, complete 5-novella series, starting with Secretly YoursIf you love Christian contemporary romance series that focus on engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith — clean, wholesome, sweet, and inspirational romances &mda

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2024

About the author

Valerie Comer is constantly amazed that living, talking, dreaming characters appear in her mind and flow from her fingertips and, from there, to her delighted readers. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, sharing rural life in western Canada with her husband, adult children, and adorable grandkids.

Valerie is a two-time USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She is known for writing engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith into her green clean romances.

CONTACTING VALERIE
Newsletter | Website/Blog | Facebook | Pinterest
valerie@valeriecomer.com

Reviews

[Tina at Mommynificent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book with a little bit of trepidation because Bryce was not my favorite character in any way shape or form in the previous books. But based on this author's track record (*cough*Basil*cough), I felt like she could be trusted to make me care about him and start cheering for him to get his happy ending. My trust was well-placed. I actually started feeling sympathetic toward him almost immediately and actually found myself feeling annoyed with Madison for not just spitting out the truth to him already. My favorite part of the book was how the author portrayed his repentance. He made a choice and was enabled to stick to it by the power of the Holy Spirit. It happened fast because he was willing to change. It was such a good reminder that when a person is willing to let the Spirit change them, amazing and miraculous things can happen! I feel encouraged to pray with more faith for a few people on my prayer list after reading this book. I also felt encouraged by this book to be a more prayerful friend. I thought the prayer circles the previous (and future) heroines of this series had with Madison were so powerful. I want to be a bold friend like that who won't back down when my friends need prayer and support. I found this book very moving and highly recommend it.

[Trudy Cordle]

LOVED Bryce and Madison's story!! Madison and Bryce had a fling two years ago, and Madison found out she was pregnant. She tried to tell Bryce, but he ghosted her. Now, Madison has become a Christian, and decides it's time to tell Bryce he's a father. Bryce is in love Madison, has been since they were together. He ghosted her because he was afraid he could never be the man she needed him to be. Now, when faced with a daughter, he realizes he wants to step up and be the father for his daughter that his own father never was to him and his brothers. He also comes to realize that God is the best Father, and He will help him. Love how Bryce finally realizes he truly needs a relationship with Jesus, and that God is a good, good Father. Madison has to learn that she can trust God and Bryce, and that God can change any who believe in Him and His Son. Everly is a doll, too!! Looking forward to the next book!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary Christian Romance. After seeing Bryce put up a front in some of the other books, it was interesting to get inside his head. A name from the past, the one that got away, Madison shows up as the newest employee at the Sweet River Ranch. Bryce doesn't understand why she's back. But Madison (and Walter Sullivan) know that she is back to introduce Bryce to the daughter he fathered before they broke up, Everly. Bryce and Madison have a long way to go to trust each other again, but learning to trust God helps bridge the gap.

While several of the stories had protagonists deepening their relationship to God, this one had Bryce claiming that relationship for the first time, culminating in a decision to get baptized. I liked seeing him in the father role with Everly and also enjoyed Madison pushing back against some of the "Sullivan smothering." After binging this series in the past week or so, it will be so hard to wait the few months until the final book comes out!

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Valerie Comer’s books and this is one of my favorite series. This one did not disappoint. Although it did frustrate at times. Bryce has been… Well, a jerk… Throughout this series and he is a super big one in the first half of this book.

I wanted to shake him several times for the way he treated Madison. While I don’t always love secret baby stories and don’t always agree with why the mother doesn’t tell the father, this one was very plausible. I especially love how coming to Faith played a big role in Madison ‘s actions.

And that’s also what redeemed Bryce’s story for me. Because in this book we see 2 Corinthians 5:17 play out before our eyes as Bryce truly becomes a new creation in Christ.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this Christian romance. Bryce is a very self centered man with no real faith in God. Madison, fairly new to her Christian faith, is persuaded she needs to confront Bryce that he is the father of her child. I really enjoyed reading Bryce’s gradual acceptance of God’s love. Love, forgiveness, character growth and faith are integral to this story.
I received this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This author's stories are always good, full of truth and faith, & with realistic people.
She finally gave in to her dad & sister's prodding to tell her baby's daddy that he had a child. She'd tried several times when she was pregnant but he blocked her. Now she's in his state & going to try again. She'd already met his grandfather & made an arrangement.
A wonderful story.

[Heidi Honey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to continue!

I loved getting back into the Sullivan clan story and hearing how the teasers at the end of the last book worked out! This author has such a gift for weaving these tales together. It always gives me vignettes of how to come closer in a Godly relationship and examples of trusting Him for the outcome. I can't wait to read the next installment in the Sweet River Ranch series!

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Secret Baby for the Cowboy

Bryce Sullivan and Madison Woodrow have a marvelous faith based, second chance at love story. I highly recommend the book! Bryce is extremely angry his ex girlfriend had tracked him down and now has weaseled herself into working at the ranch. He is determined to ignore her after he makes it plain that he is not interested. But Madison has a secret that needs to be shared with Bryce. What will happen when she reveals her secret?

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in Comer’s Sweet River Ranch romances series. I really enjoyed it and read it all in one day! Comer has really handled the secret baby trope well, and the transformation of both the main characters is very believable. It helps to have read the earlier books, because they give the back stories on many of the characters you’ll meet in this book.

[Kathy Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story of a bad boy redeemed! So glad for Madison's sake that he finally grew up and also took on the responsibility of being a good father. She had issues, too, and together I believe they'll be the parents God intended for precious Everly.

I was given a copy of this book by the author. This is my honest review.

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was swept away by the story of the Sullivans and Sweet River Ranch. Not only was it entertaining but it also kept the focus on faith, family and forgiveness, the complete package! It was heartwarming to see how God changed lives and truly fulfilled His promise that His plan was for good and not for evil, to give them a future and a hope.

[Dorothey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Secret Baby for the Cowboy

Madison decided she was going to let Bryce know about their baby. She traveled to Montana from Chicago. When she arrived, he was really irritable and didn’t want to talk to her. He didn’t know about his baby and it was time he did, enjoy their reunion.

[Gretchen Louise]

How does Valerie Comer take a common trope and turn it into a fun, clean romance? I don't know, but she always does! And per her usual, there are characters that grow on you and insightful commentary on the Christian life--all set on a ranch you just really want to visit.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

I just loved this one! Bryce is incredibly dense, not seeing what all around him see! (To be fair, many had been told...) But everything unfolds and Bryce learns the truth, and eventually finds love - and isn't that what we all want?

[Candy gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

New renewed love

Plus one. It’s not always easy to admit you’re wrong and been for a long long time. Thank you Lord for changing my life as you did the characters in the book. God is good all the time

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Religion

Overwhelming religious questions and Biblical quotes were too much.
Didn't like behavior of either main character, the talk the game, but don't put the other person 1st.

[Brenda Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

as always a great story

The characters are so well written and the storyline is great with a lot of thought given to the storyline and the character Thanks foe a great story looking forward to the next one in this series

[Jessica Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Both Madison and Bryce had such redemptive character arcs. I really enjoyed seeing their growth and transformation, as well as their love for each other and their baby.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Romance

This is an intriguing story as a single mom faces her fears and tries to introduce her secret baby to the baby’s father.

[Janice Sisemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story.

[Eliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.4

[Jeannette Harbottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can we trust God to change people, especially those who have hurt us? This is Madison’s dilemma and is the basis of this novel. I don’t usually enjoy secret baby tropes but this is so much more! Enjoy it like I did!