A Cowboy's Perfect Match

by Jessie Gussman

They've been best friends forever. He even moved with her family to North Dakota so they could be together.

But his mother wants him to come home. There's a girl she wants him to meet. The last things he needs or wants is a woman in his life.

So, of course, he asks his best friend to come along and help. He didn't expect to get caught kissing her, and he really didn't expect the next words that came out of his mouth - "Mom, we're engaged."

Will Stonewall and Johanna ever be friends again? Or will this one misstep ruin everything they've had together? Or, is it possible that their friendship could blossom into so much more than they ever dreamed?

Genres: Romance, Christian, Inspirational, Christian Romance

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2025

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a sweet story of finding love built on friendship. What love most about Jessie’s books is the way she weaves God into each story. I always have a seed, or two, planted in my heart with her books. These seeds make me thirst for more knowledge and wisdom, they help grow and shape my faith. The characters are so well developed that I feel like I know them. Her books are always a pleasure and I always highly recommend reading them.

[D'anah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect couple. Like they were made to be together. Amazing how obvious it is to everyone but them. Then one day, one word, one thought, and things change. A real "feel-good" story. Leaves you smiling and feeling all warm and hugged. Another pearl on the string of this series.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful story reminded me of my own. We were best friends. I got sad and depressed because I accepted that he would be my friend for ever on my part, but I wasn’t sure that his future wife would like and accept that. I saw him with new eyes, but it seemed that he was too before that. 32 years later and counting and I can say, “thanks Good Lord for my best friend and husband.”

[Star-Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let me say that I love this book cover! Can you judge this book by its cover? I would say, “Absolutely!” A “Perfect” HEA but it’s going to take some nail-biting self-denial, inner-searching to get there. As someone who has followed this series, Sweet View Ranch, since book one, this book number eight in the series is one that I’ve been waiting on since first meeting the Clybourn siblings back in book one. Little sister Joanna and her very best friend Stonewall have a friendship that few people ever get to experience. They are now in their middle twenties but their friendship goes back to when they were young teens in Wyoming and Joanna brought a troubled Stonewall into the loving and caring folds of the Clybourns. When the siblings’ parents were killed in a car accident and they decided to move to Sweet View for a new start, Stonewall didn’t hesitate to move with them. Since the day they met he and Joanna have been inseparable, always teasing and joking but having each other’s backs whenever needed but there’s never been any romantic feelings…until a tiny seed is planted in Stonewall’s ear by big brother Ezra and Stonewall’s mother is pushing him to come back to Wyoming and date a girl he knows there. Oh my, now what is he going to do?
A friends-to-love sweet clean romance that shows how hard it is to love someone enough to put their best interest before your own, how sometimes we overlook the best things we have right in front of our eyes and how kindness is always the way to go. Joanna and Stonewall do not disappoint in this book but I will be honest, I did want them to just communicate their true feelings for each other much quicker and I felt every bit the anxiety that Joanna was when Stonewall was on his dates…ugh! I will admit I’m just as excited about book nine too…Caleb’s and Whitney’s story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy’s Perfect Match is the story of Joanna and Stonewall.  They have been best friends since they were school age and he moved from Wyoming to North Dakota with the Claybourne siblings to continue working for them and being around Joanna.  Since Ezra and the older sisters homeschooled all the younger siblings, Stonewall finished his schooling with them.  Now that they are older and still stuck together like they are glued, they have allowed them to live on the property in the duplex.  They have decided to go to Wyoming to visit his Mom and she has a girl from church she wants to have Stonewall to date while he is there.  Ezra told Stonewall that he might have more feelings for Joanna than they have been admitting.  That got Stonewall thinking but Joanna is determined he needs to go out with Whitney like his Mom wants him too.  So the drive to Wyoming was stressful on both their parts as while they are there they are to fix up the rental property close to Stonewall’s Mom so they could rent it out again.  They had planned to stay there but Ezra told Stonewall it wouldn’t look proper for them to be together and not married.  That means Joanna will need to stay with his Mom who does not care for her.

 

Stonewall has to remind his Mom that Joanna is his best friend so she will treat Joanna nice like she was treating Whitney.  When Joanna stays away when Whitney is around Stonewall and she tells his Mom she is all for Stonewall finding him the love of his life his Mom begins to like Joanna.  When Stonewall starts dating Whitney he is thinking he doesn’t want any woman but Joanna.  And Joanna has become sad not being so close to Stonewall and wondering if he was falling for Whitney.  But Whitney locking Joanna and Stonewall in the closet at the rental property it all came to light that maybe they could have more than a friendship, or could they?

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna and Stonewall have been inseparable best friends for years, but that's all it is - as they assure anyone who hints at more. But when his mother begs him to come home for a month so she can set him up with someone, he decides he really has to go, but only if Joanna will accompany him. It's a new and surprisingly unpleasant idea to Joanna that maybe Stonewall needs space to find a wife, but she wants the best for him and tries to step back. Meanwhile, some words from Ezra before they left have started Stonewall thinking that maybe Joanna is really all he's ever wanted - but can he convince her to give them a chance as more than just friends? Or will his mother's plans and Joanna's attempted selflessness destroy even their friendship?

It's been plain from the start of this series that these two need to end up together, but of course the road can't be too easy. I appreciated the chance to get to know both of them better and watch a great friendship become more. I particularly liked the way that Joanna put in effort to win over Stonewall's mum, despite having no intention of marrying him and being willing to step back, so that arguably there was no benefit to her. At the same time, the mum drove me nuts in the way she tried to control his life - he's an adult! And their various efforts to help the local kids were a great reminder of the huge difference relatively small things can make in others' lives. It also highlights what makes the best relationships: Joanna and Stonewall each inspired the other to work to be better, and not to win the other's approval, but to please God. All in all, a great story and lovely addition to the series.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series and watching what's happening next with the 12 Clybourn siblings. As they work together to grow the Sweet Water Ranch many of these siblings have found their match. Joanna Clybourn and her best friend Stonewall have worked together for years. They became friends at a young age and Stonewall just became part of the family. When the family moved from Wyoming to North Dakota, everyone knew that Stonewall would come along with them. They knew that wherever Joanna was, you would find Stonewall. Everyone around them can see that they would make the perfect couple but Joanna and Stonewall are blind to it.

Stonewall's mom has been pressuring him to go back to Wyoming for a visit. She has been trying to set him up with a young lady. He agrees to go for a visit but wants Joanna to go with him. She agrees even though she knows that his mom doesn't like her. Just before they leave Ezra, the oldest brother says something to Stonewall that has him wondering all the way to Wyoming if he possibly has deeper feelings for Joanna. Joanna will have her relationship with Stonewall tested as she watches him go on three dates with his mom's choice for him.

Will these two finally have their eyes opened that they are more than just best friends?

Each story sometimes skips to other people in the community or family. I loved seeing more interaction between Ezra and his wife Alaska.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Margaret P Medberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I love about a Jessie Gussman book is how she takes a deep dive into the thought processes of her characters. In this story, best friends Johanna and Stonewall need to go to Wyoming to see his mother and take care of a rental property there. Stonewall’s mother is desperate for him to get married and has never liked Johanna because she thinks their friendship has kept him from finding true love. So, Stonewall is expected to go on some dates with the beautiful and really nice, Whitney.

Joanna is torn. She sees Stonewall as her dearest friend, more than a brother but she has never dared to veer into a romantic place with him because she doesn’t want to destroy their perfect friendship. Stonewall feels the same way but after some advice from Ezra, Joanna’s brother, he begins to wonder if they could be more. But first, he has to go out with Whitney.

Jessie deftly navigates the story without turning Whitney or Stonewall’s mother into villains. Everyone is trying so hard to do the right thing they all seem to be missing the truly right thing.
It’s a conundrum and we as readers get to see how people ponder issues of romance, marriage, jealousy, and friendship. It’s a fun and sweet story.

I received an advance reader copy of this novel for free and I am leaving my honest opinion voluntarily.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna and Stonewall’s story is sweet, entertaining and captivating. They have been best of friends for years and pretty much spend most of their time together whenever possible. Neither admits to any feelings deeper than friendship between them, but others see them as the perfect couple. When his mother calls Stonewall and insists he come home so that she can introduce him to a woman suitable for him to marry, he asks Joanna to go with him. While he is reluctant to go along with his mother’s plan, Joanna encourages him to give the other woman a chance. On the journey to his mother’s home and during their stay, both finally examine their feelings for each other and whether they could or should be more than just friends. Will they finally admit to themselves and each other that they want more than just friendship between them?

I liked the deep connection between Joanna and Stonewall, the easy rapport and trust they have with each other. They truly want the best for each other, even if it will change their relationship. They love each other enough to let the other go if it will lead to their happiness. Thankfully, they are nudged and guided toward each other. I am happy to recommend this wonderfully insightful book.

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean Christian romance. It is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone.

Joanna and Stonewall have been best friends since they were children. When Joanna’s family moved to Nebraska, Stonewall moved with them. So when Stonewall goes back to visit his mom, he knows she is setting him up. However, Joanna still goes with him. Joanna’s brother, Ezra, makes a comment that has Stonewall starting to see Joanna in a different light. Joanna starts having a change of mind on Stonewall as well. Will he choose the new person he is dating, Whitney, or will he choose Joanna?

This was a great romance with the Christian theme. The characters are definitely living for the Lord and show their Christianity in the way they behave. They are definitely not perfect, but they work at it. I cannot wait to read the whole series. The characters are great.

I received an ARC from the author and am leaving an honest review.

[Leis Phinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

They are such close friends that Stonewall left his own family to move to North Dakota with Joanna and her family. They do everything together, know everything about one another, and finish each other's thoughts. But there's nothing more to it than friendship. Until Joanna's oldest brother says to Stonewall, "Sometimes a good marriage begins with a solid friendship. " That thought gets his attention and he begins to look at Joanna differently.
I really liked how Joanna was willing to work hard to befriend his mother, and help his mother to match Stonewall up with another woman. But watching Stonewall with another woman wakes up Joanna's feelings for him as well.
Stonewall's inner thoughts while out on his date with the other woman made me smile. The book is well written, and the story moves right along. I love all of Jessie Gussman's books and I recommend the entire Sweet Water Ranch series. I received an ARC of this book to read and review and this is my honest opinion.

[Catherine Perschke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A best friends romance, A Cowboy's Perfect Match is absorbing and unexpected. Jessie Gussman took Joanna and Stonewall on a relational journey that was both delightful and thought-provoking! Joanna demonstrated a love that truly wanted the best for her best friend Stonewall, even if the best wasn't her. And her continual willingness to sacrifice what she wanted out of love for her best friend transformed others around her. I appreciated the tension and awkwardness as each in their own time noticed the other as more than just a friend and the angst of realizing their relationship would have to change no matter what... either into something more... or something less if they married other people. Jessie Gussman is a wonderful story-teller with a gift for inviting us to immerse and refresh ourselves through book friends who show us faith, hope, and love! I am really excited for the next Clybourn sibling to receive God's gift of love!

[Elizabeth Fiscus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my heart happy! Stonewall and Joanna are best friends. They do everything together and have since Stonewall started hanging out at the Clybourne house when he was little. He even moved to North Dakota with their family because at that point, he felt more at home with them than with his own mother. Stonewall felt like he could be himself with no judgement from the Clybournes, unlike his mother. Needless to say, he didn't like visiting his mother much either, since she was always trying to make him date or move back to Wyoming and those weren't things he was interested in doing. When his mom demands he visit her, because she has a woman she wants him to date, Stonewall begs Joanna to go along for moral support. A lot happens during the time that they are on this visit! You will definitely want to grab this book! I have no doubt it will make you smile as you turn the pages too. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. That in no way influenced my review.

[M Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love Jessie's books and this one doesn’t change that fact. Best friends Joanna and Stonewall have been best friends literally forever but have never thought of each other romantically. However, when Joanna’s oldest brother mentions to Stonewall that best friends make great partners for life (because he thinks they are perfect together) that starts Stonewall pondering. When he then heads home on a duty visit to his mother, he refuses to go without Joanna. However, once there, she struggles when he starts going out on dates with Whitney, his mother’s choice for him. A lovely story and l especially love the stunt Whitney pulls towards the end of the book to help resolve the whole situation. Yet another entertaining story from Jessie Gussman......fine on its own, but also a great continuation of the Sweet View Ranch series. Luckily, there are still a few more siblings that need to find their perfect match and own happy ending. I can’t wait!!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Sweet View Ranch! I’ve been waiting on Joanna and Stonewall’s story and it did NOT disappoint! When you’ve been best friends since childhood it can be hard to realize that you want to be so much more. And what if you want it to be more and the other person doesn’t—scary! When Stonewall’s Mom commands him to come back home to Wyoming to meet the perfect woman she has picked for him he, of course, takes his best friend with him. As Joanna stands back and watches Stonewall get to know Kimberly—his Mom’s pick—she realizes she is jealous but wants what is best and what God wants for Stonewall. I love the way Ezra steps in to prayerfully take care of all of his siblings. Once again Jessie weaves a sweet, inspirational romance that you do not want to miss. (I can’t wait to read Kimberly’s story!)

[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story about a H and h who are best friends who make a great couple but don’t think about marriage. Then the H’s mother begs him to come home and date a woman who she believes is perfect for him. The h tells him that he should go. He requires that she goes along. On the trip the H begins to view the h differently, seeing her as the woman he loves but she doesn’t seem to have the same feelings. Meanwhile the h feels that she needs to support the H in his search for a wife as she realizes that she has feelings for the H. Their relationship changes as the H keeps his promise to his mother and the h works at becoming friends with the H’s mother. In the end the H and h, with help, get their HEA. Great book, recommend it to everyone. ENJOY!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johanna and Stonewall have been friends forever. He even moved to another state to stay and work with her family. They go everywhere and do everything together but never saw each other as anything but friends.
When Stonewall needs to go back home to visit his mother, of course Johanna goes too. When he takes another woman on a date Johanna starts to realize maybe she has more than just friends feelings.
Sometimes what we need is right in front of us but we're to blind to see it until God points it out to us at the right time. Sometimes the thing we think we want is not what God wants for us but when he thinks we are ready he will show us what his plans for our life is.
I loved Jessie's books because they're always something to be learned from them.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy's Perfect Match is a Christian, best friends to more, heartwarming romance. I love these books about the Claybourne siblings, although this one mostly takes place in Wyoming rather than at Sweet View Ranch. Stonewall needs Joanna as a buffer between him and his mother. Mom wants him back in Wyoming and married to Whitney. AS Joann and Stonewall spend time with his mother and with Whitney, while working on a Claybourne rental in the town, they slowly begin to realize that maybe they are meant to be more than friends. Joanna and Stonewall also mentor some teens and a young girl which is very inspiring. I love how Ms. Gussman worked everything out in the best way possible. I just sit down and devour each new book in this wonderful series!

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy's Perfect Match ~ Sweet View Ranch #8 by Jessie Gussman.

This is yet another fabulous story from Jessie to add to this wonderful series: a clean Christian love story.
The dialogue between characters, Joanna and Stonewall always seems so real and true to life. The camaraderie between them is good they have been best friend since they were in school together. Stonewall even moved with Joanna's family to North Dakota.

A brilliant story that has been written extremely well, the characters work well together the storyline is easy to follow, and it kept me engaged until the end.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Inspirational, Original, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, Wonderful characters, Clean Christan Romance.

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna and Stonewall have been best friends since they were 15. When the Clybourne family moved from Wyoming to ND, Stonewall went with them. Stonewall's mother is pressuring him to come home for a visit. She wants to set him up with a "nice girl". Stonewall agrees only if Joanna will go with him. When Ezra mentions that best friends make strong marriages, Stonewall starts thinking about that. He starts to see Joanna in a different way. As they spend a month in Wyoming, he thinks that Joanna is pushing him on this "nice" girl. Joanna loves him and just wants him to be happy. Stonewall's mother has never liked Joanna and felt like she was using him. Joanna sets out to befriend his mom. Such a sweet sweet book.

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends, Joanna and Stonewall, embark on a ‘forced’ visit to Stonewall’s mom in Denver. As they prepare to leave the ranch, Joanna’s brother, Ezra, makes a shocking suggestion which changes Stonewall’s demeanour during the journey and the visit in Denver, and causing confusion in Joanna at the new awkwardness between them.
This was a review copy I received from the author, which included an appealing story concept, with particular emphasis on the Christian aspect, Stonewall’s community outreach while in Denver and Joanna’s relationship with Stonewall’s mom. However, the character introspection and even the dialogue was too repetitive and I would have preferred a shorter story that moved faster to its HEA conclusion.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stonewall and Joanna have best friends forever. When his mother asks Stonewall to come home to Wyoming for a month long visit, he asks Joanna to come along. Once he gets there, Stonewall agrees to go on three dates with Whitney to make his mother happy. I love the characters in this Sweet View Ranch series and this best friends to more trope is a delightful read! I love the Christian characteristics of Joanna and Stonewall as hard working, loyal children trying to live the lives the Lord has for them. I know when I pick up a Jessie Gussman novel, I will always get wonderful advice as from the Bible.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet addition to the Sweet View Ranch series by Jessie Gussman.
Stonewall and Joanna have been best friends for as long as they can remember. They do everything together but claim they are just friends. When her family moved to ND, Stonewall moved with them. Now his mom wants him back in Wyoming and is trying again to have him marry a girl from there.
Ezra made a comment about best friends making the best marriages just before they left for Wyoming. Now Stonewall can’t stop thinking about Joanna in a very different way.
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Linda Burnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a continuation of a family that has stuck together through thick and thin while striving to always keep God as the head of their lives. It’s obvious to everyone BUT Stonewall and Joanna that they are a perfect match. While trying to please others they take their eyes off God’s life plan for them. Their relationship is filled with a “best” friend feelings until it isn’t. How to reveal how they truly feel to each other, Stonewall’s Mom, Whitney and everyone else. If we will be still and listen, we will find our way in life-you’ll have to read to find out if Stonewall and Joanna find their way.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joanna and Stonewall have been best friends for years, he even moved with them from Wyoming. He's an only child and loves being part of the big family.
His mother wants him to visit, he hasn't seen her for two years. He doesn't want to go as she has a woman she wants to set him up with. He insists Joanna goes too.
He suddenly realises that his feelings for Joanna have changed but she keeps pushing him towards Whitney, does she really want him to choose her?
Joanna is staying with Stonewall's mother and to keep the peace is agreeing that Whitney is best, while realising that she would hate that!
Miscommunication all around!

Another great read in the series from Jessie.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Joanna and Stonewall's story in the Sweet View Ranch series by Jessie Gussman. It's a clean, stand-alone friends-to-more novel with Christian elements. The friends-to-more trope isn't one of my favorites, but I absolutely LOVED this story! The sweet friendship between Joanna and Stonewall was full of love, respect, faith, and godly values. The sacrificial love they demonstrated for each other, Whitney, Stonewall's mother and the teens who were trashing the rental house was a perfect reminder of how to "Love one another." Every Jessie Gussman book I read challenges me to be a better person, and this one did just that. An enjoyable read that I highly recommend.

[Kathy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great romance book. It’s a story about a mom, her son, Stonewall, and his best friend. And how his mom wants Stonewall to marry a different girl, other than his best friend, Joanna.

They have loved each other as best friends for years. They just never thought of each other more than friends.

Joanna does everything to agree with his mom, Dixie, that she just wants Stonewall happy and trying to step aside for him to date Whitney.

The other girl is Whitney and Joanna really likes her. This creates a turmoil of love and refurbishing a rental house.

I received this book as an ARC from the author and the review is my honest review.

[J Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful clean romance.

Joanna and Stonewall have been best friends since they first met as children. He moved to North Dakota with her family years ago. Now she returns to Wyoming with him when he goes to visit his mother even knowing she will not be welcome. His mother has a woman in mind for Stonewall to marry and hopes a wedding will break the bond between the two friends. Will their friendship survive the visit?

This story shows the power of love and friendship. Joanna and Stonewall are willing to do anything for each other. It’s a beautiful story. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna and Stonewall have been best friends since childhood. When her family moves from Wyoming to North Dakota, Stonewall moves with them. Neither has ever thought about wanting more from their relationship until Joanna’s oldest brother told Stonewall that the best marriages begin as best friends. But who would Joanna feel about that? Would it ruin their friendship?

This is a very enjoyable Christian romance with wonderful biblical principles such as caring for the good of another over your own good.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Becky Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna and Stonewall are inseparable as best friends. They actually do everything together and Stonewall’s mother Dixie would rather he find some nice girl and get married. Dixie has never like Joanna for some unknown reason. She is actually very rude to her on occasions. Stonewall needs to go visit his mother and Joanna decides she is going with him. They decided Joanna would sleep at his mom’s house while he stayed elsewhere. Dixie really wants Stonewall to go out with this girl and so he does but he doesn’t connect with her. In the meantime Joanna wins Dixie heart as well as Stonewall’s. Love this series!

I received this ARC from the author, I am leaving this review voluntarily.