The Cowboy Takes a Wife

Thatcher Ranch Cowboys #2

by Penelope Ryan

She’s pretending for a green card. He’s not pretending at all.

Veterinarian Cora Walker never meant to fall in love with Montana—or the ranch that finally felt like home after a lifetime of loss. But when her work visa falls through, she’s faced with leaving the only life, and the only people, she’s ever truly belonged to.
Enter Theo Strickland. Cowboy. Best friend. And the man who’s been secretly, hopelessly in love with her for years.
His solution? Marry her.
It’s only paperwork. Only temporary. Only survival.
Living together, sharing routines, and pretending to be newlyweds should be simple. They’ve known each other for years. But the more they lean into the ruse, the more Theo struggles to hide just how real it’s always been for him.
As interviews loom, sparks fly, and desire blurs every line between friendship and something far deeper, Cora must decide what—and who—home really means.

A heartfelt cowboy romance with lots of spice—read The Cowboy Takes a Wife now!

cowboy, small town, marriage of convenience, found family, he falls first and harder, friends to lovers, forced proximity, spice

140 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2026

Reviews

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute friends to lovers read. Cora and Theo have been dancing around each other for the last several years. But when the time comes and Cora’s visa is up the only option she has to marry an American. Of course Theo steps up and the attraction they’ve tried to fight breaks.

[lauren kindl3w0rm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh 🥹😍 Theo & Cora's story was the best!!
Super quick read with nice short chapters, which made this easy to read but tbh the whole story was just a great read.

Cora find outs her visa isn't going to be renewed and she just wants to stay at Thatchers Ranch with her 'family' and Theo gives her everything she needs to do that.
I love the way his always loved her since the day he showed her around the ranch 2years ago and everyone can see it but Cora 😂

At only 140pages I read this so quick and immediately clicked to read the next in the series but Penelope just isn't writing quick enough and I have to wait until April! How rude 😛😉

So I've found Tates book (Billionaire Ranch owner) and I'm diving straight into that 🩷

[Nina Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book from the author. 

Cora's visa has expired so she will have to leave Thatcher Ranch. Or will she? Enter Theo, the cowboy with more than a crush. He's head over heels for Cora, she just doesn't see it.

This is a quick read with a found family and a HEA. 

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book and couldn’t wait for this one. I like them being tied together. Super quick read. Hopefully there is more from Thatcher Ranch!

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS COWBOY OWNED MY HEART

Cowboy Takes a Wife by Penelope Ryan is EVERYTHING I want in a cowboy romance and then some. I went in expecting a cozy marriage-of-convenience story and came out emotionally feral, swooning, and deeply attached to a fictional ranch in Montana.

Cora absolutely stole my heart. A veterinarian who’s been through loss after loss, finally finding a place — and people — that feel like home? My chest. Her fear of losing that life felt so real, so raw, and I was rooting for her happiness from page one.

And then there’s Theo Strickland. LORD HELP ME. This man has been quietly, hopelessly in love with his best friend for years and when he offers marriage like it’s no big deal? Sir. Be serious. The he falls first and harder trope was trooping at full speed here, and I ate up every longing look, every restrained moment, every “I’ll do anything for you” beat.

The marriage of convenience was perfection. Living together, shared routines, pretending to be newlyweds while everything feels too natural? The tension was delicious. The slow burn mixed with forced proximity and years of friendship made every spark feel earned and intense. And when the lines finally blur? Whew. The spice absolutely delivers.

What I loved most was the found family and small-town warmth woven through the story. The ranch felt alive. The side characters felt like home. This book isn’t just about romance — it’s about choosing where you belong and who you’re brave enough to build a life with.

Penelope Ryan does heartfelt cowboy romance so well, and this one hit all my favourite notes:
🤠 Cowboy MMC
💍 Marriage of convenience
🔥 Friends to lovers
🏡 Found family
💘 He falls first (and HARD)
🌶️ Plenty of spice

This story made me smile, ache, and sigh in the best way. Cowboy Takes a Wife is warm, romantic, emotional, and swoon-worthy from start to finish. Another Penelope Ryan win — and one I’ll happily reread when I need a guaranteed heart-melter. 🤎🐎📚

[Jéssica Paes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cora is a stay on the ranch veterinarian, hoping that her visa renewal is accepted so she can stay on the place that became her home with the people that became her family. However, luck is not on her side,e and her visa is declined... unless she marries someone... no other than her best friend, Theo, who has been in love with her since she stepped foot on the ranch. Pretending to be in love and newlyweds is not an easy task, unless Cora starts to love Theo. Will love unite them or separate them?
.

This book was a breeze of fresh air. Cora and Theo are the typical best friends who swore they don't love each other, even though everyone around knows it is a lie. Theo loves Cora like he never loved anyone before, and that is shown through his actions and his words: she always comes first, even if needs to marry her and pretending he has no feelings for her. Cora has had a rough past that shaped her into becoming who she is today, a strong, independent woman ready to make everything for a brighter future. Their chemistry is undeniable, but their connection as best friends is ever prettier than any form of romantic love. The story is fast-paced, but it has everything necessary to understand it. The place where it takes place is beautifully described, leaving the reader feeling like it is inside the story 💞

An amazing short story to warm the heart on cold days 💖
.

If you are looking for:
🫂 Best friends romance
✨️ He falls first
❤️‍🔥 Spicy scenes

And much more, this book is for you! 🫶

[Stacy1312 · Rating 5 out of 5]

💚 Cowboys, Cabins, & Greencards 💚

After reading Can't Stand the Cowboy, I couldn't wait to read the next book in the series, and @peneloperyanbooks did not disappoint with Cowboy takes a Wife!

Cora is living and working at Thatcher Ranch, the only place that feels like home since her mom passed, when she gets her visa renewal declined...
Turning to her best friend Theo for help, they decide getting married is the answer to both their problems, his being he doesn't want to lose his bestie. The biggest problem isn't surviving the immigration interview or fooling others, it's figuring out when the line from friends to lovers became blurred, and if they want the marriage to become permanent instead of a quick fix.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Cora and Theo are goals! Is there anything better than falling in love with your best friend 🥰 Theo is truly the purest 'cinnamon roll' to grace my kindle and I was absolutely here for all of it 🤠🔥
I was rooting for Theo from the beginning, and was giddy with excitement when he finally took his shot, and then when he blurted his true feelings out. I liked Cora, and I understood her fears, but sometimes you just have to open your eyes and see what's been in front of you this whole time ❤️

🌶🌶🌶
Spice was 3 to 3.5 for me. The slow burn builds the tension, and the chemistry between the characters is fire 🔥 So when they finally give in to temptation, the scenes are burn the page hot! I need a Cowboy 😂

The book is a short read, slow burn, with lots of spice, banter, and comfort moments 💚

[Erin Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm such a sucker for cowboy romances. 😍

If you haven't checked out Can't stand the cowboy that's the first one in this series. It's really good as well. Highly reccomend both of these. 


Cora- Thatcher ranches veterinarian. Her visa renewal denied. 


Theo- cowboy who works at Thatcher ranch and Coras best friend. He's always been smitten with her ♥️ get ready to swoon with him. He is sooo sweet 🔥


I love a good fake marriage trope and this one is top tier. Our MC's have been best friends for two years so their chemistry is clearly undeniable. Especially since he's already fallen hard for her. Uhh this one had me smiling the entire time and totally made my heart flutter. Honestly this one hit all the spots for me. The story line- perfection, spice- also perfection. I absolutely loved this one!!!!


🤠Cowboy

🤠Small town

🤠Marriage of convenience 

🤠Found family

🤠He falls first

🤠Friends to lovers

🤠Spice

🤠Forced proximity 


Thank you for my ARC! I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[Vallenreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great little read!

I said Book 1 was the equivalent to a reading version of a hug, and Book 2 is no different!
In this story we have Cora, our MFC, she’s left her life in Canada behind and found a family at Thatcher Ranch, the only problem is that her visa is up and her renewal has been rejected. Then we have Theo, our MMC, and Cora’s best friend, he’s loyal, caring, a total cinnamon roll.
Their chemistry is off the charts and everyone else sees it but them. When things go wrong, Cora turns to her best friend for help and they end up getting married so she can get a green card. What unfolds is a super sweet story of two best friends, pretending they are married while telling themselves they are not married and realising in the end that they are more than friends.
It was lovely to watch the characters emotions unfurl and see them and the story develop as it went on, seeing the relationship go from friendship to love and that super sweet ending!
I really enjoyed this book, short and sweet, the perfect steamy feel good book!

[Katie Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo has my heart 💚

First things first, I’m in love with Theo. He’s had my interest since Can’t Stand By The Cowboy but now he has my heart.

In true Penelope style, The Cowboy Takes A Wife is more than just a spicy friends to lovers cowboy romance. It’s a story of learning and finding that home isn’t a place but a person - and that person may have been in front of you all along.

For Theo, that person has been Cora. His best friend. The love of his life - he just hasn’t told her that fact. So when Cora is at risk of being deported back to Canada, Theo, the loveable Alpha hero, proposes a marriage of convenience. Cue the forced proximity tension, shared glances, and a slow burn romance that hurts so good, this one will sink its hooks in and not let go.

And with Theo, you don’t want it to either! The Cowboy Takes A Wife is now available and I can’t recommend it enough 💚

[brogay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cowboy Takes a Wife follows Cora and Theo, best friends who work at Thatcher Ranch together. They became close as soon as Cora arrived at the Ranch, and their friendship is something they both treasure. It’s also something, from an outsider’s POV, that looks a little bit more like romantic love than platonic love. And when Cora’s visa gets denied, Theo suggests they get married. So she can stay at Thatcher Ranch, and of course that’s the only reason.

It’s a story about love and friendship and finding a place to call your home. I honestly think it’s my favourite Penelope Ryan book I’ve ever read. It’s cute, fast-paced, spicy and incredibly wholesome. Their friendship is so beautiful and it’s such a fun little read, I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop as they tried to navigate their fake marriage.

Theo is an adorable MMC, one you can’t help but fall in love with. His thoughtful and would do anything for Cora which really makes him shine. And Cora is, so so wonderful. I adore her. The vet with a heart of gold, who just wants to keep the family she found after she lost everything. You can’t help but root for her, honestly. She definitely desires a happy ending.

If you like fake dating, or in this case fake marriage, and the “he fell first AND harder” trope, this one is definitely for you.

[Charlotte Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely FERAL for this book! Literally could not put it down.

Cosy friends to lovers Cowboy romance? Nope! This book was full of yearning, swoon worthy moments and a Ranch that feels like home even though I'm completely aware it's a fictional place.

Cora, the Vet who's green card has expired, has finally found a place and people she loves after going through loss after loss. The fear of losing all that literally felt like Inwas experiencing it myself.

Enter Theo, the Cowboy utterly IN LOVE with his best friend for YEARS, finally shooting his shot by asking her to marry him and proving that he's the one for her? Phew!

The slow burn was written so well that when the match final caught, I was giddy in my seat!

Thank you so much to Penelope Ryan for giving me the opportunity to read early!

[Celina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was rooting for these two from page one well more likely when they were first introduced in Can't Stand a Cowboy. They both work together on the Thatcher Ranch for the last several years. Theo is the ranch hand and Cora is the assistant vet. They are the best of friends except Theo is secretly in love with Cora. He would do anything for her so when her work visa wasn't renewed and her only option was marriage. Theo jumped at the chance to help.

As their visa interview nears close, the lines between friends to spouse blur. Thus book is filled with emotions as Cora works through her fears of losing someone and finally is able to truly open her heart to Theo. She knows she loves him, but to say that out loud scares her. This story made me smile and I love this short little heartwarming romance.

[V Brown LetsBeRealBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Releases January 16, 2026,

In A Cowboy Takes A Wife, Penelope Ryan crafts a heartwarming small-town romance filled with genuine, relatable conflicts, as the second installment of The Thatcher Ranch Cowboys. Cora, a Canadian resident and veterinarian at Thatcher Ranch, has developed a lasting friendship with Theo over her two-year tenure. Theo, while deeply caring for Cora, elects to maintain their platonic relationship, masking his true emotions amidst their lively banter. The depth of their bond is revealed when Cora seeks his help during a difficult time, and Theo responds with unwavering dedication. This poignant tale of friendship, love, and growth is sure to captivate readers.

#acowboytakesawife ##peneloperyan #athatcherranchcowboysseries

[Brittany Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! The yearning, the angst, the love it’s all there!! Theo is a ranch hand and Cora is a veterinarian on Thatcher Ranch in Montana. But Cora is from Canada and when her visa gets denied she fears she will have to leave the ranch. That is until Theo, who is also her best friend, suggests that they get married!! How complicated can that get??

This book has
⭐️ Best friends to lovers
⭐️ Found Family
⭐️ Green card marriage
⭐️ Childhood Trauma

This is book 2 in the Thatcher Ranch series and I highly recommend both books. And I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!

4.5 ⭐️ from me!!

**Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to ARC read and review this book.**

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy afternoon read, I loved the first book and was excited to get this one. A best friend, fake marriage, to more story.

When Cora’s visa is not renewed, the ranch veterinarian needs to find a spouse quick. She wants to stay with her found family on the ranch, a place she considers home. Her best friend since arriving at the ranch steps up. But Theo and Cora need to do a lot of pretending. He is in love with her, but she has a past and is struggling.

I loved this quick read, I was invested from the beginning. Cora is strong and independent with plans. The small town and found family are relatable. The connection and tension between Cora and Theo is perfect.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Maureen Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Cowboy Takes a Wife by Penelope Ryan was such a quick, easy, and enjoyable read.

I absolutely love this author’s writing style—it’s smooth, effortless, and flows beautifully. From the start, it felt cozy and comforting in the best way.

Cora and Theo were such sweet main characters. I loved their dynamic and how natural their connection felt.

Thatcher’s Ranch was another highlight for me. The setting, along with the side characters, added a lovely family-and-friends atmosphere that really brought warmth and depth to the story.

Overall, this was a feel-good romance with a simple plot—nothing too heavy—making it the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads.

Thank you to the author for the ARC! 💛

[Carly Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re after a heartwarming story of friends to husband & wife to lovers then this is it.

Cora is a Canadian vet working at Thatcher Ranch in Montana. Theo is a ranch hand & has been her best friend since she arrived 2 years ago. When Cora’s visa renewal is denied, Theo surprises her & asks her to marry him so she can get a green card. For Cora, this fake marriage is just that, Theo’s her best friend. But for Theo, is more real than he lets Cora believe. He’s been in love with her since a couple of months after they met. Can he keep himself in check, & pass off this fake marriage as a real relationship? Or does it all become much more real for Cora as time goes on?

[Kaitlyn Craft · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book by Penelope Ryan that I have read and I got to say I will probably keep her in the rotation I just love her writing style. So I received this book as an advanced reader copy and want to thank the author for allowing me to read this book before most of the public. Cora and Theo’s story is best friends to lovers trope so a little different from the first book in the Thatcher Ranch series. I love their banter and lightheartedness with each other and when Cora was being threatened with deportation that Theo stepped in to help in anyway that he could. Honestly these books are cute little romances about ranch hands and who doesn’t love a good hard working man.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo + Cora.

This small town, friends to lovers, fake(?) marriage novella is short and sweet.

Honestly, sometimes it takes a character a while for the lightbulb to come on for love. & I mean that in the nicest way. Sometimes one character is there... and the other HAS to get there.. Theo is patient, observant, kind and above all else loves Cora. He would do anything for her. Including marrying her.

Cora moved from her home and found a new family at Thatcher Ranch. & being a vet is hard work. She is an amazingly strong FMC and I loved her arc from start to finish.

If you're lookin' for an in between to cleanse the palette.. then this novella needs to be on your TBR.

Thank you to the author for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, cute, and quick to read take on a marriage of convenience, workplace romance with a cowboy twist. When ranch hand, Theo, discovers that the veterinarian’s Visa is about to expire, he offers to marry Cora. It was sweet how these two really got to know each other, all with the muse of “needing to know” for the upcoming coming, looming green card interview. Shout-out to Theo—what a kind and patient man as he works hard to get her to see that he wasn’t pretending at all. There was no lack of an enjoyable plot, characters with depth, and romance and spice in this novella.
Thanks to the author for the eARC.

[Stephanie Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and if you haven’t read the first book you should because its just as good as this book. Cora is the veterinarian at Thatcher Ranch and Theo is a ranch hand at the ranch. Theo and Cora are best friends, Cora’s visa renewal was denied and Theo suggests they get married so Cora can get her green card. Theo is so sweet and would do anything for Cora and I couldn’t get enough of this book and I can’t wait to see what comes next. Thank you Penelope for allowing me to be part of the ARC team.

[Melita · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Best friends to lovers
*Marriage of convenience
*cowboy
*small town
*found family
*he falls first and harder
*forced proximity


Omg! Theo Strickland you hot golden retriever cowboy 🔥
This story is so cute and sweet, but *chefs kiss* the spice is spicing...
It's a slow burn novella in the Thatcher Ranch series but the story flows so well...
Cora and Theo are so cute being best friends forced into a marriage of convenience so he san save the one person he is madly in love with. The awkward-ness of them together trying to navigate the feeling they want to deny so badly *chefs kiss* Penelope

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging
This story had me holding on and not putting it down! Thatcher Ranch seems like Hunk heaven and Cora has landed in the middle of it as a veterinarian. She has no clue that Cupid is shooting arrows and the first man that she meets has just been hit! Theo voluntarily shows Cora around the ranch while he’s cementing himself in her life. What he doesn’t know is about to hit her very hard and Theo’s going to have to decide whether he goes big or goes far, far away. Will Cleo learn how to accept real help or will she be devastated by the reality that is her life?

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great friends to lover romance.
Theo will do anything for his best friend Cora, even marry her so she can apply for her green card.
But was this the best thing for them. Sometimes feelings are more than what you portray them to be and that can lead to complications.
This story shows us sometimes home isn't where you think it is. It can be in a place where strangers become family and a new place becomes where you find you belong.
A wonderful story about friendship,home and find your HEA.
I was honored to read an early copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review from an Advanced Reader Copy from the author*

This was such a cute friends to lovers romance. It had spice but overall was just a true feel good read! Theo is a sweet but dirty talking Cowboy and Cora is a love-skittish veterinarian. The years long friendship turns slightly strained as tension boils over until they finally snap and give in to their feelings. I loved how patient Theo was with Cora's feelings of fear, even through his own hurt, he made sure she was okay. They got their HEA and it was so sweet!

[Rachelle Whynott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quick little novella. The way Theo knew Cora so well. The way he made such an effort to understand her and take his time and not force her into anything was really nice to read. Cora’s past trauma was written well in such a short period of time. You really felt it through the page. Her fears and triggers were relatable and I think drew me in more. I’m so interested in reading the rest of the series. I’m going to go back and read the first one.

I received this book as an arc and I’m leaving my honest review

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So thankful for this arc!

I enjoyed this so much!
Super quick and cute read. I had to finish it at lunch b/c I needed to know what happened.
I love that Theo is so aware of Cora and her insecurities. He wants to make sure she feels safe, seen, and loved.
Plus a nightmare turns into snuggles. Who doesn’t love that?

Favorite quote:
“I’ll spend my life on my knees begging you for whatever you’ll give me.”

[Deann Roser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope Ryan is one of my favorite authors. I dove into reading this absolute sweet romance with just the right amount of spice. Cora and Theo make me wish I had a best friend that could love me and show me it is okay to fall in love. I envy their relationship.

I recommend you read this series and stay tuned for future books (I know I am). All of Penelope Ryan's books are awesome and I recommend you ready any and all of her books.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short and easy ready full of found family and a HEA. Cora has found a family at Thatcher Ranch but her Visa is up and the only way she can stay is of course to find someone to marry her. Enter our MMC Theo the cowboy...oooh do we love a cowboy, especially the one that pines for the girl. He offers to marry her but will it just be to help her or for his own selfish reasons? ( Selfish being he secretly loves her and wants to keep her) I loved these two and this book!