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

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Cowboy Romance, Westerns

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 🩷

[Violleta · Rating 4 out of 5]

#părerea_Violetei
#recomandare_de_lectura

💍The cowboy takes a wife, Penelope Ryan
236 pagini (Thatcher Ranch Cowboys, #2)

💍Posibile spoilere!
💍Cora Walker lucrează de doi ani la Thatcher Ranch ca medic veterinar și, în sfârșit, și-a găsit locul, și-a găsit prieteni și mai ales simte ca aparține acestui loc, numai ca totul se schimbă când priește un mail de la autoritățile americane prin care este înștiințată ca viza sa expiră și nu îi mai este prelungită, dar cel mai bun prieten al ei, Theo vine cu singura soluție validă și anume să se căsătorească cu el pentru a obține permisul de ședere în SUA.
💍Theo Strickland este un om minunat și din momentul în care Cora pășește pe porțile fermei știe ca este aleasa lui, numai ca ii este teama sa strice prietenia minunata care ii leagă și astfel tace și nu își dezvăluie sentimentele, dar totul se schimbă când se oferă sa o ajute cu viza, căsătorindu-se și locuind împreună, deoarece sentimentele își fac loc, atracția atinge cote maxime, dar încăpățânarea și temerile Corei sunt gata sa arunce în aer tot ceea ce au construit cei doi până acum.
💍De ce teme Cora să iubească? Cine a rănit-o în trecut și în ce mod? De ce Theo nu își dezvăluie sentimentele vreme de doi ani? Cine le ridică valul de pe ochi celor doi? Va obține Cora viza? Va accepta ea iubirea pe care i-o poartă Theo sau totul se va sfârși înainte de a începe cu adevărat? Răspunsurile le veți afla voi.
💍Am dat peste aceasta serie căutând coperta pastel și mi-a plăcut tare mult primul volum, încât l-am citit și pe al doilea, volum care ii are ca protagoniști pe bunul Theo și pe încăpățânată Cora. Theo este minunat așa cum e el și am înțeles de ce nu a făcut un pas înainte în relația lui cu Cora, nedorind să strice prietenia minunată dintre ei, în cazul în care relația nu ar fi mers, dar obținerea vizei a fost pretextul perfect pentru a face următorul pas. Cora are multe temeri, multe frici, nu se lasă iubită ușor, dar Theo face pași mărunți și îi cucerește inima și sufletul, arătându-i ca merită să fie iubita și fericită. Da recomand iubitorilor de romance și cu siguranță voi citit și ultimul volum din serie pentru a afla povestea playboy-ului Graham.

[Morgan Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this just as much as the first one! These are sweet easy read cowboy romances that have real life struggles to underline the story and make them an absolutely perfect slump breaker.

This friends to lovers story had me SAT from the get go - I absolutely loved Theo as an MMC and getting to see just how much he loved Cora evolve throughout the story was so fun.

[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 Anderson · 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!

[Serena Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

’Dios, Cora, si me das aunque sea una pizca de lo que sea, la aceptaré. Pasaré mi vida de rodillas suplicándote lo que sea que me des.’



•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.



The Cowboy Takes a Wife de Penelope Ryan serie Thatcher Ranch Cowboys libro 2

Argumento:

Ella finge tener una tarjeta verde. Él no finge en absoluto.

La veterinaria Cora Walker nunca tuvo la intención de enamorarse de Montana, ni del rancho que finalmente se sintió como su hogar después de una vida de pérdidas. Pero cuando su visa de trabajo fracasa, se enfrenta a dejar la única vida y las únicas personas a las que realmente ha pertenecido.

Entra Theo Strickland. Vaquero. Mejor amigo. Y el hombre que ha estado secreta e irremediablemente enamorado de ella durante años. ¿Su solución? Casarse con ella.

Es solo papeleo. Solo temporal. Solo supervivencia.

Vivir juntos, compartir rutinas y fingir ser recién casados debería ser simple. Se conocen desde hace años. Pero cuanto más se inclinan hacia la artimaña, más lucha Theo por ocultar lo real que siempre ha sido para él.

A medida que se acercan las entrevistas, saltan chispas y el deseo difumina cada línea entre la amistad y algo mucho más profundo, Cora debe decidir qué significa realmente el hogar y quién lo representa.


Mi humilde opinión:

Romance con matrimonio por conveniencia, de amigos a amantes, pueblo pequeño, cowboy, veterinaria, proximidad forzada, él cae primero, familia encontrada.

Si pensaba que Cruz era mi nuevo novio de libro es porque todavía no conocía a Theo Strickland, en serio, estoy loca por los vaqueros de esta autora!

Theo derretía mi corazón cada vez! la historia que conto del momento en que supo que amaba a Cora? Para el desmayo! Me da ba pena cada oportunidad que perdió en el pasado de decirle lo que sentía por ella y que luego que tuviera que guardárselo porque no quería perderla como amiga. Este hombre adoraba a Cora con todo lo que era y los dos tenían una relación tan linda y especial que ella no se daba cuenta de lo perfectos que eran juntos como pareja, por no hablar de la química explosiva que había entre ellos. Omg, las escenas spicy me hicieron sonrojar.

Cora no tenia idea de los profundos sentimientos de su mejor amigo por ella y luego de casarse con él y convivir comienza a mirar a Theo con otros ojos pero tiene problemas de abandono, teme amar y ser lastimada. Así que le costó aceptar que el amor que Theo sentía por ella, me hizo pasar una angustia tremenda cuando él se lo confesó pero solo necesito tiempo para procesarlo todo. Me encantó que hubiera una pequeña dificultad y que se resolviera rápido sin dramas innecesarios.
El segundo libro de la seria me atrapo tanto como el anterior y no pude soltarlo hasta el final. Los capítulos son cortos pero tan buenos y me transmitió todas las sensaciones. No puedo esperar para leer el libro de Graham!

[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 💚

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, slow burn romance. Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, being forced to marry makes them confront their feelings for one another or lose each other. This is a hard one, you don’t want to mess the friendship but you don’t want to be apart. This book tear at your heartstrings, I cried a lot, but I cry very easily. Cora has no family left and never felt like she belonged, she finally found her place and might be taken away from her, to be scared is only natural! The story progressed well and you really feel for Theo having to bottle up his feelings while Cora figures out her own and fight through her fears. Spice level medium, on page love scenes but nothing too much. Cursing is minimum, shouldn’t bother a lot of people. I really liked the book and looking forward the next one. I received this book as an advanced copy for my honest opinion, although I’m a bit late in posting. Life sometimes takes time away from reading unfortunately.

[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.

[Whitney Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo has been in love with Cora ever since she arrived at Thatcher Ranch as the new veterinarian. Best friends from the start, he’s always kept his feelings to himself—too afraid of ruining what they already have. Until Cora’s green card is in jeopardy. Panicked she will have to return to Canada Cora turns to Theo for help. When every solution seems time consuming, one idea remains: marriage. What begins as a favor quickly becomes something far more complicated once they’re forced to share a home. Lines blur, sparks fly, and their relationship turns spicy—but when real feelings surface, the question becomes whether they can survive this fake marriage. A friends-to-lovers romance with forced marriage, close proximity, and all the tension that comes with falling for the one person you were afraid to have feelings for.

[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! 💛

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐
Spice - 0.5

Trope - friends to lovers, rancher × veterinarian, he falls first, it's always been you, marriage of convenience, small town, novella, HEA

This book follows the story of Cora and Theo, whom we met in Can't Stand the Cowboy. Theo has always loved Cora, but she has been oblivious to his feelings. But when Cora's visa application gets denied, Theo offers to marry her so she can get the green card.

The story was very fast-paced, which is normal for a novella.

Theo's feelings were written so well; however, I wanted Cora's to be just as good as his. Her feelings felt rushed, and she didn't have that appeal.

A few of their moments were really nice.

The story was sweet and good. I just wanted a bit more.
Overall 3/5.

[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.

[Rachel E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - I liked it just slightly more than book 1. Theo and Cora was a really sweet read- friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, he falls first... but does he really? Love them working through the development and recognition that you can have have a solid friendship and an everlasting love. He took her fears and showed her that love is stronger than what she's experienced and it doesn't always lead to pain. I liked the format of the story, I enjoy Pen.Ry. structure and cadence. It feels relatable. It makes them feel like you could be reading about friends.

I received a ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[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