A Family for Sully

Cobbler Cove #1

by Cynthia Dees

She needed a miracle to save her ranch. What she got was a cowboy.

Jenna Foster is drowning. Bills are stacking up, the bank is circling, and the family ranch is slipping through her fingers. Her husband died four years ago in a tragic fire, leaving her with their six-year-old son, her stubborn pride, and not much else. The last thing she needs is a stranded cowboy on her doorstep.

Sullivan “Sully” Black is one of the top calf ropers on the rodeo circuit—until a brutal shoulder injury threatens to end his career. Then an ice storm maroons him, his brothers, and a convoy of rodeo stock at Jenna’s ranch.

As the roads remain impassable, Sully starts mending more than fences around the neglected ranch. Somewhere between fixing what’s broken and showing up for Jenna and Bobby, he begins to wonder if the traveling rodeo life isn’t half as good as the one right in front of him. Jenna, who swore she’d never lean on anyone again, finds herself drawn to the quiet strength of a man who looks at her and her son like they matter and brings joy back into the house.

But Sully has spent a lifetime leaving, and Jenna can’t afford to love someone who won’t stay. When the roads finally clear and he’s free to go, both of them must decide: is the safest choice really the right one?

A clean, heartwarming cowboy romance with a wounded rodeo hero, a fierce single-mom heroine, forced proximity, found family, and all the small-town charm your heart can hold.

Perfect for readers who love a Hallmark movie–worthy romance with emotional depth and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Contemporary, Amazon

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2026

About the author

With over two million books sold worldwide, Cynthia Dees/Cindy Dees is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 80+ books. A 2-time RITA winner and five-time RITA finalist, Cindy writes thrillers, military romance, and romantic suspense.

As Cynthia Dees, she writes clean and wholesome romance with a twist of fun. A former U.S. Air Force pilot and part-time spy, Cindy draws upon real-life experience to fuel her stories of love on the edge. A mom, dog mom, and craft addict, Cynthia draws on her quirky family to write stories of hearth and home, love and laughter. When she's not typing like a maniac, she can be found playing with (or being laid on by) her very large Doberman Pinscher named Waffles, cooking, cross stitching, gardening, and traveling. She loves to chat with readers, and her blog and social media links are on her websites, www.cynthiadees.com and www.cindydees.com

For exclusive discounts, content, and giveaways, free books, latest news and more from Cynthia, sign up for her newsletter at www.cynthiadees.com. For all the same goodies, but from Cindy, you can sign up for her newsletter at http://cindydees.com/join-cindys-vip-.... I'm not sure who's chattier, Cindy or Cynthia. But both of us vow never, ever to share your email information, nor to flood your inbox with excessive emails.

Reviews

[Kathi McNeel]

A Family for Sully

Wow! A great story! I was totally glued from the beginning til the end…and that’s saying something. So many stories start out exciting but then fizzle out but this really did deliver what it said it would. I definitely want to read the next one. I know you will want to as well. Have fun!

[Ronnae Stately]

Sullivan Crawford is a true cowboy on the rodeo circuit. He's on his way to another rodeo when he has to swerve to miss an oncoming car on a country road. Jenna is a single mother of one tenacious little boy, Bobby. She is about to lose his legacy cause she can't raise enough money to keep the cattle ranch that his father's family started back in the 1800's. When Jenna and Sully meet after almost running into each other she invites Sully to stay at their farm until he can get his truck pulled out of the ditch it landed in. What she doesn't realize is that he will not be the only guest at her ranch for the winter. It seems that the freak storm that caused their incident also closed all the mountain passes for anybody else to traverse. So the rodeo circuit that Sully usually contends with decides to hold up at Jenna's farm too. It seems it's the best thing to happen to her and her friends who all lost their husbands in a freak fire. Sully and Jenna hit it off so well that they find love with each other but also some slight misunderstandings, after Sully is told he will never ever be able to ride professionally as a roper after his shoulder surgery. In the end everything is drawn to a head when the truth is reveals and Sully and Jenna find comfort in each other.

[redhotvanilla]

I struggled to give this one a 3, but I was leaning towards a 2. I did finish it (and am partially curious on what happens in the next book) which is why I gave a 3. My big issues I had with this book were:

1. Wow instant trust in the men. You had a bunkhouse but decide to let a complete stranger in your home as well as tuck your son in to sleep? You let these guys that you don’t know well spend hours unsupervised with your son? Hard pass.

2. It needed extra editing. There were spelling and grammar issues

3. The immaturity. You’re hung up on the fact you just told the guy that his career and life he knows is over but you’re mad he couldn’t tell you he wanted to be with you? Get over yourself. That was the worst timing to tell him you wanted him to stay. Way to make it about yourself and play the victim.

These were just a few. Overall the story had great potential, but for me personally it just wasn’t a right fit.

[Rita]

I was really enjoying everything about this book until the major conflict. I liked the characters and the premise. But then Jenna tells Sully that his rodeo career is over while he’s doped up on painkillers, and then declares her feelings while he’s still in shock and speechless. Then she completely overreacts to his lack of an immediate response to her declaration and won’t even let the guy talk to her for days! I was ready to scream at her for being so idiotic.

Why do all these characters jump to conclusions and overreact? Getting so tired of it. Too bad because up until then I thought this looked like a promising start to a new series. But it looks as though the next book (about Cash and Natalie) is going to be another bickering couple and I am so sick of those. Really hate that trope, and the poor communication trope.

[Tressia Avellar]

Finding home

Rarely will you see me review a book anymore, but this one was just totally awesome! I found myself laughing at the characters and crying with them at other times. The story starts out quickly and moves along fast the whole way. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book from this author and have signed up for her news letters as she is THAT good. I appreciate a clean (no trash talk) book.

[Anne Nelson]

A great read

A sweet, clean romance involving a young widow and her son. All hope is gone, her husband's generational farm only has till spring when it'll hit the auction block. A brutal, early fall storm, and a fast prayer and things take a turn in the icy storm. This story has warm, wonderful characters, beautiful scenery and small, strong community I couldn't help falling in love with. I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Linda Kelly]

You need a sweet, no spice love story? This is it. Take a widow, a broken cowboy & a little boy in a snowstorm and let the pheromones fly. Sully & Jenna aren’t a sure thing—there are lots of mountains for them to climb and patience is necessary. But the help of friends & setting new goals helps the couple move along. My only deduction was the ending..it was just kind of blah. I was expecting more. Otherwise? A good read.

[K G Wakeley]

A Family for Sully



A lovely story. So much fun learning about Rodeo and Ranching. I loved every bit of this novel. Sully and Jenna (and Bobby) are really lovely people. learning what happened to the other ladies husbands and brother was heartbreaking but knowing there will be stories about each one will be such a blessing. I look forward to them all lol x

[Virginia Heard]

Love Sully and crew

This is a little different from some of my favorite books, but I love all of it !!!!! One question, was anyone else suspicious of the major overload of locks on the barn that caught fire ?? Looked v and sounded like maybe insurance fraud to me. Look forward to the rest of the series. Thanks for the wonderful read

[Judy]

This book was so genuine that I could almost picture being in this quaint small town with these wholesome but wounded women along with the bigger than life rodeo men. So refreshing to read a book that is utterly believable.

[Sarah Worrill]

Wonderful!!

I loved this book so much. Well written and so real with emotions. Characters are well placed in thoughtful situations. I recommend this book to all you lovers of romance and good old Cowboys and rodeos...have fun!

[Dawn Williams]

A series that starts books about recovery and loss from devastating fire.

Each book book shows how a small group of women pull their lives back together from a devastating fire that takes away their loved ones. Shows strength and personal reasons to move on. Good series.

[Jennifer]

This was a delightful book that speaks to the challenges of being a widow and finding a 2nd chance in love. The author mixed drama, romance, and humor in a fun way. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Isabel]

***1/2

[Mary J Allen]

Wonderful, romantic story line!

Great book with very nice, believable characters. I really enjoyed reading it. It made me want to read the whole series.

[Ritika]

3.5 stars

[Susie Wall]

Definitely grabs the reader from the first page. But the author should get new editors. There are way too many errors in the book!

[Deitra Parker]

Rodeo to romance

A sad beginning works out to be a very happy ending. Typical boy meets girl story, but still a fun read.

[Katherine Ivey]

An error and an inconsistency but some memorable writing in iBooks version

[Gail Midgette]

Fantastic story! This takes you on a journey with two broken people who find their way to each other. Sully rescues Jenna in the sweetest way and she rescued him right back giving him a home and life outside of rodeo! Such a heartwarming story and an incredible love between them and little Bobby. I highly recommend it! Well written and will leave you smiling.
5 STAR ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WINNER 🥇

[Kelli Chadwick]

The e-book I read had a few typos that were distracting, but it was a sweet and easy Summer romance! I enjoyed it!

[Jemi Fraser]

An entertaining romance. Loved the setting and how the characters figured out their emotions and future. Looking forward to more

[Michelle Cridge]

great read

Loved this book heart warming and hard to put down , can't wait to read the other books about the brothers