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Wyoming Rebels #1
A Real Cowboy Never Says No
Alternate cover edition for ASIN B00XS0Q65C
New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Rowe delivers another winner when a marriage of convenience is the only way for a rugged cowboy to protect the unborn baby of his late best friend.
"OH. MY. GOSH! This was the best book I've read in a really, really long time." ~jenny7 (Amazon Review)
Mira Cabot has always wanted a family, and now she has the chance…but being on the run while she's pregnant, broke, and single wasn't exactly how she'd envisioned it. When a distractingly handsome cowboy offers her a marriage of convenience, it's the lifeline she needs…and one that no modern-day woman would ever accept…right?
Rancher Chase Stockton trusts no one except his brothers and his late best friend…who left behind a baby on the way. Chase knows who will come after that baby, and the only way he can protect it is to give the child…and its mother…his name.
When Mira arrives in Wyoming to be the bride of a cowboy she's met only once, neither of them expect to find the love that has always eluded them…the love they both so desperately yearn for.
New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Rowe delivers another winner when a marriage of convenience is the only way for a rugged cowboy to protect the unborn baby of his late best friend.
"OH. MY. GOSH! This was the best book I've read in a really, really long time." ~jenny7 (Amazon Review)
Mira Cabot has always wanted a family, and now she has the chance…but being on the run while she's pregnant, broke, and single wasn't exactly how she'd envisioned it. When a distractingly handsome cowboy offers her a marriage of convenience, it's the lifeline she needs…and one that no modern-day woman would ever accept…right?
Rancher Chase Stockton trusts no one except his brothers and his late best friend…who left behind a baby on the way. Chase knows who will come after that baby, and the only way he can protect it is to give the child…and its mother…his name.
When Mira arrives in Wyoming to be the bride of a cowboy she's met only once, neither of them expect to find the love that has always eluded them…the love they both so desperately yearn for.
228 pages, ebook
First published June 30, 2015
1197 people are currently reading
1678 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Rowe
112 books1,536 followersHailed as a "paranormal star!" by J.R. Ward, Stephanie Rowe is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty-five novels. She is the 2018 RITA® winner for Best Paranormal Romance, as well as a five-time nominee for this prestigious award. For more on Stephanie and her books, visit her at www.stephaneierowe.com, or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StephanieRow....
A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn't realize it was her dream until she was an adult.
Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind "work" as the world defines it and went to "work" as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.
Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.
Stephanie lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, and her amazing family.
A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn't realize it was her dream until she was an adult.
Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind "work" as the world defines it and went to "work" as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.
Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.
Stephanie lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, and her amazing family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews
June 6, 2016
Love was a hell of a risk, except when it was with the right woman. Then it was the best, safest, purest emotion a man could ever have.
This was a wonderfully cheesetastic romance that ticked all the right boxes for me.
Cowboys ✔
Family drama ✔
Miscommunication ✔
Surprise baby ✔✔
Cheese ✔✔✔
More cheese ✔✔✔✔
Some marshmallow fluff to finish things off ✔✔✔✔✔
Seriously though, this was fun! Sure, Mira was frustrating at times with her flip-flopping, but I'm going to blame that on her surprise baby hormones. Chase was a bit of an idiot trying to decide between the loyalty to his brothers and to Mira, but in the end he worked it all out and managed to step up and be the soft hearted romantic that he was afraid of being and it didn't kill him, it made him stronger. LOVE CONQUERS ALL.
I do have to say I was a little concerned about some of the activities Mira was doing while she was pregnant... Seems to me that riding horses and jumping off cliffs into water might not be the wisest decision? But hey, what would I know?
The best part about this book? Finding out that there are EIGHT OTHER STOCKTON BROTHERS for me to read about. YES PLZ. I'm very keen for Zane's story - grumpy, broody men are my favorites, after all. But Steen also sounds like a babe, so I look forward to reading his book too!
I think it's safe to say that cowboys are my newest catnip. >:D
4 cowboy-kisses Stars
Thanks for the sort of buddy read Karly!
June 7, 2016
3.5 Stars
Back when I was in my early twenties I was obsessed with Nora Roberts’ romance novels. I read almost nothing else, for years. One of the things I most enjoyed about Roberts’ love stories was the relationships outside of the main pair. Often there are very close family circles or large loving friend groups who are more like family than friends. I’m a big sucker for loud, boisterous groups who intermingle and support each other.
A Real Cowboy Never Says No really harkens back to that style of romance that I loved when I was in my early twenties. Chase has, I believe, eight brothers. And his loyalty and love of his brothers is at the heart of one of the biggest obstacles in his and Mira’s love story. And he’s a cowboy, I love cowboys. And it’s not even so much about the rippling muscles and plaid, though both of those are quite nice. I love romances about cowboys, ranchers, ranch hands because they bring an earthy richness to a story. In a good cowboy/girl love story the ranch, the earth, the landmarks become a CHARACTER in the story. There is a bit of that here, though I wish there had been more. I am hoping that we will see a bit more of this in future books in this series.
This story is all kinds of ridiculous. The cheese ABOUNDS and I enjoyed the hell out of it!
GIMME THAT CHEESE! It’s so gouda!
This is the story of Mira and Chase. After years of hearing about each other from their mutual friend, they finally meet each other at same friend’s funeral. This sets up for one of the most unrealistic knight in shining armour plotlines I have EVER read. After knowing Mira all of a few hours Chase offers to move her to his ranch and marry her for the safety of her unborn child. As mentioned, this shit is unrealistic and crazy as all hell but I ate it up like the above mentioned cheese it was.
My one genuine issue with this story is the way love is portrayed at a few points. I, personally, don’t think it’s healthy or right to want to be anyone’s number one. Especially when they have a big huge family of boisterous brothers, who have been through literal hell on earth together. I’ll be honest, Mira’s thoughts on this pissed me the fuck off on numerous occasions. She acted like a complete twat about it. I would be more likely to get my knickers in a knot if I found out that CQ valued me above his family, that’s your FUCKING family man. Don’t mess with that shit.
I look forward to continuing with this series, as soon as Future-Gurl and I can find the next ones for cheap, and watching Steen's (the prison-broken brother with some serious relationship scartissue) world come falling apart and re-aligning in a less jaded way with the love of a good woman.
Thank you for the impromptu sort of buddy-read, Future-Gurl!
(Side Note: While I love that cover, a lot, I am a little annoyed that the cover model has zero chest hair. Chase’s chest hair is mentioned at least a few times.)
Back when I was in my early twenties I was obsessed with Nora Roberts’ romance novels. I read almost nothing else, for years. One of the things I most enjoyed about Roberts’ love stories was the relationships outside of the main pair. Often there are very close family circles or large loving friend groups who are more like family than friends. I’m a big sucker for loud, boisterous groups who intermingle and support each other.
A Real Cowboy Never Says No really harkens back to that style of romance that I loved when I was in my early twenties. Chase has, I believe, eight brothers. And his loyalty and love of his brothers is at the heart of one of the biggest obstacles in his and Mira’s love story. And he’s a cowboy, I love cowboys. And it’s not even so much about the rippling muscles and plaid, though both of those are quite nice. I love romances about cowboys, ranchers, ranch hands because they bring an earthy richness to a story. In a good cowboy/girl love story the ranch, the earth, the landmarks become a CHARACTER in the story. There is a bit of that here, though I wish there had been more. I am hoping that we will see a bit more of this in future books in this series.
This story is all kinds of ridiculous. The cheese ABOUNDS and I enjoyed the hell out of it!
GIMME THAT CHEESE! It’s so gouda!
This is the story of Mira and Chase. After years of hearing about each other from their mutual friend, they finally meet each other at same friend’s funeral. This sets up for one of the most unrealistic knight in shining armour plotlines I have EVER read. After knowing Mira all of a few hours Chase offers to move her to his ranch and marry her for the safety of her unborn child. As mentioned, this shit is unrealistic and crazy as all hell but I ate it up like the above mentioned cheese it was.
My one genuine issue with this story is the way love is portrayed at a few points. I, personally, don’t think it’s healthy or right to want to be anyone’s number one. Especially when they have a big huge family of boisterous brothers, who have been through literal hell on earth together. I’ll be honest, Mira’s thoughts on this pissed me the fuck off on numerous occasions. She acted like a complete twat about it. I would be more likely to get my knickers in a knot if I found out that CQ valued me above his family, that’s your FUCKING family man. Don’t mess with that shit.
I look forward to continuing with this series, as soon as Future-Gurl and I can find the next ones for cheap, and watching Steen's (the prison-broken brother with some serious relationship scartissue) world come falling apart and re-aligning in a less jaded way with the love of a good woman.
Thank you for the impromptu sort of buddy-read, Future-Gurl!
(Side Note: While I love that cover, a lot, I am a little annoyed that the cover model has zero chest hair. Chase’s chest hair is mentioned at least a few times.)
April 26, 2016
I almost DNF'd this book several times. Although the writing is decent, everything else about this bothered me tremendously. So here goes my rant...
***SPOILERS***
So Mira meets Chase for the first time at Aj's funeral, who is both their best friends but from different periods of their lives. Mira is pregnant with AJ's baby, who she slept with just a month prior, not because they loved eachother or for any romantic reason, it was because they were both grieving the loss of her mother. Sooooo this is how people grieve these days? They screw their best friend who is more like a brother & have never had any sort of attraction towards each other? Kinda creepy to me. AND you do it while having unprotected sex? This is just a ridiculous trend I'm seeing in a lot of books & I'm sick of it. So please, authors, STOP ROMANTICIZING UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES!!! When has it been ok for women to do this kind of stupidity?
Chase is this sexy, mysterious cowboy who comes from a very abusive family. His father abused him & his brothers badly growing up & choosing women over his own sons. So he's a bit damaged from that. He comes up with a plan to save Mira & her baby from AJ's abusive, controlling father. He gets her to agree to move to Wyoming, claim the baby is his since she's not that far along & marry him. They don't know each other at all other than thru whatever AJ would say about each other. So she agrees. They hook up, have unprotected sex & then the game just gets more & more annoying.
There go back & forth with "marry me?/yes. sorry I can't marry you/yes I'll marry you..." blah blah blah. Back & forth, I got whiplash, seriously. Mira tries to keep it platonic because neither one of them know a thing about each other but when Chase decides to push her away too, she starts pulling him. It turns into a very push & pull kind of game. His angst & resentment towards women because of how his father was is a bit ridiculous to me. The way him & his clan of brothers are about women I thought was moronic. So Mira has to deal with their stupidity because she's a woman.
She's not even all that far along with the pregnancy & she always cradling her belly or he touches it. But it's described that she was a slight bump... dude she's like a month, month & half pregnant... THERE'S NO BUMP! She's riding horses & jumping off cliffs into ponds... aren't you not suppose to that kind of stuff? Then when shit goes does where Aj's father finds out that she pregnant he comes looking for her. And how does he find out you ask? Records of her burying a pregnancy test. WHAT?! That makes absolutely no sense. There was no reason to suspect that she was pregnant so why would he find records? And what kind of records would he actually find? Ugh the inaccuracies & ridiculousness of some of the details had me wanting to rip my hair out.
It's a shame because the author writes pretty well & the story would have been ok if it were for the things I said. And I'm more shocked that the women who read this are giving it such high reviews. I really don't understand how women can think this was romantic or swoon worthy.
***SPOILERS***
So Mira meets Chase for the first time at Aj's funeral, who is both their best friends but from different periods of their lives. Mira is pregnant with AJ's baby, who she slept with just a month prior, not because they loved eachother or for any romantic reason, it was because they were both grieving the loss of her mother. Sooooo this is how people grieve these days? They screw their best friend who is more like a brother & have never had any sort of attraction towards each other? Kinda creepy to me. AND you do it while having unprotected sex? This is just a ridiculous trend I'm seeing in a lot of books & I'm sick of it. So please, authors, STOP ROMANTICIZING UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES!!! When has it been ok for women to do this kind of stupidity?
Chase is this sexy, mysterious cowboy who comes from a very abusive family. His father abused him & his brothers badly growing up & choosing women over his own sons. So he's a bit damaged from that. He comes up with a plan to save Mira & her baby from AJ's abusive, controlling father. He gets her to agree to move to Wyoming, claim the baby is his since she's not that far along & marry him. They don't know each other at all other than thru whatever AJ would say about each other. So she agrees. They hook up, have unprotected sex & then the game just gets more & more annoying.
There go back & forth with "marry me?/yes. sorry I can't marry you/yes I'll marry you..." blah blah blah. Back & forth, I got whiplash, seriously. Mira tries to keep it platonic because neither one of them know a thing about each other but when Chase decides to push her away too, she starts pulling him. It turns into a very push & pull kind of game. His angst & resentment towards women because of how his father was is a bit ridiculous to me. The way him & his clan of brothers are about women I thought was moronic. So Mira has to deal with their stupidity because she's a woman.
She's not even all that far along with the pregnancy & she always cradling her belly or he touches it. But it's described that she was a slight bump... dude she's like a month, month & half pregnant... THERE'S NO BUMP! She's riding horses & jumping off cliffs into ponds... aren't you not suppose to that kind of stuff? Then when shit goes does where Aj's father finds out that she pregnant he comes looking for her. And how does he find out you ask? Records of her burying a pregnancy test. WHAT?! That makes absolutely no sense. There was no reason to suspect that she was pregnant so why would he find records? And what kind of records would he actually find? Ugh the inaccuracies & ridiculousness of some of the details had me wanting to rip my hair out.
It's a shame because the author writes pretty well & the story would have been ok if it were for the things I said. And I'm more shocked that the women who read this are giving it such high reviews. I really don't understand how women can think this was romantic or swoon worthy.
April 1, 2018
This is my first book by Stephanie Rowe and I really enjoyed her writing. This was well written and the characters were mature. It's a good story, but I did have a hard time with the constant back and forth between the main characters. Both Mira and Chase have been let down by the opposite sex their whole lives except for one person. Their mutual best friend who recently died and brought them together.
Chase and his brothers have been treated horribly by every woman that came into their dad's life. The more the women that treated his father bad, the worse he then treated his sons. It was a vicious cycle that Chase swore he would never repeat for himself. Despite never wanting to get involved with a woman, he couldn't leave Mira at the mercy of his best friends dad knowing he was just as abusive as his own.
Mira has had to witness her best friend get constantly abused by his father growing up. Her family stepped in when they could to help him until one fateful car accident stole her fathers life and put her mother in critical care for the remainder of her days.
Because of Mira having to quit school to go home and take care of her mom, her fiance at the time dumped her. Years later with her mom passed away and her best friend following not long after, she no longer has faith in men. When Chase offers her protection against her best friends dad, she's not in a place to turn him down.
Because of these two fighting their own demons, they are constantly battling their attraction to each other and afraid to open themselves up to the possible hurt. I wish we could have gotten less of the pushing away and more of them exploring their new relationship. However, I was very happy with the ending.
This book will appeal to the readers who love that push/pull relationship. ARC provided by NetGalley.
Chase and his brothers have been treated horribly by every woman that came into their dad's life. The more the women that treated his father bad, the worse he then treated his sons. It was a vicious cycle that Chase swore he would never repeat for himself. Despite never wanting to get involved with a woman, he couldn't leave Mira at the mercy of his best friends dad knowing he was just as abusive as his own.
Mira has had to witness her best friend get constantly abused by his father growing up. Her family stepped in when they could to help him until one fateful car accident stole her fathers life and put her mother in critical care for the remainder of her days.
Because of Mira having to quit school to go home and take care of her mom, her fiance at the time dumped her. Years later with her mom passed away and her best friend following not long after, she no longer has faith in men. When Chase offers her protection against her best friends dad, she's not in a place to turn him down.
Because of these two fighting their own demons, they are constantly battling their attraction to each other and afraid to open themselves up to the possible hurt. I wish we could have gotten less of the pushing away and more of them exploring their new relationship. However, I was very happy with the ending.
This book will appeal to the readers who love that push/pull relationship. ARC provided by NetGalley.
July 8, 2016
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone but part of a series.
Ages of H and h: Late 20s.
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: Yes
>>Detail: So h is pregnant with her dead best friend's child. The H was also best friend's with the dead best friend. Both have and H met at the funeral. They propose to get married to protect dead BF's father is a POS who would do anything to get the grandchild (Chapter 15/16 involves him beating the h up.)
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
Ages of H and h: Late 20s.
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: Yes
>>Detail: So h is pregnant with her dead best friend's child. The H was also best friend's with the dead best friend. Both have and H met at the funeral. They propose to get married to protect dead BF's father is a POS who would do anything to get the grandchild (Chapter 15/16 involves him beating the h up.)
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
April 24, 2021
This is the first book that I have read from this author and I loved this powerful story! A sexy cowboy hell bent on never trusting women meets his match at his best friends funeral. Chase and Mira have never met, but they both know so much about each other due to their best friend AJ who has just died. There is a strong connection the first time that they meet at the funeral. Neither one of them is looking to settle down. But as Mira finds out that she is pregnant, she must protect her baby from AJ's evil abusive father. Chase knows all too well about bad father's and he's not going to let anything happen to Mira and her baby. He wants to marry her for all the wrong reasons. Mira moves in with Chase and soon realized that he puts his brother's first. There is so much chemistry between Chase and Mira, but can they find a way to put each other first? I recommend this great story that teaches about strong family ties and letting go and learning to trust again.
June 2, 2015
Stephanie Rowe has out done herself with this new Cowboy series!!
This book was heart wrenching, tender, soul searching and romantic! It will make you cry, laugh and just route for the good guy!
The Stockton brothers are a broken lot of men. Mira isn't much more whole than Chase. They meet under the saddest circumstances but have known each other for a decade all because of one best friend in common.
It's a beautiful story of two people trying to figure out how to survive terrible situations with one of the most terrifying man after them both.
I truly cried and laughed through this book. It will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to fix all those broken Stockton brothers!
This book was heart wrenching, tender, soul searching and romantic! It will make you cry, laugh and just route for the good guy!
The Stockton brothers are a broken lot of men. Mira isn't much more whole than Chase. They meet under the saddest circumstances but have known each other for a decade all because of one best friend in common.
It's a beautiful story of two people trying to figure out how to survive terrible situations with one of the most terrifying man after them both.
I truly cried and laughed through this book. It will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to fix all those broken Stockton brothers!
July 4, 2015
Once I started this I didn’t want to put it down. Stephanie Rowe kicks off a new series based in Rogue Valley, Wyoming and it’s about a group of brothers that lived through hell in their childhood years but from that pain forged a tight bond between them. That past also made them leery of women and they each vowed to never marry or let a women ever get close enough to hurt them.
Story starts out at a funeral. AJ had always had two best friends, one male and one female. Neither of them had met during the 10 years AJ was friends with them both. Their first meeting unfortunately was at AJ’s funeral where Chase Stockton realized that Mira Cabot – the person he’d been fantasizing about for 10 years – needed his help. Since he felt like he own a huge debt to AJ for past deeds he decides he is going to protect Mira by inviting her to come back to his ranch in Wyoming so he could both protect her from AJ’s evil dad and to help her with the situation she found herself in.
Chase and Mira came from such different childhoods. Mira had two loving parents that doted on her and had no problem taking in her young friend when they saw he had a controlling and abusive father. But all of that was ripped from her when an accident immediately took the life of her father and eventually her mother. During a moment of grief when her mother passed AJ and Mira consoled each other which left Mira with child. Now that AJ is gone Mira knows that AJ’s Dad if he ever found out would do everything within his power to take her child away from her. Chase childhood was filled with abuse. His father went on to sire many children with different women who all suffered the same abuse. A lot of that abuse was mostly a direct cause from the women their father was married to at the time. This caused each of the boys to not trust women and left them very cynical about life. But one thing they never strayed from was their love for one another.
Chase and Mira had some big demons to put to rest before anything could come of their attraction. They had the sexual part of their relationship down pat but Mira didn’t want to put her heart out there because everyone she’s ever cared about has either died and left her or just left her. Chase is torn between his feelings for Mira and his vow and commitment to his brothers who aren’t happy with a woman being on their ranch.
We get to meet quite of few of the brothers – especially the two that the next two books will be about – and I fell in love with each of them even though they have some pretty big chips on their shoulders. I’m ready to read their stories now!! Really liked this first book in what looks to be a great series.
Story starts out at a funeral. AJ had always had two best friends, one male and one female. Neither of them had met during the 10 years AJ was friends with them both. Their first meeting unfortunately was at AJ’s funeral where Chase Stockton realized that Mira Cabot – the person he’d been fantasizing about for 10 years – needed his help. Since he felt like he own a huge debt to AJ for past deeds he decides he is going to protect Mira by inviting her to come back to his ranch in Wyoming so he could both protect her from AJ’s evil dad and to help her with the situation she found herself in.
Chase and Mira came from such different childhoods. Mira had two loving parents that doted on her and had no problem taking in her young friend when they saw he had a controlling and abusive father. But all of that was ripped from her when an accident immediately took the life of her father and eventually her mother. During a moment of grief when her mother passed AJ and Mira consoled each other which left Mira with child. Now that AJ is gone Mira knows that AJ’s Dad if he ever found out would do everything within his power to take her child away from her. Chase childhood was filled with abuse. His father went on to sire many children with different women who all suffered the same abuse. A lot of that abuse was mostly a direct cause from the women their father was married to at the time. This caused each of the boys to not trust women and left them very cynical about life. But one thing they never strayed from was their love for one another.
Chase and Mira had some big demons to put to rest before anything could come of their attraction. They had the sexual part of their relationship down pat but Mira didn’t want to put her heart out there because everyone she’s ever cared about has either died and left her or just left her. Chase is torn between his feelings for Mira and his vow and commitment to his brothers who aren’t happy with a woman being on their ranch.
We get to meet quite of few of the brothers – especially the two that the next two books will be about – and I fell in love with each of them even though they have some pretty big chips on their shoulders. I’m ready to read their stories now!! Really liked this first book in what looks to be a great series.
May 14, 2016
Super flimsy. Mira is cute and sweet and in serious trouble. The only person Mira can rely on is, Chase, the man she met just today, at her baby-daddy's funeral. Chase comes from a very broken home, and he feels duty bound to set that to right for his brothers, but when his best friend's girl is in trouble he feels the need to protect her.
SPOILERS AHEAD
It was never explained how Chase and AJ became friends, or what the exact "life debt" was that Chase owed. He says that AJ saved his life but there was no anecdote to back that up. I can't just take that at face value. Chase went so far as to offer to be the father of his unborn child and marry the woman AJ accidentally got pregnant. That is heavy responsibility and Chase never says how their friendship even developed.
Mira was very preoccupied with not marrying Chase for the wrong reasons. She wants to be the first priority for her future significant other and at first Chase is unable to agree to that. LIKE ANY OTHER HEALTHY INDEPENDENT ADULT with ambition and self-esteem. No one should be anyone else's unilateral first priority above anything else. Codependence should not be the goal.
Chase is put in a ludicrous and difficult spot of choosing between saving his dying brother's life by talking him into surviving, an intangible goal that the nurse never should have told him was possible, or running back to his farm to stop a violent man from hurting Mira. All of that was just too much of a set-up. No responsible nurse should tell someone that a patient is dying because he has just given up and the only thing that is gonna save him is his brother talking him into not giving up. I mean, that will hang on Chase for the rest of his life if his brother died.
SPOILERS AHEAD
It was never explained how Chase and AJ became friends, or what the exact "life debt" was that Chase owed. He says that AJ saved his life but there was no anecdote to back that up. I can't just take that at face value. Chase went so far as to offer to be the father of his unborn child and marry the woman AJ accidentally got pregnant. That is heavy responsibility and Chase never says how their friendship even developed.
Mira was very preoccupied with not marrying Chase for the wrong reasons. She wants to be the first priority for her future significant other and at first Chase is unable to agree to that. LIKE ANY OTHER HEALTHY INDEPENDENT ADULT with ambition and self-esteem. No one should be anyone else's unilateral first priority above anything else. Codependence should not be the goal.
Chase is put in a ludicrous and difficult spot of choosing between saving his dying brother's life by talking him into surviving, an intangible goal that the nurse never should have told him was possible, or running back to his farm to stop a violent man from hurting Mira. All of that was just too much of a set-up. No responsible nurse should tell someone that a patient is dying because he has just given up and the only thing that is gonna save him is his brother talking him into not giving up. I mean, that will hang on Chase for the rest of his life if his brother died.
March 10, 2016
This was my first time read from Stephanie Rowe but I'm sure it won't be my last. I was so so pleased with this book.
This book begins a new western romance series that will revolve around a family of brothers. The Stockton brothers have endured through a hell that forged an unbreakable bond and filled their hearts with distrust for all women. I found myself intrigued by their emotional turmoil and can't wait to see each brother find the special woman who will steal their hearts and restore their faith.
The first brother to take the leap is Chase who is the oldest and really the anchor that holds this family together. Tragedy and a shared sadness brings Chase and Mira together but in a way they've known each other for a decade. Chase learns that Mira is secretly carrying the child of their dead friend and immediately he wants to protect them. He tells himself it's to honor his friend but they had a connection that went deeper than friendship. Of course things get complicated because of the promise made between Chase and his eight brothers to never let a woman get close enough to hurt them.
This story was filled with intense emotions as Chase and Mira's relationship grew romantic and yet they doubted each other. The Stockton brothers were so broken that it pulled me right into the story. I felt sorry for them but wanted to smack at least one of them for acting so angry at Chase when he couldn't help himself from falling in love with Mira. The story is heartfelt the way the brothers have such a tight bond and gah they have been through some tough times.
This book was a wonderful read that poked at my emotions and left them bleeding, especially the hospital scene. I'm so glad that Steen will be getting his book next because I cannot wait to read it. I absolutely loved this book and recommend it to all.
April 17, 2016
This does what it says on the tin. A light bit of predictable froth with all the usual tropes. Abusive parents on one side, dying parents on the other, unexpected baby, etc etc.
A couple of gripes:
The constant 'Yes. I'll marry you/No, I won't marry you/Yes. I'll marry you/No, I won't marry you/Yes. I'll marry you/No, I won't marry you' became tedious after a while. I wanted to slap their faces and say 'Shut up or move on!!'
The introduction of a whole tribe of brothers - all emotionally and physically damaged by an abusive father had me groaning at the feeling that the author, having set up this scenario was going to milk it for every penny. It's an increasing trend now. A whole family of men, all of them handsome, etc etc etc.... and all secretly desperately in love with an equally desperate and beautiful woman who just happens to land up at their house/ranch/hotel in need of rescuing.
However, I liked the main characters in this story. The dialogue was crisp and believable, the set up nicely developed. (The first scene in the church was brilliant!)
I liked the way there was very little 'backstory' to AJs death as well. Although the final 'crunch' moment with Alan could have had more 'oomph' to it. It came a little too late and was over too quickly to have real build up of tension.
A quick and pleasant read, though I am seriously concerned about the appalling lack of any form of adequate Child Protection Service in the USA. ;)
Three strong stars. A good read but needed a little more weight behind the story.
A couple of gripes:
The constant 'Yes. I'll marry you/No, I won't marry you/Yes. I'll marry you/No, I won't marry you/Yes. I'll marry you/No, I won't marry you' became tedious after a while. I wanted to slap their faces and say 'Shut up or move on!!'
The introduction of a whole tribe of brothers - all emotionally and physically damaged by an abusive father had me groaning at the feeling that the author, having set up this scenario was going to milk it for every penny. It's an increasing trend now. A whole family of men, all of them handsome, etc etc etc.... and all secretly desperately in love with an equally desperate and beautiful woman who just happens to land up at their house/ranch/hotel in need of rescuing.
However, I liked the main characters in this story. The dialogue was crisp and believable, the set up nicely developed. (The first scene in the church was brilliant!)
I liked the way there was very little 'backstory' to AJs death as well. Although the final 'crunch' moment with Alan could have had more 'oomph' to it. It came a little too late and was over too quickly to have real build up of tension.
A quick and pleasant read, though I am seriously concerned about the appalling lack of any form of adequate Child Protection Service in the USA. ;)
Three strong stars. A good read but needed a little more weight behind the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2015
A Real Cowboy Never Says No by Stephanie Rowe
Powerful. A tear jerker in a good way. Not sad tears, but emotional ones. I loved this story and am so looking forward to the next in the series. Strong men with deep emotional scars that only a strong woman can help them heal.
Mira Cabot and Chase Stockton have know each other for ten years but never actually met. It was their best friend that they had in common. Now that AJ is gone and his powerful father is a threat to Mira, Chase puts Mira under his protection. His instinct says it's the right thing to do. Chase's brothers won't understand, but Chase can't seem to resist her and it feels so right to have her in his arms.
An emotional, heart touching romance.
"These men, who claimed to have no room in their lives and hearts for anyone except their brothers, were liars.
They had room. They just didn’t know it. They were born protectors, each and every one. They thought they had space only for each other in their sphere of protection, but they were wrong, and they’d already proved it.
And Chase...her dear, sweet, Chase. He’d been her protector since the very first moment, and AJ had known that. "
Excerpt from "A Real Cowboy Never Says No" by Stephanie Rowe.
I received a copy of this book from the author,
Powerful. A tear jerker in a good way. Not sad tears, but emotional ones. I loved this story and am so looking forward to the next in the series. Strong men with deep emotional scars that only a strong woman can help them heal.
Mira Cabot and Chase Stockton have know each other for ten years but never actually met. It was their best friend that they had in common. Now that AJ is gone and his powerful father is a threat to Mira, Chase puts Mira under his protection. His instinct says it's the right thing to do. Chase's brothers won't understand, but Chase can't seem to resist her and it feels so right to have her in his arms.
An emotional, heart touching romance.
"These men, who claimed to have no room in their lives and hearts for anyone except their brothers, were liars.
They had room. They just didn’t know it. They were born protectors, each and every one. They thought they had space only for each other in their sphere of protection, but they were wrong, and they’d already proved it.
And Chase...her dear, sweet, Chase. He’d been her protector since the very first moment, and AJ had known that. "
Excerpt from "A Real Cowboy Never Says No" by Stephanie Rowe.
I received a copy of this book from the author,
someday
September 5, 2017Was about to read this as the blurb sounded good- but thank god for spoiler reviews/heroine making gestures in first 2 pages-realized and seriously NOT in the mood. Maybe someday.
September 4, 2016
I was so happy when this book ended at 88%. I'm still undecided on whether or not I will read book 2. I want to give this author one more try before writing her off as serving up more cheese than story.
July 8, 2015
*I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review*
I'm a dedicated kindle highlighter, but occasionally I get a book that I'm so into that I forget to highlight because I'm lost in the world that's on the pages. This is one of those books.
Chase had a horribly rough childhood, but as the oldest he put it upon himself to be the one who holds his brothers together. He mortgaged himself to the hilt in hopes that his brothers would eventually come back and each take a share of the property. That way they'd always be together. But it hasn't happened exactly like he'd hoped. Nothing has.
Mira lost her parents and the only things even remotely she had left as family was her best friend AJ and he no longer lived close. But after her mother passed away, and for the first time ever, she and AJ took solace in each other's bodies. But then he died too and left her alone and pregnant.
When AJ died it brought together his two best friends, Chase and Mira. Each had known about the other, but they had never met. The attraction between them is evident from the beginning, but their resistance is strong, but a cowboy always does what's right. And right would be taking care of his best friend's baby and the woman who carried it. Problem was the 'right thing' went against every code he and his brothers had. They didn't trust women and the sure as hell didn't need them in their lives...until he realizes he does. It may however take a little longer for his brothers to come around to the fact that there's now a woman in their family.
A Real Cowboy Never Says No is everything a cowboy book should be. It has romance, honor, family, hard work, and the will to do what's right. The Stockton brothers came from a rough childhood and so did AJ so there are references to child abuse, there is some violence, and explicit sex scenes. Like I said, it's the perfect cowboy book.
My Favorite Moment: What Mira says to Steen in order to snap him out of his losing battle with life and the reaction of his brother's when she does.
I'm a dedicated kindle highlighter, but occasionally I get a book that I'm so into that I forget to highlight because I'm lost in the world that's on the pages. This is one of those books.
Chase had a horribly rough childhood, but as the oldest he put it upon himself to be the one who holds his brothers together. He mortgaged himself to the hilt in hopes that his brothers would eventually come back and each take a share of the property. That way they'd always be together. But it hasn't happened exactly like he'd hoped. Nothing has.
Mira lost her parents and the only things even remotely she had left as family was her best friend AJ and he no longer lived close. But after her mother passed away, and for the first time ever, she and AJ took solace in each other's bodies. But then he died too and left her alone and pregnant.
When AJ died it brought together his two best friends, Chase and Mira. Each had known about the other, but they had never met. The attraction between them is evident from the beginning, but their resistance is strong, but a cowboy always does what's right. And right would be taking care of his best friend's baby and the woman who carried it. Problem was the 'right thing' went against every code he and his brothers had. They didn't trust women and the sure as hell didn't need them in their lives...until he realizes he does. It may however take a little longer for his brothers to come around to the fact that there's now a woman in their family.
A Real Cowboy Never Says No is everything a cowboy book should be. It has romance, honor, family, hard work, and the will to do what's right. The Stockton brothers came from a rough childhood and so did AJ so there are references to child abuse, there is some violence, and explicit sex scenes. Like I said, it's the perfect cowboy book.
My Favorite Moment: What Mira says to Steen in order to snap him out of his losing battle with life and the reaction of his brother's when she does.
September 23, 2019
This cowboy romance tugs at the heart strings and makes me want to go out and find a real cowboy to love!
Mira and Chase are strong, captivating and are easily related to as they draw readers into their story and refuse to let go until they own every last bit of the reader’s heart. The romance is rocky with lots of heart felt emotional turmoil that adds depth and has readers empathizing with this captivating couple. The story also introduces the Stockton brothers who also grab reader’s attention and captivate their hearts due to their heart breaking past and ensures that the readers will want to know their stories as well.
Stephanie Rowe brings her heart capturing world to life with well written words that paints vivid imagery and her wonderful characters life like and I was completely captivated from the very beginning and found her cowboys to be sexy and loveable, so I will definitely be visiting with the Wyoming Rebels again.
Mira and Chase are strong, captivating and are easily related to as they draw readers into their story and refuse to let go until they own every last bit of the reader’s heart. The romance is rocky with lots of heart felt emotional turmoil that adds depth and has readers empathizing with this captivating couple. The story also introduces the Stockton brothers who also grab reader’s attention and captivate their hearts due to their heart breaking past and ensures that the readers will want to know their stories as well.
Stephanie Rowe brings her heart capturing world to life with well written words that paints vivid imagery and her wonderful characters life like and I was completely captivated from the very beginning and found her cowboys to be sexy and loveable, so I will definitely be visiting with the Wyoming Rebels again.
March 31, 2018
What an unfortunate trail of circumstances Mira found herself in, after involving in a self-pitying weekend after her mother's funeral, with her best friend AJ, which led to her being pregnant and him dying without knowing. She was out of a job after sacrificing it to take care of her mom, to top it off she now had to hide the pregnancy from AJ’s father who was a violent ogre of a monster, he truly destroyed AJ and now he wants to do the same to Mira and possible her unborn child. Mira would never let him take her child to raise like he did his two sons with blows, he was an abusive and violent man and a poor example of a father. At AJ’s funeral she met Chase his best friend and a ray of light paved a path for her, and just maybe she stands a chance of winning this battle. But nothing good comes easy, they had to face their fears before they can embrace the victory.True love always shines through no matter what the storm throws at them, Mira and Chase had to wade through some personal muck, and a few violent encounters with the ogre, to get to that point, but the fight was worth it in the end. Tenderness and pure unadulterated love paved the way for this wonderful and heartfelt story.
August 5, 2017
This was a good story on the verge of being great but just didn't make it. The characters were good, Alan was definitely freaking evil and it flowed well. Why 3 stars then? Because of the constant back and fourth "I'm no good for him/her, I can never trust a man/women" the two main leads drove me crazy! I understood why Chase felt this way, I mean holy hell! What those men went through growing up! Mira no, just no! So her fiancee broke up with her because she choose to take care of her handicapped mother. I say good riddance to anyone who didn't understand family comes first and step up and help me. She should have been thanking her lucky stars she dogged a bullet with that one instead of being a mistrusting winey birch!
Add that all up to an extremely fast fix of the drama and then the end, no epilogue just done read the next book. That got this book 3 stars instead of 4!
Add that all up to an extremely fast fix of the drama and then the end, no epilogue just done read the next book. That got this book 3 stars instead of 4!
January 26, 2021
When Mira finds she is pregnant with her late best friend's baby, she is happy to see his best friend from college Chase Stockton at his funeral. He offers to give the baby his name and marry her to protect this baby from his grandfather, a powerful man with a history of abuse of both of his sons.
Chase lives by a code to always protect his family and believes that A Real Cowboy Never Says No. Mira and Chase start as strangers that have a best friend in common. The attraction is strong but the road to a happy ending is full of emotional ups and downs. Chase is sensitive, always caring and a strong support for Mira when she needs him. I loved the way the nine brothers support each other and in the end Mira too. WOW!
Chase lives by a code to always protect his family and believes that A Real Cowboy Never Says No. Mira and Chase start as strangers that have a best friend in common. The attraction is strong but the road to a happy ending is full of emotional ups and downs. Chase is sensitive, always caring and a strong support for Mira when she needs him. I loved the way the nine brothers support each other and in the end Mira too. WOW!
August 8, 2017
Wow what a emotional roller coaster ride this book was. Chase and Mira story was beautiful.
I loved how strong, yet vulnerable they both are. How the realize that they don't have to do it alone when they have each other, and the brothers.
I can't wait to read the rest of the Stockton brothers stories.
I loved how strong, yet vulnerable they both are. How the realize that they don't have to do it alone when they have each other, and the brothers.
I can't wait to read the rest of the Stockton brothers stories.
July 17, 2017
Review to follow
Want to read
August 13, 2017Amazon Freebie today 8/3/17
October 1, 2018
I love this series by Rowe. This is the second time I'm reading them, and I'm not disappointed. 😍📚🤓
July 6, 2015
This is my first Stephanie Rowe book and it will so not be the last I need more of them Stockton boys!!!
I dont even know what to say about this book and i finished it a few hours ago. I literally had to force myself to get sleep last night because I did not want to put it down.
This book was powerful and emotional. Right from the beginning without even knowing the characters that well it had my heart breaking.
Mira and Chase have known about each other for ten years but have never met until now. AJ was both of their best friends and their connection to one another. Now that AJ is gone Chase swore to him that he would protect Mira from anything and everything.
They both second guess everything that is going on and are both back and forth about if this is all the right thing to do. Chase has never needed or wanted a woman in his life. he has his ranch and his brothers and that is all he needs or so he thought. With Mira she throws caution out the door with him. Even with the blood pact he made with his brothers to never had a woman in their lives due to what their father put them through as well as the women his father brought home and married.
Their lives have not been easy. They all question Chase as well as Mira but could she be the angel and saving grace the Stockton boys need?
This is a must read. You will not be disappointed.
I dont even know what to say about this book and i finished it a few hours ago. I literally had to force myself to get sleep last night because I did not want to put it down.
This book was powerful and emotional. Right from the beginning without even knowing the characters that well it had my heart breaking.
Mira and Chase have known about each other for ten years but have never met until now. AJ was both of their best friends and their connection to one another. Now that AJ is gone Chase swore to him that he would protect Mira from anything and everything.
They both second guess everything that is going on and are both back and forth about if this is all the right thing to do. Chase has never needed or wanted a woman in his life. he has his ranch and his brothers and that is all he needs or so he thought. With Mira she throws caution out the door with him. Even with the blood pact he made with his brothers to never had a woman in their lives due to what their father put them through as well as the women his father brought home and married.
Their lives have not been easy. They all question Chase as well as Mira but could she be the angel and saving grace the Stockton boys need?
This is a must read. You will not be disappointed.
May 3, 2016
Good story
A good cowboy romance. Even though it's short, the characters fill out well, and the length is perfect for a Kindle read. Some of the story was predictable, but again, length plays into that. Over all, a good cowboy read.
A good cowboy romance. Even though it's short, the characters fill out well, and the length is perfect for a Kindle read. Some of the story was predictable, but again, length plays into that. Over all, a good cowboy read.
March 10, 2016
This is a great read, it kept me interested right until the end and will be fab to see how the rest of the family fair with the opposite sex. 2 broken souls bought together ❤️
just-not-for-me-stay-away-hell-no
April 14, 2016self note: darn it, this sounded good but heroine is pregnant with her best friend child who happens to be best friend to the hero. Can't read that:/
May 1, 2016
Great read!
This was a great Sunday afternoon read. I almost cried a couple of times since I found myself connected with Mira. This was a great start to a new series!
This was a great Sunday afternoon read. I almost cried a couple of times since I found myself connected with Mira. This was a great start to a new series!
May 13, 2018
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Recently. I seemed to be reading many books in which one if not both of the main characters were subject to abuse as a child and are still struggling with the physical and mental scars as adults. Is this a new trend? I hope only in fiction, because if not, it is a sad commentary on the push away from conservative values.
Mira Cabot grew up in happy, loving home. The same could not be said about her best friend, AJ, who was severally abused by his wealthy father, Alan, and who found refuge in the Cabot home. Mira's father was the sheriff of their small southern town. As soon as he could, AJ left town to never return, but kept in touch with Mira. At college, he made another best friend, Chase Stockton, also the child of abuse. For ten years, Mira and Chase knew each other vicariously through AJ, but finally meet in person at AJs funeral.
While she was in college, Mira's parents were in an auto accident, that left her father dead and her mother an invalid. When she left school to take care of her mother, her fiancee broke their engagement and quickly married her college roommate. When her mother died, a few weeks earlier, AJ had come for the funeral and in a act of grief and comfort they had sex.
Now Mira finds herself pregnant with AJ's child, is terrified that Alan will find out and with his wealth take her child away from her. A very observant Chase figures it out and offers to protect Mira and AJ's child by marrying her- just a business arrangement to protect them from Alan. But Chase has his own "issues" - his brothers. Eight younger brothers, mothered by various abusive step mothers and girlfriends. The brothers had vowed to never let a woman in their lives, believing that all women are like their mothers, and they might end up like their father.
Despite their strong attraction to each other and their AJ bond, can Mira and Chase trust each other ? How will Chase's brothers react to Mira's presence? Can they fool Alan?
The author weaves angst, hot cowboys, horses, a picturesque description of the ranch and villains into a beautiful love story, where not only the main characters, but the supporting characters step up to protect others. And with all those brothers, we will have a nice long series to devour.
Recently. I seemed to be reading many books in which one if not both of the main characters were subject to abuse as a child and are still struggling with the physical and mental scars as adults. Is this a new trend? I hope only in fiction, because if not, it is a sad commentary on the push away from conservative values.
Mira Cabot grew up in happy, loving home. The same could not be said about her best friend, AJ, who was severally abused by his wealthy father, Alan, and who found refuge in the Cabot home. Mira's father was the sheriff of their small southern town. As soon as he could, AJ left town to never return, but kept in touch with Mira. At college, he made another best friend, Chase Stockton, also the child of abuse. For ten years, Mira and Chase knew each other vicariously through AJ, but finally meet in person at AJs funeral.
While she was in college, Mira's parents were in an auto accident, that left her father dead and her mother an invalid. When she left school to take care of her mother, her fiancee broke their engagement and quickly married her college roommate. When her mother died, a few weeks earlier, AJ had come for the funeral and in a act of grief and comfort they had sex.
Now Mira finds herself pregnant with AJ's child, is terrified that Alan will find out and with his wealth take her child away from her. A very observant Chase figures it out and offers to protect Mira and AJ's child by marrying her- just a business arrangement to protect them from Alan. But Chase has his own "issues" - his brothers. Eight younger brothers, mothered by various abusive step mothers and girlfriends. The brothers had vowed to never let a woman in their lives, believing that all women are like their mothers, and they might end up like their father.
Despite their strong attraction to each other and their AJ bond, can Mira and Chase trust each other ? How will Chase's brothers react to Mira's presence? Can they fool Alan?
The author weaves angst, hot cowboys, horses, a picturesque description of the ranch and villains into a beautiful love story, where not only the main characters, but the supporting characters step up to protect others. And with all those brothers, we will have a nice long series to devour.
January 3, 2018
Reviewed at Romance Is Ageless
It’s ironic how the death of one man affected and changed so many lives in large and small ways, truly a ripple effect. Aside from the gripping romance and introduction to the characters of this series, that is something that I took away from A Real Cowboy Never Says No. Perhaps not what one would expect, right? If AJ hadn’t died, sending his two best friends into each other’s lives in person then several men would have forever been trapped in the belief that every woman in the universe was untrustworthy. They would have lived out their lives lonely and eventually even more bitter toward what their father and his various no good wives had done to them all. The ripple effect of how we each have actions and reactions on other people, even strangers is what I was thinking of a lot during this story.
I was touched by Chase’s and Mira’s story. They took an unusual, even dangerous situation and turned it around into something that had possibilities that no one ever expected. Chase may have believed that he had no love in himself for anyone beyond his brothers, yet he proved his feelings for Mira over and over without seeing it for what it was. In the end, Mira’s influence was a completely positive thing for the entire family, it took a near tragedy for that to be seen clearly.
The good thing about coming to a series late is that I can now binge read the rest of the series to get up to date – and I’m going to enjoy that. I’d recommend A Real Cowboy Never Says No to any Romance reader who enjoys believable characters, a rather unique situation and the setting up for the rest of the series. I enjoyed myself in this world very much, and I’m looking forward to diving into the next story.
I own a Kindle edition of this story.
It’s ironic how the death of one man affected and changed so many lives in large and small ways, truly a ripple effect. Aside from the gripping romance and introduction to the characters of this series, that is something that I took away from A Real Cowboy Never Says No. Perhaps not what one would expect, right? If AJ hadn’t died, sending his two best friends into each other’s lives in person then several men would have forever been trapped in the belief that every woman in the universe was untrustworthy. They would have lived out their lives lonely and eventually even more bitter toward what their father and his various no good wives had done to them all. The ripple effect of how we each have actions and reactions on other people, even strangers is what I was thinking of a lot during this story.
I was touched by Chase’s and Mira’s story. They took an unusual, even dangerous situation and turned it around into something that had possibilities that no one ever expected. Chase may have believed that he had no love in himself for anyone beyond his brothers, yet he proved his feelings for Mira over and over without seeing it for what it was. In the end, Mira’s influence was a completely positive thing for the entire family, it took a near tragedy for that to be seen clearly.
The good thing about coming to a series late is that I can now binge read the rest of the series to get up to date – and I’m going to enjoy that. I’d recommend A Real Cowboy Never Says No to any Romance reader who enjoys believable characters, a rather unique situation and the setting up for the rest of the series. I enjoyed myself in this world very much, and I’m looking forward to diving into the next story.
I own a Kindle edition of this story.
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