The Cowboy's Christmas Bride

The Cowboys of Chance Creek #9

by Cora Seton

After traveling around the globe for over a year, Cole Linden is more than ready to return home to Montana, so when his fiancée, Sunshine, suddenly cuts their trip short and books them flights back to Chance Creek, Cole feels like the holidays have come early this year. He hopes she’ll love the present he bought her: a restaurant space downtown. If only he can transform it into the sleek, modern style she likes before Christmas, maybe she’ll finally agree to set a date for their wedding.

Sunshine can’t believe she’s pregnant, but she is, which means it’s high time to get back home. It also means she needs to re-think her career goals. She can’t run a world-class restaurant in tiny Chance Creek—especially not with a baby. So Cole will have to be the breadwinner of the family. Which means he needs a ranch. Luckily she’s found one. Three hundred acres of prime ranch land and a wonderful—if dilapidated—house. With Christmas looming, she’ll need to race to turn it into the comfortable family home they’ll need as soon as they get married.

But when a delayed flight results in the loss of their hotel room, Cole and Sunshine realize they’ll have to couch surf through the holidays. Staying with each of their friends in turn leads to a series of revelations that might undermine their relationship for good. Can Cole and Sunshine make it until Christmas?

Or will this be the holiday that ends it all?

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Westerns, Contemporary, Holiday, Western Romance

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 10, 2015

About the author

With over one million books sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Seton has created a world readers love in Chance Creek, Montana. She currently has thirty novels and novellas set in her fictional town, with many more in the works.

Like her characters, Cora loves cowboys, military heroes, country life, gardening, jogging, binge-watching Jane Austen movies, keeping up with the latest technology and indulging in old-fashioned pursuits. She lives on beautiful Vancouver Island with her husband, children and two cats.

Visit www.coraseton.com to read about new releases, locate your favorite characters on the Chance Creek map, and learn about contests and other cool events!

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

First introduced in The Cowboy Inherits a Bride Cole and Sunshine have returned to Chance Creek after traveling the globe for three years. The couple is still in love but facing the challenges of deciding whether to make their relationship permanent and both have kept secrets from each other. Since this is the last book in the series, it's more of a reunion type novel where readers catch up with all the characters presented in this series. Like all Cora Seton 's books, her protagonists are very relatable as they explore expectations versus reality. At only ten chapters, this was a very quick read and I always find myself satisfied with the end result.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read all of the Chance Creek novels except for the prequel, this was my first glimpse of Sunshine and Cole. Apparently these two met and fell in love in the prequel, but this is the rest of the story. The story of what happens once they have decided to make a home in Chance Creek. Even if you haven’t read the prequel, you will still enjoy seeing what happens with these two characters. And while you don’t need to have read all of the other volumes in the series, knowing the other couples is an added bonus. Every one of the previous couples ends up getting involved in this story, so volume 9 ends up being a reunion of old friends as they all catch up with Cole and Sunshine. Even though at times I had trouble keeping up with all the people, I really enjoyed this opportunity to catch up with old friends from previous books and to see how their lives are going after the I do’s were said. Fans of the series will not be disappointed with this book.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I liked this read. Cole and Sunshine have been traveling before they settle down. Now they are back in Montana getting ready to celebrate Christmas. Both of them have big surprises for each other. Luckily everyone is happy with everything in the end.

[Pelusa Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally get my ending to Cole and Summer who began it all with the Cowboys of Chance Creek. You read some of the struggles they were going thru, but you rooted for them, because they belong together. Loved reading about all the couples. Good way to end things.

[Paige Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A Cowboys Christmas Bride is the cowboys version of The Gift of The Magi . Each one is selfless and giving up their dreams for their partners.
It was a sweet story that allowed readers to connect with some of their favorite couples.
I liked seeing what the other couple were doing, checking out changes in the town and all the babies!
While I liked this Christmas tale I was starting to feel bad for all the unnecessary drama and angst that was put upon the couple.

I was given an ARC for an honest review.

[Cassey · Rating 2 out of 5]

While reading this I kept on going seriously?! It's a read of a pretty happy couple heading for disaster because they don't talk to each other. Seriously, their surprise gifts for each other are just awful you don't just buy a ranch or a restaurant for someone, massive purchases like that require both people in the relationship to TALK ABOUT IT! Especially because both are commitments that will require time, compromise and hard work. Seriously, they just had to talk to each other!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/3/2021)! 🎁

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last book in the Cowboy's of Chance Creek series. In this book we see the couple that started it all finally returning to Chance Creek to get married and start their family. We get to see all the couples in the series again and we see how strong and united they all are. We also get to see how even good intentions can cause trouble and how misunderstandings and secrets can cause trouble, even with good intentions. They both got the other the perfect Christmas present, only to keep the surprise they need to keep secrets that put in risk their relationship. Of course, everything works at the end.

After three years of traveling the world, they are ready to go back and start their family, Cole because he misses his home, Sunshine because she is pregnant and knows she needs to prepare a house for her baby. They both go back ready to start, and for that Cole buys Sunshine the restaurant she always wanted, and Sunshine buys him the ranch he needs, so they can have their home and he can provide for the family. They both want to keep the secret, but that causes them to lie, and make the other suspect something else is going on with them. Sunshine thinks he is having an affair, after witnessing him talking to an ex-girlfriend, and he thinks she is planning to move back to Chicago where she can have the city life she used to love.

All the girls are working with Sunshine to get her house ready for the surprise, and all the boys are working with Cole to get Sunshine's restaurant ready. Their secrets cause the girls to pretend they are forming a band, to cover for their meetings, and the boys pretend to be preparing a dancing number. During the book we revisit all the other couples, and they get to spend a little bit of time with each one, creating bonds and getting to know each other.

At the end, once their secrets are out and they both are touched and happy with their gifts, they realize how much they love each other, and proceed to get married and start their new life. Once the baby arrives, Sunshine realizes that she doesn't need to be so intense, that some things deserve time and to take it easy, and Cole is just happy to be back, have his ranch and his family with him.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I am starting a series at the end not the beginning but that is certainly okay. Chance Creek has several series set within it and I wanted a Christmas story. This one is definitely what I wanted.

Cole and Sunshine have been traveling the globe, getting to know each other better and enjoying learning about world cuisine and cultures. Now after years of travel they are heading home to Chance Creek, hopefully to stay.

While they are both excited to return, they are both keeping secrets. In an unexpected twist, they run into one of Cole's old girlfriends at the airport, Fran is anything but subtle as she describes that relationship. Although Sunshine knows her relationship is secure, doubts creep in.

Once in Chance Creek, their reserved hotel room has been given away, then the fun starts.

From the moment Cole finds a room for them at Ethan and Autumn's Bed and Breakfast you know this is going to be an interesting couple of weeks. They will only have this room for one night, then other friends step up and offer a room a night, right up to Christmas.

The thing is, Cole has bought a restaurant for Sunshine. It needs a lot of work before Christmas and his friends offer assistance in the project. He wants her to have what she wants, he also has to find a home for them. He isn't kicking Scott Preston out of the apartment attached to his rifle range. He'd done so much while Cole and Sunshine were traveling.

Sunshine's surprise is twofold, she is pregnant and she's bought a ranch for Cole sight unseen. A ranch that Carl Whitfield wants to buy so badly he's offering double the amount paid in cash. This has Sunshine questioning herself and Cole even as she and the other women start making the house livable.

Much hilarity as they make up excuses for not being where they said they were. That leads to a rock band and the guys taking dance lessons.

A fun read, with renewed friendships, new goals, and lots of love. I now have to go back and read the other books to see how all these friends became couples.

[BlueBug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course, I loved it. I didn't realize how much I missed Chance Creek or the cowboys and their families that live there, until I received the ARC for this one. This story picks up with Cole and Sunshine after The Cowboy inherits a bride, which is the book that tells about their first meeting and how they ended up together in the first place. It is a continuation of their story after their return to Chance Creek and revisits several of the families that started the series in the first place. We get to see where their children are, who is expecting and what becomes of Cole and Sunshine's relationship.

There could not be two more polar opposites, but somehow they've made it work so far. Now, when they return "home," we get to see how their relationship progresses without the excitement of travel to lean on. As with all of the Cora Seton's stories, this one is filled with warmth and passion besides the conflict that makes her novels a story. They're always cozy and down-home reads that make you feel like you're joining in a small town community that you've already been a part of. Each of Seton's stories is about community and how they assist in sharing the joy of family with their families and their friends. As with the others, this one has our protagonists enduring misunderstandings and miscommunications that create chaos in their relationship. In the end, they are brought together by the simplicity of the realization that they love each other and nothing is more important than this one fact. What better way to celebrate our return to Chance Creek than to bring everyone together at Christmas? And, how could any of it be fun if the rest of the community wasn't involved?

It was heartwarming and felt like coming home. I highly recommend the entire series along with everything else that she's written. There's so much love and passion in her words and between her characters. Thank you, Cora Seton, for another wonderful story.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cowboy and the Christmas Bride is by Cora Seton. This is book 9 in the series. This is Cole Linden and Sunshine Patterson’s second book. After three years of travel while Sunshine studies cooking and he takes photographs for a cookbook she plans to write, they are going home to Chance Creek, Montana.
Cole is very happy to finally be going back home to Chance Creek. He has wanted to go home for some time now and make his home here with Sunshine as his bride. He has a surprise Christmas present for her; but he needs time to finish it before Christmas. He knows she wants to run a restaurant and he thinks Chance Creek is the place to do this. He is afraid she will want to go to Chicago. He has purchased a place on main street to renovate for her café. He gets his male friends to help him without telling their wives.
Sunshine has planned to purchase a ranch for Cole. She knows it will need some work before Christmas so gets her girlfriends to help her as she does not have transportation. In addition, because of a weather delay on their trip home and Cole not calling the hotel about the delay, they are having to move almost every night as accommodations open up with their friends. Can she finish what she needs to do before Christmas or does she even want to go through with this surprise. She has a chance to make almost triple the cost of the ranch if she sells it to Carl right now. Then, she and Cole can go to Chicago. What will she do?
The book is great.

[Amber Daulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

In book nine in the Cowboys of Chance Creek series, Sunshine and Cole are returning home to Montana after traveling the world for three long years. They’ve had an amazing time together, but then an unexpected encounter with a brassy woman from Cole’s past sends their relationship off the rails.
Cole and Sunshine were first introduced in The Cowboy Inherits a Bride, the prequel to this series, and never mentioned again. Even though I really liked them in their original story, I couldn’t connect with them in this one. I understand why they were keeping secrets from each other, but a Christmas present shouldn’t drive them to consider breaking up. They needed to communicate, which they refused to do.
Two years have passed since the last book ended, so it was great seeing all the other heroes and heroines again. I enjoyed revisiting these couples, but the instant friendships they formed with Sunshine and Cole and everyone desiring to help them with their big surprises was odd and repetitive.
I only noticed one inconsistency (Rob is the youngest Matheson brother, not Luke), and I wish the subplot with Frannie, Cole’s ex, was more developed. Cole and Sunshine never discussed the problem, which didn’t make sense because Frannie was one of the reasons for their almost break-up.
Anyway, this story officially tied up some loose ends from the previous books. Ms. Seton has created a few spin-off series, and I’m hopeful these cowboys and cowgirls will return soon enough.
3 Stars

[Tracey Cramer-Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven’t read all the books in this series, including what was probably Cole & Sunshine’s first meeting/falling in love book. I found the fact that they’ve been travelling for three years disconcerting (not to mention, their ‘inheritance’ must have been huge to enable that AND the purchases they make in this book). I generally like stories where the couple is already established but facing a new challenge to their love. However, I found this to be kind of a downer. Even when a couple is having problems, the reader needs to see a sweet or sexy moment or two between them, or we won’t believe they still have a connection. A lovemaking scene finally occurred at 57% (story was over by 87%). From there on, the realizations came fast and furious, with an unbelievably perfect ending (too perfect). I also found all the extra characters overwhelming and couldn’t keep them straight, and come on, with that many couples, you're not going to be 'insta-friends' with every one of them, small town or not.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine and Cole

Sunshine and Cole have come home after 3 years of traveling abroad. They both have secrets that they just can't wait to share on Christmas day, two weeks from now! Only while waiting for the plane delay and Fran spots Cole. When she starts regaling Sunshine of her and Cole's exploits when they were young, she sees green! Which puts doubts in her mind about their relationship. Will Cole like her surprises or will he want to be with Fran instead of her? What about his surprise for her? Will Sunshine like his surprise for her or is he to worried that she won't stay in Chance Creek? Will moving every night from one friends home to another put to much of a strain on their relationship? Only one way to find out, read this great story by Cora Seton you will love how things work out!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cole Linden and Sunshine are back in Chance Creek after taking three years to travel the world and both of them are planning a major surprise for the other for Christmas. A delayed plane in London, an old flame from Scott's past, their reservations at the only motel cancelled because they were delayed started fun for Cole and Sunshine's first Christmas in Chance Creek.

Old friends step up with places to stay, secrets are shared with friends as they volunteer to help including forming an all-girls band and the guys take up line dancing for a funny Christmas for the community of friends.

The title of The Cowboy's Christmas Bridetells about the happy ending for Sunshine and Cole along with a story full of surprises for the whole community of cowboy friends in Chance Creek.

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great end to the series. After travelling the world learning about cultures and cooking, Cole and Sunshine return home to Chance Creek. Their flights are delayed and they lost their hotel reservation so they end up staying a night with each of their friends.

They have surprises for each other for Christmas and their friends help each of them keep the secrets until Christmas day. Along the way they each gets suspicious and the stories pile up. Their antics in trying to keep their actions secret made me laugh.

It's a lighthearted , romantic and fun holiday story that you're going to want to read!

[Philippa Lythall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine and Cole have been travelling across the globe for several years. They finally they made it back home to Chance Creek but have a mix up with the hotel they booked. Cole phones his friends for a place to stay and each friend takes a turn hosting them. The couple have secrets that they are hiding from one another that make them both suspicious but it ends with a HEA.

Overall I though it was a great read with brilliant characters that you will love to reconnect with. I would recommend getting this book, it makes a perfect Christmas story. Although it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I felt that you really can connect and relate to the characters.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunshine and Cole traveling the world for three years, being a chef, she wanted first hand knowledge of the different cuisine. He was a country guy, while she was a city girl. They were here to spend the holidays at Chance Creek, and what ever surprise he had in mind. is he correct in saying she will stay. Delightful story of giving up dreams that one has for your partner. The struggles the young couple had, made then an interesting book and you were hoping they would find away to meet in the middle of what they both wanted.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this is the 9th book in series of course there are characters that have not yet met and situations from past stories that have not read but for me that added to the likable aspects of this one.

Along with all the different relationships that were explored, the crossed wires that Cole and Sunshine had to get past due to mutual misunderstandings along with the beautiful way in which friends old and new helped them both this tale had a wonderful sense of "coming home" that could not be denied.

The finale epilogue was a nice touch as well.

[Barbi Huhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful Christmas book.
I read the book where Sunshine and Cole met a while back. So, it was neat to read the end/new beginning to their story.
In this book, they are just returning to Chance Creek after several years of traveling. Sunshine recently found out that she’s pregnant but has yet to tell Cole. Also, she bought him a ranch and he bought her a restaurant. They haven’t told one another about their big purchases.
They each convince the town residents to help them fix up their big Christmas surprises. What follows is fun and entertaining.

[Carole Mckee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Such a wonderful story. Cole and Sunshine have returned to Montana after traveling around the world for three years. Cole is happily willing to settle down in the small Montana town but is Sunshine? She's a city girl. Without the other's knowledge, they have bought the ideal Christmas gifts for each other. The wonderful gifts will make life in the small Montana town perfect. I loved the story. It's well written and the characters are engaging. Lots of feelings in the writing.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cole and Sunshine met when a relative had left them a business, in her will. They ran it together and fell in love. They got engaged, and with some extra money left to them, decided to travel the world before settling down.

Three years later, they return home to Chance Creek and begin the process of starting their lives together, what did they want and what would they go for.

They both decide without they other knowing, what they are going to buy each other - it's HUGE, and with the gang of friends coming together to help it all happen, it's a magical Christmas, for sure.

[LYNNIE TRUSS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somebody's of chance creek book 9

I read Cole & Sunshine's book first and was introduced to some of the future characters. This book was the perfect pull together of all the books in this series. You got to catch up with everyone, plus get to see Cole And Sunshine find their ultimate happiness. I love reading continuation series and being able to follow the lives of prior characters.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Christmas story! When I first read Cole & Sunshine's novella, I didn't connect with them as well as some of Cora Seton's other characters. But, this book bumped them up to people I would love to have as friends. They grew up a lot in their years of travel, and I loved seeing them try to be secretive about their individual Christmas presents! Catching up with all the couples of Chance Creek was fun!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally

Cole and Sunshine were brought together because of her aunt. They worked their differences out and fell in love. Then Cole gave her the world. Now they both were back in Chance Creek to settle down. Both got each Christmas presents they didn't tell each other about. He bought her a restaurant, she bought him a ranch. And they are pregnant. Now they just need the wedding and Christmas.

[AF Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora Seton is a fine writer...I've read more than a few of her books. The characters are interesting and have delightful quirks, but the formula she uses to construct her stories are rather boring...after a while, you read one Cora Seton novel...you've read them all...sort of like Danielle Steele's books.

If you like a beach read or a snowy winter kind of day read, this will fit the bill. You can read it in a couple of hours...like eating popcorn.

[Pam Couch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first will be the last.

Evidently Cole and Sunshine were introduced in a previous book/series as to their initial romance then setting off on their world wide three year journey before rreturning to Chance Creek. They find things have changed quite a bit in the community and lives of their. Cole and Sunshine seem to each be doing some soul searching as they second quess decisions about their future and careers verses famjily.

[Talina Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Love this book!

I absolutely love stories like this one. I love how Cole loved Sunshine and she loved him. Their love reminds me of the love my husband and I share, almost 27 years now.
Their passion for each other was mesmerizing. The closeness of their friends is amazing. The friends and the community, to me, felt like a big family. Absolutely Beautiful love story that mesmerized me from the beginning to the end. Thank you.

[KiraraAoi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book revolve around Cole and Sunshine, where you can find in "The Cowboy Inherits a Bride". I still love the way Cole love Sunshine plus there is an aspect of babies and family involved. I really like how Cora put in a dog as well!! I am a sucker for dogs :D This story evolves around Christmas surprises and lack of communication, which causes some uncomfortable moments. I like the end though. Looking forward to reading another Cora's books :D

[Teresa Christianson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunshine and Cole have been together constantly while traveling, but will the stay together?

After three years of traveling the world, Cole and Sunshine are back in Chance Creek. The each have a big Christmas surprise for the other but will stress and jealousy get in the way and ruin everything? They are both keeping secrets and there are misunderstandings but can they be through them?