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Big Sky Cowboys #2
Trusting the Cowboy
Falling for the Rancher
When Lauren McCauley returns to the Circle M Ranch after her father's death, she's focused on selling the spread and getting a fresh start somewhere else. But she's unprepared for the jolt her heart feels when she meets Vic Moore. The handsome, broad-shouldered cowboy may have a legitimate claim to the Circle M, and he makes it clear he'd like to lasso Lauren, as well. Terrified of another heartbreak, Lauren vows to cash in and ship out. But the strong and steady rancher is not about to give up on his dreams of a home…and a family to go with it.
When Lauren McCauley returns to the Circle M Ranch after her father's death, she's focused on selling the spread and getting a fresh start somewhere else. But she's unprepared for the jolt her heart feels when she meets Vic Moore. The handsome, broad-shouldered cowboy may have a legitimate claim to the Circle M, and he makes it clear he'd like to lasso Lauren, as well. Terrified of another heartbreak, Lauren vows to cash in and ship out. But the strong and steady rancher is not about to give up on his dreams of a home…and a family to go with it.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 21, 2016
21 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Carolyne Aarsen
213 books726 followersEven with over 1.5 million copies of my books in print, I still feel like I haven’t written the perfect story. From my office in the woods of Northern Alberta, I’ll keep trying. Inspired by spectacular sunrises, breathtaking Northern Lights and long walks through wooded trails, the stories keep coming. To find out more about my life and my writing, check out my website at www.carolyneaarsen.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 10, 2022
Lauren rolls into town with big plans to sell her estranged father's ranch, and the few things that should make her hesitate don't slow her down. I enjoyed her journey to reconcile with the home and community she grew up in when visiting her father, and how it shaped her. She has a lot of baggage to unpack, and Vic helped her see the ranch from a new perspective. The slower pace of life was healing for Lauren, and she and Vic ultimately learn what is truly important as they grow closer together and make sacrifices for each other.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
August 26, 2022
This is another Love Inspired where I really, really, really liked the guy and could not stand the woman. It always drives me crazy when this happens.
Lauren is so self-centered it's ridiculous. The author kept trying to push that she was so selfless and took care of her sisters all their growing up years and she made sacrifices to help Gramma and she was devoted to Harvey until he ruined her. Yet everything else in the book made me doubt her good intentions. If she was selfless and cared about others, Erin wouldn't be so distant from them. If she was selfless, she wouldn't be ashamed of wearing thrift store clothing and complaining about it so often that Gramma would have to chide her for it. Heck, her dad used to chide her for it! I understand wanting more for your life and wanting to become a better person, but if your family can't afford it while you life with them, there's nothing wrong with being kind and sucking it up. In fact, it's mean to complain about it and make those around you feel bad for not being able to get you the stuff you want. Every time they dove into her life, she was all about her and her career and her reputation and her feelings. She wanted to make decisions for herself, not thinking of anyone else the whole book long. She was the opposite of selfless.
Plus, her issues with men? She's basing it off of her dad (who was cheated on by her mother and made bad choices in life which made him cranky), her ex-fiance (who was a big city smarm), and a former boss (who was also a big city smarm). So, just because three guys (two of which were big city smarms) hurt her, she's done with guys for good? Where were her uncles and grandpas and the quiet office guys who weren't jerks? Don't you think you'd expand your circle of friends to a different type of guy before you hated all of them? This chick was just way too feminist for me.
Also, surprise surprise, she's a gifted florist. It works good for the story line, but sure isn't an original idea. I've read at least four Love Inspireds where the girl was a 'gifted' florist.
As for Vic, I did have one problem with him. Why would he think the ranch would be the perfect home for his brother Dean when the poor kid could hardly work on the ranch they currently had? Dean had a different job because he couldn't do the ranching work! Plus, wouldn't the best place for Dean while he was healing and regaining his strength be home with their mom so she could help him if he needed it? So why was Vic making Dean the reason for wanting the ranch and shoving his brother into it? It didn't make any sense to me. I understand he felt guilty... But shouldn't he be helping his brother in other ways than try to shove his dream onto the kid?
The writing was sketchy at times, too. On pages 111 and 112, Vic made three separate trips into the garage. Why wouldn't he just load the pots and shovel onto the trailer and make one trip out of it? Not terribly logical, there. Another example was that Alex only called when she was with Vic AND just as they were having a moment. Cheesy much? Another example, on page 137 she puts her phone away in her back pocket. Then, on page 138 during the same scene, both of their phones are on the ground next to each other and somehow they're the EXACT SAME PHONES! Do you know how unlikely it is that a big city girl and a rancher would have the same cellular devices? Especially in this day and age? Yeah, m'no. Another example, page 214, Lauren says she relates to Vic and his brother's accident because of what happened to Jodie's hand. Wait, what did happen to Jodie's hand? I don't remember reading about that anywhere! Explanation, please!
Besides all that, Vic was incredibly romantic and stole my heart! He made me want to keep the book, but a chapter or two of him being sweet just couldn't save it for me. There was too much that ruined it for me.
Lauren is so self-centered it's ridiculous. The author kept trying to push that she was so selfless and took care of her sisters all their growing up years and she made sacrifices to help Gramma and she was devoted to Harvey until he ruined her. Yet everything else in the book made me doubt her good intentions. If she was selfless and cared about others, Erin wouldn't be so distant from them. If she was selfless, she wouldn't be ashamed of wearing thrift store clothing and complaining about it so often that Gramma would have to chide her for it. Heck, her dad used to chide her for it! I understand wanting more for your life and wanting to become a better person, but if your family can't afford it while you life with them, there's nothing wrong with being kind and sucking it up. In fact, it's mean to complain about it and make those around you feel bad for not being able to get you the stuff you want. Every time they dove into her life, she was all about her and her career and her reputation and her feelings. She wanted to make decisions for herself, not thinking of anyone else the whole book long. She was the opposite of selfless.
Plus, her issues with men? She's basing it off of her dad (who was cheated on by her mother and made bad choices in life which made him cranky), her ex-fiance (who was a big city smarm), and a former boss (who was also a big city smarm). So, just because three guys (two of which were big city smarms) hurt her, she's done with guys for good? Where were her uncles and grandpas and the quiet office guys who weren't jerks? Don't you think you'd expand your circle of friends to a different type of guy before you hated all of them? This chick was just way too feminist for me.
Also, surprise surprise, she's a gifted florist. It works good for the story line, but sure isn't an original idea. I've read at least four Love Inspireds where the girl was a 'gifted' florist.
As for Vic, I did have one problem with him. Why would he think the ranch would be the perfect home for his brother Dean when the poor kid could hardly work on the ranch they currently had? Dean had a different job because he couldn't do the ranching work! Plus, wouldn't the best place for Dean while he was healing and regaining his strength be home with their mom so she could help him if he needed it? So why was Vic making Dean the reason for wanting the ranch and shoving his brother into it? It didn't make any sense to me. I understand he felt guilty... But shouldn't he be helping his brother in other ways than try to shove his dream onto the kid?
The writing was sketchy at times, too. On pages 111 and 112, Vic made three separate trips into the garage. Why wouldn't he just load the pots and shovel onto the trailer and make one trip out of it? Not terribly logical, there. Another example was that Alex only called when she was with Vic AND just as they were having a moment. Cheesy much? Another example, on page 137 she puts her phone away in her back pocket. Then, on page 138 during the same scene, both of their phones are on the ground next to each other and somehow they're the EXACT SAME PHONES! Do you know how unlikely it is that a big city girl and a rancher would have the same cellular devices? Especially in this day and age? Yeah, m'no. Another example, page 214, Lauren says she relates to Vic and his brother's accident because of what happened to Jodie's hand. Wait, what did happen to Jodie's hand? I don't remember reading about that anywhere! Explanation, please!
Besides all that, Vic was incredibly romantic and stole my heart! He made me want to keep the book, but a chapter or two of him being sweet just couldn't save it for me. There was too much that ruined it for me.
October 12, 2016
This is a romance set in mountainous Montana, when a girl whose manipulative father insists in his will that she stay at the ranch she'd left, before selling it, comes to terms with her life.
Landscape and local colour are big features and the wishes of the locals, that the ranch foreman get a chance to buy the land, count for a lot. We don't hear about the fracking debate pushing up and down the prices of land, just cattle and rodeos and garden centres.
The romance is a bit predictable, without many secondary characters or side plots, but sometimes that is what you want. Wholesome and inspirational, suitable for anyone from teens upwards.
I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley and wrote an unbiased review.
Landscape and local colour are big features and the wishes of the locals, that the ranch foreman get a chance to buy the land, count for a lot. We don't hear about the fracking debate pushing up and down the prices of land, just cattle and rodeos and garden centres.
The romance is a bit predictable, without many secondary characters or side plots, but sometimes that is what you want. Wholesome and inspirational, suitable for anyone from teens upwards.
I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley and wrote an unbiased review.
September 23, 2021
Enjoyable story that made me tear up at the end.
June 17, 2016
Lauren returns to Circle M Ranch after her father's death to sell the property. She already has a buyer lined up and plans to invest in an accounting firm with her friend. But when she arrives, she finds a cowboy named Vic who claims that he had a gentleman's agreement with her late father to lease-to-own the property at a much lower rate than she can get with her buyer. Small problem - they can't find any paperwork supporting his claim. So while Lauren waits the month before she can finalize plans she begins to fall in love again with the town and it's inhabitants.
This was a really fun and interesting story. Made me wish I'd read the first book in the series. Even though it's in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. The two main characters were authentic and had depth that really came through in the writing. The complex emotions that the author brought out helped to round out the character driven plot. This is a faith based story and I really liked how the author used the situations the characters were facing to draw out lessons that can apply to everyone. This was a sweet, romantic story that was entertaining and made me want to grab the first book so I could learn more about the town and its inhabitants.
I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This was a really fun and interesting story. Made me wish I'd read the first book in the series. Even though it's in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. The two main characters were authentic and had depth that really came through in the writing. The complex emotions that the author brought out helped to round out the character driven plot. This is a faith based story and I really liked how the author used the situations the characters were facing to draw out lessons that can apply to everyone. This was a sweet, romantic story that was entertaining and made me want to grab the first book so I could learn more about the town and its inhabitants.
I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
January 6, 2023
I read them out of order. Which is why I have more complaints than the average bear.
First, the author has NO IDEA who she's writing about, half the time. In book one, Jodie plays piano for MANDY, a top-chrischun singing artist. In this book? It's Maddy. Um... Carolyne...?????
Pg 36: "Erin has toed every line." Um, Erin is the 'good sister' who was in church and always reading and super good at cooking. She DIDN'T toe lines - which is why her getting knocked up unwed in the next book is so shocking. Remember?
Also pg 36: "[Erin] is freaking me out with her radio silence." Followed by, "At least she stays in touch." !!!?!?!?! You're freakin' kidding me!!
Pg 38: WHY is Lauren stumbling backwards as she comes out of a stall with a shovel? Other than the author says so? It. Makes. No. Sense.
Pg 40: Cringy 'you have dirt on your face, no there, no there, no there, no... there... hold still... there.' schtick. Please. Just... no.
Pg 41: "...he knew he should leave. Yet, against his better judgment, he lingered. 'The lawn is crazy, as well,' she continued, as he mentally made his retreat from her." WAIT! Is he retreating, leaving, lingering, staying... do we even KNOW?!?!?!?
Pg 46: "I forgot I had a flat tire a few weeks ago, and didn't get the flat fixed!" I could see if it were more than a few weeks ago, but... REALLY?!
Pg 52: "Did you get your grocery shopping done?" "Yes, I put the bags at the entrance of the store." "They're in the truck already," he said. THEN WHY ASK IF SHE GOT IT DONE, IF YOU TOOK THE BAGS?!?!?!?!?
Pg 67: "Dad used to get so ticked when Erin wandered off into the hills..." Except Dad loved Erin, because she loved the land like him. So... would he? Really?
Pg 82: "It had been a long time since someone other than her sisters had shown her affection." Try page 73, when Aunt Laura was showing her affection. (((sigh.)))
PG 119: "[When they were younger] there had been work to do, and there was no time for fun." Except later Lauren admits that her father gave them chores, but didn't stick around to supervise, so after they finished them they had the whole day to do whatever they wanted, and often went to town to visit their aunt, play with flowers, go for walks...
Why doesn't Finn even show up in the book until page 144???
Pg 162: "Dean always drove the fastest, partied the hardest and talked the toughest". In book #1, Jodie hangs with the rough crowd in town as a kid, and NOT ONCE is Dean a part of that crowd in that book. So... NOW he has a past? That doesn't jive with the previous book.
I'm not saying I don't like the story. It's one of the most romantic 'Love Inspired's I've read (and I've read hundreds, now). I'm just saying that the author doesn't know her characters, makes things up that are out of character on the fly, and writes really REALLY sketchy things.
Having said, I love Vic. He may be my favorite Aarsen character, yet. He's AMAZING. And I'm keeping the book because of him, alone. And the romance he brings.
But it irks me that this is a spin-off series of a series and there are characters I don't know that were in books I didn't know were a part of things... and there are too many other problems for me to give this a better rating. Which is too bad, because apart from the writing, the ROMANCE is beautiful.
Then again, Lauren is a cold, unfeeling chick that nobody would want to relate to, so... ((sigh.))
Three stars.
First, the author has NO IDEA who she's writing about, half the time. In book one, Jodie plays piano for MANDY, a top-chrischun singing artist. In this book? It's Maddy. Um... Carolyne...?????
Pg 36: "Erin has toed every line." Um, Erin is the 'good sister' who was in church and always reading and super good at cooking. She DIDN'T toe lines - which is why her getting knocked up unwed in the next book is so shocking. Remember?
Also pg 36: "[Erin] is freaking me out with her radio silence." Followed by, "At least she stays in touch." !!!?!?!?! You're freakin' kidding me!!
Pg 38: WHY is Lauren stumbling backwards as she comes out of a stall with a shovel? Other than the author says so? It. Makes. No. Sense.
Pg 40: Cringy 'you have dirt on your face, no there, no there, no there, no... there... hold still... there.' schtick. Please. Just... no.
Pg 41: "...he knew he should leave. Yet, against his better judgment, he lingered. 'The lawn is crazy, as well,' she continued, as he mentally made his retreat from her." WAIT! Is he retreating, leaving, lingering, staying... do we even KNOW?!?!?!?
Pg 46: "I forgot I had a flat tire a few weeks ago, and didn't get the flat fixed!" I could see if it were more than a few weeks ago, but... REALLY?!
Pg 52: "Did you get your grocery shopping done?" "Yes, I put the bags at the entrance of the store." "They're in the truck already," he said. THEN WHY ASK IF SHE GOT IT DONE, IF YOU TOOK THE BAGS?!?!?!?!?
Pg 67: "Dad used to get so ticked when Erin wandered off into the hills..." Except Dad loved Erin, because she loved the land like him. So... would he? Really?
Pg 82: "It had been a long time since someone other than her sisters had shown her affection." Try page 73, when Aunt Laura was showing her affection. (((sigh.)))
PG 119: "[When they were younger] there had been work to do, and there was no time for fun." Except later Lauren admits that her father gave them chores, but didn't stick around to supervise, so after they finished them they had the whole day to do whatever they wanted, and often went to town to visit their aunt, play with flowers, go for walks...
Why doesn't Finn even show up in the book until page 144???
Pg 162: "Dean always drove the fastest, partied the hardest and talked the toughest". In book #1, Jodie hangs with the rough crowd in town as a kid, and NOT ONCE is Dean a part of that crowd in that book. So... NOW he has a past? That doesn't jive with the previous book.
I'm not saying I don't like the story. It's one of the most romantic 'Love Inspired's I've read (and I've read hundreds, now). I'm just saying that the author doesn't know her characters, makes things up that are out of character on the fly, and writes really REALLY sketchy things.
Having said, I love Vic. He may be my favorite Aarsen character, yet. He's AMAZING. And I'm keeping the book because of him, alone. And the romance he brings.
But it irks me that this is a spin-off series of a series and there are characters I don't know that were in books I didn't know were a part of things... and there are too many other problems for me to give this a better rating. Which is too bad, because apart from the writing, the ROMANCE is beautiful.
Then again, Lauren is a cold, unfeeling chick that nobody would want to relate to, so... ((sigh.))
Three stars.
January 20, 2019
I believe I've read the first book in this Love Inspired series (either that or another author has used a plot very similar to it).
I can understand Lauren's trust issues. She dated a guy for 4 years (and his reluctance to commit should have been a red flag), got engaged to him and planned a business with him, only to have him dump her and take all the money they'd put aside for the business. Despite putting in long hours for her boss, he fired her. And her relationship with her father wasn't a great one. Plus she's got her friend Amy feeding her all the feminist ideas about men. I can understand her not trusting her own judgement. I can understand her wanting to do something for herself for once in her life.
Yet, at the same time, though she's good with numbers, I could tell that accounting wasn't her passion. She seemed more passionate about the flower garden than about her business opportunity.
I knew someone like Alex once. More interested in his phone than in what was going on around him. And, at the time, I too made excuses for him--though at times I wanted to text him to say, "Hey, I'm the person sitting in front of you who drove a few hours to visit you. How about talking to me?" (Another red flag) though Alex wasn't interested in Lauren romantically as best I could tell--just the land.
Vic had a gentleman's agreement with Lauren's father to purchase the ranch. He thinks he's doing it for his brother--I'm not sure if that's true. Dean doesn't show much interest in ranching other than the one time he tries to get on a horse. (I suspect there will be a book with Erin and Dean as the romantic couple--maybe they'll live in the little cabin mentioned in this book.) And Vic seems to be the one with all the plans for how to run the ranch. So does that mean Dean would take over the part closer to their mom's home? That isn't explained.
I can understand Lauren's trust issues. She dated a guy for 4 years (and his reluctance to commit should have been a red flag), got engaged to him and planned a business with him, only to have him dump her and take all the money they'd put aside for the business. Despite putting in long hours for her boss, he fired her. And her relationship with her father wasn't a great one. Plus she's got her friend Amy feeding her all the feminist ideas about men. I can understand her not trusting her own judgement. I can understand her wanting to do something for herself for once in her life.
Yet, at the same time, though she's good with numbers, I could tell that accounting wasn't her passion. She seemed more passionate about the flower garden than about her business opportunity.
I knew someone like Alex once. More interested in his phone than in what was going on around him. And, at the time, I too made excuses for him--though at times I wanted to text him to say, "Hey, I'm the person sitting in front of you who drove a few hours to visit you. How about talking to me?" (Another red flag) though Alex wasn't interested in Lauren romantically as best I could tell--just the land.
Vic had a gentleman's agreement with Lauren's father to purchase the ranch. He thinks he's doing it for his brother--I'm not sure if that's true. Dean doesn't show much interest in ranching other than the one time he tries to get on a horse. (I suspect there will be a book with Erin and Dean as the romantic couple--maybe they'll live in the little cabin mentioned in this book.) And Vic seems to be the one with all the plans for how to run the ranch. So does that mean Dean would take over the part closer to their mom's home? That isn't explained.
September 3, 2020
Trusting The Cowboy is a charming, quick read for anyone looking for a romance novel to pass the time with. Although the plot is easy to predict within the first few pages (city girl falls for country boy), the story is still captivating enough to continue reading. While the context shines with its descriptions of the flower gardens and rodeo events, it does become quite repetitive about the key aspects of Lauren's life without providing anything new to the readers (i.e. lost job and wants to start new business, recently deceased father was unpleasant, etc.). Another aspect that threw me off was the sudden introduction of discussions about religion and faith towards the later half of the book; it almost seemed tacked on without serving any major purpose. Overall, the story was enjoyable despite being predictable so early on, and is a great choice if you're looking for a fast read.
August 17, 2024
I enjoyed reading this second book in the Saddlebank series which focused on the oldest McCauley sister, Lauren, the caretaker of the family. She had lost so much, given up her faith, and just wanted to sell her dad's ranch and move on and start over. I liked that spending time at the Rocking M ranch gave her peace and a chance to have everything she ever wanted if she could believe in her faith and trust again.
This was a fun Christian romance with wonderful, realistic characters trying to find their way, with God's help. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
This was a fun Christian romance with wonderful, realistic characters trying to find their way, with God's help. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
February 21, 2020
Trust is essential for a healthy life-long relationship; but, when you have been lied to before - trust is hard to come by. "Trusting the Cowboy" is a beautiful story of two people learning to listen to their heart and find love again. This is a very sweet story of love, faith, trust, commitment - everything that makes my heart feel good for having read it. Highly recommend! Enjoy!
September 12, 2021
A nice, easy, and short read. The fact that they fell in love with each other in the time span of a few weeks was very unrealistic in my opinion but it did teach a good lesson about trusting in God instead of one's own personal plans.
May 20, 2023
This is a very quick read. Vic Moore has been leasing the farm property from Lauren McCauley’s father. If Vic can buy the ranch depends on finding a written lease that is missing.
Lauren also falls in love with Vic
Lauren also falls in love with Vic
July 26, 2017
Karen, Grottoes patron, July 2017, 5 stars:
Romantic and will keep your attention.
Romantic and will keep your attention.
October 16, 2020
Loved this book and the series!
February 16, 2021
A great book...
July 21, 2022
I liked the Christian ✝️ theme in this story. I felt sorry for Vic. Other than that this story 📖 didn't grab my interest.
September 16, 2023
Enjoyed Book 2 of the series...this story was about Jodie's sister, Lauren and Vic Morrow and their path to a HEA.
June 23, 2020
Good book.
October 14, 2019
The singer from the last book is named "Mandie" but is changed to "Maddie" in this book. And in the last book Lauren is a civil engineer, now she's an accountant. *eyeroll*
June 20, 2016
When your life is built on helping others, and doing everything you can, to make other's lives easier, and then your trust is broken in a harsh, and hurtful way, by more than one man, in a different circumstances, it is no wonder that Lauren is having a hard time trusting anyone. Not to mention the handsome cowboy, who claim to have the first right to buy the family ranch, and in doing so, take all the control out of her life.
Lauren is at a crossroads, in more ways than one. Her engagement was broken a week before the wedding was to take place, her father died in an accident, she lost her job, she is trying to build a new possibility for herself, and only for herself this time, but everything is a chaos around her, with no trace of an order or a smooth ride.
Her stubborn nature is pushing her through, even though everything seems to go against her plan. Her faith in God is feeble, she doesn't want to let the control go, and let Him in charge.
Vic is like Lauren, always taking care of everyone else. But the guilt from his brother's accident is eating him inside out, and he needs the ranch, to make it better again, for his brother.
I liked how Vic and Lauren danced around each other, slowly getting to know each other, slowly giving each other more time and space in their lives.
Trusting each other isn't easy for either one of them, and they have to work on their guilt, the need for control, need to take care of everything, independence..
The inner struggle they have is real, they have to learn to forgive themselves, as well as to those whom has wronged them. The road to learning to trust again, and forgiving, and forgetting, moving on, is filled with rocks that they fumble on, but they have the desire to learn, the desire to trust in the Lord, and each other, and they have the will to put the other first, to build a lasting relationship.
I loved how their difficult journey was told, how they learned to put their faith, hope, and reliance into Lord and His almighty hands. The built up took a little time, but once the story took wings, it was flying beautifully.
The attraction between them seemed so fragile, but the will to build upon it was strong.
A lesson in love, trust, family, and the gospel truth
~ Four Spoons
Lauren is at a crossroads, in more ways than one. Her engagement was broken a week before the wedding was to take place, her father died in an accident, she lost her job, she is trying to build a new possibility for herself, and only for herself this time, but everything is a chaos around her, with no trace of an order or a smooth ride.
Her stubborn nature is pushing her through, even though everything seems to go against her plan. Her faith in God is feeble, she doesn't want to let the control go, and let Him in charge.
Vic is like Lauren, always taking care of everyone else. But the guilt from his brother's accident is eating him inside out, and he needs the ranch, to make it better again, for his brother.
I liked how Vic and Lauren danced around each other, slowly getting to know each other, slowly giving each other more time and space in their lives.
Trusting each other isn't easy for either one of them, and they have to work on their guilt, the need for control, need to take care of everything, independence..
The inner struggle they have is real, they have to learn to forgive themselves, as well as to those whom has wronged them. The road to learning to trust again, and forgiving, and forgetting, moving on, is filled with rocks that they fumble on, but they have the desire to learn, the desire to trust in the Lord, and each other, and they have the will to put the other first, to build a lasting relationship.
I loved how their difficult journey was told, how they learned to put their faith, hope, and reliance into Lord and His almighty hands. The built up took a little time, but once the story took wings, it was flying beautifully.
The attraction between them seemed so fragile, but the will to build upon it was strong.
A lesson in love, trust, family, and the gospel truth
~ Four Spoons
June 30, 2016
4 STARS
Nice clean romance. Good plot.
Lauren McCauley's has come home to her fathers ranch to stay for two months before she and her two sisters can sell the ranch. Lauren already has a buyer for the property. She plans to use her 1/3 of the money to buy into a accounting firm with a friend.
Vic Moore had a gentlemens agreement to lease the ranch land with option to buy it. He plans to bring his brother into the business after he was injured and can't rodeo anymore.
Lauren is willing to sell to Vic if he can match her other sellers bid. Lauren's two sisters are willing to let her decide.
Lauren has been burned by her ex-boyfriend, her late father and ex- boss and plans not to trust men in the future.
Vic is willing to search the ranch for the papers while working the land during the day. He is drawn to Lauren.
I really like Vic. He is willing to help Lauren to even show the other buyer around the ranch.
I like reading Carolyne Aarsen's books.
I was given this copy of Trusting the Cowboy to read for free from NetGalley and Harlequin. In return I agree to give a honest review.
June 24, 2016
This is book two in the Big Sky Cowboys series, I feel it is a stand alone book, because I have not read book one and had no problem following along.
Lauren has an issue trusting men, and with good reason. She is trying to start over and finally put herself first. When she must stay in her fathers ranch for two months before deciding what to do with it she is not expecting Vic and his possible claim to the ranch.
Vic is a charming, caring cowboy trying to make amends. He is instantly attracted to Lauren but knows they are not a match and she holds the key to his future.
Sparks fly between vic and Lauren. Vic needs to find forgiveness and Lauren needs to learn to trust. Will they both follow Gods leading and also find love.
I was given an ARC copy of the book from the publisher and Net galley for my honest opinion.
Lauren has an issue trusting men, and with good reason. She is trying to start over and finally put herself first. When she must stay in her fathers ranch for two months before deciding what to do with it she is not expecting Vic and his possible claim to the ranch.
Vic is a charming, caring cowboy trying to make amends. He is instantly attracted to Lauren but knows they are not a match and she holds the key to his future.
Sparks fly between vic and Lauren. Vic needs to find forgiveness and Lauren needs to learn to trust. Will they both follow Gods leading and also find love.
I was given an ARC copy of the book from the publisher and Net galley for my honest opinion.
June 21, 2016
Two people need a ranch for entirely different purposes. Both are of worth and not really selfish, they are just at odds with each other. I actually thought both the main characters had trust issues, so the title was a little off for me.
I feel the cast of characters in this series are not one dimensional. I like a little past and story.
Trusting the Cowboy was enjoyable. I loved the ending.
Content: clean, kissing
Source: Netgalley
I feel the cast of characters in this series are not one dimensional. I like a little past and story.
Trusting the Cowboy was enjoyable. I loved the ending.
Content: clean, kissing
Source: Netgalley
August 20, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author had the characters cooperating with each other although they were after different things.
Lauren needs to sell her fathers ranch because she needs the money, Vic thought he had a land contract with Lauren's father but the paper work cannot be found. They work together to find the paperwork, in the meantime Lauren enlists Vic to show the ranch to her potential buyer..
Lauren needs to sell her fathers ranch because she needs the money, Vic thought he had a land contract with Lauren's father but the paper work cannot be found. They work together to find the paperwork, in the meantime Lauren enlists Vic to show the ranch to her potential buyer..
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July 19, 2016"Lauren’s independence and reliance on herself is relatable. The pacing is steady throughout, making it easy to stay engaged" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: Big Sky Cowboys
Miniseries: Big Sky Cowboys
Read
July 1, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Big Sky Cowboys
Miniseries: Big Sky Cowboys
November 22, 2016
I didn't think this book was as good as others I've read in this series but it was still a good, quick, safe read.
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