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Cowboys of Cold Creek #12.5

Starstruck: A Christmas Single Dad Romance

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Available as a single edition ebook for the first time, revisit a classic holiday love story by New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne!

Justin Hartford is a jerk! Sure, Ashley Barnes may have had his picture in her locker back when he was a Hollywood heartthrob, but now that the former idol’s daughter is causing trouble in the classroom—and Justin doesn’t seem to care one bit—kindergarten teacher Ashley is definitely over her school-girl crush!

Or at least she thinks she is, until she gets to know this sexy single dad up close and personal.…

Originally published in 2006

60 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

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About the author

RaeAnne Thayne

317 books3,903 followers
I'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.

Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.

After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.

Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.

I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.

I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.

Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.

I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com

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Community Reviews

5 stars
185 (35%)
4 stars
169 (32%)
3 stars
128 (24%)
2 stars
34 (6%)
1 star
11 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
25 reviews
April 30, 2018
A cute story, but rather pitiful

It's hard to get absorbed in a story that has chapter markers as frequent as a Goosebumps book. And when you cut a book in half and expect the same kind of emotional growth and investment in the characters, you're bound to be disappointed.
Profile Image for Ayu Wirdha.
1,045 reviews12 followers
February 24, 2024
Prolog-nya seharusnya jadi epilog deh, karena ending cerita sudah diobral semua jadi ga seru lagi. Walau ini cerita romance yang sebagian besar HEA tetap saja. Jadi Justin ini mantan aktor terkenal yang punya satu anak perempuan (Ruby) hasil dari era hidup serampangan jaman-jaman jahiliyah 🤣🤣. Anyway, setelah membayar banyak uang untuk mengambil hak asuh tunggal, dua tahun berikutnya ibu Ruby meninggal overdosis. Ruby ini menjadikan guru favorit Ruby di TK menikah dengan ayahnya dan berharap punya ibu baru apalagi setelah Ruby tidak sengaja mendengar pembicaraan Sheila dengan guru lain bahwa Sheila fans berat Justin dan berharap menjadi Mrs. Justin. Sebab itu Ruby pura-pura menjadi pembangkang di kelas supaya mereka bisa bertemu. Tetapi muslihatnya terbongkar dan mengakuinya di hadapan Sheila dan Justin. Kebayang dong nge-crush seseorang dari remaja dan ketahuan di hadapan crush sendiri. Sayangnya proses untuk HEA hanya butuh 2-3 halaman langsung terselesaikan.
2⭐
Profile Image for Gwen S..
839 reviews15 followers
November 29, 2019
Justin and Ashley, ByProduct of Ruby's! 3***** Spoiler Alert!

At the McRaven' s Christmas party, Ruby tells Destry, Gabi, and Ava, the story of how she played matchmaker to her famous acting dad, Justin, and her then kindergarten teacher, Ashley. Ashley, then gave the highlights of their first meeting, as she climbed over his each gates, and found out why Ruby, then five was acting as a little terror, in order to get a parent-teacher conference going, for them to meet, so she can get a mommy and make her dad less lonely. Ruby rocked caring and cuteness in this novella.
Great, short story, with the HEA ending.

11/28/19-11/28/19.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Marcia  Haskell.
635 reviews12 followers
May 28, 2017
A sweet short story

A little girl disobeys in school to get her teacher to meet her father. The teacher had had a crush on the actor father when she was a teenager, but is trying to ignore her past, just as the actor father tries to ignore his past as an actor and fit into their small town as a farmer and horse trainer.
158 reviews2 followers
January 21, 2023
Memories

Starstruck was a sweet and romantic story that deserved a five-star rating. I enjoyed reading Starstruck and couldn't put it down. There was everything to like and nothing not to like. I have enjoyed reading The Cowboys of Cold Creek and am looking forward to reading more of the series.
3 reviews
February 12, 2020
Cute but not fantastic

It was a cute little story and good if you're looking for a quick read. It was really tough to really get absorbed in it because its so short and chapters are only two or three pages long.
Profile Image for Tamara Jimenez.
46 reviews
June 21, 2017
Cute story. Great read.

This was such a cute story. Loved how the daughter played the match maker. Was such a light hearted read I finished it in an hour. Loved it
Profile Image for Tammi Kendall.
302 reviews8 followers
July 13, 2017
this story is an adorable story about a little kindergarten girl setting her dad up with her teacher. this is a quick read. I was able to finish it in one day. highly recommend this book
885 reviews
August 10, 2018
Cute little story

I enjoyed this short story as I do anything written by RaeAnne Thayne. I love to start at the beginning of a series and read all the way through!
3 reviews
August 4, 2019
No reason

No review ssfftttttiuuv vv gytr ji nnnnn vvv ccc ggg xxx xxx xxx yuy nn ghf ghfd vgyhu vv b
127 reviews3 followers
December 6, 2020
What a cute story! I loved it. What a little schemer Ruby was, but adorable!
351 reviews
March 31, 2021
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book this sickeningly sweet. If this had been the first book I’d read by her, there probably wouldn’t have been a second.
482 reviews4 followers
December 22, 2021
Very good quick read about Ruby at age 6 playing matchmaker with her kindergarden teacher and her Father.
717 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2022
The only reason I only gave it 3 stars, is because it was too short.
97 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2023
Put a cowboy rancher/ex movie actor, 5 year old girl, and feisty kindergarten teacher together and you have a very good book.
511 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2024
A pleasant 60 page story. Humorous plot with kindergartner acting as matchmaker between her movie star father and her kindergarten teacher. (included in Together for Christmas personal HC)
Profile Image for Rin ⭐️🌖.
261 reviews4 followers
April 12, 2025
كتاب قصير و لطيف 🥹🥹🥹 مره لطيفين و علاقهم لطيفه بشكل! روبي حب كبير و افضل خطابه!😭😭😭😭
جاستن&اشلي
Profile Image for Melinda Keen.
521 reviews4 followers
July 23, 2025
What a wonderful book!! A child sets up her teacher and dad!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Peni.
4,869 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2015
Wonderful sweet short story. Would enjoy deeing more of this couple I the future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews