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Her Texas Cowboy

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The sweetest reunion in Texas…

When Rachel Maddox returns to her hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas, avoiding her ex is much easier said than done. Still nursing the broken heart Rachel caused years earlier, rancher-next-door Hunter McDermott figures he can be cordial for the brief time she’s in town—maybe they can even be friends. But how do you forge just a friendship with someone you’ve always pictured as your bride?

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2018

17 people are currently reading
125 people want to read

About the author

Jill Lynn

32 books463 followers
Jill Lynn Buteyn is a co-author of Just Show Up with Kara Tippetts, and the author of inspirational romances (as Jill Lynn). A recipient of the ACFW Genesis award for her fiction work, she has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.
Connect with her on social media or at Jill-Lynn.com.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader.
1,680 reviews205 followers
March 19, 2018


I will be really honest this Author should not be writing Love Inspired Books. She is to good to be writing short stories.

I LOVED this book from beginning to end. You must read Hunter and Rachel's story. You will want to find out if they can be friends or maybe even more than friends.

This is not your predictable love story that everyone is writing. This is a fantastic read. You can read it in an hour and if you are like me you will be left wanting more.

I gave this book 5 stars to times. I HIGHLY recommend it.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,877 reviews208 followers
March 21, 2018
This is such a wonderful second chances story! I simply loved these two characters. They had such chemistry, heartache in their backstory, and plenty of circumstances to keep them apart in the future.

Her Texas Cowboy follows the relationship of Rachel Maddox and Hunter McDermott…a relationship that ended badly years earlier and may only have a chance as a friendship this time around. This book is the third story of a series based in Fredericksburg, Texas, yet you can easily read each title as a stand alone novel.

I loved the way Hunter cared for Rachel, who had a habit of turning inward and building walls when she felt insecure. Most of the time, Hunter knew when to let her work through something or when to press an issue, when to be serious or when to inject humor. Both of these characters had things from their pasts that definitely influenced the way they reacted to situations. I liked seeing them grow emotionally, grow in their trust in God, and also grow in their love for each other.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Ava.
1,120 reviews1,726 followers
Read
July 25, 2021
DNF @34%

I just wasn't feeling this one :(
Profile Image for Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction).
481 reviews436 followers
April 14, 2018
I haven't picked up a love inspired contemporary in quite some time. (Historical is typically my genre of choice) But I am SO glad I picked this one up!

Let's start with Hunter. (I seem to always start with the girl)
He was such a beautiful character. 😆 From his looks *wags eyebrows* to his heart. He was the real MVP! He was so genuine, with a love for his town and it's people. He was a great friend to Rachel even when she didn't know she needed him. He was such a patient person! Whether working with the teens or working on tearing Rachel's walls down, he kept an easy laid back energy. And I, for one, LOVED him!
He was dealt a low blow when he was a child. I I loved seeing the backstory of him using that to build his relationship with God, and in its weird way, how it affected his relationship with Rachel.

Rachel, now she was a tough cookie to crack. But I loved her for it! You get more of Rachel's background in book 1, but even I could see that she grew a lot in the 6 years she's been gone.
She was so stubborn, and sassy, and under that "wanna-be" tough girl she had a super soft inside.
I loved her wit and sass SO MUCH! I want to be like her when I grow up. 😂
Her determination to right what she had done in her past, and reach out to young people just like her was admirable. It really made her character pop, she had such a great big heart...like the size of Texas.
*wink wink see what I did there?!*

I loved the other characters in this book! There was such a great family dynamic, and if you know me you know I love a good family dynamic! They were all so wonderful and I smiled every time I got to interact with them.

The banter between Rachel and Hunter made my life like 3,000% better. I didn't even know I was missing it. It brightened my day so much! Banter makes or breaks a book, and it MADE this book! Whether it was the main characters or the side characters it was GREAT!

I did not read the other two books in this series, and though I will be picking them up, I wish I had picked them up before this one. I was able to follow along throughout the book, and enjoyed it immensely, but I feel like I would've been in book heaven had I read them all in order.

I loved Jill's style, it was so laid back and easy. So real. She also got me to laugh...quite a few times. Yeah, she's my new BFF y'all! (She just isn't aware of it yet)

I rated this a 4.5/5 stars. It was such an amazing, quick light read and I CANNOT wait to pick up more books by Jill! Especially books 1 & 2 of this series.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review**All opinions are my own*
467 reviews50 followers
April 11, 2018
Her Texas Cowboy by Jill Lynn is a Love Inspired book. Jill has written a story that is so finely crafted that it won’t let you go until the very end. This is a story full of love, faith, determination, frustration and second chances. Rachel and Hunter will capture your heart. Be sure to get your copy of Her Texas Cowboy today. I received a complementary of this book. This review is my honest opinion. 4.5 stars!
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews273 followers
March 23, 2018
'God didn't have a list of things she had to check off in order to be forgiven or to start fresh. Her slate had been wiped clean yesterday. It would be wiped clean today. Same tomorrow. He loved her exactly as she was.'

Rachel returns to her hometown in Texas for the summer, awaiting news about a great job opening up four hours away. Six years earlier she had left after Hunter McDermott asked her to marry him and she turned him down. Now she sees him and all those old feelings start rushing back in. Hunter never thought Rachel would be back. He's never stopped loving her, but he was really hurt the way she turned him down for marriage. Both Hunter and Rachel dance around their feelings. Rachel longs to escape the small town where everyone knows her and her mistakes. Hunter carries baggage of his own. Maybe these two will allow God to direct their paths this time instead of trying to plan it out on their own.

This was a wonderful read by an author I've read before and enjoyed. Her characters are well fleshed out and it was a pleasure to see old friends from previous books. I love a cowboy story and this fit the bill perfectly.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via the author. All opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,189 reviews
March 22, 2018
Her Texas Cowboy ( Love Inspired )
By: Jill Lynn
This is a Love Inspired story and I loved it. I was hooked right from the start and did not want to put it down. This is a wonderful second chance story. I loved the two main characters, Rachel and Hunter, who both have history. Rachel returns to her hometown in Texas and wants to avoid her ex. Hunter is a rancher and has not forgotten Rachel. Both hearts were broken, can they ever be friends? This book is about second chances and forgiveness.
I was given a complimentary copy, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Blythe.
503 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2018
This is my favorite Jill Lynn book to date. When I started it, I zoomed through the first half in one sitting before realizing I didn’t want the book to end. So I forced myself to read just bits at a time, which didn’t last very long! The characters are so real and relatable, and I found myself cheering them on—not just in love, but in all aspects of their hearts and stories. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters and what they wrestled with as their love story unfolded. And I loved the redemption that permeated every page. This book is uplifting and full of joy.
Profile Image for Just Commonly.
755 reviews108 followers
July 11, 2018
So let me tell you this. Jill Lynn knows how to write "chemistry." Rachel and Hunter from Jill Lynn's latest release, Her Texas Cowboy oozes with chemistry that one can't help but root for them. You'll love the sweet and comic banter between them. Okay, in all honesty, I might be a bit bias since Hunter already "charmed" me in Her Texas Family, but with Rachel in this book, readers will understand him better. Knowing his backstory, and reading and feeling his personal development made it even more worthwhile.

I had fun reading Her Texas Cowboy, and found myself not only chuckling a bit here and there, but also finding the emotions to follow along with Rachel's personal and faith journey. How could one not? No matter how confident someone looks on the outside, there's always a bit of insecurity that can ripple that demeanor. Don't you think?

Usually, stories of this length doesn't grasp my attention in terms of the journey part, but I found Rachel and Hunter's just right. In all, Her Texas Cowboy entertains with characters, major and minor ones, and with a storyline that one can be a part of.


This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
515 reviews
March 28, 2018
4.5 Stars!

Her Texas Cowboy by Jill Lynn works well as a stand-a-lone book but, it is connected to Falling for Texas and Her Texas Family as they all take place in Fredericksburg, Texas and the main characters are related. Rachel is also in the first book which is about her older brother. So, my suggestion is to read all three as they are all equally enjoyable books and well worth your time. I love the way Jill writes. You are immediately drawn into the story and invested in the characters and she always includes great touches of humor in her books.

Rachel and Hunter have a past, so this is a second chance story – one of my favorite kinds of story lines. Rachel and Hunter have great chemistry and their verbal bantering adds a lot of humor to the book. Rachel tends to close herself off from others when she feels they are getting too close. She thinks this will protect her heart when, in reality, it only hurts her and those around her. Because of their history, Hunter knows when she is starting to close herself off and what tactic he needs to use to break through to her. I loved these characters and really loved reconnecting with the characters from the first two books. I am hoping that Jill continues this series! Highly recommended!

I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Becky of Becky's Bookshelves .
723 reviews97 followers
April 3, 2018
Her Texas Cowboy by Jill Lynn is a wonderfully written story about Rachel Maddox. Rachel believes that her past will always follows her. She is a lovely heroine who is strong and longs to follow the Lord. Watching Rachel grow and change in this story I could not help but be changed as well for the better. Hunter McDermott is our hero. He is a long-time friend of Rachel and such a lovable hero. We get to watch him change, make peace with his past, and trust more in the Lord.

I love Jill’s writing especially the details she put into each story. Her characters are so believable and are people I wish I knew in real life! This book has a great flow and I really enjoyed it. I anxiously await her next book and my hope is that she will write many more wonderful stories. I highly recommend Her Texas Cowboy.

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review.
Profile Image for Jill Kemerer.
Author 117 books621 followers
April 21, 2018
Super Swoonworthy!

Rachel and Hunter were high school sweethearts who haven't spoken in years because of a bad breakup. Now Rachel's back in town to help with the youth group while she waits to find out if she gets her dream job, and Hunter is the other youth group helper. I loved how Ms. Lynn explored Rachel's embarrassment over the mistakes of her youth and her courage in putting herself out there in a town where she has so many mixed feelings. Hunter is not only a hunky cowboy, but he's so understanding and conflicted! This romance has a lot of sass and swoon--my ideal combination. I loved it!
Profile Image for Melmo2610.
3,617 reviews
January 31, 2022
Jill's stories are the best! I love her characters and the humor she infuses in to her books. This story was a sweet second chance at romance for Rachel and Hunter and it did not disappoint. Really enjoyed this one.
Profile Image for Sarah.
226 reviews
April 4, 2018
"But, then again, you know every teenager does stuff-every adult, for the matter, does stuff they regret. That's why there's forgiveness and grace. God doesn't keep a list of mistakes, Rach."

This was such a sweet second-chance romance and redemption story!

One of the things I enjoyed the most were the characters, all of them, which isn't always the case for me. There's usually one character that I can't stand, but that didn't happen in this book. They were all one big family and I loved it.

And like I always do when I read a book, I try to find that one person in a story that I can connect to the most, and Rachel turned out to be it. I could definitely relate on a personal level to why she was trying to prove herself to be better than who she was before she left her small town. You know, the need to show people that she had changed and wasn't the same immature teenager they remembered. And to find her place and purpose somewhere, even if it wasn't in her hometown. Rachel's growth throughout the book was great and realistic, and I loved getting to read about her. 

Hunter was definitely another lovable character in this book. He was just so sweet, kind, caring, considerate, and genuine. Don't get me wrong, he had his flaws, too, but his overall character and personality helped you look past that. And like Rachel, he had his own stuff to work through. I won't go into details, but that back story definitely explains some of his actions.

As for side characters, Olivia and Lucy were my absolute favorites! I loved them so much! If they were real, I would totally be best friends with them. They are the kind of people who will always be there for you no matter what, tell you the hard things you may not necessarily want to hear, laugh and cry with you, meddle in your love life, tease you, and are overall just great human beings. 

Okay, so I clearly can't talk enough about the characters, but their town, Fredericksburg, is pretty great, too. The community, the small town parades and festivals, everyone knowin' your business....Just typical things that kind of go with living in a small town. I love it. :D 

This was a really cute read and if you guys like cowboys, Texas, good company, and dogs named Moose, than this is the book for you.

"I've felt like I didn't belong anywhere. Colorado was a pit stop. I made friends but never got too close. And even though I was starting to love it in Fredericksburg, I didn't let myself believe it could be home again. Leaving last time and going to school was the right thing to do. But that doesn't mean it's the answer this time. That quiet life I never thought I wanted...I was wrong. I already have a home. I just had to open my eyes to see it."

I'd like to thank the author, Jill, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. I was asked to read this book for free, but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews273 followers
March 23, 2018
'God didn't have a list of things she had to check off in order to be forgiven or to start fresh. Her slate had been wiped clean yesterday. It would be wiped clean today. Same tomorrow. He loved her exactly as she was.'

Rachel returns to her hometown in Texas for the summer, awaiting news about a great job opening up four hours away. Six years earlier she had left after Hunter McDermott asked her to marry him and she turned him down. Now she sees him and all those old feelings start rushing back in. Hunter never thought Rachel would be back. He's never stopped loving her, but he was really hurt the way she turned him down for marriage. Both Hunter and Rachel dance around their feelings. Rachel longs to escape the small town where everyone knows her and her mistakes. Hunter carries baggage of his own. Maybe these two will allow God to direct their paths this time instead of trying to plan it out on their own.

This was a wonderful read by an author I've read before and enjoyed. Her characters are well fleshed out and it was a pleasure to see old friends from previous books. I love a cowboy story and this fit the bill perfectly.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via the author. All opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
213 reviews20 followers
March 16, 2018
Rachel and Hunter have history. When Rachel left town she figured that's what they were...history. But when she comes back for a couple of months while waiting for a job to pan out, she gets more than she's bargained for.

Hunter never quite let go of Rachel when she left the first time. He still held out hope that one day she'd show up again. When she does, he's trying to not get either of them hurt. Luckily, neither of them has control over everything. And that always makes for a fun story.

I really enjoyed this book! As the 3rd book in this series, it does a great job of continuing the story of this small Texas town. Both Hunter and Rachel are well rounded characters with realistic personalities. I love to read stories of people who seem and act real. It's always nice to read more about the lives of the characters that you met in earlier works.

My favorite part was the banter. Their conversations were straight out of a chick flick or those awesome black and white slapstick comedies. Jill is a great writer! If you haven't read the first 2 books in this series, they are equally amazing.

I got a free advance copy of this book for my honest review.
Profile Image for Melony.
Author 3 books163 followers
June 22, 2018
Oh my goodness! #bookhangover! Thankfully I could remedy that with a little more romance and Fredericksburg, Texas characters by reading Jill’s Novella The Start of Us. (available now)

Her Texas Cowboy totally hit the spot for me, like a spoon full of peanut butter-caramel ice-cream on a hot day. Mmmmm. Rachel Maddox suffers from what most of us do…..insecurities, trying to find where she belongs. She is determined that it is NOT in Fredericksburg. Until Hunter Mc Dermott comes on the scene life is pretty simple, she’ll only be in town for a few months and then she is going to be moving on.

Hunter has his own motivations and reasons for the way he treats Rachel. I don’t want to give too much away.

I have to say the dog featured on the cover, Moose, kinda steals a little bit of the limelight. He is so cute with his roo-roo-ing.

What I love most about Jill’s Texas books is her voice. I love how she brings the story to life in such a real and relatable way. Makes you want a cowboy in your life. And of course like Jill, I also love Happily-Ever-Afters. I am pretty sure you will love them too.

I received a copy from the publisher and my opinions are purely my own.
Profile Image for Laura Brandenburg.
Author 2 books6 followers
April 6, 2018
Jill Lynn has a way with words. Her characterization and wit impress me every time. I loved getting to see Rachel’s story, and I felt every conflicting emotion that both she and Hunter experience. My favorite lines:

“He’d been teasing her about something, and the next thing she knew, he’d stopped, buried his hands in her hair, and kissed her. Kissed her as though she was oxygen, and he needed to breathe.”

“Whatever happened, she reacted strongly. If she shut down, it was with ten locked doors and a No Entrance sign. If she let someone in, it was like seeing the sun up close and not getting burned.”

Jill subtly weaves in messages of God’s love and grace while painting an accurate picture of the doubt and fear that plagues many of us. If you’re looking for a well-written love story that’ll keep you turning pages, I highly recommend Her Texas Cowboy.

*I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Profile Image for Laura Brandenburg.
Author 2 books6 followers
March 11, 2018
Jill Lynn has a way with words. Her characterization and wit impress me every time. I loved getting to see Rachel’s story, and I felt every conflicting emotion that both she and Hunter experience. My favorite lines:

“He’d been teasing her about something, and the next thing she knew, he’d stopped, buried his hands in her hair, and kissed her. Kissed her as though she was oxygen, and he needed to breathe.”

“Whatever happened, she reacted strongly. If she shut down, it was with ten locked doors and a No Entrance sign. If she let someone in, it was like seeing the sun up close and not getting burned.”

Jill subtly weaves in messages of God’s love and grace while painting an accurate picture of the doubt and fear that plagues many of us. If you’re looking for a well-written love story that’ll keep you turning pages, I highly recommend Her Texas Cowboy.
1 review1 follower
July 3, 2018
Her Texas Cowboy is another uplifting, heart-warming story from Fredericksburg, Texas. Rachel moves back to her hometown after college while transitioning to her dream job. She has no desire to stay in the town where she feels she has left nothing but a bad reputation in her wake. From her high school antics, to a heart-wrenching breakup, she can't wait to get to her next stop on her life's journey. Enter the other half of that breakup, Hunter. Can the two of them move beyond what's happened in the past, both individually and together, to explore a friendship? Can it even be more than just a friendship?

Stuffed full of sass and humor and life lessons, this book is another example of Jill Lynn's can't-put-it-down writing style. It's a quick, easy, fun book to read, and yet the characters are fully developed and the biblical perspective permeates the story.
930 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2018
If you enjoy second chance reunion stories, you’ll love Jill Lynn’s new book. With an irresistible small-town setting and realistic, engaging characters, Her Texas Cowboy pulled me in and kept me reading to the end. The main characters, Rachel and Hunter, each had their past hurts and brokenness to overcome, and it was so heartwarming to see them grow stronger and become better individuals through forgiveness, faith, and hope. Lynn has deftly woven a tender story that will leave you rooting for Rachel and Hunter to find their happily-ever-after. Although this can definitely be read as a stand-alone book, there are characters from the author’s previous books that make appearances in this one. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Profile Image for Steph.
138 reviews
April 4, 2018
I'm new to Harlequin (Love Inspired) romances and new to this author, so this was a quick & refreshing weekend read for me! If you're looking for a sweet, Christian Fiction romance--I'd recommend it, but with one warning:

You're gonna want more.

When I started reading, I didn't realize that these stories are typically MUCH shorter than your average, run-of-the-mill CF novel. The characters are well defined and there's a very clear arc, theme, and plot, but Jill Lynn's writing is so good, when you finish, you kind wish there had been more. Or at least I did.

Rachel Maddox is bound and determined to shed an old reputation and move forward--new job, new town, new Rachel. The only problem is, she's going to have to learn how to move past ex-flame Hunter McDermott, and he's not so keen on letting her go all over again.

There are some really cute scenes with the two of them, some swoony moments (naturally), but what stuck with me in the end is how Rachel eventually learned that "sometimes starting over means finding home" and that "God's opinion--His great love for her--mattered more than the past, present, and future jumbled together."

Great, lighthearted read--I'll be looking up more of Lynn's books in the future!
158 reviews
May 23, 2018
To me the best books to read are the books that make you feel the most and that is exactly what Her Texas Cowboy does! The author did an extraordinary job in creating a story that readers could relate to, especially in regards to the emotional feelings of the characters. All I can say is that I didn’t want the story to end!

If you love Contemporary Chrsitian Fiction, especially ones that revolve around ranches and cowboys, then Her Texas Cowboy will be a book that you won’t want to miss out on!

I received a complimentary copy from the author, but was under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.
634 reviews
July 14, 2018
The sweetest reunion in Texas…When Rachel Maddox returns to her hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas from grad school in Colorado, avoiding her ex is much easier said than done. Still nursing the broken heart Rachel caused years earlier, (rancher) next door Hunter McDermott figures he can be cordial for the brief time she’s in town—maybe they can even be friends. But how do you forge just a friendship with someone you’ve always pictured as your bride? Working together on the church’s parade float assures they won’t be avoiding each other, the teen sleep-in further solidifies their time together. Hunter also helps fix up her family’s cabin so she’ll have a place to stay.

predictable
Profile Image for Mandie Hoehne.
1 review
April 5, 2018
The story of Rachel and Hunter shares another chance at love. High school sweethearts who were looking at very different life pursuits find themselves thrown back together. Rachel returns home for a visit and both she and Hunter wonder whether friendship will ever work between them. I became involved in their story very quickly. The author has such great characterization and imagery that their lives come off the page. I was lucky enough to get a complimentary copy but was encouraged to share my true feelings. Her Texas Cowboy is a must read.
Profile Image for Jessica Patch.
Author 117 books1,107 followers
May 26, 2018
I love romances with witty dialogue between sassy heroines and humorous and charming heroes. Ms. Lynn's novel does not disappoint. I found myself giggling aloud and re-reading some of the fun banter. Beyond the fantastic chemistry between the two characters lie two people with deep wounds that need healing. I loved the small-town setting, the backdrop of helping a local youth group, and the Texas heat that made me feel part of the story. Looking forward to what Ms. Lynn has in store for us next.
606 reviews8 followers
March 10, 2023
Rachel had escaped her ranching town once for college. Her return home is only until she finds a job so she can escape again.
The old high school boyfriend, Hunter, still has feelings for her. But he is determined not to hold her back.
Oh boy. They laugh. They kiss. And the same old trope of "oh he kissed me but I just dont know what he wants" rears its ugly head. Both of them, supposedly adults, and unable to have an honest conversation to save their souls.
The struggle of deciding what one really wants was very valid. The trope just made it a very aggravating story.
Profile Image for Donna Griffin.
197 reviews
April 15, 2018
This is a sweet romance book about high school sweethearts. They both go their separate ways, but reconnect when Rachel returns home to await her dream job. Through a series of misunderstandings and miscommunication things look bleak. These two star crossed loves may never get back together... Or will they?
The book has clean, Christian values and relationship issues. I will definitely be reading more of Jill Lynn's books.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
934 reviews4 followers
June 11, 2018
Her Texas Cowboy by Jill Lynn. Rachel Maddox is home for the summer. She is happy and loves being with her friends. But she likes the big city life. She is going to take a job in the city. Before she went to college she had a boyfriend names Hunter McDermott. They reconnect but are fighting it since she is going to move away. Romance in the making. A very good read.
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