Sweet Summer Sunset

Coldwater Texas #3

by Delores Fossen

Coldwater’s most-wanted cowboy is just her best friend—until one sizzling summer kiss changes everything…

Rodeo rider Nico Laramie may not have a squeaky-clean reputation with the women of Coldwater, but there are rules he doesn’t break. No bullies. No married women. And definitely not his best friend, Eden Joplin. So what exactly is Nico thinking, kissing Eden in front of her jerk ex-husband? With the proverbial bull out of the pen, Nico is about to get gored—hard.

Eden has secretly been writing a sex-advice blog called “Naughty Cowgirl,” but her divorce killed all her sexy inspiration. Then, when her gorgeous best friend kisses her in a way that makes her toes curl, suddenly Eden’s mojo is back. And the heat isn’t going away. Now something deep and long-denied is happening between them. Something that could destroy their friendship…or finally prove that this time it’s the real deal.

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Contemporary

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2019

About the author

Thank you for finding me on Goodreads!

Want to know more about me? Well, here it is in a nutshell:

I’m a USA Today bestselling author, and I’ve sold over 100 novels. Yes, 100! Needless to say, I write a lot. I’ve had the honor of receiving the Booksellers' Best Award for romantic suspense, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, and I was a finalist for the Rita. My books have been featured in Vogue, Woman’s Day and Woman’s World. I’ve also had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines. I love hearing from readers, and you can contact me through my webpage at: www.deloresfossen.com.

Reviews

[Syndi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really hate putting book under DNF.

And I have to do it. Sweet Summer Sunset is not as sweet as I expected. This is my first read by Miss Fossen. I am still not familiar with her writing style. From the blurb it seems explosive. Some sort of enemies to lovers romance.

Up until 1 hour of the book, I give up. I really am.

2 stars

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spirited, steamy, and sweet!

Sweet Summer Sunset is an easy, tantalizing, friends-to-more romance that features the ruggedly handsome, playboy Nico and the sassy, fun-loving, sex blogger Eden as they discover that they may actually like each other as more than just friends after one surprising, spontaneous, toe-curling kiss.

The prose is alluring and light. The characters are funny, supportive, and kind. And the plot is an enticing ride of steamy chemistry, playful banter, bull riding, community, family, friendship, secrets, scandals, and drama.

Overall, Sweet Summer Sunset is the third novel in the Coldwater, Texas series that is undoubtedly another entertaining, spicy, enjoyable read by Fossen that’s perfect for any hot summer night.

Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

[I received a netgalley arc for an honest review]

Sweet Summer Sunset is the third standalone book in Delores Fossen's Coldwater Texas series. I have read each book and this is definitely my favorite so far!

This book brings us the story of Nico and Eden. Nico is a bull rider and not looking to change his single status any time soon. Eden writes a sex tip blog under a pseudonym and is recently divorced from her husband. They have been close friends since they were kids and when Nico kisses her to prove a point that she's still desirable things between them quickly change.

"Eden tasted like a hyped-up mix of Christmas, birthdays and summer. All the things he liked."

I really enjoyed Nico and Eden's characters. Both were well-developed and the chemistry between them was believable. I loved that they had fun in the bedroom and that his aim was to make her feel good about herself. The physical scenes were fresh, fun and steamy. I looked forward to them because I couldn't wait to see what they tried next, thanks to her sex advice blog. Besides the hot and heavy, the book has a really strong family theme. Nico's foster sister is a big focus of the story line and it was heartwarming how close they were even though they were blood related.

"He wanted his friend. And he wanted that friendship almost as much as he wanted to French kiss her."

Sweet Summer Sunset is a wonderful small town friends to lovers cowboy romance. It left me with a smile on my face and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good friends to lovers romance. Nico is the youngest of the four Laramie brothers. All four of them survived some horrendous experiences in foster care, leaving them with varying degrees of scars and baggage. They also had some good experiences. Nico recently lost one of the foster mothers that he was close to and is still grieving the loss. In order to be a better influence on his sixteen-year-old foster sister, Nico has sworn off his one-night-stand, casual sex ways. It is suggested that he cultivate a more stable relationship with a woman who has a good reputation, such as Eden Joslin. Eden is one of Nico's best friends and is one of the "good girls" of the town.

Eden is still reeling somewhat from her divorce. She was married to her high school sweetheart until he left her for another woman. She keeps her head high but is getting tired of the pity from the townspeople. What none of them know is that besides working for the local lawyer, Eden also writes a blog called Naughty Cowgirl, where she dispenses spicy sex advice. Unfortunately, she has struggled with it since her divorce. But in one unexpected encounter, everything changes.

I loved seeing Nico and Eden's friendship grow into love. Because she and Damien had been a couple since they were teenagers, Nico had kept Eden firmly in the friend zone. I liked the way that they could always go to each other with their problems. So it wasn't unusual for Nico to help her with her blog, or to go to her when he had trouble. Nico went to Eden with the problem he had regarding his sister, and also to check on her because of a public meltdown over her ex. He was there when Damien arrived, supposedly to check on her. But when Damien started putting her down, including the statement that "no other man wants her," Nico had enough. To prove Damien wrong, Nico kissed her himself. Both of them were blindsided by the heat that flared from that kiss, and neither was quite sure what to do about it. Can they pursue it without ruining their friendship?

Doing something about the attraction proves to be complicated. Both Eden and Nico's lives are filled with enough drama to fuel a soap opera. Nico is dealing with grief over the loss of his former foster mother and trying to help his foster sister, Piper, through her. At the same time, he has to contend with Piper's current foster mother/aunt, a rigid, judgmental woman. Rayelle's interference makes it difficult for Nico to spend time with Piper. Piper has problems with more than just her grief, including the arrival of her ex-boyfriend. Piper has secrets that are going to take both Eden and Nico to help her handle.

I liked seeing Nico and Eden try to squeeze in time to be together, and felt their frustration at the number of times they were interrupted. There are some intense encounters, sometimes fueled by Eden's blog, and some that are just plain sweet. One of the things I liked best was that they were there for each other when the crap would hit the fan, ready to help; however it was needed. The ending was terrific, with an inventive way of confessing their love for each other.

The secondary characters were all well portrayed for their parts in the story. Eden's ex, Damien, was totally oblivious to anything that didn't affect him and made so many things all about himself. I honestly couldn't understand what Eden had seen in him, especially as the book went on. I loved seeing him finally get what was coming to him at the end. Rayelle was very unlikeable at the beginning, but it didn't take long to see that there was more to her than the uptight façade showed. The reasons were revealed in some interesting twists. Piper was the center of much of the drama that occurred during the book. I ached for her and her grief over Brenda's loss. It's complicated by the other things she has going on in her life. Her relationship with her boyfriend felt realistic, as did the drama that went along with it.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eden Joplin is dealing with a divorce, that blindsided her. Her husband is a jerk, who has been cheating on her during all six years of their marriage. She is back in her hometown of Coldwater Texas, working part time for a local lawyer, as well as writing her sex-advice blog, "Naughty Cowgirl." Her mojo is off, but her best friend, rodeo rider Nico Laramie, is available to help her out with her advice. Nico is known as a bit of a Casanova, but when he kisses Eden to make her ex-husband jealous, real feelings sizzle. Will this friendly relationship become something more? Meanwhile, Nico's foster sister and her foster mom are in Coldwater for the summer and she and Nico have a special bond, but when she finds herself in a situation, it is Eden she goes to for help. With a couple of side stories mixed in, this is a delightful story.

I want to be upfront by saying that there are a lot of open door intimate scenes that I wasn't quite prepared for. I enjoyed the various storylines in the book very much, so continued to read, but skimmed those parts. I liked the characters (except for Mimi and Damien) but did get frustrated with Eden and Nico at times. Eden was a smart, caring woman, but had very low self-esteem. She worried a lot abut what others thought, however, she comes into her own by the end of the book. Nico cared a lot about others as well, and tried to do what was best for everyone. He loved Eden and didn't know it, but when they discovered each other, it was like a bomb went off. The storyline involving Nico's foster sister, rounded out the story nicely and gave us the opportunity to get to know those characters. This was a friends to lovers story, that worked well, but with some serious themes. The book touched on infidelity, young adult pregnancy, and the possible consequences, adoption, and issues children face in the foster system. With humour and a lot of sizzle, this book told a fun story. I haven't read any other books in the Coldwater Texas series, but with all the open door romance, I may have to skip them. If that is not an issue for you, then I recommend this book.

[Julie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites by Delores Fossen!

The Laramie brothers are super hot cowboys, each with a complicated past that makes them leery of trusting their hearts. With each book, I think, this is my favorite brother. :) I loved Nico's relationship with Eden. Because of their friendship and shared past, there was already a depth to their love story when they finally gave in to longtime denied-lust. I enjoyed seeing how they brought out the best in each other, and how they each learned to let the secrets and mistakes of their pasts make them stronger people.

What I loved best about SWEET SUMMER SUNSET was the variety and depth of all the supporting characters. Some were funny, but others had a bittersweet quality to their secondary stories. And I hope I see more of Hog and Rayelle!

Coldwater may be a fictional town--but I'd love to visit there. I can't wait to read about the oldest brother, Kace!

[Books and Spoons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series! Every time I start a new book by Delores Fossen I know I will be lost to the rest of the world for the duration. The world she creates, the characters that live there, they are filled with life and loving, and I just want to linger there, to enjoy each moment, treasure the clever usage of language, the inspiring, engaging stories, and fall in love all over again.
I loved the friendship and connection between rodeo rider Nico Laramie and his best friend, Eden Joplin. It is not every day you experience that kind of chemistry even in romance novels. Eden and Nico knew everything about the other, they were soulmates, friends, confidants, and they respected and cherished the other as such. And then in comes the heat, the physical attraction, the passion and oh man, they melt the pages of the book! Yes, the love scenes are detailed, and they are scorching hot, yet told with such a dose of humor and heart, deep feels and rich laughs, demonstrating the precious, loving connection between Nico and Eden, and I adored every moment of it.
But the book is not just about the ardent love story between Nico and Eden, even though there is more than enough material between these two as they start to try new things for Eden's blog!
In the mids of all the shenanigans and small-town drama, there are serious issues of infidelity, young adult pregnancy, and the possible consequences. There are issues of the wide range of care children experience on foster families, from being a blessing to the horrid abuse. These sensitive, delicate situations are handled with tender hands, and heartfelt, raw honesty. I admire how the author manages to bring light to the vulnerable social issues while presenting them in a way that touches our hearts yet makes us smile.
These are just a few of the reasons I adore this series and the unparallel way the author uses heat, heart, and humor to tell heartfelt, fervent tales of everyday people in an engaging, inspiring, and uplifting way.
This story took me for a wild Texan style emotional, entertaining, captivating, and most of all delightful ride through dark valleys, and bright pastures, absolutely a marvelous tale!
~ Five Spoons!

[Shelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah, this was bad, really bad and also so bad that it was unintentionally funny.

Two possibilities here, one that someone else wrote the book or two that Delores Fossen ran out of fucks to give and crapped out this disasterpiece. Normally, she's way better than this, which I read late one night in the backyard while our power was out from a storm. Complaint number one is that the book is jam packed with grunts, groans, growls, and snarls, all of which are excessively used even by trashy romance novel standards. Complaint two is the unnecessary teen relationship that comes up far too many times and is so cringey. Complaint three is the characters. Every resident in town is a busybody gossip, all genders included here, and then there are the main characters. The main male character hums show tunes when he's aroused and the main female character recites the states in alphabetical order. It was at that part where I scared the late night wildlife with some robust cackles.

[Erika, I Guess⁷ · Rating 2 out of 5]

She forgave him a little too easily for me, but I mean girl is getting multiple orgasms 🤷🏾‍♀️ who am I to tell her to be mad at him a little bit more? 

sidenote: What kind of best friend was he really??? cuz he apparently has been her friend for 10 yrs and didn't tell her about her cheating ass partner ANY of the times he cheated on her. I would have needed him to truly GROVEL.

[chris :) · Rating 1 out of 5]

so i decided it’d be a good idea to read a yeehaw romance / cowboy smut for fun.

😀

this was ridiculous, so bad it was good. there is so much to unpack here…

the sex scenes were kinda traumatizing! and eden needing to recite the us states in alphabetical order and nico needing to SING SONGS FROM MUSICALS to not orgasm … W H A T. these characters are really weird and tbh, literally no one in this book was likable. they all got on my nerves. damien is a fuckinG LOSER ESPECIALLY, but cmon even the main characters were borderline insufferable

the whole piper storyline took over this book too much. i didn’t really care about it after it became 70% of this book’s focus. also i feel like every other chapter was “oh shit piper is not doing well we gotta drop everything and go to her.” it was also jarring to read about piper’s trauma and sad situation and then SWITCH RIGHT OVER TO A FULL ON SEX SCENE

and WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF LIDDY JEAN AND HER PROTEST?? literally didn’t add anything to this story. delores was there a deeper meaning to that? a metaphor? lmao

also if these characters are so annoyed by everyone in their town gossiping about them,,, HOW ABOUT YOU LEAVE THIS MISERABLE TOWN LIKE DAMN

and also why is everyone always GROANING AND GRUNTING???

and for it to be called “sweet summer sunset”… it never mentioned a sunset. THERES NO SUNSET

lastly … delores deadass uses the phrase “hot-as-all-get-out” …. W H A T

[Maureen Hubley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and can't wait for Kate's story and also to find out how Piper and Jax are doing!

[Donna Repsher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Summer Sunset is the third novel in the author's Coldwater Texas series, a series I've been following since its inception. The series follows the lives and loves of the four Laramie brothers, and each novel can be read as a standalone. As I mentioned in my reviews of the previous two novels, the titles have absolutely nothing to do with the series, but all in all, I found this to be a slightly confusing yet entertaining and somewhat complicated novel, and it earns 4 stars from this reader.

The main characters in this novel are Nico, the youngest of the Laramie brothers, a professional bull rider turned rodeo bucking bull provider, whose business has certainly been growing, as has his reputation as the premier no-commitment womanizer in town. The heroine in this novel is Eden Joslin, assistant to a local lawyer, and also the author of the Naughty Cowgirl sex advice blog, a secret she's kept from all but her ex-husband, Damian, and Nico, her best friend, in what turns out to be a very good friends-to-lovers romance.

The background on the Laramie brothers is complicated. After the loss of their parents, they were sent into foster care, where they were abused, beaten, and where Nico was beaten so badly that he almost died, until the boys were eventually sent to live with their new foster mom, Brenda, whom they adored, and where he met another one of Brenda's foster children, Piper, who he and his brothers grew to consider their younger sister. Shortly before the novel opens, we learn that Brenda has died, her death leaving Brenda's uptight, straitlaced sister, Rayelle, in charge of Piper. To say it isn't a great match is putting it mildly. Rayelle is super strict, super controlling, super prudish and the last thing 16-year-old Piper needs. They agree to spend the summer in a cabin on Nico's property, and Rayelle isn't happy about Nico's reputation, so he declares that he'll remain celibate while Piper in is residence, all to ensure that he'll get to spend some time with his sister, but illicit sex, divorce, marital infidelity, safe sex, unwanted and surprise pregnancies all play a part in this novel.

Eden and Nico have been friends since grade school, and since Eden was married to Nico's best friend, Damian, her high school sweetheart, she was certainly off limits, but now that Damian has divorced her, she's trying to deal with the breakup of her marriage and the knowledge that 6 months after the divorce, Damian is now engaged to marry Mimi, mainly for what seems like her over-endowed breasts. Meanwhile Eden and Damian share custody of Miss Kitty, a male cat they rescued and shared while married, requiring them to remain in contact with one another. Damian seems to have no filter, announces his engagement to Mimi to Eden in the middle of the street, and keeps butting into her life. Although he divorced Eden, he can't seem to stay out of her business and out of her life. The person Eden confides in is Nico, who, now that Eden is free, becomes more and more attracted to her, and she to him. Since he doesn't do commitment, both he and Eden wonder if becoming sexually involved will end up ruining their long-term friendship, but it's a risk they both seem willing to take.

There are issues galore in the lives of all of the main characters, as well as the secondary characters who all add a lot of stumbling blocks in the road to true love, and, as all the secrets everyone has been keeping are slowly brought to light, it was impossible not to empathize with these characters, and feel the shame and pain they are experiencing. Having said that, I did have one issue that is the reason that kept this from being a 5-star read for me, and that was that I believe the author spent way too much time on Nico and Eden's torrid sex life, rather than building a deep, emotional connection between the two, and I would have liked a little more backstory Eden. We eventually get to know more about secondary character, Rayelle, and why she is so prudish and uptight than we ever learn about Eden.

There is enough drama and emotional upheaval in this story for two novels, and it all adds suspense, angst, worry, and the complications of living in a gossip-prone small Texas town, where everyone seems to know everyone else's business, but at least there's also some humor and levity to offset it.

As in almost all romance novels, there is the expected HEA ending, but that was the other reason for my 4-star rating--the ending was so short and so abrupt as to leave this reader both shocked and rather irritated. After spending the entire novel with these characters, I felt they deserved a better send-off than the one they were given, and an epilogue would have solved that problem.

Despite the few issues I mentioned, I did find this novel to be an quick and entertaining read, and I will continue to follow this series to it's conclusion.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

SWEET SUMMER SUNSET is a cute installment in the Coldwater Texas series, which follows four brothers who had entered foster care. In this book, we follow Nico, notorious for his one-night-stand ways, and his best friend, Eden. Nico runs his own business and rides bulls. He has recently sworn off casual sex, since one of his foster parents with whom he was really close died. She left behind a young foster daughter, Nico's (foster) sister. Nico wants to do right by the sixteen-year-old, but he is having trouble dealing with his foster mother's sister who has taken in the girl.

Eden is six months divorced from her childhood sweetheart who left her for another woman, Mimi. She is keeping her head afloat, which can be tough in a small town where everybody is in your business. She is also secretly running a Naughty Cowgirl blog which gives sex advice- not always things she has tried. Nico gives her some friendly advice for it from time to time. Since both were friends and Eden was always taken, they had each put each other firmly in the friendzone.

After an impulsive kiss, they suddenly question why they were/if they need to be in the friendzone. However, life is not easy for the two to get together as Nico's sister and Eden's ex stir up drama. Luckily, the pair has each other to help them handle it all.

With some swoony scenes and loads of sexual frustration, this is a drama-filled romance that will have the reading groaning along with the protagonists. Earlier books in the series were absolutely incredible, and this one felt a little lesser in comparison. It may be that the drama was a little too intense and frequent (at times, it felt like a soap opera, which is a compliment in a different sort of way- I mean, soaps KNOW drama). There's major drama for both that just keeps coming and developing. There was also less comic relief as some of the secondary characters from earlier books have very minor roles and don't fill in those gaps (like Miss Rosy).

Overall, I really loved them as a couple though- they compliment each other well and I felt connected to them both and invested in their relationship (a must in a good romance read!). The blog added some extra spice/fun throughout too. I would add warnings for teenage pregnancy and adultery.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Monica Cardoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Summer Sunset is the third installment in the Coldwater, Texas series. So it’s time for the bachelor, womanizer’s time to get his happily ever after. Nico was a business man and a bull rider but he had a heart of gold. I loved his story and how no matter what happened to him in his childhood, no matter that he could have died he didn’t let that bring him down. He was a man that could make people laugh and he was easy on the eyes that basically had woman pouncing on him. But his first foster mother passed away and with her death everything was going to change in his life. Now there is Eden a woman that just got out of a long relationship that maybe she should have gotten out of a long time ago. Her husband didn’t respect her and ended up cheating on her and left her for someone younger and was ready to get married again. I loved that Eden wrote a sex-advice blog but because of what was going on in her life she had writers block. Nico was totally going to be helping with that but she never would have thought that he would be keeping a secret from him. Then there is Piper, Nico considered her like a sister since she was a foster child with his Mama Brenda and now with her death she was going to need help with grieving. He has no idea what he has in store with Piper she is going to come back into his life and turn it upside down. He is going to be surprised that he will fight with Brenda’s sister in order to foster Piper but there is a huge secret that is yet to be revealed.

I totally recommend this read and I’m finally going to read the last book in this series. It’s time for the oldest brother to get his happily ever after.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden Joslin works part-time as an assistant to Attorney Roy Eccleston. But what really pays the bills is the income from her blog, Naughty Cowgirl. There she gives advice to spice up the letter-writer's sex life. Unfortunately answers are slow going since her divorce six month ago. Enter her best friend since childhood bull rider and livestock contractor, Nico Laramie who starts helping her with her advice blog. Then somehow Eden starts seeing Nico as more than a friend, especially after "that kiss." What was that all about anyway besides annoying her ex-husband? After all Nico is the consumate "bad boy" and town's one-night-stand "sex god." Still... Eden decides she wants some follow-up action after that panty-melting kiss. So that's the plan!

Sweet Summer Sunset by Delores Fossen is the third book in her Coldwater Texas series. This series follows four brothers who grew up in foster care. At first they were separated but then eventually reunited but not before some ugly times. Nico started his foster care journey with a wonderful foster mother, Brenda Calhoun. During this story Nico is mourning her death. This book has a compelling, complex storyline. It tugs at the heartstrings and touches emotionally. There are lots of great characters and some surprises as well as the sweet scenes Delores Fossen does so very well. I really liked the interactions between Eden and Nico as their relationship took on new meaning. I always enjoy friends to lovers tales.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eden is dealing with a gossiping small town, a divorce, and her ex with his fiance pretty much rubbing their relationship in her face. Because of this her sex advice blog "Naughty Cowgirl" has been down on inspiration. Nico is the one friend who has been by her side during this ordeal and is known as a play boy. Problem with the town other then life drama is that the two are starting to have an attraction for eachother and they are having a hard time keeping that friendship boundary.

Ok tbh I did for a while think this book did drag on, but there was a purpose. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood so it took me a while to read this book. Once I got over that I pretty much devoured this book. Theres so much going on in this book to keep track of so once you get the hang of it this book gets better, I had a bit of a hard time keeping track which is probably what slowed me down. Once I made the connections things improved along with the drama. There is so much going for this book with the ex, the relationship, wondering when Edens secret sex advice blog would blow up in her face, then there was a teen family member with a pregnancy scare. Its just a lot. But I will say that the book was really good though. Because there is so much going on its easy to drop into the book and get invested in these characters wondering how what problem would solve, and wondering what would others say and how it would impact everything on. Overall its a really good book I did enjoy it.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Delores Fossen's books..this one was no exception..this series is fabulous..This book was loads of fun to read. Lots of things going on that had you jumping and flipping the page to see what happened next. This is the story of Nico, the woman loving man and Eden his best friend all their lives. Eden is freshly divorced. Nico is grieving the loss of his foster mom. Eden's ex makes Nico mad and to prove a point he lays a big ole kiss on Eden. It is like they were two magnets that soon can't get enough of each other..but of course there are many complications that arise. They live in a small town so it is always gossip. Throw in Nico's "sister" Piper and Rayelle and even more complications arise. I swear there were times I laughed and a time or two I may have shed a little tear. You need to read this book as you will love all the fun times, the hard times and even a super big twist that had me gasping!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Summer Sunset is Nico Laramie's book in Delores Fossen's Coldwater, Texas series. Saying Nico is having a stressful summer is an understatement. He is known as a cowboy/player. His best friend, Eden Joplin, has just learned that her ex-husband (Nico's friend) is engaged to be remarried. Add to that, the sister of his recently deceased foster mother, is visiting with Piper Drake, a teenager he regards as his little sister. They are planning on staying in a nearby cabin for the summer. Being there for Eden and Piper is not easy as they struggle with personal problems and he tries to "put out fires"! I enjoyed this story because the author's descriptions of the main characters makes it easy to root for them! There are some interesting twists and turns and surprises in this book!

[Gmr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the previous release in the series, I thought I knew what I was stepping into...a cowboy flavored Contemporary Romance sure to leave you with a pep in your step and a heart warmed through. This one was a bit STEAMIER than the last, considering our leading lady's online venture - the Naughty Cowgirl - is a relationship and s*x advice blog, but as much as the conversations were at times scintillating, there was SO MUCH HEART you could only have fun with it and move on. I mean, who doesn't like a good friends-to-lovers story, am I right? Ooh and that jacka** of an ex TOTALLY deserves what he got and THEN SOME! Honestly, the nerve of some people!


**copy received for review; opinions are my own

[Amy ~ Love At 1st Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, if you want a sizzling romance with a series of hilarious events heading to a happily ever after, look no further than Delores Fossen. Like every series I’ve read from her, this series is filled with adorable, kooky characters that you can’t help but love. Nico and Eden were best friends. Friends to lovers is my favorite trope. I love that history before the intimacy takes place. And it took that friendship to withstand all the interruptions and roadblocks to them finally getting together. Delores Fossen’s writing style is phenomenal. No one combines passion and humor like she does.

[Moira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Miss Fossen and was excited to read book 3 in the Coldwater Texas series. It was a lighthearted story that was a fun read but fell a little short for me. Not my favorite in the series but still a good read. It just seemed a bit disjointed and the town was displayed in a less than favorable light in this book. Hoping the next book in the series is an improvement.

I received a free ARC eBook from NetGalley and the Publisher. This is an honest review based on my own thoughts and opinions.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you fall in love with your best friend who happens to be a womanizer. Nico Laramie still lives with his three brothers at their Foster father’s home but even at his age, he was not ready to settle down with just one woman. At least he wasn’t until his best friend Eden Joplin divorced her cheating husband and tried to help him with his foster sister who wanted to spend her summer with Nico. A lot of secrets were being hidden by Nico, Eden, Piper (Nico’s Foster sister) and her Foster mom but can they overcome them?

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very enjoyable friends to lovers romance. Eden and Nico had great chemistry and I loved how one unexpected kiss changed everything. There is plenty of drama, sweetness, heart, heat and humor blended throughout the entertaining story line to keep you focused and reading. A very fun read. I am by my own choice posting a truthful review.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title. (Goodfm)

She was his best friend's girl, way back in their school years. He learned she was his best friend, even more so than the dumb man that had cheated on her, and then divorced her.
How do you go from best friend's to lover? Definitely, witha shift in mind set, but it can be done.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many revelations! Nico and Eden's story was WOW. Friends to lovers, with a few secrets thrown in. The blog was hilarious. Eden's ex was just... No words for that slime. Glad Nico stepped up and threw his playboy ways into the wind.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nico Laramie is a womenizer but he has rules. No bullies. No married women and definitely not his best friend. If you are wanting to read about a sexy book, this is it!
I like the way Delores Fossen writes, with heart.

[Karen Geurts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story with exciting characters and small stories entwined. I like Nick and Eden. They have been best friends for years and after Eden's divorce they finally became lovers. It took some doing and many stops and starts. But this friends to lovers story is well worth reading.

[Monique Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nico is probably my favorite brother and I was eager to hear his story. I wasn't disappointed at all! Ready for the next one, though I do wish there had been more presence from his brothers in this one.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nico finds his match

It is his best friend Eden. He is friends because his best friend Damien is married to her until Damien decides to divorce her. Then everything starts to change. Loved the bathroom scene.

[Karen Machamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more of this authors work. I highly recommend this author to friends and family alike.