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Horseshoe Home Ranch #7

The Christmas Cowboy Competition

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He’s a cowboy down on his luck, she’s his complete opposite next door, and they both need a job this Christmas…



Archer Bailey has already had to yield one job to Emersyn "Emery" Enders. So when the opportunity of a cowhand job at Horseshoe Home Ranch presents itself, he keeps it to himself. Emery, whose temporary job is ending but whose responsibilities towards her physically disabled sister aren't, is left in the dark.



Archer's fury knows no bounds when he unexpectedly spots Emery at the ranch. However, anger soon gives way to anticipation when the ranch owner announces a playful contest. The cowhand applicant who earns the most stars by Christmas will win the job.



As the festive season unfolds, will Emery and Archer navigate the complexities of the ranch, their close living arrangements, and their personal challenges to discover the love building between them? Or will their rivalry rob them of the greatest Christmas gift of all—true love?

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2019

592 people are currently reading
242 people want to read

About the author

Liz Isaacson

356 books1,184 followers
★ USA TODAY BESTSELLER, AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR, and KINDLE ALL STAR! ★

Liz Isaacson writes inspirational cowboy romances. Her Three Rivers Ranch Romance series has multiple #1 bestsellers in half a dozen categories. She loves all things to do with contemporary cowboys, and will write romance in Texas, Montana, Vermont, Wyoming, and anywhere else she can find horses and mountains. Find out more at lizisaacson.com. Join her fandom by texting COWBOY to 801-618-2114 for exclusive sales and freebies.

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5 stars
289 (60%)
4 stars
123 (25%)
3 stars
51 (10%)
2 stars
13 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews131 followers
Want to read
November 24, 2018
💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/24/2018)!💝

Blurb:
Two next-door neighbors vying for the same job...who will win? And who will lose their heart?

Archer Bailey has already lost one job to Emersyn Enders, so he deliberately doesn't tell her about the cowhand job up at Horseshoe Home Ranch. Emery's temporary job is ending, but her obligations to her physically disabled sister aren't.

Archer is beyond angry when he sees Emery at the ranch, but things go from furious to fun when the owner of the ranch announces a contest to see which cowhand applicant can earn the most stars by Christmas. Whoever does will win the job.

Will Emery and Archer be able to navigate the ranch, their close quarters, and their individual circumstances to find love this holiday season?
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,191 reviews15 followers
May 4, 2018
Up on the Housetop is another addition to the Golden Valley series. Emery and Archer are not only next door neighbors, but they are also going after the same job. They’ve been neighbors for two years and have not had much of a relationship, but that changes quickly. I liked Emery and Archer together, but I did not feel there was much to their relationship, especially on Emery’s side. I wish the actual relationship had been developed more in this story. I know this is part of a Christmas series, but I did not really get a Christmas vibe from this book. Christmas was mentioned, but for me a good Christmas book talks about the spirit of Christmas and the buildup and excitement of it, but I did not feel that when I read this book. I enjoyed it overall, but would not classify it as a Christmas book.
2,276 reviews26 followers
May 4, 2018
Next door neighbors who appear to not like each other and fighting for the same job. These two were adorable. Emery and Archer both have hurts that the other doesn't know about. A great book on not judging a book by its cover. A sweet, clean romance. Hoping Glenna gets her own book.
Profile Image for Love.
1,747 reviews5 followers
May 13, 2018
Beautiful Sweet Christmas Romance

This is a refreshing and heartwarming romance with a lot of great moments and intriguing characters that will definitely have you enjoying every moment.
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
9,196 reviews205 followers
November 22, 2020
Christmas at the Ranch by Liz Isaacson
Starts out with offer of books when you sign up for author's newsletter.
Quote from Isaiah starts this book.
Story is about Archer and he lives in a townhouse but is unemployed and knows the job he wants. He has to really prove to his father that he can make a go of any job, he's tried so many over the years after leaving college. His other brothers are high achievers and he can't measure up to them.
He wants the job at the ranch for a cowboy and he knows what it entails.
Emery lives next door and she tries to supplement her sisters bills in WA. She has had so many jobs also and when she realizes that Archer is going to apply for the ranch job she does as well. She knows she can't keep up with the chores or the weight of lifting things.
She does hang in there and when things go bad with her sister she moves in with Em to take care of.
Her boss Jace understands and gives her the time needed and she works at ranch also. Jace comes up with a new system to see who the new cowboy ranch hand will be. a competition over weeks during various jobs at the ranch.
This sounds so cool as we learn all about what happens at the ranch.
Love the moments they step out of their comfort zone, pleading with Em from the roof of the house dressed as Santa.
Love also how Archer reaches out to his mom although his father still puts him down.
Archer and Em have lived next door for years, going through high school, etc and they each have a thing for one another, just never voiced.
You wonder if things will really work out for them if they've spent almost 15 years already so close to one another.
Enjoyed this read, learned so many new things about ranching.
Excerpts from other stories are included at the end.
Other works by the author are highlighted, about the author is also included.
413 reviews6 followers
April 28, 2018
Archer just wants to be a cowboy and prove to his father that he can be successful and hold down a steady job. But, when his next door neighbor continues to compete with him on key job opportunities, he struggles with how to react. He wants to be angry, but at the same time he's attracted to her. And, when they're thrown together in a contest to see who's the best for the job, he has no choice but to work together.

Emery simply needs a job. A job that will help pay the bills and support her sister. The fact that she's deliberately trying to take a job away from her handsome neighbor should make her feel ashamed of herself, but desperate people do desperate things. And, when she has to work with him in a contest, it's not all bad.

As Archer and Emery get to know each other better, they struggle to reconcile their feelings for each other while still trying to solve their own financial situation. Can a solution be reached that will still allow them to be together?

What follows is a sweet story of two strong willed people who know what they want, but not necessarily how to get it. It's fun to read how they solve their problems.

Romance - PG / kissing
Language - PG / clean
My rating - 5 stars
1,260 reviews6 followers
March 10, 2018
I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review

Archer and Emery live next door to each other in townhomes. Emery is trying to pay her own bills and help her sister with hers too. When an accident puts her sister in the hospital for a couple day, Emery has to leave to go be with her. Then she is bring her sister home to live with her but unsure how it will go with her sister in a wheelchair and the bedrooms upstairs. Archer is there to help for a while but then Emery starts pushing him away. Although they are competing for the same job, Emery knows that she will not get it but doesn't give up. She also knows that Archer is meant to be working on the ranch. What happens when Archer finally calls the church to go help Emery because she won't let him in to help? Who will win the competition and get the job at the ranch? Can Emery and Archer work things out or will Emery not forgive him? Does her sister figure out what she will do and get a job in Gold Valley or does she go back to the city where there are more services available to her?
2,221 reviews44 followers
December 30, 2020
Liz Isaacson's book Falling for His Next-Door Neighbor is the seventh book in her Horseshoe Home Ranch series. In this book, Archer Bailey and Emersyn Ender are neighbors in Gold Valley, Montana. Both are looking for work. Archer isn't about to watch her take another job away from him, since she previously got the job at Silver Creek that he wanted. So when they each try to get hired at Horeshoe Home Ranch, they find themselves competing against each other to earn daily stars for four months in a contest that will run through Christmas. Archer needs the job to prove to his dad that he can make something of himself and earn a decent living. Emersyn needs the job to pay her bills and help support her wheelchair bound sister. I really liked the slow pace of Archer and Emersyn's courtship. In most books characters fall in love way too fast for it to seem real. I also liked Archer's selfishness and devotion to Emersyn. These two characters are down to earth and not materialistic which makes them likable. Now I want to read more books in this series.
Profile Image for Faith Posten.
313 reviews11 followers
November 26, 2020
The Neighbors Meet

Archer and Emery have been next door neighbors for two years before they begin to get acquainted. After Archer shared that he ha job interview at a ranch, Emery research the ranches in the area that are hiring. She then called for her own interview because she is about to be laid off. She feels guilty, but really needs a job as she helps her paralyzed sister Glenda and her Mother too. Of course Archer doesn't know any of that, so he is furious when he sees her at the ranch. He knows this is the right job for him plus his Dad is always on his case about getting a good job since he dropped out of college several years ago.
Some of the themes: Hard work, pride, independence, love, humility and family of course. A light, short, sweet story for an afternoon.
Profile Image for Margaret Watkins.
3,547 reviews88 followers
May 7, 2018
This sweet romance about neighbours who are competing for the same job touches the heart. Despite his desperation to impress his difficult father, Archer is the kind of guy you want in your corner. Although Emersyn has made it abundantly clear that she doesn’t need anything from him, when she runs into difficulties, Emersyn has to put her pride in her pocket and ask Archer for help. When they start to cooperate with one another, they find that they have more in common than they thought. This story is fairly short and can be read in an evening. It is also clean and well-written, with an object lesson we could all learn from. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
234 reviews11 followers
November 26, 2018
Oh, what does it take to be a man? (Boston)

Archer wants his dad to be proud of him, see him as an adult, and to him that means a full time job with a future. Emery needs work badly. Sparks fly when they compete for the same job.
Boston's song could have been written for Archer. " How can you be a man
'Til you see beyond the life you live? Oh, what does it take to be a man?" He doesn't need his father's approval. How he handles his relationship with Emery and how he responds to her needs makes him that man. He shows a major growth in maturity in a couple months that two years of living next door to Emery couldn't approach.
The characters are well-defined, but the story needs more background details about Emery to flesh it out. It's a short and sweet HEA romance
334 reviews
November 23, 2020
Enjoyed

Archer was really looking forward to his job interview at Horseshoe Home Ranch, he really wanted this job but he mentioned his interview to Emery his neighbor, so she called and got an interview that same day. She had gotten another job he had applied so this upset him. It turned out all the applicants will work for four months to see who will get the job. The applicants will match up with the regular cowboys to earn stars for the jobs they do and the regulars will be able to win bonuses. Archer is winning in stars but he also wants to be with Emery so he offers to give up the job so she can have it but she refuses. They make compromise and finally the girl and the job.
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
February 10, 2018
This sweet read went by so fast. It felt like it was over before I’d even realized I’d started. Archer has the strong silent type thing down to a T. Emery was a little more difficult for me to get a handle on. She’s carrying around a lot of baggage that encourages her to make decisions that left me wondering. As we find out more about her history, it all begins to make so much more sense and my heart broke for everything she was dealing with. This pair is just adorable together. They each inspire the other to be better people. And I was in awe of the lengths that the crew at Horseshoe Home was willing to go to for “their people”.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.
140 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2020
Not My Arch Enemy

I have enjoyed all of this author's books that I have read - I don't remember ever being disappointed. Meeting and being "in love" with the newest cowboy or cheering for the cowgirl or newest single girl in town, become an important part of the reader. Archer and Emery have tension from the get go and continue to butt heads over jobs they both need desperately, but only one can have. Liz incorporates family strife and personal dilemma throughout this story so hang on for the ride. Thank you, Liz, for another great story. I received a complimentary copy of this book and have chosen on my own to write an honest review.
Profile Image for Anne Blyth.
1,975 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2018
Real people with real feelings, some not always perfect but always human. I love the way Liz Isaacson takes a group of people and creates warm family connections. Most readers will be able to relate to her characters or their situations and that makes the reader feel very much a part of the story. Archer and Emery are no exception, they each have their own set of circumstances to overcome to find their way to each other. A delightful read.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews99 followers
November 24, 2018
Neighbors

Emery and Archie were next door neighbors. They had gone for the same job earlier in the year and she got it. They have kinda avoided each other except for his dog or if she needed help with her car. Now he was going for another job and she was also. But there is twist they are competing for it. He finally ask her for a date, it goes well. But then her sister needs her and they find they need each other.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,600 reviews21 followers
November 24, 2018
Enjoyable

I enjoyed this quick, clean romance with a big HAE. Two neighbors, hiding their attraction to each other, compete for the same job. One is well qualified. The other, not so much. Both have good reasons for wanting the job and both have family issues to deal with. Who will get the job and what happens along the way?
312 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2018
Up on the Housetop

Both Archer and Emery are living paycheck to paycheck. When they both try for a job at the ranch they are mad at you ach other. When they both get a trail period at the ranch they ride into work together.

Things go well until Glenna, her sister has an accident and needs to come live with her. Archer tries to help, but she resents him.
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,683 reviews69 followers
April 13, 2021
There are some books that say the mains are rivals and then there are some where they are purposefully r.i.v.a.l.s! Oh. Man. Not even through the first chapter and I was steaming! Competition, a rocky road, and family issues. I really enjoyed his romance. I’m sad that the next book is the end of the series, but I’m pumped that there are plenty more to read through. ;)
187 reviews4 followers
November 28, 2018
Great story

I really enjoyed this book. I've never heard of a competition where several people compete for the job for months and get paid while doing it. That was quite unique. Great descriptions and characters and good dialog.
Profile Image for Anne.
523 reviews14 followers
December 17, 2018
Up on the Housetop is a fast-paced contemporary novella (or really short novel) that has just the right amount of fun, drama, and romance. I got it free on Kindle and I'm glad I did. It's my first Liz Isaacson book but won't be my last. I like her writing style.
549 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2018
I loved this story! What a beautiful love story. The characters wear great. I really loved the characters so much that I did not want it to end. I just wanted to read more and more of their story.
388 reviews
March 1, 2018
Good quick clean read. The story is sweet.
Profile Image for Barb Nifong.
278 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2018
I loved this book

It is just what you need at this this time of the year,love, concern for others and a good ending.
Profile Image for Marie.
376 reviews
December 2, 2018
Just what you would think, Santa on the rooftop. What a wonderful story of friends getting second or maybe third chances. We’re back at Horseshoe Home Ranch. Winter is in the air. Love sparks
1,686 reviews12 followers
December 4, 2018
Love the cowboy

People, communication! These two waste so much time hoping instead of talking. Yet they live next to each other. Totally enjoyed their drama and the superb ending.
1,224 reviews2 followers
December 4, 2018
Very interesting book

This is a very interesting book. The story keeps you interested and wanting to figure out how it will end. It has a very good ending.
291 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2019
Loved this awesome story!! Who doesn't love a cowboy? The lengths this cowboy went to showing his girl he loved her!!
Profile Image for Michelle Ferrari-Johnson.
1,559 reviews39 followers
December 8, 2019
The Right Cowboy

What starts as a race to secure a job, quickly becomes an unexpected duo. Can they learn to depend upon each other and accept help?~
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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