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The Christmas Tree Ranch #3
Holding Out for Christmas
Fans of RaeAnne Thayne, Lori Wilde, and Fern Michaels will delight in this beautiful Christmas love story with a heart the size of Texas. A visit to Janet Dailey’s Christmas Tree Ranch is the perfect kick-off to a flawless holiday season! “Cute…The festive atmosphere and charming cast—Megan’s younger brother, Daniel, who has Down syndrome, is especially well-developed—will draw readers in.” —Publishers Weekly She’s all he wants for Christmas. Maybe even forever… Conner Branch hasn’t stopping thinking about the sultry singer he spotted on stage during last year’s Cowboy Christmas ball. So imagine his surprise when he discovers the demure kindergarten teacher who comes home for the holidays to Branding Iron, Texas, is the very same woman. And once he’s up close and personal with the mesmerizing Megan, he’s downright determined to keep her by his side for good… If only Conner Branch were simply the star struck cowboy she once believed him to be, Megan wouldn’t have to worry about losing everything to the rugged—and wildly romantic—rancher. With Christmas in the air, it’s a little too easy to imagine spending the holidays, not to mention her whole life, wrapped in Conner’s loving arms. But this songstress has hopes for a big career back in Nashville. And no little holiday romance will ever get in the way of that. So what’s a woman to do when she finds herself facing down a love as big and bold as Texas itself?
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2020
937 people are currently reading
6326 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dailey
390 books1,838 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
October 5, 2024
HOLDING OUT FOR CHRISTMAS was a fun 3rd book in the Christmas Tree Ranch series set in Branding Iron, Texas. In this book, cowboy Connor is enamored with Megan, a local schoolteacher he rescues on the side of the highway in bad weather. He soon discovers she’s also the famous country music singer that he’s had a crush on who performs under a different stage name. This was a cute novel. I love these books with their western romance charm and the recurring characters in the small town. 5/5 stars.
August 30, 2021
This is a Christmas Romance, and this is the third book in the Christmas Tree Ranch series. I really enjoyed this book. I love the characters in this book, and the storyline in this book was really great. I love that there was two secondary characters with down syndrome in this book. I also love the romance in this book. I found the romance cute and sweet.
December 23, 2025
First read 4 ⭐️
Second read 3 ⭐️
I liked this more the first time around. I now see how cringy this one kinda was 😂
I think I liked this more the first time because I really liked Connor. He was a rodeo bull rider and now helps run the Christmas Tree Ranch. Megan, is okay. She is kinda annoying and overreactive. She ALSO has a bf back home and still kissed Connor A FEW TIMES. Connor also knew she had a bf so he also sucks for that.
But the setting is so freakin cute. I love love love the Ranch. The snow. The little cute town. The Christmas activities. It’s not all fun and go lucky, it’s also got some twists in there, especially with the other side characters we’ve already read about. But still cringy. You can’t help but read on though. So it’s worth it.
Second read 3 ⭐️
I liked this more the first time around. I now see how cringy this one kinda was 😂
I think I liked this more the first time because I really liked Connor. He was a rodeo bull rider and now helps run the Christmas Tree Ranch. Megan, is okay. She is kinda annoying and overreactive. She ALSO has a bf back home and still kissed Connor A FEW TIMES. Connor also knew she had a bf so he also sucks for that.
But the setting is so freakin cute. I love love love the Ranch. The snow. The little cute town. The Christmas activities. It’s not all fun and go lucky, it’s also got some twists in there, especially with the other side characters we’ve already read about. But still cringy. You can’t help but read on though. So it’s worth it.
November 13, 2020
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and for that I thank the author and the publisher.
As a fur baby lover who is also drawn to anything Christmas, both the title and the cover of this book drew my attention.
This is the perfect holiday read - or a beach read in the summer if, like myself, you love the holiday season and summer heat won't stop you from thinking about it all year long.
The main characters in the book are Connor and Megan, who both came from a typical small town where everyone knows everything about everyone else. Secrets are pretty hard to keep. The difference is that Connor stayed a small town cowboy (even after a bad injury while bull riding), while Megan flew the coop to the big city of Nashville where she hoped to become a star, spending her time until then as a teacher. When Megan returns home for Christmas and to appear at the annual ball, Connor realizes his feelings for her are as strong as ever, but she still has big dreams of becoming a superstar.
I didn't realize it at the time, but this book is actually the third in The Christmas Tree Farm series, but it stands alone just fine. I do plan on reading the rest as this book was quite enjoyable.
As a fur baby lover who is also drawn to anything Christmas, both the title and the cover of this book drew my attention.
This is the perfect holiday read - or a beach read in the summer if, like myself, you love the holiday season and summer heat won't stop you from thinking about it all year long.
The main characters in the book are Connor and Megan, who both came from a typical small town where everyone knows everything about everyone else. Secrets are pretty hard to keep. The difference is that Connor stayed a small town cowboy (even after a bad injury while bull riding), while Megan flew the coop to the big city of Nashville where she hoped to become a star, spending her time until then as a teacher. When Megan returns home for Christmas and to appear at the annual ball, Connor realizes his feelings for her are as strong as ever, but she still has big dreams of becoming a superstar.
I didn't realize it at the time, but this book is actually the third in The Christmas Tree Farm series, but it stands alone just fine. I do plan on reading the rest as this book was quite enjoyable.
September 11, 2021
Holding Out For Christmas is the third book in the series of The Christmas Tree Ranch series by Janet Dailey. I am a sucker for a Christmas novel with cute puppies on the cover. The Christmas Tree Ranch series is a cowboy Christmas romance that takes place in Branding Iron Texas.
Conner Branch is the only one who is still single out of the three best friends. Travis marries Maggie, the mayor of Branding Iron. In the first book you will learn that Travis is an ex-cop who had to serve three years in prison for killing an innocent man for a false kidnapping. Rush who is the town's veterinarian marries Tracy who is the judge of Branding Iron. In this amazing Christmas novel you will feel like you're on the sleigh riding through the annual Christmas parade. Rush moved into Tracy's house, but Travis still lives at The Christmas Tree Ranch with Conner until Travis and Maggie get married.
Conner can't seem to take his mind off the beautiful talented singer, Lacy Leatherwood who sang at the Cowboy Christmas Ball last year. When Conner encounters a kindergarten teacher named Megan, who is home for the holidays visiting her family in Branding Iron turns out to be the secret identity of Lacy. When Conner finds out about this secret he doesn't tell Megan that he knows who she really is, Conner wants Megan to be completely honest with him and confess her secret.
In the other novels before this one you will meet Daniel and Katy. They both have down syndrome and my heart went out to the both of them❤!!!! Daniel is Megan's brother, and Katy is Daniel's girlfriend, together they both work at the local Shop Mart grocery store. In the previous novel, Tracy had a cat who gave birth and Daniel wanted to get a kitten for Katy. In Holding Out For Christmas Daniel and Katy want to get married, but Daniel's mother is so worried about him, all Daniel wants to do is be an independent young man. So Daniel is so eager to get his drivers license so he can get a car of his own and drive Katy around. Daniel and Katy had my heart in a knot in all of these novels because of the things these two have been through.
Conner Branch is the only one who is still single out of the three best friends. Travis marries Maggie, the mayor of Branding Iron. In the first book you will learn that Travis is an ex-cop who had to serve three years in prison for killing an innocent man for a false kidnapping. Rush who is the town's veterinarian marries Tracy who is the judge of Branding Iron. In this amazing Christmas novel you will feel like you're on the sleigh riding through the annual Christmas parade. Rush moved into Tracy's house, but Travis still lives at The Christmas Tree Ranch with Conner until Travis and Maggie get married.
Conner can't seem to take his mind off the beautiful talented singer, Lacy Leatherwood who sang at the Cowboy Christmas Ball last year. When Conner encounters a kindergarten teacher named Megan, who is home for the holidays visiting her family in Branding Iron turns out to be the secret identity of Lacy. When Conner finds out about this secret he doesn't tell Megan that he knows who she really is, Conner wants Megan to be completely honest with him and confess her secret.
In the other novels before this one you will meet Daniel and Katy. They both have down syndrome and my heart went out to the both of them❤!!!! Daniel is Megan's brother, and Katy is Daniel's girlfriend, together they both work at the local Shop Mart grocery store. In the previous novel, Tracy had a cat who gave birth and Daniel wanted to get a kitten for Katy. In Holding Out For Christmas Daniel and Katy want to get married, but Daniel's mother is so worried about him, all Daniel wants to do is be an independent young man. So Daniel is so eager to get his drivers license so he can get a car of his own and drive Katy around. Daniel and Katy had my heart in a knot in all of these novels because of the things these two have been through.
December 28, 2022
“She’s all he wants for Christmas, maybe even forever.”
Personal review : ⭐️⭐️💫
I wanted more about Lacy Leatherwood and the relationship with Connor, it just kinda happened and it didn’t seem real. This book had great potential- an ex bull rider turned Christmas tree farmer falls for a school teacher who moonlights as a sultry country singer. Alas, this just had too many plot holes for my liking. Cute and fun concept.
Synopsis: Conner Branch hasn’t stopping thinking about the sultry singer he spotted on stage during last year’s Cowboy Christmas ball. So imagine his surprise when he discovers the demure kindergarten teacher who comes home for the holidays to Branding Iron, Texas, is the very same woman. And once he’s up close and personal with the mesmerizing Megan, he’s downright determined to keep her by his side for good…
Personal review : ⭐️⭐️💫
I wanted more about Lacy Leatherwood and the relationship with Connor, it just kinda happened and it didn’t seem real. This book had great potential- an ex bull rider turned Christmas tree farmer falls for a school teacher who moonlights as a sultry country singer. Alas, this just had too many plot holes for my liking. Cute and fun concept.
Synopsis: Conner Branch hasn’t stopping thinking about the sultry singer he spotted on stage during last year’s Cowboy Christmas ball. So imagine his surprise when he discovers the demure kindergarten teacher who comes home for the holidays to Branding Iron, Texas, is the very same woman. And once he’s up close and personal with the mesmerizing Megan, he’s downright determined to keep her by his side for good…
September 7, 2020
Thank you to Janet Dailey, Zebra Books for Kensington Publishing Corp and NetGalley for allowing me an Advanced Reader copy. I am voluntarily reviewing and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the first time I have read this Author and was surprised that I hadn’t come across her work before, given the number of books in her back catalogue. But after reading this novel, I’m sure that will be soon remedied.
The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. Seriously 7 golden retriever puppies with Christmas bows, a Christmas tree in the back of a red truck? Sign me up for this cuteness overload! (Side note people, please don’t put dogs in the back of trucks, have them inside the vehicle with you and be responsible pet owners). Interestingly, with the exception of the Christmas theme, Christmas tree, possibly the red truck, and the faithful border collie named Bucket, there are no golden retriever puppies in this story. What the cover evokes though, is a Christmas feel good story that is wholesome and cute and this is exactly what this book delivers. So whoever chose the cover, kudos to you, because you got the sweet feel of this story and you got people like me interested in diving into this story. To quote a classic Australian movie, “The Castle”: “It’s the vibe and ah, no that’s it. It’s the vibe. I rest my case”
The story is set in a small town in Texas, where neighbours are, well kind and neighbourly, and look out for each other. It begins in December, hence the Christmas theme, and as the Hero, an champion bull rider whose career was cut short by a terrible accident, now resides and part owns with his 2 best friends, a ranch that sells Christmas trees and sleigh rides (the old fashioned jingle bell kind, I kid you not, but side note, if this Covid travel ban thing ever lifts, I’m going to research where in the world I can experience this for myself. Now on the bucket list). Despite it not being marked as part of a series, this feels like it is, due to the fact that his 2 best friend/ business partners must have had previous novels in the series, because they are wifed up with some awesome Ladies who are the Judge and the Town Mayor. That said, it can easily be read as a stand-alone and not detract from the story. I didn’t feel like I lost on the experience of this story, by not having read the other’s stories first.
So our Hero, Connor Branch, is a good looking, former celebrity, now plays the field, dating up a storm with the town’s single ladies, without any desire to put a ring on any of their fingers. Since his housemates are now partnered up, he is reevaluating his options, given he now be alone at the ranch at night with only Bucket and the horses for company.
Enter stage right, the Heroine, Megan. She is a school teacher in Nashville, who is coming home on early holidays to spend time with her family. Her family have only been in the town for a few years. Megan has many hopes and dreams that she is working towards, but at the moment is dating her Boss, who sounds like a boring but controlling stalker and whom she doesn’t seem to like all that much, except for the fact that he is a safe option.
Now one of the things that this story addresses extremely well, is having family members with challenges and disabilities. In a way I think that this is what is the central theme of the story instead of the actual romance.
Megan’s mother has a MS, but is still working from home, and her younger brother Daniel, who is 24, has Downs Syndrome. Throughout the story, you get the feeling that Megan’s mother who is wheel chair bound, is not only depressed but agoraphobic. Despite being an artist, she hasn’t made an effort to meet anyone in the town, but stays within her studio to create her artwork. She also is very controlling and to me, comes off as brusque towards her family. Her desire to control her children is interesting. One could argue it is fear based for her son, but to me it’s almost like she can’t control her physical illness, so she is trying to control her adult children and husband instead.
Megan’s father is also a school teacher, who we get the strongest feeling is barely coping under the weight of having a wife who is home bound and suffering depression and try to please her, and having an adult son with Downs Syndrome. Megan’s brother Daniel is a delight. He has a job which he is more than capable and good at, a girlfriend, and goals which he is working towards. He doesn’t let his challenges beat him and works hard to achieve each goal. Megan, herself, is suffering guilt about weighing the options of pursuing her own life and the pull of moving home to look after the family. Surprisingly, it is one of Connor’s former playmates, who essentially is a desperate psycho stalker, that has probably one of the most thought provoking tragic back stories of all the characters. All of these themes are handled extremely well in a very realistic way, without unnecessary padding.
This book is great for the Sunday afternoon escape or holiday read. It’s also firmly G-Rated. This the kind of book that you won’t mind your Grandmother discovering you reading, or your Boss finding you reading in the lunchroom or the person in the seat next to you on the train won’t give you funny looks. The small Texan town, and a place that in 2020, whose residents think 30 is pushing it to get married, is literally a world away from me. But that’s essentially what a good story does. It takes you to a different world for the duration of the story. I enjoyed the epilogue, and beyond that, I hope that Megan one day gets to achieve all of her career aspirations. For all of the characters we are left with a sense of hope. I think that’s why I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of a classic movie from the 50s. Highly recommend for you to read it for yourself.
Release date - 29th September 2020
This is the first time I have read this Author and was surprised that I hadn’t come across her work before, given the number of books in her back catalogue. But after reading this novel, I’m sure that will be soon remedied.
The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. Seriously 7 golden retriever puppies with Christmas bows, a Christmas tree in the back of a red truck? Sign me up for this cuteness overload! (Side note people, please don’t put dogs in the back of trucks, have them inside the vehicle with you and be responsible pet owners). Interestingly, with the exception of the Christmas theme, Christmas tree, possibly the red truck, and the faithful border collie named Bucket, there are no golden retriever puppies in this story. What the cover evokes though, is a Christmas feel good story that is wholesome and cute and this is exactly what this book delivers. So whoever chose the cover, kudos to you, because you got the sweet feel of this story and you got people like me interested in diving into this story. To quote a classic Australian movie, “The Castle”: “It’s the vibe and ah, no that’s it. It’s the vibe. I rest my case”
The story is set in a small town in Texas, where neighbours are, well kind and neighbourly, and look out for each other. It begins in December, hence the Christmas theme, and as the Hero, an champion bull rider whose career was cut short by a terrible accident, now resides and part owns with his 2 best friends, a ranch that sells Christmas trees and sleigh rides (the old fashioned jingle bell kind, I kid you not, but side note, if this Covid travel ban thing ever lifts, I’m going to research where in the world I can experience this for myself. Now on the bucket list). Despite it not being marked as part of a series, this feels like it is, due to the fact that his 2 best friend/ business partners must have had previous novels in the series, because they are wifed up with some awesome Ladies who are the Judge and the Town Mayor. That said, it can easily be read as a stand-alone and not detract from the story. I didn’t feel like I lost on the experience of this story, by not having read the other’s stories first.
So our Hero, Connor Branch, is a good looking, former celebrity, now plays the field, dating up a storm with the town’s single ladies, without any desire to put a ring on any of their fingers. Since his housemates are now partnered up, he is reevaluating his options, given he now be alone at the ranch at night with only Bucket and the horses for company.
Enter stage right, the Heroine, Megan. She is a school teacher in Nashville, who is coming home on early holidays to spend time with her family. Her family have only been in the town for a few years. Megan has many hopes and dreams that she is working towards, but at the moment is dating her Boss, who sounds like a boring but controlling stalker and whom she doesn’t seem to like all that much, except for the fact that he is a safe option.
Now one of the things that this story addresses extremely well, is having family members with challenges and disabilities. In a way I think that this is what is the central theme of the story instead of the actual romance.
Megan’s mother has a MS, but is still working from home, and her younger brother Daniel, who is 24, has Downs Syndrome. Throughout the story, you get the feeling that Megan’s mother who is wheel chair bound, is not only depressed but agoraphobic. Despite being an artist, she hasn’t made an effort to meet anyone in the town, but stays within her studio to create her artwork. She also is very controlling and to me, comes off as brusque towards her family. Her desire to control her children is interesting. One could argue it is fear based for her son, but to me it’s almost like she can’t control her physical illness, so she is trying to control her adult children and husband instead.
Megan’s father is also a school teacher, who we get the strongest feeling is barely coping under the weight of having a wife who is home bound and suffering depression and try to please her, and having an adult son with Downs Syndrome. Megan’s brother Daniel is a delight. He has a job which he is more than capable and good at, a girlfriend, and goals which he is working towards. He doesn’t let his challenges beat him and works hard to achieve each goal. Megan, herself, is suffering guilt about weighing the options of pursuing her own life and the pull of moving home to look after the family. Surprisingly, it is one of Connor’s former playmates, who essentially is a desperate psycho stalker, that has probably one of the most thought provoking tragic back stories of all the characters. All of these themes are handled extremely well in a very realistic way, without unnecessary padding.
This book is great for the Sunday afternoon escape or holiday read. It’s also firmly G-Rated. This the kind of book that you won’t mind your Grandmother discovering you reading, or your Boss finding you reading in the lunchroom or the person in the seat next to you on the train won’t give you funny looks. The small Texan town, and a place that in 2020, whose residents think 30 is pushing it to get married, is literally a world away from me. But that’s essentially what a good story does. It takes you to a different world for the duration of the story. I enjoyed the epilogue, and beyond that, I hope that Megan one day gets to achieve all of her career aspirations. For all of the characters we are left with a sense of hope. I think that’s why I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of a classic movie from the 50s. Highly recommend for you to read it for yourself.
Release date - 29th September 2020
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2020
This is the first novel that I can recall reading by Janet Dailey, and I am impressed. The setting is described so beautifully, characters are well defined through actions and conversations with engaging dialogue, and an interesting plot. I do not often read romance novels unless there it is historical or have a mystery involved, but this was well worth it.
Megan came to Branding Iron, Texas, a couple weeks before the Christmas holiday began at the Nashville school she teaches at. Her boyfriend, Derek, is principal at the school and having a hard time adjusting to her not being there, but Megan wants to help with her family’s needs. I love her brother, Daniel, a sweet, hardworking young man who wants to marry Katy, who works at the grocery where he does. Both have Downs Syndrome and their parents think it isn’t in their best interest to marry. Daniel wants to learn how to drive, but their mom is against it. Megan and Daniel’s mother has MS and is unable to do many things she used to do. She does paint and also illustrates children’s books.
Megan has one secret from the people in Branding Iron. She has been trying to break into being a singer for quite some time. To get more gigs, she took on the persona of Lacy Leatherwood with a completely different look. She hesitates to tell anyone, as people become too interested in Lacy instead of the real Megan. Last year, her band asked her to join them in Branding Iron at the annual Cowboy Christmas Ball. Conner, a partner at the Christmas Tree Ranch, completely fell in love with who he thought Lacy was. He has been looking forward to this year’s ball in hopes of seeing her again.
Megan and Conner meet when he saw her car partially slid into a ditch near the ranch during a snowstorm. They got to know each other a bit and he invited her to the dinner that would be at the home of the fiancée of one of his partners. Tracy, the wife of one of the partners, recognized her from meeting her last year. Tracy and Maggie, fiancée of the other partner, talked about how much Conner liked Lacy last year, and that if she is interested in him, she should tell him who she is soon. Conner seems like “heartbreak on the hoof” to Megan even as her attraction to him grows. Conner, never one to date anyone for more than a good time, has feelings for Megan that he never imagined having for a woman again, even Lacy. And what will she do about her boyfriend in Nashville?
I very much enjoyed this sweet romance that is a fun clean read apart from some mild cursing. The small town, Texas, setting at Christmas was a great backdrop for this third in the Christmas Tree Ranch series. Even though I had not read the first two, there was sufficient backstory to understand who each person is. Plot twists in the form of conflict, career choices, and the needs of family members, keep it moving quickly. The end was very satisfying with every loose end tied up. I highly recommend this to fans of the author, and those who enjoy sweet romances with likable characters, and a Texas or Christmas setting.
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel through Goodreads First Reads, and this is my honest review.
Megan came to Branding Iron, Texas, a couple weeks before the Christmas holiday began at the Nashville school she teaches at. Her boyfriend, Derek, is principal at the school and having a hard time adjusting to her not being there, but Megan wants to help with her family’s needs. I love her brother, Daniel, a sweet, hardworking young man who wants to marry Katy, who works at the grocery where he does. Both have Downs Syndrome and their parents think it isn’t in their best interest to marry. Daniel wants to learn how to drive, but their mom is against it. Megan and Daniel’s mother has MS and is unable to do many things she used to do. She does paint and also illustrates children’s books.
Megan has one secret from the people in Branding Iron. She has been trying to break into being a singer for quite some time. To get more gigs, she took on the persona of Lacy Leatherwood with a completely different look. She hesitates to tell anyone, as people become too interested in Lacy instead of the real Megan. Last year, her band asked her to join them in Branding Iron at the annual Cowboy Christmas Ball. Conner, a partner at the Christmas Tree Ranch, completely fell in love with who he thought Lacy was. He has been looking forward to this year’s ball in hopes of seeing her again.
Megan and Conner meet when he saw her car partially slid into a ditch near the ranch during a snowstorm. They got to know each other a bit and he invited her to the dinner that would be at the home of the fiancée of one of his partners. Tracy, the wife of one of the partners, recognized her from meeting her last year. Tracy and Maggie, fiancée of the other partner, talked about how much Conner liked Lacy last year, and that if she is interested in him, she should tell him who she is soon. Conner seems like “heartbreak on the hoof” to Megan even as her attraction to him grows. Conner, never one to date anyone for more than a good time, has feelings for Megan that he never imagined having for a woman again, even Lacy. And what will she do about her boyfriend in Nashville?
I very much enjoyed this sweet romance that is a fun clean read apart from some mild cursing. The small town, Texas, setting at Christmas was a great backdrop for this third in the Christmas Tree Ranch series. Even though I had not read the first two, there was sufficient backstory to understand who each person is. Plot twists in the form of conflict, career choices, and the needs of family members, keep it moving quickly. The end was very satisfying with every loose end tied up. I highly recommend this to fans of the author, and those who enjoy sweet romances with likable characters, and a Texas or Christmas setting.
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel through Goodreads First Reads, and this is my honest review.
November 20, 2020
I love a good Christmas romance! This book read like my other favorite, a Hallmark Christmas movie. When Megan goes home for Christmas, it’s to put on her alter persona, Lacy, a sexy singer and perform at the annual Christmas Ball. She had no idea how some snow and accidentally ending up in a ditch was going to change her life. Conner was looking at a life with his faithful fur friend, Bucket, after his housemate, Travis, gets married at Christmas. He was more in tune with his life being different when he rescued Megan. The only problem was he was thinking it was going to be different once he met his dream woman, sexy singer, Lacy.
This is the third book in The Christmas Tree Ranch series. I have not read the previous two, which I assume to be the love stories of Rush and Travis. I don’t feel that they are necessary to enjoy this book. After reading this book, though, I am left wanting to go back and read the first two.
I loved the characters in this book, which included two characters, with a wonderful storyline, who have Down Syndrome and another character in a wheelchair. I thought the author wrote realistically about these characters, which was something I appreciated. I loved the dilemmas in the relationships between various characters. I was pleasantly surprised the author touched on other couples while maintaining focus on the main characters. The storyline was very interesting, (yes, I’m being a bit vague but it’s because I dislike spoilers and try to avoid them. I want you to read the book for yourself.), and had all the feels I was expecting. When I closed the book, I gave a contented sigh. If you are looking for a holiday romance, you should pick this one up.
*I won a Kindle copy of this title in a Goodreads Giveaway. I am grateful to them, the author, and the publishers, for the opportunity to read this book. No review was required. I voluntarily reviewed this book and based my review on my enjoyment reading it.*
This is the third book in The Christmas Tree Ranch series. I have not read the previous two, which I assume to be the love stories of Rush and Travis. I don’t feel that they are necessary to enjoy this book. After reading this book, though, I am left wanting to go back and read the first two.
I loved the characters in this book, which included two characters, with a wonderful storyline, who have Down Syndrome and another character in a wheelchair. I thought the author wrote realistically about these characters, which was something I appreciated. I loved the dilemmas in the relationships between various characters. I was pleasantly surprised the author touched on other couples while maintaining focus on the main characters. The storyline was very interesting, (yes, I’m being a bit vague but it’s because I dislike spoilers and try to avoid them. I want you to read the book for yourself.), and had all the feels I was expecting. When I closed the book, I gave a contented sigh. If you are looking for a holiday romance, you should pick this one up.
*I won a Kindle copy of this title in a Goodreads Giveaway. I am grateful to them, the author, and the publishers, for the opportunity to read this book. No review was required. I voluntarily reviewed this book and based my review on my enjoyment reading it.*
July 26, 2021
Holding Out for Christmas is the third book in The Christmas Tree Ranch series but I enjoyed this a lot without reading the others. Having said that, I will definitely read the first two to learn the stories behind Connor's friends. Connor Branch has retired from the rodeo after a serious injury. He is now partners in The Christmas Tree Ranch in Branding Iron, Texas, happy with his role, but worried what his life will be like when Travis marries and he is alone at the ranch. When he discovers a young woman who is stranded in a snowstorm after her car ends up in the ditch, he takes her home and they strike up a friendship. It doesn't take long for the two of them to hope they can be more than friends.
I really liked both Meg and Connor and wanted them to end up happy and together. Meg has a huge secret she is keeping from Connor, but what she doesn't know is that he already knows what she is hiding. The secondary characters are also wonderful, especially Meg's brother Daniel, a sweet, hardworking young man who wants to marry Katy, who works at the grocery where he does. Both Daniel and Katy have Down Syndrome, but show that they can be relatively independent. This is an interesting and sweet storyline in the book as Meg supports him in his independence. Meg's parents also have an interesting story and all this comes together for an enjoyable story. As Meg gets to know Connor and his friends, she realizes what is missing in her life. There is some angst, lots of hope, friendship, love and Christmas magic. I really enjoyed this story and it made me smile throughout. I recommend this one to those who enjoy a sweet, Christmas, romance.
I really liked both Meg and Connor and wanted them to end up happy and together. Meg has a huge secret she is keeping from Connor, but what she doesn't know is that he already knows what she is hiding. The secondary characters are also wonderful, especially Meg's brother Daniel, a sweet, hardworking young man who wants to marry Katy, who works at the grocery where he does. Both Daniel and Katy have Down Syndrome, but show that they can be relatively independent. This is an interesting and sweet storyline in the book as Meg supports him in his independence. Meg's parents also have an interesting story and all this comes together for an enjoyable story. As Meg gets to know Connor and his friends, she realizes what is missing in her life. There is some angst, lots of hope, friendship, love and Christmas magic. I really enjoyed this story and it made me smile throughout. I recommend this one to those who enjoy a sweet, Christmas, romance.
November 7, 2020
A very cute story. It even made me cry!
February 15, 2021
Another amazing story. I loved every minute of it. A great story for the Christmas season.
October 18, 2021
Christmas fun
A Christmas standalone from this author however more fun if you have read the previous two Christmas books. Clean cowboy style romance. Really more like 3.5 stars
A Christmas standalone from this author however more fun if you have read the previous two Christmas books. Clean cowboy style romance. Really more like 3.5 stars
December 10, 2023
This was another fun addition to this series. The Hannah Montana love interest was an interesting choice. Would recommend
December 7, 2025
This was a cute small town cowboy type romance that will really get you in the mood for the season! I love Janet Daily books they give you all the feels you will ever want in a romance book!
April 18, 2021
Over all I loved the first 90%, I feel as though the ending was slightly rushed and gave me Hannah Montana vibes. Once you read it, you’ll totally get my reference.
July 16, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This was a delightful tale. I adored the cast of characters. This book is really the third one in the series The Christmas Tree Farm (even though it isn't noted as such). There were some parts that seems vaguely familiar but then I read a LOT!
Megan is in town to spend the holidays with her family and to sing at the Cowboy Christmas Ball. She is a school teacher in Nashville to help further her singing career as Miss Lacy Leatherwood. Connor is a partner at the Christmas Tree Ranch and last year at the Ball fell heavily for the gorgeous, sexy singer. He is so looking forward to this year's ball to see the singer again.
This story is how these two characters meet and fall in love. Both have a secret. Megan's is her alter ego and Connor's, well he knows her secret. See when Daniel, her brother, was injured, Megan sang to him while Connor drove them to the clinic. How could he forget that sultry voice?
The book is written in the dual POV format. I adore this. It is my absolute favorite format. I get to see the characters' thoughts so I can fully identify with and understand the characters better.
This is a sweet, clean romance that I would highly recommend to anyone of any age. The only disappointment, no puppies!!!!! Especially the adorable ones on the cover.
This was a delightful tale. I adored the cast of characters. This book is really the third one in the series The Christmas Tree Farm (even though it isn't noted as such). There were some parts that seems vaguely familiar but then I read a LOT!
Megan is in town to spend the holidays with her family and to sing at the Cowboy Christmas Ball. She is a school teacher in Nashville to help further her singing career as Miss Lacy Leatherwood. Connor is a partner at the Christmas Tree Ranch and last year at the Ball fell heavily for the gorgeous, sexy singer. He is so looking forward to this year's ball to see the singer again.
This story is how these two characters meet and fall in love. Both have a secret. Megan's is her alter ego and Connor's, well he knows her secret. See when Daniel, her brother, was injured, Megan sang to him while Connor drove them to the clinic. How could he forget that sultry voice?
The book is written in the dual POV format. I adore this. It is my absolute favorite format. I get to see the characters' thoughts so I can fully identify with and understand the characters better.
This is a sweet, clean romance that I would highly recommend to anyone of any age. The only disappointment, no puppies!!!!! Especially the adorable ones on the cover.
August 10, 2020
What is the book about?
This book is about Megan a schoolteacher and Connor the cowboy that fell for her. Last Christmas Connor fell for this sultry singer that blew his pants off at the Cowboy Christmas Ball but he doesn’t know it’s Meagan the humble schoolteacher from Nashville he is in love with.
What I loved about the book?
I loved that the book was a Christmas time romance and the plot was so sweet and the cute part was that Megan had an alter ego. She thought she wasn’t good enough as Meagan because Meagan was a school teacher. I also liked the fact that her Brother Daniel had Down Syndrome because representation matters in 2020.
My one concern was that the book had puppies in the cover but therere were no puppies
This book is about Megan a schoolteacher and Connor the cowboy that fell for her. Last Christmas Connor fell for this sultry singer that blew his pants off at the Cowboy Christmas Ball but he doesn’t know it’s Meagan the humble schoolteacher from Nashville he is in love with.
What I loved about the book?
I loved that the book was a Christmas time romance and the plot was so sweet and the cute part was that Megan had an alter ego. She thought she wasn’t good enough as Meagan because Meagan was a school teacher. I also liked the fact that her Brother Daniel had Down Syndrome because representation matters in 2020.
My one concern was that the book had puppies in the cover but therere were no puppies
October 17, 2022
Read without putting down!
I was looking forward to what was going to happen at the Christmas tree farm. Boy, was I surprised! In a good way. Was planning to read a little and go to bed. Ended up completing the whole book!!
I was looking forward to what was going to happen at the Christmas tree farm. Boy, was I surprised! In a good way. Was planning to read a little and go to bed. Ended up completing the whole book!!
December 15, 2021
Holding Out for Christmas is the third novel in The Christmas Tree Ranch series, which has three friends in small town Branding Iron, Texas and each has their own novel that intertwine together. While this is the third novel, it is the first one that I read and can be standalone. In this story, the main character is Connor Branch, who is a retired bull rider and now runs a Christmas ranch with his two best friends, who are featured in the other two novels in the series. After his two friends have found love, Connor is wondering if it is in the cards for him. The closest he has come recently is a Lacy Leatherwood, a singer that performed at the annual Christmas Cowboy Ball. As it turns out Lacy will be returning to this year’s event, but, unbeknownst to Connor, she is the alter ego of kindergarten teacher, Megan Carson from Nashville.
In addition to the secret identity plotline, there is also the added obstacle that Megan is semi-dating her boss, Derek, who is the principal of the school where Megan works, back in Nashville. Aside from him being presented as a “safe” option for her, there does not seem to be a huge connection between them. Additional members in Megan’s life is her mother, who works from home and has MS, her younger brother Daniel, who has Downs Syndrome, and her father who is trying to support his family. He works at the local supermarket and is dating his co-worker turned girlfriend, Katy, who also has Downs Syndrome. While the story does center around Connor and Megan, I found myself more drawn to Katy and Daniel’s story. Both of them are navigating their independence with supportive, but protective families. On Connor’s side is his close friendships with Rush and Travis and I loved their relationship.
Connor and Megan were cute together as Megan not only is involved with someone else, but also hiding her alter ego from Connor. As the story is duel perspective, it was nice to see both Connor and Megan’s sides of everything. Megan’s secret identity plays a huge role and her insecurities that everyone only wants Lacy instead of her weighs heavily on her mind. There are some “classic” overblown reactions throughout the story along with some heart-warming Hallmark-style moments, which made this a very sweet novel.
Overall, the novel read well as a standalone and I would be curious to eventually try the other two in the series. The seven puppies with bows on the cover was one of the factors that drew me to this novel, so it was very disappointing that they were not featured in the story. While the cover does portray the heart-warming holiday spirit, it seemed odd to have the image not match the contents of the story. Megan and Connor made a cute couple, but I felt there was something missing in their connection that was difficult to pinpoint. I think it is just the timing of events throughout the story between them where some were more rushed than other ones. As a whole, however, I greatly enjoyed this story and it is a nice read for anyone looking for a heart-warming tale.
In addition to the secret identity plotline, there is also the added obstacle that Megan is semi-dating her boss, Derek, who is the principal of the school where Megan works, back in Nashville. Aside from him being presented as a “safe” option for her, there does not seem to be a huge connection between them. Additional members in Megan’s life is her mother, who works from home and has MS, her younger brother Daniel, who has Downs Syndrome, and her father who is trying to support his family. He works at the local supermarket and is dating his co-worker turned girlfriend, Katy, who also has Downs Syndrome. While the story does center around Connor and Megan, I found myself more drawn to Katy and Daniel’s story. Both of them are navigating their independence with supportive, but protective families. On Connor’s side is his close friendships with Rush and Travis and I loved their relationship.
Connor and Megan were cute together as Megan not only is involved with someone else, but also hiding her alter ego from Connor. As the story is duel perspective, it was nice to see both Connor and Megan’s sides of everything. Megan’s secret identity plays a huge role and her insecurities that everyone only wants Lacy instead of her weighs heavily on her mind. There are some “classic” overblown reactions throughout the story along with some heart-warming Hallmark-style moments, which made this a very sweet novel.
Overall, the novel read well as a standalone and I would be curious to eventually try the other two in the series. The seven puppies with bows on the cover was one of the factors that drew me to this novel, so it was very disappointing that they were not featured in the story. While the cover does portray the heart-warming holiday spirit, it seemed odd to have the image not match the contents of the story. Megan and Connor made a cute couple, but I felt there was something missing in their connection that was difficult to pinpoint. I think it is just the timing of events throughout the story between them where some were more rushed than other ones. As a whole, however, I greatly enjoyed this story and it is a nice read for anyone looking for a heart-warming tale.
November 1, 2020
Christmas Tree Ranch. Conner Branch (former PBR) & Travis Morgan (tree partner) had just cut another pine tree ready to be set up somewhere for the Christmas holiday.
It seemed to meet Bucket’s (black/white Border Collie mix) approval.
The guys could hardly keep up with the demand.
The 2 of them also provided the winter horse-drawn sleigh rides.
The snowstorm was headed in.
At last year’s Cowboy Christmas ball, a female singer Lacy Leatherwood had shown up with the Badger Hollow Boys from Nashville & Conner had instantly been smitten by her.
Dr. Rush (tree partner, mobile vet) had married Judge Tracy Emerson & Travis & Mayor Maggie (fiancé) had postponed their wedding for now.
Conner & Travis (former highway patrolman, ex-convict) were done for the day, & in the house drinking a cup of coffee, Conner’s cell rang.
It was Sam Perkins (ranch neighbor).
Their new business sign was about to be blown away in the blizzard.
On his way back, a car still running was in the ditch.
Branding Iron, TX. Conner gave Megan Carson (kindergarten teacher, singer) a ride home.
Ed (husband/father HS teacher), Dorcas (wife/mother wheelchair-bound), & Daniel (24, brother, Down syndrome, Shop Mart) thanked Conner for bringing her home.
The next day Conner picked up Megan & they went & got her Toyota out of the ditch.
Branding Iron Bed & Breakfast. She was going to buy Conner breakfast for all his help.
Francine (mgr.) brought the 2 of them breakfast on the house.
The next night for dinner Dr. Rush, Judge Tracy Emerson, Travis, & Maggie (former Mayor) greeted Megan & Conner.
Conner picked up Megan & Daniel & took them & Bucket for a sleigh ride.
Chip (gray Percherons) & Patch (gray Percherons) took off through the snow.
A little sleigh riding accident & Daniel was taken to Cottonwood Springs Hospital.
The Dr. popped his joint back into position.
Conner called Megan; Travis was in the hospital.
What does the future hold for Megan & her brother Daniel?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written Cowboy Christmas romance book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great Cowboy Christmas romance movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It was just OK for me so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Zebra Books; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
It seemed to meet Bucket’s (black/white Border Collie mix) approval.
The guys could hardly keep up with the demand.
The 2 of them also provided the winter horse-drawn sleigh rides.
The snowstorm was headed in.
At last year’s Cowboy Christmas ball, a female singer Lacy Leatherwood had shown up with the Badger Hollow Boys from Nashville & Conner had instantly been smitten by her.
Dr. Rush (tree partner, mobile vet) had married Judge Tracy Emerson & Travis & Mayor Maggie (fiancé) had postponed their wedding for now.
Conner & Travis (former highway patrolman, ex-convict) were done for the day, & in the house drinking a cup of coffee, Conner’s cell rang.
It was Sam Perkins (ranch neighbor).
Their new business sign was about to be blown away in the blizzard.
On his way back, a car still running was in the ditch.
Branding Iron, TX. Conner gave Megan Carson (kindergarten teacher, singer) a ride home.
Ed (husband/father HS teacher), Dorcas (wife/mother wheelchair-bound), & Daniel (24, brother, Down syndrome, Shop Mart) thanked Conner for bringing her home.
The next day Conner picked up Megan & they went & got her Toyota out of the ditch.
Branding Iron Bed & Breakfast. She was going to buy Conner breakfast for all his help.
Francine (mgr.) brought the 2 of them breakfast on the house.
The next night for dinner Dr. Rush, Judge Tracy Emerson, Travis, & Maggie (former Mayor) greeted Megan & Conner.
Conner picked up Megan & Daniel & took them & Bucket for a sleigh ride.
Chip (gray Percherons) & Patch (gray Percherons) took off through the snow.
A little sleigh riding accident & Daniel was taken to Cottonwood Springs Hospital.
The Dr. popped his joint back into position.
Conner called Megan; Travis was in the hospital.
What does the future hold for Megan & her brother Daniel?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written Cowboy Christmas romance book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great Cowboy Christmas romance movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It was just OK for me so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Zebra Books; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 18, 2020
Holding Out For Christmas
Janet Dailey
September 29, 2020
Megan Carson was on her way home from Nashville, Tennessee driving to Texas to visit her family for Christmas vacation. She’s a kindergarten teacher with a part time job as an aspiring singer in a country group, Badger Hollow Boys. She knew her parents needed help at home as her mom is wheel-chair bound with MS and her brother is 24 years old and has Down’s Syndrome. Her dad teaches at the high school and does his best to get as much as he can done around the house but Megan misses them and also feels ashamed that she hasn’t spent enough time in her hometown of Branding Iron Texas to help her family.
Connor Boone and his partners Travis and Rush own Christmas Tree Ranch. During holidays their tree farm and holiday sleigh rides support them. Rush is the town vet so he puts in as much time as he can. Connor was a superstar rodeo cowboy until he was thrown from a bull and fractured his hip among other injuries. Now after rehab he is doing his best to work through pain when necessary and support his friends who have helped him to recuperate. The night has turned snowy and winds have picked up. In Connor’s trip down the ranch lane to rescue their expensive tree farm sign, he finds Megan in her car which has spun out and become stuck in the ditch. Yes thus begins the romance of the two. At first it seems like a normal vacation romance but as we all know neither love nor life is fair. I was very pleasantly surprised at what a pleasant holiday book Dailey’s story became.
We all have our cross to bear and both Connor and Megan must work through their own personal crises before either can commit. I have read some of Janet Dailey’s books before and always found them very warm and likable. It is often that she includes characters with physical or mental illness. In this, she features Megan’s brother Daniel, who has Down’s Syndrome. He works but wants desperately to learn to drive and own a car; all a phase of growing up and becoming a man. Her mother is learning to get back into life after being diagnosed with a life-ending disease.
Holding Out for Christmas by Janet Dailey will be published on September 29, 2020 by Zebra Books of Kensington Publishing Corporation. I very much appreciate their allowing me to read and review this charming novel prior to publication. It is a special story that is a terrific prequel for the holiday season. Enjoy!
Janet Dailey
September 29, 2020
Megan Carson was on her way home from Nashville, Tennessee driving to Texas to visit her family for Christmas vacation. She’s a kindergarten teacher with a part time job as an aspiring singer in a country group, Badger Hollow Boys. She knew her parents needed help at home as her mom is wheel-chair bound with MS and her brother is 24 years old and has Down’s Syndrome. Her dad teaches at the high school and does his best to get as much as he can done around the house but Megan misses them and also feels ashamed that she hasn’t spent enough time in her hometown of Branding Iron Texas to help her family.
Connor Boone and his partners Travis and Rush own Christmas Tree Ranch. During holidays their tree farm and holiday sleigh rides support them. Rush is the town vet so he puts in as much time as he can. Connor was a superstar rodeo cowboy until he was thrown from a bull and fractured his hip among other injuries. Now after rehab he is doing his best to work through pain when necessary and support his friends who have helped him to recuperate. The night has turned snowy and winds have picked up. In Connor’s trip down the ranch lane to rescue their expensive tree farm sign, he finds Megan in her car which has spun out and become stuck in the ditch. Yes thus begins the romance of the two. At first it seems like a normal vacation romance but as we all know neither love nor life is fair. I was very pleasantly surprised at what a pleasant holiday book Dailey’s story became.
We all have our cross to bear and both Connor and Megan must work through their own personal crises before either can commit. I have read some of Janet Dailey’s books before and always found them very warm and likable. It is often that she includes characters with physical or mental illness. In this, she features Megan’s brother Daniel, who has Down’s Syndrome. He works but wants desperately to learn to drive and own a car; all a phase of growing up and becoming a man. Her mother is learning to get back into life after being diagnosed with a life-ending disease.
Holding Out for Christmas by Janet Dailey will be published on September 29, 2020 by Zebra Books of Kensington Publishing Corporation. I very much appreciate their allowing me to read and review this charming novel prior to publication. It is a special story that is a terrific prequel for the holiday season. Enjoy!
December 16, 2023
I’m giving this book 4⭐️ because I think it accomplishes what the author set out to do in this third installment on the Christmas Tree Farm; but it’s not really a great Christmas book that I’d recommend to anyone. It was more of 3⭐️ for me, but I appreciate that the author tried to give representation to challenges with disabilities, and I realize I jumped into this series at book 3, so I’m bumping up my rating.
I realized that I was still supposed to read a ‘western’ to finish a reading challenge, so I decided that this book about a Texas tree farm with a retired pro rodeo bull rider and a Nashville country singer could fit the bill.
Overall this story has a cute set up. Sweet kindergarten teacher by day and flashy country singer by night in Nashville, Megan returns to her family home in Branding Iron, Texas, to help her family during Christmas break. Her mom is disabled with MS and her sweet younger brother, Daniel, has Downs, so Megan is torn between moving to be able to help them more or staying in Nashville to pursue singing as Lacy Leatherwood. Retired bull rider and local tree farmer, Conner, helps Megan as she is stranded in a ditch upon arriving in town. They begin to spend time together, along with other friends in the quaint town, and things get a bit complicated. Megan has a boyfriend in Nashville, Conner has an ex that wants him back, he’s also interested in the singer that he hopes will return this Christmas, and there are also family responsibilities and friend situations that tug in different directions. Despite all of it, Megan and Conner find themselves drawn to each other. Could he like her for herself as just Megan and not Lacy? Could she give up Nashville for small town Texas life? Maybe they could make things work?
Some parts are really cute and sweet and absolutely charming! Some aspects are pretty cheesy. The small town Texas vibes are quaint with the various characters and settings; but I’m pretty sure some of the lines would be off-putting as chauvinistic to some readers. There’s a lot thrown into the mix with all of the external hindrances that get in the way of the romance. It’s not a long book, but I felt like some of the tangents could’ve been left out to streamline the story.
Overall I was just along for the ride and tried to appreciate the book for what it was. I’m thankful for a HEA, but wasn’t very emotionally invested. Fans of Janet Dailey will probably love this book.
I realized that I was still supposed to read a ‘western’ to finish a reading challenge, so I decided that this book about a Texas tree farm with a retired pro rodeo bull rider and a Nashville country singer could fit the bill.
Overall this story has a cute set up. Sweet kindergarten teacher by day and flashy country singer by night in Nashville, Megan returns to her family home in Branding Iron, Texas, to help her family during Christmas break. Her mom is disabled with MS and her sweet younger brother, Daniel, has Downs, so Megan is torn between moving to be able to help them more or staying in Nashville to pursue singing as Lacy Leatherwood. Retired bull rider and local tree farmer, Conner, helps Megan as she is stranded in a ditch upon arriving in town. They begin to spend time together, along with other friends in the quaint town, and things get a bit complicated. Megan has a boyfriend in Nashville, Conner has an ex that wants him back, he’s also interested in the singer that he hopes will return this Christmas, and there are also family responsibilities and friend situations that tug in different directions. Despite all of it, Megan and Conner find themselves drawn to each other. Could he like her for herself as just Megan and not Lacy? Could she give up Nashville for small town Texas life? Maybe they could make things work?
Some parts are really cute and sweet and absolutely charming! Some aspects are pretty cheesy. The small town Texas vibes are quaint with the various characters and settings; but I’m pretty sure some of the lines would be off-putting as chauvinistic to some readers. There’s a lot thrown into the mix with all of the external hindrances that get in the way of the romance. It’s not a long book, but I felt like some of the tangents could’ve been left out to streamline the story.
Overall I was just along for the ride and tried to appreciate the book for what it was. I’m thankful for a HEA, but wasn’t very emotionally invested. Fans of Janet Dailey will probably love this book.
December 23, 2021
3.5
If you have read the other books in this series, which I did not because the theme for this year's Christmas reading has been to start in the middle of a series because I didn’t check first, you may really enjoy catching up with characters, the town, and things like that. If you haven’t read any others and jump right in with this one like I did, you’ll still be alright with this book. It’s not a hard one to read without a background to start you off with.
In this story, Conner Branch was struck by a sultry singer who performed at the previous years Cowboy Christmas Ball. So, when he meets and, after shamelessly flirting with and just seeming to consider biding his time while waiting in hopes of glimpsing said girl again this coming year, discovers that the kind and demure kindergarten teacher who comes home for the holidays is none other than his idolized crush he can’t wait to make her fall for him!
Now, thing is Megan would love to keep Conner in a simple friend zone, especially after (and I believe this is before he figured out who she was) he tells her about his big huge crush on her alter ego, she realizes how sweet and romantic he is. Christmas is in the air and it’s so easy for her to imagine spending the holidays with him and perhaps even longer. She is hoping for a career but seems a bit on the fence at times. She seems to be missing something.
This is a good book. There were times I really didn’t think I was going to like it much because the situations just sort of got me a bit frustrated (I’m looking at you Mr. I Know Who You Are But I’m Going To Pretend I Don’t ). Usually it’s good to try to understand the reasons for the behaviors of the characters and I suppose deep down it was there but still, you sort of wanted to yell a bit at them for one reason or another.
However, what was really good about this book is that there is a terrific brother/sister relationship between Megan and her brother. It’s very sweet and he’s a fun character. Megan, for the most part, is an enjoyable character who just seems to be trying to sort stuff out. And the end was very good and it’s one that I really think, though I could be wrong since I haven’t read the previous books, that fans of the series may like a lot.
If you have read the other books in this series, which I did not because the theme for this year's Christmas reading has been to start in the middle of a series because I didn’t check first, you may really enjoy catching up with characters, the town, and things like that. If you haven’t read any others and jump right in with this one like I did, you’ll still be alright with this book. It’s not a hard one to read without a background to start you off with.
In this story, Conner Branch was struck by a sultry singer who performed at the previous years Cowboy Christmas Ball. So, when he meets and, after shamelessly flirting with and just seeming to consider biding his time while waiting in hopes of glimpsing said girl again this coming year, discovers that the kind and demure kindergarten teacher who comes home for the holidays is none other than his idolized crush he can’t wait to make her fall for him!
Now, thing is Megan would love to keep Conner in a simple friend zone, especially after (and I believe this is before he figured out who she was) he tells her about his big huge crush on her alter ego, she realizes how sweet and romantic he is. Christmas is in the air and it’s so easy for her to imagine spending the holidays with him and perhaps even longer. She is hoping for a career but seems a bit on the fence at times. She seems to be missing something.
This is a good book. There were times I really didn’t think I was going to like it much because the situations just sort of got me a bit frustrated (I’m looking at you Mr. I Know Who You Are But I’m Going To Pretend I Don’t ). Usually it’s good to try to understand the reasons for the behaviors of the characters and I suppose deep down it was there but still, you sort of wanted to yell a bit at them for one reason or another.
However, what was really good about this book is that there is a terrific brother/sister relationship between Megan and her brother. It’s very sweet and he’s a fun character. Megan, for the most part, is an enjoyable character who just seems to be trying to sort stuff out. And the end was very good and it’s one that I really think, though I could be wrong since I haven’t read the previous books, that fans of the series may like a lot.
September 5, 2020
Megan Carson is home in Branding Iron, Texas to help out with her family. Her mother suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair and her younger brother has Down's Syndrome. It's Christmas time and there's lots to do so Megan takes off early from her job teaching kindergarten in Nashville to help out. Megan has dreamed of becoming a Country and Western star and does some singing with local country and western bands. She has her doubts these days about whether or not she is ever going to make it big. So she has lots to think about. Lately she has been distracted by her attraction to former champion bull rider Conner Branch. Should she stay in Branding Iron or return to Nashville?
Conner Branch sowed some crazy wild oats when he was on the rodeo circuit. An injury when he was thrown from a bull ended his rodeo career and his wild ways. Now he is settled down and enjoying being a co-owner of Christmas Tree Ranch. It's getting close to Christmas and he can't keep his mind off of the singer Lacy Leatherwood who he saw on stage last year at the Cowboy Christmas Ball. He sure hopes she will be back again and he can meet her. In the meantime he does meet Megan Carson when her car slides off the road in a snowstorm and he comes to her rescue. There's something special about Megan and he wants to get to know her better. Maybe she is "the one."
There's lots of Christmas spirit in this story. The hero, Conner Branch is very busy cutting down trees for sale in Branding Iron, Texas and on the ranch. There are sleigh rides, hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows over a cozy bonfire. That should get the reader into the Christmas spirit. Then there's the Christmas parade and the Cowboy Christmas Ball. The Ball is where Conner first set eyes on the heroine in this story Megan Carson but Conner didn't know at that time that it was Megan. Megan was on stage singing and had the stage name Lacy Leatherwood. This throws some complications into Megan and Conner's relationship. I enjoyed reading how they both came to realize that honesty and trust are important in a relationship. This was a fun Christmas romance to read.
Conner Branch sowed some crazy wild oats when he was on the rodeo circuit. An injury when he was thrown from a bull ended his rodeo career and his wild ways. Now he is settled down and enjoying being a co-owner of Christmas Tree Ranch. It's getting close to Christmas and he can't keep his mind off of the singer Lacy Leatherwood who he saw on stage last year at the Cowboy Christmas Ball. He sure hopes she will be back again and he can meet her. In the meantime he does meet Megan Carson when her car slides off the road in a snowstorm and he comes to her rescue. There's something special about Megan and he wants to get to know her better. Maybe she is "the one."
There's lots of Christmas spirit in this story. The hero, Conner Branch is very busy cutting down trees for sale in Branding Iron, Texas and on the ranch. There are sleigh rides, hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows over a cozy bonfire. That should get the reader into the Christmas spirit. Then there's the Christmas parade and the Cowboy Christmas Ball. The Ball is where Conner first set eyes on the heroine in this story Megan Carson but Conner didn't know at that time that it was Megan. Megan was on stage singing and had the stage name Lacy Leatherwood. This throws some complications into Megan and Conner's relationship. I enjoyed reading how they both came to realize that honesty and trust are important in a relationship. This was a fun Christmas romance to read.
December 13, 2021
This is the last book in the Christmas trilogy set in the charming small Texas town Branding Iron. I think it may be my favorite. I was eager to follow Conner's story after an intriguing lead in at the end of previous novel 'My kind of Christmas'. I have always had a soft spot for Connor, ex rodeo rider and the towns local lothario. I wanted him to have his happy ending like Rush and Travis before him. Megan, a teacher and budding singer, arrives in town to help her parents at Christmas. Her mother is in a wheelchair and her younger brother Daniel, has downs syndrome. Daniel had been introduced in the previous novels. His struggles with trying to achieve a normal life(He has a girlfriend Katie and wants to learn to drive)are beautifully handled. Megan is a very caring sister. She attempts to help Daniel achieve his dream of getting his drivers license, but their overprotective mother puts up road blocks. I did found the mother way too controlling, like her say was always final. I mean why didn't their father speak up more? The romance between Conner and Megan is sweet but chaste, like the previous novels. No hot and heavy love scenes here. Megan hides her secret alter ego (sexy Country and western singer Lacy) from Conner. When she eventually tells him his reaction totally surprises and enrages her so much, she breaks up with him on the spot. I liked Megan but her reaction to Connor was so over the top and the reason for the break up so trivial. Connor was such a sweet heart, blaming himself totally even though he really didn t do anything wrong. I mean he could have been justifiable annoyed with her for keeping her secret from him for as long as she did. It all works out happily in the end, at the Christmas ball, which sounded like so much fun BTW. I love the sound of Branding Iron and all the townsfolks. I think I want to live there. I definitely want to go for a sleigh ride with those beautiful clysdales. I really love the strong friendship between the three men. This is shown in all 3 novels. They may joke around a lot, but they are so supportive of each other. Lovely to see male friendships represented so positively as they are here.
December 25, 2020
Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #3). By Janet Dailey. 2020. Zebra, ASIN: B082WR1LLG (Kindle).
Christmastime is the busiest time of year for the small town of Branding Iron, Texas. And Megan Carson is home from Nashville where she teaches kindergarten and is pursuing a singing career. But she’s spending Christmas break helping her parents and brother around the house and steeping in as Lacy Leatherwood when the Badger Hollow Boys take the state at the annual Cowboy Christmas Ball. She didn’t expect the distraction of a charming cowboy coming to her rescue during a snow storm.
Conner Branch, former champion bull rider, is a Christmas Tree Ranch partner. He and his partners have been working hard the last two years to get their business up and going. But Travis and Rush have also found the time to fall in love and now Conner is beginning to feel like he has been missing out by not pursuing a committed relationship. When he meets Megan he wants to get to know her better. But he also can’t get the sultry Lacy Leatherwood, who he saw singing last year, out of his head.
Conner was as sweet and fun-loving as always, but he’s just as charming when he decides to commit to love. Megan’s insecurities led to some overblown reactions, but overall, the two grew into good matches for each other. With sleigh rides, hot chocolate and Christmas parades, The Christmas Tree Ranch books are fun Christmas romances to read to get into the holiday spirit.
*Kindle edition via Goodreads
Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #3). By Janet Dailey. 2020. Zebra (ARC eBook).
*Zebra ARC via NetGalley
Christmastime is the busiest time of year for the small town of Branding Iron, Texas. And Megan Carson is home from Nashville where she teaches kindergarten and is pursuing a singing career. But she’s spending Christmas break helping her parents and brother around the house and steeping in as Lacy Leatherwood when the Badger Hollow Boys take the state at the annual Cowboy Christmas Ball. She didn’t expect the distraction of a charming cowboy coming to her rescue during a snow storm.
Conner Branch, former champion bull rider, is a Christmas Tree Ranch partner. He and his partners have been working hard the last two years to get their business up and going. But Travis and Rush have also found the time to fall in love and now Conner is beginning to feel like he has been missing out by not pursuing a committed relationship. When he meets Megan he wants to get to know her better. But he also can’t get the sultry Lacy Leatherwood, who he saw singing last year, out of his head.
Conner was as sweet and fun-loving as always, but he’s just as charming when he decides to commit to love. Megan’s insecurities led to some overblown reactions, but overall, the two grew into good matches for each other. With sleigh rides, hot chocolate and Christmas parades, The Christmas Tree Ranch books are fun Christmas romances to read to get into the holiday spirit.
*Kindle edition via Goodreads
Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #3). By Janet Dailey. 2020. Zebra (ARC eBook).
*Zebra ARC via NetGalley
August 2, 2021
I am always looking for good Christmas books and this one fit the bill for sure. The way that Janet Dailey describes the settings in her books takes you away to another place and makes you feel like you are definitely part of the story.
Megan is eager to get back home to help her family. With her mom having MS and her brother, Daniel, having down syndrome, Megan just feels that she is needed at home now more than ever. With Megan being a teacher, she has to take off early to be able to head home when she feels that she needs to. Megan's current boyfriend is the principal at the school she teaches at and he is having a hard time dealing with Megan being gone.
When Megan's car slides off in the ditch close to a ranch, she gets the chance to meet Connor. What Megan doesn't realize is that Connor has already meet her and knows of her from when Megan sang at a gig that Connor was at. He wanted to find her but never did get a chance to talk with her after she sang, so now is his chance to get to know her better.
Connor and Megan hit it off and while she stays in town helping her family, Connor invites her to a party with him and Megan decides that she will go. The ladies at the party tell Megan that if she is at all interested in Connor, she better let him know right away. What will happen with Megan's boyfriend back at the school though? Will Megan go back to him or will she fall for Connor? You will have to read this one to find out what Megan chooses. Such a great Christmas read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book.
Megan is eager to get back home to help her family. With her mom having MS and her brother, Daniel, having down syndrome, Megan just feels that she is needed at home now more than ever. With Megan being a teacher, she has to take off early to be able to head home when she feels that she needs to. Megan's current boyfriend is the principal at the school she teaches at and he is having a hard time dealing with Megan being gone.
When Megan's car slides off in the ditch close to a ranch, she gets the chance to meet Connor. What Megan doesn't realize is that Connor has already meet her and knows of her from when Megan sang at a gig that Connor was at. He wanted to find her but never did get a chance to talk with her after she sang, so now is his chance to get to know her better.
Connor and Megan hit it off and while she stays in town helping her family, Connor invites her to a party with him and Megan decides that she will go. The ladies at the party tell Megan that if she is at all interested in Connor, she better let him know right away. What will happen with Megan's boyfriend back at the school though? Will Megan go back to him or will she fall for Connor? You will have to read this one to find out what Megan chooses. Such a great Christmas read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book.
September 2, 2020
This is the story of Connor, a retired due to injury, bull-rider who owns a Christmas Tree Farm and Megan aka Lacy Leatherwood, a school teacher by day and country singer by night. This is a sweet romance, complete with all the usual drama that occurs in a romance novel. The bad boy falls in love, etc. But what is unique about this story is the selflessness Megan shows toward her family, especially her brother with Downs Syndrome. Her mother is in a wheelchair as well and Megan returns from Nashville to help her family. Her dad, working full time, is stretched to his limits caring for her brother and mother. Even though he has Downs Syndrome and his parents are very protective, Daniel wants to live his own life and be treated as the 24 year old man he is. He is in love with Katy, also with Downs Syndrome, and they want to marry. They both have full time jobs but their parents naturally worry. Will they be taken advantage of? Can they make decisions on their own? Etc. Daniel feels he must have a driver's license in order to marry Katy and be independent. Megan sets about seeing how she can make that safely happen. Even though Daniel and Katy are secondary characters, I love their story. I am a total sucker for the underdog and when an author can bring to light the struggles and challenges they face, it melts my heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
October 7, 2020
This is not my usual type of book, but it was a change from the mysteries that I normally read. It was a light and easy romance that made for quick reading.
I didn't realize it was the third book in a series. It didn't seem to matter a great deal. For the most part, everything was explained and the book worked as a stand alone. I had a bit of a problem with the ages of the characters. The main characters seemed to be close to 30 or early 30's, yet Conner, the main character, had been involved with Ronda May who is under 21 and incredibly immature. It's the maturity level more than the age that was bothersome. His partners are married to or engaged to a judge and the mayor. It didn't seem to be a match since they all socialized together. His main love interest, Megan, had her own issues and meets this group of people by chance.
The story takes place during the Christmas season but the book didn't have an overwhelming sense of the holiday. From my point of view, that was a good thing. It allowed the story line to develop.
The puppies on the cover never appeared in the story. Again, it didn't matter, but book covers usually have some relationship to the story.
If I saw another book by Janet Dailey I might consider reading it. For now, I'm happy to go back to my mysteries.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for sending me this copy of Holding Out for Christmas.
I didn't realize it was the third book in a series. It didn't seem to matter a great deal. For the most part, everything was explained and the book worked as a stand alone. I had a bit of a problem with the ages of the characters. The main characters seemed to be close to 30 or early 30's, yet Conner, the main character, had been involved with Ronda May who is under 21 and incredibly immature. It's the maturity level more than the age that was bothersome. His partners are married to or engaged to a judge and the mayor. It didn't seem to be a match since they all socialized together. His main love interest, Megan, had her own issues and meets this group of people by chance.
The story takes place during the Christmas season but the book didn't have an overwhelming sense of the holiday. From my point of view, that was a good thing. It allowed the story line to develop.
The puppies on the cover never appeared in the story. Again, it didn't matter, but book covers usually have some relationship to the story.
If I saw another book by Janet Dailey I might consider reading it. For now, I'm happy to go back to my mysteries.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for sending me this copy of Holding Out for Christmas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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