Take the Reins

A Cowboy’s Promise

by Megan Squires

Seth Ford doesn’t believe in favors. You do right by your neighbor, no strings attached. But with his parents eyeing retirement and his “family-man” brother on the docket to inherit the cattle company, he’s forced to rethink that notion. He needs to prove he’s ready to buckle up and settle down, and cashing in a favor with the feisty horse shoer staying on his property might be his only option. When the rented land Josie Friar keeps her fifth wheel on goes into foreclosure, she’s left with one hunk of junk and nowhere to park it. Not one to take a handout, she nearly turns down the handsome rancher’s offer to post up on his Riverburn acreage. When she hears talk of Seth being passed up to take the reins of the family company, she feels compelled to help however she can. Even if that means pretending to be his girlfriend. After all, she knows what it’s like to work your entire life for something, only to have your dreams go sideways. When disaster strikes and there’s no longer a business left to fight for, Josie wonders if their ruse of a relationship will go up in flames, too. She had counted on their little short-term stunt, but never thought she might be in store for long-term heartbreak. Take the Reins is the second in a series featuring the cowboys of Riverburn County. All books can be read as standalones.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2020

Reviews

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie has hit a string of bad luck, and Seth allows her to park her little trailer on his family's ranch. His father and brother assume that she's his girlfriend, so Seth and Josie decide to run with that. Now they're fake dating. So why does it feel so real? Neither of them fit in well with their families. Josie and her sisters have different ideas about where they want to go in life, and marriage and family are not in her plans. Seth's family makes him feel out of place - they always have - and they're downright mean to him. He gets almost no support from his father, his brother is a bossy know-it-all with a holier-than-thou attitude, and his mother is nosy, pushy and judgmental. His ex-girlfriend isn't much better, making snide comments about Josie. It's amazing that Seth has turned out to be so normal, and it's even more unbelievable that he's the only one who cares about what happens to Gramm. The epilogue - their happy ending - is just so sweet, and perfect for them. I absolutely loved reading this book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farrier Josie Friar is stubborn and independent, determined to make it on her own even with a broken arm, the land she is keeping her fifth wheel on foreclosed on, and the increase to her auto insurance and the amount medical bills she has from the car accident she took the blame for even though the other driver was responsible. Seth Ford's family was demeaning to him and nasty in the way they treated his grandmother and Josie. Gramm was the only good one and she's a funny loving spitfire. Josie and Seth get caught in a lie to his family about their relationship and it spirals out of control. Along the way of pretending real feelings emerge, but Josie has some serious self esteem issues and like his family she doesn't think she is good enough for Seth and that so many things in her life end up broken. She was a bit like the wild mustang Bruiser with his skittish and fighting ways. I loved that Seth found enjoyment in baking cookies. What woman wouldn't enjoy that. Seth's ex Bridgette with her rescue was an interesting character and I wouldn't mind reading her story.

[Maggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining and heartwarming read. Seth is a handsome tugged cowboy with a kind and gentle heart. Too bad his family treats him so bad. Josie is a ferrier, and when Seth texts her to come and shoe his rescue horses, she agrees once she is out of her cast. He offers her a job working with the rescue horses and a place to park her 5th wheel trailer. Josie is a very independent woman and determined to make it on her own. When Josie overhears Seth’s dad and brother talking about him in a derogatory manner, she decides to stand up for him and in the process tells them she is his girlfriend. Seth and Josie decide to go along with the fake relationship to show his family that he he is ready to put down roots. Well written storyline and and wonderful characters. Loved this read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth is a rugged, but gentle cowboy and Josie is a strong woman with a mind of her own. As Seth’s parents retire, the ranch will no longer be his family home anymore -- it will go to his brother. Seth helps manage the family farm and the livestock. He needs to prove he’s ready to settle down and asks Josie for a favor, and she’s willing to pretend to be his girlfriend. Josie and Seth get caught in the lie to his family about their relationship and it spirals out of control. But as they were pretending, it began to turn real, but Josie’s self-esteem issues make her feel she isn’t worthy of Seth. Will they ever get their lives straightened out? Will they ever find true happiness and love? Or have they just not recognized and acknowledged it yet?

[Anima · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not usually a fan of the fake romance theme but Josie and Seth made it work. Seth helps manage the family farm, cows and horses. Josie is a farrier with a broken arm and dwindling finances. She’s not a girly girl in anyway, playing in the dirt and living rough are her natural way. But that’s what Seth is drawn to, Josie just being herself. More of us should be like Josie and stick up for others, people and animals alike. We met Josie as Maren’s sister in the first book but her story is separate from her sister’s. Squires writes a story about integrity and family that pulled at my heart. I was provided an early copy and wrote my review voluntarily.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie and Seth's story was great!
I enjoyed this contemporary cowboy tale. Seth is a man who is seeing his life change with the retirement of his folks. The ranch will not be the family home anymore it will be his brother’s. Like all good stories, things do change and the twists and turns are what make this a good book to spend time with. I like Josie she is down to earth lady the only problem is that she may have set herself up for heartbreak. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and their story was so good. I highly recommend you check it out. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the A Cowboy's Promise series a well written western story that held my interest until the end. This is the first book in this series that I have read, I now want to read the first book. Seth Ford and Josie Friar's story of drama, lies, a beautiful Grandma, and romance. I am glad his Parents and Brother got what they deserved. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't help but love a good romance with a handsome cowboy. It's well written, holds your attention and keeps you turning the pages. The characters are well developed, relatable, easy to like and easy to get to know. The story is captivating and keeps you turning the pages and before you realize it you've turned the last page but wish the story could keep going.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet fake marriage cowboy romance. Seth hires Josie to help with horses on his ranch. Through some different events they begin to fake that they are in a relationship. Those fake feelings start to feel pretty real. His family are nut jobs and Josie struggles with feelings of failure. Read this book to see how their story ends

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Helena Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story, Josie and Seth won me over since the first chapter. I enjoyed this story so much that I was sad when the book ended. I recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A entertaining romance story. This is the second book in this series. The characters fit well together and have amazing chemistry. Looking forward to read more in this series.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fake romance set in a Western small-town, the story was funny, well-paced, Seth's and Josie's attraction was catching, and the book was entertaining.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Seth & Josie's book. Good characters. It was a fun & entertaining read. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I totally enjoyed the book and the feel good emotions it created. Megan wrote a heartfelt story so believable that I would love to meet Seth and Josie.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this romance between Josie and Seth. Seth was quite the cowboy and hero for this story. I really liked Seth. The story was good and moved well. Looking forward to more cowboy stories from Megan.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.