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McGrath #2
Love of a Cowboy
New
York
Times
bestselling author Jennifer Ryan's follow-up to Waiting on a Cowboy in the exciting new McGrath series.
Meet New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s McGraths: a family as untamed as the land they call home.
Skye Kennedy has always loved the close-knit community of Sunrise Fellowship—but when she witnesses the commune’s new leader commit a terrible crime, she flees…and finds herself in Montana, on the McGrath ranch, and drawn to the stoic yet kind man determined to help her.
Declan McGrath has always handled things himself and focused more on work than his love life. With his newlywed brothers distracted by their beautiful wives, Declan has even more work on his hands. But when Skye arrives at the ranch starving and desperate for work, his loner days are over.
Skye wants to keep her distance and protect Declan from the deadly threats facing her, but soon their relationship morphs into something much more than either of them expected. When she fights back against those out to destroy Sunrise Fellowship, Skye and Declan will have to do everything to protect not just Skye's community, but also their new love...
Meet New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s McGraths: a family as untamed as the land they call home.
Skye Kennedy has always loved the close-knit community of Sunrise Fellowship—but when she witnesses the commune’s new leader commit a terrible crime, she flees…and finds herself in Montana, on the McGrath ranch, and drawn to the stoic yet kind man determined to help her.
Declan McGrath has always handled things himself and focused more on work than his love life. With his newlywed brothers distracted by their beautiful wives, Declan has even more work on his hands. But when Skye arrives at the ranch starving and desperate for work, his loner days are over.
Skye wants to keep her distance and protect Declan from the deadly threats facing her, but soon their relationship morphs into something much more than either of them expected. When she fights back against those out to destroy Sunrise Fellowship, Skye and Declan will have to do everything to protect not just Skye's community, but also their new love...
393 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 30, 2021
207 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ryan
50 books1,883 followersJennifer Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted and McBrides Series, writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
Please visit her website at www.jennifer-ryan.com for information about upcoming releases.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
Please visit her website at www.jennifer-ryan.com for information about upcoming releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 29, 2021
Love of a Cowboy by Jennifer Ryan
Contemporary romance with some suspense. 2nd good in the McGraths series. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Skye escapes from her home after witnessing a murder. She ends up on Declan’s ranch where he gives her a job and immediately falls for her. The danger is not over for Skye though. An anti-government extremist group has tracked her down. They want their money, guns and war supplies that Skye managed to hide before leaving.
Declan is unhappy and unsatisfied with his life. His brother Tate calls him a perfectionist. Skye changes his attitude, his focus and his single status.
I admired the heroine for her intellectual strength and commitment to her community, knowing right and wrong, and doing what it takes to get to her goals. More than once I thought the hero should make a move instead of leaving it up to her. Why should she give up everything? On the other hand, his ranch is generational. I was conflicted. In the end, it’s their love for each other that helped make decisions.
The author handled the issues well and successfully achieving the emotional happy ever after.
“Declan made her sigh with pure contentment. Just watching him walk down the sidewalk, his gaze locked on her, that sexy smile, telling her he was happy to see her, all of it just made her happy.”
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary romance with some suspense. 2nd good in the McGraths series. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Skye escapes from her home after witnessing a murder. She ends up on Declan’s ranch where he gives her a job and immediately falls for her. The danger is not over for Skye though. An anti-government extremist group has tracked her down. They want their money, guns and war supplies that Skye managed to hide before leaving.
Declan is unhappy and unsatisfied with his life. His brother Tate calls him a perfectionist. Skye changes his attitude, his focus and his single status.
I admired the heroine for her intellectual strength and commitment to her community, knowing right and wrong, and doing what it takes to get to her goals. More than once I thought the hero should make a move instead of leaving it up to her. Why should she give up everything? On the other hand, his ranch is generational. I was conflicted. In the end, it’s their love for each other that helped make decisions.
The author handled the issues well and successfully achieving the emotional happy ever after.
“Declan made her sigh with pure contentment. Just watching him walk down the sidewalk, his gaze locked on her, that sexy smile, telling her he was happy to see her, all of it just made her happy.”
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
May 23, 2021
Love of a Cowboy is the second book in the McGrath series and in this series we see some nitty and gritty in the emotion and what these characters are faced with. I was completely drawn into this story that we have here. I didn't want it to end and I was really pulled in with the "religious cult" that we have going on here and how that develops into the story. Now I read this book a couple of months ago and forgot to write the review so it won't be as lengthy as I normally give out but would love to share my impressions that I remember.
Our heroine, Skye, can be a bit naive at times, but I think most of that is due to the community she grew up with. There is a lot of faith focus, helping and serving each other but beneath that is a villain in the community who uses their compassion and generosity to build control and power and manipulation over everyone but Skye is not so easily controlled. And when she witnesses something horrific, she is forced to go on the run and finds grace in the arms of a sexy cowboy. Declan is foremost a protector and when he sees Skye in trouble and obviously in need of help, he jumps right in. There is a level of trust that builds immediately between them and even though the circumstances aren't ideal for their relationship, Declan is willing to go to bat for her.
Love of a Cowboy is a powerful romance that just curled my toes and kept me on edge. This is not a romance you can relax with LOL ....it will leave you on tenterhooks with suspense. You never know what Ryan will give you in her stories, but I just wanted to get more and more in this book, especially in seeing how this small town would be saved and how Declan and Skye would overcome the obstacles ahead of them. It's definitely not your normal story that this author will deliver on however, I found that I wanted to go on this adventure along with these characters and Jennifer Ryan makes it well worth the effort.
Overall I found Love of a Cowboy to be a stunning read and while it had some flaws around it with moments of the slow pacing, I fell in deep with the story and if you are looking for a good mix of suspense and western loving, look no further than this one here.
Our heroine, Skye, can be a bit naive at times, but I think most of that is due to the community she grew up with. There is a lot of faith focus, helping and serving each other but beneath that is a villain in the community who uses their compassion and generosity to build control and power and manipulation over everyone but Skye is not so easily controlled. And when she witnesses something horrific, she is forced to go on the run and finds grace in the arms of a sexy cowboy. Declan is foremost a protector and when he sees Skye in trouble and obviously in need of help, he jumps right in. There is a level of trust that builds immediately between them and even though the circumstances aren't ideal for their relationship, Declan is willing to go to bat for her.
Love of a Cowboy is a powerful romance that just curled my toes and kept me on edge. This is not a romance you can relax with LOL ....it will leave you on tenterhooks with suspense. You never know what Ryan will give you in her stories, but I just wanted to get more and more in this book, especially in seeing how this small town would be saved and how Declan and Skye would overcome the obstacles ahead of them. It's definitely not your normal story that this author will deliver on however, I found that I wanted to go on this adventure along with these characters and Jennifer Ryan makes it well worth the effort.
Overall I found Love of a Cowboy to be a stunning read and while it had some flaws around it with moments of the slow pacing, I fell in deep with the story and if you are looking for a good mix of suspense and western loving, look no further than this one here.
September 4, 2020
ARC received for review
Loved Declan and Skye. He fell quick and hard, and so did she. There was almost no angst in them getting together. I loved how Skye only had one previous partner, but not act in the least little bit like a shy retiring almost virgin. Declan was right by her side through every bit of the danger and drama (and there was lots of it). What I didn't like was how long it took for her to get Sunrise to survive without her and her to get her butt back to Declan.
I can't wait to read his sister Trinity's HEA.
And can we have a spin off series with Agent Gunn and his brother.
Loved Declan and Skye. He fell quick and hard, and so did she. There was almost no angst in them getting together. I loved how Skye only had one previous partner, but not act in the least little bit like a shy retiring almost virgin. Declan was right by her side through every bit of the danger and drama (and there was lots of it). What I didn't like was how long it took for her to get Sunrise to survive without her and her to get her butt back to Declan.
I can't wait to read his sister Trinity's HEA.
And can we have a spin off series with Agent Gunn and his brother.
April 5, 2021
Cowboy time! Omg the crime, grrrrrrr, it makes me so made when someone is wrongfully accused.
Skye watches a crime and flees for her life, and taking evidence with her to bring down this asshole leader. Yes yes Skye, it is not a cult (it so feels like a cult!) And the place is left just gets worse and worse, it used to be a commune where people farmed and were happy. Then it turned into parties, sex, alcohol and young girls and older men. And no one dares to say no. Ok so that place is horrid.
She runs into Declan while fleeing, and Declan is this handsome kind cowboy and he is smitten at once, and wants to protect her. Awww Declan, you are so kind.
But now she needs to take the asshole leader of her non-cult down, but he has framed her. Action, danger and romance. Sure they fall fast, but hey life is short. It works.
Again, it a really long epilogue. Strange, but it ties things together.
I enjoyed it, brings those assholes down! No mercy
Great narrator, she does female and male narrators well. She keeps a steady pace and makes the story work
Skye watches a crime and flees for her life, and taking evidence with her to bring down this asshole leader. Yes yes Skye, it is not a cult (it so feels like a cult!) And the place is left just gets worse and worse, it used to be a commune where people farmed and were happy. Then it turned into parties, sex, alcohol and young girls and older men. And no one dares to say no. Ok so that place is horrid.
She runs into Declan while fleeing, and Declan is this handsome kind cowboy and he is smitten at once, and wants to protect her. Awww Declan, you are so kind.
But now she needs to take the asshole leader of her non-cult down, but he has framed her. Action, danger and romance. Sure they fall fast, but hey life is short. It works.
Again, it a really long epilogue. Strange, but it ties things together.
I enjoyed it, brings those assholes down! No mercy
Great narrator, she does female and male narrators well. She keeps a steady pace and makes the story work
June 11, 2021
4.5 stars
Much to the amusement of my wife and adult children, I love contemporary romance. My addiction started with the discovery of the Hallmark channel and its Christmas love story movies, which then led me to reading romance books. I now find I’d rather read a romance story in my spare time than do much of anything else. I’ve found over the past few years having read hundreds of contemporary romances that those based in ranching, farming or close-knit small towns are my favorite. If they come with a big loving family, all the better. I’ve developed a preference for those that contain an aspect of danger and suspense along with the romance and sex. Because of this Jennifer Ryan checks all of my boxes as a romance writer. There’s always romance, a smart, determined and in danger heroine and a brave, strong hero to help her out of her trouble. And there’s enough sex to keep it spicy and danger to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Love the Cowboy is the second book in Ryan’s The McGrath series based around three of the four McGrath siblings, Tate, Declan and Trinity. Oldest brother Drake found true love in the last book in the Four Roses series when he met Adria, now youngest McGrath sibling Trinity’s business partner and sister-in-law. In the first book in this series Waiting for a Cowboy a friends to lovers trope, Tate and Liz find their happily ever after. Trinity gets the final book, True Love Cowboy due out at the end of this August. This book is about DeClan McGrath who with Tate runs the family’s cattle ranch and Skye Kennedy a young woman on the run from dangerous people.
DeClan McGrath is in charge of the family ranch even though his younger brother Tate is a full partner. DeClan really doesn’t know how to delegate and is a perfectionist. This has caused a strain between himself and Tate and prevented him from hiring a couple of ranch hands to help take the load off of him. His time is fully consumed with the responsibilities of running the ranch. Which had been fine with him until recently when both of his brothers found true love. Seeing them so happy makes DeClan feel more alone than he ever has and aware that there is something missing in his life that ranching can’t satisfy the need for. Enter Skye Kennedy.
Skye Kennedy is a lady in trouble. She grew up in Wyoming in a close knit community called Sunrise which is sort of a large commune where everyone works for the good and happiness of each other and eschews materialism or modern consumerism. They grow their own food on a large farm and what they don’t consume themselves they sell at farmer’s markets for money to pay for essentials like medical care. They’re not religious like the Amish or Mennonites. They enjoy modern conveniences like electricity, running water and automobiles. But most don’t have televisions or cellphones or other modern technology most of us have come to believe we can’t live without. Skye learned accounting and pretty much everything to do with the commune’s business at the knee of its founder. But when the founder died and his spoiled son Gabriel took over leadership things began to change for the worse. With the founder gone and Gabriel never having showed any interest in learning the day to day requirements of leading the community it feel to Skye to do so. And the people love her for both her intelligence, dedication and her drive to make everyone’s lives better. Because everyone adores and respects Skye and because she is beautiful, Gabriel wants her for a wife. Gabriel not content with the status quo has gotten involved in some shady business with an anti-government para-military group called Prosperity, violating all the principals the commune holds dear and threatening their safety. Having access to all the commune’s business ledgers Skye has quietly been collecting evidence of what Gabriel and Prosperity are planning while trying to slow his and his new business partners plans down. After she witnesses Gabriel commit the brutal murder of Lucy, a young woman pregnant with his child, and hears him declare he’s going to force Skye to marry him the next day in a group wedding, she knows she’s got to get out. She grabs the evidence a little cash and runs to find a safe place until she can find the right law enforcement to give her evidence to (since the locals are on Gabriel’s payroll).
After running out of gas and money, she wanders into DeClan’s barn so exhausted and hungry she passes out after asking him if she can work for food having not eaten in two days. DeClan is overwhelmed by a need to protect and take care of this beautiful young woman. He carries her into his house, feeds her and offers her a job and a place to live, no questions asked. Skye is overcome by this big, strong, handsome cowboy’s kindness, generosity and trust. DeClan is overcome by Skye’s worth ethic and honesty. Within days they are sleeping together and well on their way to falling in love.
After overhearing a phone call between Skye and her younger sister Meadow DeClan discovers a good part of the secret Skye has been keeping from him in a misguided attempt to protect him from the people looking for her. Skye finally reveals the dangerous situation she’s in. Gabriel has planted evidence and managed to pin Lucy's murder on her and he and Prosperity are searching for her to get the evidence against them she ran off with and silence her. Together she and DeClan agree to a plan to unravel Skye’s problems, keep her safe and protect Sunrise. But their plan doesn’t work out the way they’d hoped it would. Trouble ensnares both Skye and DeClan several times threatening their lives. Using their courage and wits with some help they manage to survive the danger and the bad guys are brought to justice. I thought at this point I’d be reading DeClan and Skye’s happily ever after until I looked to see I still have about a quarter of the book to go. Ryan spends the last quarter of the book detailing the struggles DeClan and Skye experience trying to maintain a long distance romance while DeClan works on his ranch in Montana and Skye tries to get the commune 5 hours away in Wyoming back in order and make the changes she feels necessary to allow them to avoid the problems they experienced in the past where they all leaned so heavily on one leader to make decisions. They had become completely dependent upon Skye to make all the important decisions for them. Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months and Skye and DeClan are still not living together under one roof. DeClan is frustrated and worried Skye will never be able to extract herself from her obligations to the families of Sunrise she considers her responsibility. And deep down he knows its unfair of him to expect her to give up her life with them when he readily acknowledges he’s not willing to give up his life on his ranch to be with her. Skye Is frustrated that her plans to spread the responsibilities for running the commune’s businesses out among its residents while constantly having to pitch in to do lesser jobs is keeping her from being with DeClan. She’s exhausted from those efforts as well as trying to let DeClan know she still loves him and wants to be with him. Honestly this is really well written but IMHO goes on for too long. Perhaps that’s only because as a veteran contemporary romance reader I know that in the end DeClan and Skye will be together so none of this long drawn out angst, as well as it is written really matters in the end.
True to form this is another great Ryan book filled with romance, danger and sexy heat.
Much to the amusement of my wife and adult children, I love contemporary romance. My addiction started with the discovery of the Hallmark channel and its Christmas love story movies, which then led me to reading romance books. I now find I’d rather read a romance story in my spare time than do much of anything else. I’ve found over the past few years having read hundreds of contemporary romances that those based in ranching, farming or close-knit small towns are my favorite. If they come with a big loving family, all the better. I’ve developed a preference for those that contain an aspect of danger and suspense along with the romance and sex. Because of this Jennifer Ryan checks all of my boxes as a romance writer. There’s always romance, a smart, determined and in danger heroine and a brave, strong hero to help her out of her trouble. And there’s enough sex to keep it spicy and danger to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Love the Cowboy is the second book in Ryan’s The McGrath series based around three of the four McGrath siblings, Tate, Declan and Trinity. Oldest brother Drake found true love in the last book in the Four Roses series when he met Adria, now youngest McGrath sibling Trinity’s business partner and sister-in-law. In the first book in this series Waiting for a Cowboy a friends to lovers trope, Tate and Liz find their happily ever after. Trinity gets the final book, True Love Cowboy due out at the end of this August. This book is about DeClan McGrath who with Tate runs the family’s cattle ranch and Skye Kennedy a young woman on the run from dangerous people.
DeClan McGrath is in charge of the family ranch even though his younger brother Tate is a full partner. DeClan really doesn’t know how to delegate and is a perfectionist. This has caused a strain between himself and Tate and prevented him from hiring a couple of ranch hands to help take the load off of him. His time is fully consumed with the responsibilities of running the ranch. Which had been fine with him until recently when both of his brothers found true love. Seeing them so happy makes DeClan feel more alone than he ever has and aware that there is something missing in his life that ranching can’t satisfy the need for. Enter Skye Kennedy.
Skye Kennedy is a lady in trouble. She grew up in Wyoming in a close knit community called Sunrise which is sort of a large commune where everyone works for the good and happiness of each other and eschews materialism or modern consumerism. They grow their own food on a large farm and what they don’t consume themselves they sell at farmer’s markets for money to pay for essentials like medical care. They’re not religious like the Amish or Mennonites. They enjoy modern conveniences like electricity, running water and automobiles. But most don’t have televisions or cellphones or other modern technology most of us have come to believe we can’t live without. Skye learned accounting and pretty much everything to do with the commune’s business at the knee of its founder. But when the founder died and his spoiled son Gabriel took over leadership things began to change for the worse. With the founder gone and Gabriel never having showed any interest in learning the day to day requirements of leading the community it feel to Skye to do so. And the people love her for both her intelligence, dedication and her drive to make everyone’s lives better. Because everyone adores and respects Skye and because she is beautiful, Gabriel wants her for a wife. Gabriel not content with the status quo has gotten involved in some shady business with an anti-government para-military group called Prosperity, violating all the principals the commune holds dear and threatening their safety. Having access to all the commune’s business ledgers Skye has quietly been collecting evidence of what Gabriel and Prosperity are planning while trying to slow his and his new business partners plans down. After she witnesses Gabriel commit the brutal murder of Lucy, a young woman pregnant with his child, and hears him declare he’s going to force Skye to marry him the next day in a group wedding, she knows she’s got to get out. She grabs the evidence a little cash and runs to find a safe place until she can find the right law enforcement to give her evidence to (since the locals are on Gabriel’s payroll).
After running out of gas and money, she wanders into DeClan’s barn so exhausted and hungry she passes out after asking him if she can work for food having not eaten in two days. DeClan is overwhelmed by a need to protect and take care of this beautiful young woman. He carries her into his house, feeds her and offers her a job and a place to live, no questions asked. Skye is overcome by this big, strong, handsome cowboy’s kindness, generosity and trust. DeClan is overcome by Skye’s worth ethic and honesty. Within days they are sleeping together and well on their way to falling in love.
After overhearing a phone call between Skye and her younger sister Meadow DeClan discovers a good part of the secret Skye has been keeping from him in a misguided attempt to protect him from the people looking for her. Skye finally reveals the dangerous situation she’s in. Gabriel has planted evidence and managed to pin Lucy's murder on her and he and Prosperity are searching for her to get the evidence against them she ran off with and silence her. Together she and DeClan agree to a plan to unravel Skye’s problems, keep her safe and protect Sunrise. But their plan doesn’t work out the way they’d hoped it would. Trouble ensnares both Skye and DeClan several times threatening their lives. Using their courage and wits with some help they manage to survive the danger and the bad guys are brought to justice. I thought at this point I’d be reading DeClan and Skye’s happily ever after until I looked to see I still have about a quarter of the book to go. Ryan spends the last quarter of the book detailing the struggles DeClan and Skye experience trying to maintain a long distance romance while DeClan works on his ranch in Montana and Skye tries to get the commune 5 hours away in Wyoming back in order and make the changes she feels necessary to allow them to avoid the problems they experienced in the past where they all leaned so heavily on one leader to make decisions. They had become completely dependent upon Skye to make all the important decisions for them. Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months and Skye and DeClan are still not living together under one roof. DeClan is frustrated and worried Skye will never be able to extract herself from her obligations to the families of Sunrise she considers her responsibility. And deep down he knows its unfair of him to expect her to give up her life with them when he readily acknowledges he’s not willing to give up his life on his ranch to be with her. Skye Is frustrated that her plans to spread the responsibilities for running the commune’s businesses out among its residents while constantly having to pitch in to do lesser jobs is keeping her from being with DeClan. She’s exhausted from those efforts as well as trying to let DeClan know she still loves him and wants to be with him. Honestly this is really well written but IMHO goes on for too long. Perhaps that’s only because as a veteran contemporary romance reader I know that in the end DeClan and Skye will be together so none of this long drawn out angst, as well as it is written really matters in the end.
True to form this is another great Ryan book filled with romance, danger and sexy heat.
May 13, 2021
Cowboys and cults is a surprisingly effective mix! thoroughly entertained, just don't take it to seriously and its a fun read.
May 8, 2021
This was not what I was expecting and me tell you that I was pleasantly surprised.. We have some show stopping heart beating, arm chair gripping scenarious which will get you into the book from the very beginning. Again not what you thought you would get but must say glad I grabbed, and feel for Skye and the web of lies she discovers. But thru it all we have Declan, whooooeee. . Declan, is a hot cowboy who stops at nothing to protect Skye.
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
April 7, 2021
I love a tightly-plotted, romantic suspense novel and that is exactly what Jennifer Ryan offers up in her newest McGrath novel: Love of a Cowboy. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly reading from the first page until the very end.
At the center of the story are Declan McGrath, a hard-working, good-hearted rancher and Skye Kennedy, a smart and determined young woman who has been sheltered from the world at large. Considering Skye's upbringing, her lack of knowledge about the world outside Sunrise Fellowship, and the fact that Declan rescues her at the beginning of their story, one might expect a power imbalance between Skye and Declan but I never felt that. Ryan handles the dynamics of their relationship with a deft hand, displaying Skye's strength of will and leveling their romantic playing field nicely. Their feelings develop quickly and I enjoyed them together, believing in their happy ending. However, I wanted more exploration of them as a couple. I liked them as individuals and was happy for their HEA but didn't feel as invested in their relationship as I have with previous McGrath couples.
The suspense, on the other hand, is spot on. Ryan has created a villain who is chilling in his authenticity and a situation that could easily be occurring in many pockets of the country today. The tension kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering which direction the author would take as that part of the story twisted here and there throughout the book, right up until the explosive conclusion.
Love of a Cowboy can be enjoyed as a standalone though I do recommend getting to know the entire McGrath family through their individual stories. Next up is Declan's sister, Trinity. I'm eager to discover what Ryan has planned for her. That book, True Love Cowboy, is scheduled for release on August 24, 2021.
*ARC received via NetGalley for fair and unbiased review
At the center of the story are Declan McGrath, a hard-working, good-hearted rancher and Skye Kennedy, a smart and determined young woman who has been sheltered from the world at large. Considering Skye's upbringing, her lack of knowledge about the world outside Sunrise Fellowship, and the fact that Declan rescues her at the beginning of their story, one might expect a power imbalance between Skye and Declan but I never felt that. Ryan handles the dynamics of their relationship with a deft hand, displaying Skye's strength of will and leveling their romantic playing field nicely. Their feelings develop quickly and I enjoyed them together, believing in their happy ending. However, I wanted more exploration of them as a couple. I liked them as individuals and was happy for their HEA but didn't feel as invested in their relationship as I have with previous McGrath couples.
The suspense, on the other hand, is spot on. Ryan has created a villain who is chilling in his authenticity and a situation that could easily be occurring in many pockets of the country today. The tension kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering which direction the author would take as that part of the story twisted here and there throughout the book, right up until the explosive conclusion.
Love of a Cowboy can be enjoyed as a standalone though I do recommend getting to know the entire McGrath family through their individual stories. Next up is Declan's sister, Trinity. I'm eager to discover what Ryan has planned for her. That book, True Love Cowboy, is scheduled for release on August 24, 2021.
*ARC received via NetGalley for fair and unbiased review
March 20, 2021
Love of a Cowboy caught me by surprise from the first page. I wish I had refreshed my memory of the synopsis before I started it. I think I would've enjoyed it more if I had realized or remembered that I was reading a thriller romance, not a typical contemporary romance. That being said, once I realized what I was reading, and got a few chapters in, I was able to enjoy it much more.
Ryan's plotting is tight and it's a well-paced thriller. Skye was a heroine who was very easy to root for, and she and Declan have great chemistry. The relevance of the setting and deep sense of place throughout this book really impressed me. Now that I know what to expect from her books, I'm really excited to read more of her work. I definitely want to continue this series. I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Ryan at KissCon in 2019, and I've had her on my TBR shelf ever since. I'm so excited to be finally diving into her work. Thank you to KissCon and Avon Romance for providing me a copy of this e-ARC.
TW: assault, sexual violence, rape, murder.
Ryan's plotting is tight and it's a well-paced thriller. Skye was a heroine who was very easy to root for, and she and Declan have great chemistry. The relevance of the setting and deep sense of place throughout this book really impressed me. Now that I know what to expect from her books, I'm really excited to read more of her work. I definitely want to continue this series. I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Ryan at KissCon in 2019, and I've had her on my TBR shelf ever since. I'm so excited to be finally diving into her work. Thank you to KissCon and Avon Romance for providing me a copy of this e-ARC.
TW: assault, sexual violence, rape, murder.
December 8, 2023
I finished this book in 4 days. I couldn't put it down. I love the romance, the spicy scenes, and the action stuff. There were times that I had to put it down because I was getting in my feelings. Man, I love the book and the author.
April 8, 2021
This was a great story and I have already pre ordered next book in the series. You all will enjoy it.
April 14, 2021
4.25 stare. Best one in the series yet and cannot wait for the next one either
May 2, 2021
3.5 stars
May 29, 2021
I listened to this book in audiobook format.
October 8, 2021
Not as good as Drake and Adria's story, though I liked that they were both in this one. Declan was cool but Skye was rather annoying at times. Heck, I wanted to know more about the brothers who were both FBI agents! I want that story!
March 25, 2021
Love of a Cowboy in the second book in Jennifer Ryan's McGrath series, and I'll admit to not being over the moon about the first book in the series, Waiting on a Cowboy, which I read and reviewed, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I liked this second book a much better read than the last one, and it gets 4-stars from this reader.
First the setting, a Wyoming commune called the Sunrise Fellowship, whose members live and farm there, a peaceful group that believes in kindness, cooperation, community, and separation from modern technology. It was started by a kind, gentle man, but upon his death, his son, Gabriel, took the reins, and to call him a greedy, self-absorbed monster is putting it mildly. He couldn't care less about carrying on his father's legacy--he's only interested in money, power, and has slowly been eroding the very values of the community, and perverting them as well, and one member of community, Skye Kennedy, has been suspicious of him for some time, and for good reason.
As the novel opens, Skye, who is scheduled to marry Gabriel the next day, along with other young girls from the commune, who will be married off to men Gabriel has chosen for them, sees his evil for herself. She doesn't love, trust, or want him, and when she hears voices coming from his bedroom, she soon witnesses him with 14-year-old, Lucy, and is shocked to overhear that he's not only impregnated the young girl, who fancies herself in love with him, but he is so outraged that beats and kicks her in the stomach, causing her to miscarry, and, as his violence continues, to die from blood loss. Skye is shocked and stunned, but instead she quickly gathers up the rest of the young brides-to-be, and flees into town to inform the group's lawyer and the police to report what's been going on at Sunrise. What she'll soon learn is that the police, and a group of violent separatists are in cahoots with with Gabriel, and Skye alone manages to get away before the other girls are rounded up and returned to Sunrise.
Fast forward one week, and Skye, hungry, tired, bedraggled, and cold is found by Declan McGrath, a Montana rancher, after she's gathered some fallen apples from the ground at his ranch. Having been born and raised at Sunrise, Skye has had no experience with the outside world, but she begs Declan to let her have the apples, and to work for him in return to staying on his ranch. She won't divulge why, but Declan finds himself drawn to the young woman, and on faith alone, hires her, and so begins a slow-growing respect, admiration, and attraction to the hard-working young woman, and Declan's curiosity about her past, as he tries to learn what drove her to such a desperate choice, and why she so fears being discovered, even though she's unaware of the fact that after she fled Sunrise, Gabriel has covered his tracks, and has claimed to the police and the members of Sunrise, that Skye, in a fit of jealous rage after learning that Lucy was pregnant with his child, that she was the one who murdered Lucy and her unborn baby.
What follows is a far more suspenseful and complicated romance novel than I expected. Skye and Declan's slow growing admiration, attraction, relationship and respect for one another, coupled with their mutual desire to protect one another was handled with great delicacy and restraint, and these two well-developed characters, their doubts, their fears, and their willingness to risk their very lives in their quest to gain justice for poor Lucy, and to return the commune to it's former good works is truly admirable. But if Skye somehow manages to get justice and clear her name, Declan wonders what will happen to their budding relationship, if and when Skye returns to the commune and her family. It's a question I won't answer in this review, but it's definitely worth reading this well-written novel to find out.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
First the setting, a Wyoming commune called the Sunrise Fellowship, whose members live and farm there, a peaceful group that believes in kindness, cooperation, community, and separation from modern technology. It was started by a kind, gentle man, but upon his death, his son, Gabriel, took the reins, and to call him a greedy, self-absorbed monster is putting it mildly. He couldn't care less about carrying on his father's legacy--he's only interested in money, power, and has slowly been eroding the very values of the community, and perverting them as well, and one member of community, Skye Kennedy, has been suspicious of him for some time, and for good reason.
As the novel opens, Skye, who is scheduled to marry Gabriel the next day, along with other young girls from the commune, who will be married off to men Gabriel has chosen for them, sees his evil for herself. She doesn't love, trust, or want him, and when she hears voices coming from his bedroom, she soon witnesses him with 14-year-old, Lucy, and is shocked to overhear that he's not only impregnated the young girl, who fancies herself in love with him, but he is so outraged that beats and kicks her in the stomach, causing her to miscarry, and, as his violence continues, to die from blood loss. Skye is shocked and stunned, but instead she quickly gathers up the rest of the young brides-to-be, and flees into town to inform the group's lawyer and the police to report what's been going on at Sunrise. What she'll soon learn is that the police, and a group of violent separatists are in cahoots with with Gabriel, and Skye alone manages to get away before the other girls are rounded up and returned to Sunrise.
Fast forward one week, and Skye, hungry, tired, bedraggled, and cold is found by Declan McGrath, a Montana rancher, after she's gathered some fallen apples from the ground at his ranch. Having been born and raised at Sunrise, Skye has had no experience with the outside world, but she begs Declan to let her have the apples, and to work for him in return to staying on his ranch. She won't divulge why, but Declan finds himself drawn to the young woman, and on faith alone, hires her, and so begins a slow-growing respect, admiration, and attraction to the hard-working young woman, and Declan's curiosity about her past, as he tries to learn what drove her to such a desperate choice, and why she so fears being discovered, even though she's unaware of the fact that after she fled Sunrise, Gabriel has covered his tracks, and has claimed to the police and the members of Sunrise, that Skye, in a fit of jealous rage after learning that Lucy was pregnant with his child, that she was the one who murdered Lucy and her unborn baby.
What follows is a far more suspenseful and complicated romance novel than I expected. Skye and Declan's slow growing admiration, attraction, relationship and respect for one another, coupled with their mutual desire to protect one another was handled with great delicacy and restraint, and these two well-developed characters, their doubts, their fears, and their willingness to risk their very lives in their quest to gain justice for poor Lucy, and to return the commune to it's former good works is truly admirable. But if Skye somehow manages to get justice and clear her name, Declan wonders what will happen to their budding relationship, if and when Skye returns to the commune and her family. It's a question I won't answer in this review, but it's definitely worth reading this well-written novel to find out.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 16, 2020
This book is definitely a cross between a cowboy romance and suspense. It also has a lot of topics that might be difficult for some people to read (). It is a very exciting read - and includes a really really amazing, strong woman.
Skye grew up in and now helps to run a commune. While most people jump to assuming it was a cult - it isn't - it is just a commune where people choose to live a simpler life not based out of any religious fanaticism, but more a desire to be a true community. In recent years, a new leader has emerged in the community and is driving them away from their core values. Skye witnessed what was happening and took steps to stop it. In the midst of that, she witnesses the leader murder one of her friends. That sets Skye on the run to find some safety and figure out what to do. She runs out of gas near the McGrath ranch and begs for work there and some food. Declan McGrath takes one look at Skye (who passed out from hunger shortly after starting her request) and takes her in. For Declan, it is pretty clear it is love at first sight and he almost immediately starts working to help Skye find the best way to fix the mess.
Skye is really a stand-out character. She is incredibly smart and capable. She is also extremely hard-working. I appreciated so much that Declan never tries to take over - but supports Skye instead. Pretty much everything he does is to support her. Even in protecting her - he still doesn't try to control her or stop her.
A lot happens in a very short period of time in this book - pretty much the entirety of Skye and Declan falling for each other happens in a period of days. The final part of the book is really a tutorial in long distance relationships.
I really enjoyed this one - much more than the last one!
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
Skye grew up in and now helps to run a commune. While most people jump to assuming it was a cult - it isn't - it is just a commune where people choose to live a simpler life not based out of any religious fanaticism, but more a desire to be a true community. In recent years, a new leader has emerged in the community and is driving them away from their core values. Skye witnessed what was happening and took steps to stop it. In the midst of that, she witnesses the leader murder one of her friends. That sets Skye on the run to find some safety and figure out what to do. She runs out of gas near the McGrath ranch and begs for work there and some food. Declan McGrath takes one look at Skye (who passed out from hunger shortly after starting her request) and takes her in. For Declan, it is pretty clear it is love at first sight and he almost immediately starts working to help Skye find the best way to fix the mess.
Skye is really a stand-out character. She is incredibly smart and capable. She is also extremely hard-working. I appreciated so much that Declan never tries to take over - but supports Skye instead. Pretty much everything he does is to support her. Even in protecting her - he still doesn't try to control her or stop her.
A lot happens in a very short period of time in this book - pretty much the entirety of Skye and Declan falling for each other happens in a period of days. The final part of the book is really a tutorial in long distance relationships.
I really enjoyed this one - much more than the last one!
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
August 22, 2025
4.25 Stars!!
It has been a long time since I read a book that had a cult type storyline and I forget how exciting and suspenseful it can be. Mia Sheridan and Sarina Bowen/Nealy Wagner are some authors that are really good at it & I found this book by Jennifer Ryan to be really interesting.
Skye Kennedy is part of the close-knit community of Sunrise Fellowship. Once the main guy died his son took over his spot in running things but it is starting to be a very different type place & then Skye witnesses the commune’s new leader commit a terrible crime. She tries to save the other women but ends up having to run away and next thing she knows she is in Montana, on the McGrath ranch. She is a hard worker and is hoping that the stoic yet kind man that seems to be in charge is willing to hire her.
Declan McGrath has always handled things himself and focused more on work than his love life. His newly married brothers are distracted by their beautiful wives and now he has even more work on his hands. When Skye arrives at the ranch starving and desperate for work, he doesn’t even hesitate to hire her.
Skye tries to keep her distance to protect Declan from the deadly threats facing her, but soon their relationship develops into something more than either of them expected. Once she discovered the really bad things going on in her community, She managed to hide illegal guns, money and proof of all the wrong doing.
This was really suspenseful which made it really interesting. I’m not sure how I felt about their separation (that will make more sense when you read it) but I’m not sure it needed to go on like it did. Just seemed like a way to draw out the story unnecessarily. Other than that it was a good book.
It has been a long time since I read a book that had a cult type storyline and I forget how exciting and suspenseful it can be. Mia Sheridan and Sarina Bowen/Nealy Wagner are some authors that are really good at it & I found this book by Jennifer Ryan to be really interesting.
Skye Kennedy is part of the close-knit community of Sunrise Fellowship. Once the main guy died his son took over his spot in running things but it is starting to be a very different type place & then Skye witnesses the commune’s new leader commit a terrible crime. She tries to save the other women but ends up having to run away and next thing she knows she is in Montana, on the McGrath ranch. She is a hard worker and is hoping that the stoic yet kind man that seems to be in charge is willing to hire her.
Declan McGrath has always handled things himself and focused more on work than his love life. His newly married brothers are distracted by their beautiful wives and now he has even more work on his hands. When Skye arrives at the ranch starving and desperate for work, he doesn’t even hesitate to hire her.
Skye tries to keep her distance to protect Declan from the deadly threats facing her, but soon their relationship develops into something more than either of them expected. Once she discovered the really bad things going on in her community, She managed to hide illegal guns, money and proof of all the wrong doing.
This was really suspenseful which made it really interesting. I’m not sure how I felt about their separation (that will make more sense when you read it) but I’m not sure it needed to go on like it did. Just seemed like a way to draw out the story unnecessarily. Other than that it was a good book.
March 22, 2021
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: http://www.romancingthereaders.com/20...
I love Jennifer Ryan's books but I wasn't sure about this one. I couldn't wait for Declan's story but wasn't sure if I'd like the cult-like theme of it. Because of this fact it took me a bit to warm up to Skye. Not to worry, it wasn't long.
You've met Declan from the prior books he was in so you kinda got a feel for who he was. He's always come off as a man who works hard and feels the need to take care of everything himself. The second can be a flaw. Sometimes you need help. I like that Skye taught him that.
Skye was different than I thought she'd be. Living in a community as she did away from all the things we grew up with. But strangely enough, she seemed to have no real issues adapting to life outside the community. The author told you of the things she found different instead of showing you them. I was okay with it because the story was very fast-paced.
These two together are so good. As with most of Ryan's books, her females rule the world and have a way of taking over everything and doing a better job than most men so you aren't shocked when it seems to happen in the book too. Not that she runs the ranch but she does give Declan some great ideas but she does take over helping her community. By the end of this story, I found that I was going to miss them. They are great together and I really enjoyed their story. This is the perfect weekend read.
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I love Jennifer Ryan's books but I wasn't sure about this one. I couldn't wait for Declan's story but wasn't sure if I'd like the cult-like theme of it. Because of this fact it took me a bit to warm up to Skye. Not to worry, it wasn't long.
You've met Declan from the prior books he was in so you kinda got a feel for who he was. He's always come off as a man who works hard and feels the need to take care of everything himself. The second can be a flaw. Sometimes you need help. I like that Skye taught him that.
Skye was different than I thought she'd be. Living in a community as she did away from all the things we grew up with. But strangely enough, she seemed to have no real issues adapting to life outside the community. The author told you of the things she found different instead of showing you them. I was okay with it because the story was very fast-paced.
These two together are so good. As with most of Ryan's books, her females rule the world and have a way of taking over everything and doing a better job than most men so you aren't shocked when it seems to happen in the book too. Not that she runs the ranch but she does give Declan some great ideas but she does take over helping her community. By the end of this story, I found that I was going to miss them. They are great together and I really enjoyed their story. This is the perfect weekend read.
Follow me on:
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September 7, 2020
4.5 Stars for an adventure ride you won't forget!
Love of a Cowboy was a romance novel that had all the feels. Going into this romance I thought I would be reading a sweet-loving entanglement of a cowboy whose been on a ranch for too long and he meets his match with a feisty female. Lord, was I wrong. This novel grips you from the moment you begin reading, with the heart-stopping suspense of unsuspecting life on Sunrise community to Skye's discoveries as she untangles the webs of lies, and deceit of the life she knew around her and then the sweet moments of lust, love from Declan, a cowboy who stops at nothing to help and protect Skye at all cost.
"He couldn't deny Skye got to him. Something about her drew him in. Maybe it was as simple as the fact that she needed help and he was hardwired to protect and provide.
A new author for me, and one that I won't forget. As I finished this book late last night, this morning I wake and I am still thinking of Declan and Skye's connection that was unbelievable.
There were moments the I did catch myself skimming- and those points are more that the author repeated herself a couple of times/ like back tracking over a point that was all ready made - which I feel that was not needed. But I still highly recommend this book.
*ARC provided by the author and Netgalley for an honest and trustworthy review. All words and opinions are my own.
Love of a Cowboy was a romance novel that had all the feels. Going into this romance I thought I would be reading a sweet-loving entanglement of a cowboy whose been on a ranch for too long and he meets his match with a feisty female. Lord, was I wrong. This novel grips you from the moment you begin reading, with the heart-stopping suspense of unsuspecting life on Sunrise community to Skye's discoveries as she untangles the webs of lies, and deceit of the life she knew around her and then the sweet moments of lust, love from Declan, a cowboy who stops at nothing to help and protect Skye at all cost.
"He couldn't deny Skye got to him. Something about her drew him in. Maybe it was as simple as the fact that she needed help and he was hardwired to protect and provide.
A new author for me, and one that I won't forget. As I finished this book late last night, this morning I wake and I am still thinking of Declan and Skye's connection that was unbelievable.
There were moments the I did catch myself skimming- and those points are more that the author repeated herself a couple of times/ like back tracking over a point that was all ready made - which I feel that was not needed. But I still highly recommend this book.
*ARC provided by the author and Netgalley for an honest and trustworthy review. All words and opinions are my own.
January 27, 2021
I couldn’t wait to read Jennifer Ryan’s Love of a Cowboy. This is the second book in the McGrath series. It can be read as a stand alone. I highly recommend the first novel though as you will get to know the entire family. AND Love of a Cowboy does reference the events of Waiting on a Cowboy.
When you pick this book up, do not expect your run of the mill sweet cowboy rancher romance with some relationship conflict.
Ryan writes a sweet, love at first sight romance with a can’t put down crime drama that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Skye is a young member of a commune turned nefarious “cult” called Sunrise. After witnessing a murder (and much more) she is able to steal evidence and escape. She is on the run til she finds work and safety at the McGrath ranch.
Declan McGrath runs his family ranch. He is overworked and has a difficult time delegating. He loves his two brothers and sister, but deep down he wishes to have a family of his own. When Skye walks through his door he is instantly pulled to her. She might be just what he needs and vice versa.
If you are looking for an action packed love story with a side of an FBI Drama...then look no further! I’m hooked on this series and cannot wait for Trinity’s story next!
Thank you to #Netgalley, #Avon and #HarperVoyager for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for a fair review.
#jenniferryan #loveofacowboy
When you pick this book up, do not expect your run of the mill sweet cowboy rancher romance with some relationship conflict.
Ryan writes a sweet, love at first sight romance with a can’t put down crime drama that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Skye is a young member of a commune turned nefarious “cult” called Sunrise. After witnessing a murder (and much more) she is able to steal evidence and escape. She is on the run til she finds work and safety at the McGrath ranch.
Declan McGrath runs his family ranch. He is overworked and has a difficult time delegating. He loves his two brothers and sister, but deep down he wishes to have a family of his own. When Skye walks through his door he is instantly pulled to her. She might be just what he needs and vice versa.
If you are looking for an action packed love story with a side of an FBI Drama...then look no further! I’m hooked on this series and cannot wait for Trinity’s story next!
Thank you to #Netgalley, #Avon and #HarperVoyager for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for a fair review.
#jenniferryan #loveofacowboy
March 13, 2021
From a hippy commune, cowboys, sex-trafficking, and murder, Love of a Cowboy by Jennifer Ryan has it all! So get ready for the ride of your life.
Skye Kennedy loved her community of Sunrise Fellowship, and even when things start to turn bad, Skye is determined to protect everyone, but after witnessing a murder, Sky knows that her life is in danger and runs.
Declan McGrath was expecting many things when he got up that morning, but finding a half-starved woman begging to eat damaged apples she found on the floor in exchange for work shocked him, but when she passed out, it angered him that she had gone hungry. Spurred into action, Declan hired her, gave her a room, and collected her care, just to make sure that she was safe.
WOW! Just wow! Jennifer Ryan hit it out of the park again with this book, I was so swept up with the story I didn’t even realize it was 2 am when I finished, or care that I started reading the book from the beginning the very next day. And a week later, I’m still blissfully living happily in my book-hangover world.
I really loved seeing this softer side of Declan’s character, he seemed much more approachable in this book than in the first McGrath book. Skye is the ultimate people pleaser, but not just with one or two people, but with the hundreds at the fellowship, but she is sweet and soft and strong and resilient and you can’t help but cheer her on!
Skye Kennedy loved her community of Sunrise Fellowship, and even when things start to turn bad, Skye is determined to protect everyone, but after witnessing a murder, Sky knows that her life is in danger and runs.
Declan McGrath was expecting many things when he got up that morning, but finding a half-starved woman begging to eat damaged apples she found on the floor in exchange for work shocked him, but when she passed out, it angered him that she had gone hungry. Spurred into action, Declan hired her, gave her a room, and collected her care, just to make sure that she was safe.
WOW! Just wow! Jennifer Ryan hit it out of the park again with this book, I was so swept up with the story I didn’t even realize it was 2 am when I finished, or care that I started reading the book from the beginning the very next day. And a week later, I’m still blissfully living happily in my book-hangover world.
I really loved seeing this softer side of Declan’s character, he seemed much more approachable in this book than in the first McGrath book. Skye is the ultimate people pleaser, but not just with one or two people, but with the hundreds at the fellowship, but she is sweet and soft and strong and resilient and you can’t help but cheer her on!
April 16, 2021
Skye Kennedy thought she lived the perfect life at Sunrise Fellowship. It was a peaceful atmosphere all around until it wasn't. When Gabriel's father passed on and he took over things changed and not for the good. He wanted it to be better. His idea of better was not within the scope of the law. He wanted Skye to be his wife as everyone around loved her. He felt with her at his side he would be accepted. He didn't take into account that she wanted no part of becoming his wife.
The night Skye saw Gabriel murder Lucy changed everything. She ran and took with her what she needed to take him down. When Gabriel found out he sent his men out to find her and bring her back. She would know better than to cross him. Skye ran from Sunrise to Montana and then made her way to Declan McGrath's ranch. When she saw him she asked for a place to stay and food and she would work for it. She would do anything he asked of her. She surprised Declan and went above and beyond.
Declan was taken with her from the moment he met her yet knew she was hiding something. As time went on they got to know each other but she couldn't tell him all her secrets. She didn't want to put him in danger after he was so good to her. That's all I am going to say. This was a real page turner. There were some tears shed but I finished with a smile. I loved every page of this book and didn't want to end.
The night Skye saw Gabriel murder Lucy changed everything. She ran and took with her what she needed to take him down. When Gabriel found out he sent his men out to find her and bring her back. She would know better than to cross him. Skye ran from Sunrise to Montana and then made her way to Declan McGrath's ranch. When she saw him she asked for a place to stay and food and she would work for it. She would do anything he asked of her. She surprised Declan and went above and beyond.
Declan was taken with her from the moment he met her yet knew she was hiding something. As time went on they got to know each other but she couldn't tell him all her secrets. She didn't want to put him in danger after he was so good to her. That's all I am going to say. This was a real page turner. There were some tears shed but I finished with a smile. I loved every page of this book and didn't want to end.
August 16, 2021
3.5 stars
There is a lot to like about this book. Skye and Declan are both extremely strong and kind characters. They both follow their moral compass and do not give into what those around them want, but do what they believe is right. This doesn’t make life easy for either of them. It does make them a very powerful couple, a force to be reckoned with.
That being said, the flow of this story was really off for me, especially the last 25% of this book. I truly felt as though the author was trying to stretch the story to fit in a particular word count. I actually enjoy the concept and what she was doing with that last part. The feelings and emotions seemed very true and real; it was just too much. The passage of time didn’t seem consistent to where they should be, the chemistry between Skye and Declan seemed to lose its grip on me, and Skye went from someone who is level-headed to someone so stubborn that she didn’t seem to be thinking clearly. I appreciate what Skye was trying to accomplish, but she shuts out those that could and would help her instead of opening up and asking for help.
Would I still recommend this book? Yes, I actually would. Like I said, there is a lot to like. But I felt that last bit, while realistic and poignant, really took the thrill of the story down a notch or two.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
There is a lot to like about this book. Skye and Declan are both extremely strong and kind characters. They both follow their moral compass and do not give into what those around them want, but do what they believe is right. This doesn’t make life easy for either of them. It does make them a very powerful couple, a force to be reckoned with.
That being said, the flow of this story was really off for me, especially the last 25% of this book. I truly felt as though the author was trying to stretch the story to fit in a particular word count. I actually enjoy the concept and what she was doing with that last part. The feelings and emotions seemed very true and real; it was just too much. The passage of time didn’t seem consistent to where they should be, the chemistry between Skye and Declan seemed to lose its grip on me, and Skye went from someone who is level-headed to someone so stubborn that she didn’t seem to be thinking clearly. I appreciate what Skye was trying to accomplish, but she shuts out those that could and would help her instead of opening up and asking for help.
Would I still recommend this book? Yes, I actually would. Like I said, there is a lot to like. But I felt that last bit, while realistic and poignant, really took the thrill of the story down a notch or two.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
September 22, 2023
Love of a Cowboy is the second in the McGrath series but can be read as a stand alone. This is a story of protecting family and community while trying to find a love to last a lifetime. Skye Kennedy grew up in the close knit community of Sunrise Fellowship where everyone worked together on the farm and orchards. She helped the founder with bookkeeping and organization of selling at markets but when he died and his son took over, life as they knew it was changed. When Skye witnesses the new leader murder her friend, she takes the criminal evidence that she has been gathering and runs away where she winds up in Montana on Declan McGrath's ranch. She is tired, hungry and willing to work for room and board until she can figure out how to save her family. Declan is the oldest of the McGrath family and running the family ranch. He has trouble delegating tasks to his brothers at the expense of his personal love life but when Skye shows up, he is instantly taken with her. He knows she is hiding something but his nature is to protect her and as the secrets are revealed he helps her to find the right people to help which puts them both in danger. The story that follows is filled with danger, intrigue, family, friendship and a beautiful love story with amazing characters that will have you wanting to be a part of the story.
February 2, 2021
LOVED this book! I couldn't put this one down and stayed up way too late to finishing it. I loved the characters - Declan is a hunky and lonely cowboy, just working his ranch, when Skye shows up in desperate need. He takes her in, and, before long, she's sparked his interest and his heart. Skye escaped from a commune after witnessing a terrible murder, along with a whole host of other crimes. She ran because the local police have a relationship with the commune's leader, covering up his various crimes.
The romance between Skye and Declan was sexy and sweet, even as it was quickly put to the test when the bullets started flying. I found myself engrossed in their story and wanting them to get their HEA ending. Near the end, their were times I wanted to reach into the pages and tell Skye her priorities were off and that she wasn't responsible to fix everything, however, even that was consistent with who Skye was.
If you enjoy sexy cowboy romantic suspense, you will love this book. Put this one at the top of your TBR list.
The author has quickly become one of my favorites and is on my must read authors' list.
The romance between Skye and Declan was sexy and sweet, even as it was quickly put to the test when the bullets started flying. I found myself engrossed in their story and wanting them to get their HEA ending. Near the end, their were times I wanted to reach into the pages and tell Skye her priorities were off and that she wasn't responsible to fix everything, however, even that was consistent with who Skye was.
If you enjoy sexy cowboy romantic suspense, you will love this book. Put this one at the top of your TBR list.
The author has quickly become one of my favorites and is on my must read authors' list.
April 2, 2021
This is book #2 in the McGrath series, and it read fine as a stand-alone. While I haven’t read a lot of cowboy romances, this seemed atypical of the genre. Skye actually grew up in a commune type setting (Sunrise Fellowship) in Wyoming. It’s a community where everyone contributes and they are able to meet the needs of all of members. Unfortunately the current head of the community is making some poor decisions and partnering with some bad people. Skye witnessed something disturbing and runs.
She ends up on Declan McGrath’s ranch in Montana. He takes her in, gives her a job and a room, and there is immediate attraction that takes them by surprise. Skye will need Declan’s support as he deals with the aftermath of what he knows and what she saw.
This romance has lots of drama, bad guys, the FBI, and a long distance romance aspect. While I wish I’d gotten to know the characters a little bit better, the action definitely kept me reading to see what would happen next.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
She ends up on Declan McGrath’s ranch in Montana. He takes her in, gives her a job and a room, and there is immediate attraction that takes them by surprise. Skye will need Declan’s support as he deals with the aftermath of what he knows and what she saw.
This romance has lots of drama, bad guys, the FBI, and a long distance romance aspect. While I wish I’d gotten to know the characters a little bit better, the action definitely kept me reading to see what would happen next.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2021
Skye Kennedy loves the close-knit community of Sunrise Fellowship. But after witnessing a terrible crime by the commune's new leader she flees. She ends up in Montana on the McGrath ranch.
Declan McGrath has always handled things himself with his sole focus on taking care of the ranch. He is so focused on taking care of the ranch after both of his brothers find love that he never found time for love for himself. But when he finds Skye in his barn hungry and desperate for work he no longer feels alone.
Skye has information that can bring down some major operations that comes with some deadly threats. Declan has been so helpful and supportive to her and she does not want to bring this threat to him. But Declan has found an unexpected closeness to Skye and has no intention of letting her get away and will do everything in his powers to help her and keep her safe. Skye is naive in a lot of ways. Declan opens her eyes to affection and feelings that she has never experienced. Now that they have found love they will have to work to find a way to finally be together.
Declan McGrath has always handled things himself with his sole focus on taking care of the ranch. He is so focused on taking care of the ranch after both of his brothers find love that he never found time for love for himself. But when he finds Skye in his barn hungry and desperate for work he no longer feels alone.
Skye has information that can bring down some major operations that comes with some deadly threats. Declan has been so helpful and supportive to her and she does not want to bring this threat to him. But Declan has found an unexpected closeness to Skye and has no intention of letting her get away and will do everything in his powers to help her and keep her safe. Skye is naive in a lot of ways. Declan opens her eyes to affection and feelings that she has never experienced. Now that they have found love they will have to work to find a way to finally be together.
March 17, 2021
Love of a Cowboy is the second McGrath Family book by Jennifer Ryan. This series is not just cowboy romance but also a thrilling suspenseful one too. Like the first book there is a even balance between romance, mystery and danger.
Skye Kennedy is a strong heroine but one that is running for her life until she can decide what to do to change the shape of things in her community. She finds work and refuge on the McGrath Ranch. This is told in the description of the book. What is not told is how likable, hardworking, and kind that Declan McGrath actually is. Nor is the threatening and menacing situation that Skye finds herself in.
At times this story is romantic, other times thrilling and even other times nail biting, making it hard to put down until very last page. The conclusion is satisfying but takes a while to get to that point of a HEA. Like life there is always the needs of others that must be considered.
4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Skye Kennedy is a strong heroine but one that is running for her life until she can decide what to do to change the shape of things in her community. She finds work and refuge on the McGrath Ranch. This is told in the description of the book. What is not told is how likable, hardworking, and kind that Declan McGrath actually is. Nor is the threatening and menacing situation that Skye finds herself in.
At times this story is romantic, other times thrilling and even other times nail biting, making it hard to put down until very last page. The conclusion is satisfying but takes a while to get to that point of a HEA. Like life there is always the needs of others that must be considered.
4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 27, 2023
I picked this book up solely because it was a recommendation at the end of a great book by an author I love. The summary was somewhat interesting but the book itself pushed me away before I even finished the second chapter. I'm not reviewing the whole book, I have no idea what went on after I stopped reading or how it ended but the way it was written made me grimace. Despite the scene described in the first chapter - a horrific one by definition of what happened - I rolled my eyes and shook my head. It was unrealistic, to say the least. Things like murder and cults and whatnot really happen in life, and books can certainly make it out to be more romantic or dramatic, whatever the author's purpose is. But this one was... I guess I wanna say amateur? Before the writer learns how to catch the focus of a reader and he just writes what he thinks is "oooh" and aaah" and "this sounds cool". I'm trying not to judge but this book just wasn't for me, I gave up easily and that's not how it should go when a book grasps you.
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