The Cowboy's Secret Wish

The Cowboys of Sweetheart Creek, Texas #2

by Jean Oram

Librarian Karen Hartley is not looking for a cowboy. And she’s most definitely not looking for a jock. So when ranch-owning, football-coaching Myles Wylder enters the scene with his inquisitive blue eyes and impossibly broad shoulders, as well as an offer to help save the town library, of course she says no. Just like she does when her heart begins to whisper that maybe there’s more to this cowboy than meets the eye…

Too bad he doesn’t check off any of the boxes on her future Mr. Right list.

…but maybe it’s time for a new list…

Myles knows he’s not what Karen’s looking for in a partner. But with plans to save the Sweetheart Creek library he figures he can show her there’s more to life—and him—than what’s on her checklist. There’s only one problem, he has a secret that might become a deal breaker.

Will this cowboy find a way to win and keep the librarian? Or will his secret ruin everything as opposites attract in this small town sweet romance?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Sports Romance, Westerns

240 pages, ebook

Published November 30, 2020

About the author

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Jean Oram grew up in an old schoolhouse in a Canadian town, population 100 (cats and dogs not included). She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author of feel-good, heartwarming romances that make readers smile.

Jean lives in Canada with her husband, two kids, cat, dog, and the pesky neighbourhood rabbits that hop through her garden like it's an open salad bar. She can often be found outdoors or reading a book. (And of course at her laptop writing your next irresistible read!)

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Reviews

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this second story in Jean Oram's Cowboys of Sweetheart Creek collection. She's the local librarian – at least as long as the funding for the library holds out. He's the assistant coach for the high school's football team and definitely not a book nerd, but sometimes opposites attract for the best kind of results.
This story made me smile, broke my heart and restored my faith in a world where good things happen to good people and love will always find a way. The characters are sexy, sweet and sassy. There are even appearances from the small town denizens we met in the first story including Bill, the town's grumpy armadillo.
If your a fan of sweet, small-town romances where cowboy boots and Friday night football are part of the magic, you need to move this one to the top of your To Be Read list.

[Harmony · Rating 2 out of 5]

My reviews tend to be long so there is a short and a long version. The long version may contain spoilers and is hidden under a spoiler tag.

Short Version: I had the same issues with this book as I did in book 1, therefore, I will not be continuing with this series. The women in this town are whores. They throw themselves at the Wylder brothers. The town is small minded and judgmental. I struggled with this book, I struggled with Karen and Myles and how 99.99% of their issues could have been avoided if they would just communicate. The author can write and I enjoyed the flow and pace of her words. This story just isn't for me.

Long Version:



At 10% of the way into this book, I left myself a progress note showing how much this book was frustrating me.

WHY AM I READING THIS BOOK!?! The women and men are such sluts. OMG. The MMC is a manwhore. The "friend" Jackie is a tramp determined to get any of the brothers. ANY. She doesn't care which one. UGH. Seriously, the FMC is standing there watching another woman paw all over the man who is supposed to eventually be her guy? WTAF is this? I am not amused or enchanted.

While some of the book got better after that, in some ways it didn't. Daisy Rae? Daisy Mae? Whatever the heck her name is, she's the Other Woman. The one who dresses and acts like a whore. The one who the "awesome" Myles goes on a date with when he's supposed to be all heart broken over Karen. UGH.

At 82% of the way into the book, he takes Daisy (Rae ... Mae ... whatever) to an event at his family's ranch. An event he knows Karen will be at! He tells Daisy the below while poor Karen looks on from across the room all heart broken.

“I like you, too.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ve been distracted, I know that. You and I are alike. We’re…”

a sweet kiss he knew would be their last. “Don’t do this,” he whispered, his hands tight on her waist. “We can make it work.”

Are you freaking kidding me? We are supposed to believe that in just a couple of chapters he's going from BEGGING another woman to be with him to deciding that Karen is his love? WOW. Basically, if Daisy hadn't shot him down and told him that he was in love with somebody else. That she deserved a guy who loved her then he would be with Daisy and not Karen. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I was so angry when I finished reading this book. Once again, just like in book 1, the author never really gives us a HEA. The characters declare that they love each other but that's it. The epilogue sets up the next book! It doesn't tell us anything about the couple in this book. I thought that maybe since the author left the couple in book 1 hanging that she would have them get engaged in this book.

NOPE.

They're just dating.

Is this even a romance novel? Because between Myles begging another woman to give him a chance and then spouting off gems like the below, it's hard to tell:

“You’re a real pain in the butt, and yet I can’t seem to stop thinking about you even though you’re everything I’ve never wanted in a woman. You know that?”

I'm disappointed in this book. There is so much potential in this story and in this town. It's why I gave it another chance. The book has a ton of positive reviews so clearly it's just not my cup of tea. Perhaps others will like it more.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and Miles’ story. I really like Miles, but he frustrated me that he was keeping a secret from Karen. No one up would put the two together as Miles is a cowboy and jock. Karen is a librarian and loves books. But you know the old saying “opposites attract.” Because of what happened in Karen’s past, she doesn’t trust cowboys or jocks. She has always put all jocks and cowboys in the same category: arrogant and dumb. I was glad to see that she had a lot to learn about Miles. I was a little surprised Karen didn’t figure out what Miles secret was, but she had her hang up on what she thought about jocks. Miles grumpy great uncle was fun to watch, especially when Karen was handling him. The brothers are funny in how much lip they gave each other. But they are always there for each other when needed. I enjoyed the book and encourage you to read it. I was given a copy of the book and voila review.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Myles and Karen are definitely an opposites attract scenario. Myles is a fun-loving cowboy and jock who doesn't read for pleasure. Karen is a prim, uptight librarian who thinks the world revolves around books. They join forces to hold a fundraiser to save the library and in the process fall in love. The friction between them ignites the pages. Karen has a razor-sharp tongue that she has to learn to control as well as her judgmental ideas about cowboys and jocks. Myles needs to quit hiding behind the cowboy-jock persona and stop worrying about what others think of his "problem".

I loved the side story about Robyn and Blake. It added another dimension to the story. I hope they are part of future books in this series.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Cowboy's Secret Wish and can't wait to read Ryan's story next.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are really well done and the story seems like it might be your predictable opposites-attract story.

But the main couple are only opposites in some things. They share important things. Things that gave them the outlook they have.
They are both stronger than they think they are, and the strengths of one bolster the weaknesses of the other.

And they are loved by their community.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series and getting to know this group of Wylder brothers. I loved Myles and Karen's story. I was captivated from the beginning and look forward to more books in the series.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Story

Well written and interesting, I kept reading every time I had a few minutes. The hero tugged at my heartstrings early on. But the heroine was...interesting. I'm not sure I'd have thought she'd be friend material if I'd met her IRL. Still, she grew on me as I read more. By the end, I was rooting for both of them. I'm not sure if I'll read the next book in the series next. I'd rather find out more about the missing brother.
If you enjoy contemporary romance free of graphic sex and harsh behavior/language, you'd probably enjoy this book.

[Gary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!!

This is my second read by this author !!. I.find her very easy and entertaining as I find her style of writing very much like the experience of my childhood. I was born in a Small.Town in upstate New York!! Sharing a very similar life! Looking forward to reading the entire series and continuing on from there !

[Anne Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

I don't know if I enjoyed this more or book one in the series but it was a really fun read! I loved both main characters (and all the dogs)! It's a sweet setting with a very good story that keeps you wondering what's next.

[Jemi Fraser]

Another great story in this series!
Lots of feels and smiles throughout - looking forward to more!

[Alice Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brain meets Bronze romantic adventure

Miles and Karen was a match made in heaven for the love at first sight was strong but enjoy the adventures romantic novel reading.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.98

[Kathy Tozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miles Wilder is the high school football coach, a job he loves and is great at it. He also has a reputation, as does all his brothers, of being a bit of a player. Of course none of the brothers are as bad as the stories tell. Miles does not have interest in any of the women of Sweetheart Creek, he has his eyes set on the pretty little librarian Karen Hartley.
Karen has her hands full trying to save her beloved library, funding is desperately needed to keep the doors open. She has her group of girls that she spends time with, they are all looking for a cowboy of their own. Karen has sworn off cowboys, she has always seen herself with a more professional type of man. Then she gets to know a certain sexy cowboy, one she can not get out of her mind. Can her Mr. right be right in front of her? Miles has offered to help her save the library, working side by side just may help heal the broken pieces of each others heart and soul. Hopefully the secret Miles is keeping won't end their budding relationship.
The Cowboy's Secret Wish

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun opposites attract story. The Wylder brothers are the most eligible bachelors in Sweetheart Creek but Myles isn't looking to settle down until he looses his heart to Karen. Karen is the local librarian and she couldn't be more of an opposite for Myles. Karen loves books but Myles doesn't read, in fact he has a secret he has been keeping from the whole town. They work together to save the library, and Karen's job, and along they way they to fall in love. This series has lots of great characters and is full of emotion.