A Cowboy's Fourth of July

The Cowboy Academy #2

by Melinda Curtis

Could a cowboy’s former crush…Be his future?Dix Youngblood has loved Allison Burns since he tutored her in high school. Now she’s a single mom trying to save her family’s Oklahoma ranch…from him. Foreclosing on bad debts is the only way to succeed as a banker. But he can’t refuse her request for help. From feeding piglets to posing as Allison’s fake boyfriend, Dix is soon pulled into the beautiful rancher’s life. Will she reawaken his cowboy heart? USA Today Bestselling AuthorFrom Harlequin Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.The Cowboy AcademyBook 1: A Cowboy Worth Waiting ForBook 2: A Cowboy's Fourth of JulyBook 3: A Cowboy Christmas Carol

Genres: Harlequin

368 pages, ebook

Published July 25, 2023

About the author

Prior to writing romance, award-winning, USA Today Bestseller Melinda Curtis was a junior manager for a Fortune 500 company, which meant when she flew on the private jet she was relegated to the jump seat—otherwise known as the potty. After grabbing her pen (and a parachute) she made the jump to full-time writer. Between writing sweet romance and sweet romantic comedy, Melinda finds time to bond with her husband over home remodeling projects. She recently came to grips with the fact that she’s an empty nester and a grandma, concepts easier to grasp than jet-setting on a potty.

Sign up for her newsletter on her website to receive two free reads.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided an arc e-copy by the publisher Harlequin Heartwarming by
Melinda Curtis for a
honest review.

I enjoyed reading A Cowboy's Fourth of July in fact l read on the Fourth in one sitting. I love reading about second chances it was a cute read.

4 star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟


Happy Reading
Lisa 📚

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a well-written romance, with characters that popped off the page and into my heart! I really enjoyed the story of single mom Allison and her tween daughter Piper who is trying to decide if she likes ballet or barrel racing better. When banker Dix Youngblood enters the picture, the sparks start to fly. Not only is Dix a judge in the local baking contest, but he is also the banker going through Allison’s books to try to figure out how to save her ranch. Allison doesn’t exactly trust him since he dresses in suits and ties instead of the usual cowboy attire, but she is willing to listen to the advice of her former tutor, especially after they share an accidental kiss. The story is humorous and charming and just what I needed after reading several dark suspense books in a row. The characters are dynamically realistic and the plot is paced just right to hold my interest from beginning to end. I also wanted to know where the money was going, so that was a mystery that was added to the central love story. My favorite character was Dix’s grandmother, the matriarch of the bank, and the giver of wisdom to her grandson, if he would only listen. There were plenty of complicated interactions between the characters and lessons to be learned about acceptance, moving on from the past and having hope for the future. This is a book that is encouraging and that teaches lessons about life, too. Loved it and highly recommend it to those looking for a good, quick read that will make your heart soar with happiness.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via the Fiction Addiction review team. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

[Lisa Wetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cowboy’s Fourth by Melinda Curtis is a well written romantic suspense. This is another heartwarming story by an author who knows what she is doing! A small town, a county fair and second chance love and of course a cowboy heads this one up! The characters are well developed and oh so sweet! If you like clean romance then Melinda Curtis is for you!!! Great summer read!!

Thank you Harlequin Heartwarming, Melinda Curtis, Kimberly Bradford Scott and KBS Consultants for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book! The opinions expressed are my own.
#harlequinheartwarming #melindacurtis. #arc. #acowboysfourthofjuly #kimberlybradfordscott. #kbsconsultants.

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison Burns always dreamed she would be a singer/songwriter. Music was everything to her until she ended up pregnant. She puts that dream behind her. She has a daughter, Piper to raise and now helps run the family ranch with her brother and uncle. She has her hands full. She’s struggling to keep up. She needs help with her finances so she goes to the bank and runs into Dix Youngblood. Dix was her math tutor in high school.
Dix is now helping his grandmother with her family bank. He left town to go to college and now, years later he’s back. When he sees Allison, he’s still blown away by her beauty. He’s always had a crush on her and it apparently hasn’t gone away. He decides to help get her finances in order and help get a plan to save the ranch. He ends up spending time with Piper and Allison. He can’t help himself. When Piper’s father shows up for the Fourth of July festival as the entertainment. Allison is overwhelmed. He never wanted to be a father, so she never told him. What will happen when he finds out? Will he try to take her away? Dix steps in to protect them. Allison and Dix pretend that they are a couple. Maybe Piper’s father will leave them alone. The more time they spend together, the more confused Allison is. She’s falling for Dix, along with her daughter. How can they not? He loving, caring and protective of them. Dix already realizes that he loves both, Allison and Piper. Can he convince them that he’s the one for them? Will they go their separate ways because of Piper’s father? Can he make Allison realize that he’s there for her no matter what happens? Will Dix get her finances in order? Will he be able to help get with a plan? Will Allison sing again? The characters are amazing, loving and deserves a chance at love. Worth the read. Melinda Curtis always brings it. I received this book for my honest review. I gave it voluntarily

[Lghiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Harlequin Heartwarming books, and I favor books by Melinda Curtis. The Cowboy Academy series combines what I like in A Cowboy’s Fourth of July. In the prologue, the reader gets a peek at Allison Burns, a talented singing cowgirl, and Dixon Youngblood (Dix), her math tutor guarding a heavy crush on her, in high school. The rest of the novel focuses on them as adults, however. Allison is a single mom trying to manage a ranch floundering in debt, and Dixon has returned to his roots in Clementine, Oklahoma, working with his grandmother as a banker. Both characters have trust issues and long for the love found in a stable family. Most of the characters in this book have cowboy/rodeo connections and values rooted in family and the land. Dix, however, was abandoned by his parents and then his grandparents. He was taken in by a loving ranch couple who fostered lots of boys who chose to call them “mom and dad.” The ranch was their home, and they became brothers with all the teasing and support that comes with that relationship.

In his banking job, Dix has to work with people who are under water financially. They fear him because, despite his cowboying abilities, he dresses like a city slicker and has the power to foreclose on their loans. Allison inherited many loans when her parents died and doesn’t have the financial skills to get herself out of debt. Besides the obvious challenges of running a ranch and raising a child, Allison feels pressure to win out over “Pilates Queen” Evie in the yearly fair baking competitions continuing the Graces versus Burns feud, another family inheritance of sorts.

Dix has always been attracted to Allison and steps up as her fake boyfriend to help her in a difficult social situation. As might be expected in a Harlequin Heartwarming romance, sparks fly even as the two work on their own issues. Dix helps Allison discover why she is so far in debt and inspires her to recall the joy she once found in music. Throw into this plot Dix’s uncaring parents and sick grandmother, and Allison’s daughter’s self-obsessed baby daddy. The result is a fun romance with 4th of July fireworks.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Michelle Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second book in The Cowboy Academy series. I liked the start of the story when we met Dix and Allison back in high school and how they both had big dreams and then to see where they are at in life now. They both have some issues to get past with their own families and their current lives are nothing that they dreamed about when they were younger. I liked that Dix’s grandmother owns the Savings & Loan where he works, we have a feud involving baking, things aren’t going well for Allison in the running of the ranch and Dix has stepped up to help her with reconciling the books but not sure if that is such a good idea. You can definitely tell that there are still feelings between them especially when Dix used to have a crush on her in high school and he still has feelings and Allison doesn’t want to, but she definitely feels something towards Dix. I loved that we get to see characters from the previous story, and I also liked that with Dix’s help she was able to figure out why there was money missing and that started a whole other situation that was ultimately resolved with the promise to make things right. It was tough to read about Dix and his past with his parents and how he ended up at the Done Roamin’ Ranch and in my personal opinion he’s better off without his parents in his life. This book is great, and I appreciated that both Dix got some closure with his parents and family situation and Allison was able to create an amicable situation with her daughter’s father. In the end Allison and Dix both got what they ultimately wanted without having to sacrifice a lot of their individual happiness and fulfill some dreams from back in the day Can’t wait for the next book in this series.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story. How could you not fall in love with Dix. His family pretty much rejected him, and he went to live with a foster family. While there he learned what family really is and that he wanted his own family to love him like that. His parents were very young when he was born and they were not equipped to raise him, so they sent him to his grandparents. When his grandfather died, his grandmother couldn't deal with life let alone a young boy. So she sent him to the foster home. There he blossomed, but still felt as if it all may be yanked away from him at any time. Years later, here he is a banker with the lives of so many in his hands. So many in the town are behind in their payments and he has to do something before he has to foreclose on all of them. One of them is Allison, a girl that he tutored when he was in high school. He loved her then and truth be told, he loves her now. But she was destined for greater things, and he won't be the reason for her to stay. She is a single mother with a very precocious daughter that Dix is instantly charmed by her. Can she help Dix realize that she wants to be with him? Can he help her realize that she needs more happiness in her life, even if he has to give her up?

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second book in the series. It is a standalone so you don't have to read the first one. I liked that the characters from the first book were in this book, but you don't really need to know about them for this book. It centers around foster brothers at a ranch raised by a wonderful couple. This one was interesting because Dixon HAD parents, they just had other priorities than raising him! They were all about their careers and themselves, not really wanting to raise a child. It was really sad and, in this instance, I was glad that they let him go to this foster "Cowboy Academy" because he found love & acceptance there. Dix tutored Allison in high school where he fell in love with her but he was too shy to do anything about it! Now, 10 years later, he's living with his grandma and working in her bank. He still loves numbers but doesn't have the attitude that she wants. He's too "buttoned up" for a small town! He also needs to help Allison get out of debt with the bank and really seeing her lifestyle helps him become a new person. I liked both characters but Allison especially needed to learn how to "adult" better so I liked her transformation!

[Judy Christiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my kind of fireworks! When two characters are meant to be together, and the sparks fly whenever they are close!

I am a fan of this author, Melinda Curtis. She has a talent for creating characters that go straight to my heart and I care about them so much. This book has characters of various ages, which is something that I really enjoy in a book. The youngsters always bring smiles, and the older ones bring a lot of wisdom.

Dix and Allison go back to high school when he was her tutor in math. Although Dix always was attracted to Allison, he kept that to himself. Now years later, as adults, fate has brought them back together and it is very interesting to see how the years have changed them.

Dix still loves math, but now it is applied to banking. Allison has accepted responsibilities and let her passions fade away.

This is a great story that shows life can throw you some difficulties, but joy is still attainable. Don’t let your delight fade. Strive for happiness!

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in The Cowboy Academy. Ms. Curtis sure knows how to bring all the feels into a book. So much love, so much family values, and so much heart. Allison Burns has made her share of mistakes, but doesn’t back down from one of them. She takes life by the horns, and does what she can for her family. Her daughter Piper, her brother, and her uncle are so important to her. The family ranch she will do whatever needs to be done to protect there home. Now with the help of a boy now man who tutored her in math is helping her with finances how crazy is that. Well it’s a small town, and he works at the bank.
Dix Youngblood has a job to do, but going to Allison Burns house, and helping her with all the finances to save her ranch is a tall order. But he’s loved her for a long time. He regrets that day in the library. If only he hadn’t acted the way he did. But what would have happened? He’ll never know now.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back to Clementine, OK , with another sweet, clean romance in this series. This time the story belongs to Dix/Dixon Youngblood and Allison Burns. A story that hopefully will be giving these two a second chance in love.
In HS Dix secretly fell in love with Allison, the girl he tutored. But when she proposes, Dix runs away.
Now ten years later, Dix is back to help his grandmother and work at the bank that his family owns. Meanwhile Allison is a single mom struggling to keep her family ranch from going into foreclosure.
Determined to help Allison, Dix decides to help her and of course, feelings reignite.
Will they get a second chance at love, one that will last? What happens when the father of Allison’s child shows up?
As always, the author delivers a touching, sweet, and heartwarming story.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[DeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cowboys Fourth of July
By Melinda Curtis
Out July 25, 2023

Dix Youngblood raised in a loving, foster home, because his parents wanted a career. His grandma wanted him to have a happy home with siblings. And he did! But he was still a bit lost.

Allison Burns gave up her dream of becoming a music legend. Instead, she was a single mom to an adorable, sassy little girl name Piper.

The state fair brings up some bad memories for Alison. A bake off you that has been going on for years. Then I band that just so happen to star Pipers bio dad. Will perform the music for the fair.

How does Alison handle it all?

My favorite character is Piper!
I’m sure you are going to adore her too.

I was given this ARC by Kimberly Bradford Scott. To read as a part of her review team. For KBS consultants. And return for my honest review.

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the Cowboy Academy series, in which banker Dix Youngblood is confronted by his feelings for Allison Burns, whose been his crush since high school. Problem is, he's now running the family bank and may have to foreclose on Allison's family ranch if he can't help her find out why the income isn't matching the outgo.

Allison needs the help but has other things on her mind, such as competing in the local baking competition and keeping her daughter safe. All of which becomes even more complicated when her baby daddy shows up and she realizes she's going to have to tell little Piper who she's related to when Piper has already decided she'd like Dix to be her daddy. Allison would like that, too, but fears admitting her feelings when she's certain Dix doesn't feel the same. Or does he?

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story of second chances. Small town girl gets pregnant at 18, never disclosing the father of her child. Flash ahead 10 years and her HS tutor, is back in their small town to help care for his grandma and work at the family bank. He's visiting ranches that are in arrears and facing foreclosure, hers included.

As they work together over the books, past feelings rise but can he act on them with a client? Then a former musician returns to perform at the local watering place and county fair. He figures out he's got a daughter and they all work on figuring out how their lives can coexist.

Although I received ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

A lovely story with great characters. It was so easy to fall for Dix who had a difficult childhood, an unrequited love for Allison and parents who don’t know how to relate to him. Allison may have been clueless about his feelings for her in the past but now he has returned to Clementine, sparks are igniting anytime they are near each other. However Allison has closed herself off to her passions in life, settling for responsibility and Dix, who has seen those he love walk away from him, erects walls to protect his heart. Can each heal the other and learn to trust in the power of love?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Julie Eichelberger-Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy's Fourth of July is the second in The Cowboy Academy but can be read as a stand alone, however I suggest reading the first just for the entertainment of enjoying this series. Dix was born to two teenagers who made the choice to let his grandparents raise him so that they could continue their education but when his grandfather dies, he is placed in foster care at the Done Roamin' Ranch where he thrived. He met Allison in high school when he tutored her in math and thus began his crush and love for her. Allison has always had a talent for music but when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant from the lead singer, she gives up music and becomes a single parent. She is now running the family ranch which is struggling financially. Dix is close to foreclosing but agrees to help her straighten out the finances in exchange for her help in becoming an active member of the community. When her ex comes to town, Dix pretends to be her boyfriend to hide her daughter's true paternity. As they spend time together, the sparks ignite and their feelings grow but their insecurities of the past threaten to keep them apart. This is a truly enjoyable, clean romance with an adorable ten-year-old who adds a little zing to the story.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story about two very lost people finding their happy ever after. Set in small town Oklahoma, the city of Clementine is as much of a main character as Dix and Allison. This is a very heart warming book. Allison and Dix were friends in high school, but their paths diverged from there. She got pregnant and he followed a career path. They find each other just when they are both at crossroads.

Dix and Allison are well written and I love the addition of the secondary characters. They help bring the town to life. The leads struggle on their path to one and other. There is just enough emotional angst, humor, and joy to make this story a delight to read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for this ARC.

[Susan (Whimsically Susan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cowboys Fourth of July was such a feel good romance. I just felt happy reading this one. The characters interesting and well developed. You were rooting for them the entire time! The declaration of love left me with the biggest grin on my face.

Here are some of my favorite lines...

"I was happy. I have been happy. But I wasn't joyous. You gave that to me."

"Your love fills me up in all my hurt and empty places."

Looking art Alison gave him the feeling of home.

"How long do you need me?" He hoped forever.

If you like: Small Towns, Hallmark Movies, Second Chance Romance, Fake Dating and Cowboys- you will love this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Oklahoma, Dix and Allison were high school friends where Dix had a crush on Allison but Allison doesn’t return the crush at the time. Fast forward 10 years, Dix is back in town, struggling to fit in and Allison is just …. Well ….Allison is just struggling with life, finances, being a single mom, and so much more. This time around Allison is has offered Dix some help with learning to fit in in town and they realize sparks are flying between them. As usual this story has it’s ups, downs, and curveballs that Melinda Curtis is so good at writing. Will Allison and Dix fall in love for real this time? Will Dix fit in in town finally?

This is one of Melinda Curtis’s clean romance series that I really enjoyed reading.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melinda Curtis knocks another one out of the park. I've been patiently waiting for this book since I finished a Cowboy Worth Waiting For. I love Melinda's sense of humor, and it always makes me laugh out loud!

This installment follows Dixon "Dix" Youngblood and Allison Burns. Dix has loved Allison from the start. She was struggling through math in high school, and he tutored her. Then, one day, she proposes.... and he runs away! Now, years later, he's back in Clementine. Can they reconnect? Allison's ex comes into town and wants to talk, so naturally Allison turns to Dix and they enter into a fake relationship.

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's looking for a forever family...

Dix skipped two grades, was small for his age and crushing on Allison when they were teenagers. He was passed around as a child, since his parents had him when they were teenagers. Dix needs security and stability. Now, ten years later, he's back and working at the family bank and he's not playing well with the community. That includes Allison, now a single mother, juggling the ranch, a ten year old daughter and a very competiive baking competition.

Unfortunately, Dix is there to either foreclose on Allison's ranch or sort out the mess that is her finances. I did like that Allison put him to work.
Sweet/clean read.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Copy for Review

Cowboy Dix has always been in love with Allison since he first tutored her. So, when she needs his help to save her family farm, he can not help but come to her rescue despite knowing that he should just walk away. But the heart does what it wants as they soon find out.

True love will conquer in the end even after time passes. A heart warming story of enduring love.

[Peggy Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and is worth reading. When Dix starts working at Clementine Bank he is looking at Allison's debt and is not making it easy for her and Allison is trying to win Dix's heart but he seems to want to just be her banker and she is a single mom and Pipers Dad Charlie come back to sing in the fair and he finds out Piper is his daughter and it gets complicated.
Will Allison be able to win Dix's heart?

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a sweet, clean romance and this book was that. It's a second chance around for Dix Youngblood, who has had a crush on Allison Burns since school years. The book is definitely a good read and very entertaining. The characters were well written and I enjoyed this book very much. It was fun to watch how both Allison and Dix grew as the book progressed. I recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison and Dixon make a great couple...or at least they would, if they could just slow down enough to deal with those pesky feelings! I seriously enjoyed Dixon’s character – he reminds me of someone who is SO smart but lacks that wee bit of understanding of humanity. I think that the best part of this story, for me, was reading about his growth, and journey. And how he deals with piglets? Adorable! Great clean story with lots of character growth. And piglets.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful love story with interesting characters to follow along as they wade through the trials and tribulations that sometimes happens with romance. Like the setting the story is set in. Like the characters that are involved. They are easy to relate to in the story.

The review I'm giving is voluntary.

[Candy Laine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dix and Allison have a second chance in this story. The high school nerd and the wanna be country singer he used to tutor in maths finally align. They are different but alike. Having faced the demons of their individual pasts they are now ready to be happy. Will it be together? Only time will tell.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this well written romance. A good plot with
great character development. I definitely recommend this book.My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my book. This is my unbiased review.

[Donna Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the series. I enjoyed reading Dix and Allison's story. The book deals with unwanted pregnancy and overcoming the obstacles that it creates. This book will have you laughing. There are competitions in more than one area, baking,cooking,and love.

[SARAH TAYLOR · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy's Fourth Of July by Melinda Curtis! Wow this Author has done it again this Book is another great story with wonderful characters when you pick it up it pulls you in from the start I highly recommend this Book! I was given a compilatory copy and this is my own honest words and review !