A Cowboy Country Christmas

Creedence Horse Rescue #6

by Jennie Marts

There's no better time than Christmas to open your heart 

Holt Callahan used to love the holidays, but getting dumped on Christmas Eve would turn anyone into a Grinch. Now he hates Christmas and all the holly jolly shenanigans that go with it. When he moves back to his cousin's ranch in Creedence, Colorado, the last thing he expects is to come face to face with the one who got away and all of her holiday cheer.

Lainey McBride is all about Christmas. Now she's running her family's ranch festivities while her grandfather is in rehab, and no matter how many things don't go according to plan, she's determined to bring her holiday spirit. But the holidays have their own way of healing, and a Christmas in Creedence just might be the merry magic that brings these two broken hearts back together again.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary Romance, Westerns, Western Romance, Humor

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

Jennie Marts is a USA Today bestselling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. She loves genre-mashups, and her books range from western romance to cozy mysteries but all have the charm and appeal of quirky small-town life. Living out her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado, she’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy Country Christmas is the sixth book in the Creedence Horse Rescue series by Jennie Marts. I think this is the final book in the series but I’m not positive. I have adored this series. Every time I go back to the Heaven Can Wait Horse Rescue ranch in Creedence, Colorado, I fall in love all over again. The menagerie of animals that call the ranch home always make me laugh. And with every book a new one or two are added. This time its a little stray dog that will squeeze your heart.



Holt Callahan is Bryn’s, the owner of Heaven Can Wait, cousin. They found him bumming around Durango and brought him back to the ranch to help out. He’s been there awhile now and has really settled in to life on the ranch. Holt detests Christmas. He’s been dumped twice on Christmas Eve. He wants nothing to do with any of it. When a beautiful black horse comes galloping onto his ranch in the snow, he knows immediately where the horse lives. Next door to their ranch. But when he takes him home, he can’t believe who steps out onto the porch. The one true love of his past and one of the reasons for his feelings about Christmas.



Lainey McBride came back to Creedence to her grandfather’s ranch, Mountainside, to take over her grandfather’s Mountainside Country Christmas Festival while he was in rehab with a broken hip. Lainey loves Christmas, everything about it. But she hasn’t been back to Creedence in a long time. And she hasn’t seen Holt Callahan in twelve years. When she last saw him, they were seventeen years old and madly in love. Now he’s standing in front of her and all those old feelings come right back.



This was such a wonderful second chance romance. These two truly belonged together. But they have a lot of things to iron out. Holt and Lainey know their time together has an end date and want to make the most of it. Add in lots of Christmas spirit, a very lovable stray dog, and plenty of quirky town residents and you have the perfect holiday romance. I think I smiled most of the way through this.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
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[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cowboy Country Christmas by Jennie Marts
Book 6 of the Creedence Horse Rescue series, a spinoff of The Cowboys of Creedence series. Contemporary western romance. Can be read as a stand-alone, but family and couples from prior books appear briefly in the final chapter of this book.
Holt Callahan is a Christmas holiday Grinch. He’s been dumped at Christmas more than once. Lainey McBride is the exact opposite. She loves the holidays and has come home to run the Christmas event at the family farm while her grandfather is away. Lainey and Holt fall into old childhood patterns of spending their time together and soon find their hearts involved. But they haven’t discussed what happened back when she first left town, both of them heartbroken.

Sentimental and touching. But they needed to talk about the past! Heartwarming family ending. Love the little goat and the donation they received for future care of it.

I love knowing how the hero feels:
“Her nearness could send jittery nerves spiraling through his stomach that made him feel like a love-crazed teenager”.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

[Jen (jenslostinthepages) ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

***4.5/5 Stars***

A Cowboy Country Christmas was a heartwarming, second chance romance.  With characters that will find their way into your heart and a cast of animals that will make you laugh and smile, I can't recommend this book enough. With sleigh rides, hot cocoa, snow, mistletoe and so much more, this festive heartfelt book is exactly what you need around the holidays!

Holt snapped the reins and gave Merry a cluck, and the sleigh burst forward, the runners gliding easily along the freshly fallen snow. Lainey laughed with delight, and he knew he would do just about anything, even wear a stupid jingling Santa hat, to hear her laugh like that again.

Holt Callahan hated Christmas after having his heart ripped out on Christmas Eve.  He currently found himself living on his cousin's ranch, in the adorable small town of Creedence, Colorado.  Yet one day on the ranch, Holt came face to face with the woman from his past.  Her name was Lainey McBride and her grandparents owned the ranch next to his cousin's.  Colt had been in love with Lainey since he was 10 years old.  He thought she had left for good when they were teenagers.  So he was shocked to see her back, and dressed as one of Santa's elves. When Lainey asked Colt to help her out with some Christmas festivities, he couldn't say no to her. It had felt like no time had passed since he had been around the woman he loved. And from that one moment, it led them on a path to a beautiful second chance!

She’d shredded his emotions and pretty much wrecked him for years. Maybe still. But she was here now, smiling up at him, and that was all that mattered.

I adored Holt!  He was a grumpy, sexy, cowboy who was such a good man and had the biggest heart.  He worked around his cousin's ranch and loved the animals he spent his time with.  So I couldn't understand what happened to make Lainey stand him up at the dance when they were younger. She had shattered his heart.  But even with his heart hurt, and with questions about the past, Holt found himself smiling more when he was around Lainey. I loved that he messed with her.  His banter and teasing was smile inducing and made me laugh.  And I loved even more that he helped Lainey out every time she needed it.

A little flicker of something that felt like hope bloomed in her chest, and she couldn’t keep the smile from broadening across her face. It had been a lot of years since she’d flirted with Holt Callahan, but it still felt as easy as falling into a mountain lake on a hot summer day.

Lainey found herself back in Creedence at her Grandparents ranch. Every year they put on Christmas celebrations that countless people came to and helped fund their ranch for half of the year.  Yet with her Grandma's passing and her Grandpa's broken hip, Lainey stepped up to pull off the Christmas magic!  I liked Lainey right away, yet I paused when we got to listen to her thoughts too. I didn't understand why she thought Holt had abandoned her. So as I was waiting for the past to meet the present, I loved how strong and brave Lainey was. How she had the biggest heart too. And that Lainey seemed to be falling back in love with Holt all over again, while also helping him fall in love with Christmas.

He let go of her hair, and his fingers trailed softly over her neck and along her jawline. Her lips parted, and she sucked in a quick breath as his thumb grazed across her bottom lip.

It was beautiful to watch how Lainey and Holt's friendship rekindle so quickly.  It was like they never were apart.  Except for the fact that there was a huge elephant in the room about why they parted ways to begin with. But with touches, glances and kisses under the mistletoe, I loved watching their love for one another come back and continue to grow. On top of Lainey and Holt we also got to see so many characters from the previous book and even the other series too. Do you need to read the previous books in this series or the one before it? Nope! But I can't recommend them enough! Aunt Sassy was hilarious as ever! I loved seeing someone all the way back from Caught Up in a Cowboy! And getting to see HEA's for characters in the Creedence Horse Rescue previous books was so beautiful! I had happy tears over getting to see how their stories played out! But there was also moments of laughter with the animal antics. With a dog rescue, a fainting goat and even a camel, along with our favorite tiny horse, pig and goat this book had it all! Ohhhh and my favorite moment was the nativity scene. I was laughing so hard that I had tears pouring down my face.

He closed his eyes and dropped his chin as if her touch caused him physical pain. She started to pull her hand away, but he caught it in his and held her fingers to his lips, pressing a hard kiss against them. “I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered against her palm, his voice husky and raw with emotion.

A Cowboy Country Christmas ended with the most wonderful happily ever after! And with baking cookies, ugly Christmas sweaters and trees, this book was filled with all the Christmas cheer! Plus a Christmas miracle that will bring tears to your eyes! I absolutely adored this story and I love that whenever I pick up a book by Jennie Marts, it is always filled with so much heart and love! I can't wait to read whatever she releases next!

PS They talked about hot cocoa with crushed-up candy canes stirred in and then sprinkled on top of the marshmallows and OH MY GOSH!  This sounds amazing!  Why I've never had that before is beyond me but I'm making this for me and my little boys ♥!

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[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute delight to read! It is funny, entertaining and filled with Christmas cheer, and it also includes tender moments that will tug at your heartstrings. Holt and Lainey were best of friends then young sweethearts until she left him behind on Christmas Eve a decade ago. Both had their hearts broken and have never really moved on since then. This Christmas, they are both back in town and staying with family. Holt is now living and working on his cousin’s horse rescue ranch, while Lainey is in town to help her injured grandfather. She is now in charge of all the activities involved in the Christmas Festival that brings in a sizeable part of the ranch’s income for the year. At first, their encounters are awkward and tense as both now have sizeable walls erected around their hearts, and a hurt that has never really healed. Colt ends up helping Lainey organize, set up and run several Christmas activities and the walls they have erected begin to crack and fall. Their connection is still evident and all those feelings they had as teenagers are now even stronger, though both seem better at hiding them. Passion flares between them and both wonder if they are heading for more heartbreak since Lainey’s stay is meant to be temporary and neither is willing to talk about what happened in the past or their feelings. Will the magic of the Christmas season makes their fondest wish of a future together come true?

There is a menagerie of animals that are given their moments to shine and certainly add to the enjoyment of this book. Wonderful secondary characters give another dimension to Holt and Lainey’s story. I would highly recommend reading this sweet, (with a touch of heat), funny and captivating book to all lovers of romance..

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested a copy of this book from NetGalley because I have read and enjoyed the other books in this series. This is also one of my “go-to” authors.

There were some moments that I wished the characters would’ve just communicated with each other, but it just added to more inner turmoil dialogue. The ending however was unexpected. When I got to Chapter 29, I really thought that was it, but then there was one more chapter.

[Shelley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy Country Christmas🎄🎅

What a fabulous addition to this series❣️

Holt is Bryan’s cousin and he dislikes everything Christmas. When he finds a horse on their ranch that he recognises from their neighbours, he takes it back and is absolutely astonished when the one person he never thought he see again and hasn’t seen for more than a decade, is dressed as an elf🧝‍♀️

Lainey has returned to Creedence to help her grandfather with Christmas activities, as he’s broken his hip and is in an assisted living home while he recoups for the next few weeks. When she spots Holt with the horse that escaped, she somehow charms this grinch into helping her with her Christmas activities😍

What a wonderful story of second chances, finding love, family and friends and best of all a community that sticks together through tough times🤗 I received an advanced copy via Netgalley and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenage love with an unexpected separation followed by misunderstandings and being apart for years. A second chance at love presents itself during Christmas but will Holt the Christmas grinch and Lainey the Christmas elf be able to get over their past to move on to a brighter future?
I loved this book; the story is original, and the characters are amazing. A second chance at love as adults is truly swoon worthy. The amazing animals in the book who also got a second chance are a heartwarming addition to the story. This is a must read!

[Allyson Abu-Hajar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Kiss me like you mean it!"

What was Lainey McBride thinking? Would Holt remember, or would it ruin things?

Holt Callahan is living in the bunkhouse on his cousin's Heaven Can Wait Horse Rescue ranch. For Holt, it's the most awful time of the year because he hates Christmas. Twice, he has been ditched on Christmas Eve by those he thought he could start a life with. One of those mishaps just happened to return a decade later, whom he encounters after returning a black horse to the Mountainside Ranch. Lainey and Holt met as kids, but by junior year, their relationship deepened with talk of marriage and a future. Then Lainey was gone, and Holt's heart was broken. Here she was again!

Lainey McBride has returned to Creedence, Colorado, to lend a hand at her grandfather's ranch. Her grandfather held the Christmas Festival yearly, and this was the first year without her grandmother. Following her grandfather breaking his hip, Lainey stepped in to help in his absence. Lainey's departure all those years ago was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but she communicated with Holt, who was a no-show and broke her heart.

Lainey ropes Holt into helping with the festival despite his lack of Christmas spirit. Little by little the two pick up where they left off, even though there are unanswered questions from the past. Secretly, both feel that maybe there is still a future for the two of them. Holt thaws towards the Christmas spirit.

Finally, when the time comes to address the past, Lainey and Holt's emotions get in the way, and an angry outburst leads to a split. After finding their way back to each other, can they overcome the hurt to hear what the other is saying?

This was a feel-good, humorous second-chance story! I loved the elderly ladies flirting with Holt and then working magic to add a little Christmas cheer courtesy of a mistletoe. I love the newest addition to the rescue ranch-- a fainting goat! A great addition to the book series!

I received an advanced reader's copy and voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute read and great addition to the Creedence Horse Rescue series. The animals always seem to steal the show with these books. We have a matchmaking horse, a cute abandoned dog, a fainting goat, and of course our favorite pig, mini horse and goat included in this book.

As far as the characters, I really liked Lainey and Holt. They had great chemistry and seemed to bring out the best in each other. Holt was a grump initially but once he saw Lainey and started spending time with her, he was a goner. And Lainey was certainly a great gal with lots of Christmas cheer and a willingness to help others no matter what. I liked that they just fell back into a relationship as if they hadn't been apart for over a decade.

The one part I didn't like was the whole blow up at the end. I was honestly confused by the dialogue and had to reread it a couple times. Lainey basically got mad at Holt because he never showed up even though he didn't know anything about the letter or why she even left. So how was that his fault? Somehow she made him out to be the bad guy when this all stemmed from her not communicating well to begin with and just abandoning him and their relationship without warning. I mean her family certainly had something to do with why he didn't look for her, but again, that wasn't his fault. He only knew what he was told. So I really felt like Lainey was the one who should have been making the grand gesture, not Holt, although it was really cute and sweet.

Overall, a great Hallmark-like book that gets me into the Christmas spirit, albeit 3 months early :)

[Missy Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried to love this book. It has 2nd chances, childhood sweethearts, Christmas romance, and all kinds of cute animals. Things I love to read. But the heroine, Lainey, ws dreadful. She spent nearly the entire book volunteering for literally everything in town. I know people like this, and nothing ever gets done well because their plates are too full. Then when the truth about the past is revealed she gets mad at Holt? She was an idiot for not once reaching out to him in years, and an idiot for getting mad when they realized none of the miscommunication was his fault. I was so aggravated by the end I DNFed with only 2 chapters left.

[Marina Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was well written for the first half, but I had to skim most of the latter. Also, I’m not a fan of closed door!!!!!!

[Linda Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! This story is heart wrenching and heart warming, first bringing a tear to my eye before then bringing a smile to my face. Hold and Lainey were in love as teens - the kind of love that should last forever, but then life intervenes and they are forced apart. Each blames the other for the breakup - not realizing that neither was at fault. When they meet again ten years later, neither can resist the pull of the other and they fall into an uneasy relationship They are both desperately in love, while afraid to trust the other to stick around. Add in a number of endearing animals - from Merry the Christmas horse, to Lou the lost dog, a barn full of other animals, and a fainting goat, and you have all the makings for a wonderful Christmas story.

This novel is filled with heart and is a must read for fans of the genre. Put this one at the top of your TBR list and snuggle in front of the fire in a comfy chair and enjoy this wonderful holiday novel. While part of a series, this is a stand alone novel, however, it's so good that you really owe to yourself to read them all. The author is on my must read authors' list.

[Kirsty Hoggons · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love a romance novel like this one. Romance AND Christmas?! Sign me up. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. I like that Holt opened up quite quickly and there wasn't a long time of him being broody as there often is in these kinds of scenarios.

I also like that Lainey was also immediately open towards him, despite the past.

While I was enjoying the story, it went downhill for me when Lainey wasn't understanding of the fact that Holt was hurt and had his heartbroken too. Yes, she went through a rough patch but she also never told him anything about it. At least she knew the circumstances for her leaving, he didn't. Even though this only took up a short part of the book, I was annoyed by it. Then Holt bends over backwards to show her how much he loves her and she's upset because he wasn't at the dance. Overall, good but for me just an unfortunate turn of events near the end.

[Donna Repsher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading the first 5 books in Jennie Marts' Creedence Horse Rescue series, but her 6th novel, A Cowboy Country Christmas (Creedence Horse Rescue Book 6) is by far my favorite. It's a sweet, second chance at love story, filled to the brim with Christmas spirit, an oddly endearing animal menagerie, angst, laughter, and tears, and it gets 5 stars from this reader, who strongly suggests reading the books in this series in the order they were written.

Holt Callahan fell in love with Lainey McBride at first sight, when he was 10 years old. Lainey spent her summers at her grandfather's ranch, Mountainside, and she and Holt became best friends, and by the time they were in their late teens, they both had thoughts of marriage after they finished high school, but it didn't happen. At a pivotal point in their young lives, Lainey disappeared one night, and 2 weeks later, Holt received a letter from her, dumping him--right at Christmas time, breaking his heart. He spent the next decade riding the rodeo circuit, and even found himself a new fiancee, who also broke up with him just before Christmas. As a result, he's a total grump--he hates everything about Christmas, from the lights, the gifts, the carols, the tinsel, the glitter, and to say he's bitter is putting it mildly.

Later in life, after leaving the circuit without any idea of what to do with the rest of his life, Holt's cousin Bryn, the owner of the Heaven Can Wait Horse Rescue, tracked him down and convinced him to move back to Creedence to help her with the animals at her rescue ranch, and he finally agrees. He's settled in, but still very bitter and depressed.

One snowy morning, a gorgeous black stallion gallops onto the property, and he assumes it belongs to Mountainside, the ranch next door. When he returns the horse to Moutainside, imagine his shock and surprise when he finds the lost love of his life, Lainey, in residence. Lainey's grandfather broke his hip a week earlier, and she returned from wherever she'd been to take care of the ranch while her grandfather recuperates in rehab.

Lainey is excited to be back after a 12-year absence, is brimming over with Christmas spirit, and more than happy to take charge of grandfather’s popular Mountainside Country Christmas Festival, an annual event, and she is beyond shocked to see Holt standing before her. Each of these well-drawn characters feel they were stood up and betrayed by the other. The attraction is still there, but can both of these characters get over feeling jilted by each other and get their second chances at a happy-ever after?

At outset, it doesn't seem likely, but this is a romance novel after all, Christmas is coming, and sometimes miracles do happen at Christmas--will one happen to them? I'm not telling beause I don't do spoilers, so you'll just have to read this sorrowful, wonderful, heartwarming, and often hilarious novel for yourself. Just don't say I didn't warn you about the Nativity scene, which is the most hilarious, laugh out load scene I've read in some time, and just the mention of it in this review got me laughing out loud again.

A Cowboy Country Chistmas is, quite simply, one fabulous read, but I will warn you about one trigger, an off-screen mention of domestic violence and murder, so if those are issues for you, you might want to read a different novel, but if you can get past that, this is one treasure of a Christmas novel, and I highly recommend it.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

A Cowboy Country Christmas continues the Creedence Horse Rescue series with the story of young lovers, each believing their love had been betrayed, tossed aside without reason, only to be unexpectedly reunited during the Christmas season. Emotions run high in Lainey and Holt’s story, from anger and tears to laughter and passion and finally to understanding and forgiveness. It’s quite a journey for this couple and for the reader as well. I was so easily caught up in their romance, and watching real love work its way back into their lives once again was a road filled with potholes, but the destination was well worth the rocky road they had to travel.

Although I will always suggest reading a series in order if at all possible, you could read Holt and Lainey’s story as a standalone title for any characters from the previous stories are explained enough within the dialogue or narrative that you wouldn’t feel lost. We’ll run into some familiar faces for those who have read the previous books, and for that, I’m always grateful to catch up a bit.

What I enjoyed most about A Cowboy Country Christmas was something so simple yet so very true for some people. In spite of circumstances, real love between two people will find a way to show itself again if risks are taken, if trust can be rebuilt, if or when the entire truth about the past can be faced, dealt with, and moved on from. And if it’s not obvious, yes, sometimes love does take some work, commitment, and even a few miracles along the way… but it’s always worth fighting for, no matter what obstacles are tossed in the way. I experienced all of that and more within Holt and Lainey’s romance. I won’t go into details of the storyline because I feel each reader should discover this love story on their own… but what a story full of love this one was. Sometimes, the best of intentions lead us right back to where we began.

If you love a story full of laughter and tears, anger and forgiveness, of seeing two people who really do belong together fight their way back to their happiness – then you will love this romance. Plus, there are probably all the Christmas cheer, shenanigans, and miracles you’d want to find in a romance taking place during the most magical time of the year. I’m still smiling over a fainting goat… just wait, you’ll see. I had a blast back in this world, and I’m definitely waiting for the next visit to the Creedence Horse Rescue.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cowboy Country Christmas by Jennie Marts is another of the Creedence Horse Rescue series and features Bryn’s cousin, Hoyt Callahan, and his next door neighbor, Lainey McBride. Well, she was staying at her grandfather’s place and he was working for Bryn and Zane who were currently out of town on a rescue. He nearly dropped his jaw when he returned a run-away horse to the ranch next door, and there she was. He hadn’t seen her since she had left town in the middle of the night with no word and broken his heart. They had been only seventeen but they planned to marry as soon as they were old enough. Then she was gone. She was amazed to see him. He looked good but she couldn’t forget how he’d ghosted her all those years before. Yep, they definitely had some talking to do but right now it was Christmas. She had a festival and numerous other events to prepare for and she needed his help, despite the fact he had become the Grinch.

Hoyt was a good character. Their breakup had damaged him more than anyone would have expected. He had rodeoed for awhile, then he found another woman, but after he got hurt he discovered she wanted him for his celebrity and not for himself. That sent him into a depression and that was when Bryn and Zane had found him. He was a good character: quiet and stoic. Very guarded. Lainey had drifted around for years, from job to job, never finding the right fit. She had run with her mother to hide from her abusive stepfather. He was now in jail; he had killed his next woman. She was just here because her grandfather had broken his hip; her grandmother had died; and he needed the income from the festival to keep the ranch afloat. It was not a complicated plot: a second chance romance, but it was a fun and satisfying read. And it was Christmas and it full of Christmas. Another great entry into this cowboy romance series.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Cowboy Country Christmas by Sourcebooks Casablanca, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #SourcebooksCasablanca #JennieMarts #ACowboyCountryChristmas

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve read a book by Jennie Marts I haven’t enjoyed! This was such a heartwarming, redeeming second chance love story. I love when a couple gets a second chance at love. Especially a love story like Lainey and Holt’s - such a deep and meaningful connection, then miscommunication and misblame for breaking apart and then their reconnection back ten years later. Both also had some rough points leading up to their reconnection but I loved how it was easy for them to fall back into a rhythm. Lainey is like my spirit animal - a lover of all things Christmas. And Holt, you just admire how love and devotion to Lainey - even coming off of being heartbroken on how it had “ended”. Even when Lainey kind of showed little compassion to Holt’s viewpoint when all the truth all had come out, you just couldn’t help but root for them to make it back and both come to their senses. Love the community & side characters that show up and engage in this story that many were being so willing to help in a pinch and rooting for Holt & Lainey. I was rooting for them to find their happily ever after!

A clean, feel good romance and happily ever after. The setting of the story definitely puts you in Christmas mode. The author does a great job giving you all the feels of the time of year and the history to the present of this love story. No profanity or crude language; intimate moments are implied and not overly graphic (closed door) - but you can definite sense the desire and passion they have for each other - both physically and emotionally; a definite Hallmark feel to this story. Add this to your TBR list - you will NOT be disappointed!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy Country Christmas is the sixth book in the Creedence Horse Rescue novels by Jennie Marts. Holt Callahan had recently returned to Creedence after a long stint on the rodeo circuit. Back in Creedence, Holt has taken up residence at his cousin Bryn Callahan’s Heaven Can Wait horse rescue ranch. With Holt in residence in the remodeled bunk house, Bryn and her boyfriend Zane Taylor are able to travel as needed to rescue horses to bring back to the ranch.

One morning Holt is able to do a rescue of his own when a large black horse comes running through the ranch. Able to corral the horse, he discovers it is from the neighboring Mountainside Ranch. In fact, this is the horse they depend upon for their winter sleigh rides at their winter festival. Upon wrangling the errant horse, Holt guides it back to Mountainside. However, when Holt arrives he finds his one time love, Lainey McBride, rather than her grandfather Walter, is in charge. It seems Walter is in rehab at a nearby Senior Living center and Lainey has come to manage the festival, the main ranch moneymaker.

Neither Lainey nor Holt are pleased to see the other. But the Callahans have pledged to help with the festival and Bryn and Zane have been called to Montana for a big rescue and it is now up to Holt to do whatever is necessary to help Lainey make it a success. Initially neither of them is pleased by this turn of events, but each finds closure from their teens and a future that may just be exactly perfect for them.

This is a very good story! The characters and stories of Creedence are always interesting and never disappoint. I very much enjoyed this book and certainly do recommend it!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy Country Christmas with a cowboy & animals who pull pranks at Creedance Horse Rescue is just what Santa needs to bring everyone Christmas morning. Lainey returns to her grandpa’s farm to run the Christmas festival & events while grandpa is in rehab for broken hip. Her grandmother’s horse gets out & is returned by Holt, Lainey’s former best friend & boyfriend/lover. Each thinks the other broke up with him/her when she was 17, but neither has forgotten or gotten over the love they felt for each other. Lainey needs Holt’s help getting the Christmas events set up, but he’s a big Mr. Grinch. During the preparations, they come to care about & love a dog he finds under the bunkhouse; they rescue a little girl’s hurt horse, & accept a rescue of a fainting goat, all while having sleigh rides, baking cookies, hosting nativity scenes, going caroling & attending the community tree lighting, then finally having the festival & Ho Ho Hoedown. All of these events remind both of them of past events; can it also help to remind them of their love for each other & bring them back together for good, or will their past hurts be too much.
Jennie Marts gets you ready for the Christmas season with this book. I missed, however, Otis’ (the original goat in this series) & Shamus’ (a miniature horse) antics in the previous books. This is a really good feel-good story that will have you wishing it didn’t end.
I received an advanced readers’ copy of this book & am so glad. I loved it & hope you will, as well.
Merry Christmas

[Katie Mettner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy Country Christmas was such a cute read I couldn't put it down! Holt is a cowboy who hasn't had great luck in the woman department, especially at Christmas. For that reason, he's a bit of a Grinch when you first meet him. He's helping out at his cousin's horse rescue ranch while he tries to decide what to do with his life. All he knows is all of this happy Christmas stuff going on in Creedence is driving him nuts!

Then he finds a wandering horse and walks her back to the neighboring ranch, only to come face to face with one of the reasons he hates Christmas, Lainey McBride. She was the one who got away the Christmas they turned seventeen, but he had never stopped loving her.

Lainey needs help. She's trying to take care of her Grandpa's ranch while he recovers from a broken hip. That includes running the holiday ranch he has at Christmas. When her old love, Holt, shows up leading her horse Merry behind him, she ropes him into helping her with the sleigh rides.

When Holt and Lainey reconnect, they're both too afraid to bring up the past and ruin what they have going on in the present. The problem is they both know if they continue to ignore the past, it will ruin their future.

This was such a sweet, sweet book about second chances, not just for Holt and Lainey but for many of the citizens in Creedence. The ending is so romantic you won't want to put the book down until you know if this Christmas couple has earned their second chance.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being wrapped in a cozy blanket by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa in hand. That is the perfect setting for this kind of Christmas romance from Jennie Marts.

I loved the banter and fun between Holt and Lainey. You can really feel how they have a past together as friends and romantic partners. It makes you root for them to get back that magic as you make your way through this story.

One of my favorite scenes is the one about the Christmas tree for Holt aka the Grinch. It was not only humorous. It also was lighthearted and romantic. This scene embodies the feeling that this whole book creates for the reader.

I loved the animals the most. We have a lovable pig, a horse named Copper and (my favorite) a dog named Lou. This dog that is found under the porch and cleans up into the sweetest and most loving pup was really the bow on this Christmas present for me.

Jennie Marts' storytelling is like a heartfelt conversation with a best friend. It really connects with the reader and makes them feel.

I love the landscape that is the setting for this novel as well. It was so much fun hearing about the town's festive preparations and the warm community that creates this every year. I especially loved how Holt helps out making Christmas cookies and like the kid in the cookie jar, he needs to be watched so he doesn't eat more than he unwraps!

This is a great pick to get you in the spirit for Christmas with a dose of pure country charm!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will start off saying that I did not know this was part of a series so if you read this and not the others it won't be hard to find or follow what's going, however if the other books in the series are like this one you will want to read them because the group of characters are so fun to follow. Now on to my review. I did feel like the "situation" with Holt and Lainey went on a little to long and I wished it had played out a different way. I really liked Lainey she did have a big heart and truly was just this breath of fresh air wherever she went. She made sure to always include and care for anyone she crossed paths with. Holt was this grumpy gus but honestly I was laughing and rolling my eyes at his antics because it felt like it was more for show then that's who he wanted to be betrayed at. In the beginning the chemistry between these two was explosive and the author did not disappoint keeping it going. I loved all the sub characters in the book they added such a fun factor into the story, but my favorite where the animals I laughed so hard at the antics of them for sure. I think hands down the two characters that stole the "show" were Winnie and Esme I could not stop laughing when they made appearances and you truly never know what was going to be said or done next. Overall this was really cute story and I would say worth the read. I will say that there is sex in this story so it may not be suitable for all readers.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cowboy Country Christmas by Jennie Marts is such a fun grumpy and sunshine Christmas story. I loved it, now considering it to be my favorite Christmas story of 2023. Holt Callahan is adorable not matter how hard he tries to appear to be a Christmastime hater. Yes, he has had some difficult things happen at the holiday season but if they had happened in April would he suddenly hate Spring? Lainey McBride is all into Christmas especially as she is heading up her grandfather’s annual Christmas ranch festival.

Their history is murky at first both believing the other broke their heart as teenagers. Honestly, they should just talk it out which does not happen early in the story. Instead they end up working in proximity with the grandparents’ farms close. This is Jennie Marts at her very best with a story of heart, humor, sassy dialogue, complications, and wonderful four-legged characters as well as the very likable two-legged ones.

For a sweet, yet swoon worthy story of A cowboy who needs to find his yule time spirit and his true love, you can’t go wrong with A Cowboy Country Christmas

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Judy Christiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading the books in this series. They take place in a Colorado mountain town called Creedence. It is a tight knit community where people care about each other. Animals are considered a part of the family, whether it is a miniature horse, a pig that thinks it is a dog, or an ornery goat.

In this book, two adults that spent time in Creedence as children re-unite as adults and the sparks still fly, but due to unresolved issues they have a crooked road to a happily ever after. Since this is a romance, the reader knows it will come at the end of the story. That is why I enjoy reading Romance genre. I want a happy ending!

I enjoyed this book, but I have to say, I kept telling these two “meant-to-be-together folks”, you just need to learn to communicate! Their problems are from assuming and not talking! So much like real life.

I want to thank SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back in Credence, Colorado with a stand alone in this latest addition to the series. This time the story belongs to Holt Callahan and Lainey McBride.
Holt, has left behind his rodeo years and nowadays is helping his cousin in her rescue ranch. It’s been 10 years since his young heart was broken by the girl he thought would be his forever when she left without looking back. Since then the Christmas holidays and love are not in his agenda.
Lainey McBride is back in town after having had her heart broken by the boy she thought was going to marry her. Not her choice to be back, but her grandfather needs her .
Neither expected to see each other again, least of all , realize that the feelings were still there. But miscommunications, misconceptions , and lack of trust seems to precede the heart.
Will the meaning of Christmas, a reminder of new beginnings, forgiveness, helping others and reassessing ones priorities , trust and clearing the past give them a second chance at love and life?
This was a sweet and touching story about life, family and hope.
A good addition to the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missed communication and a matchmaking horse

Holt and Lainey were friends since childhood, in love as teenagers, then suddenly torn apart by circumstances that they each interpreted as the other one's decision. Twelve years later, Lainey is back to help her grandfather through the Christmas season and Holt is living on his cousin's horse rescue ranch. Thrown into each other's paths as they navigate the various community holiday events, they're forced to address their issues from the past and figure out if they have a future together.

I really loved how these two were together. There's plenty of combustible chemistry, of course, but there's also a very solid foundation of respect and teamwork. It soon became clear that what broke them up years ago was a misunderstanding and I was a bit frustrated by their willingness to ignore that issue right up until the Xmas Eve finale - of course this was an intentional plot choice, but it did not feel at all realistic for the characters to continue on as they were while knowingly ignoring the elephant in the room.

I really enjoyed the small town setting and the familiar characters, especially seeing the couples from the earlier books living out their own HEAs. As a holiday story, this one included the most original nativity scene I've ever read and I thought it was absolutely perfect. Lainey and Holt do get a very satisfying HEA of their own, and I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves contemporary cowboy romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holt Callahan and Lainey McBride were teenage sweethearts. They had planned to be together forever, but life had other plans. Holt is now back in Creedence, CO, living and working on his cousin’s horse rescue ranch. Little does he know that Lainey is also back, and she’s right next door.

Lainey’s there to help while her grandfather is recovering from a broken hip. He runs the Mountainside Country Christmas Festival each year but can’t do it this year because of his injury. She’s shocked when Holt shows up at her door. Lainey ends up recruiting Holt to help with the festival. Despite the heartache from the past, the two still have feelings for each other, but Lainey isn’t planning on staying in Creedence and doesn’t want to risk getting her heart broken again anyway. Is there a chance they can work through their differences?

A fun second chance story about forgiveness, new beginnings, and more, with fainting goats and other animals.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kerry Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc all opinions are my own.
Cowboy Holy Callahan is not big on Christmas ever since his teenage girlfriend deserted him a decade ago. Still living in Credence he soon discovers Lainey is back in town and he hasn't actually gotten over her. A true grump he doesn't want to get involved in the Christmas festivities but Lainey needs his help...
Beautiful, cosy, warmhearted and adorable I couldn't think of a better Christmas book. It's breathtaking with the scenery, the people and of course smoking hot Holt.
This book made me wish it was Christmas and we're still at the end of summer.
Jennie Marts writes a magical book that stops you from doing literally anything else.
If I could give it a ten I would.
Holt and Lainey are perfect and there is sizzle too as well as good old fashioned humour.
You'll not want to miss this book.
Second chance, small town romance with grumpy and sunshine
Kerry Kennedy Author

[Ashley Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! One of the main characters, Holt, used to love the holidays up until one Christmas Eve. He was dumped with an engagement ring that he was going to propose with. This had caused him to dislike the holidays or to become "the grinch." Lainey, one of the other main characters, she is staying at her grandparents' house for a little bit and absolutely loves Christmas. Throughout the book, Lainey takes over running her family's ranch festivities while her grandfather recovers. She also asks Holt to assist at times while trying to get him into the holiday spirit again. We learn the story behind Lainey and Holt, also the story behind Lainey's family. I was rooting for Lainey and Holt throughout the entire book. I am so happy with the ending and can not wait to read more about them! Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC of A Cowboy Country Christmas by Jennie Marts! I would totally recommend this book!

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holt and Lainey were HS sweethearts and planned to marry. Then one day changed their lives. Instead of meeting at the annual Holiday Hoedown dance, Lainey is whisked away by her mother to escape her abusive stepfather. She left Holt a note in their special meeting spot explaining why she left and where to meet on her 18th birthday if he still loves her. He never shows and she's heartbroken.

He becomes a Rodeo star that grows to hate Christmas as bad things happen. Flash ahead 12 years and she returns home to take over the annual Christmas festival occurring on his ranch after her grandfather falls and is sent to rehab. They accidentally meet and rekindle the relationship. But they both have questions about the fateful day she disappeared without any further contact.

Can they get over past hurts to understand what happened and why? You'll have to read it to find out : It's worth it!

Although I received a free ARC ebook, all thoughts and opinions are my own.