Matchmaking the Cowboy + Giveaway

What’s a little covert matchmaking between friends?

Lucy Aveline’s ex has a knack for making her feel small and helpless. She’d avoid him entirely, but he still owns a piece of her heart in the form of the pets he purchased for her but kept for himself. She visits Rosie and Jasmine when she can, vows to avoid another controlling boyfriend by staying single, and focuses on her large animal veterinary practice. Or that’s the plan until some longtime family friends attempt to set her up with former rodeo star Hollis Price. Lucy convinces them to drop the plot only when she promises to find Hollis a good match herself.

Hollis is more concerned with surviving his first Christmas after losing his dad than with finding love. Dad’s champion horse is aging, and rumors started by an unhappy client threaten the horse training business Hollis inherited from his father. When the kind and talented Lucy offers friendship, he accepts simply to add cheer to the season.

It’s not long before his interest in Lucy deepens, but so do problems at his ranch. Saving his father’s legacy begins to look as impossible as earning Lucy’s trust. Especially when her ex continues to use her love of animals against her and she won’t stop pushing her single friends at Hollis long enough to notice she’s the one he’s falling for.

Return to Redemption Ridge, Colorado and enjoy the faith, friendships, and forever-afters in this Christian Christmas Romance.

Matchmaking the Cowboy is book 9 in the Christmas in Redemption Ridge series, but each of the books can be read on their own.

My Review:

published in 2024

I do so love a good matchmaking romance and this one fits the bill, especially with the added bonus of a Christmasy setting! Love the unique twist to the matchmaking plot: in order to avoid being aggressively (though lovingly) matched with Colter throughout the holiday season, Lucy agrees to find him a match herself. While that might get the well meaning matchmakers off her back, it also catapults Lucy into Hollis’s orbit so frequently that it’s impossible not to, well, fall in love with the guy. Bwahahaha!

Of course, things don’t go smoothly. There’s plenty of sassy banter and charged attempts to fight the inevitable attraction. Plus there’s Lucy’s horrid ex whose despicable actions made me want to pursewhomp him in the worst way. Thankfully, Hollis has his own measured comeuppance planned which sent me twirling into a jubilant victory dance while whooping my delight at the top of my lungs. My neighbours might still be traumatized, but I found it refreshingly cleansing. And yes, I know that’s not appropriate given it’s the season for good will and peace on earth but, trust me, once you meet the ex, you’ll totally understand!

There’s an array of engaging secondary characters who add depth and humour as well as unsolicited advise. 🙂 Many are heroes and heroines from previous ‘Christmas at Redemption Ridge’ novels, but this one easily reads well as a standalone.

I appreciated the faith elements the author included in Hollis and Lucy’s story. Pertinent and meaningful without coming off as preachy or too forceful. Just the perfect touch to bring hope and healing to this hero and heroine who absolutely deserve their happily ever after.

11 thoughts on “Matchmaking the Cowboy + Giveaway”

  1. MATCHMAKING COWBOY sounds like the perfect Christmasy story to start one off on holiday reading. Although, I must admit to reading Christmas stories all through the year. Also sounds like it’s got the perfect mix of antics and problematic moments to keep one turning pages at a rather rapid pace. How it missed my TBR list the first time is beyond me, but it’s sure there now. Can’t wait to dive into Colter and Lucy’s story.

    Thank you so much for the amazing chance to win a copy!

    We’re having you rain (another 2 inches last night and still raining) plus today the windy could almost blow you away. Good day to be inside with a good book.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We’re heading into a rainy spell tomorrow and that’s exactly what I am going to do — cozy in with a good book…or two…or three! And some of them might be more Christmas stories because I’m craving them now that the weather has gotten colder. Good luck, Kay!

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  2. I love book series like this! I read Liwen Ho’s story “Fulfilling Her Christmas Wish” and enjoyed it tremendously. The faith elements and sigh worthy happily-ever-afters are what draw me the most 😊❤

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I loved To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad, and I’d definitely like to read more of her books! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Fabulous review, Kav!! I have added this one to my TBR. I have not read any of this series, but do have a few on my TBR. With over a hundred Christmas books on my “want to read” list, I am not sure how many I will get to this year, although I have already started, LOL! cilydav at hotmail dot com

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